Today / 今天

My whole being is full of good will! 

Moving / 搬家

去年參加佳怡的喪禮之後，從主持人身上得到了靈感，想要好好地重寫阿嬤的故事。這次還請了同事如慧家的小亮和小佑來合作畫插圖，雖然實際準備的時間不長，但因為是一直在腦海中的故事，所以寫起來很順暢。

Last year I was inspired by something said by the host of Chai-y's funeral, which prompted me to rewrite my granny's story. Because of the story's narrative, I even invited the sons of my colleague Emily, Liang and Yo, to illustrate the story together with me. I didn't spend much time making the book since it had been a story that I wanted to tell all these years. 

        這是我第一次和別人合作做繪本，剛開始並不確定自己的想法是否有辦法成真，對於不能讓小亮自由發揮想法，我覺得很過意不去，但因為如慧的決心和堅持，慢慢地我們找到了合作的方法。，以前都是自己一個人埋頭苦幹，有了伙伴之後，我得到意想不到的力量，例如說，如果我進度快，把當天的進展拍給小朋友看時，他們也會加緊腳步，這之間我們互相鼓勵，產生很美好的能量。

     This was a very special experience because it was my first time doing collaborative work. In the beginning, I wasn't sure if the plan was feasible. I hesitated at first for I felt a great sense of guilt in not being able to let Liang exert his creativity. However, thanks to Emily's determination and persistence, we gradually found ways to collaborate. In the process, I gained much strength from my partners, and this was what I couldn't imagine when I worked all by myself. For example, we would share what we had done with each other on a regular basis. Our mutual encouragement made me feel that I could go on and finish the project with ease. 

        孩子們在過程中同樣的稿必須畫很多次，我非常感謝他們的耐心，而能看到這本書的讀者，翻開的時候都感到很驚喜。

     Liang and Yo had to redraw the same pictures several times before the final version. My thanks to them are really beyond description. The design and arrangement of the images also surprise readers when they open the book. 

        雖然今年我沒有入圍信誼的繪本獎，儘管之前有些沮喪，不過因為常常失敗，對於輸贏想得很開了，同時也趕緊自我檢討，我想應該是我的故事要從小朋友的觀點來說，必須把死亡的議題更具像化，不過我也能更寬闊地想，寫故事要回到開心做的初衷，然後不要忘記問問小讀者的意見。

     Though I wasn't even shortlisted this year in the picture book award of the picture book competition held by Hsin-y Publisher, I bounced back soon after taking my time to get over the frustration. I guess  constant failures have turned me into a very powerful person. Fortunately, friends gave me great feedback regarding how to revise the story. The best advice is that I should try to tell the story from a child's perspective and give concrete imagery especially when it comes to a difficult issue like death. Meanwhile, I remind myself that I should write out of joy and constantly consult my young readers. 

        這個星期終於拿到印出來的書，只印了三本，我想我之後一定又會把這個故事做華麗大變身，到時候這個故事各時期的樣貌排在一起來看時，就會很驚人！ 

     This week I finally got the printed version of the book, and there are only three copies in the world. I will definitely transform the story into another one when I feel ready. Then, the books I have written along the way will be amazing when they are juxtaposed together! 

Apples from Lishan / 梨山來的蘋果

帶孩子們去逛木新市場，遇見了蘋果攤的老闆，豪氣地請孩子們每人拿一顆免費的蘋果，還教大家把蘋果放在衣袖上擦一擦，孩子們也跟著學。

We went to Mu-xin market on a field trip the other day. The apple man invited every girl to take an apple for free. I was amused how everyone imitated him in rubbing the apple against their sleeve. 

        孩子散去了之後，我買了一袋蘋果，邊吃邊想到梨山的風景！

     After the girls left, I bought a bag of apples. As I ate one, I couldn't help imagining the scenery of Lishan! 

Middle-age crisis / 中年危機

最近每天早上醒來，發現自己明亮不起來，腦中總是充滿關於存在主義的問題，但就是在這個時候，我變成了詩人，於是我決定對自己進行寫作治療。

Now when I open my eyes in the morning, I find I am no longer that bright person anymore. I am obsessed with many doubts about existentialism. It is then that I turn into a poet. I decide to conduct poetry therapy on myself. 

