“Break the Corns”
As early as some 20 days before the National Day, Mum asked me, “Daughter, you are far away in school this year. Should we break the corns by ourselves or by your aunt?”
I was confused. Mum continued, “If your aunt breaks them, we will give the corn stalks to others for no money. If we break them ourselves, the corn stalks can sell for 1,000 yuan.” I said in a pompous tone, “We will break them.”
National Day came. My brother and I had a few days’ holiday and we took the train home. When we arrived, it was already 18:00. We hurriedly changed into our work clothes, wore our gloves and went down to the field. The first day I felt alright without exhaustion. The next day, our next-door neighbours married their daughter and my parents went to help them. Only my eldest young brother and I were breaking the corns. Then Dad went to work in the county and there were only three of us – Mum, my brother and I. The field was so huge I couldn’t see the boundary. When I looked up at the sky, I found it really vast. What made me most painful was not the corn leaves scratching my cheeks, nor the heat of the sun, but my shoulder pain.
Mum was like a superman and never seemed to be in pain. She was always the first one to break the corns for me and brother to cut. Speaking of Mum, she woke up early every day. When I got up, the thermal flask was full of boiled water and the chickens and dogs had been fed. The buns had also been steamed, just waiting for me to consume. Human energy is limited. Mum, are you really a superman who never feels tired?
Until one night, we saw the neighbour’s house brightly lit and smelt the fragrance of smoke from cooking fire while loading the corns onto the vehicle under the electric light. We were really tired and hungry that day. Tears were rolling in our eyes, and we looked up at the stars. Abruptly, I said to Mum, “Mum, I don’t want you to make yourself so tired to raise me.”Mum is not a superman. She can feel tired too, only that she does not say it but endures. She is setting an example for me and my brother. Mum, I will do well and will not bring about disgrace! Xuejing Wang – Admitted to Ningxia Medical University in 2020
The heating has started, bringing with it smog. Friends from the south seem not used to the stifling heat indoors. It hasn’t rained for more than two months in Beijing, and it finally does today. This is the rain to bid farewell to autumn and the rain to welcome winter.
The withered yellow leaves of platanus signal the reluctant parting with autumn, and the cold wind sweeping up from the ground tells of the fiercely approaching winter.
It is cold, remember to put on more clothes~
(Written on November 18)
Qiaoping Wang – Postgraduate of Chinese Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing
“The First Snow in Northland”
On November 18, 2020, I woke up to find Changchun – the Spring City of Northland – has entered a frozen state overnight, and everything seems to be sealed in crystal.
Amidst long and keen expectation, the first snow in the Spring City of Northland comes quietly in its unique way. The honeysuckle downstairs in the dormitory is wrapped in crystal clear ice, like the candied haws sold on the street, and is really cute.
In the academic centres on both sides of Xingzhi Road, the green pine trees are verdant and tall, and the grass on the lawn is lush, all quietly locked in beautiful crystal.
The glazed roof of Jinghu Pavilion echoes the surrounding green pines, adding a bit of colours and charms of times bygone.
The scenery pleases the eyes but it’s a bit cold. And it’s hard to go to class😰
Xi Pengbo – Northeast Normal University
Nature is really amazing. The city gets cold overnight. The first snow is slowly falling, and each blow of the wind makes the cold heavier. The world is surprisingly silent. Everywhere is dressed in silver and wrapped unadorned; the white snow is decorating the vast land.
Going outdoors, I found myself in the vast white snow, as if I were the only person in the world. I let trouble hibernate and sorrow freeze in the snow, and myself be as pure as snow and transparent as ice!
(Photo taken on November 19)
Baoqiang Lu – Jilin Jianzhu University
“The Bund of Shanghai”
Along the quiet flowing water in the bay lies the testimony to the changes in Shanghai’s history. Despite the turning of the plough and moving of stars, Shanghai remains accommodating towards cultures: the prosperous and the outdated; the noisy and the quiet; the fast-paced and the leisurely. All beings make up this unique city of Shanghai. Everything can find its value of existence, and everyone can find his identity. As the river flows east, so will merits and demerits find their own places.
Feng Jinxia – Graduated from Lanzhou University of Finance and Economics in 2016, and now working in a listed company in Shanghai
“Snowman”
At first, I just wanted to roll a snowball, but when my friends join in, a snowman is built. The eyes, mouth and hands are made of branches picked up from the ground, while the hats, glasses, and scarf are from three mates in the dormitory. This is the first snow in Yinchuan this year, also the biggest since I came here. Because we are happy, the little snowman is also smiling happily.
