in my dream / 在夢裡

花了兩天神遊去泰國，完全把畫圖這件事晾在一邊。

I spent two whole days traveling to Thailand in my imagination, totally leaving behind my drawing kits and sketchbooks. 

結果昨晚在夢裡我一直在尋找我的速寫本，花了很大的心力卻還是找不到。

I ended up looking for my new sketchbook in my dream last night. It took me much effort only to find nothing. 

於是當外面的人潮湧向燦爛聲光，我要安安靜靜地在屋子裡用線條和顏色迎接新年。

So when the crowds outside welcome the dazzling sounds and lights, I am going to utter in the new year with lines and colors in the house, in a very quiet manner...

Cultural tour in Taipei / 台北文化之旅

攝於田園城市書店．台北 / photo taken in Gardencity Bookstore, Taipei 

從倫敦回到台北之後，我很積極地想要多認識我生長的城市，於是我參加北藝大的文化散步之旅，有老師介紹大同中山區小巷裡的書店和文創事業。

Since coming back to Taipei from London, I have felt the urge to know more about my city. Thus, when I discovered the cultural walking tour held by Taipei National University of the Arts, I was rather thrilled. The tour of December is about the bookstores and cultural and creative industry in Datong and Zhongshan Districts in Taipei, which used to be the major business hubs. 

第一站是捷運雙連站一號出口附近的田園城市書店，圖中的老闆以台灣在地的出版品為主，雖然不是主流的書店，但是老闆致力把很有台灣味的書籍推銷到國外。店內也有插畫作品，有興趣的朋友可以投稿。

The first stop is Gardencity Publishers and Bookstore near exit 1 of Shuanglian MRT Station. The owner, as you can see in the middle of the photo, focuses on publishing books written by Taiwanese authors and about Taiwan. Then they are translated into other languages and promoted abroad. There are also illustrated publications in the form of picture books more for adults. If you are interested, why not take a try? 

書店樓下是個小巧優雅的展間，老闆強調展覽多以有「人」的味道為主，下一檔由幾位攝影家上場，主題是以影像爲情書，明年一月五日開展。

The basement of the bookstore is a small but tasteful exhibition room. The publisher emphasizes that they are particularly interested in works that center around people or handmade feel. The upcoming exhibit, starting from Jan. 5, is about love letters in the form of visual images by several photographers. 

在這家店我一直想到半年前於倫敦的Nobrow之旅，雖然當時總覺得回來之後不會有那麼豐富的資源，但現在卻因爲自己願意走出去感到慶幸，台灣也有很多在爲文化藝術努力的人們。

During our stay in this bookstore, I recalled the trip to Nobrow in London half a year ago. Back then I had the idea that there wouldn't be so many resources in Taipei. Now I am glad that I have taken a step forward, thus realizing that many Taiwanese are actually working hard for art and culture. 

攝於台灣好．店 / photo taken at Lovely Taiwan Shop 

第二站是捷運中山站附近的台灣好．店，這是幾位原本反對見蘇花高的企業家轉念，想爲台灣的文化事業有所貢獻的成果。

The second stop is Lovely Taiwan Shop near Zhongshan MRT station. The foundation Lovely Taiwan was founded by several entrepreneurs who were brought together by their common goal to protest against the construction of freeways in the east Taiwan. Later, they decided to turn their opposition into positive contribution. Their ideal is to do something for the cultural industry of Taiwan. 

台灣好．店的主要理念除了推銷台灣藝術家的作品外，也和原住民及弱勢族群合作，賦予每件商品故事，藉此讓顧客更瞭解台灣文化，在店裡我們吃了台中女子監獄受刑人做的巧克力，也喝了921後台中茶農為了自立種植的森林紅茶，更學到原來現在國外觀光客來到台灣，想體驗的是在地的台灣經驗，而文創也是旅行的一部份。

Apart from promoting artworks by Taiwanese artists, the foundation also cooperates with the minority groups in Taiwan. They stress the importance of stories behind every product. In this way, customers  get to learn more about Taiwan. In the shop we sampled chocolate made by female prisoners in Taichung. Also, we tasted black tea planted by farmers who would like to be on their own feet again after the famous 921 Earthquake. Most of all, I was surprised to hear that now international tourists make it a point to experience Taiwanese culture on their trips here, in which the creative industry plays an important part. 

