CURRENT MISSION

My current mission is to give couch surfers a unique opportunity to experience Samoan culture in the village.

ABOUT ME

In a nutshell I'm your typical Oregon boy with a wicked travel bug. My greatest loves are diving into new cultures and countries, backpacking, drinking good beer although I will drink any, talking passionately about anything from global politics and philosophy to the nerdiest details of the Lord of the Rings and just being active. I've always been dedicated to volunteerism and non-prophit work although I wouldn't mind getting my hands dirty in some serious government work. I'm generally a pretty easy going thoughtful guy who just focuses on the things that make me happy. Other than that its my personal goal to roam around the world after Peace Corps. I'm thinking India, southeast asia, China and eventually South America. I'm also playing with the idea of the Appalachian trail or the Pacific crest trail.

PHILOSOPHY

I believe that by trying to keep our mortality in mind whenever we act brings us closer to being the people we truly think ourselves to be. In other words,you stop and ask yourself "did I just do what I did because I authentically meant to or did some outside influence make my action artificial?" I think Ground Hog's day the movie sort of sums it up. Also, be true to yourself, live authentically!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I made an account in 2008 for a friend and I for our 2 month backpacking trip across Europe. Although we mainly surfed in Ireland and camped the rest of the way we had an amazing experience. I remember the CS crowd there was very active and tight nit. I'll never forget a last minute CS experience in Kilkenny where a guy literally met up with us from an internet cafe at 9 at night and saved us from pitching our tent in the rain. I thought CS was the best way to really get to know a place and its people and I'm pretty excited about doing it again soon in New Zealand.

Interests

I said some of this in my bio but i'll just list them Facebook style: philosophy, politics, hiking, bicycling, all things nerdy, traveling, baseball, rugby, acoustic guitar, literature, spear fishing, microbrews, volunteering etc.

• fish
• culture
• literature
• cooking
• beer
• drinking
• politics
• traveling
• guitar
• fishing
• hiking
• backpacking
• scuba diving
• baseball
• rugby
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: Good Will Hunting, 5 Easy Pieces, The Darjeeling Limited, Friday, Legends of the Fall, The Lord of the Rings, Starwars (the old ones), Groundhog Day

Music: Arcade Fire, Hank Williams Sr, Johnny Cash, Sublime, Sam Cooke, Beatles

Books: On the Road, Look Homeward Angel, The Grapes of Wrath, Cannery Row, The Hobbit

Teach, Learn, Share

If you come to my village you will definitely learn about the Samoan culture. I might be able to get some of the guys I know to show/teach you how to cook the traditional 'umu' (stone oven). The people in my village sincerely enjoy sharing 'fa'asamoa' (the Samoan way) with visitors. Also, depending on the conditions I could maybe teach a CSer to spear fish.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

Japan