Mindfulness Teaching
The most important meeting and the most reflective learning that I have ever received this year was my attendance of the Faculty College meeting at UW-Richland, where I learned about using 'mindfulness' in teaching from my instructor Dr. Joanne Gonzawa. I used some of the techniques such meditation in both of my Thermodynamics class and in my Environmental class. The results of the end-of-semester survey are mixed; half of the students taking the survey really like it; half of them did not care about it. I will discuss the results with other colleagues to fine-tuning my teaching technique in the future. On the side note, I read several books written by the Vietnamese Monk, Thick Nahn Hahn. As a result, I also learn about 'mindfulness' on my own.
The Prince-- by Machiavelli
I am very blessed having a brother, Dr. Ting-Kai Chen, my mentor and my guide through out my life. Dr. Chen made a presentation on The Prince and sent me a DVD. As a result, my intellectual horizon is expanded. Personally, I feel that what The Prince preached are dangerous, but unfortunately had been exploited by ruthless politicians and corporate C.E.O. through centuries. It is important for us to be aware of the traps and tricks that we have all experienced in our life by those who are machiavellians.
The China Studies and Dr. Pearson's Presentations
Dr. Collin Campbell's book, "The China Studies" on nutrition is monumental to my life. This book is highly recommended by UW-Green Bay nutrition faculty. The book advises against animal products consumption because animal products serve both an initiator and a promotor of cancers. The mice studies were very convincing. In Google search, you can always find many Nay Sayers attacking his statistical methods for human studies; but none of them can repute his repeated mice study. The take is to stay away from animal product consumption if we want to live a longer and a healthier life.
Dr. Pearson (a UW-Green Bay nutrition professor) presentations advises avoiding all processed foods as they all contains HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup) as they are the culprits for producing high uric acid, and triglyceride that triggers insulin resistance, the source of all chronicle problems.
State of Health
Comparing to 2009 when I just came back from Taiwan sabbatical, my health has been greatly improved. This improvement comes largely from my self-discipline in taking care of myself. Thank God, I have such a gifted trait. This is the second year I am antibiotic resistant H pylori free. Yearly endoscope examination is changed to every 2 years ( a sign of health improvement). Am I completely free of hidden disease? Absolutely not. I still have chronicle gastritis, and precancerous interstitial metaplasia in my stomach. I am continuously searching for the cure not from orthodox doctors, but from health knowledge through readings. I believe that all chronic diseases are caused by imbalance of life- body, mental, social, and spiritual. A balance life style is the root of healing.
Other health improvement includes largely recovery of the herniated disk that I had suffered last year; no single cold even I did not take the flue vaccine this year, and less allergy problems comparing with the situation last year. The back pain recovery is amazing. I did not go through surgery; but diligent physical therapy exercises. By eating right, and sleep right, we all can keep cold or flue at bay.
Everyday, I will find opportunity to walk and to swim. In the winter time, I add snowshoeing to my routine. Last month, I added resistance exercise and yoga exercise. Every morning, I try to meditate for 20 minutes; every night, before going to bed, I say gratitude to what I have. I am not super-healthy: my LDL was 105, few points higher. Blood pressure is in the borderline between normal and pre-hypertensive. Thank God, my fast sugar level is now below 100. Few years ago, my fast sugar used to be at the borderline of pre-diabetics.
Arts, Music, and Story-Telling
I do not have any talent in drawing or painting. I remember, when I was a freshman at Tsing Hua university, trying to become a nuclear engineer, I was flunked out the engineering drawing class. I was unable to visualize a profile and draw the profile when a plane is cutting through a cone. But, again, my best gift is that I work hard, and persistent. I continuously draw whenever I have time. This year, the (painting) group hired a teacher, Charlie, who had given me important pointers in creating arts. One of the most important pointers is that a good painting must have a good flow in the work; similar to the good writing which must have a good flow. To sketch a human profile, one must dissect the profile into several portions and complete the portion in sequence. This year, I had created several art pieces that I fell very proud of. Two of the art piece are display here:
Although I had played recorders many years, this year, I feel that I did not make any progress at all, even I had attended Yearly Whitewater Recorder workshop and participate in biweekly rehearsal practice. Lack of time to practice is one reason; the other reason is due to my poor eye sights. This December, I will have an eye doctor appointment. Hopefully, through new glass prescription, and eye exercise, and through determination, I can have more time to practice playing recorder next year.
I enjoy story-telling. Reading Monk Thich Nahn Hahn's work gives me an inspiration to come up with a creation story from Vietnamese folk lore. I am very proud that I was invited to tell this story in the story-telling concert during the Wisconsin Story-teller gathering in the fall. During the event, I was able to meet best Wisconsin story tellers such as Debra Wildflower, Jean Andrew, and Terry Visger. A photo of such gathering is attached here.
