This post-Thanksgiving Vancouver weather marks the end of my two-year effort on the rare books. How sad! 真可谓“屋漏偏逢连夜雨，船迟又遇打头风”。 The incident brought me back to this blog. Wonder if it also marks the end of an era and I should look forward to a new start. 祸福相依的道理我还是懂得的。Gains and losses go side by side.
I appreciated a much shorter staff meeting today. Some Chinese students in the neighborhood came to the Exhibit with their parents on this PD day. I recognized Peril right away who has been our loyal reader and donor, and she is with Tsu Chi Academy of Humanity. The group’s comment is really encouraging. I spent longer time than I expected to give them the tour of the collection.
Finally, warm weather came, and good friends are leaving. It’s our lost and Sillicon Valley’s gain! At the party, I was reminded about the readership of this blog. So, I am back here to say good-bye.
We are touched by you love birds and enjoyed our friendship. We are happy for your career development. Enjoy the sun, the new house and stay in touch!
Our TGAG team was finally formed in Beijing and I flew back down south to Guiyang to attend the Society’s annual meeting and to train the librarians in Guizhou Province. Although our trainees work in an underdeveloped province, they asked good questions and have strong desire to contribute to their communities. I was impressed by the girl who stood up and asked me questions. We had similar experience, and she is keen volunteering on top of a full-time job. Her email reached me right before I start to teach in Wuhan.
First thing we did in China was to visit this orphanage in Fangshan District of Beijing city. Respresenting the Society, along with our vendor, Ms. Zhang Ying’s company, we donated new books to the lovely children and their loving care givers.
武汉市馆的开幕式上，陈传夫突然低声说， 黄老师走了。 培训的事就在眼前， 各位领导还在讲话， 我却忍不住走出了报告厅。徐鸿和我在厦门黄老生日那天想打电话祝寿，可是很晚都没人接电话。刚到武汉就听到噩耗，走廊里魏主任看出了我的异常，我说只是需要安静地怀念一下我的老师。
我高考那年是黄老师代表武大到北京招生的。受〈女大学生宿舍〉的影响一心想上武大，第一志愿新闻系，第二才是图书馆系。高考成绩比我想像的高出不少，满以为这辈子会当上记者，不料到了武汉， 出席的是图书馆的迎新会。 黄老师找到我， 说是他看到我的成绩，主动把我录取到图书馆专业。新闻系刚成立，无法与图书馆系相提并论。我当时实在不能理解这一生就如此注定了。现在想来，黄老师的决策和教诲至关重要。遗憾的是我不能参加他的葬礼，但是我回来了，是反馈培育过我的导师和我度过4年青春岁月的城市。 黄老师，您的话都应验了。 我以身为您的学生为荣，我知道您也为我骄傲!
Although thinking globally almost every day through out the last two years, I’ve only worked locally. As a bunch of new programs calling my name, I really like to take a part in them–presenting at Area Studies International Conference at Xiamen U. , attending the workshop in Taiwan by the NCL. Now this TGAG project picked me and makes the trip tightly scheduled together with generous funding outside of UBC. I could sense the trouble and extra work of the TGAG by choosing a Canadian. Can’t wait to meet and get to know them in Chicago.
Received many congrats from colleagues since the TGAG news was exposed in the HR Bulletin. Glad to know that I might hang out with several UBC folks in Asia if my schedule allows. Besides revisiting the potential projects with Peking U and NLC, I’d love to meet the librarians at the Xiamen Children’s Library. We stayed in touch for so many years, but never met in person. The annual reports, thank you letters and drawings from the little readers always light up my holiday seasons. Love to volunteer in person during this trip even just for a few hours . Better to conact the Foundation now.
I am really happy to receive Li Xuemei’s card from Halifax! I am happy for her to find the first pro job that fits her interest. After Ian and Heather’s technical endeavour in digitization and systems, now Xuemei is settling in this new position at Saint Mary’s University.
Hard to believe 2009 is leaving us soon, but glad to see us growing. Wish all of you, in China, Colorado, Florida, McGill and Halifax a happy holiday season and a prosperous 2010!
I am really happy for Qi and Lili who graduated last May. They both brought their strong technical skills to major Canadian companies. Several people mentioned about their new jobs to me when we first met this term. So it definately deserves a post. Lei is another one. He has been working for an American corporation in town that is interested in Chinese market. At our next gathering, we will be able to learn from these corporate folks. By the way, U. of Chicago just posted a position of Chinese Studies Librarian.
The event lightened up this May, which was so dark and sad. President Toope’s speech emphasized on the freedom that education can give to people. I appreciate the invitations from SLAIS folks and enjoyed celebrating the moment with them. I missed all previous ones due to workshops, trips and library meetings. Very first UBC congregation for me after seven years of service, so inspirational!
