You’ve lived in Falls Church your whole life? If yes, well, I would probably beat you in the “American experience” category.  Four schools in a year and a half are surely more than three schools in 16 years, aren’t they?

I’ve changed schools three times in a short period while my family was trying to find the right place for us to settle down. However, moving from place to place didn’t help me much to comprehend American culture until I paused my journey, landed in George Mason, and saturated myself in the sprightly atmosphere of Mustang youths.

For a while, I lived with the goal to “learn your best, play your best, act your best, and own life your best.”  Making a beginning is just as hard as it sounds, as “lonely and left-out foreigners” like me will probably never forget. I didn’t feel that I belonged. I tended to keep to myself. Gazing at the fun my classmates were having, I desperately wished to join in, but my eagerness was hampered by my rationale and I wondered “what if my joke is confusing and it ruins their fun?” Well, I thought, saying nothing is better than saying something wrong, anyhow.

I guess it was Spirit Week and the Homecoming Game that reminded me that I enjoyed that same giddy exhilaration two years ago when I was with my friends at the Mid-Autumn Festival.  My classmates and I cheerfully went into town, marching through the colorful streets with the Unicorn Head in the Dragon Dance. Now, two years later, the environment has changed, but a similar spirit has stayed; I mingled with the kids who frivolously celebrated their own occasions and rejoiced in the moments of “turning little again” and having fun. It was adorable to look at all of the tall girls dressed up like princesses on Disney Day, the guys showing off head-to-toe black on Spy Day, and Mrs. Gantz “magically” changing from this character to that each day! The Homecoming Game was the peak of the whole week. Blending into the crowd, I tried to cheer and scream at the top of my lungs, just to savor the enthusiasm surrounding me. Do you know how fanatical a homesick kid feels when he or she sees something just a little bit similar to home? I was like that kid. I’m not sure for how long exactly, but I’m positive that these vistas will linger in my memory, at least for a time.

And just last Friday and Saturday nights, the JV Show more than satisfied everybody.  “This school really rocks!” And it did rock, from the little kids who came with their sisters and brothers to watch the talented performances to the parents who supported their children as always. Many thanks to the gifted artists who all devotedly assembled on two inspiring nights. Francesca’s charming voice and Meagan’s guitar in “Lay Me Down” were deeply appealing. Liz’s “Sonatina #2,” Seth’s “Nocturne in Eb Major” and Abby’s “Deux Nocturnes” composed serene sentiment, harmonizing with the metal resonance of the Drums! class’s performance of “Heavy Metal.”  Many thanks to the off-stage staff whose contributions were quiet but substantial.  However, the moment that I appreciated the most came from all of the passion of the hosts and the chorus while they were overcoming the embarrassment of pleading for funds.  Well, after all, the purpose of the show was to raise money for the prom!  And I think Mason is ready for Prom ‘07!

Guys, thank you, gracias, merci, c’mon!

Now, everything is behind us and everybody is coming back to our normally busy (or, rather, “overwhelming”) school lives. But sometimes when these images by chance pop up in my head, I secretly smile to myself. Perhaps I have begun to love the sight of the place with which I am now associating my life, starting with the peacefully refreshing morning road that leads me to George Mason.

And, just one last thought -- if I had to move again, I would hardly be able to bear it.