Lan YuXiang (兰玉香) is 1.5 years older than me. We spent 3 years in junior high almost doing everything together, with another girl XiaoYing. We were peas in the same pod. :-) Obvious I knew little about people or the world around me, or even myself; because the hours we talked yesterday only showed how different we are. She is gracious, energetic, sociable, considerate and interested in light and enjoyable things. I am simple, nice, silent, often submerging into my own thoughts and interested in "big" "heavy" topics. She doesn't remember much of the things she has said and I had hold on all these years. And I don't quite recall the things that I've said and she has cherished in her heart. She didn't change much and I guess I didn't either. I wonder how on the earth we were so close!Well put the differences away, a bond is a bond, once had and will always have. I am so excited that I get to see her again and I am so glad to know that she is doing quite well. YuXiang works in the police department of the HaiDian District where we lived and are living in right now. She has told me stories about this city and this country. Being in Beijing, she got the chance to deal with some officials of the country, and witnessed a pure promising student being corrupted by power and the money it brings. "After all money is the enemy of no one", she quoted and that summarized the fall of the head exec of the HaiDian District. She has also seen people living at the bottom of the society and things that are simply indescribable. She has seen one person covered with shabby filthy cloth right out of the jail in the morning and the same person shone in fancy suit and glowing jewelries in the afternoon. Men do see the outside of a person and pay their respects based on that.
My friend, YuXiang is beautiful, inside and outside. I am sure she could marry anyone she wanted. She has chosen a life of wealth, an email address of 'liebe' and is happy about it. She has a lovely 9-year old. The girl, ZiYing Li, has her mom's eyes and smile...
I am sure more reunions will come up soon. And I will get to meet more friends of my teen years and bring out more stories from the dusty attic of my mind. This morning, a scripture fell into my readings:
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor scurrility, which are not convenient, but rather giving of thanks.” And, “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord; walk honestly as children of the light, not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in anger and jealousy. And such were some of you; but ye have been washed, but ye have been sanctified in the name of our Lord.”
That is the answer of my prayer and guidance in my confusion.
3 comments:
To me, you are the most beautiful, inside and out.
Have you sent out an email announcing your blogspot? I find it hard to believe that I am the only one reading and responding to your site. I read about it on Ann's blogspot. I will ask Margaret to let Mom view your writings on her computer. I am sure she would love to read about your adventures.
I love your use of metaphors, it's cute coming from someone for whom English is a second language.You write better than many Americans.
Keep me posted...
Franca XOXOXO
Hi Franca,
blogspot is blocked in China. :-(
Besides that I am just starting...
It is so fun to write down the different experiences here. However, I am not always having the inspirations to write. :-)
I am glad that you like my posts so far. So come back often to read about our stories.
Love,
--Linda
Hi Lanqing,
Wow, how are you able to write if it is blocked in China? Well, if you can, we started a blog too, www.brownells.blogspot.com. Not as creative or interesting a name as yours, but easily remembered I guess. Keep blogging!
Love,
Amy
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