In museums 2 / 博物館裡 2

又去了一次歷史博物館，這次去看畢卡索展，速寫起來非常痛快！筆袋裡的筆輪番上陣，最後發現我的最愛是口紅！ 

I went to National Museum of History again for the exhibition of Picasso's imaginary faces. It's certainly a luxury to imitate Picasso's works. The wild lines and bright colors are my favorites. I tried as many combinations of pens as possible, and in the end I found that I love lipsticks the most! 

        今天沒有太多人群，卻又足夠我畫圖，一切都剛剛好。

     There weren't too many people today, but enough for me to sketch. Everything was just perfect. 

        咖啡店窗外的荷花也開得正是時候，隔著窗避開炎熱的暑氣，在畫面上看起來多有生命力！ 

     The lotus pond in the botanical garden is at its best. As long as I didn't have to be exposed to the summer heat, I can make it look as beautiful as possible! 

In museums / 博物館裡

和繪本班同學去歷史博物館看常玉展，老師說要拿出小冊子速寫，好久沒有在博物館裡速寫了，我不禁想起在倫敦的博物館速寫歲月。

I went to the exhibition of Sanyu in National Museum of History with my picture-book-making class. Our teacher asked us to sketch in the museum, which I hadn't done for ages. I couldn't help recalling my endless sketching sessions when studying in London. 

        我把重點放在展覽作品的記錄，雖然身邊人潮不斷，一旦專注在速寫上，感覺就像不為水流動影響的大石。常玉的線條和顏色都很迷人，而且不花太多時間即可模仿。

     I put emphasis on Sanyu's paintings. The flow of visitors was kind of disturbing in the beginning, but as I began, I felt I could be as firm as a giant rock. The lines and colors of Sanyu's works hold infinite attraction for me. Moreover, it didn't take much time to imitate. 

        速寫節束之後，我們分享各自的作品，我發現每個人的視角都不一樣，老師重在分析每件作品的結構（於是我之後也學起來），有同學則把重點放在畫作和訪客之間的關係，或者是把博物館當作整張圖的空間發揮，非常有趣。

     After the sketching session, it was time for us to share our sketches. It was fun that everyone sketched  from different perspectives. For example, the teacher analyzed the composition of each painting, which I learned later. Some drew the relationship between the artworks and the visitors, and still others thought of the space of the museum as an artwork. How nice to have such wonderful stimulation through the exchange. 

        回家後的某一天我想起八年前去巴塞隆納米羅美術館的速寫，發現當時我的視角也好不一樣啊！從在門口排隊時就開始速寫了。

     Several days later, I thought of the sketches I had done on my trip to Miro's Museum in Barcelona eight years ago. I found that I had a very different perspective back then. In fact, I started to sketch even when waiting in line to get the ticket. 

        當時的我是多麼喜歡記錄人群啊！ 

     I found the crowds so irresistible at that time! 

Market style / 菜市場時尚

去菜市場寫生，偶然發現木新市場的主流時尚風：很多婦女們帶著安全帽呢！ 

When I sketch in Muxin Market, I discover accidentally the market style: You gotta wear a helmet to look "chic!" 

Goodbye May! / 五月再見！

Northeast coast in the rain / 下雨的東北角

爸爸生日，我們去東北角兜兜風。沿路雨越下越大，卻感覺很痛快。

On Dad's birthday, we go for a drive along the northeast coast. Though it pours, we are not daunted by the rain at all. Instead, we've never been so determined. 

        我在車子裡寫生，我們一邊沒有目的地喃喃，而車外的釣客則無畏風雨，等著出航。

     I sketch inside the dry and cozy car. Dad and I ramble on casually. Meanwhile, despite the rain, the fishermen on the cruise are ready to sail on the sea. 

        我們駛過一個又一個灣口，來到鼻頭角（上面的筆記有錯），風景美得令人屏息，我拿起筆，車子裡都是畫筆刷在紙上的聲音。畫完了，下車吹吹冷風，撲鼻而來的海洋味是當天最美好的禮物，當然還有超級動人的海浪。

     We race on the winding road along the sea, finally arriving at Pitouchiao. The scenery is so breathtaking that I can't help taking up my pens. The car is filled with the sounds of my brushes stroking on the paper. After finishing the sketch, I get off the car to take a closer look at the seacoast. The salty smell of the sea fills my nostrils, which is the best gift of the day, apart from the fantastic sea waves. 

        之後來到南雅奇岩，石頭、浪花、雨水，絕對詩意的組合。

     Afterwards we visit Nanya rocks. What an absolutely poetic combination of rocks, waves, and rain!

        最後來到很有異國情調的和平島，超級浪漫！

     We top off the outing with a photo shot at the super romantic Hoping Island. 

