“I
will never ever learn this language!” I uttered to myself for
countless times–perhaps I told others, too. And so for a decade or two, I stuck
to my words. I really did that’s why out of those ten languages I burned
eyebrows to, Chinese wasn’t in the lists.
Now
that I have reached my goal to learn ten languages before forty, I have no more
time for other lingos–not anymore–especially about a particular language my
heart had no interest for many years. I thought.
But
what’s going on with me? I’m back to language learning and have been eating my
words lately. I didn’t see this coming. It wasn’t actually the real plan. In
fact, if I had to study another tongue again, it would be Japanese–this one is
out-and-out the opposite–I have been learning Chinese for the past two weeks.
Surprise!
I
had reasons why–awful circumstances with a lot of Chinese people; prejudices
against them; unfortunate experiences I had encountered with them, blah, blah,
blah–and so these hindered me (I allowed myself to be impeded rather) from
seeing and knowing the beauty of this culture–it’s beautiful.
Thanks
to an angel who opened my eyes in order to see things differently and
beautifully–that I may behold the splendor of it all–like a butterfly in a
cocoon. I finally stand corrected.
He
has taught me many wonderful things during our travels in Southeast Asia that
turned in wonderful memories to apprize and cherish. He left in my heart the
beautiful side of what I had perceived the irony in days of yore. And it was
worth swallowing my pride. It is worth speaking his patois.
We
met during my four-weeks-holiday in some parts of SEA countries. We traveled
together–from Thailand to Cambodia to Laos–it was an unexpected detour and challenge
of life–both a beautiful disaster and a lifetime lesson to remember–with an unexpected
angel who becomes an amazing friend in the end.
So
grateful for this milestone–and if not for this new friend, I doubt would find
interest in Chinese language–he is the main reason why I am back to learning
another dialect again. I am very excited to converse with him in his own tongue
in the near future.
“There is a time for everything.”
I read King Solomon’s words. Whether my encounter with this angel is relevant
or not, I’ll cling to this wisdom still.
For
now–it is study time. I am enjoying it to be honest.
