Enjoy the ride / 享受人生

話說我去了波隆那之後，對於倫敦的教育走過一段幻滅期，本來計劃第三學期就在家自修，當所有人都說可以理解之際，凱特琳娜姐很嚴肅地和我說，要當插畫家不能這麼輕易放棄，因為覺得自己的確有想逃避的心理，我還是去上學了。

After going to Bologna Book Fair, I was disillusioned with the education in London. I had planned to do home schooling for the third term. While most people said they could understand, Caterina pointed out that I can't give up so easily if I still want to be an illustrator. I was aware of my tendency to escape though. Anyway, I went to school.

剛開始我和自己說，出現總比不出現好，於是帶著我可能不會交作業的心態，同學們覺得我看起來很放鬆。我也照樣和老師談話，但各位也知道，我在春假中是從頭玩到尾的。

In the beginning, I told myself that showing up is better than hiding at home. With the mindset that I might not hand in the assignments in the end, my classmates found me to be quite relaxed. I also had tutorials with Lu as usual, though as all of you know, I played throughout the whole Easter break.

好玩的事來了，今天已經談到第二次了，我還是沒有什麼準備，但我提到想寫插畫作教育用途的主題，老師丟給我一些資料，露說：我們得為你的報告特別開一個題目，你真的想寫吧？我回答：這和我的工作有關係，我覺得很有趣。雖然抱著遊戲人生的心境，我覺得我最後真的還是交得出來。這和我過去「好學生」的想法大不同，但也許這樣做出來的品質會更好，因為我神經不再緊繃了。

Then came the funny thing. We had our second tutorial today. I was still not prepared, but I mentioned I'd like to focus my report on the application of illustration in the context of education. Then Lou gave me tons of clues. She even said, "We have to give a specific title to your report. You really feel like doing the topic?" I replied, "This has a lot to do with my work. I find it interesting." Though I am not that committed, I have a feeling that I'll still come up with something in the end. I have tried to break free of my past image of being a perfect student. I am wondering maybe I'll produce something better since I am not so stressed like before.

倫敦要進入最美的季節了，日照時間也變長許多，不過我現在欣喜自得的心情可是在黑暗中掙扎幾個月之後才得到的答案。目前我對自己的要求是：好好生活，好好睡覺。因為我知道將來的幾十年裡我還會很快樂很認真地畫圖，這一年只是一個華麗的開始，不是結束。

I am witnessing one of the most beautiful seasons in London now. The daytime has stretched, but my current serene joy is the answer I deserve after months of groping for my direction in the dark. Now I don't ask much of myself except enjoying the ride and sleeping well. Since I know well that I'll still be drawing happily into the next 30 or 40 years of my life, this year is just a grand beginning, not an end.