Born and raised in Chicago, I learned how to defend myself with the most peaceful but lethal martial art, Aikido. I have been practicing this art since 1999 and had the thrill of running a dojo for 4 years, where I taught and trained fellow Aikido martial artists. Along with Aikido, I am also passionate about museums and art. In my spare time, I love to explore new hutong hangouts around Beijing and use my proficient Chinese language skills.