CURRENT MISSION

Experience to understand, travel to relate, and be kind to everyone you meet

ABOUT ME

I think I am an interesting person, highly introspective and introverted but gregariously social if I feel comfortable. I would say I am fair and emotionally consistent, rarely getting angry and not usually excitable. I love to help people solve their problems and I am not afraid to say the truth though I only enjoy conflict for its productive qualities. I think most people find me quite likable.

Also, I am allergic to peanuts.

PHILOSOPHY

Here are some quotes that give the basic of my philosophy:

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act - Proverbs 3:27

Listen. Do not have an opinion while you listen because frankly, your opinion doesn't hold much water outside of Your Universe. Just listen. Listen until their brain has been twisted like a dripping towel and what they have to say is all over the floor - Hugh Elliott

The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong in the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry - Ernest Hemingway

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation - George Washington

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond imagination. It is our light more than our darkness which scares us. We ask ourselves – who are we to be brilliant, beautiful, talented, and fabulous. But honestly, who are you to not be so? You are a child of God, small games do not work in this world. For those around us to feel peace, it is not example to make ourselves small. We were born to express the glory of god that lives in us. It is not in some of us, it is in all of us. While we allow our light to shine, we unconsciously give permission for others to do the same. When we liberate ourselves from our own fears, simply our presence may liberate others - Marianne Williamson

Seeing ourselves as others see us would probably confirm our worst suspicions about them - Franklin P. Adams

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

As of right now I have only surfed. I don't have much to offer other than a desire to understand other people, gather awesome stories and share them with others.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

In the summer of 2012 I did a two month bike trip with a friend. We had some very fantastic hosts!

Interests

I like baseball, volleyball and biking almost as much as a good strategy board game. I drink yerba maté at least three times a week and enjoy spending time with good books. I really enjoy trying to understand people and what makes them tick. I have a strong desire to continue to learn.

• animals
• books
• walking
• drinking
• traveling
• cycling
• bungee jumping
• baseball
• volleyball
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

I am currently reading book four of A Song of Fire and Ice (Game of Thrones) series. I like it enough to carry it around with me on my bike. My favourite books would be Frankenstein and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. Other favourite authors include C.S. Lewis and Edward Said.

Movies: Shawshank Redemption is my favourite of all time, probably followed by Pulp Fiction. Other than that I love movies that require some thought and good dialogue.

Music: Music has never been a significant influence in my life. I often prefer silence to music. I also have the musical taste of people who don't know what good music is. I am easy going though so I usually just listen to whatever other people want.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Stepping up to the side of the Bloukrans Bridge (world's highest bungee jump) on a partially cloudy day. As I take a deep breath and look down, a column of clouds part so I can see all the way to the bottom. I bend my knees to take off and soon there is no sound but the wind pushing its way into my ear...

Coming to an intersection of a safari ride and looking into the face of a huge bull elephant. "Often we need to be careful around these animals," the guide says "they become very territorial when they are musthing." The elephant turns towards us and the driver puts the bus in reverse. Before the elephant's first foot lands the driver has already stepped on the gas, tires spinning for a second before they catch. We jerk into 25km/h but the elephant gains on us methodically as if we were chains to the spot and it is walking towards us. Screams escape our bus as the driver starts to laugh, at the stupid tourists or his impending doom I do not know...

Countries I’ve Visited

Palestine, South Africa

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada