Agriculture Expo 2013, Yunlin / 雲林農博

因為工作的關係，我很幸運有機會去雲林看農博展，這可說是整趟旅行我最期待的高潮。

Thanks to my work, I had the wonderful opportunity to go to the Agriculture Expo in Yunlin, which was what I most looked forward to on the whole trip.

        每次和親友提到我對農業感興趣時，大家都會很天真地問我是不是想務農，我連小盆栽都種不活，當然沒有傻到夢想下鄉種田去，不過看到農博介紹有夢想的農夫，的確是讓這個行業聽起來很酷。

   Whenever I show interest in agriculture, my friends and relatives will ask naively if I'd like to be a farmer. The truth is, I can't even keep a pot of plants alive. I know better than to live on farming. However, seeing the featured farmers in the expo, I couldn't help thinking that it's a rather cool profession. 

        農民最大總統府中介紹雲林各地的有為農人，而他們的農產品也和經由文創業者包裝，現代農業不再是我們所想像的那麼樸素。回家之後我和友人說：農博很成功地營造當農夫是美好的行業，雖然我想務農比我們想得辛苦多了。

   In the "Presidential Hall of Farmers," I was introduced to many successful farmers in Yunlin. Their crops are now beautifully packaged and widely promoted with the help of the cultural and creative industry. Contrary to the past, nowadays farming is no longer out of fashion. Yet, behind all that glamour, I know being a farmer is by no means easy. 

        另一個展示的重點是食用當地當季食材，因為食物旅行的哩程數越高，對地球造成的汙染便越大。

   Another pavilion in the expo advocates the consumption of local in-season crops. After all, the further food travels, the more pollution it causes to the earth. 

        雲林本地有各式各樣的農產，品質都相當優良，玉米、花生都是主要的作物。

   Yunlin is rich in a wide variety of prime agricultural products. Corns and peanuts are both major crops. 

        同時雲林飼養的牲畜量也居全台灣前幾名，我在「快樂牧場」流連許久，雖然我現在的焦點是植物，但牧場裡有好多可愛的小動物啊！

   Meanwhile, Yunlin ranks top in Taiwan when it comes to the number of livestocks. I ended up spending much time in the Happy Farm. Though my focus is plants, I just couldn't take my eyes off the lovely animals in the farm! 

        不過我從一進場便相當失焦，完全專注在路邊的樹木，其實打從一抵達雲林就看到眾多苦楝樹，苦楝的諧音是台語的「可憐」，加上很多人一直說，雲林其實是很窮的縣，我不禁把兩者聯想在一起。

   However, instead of concentrating on the features of the expo, I focused on the trees on the roadsides. Upon arriving in Yunlin, I noticed numerous rows of Chinaberry trees. The name of the tree in mandarin sounds the same as the word "poor" in Taiwanese. This coincides with the stereotype that Yunlin is one of the poorest counties on the island. 

        因為對樹木太著迷了，所以整個展覽中我最喜歡的是碳匯林場。此區主要是告訴大家種樹的好處以及重要性，因此有許多樹木種子的介紹。

   Obsessed with trees, my favorite pavilion is the Carbon-gathering Woods. Here, visitors get to know the advantages and importance of growing trees.

         訪客們也被賦予種樹的責任，我的種子之後會長成一棵福木。

Visitors are also invited to grow trees. My seed will become a tall Common Garcinia tree in a few decades. 

         農博結束之後，這些樹會繼續生長，也許下次我再來訪時會看到一座美麗的森林！

After the expo, these trees will keep growing, and maybe I'll be greeted by an amazing forest when I come next time! 

Da Vinci code of life / 人生的達文西密碼

學習認識植物的過程中，有很多我解不開的拉丁文密碼，就像人生中的許多事件，發生的當下令人一頭霧水。這幾個月以來，我開始累積一丁點的知識，慢慢地，我可以揣摩所有陳列室標本加起來背後的意義，恍然大悟的心情真的難以言喻。

In the process of learning botany, there have been so many Latin codes that don't make sense to me. Just like many incidents in life, at the moment we'll think they do nothing but cause confusion. Over the past few months, I have accumulated some knowledge. Slowly, I can guess the common rule behind the exhibits in the herbarium. The only word I can think of to describe the epiphany is "Oh!" Which says so little and so much at the same time.

