CURRENT MISSION

get more sleep.

ABOUT ME

I grew up in a tiny town of about 300; we did a lot of outdoorsy things growing up- i.e. rock climbing and river rafting. That hasn't really ever left me. As a result of my upbringing (I think), I also like to do things like haul brush and learn carpentry. I am more than happy to do some yardwork in exchange for hospitality.

On balance (also a result of my upbringing), I'm pretty serious about school; my most recent research has been into the morphosyntax of Pashto, a language of Afghanistan and Pakistan. I find cross-linguistic generalizations exceptionally cool. I am still married to the idea that language is a fundamental part of cultural understanding.

Hmmm... what else?
I am pretty outgoing: I like to dance and meet new people. If I go out at all, it is usually to dance salsa.

I love to cook, and do communal dinners with whoever is home. Really into open water swimming at the moment, as I broke my back in 2010 and can't run anymore.

PHILOSOPHY

I try to hold this one close, but sometimes I forget:

Fill your bowl to the brim
and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife
and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security
and your heart will never unclench.
Care about other people's approval
and you will be their prisoner.

Do your work, then step back.
The only path to serenity.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Hosting, hosting, hosting and being hosted. My whole family is on CS, including my parents. I suppose it all started when we took foreign exchange students in high school, but has continued in full force. One of the best things about hosting is rediscovering your own area through your guests. Being hosted restores my faith in humanity.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

We have hosted glorious individuals. My favorite was probably a Frenchman, Alexi, or Brock, who has a giant handlebar mustache and is pedaling around the US spreading awareness about kindness.

Interests

Rock climbing, salsa dancing, dancing in general, cooking, language typology, Pashto, syntax, crossword puzzles, rafting, riding my bike, swimming, jumping into the ocean, signed languages, foreign affairs, theater, hiking, shooting pool.

• theater
• dancing
• salsa dancing
• cooking
• running
• billiards
• puzzles
• cycling
• hiking
• hunting
• rock climbing
• swimming
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

I am really bad at remembering books and movies that I like. Harumph. I seem to remember being a big fan of The Princess Bride. I'm not into horror films or really bad comedies.

Music? Habib Koité, Francis Cabrel, acoustic guitar, Bluegrass (when the time is right), Motown (if I am cleaning the house), Citizen Cope, Most classic rock, some reggae...I don't know... the terribly ambiguous and somewhat OECD-centric category of "world music"

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Tutored a Japanese foreign exchange student with severe cerebral palsy who couldn't talk. She was inspiringly smart, and taught me truckloads.

Teach, Learn, Share

Salsa (the dance). Good basic balsamic vinaigrette.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador, Georgia, Honduras, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Croatia, France, United States

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