I am a Canadian teacher, working on a Master's degree to work with high needs students. I have an incredible, smart and beautiful daughter who is in university and a kind and funny husband who is a drama teacher. Much of our lives are taken up with school or school related activities so we find it hard to fit in other friends or activities. Our trip last year to the UK and Europe was the first time we have ever devoted time, energy and money to do something exciting just for ourselves. The most fun we have is when we are able to meet and socialize with new people in new places. We were lucky enough to be hosted through couchsurfing twice and would like to pay it forward. We had both positive experiences and the references are posted on my husband's profile. I think you can find his profile by searching his name, Erik Bauckman.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

It is great seeing new places but when you also get to meet and spend time with local people, it changes an enjoyable experience into and unforgettable one. It is the people who make a place come alive and have color and personality. We were so lucky during our travels in the UK and Europe last year to meet many incredible and warm people. It made our trip so memorable. I hope that I will be able to help others make their travels more enjoyable as well.

Interests

I like crafting and sewing, but in all honesty I plan to do a lot more than I ever get finished. I really love learning new things, and use the internet often to watch how to videos on everzthing from car repair to photoshop. I have been working on learning photoshop for longer than my skills show so I will just say I have always found it fun to play around with.

• culture
• coloring
• diy
• tv
• traveling
• socializing
• teaching

Music, Movies, and Books

Favorite movie is The Breakfast Club. In general, I would explain my liking scale for movies in terms of how sentimental, connected or emotionally moved it makes me feel. If a movie can make me feel strongly or think deeply than I believe it is time well spent. In my house it is only a half joke that I judge movies based on how much they make me cry. I love lots of other movies too though. Lots of epic movies of the last decade, such at the Harry Potter movies and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I also love a good documentary and probably watch more documentaries these days than anything else. In terms of music I mainly like classic rock and 80's music but will listen to lots of stuff from classical to country and lots in between. To me though, live music beats everything, regardless of what genre it is.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

If the end result is the measure of what is considered an amazing, then I have several things that qualify. Raising my daughter and seeing what an incredible young woman she is, has been the most deeply profound thing I have ever done. Also, in the past few years I have helped produce two school musicals which were beyond most professional productions I have seen. If the end result reflects on me at all, then I did an amazing job. However, I take very little credit and just consider myself blessed to have played a role in the lives of some incredible people. I addition, I would say that what I do every day is amazing. I get to touch the lives of many students; some leave a permanent imprint on me and I believe vice versa as well. For a teenager to welcome you into their world is a true privilege that humbles me. The good, the bad, the smart, the challenging: I love them all. Most of the time, lol.

Teach, Learn, Share

I am a very good listener and can often share metaphors, stories or analogies that help people look at situations from other points of view. I am willing and interested in learning just about anything you have the patience to share with me. I will try almost anything once! I don't think I truly excel at many things, but I am competent in many areas, and if there is something I can do, even reasonably well, I am more than happy to teach someone what I know or to learn from someone else how to do it better.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can teach English and certainly help with higher level English learners who need help with grammar and sentence structure. I can teach you to twirl a baton or sing out of key. I can do a decent amount of basic DIY repairs and decorating. If you need a room painted or wallpapered or a light fixture hung, I will lend a hand. I am great with selecting costumes and props for theatrical productions, but I am guessing it is unlikely I will meet anyone who would have need for a stage manager, lol.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Luxembourg, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada