Ten years will pass in a flash, disappearing in the blink of an eye...

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I don’t know how long ten years really is. Ten years ago, it was in our minds; ten years later, it lies deep in our hearts. Time cooks the rain; we walk through time. We are human beings with emotions. Shaped by family ties, love, life, beliefs, and friendships, what changes have taken place in our emotions over the past ten years, and what will change in the years to come... Ten years ago, we were children of our parents; ten years later, we become parents ourselves. Ten years ago, I did not understand the warmth of home; it was only later that I came to appreciate its comfort. Ten years ago, I longed to leave home and go far away; ten years later, I long to return home from afar. Ten years ago, I argued loudly with my parents; ten years later, I hope they will scold me again. Love: Ten years ago, you were my deskmate; ten years later, you became someone else’s wife. Ten years ago, I sang songs about my deskmate; ten years later, I think of her. Ten years ago, the only problem we faced was exams; ten years later, we have to deal with all kinds of problems besides exams. Ten years ago, I remembered your sweet smile below your house; ten years later, I saw your stern face as you scolded your children there. Ten years ago, I longed to get married right away; ten years later, I long to fall in love again. Ten years ago, when we talked about love, we were always shy. Ten years later, when we talk about love, it feels awkward; ten years ago I longed for love, but I didn’t know what it was. Ten years later, I understood what love was, but I no longer had it. Ten years ago, I rode a bicycle, whistling cheerfully on my way home; ten years later, I drive a private car, constantly busy with phone calls as I go about my obligations. Ten years ago, I longed to stay in a five-star hotel; ten years later, I am indeed staying in a five-star hotel, but I want to go home. Ten years ago, I wanted to take a flight; ten years later, what scares me the most is taking a flight. Ten years ago, after playing soccer, I would pass by the windows of coffee shops, hoping that the guy sitting across from the girl was me; ten years later, I see children who have just finished playing soccer walking outside those coffee shops, and I hope I’m one of them. Ten years ago, we were forced by our parents and teachers to sit at desks and listen carefully in class; ten years later, I want to listen again, but I can’t find a desk. Ten years ago, I despised the drunkards outside restaurants and swore never to drink alcohol; ten years later, I became one of those drunkards outside restaurants. Ten years ago, I longed to have my own private car so that I wouldn’t have to walk; ten years later, I long to walk instead of driving a private car. Ten years ago, I wanted to appear mature; ten years later, I go to beauty salons in hopes of staying young forever. Ten years ago, I thought about eating meat at every meal; ten years later, I think about eating vegetables at every meal. Ten years ago, upon seeing the homeroom teacher’s large glasses on campus, I felt fear and resentment; ten years later, dreaming of the teacher’s voice and smile made me feel affectionate yet also sad. Ten years ago, I praised the student who made the foreign language teacher cry while saying, “This teacher isn’t good enough.” Ten years later, I comforted my female colleague who was cried at by her students, saying, “Today’s students are really terrible.” Ten years ago, there was still a bit of the ‘Wei Lang – thin and slender’ in me, who would mock Lao Jiu for being too fat; ten years later, all that remained was the ‘Song Yu – sentimental’ side of me, who was mocked by Lao Jiu for being overtaken by those who came after. Ten years ago, I enjoyed playing games by climbing over a one-zhang-high wall on cold winter nights; ten years later, I feel bored playing online games while sitting at home in a warm bed drinking hot coffee. Ten years ago, I could score thirty points in a single game on the basketball court; ten years later, the player I was tasked with defending could score thirty points! Ten years ago, I and my classmates expressed our desire to join the military academy, while ten years later, having been discharged for a year, I and my comrades reflected on the good times and tough moments spent in the army. Ten years ago, there were endless amounts of repetitive tasks that had to be completed; ten years later, there are complicated interpersonal relationships that need to be managed. Ten years ago, exams were the only burden; ten years later, there are too many burdens besides exams. Ten years ago, I used to often read the information on the college entrance examination, wondering how I could get into a prestigious university; ten years later, I tend to pay attention to job advertisements, thinking about how to find a part-time job. Ten years ago, I paid close attention to the romantic rumors within the class; ten years later, I simply accepted an invitation to attend a classmate’s wedding, regardless of who the bride was. Ten years ago, I promised my family that “only bastards fall in love”; ten years later, hurt beyond measure, I shouted at my friends that “love is a bastard”! Ten years ago, when I saw bullies mistreating others, I was willing to stand up and fight despite the risk of getting hurt; ten years later, I hesitate to give away even two coins to an old person begging on the street! Ten years ago, I would force myself to write poems about sorrow; ten years later, I force myself to create poems just to express sorrow! Ten years ago, we had to search everywhere for pay phones in order to make a call; ten years later, although we have pay phones, we still have to run around looking for them. Ten years ago, my goal for my monthly salary was 1,000 yuan; ten years later, it’s 6,000 yuan, yet I still can’t be happy. Ten years ago, what I feared most was criticism; ten years later, what’s most rare for me is criticism. Ten years ago, 200 yuan was enough for me to last a month; ten years later, I need 2,000 yuan just to have one meal. Ten years ago, we wore uniform school uniforms, whose simplicity exuded a bright, sunny atmosphere; ten years later, we wear branded clothes, whose luxury carries a hint of melancholy. Ten years ago, we could go to class with messy hair and sweaty faces; ten years later, we must appear neat and well-groomed and smile while going to work. Ten years ago, I hated **; ten years later, I ** it. Beliefs: Ten years ago, I thought I was a big tree; it was only after ten years that I realized I was just a blade of grass. Ten years ago, the only thing I could waste was time; now, I can waste anything except time. Ten years ago, we could say that youth brought no regrets; now, all we can say is that youth is gone. Ten years ago, we could treat life as a game; now, we are trapped within the game of life. Postscript: Ten years ago, people were always planning for the year after; ten years later, they were always reminiscing about the year before. We count those warm and wonderful things in our hearts; we look forward to the future while enjoying the present. Our emotions are always so rich – remember to stay optimistic, and remember to love yourself, your parents, and others. Ten years will pass in a flash, disappearing in the blink of an eye...