This page is all about me, isn’t it? Me. Me. Me. But I would like to start with the two people who had influenced me the most, my parents, because they’d helped me to define who I am.
I learned from my father to appreciate solitary moments. Because of his job, Dad lived alone in a different town for many years. Even when he came home, he spent a lot of time sitting alone. At first, I felt sorry for him. But seeing how content he was – sitting there drinking his tea – I began to understand being alone wasn’t a bad thing. And I began enjoying it.
I also learned from my dad that we shouldn’t ignore quiet people. They don’t say much, but that doesn’t mean they don’t care, or they don’t want you to care about them.
My mom taught me to be brave, not easily being intimidated by others. I am still not as brave as I would like to be and often have to picture her standing by my side supporting me.
She also showed me that I should take my responsibility seriously. She had this thing about duty – fulfilling her duty was her life.
When I was five year old, my father took a job far away from home. As soon as I could write a handful of words, Mom started asking me to write letters to Dad for her. At first, I only wrote whatever Mom told me to write. After a while, that became quite boring, so I started reporting to him what had happened at home, and later I added some of my stories to entertain him. I found out that writing made me feel better. And I haven’t stop writing ever since.
Finally, Here is a list of things I have done in writing.
Book:
Jin-Ling’s Two Left, a YA novel, was published on Oct. 1, 2009.
Writing Contest:
2006 Winnipeg Free Press/Writers’ Collective Non-fiction Writing Contest, 1st place – Sister Guan
2005 Minneapolis Writers’ Group Writing Contest 1st place – Old Man Tea
2004 Winnipeg Free Press/Writers’ Collective Non-fiction Writing Contest, 3rd place – After 30 Years, and a Honorable Mention: Grandparents Magic
2002 Kay Snow Nonfiction contest 3rd place – Sliding Doors
Magazines/Newsletter:
2008 Feb. issue of Stories for Children online magazine – How Rat Got to Be First in the Chinese Zodiac
2007 March issue of Generation Today – Playing Safe
2006 July issue of The Sun Magazine – Waking up
2006 May/June issue of Rochester Women Magazine – Oh, Mother!
2005, Dear Mom, I Always Wanted You to Know – My letter to Mom was accepted but at the end, it wasn’t included in the book, but my email to the editor was quoted in the introduction of the book.
2004 Feb., Fate magazine – Tap-Tap-Tap
1998 July 8-21 1998 Women’s Press – Empty What?
Speaking:
April 18, 2009 Rochester Writer’s Festival, gave a talk on Beginning, Middle and End.
Sept. 19, 2009, Won first place in Area 84 Toastmasters Humorous Speech Contest on .
Others I’ve started two writing groups: one in 2003 (?) and one 2006. Both groups are still doing well.
Not much, I know. I am having fun and that’s what it counts. 😉
HHC Blog 
Hi there HCC, just calling on over to explore your blog and to thank you for the follow on my own wee corner of the blogosphere. Great to have you on board, all input welcome. Have a great week, I like your wise words on here, keep going, MM 🍀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for stopping by. Sorry for the late reply. I am learning. I am learning. So many blogs to catch up; so many wonderful photos… I am really happy to get to know everyone. What a great group!
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍👍🍀😃
LikeLike
Your ‘not much’ sounds like quite a lot to me 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by. Life is interesting. It took me a long time to find myself. Then I have so much to catch up. 😉
LikeLike
great Blog
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. I like yours too!
LikeLike
Hi there,
Thank you for taking the time to stop by and check out my little corner of the blogosphere and the follow, your support is greatly appreciated. Looking forward to seeing more from you
Have a great Day, 🙂
Eddie
LikeLike
Eddie,
I love your photos! Looking at many great photos every morning is a wonderful way to start my day. Thank you to all of you! (Someday, I hope, I will become a good photographer too. 😉
Helen
LikeLike
My goodness Helen, looks like you are doing just great with writing experiences..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good morning, Roberta. I should update this page. Last two years, I have made 10 videos of people’s life stories, and ghost wrote one (wit a writer friend). Everyone should tell his/her story, I think.