        不是我的生日，但收了比生日禮物還棒的大禮！

     It's not my birthday, but it's definitely a day much better than a birthday! 

Sketchy sketches / 速速寫

好久沒有速寫，我渴望感受日常生活的魅力，所以一早從坐公車的時候就開始我的速速寫遊戲，可能只是三十秒，或者是二十分，都充滿無限可能。

Since I haven't sketched for a long while, my whole being is packed with longings that scream for an outlet. So I decide to play the sketchy sketch game even when taking the short bus ride. Be it thirty seconds or twenty minutes, I know there are countless possibilities in the game. 

        我的雙眼看到的人事物都如此迷人，速寫當下就算龐大的公車擋住我的視野，也擋不住我的渴望。

     In my eyes, every detail is so charming and nothing, not even a gigantic bus in front of me, can stop me from recording their beauty. 

        生活始終是美麗的，只是我們常常被自己矇蔽了。

     Life is always beautiful, but we are often blind to it. 

Yilan / 宜蘭

冬山河森林公園生態綠舟 / Dongshan River Ecopark

速寫看似孤獨，其實我發現，速寫這個舉動給路人的訊息是：來吧！來和我互動！今天帶著很復古的墨水筆和墨汁去戶外寫生，過來和我攀談的有對墨水筆感興趣的小姐，但是我最愛的是兩個坐在我身邊的女孩，安安靜靜的。

Sketching appears to be a solitary act, but the truth is, I've been sending quiet messages saying, "Come interact with me!" Today I decided to try a very classical ink pen and ink for my outdoor sketch. My tool attracted a lady who's highly interested in it, but my favorites were two young girls who sat to me in silence. 

羅東林場 / Luodong Forestry Culture Garden 

找了僻靜美好的湖邊角落，想不到遇到一位婦人，和我閒話家常，當下覺得我們說得太多，不過今天回想時，她的話語提醒我今年可以努力的目標，簡言之就是要有企圖心！

I looked for a hidden corner around the lake in the culture garden, but a senior lady living in the neighborhood couldn't help rambling with me on her daily routine walk. I had the feeling that we might have talked too much, but when I think back today, I realize her words remind me of my goal this year, that is, to be more ambitious!

We are all the same / 我們都一樣

表面亮晶晶，

內心很擔心。

Shiny on the outside, 

uneasy on the inside. 

Chubby Auntie / 胖阿姨

胖阿姨早上在萬芳醫院捷運站發報紙好幾年，每天她會給我好明亮的微笑，我的心情總是因此一振。前一陣子胖阿姨再也沒有出現，我想了幾個星期，幻想她或許生病了、或許遠遊。

Chubby Auntie had been handing out free newspapers in the Wanfang Hospital MRT station for several years. Every day her bright smile would light up my day. However, a while ago, Chubby Auntie  vanished without a trace. I wondered if she fell ill or if she went on a long journey. 

        那一陣子聽了繪本作家馬尼尼爲的演講，對於海的旅館有非常嚮往的心情，那是可以獨處的空間。

     I happened to attend a talk given by the illustrator Maniniwe then. I long to spend some time in her "Sea Hotel," where I will have all the time and space to myself. 

        也許胖阿姨去了海的旅館。

        想不到有一天居然在家裡的捷運站遇見胖阿姨，原來派報社不再雇用胖阿姨了。

        我居然如此想念一個近似陌生人的胖阿姨‧‧‧‧‧‧

     Maybe Chubby Auntie went to the Sea Hotel. 

     One day I encountered Chubby Auntie coincidentally in the MRT station near home. She explained to me that she is no longer employed by the newspaper. 

     Strangely, I miss such a stranger so much that my heart aches... 

Shimen Reservoir / 石門水庫

How do you say "I love you" / 怎麼說「我愛你」

我們喜歡和八歲的楷維亂聊一通，常常聊著聊著就會得到重要訊息。某天他說到了喜歡的女生，很有自信地和我們說小女生也愛他，我和媽媽不得不接下去問：「你怎麼知道？」他竊竊自喜地回答：「她兩本作業本一打開就寫著『我愛方楷維！』」

We love to chat with the eight-year-old Kai. Often we will discover his big secrets as we ramble. One day he mentions his little girlfriend. He tells us with such confidence that the girl loves her too. Mom and I just can't help asking, "How do you know?" He replies with self-important pleasure, "She wrote on the first page of her two notebooks, 'I love Kai!'" 

        不同於那些曖昧不明的關係，孩子們直率、不害羞的示愛方式多麼動人，於是我也在我的筆記本上留下同樣的字眼，記住愛人與被愛的美好。

      Far different from the play-hard-to-get love games, the ways children say I love you are so straightforward and brave. Thus, I have the same words written down in my journal to remember the beauty of loving people and being loved. 

