Making dumplings / 包水餃

Chase in the coconut forest / 椰子森林裡的追逐戰

Greek moon / 希臘的月亮

入秋以來，陸續和好久不見的孩子見面，聊聊生活、工作，漸漸地這對我有很療癒的效果，讓我可以跳脫自己小小的世界，徜徉在人生各種可能性裡。

Since this past fall, I've been catching up with some girls that graduated a few years ago. Through sharing the past few years together, I feel greatly soothed. This enables me to jump outside my small box and swim in many possibilities of life. 

        那天從希臘左巴走出來時，冬夜的氣溫有點涼又有點暖，子榕指著又胖又黃的月亮，下面還掛了幾顆星星，一起走到車站的路上，我碎碎唸著那些有的沒有的擔心，分手的時候子榕笑笑地說：「不要想那麼遠啦。」

     As we walk out of the Greek restaurant on a Saturday evening, the cool and fresh winter air greets us. Zi-rong points at the fat and yellow moon, under which hang some twinkling stars. On our way to the bus station, I go on with my murmur of unimportant worries. When it's time to say goodbye, Zi-rong reminds me with a smile, "You should live in the present."  

        雖然還沒有親眼見證過希臘的月亮，但透過和孩子們的言談，大概就是如此黃黃藍藍、涼涼暖暖吧！ 

     Though I have not got to witness the Greek moon in person, I can imagine that it's blue and yellow, cool and warm like what the girls tell me! 

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! 

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. 

Another kind of life / 另一種人生

帶孩子們去電視台錄節目，我也得到好多刺激，原來電視台的人生是這樣啊！ 

Today I take the girls to a TV station for recording a program. I'm so inspired by everything I see! 

        本來沒有打算速寫，但是攝影棚裡太多好玩的東西，我在當觀眾時忍不住記錄了起來！

     I didn't intend to sketch, but I can't miss out on so many interesting gadgets. Don't worry, while my hand is busy, my ears are paying attention as well to the host, the writer, and the student guests. 

        我非常喜歡攝影棚裡黑色機器和亮橘色燈光的強烈對比，這位攝影師大哥發現我在速寫！ 也許做不了其他工作，但是能有機會去別人的工作崗位體驗一下，真的很不賴！ 

     I really LOVE the contrast between the black boxes everywhere and the fluorescent orange lights. Only the photographer in the above picture notices that I am sketching. 

     I might not have the courage to try another job, but it's so nice to experience something totally different! 

Then, / 然後，

做了同樣工作十五年是什麼感覺呢？我還是很喜歡這個工作，也喜歡遇到的孩子們，但是對於自己的工作意義有很多矛盾的想法，就像每個工作一樣，有理想的目標，同時也有現實的挑戰。

How does it feel to do the same job for fifteen years? Undeniably, I still like the job and the kids that I have spent time with along the way. However, I have to deal with more and more contradictory feelings in myself. As with every profession, it is essential to strike a balance between ideals and the reality.

        有一天楷維出門去上英文課之前，阿公公問了他：楷維，腦袋有戴著嗎？

他答：放在冰箱裡。

     One day before Kai went to English class, Grandpa asked him, "Kai, do you have your head with you?" 

     He answered, "It's in the fridge." 

        思維升上五年級之後，功課變多了，前天寫到十一點四十五分才睡覺。以前他總是每天早上帶著明亮的笑容對我說：上學很好玩啊！現在他就只是累累地微笑。

     This fall since Von was in fifth grade, he has much more homework than before. He didn't hit the sack until 11:45 p.m. two days ago. He used to greet me with a bright grin in the morning, saying, "It's fun to go to school." Now, he just squeezes a weary smile. 

        我說：那麼我們今天不要帶腦袋出去好了，身體走出去就好，腦子放在家裡，想像我們躺在沙發上一整個早上聊天。

     I say, "Then, let's go to school without our heads. We'll go with just our bodies and leave our heads home. Let's imagine lying on the sofa and chatting the whole morning." 

        還好他笑了。

     Fortunately, he laughs. 

        楷維嘻嘻笑地說：老師問我腦袋在哪，我就說要回家拿！ 

        我說：然後老師就氣到炸掉了！

     Kai giggles, "The teacher will ask me where my head is, and I will say I need to go home to get it." 

     I reply, "Then the teacher explodes with anger!" 

        然後，這世界上就再也沒有老師，也沒有功課了！

        我們三個帶著這樣愉悅的心情出門去。我又接著去給學生出更多的功課‧‧‧‧‧‧

     "Then, there won't be any teacher, thus, NO HOMEWORK! Hooray!"

     We three go out in a pleasant mood in the end. Finally, I go to work and give my students more homework...

Yes, you may. / 可以喔！

班上的孩子真的很有趣，說的話很有後座力，我常常當下沒有仔細感受，但之後再回想，總是會忍不住會心一笑。

My new kids always surprise me with really cool ideas. Their words often trigger backlash in me. I might not feel the power in the moment, but whenever I think about their responses later, I never fail to smile or laugh out loud. 

