CURRENT MISSION

I am almost an empty nester, my kids are busy with school and jobs and I am at that point in myl ife where I am saying to myself, "what's next" and that's to travel. But I don't want to just "visit" other countries, I want to experience them.

ABOUT ME

Open Minded and willing to try new things, gregarious, and pretty loyal person. When I travel I don't want to say I visited....Paris, I want to say I experienced Paris or wherever I traveled!!! That means experiencing the culture; meeting new and exciting people; and make my visits deeper than just the typical touristy gig.

As a person, I guess the best way to understand who I am is what I would be looking for in couchsurfers I hosted. Here are the questions I would ask, and I do believe this resonates back to who I am:

1. Are you open minded and accepting to all walks of life - meaning whether you are disabled, Gay, Obese, or a different color - you are just as equal and deserving as anyone else.

2. Are you a team player and a hard worker? At work, are you willing to do what it takes? Are you respectful to your co-workers - whats on their agenda before you load them down with more work, can you get along with your fellow co-workers? Do they respect you? That shows you are a teeam playe. I also respect someone with a good work ethic.

3, Even if you are wealthy, would you forgo a materialistic life to live a life that matters? Meaning possessions and outwardly appearances aren't as valued to you as having a positive impact, being kind, making a difference, reach out to others, and cheer on the underdog! If you were to pass away tomorrow, would you be missed? Would your absence be felt?

4. Are you open to new things? Can you say, "what the heck,just live on the edge"? If someone told you something new and crazy, are you going to balk at it right away or are you willing to say, "well, what is it about, maybe it will be cool". That shows you don't jump to judging others and are easy going. As the saying goes, "To each his own"

PHILOSOPHY

Got Lots of those.....

"Always take the Hight Road" - You can regret a lot of things in life, but you will never regret taking the high road when in a conflict; "Own your $hit, or your $hit will own you" - meaning accept your faults, don't live in denial, and continue to grow as a person; I believe most people are good - which is why I am so open to couchsurfing. Finally, I really want to start living my life doing what I am passionate about.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I am a pretty active person and try to live a healthy lifestyle. I try to eat clean and just recently been getting into Endurance Races.

I've been happily married for nearly 20 years. I'm thankful that after all these years, we can still go out to dinner, just the two of us, and able to converse and laugh and have fun with each other still. I've raised very open-minded, hard working kids.

I'm fortunate in that I like my job - don't love it, but I like it. I've raised my children to pursue a career they are passionate about and not follow the $$$ - lifes too short. I tell them that famous quote, "Find something you love to do, and you will never spend a day of your life going to work." Most parents want to brag if their child is a doctor or lawyer, I'd brag because they had the guts to follow their hearts and not care about the jones' and proving themselves by what they've acquired. See above, just be a hard worker.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Well, I am brand spanking new to this as of 4-2012 (the date I completed this). I am dying to host, but I think I need to "talk my husband down off the ledge first", so I am going to try couch surfing first and then share the experience with him. Heading to Europe for my first time ever and hoping someone will be kind enough to host my girlfriend and I so I can experience this crazy a$$, cool idea of shacking up with complete strangers and breaking bread together (and hopefully sharing a bottle of vino)!

Interests

Anything adventurous. Love to try new things and finding lately that I really have a taste for travel. I'm also a big movie buff and love to read - mainly inspiring true stories. I joined a book cluab and it has forced to me read out of my comfort level...and I have found a few surprises. Just starting to get into cycling. Although I try to eat healthy as much as possible, I will also allow my self to have splurges (ice cream is my downfall). Work out 4-5 times a week. I work as a Risk Manager for a Real Estate Investment Firm and I like my job. I have two kids and they will always be my passion. I have also been married for 20 years.

And, I love, love, love to host parties!! I like to add excitement to all celebrations and plan quirky games or whatever - the are the best memories. I think I missed my calling!

• culture
• books
• coloring
• beauty
• cooking
• recipes
• working out
• partying
• traveling
• cycling
• surfing
• languages
• law
• medicine
• beaches
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Love to read - discovering all kinds of new books through my book club. Glad I decided to d0 it.

Love classic rock music - late 60s to early 70s is my fav.

Huge movie buff and my favorite movie is, Shawshank Redemption

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

LOVED Big Sur in California last year - wanted to quit my job and live a simple and carefree life. Of course, with kids heading to college, not an option. I love nature - prefer the beauty of the mountains over a tropical beach (dont' get me wrong, still love the beach). Been to Jamaica, Mexico; Dominic Republican; and most of the United States.

Teach, Learn, Share

I want to learn/share languages, cooking and recipes of different cultures, customs, philosophies. I want to hear the point of view of various walks of life while traveling, hear their stories, share friendship.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Dominican Republic, France, Jamaica, Mexico, Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States