I don't know what's holding me behind from starting the new chapter of this interesting book, which I've waited almost one year to start reading. It's not like this before, every time I'm into a series, I can't wait for the next chapter to start, but it’s different this time; and it's not the first time I had this feeling. It's been more than a year I came to China, to Harbin Engineering University (HEU);
alone, pursuing higher education far away from home. I had a mixed feeling when I was in the Tribhuvan International Airport, waiting for my flight announcement. I was happy, as I was going to visit a new place, new city, new country; I was sad that I'm leaving my family, friends, home, country and everything that defines me as me since I stepped into this world; I was scared, I was alone, going to a country where they don't even speak my language. The people I see every day won't be around, the earth below me won't be the same. I was thinking, I was looking at the gate of departure and I had the feeling, that I will come back, and when I do, I won't be the same me as I am now.
My story isn't different than all those living far away from their home, all those living in the Foreign Experts and Student’s Apartment of HEU. The first step in the flight, the first sip of water, first bite of flight food and many more knock your brain that you’re not home anymore, you won’t be home for a while; and many such first things comes in your life in quick order for few months. And, after few months, everything seems normal again. The ugly feeling when you first tasted the meat cooked differently seems tasty now, the oily feeling of water tastes normal, sleeping hours adjusted, so as the working hours. The sun looks as bright as you used to see every day and the moon is full again every month; indeed they are the things that looks same wherever you go. And there is Internet, which makes you feel that you’re never away from your family and friends.
The first few months I spent most of my time learning the new environment and adjusting myself into it. I arrived here in late autumn and I’d no idea about the winter in Harbin by then. I used to love winter in my country, but here it is cruelty to humankind. That was the longest winter of my life; I spent thinking how people can survive in such harsh situation! Winter is back in menu again this year, and I’m little experienced now, learning a lot from last year. Spring here is beautiful; can’t say if it’s because of natural beauty of the spring itself or because of my tired eyes seeing white snow. Monsoon, summer and autumn are like the voyagers, staying for a while. You’ll never know when Monsoon started and when you realize, it’s already gone. And winter is here again.
I still remember how I used to feel empty inside, when I wake up those early mornings and find myself not in my room, the same room I wake up every day. Even the same white color of the ceiling looks different. I can’t see mountains anymore when I look out of the windows, I can’t see birds searching for food around the neighbor, I can’t find a newspaper while having the morning tea, in fact the tea isn’t same as I used to have for my entire life. When I walk out, I can’t see any familiar faces, I can’t hear any familiar voices; all I see is totally new people talking in the language that I don’t understand. It’s been more than a year now; and all those memories of the first few months here in Harbin seem funny as I remember now. People around me are not my family but I don’t miss my family as much as I used to miss then; friends are more like brothers, teachers are more like parents. I’m happy again, laughing again. The dormitory seems to be home now; like someone said “Home is where you belong”.
I wanted to run to the top of the mountain and shout till I have the last breath. I wanted to fly like a bird. Moreover, I want to be back home. No matter how expensive dress you wear, the warmness is always missing; no matter how many stars the restaurants have, you can’t find your mother’s special recipe in the menu. No matter how hard you work for your report compares nothing to that with your father’s hard-working. You can find a new best friend here, but your brother and sister will always be on top of that list. No matter how hard we laugh, we still miss home. But, as long as you are here, home is here, home is where you belong.
alone, pursuing higher education far away from home. I had a mixed feeling when I was in the Tribhuvan International Airport, waiting for my flight announcement. I was happy, as I was going to visit a new place, new city, new country; I was sad that I'm leaving my family, friends, home, country and everything that defines me as me since I stepped into this world; I was scared, I was alone, going to a country where they don't even speak my language. The people I see every day won't be around, the earth below me won't be the same. I was thinking, I was looking at the gate of departure and I had the feeling, that I will come back, and when I do, I won't be the same me as I am now.
My story isn't different than all those living far away from their home, all those living in the Foreign Experts and Student’s Apartment of HEU. The first step in the flight, the first sip of water, first bite of flight food and many more knock your brain that you’re not home anymore, you won’t be home for a while; and many such first things comes in your life in quick order for few months. And, after few months, everything seems normal again. The ugly feeling when you first tasted the meat cooked differently seems tasty now, the oily feeling of water tastes normal, sleeping hours adjusted, so as the working hours. The sun looks as bright as you used to see every day and the moon is full again every month; indeed they are the things that looks same wherever you go. And there is Internet, which makes you feel that you’re never away from your family and friends.
The first few months I spent most of my time learning the new environment and adjusting myself into it. I arrived here in late autumn and I’d no idea about the winter in Harbin by then. I used to love winter in my country, but here it is cruelty to humankind. That was the longest winter of my life; I spent thinking how people can survive in such harsh situation! Winter is back in menu again this year, and I’m little experienced now, learning a lot from last year. Spring here is beautiful; can’t say if it’s because of natural beauty of the spring itself or because of my tired eyes seeing white snow. Monsoon, summer and autumn are like the voyagers, staying for a while. You’ll never know when Monsoon started and when you realize, it’s already gone. And winter is here again.
I still remember how I used to feel empty inside, when I wake up those early mornings and find myself not in my room, the same room I wake up every day. Even the same white color of the ceiling looks different. I can’t see mountains anymore when I look out of the windows, I can’t see birds searching for food around the neighbor, I can’t find a newspaper while having the morning tea, in fact the tea isn’t same as I used to have for my entire life. When I walk out, I can’t see any familiar faces, I can’t hear any familiar voices; all I see is totally new people talking in the language that I don’t understand. It’s been more than a year now; and all those memories of the first few months here in Harbin seem funny as I remember now. People around me are not my family but I don’t miss my family as much as I used to miss then; friends are more like brothers, teachers are more like parents. I’m happy again, laughing again. The dormitory seems to be home now; like someone said “Home is where you belong”.
I wanted to run to the top of the mountain and shout till I have the last breath. I wanted to fly like a bird. Moreover, I want to be back home. No matter how expensive dress you wear, the warmness is always missing; no matter how many stars the restaurants have, you can’t find your mother’s special recipe in the menu. No matter how hard you work for your report compares nothing to that with your father’s hard-working. You can find a new best friend here, but your brother and sister will always be on top of that list. No matter how hard we laugh, we still miss home. But, as long as you are here, home is here, home is where you belong.
No comments:
Post a Comment