Mount Ali Rules! 2 / 我愛阿里山 2

還記得那對溫柔的情侶嗎？以下是他們的故事續集！

Do you still remember the tender couple? The following story is the sequel to the previous comic strip!

We are getting married! Kay & Uncle

Chapter 2: The Backseat

Six a.m., half an hour later than planned in our itineraries. The driver is not far away, taking his time. The passengers were not very patient, especially the lady next to the driver's seat.

Kay: What the hell is he doing? If he doesn't get in the car now, we won't be able to arrive at Alishan before noon, and then we'll lose a lot of precious time, and then..."

Kay's monologue: Am I really going to marry this turtle-slow guy? I am not THAT sure now...

Kay: Darling, what do you like about me?
Uncle: Damned! He had the nerves to cut in on me?

Uncle's monologue: Nice as I am, I can never ever ever bear being cut in on! Rude drivers are my worst enemies! You are toast!

Mira: Gee, the slow guy has his impulsive moments too! I am so scared!
Spooky: Call your little bro and buy the travel insurance for the four of us right away!

(PS: Mira's little bro is a professional insurance man, in case you don't know. In case you need any service, please write to Mira's email address at mirageeyou@yahoo.com.tw)

Kay: Darling, what's the hurry? Take your time...We know better than place our lives at stakes because of that rat. We are so not in a rush. Come, take a deep breath!

Well, these two people are meant for each other. When one of them is fast, the other slows him or her down. They have the just right tempo between them. Mira & Spooky's monologue: Oh, we are so envious...

Mount Ali Rules! 1 / 我愛阿里山 1

Chapter 1: The Mysterious Motorcyclist

On our way to Mount Ali, a motorcyclist caught our attention. It was rather difficult to tell if that was a man or a woman...

We squinted our eyes trying to get a better look.

The gender-perplexing back possessed the maternal thickness and the masculine sturdiness. Oh, we were so confused!

Spooky said, "That's a man, it goes without saying!" Mira objected, "No no, it's a woman!" Kay replied, "The motorcylist looks like a middle-aged lady that has gained weight because of childbirth." Uncle muttered, "Um, I think it's a woman too."

To find out the truth, we decided to speed up. "Did you see the face?" "Only the profile!" "Ok, let's move a little faster!"

When we saw the motorcylist close-up, we were stunned..."It was a man!" Well, the shoulder-length, curly, dyed hair happens to be really in for men from Chia-yi...

Mount Ali Rules! / 我愛阿里山

從部落格消失的這幾天裡，當我還有點心思時，我會把自己當作常來拜訪的朋友，問，這傢伙究竟在忙什麼？就說是忙著找回畫畫的胃口吧！期間進行了一趟小旅行，去了風光明媚的阿里山跨年，遠離塵囂，享受幾天悠閒的生活，於是，我要發行新故事了！先來個人物介紹，再等一陣子，馬上爲您獻上熱騰騰的第一集！

During the past few days of my disappearance from the blogsphere, when I could afford to, I would imagine myself as one of the visitors of my blog. I would ask myself, "What is this girl busy with?" Well, I was occupied with retrieving my appetite for painting. I took a trip to the beautiful Mount Ali for new year countdown away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Here is the good news. My new story is coming up! Here is the introduction of the four characters. The first series will come up right away!

1. fiance-Uncle
2. fiancee-Kay
3 third-wheel No.1 : Mira
4. third-wheel No. 2: Spooky

Cooling down / 沉澱

在所有起起伏伏的情緒告一段落之後，我試著拿起畫筆，很久沒有創作的心是忐忑的，果然，坐在椅子上沒多久，我開始嫌惡眼前的線條和顏色，怎麼看都不順眼，甚至開始懷疑整個想法是不是很愚蠢。

我的心還是太滿，它說，讓它再喘息一下吧！我也要學著放慢腳步，拾回原來的流暢‧‧‧

After all the ups and downs, I picked up my brushes again. Having taken a long lapse from painting, I was anxious. As I expected, I couldn't help finding fault with my lines and colors after sitting on the chair for a short while. I even started to doubt the whole idea.

My heart is still crowded with too many trivial thoughts. It says, "Let me breathe..." I have to learn how to slow down and retrieve my long-lost calm...

