Again,
this is just the beginning of a rough winter…
Chicago, IL
December 18, 2016
Windchill = -18F
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Winter 1994
I would be lying to you had I told you that the frigid snowy winter so far this year didn't freak me out...
It
reminded me of 1994 when we had a lot of snow. I found 2 pictures of
my little Michelle on 2/26/1994 at age 3. And it just occurred to me
that I didn't even put on gloves for those little hands... Well, I have
concluded that you really shouldn't have children when you are too
young, as you tend to make careless mistakes!!
I
remember telling Michelle to go back further, go even further... go to
the area with deepest snow... And you can totally see it from the 2nd
picture. Michelle would just smile back to me, regardless of how scared
she was...
I
don't know how many parents would frequently look back on their
children's photos; I don't know what they think when they see them; and I
sincerely wish many parents would not feel as guilty as I am...
Thank goodness the poor little hands survived!!
Little Michelle at 3
2/26/1994
Monday, December 5, 2016
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Chicago Today
Who would be expecting this in early December???
I
have been telling people that the universe is getting crazier each
day. So, enjoy life while you can. Don't wait for the next month or
next year or when you have time -- MAKE time today to fully enjoy
living!!
Naperville, IL
December 4, 2016 
Blue Moon Valley
Just got back from China, and it was once again a fantastic trip...
Picture 4 = Trees are growing under the Blue Moon Lake water
Picture 5 = Lake reflection of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
The White Water River is fed by melting snow and ice running down from Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The water is freezing; even in summer, and people still cannot bear the piercing cold when they dabble in the river. But it is a favorite iced drink in summer. Legend has it that, when two Naxi youngsters fall in love, the boy will be tested by standing barefoot in the cold river in winter to show his committed love for the girl. Folks believe that this tested love will last forever in the presence of the holy snow mountain. So, the river is considered the Love River in local people's mind.
There are four lakes divided by small waterfalls or giant rocks along the river, namely Jade-Like Wine Lake, Mirror Pond, Blue Moon Lake, and Wave-Listening Lake. The lakes form a natural mirror reflecting the grand snow mountain, surrounding cliffs, and lush plants. There are small shoals dotted among the water, breaking the smooth surface of the lakes.
Yunnan, China
November 21-26, 2016
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Michelle's Math Homework at Age 5
I
am continuing on my long journey to simplify life -- trying to throw
away just about everything that I haven't touched for 3 years...
I
was standing by the garbage can to dump a whole stack of books when I
found this old little notebook -- it was for Michelle's math homework
from 1996 when she was only 5 years old... Apparently, as noted on the
cover page, it was the 4th book already (we might have started this
torture when she was only 3, haha!).
Attached
is the cover of the notebook and the first 2 pages of her homework on
1/29/1996. She'd get 12 problems on 2 pages every day, and believe it
or not, I'd literally write the problems for her every day -- wow, I am
impressed -- I was a good mom, once!!
And
it reminded me of the essay Michelle wrote for her med school
applications back in 2011, when she talked about her homework at a young
age... (see below)
P.S. Only the blue section was submitted for her application, the black section was the note she wrote to me.
_________________________________________________
From: Michelle
Zhang
To: Pei Tang tang_pei@yahoo.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 2, 2011 4:10 PM
Subject: Diversity Essay
To: Pei Tang tang_pei@yahoo.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 2, 2011 4:10 PM
Subject: Diversity Essay
"My mom understands the value of liberation coupled with principle; of freedom grounded in strong values. Consequently, she raised me to embody an interesting juxtaposition of Chinese, American, and independent ideas. My mother gave me homework before the American school system ever introduced me to it – she wrote pages of math problems for me so that I could get a head start on arithmetic and develop a solid work ethic early on. Figure skating and playing the piano took up much of my free time: my mom enforced a strict schedule of training and practice and spent hours watching me, making sure I always put in my best effort. She would often lecture me on the importance of a good education, building a successful life, and planning for long-term happiness. This was the foundation that my mother wanted me to have; beyond this, she gave me very few boundaries and never pushed me in any particular direction. In fact, she has always encouraged me to explore ideas with an independent mind and to form my own opinions, find my own passions, and make my own happiness. This freedom has allowed me to invest myself into things that I find genuinely interesting and worthwhile – medicine, philosophy, clinical volunteering, writing, physics, poi, etc. I have been encouraged to experience the world on my own terms and this has allowed me to meet some fascinating people at places like Children’s Hospital in Boston, Sunrise Senior Living in Illinois and music festivals in Tennessee. Thus, while I carry with me strong, traditional Chinese principles and values regarding how to live my life, I also carry with me a curiosity and an open mind that help me develop a balanced and diversified prospective on life."
