Blogs from Taizhou University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, China, Asia - page 2

I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT THE TRAVELBLOG SITE MANAGER HAS NOTIFIED ITS CONTRIBUTORS, THAT MOST OF THE PHOTOS THAT HAVE BEEN POSTED ON THIS AND ON OTHER ENTRIES DURING A SPECIFIC TIME-PERIOD HAVE BEEN LOST. I AM SO SORRY. I HAVE TRIED TO POST MOST OF THE LOST PHOTOS AGAIN ON THE NEXT TRAVELBLOG #114. AFTER READING THIS ENTRY, PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT TRAVELBLOG #114. ********************************************** It seems as if the world has changed since my last TravelBlog entry, and I am still catching my breath. There is my joy of the inauguration of President Obama and the changes it will bring, and the agony of the near collapse of capitalism as we have enjoyed it and its consequences. Maybe this entry will bring you a little diversion from both. So let me begin ... read more

TO MY LOVING FAMILY, TO MY WONDERFUL FRIENDS AROUND THE WORLD, TO MY FORMER COLLEAGUES AND STUDENTS AT CORAL GABLES SR. HIGH SCHOOL, THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI, AND REVERE HIGH SCHOOL IN BOSTON, AND TO MY CURRENT, KIND COLLEAGUES AND SWEET STUDENTS AT TAIZHOU TEACHERS COLLEGE IN CHINA: IT IS TIME TO BEGIN ANOTHER YEAR OF LIFE. THIS PRESENTS THE SATISFYING OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THE GRATITUDE FOR THE BLESSINGS OF SHARING A LIFE WITH SOME OF THE MOST WONDERFUL PEOPLE IN THE WORLD. I AM REACHING THE AGE, WHERE EVERY YEAR IS A GIFT FROM GOD, PROVIDING VALUABLE OPPORTUNITIES TO ENRICH NOT ONLY ONE'S OWN LIFE, BUT ENHANCE THE LIFES OF OTHERS. SO MANY OF YOU HAVE FILLED MY LIFE WITH JOY, HUMOR, EXCITEMENT, COURAGE, DETERMINATION, CURIOSITY, HAVING BEEN THE CATALYST FOR WHAT I PERCEIVE AS ... read more

For the past weeks I have been dealing with "writer's block", and hundreds of photos began to accummulate in my Blog, as I was trying to overcome my daily anxiety dealing with the 2008 Presidential election in America. I have now survived the strain and the stress of the daily English news about the direction and conclusion of the election on China's television CCTV-9, and the internet coverage of MSNBC, CNN, and the New York Times. I have also noticed that my hair has become more gray and a little thinner, something a "political junkie" like me has to expect every four years. The news of Mr. Obama's election as America's new President has been greeted in China with applause by most of those here interested in international affairs. I have added some photos of the ... read more

One of the most surprising experiences for a first year student during college and university life in China has little to do with academic endeavor or performance. The Chinese college freshmen, who usually arrive 2 weeks after the classes for the upper classmen have already begun, must first participate in compulsory and strenuous two to three week "military training". That national practice will end a few days before China's National Holiday, October 1st. This military training is obligatory for all entering students to any college or university, anywhere in China. In other words, it is a nationwide experience, without any exceptions, where males and females are treated as equals. Arriving at their respective college, at which point parents turn over the responsibility for educating, safety, and raising their "child" to the college authorities, all entering freshmen ... read more

Welcome from Cesky Budejovice, Czech Republic to Part 3 of my blog series on the wrap up of my final teaching semester at Taizhou Teachers College and Nanjing Normal University Taizhou College. May was a month of great contrasts and an enormous emotional roller coaster for the people of China. The horrific earthquake that struck Sichuan Province on May 12 absolutely paralyzed a nation. Everyone was glued to their TV and computer screens for weeks, watching shocking footage coming live and in gory replay from the epicentre in Wenchuan County. The country was in official mourning for 3 days where no entertainment venues could be open and even the Olympic Torch Relay was suspended as a mark of respect. For my students, their safe little worlds were shattered in a moment. Many walked around in disbelief ... read more