CURRENT MISSION

To have as many interesting experiences as possible.

ABOUT ME

My biggest issue with life, and the world, is that lists of good stuff are always inexhaustible. I am forever wanting to visit new places and do new, interesting things - but there are too many out there to fit into one life time. Other than travelling, my big passions are films,books and photography. I feel like I make the most out of my travels by taking some pretty good shots. I'm also a keen music fan, and my favourites are North American Indie and Alternative, and electronic. I'm more often than not found travelling alone, as I like to travel a lot and can't always get people to accompany me, yet I love meeting new people along the way and finding out their interesting stories, and hopefully I can learn a thing or two along the way, as well. I studied French and Politics at the University of Manchester, and a few years later an MA in Contemporary China, also Manchester. In between the two, I taught English in China. In September I will be returning to university once again, this time to med school, as I love working with people, and need new challenges.

PHILOSOPHY

1)No matter what we're doing or where we are or how we feel, there is always something to look forward to.

2)As long as you have yourself, you are fine.

3)Try as much new stuff as possible, at least once.

4) You make your own luck

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'd love to put a different spin on my travels and meet some new and interesting people who can bring something to my travel experiences. I also think that an essential part of travelling is to have trust in others, and what better way to have that than with Couch Surfing. Living in London has also taught me how to fully profit from what a city has to offer, away from the typical tourist hotspots. I am determined to enjoy other cities in the same way that I have fallen in love with my own city, and there could be no better way to do this with a local who knows the area.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

When I lived in China, I had fellow-English teachers who offered their couches. I unfortunately didn't live in suitable accommodation to do the same, yet I was able to meet some interesting new faces, and was also inspired to add this element to my next lot of travels. Since taking up Couch Surfing I have realised how much it enriches my travels, and how much more fun there is to be had out there. I love hearing people's stories and I have learnt so much from the amazing people who have hosted me or whom I have hosted.

Interests

As mentioned above, my big passions are films, reading and photography.

My favourite films are really varied, but I like anything that tells of an interesting event or occassion, fictional or non-fictional. I also like films from which I can learn something, be it anything conventionally educational, or simply life lessons. Lately there have been some amazing American idie films about life and relationships that my generation can really relate to.

My favourite books are popular fiction, classic fiction, travel writing, and any book which can teach me something, based on my current interests, or anything new. I love anything about most historic periods.

I also love languages, hiking, open water diving, baking and exploring different craft beers (definitely something I pursue when in new places).

• writing
• books
• literature
• photography
• beer
• baking
• politics
• movies
• reading
• tv
• traveling
• music
• hiking
• surfing
• scuba diving
• bungee jumping
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

As seeing as these are my biggest interests, I feel like I have talked about them a lot already.

But......

Films:
Good Bye Lenin, Election, Clueless, Misery, Babel, Little Miss Sunshine, Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, The Science of Sleep, Back to the future trilogy, Notes on a Scandal, The Visitor, Drop Dead Fred, Juno, Across the Universe, About a Boy, The Departed, The Truman Show, Inglorious Basterds, Persepolis, The Raid, Baby Mama, Irreversible, A Better Life, Rashomon.

Woody Allen, Alexander Payne, Reitman.

Music:
The National, The New Pornographers, David Bowie, Beck, The White Stripes, The Shins, Yann Tiersen, Modest Mouse, Sufjan Stevens, Janis Joplin, Moby, Spoon, Radiohead, Arcade Fire, Elbow, Ray Charles, Elton John, Frightened Rabbit, Lou Reed, Weezer.

Books:
The Secret History, Wuthering Heights, The Faraway Tree, Lord of the Flies, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, Madame Bovary, Sons and Lovers, Lolita, Rebecca, Trainspotting.

TV:
Six Feet Under, 30 Rock, Arrested Development, Portlandia, Veep, Louie, Fargo, The Knick, Girls.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

1) Done a bungee jump.
2) Move to China.
3) Pass my driving test first time.
4) Become a qualified open water diver.
5) Hike Tiger Leaping Gorge (but did get lost).
6) Becoming a qualified Sky Diver.

Teach, Learn, Share

Well I know quite a few languages, and love having the chance to learn more. I'm really into my photography, and can pass on any tips, but would also love to gain more experience. I'm really into hiking and love having someone to do this with. I also bake a lot, and like sharing this around (usually!)

I spend a lot of time thinking about the choices we make in our lives and how we can best live our lives. To share stories and learn from others is something I love to do and would like to get from couchsurfing.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Languages, life stories, photography, lengthy discussions about films, tv or literature.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Estonia, Finland, Germany, India, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United States, Uruguay

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, France, United Kingdom

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