CURRENT MISSION

Iceland research trip 2013!!!

ABOUT ME

I like good conversation, good music, and good tea. I was born in Indiana but moved to Illinois. During my formative childhood years, I lived in South Dakota - which is why I have a soft spot for vast open plains. Then my family and I moved back to Illinois and we now live right outside of Chicago. I'm an artist who is profundly influenced by German Expressionism. When I was little I've always wanted to travel ever since I got an old atlas from my grandfather (and a lot of national geographics!), and now I'm applying long-term travel to my life goals. I decided that I can't ignore my dreams any longer - seeing the world is a part of me.

PHILOSOPHY

I've met too many people in the world that are quick to judge others. I vowed to do the exact opposite - listen to people. As I travel I think of myself as a sojurner. I'm a guest in a new country, which means I observe my surroundings and listen to its people. I refuse to judge others. I listen, ask questions, and strive to understand their lives and the place they live. Basically, my philosophy on life is this: if you are happy and not hurting anyone, then you're doing just fine.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I joined Couchsurfing before I went to Australia and I had great experiences with it. I think it's the best way to connect with new people from all over the world! The best way that I can participate is to represent myself honestly as a person who is curious about the world and eager to make lasting friendships with people of other cultures.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have surfed couches in Australia (Sydney, Maroochydore, Adelaide, Melbourne) and in Edinburgh, Scotland. It couldn't have been a greater experience meeting and staying with locals! I also attended Couchsurfing meetings in Sydney and Edinburgh. I recently couchsurfed in Iceland and made some great friends. I have also shown couchsurfers from abroad around Chicago!

Interests

Traveling, getting lost, getting found, painting, reading, writing, music, walking, cooking (ah curry!), drawing, expressionism, learning the cello, Slovenia, hummus, German Shepherds, existentialism, etc.

• arts
• writing
• books
• cooking
• walking
• reading
• traveling
• painting
• drawing
• music
• long-term travel

Music, Movies, and Books

The greatest film I have ever seen in my entire life is called 'The Fall' by Tarsem. This film actually stirred a great desire in me to see India.

As far as music goes - Arvo Part changed they way I listen to music. I'm a big classical buff, mostly modern composers like Arvo Part, Hauschka, Zoe Keating, Nils Frahm, Max Richter, Olafur Arnalds, etc. But I also love electronica and trip-hop like Portishead, Massive Attack, and Lamb. Folk and world music has a special place in my collection, mostly Eastern European and Gypsy music, like Warsaw Village Band and Muszikas.
I read all the time. I'm the kind of reader that reads one book by an author and if I like it then I have to read everything by that author! I've read everything by Hermann Hesse, Arthur Rimbaud, and Kahlil Gibran. Other favorites are Henry Miller, Italo Calvino, William Faulkner, and Knut Hamsun.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Stood on top of a mountain in Slovenia with the wind howling in my ears!

Teach, Learn, Share

If anyone crosses paths with me, I love to share my art with them. Whether it's drawing, painting, or printmaking, art is how I experience the world around me. Sharing this with people really shows them who I am as a person. I always carry a sketchbook when I travel!
I am an open book. I am a sponge. I want to discover things: a new language, a folk song, a new way of seeing, a mountaintop. It doesn't matter - what matters is that I learn, and that the world is showing itself to me one person at a time.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Monaco, Slovenia, Spain, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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