Category: Inspiration

What’s inspiring to me about the future is how I know nothing about it. I have some expectations, but really how can I. There’s so much possibility, granted, for good and bad things, but let’s focus on the good for now.

Sure there’s college, friends and new experiences, but I aim to bring some of the past with me as well. Like valuable lessons I’ve learned, great people I’ve met and the passions I’ve pursued. I also haven’t dwelled on the future too much because it’s going to come no matter what I do, so lately I’ve been trying to be content with the present.

This photo may look far from inspiring, but I think it is a good representation of how I see the future. In the present, there’s light to guide us, beyond that we don’t know. Despite this, we, time, keeps going, only allowing us to see the future once it becomes the present.

I don’t know what lies ahead, as I only know what is lit by the headlights, but I’m sure I’ll find out soon enough.

I took this while doing a photo assignment for the Midpeninsula Post and had the chance to go into the kitchen and try a slice of their cheesecake. Just by watching how the chef handled and cut the cheesecake I could tell how much care he put into making it.

When thinking of current events, what immediately comes to mind for me is the recent shooting that resulted in the loss of multiple Asian American lives. As someone who was born in China and raised in the U.S. the news hit a nerve to say the least. Hate against the Asian community is not new and spiked when COVID-19 entered the picture, although the situation escalated significantly this month. Recently and in the past year I’ve noticed how people have taken to social media to spread information and overall raise awareness of the issue.

I started to learn how to play piano when I was seven and continued lessons until early high school. I didn’t have a lot of time to play during high school and it wasn’t until the shelter in place that I genuinely appreciated being able to play piano. Even though I hadn’t had a lesson in years, I still remember enough to take on almost any song I want to learn.

This has been particularly helpful when I want to learn the piano version of songs I listen to now. Over the past year I’ve taken the time to learn pieces ranging from “Bohemian Rhapsody” to songs from a musical called Dear Evan Hansen, and most recently songs by the South Korean group, BTS.

Now that I think about it, I think it’s so cool how one instrument can cover such a broad range of genres and mediums. Despite having only 66-88 keys, the possibilities truly seem endless when it comes to the piano.

My most recent job was at a local voting center for the 2020 Presidential election. This opportunity combined two of my core values: helping people and doing what I can to support causes I stand by. This election meant a lot to me as I’m sure it did to others. Even though I was unable to vote due to age, I wanted to do what I could to help other people vote.

I was also able to meet and get know fellow aides who got assigned to the same voting station. I was able to talk to a variety of people of different ages from various backgrounds, but what tied us together was the desire to help out with with the election and the cause behind it.

An aspect of our world that I find myself continuously being drawn to is nature. In this photo you have Earth, although I could argue that this also includes Water and Spirit depending on how you look at it.

Earth sustains life and enables growth. Here we have a field of green grass and a dandelion growing from dirt. Without the dirt their roots would have nothing to latch onto and would be unable to thrive.

I think it is possible to include Water in this because in order for the grass and the dandelion to live, water or moisture to some degree is required. In this photo no water is visible, but we can assume the plants are getting water from nearby sprinklers or morning dew. Without the presence of water this photo would be remarkably different.

I include Spirit in this as well because everything that is alive may have a spirit of some sort. Through their will to live and produce, the dandelion and the grass have a spirit to an extent.

There are so many things, opportunities and people that I am thankful for. Although an aspect of my life that I have not properly expressed gratitude for are my high school basketball teammates. Playing basketball with them almost year round, I find I don’t take the time to realize how lucky I am to be on a team full of hardworking, respectful, supportive, and overall compassionate individuals. I sometimes forget that it’s not a given to get to play with such people and not all teams are able to foster the community we have. The players are one of the main reasons I’ve continued basketball through high school since I knew I wouldn’t come across another team like them.

A close friend of mine that I met in middle school has continued to constantly inspire me despite going to different schools. She’s ambitious and strong-willed while being compassionate and down to earth. When she encounters a challenge, she acknowledges it and pushes through nonetheless. She also helps keep me accountable. Whether it’s in regards to work or morals, she holds me responsible for my actions.

I have always admired her grit and determination, something I try to incorporate into my everyday life.

Quick fact: If I mentioned a friend in any of my Freestyle projects, it’s her.

A habit I began right after leaving elementary school was hanging flower leis on my doorknob. I received my first, real flower lei after 5th grade. I’d consider myself to be a sentimental person and taking into account you typically don’t get leis I wanted to keep mine. I can’t remember if it was due to lack of space but I decided to put it on my doorknob.

In 7th grade I went to Hawaii for the first time and fresh leis were plentiful. Evidently, I did not want to let them go because of their beauty, fragrant scent, and the moments I remember when looking at them. When I got back home, it was a no brainer that they would be joining my end-of-elementary-school lei on the doorknob. A year later I was able to add a couple more leis to my stash when I finished middle school.

Sometime between elementary and middle school I questioned whether or not I should get rid of the leis once they had dried up. But I soon became accustomed to the rustle they’d make when I’d open or close the door. Or how I became attached to scent they fill my room with even when their pigment had dulled. Needless to say, I’ve been looking forward to high school graduation, for then I can add more lays to the doorknob.