CURRENT MISSION

Teaching and Learning

ABOUT ME

I've settled in Austin, Texas for a few years to find out what the 9-5 world is like. I am a Special Education teacher and my students are some of the coolest, funniest, most endearing people on the planet. Too much time spent on paperwork, but the kiddos make up for it. I love getting outdoors in Austin as much as I can - road cycling, mountain biking, kayaking, and hiking being my main distractions. I have a nice little place south of town with my beautiful wife.

PHILOSOPHY

Variety of experience promotes personal growth, and if you aren't growing, you're not living. I feel a deep sadness for those who are afraid to leave their comfort bubble and try something new and die without even knowing there is anything else.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have been out of the loop for too long, hoping to do some more hosting and traveling this summer.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I hosted a bit in Montana and I surfed quite a bit during a trans-Eurasian tour.

Interests

Growing up in a miniscule rural midwest town with a homogenous white Christian population has led me to seek out people of other cultures and backgrounds. I am interested in getting outside whenever possible, reading about far-flung destinations that I can't afford to get to (yet), and trying to figure out my place on this chaotic planet.

• make up
• education
• wine
• drinking
• reading
• traveling
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• kayaking
• teaching

Music, Movies, and Books

I finally have enough time to read for pleasure now that I'm out of school.I love me some Tom Robbins (for fun), The Economist (to keep up on things) and anything by Naomi Klein, Haruki Murakami, Noam Chomsky, or Arundhati Roy (to understand what is really going on in the world).
I like to listen to progressive hip-hop; Common, Tribe, Blackalicous, J5, DJ Shadow . . . but I also can enjoy some quality classic rock - anything but pop or country. As far as movies, I love Wes Anderson for his creativity and dry humor, but any movie without a formulaic plot from the Hollywood blockbuster money making machine will hold my interest.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Waking up to the call to prayer in a Turkish tree house for three weeks was fun, being welcomed into a community for people with disabilities in rural India was awesome, feasting and drinking homemade wine in the Georgian countryside was memorable . . . it has been a good year and I hope to add to this lists soon.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, Georgia, India, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Costa Rica, United States

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