Thanks for your BIG support! 😉
LikeLike
You’re a Toastmaster?! Me, too! I also won Humorous Speech Contest for my Area and District but did not place in District. What a ride though, right!
LikeLike
yes, I am a Toastmaster. TM has helped me a lot. I was very shy 😉
You must be a better speaker – I only won the area contest, didn’t place at division.
I have to speech at our club meeting on Monday. I’ll work on it tomorrow. Ha.
LikeLike
Thanks for following my blog. Your writings are impressive and I will from now on follow your blog.
LikeLike
It s interesting that we both like writing, photographing… and we both have IT job.(I retired last year though.)
Thank you for visiting my blog and thanks for following. I am looking forward to get some feedback from you 😉
LikeLike
Hi Helen, it’s amazing what we learn from our parents! Getting back to your Dad, I think it’s people who don’t say much, that actually listen more. Once I heard someone say, stop talking and see how much you can learn in a minute, just by listening… something not many people do.
Anyway, it seems you have certainly learned a lot along the journey of your life, and might I say, successfully so!
Wordpress is such a great place to be able to share. Thanks for sharing your story!
I will enjoy following your blog 🙂 Anica
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Anica. Thank you for visiting my blog and thanks for your message. I love my dad a lot. Making him talk was always my challenge/goal 😉
Yes, I have learned a lot in my life. It took me a while to find myself and be myself. I don’t know why that was so hard. ha.
Did I tell you that I want to take photos like you do? I love your photos. Please, please, if you can give me any constructive feedback about my photos, I would be thrilled.
We just took a trip to France and there are a lot of Australians in the tour group. It seems like most of them, if not all, were very happy… sunshine type people. Am I right? Having them in the group was really fun.
Helen
LikeLike
I think I should forget doing Writing 101 and begin exploring your site instead. I believe I could learn more.
Much Respect
Ronovan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello, Ronovan. Your comment makes me a little nervous 😉 English is not my native language. I have no doubt that you write much better than I do 😉 Thanks for being so kind. It’s interested that we both like writing YA novel. I can’t wait to read more of your blog. Take care.
LikeLike
Hi Helen, thank you for stoping by my blog and deciding to follow, it’s always nice to have someone take the time to look around. This is a great introduction! All the best to you and your blog. Have a great day.
LikeLike
Hello Mark,
Thanks for stopping by. And thank you for your comment here and also on one of my other post. I have been thinking about your comment whole day, and I sure have more thoughts and maybe questions about photographing. I am going to work on it tonight and hopefully I will post it tomorrow. THANK YOU SO MUCH! Helen
LikeLike
Hi Helen,
http://hummingbirddreamsphotography.wordpress.com invited me to be part of a Virtual Blog Tour, which I agreed to and will be posting on Monday, June 30th. It is also my turn to extend an invitation to one or more people who’s work I’d like to introduce my readers/followers to. There are four questions to answer and you can also add your photos to the post.Here is a link to previous VBTs if you want to check it out before giving me an answer.
http://uniquesochic.com/2014/06/16/virtual-blog-tour-artwork/
I look forward to hearing from you. If you agree you would post on the following Monday (July 7th)
Cee
LikeLike
Hello Cee,
I feel so honored for your invitation, and I am very excited about it. But I will travel to LA on July 2nd and be back on July 8th, so I am not sure I will be able to post anything on July 7th.
For many years, I only have contact with one of my college classmates. Recently, I found 4 classmates living in LA area. We are going to have a small reunion that week. We haven’t seen or talked to each other for more than 40 years! I am afraid I won’t be able to remember posting anything during that time.
Thank you very much!
Helen
LikeLike
I so totally understand why you are choosing not to. Have so much fun at your small reunion, I hope you will have great fun!! 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Cee. One thing for sure is that I will bring my camera! 😉
LikeLike
Keep on having fun. It’s the only thing in life that counts as far as I’m concerned. Thank you very much for following my humble efforts and welcome to Norway! I haven’t had much of a chance to look at your blog yet but I look forward to doing so soon. Hilsen fra Norge 😀
LikeLike
Thanks. At my age, having fun IS the only thing that counts. I don’t even have to think. 😉 You have a wonderful blog. I love those colorful photos you have. I am looking forward to see more.
