my beloved city / 我鍾愛的城市

二十三歲離開家去美國讀書，抱的是種遠走高飛的心情，以為離開就可以找到快樂，那一年我跌跌撞撞，不盡是開心的經驗，但是我學習了長大。之後我一直想，如果再一次出國長居，我肯定會找到適合自己生活的方式，本來都只是想想，現在真的要再離去，我連出發之前的心情都迥異，這十一年我學著喜歡我的城市，改變我的性格和想法，因為真心喜歡這裡的人事物，面對家人朋友的感傷，我總是笑笑地說：很快就回來了。

When I went to the States for studies at the age of 23, I considered it a perfect getaway that would reverse my life and the only secret to happiness. It turned out that I was constantly groping for my way. Not every moment was pleasant, but I learned to grow up. Afterwards, when I looked back on the year, I kept thinking that if I had another chance to live abroad for a while, I would for sure find a balance within myself. It was merely wishful thinking, but now it's becoming the reality. However, this time, I take a completely different attitude even before departure. In the past eleven years, I have come to love my city and changed my personalities and ways of thinking. This place, full of beautiful people and sites, is such a huge part of my life that when faced with folks and friends' sentimentality, I always reply with assurance, "Before you know it, I will be home again..."

不想空手離去，我開始記錄台北的天空，以前追逐異國的雲朵，現在我要把家鄉的雲彩放在第一位。

Not wanting to leave empty-handed, I began to record the sky of Taipei. I used to chase after the clouds in foreign countries, but now it's my beloved city that matters the most.

夏日傍晚六點半的台北市 / the cityscape of Taipei at 6: 30 pm on a summer day 

夏日傍晚窗外的台北 / Taipei outside my window on a summer evening 

夏日早晨五點多的台北 / Taipei at 5:30 am on a summer morning 

夏日早晨的台北101 / Taipei 101 on a summer morning 

更重要的是天空下的人情，離開之際收到禮物和祝福，一路為我的夢想鋪路的小蕙，從最早的激勵，到倫敦的友人安排和地鐵卡都幫我準備好；還有總是讓我靠著的家人，怕我忘記他們，這個暑假安排無數的吃吃喝喝玩玩；一直嚷嚷我得上MSN才能和他聊天的小方，説他才不會忘記我；默默支持我的小朋友，給我一路的溫暖；工作上的同事也塞給我滿滿的鼓勵，並且幫我守著辦公室的空位。親愛的朋友都要陪我飛行，歐洲的友人都準備好要出發去倫敦拜訪我了，連透過六度分離介紹給我的倫敦新朋友也紛紛連絡我，我還想，再給我一點時間和愛的人說再見。

The sky is beautiful because underneath it is the love between me and my people. I have been showered with best wishes and gifts. Hui literally prepared the whole package for me from inspiring me to go to the UK to hooking me up with her friend in London and giving me the oyster card. My dear family, who is always my shoulder, is so afraid that I will leave them behind that we've been touring and eating and enjoying life this whole summer. Von has reminded me several times to get on MSN so that he can chat on a regular basis with me like in Taipei. He promises never to forget me. Also, my present and past kids have delivered sincere wishes to last for a whole year. My colleagues at work can't help but send encouragement and vibes and guard my empty seat in the office. Dear Dee will fly with me to London, friends from Europe have planned to travel to London for a visit, and even new friends introduced through six degrees of separation have contacted me. I still think, give me some more time to say goodbye to those I love...