Note: I am especially busy this summer (yes, summer is always busy, but this one even more so than usual), so I probably won't have much time/energy to host guests.

CURRENT MISSION

To learn as much as I can, and enjoy life to the fullest extent possible.

ABOUT ME

I moved to Sweden for love in 2011, and as a result have become addicted to Swedish folk dancing. I have done my best to learn Swedish "one song at a time".

In my spare time I participate in Medieval re-creation, which is an excuse to have too many hobbies, such as nålbinding, hand-sewing, embroidery, dancing, cooking, even armoured combat once in a while. I am also active in the Luleå Hembygdsgille doing folk dance, playing my hammer dulcimer, and making basic folk costumes, I love hiking, climbing, reading (esp. science fiction/fantasy books, baking, and I have done a session of yoga/stretching every day since November of 2004.

I'm a life long scholar who enjoyed a full decade as a university undergraduate student (at six different universities), went straight on to a Master's program, and then took a few years off from University, during which I picked up a certificate in massage therapy, before finally enrolling at the University of Tasmania for a PhD in Geology (Metamorphic Petrology). I now work as a researcher at the Luleå Technical University.

PHILOSOPHY

Life is wonderful!

I have spent my life finding the positive way to see things, and I understand that something good arises from every challenge we encounter.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have hosted people from

The United Kingdom:
Kai Henderson (Aug '10)
Robert Alan (Nov '09)

Portgual
Pedro (Mar 2014)

France:
Domitille (Apr '11)

The Netherlands:
Janneke and David Bijl (Aug '12)

Italy:
Stefano Lodola (by way of Japan) (July '10)

Macedonia:
Klementina Ristovska and Slagjana Ranevska (Feb '10)

Finland
Oliver Müller (June '11)
Satu and Jaakko (Feb '14)

Hungary:
Katalin Bertok, Zsombor Nagy (Nov '09)

Slovakia
Kristina Lidayova (by way of Uppsala)(Mar 2014)

Poland:
Mateusz & Renia (Feb '10)
Barbara Lipinska, Natalia Kucharska, Aleksandra Jeziorska, Krzysztof Grześków, and Marek Strozyk (Aug '09)

Hong Kong
Wancy and Jason (Sept '11)

Canada:
David and Andrea Learmonth (June '10)
Rachel Simpson (April '10)

The United States:
Becca Tarnas (Aug '10)
Adrea Gonzalez-Karlsson (Mar '14)

I have stayed with people in

Norway:
Selin Turkes (June '10)
J.McGyver (June '10)
Fredrik Sellevold (June '10)
Fredrik Hossmann (May '10)
Marilaura (May '10)

Sweden:
Richard Levitte (Dec '09)

Finland
Kaarina (May '14)

France:
Mathieu Le Breton (April '10)

Switzerland:
Jennifer Firmenich (Mar '10)

Austria:
Birgit Strohmeier (Aug '10)

The US:
John Schmidt (Jan '10)

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've been hosting fellow Medievalists and staying with them when I traveled for decades, and love it. I discovered this web page in 2009, and promptly embraced it as a fablous way to meet additional interesting people.

Interests

mountains, travel, the early Middle Ages, the Viking age, geoarchaeology, science fiction/fantasy novels, metamorphic petrology, yoga, geology, climbing, orogenisis, castles, fresh food, baking

• books
• singing
• dancing
• folk dancing
• dining
• cooking
• baking
• yoga
• massage therapy
• clothing
• board games
• reading
• traveling
• music
• hiking
• rock climbing
• geology
• science
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

some of my favourite authors, whose books I read and re-read include:

Katherine Kurtz (Deryni books)
Anne McCaffery (Pern books)
Katherine Kerr (Devery books)
J.R.R. Tolkein
Patrick Rothfus
Orsen Scott Card
Stephen Brust
L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables books)
George R. R. Martin
Jean M. Auel
Tamora Pierce
Ursula K. Leguin
F.M. Busby
Marion Zimmer Bradely
J.K. Rowling
Zena Henderson
Douglas Adams
Mercedes Lackey (Elemental Mages books)
Madeleine L'Engle
Mary Stewart

I enjoy most types of music, but am particularly fond of Folk music, Classic Rock, and Medieval music.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The most amazing things I've seen have to be the beautiful mountain ranges I've had the pleasure to visit thus far. I enjoyed two full months of field work in the Brooks Range, Alaska, I've driven through the Rockies and the mountains of Norway, I've done a tiny bit of hiking in the Alps and have a soft spot in my heart for Mt. Wellington in Hobart, Tasmania, upon whose slopes I lived for several years, and the Chugach Range bordering Anchorage, Alaska, which formed the backdrop to my late childhood and young adult life. Even though I've spent more time in Anchorage than any other city on Earth, I still adore gazing upon that range and exploring it when the opportunity arises.

Teach, Learn, Share

I've taught many a person how to hand-sew basic clothing, using the simple geometry used for early Medieval garments (all rectangles,triangles, and squares, assembled to make comfortable outfits).

I can teach basic nålbinding and embroidery.

I can happily discuss geology and the rocks under foot (or being used as building stone) and how the minerals formed for hours on end.

I'd like lessons in playing my Hammer Dulcimer, which I finally obtained (after decades of wanting one) in 2012.

I'd appreciate singing lessons--I've always loved to sing, but am not so good at telling if the note I am singing at the ones the others in the room are singing match.

I'd like someone to show me more advanced nalbinding techniques than I taught myself. I would also like to learn how to do sprang.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Like most visitors, I offer conversations on a huge variety of topics. I have been known to cook for people (and always clean up after myself). I am happy to participate in an evening of music, song, dance, or even board games...

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Norway, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Sweden, United States