Teaching in China during the Coronavirus

On January 18, I departed Xi'an for what I thought was a short 12-day stay in Wisconsin, with my little brother's wedding being the highlight of the trip. As I write this, a calendar reminder popped up, reminding me that my flight to Xi'an was to happen in 15 minutes. And yet I am writing this from the couch at my condo in Madison, WI.

At the O'Hare airport on December 19 (one day later than planned due a flight delay and then missing the next flight), I saw a small sign that urged those traveling from Wuhan to self-report if they had a fever or cough. Because it didn't apply to me, I didn't give it much thought. Then I waited in the long line with the HUGE number of Chinese students returning to Madison for the start of the second semester. The at-capacity bus I was in, along with the other two buses, contained virtually all individuals from China.

Just a day later, the city of Wuhan became known to the world. I began thinking of those 16 hours I spent on the plane and then a few more hours on the bus with people from China. Had any of them been in Wuhan? An administrator from my international school in Xi'an contacted the faculty querying about where we had traveled and if we had any contact with those in Wuhan. On Monday, after hearing that school would be closed for at least two more weeks, I contacted my principal, requesting that I remain in Wisconsin until the re-opening date is definite.

 Map showing the current number of reported coronavirus infections

When I look at this map and see how the numbers continue to escalate every day, I am grateful that I arrived prior to the major outbreak and thankful that I did not have to return on the 30th, as originally planned. Friends in Xi'an reported store/mall closures, reduced store inventory (especially of produce), and the inability to find any masks and hand sanitizer. Getting around by public transportation is severely impaired, with the suspension of service, limited routes/hours, or long delays due to the screening of passengers. Several highway exits are also closed and health checks are being conducted at those open. Many flights are also being canceled. Didi (the Chinese equivalent of Uber), the most popular way for foreigners (and many locals) to travel within the city, has now suspended its service. People are strongly urged to stay home, cooped up in their high-rise apartments. All those entering the apartment complexes are checked for fever and cough.

Currently, there are 87 confirmed reported 9,742 cases in the Shaanxi province; of those, 32 are in Xi'an. Even the "small" town where a Chinese friend of mine has been cooped up in her family's apartment now has some infections. She is especially concerned for her grandma, who already has health issues. I pray for the health and safety of all the hard-working, kind citizens of this populous country.

Starting on Monday, I am to be giving art assignments to my students online. I can't use any resources that require the use of a VPN, in order to accommodate the Chinese students. So that means no Google apps, no YouTube, Vimeo, Pinterest, and even many seemingly innocent sites. Art supplies will have to be kept at bare minimum as well. If anyone has had experience or advice on teaching upper elementary art (particularly PYP) under these restrictions, I'd love your insight.

For now, be assured that I am safe and healthy in Wisconsin.

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Winter ❄️ wonderland in Wisconsin

via Instagram

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Pastel: Splashes of White and Violet

My latest artwork, a pastel of spring flowers at Olbrich Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin. Painted on PastelMat paper.

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April Snowshowers Bring Unhappy WI residents

You'd be mistaken if you thought this scene was photographed in January. No, it was photographed yesterday in Madison, Wisconsin. A record 7.2 inches (18.3 cm) fell yesterday - just when the snow from the weekend's storm was nearly melted. 

Although I wasn't happy to see the snow, I felt compelled to brave the elements and take some photos.

A snowy tunnel

While walking to Tenney Park, I spotted these two taking a spring/winter swim. While they might be pining for summer, I'm just eager for spring to be here. 

Oh well.

The good news is that within a few days, the snow should be gone. This better be the last time.

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Thai Structure in the Snow

With a decent combination of blue skies, fresh snow, and non-frigid temperatures, I took a late Sunday afternoon walk over to Olbrich Gardens. Winter transforms the pavilion, which looks far more like its counterparts in Thailand during the summer (see example of the Emerald Buddha temple in Bangkok, below).

