Dear readers, joining us tonight is a filtration specialist from the future. She is here to tell us about life on the Shambhala space station, experimenting with exploding food and creating sustainable space cuisine as she navigates the challenges and wonders of living in microgravity.

Tell us a little about where you grew up. What was it like there?

I was born and raised in Shenzhen, China. I love the city’s mix of tradition and modernity. Living near the coast was fantastic. It was the best of both worlds, a vibrant city life and beautiful nature. I can still remember the smell of fresh produce and local treats at our local market, and the mountains and ocean are incredible.

Of course, Shenzhen has its challenges too, like social inequalities, which made me want to give back and make a difference. But it also has a rich cultural heritage with festivals and dances.

Growing up in such a diverse place made me curious and adaptable. Those traits have stuck with me and guided my journey, but my roots in Shenzhen keep me grounded and motivated.

Did you have any favourite toys as a child?

Oh, for sure! I had a few favorites. One was a Smart Origami Set, a gift from my parents. It combined the ancient art of paper folding with modern technology, and I was able to create these intricate, animated paper sculptures through an interactive app on my tablet. It sparked my creativity and got me hooked on my cultural traditions and technology!

I also had a collection of robotic pets. There was one in particular I absolutely adored. It was a robotic bird named Tian, which means sky in Chinese. I took it everywhere with me! Tian could sing, and we would even perform duets together. So much fun!

What are some of your cherished childhood memories?

I remember weekend family outings to the mountains. We’d get away from the busy city life and simply enjoy the great outdoors. My dad liked to teach me all about different plants and animals, and he made sure I appreciated the natural world. As you know, China, along with the rest of the world, was hit pretty hard by global climate change, and he wanted me to understand its impact, but also to see the real progress scientists are making in restoration efforts.

One of my most special memories was a trip with my grandparents to a local folk festival. I got to participate in a traditional dragon dance and even wore a piece of the dragon’s costume! The whole experience was so exciting and full of energy, with traditional music and vibrant colors, and it made me feel connected to my culture and community.

What do you do now?

My official role on the Shambhala Orbital Laboratory is Filtration Specialist, but my responsibilities have evolved since I first started with the Foundation. I also work with a colleague, Fae, on food production. Recently, we succeeded in creating a brand-new recipe which was a big hit with the crew! It felt like a major accomplishment to have a meal made entirely from food grown on Shambhala. Oh yeah, I sometimes organize karaoke sessions at our Friday night socials!

But working on Shambhala is not just a job for me; it’s a way of life. The philosophy of unconditional love and support that permeates our organization aligns perfectly with my own values. I feel truly grateful and honored to be part of the Foundation.

What can you tell us about your latest adventure?

Oh, my latest adventure was quite an experience! We had been working hard on perfecting food balls, and there were a few mishaps along the way. The amalgamation process was challenging, and we had some funny incidents with the food exploding. It was a messy situation, but we managed to have a good laugh about it in the end.

Life on the space-based lab has its fair share of ups and downs, but with the camaraderie and support of my beautiful colleagues, every day is an exciting and fulfilling adventure.

What was your first thought upon arriving at the Shambhala Space Station?

When I first arrived, I was really excited but also a bit nervous. Stepping into this futuristic world, with all the cutting-edge technologies and brilliant minds, well, it was amazing and kind of humbling. Luckily, the crew is awesome, and they made me feel right at home. Still, I wondered if I could live up to their expectations. But you know what? I think I’ve done alright!

Those first few days, I remember feeling a little homesick for the life I left behind on the Earth, but being with all these outstanding women, and everyone sharing a passion for science and a genuine desire for a harmonious working environment, my nostalgia didn’t stand a chance! And microgravity is so much fun!

What is the worst thing about living on a space station?

Sometimes it can be tough. Every once in a while, I feel isolated despite having a great community around me. The vastness of space and the distance from Earth can be lonely. I miss my parents most of all, even though we holochat every week.

Another challenge is being so removed from nature—you know, the open skies, horizon, and the birds and wild animals. We do have parks on Shambhala, but it’s just not the same. Still, I wouldn’t trade my life for anything in the world.

What is the best thing about it?

Living on a space station is the best! Like I already said, we have this terrific close-knit community on Shambhala, and it feels like family. We share our passions and dreams, and when someone achieves something, we all celebrate together. And the view of Earth from space is just breathtaking! It reminds us of our duty to protect our planet.

To be honest, every day, I feel grateful for the opportunity to be part of this experience, surrounded by inspiring and kind-hearted people who share the same vision of making the world a better place. Oh, and did I mention microgravity?

Tell us a little about your friends.

