I've lived in Madrid for more than two years as an English teacher. This is an ideal situation for me because I've always wanted to travel and when I was younger I wanted to become a teacher. This way I get to pursue teaching for a bit (or maybe long term?) and experience new places. I like to think I'm great with kids of all ages, especially because I'm full of charisma.

I grew up outside of St. Louis, Missouri, went to school in southern Illinois (beautiful and underrated if you ask me!) and had a short work stint in Portland, Oregon.

My background is in journalism. I've worked for two metropolitan newspapers, and I've had my stories on the front pages of three. I have experience reporting on the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare), environmental issues and developments in Oregon, cops, courts, community, health and more! Some of my favorite stories have involved human interests and narrative writing. Although I must say I developed a passion for environmental reporting.

I'm a pretty good singer and dancer. I promise to show you a good time if you take me to karaoke or a dance club. :)

I'm also happy to cook breakfast for you! I can cook dinner if you like, but dinner is not my specialty...ha

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

It's important to note that I'm brand new to Couchsurfing, but I'm eager to join this community and impress my hosts with respect, wit and friendship.

In general, I've always loved meeting new people and forging friendships. But in my travels I've discovered it really pays to know people! Not only have near-strangers shown me kindness and hospitality, they also have immense knowledge of the areas I'm visiting and we quickly become friends. It's made me want to pay it forward.

In turn, I hosted those new friends when they traveled through my city.

Interests

soccer, reading, playing the ukulele, singing, dancing, site-seeing, meeting people, trying new foods, learning Spanish, hiking, exploring on foot, writing

• culture
• writing
• singing
• dancing
• cooking
• drinking
• clubbing
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• survival
• karaoke
• cycling
• hiking
• backpacking
• camping
• soccer
• teaching
• freelancing
• journalism
• language exchange
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

I like just about all music, except American country-pop. I especially love anything I can dance to! And if I can hit the notes, good luck shutting me up haha.

Currently my favorite author is Milan Kundera.

I have too many favorite movies to count, but you could say I'm a fan of the cult classics.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I took the "Jack Kerouac road trip" I'd always dreamed of one summer. I crossed the United States in two-and-a-half weeks with my best friend. It was an incredible experience. We went southwest through Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, and then up north through California. I drove through the massive red rocks of Arizona and up the 101 Pacific Coast to Big Sur. I saw Yosemite National Park and the giant Redwood trees of Humboldt County. I visited one of Kerouac's favorite bars in San Francisco. I watched thousands of sea lions argue over sunbathing real estate. I was confronted with some of the most beautiful sites in my country, and it made me feel small in the best way possible.

I learned a lot about camping, orienteering, survival and independence during this time. Including some hard lessons. For example, I nearly froze my butt off in Yosemite because I underestimated how cold it would still be in May. That trip had to be cut short, and without the backpacker's portion we had planned. :(

I met and made lifelong friends on this trip, including my current love interest/boyfriend/partner/whatever-you-wanna-call-him! It truly was a spiritual experience. My trip ended in Portland, where I lived in a boarding house for the summer and received a free classic Schwinn bike from a kind soul. I shared a bedroom with three other people and learned the meaning of communal living. ;)

At the end of the summer I drove back eastward through the north all by myself. I saw Montana mountains and visited people I hadn't seen in years, including my lifelong mentor and high school journalism teacher.

And three weeks later I packed up and moved to Spain.

I guess you could say this is the year I really started living. :)

Teach, Learn, Share

I have a degree in English and plenty of experience as a teacher. If you are trying to further your English, I'm a good resource.

Hablo español!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I've traveled throughout most of the United States. I can share American culture with you and tell you places to visit!

I'm not much of a cook, but I am happy to pay for groceries and help out where I can in the kitchen. I can also take you for dinner and drinks. If you prefer useful gifts such as household items, I got ya covered. If you're driving me somewhere, I will give you gas money. I promise I'm not a mooch!

Countries I’ve Visited

Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

Spain, United States