I recently graduated Juniata College with a BA. My major was a mix of Sociology, Peace and Conflicts Studies, and Religious studies under the title Society and the Human Condition. I am interested in slacklining, reading, intellectual conversations, and helping others. I've been teaching myself guitar for 2 1/2 years, the ukulele for almost 1, and enjoy artistic expression in almost every form - my first love being poetry.

My college experience has shown me the importance of deeply listening to the stories other people tell, and I hope to head out on a journey across the US so that I can meet people and hear their stories.

One of my biggest goals right now is I want to challenge my assumptions and my experiences. Most would say I am quiet, but I can be quiet or talkative depending on the conversation. Striving for a better world, I value other people for all their experience - good/bad/otherwise.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am planing on hitchhiking around the country starting in late June. The idea is that I want to see the best and worst of this country, meet people, hear their stories, and get to learn and be a small part of other communities. I am looking for places to stay, potentials for odd jobs to earn a little cash, and people to share their stories with me. I want to give an ear to anyone willing to share their experiences - something very fewer people seem take the time for.

There are a lot of troubles, heartbreaks, and wounds - as well as joys and loving memories - that deserve to be heard. Often times when people want to help another person or group of persons they decide how "I" am going to help "them." It is this kind of imposed help that often exacerbates the troubles had or creates new ones. Put simply, the cycle needs to stop. We should listen to one another and empower one another - then we can make changes together to heal and to make our communities what we want them to be. It is my desire to travel the country and listen to stories from people and communities. Maybe after listen long enough "I" can become "we" and something positive and beautiful can come from it.

Along this journey I hope to run into intellectual and artistic communities that can challenge me, help me to grow, and help along the way.

Interests

Reading is one of my greatest passions - not simply whimsical novels however. I like novels - but ones that make me think. I enjoy slacklining (not tightrope walking) as a form of meditation, exercise, and relaxation. I love to play my guitar or goof around on my ukulele.

If you get me into an intellectual conversation we could talk for a whole day. I like to talk about most of the things considered "impolite" dinner conversations (politics, religions, etc.), but it is impart because I think their is a lack of engagement with them.

• poetry
• singing
• exercise
• running
• meditation
• walking
• clothing
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• guitar
• cycling
• religion
• sociology
• hitchhiking

Music, Movies, and Books

Music -
Nako Bear and Medicine for the People
Almost anything Classic Rock - especially The Beatles
Mumford and Sons
... Really I am open to anything and I increasingly listen to just about anything

Movies -
I don't watch many, but some a my favorite few are: V for Vendetta, Star Wars (yes all of them), Grand Torino, The Last Samurai

Books
The Brothers Karamazov - Dostoyevsky
The Ethics of Ambiguity - Simone de Beauvoir
The Social Construction of Reality - Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann
Leaves of Grass - Walt Whitman
Poor Things - Alasdair Gray
... this could be a very long list

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I walked the streets of Budapest all night without a wallet, ID, or any belongings other than the clothes I wore. I walked until around 7 in the morning and talked with a number of homeless, pedestrians, and several prostitutes (remember I didn't have money so don't think that). I walked over 10 hours straight, and was cold and exhausted by the end.

It was my first time out on my own. It was an amazing and dangerous experience that gave me a new way of seeing the world and myself. It wasn't all great, but it has been a defining moment for me.

Teach, Learn, Share

I don't know much, but I am always willing to listen, learn, and share.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A sincere capacity to care and listen, a good sense of humor, an always helpful mood, and singing while playing guitar.

Countries I’ve Visited

Hungary

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States