Friday, January 27, 2012

My Camberwell Sunshine / 我的小太陽


今天要交上學期的所有作業,所以我又再度大包小包上學去,其實可以拿著畫走在路上讓我感覺很虛榮,經過小車票亭頭一轉,中東老闆又送來飛吻和溫暖的微笑,不要小看這個人喔,在我心裡他是我的坎貝爾小太陽,因此我得把這一刻畫下來。

Today we were supposed to hand in all the assignments for last term, so again I left home with my portfolio and tube. In fact, walking on the streets with my drawings made me feel so vain. When I passed by the ticket booth and turned my head, the owner from the Middle East gave me a kiss and warm smile. Hey, this guy is my Camberwell sunshine though I go to him at most on a weekly basis. I felt the need to draw this scene after coming home. 












交完作業之後就是黑膠唱片包裝的成發時間,在那之前我們看了別人的作品,心裡不是很踏實,不過善良的溫蒂一直安慰我大家都半斤八兩,也對,其實比起上學期,我真的是混多了,不過起碼得失心不會太重,而那之前很多人都跑來說他們很欣賞我們這一組的作品。

After handing in the assignments, it was time for the crit on the CD/vinyl package design. We had some time to walk around and take a look at others' works. To be honest, I didn't feel very sure, but Wen Dee was very kind to make me feel better by saying that her group work isn't so perfect. Well, compared with last term, I certainly didn't go all out, but at least I wouldn't be so heart-broken if in the end it isn't good. In fact, quite a number of classmates came and told us they love our design. 

我和溫蒂說我已經訂的六月中的機票要回家,本來很堅強的溫蒂最近變得很感性,她說到時候會很悲傷,我說沒有關係,來台灣找我吧!我送給她一塊鳳梨酥,她一直握在手裡,她說怕放進袋子裡會壓碎,真是令人感動啊!後來又和班上的好幾個非英國同學聊到台灣,我邀請大家到時來拜訪我,其實在家裡我都和嘉蕊說,我要回家結婚了,因為前幾年算命的丹尼爾說就是這一兩年,嘉蕊還非常認真地說:你一定要挑一個非學期中的日子,我要買一頂英國式的帽子去參加!我們每天在家就是這麼胡鬧的。

I told Wen Dee that I have decided to go home in mid-June. Wen Dee, who is always such a strong person, has become rather sentimental. She said it's sad. I told her that it's ok and that she can come visit me in Taiwan. I gave her a pineapple cake, and she just kept holding it in her hand instead of putting it down because she was afraid that it would be crushed in her bag. I found that very touching. Later we talked of the wonderful food that Taiwan can offer with other non-British classmates, and I couldn't help inviting them to come. In fact, in the dorm, I keep telling Jazel that I am going home to get married because that's what Daniel, the astrologer, said a few years ago. Jazel took it very seriously saying, "You have to choose a date when I can fly from London. I'll wear a British hat to go to your wedding." That's how we play every day. 

不是不喜歡畫圖了,而是我現在對於課程的架構有清楚的了解,不禁開始想我現在學的可能不是我想要的東西,最近大家對於能夠開心畫圖這件事很在乎,我覺得即使我脫離這個環境,我還是會畫畫。雖然之前有點低潮,但現在這一點我可以很客觀地看目前的學習和生活,不再是因為我想逃避。

It's not that I don't love drawing anymore, but that I have a clear understanding of the structure of the courses. I can't help thinking that what I am learning now is not what I am looking for. Besides, lately we have been talking about being able to draw happily and freely. I am sure that even if I no longer stay in this environment, I'll keep on drawing. I did have some low moments a while ago, but at this point, I can look at my learning and life objectively. I made the choice not because I want to run away. 

我反而要感謝之前的低潮,因為我覺得自己有打開心,看到身邊的許多好人,也感受到他們一直以來的溫暖。

I do have to thank God for giving the low moments. Because of them, I have got to open my heart and realized that there are many good people around me. I deeply feel their warmth...




做評論剛開始大家都很有活力,不過通常過了一兩組就會開始疲勞,我很慶幸我們是倒數第二組,因為我是個很不多話的組長,我的理論是:好的作品是不需要解釋的,而且我除了教書以外,真的不太喜歡在大家面前說話。

In the beginning of the crit everyone is upbeat, but usually after one or two groups, fatigue starts to creep in. I was glad that we were the second last group. I am not a talkative director. My theory is that you don't have to explain if the works are good. Besides, I don't feel at ease talking in front of people except teaching. 


