SOLO TRAVELER. STORYTELLER. BIRD PERSON.
A curious soul.
A wild life.
Hi, I’m Rocky. An introvert with a one-way-ticket kind of curiosity — and a soft spot for anything with feathers.
I’m here to help you travel a little further, connect a little deeper, and build a life with room for adventure.
Get to know me
A LITTLE ABOUT WHY I’M HERE
You don’t have to be
the loudest person in the room
to live an extraordinary life.
I used to wonder whether being an introvert would hold me back from seeing the world. Solo travel helped me discover something different: curiosity can take you places confidence hasn’t caught up to yet. This is where I share what I’ve learned — so you can find your own way out there.
It started with
a different name.
In 2009, my Chinese teacher gave me the name 泰山 (Tài Shān), inspired by Mount Tai and my English name, Rocky. The connection to Tarzan made me smile: I already loved nature, birds, and the idea of a life full of exploration.
By 15, I was helping guide Chinese summer-camp students around the US East Coast. Across two years, I helped lead roughly 200 students to famous landmarks. One trip included 14 Chinese buffets in a row. An adventure for the appetite, too.
In 2013, I started The Rocky Safari — a home for the unusual, unexpected, and wonderfully random things I wanted to share.

One backpack.
One ticket.
A new possibility.
After studying psychology and entrepreneurship at Rutgers University, I began a career in financial services. In 2018, I left it behind with a backpack and a one-way ticket to Athens, Greece.
Income from this blog and other digital work helped fund the trip without taking on debt. It showed me what could happen when I made space for a different kind of life.
Read the story behind the leap

A new language.
A different rhythm.
In 2019, I moved to Spain, where I studied Spanish and taught English. Staying longer gave me time to build routines, meet people, and get to know a place beyond its sights.
My love of birds followed me there, too. Locals sometimes called me “Señor Pajarero” — Mr. Birdkeeper — when wild birds would fly over and land on me.


The destination?
Keep discovering.
My dream is to visit every country on Earth. This blog chronicles the journey: the beautiful moments, the challenges, and the things I never could have planned.
I write about solo travel, wildlife, culture, creativity, psychology, and earning a living online. It’s a mix of practical advice and personal stories, connected by one idea: there’s more than one way to build a meaningful life.
Explore where I’ve been



THE MEANING BEHIND THE NAME
safari / səˈfɑːri /
Swahili · noun“journey”
Not just where we go.
Who we become along the way.
THE WILD PART OF MY WORLD
I came for the view.
I stayed for the birds.
Birdwatcher. Nature lover. The person who notices a tiny bird before a famous landmark.







At Rutgers, my bird-themed dorm even had a feeder hanging outside the window. Some interests don’t fade. They find their way into everything.

The places we love deserve our care.
Wildlife conservation and cultural preservation matter deeply to me. Ethical travel is an ongoing learning process: researching experiences, supporting responsible organizations, and finding ways to tread more lightly while staying within a budget.
Explore responsible travelBEYOND THE ITINERARY
A few things
that make me me.
Travel is a big part of my life. But there’s a whole person behind the backpack.
An outgoing introvert.
I’m an INFJ, and I love meeting people, speaking to audiences, and learning from strangers. Introversion and curiosity have always coexisted for me.


A life that’s my own.
As a gay man, I know the feeling of not quite fitting the mold. I’ve learned to see what makes me different as something worth embracing.
Always making something.
I studied graphic design in high school. Photography, web design, and writing still give my curiosity somewhere to go.

A polyglot in training.
Chinese, Spanish, a good book on my Kindle, a Sudoku puzzle, and a new kind of tea. There’s usually something new to learn.
MY PROMISE TO YOU
The good.
The bad.
The whole story.
Every single time. Honest stories from the road, practical lessons from experience, and recommendations for gear I actually use. Because the most useful travel advice leaves room for real life.
Rocky
SOMETHING TO TAKE WITH YOU
Everything I wish
I’d known. Yours, free.
The practical half of this blog, gathered into one place: how to shape a route, what a week actually costs, what a border day looks like, and the questions worth answering before you book anything.
- 64 PAGES
- 40 ONE-PAGE CHAPTERS
- 12 FILLABLE WORKSHEETS
- $0 FOR SUBSCRIBERS
Sent to your inbox the moment you subscribe. No spam, ever.
