CURRENT MISSION

To travel the world, to learn, explore, and make new friends.

ABOUT ME

I've traveled to almost all of the US, I lived in Sri Lanka for a while and was almost killed there when I exposed a human trafficking scheme. I've worked for various NGOs, most recently resettling refugees and then later as a disaster responder with the Red Cross. I later worked managing emergencies for a government agency in NYC. Most recently was a Combat Engineer Officer in the United States Marine Corps and I also worked at the US Consulate in Okinawa.

Just left the military and moved back to the US in July

PHILOSOPHY

You have a right to live your life how you want, as long as it doesn't interfere with someone else's right to do the same. I also believe that you should do absolutely everything within your power to better the world around you, I think it is irresponsible to simply sit by as an observer while the world has the problems that it does. I'm only going to be alive for a relatively short period of time - I want it to have meant something.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

You get to meet so many cool people around the world and share experiences.

Interests

Exploring, learning, going to museums, touring factories, attending lectures, scuba diving, anything that makes me go "woah" or shows me a new perspective.

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Rise Against, Shinedown, Avenged Sevenfold, Trapt, Dragonforce, just about anything that has meaning to the lyrics and a good beat.
Movies: Fight Club, The Kingdom, The Prestige, Memento
Books: King Leopold's Ghost, The Jakarta Method

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I got my wisdom teeth pulled in Mexico, I've been run over by a car, I had a car break down in the absolute middle of nowhere in Death Valley and had to walk to safety. I had people trying to kill me in Sri Lanka because I exposed their human trafficking.

Teach, Learn, Share

I know a lot about the global NGO dynamics, refugee resettlement, the UN, and other organizations like that. I also know a lot about continuity planning, emergency planning and preparedness, and that whole world. If you're looking for a career in any kind of global nonprofit or NGO I can definitely guide you in the right direction. I'm also really good at computers and computer repair. I'm currently learning how to pick locks.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can fix almost any computer problems you have, and show you so many little tips and tricks to lots of things in life. I also taught English for many years, so if you are learning I can help - especially with pronunciation. Also I'm always down to go SCUBA diving! I'm a master diver and nitrox certified.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Canada, England, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Macao, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Japan, Sri Lanka, United States