CURRENT MISSION

I'm a traveler, not a tourist. Host/surf with me and you'll know the difference.

ABOUT ME

02/06/2013 brief update: I need to update a LOT of everything. I'll get on that soon. Swear.

Where do I even begin.
I'm a bit of a quirky girl and self-proclaimed nerd. I'm almost unfailingly optimistic and tend to never take life too seriously. I truly enjoy making others laugh as well as helping them see the bright side of things. My interests in life are varied and at times seem completely random (see interests section below and you'll see what I mean!) Besides having fun, I am also extremely hardworking an ambitious. I never attempt something half-way.

Random facts:
-Even though I grew up on a pig farm, I was a vegetarian for 7 years.
-I play in an all women rock band.
-If I could go to school the rest of my life, I would.
-I've never met someone with my name.
-I studied abroad in the Netherlands for 4 months
-I love dark beer
-I eat the same breakfast everyday
-I'm sure I'll think of more!

PHILOSOPHY

I live my life always pushing myself to be better, always with a goal in mind. It is my belief that any goal is as worthy as the next as long as it involves improving upon already existing circumstances.

With that being said, I'm a VERY silly person and rarely take anything seriously. While I believe in having goals, I don't believe in living life as if its a burden.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Right now I am just starting out here, and am very new to the whole concept. I first plan to participate as a traveler, then once I return, participate as a host.

Update: I've been having the most amazing experiences couch surfing here in Europe. I can't imagine experiencing the continent any other way, and I will never go back to hostels :) I will definitely definitely be hosting when I get back to the states.

Update on the Update: I've hosted a few people here in Columbus, but now I'm about to move to San Francisco. I imagine there will be a lot higher demand for surfers there, and so I intend to host as soon as I get settled in myself.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have never actually couchsurfed before now. The last time I traveled abroad I stayed in hostels or with friends. I have had a 75 day trip to Europe planned for many months now. When I return, I will be moving into my own apartment and then I will be able to pay it forward and host travelers that may come to my own country. I look forward to the experience of new cultures coming to me instead of traveling to them.

Update: If you'd like to see how its going, I run a blog (and try to keep it recent...)

www.surfingwstrangers.blogspot.com

Update on the Update: I've met TONS of great hosts in Europe and even hosted a few of my own surfers in Columbus, when I had the apartment space to support it.

Interests

My interest are very diverse and even to me they seem mismatched.

ART: I was an art minor in college and specialized in drawing, mostly black and white. I also became and avid painter and photographer. I photograph mostly with film in black and white because I think they make the most beautiful pictures. I've posted a few of my artistic photos on here :)

MUSIC: I don't just like listening to music, I like making it too. I play the piano and also sing. I've recently joined an all women rock band, and we have a lot of fun. We're not trying to be famous or anything like that, just enjoy getting together to play once a week.

CYCLING: I once took a week tour on a bicycle of Ohio where we road 60 miles every day. Fell. In. Love. Now I have my own road bike and spend my summers riding with groups around Columbus's bike trails. I also studied abroad in the Netherlands, which gave me a whole new appreciation for the bicycle.

My other random interests include; Physics, particle accelerators, Greek Mythology, Egyptian Mythology, the French language, ancient western European history, UFC, tattoos, piercings, hockey, chemistry, science-fiction, chess, weight lifting, hiking, living green, and tons more.

• arts
• singing
• photography
• tattoos
• piercings
• cooking
• breakfast
• beer
• vegetarian
• running
• drinking
• crafts
• chess
• traveling
• blogging
• painting
• drawing
• music
• piano
• cycling
• hiking
• surfing
• hockey
• chemistry
• history
• physics
• science
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies:Empire Records, Snatch, Love Actually, Memento, Fight Club, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Pan's Labyrinth, Goonies, Transformers, Nightmare Before Christmas, Dogma, Time Machine, Juno, Lock Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels, Count of Monte Cristo, Golden Compass, Stardust, Ratatouille, Sweeney Todd, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, La Vie en Rose, Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Ferngully.

TV: Monty Python, Big Bang Theory, House, Scrubs, Heroes, the Tudors, Jeopardy, Weeds, Breaking Bad, Myth Busters and Biggest Loser

Music: Coheed & Cambria, Jimmy Eat World, Tool, A Perfect Circle, Something Corporate, Jack's Mannequin, Guster, Edith Piaf, Our Lady Peace, NIN, Motion City Soundtrack, Eve 6, Funeral for a Friend, Dredg, All Time Low, KMFDM, Orgy, Muse, A7X, Hollywood Undead, Juliette and the Licks, FOB, MCR, Mars Volta, Flogging Molly, Type O Negative, and Children of Bodom.

Books: Count of Monte Cristo, His Dark Materials, Harry Potter, 1984, Brave New World, LOTR, Our Mutual Friend, The Time Machine, Jane Eyre, and Prozac Nation.
And anything by: Neil Gaiman, Garth Nix, Eoin Colfer, Jane Austen, H.G. Wells, Tamora Pierce, Robin McKinley, Douglas Adams, Jasper Fforde, Poe, and Emma Bull.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've had a very fortunate life and seen many amazing things. The most amazing thing I've seen so far was Omaha beach in Normandy, France where the D-Day invasion occurred. The remaining bunkers and bomb divots are heart wrenching, and the whole beach has an eerie beautiful peace about it.

visited 27 states (12%)

visited 25 states (50%)

Teach, Learn, Share

Well, I could always teach you a little about painting or photography.
Or, I was once a bartender so I could mix up some drinks :)
I love to learn how to make new crafts, no matter what they are.
DISCLAIMER:I am not a good cook, trust me when I say you don't want me to make dinner for you.

Countries I’ve Visited

Aruba, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands, United States

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