I was born in 1990 — the year of the white horse. A girl born under this zodiac (生肖) is believed to have a wild, steed-like (骏马般的) spirit that will block her fortunes, bringing her family trouble. These beliefs were planted in my mind as a girl growing up in South Korea. I was repeatedly told to fight against my steed-like spirit and instead try being still, gentle, and quiet.
Actually when I was young, I loved exploring the mountainous trails behind our house, examining the various soil layers in nearby fields, and generally running wild outdoors. I often returned home with soiled clothes.
In high school, I settled on a quiet career choice: I would become a lawyer. However, when I was accepted into a pre-law program, I found the courses boring. That's when a teacher said, "You could always get a science degree, and go back into law."
I took her advice and landed in the United States to study geology (地质学). Shortly thereafter, though, culture shock set in. I was not ready for the intense physical requirements of my field courses. One 6-week summer course required strenuous (费劲的) hikes, camping in extreme heat, and heavy lifting. My cultural upbringing had discouraged such "wild" activities and I had never gone on extended hikes or camps before. But other women in my program were an inspiration. I saw beauty in their strength, and I wanted to be like them.
By the end of my undergraduate degree, I had fully accepted my love of being a tough girl. And I'd given up on the idea of becoming a lawyer. My parents didn't quite know what to make of my adventurous field life. But they were supportive when I told them about the change in my career direction.
I'm now a postdoc with years of experience collecting samples in challenging field environments, and I'm thankful I resisted the cultural expectations placed on me. My wild, steed-like spirit wasn't something to suppress (压制). Instead, it led me to a career that's a perfect fit for me.
