The magnifying glass / 顯微鏡下

這學期和另一班的幾個孩子們一起修「造紙」的選修課，包涵了生物、物理、化學和藝術的內容，在生物方面長了很多見識，不過還有令我意想不到的大收穫，那就是當我變成孩子們的同學時，看到了只站在講台上看不到的風景。

I am taking a course on "how to make paper" along with some students this year. The course covers biology, physics, chemistry and art. I have learned a lot in science, but what I didn't expect is that when I become the classmate of my fifteen-year-old students, I've got an opportunity to a bigger world. 

        首先，孩子們會罩生物很不靈光的我，因為感受到學習上的障礙，我常常有「啊，原來跟不上的感覺是這樣啊！」這個經驗讓我變得比較能夠設身處地為小朋友著想。變成了同學之後，孩子們會問我：「你下週會來上課嗎？」在課堂上做實驗或手作時，就像和同齡的朋友什麼也沒有忌諱地和我閒聊。

     For starters, the girls will help me since I have difficulty learning biology. Now that I experience the frustration of learning something I am not good at, it often hits on me that I should be more understanding toward the kids that struggle. Often, the girls will ask me, "Will you come to class next week?" When we are doing experiments or making handicrafts, they will chat with me like I am their peer without being reserved at all. 

        更重要的是，在我突然又覺得自己像新手的時候，我的好朋友每一週都和我分享學習的挫折和進步的喜悅，以及多麼多麼喜歡我。例如她們大方地拿出帥哥老師的照片給我看，可是當我問：「你喜歡帥哥平淡的講課還是有趣的老奶奶？」又毫不遲疑地回答：「還是老奶奶好了！」這讓我開始對教到六十歲有點期待了。

     What's more important, when I suddenly lose confidence in myself, my good friends will share with me their progress in learning and how much they like me. For example, once they didn't hesitate to show me the photo of a handsome young teacher, but when I asked them, "Do you prefer him or an interesting granny?" I got a surprising answer, "It would be the granny!" This makes me start to look forward to having to teach until I am 60. 

        原來，放在顯微鏡下的心情是愛和鼓勵啊！

So what I get to see under the magnifying class is love and encouragement. 

後記：生物不好的我，只記得第一張圖美女的名字了：是紫背萬年青。

P.S.: I can only remember the name of the first plant: Oyster Plant. 

The Bangkok Book 4 / 曼谷之書 4

設計的視覺語言

The Visual Language of Design

曼谷市中心每一個空中輕軌站都有一個以上的百貨公司，至於最中心的一級戰區則是百貨公司林立。雖然商業氣味濃厚，但每個系列的商場都有強烈的設計風格，例如奇隆站的天橋圍欄有一連串的平面設計，給我許多靈感。

Along each BTS station is at least one department store while there is more than one mall next to the most crowded stations. Despite the commercialized feel, I have to say that each series impresses me with their distinctive design style. For example, the graphic design decorating the overpass that connects Chit Lom and Siam stations give me ample inspirations. 

        百貨公司內的這些圖像除了視覺上很討喜外，也傳播很正面的生命訊息。

     The images in the mall are not only pleasing to the eye but also convey very positive messages about life. 

        暹羅中心的廁所很有意思！

     The graphic design in Siam Center makes it a joy to go to the restroom! 

        Emporium系列從捷運站就開始用文字和圖像作宣傳，其實看久了會被感動到喔！我不知不覺記下來很煽情的一句話：如果你需要擁抱，請來Em區！

     Emporium extends their advertising to the space in the BTS station with designs in all forms. They must speak to me even though in the beginning I didn't take them seriously. Now I can say one slogan right off the top of my head, "If you need a hug, come to the Em district!" 

        我對百貨公司沒有研究，可是Emporium讓我感覺是眼界頗遠大的公司，有為兒童設計的區域，同時之前提過的設計中心也在Emporium裡。

     I am not an expert on department stores, but I feel Emporium has vision. There is a playground designed for children. Also, TCDC, the design center mentioned in my earlier post, is located in Emporium as well. 

        空中輕軌站的視覺宣傳很簡潔有力，因為曼谷的外國遊客多到爆，採用簡單的英文和容易理解的圖像有它的道理。

     The visual design of BTS is neat and to the point. Bangkok is packed with foreign tourists, so it's very crucial to use simple English and understandable visual language. 

        讓座的圖像設計看起來很俐落。

     Even the sticker that tells passengers to yield priority seats is slick. 

        九號碼頭有一家我很喜歡的設計書店，對於空間的裝潢很用心。

     This is a bookstore selling books on designs near the No.9 pier. I love the small yet beautiful shop. 

生活的視覺語言

The Visual Language of Life

        只要出了八號碼頭，都會被這個按摩的漫畫吸引，實在太有力了！

     Anyone that walks out of the No. 8 pier will be attracted by this advertisement of massage. It's hilarious and lively! 

