Adventure sports: hiking, mountain climbing, cross-country skiing, white-water rafting, etc. I am drawn to the mountain wilderness for the peace, rejuvenation, scenic photography, adventure, and physical challenge. It's great for physical and mental fitness. I do not favor motorized recreation because it's wasteful of fossil fuel resources and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Physical fitness: Since 1999 I have been learning capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that also blends dance, percussion music, and chorus. For years I did weight training, ice and roller-skating, biking, and swimming. I am a soccer (called "football" outside USA) fan, too. I do not use chemical supplements in sports; I am opposed to golf because it wastes scarce land and water resources. Nature study: Studying geology, botany, and wild life adds fun to hiking trips. Since moving into my townhouse in spring 1999 I have planted a california native plants garden. Native plants gardening with organic methods conserves water resources, nurtures native wildlife, is great for the environment. Food: I enjoy cooking healthy food and trying out exotic cuisines. California is blessed with abundant seasonal fresh fruits and fresh seafoods. Bay Area's many international grocers and restaurants are another blessing.

Science & technology: Geography is my favorite subject. One favorite past time in middle/high school was playing war strategy games using pen and paper. I am still good at free-hand map drawing. Recently I have started playing the famous world domination war strategy game "Risk" with friends on a revised game board I made myself. Other toys I play with these days: 3D terrain perspectives (Google Earth/Google Map), stereo photography, panorama photography, astronomical telescopes. My favorite electronic game is SimCity. Home improvement: In the last few years under the influence of my partner Neil I've taken an interest in interior design, garden design, and displaying art objects. My personal style seems to combine artistic elements of many traditions, especially French country/Mediterranean, East Asian, and Islamic/Moorish. World travel: besides English and Chinese (Mandarin), I have varying levels of ability in French, Portuguese, and Japanese languages. Making friends in far away places (with the help of the internet), and appreciating other cultures are my passion. Countries I have been to: United States, China (includes Tibet and Hong Kong), Brazil, Tanzania, Kenya, Canada, Japan, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, France, Turkey, Portugal, Switzerland, Germany, Greece, Croatia, Argentina, Mexico, Netherlands, Puerto Rico.