Mansfield Park / 曼斯菲爾德莊園

雖然我一直深受時尚插畫吸引，我的畫風卻不是以時尚為特色。要準備珍奧斯汀的「曼斯菲爾德莊園」插畫時，我突然想到時尚插畫是很好的起點，很適合奧斯汀筆下的女性角色。

I've always been into fashion illustration though my style is not fashionable at all. It occurred to me that fashion illustration would be a superb starting point when I was about to prepare the illustrations for Jane Austen's Mansfield Park because her ladies feel beautiful and want to be beautiful. 

        畫著畫著是很開心，不過這些模特兒非常有姿態，不僅身形美，眼神也都有故事。

     I had much fun drawing the models in the fashion magazine. They not only look beautiful but also make me curious about them. Their eyes tell stories. 

        她們寫字看書的樣子也好帥氣，就算和女主角范妮天差地遠，但我還是很高興可以做新的嘗試。

     I focused particularly on how women read and write. However, these models appear to be very confident of themselves. They are worlds apart from the protagonist Fanny, but it was still nice for me to take a new try. 

        這本小說到底在說什麼呢？簡單地說，就是乖女孩范妮從小寄住在有錢的阿姨和姨丈家，和乖男孩表哥艾德蒙青梅竹馬，不過長大之後因為新的角色出現在莊園裡，艾德蒙愛上了勢利女瑪麗，而瑪麗的風流男哥哥亨利則受到范妮的吸引，范妮看著自己深愛的艾德蒙被愛蒙敝，還要一邊抵擋亨利的猛烈追求，還好她的堅忍不拔最後換來艾德蒙的愛。

     What is the novel about? Simply put, the good girl Fanny was sent to Mansfield Park to live with her rich aunt and uncle when she was little. She grew up together with her gentle cousin Edmund. With the arrival of the new characters, her life began to change. Edmund fell in love with the beautiful but snobbish girl Mary Crawford while her player brother fell for the charm of innocent Fanny, who had to suffer silently from seeing her beloved Edmund blindfolded by love and make every attempt to resist Henry in the meanwhile. Luckily, her virtue and perseverance finally won Edmund's heart. 

        插畫比賽除了三張內頁插圖以外，還要設計封面，而且規格有嚴格的規定，其實剛開始我並不確定自己做得出來，不過我不想就這麼放棄，很幸運地友人幫了我一把，讓我可以達到目標。

     Besides the three illustrations for the story, every contestant was required to design the cover as well and meet some specific rules. In fact, I wasn't sure if I could make it, but I didn't feel like giving up either. I was blessed with Alex's help so that I could reach my goal. 

        范妮是內向壓抑的角色，在珍奧斯汀的作品中是較沒自信的女主角，不過我覺得自己很像她。

     Fanny is an introverted and repressed role. She is probably the least confident heroine in Austen's books, but I can relate to her because I see much similarity between her and me. 

        與其把重點放在她和其他角色的互動，不如把舞台都給她吧！她的慰藉除了艾德蒙外，就是書和花草，還有自己的書房。

     Instead of placing emphasis on her interaction with the other characters, I prefer to feature her only in my illustrations. Apart from Edmund, she took solace in books, plants, and her personal space, the East room. 

        像書裡說的，就算是快樂，范妮也安安靜靜地感受。

     As is said in the book, Fanny feels ecstasy in a quiet way. 

        做完插畫的那一晚，想到五年前在英國讀書的時候，急著想用自己以外的風格畫圖，老師問：你為什麼不用自己的風格呢？五年過去了，我終於可以用自己的風格，不論結果如何，我都感到欣喜，因為我嘗試了之前做不到的事。

     On the day when I finished the illustrations, I thought of the winter five years ago when I was studying in London. I was eager to borrow others' styles, so my tutor couldn't help asking, "Why didn't you use your own style?" Five years have gone by, and I am proud to be me when drawing. Whatever the outcome is, I am joyful all the same because I achieved what I couldn't in the past. 

We are all the same / 我們都一樣

表面亮晶晶，

內心很擔心。

Shiny on the outside, 

uneasy on the inside. 

Neil Gaiman says / 尼爾蓋曼說

「我希望在新的一年裡你會犯錯，因為如果你犯錯，那意謂你在創造新的事物、嘗試新的事物、學習、生活、自我推進、自我改變、以及改變全世界，你在嘗試之前沒有做過的事，而更重要的是，你正在做某件事。

不管你害怕什麼，採取行動。

明年及永遠，不停犯錯。」

旁觀者的意見：非小說選─尼爾蓋曼


"I hope in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing the world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something.

Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever."

