CURRENT MISSION

To continue learning and experiencing new things while trying to earn some $$$ along the way.

ABOUT ME

I grew up near Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the US. I lived there until the age of 18 when I moved several hundred miles north to Minneapolis, Minnesota to attend the University of Minnesota. I am definitely a product of the United States Midwest and I'm proud to call it my home. I love sports, exploring and enjoying nature, beer and other spirits, music (anything from bluegrass to hip-hop), meaninful conversations and the thrill of the open road. Ever since I got my driver's license I have been taking road trips around the US (mainly to the east coast and deep south, although I intend to head west in the near future) in search of spontaneous adventures, the charms of small town America, and new friends.

I earned a double BA from the University of Minnesota and I'm currently working full time as an intern in Washington, DC at the Center for American Progress. Hopefully it will lead to a full time position in December. I believe that humans have a natural desire to roam, that moss cannot grow on a rolling stone. You can enjoy life much more by pursuing non-material "wealth" in the form of friendship, knowledge and new experiences.

PHILOSOPHY

The best way to live is by taking calculated risks. You can't gain anything by being complacent or indecisive except insulation against change and a wariness of things that are foreign to you (people, ideas, anything). Therefore, you should take the road less traveled because you can find your own beauty in it instead of gazing at something millions of others have already labeled as beautiful. Friends, family and knowledge are infinitely more valuable than money, wealth and power.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I hosted several CSers while I was living in Malaysia and never had a bad experience. I host when I can and try to be as helpful as possible during my guests' stay. Love the CS project!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I hosted several surfers while I was living/studying abroad in Penang, Malaysia. Everyone I hosted was kind and grateful, no bad seeds. I also met several new friends thru the site and had an amazing time staying at a custom mansion on Koh Tao in Thailand (much love to vince Cimo for hooking that up).

Interests

Music, sports, books, film, travel, conversation

• books
• beauty
• festivals
• education
• beer
• movies
• traveling
• music
• sports
• teaching
• history
• religion
• science
• road trips

Music, Movies, and Books

Too many to list. My five favorite bands/artists are probably (in no particular order) Phish, the Grateful Dead, moe., Jurassic 5 and The Beatles. I'm a fan of any band, musician or group that displays quality musicianship, creative/powerful lyrics and a funky beat.

Movies I love include, Star Wars (the old ones), Indiana Jones, Back to the Future, Batman Begins & The Dark Knight, mafia movies, true crime movies and music DVD's like Floyd's Live at Pompeii.

Books I have read and enjoyed include, anything by Kurt Vonnegut, Hunter S. Thompson, Jack Kerouac and Aldus Huxley. Shantaram is also an incredible book. I'm always open for suggestions for quality, modern fiction.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Survived a severe thunderstorm that produced funnel clouds and at least 1 tornado at the Summercamp Music Festival in Chillicoth, Illinois.

Teach, Learn, Share

Its cliche but true that we never stop learning. You can learn new things from anybody no matter how old they are, where they come from or how much education they have. I love to talk about history, science, religion, sports, music, movies, books, the meaning of life, anything really as long the conversation is interesting, engaging and stimulating.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Bermuda, Cambodia, Canada, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Thailand, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States