CURRENT MISSION

to find a rythm. and stay in one place for 2 yrs! :) (at least)

ABOUT ME

Everything about me seems contradictory. Still trying to figure all this out-- but:

I'm a loud loner; I love being a nomad but am constantly seeking for a home; I think I'm real strong but also super sensitive; I love business and I have passion for my work but wonder day by day (especially recently) whether it's slowly killing my soul; I love challenges but feel like being lazy too; I love being feminine but am really a tomboy/sports fanatic; I'm a romantic but lately have become more pragmatic; I believe the world can be changed but wonder everyday if it's possible; I both love and hate politics.

PHILOSOPHY

- why wait for the sun when you can dance in the rain?

- to whom much is given, much is expected

... He lived his life as if it was a race against boredom. - A&E documentary, JFK Biography

Victors never make the same mistake twice. That is why the Warrior only risks his heart for something worthwhile. - Warrior of the Light (Paolo Coehlo)

"I'm a Sagittarius, the most philosophical of all the signs.. but I don't really believe in all of that.. I just wanna have my kicks before the whole sh-thouse goes up in flames." Jim Morrison- The Doors: Roadhouse Blues Live

If you love something demean it until it doesn't have the self-esteem to leave (*giggle, from The Onion, satirical newspaper)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

All throughout my experience, I was inspired by and in turn try to inspire CSers. travellers have a common bond. it's like a religion.

These days I find myself not participating as much due to work. see "update" section in Couch information.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I first learned about Couchsurfing when I lived in Costa Rica for a year, via my friend Joe and some of his teacher friends. I met CSers and started hanging out w. them in the tail end of my expat experience (July '06 - Mar '07).

In New York, my first experience was free sangria in the east village w. Judy, Nicky, Bastien, Krista and others. I was smitten w. these people! Great group, great outlook on life and travel. Shortly thereafter I met Neil, Connie, Seth, Kristina, George and Dimitri and was more enamored. (Aug '07) Afterwards I took a thanksgiving trip to meet Brandy's family and friends in Virginia w. Lucas and Aleks and returned officially hooked. (Sept '07). Welcomed the Astorian Couchsurfers to my home for a xmas party... etc etc.

Interests

Volleyball, Tennis, Spas (especially seaweed wraps and salt rubs!), Hot Tubs, Books, Rocky Road IceCream, Green Tea (Te Verde), any opportunity to speak Spanish. Oh, and I'm a wanna-be peacecorps volunteer. I seem to surround myself w. friends who have done peacecorps, are doing it now, or want to do it. I try to do at least one service trip a year. I also like getting lost in the world on my own from time to time :)

• writing
• books
• documentaries
• spas
• dancing
• partying
• clothing
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• eating out
• blues
• sports
• tennis
• volleyball
• anthropology
• business
• teaching
• religion
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: Anything Jane Austen, Plays by Tennessee Williams, Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist. Essays by Thoreau & Emerson. No Exit (huis clos) and The Respectful Prostitute (La Putain respectueuse) by Sartre. The Harry Potter Series. Want to pick up: The Audacity of Hope, Barrack Obama; Profiles in Courage, JFK; The Power of Now. The first book that made my cry when I was 15 was Chiam Potok's 'The Chosen' (about a Jewish boy).

Movies/Shows: OfficeSpace, Swingers, Pride & Prejudice (w. Colin Firth), The Usual Suspects, Pretty Woman, Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond.

Music: I had like 3 ipods stolen in the beaches of Costa Rica. So I just gave up and listen to the radio or old CD's. :) Music is powerful though.

CURRENTLY READING: Next, Michael Crichton (about genetic research) & Crime and Punishment, Dostoevsky
CURRENT AMUSEMENT: I can't stop watching the West Wing box set again-- must be the 10th episode now. God I love politics.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Realizing that when I have the opportunity and resources, I choose to buy time [& sometimes warm weather ;)] instead of material things like clothes or jewelry. I'm really proud of that.

time is precious. time spent w. friends, learning, reading, exploring/travelling, updating profiles ;), sharing pictures, writing letters, reflecting, meditating, planning. to spend time well is a lofty goal indeed.

Teach, Learn, Share

Can share knowledge on: how not to lose heart and soul when in corporate america.
Continuing to learn: Any opportunites to travel as I'm really curious about other cultures and way of living. I think if I'm not wanting to have majored in philosophy, i'm DEFINITELY wanting to have majored in anthropology. In fact I go around the world pretending to be an anthropologist in my head :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Palau, Panama, Puerto Rico, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Costa Rica, Guam, Micronesia, Federated States of, Philippines, United States

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