CURRENT MISSION

To keep it simple. To love others. To enjoy life. To laugh.

ABOUT ME

I can easily say that I'm a pretty simple person. I find beauty in simple things, particularly random acts of kindness. That's primarily why I'm such a big believer in CouchSurfing. I'll more than likely never see the people I've hosted ever again, but that's not what it's about. It's about helping people and hoping that that person will help somebody else down the road.

I love meeting new people and learning about their experiences, passions, ideas, and interests. I also enjoy learning about the cultures of the world, cooking different types of food, helping both complete strangers and my friends achieve their goals, and (a tad on the other end of the spectrum) watching a Cubs game at Wrigley with an Old Style.

In March 2011 I resigned from my job as a refugee case manager in the United States to pursue a paid or volunteer opportunity in Kenya working with refugees. I sold my car and moved to Nairobi with nothing planned other than to find a job with refugees. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a job in the 6 months I lived there, so I just returned to the US on September 26. I am now working as a refugee case manager in Sioux Falls, SD.

PHILOSOPHY

I am trying to live a life of service to others. I have a history of making unconventional decisions that go against "the norm", and they almost always result in great, memorable experiences.

I love meeting new people (talking to strangers) and hearing and learning about their experiences, which is one of the main reasons why I'm on CouchSurfing. I try to surround myself with people who have lived lives completely different from my own and talking. I am forever learning, and I hate it when people think they know everything. I also live for helping people. At the end of each day if I can say that I've laughed, cried, and helped somebody, I go to sleep happy.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have been an active member of CS for more than 7 years and have never had a bad experience. It's a great way to meet open-minded, like-minded and passionate people. I have primarily hosted travelers over the course of those 7+ years; however, I have Surfed a few times as well. There is simply no alternative to CouchSurfing for travelers!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

It's surprising how many people come through Sioux Falls. I've probably hosted about 100 people since I first joined CouchSurfing in 2006, and each experience has been great. I love having the opportunity to show others a piece of my city and how people in Sioux Falls live.

Interests

You name it, I'm probably interested in it.

Learning about and discussing different types of beliefs, faiths, religions, politics, etc; Swahili (all languages, actually); music (listening to it and making it); singing; beer; making lefsa; borscht; novice homebrewing; flags and national anthems of the world; polka.

• singing
• beauty
• concerts
• polka
• dining
• cooking
• beer
• politics
• homebrewing
• music
• history
• languages
• religion
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Musicians: The Devil Makes Three, Mumford and Sons, Black Keys, Avett Brothers, Florence + The Machine, Lily Allen, Ingrid Michaelson, A.R. Rahman, Radiohead, James Taylor, Bob Marley, Ben Harper, Cake...to name a few specifics.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In late May/early June of 2006, I was in Tanzania, Africa. Each day was better than the previous. The quality of life the locals displayed was eye-opening. Many of them have close to nothing materially, but to them they have everything. It was by far the most amazing thing I've ever done. One night in particular continually comes to mind whenever I think of Tanzania. We sang a concert in Iringa for the residents of the city. However, on the way to the concert the entire city lost power. We gave that entire concert in complete darkness. The only light in the building was a tiny flashlight that our conductor held so we could see his hand. For that hour or so, all of our differences with the residents of Iringa disappeared, and we were all the same. We were all one, all together. We couldn't see anything, and because of that I concentrated on the words we sang as opposed to who I was singing to. I then realized that I wasn't singing to them, I was singing with them. It was the most beautiful and most amazing thing that has ever happened to me. Being in Tanzania has inspired me to dedicate my life to helping others. In June of 2008, I went back to Tanzania where I helped build a secondary school.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Czech Republic, Kenya, Tanzania, United States

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