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EVENT: My Birth
I think an event in my life that was really important is my birth. Without my birth, I wouldn’t be born, or exist, or be the entity I am today. Sometimes I wonder if I would be the same person if God hadn’t had me be born that day, that time, that place, in this family. -
PEOPLE: Mom
My mother, my birth giver. Ever since I was born, she has taught me many different things. She raised me up, shaped my values, disciplined me, and protected me. I am able to talk with my mom about things that I am struggling with and she always is there for me. I think she has influenced who I am today: for me to be responsible, hardworking, respectful, and loving. -
PEOPLE: Popo
I realized that many times my grandma scolds me, it is because she wants the best for me and for me to be a better person. She is also one of the reasons why I love to cook. I make food with her and it is really amazing to learn from her and for me to teach her new foods too. -
PEOPLE: Mama
My grandma is a leader of a charity and the Kowloon District Girl Scouts. She is always busy but able to make time for my sisters and me. She is hardworking and passionate about her work. She is serious about her work, but knows how to have fun and bless those around her. -
PEOPLE: Dad
My father, my other birth giver (?). When I was little, I have to admit that my father wasn’t always around because he was always busy working and traveling outside of Hong Kong. During this time, I didn’t understand why he wasn’t there, but as I grew older, I understood the importance of his work. Through him, I learned the importance of family. Now, he works more from home, and I am able to see his passion and dedication which reminds me to find things that I am passion and love to do. -
EVENT: Enrollment at ICS
I've been at ICS since kindergarten. ICS is a very good school that is safe, relatively stress-free, and a community. My sister and I asked my parents why they chose this school. They aren’t Christian, but they said they liked what the school stood for and how they taught. I am endlessly grateful for my parents' decision. Without ICS, I don’t think I wouldn't have been able to know Jesus, grow up with amazing Christian influences, learn about God at such a young age. -
PEOPLE: Piano Teacher
My piano teacher has taught me the piano since I was four. Not only did I learn how to play the piano, but I’ve also learned how to enjoy and make good music. She has taught me the importance of musicality and making my playing unique which transfers to all aspects of my life. I shouldn’t do things for the sake of doing it, but to do it the best I can and make it personal to me. -
EVENT: Serita is born
My sister was born when I was four. I don’t exactly remember her birth, but I do remember having a companion to play with, to make messes, and to fight over the most stupid things. Because of my sister, I learned to share, be understanding, and realize that even if I didn’t get my parents attention 24/7, they still loved me. -
PEOPLE: My ballet teacher
My ballet teacher is one of the senior teachers at my school and is a leader within the teachers and students. Many fear her because she is strict and sometimes gets mad, but it is because she wants the best from us and wants us all to improve. She has taught me perseverance and dedication - to not give up even when I keep failing. She also has shown me love, she pushes me to do my best. We also have fun and laughter in class, and I love ballet and dancing more and more. -
PEOPLE: Uncle Aup
Aup is one of my uncles. He is the leader in his company but also a leader in his family. When I go on vacation with my cousins, I see how the love and attention he gives to my cousins. It is inspiring to see his fatherly love at every moment, even when things are bothering him or when he is busy. -
PEOPLE: Mr. Bensey
Mr. Bensey was my third-grade teacher. The first words that pops into my mind to describe him are fun, energetic, passionate, and caring. He was one of the best teachers I ever had. I still remember that he taught me how to do long division. He tried very hard to make our learning fun while making it challenging but still went out of his way to make us laugh, even if it meant dancing on the table spontaneously during class. -
EVENT: Airplane ride
On the plane ride back from Australia, there was a lady who kept complaining to the flight attendant that I was kicking her chair. She requested to be moved to a better seat, maybe a business class. In truth, I did kick her chair once, but afterwards, I stopped. The flight attendant also understood me and even gave me a chocolate bar. I was scarred after this experience because it broke my bubble that everyone had a good, forgiving heart. I learned that sometimes I won’t get my way, but oh well. -
EVENT: Vanisa is born
My second sister was born when I was in fifth grade. She was.the.cutest.thing.in the world. I learned how to caress, burp, feed milk, change diapers, support the neck, and more skills of baby care that I might need when I grow older. Her birth taught me patience because everyone had to be alert of her safety at all times. Sometimes when I needed help, no one was able to help, so I learned to adapt. I developed my love for children because of Vanisa, and I even worked a few summers at a nursery. -
PEOPLE: Mrs. Ross
Mrs. Ross was my roots group leader during sixth and seventh grade. Each week, I looked forward to Friday lunches with my Roots group. Mrs. Ross shared stories, made funny jokes, and brought us 10 girls together. Most importantly, she taught me the importance of fellowship and willingness to share so we can support each other. -
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EVENT: Joining scholar
When I was young, it was my ultimate wish to join the scholars program at my school. It is a free program supported by the school’s scholarship for selected students to train and perform. I finally got in when I was in sixth grade after hard work and training. What I learned after I got in, is that I still had to work hard. I have to keep working and doing my best, and not all things can be just handed to me. -
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EVENT: ISDS
ISDS is a summer dance camp in Hong Kong that lasts for four weeks. I have joined for the past four years, and I meet people, make new friends, and have so much fun. Although it's fun, it's also exhausting. I gave up four weeks of my summer, to wake up at 7 and dance till 7. But I love it, so that's ok. I learn to be responsible (safe traveling and scheduling), open-mindedness (to guest teachers), and companionship (to support each other, otherwise I would have collapsed by week 1). -
EVENT: Janice leaves for boarding school
Janice was my best friend, and it was really hard to see her leave for boarding school after our seventh-grade year. Although I still had my group of friends, I felt lonely and lost during the beginning of eighth grade. But God introduced new people into my life, people that I did not think of talking to. I went out of my comfort zone to talk to people, even though my introverted self was panicking. -
PEOPLE: Sam
Sam is one of the youth pastors at River. When I first attended River after being dragged along by Grace and Allie, he was one of the first people to greet me. He emanated God’s love through his actions and treated everyone with respect and love. One important thing that he has taught me, is how to show empathy….I still have a laminated card of a heart as a reminder of it. -
EVENT: Falling on the stairs
Right before my ballet exam, I fell on the stairs while going up the stairs. I got a really deep cut and bruise across my knee, which the nurse told me to get stitches, but I did not. This was the worst time to have an injury because I wasn’t able to practice and just sat in class. Looking back, I wonder if this was all part of God’s plan. If I hadn’t taken that few days off right before my exam, I would have overworked myself. I am grateful for my mom washing my wound every morning and night. -
EVENT: Falling while running
I had a back injury but went to a charity run for my grandma’s charity. I planned to walk but I saw everyone else running, so I started running despite the pain. During a downhill section, I was too focused on my back that I tripped and fell on all 4 limbs. It was a bad fall and my pants ripped through. I freaked out, ran faster than ever, in hopes to finish the race and get to first aid. Turns out, my fall was a gift in disguise because I ended up in the top 5 runners.
