The Flowing Rhythm of My Life

Commended Entry: "The Flowing Rhythm of My Life" by Lizzie Xu from Italy

This article was submitted in the Kids World Travel Guide Essay Competition 2022 in the Junior Category 8 - 11 years.

The Flowing Rhythm of My Life

My life is like a mindset of its own, full of happiness, dreams, fears and hopes. Here are three of the most significant joys in my life.

Firstly, music opens a hidden door at the back of beyond, and with it comes a thousand possibilities. I love how the melodies flow freely and they turn and twist with intricate swirls. Personally, music is like the inspiration to my writing and passions because it draws me forward with every beautiful note that chimes and echoes in my ears.

As a member of our Junior School Orchestra and Choir, I enjoy the weekly rehearsals that I get to spend with my friends, who are also passionate about music. One of my highest honours is that I was recently invited to perform with our Senior School Orchestra in a Memorial Service for Queen Elizabeth II. This unforgettable experience will encourage me to continue pursuing the path of music.

Secondly, reading enhances my scheming thoughts that dip and dive like graceful dolphins dancing under the gaze of the moon. Το read means to lose yourself in the plot of a book and enjoy the bliss of undisturbed peace. Fantasy and adventure books carry my mind up to a sailing, drifting cloud whilst historical fiction books transfer me back to the ‘Old Age’ and finally, encyclopaedias fling me back to the real world and fill my head with knowledge. One of my favourite quotes about reading in Chinese is, ‘读万卷书，不如行万里路’, meaning, ‘you gain more knowledge when you travel far, rather than reading a thousand books’, which leads into my next important landmark of my life.

Lastly, travelling together with family is like viewing the world on Aladdin’s magical flying carpet that makes me send my emotions running with the wind and soaring through the sky. To travel means to admire the trademark landscapes that are a token to the city’s culture, to learn about its traditions and to enjoy the bliss of scrumptious food.

This summer holiday, we went on a road trip that was over six thousand kilometres and we visited a great amount of destinations. We decided to swing by mesmerising, romantic Nice and sweet, lavender-smelling Valensole before travelling to historical Dijon, which is famous for its Burgundy wine and its mustard. From there, we went to a glamorous, memorable Brussels and then to a peaceful, boat-filled Giethoorn. A vivid and fast-moving London led us to calm, stunning Colmar and finally to lush, relaxing Sarnen Lake in Switzerland.

Every time we travel, I realise that this experience allows me to notice that our world is so different in traditions, yet so similar in strategies.

To conclude, life is like a gelato. Even though most of the time it will taste sweet, when it tastes bitter or sour, I will always be ready for what it will throw at me.

Congratulations on your essay "The Flowing Rhythm Of My Life", Lizzie. Thank you for this well composed essay! Well done!

Lizzie Xu attends St George’s British International School in Rome/ Italy. English as Second Language; Home Language is Chinese