In 1981, Sophia left a happy childhood in Seoul, Korea for new adventures with her family, landing in the Washington DC suburbs where she grew up under a strict Catholic house-
hold. After graduating from Paint Branch High (where she was known as The Asian Madonna due to her look-alike hairdo), Sophia seized the opportunity to attend the Wharton School, located strategically away from home.

During her four years at Penn, she developed a fetish for Korean soap operas and soon found herself on the Asiana flight back to Seoul after graduation in search of her dreams. Instead, she found herself at an investment bank producing discounted cash flow models with unrealistic discount rates (thus, helping to bring forth the Asian economic crisis). Sophia soon moved to Hong Kong for a change of scenery, and decided she liked Cantonese food, except boiled spice chicken feet for Sunday brunch.

One year in claustrophobic Hong Kong was already too much and the abrupt bankruptcy of her employer led her back to the US, this time in New York City where greatly appreciated technological and architectural wonders abound like clothes dryer and walk in closets.

A trend setter as well as follower, Sophia was not unfazed by the dotcom craze. Dutifully, she packed her bags for California, this time with dreams of becoming a gazillionaire before 30 (sound familiar?) Alas, it was not meant to be. Her $0.10 60%-vested options worth $5 million fell deeper and harder than the Titanic.

Instead of discovering riches, Sophia did uncover a handsome (but also option-poor) husband, who soon convinced her that Shanghai was the new Gold Mountain. She finally succumbed to his wishes and left sunny Southern California, but only after negotiating for a full time ah-yi in her new home.

Sophia is now diligently learning Chinese at Jiao Tong (you know, Comrade Jiang Jemin's alma mater) and interviewing maids in her Chinglish.

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