Monday Gathering/March 28, 2016

Dear Members:
I am honored to be invited to join you at the monthly Monday gathering. As I looked around the table memories of the past 3 years swam in my mind and every face of yours made me feel proud; together, you and I made the group grow, prosper, and help each other.
Another thought surfaced at the same time and I would like to share here with you what I was thinking. Most of you, specially those who joined WOW at the earlier time, speak the language pretty well. The purpose we want to excel at the language when reaching this point is to enrich our life and inspire others when opportunity presents itself.
Library is a good place and source of acquiring knowledge and learn about information. Here, I encourage every one of you to visit your library and find topic(s) or subject(s) you are interested at learning or acquiring. To me, life itself is a process of learning and a series of presentations. To learn is to stay young and active and every waking hour is your stage to present yourself.
Read, learn, and be yourself.

MW

April's Monthly Meeting/4-24-2013

April’s Monthly Meeting

            There are five of us attending today’s monthly meeting. The sharing of reading summary started with Lily. The book she has been reading is called “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White. Lily didn’t have a written summary for she was not able to finish the book. It started from a farm owned by father of a girl named Fern. There was this runt pig who was too weak to make a good or valuable profit. Fern’s father was considering to finish the piglet. But Fern would like to keep the small pig and treat him like a baby. Fern fed the little pig with bottled milk and it grew! Fern’s uncle took in the pig and kept it in his farm living with other domestic animals. This was where Lily’s bookmark labeled. Sherri read this book before and told the members that this is a good classic book and the primary characters are Charlotte, the ever wise spider, and others. We can’t wait for Lily to finish this book and share what she would learn from this book.

            Ruby read about life of the genius, Albert Einstein. In her summary, there were years and eras stating the genius’s discoveries and contributions to the human world. E=MC2 stands for Energy equals mass times the speed of light squared.

E= energy M=mass C= the speed of light 2= squared (a number times itself)
A famous equation created by Albert Einstein in relation to his Special Theory of Relativity.
Because the speed of light is a very large number and is multiplied by itself, this equation points out how a small amount of matter can release a huge amount of energy, as in a nuclear reaction.
In average human terms, e=mc^2 basically represents the amount of energy you'd get if you totally converted an object's mass into pure energy.

            When Ruby finished her book report interesting thing happened: Otoor read the same topic though by different author. This was the second time similar situation took place at our meetings. Shaking my head I wondered what this meant to our group. It’s a good sign that members tried and read nonfiction after reading fictions. As I stated in the beginning of this reading club that the best way and attitude toward learning the language of English is to overcome the concept and thought of “learning.” We are here to savor and enjoy the beauty of the English language and get better of using it to serve our individual purposes. It looks like members of this group are growing and gaining their own sense of self-growth and soul development. It’s a gain I look forward to acquiring and maintaining.

            “The Language of Flowers” was the book Sherri read and shared with the reading group. It’s about a lady who had difficulty holding bond with others. She grew up in a foster family and didn’t have the ability to build or keep relationship with anyone. But she is good at flowers and excels at helping customers to pick the kind of flowers meaningful to them. Eventually she met a young man who is also good at detecting the language of flowers. They had a daughter and the lady had to give away her daughter to the young man who was the father of the infant girl. At the end, the young man was able to use the language of flower to break down the lady and together they had a good ending.

            Because of this book about flowers and their meanings the group decided to talk more about flowers, their meanings, and what they are to people.

            We look forward to seeing each other again next Wednesday.

Tea Time-December 12, 2012

            Did you notice the date of today and the time the program was held? 12-12-12 at 12 pm!! I thought of it last night yet failed to talk about it but Sherri did. She brought up the issue to welcome the two newcomers who were Lily’s friends. Both of them came directly from a church in which they are taking some conversation classes. Heard about the reading club and the weekly meetings, they came to check us out. I do wish the experience they took home after the program would invite more visits.

            Dann is a “retired” mother of two married daughters. Been in the country for more than thirty years, her English and adjustment of the culture and environment are proficient and excellent; they are present by the way she expresses herself: confident, comfortable, and easy-going.

