Class 77 Blog

Book Cover of My Forthcoming Book Has Been Designed by the Publisher

2006-04-16T09:04:00.000-07:00

This is the newly-designed book cover of my book The Magic Lotus Lantern and Other Tales from the Han Chinese to be published by Libraries Unlimited at the end of May 2006.

Book Description:

Focusing specifically on the stories of the Han Chinese (the largest ethnic group in China, numbering over a billion people), this collection presents more than 50 tales, both well known and obscure--from "Monkeys Fishing the Moon" and "The Butterfly Lovers" to "Painted Skin" and "Dragon Princess." These are stories that will enchant listeners of all ages, while providing a glimpse into Chinese traditions and ways of thought. To further enhance cultural understanding, the tales are supplemented with historical and cultural background, notes on storytelling, crafts and games, recipes, proverbs, color photos, a map, a glossary, and more.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Introduction
Map of China
General Introduction to China
Food, Games, and Crafts
The Tales
Animal Tales
Magic Tales
Tales of Love and Romance
Myths, Legends, and Immortals
Moral Tales
Tales of How Things Came to Be
Proverbial Tales
Appendix

Learn a Little More About Me

2005-11-11T20:18:00.000-08:00

Hi, classmates! If you want to know what I have been doing lately, you may read this article that originated from an interview of me by AC&RL News. AC&RL, by the way, stands for Association of College and Research Libraries. You may follow this link to read the article.

Just got in

2005-10-30T15:58:00.000-08:00

Now that's more like it. We get signed in like in a breeze. Thank you, Haiwang. Hey, what's the benefit of this platform? other than maybe everything we submit stays on records for some time? OK, I see I can attach a picture. So here I will try it. Can anyone guess where this was in Nankai University in 2004?

Next, let me try to post some Chinese characters: 恭喜发财

Hooray! Everybody should come here! This platform allows so much more.

Trick or Treat

2005-10-30T07:36:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween to you all! Glad the the mailing list is becoming a bit more active lately. Hope you guys drop by here at the blog. Classmates abroad tell us how you dress for Halloween parties. Wonder if there is Halloween celebration now in China? Guess it will never catch on like Valentine and Christmas due to different views on death and ghosts from Western cultures.

Happy Holiday Break

2005-10-01T06:49:00.000-07:00

October 1 is comparable to July 4. All employees in China starts to take a week-long paid leave, which, in most cases, will translate into touring in and out the country. Some may just choose to stay where they are and enjoy a quiet and recuperating break. No matter where you are and what you are doing, wish yall (an Southern accent I've picked up here) a good time!

I just learned that there is a Beijing Week in Washington, D.C. There will be Chinese music, ballet, Beijing Opera, etc. However, when I took a closer look, I found the tickets already sold out. It proves that I have been too much uninformed lately while working on my book Tales of the Han Chinese. Speaking of it, I am relieved to say that I just completed the entire manuscript and submitted to my editor at Libraries Unlimited. I am looking forward to my week-long vacation from the coming Thursday, the fall break.

About Blogging

2005-09-22T09:04:00.000-07:00

Dear classmates,

Since I am new to blogging, I misled you in my email that told you how to participate in this e-communication. I have just learned that a blog is hosted and posted by one person with comments coming from the audience. Instead of giving you the login information to post under my name, I should have invited you to participate by commenting, as Fengru has already done. I have set the Blog to allow commenting by members only, which are you, my classmates. You may submit things that you want me to post. After you get familiar with blogging, you may create your own blogs and we can cross link with one another to create our Class 77 Blogosphere.

2005-09-19T21:38:00.000-07:00

These are my new desk, chairs, and a round table (off the picture on the left) in my newly painted office. I have not yet had the time to unpack and clutter my desk top. The computer is there for the time being to be soon replaced by a new one.

Liu Xiang's Poems

2005-09-19T01:07:00.000-07:00

Dear All,

Sorry for the delay in putting up Liu Xiang's poems, but it is never too late.

July Fourth Reunion at Professor Wang's Home
(In imitation of the rhymes of Shakespeare's sonnet No. 18)

Upon a gorgeous summer holiday,
At our teacher's home, spruce and elaborate,
Zephyr ripples the Chesapeake Bay,
Teachers and students come to congregate.
The hosts' exquisite cooking skill outshines,
The fame of our native dainty is dimmed.
With pyrotechnic dazzling hues and lines,
Like a kaleidoscope, the sky is trimmed.
Before the sunset glow is about to fade,
It gilds the Academy along the coast.
What a sheer delightful trip we've made,
We owe it all to our thoughtful host.
These happy hours, like treasures in the sea,
Deep in our memories shall forever be.

Professor Chang's Revisit to Temple University with Professor Wang
(In imitation of William Wordsworth's Sonnet Composed upon Westminster Bridge)

Has he e'er expected a chance so rare,
After a score of years passed by,
A sight so touching in its serenity?
This campus now doth a fine garment wear,
Resplendent after rain, silent, fair;
The tower, the hall, the dorm and the library lie
Open to the memories in his mind's eye,
All clear and vivid in the refreshing air.
Long ago he aimed at a peak so steep,
From afar he came o'er many a hill,
And across an ocean so vast and deep,
For three years he sprinted with a dauntless will.
He oft revisited Temple while asleep,
Here and now, how can his heart be still?

Wish you all a happy Moon Festival

2005-09-19T00:53:00.000-07:00

Dear Class '77 friends,

Wish you all a happy Moon Festival!

Welcome to Our Blog

2005-09-19T00:27:00.000-07:00

Dear Class '77 friends,

I have just been to BlogUniversity Conference held in Crystal City, Washington DC and began to realize the usefulness of the new technology. I found it a good tool for us to bond by sharing our thoughts. It is better than the mailing list and the bulletin board in that it is simple and more navigable. Come and try for yourselves.

Of course, the key to blogs is their openness. Therefore, while we communicate with one another, we ought to take into consideration our privacy. Hope that soon you'll all be happy bloggers.