CURRENT MISSION

Appalachian Trail to be completed in Aug 2015

ABOUT ME

Long-distance hiker. Runner. Traveler. Researcher. International Volunteer. Nature-lover. Educator. Graphic designer.

From 4/4/2014 to 8/18/2014, I backpacked the entire length of the Pacific Crest Trail, thus becoming the first Chinese citizen to become a PCT finisher.

A citizen of China, I have been to 10 different countries, and traveled around the most of the States. As a student, I am a frugal traveler -- I only spend when I need to. Camping and Couchsurfing are my favorites. I also believe that if you don't meet and greet and talk the local people of a place, you would never be able to appreciate it fully.

In summer 2013, I hitch-hiked from Salt Lake City to Denver, and started my 31-day, 486-mile Colorado Trail thru-hike there. Almost a month later, I arrived at the trailhead at Durango, Colorado, thus successfully completing the long journey, and becoming the first Chinese female to solo backpack this trail.

I also have another side of me being an intellectual in having worked in 3 research labs that resulted in multiple presentations and posters. I graduated college with a Summa Cum Laude degree in psychology, with an almost perfect GPA, 4 student organization government positions, numerous job and internship experiences under my belt.

I'm passionate, adventurous, and energetic in pursuing what I love. However there's another side of me that enjoys peace, nature, tranquility and mindfulness.

PHILOSOPHY

Live as if I were to die tomorrow.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Up to June 2014, I have couchsurfed 8 times all around the world. The hosts and locals I met are some of the most inspiring people around and I got to experience their cities in a different way due to our interactions. Even though some stays were brief, I made great friends who are original, peaceful, and just amazing.

Interests

Traveling, hiking, reading, photography, painting, music, running, international volunteering, linguistics, philosophy, poetry, dancing, NGO management, marketing/social media, civic engagement, meditation, philosophy...anything art and cultural-oriented!

• arts
• books
• poetry
• design
• graphic design
• photography
• dancing
• running
• meditation
• reading
• traveling
• painting
• music
• hiking
• backpacking
• camping
• communications
• teaching
• psychology
• tourism
• volunteering
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Books--Wuthering Heights, The Little Prince, Momo, Tess of the D'urbervilles, Harry Porter, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Secret Garden, Lord of the Flies, The Cather in the Rye, On the Road, Sophie's World...

Music--Laura Marling, Joshua Radin, Sophie Zelmani, Katie Herzig, Rilo Kiley, Paper Aeroplanes, Vienna Teng, Delta Goodrem, Dido, Nerina Pallot, Coldplay, Florence and the Machine, Deas Vail, The Cardigans, Mumford & Sons, Landon Pigg, Rachael Sage, Lisa Hannigan, Jaymay, Regina Spektor, Beck, Radical Face, James Blunt, Shakira, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Damien Rice, Carrie Underwood, Sara Bareilles, Keane, Katie Melua...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

First Chinese woman to backpack the entire 2650-mile Pacific Crest Trail (heard of the book Wild?) First Chinese woman to solo backpack the 800-mile Colorado Trail. Hitch-hiked from Salt Lake City to Denver in 2 days. Went into "The Wave", where only 20 people could enter each day through a lottery system; Went on two 4000-mile roadtrip within half a year; Hiked several mountains that are over 3500 feet in the Catskill Mountain Range; Taught at a local organic farm for a bunch of young children in Costa Rica; Volunteered in 3 research labs within 2 years; Did four 5K races in one semester.

Teach, Learn, Share

visited 11 states (4.88%)Create your own visited map of The World or Like this? try: Triposo Travelhacks

visited 29 states (58%)Create your own visited map of The United States or Brazil travel guide for Android

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, United States