CURRENT MISSION

To explore, study, stumble upon unexpected interests and opportunities, and to make lasting friendships with people who enjoy life.

ABOUT ME

Labels are awkward... but I suppose the appropriate label for me is "third culture child." Originally from the USA, I have lived and worked/studied in China, Tanzania, Japan, Italy and Oman, and I have traveled extensively in South East Asia, Europe and North America. I love language learning, and making friends from all cultural backgrounds.

In university I studied international conflict resolution with a focus in environmental issues. I am currently studying international issues on water resource security (both quality and quantity) and the cultural, political and environmental sides of water conflict. In case you haven't figured this out yet, I am just a little geeky. :)

Outside of my studies I sing along with my ukulele, dance (mostly salsa and tango) and go sailboat racing! I love music and people who love music. I also love to cook (usually by the experimentation method) and to spend time in nature.

When I am traveling my favorite thing is just hanging out with the friends I make, and taking part in the local scene, whatever that may be. I believe in traveling, not tourism, which to me means making lasting friendships and living locally.

I look forward to meeting you and hope our paths will cross in the future!

PHILOSOPHY

Opportunity is not a lengthy visitor.
Kindness is never wrong.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have had good experineces hosting several exchange students in the past, and I am excited to open up my home to the couch surfer community! I enjoy making friends with adventurous people and swapping stories of the world. When I am in Wellington, I have space to host two travelers on one double futon. I am happy to show you around the city. I love hiking and sailing, so if the weather is nice I can even help arrange one of these adventures during your stay in Aotearoa.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

A little - I stayed with a few hosts while backpacking across Europe in 2010 - but looking forward to getting back into the community!

Interests

Music, theater, singing, politics, environmentalism, hiking/camping, conflict resolution and international relations theory, cooking, watching movies.

• culture
• singing
• theater
• performing arts
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• politics
• movies
• traveling
• music
• opera
• hiking
• camping
• sailing
• international relations
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: Belle Canto, The Alexandria Quartet, Bossy Pants by Tina Fey, The Manticore, Anna Karenina, Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress.
Movies: 500 Days of Summer, Roman Holiday (I love Audrey Hepburn), Memoirs of a Geisha, Slumdog Millionaire, The King's Speech.
Music: Ingrid Michaelson, Regina Spektor, Blue Scholars, Massanet, Gounod, Tchaikovsky.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Backpacked from Istanbul to London on my own!

Teach, Learn, Share

I can cook food from all over the world! Indian, chinese, tanzanian, japanese, romanian, french, omani... would be happy to teach and create a feast together!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Happy to buy food and cook a meal or two. Alternatively, happy to sing for my supper if you have a ukulele lying around...

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, China, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Philippines, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Oman, Tanzania, United States

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