        乍都乍市集有吃有喝，但也要看畫！

     Art is a part of Chatukcha Weekend Market as well! 

        有些畫有濃濃的歷史感，讓我無法抗拒。

     Some paintings are reminiscent of the old ways of living in Thailand, which I find irresistible. 

人物風景

Portraits 

        曼谷人對於理髮的不同詮釋。

     The old and new ways of barbering in Bangkok. 

        我很喜歡新舊文化並存的畫面。

     It's not hard to find the old and the new co-existing in the big city. 

        曼谷神奇之處在於程市裡塞滿了各種顏色，居然也透露一種很難得的和諧感！

     The magic of  Bangkok lies in that its numerous colors create a rare visual harmony! 

Oslo 2 / 奧斯陸 2

皇宮：

位於卡爾約翰大道的盡頭，於十九世紀前半期為國王查爾三世所建，採新古典主義風格。

Slotter: 

It's located at one end of Karl Jogans Gate, built in the first half of the 19th century for King Charles III. 

The architectural style is neoclassical. 

皇宮左方是綠意盎然的樹林，夏天的景致特別美好。

On its left side is a vast stretch of lush woods. In summer, the view is especially lovely. 

國家劇院：

從皇宮往國會的方向前進，沿途會經過國家劇院，建築前立有易卜生的雕像。

National theater: 

Keep walking forth, and you'll see thee national theater along the way. One of the statues in front of it is Ibsen. 

市政廳：

從國家劇院往前走就是市政廳，建設始於1931年，中途因世界地二次大戰停工，1950年才落成。每年12月10日的諾貝爾和平獎頒獎典禮於奧斯陸市政廳舉行，這是諾貝爾當年的遺願，而其他獎項的頒獎典禮則是在斯德哥爾摩頒發。

Oslo City Hall: 

Take a right turn when seeing the national theater. Go straight, and the city hall is further down the road. The construction started in 1931, but it was paused by the outbreak of the Second World War before the inauguration in 1950. Every year on December 10, the award ceremony of Nobel Peace Prize will be held here, as Nobel wished. The other Nobel prizes are awarded in Stockholm, though. 

非常有藝文氣息的市政廳外貌。

The outward appearance of the city hall is highly artistic too. 

內部的壁畫也非常美輪美奐。

The murals are more than amazing. 

雖然很多藝術作多少有政教宣傳的意味，但還真是漂亮啊！

Though the artworks are meant to tell the history of the nation, I still can't deny they're beautiful to look at!

諾貝爾和平中心：

從市政廳再往前走即可到達，展出和諾貝爾和平獎相關的展覽。

Nobel Peace Center: 

Go straight down to the harbor. The Nobel Peace Prize Center, which showcases exhibitions related to the Nobel Peace Prize, is nearby. 

冷冷的夏天早晨，出來蹓狗的挪威人，不知是不是因為天氣，城市的挪威人不如鄉下遇到的友善。

Norwegians that walk their dogs on a chilly summer morning. I don't know whether it's the weather, but the urban Norwegians do not feel so friendly as the suburban ones. 

走回到卡爾約翰大道，沿路的公園裡有可以用信用卡付費的公共廁所。

Time to go back to Karl Johans Gate. There are mobile lavatories which accept credit cards in the park along the way. 

和不能飛的紅色氣球。

And the red balloon that can't fly. 

沿途偷閒去了書店，有舒適的沙發閱讀區，但是挪威的書超級貴，買了兩本就花上台幣兩千元。

I sneaked to a bookstore. It's cozy to read on the sofa. Books in Norway are pricey. I spent more than 2,000 NTD buying two books. 

國會前享受夏日的金髮美女配上盛開的玫瑰花。

Blonde ladies enjoy their summer evenings in  front of Stortinget. 

Grand 飯店：

建於1874年，一樓是Grand 咖啡館。

Grand Hotel: 

Built in 1874. On the first floor is the renowned Grand Cafe. 

咖啡館內部的裝潢有富貴的藝術氣息，據說易卜生常常和文藝界的朋友在這裡用餐，現在則有許多貴婦和中上流階級的客人。我們在這裡享用三明治吃到飽的午餐，雖然當天下著冷冷的雨，而每個三明治都好飽滿，四方形的土司上堆滿生菜配海鮮和牛肉，不是超級可口，不過咖啡館的氛圍無價。

The cafe oozes artistic aura, the kind that only the rich can afford. It is said that Ibsen used to lunch here with his artist friends. During our stay, we saw mostly middled-aged or elderly guests. We had all-you-can-eat sandwich buffet. However, it was a unique experience to eat cold colorful sandwiches on a cold rainy day though they were piled high with salads, seafood, and beef. Not quite yummy, but I'd do anything now to buy that experience. 

下次要能再拍到這樣的照片也要等個一年了吧！

I'll have to wait for another year to take such a photo! 