            PayLing is also a stay home mother with two boys aged 20 and 17 respectively. Speaking as if raining bullets, her English is impressive. The reason she might not be a constant visitor of the meetings is she has her plate too full at her current lifestyle. Translating and volunteering at different places keep her occupied. In addition to the lenient volunteering, PayLing is attending community college to acquire some certificate for bookkeeping. Humbly she said it’s just her way to spend time on things she has interest. Without strong will and certain degree of commitment, one couldn’t do the things Ms. PayLing is engaged with. Bravo, PayLing.

            After the hearty introductions, the group moved to talk about the lyrics of the song, Move On, sung by ABBA. As usual, each member took turn to read a short paragraph. Then, starting from the librarian, members are welcome to bring up any issue talking about life, sharing personal life experiences, mentioning lessons learned over the year. The most impressive part Sherri got from the beautiful lyrics is the third paragraph: I’ve travelled every country, I’ve travelled in my mind. To emphasize her points, Sherri used her index finger to point to her own head. “Here, the mind is the most important thing in the world.” From head and mind, the group got into hot talks about mind sets and their influence upon a person’s life.

            Lily liked the part: How I treasure every minute, Being part of it, being in it, With the urge to move on. It’s only as one is getting old and counting the days one would last and breathe on the earth one came to understand the precious asset one owns: everyday as one is alive and one feel living. Ruby said had she given the lyrics to read at her younger age she might not have understood or appreciated the meaning of the words. They would just be words without further or deeper touch. The group agreed that cumulative life experiences are the best teachers teaching a person what life really means.

            The librarian summed up the session reinforcing the importance of keeping trying and not to give up too soon. Life might be hard. Yet what will you feel with your eyes shut? YOU. It’s your mind set and sense of existence telling you what life is. If you are positive and willing to always try then life is not as hard as you imagine it is. There might be unwanted changes and untimely challenges yet it’s your mind set and attitude deciding the level of hardship. If you could tell yourself that “I’ve always tried” then your life is something; something valuable that would make you proud enough to tell your next generations your own stories and tell them who you have been. You have stories to tell.

            Are you alive, living or both? If you ever ponder upon such questions and reflect frequently on events taken place in your life then you are both.

           

Time Tea at the Library

            Ruby, Abby, and I had a great time at the Time Tea meeting today though Abby and I had to take turn attending the meeting due to shortage of staff. When the number of members became slim the situation itself created a great opportunity to learn about personal backgrounds, individual life experiences, and other private issues. Today was one of the good examples between Ruby and me.

            We talked about the current issues at hand: Sherri’s attending a wedding in the windy city: Chicago, Fiona’s taking care of a family whose 3 year-old son is battling with certain cancer, and Lily’s busy schedule around the coming holiday season. Then back to Ruby’s and my own life in the past week. Though the setting was in the library’s auditorium, the soft and warm dim lights embracing the two of us made us feel like seating at a quiet corner in a high end coffee shop sipping our tea, savoring goodies on the table, and enjoying each other’s company. The atmosphere opened two hearts and invited soul talking. It’s another successful session of the Tea Time.

            In return, Ruby and I asked personal questions regarding to the experiences of learning foreign languages. Ruby wished she could have had the right mind set to have a well defined and designed plan 10 years earlier. At younger age, it’s difficult to own a clear view or perspective for there were so many distractions going on in a person’s life: births of children, fulfillment of careers, relationship to build and maintain. One’s mind and heart were always on the race for something “due” tomorrow or things to acquire and keep. Busy, busy, busy.

            My case was similar to what Ruby told me. There were worries seeming hard to deal with or overcome that I got myself stuck on the loop of worrying. I didn’t learn the power of positive thinking at that period of time. It’s after I entered the library world that I got to know more about myself. Instead of worrying things or imaging the unknown and uncertainty, I have learned how to see situations, events, and things from different angles. And don’t forget the power of reflection and self-awareness. The brain and mind are for thinking, pondering, creating, and reflecting. A life without reflection and thinking is a life empty of hope and void of dream. At least, that’s what happened to me.

