Chef

Cooking has become one of my greatest passions in recent years. I specialize in Cantonese cuisine, particularly in making soups, pan-frying steaks, and preparing salmon. Honestly, I didn't know how to cook before coming to the USA. But gradually, I discovered the joy of cooking. It helps me relax and unwind after intense research work, providing a balance to the mental demands of academic life. Now, Cooking has become a way for me to understand different cultures through their cuisines. I believe that good food has the power to bring people together and create lasting memories.

Basketball

While I love many sports, basketball has been my greatest passion since elementary school. As an avid NBA fan, my first jersey was Ming Yao's Houston Rockets uniform. During high school, I would purchase Slam Dunk magazine every week. I still remember the shock of watching the Allen Iverson highlight reel for the first time - such a relatively small figure fighting fearlessly like a matador amongst giants. Moreover, Kobe's "Mamba Mentality" has deeply influenced my way of dealing with challenges. However, LeBron James has probably had the most profound impact on me. During my free time, I would watch every game LeBron played and learn his leadership and resilience.

I was fortunate enough to live in Wisconsin, where Chinese basketball star Jianlian Yi played for the Milwaukee Bucks. I remember how happy I was the day he was drafted by Milwaukee, when I was still in seventh grade. Giannis Antetokounmpo's journey has resonated deeply with me—watching him evolve from a skinny kid from Athens into an NBA champion embodied a powerful lesson. As he famously said, "Talent won't give you carved muscles!"

I've been injured many times in my basketball journey, such as sprained ankles and scraped knees. The most severe setback occurred in early 2024 when I suffered a lower back injury requiring surgery. For the first two weeks, I was essentially immobile, confined to bed rest. However, these challenges never diminished my passion for the game. As Iverson famously said, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Basketball has not only strengthened my body but also taught me invaluable life lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and rising after every fall.