Carson Roen

Profile:

My name is Carson Roen, my brother named me Carson when he was three and I was being born and my last name comes from the town in Norway where my great great great grandfather lived before he immigrated to this country. I grew up in North Dakota and Redmond, Washington. It was a good contrast of worlds to develop my character. I went to Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Now, I'm not really living anywhere because I'm going on a huge trip in a bus all over the country. I have good memories of every place I have lived and most of the memories are of time spent in great company. Most people say I'm shy which I guess is a bad thing, but to me I can learn a lot more by listening rather than talking. My girlfriends name is Ashley, I have an older brother named Graham, and my mom's name is Suzanne. And I desperately want a bulldog someday.

Q & A

Q: North Dakota? Isn't that the most boring state? There's nothing to do there.
A: If by things to do you mean shopping, skyscrapers, and a dense population then I guess it's not that thrilling, but there is always fun things to do everywhere you just have to know where to find them. Plus North Dakota has some of the nicest people I've ever met, they generally have a good perspective on life. But I'm just generalizing here, overall I liked my time spent there and I hope to go back more in the future.
Q: Tell me more about Ashley, I heard you and her have been together a while.
A: Yeah, she is pretty awesome. We first met in photography class when I was in 9th grade and she was in 8th, we've been together ever since. So I guess that makes it something like 7 years.
Q: What do you watch on TV?
A: Well, I enjoy watching sports mostly, but other than that my favorite shows are: Jeopardy, How It's Made, and Survivorman/Man Vs. Wild. I can't stand fake "reality" TV.
Q: So are you a nerd pretending to be a jock or is it the other way around?
A: Good question. Growing up I would have probably been known as a sports kid who was pretty good at school. I think now though I would prefer to be neither, I don't really believe much in classification of people. I just want to excel at everything I do, sometimes that's sports, sometimes it's in school, and sometimes it's on the computer. Depth and breadth of character is much more important to me than my image as a "jock" or a "nerd" or anything in between.
Q: Alright take it easy with the deep responses this is just a little interview so we can get to know you a little bit. I heard you played a lot of soccer and basketball growing up, one story even described you standing on a player during a soccer game.
A: Yeah, I feel pretty bad about it now. It was foolish looking back, but when I'm on the field there is a little extra fire in me I guess. It wasn't as bad as it sounds either, I just sort of bodied him off the ball and kicked it away and he fell down in front of me so my next step happened to be on his back. Anyway, I feel bad and it wasn't necessary but oh well.
Q: What about music and movies, any favorites you care to share with us?
A: Both are in my favorite things to do in my free time. I listen to music as much as possible and I appreciate all different types. I'm mostly into "punk" music if I have to put a genre on it, but I listen to all genres even country. I'd say my least favorite genre is "R&B". As for movies, comedies are my favorite by far, but action/adventure and are fun too and a good drama can be entertaining. I hate horror movies.
Q: What's the best movie of all time?
A: There are too many great ones to pick the very best, but if you need some names: Old School, Wedding Crashers, Van Wilder, Good Will Hunting, alright I better stop this list could get long.
Q: Most people think you are insane with this eBUS live thing, either it's never going to work or why are you doing it. What would you say to them?
A: Basically it's not about whether it is going to work or not, it's about the journey, the growth, and the comradery. Most people, I think, are too afraid to go this far out on a limb or climb this far out of the box. But for me if I don't push myself to grow in new directions and learn new things and have new experiences then I'm just not living to the fullest.
Q: You don't have to try and sound smart and profound with your answers but since you like to then I'll ask this one last question. What is the best advice you have ever receive and what is the best advice you can give someone.
A: I've been known to refer to a quote from the movie Van Wilder often, it says; "Don't take life to seriously, you'll never get out alive" I don't know if it is the best advice I've ever received because there is a lot of good stuff out there but it demonstrates a pivotal concept in my life. We don't get enough time on this earth to waste it on efforts that are not important. If you take life to seriously you'll just follow a path and try to always prepare for the future and you'll miss the present. So I guess that is my best advice to someone else, enjoy life, and do it on your own terms not society's or anyone else's. Other people much smarter than I have had some similar advice; many of their quotes are floating around our web site, just refresh the page to read more.

