05 — Area

Pursuits

My pursuits outside of my main activities are deliberately open-ended, namely using the concepts of creativity and discipline to support my mental and physical wellbeing. Photography and bonsai offer room to experiment and think long term, supporting the former, while track and fitness turn commitment into real progress, bolstering the latter. Together, alongside activities like reading and cooking, they give me space to think introspectively, apply skills across unfamiliar contexts, and remember that meaningful achievement is driven by sustained effort.

01

Creativity · Observation · Since 2023

Photography

I started by borrowing my mom's phone to photograph whatever caught my eye, then moved into phone photography and eventually a real mirrorless setup. I'm drawn to wildlife, astrophotography, landscapes, and old buildings—I'll pair a shoot with a long hike or a trip, sometimes recreating a historical photo from the same spot. I shoot RAW and edit in Lightroom, working color, composition, and detail until the image feels like the moment I actually saw. I haven't taken my best shot yet, and that's what keeps me going.

02

Patience · Design · Long-term thinking

Bonsai

I started bonsai in middle school, and I now care for about five trees, including jade, ficus, and Chinese elm. A lot of bonsai is slow work: pruning, wiring, repotting, and making small choices that might not fully show for years. One of my jade trees started as a small plant, but I wanted it to become a compact tree with a thicker trunk. I moved it into a larger pot, let it grow out, and then cut it back so it could start building the shape I had pictured. Bonsai has taught me patience in a very physical way.

  • 5 trees
  • Jade
  • Ficus
  • Chinese elm
03

Community · Consistency · 5+ seasons

Track & Field

I compete for Hollis Brookline High School in the 400 meters, shot put, and discus. Track has given me a kind of motivation that is hard to get from training alone. Being around teammates pushes me to keep showing up, even on days when I would not have the same drive by myself. Over more than five seasons, I have gotten faster, improved my pacing, and learned that progress usually comes from steady work rather than one big result. It has been good for my physical health, but it has also given me a community that makes the work easier to keep doing.

  • 400 meters
  • Shot put
  • Discus
  • Hollis Brookline
04

Discipline · Well-being · Self-direction

Fitness

Fitness started as something I knew was important, but it has become something I genuinely protect time for. My dad's commitment to exercise first showed me the value of being strong, mobile, and physically capable in everyday life. Now, strength training, interval work, and cardio give me a place where progress depends mostly on consistency and effort. Training several times a week has become less of an obligation and more of a routine I want to keep. Goals like a controlled one-arm push-up and muscle-ups give me something clear to work toward.

  • Strength training
  • Intervals
  • Cardio
  • Multiple sessions weekly