CURRENT MISSION

Understanding life outside of the daily grind

ABOUT ME

The elevator pitch: I crave experiences. It might be as simple as trying the local street food or as unconventional as understanding how subway systems work in different countries. I love every single minute of making new friends around the world (preferably over drinks!) and sharing what I've done and seen in exchange for the same.

The story: I'm born and bred in Virginia, in a suburb near Washington, DC. I've been interested in technology ever since I was a kid, and so I've been pretty fortunate to follow that passion, from a degree in computer science to a job right out of college with Microsoft.

Two years working, and I realized I hadn't seen enough of the world and interacted with people of different values and cultures to really figure out what my true passion and impact in the world will be. So that's when I decided to leave my job and travel the world. (Crazy, right?) Maybe I'll figure out that I want to save starving kids in Africa. Or maybe I'll run a restaurant. Or maybe I'll go back to the daily grind. That's why I'm here. Hopefully my new experiences will help me figure it out.

Outside of that, I really enjoy photography, design, and most importantly, meeting new people and really getting to know them.

PHILOSOPHY

I think the number one thing I relate to is "nobody has all the answers". As long as you keep an open mind and are willing to accept that the world is a large place with different perspectives, cultures, and views on progress, I think you can really grow as a person. That's what I'm hoping to do in my travels.

Aside from that? Life's too short to not be fulfilled and happy.

Oh, and volunteer!

我为什么加入 Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Although I've never done couchsurfing through this site before, I'm excited to get started! I hate traveling in hotels - they're expensive, full of the usual things you find in every hotel, and quite boring. I've mostly stayed in hostels as I've traveled the world in the past, or with friends I know from my past; it's the only way to truly experience a new place (or a place you think you know).

I'm usually very flexible in how I plan travel - sometimes I show up in a city and leave my time to however my host decides it should be spent. In other cases, I can plan entire trips down to the hour. It really depends on how much the host wants to be involved in showing me around.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've spent tons of time on my friends' couches throughout the US. It's really good to get a chance to catch up with them as well as get out and about.

兴趣

Anything technology related; photography; design; good craft beers/cocktails/coffees; spontaneous adventures; local cuisines.

• design
• photography
• dining
• beer
• cocktails
• running
• drinking
• technology
• traveling
• computer science
• science
• volunteering

音乐、电影和书籍

Music: I will openly admit that I enjoy listening to crappy American mainstream music. "Unfortunately catchy" is usually what I tell myself when I hear a new single on the radio.

Movies: I love all kinds of movies, but I have a soft spot for "screw with your mind" movies (Memento comes to mind). Anything directed by Christopher Nolan or David Fincher is a winner in my book.

Books: Oh dear. Will you judge me if I say I haven't read a book for pleasure in a few years?

我做过的一件不可思议的事情

- The amazing valleys of Utah, including the famous Monument Valley (where Forrest Gump ended his cross country run!)
- On top of Parc Guell in Barcelona, seeing the entire city from harbor to park
- Spending a couple days in Gimmelwald (Swiss Alps region), taking in the clean air and breathtaking view from a village only accessible by gondola

教，学，和分享

I know way too much about random things. Have you ever spent hours on Wikipedia? I was that kid.

我游览过的国家

Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States

我居住过的国家

United States