An Unforgettable Class Meeting

Candy(李亚莲)

Revised by Mr. Hou

On the morning of 6th December, our class got together to have a meeting about the plan of graduate life in the classroom 315 of Peiying Building. It was supposed to be an ordinary class meeting, but unexpectedly it turned out to be an impressive lecture of a lifetime. The only reason for this great surprise was that our dearest Professor Hou Goujin joined us and gave us an unforgettable lecture.

Our class meeting went on smoothly owing to our gentleman host Peter’s efforts. It began with an inspiring song “Teenager Dream” from Claire, followed up by two fantastic speeches about personal plans for the graduate life made by student representatives Scott and Licy. After the question-answer interactive part with our warm-hearted guest Kevin, we discussed why-what-how questions and group representatives summarized discussion separately. Here came the highlight of our class meeting. Our dearest Mr. Hou gave us his well-prepared speech.

Mr. Hou, with his Houesque body language and humorous personality, earned our highest comments ever. His speech was composed of five parts: the different interpretations of MA, the various understanding perspectives of PHD, the six Ps, personal experiences, and summary and suggestions for the previous parts of the class meeting.

Mr. Hou always brings us surprises. He made many cards to better demonstrate his ideas, which almost moved us to tears. We can imagine how much time he had spent in finishing them all in spite of his busy schedules. He is such a considerate and thoughtful tutor! Mr. Hou shared five interpretations of MA with us. Firstly, he said jokingly that MA was a kind of exclamation just like the words ‘妈啊’ in Chinese. He does have a sharp eye, right? Why can’t we find out this coincidence in language ourselves? Anyway, this is one of the reasons we admire him so much. Secondly, MA means Master of Arts. Here, the plurality of “art” indicates that we should broaden our minds by reading some other disciplines besides our own major. Thirdly, MA refers to making for the best as “A” symbolizes excellence. Fourthly, MA implies making for advancement, so we are supposed to make progress day by day. Finally, MA indicates making for adulthood, which means we should grow out of immaturity. Here is a photo of Mr. Hou.

 

Mr. Hou cited a proverb “A soldier who does not want to be a general is not a good soldier”; likewise, one who pursues  his master’s degree does not want to pursue PHD is not a good graduate. Then he explained PHD vividly and humorously with his well-written cards. He invited some classmates to show each card. PHD can be understood through five perspectives. PHD can be the abbreviation of “permanently head damaged”, or “permanent head development” as a contrast. There can be two outcomings of different doctorate candidates. Besides, “pee itch dick” can be another, less civilized way to interpret PHD. In addition, “please have dumpling” is a non-mainstream abbreviation of PHD on the basis of a doctorate candidate’s story. Last but not the least, PHD can be understood as the following three words “pleasure, height and dollar”. Pursuing PHD is a pleasure, which helps doctorate candidates to reach a higher height and enables them no longer to worry about money problems. With Mr. Hou’s vivid and humorous demonstration, we got enlightened as we burst into laughter.

 

The six “Ps” kept the highlight continuing. Mr. Hou pointed out the six hierarchies of plan, namely “plan, prepare, proceed, progress, pause and perfection”. Planning one’s life always counts. As a human, our first plan is our birthday, which is carried out by our parents. Mr. Hou told us that after we made a plan, we should prepare for it. Then we must proceed the plan and we will make progress step by step. Yet, here is a caution from our considerate Mr. Hou, that is, we need to pause, pause to ponder, to enjoy life, to experience love and so on and so forth. Lastly, we will reach the highest point of the hierarchy, perfection.

 

 

Mr. Hou expounded “plan” in detail. There are five plans: “preliminary plan, follow-up plan, intermediary plan, revised plan and final plan”. All the last four plans are the modification of the preliminary plan. It is not wise to change the whole plan to look for a brand-new one. We listened to Mr. Hou earnestly and tried to record all his wisdom.

 

The next part of Mr. Hou’s speech was really touching and inspiring. He told us about his plans and experiences in his last fifty years. The five stages of Mr. Hou’s life is like the stages of our human civilization development. We made progress at each stage and we kept improving ourselves. Likewise, Mr. Hou never stops his steps to climb to the academic mountain top. At the stage from 18 to 27 years old, he managed to become the best middle school teacher in Daye county as he had planned. During these years, he taught himself two sets of university course books and ranked the first place in the self-learning examination. At the stage from 27 to 29 years old, Mr. Hou taught in a small TV university. He did well in teaching, but he chose to run after his previous dream to pursue his MA. At the stage from 29 to 32 years old, he studied in Hubei University as a graduate and established Manak English Salon. He performed so well in university that the dean asked him to stay. Therefore, the stage from 32 to 41 years old, Mr. Hou worked as a teacher in Hubei University. Though he did his job very well, he was unhappy there because of his envious boss. Finally, he got a precious opportunity to pursue his PHD due to his wife’s help and support. At the stage from 41 to 50 years old, Mr. Hou got his PHD in SISU of Shanghai and post-PHD in Fudan University with excellent performance. Then he came to SISU as a teacher. He also won the prize of “Top Teacher in Chongqing”, which is a really big prize for only three teachers got this prize in SISU. As for the next stage, Mr. Hou said it was a secret, but we could find out his plan by reading his blog. He showed us his certificates of MA, PHD, post-PHD and most importantly, his marriage certificate. As we listened to these incredible stories, we could not help admiring our dear Mr. Hou more. He sets us such a great example to keep pursing his dreams however difficult the situation is.

