I am a nurse and a passionate advocate for full spectrum reproductive healthcare. I am a mother to one amazing human and one hilarious zesty little dog. To say I am a food lover is an understatement — my favorite way to experience a place or culture is through eating and learning about local cuisine. I was a US Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines in my youth and was lucky enough to travel a great deal in Asia and make friends with people from all over the world. I am beyond thrilled to return to international travel after a long hiatus due to going back to school to become a nurse and raising a young child.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I’m on Couchsurfing because I value meeting and spending time with local folks as a way of experiencing authentic human connection and learning about culture. Living with a host family for 2 years in the Philippines was one of most enriching experiences of my life. I have been lucky enough to be a homestay guest with gracious hosts in Mongolia, the Republic of Georgia, and Armenia as well as in the US. The openheartedness with which hosts welcome travelers into their homes inspires me and restores my faith in humanity. I think building solidarity and friendship with strangers from different backgrounds is one of the most important things we can do to counter the alienation and despair many feel at this point in history. And it’s one of the best things we can do to hone our empathy and expand our minds.

Interests

Food, Baking, Nature, Foraging, Backpacking, Yoga, Performing Arts, Social Justice, Reproductive Healthcare, Healthcare Reform

Music, Movies, and Books

Some of my favorite musical genres are jazz, world music (especially West African and Brazilian), cumbia , electronica, folk, blue grass, and classical

my favorite novels are Elena Ferante’s Neapolitan series. All Fours by Miranda July is one of the most entertaining books I read in past few years

Some of my favorite films are by Almodovar (Volver, Talk to Her), Herzog (Happy People) and P.T. Anderson (the Phantom Thread, the Master). I also have a soft spot for slapstick 90s comedies.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Swimming with whale sharks in the Philippines

Riding horses across the Mongolian steppe

Gestating and raising a human!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Curiosity, good conversation, cooking together, and taking you out to a fun restaurant as a thank you :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Armenia, Australia, Canada, France, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands, Philippines, Spain, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Philippines, United States