long and beautiful journey / 又漫長又美好

今年的信誼幼兒文學獎改在信誼的好好生活廣場舉辦，不過不管在哪裡舉辦，我都會去參加！

My yearly goal is to participate in the picture-book contest held by Hsin-y publisher and go to the award ceremony wherever the venue is. This time I decided to write only instead of making a book. My work "Sunny and Rain" is shortlisted. 

        今年的文字創作獎沒有嘉作也沒有首獎，現在的我已經學到輸贏不是最重要的事，寫一個好故事才是我的目標。這個故事的靈感來自於我去北歐的旅行，回來時我的傘上還留著北歐的雨，因此很想幫雨寫一個故事，剛好很符合今年台灣的天氣呢！

     Unfortunately, there is no winner in the category of story-writing. However, my failures last year taught me that creating a good story is much more important than winning. The inspiration for my story comes from my trip to North Europe last summer. It surprised me quite a bit to see the raindrops remaining on my umbrella when I opened it after returning to Taiwan. Thus, I was motivated to write a story for the rain. The story comes in handy in the rainy spring here! 

        寫作就是人生的反映，總是會有起起伏伏，今年寫的故事或許特別吸引人，但也許明年的故事就沒有那麼傑出，這都是很正常的。

     Writing or making picture books is a reflection of human life in that there are always ups and downs. Maybe your story is particularly amazing this year, but it doesn't guarantee that next year you'll come up with an equally wonderful one. And we all have to bear that in mind instead of taking the outcome of the contest too seriously. 

        好一陣子沒有上兒童文學的課程了，再度來到這樣的場合，不禁又激動了起來，心中對於做繪本的熱情又熊熊地燒了起來，放眼望去是一年又一年都來的熟悉面孔，大家都很努力地朝著同一個目標前進，雖然不是一蹴可及，可是想到原來自己在意的事對很多創作者也同樣重要，信念就更堅定了。

     I haven't gone to any workshop on children literature for a while. Being on such an occasion once again, the fire in me is rekindled again. Every year I get to see many familiar faces of creators who go all out for the same goal. Though the road to success is paved with challenges and frustrations, my faith is strengthened upon being reminded that the goal that I consider so essential also matters so much to many picture-book makers. 

        今年的繪本佳作得主葉曼玲小姐，作品內容靈感源自於女兒在公園裡撿的花葉種子。

     This is the runner-up Ms. Yeh for the category of picture books. Her story is inspired by her daughters picking leaves and seeds in the park. 

        今年的特別獎得主是蕭湄羲小姐，十二年前就得過大獎，她說這中間沒有創作的時候就觀察和思考，我特別喜歡這句話。

     This is the winner of the special award Ms. Hsiao. She won the award twelve years ago. During the interim when she didn't create, she spent time observing and thinking. These words really impress me. 

        從缺多年的首獎今年終於找到得主，是很有名氣的郭乃文和周見信先生，靈感來自曾經飼養的小狗。

     The winners of the best picture book this year go to the famous pair Mr. Guo and Mr. Chou. Their story is inspired by their pet dog. 

        主辦單位也特別頒發終身成就獎給藝術家趙國宗老師，同時也有他的畫展。

     The host also gives the lifetime achievement award to the renowned artist Mr. Zhou. His exhibition is also held at the same time. 

        最令人感動的則是林良老師，每年都見到他，每周在國語日報上都讀到他的文章，真是完全奉獻給兒童文學的人生，我也要那麼充滿熱情才行！

     What moves me most is seeing Mr. Lin again. Though he is in his 90s, he is still dedicated to writing for children. I definitely want to be as hard-working as he is! 

        今天的晚餐則是在螢火蟲相伴的和美山，一邊喝著蜂蜜啤酒，接下來再重新開始吧！

     To top the afternoon off, we spend my evening in the company of fireflies and a can of honey beer in the suburban hill. Well, you know what? I am going to start all anew again! 

Crazy about Gaudi / 為高第著迷

When it's not raining / 不下雨的時候

下雨的清晨五點起床畫圖，沉浸在書房的橘色燈光裡，雨天也變得很詩意。

I get up at five in the morning to draw on a rainy day. Basking in the orange light in my study, I can't imagine a more poetic day. 

        蘇菲說自己很像大海裡的小小魚，我說可以像條小魚游在下雨的城市裡，是種幸福。

     Sophy says she's like a small fish in the ocean. I feel there's joy and beauty in swimming in a watery city like a small fish. 

        於是，不下雨的早晨，我反而想念起雨了。

     So I can't help missing the rain when it's not raining. 

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! 

Timing / 時機

前一陣子太心急，這幾週有機會靜下來好好思考，才又想到，所有事物都有它們的時間表，只有我一個人急不得。

I was moving too fast a while ago. Over the past few weeks my loss of goals has slowed me down and given me time to think. I, again, realize that everything has its agenda. I can't make it happen no matter how determined I am. 

        我和吉吉的明信片計劃進行到第三年了，代表現在我們手上有八百多張明信片，最近想把明信片展覽的計劃付諸實行，發現也急不得，也許會拖到明年，於是我對吉吉說：「這樣可以選的明信片又變多了！」

     I have begun my third-year everyday postcard project with Shaggy, which means we have more than eight hundred postcards now. Though we'd like to carry out our plan of holding a postcard exhibition, I find that it takes time to find the right venue. Maybe we will have to put it off until next year, but I told Shaggy, "That means we have more postcards to choose from!" 

        在對的時機來臨之前，我會好好準備的！

     Before it's time, I will wait and be well-prepared! 

