JLJacky's journalPeople, places & ordinary joys

A personal journal · Chicago

Life in
progress.

Hi, I’m Jacky. Here’s the part of my life that doesn’t fit on a résumé.

More than a decade in Chicago. Family across the world. A very active dog. And plenty of things I’m still curious about.

Make yourself at home
a little world, together

Spring / Jacky & Eleven

  1. YunnanRoots
  2. JilinBeginning
  3. ShanghaiGrowing up
  4. ChicagoHome

01 / People & places

Home is more
than one place.

My family’s roots are in Yunnan. I was born in Jilin and grew up in Shanghai. Then I came to Chicago as a UIC master’s student—and kept building a life here.

A Ph.D., Professor Hu’s generous guidance, work, friendships, and love turned a new city into home. These photographs hold a few of the people who are part of that story.

Jacky standing with family outdoors, holding flowers
With family A photograph to keep close.
Three members of Jacky’s family in a formal studio portrait
The family album A different kind of portrait.
Jacky and two friends seated together at a restaurant
A Ph.D. reunion Back around the same table.

Different places.
People who stay with you.

02 / Meet Eleven

Small paws.
Big personality.

Eleven is my very active companion. Her photo collection tells its own story: first-day naps, a graduation cap, and an unmistakable interest in watermelon.

Open Eleven’s album
Puppy Eleven peeking around a doorway on her first day at home
Hello, little one. A first-day peek.
Eleven wearing a small graduation cap after her intermediate class
A little graduate. Intermediate class, completed.
Eleven looking up at a slice of watermelon
Very clear priorities. Watermelon has her attention.

03 / Off the clock

Still curious.
Usually moving.

Basketball, tennis, swimming, music, new AI tools—and occasionally a scooter in pieces on the floor. There’s always something to get into.

Jacky’s scooter taken apart for repair, with parts arranged on the floor
Some assembly required.
Eleven standing beside Jacky’s scooter during a home repair
A curious assistant.

Engineering, at home

Curiosity, taken apart.

Sometimes an engineering background is useful away from a screen. Here, it meant taking my own scooter apart—with Eleven nearby to inspect the proceedings.

Jacky smiling and holding a medal earned through fitness training

Making time to move

Back into a rhythm.

I’m rebuilding a healthier gym routine. On the basketball court, it’s the teamwork and shared milestones—not being the best shooter—that keep me coming back.

Jacky and Yulong together on a rainy evening in downtown Chicago

Someone I’m glad you’ll meet

Yulong,
her own world.

I met the love of my life in Chicago. My wife, Yulong, has a world of her own to share—come meet her at Han Music Studio.

Visit Yulong’s website (opens in a new tab)

04 / The photo wall

Days worth keeping.

A trail, a lake, the last light of the day. A few more frames from life together. Tap a photograph to take a closer look.

Jacky, Yulong, and Eleven together at a mountain overlook
The three of us. Out on the trail.
Eleven on the beach with an orange sunset over the water
Last light. One more moment by the water.
Jacky and Eleven beside a lake on a sunny day
A pause by the lake. Good company, open water.
Jacky and Eleven on a hike with a lake visible below
A wider view. A little further along the trail.

05 / Right now

A few things in rotation.

Learning

Trying new AI things.

Curiosity doesn’t clock out with work.

Moving

Court. Pool. Gym.

Basketball, tennis, swimming, and a healthier routine.

Making room for

The ordinary good stuff.

Music, time with Yulong, and walks with Eleven.

Still becoming. Thanks for stopping by. — Jacky