CURRENT MISSION

To live an interesting and meaningful life with lots of adventures

ABOUT ME

I am a natural culture-crosser. I was raised Latter Day Saint and very conservative, and now I'm agnostic and very liberal. I spent a year in Germany, and hope to spend future years in other countries. I get along with most personalities and backgrounds. One of my favorite things in life is discovering a new place. The features that make it unique, the people that make it interesting. It's so much easier to remember to be in constant wonder and awe of the world around you when you're in a new setting!

PHILOSOPHY

We're all at different parts of our journey. I try and live by the assumption that everyone else is fighting a harder battle than I am. Those who harm others do not realize yet how much they are harming themselves; they would be kind if they understood the path to joy and peace of mind. To really know another is to love them (i.e. want the absolute best for them). If you don't want the best for someone, you don't really know them.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I host and surf whenever possible. I'll be moving soon, hopefully into a more Couchsurfing-friendly household, so I should be resuming hosting activities in the near future.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I met up with some awesome CS enthusiasts in Tuscaloosa for dinner and drinks, surfed with an amazing couple in Washington, D.C. for the Rally to Restore Sanity. I've hosted some Australians and a few Americans. When I got to San Jose, I met up with some CS-ers and ended up very good friends with many of them. So far I've had nothing but truly great experiences!

Interests

Local, independent, sustainable. The particulars of a place that give it character. The natural features, the history. Good wine, beer, food, and liquor. Good company. Movies. Art. Literature. Conversation. Exploration. The outdoors.

• arts
• culture
• literature
• dining
• wine
• beer
• drinking
• movies
• outdoor activities
• teaching
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

I love Joanna Newsom, the Mountain Goats, Fleet Foxes, Modest Mouse, Regina Spektor, and the Antlers, Beach House, Shenandoah Davis. I like way too many movies (Cohen brothers, Apatow, quirky indie comedies, foreign films). Book-wise: "Middlesex," "Anna Karenina," "All the Little Live Things," "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius," and "Bluets," to name a few.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Paradigm shifts! They are the best! The world leaves me in awe all of the time. Recently, I've loved seeing the instant benefits of keeping the goals of communication in mind (mutual understanding and respect) rather than just saying what I want to say. Finding new paths to peace.

visited 18 states (36%)Create your own visited map of The United States or jurisdische veraling duits?

Teach, Learn, Share

I can tell you about Mormonism, a little bit about the south, what the Occupy Movement is all about. I've taught Aristotelian argument and early American literature. I can talk a bit about beer and wine. I can educate you on how hard it is to be a K-12 teacher! And if you want to know more about white privilege, I can let you know what's up (though it's a difficult lesson).

Countries I’ve Visited

France, Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, United States

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