NOW, LET’S MAKE IT YOUR JOURNEY
Where does your
curiosity lead?
A dream trip, a first solo adventure, or a lifestyle with more freedom. Start with what you need today.
Find your spark
Travel stories and ideas for the places you dream about.
02Turn someday into a plan
Flights, visas, stays, and the details that make a trip possible.
03Go solo. Stay longer.
Honest answers about fears, finances, and long-term travel.
04Pack with purpose
Backpacks, cameras, and the gear I actually use.
05Build something of your own
What I’ve learned about blogging and working online.
06Explore Start Here
The complete starting point, including the Travel Field Guide.
THE BEST PART IS WHO YOU MEET ALONG THE WAY
You’re part of
the story now.
I started blogging to connect with people. I’m glad our paths crossed.
Say hi to Rocky

I just nominated you for the Liebster Blog Award. 🙂
Thank you! 😀 Should I do anything to follow up? How does this work? Sorry for the delay, I was away the past few days!!
I will send you a link to the post. 🙂
Thanks! 😀
Instructions are included: mauldinfamily1.wordpress(dot)com/2013/03/01/liebster-blog-award/
I look forward to reading your post. 🙂
Hi Rocky,
Since your Chinese name is 泰山, it would have been more appropriate or accurate to call yourself Tarzan. 🙂
Happy April to you and cheers!
Looking forward to your being “a world-famous polyglot!”
Hey SoundEagle! I am so sorry for taking so long to respond to your comment! I try to write back to everyone who takes the time to reach out to me but the notification for your comment must have somehow slipped past me. That or my reply had an error and never posted. Anyway, you’re so right! My Chinese friends laugh at my name because of the literal translation but I like my Chinese name! It has grown on me because my Chinese teacher was so excited when she gave it to me. Anyway, thanks for stopping in and happy January! Haha 🙂
Thank you, Tarzan!
Since you are “a huge fan of foreign languages (mainly Chinese!)”, 請隨時與我在臉書上交朋友。謝謝!Please feel free to befriend me on Facebook. Thank you! You will have plenty of opportunities to practice Chinese by joining my Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/QueenslandOrchid/.
Joined the group, followed your orchid blog, and read the post you suggested. I’m enjoying all three. Thank you! 🙂
I am delighted that you have enjoyed all three. Please feel free to befriend me on Facebook. Thank you!
By the way, I hope that you have had a chance to read the special comment that I left for your post at https://therockysafari.com/2014/01/02/daily-prompt-progress/comment-page-1/#comment-1928.
歡迎泰山來看看我設立的網站 http://queenslandorchid.wordpress.com
And at the orchid website, you will love this special post because of the unusual Chinese contents and presentations at http://queenslandorchid.wordpress.com/2013/12/21/variegated-oriental-cymbidiums-shared-in-the-queensland-orchid-society-facebook-group/, where I look forward to your comments in Chinese and/or English!
Thank you for following my blog Rocky! Do you speak chinese (since i saw that you have a chinese name)?
Hey Kelly! No problem, I really like your blog! 🙂 我会说汉语!(Well, sort of haha, I take Chinese in school so I know a little bit. I love the language and the culture so much though, so hopefully one day I’ll be fluent!)
謝謝!你學中文要加油!!^^ 哈哈
I gave you an award on my blog!
Thanks, Susanne! The nomination is greatly appreciated! I’m sorry but I must ask: do you actually read my blog or did you select fifteen blogs at random? Only because I saw that you aren’t a follower of my blog so I’m just interested in knowing how/why you selected the 15 blogs that you picked.
Hi there, I just became a follower today, but I’ve read some of your entries I think from the math category under the reader before!
Hahaha yup, I talk about my calculus class on here quite a bit. It’s a massive weight on my shoulders so I vent about it on this blog a lot! Thanks again! 🙂
You’re welcome, keep up the hard work!
I like that you included the birds! 🙂
Hahaha of course! 😀
Wow! You are motivated! I love it . Good luck.
Haha thank you very much! 🙂
That’s amazing! Good luck 🙂
Thank you! 😀
Hallo.
Hi! 🙂
Thank. My dear friend. I like your blog.
Thanks! 🙂
Yo man, your new follower. I see you like Pokemon 😉
Haha – who doesn’t? 🙂 Thanks for the follow!
Welcome, and apparently, some idiots don’t!
