Olivia Is Ready To Start Her Career

I just heard from Olivia again today. She is one of my students from a university in China.  She is a hard working person who never surrenders to idle time or idle thought.  She sees every moment as an opportunity to grow and development.  She inspires me.

Dear Bridget,

How are you doing? How is everything? Sorry for update so late...

I am finishing my internship in Beijing BISS International School in HR office, I have interned here for one month, they hardly give some tasks to do. But the good thing is that I will start my new internship in Beijing City International School next Monday in HR office, will be a formal worker at July when I got the graduation certificate!!! That would be my first job in Beijing, I plan developing in Beijing for years to explore more this cultural city. 

I know you are very busy everyday, but would you like giving me some suggestions of developing my career in HR feild? As a young profeesion, what should I do better in my job? How do you become so successful in your career? I am excited and little bit nervous of my NEW job... 

Thinking of you& all my best wishes,

Olivia 

Christmas Greetings From Mandy

 Dear Bridget, 

 

Hope you and your family are doing well during this special time, wish you all good health and a happy new year! 

 

The pandemic is getting worse in China and many other countries at this winter season, I heard that people are registering for the vaccine in the U.S, which is really good news. How have you been doing in this crazy year?  Although we didn’t catch up often, you are always in my heart!   

 

The photo I choose for this new year card was took in Qinghai, China, the kids are students from the “Renaissance for Children” project that my team initiated in November to promote the all-round education in rural China.  We had a really hard time in 2020, but seeing the lovely faces of those children that we work with really inspire & encourage me to do more and keep moving forward.  Working in charity area is one of the best decisions that I made in life. 

 

There is a quote that I would like to share:  

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!” -- Hunter S. Thompson 

 

Hope we will have chance to meet together again and celebrate for all we have achieved!! 

 

Be well & be safe! Happy New Year! 

 

Love 

Mandy 

 

Rumspringa Brewery

 Rumspringa Brewery

Blue Bell, PA

September 2019

In the heart of Amish county sits this brewery on top of a winery.  I went there mid-afternoon and they had a good crowd.  I had the Hefeweizen, the Wild Oat Stout, Four Sheet Quad (10.5%) and the Two in the Bush IPA.  The Four Sheets was aged in a whiskey barrel so the taste was too strong for me.  But I enjoyed the other beers.

Susanna Just Finished Her Internship

Susanna Just Finished Her Internship

SIAS University

Henan Province, China

Spring 2014

In 2012, I went to China to teach for a semester at SIAS University.  I taught global leadership skills to college women.  Most of my students came from rural China and had minimal life experiences and opportunities. But they were part of this leadership program and new worlds opened up to them.  Here is a note from Susanna just after she finished an internship.

 Dear All,

I just finished my internship in American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai this Friday. And I would like to take the chance to say thanks to all of you for guiding me to improve my leadership and start my career from interning in AmCham Shanghai. It is definitely a pleasure to learn from you under the World Academy Sky and I will always be thankful for your generosity to help me grow up on my professionalism. It always be tearful for me to say goodbye with my AmCham colleagues as well as goodbye to Academy facilitators, but it also means a new chapter for me to challenge, should be excited!

Just notice how much support I have from the long recipients list and how big network World Academy and each of you offered me within the short but intensive three years.

Will meet you in the near future and you will see a bettering Susanna.

Thank you again.

Best regards,

Susanna

Philadelphia Brewing Company

 Philadelphia Brewing Company

Philadelphia, PA

I have been drinking this beer for years.  Their Pale Ale and IPA are delicious.  So I was so excited to see what else they had to offer.  And I was greatly disappointed.  First of all, they don't allow flights.  You can buy one sample at a time but you can't have several in front of me. I could buy 1/2 pints but that is too much alcohol to consume if I want to try a variety.  So that started me off on a bad note.  Then they were out of the Pale Ale and the IPA and there was no intent to rectify this terrible situation.  So really, there were only 3 beverages I wanted to try and I ordered the 1/2 pints.  I had a coffee porter, a ginger beer that was really a cider and a winter ale that tasted more like a cider beverage as well.  I couldn't get more information about this beer because our waitress was busy reading her book by the fire.  I am not going here again.

Gloria's New Year's Wishes

GLORIA’S  NEW YEAR EMAIL

From China to the USA

January 2014

Gloria is one of my meany former students from China.  Form time to time, I teach leadership skills to college women in China.  And they are wonderful.  They are so interested in maintaining relationships.  I love hearing form them.

 

FROM GLORIA: 

Hi Bridget,

It's been long since last contact, and I really miss you! How are you? 

