| Dawn Blanquier is a CS Family Ambassador! |
| Dawn Blanquier has been vouched for |
| VERIFIED MEMBER Identity Checked, Location Verified (3) more info |
| Couch available | Maybe |
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| CouchSurf requests replied to | 88% |
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| member since | July 8th, 2008 |
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| profile views | 4,511 |
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| age | 32 |
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| birthday | 30 April
Everyone can see this. |
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| gender | Female |
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| membername | DAWN-THE-FRENCH-ONE |
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| occupation | French Linguist/Interpretor, Game tester, Assistant for a photographer :D and now: Researcher in Irish History |
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| education | A whole life is not enough to learn everything! |
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| grew up in | Paris (France) |
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| ethnicity | Ethnicity, why would anyone care?! |
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| Direct Profile URL |
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Languages- FrenchExpert
- EnglishExpert
- SpanishBeginner
- Chinese (Traditional)Beginner
- GermanBeginner
- ItalianBeginner
Couch Information
Couch Available: Maybe
Preferred Gender: Any
 Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Max Surfers Per Night: 4
Shared Sleeping Surface: Depends
Shared Room: DependsWell, If I have 2 people from different places, I would put one in the guest room, and one in the living room. If there are more than 2 people from different places, then the living room will have to be shared.
I WILL BE TRAVELLING FROM THE 28th OF JUNE UNTIL THE 1st OF SEPTEMBER 2011
NOTES:
1. If you want to surf my couch, use the "Surf this couch" button.
2. I lend you a couch but I will ask you to buy the food as I cannot afford to feed everyone I host. I will not ask you to participate a bit for the petrol if I bring you visiting somewhere... I leave you the choice to be understanding or not...
3. My house is not a hostel, it's a house with children: Respect will be your no.1 priority! Keep in mind that they will learn from you while you stay in their environment.
I live about 10 minutes walk from the town center. It's like keep going straight all the time... so it's quiet hard to loose yourself ;.P
I live with my 2 children who are 7 and 5 years old. They get on with everybody but they are very shy at first.
http://www.couchsurfing.org/wiki/Couchsurfing_In_Homes_With_Young_Children
We have 1 cat.
I live in a 5 bedroom house so, I have 1 guest room (single bed. It's small, but it's handy when I get a visitor. It's not painted yet... as i am finishing the house little by little. I also have 2 single beds in the living room that I use as couch. The living room is quiet big so it can fit 2 or 3 people. Since I have 2 beds, if you are more than 2, you'll have to have a sleeping bag.
I am a smoker and I tend to smoke more if I talk a lot (which always happens since I talk all the time!)
The town I live in is quiet small. Since it is 2 streets, we don't really have "transportation" as such... except taxis.
There is a Bus and a Train station like 3 minutes from the city center. You can go anywhere from there.
I usually go to bed between 1 and 2am... If I am not working, I can bring you anywhere you want as I have a car. If I work, I can only meet you after 8pm.
I can host anytime really... If I can, I can, if I can't, I can't... I'll be honest about it ;.) That's as simple as that. I do have blankets. (There is one in the guest room, and i have an extra one for the living room). How many days is too many? 2. I would feel like i am an hostel if it was more...
The sea side is about 10/15 min drive.
Castlebar is about 40 min drive.
Sligo is about 45min to 1 hour drive.
Galway is about 1.5 to 2 hours drive.
WHAT DO TO around:
- Ballina / Béal an Aithe : Natural area, Christian sites, Scenic site or route, Small town or village
- Ballycastle - Kilcummin : Archeological exhibit, museum
Archeological site or ruin, Historic site: Céide Fields
Prehistoric site or exhibit, Christian sites, Small town or village. http://www.lookaroundireland.com/scenicinteractive/downpatrickhead.htm
- Crossmolina : Crafts center or marketplace, Industrial attraction, factory museum, Small town or village
- Foxford - Foxford Wollen Mills Visitor Center, Town walls, fortifications, gates, Historic site, Small town or village
- Killala : Fishing opportunity, Lake, Scenic site or route
Lough Coon / Lough Cullin / Pontoon, Archeological site or ruin, Architecture - Medieval
- Moyne Abbey : Scenic site or route, Nephin Mor, Architecture - Medieval, Christian sites
- Rathfran Friary : Significant work of art, Architecture - Medieval, Rosserk Friary
MORE INFO:
- Sleep in an Old Monastery in Connemarra beside the National Park: http://www.oldmonasteryhostel.com/news.php
- South-West of Ireland:
http://www.dingle-peninsula.ie/
http://www.myguideireland.com/the-iveragh-peninsula
http://www.bearainfo.com/main.htm
Friends (96)
 Alessandro Fonte
32, Male
Pavia, Lombardia
Italy
Friends since January 2009
"She hosted me in ireland"
Friendship Type: Best Friend
 |
 Marine Eymonot
21, Female
Bordeaux, Aquitaine
France
Friends since January 2009
"by spiritual connection :P"
Friendship Type: Best Friend
 4 |
 David Ribeiro
32, Male
Ecouen, Ile-de-France
France
Friends since January 2009
"On the north, after driving on snow during four hours, i met her and her family. we ve passed all night talking. an amazing night.i can t expect a best 30th year's birthday present :ange:"
Friendship Type: Best Friend
2 |
 JEEBOO
32, Male
Paris, Ile-de-France
France
Friends since January 1984
"She's a great person, and I can't sum up her great personnality here, but she's the one I think about when I need to be positive !"