            The mission statement is a shared value for everyone working for the library. Because you have faith in it, you believe and make a connection between the mission the library wants to achieve and what you can contribute to make that mission accomplished. The mission statement serves as a voice loudly claims what the public library can do to make a difference in a person’s life, to the communities it serves. It is also a reminder and foundation for the staff to remember why what they do matter to the users, to the society.

            Ruby’s case encourages me to go for my goals: to the serve the people, to create value for the other people and to touch people’s lives. A person grows into a millionaire by saving a penny from the beginning. Without the number 1 ahead of the many zeros all there will be are zeros. Ruby is the 1 I am saving and investing. There is hope that 1 (one) will generate another 1 and two will grow into four. I am not that good at math but good enough to bet that the number will become bigger if I go on trying, giving, and sharing. Who knows what the number will be. It’s a mystery worth of working on. Let’s see.

November Reading Meeting

            Today’s monthly meeting was a long and warm one. Everyone welcomed Sherri back and asked about her whereabouts and status. It’s family gathering thing that kept her away and occupied. Though she couldn’t and didn’t finish her book she still felt she had to come to see her friends. Universal expression was shown on everyone’s face when Sherri said she missed us. It’s a warm and sweet touch that Sherri brought in today at the meeting. Thank you, Sherri.

            “How is Fiona?” It’s a question that everyone was in need of an answer. Fiona, you are missed. We truly hope that the family you support and help will recover and be back to its norm.

            First of all, I have to say that Ruby did a wonderful job this past month. Her persistent diligence and consistent determination and commitment truly touched everyone. Sherri shook her head appraising Ruby and complimented her by saying “If everyone works as hard as you are, there is no difficulty or obstacle to tackle the barrier of any foreign language. Impressive!” Encouragement comes from peers is especially appreciated for members stand at the same side and know each other better than anyone else.

            Ruby kept on reading the Rainbow Fairies Series. She considers herself a beginner at reading. This Fairies series serve as her stepping stone for another series: Gecko & Sticky. By reading a series, according to Ruby, she is able to build her own bank of vocabulary and repetitive phrases and sentences that she found helpful and useful at daily life. Simplicity is her favorite for it’s an easy way to self-express: easy, convenient, and straightforward. Asked if she found something interesting at the names the author used for her series Ruby said she did finding it interesting that the author matched the Fairies’ names to visualize the meaning of the rainbow colors. For example, Sunny is the name for Yellow fairy and Ruby for Red fairy. Interesting discovery, one has to say.

            “The Lost Wife” by Alyson Richman was Sherri’s choice of the month. The background of this romance story was due back to the World War II. A young couple just got married right before the husband and his whole family decided to escape the Europe and sail to the promising land-USA. The wife couldn’t have the heart to leave her family behind so she stayed where she was though she was pregnant with his child who later was miscarried.

            Sixty years passed and they met again-at a wedding of their own grandchildren; he remarried and she got a child result of a sad rape happened at the concentration camp in which she and her family were kept during the wartime. They didn’t expect to see each other for they thought the other was killed at that difficult time. He was retired OB doctor. They were haunted by ghosts for they had lived in the same neighborhood and might have run into each other in the passing years. Assumed each was dead they thought destiny tricked them and tested their love for each other. Though they didn’t tell or share how much they reserved their love for each other, their hearts were locked with their keys lost in the war.

            Sherri didn’t finish the book, yet. Everyone at the meeting couldn’t wait to hear the “happy” ending of the couple. Well, at least, I, personally, wish there be a good ending for this touching love story taken place at a harsh and difficult time of the human history. “One should feel blessed and good luck comparing small things we have faced to the big issues in real life.” Sherri shared her point of view and feeling gotten from reading this book. In the book the lost wife was an art teacher. She would risk her life to confiscate available chalks or crayons for the small children to enjoy the beauty in art. To Sherri, the beauty of art somehow would help ease intensity of pain inflicted by cruelty and misery in a person’s life.

            The following was composed by Abby who hosted the meeting after 1 pm.

            For this week, Lily read one of the Jewel Fairies books by Daisy Meadows. She doesn’t remember which one as there are too many to remember. After which we discussed vocabulary words gleaned from the Fairies books. Interestingly, most were either informal terms, or some sort of adjective. “Tingling” is a hard word to explain in English.