        這個週末應該是要在曼谷旅行的，可是當地的政治情勢讓我決定留在台北，多出來的時間讓我可以泡在植標館。每週走一樣的路，卻一點也不無聊，我擁有一家博物館的鑰匙，值班的三個小時裡會和一些這輩子原本不會有交集的人相遇。悠閒的週日早上，走著走著突然想到很久以前在美國的生活，也是空蕩的校園，但沒有當時的寂寞。

   I should be traveling in Bangkok this weekend, but I decided not to go due to the political riots. Thus, I had extra time to spend in the herbarium. Every weekend, I took the same route, but I never felt bored. I have the key to A MUSEUM in the city. During the three hours of my shift, I will encounter people I wouldn't have a chance to know in my whole life. On the relaxing Sunday morning, the memories of my American life came to mind as I walked on the quiet campus. However, I didn't feel lonely at all. 

        以前去到很多博物館，看到或坐或站的管理員，其實我從來沒有發呆的機會，即使我的展間不大，我總是有新東西要看，新書要讀。在成堆的拉丁文裡我居然可以認出一兩樣植物的名字，而我想最後這些密碼被解開之後，應該是很簡單的道理。

   On my visits to many museums in the past, I had noticed that most guards either stood or sat, mostly in boredom. But in the exhibit room, I've never got a spare moment. It is far from small; yet there are always items for me to take a close look at and books to read. It thrilled me when I recognized one or two Latin words out of millions of lines. I wonder, there must be a very simple rule behind all these codes. 

        因為知道展品背後有太多故事，我多麼希望來的人可以聽我的說明，因為這要他們離開時會帶走至少一兩個故事。

   Now that I know there are too many stories behind the exhibits, how I wish everyone who comes could  hear me talk. Then they'll take away at least one or two stories with them when they leave. 

        就算不聽故事，也希望他們在展示室裡找到難忘的某個密碼或訊息，也許以後有一天回過頭來看，會有特別的意義。

   And even if they don't listen to stories, I hope they will find an unforgettable code or message. Maybe one day when they look back, it will find a way into their lives again. 

        三歲半的小宥在暖洋洋的週六下午來看我，除了盡情在地板上打滾外，他無法停止玩蓋章的遊戲，還不斷驚呼：我好喜歡這個！這是他和植標館的連結。

   The three-year-old Wright came to visit me on the super sunny Saturday afternoon. He rolled with happiness on the floor and played with the stamp, which is his connection with the herbarium. 

        週日早上雖然有些冷清，當我很賣力地擦著櫃子，貴美和心慧─我很喜歡的工作人員來探班，隨處一問都是我不知道的密碼，是寫在黑板上關於豆科花朵的構造，姊姊們帶著我解密。這星期稍早在雲林，到處都是我看不懂的植物，我突然想，是不是應該走到大自然裡去學習，心慧卻說，我可以把植標館當做起點。這兩個人最令我敬佩的地方是，他們是踏實的生活家，我學到的東西多半是看書籍或網路，而他們有無限豐富的實際經驗，所以能說出的東西是那麼深刻。

   I had the exhibit room all to myself on the lazy Sunday morning. When I was wiping the display windows, Guei-mei and Hsin-huei, my favorite staff members, gave me a surprise visit. In our casual talk, I realized that the room is full of codes I don't understand. Take the symbols on the blackboard for example. They are about the structure of Fabaceae flowers. The two ladies taught me word by word. I admire them two for they learn from actual life experiences, so what comes from their mouths always sounds so convincing and powerful. 

   Earlier this week in Yun-lin (in central Taiwan), it had occurred to me that maybe I should turn to nature and learn right there because I believe I need to learn through seeing with my own eyes. However, Hsin-huei, an unofficial botanist, told me that I can start from learning in the herbarium. 

