Time Bomb!

Jiaming Huang

English 100

Lost in Translation

Memories in my Heart

       Night always comes after a long day. After accomplishing a day's studies or work, some people often prefer to rest at home, and some people often go out to participate in diverse activities at night. Nightlife can be interesting or uninteresting depending on the location. For example, sometimes nightlife in Chicago can be boring because nighttime sees more danger in several Chicago neighborhoods. However, nightlife in China is flooded with entertainment because China is extremely safe at night. I enormously miss the life I used to live after dark in China, which included Siu yeh, Karaoke, and games.

       My yearning starts from Siu yeh of Guangdong, China. Siu yeh is a late-night meal in Guangdong, my province. There is a wealth of food at night in Guangdong. Many sorts of Siu yeh are obviously not available in Chicago, especially the specialty of my hometown Taishan, such as egg hamburgers, egg waffles, and green bean cakes. In my school days, eating Siu yeh with my friends was my relaxing activity after completing my homework. Furthermore, I often had Siu yeh with my family after taking a walk or going shopping. However, there are a few restaurants open at night in Chicago Chinatown unlike in China where there are a host of restaurants open after dark. I long for the nightlife in China when I could eat different kinds of Siu yeh with my family and friends.

       Additionally, singing Karaoke was one of my nightlife activities when I lived in China. Karaoke is a type of entertainment where people sing songs in bars or clubs, mostly having at night. In China, people often sing Karaoke after dark because singing Karaoke together can make people get closer. On my birthday, I usually sang Karaoke with my friends. In addition, singing Karaoke can express different moods by singing different styles songs. I often sang encouraging songs when I encountered problems because I could release my stress by singing.  However, there seems to be more violence at night in some areas of Chicago. I want to can enjoy Karaoke, not be in fear when I am in bars or clubs.

       Another of my favorite nighttime activities in China was playing games. There are a variety of games that people can play at night in China, such as Clip Dolls, Escape Rooms, and Murder Mystery Games. I like engaging in these activities that are difficult and require my brain to think seriously. For example, the Escape Room is a live scene game where people are trapped in a closed room and use clues in the closed room to escape. However, the designs of games in Chicago are too simple and easy to figure out. Moreover, I could play games all night in China because some game stores are open all night. For instance, I played the script killing with my friends from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. in China. However, sometimes it is very perilous for me to be outside and play games with my friends late in Chicago. Although I am able to play games in Chicago, it is not the same for me because the atmosphere feels different.

       For me, the nightlife of China is unique. It will not be quiet with the end of the day. On the contrary, it will show another lively scene. There are a great deal number of people outside. After dark in Guangdong, I could go out anytime and anywhere, and I could join in various activities. However, at night in Chicago, I often feel lonely. The memories of Chinese nightlife are deeply in my heart now. In this case, I will try my best to show the nightlife of China and spread more Chinese culture to everyone here.