Lieu Nguyen

Profile:

Hello everyone, my name is Lieu. I'm 23 years old and I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. For right now, it's the bus and this road trip we're about to embark on. It's going to be a life-changing experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. Sometimes I think about what I could've done differently in the past to better where I am right now, but I don't think I would've taken the chance to do something like this if things were different in the past. This is an opportunity that may never present itself again. When I get older and look back to this time in my life, there will be no regrets, just a big smile.

Q & A

Q: What kind of music are you listening to right now?
A: Right now I'm listening to country. I never thought I would say that, but it's fun and it makes me happy. Just a few months ago my friend Chelsey asked Carson and I if we would like to go to Nashville, Tennessee for a few days to temporarily work for the company she works for. To make a long story short, we went to this Honky-tonk on a Saturday night and it was awesome! Ever since then, I listen to country music whenever I can.
Q: When you're hanging out with your friends, what are you most likely to be doing?
A: Depends, I have some friends that enjoy the nightlife a lot and others that would rather stay in and watch a movie and chat it up all night.
Q: Which do you prefer?
A: Preferably, I would rather watch a good movie then go out. I like to go out every once in a while, but it gets old real fast.
Q: Does being allergic to alcohol have anything to do with it?
A: No, I don't think so. It's just not my style. I don't think I would even drink that much even if I could. I'll have a drink every once in a while, but that's about it.
Q: What would you say is your favorite thing about yourself?
A: The list is long, but I'll make it short for everyone's sake. When my family and friends are in need, I like to help them out as much as I can. Whether it's giving my sister a ride to school or listening to a friend vent to me about his/her problems, I'll do what I can.
Q: What's your least favorite thing about yourself?
A: I have a deadly combination of trying to be perfect and a little OCD which sometimes makes it hard for me to get things done. For instance, answering this question took me a long time because I had to make sure everything was exactly the way I wanted it.
Q: We know you like to gamble, what else have you lost besides money?
A: When we were young, my friends and I use to play video games competitively. The loser would usually have to run around the block in a certain amount of time or else something bad would happen to him. A few years ago we were playing Mario Kart for pushups. Everyone probably did 500 pushups that night, but unfortunately for me, I was the weakest. Only this time the loser had to lie on the ground while their friends would twist and turn a football in his butt. It was quite embarrassing and I lost a lot of respect for myself.
Q: If you could choose between being a professional poker player or a professional tennis player, which would it be?
A: I would definitely choose to be a professional tennis player. There is way too much luck involved in poker and I would feel much better about myself playing a sport as my profession.
Q: If you could take one thing back, what would it be?
A: I wish I would've tried harder in school, not just to please my parents but to prove to myself that I can do it. I will finish school, just not right now.

Ashley Olson

Profile:

What’s up everyone, I am Ashley Olson. Yeah, yeah, yeah, get your jokes out now… “do you have a sister named Mary Kate”, “are you the Ashley Olson as in Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen?”. I am not. I am actually quite a unique individual. I grew up in Redmond, Washington in an awesome family with two other sisters; one older and one younger. I was a busy kid who was always involved in soccer, softball, and volleyball. After I graduated form High School, I went to proceed with my education at the University of San Diego (USD). I transferred for a semester to California Lutheran University and played volleyball on the intercollegiate team for a semester, but I am now back at USD and am almost done with my Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. Carson, the head of this little family called eBUS live, has been my boyfriend since I was in eighth grade. He’s always been really supportive, and I thought this fantastic bus adventure seemed pretty cool, so I decided to join in and help put eBUS live on the map. I am not 100% sure how long I will partake on this crazy adventure because I recently got accepted to the University of California, Berkeley’s Biostatistics program; however, no matter where I am I will always be a part of eBUS live.

