CURRENT MISSION

Life is good! I'm constantly smiling and constantly learning and I'm pretty sure the two are connected. I'm just trying to maximize this life and convince others that they can do the same.

ABOUT ME

Once upon a time, I was a civil engineer and sticking to the righteous path that everyone told me would lead to success and happiness. Within two months of starting that first "real job" I was planning my first backpacking trip. I saved up at that job for a year, quit the job, and hopped on a plane. I spent six months in Europe, Morocco, and Guatemala before running out of money. Since then I've lived in South Korea teaching English for a year and subsequently spent 3 months enlarging my soul in India. I most recently worked for an environmentally oriented nonprofit organization in Caribbean Nicaragua for 6 months. I will begin a 2 year master's program in environmental engineering in April 2015 in Munich from which I hope to emerge with skills and the perspective to make a difference (a bit idealistic, I know).

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've been a member for over a year but yet to partake in the couch sharing, so unfortunately I don't have anything to share. I've heard wonderful things about couchsurfing but I've been the wanderer over the past few years so I haven't been able to host. I'm looking forward to my first CS experience I can't wait to return the favor when I finally have a place of my own.

Interests

This may sound a bit exaggerated but I'm genuinely interested in almost everything. For that reason, I ask a lot of questions and I actually really verily listen to the answers!

• running
• backpacking
• engineering
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Funk, Folk, Electronica, Jam, Jazz, Classic Rock, Indie Rock, You Name It...
While I don't play music, it's super special to me and I looove attending live performances. It's a perfect way to spend a few hours. You and everyone around you are riding the same wave and the energy at a good show is sooo infectious.

Books: Love 'em! My favorite authors are Tom Robbins and Kurt Vonnegut but I read much more than them. I like talking about books as much as I like going to concerts.

Movies: Love those too.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I summited Jbel Toubkal in Morocco (the highest point in north Africa) on a solo trek. It was my first true mountain summit and my first time over 4000 meters so I don't know if it's more amazing or amazingly stupid. Turned out to be a wicked success anyway and I've been inspired by mountains ever since.

Teach, Learn, Share

I don't have a definite concrete skill to offer but I feel that I live and think in a way that's really healthy for my mind and soul. I like to think that my attitude and energy is contagious, so I can offer some good perspective and good vibrations.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Panama, Philippines, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, Nicaragua, South Korea, United States

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