Weekend Children's Museums / 假日兒童博物館

台大生命科學院的動物博物館在春天和秋天都會舉辦假日兒童博物館，在生命科學院的一樓中庭有學生準備的攤位，帶領小朋友做有趣的學習，這個月植物標本館也加入兒童博物館的活動，星期六下午我和館方的工作人員及志工會帶小朋友畫圖及認識戶外庭園。其實這對我來說是意外的驚喜，前三週意外地被告知去帶小朋友導覽，我覺得自己可以做得更好，於是我們從上週開始便正式加入了假日兒童博物館。

Every spring and fall, there are mobile weekend children museums prepared by the animal museum in front of College of Life Science in NTU on Saturday afternoons from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Students and staff come up with various activities for children. This fall, the herbarium decided to join hands with the animal museum. For the six weeks, the staff and volunteers will give children and adults a tour of the outdoor gardens. Meanwhile, I will host doodling workshops in the herbarium. In fact, on the first Saturday, we only meant to draw some visitors to the herbarium, but I found the experience rather pleasant and inspiring. Thus, starting from the second Saturday, we officially became part of the weekend children museums.

        儘管我做了準備，剛開始還是有些緊張，原來安靜的週六下午現在因為小朋友熱鬧了起來。這是我第一次想要主打的植物─烏來鳳尾蕨。

   Though I made some preparation, I couldn't help feeling a little bit nervous in the beginning. The quiet herbarium was going to liven up because of children. I focus on some star specimens to be the teaching materials. 

        這是有些小朋友一眼就會注意到的疣柄魔芋。標本們應該也很興奮，一下子有這麼多孩子來盯著他們畫圖，要是我都會臉紅啊！

   This is the eye-catching Elephant Yam. I bet the specimens are excited about the children's coming. I mean, I would blush with so many eyes staring at me! 

        雖然有很多工作人員幫忙，這週末連大女孩們都來助陣，我一個下午要講六次同樣的話，開始之前自己會覺得很難想像，可是我比上班說話的時候還自在，再加上看到這樣的畫面，說完一場就有精力接下一場，博物館不就是要這樣被欣賞的嗎？

   I appreciate the enthusiastic help of the staff and even my ex-students. However, every weekend before the workshops, I can hardly believe that I have to say the same thing for six times. Yet, I feel more at ease than at work. Upon seeing this, I do feel that I can go on and on. Shouldn't a museum look like this on the inside? 

        每一梯次的小朋友特質都不一樣，昨天有幾個孩子這麼自在地或坐或站，我覺得這是很感人的畫面。而要結束前的一群孩子，不知為何，每個人手中拿著畫筆卻都無法下手，我一直在敲邊鼓：今天是星期六，不要想太多，畫什麼都好。最後一戶人家的大中小男孩不好意思地拿作品給我看，好迂迴的孩子，但是好可愛啊！

   Every group of children is different. Yesterday, some kids felt so at home. I found the image to be very moving. When it came to the last group of kids yesterday, each of them held a colored pencil in their hand, unable to draw anything. I kept saying, "It's Saturday. Don't think too much. Just draw whatever you want to." In the end, three boys of different sizes from the same family came forth and showed me their drawings shyly. How thoughtful and indirect, yet how lovely! 

        我也說不上來為什麼每週六活動結束時都有滿滿的幸福感，都是些小片刻，卻又如此令人難忘，例如說聽到孩子說台東蘇鐵的雄蕊是黑香腸、或把植物標本館說成生命科學館等等，雖然這些答案很好笑，可是他們可是很真心地在回答；或者看到他們在十分鐘裡很投入地畫一張圖，即使最後的成品是一張抽象畫，也還是很感人；有些孩子不想畫，苦惱地問我：可以不要畫嗎？那樣的表情也很動人；還有兩歲的孩子緩慢地卻堅持地刷幾條線；背著英式書包的男孩、大家一古腦往門口衝找植物標本卻衝到門外去，一臉茫然的樣子；看起來像小博士的男孩有自信地說：我喜歡植物，真的很迷人；愛耍嘴皮的小男孩因為我說要好好畫才有小獎品，卯起來把筆都塗鈍了；對了，還有小男生很誠懇問我教材是誰畫的，我很得意地回答：我啊，好看吧！他一定也覺得我是奇怪的阿姨；大家都離開了，卻還待在小房間裡的幾個孩子繼續畫，讓人很難打斷他們；或者是突然發現看到幾張超可愛的作品，我的眼睛就會亮了起來。

