Reminiscing
I'm waiting for TKD to begin so I can walk over and suddenly, I just really wanted to remember my 4-month stint in China three years ago. And so I looked up the notes of the RA (I studied abroad) who's also a talented writer and found the following. They spoke of a time not too far ago but it seems like a dream I'll never forget. :) Some of the hardest days of my life and yet the most enjoyable. Korea, I feel, is the same way.
* There's some Chinese included. Perhaps when I have more time, I'll make it understandable to all. :)
** None of the following are mine. I just want the pieces to be somewhere more readily available to me. ^^
IES '08 RHYME
a flow of new souls, opened the gate
defining the character of fall '08
curious of question and wanting to know
an experience abroad, how will it go?
慢慢 n steady, the pieces did click
completing a puzzle with a 照片 thats sick
with just a week in n 文化 shock scare
the 两个星期 trip we began to prepare
4 solid groups, completing the crew
but nothin' like the untouchables, heyyo A-zu
true, who knew, we're as tough as they come
tibetan himalayas ain't got jack on this sum
we got our own rap so, no need to keep boasting
keeping the semester's reminisce all coasting
back from our journeys, 我们 都 have changed
some wiser, more in touch, thoughts rearranged
dangerous flirtatious, courageous transactions
awaiting the stage of 老北京action
vendors return, sellin' fruit n 串儿
DVDs n popcorn, 不太 far
classes begin at full throttle speed
maintain the game, keep up the deed
读书, 写字, 说话 和 tutors
completely deserve a night at old Shooters
or Hooters, 随便, weather gets colder
gotta wear a fleece to heat your cold shoulder
羽毛球 action, ping pong fiends
roommate interaction, lifelong dreams
Song Lin 饺子, lets order up a feast
if you can eat 100 chuanr, 你真的是一个 beast
east meets west as we comfortably grow
中国 gives you strength, results do show
flow with the homestay, family style
up your 中文, in such a short while
compile this culture into your ways
take a deep breath of that Beijing haze
amazing sunrises at the top of a crest
challenging yourself is the primary quest
rest for the best, beauty of sublime
to become truly fluent, clearly takes time
your first steps are done, made the pond hop
tasted the flavors, savior 不能 stop
a crave to return, no need to deny
中国's the spot, 生活 too fly
take a look at each other, remember day one?
warm Beijing 天气 with rays of the sun
the blooming of character, becoming tight friends
no one had a clue, of how this 故事 ends
lending genuine, affection to each other
establishing 关系, like sister or brother
adventuring strong into the unknown
land of the magical oracle bone
your strength has grown, and change you did
your hearts are bigger now, no longer a kid
appreciate this life, and spread out the love
pass around peace like a white turtle dove
so sip up celebration and raise your beer
be thankful for the 时间 you have experienced here
keep in touch and this ain't good bye
it's just a 再见， 你们应该回来
NOTES--
慢慢 (man man) = slow
照片 (zhao pian)= picture
文化 (wen hua) = culture
两个星期 (liang ge xing qi) = 2-week
我们 都 (wo men dou) = we all
老北京 (lao bei jing) = Old Beijing
不太 (bu tai) = not too
读书, 写字, 说话 和 (du shu, xie zi, shuo hua he) = read/studying, writing, speaking, and
随便 (sui bian) = whichever
羽毛球 (yu mao qiu) = badminton
饺子 (jiao zi) = dumplings
你真的是一个 (ni zhen de shi yi ge) = you really are a
中国 (zhong guo) = China
中文 (zhong wen) = Chinese
不能 (bu neng) = can't
生活 (sheng huo) = life
天气 (tian qi) = weather
故事 (gu shi) = story
关系 (guan xi) = relation(ship)
时间 (shi jian) = time
再见， 你们应该回来 (zai jian, ni men ying gai hui lai) = bye, you all should come back
--> In Chinese, "bye" literally translates to "see you again"
-----
A-組 DEDICATION
this is the group that chose this quest
pushing their characters to the ultimate test
Southwest to 雲南 'n' 四川 we move
establishing the essential A-組 groove
smooth we stride, to the city, 昆明
where we slowly stroll, like a bling king
winging it, singing it, straight to 大理
ganja lady toke as good as Cali
...not, but fresh air, down at 洱海
bike and we hike, closer to the sky
quick move to steam, hit the hot springs
relief remedy, relieve all the stings
to 終點 we go, sweet monastery
grizzly-man effect as we get more hairy
wary and unknown of what was to come
as we hit 塔村 with our A-組 sum
four nights, three days, Tibetan ways craze
Duz clues abuse, with dance they amaze
the most genuine smiles and eyes of care
intimate tradition with time they did share
preparing for thin air, we scale the plateau
surrounded by peace, altitude grow
gasping deep breaths as the friz did fly
absorbing the height, our lungs did cry
sly village jokers, tag along with us
depart to hike, entertainment they bring us
13 miles, uphill we climb
such beautiful views, mountains divine
reminding us nature, breathes us all in
giving up now, is the ultimate sin
winning is building, your spirit and soul
flow in control, true rock 'n' roll
"曉孟, 怎麽樣?" '我太累了'
"沒事, 曉孟," you's a true playa
camp out with curry, shoveling doodoo
give me that cheese, western drop poopoo
itinerary nonsense, camping at Bottomless*
thank you Sir Goose, so we can see all of this
the pipes of Captain Mike, has drained all sorrow
extension of this trip, to at least tomorrow?
