It's always a little strange to write one of these things, as I'm reluctant to praise my virtues, for fear of sounding arrogant, but also don't want to play-myself down so that people think I'm some morbid, atrocious waste-of-a-life. As I write of my virtues, I would ask that you not take them as absolute ideals which I unvaryingly stand-by and embody - what an oppressive, puritanical life that would be!, but as modest qualities which I, more often than not, live-up to. That said, I'm still a fragile human liable to error and weakness, and I would only beg for your patience and forgiveness at such times.

If I were to summarize myself and my personal and collective philosophy in a word, it would be balanced.

I'm intellectual and analytical by nature, but also can enjoy wrestling on the floor with friends giggling and smearing ketchup on each other and attempting to force french fries down each other's mouth. I'm spiritual and spend many hours a day meditating and contemplating the deeper truths of life, but I also can dance all night like a mad-man. I relish times in seclusion, wandering the forests or staying in my room delving deep within myself or enjoying the play of sunlight through the shades, but also am devoted towards my family and friends, spending many hours some days chit-chatting, hanging-out, goofing-around, or having a deep heart to heart.

Whilst there are more dualities that I could kick-over, I'll leave it there for the sake of time.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Immerse myself more in the cultures that I'm traveling through, meet new people, and share experiences and knowledge.

Unfortunately, I've never been in a position to host, at least in a formal sense, but I do try my best, although not always successfully, to be kind, warm, and welcoming to anyone who visits me.

Interests

I started to try to list what it is that I'm interested, but I quickly realized how futile it was. To put it simply, I have a curiosity and love of everything.

• arts
• writing
• poetry
• singing
• photography
• dancing
• cooking
• drinking
• crafts
• flowers
• pottery
• painting
• hiking

Music, Movies, and Books

Poets: Ryokan, Walt Whitman, Wordsworth, Basho, Bukowski

Painters: Jack Sikkora (my good friend), Lyonel Feneinger, William Turner, Soga Shohaku, Alessandro Magnasco, William Bouguerau, John William Waterhouse, Ilya Repin

Musicians: Elisa Pociask (my good friend), Miley Cyrus, Beyonce, Bon Iver, Sam Garrett, and anything with a nasty and catchy beat.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I lived alone in a cave in Thailand when I was a Buddhist monk.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Good conversations, small gifts, pleasant surprises, and some whacky but compelling ideas.

Countries I’ve Visited

Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, United States