我需要的把我的财产分类。我必须决定哪些东西保留，哪些东西扔掉。例如，我决定不再需要打字机了，因为现在我只用计算机作文字处理，于是我决定把它赠送给别人。
I made many lists and developed a cold as a way to catalogue my possessions. As I packed items in cardboard boxes, I made a list regarding the contents on the outside of each box. I packed dishes in towels to protect them. Many times I had to undo a box because I forgot to list the contents. When I finally snapped the lid of a box shut, I sealed it with transparent tape and checked to be sure that it would not loosen. I also included another tag, which gave each box a number because all cardboard boxes look identical. I was careful not to abbreviate the names of items in the lists lest that would mislead me as to the contents. I continued with this method, which also created an index of items. It seemed the rational way to coordinate and organize things. I remarked many times during this phase of my preparations that I had not realized I had so much gear.
我做了许多目录，还作了编码，作为对我的东西进行分类的一个办法。当我把这些物品装入纸板箱时，在每个箱子的外面，我再作一个所装物品的目录。我用毛巾把盘子包起来保护它们不会破碎。有很多次，我因为忘记列出所装的东西而不得不再次把箱子打开。当我在最后啪嗒一声关上箱子盖子的时候，我就用透明胶带把它封好，并进行检查，确信它不会松动。我还准备了另一个标签，为每个箱子编一个数字，因为所有的纸板箱看上去是一样的。我很小心，不在目录中缩写每一件的名字以免使我认错里面的东西。我继续使用这个方法，还编制了一个物品索引。看来这是一个组织协调的合理方法。在准备期间，我多次感叹，我怎么会有这么多杂物。
At times I had to laugh at myself. My activities seemed like they would make a good script for a comedy. Maybe I should write a play about what I was doing and copyright it. It certainly would be good for a few scenes on a soap opera.
有时，我不得不自我解嘲。我的活动好像可以作为一出喜剧的好素材。也许我应该把我正在做的事情写成一个剧本并取得版权，作为一出肥皂剧里面的几幕肯定是不错的。
On the spur of the moment I decided to loan my sofa and my rug to my niece who was moving to a larger home. That would mean a few less things to put into storage.
我不假思索地就决定把我的沙发和我的小地毯借给我的侄女，她就要搬到一个较大的家了。这意味着可以少储藏几件东西了。
I fulfilled my obligation to provide proof of good health. I had a chest x-ray taken. I had a complete physical examination. I had dental check up. Because my health reports all indicated I was in excellent health, all of the health care professionals I visited encouraged me to pursue my adventure.
我履行了提供身体健康证明的义务。我作了X光胸透，还作了一个全面的体检，并且检查了牙齿。因为所有的健康报告都表明我身体很好，我拜访过的那些保健专家都鼓励我去从事我的冒险活动。
I renewed my passport, my proof of identity as a Canadian citizen. I knew that once I arrived in China I would also be registered with the Canadian Embassy.
我延长了护照的期限，那是确认我是一个加拿大公民的证明。一旦抵达中国，我还要在加拿大使馆登记。
My family’s reaction when I told them about my plans was as expected. Although they sanctioned my idea and supported me the endeavor, they were sad to think that I would be half way across the world for such a long time. The frown on my grandson’s face told me that the situation would be especially difficult for him and that he might feel neglected by me.
当我把我的计划告诉我的家人时，他们的反应和我预料的一样。虽然他们同意我的想法而且尽力支持我，但想到我要横跨半个世界，离开如此长的时间，他们还是有点难过。我孙子眉头紧锁的表情告诉我，他尤其难过，他可能觉得我忽视了他。
Although I could scarcely argue with the comments of my family about their feelings, for their sake I talked about the time away from home as if it was just a few short days. I would be back home before they knew it. They suggested that I come back after one year for the summer and then return for the second year. I agreed to this plan.
