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.

Photography

I have a deep passion for photography, specializing in documentary and journalistic photography. My philosophy is: "A photograph is a witness to a moment in history." My journey in photography began with a Nikon D700, followed by a Canon 70D, and later a Canon 6D. I served as the vice president of the photography association, and regularly contributed photos to the university's official website. I am a photographer for Visual China and a member of the Guangzhou Photography Association. I also have developed an interest in astrophotography and I am a member of the Astronomy Club. This is a collection of postcards I created from my photography work here.

During my university years, I co-founded a creative media studio with senior students, focusing on MG animation and micro-film production. Our studio's original character "Zuiyao B (最耀B)" garnered over 100 million views across platforms. You can find our works on YouTube and Bilibili. Additionally, my micro-film "Drinking Water and Remembering the Source (饮水思源)" won the "Best Film Silver Award" (RMB ¥40,000) [Certificate]. I'm particularly proud of my role as executive producer in the university commemorative graduation video "The Journey (走过)".

Arts

Art has always been an integral part of my life, manifesting in various forms. I have a deep appreciation for fine arts and frequently visit art museums and galleries to immerse myself in different artistic expressions and cultural narratives. As a member of the Calligraphy Association, I practice Chinese calligraphy, which I find to be a meditative art form that connects traditional aesthetics with personal expression.

Music is another passion of mine, with eclectic tastes spanning multiple genres. I particularly enjoy R&B for its soulful expressions, classical music for its complexity and emotional depth, and British rock for its innovative spirit and cultural impact. In the Mandarin music scene, I deeply admire Jay Chou for his unique ability to blend Chinese traditional elements with modern musical styles, creating a distinctive sound that bridges cultural gaps while maintaining artistic integrity.