Open / 開

本週的中國字是「開」，不想受限於中文字型，我決定作意譯上的詮釋。

The Chinese word of the week is "open." Not wanting to be restrained by the form of the Chinese character, I decide to go for a more abstract pictorial interpretation. 

今天在電影工作者安得魯史坦頓的演講裡聽到一句匿名的社工說的引言：「一旦你聽了每個人的人生故事，你就無法不愛上他們。」我加註：如果他們願意打開心。

Today I heard a fantastic quote from the movie director and screen-writer Andrew Stanton's talk by an anonymous social worker: There isn't anyone you couldn't love once you've heard their life stories. My footnote: If they are willing to open up.

Wanda's art class 11 / 汪達的美術課 11

我再一次想到裘蒂皮考特的話：我們愛的人每天會給我們帶來驚喜。

Jodi Picoult's words occur to me one more time: People we love surprise us every day. 

Wanda's art class 8 / 汪達的美術課 8

阿姨家來了個小貴客，是生重病的六歲男孩，想到他的人生也許就這樣，心裡不禁難過。中午又和美燕提到親人生病的話題，她說覺得自己面對疾病死亡是何等渺小，我說是啊，但我們要因為自己目前還可以照顧別人感到幸運。

My aunt is hosting a young guest, a six-year-old terminally ill boy. Sadness creeps into my heart when I  think that he won't be able to grow up like our boys. This noon Meiyen mentioned the topic of seeing our family tortured by disease. She feels very tiny when faced with illness and death. I replied, "Yes, but meanwhile we should feel lucky about having the ability to take care of others."

晚上上美術課時，小方和我說第一天上學的生活，他和新同學打招呼，有些人沒有回應他，本來想要安慰他，他自己笑笑說，可是有的人有理我。我們不是熱情的笨蛋，我們只是勇敢地先打開心，看到他很大方的樣子，我真以他為傲。

In our art class today, Von shared his first day at school. He greeted his new classmates, but some didn't  say hello back. I was afraid his fragile heart was bruised, but he took it in stride, saying, "But some did talk to me." We are not brainless idiots fully of passion. We happen to be the brave ones who warm up to others first. Seeing him so mature, I couldn't help feeling proud of him. 

嘴甜的楷維邊畫邊討我歡心，喃喃自語地念著：汪達姨，明天我要回家了，我會很想你，我很愛你。我雖然被打動了，仍舊假裝不以為然地回答：你愛的人可多了呢！數來聽聽有誰？果然是一長串！既然阿長就坐在我們旁邊，我和楷維低語：說你愛乾阿公啊！這小子示愛非常大方，接著又去討愛雪開心。

Kai, who is very good at sweet talk, drew and murmured, "Auntie Wanda, I am going home tomorrow. I will miss you. I really really love you." Though I was moved, I pretended to be detached and teased him, "There are so many people you love. Name them." He did end up reciting the names of our big family. Since Dad was sitting next to us, I whispered in Kai's ear, "Say you love your god granddad." Kai didn't feel shy about expressing his feeling at all, and after that, he went on to please his god grandma. 

當下我得到答案。

It was at that moment that I saw the answer. 

我問楷維愛不愛小男孩和小男孩的媽媽，他說愛啊，我靈機一動，做了幾張卡片，請楷維快遞，我和楷維強調：你送信的時候要說我愛你喔，這是你的想法，汪達姨只是幫你做出來。可愛的楷維邊跑回家邊大叫：我愛你卡片來囉！

I then asked Kai if he loves the little boy and his mom. He said, "I do!" It occurred to me to make some cards and ask the delivery boy Kai for help. I emphasized, "You have to say 'I love you!' when you give them the cards. This is your idea. Auntie Wanda just carried out it for you." Kai, the most adorable boy I have ever seen, ran home with the cards shouting, "I-love-you cards are coming!" 