我看著窗外的太陽想,今天真適合出遊啊!鑫很認真地站到椅子上聽。剛開始的幾組很嚇人,都是砸重金把畫稿送印刷廠,我越看就越汗顏了。

I looked at the sunshine outside the windows and thought, "What a day for going for fun!" Xin stood on a chair to get a better look. The first few groups were really intimidating because they spent a fortune having their design printed out in deluxe manners. I felt kind of embarrassed about what we did. 

要報告之前,婕蔓說:你一定要很驕傲地介紹喔!那些背後的小故事就不要說了。

Before the presentation, Germaine said, "You have to give the introduction with pride. As for the stories, leave them out of this." 








其實早上助教傑克來看過我們的作品就露出很愛的表情,但想不到,我也不過說了三句話,德瑞克整個就接過去說:這是我今天最喜歡的兩件作品之一。除了對小桃的手寫字稱讚不已,對雷蒙的吉他設計也很鍾意,然後又翻了我的研究檔案夾,他整個就很像吃了迷幻藥地說:你們讓我這一整天都不同了!我得很不好意思地說,人家都是塞進真的黑膠唱片,我們的是用黑色紙卡剪的,可是這些小細節好像都不重要了。我們這組的評論時間結束之後,小桃還問我:你覺得他們說的是真心話嗎?我回答:應該是吧!

As a matter of fact, Jake took a quick look at our package in the morning, and he appeared to like it. But,    when I said no more than three sentences, Derek couldn't wait to add, "This is one of my two favorite packages today." He gave a compliment on Momo's handwritten typefaces and Raymond's guitar image. Then when he thumbed through my development file, it was as if he took drugs when he said, "Oh, you have made my day." I have to confess that all the other groups used real vinyls in the sleeves while we had only fake ones cut out of black paper. But these details didn't seem to matter anymore. After the crit on our work was over, Momo asked me in disbelief, "Do you think they were telling the truth?" I replied, "I think so!" 

我們說這是個幸運的意外,對我來說,這是個很有趣的處境,之前我辛苦做的作品評價慘到不行,當時最看不過去的就是我現在這種作品,我想上帝要讓我嚐嚐這個立場的滋味。想起來最近一連串的事件要告訴我的就是:做你自己吧!有時候真的是不需要那麼努力的!

We said this is a happy accident. For me, this is an interesting experience. Before I worked so hard only to hand in really terrible works, and at that time I couldn't understand why works which were not so carefully done got better critiques than mine. I guess God wants me to taste how it feels to be in such a place. I can only say, what has happened lately keeps giving me the message: Be myself! Don't always strive for the best and give myself a hard time! 

但今天最令我高興的是,我們發現組長很強勢的組作品風格就是組長的風格,但婕蔓說我們的沒有,當然啦,我可是隨著別人搖擺的人嘛!我可以很驕傲的地方是,老師稱讚哪一部份做得很好時,我會很榮幸地補充那是哪個組員的想法。雖然我們的設計師一整天看起來都不是很開心,最後我還是和他說:你好像沒有很喜歡這個作品,但我得說你有很多好想法。

To my great happiness today, we found that if the creative director of a group is very dominant, the style of the package is exactly that of the CD. Germaine said that ours doesn't feel that way. Of course, I change my mind easily if it's a good suggestion. I am proud of myself in that whenever the tutors mentioned a strength in our design, I would introduce the member responsible for that. Though our designer didn't seem happy all day long, in the end I still told him, "You don't seem to like this package, but you do have good ideas." 

要離開畫室時小桃對我說:謝謝你!這句話比什麼都有力!那些有的沒有的都該被忘了!

Before leaving the studio, Momo said to me, "Thank you!" These two words are far more powerful than anything else. I think what occurred should all be forgotten! 

