CURRENT MISSION

To live, to laugh, to feel, to experience others in this being human thing

ABOUT ME

I'm a work in progress, and I enjoy every minute of the journey. I'm a bundle of contradictions. I like AC/DC and ballet, perfect grammar and foul language, swanky spas and smelly tents, macrobiotics and greasy pizza. I feel most alive when I'm outdoors, especially in a kayak. Nature makes me feel small and humble, yet powerful, and I love it! Small talk bores me. I crave authenticity and real connections. I want to know the hows and why of you, not just your check points. Laughter is a biological function as far as I'm concerned. I like to be with other people, but I can entertain myself endlessly!

PHILOSOPHY

We have mouths and language to speak, but more importantly we have ears to listen and understand. We all need to listen better. Really listen. Change can only happen when we listen and truly open ourselves to others' realities.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm new to this, but I'm totally on board!

Interests

people, sea kayaking, documentaries, film-making, writing naughty haikus, yoga, basketball, hiking, skiiing, snow-shoeing, finding out what makes people tick, reading, learning languages, watching squirrels, chocolate, RED wine, veggie food, kalamata olives, TED.com, learning how to become a better teacher

• dogs
• writing
• documentaries
• spas
• ballet dancing
• dining
• chocolate
• wine
• red wine
• yoga
• walking
• reading
• traveling
• knitting
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• kayaking
• basketball
• teaching
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: shameless and involuntary memorization of 80's song lyrics, blues, funk, anything with a nasty "does your mama know you do that?" groove
Movies: anything that is absurdly silly (Anchorman), sweet (Elling), naughty (Y Tu Mama Tambien), or provocative (Babel)....oh, and Finding Nemo!
Books: right now I'm reading lots of Neruda, Pema Chodron (The Places That Scare You), and Thich Nhat Hanh (Peace is Every Step), and the Dalai Lama (The Universe in a Single Atom)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've traveled near and far, but one of the most amazing things I've done was reuniting my long-lost brother with my family after 17 years. That was scarier than kayaking through icebergs or walking through a jungle at night. Not all adventures involve traveling!

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you how to....
- speak/read/write in English
- kayak
- pitch a tent in the dark in a howling storm (it ain't pretty)
- make monkey noises
- make a podcast
- train a dog
- be present
- have fun in the rain!

I want to learn:
- more languages! all of them!
- how to surf
- how to knit (past attempts haven't gone well)
- more about weather - i love storms!

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