Showing posts with label plants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label plants. Show all posts

Sunday, June 18, 2017

If I don't do it, / 不做會怎樣?


六月的植標館週六午後,我們來上豆科植物。傾盆大雨的下午,意外地來了許多孩子和媽媽,兩年前還是個孩子的柏輝這陣子都小學畢業了,這次來感覺像是要和過去說再見了。

On the rainy Saturday afternoon in June, we have a lesson on leguminous plants. It comes as a surprise that there are more children than expected on such a wet day. Our special guest is the 12-year-old Po-huei. When he came two years ago, he was still a child, and now he has graduated from elementary school. I feel he's coming this time to say goodbye not only to us but also to his childhood. 



        平常見沒什麼稀奇的阿勃勒黃花,在拆解之後原來有許多奧秘,今年來的這批孩子頗有學習的熱忱。

     The golden shower trees are in bloom now, and though the yellow flowers are commonly seen, the structure of the flowers is actually amazing. It's nice to see the kids learn with such enthusiasm. 



        雄蕊居然有分三種尺寸,雄雌蕊彎曲的線條也是為了傳宗接代設計!

     There are three sizes for the stamens. Even the curving lines of the filaments and the style are the design of nature to help the plant reproduce. 



        想不到男孩把花插到耳邊! 今天居然還有小朋友想做筆記,我好感動!

     I am amused by how the big boy wears the flower behind his ear. More interestingly, some boys take notes today, which greatly moves me! 



        接著是美麗的鳳凰花,只可惜最近雨下不斷,大美阿姨只能採到幾朵完整的花朵給小朋友們觀察。

      Next we observe the flame flowers. However, because of the continuous torrential rain, Guei-mei finds only three to four intact flowers to show to everybody. 



        雖然這陣子看到阿勃勒和鳳凰花都開了,不這麼近看哪知道花朵果實的奧秘呢?

     I see the golden shower flowers and flame flowers only from far away, but without close observations, I would miss the mysteries of their flowers and fruits. 



        就是看起來普普通通的綠豆黃豆芽也很有趣,黃豆芽還有屁味呢! 

     Even the ordinary-looking mung bean and soy bean sprouts are a lot of fun. The latter smell like farts! 



        我們也玩分組搶答,其實只是想黃豆製品,大家也都好投入! 

     We play the brainstorming game: Each group has to think of as many soy bean products as possible. See how devoted everyone is! 



        最後玩沙包,大家不亦樂乎! 

     We top off the day with the folk beanbag game. The kids enjoy it so much! 

        今年我們把活動頻率減少了,有時候做活動出門的路上也會想,如果不做多好,但每個下午結束的時候,就是會感受到一些溫暖和光亮,促使我繼續,而且在我完全不想界定教育這件事時,週六下午總是向我證明教育可以是有意義的。

     This year we have cut down on the times of the activities. On the Saturdays when there are workshops, I sometimes grumble and wonder how great it would be if there were no such thing on my way to the herbarium. But at the end of these Saturday afternoons, I feel there is always a small flame lit up in my heart, a glow of light that warms me and pushes me to continue. When I don't feel like defining the significance of education, these Saturday afternoons always prove to me that education can be fun and enjoyable. 

        活動結束之前,有個八歲男孩要我看他表演,雖然他一直失敗,我對他說:沒關係,在家練好下次再來!他要離開的時候說:謝謝你鼓勵我!有一天我們也許不再做這個活動,不做也不會少一塊肉,或許有些時候還會慶幸這樣的決定,但我會想念那些可愛純真的孩子和他們的話語。

     Before the end of the day, an eight-year-old boy asks me to watch his specially-prepared show. He keeps failing, so I tell him, "All it takes is practice. I believe you can do much better when you come next time." Before he leaves, he says to me, "Thank you for encouraging me." One day we might not go on with the activity, and it certainly won't kill me. Perhaps I might feel thankful for the decision, but I will certainly, definitely miss those lovely and innocent children and whatever they have said to me. 

Friday, April 14, 2017

Smell of spring / 春天的味道


雨停了,春天植物開花的味道又瀰漫在空氣中;聞到柚子花香味,便直覺地聯想到灑滿陽光的春日。

When the rain stops, the smell of spring fills the air again. The fragrance of pomelo flowers remind me of spring days full of orange sunshine. 