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Taiwanese / 台灣人

明天就要交一盒六張CD的作業,我們這一組連樣品都沒有,我告訴自己今天無論如何都要心平氣和地做出點什麼東西來,所以早上就進了畫室,結果居然只有我出現,因為小桃找不到我先去了圖書館,但是中午之前兩名小朋友都未出現,不過我們就開心地一路做下去。果然之後小男生來了便說,這不是我要的。過去的兩個星期就是這樣我們才會反反覆覆毫無進展,今日大姐無法再顧及他的情緒,他和小女生用廣東話交談,剛好不開心的字眼被我聽到,我開玩笑地說:那個我聽得懂,你不要隨便說我壞話。其實我沒有很生氣啦,只是他也必須了解我們之前也有這種情緒,走到這個點真的不能只出一張嘴,我們今天做的是人家前幾天就拿出來的進度啊!別人今天拿出來的都是精美的印刷品,我們雖然走的是粗獷的風格,不過老實說,這樣的黑膠唱片盒放在架上真的是個笑話‧‧‧

總之我和小桃說,我等著明天被老師們狠狠地羞辱一頓,還問,奇怪,我的人生真的很少遭遇到這種情況,我怎麼會搞成這樣呢?我自己一個人的作業總是比期限早個數週或數天就完成,我都是翹著腿在那邊等的。要不是我太有勇氣,明天我比較好的選擇就是不要進畫室,不過我今天心情並沒有不好,反而覺得很好笑。我想這一切對小桃的挑戰比我大多了,台灣人很隨和,甚至會有些隨便,但是我們的不精準對日本人真是太難忍受了,雖然我真的領導無方,但我不是唯一的罪魁禍首,我還是直和小桃道歉。


好吧,起碼我在畫室裡晃來晃去還有一些小趣事。最近詹姆斯很愛和我哈啦,前天在畫室閒晃時他說:你今天真法國耶!我說:是喔,不過我骨子裡是台灣人!說的時候還不忘把頭抬得高高的!今天他不小心偷窺到我的速寫本這一頁,他說:你在畫你自己喔!






終於在傍晚六點多可以滾離畫室了,回到家之前衝去社監辦公室問我是不是有包裹,想不到社監說:我一直在找你!原來我有數件包裹!有爸媽的愛心、曉寧的窩心和鄭老師寄來的兒童雜誌,台灣人真是太溫暖可愛了!今天起碼我可以說我腳踏實工作,這也算是種美德吧!

今天只有台灣人可以讀!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

New Looks / 新風景

Tell a Story / 說故事

這星期CD封套設計就要收尾了,我必須承認這一次我做得很糟糕,因為沒有堅持,所以除了和組員無法好好溝通,自己也做得不開心。

This week our assignment of the CD cover design is coming to an end. I have to admit that this time I did a very terrible job. Because I wasn't able to stick to my role as a leader, I failed to communicate well with my team members and I was very unhappy doing the drawings.

昨天我和小桃很認真地討論,為什麼我們最後會感受不到畫圖的喜悅,甚至畫不出來,我們試著從原來的小框框裡跳出來,回到老師最初說的,設計的最初要能說故事,我們的品牌是TROJAN,以牙買加音樂為主,其實這個品牌背後的故事是很驚人的,你可以想像一個殖民地的音樂登上殖民國的流行音樂金榜,而且剛開始這些唱片都是用很簡單的錄音系統製作,我就無法想像哪天台灣新移民的流行樂能夠讓台灣人也朗朗上口。

Yesterday I had an honest discussion with Momo about why we didn't feel the joy of drawing anymore, and in the end we even didn't know what to draw. We tried to rid ourselves of the box imposed on us and went back to the earliest message the tutors gave--tell a story with your design. Our record label is TROJAN, which releases Jamaican music. In fact, personally I find the story behind this label very amazing. Can you imagine the pop music of a colony landing the chart top of its ruling country? Besides, in the beginning the albums were made with very simple sound systems. I can't imagine one day we'll all sing the pop songs of Southeastern Asian immigrants in Taiwan.

離開畫室時小桃說了一句話:不管我們的努力有沒有用,至少我們用自己的方式詮釋。這句話讓我不再被困於過去這兩週的苦悶。對,我要高興地畫,畫我想畫的東西。

When I left the studio, Momo said, "Whether we'll use our images in the end or not, at least we interpret the label in our own ways." This sentence set me free from the boredom that trapped me during the past two weeks. Right, I want to draw happily and draw what I feel like drawing.

今天做了一些研究,覺得踏實多了‧‧‧

I did some research and felt so down-to-earth.




