Michael's Hobbies and Interests

Favorite Number: 2

Favorite Color: Red

Favorite Bible Verses: They vary according to when Michael is asked the question. :) One of these verses is Romans 5:3-5 -- "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (NIV)

Favorite Subject: Biology

Least Favorite Subject: History

Favorite Type of Car: Sports utility vehicle (I think he owns a Ford Explorer, but don't quote me on that. Wonder what Nissan would say :D)

Favorite Food: Chinese food--sui gao (dumplings), soup noodles, rice, you name it. And while we're at it, here are some of Michael's favorite restaurants:

• Corky's BBQ, Memphis. Michael comes here when he competes at the Kroger/St. Jude indoor tournament.
• Yank Sing Restaurant, San Francisco. The Chang scholarship banquet was held here one year, and the Chinese restaurant is known for its dim sum.
• Chinatown restaurants, Melbourne, Australia. Michael is a big fan of the Chinatown restaurants and frequents them whenever he competes in the Australian Open. Click on the link to find out more about Melbourne's Chinatown.

Least Favorite Food: Liver

Favorite Beverages: Milk and spring water

He likes fish: Okay, he'll eat fish too. He also enjoys fresh-water fishing and studying all of the different species. Michael keeps several fresh-water tanks of African cichlids (Cyphotilapia frontosa, the "seven striped" kind) in his home in Mercer Island, Washington. His largest aquarium holds 240 gallons of water, and has a height of 2' and length of 8'. Michael hopes to continue breeding the cichlids for the next three or four years.

Pets: In addition to the fish, he has a dog named Stocky.

Favorite TV Shows: As a teenager, it was "The Wonder Years." (ACK! Fred Savage!) He also likes to keep up with other sports and also watches Japanese soap operas dubbed in Mandarin so he can brush up on the dialect. Michael saw "The Exciting Escapades of Mr. Bean" in Hong Kong back in '92 (during a rain delay, mind you) and liked it.

Favorite TV Channel: The Discovery Channel

Favorite Actor: Harrison Ford

Favorite Actresses: Annette Bening, Meg Ryan

Favorite Movies: Any Harrison Ford movie. But specifically, Michael's fave movie as a teenager was "Aliens," and he has also seen "Grease" several times, as well as "Phenomenon" (both with Johnny Travolta)...he also loved "Titanic."

Least Favorite Movies: Any horror movies!!

Favorite Books: Obviously, the Bible would be on Michael's priority list. Another one of his favorites is The World According to Garp. Other books that he has read include Days of Grace by the late Arthur Ashe and a Billy Graham one (don't know the title).

Favorite Singers: Mariah Carey, Michael Bolton (ugh! he's disappointing me), and Christian artist Margaret Becker. He would also love to see Celine Dion in concert someday, but his schedule doesn't allow it.