CURRENT MISSION

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.

ABOUT ME

Hi there!!

I'm a super social American guy from the sunny south. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, but grew up in Orlando, Florida. I'm a former US Marine that was in London and Helsinki. I've always had a need for excitement and adventure (thus US Marine Infantry), but I'm also into academics/learning/arts/dancing.

I'm interested in meeting and hosting spontaneous & outgoing people who like to have fun, but also enjoy talking/thinking about deeper things like philosophy, psychology, ethics, spirituality.

I lived in Helsinki since 2000 and got my Finnish citizenship in 2010.

Since 2012 I've danced Brazilian Zouk intensively. When not dancing, I work as a freelance Web Developer - creating online-marketing campaigns and e-commerce websites. On the side, I'm also managing a dance company based in Helsinki. http://riozoukstyle.com

If you don't know what Brazilian Zouk is, watch this: http://bit.ly/OF88gE

During the past five years I've read enough books on psychology, social dynamics, relationships, philosophy that I should have an advanced degree by now. What I realized is that I don't need much to be happy. I worked on becoming very efficient with money and living a VERY modest lifestyle. I discovered that money is much less important than I had initially expected. I realized what I really value is my family and friendships. A lot of people say this, but don't live by it. I used to work long hours at a stressful job, for people that I didn't like... and I justified this as a necessity to earn a living (but actually to maintain a standard of living). My family and friends were not a top priority. Everything comes at a price...including professional success. Rather that live to work, I work to live.

Nowadays I live life one day at a time and enjoy the present moment. I've learned to stop concerning myself with things that I have no control over. I used to spend a lot of time thinking about world problems (economic crises, impending world war, etc). So I stopped watching/reading the news. Luckily I have enough friends who are news addicts and they act as my personal advisors (briefing me on important local & world events). It's now been 4 years that I've been news free and I'm very happy with my decision :D

PHILOSOPHY

I believe major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness. The important thing is they should be part of our daily lives. So be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.
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This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.
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‎"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." Mark Twain

"I must confess to having some of the same fears other people have. However, I refuse to let those fears consume me. I have a choice. A choice not based on rank or professional position, but based on how I choose to live my life. I choose to work on my own personal challenges and seek self-improvement. But I also 'look outside' and choose to speak out against injustice and intolerance. I choose not to ignore wrong doings, no matter how minor. I choose to use my eyes and the rest of the senses I have been given in order to perceive the world I live in." - Major General C. L. Stanley (USMC)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To get to know new people and make friends.

Interests

I'm into fitness and dancing (Brazilian Zouk (Rio Style), West Coast Swing, LA Salsa) - so I'm always looking for dance and workout partners (tennis, weightlifting, kettlebells, running, etc). I also love music! Oh yeah...Traveling too : )

• arts
• books
• dancing
• ethics
• fitness
• running
• news
• reading
• traveling
• music
• sailing
• tennis
• freelancing
• psychology
• religion

Music, Movies, and Books

OneRepublic, Foo Fighters, Maroon 5, Bush, Linkin Park, Green Day, Metallica, Nirvana, Jack Johnson, Brazilian music.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I took a VERY active role in the delivery of my daughter Sofi (there was a shortage of doctors & nurses)

I attended a teaching by the Dalai Lama

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you the basics of Brazilian Zouk.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Interesting conversations and a mattress in my one room flat (mini dance studio) near the center of Helsinki (Alppila). Also, advice on cool things to do in Helsinki.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Venezuela

Countries I’ve Lived In

Finland, United Kingdom, United States