Postcard from my heart / 來自心底的明信片

圖攝於威尼斯

本來只是想默默地過完這一年，想不到，光是年尾的倒數兩個星期，我的生活像搭雲霄飛車一樣，忽高忽低，有失望有希望；本來也想安靜地從部落格消失一陣子，可是朋友們的問候接踵而至，我想寄出一張來自心底的明信片。

這幾個月在工作上有種迎面襲擊的無力感，好強如我，好像擋也擋不住這樣的挑戰，常常忙到必須犧牲創作的時間，偏偏又好運到不停地得到鼓勵，雖然今年沒有得到部落格生命紀錄類的大獎，不過被列為推薦優格，我已經夠開心了。人生嘛！總是有得有失，而且我得到的總是比失去多出許多。

據說今年我流年不利，但是我要用像圖中那樣的陽光走進下一年，謝謝你一直陪在我身旁，這樣，就夠了。

Picture taken in Venice

I planned to finish the year 2006 quietly. However, life turned out to be extremely dramatic even during the last two weeks this year. It was like a roller coaster ride, full of disappointment and hope. I also planned to remain silent in the blogsphere, but friends kept sending warm messages. I'd like to mail you a postcard from my heart.

In the past few months, I've been overwhelmed with strong feeling of helplessness at work. Firm-minded and optimistic as I am, it is unbelievable that I feel like surrendering sometimes. I sacrifice much time for painting this semester, but in the meanwhile, I am constantly encouraged in this area. I didn't win the first place for the blog contest, but my little room was chosen as one of the recommended blogs. That is more than enough for me. Well, in life, we all win some and lose some. What I win far outweighs what I lose.

I am said to have a bad year, according to the lot my parents drew in the temple. However, I am determined to go into next year with the sunshine in the postcard above. Thank you for always being there. For me, that is more than enough...

Hormone 12 / 荷爾蒙 12

"Give me some more hormone..."

"Where am I now?"

"I am so exhausted..."

"I can't go on anymore..."

Maybe it was because that everything went on too smoothly. I turned around and around with the heroine in the "Hormone" series, and then I suddenly felt dizzy. Before I knew it, I fell out of my story into the real life, from October, 2006 to the present moment. And I didn't know how to go back! I'd been racking my brain wondering how to end this story, which comes to its ending way earlier than expected. Before I found the answer, a cold and fatigue and helplessness came to knock at my door, requesting for a year-end party with me. Meanwhile, fans kept reminding me, "Hey, I follow up your story all the time..." So this is the most realistic ending I can think of. After all, we do not often hear comic artists say, "My inspiration is so dry..."

Since I am afraid that my brain might be as empty as a dried well by the time 2006 ends, I want to leave a short message for those who never cease to visit my little room. This has been a fantastic year in many senses. I've tried various sorts of challenges and made so much progress artistically speaking. Best of all, I am so loved and touched by all of you. I know you might laugh at me for wanting to say out loud my new year resolution, but go ahead and laugh. I still want to say it. I've had so much, but I still don't make enough efforts. I want to live my life with more passion and enthusiasm in the coming year. Before I set out for it, I have to wish myself some good luck. Of course, I do not forget to prepare tons for you.

Thank you all so much, and see you there my dear...

Hormone 11 / 荷爾蒙 11

Miss Hormone flew on cloud nine, and I danced day and night. "Hey look! What happened?" "It seems that we are landing...on the ground!" "Where is our Mr. Right?" "I ain't see him..."

Hormone 10 / 荷爾蒙 10

So I was in seventh heaven again. No more pain in the ass. I became a slim lass. I was so full of love that students were terribly scared. "Students, any question?"--the magnified picture of my love-filled eyes.

Hormone 9 / 荷爾蒙 9

During the date, I acted as if...I didn't know who I was. I was practically all over the guy.

"I was reborn!" Oh, so it was Miss Hormone!

Hormone 8 / 荷爾蒙 8

My passive attitude came near to freaking out my mama. She decided to put not only her nose but also her hands and feet into my love hunt. Oh, that was my dear blind date book! However, because of my age and self-dignity, there were never many entries. "Big son of the Chen family/ engineer/33 yrs old/ 170 cm, 55 kg" It looked like we were blessed with a superb candidate for my future love! Even Miss Hormone couldn't help exclaiming, "What a fantabulous opportunity!"