Stephish's Picture Book

Yesterday evening, I got a private FB message from Vicky (楊雯琪), who graduated from NHSH in 2011 and is studying at National Chengchi University, informing me of the picture book her classmate, also my student, Stephish (劉思妤) had published recently. This is the link to the introduction of the author, the book, and the fund-raising activity, followed by a link to the procedure of placing an order, which is created by Vicky.

https://www.flyingv.cc/projects/13194

Procedure 

Zi-zhen's Vocal Recital

This afternoon, I took the 14:13 HSR to Taichung to attend my student Zi-zhen's (王子甄) vocal recital, also her graduation recital.

Tze-huang, Congratulations on Your Graduation!

This photo looks familiar, right? Well, it was from my entry on April 20, 2013, entitled "The 2013 White Coat Ceremony at Chang Gung University." (http://june.ettachou.com/2013/04/20/the-2013-white-coat-ceremony-at-chang-gung-university/)   Why did I review this photo?

A few minutes ago, I got a private FB message from Tze-huang. It goes as follows:

Diego, Nice to See You Again!

Time: 6:30pm~9:10pm

Place: A Japanese restaurant in Taipei

At every gathering, I learned a lot from Diego, a former student who graduated in 2006.

 

Love, in the Hugs, in the Hands, in the Air

超愛老師抱超緊，謝謝老師在辦婚禮前給我超多鼓勵 (Caption by Zazie)



感人的一幕 (Caption by Zazie)

Zazie posted photos taken at her wedding by the photographer on FB and tagged me to six. The hug between Zazie and me reminds me of the hug shared by Ruey-ying and me around 8 years ago on the first day of SAT, which was caught and run in the UDN.

Health Tips Revised by Guangren, a Former Student of Mine

Guangren (彭光仁), a former student from Chiehshow Junior High School,  is practicing Chinese medicine in mainland China now. A few months ago, I sent him a health-related article for his confirmation. Several days later, he sent back to me a revised version as follows, with some parts crossed out and some modification marked in blue.

to 李老师-2 pages

西医的心臟有問題時————左邊手臂會酸、麻、痛。

中医的肝有問題時————小腿晚上睡覺時容易抽筋。筋骨酸痛

中医的腎出現問題時———聲音就會出不來，就會沙啞。咽干

中医的脾胃出現問題時———偏頭痛。头晕耳鸣

Gina

This morning, I saw on my FB page a selfi taken by Gina yesterday at our dinner gathering, along with the following words from her:

"My teacher, my mentor, my best friend and my 2nd mommy ❤
Thank you for always being with me.
Love you so"

Another Happy Get-together

Time: 13:00~15:00

Place: Zhanlu Coffee, Neihu, Taipei

Pei-yi (陳珮宜) is a former student of mine who graduated from NHSH in 2009. I only taught her in her senior year. Our last meet-up was about two years ago. During today's gathering, we spent most of the time talking about her work; also, we chatted about her high school classmates, ways to improve English listening skills, what I have been doing in my retirement, etc.

Ting-chun, Long Time No See!

Time: 10:30~13:30

Place: T.B.C. Cafe

I had a tight schedule today. To begin with, I had a meet-up with Ting-chun (陳亭君), who I haven't seen for around 10 years. Next, I visited my sister-in-law in the hospice with George, followed by attending a former student's college graduation fashion show at 7pm.

Ken & Zazie, Congratulations! Happy Marriage!

Time: 12pm. Apr. 24, 2016

Place: Regent, Taipei

Skyping with Brian

This morning, I spent one and a half hours skyping with Brian, a former student from Chiehshow Junior High School who I taught around 25 years ago.

Besides catching up with what we've missed for the last three months, we chatted about religion, integrity, trips, relationships between parents and children, happiness, etc. I told Brian 25 years ago that he was a philosopher. And he is still one now.

Gathering with Diego

Time: 6pm~10pm, April 2, 2016

Place: VaPiano, Taipei

At each gathering, I can feel the eagerness of learning in Diego. This evening, he told me he is used to acquiring knowledge online. What amazes me is not only the width of his knowledge, but the depth. If you read the commentaries he posted on his FB page, you know what I mean.

Nice Gathering with Vicky

Time: 2:30pm~8:30pm

Place: Moon River Cafe, Neihu

This afternoon, Vicky and I chatted non-stop for around 6 hours.  We talked about linguistics, literature, relationships, education, English teaching, life, etc.

Nice Encounter

Time: 11:30am~2:20pm, Mar. 6, 2016

Place: Moooon River Cafe & Books

This noon I introduced my niece to my student Hubert, before my niece goes back to the States on the coming Saturday. During this first encounter, there was no embarrassment at all. They seemed to be curious about each other's fields. My niece was pursuing her PhD degree in astronomy, and Hubert was in the last year of medical school. Listening to them, I was really amazed at how time propels people forward on their life timeline if they keep learning and expanding their horizons. Years ago, what they are so familiar with now was brand new to them. As time goes by, they are on the way to being an expert in their specialty.

Borrowed to Teach Grammar

Time: 7:30pm~8:50pm

Place: MOS Burger, Wende MRT station

After an exhausting day, I went to the appointment with Che-wei (范哲瑋), an NHSH student who graduated in 2011 and who I never taught but got acquainted with just because he was a friend of a student of mine. Late yesterday evening he contacted me via FB Messenger, asking if he could ask me grammar questions on some TOEIC practice tests he'd done by Sunday, when he's going to take the big exam. Surely, I said yes. I once thought to myself, if I were a "book" in a human library, what could I be borrowed for? English grammar, of course.

Nice Gathering

Time: 12:30pm~2:40pm

Place: Waffogato (瓦法奇朵), Neihu, Taipei

Last Friday via LINE, Hao-tang, a student who graduated from NHSH in 2012, suggested a gathering. It seems to have become a ritual for us to meet every half a year. In fact, when proposing the get-together, he said today would be the only day during winter vacation when he was available. He asked if he could bring his girlfriend. Surely, I answered. I'm happy to meet my students' friends. This was the second time I saw his girlfriend.

At today's meet-up, each of them told me what they are planning to do in the coming year. Looking at their young face and listening to them talk about what courses they are going to take, I missed all those days when I went to school. What fun it is to learn!

Long Time No See...

This morning, when I was cleaning out the inbox of an email account, which had exceeded the storage quota, I came across an old FB message notifying that Spencer mentioned me on his FB page. Going to the page, I found this photo, which was taken at a gathering before Spencer was going to the States for further studies. Along with it is a message by Spencer:

Dinner with Diego and Taco

A selfie I took

Time: 6:30pm~8:45pm

Place: solo pasta, Taipei

Gathering with Solo

Time: 12pm~5pm, Jan. 21, 2016

Place: MoonRiver

Chatting with Students from Abroad

Today I spent around four hours chatting with students.  One in the morning on the phone from Texas, the other in the evening via Skype from New York State.

Hungren reminded me to explore the world instead of doing the same thing all my life. Brian, with whom I chatted in English for 2 and a half hours, raised a thought-provoking issue. Are we Taiwanese losing our cultural identity? Can you say any Taiwnese proverbs? Can you sing any Taiwanese songs? Can you tell a Taiwnese folktale?