I was one of the story-teller performer at 2014 Wisget Story-Telling concert in New London, WI
Folk dancing
I picked up folk dancing from a friend, Barbara Westhohan. Since then, I love it. I like the Eastern European music and the complex form of the dance. This year, I have attended 3 dance workshops which included Fox Valley Folk Dancer's workshop in April, Door County Folk Dance Festival in July, and Oconowoc Folk Dance workshop. Our dance group gracefully allowed me teach several dances that I learned from the workshops. This includes: La Lyonnaise (a French mixer dance), Kolo Zita (a Croatia dance), and Idam Ne Idam ( a Bulgaria dance). I enjoy both dancing and teaching dance. Yet, often, my busy school schedule get into the way for me to study more about the dance. I do not know whether the situation will change in 2015,
Shows and movies
Unlike Meeilei who volunteers at PAC and have many opportunities to see the show many times a year, this year, I saw 2 shows performed at PAC (Performing Art Center). The first was Sister Act, a comedy musical. This was my Christmas present from my wife. Thank you Meeilei. This musical centers a pop singer who took refuge in a chapel and disguised as a nun to escape gangs who wanted to kill her because she had witness a murder committed by the gang. This pop singer turned a dull choir into a lively choir; a lovely, funny musical. The second PAC show was the nutcracker. This again was a lottery prize from Meeilei's volunteer appreciation banquet. I always love to watch nutcracker; it is imaginative and artistic. I would not get tired watching the show.
Two high school musicals were also very entertaining: one was Shrek by Appleton North High School, and the other, Adam's Family by Appleton East High School. Both shows were well-done; considering the efforts of teachers, students, and volunteers.
One hundred foot journey was a well done movie; although the movie is all about cooking, it is funny, romantic and has a good message.
Family Fun
In early June, my son, Victor, asked us to take care of Morgan because he and his wife was celebrating 10 years wedding anniversary. Victor and Jill went to Organ for a hiking trip, while Morgan stayed with us. This turns out a great joy for us. We took her to a water park, where she found a water slide she could handle. She literally sled hundred times on that slide. Then, we took her to a children museum where she pretended to be a fireman. At home, we had a marching band in our living room and a story time when A-Ma read stories to Morgan. There was a Father's Day celebration of the church at the butterfly garden; Morgan and I had a 3-leg walk-race. When Victor and Jill came home to pick Morgan up, Morgan said to her parent that they can have another vacation, because she had wonderful time with the grandparents.
Ama taught Morgan how to putt a golf ball in the Father's Day celebration at a church outdoor service.
Ama and Morgan are buddy-buddy.
Chen Family Annual Reunion and Get together occurred in late July when Leo and his family, and Victor and his family visited home together. Two granddaughters loved to play monster game with me; and two granddaughters played doctor and patient each other (Kaitlyn always be the doctor, and Morgan always the patient). At the playground, I witnessed a great athletic talent from Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn did an excellent job at the balance beam. Both granddaughters were very focused in taking the tennis lesson. At the pool, Morgan really showed off because she already have one year swimming lesson. Our reunion concluded at the Milwaukee State Fair.
Ama and Morgan are buddy-buddy.
Trip
Unlike Meeilei who took many long trips in a year, I manage to have one memorable trip with Meeilei and her brothers and sisters to Cancun, Mexico at the end of my busy fall semester. Cancun is my favor vacation spot; it is warm and near the ocean with perfect beach. It does not change the time zone. I had great conversation with Meeilei's siblings; on top of that, I learned about Mexico's history; the story about an eagle devouring a snake (Mexico's national symbol) and Our Lady of Guadalupe.
In 1325, 200 years before the Spaniard's Conquest, Aztec listened to their god's message to search an island in Lake Texcoco where an eagle was devouring a snake. From that island, god promised them to build the Mexican nation.
In 1510, the Spaniards used the sighting of 'Our Lady of Guadalupe' to convert Aztec into catholics. In 1810, the Mexicans used 'Our Lady of Guadalupe' to rebel against the Spaniards.
Looking into 2015
I will be 69 years old in 2015; although there will be more wearing and tearing as I aged, I also will become more knowledgeable about taking care of myself, giving advise and offering helping hands to family members and friends, mentoring students, finding more time with my family, continuing to be productive as a faculty member, enjoying life through music, art, dance and story-telling. Life is a gift; as long as I am still alive, I thank God to give me days to live, to contribute, and to celebrate life.
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