The longest topic we discussed was the names for collective groups of animals. Most animals could be referred to as a “herd” (of cattle), but there are some animals that have multiple references, or names that no one knows about. Most of us know about a “school of fish”, but how many people know that a group of whales is a “pod”? This one really had Ruby stumped for a while. I have to admit that I have never heard of or used the ones that I found on a four page list obtained from Google.

Sherry brought her “adopted” daughter, who brought her daughter for a visit. We all enjoyed the cake, the almond brittle and the cookies that Mei-Wan brought. Unfortunately, Mei-Wan had to return to the reference desk at that time, so I ate hers for her. It was all delicious. (By Abby)

Appreciation goes to Lily and Ruby; they brought a round cake to share with members. Jennifer, our pretty and attractive CSR, was invited to join the meeting for a short stay. Thank you, Jennifer.

Next Tea time will be held next Wednesday, 12-05, 2012, at 12 pm in the library.

See you all soon!

Tea Time Outside the Library

     
     
     Instead of meeting at the library, this week's Tea Time was held at Genroku Restaurant located in Richardson. Thanks to the generosity of Ruby and Lily, Abby and I had a great time eating, talking, and simply having fun at the lunch table.

     Ruby asked about Sherri who was absent for the previous two Tea Time together. I shared Sherri's two emails and her whereabouts with the three of them. "Sherri missed you." We hope, next time when we meet each other, every member will show up.

     Then Lily asked about Fiona's current status. Again, I had to repeat the sad news about a family currently fighting a difficult battle and Fiona's generous assistance was the reason why she couldn't come to those meetings. Things happen in life. The more positive we become and deal with happenstances, the much stronger we would  become. A heavy shoulder would become lighter when load of work is shared. We might not be able to provide material or financial support directly or indirectly, our giving heart would still spill its positive impact on people in need of moral support.

     Today's meeting/lunch lasted more than 4 hours; it simply told us how much we enjoyed each other's company. It's a holiday season and it's time to share how much we enjoy living our lives. 

     Don't forget to prepare your due summary. It doesn't matter how short it would look like. The core and crucial of such demand is for you to keep on reading and build your reading habit. It would take at least 66 days to build and maintain a habit. The request of submitting a summary monthly serves as a positive and rewarding motivation for each member. Sharing is a means for a person to make a commitment. We like to hear what you have learned, how much you have progressed, and what a wonderful life a person can live and share with each other.

     Have a happy and wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and weekends.

     Look forward to seeing you next Wednesday. 

Tea Time-November 14, 2012

            “Mei-Wan, I’ve learned a lot.” Looking up at me, Lily told me how she felt about the weekly Tea Time sessions and the monthly reading meetings. It’s a message and feedback I have been waiting for to measure the impact and influence the programs we have run in the library. Though still at early stages of a trial and error approach to programs I could think of and have run, the purpose of a public library and the meaning of a program are always the guidelines and directions for the librarians and the staff to ponder, designate, propose, prepare, and run any program, event, or session.

            Today’s Tea Time began with sharing what’s happened in each and every member’s life during the week. Lily shared a recent shopping experience. In her case, “What’s the deal?” would replace her long requesting question “How much do I have to spend during your promotion period to get the gifts listed on your ad?” In the Native’s eyes, such struggling and debating are non-existent. Yet it’s a daily battle for the English learners; what would be the right words, terms, or phrases to express or introduce myself and the ideas in my mind. “What’s the deal?” It seems like a simple expression to the local yet it would take years of studying, learning, and reading to be comfortable and good at interpreting things for the people whose native languages are not English.

            After taking turns sharing life events and experiences, the librarian presented today’s topic: Nature and its impact on a person’s life. Mei-Wan initiated the topic talking about things she learned from reading a book about journey of souls. It’s natural for a soul to learn things from his/her living environment. For instance, in the book, the author stated that a soul learns density from rocks, serenity from trees, freedom and beauty from butterflies, and immensity and power from whales. There was no further explanation in the book why those items are selected and meant for the indicated values. Yet, it’s a good start for the talking about life.

