Since going away to college I've been through triumphs and setbacks, excitement and boredom, and have gained as well as lost friendships that I thought would last a lifetime. I've also seen more of the world and done things that I thought I would never ever do just a year ago. Because of those experiences, I'm now more secure in myself than in probably any other time in my life, and it's a really really great feeling. In retrospect I don't regret my negative experiences because I want to regard them as learning opportunities for the future.

[If you read this and my references, you'll realize that my pieces are super super long. I love introspective writing, and it's one of my favorite hobbies even though I don't really keep a diary or a blog. Turns out, I also write for my campus' student newspaper, but in those pieces I've had a limited opportunity to really express myself.]

I'm pursuing a double degree in Urban Design and Planning and International Studies at the UW (University of Washington). My academic interests reflect almost anything and everything in between these two fields and I honestly wouldn't be able to pick one over the other.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I want to go out and meet new people. Make myself uncomfortable. This is also why I'm committed to travelling alone more. It's not even about living with you or you living with me, but more about hanging out! People are awesome. Participating in CS, it's so cool to see how strangers can instantly become friends and the level of trust that gets developed. I hope to couchsurf more, and not just surfing but also hosting. Because of my housing situation in Seattle, it is very difficult for me to host people. This is also why my response rate is so stubbornly low. This past September, I moved in a house with seven American roommates that I had not previously known, and since then we've had what I can only call phenomenal relations. Everything and everyone is college is so fast paced, so it's great to have some sense of stability and my group of roommates definitely provides that. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that now that we've all lived together for almost three months and they've started to get to know more of my antics, they've be more receptive to the idea of hosting strangers in the house.

Couchsurfing is definitely something that you have to ease into the minds of other people, and over the past few months with the conversations we've all had, I think they'll be willing to do it.

Interests

In Seattle, my favorite hobby hands down in to bike around the city. The experience is truly phenomenal. I'm also a staff writer for the UW's student newspaper, and that gives me so much satisfaction. I'm committed to showing all sides of the story with my reporting, and sometimes go out of my way to find sources with opinions that contradict the "status-quo".

• writing
• books
• design
• reading
• traveling
• blogging
• cycling
• camping
• surfing
• study abroad

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm constanly on the discovery of new music, and I listen to mostly everything. During my recent visit to Austin, I've come across a huge variety of music thanks to MJ!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I'd say I went rafting in Bosnia and almost got hypothermia! The thing is, I've never really been on real camping trips because I grew up in Hong Kong and over there people don't do stuff like this. Also, I really need to get myself a car and tents and sleeping bags before I can do any of this - it really gets some easing into.

This summer I did go solo to Beijing and Pingyao (small town) in China basically without telling anyone. It was right after my 2 month study abroad in Southeastern Europe (the Balkans) and I felt like I needed something more challenging. I met some amazing CS'ers, navigated the confusing train system, and also managed to meet so many cool people, as well as be totally totally independent for probably the first time in my life.

Teach, Learn, Share

I've almost finished reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed, and I feel it totally relates to my type of couchsurfing experience. If you're into memoirs (self reflective writing), read this, and if you're not, go on Amazon and read the first few pages of the book!

12/16/14
I'm really really pumped to watch the film when I finish the book, I'm almost done!!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm always down to meet new people and see more of the "human experience" and I hope this is the same for you, so in these terms what we offer to each other is mutual!

I see myself as a decent person, but don't take my word for it - take a look at my references! I hope I come off as a decent and genuine person on the profile - but really why should you trust me? Actions (and heck I say, peer reviews?!) speak louder than words.

But seriously, we'll be great friends and you'll have a friend in Seattle! How's that?

Countries I’ve Visited

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, China, Croatia, Netherlands, Serbia, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Hong Kong, United States