Childhood: Rice, Salted Vegetables, and Books

I was born in the Year of the Monkey, in a small mud house nestled in a quiet village in southern China. The village was surrounded by small mountains and winding rivers. Everyone there was a farmer, including my parents, my grandparents, and my great-grandparents. They worked the fields growing rice and vegetables. I was the second child in our family. Like my sister, I attended the village school. Our teachers came from neighboring towns or villages and stayed at the school during the week, returning home on weekends. They, too, were farmers. But they taught us to read and write. I was the top student in my class. The school only offered four grades. After finishing fourth grade, I continued my education in a nearby town. At ten years old, my friends and I would walk to school every Sunday afternoon and return home on Friday. We lived in the school dormitory during the week, though it didn’t provide food. Each of us brought a bag of rice and a can of salted vegetables—occasionally, some meat. The principal’s wife would help cook our rice. The dormitory was modest, with just two rooms—one for boys and one for girls. The school supplied only bed frames. We brought everything else: bedding, mosquito nets, pillows, and a small wooden box filled with our belongings—clothes, a toothbrush, books, a bag of rice, and a can of salted vegetables. It was the beginning of China’s economic reform and opening-up. My parents left the village to work in the city, while I stayed behind with my grandparents. Thanks to the money they sent home, I was able to afford a Xiaobawang and a cool mountain bike.

Journey to the West: Germany, Switzerland, and USA

After finishing my undergraduate studies in Shanghai, China, I moved to Germany for my Masters. Then, I moved to Switzerland to pursue my Ph.D. It was intimidating, trust me! My peers were top students from top universities. They were sharp, capable, like Swiss army knives. But gradually, I adapted and grew. The work of Yunlong is stellar. (I didn't make this up) Marco Hutter said, referring to my doctoral work. Those words validated the five years of dedication, late nights, and countless iterations that went into my doctoral work. After completing my doctorate, I moved to the United States for new adventures.

What did Beckett say? Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better. I tried really hard so many times, yet I failed so many times, epically. I kept trying and learning. Life is a struggle, literally. I am grateful for all the people who have helped me along the way. Education was my key to the world. It opened many many many doors for me. But, I also understand how hard it is to get a good education and how difficult it is to maintain continuous learning. Wanna have a chat? I got the stories, but you need to bring the beer.