CURRENT MISSION

I want to fulfill my potential for contribution, pleasure and satisfaction.

ABOUT ME

I am in my mid 70'sand live with my partner, Neale. We have three great adult sons between us, and four grandchildren, the eldest of whom is now 30. Couldn't want for better prodigy. I started at university late, and have loved all the courses I took. Then the opportunity to do my PhD at the University of Toronto with a Connaught Scholarship was bliss from start to finish, my first serious travel experience (and with a PhD in Literature as a side serve).

Phew, I am going to have to think harder about this! Am I best described as still a work in progress? I'm learning patience!

For about five years we have really welcomed international couch-surfers, enjoying what they brought into our experience. We really speak English only, having lived most of our lives in NZ. These days one of our sons commands the spare bedroom as he lives in a different town and works in Auckland. He returns home frequently, but comes and goes.

PHILOSOPHY
Be authentic but not uninformed. Be open minded but not unethical. Be aware that you are not always right. One life: use it to the max and make sure you do everything you want to and should.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I really like the philosophy of international friendship and cross-cultural richness. I've surfed once which was absolutely great as an experience, and have hosted many interesting people.

Interests

I swim now that dodgy joints and arthritus mean I can no longer jog. Love swimming in calm clear sea.

I read a lot, play Quiddler and cards daily now that I am not working, enjoy our house and the daily routines.

• writing
• cooking
• wine
• exercise
• swimming
• research writing

Music, Movies, and Books

Current favourite authors include Philip Pullman, Hilary Mantel, Kate Atkinson...loved 'Cloud Atlas' too. Enjoyed earlier Margaret Atwood. And the canonical classics like Beowulf, Chaucer, Spenser, etc.

Music: currently Flatlanders, Bruno Mars and Travie McCoy, Tiny Ruins, Billy Joe Shaver, Alabama Three and Sam Ford and Trudi Green.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I was a passenger in a car we drove through a snow storm driving from New York to Toronto that gave us miles of solid white out. That was terrifying, but we all agreed we should keep going at a slower speed. We got off the highway at Syracuse and found out the freeway was closed. I was in the first Christchurch NZ earthquake. Hard to know what to put--so many experiences seem amazing but are not that spectacular, like noticing light and water....

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm an expert with academic and doctoral writing in English. I co-author the DoctoralWriting SIG, with weekly posts. I've extensively published on the topic of doctoral learning, supervision, academic development and research writing.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm keen to cook a few dinners and contribute to the making of home; I'll bring wine to the table when not cooking. I am tidy and respectful of others' homes. I like people and the sharing of experience stories.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Fiji, New Zealand

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