My name is Sarah and I've lived in Reno most of my life. Growing up my house was always full of people. Even though this profile is relatively new, I've been on CouchSurfing for a very long time and have had some pretty amazing experiences hosting domestic and international travelers. I started a new profile page because my vision is to offer a place of refuge to people traveling with kids.

As a single mom who travels with her kids all the time, I understand that sometimes you just want to park your children somewhere where they can go play, be safe, meet other kids, get messy, pet an animal, spill their drink or pee on the floor on accident - and it's not going to ruin your whole stay. Meanwhile, you can talk to AN ACTUAL ADULT and maybe have a glass of wine.

If these are your goals, my place is for you.

I am calm and introverted, but social. I like to read and write. I work 9-5 Mon - Thur as a nurse and I sometimes have speaking engagements on the weekends. I attend online school at night, so I'm pretty busy. But I can always find time for a friendly chat over a glass of wine, or offer a recommendation for the good local eats. Reno is close to Lake Tahoe and we have a lot of amazing hiking.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

My personal philosophy is that you should share whatever you have extra of, be it time, money, space, energy, creativity, talent, etc. You can change the world by doing whatever you can with whatever you have. I have a house with a nice, fenced-in back yard and a spare room. I have a swing set, and puppies, and energetic children. I have a heart that wants to invite you into our home and our worlds. I have a soft place to land.

In addition to people traveling with kids, I'd also like my home to be a place of service to kids in my neighborhood, especially to LGBTQ+ kiddos.

My experience with CouchSurfing has far exceeded my expectations. I've met people from around the world, tasted food I never would have tried, and completely regained my faith in humanity. If I can return the favor and pass any bit of that onto my kids, I'll be a happy camper.

Interests

I love to read and write. I love spending time with my kids and my family. I've heard other people say, "Oh there's this fun thing I want to do - I'll have to arrange a sitter so I can go do it". I'm the opposite. I typically think, "Oh there's this fun thing I want to do - I can't wait to do that with my girls!" As a result of this, people who hang out with me tend to be other single parents who get the realities of having tiny humans walking in your shadow 24/7.

I also like hiking and walking along the river. If you catch me on a rare night with no kiddos I like to go dancing.

I love coffee more than life itself. And I eat an ungodly amount of tacos and sushi.

I'm interested in medicine, community health, and innovative ideas that change the way we interact with one another.

• animals
• pets
• books
• dancing
• dining
• wine
• coffee
• running
• walking
• drinking
• traveling
• hiking
• camping
• medicine
• nursing
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Books
I'm in a thriller/mystery phase. I just read everything Gillian Flynn and Tara French have ever written and I just finished The Lake House, by Kate Morton. I think my all-time top 5 would be:

1. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
2. East of Eden by John Steinbeck
3. Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger
4. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
5. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Movies
1. Garden State
2. The Royal Tenenbaums
3. Peter Pan (2003)
4. Cool Hand Luke
5. Friends With Benefits

TV
1. Jane the Virgin
2. The Fosters
3. Grey's Anatomy
4. The Office (Netflix)
6. Parks and Recreation (Netflix)

I like anything that makes you feel good or makes you laugh.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've started a volunteer organization in Sri Lanka.
I've hosted 90 people (over two months) coming from, or headed to, Burning Man.
I've given birth, and I've adopted (equally amazing in different ways).
I've taught a ten-year-old to read.
I've written a book (like a whole, entire book).
I've inspired burgeoning medical residents to evaluate the way they use their medical careers.
I've influenced the way medical offices are run all over the county.
I've helped hospice patients pass into the peaceful beyond.
I've been the only nurse on a committee for physicians.
I've seen dreams long forgotten come full circle.
I've managed not to burn down the house.

Teach, Learn, Share

Serve.
Teach to serve.
Equip to serve.

Don't stress about it. Just do what you can, with what you've got.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My dazzling personality, of course!

And coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.