Q & A

Q: How does CLU compare to USD?
A: Well, CLU and USD are completely different worlds. CLU seemed like a more down to earth place; almost like small town living in a big city. USD is like a fashion show every day. It gets pretty ridiculous, so I think if I started off at CLU, I would have found a great niche, but because I had already developed my friends at USD, my heart was there and I really wanted to go back.
Q: How was playing volleyball in college?
A: Playing an intercollegiate sport is pretty fun. It was a great way for me to meet some cool people and be involved with the university. I would recommend anyone who has the ability to play a sport in college to take full advantage of it.
Q: Are you sure you want to go on this trip?
A: I think the better question is, are they sure they want me to go on this trip?
Q: What's the worst part about your life?
A: Having the name of a not so cool famous person
Q: What's the most spontaneous thing you have ever done?
A: I am pretty close with my aunt Cathy and I was going up to Newport Beach to hang out with her one weekend. Her and her long time friend, Paul, and I decided that we wanted to go skydiving. We drove to Perris, CA, and jumped out of a plane.
Q: I heard that you were on a leash when you were a child, tell me more about this.
A: Well, I was pretty crazy as a child. My mom had to leash me up when she would take me places because who knows what trouble I would get into if I wasn't tied up.
Q: Tell me five things about you, four of them true.
A: 1.) I love peanuts in many desserts, but I'm not enamored with Reese's Pieces.
2.) I used to have a major crush on Jordan Knight from New Kids on the Block.
3.) Listening to music is my favorite pastime.
4.) I am certified to sail small sail boats through US Sailing
5.) I lived in Holland for two months during the summer of 2006

Stephen Martineau

Profile:

Hey-o! My name is Stephen Martineau. I am 6 feet tall, 195 lbs, and am currently single. I enjoy late night walks on the beach and writing profile jokes that are lame and played out. This spring I will graduate from Central Washington Universities' Construction Management program and be done with school... forever. I've been spending my summers at Lake Cushman since the day I was born and am constantly interested in outdoor adventures. I just recently accepted a job with SeaCon (seaconllc.com), a commercial general contractor out of Issaquah, WA. I've been pondering numerous graduation trips and when eBUS Live welcomed me with open arms, I had no choice but to accept. What part of a cross country road trip with your close friends on a converted school bus doesn't sound radical?

Q: How do you know the other members of eBUS Live?
A: Lieu and I have been solid pals since about the 2nd grade, and have been competing with each other in anything and everything since. I met Carson in grade school basketball league when the Jammers would constantly dominate the Eagles, we did however lose to them once. Although Carson remembers a different story. And Ashley has been Carson's special lady since the day I can remember.
Q: You mentioned being competitive with Lieu, what type of games would you compete in and who has the overall lead?
A: I am fairly sure I have the overall lead in the following events: white trash paintballing, wiffleball, backyard apple golf battle, curtain bond, cards, and Mario Kart Lieu has the lead in all events that involve a racket. He's kind of good at tennis.
Q: You are listed at the bottom of the donor list. You are a broke college kid, how did you afford that?
Well I almost had to get two jobs to do so, but I am such a huge fan of eBUS Live that I felt it was worth it. Not really. When Luke Comer was on the bus I would donate 50 cents every time the Packers lost. Luke is a bandwagon Packers fan and I am a huge Seahawks fan.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Ice cream. It doesn't get any better than a "Martineau Bowl" of ice cream. Two personal favorites include Tilamook Chocolate Peanut Butter and Dreyer's Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookie.
Q: "Martineau Bowl," what's that?
A: Growing up as a kid, my family would eat ice cream from time to time, and all was normal. Then one day I went to college and scooped me up a bowl. When I sat down to eat it my roommates looked like they'd seen a ghost. Apparently other families eat ice cream in smaller portions.
Q: I see you are a fan of Journey. I bet you just like their ballads for getting girls. Plus, they're probably terrible without Steve Perry in the band, but you probably didn't even know that?
A: I don't really appreciate the tone of that question. Anyhow, I've seen Journey twice in concert, and both times I found the concerts to be quite righteous. Steve Perry is one of my heroes and it's a bummer that he no longer sings with Journey. However, the new Steve rocks the house just like him.