CURRENT MISSION

As I approach my dotage I want to travel as much as possible. I am resuming my travels this summer, 2009, by spending 2 months abroad. Trip includes UK, possibly Uganda, & vagabonding in Europe if time allows

ABOUT ME

I am officially middle aged this year. I have been a nurse and workaholic for nearly 20 years and a single mom of one boy for 22 years. I traveled and lived abroad as a young woman but have not had the time or $$$ to do it for a long time. Now my son is grown. My dog is dead. I am teaching at a technical college which allows me my summers free. I want to travel. Around the country or around the world. I am interested in the truly local when I travel. I find that much more interesting than visiting the tourist locations. I like off the beaten path locations.

PHILOSOPHY

"Re-examine all you have been told...dismiss what insults your soul"
Walt Whitman

Hold yourself accountable for what happens to you. Then move on.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have missed a few surfers because I am really bad at checking my email and they were last minute requests, or nearly, so I would like to say that I am reachable by phone if you look in the phone book or call information I am listed. Please still use the official request so that I can see your profile before agreeing to host. I am hoping to be able to host anyone who ventures this way. I am near the Twin Cities and Duluth, Minnesota. For cross country skiers I am not far from Hayward, WI where the Bierkebiner is held.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I couch surfed for 9 weeks in UK, Amsterdam, Italy, Greece and Istanbul summer, 2009. It has been an extraordinarily rewarding experience. I cannot wait to do it again. I never had a single reservation about where I was staying I felt absolutely safe and warm and welcome. I wish I had spent more time on the local group sites because I missed some fabulous activities but live and learn. Next summer I will meet even more people.

Interests

Eating, drinking, laughing, sharing, walking, hiking, biking, canoeing, camping, knitting, politics, world events, philosophy, live music, theater, film, art, history, people.

• dogs
• arts
• books
• theater
• walking
• drinking
• politics
• traveling
• knitting
• music
• live music
• cycling
• hiking
• canoeing
• camping
• history
• nursing

Music, Movies, and Books

Anything and everything as long as it's "good."

I just finished reading "The Common-Wealth of the Mind" by Dr. Walter Slack. It is now out of print but well worth finding.

Just bought Aimee Mann's CD, @#%&! SMILERS. Love it.

Poetry by Aaron Anstett, hard to find but worth the trouble.

Jenny McCarthy's film Dirty Love is an underrated, gross out humor, allegory of contemporary feminism

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I help people move out of this world and into the next.

Teach, Learn, Share

Don't be afraid but be cautious.

Countries I’ve Visited

Greece, Italy, Turkey, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom, United States

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