CURRENT MISSION Experience the big island of Hawaii ABOUT ME I have just finished serving with the Peace Corps in Togo, West Africa. For the past 3 years I lived in a Maritime village where I was the only American, ate corn paste every day with my hand, and took bucket showers. I worked with a cooperative to help them raise local bush rats and promoted the Moringa tree for improved family nutrition. Before that I spent my senior year of university in Bologna, Italy through a total immersion science student exchange program. I have lived in North Carolina, Italy, Togo, Seattle, Montana, and the San Juan Islands. PHILOSOPHY I learned in Togo that finding meaning in life means balancing the desire to try and help other people with doing things to keep yourself happy. Sometimes these two goals intersect, but often they do not. I enjoy trying to help other people, but I also realize that I only have one life and I need to see places and do things I want to do during the time I am here.