This year is a special year for me. It is the first year that I study in Northland. During this year, I became a real independent person instead of depending my parents. And I begin to have my own choices or decisions for life. In fact, the life here is really different from my image before I came here. I thought I would really miss my home, and it might be awful to meet all situations by myself, because America and Chins are on the different sides on the earth, but actually, time passes super fast, and life at school becomes better and better. I also experienced many “first time in my life” this year.

  I experienced my first birthday that didn’t celebrate with my family. At first, I felt it would be boring or sad, but I had eaten the cookie cake and went to saw the film. All my new friends and my host family singed birthday song for me; we cut the cake together. It was more interesting that I thought. We had a good time and shared our happiness.

And I joined homecoming. This was the first time for me to take part in an activity like homecoming. We danced and singed together. It was an excited and amazing experience. I also met new friends, and we took many photos.

The other fantastic thing for me is soccer. I never have played soccer before joined soccer team here. In the beginning, I felt it was really hard, and I always couldn’t control where it would go. It was kind of challenge for me, and I just followed the ball and tried to kick it in a right. During our practice, I began to understand the charm of soccer. It is attractive not only because it is a truly good sports to do, but also because it brings us friendship. We played games together and discussed plans together. They taught me many skills to play soccer and helped me to get progress. Although I am still not good at it, I love it and learn many different things from it.

  In the winter, we met snow. Actually, I am from north of China, so I can see the snow every year, but the snow in Houston is truly different, especially Houston almost never has snow in the winter. They were really tiny and white. And some of them could stay in the tree. They were like new white leaves of trees.

  Then Christmas came, so it was time for me to back to China. I felt super excited about it and looked forward for it. I enjoyed foods and staying with my parents. Honestly, the holiday was too short for me to meet with family and friend, have all food I like, share my life with my mom, discuss books with my dad and prepare all stuffs for new terms. Although Christmas was really short, I had a unforgotten memory and understand the sadness for leaving home.

 As soon as we arrived America and started out new semester, Chinese new year was coming. It was also the first time that I had new year without family. Although we were not together, we could chat with each other and discuss what were we doing. Before I experienced passing new year by myself, I was not able to understand why the people who can’t go home to have new year with family always sad and upset; it is just a festival with some traditional food or customs and we can eat dumplings everyday. Now, I realized that new year is just a “fake” chance or opportunity; the real thing was staying with family during new year and having hope or wishes for next fantastic year.

The other new thing for me is Christian. Before I started to learn bible, I have heard it in China, but I never had studied on it. I learnt knowledge and meaning or truth of life from bible.

This semester was super fast, and I can’t wait for the summer holiday for rest and meeting my parents. I had an amazing year, not only because of some knowledge or many wonderful experiences, but also because I understand life and realize the meaning of life. Although there are problems in the life, we still have wished and people that help and encourage us to solve all of them.