on and on / 停不了

出國倒數五天，本來計劃這幾天東西要開始收拾，Etsy的My Little Room暫時不要上新貨，但是每天腦筋轉啊轉的，一個想法引到下一個想法，居然睡五個多小時也不覺得累。再加上前幾天非常幸運了得到三筆交易，我又去美術行採購了一堆東西，我和好幾個朋友說，我的房間現在充滿一袋一袋的貨品，說是野田妹的房間也不為過。昨天終於硬著頭皮把東西裝箱，果然裝不下，於是我又跑回去畫畫當作是逃避。

I am starting to count down days before leaving. Today is my fifth last day in Taiwan. I planned to clean my room and desk. More importantly, I knew I shouldn't come up with new items on my Etsy webpage for the time being. But I can't stop my brain from turning. One idea develops into another automatically. I don't even feel tired even though I sleep so much less than usual. Besides, I was very very lucky to land three deals during the weekend, which made me go shopping in the art supply shop. Now my room is full of bags of things I bought, which reminds me of Nodame's messy space. Yesterday I finally pulled myself together to pack, and I couldn't put in everything! It was kind of frustrating so I went back to paint as a getaway.

真的走到包裝貨品這一步，和之前只是一味推出新貨感覺很不同，讀了很多Etsy的新聞通訊和其它商家的建議，我學到要把顧客當作家人，包裝的時候帶著誠意和愛，其實包裝的時間不見得少於創作，但是花這個時間和心力是必要的，我希望顧客收到作品時會發出讚嘆聲，更希望他的那一整天都因為這個包裹變成多彩多姿。然後我會想著，在這世界上的某一角掛著我獨一無二的作品，這對我來說真的是很大的肯定，就像凱特琳娜說的，我必須讓人知道，現在創作對我來說不只是好玩而已，我是很認真地對待這件事。今天早上和小雪在討論一件新商品時，我問她其他可能的顏色選擇，她說：反正會吸引到不同的人。我回：可是我得自己先覺得這是件好東西。如果我自己都沒有自信，怎麼去說服顧客呢？

Now I've come to the part of wrapping an artwork and mailing it out. That is very different from posting a new item on my web shop. I've read many newsletters from Etsy and other sellers' tips. I learned I have to view customers as my family. When I wrap their order, I have to do it with sincerity and love. As a matter of fact, it might take me more time to wrap than to create, but it's necessary to invest so much time and energy. I hope that when my customer receives the work, they'll wow with joy. Most of all, I hope the package will make his/her day. I'll constantly think, my unique work is hung somewhere in the world, which is a very important recognition for me. Like what Caterina said, I have to convey the message that  I do not create just for fun now. I am taking it very seriously. This morning when I was discussing a potential item with Mom, I asked her about options of other colors. She said, "Different combinations will attract different people." I replied, "Well, but first of all, it has to convince me. How can I promote something that I don't even have confidence in?"

我要一直不斷感謝很多很多幫助我的人，我會很努力很謙卑很有誠意很堅持地走下去，現在就先耕耘吧！

I want to thank you all, especially those who keep giving me a hand without giving me up. I'll persist with hard work, humility, sincerity and ambition. Now it's all for work!


本日一物：啟程去─原創抽象水彩畫作─39.6 cm x 27 cm

object of the day: set to sail--original abstract watercolor painting--39.6 cm x 27 cm

我的確有想重覆受歡迎的商品主題或內容，但是我的靈感真的是不受控制，所以我的商店裡東西風格會迥異。這一陣子想到我的人生，覺得還蠻好玩的，教書的時候想如果不朝九晚五，可能會不適應，但當時已經有些具先見之明的朋友和我說，我會很開心，本來還半信半疑的，現在看來他們挺了解我的。目前我要先駛往不同的方向，，不管未來如何，這一刻我過得很充實，也會感激有這樣的生活經驗。

I do intend to repeat the themes or styles of popular items, but my inspirations are out of control. So the items in my web shop vary greatly in all aspects. When I think of my life now, I find the change really interesting. I'd thought I would feel lost without a 9-to-5 job when I was still teaching. But then some girls told me that I would have a blast. I wasn't so sure then, but it looks like they did know me well. For the time being, I am going to sail in a different direction. Whatever happens in the future, I'm living the present moment to its fullest, and I will be thankful forever for such a beautiful life experience. 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/81070054/set-to-sail-original-abstract-watercolor