I am a very open and accepting person. I love meeting and interacting with new people and learning how they view the world differently than myself. Life is like a great adventure, often exciting, sometimes mundane, but always holding something worth appreciating. Patience and humility are the grounding principles with which I try to live my life. Through these I believe we can form a better understanding of one another and coexist in a more harmonious way.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Ultimately I believe organizations like Couchsurfing build the kind of worldwide communal network and attitude that fosters peace, understanding, and a valuing of maximizing universal beneficence (rather than the widespread valuing of maximizing power/wealth). Meeting new people is one of the greatest joys and learning experiences in my life and I look forward to being able to host people from around the world once I have my own residence at which to do so.

Interests

Growing up I've always had a passion for sports of any and all kinds. Volleyball, basketball, hockey, running, soccer, football, diving, badminton, you name it; however, as I get older I've found you have to be more selective in where you invest your time and there has always been something about the freedom, dedication, balance and community involved in skateboarding that has led it to lie among the greatest loves of my life. Any place I travel to, looking to interact with new urban environments and communities through skateboarding will be an important component of the trip.

My other great love is music. Listen, playing, jamming, writing songs and lyrics, music brings people together like nothing else in this world and I can't get enough of it. Checking out some live shows in the local music scene are a definite must for any place I travel to.

• singing
• human rights
• politics
• music
• live music
• guitar
• skateboarding
• psychology
• social work

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Unlimited but some standouts would be - Ben Howard, Jeff Buckley, John Mayer, U2, Rush, Jack Johnson, Opeth, Beyond Creation, Iron and Wine, Matt Corby

Movies: Into the Wild, Lords of Dogtown, The Lion King, Treasure Planet

Books: Ender's Game, The Beginning of Infinity, The Time Traveller's Wife

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

After my first year of University I took a year off school to travel to Australia. I managed to score my dream job there at a local Skate, Snow, Surf shop called STM in Bondi, Sydney. Selling skateboards and snowboards to local aussies and fellow travellers was the experience of a lifetime. I learned an incredible amount about the industry, people all over the world, and had the privilege of meeting some of my greatest heroes in skateboarding.

Teach, Learn, Share

Although I have never been a part of the couch surfing community I have connected with people from around the world and stayed with and hosted them on different occasions.
In grade 11 I did a German exchange program which sparked a lifelong friendship with my partner in Hannover. His sister became my sister's exchange partner a few years later, he has since come to stay with us multiple times and our families have done the same.
In australia I met a fellow traveller from Brazil who had just arrived in the country and was crossing the same street as myself in search of the beach. I told him i'd take him there and we got to talking and exchanged numbers. A month later he was looking for a place to stay and ended up moving in with my friends and I. We still stay in touch, send song lyrics and ideas back and forth and I am trying to learn Brazilian Portuguese so I can travel to Brazil and jam with him again.
In Australia I also struck up a friendship with a girl from Sweden who I stayed in touch with. Last year we hosted her for a few nights during her travels across North America. My girlfriend and I showed her pumpkin carving for the first time and it awesome seeing her again.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm a genuine person who will respect and be deeply thankful towards anyone who opens up their home to me. If you are looking to get to know me and have someone to do fun things with and show me around your community, awesome. If you're busy living your own life and will only be around for brief conversation now and again, every bit as much appreciated. I am new to the couch surfing community but have heard many great stories from friends and family and hope to make some of my own.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Canada, Germany, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Canada, Germany