|
就讀培德女中已有四年，這乍看似乎不多，但對我而言，卻是價值一生的回憶，因為它幫我打造成今日之我。萬佛聖城已成為我第二個家園，而法師、教師、居士、家長與育良╱培德女校的學生們，則已成為我的家人；要離開這兒，可能成為我一生中最難的一件事。
這所學校與我所上過、見過或聽過的任何其他學校，都如此不同，這或者是我為何這麼引以為傲的原因。不論那些最聰慧、機靈、愛護與支持的老師們，這所學校有一些我見過最令人驚異的人物；而可笑的是，我竟然用了將近四年才領悟到：對於我的身心健康和成長，每個人和每位老師的貢獻有多大。
我不會忘記，每當我感覺沮喪或只是不太舒服時，至少會有十個人來問寒問暖——並非出於禮貌，而是來自一份真誠關愛，這份真誠到今天都還如此窩心。在我需要別人時，周遭時時「貴人」出現，不管是同學，還是老師；而且自小早已根植我心的佛教，從我來此之後，這方面的知識更有長足的進步。感謝這些年來我所認識的無數優秀、風趣而樂觀的法師們！
培德女中，是個我能夠做許多不尋常事情，且甚至超越我自己假想潛能的地方。譬如，誰曾想過，我和另外三位同學，居然能在區區十五之齡，就寫成了一本書？更別提說是在我們十二年級時，書竟付梓發行了！還有「中國文化比賽」，雖然當初被迫參加，卻成為我在培德女中期間最難忘、最令人高興的經驗之一。我又在這兒得到瑜珈市「扶輪社」頒發的社區服務獎、學會怎樣種菜園、洗堆成山高的碗碟、在餐廳工作、做很多嚇人的報告、擔任夏令營輔導員、成為一個領導者，也因此在整體上使我成為一個更好的人。
離開學校我將帶走的，最佳的體驗之一是宿舍生活。自從第一天踏入宿舍起，它就一直幫助我成長。我記得我的「大姐姐們」是如何真正照顧我，不只是經常在我身邊，還教我怎樣做個獨立自主的人；是她們教會我怎樣洗大鍋和大盤、使用洗碗機，並且做墨西哥式的半月形餅。她們也灌輸我一大堆知識，譬如：尊敬我的長輩、無論是否我的職責都常去幫人、絕不頭髮濕濕的就去睡覺等等。由於她們曾是我的好模範，我成了今日的大姐姐；雖然我幾乎「累死」了，我希望我可以像我的大姐姐一樣，來影響我的「小妹妹」。宿舍生活當然不是容易的體驗，但每年都有其特殊之處，我也很高興曾是其中的一份子。
這所學校給了我機會，去認識這麼多常在周遭幫助我的好人，和那些分享共同理念來戮力改善學校的同學們。與其他大約十五至二十五個女孩子，住在一個如此嚴謹的環境裏，不僅令我更堅強；也正是在這兒、在這所學校裏，我與它在各方面形成了緊密的聯繫——超乎我的想像。這所學校幫我找到了生命的目的，它真正打開了我的視野，去看這世界能變怎樣；我希望，我將來能成為一個令學校能引以為傲的人。
|
|
It has been four years since I attended the Developing Virtue Girls' School. It doesn't seem like much, but to me it's a lifetime worth of memories that have helped shape me intothe person I am today. The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas has become my second home and the Dharma Masters, teachers, laypeople, parents, and students in Instilling Goodness Developing Virtue Girls' School have become my second family, and leaving will probably by the hardest thing I will ever have to do.
This school is so different from any other school I have even been to, seen, or heard of, and I guess that's why I am so proud of it. This school has some of the most amazing people I have ever met, not to mention the most intellectual, ingenious, caring, and supportive teachers. It's funny how it has taken me nearly four years to realize how much each and every person and teacher has contributed to my well-being and my growth. I won't forget how every time I'm down in the dumps or just not feeling so great at least ten people will ask me what's wrong, not out of politeness, but out of real care and love for me and the genuineness of it all still touches me to this day. There is always someone just around the cornor when I need someone, be it a classmate or a teacher. And the Buddhism that has been rooted in me since I was little has advanced in knowledge ever since I came here, thanks to the number of wonderful, lively, and optimistic Dharma Masters that I have met over the years.
Developing Virtue Girls' School is the place where I have been able to do so many out of the ordinary things and surpass even my own assumed potential. For instance, who would have ever thought that three other classmates of mine and I would ever write a book at the age of 15, not to mention have it printed and distributed in twelfth grade? There was also the Chinese Culture Competition that even though I was forced into it, became one of the most memorable and exhilarating experiences in my years here in DVGS. It was here that I was awarded the Community Service Award from the Ukiah Rotary, learned how to plant a vegetable garden, wash a gazillion dishes, work in a restaurant, make many "scary" presentations, be a summer camp counselor, become a leader, and as a result became an overall better person.
One of the greatest experiences that I will take with me from this school is the dorm life. The dorm has helped me grow since the first day I stepped foot into it. I remember how my "big sister" took really good care of me. Not only were they always there for me, but they also taught me how to be an independant person. They were the people that taught me how to wash the big pots and pans, use the dish-washing machine, and make a quesadilla. They also instilled a great deal of lessons in me, such as respecting my elders, always helping others, be it my job or not, never going to sleep with your hair wet, and so on and so forth. By being good role models for me, I became the big sister I am today. And though I nearly died from "exhaustion", hopfully I have influenced my "little sisters" in the same way that my "big sisters" influenced me. The dorm is definitely not an easy experience, but each year has its highlights. I'm glad to have been a part of them.
This school has given me the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people that are always there to help me, and classmates that share the vision of doing our best to make this school a better place. Living in such an austere environment and with about 15-25 other girls has not only made me stronger but also it is here and in this school, that I have formed bonds that are stronger than I ever deemed possible. This school has helped me find purpose in life and it has really opened my eyes to what this world can become. I hope that I will be able to become a person that this school can be proud to have had.
|