By the way, I have never been to Norway. And it’s on my wish list!
Take care.
LikeLike
At my age having fun is all that counts and I’m an old fart! Thank you for your kind words and save a lot of money and come to Norway. You’ll be amazed. 😀
LikeLike
Goodness, you have done so much and still going. I’m so glad I hooked up with you.
LikeLike
I am glad to hook up with you too… can you tell? 😉
LikeLike
Thanks for the follow for my blog. I do appreciate it. It is there for entertain. Not a serious bone in its body.
LikeLike
Hello, Don. Thanks for stopping by. I like your sense of humor. I admit I was a bit slow. It took me a little while to figure out what you know about women 😉 I was entertained!
LikeLike
i just learned about something new about the lens last week. You might know it already. It’s helpful to use a lens that has a stabilizer. I thought I had. But the one that is made with metal works better, a little heavier.
LikeLike
Good morning, Amy. Thanks for the information. I, too, thought the lens I use has a stabilizer. I think I better check again.
I had a discussion with my husband on this issue. He said the lens I am using (most of the time) is a convenient lens. It is reasonable in price and produces good pictures, but if I want higher quality photo, I have to get more expensive one.
I am going to do some experiments: use the same lens with and without tripod, use a different lens do the same. Hopefully, I will find some answers to my problem.
Will keep you posted. 😉
LikeLike
Nice site. Enjoyed surfing it. Thanks for visiting.
LikeLike
Thanks. I don’t know how I have missed this comment. So sorry. I really enjoy reading your E-Magazine. I hope a lot of people will follow the site because it is so good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Helen, first, my thanks for your follow and for all the support you have shown me this past six weeks! I appreciate it so very much. Second, my apologies for taking so long to get here! Summertime travels kept me from keeping up as I wanted to with following up those who have showed kindness to me. But I’m “back” now and I am delighted to follow your artistic journey as well! Cheers:)
LikeLike
Hello, Stacy, thanks for stopping by and following my blog. I feel honored. You have a wonderful blog, which I enjoy reading a lot. I also appreciate you and others show us how you post-processing your photo. I have learned a lot from it. Your blog is not only in my reader, but also in my favorite list 😉 Good night!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, I’m honored right back, Helen! Many thanks 🙂
LikeLike
Your parents thought you well and you are a good student “daughter.” Reading the list of your accomplish that is braver than brave. Well done, Helen. Perpetua aka seeker.
LikeLike
Thanks, Perpetua. I know there is room for me to improve.
Like you, I have thought a lot about life. But it seems to me that I have a lot of questions, and you have a lot of answers. I like reading your blog!
Vancouver is a nice place. I live in Rochester, Minnesota. Every Canadian I have met is very nice! Helen
LikeLiked by 1 person
P.S. Are you in Canada? I’m from Vancouver, BC
LikeLike
Amazing and impressive. I am looking forward to reading more. Writing has helped me in a lot of ways and I am still learning. So, to find blogs like yours inspires me to want to perfect my writing skills or lack there of. I hope you don’t mind me following.
LikeLike
Good morning… I feel like to call you sunshine instead of blueinsomniak… Your comment brightens my day! It will be my honor if you follow my blog. And thanks for all of your kind words.
I am trying to guess your age, but I don’t think I have enough clues 😉 We can not change our past, so I use my experiences to help me write stories. I cry; I laugh, and I keep writing…
The most important thing I’ve learned in my life is to love myself. I am not a selfish person; I am still willing to give more to others; but I love myself even when I make mistakes.
Another thing I would like to share with you is that if I write before I go to bed, I usually don’t sleep well. 😉 I still do, but I try to do less.
Take care. Helen
LikeLike
Wow, thank you. That’s so nice of you to say. It’s actually a privilege to follow you. I’m hoping to learn as much as I can from constant reading and it has helped to also release some of what is inside by starting this blog. I find it very difficult to love myself because I don’t know who I am anymore. Hopefully this is a start in trying to find myself so that I can one day love the person I see in the mirror. Again, thank you.
LikeLike
I think you are on the right path — by blogging. Take care. Helen
LikeLike
I sure hope so. There is so much anger and resentment swimming around in my mind and to actually put it out there is a bit of a release. I just hope I don’t hurt someone else by trying to help myself. Thank you again.
