My Mentor, My Friend - Essay Example

Full My Mentor, My Friend It is said that Chinese parents demand so much from their children. That is true. Simply surviving is not enough. Excellence should be the main objective not only of Chinese parents but also of the children. Imagine the pressure that great expectations put on the tender shoulders of fragile children. Nevertheless, that is not what Chinese are expected to be. They are a strong people with a great history that reflects the courage and strength of the Chinese people. However, we are also humans, you know. We feel, cry, laugh, rejoice and grieve just like any other person. Sometimes, we also feel tired of the demands of our parents, the world and even our trusted friends, from us. Sometimes, with all the difficulties I go through and the expectations of my parents from me, I feel so all alone. Many times, I wanted to give up but many times, I am thankful that I have places like Repulse Bay where I can find comfort and strength. Repulse Bay is a beautiful place in Hong Kong which attracts many people every day. It is a busy area where merchants bring their goods from other places. Although many modern structures are built around the bay, it still looks magnificent so that many local and foreign tourists go to the place. Among the uncountable visitors, I have been one of those who went there, appreciating and loving its beauty. Repulse Bay for me is more than a tourist attraction. It also served as my teacher in so many ways. As a young child, I always wanted to go to Repulse Bay because my experiences there were always enjoyable. My parents bought me things and I get to eat all the food that I wanted. I loved the busyness of the place. All the people there seemed to be happy, with bright smiles and cheerful moods, enjoying everything that was happening. I especially loved the place because it feels like home. There are many big buildings around so I know that I am not very far away from the modern world that I have been accustomed to. As I grew up, I went out to the bay with my friends. We went there to celebrate special occasions such as birthdays and I can say; I always enjoyed the place and the friends who were just wonderful. I was able to enjoy many activities in the place, knowing that at the end of the day, I will be safe and comfortable again in my own bedroom. However, life is not always comfortable. Still, it is a good thing to have somewhere to go that one considers as a place of comfort. The greatest thing that really happened to my relationship with Repulse Bay was not when I was with my family who lovingly and graciously bought me the things I asked whenever we visited the place. It is not even when I went out with friends to celebrate occasions. The most memorable experience that had the strongest impact in my life was when I went there alone. There is something magical about the bay that seemed to always call me back to it, not only when I am happy but, also even when I am facing difficult challenges. There have been countless times, especially during the start of winter when I just went there to think or forget about my struggles and I always felt a lot better whenever I went home. As they say, ““When everything in your life is uncertain, there is nothing quite the clarity and precision of fresh snow and the blue sky” (Houston 284) which I often found true at Repulsive. One day, with great despair, I went to Repulse Bay early in the morning. I love visiting the place that time of the day when everything is quiet so that I can communicate well with it. In a stilled but loud cry, I unburdened my cares there. It was not long when the waters seemed to have been sent with the soothing words of nature. I watched from a distance how the waves crashed on the rocks. I have been there uncountable times already but this was especially inscribed in my memory because I felt as if I was in the darkest pit during that time, with no one to rescue me. Instead, there were monsters all around that wanted my soul, my spirit, my very life. “Wolves eviscerate their prey; it’s a hard life” (Bass 270), that is what the storyteller in ‘Antlers’ said as he tries to defend why they bow hunt, to a girlfriend who was strongly opposed to the hobby. Although he was talking about real wolves, I see the truth of the proverb in people’s lives. Sometimes, circumstances and fellow humans act as wolves, wanting to destroy our innermost being. I strongly felt a connection with the rocks. That was me, being smashed on all sides by various troubles, great and small. I stared long and hard. Suddenly, the waves grew wilder but the rocks seemed to shout at me saying, “Look at us. Have we not formed ourselves so beautifully even though the waters violently smash on us?” What strong words! Yes, “live water heals memories” (Dillard 351). The strong waves seemed to have been meant to destroy the rocks and it did so with great perseverance. However, the beautiful forms of the rocks testify that the waters were there to wash their imperfections. The rocks never gave up because of the strength of the sun and they did not have the intention of crumbling either just because of the waters. This relationship between the water and the rocks somehow opened my eyes to the wisdom that is behind every frustration, disappointment, hurt and worry. I knew that that I learned a great lesson, then, as if wanting to agree with me, the sun started to rise with a bright smile on its face. Through the years, I quite formed an unbreakable relationship with Repulse Bay. I was a lost child and I depended on her ancient wisdom. For her, I was that kind of person who was “quick and alert in the things of life, but only in the things and not in the significance” (London 295). Yes, in my early relationship with her, I learned nothing, not because she did not tell me anything. Rather, it was because of my inability to recognize the significance. I was often focused on things but Repulse Bay patiently and carefully instructed me with the important things about life, struggles, difficulties, endurance, strength and perseverance that we I should learn. Currently, I could say I have grown stronger and wiser because of the nurturing relationship I experienced with Repulse Bay. As I face new and foreign challenges in a foreign land, I know that the memories of that sweet place in my country; will always have a special influence on me. Life is not easy but, monuments such as my dear friend; stand strongly to show us that it is when we come out beautifully sculpted by the storms of life, that we can say we have truly served our purposes. Forever, I hold Repulse Bay’s memory in my heart because she is my greatest teacher. Works Cited: Bass, Rick. “Antlers.” Reading Literature and Writing Argument. Missy James and Alan P. Merickel. USA: Longman, 2010. 269-276. Print. Dillard, Annie. “The Present.” Reading Literature and Writing Argument. Missy James and Alan P. Merickel. USA: Longman, 2010. 351-354. Print. Houston, Pam. “A Blizzard under Blue Sky.” Reading Literature and Writing Argument. Missy James and Alan P. Merickel. USA: Longman, 2010. 283-287. Print. London, Jack. “To Build a Fire”. Nature and Place. Reading Literature and Writing Argument. Missy James and Alan P. Merickel. USA: Longman, 2010. 294-305. Print. Read More