        在整理種子之際，心慧不經意地說她要離開植標館了，起先我以為只是個玩笑，但後來知道之後，我們開始聊很多植物以外的人生，說著說著，姊姊們邀我一起吃午飯，我們輕鬆地度過午後，分手之前，貴美問我：你知道我們今天來的意義嗎？我說：是惜別會對吧！雖然什麼都明白，不捨的情緒卻在一個人回家的路上襲捲而來。

   While we were sorting out the dried seeds, Hsin-huei mentioned offhandedly that she is about to leave the herbarium. At first I thought it was just a joke, but then we began to talk a lot about life apart from plants. As my shift drew to an end, the ladies invited me for lunch. We spent the afternoon like really close friends though we met only four months ago. Before going on our separate ways, Guei-mei asked me, "You know why we came to you today?" I replied, "It's a farewell party isn't it." Though I understood why such a choice was made, I didn't feel the backlash of my sadness until I walked home alone. 

        我想去不成曼谷有它的意義，因為這樣我才有機會在這裡好好地說再見。我會記得心慧教我的所有密碼和故事，有一天我們再見面的時候，我會分享植物教我有關人生的大事。

   I guess it has made sense why I couldn't make it to Bangkok, or I wouldn't have had a chance to say goodbye properly. I will bear in mind all the codes and stories that Hsin-huei taught me, and one day when we meet again, I will share THE RULE that botany will have taught me about life. 

Cafe-like museum / 像咖啡館的博物館

現在每個週六早上都是我的自學時間，邊讀邊冒出更多的問號，但越走進植物的世界越是開心。前往植標館的路上總是充滿期待，不知道今天又會和怎麼樣的人相遇。

Now every Saturday morning is my self-study time. The more I learn, the more questions will spring up. However, it's really a blessing to find myself in the midst of the plant world. On my way to the museum, I am always filled with anticipation, wondering what kind of visitors I will encounter. 

       很多人一進門便忽略這塊美麗的標牌，這是工作人員和志工的作品。因為我還沒有機會親眼看過所有的果實和種子，只能暫時用記的，所以每當有人問我是不是主修植物，我都會有點羞愧和竊喜。

   Many people automatically ignore this lovely sign right upon entering the exhibit room, but it was the hard work of the staff and volunteers. Since I haven't got opportunities to look at all the seeds in person, I can only do some cramming. Whenever asked if I major in botany, I can't help feeling a mixture of shame and pride. 

       主展場的空間原本是植物解剖室，經過設計改建之後，就變成現在的樣貌。沒有訪客的時候，我可以挑喜歡的位子讀書。這些櫃子和桌椅也都很有歷史感。

   The main room used to be a botany lab. Now it is totally different after being designed and renovated. If there isn't any visitor, I can pick my favorite seat and read. The cabinets, desk and chairs are all antiques from the Japanese colonial period. 

        今天下午剛開館時有點冷清，我便以參觀者的眼光仔細觀看每件展品。這是工藤祐舜教授的手稿和植物拓印，真是美麗。即使我已經在展示室待了三個星期，還是有好多新東西要研究。

   I had only myself in the early afternoon, which offered me a good chance to examine every exhibit as a visitor. This is the rubbing and manuscript of Prof. Yushun Kudo. Though I've been working in the exhibit room for three weeks, I never run out of things to learn. 

        館長郭城孟教授上個月替大家開了堂課，說了很多關於植標館的故事，聽完之後他瞬間成為我的偶像。展示室裡有很多留著老師痕跡的展品。我們今天偷閒吃下午茶，補慶祝老師昨天生日。

   The director of the herbarium, Prof. Chen-Meng Kuo, gave a talk on the history and stories of the herbarium last month, and he instantly became my idol. There are some exhibits indicating the effort of the professor. We had afternoon tea this afternoon to celebrate his birthday, which was actually yesterday, without his presence. 

