I have been on Kinmen for several months - which can hardly be considered a long period of time - and I still have many places to see, such as Mount Taiwu or one of Kinmen's many beaches. However, in the short time I have spent on Kinmen, I have already found a few places that have left me with a deep impression. These places are important to me not because of their environment, but rather because of the feelings that they have instilled in me. These places make me think of earlier, happier memories. I have even started seeing these places as second homes. Whenever I am sad or uncomfortable, I will go to these locations to relax, forget about life's troubles, and remember how fortunate I am. I will point out two places, but hope to continue to find more gems on Kinmen.
The first time in Asia, I was an exchange student in Beijing. At the time, I did not have many friends because it was my first time abroad, I did not know how to communicate with the locals yet, and I had a lot of pressure from studying Chinese. I was pretty depressed and easily agitated - even the smallest of matters could make me uncomfortable. Originally, I figured that staying in my room might be the best option; however, I later learned that this approach only added to my loneliness. I instead decided to go to a nearby coffee shop and relax. The environment in that coffee shop was relaxing and peaceful, and it pleased be greatly. From that moment on, I had a fondness for coffee shops.
Once I arrived on Kinmen, I started my search for a suitable coffee shop and found a great little placed called "Boss Coffee." The first time I went there I ordered BBQ chicken wings and a glass of bubble tea. They told me to go upstairs and wait for my food. While waiting, I peered through the window that looked onto Jincheng's bustling streets below, and I was able to appreciate Kinmen's interesting scenery. From then on, I have been a loyal customer at Boss Coffee, often going many times a week. I especially love their chocolate waffles and milk tea, although I have an even deeper appreciation for their atmosphere. Whenever I have a lot of work, I will head over to Boss Coffee to get my work done in the relaxing atmosphere. I have even brought some friends along to enjoy the coffee shop with me! I really appreciate the wonderful memories I am making at the coffee shop and hope that I can meet more friends and introduce them to this special place.
Before, I came to Asia to study. I have graduated this past May, and this is my first time in Asia as a working adult. At first, I was worried. I did not know what my school might be like or if they would accept me. However, after six months, I have come to love my school, Jin Ning Middle School. The students are very studious and happy, and they love to chat. Every time they happily greet me with a "Hi." My coworkers have also been warm; they are eager to answer and solve any issue. Every morning, the school is full of teachers and students giving morning greetings. I had no idea the school would be this kind; this left a very strong, good impression. Now, going to work is a passion. I love helping students ignite their passion for learning English, as well as widening my coworkers' understanding of the English language. Whenever I have free time, I love to walk around campus and enjoy the scenery. Many of the flowers are still blooming and the students are running around - playing sports and other activities. When I think about having to leave this wonderful school, I am sad! Fortunately, my memories of my co-workers and students will never leave me.
I am still a young, just recently turning twenty-four, and have not been to many places. In few months, I return to America. I hope to take what little time I have left on Kinmen and dedicate it to being a better teacher and a better explorer. I want to explore Kinmen's delicious cuisine, appreciate even more beautiful sights, and meet many different kinds of people and communities on this island. Before my time here ends, I hope to accumulate as many good memories as I can and etch them into my heart, so the memories of all the great places will remind me how fortunate I am. I have no idea how different my next city will be from Kinmen. All I know is that when I move, I may need to start again: find new friends, great new restaurants, and new scenery. However, I know that I never will forget the memories of these - and many other - special places on Kinmen.


讓我印象深刻的地方

我已經在金門好幾個月了，說長不長，說短不短， 還有很多地方我還沒去過，像是太武山還有金門沿岸的海灘等等。然而，在這段時間裡，我已經找到了一些讓我印象非常深刻的地方。不是因為這些地方的風景，而是因為這些地方帶給我很特別的感覺。這些地方讓我聯想到很多快樂的回憶，而我也把它們當作我的第二家，每當心裡不舒坦的時候，來到這些地方就會讓我感到放心、忘記生活中所遭遇到的困難，並且讓我記得自己是很幸福的。在這篇文章中，我會提到兩個地方，但我還是希望可以找到代表金門的璀璨珍珠。
我第一次來亞洲就是去北京當交換學生。那時我沒有什麼朋友，因為這是我第一次離開美國，我不知道要怎麼和當地人聊天，再加上學中文的壓力非常大，所以那時我太不開心，很容易因為小事而感到懊惱或不安。我原本以為最好的做法就是待在宿舍，可是時間一長就發現這並不是最好的辦法，而且這會讓我感覺更鬱悶更孤單。所以我去了宿舍附近的咖啡店，那邊的氣氛平和又輕鬆，讓我覺得很開心。 從那之後，我就喜歡去咖啡店休息。因此，當我到金門以後，也開始尋找適合我的咖啡店。好在金城有很多家，我找到一家叫Boss Coffee。第一次去就點了他們的烤雞翅和一杯珍珠奶茶。他們請我到樓上等餐，我就趁這個機會透過旁邊的窗戶，細細觀看金城街道上的熙熙攘攘。我現在常常光臨這家咖啡店。 我很喜歡這邊的巧克力鬆餅以及珍珠奶茶，不過我更喜歡這裡快樂的氣氛。當我有很多工作需要做時，我就會到這家咖啡店，在愉快的氣氛下完成我的工作。有時候也會有朋友和我一起去， 我很珍惜在這家咖啡店的美好回憶。我也希望有更多機會，讓我介紹我最喜歡的咖啡店給我的朋友。
以前來亞洲是為了學習中文，而當我在去年五月畢業時，我踏上了第一次身為老師的亞洲之行。我原本很擔心，不知道我的學校會是怎麼樣的或者他們會不會願意接受我，然而在金門六個月後，我發現我已經愛上了我的學校，金寧國中。這邊的學生都非常認真，常常都會跟我說 "Hi！" 我的同事們也都非常熱情。每當我有問題時，他們都非常樂意幫助我。每天早上到學校時，總是有許多學生以及老師互說早安。我沒想到學校會有這樣熱絡的氣氛，這讓我印象非常深刻。現在我喜歡去學校上課，喜歡激發學生對於學習英文的熱情，以及幫助我的同事們增加英文知識。我有空就會去校園走走，欣賞四周美麗的景色，看著百花盛開，以及很多學生快樂地玩耍。不過我偶爾會感到一些難過，因為我知道幾個月後，我就會離開我的學校、離開我的同事、離開我的學生。雖然我會離開他們，但是他們對我所留下的回憶，會一直在我的腦海裡。
現在我才二十四歲，所以去過的地方不算很多。距離回美國的時間還剩下幾個月，所以我希望有空的時候，可以探索更多更深的金門。品嘗金門的美食、欣賞金門美麗的地方、認識金門有趣的人以及結交更多新朋友。在我回美國之前，我希望把在金門所有美好的回憶刻在我心中。這個地方帶給我的美好回憶會安慰我，並提醒我是幸福的。我不知道我所要去的下一個城市和金門的區別會不會很大，但是我清楚地知道這又會是一個新的開始，到那時會需要結交新朋友、新的餐廳，以及讚嘆有美麗風景的地方。但無論結果是什麼，我都會聯想到在金門的這段短而快樂的時光，而我也永遠不會忘記，金門的這個地方留給我的印象。