How are you? Is everything good with you? I do hope that you are doing well and enjoying your new day.

Today is the 309th day that I have been in the US. Even though I have attended the Summer Commencement Class of 2009, my courses in the US will be finished until September.

After a presentation of our papers of the course -- Management Information System by Dr. Randall S. Sexton Wednesday, this morning, we will have a final examination on Friday. Then we will start our last course in the US ? Supply Chain Management with 4 examinations in the coming one month.

I am confident with myself on my current courses ? Management Information System since I have scored three 9/10 and one 10/10 in the past 6 quizzes. I am sure I can make a good score in the final examination Friday morning if there is not anything special happen to me.

Until now, I have moved into my new apartment for 5 days. Except my studying and many other things, I have created 3 new pictures in my new apartment-- they are in fact same pictures. Because I am exploring a new way that my Chinese art teach has not taught me, to express the old and strong of the branches and the soft and gentle of the flowers according to my art textbooks. I have not been satisfied with my creative works of pink peonies So, I tried once and once, until last night, I completed my third painting in the new apartment Dream ? Peonies No 12, I just felt that I have found a way to express the soft of the flowers and the strong of the branches.

I felt, the key to create the soft and gentle of the flowers is water -- the degree of the wet. To create the branches is a little bit difficult more than flowers, it relates to the structure of a picture, the shape of a tree, and the integration of the new branches and the old root…

During the exploring, I attached my new paintings on the wall. Then I found that my casualness job has bought a unintended consequence. The old and a little bit "dirty" sitting room ? has seemed like fresh, cleaning and even a little bit beautiful...

Then I felt some words jumped into my mind ? Value of the Art!.

Yes, maybe the value of the art, just to beautify people's life, depurate people's souls and offer people beautiful enjoyments or inspirations. That just requires an artist has a beautiful soul, pure heart, deep understanding to the world, to be touched by his/her own feelings and creations at the first, then to touch our audiences, to help the world gets better. .

Management is same, as long as manager itself has some excellent qualities, then we can create some best corporate culture, to lead a team to create the best economy and social benefit.

What is your idea about the value of the art? Do you agree with me?

Take care and thanks, have a good week.


I am just a learner on art of painting, music, English and Chinese language, to work on the web site in my free time. I would really like to do a few things with what I have learned to make this little web site to be an Electronic Bridge of Culture Exchange, Chinese Language Learning & Friendship making. To help the others while to improve myself.

I would like to appreciate your understanding, directions, supports and hope to get your friendly direction and help.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, you are welcome to write to shirley@ebridge.cn or Yiping007@MissouriState.edu, or to publish your opinions in the forum.

Shirley Yiping Zhang