            Horses are love of Abby’s. Asked what she has learned from the creature and since when Abby stated: Since always. Probed why, Abby has her usual “matter of fact” facial expression to reinforce her point. Charming, Mei-Wan smiled and admired Abby’s stubbornness and consistency. “Movement” Abby finally pointed out the reasons why she likes horses the most. The horses move in a fast yet graceful pace. Their unique shape is pleasing and the coat of theirs can tell plenty about the condition of their health. Way to go, Abby. Thanks for sharing your love of life.

            “The sea, the ocean is my favorite” said Ruby. In Ruby’s eyes, the abyss of the salt waters is a mystery. The color blue, bottomless depth of the ocean represents life itself: constant changes are the norm of life. From the ocean, the members talked about weather, gravity, and the phenomenon of Tsunami. The sudden retreating and receding of the ocean waters and waves is a close call of warning that a threat of attack of Tsunami is impending and it’s time to go some place higher seeking shelter and some place safe. Lily mentioned about the recent hurricane sabotaging the Big Apple city, New York and wondered how the broadcast systems pick names for the natural disaster forces. “Google” was the answer from the librarian.

            “Rainbow means prettiness and miracle to me” said Lily when it’s her turn to share. “Incredible and unpredictable” are words from Abby to amplify Lily’s points. “Pot of gold, wonderful” is Abby’s terms to describe the beauty of a rainbow after a showing rain.

            Today’s goodies on the table: crackers, bagels, cheese cake Alpine style, spicy seaweed, and, of course, hot tea. Serving and chewing the snacks, Ruby showed us something that touched the librarian’s heart. Please see the attached picture. Not only did Ruby read the book three times to make sure that she totally comprehended what the book was about, she also wrote down all the vocabulary and terms unfamiliar to her. She did her homework and did so diligently, sincerely, and very seriously. Ruby even showed Abby how the electronic dictionary works after everyone read her notes. “Interesting!” The amazement came from Abby who was new to such gadget.

            “Wheedle” is another new word the members, including Mei-Wan learned today. Though the verb explains the act it still couldn’t match to the hidden behavioral and unique meaning and manner of the term used in the Chinese society and its culture background.

            We missed Sherri. She did send two emails to explain her two absences and wanted to tell the others how much she was missing them and would like to come next session when the time allows. Thanks Sherri and her email messages.

            Look forward to seeing you all next Wednesday!

              

Tea Time with Librarians-November 07, 2012

            The topics of today’s Tea Time are Love and Relationships. The librarian had the lyrics, The Greatest Love of All, distributed and read by each participant. Ruby was the one who would like to talk about the lyrics and the singer, Whitney Houston. Thanks to Ruby.

            First of all, Lily claimed she prefer living in simplicity and a lifestyle of easy and simple. “What’s simple to you?” “Simply means easy and not hard to show a person’s love.” “What’s love to you?” From the topic of love, each and every member was free to express and make their points sound and heard. “Love is to give, to be thankful.” After this exclamation, Lily detailed her points by sharing her own personal experiences: life with her husband and one with her only daughter. Due to the cultural climate of conservative, it’s not usual for a Taiwanese to bluntly and explicitly express love by saying “I love you” to a person’s spouse. Those who came from the same background nodded in unison at hearing Lily’s words. Love is for action, not to voice.

            To give is an ability and it’s about a person’s characteristics and personality, Ruby stated in what she believed. More than often, it’s those people who simply can’t share. We might label them “selfish.” But why they can’t or don’t share? The answers would be everyone’s guess. Lily further mentioned why she likes to share because she truly enjoys the response and feedback from the other party whom she made happy. But, Ruby added, some people used to take it for granted that they don’t feel like to pay back, feedback, or to give.

            Talking about relationship, “balance” is the key, according to Abby. It seems so impossible that there is always this person willing to give and doesn’t expect any positive responses or kind feedback. But, first, one has to be willing to be the first to give, be a giver from the beginning, said Mei-Wan. Further, Mei-Wan shared and talked about her personal experiences. And something she said caught Lily’s attention making her claim with a smile that she will grill her husband tonight. Uh.Oh. Someone is going to have a lecture tonight!!

