Tuesday, May 12, 2009

book of joy / 幸福書

我為某個朋友紀錄生活中的小小喜悅,希望我們都不要忘記人生的快樂都來自於這些小細節!

I recorded the little joy I could find in my daily life, for a very special someone. I hope we won't forget that happiness actually originates from these humble details!


No. 1: In the morning, there's always a platter of colorful fruits waiting on the wooden table. It's like an invincible mother ship ready to sail. The lovely sight chases away my drowsiness and fatigue.

No. 3: One morning when I was looking for something tasty for my eyes, I found the flowers of the upstair neighbor dangling down onto the top of our balcony. A beautiful surprise of the last azalea in bloom filled me with happiness.

No. 4: I draw right after I open my eyes. I draw when I eat, I draw even when I take a short pause from all routines in the bathroom!

No. 6: I often pretend that I am traveling somewhere when taking the MRT. On a day when sunshine spills into the car, my heart palpitates with thrill in wondering where my next stop will be.

No. 7: Drizzles are typical of spring in this city. It's a must to bring an umbrella wherever I go. When I looked at mine during a bus ride, I realized that a simple and unremarkable item can be beautiful too...

No. 9: I found this cool tree outside a classroom. Whenever students are giving presentations up there and I have a chance to walk around, I can't help but tell myself to draw it!

No. 11: I envy you for you are so free from care. What have you dreamed of?

No. 13: Adopt a dog! Every evening when I go for a jog, I will encounter an old man with a yellow dog and a black dog. Though we never converse with each other, these two creatures just feel like my long-time friends. One day I noticed Blackie's absence, and I had to repress myself from going up to the old man!

No. 14: Every morning I'd say hi from my living room to him, who sits in the living room across from mine. It's a large space with sunlight and bird chirping streaming in. When I walk to him, I'd see his small body like a dot on the huge sofa. He is so serious when he reads. I like the way he looks because it feels like all the problems can be solved in his world.

Monday, May 04, 2009

to the poet / 致詩人

我為詩人eL的作品「花的語言學」作了插畫,為即將離去的春天留下些痕跡。

I did illustrations for the poet eL's poem--the language of flowers. This is also to save memories for the spring season, which is about to end...

花的語言學

eL作

我曾經玫瑰了你,彼時春日綿綿
你卻曇花了我。心緒一時棉花不已
奈何。于是,炎熱午后康乃馨了母親
而父親,父親早白菊花了。
歲月始終不曾教我百合,
或者九重葛。
我像失足的自己喊:向日葵!
向人群宣告牽牛花、鳳仙花
越陷越深,誰來蓮花我
誰正荷花我的下半生
友人早已紛紛桂花去了
或許,生來我就只適合
蔥花我自己。再不,便是無盡的
椰菜花我自己




花的語言學

我曾經玫瑰了你,彼時春日綿綿
你卻曇花了我。心緒一時棉花不已
奈何。于是,炎熱午后康乃馨了母親
而父親,父親早白菊花了。
歲月始終不曾教我百合,
或者九重葛。
我向失足的自己喊:向日葵!
向人群宣告牽牛花、鳳仙花
越陷越深,誰來蓮花我
誰正荷花我的下半生
友人早已紛紛桂花去了
或許,生來我就只適合
蔥花我自己。再不,便是無盡的
椰菜花我自己
銘謝eL之詩集贈與

Monday, April 20, 2009

dance in the rain / 雨中漫舞

和對的人在一起,就是下雨天也覺得很幸福。

With the right people, rainy days are beautiful!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

unstoppable / 停不了



今天在電梯裡和你胡鬧時,你居然說:「妳不要再玩了。」然後你又說,你不好意思和別人說,你自認為帥垃圾車阿伯,因為你知道別人會笑。
Today when I was being stupid with you in the elevator, you surprised me by saying, "Stop playing!" Then you told me, you are shy to tell others that you are the dashing truck man because you know others will laugh at you.
儘管我不願意,你以一種停不了的速度,長大‧‧‧

Despite my unwillingness to admit, you are growing up, at an unstoppable speed...

Saturday, April 18, 2009

origin of joy / 幸福感的來源

「不生病的生活」說,每天如果都能有幸福感,即使是生病的人,也不會輕易被擊倒,所以我很努力地蒐集令我感到幸福的事物。

In the book Life without Illness, the author says, if we feel a sense of joy every day, even those who are seriously ill won't be defeated. Then it occurs to me to collect the little joy that makes my day.

這個星期收到Caterina從義大利寄來的手繪信書和eL從馬來西亞寄來的個人詩集,這是我從來沒見過的兩個人,他們卻想到在地球上另一端的我,我想,我惱人的腸胃病就快要好了‧‧‧

This week I received a book of hand-drawn letters by Gio Ponti from Caterina in Italy and a book of poetry by eL from Malaysia. I have never met them in person, yet that doesn't stop them from thinking of me, who live so far away from them. I havea feeling that my annoying intestine problem is about to surrender...

Monday, April 13, 2009

the bird's eye view / 鳥瞰

人生好像走到某一陣子,就會有種灰頭土臉的感覺,這是我最近的寫照。我需要清明的視野,於是我想到2007年好不容易把義大利系列往下做到第五回,雖然計畫中的故事還沒結束,但是已經達到我要的心境,不如拿出來複習,並且鼓勵一下自己。

In life, I am struck by bouts of unidentified blues from time to time. This is typical of my present moment. I need a clear vision, not tainted by personal prejudice or feeling. It occurred to me to turn to my Italy series done in 2007. I did go on to chapter 5 then. Though I didn't finish the story as planned, this last chapter felt like an ending to the story. I may as well review the episode as a form of self-encouragement.

"Honey, why do you insist on traveling?"

"Let's put it this way: When I set out, I am so exhausted that I can't see myself."

"After traveling for a while, I finally see my light."

"Then, I can turn to you and enjoy every moment we share together."

"Gradually, I retrieve my keen sensitivity. I can capture the beauty of passers-by."

"When I am in superb shape, I can even bear in mind the images of still lifes."

"On seeing the animals, I can't help imitating their ways of life."

"In the end, my heart will grow to be as big as the ocean. Then I know, I can face the challenges again."

"Do you understand the meaning of travel?"
"Absolutely!"