对于我家人的担心，虽然我不用就他们的意见进行解释，但为了让他们放心，我说这次离家的时间就好像只是短短几天罢了，不知不觉我就回家了。他们提议我在一年之后回来过夏天，然后再返回去继续第二年的工作。我同意了这个计划。
Five years ago, would I have thought that this was in the realm of possibility? I doubt that I would have. But here I am in China, in my second year of living in this amazingly progressive civilization, and I can honestly say that I have never once regretted my decision to teach in China. I must also admit that I have learned far more from my students than they have learned from me. I admire their thirst for knowledge and they seem to thrive on challenges. They never seen tempted to take a short cut, always working hard and giving a supreme effort. Their tolerance for their English teacher’s lack of familiarity with Chinese customs has been appreciated. They always are positive in their attitudes toward me and have helped me whenever they could. At times they have insisted on doing things for me that was capable of doing my self. It has become a habit to surrender to their wishes to assist. One student in particular always takes on the job of carrying my packages, saying that it is his pleasure to be my porter.
在五年前，我会想到这是可能的吗？我想我不会。但是，现在我就在另，已经是在这个正以惊人的速度前进的文明国度里的第二年了。我可以真诚地说，对于在中国教书的决定，我从不曾后悔过。我还得承认，我从学生们那里学到的东西，远多于他们从我这里学到的。我钦佩他们对知识的渴望，他们含金量在挑战之中成长。他们从不设法走捷径，总是刻苦学习，付出最大的努力。他们对他们的英语老师对中国习俗缺乏了解的宽容，值得赞赏。他们总是以肯定的态度待我，并且尽可能给我帮助。有时，他们要坚持为我做我能够做的事。满足他们要帮忙的愿望已经变成一个习惯了。有一个学生很特别，总是干帮我提包的事，说他很高兴当我的搬运工。
When I started to plan this adventure I had only a vague idea of what the country of china would be like. I could recognize their flag but was not even familiar with their national anthem. My comprehension of the customs of the country was very limited I felt almost ashamed at how little I knew. I did not know if they used the metric or the imperial system of measurement. Would I buy fluids such as milk and soda in quarts or liters? Would I need to learn the Chinese word for gram or for inch? Indeed I had never heard the word jin before.
当我开始计划这次冒险时，对于中国到底是个什么样子，我只有一个模糊的概念。我可以认出他们的国旗，但还不熟悉他们的国歌。我对这个国家的习俗的了解也非常有限。 我觉得惭愧得很，我知道得太少了。我不知道他们是用公制还是英制单位。我要按夸脱还是按升去买牛奶和苏打等液体商品？我需要学习表示“克”或“英寸”的中国字吗？的确，我以前从未听到过“斤”这个字。
I knew little about the food I would be eating. Would dairy products such as skim milk and cheese and yoghurt be available? Would I eat only rice and noodles or would the variety of foods be endless? May be I would be enjoying a rack of lean pork ribs as a delicious treat.
对于我将要吃的食品，我知道得很少。可以买到像脱脂牛奶、乳酪和酸酪这样的奶制品吗？我只能吃米饭和面条，还是有各种各样的食品？也许我能享受到作为美味款待的烤瘦肉猪排。
I was unaware that there were so many dialects in the Chinese language. I had no idea how I would communicate but when I arrived in china, I soon found myself having a limited dialogue with Chinese people. They would try to speak a few words of English and I would attempt a few words in Chinese. However, I resorted to sign language more than words.
我不知道汉语有这么多方言。我一点儿不知道如何进行交流，但是当我抵达中国后，很快发现我自己可以和中国人进行有限的对话。他们常常试着说几句英语，而我就尝试几句汉语。不过，我借助手势语的时候超过口语。
How much I have learned! It has been a wonderful, rewarding experience and the one comment that comes to my mind is “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!”
我居然学了这么多！这真是一次令人愉快的、十分有益的经历。这使我想起了一句话，就是“无论如何我没有错过它！”
责任编辑：sealion1986
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