A special friend ~ Tom Bolling

I met a very special friend through facebook...
He is from Washington...
He is old and full of life's experience...
He love kendo very much, and be friend with people who love kendo from all around the world...
[Whoever holds a shinai is a friend of mine.]
He concerned about me very much...
Just like a friendly grandfather...

I am happy to met him as friend...
He is Tom Bolling...

I love to collect the conversations between him...
I learnt a lot...

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Dear Lansliyn:

Juncos and chickadees and hummingbirds and flickers are coming by for their breakfast at the birdfeeder. Red currant and red quince and yellow Oregon grape are blooming. Lots of tulips and daffodils... it's a beautiful morning here in Possum Hollow (as my wife Madelon calls our place ever since a family of possums were living under the back porch).Lansliyn, how is your Kendo going? I've been wondering...Lansliyn, since you think you're not pretty, I'd like to tell you that you're *VERY* pretty! I especially like your beautiful eyes, and I love your free-thinking spirit and happy philosophy. You're certainly pretty, Lansliyn, so please don't think you're not, OK?I'm interested in your work in traditional Chinese medicine... and I'm so glad we're friends.Talk with you soon, and take care...!!

Tom

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Dear tom:

Thank you very much...as you so concerning about me although we never meet each other...Recently busy with school activities:Family Day, Sports Day, Malaysian University English test...So, no kendo practise in most of the Saturdays...However, I had a very fun time during my previous kendo practise...We learnt a new way to hit people / chinnai...Actually I'm not very profesional in Chinese Medicine...My mom is working for a direct sale company,as the company sells tradisional Chinese Medicine from Inner Mongolia...I'm still a student, but I help my mom to get some business through Internet, so that I can earn more pocket money...Glad to hear from you soon...Thanks again for your compliment...~I think i'm not pretty, but i think i'm gorgeous!~Haha!*Sorry for my poor english, it may contain much grammer error*

Lansliyn HauYeen

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Dear Lansliyn HauYeen:

I took my shower and now I'm eating breakfast -- and I'm so delighted to find an instant reply from *YOU*...!I didn't know whether you like being called "Lansliyn" or "HauYeen"... which way do you like?Wow! Traditional Chinese medicine from Inner Mongolia...!! That's really fascinating! I'm glad you put all your school studies and activities first, before Kendo. My teacher 90-year-old Omoto Sensei says "If Kendo supports your life priorities, that's what it's for -- not the other way around." He'd be proud of you putting all your school stuff, and support of your mother, first.How about that Malaysian University English test...? Is that coming up, or have you had it already?Well, when I read your status note I felt worried... I know lots of very beautiful women who don't think they're good looking at all, and who worry all the time about their looks, when actually they are very lovely and attractive in every way. The so-called "beauty myth" concerns me, because I know that it causes a lot of suffering in millions of women everywhere. I really hate it if you are suffering because of fears about your looks.I totally agree that you are gorgeous... and I hope you really think that you are... because that's what I think!Well, as you know, I'm a reference librarian at the University of Washington here in Seattle. I work with students every day, including from Malaysia, and I think your English is just fine. I'm sure you will do great on the Malaysian University English test -- or already have, if you've taken it. And I certainly hope you will go to university. Do you have any particular major in mind? What's your dream for your life...?Omoto Sensei's golde words are: "Whoever holds a shinai is a friend of mine." So that's why I consider you my good friend, even though we haven't yet met in person. And I'm very grateful for your friendship.OK, now I'm going shopping. Talk with you soon, and take care...

Tom

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Dear Tom:

Hi, again...Lansliyn is my nickname on internet...Chan Hau Yeen is my real name... because i'm a chinese...Ofcoz, i touch kendo this activity because our school required us to choose one uniform team...And, our school is the only one secondary school in whole Malaysia that got kendo games...So, i try to enjoy myself as I never know what kendo is previously...Yes... My MUET exam was ended with 3 papers last Saturday...Still left the last test, Speaking test, on next Tuesday...I still really don't know what is my aim for life...I'm taking Science stream in my institution now... Physics...but recently, I found that I'm not interested with Physics...and also, with a bit regret...Ofcoz, I cannot stop study now... At least I need to take my final exam in December this year...Well, I'm interested in event organising or radio station, or even business...But some of those courses are available only in private college,as I'm not from a rich family, so I cannot study in those course...The only way is study in pre-U in government school, so that can reduce the cost...I'm wondering what is your job...You are so free to update Facebook everyday and even shopping!!Are you about 60-year-old..?So, you still working...?

