CHINA

Greetings from

China’s SonDa Chen

My name is Da Chen, and I lived with my family during the Cultural Revolution in China. My family was treated badly by the government because they were landowners before Chairman Mao. Even though everything seemed against me, I managed to make a bright future for myself by studying hard and going to college.

John DoeEnglish Class 7-I28 August 2006

(Title Card)

Dear John, I am glad that I have a new friend in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I live in an old house with my family in the small country village of Yellow Stone in China. Our backyard is on the bank of the Dong Jing River near the Ching Mountain. Most of the villagers earn a living by farming the rice paddies that surround our village. Living in America, you cannot imagine what life in China has been like during the Cultural Revolution. For 11 years, people who wanted education and culture were treated badly, and only the members of the Communist party had good lives. Last year in 1977, when Chairman Mao died, poor students like me were allowed to take the college entrance exams. I am studying to take the English exam so that I can go to the Beijing First Language Institute. I will let you know how I do.

Your friend,

Da

P.S. I’m sending you some pictures of the land around my village.

(Culture)

Dear Joe,

I hope things are going okay for you. I’m still studying for the exams and writing to you gives me a chance to practice English. My brother, Jin, is also studying with me. I think he’s going crazy! My family has always been important to me. My grandfather was an educated man who taught me how to do calligraphy. If he were still alive, he would be very proud to know how hard I am working to go to college. My parents have had a hard life. My father was sent away to a work camp. He learned how to do acupuncture, and now people come to him to be healed. My mother works to keep the family together. Even though religion is illegal here in China, she still prays to Buddha every day, but she keeps it secret. I know that she’s praying that I will pass the college exams. Tell me about your family when you write back.

Your friend,

Da

(Important people)

Dear John, I made it!!!!!! I only needed to get a score of 300 to get in, and do you know what I made? 380! I got a letter from the Beijing First Language Institute inviting me to be in the English program. Jin got a score of 350, so he will be attending the college closest to our village. Sen, Mo Gong, Siang, and Yi, my old buddies, came by to celebrate with me. In a few days, I will ride a bicycle to Putien where I can catch a bus to Beijing. My father, Jin, and my sisters are going to Putien to see me off. I’ve never ridden on a bus before. I feel like I’m about to start a great adventure, even though I’m sad to leave my family. Maybe some day I can come to the United States to see you, or you could come to China.

Your friend,

Da

(Important Event)

Merry Christmas, John,

Hey, guess what? I am going to stop by Chattanooga, but only for a short time. It has been so long since my last letter that I’ve got a lot to tell you. After I graduated from Beijing, I decided to go to Columbia University in New York City to become a lawyer. I thought I would come to Chattanooga after the fall semester and spend a few days with you before classes start back in January.

Your friend,

Da

P.S. Remember that I told you that my grandfather taught me how to do calligraphy? You’ve been such a good friend that I am sending you the Chinese symbol for “friend.” I hope you like it.

(Update)

•Microsoft Office clip art collection

•www.liswa.wa.gov.au/.../photos/000915d.jpg

•www.columbia.edu

•http://dasnr5.dasnr.okstate.edu/international/studyabroad/China/Rice_Paddy.jpg

•www.tylersterritory.com/.../country-02d-1123.jpg

•http://www.kiku.com/electric_samurai/virtual_china/image/beijing_30.jpg

•http://www.chinese-symbols.com/c-chinese-symbol-for-china

•http://www.chinese-symbols.com/f-chinese-symbol-for-friend

•http://www.chinese-symbols.com/s-chinese-symbol-for-son

Sources

China’s SonDa Chen