I studied physics and cosmology at Johns Hopkins where I had the opportunity to help build the Cosmology Large Angular Scale Surveryer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmology_Large_Angular_Scale_Surveyor) as an undergrad research assistant. When I realized the realities of the slim job market for physicists, I decided to leave the field and move to San Francisco to join Google as a Fraud and Abuse analyst. While cracking down on account hijackers at Google, I taught myself software engineering and soon found a job at a software agency making web applications for clients.

As a young student I was a part of several youth orchestras, wind ensembles, marching bands, and drum corps playing the clarinet and mellophone. This experience has instilled in me a passion for classical music and team-work. There's something special about being a part of an ensemble where everyone does their own part to perform a challenging piece of music.

As a working adult, I've had fewer opportunities to perform music, but I discovered surfing, a solo pursuit, yet one that has inspired me to travel and explore nature. Because of surfing I've traveled to places I would have never gone to (Costa Rica, Indonesia, India), and I've also experienced the ocean with a distinctive intimacy only a surfer would know (lots of humbling beatings and thrashings). I've also met some of the most quirky and big-hearted travelers and locals along the way.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've recently quit my software engineering job to take a travel and surf sabbatical because I realized that my youth is a precious resource which I shouldn't take for granted. I'm currently in Australia for the winter surfing season, and plan to travel along the coast from Sydney to Melbourne to Byron Bay. I'd love to meet you during my travels!

Interests

• cats
• cooking
• coffee
• bbq
• podcasts
• classical music
• surfing
• history
• cosmology
• stoicism

What I Can Share with Hosts

Meals, surfing, helping out with house or yard work.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, El Salvador, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Singapore

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States