CURRENT MISSION

Live a life.

ABOUT ME

I grew up in Taiwan and currently live in New York. Used to be an editor and teacher; still work as a translator and graduate student. More info, please see below.

PHILOSOPHY

Live and learn.
"I never let schooling interfere with my education-- Mark Twain."

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I wish I can travel around the world "depending on the kindness of strangers." Likewise, I will be a kind host when the time arrives. I enjoy meeting fun people with good traveling spirit and I am trying every possible way to meet those people on the road.

I have hosted CSers, been hosted by cool CSers, participated in CS events, and made donations.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have couch surfed as a guest twice so far and I fully enjoyed it. I love the philosophy behind CS. It is fun and heartwarming at the same time. CS experience makes a loving world. It is definitely a very different and worthy experience from staying in a hostel (although I do enjoy meeting people in a hostel as well.)

I have also hosted people I have never met before a couple of times through different connections. Those too are very genuine experiences.

Interests

Travel. Personal essays. Poems. Films. Music. Architecture. Beautiful things. Writing. Humor.

• arts
• writing
• poetry
• architecture
• concerts
• education
• dining
• working out
• partying
• clubbing
• pub crawls
• shopping
• news
• movies
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• jazz
• blues
• boxing
• teaching
• languages
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

Recent films that I enjoy include Samurai Rebellion (1967), Please Vote for Me(2007) Harakiri (1962), Salesman (1969), Early Summer (1951), Buffalo '66 (1998), A Story of Floating Weeds(1934), Cool Hand Luke(1967), The Apartment (1960), Closer (2004), Doubt (2008), Deer Hunter (1978) and The Visitor (2007).

The latest music I purchased are works by She & Him, Shelby Lynn, David Gray, Mercury Rev, Tizzy Bac, Donald Fagen, and A Camp. I'm listening to the albums "Raising Sand" and "Colonia" recently. I just went to White Lies, Friendly Fires, Rachel Goodrich, Hope Sandoval, Gogol Bordello and Norah Jones's concerts. çŽ

Teach, Learn, Share

If you are a new CSers, before you send out any requests to fellow CSers, please do take some time to fill out your personal information as much as possible. It is very helpful (and reassuring) for the hosts to get to know you better before they meet you. :)

Most of my CS experience is positive. However, there are also times that I think CS users could have a better sense of courtesy, timing and compassion just so both sides can work out a best schedule without unnecessary suspension. There are times I almost feel exploited-- making room to accommodate a meeting or a hangout, providing possible to-do lists (as requested), and yet, the CSers who had requested my time could seem too careless to care-- as if once their needs have been met, then they don't care anymore (they disappear, they fail to respond in time and etc..)

Having said that, I still have a fond feeling for this community and I hope all CSers (including myself) are aware of the fact that the world does not revolve around them. It is not only YOUR travel experience that counts--People also have their life to carry on, so please be considerate and make CS experience a good one. :)
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For those of you who want to come visit New York and like some recommendations, here they are--

1. Useful newsletters and on-line sources

Before you come, you could register on this website:
www.nonsensenyc.com/

They usually send out a newsletter to your email box
telling you what fun is coming up. Very useful insider
news (parties and events) for the locals.

Look up New York Magazine or Timeout New York
websites-- they have some information regarding to
general information of entertainments and exhibitions.

http://newyork.timeout.com/section/own-this-city

2. Music Scene

Here's some useful information in case you're looking
for underground concerts to go to--
http://www.bowerypresents.com/

If you are into Jazz/Soul, there's a club called "Terra
Blues" located on Bleeker street that always have good
shows (especially on Friday nights)! :)

Tuesday night after 11pm, a little pub called "Mona's" (224 Avenue B New York) have great jazz jam sessions.

Banjo Jim's is also good to check out (espesially on Monday night after 10pm).

If you want to check out speakeasy type of Harlem jazz jam session, do check out "American Legion" (on 132nd Stret) on Sundays nights (7pm-11:30pm).
3. Museums and Galleries

If you're into art scheme, you might like Chelsea gallery district where you can check out dozens of unique galleries and leisurely spend a whole day.

Williamsburg in Brooklyn (Bedford Ave. on L Line) is a
nice little post-industrial town that also have many
interestings retro/artistic spots.

There are many world-top museums in the city, so you
can do some research on that. If you have some spared time for smaller museums, I would highly recommand Morgan Library Museum and Rubin Museum of Art.

4. Food

I don't go out for food much, but here are some of my favorites:

There's a very nice local burger place (probably the
best in the city) called Shake Shack 77 Street and Columbus avenue, if you're in that neiborhood, you should try it out! (It can also be found in busier Madison Sq. Park)

If you're in SOHO area, you probably would like to
check out a Cuban/Mexican place's delicious corns--
www.cafehabana.com
(between Elizebeth st. and Prince St.)

If you're in East Village area on one of the weekdays,
you probably would love to try out the best Japanese
noodle shop there:
www.ippudo.com/ny

p.s. Acoss from the ippudo noodle shop, there is a Halloween Adventure Store ( 104, 4th Avenue. The largest costume store in the city). You should stop by to check out the gigantic collection of costumes.

...........
As to the rest popular tourists' spots, I'm sure you can find it on tourists' guide.

Enjoy your stay in NYC!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Austria, China, France, Taiwan, United States

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