I'm currently enjoying the Spring Festival which is like Christmas Day in America. We have a family reunion. Soon I'll be leaving for the next semester. 

I'm desperate to know more about your current life!

All the best!

 

TO GLORIA:    

Happy, Happy New Year and enjoy the Year of the Snake. Do you ever go on Facebook any more? I want to post some pictures of you. 

I got to see Gabriella a few weeks ago. She was in the area and we got to spend the evening together. I have talked to Selia. She is a little homesick now. I may travel out to California to see her.

By now, you are probably studying for a big English test. I think you take it in the spring.

I just got back from key West, Florida which the southernmost tip of the country. It is warm and sunny and just beautiful. It was wonderful. Now I am taking classes so I am keeping myself busy. 

I have a trip to northern Europe in May so it does not look as if I will make it to graduation this year. Maybe next year.

Stay well. Enjoy your classes this semester.

Bridget 

 

GLORIA”S RESPONSE:   

I did log in Facebook several times, not often. But I’d love to see pictures of you and me. I had searched and found no pictures of us. Oh, you tried to send us CDs. Forget it~

Gabriella told me she had a very good time there and every day is new and exciting! I happened to talk with Selia the other day. She started her work which goes quite well. She told me she will attend an English Writing course next week! I’m happy for she gets such a great opportunity! 

Seniors will take an English test in the spring, while I’m a junior. Actually I’m not going to take English tests next semester, because my schedule is so full. I will take two extra courses which involve two projects, so I plan to take a GMAT around December. Plus, I’ve taken 3 English tests last year. 

Are you still taking economic classes? I started to learn business in the past semester and I think I love it and love to know more about it! However, our Business English program is a little weak in regarding business. Thanks to our Academy, I learnt more from our facilitators! As well, the courses I choose to take next year will help me to accumulate knowledge and practice of business. I hope I can squeeze into the line to get the elective courses when the system opens to students. 

This May will be a sad month without you. You know how much we miss you…

Will we never have the chance to see each other again? I’m deeply regretful for I didn’t know how to cherish the present when you were here. 

Love you, always!

 

50 States/ 50 Breweries

50 States/ 50 Breweries 

I've traveled all but one state so now it is on to something else. This is my next ridiculous goal.  That means I have to go back to Nebraska and Missouri and Ohio.  But if I must, I must.

In AK- 

In AL –

In AR- 

In AZ- Oak Creek Brewery

In CA- Speak Easy Brewery

In CO- Left Handed Brewing, Avery, Golden, New Belgium, Brockenridge, Cut Rock Brewery, Liquid Mechanic brewery

In CT-  Stony Creek Brewery

In DC-  2 Star Brewery

In DE- 16 Mile, Dogfish, Dewey, Revelation, Thompson Island, Midnight Oil, 

In FL- Dunedin Brewery, Big Storm, 8 Feet Brewery

In GA- Coastal Empire Beer Company

In HI- 

In IA- Troppling Giants

In ID- Grand Tetan Brewery

In IL- Evil Chech

In IN- Anvil & Evil

In KS – Blind Tiger Brewery

In KY- Flywheel Brewery

In LA- NOLA Brewing

In MA- Sam Adams Brewing Company

In MD- Union Brewery, Bayheads 

In ME- Definitive Brewery

In MI- Blackrocks Brewery, Ore Dock Brewery, Barrel and Beam Brewery

In MO- Springsfield brewery

In MN- Karst Brewery

In MS- Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company in Kiln- DONE

In MT- Big Sky Brewing Company in Missoula- DONE

In NC— Heist Brewery, Falling Goat Brewery

In ND- Bismarck Brewing 

In NE- Peg Leg Brewery in North Platte

In NV-  Nevada Brewing Company in Las Vegas

In NH- Smuttynose Brewery

In NJ- Flying Fish, Red White and Brew, Oyster Creek, Lunacy Brewery, Forgotten Boardwalk Brewery

In NM- Santa Fe Brewing Company 

In NY- Druthers Brewery

In OH- Maumee Bay Brewery

In OK- Frenzy Brewery- I loved this brewery.  Every beer was delicious.

