CURRENT MISSION

I would like to travel the United States in 30 days and write about my experience.

ABOUT ME

My friends would say I am a great person with a big heart. Smart, funny, and young at heart, as well as easy going and super positive, always able to find the best in any situation. They would say I get along well with lots of different people and I am a trusted friend. They would also say I am exciting and adventurous, and they want to come with me. Finally they would say I am a self starter with a business mind.

PHILOSOPHY

LOVE. I think if we could all show a little more love to our fellow people the World would be a better place. Be honest, you are only as good as your word. Together we can accomplish many things. Life is short and every day is precious, embrace it. Be the change you want to see in the World (Ghandi). Take risks, great things will happen. Have a positive attitude everyday, and if you wake up without one then go get back in bed and get up when you do. That is why we need to travel. If we don't offer ourselves to the unknown, our senses dull, our world becomes small and we lose our sense of wonder, our eyes don't lift to the horizon; our ears don't hear the sounds around us, the edge is off our experience, and we pass our days in a routine that is both comfortable and limiting. We wake up one day and find that we have lost our dreams in order to protect our days. That is why we need to travel.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have a new appreciation of cooking and recently discovered Yoga. I am working on expanding my mind with new experiences, people, travel and books. I am always ready for a good adventure. I'm not afraid to make my own adventures.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have recently embarked on a 30 day couch surfing adventure that began October 1st. As a child my parents would open our home to Up With People. We got to host and meet interesting people from around the world. I think this is the greatest idea to make our world a little closer and I don't know why it took so long for someone to come up with this idea. I am surprised I just recently discovered Couch surfing and I want to tell the World about it.

Interests

I enjoy traveling, singing for fun, reading, learning, time with my animals, photography and writing. I enjoy delicious, healthy food, and yoga. I worked in the restaurant business for the last 15 years as a Manager of a steak house. I finally have some free time and I am enjoying seeing the country in October 2012. I am taking a trip around the United States in 30 days. I also volunteer at the local Cascade Theater and the YMCA working with children.

• animals
• writing
• books
• singing
• theater
• photography
• dining
• cooking
• yoga
• flying
• reading
• traveling
• surfing
• business
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

I love music, movies, and books. My most recent concerts were Brandi Carlile, Wilco, and Elvis Costello,and Ziggy Marly. I just went on a reading spree and finished about 10 books in the last two months. Mostly on personal discovery, health, and Yoga. I love a good mystery, suspense movie, it goes well with a nice bottle of wine.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I saved money for my own trip to Alaska when I was 14 and went with my Grandma for 2 weeks and went up the inland passage. In 2004 I went to France for two weeks with my daughter and her high school French Class. We spent 3 days in Paris and spent the rest of the time touring Castles in France, the Louvre, and ended the trip in Monaco. One of the most AMAZING sites I have ever seen was flying out of France over the Swiss Alps at sunrise. The pink sky surrounding and reflecting off the snow on the Alps took my breath away. I can't even describe with my words how beautiful that view was. On another note, during my restaurant career I saved two peoples lives, in separate incidents, by using C.P.R. After they had passed out, from chocking on food, I was able to revive both of them. Lastly, In 2011 Dean and I went to Washington D.C, we applied in advance and were able to get tickets to tour inside the White House, Library of Congress, Capitol, and the Kennedy Center. I fell in LOVE with Washington D.C. We also spent time in almost every Smithsonian and other museums, and discovered the beautiful Georgetown. In October 2012, I toured the United States by Couch surfing for 30 days, staying with 27 different hosts.

Teach, Learn, Share

I think we can learn from just about everyone we meet. I believe when we enter into new friendships we leave a little part of ourselves with each other. I would like to write about my experience so I could expand couchsurfing to other people who may not otherwise have a chance to travel, explore, and discover the world. I think this is a wonderful and positive way to bring people and the World closer together, and that is what we need more of in the world.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bahamas, France, Mexico, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States