CURRENT MISSION

To help people get ahead in life!

ABOUT ME

I've had a burning desire to see the world ever since my parents took me down to Mexico as a little six year old to lend a helping hand to the locals down there. Since then I've been all over .. from living in the "land of the midnight sun" in Norway for a couple months doing construction on cabins and landscaping a soccer field, to leading a group of 32 teenagers through the Himalayan Mountains of Nepal.

This life is all about the experiences that we have, but more importantly it's about the relationships that we build with the different people we encounter each day, and the connection we have with our creator.

I'm a dreamer, but I ussually make those dreams into reality. That's why I can say I've been to twenty-some different countries since I turned 17, and have seen most of the United States roadtriping with bands, working where I have to, while those around me are so caught up in their little worlds that they find it difficult to leave their hometown for a weekend getaway.

The life you have is determined by the choices you make each day. I suppose I've chosen a life of adventure!

I'm starting out on a world tour to find great locations for a chain of Youth Hostels I would like to start up. The idea started to grow as I was working at a Hostel in Amsterdam. Now that I've finished getting my degree I'm looking to travel a bit more to get a better understanding of the Hospitality industry so I can develop mine as some of the best.

PHILOSOPHY

I will run to the top of a hill to catch those last few rays of sunlight as it sets over the next ridge.

It's pretty simple, I do believe in an afterlife, I also think the life that we live today will determine what we will become in the future.

That's probably why I am constantly pushing myself to change. To develop myself physically, spiritually, mentally into the quality person God has called me to be.

What makes life really interesting is when you decide that it's not all about me & what I want. When you start to dedicate your life to others & start investing in them, then you find the real treasures that this life has to give.

My own success will only grow as I build up the friends, family, & communities around me.

I keep my priorities tied around my wrist to remind me of the life I truly want. As you pull the first bead of olive wood away from the others it represents:
1> My Creator - because if my life is not in line with the true source of it's existence than what purpose do I have. This is where true enlightenment comes from, & I wish to develop myself in my creators image.
2> Matthew - This may seem self-centered but I feel it's important to know who you are. What are my limits physically, can I do it, & by it, I mean anything .. everything .. if it is humanly possible to do can I? Am I knowledgeable, can I problem solve and figure out the problem, because life is full of obstacles, I want to be able to get though them. Am I connected spiritually.
3> Family - They are my flesh & blood, we are connected in so many ways. They are a true example of Love.
4> The World - This includes every life in existence, but I focus on people. I love making new friends, although this leads to many superficial relationships, its fun to see all the different personalities, cultures, philosophies, styles, accents, shapes, beauty, smiles, laughs, musical expressions of feelings trapped inside, and as you grow to know and understand each other it leads to lasting bonds of friendship that will go on for ever.
5> Business - Because if I am not financially secure than how can I feed the widow, care for the orphan, or be able to accomplish the never ending list of places to travel to & things to do?
6> Travel - No one in the history of the world has had the freedom & ability to see this great planet that we live on as we do today. It would be ignorance on my part not to take advantage of this! This life is made up of the experiences we have. I want to experience as much as possible.
7> Women - Some day when I find my wife she will be placed right under God in this list of priorities. But in the mean time be glad that your in the top 7, ha! I love women, I think they're crazy & weird, & I won't get caught up in their drama. Don't expect me to go chasing after you, everyone is my friend. My philosophy is Have Fun!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Well I am new to this particular site, but this has been something that I have always participated in. From opening up my couch, floor, extra room to friends after a late night of crazy times, to helping out a stranger with a shower and a good meal. I want to help make a difference in others lives.

I've heard of this site from several different beautiful girls, and before I knew it I was refering others to check it out, even though I had never taken the time to actually look at it myself. It's funny that I'm just now getting involved as a member.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

My tickets got messed up with CheapTickets.com and instead of going to San Jose Costa Rica, I ended up in San Jose California with my girlfriend at the time along with my sis & her husband.

I had the whole trip planned out from a beach house to stay in for free with great surfing right there, to whitewater rafting. For years one my friends had told me that his home country is paradise on earth, and I was really excited to see live volcanoes, ride on zip lines while hiking though rainforests and relaxing on white beaches.

Needless to say my cheap trip to Costa Rica changed dramatically as we flew into Cali. Fortunatly my parents were from Cali & I got hooked up with a long lost cousin of my mothers. They lent us their SUV to drive so we wouldn't have to rent a car, and let us use their house as a base to check out and see the sites of California.

While taking advantage of happy hour for cheap food & drink in Santa Cruz we were just sitting out on the deck watching surfers ride the waves in, trying to figure out what we were going to do next. We got our food and all held hands around the table to ask God to bless our food and this crazy trip that we were on.

Next thing I know the people sitting next to us, start asking some questions, wondering who we were praying to and such. We ended up telling them our sob story, and they invited us to crash at their place for a night or two, and even offered us dinner. At this point we made it clear to them not to make the offer unless they mean it, cause we just may take them up on it. Laughing they let us know that they would love to take us in.

I'll never forget sleeping on an airmat on the floor next to my girlfriend, realizing there really are some amazing people out there.

They told me that it's not what you know but who you know in life that counts. They were excited that we knew Jesus and assured us that He will take care of our needs.

That is one of my best couch surfing experiences.

Interests

I never get the chance to master any one thing, because I'm always trying something new.

I love to explore, my head is full of stories to tell because I'm always looking for an adventure. I want to see & do things that most "sane"?? people wouldn't even consider. I love to go hiking, snowboarding, rockclimbing, longboard skateboards, climbing trees just for the challenge.

There's nothing like a large body of water to calm the soul. I love wakeboarding on the lake, surfing on the ocean, even though I'm not a good swimmer, I have lead feet that just sink.

I have a old '79 International Super Scout II that I've restored but still take four-wheelin & put scratches in the new paint cause I love the fact I can go anywhere in that beast. I drive my motorcycle way to fast.

I can keep up the pace with just about any sport, racketball, kickboxing, basketball, soccer, football, frisbee, disc golf, chess you name it I probably love to play it. I don't like to sit around watching tv much, there's just too many things to do.

• beauty
• dining
• running
• drinking
• happy hour
• chess
• tv
• traveling
• painting
• investing
• hiking
• whitewater rafting
• surfing
• sailing
• snowboarding
• wakeboarding
• sports
• basketball
• rock climbing
• soccer
• swimming
• golf
• business
• history
• beaches
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

I don't even want to get into it, I've seen to many movies.

Currently reading several books, The Secret, Rich Dad's Business School for People who like helping People, On the Road, Trickle Down Morality, Edgar Allen Poe's Masters of Mystery, The Holy Qur'an, The Holy Bible, along with a few others that I pick up from time to time.

Music, that's constantly growing as I share with everyone else, the great part of keeping a external hard drive on the road. I've been listening to Pink Floyd, Thievory Corporation, Bob Dylan, Radiohead, DJ Shadow, Portishead, Telepop Musik, Led Zeppelin, DJ Hive, all sorts of stuff that isn't on the radio much.

Teach, Learn, Share

I would like to learn how to sail while I'm in San Diego. If anyone is willing to teach I am willing to learn.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Iceland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Nepal, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands, United States

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