How are you? I do hope that you are well, have an easy and relaxed weekend.

This week, the biggest thing in China is that a 7.8 to 8.0-magnitude earthquake in Sichuan province has killed over 32,467 people, 220,109 people injured. More than 50,000 people are feared dead. Many of them are children for the earthquake happened at the school time.

For mourning the quake victims, China has announced that the three days starting May 19 as national mourning days for the victims who died in the earthquake. The National flags are to fly at half-mast and all public amusements will be suspended during the time. The public are asked to stand in silence for three minutes from 2:28 pm on Monday, the time the deadly quake hit, while automobiles, trains, and ships would sound their air sirens. During the mourning days, the torch relay for the Beijing Olympic Games will be suspended, too.

In the past a week, I have torn so much for so many lives were killed within few minutes. I have been touched so much by what the Chinese government, army and people have been done to save the people and to fight against the disaster. I do feel the unlimited hope of China and Chinese people.

I can not help weeping with so much touching when I saw the prime minister Mr. Wen Jiabao, president Mr. Hu Jintao was/is leading the rescue in the locale of disaster area; more than 100.000 soldiers, policemen, firemen, doctors, nurses and volunteers are saving the people in the most dangerous places; hundreds of millions domestic and oversea Chinese people are offering support with various styles; many people who have lost their family members hide their sadness in their hearts, but to help the others...

I feel unlimited hope of my country not only because what all of the Chinese have offered, but also for what the people who are suffering the disaster had done -- when the earthquake suddenly came, some of them chose to give the others the opportunity to live and left the death to themselves. A young boy who is only 12 years old pushed his classmate away from a dangerous wall, she was alive and he was covered by the wall… at the same time, a teacher who had run into the safe place, he run back up a dangerous building flowing some crying, after pushing two students out, he was killed by the broken down building…

I am touched once and once by the stories on the TV. I am touched once and once by something around me.

As soon as they got the news of earthquake, Shenzhen government sent out condoling letter, donation of money and material, helicopters, armed policemen, medical treatment teams at the first time. Until now, the donation of our city government has reached 220 millions. Meanwhile, more than 10 million Shenzhen people have been doing our best -- donation, blood, tents, food, water and anything that the disaster needs are sent to the charity and Red Cross continuously. The TV station opens special channels to report the situation in the disaster area real time while to help the 1.4 million workers from Sichuan to find their family members. The telephone company offers free telephone cards or telephones to these people to connect their homes. The labor union sent money to them and many companies offer them holiday to go back Sichuan with salary. The 4th China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Fair canceled all of their celebrations and to donate the money to support the disaster area …

In our company, within 1 day, we donated 300,000. My amount of money is listed No. 3. When a colleague and I sent it to the local Charity Union, we had to be in a long team for the people too many. There, I saw some cents and coins from children…

I am proud myself as a Chinese. I have confidence in my country and people. I do believe that China and Chinese people will certainly overcome the extra huge disaster and will re-build a new and more beautiful homestead on the current disaster area.

How about you? Is there anything touched you in your life and work this week?
I am just a learner on that art of painting, music, calligraphy, languages and to work on the web site in my free time. I would really like to do a little bit things with what I have learned to make this little web site to be An Electronic Bridge Of Culture Exchange, Friendship and Language Learning. To help the others while to improve myself.

I appreciate your understanding, directions and supports. I do hope to get your friendly help...

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, you are welcome to write to shirley@ebridge.cn or shirleyz004@yahoo.com, or to publish your opinions in the forum.

Shirley Yiping Zhang
Mon, May 18,2008