LikeLike
Welcome and thanks for the “follow” – looking forward to exploring your world and perspectives 🙂
LikeLike
Good morning. Thanks for stopping by. I was going to leave a note on your blog, but forgot. Sometime I glance all the posts and “like” the ones that I do, and later, I would go back to comment.
You have a wonderful blog. I have been pondering (about everything) all my life 😉 I am looking forward to reading more.
Have a great day. Helen
LikeLike
NOT MUCH ? – that’s wonderful, Helen !!! Would that I could claim a fraction of all that.
Keep it up: you’re on the upward path ! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, M-R. Thank you for you encouragement. I appreciate it. I will work harder! Helen
LikeLike
I suspect you’re a natural. Terrific ! 🙂
LikeLike
I absolutely love your blog and find a lot of your post’s to be just
what I’m looking for. Does one offer guest writers
to write content in your case? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on a lot of the subjects you
write about here. Again, awesome site!
LikeLike
Thanks, Cecile for your kind words. I really appreciate them. This blog has a little bit writing, and a little bit photographing. I am quite new, so I think I should focus on learning at this point. Thanks again. Helen
LikeLike
Hi, Helen: Thank so much for the Follow. I like what you are doing here and look forward to seeing more of your photography and your writing.
LikeLike
Hello, Robin, you are very kind; I can tell that from reading your blog. Thank you for visiting and following my blog. Hopefully, you will be able to see my improvement through time; I plan to continue learning a lot from photographers like you. 😉 Helen
LikeLike
Dear Helen, I understand you support Award Free Blog. However, i could not stop myself appreciating your work and hence, have nominated you for the Liebster Award, if you would like to participate. Thanks.
http://suyashchopra.wordpress.com/2014/11/05/the-liebster-award-november-2014/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Sutash, thank you so much for nominating me! I saw your message when I was in Taiwan and it warmed my heart. But I didn’t have a computer to work with and it is hard to do too much with iPhone, so I didn’t reply. I hope you know I appreciate it. (And you deserve the award much more than I do!!!) Helen
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot Helen. I hope you had a nice trip to Taiwan. Hope to see your photos from Taiwan 🙂
I understand that iPhone or any mobile is not a convenient tool to write blogs. A laptop or desktop is always a better choice.
Enjoy yourself and take care in the weekend snowfall of MPLS 🙂
LikeLike
I know you are award free but I still think you deserve an award for what you do. I was nominated for the Harmony & Peace Award and, in turn, have nominated you. I so enjoy your blog, Helen. And your photography….!! I am loving it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good morning, Lois. You are so sweet. You don’t know how many times you have moved me and I feel like hugging you! If everyone is like you, I am sure we are living in Heaven! Thank you so much for your kindness. I am full of joy. But may I pass? 😉 Helen
LikeLike
Of course you may, Helen. My way to thank you so much for such enjoyment of your blog (s)!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for visiting my blog. I see you participate in Cee’s photo challenges. I love the tribute you wrote to your parents. It is wonderful that you have been published, and that you have two successful writing groups. The organizer of my poetry workshop is having a lot of trouble getting it going, even though many people have joined. I look forward to reading your blog. It is very nice to meet you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Robin, I enjoy reading your stories and I am looking forward to reading more. I think in order for a writing group to succeed, someone has to take the ownership and spend time and energy working on it. We also have a poetry group in town and I heard that it goes quite well. Best wishes to you and your group. Helen
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Helen. The organizer has taken ownership. He is very good at editing and he knows a bit about publishing. I’m afraid he needs some guidance in running a workshop/writing group. I’ve been trying to make suggestions, but it is his group. -Robin
LikeLike
G’day Helen
Your visit and like is very much appreciated 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Wendy, Thanks for stopping by. Since English is not my native language, I find poems are not easy to understand. I do love the ones that I could fully understand though 😉 Wish I could write them like you do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a lovely compliment, thank you Helen, I think anyone that can not only speak a 2nd language but write in it gets my vote every time.
