I've been in Brisbane since the end of 2016, after I finished my master's degree. I've been an English teacher for quite a while now, and I'm still doing it here in Brisbane, but all the while I am trying to find my way into the disaster management sector.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Most of my Couchsurfing experience has been meeting new people in places I've just arrived. I've stayed on the couches of a fair few people (all awesome) and hosted a few times as well, but for me, it's been more about meeting people than actually surfing.

Now that I am set up in a new flat here in Brisbane with a flatmate who has just joined the site, I am eager and able to host again.

Interests

Being a bit of a nerd: reading, writing, learning new things with indiscretion.

Music, Movies, and Books

I've been reluctant to fill this in, because I know I will miss something important. But I think I'll make a start. So here are things as I remember them:

Books: The Road. On Chesil Beach. Oryx and Crake. Maus. Watchmen. Sandman. Terry Pratchett.

Movies: The Departed, Wish You Were Here

Music: Classical, generally. Bach especially, Penderecki, Dvorak.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I once had a conversation about cats with a Russian Orthodox monk. It doesn't really rate as "amazing" but I'm the only person I've ever met who's ever done it.

I also entered a curry eating race, and won a T-shirt for my efforts. It hurt to pee afterward, and I doubt I'll do it again.

And I once ordered randomly at an Albanian restaurant, and found myself with a plate of cow brains. Then the waiter turned out to be a pimp, so I decided that it was time to leave.

Teach, Learn, Share

Well, I'm a linguist and an English teacher, so I could teach you a fair bit about that. But remember, if you want me to correct your English then you'll have to ask: some people like it, but most find it annoying, and I prefer not to get on people's bad side by correcting their use of prepositions in the middle of a conversation. As for learning, I'm interested in what you know, whatever that may be. How can I decide if I want to know what you have to say before you've even told me?

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Jordan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Montenegro, Oman, Poland, Serbia, Sweden, United Kingdom, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, New Zealand, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia

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