You sound like such a cultured, world-traveled individual at such a young age! Love your diverse interests and hobbies. (:
Hey Thomas! Thanks for stopping by! (Sorry, I know this is really late- I’m not sure if I ever saw the notification for your comment back in June.) I think you and your blog are really great! I enjoy when your posts show up in my reader and I’m glad we found each others blogs in 2013. Hope you have a happy new year! 🙂
Enjoying what I’ve read so far of your blog. Look forward to see what comes next.
Thanks for taking the time to explore my blog! I hope you enjoy! 😀
You ARE a successful blogger! Keep posting and followers will come.
Awww thank you so much! You made my night! 😀
Cool site! It has something for everyone. I’m very impressed, my blogging buddy. Keep up the good work! Much love and naked hugs! 🙂
Thank you so much! I do try to write about the most unusual topics that pop up into my life in hopes of attracting people who can enjoy and actually relate to my randomness. I hope you enjoy my future blog posts! *Hugs back* 😀
I really like your random blog! =D My best friend goes to Rutgers and she’s in the graduate school of public administration. I’m sure it’s a big school but I think the world can be really small at times, ya know? I enjoyed reading your posts and thinks it’s so cool you were abroad in China! Neat!
<3
Christina
THANKS! 😀 Yeah, Rutgers is MASSIVE but it’s great because, like you said, it’s much easier to bump into other students/alumni and already have something in common with them!
Glad you enjoyed what you read! FYI, THIS is why I love blogging: because of the unexpected people like you who stop by and enjoy the stories that I come here to share! I hope you continue to enjoy my future posts! 😀
I would also love to be able to speak and understand many languages =)
lovely 🙂
Aw thanks! 😀
Don’t worry…I am also random person..hahahaha.
Excellent hahaha thanks for following!
You too..
Don’t be shocked when maybe some my postings are not in English, then. :))
Ok deal! 🙂
Hahahahahaha…because naturally here is bi or trilingual.
This is beautiful.
Thank you so much! 🙂
So you decided to join the small clan of Uncle Spike followers, sometimes known as The Spikey’s…. That makes me a happy blogger now – I really appreciate you making that special mouse click.
Hope you like my upcoming posts and if you get bored one day, maybe you’ll enjoy trawling through some of my older stuff too.
If you have any likes, dislikes or suggestions about my blog, just let me know, either through ‘comments’ or via email. Always welcome reader input 🙂
Have a great old day…
UNCLE SPIKE
Thanks for the welcome! Same goes to you: I have a lot of preview posts that may worth checking out if they interest you. Hope to hear from you again!
Hi Rocky! Thanks for dropping by my blog and the follow. Glad you enjoy some of my posts. Cheers! 🙂
Hey Angie! No problem! Hope you have a happy and healthy new year! 🙂
After I read your comment on my (Procrastination) blog this morning, I had to find out about you. I am also INFJ. So was Goethe. I dunno’ if you’ve met, but from what I read here, I think you might like him. I also love China — I lived and taught there for a year, 1982-1983. It was definitely one of the greatest years of my life. marthakennedy(dot)blog
Hi Martha! There’s always something exciting about meeting fellow INFJs. I think the fact that you got to teach in China is awesome! I wonder if one day I’ll do the same. Last year, I volunteered to teach a class of Chinese students how to speak English through an online video chat on ooVoo. It was a great semester and I miss the kids a lot. The only way it could have been better is if I got to do it in person. Maybe one day! 🙂 Thanks for following and looking forward to reading your posts too!
Hey. Just wanted to say that I thought I’d nominate you for a Liebster Award. Accept or don’t – up to you! Check out this post for more details. ashkej.wordpress(dot)com/2014/01/15/liebster-awards/
Me? I’m honored! Thank you so much, Ashkej! 🙂
LOL Yes, you … And no problems! 🙂
Hi. I have nominated you for one of those award thingys. thehowlingfantogs.wordpress(dot)com/2014/01/16/finally-im-accepting-one-of-these-award-thingys/
Awesome! Thank you, my friend! 😀
Hey Rocky, thank you for taking an interest in my blog. I took the time to check out your work and I have to say it’s pretty awesome! You have a lot of personality in your writing and a lot of your pieces are very comical. I’m looking forward to more of your great stories.
Hey there, Brian! No problem! Your writing is phenomenal – it was the great haiku you recently posted that first caught my eye! I can tell you are talented and I’m looking forward to reading more of your work in the future! Thanks for stopping in and I hope you get the chance to read more of my upcoming stories! 🙂
This should make you a shoe in! Go to to my site.
