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This is English
translation of a diary written by a Chinese railway staff
member during the early years of the People’s Republic
China. We thank her for allowing us to publish her private
diary online in full.
June 2, 1953, Tuesday
I’m so excited – today I’m offered
a task to help build our new republic. My position is in
China’s Fifth Construction Engineering Bureau in Qingdao and will be working on capital construction accounting.
I’m so proud of my role.
From now on I’m a formal staff of the
state, and I’ll cherish this opportunity which will allow
me to make my contribution to the nation.
Chrysanthemum is with the Fourth CE
Bureau located in Shijiazhuang. I’m happy for her being so close to Beijing. Grace has yet to be appointed a position and seems to
be rather anxious. Her uncle sent a letter to her urging
her not to leave Shanghai, and her grandparents will also arrive in
a few days to persuade her not to go anywhere else. Grace
is quite upset and sheds her tears. I also feel sad for
her but I believe she will not bow to the pressure – it
is about her own future. Chrysanthemum, Tinkling and I
advised her to view it as a test to her determination.
I hope she will go through all these obstacles eventually.
My aunt is like my own mother to me,
busily preparing my luggage and spending generously to
purchase things that she thinks I might need late on. I
promise I will repay her kindness one day.
The Diary
in original Chinese text:
1953年6月2日，星期二
今天我以万分兴奋的心情接受了祖国交给我的建设任务。我的工作地点是工程总局所属第五工程局青岛市，搞得是基本建设会计–这是一项多么伟大而又光荣的任务啊！
从今天起，我已成为祖国的建设干部，也是一个正式的铁路员工了。我将珍视它。我决心成为一个名副其实的祖国的建设战士，在工作岗位上起一颗螺丝钉的作用。
菊凤亦属于工程总局，但她在第四工程局，地址在北京附近的石家庄。我为她靠近北京而高兴。可娟今天还未派到，看她心里很急，大概明天可以派到了。他的叔父来了信，劝她不要去。她的祖父母最近将来沪挽留她。可娟因此很难过，并留了泪，的确，我亦为她难过。但这是她的前途问题，我想她绝不会屈服的。菊凤、秀玲和我都鼓励她，说这是给她的一个考验。我希望她会是一个胜利者。
姨母是一个热情的伟大的母亲，对我充满了慈母的爱；我决心以女儿对母亲的爱来回报她。这两天她为我的行装而忙碌，毫不吝惜地为我买这买那、做这做那，对我各方面关怀备至。她的母爱使我感动，亦使我感激。菊凤、可娟等可羡慕我哩！我将永不忘记报答她。
<3
June 1952>
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