Since this is a travel site, I am going to tell the story of where I've lived.
Up to the age of 9.5 I lived in Donetsk in what was then USSR, then became Ukraine, and is now... noone knows what, but let's leave that sad state of affairs aside. When I was 9.5, my parents immigrated with me, my maternal grandmother, and her mother to New York City. Even though I was quite young, I consider immigration to be one of the most formative experiences of my life. I loved NYC immediately, but it was still an incredibly difficult experience. (Although I also realize that my immigration experience was incredible smooth and simple compared to many many other people's.)
I lived in NYC for the rest of my childhood and through my college years. I went to college for a physics and mathemematics degree.
For graduate school (in physics) I moved to Los Angeles. Los Angeles is a city I love to hate. I always describe it as a place one drives a car to take a piss. An education in physics and surviving grad school are probably the other most formative aspects of my life.
After that, for 3 years, I moved to Leuven, Belgium for a postdoc . Belgian beer, I miss you! During the first year of that postdoc, my partner lived in Paris and I had a very flexible work schedule, so I spent about 1/3 of my time in Paris, which was wonderful.
And finally, in 2012, I lucked out incredibly, landing a tenure track position at one of the CUNY colleges, and moved back to NYC, where I plan on staying indefinitely. I've also spent the past 3 summers and 3 Januaries in London, due to the fact that my partner had a postdoc there. Therefore, I almost feel liked I've lived in London and Paris. In London, I even managed to acquire quite a few friendships and a love of fancy dress parties.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

As you can tell, by the lack of refferences, I am just starting out on couchsurfing. Several of my friends have mentioned that it is a very rewarding experience both as a host and as a guest.
I love traveling. At the most simple level, it's just enjoyable to see new things. It's an effortless way to absorb new information, which for me is pretty much what life is about.
When I was younger, my travel was oriented towards seeing things and places. I did have the ideal of getting to know the country and the people, but I didn't actively pursue it, in large part because I wasn't sure how to. Nowadays, I still consider just seeing interesting or beautiful stuff to be quite fun, but I really want to prioritize getting to know people from different places experiencing the places I visit through that.

Interests

I don't really have any hobbies that I am extremely passionate about.
Obviously, I like travel, but not to the point that my life revolves around it. I love learning, just for the sake of it, but I don't do it in any formal way.
I like pretty much all types of arts: performance arts including music, theatre, dance, and I also like going to art and history museums.
I've recently started going to some events (essentially costumed dance parties) hosted by Burning Man types (i.e. do-it-yourself, free spirited, creative types) folks.

• arts
• performing arts
• diy
• dancing
• education
• beer
• partying
• traveling
• music
• track and field
• teaching
• history
• physics

Music, Movies, and Books

I like all these things. :)
Making a list of these is not my cup of tea.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Oy. What's amazing to some is banal to others and vice versa. From some perspective, I find the fact of being conscious fucking amazing. I mean, what even is that?! On the other hand, I am not telling you anything you don't already know.
A student I had last semester told me I inspired and enabled her to stay in college. Unfortunately, I think that's not a statement of something amazing I've done, but a testament of the shitty experience this person (and many others) has had. But I will leave it here, because I have a feeling that it "might count".

Teach, Learn, Share

I love to learn pretty much everything.
I teach physics for a living, but I can't promise you would be able to learn physics just from casually interracting with me.
I do like to think that I am an interesting and pleasant person to talk to and examine the world with.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Hmmm... I am happy to help out in some way, but I can't think of something obvious I have to offer you except the possibility of staying at my place in the future. And of course, a few glimpses of the world through my particular lens.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belgium, France, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States