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2021

  • 3 min read

My Love of Chinese Philosophy in High School

During my high school years, I spent considerable time contemplating life and shaping my character. Even as a science student, I was drawn to the arts because they allowed me to expand my horizons without the pressure of exams. Chinese literature, in particular, had a profound impact on me due to its enduring wisdom encapsulated in ancient poetry and essays.

One story that left an impression on me was about Su Qin, a strategic advisor during ancient China's Warring States period. Despite facing disgrace and disrespect from his family after failing to win over the Emperor of Qin, Su Qin locked himself away to study his teacher's books. Through sheer willpower and sacrifice, he eventually convinced six kingdoms to unite against Qin, thereby turning his life around. His story emphasized the inescapable role of money and status in society and motivated me to strive for success.

Du Fu, a poet from the Tang dynasty, was another influence. His compassion for others, despite his personal hardships, inspired me to be more selfless and altruistic. Du Fu's dream was to build a sanctuary for scholars, a dream so compelling that he would gladly give his life to see it fulfilled. His philosophy continually fuels my desire to contribute to the greater good.

Confucian philosophy has also had a significant impact on me. The work of Tang Junyi, a renowned Chinese philosopher who founded my university, resonated with me. He focused on human-centered ethics, asserting that the core of Chinese culture is humanity rather than divinity. He outlined four essential human virtues—compassion, justice, respect, and moral discernment—which guide us in living dignified lives. This philosophy has shaped my belief in the importance of moral integrity.

Taoism, too, has been influential, providing balance and perspective, especially during my low moments. It encourages me to see things holistically and to value my unique contributions to the world. Sun Zi's "The Art of War," a text shaped by Taoist principles, has been a source of strategic wisdom for me.

However, Chinese philosophy also serves as a cautionary tale. Legalism, a philosophy emphasizing strict governance, triumphed over others during the unification of China, leading to a short-lived but oppressive regime. This example underscores the importance of balance and the perils of overlooking human values, a lesson particularly relevant in the context of current global tensions.

While I majored in science, the teachings from Chinese literature, philosophy, and history have been a vital part of my education. Science and democracy, identified by intellectuals of the late Qing dynasty as the two pillars that could save China, resonate with me as essential forces for good. Through the scientific method and the democratic process, I believe we can work toward a more enlightened and harmonious world.

These lessons from Chinese philosophy have significantly shaped my worldview, influencing not only how I understand life but also how I strive to live it.

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

我在高中對中國哲學的熱愛

在我的高中時代，我花了大量的時間思考生活並塑造我的性格。即使作為一名科學學生，我也被藝術吸引，因為藝術讓我可以擴展我的視野，而不需承受考試壓力。中國文學尤其對我產生了深遠的影響，因為它在古代詩歌和散文中蘊含了持久的智慧。

對我留下印象的一個故事是關於蘇秦的，他是中國戰國時期的一位策略顧問。儘管在未能贏得秦國皇帝的支持後，他面臨家庭的羞辱和不尊重，但蘇秦還是鎖定自己研讀老師的書籍。通過堅強的意志力和犧牲，他最終說服了六個國家團結對抗秦，從而扭轉了他的生活。他的故事強調了金錢和地位在社會中不可逃避的角色，並激勵了我要努力追求成功。

唐代詩人杜甫也是我另一個有影響力的人物。儘管他經歷了個人的磨難，但他對他人的同情心激發了我更無私和利他的情懷。杜甫的夢想是為學者建立一個庇護所，這個夢想如此引人入勝，以至於他願意為了實現它而欣然獻出自己的生命。他的哲學觀不斷激發我對偉大事業的貢獻欲望。

儒家哲學也對我產生了重大影響。唐君毅，我的大學的創辦人，也是一位著名的中國哲學家，他的著作與我產生了共鳴。他專注於以人為本的倫理學，並主張中國文化的核心是人道而不是神道。他概述了四種基本的人本美德 - 慈悲，公正，尊重和道德辨別力，這些指導我們過著有尊嚴的生活。這種哲學塑造了我認為道德正直的重要性的信念。

