CURRENT MISSION

To meet as many people as I can, travel to as many places as I can and take as many pictures as I can before God removes me from planet Earth.

ABOUT ME

Son of an American father and Italian mother.

Born in Seoul, South Korea, but spent my toddler years here and there across the United States (compliments of being in a Military family).

My elementary and middle school years were split between Germany and Italy. High school I finished in Kansas however, where I later attended college at Kansas State University. Attempting to finish a double major in Public Relations & Theater + a double minor in Theater & Women’s Studies + a B.A. in Italian = me dropping out of school completely confused after two years because I had no idea what I wanted to do with myself.

2001 brought many new changes for me, not only the birth of my beautiful daughter, Jaida, but also the decision to move to New York City. For five years I pursued acting, writing, and every other form of “The Arts” I could get my hands on while maintaining a multitude of freelance jobs in the nightlife and service industry. Along with the hunger for “all things artistic” came the desire to make photography a major part of my life. Although it had been a hobby of mine for many years since my college days, it became my profession in 2006. I dove headfirst into this new world and created a small name (as well as a niche of work) for myself in event and fashion photography, and digital media. In 2011 I accepted a position for a nonprofit organization and discovered a side of photography I had not previously seen; offering my services to people who could use my work to raise money and services for those in need. Since then I’ve had the pleasure of donating my time every year to various organizations throughout the U.S., Italy and France, not only in photography but also documentary and short films.

I stayed in NYC until 2015, when I decided to move to Italy to “get a different perspective” on things. I’m currently based in Verona full-time…interrupted only by flights abroad to visit family or shoot for clients. Although photography and documentary/short film-making continue to be my life’s passion, I have a second career, teaching; intro to Photography at a local university and English at a fashion school.

PHILOSOPHY

To enjoy life, to love others as I love myself and to allow others the freedom to enjoy and love their lives as well.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

So many friends/family members/generous acquaintances have helped me out in my life that I return the favor every chance that I get...which in turn inspires folks to invite me back to their places for a visit, and so on and so forth the wheel spins.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have had MANY experiences couch surfing in my life, some planned and others completely spontaneous. I cannot express in words the joy I feel seeing as much of this Earth as I can and meeting people all along the way while doing it. It's an amazing feeling to connect with other members of humanity...

One of my favorites of all time though is the one below:

While in NYC one summer I accidentally ran into (literally) the most beautiful Italian woman. After a quick intro, we exchanged info because she learned that I had grown up in Italy also. A year or two later while visiting family in Italy, I happened to be in the town she said she was from so I contacted her. After a brief re-introduction, some smiles, the decision to grab lunch, an impromptu 6-hour tour of the town, a search for dinner and a romantic stroll back to the train station, we realized I had missed the last train out of town by an hour! So in the end we spent the entire night walking and talking and seeing the sights of her town...then she made me a home-cooked meal and I hopped the first train the next morning. Sadly, we never saw each other again.

Interests

• writing
• photography
• documentaries
• cooking
• walking
• drinking
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• eating

Music, Movies, and Books

Like.............ALL OF THEM??

Way too many to list here. How about I tell you when I see you?

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Over a 3 week period in various cities in various countries in Asia, I worked as a documentarian for some of the world's best surgeons while they performed life-changing procedures.

Teach, Learn, Share

In that order?

Ok.

* Teach: The moment you find love and KNOW that it's love and KNOW that the person you love loves YOU as much as you do them....hold on tight and don't ever let go.

* Learn: When I close my eyes and my face is in the direction of the sun so it's bright enough that I can't open my eyes (like from a Central Park afternoon July nap), then I look away from the sun and re-open my eyes....EVERYTHING IS BLUE. I'd like to know, does this happen to anyone else? Does anyone know what this is..??

* Share: For some reason deep down in my being, I feel that if I stay in one place too long in this life I'll get stuck and grow roots and die.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I've always had a knack for finding the coolest sights and things to do in every city I've lived in. Not only the stereotypical touristy things, but the hidden, "in the know", local events as well. I'll be happy to share all of that with you while you're here...

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Monaco, Nepal, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, Italy, South Korea, United States