In my university, there're now counseling services available for the students and faculty:
Counseling Services Available following NIU Tragedy
The our community is deeply saddened by the news of the tragedy at Northern Illinois University and we extend our sincere condolences to the Northern Illinois University community and especially the family and friends of the victims.
For students experiencing concerns as a result of this tragedy, counseling services are available.
2 comments:
It is so sad for me to catch sight of this small article about a tragedy.
This month, after I finished my GRE writing test, I returned home, where internet is not available for me to visit your blog and celebrate the traditional Chinese festival, Spring Festival, with you.
Well, actually, this Spring Festival is not very comfortable for us Chinese people: The wide southern area of China, including my hometown, suffered an extremely unusual cold weather this winter, and the average temperature was significantly lower than anytime since the current Chinese govenment was founded. Many places experienced heavy snows, which were never seen in history. As a result, transportation as well as the electricity and water supply systems were cut off in many places(so was the case in my hometown). You can imagine how miserable it was: Since there is no heat system in south China, everyone had to stay at home, keeping close to each other, to keep warm! As for me, I was UNLUCKY ENOUGH to catch a bad cold AS SOON AS I returned home! Nothing could be more terrible!
Aside from the annoying weather, to stay with my family is always the most happy thing: I can enjoy my mother's cooking, play piano at any time I want, make joke with my little cousin, and, most pleasant, play Ma Jiang with my family. What I am always concerned about is to make my best effort to make my grandparents happy, especially my grandmother (my mother's mother, I don't know how to distinguish her from my father's mother...). Though she lives with my aunt and my cousin, she seems to have little communication with them. They think her too old to speak to and listen to, which is what I am unhappy with. After many years living in such state, my grandmother talks less and less with others: She is afraid to be criticized for her misunderstanding of others' words due to her relatively poor ears. She is the one I miss and worry most. I know I can change little in her living environment and state. I am always sad about that. What I could do is to accompany her as much as I can, playing Ma Jiang with her as much as I can, though she is not good at that. I am really happy to see her in a pleased and lighthearted state.
From my grandmother, I come up with a perspective: to give old people a happy mood is of equal, even if not more importance in making them lead a good life in their rest time as giving them good health care. Talking with them even for a few more munites will work a lot in keeping them happy and healthy. Emotional health is as vital as physical health.
Dear frostfire,
Long time no see!! How's going?
Thank you for your kind comment.
(and sorry for my late reply.)
I have been wondering how well you are. I am so happy with your sincere comment.
My spring semester has already begun. As you might notice, this blog has changed a little to a blog that puts more stress on economics and economic matters and less on my personal life and idea.
However, I am interested in history, so I am going to put my personal comments on history.
By the way, your Spring Festival means "春节" in your country? Right? However, your spring festival sounds not good for you and your neighbors. I regret very much that heavy snow made you and your neighbors unhappy and uncomfortable in such happy time.
I am worrying if many people suffered from heavy injuries due to terrible snow.
Also, I regret that you had a heavy cold just before.
However, reading your comment, I really feel that you are a Chinese.
In my impression, Chinese people generally take much care of their family, especially their parents.
Especially, I like the last part of your comment. In my eyes, you and your family are having supper with hot tea in a large round table. On the wall and sofa printing like "福" or "喜", you and your family are enjoying a trifling talk and sometimes having a big laugh under one roof.
The word, Ma Jiang "麻雀" in your talk reminds me of my short stay at Taiwan: There many people were playing 麻雀 on a small table having tea along the street. Chinese people really like 麻雀!
The scene that you have tea and dishes with your family on a round table should be really nice in your life, and if possible, I wish I had joined such your party(I cannot speak Chinese, though.).
I also feel that you are so gentle that you really care your grandmother. I have not much memory of my grandmother, though. So, I have not many things to talk about her. You look very happy though you had a terrible cold.
From this case, you have a nice lesson, I believe:
"Talking with them even for a few more munites will work a lot in keeping them happy and healthy. Emotional health is as vital as physical health."
I strongly agree with you. I hope that you feel that your family is so important. Good care of our family should be always recalled by many people including me.
Again thank you for your heartwarming comments on your family.
Post a Comment