Reborn

Chi Seng Cheong

Reborn

            Black eyes, dark hair and iconic yellow skin. I am a typical Chinese person, but it is incredible that some Europe cultures have seeped into my ethnic background. Portugal had been in charge of Macau, the place I grew up, for over 400 years. In 1999, Portugal ended the rule in Macau, and returned Macau to China. Most people living in Macau desired that Macau could get rid of Portugal in order to change their identity. Thus, the current president of China at that time Jiang Zemin visited Macau and declared that Macau would be a Special Administrative Region similar to Hong Kong. Although I was just a child at that time, I felt that this change had many influences on my whole family.

            The most impressive memory for me is that both of my parents had originally come from Mainland China, and this return let them reconnect with their hometown. Before 1999, it was not common for Macau citizens make a trip to China. However, after Macau was transferred back to China, my parents went back to China frequently each year. In every Chinese festival, my parents preferred to spend their holidays in their hometown in China. Unfortunately, I had to go with them regardless of my school obligation. However, it wasn’t all negative. It was my first time to be in touch with nature. In their hometown, there wasn’t air conditioning, television or any entertainment. I just could sleep with bugs in the inside of mosquito net. However, I got many opportunities to experience village life, such as taking care of the animals. These experiences helped me to grow up.

            In addition, the standard of living in my family has increased because of Macau’s economic development. Macau is a tourist city, and unique legal gambling city in China. China invested a lot to build casinos instead of textile mills. My mother was a textile worker. In the wake of the economic development, job requirements increased. My mother got the opportunity to change her environment that was more stable, safer and better. Also, the difference of income enabled my family to afford other extra luxuries like travel. We could afford to move another bigger house. I was so excited to move because I didn’t have to use plates anymore to pick up rain from the broken roof forever. This was the first time that I thought it was good for Macau to return to China.

            

          Beside those family changes, I also had some personal changes due to different types of religions in Macau. In fact, Macau is an international city, and it includes Christianity, Taoism and Buddhism. People can practice an religion their favors. Furthermore, everyone had their own ways to deal with negative emotions. When I faced troubles, I usually went to church, what was a quiet place where I could calm down. Basically, I used to go to church twice a month, even though I was not a believer. In my school, each religion had an academic club. For students, school held a debate regularly. It was not a competition, but more liked a dialog. I would not miss any debates. These experience taught me to see things from different angles.

            Life is life. We have no chances to reset anything. Fortunately, Macau got a second chance to be reborn when it was returned to its homeland, China. My family was also reborn along with Macau. I am glad that I had the chance to experience Macau’s changes. I stood with two adults connected with their hometown, a complete family and one of a kind person. In the competitive world, people always desire improvements. Most Macau citizens doubted that China could save Macau before 1999. I am thankful that those doubts were unfounded. I can’t say that the decision has improved all Macau citizens’ lives, but it definitely cleared my family’s load.