Do you have your own significant moment? What essential moment impressed you the most?
For me, a significant moment is a time that lingers on my heart forever and teaches me a lesson worthy to remember for a lifetime. I have experienced some times in my past 18 years; such as the first time I walked or the first time I learnt how to use make up…but leaving my family to America for studying is the one that impacted me most. Just because this unusual experience, I became more nature and appreciate home.
I will never forget that day, September 4th, was cloudy. The sun was not embracing the earth yet while I was facing the farewell.
It was 3 o'clock; my relatives were crowded in my room, coming to say goodbye with their best wishes. I recalled my uncles' and aunts' words that taking care of myself, and their orders "Jennifer,whenever you have time do not forget to phone us". My Mum and grandmother were packing my stuffs, medicines needed, clothes needed, food needed, as if they wanted to pack all my stuffs in just one luggage. When the clock rang at 5 o'clock, I realized how time flies for the very first time. It was the time to actually leave my families, relatives for a period. I knew my grandmother must have tears in her eyes, because even when I had a trip for a week, she would be sensitive. As long as I think of this, I felt a sorrow in my inner hear. Finally, I had a last farewell with them, and got in the car with the company of my Mum and Daddy.
We left for PuDong International Airport, My Mum and Daddy kept talking all the way, but their words all centered on how to take care of myself or be relaxed but meanwhile study hard. However, my mind gradually went empty, and my ears cannot hear what my Mum and Daddy were saying. I just sat and stared out of the window, thinking what a nice city was, but I was leaving. I wanted to look hard for the sceneries and had them engraved in my mind. I was haunted by the smells coming from food, I would miss the food in this city, desserts, dishes, and all kinds of food l like. It was until leaving that i miss more of what I had in this city, where I born and lived for 18 years. Suddenly, I felt someone was grabbing me and I came back from my subconscious, awarding that we are on the high-way now. My Mum grabbed me because their with a turn in the road, she was afraid my body would move with the turn. Once again, I sense how carefully my parents treat me, not a little hurt would they let me have. My Mum started talking about one timeI got a burn when I was serving the food, and once I tumbled by my high heeled shoes when walking, and urged me again and again that the most important thing of studying abroad was avoiding hurt myself by accident. Listening to their words, we arrived at the airport.
My father helped me bring 2 heavy luggages to have check-in baggage, and then the check in boarding procedure. I followed him and watched. It will be the last time my father helped me doing this. From this time on, I must do these by myself, I must get used to this.
All the procedure done, I got my boarding check. I was not happy to see this card for the first time, I used to be very fresh when I have the boarding check, because was going to a new place to taste new culture. However, this time, this card was claiming that I would leave my parents official for at least months. "Hey, Jennifer"My father called me,"Here is the information of JFK, here is the map of New York City, and here is the telephone number of the driver who will pick you up." I was moved again; however these I always thought was necessary for my parents to do in the past. Now, I feel these were not.
We come to the security check, it was like the border line.The moment I stepped into the line, I was leaving my parents, because they were not allowed to pass through this. My Mum hugged me and said"Go, and must must must look after yourself, phone Mum and Dad every day, tell us how you live each day". Tears falling off her eyes, I moved my sight to Daddy. He was a tough man who seldom cries, but I saw he had tears in eyes. I wanted to cry very much, but I know I can't, I must hold back my tears, or we three will cry harder. I squeezed a smile and promised them I would look after myself, eat well, study hard and phone them everyday. Then I across that "border line", not looking back.
As soon as I passed through the security check, I burst into tears. I kept thinking of my Mum, Daddy, and grandmother. I cannot help but thinking how nice it was in my hometown. When I fell ill, my Mum would take care of me, when I wanted to travel, my father would arrange everything and go with me, when I desired a new dress, my grandmother would instantly buy it for me, when I...Suddenly, I had a passion that give up the chance to study abroad.The only thing I want was stay with my families, even they will sometimes scold me, but now a scold will be a luxurious thing. It was the moment that I realized how willfulI was in the past. I give up the intention to stay here, I shall go to America and learn how to become a independent girl even it was such a painful thing to leave.
Now, I studied in Cheshire academy,which is a boarding school in America. But I am a day student. I lived with my host parents. They are all nice people and treat me like their own daughter. Sometimes, they are very busy on the weekend. That’s actually was a big trouble for me. I am the only kid in my family. When I was in China. My parents will do all the stuff for me. I don’t need to do any housework. I do not know how to washed my clothes; I do not know how to communicate with someone I didn't familiar with; I don't know how to distribute my time,I even didn’t know how to sweep the floor.....Yes, you may ask me that those all are the basic skills, how can you don't know how to do it? If without that, how difficult you are? Yes,It was a hard time for me. But when came to America, no body will help me to do this or that. Everything was changed. let’s take a example. My host parents were go to the christ church every Sunday. They went out at 8:00 in the morning and came back at 3:00 in the afternoon. Which means I need prepped my food for myself. In the begging, I was so confused and worried. Since I don’t know anything about cooking. I looked the microwave and found the food in the refrigerator.Actually, I found a pieces of salmon. But I really didn’t know how to cook it. Finally, I was give up. I found apples and carrots in the food conner. Yes, That’s my breakfast and lunch. I still remember that how hunger I am at that time. After that, I decided to learn became independent. My host mom spent whole weekend to teach me how to cook, like how to set up the time on the microwave and how to heat the toast. Also, she told me how to iron the clothes. I do those housework almost one years. Now, That’s “difficult” housework it was nothing to shout about. It was really a piece of cake. Actually, I was very precious for this experience. I was totally different from before. In the past, I was a spoiled girl. But now, I can do all the housework. To sum up, If without this experience, I may never became independence girl.
Last but not least,this significant moment helped me to know how important family is. I learnt a lot from this experience, and I also reflected in my daily life. Few days ago, It's my father's birthday.I spent three hours to make a PowerPoint to him. I putted hundred photos in the video and sensed to him. If in the past, I may just sensed a message to him,or even forgot the dates. However, until I realize how important family is, I was try my best and show my love to my family members. To be honest, that's really was a good things for me and my families. I found we are getting much closer now. I missed them so much and understand how precious they are.They are like wind in the summer, giving me cool; they are like fire in the winter, giving me warm. They treat their children with our precondition. I will cherish every moment staying with them, love them, and it will also be my turn to take care of them.