Thank you for the nomination, Martha! I really appreciate it! 🙂
You’ve had an interesting life, tour guide, Lieutenant Governor, et al.
What in the world is a MBTI personality type??and what is INFJ ??? I lost you there.
Once a Chinese student told me my first name (Nuwan), is like a Chinese full name with just two syllables (Nu Wan).
It’s kind of funny, I just learned what “el al” means in my writing class yesterday and now you just used it- Whoa! And MBTI is a personality type indicator that tells which of the 16 personality types you are. The real thing costs some money and needs to be administered by a professional but free versions can be found online even though they might not be 100% accurate. INFJ means introverted, intuitive, feeling, and judging. The complete opposite type would be ESTP meaning extroverted, sensing, thinking, and perceiving. I’m actually going to make a post about this soon!
‘et al’ basically means ‘and everything else’, or etc..; but I guess you would know this by now. I’ve using it for ages.
Great am really looking forward to checking out your post on MBTI.
Love it!
Thanks! So happy you like it! 🙂
Hi Rocky. I am thrilled you stopped by my blog. I am enjoying reading your posts. Thank you for the follow. I look forward to reading more of your writing, finding out about your interests and following you. Here’s to a great year ahead.
Hi there, Litadoolan! Glad you’re enjoying my blog- I’m happy to be following yours too! It’s going to be a great year. 🙂
I enjoyed reading your about page Rocky. Also thank you for dropping by my blog.
So happy you liked it! 🙂 Thanks for stopping in and I hope you find other posts that interest you too! 🙂
Hello fellow INFJ! Nice to meet you. 🙂
A fellow INFJ! Yayyy! Nice to meet you! 😀 I’m so glad you found my blog. I’ve been hoping to connect with more INFJs on WordPress!
When I read that you were an INFJ I got excited, we’re few and far between! Look forward to knowing you and reading your blog more.
Hi and thank you for the follow! I will check out your blog…nice interests! Some of them I have the same.
Nice! Thanks for stopping in. Hope you enjoy whatever you read! 🙂
Woaho you are SO interesting, haha! Really cool blog xd The fact that you are crazy about languages and birds and all that, gives a whole new meaning to unique, haha xD
Hi Jojo! Thanks! Haha, my interests are all over the place… x) Glad to see you’ve found my blog! It’s nice to meet you and I hope you enjoy what you read! 🙂
I’m an INFJ too! Looking forward to reading your blog!
Awesome! Same to you! I enjoy when INFJs find my blog and take the time to comment because it’s so fascinating to hear interpretations from someone who is the same personality type as yourself. 🙂 Wait, are you gay too?
very kewl 🙂
Thanks! 🙂
What a wonderful, exuberant and informative about page. I am a INFP. Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂
Thank you!!! It’s very nice to meet you! 😀
Wow, my mind is blown. I recently re-entered the fight for my undergraduate degree, and I’m majoring in Psychology with (in the future) a clinical focus. I’m also a gay male and and INFJ! Weird!
Woah, what a coincidence! Hahaha it’s nice to meet you, Burlywoods! 🙂
Thanks so much for commenting on my review of My Neighbor Totoro and for following my blog! I’m always happy to connect with fellow bloggers and I love that your blog covers so many topics. I also love international culture and foreign language and I think it’s very cool that you’re so interested in Chinese. I learned a little bit of Mandarin in the past but am currently studying Japanese (my best friend is Chinese American. Maybe I’ll try to learn Mandarin again when she stops making fun of my accent).
Hi Ren! Thanks for visiting. I think Japanese is cool too! I’d love to learn it one day but I have a lot on my plate at the moment with Chinese alone. Don’t worry about your accent, I face the same challenge when I speak Chinese and I found it’s best to tune out any comments about your accent. 🙂
Hey Rocky! I have nominated you for a Liebster Award. Go check it out @ http://notthatkawaii.wordpress.com/2014/07/13/liebster-award/ (^_^).
Hi Rocky–a Jersey guy?! Yes!!! Thank you for the follow..following back. Glad you came out to your parents, by the way. Life is good; that’s over and done. Carry on!
So glad I found your blog! And thank you for the follow! 🙂
Your post is pretty good to read. Amazing!!
Thanks for sharing, can I post it on my Tumblr to share with my families?
