Yashih Wu, 12^th Grade

"I want to watch Saturday morning cartoons!” “How come I have to go to school six days a week?” It’s not fair!” These were my complaints that each time my mother reminded me that I had Chinese School on Saturday. Although I originally viewed these Saturdays as a punishment came to look forward to each Saturday when rewarding opportunities were opened to me and new friends were made.

Chinese school has both its tangible and intangible rewards. One way I look at it is as a way to keep my heritage, my sense of identity, my link to my family. Pragmatically, mastering a third language in addition to English and Spanish gives me that extra edge in this competitive world; In addition, knowledge of my culture allows me to share it with others as I did with the New Year Festival I chaired at my high school. With experience from two very different cultures, I have a greater understanding of people and I have the ability to choose the best of each culture and combine them in me.

However, Chinese school has taught me so much more than just my language and culture. By encouraging me to participate in the Chinese poetry recital contest, my teacher trained me to slowly overcome my fear of public speaking and increase my self-confidence. While at the Southern California Chinese School Games I discovered an ability to long jump when I thought I could only run. As Editor-in-Chief of the Thousand Oaks Chinese Newsletter and as Secretary of the Yearbook, I have come to appreciate the time and dedication necessary to put together such a project from editing to advertising to designing. At our annual Chinese New Year’s Performance I, as the Master of Ceremonies, have been with the need to stall for time while a performer frantically prepares himself. I have further enforced my love of performance with each new activity I engage in, whether it is singing the part of Christine on Phantom of the Opera or jump-jive-and wailing it to a swing number. I have found such an infinite number of things about my interests, my abilities, and myself as a person because of all the opportunities that my parents and Thousand Oaks Chinese School have given me. I have not just grown wiser or older; I have matured into the woman I am today.

Through these countless activities I was fortunate to have met some truly wonderful and disparate people who have other the years become my most intimate friends. I realize now that although I will probably forget much of the Chinese vocabulary I have learned, I will never forget these ineffable memories I share with my best friends. For all this and more I give my sincerest thanks to Thousand Oaks Chinese School.

Richard Guo, 12^th grade

Of all the experience I’ve had in the past, Chinese school has perhaps been the most meaningful. There I’ve not only learned to refine my Mandarin, but have also found some of my greatest friends.

Through learning the Mandarin, I’ve broken the language barrier that once stood between my grandfather and me. This has allowed me to cultivate a new, more personal relationship with him. Whereas before, my parents were forced to translate my words to him, I can now

directly speak to my grandfather. In him, I’ve found a lively old man filled with stories of an amazing past. From his stories of Chiang Kei-Shiek to his life during World War II, I’ve discovered another dimension to this man I once barely knew and understood.

Chinese School has also given me something equally as important. It has helped me gain some of my most important friendships. Although I only see them once a week, my Chinese school friends has become a major part of my life. They are the ones that truly understand what I am going through as a teenager struggling with a Chinese heritage and an American environment; they are the ones that I can truly confide in when I need someone to listen and relate to. Furthermore, in a world where I could have been let astray, they’ve helped me steer clear of the temptations of teenage life. I am a better person because of the friends I’ve made at Chinese school, and I think tem from the bottom of my heart for that.

As I move on to the hills of Northern California, I will take with me the fond memories of the little Chinese school I attended in Thousand Oaks. I will remember the tests and dances, the plays, the friends, and most importantly the atmosphere that made me proud if who I am: a Chinese-American.

Spencer Chen

The most remarkable Chinese custom is . . . the taking off of footwear when entering a house. This feat may not seem remarkable in it of itself, but it is indeed indicative of something deeper, something that defines what it means to be Chinese.

One might ask why I would define such a seemingly mundane action as taking off shoes as remarkable. Pay attention because here is my answer. Taking off one’s shoes is remarkable because of what it symbolizes honor and respect. In this age of selfishness, honor and respect are rarely exhibited . . . except in Chinese culture.

Chinese culture has everything to do with honor and respect. The slightest disrespect, however slight, towards others (especially towards one’s elders) is never tolerated. Another instance where this Chinese philosophy can be evidenced is the well-known act of “saving face”. To the Chinese, “face”—one’s image—is equated with one’s honor. The often joke about fact that Chinese people are always “saving face” goes a long way to show how important honor is to a Chinese person. A third example of the Chinese sense of honor and respect is politeness. The polite nature of the Chinese, including the customary and often-used phrases “Xie xie” (Thank you) and “Bu ke qi” (You’re welcome), is obvious to even the most casual observer and especially noticeable to an ABC (American Born Chinese).

These are only three of the simplest examples showing how much the Chinese value honor and respect. Very simply, taking off one’s shoes when entering a house is the perfect representation of Chinese culture, which is very remarkable, itself. This act (and also Chinese culture) is special because it represents the value the culture puts in the concepts of honor and respect, which are remarkably wonderful.