道教也有影響力，尤其在我低谷時期提供了平衡和視角。它鼓勵我全面看待事物，並重視我對世界的獨特貢獻。孫子的《孫子兵法》，一本受道教原則塑造的書籍，一直是我的策略智慧的來源。

然而，中國哲學也發揮了警示作用。法家，一種強調嚴格治理的哲學，在中國統一過程中戰勝了其他學說，導致了短暫但壓迫性的政權。這個例子強調了平衡的重要性和忽視人類價值的危險，這對於當前全球緊張狀況的語境非常相關。

雖然我主修科學，但中國文學，哲學和歷史的教導一直是我教育的重要部分。晚清時期的知識分子認為可以拯救中國的兩大支柱是科學和民主，這與我認同的基本的正義力量產生了共鳴。我相信透過科學方法和民主程序，我們可以朝向更光明和和諧的世界邁進。

這些來自中國哲學的教訓在極大程度上塑造了我的世界觀，不僅影響我對生活的理解，也影響我如何努力過它。

  • 5 min read

My memory of the time in secondary school

In high school, I spent the majority of my time dating girls. I wished I had spent more time and effort studying, but hormones damage a boy's brain during puberty. Unfortunately, there was no course at school that taught me about love and how to love. My family would not discuss this matter openly at home, so I learned the hard way through trial and error, which was unfortunate. I was too shy as an introvert to tell the girl I liked her. I was attracted to a gorgeous girl, and that was my first love. It was so innocent and naïve. Cupid shot the arrow at me, and I fell for her. Jessie was her name. She was a classmate who appeared to be a nice sweet girl. I stared at her occasionally and fantasized about all the love stories that may happen to us. But it never happened because I was too embarrassed to ask if she felt the same way about me. Life is funny; instead, other girls fell for me. I had an ordinary, quiet, composed appearance.

To make matters worse, one of the class's worst girls was aggressive to ask me out, and I accepted her offer because I didn't know how to decline her pursue. Ultimately, this ugly girl became my first girlfriend. Meanwhile, I found out that the pretty girl I liked had discreetly reciprocated my feelings. When she discovered that I was going out with that ugly girl, her heart broke. Yes, I shattered her heart. This puppy love came to my attention a little late in the game, and it's a straightforward love story laced with remorse. As a young introvert, I learned the lesson of the first love.

There were five classes in the same cohort in high school, and I was in the weakest class in the school, but I was the best student there. Something went wrong in my class culture: pupils were bad in puberty, and there was a lack of drive to learn. Because the females were so open, touching each other's sex organs out of curiosity with a high level of sex hormones, I began to have complicated love relationships with other girls in the class. I used ICQ (an ancient online messaging app) to meet a girl from the next-door school. We met and dated in the dark cinema to watch movies, and then she put my hand on her breast. She drove me home after the show; it was my first sex education. After school, I learned more than I did throughout the school day. Students were always cheating on tests using past test papers from repeat students. I was in the worst class, and even teachers had lost interest in teaching us. Thus, I lost interest in studying.

I've had a lot of influence from the girls I've dated. I stayed outside the home longer and returned home late after midnight when I dated a bad girl. After more than ten chaotic short relationships, I became interested in dating the best student in the best class. Her name is Doris. She was the top student receiving straight A's in all courses. Doris outperformed the rest of us, and the school named her the M.C. for all of the school's events. She talked confidently in front of the students. I was looking up at her on stage as a dirty boy, admiring her. I set out on a mission to turn this best student into my girlfriend. Out of everyone's envy, she miraculously became my girlfriend. Because my academic scores needed to catch up, I began to feel under pressure. On every subject, she beat me. However, by taking her as my girlfriend, my self-esteem improved. I began to work harder in class and eventually received top grades in chemistry, winning her just in one subject. I was more motivated to learn and improve as a student. The change in my behaviour was due to her credit. We had a stable and steady relationship, and this lasted till we went to different universities.

We must take one public exam before beginning high school. The competition became fierce when the school reduced five classes to only one science and one art class. I knew I should concentrate on the exam, but I prefered extracurricular activities over academics. To meet girls, I joined various societies, such as a dancing club. I eventually rose to the position of president of the graduation dinner committee, planning the event. I enjoyed being a leader in the association, and Doris, of course, was the night's emcee. It was stressful to talk about budgets and shoot videos, and no matter how hard I tried, some disgruntled pupils refused to go through with the idea. That encounter taught me a lot. Although I did not devote 100% of my attention to the public exam, I received 24/30 points with 6 Bs in all areas, placing me in high school.

