I am afraid that in this essay my talking about certain changes through years on my mind looks like nonsense. The process this essays talks about took years and I am afraid that I may fail to illustrate my understanding of this certain culture. So please help me! Please tell me how you like it! I would truly appreciate it if comments fly in-ddl is coming!!! Especially, according to the word limit, I have to cut down some words. Could you please tell me which part is superfluous?
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Using the quotation below as a starting point, reflect on the role that culture plays in your life. "Culture is what presents us with the kinds of valuable things that can fill a life. And insofar as we can recognize the value in those things and make them part of our lives, our lives are meaningful." - Gideon Rosen, Stuart Professor of Philosophy, chair of the Council of the Humanities and director of the Program in Humanistic Studies, Princeton University.(500w)
'Spring Festival Gala inaugurates!'
Every last day of a Lunar year hears these four words. The eve of Spring Festival, the most important Chinese festival for more than 4000 years, has always been a time for the whole family to have a huge banquet and go together into the coming New Year. Since last century, a younger tradition has grown into every family-watch the Spring Festival Gala on TV.
In the first thirds of my 17 years, I was excited to hear them. Being the focus of my long-time-no-see whole family and watching nationally famous stars, world-class acrobatics and sincere wishes across the country, I felt the gala was a magic show of miracles and hopes that mysteriously glued my eyes into fantastic enjoyment.
As time went on, the show gradually bored me. Stereotypically performance of singing, dancing, and joking, I felt sad that I couldn't find any novelty in it attracting me. And I couldn't understand why adults would rather travel all the way here together to simply chat rather than take me out for some adventure.
Now I have entered the third phase. I have gotten used to this annual gathering for anything but the show. No calls, no visits, no messages, even the holiday fireworks quiet down at the moment of these four words spoken out. As usual, the whole family of 8, my grandparents, parents, uncle, aunt, cousin and I, crowds on the couch in front of the TV, eating snacks, talking about our lives, or playing Mahjong, as if it is simply a normal everyday evening, as if we could stay together like this all the time, despite the fact that uncle and cousin will go back to Shanghai within days. We simply sit there, being part of our conversation, watching the similar annual show and unnoticeably embracing the New lunar Year.
After 17 years of watching the show, and as the 18th show of my life coming, I realize that this is the magic of this spring festival gala. The Gala stands as a witness, seeing every change of us, between as through years. It ties up the family, collecting every part of a unity from even across the ocean, to this irrelevant show. No other show can really make it as this one.
I guess this is the magic of Spring Festival. A traditional festival like this never means to bring superior joy and excitement in childhood, nor the dislike and boredom in early teenage year, but a soothing calmness and warmness. This process, this transition, may be the soul of Chinese culture. This kind of habitual gathering grows upon our hearts in years, becoming an irreplaceable part of our growth, an unforgettable part of being a Chinese. Our gradually acquired simple feeling of being together is exactly what Chinese culture has been searching for-root. In years, we bond tighter and tighter, from at first main focus on personal joy, to notice of surrounding, to become part of it, thanks to this special show of the year. Gradually, the word 'home' roots into our hearts, our lives. I believe, no matter where I will be in the future, no matter where my family members will be in the future, we will all stick ourselves to the show on the eve of our Lunar New Year, just like we do now. However far away, I am certain that each of us will feel a stream of strength and company around us. Home, since, has been in the very place of heart.
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Thank you very much!
