2017-05-07

【Aiden in English】

        As everyone grows up, we realize more and more of how things work in the world. Not only do we simply learn more, but the world also provides more information to learn. For example, I used to think that drinking water was plentiful and pretty much granted. In my defense, rainy days aren’t uncommon in Pennsylvania now.

        Something else the world introduces is the ability to contribute to society. In this case, the moment arrived at the Guanghua Chinese School (GHCS) Field Day, where young kids walked around, eating free snacks and drinking free sodas. However, as I got older, I saw more and more of the work put in before and behind the scenes of the event, starting from months before to hours after the conclusion.

        The Field Day is a competition between classes in classic games, like a tug of war, steeplechase relay, gunny sacks race, and the three-legged run. Stands were set up for snacks and drinks, and really is a complex and great set-up done every time by the GHCS which allows every grade to participate. If you don’t come, there’s no school, so it’s a win-win situation. I, on the other hand, was not there to have fun.

        As for me, this year somewhat was about the first step towards contributing to society. Up until now, most teens were still considered liabilities. But days like this truly define the final countdown towards the end of my childhood.

        Signed up as a volunteer, I ran the claw crane machine stand. This stand charged real money, but all profits go to GHCS. The entire point of this stand was to drag in little kids who had immature thoughts with money. I suppose their parents wanted to get rid of them and just handed out a ten-dollar bill or something.

        Now, besides how the stand was pretty much rigged, the concept of growing up is daunting in more ways than one. First of all, I will rarely be able to stand on the other side of the claw crane game. Secondly, I find it symbolic how I see myself in many of those elementary school students facing the table, waiting for a turn at a fun game.

        I also kind of hate the fact of growing up. Not only do I not wish to play the claw crane game, which I know it is rigged, but I also don’t wish to even spend money on useless onetime events. I suppose ignorance sometimes is bliss.

        However, people show respect to teens like me, not only in a sense of experience but also in skill level. I suspect that some adults still feel superior to teenagers even when they aren’t close. Nevertheless, I think our time making our stamp in the world begins. One step at a time, teens at my group assert themselves into the mature, adult world. I believe, a moment here and there, describe my change as well.

        Even if it begins with managing a rigged claw crane game.

【红霞译文】

        随着年龄增长，人人逐渐对世间事物的相互联系有着更加广泛地认识，我们不光汲取理论知识，同时还深入社会丰富实践经验。举例来说，我一向对取之不尽用之不竭的饮用水不以为然，事实表明雨季对眼下的宾州的确不是什么稀罕时节。

        天底下尚有其它方式可以学以致用报效社会，而今天举行的光华中文学校运动会正合时宜，让这些参赛的学弟学妹们利用休闲之余，一边嚼着免费供应的时髦小吃，一边喝着不要钱的苏打饮料，再好不过。然而，等我长大之后方才逐渐明白，为了迎接这一时刻的到来，从开赛前几个月到闭幕后若干钟头，人们着手做了大量筹备工作。

        光华校运会是班级与班级之间的较量，比赛包括拔河、障碍接力、袋鼠跳和绑腿跑等传统项目，赛场外小摊上摆满了吃的喝的东西，每次光华中文学校运动会都兴师动众，号召各年级借机热闹一番。假如你不来参加，犯不着到校上课，总之怎么着都成，而我显然不是跑来凑热闹的。

        就我个人而言，今年算作回馈社会的第一步，到目前为止，多数青少年还没有做好尽义务的准备，但像今天这种日子确实标志着我童年时代正进入倒计时阶段。

        我报名做义工并分摊负责抓物机，这个站台收取现金，挣得的全部数额将无偿上缴光华中文学校。设立这个游艺项目图得就是吸引那些对钞票毫无概念的小朋友，我觉得其父母巴不得用十块左右的大洋把他们打发掉。

        现在暂且撇开我这摊如何运行的话题，先来谈谈成长理念正从多方面而非单方面植入我的脑海。首先，我几乎不太可能再站到抓物机的对面；其次，我发觉自己一下子成为列队等候玩游戏小学孩童的关注目标。

        我也有点讨厌长大成人，咱不是不想玩抓物机，何况知道它挺需技巧的，可又不甘心瞎花钱乱让银子打水漂，除非豁出去赌上一把，无知者无畏，天真有时超萌。

        好在大家对像我这样既有点感性认识又有点实践经验的青少年表示尊重，但也不排除个别家长未必在行却倚老卖老。不管怎样，我们正开启人生目标，一步一个脚印，可喜的是小组里每位成员都日趋成熟，相信我所走过的地方都会见证各个变化。

        即使从管理捉弄人的抓物机游戏开始。

Crosslinks(相关博文):

2016 GHCS Field Day(2016年光华校运会)

2015 GHCS Field Trip @ Green Lane Park(2015年光华绿荫公园春游日)

第三届宾州光华校运会随想(2013 GHCS Field Day)

首届宾州光华中文学校校运会(2010 First Field Sports of GHCS)