Go to the Riverside / 去河邊

岸晴是我多年前的學生，現在是我的同事，她有聽力上的問題，能走到今天，我覺得很了不起。

An-ching (meaning: sunny coast) was my student several years ago, but she is my colleague now. Despite her hearing disabilities, she has made it, which I find really a remarkable achievement. 

平常是她要用心讀我們每個人的語言，在雲林的某一天，我要溜出去速寫的時候，她問我要去哪裡，並且教我手語的說法，我答：去河邊。她也教了我怎麼比這句話，我學了那麼多語言，卻沒想到用手比的語言如此優美，尤其是「河」字，手背呈波浪狀流動。

It's she that endeavors to read our language most of the time. Yet one day in Yunlin when I was about to sneak out for a sketch, she asked me where I was going. Maybe it was because of the lovely day and the relaxing atmosphere. She offered to teach me how to make the hand gesture for the question. I answered, "I am going to the riverside." She also taught me how to say that with my hands. I had learned so many spoken languages, but I didn't know the sign language can be so beautiful. I was particularly in love with the word "river." To do it, you wave your hand with the palm side facing downwards. 

最近我常常因為學生事情做不好而苦惱，但這個女孩提醒我每個人都有自己的路，與其操心，我不如去河邊曬太陽吧！

Lately I've been upset because my students can't meet my expectations. But this girl reminds me again that everyone has their own life journey. Rather than obsess about others, I might as well go to the riverside for some sunshine! 

Ximending / 西門町

西門町不是我喜歡去的地方，可是我最近很想挑戰畫西門站出口的廣場，那些高高低低的廣告牌總讓我想到紐約的時代廣場。

I am not a fan of Ximending, but I couldn't resist my latest urge to draw a sketch of the square near the exit of Ximen MRT station. The colorful billboards there always remind me of Times Square in New York City. 

抱著得在人群裡速寫的決心，我就這麼去了西門町，不知道是不是太不自在，我很少在一個地方繞來繞去卻還是覺得猶豫，想畫那些滄桑的阿伯，想畫那些年幼的少男少女，最後我捨棄西門紅樓，在這裡有歷史的古蹟比不上如流水般的人群，因為後者是西門町的特殊風景。

Knowing that I would have to put up with the crowds, I set out for the hotspot of teen subculture.  Still, I felt ill at ease because I hardly felt so hesitant after having taken a long look at a place. Since I wanted to draw the aging veterans that hang out here and the trendy adolescents, I gave up the Red House. Here, historical buildings don't compare to the river-like crowds because the latter are what makes Ximending unique. 

速寫本的形狀也決定了圖像的可能，新的Rhodia速寫本是長方形，我只能把半圓形廣場截成一半，然後開始人物的堆疊，畫完一層人物有另外一層，多半是等待的人，講手機的人，眼前晃過來的有很多老人，好玩的是，這裡的人那麼多，卻沒有一個人和我說話，連坐在我身旁的老人，也只是默默地看著我畫圖，離去之前還正面瞧我一眼，無言地。雖然人潮像螞蟻群，我的畫面都快擠滿了人，這卻是我畫過最寂寞的地方。

The shape of a sketchbook plays a key role in the formation of an image. My new Rhodia sketchbook is rectangular, so I couldn't help but cut the square into halves. I started by drawing people in the foreground, then I moved on to the second layer of people, the third and the fourth. Most of them were waiting and talking on the cell. In front of me walked by several limp old men. It was funny that though  the square was packed with people, no one came to talk to me. Even though the old man sitting next to me leaned sideways to look at my drawing from time to time, he didn't say a word. Before he left, he turned to look at me in the eye, in silence. My image was almost full, but this is the most lonely place I have ever drawn. 

通常回家之後我都忍不住上色，因為著色是件很快樂的事，可是我想不出來西門町的色調，因為太多了，而又如凱特琳娜說的，白色是所有色調的混色，那麼黑白應該最適合此處吧！

Usually I can't help coloring a sketch at home for I derive much pleasure from doing it. Yet I can't figure out the color schemes of Ximending since there are too many. And like Caterina said, white is the color when you combine all colors, so maybe black and white are for the place. 

Astoria / 明星咖啡館

耳聞明星咖啡館已久，終於有機會親眼探訪，說來慚愧，它其實就位在重慶南路轉武昌街，我高中三年都只是直線從總統府埋頭走到補習班，從來沒有抬頭看藏在小街巷弄的風景，但從另一方面想，就是這樣我才在高中畢業近二十年之後，還不斷有新的發現！

After having heard about Astoria for long, I finally came for a visit. The truth is,  it was on the way from my high school to the cram school. In other words, I passed by it for three years in my youth without knowing its existence. On the other hand, it was my past ignorance that led to the joy of discovering a new site today! 

