The text provided here is a nostalgic recounting of a parent reminiscing about his daughter's childhood, particularly focusing on various American nursery rhymes and the daughter's playful interactions. The parent reflects on the limited recordings they have of their daughter from when she was young, which were transferred from an iPod to an iPhone and often played in the car, blending with music into fond memories of the past.

The daughter is described as a talkative and somewhat rapid-fire speaker as a child, who enjoyed showing off nursery rhymes.

 

April 13, 2019

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As I navigate through the cherry blossom season, I'm engulfed in a wave of nostalgia, reflecting on the fleeting moments of my daughter's childhood. It's remarkable how certain memories, like her voice from those few recordings we made, have ingrained themselves in my heart. These snippets, once captured in an iPod and now residing in my iPhone, have become an auditory pathway back to those treasured times.

My daughter was always a chatterbox, her words often racing ahead of her thoughts. She had a particular fondness for American nursery rhymes, relishing in their playful rhythms and catchy phrases. I fondly recall how she would eagerly recite them, her voice filled with the enthusiasm of youth.

 

One of her favorite rhymes was a humorous jibe at boys:

"Boys go to Jupiter to get more stupider, girls go to college to get more knowledge."

She'd recite it with such dramatic flair, emphasizing each word, as if imparting some profound wisdom. Her rendition was always animated, almost rap-like, making it impossible not to smile.

“what do you want me to say now? boys go to Jupiter , do you know the planet Jupiter? they go to the planet Jupiter, once they get there, they get stupider and stupider every second. And girls they go to college to get more knowledge and knowledge into their brain on their head.”

"Eeny, meeny, miny, moe" was another staple in her repertoire.

“Eeny, meeny, miny, moe,
Catch a tiger by the toe.
If he hollers, let it go,
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe."

It's fascinating to think about how this simple rhyme was more than just a game; it was a glimpse into the cunning minds of children. They'd use it to make choices, but often, the outcome was already decided in their hearts. They'd cunningly manipulate the ending to suit their desired choice, either accepting or rejecting it with a claim like

"My mother told me to pick the very best one, and you are not it."

Or, “My mother says to pick the very best one, and that is YOU”.

Among these recordings was a playful, teasing rhyme that still brings a chuckle:

“You know what
Kick your butt
All the way to Pizza Hut

While you’re there,
Comb your hair
Don’t forget your underwear!”

This rhyme, intertwined with stories of school and friendships, showcased the innocent yet intricate world of children's social dynamics.

“I said that I am the Princess of Jewelry because one of my friends and buddy said that she looked at my jewelry I brought to school.  What happened is she was so surprised and she loved it … she said that I am Princess of Jewelry and she is the Queen of Makeup.  Next time I am going to bring new jewelry, she said that I am the Queen of Jewelry…… No，Daddy, Jessica said I am the Queen of Jewelry if I bring some new jewelry tomorrow.”

A particularly memorable story was about Tanya proclaiming herself the "Princess of Jewelry" after a school friend complimented her on her collection. This interaction with her friend, Jessica, who crowned herself the "Queen of Makeup," was a brilliant display of childhood diplomacy and innocence.

Tanya's excitement at the thought of being elevated to the "Queen of Jewelry" the next day if she brought new jewelry to school was both touching and amusing.

Listening to these recordings also brought into stark relief the difference between a native language and a second language. Her English, fluid and expressive, stood in contrast to her Mandarin, which, despite her efforts at weekend Chinese school, sounded labored and less natural.

These memories, encapsulated in a few precious recordings, remind me of how quickly time passes. They're not just echoes of Tanya's childhood but also emblems of a period that seems both distant and vividly close. In the beauty of the cherry blossoms, I find a reflection of those bygone days, a tender reminder of the passage of time.