This is not the first time of my canoing. But it is the longest one, definitely!~~~
5 miles!~~~
The trip covers approximately 5 miles of the Upper James River.
James River, just like the Hangpu river in Shanghai, plays an important role in the daily life of the local people in Richmond.
James Kinney gave us the lecture about the American Literature today and make us a way to organize our thinking about it.
As for me, my image of American Literature begin with the novel "Gone with the wind", the American novel by Margaret Mitchell, which was published in 1936 and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1937. It was the only book that Margaret Mitchell published in her lifetime, but it became one of the best selling American novels.
I like the title, " Gone with the wind", which appears in the novel: When Scarlett escapes the destruction of Atlanta by Northern forces, she flees back to her family's plantation, Tara. At one point, she wonders, "Was Tara still standing? Or was Tara also gone with the wind which had swept through Georgia?"
Scarlett expresses views that were common of the era. She has many spiteful and selfish opinions in the novel, and is callous toward her children, her sisters, and of course Melanie, who has every virtue Scarlett lacks.
But I like her so much, who is so faithful and encourages me. At the end of the novel, when Rhett refusing Scarlett's plea to come along and claiming that he was no longer in love with her. Scarlett cannot think of anything to do at present. Finally, with newly dawned realisation of true love, she sits at the foot of the stairs exhausted, telling herself in her characteristic style that she will think about her problems the next day. Being her strong self, she calms down and decides to go back to Tara and think of a solution as she still believes that she has the charm to get any man she sets designs upon.
Hope lights Scarlett's face: "Tara! Home. I'll go home, and I'll think of some way to get him back! After all, tomorrow is another day!" And in the final scene, Scarlett stands once more, resolute, before Tara.
"After all, tomorrow is another day!"
Thanks to ANtonil J. Garcia, the Director of Jazz Studies of VCU, who gave us an live show and also a handout to serve as a guide for us to continue the exploration of jazz long after we return home.
The music and history of jazz provide the exploration of other subjects, including language, history,social studies,math,physics,religion and even psychology. The sensations inherent to jazz make the bridge to learn and share applications relevant to the study of other subjects.
I met a nice family today!~~~
Carman Glass, who is the teacher of Spanish of VCU, take us to her home this afternoon. Her place is on the west of Richmond, called Chester Field and we spent 6 hours with her family, her husband Ken, daughter Anna,Dania,Christina.
We had a big meal in her place.
I like apple pie!~~~
I love the decoration in her house so much which is made by themselves. Her hunband made the woodwork, and Carmen is now working in her beautiful garden.
We talked lot about family with them. How to make a good relationships? Who made the major decision? How to take care of the kids? There was onething very impressive to me. Carmen thinks that: in the relationship between the couples, there is no 50% and 50%, it should be 100% and 100%, which means that you should do your best to please your partner and donated to your family. I guess that's why she has such an nice family.
Guess what! I met my schoolmate in VCU today!
In china, people think there are four perfect moments in one's life. They are when the rain comes in drought, when lovers get married, when you win the frist prise of the imperial examination, and the last one is when you meet an old friend oversea.
Dr.Zhang Weiyong,who is the guaduate of Fudan University gave us an interesting lessons this morning. He taught us the theory of Process Management though his "soccer game",which makes the business lecture more funny. We talked with him about his family and his career after class. What an coincidence that his wife is Shanghainess, too.
POE Museum, which I visited this evening, boasts the world's finest collectio of Edgar Allan Peo's editions, memorabilia and personal belongings.
Eventhough I know nothing about Poe, I did have fun there. I like the party, the music!~~~
When chated with the people in the party and played with the kids, I knew more about the daily life of the local people in Richmond and enjoyed the happy ambience there.
---------------- With little Peter I met at the party, who is three now.
He is so beautiful and cute. Cos he is still learning how to speak, when I asked his name, he just say "ah!~~~~" He is there with his parents, his aunts, his baby brother and his cousin. This is his first party and I guess he like it.