我對咖啡館的外觀較有興趣，等待阿美來的同時，我站在咖啡館對面速寫，有位小姐居然說：你畫的比原來好看。這個人一定有上過插畫課！接著又繞過來一位外國人，他也忍不住用中文稱讚我，我站在這裡多多少少也沾染了咖啡館的明星氣質！

I was more interested in the facade of the cafe. While waiting for A-mei, I sketched across from coffee shop. A lady, after staring at me, made the remarks: I think your drawing is more beautiful than the actual cafe. I bet she must have taken a course in illustration! Then another Westerner dropped by. He gave me a compliment in very fluent mandarin. Well, the cafe is named "Star" Cafe in Chinese, and standing here, I more or less have that star feel too. 

因為這裡太富盛名了，才剛就座不久，就遇到了一群現在的學生參加文學營，今天的行程恰巧是咖啡館。明星咖啡館由五位蘇俄人和簡錦錐先生創立的，是咖啡店也是麵包店，主打蘇俄食物和甜點，之後就慢慢發展成為文藝人士的聚集地。

This is such a prestigious tourist spot that soon after I was seated, I ran into a group of my current students, who were here because of a literature camp. Astoria was founded by five Russian emigres and Mr. Archiybold Chien. It is an eatery as well as a bakery featuring Russian cuisine and desserts. Later it turned out to be a very important gathering place for Taiwanese literati.  

吃了蘇俄軟糖和古早味的西點，離開咖啡館後我沿著補習街晃來晃去，眼前是一家又一家的小吃店，話說我年輕的時候真的很討厭這個地方，那般地壓縮著靈魂，不過今天我居然站在赫哲補習班的榜單牆前，整個人充滿驚訝地看著了不起的孩子們，上面寫的不是台大醫科就是台大電機，此時我覺得，當一個沒有孩子的老人也挺好的，不用擔心自己的小孩比不過別人，也不用擔心孩子不快樂，在補習街裡我感到很渺小，卻也慶幸我不再是其中的一部份。

After tasting Russian soft candy and old-style pastry, I strolled along the streets packed with cram schools in the same area. I was quite impressed by the small yet interesting eateries tucked inside lanes and alleys. Truth be told, I detested this part of the city when I was a teenager. The high-rise buildings and crowds really sucked my soul dry. Strange to say, I paused when passing by the cram school I used to attend. Rows of adverts boasting how much their students had accomplished really amazed me. At this moment, I felt blessed to be childless. I don't have to worry if my child is good enough in studies, nor do I have to guess if my child is happy. I am so small here, but the good news is that I am not part of it. 

二十年前的我只急著發誓，高中畢業之後再也不要接近台北車站，不過今天的我卻覺得這個地方是個很特別的景點，有太多待描繪的影像！

Twenty years ago I was too eager to swear not to come close to Taipei Train Station after graduating from high school, but today I think differently. A tourist can't miss this part of the city. If I get to draw it, there will be many unique images! 

Kamome Diner / 海鷗食堂

這個寒假哪裡也不去，不過看了「海鷗食堂」之後，有到芬蘭一遊的感覺，這個國家對於想要學習顏色配置的人是很好的指引，片中兩三個顏色的組合總令人有舒緩身心的療效⋯

I don't have any traveling plan this winter. However, after watching the film Kamome Diner, I was mentally transported there. For people who are interested in learning color schemes, this country offers a very good starting point. The Finns really have a unique talent of coming up with soothing color combinations... 

snapshots at home / 居家剪影

NTUE / 國北教

有一晚在國北教散步時，很想把看到的景色畫下來，我很喜歡校樹後方的日式建築，配上金黃的月亮，這也是城市裡的風景。

One evening while taking my daily walk in National Taipei University of Education, it occurred to me to draw what I saw. The Japanese-style building behind the school tree is my favorite. With the moon as the background, this, for me, is my oasis in the city. 

Mucha Market / 木柵市場

讀了劉克襄「男人的菜市場」，一直很想去木柵市場看看，雖然我已經在文山區工作十幾年，居然對於這個市場一無所知。

After reading Men's Markets written by Ker-shiang Liu, I'd longed to visit Mucha Market for a while. Though I had worked in this area for more than decade, I hardly knew anything about the market. 