Sounds like spam but ok!
hey! just stumbled onto your blog by chance, but im so glad i did, your blog is really pretty great 😀
Hi Avantika! Nice to meet you!!! Glad you came across my blog and thank you for following! You sound pretty great yourself. 😀 Enjoy!
Hi, i m Don from HK… also an infj gay… just checked here after i google it. i hope we could keep contact:)
Hi Don! Nice to meet you. Haha I’m doing my best to attract gay INFJs from around the world and so far, quite a few have found my blog. I hope you find that you can relate to some of the posts I’ve published on here. Definitely take a look and yes, please keep in touch! 🙂
wow, you are definitely attractive =]
it is somewhat miraculous to find out other INFJ gay as I frequently considered not being understood by others.
idk, if we can organise some INFJ gatherings? or may you be my tour guide once I come to east cost for travel? I believe it would be great!
btw, have you visited HK? if not, please come soon and I could take you for a walk here
Thank you, Don! There’s something comforting about knowing there’s other people like us out there, isn’t there? I think so. Also, I love traveling and being a tour guide! I’d love to visit HK one day.
I really LOVE your blog, so thank YOU and please keep writing. In fact, I would like to officially nominate you for the One Lovely Blog Award. If you choose to accept, please visit http://rachelvankoughnet.com/2014/10/12/the-time-i-was-nominated-for-the-one-lovely-blog-award/ to learn more. If not, that’s ok, too, your blog is lovely regardless 🙂
XO
~Rachel
I’m very glad our paths have crossed here today. What a great blog!
Hi Ann! Thank you! 🙂 So glad you stumbled across it!
Hello Rocky,
Thanks for visiting and following my blog Fur Out The Closet. This means that you care about animals other than birds? <3
China has such a bad reputation when it comes to the fur trade so i would be very interested in your input regarding this.
Best wishes, Emy.
I absolutely care about other animals besides birds! 😀 It’s just that birds are my favorite. And I didn’t know that about China, though I’m not particularly surprised since they produce so many products. I don’t approve of it so the best I can do is discourage people from feeding into it.
Thanks for stopping by, Emy! 🙂
Hi! I just joined the blogging community and I found your amazing blog! I think I started following a couple weeks ago, but I didn’t really know where to comment (whoops!). I love reading your posts because we have so many things in common: INFJs, pre-med (also with this affinity for psychology), going to a vocational high school…it’s crazy! I can definitely relate to a lot of things you’ve been writing about, so I just wanted to say that think your blog is really brilliant.
Hi Melissa! Thanks for following. It’s so nice to meet you! I’m glad you joined WordPress and I think your blog looks like it’ll be an interesting read as well. I’m just curious, what is your prospective major and profession as of right now? I always like to hear that from other INFJs! 🙂
I’m a biology major in a BS/MD program, so I do 3 years undergrad and then go straight to the affiliated medical school. I tried switching to psychology, but I wasn’t allowed to; turns out I can’t take a lot of the classes that I wanted to take in college. When I was applying to college I wanted to major in something not biology, just because I was learning it for the past four years in my vocational high school. I’m really interested in interdisciplinary things and my program isn’t big on that, so I’ve been considering transferring out honestly. It’s a difficult decision though just because, well, we all know how hard the regular route is for applying to medical school. I still have no idea what particular doctor I want to be (although probably not surgery), but I will admit that child psychiatry has crossed my mind!
Love your blog! BTW, how can I contact you? I have a rather interesting proposition.
Thanks Greg! 😀 You are welcome to contact me at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you!
Rocky,
I stumbled across your blog earlier this morning and I couldn’t stop reading. I, too, am a gay male INFJ. I spent my 22 years of life feeling that I would never meet anyone that looks at the world through the same uniquely colored lenses as I do, so I felt it to be absolutely necessary that I reach out to you.
If you are interested, I would absolutely LOVE for you to contact me.
My email is [email protected].
