Hello! Couchsurfing newbie here, but I'm totally interested in earning my CS badges :)

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii and raised in beautiful San Diego, California.

I have been lucky enough to work within groundbreaking biomedical research institutions (heard of the Salk Institute!?) for the last 6 years! However, as of June 2016 I'll be leaving this industry and will relocate to Las Vegas, NV for a healthcare career change--one which fits me much better! Yay! Very excited for this change. Oh & for fun, I also work weekends at an *amazing* local climbing gym--mostly coaching youngin's. Ask me about it, I truly recommend it in San Diego!

Apart from that, I believe in keeping an open-mind, environmental ethics, as well as promoting more cross-cultural awareness and practicing sincerity (e.g. doing things because you want to or mean it, not because you want to show off on social media ;) ). Whether it's in the city or in the wilderness, I'm usually down to experience new places and meet new folks. I have often traveled to and from the Hawaiian Islands, around the United States and to some parts of Asia. However, I would love to explore even more and actually hang out with other adventurous spirits in the process!

An on-going goal of mine is to improve my [rock] climbing ability/technique.

Sometimes I blog: http://the-outabout.blogspot.com
- You can read my About/Bio on there to learn more about me :)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

As with everyone on CS, I sincerely enjoy traveling & exploring different worldviews--the major reason I studied Anthropology in fact. However, I often travel in short spurts, renting out apartments and hostels, but I would like to shake things up a bit by "surfing" here & there.

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I'd like to make friends from around the world, exchanging stories and knowledge about travel/food/culture/beer/anything! I would also love to get a feel of a city from a local's point of view.

A friend of mine (CSurfer: Jante!) swore by this platform as a perfect way to attain this. Alas, here I am to try it out!

*By the way, I am currently (April 2016) looking for a new home within the Las Vegas, Nevada area and will be willing to host some cool folks once I am situated :)

Interests

There are a lot to mention, but my main interests are: occupational therapy, science/tech, archaeology, pop culture, social justice, and of course the outdoors. When I have time, I really enjoy watching and reading fantasy/science fiction (example: Star Wars, Game of Thrones, Doctor Who and Harry Potter).

My hobbies include:
climbing
camping
arts and crafts
some watersports
hiking

• arts
• culture
• ethics
• dining
• beer
• drinking
• crafts
• technology
• reading
• traveling
• blogging
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• camping
• surfing
• rock climbing
• anthropology
• communications
• languages
• medicine
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

Films:
Amélie, Léon: The Professional, Grand Budapest Hotel, Harry Potter films, The Fifth Element, Howl's Moving Castle

Music: (I like to remain eclectic)
Queen, John Williams, Little Dragon, BANKS, Saves the Day, Galamatias, Bright Eyes, Counterfit, toe, Feist, Childish Gambino, Metric, City and Colour -- to name a very limited few!
(Bonus: I also used to be in an alternative/pop/folk band for 4 years!)

Books:
Kafka on the Shore, Mountains Beyond Mountains, Harry Potter saga, A Song of Ice & Fire saga

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I jumped off of a sloped ridge on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park (see my photo album!) via "porch swing"

Teach, Learn, Share

I'd like to learn more about local customs, best places for taking in nature, and new languages/slang.

I can teach/share some basics in climbing.
I have grown up in very socioculturally diverse settings so I can so share some insight on the different subcultures I've been a part of?

What I Can Share with Hosts

Stories, fun, some conversation (with depth?!), tips on where to drink beer in San Diego, good vibes!

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, United States