The first round of public examination was entering high school. For A-level students who wanted to go to university, there was a second general exam. It was one of the most difficult tests I had ever taken, and the competition was keen. Once again, I did not solely concentrate on academics and stood for president of the student union. Because it was difficult, it was the most unforgettable period. I only got 3 hours of sleep per night because I dealt with my studies and the student union. I had confidence in my ability to balance both at the same time. However, when the midterm exam results were announced, I was totally at a loss. Dismal and distressed, I had to decide whether to continue with the works of the organizations and studied for the final examination whenever I had the time. I bit the bullet and continued with the status quo. There was a volume of works to do at the students' organisation. I organised charity activities to support the 2008 China’s earthquake. I raised funds for the refugees and planned a fashion show. Most of the events went on well, and the fashion show was a huge success. At least, my hard work paid off, and people began applauding my efforts. It felt nice to give back to society, and my public examination results were strong enough to get me into the Chinese University of Hong Kong to study chemistry.

Chinese language and culture became my favourite subjects in the A-level test. I adored it and, as a scientific student, I even outperformed my art peers in terms of grades. The subject led me to ponder the meaning of life as well as Confucius' principles. I was attracted by any intellectual conversation about the ideal political system and what to do with my future life as a young man growing up and maturing. I was influenced by Li Tiamming's book, which is written by a famous philosopher, about his art of thinking. I don't need to look for the ultimate explanation of life's meaning. I just need to come up with a good enough answer, such as:

  1. Expand my knowledge
  2. Broaden my experience
  3. Take pleasure in life
  4. Contribute to society
  5. Develop interpersonal relationships

These are my motivations for living a meaningful life, and serving as President of the Students Union is a step ahead in my education and service.

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

我的中學時期的記憶

在高中，我大部分的時間都在和女孩子約會。我希望我花更多的時間和努力去學習，但青春期的荷爾蒙卻損害了一個男孩的大腦。可惜的是，學校裡沒有一門課教我關於愛情和如何去愛。我的家人也不會在家裡公開討論這件事，所以我通过试错来学习，這很不幸。我太害羞，以至於不能告訴我喜歡的女孩我喜歡她。我被一個漂亮的女孩吸引，那是我的初戀。那麼的天真和幼稚。丘比特射中了我，我也愛上了她。她的名字叫潔西，她是一個看起來很甜美的同學。我偶爾會看她，並幻想我們可能會有的所有戀愛故事。但它從未發生過，因為我太尷尬，不敢問她是否對我有同樣的感覺。生活很有趣；相反，其他的女孩子喜歡上了我。我有一種普通、安靜、沉著的外表。

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更糟糕的是，班上最差的一個女孩子主動要求和我出去，我接受了她的提議，因為我不知道如何拒絕她的追求。最終，這個醜陋的女孩成為了我第一個女朋友。與此同時，我發現我喜歡的漂亮女孩悄悄地回應了我对她的感覺。當她發現我和那個醜陋的女孩在一起的時候，她的心碎了。是的，我打碎了她的心。這場小狗愛戀來得有點晚，這是一個簡單直接的愛情故事，充滿了遺憾。作為一個內向的年輕人，我得到了初戀的教訓。

在高中，同一個年級有五個班，我在學校最弱的班級，但我是那裡最好的學生。我的班級文化出了問題：學生在青春期裡表現得很差，缺乏學習的動力。因為女生大方得可以，好奇地接觸彼此的性器官，荷爾蒙分泌旺盛，我開始和班上的其他女生有複雜的戀愛關係。我用ICQ（一個古老的在線消息應用程序）結識了一個鄰校的女孩。我们在黑暗的电影院里看电影，然后她把我的手放在了她的胸部。看完电影后，她送我回家，这是我初次接触性教育。在校外，我學到的比一整天的學校時間還要多。學生們總是用舊生的舊試卷作弊。我在最差的班级，甚至老师也失去了对我们的教学兴趣。因此，我对学习失去了兴趣。

