Remembering Shawn

Remembering Shawn

A Former Student

A Facebook Post from His Brother

Beautiful video made by my cousin of my brother Shawn. I miss you everyday and i know your looking over all of us with a redbull in hand.

YOUTUBE.COM

For Shawn B.

Love you Shawn!! Miss you so much! -Lindsi "No Copyright Infringement Intended"

13You, Brian Spaccarelli and 11 others

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  Bridget E Kelly

  Shawn was a good guy!

  

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  • Randall J. Bennett

    Bridget E Kelly

     Hi Bridget this Shawn's mom and dad ,we wanted to thank you for getting Shawn through his high-school years. He would not have been able to graduate if it wasn't for your patients and kindness. 

    God bless you 
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    Bridget E Kelly

    Randall J. Bennett

     He was worth it.

The Year of the Snake

The Year of the Snake

Shanghai, China

A Message from a Former Chinese Student

 Dear Bridget,

Happy Chinese New Year of Snake!

How are you? 

I heard from Gabriella that she spent several days with you. I'm jealous. I think we have been out of touch for a while and I miss you.

Which state are you living? Is there any celebration for the Chinese New Year?

Here is cold and rarely see the blue sky.

Here is one recent picture. I wanna yours! or Let's Skype! Miss you.

Regards, Susanna

Great Danes Brewery

 

Great Danes Brewery

Madison, Wisconsin

I did not like the vibe of this place.  It's a chain brewery which I usually don't like .  The wait service was very poor. They didn't seem very interested in their beers, even though the beers were very good. They sells 4 oz pours for $1.65 so it is a reasonable place to try all 14 of their beers. There was a good variety of beers.

I tried:
Old Glory APA and it was my favorite amongst the four.
Imperial IPA-  this beer was good but it didn't have enough of a hops taste for an imperial IPA.
Stone of Scone Scotch Ale- this beer was less filling than the IPAs.
Emerald Isle Stout- it had a nice, dry, smooth taste

2000 Yuan

2000 Yuan

About $300

Coming to the USA

Selia just got back from telling her parents that she is coming to the USA.  It appears as if they have pooled all of their cash for Selia (about $300 which is an exorbitant amount of money for this family).  She is going to arrive at the airport at 1:00PM, the day before her flight and she is going to wait at the airport until her 6:00 AM flight the next day.

Dear Bridget,

My parents and my family are so grateful to you for providing me this trip. They think it is so generous of you. They do not want me to bother you too much so they have tried their best to get 2000 RMB for me as some spending money when I am in the USA. I know I am a lucky dog.

I have exchanged some money yesterday.

I don't think I will get a hotel near the airport when I am in Beijing, I have booked the train ticket to Beijing which will take me to Beijing at 1:00 pm on July 15th. So I will wait at the airport before the plane leaves.

I think according to the ticket you have booked for me, I only have one hour before I get on the plane to Los Angles when I get to Chicago. Do you think it is enough time for me to get through the customs and get a boarding pass?

Before I came back to SIAS, my mother told me 20 times not to forget to ask you if there is anything you want from China that I can take to you? So gifts will be necessary.

Do you know how much I am grateful to you for this trip?

Miss you

Love you

Selia

Sweet Selia love everyone who has come to my life! 

Selia Wang ( Wang Min 王敏)

Health Care in the USA

Health Care in the USA

A Chinese Perspective

Spring 2015

Selia, my student from China, is in CA right now and she is sick.  She posted a request on Facebook and asked us what medicine she could take for what sounds like an abscessed tooth.  Several of us suggested that she go to a doctor/dentist.

In China, there is no cost to see a doctor or dentist.  But there is a cost for medicine. Last year, I went to a doctor who gave me three boxes of medicine and charged me $5.  I remember Selia thought I had paid too much money for that service.

Today, she went to a doctor and this is what she posted on Facebook:

 "I think the most expensive thing in America is to be sick. The doctors are like robbers."

