spring 2 / 春天 2

為了克服我的藝術障礙期，我讓自己觀察日常生活的細節，感受小確幸，不壓抑情緒或渴望。而春天裡有那麼多美好可以紀錄⋯

To overcome my artist's block, I make myself observe the details of my everyday life and take delight in the little things. Also, I am learning not to repress any emotion or urge. Luckily, there is so much about spring I can record...

Good night / 晚安

春天的晚上，楷維和我唱完歌之後，我為了哄他去睡覺，只好自己先假裝睡著。

On a spring evening, after our singing session, I pretend to fall asleep to coax Kai into going to bed. 

好心的楷維雖然身高不夠，還是想辦法幫我把燈關了，他是我的小天使。

Though Kai is not tall enough to reach the switch, he still figures out a way to turn off the light for me. He is my guardian angel...

spring / 春天

春天，我們每天都去散步曬太陽撿松果，對我們來說，當下的人生沒有任何需要擔心的事⋯

This spring, we go for a long walk in the sun and collect pine cones every day. For us, we don't worry about anything at all during these beautiful moments...

Luodong Forest in spring / 春天的羅東林場

New Year's Eve / 除夕

除夕打掃完了要做什麼呢？藉由家裡很多小朋友的名義，我買了一堆繪本，每個人會得到不同的故事作為新年禮物，還會附上一張新年新希望的小卡，這就是阿姨除夕的手作課。

What do you do after the yearly clean-up on Chinese New Year's Eve? I went on a shopping spree and bought the picture books in the name of the numerous children at home. Every kid will get a picture book as his/her New Year's gift with a hand-made card attached. Well, that's the art class for me on this special day. 

這個小妹妹還沒出生，不過她會和春天一起來，五味太郎的顏色應該很適合等待誕生的小寶貝吧！

The little girl, whom the card is meant for, is still in her mom's stomach, but she will arrive with spring. Taro Gomi's color schemes should be a fantastic gift for a newborn baby. 

我們家的阿楷前一陣子被我嚇得一愣一愣的，我說要打電話請大野狼來和他算帳，他先故作鎮靜回家問阿公大野狼是否真的存在，阿公告訴他大野狼不會打電話，他理直氣壯跑來和我解釋，等我第二次再拿起電話筒，阿楷整個大哭起來，很傷心地解釋不是故意不乖的。

I freaked Kai out a while ago in the episode of the big bad wolf. When he didn't behave himself, I threatened to call the wolf. He acted really calm at first, running home to his grandpa, who told him that the big bad wolf doesn't exist. He came back to me trying to prove me wrong. When I picked up the receiver one more time, he burst into tears, explaining he hadn't meant to hurt his god grandmother. 

這本書會讓阿楷知道大野狼並不可怕。

This book will show to Kai that the wolf isn't scary at all. 

我非常喜歡劉旭恭先生這本書，要送給雙胞胎裡的哥哥塵塵。

I love this book Orange Horse written by Mr. Liu She-gong. It is a gift for the elder brother in the twins in our family. 

身為獨生子應該有小小一的孤單吧？這是要送給宥宥，我們有大有小陪著他！

The book Little 1 illustrated by Paul Rand reminds me of the only child Wright. We do have tons of young and old people to keep him company! 

這本故事書裡的餓鬼是小方的新年新目標，我們最近在進行「小巨人增重計劃」，吃飯前後都要量體重，並且設定每餐吃完之後要增加的重量，瘦瘦的兩兄弟很當一回事，我也玩得很高興！

The starving ghosts in the story The Funny Little Woman set new goals for Von. We have been carrying out our new year plan--Little Giants Want to Gain Weight! Before and after every meal, Von and Kai fight to measure their weight. I am the coach that decides how much weight they have to gain after eating. Silly as it sounds, the boys take the project seriously, and I am having the time of my life! 

Shidong Market / 士東市場

放寒假之前和同事聊天，她偶然提起士東市場，因為天母不是我常出沒的地域，我自然是沒去過，但這週陰錯陽差讓我有造訪士東市場的機會。

Before the winter break, my colleague mentioned Shidong Market in our small talk. Tianmu is at the other end of the city, so naturally I do not frequent the area. However, this weekend, I had a chance to visit the market by coincidence. 

