My Chinese dream—to become a Mr China

[The United States] Paul McLellan Alexander Ⅲ, Shenyang University

After I came to China, completed my university studies, got married and had children, I knew that I must have saved the Galaxy in my last life. I feel so lucky to choose to live in China and gradually realize my Chinese dream - to become a "Mr China."

In the summer of 2005, I first came to China at the age of 18. I remember clearly that my uncle and I arrived at the hotel in Hong Kong in the small hours of the morning. Although the long journey made me very tired, I did not feel drowsy but excited and curious. For me, unlike the United States, everything in China is brand new! So I begged my uncle to take me around the hotel. My uncle ordered me a plate of smelly black fried tofu on the Snack Street.

He told me it was a super delicious gift from God! It doesn't look delicious and smells bad, but my uncle gave me the first lesson about China. "Don't judge from the appearance and rush to conclusions, taste it first, then say how you feel," he said. I pinched my nose and ate a mouthful. Although not so good-looking, it tastes delicious after eating more. I almost ate a plate of stinky tofu. I seem to understand my uncle’s words, and from then on, my Chinese dream kicked off.

I chose to study Chinese language at East China Normal University and to learn about this mysterious country and culture.Time passed quickly, and the year of study language came to an end. During this period, I fell in love with the people of China, the food, and the comfortable and harmonious atmosphere I couldn't experience in the US. Everything makes me feel so pleasant and unforgettable.

Back in the United States, I can't stop my longing for China. Whenever someone asks me about my life in Shanghai, my memories revived. I tried to continue my studies of Chinese and in the US made a lot of friends from China. They gave me a Chinese nickname, "Egg Zhang." The reason is that I am like the structure of an egg, the outside is protein (white people), but the core is egg yolks (yellow people). I like this nickname very much – this is me, there is a passion of China under the white skin. However, without the environment of Chinese language, I still can neither master this language nor know China better.

Three years ago, things I never dared to think about happened. With the strong support of my family and my own efforts, I got the chance to study in China again. To better understand Chinese and learn Chinese culture in different regions, I chose Shenyang, a northern city with a long history. It turns out this is a most intelligent decision I have made in my life. While studying at Shenyang University, I fell in love and met my beautiful and charming wife. She took me to many places of interest, taught me to speak a lot of Northeast dialect and let me experience the warm affection between her family and relatives.

And my command of Chinese has improved unknowingly. I still remember a very interesting episode. When I first met my wife's grandfather's brother, he asked me in Northeast dialect, "How many brothers do you have? " I was in a fog; I never sang a single song, why did he ask me how many songs? I didn't understand until my wife explained it to me. What an interesting language Northeast dialect is, what a kind relative he is! I really love this big family so much.

After holding a traditional Chinese wedding, my wife and I lived a real Chinese life in Shenyang. My Chinese dream has been fulfilled so far. In May 2020, our son came into this world, which is a precious gift to me once again.

One night, I chatted with my wife about my life in China and said, "I must have saved the Galaxy in my previous life, so I can come to China in this life to have such a wonderful wife and such a handsome son."

China is becoming stronger. I will continue my study of Chinese language and culture, so as to realize my Chinese dream – to become a "Mr China". I want to tell more foreigners what I have seen and heard in China, so that they can learn about and fall in love with the real China as I do.

The story is from "My Beautiful Encounter with China" Essay Competition organized by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchanges (CSCSE).