I found out that there are around 60,000 miles of blood vessels in an adult’s body. That is two and a half times the length of the earth. Now, looking around me, I realize that there are 8 billion uniquely shaped bodies that are fueled by 60,000 miles of hardworking blood vessels. Every one of us is built for a purpose. 

 

Yellow: Best 20

Green: Best 6

Red: Best 3

 

Photo one: Be Yourself

I asked my friend WeiWei to model for my photo, and without further instructions, he stood in a pile of bikes, looking away from the camera. From that one subconscious move, he portrayed the insecure and indecisive nature of teenagers nowadays. The immense pressure to achieve good grades, look good, and be polite confines teenagers into a trap of insecurity. WeiWei standing in the middle of an ocean of bikes symbolizes the social norms that drive him out of who he is and turn him into who society wants him to be like. We are lost. Lost in the cruel reality that makes us emotionless. Be yourself. Your imperfections are what make you unique. 

 

Photo two: Betrayed By a Pair of Pensive Eyes 

In the midst of a gloomy morning, twelve-year-old me sat at the only open restaurant that opened at five in the morning. It was no fancy restaurant. A small, simple room that wore a dusty cloak. 

My father spoke. “What do you think makes me more successful than him?”  nodding towards the restaurant owner.

My tiny brain drifted as the silence extended.

“Because you work harder than him?” I squeezed the six words out of my mouth, eyes drowning in desperation.

“But look at him, he is running a restaurant at five in the morning. Most people, including you and I should still be asleep now.”

“It is because I set my goals higher than his.” My father continued after a pause. “His goal was to open a small restaurant, while mine was to build a company.”

I sat in silence for the rest of the meal. 

*      *      *

When I visited the Hutongs again during the trip, I thought of what my father told me. I am shrouded with small stands selling different desserts, drinks, and simple food. Every one of them wakes up early every day, standing in front of their stands, screaming their hearts out to beg for a sale. They are working hard. But why doesn’t the world reward them with a better life? 

*      *      *

Although she is wearing a mask, her expression is betrayed by her two eyes. Flooded by guilt and regret, she pointed her eyes to the left, almost like seeing through to an alternative universe, seeing the life she could have had and the potential she could have reached if she had set her goals higher. Was it the lack of education, the lack of wealth, or the endless torture of sickness that lured her into the role of a stand owner that prevented her from reaching her goal? 

 

Photo three: What Are You So Afraid of?

When I took the photo, I instantly thought of my father. As a child, I was always taught that smoking is “bad.” I would judge my father for smoking all the time. Even to this date, I subconsciously hold my breath when I see someone smoking. As I grew into a teenager, the school courses would flood me with the idea that smoking is “bad”, disgraceful, and unhealthy. Everything is pointing their fingers at smoking. 

So I pondered. Why do people smoke when they know it is bad for the body?

Escapism is the answer I concluded with. Maybe life is more than just legos and fun. There is an overwhelming amount of pressure to be rich, to do “good” at work, at school, to build a family, to be a “good” human being, and the social norms that confine people to exploring substance use. All of this unspeakable emotion condensed into one tiny body. For my father and countless others like him, smoking is taking a break from reality. Maybe smoking is not all so “bad” anymore. But who gets to define good and bad? 

So, what is the gentleman in the frame escaping from?