Introduction
I grew up in South Carolina in the southeastern United States. I was raised in a musical family, and the arts have always been an important part of my life. I lived in Kyushu for 6 years and in Hawaii for three years. In total, I have taught English for about 18 years. I enjoy making friends, making music, making art, teaching English, and studying foreign languages. I feel most satisfied when I am surrounded by nature, engrossed in a good book or movie, or traveling somewhere new. I am married and enjoy spending as much time as possible with my wife, my son, and my daughter. I have lived in Japan for many years, but I always want to learn more about Japan and its people. Please help me to learn more about you and your part of Japan, and I will tell you many interesting things about myself and the USA. I look forward to talking with you.
My Online Portfolio
Home State
South Carolina Website
Favorite
Conversation Topics
- Hawaii
- I lived in Hawaii for 3 years
- Baseball
- I played baseball for a long time; I love the game and its history; I love American baseball and Japanese baseball
- Technology
- I teach a Technology Literacy course, and I’m interested in all new technologies and how these technologies affect society and communication
- Appalachia
- I grew up in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains; I love nature, hiking, wildlife, and outdoor sports
- Music
- I come from a family of professional musicians; I can talk about music forever, all types of music from every part of the globe and every time period; I play classical guitar
- Diplomacy & International Relations
- I have a strong interest in politics, international relations, intercultural communications, exchange programs, and study abroad
- Movies
- I never watch TV shows; I only watch movies, and I love to talk about movies; my favorite directors/writers are: Wes Anderson, Joel & Ethan Coen, Hirokazu Koreeda, Hayao Miyazaki, Charlie Kaufman, Giuseppe Tornatore, Federico Fellini, Martin Scorsese, Claire Denis, Hou Hsiao-Hsien, Alfonso Cuarón, etc
- Italy (and all of Europe)
- I studied abroad in Tuscany and I have traveled to Italy many times
- I studied abroad in England, and I have traveled often in many countries of Europe: Sweden, Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, etc
- Kyushu
- I lived in Saga prefecture for many years and my wife is from Nagasaki
- Kyudo
- I studied Kyudo for 2 years when I lived in Saga, and I have a strong interest in all of Japan’s traditional arts, crafts, and practices
- Art
- I was an art major in college; I love making art and talking about art; I love painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, film, architecture, fashion, graphic design, industrial design, stage arts, art history, etc
- Juggling & Circus Arts
- I enjoy juggling and I want to see the Cirque du Soleil before I die