How Much Do We Owe the Early Chinese in Canada? Maybe a lot. Mr. Doug Hum, from the Ontario Coalition of Chinese Head Tax Families, recently spoke in Victoria about the issues the movie Iron Road raises. It’s about the Chinese who helped build the Canadian Pacific Railway in British Columbia. He asked a thought-provoking question: “Without [...]
Dr. Grant Stewart, retired trauma surgeon from Vancouver, and Dr. John Ducas, cardiologist from Winnipeg, with Zhen Yi and his dad in 2012 If you’re like me, you’ll cry when you find out. It makes me wonder about making a difference in someone’s life, especially a child’s. Can we ever know the extent of [...]
Part I: Pre-China Endeavors and Accomplishments Dr. Norman Bethune went to China in 1938 to offer support to a peasant army combatting Japanese aggression then died less than two years later. This year marks the 75th anniversary of his death in China. To this day Bethune, Báiqiú’ēn (白求恩), is still viewed a hero in China. Sadly, [...]
Don’t you know yet? It is your light that lights the world." ~ Rumi I'd like to share some of my process of discovering life purpose. The particulars are mine, of course, but perhaps there will be something in those particulars that others can relate to. If so and my words are of service, then I am glad. If not, then perhaps [...]
Building a Bridge of the Heart is dedicated to the fostering of understanding and friendship between China and what I have loosely called "the West," what some call "First World." I share some of my personal stories, photos, wishes and dreams. In addition, I share cultural riches of China that speak to my heart--music, poetry, [...]
Photo by Steve Jurvetson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/6976736114) “The light that shone off her eyes was a place I could have stayed forever. In that moment we weren't our American selves. We weren't our Chinese selves. We were just mortals sitting together in that light that keeps us here. I want to dwell in that light [...]
When I was a teenager, I thought it was cool to be able to say "I love you" in other languages. Did knowing how to express that sentiment multi-lingually ever appeal to you too? As a high school English teacher in Canada, then as a college and university teacher in China, my students and I had [...]
