Music
Music has always been part of my life. Right now I'm an aspiring songwriter who performs covers of my favorite songs at live gigs and open mics. I play acoustic guitar, and you'll catch me at local venues or just playing on the porch. Eventually I want to start writing my own songs to express myself and my experience as a trans woman navigating the world and motherhood. Music is where I process things and find clarity.
Practice sessions at home
On the Wall
Rock climbing teaches you to trust yourself, read problems methodically, and commit to moves even when they scare you. It's the most honest sport I know. The wall doesn't care about anything except whether you can solve the puzzle in front of you. I also love sharing it with others, especially introducing new climbers to the sport.
Overhang traverse
Bouldering
Taiwan ascent
Travel
Living and traveling across East Asia (Taiwan, Japan, China, Mongolia, Hong Kong) shaped who I am. These weren't tourist trips. They were years of immersion. Learning to teach in Mandarin, crossing the Gobi Desert in a Soviet-era van, running a marathon in Saitama, walking the Great Wall. Each experience expanded my sense of what's possible.
Taiwan
Mongolia
Following our van through the Gobi Desert at sunset
China, Japan & Hong Kong
Creative Pursuits
My creative interests span from traditional Chinese calligraphy to woodworking and art. I also stay active with soccer and other sports, believing that physical activity and creative expression are both essential to a balanced life.
Wood carving
Chinese calligraphy
Soccer
From Soil to Table
I grow food, forage wild plants, ferment vegetables, and cook from scratch, often inspired by the flavors I fell in love with in East Asia. There's something deeply satisfying about the full cycle: planting seeds, pulling weeds, harvesting dandelions, making kimchi, and cooking a meal that connects me to the earth and to the cultures that shaped my palate.
Want to know more?
Check out my professional work, read about my journey, or just reach out.