The streets are slowed by the big yellow monster1); moms stifle2) the sniffles3) as they let go of that little one's hand. Teachers full of hope open that door to a classroom that reflects their heart, soul and many weeks of preparation. The freshly shined floors of the school hallways echo squeaks4) of brand-new sneakers that mom and dad worked so hard to purchase. It is beautiful chaos.
I am not so old that I don't remember each and every first day. With a name like Cherimie, hair like a horse, and head as hard as concrete5), first days weren't always smooth sailing. How I wish I could go back and tell that awkward little girl all the things I know now.
I would tell her not to worry about how difficult it is to pronounce her name. One day that unique name won't be quite so bad. Those boots you love so much will one day be more than the brunt6) of the cool kids' jokes. It is OK to outrun the little boys, even if everyone tells you to let them win. It is equally as acceptable to excel in math and understand football. All those stories you write in detention7) may be worth more than you know.
Don't be afraid to answer the questions out loud: being smart is far more important than being pretty. It lasts longer and costs less. There are some things worth fighting for; just prepare for the consequences and the sore8) hand. Those thick glasses and metal braces are temporary: the glasses will help you see the mean girls coming and the braces will perfect your smile when you see them going.
Talk to the new students; they are scared and alone, too. Always stand up for those who are called nerds9); you will be amazed at what they become. Don't ever hide in the bathroom because some boy breaks your heart; he isn't worth missing cheerleading10) tryouts11). That day you will learn how to smile even when life hurts. Never, ever, allow someone to be made fun of, laughed at or discarded12). Never.
Don't waste time and tears over not getting invited to all the parties. Don't lower your head one millimeter when those girls say and do things that make you feel like you have been bush hogged13). They are mean, mean for sport14). Pretty soon you will be in high school and those same girls will be sitting in the stands watching you cheer. Keep smiling; they never change but neither will you. There will always be someone hoping you fail, laughing at your mistakes, pouring salt in your wounds, and pretending to be your friend. You will always know who your friends are; cherish them. Quality trumps15) quantity.
Enjoy every moment; thank Momma and Daddy for being so hard on you. These days will reflect who you will become, hair still as coarse16), head still as hard, but all in all, not so bad.
那輛黃色大校車駛過一條條街道,路上的車流減速避讓;媽媽們忍住抽噎松開孩子們的手;滿懷期待的教師們打開教室的門,將孩子們引向那間他們精心布置了好幾個星期的教室。孩子們穿著爸爸媽媽辛苦工作掙錢買來的嶄新運動鞋,學校走廊新擦亮的地板上回響著他們走過去時發出的嘎吱聲。真是一派美好的混亂景象。
我還沒有年老到會忘記每一個開學的日子。有著Cherimie這樣一個名字,頭發又粗又硬,還是個死腦筋,我的每個開學日并不總是一帆風順的。多希望我能回到過去,把我現在所知道的一切都告訴當年那個青澀的小女孩。
我會告訴她不要擔心自己的名字太難念,總有一天那個獨特的名字不會再那么糟糕。你特別喜歡的那雙靴子總有一天不再會只是那些酷小孩拿你開涮的東西。比男孩子們跑得快也沒關系,就算每個人都說你該讓他們贏。你同樣可以數學頂呱呱而且還懂得怎么玩足球。你在課后留校時寫的所有那些故事也許比你以為的更有價值。
不要害怕大聲回答問題,頭腦聰明遠比長得漂亮重要。它更持久而且花費更少。有些事值得你為它們打一架,只要準備好承擔后果,知道手會疼就行。厚厚的眼鏡片和金屬牙箍只是暫時的:眼鏡可以幫你看見那些走過來的壞女孩,而牙箍會讓你在目送她們離開時笑得更好看。
和新來的同學說說話,因為他們也和你一樣孤單害怕。要始終為那些被叫做“書呆子”的同學打抱不平,他們日后的成就會讓你驚嘆。永遠不要因為哪個男生傷了你的心就躲在洗手間里,他不值得你為他錯過拉拉隊隊長的選拔賽。那一天你將學會如何微笑,哪怕生活傷害了你。永遠不要坐視任何人被捉弄、嘲笑或者被拋棄。永遠不要。
不要因為有一場派對沒邀請你就荒廢時間、掉下眼淚。當那些女孩的言行讓你覺得顏面無存時,你也不要低下頭,哪怕一分一毫。她們尖酸刻薄,只為一時之快。沒多久,你就會升入中學,而那些女孩將會坐在看臺上,看著身為拉拉隊隊長的你在場上表演。保持微笑,她們不會改變,而你也不需要改變。總會有人盼你失敗,笑你犯錯,在你的傷口上撒鹽,還假裝是你的朋友。你總會明白誰才是你的朋友,珍惜他們吧,朋友貴精不貴多。
享受每個時刻,感謝爸爸媽媽對你的嚴加管教。在學校的這些日子將預示你會成為什么樣的人,雖然頭發還是那么粗硬,為人還是那么固執,可總的來說,還不差哦。
1.big yellow monster: 此處為比喻,指校車。國外的校車通常為黃色,且個頭大。
2.stifle [#712;sta#618;fl] vt. 抑止,制止
3.sniffle [#712;sn#618;fl] n. 不斷的吸鼻子
4.squeak [skwi#720;k] n. 吱吱聲
5.concrete [#712;k#594;#331;kri#720;t] n. 混凝土
6.brunt [br#652;nt] n. (指不愉快事情的)沖擊,打擊
7.detention [d#618;#712;ten#643;n] n. (處罰學生的)課后留校,放晚學
8.sore [s#596;#720;(r)] adj. 疼痛的
9.nerd [n#604;#720;d] n. 書呆子;蠢人
10.cheerleading [#712;t#643;#618;#601;li#720;d#618;#331;] n. 帶領拉拉隊
11.tryout [#712;tra#618;a#650;t] n. 選拔賽,選拔表演
12.discard [d#618;s#712;kɑ#720;d] vt. 拋棄
13.bush hog: 一種割草機的名稱,這里用來比喻,意指(像割草機割斷草叢一樣)讓人的顏面或感情蕩然無存。
14.sport [sp#596;#720;t] n. 消遣
15.trump [tr#652;mp] vt. 勝過,超過
16.coarse [k#596;#720;s] adj. 粗硬的