Baizer

Part 1 ​

Advertisements ​

Do you like advertisements? ​

Do you like advertisements? Has anyone answered yes to this question? ​

Most advertisements are boring and intrusive. For example, ads often pop up while I'm watching a YouTube video, and I always get very annoyed. But there's nothing I can do about it.

What kind of advertising do you like? ​

Well, it's hard to think of any that appeals to me. Creative ones?

Do you like advertisements? Has anyone answered yes to this question? Most advertisements are boring and intrusive. For example, ads often pop up while I'm watching a YouTube video, and I always get very annoyed. But there's nothing I can do about it. What kind of advertising do you like? Well, it's hard to think of any that appeals to me. Creative ones? Interesting ones? ​

Well, I can't think of any examples, but there could have been some adverts that were fun to watch, or billboards with funny pictures. But like I said, no specific example comes to mind.

Is there an advertisement that made an impression on you when you were a child? ​

Do you like advertisements? Has anyone answered yes to this question? Most advertisements are boring and intrusive. For example, ads often pop up while I'm watching a YouTube video, and I always get very annoyed. But there's nothing I can do about it. What kind of advertising do you like? Well, it's hard to think of any that appeals to me. Creative ones? Interesting ones? Well, I can't think of any examples, but there could have been some adverts that were fun to watch, or billboards with funny pictures. But like I said, no specific example comes to mind. Is there an advertisement that made an impression on you when you were a child? Made an impression on me? ​

Yeah, one commercial that I used to see time and time again on TV was yeng yeng yeng. It's just one sound repeated over and over. This one definitely made a very lasting impression on me. But you know what the problem is? I still don't know what it advertises.

Cakes ​

Do you have a sweet tooth, enjoying cakes and other sweets? ​

Well, I believe most people have a sweet tooth. I think it's in our genes. We naturally feel happy when eating something sweet because of the dopamine rush. But I'm aware that it's not a healthy habit to eat a lot of sugary things. So I try my best not to.

Are there any traditional Chinese cakes that you like? ​

Yeah, definitely. Off the top of my head, I can think of moon cakes, which are enjoyed on the mid-autumn festival. But there are tons of other kinds. None of the names is coming to mind now. One kind that I like is round, crispy on the outside, and it doesn't have any filling. What's it called again? I can't remember, sorry.

Did you like eating cakes as a child? ​

I absolutely did. But I don't remember eating a lot when I was a child. I did have cavities in my teeth. So that should be proof that I always ate stuff that was high in sugar.

Can you make cakes? ​

No, unfortunately I can't. In fact, I can't make anything. I even need help with cooking some ramen noodles.

Celebrities ​

Who is your favorite celebrity in your country? ​

Well, I think it should be Xu Wei, who is a rock and roll singer. I really like him, mainly because his songs are full of emotions, and I can always relate to some of those emotions.

What kind of famous people do you often see in the news? ​

Who is your favorite celebrity in your country? Well, I think it should be Xu Wei, who is a rock and roll singer. I really like him, mainly because his songs are full of emotions, and I can always relate to some of those emotions. What kind of famous people do you often see in the news? In the news, all kinds of celebrities, right? ​

Like singers, actors, politicians, athletes, and even influencers, who are appearing on TV, in newspapers, and magazines more and more. I'm not sure if this is a positive trend.

Do you believe that news about famous people is always true? ​

Of course not. Not only news about famous people, news in general is not as trustworthy as before. Because there's so much fake news and misinformation now. For example, I read something online the other day about the divorce of a famous couple, but then it turned out to be fake news.

Would you like to be famous in the news? ​

No, I don't think so. Being famous comes with a lot of problems, like the infringement of one's privacy, and when you're in the public eye, everybody will be judging you, and you'll be under so much pressure. I wouldn't want that in my life.

Chatting ​

Do you like chatting with friends? ​

Yeah, I do. I really enjoy chatting with people, not necessarily friends. Whether it's friends, colleagues, neighbors, or just strangers, I like talking with them. Having conversations with people just puts me in a better mood and allows me to learn more about the world.

Do you prefer to chat with a group of people or with only one friend? ​

Actually, both. Like I said, I derive a lot of pleasure from chatting with people, so it doesn't matter whether it's a group or just one person.

What do you usually chat about with friends? ​

We chat about anything, but since I'm a bookworm, I always bring up topics about the books I've read. For example, I've been reading a book titled Making Time, so recently I've been discussing topics related to time management and productivity with others.

Do you prefer to communicate with people face-to-face or via social media? ​

Well, I prefer having face-to-face interactions because as social animals, we just love to and should interact with people in person. I can't explain why, but I've learned that this can contribute to better health and healthier relationships.

Clothing ​

Do you like wearing t-shirts? ​

Yeah, I do. I love wearing t-shirts in the summer. But in addition to t-shirts, I also like to wear tank tops because with no sleeves, it makes it cooler in the scorching heat. In other seasons, I wear t-shirts underneath other things, like a jacket or a hoodie.

What kind of clothing do you like to wear? ​

Well, there's no one type of clothing that I love the most. I'd say it just depends. When it's cold, I wear long-sleeved shirts and coats. And recently, I've been wearing my leggings a lot because I've been trying to work out more often.

Do you prefer to wear casual clothes or formal clothes? ​

Casual, for sure. I can't stand formal clothing because it's not comfortable. Plus, I don't have to attend any formal events.

Do you spend a lot of time choosing clothes? ​

No, I don't. I've read that the more time you spend picking out clothes, the less willpower you have. So I try not to do that. Generally, I'm pretty chill when it comes to what I wear. So it doesn't take me very long to decide on my outfit for the day.

Collecting things ​

Do you like to collect things? ​

I would like to collect cars, luxury fancy cars, but I'm not rich enough. It would be a dream come true if I had a lot of fancy cars in my possession. So, I guess my answer to your question would be, no, I don't collect things now.

Why do some people like to collect things? ​

This is obvious. When someone likes something, they want to own more of that. And this is called collecting, isn't it? So, there are collectors of paintings, limited edition sneakers, sports cars, and so on. Of course, at the same time, some people collect because they expect certain items to rise in value. So, it's like an investment. One good example is antiques. And paintings could be the same too.

Where do they collect things? ​

I'm not sure I know what you mean by where do they collect things. It could be anywhere, right? It depends on what they collect, I think.

Colors ​

What is your favorite color? ​

I guess my favorite color is blue. I'm not very sure why, but I do feel good whenever I see some blue stuff. Oh, I love being on a beach and looking out over the ocean, and I also look up at the sky sometimes, the blue sky, which is very peaceful and therapeutic.

What color car would you like to buy? ​

Well, when it comes to cars, I don't know. I've never thought about it before. I guess it depends on the car. If I were rich enough to buy a Ferrari, then it would have to be a red one, right? But, oh, I recently saw a green Lexus, which also looked very cool. I might buy that car in the future.

Do you think color is important when deciding which clothes to buy? ​

Yeah, absolutely. I would never get a pink coat for myself. Or pink underwear. So yeah, males typically won't buy clothes that are of feminine colors. I mean, colors that are traditionally believed to be feminine. Of course, there's nothing wrong with that, but I just think most males wouldn't do that. As for females, I don't think it matters much what color of clothes they wear.

Crowded places ​

Is the city where you live crowded? ​

Yeah, it is. It's extremely crowded. We have a population of 21 million.

Can you imagine that? ​

It's larger than the population of some countries even. So, wherever you go, it's jam-packed.

Do you like crowded places? ​

No, absolutely not. I always feel very uncomfortable in a crowded place, and sometimes even claustrophobic. A few days ago, I was in a really packed elevator, and at one point, I even had trouble breathing. It was a really bad feeling.

Do most people like crowded places? ​

No, I can't imagine anyone liking crowded places. Most of the time, it's because we don't have a choice. Like, we all love nature, we all want to be in open spaces, but many people still go to crowded cities just because that's where the jobs are, and we need to make a living.

When was the last time you were in a crowded place? ​

Oh, it's that elevator that I was talking about.

Feeling bored ​

Do you often feel bored? ​

Do you often feel bored? Do I often feel bored? ​

I don't think so. There's always something I can do to occupy my time. Like, I watch videos, same as everybody else these days. I work out, both at the gym and at home. I also read from time to time. So, yeah, I'm not bored easily.

What do you do when you feel bored? ​

I'll just do one of the things that I mentioned just now. For instance, I finished some work last night around 9 o'clock. And then I just picked a book and began to read it. It was a memoir written by a South African comedian. It was so good that I couldn't put it down.

When do you often feel bored? ​

God, you're really pushing it. If I don't have my phone with me, or a book, or anybody to talk to, I might feel bored. But that rarely happens.

Do you find childhood or adulthood more boring? ​

Generally, I guess most people would say that adulthood is more boring. Because when we are kids, we can turn anything into a game. For example, we come across a strange-looking rock, and then we can use that to tell a story to ourselves. You know, play pretend. Yeah, this is what it's called.

Films ​

What type of films do you like? ​

Well, I think I like all types of films, including action, romantic, historical, fantasy, and so on. If I had to pick a favorite, it would probably be fantasy, because The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit are my all-time favorite series.

Did you often watch films when you were a child? ​

Yeah, I did. I was a big fan of Harry Potter when I was growing up. While most kids loved young Harry, my personal favorite was Ron. He's loyal and is a great friend.

Do you often go to the cinema with your friends? ​

We used to go very frequently, whereas now, we don't go as often as before. Part of the reason is that we've all graduated from college and everyone is busy with work, but we still make an effort to go to the cinema once in a while.

Do you think going to the cinema is a good way to spend time with friends? ​

Yeah, definitely. You go to the cinema and watch a movie together with friends. Then, you can discuss it over coffee or milk tea. Then, a few weeks later, you can still have a chat about that movie you saw several weeks ago. It's indeed a good way to bond with friends.

