亚裔女孩的中国情结💗

   

My Chinese Complex

Summer break is coming… a most exciting moment will approach. I will go to China again! Yes, going to China!

   For my mom, this is called going BACK to China, but for me as an American-born kid, this is called -- Going to China!

   I was born to an Asian family in the United States. Due to my mom’s work and business, she found a Nanny from Beijing, China, to take care of me once I was born, because my mom wanted to make sure my Chinese pronunciation was standard from a young age.

   My grandma also lived with us at that time. My relationship with my grandmother became super awesome. I often squeezed next to my grandma, listening to her childhood stories about China. At that time, I developed curiosity and intimacy toward China. 

   In 2nd grade, my teacher asked the class to write a comparison paper between "Modern American School and Grandparents’ Old School.” Without any hesitation, I quickly wrote out my grandmother's “Girls School” in the early 50's in China and made great comparisons between the schools in the United States. In the paper, due to strong personal and emotional facts, I made the final conclusion: My grandmother's old Chinese school and the schools in the U.S were both excellent! My teacher didn’t comment on my point of view, but in the class, she praised me for my writing being so detailed, amazed that my understanding of China was very profound.

   Going to China in the summer has been one of my many journeys since the age of three. Although I am only eight years old now, a little kid like me has already traveled to more than a dozen cities in the U.S. and some other countries. Reminiscing on all of them, I have to say going to China is my favorite trip, because my grandparents are there, whom I miss so much; There are also many more relatives for me to visit; There are "hometown" delicious foods only in China that I can taste as well.

   I was very happy every day in China, not just "happy"; I should use the word "exciting" to describe my feelings. (My teacher always told us to express our mood using accurate words.) Traveling with loved ones is always "exciting.” The day is always so short; the schedule is always so full.

   I still remember the last time I was leaving China. In the airport, my grandpa told me, "China has too many places to go, I was afraid you are too young to travel to so many places. Next year, you will become bigger, so I will take you to see more places. "

   My grandma said, "Your mom always arranges the schedule so tightly. Next year, ask your mom to stay longer in China.” I nodded my head and tried to hold back my tears so as not to cry. I wanted them to remember my nice, cute, smiling face. 

   My life is always happy and busy in the U.S.  Happy and busy makes me enjoy routine life in the U.S. and soon forgetting my more emotional thoughts of China. But, at some points, deeply in my heart, I have something to hide ... Time is flying; summer break is coming; I will go to China again; and I will still fill my suitcase with thick English novels. My diary of my trip to China will still be use my first language-English to write my thoughts. 

   The United States and China have become one family for me, and I feel more and more blurred about the borders of the countries.  That is me, an American born Asian girl with a Chinese complex!

Life is not a destination, but a journey.

--Nina Zhan Age 8

   暑假临近了，让我激动无比的事要到来了，我又要去中国了！对，是去中国！

   对妈妈来说，这是回国，而对我这个在美国出生的人来说，应该是叫--去 中 国。

   我出生在美国芝加哥的华裔家庭里。由于妈妈工作忙，听说在我出生的时候，妈妈专门给我找了一个从北京来的阿姨照顾我，为的是确保我的中文发音从幼儿时期就是准确的，尽管我只是个婴儿。外婆当时和我们一起住在美国，我和外婆关系很铁，经常挤在外婆身边，听外婆讲她小时候在中国的故事，还有妈妈小时候在中国的故事。那个时候，我就开始对中国充满了好奇感和亲切感了。

   在小学二年级的时候，老师让我们写一篇--当今美国学校和当年外公外婆学校的对比文章。我洋洋洒洒的写下了中国50 年代初，外婆的“女子学校”的介绍，与现在美国学校做了一一对比，由于加上了我个人强烈的感情因素，我在文中最后总结道：通过以上事实对比，外婆当时旧中国的学校和美国现在的学校是一样的优秀！老师不对我的观点妄加评议，只是在班上称赞我写的如此详细，感叹我对中国的了解非常之深。

