CURRENT MISSION

Backpack like crazy!

ABOUT ME

I am 23 years old, and just graduated from the University of Montana in Missoula with a degree in Photojournalism and Russian language. I am very interested in world cultures, food and languages. I am definitely an open-mined individual, although I definitely have my fair share of opinions as well. Nothing gets me more excited than a discussion about world history or politics. I would love to one day become a professor of Russian or Eastern European history and teach at the university level. I also love to go to the cinema and new restaurants, try new food, drink good beer or wine, and venture into the wilderness. I was fortunate enought to attend university right in the middle of the Rocky Mountains, so every day had the possibility for an adventure to a mountain lake, or up a high mountain. I am definitely an optimist at heart and I definitely have a good sense of humor, although I can be slightly sarcastic at times. A little bit of sarcasm is good for the soul I think though :). I started playing guitar in January of this last year, and abosolutely love it! I am always practicing to improve, so if you know any tips or techniques, let me know!I have been traveling more or less by myself for the last year, and it has opened my eyes more than anything else I have done so far in my life. It has been a real growing experience!

PHILOSOPHY

“This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.”
- The Dalai Lama

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have never hosted, although I have surfed several times.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have had many good experiences with couchsurfing. It is truly a great way to experience new cultures. Meet people with a diverse range of opinions, and connect to the world in a unique way. Everyone I have met while couchsurfing has been truly wonderful, beautiful, kind, and caring.

Interests

Cooking, books, philosophy, biology, music, sitar, running, camping, tea, travel, politics, religion,playing guitar. I also love foreign languages and culture. Also nothing beats late night intellectual discussion with good company, wine, and food :)

• fish
• culture
• books
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• beer
• running
• drinking
• flying
• politics
• movies
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• guitar
• fishing
• backpacking
• camping
• biology
• teaching
• history
• languages
• religion
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Oh I love music!!Music: Arcade Fire, Iron & Wine, Grizzly Bear, Mimicking Birds, Ingrid Michaelson, Sigur Ros, M83, John Lee Hooker, Mississippi Fred Mcdowell, MGMT, GaGa, Iron Maiden, CocoRosie, Bon Iver, Tinariwen, Ali Farka Toure, Cage the Elephant, Nick Drake, The xx, Theivery Corporation, the list goes on and on. It is probably better just to ask me :).Movies: Star Wars ( I am a huge nerd), The Last King of Scotland, Everything is Illuminated, Schindler's List, Jurrassic Park, Indiana Jones, Hellboy, There Will Be Blood, The Ghost Writer, True GritBooks: A Farewell to Arms, Catcher in The Rye, The Grapes of Wrath, Heart of Darkness, Siddhartha, All Quiet on The Western Front, Jaws, Frankenstein, Three Cups of Tea

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Walked onto the Volga River at at the beginning of Winter. The river is just so massively beatiful and impressive.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love to cook! Chinese, and Italian are definitely my favorite cuisines to work with. I am definitely always open to learning new techniques and tricks. I can cook for whomever hosts me. You won't be dissapointed.I can also teach how to fly fish, and can teach you some Russian language as well :).

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Germany, Iceland, Mexico, Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Russian Federation, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Russian Federation, United States