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Retired Actress Tam Ai-chen Finds Joy in New Hobbies

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Veteran actress Tam Ai-chen, who is retired and helps care for her grandson, is pursuing new hobbies.
  • She finds joy and relaxation in weekly Tai Chi and African drum classes.
  • Tam enjoys the learning process, even as the oldest student in her drum class, and feels a connection with her grandson's playful spirit.

Retired actress Tam Ai-chen, mother of influencer Ouyang Jing, is finding fulfillment in her golden years by embracing new learning experiences. While busy helping care for her grandson, Xin Jiang, in Tainan, Tam carves out time for activities that bring her joy and a sense of purpose.

For the elderly, it is about feeling relaxed and happy through the fun of new things.

— Tam Ai-chenExplaining her motivation for taking up new classes.

Tam describes her weekly Tai Chi class as a blend of fitness and spiritual practice. Her instructor shares wisdom on integrating Tai Chi principles into daily life, focusing on mind, body, and spirit. On Thursdays, she dives into the rhythmic world of African drumming, a class she likens to being a "senior child," finding happiness in the beats.

My weekly Tai Chi class on Mondays is for fitness and spiritual practice. Besides adjusting the body, the teacher constantly shares the wisdom of Tai Chi on how to integrate it into life and the mind, body, and spirit.

— Tam Ai-chenDescribing her Tai Chi class.

Despite being the eldest in her mixed-age drum class, Tam embraces the challenge. She admits to not always understanding the sheet music or keeping up with the rhythm, often laughing off her mistakes. However, she appreciates her patient and humorous teacher, and the younger students who offer guidance. Tam finds herself joyfully dancing to new music, even if her steps aren't perfect, feeling deeply immersed in the experience. She notes a playful connection with her grandson, Xin Jiang, observing that they share a similar spirit.

On Thursdays, the African drum class allows my mood to enjoy the rhythm, and I feel as happy as a 'senior child'.

— Tam Ai-chenDescribing her experience with the African drum class.

Looking ahead, Tam anticipates exploring even more new courses once her grandson Xin Jiang is older and her daughter Ouyang Jing has more free time. For now, she cherishes these moments of personal growth and enjoyment, proving that age is no barrier to discovering new passions.

Every time the teacher plays new music, I happily dance. I don't dance well, but I am very absorbed. Suddenly, I find that my grandson Xin Jiang is just like me.

— Tam Ai-chenReflecting on her enjoyment of the drum class and her connection with her grandson.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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