I am a bit of a wanderer at this point. I suppose I have been for seven years. In that time I’ve worked in hospo, been a farmhand, a chef, and a shiatsu therapist (which I studied before I started travelling) in different places all over the world.
Why do you do it?
I go with the flow. When an idea or opportunity presents itself and my intuition tells me it’s right I trust. Of coarse it doesn’t always workout, but that percentage is the minority.
What do you love about the city you live in?
Brisbane has the big town, little city feel. I get overwhelmed by full-on cities, but too stir crazy in little towns. It falls into a perfect medium. It’s pace is my pace in a way. Although I’m about to move, I got a job as a nanny in Germany so I’ll soon leave the place that I love.
Where did you go for your last holiday?
Well I guess I could say here (I am American) but before here I was in Malaysia for a while.
What's your favourite item of clothing?
I have this red scarf; it’s the second of two identical ones that I’ve bought. The first I bought in San Francisco – I wore it every day for two years. A couple of years back I had an interview to be a flight attendant; they flew me out to Houston, Texas and I left it on the plane. I didn’t get the job, but I was far more heartbroken about said scarf. When I flew back home I went into a shop the next day and the exact same red scarf was on the shelf. I bought it immediately.
What was your favourite TV show when you were a kid?
I’d have to say ‘Are You Afraid Of The Dark’ on Nickelodeon. I was really into scary stories when I was younger.
If you could travel back in time for a day, where would you go?
Either The Swinging ‘20s in pre-war America or the late ‘30s, very early ‘40s in pre-war Paris.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us?
I’ve been a bit obsessed with cooking curries lately. But my most loved dish – which might not be the most nutritious snack but it’s amazing – is cheesey, tomato toast.
What's the best lesson you've ever learned?
That the only thing that is constant about life is change and the only thing certain in life is death.
Tell us one thing about yourself that nobody else knows...
That as much as I fully believe in it, I’m scared of change; the very philosophy that shapes my existence and life itself.
Are you happy with your work/ life balance?
I think I needed to balance how directionless my life felt. I want to continue to hold onto my mentality about openness, but it’s good to pair it with direction. This new job should help me find a sense of that and create new opportunities.
How do you define success?
I feel like that definition varies as I move through different fazes of life. Right now I really want to maintain my free-flowing explorative existence, but also find a sense of home and stability to come back to. If I can find that I’ll feel successful.
What's your spirit animal?
I think I have a couple. One is a fox; a bit playful but mostly elusive and mysterious. And the lorikeet, which is incredibly social and shares its drunken joy with shouts to friends.
