Showing posts with label Brooke Hall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brooke Hall. Show all posts

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Walking a cat / 陪一隻貓散步


前一週院子裡來了一隻三腳貓,上週末去洗衣服時,牠在安靜的早晨看到我便跟過來,我不是愛貓的人,剛開始有點害怕,不過看到牠的牛奶盒空了,我想牠應該是肚子餓了。

Since more than a week ago, we have had a new inhabitant in the courtyard. It is a three-legged cat. Last weekend when I was on my way to the laundry room, it followed me on a quiet morning. I am not a cat lover, so naturally in the beginning I felt kind of intimidated. But upon seeing its milk box empty, I guessed it must have been starved. 

從那之後我就成為餵食貓咪的房客之一,雖然沒法像立刻像其他人馬上和牠打成一片,我冰箱裡的牛奶完全是為牠準備的。

Since then I have become one of its food providers. Though I couldn't bring myself to pet it like others, the milk in my fridge is 100% prepared for it. 

今早去洗衣服時把牛奶盒裝得滿滿的,可是貓咪還是跟過來,我們倆站在大太陽下,我彎下腰來對牠說:你也寂寞嗎?出於內心地就摸了牠幾下。

This morning when I went to do the laundry, I filled up the milk box for it, but it still followed me. We stood under the sunshine. I bent forward asking, "Are you lonely too?"  Then I couldn't help caressing it. 

我們在院子裡散步,A棟的米亞要出門,貓咪也去和她撒嬌,我問:你知道牠是男生還女生?米亞回答:我不知道,但我內心希望牠是個女孩‧‧‧我也這麼想。

We took a short walk in the courtyard. When Mia from Block A was about to go out, the cat also walked to her for some attention. I asked Mia, "Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?" She replied, "I don't know, but I kind of hope it's a girl..." That's what I think too...

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Rainbow maker / 彩虹製造機


最近倫敦進入雨季,每天傍晚散步回家,運動鞋底盡是花瓣和落葉。宿舍網路斷了兩天,我過著認真做作業和閱讀的生活,還好凱特送我的彩虹製造機讓我的小房間繽紛不少。

Lately we have been experiencing a rainy London spring. Every evening after my walk, I take home with me fallen petals and leaves stuck to the soles of my sneakers. The Internet was disconnected for two days in Brooke Hall. I was thus able to focus more on my assignments and reading. Luckily, the rainbow maker from Caterina adds colors to my little room. 

嘉蕊和我就在寒冷又淒涼的雨中唱起「Singing in the Rain」‧‧‧

Jazel and I are not baffled by the icy rain at all. We still walk in the rain and wind. Finding the spring rain and sunset so poetic, we can't help humming "Singing in the Rain" like two happy madwomen...

Saturday, April 21, 2012

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 

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Thank YOU / 謝謝


雖然最近的我不是在最好的狀態,但是我已經消化過自己的問題,請大家不要為我擔心。

Though I am not in the best condition now, I have digested my problems. Please don't worry for me. 


這個星期又是每天一包裹,從台灣寄來的滿滿的愛,謝謝蕙玲、派蒂,還有未找到男朋友的子榕,沒關係,我也沒找到。

This week, again, I receive a packet a day from Taiwan and each is filled with warm love. Millions of thanks to Hui-ling, Patty and Jasmine, who hasn't found a boyfriend. I haven't either. 

送包裹來的社監很強硬地說:我早就想你怎麼能忍受那些年輕人!我們一定要做點什麼!目前我已經在找空房了,但我想搬到A棟的老人之家,明天再和經理談談好了。

The warden that sent me the mail is very tough. She said, "I've long wondered how you can put up with those young people. We have to do something!" I am seeking for a perfect empty room, but I prefer the A block, which is the nursing home here. I'll talk to the manager tomorrow. 

謝謝大家,我會好好生活的。

Thank you all. I'll take care of myself...

Saturday, January 14, 2012

the tree / 那棵樹

這是我的速寫本最後一頁,在明天去旅行換新速寫本之前,我要記錄宿舍中庭一棵很平凡卻又不平凡的樹。

This is the last page in my sketchbook. Before going on a trip and using a new sketchbook tomorrow, I want to record a very ordinary yet extraordinary tree that once grew in the courtyard of Brooke Hall.