        郭教授的老師是棣慕華教授(Charles E. Devol)，仔細研讀標籤才發現有張他的親筆字跡。棣老師對於植標館的貢獻良多。

   The mentor of Prof. Kuo was Dr. Charles E. Devol. After a close look at the specimen labels, I found one with his handwriting. He also made immense contributions to the herbarium. 

        展示室除了可以看見的陳列品外，也暗藏許多寶藏，這是我偶然找到的不知名果實，雖然老是覺得自己很無知，但是我得常常說服自己：總是有不知道的事情。

   Apart from visible exhibits in the showcases, there are more put away in the cabinets. I came upon a bottle of unknown seeds unexpectedly. Since I started learning botany, I have constantly reminded myself that it is ok that there are so many things I don't know. 

找到答案了，這是無患子的種子！

I found the answer: These are the seeds of Chinese soap berries! 

       發現這個木盒時我非常驚喜，一定是上帝要獎勵我週六還來當志工！

   I was really amazed when I saw this wooden box. I bet it's my gift from God for doing voluntary work on Saturday! 

       要收攤之際，來了五個台藝大的小女生，可以和他們聊植物標本、藝術和古物，而且看他們很有興趣，這樣就夠讓我的週六發光了！

   Before closing, there came five young girls majoring in art. It was such a joy to converse with them about plant specimens, art and antiques. Seeing their eyes sparkle, I knew this was another fantastic Saturday. 

      快來台大植物標本館玩一玩！ 

   Come to TAI herbarium for fun asap! 

Looking for a tree / 尋找一棵樹

十二月收到展覽的邀約，我想了很久，怎麼樣都想以樹為主題，在網路上搜索之際，找到了台北市最老的楓香樹，1694年植生，所以算起來也將近三百二十歲，而且這棵樹似乎就在離我很近的木柵路四段，抱著強烈的好奇心，我和蕙玲便踏上尋找楓香樹的小旅行。

I received an invitation for an exhibition back in December. After brainstorming for a while, I decided to work on the topic of trees. I accidentally found that the oldest tree in Taipei, planted in 1694, is in the neighborhood of my school. Prompted by curiosity, Huiling and I embarked on the trip of looking for the Formosan Sweet Gum. 

       雖然根據一些部落格的描述，這棵楓香樹的位置似乎很好辨識，但是我們兩個轉入木柵路四段159巷之後卻找不著，當地的警衛也表示沒有聽說過，加上我有另一個誤抄的地址寫成149巷，於是我們倆又傻傻地走到那，附近的居民努力地幫我們打聽，並且指向一座躲在新建地後面的山坡，我和蕙玲正要走入山坡口時，前面出現一對夫婦，他們很有警戒心地問我們要去哪，我們說明來意後，他們很大方地回答︰我們家只有相思樹，沒有楓香樹。我不禁在內心喃喃：你們擁有整座山坡啊？我們又跟著夫婦到山坡頂，果然只有一座紅磚屋，他們指了屋子正前方的兩棵龍眼樹，要我們看看是不是要找的樹。雖然沒有找到楓香，但誤闖桃花源的經驗很值得。

   Though the location of the tree, according to some blogs, seems to be easily found, but we were at a loss when we turned into lane 159 from the 4th section of Muzha Road. We inquired about it, but even the guard working right there said he had never heard about the tree. Meanwhile, I had another address indicating that the tree should be in the 149th lane, so we turned that way without any skepticism. The residents tried to help us out and pointed to a hill, believing that's where the tree might be. As we were about to go up, a couple in front of us kept turning back cautiously. They asked us where we wanted to go. We told them about our intention. To our surprise, they answered, "Oh, we've only got an Acacia tree." I couldn't help thinking, "What? You own a hill?" We then followed them to their red-brick house at the hilltop. Again they showed us the two longan trees in front of the house, wondering if they could be the trees we were looking for. Although we didn't find the sweet gum tree, it was an unforgettable experience to have met the couple. 