Fishing ​

I think it is, especially among middle-aged and elderly men. It is a wonderful pastime because you're in the great outdoors, which is always good for you. Plus, when you're sitting there waiting patiently for a fish to bite the bait, it's kind of like meditation.

Do you like eating fish? ​

Yeah, I do. I know that fish is rich in protein and various other nutrients, so I'm glad that it's always been a big part of my diet.

Have you ever been to a place abundant with fish? ​

Yeah, I have. I'm a big fan of snorkeling, and my first ever snorkeling experience was in Okinawa, Japan. My ex-girlfriend and I were swimming in the ocean, and we saw tons of fish of different colors. This is a memory that I'll cherish forever.

Have you seen any movies with lots of fish in them? ​

I think so. I believe I have seen documentaries about marine life, but at the moment, due to the pressure, I can't recall any specific ones.

Geography ​

Do you like geography? ​

Do you like geography? Do you mean the subject of geography? ​

I have mixed feelings about it. I did find it quite interesting while learning it in school, especially the part about biodiversity, whereas when it came to time zones and climates, everything was too complex for me, and I wasn't interested in them at all.

Do you think geography is useful? ​

Yeah, I think it is very useful, particularly the most basic aspects of geography, like how to tell directions. I vividly remember that many years ago, I was lost while hiking with a few friends, and we capitalized on our knowledge of geography to find our way back to the starting point.

Have you ever learned geography? ​

Yeah, definitely. It was a mandatory subject, so all students had to learn it.

Do you want to be a geography teacher? ​

I don't think I'd be qualified to teach geography. Like I said, it's a very difficult subject for me, and I can't even wrap my head around many concepts, let alone teach students those challenging things.

Gifts ​

Have you ever given handmade gifts to others? ​

Well, I might have done that when I was much younger, but I can't remember the details. I might have given some handmade cards to friends on their birthdays.

How do you usually choose gifts? ​

I wish I knew how to choose gifts for people. I'm terrible at this. I gave a book to my girlfriend last year, and she was very unhappy about it. It was one of my favorite books, The Willpower Instinct, but apparently she wasn't interested.

Do you think you are good at choosing gifts? ​

Have you ever given handmade gifts to others? Well, I might have done that when I was much younger, but I can't remember the details. I might have given some handmade cards to friends on their birthdays. How do you usually choose gifts? I wish I knew how to choose gifts for people. I'm terrible at this. I gave a book to my girlfriend last year, and she was very unhappy about it. It was one of my favorite books, The Willpower Instinct, but apparently she wasn't interested. Do you think you are good at choosing gifts? What's the best gift you've ever received? ​

Well, off the top of my head, I'd say it's a jacket that I've been wearing for five years. It's waterproof and windproof, and it's pretty lightweight. I'm very enthusiastic about hiking and camping, so on most of my hikes, I wear it. I believe it'll still be a good companion to me for some years to come.

Health ​

Which country's food is healthier? ​

Chinese food is healthier. In China, more food are steamed and stewed, and they are healthier ways of cooking. Besides, when it comes to ingredients, there are more choices for preparing the three main meals in one day. It is better for our health.

What do you do to keep healthy? ​

Compared to deep-fried food, I prefer to have stewed food, because it is healthier.

Helping others ​

Do you usually help people around you? ​

Yeah, I do. I help my parents get tickets to shows, I help them buy plane and train tickets, and since I'm pretty athletic and love working out, I always encourage my friends to exercise regularly too. I go to the gym with them, teach them some ways to work out, which is a form of helping as well, I think.

How do you help people around you, such as neighbors, family, and friends? ​

Do you usually help people around you? Yeah, I do. I help my parents get tickets to shows, I help them buy plane and train tickets, and since I'm pretty athletic and love working out, I always encourage my friends to exercise regularly too. I go to the gym with them, teach them some ways to work out, which is a form of helping as well, I think. How do you help people around you, such as neighbors, family, and friends? Did your parents teach you how to help others? ​

I don't suppose they taught me, but they did set a good example to me when I was a child. There was an elderly couple living next door to us, and my parents always helped them in various ways. For example, whenever they went to the supermarket, they would get some extra groceries for the couple as well.

What have you done to help the elderly? ​

Well, I haven't done much actually. Part of the reason is that most of the people around me are about the same age as me. I guess if there were elderly people living near me, I would do something similar to what my parents did.

Hobbies ​

What hobbies do you have? ​

I have loads of hobbies, such as shopping, reading books, playing computers games, etc. But one thing that I enjoy the most is reading books, coz it really enriches knowledge and life.

Home ​

Do you live in a house or an apartment? ​

I live in an apartment. It's not a very big one, but spacious enough, I think.

How long have you lived there? ​

I've lived in this apartment with my parents for five years now. My family used to live in a different part of town, and then we moved to this neighborhood five years ago. We've really enjoyed living there.

Do you like where you live? ​

Yeah, I do. Like I said, my parents and I love living in this apartment. I think it's mainly because of the balcony and the fact that it's close to a lake where we like to walk, cycle, and jog. As for the balcony, my dad grows some herbs and flowers there, so it's always nice to hang out on the balcony. What's your favorite place in your apartment? Well, the balcony is a great place to be, but other than that, I also like the kitchen because I love cooking. I really enjoy learning new recipes and experimenting with a wide range of ingredients. For example, I spent an hour yesterday cooking a dish with spinach, garlic, and tomatoes. It was a pretty weird combination, but it turned out to be really good.

What would you like to change about your apartment? ​

I think it's spacious enough, but it would be great if it were bigger. I would like to have a gym in my apartment.

Hometown ​

Is that a big city or a small place? ​

I think it's relatively big. Of course, it's not like Beijing or Shanghai, which are massive cities. But Xi'an has 11 districts and 2 counties, making it pretty big too.

How long have you been living there? ​

I've been living in Xi'an my entire life. I was born and raised here, and I'm very attached to this city that's modern and historical at the same time. I can't imagine myself living in a different city.

Do you like your hometown? ​

Yeah, definitely. I love my hometown mainly because there's so much to see here. The mountains, the lakes, and most importantly, the sites that date back to thousands of years ago. I know many of those sites can be overcrowded sometimes, but I still like to cycle past them from time to time and imagine myself living in one of those dynasties. Tang in particular, because that was a prosperous and dynamic time.

Is there anything you dislike about it? ​

Um, still overcrowding. I'm okay with that, but it would be great if there were less overcrowding. I was in the center of the city the other day, and one commercial street was overrun with shoppers and tourists. That wasn't very enjoyable.

Losing things ​

Do you often lose things? ​

Well, I don't think so. I say so because I don't remember the last time I lost something. It might have been years ago. I lost one of my books one day. My memory is pretty vague now.

What can we do to avoid losing things? ​

I'm not sure what we can do, but I know that I don't lose things frequently. And what I do is that, for starters, I don't own that many things, so it's easy to keep a record of them. You know, keep track of what I have and where they are. Oh, plus, it's important to keep certain items in certain places, so you always know where to find them.

Why do some people tend to lose things more often than others? ​

Well, I believe my answer to the last question can explain this. Many people possess too many things, so they tend to lose some quite easily. In addition, some folks have the tendency to leave things in random places, and when they need to use a particular item, they don't know where they left it.

What will you do if you find something lost by others? ​

I guess I'll post it on social media. Moments, in my case. It's a feature of WeChat, and it's kind of like Facebook. I'll do that because when anything happens, I post it there. So I'll just take a picture of the item, post it on Moments, asking if it belongs to anybody.

Maps ​

Do you often use maps? ​

I use maps on a daily basis. Wherever I go, I drive. So I have to rely on Apple Maps. Um, the app. It's probably the most frequently used app on my phone, besides WeChat, which I use to chat with people.

Do you often use paper maps? ​

No, I don't. I haven't used a paper map in over 10 years, I think. What I do now is that I just open an app and navigate while driving. Physical maps are a thing of the past now.

How often do you use maps on your phone? ​

Do you often use maps? I use maps on a daily basis. Wherever I go, I drive. So I have to rely on Apple Maps. Um, the app. It's probably the most frequently used app on my phone, besides WeChat, which I use to chat with people. Do you often use paper maps? No, I don't. I haven't used a paper map in over 10 years, I think. What I do now is that I just open an app and navigate while driving. Physical maps are a thing of the past now. How often do you use maps on your phone? Do you have maps at home? ​

No, I don't. I used to have paper maps at home, at my parents' house, actually, when I was still living with them. But now, even they don't own any physical maps, I guess.

Memory ​

Are you good at memorizing things? ​

No, not really. And this partly explains why I've been preparing for this IELTS test for so long. I kept learning new words and kept forgetting them. I tried to memorize five phrasal verbs yesterday, and I guess I only remember three today.

How do you remember important things? ​

Are you good at memorizing things? No, not really. And this partly explains why I've been preparing for this IELTS test for so long. I kept learning new words and kept forgetting them. I tried to memorize five phrasal verbs yesterday, and I guess I only remember three today. How do you remember important things? Um, what kind of important things? ​

Are you good at memorizing things? No, not really. And this partly explains why I've been preparing for this IELTS test for so long. I kept learning new words and kept forgetting them. I tried to memorize five phrasal verbs yesterday, and I guess I only remember three today. How do you remember important things? Um, what kind of important things? Like things I need to do every day? ​

If this is what you mean, then I just make a to-do list, and as I go through the day, I check them off one by one. I don't trust my memory, so I write them down on my phone.

Have you ever forgotten something important? ​

Yeah, multiple times. For example, the reason my ex-girlfriend broke up with me is because I had forgotten her birthday, and there was a time when I forgot one of my teachers' names. I called her by a different name when I met her. Very awkward.

What do you need to remember in your daily life? ​

Tons of things, including, well, for example, I need to remember to do my homework, remember to do grocery shopping when I'm asked by my parents, and I also need to remember to call my current girlfriend three times a day.