   I can't explain why every weekend my heart is filled with joy. These are just some tiny moments, but they are unforgettable. For example, I can't help bursting into laughter when the kids try so hard to answer my questions only to bring forth really really hilarious answers. They are so involved in the drawing activity even only for ten minutes. Maybe what I see at last is an abstract drawing, but I don't mind. Some kids don't feel like drawing, but they will ask me with worries, "Can I not draw?" Even that is appealing to me. Or it might be a two-year-old who doesn't know how to hold a pencil. Still, she insists on drawing short lines at a slow pace. A little boy carries a super beautiful English book bag on his back; a group of kids who rushes outside look confused when I ask them to go to the exhibits near the entrance; a big boy says with confidence, "I like plants." A talkative boy finally stops talking and draws hard when I announce he won't get a gift if he does not put his mind to it. One really young boy asks me who drew the teaching materials. I answered like a kid too, "Me. Lovely right?" Last but not least, there are always some works that make my day.  

        爸爸媽媽的姿態也很好玩，有一些累得呼呼大睡，有一些毫無止盡滑手機，有一些很認真地跟著互動，每當這個時候我總是很高興我是那個暫時幫他們托嬰的人。大家紛紛問我為什麼會說小朋友的語言，有些還很驚奇我沒有孩子，就是因為沒有才有時間練習如何和小孩說話。

   It's fun to observe the parents too. Some are so tired that they fall asleep right away upon sitting down on our magic long bench. Others participate in the workshops and interact with me. Somehow I am always glad to be where I am. It's wonderful to be a temporary babysitter. I am constantly asked if I have children because I speak their language. I guess it's because I don't that I have time to learn their language. 

        短短的半小時過去後，孩子們和我揮手再見，這也是令我很快樂的時刻，為了讓他們前進，我會說：戶外庭園更好玩！或者和他們說下一個博物館更有趣。感覺我在這世上又多認識了一些孩子。傍晚若是在台大附近遇見了，他們還會和我熱情地打招呼，也許明後天就忘了，這樣短暫的緣份也很美好。

   After half an hour, the kids wave me goodbye, which is a beautiful moment for me too. To make them leave, I will remind them, "The outdoor gardens are fantastic!""The next museum is even better!" I feel I have known some more children in this world. If we happen to run into each other in the evening around NTU, they will greet me with passion. Maybe we will forget each other, but the short encounter is just great. 

        話雖如此，我知道自己同時也留在一些孩子的相機裡了。

   Still, I know I have stayed in some people's memory cards. 

        台大生科院的假日兒童博物館還有三週，每週六下午一點到四點在台大生科院前面，會有專人帶領你到有些隱密但無限美麗的植物標本館喔！

   The weekend children's museums will last for another three weeks. You will find us from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday afternoon in front of the building of College of Life Science! 

Cafe-like museum / 像咖啡館的博物館

現在每個週六早上都是我的自學時間，邊讀邊冒出更多的問號，但越走進植物的世界越是開心。前往植標館的路上總是充滿期待，不知道今天又會和怎麼樣的人相遇。

Now every Saturday morning is my self-study time. The more I learn, the more questions will spring up. However, it's really a blessing to find myself in the midst of the plant world. On my way to the museum, I am always filled with anticipation, wondering what kind of visitors I will encounter. 

