A Note of Sun Moon Lake Swim

Article by Zhang, Hsiao Geng, Class 2015

Marathon, Sun Moon Lake swim, cycling around Taiwan, and mountaineering to Yushan, these sports and activities seemed to be out of my lead. Since my enrollment in 2015, I had always tried to blend in by taking part in school and class sport events whenever possible. No wonder some said that NTU College of Management has evolved into an athletic college.

When I signed up for Sun Moon Lake Swim, all I wanted is to have fun with other fellow students without any intention to even get my feet wet. I didn’t even buy swim suit or torpedo float for practicing swimming. In a social dinner on Sep. 3, 2016 (Sat.), Ming-Zhang was briefing on the stage about precautions for the Swim, and Jia-Lei, sitting next to me, suggested to me that spare swim suits are readily available and that I should give it a try. It turned out to be the beginning of a miracle.

Early morning of Sep. 4 (Sun.), with an uneasy mind and hidden in the crowd on the Hotel Plaza stretching out before the swim, I thought to myself, I can quit after 500-meter and return to shore. As the team filed into the Lake, I said to my swimming guard, Shu-Ming, a girl savvy at swimming, just go ahead and not to be slowed down by me. As the crowd pushed me forward into the Lake, the only face that I could recognize is Jia-Lei, and naturally teamed up in the water, and then we were given the nickname of the “Pig and Tiger Dual” (to which I was undeserving! Thanks to my fellow students for this nickname).

Xiao-Geng excitedly pointed at the supply stop at 500 meters and shouted “Let’s go back ashore!” Then, Jia-Lei exhorted me to go for 1000-meter. Xiao-Geng agreed without hesitation and said: “Let’s do it.” The moment of truth came. As we swam to the lake center, we followed Brother Zhan’s instruction and stopped to enjoy the Lake’s scenic view. Xiao-Geng said with sentiments: “Jia-Lei, our ages in sum top 100, I’m not sure if we will have a second chance to participate in this Swim. I’ll say we should do this all the way.” The positive and righteous Lei-Lei covered me all the way; she even shared with me chocolate for replenish calories. The most touching moment was the final but the most brilliant 500 meters. Jia-Lei was totally a professional swimmer; she fearlessly dashed toward the goal.

The exciting and touching moment of climbing ashore was not to be forgotten in a life time. I shed no tear but it will be in my mind forever. We were proud that the “Pig and Tiger Dual” can finish the 3,300-meter Swim in 3 hours; what a record in life (perhaps the only record in life). I was honored to swim across the Sun Moon Lake with the NTU faculty and fellow students. A quote came to my mind, which could best describe my feeling about finishing the Swim, and I would like to share with you: “The best gift for yourself is growth, and the best gift for friends is opportunity.” This quote corresponded to another famous quote of encouragement: “You can’t be depressed when you befriend with those who are positive; you can’t be common when you travel with the wise; you can’t miss the peak when you team with the best.”