Money ​

Do you spend a lot of money? ​

I don't think I do. I'm not someone that often splurges on things. For instance, my dad asked me last month if I wanted the latest iPhone, and I said no. My iPhone 11 Pro Max is still in good condition, and I'm going to keep using it.

How do you save money? ​

Well, I just save by not wasting money. Like I mentioned, I don't often spend a fortune on things that are not necessary. And additionally, I do put aside a certain amount of money each month, and that just accumulates. Over time, I can have a significant amount saved.

What do you think about mobile payment? ​

Do you spend a lot of money? I don't think I do. I'm not someone that often splurges on things. For instance, my dad asked me last month if I wanted the latest iPhone, and I said no. My iPhone 11 Pro Max is still in good condition, and I'm going to keep using it. How do you save money? Well, I just save by not wasting money. Like I mentioned, I don't often spend a fortune on things that are not necessary. And additionally, I do put aside a certain amount of money each month, and that just accumulates. Over time, I can have a significant amount saved. What do you think about mobile payment? What do you think about mobile payment apps? ​

Well, they're great. They are an essential part of our lives now. In China, we don't carry a wallet with us anymore. We just go anywhere with a phone and scan a QR code when we're purchasing something. It's extremely convenient, and it's safe.

Do you buy things with a credit card? ​

Not with a physical credit card. I have a credit card connected to my WeChat, and I can use WeChat to scan QR codes to pay. But it doesn't have to be a credit card. A debit card is also fine.

Musical instruments ​

What type of musical instruments do you enjoy listening to the most? ​

I don't really have a preference, but if I had to choose, I would say piano. It's something that I think of when it comes to musical instruments, and the music it plays is indeed very beautiful.

Have you ever learned to play a musical instrument? ​

I've learned to play the piano, harmonica, and guitar, but I've never persisted with anything long enough. I started learning to play the guitar in high school because I believed it would impress the girl that I liked. But the moment that I found out she was going out with another guy, I stopped learning.

Do you think children should learn to play an instrument at school? ​

Yeah, without a doubt. I think it's crucial for children to learn music and musical instruments. They don't have to make a living with these, but music is relaxing, therapeutic, so it'll always be beneficial to people.

Do you think music education is important for children? ​

News ​

Do you like to keep up with the latest news? ​

Yes, I do. This makes me keep abreast of the latest events, which has become a must-do thing in my every day life.

Do you prefer to get news from the internet or from newspapers? ​

I like getting news from the internet rather than papers. The news is always updated more instantaneously on-line, and it's much easier for people to get access to the information. Although the news items on the papers can be more reliable, it's harder to change my choice.

Noise ​

Do you like to stay in a place with a lot of noise? ​

Absolutely not. Nobody likes to be in a noisy place, right? Unless it's in a nightclub where you hear loud music and dance and have fun. Personally, I'm not that kind of person. I prefer to be in quieter places where I can concentrate on more peaceful activities like reading.

What kinds of noise are there in the area where you live? ​

The main culprit of noise in my neighborhood is construction. There's a housing development being built right now, and it's been going on for a few months. They start very early in the morning, and it's usually very noisy. It drives me up the wall sometimes.

Do you think there's too much noise in today's world? ​

Yeah, I think so. There's noise from all kinds of sources, like construction, traffic, people, announcements in public places, and so on.

Do you believe people have a right to make noise? ​

It depends on why they're making the noise. If they're shouting to get help, then of course, they shouldn't do that. Whereas if it's talking very loudly in a library, nobody has the right to do it.

Robots ​

Do you think robots are important? ​

I'm not sure if they're that important. I mean, some robots do help us to a great extent. Like the robot vacuum. I have one in my apartment and it's been amazing so far. But if we didn't have any robots in today's world, we would still be able to live our lives just fine.

What can robots do for you at home? ​

I talked about the robot vacuum and that's the only robot I have and can imagine working in someone's house. Mine starts working at 7am automatically, goes around the apartment, sweeps and mops the floor. It has saved me a lot of time, so I love it.

Do you think robots will affect people's lives? ​

Yeah, absolutely. In fact, it has already affected people's lives, both positively and negatively. Looking ahead, I can foresee robots taking over more and more of our jobs, manual jobs and perhaps intellectual jobs in the future, like in the fields of accounting and medicine.

Have you ever watched a movie about robots? ​

Yeah, I have. Many movies feature robots and I'm trying to think of one right now, but God, I can't recall any specific ones in this very moment.

Running ​

Do you run a lot? ​

Well, I don't run a lot. I run occasionally, like perhaps once in two weeks. Without a doubt, running is one of the best exercises, but I prefer power walking as cardio, which is easier on my knees and lungs.

Where do you usually go running? ​

Whether it's walking or running, I go to a park within walking distance of my apartment. It's a large park, so there's enough space to walk or run. Being in the great outdoors puts me in a better mood, and all the oxygen from a large variety of plants is great.

What do you think of running as a form of exercise? ​

Like I mentioned, running is one of the best forms of cardio. It's good for people's heart and lungs, it helps people lose weight and build strength, and it's also a great mood booster. I do feel that every time after a run, I feel happier, more positive, and more energized.

When was the last time you went running? ​

It was about 10 days ago. I went for a run in that park early in the morning.

Singing ​

Do you like singing? ​

Well, I do like to hum some tunes while walking or belt out songs in the shower, but I'm not good at singing. I can never sing in tune, but the act of singing is very therapeutic, so I always do it.

Who do you want to sing for? ​

Do you like singing? Well, I do like to hum some tunes while walking or belt out songs in the shower, but I'm not good at singing. I can never sing in tune, but the act of singing is very therapeutic, so I always do it. Who do you want to sing for? Who do I want to sing for? ​

I'm not sure what it means. I'd like to sing for my future boyfriend, my future kids, and actually whoever that wants to listen to me sing. But like I said, I'm not a good singer, so I'm not sure if they would enjoy it.

Have you ever learned how to sing? ​

If I remember correctly, we did learn some skills of singing back in primary school. It was in music class, but it's been ages, so I don't remember what specific skills they were, and I don't think they were effective.

Do you think singing can bring happiness to people? ​

Yeah, definitely. I talked about it just now, right? Singing is a good form of relaxation, and it puts people in a better mood. Like, I went to a karaoke bar with some friends a few weeks ago, and we had a blast. That was one of my happiest nights recently.

Staying at home ​

Are you a person who likes to stay at home? ​

Well, I do enjoy staying at home. I like to lie on my couch and do some reading, or sometimes I spend time doing some chores, which can also be very relaxing. But I'm also someone that loves outdoor activities like running, hiking, and so on.

What do you do when you stay at home? ​

Like I mentioned, I like reading and doing chores occasionally. Plus, sitting on my balcony with a cup of coffee and taking in the view of my neighborhood also appeals to me. There's a lake outside of my apartment, and I often look at that and watch the ducks swim in the water.

What did you often do at home as a child? ​

When I was a child, I guess studying took up a lot of my time. Yeah, I was studying 24-7. Like, I would spend at least three hours working out math problems every evening. That wasn't fun.

What is your favorite place in your house or apartment? ​

Are you a person who likes to stay at home? Well, I do enjoy staying at home. I like to lie on my couch and do some reading, or sometimes I spend time doing some chores, which can also be very relaxing. But I'm also someone that loves outdoor activities like running, hiking, and so on. What do you do when you stay at home? Like I mentioned, I like reading and doing chores occasionally. Plus, sitting on my balcony with a cup of coffee and taking in the view of my neighborhood also appeals to me. There's a lake outside of my apartment, and I often look at that and watch the ducks swim in the water. What did you often do at home as a child? When I was a child, I guess studying took up a lot of my time. Yeah, I was studying 24-7. Like, I would spend at least three hours working out math problems every evening. That wasn't fun. What is your favorite place in your house or apartment? My favorite? ​

It's hard to say. I have two favorite spots in my apartment. The living room couch and the balcony. I love passing the time in those places. Well, in fact, just this morning, since I was a little nervous about the test, I spent about 20 minutes sitting on the balcony, doing nothing. That was a comforting experience.

Would you like to stay at home a lot in the future? ​

Well, I will definitely spend a lot of time at home. It's my sanctuary. It's where I find comfort. But at the same time, I would also like to travel and explore the world more. It's always been my dream to visit every continent. And I'll try to make that dream come true in the future.

Sunglasses ​

Do you often wear sunglasses? ​

No, I don't wear sunglasses very frequently, only occasionally. It's rarely too sunny where I live. I mean, we never get blinding sunshine. So it's unnecessary to wear sunglasses often.

Do you spend a lot of money on sunglasses? ​

I do own a pair of sunglasses, which I bought a few years ago. If I remember correctly, it only costs 50 yuan. So my answer is, no, I don't spend a fortune on sunglasses.

Do you give sunglasses to others as gifts? ​

I've never done that before, but it does sound like a good idea. Of course, it depends on who I give the gift to. If it's someone who has expressed a desire to own some name brand sunglasses, I might buy a pair for them on a very special occasion, like when they get married.

Have you ever lost your sunglasses? ​

No, I haven't. I've only owned one pair and I still have it.

Swimming ​

How do you feel about swimming? ​

You know, I don't know how to swim, so I'm afraid that I would be drowned in the water. Every time when I go to swim with friends, I have to take a swimming ring with me, it's really embarrassing.

Do you prefer cycling or swimming? ​

I like cycling more than swimming. The areas for cycling are more flexible, such as roads, parks, etc. But if you want to swim, you have to find a swimming pool or even go to a river or the sea. You know, now in a city, I'm thinking it's a bit harder to find a place like these.

Tea and coffee ​

Do you prefer tea or coffee? ​

I absolutely prefer coffee. It's an essential part of my life. I have a cup of coffee in the morning to wake myself up, and then another one right after lunch to keep myself going. I can't imagine a life without coffee.

When was the last time you had a cup of coffee? ​

It was just a couple of hours ago, right after I got up. I brewed my coffee myself, and while drinking it, I also read some news.

