CURRENT MISSION

Well some people view travel as another notch on the belt. I view it as yet another life experience that enriches the soul socially, spiritually, and mentally. I hope to share these experiences with people from all corners of this wonderful planet.

ABOUT ME

All about me. Well, I've always been a traveler and I owe that to the family. We were always taking trips to crazy places and making incredible memories growing up so when I got out on my own, it just made sense to continue the tradition and it has been a wonderful and crazy ride so far. I started my own travel when I was stationed with the Air Force in South Korea and begin climbing all over the country which in turn led to a month long trip to Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Japan. I was hooked. I knew traveling was now my number one hobby next to rock climbing. I can't get enough of it.

I've recently started working as a software/hardware engineer after graduating college in Fall 2019. It's that first after-college job you take to get some experience on your resume so working a lot at the moment but hoping to get back to traveling days very soon. I formerly worked as a rope access tradesman on oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico and before that as an Aircraft mechanic in the U.S. before coming back to college in 2015.

When not working, I'm rock climbing, surfing, hiking, scuba diving, snowboarding, mountain biking, and whatever else I can find to just get out there and enjoy the outdoors. Through my hobbies and travels I've met people from all over the world which really tends to open the mind to the acceptance of new ideas and techniques and cultures. It's crazy how different we are in our ways but how similar we are at the core.

I'll admit, I'm selfish and will do whatever it takes to travel and have a good time even if it means bending strict rules from time to time. That may not be such an attractive feature to an employer but I sure have fun.

I'm extremely active and you will rarely find me sitting (unless it's facebook) around at the computer just surfing the internet so long as I have a method of transport to get from one place to another and the funds to do so. I fully believe that when chaos theory or whatever you want to call it lands you in one place, you should absolutely get the most out of the experience even though it can be incredibly difficult at times.

So, my mission is to meet others who have such a similar passion for travel and experiences. Even if it's your first time leaving your home, if we meet up, I'll make sure that by the time you go back home, you've had a fantastic trip and I promise, you'll be hooked on the experience ever thirsting for more.

PHILOSOPHY

That's a very tricky one. I have come to the realization that everyone sees the world differently and our perceptions are all of our individual realities. My view of right and wrong, just and vain, good and bad may differ completely from the next person. I believe we all have a personal journey and we are searching for it our entire lives. The more questions we ask, oftentimes, the more questions arise. "What's going on in this world? What do I believe? Why am I here doing this? Is this the right path? Why do things happen this way? Might the grass be greener elsewhere or should I merely be ecstatic and thankful for the experiences I undergo and the people I share them with?" These are questions I often ask myself and it is fascinating to share these thoughts with others and in return hear those individuals' own personal philosophies as well.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I am deeply inspired and intrigued by sharing experiences and stories with fellow travelers. IMO there is nothing more mind blowing than the novelty and excitement of opening the door to a new world. I am more than happy to host in any way I can and hope to do the same with fantastic people in every angle of the world.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've now done a bit of couchsurfing here and there around the world but I've only barely dipped my toe in the pool of this phenomenal social network. I've seen couch surfing literally change the life of my best friend. Pre-couch surfing, he was anti-social, shy, and easily victim to peer pressure. Post-travel and couchsurfing, I don't even know who this guy is anymore. He's ALWAYS out and about doing something, talking about new people he's met, and attending social gatherings. So proud of the guy. So, I want in on some of this social potion. Here's to many couchsurfing experiences to come!

Interests

Rock climbing, surfing, biking, travel, longboard skateboarding, SCUBA diving, kayaking, snowboarding, wakeboarding, skiing(both kinds), anything and everything to get me outside. I'll admite I am certainly an adrenaline junkee so I tend to live on the dangerous side of life at times.

• dogs
• folklore
• dining
• running
• flying
• boating
• traveling
• billiards
• investing
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• kayaking
• surfing
• scuba diving
• skiing
• snowboarding
• skateboarding
• wakeboarding
• rock climbing
• business

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I survived typhoon Yolanda that slammed into the Philippines destroying Tacloban and other towns. I was in Coron, Palawan at the time and the hostel I'd been staying in the night before the storm partially collapsed because the building next to it fell onto it. Waking up the next morning (we were able to take shelter in a concrete house during the ye of the storm) and seeing the destruction everywhere was like something straight out of a doomsday film. Power poles ripped out of the ground, trees all over the road, roofs on nearly every structure blown away. But sure enough, at the crack of dawn the roosters crowed, the dogs started barking, and after a bit of shock, the locals began rebuilding. Everything on the island had closed as people began reconstructing all that they had lost. You could see on their faces that despite the immense and unanticipated death and destruction this storm had wreaked upon their village, these people held a steely resolve to suck it up, and get down to what needed to be done. Rarely did I see a woman with face in hands crying or children without a guardian. Despite the loss of so many lives on the island, these people knew what they had to do, and got to work.

Immediately the rebuilding began. Boys, girls, men, and women alike. Hammers swung, saws rocked, and knots were tied as they pieced back their village board by board. Occasionally, one could catch a glimpse of a father or mother sitting alongside a casket with glowing candles, mourning for their lost ones. but for the most part, the focus and determination of the peoples was uncanny. Despite many of my offers for help, my efforts were always rejected. Often with a smile and a thank you to go with it.

Finally after 3 days, supplies such as food and water began to show up on the island. Restaurants opened, water became available, and spirits began to lift as the anthill racquetted along. On the 4th day, we were finally able to catch a flight out of an partially destroyed airport with no power. We flew away from Coron, but the memory of typhoon Yolanda 2013, will never fly from my memory.

Teach, Learn, Share

In previous years, I was an aircraft mechanic, non-destructive testing technician, and rope access technician so I could certainly answer any curiosity about flying machines, ultrasonics, knots, and electrical work. Until I got to Auburn, I was an rock climber so I have quite a few knots memorized I would be more than happy to share.

Currently I'm a software engineer so I can talk tech all day as well.

I have a dream of being as financially independent as possible and hope to learn some trade that allows me to travel around the world meeting contacts to conduct business. In order to fund these travels initially, I would really like to learn the ins and outs of investing and the stock market. I want my money and assets to make me money simply so that is not a burden. I am far from materialistic but plane/boat/bus tickets come at a price.

Countries I’ve Visited

Afghanistan, Bolivia, Canada, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates

Countries I’ve Lived In

Japan, Qatar, South Korea, Taiwan, United States