CURRENT MISSION

To shape a more loving, compassionate, understanding, connected, laughter-filled world.

ABOUT ME

Dorky but outgoing.
Independent but social.
Introverted but connected.
Easy-going but values-oriented.
Intellectual but playful.
Organized but spontaneous.
Funny but serious.

Positive, calm, and happy and nothing else.

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I'm fully stalkable (lol) at:
http://slowandmindful.com - my blog about happiness
http://nathanchowphoto.com - my photography business

PHILOSOPHY

My Mission in Life:

~ to educate, inspire, and empower everyone to develop their full potential, whether in my classroom, one-to-one coaching with clients, through my art, or in daily interactions with friends or strangers--because the world would be a much better place if everyone used their unique gifts, chased their passions, and showed their beautiful characters

~ to write about and reveal the rawest, most vulnerable, most true, and most particular of human experiences--because life is a universal experience and the moment we realize that all our hopes, dreams, fears, and secrets overlap is the moment we cradle each other with love and understanding

~ to entertain and to find humor, beauty, and joy everywhere--because that contagious thing we call laughter is the most important thing we share

~ to do everything in my control--whether taking small steps or giant leaps--to make the world a more loving, compassionate, understanding, forgiving, and connected place--because each individual life is too short for and humanity as a whole will last too long for anything that even remotely resembles the ugly opposites

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

~ I used to host often (before 2012).
~ Now I only meet up to show someone around my city about once or twice a year.
~ I travel the world and meet strangers. And I tell LOTS of people about this amazing network!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

- I've talked a lot about CouchSurfing and pulled new people into it!

- When I make time to host (no longer available), I was a very involved host. My couch was not a place to just crash. It was a personal Bed & Breakfast that helped you with your itinerary and is interested in who you are, how you think, and what culture you come from. =)

- If I host you or surf with you, I'll give you a juggling show and also teach you how to juggle!

Interests

foooooood
ethnic food
hole-in-the-wall restaurants
adventurous dining
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reading
writing
learning
teaching
coaching
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media arts:
photography
movies / film
web development
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performing arts:
juggling
dancing (salsa, merengue, bachata)
live theater
acting
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active:
soccer
running
basketball
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misc:
travel
adventures
personal development
entrepreneurship
online business
passive income
psychology and human behavior
board games
kids
education
humor
laughter

• arts
• culture
• writing
• theater
• performing arts
• design
• photography
• film making
• acting
• beauty
• dancing
• bachata
• education
• dining
• breakfast
• running
• movies
• board games
• reading
• traveling
• juggling
• blogging
• soccer
• business
• communications
• teaching

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies:
American Beauty, Lilja 4-Ever, (aka), Lilya 4-Ever, Life is Beautiful, The Professional, Fucking Amal, (aka), Show Me Love, Together, In America, Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio, Closer, Ikiru, Little Manhattan, Seeing Other People, Conversations with Other Women, almost anything Scandinavian

Music:
Billy Joel, Celine Dion, Elton John, Enrique Iglesias, Gloria Estefan, Josh Groban, Laura Pausini, Mariah Carey, Rod Stewart, Selena

Authors:
- Thich Nhat Hanh, for: Peace is Every Step, Being Peace
- Kahlil Gibran, for: The Prophet
- Lao Tzu, for: Tao Te Ching
- Annie Dillard, for: For the Time Being, The Maytrees, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
- Mitch Albom, for: Tuesdays with Morrie, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, and his articles
- Paulo Coelho, for: The Alchemist
- Mark Twain, for: Huckleberry Finn, short stories, and his quotes
- Plato, for:, Euthyphro, Phaedo, anything with Socrates in it
- Rafe Esquith, for: Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire, There are No Shortcuts
- Jonathan Kozol, for: Shame of the Nation
- Michael Ondaatje
- Carl Honore
- Neil LaBute
- Junot Diaz
- Rupi Kaur

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

- I once hitched a ride from complete strangers when I was literally stranded on an island! And another time, two complete strangers helped me and my friends pack and made two trips to drive us to the airport--just because we said hello to them on the street. The way these people were so open to giving makes me want to continue to give to the world. I believe in sharing and giving and taking--without keeping score.

- There's a homeless person in my town who always recognizes me and greets me with a smile whenever I pass by now. I've never given him a penny, but I always say hi to him. It seems as if I'm still important to him. It's amazing how a simple human connection makes more of a difference than anything else. Keep making these connections--with your guests, with your hosts, with your family and friends, and with strangers on the street.

Teach, Learn, Share

"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier."
- Mother Teresa

"It is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of somebody else's life with perfection."
- Lord Krishna, in The Bhagavad Gita

Countries I’ve Visited

Bolivia, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Germany, Israel, Jordan, Panama, Peru

Countries I’ve Lived In

Peru, United States

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