CURRENT MISSION

see the world and leave my mark...but not by urinating on a tree

ABOUT ME

loud
free-spirited
confident
smart
laugher
outspoken
adventurous
open-minded
verbose
energetic
adaptable
spontaneous
independent
versatile
confident
passionate
unique
[and CLEARLY modest]
sarcastic

Born and raised in the USofA, I'm the best kind of American. Born in Los Angeles, baptized in New Orleans, and built in Philadelphia. I can claim the best bits of my country, the relaxed West Coast, the hospitable and food-loving South, and the tough and feisty East Coast. The first time I went overseas was (appropriately) with my parents to their home country, Vietnam. It was the first time my parents had returned to Vietnam in over 20 years. It taught me a lot about who I am and showed me I had a love for traveling.

After uni, I started floating around the world. I spent a 1 1/2 years working and living in Asia, teaching youngsters in South Korea, then flying with a one-way ticket to Mongolia, not knowing where I'd end up. After galavanting in China and Southeast Asia, then volunteering in India, I somehow found myself falling in love with Melbourne, Australia for another 1 1/2 years. In Melbourne, life was lived to the max. There, I learnt I had a love for cycling, cheese, and the outdoors, just to name a few. I took one month driving solo across the US from Philadelphia to San Francisco, where I live now as a free-lance life-lover. I live life as it comes because I was only given one. SO WHEN I DO IT, I KILL IT.

I'm a typical American, which means I'm outspoken and brutally honest. I will always voice my opinion and tell the truth. Even if it hurts... but only if you ask. I think of myself as fabulous. I don't apologize for who I am, and I don't give a sh*t if your friends don't like me (How American was that?).

I believe travel is at least 51% intuitive. Yes, there are temples, museums, and landmarks, sure. But that's barely the reason I travel. I travel to learn new things and because it's impossible to avoid, I learn new skills for myself, such as survival or extroversion. I learn how to expand my own limitations, and I learn the hard way when I've expanded too far.

PHILOSOPHY

Life's not about how many days you can live but feeling alive every day.

A good laugh is like an orgasm for the soul.

Boredom is a luxury.

The world is my oyster, and I shall eat it raw.

There are no regrets. Only lessons.

Learn it. Live it. Love it.

Better to err on the side of nosiness.

Judge not lest ye be judged.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Joined on the suggestion of a trusted professor.

Met incredible, interesting, and wild people through social events, meet-ups, and surfing.

Recommended others to join, whether for travel or horizon-expanding.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've traveled with, hosted, and surfed with so many amazing people that I never would have met otherwise. Some of which are my closest friends to date.

Interests

travel (like, duh)
food
cigars
beer (the darker the better)
wine
cheese (the stinkier the better)
road cycling (I cycle 100km for fun on the weekends. I'll smoke ya)
Pilates
Zumba
body art (don't ask me if they hurt, it's a stupid f*cking question)
modeling (yerp)
British TV (a guilty pleasure)
discovery (a daily endeavour)

but most importantly...making a difference, whether on a socioeconomic scale or in the life of a single person

• arts
• body art
• dining
• wine
• cheese
• beer
• pilates
• modeling
• zumba
• flying
• tv
• traveling
• survival
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• surfing
• bungee jumping
• teaching
• languages
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

"Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine." Casablanca, 1942

"Unfortunately, in America, babies are not found in cola cans. I asked my mother when I was four, and she said they came from eggs laid by rabbis. If you aren't Jewish, they're laid by Catholic nuns. If you're an atheist, they're laid by dirty, lonely prostitutes." Mary and Max, 2009

"That's what's wrong with you. You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how." Gone With the Wind, 1939

"Because eventually things move on and you don't take someone to the airport and I never wanted anyone to say to me, How come you never take me to the airport anymore?" When Harry Met Sally, 1989

"Jesus was the original feminist" Dan Brown

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Wore a Sari at an Indian wedding (not an impressive feat, but let's face it, those fancy pants saris are uncomfortable if you value breathing)

Rode a Mongolian camel in the snow

Skydived (Or is it skydove?), bungee jumped, ziplined; let's have a debate on which is scariest

Showered in a windowless/wall-less treehouse 50 meters above the ground with the view of the Lao jungle

Drove a car, bicycle, and motorbike on BOTH sides of the road

Teach, Learn, Share

For what ever reason I can say many things in many languages, but I can't really speak ANY language fluently except English, but I can help you with basics from Vietnamese, Spanish, Korean and maybe even a little Hindi :D

I've worked at a Vietnamese restaurant, so that means I can give you hints on how to make authentic Vietnamese food at home....

I'm really into home-made remedies. For what ever reason I have a plethora of info on how to make natural skin improvers, hair products, and mosquito repellents.

I'm a software engineer by day, so we can nerd out about techie things.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China, Fiji, France, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Laos, Mexico, Mongolia, New Zealand, Samoa, South Korea, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, South Korea, United States

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