The View from the Cheap Seats by by Neil Gaiman

Rainy face / 下雨的臉

週六的植標館活動，來了一位令人印象深刻的陸配媽媽，和女兒們一起玩，也問了我們很多個人的問題。

媽媽：你沒有自己的小孩嗎？

我：沒有，所以來這裡和別人的孩子玩。

媽媽：我剛來的時候，整天在家裡帶孩子，邊帶邊哭。

媽媽說這話的時候，外面的雨下得好大，好像是她全身上下的寂寞，怎麼倒也倒不完。

On Saturday afternoon in the herbarium, a Chinese immigrant mom brings her daughters to the workshop, but she is more enthusiastic about the lesson. She also asks us many questions on the personal level. 

Mom: Do you have your own children? 

I: No, that's why I am here to play with others' kids. 

Mom: When I first came, I had to take care of the girls on my own. I cried all the time. 

When she says these words, it is raining hard outside. It feels like she can never cease discarding her soaking-wet loneliness... 

In her eyes / 愛人的眼睛裡

I am not the bush. 

I am the rose.

Mom's love / 媽媽的愛

媽媽向小叮噹要無限增生的水果拼盤，希望我躺在家就有源源不絕的木瓜和香蕉可以吃。

Mom asks for a magic fruit plate from Doraemon, hoping that papayas and bananas can replenish themselves automatically for me when she is away. 

Postcrossing

很久沒玩Postcrossing了，那天為了示範給孩子們看，便按了「寄明信片」的鍵，拖了好久都沒有寄，很有罪惡感。

I hadn't logged onto Postcrossing for long. However, to demonstrate how to use the website to my new kids, I purposefully pressed "send a postcard" the other day. But my procrastination made me feel very guilty as time went by. 

我的對象是個蘇俄小姐，那麼就來個蘇俄娃娃的洋蔥式介紹法吧！果然人不能逃避該做的事，畫完有種鬆了口氣的感覺，還意外發現原子筆的實用性！

My addressee is a Russian lady who inspired me to base my postcard on the concept of a Russian doll. Well, I felt a great sense of relief after drawing the postcard, and better yet, I discovered the beauty of a biro pen! 

Rainy park / 下雨的公園

我在下雨的大安公園裡散步，大樹和我說：那些讓你心裡不愉快的感覺，都留給我們當肥料吧！又派了一個可愛的外國先生來和我聊樹上的鳥類，於是，我就這麼撫癒了一個小傷口。

After a long evening walk in Da-an park, the trees tell me, "Leave your hard feelings here as our fertilizer." They also send a very interesting foreign gentleman to talk about the birds in the tree with me. Miraculously, my wound is thus healed. 

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. 

The Bangkok Book 3 / 曼谷之書 3

小吃攤

Food Stands 

小吃攤可說是泰式料理的重點，每個巷口少說有幾攤，多的話可以到一整排，帶來色香味各方面的饗宴，雖然我不吃路邊攤，我很愛路邊攤的氛圍。早餐時間看著自在的老外拉了張椅子，入境隨俗地叫碗麵當早餐；下班時間，上班族、甚至外國人兩三人叫滿一桌的菜色，配上冰涼的飲品，這是多麼道地的泰式生活！

     Street food plays a very important part in Thai cuisine. Food stands can be found at roadsides or along the alleyways either alone or in a group, satisfying people's appetites of all senses. I don't eat street food, but I just love the atmosphere. In the morning, both the locals and foreigners can be seen to order a bowl of noodles and take their time to eat under the sun. After work, two or three friends would chat over a table of food along with chilling drinks. This is the beauty of the Thai style of life! 

        有天早晨正在速寫小吃攤時，遇見了一位德國老先生，他說目前居住在曼谷，我問了一句：「你要永遠住在這裡嗎？」他答：「我已經七十六歲了，對我來說什麼是永遠呢？」遇見他之後，我也忍不住想，我的人生也過了一半了，我要趕快好好把握時間做我想做的事！

     One morning when I am sketching a food stand, I draw the attention of an old German gentleman. He says that he's currently dwelling in Bangkok. I ask, "Are you going to stay here forever?" He answers, "I am 76 years old. What is 'forever' for me?" After our talk, I can't help thinking, I am turning 40 in half a year, and that means I have only half of my life left, if I am lucky. I should seize the time to do what I feel like doing!  

        手搖飲料很受歡迎，看老闆倒不同的粉狀物進杯子裡，攪拌完後淋在一整杯冰塊上，我的上海朋友喝了一大口後忍不住說：「好爽！」

     Beverages are extremely popular. The vendors pour different kinds of powder into the cups. After stirring, they would pour the liquid into a whole cup of ice cubes. My new friend from Shanghai describes the taste of Thai milk tea as "so cool!"  