Do you usually buy your coffee in a coffee shop? ​

Well, it depends on where I am. When I'm at home, I make my own coffee. I invested in a very high-quality coffee maker, and it's been my favorite piece of equipment. But when I'm visiting a different city or country, or when I'm in the mood for a latte, but I'm outside, I just go to a coffee shop, of course.

Do you prefer serving tea or coffee to your guests? ​

Well, I do have some tea at home, some Oolong tea, which I've heard is really good. I ask my guests which they prefer, tea or coffee, and I serve whichever one they like.

Technology ​

How has technology changed our lives? ​

Technology has changed the way of learning. For example, currently, I'm taking some on-line courses to learn IELTS, instead of going to some training schools. I enjoy learning in this way. Technology has made me realize the dream of running my own business. I'm opening an on-line shop now, and I don't have to work in an office anymore. In the future, I imagine there would be more people working like this.

The area you live in ​

Do you like the area that you live in? ​

Not really. I've been considering moving to a different part of town because of the lack of public transportation in the neighborhood. The nearest subway station is 20 minutes walk away.

Are there any famous people in your area? ​

Not that I'm aware of. Um, hold on. I'm actually pretty famous. I have 100,000 followers on Weibo, which is kind of like Twitter.

Have there been any changes in this area? ​

I'm not very sure about this because I've only been living there for two years. I don't think there have been any changes since I moved there. Um, I've heard from some of my neighbors that there used to be a lake within walking distance of my compound, but then it was buried up five years ago. I don't know why they did that.

Where do you like to go in that neighborhood? ​

Well, I would definitely go to that lake often if it still existed. Um, there's a coffee shop close to my apartment and I go and hang out there from time to time. Like, I was there last Saturday and I was reading the biography of Isaiah Berlin, a British philosopher.

Transport ​

How do you commute to work? ​

How do you commute to work? How do you commute to school? ​

Well, most of the time, I take the subway. It's the most convenient form of transportation in my city because there are subway stations everywhere, and there's never any traffic congestion underground. But when it rains, I just take a taxi. I don't want to walk in the rain and get soaked while walking to the subway station.

It is extremely popular. Many people drive to work, although a lot more people take public transportation. I can understand why a lot of people like to drive. They have their own privacy, and they can listen to music or podcasts without being disturbed by others.

What modes of transportation do you use when going on a trip? ​

Well, it depends on my destination. If it's very far away, I fly there. Like, I just came back from a trip to Thailand, and flying was the only option. But if it's somewhere closer, I usually take the train.

Do you think the use of private vehicles will increase in the future? ​

I'm not sure about this. I understand that most people would like to own their own vehicle, but the government will definitely want to encourage us to use public transportation to alleviate traffic and pollution. So, I really don't know what's going to happen.

Travel ​

Do you like traveling? ​

Yeah, I do. I'm crazy about it. I love exploring different places, cities, grasslands, deserts, mountains, and so on. Back in the day, I used to believe that whenever I had some free time, I would just stay home and relax, whereas now I seize every opportunity to travel.

How often do you go traveling? ​

As often as possible, so I wouldn't say five or six times a year. I just came back from a trip to Aranya, which is a seaside town in the north of China. I've already started planning for my next trip. It's likely that I will go abroad in a couple of months.

Where do you usually travel? ​

Like I mentioned, I like to visit all kinds of places, because I believe any city, province, country, or landscape has something amazing to offer. My goal is to travel all over the world, to visit every corner of the world.

How do you feel when you're traveling? ​

First of all, I feel relaxed, without a doubt. It's always a good feeling to leave my usual responsibilities behind and just recharge. Plus, there's a sense of freedom that comes with traveling.

Video games ​

Do you play video games? ​

No, I don't. I'm usually busy every day, so I don't allocate time for video games anymore. However, a few years ago, during my freshman year, I used to play very often, especially games like Honor of Kings and the classic game World of Warcraft.

Would you watch others play video games? ​

I've never done that online, but I know it's gaining popularity now. Offline, well, I've watched my friends play in their dorm rooms, and while sitting next to them, I would cheer them on and give them advice. It was also really fun.

Do you think people spend too much time playing video games? ​

Do you play video games? No, I don't. I'm usually busy every day, so I don't allocate time for video games anymore. However, a few years ago, during my freshman year, I used to play very often, especially games like Honor of Kings and the classic game World of Warcraft. Would you watch others play video games? I've never done that online, but I know it's gaining popularity now. Offline, well, I've watched my friends play in their dorm rooms, and while sitting next to them, I would cheer them on and give them advice. It was also really fun. Do you think people spend too much time playing video games? Well, it depends on the person, right? ​

Some people are addicted to video games, and they spend most of their free time playing, whereas others play games in moderation, and there are many people who never play any games.

Do you prefer playing video games alone or with others? ​

Definitely with others. When I used to play, I would always play with others. My friends and even strangers, who were friends to me, actually. There were a few times when I was playing with people from other countries. It was a good opportunity to practice my English.

Work or studies ​

Are you a student or do you have a job? ​

I'm a student and I'm studying psychology at Xue Weigui University now.

Why did you choose this major? ​

Well, I chose to major in psychology mainly because I had always been fascinated with human behavior. I've always been interested in learning about why people do what they do. So, three years ago, when I was presented this opportunity to study psychology, I jumped at it.

What do you like and dislike about what you study? ​

Well, what I like most about psychology is that after learning something, I can always apply it to real-life situations. For instance, my friends are more likely to do what I want them to do when they can pick between two options. They feel that they have some kind of control, but in reality, I'm controlling them. But one thing I don't like about this major is that I don't suppose there will be good career prospects. I might have to pursue a career in a different field, but the concepts I've learned will always be useful.

What do you plan to do after you finish your studies? ​

To be honest, I'm not sure. I'm still trying to enjoy college as best as I can and not think about anything afterwards.

Do you remember your first day of school? ​

Are you a student or do you have a job? I'm a student and I'm studying psychology at Xue Weigui University now. Why did you choose this major? Well, I chose to major in psychology mainly because I had always been fascinated with human behavior. I've always been interested in learning about why people do what they do. So, three years ago, when I was presented this opportunity to study psychology, I jumped at it. What do you like and dislike about what you study? Well, what I like most about psychology is that after learning something, I can always apply it to real-life situations. For instance, my friends are more likely to do what I want them to do when they can pick between two options. They feel that they have some kind of control, but in reality, I'm controlling them. But one thing I don't like about this major is that I don't suppose there will be good career prospects. I might have to pursue a career in a different field, but the concepts I've learned will always be useful. What do you plan to do after you finish your studies? To be honest, I'm not sure. I'm still trying to enjoy college as best as I can and not think about anything afterwards. Do you remember your first day of school? First day of school? ​

Are you a student or do you have a job? I'm a student and I'm studying psychology at Xue Weigui University now. Why did you choose this major? Well, I chose to major in psychology mainly because I had always been fascinated with human behavior. I've always been interested in learning about why people do what they do. So, three years ago, when I was presented this opportunity to study psychology, I jumped at it. What do you like and dislike about what you study? Well, what I like most about psychology is that after learning something, I can always apply it to real-life situations. For instance, my friends are more likely to do what I want them to do when they can pick between two options. They feel that they have some kind of control, but in reality, I'm controlling them. But one thing I don't like about this major is that I don't suppose there will be good career prospects. I might have to pursue a career in a different field, but the concepts I've learned will always be useful. What do you plan to do after you finish your studies? To be honest, I'm not sure. I'm still trying to enjoy college as best as I can and not think about anything afterwards. Do you remember your first day of school? First day of school? Um, do you mean my first day of primary school? ​

Well, my dad took me to school and I remember I was wearing my brand new backpack. I was extremely excited about a new chapter of my life and making tons of friends. But at the same time, I was a little nervous too.

Are you a student or do you have a job? ​

I have a job and I've been working as a veterinarian for four years now.

Why did you choose this job? ​

I chose to become a vet because I had always loved animals, all kinds of animals. Not only pets like dogs, cats, little turtles, hamsters, and so on, but also wild animals. Caring for these adorable critters brings me a lot of joy.

What do you like and dislike about your job? ​

Well, what I like most about being a veterinarian is that I get to be very close to animals. Um, I know I sound like a broken record, but it's true. I love seeing them run, jump, make funny noises, and also get better after they've been sick. Like, there was a cat named Charlie that got a splinter in his paw, and that hurt him tremendously. When I took the splinter out and saw that Charlie was feeling so much better, I felt a great sense of achievement and happiness.

What I dislike about this job? ​

Well, I can't think of anything.

Do you plan to change jobs in the future? ​

Nobody knows what's going to happen in the future, but as for now, I can't see any reason to change jobs. I'm pretty happy with everything I'm doing.

Do you like learning English? ​

Yes, I do. It's interesting. For example, I can get some insights into foreign cultures by learning the language.

Do you like your secondary school/university? ​

Yes, I do. I'm having really good time in my university. For example, attending various courses is enriching my knowledge. Also, spending time with my friends makes me happy everyday.

What course or subject would you like take in the future? ​

A course I would love to take in the future is a Master of finance and management. The reason I want to study this subject is because in the future, I hope to run my own business and be a successful business owner.

Do you like having a job? ​

Yes, I do. I think having a job makes me independent. For example, if I want to buy one thing, I can afford it, and I don't need to ask for my parents to buy it for me.

What job would you like to do in the future? ​

I would like to work as a teacher. I like helping people to learn something. Currently, I'm attending training courses about teaching, it's interesting. I hope to be a good teacher in the near future.

What is your ideal job? ​

For my ideal job, if I got a chance, I'd like to work as a doctor.

