I am from Qingdao, the land of beer Where even our seas get drunk Our scallions grow taller than the Empire State Building and land on each and every table I am from the land of dogs Tobi, the loyal guardian who stands firm by my side Coco, the little princess who likes to kiss …
Tag: China
Overnight Subway
Public transportation in New York is very convenient. Most buses and subways operate twenty-four hours a day, and the lines extend in all directions! About ten years ago, my husband and I were renting a place in Flushing, Queens. I commuted to Midtown Manhattan. My husband worked in the Bronx. Although there was a subway, …
Happy Childhood Memory
The most fun I ever had was during my childhood in China, on the island where I was born and grew up. We watched the sunrise on the beach while waiting for the tide to go out. Then, we dug for clams and competed to see who could dig up the most. When the tide …
The Earth Is Crying
Snowy mountain in immaculate white Damaged and ruined by climbing gears No one hears its cry of hurt and pain Oceans flow with undulating azure robes But are stained by the oily drip from a ship Rich treasures underneath have less wealth Land grounded by a blanket of rich soil Littered and dumped with filthy …
Mom
Dear Mom, I know you are a traditional woman. You take care of the family and give me advice. I remember when I was young, we had a difficult life. We were poor, and you had several jobs, but there wasn’t enough money to pay my high school tuition fee. I told you I wanted …
A Foggy Day
I pulled the curtain open in the morning. I had a plan to go to Central Park, where the autumn view attracts me. I looked out the window. What day is it today? I thought. Everything was so hazy, was I going or not? I hesitated. Finally, I decided to go. The hazy view has …
Fear
Fear is the enemy of reasonable minds That battles in the centerfield of desire It imprisons human spirit in darkness To stay idle in the castle of one’s own flesh No freedom to soar up and fly high …
Different Times
I never thought it would be a luxury to take the children to parks, zoos, and museums. But one day it happened. Since the pandemic started, we hadn’t been to any such places. We all longed for the spring of 2019.
Bare Necessities: My Unforgettable Pandemic Memory
I had gotten a bag of rice, a bag of flour, and some bread, but unfortunately, there was no more toilet paper on the shelves. In fact, most of the supermarket shelves were empty. But right after I decided to check out, I glimpsed a pack of toilet paper on the potato shelf. I hurried over, grabbed it, and threw it into my shopping cart as fast as I could.
Faces of the 9/11 Rescue
I got my acupuncturist license in 2001. Twenty years ago. The same year 9/11 happened. This tragedy shocked the world. On the day it happened, I volunteered to join the Pacific Acupuncture College team of the Federal Emergency Rescue after work. I still recall the silence and deep sorrow on every rescuer’s face. Two days after 9/11, there were not enough treatment beds for therapy.
I Heard the Ocean Swelling
I heard the ocean swelling,
Daring me to cross.
Found in Translation: How I Got My Dream Job
When we come to a new place, we always make new friends, and some beautiful stories may happen.
Since I moved to New York City, I have been living in midtown Manhattan, near the East River. In my leisure time, I like walking along the riverside, especially when the weather is nice. Over the river, many seagulls glide over the mirror-like surface of the water. The breeze gently brushes my cheeks, and the special smell combining the river and the ocean mesmerizes me and takes me to the other side of the sea. It is such a soothing place that it made me fall in love with this city.
Defeating My Fear of Swimming
Swimming—I hadn’t heard that word for almost two decades. My family members and friends were prohibited from mentioning any water-related activity. It is unbelievable that a girl who lived near the beach wouldn’t allow this. How could this be? Very surprisingly, I was scared of the water. This brings up one unforgettable event.
Best Day Ever
The best day of my life was in July 2019. It was a sunny, beautiful day. I came back home from work. My son, who was 13 years old, said to me, “Happy Birthday,” and showed me a birthday cake. “I made it by myself.” Wow, I was so surprised and happy. The cake smelled so good, and it also was beautiful. It was a chocolate cake. Before, my son had never baked a cake. He learned it from YouTube.
Unexpected Moment
Due to the pandemic, most of the libraries had been closed since March 2020. The closest library would be open from July 1, 2021, which was the most exciting news we heard that summer. One sunny morning, my son and I happily went to this library, laughing all the way. But it was 9:45 a.m., too early; it would open at 10 a.m.