出門之前在網路上小小搜尋，有部落格主封士東市場爲台北市最高級的市場，我更感到好奇。我對蔬果生鮮的價錢實在不清楚，無法確認上述的敘述，只能直奔二樓的食堂區，中午的人潮一如往常讓我失去方向感，剛開始找不出這個市場的特殊景色，只好邊吃越南河粉邊觀察，河粉攤旁的小咖啡攤有些看起來很自在的熟客，對，在市場裡喝咖啡還真不常見，於是吃完之後我問老闆可否讓我留下來畫圖，老闆非常有誠意，把桌子擦乾淨，這是我今年第一次在外面有桌子可用，畫完之後老闆還說：有空常來畫喔！

I  did a little bit of research on the Internet beforehand. Shidong Market is thought of as a high-end market by a blogger, which only made me more curious. Not a housewife, I do not have a clue of the prices and quality of fresh produce, so I can't confirm the blogger's statement. As soon as I arrived there, I headed immediately to the second floor, where the eateries gather. The crowds looking for somewhere to sit for lunch, again, disoriented me. In the beginning I couldn't put my finger on the feature of this market, so I had to observe the surroundings while having lunch. Next to the pho stand is a small cafe, where the customers chatted and enjoyed themselves. Right, it occurred to me that I should draw the scene, which isn't so commonly seen in markets. After lunch, I asked the owner if I could stay to sketch the cafe. He wiped the table clean for me with loads of sincerity. This was the first time for me to have a chair and a table for doing a sketch this winter. 

對我來說這個市場的高級之處在於人們懂得在熙熙攘攘之間放鬆，不是每個人都有這般能力啊！

For me, I define Shidong Market as high-end because people know how to relax here in the hustle and bustle of everyday lives. Not everyone is capable of that...

今天我透過速寫對於自己有新的認識，幾乎每次都被問到，我是不是讀美術或者是不是從事這行，儘管去了倫敦一年，我還是會回答不是，因為我覺得畫畫並沒有爲我帶來實質的金錢收穫，可是我現在明明主修了插畫啊！下次我要勇敢回答說：是！那麼有一天信念就會變成事實！

Today I had an epiphany about myself while sketching. I was always asked if I am an art major or if I work in the related fields. Despite my year in London, I would still say "No" for I didn't think drawing brought me any material gain. Still, I studied illustration! Next time I will say bravely, "Yes!" And one day my belief will become reality. 

Longshan Temple / 龍山寺

速寫了好幾週，想畫廟的心願還沒有達成，還好新年一定要去趟龍山寺，這可是觀光大景點，怎麼樣都很有速寫的價值。

I hadn't got to draw a temple after having sketched for a few weeks. I knew I would though because it's a ritual for me to go to Long-shan Temple for new-year praying. It is one of the most famous temples in Taipei, certainly worthy of being recorded in my sketchbook. 

下午四點多有團禱，信徒在廟裡一同誦經，剛開始在人群中掙扎，感覺有個聲音對我說快點快點，不過坐下來畫圖之後，就不管身旁急促的腳步。雖然畫的都是大家拜拜的背影，我卻覺得如此簡單的動作有虔誠的感動。

When I arrived at about four p.m., a huge group of followers were reciting mantra together. In the beginning I attempted to find my place in the crowds when worshipping the gods. A voice in me beckoned, "Hurry hurry hurry." However, after I sat down to draw, I succeeded in ignoring the unceasing footsteps by my sides. People in my image made a uniform gesture of holding the incense in their hands, but such a simple act, for me, had a very devout feel to it. 

我很少抬頭看站在我身旁的路人，我的速寫本是打開的，邀請有興趣的人安靜或開朗地加入。自從開始在台北認真速寫之後，我發現這個城市的人們對於畫畫是很有興趣的，我得到的反應遠比在倫敦熱情。通常畫複雜的建築，在細節方面只能用我的想像力補強，可是也許站著看我的速寫本比我整顆頭埋在裡面看得清楚，就是到最後當我也不知道自己在畫什麼，還得到很多稱讚。今天還遇到一位小姐，熱情地問我畫的是不是插畫，她說她也畫建築物，特別喜歡我畫的廟頂，還問我有沒有名片，並且說拜完之後再來看看。

I hardly raise my head to look at passers-by who pause for a glance at my pictures. My sketchbook is always open, inviting those who are interested to join me either in silence or else. Since I started to sketch regularly in Taipei, I have found that people here are quite into drawing. In fact, I attract more attention here than in London. 

When drawing complicated architecture, I have to rely on my imagination to fill in the details my eyes don't see well. Maybe my viewers, standing next to me, see a bigger picture than me. In the end when I lost track of what I was drawing, I still gained much praise. I ran into a lady today who asked me if I was drawing an illustration. She also draws, buildings in particular, so she loves my temple very much. She even asked if I have a business card so she can recommend my works on the Internet. 

天就要黑了，速寫是和時間賽跑，坐在人流裡卻要穩穩不動，別人稱讚我時，我總說：其實你只要在這裡坐上一陣子也畫得出來，對於很多事情我沒有答案，可是我知道時間丟進去畫圖這件事，最後必定會有畫面出來。

The night was about to fall. Sketching is racing against time and standing one's ground. When others compliment me, I always give my standard answer, "In fact, if you are willing to sit here for a while, you will come up with something similar too." I don't have answers to many questions, but there is one thing I am so sure of--as long as I spend time sketching, I won't fail to produce images. 