Have a wonderful Sunday,
Daniel
Hello Rocky. My name is Alexis. I study at Syracuse University as a Geoscience major. I’m so so fucking happy I stumbled upon your blog. I have so many things I wish I could just express right now. Its crazy! I’m also an INFJ and I’m also gay. Reading your posts about being an INFJ have blown my mind away. ITS SO ACCURATE. EVERYTHING. The day I took the MBTI my life was complete. To read such an accurate description freaked me out and my roomate was like dude are you ok CAUSE I WAS HYOERVENTILATING. I also read many many of your posts, they’re literally SO good cause I can identify so easily. God damnit I hope I didnt freak you out! hahaha
Hi Alex! Nice to meet you! 😀 I got your message via the connected Facebook fan page and was SO HAPPY that you found my blog! I get so excited when other people find my blog and can understand/relate to what I experienced with the MBTI. Isn’t it such a game-changer? I hope you enjoy my posts and I’d love to get to know more about you! ^.^
I am a Gay Multiracial mix INFJ that literally no longer fits any criteria of preferences… i think i am currently sitting in the 0.01% too HAHAHAHA ^_^
Hi Rocky! I hope you’re enjoying your holidays. I love your blog and although I’m not an INFJ, I am an INFP so that’s not close enough right? 😉
Hi Jas! Thank you, happy holidays to you too. Haha ALL MBTI types are welcome here! 😀 Enjoy!!!
Good work Rocky! It was wonderful reading this page. have a happy and prosperous year ahead! 🙂
Thank you! I’m so glad you liked it. Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year in 2015! 🙂
woahhh finally i find another infj gay boy. u know the world, we r so alienate. u really2 hav a so f*cking GREAT life, Im envious of ur good fortune(literally) . im trying to change from gay to straight, we know its hard T.T wish me luck. and u, keep writing! really love ur blog (sorry for my bad english :’) ) lol
Hi Ferdi! Thank you for the kind words. Please do not be envious! I have problems just like anyone else does. Use that energy towards bettering your own situation. Also, I’d advise against trying to change from gay to straight since I’m fairly certain that that’s both impossible and psychologically damaging. In the meantime, let me know if you need help with anything! I’m here not only to write but also to listen. 🙂
ROCKY! I randomly found your blog (I was googling Rutgers and TCNJ because I’m transferring lol).. Small world. Also, I’m an INFJ too! Hope you’re well! I might be seeing you next fall!!!
Olivia!!! Hi hahaha! I’m cracking up – that’s so funny. You must have found one of my old posts from back when I was still in high school and trying to determine which college I wanted to attend.
I hope you choose Rutgers. I’d love to see you around here! Obviously I can’t speak about TCNJ but I’d be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about life at Rutgers! 🙂 Good luck deciding!
I find you very intriguing. I can’t quite put my finger on it but I sincerely feel that I could sit and talk with you for hours and never know all that I would want to know about you. I’m curious that way. I like the way your mind works. To me, there is so much more to you behind that adorable handsome face. 🙂 It’s like there’s the whole rest of that “iceberg” beneath the waters surface that would be fascinating to know.
After interacting with you so much, it sounds to me like you have quite a fascinating mind as well! I appreciate and enjoy your e-mails. Thank you so much for the kind words, Craig. ^.^
Still LOVE your blog. Inspiring. I would like to nominate you for The Versatile Blogger Award. You deserve it.
http://rachelvankoughnet.com/2015/02/v-day-versatile-blogger-award/
XO
~Rachel
Thank you Rachel!! The same goes for your blog! I feel very lucky to have a reader like you! 🙂 Thanks for the nomination.
Hello! Fellow Infj here! Just wanted to say that your blog is wonderful, honest, simple (in the absolute best way), and very relatable. Thank you for being your brilliant, infj self (never change!).
– Cheers
Hiya Rocky,
First things first: belated congratulations on snagging that seat for Personal Psychology!
A while back, I stumbled across your blog searching up study tips for INFJs, and I’ve been following since. 😀 Bless your soul for indirectly introducing me to Rice Dream (I’m addicted to the vanilla flavored one).
I’m a sophomore in high school with a career research paper called the I-Search, and I’ve chosen psychiatry as the profession I’ll be researching about. This paper requires three in-person interviews with psychiatrists, but I’m also looking to interview students who intend to pursue it, too. I wanted to ask if I could interview you over Skype (if you’d be willing to do so).
Either way, thanks and I look forward to future blog posts. ^-^
Hi Jennifer! Ahh, so nice to hear from you! Thanks for following! I think your research sounds SO incredibly interesting and would absolutely love to participate in your interview. I’ll send you an e-mail. 🙂
found you on community pool. I think I like your bio page the best. It shows a lot of personality and all the pics are really fun! Love feedback as well if you get a chance 🙂 Write on!
