CURRENT MISSION

To meet interesting people, share experiences, and foster a network spanning the globe.

ABOUT ME

A lover of adventure, and a nurturer by nature. Patience, kindness, and compassion are predominant qualities.

I'm currently working on what will be a pretty amazing garden, occupied by chickens and bees.

I'm also applying to grad programs in occupational therapy.

PHILOSOPHY

To laugh is to risk appearing a fool,
To weep is to risk being called sentimental
To reach out to another is to risk involvement,
To expose feelings is to risk showing your true self
To place your ideas and dreams before a crowd is to risk being called naive,
To love is to risk not being loved in return,
To hope is to risk despair,
To try is to risk to failure.
But risks must be taken because the greatest risk in life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing is nothing.
He may avoid suffering and sorrow,
But he cannot learn, feel, change, grow or live.
Chained by his certitude, he is a slave who has forfeited his freedom.
Only a person who risks is truly free.

- Janet Rand -

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've hosted for travelers, and I've participated in CS community events. Meeting new people and exchanging ideas is such a rewarding experience.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've hosted people since I first had an apartment, usually through impromptu experiences. Now that I'm in a shared house, there's a lot more room and community to share.

One time that I was stuck at the Seattle airport late on a cold night. All of the hostels and hotels under $100/night were booked. I started asking interesting-looking people at the airport if they had a couch I could rent for the night. The nicest person I spoke with said that he would if his house wasn't already full. He recommended the couches at the international section of the airport (comfy), and I used napkins for earplugs, so it worked out well enough.

One week later, back in Portland, I ran into his sister, who he had been picking up from the airport. She and her friend were going to stay at the now defunct Clown House on Alberta St, but it had just become non-existent. Since I live a few blocks away, they stayed with me for a week and talked me into climbing trees with them.

I live for the serendipity of unlikely reunions.

Interests

Cuba, beekeeping, riding bikes, walking long distances, urban exploration. I lead legally sanctioned group trips to Cuba from the US about once a year.

• chickens
• running
• walking
• gardening
• baseball
• rock climbing
• urban exploration

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I was run over by a bus and lived to tell about it!
I was mugged in Costa Rica, and discovered some hidden bravery and tenaciousness within myself that prevented them from absconding with my new camera. The damage I retained was limited to a couple thumps on the head, some scratches on my torso from the dull switchblade, and a partially erased big toe from being dragged across the sidewalk (lesson learned: never wear flip-flops in major cities), though that healed up nicely. In addition to renewed faith in myself, I even managed to score the Jack Pumpkinhead baseball cap that belonged to one of the thugs as a souvenir.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm studying acrobalance. If you have any experience with it, let me know if you'd like to play around. It's a great practice in connecting with people through focus, shared intention, and trust.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States