New Year's Resolutions / 新年願望

2015的最後一天要開始實現新年願望：

做好玩的嚐試

多閱讀

多運動

擴大視野、為社會服務

繼續寫作和畫畫

On the last day of 2015, I have begun to accomplish my New Year's resolutions: 

Try fun things 

Read more 

Exercise more 

Broaden my horizons and serve people 

Go on with writing and drawing 

Strawberry / 草莓

應該是昏昏欲睡的下雨冬日，我放了一顆草莓在書桌上，一整天沉浸在香甜的味道裡，不想睡覺‧‧‧‧‧‧

On a typical drowsy rainy winter day, I put a strawberry on my desk as my companion. For the whole day I bask in its sweet fruit fragrance. I hardly feel so awake on a Sunday......

What a journey! / 好一趟旅行！

這周末做完週六的植標館兒少之旅之後，我們要休息兩個月，好好規劃明年的課程內容，雖然放手是我的人生課題，現在想起來很感謝做了這樣明智的決定。於是絲瓜為我們的2015年畫下了美麗的句點。

     This weekend we have our last workshop in the herbarium. Then, we will take a two-month long break to plan for next year's activities. In the beginning, I made some effort to accept the decision, but now when looking back, I really appreciate Guei-mei's wisdom in coming up with the suggestion. Thus, the luffa lesson draws a lovely period to 2015 for us.

        從大家擠在一起看我的小白蘋果螢幕，現在有博物館的劇院享受。

     It's hard to imagine that weeks ago kids were still crowding around the desk to watch a video clip on my tiny Apple screen. Now we have the luxury of a museum theater. 

Kay Lin 攝 / photo taken by Kay Lin

        我們用味覺感受植物的力量和國際化的下午茶：來自英國的唐寧茶─蘋果肉桂葡萄乾紅茶和印尼的佐迷迭香大蒜薯片。

     We feel the power of plants with our tastebuds. 

     Menu for our afternoon tea: Apple cinnamon raison black tea of Twinings and an array of chips seasoned with rosemary garlic. 

Kay Lin 攝 / photo taken by Kay Lin

        今天來的孩子不多，不過我們的VIP館友柏輝回來了，還說：「媽媽說你們要休息兩個月，所以我們趕著來。」他很興奮地和其他孩子分享：「這裡有吃又有玩！」

     Today we have less than ten kids. Among them is our VIP student Bo-huei. He tells me in excitement, "Mom said you will be taking a break for two months, so we feel we have to come." He also shares with the other kids his previous experiences, "Here, you can eat and play!" 

        貴美阿姨上菜：絲瓜蛤蠣湯！

     Guei-mei's cuisine: Oyster soup with luffa. 

Kay Lin 攝 / photo taken by Kay Lin

        我的私人貴客宥宥也來拜訪我！

     My personal VIP guest Yoyo comes as well! 

Kay Lin 攝 / photo taken by Kay Lin

        孩子在庭園裡奔跑很開心，還一窺因覺蕨展開放的溫室。

     The children have much fun running around in the gardens. Of course they do not miss the rarely-open greenhouse. 

Kay Lin 攝 / photo taken by Kay Lin

        這陣子一直在收上帝送我的年末禮物，而柏輝也帶來了一個很大的禮物，九月的時候企圖念我寫的故事給孩子們聽，當時因為帶錯了檔案，只念了開頭的一句，結果這個細心的男孩昨天問我：「上次你寫的故事呢？」我心裡瞬間流過一波暖流，還好我有認真改寫，我回答：「完全不一樣了！」也送出去比賽了！雖然離我的夢想還有一段距離，可是我知道這個巨大的城市的某個角落，有人認真地看待我的夢想。

    This week I have been receiving God's gifts for me as a reward of my hard work and good will throughout the whole year. Bo-huei brings an enormous one with him. I attempted to read a story I had written to the children back in September, but I had the wrong file with me. I wound up reading only the first sentence to them. However, this really thoughtful boy asks me three months later, "What about the story you wrote?" Upon hearing the question, I felt someone putting a warm palm upon my heart. Luckily, I  did rewrite it with full might. I answered, "Oh, it's totally different!" And more importantly, I sent it to the contest a few weeks ago. Though I have not reached my goal of having my story published, I know that in some corners in this vast city, some people take my dream as seriously as me. 

        今年因為植標館，不只長知識，也面對了沒有信心教自然科的恐懼，更遇到了很多好棒的孩子和大人，給我各方面的幫助，這真是很棒的一趟旅行！

     This year I have not only gained much knowledge but also the confidence to teach science from the herbarium workshops. Moreover, I've encountered many adults and children who benefit me in every way. I have to say that this is the best journey of the year. 

        雖然有爸爸媽媽已經急著為孩子報名明年的活動，我們要請大家有耐心地等一等，我們明年春天再見！到時候不只有新課程，我也多了神秘的新伙伴！

     Some parents are eager to sign up for their kids for the coming events, but we have to ask everyone to wait with patience. We will reopen in spring, and by then, we will surprise you with new topics as well as my new mysterious teaching partner! 

