CURRENT MISSION

To grow lots of yummy veggies with lots of amazing kids! And to folkdance as much as possible!

ABOUT ME

My background's Estonian, and though I've grown up in Toronto, Estonian was my first language. I'm a pretty darn proud Esto (as any of my friends will attest to), so if you've got any questions about traveling there or anything, drop me a line and I'll fill you in. Of course, I can also fill you in on what to do in Toronto, which is where I grew up and live now. I can also do my best with questions about Norway and Sweden, where I've lived and visited lots.
As with most CSers, I love traveling. I did the whole Europe backpacking thing in the summer of 2001, and it was awesome! (Was that 12 years ago already!?!) A month in New Zealand a few years ago was also stunning! I've also been to a whole bunch of places in Canada and the US, mostly with my family. Studied in Sweden for 6 months in 2005 and then lived in Oslo for 2 years doing my masters' degree.
I also really love languages, and managed to become pretty competent in Swedish and Norwegian while living there, and am also trying to keep up my French.
What else about me? I can be shy at first, but am definitely not quiet with people I know a bit better. I love being outdoors in all seasons and in all weather.

PHILOSOPHY

Laugh lots! Or at least smile!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Had a great couchsurfing experience in Bergen, Norway. Way better than the hostel I was at the first 2 nights in Bergen... I've mostly couchsurfed with friends, but want to expand my CSing experience.

Interests

nordic (aka cross-country) skiing; hiking, canoeing, camping; singing; playing trumpet; Scandinavia; folkdancing and folk music; taking pictures; travelling; frogs; shopping for cheap vintage clothing; hanging out with kids who make me laugh; vegetable gardening; cooking; farmers markets

• singing
• cooking
• farmers' market
• running
• gardening
• shopping
• clothing
• traveling
• music
• folk music
• trumpet
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• backpacking
• canoeing
• camping
• skiing
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

My music selection is pretty random... I love lots Brit-pop music from the 90s (James, Pulp, Smiths, etc.), I love listening to Estonian folk music (and singing and dancing along), lots of Canadian bands (Spirit of the West, Tragically Hip, Barenaked Ladies, Moxy Früvous...) and have recently been expanding my Norwegian music knowledge (Sondre Lerche, Kari Bremnes, Thomas Dybdahl...). Also have developed more and more of a love for Bowie thanks to various former housemates. And now I have a ton more Swedish rock/pop music in my list of favourites too, after 6 months there in 2005. My minimal CD collection that I brought with me to Norway consists of The Ark, Ben Harper, Danny Michel, Sigur Ros, Miles Davis, Arcade Fire, Franz Ferdinand, Kent, and a few others...
I'm not a huge movie person, but I'll have to admit that my favourite movie ever is Anne of Green Gables (and the sequel). My movie choice definitely depends on my mood.
Hmmm... books... I just read this Swedish book, actually, by Mikael Niemi - the English translation is called Rock Music. It was funny and good and a nice relatively light summer read. Ok, some more to recommend: The In-Between Worlds of Vikram Lall by MG Vassanji; The Ballad of the Whiskey Robber; On Holiday by Orvar Löfgren... I'll be back with more... I just read The Omnivore's Dilemma, which a super interesting factual book about food. Definitely an inspiration for my thesis topic...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Living in Sweden and Norway was awesome. Met so many great people, learned the languages and enjoyed traveling around.
Working and living in a farm a couple of hours from Toronto a few years back was an amazing experience. I learned so much and gained a new "family".
Gardening with kids and running a couple of school veggie gardens has been a huge learning curve, but it's an amazing feeling to see how much I've learned and how much I've accomplished. And how much the kids have taught me!

Teach, Learn, Share

I've acquired quite a lot of knowledge about veggie gardening that I'm always happy to share. And if you've got any questions about Toronto farmers' markets, let me know.
I can also teach you some Estonian folkdances. :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Norway, Sweden

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