What do you enjoy most about writing?

I often realize how I’ve really been doing only when I start to write.

The chirping of insects and birds outside the window finds its way into the words.

So does the vibration of my phone on the desk.

That sound makes me feel safe and happy, because most of the time it means a message from my love.

Sometimes writing is about memories, sometimes about reflection.

I look back on the road I’ve walked, and I remind myself to be content.

Contentment doesn’t mean life has no challenges—it just means I face them with a calmer mind.

Challenges are always there.

Work pressure, changes in life—I still have to keep finding a way through.

That’s why I write about recent events, or the new technologies I’ve been trying.

Work is also part of life; it can’t be separated.

By the time I reach the end of a piece, my thoughts usually feel clearer.

The future may not be certain, but at least I know I’m still moving forward.

And that is the moment of writing I enjoy most.

What do you love about where you live?

I live close to the mountain.

In the mornings, there are insects and birds.

It’s not downtown, but buses and the MRT are still within reach.

Work is less than twenty minutes away.

And most important of all, my elderly parents are safe.

That’s all I need.

What positive emotion do you feel most often?

當然是愛人的話語。

即使相隔兩地，手機螢幕還是會在某個普通的下午，跳出一顆愛心。

那一瞬間，我會停下手邊的事，笑一下——

因為我知道，那顆愛心不是隨便貼的，它跨過了距離，也跨過了想念的重量。

Of course, it’s the words from the one I love.

Even when we’re apart, a little heart still pops up on my screen on an ordinary afternoon.

In that moment, I pause whatever I’m doing and smile—

because I know that heart isn’t sent casually; it has crossed both distance and the weight of longing.

三不五時，我們會替對方準備早餐、煮好咖啡。

麵包在烤箱裡膨脹的香氣、咖啡冒出的第一縷熱氣，

讓一天在開始前，就先被幸福包圍。

From time to time, we make breakfast or brew coffee for each other.

The bread rising in the oven, the first curl of steam from the coffee—

they wrap the day in happiness before it even begins.

我們在餐桌邊談著最近的話題，

有時是夢境裡的荒唐場景，有時是世界的荒謬現實，

偶爾還會插播幾段親友的八卦，

笑聲在房間裡迴盪——

那笑聲，不只是快樂，更是我們對生活的共同回應。

We sit at the table and talk about whatever’s on our minds—

sometimes the absurd scenes from a dream, sometimes the absurdity of the world itself,

and occasionally, we slip in a bit of gossip about friends and family.

Our laughter fills the room—

and that laughter is not just joy; it’s our shared answer to life.

還有那些一起度過的日子：

在帳篷裡聽雨聲的露營夜晚，

在巷弄裡發現的小餐館，

在陌生國家的街頭邊走邊笑。

從海邊的日落到山上的雲海，

每一段風景都刻在我們的記憶裡。

而我知道，不管未來去到哪裡，

最重要的風景，永遠是彼此身邊的那個人。

And then there are the days we’ve spent together:

camping nights with the sound of rain on the tent,

hidden little restaurants tucked away in city alleys,

wandering foreign streets while laughing side by side.

From sunsets by the sea to seas of clouds in the mountains,

every scene is etched into our memories.

And I know that no matter where we go in the future,

the most important view will always be the person right beside me.

How do you plan your goals?

Just like many office workers,

I’ve flipped through plenty of self-improvement classics:

career planning, time management, the Pomodoro Technique, the 80/20 rule, project management, agile development, accountability culture…

Even the habits of wealthy and successful people — and yes, even The Secret (law of attraction).

My bookshelf and playlist are crowded;

my head is even more crowded.

But in the end, it all comes back to the same old truth —

getting started is hard, but staying the course is what really counts.

I try to turn these complex methods into small steps I can take in daily life, and keep building on them, instead of rigidly following the rules.

Exercising every day, so my body remembers I’m its partner;

staying as healthy as I can, so fatigue doesn’t steal the light from my life;

even the tiniest actions, I stick with them, slowly turning them into strength.

It’s like the phrase I’ve kept close to my heart — keep on keeping on.

