I'm a student from Thailand, and I was in Japan for 7 years. I have just arrived in Oxford to do a PhD in Inorganic Chemistry.

I can be a bit shy around new people, but usually I get along fine after a while. I enjoy traveling, reading, playing games of all kinds, and some sports (basketball and table tennis).

I want to become a chemistry researcher, a science fiction writer, a journalist, a pianist, a composer and a game designer. I've begun to realize that doing all that at the same time is probably not realistic, but that doesn't mean I'll stop trying.

I can speak Japanese and English fluently, apart from my native Thai language. I play the piano (with a limited repertoire). I'm a troubleshooter at the lab, for both mechanical and psychological problems. I don't know why, but people come to me with their troubles. Even when I couldn't solve it, just unloading the problem on me seems to help.

is that I look like a studious person, with the glasses and all that. But don't let that fool you. I love to joke around, make bad puns, and slack off as much as the next guy.

Books: For non-fiction, I love books by Richard Dawkins, Carl Sagan, Paul Krugman, and Richard Wiseman. For fiction, I read sci-fi and fantasy, such as those by Isacc Asimov, Stephen Baxter, and Terry Pratchett.

Recently I fell under the spell of Ken Follett's historical novels. I reread the first two (Pillars of the Earth, World without End). Who would have thought a story about a church builder could be this engrossing? The most recent one, Fall of Giants, set in the middle of World War I, is another excellent book. These books are character-driven, and the characters really come to life on the pages.

Movies: Action, Sci-fi, Fantasy. Such as Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Star Wars. Also, Ratatouille and Hana Yori Dango are personal favorites.

TV show: I'm hopelessly addicted to The Daily Show and The Colbert Report.

Music: Mostly classical and J-Pop. Japanese artists that I like, in no particular order: Ootsuka Ai, Sukimaswitch, Mr. Chlidren, Kobukuro, Aiko, Aragaki Yui

Food: Most food on the planet. I love all of Japanese food except for nutto, which I can't stand. Thai, Chinese, Indian, Italian, and cafeteria food are all excellent.

1. Books
2. Games
3. Friends to play games with
4. Great food
5. Piano & music
6. The Internet

my next meal, the short story that I'm trying to write, places to travel, original ideas for my experiments, the meal after my next meal, some song stuck in my head

working at the lab, having dinner with friends, running a game session, curled up with a book

you have common interests, or you want to make a new friend, or you want to go out and explore new places.