because why not
ABOUT ME
Hi there, I'm Ashley, or Ash for short, and I'm a 19 year old college student from Massachusetts. I've spent my entire life in MA, but made annual journeys back to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Although I consider my life to be quite ordinary, my multicultural background has really defined who I am today. Through this blog, I hope to share my experiences, ideas, and just random thoughts (and eats of course!).
Why a blog?
I used to hate writing. It didn't matter what type of writing it was– I simply hated it. It was only after my freshman year college writing course when I realized how important writing is. I quickly found pleasure in writing, as I was able to write about topics I genuinely was interested in and passionate about. Writing no longer seemed like a chore but rather a way to share my thoughts with those around me. I often find myself drowning in many potentially important thoughts, opinions, and ideas but never knowing what to do with them. Thus, a blog seemed like an excellent idea. Not only can I write about my matters I find interesting, but I can also share smaller snip-its of my ordinary, but sometimes interesting, life.
More about me
I am a student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst majoring in microbiology on a pre-med track.
In my free time I enjoy reading, staying active (going on a run, playing tennis, working out), playing piano, and a good eat. Cooking and baking are also fun, but I'm not particularly good at them. However, I'm working on them and love sharing my personal creations and good meals on my food account. I'm also a sucker for cafe food because I just love the aesthetic.
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As I mentioned in the condensed "About Me" section, I was raised in a multicultural setting. From growing up in American society to being immersed in Asian culture in Malaysia, I have had the privilege of gaining different lenses to look at life through. Most importantly, I have learned about the importance of my identity, specifically my Asian American identity.
During my senior year of high school, I was finally able to articulate my passion for social justice. Growing up, I engaged in community service and always took interest in different social issues, but I didn't know there was a term for it: social justice. When I was a senior in high school, I took a course that introduced me to social justice. I learned more about different social issues and tried to stay more in tune with current events. I was also able to pinpoint different issues/causes I am passionate about, such as race & racism, healthcare, climate change, and criminal justice to name a few.
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