學習認識植物的過程中，有很多我解不開的拉丁文密碼，就像人生中的許多事件，發生的當下令人一頭霧水。這幾個月以來，我開始累積一丁點的知識，慢慢地，我可以揣摩所有陳列室標本加起來背後的意義，恍然大悟的心情真的難以言喻。
In the process of learning botany, there have been so many Latin codes that don't make sense to me. Just like many incidents in life, at the moment we'll think they do nothing but cause confusion. Over the past few months, I have accumulated some knowledge. Slowly, I can guess the common rule behind the exhibits in the herbarium. The only word I can think of to describe the epiphany is "Oh!" Which says so little and so much at the same time.
這個週末應該是要在曼谷旅行的，可是當地的政治情勢讓我決定留在台北，多出來的時間讓我可以泡在植標館。每週走一樣的路，卻一點也不無聊，我擁有一家博物館的鑰匙，值班的三個小時裡會和一些這輩子原本不會有交集的人相遇。悠閒的週日早上，走著走著突然想到很久以前在美國的生活，也是空蕩的校園，但沒有當時的寂寞。
I should be traveling in Bangkok this weekend, but I decided not to go due to the political riots. Thus, I had extra time to spend in the herbarium. Every weekend, I took the same route, but I never felt bored. I have the key to A MUSEUM in the city. During the three hours of my shift, I will encounter people I wouldn't have a chance to know in my whole life. On the relaxing Sunday morning, the memories of my American life came to mind as I walked on the quiet campus. However, I didn't feel lonely at all.
以前去到很多博物館，看到或坐或站的管理員，其實我從來沒有發呆的機會，即使我的展間不大，我總是有新東西要看，新書要讀。在成堆的拉丁文裡我居然可以認出一兩樣植物的名字，而我想最後這些密碼被解開之後，應該是很簡單的道理。
On my visits to many museums in the past, I had noticed that most guards either stood or sat, mostly in boredom. But in the exhibit room, I've never got a spare moment. It is far from small; yet there are always items for me to take a close look at and books to read. It thrilled me when I recognized one or two Latin words out of millions of lines. I wonder, there must be a very simple rule behind all these codes.
因為知道展品背後有太多故事，我多麼希望來的人可以聽我的說明，因為這要他們離開時會帶走至少一兩個故事。
Now that I know there are too many stories behind the exhibits, how I wish everyone who comes could hear me talk. Then they'll take away at least one or two stories with them when they leave.
就算不聽故事，也希望他們在展示室裡找到難忘的某個密碼或訊息，也許以後有一天回過頭來看，會有特別的意義。
And even if they don't listen to stories, I hope they will find an unforgettable code or message. Maybe one day when they look back, it will find a way into their lives again.
三歲半的小宥在暖洋洋的週六下午來看我，除了盡情在地板上打滾外，他無法停止玩蓋章的遊戲，還不斷驚呼：我好喜歡這個！這是他和植標館的連結。
The three-year-old Wright came to visit me on the super sunny Saturday afternoon. He rolled with happiness on the floor and played with the stamp, which is his connection with the herbarium.
週日早上雖然有些冷清，當我很賣力地擦著櫃子，貴美和心慧─我很喜歡的工作人員來探班，隨處一問都是我不知道的密碼，是寫在黑板上關於豆科花朵的構造，姊姊們帶著我解密。這星期稍早在雲林，到處都是我看不懂的植物，我突然想，是不是應該走到大自然裡去學習，心慧卻說，我可以把植標館當做起點。這兩個人最令我敬佩的地方是，他們是踏實的生活家，我學到的東西多半是看書籍或網路，而他們有無限豐富的實際經驗，所以能說出的東西是那麼深刻。
I had the exhibit room all to myself on the lazy Sunday morning. When I was wiping the display windows, Guei-mei and Hsin-huei, my favorite staff members, gave me a surprise visit. In our casual talk, I realized that the room is full of codes I don't understand. Take the symbols on the blackboard for example. They are about the structure of Fabaceae flowers. The two ladies taught me word by word. I admire them two for they learn from actual life experiences, so what comes from their mouths always sounds so convincing and powerful.
Earlier this week in Yun-lin (in central Taiwan), it had occurred to me that maybe I should turn to nature and learn right there because I believe I need to learn through seeing with my own eyes. However, Hsin-huei, an unofficial botanist, told me that I can start from learning in the herbarium.
在整理種子之際，心慧不經意地說她要離開植標館了，起先我以為只是個玩笑，但後來知道之後，我們開始聊很多植物以外的人生，說著說著，姊姊們邀我一起吃午飯，我們輕鬆地度過午後，分手之前，貴美問我：你知道我們今天來的意義嗎？我說：是惜別會對吧！雖然什麼都明白，不捨的情緒卻在一個人回家的路上襲捲而來。
While we were sorting out the dried seeds, Hsin-huei mentioned offhandedly that she is about to leave the herbarium. At first I thought it was just a joke, but then we began to talk a lot about life apart from plants. As my shift drew to an end, the ladies invited me for lunch. We spent the afternoon like really close friends though we met only four months ago. Before going on our separate ways, Guei-mei asked me, "You know why we came to you today?" I replied, "It's a farewell party isn't it." Though I understood why such a choice was made, I didn't feel the backlash of my sadness until I walked home alone.
我想去不成曼谷有它的意義，因為這樣我才有機會在這裡好好地說再見。我會記得心慧教我的所有密碼和故事，有一天我們再見面的時候，我會分享植物教我有關人生的大事。
I guess it has made sense why I couldn't make it to Bangkok, or I wouldn't have had a chance to say goodbye properly. I will bear in mind all the codes and stories that Hsin-huei taught me, and one day when we meet again, I will share THE RULE that botany will have taught me about life.
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