CURRENT MISSION

I will be cycling down the West Coast as an independent fundraiser for PLAN's global initiative "Because I am a Girl"

Nearly a year ago I started thinking about doing a long distance cycle tour. I had been feeling very flat and indifferent about my life (mostly my 9-5 office job, the people I have met here are down right amazing) in Tucson and I really needed something to change.
The more I thought about a long distance solo trip - the more it felt like the right choice for my life at this time.

For the past 8 or so months I have rearranged my life/focus/goals so I could do this trip.
I quit my 9-5 job (with my true dramatic flare my last day was this past July 4th), I invested in a bicycle that could handle a long hull, I put all my things in storage and I found a temporary home for my four legged companion.
As I was preparing myself for this journey I was also doing a lot of self reflection. One of the many things I realized was how much privilege I was born with as a white woman in the Western World.

I was born with enough freedom to say, "Hey guys, BRB, I am going to drop everything to bicycle down the West Coast"
Boom. Done. I did not need anyones permission.
One day it occurred to me, there are still women in this world who are born with out that same freedom of choice or any quality of life as I know it.

Within this realization I discovered I will never be able to fully enjoy my freedoms unless I can shared them. I realized my indifference to a secure and privileged life was discourteous to the millions of women who have never known what it is to live comfortably.

"Because I am girl" has many projects to bring freedom and equality to woman born into impoverished communities who still see WOMAN as PROPERTY.
Simple solutions like soccer teams, birth certificates and feminine hygiene keep girls off the streets and on an educated path.
Effectively bringing an end to the vicious cycle of poverty.

I will be cycling about 1,500 miles down the West Coast from Seattle to San Diego for myself and my fellow women. I will do my best to share my freedom, share awareness and hopefully raise 15,000 dollars (through a GoFundMe account) to support the many wonderful projects set up to help these lovelies gain a quality of life for themselves and the generations to follow.

I will be documenting the whole experience through Social Media.
If you would like to be a part of my journey or simply follow my progress please check out and subscribe to my blog Staceshine.com

ABOUT ME

I am a Massage Therapist, Receptionist. Sister, Daughter, Friend.
I am an Artist. Seamstress. Craftsman. Poet. Painter. Cook. Everything and Nothing in-between.
I am a dreamer, by day and by night.
I am the future, I have been the past.
I am a nothing more then a face on the street, the bus, in the grocery store.
My smile is found in the first bit of light that expands across the horizon at dawn.
My laughter ripples in fresh puddles.

I have wishes to see the world,

I have wishes to live as pure to myself as I can be.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am looking for Hosts along the 101 and the 1 of the west coast
I really just need a little yard space, maybe the occasional shower/laundry. I can't afford to continue to pay for campsites/koa.

Interests

• cooking
• blogging
• cycling
• soccer
• communications