CURRENT MISSION

I am on a mission to see as much as possible in this crazy world in order to try to better understand it and all the wonderful people I meet along the way.

ABOUT ME

I am currently traveling the world by myself. I love travel more than anything and am looking for a way to combine that with a career and as a way to be able to help people.
I left my entire life behind in the U.S. with no idea where I am going but I believe that I am on a path with a heart and I am trusting that life will take me where I need to go. I see this time in my life as the best time to really be able to travel wherever I want and I have known I would travel the world ever since I was little. It feels great to be doing something that I have always wanted to do.
I love extreme sports, the outdoors, nature, the ocean, horseback riding, dancing, football, rock climbing, surfing, reading, writing and conversations with people. I always like to be learning and am very curious about life and everything in it.
I am also a very nostalgic person which makes travel hard because I get so attached to people and it is sad when I meet incredible people but have to leave.
I think of myself as introspective, but also adventurous and fun-loving and I always like to have a good time and enjoy life.

PHILOSOPHY

I want to experience as much of life as possible. I think it is important to be positive and trust in life. I try to be present and enjoy every moment. I realize that there are no guarantees in life so I try to live it to the fullest with a full-steam-ahead approach. I don't want any regrets in my life. I think that we regret more of what we don't do than what we do.
I believe in being kind and compassionate towards everyone, just being nice can really help someone on their day. We are all wanting similar things in life.
We have so much to learn about each other in this crazy world.
I am learning to really appreciate everything that I am given in this life. I am learning to let go and trust.

我为什么加入 Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I am currently traveling the world and getting a chance to know people from all different cultures. I was in Africa for a year, now Europe, India, then South America for another year. I think that I am participating by trying to connect with and meet people from all over the world. I don't have a couch now, but I will when I get back (and I do believe that traveler's should take care of each other and have been known to have met foreigners on airplanes twice and let them come crash on my couch!)
As I meet different people I am struck by how much the same we all are and I think this project is a great way to reinforce that belief.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I started couch surfing this trip, before I even had an account. I was a tag-along and was stoked to meet a really cool couple from Belgium living in Ethiopia who opened their couch up to me. That got me hooked and here I am! I think it is a great way to find familiar in the unfamiliar, which after traveling alone can be really nice.

兴趣

Travel, journalism, politics, the stars, the ocean, adventure, long conversations, international news, being outside, hiking, backpacking, rafting, skydiving, sports, the funny moments that happen when you least expect it, going out, staying in, music, fun, trying new things, laughing.

• horses
• writing
• dancing
• politics
• news
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• outdoor activities
• equestrian
• hiking
• backpacking
• surfing
• skydiving
• sports
• rock climbing
• soccer
• extreme sports
• journalism
• mountains

音乐、电影和书籍

Books: Kite Strings of the Southern Cross, The Alchemist, the Power of Now, There's No Toilet Paper on the Road Less Traveled, Kiterunner, Way of the Peaceful Warrior, On the Road, The Kindness of Strangers, Zen Flesh Zen Bones, Tuesdays with Morrie, Illusions, Tao of Physics, Celestine Prophecy, The Widsom of no Attachment, Siddhartha, Eat Pray Love, and of course the Lonely Planet (aka the bible)

Movies: thats tough, I like too many

Music: reggae, techno, country, alternative, really I am not picky, just not classical or bluegrass

我做过的一件不可思议的事情

Wow, life is filled for these moments, that's what keeps us going, and I think everything can and should be amazing if you look it through the right lense.
But here is one:
Hiking in New Zealand I was all by myself and surrounded by steep mountains on every side. I looked down and realized I was surrounded by a fine mist. I was hiking in a cloud. I felt so small and insignificant that it made everything in life ok and it was one of those, "holy crap, look what I'm doing" moments.
One more- A few years ago a friend and I got drunk in Thailand and managed to convince a man to let us ride his elephant in the street, that was pretty cool too!

教，学，和分享

I am not really sure what to put here, that is a big question.
One thing that strikes me is what people want from life. I don't know if this fits into this category, but I will put it anyways! I have been really curious about what life means to people in different cultures. As an example, in a completely unscientific study, most of the people I ask from the West will say that what they want out of life is happiness. Most of the people from the East say success. It makes me wonder how we define happiness and success and if they are just different words reaching for the same thing?

I think that on this journey I have been learning to just trust in life. I used to worry a lot and now (though I still worry) I am trying not to. I am learning that things are there for a reason and even the things that seem bad are refining me and making me a better person.

As for practical knowledge, I know how to pop my toes! But I say, "eeew!" every time I do it. (I also know a lot about horses, I wish I knew something that proved more handy in daily conversation!)

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