CURRENT MISSION

Mastering the globe.

ABOUT ME

You're looking at a petite Vietnamese-American who was born and raised in the big city of Houston in the big state of Texas. I am no stranger to hot, humid climates, and will wolf down all kinds of food.

My childhood dream was to become a children's book illustrator, like Maurice Sendak, but I wandered off-course over the years to graze dream clouds like graphic designer, architect, urban planner, and web designer. Along the way, I've acquired bits and pieces of aesthetic knowledge from each field, so let's talk about art and buildings and technology! I also love ice cream and cheesecake, separately and together.

When I'm not in school, you can find me reading books, studying kanji, doodling and scribbling in my journal, crocheting scarves and hats, or playing with a Rubik's cube.

PHILOSOPHY

Secular humanism.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

As a couchsurfer, I'm quiet, kind, and tidy. I enjoy the occasional bad pun and the company of friendly strangers even more.

April 2013: Guided Eddie around Takamatsu and Naoshima.
August 2013: Joined Thomas Simmons in showing Daniel and Alina around the art festival on the inland sea islands.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

My first week in Kagawa, I, along with a couple of fellow new teachers, missed the last ferry home to Takamatsu from a small nearby island called Megijima. Lost and hungry, we dined at a nearby restaurant to eat our worries away as we pondered what to do next. Luck turned in our favor that night, as our generous waitress offered up a room in her home to us. On short notice, she prepared a guest room for three people, necessary items for a late-night shower, and a generous breakfast in the morning which included friendly options for a vegetarian member of our party. She also accompanied us back to the ferry port to make sure we returned to the city safely.

For us this accidental couchsurfing experience illuminated unconditional generosity we hadn't witnessed before coming to Japan—quite an impression at the start of our adventures in the country. A week later, we visited our host bearing presents to repay her kindness, but we ended up being thanked in free shaved ice. The giving never ends, does it?

Interests

I'm tickled by speed sketches, the death and life of cities, Romantic music, linguistics, vintage children's book illustrations, postmodern literature, handwritten letters, and jigsaw puzzles.

• arts
• writing
• books
• literature
• architecture
• design
• graphic design
• illustrations
• festivals
• dining
• recipes
• breakfast
• vegetarian
• meditation
• partying
• technology
• reading
• crochet
• puzzles
• music
• animation

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Utada Hikaru, Mr. Children, The Postal Service, The Beatles, Florence + The Machine, Feist, Lana Del Rey, Ed Harcourt, The Avalanches, Grizzly Bear, Ravel, Rachmaninoff, Satie

Movies: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Secretary, Amelie, In the Mood for Love, The Painted Veil, Carefree, Conversations with Other Women, My Fair Lady, When Harry Met Sally

TV Shows: Parks and Recreation, Arrested Development, Portlandia, Futurama, Friends, Mad Men

Books: Invisible Cities, The Phantom Tollbooth, Snow Falling on Cedars, The Joy Luck Club, The Razor's Edge, Jacob Have I Loved

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

For Golden Week in 2013, I completed a 10-day Vipassana meditation course at the Dhamma Bhanu center in Kyoto. I observed 'noble silence' during my time there, which meant no speaking, eye contact, or gesturing. I also forwent use of devices like computers and phones, books, and writing materials. Many hours of the day were spent meditating. After the course, I left feeling lighter and happier. It was a wonderful experience I would pursue again and recommend to others.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love sharing recipes. My specialties are carnitas and lasagna. If you have the patience, I can teach you basic HTML and CSS, crochet, or how to solve the Rubik's cube.

Countries I’ve Visited

England, France, South Korea, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Japan, United States