Friday, January 20, 2017

Mansfield Park / 曼斯菲爾德莊園


雖然我一直深受時尚插畫吸引,我的畫風卻不是以時尚為特色。要準備珍奧斯汀的「曼斯菲爾德莊園」插畫時,我突然想到時尚插畫是很好的起點,很適合奧斯汀筆下的女性角色。

I've always been into fashion illustration though my style is not fashionable at all. It occurred to me that fashion illustration would be a superb starting point when I was about to prepare the illustrations for Jane Austen's Mansfield Park because her ladies feel beautiful and want to be beautiful. 



        畫著畫著是很開心,不過這些模特兒非常有姿態,不僅身形美,眼神也都有故事。

     I had much fun drawing the models in the fashion magazine. They not only look beautiful but also make me curious about them. Their eyes tell stories. 



        她們寫字看書的樣子也好帥氣,就算和女主角范妮天差地遠,但我還是很高興可以做新的嘗試。

     I focused particularly on how women read and write. However, these models appear to be very confident of themselves. They are worlds apart from the protagonist Fanny, but it was still nice for me to take a new try. 



        這本小說到底在說什麼呢?簡單地說,就是乖女孩范妮從小寄住在有錢的阿姨和姨丈家,和乖男孩表哥艾德蒙青梅竹馬,不過長大之後因為新的角色出現在莊園裡,艾德蒙愛上了勢利女瑪麗,而瑪麗的風流男哥哥亨利則受到范妮的吸引,范妮看著自己深愛的艾德蒙被愛蒙敝,還要一邊抵擋亨利的猛烈追求,還好她的堅忍不拔最後換來艾德蒙的愛。

     What is the novel about? Simply put, the good girl Fanny was sent to Mansfield Park to live with her rich aunt and uncle when she was little. She grew up together with her gentle cousin Edmund. With the arrival of the new characters, her life began to change. Edmund fell in love with the beautiful but snobbish girl Mary Crawford while her player brother fell for the charm of innocent Fanny, who had to suffer silently from seeing her beloved Edmund blindfolded by love and make every attempt to resist Henry in the meanwhile. Luckily, her virtue and perseverance finally won Edmund's heart. 

        插畫比賽除了三張內頁插圖以外,還要設計封面,而且規格有嚴格的規定,其實剛開始我並不確定自己做得出來,不過我不想就這麼放棄,很幸運地友人幫了我一把,讓我可以達到目標。

     Besides the three illustrations for the story, every contestant was required to design the cover as well and meet some specific rules. In fact, I wasn't sure if I could make it, but I didn't feel like giving up either. I was blessed with Alex's help so that I could reach my goal. 



        范妮是內向壓抑的角色,在珍奧斯汀的作品中是較沒自信的女主角,不過我覺得自己很像她。

     Fanny is an introverted and repressed role. She is probably the least confident heroine in Austen's books, but I can relate to her because I see much similarity between her and me. 



        與其把重點放在她和其他角色的互動,不如把舞台都給她吧!她的慰藉除了艾德蒙外,就是書和花草,還有自己的書房。

     Instead of placing emphasis on her interaction with the other characters, I prefer to feature her only in my illustrations. Apart from Edmund, she took solace in books, plants, and her personal space, the East room. 



        像書裡說的,就算是快樂,范妮也安安靜靜地感受。

     As is said in the book, Fanny feels ecstasy in a quiet way. 

        做完插畫的那一晚,想到五年前在英國讀書的時候,急著想用自己以外的風格畫圖,老師問:你為什麼不用自己的風格呢?五年過去了,我終於可以用自己的風格,不論結果如何,我都感到欣喜,因為我嘗試了之前做不到的事。

     On the day when I finished the illustrations, I thought of the winter five years ago when I was studying in London. I was eager to borrow others' styles, so my tutor couldn't help asking, "Why didn't you use your own style?" Five years have gone by, and I am proud to be me when drawing. Whatever the outcome is, I am joyful all the same because I achieved what I couldn't in the past. 

Monday, October 10, 2016

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!" 

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Botanical garden / 植物園


夏天在植物園速寫,有蚊子和汗水相伴。

Sketching in the botanical garden in summer, I have the company of mosquitoes and sweat. 



        還有好多熱血的攝影人士,追逐美麗的荷花倩影。

   Also, a crowd of passionate photographers who are eager to record the beauty of lotus. 

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Shanghai / 上海


去上海出差,結果把心留在古式庭園裡了。

I left my heart in the classical garden in Shanghai.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

fun on rainy days / 下雨天的娛樂


今天很需要隨性亂畫,我的盆栽就成為了畫盤! 

I need to doodle today, and here is the new look of my potted plant! 

Saturday, March 12, 2016

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! 

Sunday, December 27, 2015

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! 

Sunday, December 13, 2015

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! 

Sunday, November 15, 2015

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!