Pocaterra Ridge Trail, Canada: 2023-9-19

Chelle,

This photo deserves a special spot in our history book. Please keep it somewhere SAFE.

It was taken on my 35-yr anniversary of living in America -- pretty incredible!! It's impossible to imagine from 35 years ago when I first landed in this country that I would have the opportunity to hike with such an accomplished beautiful soul 35 years later...

LOVE!!

Mom

3,042 Days Later

3,042 days later, we made it up together to the top of Sentinel Pass. What an incredible and memorable hike!!

Sentinel Pass is the most famous hiking trail in Banff. 7.3 miles out and back with 2,451 feet elevation gain. Grade = Hard / Difficult. Took us 6.5 hours, about 22,500 steps.

Great experience and incredible views. Hard for me to believe how crowded the trail was - honestly, is it true that so MANY people are willing to endure the long hike, the physical and mental suffering to be close to nature?

Sentinel Pass

Alberta, Canada

September 21, 2023

Picture 1 = 2015-5-21 hiking in Kauai

 

 

35 Years...

September 19, 2023

Today is the 35th anniversary of me being in this country - what a journey!! 

So grateful for everyone here, who has helped me in various ways throughout the years.

So grateful for everything, especially for being able to raise Dr. Michelle in this country...

Looking forward to the next 35 years!!

On Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 07:21:29 PM CDT, Pei Tang <tang_pei@yahoo.com> wrote:

It was 19 years ago, on 9/19/88, I arrived in this country and started my life in America.  It's been a great experience.  Looking back, I am grateful for all the opportunities I have had over the past 19 years.  I am particularly thankful for all the help and support I received from my graduate school professor, Dr. Edwin Thomas, during the early and most difficult days of my long journey in America.      

 

The following is an interview Michelle did for school when she was only 10.  I can say that it still accurately reflects my belief today. 

 

 

By Michelle Zhang

2/25/2001

 

For this report, I interviewed my mother who immigrated to this country from China.  She, like most other immigrants, came here for more opportunities to be successful in her career.  She also wanted to provide a better life for her future children. 

 

She came here in 1988 as a graduate student.  Right before the trip to America, she was a graduate student in Beijing.  Her life was not as bad as some immigrants because she knew some English.  In her high school in China, she was taught the American Language.  She was a little scared of her new life she'd have to start.  She didn't know anyone and only had $45.  After the first few weeks, she came to realize that people here were open and friendly.   

 

Fortunately, she did not experience any racism and prejudice.  She made many American friends at her job and they all respect her a great deal.  She says she likes America because you have all kinds of opportunities, and if you work hard, you are sure to succeed.

Time Flies

The photos were taken at the same place, but 28 years apart.

1995-9-17 and 2023-8-28

Chicago Botanic Garden

五周年祭语

六头：

这世界有那么多人

多幸运 我有个我们

这悠长命运中的晨昏

常让我 望远方出神

笑声中浮过

青春的模样

留在梦田里 

永远不散场…

 

Home

August 17, 2023  

The Historic Day

Today, for the first time in over 1,270 days (since the beginning of the pandemic in February 2020), I went to a department store. In addition, I went in without a face mask. It took true courage to do so.

Not sure about you, but this was totally a Historic Day for me!! Felt very strange to be in a department store with soooo many back-to-school shoppers AND without my face mask.

I believe the pandemic has fundamentally changed my social landscape -- which might be necessary for the entire humanity going forward!

Dr. Michelle's Cooking History

Do you know any Mom who'd keep track of all the dishes her kids cook over a 10 year period?

Well, I don't want to be the one breaking the world record here, but I did keep photos of every dish Michelle sent me over the past 10.5 years - starting from her medical school days through current.

The records go from 2013-1-3 to 2023-7-20 covering 10 years and 7 months. Over this period of time, Michelle has sent me 72 photos of the dishes she cooked. I keep these photos in a special folder called "Michelle Cooking" with each dish accurately dated. They are so precious only because Michelle, like her Mom, doesn't particularly enjoy cooking.

Attached are 6 sample dishes... Pay attention to the progression of her cooking skills-:)