Who You Are Matters--Gloria

• Describe where you come from
• Tell me where you're going
• Tell me how you plan to get there
• How are you LIKE your parents
• How are you UNLIKE your parents
• Have you developed your own expectations for yourself, or if you were honest, would you say you're operating under someone else's expectations?
• Who serves as a model for you of someone who lives life with great passion and personal responsibility?
• Connecting with the ANIMAL WORLD: What wild animal do you feel a special connection with, and why?
• Connecting with the NATURE KINGDOMS: Describe a significant childhood encounter with a tree or plant.

1. I come from Wuhan. It is a large city in the middle of China that has over 10 million people. Even though it is a pretty famous city in China, most of my classmates don't know Wuhan. But I think it is understandable. One thing that makes my city unique is that Wuhan is divided into 3 parts by Yangtze river and its tributary. It is funny to treat others when telling them we actually have three different name for the same city. 

2.After this semester, I'm going to Hong Kong for my sophomore year. I'm pretty looking forward to life in Hong Kong. Different from LA, Hong Kong vibe would be more intensive and energetic. I'm sure I would learn a lot from that pressured environment. 

3.Well, I already inside the World Bachelor In Business program. However, it still takes me time to considerate whether or not to pursue such different and challenging path for my college life( We can drop this program before going to HK). I plan to travel more and expose myself to more unknown things this semester to find out who I really am and what I really like. 

4. My parents are really supportive. They don't ask too much about my work, life or study like traditional Chinese parents who care about every quizzes score. They would support my decisions and encourage me to do anything I like. 

5. They have some conventional thoughts as well. For example, my dad doesn't accept LGBTQ group no matter how hard I try to explain. 

6. I don't think I'm operating under someone else's expectations as I don't think others' opinions can control my life as I'm the only person who is responsible for the choices and takes consequences for that.

7. I would say my mom is a model for me since I was young. She is energetic and disciplined all the time. She has her own business and operates it really well. Especially in China, such patriarchal society, I really appreciate that she makes me believe that woman can achieve anything that man can.

8. Tiger. Chinese have the Chinese Zodiac. I was born in the year of Tiger.  Tiger represents power and leadership. When I am in charge of some big task, my leadership will appear immediately. This might explain why I feel a special connection with tiger. 

9. In my childhood, my grandparents have a small fruits trees forest (most are Longan fruit trees and Litchi fruit trees) and we live next to it. I still remember one day I said I want to play on swings. My fathers chose a tree that might be more than 30 years old and use hemp rope and wood to make a swing for me. Since then, every time I saw a large tree, it reminds me of my father and that swing.