我从我交往过的女孩那里受到了很大的影响。我和一个不好的女孩约会的时候，我会在外面呆得更久，凌晨才回家。经过十多次混乱的短期关系，我开始对约会最好的班级中最好的学生感兴趣。她的名字叫多瑞琦。她是全优秀生，所有课程都是A。多瑞琦超过了我们其他所有人，并被学校命名为所有学校活动的主持人。她在学生面前自信地说话。我当时是一个肮脏的男孩，抬头看着舞台上的她，仰慕着她。我决定把这个最好的学生变成我的女朋友。在大家的羡慕之中，她神奇地成为了我的女朋友。因为我在学业上需要赶上去，我开始感到压力。在每一个科目上，她都击败了我。然而，通过把她作为我的女朋友，我的自尊心有所提高。我开始在班级上更加努力地工作，并最终在化学方面取得了最好的成绩，只在化学这一科目上赢了她。我更有动力去学习和提高。我的行为的改变是她的功劳。我们的关系稳定而持久，一直持续到我们去了不同的大学。

进入高中之前，我们必须参加一个公开考试。当学校将五个班级减少到只有一个科学班和一个艺术班时，竞争变得激烈。我知道我应该集中精力考试，但我更喜欢课外活动。为了结识女孩，我加入了各种社团，比如舞蹈俱乐部。我最终升为了毕业晚会委员会的主席，计划这个活动。我喜欢在协会里做领导，多瑞琦当然是那晚的节目主持人。谈论预算和拍摄视频很有压力，不管我多么努力，一些不满的学生都拒绝接受这个想法。这次经历让我学到了很多。尽管我并没有把所有的注意力都放在公开考试上，但我在所有领域都得到了6个B，总分是24/30，这让我进入了高中。

公开考试的第一轮是进入高中。对于想要上大学的A级学生来说，有一个第二次的综合考试。这是我做过的最困难的考试之一，竞争非常激烈。再次，我并没有完全专注于学业，而是竞选学生会主席。因为它很困难，所以它是最难忘的时期。每天晚上我只睡3个小时，因为我要处理我的学习和学生会的事务。我对自己有能力同时处理这两件事有信心。然而，当期中考试的结果公布时，我完全失去了方向。我失落和痛苦，我必须决定是否要继续做组织的工作，并在有时间的时候为期末考试学习。我咬牙坚持，维持现状。在学生组织里有很多工作要做。我组织了慈善活动来支持2008年中国的地震。我为难民筹款，并策划了一个时装秀。大部分活动都进行得很顺利，时装秀非常成功。至少，我的辛勤付出得到了回报，人们开始为我付出的努力鼓掌。回馈社会感觉很好，我的公开考试成绩足够让我进入香港中文大学学习化学。

中文和文化成为了我在A级考试中最喜欢的科目。我非常喜欢这个科目，作为一个科学学生，我在成绩上甚至比我的艺术同行强。这个科目让我思考生活的意义和孔子的原则。我被关于理想的政治体制和作为一个成熟的年轻人对我未来生活的任何智力对话所吸引。我受到了李天明的书的影响，这是一本由著名哲学家所写的关于他的思考之道的书。我不需要寻找生活意义的终极解释。我只需要有一个足够好的答案，比如：

  1. 扩大我的知识
  2. 扩大我的体验
  3. 享受生活
  4. 对社会做出贡献
  5. 发展人际关系

这些是我过上有意义的生活的动力，担任学生会主席是我在教育和服务方面的一步。

  • 3 min read

Reasons to Write My Self-Help Blog

What if you had the power to write your own fate? We can't predict the future, but we can articulate our goals and dreams for it. We can't change the past, but we can interpret it through the lens of our own experience. While we can't control the present, writing about our current thoughts can serve as a form of meditation and mental therapy.

What if the most effective self-help book is the one you write for yourself? I've read numerous self-help books and find them momentarily invigorating, yet they rarely inspire lasting behavioral change. If these books truly worked, I'd be wildly successful by now. Instead, I find myself discouraged, always seeking the next self-help book. Journaling, on the other hand, is backed by scientific evidence as a method for self-reflection and personal growth.

