i am...

i'm a taiwanese-american creative + engineer, currently living in san francisco. i spent years studying math, data science, and computer science, which brought me to san francisco and the world of software. i was lucky enough to spend a couple of years working for big tech and small startups, learning how to write Good Code, shipping consumer products at scale, and collaborating with really smart people. a nagging curiosity for exploration and a desire for a more mindful lifestyle led me to take a career break, where i spend my days going on walks, cooking, making ceramics, volunteering, learning languages, and writing.

i love...

i love to laugh, share restaurant recommendations, and riff on fun out-of-the-box ideas. i love picking up new skills. i love tv shows that make you laugh and feel slightly uncomfortable at the same time. i love live entertainment -- musicals, circus, classical music, standup comedy. i love sharing a good meal and exclaiming about how good the food is. i love thinking about how things came to be.. who made them, why they made them, what resources they had access to. i love to celebrate.

what gets me out of bed...

I started exploring the art of ceramics shortly into my career break. I signed up for an intro class, taking the opportunity learn a new skill and make art amongst other creatives. Within a couple of classes, it quickly became a captivating medium that I couldn't stop thinking about. I was watching pottery tutorial videos, shopping for tools, and dreaming up the possibilities of what I could make. For the first time I experienced true flow state. While I'm still actively learning and improving my craft, I'm most proud of the pieces I've made for commissions. These pieces serve both as functional tableware, but also expressions of personal experiences, culture, nostalgia, and whimsy.

Amber Wave Matcha Bowl

"Zan! / Excellent!" Catch Tray

Custard Apple Cup

Strawberry Matcha Bowl

Kirby Spoon Rest

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I started learning about film when I was gifted first film camera, an Olympus XA2 point-and-shoot. The feeling of getting your first roll of film back from the studio is something I will never forget. Seeing the words, "Your photos are ready" in my inbox genuinely gives me chills. There's anticipation, excitement, and, if you know how finnicky film is, a major fear of disappointment in the reveal of these photos you've accumulated in this small mysterious black box. With each roll, I like to jot down notes about the film type, the time of year the photos were shot, where they were taken, and if I liked the photos or not. Over time, I started to get a better understanding of which films I liked depending on the subject, style and time of day. My favorite film stocks are Kodak Gold and Fujicolor 400.

Kodak Gold, Summer 2025San Francisco

Kodak Gold, Summer 2025San Francisco

Kodak Gold, Summer 2025Point Reyes

Kodak Gold, Summer 2025Point Reyes

Kodak Gold, Summer 2025Lake Tahoe

Kodak Gold, Summer 2024San Francisco

Kodak Gold, Summer 2024San Francisco

Kodak Gold, Summer 2024San Francisco

Fuji 200, Winter 2024Tokyo

Fuji 400, Fall 2024Bali

Fuji 400, Fall 2024Singapore

Fuji 400, Fall 2024Singapore

Fuji 200, Winter 2024San Francisco

Fuji Superia 400, Spring 2024New York City

Fuji Superia 400, Spring 2024San Francisco

Fuji Superia 400, Spring 2024Washington DC

Kodak Gold, Winter 2024Point Reyes

Kodak Gold, Winter 2024Kyoto

Kodak Gold, Winter 2024Kyoto

Kodak Gold, Winter 2024Kyoto

Fuji 200, Winter 2024Tokyo

Fuji 200, Winter 2024Tokyo

Drawing has always been one of my favorite mediums because of how flexible and open-ended it is. With a blank canvas and a pen, anything is possible. Well... some things are possible. There were times when I wanted to experiment with color or paints, but didn't have the colors that I wanted, or just didn't have the energy to clear my stuff off my desk and set it all up. When I finally got an iPad, drawing on the Procreate app completely changed the game for me. There were no more limits to colors, canvases, or brush types. I didn't have to carry a bulky notebook or worry about the papers getting crinkled. It also made it so much easier to share and post my work online. While I still appreciate the analogue nature of pen and paper, I love how much this digital medium has enabled me to experiment and create.

How to Pray Salat — A Guide

I created these illustrations during Ramadan, when simultaneously, the 2nd season of Severance (one of my all-time-favorite shows) happened to be coming out. There are these "Chikhai Bardo" action cards referenced in the show that look similar to CPR/workplace training diagrams. Using those cards as inspiration, I illustrated a series of cards as a guide to teach others how to pray salat (daily prayers in Islam).

Dishes of Lunar New Year

Illustrations showcasing auspicious dishes that we enjoy during Lunar New Year and what they represent.

Cozy Sticker Collection

During COVID we all spent a lot more time at home than usual, which meant I thought a lot about how to create a more cozy space and lifestyle. I channeled these ideas into collectible stickers, which are available for sale on my Etsy store.

One thing no one tells you about taking a break from a corporate job is that it can get really lonely. I had so many thoughts circling around in my head all day and no good outlet for them to go. Eventually I decided to put them out into a weekly blog. The topics range from life in funemployment, my experience in picking up new hobbies, what's going on locally in SF, and more. Week after week, this publication started growing into a valuable resource for people to both learn about what it's like to take a career break and find community amongst others who've either been laid off or quit their jobs.