Today, on my way back from lunch, I noticed some activity in the playground. It wasn’t as crowded as I imagine it had been in the morning, but something about it caught my attention. Curious, I walked over to see what was happening.
It turned out to be a job fair. There weren’t many students around at that moment, but what I saw next was enough to prove a very important point.
I recognized one of the company representatives, Eric, who works for a global business. He was speaking with a student I knew from the English Corner—someone I had personally encouraged to practice English because I knew he was making an effort to improve. As I listened to their conversation, I realized something incredible: Eric wasn’t just chatting—he was scouting for talent.
By the end of our discussion, Eric turned to me and asked, “Do you have more students like him? We need people who can speak English.”
Think about that for a second. This company was ready to hire someone not because of their degree, not because of their grades, but because they could communicate in English. The ability to speak English was more important than a diploma in that moment. Why? Because businesses in China—and all over the world—need people who can sell, negotiate, and communicate across borders.
This is not a rare situation. It happens all the time. Those who make even a small effort to learn English open doors to opportunities that others never will.
So ask yourself: Are you ready for when an opportunity like this comes your way? Or will you let it slip by because you didn’t take English seriously?
The Importance of Lab Safety Rules: A Guide for Students
As a university teacher, I always emphasize the importance of safety in the classroom and laboratory. Whether you are conducting experiments in a science lab, working with electronic equipment, or using specialized software, following safety protocols ensures a secure learning environment for everyone. Recently, I was asked to sign a document in Chinese regarding laboratory safety. Although I do not speak Chinese, I recognize that these guidelines are essential for protecting students, staff, and equipment. In this post, I will highlight key points from the document and explain why they matter.
Why Lab Safety Matters
Laboratories contain valuable equipment and materials that must be handled with care. Safety protocols help prevent accidents, protect individuals, and ensure that learning can continue without disruption. Ignoring these rules can lead to injuries, equipment damage, or even major disruptions to academic activities.
Key Safety Rules from the Document
The document I was asked to sign outlines various safety responsibilities for students and teachers. Here are some key points:
Safety Responsibility System
The laboratory follows a structured safety management system where supervisors, lab managers, and instructors all play a role in ensuring safety.
Strict Adherence to Lab Regulations
Every person entering the lab must follow all rules and regulations. The lab is managed by specific personnel responsible for its maintenance and security.
Safety Education Before Experiments
Before conducting any lab work, both teachers and students must undergo safety training to prevent accidents. - in our case we just use the computer to watch and listen material, so not much training is required here
Teachers’ Responsibility for Student Safety
Instructors must educate students on safety protocols and ensure they follow proper procedures during experiments. One protocol we will start using from now on is no food or drink in the computer lab, can you imagine what will happen if you spill drink on the computer ??
Proper Use of Equipment
Before starting an experiment, instructors must check and verify all equipment. Any issues must be recorded and reported. - If you choose a computer that is working and by the end of the class it had stop working - please report that.
Electrical Safety
Teachers are responsible for turning on and off equipment before and after class. Students must not unplug or tamper with electrical components.
Fire Safety and Emergency Equipment
It is strictly forbidden to move or damage fire extinguishers and other safety equipment. Lab managers have the right to deny access to anyone who does not follow safety procedures.
Proper Use of Personal Computers and Network Equipment
Students are not allowed to use personal laptops or unauthorized network connections in the lab. If this rule is violated and results in damage, the instructor will be held accountable. - in our case , please don't try plug any personal device to school device. KEEP THEM SEPARATED.
Waste Disposal Management
Used materials should not be disposed of carelessly. They must be sorted and disposed of properly to maintain cleanliness and safety.
Emergency Response
In case of an emergency, lab administrators and teachers must work together to implement the emergency response plan and minimize damage or injury.
Final Thoughts
Understanding and following lab safety rules is crucial for a productive and accident-free learning environment. As students, you have a responsibility to respect these guidelines and take safety seriously. If you have any questions about lab procedures, always ask your instructor or lab supervisor. Let’s work together to create a safe and efficient educational space!
Those pictures above are good example of such rules to be followed in laboratory - thank you for your cooperation.
The Effort You Put in Determines the English You Get Out
Some students think, "This class is too easy. I don’t even need to do the homework or assignments to pass." And at first glance, they might be right. My grading system rewards effort—you get points for simply attempting the homework, even if your answers aren’t perfect. I do this because I want to encourage participation and practice, the two most important aspects of learning a language.
But here’s the problem: Some students take this as a free pass to do nothing. They assume that since the exams aren’t extremely difficult, they’ll pass without putting in real effort. And while that might be true technically, it completely misses the point.
Why Some Students Fail (and Others Succeed)
Last semester, I noticed something interesting. Some students who weren’t strong in English decided to skip assignments, assuming they could still pass. Others, however, took advantage of every opportunity to improve. One key example? The individual assignment. It wasn’t worth many points, so a lot of students just ignored it, thinking they didn’t need it.
The result? Some students failed by just one point. Those who had done the individual assignment received the extra point they needed to pass. But those who skipped it? I let their final grade stand as it was.