我在幾個月前就買了照片中台客藍出產的白色馬克杯，不僅每天上班很喜悅，這個美麗的杯子也受到很多同事青睞。

I bought one of the white mugs shown in the photo above, designed by a Taiwanese artist two months ago. It not only brings me great joy at work but also attracts the attention of many colleagues. 

攝於日星鑄字行 / photo taken at Ri Xing Type Foundry  

整趟散步之旅中我最期待的就是去日星鑄字行，兩個月前在報紙上讀到有關鑄字行的介紹就一直想親訪，這家店是台灣唯一僅存的鑄字行，現在不只是一家店，也有歷史古蹟的意涵。

I was most looking forward to visiting Ri Xing Type Foundry on the walking tour. Since reading about it in the newspapers two months ago, I had wanted to take a look at the shop in person. Ri Xing is the only type foundry left in Taiwan now. It is more than a shop; in fact, there is much historic significance to it. 

店內有英文字及好幾款大小不同的中文字模，顧客可以慢慢挑選。

There are English and Chinese typefaces in various sizes, and the customers can take their time to select the words they are looking for. 

我已經想到可以如何運用這些資源，下次我要帶很多錢回到鑄字行採買！

It has occurred to me how to make use of these resources. Next time I'll go back to the foundry, with a BIG budget! 

The magic channel / 神奇通道

有一天回家看到孩子們在點著橘色燈光的書房裡看書，我不禁也坐下來，殊不知這是一個瘋狂故事的開始，孩子問我晚上要去哪裡，我不想說去研習這種無聊的答案，便胡亂想了個畫面：我要去緊接著森林的海邊，可以看到繁星。因為把畫面說得太誘人，要出門之前兩個小男孩居然依依不捨地站在門邊說：我們也好想去，下次可以帶我們去嗎？

I found the boys nestled in the study all warmed by the orange-color light upon coming home from work one day. I couldn't help sitting down on the floor along with them, but little did I know that this was the beginning of a very wacky story. The children asked me where I was going the same evening. Because I didn't want to give a boring answer such as attending a seminar, I made up an answer with a beautiful visual image: I am going to the sea adjacent to the forest, and from there, you'll see a whole sky of stars. I guess I gave too tempting an answer that before I left, the boys lingered at the door begging me to take them along next time. 

其實男孩們會如此心動適因爲我把所有他們喜歡的卡通都編進去故事裡，連我最近很著迷的仁顯皇后的男人也來湊一角，楷維很喜歡男主角金鵬道的馬，我們就讓牠藏在森林裡。不滿足只用文字敘述，我們決定把故事畫下來，這是我們命名為神奇通道的故事，從這裡孩子們可以去到他們想去的任何地方。

The major reason why the boys are so into the story is that I include all their favorite cartoons and books in it. I also make my recent favorite Korean drama part of it. Kai loves the horse of the protagonist,  so we hide it in the forest near the sea. Not satisfied with mere verbal description, we decide to draw the story, which we name "The Magic Channel." From here, the boys can go wherever they want to.

只能說和我在一起的孩子很快樂，但得有很強烈的現實感才行啊！

Though I can guarantee I can make kids very happy, but they gotta have a very strong sense of reality!

Shakespearan week / 莎士比亞週

這週和莎士比亞特別有緣，讀赫胥黎的「美麗新世界」剛好讀到引言莎翁的部份，而倫敦的妹妹們從莎伯伯的故鄉寄來了明信片。

I think my theme of the week is Shakespeare. I am currently reading the part with many quotes from his plays in The Brave New World. And the young girls in London sent me  a postcard from Stratford-upon-Avon earlier this week. 

年初帶嘉蕊去亞方鎮慶生，年尾嘉蕊帶勵雯去亞方鎮慶生，在台北的我也因此受惠，現在回頭看在倫敦的日子很美好，但我的懷念裡從來沒有一絲感傷，因為我知道漣漪效應會一直持續下去⋯

I took Jazel on a birthday trip to Stratford-upon-Avon at the beginning of this year, and Jazel took Liwen there for her birthday at the end of the year. Though in Taipei, I benefited from them both too. I know how fantastic my year in London was when I look back on it, but there is never a tinge of  sadness. That's because I know the ripple effect will last and expand in my life now... 

