Taste of memories

Tomorrow morning when I will be starting my Toyota corolla parked under the maple tree beside my nest, it will be exactly 731 days since I first came in Akron, Ohio. It is really a long time and a lot happened within this time. I have grown older, become more experienced, educated(!), nerd(!) during these past two years. But also within these two years, I came across with people of eminence, people of gentility, people of arrogance, people of brazenness and people of stupidity. These people, came from very different part of the world, have significant influence in my past two years in abroad, without my family, away from my home. I have learned a lot, changed a lot and corrected a lot from the experiences I gathered through this time. If I have never been here, I would have been ignorant about a large part of the world. And now, tonight I want to trigger my memory to recall some of the incidents that helped me to catch the world with a different perspective.

After I start my car from my backyard, it took exactly eight minutes to set up my laptop on my lab desk at the University of Akron, where I came somewhat 731 days ago. I remember that day at the Akron-Canton airport when a middle aged American taught me some physics by saying “If you try to pull your cart rather than pushing that will be much more helpful sir.” Getting amazed by the practical knowledge of Americans I was waiting for one of my friend to pick me up from airport, who later introduced me Akron as a rubber city, helped me get settled in Akron, to become a licensed driver and so on. And just when we were becoming best friend from a good friend, he left us and moved to NC to maintain his wandering lifestyle. I shouldn’t choose the word “wandering” as he had zero contribution on this, but it is to explain how helpless we are to our predefined destiny.

For hermit like me it was never easy to become free with seniors living in Akron, most of which are smart and genius enough to get their novel ideas patented. But it was all their friendliness and amiability that pushed me to be present in their late night party, outdoor activities, sports competition and cultural activities. They taught me how to win people, how to have fun each day, how to maintain connections, avoid unnecessary squabbles and settle disputes. Besides these blessed seniors, I met proactive juniors who are ready to do anything to make my life easier. And I also met people from other parts of the world and rediscovered modesty, politeness and propriety.

While living alone in abroad and away from family, there is no one to talk about my misdeeds. But to my astonishment there are people around who are not afraid to shoot out words to point out my limitations and mistakes. It is always easy to lose temper and get mad at them but according to one of my favorite adulthood heroes; “Your critics are the ones telling you they still love you and care. Worry when you do something badly and nobody bothers to tell you.” So I have learned to consider those criticisms in a positive way and correct myself accordingly towards becoming a better man.

I understand that the time I am passing in Akron is very short compared to my past 26 year’s lifespan. And time flies but what remains in our brain is sweet memories. But I want to retain every single sweet memories I have with Akron, Ohio and it’s community.