One of the things I like about word press is the variety of not only topics but genre, photography, occupations, etc etc. It is these difference that I feel keep readers returning, I have no doubts whatsoever that it wouldn’t happen if all our blogs were the same or even similar. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Helen. I am really pleased to see you are following Jamoroki. I’d love to know what attracted you. Now I must have a good look at your blog. Keep well. James
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello, James. Thank you so much for visiting my blog. Your blog attracts me on two parts: beautiful photos and wonderful stories. Nothing can beat that 😉 Thanks.
LikeLike
G’day Helen,
Unexpectedly I finding myself overseas with limited PC time, means it being is what it is 🙂 … do I post, read or comment? … albeit I do thank you for your many visits and likes, all are very much appreciated, once I return to Aus I will start doing the rounds to catch upon everyone’s page,
As always. Wendy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good morning, Muzzy. My thought are with you and your friend. You are kind to be there to support them. Don’t worry about commenting or reading. You got your priority right, as far as I am concern. Thanks for taking time to drop me a note. Take care.
LikeLiked by 1 person
G’day Helen,
Thank you, 🙂
LikeLike
My father was also away from home a lot when I was young – I was a teenager in fact – it was always interesting to see him after extended breaks he always looked a bit different, grew fatter/thinner, grew a beard or a moustache. I had quite an unusual upbringing in many ways! Nice to find your blog today hope we can be bloggy friends. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very interesting. I remember we were very excited when Dad came home even though he didn’t really play with us. Having him in the house was good enough, I guess. 😉
I visited your blog and like it a lot. I plan to read more later (have a niece coming for lunch.)Hope we will keep in touch! Have a wonderful day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Helen. Appreciate your comment. Hope you had a nice lunch with your niece. Have a lovely day. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for visiting my blog, The Glasgow Gallivanter. I like yours too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Ms. Chen,
I would love to get your book “Jin-Ling’s 2 Left Feet” for my students. Do you think it is good for students between 11 and 13 years old? Or it is for older teenagers/high school students? Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Lady Oscar (is this the right way to address you?),
I think my book is good for 11 to 13 year old (people told me that ;-). I would love to send you a copy if you give me your address (緣). My email address is: hhw.chen@gmail.com
Thanks.
Helen
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Ms. Helen,
Thank you so much! You are so kind. I found your book on booksellers websites. I am so excited. It will be good for my students!
I will email you later.
Thank you again.
(yes, simply call me Lady Oscar or Hsin-Jung~ ^^)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Your writing experience is so impressive! I loved your blog and your photos. Will be waiting for your next post eagerly 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It says a lot about you and how you were raised by how you spoke about your parents. I’m very pleased to meet you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, GP Cox.
What a wonderful blog you have! I can’t wait to read more of your stories.
Thanks for your family’s service to our country!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your about page is awesome. We are looking forward to following along with your journey and seeing the world through your eyes and words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, I missed this! What I was doing? Anyway, just checked and I like your website. Followed!
Have a great day.
LikeLike
😊🙇♀️🙇♂️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: XDrive Photography Learning – 19 -High-Speed Photography. – shutterbugdiary
Beautiful blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Hello, Helen. I hope all is well. I have been missing your lovely posts recently. Take care. Marie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Marie, thank you so much for your message. I wanted to reply right away; I thought of it often, but I wasn’t be able to find the right time to do it.
The subject of aging is very interesting to me. A lot of adjusting, adapting, re-thinking, re-grouping, letting go… etc. I was obsessed! ;-( Hopefully, I have dome most of rethink, regroup and life can go back to the old normal a little bit.
I truly admire you. How is your Italy trip? I am there with you in spirit… probably hiding behind you, do you know that? Ha.
Have a wonderful day.
LikeLike
I understand about aging. 65 had been hard on me. I was surprised. A bunch of medical stuff got me down the last few months.
I will look for your shadow in the Tuscan sun. 🤩🤩🤩
LikeLike
Hello Helen! It is so nice to meet you and discover you have found our blog site. Now we have the opportunity to explore your wonderful site and learn of you. You are very important!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so right — being quietly alone can be a very good thing. But using your ability to write is even better. Congrats on many accolades for writing and for conducting workshops to help others. I’m amazed at all you do!
LikeLiked by 1 person