Love of Numbers

As an academician, I think Mathematics is an intriguing /ɪnˈtri:gɪŋ/ and absorbing science. However, many of my students consider it an abstract science and they hate it because the equations are too difficult to absorb and to remember. I think my students would laugh if they knew how I became so interested in Math.

作为一名学者，我认为数学是一门引人入胜的科学。但我的许多学生都认为数学是门抽象的科学，他们都讨厌数学，因为方程式太难理解和记忆。我想，如果我的学生们知道我是怎么变得对数学感兴趣的，他们一定会觉得很好笑。

When I was a freshman in college, I also belived Math was a mere abstraction. Studying it was like falling into a spinning abyss of numbers and symbols. Just thinking about it seemed like an abuse of my brain. However, my entire tuition /tʊ'ɪʃən/ was financed by an academic scholarship, so I had to maintain high marks in all of my classes, including Math.

当我成为大学新生时，我也认为数学相当抽象。学习数学就像坠入一个由数字和符号编制的深渊。思考数学问题都像是在滥用大脑。但是，我的所有学费都是由一个奖学金资助的，我必须确保所有课程都能高分通过，包括数学。

My most abstruse class was Advanced Calculus Mathematics. It was taught in a large lecture hall which abutted the North access gate of the University. Unlike the many absentees in my class who often abstrained from attending the boring lectures, I dare not absolve myself from this responsibility. Any degree of absenteeism would probably cause me to fail Math and to lose my scholarship. I was so afraid of failing that I even pledged abstinence from my abundant supply of alcohol.

我的最深奥的课程是高级微积分。它在一个大讲堂上课，临近大学的北大门。不像许多逃离无聊课堂的同学，我不敢承担逃课的后果。任何旷课都可能让我数学不及格从而失去奖学金。我是如此害怕挂科以至于我都不敢过度饮酒。

It wasn't until the fourth week of Math class that I met the wonderful person who would accelerate my interest and understanding of this absurd subject. She was a foreign exchange student from Beijing. She was also a brilliant mathematician. She would come to class everyday in a colorful silk scarf that accentuated her lovely smile.

直到数学课的第四周，我遇到了一个很棒的人，他促进了我对这门艰深课程的兴趣和理解。她是来自北京的国际交换生，也是很聪明的数学家。她每天上课都披着一条彩色丝巾，更加突显她的可爱笑容。

It was so nice to meet someone from my home country. She inspired me to love Math. Although we now live and teach in different countries, I still see her smiling face between every number I write!

遇到祖国的同胞真的很棒。她鼓励我爱上了数学。虽然我们现在不同的国家生活和教书，但我每次书写数字时都能想起她的笑脸。