Author: Andy Cheng

Crew, and how I joined (Post #1).

As the title signifies, this post is about how I joined my newly discovered passion. This post is also dedicated to a dear friend, for I wouldn’t have otherwise been exposed.

Spring 2012: “You’re crazy for rowing 10,000 meters several times a week,” I thought as Crispin walked to the second floor of the school gym to use the rowing machine. He had been wanting to join crew for a while, a sport I had zero knowledge and interest about. I joined him once, and I rowed for a good five minutes before growing bored and tired with the repetitive motions.

Continue reading “Crew, and how I joined (Post #1).”

UC Berkeley: The Big Game (Post #6).

This post is only partially about the UC Berkeley vs. Stanford football game on 10/20/12. I’m focus mostly on my day in a broader sense.

I’ve grown to love college football, and football in general this year. With the exception of this past week, I’ve attended every home game. Something about being in the middle of the student section, cheering on the team through an in-group mentality feels empowering. Unequivocal. Ecstatic.

Now, what makes The Big Game special to me isn’t particularly because we’re facing off against our Bay Area arch-nemesis. It’s because the most influential figure of my life, Captain Graham, comes up every year for the game.

Cabo San Lucas, July 2010.

The game itself was a bit disappointing, because we lost of course. Most of the action occurred in the first quarter, and the score remained unchanged throughout the second half of the game. Even then, I was amongst good company in a good crowd. Our football team may have been defeated, but our spirits stood their ground. GO BEARS!

The newly renovated Memorial Stadium.

Oh Stanfurd…

I met up with Captain Graham and his wife Deanna after the game. We slowly walked around south side and through parts of campus. I gave them a tour and identified Boalt Law School, certain classrooms, South Hall, Bancroft/University Library, the Campanile, and VLSB.

It was a great feeling being able to give the two a tour around campus. Although they’ve been on campus a few times, they had never been taken their time to look at campus aesthetics.

We then walked to the BART station where we said our goodbyes. The next time I’ll see him will be back in Orange County this upcoming winter break. Until next time!

If I happen to attend The Big Game these upcoming years, I’ll be sure to sit in the alumni section and return the BEARS call to the student section’s GO!

UC Berkeley: the perks of a multicultural setting (Post #5).

A public policy course I’m taking this semester is called Negotiations, specifically in the realms of politics/policy and business. This is a very fun class, particularly because we the students have weekly negotiation practices under different modules. There are 47 students in the class (not too large), so many of us interact with each other a fair amount. Continue reading “UC Berkeley: the perks of a multicultural setting (Post #5).”

Beijing: Lama Temple, Imperial Academy, & Confucius Temple (Post #16).

One of the trips we took as an UCEAP group was to the Lama Temple 雍和宮，Imperial Academy 國子監，and Confucius Temple 孔廟. Lama Temple (Yong He Gong) is a Tibetan style Buddhist Temple. From what I remember, it is the biggest in China.

Continue reading “Beijing: Lama Temple, Imperial Academy, & Confucius Temple (Post #16).”

Beijing: Old Summer Palace (Post #15).

The Old Summer Palace is only one subway stop away from our school. After we visited the Lenovo Headquarters, the PKU shuttle dropped us off there and we received a tour of the place.

I’ve never been to Greece, but I sure felt I was there that day. The Old Summer Palace was where the emperor used to relax during the off-season (as if there was one) of his reign. The school hired a tour guide to tell us interesting facts about the place, but because there were too many of us, many people weren’t listening to what he had to say. I didn’t hear most of his words, so I can’t give much information about the place. Continue reading “Beijing: Old Summer Palace (Post #15).”

Beijing: to carry the Olympic Torch (Post #14).

One of the trips we took as a UC group was to the Lenovo Headquarters, Beijing branch. Lenovo is a Chinese electronics company and is the second largest PC vendor in the world, after HP.

The lobby.

We were able to tour the place and got to see the history behind the company, the history of computers and laptops, as well as new products not yet released to the company.

The coolest thing about the tour, I felt, wasn’t even computer-related. Lenovo had sponsored the 2008 Olympics and, as a thank you gift, received one of the Olympic torches used during the opening ceremony.

And guess what? We were able to hold it.

Having a feeling-cool moment there.

Beijing: chopping off the prices (Post #13).

When I first arrived in Beijing, the first thing I bought was a mobile phone 手機 and SIM card. ￥280 or so for it, which was $44 USD. Elizabeth had gone to the same shopkeeper earlier and asked for the cheapest phone possible, and the storekeeper showed her the cheap Nokia black and white phone. When the program bought the same exact phone in bulk for everyone who needed one, they paid about $100 each. My first time getting scammed! Continue reading “Beijing: chopping off the prices (Post #13).”

Beijing: to see friends from back home (Post #12).

Beijing has been kind to me this time of the year, for it brought along a few friends from California that gave me a change of pace. While here, I’ve met up with Jackie – someone I’ve known since my sophomore year in high school. She was accompanied by Stephanie, someone I’ve known since second grade in elementary school! Lastly, I’ve met up with Li who lived on my floor this past year at Berkeley. Continue reading “Beijing: to see friends from back home (Post #12).”

Beijing: a professional massage from a blind therapist (Post #11).

I love getting massages. Moreover, I’ve always wanted to get a professional massage. The problem is, it’s far too expensive in California. What better time to add that to my have-dones in China? Continue reading “Beijing: a professional massage from a blind therapist (Post #11).”