CURRENT MISSION

Hitting every continent before turning 30

ABOUT ME

Grew up in Northeastern Thailand to a Chinese immigrant family, but ended up speaking Laotian/Northeasten dialect more fluently than Chinese. Spent a year in high school in Alexandria, Virginia, and then moved on to undergraduate study at Middlebury College in winter wonderland Vermont. It had been transformative and rewarding spending time in the state where there are more cows than people and the great Bernie Sanders calls home state. Just finished up a master from University of Virginia and currently a PhD student at University of Texas at Austin.

PHILOSOPHY

"It's a long road to wisdom, but it's a short one to be ignored." from the song "Flowers in your hair" by the Lumineers. I think being cultured and constantly learning from others are essential part of living a life to the fullest. Thus, I try to keep myself open-minded and not to restrict myself in my comfortable bubble. I have constant urge to treat my youth at my best--traveling as much as I can, seeing new things, learning new ideas from people.

In terms of life-long goal, growing up in a family that does not have much makes me not take things for granted. My philosophy with regard to my work and the future is that whatever work or direction of work I end up choosing, it has to contribute to the society somehow. I swear I'm not a beauty pageant in training.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Pretty new to the site and the CS community, but I am looking forward to learning more about the community and fellow travelers in the future.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I am a frequent airbnb user who is trying to transition into a couch surfer after I've heard about great experience and friendship found in the CS community.

Interests

I enjoy traveling, meeting new people, and learning from them. Photography is my passion, and new tricks and critiques from fellow photographers are always welcome. I like both outdoorsy and relaxing quite activities. I am a runner and a skier. I did some catering in college, so cooking to me signifies hiatus from a hectic day. I also like any kinds of art. If you need a company to go explore live music, movies, theaters, and museum, I'm your man. Last but not least, although I do science for a living and learning about technology will always be my favorite, I am an avid follower of politics and culture.

• arts
• culture
• photography
• beauty
• cooking
• flowers
• politics
• technology
• movies
• traveling
• music
• live music
• skiing
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: Fictions--The Fault in Our Stars, History of A Pleasure Seeker, Le Grand Meaulnes, Little Bee by Chris Cleave, Driftless by David Rhodes, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles, Lavinia by Ursula Kroeber Le Guin
Non-Fiction-- Unbroken, Anything political science and life science related is interesting to me.

Movies: I like movies with twisted characters because they remind me not to look at a person from one point of view. Hence, Transamerica, Little Miss Sunshine, Inside Llwyn Davis, Vicky Christina Barcelona and etc.,
I like Steve McQueen, Alexander Payne, the Coen brothers, Woody Allen, and Alfronso Curon

Shows: Currently have too many shows on the list. Downton Abbey, Dexter, Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Suits, White Collar (all because of Matt Bomer), and House of Cards.

Musics: Jazz, Folk, Singer/Songwriter pop, and Alternative. Recently, electronic music keeps popping on my ipod.
To include all my Favorites, I have to use sky as my paper and sea water as my ink to write them all down. On top of my head--The Black Keys, Portugal. The Man, Norah Jones, Sufjan Stevens, Green River Ordinance, Avett Brothers, Amy Winehouse, Late Night Alumni, Good Old War, Joshua Radin, and Kings of Convenience.

Teach, Learn, Share

I am all about learning without learning I would wither like a flower without water. Believe me almost anything is interesting to me and I am willing to share my experience.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Cambodia, Japan, Laos, Mexico, Thailand, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Thailand, United States