My name is YLan (pronounced however you like it as long as I can recognise it), and I'm a restless spirit who just goes nuts if I spend so much as one full day indoors. Still with so, so much of the world to see, I can't wait to see the crap out of all of it.

As of now, my travels have brought me to Sydney, where I've settled and have been using my Work and Holiday visa to save up for school and three more years stay. I've met so many lovely people through Couchsurfing here already, and feel happily at home thanks to the warmth of many new friends. Before this, I had been living in San Francisco, working and studying until I realised that I was stressed and restless from being stuck in one place for too long. I had lived in San Diego and San Jose (both in California) before, and also travelled all up down and around the west coast of the country. But it simply never felt far enough, or foreign enough. I missed the thrill of dropping into a strange city, always moving and just making it work--and discovering new meanings of love, life, and friendship through the bonds made with other people with the same hunger for adventure.

I fell in love with Australia. The true blue beaches, the open skies, the beautiful people and gorgeous wildlife..

In other words, I couldn't think of any reason to NOT pick up everything and move a whole ocean away. And so here I am.

One year visa in Australia and my sights set on the world, baby.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To get to know all the faces and people of the planet that I can, because I never ever want to regret not having gone out and done so. There are thousands of lifetimes of things worth learning in this world, and it only takes the first step out of your home pond to really realize that there's no real limit to how far you can take yourself, and how colorful and beautiful people can be.

I had known about Couchsurfing previously, but my various roommates in San Francisco weren't really into "letting strangers into the house." :C Just wasn't their thing. No worries though, Couchsurfing is a BEAUTIFUL thing, and I'm so very happy to be a part of such a friendly, openhearted community!

Interests

Man I'm always terrible with these "interests" and favorites lists. (I have the memory capacity of a goldfish and can never keep a bookmark on the things I've really liked)

Making new friends, stretching my artsy side, DANCING even though I'm no good at it, hiking, CAMPING, reading, and trying to cook. >:) I love setting up bonfires by myself. Hammocks are a second home and sunshine makes my little heart sing. Life goals include being able to make a successful tiramisu one day. My favorite art mediums right now are clay sculpting, paper sculpting, and permanent ink. Oh and I LOVE getting dressed up. Slap on some lashes, glitter, and lipstick and I'm feelin killer. Though, I'm equally as eager to sport a slim button-up and tie.

Also, I love just having a drink and a great laid back conversation. Some Earl Grey, some Cointreau, a good ol' G&T, some pink moscato, some hot chocolate, whatever you like, I'm very down.

• wildlife
• arts
• singing
• performing arts
• design
• dancing
• cooking
• chocolate
• drinking
• reading
• crochet
• painting
• origami
• hiking
• camping
• sports
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: I know I haven't heard enough to know every genre I could love, but my romantic soul lies in the American 60's and 80's/90's. like Dion, the chi-lites, blondie , Paul Anka, the Bee Gees, and Nat King Cole. I can also dig a good musical. I grew up listening to R&B and Mexican love songs late at night. In terms of newer music, I can think of Above and Beyond, Frank Ocean, LANY, Porter Robinson, Die Antwoord, ODESZA, and Andrew Rayel. In the meantime, I go to more raves and festivals than I can afford. the particulars go on and on, I just can't remember enough to list them all out, since I'm more about individual songs and sounds than about general genres.

Movies: I really haven't seen very many--always down to have a watch! Maybe not horror though. I'm pretty prone to getting long term heebie jeebies.
Some films that come to mind are The Grand Budapest Hotel, Kill Bill (esp vol. 2), Disney's Pocahontas (I accept it as something entirely separate from accurate history), Leon the Professional, Nymphomaniac (Vol1&2), all sorts of documentaries, especially Zoology ones), and anything to do with mythology!!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

SEEN DITA VON TEESE LIVE. may not be a big deal to most people. but I swear I never knew I had a screaming fangirl in me before the night I saw her perform in her tour, "strip, strip, hooray!"

OHHHHHHH MYYYYYY STARS. she is a goddess and I am but a humble penny in her pond.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can dye your hair for you, paint your nails, introduce you to the vietnamese alphabet, design you a better-than-average powerpoint presentation, teach you to crochet and fold some random origami pieces. great stuff.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Canada, Myanmar, Thailand

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, United States