CURRENT MISSION

Just to fall in love with all of it. every single thing.

ABOUT ME

I study Comparative Religion, and before that Political Science and Philosophy. I love being an intellectual and reading books about foreign policy, economics, political Islam, the Byzantines, etc, etc, whatever crosses my path. But then I will take a break--breathe--and read poetry, nature essays, historical fiction. I love books--can you tell? I love music, I grew up around musicians. I love learning about other people and cultures, so I travel. But I like to travel so that I nestle deep into another culture and learn what makes it so unique. I also love being right where I'm at. Seattle is an incredible city and I love to garden, go walk in the massive parks, walk along the water, go hiking, visit a winery, sit for hours in a coffee shop. The best day would be...read a book in the morning, run around outside in the mountains in the afternoon, and have a big dinner with friends and my family late into the night.

PHILOSOPHY

I was an active Christian for many years and went to a church that I loved--very socially active and aware. That time opened me up to religion and philosophy in general and from that I have discovered the beauty and wisdom of eastern traditions, Native American traditions, neuro-theology, the relationship between art, science, psychology and well-being. I have no specific doctrine other than to learn about and love everything and everyone I encounter, to grow and mature so that I can understand many different viewpoints, to find peace by being present in the moment, and to remain in awe of the ineffable.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I just learned about this community and am getting started! I love cultural exchanges and the opportunity to see a place through the eyes of a person who knows and loves it. I love sharing my city as well and all the reasons I LOVE it here! I'm sure this will be a great place to do the things I love most--learn about new places and people, and connect and grow with people around the world.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I haven't had any 'official' couchsurfing experiences, but I've spent plenty of time sleeping on couches as I've moved through foreign places! I stayed on a cough in Tegucigalpa, Honduras as my first taste of Central America. The North American who housed me were working as teachers and related to me their experiences working with wealthy children in a very impoverished country. They also introduced me to a number of different development projects in the area.
I've surfed couches in Boston, New York, Guatemala, Spain, California, Arizona all through the SE United States and in Vancouver, Canada. I've opened my couch to Texans, New Englanders, and some hilarious travelers from Saskatchewan, Canada passing through for a Radiohead concert :)

Interests

Religion, Psychology, Politics. Music and instruments. Dance. Stories. Meditation, alternative therapy, natural foods and healing. Gardening and farming. Food and wine. Anything else that you love and want to tell me about! :)

• arts
• culture
• books
• poetry
• beauty
• concerts
• dancing
• dining
• wine
• coffee
• running
• meditation
• gardening
• shopping
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• drawing
• music
• hiking
• christian
• muslim
• divinity
• economics
• physics
• political science
• psychology
• religion
• science
• parks
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Books:
A Soldier of the Great War by Mark Helprin
Poisonwood Bible by Kingsolver
Island by Aldous Huxley

Music:
Bonnie Prince Billy
Radiohead
Sean Hayes
Latin (Cuban) music

Movies:
Frida
Shawshank Redemption
The Bourne movies
foreign films

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

2 things:

1. I spent the 4th of July in New Hampshire one year with good friends. I took my first ride on a Harley Davidson, spent the evening sitting around a campfire at a lake cabin in the woods and remember sitting on the porch thinking that life was in fact good, happy and beautiful. I have never before been so peaceful.

2. I traveled by myself for the first time--20 years old in Spain. I ended up backstage at a Radiohead concert and followed them for 2 more shows, got front row tickets and met them afterward. It was a magical trip...

Teach, Learn, Share

I am planning to do my graduate thesis on Secularism in Europe and the role of Political Islam as Muslim immigration increases in Europe. I'm studying the historical role of the Church in Europe, why Europe underwent an 'Enlightenment', how new political religions sprung up to meet the need for a communal identity (Bolshevism, Naziism) and what religion looks like in contemporary Europe. I want to understand the psychological need people have for religion and the role religion serves--communicating stories, social narratives, preserving meaning in art, music, ritual, and conveying a sense of awe or an explanation to the eternal Mystery of existence.
Because I am from a Christian background, I try to make use of that and draw connections between the philosophy of Christianity and that of other religions and belief systems. I believe that I can engage many different beliefs and understandings of God to come to a better understanding of truth, love, existence, and then to share what I experience and learn with others who are also seeking to understand their place in this world. Through understanding religion--the beautiful part of religion--and learning to let go of the dogma--but understanding why we create dogma--I hope to learn how to fall in love with here, this exact moment, and this, and this.
I'm just starting to get into meditation and psychology and learn about the power of pyscho-suggestion. Also about healing--physical, emotional, mental-through many different techniques. I appreciate the University because it teaches me to think critically, yet I respect that it has its limits and many things must be learned that cannot be analyzed, synthesized or even described, but just experienced. Or maybe their interpretation is the role of art...something else I am learning to appreciate! I would love to learn more about science, physics, string theory, etc, etc--can anyone teach me??!

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Honduras, Peru

Countries I’ve Lived In

Chile, Spain, United States