CURRENT MISSION

To laugh, make others laugh, be laughed at, get a stomach cramp from laughing, and to dance and get a leg cramp from dancing. I also want to meet new people from all around the world and learn more about the world from them.

ABOUT ME

I like to have a good time, I try to live by the golden rule, I'm married to the funniest most beautiful man alive and I have a cat named Zadie.

PHILOSOPHY

Treat others with respect.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I am down for meeting for coffee with visitors to Asheville. I am not, however, an Asheville pro, I've lived here since July 2011. Also when my husband is in town (he is in the woods working half the month), we want to give hosting a try at some point.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've never couch surfed with people I haven't formerly known, but I've had friends come through, crash on my couch, which is fun, and I know how nice it is to have a place to stay that's welcoming from the hundreds of friends I've stayed with over the years.

Interests

I love mountain biking, studying Japanese, writing, reading, checking things off my to-do list, living and traveling abroad, dancing (poorly), running, stretching, being outdoors, eating out for breakfast, karaoke (asian style), listing to This American Life and other great NPR programs, eating delicious food, and learning new words.

• cats
• writing
• dancing
• dining
• breakfast
• coffee
• running
• reading
• traveling
• eating out
• karaoke
• outdoor activities
• cycling

Music, Movies, and Books

I love any movie, music, or book that seems to have a soul. Movies I recently watched and liked were The Heathers, Brides Maids, The Dilemma, Elf, and Sideways.Some all time favorites for music are Tom Petty, Moby, Bette Midler, Adele...I'm currently reading Zorba the Greek, it's pretty good. A book I keep thinking about that I read last year is The Kite Runner. Two all time favorites are Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger and Where I'm Calling from by Carver

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I climbed Mt. Fuji and I think it changed me. I tear up thinking about it. There's a better description of the experience at ernstern.blogspot.com

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach English as a second language, as well as some basic Japanese. I'd love to learn more Japanese and how to fix/build things!

Countries I’ve Visited

Greece, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Cambodia, Ghana, Japan, United States