I'm a language teacher who loves learning about other cultures. I haven't travelled much but would like to if circumstances allow. I'm particularly interested in China and Vietnam at the moment as I've taught many students from these countries. I'm an active armchair activist for left-wing issues, and believe that change is more likely to be achieved by many individual choices than the government.... "stop shopping" e.g. I love live music and dancing to many types of music. I'm hoping that Australians will be able to organise and attend festivals again in the near future. I've attended Confest and Woodford recently and was planning to go to Rainbow Serpent as a volunteer and Burning Seed this year. I'm disappointed to have missed the Film and Jazz Festivals in Melbourne this year as they're usually highlights of the year for me. I attend life drawing classes regularly. You can check out some of my drawings on my Instagram. I've had two craft businesses, hand-painted ceramics, my main source of income for 12 years, and clothing from recycled materials, 2000 to 2007 (lots of fun at festivals).

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Initially, to find places to stay while travelling. However, as someone who can't resist engaging with all sorts of people everywhere, I can see this could become another way of adding to my ever expanding network of friends and acquaintances.

Interests

• gardening
• reading
• cycling
• dancing music festivals galleries

Music, Movies, and Books

I read a variety of alternative news sources regularly (not conspiracy theories), Democracy Now, The Intercept, Mint News. NO! I don't think COVID is connected to 5G and YES! I will get vaccinated for it if it becomes available.
I usually have a couple of books in progress. Recently read Foucault, Discipline and Punish and Michael Perelman, The Invention of Capitalism, but also love fiction, particularly science and speculative fiction. William Gibson is an all-time favourite, but I'm also enjoying the more recent female authored stories. When I started reading Scifi there were only one or two.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I went to New York on impulse in 1987. I had a business making hand-painted ceramics at the time and blitzed it for a couple of weeks to get the money. I stayed with friends of my brother in law who lived in a co-op building in the Bronx. I absolutely loved New York and the Bronx. I started chatting to a woman on a bus, who turned out to be the Recreation Officer at Mt Sinai Hospital. She took us back to her office and gave us the run of her collection of free tickets to clubs and shows. I felt more at home than I'd ever felt anywhere. Unfortunately, I had to return to my young children in NZ.
Italy in 2007.... can't express how much I loved Italy.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm a language teacher so am always willing to help people with their English. Would love to improve my very rudimentary Spanish and Italian. I've had partners with these first languages, so have some vocab, but am intimidated when it comes to speaking.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm a pretty skilled seamstress so can repair clothes. Always happy to help with cooking etc. As an experienced English language teacher I'm very qualified to help people improve their English. Love to garden. Not to boast but I've completely transformed my present rental in 6-7 years. Will draw you if you want to sit for me, but I'm not at professional standards.

Countries I’ve Visited

Italy, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, New Zealand