long and beautiful journey / 又漫長又美好

今年的信誼幼兒文學獎改在信誼的好好生活廣場舉辦，不過不管在哪裡舉辦，我都會去參加！

My yearly goal is to participate in the picture-book contest held by Hsin-y publisher and go to the award ceremony wherever the venue is. This time I decided to write only instead of making a book. My work "Sunny and Rain" is shortlisted. 

        今年的文字創作獎沒有嘉作也沒有首獎，現在的我已經學到輸贏不是最重要的事，寫一個好故事才是我的目標。這個故事的靈感來自於我去北歐的旅行，回來時我的傘上還留著北歐的雨，因此很想幫雨寫一個故事，剛好很符合今年台灣的天氣呢！

     Unfortunately, there is no winner in the category of story-writing. However, my failures last year taught me that creating a good story is much more important than winning. The inspiration for my story comes from my trip to North Europe last summer. It surprised me quite a bit to see the raindrops remaining on my umbrella when I opened it after returning to Taiwan. Thus, I was motivated to write a story for the rain. The story comes in handy in the rainy spring here! 

        寫作就是人生的反映，總是會有起起伏伏，今年寫的故事或許特別吸引人，但也許明年的故事就沒有那麼傑出，這都是很正常的。

     Writing or making picture books is a reflection of human life in that there are always ups and downs. Maybe your story is particularly amazing this year, but it doesn't guarantee that next year you'll come up with an equally wonderful one. And we all have to bear that in mind instead of taking the outcome of the contest too seriously. 

        好一陣子沒有上兒童文學的課程了，再度來到這樣的場合，不禁又激動了起來，心中對於做繪本的熱情又熊熊地燒了起來，放眼望去是一年又一年都來的熟悉面孔，大家都很努力地朝著同一個目標前進，雖然不是一蹴可及，可是想到原來自己在意的事對很多創作者也同樣重要，信念就更堅定了。

     I haven't gone to any workshop on children literature for a while. Being on such an occasion once again, the fire in me is rekindled again. Every year I get to see many familiar faces of creators who go all out for the same goal. Though the road to success is paved with challenges and frustrations, my faith is strengthened upon being reminded that the goal that I consider so essential also matters so much to many picture-book makers. 

        今年的繪本佳作得主葉曼玲小姐，作品內容靈感源自於女兒在公園裡撿的花葉種子。

     This is the runner-up Ms. Yeh for the category of picture books. Her story is inspired by her daughters picking leaves and seeds in the park. 

        今年的特別獎得主是蕭湄羲小姐，十二年前就得過大獎，她說這中間沒有創作的時候就觀察和思考，我特別喜歡這句話。

     This is the winner of the special award Ms. Hsiao. She won the award twelve years ago. During the interim when she didn't create, she spent time observing and thinking. These words really impress me. 

        從缺多年的首獎今年終於找到得主，是很有名氣的郭乃文和周見信先生，靈感來自曾經飼養的小狗。

     The winners of the best picture book this year go to the famous pair Mr. Guo and Mr. Chou. Their story is inspired by their pet dog. 

        主辦單位也特別頒發終身成就獎給藝術家趙國宗老師，同時也有他的畫展。

     The host also gives the lifetime achievement award to the renowned artist Mr. Zhou. His exhibition is also held at the same time. 

        最令人感動的則是林良老師，每年都見到他，每周在國語日報上都讀到他的文章，真是完全奉獻給兒童文學的人生，我也要那麼充滿熱情才行！

     What moves me most is seeing Mr. Lin again. Though he is in his 90s, he is still dedicated to writing for children. I definitely want to be as hard-working as he is! 

        今天的晚餐則是在螢火蟲相伴的和美山，一邊喝著蜂蜜啤酒，接下來再重新開始吧！

     To top the afternoon off, we spend my evening in the company of fireflies and a can of honey beer in the suburban hill. Well, you know what? I am going to start all anew again!