Come come sunshine! / 陽光快來！

現在下雨天對我的影響並不大，不過這週我感受到雨天的鬱悶，原來在進行的project出了問題，本來一心一意地往前衝，因此得停工，沒有了目標，我感到很失落。

Now rainy days can't influence me, but this past week I felt the blues of rain. Something went wrong with the project I had been working on, which made me have to take a sudden pause. I was totally lost as if the firm rock I was standing on turned out to be nothing but an illusion.

        晃蕩了一整週，在迷惘當中想了很多事，陽光出現之前，我提醒自己年初許的新願望，即使沒有了外在的目標，我可以再次為自己訂目標。

     I wandered mentally for a whole week, but in my confusion, I got to think about many things. Finally, I reminded myself my new year resolutions. I realized that even without any outer goal, I can set goals for myself again.

        雖然之前畫泰王畫得很高興，但是得先跟泰王說再見了，現在就先讓金黃色的陽光陪伴我吧！

     Though I had a great time drawing the Thai king a lot, but now I have to say goodbye to kun po for the time being. I'll have the golden sunshine keep me company for the moment!

Company of a cup of tea / 一杯茶的陪伴

去年在寫繪本上跌了很多跤，上了一些課和講座之後，秋天時決定先練習寫作。每個週日我會坐在書房一整天，就是在那時愛上喝茶，總有一杯茶伴著我，玩各式各樣的文字遊戲，出了書房有身邊的友人和小朋友也都來幫忙，這個過程很充實美好，我可以看到自己的極限，並且從別人的回饋突破瓶頸，因為如此，我其實很感謝去年的轉折。

Last year I experienced several failures in writing picture books. After attending some talks and workshops, I made a big decision of focusing on writing first. Every Sunday I would sit in the study for a whole day reading and writing. It was then that I fell in love with drinking tea. On my desk there was always a cup of tea keeping me company. Outside the study, the adults and kids would read and listen to the stories for me. The process was really fun and enjoyable. I got to see my limits and learned from others' feedback. To be honest, I appreciate whatever happened though everything was a blessing in disguise. 

        這週一去演講，我和老師們說：我很喜歡做繪本這件事，雖然目前我還做得不是很好，我會用一輩子來做好這件事。當下有個好可愛的老師說：不要再說了，我快哭了。我都沒想到這些話這麼感人。

     This past Monday I gave a talk in a school on making picture books. I said, "I really love making picture books. Though I am not very good now, I will spend the rest of my life on it." Upon hearing this, a sentimental teacher suddenly replied, "Don't say anything anymore. I feel like crying." I found her response amusing for I hadn't expected my words to be so moving. 

        去年底寄了五個故事參加信誼的文字比賽，這週收到通知，雖然只有一個故事入圍，不過還是很高興，我想我的努力方向應該是沒有問題的，而我也比之前更積極，現在我更想知道的是如何修改故事，也期待能很快地得到答案。

     I sent five stories to Hsin-y's picture book contest at the end of last year. Though this week I learned that only one story is shortlisted, I am still quite happy that I am working in the right direction. Compared with the past, I am also more active now. Instead of dwelling on the success and failure, I am eager to find out how I can revise my stories. 

        雖然今年有許多計劃在進行，這一週是一顆逗號，讓我可以停下來喝一杯茶，往前往後看看，再昂首闊步前進！

     I have so many projects going on this year, but it's nice to have a cup of tea this weekend so that I can look behind and ahead before moving on! 

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! 

He does look back. / 回頭

爸爸送兒子去機場，我和媽媽怕傷心，故意說完再見就走開，爸爸一個人站在那裡，不時舉起手揮啊揮的，直到兒子消失在海關入口。

Dad sees off his son in the airport. Knowing we will feel sad, we walk away right after saying goodbye. Dad stands there alone, waving his hand until the son disappears in his sight. 

        爸爸好開心地和我們說：「這次他有回頭看我喔！」可是我聽到這話，卻好想哭，也真的哭了。

     Dad says to us with happiness, "This time he does look back at me." Upon hearing his words, I so feel like crying, and I do cry. 

After a fantastic trip / 旅行之後的高潮

旅行過後，一切歸於平淡，能比旅行精采的事之一，就是參加一場婚禮，而且是弟弟的婚禮。

What can be more fantastic than a trip? One of the choices is going to a wedding, the wedding of my little brother. 

        除了為新人興奮和開心，我也有許多個人的收穫：和小時候的老師們再度相遇，老師說我以前是個小作家，還幫我的作品印成冊，其實我都不記得了，不過在這種需要努力的片刻，聽到這些話，給了我很大的鼓勵。還收到了吉吉送的日韓繪本們，讓我想要在美麗的春天裡在文字和圖畫編織的夢境裡打滾。

     Of course I feel thrilled and happy for the newly-wed couple. However, God has given me much more than that. In the wedding, I encounter my elementary school teacher, who reminds me that I used to be a good writer. In fact, he cherishes a lot a collection of essays I wrote when I was little. To be honest, I don't remember a thing, but his words greatly encourage me at moments like this. Moreover, I have received a bunch of great Korean and Japanese picture books from Shaggy. I feel the urge to dream in the world woven with words and images in spring. 

        而最大的驚喜就是收到弟弟和弟妹的捧花，現在它在書房的桌上陪著我，感覺會為我帶來全世界的好運氣！

     As for my biggest surprise, I receive half of the bride's bouquet, which is right by my side in the study at this moment. I feel it will bring me all the luck in the world!