The best!? Wow, that’s quite the complement! Thank you!! I’d be happy to check out your blog! 🙂
Hi Rocky, I stumbled upon your blog because of Rutgers. I did my undergrad there. I can see that it’s still as crazy and fun as I remember. haha
I was able to read a couple of your posts and just wanted to say Congratulations on all of your hard work. It is great that you’re making the most out of your time there. I enjoyed spending time with my friends and participating in health education there at Rutgers.
Good job on tackling your premed classes! I still remember those so vividly esp. the crazy 5 hour orgo lab. haha Good job on getting through calculus, I know that was a pain for a lot of people. I’m guessing you won’t be embarking on the wonderful world of Calculus 3, Multivariable Calculus? =p Don’t forget your math though or else General Physics will be very painful! You’ll have to remember to find the value of the plane’s position from time (t=0) to (t = 1 minute/hour) and then use the law of sines when calculating the altitude of an airplane taking off. Fun, right? General Physics + Orgo is like going to Disneyworld. haha
However, the upper level science classes are more fun since they’re specialized. Cancer, pharmacology, systems physiology, neurobiology, human parasitology…those were fun since the people taking them were the ones interested and it wasn’t weeding people out like the general science classes. I had to take a lot of math though, going up to calculus 4 and linear algebra haha I don’t think you’d want to take those.
Make sure you do your best in orgo (but I’m sure you will). When I was a grad student, one of my students was premed and she called me after her med school interview. She was really intelligent and hard working. However, she got a B in orgo, but aced everyting else (bio, general chem, physics, calc, statistics, etc.). During the interview, the doctor interrogated her on why she just got a B in the course. She got through it though because she was also a volunteer EMT and tutored biology so he just nodded his head and smiled. Many of my former students actually asked if I could repost my science notes on my site which I’m doing right now. I feel like I’m preparing for recitation again. haha
In terms of pursuing psychiatry, that’s a very noble profession. During my clinical training, I would work together with the behavioral team (I was in pediatric oncology/hematology), and I got to see cases with the social worker and psychiatrist since they were the patients and families that I had to work with also. It’s really tough because there are so many emotions involved esp. dealing with sensitive and painful topics. You’re the person that they will come to when things seem to crumble. With healthcare changing, it’s becoming too fast paced and people can’t get the individual attention that they need. The focus is mainly on the physical ailments while the mental issues don’t get as much attention. So, I think it’s great that you’re pursuing it.
Good luck on your studies and I look forward to reading more about your adventures!
-Kevin
Hey Kevin! Sorry to randomly respond to this comment over 3 years later but I wanted to get back to you! My apologies, I actually recall reading your comment the day you wrote it but I don’t see a reply listed on here. I don’t know if it never sent it, if it got lost in the shuffle, or if I was just really busy studying and doing work for my classes at the time. Either way, it is so cool to hear from someone else who also went to Rutgers! A lot has changed over the last few years and I actually did not end up pursuing the whole medical school thing. While taking orgo and physics, I was like, “NOPE. Not doing this any longer.” I couldn’t see myself going to medical school for the amount of money and time it would require me to invest upfront. I decided to finish my college years studying psychology and business instead. Now I am making money doing totally different things (funny how often it happens that way) focusing more on business-type ventures. I’m more entrepreneurial-spirited so I think this was important for my own happiness. Thanks again for leaving your really nice comment! Again, I’m so sorry for the crazy delay in getting back to you! Hope you are doing well all these years later! lol
Hey Rocky, spend some time reading your posts. The randomness is so refreshing. Following you…Good luck for your China trip !!
So happy you think so! Thanks for following! I hope you enjoy my future posts! 😀
Hello! I hope your summer is going well. I’ve nominated you to a writing challenge!
https://simplexvita.wordpress.com/2015/06/04/five-year-plan-2020/
Thanks for the nomination! Hope you are having a nice summer! 🙂
Thanks for the ‘like’. Weird and random blogs are the best, after all, being ourselves are what make us beautifully unique…
Thanks Freya! 🙂
Haha its so nice to know that you are into chinese and i know that Chinese people are awesome! Plus i love your chinese name its really cool!! And im also crazy for world languages and my dream is to go on a backpack world tour one day thats super cool haha!! Nice blog dude! 😀
Thanks! I think Chinese things rock. I also think we share the same dream haha- Traveling is amazing. So glad you like my blog – thank you for taking the time to stop by! 😀
Oh my goodness I just adore you already!!!! Reading all you do made me tired. lol 🙂 Thank you for stopping by my Blog. I am so glad you did! Can’t wait to read more.