寒假過了一半，我用速寫累積強大的心靈力量，我開始感受到新的決心升起，這也是眾神給我的祝福吧！

I am halfway through the winter break. Over the past weeks, I have been sketching to accumulate mental forces. Now I have felt new determination rising. I guess I am blessed by the gods in many ways... 

Keelung / 基隆

基隆是我的故鄉，但我總是可以把自己搞得像個觀光客，回去幾十遍還是迷路，不如用速寫來加強我的學習。基隆的路很狹小，房子也很老舊，但是從速寫者的觀點來看，這個城市畫起來會很有風味。

I grew up in Keelung, but to be honest, I am more tourist-looking than many tourists. I never figure out which street is which, so the best way for me to get my bearings is sketching. The roads in Keelung are narrow, the houses dilapidated. But from the perspective of a sketcher, this city stands out once you put it down in paper. 

早上十點孝二路一整排的魚市已經關門，雖然店面色調一片灰黑，我卻不時想起在里斯本的旅行，兩個城市都有那種褪盡風華的滄桑。我唯一看到的是橋下的魚店還開著，坐在對面的彩券行速寫，不久一輛黑色轎車駛進我的視線，擋住後方的背景，但之前一直屬意的吊帶褲魚行老闆居然就站在我面前講手機，模特兒自己走上前來真是大好機會。在畫圖的當兒，有位歐吉桑看了速寫本一會而後問：你畫這個要做什麼？我很理直氣壯地回答：就開心囉！

At 10 a.m., the fish shops on Xiao 2nd Road are already closed. The major color scheme there is dark gray; still, I can't help recalling my trip to Lisbon. Both cities have that weathered look when they are no longer prosperous. I spot a fish shop under the bridge in business, so I sit down in front of the lottery store across from it and start my sketch. Soon a black automobile slides into view. While I am wondering when the driver will move it away, the owner of the fish shop, whom I want to draw very much, leans on the car talking on the mobile. What can be better than the model posing just for me? Meanwhile, an old man stands behind me to take a glimpse. After a few minutes, he finally utters some words, "So, what is the sketch for?" I find the question funny, and to show it, I reply, "Because I am happy doing it!" 

再往前走一點就到了博愛市場，搭手扶梯往二樓去，本來我有點累，但是感受到二樓繽紛滿目的各種店家，尤其是各色各樣的食堂，我被那生命力感染，怎麼樣都無法浪費在市場看到的好景色，見識了博愛市場，它迅速成為我最愛的菜市場。

Walking a little bit forward, you can't miss Bo'ai Market. Seeing the sign saying that there are all kinds of eateries on the second floor, I am tempted to go. I usually lose a little bit of zest after having done the first sketch. Yet, the market is throbbing with life, and it is so contagious that I don't want to waste the colors and images I see there. Soon Bo'ai Market has become the number one market on my chart. 

博愛市場除了有可口的各式小吃，另一個明顯的特色是眾多的美髮店，沒有店面的人就在市場轉角放幾張美髮椅，經營的婦女年紀年齡很廣，有本土中年婦女，更有外籍新娘開的店，在這裡真的可以感受到庶民生活的面相，非常貼近真實的人生。

Aside from yummy food, another feature of Bo'ai Market is that there are numerous beauty salons. If the owner does not have a budget to rent a shop, several chairs are placed along the corners with towels hung on the hangers from the ceiling. Some salons are run by middle-aged Taiwanese women, but some are run by immigrants from Southeast Asia. This market reflects how people live their lives truthfully, and that's why it's extremely charming for me. 

離開基隆市區，沿海的風光在美麗的艷陽天更加動人，潮境公園人不多，簡單的山和海風景，配上漁人，讓本來不想畫圖的我，忍不住把速寫本又拿出來。

Away from downtown Keelung, we head for the seaside, whose beauty is enhanced on sunny winter days. There aren't many people in Chao-jing Park. I am again enticed to take out my sketchbook after taking in the scenery of mountains and sea glistening with light. 

傍晚時分到了蕃仔漁港，港口停泊著許多船隻，雖然我身邊的漁船畫不進去圖面裡，耳邊卻傳來船上外籍船員的談話聲，同時遠處響起垃圾車的熟悉音樂，今天的速寫之旅又本土又國際化，儘管是在家附近旅行，卻如此充實。

In the evening we visit Fang-zai Harbor, where many fishing boats are anchored. While drawing the boats in the distance, the foreign fishermen on the boat by my side speak in a language I don't catch. However, the music of the garbage truck which circulates the small village is so familiar. The trip today is both local and international. Though I do not travel far, I have enriched my five senses in every way.