Nice to have you / 有你真好

楷維繪 / drawn by Kyle 

聖誕夜，楷維用充滿決心的口氣和我說：「今天晚上我一定要睜大眼睛，爸爸說聖誕老人是一道紅光，一下子就過去了！」

On Christmas Eve, Kyle says to me with determination in his voice, "Tonight, I will open my eyes wide. Daddy said that Santa is a ray of red light. He flashes by in a sec." 

        聖誕節的臉書上記錄著各家小朋友有多麼期待得到聖誕禮物，宥宥在床上打滾三個小時才入睡，小心心從澳洲傳簡訊問奶奶聖誕老人有沒有送禮物到家裡，楷維起床發現聖誕老人把禮物送到另一個家去了。

     On Christmas, Facebook records many children's anticipation of Santa's visit. Yoyo tosses and turns for three hours before falling asleep the night before. Shin sends a text message to Granny from Australia wondering if Santa has successfully delivered her gift. Kyle wakes up to find that Santa has left his gift in the other apartment. 

        大人用可笑的口吻說，小孩子怎麼這麼好騙呢？這世界上怎麼會有聖誕老人呢？

     I hear many adults remark with a teasing tone, "Children are so gullible. How come they believe in the existence of Santa without a doubt?" 

        我說：有什麼關係呢？生活太真實，我們總是得有些天真可笑的信仰。

     I can't help retorting, "Why does it matter? Life is too real. We need some innocent and even ridiculous beliefs to make life easier." 

        本來我最怕大肆慶祝的節日，不過換了個角度想，孩子們和大人們只是需要有一天，吃吃糖、拆禮物、沒理由地胡鬧一下，看到一線紅光，結果我在這一天裡，也感受到濃濃的愛意。

     I tend to shun away from highly promoted holidays. However, I manage to change my point of view. Kids and children just need a day when they can eat candy and unwrap gifts, have fun for no reason, and see a ray of red light. Then, miraculously, I end up feeling sweet love where I didn't expect. 

        有聖誕老公公真好！

     Nice to have Santa! 

CIY / 自己畫

女孩說：「今天天空沒有顏色。」

我說：「那就自己畫！」

The girl says, "Today the sky is colorless." 

I say, "Color it yourself." 

Stockholm / 斯德哥爾摩

斯德哥爾摩最富盛名的市政廳。

The renowned Stockholm City Hall. 

        瑞典人怎麼能把談政治的場合設計得如此優雅？

     How can Swedes make a political venue so elegant? 

        藍廳：每年十二月十日諾貝爾晚宴於此舉行。

     The Blue Hall is where the Nobel Prize Banquet is held every year on December, 10. 

        光舉窗戶為例，其設計就千變萬化。

     Take the windows for example. There are various designs of shapes and patterns. 

        走完一圈市政廳，覺得比美術館還像美術館。

     It feels more like an art museum than a city hall. 

        金廳內貼有1900萬片馬賽克金箔磁磚，金壁輝煌，中央嵌飾美娜蓮女王的黃金像。

     The Golden Hall is named after the decorative mosaics made of more than 18 million glass and gold pieces. On the center of the wall is the Queen of Lake Maelaren, which represents Stockholm being honored by the East and the West. 

        市政廳外面還有如此浪漫的畫面！

     I capture a super romantic image outside the city hall! 

        地面市集，多半是移民經營的攤販。

     The outdoor market outside the Old Haymarket: Most stands are run by immigrants. 

        貴氣的市內市場，連小販都很有個人風格。

     The indoor market is chic. Each of the vendors has his/her distinctive style. 

        光看就飽了！

     This is a feast for the eyes! 

        連餐桌都是風景！

     There's something to see even on the dining table! 

        多特寧皇宮有「北方凡爾賽宮」之稱，始建於十六世紀末，十八世紀為瑞典皇室避暑勝地，現為皇家成員居住地。

     Drottningham Palace is also known as the Swedish Versailles. It was originally built in the late 16th century. It served as a summer residence for the Swedish royal family during most of the 18th century. Now it is the private residence of the royal family. 

        皇宮外的巴洛克花園。

     The baroque garden outside the palace. 

        庭園四周環繞著森林。

     The garden is surrounded by the woods. 

        我對皇宮裡的特展很有興趣，是介紹之前的橘園所種植的各式植物。

     I am intrigued by an exhibition in the palace, which introduces the plants grown in the orangery in the past. 

        最初的橘園只是個小溫室，不過在1714年擴建為石造建築，收集的異國花草也日漸壯大。

     The first orangery at Drottningham was a simple hothouse. The erection in 1714 of a larger orangery in stone made it possible to accommodate a greater variety of exotic plants. 

        這個展覽很酷的地方在於提供各種花草的味道，讓訪客有更深刻的嗅覺經驗。

I find the exhibition to be cool in that even the fragrances of plants are provided to enhance the visitor's olfactory experience. 

        不知道冬季的斯德哥爾摩好不好呢？ 

     I wonder what Stockholm is like in winter?