CURRENT MISSION

To roam the world thoroughly while in my 20s : )

ABOUT ME

I am a means for the world to know itself : )

I am also me - whoever that is!

Basic stuff: I'm tall, lots of hair, a 2nd generation hippy who was lucky enough to be born into a family of natural, intelligent people who never pushed any way of thinking upon me (or my siblings) but always possessed this understanding which provided the context for much growth at a young age. The "golden days" were from 15 to 18, where I felt most in touch with the glory and majesty of life, and most in lucid touch with it all, and I've spent the following 8 years trying, or failing, or accepting; not living up to that vision yet. Many people are searching for something - I'm the opposite in a way - I feel the foundation I have as a rock which I can only try to live up to in the way I live my life...I'm not searching for the answer to the mystery, I'm seeking a way of manifesting the meaning I've already touched...and not quite lost sight of! I've always thought travelling would help : )

On a simpler level, I'm honest, elastic, grateful, I love meeting new people and finding new challenges...I find it easier to be creative when on the move...I'm thoughtful but forgetful :P ... I'm messy! but only in my own home ;) ;) .... I'm helplessly optimistic, and I'm way too gentle on myself (hence have a few bad habits! :P ) ...

...I want to write one important book in my life... I want to make a lot of unimportant music : ) cos I will never be a professional musician but I love it! ... I want very much to start a charity in the future... the holding name for it is "Fair Comment", if you're interested in Corporate Ethics ask me about it : )

...in terms of money to make a living I teach and write... both of which I enjoy in different ways. I write creatively but don't get paid for that! I write puzzles and academic papers which is work that I can do anywhere where I have WIFI ... the flexibily is the best part about it!

So I guess what matters to me is helping the world how I can, living up to what I know, experiencing the beauty of it all, sharing that beauty, being creative and motivation! I can be way too lazy, another good reason for my travelling : )

The plan in a nutshell is to do the world slowly over 4 years straight, starting in Europe...by the time that's done I'll be 30 (scary!)

PHILOSOPHY

Ahh a tricky one to put in a nutshell.

How about the cell wall analogy? That's a good intro to my outlook I think...

Before the cell membrane evolved there was just an ocean of organic mush. Once the cell membrane evolved we had, for the first time, a meaningful reason to distinguish between inside and outside. There was communication, osmosis, between this inside and outside, but still differentiation. So, on one level, we have two. On another level, we have the one ocean relating to itself in an incredibly complicated way by APPEARING to be two. By appearing to be two separate parts, the whole can relate to itself more thoroughly. This is a good analogy for what we are. We are parts of reality so differentiated that we are AWARE of our own AWARENESS of things! This allows us to have complex identities and a distinct feeling of separation from everything else, even an idea of that separation (This is me, that is not me). But really we are the nerve endings of the Universe. We are the means by which reality comes to know itself. To fall in love we have to first be separate (or feel separate). To come back into unity we have to first go out into diversity. There's a great quote, I forget which Eastern saint said it,

"You can't get in from the outside. There is no outside."

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm completely new to Couchsurfing, I've had it recommended to me by a couple of people, and it looks wonderful :) I hope to use it fairly extensively over my 4 years of travelling! Unfortunately I'm "surfing" my friends sofa for the next few weeks before leaving England so don't have one to offer in my place in Oxford - but I'm happy to show anybody round who needs an introduction to the city :) And I hope to get progressively more involved in helping the whole CS project!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I hope to have some data to put in here by November, as I'm starting my travels in October!

Otherwise it's just been at friends and at parties...so far

Interests

The environment
Human rights
Philosophy
Literature
Writing poems
Playing guitar and harmonica
Travelling :P
Other people
Swimming
Mountain-climbing
Poker!

• writing
• books
• literature
• poetry
• singing
• beauty
• environment
• human rights
• ethics
• partying
• traveling
• socializing
• puzzles
• poker
• music
• guitar
• surfing
• rock climbing
• swimming
• teaching
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

I love so many kinds of music. I can't list them all here. But I grew up on great Sixties material, and that's still the music closest to my heart. If I had to choose one musician's work on a desert island, it'd be Bob Dylan.

I read a lot, can recommend a lot of good books...just ask me.

Movies I'm quite picky over - like independent stuff.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've heard oneness in a waterfall.
I've felt oneness in my love's breathing.
I've helped others in anguish.
I've tripped the light fantastic.
I've seen the Himalayas from the hottest point that is that close to them (part of Nepal).
I've looked into someone's eyes and seen itself looking at itself looking at itself.

Teach, Learn, Share

Well I'm a teacher, so sure :)

Anyone need help with the English language, just ask me :) I'm a qualifed TEFL tutor with 3 years experience.

I'm also very interested in charities, and used to be a fund-raiser as a student.

I would also love to get better at my foreign languages, so please do encourage me to speak in your native tongue if we meet, and if you have the patience!

I'm hoping to pick up a wide range of skills on my way around the world, and happy to share any I have... I suppose a few things I can do would include...

Write.
Teach English language, literature and creative writing.
Scheme new ideas and charitable projects.
Play guitar (tho I'm no pro! and can't teach it :P )
Play poker (I'm not bad)
Make campfires (my favourite way to socialise)
Sing (when I'm not drunk)
I can communicate. I try to be a peace-maker.

Countries I’ve Visited

Barbados, Belgium, France, Greece, Ireland, Nepal, Portugal, Spain, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands, United Kingdom