Personal Story

Published in the RSAA Lunations
Vol1 Issue71 1–30 April 2026

I was born in Dalian, a coastal city in Liaoning Province, China. It is a place close to the sea, known for its abundant seafood, pleasant climate, and beautiful seasonal changes. Every spring, cherry blossoms and pagoda tree flowers bloom across the city, creating a soft and vibrant atmosphere. Growing up in such a relaxed and scenic environment shaped my appreciation for nature and simple joys in life.

After graduating from high school, I moved to Shenyang to attend Shenyang Architecture University, where I spent four years completing my undergraduate degree in Water Supply and Sewerage Engineering. Shenyang is a city with long, harsh winters, where temperatures can drop below -30°C, and it is also historically significant as the birthplace and early capital of the Qing Dynasty. The city is famous for its local food, especially chicken racks and “Guo Bao Rou” (sweet and sour pork), and it is often joked that 5% of all chicken racks in China are consumed by people in Shenyang.

My university journey was not entirely smooth. I had originally hoped to study finance, but due to admission adjustments, I was placed into engineering instead. As mathematics and physics were not my strongest subjects, I found the academic experience quite challenging. However, I did discover an interest in biology and chemistry, which helped me stay motivated. Despite the challenges, my university years remain meaningful—not only because of the beautiful campus, with landmarks such as the longest corridor in Asia and Longtan Square, but also because it was where I met my husband. We were in the same faculty and later became life partners.

After graduating in 2014, my husband and I moved to Melbourne, Australia, and later relocated to Canberra in 2018, where we have been living ever since. We share our home with two beloved pets: a handsome German Shepherd,, Hank, and a round, adorable domestic cat Mochi (likely a Jianzhou breed from Sichuan).

I began working at the Australian National University in January 2021, supporting Fenner Hall and Wamburun Hall. In October 2024, I transitioned to the Campus Environment team as a Venues and Functions Officer. More recently, on 23 March 2026, I was fortunate to join the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (RSAA) as an Executive Support Officer. I truly enjoy working here—the colleagues, students, and the environment make it a very fulfilling place to be. One of my favourite daily moments is having lunch outside in the sunshine.

Outside of work, I enjoy reading, travelling, camping, cooking, doing nails, skincare, and shopping. However, most of my time is happily spent with my pets. My German Shepherd is a playful boy—his paws and mouth can be a bit smelly, but he is incredibly adorable. He doesn’t like being hugged, but he loves going outdoors, playing tug-of-war, and spending time with his best friends: a Golden Retriever named Oreo and a Cavoodle named A Yeah. He enjoys all kinds of meat and especially loves cheese. My cat, on the other hand, is a true foodie. He loves canned food, chicken, freeze-dried beef, and fish, and occasionally surprises us by eating white bread and sweet potato—foods most cats would ignore. During the day, he plays in the backyard with insects and birds but never wanders off. One of his most unusual hobbies is sniffing my dog’s smelly paws.

I am very content with my current life and hope that in the near future I can travel to more places, explore different cuisines, and continue to provide a happy life for my pets—with plenty of treats for both of them.

Xiaochen (Grace) Ma