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

The robbery last week is continuingly affecting my life this week. My weight has been reduced 4 kilograms already, so that many colleagues wondered what had happened to me. Anyway, they also said that I seem like more beautiful with a longer neck.

Meanwhile, I am getting busier in the company. One hand, one of the companies that we have invested will become a listed company. As its supervisory committee chairman, I had to pass an examination of laws; the other hand, our company will sign some yearly contracts with every department manager and I have to help some of them to make sure their work targets in 2008.

It is quite difficult for me to focus my mind on my work and my eyes could not see clear suddenly on Monday and I often make mistakes. Even, I forgot my art and music lesson time and I could not find my new music teacher’s home even though I had been there 23 times by car for about 1 hour. So on Tuesday, after I drove for about 3 hours, I was still on a strange road for I had lost my way 3 times. When I had driven for 2.5 hours and a building once more blocked me, I suddenly felt so sad and so helpless that my tears could not be controlled at all.

However, I know very clear, I should not be hit down indeed. I must keep doing my best to perform my duties; I cannot only live, I must work and live in a higher quality. So, I wiped my tears and I continued to work and study.

Now I get up earlier than usual, to go to my office earlier and to work for a longer time, including my lunchtime. Since I do not want to eat, I keep working and studying. I did not only study the laws on Company and Securities; also, I studied the thick Accountant Rules. Meanwhile, I had my first music lesson and I re-started to paint on the weekend.

I am lucky for I am still alive. I am lucky for I have gotten so much concern and help from many friends, colleagues, neighbors and family members. The company did not only ask me to compensate the lost laptop, but also they bought a better one for me. The general manager asked the administration office to help me. The policemen are doing their best to perform their duty. My family called me every day and my new music teacher invited me to have a meal for helping me relaxing. The most comfort is that my son called me from the other side of the world and he said that he is thinking of coming back China after his studying abroad for 6 years.

I cherish whole of the friendship and love. I believe the criminals will be punished someday. I had my first smile for my new music teacher asked me to sing with smiling way. I will stand up and live strongly with smiles in the near future.

How about you? How did you go over the difficult time in your life?
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, please write to shirley@ebridge.cn or shirleyz004@yahoo.com. You are welcomed to publish your opinions in the forum.

Shirley Yiping Zhang
Sun, March 9, 2008