I am an adventurous, loving person who likes a good story. More than anything, I value genuine connections in order to share friendship, ideas, and experiences. My friends, family, and faith are everything to me, and I strive to be someone who gives more than she takes. My free time is usually spent with people, having a really good conversation. I like one-on-ones and small groups better than parties, and I have a handful of deep, life-long friendships and a wide circle of truly authentic ones. Myers-Briggs: ENFJ

Sic'em Bears! I'm a senior at Baylor University in Waco, TX and will graduate May 2016 with a Bachelor degree in History and a minor in Public Relations. I love to understand cultures different from mine and the motives or context interwoven through history. Through the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core, I had the opportunity to study philosophy, sociology, rhetoric, history, science, and literature. I chose a history major so I could continue my liberal arts education in one of the most interdisciplinary fields there is. I chose Public Relations because I'm people-oriented, a vigilant list-maker, as well as a writing and design nerd. This decision began with my experience on my high school yearbook and interest in photography. Hoping for a more flexible job that might allow me to travel, I want to add some technical skills to my liberal arts base.

Okay, one more thing, I've got two incredible brothers who will change the world and two parents who give me the best advice. My family rocks, and even though I'm not the type to get homesick or call home constantly, my life wouldn't be near as good without them.

What makes my world go round?
Good talks, new places, literature, photography, and laughter.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I studied abroad the fall semester of 2014 in St Andrews, Scotland, and I fell in love with travel, particularly budget travel. In fact, I'd rather stay in a hostel than a fancy hotel! I've met the most interesting, kind, crazy, and generous people through hostels. I love to be the host and usually serve as the tour guide/trip planner for my friends, therefore I can't wait to have a surfer over.

--I'm low maintenance (9 days. Paris and Berlin. 28 liter backpack. Horribly smelly socks).
--I believe that saving money equals making money.
--I want to meet people from all over the world.

Interests

Alrighty so I'll try to keep this short, but I'm always interested in doing something new!

Going outside: Backpacking, camping, hiking, ultimate frisbee, kayaking. Right now, I'm really into exploring bridges.

Cooking: the kind that involves chopping, fresh foods, and spices

Photography: I have a Canon 60d and a couple lenses. Definitely an amateur still, but I've shot some freelance portrait sessions. Check out my instagram: @sarah_jennings

Reading: I usually stick to literary fiction, but I'll occasionally branch out into philosophy, theology, and memoirs. Don't get me started on children's literature. "When you read a book as a child, it becomes a part of your identity in a way that no other reading in your whole life does."-- You've Got Mail

Settlers of Cataan: I'm pretty sure this is everyone's favorite board game...unless they haven't heard of it.

Blogging: 10stepsthenfog.wordpress.com

Crafting: I like doodling typography, painting, and decorating my home.

• arts
• writing
• books
• literature
• design
• graphic design
• photography
• education
• cooking
• partying
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• blogging
• painting
• bouldering
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• backpacking
• kayaking
• camping
• swimming
• divinity
• teaching
• emergency services
• freelancing
• history
• science
• sociology
• tourism
• budget travel
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Music. I'll listen to just about anything, but I'm drawn to good lyrics and moving harmonies. In groups, I'll play synth-pop, folk, alternative, some top 40, rock, and old favorites. Guilty pleasures are musical soundtracks (think Rogers and Hammerstein), jazz and big band, or Taylor Swift. "Vienna" by Billy Joel is my current favorite song. Someday I'll get the guts to karaoke Queen's "Somebody to Love". Maybe we can make that happen?

Movies. I like nerds and their intense movie marathons, so if you like Star Wars, LOTR, Indiana Jones, or Harry Potter, we'll get along. My favorite movie ever is You've Got Mail. I've seen it almost 30 times, I can quote it, and Kathleen Kelley is my role model. Other favorites: Begin Again, Jurassic World, Les Miserables, Beautiful Mind, Braveheart, Pride and Prejudice, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and Roman Holiday.

Books. I'm currently recommending Til We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis to everyone I meet. It's a retelling of the Cupid and Psyche myth, and it's my favorite kind of book---the type that makes you think deeply life AND holds you under a spell til the last page. The Anne of Green Gables series absolutely defined my girlhood; any kindred spirits out there? Other favorites: anything Jane Austen, Count of Monte Cristo, My Side of the Mountain, Catcher in the Rye, A Room with a View, Gone with the Wind, and the Bible.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One weekend in Scotland, my friend Julia and I missed the last train out of Glasglow. 10 minutes later, we find out there are no open beds in a hostel anywhere. Everything is 70 quid and up, so it looks like the train station is our bedroom. BUT, this city, filled with thick accents and passionate people, also happened to be the center of the Yes! movement for an independent Scotland. And crazy enough, we ended up here stranded on the very night of the 2014 referendum. So we joined the rallies in the street and helped block traffic. We paraded all over with bagpipes, painted faces, and flags.

Later that night however, the police informed us that the train station is only open til 12pm. (wait we're homeless?) We spent the night in a very cold, windy, open-air bus station. Nevertheless, there couldn't have been a better time to share our life stories with each other, seeing that no one was getting any sleep.

5 AM the next day and we were on the train to Fort William. This lovely outdoor capital of the UK was Julia's birthday present. Though on little sleep, we made the most of it and hiked most of the day through Glen Nevis to Steall Falls (scene from Harry Potter). On the way, we couldn't resist stripping off and going swimming in one of the boulder-filled mountain streams.

The next day was what we were waiting for: a climb to the top of Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the UK. This mountain is known for its terrible weather, yet we were pretty lucky. To this day, those views haunt me. Scotland's glens and mountains are mystical, dangerous, and beautifully vivid.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm a great travel planner, good cook, and decent photographer. I'm currently learning more about photography and graphic design. One of my greatest regrets so far is not mastering a foreign language, and I would love to host people for whom English is a second language. Also looking to exchange backpacking tips.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A warm spirit, a good conversation, and a healthy, satisfying meal. I love to write letters. If we hit it off, you're likely to receive a letter or postcard!

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, England, France, Germany, Mexico, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Scotland

Countries I’ve Lived In

Scotland, United States