Friendship Type: Best Friend
10 |
 Brian T Light
32, Several people
Bryan, Texas
United States
Friends since January 2010
"Surfed Dawn's couch (or spare bed, rather) for a few days in Ballina."
Friendship Type: Close Friend
I vouched for Dawn Blanquier
5 |
 Goto Mah
30, Male
Cork, Cork
Ireland (Republic of)
Friends since May 2008
"We work together playing videogames :P"
Friendship Type: Good Friend
 3 |
 Florent Curé
33, Male
Lyon, Rhone-Alpes
France
Friends since August 2008
"She hosted me in Ballina, Ireland"
Friendship Type: Close Friend
I vouched for Dawn Blanquier
 6 2 1 |
 WANNEBE HIPPIE
48, Female
Flora, Sogn og Fjordane
Norway
Friends since January 2009
"MY ABSOLUTELY FAVORITE BITCH:)"
Friendship Type: Friend
I vouched for Dawn Blanquier
2 1 |
 Maude Frachon
29, Female
Paris, Ile-de-France
France
Friends since August 2008
"Dawn hosted me and my friend"
Friendship Type: CouchSurfing Friend
1 |
 Cristel Maindrou
34, Female
Moulidars, Poitou-Charentes
France
Friends since August 2009
"I mailed Dawn several times before my trip and we finally met in August 09"
Friendship Type: Close Friend
2 | | |
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Personal DescriptionI'm French/Corsican living in Ireland. I Keep my French accent when I talk that makes a lot of people smile. Elegant Hippy disguised as a mother, I'm clumsy, Funny (according to what they say.I've a funny body language when i talk: whatever THAT means!), Bitchy, Open-minded, Selfish, Generous also! Contradictory, should I say! Grumpy, Lazy, "D'UH!", Moody, Wise, Aggressive, Independent, Soft, Fragile, Hyperactive, Stylish, Sporty, Observant, Impressive, Maniac, Shy (Like I start sweating if someone says HI to me), I can be down sometimes simply because it happens that I can be sad! I'm very shy to talk to face-to-face because I am not very self-confident! it's very hard for me to go and talk to people but, basically, when it comes to the crunch, I can speak with everyone and anyone. I am Jealous, Possessive, Romantic, Silent, Serious, Childish, Very Deep Philosopher, Silly, Crazy, "Head on the shoulders" type of girl, Strict, Competitive, Organized, Dog lover, Nutella eater! (Write Nutella in the title of your couch request, please, just to show you read my profile!) I'm nosy, Always late! (Thank you Ireland! I never used to be like that!) Paranoid sometimes, Poet (also sometimes), DAYDREAMER BIG Time! I've to be in control of my mind/feelings. I get offended sometimes, I'm genuinely good to people & genuinely bitchy if you push me to (exemple: "don't think you are smarter than anyone else cause you do NOT know everything!"). I have been a bit of a feminist lately: I just thought that the world has been governed and taken over by men for thousands of years and I'd love to see the world governed by women, just to see what it would be like... I guess there are a lot of sides of me, we all have them ;) I can be also very insecure, quiet, reserved, solitary. I love silence, too. I also love my own company, being alone... It's my own way of feeling free.