On my thirty-first birthday, I pondered what the best gift for myself might be. While an iPad is tempting, material gifts offer only fleeting joy. I opted instead for a physical notebook for my writing. What if you began this experiment by jotting down your thoughts as well?

When starting to write a book, the hardest part is the first sentence. This is something my mentor, Ernest Chen, taught me. Don't overthink it; just write. Once the first sentence is down, the rest flows much more easily. Often, the writing process is influenced by my mood and can be a bit chaotic. However, it helps me recognize flaws in my thinking, ultimately enhancing my critical thinking skills.

Secondly, writing about a subject is one of the most effective ways to understand it. After identifying problems, I seek solutions through books and articles. I then rephrase these insights in my own words. If I struggle to simplify a concept, it's a sign that I need to revisit the material. Writing also helps to solidify memories and perspectives.

Thirdly, writing preserves memories that might otherwise fade away. When reflecting on my childhood, I realized how much I had forgotten. The thought that these years could slip away from me is frightening.

Political regimes often try to rewrite history. How can we trust a narrative controlled by the victors, while the losers' side is lost to time? While I don't intend to write solely from a "loser's perspective," I feel a responsibility to record what has transpired in Hong Kong and its implications.

In summary, it would be remarkable if this writing experiment helped me define my destiny. I've always wanted to be a good person, but what does that actually mean? By specifying the behaviors a good person should exhibit, I can hold myself accountable. Similarly, what does happiness mean for me? Different people might define it in various ways.

Do I enjoy my birthday? I'm not certain, but I see no reason to be sad. I'm grateful for the birthday wishes from family, mentors, and friends from around the globe. Material gifts have become less important to me over time, while lasting relationships have gained value. Wealth can't buy companionship; a fact underscored by the loneliness I felt during the COVID lockdown.

Isn't true happiness measured not just by what we receive, but also by what we give? How can I make a positive impact on society? How can I remain committed to my goals and overcome life's challenges? These are the topics I plan to explore in my writing. Even if this experiment fails, writing remains a vital life skill that I should continue to hone.

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

寫我的自助博客的原因

如果你有能力寫下自己的命運會如何？我們不能預測未來，但可以明確我們對此的目標與夢想。我們無法改變過去，但可以通過自己的經驗來理解它。雖然我們無法控制現在，但寫作關於我們當下的想法可以作為一種冥想和精神治療的方式。

如果最有效的自助書是你自己寫的會怎樣？我讀過很多自助書籍，發現它們都能讓我短暫地振奮起來，但很少能激發持久的行為改變。如果這些書真的有用，我現在應該已經非常成功了。相反，我發現自己挫敗，總是在尋找下一本自助書。然而，日記寫作卻有科學證據支持，是一種自我反思和個人成長的方法。

在我三十一歲生日時，我思考了哪種禮物可能是我自己最好的禮物。雖然iPad很吸引人，但物質禮物只能帶來短暫的歡樂。我選擇了一本實體筆記本，用來寫我的文字。如果你也從把你的想法寫下來開始這個實驗你會怎麼想？

開始寫書時，最困難的部分是第一句話。這是我的導師Ernest Chen教我的。不要想太多，只需寫下去。一旦有了第一句，接下來的部分就能更輕松地寫出來。寫作過程經常受到我的心情影響，可能會有些混亂。然而，它幫助我認識到自己思考上的缺陷，從而增強我的批判性思維能力。

其次，寫作是理解一個主題最有效的方式之一。在識別問題後，我從書籍和文章中尋找解答。然後我將這些見解用我自己的話重新表述出來。如果我在簡化一個概念上有困難，這是一個我需要重新看待這個材料的信號。寫作也有助於鞏固記憶和觀點。

再者，寫作可以保存可能逐漸消失的記憶。當我回憶起自己的童年時，我意識到我已經忘記了很多事情。這些年份可能會從我記憶中消失的想法讓我感到恐慌。

政權經常嘗試去重寫歷史。如果勝利者控制著叙事，而失敗者的故事卻被時間所遺忘，我們該如何相信該敘事呢？雖然我並不打算僅僅從“失敗者的觀點”去寫作，但我認為記錄香港發生的事情及其含義是我的責任。