My Book / 我的書

過了兩個星期每天做數小時電腦排版的生活，今天終於把我的書送去信誼比賽了。這兩週裡得到很多人的幫助，包括家人看了我同一張圖無數個版本，辦公室的同事每天被我糾纏問Indesign和Photoshop，連印刷公司的員工也無償地幫我修檔案，遠在義大利的凱特也拉我一把。好像是說，當你很想達到某個目標時，全世界都會聯合起來幫助你。

I spent hours doing the layout for my book every day during the past two weeks. Today I finally sent the book to the publisher for the picture book contest. God showered me with help during this period of time. There was Caterina in Italy, who read the book for me before I started the layout design. My family had to go through the repeated process of selecting the best image out of several similar ones for me. My colleague Anna in the office was constantly pestered because of my ignorance in Indesign and Photoshop. Even the employees in the printing company offered their help without charging me extra. I feel because I wanted to achieve the goal really badly, the whole world was united to help my dream come true. 

印成書之後念給楷維聽，聽到我說這本書之後就會離開我們一陣子，他很捨不得。不過當我的星星正在飛翔之際，離下個比賽的時間不到一個月，我心裡還有好多好多要說的故事⋯

After I had the book printed, I read it to Kai. He didn't want to part with the book upon hearing that it would be away for a while. Well, when my stars are flying, I have less than one month before the next competition is due. And there are so many other stories I want to tell...

Go with the flow / 順勢而爲

去看了「逆光飛翔」，女主角說，很多事發生並不是在阻撓我們前進，而是要幫助我們達到夢想。

I went to the Taiwanese film Touch of the Light. The heroine says, what happens along the way is not there to stop us from reaching our goals. In fact, the setbacks are meant to take us closer to our dreams. 

只要我們傾聽生命的聲音，順勢而為。

As long as we LISTEN to what life wants to say and go with the flow. 

Codega / 點燈者

中古世紀的威尼斯有一種職業稱為點燈者，你雇用他在夜晚為你點著燈籠，照亮前方的路，把小偷和惡魔嚇跑，在黑暗的街裡守護你，給你依靠。

摘自於伊利莎白吉伯特之托斯卡尼的豔陽下

In Venice in the Middle Ages there was once a profession for a man called a codega--a fellow you hired to walk in front of you at night with a lit lantern, showing you the way, scaring off thieves and demons, bringing you confidence and protection through the dark streets. 

excerpt from Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert 

When the rain stops / 雨停了

清晨，雨停了，我在微微的昏迷中享受安靜的美好。

In the morning, the rain stops. I savor the beauty of silence in half-awakeness. 

出門的路上，有句話從心頭冒出來：這世界不全然是美麗的，但我要當一道光。

A sentence pops out of my mind on my way out: This world is not all beautiful, but I want to be the light.

about djembe / 打鼓和人生

儘管用單一的節奏重複打著鼓面，我卻不時亂了腳步，老師說，此時就打低音，果然那低沈的鼓音有穩住節奏的效果。

I found that I sometimes lost my tempo though there was only one set of rhythms. The instructor said, at moments like this, just go for the bass beats. The low and heavy sounds did help to keep the rhythms steady. 

和ㄧ群陌生人打鼓，每個人有自己的節拍，卻有共鳴的可能。反而是和家人，居然一片雜音，老師又說，也許是我們不知道自己的拍子，或者我們沒有聆聽別人的鼓聲。

There is the possibility of harmony when we play the djembe with strangers though everyone has their own rhythms. However, we might end up in cacophony when performing with people whom we think we know well. The instructor suggested that it's either because we don't know our tempos or because we do not listen to one another. 