In OR- Rogue Brewery

In PA- Yard’s Brewery, Dock Street Brewery, tired Hand Brewery, Locust Lane brewery, LaVante Brewery, Sterling Pig Brewery, Stolen Sun, Kennett Square, Suburban Brewery, Black Forest Brewery, Punch Buggy Brewery, Goose Island Brewery, Olde Bedfrod brewery

In RI- Coddington Brewery, Newport Brewery

In SC- Southern Hops Brewery

In SD-  Mining Brewery

In TN- Smokey Mountain Brewery

In TX- Big Texas brewery

In UT- Zion Brewing Company

In VA- Alsatian Brewery

In VT- Madison Brewery

In WA- Hale’s Ales Brewery in Seattle

In WI- Great Dames Brewery in Wisconsin

In WV- Morgantown Brewing 

In WY-  High Altitudes Brewery

Lucy Want to Educate Kids

 Lucy Wants to Educate Kids

SIAS University

Henan Province, China

Spring 2012

I taught leadership skills to college women in China.  We focused on the UN Millennium Goals When asked which of the UN Goals is most important, Lucy commented that Universal Primary Education was most important "because I think education for all the world.  Education can give people food spirit. people different ideas, education can give people imagine than can enrich people ideas. people can use education. create new things and new things to improve even change the world."

Fear, Movies, Lions

Fear, Movies, Lions Double IPA

Stone Brewery

A friend gave me this beer.  I don't get the name but the beer was delicious and this is a brewery I really like.  I wanted to ask him fro a 2nd can but I thought that might be too brazen.

 

Movies 2020

Movies 2020

• The Two Popes- there was more insight in to this movie than I had anticipated.
• Bombshell- The heroes were the women who took these awful men down.
• Little Women- OMG, this movie was dreadful.  It was too long, too white, too sweet, too boring, too boring.
• 1917- the story of April 6, 1917 in France during WWI.  My grandfather was in that war.
• Just Mercy- This movie should win Picture of the Year.
• Don't Worry, He Wont Get Far on Foot- this was an interesting take on how difficult the 12 Step Program is.
• Won't You Be My Neighbor- I wasn't thrilled with this movie.
• Hidden Lives- The cinematography was absolutely beautiful in this movie.  The man's convictions were beyond what I could endure.
• Parasite- this movie started out to be funny and ended on a gruesome note.
• JoJo Rabbit- I loved this movie which is funny because I saw the previews and it just didn't interest me.
• 2019 Oscar Nominated Action Films
• 2019 Oscar Nominated Animated Films
• 2019 Oscar Nominated Documentary Films
• Midway- the story of our response to the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
• Les Miserables- some people have the most miserable lives.
• Honey Boy- another movie about a dreadful father who was fucked up and did everything he could to fuck up his kid.
• Call of the Wild- I read the book and couldn't figure out how they would do this move as the dog was so humanized in the book.  But the use of computerization did the trick.
• Aerounats- the story of hot air ballon flight
• The Torture Report- we can do dreadful things in ur country on the basis of national security.
• Marriage Story- this was a hard story to watch.
• The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind- a boy in Africa figured out a way to make a wind mill.  We have a lot of talented people in this world and their talent is untapped.
• The Skin of a Wolf- Spanish movie- beautiful cinematography and a tough story.
• A Little Chaos- a gardening love story.
• Milada- the story of a woman who stood up against the communists and worked to liberate the Czech Republic.
• The Laundromat- the story fo the Panama Papers and the greedy of the few very wealthy people in the world.
• Court India- a story about the injustices of political artists in India
• Lillies of the Fields- I watched this movie in 1963 and have been searching for it fro years to watch again.  Now that I've seen it a 2nd time, I don't need to see it again.
• The Resistance Banker- a banker finds a way to filter money to the Resistance in Belgium during WWII and it costed him his life.
• Alone in Berlin- a husband and wife drop postcards of resistance around Berlin during WWII and it costed them their lives.
• Outbreak- I saw this movie several years ago but it really hit home because of our pandemic.
• Anita- Anita Hill told her story of her testimony against Clarence Thomas as he was about to be sworn in to the Supreme Court.
• Flip Flip Flipin'- one man's story of walking the Appalachian Trail.
• What remains; The Life of Sally Mann
• Radioactive
• Good Trouble- John Lewis
• Wendy
• The Assassinates
• Collective- 
• Come Away- the story of Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland as small children.

Books 2020

Books 2020

Breaking Wild  - Diane Les Becquet- I listened to this book on the way up and back on a long road trip.

Dan Rather: Stories of a Lifetime- this book reminded me of my dad.  I listened to this book and as rather talked about some very emotional moments in his life, his voice quivered with emotion.  My dad would do that as well.

Thicker than Water- Tyler Shultz- I knew of this company but I did not know of its corruption.

The Opposite of Loneliness- Marina Keegan- this young woman was an outstanding writer.  What a shame to think that all of her potential is gone because of a car accident.