總的來說，如果這個寫作實驗能幫助我確定自己的命運，那將是非凡的。我一直想成為一個好人，但這實際上意味著什麼呢？通過指定好人應表現出的行為，我可以對自己負責。同樣，對我來說，幸福意味著什麼呢？不同的人可能會以各種方式定義它。

我喜歡自己的生日嗎？我不確定，但我覺得沒有理由感到悲傷。我很感謝來自全球的家人、導師和朋友的生日祝福。隨著時間的推移，物質的禮物對我來說變得不那麼重要，而持久的關係卻變得更有價值。財富不能買到陪伴；這是我在COVID封鎖期間感到孤獨時所深刻體驗到的。

真正的快樂不僅是我們收到的，也是我們給予的嗎？我如何對社會產生積極的影響？我如何認真對待我的目標並克服生活的挑戰？這些都是我打算在寫作中探討的主題。即使這個實驗失敗，寫作依然是我應該繼續磨練的重要生活技能。

  • 3 min read

A Brief History of My Childhood

My life story naturally begins with my mother, without whom I wouldn't exist or be writing this post. Before my birth, I had no awareness of the world around me. According to my mother, I was more of an accident than a planned child—a claim likely supported by the fact that I'm an only child and none of my aunts have children either. My mother could have chosen to abort me, but she decided against it, valuing life as a miracle. Born on July 31st, I was lucky enough to survive infancy. My early memories are vague, but some of my mother's sayings, like "money isn't everything, but everything needs money," have stuck with me. As an accountant, she values her education and problem-solving skills. She attributes my intelligence to her genetic contribution, discounting my father's role. While she doesn't hold a formal university degree, I regard her as a smart person.

When I was just a few years old, my maternal grandfather passed away from lung cancer. He was a great cook and had a vibrant personality, but he was also a heavy smoker. Despite health warnings, he chose to continue smoking, stating that he'd rather die young than give up the habit. Although I wish he had made different choices, I respect his approach to life: valuing personal happiness, even at the risk of one's health.

I owe much to my parents. While my intelligence might come from my mother, my father likely contributed to my physical appearance. I consider myself fortunate to have a blend of both. My mother disciplined me more strictly, often using a clothes hanger, while my father was generally more lenient. His only strict rule was regarding internet usage: he'd turn off the router at midnight to discourage my late-night browsing. My father's interests in computer games and electrical engineering shaped my own passion for technology, contributing to my current career as a software engineer.

During my primary school years, Pokémon was all the rage. Ironically, I never watched a single episode, making it difficult for me to socialize with peers who were fans of the show. Instead of joining conversations about Pokémon, I volunteered as a librarian and spent my free time reading. Chinese history fascinated me, especially the tales of ancient heroes. Sometimes, I'd daydream about being a wise advisor to an emperor, leading the nation to prosperity.

My primary school was Catholic, and we prayed daily. Though the experience didn't convert me to Catholicism, it did teach me the value of kindness. The school was located near my home and was attended by students from a variety of backgrounds, some from lower-income households. Our teachers advised us to avoid trouble, especially given the reputation of the neighboring secondary school.

Socially, I was a shy kid, brilliant academically but reserved in person. As a result, my closest friends were often other unpopular or bullied students. One of my best friends had been born prematurely, and his physical frailty made him a target for bullies—a situation I found deeply unfair.

Among my school memories, one that stands out is my fear of Mrs. Chan, a P.E. teacher known for her excessive makeup and overpowering perfume. Her mere scent could instill fear. On one occasion, I was unfairly punished for supposedly using hair gel, when I had only used water to style my hair. Instances like these made me equate school more to a prison than a place of learning, and I often wondered if a different educational system would have served me better.

Looking back, I've come to realize that the formative years of my life were a blend of blessings and challenges. Despite the ups and downs, I am grateful for the experiences that have shaped me into who I am today.

