#65 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College, China ( Visit to Boy's Dormitory + Photos from the Girl's Dorm.)

Please, permit me to dedicate this journal entry to my genteel, thoughtful, kindhearted, and courteous Chinese students of English, who have, each in their own way, contributed to making my stay here at Taizhou Teachers College a most rewarding experience. :::::::::::::

Few vocations in life are more edifying as that of a teacher, no matter the country. Though monetary and material benefits may be limited in the teaching profession, the joy and love which each day brings cannot be bought, even with gold and diamonds.

This was true as a teacher in Revere/Boston, Mass. and Miami/Coral Gables, Fl. USA, and it has been no less a fact here in China, at Taizhou Teachers College in Jiangsu Province.

My last six months, teaching at our small college-campus of 7,000 students, has rewarded me with a daily overdose of kindness and affection, and has only hightened my appreciation for my chosen profession of the past 39 years.

Here in China once again I have been blessed, sharing my own life's experiences and accumulated knowledge with those, who are still anxiously hoping, diligently studying, and desperately preparing for their own, yet unpredictable future.

So, to "EACH" of my 362 wonderful students at Taizhou Teachers College, a deeply felt THANK YOU!!

I wish you a beautiful semester vacation and all the great joys your Chinese Spring Festival offers this February 18th. May you spend fulfilling and special moments in harmony with your family and friends, during this most important time in your Chinese Lunar Calender.

It will be the year of the "Pig", a great time to prepare for success and wealth, and a good time to contemplate your future, and the role you wish to play, and the contributions you wish to make in your quickly changing and beautiful home-land of China.

You have shown me kindness and affection, which has stimulated each of my days with you in the classroom. Every one of you has made such special efforts to make me feel at home, that there has been little time to think about all I had to leave behind in America.

As I now return to my home in Miami, Florida, to enjoy my vacation with my family and friends, I will take you with me in my heart, always remembering that you will be waiting for my return, for our second semester together.

I can only wish and hope, that you have learned something from our lessons; for certain, I will forever be grateful for so much I have learned from you.

Each of you has helped make this beautiful country of China a second home, and I am honored, that you are so enthusiastic about my return to your friendly college for another semester.

When you return to your family and friends over these next few weeks, please greet them for me and remind them, how proud I am of you.

It is also a very good time for you to thank them. Tell them and show them how much you love them, for all of the sacrifices they are making for your education and your success here at the college.

I hope these photos will remain part of your special memories.

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