CURRENT MISSION

find my passions

ABOUT ME

I'm a 25 year old woman in Hawaii (USA), born and raised. I've lived briefly in Paris, London, and San Francisco, before trekking back to Hawaii. I don't know what's next but I do know it'll be somewhere fun. I'm an American of Chinese ancestry (second-en).

I have always dreamt of traveling - it's the biggest goal I have - to just travel all over. I speak fluent English and decent Cantonese, as well as understanding a Chinese village dialect, Hakka.

I tend to be introverted but I love meeting new people and I adore hanging out with friends. I don't give off a great first impression sometimes because of self-consciousness but it really just takes me a little while to "get comfortable" and open up. I can talk about anything (unless I am clueless about the topic) but I like hearing other people's travel stories!

PHILOSOPHY

I would go on forever in here but to keep it simple, I guess I can't call myself incredibly adventurous (though many claim I am). I try to live by not giving in to my fears. I'm not going to say I'm a daredevil either because I'm not but for me, something as simple as studying overseas is "hard" for me to do because it defies family expectations of me. Thus, for me to get over my fear of defying them is an example of how I try to live. I don't want to regret NOT doing anything - ever.

I try to look on the bright side of things, not necessarily in a cheery-peppy way but just to see what I've learned and what "good" may have come out of every "bad" that happens.

Interests

I love to read (fiction/fantasy), write for fun, hang out with friends, sing karaoke, bead (jewelry), do arts/crafts, swim, dance, TRAVEL, reading about other cultures (yeah I'm a dork), try new foods, tech for theatrical plays, watch theatrical productions and musicals, ice-skating (I don't really know how), women's issues, and designing.

• arts
• books
• singing
• impressionism
• dancing
• dining
• crafts
• technology
• reading
• traveling
• karaoke
• swimming
• genealogy

Music, Movies, and Books

I adore young adult fantasy and fiction (but not young adult romance). I read some adult fantasy/sci-fi and I like some mysteries/thrillers. Some of my favorite authors are Patricia C. Wrede, Sherwood Smith, Sharon Shinn, Meg Cabot, Tamora Pierce, Mercedes Lackey, Dean Koontz, Maya Angelou, Suzanne Collins, etc.

I don't watch too many movies but some favorites include both Shrek movies, Ever After, Centerstage, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Bring It On, Rent, Take the Lead, She's the Man, and more I can't think of.

I don't have favorites in music as it depends on my current mood but I don't rule out very much without giving it a try and not much really irritates me.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

To me, the entire of Paris was amazing. Spending 6 weeks there for school was one of the best experiences of my life.

Teach, Learn, Share

1. Jeans are awesome if you are not traveling too much and have the leisure of washing machines. They can be reworn many times and hardly show dirt.

2. The Musee d'Orsay in Paris is one place travel books don't (or barely) mention that should be. It's a total gem, especially if one is interested in impressionism.

3. Unless you have a fascination for French interiors or royal suites, skip the Versailles tour and head straight for the gardens. The bikes to be rented are the best thing to do although you have the option of go-carts and rowboats. Bikes are still the best way to go (and cheapest of them all).

4. When being greeted by people in stores in China/Macau/Hong Kong, ignore them like the locals do or they will start badgering you and following you around.

5. In restaurants in China/Macau/Hong Kong, there are usually no napkins (sometimes you have to ask and they will drop a packet of portable kind on the table) so bring your own. Also, it is customary to wash the ends of the chopsticks (part used to grab food) before eating by using hot water or tea they offer.

6. Always check bus schedules to see when the last route runs so you don't get stranded somewhere in the dark in a strange city.

7. Read up on some good hole-in-the-wall eateries so you don't get stuck eating at some generic tourist place.

Countries I’ve Visited

China

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, United Kingdom, United States