This is my prepandemic profile with more references https://www.couchsurfing.com/people/drchilin

i was an environmental consultant. then became a professor, and well now looking to go back to industry. I am generally in SFV (north of Los Angeles). I used to spend most of my days designing/reviewing safety systems for chemical projects while dreaming of far away lands and how the world never stops. i was born, raised, and educated in los angeles area (mid-city la and san fernando valley) so i can tell you a bit about los angeles especially about hikes, climbing, music venues, and free events going on.

Spontaneity is a curse so don't tempt me with midnight hikes or swims, or a las vegas road trip, because i might just do it. i don't really like to plan my trips for better or worse and sometimes choose my destination and flights the day before leaving. So if you receive a couch request for the same day, that is why.

i also used to travel for work, which was both super fantastic and sometimes terrible.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

You get to learn from and share experiences with amazing, open minded, super friendly people.

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Surf a few coaches, host a few people, and check out many events, especially when i travel.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

couchsurfing is fantastic!!! for my first experience, i was in mendoza, argentina during semana santa and there was not one bed available in any hostel/hotel, it was all over the news. anyways, a friend had told me about CS and gave it a try - wouldn't hurt. well it worked out super perfect, my host was so hospitable and had a fantastic flat overlooking the central park. i have had great experiences and great friends ever since.

Interests

• books
• thrifting
• board games
• backpacking
• rock climbing
• engineering
• science
• learning languages
• central america

Music, Movies, and Books

Music - indie Pop, Tegan and Sara, The Offspring, Nena, Wir Sind Helden, Die Antwoord, Tapes'n Tapes, The Low Hello, "Young Folks" Song

Books/Authors - Angela Davis, Neuromancer, East of Eden, A Peoples History of the USA, Hugo & Nebula Award Winners, Chomsky

Movies - Us, Dune, Leon, Trainspotting, Alien, Gattaca, Dumb and Dumber, Mothman Prophecies, Napolean Dynamite, Something About Marry, Little Miss Sunshine, Superbad

TV - Misfits, Battlestar Galactica, Breaking Bad, House of Cards, Altered Carbon, The Wire, Atlanta

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

moto-backpack-trip from los angeles to alaska and back (8,500 miles)

Teach, Learn, Share

i think everybody has something they can teach. art.culture.politics.science.travel. i am eager to learn more.

i can show you free stuff to do in LA. teach some Spanish and other nerdy stuff like science and programming.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Science stuff, cosas de ciencia. i offer my services as a ChE.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Belgium, Belize, Canada, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates

Countries I’ve Lived In

Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, United States