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Overview

  • 16 references 6 Confirmed & Positive
  • Fluent in English; learning Spanish
  • 48, Female
  • Member since 2009
  • Founding Director of a non-profit, exploring possibilitie...
  • Bachelor of Education (Music) - Conservatorium of Music N...
  • From Sydney, Australia
  • Profile 95% complete

About Me

CURRENT MISSION

www.joiningthedots.org

ABOUT ME

I am Penny. I am someone who generally lives life to the full in every moment. I enjoy so many things - meeting new people and connecting at a deep level (especially through the arts), good conversation, playing my piano, jamming with other musicians, writing songs, dancing salsa, sharing a fabulous meal with friends, talking to ducks :), swimming in the ocean, breathing in the smell of the red earth (outback Australia), gazing at the stars, lying under a gum tree, reading books that inspire me, telling good news stories, receiving massages (I'm not that good at giving them!), praying, doing small things that make a difference in the world, encouraging others...and of course, putting every drop of my passion and energy into my non-profit joiningthedots.org

PHILOSOPHY

The most important thing to me is to be at peace. I am intrigued by indigenous spiritualities - aboriginal, celtic etc and spending time with indigenous communities... I am mostly passionate about coexistence and the possibilities that can arise when people of different cultures and different faiths (or no faith in particular) work together for justice and peace. I am open to listening to all people's views and experiences. Life has taught me that we are all essentially good and that we learn most when we listen to and walk alongside each other.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I joined after hosting an international volunteer working with me in Australia and although I wasn't part of the project then, she did sleep on my couch! And she told me so many wonderful things about CS that I knew I had to be part of it. Couch surfing has revolutionised the way I have been able to bring my vision to create a non-profit organisation to life! I have met people who have opened doors and sent me on paths I would never have discovered without cs! I am looking forward to meeting and hosting fellow Couch Surfers when I return from my adventure around the world!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

yes! In New York, also for 2 months in Toronto, Canada, 1 weekend in Jerusalem, 4 weeks in Mexico, 3 weeks in Peru, 1 month in Philadelphia and 2 weeks in New York. My hosts are now my heroes - they were seriously overwhelmingly good to me - I am grateful for life!

Interests

spreading love! I'm currently a fellow of the Centre for Sustainability Leadership - best program I've ever been involved with! I'm passionate about travel, volunteering, music / song-writing, philosophy, psychology, spirituality, dancing salsa, learning Spanish, photography, journalling, the outdoors, swimming, walking, biking, connecting with nature, appreciating the beauty of this world, meeting open and inspirational people, great food (vegetarian) shared with great people, actions that make a difference and build a peaceful world.

  • arts
  • writing
  • books
  • photography
  • beauty
  • dancing
  • dining
  • vegetarian
  • walking
  • news
  • reading
  • tv
  • traveling
  • volunteer work
  • music
  • piano
  • outdoor activities
  • cycling
  • surfing
  • swimming
  • psychology
  • volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Books:
the Prophet (Kahlil Gibran)
The Road Less Travelled (M.Scott Peck)
How Not To Speak of God (Peter Rollins)
All books by Stephanie Dowrick

Movies:
Planet Earth
"Its about me" - One Giant Leap
Good Will Hunting
Amazing Grace
Anne of Green Gables :-)

Music:
So so much!!!
Especially U2, Brooke Fraser, Jars of Clay, Jack Johnson, Kings of Leon, Lior, World music

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

This year I visited a school in Africa where the students had never seen a white person...ever! (no TV) In fact, they had never had a visitor before. Needless to say they cried at the sight of me..I am pretty scary I guess! But soon the fear transformed into lots of smiles and a newfound friendship for life!!!

Teach, Learn, Share

I am open to volunteering for any projects that make positive changes in the world. I can share my experiences of attempting to identify with the poor and how these encounters have made my life rich!

Countries I’ve Visited

Andorra, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, El Salvador, France, Germany, Guatemala, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kenya, New Zealand, Palestine, Peru, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia

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