CURRENT MISSION

Attain true freedom

ABOUT ME

My friends would certainly say that I'm a very quiet person when first getting to know someone. Not because I'm shy by any stretch, but simply because I'm reserved. Unless someone asks about me it is doubtful I'd say something about myself. In reality I enjoy gregariousness. That introverted disposition tends to be construed as coldness and detachment, however. Which tends to turn people off sometimes. But once we get to know each other, I'm sure you would think I was a kind, funny, honest and curious person.

I was in the Army for about 11 years working as a medical lab tech and combat medic. Now I've been out for about four years and studying to become a neuroscientist.

PHILOSOPHY

Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!
- Ms. Frizzle

Just do it and see what happens.
- Me

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I think the best way to travel is to live like the people from the area one is visiting. This site allows us to get first-hand knowledge on local sites and customs.

(2013):
So far my experiences with couch surfing have been limited since the Army didn't let me travel much. But Now that I am leaving the Army hopefully more time for traveling will become available. Then I can meet a whole bunch of you guys hopefully.

And if anyone is in need of a couch where ever I may be living, just let me know and I'll help you out.

Update (2015):
I've been out if the army a few years now and have couchsurfed only a little since then. Shamefully, I've yet to host a traveler but still look forward to it.

Update (2017):
I have finally had the privilege of hosting a few surfers! They have all been very positive experiences and hope to meet more surfers in the future. However, it is very difficult to host during the week currently since I spend most of that time in school. It's best if you guys come by here during a weekend or holiday.

Interests

There's no place I'd rather be than anywhere I haven't been. Learn the culture, meet new people, play a game of pool over a local beer and eat everything! I love to eat new food. I've always wanted to travel the world on foot but don't really know what I'd be searching for or if I'd ever find it. At least the journey would be an amazing experience in itself.

Science!

Music, Movies, and Books

Music- Cage the Elephant, Arctic Monkeys, Sublime, Twenty One Pilots

Movies- Fight Club, The Other Guys, Office Space, Oldboy, Ip Man

Books- Emotional Intelligence, Social Engineering, Che, Ready Player One

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've ridden on helicopters quite a few times and the scenery is always awe-inspiring. Mountains, valleys, cities, rivers, forests and deserts are incredibly picturesque from the sky with the doors open.
The time I served in the Army gave me more memories and experiences than I can count. From basic training to escaping a rocket explosion unscathed. And having been a medic, I've been awestruck by the worst side of the Army as well. Overall it was a great time of my life, though.

Teach, Learn, Share

I suppose I can share the moment when I learned respect and compassion for others. It's embarrassing but its often on my mind so here it goes:

When I was about 15 years old, my best friend and I considered ourselves daredevils of the "Jackass" mentality. We'd go around just causing trouble and being annoying for the fun of it. One day we noticed a homeless man sleeping in a park with his shopping cart next to him. I snuck up from behind and took the grapes out of his cart. After hiding behind a bush I plucked a grape and threw it at him in the hopes he'd wake and chase us for his grapes. No response so I threw another. Still sleeping.

Frustrated, I walked up and loomed over his placid, silent, restful body. Lifted the bunch over my head and slammed them down directly on his face. Immediately I ran, expecting him to be at my heels but when I looked back with a devilish grin on my face after a short sprint, I noticed he was still by his cart. On his hands and knees picking up all the grapes one by one.

I felt instant regret, guilt, and sadness. While picking up the grapes, did he wonder if he had done something to deserve this humiliation? Or was the world especially cruel to him for no reason at all? He was sitting there, a threat and nuisance to no one. Yet some jackass kid thought it would be funny to make his life just that much more demeaning.

He didn't react with anger. He didn't yell, didn't chase, didn't even look back at me. He just knelt there digging at the grass, dutifully collecting what was sure to be his supper, and showing no concern for the callousness I had brought his way. I felt, and still feel, lower than the grass he knelt on.

Wherever he is now. I truly hope he is happy and healthy. And needless to say, that marked the end of my childishness. And the start of a more empathetic life.

Countries I’ve Visited

Afghanistan, Argentina, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, South Korea, Switzerland, United States, Uruguay

Countries I’ve Lived In

Mexico, South Korea, United States