Changchun Institute of optics and Fine Mechanics (CIOMP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, is a name I’m familiar with. As a matter of fact my connection with CIOMP began as far back as when I was still an embryo. Even before I was born, I came to the institute every day, and that was the absolute truth. By now, you probably have guessed: CIOMP is where my mother works.

My first real impression of CIOMP was formed when I was in kindergarten. Back then, CIOMP was vast place for me, too big to be covered by my tiny feet. I remember the dignified and solemn buildings, the blue glass walls, the spacious and bright halls. It was also full of quiet and modest uncles with glasses, and aunts with short hair and better looking glasses…… My mother was young and gentle then, and I remember her saying to me: CIOMP is a temple of science. That phrase left such a deep impression on my young mind that I have always thought of CIOMP as a mysterious and grand place.

After primary school, I felt in love with the CIOMP ground, a big garden that is beautiful and fun in all seasons: the singing of birds and the fragrance of flowers in spring; melodious insect chimes and shady green grape trellis in the summer; fruit trees laden with peaches and plums and ground covered with fallen leaves in the autumn; and shallow footprints on virgin snow in winter. All these natural beauties come and go while we weld circuit boards in various high-tech laboratories for science. And never forget the canteen, with its unique touches of optics and machinery as well as a dazzling array of delicious offering. I can never get enough of it.

At that time, my mother was still young, just started noticing her first few grey hairs, but already exhibiting more than a trace of temper. I was full of curiosity about the high material technology of CIOMP.

After junior high school, my impression of CIOMP was: diligent, practical, modest and prudent. Many of the aunts and uncles I knew since young were already well-known scientists, yet they were still friendly and modest as I remembered them. What’s more amazing to me to learn about the contribution CIOMP made to the Shenzhou series of spacecrafts and other large scientific observation epuipment. I started to notice that CIOMP is often mentioned in the CCTV news programs, and came to realize that it is a leading research facility both domestically and internationally.

So this is the CIOMP in my eyes, bits and pieces of memories in the process of growing up. Much like a kaleidoscope: colorful and amazing. My connection with CIOMP has planted in me an interest in science. I don’t yet have a personal story to tell about CIOMP and me, but I am sure I will be able to tell that story in a few years’ time, when I become a member of this institute myself. I look forward to that day, when I will be able to swim in the ocean of scientific knowledge and to contribute to the scientific development of our motherland!