Hello! My full name is Elijah David Ashby. I just graduated High School and have spent a long time trying to figure out what my future will look like. I considered many things like, getting a Bachelors in the Performing Arts (I love to sing, dance, and act), getting an associates degree and joining the Peace Corp. I'm very friendly, open-minded, and adventurous. One of my favorite past times is learning about all sorts of different things, experiences, politics, people, culture, really anything! I must admit at first encounter I may seem awkward and reserved but that fades as quickly as I get to know someone. My ability to hate people is about as short as me, which is 5' 4" to be exact. I suppose I should mention that I'm not straight and never have the intention of hiding that fact because of anyone's preferences. With that being said I prefer to stray away from labels as I like to look inside of people and see what their minds and souls have to offer rather than how someones physical appearances makes me feel.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm on CouchSurfing because I'm looking for great people to connect with and stay with while I travel across the globe. After lots of research I have found this website to be very reliable and trustworthy when it comes to finding a host. After long consideration I have decided I have a greater need to understand the World, a more hands-on education about culture and society.

Interests

Theater has been a very strong passion of mine since my early childhood. I believe in my heart that theater saved my life. I love to sing almost anything, I love to dance to almost anything, and I love to act! I'm somewhat of a quirky person but I love to go out and see what the world has to offer. There are few things that I do not like to partake in.

• arts
• culture
• singing
• theater
• performing arts
• dancing
• education
• clubbing
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• teaching
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm in love with all kinds of music, movies, and books so to choose favorites is very difficult. The most common music I listen to is classical hits from 40's 50's and 60's. I have a record player and I love listening to my record collection. My favorite movie genre would be 80's movies, I love the nostalgic feel (even though I'm quite young). I also love to read! I have a book collection, and try to read at least once a day. My favorite book genre can range from Sci-Fi, Fiction, and Fantasy.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Last year I had an amazing opportunity to compete at a National level in Musical Theater! I competed among other peers and ranked in the top 20% percentile out of hundreds of High School students. I sang a song from the Musical Once, titled "Falling Slowly." I competed at the Regional level again this year scored high enough to compete at Nationals a second time. I sang a song from the Musical Catch Me If You Can titled "Goodbye." I had a wonderful experience with thousands of fellow Thespians and learned so much about the lives of others.

Teach, Learn, Share

In my High School career I became somewhat of an activist for LGBTQ+ rights. I was apart of my schools GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) Club all four years, the last two I ran the club as President, I liked the title King much better though. My senior year I became involved in a movement to introduce LGBTQ+ history and members into education. I'm currently reading "A Queer History Of The United States" so I can further my own knowledge about history of the LGBTQ+ community. I'm a firm believer in standing up and doing what is right not only for yourself or others, but the world as well.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I may not have a college education or a lot of life experiences but I can offer hosts the opportunity to get to know someone truly different. I love to live my life to the fullest. I truly believe that love is the center and should be the center of all our lives. I can offer knowledge about American culture and what society is like here. I can also offer some political beliefs and opinions of my very own. Talking about Theater and all that goes along with it is also a very fun past time of mine. I'm often told I'm quite wise for my age, along with that I also make normal people mistakes a long the way. :)

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States