My friends are amazing! We have such a multicultural and talented group here on Shambhala. I’d love to tell you about each one, but there are nineteen of us! So let me just mention a few.

Quinn, the other Filtration Specialist, is like a second mother to me. I adore her so much. She’s so patient and always there to help me learn. Even though she’s way more experienced, she listens to my ideas and treats me as her equal. I’m really blessed to have her in my life.

Calli is one of my absolute favorites. Oh, who am I kidding? There are no favorites, I love all my friends! Calli’s fun to hang out with, and she’s super smart too. Whenever we talk, she shares these really deep insights. She’s a physicist, so she’s often lost in her thoughts, and it’s pretty funny when she gets caught daydreaming and has no clue what’s happening around her.

Then there’s Fae, my partner in crime in the kitchen. She’s brilliant, super focused, and has an awesome sense of humor. When things get tough, she’s so compassionate and can calm the atmosphere like magic.

I could go on, but I think you get the idea! Every single woman on Shambhala is incredible.

Any romantic involvement?

Right now, I’m not in any romantic relationship. My main focus is on my work on Shambhala. Being a Filtration Specialist and contributing to the Foundation’s mission makes me really happy.

If the right person comes along, I’m open to the idea of a romance in the future. But for now, I’m content with the fulfilling experiences in my work and personal life. I’m just enjoying the journey!

Whom (or what) do you really hate?

Hate is a strong word, and I try not to feel that way towards anyone or anything. I believe in the Foundation’s philosophy, which shapes how I approach life, and hate just doesn’t fit in. Instead, I try to understand and learn from challenging situations.

But there is something that really bothers me—when advanced technologies are misused for harm. As an engineer and researcher, I deeply respect scientific progress and its potential to benefit humanity and the environment. So, it pains me to see technology being used for destructive purposes or to perpetuate inequality. I support using advanced technologies responsibly and ethically, and I hope that as a society, we can collectively work towards a future where technology serves the greater good and brings about positive change, just like what the Foundation tries to do.

What’s your favourite drink, colour, and relaxing pastime?

Ah, my top pick for a drink is definitely the beer brewed on Shambhala by my talented colleague, Fae. She’s a wizard with brewing, and creates unique flavors that are a delight for my taste buds. I love the hoppier ones with a twist of citrus that leave a refreshing feeling in my mouth.

As for my favorite color, it’s emerald green. It reminds me of Earth’s beautiful landscapes.

And when it comes to relaxing, singing is my thing, whether it’s a quiet solo in my room or a fun karaoke session at the socials. It’s my way of expressing myself and connecting with my emotions.

What does the future hold for you?

The future looks incredibly bright for me. Being part of the Foundation and working at the Shambhala Orbital Lab is a dream come true. I can just imagine all our exciting breakthroughs in cutting-edge filtration and nanofiltration techniques, especially with Quinn’s collaboration.

I’m also excited about exploring my passion for culinary arts in space. I want to create more sustainable and nutritious space cuisine for fellow space explorers.

In my personal life, I hope to grow and explore even more. With advancements in space travel, especially with Calli and Hadley, the other physicist on the station, working on a warp drive prototype, maybe I’ll even get to visit new frontiers beyond the Moon. And, of course, I’ll continue my singing. Who knows, I might even perform in interstellar concerts!

I cherish the connections I’ve made with my awesome colleagues on Shambhala and Arcadia, and I look forward to making more beautiful memories together.

The future is full of endless opportunities, and I can’t wait to embrace each adventure with gratitude and an open heart, living life to the fullest in space.

Can you share a secret with us, which you’ve never told anyone else?

You’re looking for a secret from me, huh? Well, I suppose it’s time to share something I’ve kept close to my heart for a long time. When I’m alone in the lab or during my free time, I sometimes compose music. It’s my little secret creative outlet.

I’ve never shared this with anyone before because, well, my singing is mostly reserved for karaoke nights with close friends, or when I’m alone. But composing music is a way for me to express feelings that I can’t put into words. Music is my sanctuary in this vast universe of science and exploration.

Any parting thoughts?

Thank you so much for this opportunity to share a little about me and my life on Shambhala!

Susan English is an award-winning author, a born adventurer, and a world traveler with an insatiable intellectual curiosity. She holds a master’s degree in physics, once lived on a sailboat in the San Francisco Bay, was a Peace Corps volunteer in Namibia, and spent five years on the Big Island of Hawaii, where she owned an off-grid, completely self-sufficient farm in the jungle. Now she is happy to be living with her amazing wife in beautiful Medellin, Colombia, the city of eternal spring.

You can find Liu Mei Xing on the pages of Callisto 2.0 and the sequels in the Shambhala saga.

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