Part 2 ​

A difficult task that you completed at work or study that you felt proud of ​

I'm going to describe a task of reading a book and giving a presentation about that book. The book is titled The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, which talks about some important habits that we can incorporate into our lives in order to work better, have better relationships, and live better lives overall. For example, one of the habits is seek first to understand, then to be understood. It means that while we have a conversation with someone, we should spend more time listening to them, trying to understand their point of view, and then it'll be more effective to offer our own ideas or opinions. This task was very difficult because I only had one week to complete it. I only had one hour to read every night because at the time, I was also busy with some other projects and exams to prepare for. Plus, a presentation was required. I had to summarize the main points, think about what examples to talk about, work on the slides, and then practice giving the presentation. It was pretty challenging. I felt very proud of completing this task because after the presentation in class, I got a big round of applause from my classmates and econ teacher. They said that they particularly liked the examples I used.

A drawing or painting you like ​

Well, I'm not very interested in art, so I don't know much about works of art, and it's pretty difficult to talk about those classic works. I fought long and hard and just decided to describe a drawing that my niece did. It was a few months ago that I saw it. If I remember correctly, it was a Saturday morning, and I was asked to go and babysit my four-year-old niece, because her parents had to run some errands and couldn't take her with them. I went, spent some time with her, and she showed me this drawing. Like I said, my niece is four years old, and she goes to preschool now. At school, she does all kinds of activities, including building with blocks, playing on slides and seesaws, coloring, and drawing. And this piece of art that she created was about her mom eating noodles. In the picture, there's a circle with many lines in it, and that is a bowl of noodles. There's also something that looks like a jellyfish, and she told me it was her mom. I really like that drawing just because, although it's not very lifelike, it's pretty cute, especially because her mom looks like a jellyfish. That's really funny.

A film that you felt strongly about ​

I'm going to talk about an animated movie called Soul, made by Pixar, if I'm not mistaken. This is a movie about a music teacher who aspires to be a jazz musician. He lives his entire life trying to realize that dream. One day he dies and goes to a world called The Great Before. He meets somebody named 22, and they experience many things together. Through their adventures, this music teacher realizes that the most important thing in life is not achieving any big goal, but living every day to the full. Many dull things can be fun, just like eating bread, feeling the wind, catching falling leaves, and so on. I watched this movie very recently, about two months ago. One of my friends, Sean, recommended the movie to me, saying that I would definitely love it. Then I downloaded the movie and watched it on my laptop that evening. He was right, I loved it so much. The reason I feel very strongly about this movie now is because in the last two months, I've been trying to savor simple moments in my life. And I've felt a lot happier than ever before. For instance, I was grocery shopping with my mom yesterday, and as we were walking in the supermarket, I just listened to her talk and talk and talk about all kinds of things. It was enjoyable. And I'm also trying to enjoy this moment right now. I think it's also fun.

A foreigner who speaks your language well ​

I'm going to describe one of my online friends, Chad, who speaks Chinese very well. Mandarin Chinese, to be exact. This is my first language. Chad is from North Carolina, the United States, and he's been living there his entire life. He's never lived in or visited China before, so it's pretty surprising that he speaks Chinese well. He's particularly good at talking about cars in Chinese. For example, last week, we talked about the rise of some local Chinese brands, like BYD, Li, Xpeng, and so on. He said, in Chinese, of course, that he was very interested in Li SUVs, which are known for their spaciousness and comfortable seats. In fact, I learned about those cars from that conversation with Chad. How he learned my language, well, I've talked with him about this before, and he told me that since he's always been enthusiastic about cars and wanted to learn Chinese, he just watched so many online videos about cars, their features, performance, prices, and so on, all in Chinese. He watched the videos, gained a bunch of information, and then talked about it with his friends in China. So there's learning and then putting it to use, which is an effective way to learn the language.

A good advertisement that you think is useful ​

Well, I'm going to talk about an ad for a book, and I saw this ad a few months ago. I think it was in May, if I remember correctly. I had an appointment with a dentist. I was there to have a dental checkup. While I was waiting, there were a few magazines on the table, and I picked up one of them and flipped through the pages. There was this ad for the book on one page. So, the book is titled The Willpower Instinct, which has since changed my life. It talks about the science about willpower. For example, our willpower declines as the day passes, and we have more willpower when we have a positive mindset and attitude. That ad was really useful just because I bought the book later that day and spent two weeks reading it. I learned so much, and it has had a very positive effect on my life. Now, I usually try to get a few things done early in the morning because this is when I'm the most motivated. Like, just this morning, I ran four kilometers, read 30 pages of a book, learned about 20 English words and phrases. Yeah, I was really productive. Back in the day, I would always put everything off until very late at night, and I still wouldn't want to do anything. Now, I know why.

A great team member you have worked with ​

I'm going to describe Sophia, who is my classmate in college. We major in botany, learning about all kinds of plants. We worked together once two years ago, in our freshman year. I remember it was close to the end of our first term, so in late December if I remember correctly. Back then, we always had to pair up and give a presentation about a kind of plant, any plant that we wanted to talk about. We became partners and were up to this task. We decided to talk about coffee. Is it a plant? Of course. Coffee beans come from coffee cherries, which were first picked from bushes in Ethiopia, a country in the northeast of Africa. Then, coffee spread to the Arab world and later took the world by storm. Sophia was a great team member because she gathered all this information about the history of coffee, and I was the one talking about it in the presentation. She wrote everything down, made all the slides, and told me about the origin of coffee, and also shared the interesting fact that in Europe, people often gathered in coffee houses to exchange ideas. Without her, I wouldn't have had much to say in the presentation. She was a lot more important than me on that project.

A job that you would not like to do in the future ​

A job that I would not like to do. This is funny because, of course, there are tons of jobs that I wouldn't want to do. But here, I'm talking about the job of being a personal trainer. Well, the first time I heard about this job was years ago. I think I was 12 or 13 years old. One day, my mom came home and said that she wanted to hire a personal trainer to help her lose weight. My mom was perfectly in shape, actually. But you know how women are. They always believed they have extra weight to lose. She went to a gym, got herself a trainer. He was a really fit and buff guy who was very professional. Or at least, the way he talked and helped my mom train looked professional. I think being a personal trainer is extremely difficult. Not because it's hard to train people, but they need to look the part first. Nobody would trust a skinny guy or gal to be their trainer. So, in order to be muscular, you have to go through years of training yourself to look qualified as a trainer. That, I believe, is the most difficult part. I would not like to do this job just because of this. I do work out two or three times a week. And I've been doing so for two years. But my body is far from looking like a trainer. Plus, I don't aim to look like that either.

A long term goal you would like to achieve ​

I'm going to talk about a goal of reading 1,000 books. Reading is already an essential part of my life, and I have to do some or even a lot of reading every day. I particularly enjoy reading non-fiction, not novels, because whenever I read, I hope to gain some knowledge from it. For instance, I was reading a book titled The Culture Map last month, and it allowed me to understand a lot more about different cultures and how they interact with each other in a business setting. For the past two weeks, I've been reading a number of memoirs, and I find them pretty fascinating too, like Trevor Noah's memoir, Born a Crime. God, that's such a page-turner. I've had this goal of reading 1,000 books for two minutes. I'm indeed passionate about reading, but I never expected to reach a certain number of books. I saw this topic just now, had no idea what to talk about, and then I thought, I would just describe this goal. Well, how I would achieve this goal, I would, and I will, just keep doing what I've always been doing, reading. In fact, I don't care too much about how much I read every day or every week. I believe it's beneficial to me in many ways, as long as I do some or even a little bit of reading every day.

A park or a garden in your city ​

The park that I'm going to describe is one within walking distance of my apartment, called Xuei Gui Park. It only takes about 10 minutes to walk there or 3 minutes to get there by bike, which is great. I used to live in a neighborhood with no parks nearby, so back in the day, I rarely visited any, which just means that I almost never enjoyed the physical and mental benefits of parks. For example, since I always run or bike in this Xuei Gui Park, it's beneficial to my physical health, and it also helps me relax, so I don't get anxious or stressed that easily. I go to this park pretty regularly, at least 3 times a week. Whenever I have some downtime, I try to go. In fact, I was there just yesterday evening. I was walking there with my parents, chatting, and enjoying the views. There's a lake in the park, and you could always see some birds flying above the lake. Recently, some more black swans and geese have been brought there, so when we were walking in the park yesterday, we kept watching them flying, which was pretty therapeutic. I do like this park a lot, and I'm very grateful to it. My life is much better now because of this beautiful place. It's where I exercise, hang out with friends and family, and relax. Yeah, I love it.

A party that you enjoyed ​

I'm going to describe a dinner party that I threw. It took place just last month, on a Saturday. I'd graduated from university a year before, so it hadn't been over a year since I had last seen some of my university friends. I really missed them, so I proposed this dinner party, and five of my friends came. We had a good time eating, drinking, and chatting. I ordered pizza, which is the easiest thing to serve at a party. As for drinks, none of us had any alcohol. We only had some soft drinks, like Diet Coke and Sprite. I used to drink regular Coke, but ever since I started working out regularly, I've only been drinking Diet Coke or Coke Zero. The party was held in my apartment. It's a rental apartment, about 60 square meters in size. It's not very spacious, but considering I'm living in Beijing, this apartment isn't that bad. I thought about having a dinner party with my friends at a restaurant, but then I figured having the privacy of being in my apartment would be better. I enjoyed that party so much, just because we hadn't seen each other for some time, and it was a great opportunity for us to catch up. We talked about our university days and plans for the future. It was a fun party.

A period of time that changed your life ​

Well, the period I'm going to talk about is during the COVID-19 pandemic. For us, it ended at the start of 2023. It lasted for three years. A significant amount of our lives just passed during COVID. I was mainly with my parents during this time because there were so many times of lockdown. And I was just stuck at home. And the only people that I saw every day was my parents. What happened was that I just realized how much fun I could have had without COVID. For example, COVID is gone now. I can go to the gym every day. I can hang out with friends in coffee shops, malls, museums, and so on. I can go traveling and I can do so much more. I just came back from a trip to Arania, which is a seaside town near Beijing. Some friends and I drove there and had a blast on the beach barbecuing, singing, and dancing. This is what life is supposed to be like. I think that period changed my life mainly because it made me realize that I hadn't lived my life to the full before. Now, I just treasure my life more and I want to enjoy life more.

