Lunar New Year
Shelley alludes to the distinct Chinese calendar that trails the conventional calendar. He recounts, "I chose January 3 as the perfect date to depart. Father wanted me to wait until after the Lunar New Year, but in San Francisco, 2015 had already started. I didn't need to wait for the Year of the Ram to begin." Shelley's mind is already in America; he wants to be in 2015. However, his father feels that the Lunar New Year is a noteworthy moment that Shelley should not miss. Shelley feels that he should be in Francisco sooner. His culture's calendar lags compared to the ordinary calendar used in America. He does not want to lag anymore.
Laptop
Shelley intends to send his father a laptop as soon as he gets to America and begins earning money. The laptop would bridge the vast distance that will separate them. Shelley narrates, " Talking to him the whole time about how, as soon as money started to flow into my pockets, I would send him enough for his very own laptop and ask Deng to teach him how to use it." Shelley anticipates that he could even afford to send his father an Apple through someone who may be returning to China to run errands. His speculations are intended to assure his father that technology can help them cope with the realities of being apart.
Poets
Shelley finds inspiration from the stories that Deng tells him about the fortunes of American poets. The stories encourage him to work towards being a poet. Shelley narrates, “He (Cousin Deng) swore to me that poets in the U.S. made a ton of dough…poets in America got fancy cars and special housing, revered as they were by their fellow citizens as keepers of the famous American freedoms.” Shelley longs to be among America’s most recognized poets. Consequently, he intends to dwell on polishing his English upon arriving in San Francisco. After the polishing, he intends to get into poetry writing. He anticipates that his poems will bring him sufficient money and recognition to increase his appeal to his girlfriend.