   暑假去中国是我从三岁起开始的旅途。虽然小小的我，在8年里跑遍了美国十几个城市，还去过其他国家，但是去中国是我的情有独钟。因为那里有我朝思暮想的外公，外婆，那里有更多家人亲情的聚拥，那里有在美国不能品尝到的“家乡”美味，那里留有我的爸爸妈妈曾经走过的足迹。

   我在中国的每一天都是开心的，不只是“开心”，应该是用“激动”来形容。老师总告诉我们表达心情用词要准确！有亲人相聚的旅行永远是“激动”的。日子总是那么短暂，行程永远是满满的。

   记得上一次离开中国，送机的时候，外公说：“中国有太多要去的地方了，怕你太小跑不动，没敢给你多安排，明年大一点儿了，带你去更多的地方。” 外婆说：“你妈妈总把时间安排的那么紧，下次来多呆些日子。” 我点点头，忍住不哭，我要让他们记得我可爱的样子。

   我在美国的生活是快乐的，是忙碌的。快乐和忙碌会使我很快又回归到，在美国的日常生活中，而淡忘了那些思念，但是到某时，心里就会有一份割不断的亲情 ... 快了，暑假快要到了，我又要去中国了，我的箱子里依旧会装上厚厚的英语小说，我的日记里依然会用英语母语写下我的中国之旅。

   美国和中国对我而言已经成为一个家庭，我对国界的感觉越来越模糊，这就是我，一个在美国出生的，亚裔女孩的中国情结。

   今年暑假我又要去中国了。 噢，也许我也该说，我又要--回 中 国 了！

Pegasus 飞马

Over the clouds and over the sight, 

the Pegasus surrounded in the bricked wall 

bursting with energy, 

blown away the fear, 

showing the light with Pegasus wings, 

rainbow world galloping wind and freedom; 

let the magic happen on the tip of her wings 

flying 

         soaring 

                     wishing 

she would never land，

let her see the atmosphere 

where she can finally be free! 

Always，

flying

        soaring

                    wishing 

till the sky ends；

till the moonlight shines away...

And she'll never ever stop her freedom 

till she lands; 

hoping she would still be standing 

at the end of the rainbow，

show the sunlight to her; 

unleash the magic when she flies to me. 

--by Nina  Age 8   

12/31/2016

Pegasus Art Work Painted by Nina Zhan

在云层与视线之上，

飞马被拢在围墙内，

爆发能量，

熄灭恐惧，

光束于飞马的翅膀尖闪烁，

彩虹世界驰骋狂风和自由;

魔幻产生于她翅膀的尖端

飞行

         翱翔

                     希望

她永远不着陆，

让她看到云层

在那里她终于可以得到自由！

飞行

        翱翔

                    希望

直到天涯边际

直到月光照亮

她永远不会阻止对自由的向往

直到她降落

希望她傲然屹立

在彩虹的尽头，

向她展示阳光吧，

释放魔法，让她飞向我!

Princess Spring 春天的公主

小学三年级写，老师将其作为范文，在美国小学最高年级写作班上，讲解娇娇的诗。 

I am Princess Spring,

I make the day alive when 

everything seems dead from winter.

Rustling leaves are like tinkling bells,

my castle court ladies in waiting.

Robins sing in a chorus together,

sparkling tulips sprightly parawet along the breeze. 

Pink blossoms hover towards me 

draping me in a beautiful long glistening dress.

Petals flutter down on my head 

and I wear an tiara.

I quietly preside on a throne 

with the sky and trees bowing to me. 

My pleasure fills up,

I am princess spring.

This is how I am,

This is me.

--Nina Zhan  8 Yrs Old

我是春天的公主，

我让沉寂于冬季的

万物盎然生机。

生锈的树叶像叮当作响的铃声，

我的城堡侍女们在静候。

罗宾鸟在唱着合奏曲，

璀璨的郁金香顺着微风飘香而出。

粉红色的花团围绕在我的身上

拖成了一件美丽的 闪闪亮光的长裙。

花瓣飘散在我的头上

我戴着头饰。

静静地主持王位

天空和树木向我鞠躬。

我充满了愉悦，

我是春天的公主

这就是我，

这正是我。

Never Say You Are Alone

Never Say You Are Alone

I wander'd in the park

In vacant feeling.

Just like that solitude cloud floats high in the sky

That has no connection.

My best friend has gone to another city.

The laughter I can still hear that we left here;

The playing corner I can still see that we belonged to;

The warmness I can still feel that we were hand by hand.

I want to be wind to fly to your side;

Or be a cloud o'er the vales to watch you every day.

I wander'd in the park

In pensive mood,

So…

I opened the FACETIME,

I see you again!

You smile at me and I smile at you,

My heart filled with the bliss of jocund feeling.

You wrote

WE ARE ALWAYS TOGETHER!

I replied

NEVER SAY YOU ARE ALONE!

                                                                            --Nina Zhan / Age 8

Writing 写

Writing in a fancy chair

I wander like a breeze swept by

Streams of thoughts, soaring with eagles.

Sitting

            Listening

                            Peaceful

Like a cloud in the air

Feelings run down the hills, gazing at the beautiful sky

Glistening sun, soft wind

Sitting

            Listening

                            Peaceful

                                                         --Nina Zhan /Age 8

写 在那把精致的椅子上

我像微风一样飘荡

思维的畅想，与老鹰一起翱翔。

静坐

            静听

                        静寂

我像云朵一样漂浮

感受奔跑于山下，凝视美丽的天空

体味太阳的温暖，享受软风的轻柔

静坐

            静听

                       静寂

写 在那把精致的椅子上

Garden 花园

诗歌 “花园” 是娇娇7岁二年级在班里的自由写作课上，当堂完成的。

诗歌采用形状诗（Shape Poem）的形式， 将整体诗写成“花瓶”形状，描写-花园之美

老师称她为“Talented Writer”（天才作家）。该诗作为8岁诗（投稿年龄限8岁以上）发表在了美国少年诗歌专辑中。并在中国“一诗一信”上播出，听众收听点击率达百万。

The flowers scatters shadows over the sunlight,

Sparkle in a sprightly breeze;

That Shine like polished jewels.

Under the color of lavender skies,

The running shining river lingering streams;

With stones like glimmering gems.

Silver clouds far away like tall majestic mountains in sight,

The gleaming light cover the viridian color of the leaves;

Almost as the golden shimmering spiraling branches.

Chirping Gouldian Finch colored like the rainbow kites,

And butterflies dancing; prancing like fairies in glee;

The garden is an elegant silhouettes of spring,

The world filled with color and zest for life.

The glorious sight seems to stay with me;

In my eyes and in my heart!

--Nina Zhan 娇娇 / 7岁

花朵在阳光的照射下婆娑造影

随春风的微拂轻纱艳舞

那靓丽的颜色似抛光的珠宝般闪烁


在薰衣草天空的颜色下，

奔跑闪耀的河流蜿蜒流淌;

那水中的石头似玉一般熠熠闪光


远方银白色的云似雄伟的山脉峰恋叠嶂

闪亮的光束覆盖树叶草绿色的色彩

变换成闪闪发光的金色树枝


七彩文鸟似天空中彩虹样的风筝

蝴蝶犹如仙女般欢快的轻姿曼舞

花园是春天优雅的剪影


春的世界给生活充满了色彩和热情。

这绚丽的景象似乎与我同在;

留在我的眼中，记在我的心里！

My Drawing 我的画

My Drawing 

A gentle touch holds in my hand, 

The rustling leaves calm me.

A dove follows me with love and care.

The clouds smile and the breeze sings,

Feeling a kiss from a soft rosy flower.

                             -- Nian Zhan / Age 7

--Nina Zhan 娇娇 / 7岁写于作画后

轻柔的笔触执于我的手中

沙沙作响的树叶使我平静

一只鸽子带着爱与关怀跟随着我

风轻拂 云微笑 

从柔软的玫瑰花中感受到一个吻

   

The Stories in Forest 1 -- Three Forest Mice in Dangerous

*        *        *

SOMETHING WENT WRONG

  Once upon a time, in the Black Widdle Forest, where the loveliest flowers grew, and the greenest pine trees were ever seen.

  In this grand forest, there were three forest mice that lived in a tiny tiny cottage, Max and Angelina, they had the same hobby, they all love singing and dancing, only Max, he was a little bit lazy. And at that little cottage, everything was always fine. Except for one day, just one day, just one little thing went wrong!

  It was a lovely day, the birds were singing, the bees were buzzing and all the flowers were bloomed. There were surpluses of beautiful things to see! Jack peeked outside of the window and said, "What a nice day! Let’s go outside for a tea party!"  Angelina smiled and pulled out the list from the kitchen, "Hmmmm...Let me think.... We need tea cups, bowls and silverware. I will make the cake and boil the tea." said Angelina, while Max was still in bed, Angelina called "Jack, Max, I want you two to set up the table, put on the tablecloth, and make sure set the silverware.” Max yawned, "What a hot day! I will just rest, until you call me to eat." Max thought he would have to rely on Jack to do the work.

  Then Max heard Jack called, "Max, you can't always be lazy, if you act that way, you won't get any food, we are having a tea party. You need to work too."

  Quickly, Jack ran to Angelina and whispered something to her. Angelina pretended to say loudly, "Oh! I forgot to bake more cakes. Well, I think I will have to see who sets up the table faster, who will get the cake." Max heard the words and jumped out of the bed like flash of lightning. He grabbed the silverware from Jack and started to set up the table as fast as he possibly could. Angelina laughed, “Well, I guess you are a hard worker after all."

  Outside, they were sitting in rattan chairs. Max especially brought a rocking chair for himself.

  He laid in the rocking chair lazily, and biting the scrumptious cake. While Angelina went to the kitchen to get more cakes, Jack poured the tea to Max; he eagerly sipped the hot tea.

  "Ouch!”  Max said.

  "It's too hot!" He threw the tea on the grass.

   Angelina chuckled, "Watch out! Max, you are not that hungry. "

   "Oh, yeah, I am famished! I could eat this cake in one bite!"  Max replied. He took the biggest bite he could do! But he took a too big bite, so his mouth was too full to chew.

  While they were eating, Angelina shared some cakes to the birds. Jack said, “We should always be a team, in the future, if something happens, we need to work out together." said Jack.

   "Come on! Jack, nothing will happen in such peaceful forest." said Max.

  As he turned to get another piece of cake, he suddenly saw a giant orange cat. "Well-- Maybe something will happen!" said Max with shivering, as he took his arm back.

  Far away, they all saw a gargantuan cat was sleeping under the big tree soundly...

*        *        *

WHAT AN IDEA

   They got quite scared and scurried back to their cottage, thinking about how to get rid of the cat.

They thought and thought...suddenly! Jack popped out with an idea! What could it be? Now with joy, Jack was shaking his hands in the air as if possible. With a great voice as he could not wait, he shouted out!

  "This is my idea, we can pull a string through the forest, and the cat would trip over the line, and slow down, so we can run back home safely!"

  "Great idea!” replied Angelina in an admiring way.

  Jack continued, "So Max and I will find the material to make a rope."

 "Oh, Gosh!" said Max. Jack turned to Max and said "Remember, I told you, in the future, when difficult time comes, we need to work hard to overcome the problem." Max nodded, "But..."

  "Max, do you have a plan?” asked Angelina.

  "Why do we have to work? Let's stay home and not come out." said Max.

  Jack looked perplexed, "So you're saying we stay home forever?" Max got mumbly. 

