CURRENT MISSION

Climb every peak I can in the pacific northwest

ABOUT ME

Just got back from a stint teaching English in China and am now settling back into the "real" world working as a chemist. Im an adventurous dude who loves the outdoors and meeting new people along with traveling. I've recently started getting into meditation more and trying to lead a more mindful life. I fail often, but see failure as the best teacher.

PHILOSOPHY

Life is short then you die, make the most out of it.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have a two bedroom apartment here in Kunming that I would love to fill up with interesting people from around the world. There doesn't seem to be a huge couchsurfing scene here in Kuming, but I want to work on changing that!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I first couchsurfed on an extended hiking/climbing trip out in Colorado and fell in love with the idea. Then, when I graduated college and got a place of my own I opened it up to surfers from around the world and also began participating in the local meetups. The more involved that I got the more I found that I liked and now I want to extend that experience out to my time in China!

Interests

I love the outdoors, particularly backpacking and climbing, and try to spend as much time in it as possible. When I'm in town I like to grab drinks with friends (old or new) and have good conversations and/or listen to live music. I love meeting new people, especially those who have had a different life than me and am a firm believer in attempting to see life from as many different perspectives as you are able. (This is one of the many reasons why i love reading good literature.) When alone, you would usually find me reading everything from poetry and fiction to historical volumes on rome and everything in between. Or, you know, playing video games/vegging out on the couch if I'm feeling particually lazy.

Music, Movies, and Books

I like to think that i have very broad tastes with regards to music, enjoying everything from classical to pretty lights and everything in between. If the artist is passionate and talented, odds are that i'll like them. I also love live music. For me, there is little better than drinking with friends while listening to talented musicians.

I like to consider myself a voracious reader and one of my life goals is to finish working my way through the entirety of the western cannon. Although I must admit that I have been sidetracked by a recent poetry/modern lit binge. I also enjoy "pop" literature such as Harry Potter and The Game of Thrones series. I consider these works just as important as the cannon when it comes to developing a healthy, well rounded mind. Afterall, much of what is now considered high culture was pop culture in its day. (See Ulysses for the importance of pop culture in shaping how we think and act.)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Quit my boring job and moved to china.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm always down to help people have a great time! Also, I have pretty decent outdoor skills ranging from orienteering to the basics of climbing, so if anyone wants to get out into the backcountry for the first time I'm happy to help! I love learning about anything and everything, especially new authors or poets or ideas and particually enjoy spending a night drinking and discussing history, politics,literature, philosophy and a myriad of other intellectual ideas.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A clean bed and room to yourself(unless I'm hosting multiple groups at once!)

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, China, Laos, New Zealand, Thailand, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, United States