CURRENT MISSION

Resetting the connection.

ABOUT ME

I edit Web content and host a show on China's state-run international radio station, and spend my time between articles picking my coworkers' brains on popular Chinese sentiments. I grew up in the self-proclaimed "deer hunting capital of the world," a place where "cultured" means you order grilled salmon at the nearby chain restaurant. I graduated from university last May and moved to Beijing so I wouldn't fester in a small American town like many of my classmates. I'm living with a British guy so I can pick up the slang, and I adore all things Italian. Non-French people who speak French fluently intimidate me, and I loathe birds, squirrels, and people who bring infants out to dinner. You sound lovely, though.

PHILOSOPHY

Average is the kiss of death.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I will gladly meet up for a cup of coffee (real coffee, not the rubbish Chinese stuff faux-Western restaurants sell), a cocktail (see previous qualifier), or a cheap Chinese feast. I may or may not be able to give you a spot on my couch, depending on my roommate's mood at the time.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I haven't yet couch-surfed or hosted anyone, but a friend highly recommended the site and -- what can I say? -- I'm curious.

Interests

art, travel, literature, random conversations with interesting people, current events, full-bodied red wine, food - all food, but especially chocolate - people with informed opinions, writing thoughts, quotes, and occurrences on napkins and receipts because I always forget my notebook, trying to dance, jazz, things that mean things, up-and-coming designers, coffee, chess, standing out in a crowd

• birds
• arts
• culture
• writing
• literature
• dancing
• dining
• chocolate
• wine
• red wine
• cocktails
• coffee
• running
• politics
• chess
• traveling
• jazz
• hunting

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: An Inconvenient Truth, The Philadelphia Story, Adaptation, Stranger than Fiction, Love Actually, Sideways, Belle de Jour, The Shining

Music: Bloc Party, David Bowie, Spoon, Better Than Ezra, Regina Spektor, any jazz, Andrea Bocelli when I'm cooking, Pearl Jam, the country music my grandparents used to dance around the living room to, Black Star, MC Solaar, Handsome Boy Modeling School, Madonna, Madeleine Peyroux, Gorillaz, "Jump" by the Pointer Sisters, Lonely China Day, Frank Sinatra, and myself, in the shower

Books: T.C. Boyle's twisted short stories, A Moveable Feast, Atlas Shrugged, Immortality, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Pride and Prejudice, A Confederacy of Dunces, Lolita, Gone with the Wind, and one can never be too old for Roald Dahl books

Teach, Learn, Share

I can introduce you to the basics of Chinese culture. Though my Mandarin is pitiful at best, I have a solid grasp of the culture, politics, and finer things this crazy country has to offer.
I can do most things decently, but probably can't teach you much. I'm a talker. I can talk about anything under the sun, and will point you in the direction of anything you could possibly want in Beijing, including prostitutes. Especially prostitutes.
I give excellent advice.

Countries I’ve Visited

China, Czech Republic, Greece, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vatican City State, Virgin Islands, U.S.

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Italy, United States