CURRENT MISSION

To experience new cultures and listen to mighty fine music.

ABOUT ME

Right now I live in Swanzey, New Hampshire, where I work to pay bills and fund grand adventures. I'm learning how to play the banjo, I'm enrolled in an Italian class and a Portuguese class at the same time (NOT something I recommend, by the way) and I volunteer here and there for things that are important to me. I don't feel fulfilled in my professional life, so I make up for it by putting my free time towards things that make me feel good.

I live with my best friend and my sister (two different people, but I love them dearly and they are both family) in beautiful New Hampshire. I bike often, swim with great relish and long for the days I can ski all day. I've lived in a handful of places throughout the US - Utah, Colorado, DC, Massachusetts - and as much as I love city living, nothing compares to having nature at your doorstep.

It comes highly recommended, to say the least. =)

PHILOSOPHY

I believe people reach their potential when they realize they are constantly improving. With each breath, each step, each decision, each encounter, each moment. Every moment is a chance to turn things around, to make things right, to learn something new, to meet the love of your life, to be scared, to challenge yourself. It's a beautiful thing.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm an active participant of my community - I'm a member of the economic development committee for my town, because I want to help it thrive. I volunteer for the red cross emergency response team, because I want to help my community back on its feet when it's down. I have a little sister in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program because I want to make one kid's life a little better, in a small way, everyday.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

My best friend and I went on a road trip last summer throughout the US, and we made it a goal for ourselves to pay for campsites as little as possible. Sure, that meant that we slept in the car more than we would have liked (and a few times in Wal-Mart parking lots), but we found gems along the way. A random clearing to set up a tent next to Mount St Helens. A couple picnic tables to roll our sleeping bags out under the desert sky in Nevada. A baseball diamond in Missouri. And yes, even a few couches. Between the two of us we had most major cities in the Pacific Northwest covered, so we took advantage of the hospitality of good friends.

I also have a standing invitation to all friends, all the time, in my house. This year alone I've had about 15 friends pass through my home. Some came to visit specifically, others were just passing through, but regardless - it was nice to spend a few hours catching up and reminiscing about what we love about each other.

Interests

I'm interested in foreign affairs and politics - I majored in American Government in college, with two minors in Chinese language (Mandarin) and American Literature. I could read Steinbeck for the rest of my life. I'm interested in music, cultures, dancing, (DANCING!), cycling, driving, and traveling. I like to drink delicious beer, and will not drink beer that is not delicious.

• dogs
• culture
• literature
• make up
• dancing
• beer
• picnic
• exercise
• running
• drinking
• flowers
• politics
• traveling
• music
• cycling
• skiing
• baseball
• swimming
• history
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

The Big Lebowski. If you don't like it, watch it with me. I think I can convince you it's the best movie ever made. Some movies that are also good, but not Big Lebowski good, are Pulp Fiction, The Princess Bride, Field of Dreams, Forrest Gump,

Music - I don't have a favorite, though I will say that Adele is the CD in my car, India Arie is on my iPod (and the last thing I listened to in the shower), Two Door Cinema Club is what I listened to on my bike ride today, and the Fresh Grass Festival was the last concert I went to - and among my favorites were Carolina Chocolate Drops, Bill Evans and Trampled by Turtles. I love music. Cant. Get. Enough.

Books - The Grapes of Wrath, A River Runs Through It, The Risk Pool, STRAIGHT MAN, Native Son, Jane Eyre, Song of Myself, and the Harry Potter series - because everyone deserves to live in a fantasy.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

To date -

Leshan, China. The town square, some normal evening. Music playing, mothers exercising/dancing, fathers playing games, children running and around and playing. I was standing off to the side, thinking about how I wish things like this happened in my town, when a little boy walked up to me and gave me a flower. He was very shy, searching for fear in his mother's knee caps, before and after he gave me the flower. I still have the petals, and I'll never forget him.

Teach, Learn, Share

I like the description of this. Rock on, CSU. Some skills to pass on down the line:

-Assorted noises with my mouth
-How to find joy in Public Radio
-How to turn the number 25 into a dog
-Fun phrases in Chinese
-American History and Culture
-Simple bluegrass tunes on the banjo!

Countries I’ve Visited

Guatemala, Spain, Venezuela

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, United States