Bream Gives Me Hiccups - Jesse Eisenberg- this book is hiliroius.  The author rates restaurants on a scale of 1 to 2000.

the Absolute Bright     James Lescesne

How to Be An Antiracist- Ibram Kendi- I read this book after Goerge Floyd was murdered.  And the book is intense.  Every system we have is filled with opportunity to keep black people down.

The Pale-Faced Lie- David Crow- some families are really fucked up and this story is about one of those fucked up families.

Finding China- Mitch Album.  This man wrote Tuesdays with Morrie and the concept is the same.  It's a story about lessons learned as a young girl slipped away from cancer.

M Train- Patti Smith

Long Live The Tribe of Fatherless Girls-  T Kira Madden

The Gentleman From Peru- Andre Aciman

My Vanishing Country- Bakari Sellers

Ham on Rye- Charles Bukowski

Breweries 2020

Breweries 2020

PA, NJ, VA, FL, NY, SD, ND, MI, OH, DE

1- Ironhill Brewery- PA- an old favorite.  I go to this brewery several times a year and the beers are always delicious.

2- Levante- PA- I haven't been here in over a year so I stopped in for a few samples.

3- Wissahicken Brewery- PA- I've wanted to come to this place for a couple of years so I was so happy to finally get here.

4- Attic Brewery- PA- this place just opened up and it already has a following.

5- J. J. Rattigan Brewing Company- PA- nice vibe and good beers.

6- 1787 Brewing Company- Hamburg, PA-

7- Woodbridge Farm Brewery- VA- OMG, it was February and the day was beautiful so we sat out on the porch and just stared at the beauty of the mountains. I found the service to be a pain in the neck so I didn't like the vibe of the place.  But the beers were good.  There were three of us tasting beers this day and we all had different beers and we all left happy with our choices.

8- Molly Pritchard Brewery- Carisle, PA- I went here on a Sunday night and the place was packed.  The flight was 6 pours of 5 ozs which was too much for me.  So I just had 4 samples; two IPAs and two porters.

9- Sly Fox Brewery- PA- I went on the first day of lent when most people fast.  So I drank three stouts/porters as they are heavier and just perfect for a fasting moment.

10- Oakbrook Brewery- PA

11-Saucony Creek Brewery- PA

12- Chatty Monks- PA- they don't have many beer but the beers were good. It's a bit expensive

13- Schaylor Brewing Company- Reading, PA- the beers were juicy and delicious and the flight was a great price.

14- Triple Bottom Brewery- Philly, PA-  I didn't like any of their beers.

15- Love City Brewery- Philly, PA- I've been here a few times and the place is a fun place to visit.

16- Big Storm Brewery- FL- I went with Jaye and I don't think she was particularly interested but she was appeasing me. We had a great time and tried 11 different beers.  They had a chocolate, cherry Imperial Stout which she loved but it was too sweet for me.  I liked all of the other 10 beers.

COVID VIRUS BREAK

This break was maddening because I wanted to reach my 200th brewery visit by the summer.  I only had 20 more breweries to go, so this was going to be an easy goal to meet. So from early March to early July, I didn't go to any breweries.  I have a lot of catching up to do.

17- Oxford brewery- in the midst fo the pandemic, they let me drive up with my own growler and they filled it for me and I went home and drank with great delight.

18- Stolen Sun- PA- my first brewery after the quarantine.  We went here on a Friday afternoon.  It rained a little bit but we didn't care. We were all just so damn happy to be sitting in a brewery, having beer.

19 - Goose Island Brewery- PA- I was here two years ago as I celebrated my 100th brewery.

20-  Miner's Brewery- SD- I didn't like either of the beers I tried.

21-  Red, White and Brew- NJ- they had two IPAs and both were delicious. The service was great and this is a fun, little place.

22- Bismarck Brewery- ND- this place seemed more interested in their food than their beer so I wouldn't go back.

23- Westville Brewery- NJ- none of the beers excited me.

24- King's Road Brewery- NJ- 

25- Artisanal Brew Works- NY- they had some good IPAs.

26- Druthers Brewing Company- NY-  they had a nice selection of beers and they are one of the few places that will serve a flight during the pandemic.

27- St Boniface Brewing Company- PA- I liked my beers and my flight was reasonable and plentiful.  The place had a nice vibe to it.

28- Animated Brewery- PA- they aren't serving flights yet so I had to get 3 (80z) pours of IPAs.  I was able to get a tasting of the stout (which was delicious) and an unfiltered pilsner (which I actually liked)

29- Black Forest Brewery- PA

30- Suburban Brewery- PA

31- Punch Buggy Brewery- Philly, PA- this place is tucked in a neighborhood in Philly.  I could tell that it was just a fun place to hang in a neighborhood for a beer.

