CURRENT MISSION

To take life more humorously while also understanding when exists the urgency of being present and acting in a thoughtful manner. The delicate balance I call it.

ABOUT ME

Hello there! I am an AmeriCorps VISTA alum (kind of like the "domestic Peace Corps") that is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Sustainable Planning and Management at the University of Colorado, Boulder. My graduate school study interest is climate change adaptation and resiliency planning with a focus on economic resilience and ecological restoration. Currently, I am pursuing work in the regenerative agriculture sector. In May 2013 I graduated from Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, with a bachelors in Environmental Studies and moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. I am originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico and love the ever enchanting landscape and rawness of the state and it's people. I am a very active but also introspective person and love adventuring and meeting new people as well as listening to stories and learning the history of places. In my life, I hope to become at least once, engulfed in a traveling circus performance group, gather a collection of personal stories from people of all different backgrounds and learn to heal with natural remedies of all sorts including laughter and song. I also hope to become fluent in Spanish, learn some Portuguese, German as well as other languages.

PHILOSOPHY

I believe that when we commit to being open and learning everyday, from anyone or thing that crosses our path, we can become authentic and present; Focusing on sourcing wisdom rather than just gathering knowledge. It is truly important to take advantage of the opportunity in each moment to learn from our surroundings and in particular, nature.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I became apart of the couchsurfing community in the summer of 2009 when I visited Europe with two friends and even more so in my time at college when I traveled through the Midwestern United States two times. Through these experiences I realized how much I loved getting to know a place by getting to know who lives there - through the eyes of locals. The experiences of sharing dinners and experiences while seeing a city or town through their eyes, was truly unique. I would love to continue this form of travel and plan to connect to locals whenever visiting a place I have not been to before.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

The first time I couchsurfed was with my two friends in the summer of 2009 and we traveled and stayed with people in:
Bruges, Belgium
Dusseldorf, Germany
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Nantes, France
Paris, France

One couple we stayed with for two nights took us around Bruges and told us the history of the town and about their love for it which was wonderful because after that experience, I felt a better connection to the city. We also had picnic with them and enjoyed getting to know them personally.

In addition, I have stayed with a few people on separate trips in Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky and couchsurfed a few times in Spain and Costa Rica.

I haven't been able to host as much as I have wanted to due to sharing a house or an apartment with room mates who either aren't interested in having guests or believed we didn't have enough space. My hope is that eventually I will be in a living situation where I can host more frequently.

Interests

I love being active. Running, Swimming, Biking, Adventuring, Hiking, Reading, Singing, Dancing, Rock Climbing, Sailing, Cooking, Playing games, basketball, etc.
I love art and creating art and music
I love journaling, improv and much more.

• arts
• culture
• writing
• singing
• performing arts
• design
• dancing
• environment
• cooking
• picnic
• running
• crafts
• reading
• traveling
• music
• cycling
• hiking
• sailing
• basketball
• rock climbing
• soccer
• track and field
• swimming
• agriculture
• environmental studies
• history
• languages
• volunteering
• group travel
• nature
• circus
• sustainability
• craft beer
• capoeira angola
• salsa dance
• craft food

Music, Movies, and Books

Funk, Folk, Americana, Bluegrass, Rhythm and Blues, Hip-hop, Rap, Reggae, Latin, Alternative, Electronic, Classical, Oldies, Steam Punk, Experimental, Most Dance Music, Family Improv Music : ) and more.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have broken a state record in track and field and have traveled to parts of India. I have also walked on hot coals before.

Teach, Learn, Share

I commit to being understanding and open to learning everyday. I know quite a bit about and have a perspective on sustainable development and am always interested in learning more. I am an experiential learner so I learn about the world through experience. I hope to learn the history, about the culture and the peoples perspective in the places I visit and of those who visit me.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My heartfelt energy, music, meals, stories, an experience of spontaneity and/or relaxation, a friendly connection, openness to learning, acceptance, a knowledge of local culture and events, a comfortable bed or couch, a bathroom, a kitchen, knowledge about community development and my experiences in life. Mad love.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, India, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Spain, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Costa Rica, United States

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