Hobbies & Interests
UCR and Beaumont Men's Rugby teams come together to show appreciation for the fans who came out to watch.
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Sports have always been a huge part of my life. Playing rugby throughout my 4 years of undergrad, I quickly fell in love with not only the sport but the culture surrounding rugby and those who enjoy it. Since graduating, I have returned to UCR Men's Rugby as a coach, working with the new team of rugby players! When asked what it is about rugby that I love so much, it is not necessarily the controlled aggression or fast-paced thinking required to excel, but rather the culture and intimate society built around the sport. Playing rugby is like holding an entry key to an exclusive club, consisting of athletes from across the world with at least one similarity – their love for the sport.
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Growing up in the small town of Los Banos, California, I began horse-back riding, making full use of the rural environment, complete with a horse trail along every street. My Andalusian / Quarter-horse mix was the fastest barrel racing horse ever– at least that's what it felt like at the time! While I've since hung up my stirrups, I hope to hop back on the (literal) saddle after medical school. When it comes to animals, my love does not stop at horses. I've had the privilege of caring for and training a multitude of exotic pets, from dogs and cats, to macaws and peacocks. Whether it's animals or the great outdoors, I'm a "nature-phile" through and through!
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When I wasn't riding horses growing up, I was fixing up my bike with my neighborhood friends; continuously adding as many mods a BMX could hold– the first encounter I had with tools and working to make something better than how I got it. Fast forward a decade or so, when I got my first car. My love for bikes translated seamlessly into that for cars, as I took apart my car piece by piece, only to put it back together again. Watching as car brands continuously push the boundaries of what we previously thought possible has been a source of inspiration and motivation for me to work tirelessly to achieve what my younger self thought impossible. While my humble Accord cannot compare with the speeds of the Ford GT, it undoubtably has more cup holders!
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Whitewater rafting down Kern River! (bottom left)
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