Anchoring: Notes from the Year's End
It is Winter Solstice once again. From this day forth, the nights will recede and the days will lengthen. With Christmas and the New Year but two days away, there is a distinct sense of anticipation and quiet joy. The winter here in Guangzhou remains characteristically mild; the roadsides are a tapestry of blooming flowers, and the trees remain lush and verdant. It seems a fitting day to open the photo album and document the past six months.
Upon returning to Changzhou in July, I experienced the busiest summer holiday of my life. Filled with uncertainty about the future, I undertook an internship followed by an intensive English training programme. At the end of August, I sat for my first IELTS exam; although I harboured some slight regrets, I managed to secure an overall band score of 7.0. In September, fortune favoured me, and I secured admission to my current university via the postgraduate recommendation scheme. The trajectory of my next three years was finally settled. Consequently, I returned home in early October to enjoy a week-long break.
On October 7th, I travelled to Shanghai—a city I had not visited in years—with my friend, Mr Gao, to attend COMICUP SHANGHAI PLUS. The animation exhibitions in Shanghai certainly live up to their reputation, boasting venues significantly larger than those in Guangzhou. I was delighted to meet several artists I have long followed and purchased a fair amount of merchandise. Regrettably, by the time we had finished exploring the exhibition, I was spent, leaving no energy to revisit the sights of Shanghai properly.
Upon returning to university, I joined a research group to commence my studies. Although life became busy, it felt somewhat more composed than before. On November 16th, on a whim, I cycled alone to Yuyin Shanfang, a site not far from the university that I had never found the occasion to visit. The Lingnan-style gardens differ somewhat from the Jiangnan gardens of my hometown; they are grander and more uninhibited, with architecture and decoration often featuring bold chromatic contrasts of red and green. Yet, the garden retains the charm of “shifting scenery with every step” and winding paths leading to secluded spots. Beside the central rockery and waterfall, swans and koi played in the pond, creating a scene full of vitality. However, despite it being an ordinary weekend, it was crowded with visitors, lacking a certain sense of tranquility.
On the 22nd, having failed to secure tickets for the Light Festival, I joined my classmate, Mr Chen, for a premium night cruise on the Pearl River (with thanks to Mr Chen for the treat). I must confess, although I am a child of the Jiangnan water towns, aside from reading Travelogues of the Qinhuai River, I had never experienced this sort of river excursion. “Intoxicated, I know not the sky is in the water; the boat, filled with clear dreams, weighs down the galaxy.” Sitting on the open-air deck, the river breeze was cool but not biting. The neon lights on the riverbanks shimmered, an iridescent flow of light, as I sat opposite Mr Chen engaged in delightful conversation. The banks of the Pearl River are indeed bustling and prosperous, lined with towering skyscrapers and heavy traffic. The last time I visited this city centre was over two years ago, shortly after starting university. Realising I was revisiting old haunts brought a sigh of nostalgia. “I wish to buy laurel flowers and carry wine as before, but it is not like the travels of my youth.” I recalled The Starry Sky of the Three Kingdoms which I watched during the summer: an old man and a young man walking alone at sea, the water and sky merging, the galaxy above splendidly brilliant, yet humans appearing so insignificant. A shooting star is but a fleeting moment, while the human world undergoes vast changes. “I lament the brevity of my life and envy the infinity of the Yangtze River. I wish to fly with the immortals and embrace the bright moon for eternity.”
From December 6th to 8th, at the invitation of Mr Lai and accompanied by Mr Huang, I spent three days touring Zhaoqing. Although it is a small city, it is truly intriguing. The city centre features an ancient arcade street and a section of the city wall dating back to the Song Dynasty. Looking out from the Yuejiang Tower, one can see the surging river below. This place was the fief of Emperor Huizong of Song when he was the Prince of Duan before his accession, and thus possesses profound historical depth. It is also renowned for its Duan inkstones, one of the Four Treasures of the Study; it is evocative to imagine scholars carving and composing poetry upon these small stones. Furthermore, I believe the scenery of Star Lake and the Seven Star Crags is not inferior to that of Guilin. With green waters and mountains, the surface shimmering, birds flying and fish leaping, the crags are graceful and charming. The mountains bear numerous inscriptions by literati, which are truly unique. The banks are lined with dawn redwoods, their red and green hues intermingling in the sunlight to create a poetic atmosphere. After three days of thorough enjoyment in this small city, we returned home in high spirits.
Then comes today, a visit to the Guangzhou Museum of Art. The architecture features a squared exterior housing a circular interior with a web-like suspended ceiling. In the central atrium, a piano was played continuously by an artist; the melodious notes could be heard even on the top floor. I was fortunate to encounter an exhibition of Wen Zhengming’s calligraphy and paintings, viewing many landscape, flower, and bird works, as well as pieces in running and regular script—a true feast for the eyes. The adjacent exhibition by the China National Academy of Painting also held many interesting works, and there were several notable sculptures on the top floor; I returned fully satisfied. Upon leaving, I happened upon a corner facing the Canton Tower, with fresh flowers in full bloom. Viewing this scene in winter filled me with warmth.
In addition to this, I purchased a Galaxy Watch 7 and a Pixel 10 over the past six months, satisfying a long-held desire. I also constructed several buildings on my Minecraft server; let this snowy landscape of blocks serve as a consolation for my dream of southern winter snow.
After the uncertainty of the first half of the year, I have finally found my direction for the foreseeable future, and life is slowly returning to the right track. I hope to graduate smoothly and that my research proceeds without a hitch. I also wish everyone peace and joy. Auld Lang Syne!