CURRENT MISSION

Experience Everything.

ABOUT ME

I'm from a small town in Pennsylvania (USA) called Clarks Summit.
I'm a junior at a college in Burlington, Vermont. Since I've been here, I've discovered so much about myself, my family, and my hometown.

I write performance poetry. My goal with writing is simple: return to the world what reading novels and listening to poems has given to me. I want people to hear their story in my story. I want people to feel less isolated, more at home, enough, and worth it.

I am a Nerdfighter, which means a lot of things, and it is hard to explain myself. To learn about Nerdfighteria, please watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyQi79aYfxU made by John and Hank Green, otherwise known as the Vlogbrothers. They are amazing people, and they have taught me so much about community. DFTBA

I love stories, and I'd love to hear yours.

PS - I've been known to curse like a sailor, really, truly, I have an awful mouth, but one thing I don't do or tolerate is bias language. I don't use or allow the use of racist/sexist/ableist/homophobic slurs or body negative language around me.

PHILOSOPHY

This is best described by part of a poem by Anis Mojgani:

"Your hands are like my heart.
Some days all they do is tremble.
Let us hold them together.
I am like you. I too at times am filled with so much fear.
But like a hallway must find the strength to walk through it.
Walk through this with me. Walk through this with me.
.... We are not so very different. We are very much alike."

We aren't alone in the universe. We aren't as foreign to one another as we may seem. We are very much connected. I live so I can find those connections, and bring them to light in others.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I don't have a couch at the moment, because I live and work in college housing. But, I will most likely have a couch starting June 2013.
Until then, I hope to meet some great people in the places I will be traveling. Starting in August 2012, I will be spending four months in Dublin, and plan on not only getting to know that city, but other places in Europe.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I'm working on it.

Interests

Writing, reading, making tea for people, campfires, telling and listening to stories, making coffee for people, social justice, cooking for people, singing, going to concerts, road trips, old books, typewriters, and record players.

• writing
• books
• poetry
• singing
• performing arts
• concerts
• cooking
• coffee
• reading
• traveling
• road trips

Music, Movies, and Books

I promise I will actually compile some lists one day. But for now, let me use this space to tell you a little bit about my parents.

They are Deadheads! I have some of the most awesome surrogate mothers/fathers/sisters/brothers/cousins because of the festival culture my parents brought me up in.
It's Deadheads who taught me what family, community, sharing, love, music, and freedom really mean.

I really believe that if my parents didn't have such a deep love of music, that I would not have such a deep need for poetry.

I like films that make me laugh, make me cringe, or make me think/feel something I haven't before. Love B-movie 80s horror, documentaries, and quirky independent films.

I listen to more poetry than read books these days. But I do love John Green, Hemingway, Michael Chabon, and Cormac McCarthy

I love singing, and I used to play violin (but haven't in a few years).

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I wrote and directed a play my senior year of high school, and it was absolutely a beautiful experience. I was having trouble reaching one of the actors; he was having some problems figuring out his character. But during one rehearsal, all of the sudden, I saw it "click" with him. That click was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. That, and of course his smile afterward. I'm so happy I got to witness his (and the rest of the cast's) metamorphosis over only three weeks of rehearsals. They are beautiful people, and they worked so hard.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm willing to share my time, stories, experience, and ears.
I can share my skills in the kitchen and my poetry.

Countries I’ve Visited

Czech Republic

Countries I’ve Lived In

Ireland, United States