Did I enjoy failing them? Of course not. But I had to draw a line. If I let students believe they can do nothing and still pass, I would lose their respect, and the value of my class would mean nothing. More importantly, they would lose the opportunity to actually improve their English.
The Real Test: Your Future
Here’s the truth: The students who put in the effort now will be the ones who see results later. English isn’t just another school subject—it’s a key that unlocks opportunities. Imagine missing out on a great job just because you didn’t take your English studies seriously when you had the chance.
And that brings me to something else I noticed in class. I once played a video for discussion, asking students to watch and answer questions. When I looked around the room, most students were staring at their phones. Only two were actually watching the video.
No wonder only a few students succeed. Is it a lack of ability? No. It’s a lack of motivation.
That’s why I tell stories about success. Because success doesn’t come to those who wait—it comes to those who are willing to pay the price.
So ask yourself: Are you putting in the effort to succeed? Or are you just hoping to scrape by?
The choice is yours. But remember—your future will reflect the effort you put in today.
My winter vacation (January 2025) in Londrina (Brazil).
Just ten days before I landed in Londrina for my winter vacation (yep, winter in China!),I had no idea I'd even be going on this trip. But wow, am I glad I did! It turned out to be an amazing adventure—despite a few unexpected hiccups along the way. Some people might have let those little surprises ruin their vacation, but not me! I embraced the chaos and had an unforgettable time.
Before I left home, I had a little pepper plant, and in a desperate attempt to keep it alive, I soaked it in water—hoping it wouldn’t wither away from thirst. Well…spoiler alert: it totally died. BUT, in one final act of bravery, it managed to grow a single pepper! And tomorrow, that tiny hero will live on—in my salad. Not bad at all! 🌶️😆
A few days after arriving in Londrina, I was all excited to test out my brand-new digital camera with zoom—straight from China! My mission? Capture some cool shots of downtown Londrina to show my students back in China. So, I snapped photos during the day, experimented with night shots, and was feeling like a pro…
Then, on my way home, bam!—I took an unexpected detour straight to the ground. I fell hard and seriously messed up my foot. It hurt so much that my vacation almost turned into a disaster (like I mentioned before). It was so bad that I even had to see a doctor to make sure I hadn’t broken it. Talk about a rough start! 😅
Guess what? I ended up rocking a casquet (yes, really) and hobbling around on crutches for a while—super stylish, I know. Even now, I’m still doing the world’s slowest limp-walk like some dramatic movie character. Looks like it'll be a few months before I'm back to full speed... but hey, at least I have a great story to tell! 😆
Enough with the sad vacation saga—let’s talk about the good stuff! Sure, I ended up staying home way more than planned and didn’t go out as much, but honestly? It wasn’t bad at all! I got to spend a ton of quality time with my mom and brothers, which was awesome.
The highlight? Meeting my brand-new nephew for the first time! He was born right after I left for China last time, so I hadn’t met the little guy yet. Oh, and as a bonus, I also got to witness the arrival of a very energetic new dog at home. This furry tornado immediately started an excavation project in the backyard, which did not make my brother very happy. But hey, every vacation needs a little chaos, right? 😆
One key mission on this trip? A sit-down with my financial advisor—because let’s be real, living abroad means I need a solid plan for my hard-earned cash. Gotta make sure I’m not just working for the thrill of it, right? After all, no one dreams of retiring broke—unless you’re into that kind of adventure, which I am definitely not! 😆💰
Spending time with family? In my case, it’s super easy—almost too easy! The moment I step into one house, boom! I’m automatically visiting everyone. Why? Because my mom and brothers are basically next-door neighbors, forming a little family village. No complicated planning, no long drives—just one visit, and I’ve seen them all! It’s like an all-inclusive family reunion, every single day! 😆
The sunsets and moonlit nights in my city? Absolute masterpieces! Nature puts on a breathtaking show almost every single day. And let me tell you, there was nothing better than kicking back on my mom’s porch, soaking it all in while chatting with family. Honestly, that peaceful vibe was exactly what I needed to help heal my poor hurt foot. Forget medicine (well not so much — I did use a lot of pain killers) good company and beautiful skies were the real cure! 🌅🌙✨
And let’s not forget the food—oh, the food I’d been craving! Now, don’t get me wrong, I love Chinese food and never once complained while in China. But let’s be real—who doesn’t miss their mom’s cooking? There’s just something magical about those homemade meals. Oh, and of course, we kept up our family tradition with a classic pizza night—because no trip home is complete without stuffing yourself with way too much cheese and carbs! 🍕😋
My aunt is turning 101 this year—yes, you read that right, one hundred and one! Even she didn’t expect to make it this far! 😂 I’ll probably miss yet another big family event (her birthday in April),but hey, that’s just part of the deal when you live abroad. What can you do, right?