關於人生和藝術,我要學的還多著呢!

About life and art, there is so much I have to learn! 

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

part II / 第二集

這幾個星期從畫室回家之後都得花上一些時間調整心情,過去的週末兩天我休養生息,但今天還是有耗損的感覺,不過小桃和我找到可以努力的方向了。

Over the past two weeks I have felt the strong need to adjust my state of mind after coming home from the studio. During the weekend it took me two days to recuperate, but I still felt worn out after staying for a whole day in the studio today. The good news is that Momo and I have found a direction to work in.


搬到新房間後的第一天就收到三封郵件來裝飾我的牆壁,我盯著這一封沒有附上回郵地址的信件看了很久,想猜出是哪一號不求回報的愛慕者寄來的信。

Right after I moved to the new room, I received three cards to adorn my empty wall. I stared at this letter with no address of the sender for a while to figure out which admirer could live with such unrequited love. 


看起來有點熟悉對吧?

Looks familiar right? 


是昆丁布雷克同學耶!我一直以為上次簽書會之後他把我畫給他的卡片丟了,但是他有讀到卡片的背面,還記下了我附的地址,才有辦法回信給我!虧我還和小桃說,我想他應該連看到最後一面都沒有,插畫家也是人,不用感到太難過之類的,我得收回這些話了。

It is from Quentin Blake! I had thought he must have discarded my handmade card after the autograph session, but he must have read the back of the card where I attached my address so that he could write back to me! I even told Momo that maybe he didn't finish reading the card and that illustrators are like any of us. I shouldn't take it seriously and stuff. I have to take back my words. 

就這麼一張卡片,我的烏雲一掃而空,很多事情在數個月之後就會冒出個驚人的答案,啊‧‧‧

This simple card drove away the dark clouds above my head. With many things, you won't get the amazing answers until months later. Ah... 



Monday, January 23, 2012

Chinese New Year / 新年

想了好幾天要不要搬家,本來有點不情願,但是年輕人的自我控制不知到會維持多久,社監們也都表示三樓的房間會比較安靜,到了昨天我已經接受搬家的決定。

I'd been thinking for a few days if I should move. I was not willing to do it in the beginning, but I have no confidence in the self-discipline of the young people in my block. The managers also hinted that it'll be wiser for me to make the move because the room on the 3rd floor is quieter. Yesterday I accepted the decision to move willingly.

不過今天一早起來我整個人脫胎換骨,上星期令我煩惱的事全都讓我看見它們真正的意涵,我這才了解上帝的用意,嘉蕊來幫我時我對她說,我應該要全心相信上帝,搬家這件事是有它的意義在的,她歪著頭問:你信教啦?我直受不了地回答:倒不是這麼說,而是也許我整個身心都需要新環境。

However, this morning when I woke up, something had gone over me. What had troubled me last week all came back to me with their positive messages revealed. I finally got what God wanted to say by giving me the "tests." When Jazel came to help me move, I told her, "I should have full faith in God. There's a purpose behind moving." She tilted her head asking, "Since when have you been converted?" I  couldn't bear with her simplicity and replied, "I wouldn't put it that way. I think I need a change of environment mentally and physically."








新房間和原來的比起來小很多,面對著馬路,沒有同一層的樓友撥放吵鬧的音樂或窗外年輕人的喧鬧聲,只有馬路上偶爾傳來的車聲,PK說這會是很不同的體驗。

My new room, compared with the old one, is much smaller. It faces the road. There is no deafening music from the same floor or noise from the young people gathering outside the windows. Occasionally I can hear cars whizzing by. PK said this is going to be a very different experience. 


搬完家和嘉蕊妹去亞洲超市買除夕晚餐的火鍋食材。今天我不再覺得自己要多努力證明什麼,我也不用強迫性地畫圖,我只要好好享受我的存在。

After moving, Jazel and I went to the Asian market for buying the ingredients for our Chinese New Year's Eve dinner. Today I no longer feel that I have to work hard to prove something. Nor do I want to draw compulsively. I just want to enjoy BEing... 


嘉蕊說過年要吃橘子,代表吉祥。

Jazel said that we have to eat oranges to have good luck. 


今日甜點是藍莓香蕉煎餅。

Today's dessert was blueberry and banana pancake. 