即使我只是個陌生人，面對疾病和死亡，我還是想要獻上溫暖的擁抱。因為抵不過人生，不如用明亮地、深情地、感恩地方式說我愛你，起碼我們可以在悲傷的深谷裡看到一小盞橙黃的燈，知道我們並不孤單。

Even though I am just a stranger, I still feel like offering a warm hug when witnessing others' misery. I know we can never win in the race against life, so why not say "I love you!" loudly, sentimentally, or thankfully? At least we will see a small glow of light in the dark valley of sadness, knowing that we are not alone. 

這是一個三歲小孩教我的事。

This is the lesson a three-year-old boy taught me. 

Windsor in summer / 夏天的溫莎

在倫敦回顧之旅中，我終於可以鬆一口氣，不用趕著去看新鮮的景點，也不會強迫症地拍照，只有這樣我才能好好地體驗當下的美。

On my review trips in and out of London, I could finally relax. I wasn't in any hurry to see new places, nor did I feel the compulsive need to take photos. Only at this time could I really experience the beauty of the moment and the place.

一出火車站，我在對面的酒吧點了一杯熱巧克力，看了兩個小時的報紙。

As soon as I got out of the train station, I found a comfy spot in the bar opposite the road. Over a cup of hot chocolate, I buried myself in the Saturday Guardian for two hours. 

又花了一小時速寫。

I spent another hour sketching.

下午躺在公園的長凳上睡覺。

Then I took a nap on the bench in the park. 

上次到溫莎是五個月前的事了，在記憶中卻只有一個隧道之隔‧‧‧

Last time when I traveled to Windsor, it was five months ago. But in my memory, it felt like yesterday...

Camberwell memory 3 / 坎貝爾回憶 3

因為速寫的關係，克里斯汀肉舖的伙計們都認識我。周日早晨我在肉店裡速寫的一個小時，有很多有趣的發現，例如屠夫的手是很值得觀察的部位，還有他們和顧客的互動，我很謝謝他們讓我待在店裡，最後我買了全世界最棒的牛排，黑髮少年還給了我小小的折扣，在送給他們的卡片封面上我寫了：克里斯汀肉舖是我在坎貝爾最喜歡的一家店。

Because of sketching, the people at Christine's all know me. During the hour I spent sketching in the shop, I had many interesting discoveries. For example, I love to observe the butchers' hands. Also, their interaction with the customers was very interesting. I thanked them for letting me stay inside. In the end I bought "the best steak in the world," and I even got a little discount. On the envelope of the cards given to them,  I wrote, "Christine's, my favorite shop in Camberwell." 

他們也是F4啊！

See if you can recognize any of them in person when you go to Christine's next time! 

Camberwell memory 2 / 坎貝爾回憶 2

沒有離開的時候覺得自己已經準備好了，等到真的要和一個地方和那裡的人告別，反而有見什麼都是風景的感嘆。

When I couldn't leave immediately, I thought I was ready. But when I really have to say goodbye to a place and its people, I feel the pressing need to record every scene I see.

坎貝爾綠公園本來不在我的名單裡，但是週日早上去到克里斯汀肉舖時，肉還沒擺出來，伙計們請我過半個小時再回去速寫。我走進公園，看到一對情侶坐在玫瑰花叢旁的草地上看報紙，前方是一群群悠閒的灰色鴿子，他們就這麼走進我在英國的最後一本速寫本裡。

Camberwell Green was not originally on my sketch list. But when I got to Christine's on  the sunny Sunday morning, the meat wasn't all there yet. I was asked to go back in another half an hour for sketching. I thus walked into the park, catching sight of a couple sitting next to the rose bush on the grass reading newspapers. In front of them scattered leisurely-looking gray pigeons playing and eating. That was how they made their way into my last sketchbook in the UK...

Camberwell memory 1 / 坎貝爾回憶 1

現在我算是離開學校了，脫離之後反而開始想速寫，趁著下週三去蘇格蘭旅行之前，我想再一次好好和坎貝爾說再見。

Now I am no longer a student. After leaving school, the desire to sketch has been rekindled. I want to make use of the time I have before setting out for Scotland next Wednesday.