From : Lansliyn HauYeen

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Dear HauYeen:

Not raining, but just a cool, misty maritime atmosphere... very refreshing today.YES I'm old... heh,heh,heh! I'm 67, and soon to be 68, but I have no intention of every retiring, because every day I have so much FUN, and I learn so much from people. Every morning when I wake up I'm excited and happy, and I bound out of bed, because I know I'm going to meet new people, learn new things, and grow in exciting ways every day.Yeah, I'm working... but honestly working in the library is so much like play that I'm kinda embarrassed to call it "work." I'm very very lucky, that I get paid for doing what I love, and that is meeting nice people and talking with them about their research projects and answering their questions. That's my job, and I *LOVE* it!Well, but the day that I told you I was going shopping was actually Sunday here, you know. Yeah, on Sundays I work at the library too, but not until late afternoon, from 5-9pm. So that's why I could go shopping in the morning. For example, right now it's about 11:00am Monday morning here in Seattle.So right now maybe it's almost when you may be taking the Speaking portion of the MUET, right? That's why I'm beaming you my warmest and strongest good vibes to support you during the test.I know you'll ace it anyway! You'll do just FINE, I'm sure.Well, I'm very glad you're planning to stick with physics until you finish your final exam in December. I'm sorry it's a little boring to you, but you'll always be glad you completed it. And then you may even have a clearer idea of which direction you'll take for the future of your ideal life voyage. Hold on to your dreams, HauYeen, and don't be afraid. Follow your heart, and doors will open where you didn't even know there were doors! Let your dreams grow and develop, and go ahead bravely. You're going to have a wonderful adventure of your life... I know you are! Meantime, I'd like to do anything I can to encourage you, because I have faith in you, and I believe in you. Well, right now I have to go. It's a busy day for me here. But it's wonderful talking with you, and I'll be eager to talk with you again soon.Take care, HauYeen!

Tom

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Dear Tom,

Hi...How are you..?Sorry for late reply...Quite busy recently for homework, report, decoration of board, cosmetic talk and my dad's birthday [on Labour's Day]...I just came back for Kendo practise...Although not practise for quite long time, but still not feeling tired...You work in libary...So, what is your job..?just talking to students..?Is it some kind of counseling..?Yes, maybe I need a long time to think what I want in future...For now, just try my best to do preparation for STPM exam...[Malaysia High Shcool Certificate]If good enough, maybe get some scolarship and do what I really interested in... Since when you learn Kendo?Do you have the highest level in it..?What make you love Kendo so much..?Hear from you soon...Yeah~ Happy belated Labour Day too!

~L@NsLiYn~

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Hi... Tom...Long time i didn't receive reply from you...Are u busy recently..?

From: HauYeen

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Dear dear HauYeen:

