How are you?

It has been 8 days since I wrote to you last time. Have you had a wonderful 8 days? I do hope you have.

On my side, originally, I did not plan to write until May 29 - the National English Examination day in Beijing, which is my graduation examination to decide whether I will be entitled to enter the next step to write my dissertation for the degree of MFA . But, now, I could not help writing here for the too much gratitude in my heart.

First of all, my English school has listed the Overall Results of the first 3 mock examinations and I was NO. 4 in my class and NO. 9 in the school. Also, I have passed the 4th and the 5th mock examination and got the similar results yesterday and this morning. Although I am not sure of passing the examination for the more I study, the more I see the leaks in my knowledge structure. The good teaching of my English professor and tutors has improved my English into a new stage. Even if I were fail on May 29, a new and clear frame of English language would fix in my mind. That will benefit me for lifetime.

Secondly, I have founded another 3 mobile groups in the past 8 days. One is the group of my former colleagues of an administrative college in Jiangsu Province; the second is the group of my high /middle school teachers and former classmates and the third is the group of my elementary teachers and classmates. That is really a warm, relaxed and peaceful feeling to “meet ” and “ live” among my peers and former teachers who are all somewhere far away. :- )

Finally and most moved thing happened in one of my art Alma Maters in Beijing. This afternoon, before I rented an apartment or booked a hotel for my travel in Beijing in 1 week. I wrote to Professor Man Weiqi - President of Chinese Traditional Painting Academy and Former Deputy Dean of Chinese Painting School at Chinese National Academy of Arts, heads of the department and my tutor in Beijing. I would like to know whether I can go back to the school to study and to create 1 or 2 big size paintings for 2 months before going back to the USA (I wished to start it since March, but I had to work on English and music), and whether they can give me a discount on the tuition.

You cannot imagine what answer I have gotten. President Man Weiqi responded me about 3 minutes later: "Yiping, come on. You will be free of charge." And in about 5 minutes later, I got the messages from my current flower and bird painting tutor Mr. Ma Shengli " You can call me at any time you need help or directions.""You worked so hard, so, as long as we can, we will do everything to help you..." And another two tutors Mr. Ran Ming and Ms. Ji Yan who tutor landscape painting sent me and welcomed me back...

Wow! What a lucky student I am! How happy I am! With a so excited and so grateful heart, I would really like to write to you with a big smile. I would not only like to share the good news with you, but also I want to record what have happened on the road of my dream seeking.

The upcoming 2 months will certainly become a milestone on my art creating road. I am sure about it.

I would really like to do my best to replay the society, these great artists, good educators and so many organizations and individuals that have helped me, directed me and supported me past, now and in the future, with my harder work and better services to beautifying the world and to help more people...

Now I have rented an apartment near the school (only 10 minutes by walk with kitchen, washing room, furniture and elevator) by the good help of Mrs. Hai who is the manager of of a real estate agency which is my former landlord in Beijing; I have also made an appointment with one of my doctors before I leave for Beijing...

I will be in the National English Examiantion Room on May 29, and re-start my art study which is the 6th year in Beijing since May 30, 2016. :- )

How about you? Do you have anything special to share in the past 8 days?
I am just a student on Arts of Painting, Music, English and Management, to work on the web site in my free time. I would really like to do somethings with what I have learned to make this little web site to be an Electronic Bridge of Cross - Culture and Comprehensive Arts, Language & Friendship. To help the others and this world while improving myself and realizing my own value of life.

I would really like to appreciate you for your understanding, directions, supports and help.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, you are welcome to write to shirley@ebridge.cn or leave your message on Message Board.

Sincerely,

Shirley Yiping Zhang
May 19, 2016 (Beijing Time)