CURRENT MISSION

To keep on smiling.

ABOUT ME

I've lived in various places around the U.S. and Canada before finding myself in Halifax. I really love it here, and I have a job I love editing the website at a magazine.

I'm passionate about journalism, psychology, literature, music and politics, and in my spare time you can probably find me reading, making music, doing yoga, spending time with friends and just generally trying to live as mindfully and cheerfully as possible.

PHILOSOPHY

"If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. If we really know how to live, what better way to start the day than with a smile? Our smile affirms our awareness and determination to live in peace and joy. The source of a true smile is an awakened mind." –Thich Nhat Hanh

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm antsy to take a big trip somewhere later this year, but I mostly just enjoy a quiet life as a couch owner in Halifax.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've hosted and visited people outside of the official Couchsurfing network, and met some great friends doing that.

I know there are lots of wonderful people out there whom I'd like to meet, and so I'm hoping to host more guests and do some more traveling soon.

Interests

reading, writing, oboe, ukulele, yoga, running, wandering around, cycling, cooking, being with friends.

• writing
• literature
• concerts
• cooking
• baking
• yoga
• running
• meditation
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• knitting
• music
• cycling
• history
• journalism
• psychology

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: Being There, Hannah and Her Sisters, I'm Not There, Goodfellas, Amadeus, Brazil, A Serious Man, Up.

Music: Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, The Black Keys, Cat Power, Sigur Rós, Deerhunter, klezmer.

Books: Sometimes A Great Notion, One Hundred Years of Solitude, The Tin Drum, Gormenghast, Watership Down, The Sound and the Fury, Zen Mind Beginner's Mind, Peace is Every Step.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Lots! Seeing the little farmhouse in Ireland where my grandfather was born. Visiting a Buddhist monastery in the middle of Beijing and being struck by how peaceful it was, even with all the traffic and hubbub going on just beyond the walls. Sneaking into an abandoned hotel ballroom to put on an impromptu concert with my friends (twice. We got caught the second time, though.) Wandering around old Jewish neighbourhoods in Poland and being struck by the weight of the history there. Watching the sun set over Paris from Montmartre. Moving to Halifax and feeling so welcomed by the people here.

Teach, Learn, Share

Baking: I bake a lot, so if you come stay with me there's a good chance you'll get some cookies or cake.

Oboe: If you've ever wanted to know how to play this difficult, strange-sounding but fun instrument, I can try to show you.

Ukulele: I'm not especially skilled, but I can show you a few chords.

Meditation: I've been meditating for years (well, intermittently over a period of years) and it's made a huge difference in my life.

Knitting: I can't show you how to make a cable sweater or anything fancy, but I can definitely teach you the basics.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bermuda, China, France, Ireland, Poland, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, United States