出發前為了再次確定木柵市場的所在，上網查資料時，第一個跳進視窗的是佳璇媽的網誌，到了現場寫生，畫到一半時，薆文直直地站到我的視線中央，雖然我不在這一區生活，但是我在這裡的友人還真不少！

Before leaving, I checked online the location of the market, and the first blog entry I found was posted by Erica's mom! While I was sketching on the spot, someone planted her feet right in front of me, and it turned out to be Master's mom! Though I do not live in the neighborhood, I have to admit that I already have had many friends here. 

木柵市場除了室內市場的空間，還有被周邊高樓圍繞的街上市場，和人們的生活空間融合在一起，因為小蕙帶路，感覺很像在自己社區買菜。

In addition to a hall with different stalls, the vendors also line several streets around it. This market is so much part of people's lives. I got a very good guide Huei, so I was rather in my element doing the grocery shopping. 

如果有一天我有自己的家，這一區會是我的首選！

If one day I am going to buy my own apartment, this neighborhood will be one of my top choices!

Nanmen Market / 南門市場

我和愛雪是雙人旅行團，每天我指出想去的地點，她就背著她的照相機，而我帶著我的畫冊上路去。

Mom and I are a traveling duet. Every day I name a place which I'd like to visit. She brings her camera along, and I have my very important sketchbook and drawing kit. 

今天的目的地是南門市場，前幾年和同事草草逛過一次便念念不忘，除了一般市場有的蔬果生鮮，這個市場主打傳統的大陸乾貨和菜餚。一入場我就把目光放在紅通通的臘腸攤，剛好又有現成的板凳讓我可以坐下來，儘管十點多之後人潮如水，我還是堅持要自在地把圖畫完。

Today our destination was Nanmen Market. I have been greatly impressed by what I saw since I took a quick look at it with my colleagues a few years ago. Apart from fresh produce, this market is known for its variety of traditional goods and dishes from the southeast regions of China. I had my eye set on the red sausages right after we went in. Luckily, an empty stool was placed opposite the stand, beckoning me to sit on it. The crowds surged in after 10 a.m., but I was rather at ease. 

當我轉個角度要畫另外兩家乾貨和甜點的店家時，一位先生對我說：警察在趕人，你是記者嗎？但我手上只有一本速寫本啊！我笑著回答：我是來畫畫的，他答：那你坐在這裡好好畫，警察不會趕你。畫到一半圖中常興雜貨的老闆娘跑來探班，她問我是不是在做學校作業，想不到我的外表還可以騙人！

After finishing the first piece, I turned around to draw another two stores specializing in dried goods and desserts. It was then when a gentleman said to me, "The police are after some people. Are you a journalist?" Looking at the sketchbook in my hand, I replied with a smile, "I am here to draw." He went on to say, "OK, then you can sit here and take your time. The police won't chase you away." In the middle of drawing, the lady owner of the shop on the right side in the picture came for a glimpse. She asked me if I was doing my homework. I didn't imagine that I could still deceive people with my appearance. 

其實在市場裡我最想畫的是那些工作中的職人，可是為了畫他們，幾乎不可能躲在角落裡，我今天很勉強地把相機拿出來，想回家後再好好研究，雖然有圖爲參考，可是心境及線條和在現場的感覺完全不同，當場速寫的線條是流動的，要隨機應變，卻也因此充滿生命感。

In fact, what I wanted to draw the most was people at work in the market. However, it would be impossible to hide in a corner to draw them. I had no other choice but to take out my camera today, thinking that I should at least take some pictures for reference. But it feels totally different to sketch on the spot and at home. I prefer the former because I have to go with the flow and that's why my lines are full of life. 

回家之後把三年多前和一年多前的速寫拿出來翻閱，很明顯地看出自己的不一樣，用線條紀錄人生，是我面對老去的方式。

This afternoon I took out the sketches I did more than three years ago and one year ago. I could tell my own differences. We all have our own ways to deal with aging, and mine is to record life with lines. 

Chiufen / 去九份

NTU / 台大

離開辦公室之前，我問同事：告訴我一間可以速寫的咖啡館。她想了想之後說：台大，湖邊有個喝咖啡的地方。

Before leaving the office, I asked my colleague Anna, "Could you name me an interesting cafe where I can sketch?" She suggested the campus of NTU. "There is an outdoor cafe which faces the lake. The view is quite nice." 

很幸運地搭上另一名同事的便車，她說：台大真是越來越醜了。這點我挺苟同的。雖然最後沒找到湖邊的咖啡館，卻從咖啡館前方的庭院找到很迷人的樹林景色。我要在所有地方變得更人工化之前留下一點紀錄。

I was lucky enough to be offered a ride by another colleague. On our way she made such remarks: NTU is getting uglier and uglier. Well, I can't agree more with her. 