sorry, no dice, but still reminisce
as we look back and live up the bliss
trekking up the foothills of the monster, Hell's Gate
can't stop, won't stop, just awaiting our fate
sun showers 'n' rainbows, swallow us whole
green trees 'n' breeze, paradise's the goal
at 45 hundred, we take our lunch rest
underneath the clouds, snow-peaked crest
a view unheard of, ...hell? more like heaven
hundreds of meters, around 47
total we climb, scope out the scene
brisk spring water with our vision more keen
we camp out in our world, rest for the beast
clouds dance around, journey to the east
to catch the sunrise, ahead 5 climb
just enough horses, rock the morning time
arm wrestling contests, altitude olympics
bonding at best, we definitely think this
Iris was peempin', while Popp ate shit
i was dragged in it, our time was legit
5am wake up call, disturbed by the Duz
late-night attack, barely time to snooze
with Orion in sight, we each mounted our horse
set for the peaks and continued on course
clicking away, at the three snow peaks
the best we've seen in the past 2 weeks
descent we stroll, the buses be the end
completing our quest, nature's our friend
finest of stenches, we finally relax
in dire need of beds, perfume or Axe
bumpin' down the roads, hit the hot springs
showers, beds, and Baij, a flow of Da Pings
swimmin' n kickin' it, wash off the dirt
soakin' n sleepin' it, without a shirt
alert as we flirt, i got love for you all
cuz we the A-組, and we know how to ball
i spit the hot fire, my rhymes are flames
but nothin' like my boy, Kod-face James...
NOTES:
組 (zu) = group/team
雲南 = Yunnan, a province in Southern China
四川 = Sichuan, a province in Southern China known for their spicy cuisine
大理 = Dali, a city in Yunnan; in the Bai Minority autonomous region
洱海 = Erhai, a lake that's in the shape of an ear
終點 = Zhongdian, otherwise known as Shangri-la; in the Tibetan autonomous region
塔村 = Ta Cun, translated to Tower Village; a Tibetan village we stayed in for a couple of days
曉孟, 怎麽樣? (Xiao-meng, zen me yang?) = How are you, Xiao-meng?
我太累了 (Wo tai lei le) = I'm too tired.
沒事, 曉孟 (mei shi, Xiao-meng) = No problem/worries, Xiao-meng.
Bottomless = refers to a bottomless body of water we camped by; you could see the shelf and then-- nothing. No one knows how deep it is.
* There's some Chinese included. Perhaps when I have more time, I'll make it understandable to all. :)
** None of the following are mine. I just want the pieces to be somewhere more readily available to me. ^^
IES '08 RHYME
a flow of new souls, opened the gate
defining the character of fall '08
curious of question and wanting to know
an experience abroad, how will it go?
慢慢 n steady, the pieces did click
completing a puzzle with a 照片 thats sick
with just a week in n 文化 shock scare
the 两个星期 trip we began to prepare
4 solid groups, completing the crew
but nothin' like the untouchables, heyyo A-zu
true, who knew, we're as tough as they come
tibetan himalayas ain't got jack on this sum
we got our own rap so, no need to keep boasting
keeping the semester's reminisce all coasting
back from our journeys, 我们 都 have changed
some wiser, more in touch, thoughts rearranged
dangerous flirtatious, courageous transactions
awaiting the stage of 老北京action
vendors return, sellin' fruit n 串儿
DVDs n popcorn, 不太 far
classes begin at full throttle speed
maintain the game, keep up the deed
读书, 写字, 说话 和 tutors
completely deserve a night at old Shooters
or Hooters, 随便, weather gets colder
gotta wear a fleece to heat your cold shoulder
羽毛球 action, ping pong fiends
roommate interaction, lifelong dreams
Song Lin 饺子, lets order up a feast
if you can eat 100 chuanr, 你真的是一个 beast
east meets west as we comfortably grow
中国 gives you strength, results do show
flow with the homestay, family style
up your 中文, in such a short while
compile this culture into your ways
take a deep breath of that Beijing haze
amazing sunrises at the top of a crest
challenging yourself is the primary quest
rest for the best, beauty of sublime
to become truly fluent, clearly takes time
your first steps are done, made the pond hop
tasted the flavors, savior 不能 stop
a crave to return, no need to deny
中国's the spot, 生活 too fly
take a look at each other, remember day one?
