A Wonderful Memory

Time flies, I have stayed in America for nine months.

I really appreciate these three volunteer teachers, Vivienne, Mary, and Gary, teaching in ISSS. They improve and enhance my English. Then I learnt how to bake the cakes from my friend recently. I felt so delightful and excited. Now, I can bake the birthday cakes by myself for my lovely family in the future. What a wonderful world！

I gained a lot of novel and splendid memories and impressions for months. I had the most profound one that I host the Chinese New Year Celebration of CAACI（The Chinese America Association Central Illinois）this year. I and my two daughters attended the traditional Qi-Pao show at first. But the staff of CAACI knew I had the experiences about being an MC in Taiwan. She invited me to do a favor for the party. Her behavior confused me. I decided to accept the funny challenge finally. In my view, maybe it will be a wonderful time in my whole life. Leave no stone unturned.

Everyone must be very curious and anxious about my English. Do not worry about it. I spoke Chinese. My major is Chinese literature. Another MC was responsible with speaking English. We teamed up to compere the celebration. I had better understand what he said. He had lived here nearly twenty years. To understand completely was so difficult for me. But I was convinced I had to make the greatest effort.

The chairman and the staff of CAACI as well as we two MCs discussed the contents of the program two days before the party. Suddenly another MC said he had watched our cheer dance in the Urbana free library. He felt that performance was so lively and passionate. Then the chairman asked me if we could perform again in the celebration. I was very astounded when I heard the question. The lists of the program were printed already. She held that our show was a surprise for the guests who did not know this performance .To be an MC caused much stress to me. I told her I wanted to consider cautiously and ask my two daughters’ opinion. I deliberated for a long time. My daughters said they agree to dance. So we added the cheer dance at last.

Our New Year celebration was on February 13, 2010 in Illini Union of UIUC. There were more than three hundred guests coming to the party. Probably one hundred of them were Americans. I supposed that Chinese culture rejoiced them. There were a few famous persons sitting in my next table, such as the senator of the Illinois state .They told me he was a good friend of president Barrack Obama. He was so tall as well as handsome. He could speak Chinese a little because he ever came to Taiwan to learn Chinese. I continued to remember my draft. So I could not speak to him and took a picture with him. That was really a shame. He made greetings to the guests on the stage later. He spoke in Chinese. He said his Chinese was not good. I replied to him that you already do the best job, your Chinese level was better than my English level. That is very funny.

There were many interesting and fabulous performances in the party, including the Lion Dance, Wu-Shu, Chinese Folk Songs and Dance, Traditional Qi-Pao Show, Tai-Chi sword, Gu-Zheng and so on. In my view, one of them was the most especial show was that America children put on Chinese traditional dresses and sang the Chinese songs. Then they introduced Chinese words and made a talk show in Chinese. That was a fascinating show, to my mind. In addition, this year is year of the tiger. So we found the biggest tiger as well as the smallest tiger at the scene. We gave them the gifts. The staff prepared many red envelopes to give to the children under 12 years old. Looked at their sweet smiles, it was extremely lovely.

My daughters and I brought sprightly cheer dance, they could rolled forward and backward, I was proud of them, people enjoyed very mush. Lots of guests told us they had a pleasant and unforgettable night after the celebration. Many people praised me that I was Professional and natural, I could control the atmosphere of the party. I really thanks for their encouragement and praise. Urbana is a warm and human town. I will remember you forever.