Cultural tour in Taipei / 台北文化之旅

攝於田園城市書店．台北 / photo taken in Gardencity Bookstore, Taipei 

從倫敦回到台北之後，我很積極地想要多認識我生長的城市，於是我參加北藝大的文化散步之旅，有老師介紹大同中山區小巷裡的書店和文創事業。

Since coming back to Taipei from London, I have felt the urge to know more about my city. Thus, when I discovered the cultural walking tour held by Taipei National University of the Arts, I was rather thrilled. The tour of December is about the bookstores and cultural and creative industry in Datong and Zhongshan Districts in Taipei, which used to be the major business hubs. 

第一站是捷運雙連站一號出口附近的田園城市書店，圖中的老闆以台灣在地的出版品為主，雖然不是主流的書店，但是老闆致力把很有台灣味的書籍推銷到國外。店內也有插畫作品，有興趣的朋友可以投稿。

The first stop is Gardencity Publishers and Bookstore near exit 1 of Shuanglian MRT Station. The owner, as you can see in the middle of the photo, focuses on publishing books written by Taiwanese authors and about Taiwan. Then they are translated into other languages and promoted abroad. There are also illustrated publications in the form of picture books more for adults. If you are interested, why not take a try? 

書店樓下是個小巧優雅的展間，老闆強調展覽多以有「人」的味道為主，下一檔由幾位攝影家上場，主題是以影像爲情書，明年一月五日開展。

The basement of the bookstore is a small but tasteful exhibition room. The publisher emphasizes that they are particularly interested in works that center around people or handmade feel. The upcoming exhibit, starting from Jan. 5, is about love letters in the form of visual images by several photographers. 

在這家店我一直想到半年前於倫敦的Nobrow之旅，雖然當時總覺得回來之後不會有那麼豐富的資源，但現在卻因爲自己願意走出去感到慶幸，台灣也有很多在爲文化藝術努力的人們。

During our stay in this bookstore, I recalled the trip to Nobrow in London half a year ago. Back then I had the idea that there wouldn't be so many resources in Taipei. Now I am glad that I have taken a step forward, thus realizing that many Taiwanese are actually working hard for art and culture. 

攝於台灣好．店 / photo taken at Lovely Taiwan Shop 

第二站是捷運中山站附近的台灣好．店，這是幾位原本反對見蘇花高的企業家轉念，想爲台灣的文化事業有所貢獻的成果。

The second stop is Lovely Taiwan Shop near Zhongshan MRT station. The foundation Lovely Taiwan was founded by several entrepreneurs who were brought together by their common goal to protest against the construction of freeways in the east Taiwan. Later, they decided to turn their opposition into positive contribution. Their ideal is to do something for the cultural industry of Taiwan. 

台灣好．店的主要理念除了推銷台灣藝術家的作品外，也和原住民及弱勢族群合作，賦予每件商品故事，藉此讓顧客更瞭解台灣文化，在店裡我們吃了台中女子監獄受刑人做的巧克力，也喝了921後台中茶農為了自立種植的森林紅茶，更學到原來現在國外觀光客來到台灣，想體驗的是在地的台灣經驗，而文創也是旅行的一部份。

Apart from promoting artworks by Taiwanese artists, the foundation also cooperates with the minority groups in Taiwan. They stress the importance of stories behind every product. In this way, customers  get to learn more about Taiwan. In the shop we sampled chocolate made by female prisoners in Taichung. Also, we tasted black tea planted by farmers who would like to be on their own feet again after the famous 921 Earthquake. Most of all, I was surprised to hear that now international tourists make it a point to experience Taiwanese culture on their trips here, in which the creative industry plays an important part. 

我在幾個月前就買了照片中台客藍出產的白色馬克杯，不僅每天上班很喜悅，這個美麗的杯子也受到很多同事青睞。

I bought one of the white mugs shown in the photo above, designed by a Taiwanese artist two months ago. It not only brings me great joy at work but also attracts the attention of many colleagues. 

攝於日星鑄字行 / photo taken at Ri Xing Type Foundry  

整趟散步之旅中我最期待的就是去日星鑄字行，兩個月前在報紙上讀到有關鑄字行的介紹就一直想親訪，這家店是台灣唯一僅存的鑄字行，現在不只是一家店，也有歷史古蹟的意涵。

I was most looking forward to visiting Ri Xing Type Foundry on the walking tour. Since reading about it in the newspapers two months ago, I had wanted to take a look at the shop in person. Ri Xing is the only type foundry left in Taiwan now. It is more than a shop; in fact, there is much historic significance to it. 

店內有英文字及好幾款大小不同的中文字模，顧客可以慢慢挑選。

There are English and Chinese typefaces in various sizes, and the customers can take their time to select the words they are looking for. 

我已經想到可以如何運用這些資源，下次我要帶很多錢回到鑄字行採買！

It has occurred to me how to make use of these resources. Next time I'll go back to the foundry, with a BIG budget!