I have lived in China for eleven years, with some brief breaks to go to back to New Zealand for family weddings. I now wish I had kept a detailed dairy of my time in China. I did not intend to remain here so long. I am still in China. My dream in China is yet to be completed. It is to go into a country area of Jiangxi and set up an early childhood school there. I know the exact place I want to go to, but it will take time to develop.
It all began on the Oct 17, 2002, I remember it all very clearly. I arrived at Beijing Airport to be met by a Chinese student from Nanchang. This was my first experience of Chinese friendliness and hospitality. We spent the evening together walking around Tianamen Square.
The next day I was taken by her to the Beijing Railway Station to board the train to Nanchang, I was on my own, and only had had 24 hours in China on that journey of 22 hours on the “K” train. I was cared for by an elderly Chinese couple, neither of us spoke each other language, but to got to know each other very well.
The following eleven years have been a replica of this experience, Chinese police have also been very helpful and considerate, I got lost in Shenzen one time and they gave me a ride in their car to where I was to go to. Another time I did not let them know I had changed my place of residence during Spring Festival. They waived the fine for me. I have made friends and been given their kindness in Nanchang, Shanghai,Tianjin, Guangzhou and otherplaces as well. I taught English in these cities.
I am now in my China “hometown” Nanchang voluntarily, helping my Chinese friend in this Traning School and others who seek my help.
I have lived for a number of years with a Chinese family, that’s the best way to really get to know the people.
Other experiences of Chinese kindness are from ten years old girl who gave me her only possession, an English/Chinese dictionary as gift. A father of one of my students while visiting her family in Ganzhou gave me a limited edition of Chinese currency, worth 2900rmb, inappreciation for helping his daughter. The value of the present is not important to me. It’s the thought that counts.
Going back to New Zealand to be with my family is not easy, even though some of them have been to Nanchang to visit me. They have a clouded view of China. They don’t really understand the size and immensity of China and its people.
I have taught about 4500 students during my time in China. They are basically hard workinga nd show me respect as their teacher and friend. I have enjoyed many wonderful occasions with them. Having class on Quingsang Lake in Nanchang in a boat. Going to the riverside near Juijiang and cooking sweet potatoes Hangi style on the riverbank. Being taken to West Lakefor Spring festival. These are but a few of happy times I have had.
One question that remains in my mind is this.
Does China have a future in its younger generations?
When I go to class and look around the students, some are very good entrepreneurs, others just content to do their best for their future. They are all individuals. One young female student in Tianjin was running her own Language School in Beijing while attending University.
The answer to my question is.Yes, China does have a future in its younger generation. I wish them all every success in their future endeavors in making China a stronger and better nation.
我在中国已住了11年，除了回新西兰做短暂的停 留，参加几场家庭婚礼外，我一直待在这个国家。我希望我能用日记详细地记下这段中国时光。我没想过要在这儿待这么久，但我现在仍然住在中国。我在这里的梦 想还没有完成：我要去江西的乡村地区并在那儿创立幼儿教育学校。我清楚我想要去的地方，但一切都要慢慢来。
故事开始于2002年10月17日。当时的一切仍然历历在目。我抵达北京机场时，遇到了一名来自南昌的中国学生。从她那儿我第一次体验到中国人的友好和热情。我们晚上一起围着天安门广场散步。
第二天她带着我我来到北京火车站，帮我搭上了去往南昌的列车。当我独自一人坐上那辆22小时旅程的“K”字快车时，我的中国之旅才满24小时。在车上一对老夫妻俩很照顾我，虽然我们都不懂对方的语言，但彼此很默契。
在种种这般愉快温馨的体验中，十一年过去了。中 国的警察也一直很热情，很贴心。有一次我在深圳迷了路，他们载着我去目的地。还有一次，在春节时我没有告知他们我已经搬了家，他们免除了我的罚款。我在南 昌，上海，广州以及其他地方都交过朋友，都受到他们的热情对待。我也在那些城市教过英语。
我现在在我的中国“家乡”南昌，义务帮助我的中国朋友在这所培训学校工作，以及其他需要帮助的朋友。
我和一户中国家庭一起住了很多年了，这也是深入了解这一方地理人情的最好方式。
其他有关中国热情友好的印象来自于一位10岁的 姑娘把她唯一的财产——一本英汉字典作为礼物送给了我。我去赣州一位学生的家里拜访时，她的父亲给了我一套限量版的中国货币，价值2900元人民币，感激 我对他女儿的帮助。这份礼物价值如何不重要，这位父亲的心意才是最珍贵的。
回新西兰和家人团聚不是件易事，甚至他们也到南昌来看过我。家人对中国的印象很模糊。他们没能真正理解中国的地域广阔、人口密集。
我在中国呆的这些年共教了差不多4500名学生。他们大都很勤奋并且把我敬为他们的良师益友。我们一起游览了青山丽水。在南昌青山湖的船上上课，在九江湖畔游玩，在河床烤红薯，还被带去西湖过春节。这只是我快乐时光的一些片段，还有很多这样的美好记忆。
我脑海中遗留的一个问题是：
中国的未来能否寄托于这年轻的一代？
当我去上课时，环顾坐在下面的学生，在我看来，他们有的是非常优秀的企业家，其他的学生都一心一意地尽自己最大的努力为未来奋斗。他们每一个都是那样独特。一个天津姑娘在大学期间，在北京开办她自己的语言学校。
我对这个问题的答案是肯定的，是的，中国的希望就寄托在这样年轻的一代。我祝愿他们所有人都能前途似锦，努力创造一个更强更好的中国。