第一號回憶當然就是我最愛的米亞法羅公園，如達米安賀斯特用鑽石榮耀死亡，我也要用金銀的顏色讓回憶顯得很貴氣！

My no. 1 memory is of course my favorite Myatt's Fields Park. As Damien Hirst honors death with shiny diamonds, I want my memory to stay opulent and luxurious with golden and silver colors!

Marionettes, Inc. 1 / 傀儡公司 1

第三學期的作業之一是為老師選的四個文學作品作插畫，我選了雷布雷得貝利的短篇故事「傀儡公司」，內容有關兩位中年男子，想要暫時逃離婚姻的枷鎖，其中一位，布瑞林，訂作了和自己一模一樣的機器人，但最後分身愛上了他太太，他於是被分身取代。

One of the assignments this term is doing illustrations for one of the four pieces of literary works chosen by the tutors. I decide to illustrate Ray Bradbury's short story Marionettes, Inc. It's about two middle-aged men who would like to get away from their marriage. One of them, Braling, orders a robot which can take his place at home. However, Braling 2 eventually falls in love with his wife, and he thus replaces Braling.

我們可以選故事其中一個主題或一位主角做四張插圖，我的主題之一是婚姻，主角想從婚姻裡的位置逃開，但是當那個位置被佔走，卻又不知所措。

We can focus on one of the themes or characters to do four illustrations. One of my ideas is marriage. The characters want to escape from marriage, but when his place in marriage is taken by someone else, he feels threatened. 

我借用克林姆的「吻」作，就算最後沒有這個版本，我在過程中畫得很開心！

I derive inspirations from Klimt's Kiss. Even if I do not use this version in the end, at least I have much fun drawing the images. 

Sunshine! / 雨過天晴

有一天坐在書桌前什麼事也不想做，便上網玩起塔羅牌，其中一張正義牌說：因為你之前實在做太多好事了，所以現在會不斷地收到回饋，有股力量會把你往成功的路上推去。

One day I was sitting at my desk in no mood for doing my assignments. I was so bored  that I began to play free tarot card reading online. One of the cards Justice said, "Because you have done too many good deeds, now it's time for everything to come back to you. You'll be led to success in the end." 

同一天晚上我收到了兩封令我興奮到睡不著的電子郵件。因為最近做的報告，我必須寫信給某些博物館的專業人士或藝術家，問他們可不可以撥冗和我面談，我已經找到幾個我有興趣訪問的業界人士，但沒有把握他們會給我正面的回覆，當天硬著頭皮寄信到童話之屋的詢問信箱，結果經營本博物館的館主藝術家之一黛伯拉一兩個小時之內便回覆給我，因為童話之屋本週六在肯特有活動，黛伯拉說我只要去到那，有很多藝術家可以訪問。

The same evening I received two email which so excited me that I couldn't fall asleep that night. Because of my industry report, I have to email four practitioners to see if they can spare time for me for short interviews. I had found certain names, but I was not sure if they would be willing to do so. I forced myself to send an email to the generic email address of House of Fairy Tales. Deborah Curtis, one of the artists that are in charge of the museum, got back to me very soon afterwards. Since House of Fairy Tales hosts some activities in Kent this coming Saturday, Deborah said that I'll have many artists to interview then. 

另一封信則是有關上週投稿參加的明信片比賽，博物館寫信來說我的明信片會出現在五月的展覽裡，還會印成書，並且邀請我五月四日去博物館和明信片合照。雖然以英國之美為題的比賽走善良路線，有投稿都有中獎的感覺，但是這可是我在英國留下的一點小痕跡啊！然後我和嘉蕊又有地方可以去玩了。

Another email was about the postcard I sent in for a competition last week. The Corinium Museum wrote to tell me that my work has been chosen and that it will be published in the book as well. I was invited for the private view on May 4. Though this competition based on the theme of Best of Britain seems to give out a prize to everyone that participates in the contest, this is a trace, however small it is, that I leave in the UK! Meanwhile, Jazel and I can travel somewhere again. 