它曾經長得又高又壯,但是它的根部已經滲入整個下水道系統,所以社監只好忍痛把它砍掉。現在的它和中庭看起來都很可悲,不過我會記得它‧‧‧

It used to be tall and strong, but its root had grown all over the sewage system underground. The site managers had no choice but to have it cut off. Now it and the courtyard look so pathetic. Still, I will remember it...

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Mingling / 融合

今早一看到娜娜的留言說每天都要先看我的網誌,我便感受到水果日報記者的熱血和壓力,今天的行程要和我的組員一起聽雷鬼樂構思,我其實沒有空檔可以速寫。

This morning when I read Nana's message on my blog saying that she has to read my blog first every day, I felt the passion churning in my stomach, which I assume that most tabloid journalists understand, and meanwhile, pressure. Today I was going to spend a part of the day listening to reggae music with my team members and brainstorming. I didn't have much time for doing a sketch.

我的組員面貌上都是亞洲人,有日本妹妹小桃,英籍香港裔男孩雷蒙和香港妹妹婕蔓,大家都是很低調的樣子,所以我和他們說:選感動你們的歌,帶著熱情做這份功課。很難在他們面前表現我燃燒的內心,我是多麼壓抑啊!

My team members are mostly Asian, with Momo from Japan, Raymond the British Chinese, and Germaine from Hong Kong. Everyone looks low-key, so I told them, "Choose tracks that you feel a passion for, and do the assignment with passion." It was hard to show them my burning heart. I had so much difficulty repressing myself!

我不知道別人的經驗如何,這個角色的工作對我來說應該是很熟悉的,但不知道是換了領域和國家,我有新手的緊張,不過我一邊告訴自己,不懂才能學習。

I don't know what it's like for others, but for me this role as a leader should be familiar. However, with a different field and country, I felt the nervousness of a rookie. Still, I keep reminding myself that only when I don't understand do I learn.


和組員們又去了黑膠唱片行,買了可能是這輩子唯一一張黑膠唱片。

I went to the CD store again with my team members and bought the only vinyl I might buy in my life.


背面有個大驚喜。

A big surprise on the back. 


誰說是帥哥呢?是美麗的筆跡!

Who said that's a handsome guy? It's the beautiful handwriting! 


之後大家趕緊解散回家各自做功課,可是難道我今天就不速寫了嗎?我點子王的稱號不是假的,中午去聽演講的路上我經過數家黑人理髮店,我一直想畫,於是在腦中想了個說法,挑了最大型的一家走進去:

我:你好,我是坎貝爾的學生,我有個功課,要挑一家這街上最有趣的店速寫,我覺得你們的店很棒,我可以坐在角落畫畫嗎?
理髮師一號:是功課嗎?(有點敵意)要多久?
我:一個小時,我會讓我自己隱形,不用擔心。
理髮師一號:老闆不在耶,不過好吧!
待我坐下‧‧‧
理髮店友人一號:要付十磅喔!
我:不是免費嗎?
友人一號:這裡有暖氣,還可以坐下來,當然要付錢!
我:那好吧,我再想想看!
我作勢離開。
友人一號:和你開玩笑的啦!

總之我就開始很愉快地畫圖。

Then everyone went on their way home to prepare the thumbnails and reference materials, but shall I go through today without doing any sketch? I am not called Idea Queen for no reason. In fact, on my way to the practitioner's talk this noon, I passed by several black barbershops on the road, which I'd wanted to draw for a long time. I thought of a perfect excuse and walked in.

Me: Hello, I am a student from Camberwell School of Arts. I have a project, which is to pick the most interesting shop to draw on this road. I am really interested in your barbershop. Is it ok for me to sit in the corner and do a sketch?
Barber No.1: Is it a school project? (He was a little bit hostile.) How long will it take?
Me: One hour. I'll make myself as invisible as possible. No worries.
Barber No. 1: The owner is not around, but ok...
I sat down to take out my sketchbook.
Visitor 1: Well, you have to pay 10 pounds.
Me: Isn't it free?
Visitor 1: There are heaters and you can sit down. Of course you have to pay.
Me: OK, I'll think about it then.
I rose to go.
Visitor 1: I am just kidding...

