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| 20多年的好友 John 全家福 |
Casper's letter:
Dear Uncle John,
It is great being able to relate to someone who has also walked through the same road. When I got the email saying I got accepted into the Dwight-Englewood School, I was overjoyed and didn't give a thought about how different life would be as a high school student in the US. My vision of the US back in middle school was an egalitarian land with a creative and flawless education system, but I was proven wrong immediately. The first month of school gave me my first taste of being alone. Even though I battled through that phase, those few weeks made me stronger and self aware of the American society. I finally understood why many people came to America for a dream but some end up in jail. America matured me and serve as a warning for me to walk on the right path.The reason we came to America was for a better education. There was very little room for creativity, which is a key ingredient for a child's education process. Here in America, I got to perform science experiments that would never be performed in Taiwan, have the opportunity to create a Rubik's Cube and Fun Facts Club with my sister, join different sports with actual coaches, and much more. Besides all that, the reason we are here is for a good life in the future. My first pick college was MIT for several years until I came to America. I became really interested in business and the stock market, so my first pick now is University of Pennsylvania's Wharton Business School. Back in Taiwan, most people have a simple, but incorrect, idea of Americans partying all day without studying. I also used to believe that I can easily get into Ivy League schools; however, after being rejected by 3 different high schools, it gave me an idea how hard I have to work for those schools.Time is more valuable than anything now. I have never use time so wisely until now. It is crazy to think that I will be going off to college in 3 years...It must have been hard for you too when you first came to Taiwan. With different language and culture, it must have took a lot of courage and determination to work in Taiwan. I should be more like you! It is interesting that Thijs and Emma are also fraternal twins just like us!!! How is education and the lifestyle in The Netherlands?
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Nasrin' s letter:
Dear Uncle John,
It is so great to hear from you, and I am sure that Mom loves the family picture you sent to her! I love how your kids are fraternal twins just like my brother and I (yay, we are all special!). When we were kids, sometimes Casper and I quarreled and screamed like little savages, but a moment later, we stopped as if nothing has happened (of course, Mom broke all the battles). Do Thijs and Emma often fight? Honestly, I think fights are inevitable and important. As I grow older, I realized that those silly disagreements played a major role in solidifying our sibling-hood. Those fights that drove me crazy many years ago happen to be the perfect storytelling materials because they are so hilarious and genuine. My close friends are able to relate to my childhood even though we come from different family and cultural backgrounds. We often share stories and dreams - stories of wonderful memories in the past which ignite our minds to dream big and colorful. Dreams are both my motivation and inspiration. They urge me to strive for perfection not only intellectually, but also morally and physically. I encourage myself to participate in various extracurricular activities, but at the same time, I remind myself to do consistently well in the academics and sports. Here in Dwight, I became more exposed to opportunities and clubs and courses and so much more. I feel like one of those frogs who finally hopped out of the deep well and into the World, as a Chinese saying goes. And for the first time, the frog perceives the World in the most unique experience - an experience that seems limitless and powerful. In a way, the well represents Taiwan, and the World symbolizes U.S.A. and literally the world. Unfortunately, to gain is to lose. I miss Dad so much, and he misses us even more. We Skype during dinnertime and breakfast, which is nice. One aspect of American culture that I find very unattractive is the influence of commercialism and consumerism on people, especially teens. Integrity, honesty, sincerity, and genuineness seem to fade in this Digital Age. People lose their true identities, and I realized that many of my classmates are very caught up in this destructive trend. They rather be what the media portrays as "perfection" and not themselves. "Be who you are" can be cliche, but it is one of those seemingly unachievable life challenges. I have to admit that a part of me is tangled in this side of American culture, but on the other hand, I became more open-minded and willing to try new things. I guess in the end, the gains outweigh the losses!
How was the national holiday? I have always wanted to be in one of these special occasions. How does it feel when you and your family were there? The place must had been magnificent - an orange ocean beneath the royals, just like a fairy-tale!
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