CURRENT MISSION

I was making my way to Russia (2012-2014), but hit a wonderful back eddy in Whitehorse, Yukon, and decided to stay.

ABOUT ME

I like to laugh a lot and enjoy natural surrounds :-) I am also eco-centred and a fan of living a relatively low-impact life: in my previous apartment I composted stuff that plants could grow from, I used vinegar to clean, and I didn't use water needlessly ;-) I also volunteered at the organic co-op and enjoy cooking, drawing and sharing ideas and adventures with inspiring people.

PHILOSOPHY

Living mindfully is up there on the list, so I guess that includes everything from low-impact living, to meditation, to thinking about how we all affect and absorb the world around us. I enjoy contributing to make a space nice for all to share.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I packed up my apartment in Manly in 2012, where I hosted some wonderful people (thank you all!) and since then I have been living in Canada. I spent 6 months in the Kootenays visiting friends before moving to Whitehorse (in the Yukon Territory) to work on an organic goat dairy farm where I have been for two years. Whether couchsurfing or volunteering, I enjoy meeting people who are open and communicative & it is my intention respond in kind by contributing thoughtfully to their home :-)

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I hosted couch surfers in Manly in summer and autumn 2012 and had a great time meeting everyone. I have been a surfer a few times so far and would love to continue meeting people in the CS community!

Interests

I enjoy being active, especially in wilderness areas. I like bushwalking, running, body surfing at the beach and played comp football (soccer) and ultimate frisbee. I spend a lot of time drawing and reading too, and love sharing yummy, healthy meals with friends.

As for brain-stuff, I studied science communication (and majored in evolution biology) at uni. I am fascinated by insects, spiders and other crawly critters. I am keen to explore new ways of understanding the world we live in & I am looking forward to meeting other like-minded (and different-minded) people :-)

I have worked as a science writer, uni tutor, developed a mentoring program at Sydney uni, taught ceramics painting to kids and adults, and have developed workshops with environmental themes.

• insects
• writing
• cooking
• running
• meditation
• reading
• socializing
• pottery
• painting
• drawing
• surfing
• bungee jumping
• hang gliding
• soccer
• biology
• teaching
• science
• volunteering
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Books I had read recently/am reading -
Yukon Wildlife: A Social History by Robert G McCandless, Plants of Southern Interior BC & the inland Northwest by Parish Coupe Lloyd, Devil in the White City by Erik Larson, Becoming Animal by David Abram, Nausea by Jean-Paul Sartre, The Back of the Napkin by Dan Roam, Making Ideas Happen by Scott Belsky.

Music I'm listening too - basically anything I come across is good, I guess I have eclectic taste, but some good'uns are Iron & Wine, Josh Ritter, Alice Russell, Tom Waits, Boston, Morcheeba, Beastie Boys, Bonobo, Gill Scott-Heron, Gondwana... and anything with a good rhythm :-)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Australia is beautiful place. At my previous apartment Eastern Water Dragons would sit and sun bake on the ledge while I hung out my washing and the birdsong of kookaburras would echo outside my windows most nights at sunset :-)

I've also been hang gliding, bungee jumping, and snorkelling with sharks...

Teach, Learn, Share

I like learning about everything, especially if its through direct experience. A friend told me recently that I go into places (like botanical gardens) and don't read the signs until I'm on my way out. I guess I like to go in without preconceptions and then look for information.

I am a science communicator and artist. I write and edit well and can do lots of computer things. I know a fair bit about evolution biology, ecosystems, teaching science, group facilitation, mentoring, coaching and visual communication. I like to run, play, jump, sew.

Happy to teach/learn/share wherever I go!

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Canada, Hungary, India, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Canada