CURRENT MISSION

To collect experiences and learn from everyone I meet along the way.

ABOUT ME

All about me? That's a lot to ask for.
But a bit about me:
I like to keep busy. I tend to try to fit in too many things in too little time, because I love them all. I am currently primarily focused on completing my PhD in Neuroscience (at the University of British Columbia), but am also seriously addicted to dancing. I would try (and love) most any form of dance, but my focus is tribal fusion bellydance and blues/fusion partner dance.

I love people. I find really good conversations exhilarating, and enjoy catching a glimpse of where someone has come from and is headed. This is part of why I love traveling -- you meet so many fascinating, equally passionate individuals on the way, even if it's only a brief one-time encounter.

Other than that, I enjoy movies, music, diving, biking, outdoor adventures aaaand the list goes on, but I think I'm just rambling at this point!

PHILOSOPHY

I have a few - and am bound to pick up more! I need to think about that more, but short version:

- Spread happiness. Sounds cheesy, but it seems to work wonders. Be open to people and always give them a smile, even if they don't return it. They may pass it on later.

- Always challenge yourself/push outside of your comfort zone. If you're afraid of doing something, ask yourself why, and if it isn't a logical reason then find a way to overcome that fear.

- Related to that - don't be afraid to express your passion and to be genuine. People can take it or leave it, but at least you'll know you're acting true to yourself.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I absolutely love to host, but my current lifestyle makes it difficult to find time. I also really enjoy couchsurfing - I've only recently started (as I usually have friends to stay with when I travel), but it definitely enhanced my travel experience and left me smiling the whole time!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I had my first surfing experience (in France), followed by my first hosting experience (in Saskatoon). Both were absolutely incredible - I love meeting people and sharing stories, which travelers happen to have a lot of!

Interests

A lot. Refer to "about me" above, plus:
- traveling (obviously)
- language
- dance (again)
- mental health/neuroscience
- marine biology
- environmentalism
- tea
- music (both listening and playing)

• culture
• acting
• dancing
• environment
• cooking
• movies
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• piano
• blues
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• surfing
• scuba diving
• biology
• marine science
• neuroscience
• psychology
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies:
Waking Life, Amelie, Dogville, Weekend, Fried Green Tomatoes, American Beauty, Melancholia, Exit Through the Gift Shop, Triplettes de Belleville, Into the Abyss, Persepolis, Hunger, Breakfast on Pluto... I could go on forever.
Music:
I like music from most any genre, but my focuses are probably indie/folk, alternative/progressive rock, blues + swing, trip-hop + electronic variants. I love anything Jack White does, Muse, Massive Attack, Portishead, Jon and Roy, Beats Antique, etc.

Books:
Unfortunately, I haven't had much time to read in recent years, other than endless articles and textbooks. But most recently, my favourites are Flowers for Algernon, Holding Still for as Long as Possible, Brave New World, and Fried Green Tomatoes.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Big question.
I think there are too many to single out one experience, particularly when I am generally loving everything! But most involve traveling and meeting people, and being in a vibrant, energetic and creative environment.

Most recent example would likely be attending a field course (Oceanography) at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre last summer. Within 3 weeks, I met and grew very close to an absolutely amazing group of people, learned so much about the ocean (which is what I would have studied if the brain didn't intrigue me so much), hung out on a beach around a campfire almost every night, and experienced some of the most breathtaking nature Canada has to offer.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm not sure what skills or knowledge I have to offer, but I can say what I'm passionate about and would love to share:
- dance (mostly belly dance + ballroom/swing)
- brain stuff (neuroscience, psychology, mental health)
- music (piano + sharing what I like)
- language (English, French, German)
- smiling + laughing a lot
- spontaneous adventuring
- debate/public speech
- cooking
- tea

Things I would like to learn... really most anything that someone is passionate about, and wants to share with me. Particularly artsy things, language/culture, or anything in scientific research.

What I Can Share with Hosts

- conversation
- treats from Vancouver
- music/dance
- whatever we discover we have in common!