CURRENT MISSION

Living up to my full, creative potential as a human being. This includes meeting new people, finding a career worth having, blogging, and living in the moment.

ABOUT ME

My name is Yuan-Tai and it's pronounced "yawn tie". I was born in Taiwan but I came to Canada at the tender age of 5. I was once thought of as a mute in school because I didn't understand any English. The last school I attended is the University of Toronto where I learned about Aristotle and Freud and all kinds of other strange people. Right after, I took a job selling books in a local bookstore until I jumped at an opportunity to move to Edmonton, Alberta. I worked up north at an oil site for a year and a-half until I got sick of it and now I'm here...working on my couchsurfing profile...

I can tell you more, but let's do that over coffee!

PHILOSOPHY

IN ORDER TO BE HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL, YOU HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR LIFE.

The biggest regret people have when they are on their deathbeds is they didn't live a life that was TRUE TO THEMSELVES. They lived a life based on other people's expectations... and guess what? They found out their life sucked and now they are dying. Don't end up like one of those people!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Couchsurfing (CS) is no doubt one of the greatest inventions of the modern age. I have nothing but good things to say about CS. I've have met a handful of people through CS and all of them have been gracious, kind-hearted people. I definite recommend CS for travelers and hermits alike to connect with new and wonderful people.

I'm always down to meet people and have deep discussions about life and what it all means.

Interests

Philosophically, psychologically, and existentially it boils down to these questions: How to live authentically, how to share meaning with others, and ultimately, how to be happy?

Check out my blog for some of my thoughts on things:
https://eleganthinker.wordpress.com/

• books
• environment
• coffee
• socializing
• blogging
• psychology

Music, Movies, and Books

I enjoy a variety of movies. My absolute favorite movies pander to the big questions of life. Especially movies where the characters are conscious of the fragility of life. Movies with a lot of philosophical chatter. The Before Trilogy by Richard Linklater... which is basically ALL talk. Adaptation. written by Charlie Kaufman. Woody Allen. Forrest Gump. I love Forrest Gump.

My favorite music are powerful love ballads where the singer can just pour his or her heart out. There is something beautiful about emotion passionately expressed.

Books: My absolute favorite author is Haruki Murakami. His stories are hand-crafted with such love and precision you cannot stop reading. However, I read mostly non-fiction because I'd like to get a better grasp of how the world works and how I can better myself as a person. Recently, the best book I've read is called Millionaire Next Door. That one talks about how real millionaires are generally humble and frugal people and it's no secret how anyone can be just like them.
I go through a lot of books and am generally happy to discuss and talk about books if you are interested.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I like witty insults that happen spontaneously in conversations and I guess this one is something I'm rather proud of.

[Context: in a new work environment with another co-worker and boss. Co-worker happens to be the biggest guy in the office.]

Co-worker: Yeah... so that was when I was young and stupid.

Me: I guess now you're just stupid, huh?

Boss: o_O

Bonus:

[This one is from my friend.]

Me: We're like those starving artists.

Friend: I think we're just starving...

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you some philosophy and psychology things I've learned over the years. I think the biggest idea I learned in university is the thought that much of our experiences and attempts to understand the world is mediated by narratives i.e., human beings have a unique capacity to understand and tell stories. This special ability, I believe, is one of the keys to solving the mystery of the human mind.

I can also show you the best places for pho and/or sushi.
And how to play some boardgames.

Countries I’ve Visited

United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Taiwan