Books On My Bookshelf

Bookshelves are a great equalizer; they are as universal as they are personal. Tucked away between each compartment is someone’s life story, much like the pages of a novel that hold the secrets of a writer’s mind.

Charting My Own Course

I’ve been comfortable zagging while others are zigging since I was little. It started on father-son trips to Nashville. My dad and I would go to our favorite restaurant, Mission BBQ, and without fail, on our way there, Dad would turn left. I would gently tug at his hand to turn right.

Lockpicking

“Nothing on 1. 2’s binding—set. No binding on 3, false set on 4. Counter Rotation from #1, similar resistance on 3; set. Something’s overset—relaxing tension—#1 dropped; set. Full core rotation.”

Cheers

While my friends binge The Office, I’m at home with my favorite family tavern, Cheers. Reminiscing on my first visit five-years-ago, going into my tenth visit, I realize the gang at Cheers is my mirror: they reflect how I’ve grown.

Latin

I have a confession to make: I’m in love with something dead.

Sutras

“Namo-Arihantanam, Namo-Siddhanam, Namo-Ayariyanam…”

Mazes

I’m standing at a crossroad with three options: turn left, turn right, or walk forward. Where is the way out? I wonder.

Animals

Lola the lamb. Diego the snake. Jack the Dog. Nutmeg the rabbit. And a Bearded Dragon named Zigzag.

Transition / Dreamcatcher

I grew up in transition. The transition between the Guangzhou of fourteen years ago—buying breakfast on the side of the street and walking past organized beggars—and now: 40-story skyscrapers and luxury malls that dominate the downtown skyline.

Silence

I like science. When everything is quiet, I am able to organize the waterfall of thoughts of which, using simple words, I rarely can express a droplet.

Pranks

Once, a teacher challenged me to make an assignment as difficult to grade as possible. What he failed to remember is that I am a programmer.

Laptop Stickers

My laptop is like a passport. It is plastered with stickers all over the outside, inside, and bottom. Each sticker is a stamp, representing a place I’ve been, a passion I’ve pursued, or community I’ve belonged to.