Ms. Wang Played A Piece of Piano Music in A Practice Room of Lawrence University Conservatory

Wang Shuw-Jiing said that when she was a small child, her parent sent her to a piano teacher to learn playing piano. She still remembered playing few songs when she visited Lawrence University Conservatory on November 1, 2009 in Appleton. She was very happy to sit down in front of a piano and played a song she knew in one of the practice room of the Lawrence University Conservatory. It was a very nice song. She turned out to be a fine musician.

Photo shows her in front of the Lawrence University Chapel.

The Chens Thank Sandy and Wen-Tong For Their Generosity

The story on November 2, 2009 told my reader that Ms. Wang of NCHU visited me in Green Bay Oct.31-November 1, 2009. I believe that she had good times in Wisconsin. Many thanks to Sandy and Wen-Tong Lay for their generosity to allow Ms. Wang to stay in Lay's place overnight on October 31 and took her to High Cliff State Park in the afternoon of November 1.

The time of Ms. Wang's visit happened to be the time when Meeilei was in New York City taking care of our grand daughter and I was in relatively poor health and heavy workload at school. We really appreciate Lays' generosity to entertain her during her visit in Wisconsin.

Photo shows Sandy and Wen-Tong.

Dr. Chen Welcomes Ms. Wang Shu-Jiing from NCHU

Ms. Wang Shu-Jiing, a teaching assistant of mine at National Chung-Hsing University while I was on sabbatical leave in Taiwan took a bus ride of 14 hours visited me on October 31, 2009 from Cleveland Ohio. Ms. Wang is currently working at Case Western Reserve University as a 6-month visiting scholar with a support grant from the Taiwanese government. She came the US in April, 2009 and will return back to Taiwan at the end of November. I was very happy to see her. I gave her a tour at UWGB campus then I took her to another Taiwanese friend's (Lay Wen-Tong and Sandy) house to watch American kids coming over 'trick-or-treat' for Hallowin celebration. We had good times.

More stories will follow. Photo shows Ms Wang at UWGB Cofrin Library overlooking the Green Bay.

H1N1 Runs Rampant in Wisconsin

Few weeks ago, I had reported that Wisconsin had the first snow fall on Oct.12. This year, the winter came earlier, so is the flu season. Wisconsin not only has her regular flu, but also the swine flu or the H1N1 flu this year. The swine flu hit Wisconsin very hard. Several colleagues of mine had reported that their children got the swine flu and had to take care of the sick at home. The Wisconsin Public Radio had reported that one middle school at Green Bay District had to close the school because the school could not find enough 'substitute teachers' to help out sick teachers.

UW-Green Bay is prepared for the worst. The university is giving the authority to the chairs, managers, or directors the authority to send 'sick' employees home. The professors are given the authority to send 'sick' students home. Each professor is given a hand sanitizers to protect them from the flu infection.

Few days ago, I was at Kimberly-Clark Health Center and told about the university practice to send sick employees home. My colleague at Kimberly-Clark said that,

'I wish Kimberly-Clark does the same thing as the university to send sick employees home'.

'There is a difference" I said,

"Sick employees of Kimberly-Clark still get paid even they stay home; university professors wont get paid if they take sick leave and stay home."

The Chens are on The Move

Our son, Leo, at the New York City called us last night (Oct.15) and informed us his wife got a director job at his school. This was a fantastic news for them. My daughter-in-law, Peggy, was employed by a non-profit organization. With the economic recession, her organization had tough time of raising money to support employees. Basically, her job was in a limbo. With her new baby and with her husband meager teacher salary, they were basically lived on the edge in the New York City. Now, Peggy gets a new job. With two incomes, hopefully, they can get-by economically in New York.

However, with a baby of less than 2 months, the new parent needs help again. They called their mom to help.

Usually, this would not present any problem when I was healthy and strong, or if I am in the break. It is quite challenging for me that Meeilei would have to go to New York City again for another three weeks starting next week when school work will be at a greater demand.

Friends, please pray for me that I will succeed in this challenge to be able to manage school, home, and my medical care all together at the same time for next three weeks.

Green Bay has the first snow fall on Oct. 12.

You would not believe it; but it is true. This morning (Oct.12, 2009) as I drove from Appleton to Green Bay, I saw snow fall in Green Bay. It is a bit too early. Last year, it was 60F with sun shine at this time of the year.

Meeilei wants to move to California. I think there is merit on her suggestions. After my retirement at UW-Green Bay (in 3 years), I am also thinking of moving to a warmer place to live.

Meeilei is Home; Everything Is Gradually Go Back to Normal

After three and half week-visit of her granddaughter in the New York City, Meeilei was finally home on October 5. I am probably the person mostly happy about it. We went to KC's pool and swim together. After that we had a simple supper and exchanged jokes. We also played recorders together. We had wonderful times. No longer home alone. Everything will be gradually go back to normal.