Fuyang Park / 富陽公園

想念速寫的我，今天的太陽也鼓勵我出走，到城市裡的小森林富陽公園畫畫，這裡連星期天也一樣清閒，我坐在小徑上，偶爾有爬山客經過，大部份時候我獨自享受一整片綠意。

I miss sketching badly, and the sun today beckons me to go outside for fresh air. I travel to the forest inside the city--Fuyang Park. The hidden corner is quiet even on weekends. I sit on the narrow path, having the green garden all to myself. 

     台北人很會生活，帶著蘋果電腦來山的書房工作娛樂，有竹林和陽光作伴，這樣別有一番風味‧‧‧‧‧‧

        People in Taipei certainly how to make full use of the park. The hills are their outdoor study with the bamboos leaves swaying in the background and sunshine streaming in from the four sides... 

inside and outside / 裡面和外面

我從框架裡往外看，而那邊也是從框架裡往外看。

I look outside from inside the frame, and it's the same from that side. 

Sense of Taipei / 台北感

週五聽了李明璁教授的演講，他提到每個地方都應該有其特殊的文化氛圍，台北的特色是什麼呢？去象山健行的時候，得到了有趣的答案。

I listened to a talk by Prof. Lee Ming-tsung two days ago on how every place should have its own particular sense, i.e. culture and atmosphere. What is the sense of Taipei? I found extremely intriguing answers on a hike to Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain) yesterday. 

        現在的象山非常國際化，有國內國外的旅人，每個佇足點也都有強烈的特色，例如說，我們到巨石公園時，被排隊的人潮嚇了一跳，這裡又不是信義區的百貨公司，究竟在排什麼？原來大家想爬到石頭上拍照，有人認真研究如何爬上去，有人為了避開人潮，盤算著登上其他顆石頭，我強烈感受到大家征服石頭的欲望。而且這裡的旅人穿著打扮很多和逛信義區的人群沒兩樣，還有穿著小紅鞋來登石頭的女孩呢！我本來只是在遮蔭處發呆，後來忍不住記錄這個驚奇的畫面。

     Amazingly,  Xiangshan is a rather international tourist spot now. There are much more foreign travelers than imagined. Every stop in the mountain is unique in its own way. For example, upon reaching the Giant Rock Park, we were stunned by the queue. What were people lining up for? It turns out that they would like to take a picture upon one of the rocks. It was amusing to eavesdrop   people's talk about how to climb the rock or how to avoid the crowd by going up on another rock. I could feel their strong desire to conquer the rocks! Besides, most people would be mistaken as the shoppers in Xin-yi District since their wear was no different. In fact, it's important to look fashionable for the photo on the rock. In the beginning I was just watching people in the shade, but I couldn't help sketching the super interesting image later on. 

        往前走到逸賢亭，亭子前有做操的民眾，亭子裡有大叔拉著手風琴，旁邊還有舉重的男孩，大寶說這是象山上的World Gym！因為再度覺得很驚奇，我又拿出速寫本，想不到右下角的阿伯跑來讓我點歌，接著「何日君再來」，我只能想到「甜蜜蜜」，大叔演奏完還來教護心操，好和樂融融啊！

     As we moved ahead to one pavilion, in front of it were the locals doing exercise, and in the pavilion there were other stories going on. An old man played the accordion while a young man was lifting weight next to him. This is the mountain version of World Gym! Feeling amazed again, I took out my sketchbook immediately. The half-naked uncle in the lower right corner was eager to have me request a song. Since the previous one is a classic by the famous singer Teresa Teng, I had no choice but to request another song of hers. After the performance, the accordion musician came to teach me how to massage my hands. What a harmonious afternoon! 

        台北是個什麼元素都可以找到的地方，而且完全無違和感，可說處處有驚喜！

     The sense of Taipei lies in a wide mix of all the cultural elements, whether local or foreign. Strangely, nothing feels out of place here and there are always surprises to look forward to! 

Another kind of life / 另一種人生

帶孩子們去電視台錄節目，我也得到好多刺激，原來電視台的人生是這樣啊！ 

Today I take the girls to a TV station for recording a program. I'm so inspired by everything I see! 

        本來沒有打算速寫，但是攝影棚裡太多好玩的東西，我在當觀眾時忍不住記錄了起來！

     I didn't intend to sketch, but I can't miss out on so many interesting gadgets. Don't worry, while my hand is busy, my ears are paying attention as well to the host, the writer, and the student guests. 

        我非常喜歡攝影棚裡黑色機器和亮橘色燈光的強烈對比，這位攝影師大哥發現我在速寫！ 也許做不了其他工作，但是能有機會去別人的工作崗位體驗一下，真的很不賴！ 

     I really LOVE the contrast between the black boxes everywhere and the fluorescent orange lights. Only the photographer in the above picture notices that I am sketching. 