The late afternoon light caught the warm hues of the gold leaf and red underside, enhancing the jewel-like appearance.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Bangkok, Thailand

If you're in the Madison area, be sure to visit the Olbrich Gardens. Diversely beautiful in each of the four seasons.

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Joyfully Announcing Christ's Birth

All over the world, church musicians are polishing their songs in anticipation for upcoming Christmas services. Only the best will do for their Savior, whose birth we celebrate.

Others will join in the praise, whether in perfect pitch or not, rejoicing and singing some of the most beautiful songs ever written. 

No matter who we are, what status we might have or what we have done, Christ came for us, the perfect sacrifice so that we one day join all believers in heaven. Come, let us Adore Him! Christ, the Lord. 

These photos were taken at Old World Wisconsin Museum in Eagle, WI.

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You Better Watch Out..for Krampus is Coming to Town.

While strolling through Old World Wisconsin, I stumbled across this fellow...er...creature. He was sitting on a bench and encouraged some kids to come sit by him. A few curious ones did, while others suspiciously eyed him from a distance. When I inquired about his furry appearance, this chap told me that he was Krampus. I had never heard of this Christmas creature who was part goat, part demon.
Of interest, Krampus and St. Nicholas are friends who play on opposite sides of the coin. Dating back to pre-Germanic pagan times,  the name Krampus means "claw." He is said to be the son of the Norse god of the underworld. He was particularly popular in Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. A Krampus resurgence has occurred in these countries, and now the USA has gotten in on the act.

While St. Nick/Santa comes with presents if you were well-behaved, Krampus' presence is a direct indication that you weren't quite so good. He is said to carry a bundle of birch sticks on his back, and will pull these out and start beating the naughty child. Sometimes he leaves behind some sticks to remind kids of his presence. Parents in Austria might prominently display gold-painted bundles of sticks on the walls as a reminder to behave.

Note that our Krampus is carrying a sack. He might use this to put naughty children in it, taking them back to his lair to torture or be eaten.

According to tradition,  December 5th was known as Krampusnacht, meaning Krampus night. On this fateful night, Krampus and St. Nicholas would visit each house. If the children were good, St. Nick would put candy in their shoes;. iff bad, the goat-devil would put birch twigs in their shoes. Parents sometimes arranged for the appearance of Krampus. Even after December 5, kids couldn't necessarily breathe a sigh of relief and resume mischief, since Krampus threatened that he could return at any time.
It seems that a lump of coal in one's stocking is rather tame, when compared to the actions of Krampus.

So tonight, it's not just St. Nick who's coming to town, it's his horned, hairy, long-tongued buddy Krampus who is joining him. You better watch out....

More info - from Smithsonian and Weird History.  

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Upcoming Exhibit - you're invited!

If you're in the Madison, WI area, come to the opening reception of my art show. At 6pm, I will be delivering a presentation on my artwork and travels. Fresh homemade cookies will be served and Michael Sullivan will be performing live music. 

The art show will be up from November 1-30 at the Lakeview Library. 

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Rainy Day Walk through the Woods

Despite the best of intentions, my family was unable to get together to hike this autumn. Weather was the main culprit, with many of the last weekends being rather rainy and unpleasant. A busy, diverse schedule was the other reason. Yesterday, my brother and I went to my parents' house anyways. Despite the rain, I went for a quick walk in their woods. Although there were no vibrant reds or oranges, the golden yellows still beckoned to me - even in the overcast conditions.

via Instagram

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Pumpkins on a Bridge

Autumn is finally making its appearance, as evidenced by hints of changing leaves and these fellows on a Yahara River bridge. This bridge is a popular one along a bike path that leads to the state capitol. Perhaps one of the bikers decided their course needed a little holiday sprucing?

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Steeple Workers

Early in the morning, the workers were already busy performing exterior cleaning and maintenance to a local church. Reaching the roof and steeple was a quick and easy process. I immediately was reminded of a scene I had seen in Kerala, India. 

