CURRENT MISSION

Make the world the size of my backyard and everyone my neighbor!

ABOUT ME

In a nutshell, I'm on a quest to strengthen my mind, body, and soul in every way, and I want to do my part to rid the world of human suffering in the process. I often make spur-of-the-moment decisions when inspiration strikes me, which is how many of my travels have come about. Incredible moments mean so much more to me than possessions. I am up for anything and everything, whether it be hiking, biking, reading, feeding, sewing, rowing, climbing, miming, talking, walking, meeting, greeting, mingling, jingling, drinking, or thinking. Approaching every situation with an open mind is an invitation for some really amazing experiences! The only place where judging belongs is in a courtroom. I look forward to and cherish every path that crosses mine, regardless of its origin or endpoint. It is through experiences with others that we learn what life is really about, more so than in any classroom or lecture hall. The more people you meet and meaningfully connect with, the wiser you become. I look forward to being active in the CS community and sharing my world with others.I treat life as one big learning process, and find that spontaneity and a thirst for knowledge often go hand-in-hand.

PHILOSOPHY

An open mind can solve all of the world's problems; a closed mind causes them. Trust can build bridges to connect us all; fear creates chasms that cannot be crossed. Strive to fill your days with moments that you wish to remember, not moments that you'd like to forget.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I host when I can, when someone actually chooses to venture out to the suburbs instead of the heart of the city. Thus far, I have done a lot of surfing and am eternally grateful to all of the wonderful people who have opened their homes and lives to me! My circle of great friends has expanded significantly thanks to CS!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Every CouchSurfing experience that I've had has been incredibly positive and memorable! I find it odd how all we hear about in the news is how bad people are, how sick the world is, and how everything is going downhill. Yet, in the CS world, there is nothing but kindness, hospitality, friendship, and a world that greets you with open arms. Something doesn't add up here. People are inherently good after all! It's great to be part of this world and to meet all of the amazing people that are out there.

Interests

Music, singing, songwriting, nearly every sport on the planet, helping others, seeing the world through others' eyes, seeing and experiencing everything, fitness, beer, red wine, traveling and traveling, having countless "homes away from home," communicating in different languages, learning about different cultures, writing, and creativity

• writing
• singing
• causes
• wine
• red wine
• beer
• fitness
• marathon
• walking
• news
• reading
• traveling
• music
• guitar
• cycling
• hiking
• surfing
• sports
• rock climbing
• rowing
• languages
• road trips

Music, Movies, and Books

Foreign films (101 Reykjavik, The Downfall, The Edukators, The Lives of Others, The Counterfeiters, Summer '04, Flickering Lanterns, Adam's Apples, Black Book, La Femme Nikita, Amelie, A Very Long Engagement, La Demoiselle D'Honneur, Io Non Ho Paura, Caos Calmo, Ricordati di Me), Robin Hood (Disney cartoon), Land Before Time, The Phantom Tollbooth, The Crow, Cruel Intentions, The Wrestler, Slumdog Millionaire, Shawshank Redemption, Office Space, Inglourious Basterds, Antitrust, Into the Wild, No Country for Old Men, The Pallbearer, Dumb and Dumber, Weekend at Bernie's II, The Dark Knight, Garden State, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, Empire Records

Countless bands: Radiohead, Tool, The Cure, Tegan and Sara, The Shins, The Dandy Warhols, Nirvana, Beats Antique, The White Stripes, Morrissey, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Alice-in-Chains, The Vines, Deathcab for Cutie, Metallica, The Strokes, Silverchair, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Soundgarden, The Killers, The Distillers, System of a Down, Beck, Beirut, No Doubt, Bush, The Bravery, Arctic Monkeys, We Are Scientists, Cage the Elephant, The Kooks, Oasis, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Stone Temple Pilots, The Toadies

Books: The Great Gatsby, Catcher in the Rye, Heavier Than Heaven, Born to Run, Shipping News, The Jungle

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I arrived in Thailand on the same day that the 9.1-magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Sumatra, causing a tsunami that killed hundreds of thousands of people throughout the region and beyond :-(

Visited all 50 states in one summer...two flights coupled with car rentals and a series of road trips.

Got to Jaipur, India, the same day that Oprah Winfrey did, making her first (and probably last) visit to India. I ran a half marathon there that day...I think I had a lot more fun in India than she did, and I'll be back! :-)

(Sorry, I know I mentioned 3 things...couldn't narrow them down any further; besides, don't all good things come in 3's?)

Teach, Learn, Share

I'd be happy to give some advice on road trips. I've been on about a dozen of them in the past five years, so I know a little about organizing a good trip and keeping it packed with activities. I specialize in seamlessly blending man-made wonders with those found in nature. I also sing and play some guitar, so I might be able to teach a little to someone interested.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Above all, I can share my time, experiences, and attention. I can share music if my host happens to have a guitar...I can always sing acapella as well. I am a big craft beer fan, so when I'm traveling by a means that will allow it, I often bring some new or hard-to-find beer for everyone to try.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Belgium, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Palestine, Panama, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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