飯後娛樂是寫書法,我們胡亂寫了一堆,連「對你愛愛愛不完」這種芭樂的歌詞都寫。

Our entertainment after dinner was writing calligraphy. We scribbled on stacks of red paper. We even wrote something cheesy like "I can't love you enough." 

這學期開始我的心情起起伏伏的,今天我和那些掙扎說再見,我走入了我的龍年,要好好生活。下次再打包就是要離開這裡的時候,阿長也在電話裡說:明年你又會和我們一起吃年夜飯。沒錯,接下來的五個月我只要過得開心,其他事都不重要。

Since the start of this term, I had gone through ups and downs. Today I said goodbye to all those struggles, and thus strode into my dragon year. I am going to live well. Next time when I pack, I'll be out of here forever. Dad said on the phone, "Next year you'll have Chinese New Year's Eve dinner with us again." Exactly. In the coming five months, all I have to do is live happily. Other things don't matter anymore. 

祝我最親愛的你們有美好的一年‧‧‧

Best wishes to my dearest family and friends...

對了,我的房間號碼換了,新的住址如下:

By the way, I have a new room number. My current address is as follows: 

Weichuen You 
room 97, Brooke Hall, 17 Flodden Rd. Camberwell, SE5 9LH, London, UK 

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Windsor & Eton / 溫莎伊頓之旅




週末與其坐在家裡發霉,我決定常常來個小旅行,今天的目的地是溫莎和伊頓。

Instead of being stuck at home on weekends, I decide to go on outings as often as I can. Today my destination is Windsor and Eton. 


這是溫莎城堡的入口,一去就看到圍觀的人潮,他們在等什麼呢?

This is the entrance to Windsor Castle. As soon as I arrive, there are crowds waiting. For what? 








很精神抖擻吧!售票口的女警衛說遊行很值得看,我便和其他旅客等這一刻。

Don't you find it cheerful? The female guard at the entrance to the ticketing office says that this is a sight worth seeing, so I wait with other tourists. 


溫莎城堡現仍是王室成員的居住地之一,腹地廣大,不過只有小部份開放。

The British royal family still lives in Windsor Castle, which covers a vast area, but only a very small part is open to the public. 




聖喬治之門。

St. George's Gate. 




城堡遠眺市景。

The bird's-eye view of the town. 






城堡裡的教堂。

The chapel in the castle. 


比起城堡,我偏愛泰晤士河岸風光,走著走著,這一週的負面情緒都隨風而逝。

I prefer the riverside to Windsor Castle. As I walk on, I feel the negative emotion accumulated over the week gone with the wind. 












跨過這座橋就從溫莎鎮到伊頓鎮。

You'll go to Eton from Windsor by taking the bridge. 




伊頓最有名的就是伊頓中學,是英國享譽盛名的寄宿男校,不是想進就能進的。

Eton is famous for Eton College, which is the most renowned boys' boarding school in the UK. You need special background to be admitted. 


伊頓中學的建築散布在鎮上的一角,雖然是週六,還是可以看到很多小男生剛打球回宿舍,或者走去主街上吃東西,也有父母們來探望。

The buildings of Eton College are dispersed in one part of the town. Though it's Saturday, many young boys are on their way back to the dorm after playing the ball. Some are seen to go to High Street for food. There are also parents that come to visit. 


「BJ單身日記第二集」裡,當BJ以為自己懷孕,馬克很開心地和她討論起孩子的將來,他說如果是男孩就要送去伊頓中學,BJ一聽馬上反對。這是社團活動表,我看了也是有點驚嚇,終於在英國看到比較有競爭力的人了。

In Bridget Jones' Diary II, when Bridget thinks she is pregnant, Mark discusses with her in joy the future of their child. He says that if it's a boy, they should send him to Eton College. Upon hearing that, Bridget can't help disagreeing with him. In the photo is the schedule of the societies. I am kind of shocked when I take a close look. I've finally got to see competitive people in the UK. 




有請腫瘤專家的演講,也有討論蘇俄科技的議題,好有熱血的少年們啊!

There is a speech by an oncologist. Also, there is discussion on Soviet technology. What ambitious young men! 


既然被視為牛津劍橋的先修班,伊頓中學也有專屬的紀念品店!

Seen as the preparatory school to Oxford and Cambridge University, Eton College has its own souvenir shop!