我要像低音一樣穩如泰山，我不會輕易被拉著鼻子走。

I want to be as firm as the bass beats. You can't lead me by the nose.

i am not crying / 我沒有在哭

上週收到世界展望會的通知，我贊助的對象居然從馬拉威弟弟換成換了尼日的小男童，明明出國之前小弟還祝我長壽，才能一直資助他，打電話詢問細節之後，才知道馬拉威弟弟全家搬出了計畫區，小姐還安慰我說，也許弟弟家庭環境變好也不一定。

Last week I received a letter from World Vision. It was not until then that I realized I am actually sponsoring a little boy Abassi from Niger instead of Mphande from Malawi, whom I'd sponsored for several years. It was quite unexpected for me because right before I left for the UK, Mphande wished me a long life so that I could offer him help for an extended period. I called up the organization and one lady explained that Mphande and his family had moved out of the sponsored area. She said maybe his family had become better off financially. 

今天在捷運上，聽見一個小男孩對外婆說：我一直流眼淚，但我沒有在哭。說話的口氣及話裡的真誠很昂貴。

During my MRT ride today, I heard a little boy saying to his grandma, "Somehow my eyes are shedding tears, but I am not crying." The beauty and innocence of his words were so priceless. 

突然想上網查非洲地圖，尼日在非洲西部靠中間，馬拉威小小的，塞在東南部，男孩的眼睛裡也下雨嗎？

I have a sudden urge to look up the map of Africa. Niger is in the west of Africa, in fact, kind of close to the centre. Malawi is rather small, tucked between some countries in the southeast. Is it raining in the boys' eyes too?

Two pairs of hands / 兩雙手

前兩天躺在沙發上看電腦，楷維跑過來說：你的衣服捲起來了，這樣會感冒，於是他很細心地幫我把四端的衣角都拉好。

Two days ago while I was lying on my back staring at the laptop on the sofa, Kai saw me and said, "The edges of your T-shirt curl up. You'll catch a cold." He insisted on making them smooth and flat for me before going away. 

昨天去非洲鼓課，課程要結束時大家的手心又紅又腫，老師說兩兩一組互相幫彼此搥背，此時身邊的單身女性突然把偶數都用完，只剩離我有點遠的ㄧ位先生，而那些分完組的女性對著我們說：你們就一組吧！我還來不及感到尷尬，先生就大方地走過來說我幫你吧！我坐下之後，他的雙手替我把帽子拉上，很細心地拉平我的衣服之後才開始搥背，那是練過優人神鼓，跳舞像太極一般優雅的中年男子。下課之前我們互相感謝，大家帶著喜悅的心情不留下任何痕跡地再度踏上自己的旅程。

Yesterday I attended a workshop on djembe. At the end of the lesson, everyone's palms were red and swollen. The instructor wanted us to pair up and massage each other's back. Suddenly my dilemma as a single gal surfaced again. Before I could react, the other single women near me had found partners. Only a middle-aged gentleman who was kind of far away from me was left. At this moment, the single ladies looked at us suggesting, "Why don't you two form a group?" No sooner had I begun to feel embarrassed than he came up to me saying, "I'll help you." After I sat down, he pulled up my hood and    flattened my T-shirt with tenderness first. It was a gentleman who is as elegant as a tai-chi master. Then we thanked each other for the beautiful encounter and went on our own life journey without leaving any contacts at all. 

這兩雙手，熟悉或陌生，都如此充滿善意。

These two pairs of hands, whether intimate or foreign, are both so full of good will. 

Brown rice / 糙米飯

這幾天迷上看「深夜食堂」漫畫，雖然其中的食物很吸引人，但對我來說更動人的是每ㄧ道菜背後的人的故事，這一部書在下雨天讀療癒的效果特別強大。

I have been addicted to the Japanese comic series--Shinya Shokudo about a restaurant that is open from midnight to 7 a.m. The cook prepares all kinds of food, as long as you name it for his late-night customers. Though the food described in the comics are very tempting, for me, it's the stories behind every dish that tug at my heartstrings. Reading the books on rainy days has a strong healing effect.

受到漫畫的影響，今天下班之後很想畫食物的速寫，於是我盯著餐桌上的一盒糙米飯，一粒一粒地畫了起來，觀察著每一顆米不同的姿態，原本有些浮躁的心情漸漸沈澱，取而代之的是平靜的喜悅。

Influenced by the comics, I felt like drawing sketches of food after work today. I stared at a box of cooked brown rice on the table and started to draw it grain by grain. As I observed the difference and position of every grain, I gradually calmed down. In the end, my whole being was filled with peaceful joy. 

