I was born and raised in New York City and worked as a professional in marketing for four years. Although the lifestyle was very comfortable, it was never the life for me and I quit to become a fiction writer.

While I wrote, I spent time traveling and volunteering in areas devastated by natural disasters. The first of which was in Tacloban, Philippines, where Typhoon Yolanda destroyed over 100,000 homes. I helped rebuild homes for displaced families and fell in love with the people, the land and sense of duty that came with it. The next gig was in Nepal helping rebuild schools for earthquake devastated regions in the mountains and teaching the local workers English. Once again, I was blown away by all the beautiful, hardworking people I met and the warmth and hospitality they extended.

Since then, I've been teaching English overseas to make money while I try to get my foot in the door of the writing world. I spent a year and a half in Hanoi, Vietnam and though I felt at ease and at home there, I knew it was time for the next adventure. I'm in Taipei now and so far it's surpassed all of my expectations. It truly is a food paradise!

Currently, I'm working on my second children's novel and I'm hoping to make it as silly, ridiculous, weird, magical and inviting as possible. I really want it to reflect my oddball, wordplay heavy, absurd sense of humor! I love sharing thoughts with other creative types and I'm always open to new ideas and possibilities.

I'm a friendly, positive, laid-back person and feel comfortable almost anywhere I am. I'd say I have really good people skills and get along with pretty much everybody. I'm also very respectful of other people's boundaries and sensitivities.

I like to stay active, meditate and cook and I appreciate the unknown. I'm equally at home at the bar as I am in the woods or on a mountain and I'm always up for a new museum or foodie experience. Honestly, you're just as likely to find me at a rap battle as you are at a TED talk.

My aim is to meet cool people in and around Taipei and build good relationships for the future. And when I'm back in New York, I'd love to host you and be your personal tour guide so you can take the biggest bite of the big apple :)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'd like to meet locals in the parts of the world I'm visiting. I love my family at home, but having an international family has always been an important goal to me. Every time I connect with someone new, the world seems a little less unknown and a lot more welcoming. These are the people that stay in my life, who are one message away.

I'd like to have genuine local experiences, instead of just doing things I read on Trip Advisor. That could be getting food, stepping into a tucked away temple or checking out a little know abstract art gallery. What would be even cooler is if I could explore somewhere foreign with a local and we both learn something new!

I know when I'm showing someone around in New York, I love seeing the wonder and amazement on their faces when they experience something new and exciting. It makes me happy to provide them with this joy and I fall in love with my city all over again. I'm hoping to meet people with this kind of enthusiasm about their own city.

Interests

• writing
• poetry
• architecture
• fashion
• street art
• meditation
• basketball
• rock climbing
• languages
• philosophy
• beaches
• mountains
• art
• cinema
• dance
• pizza
• street food
• stories
• comedy
• beers
• weightlifting
• hiphop
• brazilian jiu jitsu
• public speaking
• freestyle rapping

Music, Movies, and Books

I loooove old school hip-hop, classic rock, funk and soul, but I'm open to pretty much any genre. If it gets my head bopping and my feet tapping, I'm a fan. If I can dance to it, even better.

I'll watch any movie, but my favorite ones are those with great style and dialogue. And gangster flicks. I'm pretty easy to please. Unless a movie is outstanding, my main criteria is "Did I enjoy it?" I'd say my favorite movies are 'The Warriors', 'Alien' and 'Rocky 4'. I'm a sucker for a good underdog story. Recently, I've been getting more and more into foreign films, both artsy and mainstream.

I loved reading Calvin and Hobbes and MAD Magazine as a kid, but as an adult I like Dostoevsky's 'The Idiot', Richard Yate's 'Revolutionary Road' and Henry Miller's 'Tropic of Cancer'. I'm interested in what others are reading as well.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I quit a very good career in NYC to pursue something I love. I gave up financial security, comfort, hotels, fancy meals and expensive drinks and a safe, traditional life path to become a writer and live my life in a way that feels most truthful. It's made all the difference. It's what's made me feel most alive. Like I tell my mother who asks if I regret my decision, except for my bank account, every aspect of my life has gotten richer by taking that leap of faith. It's been the beginning of my spiritual journey. Its made me a more open-hearted, courageous, compassionate and responsible human being and I'm committed to growing into the healthiest, happiest person I can be.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach English skills, as well as Business English skills. I've been a meditation instructor and a basketball coach. And I've taught my family and friends how to cook. If you want to learn how to do some healthy, delicious meal prepping with the least amount of effort, I'm your guy haha

I'm interested in learning a new language, any and all art skills (including playing music, I have a harmonica and a Buddhist horn) and how to cook an exciting new recipe. And I'm always looking out for good new music.

I'm open to share anything that I've picked up in my life, whether it's my story, perspective, lessons I've learned, skills I've acquired, things I'm naturally good at, etc.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share my knowledge of English and business English, how to be an effective communicator, how to meditate and relieve stress, what books to read and how to develop and maintain a positive attitude. I can also share my creative energy and my experience of growing up and living in the US, particularly New York. Finally, I can share food, drinks, adventures and good times and maybe more later on in life. You never know!

Countries I’ve Visited

Cambodia, Canada, Dominican Republic, Germany, Iceland, India, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Philippines, United States, Viet Nam