warm Beijing 天气 with rays of the sun
the blooming of character, becoming tight friends
no one had a clue, of how this 故事 ends
lending genuine, affection to each other
establishing 关系, like sister or brother
adventuring strong into the unknown
land of the magical oracle bone
your strength has grown, and change you did
your hearts are bigger now, no longer a kid
appreciate this life, and spread out the love
pass around peace like a white turtle dove
so sip up celebration and raise your beer
be thankful for the 时间 you have experienced here
keep in touch and this ain't good bye
it's just a 再见， 你们应该回来
NOTES--
慢慢 (man man) = slow
照片 (zhao pian)= picture
文化 (wen hua) = culture
两个星期 (liang ge xing qi) = 2-week
我们 都 (wo men dou) = we all
老北京 (lao bei jing) = Old Beijing
不太 (bu tai) = not too
读书, 写字, 说话 和 (du shu, xie zi, shuo hua he) = read/studying, writing, speaking, and
随便 (sui bian) = whichever
羽毛球 (yu mao qiu) = badminton
饺子 (jiao zi) = dumplings
你真的是一个 (ni zhen de shi yi ge) = you really are a
中国 (zhong guo) = China
中文 (zhong wen) = Chinese
不能 (bu neng) = can't
生活 (sheng huo) = life
天气 (tian qi) = weather
故事 (gu shi) = story
关系 (guan xi) = relation(ship)
时间 (shi jian) = time
再见， 你们应该回来 (zai jian, ni men ying gai hui lai) = bye, you all should come back
--> In Chinese, "bye" literally translates to "see you again"
-----
A-組 DEDICATION
this is the group that chose this quest
pushing their characters to the ultimate test
Southwest to 雲南 'n' 四川 we move
establishing the essential A-組 groove
smooth we stride, to the city, 昆明
where we slowly stroll, like a bling king
winging it, singing it, straight to 大理
ganja lady toke as good as Cali
...not, but fresh air, down at 洱海
bike and we hike, closer to the sky
quick move to steam, hit the hot springs
relief remedy, relieve all the stings
to 終點 we go, sweet monastery
grizzly-man effect as we get more hairy
wary and unknown of what was to come
as we hit 塔村 with our A-組 sum
four nights, three days, Tibetan ways craze
Duz clues abuse, with dance they amaze
the most genuine smiles and eyes of care
intimate tradition with time they did share
preparing for thin air, we scale the plateau
surrounded by peace, altitude grow
gasping deep breaths as the friz did fly
absorbing the height, our lungs did cry
sly village jokers, tag along with us
depart to hike, entertainment they bring us
13 miles, uphill we climb
such beautiful views, mountains divine
reminding us nature, breathes us all in
giving up now, is the ultimate sin
winning is building, your spirit and soul
flow in control, true rock 'n' roll
"曉孟, 怎麽樣?" '我太累了'
"沒事, 曉孟," you's a true playa
camp out with curry, shoveling doodoo
give me that cheese, western drop poopoo
itinerary nonsense, camping at Bottomless*
thank you Sir Goose, so we can see all of this
the pipes of Captain Mike, has drained all sorrow
extension of this trip, to at least tomorrow?
sorry, no dice, but still reminisce
as we look back and live up the bliss
trekking up the foothills of the monster, Hell's Gate
can't stop, won't stop, just awaiting our fate
sun showers 'n' rainbows, swallow us whole
green trees 'n' breeze, paradise's the goal
at 45 hundred, we take our lunch rest
underneath the clouds, snow-peaked crest
a view unheard of, ...hell? more like heaven
hundreds of meters, around 47
total we climb, scope out the scene
brisk spring water with our vision more keen
we camp out in our world, rest for the beast
clouds dance around, journey to the east
to catch the sunrise, ahead 5 climb
just enough horses, rock the morning time
arm wrestling contests, altitude olympics
bonding at best, we definitely think this
Iris was peempin', while Popp ate shit
i was dragged in it, our time was legit
5am wake up call, disturbed by the Duz
late-night attack, barely time to snooze
with Orion in sight, we each mounted our horse
set for the peaks and continued on course
clicking away, at the three snow peaks
the best we've seen in the past 2 weeks
descent we stroll, the buses be the end
completing our quest, nature's our friend
finest of stenches, we finally relax
in dire need of beds, perfume or Axe
bumpin' down the roads, hit the hot springs
showers, beds, and Baij, a flow of Da Pings
swimmin' n kickin' it, wash off the dirt
soakin' n sleepin' it, without a shirt
alert as we flirt, i got love for you all
cuz we the A-組, and we know how to ball
i spit the hot fire, my rhymes are flames
but nothin' like my boy, Kod-face James...
NOTES:
組 (zu) = group/team
雲南 = Yunnan, a province in Southern China
四川 = Sichuan, a province in Southern China known for their spicy cuisine
大理 = Dali, a city in Yunnan; in the Bai Minority autonomous region
洱海 = Erhai, a lake that's in the shape of an ear
終點 = Zhongdian, otherwise known as Shangri-la; in the Tibetan autonomous region
塔村 = Ta Cun, translated to Tower Village; a Tibetan village we stayed in for a couple of days
曉孟, 怎麽樣? (Xiao-meng, zen me yang?) = How are you, Xiao-meng?
我太累了 (Wo tai lei le) = I'm too tired.
沒事, 曉孟 (mei shi, Xiao-meng) = No problem/worries, Xiao-meng.
Bottomless = refers to a bottomless body of water we camped by; you could see the shelf and then-- nothing. No one knows how deep it is.