Summer in Place: Dumplings, Documentaries & Dating Shows

Q: What have you been doing this summer?

A: It’s been pretty chill actually. I’ve been preparing for next year, so working on my technique for dance and on promotions for FBLA and other club things. I’ve also been taking a class about Race and Ethnicity at UC Riverside, which I think is really interesting because it’s increased my world view on race and racism, which is really useful right now and in the future, especially for educating others. I’ve been spending a lot more time with my family too [...] I’ve been working out for dance and trying to get my brother to join me.

Q: How long have you been dancing?

A: My background is mainly in Chinese dance because my studio specializes in that. I’ve been dancing recreationally in Chinese dance since I was 3 and competitively since I was . As for more Americanized styles of dance, I had some experience with that before dance team, but mainly during this school year.

Q: What have you been doing for fun?

A: Surprisingly, I haven’t watched any TV shows but I have been watching some documentaries. For part of the Race and Ethnicity class, I had to watch “The House I Live in” which was actually really interesting because it offered a different perspective and something to think about about drugs, and race, and ultimately how current society is not as it seems when it comes to that. My family and I, every Saturday Night, watch the Chinese dating show [Fei Cheng Wu Rao]. Another thing is making dumplings and wontons because it’s always been a thing in my family to make wontons every weekend when scheduling isn’t weird.

Q: Your freshman year just ended, what advice would you give?

A: Don’t be afraid to talk to upperclassmen because ultimately they’re only there to help you and even though they’re older, I swear they’re not scary. The other piece of advice is to manage your time wisely [...] The main thing is creating a schedule and sticking to it. So part of that is not procrastinating because ultimately I want to spend all the time I can doing stuff that’s not work, practicing, and working out, but I know that’s not going to get me anywhere. At least the MV mindset tells me that’s not gonna get me anywhere. I religiously stick to [my schedule] because I know if I end up browsing Instagram for who knows how long I’ll be gone for the rest of the night. Knowing that it will all pay off in the end is how I live my life.