* KEEP IT REAL *

28 y.o. from Sydney, Australia. Easy going, love to relax and unwind in a gentle and simple kind of way - yep, I'm talking tea, crafts and reading a good book or going for a dip in the ocean. Bit of a nerd, environmentalist/humanitarian, and home-body. I'm not a big partier, you're more likely to find me with a wheel of cheese or a chai tea than out at a nightclub or bar... that's just how I roll cause I have an autoimmune disorder and have embraced the quiet life. I treat others with consideration and respect and hope for the same in return when hosting or visiting with fellow Couchsurfers.

Things I enjoy: learning about new places and cultures, music (especially jazz and bossa nova), I could sit at my piano for hours making up new songs. I love a good laugh and making others happy, writing, reading, singing, skateboarding, neuroscience and behaviourism, anything online business/entrepreneurship related, streetart, meditation, gardening, nutrition and cooking (esp. Lebanese and Indian food!), yoga, swimming, close friends, sleep-ins and mountaineering (I have a thing about mountains and an unstoppable urge to climb and see our world's glaciers before they all melt and disappear - thanks, global warming).

I don't really like the conventional 9-5 busy, capitalist life, so it's my goal to live 100% sustainably and teach others how to do the same. Currently, I work for a university where I manage a program that helps new students transition into their first year of tertiary studies. I've volunteered for lots of non-profits and have worked as a copy editor, TESOL teacher, vet nurse, and business coach. I also care for my sister who has Aspergers and I'm in the process of launching my own online wellness business - which I'm more than happy to tell you about. For me, there's nothing better than genuinely connecting with people and sharing stories about life lessons and experiences.

I'm an introverted, but friendly, person who loves people and getting outdoors in nature. I'm happiest when travelling or getting off the beaten track and exploring different places. Throughout my twenties I've traveled many places solo, including recently to Alaska where I did the Inside Passage through to Glacier Bay and up, up, up to Denali (see my pics on here).

I can't get enough of languages and spend a lot of time studying and learning so I can communicate with my friends all over the world. So far I can speak some German, Spanish, French, Zulu, Arabic, Mandarin and Japanese. I've traveled throughout Europe, Africa, Asia and North America on my own and with my partner of 12 years, Ben.

Best adventures: In 2012 and 2013, I spent fifteen days staying at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Monastery in Kaohsiung, Taiwan - part of this experience involved an intensive 7 day silent meditation retreat lead by the temple's resident monks and nuns where I learnt more about the practice of meditation and mindfulness.

I have AirBnB'd and Couch Surfed in Australia, the US (NY and Alaska), Vietnam, Canada and Japan. Great experience each and every time. It's fun staying with locals because you get to understand their culture and way of life.

I'm keen to meet interesting people from all over the world and look forward to making new friends through Couchsurfing.

'There is no such thing as strangers, just friends not yet made'.

If you haven't seen the documentary, Chasing Ice, please check it out. Join me in the fight against climate change by checking out the Boomerang Alliance.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've couch surfed with people in various countries and have always found it a wonderful way to forge new connections and learn about the local area. Having surfers visit is like travelling without having to leave the comfort of your own home!

I'm not a big partier, but I do love a good adventure. So if you're into gentle/relaxed living, healthy eating and sight seeing, then feel free to get in touch. It's the little special touches that mean the most and I love to spoil my guests. It's a little hard for me to host right now because I have injured my arms at work and I'm struggling to look after myself, but feel free to ask and if I'm feeling alright then let's try to figure something out.

I have a big couch and a double blow up bed for anyone interested in staying in my lounge room or spare room.

Interests

Teaching and learning about anything and everything
Meditation
Neuroscience
Learning languages
Anything creative - making cards, macrame, sewing, bunting, watercolour painting, etc.
Gardening
Playing piano and singing

• culture
• writing
• books
• singing
• documentaries
• dining
• cooking
• indian food
• cheese
• yoga
• coach
• meditation
• drinking
• crafts
• gardening
• reading
• traveling
• painting
• music
• jazz
• piano
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• mountaineering
• skateboarding
• track and field
• swimming
• business
• teaching
• entrepreneurship
• languages
• neuroscience
• nursing
• sightseeing
• beaches
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Nina Simone
Alicia Keys
Phoebe Snow
Stevie Wonder
Tracy Chapman
Missy Higgins
Feist
Lauryn Hill

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Hiking solo in Alaska's Denali National Park and Preserve. Every single little bit of Alaska blew me away.

Iceland is next - I can't wait.

Teach, Learn, Share

How to play the piano, read music, craft and create things, clarify your business vision, tell you about my life as a young carer of someone with Autism, share my love of travel and cultures, talk with you about sociological constructs and how our world views are shaped, teach you a variety of scientific names for plants, tell you everything I know about Australia, including our slang words and funny phrases. That's right, 'Flat out like a lizard drinking!' or 'heaps Bogan'.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Stunning local beaches and mountains
Local cafes and delicious restaurants
Largest Buddhist Temple in the Souther Hemisphere
Cooking and crafting at home
Anything you would like to know about emotional intelligence, mindfulness or meditation.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, Germany, Japan, Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland, Taiwan, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, South Africa