CURRENT MISSION

I must see and experience more. I am about to make some big decisions along my life path and I sincerly feel that travel may be the best way to help me determine my direction.

ABOUT ME

I grew up in what was once a rural part of south Florida. I have not known much beyond this and although i have seen incredible change here as I have grown, the world at large seems out of reach to me. I started working for my father at the age of 12 doing painting and carpentry and have continued faithfully working for the family since then. I have studied at two universities for 7 years as well and all of this close enough to home that I never experienced much out of the ordinary. On a whim I decided to push myself into a travel abroad study-trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and upon arriving I experienced culture shock for the first time in my life at 26 years old. Now my mind is altered and so is the reality to me in everything else it seems. I want to see more, of course, i must venture out. I hear about this kind of thing happening to people alot, but i suppose now is my time. Many things in life are pointing in the direction of adventure and travel, I feel i must go out and see more to be a part of it somehow.

I'm not afraid of work, but I am beginning to learn the delicate balance between working hard and working smart.

PHILOSOPHY

Love and compassion, humility and appreciation for the incomprehensible beauty of nature are a means for me to finding joy and wonder. I have no concrete philosophy at this time in my life. I only know from experience that there are a great many trials for each of us and that perhaps at any age we can follow our dreams, fanatically, and if we shut the rest out and surrender to the reality that we need one another-while always remembering to be thankful, then I uphold the belief that surely we will find ourselves somewhere very close to where we want to be in life. Sensitivity is a beautiful thing.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

At the moment I am just a traveler, but I am able to host as well actually.. I live in a somewhat uninteresting part of south-east Florida just a little bit north-west of more interesting cities like Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. Only about an hour away for the latter. Talk to me about it!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

This is my first time couch surfing.. I have heard about it so many times and always a glowing positive description of a wonderful time follows. I hope to have alot of positive things to say here soon.

Interests

Graphic Novels, Animation, Movies, Foreign Languages, Architecture, Carpentry, Woodworking, Trees, Forrested Landscapes and the rest of the great outdoors, Dancing, Music, Literature, Poetry, Nature, Nurture, Oxygen, Vivid Dreams, Conversation, Travel, Horticulture, Permaculture, Home Mechanics, Toyotas, Diesels, alternative fuels, Streams of consciousness and Current Events... There is so much more, lets talk about it.

• culture
• literature
• poetry
• architecture
• beauty
• dancing
• movies
• traveling
• eating out
• painting
• woodworking
• music
• outdoor activities
• surfing
• animation
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

Too many Genres of music to list, I try to keep a very open mind. I love movies of all sorts too, live action, animated, stop-motion, art films, foreign films... again, just too much to mention. Would be better saved for conversation. Books.. Franz Kafka is my favorite, definitely.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have seen many amazing things in my life, despite the lack of travel.

I have seen people change. This still amazes me.

I have seen what is around me change, this will continue to amaze me.

In the midst of all that, watching things as they grow always gives me a serene sense of hope.

The things I have done that I would consider amazing are very few. Maybe my opinion is biased because of how critical I am of myself. But I have made it this far.. Overcoming an adverse upbringing, starting something worth finishing, and perhaps the greatest thing I have ever done, many moments across my life so far, was just having been vividly aware of myself and everything else, thankful for my existence and all of the good fortune I have enjoyed. I feel very lucky.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach me your language. Show me your passions. Share your concerns and thoughts on the world.

Teaching and Learning trades has always been a great way for me to get to know people and their culture, at least here in the U.S.A. I am a painter, a carpenter, an illustrator and much more.. It is a sound way to make a living and there is a certain pride and security that comes with this way of life. By trade I mean any sort of marketable skill really. Don't underestimate the value of what you can do and teach to others. I have much to teach in this regard.

What I need to learn in my life is an acceptance and belief in myself. I need to learn about the world around me and how to communicate without words.

Countries I’ve Visited

Brazil, Japan