        正當我要放棄時，美燕幫我聯絡在博嘉國小的同事，果然一問，在地人便表示知道楓香的存在，於是我們再度從159巷沿著陡峭的小路上山，就這樣和台北市最老的樹相遇了！楓香長得又壯又美麗，站在樹面前，我有種說不出的感動。

   Right when I was about to give up, Meiyen contacted our ex-colleague who is now working in Bo-jia Elementary School. It turned out that her colleague does know about the tree. The following week, we climbed up the steep path from lane 159 by car. Voila, there was the oldest tree in the city, in front of my eyes. I was moved beyond description. 

        我試圖從不同角度拍攝楓香，如果它會說話，它會說什麼呢？它見證了台北這個城市三百多年的演進，一定有很多故事可以分享。

   I tried to take photos of the tree from different angles. If it could talk, what would it say? It has witnessed the city's change over the course of more than 300 years. I bet there must be loads of stories to tell. 

        帶我們上山的大哥說，其實沿路來的柏油路是為楓香開的，不過目前沒有明顯的指標，盡量保持自然的樣子，而楓香也一度生病了，還好請了樹醫生來為它治病。大哥說，這個季節葉子都掉光光，秋天和春天的時候，它都很美麗，我說︰它現在也很好看！

   Our guide told us that the asphalt road leading to the tree was constructed because of it, but to keep everything natural, there are no blatant signs. And in fact, the tree fell sick once. Fortunately, the tree doctors cured it of the disease. When he said that the tree is obviously more beautiful in fall and spring, I said, "I think it's also beautiful now!"

        其實在我第一次出發去找楓香時，展覽的邀約因不知名的原因而取消了，可是我因此遇見了台北市最老的樹，我多麼幸運。

   In fact, before I set out to look for the tree for the first time, the exhibition was cancelled for some unknown reason, but I thus encountered the oldest tree in the city. How lucky I am....

Coward / 膽小鬼

我在植標館的速寫本很簡單，我放掉我那些很個人化的眼光，用客觀的方式記錄幾棵種子的生長，而現在這個工作暫時告一段落。有一天館裡的工作人員問我有關速寫本的內容，原來她把本子當作一本書在欣賞，讓我很感動。我不禁想，要是收到一張只為她做的卡片呢？

My sketchbook in the herbarium can't be more simple. There are no idiosyncratic drawings at all. Instead, I tried to record the growth of three seeds objectively. And as my job item had changed, this task came to an end. One day, a staff member asked me about the sketches inside. It wasn't until then that I realized that she read it as a real book, which greatly touched me. So I couldn't help wondering, what if she receives a card solely for her? 

        又有一天，我看著貴美用珍惜的心情打開電子信箱裡一封遠從日本寄來的電子問候卡，我不禁想，如果她收到一張真實的卡片呢？

   The other day I observed Guei-mei, another staff member open an email from Japan with an attached electronic card, with so much love. I couldn't help thinking, what if she gets a real card? 

        可是送卡片時我卻是那麼膽小，我不好意思看大家的反應，於是很迂迴地把卡片托給貴美便先行離開，也許很多時候我也害怕面對自己的感情吧！

   But I was such a coward when I gave away the cards. So afraid to know everyone's reaction, I placed them under Guei-mei's care and left before they figured out what I was up to. Maybe there are times when I don't have the guts to face my own feelings....

Thank you, Dr. Kudo / 謝謝您，工藤教授

新開幕的植標館展示室很美麗，不是嶄新的好看，而是復古的迷人，只差不能在裡面喝咖啡，不然整個空間瀰漫著咖啡館的溫暖。

The new exhibit room in TAI Herbarium is beautiful. It's not the dazzling luxury of a brand-new building. It's the charm of history. In fact, it feels like an old-style cafe lit with warm light, except that we can't really drink coffee inside.

十二月聽了好幾場專業訓練的演講，聽了一些植標館的故事，等到進了展示室時，雖然老師的示範講解不是特別華麗，可是聽完之後，我可以感受到整個空間充滿植物學家對植物的熱愛。

I attended some courses back in December, and thus learned many stories about the people that once worked in the herbarium. When the exhibit room was finally open, the professor gave a demonstration guided tour for the volunteers. Though his talk wasn't particularly fancy, I could feel many botanists' love through the collections and the design of the space.

