Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Big Nurses’ Day coming up May 11 and 12, with formal celebration Wednesday night! Somehow I got dragged into playing the piano for the opening act. One advantage I have over other people that got volunteered to do a performance: If it doesn’t go well, I can just leave the country.
Anybody here will assure you that the weather in Hefei is changeable. I think I can see the reason. Most of the time, there’s a white spot showing on the satellite image, stretching from Shanghai to Hefei (purple “X”). It must be caused by the jet stream shifting north and out of the way.
That’s my theory, and I’m sticking to it.
Portrait of a future
Brenau Nursing Major:
“Apollo” Zhao Chen

Apollo comes from Dang Shan County in the northern part of Anhui Province.
“Getting into nursing was my parents’ suggestion, because of the solid employment opportunities,” he says. But he was soon swept up into the excitement of the profession.
“My uncle’s passing from cancer some months ago showed me the importance of the nursing profession. I would like to work in ICU (intensive care unit) settings where lives are in the balance. I want to help save those lives.”
As the son of a farm family and part-time construction workers, he hopes for some much-needed scholarship support.
“I am also excited about Brenau because of the university’s reputation in the arts, and I want to engage in artwork also when I’m there.”
Footnote: A few years ago, we had another Asian student at Brenau, an M.B.A. candidate, who chose “Apollo” as his “American” name. He was a bit of a cut-up and a natural leader in his cohort.