CURRENT MISSION

To go wherever life takes me

ABOUT ME

I live near the Daehangno area of Seoul, teaching English Literature and other classes at a local public high school. This is my second stint in Korea, but my first in Seoul. I've been here since March 2009.

I'm originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. I love the city where I'm from, but right now it's just not where I'm interested in living. I love living in Seoul and am looking to be here for a couple years at least. After that, who knows . . .

PHILOSOPHY

Don't take life too seriously, because it just isn't that serious. Do things that make you happy. Try to be a good person. Don't let little things (or big ones, for that matter) get you down. Life's short, you've got to enjoy it while you can.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've had great experiences couchsurfing in Japan and Korea, and have hosted a few cool people at my place in Seoul as well. Only good things to say about the whole CS experience.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Had a really amazing time couchsurfing in Gyeongju, Busan, and Fukuoka last summer. Met loads of cool people and just generally had a blast. Also recently hosted a couple of folks in my new apartment in Seoul, and again had very positive experiences. I'm looking forward to both surfing again soon and having a chance to host more surfers in Seoul.

Interests

I love to read but don't do it nearly as much as I'd like to. My education background is in literature and in education, but most of my work experience (in the U.S., anyway) is in Special Education, Autism. I adore the kids I work with, both in Korea and at home.

My other big interest is photography. I'm fairly new to it as a serious hobby, but I take pictures every single day, and I'm pretty serious about trying to make them good ones.

I try to get out hiking as much as I can, as there are loads of great places to go near Seoul. I enjoy outdoor activities a great deal, and am looking to participate in some new ones soon.

• literature
• photography
• education
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• surfing
• teaching

Music, Movies, and Books

Too many to list, really. My favorite author is still (probably) Kurt Vonnegut, though he's got plenty of competition. My literary interests span most genres, but are generally restricted to the latter half of the 20th Century.

As for movies, I like watching foreign films a fair bit. My favorite Korean films are My Sassy Girl and Oldboy. I always tell people my other three favorites are The Princess Bride, Pulp Fiction, and Princess Mononoke. I think its funny that two out of three involve the word 'princess'.

Bob Dylan. The Band. I am obsessive about these two. I'm trying to get out of my 60s rut lately though and am trying out a lot of newer music with the help of friends.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, China, Japan, Laos, Mexico, Thailand, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

South Korea, United States

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