I'm a super friendly spirit. I'd say I am assertive and a conversationaist. I am a fire, tiger Aries. I am also an observer and explorer and love animals. I grew up in the Midwest until age 12 and then attended an International School in Amsterdam. Understanding and experiencing culture and subcultures fascinates me to the core. I live my life as an experiment. I love multi-disciplinary collaboration and stand for making the world a better place.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I dislike the hotel experience. My family often hosted internaitonal, family friends. I thoroughly enjoy being hospitable. I've done AirB&B before and found it to be positive but often, they are managed remotely. I am impressed by the many persoal ancedotes from couchsurfing. I'd enjoy access to a kitchen, a neighborhood, and I desire potential friendship with my host. I believe the world is small and what a joy it is to have friends all over the world!

Interests

• dancing
• gardening
• thrifting
• reading
• live music
• camping
• rock climbing
• permaculture
• biking
• poetry slam
• campfires
• goats
• art museums
• collage
• herbalism
• acro yoga
• bikram yoga
• diy projects
• photojournalism
• sound healing
• swimming in the ocean
• crosscountry skiing
• writing poetry
• organic cooking
• community service
• reading and writing
• yin yoga

Music, Movies, and Books

Music~ Live, Local otherwise pretty eclectic : Courtney Barnett, Sylvan Esso, Ayla Nero, Eddie Vedder, Waylon, Beck, The Kinks, Andrew Bird, Florence & the Machine, Lonesome Leach, Mystic Braves, Sia, Elliot Smith, Dead Horses, Elton John, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Of Monsters and Men, Cake, Snow Patrol, The Head and the . Heart, Emmylou Harris also psychtrance and house.

Books~ The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Brave New World, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Mountains Beyond Mountains, Biography of Angela Davis, Just Kids, Mountains Beyond Mountains, No Is Not Enough.

Movies~ Sooo many! I like to discuss films in person.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Moving to the Big Island of Hawaii and live off-grid for almost 2 years!
Advocated and worked in women's harm-reduction programming and disability rights
Swam with sea turtles
Skiied the Alps
Cross-country Amtrak ride
Hiked the countryside of southern France
Piked berries along the Baltic Sea
Visited the euculptus fields of Portugal
Visited castles along the Rhein River in Germany
Rode through the fjords in Norway
Meditated in the Redwoods

Teach, Learn, Share

Home organization
Self-advocacy
The relationship between the gut and the brain
Expanding your social network
Principles of Permaculture
Local entertainment
Tropical fruit ID and recipes
Podcasts
Playlists
Organic, Tropical Recipes

What I Can Share with Hosts

~I am an excellent listener and can offer strength-based advice
~A big smile and humor
~Tales of living off-grid
~ Portrait photography
~ Food preparation
~ Travel tips and itinerary for the Big Island
~ Cat love
~ Plant love

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands