Xiaomin Mei
ESL 100
September 30, 2023
Acquiring and Losing
I always wanted to come to Chicago, and I often said that I would have a new life. I said that I will speak English well, learn about a new culture, and live better in Chicago. However, before I came to Chicago, I did not realize that I would lose some important culture, which has been a part of my life. For instance, some correct Mandarin language expressions and the ceremony of celebrating many Chinese festivals will be lost. As a result, I have two lives in Chicago now, one is the old life I gradually gave up, and the other one is my new life where I have gained a language and customs.
Only by giving up the old life can people fit in the new life. This is what I think, and my experience proves that this is the truth. As soon as I stepped into the Chicago airport, I really realized that the importance of speaking clearly in English. However, my English was not good because I never spoke English in China, and I always spoke Mandarin which is completely different from English. I realized that I would have to speak more English than Mandarin. To practice my English, I have start to speak English to myself and my friends. Even though my friends speak Mandarin in China, I also send them messages in English. However, I do not like this uncomfortable and hard life. Now, I have been here for almost two years, and I am gradually adapting speaking English into my life in Chicago. For instance, I am afraid to ask people when I get lost in Chicago, and I am confident to speak English with the locals. On the other hand, I have given up some culture from China to fit into Chicago. I used to set off fireworks late at night with my parents and neighbors to celebrate the Spring Festival in China. In contrast, now I watch the video of setting off fireworks to celebrate it. Because my neighbors need to sleep, and I am afraid to disturb them. I sometimes feel regret and sad that I have given up this part of culture. During these past two years, I have also lost a bit of my mandarin, and some culture I have gradually forgotten.
When something old is lost, something new will come. Even though I have gradually lost the culture from China, I have gained some useful things into my new life. The fast-food culture in Chicago makes me have more time to do some important things. When I need to have lunch or dinner, I prefer to go to fast food restaurants because I can get some fried chicken or hamburgers in a few minutes. It usually takes ten minutes, so I do not waste a lot of time having lunch or dinner. I can use more time to finish my homework and some other tasks. In addition, another thing I have gained is being an independent person. In Chicago, every person reminds me that I should be an independent person in this city. I notice that many young people do not rely on their parents, and they do part time jobs to prepare for the future and finish many things on their own. Since I think that I should be as dependent as they are, I started to look for a part time job here, and have used the money I earn to buy things I need. I have not asked my parents for money since I came to Chicago, and I think I can live alone well because I have become an independent person in this city. Acquiring these new things is my fortune since I came here.
Losing parts of my first language and fireworks to celebrate the Spring Festival means the loss of part of my old life. Speaking English well, becoming an independent person, and having more free time have filled with my new life. My excitement and sadness mingle together in these two lives. I am excited because I have gained some new things I never experienced, and I am upset because I have lost some important culture. I am afraid that I will lose a part of my old life completely, so I wish that I can get the new things and keep the culture from the old life in the meantime.
The part of your essay when you mentioned the new way to celebrate the spring festival in Chicago reminds me my own experience celebrating the New Year far away home. I remember feeling loneliness because I couldn't share this vibe with my family as I did before. In addition, I would like to ask a question about your essay, you said "Only by giving up the old life can people fit in the new life". Why do you believe in this statement? In my opinion, immigrants have to hold a custom from their previous lifestyles to pass it to the next generations that will born in the US.
ReplyDeleteHi, Xiaomin. You said you lost the ceremony of celebrating many Chinese festivals. I think many people who came from China they did, and you really try your best to learn English. Do you feel comfortable living in the United States now? I also forgot many customs which from China. For example, there is a complex ceremony to celebrate Chinese New Year, but I make it very simple, such as a big supper.
ReplyDeleteHi, Xiaomin. I like the way that you mentioned When something old is lost, something new will come. Actually, after moving to Chicago, new environments, new festvals and new cultures are coming to people who immigranted here. I often get lost in China, compared to United State, I think people can really become an independent peoson.
ReplyDeleteHi, Xiaomin. It's going to be Chinese New Year soon and I want to celebrate it with my family like I used to.
ReplyDeleteXiaomin, I think the more you practice, the more you can improve in something. I think you did a good thing by starting speaking in English with friends and to yourself. When I was young I did something similar, I used to force myself to think in English because I didn't have someone to practice with.
ReplyDelete