     I might not have the courage to try another job, but it's so nice to experience something totally different! 

Then, / 然後，

做了同樣工作十五年是什麼感覺呢？我還是很喜歡這個工作，也喜歡遇到的孩子們，但是對於自己的工作意義有很多矛盾的想法，就像每個工作一樣，有理想的目標，同時也有現實的挑戰。

How does it feel to do the same job for fifteen years? Undeniably, I still like the job and the kids that I have spent time with along the way. However, I have to deal with more and more contradictory feelings in myself. As with every profession, it is essential to strike a balance between ideals and the reality.

        有一天楷維出門去上英文課之前，阿公公問了他：楷維，腦袋有戴著嗎？

他答：放在冰箱裡。

     One day before Kai went to English class, Grandpa asked him, "Kai, do you have your head with you?" 

     He answered, "It's in the fridge." 

        思維升上五年級之後，功課變多了，前天寫到十一點四十五分才睡覺。以前他總是每天早上帶著明亮的笑容對我說：上學很好玩啊！現在他就只是累累地微笑。

     This fall since Von was in fifth grade, he has much more homework than before. He didn't hit the sack until 11:45 p.m. two days ago. He used to greet me with a bright grin in the morning, saying, "It's fun to go to school." Now, he just squeezes a weary smile. 

        我說：那麼我們今天不要帶腦袋出去好了，身體走出去就好，腦子放在家裡，想像我們躺在沙發上一整個早上聊天。

     I say, "Then, let's go to school without our heads. We'll go with just our bodies and leave our heads home. Let's imagine lying on the sofa and chatting the whole morning." 

        還好他笑了。

     Fortunately, he laughs. 

        楷維嘻嘻笑地說：老師問我腦袋在哪，我就說要回家拿！ 

        我說：然後老師就氣到炸掉了！

     Kai giggles, "The teacher will ask me where my head is, and I will say I need to go home to get it." 

     I reply, "Then the teacher explodes with anger!" 

        然後，這世界上就再也沒有老師，也沒有功課了！

        我們三個帶著這樣愉悅的心情出門去。我又接著去給學生出更多的功課‧‧‧‧‧‧

     "Then, there won't be any teacher, thus, NO HOMEWORK! Hooray!"

     We three go out in a pleasant mood in the end. Finally, I go to work and give my students more homework...

Yes, you may. / 可以喔！

班上的孩子真的很有趣，說的話很有後座力，我常常當下沒有仔細感受，但之後再回想，總是會忍不住會心一笑。

My new kids always surprise me with really cool ideas. Their words often trigger backlash in me. I might not feel the power in the moment, but whenever I think about their responses later, I never fail to smile or laugh out loud. 

        這星期大家為了爭取交換學生的名額，為了能否讓他校的學生來住自己家，著實想破了頭。其中最可愛的想法是搖一搖妹妹，她很認真地問我：交換同學來的時候，我們可以抱在一起睡嗎？我當時只覺得：哇！真是可愛，但今天再想一下，才感覺到力道，是要多沒有心防的人才說得出這樣的話呢？ 

      This week the girls racked their brains hard to figure out how to accommodate the exchange students. One of the most amazing solutions came from Shakira. She asked me very seriously, "When my exchange partner comes, could I hold her when we sleep?" I was of course amused, but it is not until today that I see through what lies behind her words. I mean, how un-reserved can one be to come up with such an idea? 

        雖然我沒有辦法替交換同學回答這個問題，不過身為一輩子有著銅牆鐵壁的人，這次我願意說：好的，你可以。

      I can't answer for her partner, but as a very reserved person all my life, I am willing to say, "Yes, you may." this time. 

Too much beef / 牛啊，對不起！

下雨天最棒的享受之一是吃涮涮鍋，可是我對牛非常不好，連續吃了三天的牛肉鍋，是地球暖化的罪魁禍首。

One of the luxuries on rainy days is to eat hot pot, but I went for the beef for three days consecutively. Well, I feel very guilty about causing global warming to worsen...

Gifts on a rainy day / 下雨天的禮物

是無限的想像力！

Is endless IMAGINATION!

Happy Big Bear 

Big Bear loves rainy days, 

when there are traffic jams,

when he can sleep on the trams.

Big Bear has honey in his bag; 

not to hear his teachers nag,

Big Bear decides to skip school

because he wants to try the cool 

picnic in the rain 

with his honey mixed with the rain 

還有來自倫敦超級酷的禮物！

And this super cool gift from London! 

戴著它，下雨天也閃亮無比！

I feel my rainy days are extremely shiny when I wear it! 

Constipated roads / 便秘的道路

下雨天，道路飽受便秘之苦，車輛也開始有了自己的想像。

The roads suffer from constipation on rainy days. The cars can do nothing but revel in their own imagination.