  All of the mice agreed and hurried off to work, except Max. He followed Jack reluctantly. While the cat was asleep, Jack and Max went to different directions in the forest, to collect pieces of strings to make a rope.

  After they collected every single stitch of rope they could find, they started to make the rope. They were fixing, cutting, wrapping and stitching. They were working as hard as they can.

  "Every single stitch has to be perfect." said Angelina.  

  "The rope has to be exactly the length we want." said Jack.

  "Foey!" Max grumped.

   As the time, the rope was almost finished,  Angelina added a few more stitches to the rope to secure. By the time now, the rope was finally finished. "Yes!" said the three mice, as they jumped with joy!

  They headed down to the forest. They were ready to get to work, Jack and Max climbed up a tree to position the rope. Angelina was staying at the bottom of the tree.

   As Jack and Max lowered the rope, Angelina watched and giving instruction, "lower and lower..." until the rope was almost reached the ground. Angelina raised her hand, “Up a little bit...  Ok, perfect! “

  As the cat was still sleeping, Max remembered they had a toy rat. Max scurried back to their cottage, he came back with the toy rat. "Good job, Max." Angelina smiled at him. Max blushed with joy.

Up on the tree, Jack called, "We have one more job to do!”

*        *        *

STRATEGY WITH CAT

  As Jack climbed down the tree, he said, “We need to dig the hole, so the cat will trip over and fall into the hole.  Me and Max will dig a hole, Angelina," Jack turned to Angelina and continued," I want you to collect the hay in the forest to spread out the hay, so the cat wouldn't see the hole.", " Remember." He called out to Angelina and Max, "Before night, we will have to get this job finished.” Jack said sharply. "What! Do we have to! That will be a tremendous job!! " said Max with his mouth opened wide.

  Jack said," Because in the night, we must catch the cat, otherwise, we will be in danger." Since Max didn't want to see the  cat again, he slowly nodded to agree. Without asking, Angelina went straight to work.

 Jack and Max started to dig the hole. The time passed by, when it was nearly sunset, Max straightened up his back with his lips pouted to Jack, "Can we stop now? My hands are sore... my back is hurting...my head is dizzy...my eyes are tired...I've been digging with it all day." Jack glanced at him and kept shoveling, he replied," This size is good for us, but not good for cat. So we have to dig more."

  "O-K-" Max replied reluctantly.

  Before it was getting dark, Angelina came back with her basket full of hay, "This must be enough." Angelina thought. When the hole was almost finished, Jack helped Angelina put on the hay, while Max was wandering around chasing a butterfly.

  When it was close to midnight, everything was ready. They all climbed on the tree quietly, and observed the cat.

  "Now, any questions?" Jack whispered.

  "Wait!” Max shouted," I forgot my shovel on the ground... I was chasing butterfly...." So he climbed down the tree and tiptoed to get his shovel back. Jack and Angelina sighed.

"Any more questions?" Jack whispered again.

  "No--" this time, Angelina and Max said together.

  "Ok, let's do it. When I say NOW, throw the toy rat next to the cat." Jack whispered.

  By the time, the cat started to wake up. His sharp paws made long lines as he stretched his body.

  His green eyes like two light bulbs were glimmering in the dark forest. 

   "1-2-3 NOW!" Jack said in the low sharp voice.

  Angelina threw the toy rat into the forest, right next to the cat.

   "Finally--" said Max with a big relief. The cat chased the toy rat faster and faster. He was hungry; he was ready to hunt; he was concentrated, and so he didn't see the rope and…TRIP! The cat fell into the hole!

  "Hoary!" said the mice as they did Hi-Fives. The cat tumbled and rolled into the hole in a hilarious way. That made the mice laughing and giggling so hard, they couldn’t even stop...

  From now on, as you can see, when cats run, they would always put their heads so close to the ground, because they want to make sure that three mice didn't put any rope near the ground to be tipped over again!