CURRENT MISSION

Yes

ABOUT ME

Always planning my next trip. I love Chicago and my friends here, but always looking for experiences beyond that. I spend lots of my time studying Mandarin Chinese, reading the news, and studying finance. I'm a pretty huge nerd, but also very social. I get along with almost anyone and also like to make fun of everyone. Up for meeting fellow travelers and hearing about their stories. I like being outdoors, love summer (why the hell do I live in Chicago???) and love the weekend!

PHILOSOPHY

I'm clueless. I like people and I like to make jokes out of everything. I like to make myself and others laugh.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Just getting started. I'm a willing and able tour guide in Chicago. Feel free to contact me with any questions about Chicago or any other place I've been (especially China!). If you speak any Chinese and want to practice, then get in touch when you're in Chicago. Actually, get your ass to China!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

New to the internet couch surfing thing. Usually been friend of a friend situation. This is a great idea!

Interests

Travel... finance... globalization... poverty... education ... the freakin weekend... politics... running... camping... reading... the internet... music, music, music... eating food and cooking... hanging out in the park

• education
• dining
• cooking
• running
• walking
• politics
• news
• reading
• traveling
• music
• outdoor activities
• camping
• surfing
• teaching
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

Will Phalen and the Stereo Addicts... Bjork... The Flaming Lips... TV on the Radio... Miles Davis... U2... The Roots... Cheesy Club Music (to dance to...yeahhhh!!!)

The Economist... The New York Times... The Financial Times... Youtube... V.S. Naipaul... Ernest Hemingway... Dostoevsky... Kurt Vonnegut...

City of God... American Beauty... The Office... Arrested Development

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Walking into my first English Class in Shanghai, China. I had never taught in my life, they gave me no training, and they put me in front of a class of 40 Chinese first graders who knew zero English. I tried to teach them a song. Tragic! A great experience, though.... Fast forward 2 years: I went back to China to visit my class as a surprise and they all remembered me and cheered and made me sign autographs and told me they love me. I really miss those kids...

Teach, Learn, Share

1)I can teach English... I was an English teacher for a year and have also been an English tutor several times. 2)I know a lot about the bond markets... sure ots of you are interested in those. 3)Was a good runner at one point and know how to train and practice. 4)I really, really want to learn more Chinese...

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Japan, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, United States