            A healthy communication and the will to give are the tacit knowledge among the attendees. Without sounding clearly and effectively a person’s real needs and wants, any relationship wouldn’t work as efficiently or effectively as it should have been.

            In addition to love and relationship, the members talked about the roles of educations played in a person’s life. Educations come from life of family, schooling, society, and people around. A word or reading a book can change a person or make a difference in a person’s life. Influence comes from everywhere! One would become black when exposed long enough to pitch dark; one could become scarlet being too close to crimson. People in a person’s life play a crucial factor of what one will become. Look for positive and beware of negative.

            We might have another one or two members coming to our next Tea Time. Everyone is welcome if you have interest at talking and sharing about life. Life is beautiful when one is able to give, to share, and to give more.

            See you next Wednesday, November 14, 2012, at 12 pm in the library.

October Reading Meeting

October Reading Meeting

Attendees: Ruby, Abby, Mei-Wan

Place: Library Bio Area

Time: Oct. 31, 2012 12 pm

Description:

            The decision of next reading meeting was made today: it would be held on November 28, 2012, 12 pm in the library. And next Tea Time with Librarians would be next Wednesday, November 07, 2012, 12 pm in the library. Members are welcome to bring their goodies to share with their friends.

            Who said being slow is bad? At least, that’s not the case today. Ruby came late but she was the first and only member showed up today. Due to her daughter’s going back to the west coast, Lily, with help from Ruby, sent her apology telling us she was occupied and would miss today’s monthly meeting. Family comes first and we were proud of Lily having such a great family time with her precious princess. Fiona was absent because there is a family in need of her kind heart and caring soul to prepare and deliver food; the family is facing a crisis and fighting a difficult battle. The kindness and generosity given in an untimely, unthinkable crisis reveal a person’s authentication of compassion, wholeheartedness, care, and love. A friend in need is a friend indeed!!

            Though only three members were present there was no moment of being dull, boring, or slow. Opportunity presents itself for those who are well-oiled, properly equipped, and ready to shine. Today was Ruby’s show for not only did she become articulate and talkative she was also able to improvise and play along with the librarians who asked plenty of questions to bring out what’s buried and hidden in everyone’s head, mind, and heart. It’s like a screenplay was composed by the three participants and played right then when the story was still smoking, fresh from the oven made of three women. I looked back and forth of Abby and Ruby as they played the game of calling each other to ask the other person out. It’s a play of genius. I am so proud!

            Summaries of Ruby’s and Abby’s have made me feel ashamed and a bit guilty for I was the only one failed to provide one. Still, being the hostess, I had to share with what I have had to be fair. The book I am reading is about journey of souls. The cases and stories told in the book are about real people and real events taken place in the author’s office for he was a hypnotist with a PhD degree. The mention of the book and some cases in the book changed the topics allowing each of us to share views and points about souls, human beings, and life itself.

            At the meeting I shared what reading means to me. Reading is not just about books. We read events, the changes of seasons, the clouds high in the sky, each passing vehicle driven by a person we might never meet before or again. We read people. We read a person’s body language, her eyes, her outfit; we might read a person’s soul by hearing, feeling, smelling, touching. Reading is not limited by format, form, or shape.   

Reading is about life. As we walk the roads of life, we encounter things visible and unseen. With help of reading we gather information, gain knowledge, cultivate wisdom, grow our mind, and develop our soul. Sincere reading allows us to learn about things, decipher messages delivered by events, and maintain a healthy communication not only with the people around us but also with the Nature.

Did you ever have the experience of communicating with the Nature? It’s not that hard. When someone made your day the sky became so open, borderless, and so, so huge that you felt you could do anything. It’s your heart communicating with the Nature. The good feeling opened you up and invited the fresh and ever changing air of Nature to get into your system. You felt your heart was as huge as the sky above you.

Walk the roads of life, read things around you, and your WOW moment will come as if it is always there waiting for you to “discover.”

Read, read, read!!!

