Hope you enjoy these photos from Xi’An, when I visited my friend Josephine’s grandparents in the countryside. Meeting her family, many of whom were farmers, I couldn’t help thinking of my own. Here’s to all Fathers and Farmers around the world! They work very hard and give us love, life, nourishment, & fresh food!

This is the last essay written by a Chinese High School student in Xi’An that I will share. It was my personal favorite for both writing style and content. There is true wisdom within this prayer.

I asked God to take away my habit. God said, “No.
It is not for Me to take away, but for you to give up.”
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, “No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.”
I asked God to grant me patience. God said, “No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is learned.”
I asked God to give me happiness. God said, “No.
I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you.”

I asked God to spare my pain. God said,”No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.”
I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, “No.
You must grow on your own! I will prune you to make you fruitful.”
I asked God for all things, that I might enjoy life. God said, “No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.”
I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said, “Ahh…finally you have the idea.”

THIS DAY IS YOURS; DON’T THROW IT AWAY.

 This is an interesting piece of writing to see the American influence reflected in a young Chinese mind. It’s essentially a Chinese interpretation and adaptation of Obama’s Presidential Campaign slogan. It’s a helpful essay for anyone interested in how traditional Chinese culture & education fuses with modern Chinese culture &education, along with American media influence.

“Yes, We Can”

Everyone needs confidence.
Sometimes we feel we are so small and just like the sands. But with confidence, even the sands will shine brightly. To be honest, while preparing for the speech, I’ve thought about giving up, and more than once, I wanna quit. But now, I’m standing here, and I’ll say to myself: Yes, I can! Like most people, we don’t have rich expressions and we’re not skilled speakers, either. But say to yourself: Will that matters? No, confidence will make myself understood.

Not only individuals need confidence, a country, a nation also needs the power, the national spirit! Though we were not born in the age when the aggressors stepped on our land, but I think no one would forget the time when Chinese were called cowards. Are we? Of course not! But only when we believe ourselves, can we really be confident Chinese! And when disasters came, a city damaged in a moment. Many people lost their lives, and many became homeless. Some were on the verge of collapse, but more people firmly believe that the word “despair” doesn’t exist! We can wipe off the tears, chase away the sorrow, and as for all the burden, just shake it off! There is nothing we can’t do! And once again, you’ll see: Yes, we can!

In the end, I just have a small wish, that from now on, any time when you’re down, you could say to yourself: Yes, I can. And any time when our country is down, we, the Chinese, could say to the whole world: Yes, we can!

Instead of “Don’t Drink Too Much Water” this drinking water fountain sign says something more poetic. My rough translation: “Please don’t let me grieve/cry alone until I am empty, okay?”

This is an essay entitled “Love” by a Chinese High School student from Xi’An. I took a photo of the essay (posted on a wall inside of the school) but the photo was not very clear, so I have copied & typed the essay here for you to be able to read. Keep in mind that this is the High School student’s second language, and it was written for an English public speaking contest. With respect to the writer, I have done my best to copy word-for-word and not correct or change anything unless I felt it was necessary for clarification.

Good afternoon, everyone! It is a great honor to speak here and today my topic is  about the warmest emotion in the world-love.

Love is intimate and immortal. Everyone has love, everyone will grow up under the care of love.

From a child, parents and teachers tell us to care about others. If you pay attention to others, they’ll do the same to you Because love is the connect link between people. The world will become better if we spread love to every corner of the world.

I remember the lyrics of one song saying that “love is a beam of light, gleaming but so wonderful.” Yes, love is a kind of polished sunshine, it can lighten people’s future and make us march fearless onward, just like a lighthouse. Thinking that as one is in need of care but no one pay attention to him, how painful and grieved he feels! Although you possess great wealth you don’t want to share your love, share your happiness, so what’s the meaning of your life? Giving a hand to others is gladsome. The world needs “love”, love make people no longer feel cold. Love make people no longer feel lonely. Life is gorgeous because of the “love”!

All the people must remember the snowstorm, the earthquake happened in 2008. It’s precisely because of the love showed by people all over the world that we could hold on and overcome the difficulties. The power is unthinkable. People who nourish love, put himself in others’ position and make a dedication to love can obtain rich in his innermost heart. They’re the happiest one in the world because happiness always prefers that kind of person who love life and are willing to devote themselves.

Thank You!

-Class 7