       很多人一進門便忽略這塊美麗的標牌，這是工作人員和志工的作品。因為我還沒有機會親眼看過所有的果實和種子，只能暫時用記的，所以每當有人問我是不是主修植物，我都會有點羞愧和竊喜。

   Many people automatically ignore this lovely sign right upon entering the exhibit room, but it was the hard work of the staff and volunteers. Since I haven't got opportunities to look at all the seeds in person, I can only do some cramming. Whenever asked if I major in botany, I can't help feeling a mixture of shame and pride. 

       主展場的空間原本是植物解剖室，經過設計改建之後，就變成現在的樣貌。沒有訪客的時候，我可以挑喜歡的位子讀書。這些櫃子和桌椅也都很有歷史感。

   The main room used to be a botany lab. Now it is totally different after being designed and renovated. If there isn't any visitor, I can pick my favorite seat and read. The cabinets, desk and chairs are all antiques from the Japanese colonial period. 

        今天下午剛開館時有點冷清，我便以參觀者的眼光仔細觀看每件展品。這是工藤祐舜教授的手稿和植物拓印，真是美麗。即使我已經在展示室待了三個星期，還是有好多新東西要研究。

   I had only myself in the early afternoon, which offered me a good chance to examine every exhibit as a visitor. This is the rubbing and manuscript of Prof. Yushun Kudo. Though I've been working in the exhibit room for three weeks, I never run out of things to learn. 

        館長郭城孟教授上個月替大家開了堂課，說了很多關於植標館的故事，聽完之後他瞬間成為我的偶像。展示室裡有很多留著老師痕跡的展品。我們今天偷閒吃下午茶，補慶祝老師昨天生日。

   The director of the herbarium, Prof. Chen-Meng Kuo, gave a talk on the history and stories of the herbarium last month, and he instantly became my idol. There are some exhibits indicating the effort of the professor. We had afternoon tea this afternoon to celebrate his birthday, which was actually yesterday, without his presence. 

        郭教授的老師是棣慕華教授(Charles E. Devol)，仔細研讀標籤才發現有張他的親筆字跡。棣老師對於植標館的貢獻良多。

   The mentor of Prof. Kuo was Dr. Charles E. Devol. After a close look at the specimen labels, I found one with his handwriting. He also made immense contributions to the herbarium. 

        展示室除了可以看見的陳列品外，也暗藏許多寶藏，這是我偶然找到的不知名果實，雖然老是覺得自己很無知，但是我得常常說服自己：總是有不知道的事情。

   Apart from visible exhibits in the showcases, there are more put away in the cabinets. I came upon a bottle of unknown seeds unexpectedly. Since I started learning botany, I have constantly reminded myself that it is ok that there are so many things I don't know. 

找到答案了，這是無患子的種子！

I found the answer: These are the seeds of Chinese soap berries! 

       發現這個木盒時我非常驚喜，一定是上帝要獎勵我週六還來當志工！

   I was really amazed when I saw this wooden box. I bet it's my gift from God for doing voluntary work on Saturday! 

       要收攤之際，來了五個台藝大的小女生，可以和他們聊植物標本、藝術和古物，而且看他們很有興趣，這樣就夠讓我的週六發光了！

   Before closing, there came five young girls majoring in art. It was such a joy to converse with them about plant specimens, art and antiques. Seeing their eyes sparkle, I knew this was another fantastic Saturday. 

      快來台大植物標本館玩一玩！ 

   Come to TAI herbarium for fun asap! 

I love TAI & THAI

象牙木種子/ the seed of Ivorywood

植物標本館的同事們對我很好，不只是客客氣氣地好，而是幫助我自我發揮。有一天做標本做到一半時，貴美說，不如請我畫黃椰子種子的生長狀況，她搬了一張小板凳，我就靠在面對門口的矮鐵櫃上畫圖。

My colleagues in TAI Herbarium are extremely nice to me. I do not mean the superficial politeness. Rather, they let me be. One day while I am working on making a specimen, Guei-mei suggests that I draw the growth of certain seeds. She thus grabs a stool for me to sit facing the door of the herbarium. It reminds me of my childhood whiling time away in my mom's office. 

