TWiST Newsletter Issue No.187 Is Out!

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Editor’s Note

Half of 2023 has passed, and the hot summer has arrived. Taiwan’s summers seem to be growing hotter and longer, possibly because of climate change. Carbon emissions are among the main causes of rising global temperatures, which could eventually lead to irreversible consequences. Slowing global warming is something each of us can help achieve.

This issue’s theme is “Life After Retirement,” a topic not previously covered in the newsletter’s first 186 issues. This issue and the next two will focus on retired women in science and technology.

How do retired women in technology spend their time? Their lives may not differ greatly from those of retirees in other fields. After leaving their professional roles, they may travel, join clubs, volunteer, learn new things, exercise, or spend time with their grandchildren. Everyone approaches retirement differently. This issue invites Tsung-Tsan Su, Hsiu-Ju Chen, Pin-Pin Tsai, and Hsun-Ling Pai to share their fulfilling retirement experiences and interests.

Life｜ After retiring from the Materials and Chemical Research Laboratories at the Industrial Technology Research Institute, Tsung-Tsan Su joined various clubs, participated in arts and cultural activities, exercised, travelled, and volunteered. She actively manages her Facebook page, sharing plant growth, club activities, and useful knowledge. She also values friendships and frequently attends class reunions. Retirement has given her more time to enjoy lifelong learning and connect with friends. As she says, “If it involves food, drinks, travel, or fun, I’m interested!”

Career｜ After retiring as the general manager of a pharmaceutical company, Hsiu-Ju Chen began exploring new interests and relationships. She participated in community volunteering and took gardening and painting classes, expanding both her artistic interests and social circle. She also joined international women’s organizations supporting disadvantaged women and girls. These activities brought her happiness and fulfilment while strengthening her family relationships. She also exercises, practises yoga, and maintains a healthy diet.

Spotlight｜ After retiring from the National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Pin-Pin Tsai embraced the belief that “to live is to move,” while remaining mindful of her abilities. Her retirement includes music groups, choirs, wind ensembles, solo singing, and vocal ensembles. She also completed long-postponed projects, including renovating her home, organizing her father’s belongings, and donating specimens and large stones to relevant organizations. Through book clubs, she studies neuroscience and promotes public understanding of the brain. She also maintains regular exercise and strength training to keep her body and mind active.

Feature Report｜ After retiring from National Chiao Tung University, Hsun-Ling Pai began exploring the meaning of the divine and pursuing greater integration of body, mind, and spirit. Her interests range from metaphysics to natural farming. She became a meditation facilitator and guides participants through meditation and free writing to develop deeper self-understanding. By offering diverse, interfaith wellness courses, she provides people with different personalities and beliefs more options for personal and spiritual growth. For her, retirement is not an ending but the beginning of a new life.

Original Articles in Issue 187

• Feature Report: “Walking Outward and Inward toward a New Life” — Hsun-Ling Pai

• Spotlight: “Life After Retirement” — Pin-Pin Tsai

• Career: “From a Demanding Career to a Fulfilling Retirement” — Hsiu-Ju Chen

• Life: “My Retirement Life” — Tsung-Tsan Su

For more content, please visit the newsletter: http://www.twepress.net/resources/tfst/item/1418-tfst187