A person who always has interesting ideas or opinions ​

I'm going to describe Sean, who's one of my oldest friends. We've known each other since we were toddlers. Our parents are friends with each other too. Sean's mom is also very creative and full of interesting ideas in terms of the food she cooks and how to mix and match her clothing. So I think Sean takes after his mom in this aspect. The reason we became friends when we were very little is because we went to the same preschool together and would always play with each other at school. Our parents got to know each other that way too. What kind of ideas he always has. Well, he loves adventure and he often has great and crazy ideas about what to do. Like just a few months ago, he suggested we go skydiving together. And as for where we can do it, he said Fiji, a country near Australia. I've never been there. In fact, I never heard of that country before. Now, the plan is that we're going to jump out of a plane in this country next year. I find his ideas interesting because I normally wouldn't think of those crazy ideas. I guess I'm just more conservative in the things I do. Whereas he always wants to try new things. We are great partners.

A person who likes to cook for others ​

Well, I'm going to describe an Ayi that works for my cousin's family. Ayi literally means aunt in Chinese, but sometimes families hire Ayi's to cook for them, clean their houses, or take care of their children. And this is the case for my cousin's family. This Ayi's last name is Li, so we all call her Li Ayi. She's been doing this job for 10 years, so she's very experienced. Like I mentioned, she cooks for my cousin's family. My cousin, her husband, and their 4-year-old daughter, Sophia. The reason they have an Ayi is just because my cousin and her husband both work full-time, and they even have to work overtime sometimes. With their hectic schedules, they need someone to cook for them, and also to look after Sophia after she finishes preschool. Li Ayi can cook a wide variety of delicious dishes, different kinds of food from all over China, like rice noodles from Yunnan province, Roujiamuo, which is a style of Chinese burger from Shanxi province, and even Dim Sum, which is Cantonese and is world famous. What I love the most is the Chinese burger. Ground pork, cilantro, and some green pepper in a bun is absolutely amazing. In fact, I'm not very sure if she loves to cook, but this is what she's always been doing, so I guess she enjoys it. Or perhaps it's just a way to make a living.

A person who you think is good at welcoming visitors ​

Well, I'm actually going to talk about two people instead of just one. They are an American middle-aged couple who live in Los Angeles. I met them five years ago during the Chinese New Year holiday, so it was in early February. My parents and I went to California on vacation, and during our stay in LA, we were staying in an Airbnb. It was this couple's house, so we stayed with them for three nights. How they welcomed us? Well, three things. First, they prepared some drinks for us, including Cokes, Fandas, and even a bottle of wine, which we all had that evening. Additionally, since we arrived at that house in the afternoon and didn't have any plans for later that day, the couple took us to a nearby park for a walk. They said that was where they would go every day for a stroll or run. We really enjoyed the scenery and serenity there. Oh, also, they gave us a map on which we could find all the major attractions in LA, such as Universal Studios, the Hollywood sign, and a zoo, if I remember correctly. Although we could navigate with apps, that map came in very handy, especially when we were driving to the Hollywood sign. They were good at welcoming us because they were very sincere and genuine. They were not doing business. Instead, they genuinely hoped that we would have a good time in LA and during our stay with them.

A person you know who likes to talk a lot ​

Well, I'm going to describe one of my neighbors, who I call Zhang Shu, Uncle Zhang in English. We're not related, I just call him that out of politeness, which is typical in China. He's 55 or 56 years old, I think, and is a biology teacher in a local middle school. He's been a teacher his entire life. What he usually talks about, he talks about a wide range of things, anything you can think of, actually, like about our country's economy, politics, history, psychology, and even neuroscience, which is pretty incredible. For example, a few days ago, I was taking a walk and saw that he was shooting the breeze with some other neighbors. I stopped to listen to him talk. He was talking about a new discovery in the field of neuroscience, about a brain area that has just recently been discovered by scientists. I didn't understand a thing. Then, their conversation moved to history. In particular, it was about whether Han Wudi was good or bad. Han Wudi was an emperor in China 2,000 years ago. Uncle Zhang talks a lot, mainly because he knows a lot. Whenever he's not chatting with others, he's reading. Obviously, he reads a wide variety of books, so he has all these really interesting talking points.

A photo that makes you feel happy ​

I'm going to describe a photo I captured five years ago. It was in 2018, two years before COVID, and I was a high school student. It was in January, and the photo was taken in Harbin, a city in the northeast of China. It's nicknamed the Ice City because it gets freezing cold in the winter, even negative 30 or 40 degrees sometimes. My parents and I went to Harbin in the dead of winter on vacation, a cold vacation. I took this photo next to a river there. In this photo, there's an elderly man, about 70 years old, I think, and he's jumping into a hole of the frozen river. I captured the exact moment that he was jumping before his hands reached into the water. This photo is in my phone, and I look at it occasionally, not very often, because it's not a photo of myself or my family. But when I go over all of the photos I've taken over the years, I'll see it and smile. Yeah, I do feel happy that I captured it, mainly because I was very impressed with the jump. This gentleman was about 70 years old, and he was so fit and courageous. I wish I could do it too. Perhaps I'll try it in the future.

A place in your country that you think is interesting ​

Well, I'm going to describe the city of Harbin, which is located in the northeast of China, in Heilongjiang province. It's nicknamed the Ice City because it gets extremely cold in the winter. The temperature can even reach negative 40 degrees sometimes. I've been there before, and it was in the dead of winter. I remember wearing five layers and still feeling very cold. I think I learned about this place in primary school. I don't remember what class it was, but the students learned about some cities and provinces, and Harbin was one of them. What features it has? Well, like I mentioned, it's freezing cold, and there are various events and activities related to that. One is cold water swimming. Some elderly people jump into freezing cold water in the winter and swim a few meters. It sounds pretty crazy. Another is the Ice and Snow Festival every December and January, where people from all over the world make ice and snow sculptures. I've seen one in the shape of the Great Wall. It was pretty impressive. Harbin is interesting just because how cold it is, and people take advantage of this to enjoy their lives and make the city a frozen paradise in the winter. I love it.

A place you would like to go to relax ​

I'd like to go to Mauritius, which is located in Africa, east of Madagascar. As far as I know, the two official languages in Mauritius are English and French, so I believe I'd be able to get by there since I've been learning English all these years. I'd like to go there during one of my summer holidays, this year or next year. If I went to Mauritius, I'd like to stay there for a relatively long period of time, like a month or so. My winter holidays are never long enough, so I guess I could only visit in the summer. What I wouldn't do in Mauritius? Well, it's a country in the Indian Ocean, so obviously it has a stunning coastline, beautiful beaches, and offers fun water activities. I'd go swimming in the ocean, spot different kinds of marine animals, and so on. Oh, I love corals, so I believe I wouldn't see a lot of them there. I would like to go to Mauritius to relax mainly because I love places near the ocean. They're gorgeous and are great holiday places. Being on a beach, looking out to sea, and anything you do must be very relaxing.

A public facility that has been renovated and improved ​

Well, I'm going to describe one of the local libraries in my home district, a district in the north of Beijing. It's a library not very far from where I live, so I go there quite regularly, about twice a month. I enjoy reading there because of the huge variety of books and the peace and quiet. The library was renovated last year, in the first three months of 2023. I remember going there one day in January and seeing a notice saying that it was closed for three months for renovations. It was mainly the second floor that changed. The computer section was expanded and the number of computers was bigger. Plus, new models were put in and many of the programs on the computers are the most up-to-date ones. The reason they made this change is because this is very beneficial to those who don't have a computer at home, especially middle-aged migrant workers. They're not well-off, but many want to gain some IT skills, like how to use spreadsheet and word processing software. What's more, there's always someone in that section who can help with these programs. I think this development of the library is a really positive one because, well, take one of my neighbors, for example. She goes to the library to use the computers pretty often, and she's told me that her skills have improved a lot. She feels more confident in finding a better job now.

A rule that is important in your school or at work ​

So, I got this topic, and I couldn't think of any rule that I have right now. But one thing came to mind, which was a rule I had in primary school. All students had to take a nap after lunch. Yeah, napping was required. If someone was seen yawning in class in the afternoon, they would be told to go to the back of the classroom and stand there for the rest of that lesson. I know, it sounds funny and stupid. I remember one afternoon, I yawned, and I think it was just because that lesson was so boring. Actually, I had gotten some shut-eye after lunch, but I still yawned. Bad luck. I do think it was an important rule, mainly because now I know all the benefits of napping. It improves your alertness, concentration, memory, and so on. So, it's definitely beneficial to your performance and school. For example, I had to give a presentation yesterday, and I made sure to have some time for a power nap before that, just for 20 minutes. I think it helped with my presentation. I just don't think the not yawning part was reasonable. Even if you did take a nap, you might yawn as well.

A science subject that you are interested in ​

The subject that I'm going to talk about is geography. First of all, I have to admit, I don't know much about this subject, and the only reason I'm talking about it is because I couldn't think of anything else that's easy to speak about. I'm just not into science at all. It was many years ago that I had my first geography lesson. I might have been a third or fourth grader, and there was this lesson about the ocean, I suppose. Sorry, it's been so long, so my memory is pretty sketchy. I vaguely remember that we learned about some marine life, such as various kinds of fish, sea turtles, corals, and... Oh, I do remember this fascinating animal, the leafy sea dragon. It looks like a leaf and a dragon, that's why it's called a leafy sea dragon. How I acquire information about this subject now? Well, I don't actually make an effort to gain any information about it, but from time to time, I might come across a video about a country or a city, and that contains a bit of info. Like, a few days ago, I saw a video about Xinjiang, a region in the northwest of China, and I learned about the wide range of geographical features that can be seen there, including grasslands, deserts, mountains, plateaus, and so on. It's a majestic place.