        當時我只有一盒無印良品的筆，貴美又抓了幾隻畫重點的蠟筆和A4白紙，我覺得自己好像回到兩年前在坎貝爾的第一堂課，觀察畫法是一切的起點，我必須用有限的用具捕捉種子的觸感，當下忘了自己在標本館裡，而是在倫敦的教室裡和宿舍裡。

   I have only a box of colored ballpoint pens of MUJI. Guei-mei offers some crayon-like markers and blank A4 paper. Suddenly I feel like being in the first class in Camberwell when we learn the observed drawing. I have to capture the essence of the object with a limited choice of art supplies. For the moment I truly forget that I am in the herbarium. Instead, I think I am in the studio in Camberwell and in my dorm. 

 黃椰子種子/ the seed of Yellow Palm

        倫敦的生活對我來說真的是很遙遠了，有時候也會有一點點羨慕同學可以過著全心畫圖的生活，但是那一個下午我像搭時光機回到當時，讓我看到我的現在也很有價值。連只認識我幾分鐘的新同事居然都情不自禁地說：你很幸福！

   To me, the year in London is more than eons away. Sometimes I do feel a very tiny dose of envy for my ex-classmates, who can spend all their time drawing. However, I take the time machine that afternoon and relive the wonderful moments. Meanwhile, this tells me that my current life is equally meaningful. I beam with so much joy that even a new colleague makes the remark: You are such a blessed person! 

        另外一件令我同樣開心的事是泰文課，因為每天都要看泰劇，這週年輕帥氣的老師不禁問我是不是有泰國友人，我想說我的朋友都是明星來著，不過還是忍住了。我的當下不是英國，但我有TAI 和THAI。

   Something else that pleases me is my Thai lesson. Since I watch Thai lakorns every day, this week my young and cute Thai teacher can't help asking if I have Thai friends for me to practice the language with. I swallow the urge to say, "Yeah, my friends are all big stars." My present is not the UK, but I have my beloved TAI Herbarium and the Thai language. 

we're all in the dance 2 / 圈圈相連 2

昨天去上天文星盤課，美欽問我過去這一年在做什麼，我說：很多事啊！我把做過的新嘗試都列出來，長期的短期的都算進去。

Yesterday I went to a workshop on astrology. Meichien asked me what I have been up to in the past year. I then listed all of my new experiences, both long-term and short-term ones.

        今天去上了植物標本製作課。

   Today I attended a workshop on making herbarium specimen.

        雖然不難，但大家還是手忙腳亂的。

   Though it wasn't hard, most of us still couldn't get it right.

        資深的專家做起來多麼美麗啊！巧的是一早去上課時發現八月初在青年公園遇到的生態老師，也在同一間教室裡。

   As the senior volunteer demonstrated for us, I couldn't help exclaiming that this is a form of art too. And it was a lovely coincidence that the ecology teacher I had met in the Youth Park earlier in August was in the same classroom as me. 

        接著上裱褙課，走進來的美少男老師林仁信是去年年底參加台北文化之旅的講者。

   Next it was another workshop on framing posters. The lecturer, Mr. Lin Ren-hsin, happened to be the tour guide for our cultural tour at the end of last year. 

        邊看老師重新裱圖時，旁邊的阿姨說：看老師刷灰塵的樣子，就知道可以嫁給這種人。想不到阿姨的想法比我還要少女。

   When seeing Mr. Lin at work, the senior lady next to me made the remark: By looking at how the teacher brushes off the dust, I can tell he's a good husband candidate. Wow, I didn't know that the lady is even more romantic than me....

        最棒的是林老師附贈一堂版畫課介紹，看到浮世繪的製作過程，我的心簡直就要飛起來了。下課跑去和老師相認，老師居然還記得我。只能說這世界真是圈圈相連，看來我過去一年的確是做了不少事喔！

   Best of all, Mr. Lin gave a short free lecture on printmaking at the end of the workshop. Watching the video of how ukiyo-e is produced, my heart literally leaped. And it turned out that Mr. Lin still remembers me. All I can say is, we are all in the dance. I wasn't exaggerating when I said I had done MUCH during the past year!