Hahaha, thanks Jess! Your blog presence has a great energy that can be detected from a mile away. I can’t wait to read more of your writing. 😀
I just stumbled on to your blog today, after googling “INFJ Study Habits.” As a (late-blooming) gay INFJ who has gone back to college, I found the tips to be extremely helpful. I am also very excited to explore more of your posts, and I have signed up for email update. Congratulations on your achievements, and thank you for sharing your journey and wisdom with us.
Hi Michael! Yesss, it’s so great to meet you! I’m extremely glad you found my study tip post useful. 🙂 Thanks for subscribing to my blog – I hope you enjoy reading my other content. Looking forward to hearing from you again!
Hi Rocky!
I fortunately stumbled upon your blog while I was having an internal conflict on how to start my personal blog. Your blog has given me some hope towards multi-topic blogging and reading your post about visiting your boyfriend in Spain got me in the feels. 🙂 I’m glad things worked in your favor and I hope you have a wonderful time in Spain!
PS: I thought it was cool you have a Chinese name cause I’m Chinese, but I have absolutely no proficiency in speaking Mandarin, haha!
Hey Danika!
Haha woww! If I may ask, do you remember specifically what led you to my blog? Pretty cool stuff! The internet works in interesting ways. I am so excited to hear that you’re trying to start a blog!! You can do it! If you have any questions, let me know and I will try to help. 🙂 Oh and I can even try become your first follower! Best of luck and hope to hear from you again!
-Rocky
I remembered looking at another blog with a post talking about multi-topic blogging (I can’t remember whose, sorry), found your comment and here I am now 🙂 The internet makes anything possible!
I am very indecisive so I may take a loong time to really get into blogging but I am definitely going to stick around your blogs and throw in comments here and there 😀 Looking forward to your future adventures!
Hope your blogging ventures have been going well!
Hi Rocky
What a great blog you have. Your little tale about eating 14 Chinese buffets reminded me of a tour I went at 15 with my parents to the west coast of the US and doing that self-same thing for every meal!
Thanks for coming by to mine and leaving a hello.
Sally/Amy
Thanks Sally/Amy! Imagine if we were a part of the same tour program? Sounds awfully similar hahaha. Memories like those are unforgettable. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂 Hope to hear from you again.
Thank you for following my blog. I love your energy. You blog is full of interesting posts. I will visit again. In love and light Cheryle
Thank you so much! ❤️ I always try to spread love and positivity anyway I can. I’m so grateful you dropped in. Definitely hope to hear from you again!!
Rocky, thank you for visiting my blog, Retirement Made Simple, which I have been neglecting for a couple of years. Your comment has inspired me to reactivate the blog, which will happen within the next few days. BTW, I have not done much traveling in my life, but I recently decided to change that. I’ll never be a world traveler, like you. But I hope to see the USA the inexpensive way, traveling and even sleeping in a Toyota Prius. Wish me luck. Thanks, John Hayden
Hey, John! Thanks for visiting! Haha that is such cool news to hear ? you know, you absolutely SHOULD bring it back! I find a lot of bloggers give up on their websites (sometimes as early as their first month!) and never fully run with it. You have an interesting topic and I totally think you should revive it! The frugal travel in the USA idea sounds like fun and I’d definitely like to hear about that! Best of luck to you! Keep in touch. Rocky
Congratulations, Rocky!
I have nominated your blog for the Real Neat Blog award.
Thank you so much!
Hey Rocky! I came across your blog because of your testing for the orange trees on the streets in Valencia XD Thanks for trying out for me
And also I love your saying “MY BLOG IS REALLY RANDOM. AND WEIRD.
But that’s why I love it.” I love your vibe:D
😀 Thank you for stopping by! I’m curious. Have you been to Spain as well? Did you eventually try tasting the oranges in Valencia too? Hahaha. I hope you enjoy my posts!
hi Rocky. I gave you the mystery blogger award……and i am an espf-a the “entertainer”……lol no wonder i like you so much!
Thank you, Suze! I didn’t realize you were an ESFP! 😀 MBTI personality type stuff is so interesting to think about. INFJs and ESFPs have been known to get along well – makes total sense! ^.^
Hello! Fellow Infj here! Just wanted to say that your blog is wonderful, honest, simple (in the absolute best way), and very relatable. Thank you for being your brilliant, infj self (never change!).
– Cheers
Hey, Evan! THANK YOU 😀 That means a lot to me!
Great Content
Thank you! 🙂
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