Those flowers / 那些花兒

我們正式進入炎熱的夏季，高溫的日子裡，我開始懷念春天的清爽和繽紛，和那些花兒。

We have officially ushered in the sweltering summer. On the sultry summer days, I can't help but miss the cool, colorful spring, and those flowers. 

        四月裡，我們帶孩子去採用來裝飾個人花環的花朵。

     In April, we invited the children to pick the flowers they would like to use for their head garlands. 

        孩子們在花園樹叢裡來來回回地跑，我好喜歡他們在陽光下奔跑的樣子。

     The kids enjoyed running back and forth in the gardens, which never failed to fascinate me when I looked at them. 

        撿了好多賞心悅目的葉子和花朵。

     The leaves and flowers were so pleasing to the eye. 

        開始花環DIY，媽媽比孩子們還興奮。

     As we began the DIY lesson, the mothers were actually more excited than their kids. 

        成品超級美麗！

     What beautiful wreaths! 

        孩子們也愛不釋手！

     The kids didn't feel like taking the garlands off their heads at all. 

        戴上花環再去戶外玩灑花的遊戲！多美好的季節和童年！ 

     With the garlands on, the children couldn't wait to go outdoors to play the game of tossing petals into the air. They certainly knew how to make best use of the beauty of the spring season!

Another wonderful year in the herbarium / 植標館‧美好的又一年

Rainy face / 下雨的臉

週六的植標館活動，來了一位令人印象深刻的陸配媽媽，和女兒們一起玩，也問了我們很多個人的問題。

媽媽：你沒有自己的小孩嗎？

我：沒有，所以來這裡和別人的孩子玩。

媽媽：我剛來的時候，整天在家裡帶孩子，邊帶邊哭。

媽媽說這話的時候，外面的雨下得好大，好像是她全身上下的寂寞，怎麼倒也倒不完。

On Saturday afternoon in the herbarium, a Chinese immigrant mom brings her daughters to the workshop, but she is more enthusiastic about the lesson. She also asks us many questions on the personal level. 

Mom: Do you have your own children? 

I: No, that's why I am here to play with others' kids. 

Mom: When I first came, I had to take care of the girls on my own. I cried all the time. 

When she says these words, it is raining hard outside. It feels like she can never cease discarding her soaking-wet loneliness... 

Power of plants / 植物的力量

雖然這個秋天做什麼都有點懶散，連植標館都去得比平常少，不過每次去之後，總是會獲得清新的力量。三年前開始的每日明信片計畫，原本每天都會畫一種植物，結果寫著寫著，就變成每日的喃喃了，這幾天我又想起了初衷，大自然也用念力對我說：趕快回到植物的懷抱吧！ 

I've been rather laid-back for a while. In fact, I don't go to the herbarium as often as before. However, every visit always empowers me no matter how reluctant I am before going. I am reminded of my everyday postcard project started three years ago in which I made it a habit to draw a kind of plant on a daily basis. Now I write only about my trivial daily life. Luckily, mother nature has been sending me the message, "Come back to us. This is where you belong!" 

Paper butterfly / 紙蝴蝶

只是一隻紙蝴蝶，孩子們卻把它當做卡地爾最新品，那樣當一回事。

It's just a paper butterfly, but kids chase it as if it were the latest design of Cartier, as if nothing is more precious than it in the whole world. 

Stay passionate / 熱情滿滿

今天的假日兒童博物館裡，湧進了好多小小孩，我們好久沒有這麼多年輕的小貴客，於是我們也出動了七位志工帶小朋友玩不同的活動。

In the children's museum today, the herbarium is filled with little kids. In fact, we haven't had so many young guests for a long time. To show our sincerity, we have a strong cast of seven volunteers to wait on them. 

        小朋友有問必答，好多點不完的手，他們還用稚嫩的歌聲唱「蝴蝶真美麗」，完全透明的心思讓我好感動，雖然場面常常失控，我卻不以為意。

     It's amazing that the children do not hesitate to answer every question we ask. I am also moved by the hands that never put down and the innocent singing of the butterfly song. Though sometimes the situation is quite chaotic, I don't mind at all. 

        中午和朋友聊到，我的熱情隨著年紀有增無減，而我也不知道它會領我到哪裡或找到怎麼樣的挑戰，不過最高興的莫過於遇到有同樣想法的夥伴，我們可以一起把一件事做好，把一個簡單的星期六下午做得多采多姿，這真是目前的我最享受的事情之一。

     I have a talk with a friend at noon about my passion that grows with age. To be honest, I have no clue where it will lead me, but I am sure of one thing: I can't be happier when meeting people who share the same passion with me. We can work together to focus on one task, and for now it is to create a wonderful memory for children on an originally ordinary Saturday afternoon. Such a simple thing can   place me in seventh heaven. 