I thus began drawing happily.

邊畫有人邊湊過來看,但是我想他們都不是很滿意,因為理髮師動來動去的有點難畫,理髮師二號還問我他是不是得保持不動,我說沒關係,之後老闆回來了,沒有對於一個東方女生坐在全是黑人男性店裡大驚小怪。

While I was sketching, people kept coming to take a look, but I figured they weren't satisfied because the barbers moved around, which was not easy to draw. Barber No. 2 even offered to stay still. I said it was alright. Then the owner came back, and I really thanked him for not making a fuss over an Asian woman sitting in an all-black-men barbershop.

接下來的就妙了,他們開始用一種呱呱的非洲方言交談,我很想問,但又不敢太放肆,不過整個氛圍真的是很特別的人生體驗,就像在酒吧裡看到白人最真實的樣子,在黑人理髮廳裡,有一些人是把這個場合當家的。

What happened next was quite amazing. They started to converse in a quacking dialect. I'd like to know what it was, but I didn't want to appear audacious. But it was a rather special life experience. Just as you get to see what the white people are like in pubs, some black people take barbershops as their home.


在一陣人潮來來去去之間,我聽到有人說「畫畫」這兩個字,我沒有抬頭看是何方神聖,不過後來我在畫圖最左的黑人先生,啊,原來是個中國人來賣色情光碟,為了忠實呈現,我也把這個畫進去了。成交之後,中國先生湊過來說:真不錯,中國人吧!這已經是我在五天之內第三次被這樣問,而我的官方回答是:我講中文,但我不是中國人。根據詹姆斯的理論,從對方接下來的回答可以猜出他的年紀喔!果然這位四十多歲的先生接著說:啊,台灣就是中國啦!我繼續畫著,平和但堅定地說:台灣是台灣。他應該感受到我很難搞,摸摸鼻子就走了。

With people coming and going, I heard the word "drawing" in mandarin. I didn't raise my head to see who that was, but while I was drawing the man on the left side looking at something in his hands, it was a Chinese selling porn CDs. To be faithful to the scene, I drew it too. After the deal was made, the Chinese guy approached me saying, "Nice, very precise! (which is not in reality...) Chinese right?" This was already the third time I was taken as Chinese within five days. My official reply was: I speak Mandarin, but I am not Chinese. According to James, you can tell the age of a person based on the words he is going to say. He went on to say, "Ah, Taiwan is China!" I kept drawing without looking at him, but I said in a peaceful but firm tone, "Taiwan is Taiwan." He felt the hardness in my words, so he left asap. 

我有個很大的疑問,明明很多顧客走進來的頭髮很短,看起來並不需要剪,但是這些人還是很注重外表,還會順便修鬍子。

I was puzzled because when a lot of clients walk in, they had really cleanly-cut hair, which doesn't require trimming. However, they pay much attention to their appearance, and apart from hair, they also have their mustaches, beards and sideburns trimmed. 

畫完已經天黑了,明天白天時再去補拍一張蓋比理髮廳的照片!這家店理髮師有橘色制服,理髮椅也是橘色的,老闆很大手筆喔!

When I was done, the sky had turned dark. I'll get a photo of Gabby's tomorrow in the day time. The barbers have orange uniforms and the chairs are orange as well! I can tell that the owner is quite an entrepreneur!

回家時撞見宿舍裡自認為最老的達洛,也是個英文老師來著,我們聊了很多事情,最後他說:再一個月左右你就會感受到最冷的冬季時刻,也許會下雪。我還以為冬天就要結束了,最近不時聽到清脆的鳥叫聲,連半夜三點都聽得到,美好地令人有些不安。

On my way home, I ran into Daryl, who thinks of himself as the oldest in Brooke Hall. He was also an English teacher. We talked about many things, and in the end he said, "In one month, you'll feel the coldest winter. Maybe it'll snow." I thought winter is about to end. Lately I've been hearing really melodious birds' chirping, even at 3 am. It's too beautiful to be true. 

那麼那時我要在雪裡畫畫‧‧‧

Then I'll draw in the snow...


補上蓋比理髮店的照片!

Here is the photo of Gabby's...

