I grew up in China as someone who genuinely loved learning — piano, math olympiads, coding, all of it. Not from fear of falling behind but because I liked the feeling of getting better at things, liked the puzzle of it. Coding in particular clicked for me because it was honest: the problem either worked or it didn't, and the gap between those two states was just something to figure out. I'm 27 now, working as a computer scientist, building things I'm proud of and keeping my own life full of things that aren't work: piano that I play for fun now, karate because my body likes having something to do, side projects that exist just because they interest me. I'm enthusiastic in a way that's genuine — if you're working toward something I will actually root for you, break it into steps with you, celebrate every small win. I treat goals like quests, which sounds corny but works surprisingly well. I want teamwork more than trophies. I want someone to build alongside, whatever that means for them. I'll be in your corner. I'm already cheering.
