CURRENT MISSION

Exploring Southeast Asia, music, and our lives together.

ABOUT ME

Greta: I really care about friends and family. Professionally I am interested in public health and child and adolescent psychiatry - particularly in enhancing Western treatment options by learning what works well in other cultures.

Jesse: I've been gradually working more and more since graduating from college. My favorite jobs are those as a trombonist and musician, where I feel like I'm in my element. I also find interest in working at a radio station, and teaching music, math and reading, which I hope will be part of my future. I have dreams which, a lot of the time, unfortunately never come to frutation. Biking is one of the ways I unwind and exercise, and I don't mind getting greasy and dirty working on them, too. I like seeing heads turn when I go by with two stuffed panniers and a trombone on my back!

PHILOSOPHY

Jesse: It's evolving free of 'isms,' perhaps only because I've never studied philosophy. Generally, I think eye contact and a genuine smile breaks any barriers. I believe educating children well is a key to peace. If you have faith in the decisions you make, your life will go in the direction it needs to... even if it doesn't seem like it at the time... I've been studying Quakerism recently, and am finding that my feelings about listening within to determine my course align very much with Quaker thinking and values.

Greta: Respect others and do good work.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Greta: Listening to Jesse's stories and total enthusiasm.

Jesse: Most recently, as a surfer. My roommate wasn't comfortable with the idea when I lived in Budapest, so I had to get my CS experience at other peoples' pads. I really like meeting people during transit from place to place (when they're most taciturn). It seems younger travelers are usually acquainted with CSing, so it's nice to write them references!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Jesse: Fantastic hosts in Austria, Italy and Slovenia. Also fun times with other CSers here in Albuquerque It's amazing what people have inside them that comes out when they meet like spirits.

Greta: Love to travel, total newbie at CSing but I have always loved the idea.

Interests

Jesse: Music. I'm a fairly decent trombonist, and I love playing all kinds of stuff with all kinds of people - the more exotic the collaboration, the better! I listen to music much of the time, and there's very little that I don't find interesting.

Greta: I am interested in what makes the world tick and in working towards peace and justice.

• concerts
• cooking
• breakfast
• exercise
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• opera
• cycling
• mathematics

Music, Movies, and Books

Jesse: Let's see, books! Recently I've read Shogun, Committed, Till We Have Faces, The Children of Hurin, and many sections of the Lonely Planet guidebook to SEA on a shoestring :-) I also should mention the many, many children's books I have read through my tutoring job.

And how about RADIO?! I am a big fan of the weekly Metropolitan Opera broadcasts that go over the air nationwide on Saturdays.

Greta: I will read any literature and especially enjoy that which changes my world view. I like learning about music from friends and making folk music.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Greta: Worked for equality at my med school in Global Health and for everyone who's part of the sexuality/gender identity spectrum (i.e. everyone). I think every day is pretty amazing.

Jesse: Seen the sudden flash of understanding in my students' eyes and know I've made the world a little brighter. Sunrises and sunsets in New Mexico, the prettiest I've ever seen. Played not one, but TWO great concerts in Carnegie Hall. Organized a very successful concert and fundraiser for Haiti Earthquake relief in 2010.

Teach, Learn, Share

Greta: I recently taught a class called "Your Brain on Music" to a bunch of highschool musicians. They were awesome.

Jesse: I can offer to teach you some trombone, and play for you, too! I've worked hard to develop a solo repertoire to take on the road with me as I explore Southeast Asia. That is my gift I want to share with people. But if you don't dig that, I can also spin stuff on my fingers, cook a great egg breakfast, and fold a napkin to look like the Sydney Opera House.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Cambodia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Laos, Slovakia, Spain, Thailand, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Hungary, United States

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