Why do I do what I do? A bunch of reasons come to mind. But the SparkNotes version of it all is that the things I do are really a result of self-interest and family influence. I was born and raised in Qingdao, Shandong, China. Coming from a family in which each member has excelled both athletically and academically, I felt the pressure to achieve above and beyond my elders since childhood. As a child, I did not like to exercise much, but I did read a lot. I began to read classical Chinese literature written in original classical Chinese when I turned 7 and began to write Chinese poetry when I was 8. By 10, I was well-versed in Chinese history.
I wasn't very athletic as a child. However this changed when I moved to the United States with my parents at eleven; I was introduced to American football. I played in my first pickup game in 6th grade and participated in my first full practice in 7th grade. Something about football just excites me. Football allows me a way to let out my frustration and aggression. As all coaches expect their players to do, I really did leave everything I had on the field.
During freshman year of high school, I picked up tennis during football off-season. The agility and fast movement that is required is what attracted me to the sport. The short and crisp "pop" the racket makes when it comes into contact with the ball at the sweet spot is one of the sounds I have learned to love.
Then after high school, I started boxing during the summer of my freshman year in college. Initially, I used it simply as a means of losing weight. After a couple of weeks, I fell in love with the sport. The heavy thud the glove makes when it comes into contact with the heavy bag and the short and snappy pop when it hits the hand mitts is simply exhilarating. Of course, the moment that the referee declares you the winner at the end of a match fills you with a feeling that cannot be described.
Thus, WDIDWID? I do what I do to make myself happy and my family proud.
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