Life may be hard, but can be sweet, too. We often fail, but don’t give up. If you can laugh, you must laugh. Tears are precious, and must be shed only for worthy causes. S o, laugh often. After all, even the little snowman is laughing, so what reason do we have to be unhappy? Come on, dear us. 💪🏼
Ma Xiaohu – Ningxia University
“My First Taste of University”
This is another leisurely weekend. I got up late in the morning. After brunch, I decided to go to the library earlier to get a place. I tooh my calculus and worked hard quietly. As my major is liberal arts, I can be a big step ahead of others by learning calculus well as I used to be a science student. Of course, I have also found the major courses a bit difficult for me. When school first started, I always couldn’t help but fall asleep. I am not particularly sensitive to and good at written passages . However, for the sake of the term exam and for my major ranking, I have been studying with great concentration recently, and I hope I won’t be pulling my own leg.
Everyone entering university encounters this question: how do you want to spend your university life, do you want to stay in your bedroom to play with your mobile phone and to sleep, or go to the library to immerse yourself in study, or join a club to cultivate a hobby of interest? Our psychology teacher has told us that no matter what you do, it would be better than staying in the dormitory! Laziness is human nature, and if you don’t fight it, you will be gobbled up by it. University is the best time for us to tap our potential. University is the time when penalty for making mistakes is the lightest. At this stage, we must have the courage to try and make mistakes and challenge ourselves to meet with a better self.
After entering university, I really understand the meaning of this saying: “You have to work very hard to look effortless.” In the assignment of the “Self-cultivation of the Mind and Legal Foundation” lesson last week, our group chose the format of a debate competition. When I was notified, I was very scared. As I had never participated in a debate competition before, I looked for information on-line to acquaint myself with the process and rules of the debate. We finally completed the assignment successfully. When school first started, I really had a sense of inferiority. But then I slowly adjusted myself and cheered myself up. Now I am much better. If I feel unhappy, I will choose to go for a run in the playground. As I run, my heart gets relieved a lot. I think you have to have your own ideas when you do anything, and you can’t do what others do or drift with the tide. I will not forget my original intention and will continue to walk on steadfastly. Wang Baodi – Admitted to Liaoning University in 2020
2020 is a very special year with the outbreak of Covid-19. We had to stay at home until May before going to school. Then I spent the entire summer vacation in the school library because I was preparing for the postgraduate entrance examination.
Looking back on the summer vacation of 2019, the World Police and Fire Games was held in Chengdu. Knowing that many foreign friends and Hong Kong players would participate, I signed up for voluntary work and was lucky enough to be recruited.
In the hot weather with the scorching heat of 34 degrees, the volunteers got up at 6:30, took the school bus to the football field, transported water for the athletes, and arranged cooling supplies such as ice cubes.
At the end of every game, the Chinese athletes waved the national flag and yelled, “Hong Kong police, come on! Sirs from Hong Kong, come on!”
A lot of things happened in Hong Kong during that summer vacation. But when the teams pulled out their national flags under the scorching sun and shouted “Come on, Hong Kong” when the matches were over made me fill with emotion.
I was impressed by the polite Hong Kong players, the clean bench seats after the game, and the countless utterances of “Thank you, thank you!” I was deeply impressed. In those 10 days, I had an exceedingly good impression of the Sirs from Hong Kong! We support the Hong Kong police! I also remember the passionate Brazilian players. I am proud to be able to speak bravely and communicate with Brazilian players in English. The Brazilian Federal Gendarmerie Police Team exchanged jerseys with us, and the Hong Kong women police officers gave us some souvenirs from the Hong Kong Police Force. Each and every one of these incidents was very touching. In addition, by participating in this World Police and Fire Games, I have had the opportunity to communicate with foreign friends. Although my expression is not authentic, and sometimes I have to employ some gestures, it is indeed a very good opportunity to practise my oral English. Many things happened in this volunteer experience… It was the first unforgettable volunteer experience in my life. (The one wearing a volunteer uniform in the middle of the back row of the photo is me.) Bai Lingran – Sichuan Agricultural University
I got out of the Loess Plateau into beautiful Shanghai. Here, there are no dusty winds blowing through the sky. In their place are verdant forests and rivers. Also gone are familiarity and enthusiasm as I live in an unfamiliar city. Engineering Science University is where I launch the journey of my dreams!
The Engineering Science Library is situated in the most iconic landmark of the campus – by the side of the bridge across the river . Its structural design follows the symbol of “M” implying “dream”. (Editor’s note: Dream is pronounced as “Meng” in Putonghua.) When you enter the building, it is all peacefulness. Stepping on the glass stairs, you feel like treading on dreams with wings. Here you will find inspirational scholars and dream-seeking youngsters everywhere!
Zhang Jianfei – Admitted to Shanghai University of Engineering Science in 2020