Chapter 1: A Curious Childhood

As a child, I had a passion for tinkering. Back in elementary school, I would gather and dry dandelion leaves to brew my own tea, collect pink firecracker sticks after the Chinese New Year to construct little houses, and mix old newspapers, baking soda, and perfume to create scented powder for my mom.

I also hoarded the small milk cartons we received at school, planning to connect them into a train, using wheels fashioned from empty toilet paper rolls. Sadly, my dreams of a miniature railroad were dashed when my mother discovered the smelly cartons and disposed of them, as I hadn’t cleaned them out.

Years later, the aroma of spoiled milk would haunt me again.

As I entered my teenage years, my interests broadened. Science fiction novels captivated my imagination, especially the concept of solar energy. I stumbled upon a DIY solar project book at the library. Although many projects were too complex or costly for my 12-year-old self, I managed to create a small solar heater capable of warming a cup of water, a solar-powered AM radio, and a solar water purifier. The last one didn’t operate as expected; despite my efforts, I couldn’t pinpoint the malfunction. Nevertheless, I took pride in the AM radio, which only tuned into two stations but provided decent reception.

With limited resources—using one of my mom's Tupperware containers as a housing, along with Styrofoam for insulation and parts from an old slinky combined with components from Radio Shack—it's astonishing that it functioned at all. It certainly had a unique appearance.

I brought my creation to junior high science class, where my teacher appeared impressed as I demonstrated its functionality, managing to switch between two stations. While reception indoors wasn't as strong as in my backyard, it was sufficient for me to earn an A.

The following semester, my fascination with ancient Egyptians and pyramids grew. One book suggested that food stored on a raised platform within a pyramid was less likely to spoil compared to that kept on a cube-shaped platform.

Intrigued, I constructed both a pyramid and a cube out of cardboard, incorporating a small platform in each. I placed a glass of milk on each platform and, after a few days, revealed to my class that the milk in the pyramid was significantly fresher than that in the cube.

However, milk would turn out to be my undoing once again.

After the presentation, while most students took their projects home, I forgot mine, leading to the janitor locking it in the science room closet for several months. This oversight coincided with the sweltering heat of May in New York.

Pyramids, it turns out, are effective at long-term milk storage, especially in hot climates.

When my science teacher eventually opened the closet at the semester's end, a ghastly odor wafted through the room. My teacher was both disgusted and annoyed, but my classmates found it amusing, as the science room had to be evacuated and aired out, resulting in the cancellation of all science classes for that day and the next. It was a rare moment of popularity for me, despite my reputation as the class nerd.

I am currently battling stage IV cancer. If you can assist with medical expenses, I would be deeply grateful. Alternatively, if you enjoy my writing and want to buy me a cup of coffee, that would be wonderful too. Perhaps one day, I can return the kindness.

Chapter 2: Solar-Powered Radio Project

Section 2.1: Lessons Learned

Reflecting on my childhood experiments, I realized they were not just about science; they were also about creativity and resilience. Each project was a blend of trial and error, showcasing a youthful determination to explore the unknown.

Subsection 2.1.1: The Joy of Experimentation

Photo by Rampal Singh on Unsplash