Dear colleagues,

I was very shocked when I read the news about the disastrous earthquake which occurred in southeast China on May 12, around 14:30 when most people were at work, children were at school.

The impact of the earthquake was tremendous. It not only caused immense damage at the main quake site, its impact was felt throughout China and its devastation shook the whole world. As most of you know, I was born in China and spent the first 20 years of my life in that country before I came to Canada. Personally, the impact of the quake was very emotional.

I couldn’t hold back my tears when I saw the photos about young kids buried and who had died together underneath the debris of their collapsed classroom buildings. At another school, in Qingchuan County, at least 178 children were confirmed dead, killed as they were having a midday nap. In Juyuan county, it is said that a whole generation of the town's children may be lost.

We do remember our childhood days, our carefree approach to life and the feelings that we would live forever as growing old was so far away. How these young children must have suffered! Today, we have our own daughters, sons, nieces and nephews who have the same dreams as the young children who perished in China and of the young survivors who have to live with the nightmares that will be with them forever. We are so fortunate to be living in a country such as Canada. I would like you to look at these links on the devastation which has just taken place. Please view them with caution as they may have an emotional impact on the viewer. The links are:

http://news.wenxuecity.com/messages/200805/news-gb2312-595951.html
http://bbs.comefromchina.com/forum79/thread565158.html

Since the centre of the tremor was located in a mountainous area where all the roads, bridges and infrastructures were destroyed, more than 100,000 people were believed still trapped underneath the debris almost 48 hours after the quake. Given the poor road conditions and down pouring rain, the rescue teams can only progress one meter at a time.

The healing process and the rescue process will go on for quite awhile and I feel the need for us to do something to help these victims transition to a "normal" way of life. They cannot do it on their own. They need support and a lot of help. Therefore, I am seeking your help in gathering donations from all of you, my dear co-workers, to help and support the survivors of this disaster in China.

Every penny will go a long way in helping them meet that goal and it will also help us know that we have contributed towards making their lives better. The amount is not the point. A penny is a penny! I will have a follow-up email to all of you once I donate all the collected money to the proper charity account that has been officially setup by China Red Cross, or you can donate through Canada Red Cross at https://www.paypaq.com/redcross/new/index.php and select "China Earthquake".

Thank you, thank you and thank you!

1. 你结婚是不是一时兴起？也许你刚刚看完 When Harry Met Sally， 也许你看到朋友和老公牵手在超级市场买东西，也许 Discovery 最近在介绍天鹅的作息，也许你再也受不了话中有话的亲威，也许你在公园看到一双恩爱的老夫老妻，也许你贪图两人同行巴厘岛打折的那个package.
2. 你结婚是不是因为时间到了？你参加婚礼同桌的同学都带了小孩，你看着他们觉得一个比一个可爱。大家在讨论哪家银行适合做房贷，你还在关心新的健身中心什么时候开。周末去跳舞你渐渐赶不上节拍，一个人坐着喝酒不再能吸引老外。你跟陌生男子说你大学时最喜欢的歌是 American Pie, 他说麦当娜这张专辑不是前年才出来？
3. 你和他结婚是不是因为已经在一起太久，现在分手过去十年就江水东流？你知道自己走路时臀部已经不会自动地扭，好久没有人对你唱关关雎鸠。你懒得再认识新人介绍自己在哪高就，对方微笑点头其实根本不只想做朋友。你懒得再e-mail 吃饭 慢慢喝红酒，没有时间再谈星座 ICQ 周末去挤 Warner Bros。你不想玩欲迎还拒关键时刻假装害羞，更不想交往后发现他要赶回家陪女儿玩家家酒。
4. 你跟他结婚是不是因为他像大学联招，所有的烂制度比起来他的缺点最少？他不够高但至少很会跳，他不够钱但至少工作很勤劳。和他亲热后的那种感觉，你到现在还不确定够不够好。但他至少会留下来给你一个拥抱，不会突然冰冷得像手术刀。
5. 你现在结婚是不是因为他催得很急，你才二十五他明年就三十七。他一直想在他妈七十大寿时送一个大礼，而你是他制作礼物的工具。
6. 你现在结婚晃是因为请帖已经付印，饭店的账都已事先付清，证婚人的时间好不容易敲定，现在反悔可能有人会把你们的故事拍成电影？

如果回答都不是，你是真的想嫁给他。恭喜所有结婚的人！