今天是個大晴天，訪客特別多，我說了好幾次工藤祐舜教授的故事，工藤1929年來到台灣，是第一任植標館的館長，可惜因為工作過於辛勞，1932年便英年早逝，過世時不過46歲，對我來說本來只是個不相關的故事，說著說著突然有些感受，加上今天來的年輕孩子們，好幾個帶著喜悅的微笑對我說，他們很喜歡展示室的空間，我不禁覺得，應該要和工藤教授說謝謝，在八十四年前給了這個地方一個起點。

The lovely weather today brought more visitors to the herbarium. The special collection features Professor Yushun Kudo, who was the first director of the herbarium upon coming to Taiwan in 1929. He discovered many plants home to Taiwan, but unfortunately, he passed away three years later in 1932 due to the strain of overwork at the age of 46. In the beginning I was just telling someone else's story, which had nothing to do with my life at all. Strangely, as I repeated the story, I started to feel something. And when the young people told me with sincere smiles that they really adore the space, I couldn't help feeling that I should say thank-you to Prof. Kudo. He gave a start to this wonderful place 84 years ago.

看著工藤的照片練習畫他的肖像，應該是個真誠有決心的人，就像我這幾個月在植標館遇到很多很美好的人，讓我只要去到那裡就有很幸福的感覺。

I decided to practice drawing Prof. Kudo's portrait based on his photo. He must have been a very genuine and determined person, like many wonderful people I have met in the herbarium over the past few months. I can't explain why, but I feel blissful whenever I am with them.

台大植物標本館位於一號館，離台大正門很近，展示室每天開放，早上從十點到十二點，下午一點到四點，你也來感受很平靜的幸福吧！

TAI Herbarium is located right next to the main gate of NTU. The exhibit room is open every day from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. A visit will offer you a taste of calm bliss on both sunny and rainy days.

Twins! / 雙胞胎！

Insight / 洞察力

新的一年剛開始，我的小盆栽便給我驚喜，種了將近五個月的九層塔開花了。

My basil gave me a really pleasant surprise at the beginning of the new year. After five months, it has bloomed. 

       從去年延續到今年，植物是我生活很重要的一部分。這個月開始我在植標館也有新任務，現在我是導覽員，並不是我的知識三級跳，而是我想從實作中學習可以進步得更快，可是當我在資深工作人員旁實習時，很少嫉妒別人的我，在那一刻卻很希望自己可以立刻看穿生命的成長和變化。我不禁想到前幾天讀到的台灣植物界的奠基之父早田文藏，從年少時便關心生死，這成為他研究植物以找出生命答案的動機。

   Since last summer, plants have played a key role in my life. Now I have a new task in the herbarium. I am the guide in the new exhibit room on the weekend shift. Well, not that I have suddenly turned pro. It's just that I think I'll learn faster through doing the job. However, when I did the internship under the guide of the staff, I, who hardly feel jealous in my life, can't help wishing that I could see through all that superficial complexity. This also reminds me of one of the leading figures I was reading about a few days ago, Bunzo Hayata, the father of Taiwanese botany. He was inspired to be a botanist at a young age by his strong desire to learn about death and life. 

       儘管現在的我沒有洞察力，但是我有很強烈的學習念頭，我的2014年會因此充滿光亮。

   I don't have the insight now, but fortunately I am well-motivated. I think my new year will be full of light because I want to learn so much. 

Year of the Horse / 馬年

New Year / 新年

攝於黃河壺口瀑布．山西 / photo taken at the Yellow River Hukou Waterfalls, Shanxi 

2013年還沒有結束時，我已經先休息了一段時間，所以到12月31日，有種活過來的感覺，有好多新計劃等著我，希望新的一年像黃河，有湧湧不絕的靈感！

Before 2013 came to an end, I had taken a recuperating break. I was glad to come to life on the last day of the year. Many new projects and plans await me in the coming year, so I hope it will be a year full of inspiration and energy like the beautiful mighty Yellow River!