這幾天每發信詢問藝術家是否能接受訪問，總是立刻收到正面的回信。今天和露提到童話之屋時，露說：如果我沒記錯，這週六其實是黛伯拉和蓋文（童話之屋的另一名藝術家經營者）的婚禮，和童話之屋的活動一起舉辦。什麼？我就這樣要去到一場婚禮，真是太神奇了！之前我對英國人的冷淡難道是誤解嗎？

This week when I sent email to artists or practitioners, I always got nice replies. Today I mentioned House of Fairy Tales to Lu, she said, "If I don't remember it wrong, Deborah and Gavin (Turk, the other artist in charge of the museum) are going to have their wedding this coming Saturday. It will be held at the same time as the activities." What? I am going to a wedding without my even being aware of it? How amazing! My impression of the polite yet distant Britons turned out to be SO WRONG? 

露姐上週邀請插畫之家的教育部門負責人愛蜜莉來演講，她因沒有時間婉拒，我又很厚臉皮寫信去問可否去她的辦公室訪問她，愛蜜莉說已經派了兩名插畫家在五月中來畫室和我們做交流，但她很好心地說：我還是可以幫你，還可以把去學校做推廣的作品給你看。一定是上天希望我離開時可以帶著美好的回憶，我最近真的有好人卡兌現的感覺啊！

Lu told us that she had invited Emily, the education manager of House of Illustration, to give us a talk last week, but the latter turned down because of lack of time. I felt like giving it another try, so I sent her an email asking if I could interview her in her office. She said two illustrators will come in around mid-May to share their experiences with us, BUT she offered to meet me in her office in May and show me the physical outcomes of the illustration projects done in schools! I bet God wants me to leave with good impressions of the UK. I do have the strong feeling that my accumulated brownie points are being put to good use! 

早知道之前的黑暗和眼淚最後會讓我看到這樣的光明，應該要多哭一點才是！

If I had known that the darkness and tears would result in bright sunlight, I should have cried more! 

MY school / 我的學校

我從小在學校裡長大，長大之後又在學校工作，雖然我從來都不是教育萬能的信徒，我相信學校存在的價值，最近卻強烈感受到太多人生經驗是在學校以外以直接快速的方式獲得。

I grew up in my parents' schools, and I worked almost all the time in school after growing up. I am never a believer in the omnipotence of education, but I sincerely believe in the value of school education. Lately I have learned again that too many life experiences can only be obtained outside schools in straightforward and fast ways.

現在的我可以清楚了解為什麼有些人不喜歡上學，我和凱特琳娜說，不去上學是種反抗，她說，反骨的人不會離開學校，他們會建立自己的學校。今天讀到卡謬的一句話：唯一對抗不自由的方式就是變得絕對自由，直到你的存在本身就是種反抗。

Now I can perfectly understand why some students are reluctant to go to school. I told Caterina that not going to school is a way to rebel. She said that rebels don't leave school. They found their own schools. Today I came across a quote  by Camus:
"The only way to deal with an unfree world is become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion."

但其實我骨子裡是個非常喜歡學校的人，這兩天準備期末報告發現了好多有趣的東西都是我想學的，還好我沒有逃走，也很高興這一年是用這樣的心情結束，不然我怎麼回學校去教人家呢？

In fact, in my genes, I love school. I have discovered so many interesting things while preparing my industry report over the past two days. Luckily, I didn't run away. I am glad that this year ends with this realization, or how am I going back to school to convince students that going to school can be fun?