But let me tell you, as you can see in the picture, she’s still got a killer sense of humor. At this point, I think she might just outlive all of us! 🎉😂
I’m a bit of a game addict (Uno, anyone?)—especially after lunch at the canteen with the students in China. But where did this love for games come from, you ask? Well, I’ve got a brother who's obsessed with them! So, naturally, during this vacation, we played games like it was our full-time job. He even took me to a game store, and guess what? I walked out with two new games to bring back to China. Now I’ve got a solid collection—three games total, not just the trusty Uno I used to play on repeat! 🎲😎
Last Sunday, I had the honor of giving a speech at church. And, as usual, all my church friends were dying to know what life is really like in China. I swear, it’s like they’ve all got a personal curiosity club about my China adventures! Every time I visit, they beg to hear my stories, and if there’s a free spot on the agenda, they always ask me to share a message. So, guess what? I always find a way to sneak in my China experiences—because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good story from halfway across the world? 😄🌏
Well, well, well—all good things must come to an end, right? And so, my vacation was wrapping up. On my last day, my brother, the BBQ master, treated me to a farewell feast that was so good it should’ve been illegal. Seriously, the guy’s a genius when it comes to grilling! 😋
Now, I didn’t cry on my last day (I’m not that dramatic, I promise!),but yeah, I was pretty bummed to say goodbye. But hey, it wasn’t all that bad because I absolutely love my job and life in China. I’ve made some amazing friends here, and that’s why I keep renewing my visa year after year. After all, I’ve been here for seven years now, and trust me, if I didn’t like it here, I could’ve bailed after the first year! But nope, I’m still living the dream! 🌟
On my way back to China, I had a layover in São Paulo, where I took the flight to China. While there, I had the pleasure of visiting my nephew, who got married last December. I was so happy to meet his wife, a smart, charming, and incredibly focused young woman. It was clear that both of them have their priorities straight.
Now, here's the kicker: they both speak English, which in Brazil (where English is as rare as in China) is pretty impressive. Because of that, my nephew landed a fantastic job earning in dollars (1 dollar = 6 reais!),and that really makes a difference in life. That’s why I always stress to my students how crucial it is to learn English—it opens doors to opportunities.
And here’s another thought: while you’re at it, why not find a great person to marry in college too? I’ve written about how marrying the right person can elevate your life and bring happiness. A solid degree and strong English skills can also help land a great job, support your family, and lead to the good life every hardworking person deserves! 🌟
WeChat Spring Cleaning: A Heartfelt Apology and a Speed Boost
Dear students, friends, and the 7,000+ digital souls who once shared a place in my WeChat universe,
I have a confession to make. Remember when I solemnly swore I would never delete a contact from my WeChat? Yeah… about that. Turns out, I didn’t account for one tiny little detail—having nearly 7,000 contacts is like stuffing a suitcase with way too many souvenirs. At some point, the zipper just refuses to close.
My WeChat was struggling. Lagging. Freezing. Crying for help. Every time I tried to open the app, it felt like it was running a marathon through quicksand. Conversations took forever to load, and I swear my phone started sweating from the effort.
So, after much soul-searching (and a whole lot of frustration),I made the tough decision to declutter—a digital Marie Kondo moment, if you will. I deleted 2,500 contacts in hopes of giving WeChat some breathing room. And guess what? It actually helped! My app is moving a little faster now, though it's still dragging its feet like a student on a Monday morning.
But here’s the thing—I didn’t go on a wild deleting spree. I used a fair system: If we haven’t chatted in over a year, I figured we’ve lost touch. If we were still chatting, you’re safe! I promise, no ghosting here.
So, if you suddenly find me missing from your WeChat, don’t take it personally! Just send me a message, and we’ll reconnect. I truly appreciate all the friendships I’ve made since moving to China in 2018. This was purely a necessary cleanup, not a friendship audit.
Now, back to deleting… I mean, optimizing my WeChat experience. 🚀
Today, December 25, marks the celebration of Christmas Witch in my country, a wonderful tradition I hold dear. As I was thinking about what I could share with my students in China, an idea struck me while scrolling through my family WhatsApp group. In this group, we often share photos of our immediate family, and I thought it would be great to share a few of those with you. Here they are!
Dreaming of finishing school ? A MESSAGE FOR THE END OF THE YEAR…
Make the Most of Your University Years: A Wake-Up Call
One day, you’ll look back on your university days with nostalgia. You might even wish you could relive those moments—maybe to fix mistakes, study harder, or listen more carefully to wise teachers whose advice you now understand better. But time doesn’t rewind, and the past stays where it belongs—behind you.
Puff! You wake up. The past you were reminiscing about? It’s not history yet. You’re still here—in the middle of your university journey, with opportunities waiting.
This realization is a gift. There’s still time to change your approach—study more diligently, engage with your professors, and aim for better grades. But university life is more than just exams and certificates. It’s about growth—becoming a better, wiser version of yourself.
University shapes not only your mind but also your character. It’s where you form lasting friendships, gather unforgettable memories, and build the foundation of your future. Success isn’t only measured in academic achievements but also in how much you’ve learned about life, relationships, and yourself.
So, wake up and seize the moment. Work toward your dreams, value your experiences, and embrace every challenge. When the time comes to look back, let your memories be ones of growth, adventure, and meaningful connections. You’re living the story you’ll one day be proud to tell.