How I Participate in CSI think Technology is a brilliant thing in a way, and it has given us much more access to information that it gave our grand-parent or parents. It used to be expensive to travel (between plane tickets, hotels, taxis, etc...) Nowadays, the prices of tickets are very affordable, and couchsurfing made me think about the real concept of Traveling... Indeed, we could simply go to the hotel (since we saved that money on the tickets) but don't you think it's boring to visit on your own following a guide or a few brochures you got in the Info'Center? Why not going to someone who will know all the to do's and not to do's, obviously getting mixed with the culture of that someone and exchange ideas... Shy people will learn not to be shy anymore... It's a good way of finding and learning your own way in Life... "Behind every able man, there are always other able men." I just think it's brilliant... Most of the time, in "society", I wear the "serious mask", but really, behind that mask hides the mind of an innocent child. Do you remember when you were a child and you didn't know what Judging others was, and you would share your sweets with the new class mate no matter where he came from or what background he had? That's what Couchsurfing is all about, it's being innocent, sharing and trusting and keeping a plate and a bed for a friend that you don't know yet... and having good arguments are a very good exercice, it's good to open our perceptions of seeing things :))
Le site CouchSurfing est aussi disponible en Français, grâce au travail de dévoués bénévoles. Malheureusement, en raison du manque de soutien de la part de la direction de CouchSurfing, le travail de traduction ne peut être poursuivi. Pour cela, moi et les autres membres de l'équipe de traduction, nous avons suspendu notre participation jusqu'à ce que nos revendications soient satisfaites. Si vous trouvez nos précédents travaux utiles et que vous souhaitez nous soutenir, s'il vous plaît écrivez un message àJim pour lui demander de prendre en compte nos besoins en coopérant activement, ouvertement et efficacement avec les bénévoles dont il
a la charge. D'avance MERCI.
CouchSurfing ExperienceI hosted my first CS on the 13th of July '08, and it hasn't stopped since..... I met wonderful people and made really good friends. I couchsurfed, myself, for the first time on the 25th of Decemember '08.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFMRk2m2vCw (cute video that was sent to me!)
InterestsKick boxing, Learning Chinese, Spanish, and German.
Figuring out where I should move!!! Thinking... Thinking....
I'm fascinated by the Human brain. I love Muay-Tai. I enjoy socializing even though it takes me ages to get into a conversation as I can be a bit of an antisocial sometimes. I love traveling, even though I don't get the chance to do it as much as I would like. Photography is one of my hobbies. I'm very artistic... I love silence and if i have nothing to say, don't take it personally, it's just that I also like being quiet ;) I love everything about sciences... But please, don't mention numbers to me, i don't know what you're on about! ;P I'm working on it, though... ;)PhilosophyMy Philosophy is about Loving and enjoying what and who is in front of you in my own opinion... "Carpe Diem". Don't see anything negatively (you can, of course, bitch sometimes, it's a good way to feel better afterwards ;P ) I think there is not enough love in this world, and yet, there are enough people on this planet to give love... because it's inconditional Love that's gonna save us (you don't need to be religious to do that!). We have to stick together because we need to be loved, and if we are loved, we are more likely to Love and therefore to save eachother. but I guess I see everything "pink" because I am a girl! I have that bad feeling that all Values have been lost! I feel that people are spending way too much time thinking on how they could save the Planet. Mother Earth is NOT ephemeral, so leave it alone, she is fine and will keep being fine! She is more powerful than you could ever think! People should think about saving Humanity, that's what they should worry about, because, the way it's going, it's straight to extinction! So, I want to teach people that enjoying anything (even a buttercup flower on the side of the road) can change everything... I need to be challenged and to challenge, as I feel it feeds my ambitions somehow. My point here, as I honestly think it should be, is to recreate a world free from differences. It is to recreate a world where all our drawbacks could become good qualities thanks to the different people's point of view we meet during our travelling or our hosting. It is to convert all bad into good. It is to teach whatever you know so, someone else can use your knowledge later at some stage in their life... It's about passing on our very own personality and points of view so, someone from a totally different background will see what he/she never seen in their History books and actually feels what you feel... and many many more things... basically, it's to become wiser faster than it would take you on your own and use that wisdom at last!
I like thinking that I am a "crazy scientist" who spends her life studying humans (including me of course!) individually and add each of these individuals into societies, so the experience can be also studied at the big scale and in real life, at a real time! This way, I am hoping to understand how and why males and females think and act the way they do. Thanks to these information/"results", I then, want to find out what the brain can do exactly. The brain is such a super computer... If only we knew how to use it!
It is with our thoughts that we create a world... not with our Logic!
I love...
everything.... like eating Nutella when I have the "munchies", getting out of the shower and wrapping myself in a hot towel... I LOOOOVE annoying everyone around me and calling everyone a "cunt". I love cuddles and kisses. I love tickles. I love giggling. Putting the music full blast. I love having good arguments that I feel made me grown at the end of them!