A skill that you learned as a teenager ​

I'm going to talk about driving, one of the most useful and practical skills one can ever think of. I learned to drive when I was 18, in the summer of 2019. I had just finished my college entrance examination, which is the most important exam in China. This exam determines whether you can go to a good university, and in turn, it is likely to influence your career prospects. So, I had done it, and decided to take advantage of the summer before university to learn to drive. How I learned it? Well, first, I took a class to learn traffic regulations, pass the test, and then I was assigned a driving teacher, and a car. I would go to a driving school every morning, and practice different things, like going forward, backing up, parking, and so on. That lasted two weeks. In the end, I took the driving test, which I passed, of course. So, yeah, that was it. I learned that skill just because I wanted to be able to drive. Now that I have a driver's license, I can go anywhere I want. For example, I just drove to Aranya with a few friends last month. Aranya is a seaside town four hours away from Beijing, so we drove there and had a blast during the trip.

A sportsperson you admire ​

Alright, so the sports person that I'm going to talk about is Bruno Fernandes, who is the captain of Manchester United, my favorite soccer team in the entire world. I've been watching Man United matches since I was 9 years old, and Fernandes has been the captain since a few months ago. He's Portuguese, and plays really well for his national team as well. Honestly, I have no idea what he's like in real life. I'm not that interested either. What I do know is that he's pretty active on social media, always encouraging his teammates. For example, Onana, Man United's goalkeeper, didn't do very well last month, and Fernandes said on social media that he was the best goalkeeper in the world and would show everybody how amazing he was very soon. What achievements he's had? Well, neither Man United nor Portugal has won anything big in the past few years, but Fernandes has been performing really well. He scores and assists. For example, he scored a beautiful goal a couple of weeks ago, helping Man United win that game against, um, sorry, I don't remember that team. I admire Bruno Fernandes just because he's a very driven player. He never gives up and works extremely hard every single minute in each match. It seems that he's never tired.

A successful businessperson you know ​

I'm going to describe the founder and owner of an English training school called New Channel, and this person is always referred to as Zhang Laoshi, which translates literally as Teacher Zhang. He started out as a teacher and taught for many years before he founded this school, a very successful school in our country. I know him just because of this test. Of course, the fundamental reason is that I decided to go and study in the UK. The University of Manchester is my dream university, partly because the football team Manchester United is my favorite. So yeah, I needed to improve my English, and many of my friends told me about this school where I could take classes. New Channel offers a variety of English classes. I mean, ones that target different skills. Writing, speaking, reading, listening, grammar, and so on. The class that I started in was the grammar class, because I'd always struggled with that. I used to make tons of mistakes in my essays. Hopefully, I've gotten a lot better. Then, I attended a reading class, which focused on fast reading and how to summarize the main ideas of an article. I think this teacher, Zhang Laoshi, is a successful business person just because he created this school, and it's so popular in our country. The school has helped hundreds of thousands of students, including myself.

A time when there was a lot of noise ​

I'm going to describe the first time I took the plane. It was six years ago now, so when I was 14 years old. To be specific, it was in late July that I flew for the first time in my life. It was a few days after my final exams in school. And to celebrate the end of the term and start of the summer holiday, my parents booked a trip to Malaysia. Malaysia is about four hours away from where I live by plane. I was really looking forward to the trip and also to taking the plane. I heard the noise on the plane. It was the engines, I guess, that made the loud rumbling sound. So first we boarded the plane, found our seats, and got settled. Then a moment later, the plane started to move. It was about to take off. It was okay then, not much noise. But just a couple of minutes later, the rumbling got louder and louder as we left the ground. It lasted about five minutes, I think. Then the noise died down because we had leveled off. How I felt about the noise? Well, I was pretty nervous, but excited at the same time. I knew nothing was going to happen, but still felt a rush of nervousness in my stomach. Looking back, it was a pretty interesting experience.

A time when you bought something from a street market ​

Well, I'm going to describe a mirror slash locket slash necklace that I bought before. I got it many years ago, when I was 15, I think. It was a few days after the Chinese New Year. My family went to Guangxi on holiday, and we really had a blast. Guangxi is a gorgeous province in the southwest of China. I got this piece of jewelry on our last day there, a few hours before we went to the airport to come home. There was a market street in front of a theater. It must be a really popular theater because the street outside was packed with people. All the vendors were busy talking to their customers. I was strolling through the market, and I saw this item. So, it's like a locket, and there's a small mirror inside it. You can put a small picture opposite the mirror. I decided to buy it because I thought it was pretty beautiful and special. The floral pattern on the locket was really pretty. I got it, thinking that I would give it to my future girlfriend, and ideally wife. Have I met her yet? Sadly, no. I'm still waiting for this girl to show up in my life. I'm only 24.

A time when you had a problem using a computer ​

Okay, um, I'm going to describe a time when my laptop made a lot of noise. It was just last week, actually, on Thursday evening. I'd been learning English, talking with native speakers online three times a week, and this is what I was doing that evening. I was chatting with Alvin, who's from the UK, and we were having a good time. But all of a sudden, there was this problem. Where it happened, well, I was in my dorm room. I had to be there every time I had an online lesson where I would talk. I couldn't be in the library because then I would disturb others that were studying. So, like I said, the problem was that my laptop began to make so much noise. I think it was because I had quite a few tabs open in my web browser. Plus, three or four programs were running at that time too, like Adobe Photoshop, because I had been editing the photo before the lesson. I solved the problem by closing unnecessary tabs and programs and restarting the computer to continue the lesson with Alvin. It was a little annoying, but the rest of our conversation was also very good.

A time when you received bad service in a restaurant or shop ​

I'm going to describe a time when I was dining in a Beijing duck restaurant. It was just a couple of months ago, in September to be exact. After a week of studying, I decided to go and have some Beijing duck, my favorite food, with some friends. We picked a restaurant close to our university, which is known for its high quality of the duck meat and sauce. What happened? Well, we got to the restaurant, looked at the menu and ordered a few dishes, with the duck as the centerpiece, of course. There were also a number of stir-fries of vegetables and meats. In addition to the duck, I was also looking forward to the stir-fried cauliflower there. But we waited and waited and waited. Half an hour passed, and our food still hadn't arrived. We called the waitress over and asked what was going on. She said, I can't believe what I heard. She told us that she had forgotten to give the order to the kitchen. I was so mad, but there was nothing we could do. We had to wait another 20 or so minutes. But as an apology, the restaurant gave us a 20% discount. It was bad service just because we were kept waiting for too long. I was starving and famished. But the duck tasted extra good when it arrived.

A time when you taught a friend or relative something ​

Well, I'm going to describe the time when I taught my cousin how to play soccer. She's only 7 years old, and ever since she was very little, she has shown a lot of interest in sports, like running, swimming, and also soccer. She had done a lot of kicking a soccer ball before, but had never gotten any actual training. So I decided to teach her a little. Well, at first, we did some warm-up. She was doing jumping jacks and high knees with me. Then, we did some dribbling. I asked her to dribble a ball from one line to the other, about 20 meters. We did that for about 10 minutes. After that, the task got more challenging. I placed a few plastic plates on the ground, and she had to keep dribbling without touching the plates. Well, what the result was, um, I think she did really well. She got more comfortable with the ball, and it was great exercise for her. I felt really happy and satisfied with her training. Although it was just a one-time thing, I did hope that she could keep practicing soccer. It's a great sport and physical activity. Even if she doesn't become a professional player, it's always going to be beneficial to her physical and mental health.

A trip that you were looking forward to but was delayed ​

I'm going to talk about the time when I was planning to go to Singapore on vacation. It was just a few months ago, and my parents and I had made a decision to visit Singapore during the National Day holiday in October, a 7-day holiday. The reason we had decided to go there was because the plane tickets were not very expensive around then. Like I said, I was going there with my parents, who had never been abroad before. I had visited a couple of countries prior to that, Japan and Thailand, but my parents had never had the opportunity because they had been working non-stop their whole life to provide for my education and the entire family. I was hoping this trip to Singapore wouldn't be their first break in life. And this was also the reason why I was very looking forward to this trip. Unfortunately, the trip was delayed because both my mom and I caught the flu. Both of us got a fever. My mom was coughing very badly every day the week before October. So we called it off. We put it off, actually. We finally went in late December, and we had a blast in Singapore. My parents, in particular, really enjoyed their first time abroad.

A uniform you wear ​

Well, I don't have to wear a uniform now, so I guess I'll just talk about my primary school uniform. So yeah, I had to wear it throughout my six years in primary school from the age of six to twelve. But in fact, the students didn't have to wear it every single day, only the first three days of the work week. On Thursdays and Fridays, we had the freedom to wear anything we wanted, so most kids were happy. One of my classmates would always come to school sporting her most trendy Nike hoodie or Burberry jacket. Anyway, what our uniform looked like, it was actually a tracksuit, so pretty comfy. The pants were entirely red, and the jacket was mainly white, but there were red stripes across. Yeah, that was it, very simple looking. I didn't quite like the uniform because it was always larger than my size. Let me tell you why. My family wasn't particularly well off, so in order to cut expenses, my mom decided to buy larger school uniforms for me, so that I could wear them longer. Of course, I always grew into them, but it would take a year or two. That's why I often looked weird, and some students made fun of me for it.

A useful object in your home that you cannot live without ​

I'm going to describe the exercise bike in my living room. I ride the bike as a form of cardio. I've tried various forms of cardiovascular exercise, including running, brisk walking, swimming, dancing, and so on. But none of them appeal to me as much as bike riding. I also enjoy cycling in the open air, in parks, and in the countryside, when the weather's nice, of course. When it's too cold or too hot, and when the air quality isn't very good, I just ride the exercise bike at home. One session usually lasts about 40 minutes. I like to watch some shows on my iPad while cycling. For instance, I was watching a stand-up comedy show yesterday morning while riding the bike. It was really funny, so the 45-minute exercise didn't feel too hard. I ride this bike 3 or 4 times a week, not every day, because you don't have to work out daily to reap all the benefits. I try to do it every other day. I can't live without this piece of equipment just because I like this way of exercising. It's easy to do, and it's also fun, because I can couple that with watching shows. Kill two birds with one stone.

