I grew up in California and love spending time in the mountains, whether it's hiking, skiing, scrambling up peaks or climbing. I am a scientist by training who went into public policy and I specialized in environmental policy. When something really makes me laugh I snort-laugh uncontrollably.

PHILOSOPHY-Treat others with kindness, approach life with curiosity. Avoid binaries when it comes to people. The rest? Still working on it.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'll be traveling for awhile and I've realized the most meaningful and fun moments I have are when I'm able to connect with the people where I visit. I've also been really lucky when travelling in terms of people giving hitches, helping out and etc. Couchsurfing is an another way to be part of a community that looks out for each other and find ways to give back as well.

Interests

Being outdoors and spending time with people give me energy. I'm taking a year off to travel and learn from the people I meet and the places I go. I come from a family of artists and love art even if the talent skipped me. I love books and reading because I was a shy kid, and even though I'm less shy now that love remains.

• books
• socializing
• backpacking
• adventure travel
• mountains
• art
• food
• climbing
• backcountry skiing

Music, Movies, and Books

I am a musical lint duster and pick up new sounds when I come across them. I love everything from Alt-J, London Grammar, Luis Armstrong to Beyonce. Some of my favorite movies include Amadeus, anything by Wan Kar Wai or Krzysztof Kieślowski, and most Pixar movies. I have a soft spot for Bond movies with Sean Connery. Some of my favorite authors are Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Virginia Woolf, and Italo Calvino. I love Middlemarch too.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Hmm, well this isn't me, but in Scotland there was a 74 year old woman hiking the entire length of the UK, 12 miles a day.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm hoping to learn more Spanish and French. I'm also glad to practice English with hosts if that's something that would be of interest.

I love learning to cook new things and would love to learn to cook new dishes from where I travel. I'm happy to try and teach/share what I know, but those should definitely be viewed as experiments!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm happy to help out around the house with dishes, etc. I can also help cook dinner and/or breakfast. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay area, so I can share insights about California. I've had a crooked path and have done everything from take pictures using a microscope to helping pass legislation requiring cleaning products to disclose their ingredients. I'm always glad to listen and love a good story.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Cambodia, Croatia, England, France, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States