 

In the end of Mr. Hou’s speech, he summarized our class meeting and gave some precious suggestions to us. He advised us to attend as many lectures as possible, reread good books, and do some prewritings and so on and so forth. Mr. Hou talked to us as if we were friends and opened his heart to us, which totally moved each student on the spot.

Here is a picture of our big family.

We did not make much effort to invite Mr. Hou to be our special guest, whereas he made every effort to present us a perfect lecture. What he has done for us and what he has told us is like a seed that has been deeply rooted in our hearts. Though we can never ever thank our dearest Mr. Hou enough, we want to say something.

 

 

Mr. Hou, like the rest of our class, I am so so touched by your lecture. As a TA of you, I got to know how busy you are with your work. You are the person who would skip big dinner to save time for academics. But you just expended so much care and thought on our class meeting. With all the pictures, neither of us can imagine how much you’ve spent on the normal class meeting. You enlightened us with your own life. You gave to us students whatever you have, even sharing with us all of your certificates including your marriage one, and by the way, I really love it. You prepared various gifts for us but expected nothing in return, and you smiled so surprisedly and happily when receiving a cheap small notebook. How cute you are!

Mr. Hou, can’t thank u enough for your sharing and enlightening, I have every reason to appreciate what you give to us. Words are too poor to express how I feel for you. I just want to say I never met a teacher like you who are so sincere and selfless to every student especially in colleges. I just feel so lucky to get to know you in my postgraduate life. I have every reason to admire you and love you as a teacher.

——(万婷婷)Claire’s Letter for Mr Hou

Words fail to express our thanks to you, for you sincerely shared your own experience with us, for you made detailed preparation by showing special and meaningful cards, for you really regarded us as friends instead of students.

——Fanny（何滟秋）

We would forget today's class meeting 20 years later, but the 6 Ps and your own inspiring life story have engraved on our mind. Professor Hou, thank you so much!!

——Carrie and Coral（何珊瑚，廖佳丽）

This is the most considerate and inspiring teacher in SISU l have met. Each card he elaborately made well presented his love and responsibility towards us students.

——Gaby（曹颖）

The class meeting today is really an unforgetable and inspiring one. Mr.Hou,thank you very much for your whole hearted devotion and ingenious guidance.

 ——April（卢霞）

Professor Hou: Your life experience has aroused my desire to do better. You make me believe that if someone has a belief and sticks to it, he\she will succeed one day. Thanks for your excellent speech.

 ——Delia（孙玉伟）

We are grateful for your sharing of your life plan with us. It benifits us a lot. And your explanation of MA and PHD is very interesting and impressive.

——Rebecca and Maggie （冷雪莲，彭佳尧）

If there is a man firm in mind and tender in heart, you are the one.  

——Alice Wang (王端)

I sincerely appreciate your inspiration. You’re the godfather that God sends to me. 

——Vicky (李亚会)

Your elaborate P family cards and your sparkling explanations are the most impressive sceneries I have ever seen.

——Windy (冉飞)

     May the best you've ever seen be the worst you'll ever see. May a mouse never leave your girnal with a teardrap in his eye. May your stay hale and hearty until you are old enough to die. May you always be as happy as we wish you all to be.

 ——Alissa（庞婷）

      What an impressive and informative speech Professor Hou gave! Thanks a million! I’ll make my life plan in line with my potential and achieve my life blueprint someday. 

——Joyan (乔瑒)

Dear Mr.Hou, you really touched our heart today. It was very generous and considerate of you to lead us to your life plan and your course ideal. You pay much for what you get, which enlightened and moved us deeply. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you.

—— Licy（黄丽）

Mr.Hou, thank you for sharing so many things with us. My gratitude is beyond words. You are the very godfather we need. ——Jane（曹毅芳）

Thanks for your coming, Mr. Hou. Your speech touched me a lot and gave us a chance to know more about you. How cute you are ！*^o^*Thank you! 

——Shirley（赵雪亦）

Mr. Hou, thank you for your coming; thank you for your wellprepared speech; and thank you for your encouragment and enlightment on our postgraduate study. Thank you!

——Zoe，Evangeline，Cici, Shirley（曹湘洁，王娇，李丹丹，赵雪亦）

My dearest Mr. Hou, you are my John Keating (A teacher in the movie of “Dead Poets Society”) whom I was waiting for.

——Candy（李亚莲）

Professor Hou, thanks for your dedication to our class meeting, and what's more, your vivid, inspiring advice and guidances on postgraduates' three-year plan and your gift.

——Scott（杨明哲）

I want to express my gratitude to Professor Hou for his coming to our class meeting and his sharing of his experience to be a successful scholar. His experience greatly touches my heart and inspires me to try my best to strive for my goal.

——Melin（高梦婷）

A paragon of the teachers in SISU.

—— Google（杨谷）

A wordsmith, a guiding light in my life.

——Peter（潘翔）

If Mr. Hou smiles, my sky will get bright.

——Anna（陈慧）

 

 sorry i cannot upload more pictures. Hou