CURRENT MISSION

Break my 133 country dish washing record, and read all the classics and great contemporary works of political philosophy before I begin graduate school in the subject

ABOUT ME

I have been traveling through the world for several years and now am preparing to wrap it up and apply to graduate school back in the US and settle down. I enjoy cultural and social exchange while traveling immensely, even though at home I am much more solitary. Some of the more unusual things about me: I gave up watching television at age 16 for writing 3 pages everyday. I find I sometimes have to run, stretch or move around spontaneously like a child (which is always living in a more healthy way than the way adults rigidly control their bodies!). While at university I read every book my professors recommended. While no longer completely straight-edge like I was in a high school, I am still very much an simple ascetic by most modern consumerist and materialistic standards, even if I am extremely liberal. When my mother became ill with cancer I studied to learn how to teach and practice the physiotherapy/massage branch of Traditional Chinese medicine and other Asian body-mind therapies. When she passed away I went off traveling and staying in people's homes and washing their dishes in 132 countries. Now I have a calling to go back and do a PhD in comparative politics of migration policy, because I find research on this subject in political science deficient compared to what has been done in economics and sociology, which strikes me as ironic if not downright weird, since people mention more about laws and institutions than traveling expenses or racism/classism when discussing migration.

PHILOSOPHY

I believe leaving one's comfort zone is very healthy and an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth, even though one may find it challenging, so I am always striving to explore what I do not know to understand and learn more. I think after writing, traveling is the hardest anything one can do, and after seeing the world I believe that if I could accomplish this, the rest of my prospective life goals (novel writing, parenthood, filmmaking) should be easier.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

After Jordan I pledge to visit Africa and try to trailblaze my way through and establish couchsurfing hosts in weak, war-prone "failed states".
But anyone is welcome to also stay with my dad in the meantime in California as well but of course nobody ever arrives who writes me because it is still an hour away from the "hardcore" Bay Area (I do not blame you!)
And from September, you do not worry if I have to enslave myself to a professor for the next six years, I will make sure it will be in a cool enough town that you have a good enough motive to visit other than meeting me (which is not a good enough reason anyhow! ;)

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

You want me to give it away here? I am not going to stay up all night writing. That is why you are going to meet me. Really, my profile is deceptive, I have couchsurfed since the days when it used to mean hanging out with your friends until you found another affordable place after your landlord evicted you!

Interests

Writing, film, reading, poetry, music, culture and history, philosophy and art of mysticism, asceticism, dancing, abstinence, festivals, fasting, thoughtful conversation, shopping for traditional crafts, architecture, yoga, qaawali, spoken word, dance of all types, philosophy, psychology, the divinely perfect products of evolution and the spirit that runs through them all that everyone calls by a different name.

• arts
• culture
• humanities
• writing
• books
• poetry
• architecture
• film making
• festivals
• dancing
• yoga
• running
• crafts
• shopping
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• spoken word
• economics
• teaching
• history
• medicine
• political science
• psychology
• science
• sociology

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: All types of music, but above all VARIETY, not the same type of music again and again.
Movies: Plenty of films, we better discuss in person.
Literature: A lot. Better we discuss this in person

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Again meet me and I cannot resist the temptation to reveal some stories. I will write the novel when I am old man. Yes yes I know I am experientially spoiled compared to most people on this earth, but I will make something beautiful out of it some day, I assure you! Now, since I still look like I am in my twenties, let me enjoy my youth! To quote my first mentor/creative writing teacher in high school:
"He is vain who sits down to write before having stood up to live."

Teach, Learn, Share

Again, meet me...it will be more meaningful:
Internet and such sites are means to an end of meeting people in real time and space, not the end. If your lucky enough to have access to it (reminder many on this planet have more fundamental things on their mind!), please do not abuse it.

Countries I’ve Visited

Lesotho

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States