Fun Facts

Music

I have been playing / jamming solo recently due to COVID and not being able to find a chamber group / band to jam with in SD. However, friends in UCSD CSE might resume their pre-COVID jamming sessions very soon, so I really look forward to that!
During college, I picked up the Baroque flute (traverso), the precurssor of modern flutes in the Baroque era. I have performed in chamber music groups on the Baroque flute, and held my first (and only) personal recital on the Baroque flute in May 2019.
I’ve also been playing the modern flute since the 7th grade, when I got invited to join the school orchestra. I later became the orchestra’s Principal Flute in the 10th grade, and also won the 1st prize in a regional music competition.
I took my first piano lesson just after I turned 5, and piano became a major part of my life (until I switched my focus to flute). After stopped playing for almost 8 years, I picked it up again in 2021.
I love classical music, but I am also a big fan of R&B and rock music. My favorite artist is Hikaru Utada (宇多田ヒカル), and I’m a big fan of the rock band ONE OK ROCK.

I love learning languages.

As of May 2022, I speak 4 languages fluently: English, Mandarin, Hokkien and Cantonese.
My fluency in French is intermediate, after 1.5 years of intensive study during undergrad.
I can also read and write Kana (the Japanese alphabet) and Hangeul (the Korean alphabet), thanks to the years of interest in Japanese and Korean cultures.
I’m very excited about seriously learning Japanese starting Fall 2022!

I’m never good at sports, but I’ve been trying to be better at sports since adulthood (for the sake of health).

I lift weights and love strength training. Trying to lift heavier day by day.
I learned Archery in my first year of college and almost joined the competitive Archery Club.
I attempted to learn ice skating but never succeeded, unfortunately. But I enjoy watching figure skating shows and competitions. I’ve been a big fan of Yuzuru Hanyu (two-time Olympic gold medalist) since 2018.