Category: Memoir

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First chill

After a short but scorching heatwave, rain brought us moisture and cool temperatures. The first cool days in August always remind me of my first month in the States—almost four decades ago.

Taipei’s winter was damp and chilly; summer humid and hot. One would not notice much about the spring if not because of the non-stop rain. Autumn was a season that we read about in books. Even though we celebrate it eating moon cakes.

I arrived in Cleveland, Ohio on August 9, 1983. Right away, I noticed that, even in mid-August, the average temperature was much tolerable in Northern America. Some nights, I needed a light blanket.

Before I fully settled in, three days in a row, the temperature stayed in the 70s. Although I did bring some heavier clothing, I was not supposed to need them so soon. For the first time in my life, I understood the expression “changing of seasons.”

Nothing prepared me for the brilliant foliage in the autumn; for the icy snow in the winter; and the rebirth of the earth in the spring. By the end of the following summer, my education on the four seasons was complete. With it, I had a new appreciation of the infinity of the universe and my own small place in it.

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Early in the morning

Watering our gardens is a labor-intensive task which involves carrying hundred-plus-feet of hoses in and out of storage. I do it faithfully for two reasons: One, to keep the plants healthy and productive; two, to maintain my own health. To avoid the summer heat, I try to do it early in the morning.

I enjoy watching the colorful waves of flowers and leaves under splashes of water. The plants, first bending slightly, seem to be giving me appreciative nods. Then, they stand back up making wake-up stretches, refreshed.  From time to time, an unexpected breeze comes by, blowing light mists around me.  Often, I hear mom’s voice: “Get an early start of the day while it is still cool.”

If I had any choice, I would have traded summer months with longer winter breaks. Summer in Taipei basin means scorching heat and high humidity. There were weeks of mandatory summer schools. After summer school, mom always signed me up for extra-curriculum activities. To fill up the rest of the hours, mom would come up with various projects for me—more reading, writing, and practicing.

Every morning, mom would remind us that sleeping in might not be the best idea, as it would get uncomfortably hot in a few hours. Still, being productive during summer vacation was such an oxymoron. Mom’s kind words only added to my reluctance.

Of course, mom was right. There were always cool breezes in the morning. With sliding doors and windows open, even on the hottest days, early hours were pleasant. If I made enough progress on my assignments or projects, I could have water fights with little cop in the garden while enjoying chilled watermelon. I might get a nap when an afternoon show passed by.

“Get an early start of the day while it is still cool. . ..”