雖然我很努力地用科學家的態度面對世界，但我不得不說食物也有生命，它們自有和人們交流的方式。

Though I've been trying to look at the world from a scientist's perspective, but I can't help thinking, food has life too and it interacts with people in its peculiar ways. 

Big wolf / 大野狼

大野狼真不好畫！

Wolves are hard to draw! 

Travel with imagination / 想像力的旅行

今天在準備明天的專題課內容，看了好幾次「波特小姐」的電影片段，因此想到去湖區的旅行，不如畫一張圖緬懷過去美好的時刻吧！

While preparing the teaching materials for tomorrow's advanced course, I watched the film segments of Miss Potter for several times. My trip to the Lake District thus came to mind. And my way of re-living the lovely moments was certainly to draw a picture! 

Draw a line / 劃一條線

繼幾個月前楷維在我的白蘋果上用色筆畫幾筆後，這幾天他又偷偷在我的畫稿上多畫了兩顆頭，於是我們又得搬出他最怕的「劃一條線」政策，本來想罰他兩天不能到我家畫畫，但楷維的小阿姨堅持我對孩子太好，我硬是把兩天改成一個星期。

After the previous episode of scribbling on my Macbook a few months ago, Kai couldn't control his urge to doodle on my drawing again. We had to resort to the punishment that really works for him: Draw a line. He can't come to our place to play with us. At first it was supposed to last for two days, but Kai's youngest aunt Tsung insisted that I treat the boys too well. I thus forbade Kai to come for a week.

從那天開始，楷維只能在他家門口和我們微笑揮揮手，第二晚我忍不住走過去看他一個人在玩什麼，看他落單的樣子我問：是不是很寂寞？他答：很寂寞。小阿姨聽見有人交談的聲音走過來對我說：你就不要理他啊！我只好摸著頭滾回家。

From that day on, Kai could only smile and wave at us at the door to their apartment. On the second evening I couldn't help walking over to check on him. Seeing him alone, I asked, "Are you lonely?" He replied, "I am." When Tsung heard us talk, she came over saying to me, "You should leave him alone!" I then quickly ran away.

其實大人懲罰小孩並不總是痛快的，我也感到有些寂寞，那一條線其實像一道牆，我只好把剩餘的愛心用到同一棟某個小胖弟身上。

To be honest, adults don't always enjoy punishing children. I also felt kind of lonely. That thin line, for me, is as thick as a wall. I even had to give my love to a chubby boy I met that day in the elevator.

一個星期不到，愛雪把楷維抱過來，說：這樣你並沒有越界喔！但同時我們這些想堅守陣營的人認真地問：一個星期到了嗎？

Three days later, Mom held Kai in her arms and brought him over, saying, "See, you do not cross the line at all!" Meanwhile, we, who'd like to be persistent, asked in confusion, "Has it been a week?"

這麼多大人，這麼多不同調的規矩，難怪小孩聰明得可以快速抓住每個人的性格和弱點，所以要實行我最近掛在嘴邊的名言：立場堅定原則一致的人最後一定會獲得尊敬，真不容易。

There are so many adults with so many rules of their own. No wonder children are always quick to see through us and have their ways. It's a bumpy road to put my recent motto into practice: Those who are consistent in what they do will eventually win respect.

MFEO / 天生一對

昨天在報紙上讀到一位少年的故事，他的爸爸媽媽都是盲人，在遇見彼此之前就都失明了，少年還和他們開玩笑，說要不要由他來和他們說彼此的長相。

I read about a teenager's story yesterday in the papers. His parents are both blind, and before they met each other, they had lost their sight. The boy even offered to describe their looks jokingly. 

沒有了雙眼卻還遇得到對方，這個故事讓我很有信心，因為我不是視而不見的人。

The couple didn't miss each other despite their blindness. The story gives me much faith because I am not someone who doesn't see...

