Everything about me: http://www.waltgoodridge.com

CURRENT MISSION: To see the world

ABOUT ME
Here is my official website bio:
Walt F.J. Goodridge is
The "Passion Prophet"

A graduate of Columbia University, Walt is a former civil engineer who walked away from his career to follow his passion for music, writing, and sharing information. He has been an artist manager, record label owner, inventor, network marketer and career coach. He is the author of over 25 books including Turn Your Passion Into Profit (A Step-by-Step Guide for Transforming ANY Talent, Hobby or Product Idea into a Money-Making Venture), as well as a prolific poet.

Walt writes for Entrepreneur Magazine and Black Enterprise, and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, Essence, the Dallas Morning News, The Kip Business Report and numerous publications and popular websites. Walt offers personalized coaching and conducts workshops around the country and through the Learning Annex to help others make money doing what they love! " [END BIO]

NEW LIFE:
On February 23, 2006, I escaped from America to live my nomadpreneur dream on Saipan, CNMI (US Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands).
Since arriving on Saipan:

I've written several books about life on Saipan

I've created and currently maintain over a dozen websites about life on Saipan in an effort to improve the international awareness of this beautiful and unique island

I've written a business column in the Saipan Tribune for 5 years entitled the "Saipanpreneur Project" encouraging entrepreneurial success among the local population.

I've been recognized by Senate Resolution by the Northern Mariana Commonwealth Legislature for my contributions to the local economy and community.

I seem to have carved out a niche among WWII enthusiasts (The Battle of Saipan was a pivotal battle in the Pacific campaign which led to the bombing of Hiroshima and surrender of Japan) and have been giving tours of the island since 2007

As a Jamaican-born, Columbia University-educated (civil engineering degree) author and trained public speaker (I do business workshops, too), I offer a unique island-boy's observer's perspective with an engineer's attention to detail that people appreciate.

I speak fluent Spanish, beginner Mandarin and just a touch of Russian.

Five-year archive of my "Saipanpreneur Project" articles with the Saipan Tribune http://www.saipanpreneur.com (Editor: Jayvee Vallejera)

Saipan Senate Resolution recognizing my contributions to the CNMI
http://www.discoversaipan.com/resolution.pdf

Some of my Saipan-related websites:
http://www.welovesaipan.com
http://www.saipanliving.com
http://www.bestofsaipan.com
http://www.saipanfactorygirl.com
http://www.facebook.com/welovesaipan
http://www.discoversaipan.com (my private tours of the island)
"Discover Saipan offers high-end, customized World War II Pilgrimage tours of Saipan, as well as tours by indigenous residents, plus off-the-beaten path trekking, scuba diving, and marine activities/water sports, We have unique relationships with local property owners to allow access to collections of artifacts that exist on private property, and happily provide tours for mobility challenged visitors or those who simply wish to take un-rushed tours at their own pace. We also provide hotel/car rental booking."

A few of my Saipan-related books:

Saipan Living: A comprehensive guide for moving to, finding a job, working, living or vacationing in the Northern Mariana Islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota
website: http://www.saipanliving.com/living.html
and on Amazon

Chicken Feathers & Garlic Skin: Diary of Chinese Garment Factory Girl on Saipan
Chun Yu Wang & Walt Goodridge
Used by several universities and excerpted by a French schoolbook publisher
website: http://www.saipanfactorygirl.com
and on Amazon

Doing Business on Saipan: A step-by-step guide for finding opportunity, launching a business and profiting in the US Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
website: http://www.saipanliving.com/business
and on Amazon

From Bugle Boy to Battleship: A Battle of Saipan and Guam Veteran's Memoirs
by Lloyd Glick as told to Walt Goodridge
website: http://bestofsaipan.com/bugleboy/
and on Amazon

Jamaican on Saipan: The True Story of One Man's Escape from the Rat Race to Live a Personal Nomadpreneur's Dream!: (A Unique Travel Guide for the Rest of Us)
website: http://www.JamaicanonSaipan.com
and on Amazon

6. All other books: http://www.waltgoodridge.com/books
and Walt's Amazon Page

LATEST COUCHSURFING INSPIRED PROJECTS:
"Guess Who's Coming to Dim Sum: The Jamaican in China!'
http://www.jamaicaninchina.com/jicpreview.html

The Coffeepot Cookbook: A Fun, Functional & Feasible Traveler's Guide to Preparing Healthy, Happy Meals on the Go Using Nothing but a Hotel Coffeepot.... and a Little Ingenuity!
http://www.coffeepotcookbook.com

PHILOSOPHY

I share what I know,
so that others may grow.

QQ: 1211345782

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Unfortunately, not many couchsurfers come out this way to Saipan! However, I have taken quite a few tourists on my Jamaican on Saipan tour of the island. See more at http://www.discoversaipan.com

I would encourage ALL VISITORS to Saipan--couchsurfers and others-- to be mindful that while it's a very beautiful and friendly island community, there are dangers (waves, rocky terrain, unexploded World War II ordnance) here too. The rules, particularly at the tourist sites where DEATHS have occurred,
have been developed over many, many years, and are in place for reasons
beyond your own individual safety. Your actions affect the safety of other
visitors, as well as the livelihoods of the security personnel and life guards who are there to make sure EVERYONE is safe, and equally looked after and equally attended to. Your behavior on any one day affects life on Saipan
and even the reputation of your couchsurfing host long after you are gone.

Here on Saipan, Tinian and Rota, we encourage each visitor to think about EVERYONE'S enjoyment!

Interests

Learning Chinese, cycling, table tennis, the environment, finding great music. I write poetry. I've created a new genre of motivational, introspective poetry called "Life Rhymes" which can be viewed at www.liferhymes.com

Music, Movies, and Books

I listen and enjoy all types of music. I used to host a radio program on Columbia University's radio station (WKCR) and listen to reggae, folk, country, alternative, rock, jazz, classical.... I drive with my hand on the seek button.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Quitting my job and walking away from corporate cubicle confinement forever!

Living in China for six months!

Bungee Jumping in Macau! http://www.jamaicaninchina.com/macau-bungee-jump-um-well-let-me-explain/

Teach, Learn, Share

I help people discover their passion and make money at it, and would be more than willing to help others do just that. I can also show people another way to see the world (ie. from the perspective of a transplanted Jamaican expat, living in America, with a penchant for nomadic lifestyle.)

What I Can Share with Hosts

Great conversation (or so I'm told!)
Vegan food and healthy lifestyle

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, China, Guam, Hong Kong, Laos, Macao, Mexico, Philippines, Singapore, Virgin Islands, U.S.

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Jamaica, Northern Mariana Islands, United States

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