CURRENT MISSION

Recently completed my first Euro trip and now preparing to begin my masters degree studies at the University of Barcelona!

ABOUT ME

I am 21 years old and from the Hudson Valley region of New York. I have recently graduated from SUNY New Paltz and am eager to begin the next phase of my life. I am a very outgoing, caring, and genuine person who has all his manners and the interests of others in mind. I was a History major (I love medieval history) and specialized in the
history of the Knights Templar. I have played guitar since I was in sixth grade and have helped teach a guitar class on campus as a teachers assistant. I also have played on my schools lacrosse team for all 4 years. These experiences have shown me the value of camaraderie with friends and also to appreciate what you have in the moment because it can slip away at a moment's notice. In my free time I like to hang out with my friends, play video games, read (currently the Count of Monte Cristo and Don Quixote), and just relax. I am a very compassionate and understanding person who loves to help people and listen when they need an ear. I will be attending the University of Barcelona for the 2011/12 year for my master's degree in Medieval Cultures. I am very excited and a little scared since nearly all of my classes are in Catalan! I have been using Rosetta Stone to enhance my Spanish skills and will be beginning my Catalan language courses at the end of August in Barcelona.

PHILOSOPHY

Don't take life too seriously. It's so easy to get caught up in the moment and the stress of life so I actively try to maintain an optimistic perspective on all things, even the bad. I try to go with the flow and believe that I will always be alright in the end no matter how bad the current situation seems. Realize what things in your life are in your control and do something about them and leave the rest alone.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have recently completed my first Euro trip that brought me to some of the most beautiful cities in Europe including Paris, Rome, Florence, Vernazza, Riomaggiore, Barcelona, Nice, Venice, Muenster, Munich, Prague and Amsterdam. I had the pleasure of couchsurfing in a few of these cities with some very great and accommodating people. Even though, I only stayed for about a day and sometimes less with my hosts, they were extremely helpful and made sure that I was as comfortable as possible while surfing with them.

Interests

• video games
• music
• guitar
• surfing
• lacrosse
• geography
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

I love so many types of movies and music. I appreciate good, historically accurate movies but don't mind a good action that takes its liberties (Kingdom of Heaven, Gladiator). I love Will Ferrell and Jim Carrey movies, I feel like their humor is similar to my own sense of humor. I also love psychological thrillers that stimulate the mind and force me to think (The Machinist, Mulholland Drive, Clockwork Orange, Requiem for a Dream). I love all types of music. Being a guitar player of many years, I am able to appreciate the skill and talent needed to produce any type of music. I personally enjoy classic rock (Van Halen, Guns n Roses, The Who, Deep Purple) and some alternative rock. I also like classical music and R&B and hip hop (Jamiroquai and Michael Jackson). I like to read pretty boring and bland history books that are more suited towards academic research rather than pleasure. I like to read classic works such as the Canterbury Tales, The Prince, The Count of Monte Cristo, Don Quixote, and the works of Dante to name a few.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

It's not really that amazing but a friend of mine and myself were just filmed for a Discovery Channel television show called Unusual Suspects which will be airing in mid-June! Could be my big break!

Teach, Learn, Share

Being from America, I feel that I might be able to provide some insight and perspective on the world and all the things that go on in it that some of my European friends would be interested in knowing. I am also able to contribute a truly genuine and honest friendship and great conversation and laughs that bond us all together despite nationality, geography, or personal opinions. I can also play some really good music for you :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States