始めまして! My name is John Lavanga and I'm currently an English Teacher living in Mie, Japan. I've been living in Japan for over a year, and though my Japanese is far from perfect, I'm doing my best and love practicing with new people.
I'm carefree, I pack light, and I laugh at just about everything.

Philosophy - Happiness is not the purpose for living. Rather, it is a rare gift that we should always cherish, but never demand.

我为什么加入 Couchsurfing

Over my four years in college I fell in love with cruising around the US on Greyhound buses and sleeping on the floors of friends every chance I got. Unfortunately, I don't have quite such a large network of friends to lean on now that I'm in Japan. I'm hoping that this is a way to make new friends and swap great travel stories with new people.

This December/January, my best friend from home (Chazz Aden) and I will be traveling from Tokyo to Hiroshima and would love to meet up with new people either to see some sights and learn a thing or two about the places we visit.

兴趣

Jazz - Any time I can find a place that puts on live Jazz, that's where I'm headed.

Hiking- Getting out to a quiet, beautiful place is incredibly important to me.

Coffee- I'm always looking for a cool coffee shop to spend the morning in while I'm traveling.

Philosophy- I'm not as well read as I'd like to be, but I enjoy hearing people's perspectives on life, happiness, meaning, and all the rest. I recently finished Marcus Aurelius's Meditations, so I've got stoicism on the brain.

History- I studied it in college and I love hearing about local legends, old buildings, or the way that small events had huge effects on entire cultures.

People- They fascinate me, and I don't mind listening to strangers prattle on about their lives.

• books
• poetry
• coffee
• yoga
• drinking
• traveling
• jazz
• hiking
• backpacking
• teaching
• history

音乐、电影和书籍

I'll just list what I'm reading, watching and listening to right now:

Music: I've been listening to a lot of Bob Dylan because I'm trying to learn his songs on the Harmonica, but this year my favorite artist has been Anderson .Paak (Listen to Malibu, and NxWorries)

Shows: I've been watching some Japanese anime to help with my listening skills, so Shirokuma Cafe and One Punch Man are at the top of this list

Movies: My favorite movie of all time might be It's a Wonderful Life, but I also love In Bruges, Annie Hall and Amelie to name a few.

Book: I'm reading Problems of Philosophy by Bertrand Russell, but the best book I've read recently is "Speedboat" by Renata Adler

我做过的一件不可思议的事情

It's not something I did exactly, but it's something I experienced. I once stumbled into an amazing jazz and poetry cafe in the Observatory district of Cape Town, South Africa.

They were doing a live recitation of The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran -- the book my mother gave me when I first left home. The place was packed, but totally silent and the woman reciting the book (from memory, no less) left me crying from the flurry of emotions I felt. Very strange.

I also slept in Kyoto station last New Year's because I don't always plan very well and I make impulsive decisions (like spending New Year's in Nara and then hopping on the last train to Kyoto for some reason). Not amazing, but notable.

教，学，和分享

I'm currently learning:
Harmonica
Boxing
Japanese
Yoga
Japanese cooking

I can teach:
English
The distinctions between whiskies
A bit of Philosophy
American Music History (Hip Hop, Jazz, Folk, Soul, etc. etc.)
American history (the boring normal kind)
Irish History
Some simple American meals

我可以与沙发主分享些什么

I'll gladly buy you a meal, a cup of coffee or a round of drinks depending on what your preference is. Aside from that, I guess my company and boundless gratitude is what I've got to offer.

I was an English tutor throughout college and work as an English teacher now, so I'll gladly help you work on some grammar or give you a lesson if you'd like.

I'm a good hiking buddy, and I'm not one to turn down an adventure.

我游览过的国家

Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, South Africa, Taiwan

我居住过的国家

Japan, United States