        嘟嘟車也可以變身成小攤子，其實這可能是甜點攤！

     The tuk-tuk can be turned into a stall. I am wondering if he's selling desserts. 

        城市裡有許多傳統麵店，我很喜歡這家位於沙拉當路上前往BTS站的麵店，速寫的同時發現他們家的生意很不錯。

     There are many traditional noodle shops in the city. On my way to Sala Daeng BTS station every day, I can't help stopping to take a look at this place. While sketching, I find that they have quite a number of customers. 

        麵店看起來也許有些老舊，可是內部都是木頭傢俱，很有味道。

     It might look kind of old on the outside, but inside it is decorated with wooden tables and chairs, which has a retro feel. 

        過沒幾天，我終於走進去吃豬肉粿條，老闆和伙計們都非常有人情味，我還把之前的麵店速寫圖給老闆娘看，他們也幫我複習泰文。

     A few days later I finally walk inside for a bowl of pork noodles. The owners and staff are extremely friendly. I even show my previous sketch of the shop to the lady owner. They, meanwhile, help me to review Thai. 

食

Food 

        每張桌子上一定都有四種調味料，泰國人加料不手軟！

     Four jars of condiments can be found on each table. Thais do not hesitate to add more sugar or chili powder  to their food! 

        我並不是一開始就記錄每餐吃的食物，有一晚突然覺得很寂寞，就拿出畫具來，畫一畫就好了，而且我因此對於食材有了入微的觀察，泰國人挺愛吃鹹蛋，綠咖哩炒飯也要配鹹蛋。

     I do not record what I eat right from the beginning. One evening I suddenly feel very lonely when eating all by myself, so I just take out my book and pens. Strangely, my loneliness evaporates right away. I also get to have detailed observations of the ingredients. For one thing, I discover that salted eggs go with fried rice. 

        Mama牌泡麵很火紅，可搭沙拉吃，也可當炒麵、湯麵吃。邊畫圖邊吃飯的好處包括可以讓我慢慢吃，還有很好的藉口可以久坐在餐廳裡。

     Mama instant noodles are fairly popular. They can be eaten as salad. They can also be turned into stir-fried or soup noodles. One of the advantages to draw and eat at the same time is that I eat more slowly. I also have a perfect excuse to sit for a long time in a restaurant. 

        我的第一碗菜市場粿條，味道很甜，但是坐我對面的顧客又加了一湯匙的糖！這一小碗只要十三銖。

     This is my first bowl of noodles in a market. It tastes very sweet, but the customer sitting opposite me seasons it with one more spoon of sugar! It costs only 13 bahts, which is much cheaper than the cheap street food in Bangkok. 

        好吃的海南雞配炸雞飯，最主要是飯有調味過，很有味道。

     Yummy mixed chicken rice. I love the well-seasoned rice. 

        旅行前幾天傻傻不知道要提醒店家不要辣，導致我得把辣椒末挑出來，後來學乖了，都點安全的選擇如炒飯。

     During the first few days of the trip, I am too careless to remind the server that I want no chili in my food, so my tongue is literally on fire. Later, I mostly go for stir-fried rice, which is a very safe choice. 

        炒蛋蓋飯也很紅！

     The omelette rice is another conservative option.

便利商店牌

Fami Mart 

        會淪落到吃便利商店的食物還真是悲傷，有時是為了衝回旅館看泰劇！但是大間的全家還有現煮熱食區喔！ 

     I find it pathetic to have to eat food from a convenience store. Sometimes it's because I want to watch Thai lakorns in my hotel room on time. Interestingly, bigger Fami marts have a small restaurant in them offering hot food. 

        早餐也是全家系列，至於之前的Seven系列就更悲傷了，所以沒有費心記載。

     My breakfast sponsor is also Fami Mart. I did not bother to record the 7-11 series, which is even sadder. 

        我個人是覺得邊畫邊吃早餐還挺有樂趣的，感覺自己很像美食家。

     I personally find it fun to draw and sketch breakfast. I feel like a professional gourmet. 

        最後一晚買了菠蘿蜜甜點系列來試吃，只能說都像在糖蜜裡醃過一樣！

     On the last day I buy a box of jackfruit desserts, which are very very very sweet! 

        下次再回去泰國時，我還要用我不是很強健的胃挑戰更多美食！

     Next time when I go back to Thailand, I will try more kinds of food with my not-so-strong stomach! 