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

我的童年簡史

我的人生故事自然從我的母親開始，沒有她，我就不可能存在，也不可能寫這篇文章。在我出生之前，我對我周圍的世界一無所知。根據我的母親的說法，我更像是一個意外，而不是一個計劃中的孩子 --- 這可能由我是獨生子女，且我所有的阿姨都沒有孩子，來支持這個說法。我的母親本可以選擇墮胎，但她決定不做，將生命視為一種奇蹟。我誕生於七月三十一日，幸運地走過了嬰兒期。我早期的記憶很模糊，但我母親的一些語句，比如「金錢不是一切，但一切都需要金錢」，使我記憶深刻。作為一名會計師，她很注重教育和解決問題的能力。她認為我的聰明才智來自她的基因貢獻，而忽視了我父親的作用。雖然她沒有正式的大學學位，但我認為她是一個聰明的人。

當我只有幾歲的時候，我母親的父親因肺癌去世。他是一個很好的廚師，擁有活力四溢的個性，但他也是一個重度的吸煙者。儘管有健康警告，他選擇繼續吸煙，並說他寧願年輕就死，也不願放棄這個習慣。雖然我希望他可以作出不同的選擇，但我尊重他的生活方式：即使冒著傷害健康的風險，也要追求個人的快樂。

我非常感激我的父母。雖然我的聰明可能來自我的母親，但我的外貌可能來自我的父親。我認為我很幸運可以得到他們兩者的特質。我的母親對我比較嚴格，經常用衣架懲罰我，而我父親一般比較寬容。他唯一的嚴格規定就是關於互聯網的使用：凌晨他會關掉路由器，以阻止我深夜上網。我父親對電腦遊戲和電子工程的興趣影響了我對技術的熱愛，並促使我現在成為一名軟件工程師。

在我小學的時候，寵物小精靈（神奇寶貝）很流行。但諷刺的是，我從未看過一集，這使得我很難與那些喜歡這部動畫的同學交流。我並不參與關於寵物小精靈的討論，而是選擇當一名圖書館志願者，並用我的空閒時間來讀書。我對中國歷史十分著迷，尤其是古代英雄的故事。有時，我會想像自己成為皇帝的賢臣，引領國家步入繁榮。

我小學是一所天主教學校，我們每天都要禱告。雖然這種經歷並沒有讓我轉信天主教，但它確實教會我善良的價值。這所學校靠近我的家，有來自各種背景的學生就讀，其中包括一些來自低收入家庭的學生。我們的老師建議我們遠離麻煩，尤其是鑑於附近中學的名聲。

在社交上，我是一個害羞的孩子，學業成績出眾但在人前保持矜持。因此，我最親密的朋友經常是其他不受歡迎或被欺凌的學生。我其中一位最好的朋友是早產兒，他的身體虛弱使他成為欺凌者的目標 --- 這是我覺得非常不公平的情況。

在我學校的記憶中，有一個我最鮮明的記憶就是對陳老師的恐懼，她是一位以過多的化妝和強烈的香水聞名的體育老師。她的氣味就足以讓人感到恐懼。有一次，我因為據稱使用了髮膠，而被不公平地懲罰，其實我只是用水來塑造我的髮型。這些事情使我把學校比作一所監獄，而非一個學習的地方，我經常懷疑如果有一個不同的教育系統，會不會更適合我。

回顧過去，我意識到我的成長歷程既有幸福，也有挑戰。儘管有起伏，但我對塑造我為今日之我的經歷心懷感激。

  • 3 min read

The Importance of Public Speaking

What is your greatest phobia? For some, it's a fear of dogs or spiders, but many of us are terrified of public speaking. The concern about being judged or ridiculed is constant. Recognizing its importance, I have enrolled in a course to hone my public speaking skills. This is a vital skill to master as it impacts us on three levels: personal, professional, and societal.

My fear of public speaking came into sharp focus when I saw a girl cry before she could even speak on a topic. This dedicated student, who aspires to be a diplomatic translator, was paralyzed by her fear. She is intelligent and fully capable of speaking, yet she found herself unable to do so.

Moved by empathy, I felt her fear but couldn't do anything to help. Her mother, initially proud and filming her daughter's attempted speech, eventually lost patience. The girl's eyes moistened and tears began to flow. The longer she waited, the more pressure she felt. How can we overcome such debilitating fear? Allow me to share my experience.