        這星期大家為了爭取交換學生的名額，為了能否讓他校的學生來住自己家，著實想破了頭。其中最可愛的想法是搖一搖妹妹，她很認真地問我：交換同學來的時候，我們可以抱在一起睡嗎？我當時只覺得：哇！真是可愛，但今天再想一下，才感覺到力道，是要多沒有心防的人才說得出這樣的話呢？ 

      This week the girls racked their brains hard to figure out how to accommodate the exchange students. One of the most amazing solutions came from Shakira. She asked me very seriously, "When my exchange partner comes, could I hold her when we sleep?" I was of course amused, but it is not until today that I see through what lies behind her words. I mean, how un-reserved can one be to come up with such an idea? 

        雖然我沒有辦法替交換同學回答這個問題，不過身為一輩子有著銅牆鐵壁的人，這次我願意說：好的，你可以。

      I can't answer for her partner, but as a very reserved person all my life, I am willing to say, "Yes, you may." this time. 

In her eyes / 愛人的眼睛裡

I am not the bush. 

I am the rose.

Wrong lunch boxes / 拿錯便當事件

方的、圓的，圓的、方的；

紅的、黃的、綠的，綠的、黃的、紅的；

每個便當

看起來

像你的，又像我的。

Square, round, round, square; 

red, yellow, green, green, yellow, red; 

every lunchbox looks like

yours, or mine. 

My new class / 我的新班級

很有畫面感！

gives me a lot of images to think about! 

把我變成詩人了！

and turns me into a poet! 

很久沒有這麼有創造力了！ 

The good news is that I haven't been so productive for a while! 

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! 

Silence is gold / 不說話也很好

包包繪 / drawn by Bao-bao

又過了一學期，期間因為要說很多話，錯失了很多不說話才能看到的細節。學期結束前，我終於能夠安靜地用心想，雖然之前有許多焦慮和恐懼，但我還是要稱讚自己一下，因為不管中間有多少壓抑，最後我都還是打開心了。

During the past semester, I missed a lot of details because I had to talk much. Before the semester officially ended, I could finally hush and work in silence. Despite my considerable anxiety and fear, I feel I need to give myself a hug for opening up after long struggles. 

        儘管我的學生風景不停流轉，我還是真心喜歡我的工作和遇見的孩子，而這是不說話的領悟。

        Though students come and go, I realize I still love my job and many kids I encounter sincerely, which I see when I do not need to talk. 

New class / 新班級

新班級三智有幾個小農夫，從夏天就投入種植蔬菜。九月結束，我們的空心菜也收成了，孩子們把空心菜包裝成一束小花送給我，因為剛採摘的新鮮蔬菜枯萎得很快，我在三個小時內把蔬菜帶回家，作當天的晚餐。

My new class is devoted to gardening. We've been planting vegetables since summer. As September ended, the water spinach was ready for being harvested. The girls made a small bouquet, giving it to me as a gift. Since it withered quickly, I took it home and had it cooked within three hours as my dinner that day. 

        雖然拍完照才注意到擺盤，但是吃自己種的、不加農藥的蔬菜，不僅清爽可口，更有一股濃濃的情意在其中。

     It was not after I took photos that it occurred to me that I had totally forgot the art of plating food. However, the most important thing is that the water spinach planted by my young farmers is not only extremely fresh but also unique because of their genuine love in it. 

Say goodbye again / 又說再見

去年夏天請女孩們寫十八歲的故事，文章我收著，想做畢業前送給孩子們的禮物。因為不想陷於改作文的命運，所以我就畫了一張明信片回贈。

I asked the girls to write stories about the age of eighteen last summer. I'd been keeping the essays, thinking about using them as the inspiration for their graduation gift. I believe unrevised writing has its value as well, so I simply illustrate each story on a postcard. 

        用竣弟和宴蘋送我的Fabriano色鉛筆畫，色調和其他牌子的很不一樣。

     I use the colored pencils of Fabriano given by Jun and Irma. The color tones are rather unique. 

        真班的則用慧平送的來自捷克的三色筆。看了這些故事之後，深深體悟到我對於這些孩子們的認識真是有限。

     As for the other class, I use the three-color pencil from Czech given by Christine. After reading the stories, it dawns on me that I have very limited understanding of the girls and their lives. 

        拆禮物有儀式，每個人先去認領自己的信封，裡面含有自己的故事和明信片。

     There is a ritual for opening the gift. Everyone looks for the envelope with their name on it. She'll find her story and postcard. 

        孩子們也送給我很棒的禮物，他們覺得我很像小王子，所以每個人都畫了一張小王子的明信片送我。

     The girls also give me fantastic gifts. Thinking of me as the Little Prince, everyone creates a postcard based on the figure. 

        我的鐵櫃風景非常令人羨慕。

     My locker becomes an eye-catching gallery. 

        孩子們也附上一盆艷麗的玫瑰花。

     The girls also prepare a pot of blooming roses to go with the postcards. 

        又過了三年，中間孩子們教了我很多事，然後我們說再見，不過不是太別感傷，道別的日子就像平凡的一天，感覺哪天在轉角又會遇到，哪天又會喝個咖啡，可能對我來說，人生是持續的，三年只是過程，而不是獨立的段落。

     Another three years have gone by. In the process, the girls have taught me much, and then comes the time to say goodbye. Strangely, I do not feel particularly sentimental. The commencement feels like another ordinary day. I am very sure that one day we'll run across each other or grab a cup of coffee somewhere. I guess for me, life is an ongoing journey, and the three years are part of it, instead of an independent segment. 

        接下來我要成為怎樣的老師呢？我自己也很期待！

     What kind of teacher will I become next month? I am looking forward to my change!