Enjoy the ride / 享受人生

話說我去了波隆那之後，對於倫敦的教育走過一段幻滅期，本來計劃第三學期就在家自修，當所有人都說可以理解之際，凱特琳娜姐很嚴肅地和我說，要當插畫家不能這麼輕易放棄，因為覺得自己的確有想逃避的心理，我還是去上學了。

After going to Bologna Book Fair, I was disillusioned with the education in London. I had planned to do home schooling for the third term. While most people said they could understand, Caterina pointed out that I can't give up so easily if I still want to be an illustrator. I was aware of my tendency to escape though. Anyway, I went to school.

剛開始我和自己說，出現總比不出現好，於是帶著我可能不會交作業的心態，同學們覺得我看起來很放鬆。我也照樣和老師談話，但各位也知道，我在春假中是從頭玩到尾的。

In the beginning, I told myself that showing up is better than hiding at home. With the mindset that I might not hand in the assignments in the end, my classmates found me to be quite relaxed. I also had tutorials with Lu as usual, though as all of you know, I played throughout the whole Easter break.

好玩的事來了，今天已經談到第二次了，我還是沒有什麼準備，但我提到想寫插畫作教育用途的主題，老師丟給我一些資料，露說：我們得為你的報告特別開一個題目，你真的想寫吧？我回答：這和我的工作有關係，我覺得很有趣。雖然抱著遊戲人生的心境，我覺得我最後真的還是交得出來。這和我過去「好學生」的想法大不同，但也許這樣做出來的品質會更好，因為我神經不再緊繃了。

Then came the funny thing. We had our second tutorial today. I was still not prepared, but I mentioned I'd like to focus my report on the application of illustration in the context of education. Then Lou gave me tons of clues. She even said, "We have to give a specific title to your report. You really feel like doing the topic?" I replied, "This has a lot to do with my work. I find it interesting." Though I am not that committed, I have a feeling that I'll still come up with something in the end. I have tried to break free of my past image of being a perfect student. I am wondering maybe I'll produce something better since I am not so stressed like before.

倫敦要進入最美的季節了，日照時間也變長許多，不過我現在欣喜自得的心情可是在黑暗中掙扎幾個月之後才得到的答案。目前我對自己的要求是：好好生活，好好睡覺。因為我知道將來的幾十年裡我還會很快樂很認真地畫圖，這一年只是一個華麗的開始，不是結束。

I am witnessing one of the most beautiful seasons in London now. The daytime has stretched, but my current serene joy is the answer I deserve after months of groping for my direction in the dark. Now I don't ask much of myself except enjoying the ride and sleeping well. Since I know well that I'll still be drawing happily into the next 30 or 40 years of my life, this year is just a grand beginning, not an end. 

sketching tour in Budapest / 布達佩斯寫生之旅

今天有種很深刻的領悟，要用沒有明天的精神畫畫，所以一早起床就趕去市場寫生。

It dawned on me today that I should draw as if there were no tomorrow, so I hurried to the market for sketches right after waking up.

布達佩斯處處可見壁畫。

Murals can be seen everywhere in Budapest.

經過停車場時，賣聖誕樹和買聖誕樹的人都很起勁，便停下來為他們速寫，想不到穿藍色工作服的大叔（圖左）很好奇，穿過馬路來看我在忙什麼，我剛好在原稿裡畫他畫到一半，他還特地為我擺姿勢，然後把穿棕色大衣（圖右）的太太也叫過來看，兩人七嘴八舌的，我畫完和他們道再見後繼續前進。

Passing by the parking lot, the Christmas tree sellers and buyers looked thrilled. I couldn't help stopping to draw a sketch of them. I didn't expect the uncle in the blue overall (on the left of the picture) to be so curious that he crossed the road to see what I was up to. In my original draft, I was drawing him the moment he came to take a look. He even posed for me. Then he beckoned his wife (on the right side of the image) for a look. They made comments that I couldn't understand. After I was done, I said goodbye to them and moved on. 

真喜歡傳統市場的氣氛，雖然今天去買菜的某一攤老闆故意找錯錢。

I really love the atmosphere of the traditional market, though today one of the vendors intentionally gave me the wrong amount of change... 

