Sunday, June 05, 2016

去上海途中 / on our way to Shanghai


飛機餐對我來說有自由的味道,所以我從來不抱怨機上餐點不好吃。

     The plane meal tastes of freedom for me, so I never complain about the food quality. In fact, I have a thing for plane meals. 



        已經很久沒有坐在窗邊的位置了,想不到飛機下降的過程整個令我驚豔!根本來不及畫下來眼前所見的風景,只能用簡圖記錄,這卻是旅行中唯一的速寫機會。

     I haven't had a window seat for ages. That's why I am so impressed by what I see as the plane lands. I can hardly draw all the scenery, so I can only record it with simple sketches, which turn out to be the only ones I draw on this trip. 

        圖的順序就是在不同高度看到的景色。

     The pictures depict scenery I see at different heights. 



        上海長江口獨特的景色:好寬好黃的長江口上,散布著綠色沙洲。

     The unique view of Yangtze River mouth: Green islets dot the brownish-hellow river. 



        呈幾何圖形分布的道路和房子,還有岸邊的大船和工業用機械。

     As we get closer to the land, I see roads and houses in geometric shapes, along with the ships along the riverbanks and gigantic machines for industrial use. 



        大大的河面上,小小的船隻。

     Tiny rafts scatter on the vast river surface. 



        出了機場後,我們搭乘台商子女學校的橘黃色校車前往學校,走道塞滿了行李箱,很有在大陸旅行的感覺。

     The orangish yellow school buses of the Taiwan businessmen's school are waiting for us as we head out of the airport. Our suitcase literally cram the small bus, and it reminds me that we are no longer where we come from...

Thursday, June 02, 2016

Free airplane! / 自在的小飛機!


今天我的第五個班級畢業了,因為答應自己要用萬里無雲的心情和大家送別,果然一整天神輕氣爽,果然要轉四十歲之前的夏天,我是有進步的!

Today my fifth class has graduated. Since I kept reminding myself to say goodbye to the girls with my best wishes, I did have a great day. See, I have made much progress in the summer before turning forty! 

        前幾週還在尋找答案時,托了工作的福,去了一趟上海,飛行的途中得到很多靈感,本來覺得自己的職涯幾乎走到半路,強烈地想有一些突破,回來之後沉澱了一陣子,明白我還有很多想做的嘗試,雖然我有外在的大框架,但想像力還是無限寬廣的,而框架裡還是有許多可能性。

     A few weeks ago I was looking for some answers. I felt the strong need to make some breakthroughs because I am almost halfway through my teaching career and feel like change. Luckily, I had an opportunity to go to Shanghai thanks to work earlier in May. Along the way I was blessed with many inspirations. After the trip, it took me a while to realize within the box, there are still many possibilities if I use my imagination and creativity. 



        每一世代的孩子特質都不一樣,我也得學習接受他們的不同,因為只有這樣,我才能過得好。我要邁入第十五年的工作生涯了,我的目標是當自在的小飛機,從空中看盡所有風景,卻不捲入感情的漩渦,也不做主觀的判斷。

     Kids of every generation vary greatly, and now I strongly feel only when I really accept their differences will I live well. I am heading forward my fifteen year of being a teacher, and my goal is to be a free airplane. I would like to overlook everything from the sky, but I won't be emotionally involved or make subjective judgments. 

        新風景,三個月後見!

     My new scenery, see you in three months! 

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. 

Saturday, May 28, 2016

Trial / 試煉


突然間就發現自己變成有架子、壞脾氣的大人,該好好修練了!

Before I am aware of it, I have become a pretentious and bad-tempered adult. Time for me to meditate and shake off these annoying shackles! 

Monday, May 23, 2016

The Lin Family Mansion & Garden / 林本源園邸


在上海的旅行,只能走馬看花,很想念園林的景致,於是去了林本源園邸。一定是因為我太崇洋媚外了,居然還被問到:你從哪裡來?

In Shanghai, we traveled at a lightning speed. I didn't have any time for sketching, and now my heart craves for the classical gardens. Well, it's funny that I am asked the question, "Where are you from?" It must have something to do with the fact that I adore exotic stuff so much that I myself appear kind of exotic too. 

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Two stories / 兩個故事


朋友要結婚了,為她做了一張卡片,從紙上挖了兩條魚。

My college friend is finally getting married. I cut out two fish as I am making a wedding card for her. 




把小魚貼在札記本上,隨筆展開了另一個新的故事‧‧‧‧‧‧

The two fish, pasted onto my journal, are about to begin a new story......

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.

Sunday, May 08, 2016

Paper butterfly / 紙蝴蝶


只是一隻紙蝴蝶,孩子們卻把它當做卡地爾最新品,那樣當一回事。

It's just a paper butterfly, but kids chase it as if it were the latest design of Cartier, as if nothing is more precious than it in the whole world. 

Saturday, May 07, 2016

Stay passionate / 熱情滿滿


今天的假日兒童博物館裡,湧進了好多小小孩,我們好久沒有這麼多年輕的小貴客,於是我們也出動了七位志工帶小朋友玩不同的活動。

In the children's museum today, the herbarium is filled with little kids. In fact, we haven't had so many young guests for a long time. To show our sincerity, we have a strong cast of seven volunteers to wait on them. 

        小朋友有問必答,好多點不完的手,他們還用稚嫩的歌聲唱「蝴蝶真美麗」,完全透明的心思讓我好感動,雖然場面常常失控,我卻不以為意。

     It's amazing that the children do not hesitate to answer every question we ask. I am also moved by the hands that never put down and the innocent singing of the butterfly song. Though sometimes the situation is quite chaotic, I don't mind at all. 

        中午和朋友聊到,我的熱情隨著年紀有增無減,而我也不知道它會領我到哪裡或找到怎麼樣的挑戰,不過最高興的莫過於遇到有同樣想法的夥伴,我們可以一起把一件事做好,把一個簡單的星期六下午做得多采多姿,這真是目前的我最享受的事情之一。

     I have a talk with a friend at noon about my passion that grows with age. To be honest, I have no clue where it will lead me, but I am sure of one thing: I can't be happier when meeting people who share the same passion with me. We can work together to focus on one task, and for now it is to create a wonderful memory for children on an originally ordinary Saturday afternoon. Such a simple thing can   place me in seventh heaven. 

Sunday, May 01, 2016

My dreams always / 初心


最近身體有些不適,還有一些小打擊,雖然不免沮喪,不過我回想自己的初心,總是要緊緊抓住原本的目標,沿路的挫折只是助攻,而不是絆腳石。

I've been feeling kind of unwell. There're always some very minor setbacks. However, whatever happens, I remember to stick to my initial dreams, which helps me to hold tight onto my goals. The frustration only serves to make me more determined.