Greeting to you all,
2009 is an exciting but also a challenging year for the Chens. But, we are so thankful for all.
The first exciting news is that Kaitlyn Chen was born on September 5, 2009 to Peggy and Leo Chen in New York City. She is the first grandchild to Meeilei and Frank and also to Peggy’s parents. Yes, she will be really really spoiled. Meeilei has been in NY twice already since September. Peggy’s parents were there to attend Katilyn’s one-month old celebration also. We are all very excited about having her as the newest member of our family. Leo is always holding her and said ‘Oh, she is so cute, oh, she is so cute!!!’. Yes she is so cute when she is not crying but when she screams, she is not THAT cute J but we all love her anyway.
After 23 years of service at Kimberly-Clark, Meeilei retired at end of June. Meeilei had a very good career and made a lot of close friends at Kimberly-Clark. After retirement, she is tending for her garden, knitting, playing recorder music, and volunteering several charity organizations. But the best deal she got is she can go see her granddaughter anytime she wants to.
The stories of recorder playing in the Chens’ family goes way back. Frank has played recorder for over 7 years. He used to play the soprano recorder. Meeilei started to learn recorder in 2008, She had made tremendous progress in the recorder playing. She can only play soprano recorder because her hand is too small for alto and up. Because of that, Frank switches to the tenor recorder. Since then whenever time permits, Frank and Meeilei will play tenor-soprano recorder duet together. We have tremendous fun playing together. Sneak by our house and you will often hear the recorder practice in the living room.
Leo and Peggy all embark on the education career. Leo was a freelance video-film maker while Peggy worked in a non-profit organization. Being a free-lance video-film maker, his income was limited and inconsistent. With a baby coming a consistent income is a must. Leo got a teaching job at a private school in NYC this fall. He loves his job. Although she is very capable and had made substantial contributions to her employer, Peggy’s employer was in a financial crisis due to the economic recession and was about to let her go. We are very thankful that Peggy was able to find a new employment at the same school Leo is teaching. They both enjoy their jobs and are able to afford a nanny in the house to take care of Kaitlyn during the day.
Victor and Jill continue to have great careers at Ann Arbor, Michigan. Victor is a teaching scholar in his school teaching chemistry to high school students. He really enjoys his job. Jill is a medical faculty at U of M hospital. The couple became a home owner last year. This summer, they went to Montana and enjoyed hiking in the magnificent Glacial National Park. They claims that that is the BEST national park of all.
Frank concluded his sabbatical leave in Taiwan. He has learned so much about Taiwan and has made so many Taiwanese friends in Taiwan. He is very appreciative to Taiwanese hospitality that made him quite felt at home while living alone in Taiwan. During one year sabbatical in Taiwan, he had explored Taiwanese history that was not taught when he was in school many years ago. He is especially appreciative to the Hakka’s culture and their stories. He also re-discovered Hatta Youichi, the Japanese who built Wu-Lai water dam which has transformed Jai-Nan plane into the most productive rice field of the Southeast Asia. His friends include faculty and staffs of the National Chung-Hsing University, faculty of Jau-Yang University, Chi-Kong practice friends and fellowship community in the Wu-Feng Presbyterian Church. He still maintains contact with his friends in Taiwan.
This year is also a great challenge for Frank. He has been ill since June. He has been diagnosed as having the Barrett esophagus, a pre-cancer form of the esophagus, as well as hiatus hernia, and gastritis. He has lost substantial weight. Managing his illness has been very challenging and has consumed much of the time and energy of Frank and Meeilei. Despite this, he is very thankful for finding out this problem early enough before it becomes really unmanageable. He still teaches at UW-Green Bay. In fact, teaching is becoming a very important therapy for managing his illness because of the feeling of accomplishment. Besides that, he had discovered meditation and exercise. With great patience, he believes he will get well soon.
In conclusion, the Chens are very thankful to whatever had happened to us. With thankfulness, we also wish you have a great holiday.
Best Wishes for a peace and blessed year.
Frank and Meeilei Chen