I hate...
Small minded people. Lack of general knowledge, lack of communication and understanding of people that lead to general human stupidity. I hate racism & the none existing Respect towards one another. I hate how people judge others without even knowing them (typical of where I live!)Just don't judge someone unless you have put your feet into their shoes (it's what I think.) I hate preconceived ideas, people who act like if they were the victims knowing that they are in the wrong! I hate people who are lazy to learn and don't ask themselves enough questions, I hate when I ask someone "Do you want this or that?" and they answer: "I don't know" (Well, it's This or That, but don't tell me you don't know! And certainly don't call me a "control bitch" when I decide for you since u are not able to decide for yourself!) Oh, and I hate sneezing!Music, Movies, BooksMy collection of CD's is quiet variated: commercial and non-commercial... Music talks to me... so, it depends of my mood...
For the movies:
I hate TV, so movies that make me laugh would be my first choice. Again, it depends of my mood.
My books: I can spend hours in a library, I love reading. I usually pick anything that has to do with Philosophy, Psychology and the Human brain, then I pick one that I call "the surprise book" which I pick totally randomly...
Types of People I enjoyPeople who enjoy everything especially little things that are priceless like the smell of the forest, or watching a leaf flying away on the street.
Eyes are the soul of a person, whatever is in their eyes I enjoy...
I believe we are all connected, and somehow we all complete each other.
People who seem to be the total opposite of me are my favorite, if someone is totally like me, I'll eventually get bored! (You can't always agree with someone, can you?!!) It's like physics "The opposites attract eachother".
I enjoy people who are themselves, who are understanding and listen to others, they are the best teachers.
I mainly love people because:
1) They are the mirror of myself and can tell me what they see so I can learn about myself, and therefore mature.
2) They have qualities that I don't have and they are the only ones who can teach me these qualities.
I love people who love people for what they are and not for what they have.Teach, Learn, ShareLife is about going forward, no matter how big or small steps you take. Life is about Time and Time we don't have, so we can't just sit our asses and wait for something that will never come, we have to go and get it ourselves. Books and Internet are brilliant (don't get me wrong) but "A single conversation with a wise man is worth a month's study of books." and I think that what People is all about... Communication is the best tool to teach. I'm personally interested in anything... I'm thirsty to learn... Since I didn't go to University, I think I can be boring to others and I think I have a complex of inferiority. I have much to learn and yes, I will ask stupid questions ;.P !!! but "He who asks looks like a fool for 5 min, he who never asks remains a fool forever". I guess, I couldn't teach you more but I can give you advice since I had some experience in life. I would share about my philosophy on how Respect is the main key to enjoy each other. I do try everything, I learn about it, usually make a use of it, but if I don't like it, I will put it on the side and forget about it because I only keep in mind the positive side of each experience I get myself into. I will not have "diplomas" to show you of the lessons I have learned by life itself and people that I came across with. "To know the road ahead, ask those coming back."
I am, before all, more interested in becoming wise rather than learning about how to become intelligent.
NOTE: I will give you anything I have, but use me or step on my toes and I'll have no mercy with you!One Amazing Thing I've Seen or DoneMy very first CS Road trip to Norway in 2008/2009
My son used to have a Brazilian nanny and actually started speaking Portuguese before he even spoke French or English... Like he was speaking to me for about a year and I wouldn't have a clue of what he was saying... Then, when his nanny went back to Brazil, he just switched to French and English and started talking as if nothing happened... but this time, I could understand him... I thought that was very cool...
This video sent by Lara (a CS in a group I am in)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/05/man-builds-house-with-6-m_n_485651.html
This video sent by AMERICAIS1984 (a CS in a group I am in) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbk980jV7Ao
One of my CS called MaryAnn told me the story of how her grand-daughter was called: ILY. And that was just the best story ever :D
Opinion on the CouchSurfing.org ProjectI live in a small town surrounded by very close-minded people, thanks to CS, I can even travel from home ;)
One CS, who became a really good friend told me "CouchSurfing is the way to bring HOSPITALITY back to life", and I just thought it was exactly what was CS is about :D
As an ambassador, I do NOT create events nor organise events to promote CS just like we promote Fashion!
To me, CS is THE TOOL that should have a very deep philospical impact on each of us, so we can be and live better in our crazy world, which, by the way, can be very good when you are wise enough! But, the way I see people is that there are a lot of philosophers... but unfortunately, there is no more Philosophy... And I beleive, in my "girly pink bubble" that CS IS there to bring Philosophy (the real one!) back to life!
