CURRENT MISSION

Pack Light, Walk Slow.

ABOUT ME

I'm good at pancakes, eggs, chili and Saturdays. I've perfected the art of "organized chaos." I hate doing dishes and I'm really bad at Wednesdays. I believe hugs are good for the soul. I love airports, really! I'm a scatterbrain, a hopeless romantic, and a treehugger. During a thunderstorm you'll most likely find me in the tallest tree with a lightning rod. I'm confusing. I confuse myself. I'm really 8 years old at heart. I'm passionate about stories. I'm chronically single and ok with that, most days. At any given moment I want more than anything to pack a bag, hop a vehicle bound for anywhere and go exploring. I have a pet fish named Butch who is now in fishy heaven.

PHILOSOPHY

Philosophy #1: I believe we should allow ourselves the freedom to be surprised and amazed by whatever beauty, irony, tragedy, or humor each new day brings. We should allow our senses to experience these things with a childlike wonder and curiosity and let the daily newness profoundly and constantly change us.

Philosophy #2: I’ve traveled the world from the motorbike-filled streets of Viet Nam to the townships of South Africa, but in the end, my roots always bring me back to the deep, black, Midwestern earth where I was raised, reinforcing a belief that the most meaningful art is nestled in the place one calls home.

It is my hope that these two values resonate in my work long after the ink fades.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

My first couchsurfing experience was staying with a girl in Glasgow, and it was great. It was so nice to spend time with a local, and it's a much more meaningful experience than the anonymity of hostels. Since then I've hosted often, and I refer anyone I can't take to other CS friends who live nearby.

Interests

Hiking, camping, photography, pretending to be Hemmingway or Kerouac, cooking good food with good friends, philosophical talks that suddenly descend into uncontrollable hilarity, planning adventures, especially ones that involve a plane, a passport, and the inability to read street signs.

• pets
• fish
• arts
• photography
• beauty
• dining
• cooking
• organic food
• traveling
• fishing
• hiking
• camping

Music, Movies, and Books

Anything by Bill Bryson - that man's writing continues to surprise and delight me. Latest "read": his audiobook of "I'm a Stranger Here Myself," read by himself. Hilarious

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've traveled solo twice, which is something I feel most people, especially women, are reluctant or even fearful of doing, though we shouldn't be. I learned that I would prefer having someone with me to share experiences, but I also learned that I am perfectly capable of traveling alone and my own company isn't as bad as I thought :) It's an empowering experience that I highly recommend everyone try at least once.

Teach, Learn, Share

I could teach about local and organic food. I'd love someone to teach me the harmonica! Most of all, I want to hear stories about your life's adventures.

Countries I’ve Visited

Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Cuba, France, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, South Africa, United Kingdom, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States