How are you? I do hope that you are well and will have a good weekend.

I will start my long distance travel to the US in 5 days. However, I have been working on my position in the company since I got my visa. One hand, the work in the company is really busy, the other hand, I would like to do my best to complete my duty before I go and to create a better work condition for my colleague who will hold over my work. So, except my daily work, this week, I have completed a work summary of the project that has been kept for 2 years and mentioned out of my suggestions and opinions about it in the next phase. Meanwhile, I have directed some people and most departments completing 22 contracts with our biggest shareholder. Every night, I finished my work at 1:00 am to 2:00 am and every morning, I started my work before 9: 00 am.

I was lucky that during the Friday’s working dinner, the board chairman of our company and both of the CEOs of our company and our cooperation company from the US gave me very positive comments on my work and encouraged me to complete the studying with a good achievement in the US, too.

I was touched that the CEO of our cooperation company from the US, the highest leaders of our company and our cooperation team had another birthday party with their friendly songs, dances and birthday cake for me.

Since I was older than 30, I have not celebrated my birthday for I was scaring to be older. So, this is the first time that people know my birthday and to have some birthday parties for me. I did not really think that I have gotten 3 birthday parties within the short time since Sept 10th to 19th. I am happy to get so much bless from my cooperators, bosses, friends and colleagues and I do appreciate what they have done for me.

I do think that a birthday time does not only means that I have entered a new phase of physiology, but also it means that I have entered a new starting of my life and career. As a Chinese woman who has experienced whole of the process from the tragedy times of Culture Revolution, to the great times of the reform and opening of China, until now that China has entered its best times in its 5000 year's history.

I feel that I am a lucky person who has still keeping a positive attitude to live and to work after having experienced much hard or happy times with the country together. I am really a lucky person who has gotten an opportunity to have an experience to study in an advanced country and to improve myself during the company is in a very busy time and at my age.

A new traveling, a new starting. I would really like to cherish the one year time in the US. To learn something new and advanced as much as possible, then I will come back to work base on a new jumping-off point.

I guess that I will fly in the sky for about 17 hours, plus the time on the road, I will maybe have a traveling for about 36 hours? I am not sure exactly now. Anyway, I am confident to face the adventure and the difficulties in my coming time with a more positive, optimistic and precise attitude.

OK, now, it has been 1:50 pm Saturday afternoon, I would like to start to prepare something for my traveling, then to work on my duty in the company and to start off next Friday.

If there is not anything special happening, you will get my next letter and art works from US.

How about you? Is there anything special in your life and work this week?
I am just a learner on that 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 little bit things with what I have learned to make this little web site to be an Electronic Bridge of Culture Exchange, Language Learning & Friendship. 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
Sat, September 20, 2008