Tea Time with Librarian-First Encounter

            When, Lynette, my branch manager came to get me informing me that there were two people waiting outside the auditorium for today’s Tea Time meeting, I didn’t have second thought; I was expecting Ruby and her friend, a potential club member. The sight of Sherri, my newly acquired friend, was a surprise. She had another surprise for me: she brought a friend, an aspiring writer, to see me. What a good start for this budding young reading club! Thank you, Sherri and Ruby.

            There were 4 of us present at today’s Tea Time: Ruby, Sherri, me, and Lily, Ruby’s friend. First of all, members took turns to introduce themselves. Since the purpose of a Tea Time with librarian and members was to talk and share, more like a social call, there were plenty of topics to be talked and discussed. While Ruby and Sherri had a conversation, I began my reference interview with the new comer, Lily. Lily likes to have good time with friends, watch movies, and go shopping. Asked the history of learning English Lily mentioned different learning places with ESL programs, places like community colleges and churches. Mentioned how many years of reading experiences in both languages Lily said something allowing me to pinpoint her barriers to have a long term reading habit. Everything goes deeper when it goes personal.

            Back to group talk, Ruby shared her own experience how she started from an author and finished one series and, now, onto the second series by the same author. Meanwhile, Ruby also found another author who is productive and whose books are interesting and easy to read for someone who really wants to dig up the buried learned language skills gained from schooling at her youth. Good for Ruby!

            Sherri stuck out her tiny tongue as if a little girl was caught doing something naughty when I pointed the notebook and pen I gave her asking and reminding her not to forget to submit her book description/summary at next reading meeting. I will give each new member a notebook and a pen at their first meeting. To me, reading and writing are like preparing a performance on stage. If a performer wants to perfect her show she has to work hard to get ready for her program; it’s reading time. Before delivering the event, she has to rehearse to finalize her preparation; this is writing. When the show hostess gets everything done, all she has to do is to be herself. Once a person is good at reading and writing, everyday is her showtime; she is ready to launch and aim high.

            After everyone took turns to talk, I shared what a “WOW” moment feels like with my member. When the great thing and wonderful feeling came, there was a moment of shortcut, like the time was frozen at the sight of the term that touched my heart and soul. Unknown what’s been happening I went on reading that afternoon at a corner table one winter afternoon at a local bookstore. I remember how warm the sunray shone on me that day. Then I froze minutes later as if a light bulb was turned on suddenly shocking me. Pages turned, I went back to the term that made all these things happened. The second sight of the term “ebony and ivory” in one of Robert Parker’s books got me understood that I just had my “WOW” moment, the moment I came to understand and appreciate the beauty and art of the language called “English,” a subject I flunked, feared, and failed many times at my school years. I felt something stirring inside me that day and it lasted days after that afternoon.

            Mind set is everything!

            If one goes on holding the idea of learning and sharpening a language, the burden and heaviness of gaining something would drag down a person’s motivation and sabotage the will and drive to enjoy reading, an ability and habit that would last a lifetime’s joy and sense of happiness. Whenever I read a good book I would call mother and thank her for this wonderful gift she allows me to acquire and gain. Most of my childhood playmates didn’t go to college or even finish high school for they had to give up education to help their parents make a living. My mother insisted me to go higher, to leave home to weave my dreams. Without her support and insistence I couldn’t imagine where I would have been at this age.

            Healthy reading habit allows a person to ponder upon things, good as well as bad, piques a person’s curiosity for answers and asks more questions, and invites creativity and imagination. Next time when you walk in the library and check out books for your children, don’t forget to take home some books for yourself.

Your dreams start @ public library!!!

Second Monthly Meeting

Attendees: Fiona, Ruby, Mei-Wan

Time: 12 pm, Wednesday, 9-26-2012

Place: Library Auditorium

Description:

           First of all, decision of next meeting date was made: it would be the last Wednesday of October, 10-31-2012, at 12 pm.

           Fiona was the first to share with the members what she learned from reading the book: Amber Brown Sees Red by Danziger, Paula. The first thing out of her lips was she did learn about the American culture from the story itself. The conflict between three grown-ups and the way the characters handled the issues at hand are intriguing and inspiring to Fiona. It’s like the West vs the East.