Though I did not find the view of the lake as suggested, I saw something equally charming in the front yard of the cafe. My mission is to record the beauty of as many places as possible before they become more artificial. 

Confession / 告白

放寒假的前四天同學生去了一趟雲林做服務學習，這樣的旅行總是讓我很焦慮，特別是這次，因為這一學期走到最後，覺得自己教的東西在學生身上似乎歸零，幾個月前的理想和熱情不斷受到挑戰，在這個節骨眼，我只想要逃走。

During the first four days of the winter break, I traveled to Yunlin in South Taiwan with my students for voluntary work. In fact, traveling for the sake of work always makes me anxious. It was especially so this year because I started the semester a few months ago with passion and ideal, but when it ended, I didn't see any trace of my effort left in the students. At this moment, I only felt like running away from the crowd. 

當其他老師從頭到尾一致地用相機紀錄整趟旅程，我只留下這張速寫。對我來說，感受當下，看清楚這些孩子的樣貌，比不停按閃光燈重要。

When my colleagues recorded the whole trip with cameras from the beginning to the end, all I have is this sketch. For me, experiencing the moments was much more important. Only by doing that could I get to see more clearly the true colors of my students. 

可是我卻那麼喜歡觀察當地小朋友的樣子，尤其是一二年級生純真的臉孔和眼睛，慢慢地，歲月開始留痕跡在三四五六年級生，要保留無邪無憂的眼神根本就是和全世界對抗。

I did love to observe the looks of the local kids, though. I was especially attracted to the innocent visages and eyes of first and second graders. Time leaves marks in elder children little by little. I found it a revolution against the world in trying to keep that purity in our eyes as we age. 

我鑽進廚房裡，紀錄大家切切洗洗的姿態，雲林新鮮美麗的農作物讓廚房增色不少。

I sneaked into the kitchen to draw how everyone found their place in the kitchen. The beautiful and fresh produce from Yunlin gave so many vivid colors to the space. 

常常趁大家不注意時溜出去速寫，和安國小座落於農田中，早上七點我在路邊畫要升起的太陽，身邊站著ㄧ位女孩，渴望愛卻很少被溫暖地愛過，我們在靜默裡呼吸，卻感覺說了好多話。

I often disappeared for some fresh air when no one noticed. He-An Elementary School is surrounded by farmland. One morning at 7 a.m., I stood by the roadside to draw the rising sun. Next to me was a girl who desired to be loved but was hardly loved. We breathed in the morning silence, but I felt we had said so much. 

陪同事去學校附近的菜格買玉米筍，菜格的定義是用貨車載著蔬果去販賣，但這戶人家把自家當作賣菜的領域，面積雖小，卻有各種蔬菜水果豆干海帶和乾貨，我忍不住和他們借了把凳子，坐在路邊速寫，偶有附近的歐吉桑騎著摩托車來買菜，順手拿了塑膠袋裝想要的份量。畫到一半賣菜的阿嬤請孫女爲我送來伯朗咖啡，臨走之前還邀我一同吃午餐，鄉下的人情味很令人感動，回家時帶了一整箱的農作物，多半是當地居民相贈。

My colleague took me to a nearby personal market for buying baby corns. In the country, farmers usually sell produce in their trucks. However, this family displayed everything on the ground floor of their own house. Though there wasn't much space, I was surprised by the variety of the choices they offered. I was so thrilled that I couldn't help but borrow a stool from them and began to sketch at the roadside. Sometimes I saw villagers come by scooter. They picked what they wanted and decided how much they would like to have just like in any other market. 

Halfway through my sketch, the granny sent her granddaughter to give me a can of coffee for free. When I said goodbye to them, she even invited me for lunch. People in the countryside are so hospitable and generous. I brought home a huge box of produce, most of which was gifts from the villagers. 

從河堤上往下望，是一整片的稻田，下午兩點的豔陽裡有辛勤的農婦巡視菜田，身後是校園裡孩子們的嘻笑聲。

Looking down from the jetty, it was a vast farm field. At 2 p.m. when the sun shone like in summer, one or two farmers could be spotted. Behind me kids played and laughed happily on the small campus. 

傍晚，農村裡里長用麥克風廣播，我在紅瓦屋外畫畫，也聽到屋內的各種聲音。

In the evening while I was sketching, I heard the head of the village announce important news through the loudspeaker. Standing outside a row of red-brick houses, I could hear what was going on inside as well. 

