My name is Isabella Olvesen, and I am 12 years old. I recently moved from Bayonne, NJ to Great Falls, VA. My mother is Chinese, and my father is Jewish-Italian. The “problem” with being biracial is that I am always questioned and judged, especially when people ask me frustrating questions like, “Have you ever even been to China?”, “Can you speak the language?”, and “What’s your favorite Chinese dish?”
Maybe they expect me to say, “No, I’ve never been to China and I can’t speak the language. My favorite dish is dumplings!” However, my true response would be that I’ve been traveling to China since I was a year old, and I genuinely love the country—from its people and food, down to the very air that I breathe when I am there. I can speak the language, even though I may pronounce certain things wrong. My favorite dishes include 酸辣粉 and anything that is spicy or includes noodles. So, even though I am not completely Chinese, it does not mean that I do not have perfectly great opinions and thoughts on China.
The way that I would describe China is that it is a Big Pomegranate. I know it sounds strange, but it makes sense to me. Like New York City being nicknamed the Big Apple—which I imagine is because of its bustling environment—to me, China’s nickname would be the Big Pomegranate. When I think of a pomegranate, I think of tons of little parts making up an enormous whole. The little parts each taste different but look the same.
China is similar, where each province is like a vendor at a street market. Shandong may be selling silk that day, but its neighbor could be looking for people who want to buy some of its cherries. Each and every province has its own “thing” to bring to the table, whether it’s delectable food, humorous people, or just a welcoming environment. Some pomegranates are sour, while others are sweet.
My first trip to China that I can remember is one that I will treasure. The plane ride there was full of lots of sleeping, drawing, and throwing up. As soon as I got off the plane, I fully understood how sailors feel when they finally see land after a few weeks. Once relief washed over my body, my body and senses adjusted to the new environment.
The airport was like a man-made, shiny, white and silver jungle. Snakes slithered around, hissing and stirring up commotion while hurriedly trying to get to their gates. Birds flew freely from TSA to security check. Then there was me: like a penguin, my mother holding my hand through the chaos of it all.
The airport was only the start of the events that followed. I couldn’t believe that China was not the city that is recognized as “the city that doesn’t sleep.” It was completely dark, around 1:00 a.m., but the streets were still filled with people. The smells that filled the air were enough to shake me wide awake, and the lights and sights made me stop and take in the beauty of it all.
The scents, people, busyness, and attractions all make up the magnificent country of China. As a Chinese-European, I can tell you that even though I may not understand each and every detail that people may say in Chinese, I know one thing for sure: China is the definition of paradise.
One quote that my mother has told me is “千里之行，始于足下.” When I think about China, I truly take this into account. My message for you—whether you are Chinese, American, or another nationality—is this: China is open to anyone willing to learn or visit. You don’t need to be “accepted” by a few when you are wanted by many. Always remember, life is short, so don’t waste it planning your journey and learning Chinese by yourself when you can be learning Chinese with billions of people willing to share their experiences. You are the only person who can decide who you are, who you will be, where you will go, and what you will do. China is the place where your journey can start.
(First Prize)
