In 1989 an 8.2 earthquake almost destroyed Armenia (亚美尼亚),killing over 30, 000people in less than four minutes. In the middle of complete destruction and chaos, a father left his wife securely at home and rushed to the school where his son was supposed to be, only to discover that the building was as flat as a pancake. After the initial shock and pain, he remembered the promise he had made to his son: “No matter what, I’ll always be there for you!” Tears began to fill his eyes. As he looked at the ruins that once was the school, it looked hopeless, but he kept remembering his promise to his son. He began to concentrate on where he walked his son to class at school each morning. Remembering his son’s classroom would be in the back right corner of the building, he rushed there and started digging through the broken stones and bricks.

As he was digging, other heartbroken parents arrived, clutching their hearts, saying: “My son!” “My daughter!” Other well-meaning parents tried to pull him off of what was left of the school, saying:

“It’s too late!”

“You can’t help!”

“Go home!”

“Come on, face reality, there’s nothing you can do!”

“You’re just going to make things worse!”

However, to each parent he responded with one line: “Are you going to help me now?” And then he continued to dig for his son, stone by stone. The fire chief showed up and tried to pull him off of the school’s debris, saying “Fires are breaking out. Explosions are happening everywhere. You’re in danger. We’ll take care of it. Go home. “ To which this loving, caring Armenian father asked, “Are you going to help me now?”

The police came and said, “You’re angry, mad and it’s over. You’re endangering others. Go home. We’ll handle it!” To which he replied, “Are you going to help me now?” No one helped.

Courageously, he continued alone because he needed to know for himself: “Is my boy alive or dead?”

“What’s going on in there? How is it, my son?” the father asked, fighting back tears.

My first term at MIT was amazing-I was very motivated and got all A’s, with everything being passed. My second semester went pretty well, too, but I struggled very much in organic chemistry and ended up with a B. That was my first B ever, and though I was disappointed, I shook it off and tried to stay positive.

I was not even sure why I took organic chemistry, since I was interested in math. My parents were pressuring me to become a doctor like them so I guess I was trying to appease (安抚) them. But at the same time, I was desperately running away from them and their control. I was very conflicted and had no idea what I want to do in the future.

I had always excelled in math and so I chose to pursue that. I didn’t know it at that time,but my very sense of self-worth was based on the fact that I was good at math. But my third semester ended up with a D in math, and I didn’t do that well in my other classes, either.

I started skipping classes more and more; sleeping more and more. It seemed like all my friends were doing so well, getting some internship (实习) opportunities over the summers, while my parents made me fly home and stay with them every summer. The next semester I got 2 F’s.

In my fifth semester, I realized that I was awful at higher-level math and so I switched my major to computer science. I had lost all confidence in myself. I attended a few classes at the beginning of the semester, but after the first midterm exam, I completely stopped. My only relief was the dance team I was on. As expected, I failed all of my classes and had to withdraw (退学) from MIT.

Since I was forced to withdraw, I had no choice but to tell my parents.

I graduated with the highest honor, and now I am fortunate enough to have started my PhD.

Shanti wanted the wooden doll in Ramu’s toy shop. “The one with the red dress,” she told her best friend, Jodi. “How will you afford it?” Jodi asked. Shanti smiled. “I asked my mom if I could make rose garlands(花环) and sell them at my aunt’s market stall. Want to do that, too?” “Good idea!” said Jodi.

Early the next morning, the girls met at the rose bushes outside of Shanti’s house. Delicate red flowers surrounded them with the fresh scent(香气). They nipped blossoms with their fingers and dropped them into a basket. Then the girls sat under a mango tree and knotted the flowers into garlands. Shanti could already see herself hugging that beautiful doll.

“If we sell enough garlands, we can each get a doll,” said Shanti. Jodi shook her head. “My family is low on money this week. I’ll use my money to pay for Kiran’s medicine.” Kiran was Jodi’s little brother. “Is he sick?” Shanti asked. “He is. But when he gets his medicine, he’ll be fine.” Jodi picked up her garlands. “My mother is expecting me. I’ll meet you at the market later.”

Shanti spent the afternoon selling garlands at her aunt’s market stall. But where was Jodi? By early evening, Shanti had sold all her flowers. Shanti was on her way home when she saw Jodi heading to the market with her garlands. “Why are you so late?” Shanti asked.

“I had to watch Kiran while my mother was out,” Jodi said. “Why didn’t you take him with you?” Shanti said. Jodi shook her head. “He’s too sick to go out. He coughs and coughs.” Shanti knew Jodi wouldn’t make enough money for the medicine now.

The market would be closing soon. Shanti looked at the money in her hand. It was supposed to be for the beautiful doll she’d been dreaming of for so long. Then she looked at her friend’s tired face.

“Here. Keep this for the medicine.” Shanti put her money into Jodi’s hands.

The next week, while Shanti and Jodi gathered blossoms to earn pocket money, Kiran came merrily.

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, “Why would anyone bring home all his books on Friday? He must really be a nerd(书呆子).”

I had quite a lot of plans on weekends, like parties and football games with my friends, so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw him fall down and his glasses go flying, with all the books landing on the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up, and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes.

My heart went out to him. So I jogged over to him, and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, he looked at me and said, “Hey, thanks!” There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so we walked home together, talking all the way, and I carried half of his books.

He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play football on Saturday with me and my friends. He said yes. We hung out all weekend, and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him. And my friends thought the same of him.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. As we would graduate soon, Kyle was valedictorian (致告别辞的学生代表) of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn’t me having to get up there and speak.

On graduation day, I saw Kyle on the stage.

I just looked at Kyle with disbelief as he began to tell the story of the first day we met.