無聊

Boredom

無聊有什麼關係

把全世界的無聊收集起來

可以栽種

一大片看不見盡頭的

亞馬遜森林

What's wrong with boredom?

With all the boredom in the world collected,

we can replant 

an endless stretch of 

the Amazon Rainforest. 

中年危機

Middle-age Crisis

走著走著，

某一天的某一刻，

我開始懷疑自己的步伐。

「啊！」

過了好久，

我才發現自己患了

了不起的

中年危機。

i walked as usual. 

one moment, one day, 

i started to wonder, 

"Is it left or right foot first?" 

it took me long 

to figure out, 

i have the amazing 

MIDDLE-AGE CRISIS.

把你藏起來

（為了用英文也可以玩押韻，這首詩的中文版和英文版是完全不同的創作。） 

To play on rhymes, the English version of the last poem is not translated from the Chinese one. 

Middle-age Crisis

Are you my oasis

or the Isis?

寫完了，又若無其事地去生活。

Done. Time to go about my everyday life... 

Jingshan / 金山

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! 

Free World / 隨意世界

沒有作業的寒假，好久沒來畫畫的男孩終於有時間畫圖。剛開始他們問：「這樣畫可以嗎？」我回答：「你想怎樣就怎樣！」楷維冒出了一句：「這裡是隨意世界！」其實像我這樣在工作上一直在訂規矩的人，和得遵守規矩的人一樣，也很需要隨意世界！

The winter break without homework gives the boys time to draw again after a long lapse. In the beginning they aren't very sure, "Can I draw in this way?" I can't help brushing off the question by replying, "As long as you like it." Then Kai blurts out, "Here is the Free World!" To be honest, I am required to impose restrictions on others at work, but I don't take delight in it. Like my students, I am also in great need of a free world! 

        哥哥太久沒畫圖了，一下畫了七張，弄得楷維很有危機感，不過思維好像停不下來。

     Von draws one picture after another. By the time I am aware of how far he has gone, he has drawn seven pictures, which makes Kai very jealous. Yet he can't stop. 

        思維是歷史控，看來他找到了發揮自己所愛的方式，這真的比任何寒假作業都有意義啊！

     Von is a history buff, and he really has a blast drawing the famous figures in Chinese history. I admit that teachers tend to have a sense of insecurity when asked not to give any assignment, but seeing what Von do, I am reminded again that less is more, and not doing any assignment can be very significant! 

Yours / 愛你的

楷維繪 / drawn by Kai 

因為我唸、楷維寫，所以楷維的每張明信片都附上「愛你的楷維」。

We were playing the dictation game, so the warm greetings "from Kai, who loves you" can be found on every postcard of Kai.  

Fern forests / 蕨類森林

今天我們的挑戰是畫巨大的蕨類森林。看小朋友的畫姿真是視覺上的享受。

Today our challenge is to draw a gigantic fern forest. It's a feast for the eyes to see the kids draw. 

        我一直很著迷於訪客在博物館裡的姿態，孩子們帶來好多可能性。

     I have been fascinated with how visitors make use of the space in a museum. The children have always surprised me with new possibilities. 

        還帶來了一隻恐龍！ 

     Haha, they even bring a dinosaur with them! 

Year of the Horse / 馬年

Miss Moon / 思思與月亮

一個半月沒有寫網誌了，因為我想要全心全意準備信誼的繪本比賽。

Because I'd like to be devoted to the preparation of the annual picture book contest of Hsin-yi Foundation, I haven't updated my blog for one and half months.

        今年的心情和往年很不一樣，腳步沒有那麼趕，我學會享受這整個過程，雖然很多時候對自己不滿意，或者到最後要印刷的階段，我無法操控所有的變因，不過很幸運地在最後幾天把稿件交出去了。

   I noticed my change this year. I learned to pace myself and enjoyed the process. Though there were moments when I was upset with myself or when I couldn't control the printing quality, yet, I was lucky enough to submit my story before the deadline . 