What's REAL / 真實

週一收到兩封信，有關我為何關了臉書。週二收到兩份禮物，來自離我很近和很遠的友人。不用臉書之後的生活，我和過去和虛擬世界做切割了，但是我在真實的人際關係裡感到再腳踏實地不過，快樂也是，傷心也是。

I received two letters this Monday from friends who are concerned about why I closed my fb account.  I got two gifts this Tuesday from a friend who lives close and a friend who lives faraway. In my life without facebook, I have cut off my connection with the past and the virtual world. But I feel so down-to-earth in my real-life relationships, whether it be joy or sadness. 

Like the watermelon / 像西瓜一樣

小方的奶奶從台南帶了又大又黃的西瓜，我忍不住爲它畫一張圖，雖然夏天早已結束，但是那甜美滋味久久不散去。

Von's granny brought a giant watermelon from Tainan. Seeing the babe, I couldn't help drawing a sketch of it. Though summer was long over, I could feel its sweetness still lingering on.

小方看我把西瓜從冰箱搬到書桌上，十萬分專注地畫著，不禁說：汪達姨真的很愛畫圖呢！連吃的東西也想畫！我答道：它實在長得太漂亮了！

I moved the watermelon from the fridge to the study. As I was totally engrossed in drawing, Von exclaimed, "Auntie Wanda, you really love drawing. You can't stop yourself from drawing food!" I replied, "That's because it's so beautiful!"

但小方不知道的是，我們倆的愛都像西瓜ㄧ樣，充滿著清澈的重量。

But there is something Von doesn't know for the moment. Like the watermelon, his and my love is both weighty with seemingly-light transparency.

Milky Way Trail / 銀河步道

攝於貓空．台北 / photos taken in Maokong, Taipei 

200,000 / 二十萬

亞得琳說根據某個研究，每個人在地球上有約二十萬的靈魂伴侶，換句話說，如果我們每天和不同的人談戀愛，也要活上五百四十八年才能遇見所有有緣人。這個說法讓我對人生又充滿了希望⋯

Adeline told me that according to a study, each of us has about 200,000 soul mates on earth. I did a little bit of math. In other words, we can be in love with a new person every day for 548 years, if we get to live that long. Because of the theory, I feel very hopeful about my yet-to-come love life.

Persimmon / 柿子

這週得到三顆橘色柿子作為小禮物，其中一顆成為我的週末觀察對象。

I got three persimmons as gifts from two very lovely colleagues this week. One of them became my weekend object of observation.

Observe / 觀

現在我在學習當個科學家，一切從客觀的觀察開始，我的第一個對象是很有造型的大同電鍋。

Now I am learning to be a scientist. I start by observing the world objectively. My first object is the well-designed Tatung cooker. 

the little horse is newlY / 新生的小馬

新生的小馬

康明斯著

小馬剛

出生）他什麼也不懂，卻能感覺

一切，他身邊圍繞著

全然的陌

生 （有陽

光和香氣和

歌聲）處

處是（擁抱他

的夢境：令人驚艷的）

世界，而在

這個世界裡有美麗

地堆疊的、呼

吸的、茁

壯的寂靜，是

某個

人

the little horse is newlY

by e. e. cummings

the little horse is newlY 

Born) he knows nothing, and feels 

everything; all around whom is

perfectly a strange

ness(Of sun 

light and of fragrance and of 

Singing) is ev

erywhere (a welcom

ing dream: is amazing)

a worlD. and in 

this world lies: smoothbeautifuL

ly folded; a (brea

thing a gro

Wing) silence, who;

is: somE

oNe

Caterina's Chinese words 2 / 凱特的中國字 2

這陣子面對青澀的無知和自大，能量根本是像洪水般被吸走。不過水能載舟亦能覆舟，傷害我們的人事物也可以是我們重新出發的點。我想到凱特開給我的字彙裡有「河流」一詞，我要把怒氣化成能量，讓它源源不絕流出，這是我對河流的詮釋。

Caught off guard by youthful ignorance and insolence, my energy was "sucked" away at a lightning speed. But I figured out that the people and experiences that hurt us can empower us too. To interpret Caterina's favorite word "river," I determine to turn anger into positive energy and make it flow unceasingly. That's how I interpret the word. 

