Late 20s research student at Radboud University, Nijmegen. From Singapore, but currently living in the Netherlands. Used to be a bioethics researcher in Singapore but am now completing my philosophy research degree in the Netherlands.

I've got a congenial personality, and I relish conversations. My sense of humour vacillates from wit to deadpan. I am affectionate, versatile and open-minded, amongst other things. I do not take myself too seriously!

Was an activist: anti-racist, feminist, queer back in Singapore.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Needing places to stay during conference trips. Will reciprocate with a place when you plan to travel to Singapore!

Interests

Activism! Squash! Philosophy! Football! Jazz!

• traveling
• music
• jazz
• soccer
• racquetball
• squash

Music, Movies, and Books

Fiction works which I personally think has shaped the person I am today include Frank Herbert's Dune series, Pramoedya Ananda Toer's The Buru Quartet, the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Burton Watson's translation of the Lotus Sutra, Gita Mehta's A River Sutra, JM Coetzee's Elizabeth Costello and Frantz Fanon's The Wretched of the Earth. Rabindranath Tagore's Gitanjali and Hai Zi's Over Autumn Rooftops are some of the poetry that has moved me. My philosophical favourites include Wittgenstein's On Certainty, Judith Butler's Giving an Account of Oneself, Sara Ahmed's Queer Phenomenology, Badiou's Saint Paul: The Foundation of Universalism.

I watch films only occasionally, and when I do my preferences gravitate towards World Cinema. I've found Cidade de Deus (City of God) by Fernando Meirelles, Ten by Abbas Kiarostami and Go by Isao Yukisada to be particularly resonant. I have spent a considerable amount of time thinking about why films (as a medium) have been invested with a cultural significance that is intimately tied with the production of affect and desire. Zizek lays this bare: "Cinema is the ultimate pervert art. It doesn't give you what you desire - it tells you how to desire"

The music I love usually revolves around these three genres: Progressive Rock (I personally find the 70's the pinnacle of rock), World Music (slightly uncomfortable with the generalization but will do for now) and Jazz/Jazz-fusion. Other than that I don't mind some post-rock, trip-hop and Balkan Disco (remember to ask me about this!) Check out what i'm listening to on Spotify and see if we can make some connections - (http://spoti.fi/1mGLwAr). Also, if you are keen in diversifying your musical palate, I give very good suggestions.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A philosophical discussion, and recommendations on great jazz music from all over the world.

Countries I’ve Visited

Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands, Singapore