During break times, little children would gather together playing hopscotch, or tag, or soccer or basketball; writing on the playground with chalks; or telling stories and jokes. Some others would rather stay under the shades or in their little corners and talk quietly with their friends or keep to themselves.

Origami became popular at school and at home. Amongst the more quiet groups of children was Nengzhi—also known as Michael—Jiang. Jiang was a young boy passionate about origami, and he and his older brother would sometimes fold together.

“Many people came into contact with origami when they were young, but very few persevere and fold harder origami,” Jiang said. “My brother and I held on to origami—but more so I, since he had other hobbies. However I have kept on folding, and will continue to do so.”

As we grow up, our knowledge and abilities either expand or strengthen. Jiang’s passion for origami never died: it stuck with him up until this day. The young origami expert began with boats, and now folds complex animals such as dragons and dinosaurs.

“The dragon took a week or two to complete, and I need[ed] a 1m x 1m sheet of paper to make it,” Jiang said.

Jiang is interested in the variety of design choices of origami and rejoices in their complexity.

“I love making dragons or dinosaurs, but I also like making interesting flowers, such as orchids. Origamis [can] be so much more complicated than most people realize,” Jiang said. “[But] all origami designs are possible to recreate—unlike drawing where it is easier to just create a new drawing. I also like how complex it can be, and I love challenging myself.”

For seven—maybe even eight—years, Jiang has been folding origami. Ever since, there was rarely a day where he didn’t indulge himself in folding at least one piece of origami.

“I often fold during the weekends when I have time to make paper, but I also fold at school using printer paper,” Jiang said. “It is a good way to pass time when I’m done with homework (or procrastinating!).”

All folding aside, engulfing in one’s passion for too long might cause one to lose focus of other objectives in everyday life. It is thus important to balance out fun activities with work, especially for origami folder Jiang who is still a freshman.

“[My parents] support me [doing origami] as long as it doesn’t affect academics,” Jiang said.

Moreover, Jiang has other passions apart from origami.

“I like doing science and math but I don’t know what specific career to go into,” Jiang said.

Perfecting one’s skills in a certain domain is challenging if one does not have the passion to achieve it. With that being said, achieving that goal also requires a lot of patience and perseverance.

“On the surface, it is just paper cranes or planes; but in reality there are many, many more designs—or any subject you can think of—and of any style too,” Jiang said. “Following instructions is always a fun challenge, and it is always worth it in the end.”