        想要偷懶的時候，楷維會繞過來監督，並且不斷地問：你為什麼沒有在畫圖？讓我心生罪惡。孩子們也會問：你為什麼都沒有得獎？雖然我也不知道，他們還是很體貼地說：可是我很喜歡耶！

   When I felt like lazing around, Kai would act as my supervisor asking constantly, "Why aren't you drawing? How did the story go?" He made me feel so guilty that I had to crawl back to the study. Kai and Von also asked, "How many times have you participated in the contest? How come you never won?" I didn't have any clue either, but they'd comfort me with their sweet talk: We love your books a lot!

        為了想要找到較優的印刷行，跑了很多家店，其中一家老闆對我說：這個印出來就是會有不可預測的白點，我想評審要看的不是精美的印刷。我想了很久才找到答案，今年這個比賽對我來說已經不是我和其他人的競爭，而是我對自己的要求，因為比賽是短暫的，而這本書的內容記錄的是思維的人生，還有我對自己的期許。

   To look for a better printing shop, I made much research in person. One of the owners said to me: I can't assure if white dots won't be there, but I bet it's not the printing quality that the judges will focus on. I pondered over his words for a long while, and that finally led me to a clear-sounding answer: To me, the contest is no longer about the competition this year. It's about me and myself. After all, the contest is temporary, but this book records Von's childhood and my self-expectations. 

        這週去看了伊朗電影「我們都是這樣長大的」，看到每個畫面都像看到我的人生，雖然中間有些憂愁苦惱，但我最後的結論都會回到：這一輩子可以一直畫圖，我真是個超級幸運的人！

   I went to the Iranian film The Rooster Trademark Paper this week. Every scene so reminded me of my own life. Although I couldn't help feeling anxious and frustrated while preparing the bookn, I always came to the same conclusion: Being able to draw on and on for my whole life, I am such a blessed person!

Autumn / 秋天裡做什麼？

楷維一早上已經幫我畫了三張明信片，卻還嚷嚷著要畫畫，懶惰的阿姨最近的新策略是：我出題目給你，你今天可以畫下雨天在家裡畫圖。因為我把點數翻三倍，就是有點為難，阿楷也答應了。

   Kai has drawn three postcards for me in the morning; still, he hasn't had enough of it. So I come up with a new strategy by giving him a topic--draw your drawing at home on a rainy day. Since I triple the  number of brownie points, he is tempted to take the challenge. 

        我覺得楷維可以畫得更好，就誘拐他加工。

   I think Kai can do a better job, so I coax him into embellishing the image. 

        剪剪貼貼變成詩意的下雨天。

   After the collage, we turn the picture into a poetic rainy day. 

       哥哥的題目是：秋天在樹林裡散步。思維很高興地接下挑戰。

   The topic for Von is: Taking a walk in the woods in autumn. He seems highly motivated. 

        趁他走開時我拿出壓克力顏料，又幫他亂剪亂貼的，想不到狂野的楷維整個不行，搶著要幫忙。

   As he goes away, I add an acrylic touch and some more collage. Meanwhile, Kai is all worked up, fighting to help his elder brother. 

        沒有颱風的秋天是真的如此充滿光亮喔！

   This is how an autumn day without any typhoon looks, full of light and breeze. 

       也可以來個溫暖的散步！

   Or it's a good idea to go for a warm walk! 

Birthday party / 生日派對

今天是吳妞妞和漢堡弟弟的生日派對，媽媽特別安排了一堂派對上的美術課。還在吃飯的時候，妞妞問：我彩色筆都準備好了，什麼時候可以開始畫圖？

Today we throw a birthday party for Nio and Mr. Hamburger. I am asked to give an art lesson to the children. While we are still eating lunch, Nio is too eager to start the workshop. 