Thanksgiving Greetings

Thanksgiving Greetings

From My Former Students

China

2012

I got them all day long on Thursday from my students. They don’t really understand the day as it is not one of their holidays.  But the Chinese students understand that this must be an important day because on this day, the American teachers only have to teach until noon.  They are then allowed to use the cafeteria kitchen and cook a Thanksgiving dinner for themselves and their English language classes are cancelled for the afternoon. All other classes on campus go on as scheduled.

 

Dear kelly
Have a good day for Thanksgiving day my girlfriend

Liam ( Bush)

Hi, Bredget:

Hoe you doing? Happy Thanksgiving Day! Robert told me you two had a good conversation, and I am so glad that you will come back together. Looking forward to seeing you. Miss you! Haha~~

Carina

Hi Bridget there is a long time i didn't send you email . How are you these days. I guess you are celebrating the thanksgiving day. Hope you spend a good time . I miss you so much . Hope everything is going well with you . Maryann told me that you are looking for a job now . Do you find it ? And how was your new job . Hope to hear from you soon. I miss you! Emily

 

Hi Bridget,

Happy thanksgiving day!!!!

Enjoy it with your famliy and friends!!

Thank you for encourage me a lot!

My dearest coffee mother, Miss you so much!!

Love you ,

Olivia

 

Bush Wants A New Name

Bush Wants A New Name

Rural China

Spring 2013

Bush is a 22 year old Chinese man who picked the name "Bush" as his American name.  Picking an American name is very common in China. He heard there was a famous American man with this name.  When I first heard this name, I just laughed and felt sorry for the kid for picking this name what has so many negative connotations in our country.  But then I got to know Bush and the name doesn't seem so silly to me.  He has grown in to that name.  But someone must have explained some things to him because he wants a new name.

So he wrote to my friend, Robert, and asked for his help.  Together, they settled on the name Liam.

Dear my friend Robert
Can you help me have a new English name .I want be a new man . You are knowledgeable So give me a new name .Then encourge me flighting for my life .
Friend Bush

We're All Lucky

We're All Lucky

A message from my former student

Shanghai, China

Fall 2013

 Gloria’s Thanksgiving message to me:

We're all lucky for meeting each other in this big world! no one minute late, no one minute early~ :)

 

I just love this  statement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Heard From Emily

I Heard From Emily

My Former Student

Rural China

Spring 2013

I heard back from Emily.  She is now working but is concerned about losing her English skills because she no longer has contact with anyone who does speak English.  It would really be too bad for her to lose these skills as they are really  marketable skills in China.  If she wants to maintain and improve her skills, she will need to work in one of the large cities.  But then she would have to leave her family and she is single.  So this option is unusual.

"Hi Bridget,I am glad to hear from you . I worked in a big factory as a administrator for human resource after i graduated. The factory was built in my city so it is convenient for me to go home. But during my work i had no chance to speak English . I can't use English daily . I was confused that whether i should change my position . I didn't want to forget my English . Though it is not good . I love English ,I dream that one day i can go abroad use my English. My mother didn't want me give up this position because she want me work in my hometown which she can see me every week . I afraid that if i did not use English frequently i will lost it someday . And i will lose the contact with you , jerrie and MaryAnn. I was afraid that happened one day. What should I do . Do you have any good ideas . What about your life after you leave sias. I am looking forward to hearing from you soon. 

Yours EMILY."

St. Benjamin Brewery

 Saint Benjamin Brewery

Philadelphia, PA

I know people who love this place.  But I didn't like it.  Our flight was $12 which I think is a rip-off.  The beers were just OK. Serve was just OK. And I purchased some peanuts that were dreadful.

There was noting offered that day that would draw back to the place.

 

Evolution Brewing Company

Salisbury, MD

I went right to the restaurant instead of the tasting room because I was so damn hungry.  One of the disadvantages of going to the restaurant is I get a different interaction with the wait staff.  They aren’t the beer kooks.  They typically don’t want to engage in any conversation with me about their beers.  They have to get people’s food out to the tables in a timely manner. They were too busy for me. And I feel neglected.

I tried the following beers, which were great, but then Evolution has always put out some great beers:

Lot 3 IPA

Lot 6 Double IPA

Lucky 7 Porter

Rise Up Stout