Liang’s BIG Celebration in

2010

Liang’s BIG Celebration in

2010

I’m sending this warm greeting message

despite the cold icy and snowy weather…

To share with you my happiness of passing my PhD viva successfully

on 13th Dec.

Right after the viva, a fresh Dr now!

Many people tease that PhD means ‘Permanent

head Damage’, but I interpret it as a process

from ‘Potential heart/head Damage’ to ‘Permanent

heart/head Development’. As it has worked for me so well, I now share with you

my 2010…

It was an enjoyable and rewarding experience as the examiners were very constructively critical and supportive. In the end of

the viva, the external examiner even

recommended a publication.

I had a good start in I had a good start in January by presenting January by presenting part of my research part of my research

work at an work at an international international conference in conference in

University of Arizona, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA.Tucson, USA.

I was motivated by I was motivated by winning winning

scholarships offered scholarships offered by the conference by the conference

organiser and more organiser and more importantly, I had a importantly, I had a

good good communication with communication with

those VIPs.those VIPs.

This was in Bangor, This was in Bangor, Wales, in March. I was Wales, in March. I was sort of ‘addicted’ to sort of ‘addicted’ to conference conference presentations…presentations…

It was at the annual It was at the annual Cultnet Conference Cultnet Conference

where I received very where I received very strong support from strong support from those experts and I those experts and I

received a copy of the received a copy of the edited book , which edited book , which

includes a chapter of includes a chapter of my previous work. my previous work. Really fantastic!Really fantastic!

In May, I became more In May, I became more ‘addicted’ – this time I ‘addicted’ – this time I

co-organised the co-organised the inaugural seminar inaugural seminar

since our Intercultural since our Intercultural Communication Communication

Special Interest Group Special Interest Group was officially was officially

established. It was a established. It was a wonderful experience wonderful experience for me to switch my for me to switch my

role. role.

For the rest of the For the rest of the time, I immersed time, I immersed myself in the sea myself in the sea of thesis writing of thesis writing up and revision.up and revision.

Occasionally I Occasionally I looked around for looked around for fun when I made fun when I made breakthroughs.breakthroughs.

My quality life for work =My quality life for work =

Predominant desk work + a bit cat’s nap + Predominant desk work + a bit cat’s nap + regular exercises regular exercises

+ essential day-dreaming + good health care+ essential day-dreaming + good health care

… … However, life has However, life has been a miracle. When been a miracle. When I was racing towards I was racing towards my destination (two my destination (two

weeks before my weeks before my thesis submission), I thesis submission), I was told that I was was told that I was

successful in getting successful in getting an Associate Lecturer an Associate Lecturer

job for the OU’s job for the OU’s Chinese course and I Chinese course and I was required to start was required to start immediately. This was immediately. This was in late October 2010.in late October 2010.

This meant a lot This meant a lot of intensive of intensive training – online, training – online, face-to-face and face-to-face and hands-on.hands-on.

Almost at the same time, I Almost at the same time, I resumed my teaching at the resumed my teaching at the Chinese community school Chinese community school where I have taught for 2 where I have taught for 2 years. years.

By the way, tutorials include both distance and By the way, tutorials include both distance and face-to-face modes, in addition to individual face-to-face modes, in addition to individual consultation. It’s quite challenging but …consultation. It’s quite challenging but …

I didn’t sink, I didn’t sink, I swam!I swam!

… … in in whichever whichever way and no way and no matter how matter how far I will go …far I will go …

Now I wish in the new Now I wish in the new year to come I can make year to come I can make a new take-off …a new take-off …

The journey is long ahead, The journey is long ahead, and I will search up and and I will search up and down, and be down to down, and be down to earth.earth.

Wish you have a Wish you have a very happy and very happy and harmonious harmonious festive break festive break and new year!and new year!

FinallyFinally ，，

I would like to buy I would like to buy you a drink you a drink

sometime for your sometime for your everlasting care everlasting care

and concern.and concern.