CURRENT MISSION

To become who I naturally am, and have fun while doing just that.

ABOUT ME

I was born on may 30, 1984, in Beveren, Belgium. I grew up in Zwijndrecht, a town next to the city of Antwerp. I did not like school but hey, its not that I had a choice. I was an active kid, not being able to focus on one thing for a long time (until computer games came along: stimulus overload!). I did athletics and joined the scouting movement, which I continued to do for a long time, becoming a leader and a group leader. I studied latin and sciences in Highschool and then decided to go for social sciences, something I knew very little about. Throughout my teens and early twenties I partied hard. Only the last two years of my study did I actually become interested and I started to really invest in it. It resultend in my thesis on 'worldviews' and how we construct them. I worked as a teacher, teaching Dutch to immigrants after I graduated. Now I work for a humanist organisation, not unlike the direction I was heading with my thesis. So far, so good, but who knows what the future brings. I do not live to work but work to live. And in that life I try to travel, meet people, experience new things while staying true to myself (or at least trying to). In general I consider myself to be an interested, creative, open, communicative and outgoing human being.

PHILOSOPHY

I see a human being as something constantly learing, evolving, growing and that is what I try to do. For me there is no grand truth, just 7.000.000.000 (and growing) small ones. To me each human has a unique adventure on this planet: becoming his or her Self, in oppostition to becoming what society wants you to be. I guess we all have our challenges along the way. I do not believe in truths about before or after and distrust people who want to make me believe their truths about it. Life for me is individuation. As Bill Hicks marvellously said, 'it's just a ride'. Don't take it too seriously. I want to find and follow my bliss every day a little more and have a good experience while doing that. Because in the end I am what I do. Life is practical.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I would like to host people who would like to visit the city of Antwerp. I have an inflateable 2-person matrass (a decent one). Sleeping is to be done in the living room, which is not dark whet the sun is up, so bring an eye patch (or whats its name) if you want darkness. You can use the facilities, bathroom, kitchen, computer, living room... I do work non-regular hours sometimes so we need to be clear on the when and where of things. I respect other people's values and properties so I do expect the same of you.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

None yet, going to host a few people before I start surfing, I like the idea of first contributing a little before diving into the advantages.

Interests

Life and everything that has something to do with it: myself, religion (taoism, humanism, mysticism), psychology, sociology, ecology, creativity, interaction, normality and deviance, art, communication, innovation, information, mountainbiking, traveling, meditation, how to be a tourist in your own life, DIY, music, movies, the body, technology, growing, adventurinng, discovering, walking, backpacking, bioregionalism, permaculture, laughing, building a bigger picture, sharing, accepting, committing, learing, listening, fair trade, local production and consumption, a certain amount of voluntary simplicity...

• arts
• diy
• meditation
• walking
• technology
• movies
• traveling
• socializing
• investing
• music
• backpacking
• surfing
• scuba diving
• ecology
• teaching
• psychology
• religion
• social science
• sociology

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies:

http://www.imdb.com/list/ls054226412/

Music:

Soja, Nahko and Medicine for the People, Xavier Rudd, The Shins, Dead Cab For Cutie, Okkervil River, Blink 182, John Butler, Wheat, Vampire Weekend, Weezer, Regina Spektor, Spinvis, The Chemical Brothers, Jack Johnson, Donovan Frankenreiter...

Books:

Mostly non-fiction about my interests.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Setting straight my relationship with my parents and growing through and out of this, together. You take a risk and if done right life pays you back, rewards you. I kind of started trusting life (and taking 'risks') from there on.

Teach, Learn, Share

I know how to build a computer and a mountainbike. I know a little about individuating and psychology. I know a little abouw worldviews and how they work. I know a little abouw mindfulness and redirecting your life. I know a little about accepting and loving yourself and your story. And a lot more 'little things', depending on your interest, I guess... Always welcome to ask me any question!