An activity that made you feel tired ​

Well, I'm just going to describe the last time I went for a run. It was just yesterday, early in the morning. I think it was about 7.30 when I headed out for this run. I was running next to a lake near my home. It's just about a kilometer away from my apartment. So I always run there and then run next to it. I love that lake so much mainly because you won't see a lot of people there. So it's always a great experience running by the lake. I used to only run in the gym on a treadmill. That was fine, but it was a little boring actually. Being in the great outdoors is so much better. What happened, well, I was just running and listening to some English at the same time. It was a newscast that I was listening to. And I remember part of that was about a bear in an American zoo. The newscaster said that there was a bear that stood up and waved to people, which sounded very funny. So I was tired just because, well, physical activity is tiring. And I ran for 40 minutes. It was 7 kilometers. I definitely felt pretty tired, but I also felt good.

An item you lost and then found ​

I'm going to describe a time when I lost one of my books, the Why Are You Here Cafe. It's a book about someone who's lost in life, and also lost in the middle of nowhere. Then he sees a cafe, walks inside, talks with the people there. In that cafe, he begins to think about the meaning of life. I really love this book, not only because the story is fascinating, but it also makes me think about my everyday life. Anyway, I lost the book a few months ago. I think it was in September, if I remember correctly. I had bought the book in August, read it once, and then in September, I was rereading it. One day, I went to a cafe to read this book, the Why Are You Here Cafe. I went to use the restroom at one point, but when I came back, the book was gone. It was lost. How I found it later, well, I didn't find it myself. Someone brought it back to me. So, the person sitting next to me mistook my book for one of hers, and as she hurried out of the cafe, she took it with her. She got in the car and realized it wasn't hers, so she brought it back. She kept apologizing, and I just said that it was okay. I actually said that it would be great if she took it home and read it, because it's indeed a wonderful book.

An occasion when you had to do something in a hurry ​

Well, I'm going to describe a time when I had to sprint to grab a book. It was just a few months ago, in January to be specific. I was going to have a book club meeting with several other members of our book club on a Saturday afternoon. I love reading so much, and I also enjoy talking about books with others. So I started this book club, and we have regular meetings. So we had one that Saturday. Our meeting was going to take place at a cafe near my house, just about 10 minutes away, which was great. I could just take a leisurely walk to get there. What I did, well, I just walked there. It was about 1.50 that I got to this cafe. But then I suddenly realized that I had forgotten the book at home, the book that we were going to talk about that day, Tuesdays with Maury. I sprinted back home to grab the book, and then ran all the way back to the cafe. I was a few minutes late because our meeting was supposed to start at 2. Well, I had to do it in a hurry just because, like I said, I was the founder of the book club, and I couldn't be the one without the book. I had to set a good example to the other members so that everyone would be motivated to keep reading, which is what I hoped.

An occasion when you heard someone complaining about something ​

Well, I'm going to describe the time when I heard someone complain at a hotel. It was a few months ago, so towards the end of 2023. My family went to New Zealand on holiday in late November because my parents both asked for 10 days off as annual leave. So we went to New Zealand, went on a road trip, and one night we were staying at a Marriott hotel. It was in the lobby that I heard someone complain. It was a dad with two kids, son and daughter. He was talking with someone working at the front desk. His complaint was that there hadn't been any room service that day. The floor wasn't vacuumed, the toilet paper wasn't replaced, and the bed sheets weren't changed. What the result was, well, the lady at the front desk apologized and said that she was going to send someone up to their room right away. I believe a cleaning person went immediately. To be honest, when I saw him complaining, I got a bit hesitant about staying at that hotel. I was about to check in, but then I thought, wait, is this a good hotel to stay at? But since we had booked the hotel well in advance, I didn't have any other options. Fortunately, there wasn't any problem with our stay there.

An occasion when you used a map ​

Well, I'm going to describe a time when a few friends and I went on a road trip. I couldn't drive then, so two of my friends took turns driving. It was three years ago, during the winter holiday in my freshman year, so late January to be specific. Our road trip lasted three days, not very long. We were driving... we actually went to the United States and were driving in California. We started from San Francisco, and there were a few major places that we visited along the route. Carmel-by-the-Sea, which is a gorgeous town, Los Angeles, and San Diego. And the reason we used a map is just because, well, to be honest, we didn't use a physical map. We were relying on Google Maps, the app. We had to navigate with that mainly because we're not from there, and we were not familiar with the place. So, for example, it took us quite some time to find Carmel-by-the-Sea. Even with the help of Google Maps, we still got lost a couple of times. How I felt about the experience? Well, it was fun. The app was a must, of course. And, overall, it was a pretty exciting and enjoyable trip. Even getting lost was part of the fun.

An occasion when you waited a long time for something nice to happen ​

Well, I'm going to describe the time when I waited for a trip to Thailand. It was four years ago, so the year before the COVID-19 pandemic. Yeah, I was lucky. To be more specific, the trip took place in October, during the Chinese National Day holiday, which is when everybody's on the road traveling. So the nice thing, like I mentioned, was visiting Thailand. My parents and I went to Phuket on vacation, and we were there for five days. It was such a fun vacation, and we did a variety of cool things, including having a barbecue on the beach, going on a yacht, going snorkeling, and so forth. That was my first time snorkeling. Being in the water and seeing all the fish of various colors was an unforgettable experience. Why I waited a long time? Well, it's just because it was back in July that my parents told me about this plan to visit Thailand. And from that day onwards, I was anticipating this vacation day in and day out. It finally happened in October. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I had so much fun in Thailand, and the trip was also a great bonding opportunity for my parents and me.

An outdoor activity you did ​

Well, the activity that I'm going to describe is an outdoor but in the ocean activity. It's snorkeling, which is one of the coolest and most enjoyable activities that you can ever do. So, basically, you just put on a life jacket, a pair of goggles, and a snorkel, which goes into your mouth. And then, you swim in the ocean. This is snorkeling. I've snorkeled many times in my life in various locations, including in Fiji, Phuket, the Great Barrier Reef, Okinawa, and so on. I think the most memorable experience I've ever had was still the first time I went snorkeling. It was in Okinawa, Japan in 2016. So, it was in June when the water was neither too hot nor too cold. And I snorkeled in three different spots. It was incredibly beautiful underwater. There was coral and a variety of marine animals of many different colors. I even remember seeing turtles that were flapping their flippers very slowly. But, weirdly, they were swimming really fast. It was really cool. I was there with my ex-girlfriend. Yeah, my ex. She suggested going to Okinawa. And looking back, it was a great idea. We were snorkeling and even holding hands in the ocean. I really enjoyed that experience. And I love snorkeling anywhere, actually. Because I love how gorgeous everything is in the ocean. The beauty there is unbelievable.

An unusual holiday you had ​

I'm going to describe the holiday that I took in Australia. It was just last month, in mid-February. A few friends and I went on holiday to Melbourne and some nearby places. We chose to go there mainly because of the relaxed atmosphere and stunning scenery. What I specifically want to talk about now is when we stayed in a place called Apollo Bay, which is a small seaside town. Like I said, I went on this holiday with some friends. We all have one thing in common. We're fitness fanatics. We love running, cycling, and doing many other kinds of exercise together. What we did in Apollo Bay, well, we did things that we all enjoyed. Various forms of physical activity. Let me explain. It was kind of like a fitness holiday because a range of activities were offered during our stay. On our first morning there, we went mountain biking. The next morning, there was yoga on the beach. That afternoon, it was boxing, which I really loved. Holiday makers from different countries were boxing together. It was a bit like the Olympics. That holiday was pretty unusual because, well, normally, when we think of a holiday, we think of just resting, relaxing, and visiting attractions. However, the one we took was tiring, but a lot more fun than other types of holidays.

Something in your country that you are interested in ​

I'm going to talk about square dancing. Not the American square dance, but something that originated from China about 15 years ago, I guess. In Chinese, it is Guangchangwu, and it literally translates as square dancing. I know this kind of dancing just because it's everywhere. There's a park within walking distance of my house, and right in the center of it, you can always find a few groups of people dancing together to some very loud and vibrant music in the evening. It's a kind of physical activity that has contributed to many people's fitness, especially elderly people. One of these senior citizens is my grandma, who is in her early 70s. She's been a dancer for 10 years, and she is extremely fit. All the moving and fun she gets from square dancing is a major reason why she is so healthy. I'm interested in square dancing because I used to dislike it, because the music people dance to is too loud. And normally, it's not pop music that young people like. But now, I've changed. It's such a great form of exercise and social activity. A lot of the people that dance together don't know each other at first. They just get together in a park, in a square, and begin to dance. I'm going to be a dancer too in the future.

Something you do regularly to help yourself work or study ​

Well, I'm going to talk about breathing. I know it sounds strange. We all breathe naturally, right? But what I'm talking about is breath work, some techniques of breathing that help people in various ways. So, basically, the right way to breathe is through the nose, nasal breathing. Many people these days breathe through their mouth too much, which causes many problems, even including ADHD. Unbelievable, right? Anyway, the technique that I use most of the time is called box breathing, which I'll talk about in detail in a moment. When and where I do it? Well, I do it every day, whenever I have a bit of free time and don't have more important things to do. So, anywhere too. Well, so you breathe in for four seconds. Hold your breath for four seconds, then breathe out for four, and hold it for four. That's it. Just do it over and over and over again. It helps me with my studies, mainly because this kind of breath work exercise is a really good way to relax. We all know that in today's world, many people are under a lot of stress all the time. And if we don't reduce our levels of stress, we can't work or study effectively. Box breathing works wonders in helping people de-stress. And, oh, it also makes us more alert, which in turn helps us work better.