        因為我是伯納韋伯的大粉絲，於是這次選了他的書：東八十八街的房子，想把很可愛的鱷魚萊爾介紹給小朋友認識。

   Being a loyal fan of Mr. Bernard Waber, I choose his book The House on East 88th Street as the major theme. It really pleases me to introduce the lovely Lyle to as many children as I can. 

        我先替小朋友把圖準備好，讓大家進行著色的工作，可是這此我要求大家用各種媒材總共只能挑十個左右的顏色，包括六支蠟筆、三張色紙和兩個墨水顏色。

   I prepare the pictures for the children in advance so that they can directly get to do the coloring. However, this time I request everyone to choose as many as ten colors. The media include crayons, collage and inks. 

        不喜歡仔細塗色的孩子可以用剪貼和墨水大塊著色。

   For those kids who are not into coloring really detailed parts, they can turn to collage and inks for creating the color block effect. 

        可是有幾個孩子很有耐心，就坐在那裡慢慢塗色。

   But some kids impress me with their patience. They take their time to finish the pictures. 

        畫完圖的人可以過來聽鱷魚萊爾的故事，我今天說了約四次，謝謝韋伯先生！

   After the kids are done with drawing, they can come by to hear the story of Lyle. I have repeated it for 4 times today. Great thanks to Mr. Waber! 

        書中原來的色調只有紅黃綠，看看孩子們把整個故事弄得多夢幻啊！

   There are only three colors in the book, red, yellow and green. See how the kids recreate the whole story with their own color combinations! 

Come to draw, boys! 5 / 孩子們來畫畫吧！5

男孩們很喜歡松崗達英先生寫的「我是小恐龍」，我覺得我們可以用這本書來點變化。

Boys are fascinated by I Am a Little Dinosaur written by Mazuoka Tatsuhide. I am inspired to make use of the book in our art class today.

        我讓楷維選了他最有興趣的一張圖。接下來我們就要做立體版了！

   Kai is asked to pick an image that interests him the most. Our task is to create its 3-D version. 

        光是背景就花上我一個小時繪製。

   It takes me an hour to draw merely the background. 

        因為松崗先生的風格很細膩，所以我們三人費了很大的功夫著色。

   Because Mr. Tatsuhide has a very fine style, we three make great effort to color the picture. 

        光是底圖本身就繽紛到不行。

   The background is extremely colorful. 

        午休時間楷維一心想要進入第二階段的立體圖，睡午覺時不斷起床看我準備好了沒有，第一次發現我還在休息，很失望地跑回家躺回床上嘴邊碎碎念：汪達姨不是說只要我醒來，她隨時都會準備好嗎？第二度來探班時，我剛好要開房間門，他也從外面開，我們看到彼此的第一句話是：你為什麼要嚇我？

   Kai is more than eager to make the 3-D dinosaur, but we make it a rule to take the noon break first. During his nap, he can't help getting up to check on me. The first time he comes only to find me sleeping, he goes back to the bed murmuring in disappointment: Didn't Auntie Wanda say that she's always ready whenever I wake up? When he comes around the second time, I happen to open the door from the inside while he turns the knob on the outside. We both blurt out: You scared me! 

        楷維如願以償畫到恐龍！

   Kai gets to draw the dinosaur of his dreams! 

        我們的恐龍樂園很有熱帶地區的感覺喔！

   Our dinosaur paradise has the colorfulness of the tropical zone! 

        挑戰完一層的立體圖之後，我們要試看看兩層的作品，於是我借用妮娜克斯福的想法來做練習。

   After the basic challenge, we decide to try more complicated 3-D works. We would like to borrow Nina Cosford's idea and then apply it to other picture books. 

        我先準備好三層圖片。

   I have to prepare three pictures that represent three layers first. 

        上色小王子再度出場！

   The color prince finally gets down to work! 

        油性蠟筆和水彩混用的效果不賴，所以我請楷維用兩種媒材。。

   The texture of oil pastel and watercolors mixed together is quite striking, so I make Kai use both media. 

        等水彩乾之際來吃個百香果。

   Our snack today is passion fruit! 

        進入下一堂美術課之前我們要用力期待！

   We'll live with anticipation before our next art class comes!