Home Sweet Home.

It's been a while, hasn't it? Not too long, I hope.

Since the 2008 Olympic Games have officially started, I haven't had a chance to think about much else, being Chinese and all.

Having been living in the United States since the age of seven doesn't necessarily make me feel more American than Chinese. Prior to the absolutely spectacular Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games, I was having trouble picking a team to stand behind. A team to yell for when it does well. Should I pick China, because I've got Chinese blood running through my Chinese veins? But would it be unfair to not pick the U.S., since I've been accepted into the Melting Pot, and lived in it for the majority of my life?

At the beginning of June, this teeter-totter was leaning towards the U.S., though I wasn't too conscious of it at the time. However, 2008 also happened to be the year that I was going back to visit my birth country. The first time in ten years.
...
Ten years ago, I would spend my days in a group of five. We were basically a packaged deal, but each with our own distinct personalities.

At nine-years-old and towering above everyone else, LuLu was the definite leader. She was two years older than the next in line (me) and was always given the money when the five of us wanted to get ice cream at the ice cream stand on the corner.

Like I said, then there was me. Seven-years-old, and an absolute bully. Though, you wouldn't think so by looking at me: a terribly skinny kid with a rather large-looking head. Kind of like a lollipop, actually. Although I was a bully, according to my beloved uncle, I was one that always dressed her best.

Then you get the Terrible Trio: Jason, Adam, and Jimmy. All six-years-old.

Jason: The mini-leader of the mini-group(by escaping the womb a bit earlier than the others), was LuLu's younger brother. He seemed to be the one that always missed out when something was about to happen. Also the one who played it safe, Jason escaped with no major childhood accident (unlike the rest of us).

Adam: He was a quiet one, but also my maternal grandpa's only grandson that's carrying his family name. The passive aggressive one that I bullied beyond reason. Not to mention the one I hung out with more than the rest. If he was playing with a toy, any toy, I'd take it from him. Whether I cared to have it for myself or not.

Jimmy: An absolute cry-baby, that's for sure. But, also my absolute favorite third of the Terrible Trio. He cried for the fun of it, I swear. A day wouldn't pass when something didn't make him cry. However, that something was never me. I favorited the little boy, and put my bullying skills to use when necessary for him.

So there you have it. Us.
...
Fast-forward ten years and you've reached the present. Nine, seven, and six-year-olds shot up to nineteen, seventeen and sixteen-year olds. Although the rest of them had all been together the last ten years, I had left.

As excited as I was to go back, I didn't think that I'd be able to renew my membership to this private club. Things had changed just too much.

Right, as if. Sure the first couple days were hard, and it wasn't like anyone really recognized me, but in a flash, we all were sent on a trip back in time. With a twist, of course.

Almost everyone was taller than LuLu now. Jason seemed to be present at all events. Adam was the loudest (next to me) of the bunch. And Jimmy, the little cry-baby, became a lean mean fighting machine. Alright, not mean. But with a six-pack and more, Jimmy practices his Karate everyday.

Me, I haven't changed that much. I could still make them do anything I wanted, needing no more than a pout. :]
...
I guess that was how I came to realize that your home is your home. No matter how long you've been away for, it'll always be there, just waiting for you to come back.

So, China. I picked China.

There aren't words to explain the swell I felt in my chest when the Chinese team finally stepped out during the Opening Ceremony.

If there was ever a moment when I wasn't proud to be Chinese.

I take it back.