Hi! I'm an infrequent traveler who will always dream to be more out there, but I know life will always get in the way. I think the most fun thing about traveling is being outside your comfort zone (cliche, I know). Ironic because I would say I'm a normally "shy" person but when I'm traveling (or hopefully in the future, hosting) I genuinely love getting to know people from all walks of life.

I was born and raised in the Philippines and moved to the US when I was 10. I started learning Spanish in college and have fallen in love with the language since, I just haven't had many opportunities to really master it but I would love to (though I would say I can hold a conversation well enough). I would describe myself as a pretty light-hearted serious individual (that will make more sense the more you get to know me) that loves to joke but can and will get deep in a conversation if the other party is willing. I wouldn't say I'm picky but if you ask me for my opinions, you can trust that I'm being completely honest (I've been told I'm too honest sometimes).

Final things to keep it "brief." I value the relationships I form very deeply. Whether or not we will hit it off (hopefully we will), I hope we will leave from this experience having learned more about why we're doing it.

我为什么加入 Couchsurfing

A really good friend of mine (who became and currently still is my roommate) introduced me to couchsurfing. Fortunately, she (and incidentally I) have hosted fellow couchsurfers in our apartment so I was able to confirm my reasons why I would want to be part of this community.

As much as I love the outdoors, my idea of a good time is good company for great conversations and good food (and drinks ;) . I love to talk, "argue" or discuss, about anything (and I'm sure if you ask my family and friends, they'd say I talk too much). I think "arguing" about things is one reason why I majored in philosophy in the university. But the best thing I did in college is study abroad in Argentina. Before that, I only loved the "idea" of traveling because I've never really had the chance. I thought it was just going to be about seeing the best view and hiking the best trail. But I learned that meeting people from all over and experiencing or immersing in the culture I'm in is much more enjoyable and fulfilling (though I can't not take the chance to hike when given). And to me, this is what couchsurfing will ultimately allow me to do: make worthwhile human connections.

兴趣

• books
• movies
• music
• philosophy
• religion
• food
• nature
• manga
• drinks

音乐、电影和书籍

Books
--The Scriptures (i.e., the Bible, my friends would call me "religious" but I'm not very forward with it, I usually keep it to myself unless I'm prompted)
--One Piece (and a bunch of other manga, webtoon, etc.)
--Gentleman Bastards Series (Lies of Locke Lamore, Red Seas under Red Skies, and Republic of Thieves - my favorite fantasy series so far, but I'm currently reading Lord of the Rings so we shall see)
--Lord of the Mysteries (A Chinese "wuxia' Light Novel, probably one of my favorite stories)
--Kite Runner (Read it in high school and I still think about it sometimes)
--The Road (same as above)
--The Stand (by S.K, prolly one of the longest books I've ever read)

I don't read as often as I used to, but generally I like fantasy, post-apocalyptic, historical fiction, etc.

Music
I love love music. I love giving and being given recommendations (same with movies and shows, especially movies and shows). I am open to a lot of things but having said that, there are certain genre's I just can't or don't vibe with anymore, mainstream hip-hop is one that comes to mind. I am specially bias towards latino music though, it's too fun not to love. Lately I've been into folk-like singers like Tyler Childers and Colter Wall

Films
Top 5 that easily comes to mind:
--Contratiempo (The Invisible Guest)
--Forest Gump
--Shawshank Redemption
--A Silent Voice
--The Godfather (I and II)

Series
--La casa de papel (Money Heist I and II)
--El inocente (The Innocent)
--Violet Evergarden
--Breaking Bad
--The Office

我做过的一件不可思议的事情

The most recent thing has to be a short Guatemala trip this June 2022. It was only a week of a medical spanish internship but it was one of the most rewarding abroad experience I've had. Not to mention the amazing Guatemalan friends I made, but to see first-hand how truly impactful I can make my future career be gave me fuel to endure these next arduous years. Specifically in that trip, one amazing thing I did was to talk to one of the patients, not as a doctor or even a student doctor, but merely as another person. How she lit up when we talked about her family or how quiet she got when describing the many surgeries she's had of her eyes. It was a wonderful thing to be reminded how important little human touches such as a genuine conversation can be.

我游览过的国家

Guatemala, Puerto Rico

我居住过的国家

Argentina, Philippines