The Bangkok Book 2 / 曼谷之書 2

摩托計程車司機

Motorcycle Taxi Drivers

曼谷有各種交通工具，不知為何，我對摩托計程車司機的生活就是很有興趣，本來只止於觀察，後來發現搭乘摩托車可以省去走路的麻煩，而且司機很厲害，連大行李箱都可以塞在座位前的狹小空間，並且可以在阻塞的車陣之間不斷前進！

Among various means of transportation in Bangkok, somehow motorcycle taxis hold special appeal for me. At first I observe and sketch from afar, but later I learn how convenient it is to be offered a short ride at a low cost. These drivers are experts. Even a gigantic piece of luggage can be squeezed into the small space in front of the seat. Take a motorcycle taxi if you don't want to be trapped in an annoying traffic jam! 

        摩托車會成羣集結在巷口或路口，沒有客人的時候就吃飯、打手機、發呆，有的怕日曬，會戴上黑頭套，但不是要去搶銀行。

     Motorcycle taxi drivers usually gather at the entrance to an alley. When there are no passengers, they would eat, phub, or just relax. I am particularly impressed by their black bandanas, but don't worry. They are not going to rob a bank. 

        上班尖峰時段搭摩托計程車還要排隊呢！

     There is a long queue waiting to take a motorcycle taxi during rush hour.

和尚

Monks

        在現代化的大城市裡，和尚橘色的身影很顯目，到處都看得到，他們也過著很摩登的生活。倒是公共運輸系統很擁擠，女性乘客要小心不能碰到比丘。

     Monks clad in orange robes are eye-catching in a big city. They are everywhere in Bangkok. In fact, they also lead very modern lives. Attention: Women can't have any physical contact with them, which is especially challenging in crowded MRT or BTS carriages. 

制服

Uniforms

        捷運上處處可見穿制服的中學生，而且頭髮也有規定。

     High school students in uniforms are part of the cityscape. Students from some schools even tie up their hair in the same style. 

        大學生也穿制服，基本上都很合身，裙子有多種樣式，搭配自己的鞋子，穿起來都蠻好看的。

     College students also wear uniforms. The shirt is basically tight-fitting, and there are different choices for the skirt in terms of length and styles. The girls can wear their own shoes or sandals, which makes them look more mature than high school kids. 

        不過裙子並沒有皮帶扣環，所以皮帶常會上下移動。

     However, there are no straps on the belt, so the belt would often slip up and down. 

        有一天去朱拉隆功大學的食堂坐了一下午，大家的制服真的都好平坦整齊啊！朱拉的學生感覺很認真，吃完午飯立刻一起讀書、討論作業。

     I spend an afternoon in the cafeteria in Chulalongkorn University. I notice that everyone's uniforms are neatly ironed. Most of the students immediately get down to studies after lunch and have enthusiastic discussions about their questions. 

        除了學生制服外，警察制服也非常合身。

     Apart from student uniforms, the police uniforms are tight-fitting too. 

        本來很想厚臉皮地請求警察讓我拍照，最後還是作罷，這是我能捕捉到最清楚的畫面了。

     I have thought long and hard about begging one BTS policeman for a photo shot, but I do not have enough courage. This is the best picture I can get. 

市井小民

Ordinary People 

        我也很喜歡觀察編花環賣花的小販。

     I am also interested in observing the flower vendors that are constantly making flower wreaths. 

        有一天偶然看到這樣賣魚的小販。

     One day I run into a fish vendor selling fish in plastic bags. 

若要從曼谷去附近的小城市，得到勝利紀念碑站搭車，早上六點半天還沒亮，空氣微涼，一整排售票人員坐在像臨時搭起的棚架裡賣票，棚內的日光燈襯著外面紫藍的天色，有種很特別的感覺。

If you are heading to nearby cities from Bangkok, chances are that you have to buy tickets and take minivans from Victory Monument BTS station. At 6:30 a.m., against the indigo sky, a line of ticket sellers wearing coats sit in a rickety shed. There's something about the image that makes me want to sketch it. 

        丹能莎朵水上市場有很多划船的都是有年紀的女性。

     Many vendors in Damnoen Saduak Floating Market are middle-aged or old ladies who are really skilled at rowing boats. 

        小小的船上放了少少的食材。競爭蠻激烈的，這也是個辛苦的行業。

     There isn't much space for the ingredients or food on the boat. They have to fight for tourists' attention in time before the boats move away, which makes me feel that this is a competitive profession. 

        乍都乍週末市集餐廳為了吸引觀光客，還有駐唱歌手，話說泰國男性好像很愛留鬍子。

     The restaurant where I eat in Chatukcha even hires a singer with a drummer to attract customers. Thai men seem to have a like for growing a beard. 

偶像

Icons 

        這裡的麥當勞叔叔也很謙卑有禮。

     Uncle McDonald in Thailand is as humble and full of gratitude as most people here. 

        要入海關去搭飛機之前還是好想畫完拉瑪堅！

     I can't repress my desire to draw Ramakian before going through the customs in the airport!