CURRENT MISSION

See what I can see, do what I can do. If I'm not exhausted by the end, I didn't do it right.

ABOUT ME

Where to begin? One could say I'm a free spirit but I am not a hippie by any means, either. I grew up in a liberal town in California's wine country about an hour north of San Francisco. Moved to Berkeley, where I studied rhetoric & theater and work several part-time jobs. I finished studying abroad spring 2008 in the Netherlands, after which I traveled Europe until July.

I love food, beer/wine, dancing, maps, the ocean, and a lot of other fun stuff.

PHILOSOPHY

As long as I get my shit done and don't kill myself or others, I do whatever I want. I try to keep an open mind & heart, but I don't always know how to say no. As for a traveling philosophy, I strongly believe that guide books are to be used as guides, not Bibles. In my case, guide books are a jumping off point or a last resort. Is a city best characterized by its monuments or what lays beyond them?

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

While I traveled, I mooched off the kind hospitality of others in exchange for fudge and good graces. Now that I've finally gotten a day job, I work too much to provide much more than travel advice or meet up for coffee.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

A few, but all were good and I'm just so pleased it worked out :)

Interests

food, books, music, South Park, the Internet, writing, coffee, traveling, sleep, tacky postcards, taking pictures...

• writing
• books
• theater
• dancing
• dining
• wine
• beer
• coffee
• clubbing
• traveling
• music
• cartography
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

I like most of what I read, though I've stumbled across some groaners in Europe. As for music, I fall in and out of genre phases as the mood strikes. Current or recent phases: jazz & electronica. Movies? Terribly behind the times, seen some great ones but would be lying to say it's a regular thing.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In Menorca without a hostel, hotel, or club open past 1AM and under a torrential downpour, my friends and I picnicked and slept in a 24-hour ATM lobby until the bus station opened at 6:30. I suppose it's not really that amazing, but I never thought a marble floor could be so comfortable.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can't think of any special or teachable skills, but conceptually I would like to think that I have something to offer. Would love to learn more about everything, from wine and food to political philosophy to the secret corners of cities.

Countries I’ve Visited

Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands, United States