“Who are you?”
“Where are you? What are you doing?”
I questioned my future self.
Simultaneously, I heard echoes of my past self posing the same inquiries to my present being.
Two years ago
Two years ago, I found myself asking these questions, shifting my gaze away from the weary glow of a computer screen to the illuminated skyscrapers outside the 18th-floor window in the wee hours.
Amidst the bustling metropolis of one of China’s fastest-developing cities, I, like many other young souls, felt ensnared within the concrete jungle.
Embracing change
As I crafted speeches for executives, Pacific whales spouted rainbow-like mist under the sun; while I tackled mundane spreadsheets, tropical rainforest butterflies gracefully danced.
And as I missed the last subway due to overtime, backpackers sang around campfires at the foothills of the Alps. The world was vast, and I longed to explore it.
Hence, two years later, I responded to that inquiry: “I’ve become a student again, I’m in Milan, and I’m learning how to become a better version of myself.”
Passion for write
Fueled by a passion for writing, I interned at a newspaper during my university years, aspiring to become a wordsmith.
Post-graduation, I delved into new media, managing public platforms for enterprises, crafting PR materials, and advertisements.
In rapidly evolving megacities of China, renowned for their efficiency, life raced by at a dizzying pace, rendering individuals mechanical cogs, executing repetitive tasks per directives, devoid of deviation or respite.
I felt suffocated; life wasn’t meant to be this way. So, I embarked on a new journey.
I came to Milan on the other side of the world, re-entering university, seeking an alternate way of life. Why Milan?
Eight years ago, my cousin, born in Italy, began learning Italian. One day, he called me to share newly acquired words and suggested an Italian name for me, “Luna.” I asked why not “Stella” (star), to which the five-year-old replied, “Because there are many stars, but only one moon. You are my moon.”
That moment sparked the thought: Italy must be a gentle place, where even children weave sweet words. Little did I know, eight years later, I’d find myself in this tender land, penning these words on a keyboard. “Luna” became my first Italian word, bestowing me with an Italian name before I even set foot in the country.
New possibilities
Admittedly, as a foreign girl, adaptation presented myriad challenges.
Learning a new language proved arduous, especially amidst the rigorous Italian language graduate program, where I often questioned if I had dyslexia. For non-native speakers, the idea of pursuing a writing career in the local language seemed fanciful.
Moreover, cultural assimilation was no easy feat due to stark cultural differences. I resembled a sluggish robot, reliant on translation software to decode messages, reacting a step slower than others.
I was the last one laughing at a joke after everyone else had finished. Fortunately, my professors displayed patience and kindness, urging me not to give up during moments of anxiety, while classmates eagerly shared course information.
I wasn’t the brightest, but with a hint of courage, I ventured far from home to unlock new possibilities in a distant, unfamiliar land.
“piano piano (slowly, slowly)”
Like my Chinese name implies, which translates to “piano piano (slowly, slowly)” in Italian, I may not sprint through life’s marathon like others, but as long as I persist, victory is mine.
I embrace life at a leisurely pace; while worldly success deserves applause, finding joy in documenting ordinary life moments is equally fulfilling.
Diverse life experiences prove intriguing, and I’m grateful for the internet, simplifying communication across borders.
Whether in Chinese, English, or Italian, exceptional writing resonates with people from varied nations and cultures. Words possess warmth; through earnest life experiences, I aspire to acquire more knowledge and engage in writing professions like journalism, editing, or media platform management.
The world brims with myriad events, and I observe humanity, intent on capturing intriguing moments that might evoke laughter, stir emotions, or provoke contemplation on the other end of the internet.
Luna journalist
Two years hence, I envision myself responding, “I am a journalist/editor, working for the website of my dreams, passionately crafting captivating articles.”
