Clock Guardian of the Bund

                                                               The Bund is located in a golden area in Shanghai, China. It is the most famous place in Shanghai. Each year there are many people from other countries or other cities who come to Shanghai to work, study and travel. The architectural style in the Bund is similar to that in Europe because most buildings were built by foreigners. Huangpu River separates the Bund from Pudong, which has many modern buildings. Therefore, staying in this area, people seem to experience two different eras.

       I remember my grandmother walked along the Bund with me hand in hand and told me her story. I remember my father told me he learned how to swim in the Huangpu River. I remember my mother told me her grandfather left from here to Taiwan when she was young. I remember there were fancy firewoks and amazing performances in the Bund when Hong Kong and Macao returned to China. I remember from my apartment I could see the Oriental Pearl Tower, which is a symbol of Shanghai. I remember every morning I heard the toll from the big clock in the Bund. The clock is similar to Big Ben in London. I also remember I sat beside Huangpu River and pretended to see further places, but actually I saw nothing when I needed a place to think of some things. I remember countless things of my hometown.

       I am looking at many children playing games in Huangpu Park, which is located in the Bund. I am looking at students who are vistiting historical buildings there and they are taking notes carefully. I am looking at a man who is proposing to his girlfriend with a bunch of roses, which will be the best memory in their life. I am looking at a young couple who are taking pictures with their new born baby. I am looking at a middle-aged woman who just finished her hectic job. I am looking at an old man with white hair sitting beside Huangpu River and drawing the landscape of sunset.

       I know the history of the Bund, which witnessed China's revolutions. I know the Bund used to be a disgrace for China, but now it is the pride of China. Several decades ago, the Bund was controlled by colonists. Only foreigners and rich or powerful Chinese could go into the Bund, but now we regard the Bund as a good place to remember the past of Shanghai.

      I also know the culture of the Bund, and we called it "Haipai", which has been influenced by western culture, Sometimes we have some behaviors like western people, such as drinking coffee, but in our minds we still keep a very traditional Chinese heart.

      I am thinking of becoming a clock guardian one day if it is possible. My work place would be at the top of a building located in the Bund. From the highest place, I could see everything below. Every morning I could see people going to work and starting one hectic day. Every everning I could see people finishing their jobs and going home. Standing beside the window, I could feel breeze coming from the river and enjoy waves fluctuating. My job would maintain the exact time of the clock.
Every time I would bong  the clock. It would be telling people another hour disappeared. Don't waste time because it will nevre come back. We should cherish what we own, rather than envying what is far from us.

Water Spirit

            My name is Jing Zhai, which means "excellent" in Chinese. However, my name always brings many troubles to me because it is hard to read and write in Chinese. I have never met a Chinese person who can read my name in the right way when he/she calls me for the first time. Although sometimes my name makes me embarrassed, I still like it because the words of my name show good expectation from my parents.

           Water represents me. I can't say exactly why. Maybe I admire water even it is not sweet and salty. Although water has no taste, every creature can not live without it.

             If water represents life, it is the most common life in the world, but it includes every component we expect, such as love, family, friends and so on.  If water represents a person, he/she looks like a nobody, but actually he/she is a somebody.  If water represents friendship, it would be a lasting special relationship, and it can be kept forever.

  

          The footprint of water cannot be found in the world, but it exists everywhere. I'd like to experience the water spirit with anybody who appreciates it --not by our eyes, but by our feeling and heart. Maybe one day we can build our own water spirit together.