I will try anything [most things] at least once. I want to travel and experience the world and life to its fullest. I believe every person I meet and every place I go impacts me in some way and teaches me something — they are what help write the ever-developing and oh-so-interesting story of my life. EDIT: I wrote that before I started paying off my exorbitant student loans and working full time for pennies. I can now report that cheap beer on the porch and Gordon Ramsay TV shows are what I use to fill the void left by my inability to travel. :)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've always hosted internationals in my home and traveled! I have used Couchsurfing since 2009, although I do occasionally take long hiatuses from the community (only when life circumstances do not allow me to host). I have met some of the most amazing people through Couchsuring. It takes adventurous, caring, and empathetic individuals to host strangers for free, and that is a community to which I want to belong.

Interests

Cooking and tasting new and interesting cuisines. Writing. Reading. Music. Photography. The occasional cigarillo with a coffee writing in my journal at a cafe like some pretentious prick... Places/traveling. Sunsets on the Nebraska prairie (you should try it!). Foreign Affairs / Policy. Fighting for human rights and figuring out what that looks like in different cultures and communities. Working with refugees. Teaching English. Learning from my students. Working with international students and foreign government reps. Conflict Resolution. INFJ / INFP ... can't figure it out...

• writing
• photography
• human rights
• cooking
• wine
• beer
• coffee
• shopping
• reading
• traveling
• music
• fishing
• hiking
• rock climbing
• international relations
• languages
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: Harold and Maude, The Labyrinth, Amélie, I can never remember the names of movie I enjoy.

Books / Authors: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jean Paul Sartre, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Le Petit Prince, Shantaram, Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit..................... just kidding.

Music: Avett Bros, Roadkill Ghost Choir, Beirut, José González, David Bowie, Sun Kil Moon, Why?, Poliça, Band of Horses, Blonde Redhead, MGMT, Why?, Neil Young, Austra, Beach House, Deer Tick, XX, JJ, Grizzly Bear, and so much more (and when no one is looking, you just might catch me jamming out to Taylor Swift......shhhhhhhh.....)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I feel like this section is "brag about yourself!", so in the name of not sounding totally conceited:

I had my first lesson driving stick shift in an old VW named Boogie in the mountains of Spain. I mean. In the parking lot somewhere near the mountains in Spain. I hit a shopping cart and [almost] killed an elderly woman. All I lost was my dignity, and my friend stripped me of all privileges of ever hopping in Boogie's driver seat again.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love to teach and I love to learn and I love to share the little that I do have with everyone around me.
I love to teach languages. (French, Spanish, English). I also love to cook—some favorites are chicken parmesan, crème brûlée, chicken tikka masala, guacamole, chiles en nogada, and lemon risotto!
I know a little about photography — film and digital.
I can also help you with your writing.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Cooking — you name it, I bet I can make it / teach you how to make it!
Hugs (if you're comfortable with that)
Crappy dad jokes ... but I WILL make you laugh.
Polite political discussion coupled with a poor attempt to explain my crazy country
Languages
Gifts from my home

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Belize, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin (French part), Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Hungary, India, Mexico, Spain, United Kingdom, United States

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