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! 

去散步 / Go for a walk

晴朗的週六下午，我們的博物館搬到戶外的傅園，大人小孩一起散步曬太陽。

On the sunny Saturday afternoon, we move the museum outdoors. Today we go for a walk in Fu Garden together. 

        小小學生一一只有兩歲不到。

     Our youngest participant Yi-yi is less than two years old. 

        這幾個孩子好像要去探險。

     These kids seem to be going on a safari. 

        大自然可以說的話比我知道的多很多，並且讓大家都開心。

     Nature can say so much more than I do, and it makes everyone so happy. 

        回到室內研究剛才撿到的果實和種子。

     We go on studying the fruits and seeds found in the garden after returning to the indoor museum. 

        今天的主角是木瓜先生。

     Our protagonist today is Mr. Papaya. 

        去庭園找木瓜樹！

     We look for papaya trees in the garden! 

        連帶撿到迷你楊桃。

     On the way we find a mini star fruit. 

        還有蠶殼！

     Along with a cicada shell! 

        最後用好大的野餐派對收尾！

     Then we top everything off with a very luxurious picnic party! 

My museum dream / 博物館之夢

很年輕的時候，我對博物館有很大的憧憬，之後的很多年，雖然沒有刻意追求，但又偶然地找回這個夢想，現在想起來，覺得自己很幸運。

When I was young, I dreamed of working in a museum. Though the dream was forgotten for many years, coincidentally, I found it again more than two years ago. Now looking back on the dots that connect my life, I feel very lucky. 

        這個周末除了我的小訪客，還有一群日本訪客，看到教授們對於館的設計和想法很有興趣，我也感染了他們的熱誠。

     This weekend, apart from my regular young visitors, we also had some Japanese guests. I was infected with the professors' enthusiasm in the design of the museum and our management concepts.

        我喜歡博物館，因為博物館的空間充滿了許多可能性。即使導覽或老師不說話，訪客和孩子們也能發掘新奇的事物，然後從博物館延伸到生活，可能性就更無窮。

     I like museums because they hold numerous possibilities. Even if the guide or the teacher doesn't say anything, visitors can make new discoveries on their own. Then, what we see in the museum can be extended to our everyday life, which offers even more possibilities. 

        聽到再來的孩子說他們記得上次教了什麼，還有新來的孩子說她要自己去玩一下，我想植標館爺爺一定也暗暗微笑吧！

     Every week,  moms and dads are eager to tell me what their kids remember from the previous visit. New kids whisper in my ears that they would like to have some fun on their own in the museum. Well, I bet our herbarium grandpa must be thrilled upon hearing the warm feedback! 

Children's museum in full blast / 台大植標館兒少知性之旅

星期六早上很忙，忙著準備下午去台大植標館的教材，但忙的不只我一個，自從我們把下午茶視為活動的一部分，愛雪就得幫忙想菜單。這週六的菜單是南瓜豆漿，所以一早黃豆們就開始泡澡，漂亮的南瓜也等著就位。這幾週的主題是南瓜，因此阿長買的南瓜籽也派上用場，他們是孩子們的最愛。

Now I am as busy as a bee on Saturday mornings because I need to prepare the teaching materials for the workshop in the herbarium in the afternoon. However, I am not the only busy person. Since a few months ago, I have made afternoon tea an indispensable part of the lesson, I have thought up many snacks for the children. Starting from this month, Mom has become the chef. This month the featured plant is the pumpkin, so we've been eating various snacks made from pumpkins. This weekend the menu is pumpkin soy bean milk. Apart from that, Dad's pumpkin seeds are kids' favorite. 

        最大的功臣則是我家精良的食物處理機，把這些食材大變身！

     But it's our Thermomix that does all the hard work and turns in the ingredients into different delicacies! 

        每週六下午有十個左右孩子來和我玩，經過半年的訓練之後，我可以一個人撐兩小時的場面了，這應該是今年最大的成長。也因為有兩個小時，我可以慢慢來。我對小朋友說：「在學校壓力很大喔！在這裡我們就放鬆地吃喝玩樂。」其實應該是我在對自己說吧！

     Every Saturday there are no more than ten kids that come to play with me. After six-month training, I can now proudly say that I don't panic at all in giving a two-hour-long lesson on plants. In fact, this should be my biggest achievement this year. With sufficient time, I can take it slow. I often say to the kids, "I know you are under a lot of pressure at school. Here, I won't force you to do what you don't feel like doing. Just relax and have fun!" In fact, I am saying to myself. 

