CURRENT MISSION

to learn more than what I can through academia, and the only way to do that is through meeting new people.

ABOUT ME

I'm a pretty laid back person. I like to be outdoors and go camping, hiking, etc. I'm a big fan of any lawn game (bags, laddergolf, bocce ball, etc). Although I currently live in a rather remote area and love the outdoors, I also greatly enjoy visiting big cities. I'm usually up for just about anything.

I try to go into every situation with a positive attitude. My philosophy that I learned from a biking team that I met once is "if you are not having fun, lower your standards." Sometimes I feel that people expect too much out of a situation and if they would just stand back and look for a way to enjoy themselves in the situation they are in, they would have a much better time.

I do enjoy a good night-life but there is a time and place for everything. If I were to surf with a host who wants to go out and party I am certainly willing to join but I don't find it a necessity for having fun.

PHILOSOPHY

"if you are not having fun, lower your standards"
"happiness is only real when shared"
-In life you must take risks, these risks must be balanced against the consequences, but you can't enjoy the beauty of life without taking risk.
-In general people are good. Its more important to look at all those that are good, than the few that are bad.
-Everyone makes mistakes, learn to forgive.
-Always make your best effort to be respectful.
-Step out of your reality every once in awhile to experience something new and appreciate your usual surroundings, but keep your hold and don't lose yourself and never come back.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

My residence right now is off the beaten path in a small town in north eastern Iowa. Its a beautiful place with lots of great nature and would love to host anyone who wants but I recognize not many will ever make it out to where I live.

I do however have some great connections with a private camping establishment where I host a party for my college and therefore would love to organize a large meeting/gathering for CouchSurfers.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I only recently found out about CouchSurfing from attending a gathering with a friend. I met a lot of great people there but I have yet to surf or host anyone.

My family, however, has hosted foreign exchange students and junior hockey players for many many years and so I grew up in a situation where I was always hosting someone new at my house.

Interests

Camping, hiking, lawn games, board games, theater, movies, meeting new people, festivals, concerts, local music, food, cooking.

• theater
• beauty
• concerts
• festivals
• dining
• cooking
• recipes
• partying
• electronics
• technology
• movies
• board games
• music
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• camping
• hockey

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies- The Princess Bride, SLC Punk, The Man From Earth, The Reader, Dirty Harry, Gran Torino, Pulp Fiction, Into the Wild, Star Wars (episodes IV,V,VI), Fern Gully, Kung Fu Panda, In Bruges, Train Spotting, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Monty Python and the Meaning of Life, Mystery Science Theater 3000...
Music- Yeah Yeah Yeah's, Modest Mouse, Euforquestra, Weezer, Bone Thugs, Sublime, Nirvana, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Erika Badyu, Andre 3000, Common, Ben Harper, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Ben Folds Five...
Books- Ender's Game Saga, A Scanner Darkly, A Brave New World, 1984, Enchanted, Sword of Shannara, Snow Crash, The Blue Nowhere...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Won a bronze medal in the AAU tae-kwon-do Nationals at the age 8 in point sparring.

Teach, Learn, Share

I consider myself a pretty decent cook and would love to teach the recipes I know and/or have created and I absolutely love learning how to make food that I don't know or even experienced before.

I am pretty well versed in technology and am always willing to help people improve their skills with computers and other electronics.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States