********************
And mom, for the record, I am genuinely thankful that you raised me in this way. Even when times were tough and my worldview differed drastically from yours, you never placed constraints on my mind like many other parents would have. I think that has allowed me to build a solid character of my own, not for anyone else but truly for myself. And yes, this has also led me to get tattoos, etc. (which I know you are not fond of), but I think that on the whole, more positive has come out of your parenting method than negative. I hope that you continue to approach my life with an open mind - as stated in the essay, you have given me a solid foundation that I carry with me at all times, and you should trust that I can make good, quality decisions for myself.
--
Michelle Zhang
Tufts University '12
Philosophy
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Supermoon 2016
The closest suprmoon since 1934, and we won't see it again until 2034.
The story about taking this moon shot was pretty sad, so I won't tell you...
Chicago, IL
November 13, 2016
The story about taking this moon shot was pretty sad, so I won't tell you...
Chicago, IL
November 13, 2016
My PTSD
It's over, but it really isn't. It's just the beginning of a long, difficult, uncertain journey!
No
words from me, but I'd like to share with you my little Michelle's Facebook
posts. It shows how reality was anticipated, processed, digested - and -
how rational, calm and clear perspectives were formed! I am grateful
for the mature young minds.
11/8/2016 at 8:09am: Friendly reminder to NOT DESTROY OUR COUNTRY today :-)
11/9/2016 at 5:47am: Waiting for someone to say "just kidding"
11/10/2016 at 7:27pm:
Three things:
One, I am inspired and uplifted by the breadth
and volume of thoughtful, passionate posts written by my peers over the
past few days. I am amazed at and humbled by the intelligence and heart
that went into each and every one of your thoughts and words. Thank you.
Two, I only hope that those of you who have decided to shut
out alternative perspectives will reconsider. There is nothing to be
gained by narrowing your view of the world to a pinpoint, and nothing to
be gained by denying those with a different dogma the chance to hear
your beliefs. The only tool that we have for effective change is open
conversation.
Three, I
leave you with this song (Wider Circles), which leaves my soul with a gentle reminder of
how to conscientiously walk through this world and this life - because
at a bare minimum, that's what we can do.
Monday, November 7, 2016
Fall Colors
I believe fall colors are very difficult to photograph. But I always tell myself to just go out, enjoy nature and capture beauty as defined by yourself, not by some other big-name photographers...
So, here they are - fall colors of 2016!
Photos taken with my iPhone
Hoffman Estates, IL
November 5, 2016
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Autumn Mist
Finally… I didn’t have to travel far to capture beauty.
This was in my backyard -:))
Naperville, IL
October 22, 2016
A teacher asked her students...
I
saw the attached on Facebook last weekend. It brought back lots of
memories and tremendous amount of guilt because when Michelle was
little, I was always so busy at work and I traveled a lot on business...
So, I sent the photo to Michelle, and it triggered the following
exchange. I am glad Michelle was a strong-willed little child and was
not traumatized by my absence -- I hope...
The
truth is, often times, we thought we should sacrifice our own
interests/lives to behave certain ways for the good of our children.
But our children might be far more mature than we anticipated and they
would turn out to be okay regardless of what we do.
Me: My dear little Chelle, even the handwriting looks like yours -:((
Michelle: My handwriting was never that bad.
Me: Did my absence traumatize you?
Michelle: Not even a little bit. I am not a needy little child.
Me:
But Chelle, when I saw that little note, I thought about you and it
almost made me cry... a lot of guilt because I wasn't always around. I
wish I could be a better mother.
Michelle:
You were around all the time. It was fine. What, you wish you were a
stay at home Mom? What kind of influence would that be?
Me: I am glad you turned out to be great.
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