CURRENT MISSION

Volunteer wherever I'm needed...

ABOUT ME

I've been a self-employed computer consultant for 15 years before I decided to quit and become a full time volunteer. I'm currently volunteering for the local chapter of American Red Cross as a disaster action team member. We respond to house fires and help victims with lodging/food/clothing, etc. I am trained for national disaster relief work, in the areas of sheltering, feeding, logistics, warehousing, etc. and have responded to 5 or 6 major disasters. Part of the Red Cross experience led me to the medical field, so these days, when I'm not volunteering, I work as a part-time paramedic. I had recently finished my BSN degree and received my RN license at the end of 2014, hoping to utilize it in the future for volunteer work as well.

I occasionally volunteer for a local women's shelter and Eight days of hope, an organization helping people rebuilding their houses after disasters. I have also been volunteering at a free clinic in Ferguson, Missouri since April 2014.

PHILOSOPHY

It's 90%+ luck. For the rest 10%, I will try my best...

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've been both a host and surfer. Enjoyed both!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

We hosted 3-4 times and surfed twice. Can't wait for more.

Interests

History. Traveling. Good food. Reading. Movies. Discussions.

• dining
• clothing
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• volunteer work
• camping
• history
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

I watch a lot of movies and read a lot of books. A wide variety of subjects.

Movies: Matrix, The Godfather, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Inception, Shawshank Redemption, The Usual Suspects, Pulp Fiction, The Battle of Algiers, Goodfellas, Heat, Fight Club, Love Actually, Contact, Kill Bill 1, Kill Bill 2

Music: Blue October

Books: A History of the Middle East, The Guns of August, Ghost Wars, A Peace to End All Peace, The Ascent of Money, Three Cups of Tea, The Ugly American, Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, A Savage War of Peace: Algeria 1954-1962, Understanding Iraq, The Kite Runner, The Looming Tower, Ethical Realism: A Vision for America's Role in the World, Osman's Dream: The History of the Ottoman Empire, A People's History of the United States: 1492 to Present, The Shock Doctrine

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I suppose I can say saving lives on the ambulance, but that's just part of the job. Maybe getting to Mt. Everest base camp on the Tibetan side. It was spectacular.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Good conversation and life stories. Travel tips and favorite spots.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Malaysia, Peru, Philippines, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, China, United States

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