During my senior year of high school, I had the opportunity to join my mom on a trip to California, which I turned into a chance to visit colleges and explore a new environment. One of the highlights was touring the Berkeley campus. The campus was stunning, though it felt slightly out of reach for me at the time. However, visiting the Berkeley Botanic Garden became a pivotal moment. It was perhaps my first inspiration to pursue a career in public gardens—spaces where visitors could immerse themselves in the beauty of plants and the natural world. I was captivated by how the garden created microclimates on the hillsides, showcasing species from around the globe. It made me wonder how I could replicate similar feats in the environment where I grew up. The creativity in their plant displays, such as growing watermelon on a trellis, demonstrated the endless possibilities of garden design and sparked my curiosity about blending plants with innovative presentation techniques.