Whether fast or slow, in calm seas or stormy weather,

the point is simply — accumulate little by little, and keep moving forward.

What brings you peace?

The first things that came to mind were reading, praying, meditating, running.

Different on the surface, but they share one thing — they let me forget time,

and rest quietly inside the flow.

Sometimes it’s the sound of a page turning.

Sometimes, the rhythm of breathing.

Sometimes, the steady beat of my footsteps.

Sometimes, the calm in hands held together.

But peace is never permanent.

Worries still slip in —

about the future,

about not having enough stored away,

about the doors that are closing, one by one,

and the competition that grows sharper every day.

So I close my eyes.

See the nose, watch the heart, and know that heart is spirit.

Bring the heart back to itself. Let the spirit rest in the now.

But I don’t shut the world out.

The messages still come.

The challenges still stand.

I just learn to steady my heart first,

then face them — and solve them.

Keep read.

Keep write.

Keep study.

Keep pray.

Keep face the challenge.

What profession do you admire most and why?

The ones I admire are not those shouting under the glare of spotlights,

but those who can lead tens of millions steadily through storms.

That kind of pressure is hard to imagine.

Every decision is a stone dropped into a lake,

ripples reaching the lives of countless people.

The most important thing is the ability to keep all those millions fed.

It’s not just management—it’s responsibility:

to hold the course in bad weather,

to find solutions before hunger knocks on the door.

Leadership is not about force, nor about dictatorship.

It’s not about hiding the bad and showing only the good,

but about facing problems head-on and finding a way through.

It’s also about respecting every single dollar of taxpayers’ trust,

spending it where it matters most.

I know real-world leaders are not perfect.

Some say they are not open enough to dissenting voices.

Some complain their supporters draw lines too quickly.

Others doubt they have the global vision and wisdom needed for the times.

So, the leader I hope for is this—

one who doesn’t fear criticism,

because it’s the compass that corrects the course;

one who doesn’t turn differences into walls,

but into bridges;

one who can read the storms of the world,

yet still guard the ground beneath our feet.

True leadership is not being pushed forward by the crowd,

but having people choose to walk with you.

And that is the kind of person I admire.

If you were going to open up a shop, what would you sell?

Almost everyone has thought about opening a cozy little café someday.

But most of the time, it’s just a passing thought.

Once you do a bit of research or read some stories about running a shop, you quickly realize—it’s not that easy.

We often say dreams drive us forward, but the truth is, you have to make money first before you can build that dream.

Otherwise, it’s just a sweet fantasy.

Physical stores, online shops, or a mix of both—all come with their own challenges and benefits.

No matter what form it takes, there’s one truth that never changes—location is king.

Rent, lease, or platform fees hold the real power behind the scenes.

Physical stores have foot traffic, but the cost is high, and price isn’t the only factor—vibe matters more.

Online stores get traffic too, but it’s mostly rational price-checkers.

Nowadays, it’s all about live-stream sales, KOL marketing, and short videos fighting for attention.

Yet platforms still take the lion’s share of the profit.

Even a famous shop bustling with customers can close overnight.

The heavy, invisible weight of rent holds the real control.

Prime spots are usually locked down by early investors, making it tough for newcomers to break in.

But despite all these difficulties,

There are still many brave souls who break through the barriers and carve out their path.

They don’t stroll out calmly with a coffee in hand—they fight their way through.

Back to the topic—

I haven’t figured out what kind of store would actually make money.

Making money doesn’t necessarily mean you have to open a store; there are many options.

As for what I’d want to spend on—

I love traveling abroad, so anything related to that catches my eye—luggage? Trip planning?

I’ve tried plenty of so-called AI-powered trip planning apps,

but they’re still far from what I’d consider ideal.

In the end, I still look up information and plan slowly by myself,

which might just be part of the fun of traveling, haha.

Maybe building an app to help plan trips is a pit I’d willingly fall into—

one I might happily dive into myself.

Reality is tough, no doubt,

but every brave attempt is stacking up possibilities for the future.

Dreams have never been just about the outcome—they’re about the persistence and passion along the way.