            Per the librarian’s suggestion, Fiona halted the urge to look up at dictionary whenever she ran into a word she couldn’t comprehend. Though some vocabularies gnawed at her as she proceeded to read she was able to enjoy the story without any interruption or distraction. Later she shared with us what words bugging her as she was reading. They are: smear, janitor, and skunk. Fiona thought it would be a good idea to just write down the words she couldn’t understand and check them up later as she finishes the chapters when she calls it a day.

            Fiona found the book interesting and would like to stay with the same author. It’s a good start. Based upon Mei-Wan’s own experience, the best way to improve one’s reading skill and the language skills is to find an author whose books interest you and you would like to learn more about what’s happening next to the characters. It’s better a series with same characters so a reader is able to get familiar with the writing patterns, composing skills, vocabulary, the layout of the story, and grammar patterns done by the same author.

            Ruby is the first recruit and the first member of WOW Reading Club. Thanks to her, the librarian understands she is at the right direction and on the path to assist public library users with need of improving their reading skills.

            Equipped with strong drive and sincere commitment, not only did Ruby discover the right author for her she also accomplished something right before the first monthly meeting. Ruby already finished a series by the author, Van Draanen, Wendelin, titled: Shredderman. Her thirst for learning, self-commitment, and success tell us it’s never too late to build a healthy reading habit at any age.

            Ruby posed an interesting question at the meeting. The book she just finished reading seemed full of wild imaginations to her taste. She wondered if the content is age appropriate to the young school children. I thank Ruby for such question and doubt. If the time and life we are living in including the exploring the universe and outside the solar system, our mind and brain could reach out to any place as long as the gray matter is active, alive, and living. Sometimes, “why not,” allows a person to go beyond the horizon and invites ideas to become thrilling, brilliant creations.

            The librarian explained the name of the Reading Club: WOW Reading Club. Mei-Wan experienced her “WOW” moment years ago at the local Border bookstore one cold afternoon reading a book By Robert Parker. To Americans, the term “ebony and ivory” might seem so ordinary. To Mei-Wan, the sight of the term was a shock. It’s a beautiful moment and a sense of appreciation of the language surged. “That’s the reason why a translated book is neither good nor authentic to a reader” wondered Mei-Wan that same afternoon.

            “It might take years for your “WOW” moment to come” said Mei-Wan at the meeting. Read on, the joy is always there for you to be found. Read on, the thrill of a “WOW” is buried inside you. Dig it up by READING!!!!

First Meeting/Aug 29, 2012

     As I promised, the first meeting of the WOW Reading Club is held in the auditorium at the library on August 29, 2012 at 12 pm. There are three of us. Unfortunately, Ruby, my first recruit, didn't show up due to misunderstanding of the date. Luckily, a day later, being one of my regulars, Ruby came to the library today. She thankfully accepted my gifts of a notebook and  a pen. Briefly, we discussed the agenda and set up the date for our next meeting. The second meeting will be held in the library on September 26, 2012 at 12 pm, another Wednesday.
     The purpose and goal of this reading club are 1) to build up a person's reading habit, 2) to improve a person's learned language skills. Based upon expected achievement, members agree to compose and submit a brief summary to share what they learn from reading. According to each individual's reading level, every member of the reading club picked their choices from the library after the dismiss of the meeting. Points and elements for the summary are roughly listed on the agenda. In addition, lists of suggested reading and tools are available at the end of the paper.
     There are four of us to initiate this tryout reading club. They are: Ruby who is an assistant teacher at one of the local Chinese schools, Fiona who recently got herself a position at a bank, Nancy is a housekeeper, and I, Mei-Wan, is the librarian. Together, we would like to encourage each other to further self-educate ourselves. The public library is a storage of treasure. By the help of learned language, we are going to be treasure hunters diligently, systematically, and consciously to discover more wisdom of our fellow human beings, to dig up essence of human souls, and to enlighten our own life.
     It's important to have the right mind-set I reminded all members as we closed the meeting. Reading is to embrace ourselves in the world of books, not simply make progress at English, the learned second language. To enjoy is the key to turn ourselves to the correct and needed mind-set. To be able to read a joy and gift given by our parents for they sent us to schools for formal education. 
    Don't wait. Let's READ!!