I'm currently in Leeds doing an MA in gender studies. This is the third continent on which I've lived; I was born and raised in China, studied in the US, and am now in Europe. I'm here to see what Europe's like, I suppose; so far, I rather like it, and that makes me happy.

I don't adhere to societal conventions I don't like. Many people joke about non-conformists conforming to their own standards, but aren't those people just part of another subculture, then? I'll listen, but that doesn't mean I'll follow. I would rather do the things I enjoy and be considered an outsider for it than do things I find distasteful or boring in order to be accepted by the majority. I hope to be only myself and no one else.

I find labels limiting and restrictive because they cannot account for the amazing breadth of human variation, but I'll use the ones that fit. FYI, the ones at the top of this profile don't really fit. I got over broadcasting my group identifications a while ago, but you are welcome to ask if you want to know.

Several last things. I have a compulsion to complete collections, which is why my profile may be a bit long. It's bugging me that my profile is only 90% complete and I'm trying to expand to 1000 words to reach 95%. This is also why I don't play video games, in general, because they would drive me mad. Kongregate.com already drives me mad with its badge collection, which is why I try to avoid it.

I also have a tendency to sound somewhat snobby and/or elitist in online profiles. My friends describe me as nice and friendly (how sadly generic!), though, so don't let vibes like that discourage you. :)

Oh, and I like using emoticons. I feel that they help to convey the tone of my words in a way plain text really can't.

Settling down in Leeds.

life.

Or maybe I should say I'm too good at doing well while expending a minimal amount of effort. I'm not particularly proud of it, but until I find a challenge worth surmounting (or stop approaching life through existential nihilism), that's the way it will be.

I don't know!

I've been told I have a pretty smile by many people.

Books: photobooks, scholarly studies, dystopian novels. Some titles would be Wizard of the Crow by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx, No Country For Old Men by Cormac McCarthy, and Animal Farm by George Orwell.

Movies: Arthouse/limited-release/independent film in general, though I have a thing for war films that portray their characters as humans without humanizing them, tragic/bittersweet films, and films with subtle messages. I also really appreciate foreign films. A few of my favourites are L'Homme de sa vie (The Man of My Life), Der Untergang (Downfall), 圖雅的婚事 (Tuya's Marriage), No Country For Old Men, Mysterious Skin, Tekkon Kinkreet, and Sweet Land.

Music: I like anything with a good melody. My favourite artists may or may not be Utada Hikaru, Rin', Carrchy, and others. My favourite genre is probably east Asian classical music, but I have a healthy love for folk/traditional/classical music in general. I also really like indie of almost all sorts, along with progressive and post-rock.

Alternatively, you can visit my last.fm. :)

Food: I've been told I'm a picky eater; I prefer the term "having a sensitive palate". I like authentic Chinese food more than anything else in the world, although I adore fine dining as well. Oh, and I'm a supertaster.

internet, friends, high culture, knowledge, books, and my cultural heritage

life, the world, people.

on the interwebs! I am a lazy bum. Occasionally I will drag myself out to parties, to an indie film, or to some "high culture" event.

I preferred to shower in the guys' bathroom in my dorm. :)

To be honest, I'm pretty much willing to share anything once I get to know someone.

you want to. I'm always up for a good conversation, at the very least, but I've grown out of arguments and find debates exhausting because they do nothing to change anyone's viewpoint. If we get along, I'd love to meet you in person because I need friends in Leeds!

But you know, don't try too hard to impress me because then I'll think you are a pretentious cock. Just write something you would say in conversation to me!

Also, I have this shitty tendency of not replying promptly. I'll apologize in advance for that, but I do reply to just about all of my messages (except ones that suck :)), so if you don't hear back really quickly, don't take it personally! I'm probably just being a lazy bum.