CURRENT MISSION

Meet new people, get to know the city a bit more each day, and well... getting to have a couch to crash at night.

ABOUT ME

Hi! So, my name is Victor Valdez. I'm a singer from Venezuela. I just got here a month ago, so I'm still getting to know the city and how things work, like the train (and I already have a story about it), the buses and how to get to places.

I'm 21, and well. Since I got here I've been performing at every karaoke night I've found. Been at Blue Martini, Magnum, Mova... Just trying to have some exposure. And luckily it worked! I'm about to start performing for real, I mean, as a job. For now in counting in the savings I came here with (... yikes).

I'm very clean and like keeping my stuff organized. Don't smoke, own pets or have kids (about the last two... Maybe someday), and since I got here I've been "surfing" at a friend's. And the thing is, I think I already need to move out, and it's... A bit of a worry. I'm just about to s start working, and my savings are not that much as to rent an apartment, and it would still be hard sharing a room for $600 a month.

I was talking to a friend from Venezuela, and when I told her about this, she told me about this site, and I decided to try. My goal is to start working and earning money, so I get to rent a place or a room if possible, but for now, and since I may be having to move out soon, I would reaaaaally use a couch!

Btw, I'm gay, but if you're not cool with it, it will seem like I'm not. If you're cool, then it will still seem like I'm not, lol. I'm a very respectful guy.

So, if you like live music, I think I could make a nice surfer. Mu friends have always told me I am a wonderful ipod. So don't worry. I do have a pause button. :)

vic.

PHILOSOPHY

I think I live for my dreams, making them a reality being my biggest goal. The musical industry in Venezuela is not as... Welcoming, as the American, and that's something I've struggled with while I was there. I have this voice when I sing that can sound a bit feminine sometimes, and that may have got me jokes and bad comments and judging in the past.

When I decided to come here, it was not because of the city itself, but because I just wanted to get to the US and make this happen, one way or another. I'd work hard to make it. I'd go anywhere, take every chance that comes, and I have done that exactly... It has worked so far.

I'm happy with what I've accomplished in just a month, and I think there's a lot more coming. And there goes another one of my rules in life: Be positive. Always. Things do get better.

I'm a very loving guy as well. I care about people. I try to make people happy. I don't believe your actions don't affect others: maybe they won't affect some, but others...
If it's in my hands to make it easier for someone, if I can make someone's day a lot better with just a small action, I will.

And of there's something that makes me feel really good, is looking at people smile. Sometimes I'm a bit of a clown, just to put a smile in someone's face. We work hard to live happily. I enjoy helping others get closer to that.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Right now, I'm a surfer trying to find a place while the projects with work start helping me pay the bills I'd need to pay to rent something somewhere. Meanwhile, I do promise to help as much as I can, with stuff like food and others.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I just got here! But I do hope it works, and I get to meet great people with huge hearts. I could really use some help, guys.

Interests

I'm interested in music, mostly, of course. I play the piano, btw. Love movies, enjoy video games, music again... Mmm.

I'm a compulsive reader, hah. I do read a lot, science fiction mostly. Thrillers are always good. Ted Dekker is one of my favorite authors.

I enjoy dining out as well. Miami is full of great restaurants for what I've seen, and I've had a blast trying some.

Clubbing, hanging out, or just sitting and talking for hours. Any of those work for me, depending on the people and what we all would be in the mood for, of course.

• pets
• singing
• dining
• clubbing
• movies
• video games
• music
• live music
• piano
• karaoke
• surfing
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: just give me romance, drama, musicals or comedy. Not a horror fan. Not because I don't like them, but because I do get scared to death. I watch the them when I'm with someone though. It's pretty much the only way, lol.

Music: Ballads and pop. I sing and listen to a lot of Pink, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Adele, Christina Aguilera, Whitney. But being an artist, I do enjoy listening to ALMOST any type of music. What actually draws me to a song is always the voice. If there's power, and lots of emotion, then I'll most probably love it.

And Books: well, I did talk about it a bit before, right? :)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The most wonderful thing I've done so far, I think would be performing at a stadium back in my country, for about 20,000 people. It was a feeling I can barely describe. I was singing my songs, and although they didn't know them (I was the opening act), they cheered more and more with each song! That's one of the moments that keep me focused and give me drive, always trying to do my best.

Teach, Learn, Share

I just feel like I'm saying things a lot of times. Haha! I think after talking this much about myself (which Im still wondering how I did, because it's always kinda hard for me to write this much about myself- I'm better at speaking) you can see what I could share. I'm always up for helping friends learn how to sing their favorite song, if they don't know how to, of course. If not (meaning they sing) it would be amazing to give some good criticism, and have a feedback of course! I'm crazy supportive when it comes to friends and people following their dreams and passions... But always honest.