Friday, December 09, 2011

Greetings / 問候


今天天空陰陰的,我很想畫窗外沒穿衣服的樹,我必須克制自己不能畫得有個性,真的不是很容易,不過我想久了之後,我也會變成一個沒有偏見的人。

It was a cloudy day today. I was tempted to draw the tree in the courtyard. However, I had to curb my desire to make it "my" tree, which wasn't very easy. But I think with time  passing by, I'll become a very objective person because of the training. 


屈老師攝影 / photo taken by Ms. Chu 

江老師和國畫班的同學為我拍了一張照,哇,我好想念大家還有在週四早晨的國畫課,真是謝謝體貼的屈老師,我在前進的同時會想著這些回憶的。

Mr. Chiang and my classmates from the Chinese painting class took a group picture for me. I miss everyone so much and the classes on Thursday mornings. I'd like to thank Ms. Chu for her thoughtfulness. I'll keep these memories in my mind as I move forward. 


傍晚印度小弟敲我的窗,說社監辦公室有我的包裹,我很高興地衝去領,原來是貼心的卡洛寄來的小熊軟糖,我太幸福啦,謝謝卡洛!

In the evening Viraj knocked on my window saying that he saw a packet with my name on it. I rushed to the manager's office to get it. Dear Carol sent me Gummy bears from Hungary. I am so blessed...Thank you Carol! 

這個星期我想了有關未來的幾個月,因為同學的刺激,我也訂了三月去波隆納的機票,既然都來到英國讀插畫,如果不利用這個機會去參加波隆納插畫展就太可惜了,我也因此感到很雀躍,一切都只是剛開始啊!

This week I've been thinking about the coming few months. Thanks to my classmates' stimulation, I booked the plane tickets to Bologna in late March. Since I've come  to study illustration in the UK, it'd be a huge pity if I didn't make the best use of the opportunity to take a look at Bologna book fair. I thus feel elated. Well, let me say, this is just the beginning! 

Monday, December 05, 2011

homesickness / 想家


周末和家人朋友聊了天,不過想家的心情因此被掀了開來,我想到之前同學茹絲在臉書上寫的一句話,前幾天下了雨,她說落雨讓她看到家鄉格拉斯哥,今天我想家的情緒像雨般下起來。

I skyped with my family and friend this weekend, but my homesickness was thus uncovered. I recalled some remarks by my classmate Ruth on FB. It rained a few days ago, but it relieved her of her homesickness because it pished like that in her hometown Glasgow. Today my homesickness rained down on me. 

「把那樣的心情畫下來吧!」早上起床之後我開始想家系列的明信片,畢竟在我長長的一輩子裡,我難得有這樣的感觸,要好好利用才行。

"Why don't you draw it?" After I got up this morning, I started my homesickness series of postcards. After all, in my long life, I hardly feel this. I should make very positive use of my emotion. 


收到這張明信片的人,到時候很多星星會被旁邊的鉛筆痕跡抹黑,那時還亮著的就真的屬於你。

By the time this postcard is received by the person for whom it is meant for, many stars will be smudged by the pencil drawing around them. Those stars that still remain bright are yours then. 






我們來玩個遊戲,看你會不會收到你想要的那張明信片。如果我遺忘了你,請和我說。

Let's play a game to see if you will receive the postcard you like. If I accidentally forget you, please let me know. 






下午和同學開了下午茶派對,可是我很怕派對結束之後一個人的感覺,還好我為嘉蕊煮了晚餐。她回房間做功課,我就在下雨的夜晚繼續畫圖,想家也是種很幸福的事,代表在這世界上我屬於我愛的人和愛我的人‧‧‧

I had a nice afternoon party with my classmates in the afternoon, but I am very afraid of being left all alone after the party. Luckily, I had Jazel to cook dinner for. After she went back to her room to continue her assignment, I resumed drawing on a rainy evening. It's nice to feel homesick because it means in this vast world I belong to those whom I love and who love me...

Monday, November 21, 2011

happy dieting / 快樂減肥法

其實今年的倫敦冬季很溫暖,可是我不知哪根神經壞了,我這麼有自制力的人居然開始半夜啃土司,而且奶油是一整坨地塗,前幾天晚上在半個小時之內吞完一盒巧克力,這週末自我反省了一番,說減肥太誇張,因為我三餐仍然照吃,但是我規定自己吃完不能立刻坐下來,所以最近我家特別乾淨,雜貨也特別齊,我要不是出去超市晃一圈,就是打掃房間。我發現冰箱滿的時候反而不會那麼想吃,今天的我特富有啊!

