CURRENT MISSION

Started a business after traveling, so though busy would love to start hosting more

ABOUT ME

I started my own business in real estate about 2 years ago and am loving it! I am a photographer and love capturing life, experiences, feelings, things that tend to otherwise get ignored, and other things that pique my interest. I love to meet new people and hear about how they ended up where they are. What their journey has been. What they have learned along the way. I believe that everyone should travel abroad for at least one full year of their life.

PHILOSOPHY

This is shifting for me. I have historically been wrapped up in the 'American Dream' of consume, consume and you will be happy. I am finding that not only does this not make me happy, but I find with less 'things' I have more freedom, less stress, and more space. I believe the life is to be lived and experienced. I believe that I have been very wrapped up in the past and future and am learning to pay more attention and give more credence to the now. Live and let live, and try to enjoy the ride, even at the rough spots. People are in your life for a reason, and are brought in for one or both your benefits. Sometimes you don't see what was gained until later, but it's cool to notice.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I want to capture experiences from this project in photos. I have met some amazing people through CS and now looking to return the favor now that I can start to host. I live about 1.5 miles outside of downtown Denver and love it. I'm very busy, so if I'm not able to host, please don't take it personally.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have met some amazing people and made some great friends through this. I have not yet been able to host or be hosted, but have enjoyed the networking and events set up by couch surfers.

Interests

Real Estate, Photography, self-discovery, music, people, family, friends, life experience, challenging myself, writing, reading (I don't do enough of this), sudoku (passes the time nicely when needed), Mac, Aperture, people watching, roller coasters, cycling, working out, volleyball, being active, down time, movies, adventure, wine, beer...

• writing
• photography
• wine
• beer
• working out
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• sudoku
• music
• guitar
• cycling
• skydiving
• volleyball
• business
• medicine

Music, Movies, and Books

Carolyn Myss is amazing. "Creativity" by Matthew Fox and "The Voice of Knowledge" by Don Miguel Ruiz. Both amazing, life-altering books. I have also read "The Artists Way" and listened to "Eat, Love, Pray" which are both amazing. Recently read "The Whuffie Factor" which is a great perspective of the current market and the shifts in what it 'takes' to gain success. Music is about anything. Country I have to be in the right mood for and never have seemed to have gained an appreciation for rap or hip hop. Besides that, I love anything that is creative, interesting, fun or good.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Started my own business. Learned to speak Japanese and lived there for 2 years. Have been very fortunate to be able to travel more than many. Stayed close to my family through coming out and being a teenager. I think more of the amazing things to see and do will be in my future, not my past.

After being laid off from a very nice corporate job that was very stable and secure for 8 years, asked myself the question of what I really wanted in my life. I knew that material things did not make me happy, yet I actively pursued them. I knew I wanted more and I wanted to see the world. So I took time off for myself and traveled for a few months. After realizing more about myself, I went home, changed some things about my personal life and came back out for more experiences and to gain the skills and knowledge to bring others to some of the amazing cities I have been to.

Took almost 18 months to myself to travel and discover myself and what I want my life to look like. To step away from my 'rut' and routine and experience other cultures; in Barcelona, Berlin, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Sydney, Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love to talk to people about photography and what people can do as minor shifts to the way they take photos to really add to them.

I am loving growing my business with others and teaching them real estate investment. I love seeing people succeed.

I think I am also on a very unique self-discovery/life experience journey right now. I have been able to gain so much from meeting and talking to others about what I have done/am doing and have been able to inspire people to take even small opportunities to step back from the rush of life and watch it pass instead of just being swept away in its current.

I want to learn more about photography. I want to learn to play the guitar. I want to skydive. I want to learn more about wines. I want to take more Improv classes... I enjoy learning and hearing about what people are passionate about.

I learned some massage while in Thailand which was an amazing experience. It made me want to learn more and expand my knowledge in eastern medicine as well.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Cambodia, Costa Rica, France, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Japan, United States

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