我在找回平衡的同時，看到了每個人如何爲生活的課題苦惱，我要把如河水般的能量送給人，特別是在倫敦的勵雯⋯

While I was retrieving my lost balance, I saw how everyone struggles for their life lesson. I would like to give the riverful of energy to those in need, especially Li-wen in London...

Charging batteries / 充電

攝於新竹港南 / photos taken in Gangnang, Hsinchu 

playing / 玩

這真是充滿試煉的一週，連我都覺得難以下嚥，還好回家總是有美麗的畫面舒緩人心。

This has been a trying week. Even I find it hard to swallow. Fortunately, there are always soul-comforting images waiting for me at home...

Today / 今天

我的星星也和我在一起嗎？

is my star with me? 

Anticipation / 期待

每天早上七點，思維起床的第一件事：坐在窗台上看爸爸媽媽的車從車庫開出來。這樣小小的動作讓我放不下鏡頭。

At 7 a.m. every morning, the first thing Von does after  getting up is looking down from the window to see off his parents. His lingering eyes and love make it impossible for me to take off the lens from his small body. 

So I exist / 故我在

我說故事故我在。  —電影「伊麗莎白」導演夏克哈卡帕

"I tell a story, so I exist." by the film director of Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Shekhar Kapur

young and foolish / 赤子之心

Stay young, stay foolish. 

常保赤子之心。

Open / 開

本週的中國字是「開」，不想受限於中文字型，我決定作意譯上的詮釋。

The Chinese word of the week is "open." Not wanting to be restrained by the form of the Chinese character, I decide to go for a more abstract pictorial interpretation. 

今天在電影工作者安得魯史坦頓的演講裡聽到一句匿名的社工說的引言：「一旦你聽了每個人的人生故事，你就無法不愛上他們。」我加註：如果他們願意打開心。

Today I heard a fantastic quote from the movie director and screen-writer Andrew Stanton's talk by an anonymous social worker: There isn't anyone you couldn't love once you've heard their life stories. My footnote: If they are willing to open up.

Feedback / 回饋

小亮繪 / drawn by Liang

有時候我知道自己迷失在某個小細節，看不到全面的風景，但是總有外在的回饋讓我明白我是暫時的失明。

Sometimes I know I focus so much on a detail that I lose sight of the whole picture. But luckily, there is always feedback from the outside world that reminds me that I am only temporarily blind.

畫完「武士與小金龜」後，小亮媽一直和我說小亮和弟弟小柚因為這個故事有多開心，我把畫壞的部份送給小亮發揮，一看到他的作品我很清楚，他比我有才氣多了，這整個過程中我只是個媒介，我卻沒有因為被比下去難過，相反地我很高興自己可以這樣走進他的世界裡。亞得琳在旁邊幫腔說，之前在辦公室遇到小亮時，知道他不隨便和別人互動的，我下次想見到小亮本人，請媽媽有機會帶他來和小淳阿姨作朋友。

After I gave away the story The Warrior and the Ladybug to Liang, Emily has been telling me how much joy it has brought him and his younger brother Yo. I also attached some exercise sheets in the pack. Upon seeing his work, I knew he is way much more talented than me. I am no more than the medium in the whole process, but I do not feel discouraged because he outshines me. On the contrary, I am glad he let me in his world. Adeline couldn't help explaining how Liang does not accept people so easily, especially when she experienced that in person. I asked Emily to bring Liang to the office next time because I'd like to be his friend, the face-to-face kind.

美欽說我「認領」了很多孩子，他們長大之後會對我很好，好像不用等到以後，他們現在已經不斷地在給我回饋，這幾天和楷維在聽嚴爵的「暫時的男朋友」，我問他開玩笑要不要當我暫時的男朋友，他很爽快地說好，哥哥聽到之後很像錯過什麼肥缺地說：我也要當你的男朋友！這個小禮物會讓我溫暖很久很久⋯

Meichien said I "adopt" many children, and they will be my guardian angels after growing up. It looks like I won't have to wait until then. They have showered me with tons of feedback. When I was listening to Yen-j's "Temporary boyfriend" with Kai, I asked him jokingly if he wants to be my temporary bf. He said yes at a lightning speed, and when Von heard that, he offered to be my boyfriend as if he didn't want to miss such a precious opportunity. I think this gift will warm my heart for a long long time...