Locations TraveledTRAVELED: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Romania, Spain, Tunisia
LIVED: France, Ireland (Republic of)
WANTS TO GO: Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, Kenya, Mexico
What do these numbers mean?
This summary is not a replacement for reading references; it's a quick summary to help you get started. At a glance, you can see how many references a member has, and how many of them are positive, neutral, and negative.
In the second line, you'll see how many references came from people who hosted this member, surfed with them, and traveled with them. These numbers won't always add up to the total: some references are not categorized, and some may be categorized as more than one thing.
When viewing this summary, don't jump to conclusions! Things that are negative for one person may be positive for another, and vice versa. It's important to read references carefully and evaluate what that information means to you. References (94)93Positive 1Neutral 0Negative
9From Hosts 67From Surfers 12Traveling
 From WISCONSINGIRL Newton, United States
Nov 2, 2011  Positive My first CS experience and I loved it, she and her friends are very nice, interesting, fun people and she made me feel very welcomed, I would for sure go back if only i had more time!
 From B.Launay Le Mans, France
Nov 2, 2011 Positive Dawn is very kindfull. She host me and we have very good time together, she's very interesting and curious. It was a real pleasure to speak with her, next time i'll try to stay longer :P ! And you are welcome in my home, chouchen is waitin for you!
Kenavo!
 From Kelly Gellert Kensington and Chelsea, England
Sep 24, 2011 Positive What a fabulous host! Unfortunately the night I stayed she had to work but she took me along to the event and made sure I was happy. She introduced me to lots of people and showed me around before having to run around working but she did keep checking in with me. She has some great friends too who kept me company. She is a delightful person and easy to get along with. Well worth the trip to stay with her a night. What an experience! :)
 From Colton Kidd Austin, United States
Sep 8, 2011  Positive On my entrance to Ballina, I was greeted at the door by Dawn's two soft-spoken, polite children, after which Dawn herself welcomed me into her home and served up a delicious quiche and salad for dinner. The night passed enjoyably with Dawn and her friends Martin and Gary, and much cross-cultural conversation was had and enjoyed! Dawn and I congratulated ourselves on spreading the "couchsurfing infection" on to our friends and it would appear they have succumbed! Heh heh.
 From Mia Shotwell Saint Louis, United States
Aug 8, 2011  Positive Dawn is a lovely person. Although she was away on holiday in France, she offered that we could sleep in her backyard which was so kind and we were so grateful for such extraordinary generosity!
 From David Lamb Ann Arbor, United States
Oct 14, 2010 Positive Dawn offered to host me for a night on my cycling trip. I feel honored to have been welcomed into her home and to have met her two fantastic kids. She shared her dinner with me and allowed me to use her laundry. We stayed up fairly late engaged in conversation. If you get a chance to meet Dawn, you should take it. She is an inspiring woman to have met.
 From Estelle Guedo Brest, France
Jul 22, 2010 Positive Dawn and her friend Geraldine were travelling in Ireland and spend a night in my flat in Portrush after visiting the Giant Causeway. After 5min chatting with them I felt like I was hosting two old friends!! Dawn (as well as Geraldine!) is a very cool girl. Very friendly and funny, I wish I could have spent more time with them!...
But I have this feeling that it won't be the last time I meet them...
>> See you soon so!
 From Tyrones_Belfast_Boy Belfast, Northern Ireland
Jul 19, 2010  Positive From the minute I meet Dawn and her friend Geraldine we got on. They are chatty and funny and interested and interesting. we managed a short road trip and lots of unusual Belfast experience. Including lots of samba! I wish I could have gone to giants causeway with them, the first people that wanted to camp there, something I have always wanted to do myself but not got round to doing yet.
 From Phillip Gartner Anderson, United States
May 13, 2010 Positive Enjoyed being able to meet Dawn and her children. They were very nice and fun to be around. Wish I would have been able to stay longer to get to know them better. Dawn was fun to talk to. She has learned a great deal through life and has a great view on life. Wish her all the best.
 From Trevor Clarke Chicago, United States
Apr 29, 2010 Positive Dawn was a great host on such short notice. Hallie and Nathan are incredibly cute and full of energy (energy that Dawn manages to keep focused, somehow... hope Nathan's test went well!). I enjoyed the duck eggs and the quiche Dawn made for dinner (and my lunch the next day). Actually inspired me to have both duck eggs and quiche again later in the week... and I managed to get my ballina smoked salmon on the way out of town on the bike; delicious. Hope to meet again in Ballina? Dublin? Norway? Chicago?
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Alternative Ways of Living & Consuming