32- Dewey Beer Company- Dewey Beach, DE-  I ordered a sour beer and loved it. i liked this place.

33- VoDoo Brewery- Lancaster, PA- I've been here before and it's a pleasant place for a quick beer.  The atmosphere isn't suitable to sit there  all afternoon and drink.  But it's connected to a butcher shop that makes great sandwiches so this is a place I like to visit.

34- Hangman Brewery- Wilmington, DE- this place it hard to find but after much effort, I found it.  This brewery just opened in March and then quickly closed down in the middle fo the motnth because fo the covid virus.  So it is really trying to find customers and find it's way into the beer world. The owner is also the brew master and the bartender.

35- Bethlehem Brewery- PA-  I've been here before and really liked.  I didn't enjoy this visit as much.  Most of the beers came in a can so I couldn't try enough variety.

36- Earl Blue Brewery- DE- I've been here before.  Its a sweet, little place to visit when I go to Bombay Hook Wildlife Refuge.  The beers are very good.  The atmosphere is friendly and it's a great place to spend the afternoon.

37- Ore Dock- MI

38- Marquette Harbor Brewery- MI

39-Blackrocks brewery- MI

40- Maumee Bay Brewery- OH

41- Keweenaw Brewery- MI

42- Revelation Brewery- DE

43- Sliver Spruce brewery- MI

44- Barrell & Beam Brewery- MI

Best of 2020

My Best of 2020

Movies

• Just Mercy- When our legal system works correctly, it is justice at its finest.  But when the system is wrong, the results can be horrific.
• JoJo Rabbitt- I saw the previews to this movie and I thought for sure that I would hate it.  Who wants to see a comedy about WWII. But I was wrong.  This was a powerful movie.
• Toc Toc- A Spanish comedy about people with ODC.  I watched this early in the March quarantine
• Flannery- a documentary about Flannery O'Conor.  I read her works when I was in high school, fifty years ago.  I thought her writing was strange. I read Everything That Rises Must Converge. Now I have to go back and read some more of her writings.  She was a woman ahead of her times.
• Good Trouble- a documentary about Congressman John Lewis.  I met Congressman Lewis about five years ago. He was a man of great courage.

Plays-  I didn't get to any live plays because of the virus.  But I did watch this play on Amazon and loved, loved, loved it. 

What The Constitution Means to Me

Books

• The Opposite of Loneliness- Marina Keegan- this young woman was an outstanding writer.  What a shame to think that all of her potential is gone because of her fatal car accident.
• 
  
• Bream Gives Me The Hiccups- Jesse Eisenberg- this book is hilarious.  The author rates restaurants on a scale of 1 to 2000.
• 
  
• How to Be An Antiracist- Ibram Kendi- I read this book after George Floyd was murdered.  And the book is intense.  Every system we have is filled with opportunity to keep black people down.
• 
  
• The M Train- Patti Smith- this is the 3rd book of hers that I've read. She tells stories about her interesting life without any pretense.
• 
  
• Man on the Mountain Top- Susan Trott- this is a quirky book that is an easy read but it easily sucks you in to reading more about the main character. Top

Podcast

The Country Doctor- Snap Judgement- May 21, 2020- A Muslim doctor moves to a rural town and has to confront the prejudices that come with this small community.
The Keepers- Kitchen Sisters- March 10- Stories of activist archivists, rogue librarians, curators, collectors and historians.
Boulder v Hill- This American Life- December 20
Nina- - June 6- a story about Nina Simon, one of my favorite singers.

Haenyeo- Snap Judgment- April 9- a story about the last generation of the Korean mermaids.

Songs

• Turn Tables- Janelle Monae -I stumbled upon this song.  I don't know this artist. But this song and the video spoke to me.  We need to turn the tables in this country and we need to step up and include everyone at the table.
• Let Me Be A Woman to You-  Lana Della Ray- I like this artist.
• Murder Most Foul- Bob Dylan- I can't decide if this song is genius or psychosis. It is 16 minutes long and some of the lyrics move me to tears.  And other lyrics just seem like an obsessive recitation of random words. I would've to know how Dylan reached the conclusion that the song was finished.
• Exile- Taylor Swift and Bon Iver- I never listen to Taylor Swift but I like Bon Iver's voice.  They really seem to compliment each other in this song.
• O Come O Come Emmanuel- Naomi Rainer & Nate Moore- this is an old song but a new rendition.  I typically do not like Christmas music but I think these two singers take this tradition song to a new level. Rejoice!