        通常一個下午會有好幾個單元，讓小朋友可以用各種方式體驗植物之美，香草植物是我的最愛之一。

     Usually there are three to four parts in an afternoon for children to learn about plants in all sorts of ways. Herbs are a topic I like to cover. 

        之後再來杯綠薄荷紅茶或檸檬薄荷紅茶，昨天孩子說：「和外面買的一樣好喝！」但我們完全不加任何人工成份！

     After smelling the leaves, we will have a cup of mint black tea. Yesterday the girls couldn't help exclaiming, "It's as good as the beverage sold in shops!" As a matter of fact, the tea kids drink is all natural without any artificial ingredients!  

        南瓜大展！

     An amazing exhibition of pumpkins! 

        大家聚精會神地看影片介紹，我們只差一步就有博物館劇院了，接下來小朋友可以有舒服的視覺享受。

     We are still fixing our museum theater device, but it will happen very soon. Before my dream comes true, everyone is focused despite the small screen of my laptop. 

        為了吃南瓜子，好多隻手都舉起來回答問題，這根本就是週六才會有的盛況啊！

     To eat pumpkin seeds, the kids raise their hands high. Well, this is the phenomenon that can be witnessed only on Saturdays! 

        今天的客座昆蟲講師崇羽，介紹強大又可愛的蟑螂。

     Our guest lecturer Chong-yu introduces the powerful yet lovely cockroaches! 

        上菜時間：阿崴麵包的南瓜土司！

     Snack time: Pumpkin toast from La Whale bakery. 

        加上游家的南瓜豆漿！

        小朋友要走之前有點遺憾地說：「四點了啊？時間怎麼過得這麼快！」週六真是讓我來建設心靈用的啊！

     With the exclusive pumpkin soy bean milk from the You family. 

     Before the kids leave, they still don't feel like going, "It's four o'clock already? How can time pass by that fast!" 

     What can I say? Saturdays are my fillips. 

        有興趣報名參加台大植標館每週六下午的兒少知性之旅，請上此網頁，不過據說接下來只能報名明年的課程囉！

     For those interested in children's workshop held in the NTU herbarium, please go to this website and sign up for it early! 

Encounter with the insect boy / 遇見昆蟲男孩

過去的一周裡，去看了螢火蟲，去新店山上吹吹風，反正沒辦法畫圖，就出去玩。不過最神奇的是週六下午在植標館遇見昆蟲男孩，崇羽是昆蟲系大二生，一來就秀出他那一盒養著鳳蝶幼蟲的寶物，弄得小朋友心癢癢的，而且昆蟲男孩有說不完的知識，立馬成為我的偶像。

In the past week, I have traveled to different places to relax and broaden my horizons. Since I can't draw, I might as well have some fun. However, the most amazing experience is the encounter with the insect boy on Saturday afternoon in the herbarium. Chong-yu is a sophomore majoring in insects. He comes with a magical box with the lush green caterpillars crawling inside, which tickles the children pink. He has so much to say about the insects that he immediately becomes my idol.

        在人潮來來去去之間，崇羽做好了昆蟲寶盒，我說他可以拿這個盒子遊走天下，一定會虜獲許多小朋友的心。而且他對於植物也有說不完的介紹，害我稱讚他個不停，知道他還會吹薩克斯風，我不禁驚呼：怎麼那麼帥氣啊！還得用力壓住不說出想幫他介紹女朋友的蠢話。

     Apart from guide-touring the visitors, Chong-yu finishes the preparation of his insect treasure box in the meanwhile. I believe he can travel around the world with this box and he will definitely capture every kid's heart. He also knows A LOT about plants. Moreover, he plays the saxophone too. I can't help uttering: Wow, how handsome you must look when playing the instrument! In the end, I have to stop myself from introducing lovely girls to him. 

        我們熱情加映多服務一個小時，回家的路上我說想要找一個角落想事情，他帶我到私房景點：麵包果樹下的秋千座。

     We prolong the service hour to five p.m. On our way home, I say that I'd like to look for a quiet corner to think. He takes me to a super lovely courtyard with a swing under the breadfruit tree. 

        偌大的庭園裡只有我一個人坐在秋千上搖晃到天黑，想著今年上半年失去的東西都好重大，可是失去背後的意義更重大，都是有好多課題要學的吧！昆蟲男孩也是上帝派來給我的小天使之一。

     I swing alone in the vast courtyard all alone until the sun sets. Meanwhile, I can't help thinking that I've lost much in the first half of 2015, but behind the loss, there are so many huge lessons to learn. The insect boy is probably one of my guardian angels to guide me the way! 

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!