I'm a laid back, mellow human, who loves travel, food, and yoga. I'm currently living in the Bronx (NYC), and working as a high school science teacher in Westchester County. I love hiking and hanging out in nature in all its glory. I adore pineapples, and my favorite color is purple. Other things I love include dogs (I love dogs so much! They are my ultimate soft spot), and making people laugh. Seriously, what can be better than improving the quality of people's lives in whatever little way we can?

Let's see, what else is there to say about me. I love reading, and listening to good music. I don't think I have to constrict myself to one or a couple of genres in particular though; regardless of genre, I can always appreciate musical pieces that take skill and talent to create. Same goes for literature! I am an environmentalist, not enough to be all in your face about it, but conscious of (where possible) leaving no trace of my passing. I'm also a humanist, and am firm in my belief that all humans deserve equal respect and love. Not only humans, but all living things, really! Hence, I'm one of those people who doesn't kill bugs, but gets a cup, scoops them up, and puts them outside (I don't know if that tells you anything of value about me, but there you go...).

I'm always happy to meet new people and make new friends. If you're in the New York City area, feel free to message me! I don't currently live in a place where I would be able to host surfers, but we'll see if we can at least find a time to meet up! :)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To meet new people and make new friends! In the future, when I live in a more spacious place, I'd be happy to host surfers!

Interests

• dogs
• literature
• coloring
• dining
• yoga
• reading
• traveling
• music
• hiking
• bungee jumping
• skydiving
• cricket
• anatomy
• teaching
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

Books:
1984 - George Orwell
Perfume - Patrick Suskind
Brave New World - Aldous Huxley

...There are way too many to list, we can just talk about books together in real life! :)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

There are too many memories that excite me, I can't possibly list just one...! How about one for each of the places I have the most fond memories of?

Taught boys at an orphanage in Bangalore about the anatomy of the brain's lobes. Ate dosa and gobi manchurian (and other delicious South Indian chaat!) until I felt like I was 6 months pregnant with an epic food baby.

Hiked deep down into the Grand Canyon while it was pitch black, and watched the sun come up. Almost had a terrible asthma attack on the way back up, but thank goodness for albuterol!

Went skydiving above a coastal city in California with an impossibly gorgeous view, and went bungee jumping off the "Bridge to Nowhere," over a river with incredibly pointy rocks. Also lived in LA for four years while earning my undergrad degree. So many good times to be had. :)

Crawled through a network of underground tunnels in Viet nam, originally used during the Vietnam War. Ate traditional pho, and pho in the US has never been the same since. Survived riding on a scooter through the streets of Saigon.

Explored the ruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia (aka Kampuchia), and all the various temples. Saw statues of Buddha with their heads chopped off. Ate a stir-fried cricket with locals. (it was delicious)

Traveled to Thailand and saw the chopped-off heads stolen from the statues in Cambodia. Visited a bunch of ornate temples and ate delicious Thai food until I was ready to burst. Played with baby elephants, chose not to ride an adult one.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm a teacher, and I've been told I'm very patient and able to explain things with clarity. Any knowledge or skills that I have, I'm happy to share with you!

I'm also a lifelong learner, so I'm more than happy to learn about whatever you would like to share with me. Seriously, talk to me about anything! I promise I'll find it interesting. :)

What I Can Share with Hosts

I am more than happy to help out around the house, and help you get chores or errands done! Just let me know - it's the least I can do for someone who's willing to host me during my travels!

Countries I’ve Visited

Cambodia, Canada, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, India, Italy, Malaysia, Panama, Switzerland, Thailand, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Switzerland, United States