Such A Commemorative Event!

I still remember in the summer of 2008, I was sitting on the couch in my uncle's house watching the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. It was remarkable. Two years later, Vancouver is about to greet with the same event. However, it is a completely different feeling from the Beijing Olympics. Compare to the Beijing Olympics, the Vancouver Winter Olympics is less magnificent, but more realistic. Therefore, it is worthy to be called a COMMEMORATIVE event.

Standing at the top of the mountain with snow all year long, athletes can feel the shiny purity reflecting back through their eyes. The exciting atmosphere is glutted among all Canadians. The Olympic Villages are built, the O Zone is constructed, and all the equipments are prepared and ready. Flags and cheers are overwhelmed throughout Great Vancouver. It is COMMENORATIVE.

What a pride moment! What a exciting event! The strong sense of nationalism can be seen from every Canadian's emotions. Driving on the road, the Canadian flags are hanging behind the windows, on the doors, and upon the roofs. People will always remember that the most capable athletes from all around the world once came to Vancouver for this commemorative event.

Lying on my couch, I was watching the opening ceremony of the second Olympic Game located in my backyard. Beijing is the first one, which is in my home country. Moreover, Vancouver is the second one, where I am recently in residence. I watched the delegate groups of each country walked in one by one, cheering, smiling, and waving their flags. Beside them, the Native dancers were using body languages to express their pride, excitement and happiness. Our governor general Michaelle Jean, was smiling and nodding to each delegation, delivering her best wishes to each participating county. All Canadian feel honourable and enthusiastic. This event will be preserved in our memory and kept in the history of Canada forever.

The Emerge of "Another Kind of English"

During the era where we communicate with normal English, slangs and text abbreviations begin to emerge. However, this kind of "English" should not appear upon formal documents in order to avoid misunderstanding. Slangs and text abbreviations can only be used during conversations or in a quick chat with friends. The reason for this is that not all people in the English society can understand the use of these kinds of abbreviations, for example, myself. Probably this is because that I am not as "fashionable". However, is it fair to make people who are not as "fashionable" half literature blinded from now on or in the future? I can understand that the use of text abbreviations creates a more fast-paced and efficient way of communication, but this kind of communication is can only be confined to a small part of our community. On the other hand, part of our country can use computer language and text abbreviations different from one another. What if we do not understand their own abbreviations? In that way, we cannot communicate with people living far from us, or at least not as clearly as when we are using regular English language. Furthermore, if computer language or text abbreviations appear on the government documents, we will fall into a very unpleasant plight if the interpreter or the politicians misinterpret the meaning behind the paper. Once the use of text abbreviations and computer language take over regular English, conditions will fall out of our control. Therefore, we certainly need to limit the use of text abbreviations and computer language to conversations and informal usages only to avoid misunderstanding and any serious consequences in the future.

Personal Narrative

Maturity

The seventh day of June in 2002 marked my eighth birthday since I was born. Sitting in the classroom, neither the teacher's voice  nor the texts on the book could entre my brain. I t was filled with imagination about my birthday gift from my parents. My parents remembered this special day every year. Regardless of what the gift was, I knew it was a surprise. However, what I did not expect was that it was one of the few experiences which marked the beginning of my maturity.

The sound of bell announce the end of the school day. Through the windows, my eyes could easily reach to  a shiny black car parking outside the front door. I t was my dad, sitting in his driving seat, talking with my mom, who was sitting beside him. They were never late to pick me up since I started school. I quickly threw all the items on the desk into my little bag, then rushed through the front door into my mom's hug. "Take care of your seat belt, my darling," said my mom as she closed the door behind me. As I asked them about my birthday present with true excitement, they smiled without a word. I was overwhelmed with curiosity.

"What is the sound coming from my room?" I asked as I step into the house. I heard a strange voice that was likely produced by some kind of animal. "Go see it yourself," my mom replied with a blink. I walked into my room and saw a wooden cage placed on my shelf. Inside, an active organism with colourful feathers and a pair of wings that were moving at a fast pace was flying round. As if she heard the sound of the door, her pure black eyes were gazing at the stranger who was walking towards her. I was staring at her as well because I did not expect such a wonderful present.

Day after day, I tried to build friendship between me and the little bird. I gave the name "Golden flower" to her. Every time she flew, the golden feathers at the tip of her wings looks like a flower dancing in the air. I felt that she was not my pet, she was my friend. Every time I ate, I was considering her dinner. Every time I drank, I wanted to know if she was thirsty. I spent all of my leisure time with her. However, as happiness filled throughout me, an emotion called loneliness expressed in her eyes.

I began to consider, would I be happy if I was separated from my family? No, I would not. At night, lying on my bed, the dim light from my lamp projected my short shadow onto the wall. I looked at the little bird, she was standing quietly inside the cage with her head buried underneath her beautiful feathers. My mom brought her to me for my entertainment. Now I was responsible to her, what should I do? I finally made my decision.

I stood up slowly from my bed and walked towards her. Again, she was staring at me when she heard my footsteps. Her eyes were as shiny as marbles. Her feathers were as smooth as silk. Slowly, I opened the window and took the cage close. My hand trembled when I pulled the door up and announced her freedom. I watched her walked slowly close the door and flew into the sky. Her wings stretched like rainbow and travelled throuht the sky like a comet.

I looked at her direction as moisture formed in my eyes. I did not say a word, but could hear my heart bumping inside my chest. The sour feeling in my nose told myself about my depression. However, I did not regret this because I had made the right decision. No one wants to be separated from the ones they loved. Freedom must be delivered to everyone with no exceptions. I wished to help and give opportunities to the ones who lost the right that they originally reserved.