This worker utilized ropes (likely coir ropes locally made from coconut fibers) and simple scaffolding to climb up and around in order to do some maintenance work. Keeping it simple, he donned a lungi and went barefoot. 

I'd have to say, the Kerala steepleworker made a much more interesting photo....

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Sunshine at the Sunflower Farm

A friend and I were eager to visit the sunflowers at the Pope Conservancy Farm, located just a short distance from Madison. Upon entering the parking area, I was already impressed; the large swath of grassed land was trimmed and had white lines painted to show denote parking spaces. A traffic attendant directed people to available parking spots. Signs indicated where we were to proceed. A few sprinkles on the windshield, we grabbed our rain jackets – just in case. As we walked up the slight incline to the sunflower field, I noticed a weak patch of blue amidst the very overcast skies. Perhaps things will change, I thought....

Neatly clipped paths led us along the outer perimeter of the sunflower fields. Every so often, some short sections of the field were cleared so visitors could walk into the field just a bit and take photos. Some took photos of their family; others selfies, and still others focused on the sunflowers. The nearly 500,000 plants were just waiting to be photographed, their heads proudly facing the sun. As we were putzing around taking photos (it's nice to be along with a fellow artist; both are eager to explore and take photos, rather than being bored after a minute or two), I noticed that the sky became increasingly more blue.  

Soon, the clouds had dissipated, and the sun was free to cast its glow on the yellow petals. The nine acres of sunflowers made such a beautiful sight. What a great place for sneaking in a photo of myself!

Bees were busy flitting from sunflower to sunflower, whose heads were heavily laden with pollen and ripe with nectar. Zooming in gave opportunities for capturing other views.

The clipped paths led visitors along fields of corn, soybeans, and prairie. 

A few monarchs were spotted fluttering about, landing on various wildflowers.

What a great place to spend the morning with a friend!

When talking with some volunteers at the site, I learned that the Conservancy is a popular place for school trips. Students (grade 4 is a popular year, as this grade focuses on Wisconsin history) have many opportunities to learn about how Native Americans and early settlers used the land and the types of crops they raised. Some thematic gardens had informative signs and some artifacts were also present. I learned that the seeds from the dried plants are harvested in late November or early December. 

The Friends of Pope Farm Conservancy help the farmer (see farm in the distance) through the sale of sunflower seeds to the public. Interestingly, nearly a third of the crop will have already been eaten by birds prior to harvest – nearly 4,000 pounds of snitching! 

There still are a few more days left to Sunflower Days (Aug 12-20). If you're in the area, come and visit! Great for the whole family!

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Reflected Pavilion, Olbrich

via Instagram

My newest artwork: Reflected Pavilion, Olbrich

Oil Pastel. Madison, WI

Instead of painting the pavilion itself, I focused on the imagery within the adjoining pool. If you haven't visited the Olbrich Gardens with its Thai pavilion (the only one in North America), you're missing out on a scenic, free botanical garden.

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Sleeping with the Chicken

All that fetching and chasing after balls with weasels has tuckered out this furry pal. While I was drawing in my bedroom, I caught Marly napping with three of his "choix du jour" toys: Poulet the chicken (Marly was using it as a pillow), Squirrel, and Weasel (a furry tail-like creature attached to a motorized ball). 

Gotta be quick! Just moments after I snapped the first picture, Marly awoke and slumber party was over.

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Statuary of the Wisconsin State Capitol

For those willing to walk up the winding stairway to the base of the domed area of the capitol building, some additional artistic creations await. As you circumnavigate the observation deck, you will notice four groups of statuary made from Bethel White Vermont granite.  Completed between 1911 and 1915, they were carved by American master sculptor, Karl Bitter. The sculptures are arranged in pyramidal groups of three, with the central figure standing on a raised base and about 12 feet high. On each side of are seated figures, each about 5 feet high. Each group are meant to symbolize characteristics of Wisconsin and its citizens.

