I am driven by an irrepressible desire to experience, learn, and become all that I was designed for. I have little patience with narrow-mindedness and thoughtless reaction. I savor silence, solitude, and deliberate thought (but of course enjoy having a good time with good friends).

I grew up on a small family farm in Idaho. I love the outdoors and everything that happens there (hiking, camping, exploring, etc.), as well as anything to do with technology, music, travel, or design. Since the time of those humble beginnings I've learned that the world is wide open and has so much to offer that can't be had by staying at home all the time.

Generally I'm a cheery, open-minded, carefree fellow, and love getting to know new people and learning about new things. I believe that all around us are untold opportunities that are simply waiting to be taken. I consider myself deeply spiritual and thoughtfully religious, and enjoy thinking deeply and hearing what other people have to say.

I use the Oxford comma :)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

My views on travel are reflected in an excellent quote by Mark Twain:

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”

I love expanding my views and experiences in any way possible, and I think there are few activities as fulfilling or compelling as really engaging with other people and learning about them. Couchsurfing seems to be the best way to facilitate those kinds of experiences.

New experiences ought to be shared, and Couchsurfing provides a great way to meet good people to share them with.

Interests

Foremost among my many passions has always been learning; so, I have pursued further education at the University of Pittsburgh. A wide array of interests has made determining a course of study difficult, but my main pursuits include theoretical mathematics, cognitive science, linguistics, philosophy, religious studies, computer science, and music (formally, I major in Mathematics and Computer Science, with a minor in Linguistics).

On a less academic note, I love rock-climbing, running, martial arts, cooking, reading, hiking, and various sports. I play the piano (jazz and classical) and the French horn.

• arts
• design
• education
• dining
• cooking
• running
• technology
• reading
• traveling
• music
• jazz
• piano
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• camping
• sports
• martial arts
• rock climbing
• computer science
• teaching
• mathematics
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

My music ranges from classical to electronic to jazz and back again.

As for movies, I typically prefer films that elicit thoughtful responses, rather than shallow, graphic 'entertainment'.

I love classic literature, dystopian novels, and most nonfiction reading (side effect of my learning addiction, I suppose).

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Solved a Rubik's cube without looking at instructions.

Received my second-degree black belt in Taekwondo.

Spent two years serving as a full-time missionary for a cause I believe in.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach: Rock climbing, martial arts, English, and anything else you want to know.

Learn: EVERYTHING. I love learning about food in particular, but my interests seem to know no bound. I think everyone has something unique and interesting to offer, and I'd like to know what it is!

Share: Experiences, laughter, cultural tidbits, and most importantly... FOOD. I absolutely love cooking and learning about new foods, and sharing my culinary experiences with other people. I think food is quite possibly the best way to bring different people together.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My passion for life and learning. I love engaging in real, in-depth interaction with people, finding out what makes them tick, and learning what I can from them about what it means to be human.

Countries I’ve Visited

Germany, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States