在兩度的溫暖天氣裡邊走邊畫，用卡洛的心情想，如果是在這裡的最後一個月，離開後會想念什麼。

I walked and sketched on a warm day when the temperature was 2degrees Celsius. I put myself in Carol's shoes, wondering if this is my last month here, what will I miss after leaving? 

為了附和我說的溫暖，這三個模特兒也出來展示他們身上的服裝。

To show that they couldn't agree with me more, the three mannequins stood outdoors to demonstrate their wear. 

手指已經畫到凍壞了，但是看到國會建築放不下筆。

My fingers were frozen after sketching for an afternoon, but I couldn't give up the beautiful Parliament. 

昨天經過的瑪格麗特橋在白天看起來不太一樣。

Margit Bridge, which we walked on yesterday, doesn't look quite the same in the daytime. 

另一端的鏈橋是無敵著名景點。

Chain Bridge on the other side is a super famous touristic site. 

畫到最後線條越來越寫意，這是攝式兩度的手感。

In the end the lines got more and more quirky. These are my lines of 2 degrees Celsius. 

糟糕，我已經習慣每天要喝一杯熱巧克力加上甜點，這家位於卡洛家巷口的咖啡店很典雅，可是價錢友善到不行，熱巧克力還可以選巧克力種味，今天只花了一點五鎊左右‧‧‧

Alas, I am used to drinking a cup of hot chocolate plus desserts on a daily basis now. This cafe, situated in the neighborhood of Carol's place, looks very classy, yet the prices are terribly friendly. I got to pick a kind of chocolate for my hot chocolate. Today I spent only a little more than 1.5 quids on my afternoon tea. 

順便複習一下昨天的優若帕咖啡館‧‧‧

I'd like to review the lovely cafe yesterday as well, Cafe Europa...

Dragon Year / 龍年

看到我的日本同學小桃畫龍年的賀年卡，讓我手也癢了起來，而且龍年是我的生肖年。今天早上起來就冒出一些卡片得寄，這就變成我練習的好藉口。

Seeing my Japanese classmate Momo's dragon year greeting cards, I felt like trying my hand at producing some. Besides, the dragon is my zodiac. This morning when I got up,  it occurred to me that there are some cards I should make, which became a good excuse for me to practice drawing dragons. 

這是為一個很特別的小女生畫的，她現在需要很多的好運氣。

This was done for a very special little girl, who needs mountains of good luck at this moment. 

本來要給嘉蕊小驚喜，但今晚我們兩個餓到在超市買了美味的雞腿之後，便直衝我的房間，不小心被她看到了，我再拿出來時她笑哈哈的，其實她要送我的卡片之前也同樣被我偷看到。總之，我要謝謝她讓我當很特別的一條龍，每天讓我餵得飽飽的，還和我一同研究各種奇特的食譜，難怪我一點都不寂寞！

I had meant to give Jazel a small surprise. Yet this evening we were so starved that we rushed back to my room right after buying yummy chicken legs in the Morrisons'. She thus got a glimpse of the card, and when I took it out, she couldn't help laughing because I had seen hers for me when I was in her room the other day. Anyway, I want to thank her for letting me be such a special dragon, for letting me feed her well every day, and for researching all sorts of weird recipes every day. No wonder I am not lonely at all here! 

這是想家的我。

This is my homesickness. 

給要去太平洋小島的卡洛。

This is for Carol, who is leaving for one of the Pacific islands soon. 

龍年裡的我很有野心。

I am very ambitious in the dragon year. 

