My Eighty Eight Springs

By Alice Hsia and 夏亞琍

Foreword

As the crystal ball lowers in Times Square, NYC, for the year 2020, I crossed the threshold of turning 88 years of age and am one step closer to Heaven. The setting sun is infinitely pleasing but its fleeting beauty is confined to the short hours of dusk. I have been fortunate to live to this age. After

• Language: English
• Publisher: EHGBooks
• Release date: Jan 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781647843960

Book preview

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Foreword

Overture

Chapter 1  The Origin of the Name (1931)

Chapter 2  Childhood (1931-1945)

Chapter 3  Middle School Era - Victorious Return (1945-1949)

Chapter 4  The Golden Years of National Taiwan University - Relocating to Taiwan  (1949-1954)

Chapter 5  Studying in the United States (1955-1956)

Chapter 6  Working for the United Nations and the Consulate General of the Republic of China in New York (1956-1957)

Chapter 7  Love and Marriage (1957)

Chapter 8  Job Hunting & Childbirth（1959 - 1962）

Chapter 9  Building a New House at Scotch Plains (1961)

Chapter 10  Multiple Positions: Serving Parents, Helping Husband and Educating Children (1962-1983)

Chapter 11  Real Estate Career (1984)

Chapter 12 Women's Club of the Chinese-American Cultural Association (1982-present)

Chapter 13  Director Of Election Campaigns (1988-1991)

Chapter 14  Social Welfare Activities (1988-present)

Chapter 15  Dr. Wellington Hsia Lectured At Shanghai 1st Medical School And At Chindao Medical School

Chapter 16  Dr. Wellington Hsia ’s Retirement From John F Kennedy Medical Hospital (1988)

Chapter 17  Built Galleria 27 Mall At Edison, New Jersey  (1990-1991)

Chapter 18  40th Anniversary of Marriage - Interviewed By Jin-Hua Monthly (June 23, 1997)

Chapter 19  My Big Family

Chapter 20  Welcome Year 2000 Party - Galleria 27

Chapter 21  Moving to Fort Lee Buckingham Towers (2000)

Chapter 22  Investment In Shanghai, China (2002)

Chapter 23  Lost Of My Good Partner (March 10, 2003)

Chapter 24 Charity in Honor of Dr. Wellington Hsia - Donating 280 Wheelchairs to Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital (2003)

Chapter 25  Remininsce Alma Mater - NTU

Chapter 26  Love Captured Me Again (July 27, 2007)

Chapter 27  Memorable Events and Social Life Through The Years

Chapter 28  My Interests And Hobbies

Chapter 29  Heartfelt Guidance For My Children

Chapter 30  Some Of My Awards (1973-present)

Chapter 31  Thank You Notes

Chapter 32  Good-bye Galleria 27

Chapter 33  Sad Memories

Chapter 34  Crisis: Coronavirus-19

Chapter 35  Afterword

Foreword

As the crystal ball lowers in Times Square, NYC, for the year 2020, I crossed the threshold of turning 88 years of age and am one step closer to Heaven.  The setting sun is infinitely pleasing but its fleeting beauty is confined to the short hours of dusk.  I have been fortunate to live to this age.  After living through the Japanese invasion of WWII in my early years and then the chaos of civil war between the Nationalist (Kuomintang) and the Communist Party, I was trained at different stages to obtain different levels of cultivation.  Now, while still have my faculties, I wish to record all those memories and my life experiences.  It is a commemoration to my parents and also to the teachers and the friends who have influenced me.

Another purpose of writing the memoirs is to dedicate my life experience to both older and younger readers. Some seniors may still remember the hardships of scarcity, the joys and sorrows, the destruction of their homes, and the sacrifice of infinite lives in exchange for the survival of their country and as building blocks for today’s democracy and freedom, all brought on by the devastating war against Japanese. Many plots may be similar to what readers have experienced or may resonate with them both emotionally and spiritually.

Born in a time of turmoil, I experienced a tortuous and extraordinary life. It took a strong will to overcome all the struggling. I judge myself that my personal talents can only be considered as better than normal, but when it comes to hard work, I can proudly say that I can be considered as superior. The only reason is because I never fall behind. There are unpredictable situations in life. You must use your strong confidence and indomitable spirit to face the challenges and achieve your purpose. Creating extraordinary things in ordinary life and doing something meaningful can make life valuable. Looking back on my life, I have spun the bumps of awkward life and done everything I could to learn and work. Luckily not all my efforts were wasted. Since my childhood, my parents had set a good example of love, simplicity, diligence and self-improvement, which has benefited me for life. When I was in Taiwan before coming to the United States for further studies, my mother gave me a short poem The harder you work, the greater you can be. I always remember her advice. Now in my old age, I have done everything I could in my life according to the way she taught me. I hope she is smiling up in heaven.

Photography has been my favorite for many years. Since those photos are very old, It is very hard for me to memorize when and where they were taken.  However, they reduce my writing time and help readers to view what I have done, killing two birds with one stone.

Overture

I do not have any significant impression of my maternal grandfather, Siho Chang. However, he is still an indispensable part of my autobiography. My mother missed her father a lot and told us what he had done. Thanks for my