旅行結束之後，我在想，我這麼辛苦，會不會是因為我也沒有打開心呢？

After the trip came to an end, I am wondering about the reason why I had such a hard time during the past semester. Might it be that I didn't open my heart? 

Color of Anxiety / 焦慮的顏色

Shuanglian Market / 雙連市場

前幾週參加的大同區散步之旅中，我發現原來雙連市場現在已經是日本觀光客的行程之一，而我對於市場又有某種個人的偏愛，所以在心裡暗暗立下目標，一定要抽空到現場一探究竟。

On my walking tour around Da-tong and Zhongshan Districts a few weeks ago, I was surprised to discover that Shuanglian Market has become a major tourist attraction for Japanese visitors. Having a peculiar preference for traditional markets, I swore to take a look at the market in person one day. 

雙連市場是露天市場，以狹長的主街爲中心，往兩邊的小巷延伸，依傍著公園，所以到處都可以坐下來，這對於速寫者是很重要的條件。我選了市場盡頭小貨車聚集處，坐下來安適地沈浸在畫畫的世界，想到去年此時在歐洲約莫零到五度的氣溫下速寫，我只能說台灣真是個適合冬季速寫的勝地啊！

Shuanglian Market is an open-air market, with a long and narrow street as the center lying against a small park running parallel. More vendors and shops nestle in alleys that extend from it. This is a perfect venue for sketchers because there are benches everywhere. I chose the end of street where the fruit wagons gathered because I found it a local cultural feature here. Meanwhile, the memory of my sketching in freezing Europe last year at this time surged back. I couldn't help thinking, Taiwan is such a fantastic place in winter for sketching! 

在倫敦速寫遇到搬椅子讓我坐、想要送我魚貨的小販，在台北多半是悠閒的路人來觀看，不過也有很想入鏡的歐吉桑和我說說笑笑，還有可愛的菲佣來打招呼。雖然小販沒有閒來和我交流，我還是覺得台灣的菜市場實在是很精彩的景點，難怪日本觀光客會想來晃晃。

In London, I ran into vendors that borrowed me a chair or offered me fish for free. In Taipei, it was mostly leisurely passers-by who came for a look at my sketchbook. There was also a very friendly middle-aged man who complained about not being in the picture. One lady from Southeast Asia working as a maid here gave her compliment in English. Though I wasn't so popular among vendors here, I think traditional markets in Taiwan are second to none. I can totally understand why Japanese are curious about this part of my culture. 

市場處處有可以描繪的景點，街中間有文昌帝宮，我很有野心地想要挑戰畫廟宇，但是把廟前方的小販都畫盡了才發現這已經是一張很擁擠的圖，於是畫完之後充滿歉意地和文昌君道歉。

There were endless inspirations for me. In the middle of the street is the Temple of Wenchang Emperor, who is known for blessing people with good luck in studies and taking exams. I was ambitious enough to take on the challenge of drawing the temple. However, after I finished all the details in front of the temple, I realized the image is already full. Thus, I apologized very sincerely to Wenchang Emperor before leaving. 

下次再來吧，這樣一座市場可以用上數個月或一年來紀錄，明天我要去雲林，希望那裡的市場也如此繽紛！

I'll come back. It takes months or even a year to record such a colorful market. Tomorrow I am heading for Yunlin. Hopefully the market there is equally inspiring! 

word game / 文字遊戲

今天沒有時間速寫，我倒是找到新的娛樂，從紐約時報上挑我喜歡的字剪下來，造自己的句子，再看看眼前的風景，這樣也生出了圖像。

Not having time for doing a sketch today prompted me to look for new entertainment. I clipped words that spoke to me from the New York Times to make my own sentence. And what I saw right in front of my eyes offered possibilities for an image. 

有些字串本身就有意像存在，不需要多加發揮，這真是個好玩的遊戲啊！

Some word strings evoke visual images without my having to add more ideas to them. What a lovely game! 

Sunholic / 太陽迷

Perspective / 海闊天空

Rainy Sunday / 下雨的星期天

Birds / 鳥兒

這個昏昏欲睡的冬天裡，我想起上ㄧ個冬天，當時我失眠，我的黑夜裡被大大的太陽佔據，還有不休息的鳥鳴聲陪伴。

I can't help recalling my previous winter in this drowsy winter. Being insomniac, the sun always occupied my night sky, along with the birds' melodious company.

回憶比起生活總是美麗許多。

Well, I am a master at romanticizing my memories...

Apple x Banana / 香蕉蘋果

下雨的早晨，來點鮮艷的顏色醒腦！

It takes bright colors to wake me up on a rainy morning! 

Snake Year / 蛇年