龍年在倫敦！（聖保羅教堂）

Dragon year in London! (St. Paul's Cathedral in the image) 

imagined drawing III / 想像畫法（三）

上周六過得很混亂，傍晚回到家，在又傷心又寂寞的晚上，畫畫有療癒的效果，果然到了週日早上起床又是一條活龍，窗外的天氣美好，我就坐在窗前享受著陽光，很努力地把第二本速寫本畫完，晚上還寫了書法要送給維琪，因為她的主題和鋼有關。

Last Saturday was rather hectic, and we finally made it home in the evening. On a sad and lonely night, drawing helped me to recuperate. It was no surprise that I bounced back when getting up on Sunday morning. The weather was more than agreeable, and I sat at my desk basking in the sunshine, trying with all my might to fill the second sketchbook. In the evening I wrote calligraphy for Vicky for her topic is "the steel experience."

又回到數學題了，因為之前幾張圖似乎一直在拒絕理財，我決定換個態度，用正面的心情對待數字。

Back to math questions. I had the feeling that I  was rejecting to face money management in the previous images, so I decided to take a different attitude and face numbers with positive thinking. 

太多時候我們只看解答，不想原因。

Too often we look only at the answer without thinking about the causes at all. 

我常想，這世界上的房子可能比人口還多，兩邊的總數不合。

I often think, there are more houses than people in the world. The sums on two sides are not right. 

我在會計師的眼睛裡長這樣吧！

I probably look so in the eye of an accountant. 

好多人努力計算每餐卡路里，最後節實計劃都付諸流水。

So many people work on the calory intake of every meal only to have the diet plan gone with the wind... 

我這個人的總數是不同的色塊，麥特很喜歡這一張，尤其是黑色的外輪廓線。

My sums as a human being are different color blocks. Matt likes this image, especially the black contour line. 

有時去到很遠的地方要換上好幾種交通工具，但有可能最後到達的是個大黑洞。

Sometimes our destination is so faraway that the distance has to be covered with different means of transportation, but we might only end up in a big black hole. 

畫到這張我已經江郎才盡了，只好換形式來點漫畫。月亮要算好數學，因為每晚要以不同大小出現，太陽很慶幸自己沒有這個困擾。

I was at my wits' end when I got so far. Thus I tried the comic form. The mother moon advises her child to get his sums right because he has to appear in different sizes every night. The sun is glad that he doesn't have such worries. 

上週末和凱特在肯辛頓花園時，我們真得繞著樹想測量樹的年齡！我一直沒有空寫信給江老師，但墨汁很好用，我在這裡常使用它，做出來的東西也受到老師稱讚，有誰可以幫我謝謝阿吉老師嗎？

Last Sunday when we were in Kensington Gardens with Caterina, we did hold our hands around a tree to measure its age! I have not had time to write to Jim, but Chinese ink comes in really handy. My works done with Chinese ink are constantly praised by the teachers. I am wondering if anyone out there can help me thank Jim when you see him... 

這是我上週的人生課題解答，想通了，我要前進了！向第三本速寫本邁進！

This is the answer to my last week's big life lesson. I have figured out the answer, and am more than ready to move on to my 3rd sketchbook! 

雖然今天老師沒有很仔細地翻閱我的速寫本，我覺得自己是用人生在做作業的，老師說有人只是畫線條，畫面裡感受不到對畫畫的熱情，我想知道別人看我的作品是什麼感覺？請和我說。

Though Matt didn't take much time to go through my sketchbook, I thought I used my whole life to do the assignment. Mike said that some people just drew lines on the pages without showing joy for drawing. I'd like to know how you feel when looking at my images. Please leave messages for me. 

上個星期聽到了很多當插畫家的現實面，儘管如此，我知道自己在這裡的日子有限，因此我打了個比方，我這麼努力，就像我知道自己什麼時候會死，所以在那之前的每分每秒我都不想浪費。老師說對插畫家來說，畫畫就是人生，要畫到像有強迫症，這個我應該有吧！

Last week I heard about the realistic sides of being an illustrator. Despite so, I know that my days here are numbered, so I compare the end of my stay here to death. Since I know when I will die,  I don't feel like wasting a second before that happens. The teachers said that for illustrators, drawing is their whole life. We have to draw to a compulsive degree. Well, I have that right?