CURRENT MISSION

Expanding the map of my personally known world

ABOUT ME

I am thoughtful and caring, and my job as a high school teacher has made me learn to be patient and look for the best in people. I enjoy meeting new people and gaining insights about other people's experiences. I am generally cheerful, though I think of myself as intellectually cynical.

PHILOSOPHY

generally to maximize usefulness and happiness - the greatest good for the greatest number...and furthering that goal through learning, listening, humor, and working for social change on a small scale.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have met some delightful people, who have helped me experience their areas in ways I couldn't have done on my own as a typical traveler, and I have enjoyed meeting people from other countries and showing off the trails and cuisine of the Bay Area where I live.

Interests

hiking, camping, reading, writing, soccer, volleyball, history, art, food, climbing, botany, ecology, martial arts, laughter, learning, philosophy, running, warning signs, primary sources, telenovelas, what you dream about, your favorite place, leaving things a bit better than I found them

• arts
• writing
• dining
• running
• reading
• socializing
• magic
• hiking
• camping
• martial arts
• rock climbing
• soccer
• volleyball
• ecology
• teaching
• history
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

I like all types of music and movies. I have love affairs with too many books to have a favorite, but ones that perennially top the list are: Pride and Prejudice, House of Leaves, Good Omens, La muerte de Artemio Cruz, Catch-22, To the Lighthouse, Los recuerdos del porvenir, Arcadia, Canticle for Leibowitz...

Currently reading: Sapiens

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I'm amazed constantly by the world, especially people - their capacity for almost anything, good or bad. I find myself humbled and awed by nature, from the magic of photosynthesis to boulders and mountains and trees so large that they can shift my perspective.

Most recent amazing things I've witnessed: a ghostly moon rainbow over the Pacific, and (unrelated) amazing resilience in the young people I have the pleasure of working with.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Cooking a meal, travel and teaching stories, interesting questions

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Ecuador, Guatemala, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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