Cherry Huong

For the prior week off, I spent a few days with my family in Thainguyen province - my small beautiful hometown.
In the very deed, I really loathe going by car (or even by train) because I'm carsick. I had to go by train, anyway. Luckily, it was not as terrible as supposed.
My dad welcomed me at the station as usual. I felt a little tired but happy when seeing my parents and my grandmother, they were all well. Together with happiness of reunion, I was continuously fed up by my mother (after 3 days, I gained weight - nearly 1kg). Also, I myself cooked a new dish named "Dau kho Tu Xuyen" (traditionally from China). Hardly did I cook something, so my parents praised it though it was not actually delicious (maybe, it was too hot or salty).
I had good time doing my favourite old habits such as riding around the city, sightseeing, window-shopping, and meeting friends.
What wonderful days! A new term - the most important one - is coming nearer and nearer, I'm going to be swamped with study. Even though, I'm under the impression that my school has appeared pretty more than ever.
Try my best! You too ^^.

Have you ever complained about where you are living in? Is it too stuffy or terribly boring? This used to happen to me when I still lived in Thai Nguyen city (80 miles far away from Ha Noi, Northwest). I hated it when there were not as many entertainment services as other big cities. I felt unfair when the city was not as modern as Ha Noi and everything was out of date always. I just wanted to scream out loud when riding along full-of-dust streets (not to mention personal problems of a naughty girl then were strict family’s rules which drove me crazy).

Despite those complaints, I spent most of my time walking and riding outside – on the roads, especially in the early morning. I got into the habit of getting up at 5 o’clock and rushing to my favorite place at the city centre – the Youth road behind the museum – waiting for something came up. There were a lot of people doing the same thing as me with the purpose of taking exercises or jogging; but my purpose was much different from them, I went sightseeing. Above all, I discovered the hidden charm of my hometown: The Dawn. It is time when the huge red sun rises far behind ranges of mountains, hangs on the bamboos’ top and reflects its beams on the Cau River’s surface (Cau is the most famous river in Thai Nguyen). Seen from a high position, that scenery is really romantic and picturesque. Now, you can close your eyes to imagine: The peaceful river is full of sunbeams with green bamboos and trees along its two sides shadowing silently, sometimes swaying gently because of breezes. White clouds are flowing slowly and birds are singing above. The red sun outstanding at the middle of the blue sky is rising higher and higher, brightening the earth. That image seems to be engraved in my mind. Everything becoming clearer and clearer around me remembered me that a new day had come with luck, hope and love; thus, I had to appreciate it. Until then, did I realize how much I loved my hometown. Anyone, who catches this beautiful sight, will feel the same as me.

Another place whose dawn made an unforgettable impression on me is Coc Lake (a wonderful landscape of Thai Nguyen). Reaching Coc Lake at around 5 o’clock in the morning, I saw a mysterious sight. The large lake was covered with fog and, far away beyond my vision, mountain ranges were flickering behind fog layers. The whole area was covered with mist. At first, I felt a little bit chilly, but later, I got used to that special environment. I stood on the bank and took a deep breath. How fresh was the air! Waiting for the sunrise, I was surprised as sunbeams were not able to dissolve the fog. Where as, it made the scenery appeared to be more fanciful than ever. It looked like a fairy land when sunbeams and fog combined harmoniously. The dawn in here is one of my incentives fostering me to keep on trying. If you have a chance, come to Thai Nguyen city and spend a little early morning time to welcome the dawn. I am sure it will warmly welcome you.

From time to time, when going home, I still wake up early to enjoy that invaluable moment. The same sentiment aroused in me as before. I know that each place has its own beauty which we need to discover to love. Although Thai Nguyen may be as not modern as other commercial cities, it brings the charming beauty of miraculous nature leading people to a positive life as the meaning of the dawn.