This winter in London has been really warm so far. However, I don't have any clue what came over me because someone so disciplined like me started to bite toast at midnight! You should see how I tossed a big ball of butter onto it. A few nights ago, I alone ate up a box of chocolate. This weekend I did some self-analysis. I really shouldn't call what I am doing "dieting," because I still eat three meals. But I make it a rule not to sit down immediately after eating. That's why my room has been particularly clean lately and the fridge is packed with all kinds of food. I've got into the habit of tidying up my space and going for a walk to the supermarket after dinner and lunch. It's funny that when my fridge is full I don't have such a scary appetite. Well, today I am very rich!

我還因此有了意外收穫,昨天發現我家旁邊就有個不小的Myatt's Fields公園,只是個社區公園,卻美得像電影場景,我之後的身材就要靠它了!

I also gained something else accidentally--yesterday I found Myatt's Fields Park right next to Brooke Hall. It's nothing but a community park, but it's as beautiful as a movie set. Well, this is where my gym is going to be!





















Sunday, November 20, 2011

between London and Taipei / 倫敦和台北之間


今天早上聽91.7fm,聽說台北下著雨,我這邊是大晴天,透過廣播,我感受兩邊的天氣。DJ報的時間是晚上,我卻想像著有大太陽的夜晚,同時很想也不想家。

I tuned into 91.7fm in Taiwan this morning. I heard that it rained unceasingly in Taipei, but we had a super sunny day here in London. Through the broadcast, I experienced the weather of two cities. DJs kept announcing the time. It was the evening there, and I pictured a night with sunlight. I missed and I didn't miss home...

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Give me some more time / 再給我一點時間


這幾天很累,累到圖畫不出來,卻又不知道可以做什麼,走在路上只能東看西看,試著找一些靈感。例如說,我在猜這個白馬桶是自己逃出來的嗎?但為何不跑遠些呢?

I was more than exhausted during the past few days, so tired that I couldn't draw. Meanwhile I wondered what else I could do. When walking on the roads, my eyes searched for interesting things so that I could find inspirations. For example, I was curious if this toilet made the escape itself, but if it's really so, why didn't it run further? 












氣溫有逐漸下降的趨勢,但秋天還捨不得離開弗洛登路,天氣晴朗的時候,楓葉看起來就更美麗。

I have the feeling that the temperature is slowly dropping, but autumn still can't bring itself to part with Flodden Road. When there are sunny spells, the maple leaves appear even more charming. 


星期一在畫室裡的任務是拿上週發展的想法繼續發展下去,老師要的是小圖的速寫,每張不超過五分鐘得畫出來,我想我的圖還不夠多元,因為最終要能生出兩個廣告表達同一個想法。

The task on Monday in the studio was to develop one of the ideas we had formed last week. The teachers asked for thumbnail images, each of which should be drawn within five minutes. I think my images were not diverse enough because in the end everyone of us has to come up with two different ads for the same idea. 

今天之前我有種什麼也想不到的枯竭感,早上起床時,我終於復原了,我對自己說,如果我不喜歡我生出的想法,明天我根本無法上台報告,所以無論如何,我要用愛好好做作業。

Before today, I was sucked dry. I couldn't think of anything and I didn't like what I did. This morning when I woke up, I recuperated mentally and physically. I told myself if I don't like my ideas, I won't be able to present them tomorrow. So I have to do the homework with love no matter what. 




雖然我想快速地進步,也容易沒有達到目標感到沮喪,但怎麼說我都在前進。和蔡女士視訊時,隨手畫了一堆肖像,以前我是不會畫這些東西的,這應該是我的改變指標之一。

Though I want desperately to make progress and I am likely to feel frustrated without achieving my goals, I am moving forward anyway. While Skyping with Mom today, I did doodles of everyone's portraits. I wouldn't draw so spontaneously like this before. It is an indication of my change. 

再給我一點時間,我對自己說。

Give me some more time, I say to myself.