CURRENT MISSION

I am passionate about global cultural preservation and sustainability

ABOUT ME

I am a foodie and love cooking, social justice and the preservation of the world as we know it, traditional culture/s, the open internet and a free press. We are a multiculture family, mixed Chinese, Hispanic and Jewish. My family are beekeepers. We have helped start a couple of community gardens and have a plot in one. Our family is me and two very cool sons ages 23 & 27.

I was born in New York City and while I am in the States I stick close to Manhattan - my sons and I live in northern New Jersey about 15 minutes from upper Manhattan. I believe in the goodness of people.

PHILOSOPHY

Be in the moment. Cultivate a quiet mind and an active life. Be generous, patient and positive. Reality is our friend. Grow hopes and dreams – they are so important.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Available in my area for: can meet for coffee, a meal, an event ... and to show visitors NYC and environs. I know Manhattan and Queens Chinatowns pretty well. I tell really interesting life stories.

Want: Places to couchsurf for a night or two. New, interesting and down to earth friends.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I travelled the world in my 20s and couchsurfed (not via the website) in Israel and Brazil. Met many wonderful people, had great adventures. My family lives within a stone's throw of New York City and we are sociable, active people with a great feel for everything our location offers.

My family enjoys being on the leading edge of cultural, social/environmental; small business; technology and free exchange of information (open internet, free press) issues and we enjoy spending time with excellent people.

My family loves great food and we know a lot of great food establishments.

Interests

I enjoy social systems and interacting with people with traditional cultural perspectives ... neighborhoods that are not gentrified, traditional foods, mystery novels and great conversations.

• culture
• dining
• cooking
• chinese food
• gardening
• politics
• technology
• business
• entrepreneurship
• languages
• conversation
• exploring
• fair trade

Music, Movies, and Books

Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Mystery novels
Alexander McCall Smith's Scottish and Botswana series
Laughing In the Wind, a Chinese telenovel series
G-d is Brazilian
Ocean's 13
Chinese Kungfu movies centered around ancient China
King Arthur/Avalon

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

As a teen, I visited the old China – the China rapidly being destroyed today as the modern government transforms the country into an ultra-modern and highly sanitized, homogenous landscape. I visited my dad's childhood home in old Shanghai, which had been converted into a sneaker factory. Happened to have crossed the international date line on the flight there, which was cool too.

I also was in Tel Aviv for a year taking care of my Mom, who became ill and of her Chinese Food Take-Out Restaurant in downtown Tel Aviv. I was cook, server and bottle washer for a very busy little place that doubled as the only retail outlet for purchasing Chinese groceries and kitchen equipment, which we imported from England. Had a lot of fun adventures.

Teach, Learn, Share

Stuff about sustainability and sustainable living
Community gardening
Programming
Share knowledge of small business development skills & creating thriving local economies
Love to share cultural traditions
Love to share good meals, especially those involving Chinese food. Yummm. And good conversation.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Wonderful stories
Flexibility
Gratitude
Appreciation for you hosting me and for whatever food you offer to share
Love to get involved in whatever my hosts are doing (except rowdy partying, which I'm not really into)

Countries I’ve Visited

Brazil, China, Denmark, England, France, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Brazil, Hong Kong, Israel, United States

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