I grew up as an international school kid in Manila, Philippines. Born in the year of People Power, I am from and have lived in Southeast Asia, Los Angeles (Southern California), and now Baltimore (Maryland/Mid-Atlantic) and consider myself an adult TCK. I love to travel and I like down-to-earth people.

I would describe myself as a scientist in my head and an anthropologist in my heart.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I like to travel and talk to interesting people. I especially enjoy hearing the perspectives of people who are from multicultural backgrounds, different socioeconomic backgrounds, and who have visited or lived in many different places, including places that are not 'glamorous'. Of course it's easy to love rich, global cities like New York or London, but there are many wonderful things about other places that may not be obvious except to locals. I especially want to hear about those things. I want to hear both the positive and negative things and how people in different places do or don't find solutions to tough problems.

Interests

• diy
• cooking
• electronics
• board games
• hiking
• trail running
• rock climbing
• biology
• history
• neuroscience
• learning languages
• learning new things
• bicycling
• genetics
• computers
• capoeira angola
• evolutionary biology

Music, Movies, and Books

I love nonfiction! The music I like is everything from funk/soul, hip hop, jazz, rock, folk to downtempo/electronic.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have driven cross country across the US via two routes -- northern route via Wyoming and South Dakota and middle of the country route through Denver, Kansas City, and St Louis.

Hiked to the top of Mt Whitney (from Whitney Portal, not the mountaineer's route). Went back again a second summer.

Hiked the three tallest peaks in Southern California (Mt Baldy, Mt San Jacinto, and Mt San Antonio) in one summer.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Excellent home cooking

International perspective

Somewhat detailed nerd knowledge on topics like biology esp. genetics, computers, and how to run a volunteer bike shop

An obsession with knowing about and exploring neighborhoods within medium to large size cities that I've lived in-- especially all the hidden pockets of green space.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Canada, China, England, France, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, Singapore, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Hong Kong, Philippines, United States