Hey there! I'm Mike and, well, I'm attempting to make life one big adventure in both big and small ways! Some time ago, I realized that I needed to be more conscious of the ordinary routine that can suck up the time and priorities in life; Since then, I have decided to do more things that are totally new and out of my comfort-zone... Travelling to see the world and more importantly to connect with inspiring people has been the best solution yet!
"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." ~ Anaïs Nin
Some more about me? Hmm, here's some fun facts in bullet form:
- I am an ENFJ, Virgo, 20 year-old cisgender male. My heritage is Filipino.
- I was born in raised in Greater Seattle, the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Some things I love about my hometown is the nature (trees everywhere!), the American football team (Seahawks!), and the diversity in people.
- I currently attend the University of Washington as a Marketing and Information Systems major in the business school. Some things I love being involved in is the entrepreneurship scene, my professional fraternity Delta Sigma Pi, and doing case competitions.
- Some things on my bucket list are: Volunteer and do pro-bono work in the Philippines/South Africa/Seattle, learn how to surf, climb a mountain (Everest Base Camp one day?), complete a major race (triathlons seem fun!), live in another country for at least one year, float on a boat on the Amazon river, and embarrass myself on a televised foreign (preferably Japanese) game show!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I definitely owe a couple experienced couch surfers for encouraging me to join the community, as I have always enjoyed my travels the most when it was the kind of experiences that Couchsurfing encourages. The times I visited or stayed at friends, friends of friends, or family in countries and cities not my own clearly stick out in my mind as some of my most fulfilling travel experiences; There's a deep sense of gratitude having someone open up their lives and show you around the place they call Home. On the other hand, meeting caring people and connecting with them and learning from their wisdom while traveling is beyond amazing!
For me, it has been experiences like participating in a global leadership summit in South Africa, hitch-hiking in Iceland, being an exchange student in the Netherlands, and even accidentally walking into a closed pub in Lille late at night during a stopover and being graciously welcomed by the locals even though I didn't speak French. These are the invigorating experiences that make me believe in humanity and the universe!
Being on Couchsurfing seems to combine both of these amazing travel experiences: The warm feeling of being welcomed in a new place, and also the beauty of meeting and connecting with someone new. I remember watching this RT Documentary (www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUyBPbGxJ9o) a couple years ago and being hooked on the concept, but it has taken me only until now to finally attempt at joining. With my travel experiences so far and also using Airbnb (www.airbnb.com/users/show/74062151) a few times now, I figured it is about time I join already. Currently I am studying abroad and travelling, but when I return home and beyond college I intend to open my place up to couchsurfers, as I definitely enjoy meeting such bright individuals and need to experience the other end as a host more!

Interests

- I really enjoy photography and videomaking. I love capturing moments and trying to tell a story or invoke emotions (and smiles/laughs) through it.
- I love hip-hop, as I grew up in the culture and breakdancing The biggest reason I love hip-hop so much is because it is such a worldwide phenomenon that transcends borders and cultures.
- I like to try and stay active: I lift weights (I used to train in power lifting and olympic lifting), play basketball, cycle, and like trying new physical activities
- I have grown more open to psychedelic and spiritual experiences to explore the mind and spirit; I think this and travelling fit well together.

• culture
• street art
• contemporary art
• photography
• cooking
• technology
• socializing
• electronic music
• business
• entrepreneurship
• history
• nature
• spirituality
• biking
• street food
• self-development
• hiphop
• videomaking
• street photography

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: I listen to a mix of hip-hop, alternative, indie, electronic, and the classics. A few examples are Nujabes, Leon Bridges, Kendrick Lamar, The Beatles, Mac Demarco, Chance the Rapper, and Toro y Moi.
Books: The Alchemist, For One More Day, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Racing in the Rain, Maya Angelou's writing.
Movies: Schindler's List, Inception, Pixar and Studio Ghibli animated movies, Boyhood, The Matrix, and the Rush Hour movies to name a few off the top of my head.
Shows: Game of Thrones, Boy Meets World, Rick and Morty, Steven Universe, Master of None, Stranger Things.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Hitchhiking in Iceland! I always knew I wanted to try hitchhiking (watched a lot of youtube videos like this one with David Choe: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yknrg-63674) and instantly thought it to be one of the most humanizing ways of travelling. I decided to try my luck in Iceland before going on exchange in the Netherlands. I ended up meeting another student from Seattle while at a famous hotdog stand in Reykjavik, persuaded him to join me, and we ended up being kindly rides! We ended up joining young Roman couple travelling through the South coast as we had the same itinerary. Amazing experience I am very grateful for!

Teach, Learn, Share

Not sure what to put here at the moment, I'll be back!...

What I Can Share with Hosts

I wish I had more valuable skills while travelling, but here are some things that come to mind:
- Photos: I always enjoy taking photos of those I'm with!
- A mighty fine Filipino dinner
- My personal experiences and knowledge; Let's have good conversation!
- Some breakdance moves :)
- My weight training/nutritional knowledge (I feel weird for listing this, but my friends ask me a lot of the time for advice if that's any indication).
- My deep gratitude!!!

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Philippines, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States