My dreams always / 初心

最近身體有些不適，還有一些小打擊，雖然不免沮喪，不過我回想自己的初心，總是要緊緊抓住原本的目標，沿路的挫折只是助攻，而不是絆腳石。

I've been feeling kind of unwell. There're always some very minor setbacks. However, whatever happens, I remember to stick to my initial dreams, which helps me to hold tight onto my goals. The frustration only serves to make me more determined. 

Lesson in the herbarium / 下雨天的植物課

休息了兩個月，植標館的植物課又開張了，有個六歲的小女孩好喜歡我做的小蜜蜂蜜蜜。

After taking a two-month-long break, we are back with more lessons in the herbarium! A six-year-old girl just loves my bee Beebee. 

        這一次我比較是課程策畫者，所以不用說太多話。

     Now I am more like a lesson planner, so I don't get to talk much. 

        貴美阿姨是我們的講師之一，因應台大的杜鵑花節，我們來拆解美麗的杜鵑花，研究花的構造。

     Auntie Guei-mei is one of our teachers. Because of the azalea festival in NTU, our task today is to study the structure of an azalea flower. 

        拿到放大鏡和花朵後，連鬧彆扭的男孩也開始觀察花的構造。

     The magnifying glass and flower work magics, because even the whiny boy seems interested as well. 

        接著我們又認識南美朱槿，並且學小蜜蜂吃花蜜！

     Then we go on to learn about South American Wax Mallow. We eat the sweet nectar like the bee! 

        今天的二號講師彥秀上場帶我們認識草莓！

     Our second teacher Yen-sho tells us about the lovely strawberry. 

        同時貴美阿姨自製的草莓醬上場！

     Meanwhile, the strawberry jam made by Auntie Guei-mei is ready. 

        上完課來吃草莓土司！

     The menu for today's afternoon tea is toast with strawberry jam. 

        配上來自泰國的蝶豆茶，又過了一個開心的下午！右邊那一杯加了草莓醬！

     As for the tea, it is the blue butterfly pea tea from Thailand. The right cup has strawberry jam in it. What a wonderful rainy afternoon! 

Madly in love with ferns / 陷入蕨類

新年裡重新發現每天速寫會讓心靈強壯，而我的目標之一就是畫很多蕨類！在溫室裡速寫時，邊想到當時住在倫敦居然沒有去舉世之名的邱植物園，越想越覺得遺憾啊！

As the new year comes, I have rediscovered the magical healing effect of sketching on a daily basis. Well, one of my goals is to sketch as many ferns as I can. While doodling in the greenhouse, it occurs to me that I didn't visit the renowned Kew Garden! How hard it is to live without any regret!

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! 

Fern forests / 蕨類森林

今天我們的挑戰是畫巨大的蕨類森林。看小朋友的畫姿真是視覺上的享受。

Today our challenge is to draw a gigantic fern forest. It's a feast for the eyes to see the kids draw. 

        我一直很著迷於訪客在博物館裡的姿態，孩子們帶來好多可能性。

     I have been fascinated with how visitors make use of the space in a museum. The children have always surprised me with new possibilities. 

        還帶來了一隻恐龍！ 

     Haha, they even bring a dinosaur with them! 

Fern and papaya / 蕨和木瓜

我在植標館放了一些圖書，讓早來的小朋友們可以自行閱讀，有些孩子真真切切地接受了我的心意。

I prepared a bookshelf in the herbarium so that the kids that come early can do some reading on their own. Some of them do get my message. 

        湘芸還折起紙，是第一個這麼做的孩子！

     Yun is the first kid to try origami! 

        看完蕨類展之後，孩子們迫不及待地回展示室畫圖。

     After the guided tour of ferns, the children can't wait to go back to the exhibit room to draw. 

        今天來的小朋友都很有藝術氣息，給我們很大的視覺饗宴。

     The children today are all very artistic. I feel like being in an art museum. 

        畫完圖之後去庭園找木瓜樹！

     Then we go look for the papaya trees in the gardens! 

        木瓜的鄰居是耀眼的楊桃，我無法不注意到它的光芒。

     The papaya tree's neighbor--the star fruits, are so dazzling that I can't but notice them. 

        我好喜歡這個小女孩看影片的姿態！

     I love how the girl concentrates on the clip. 

        我配合今天主題木瓜做的百香果涼拌青木瓜絲。

     I made shredded green papaya seasoned with passion fruit for the afternoon tea. 

        觀察和品嚐青木瓜和熟木瓜。

     We observe a green papaya and taste a ripe papaya.

        左邊的小木瓜是庭園裡的木瓜樹掉下來的。

     The small green papaya on the left is from one papaya tree in the garden. 

        貴美阿姨的木瓜教室開講！

     Time for Auntie Guei-mei's papaya lesson!