Overlooking East Washington Avenue is the group representing Knowledge. The seated figures, representing the inherited knowledge base, conduct research in scrolls/books. The central figure, reminding me of Michelangelo's male sculptures, is depicted as one who contemplates the significance of the world. He builds upon his own studies with past historians who have recorded their observations and experiences. Religious faith and knowledge is also emphasized here, along with worldly insight.     

Overlooking Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is the group representing "Faith" - an aspect that Bitter saw as an important in the lives of Wisconsin citizens.  These female figures bow their heads in humility and obedience, revering a higher power and respecting the civil law. Love, charity, and strength are also exuded by this trio.

This group of figures, facing the northwest direction towards Washington Avenue, signifies Prosperity and Abundance. As the second group of all-females. they are shown with symbols such as an overflowing vase of fruit and cornucopias of plenty. The standing figure extends her hand as if to give to others. This sculptural set emphasizes the rich farmland of the state, along with industrial and natural resources. Such abundance benefits the citizens and its government.

Strength is what the trio facing the West Washington Avenue embodies. The central figure holds a shield and sword, signifying his readiness to defend his country. One of the seated figures is very muscular, conveying physical strength and endurance. The other figure, although also muscular, is blind, emphasizing that the service and defence requires more than just brute strength; it also requires insightful, knowledgeable individuals.

Resource: Wisconsin State Capitol Guide and History

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Caught in the Act

Having a puppy around, you never know what surprises you might find.

No need to look into Marly's mouth; the carnage around is reminder enough that chewing is one of Marly's favorite pastimes. (Fetching is #1). 

Needless to say, I had to do a little "surgery" on a few critters.

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Liberty and the Branches

Right below the rotunda, one can find four beautiful mosaics. Made by Kenyon Cox, Liberty and the branches of government are represented. Each measures about 28x20' and contains about 10,000 pieces of glass. The tiny hand-cut pieces are made from many different types of glass, including opaque, colored, shiny, and matte, with backings of aluminum and copper.  Considered some of the finest glass mosaics in the world, the varied glass types create a strong dimensional effect.

Liberty mosaic

Justice mosaic

Justice mosaic (detail)

Legislation mosaic

Government mosaic

See more of my photos from the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison

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Madison State Capitol Dome interior through Different Lenses

As part of a photowalk with a featured guest photographer, we spent most of our time in the Madison State Capitol. It was the first time for Olympus Trailblazer photographer Frank T Smith to visit the city and its magnificent landmark. Like others who come to visit, Smith was impressed by its beauty and attention to detail. For the next few hours, we  explored the interior and observation deck, seeking photographic inspiration.

Photographed with my 12-50mm lens (24-100mm equivalent)

The ornamental frame surrounding the central dome glimmered in the sunlight, setting off the swirling 34 foot mural. Painted in 1912 by Edwin Blashfield, "Resources of Wisconsin" features twelve women holding products of Wisconsin such as tobacco, wheat, and lead.

8mm fish-eye lens

As it was an event sponsored by Olympus, the company provided a camera body and lens for people to test out. I had a chance to try out a wide angle lens (7-14mm). I also got a chance to take a few shots with Frank's fisheye 8mm lens. It was fun to try the lens out, but not something I'd go right out and buy.

7-14mm lens

It was fun seeing how different lenses could render different views of the same subject. 

See more photos of the State Capitol on my Flickr page.

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Tulips at the Capitol

A beautiful spring day in downtown Madison, it was a perfect opportunity to capture the capitol in spring. Moving down to a lower vantage point, I managed to hide any people and focus solely on the magnificence of the architecture and nature. If you haven't been to the Wisconsin capitol, it's worth a visit!

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A little Spring in Downtown Madison

One sunny day, I headed downtown to check out its spring clothes. Although it wasn't as pretty as Yonsei University's (in Seoul, Korea) campus, the UW Madison campus had some pretty spots as well. 

I then walked towards the capitol. Some of the trees were beginning to bloom as well.

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