I'm very embarrassed and sorry that I did not reply to you sooner! Thank you so much for your sweet message today asking if everything's OK with me. YES, I'm busy, but I'm *NOT* to busy to neglect you! I'm just silly, that's all. You're very important to me, and I'm extremely glad you're my loyal friend and wrote to remind me I hadn't replied.Well, as I may've mentioned, because of "the economy," the University of Washington is actually laying off some employees, and CLOSING five of the branch libraries!! Physics, Chemistry, Drama, Fisheries/Oceanography, and Social Work Libraries are all closing! Can you believe it?!?People like me who still have their jobs have to do more... But I'm lucky, because I really LOVE my job. So I'm delighted to do more.HauYeen, I'm so proud of you for going back to Kendo practice! It's wonderful that you weren't tired afterwards, even though you hadn't been there for a while. Yes, you could say my job is similar to a kind of counseling. People who are working on their research projects often need help in finding or interpreting resources to support their hypotheses, and it's my job to help them find whatever they need. Usually it's probably not as formal as "counseling," and the questions don't have to take very long, but sometimes the help I'm giving may continue for months or even years. It's very interesting and rewarding. Every morning when I wake up, I know I'm going to learn new things I've never even heard of because of people's questions... so I'm growing every day along with the students and faculty I'm helping. It's really fun. Right now it's quite busy, because Spring Quarter is the end of the academic year, and it's an especially intense time for research reports and papers being completed.Well, I started learning Kendo on January 5, 1979, and I started Iaido on March 7, 1979, so 30 years for both. I'm 4th Dan in Kendo, and 5th Dan in Iaido. Usually I just say "Kendo" but I'm including both Kendo and Iaido when I talk, because for me, Iaido is just a branch of Kendo. Anyway, I'm not really very good at either of them, but they are so deeply integrated into everything in my life and thinking that I can't imagine my life without them. I can give you lots of reasons why I like them, but the basic reason is that I just CAN'T STAY AWAY from them.I don't think anyone can force herself or himself to practice Kendo. It's too hard, and too stupid! But if you just can't stay away, then you are a true kenshi, don't you think?Maybe there's no good reason to practice Kendo, HauYeen... maybe we're just crazy! Maybe "normal" people would never practice Kendo...!How about you? What makes you love Kendo so much, HauYeen?By the way, I added links to both your L@NsLiYn roars~ Blogspot, and your LaNsliYn 孝燕 Hau Yeen on Friendster.... and I love them both!!I love the cute pictures of beautiful YOU, HauYeen, and all your funny and cheerful jokes. (Your eyes aren't small, you know... they're PERFECT just the way they are... so pleaseHauYeen, I trust you did well on your STPM exams...HauYeen, thanks so much for writing to me, and I'm eager to hear from you again soon. I do love hearing from you, even if I'm clumsy about replying. For now, take care, and talk with you soon...

Tom

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HauYeen,

I sent that too hastily, so here are a couple of corrections:YES, I'm busy, but I'm *NOT* so busy as to neglect you!(Your eyes aren't small, you know... they're PERFECT just the way they are... so please don't do anything to change them. I like all of you just EXACTLY the way you are...!!)See, I told you I'm clumsy...!! But I do treasure you...

Tom

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Dear Tom:

I'm glad finally received reply from you...It shows you still in healthy and good condition...My mid-year examination finished last Friday...Really a lot of questions I cannot do...I admit that I'm a bit lazy since I entered Form 6...Tonnes of homework made me feel dizzy...When looking at the pages of whole small tiny words, I feel asleep,then ended it on my bed...I think I will fail few subjects again in this test...I was surprised by the news of 5 banches of library are closed...I'm wonder why the economy will effect the library system...It just thousands of books on the shelf, will that effected by economy issue..?Then how to handle those books later on?About your job, how the students call you..?Uncle Tom of Professor..?Do you train for kendo every day?In my school, some of the members really sicked of Kendo...But half of the Kendo club members, go for practise just to fulfil the attendance list...Because, when we apply for any local university in Malaysia, besides our academic certificate, the certificate of cocuriculum also required...For example, if the student got excellent result in academic, but he is not active in any co-curiculum, the university would have reason to reject him...Therefore, some people really forced themselves to practise kendo...Actually I'm also considered as same group as them...But after few months, I enjoyed with whole body sweating during the training...And I have the chance to shout...(because we need to 'ki-ai')...Haha... I hope you understand what I'm talking about with my poor English...Thanks for your compliment about my blog...Sorry for sometimes I write it in Chinese, and you would not be understand what I'm writing on blogspot...Many friends told me that I have really small eyes when I smile...That's why I hope I have big eyes because it looks prettier... Haha...Did you come to Malaysia before?I'm glad that you are willing to write to me for so long pages...I was surprised that I never have a friend that older than me for tens years...(Erm... I'm not saying that you are old... But you are full of experience!)Hope to hear from you soon...

From: HauYeen

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