Personal Level: Public speaking can elevate your personal brand and visibility. Although I am an introvert, I understand the power of speaking up in class or meetings. The hesitation to ask questions, especially prevalent in Asian classrooms, isn't because students lack curiosity; it's the fear of appearing foolish. As the saying goes, "You may look foolish for five minutes for asking a question, but you'll be a fool forever if you don't." Taking the initiative to speak up builds confidence and leaves a positive impression on others, providing an advantage in both school and life.

Professional Level: In my role as an Engineering Manager, communication is my primary responsibility, not coding. A manager needs to effectively communicate with the team, inspire them, write reports, update senior executives, and impress clients. Recently, I successfully presented my company's product to the CEO of a digital bank and an audience of seventy people. Mastering public speaking is essential for my professional growth.

Societal Level: Public speaking can be a powerful tool for enacting change. Whether you're part of the Red Cross, Boy Scouts, or any other organization, you need to convey a clear message and shared vision. Take climate change advocates like Bill Gates, Greta Thunberg, or even Leonardo DiCaprio; their effective communication has helped mobilize public opinion. Speaking compellingly allows you to share crucial messages and effect change on a societal level.

In conclusion, while I may not be the world's best public speaker, I am passionate about it. Though I couldn't encourage the crying girl in that moment, I hope she continues to strive for improvement. Mastering public speaking offers opportunities on personal, professional, and societal levels. Don't wait for the right moment; create it by honing your ability to speak in front of groups.

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

公眾演講的重要性

你最大的恐懼是什麼？對有些人來說，可能是對狗或蜘蛛的恐懼，但許多人卻對公共演講感到恐懼。人們不斷擔心自己會被評判或嘲笑。意識到這一點的重要性，我報名參加了一門磨練公共演講技巧的課程。這是一項重要的技能，因為它影響到我們的三個層面：個人、專業和社會。

當我看到一個女孩因為恐懼而在開始演講之前就哭了出來時，我對公共演講的恐懼就變得非常明顯。這位專心致志的學生，她有志成為一名外交翻譯員，但她卻被恐懼所困。她聰明并完全有能力去說話，但她卻發現自己無法說出話來。

我被同情心所感動，我感到了她的恐懼，但卻無法做任何事情去幫助她。她的母親，最初對女兒的演講抱著驕傲的心情並拍摄下來，最后卻失去了耐心。那個女孩的眼睛濕潤了，淚水開始流下。她等待的時間越長，她感到的壓力就越大。我們怎樣才能克服這種病態的恐懼呢？讓我來分享我的經驗。

個人層面： 公眾演講可以提升你的個人品牌和可見度。雖然我是一個內向的人，但我理解在課堂或會議上發言的力量。在亞洲的教室裡，學生們不願意發問，並不是因為他們缺乏好奇心，而是他們害怕看起來愚蠢。俗話說得好，"問一個問題你可能會傻五分鐘，但如果你不問，你可能一輩子都是傻子。"主動發言可以增強自信，並在他人心中留下良好的印象，這在學校和生活中都是一種優勢。

專業層面： 在我作為工程經理的角色中，溝通是我的主要職責，而不是編程。一個經理需要有效地與團隊溝通，激勵他們，撰寫報告，向高級主管報告，並給客戶留下深刻的印象。最近，我成功地向一家數字銀行的CEO和70人的觀眾展示了我的公司的產品。熟練掌握公共演說對我的專業成長至關重要。

社會層面： 公眾演講可以是推動變革的強大工具。無論你是紅十字會，童子軍，還是任何其他組織的一員，你都需要傳達清晰的信息和共享的願景。像比爾·蓋茨，格蕾塔·桑伯格，或者甚至是萊昂納多·狄卡皮奧這樣的氣候變化倡導者，他們有效的溝通有助於動員公眾意見。有說服力的演說讓你能夠分享關鍵的信息，並在社會層面上產生變革。

結語，雖然我可能不是世界上最好的公眾演講者，但我對此充滿熱情。儘管我在當時沒有鼓勵那個哭泣的女孩，但我希望她能繼續努力提高。精通公眾演講在個人，專業和社會層面上都提供了機會。不要等待合適的時機;通過磨練你在群眾面前講話的能力來創造它。