Banana Boy / 香蕉男孩

這兩天內心的小劇場特別活躍，因為一直等不到信誼的結果，最後自己就先崩潰了。今天打電話去問，對方說還要再等約莫兩週，之所以鼓起勇氣打，因為想說三月就要結束，我就算多麼在意，也要把焦慮留在這個月，清爽地邁入四月。

I've been tortured by anxiety recently. Since I hadn't received any kind of notice from Hsin-y, I kind of collapsed. Today Meiyen gave a call to the publisher asking if the outcome of the picture book contest had been announced. I needed to wrap this up emotionally because I want to head into April without the mental burden. 

        「香蕉男孩」是楷維的書，他問我能不能在誠品買，我說我超想的，他也跟著說：我也好想，要是到處都買得到就好了。然後我們便開始發揮蓬勃的想像力，他問：火星人可不可以買，我答：不只火星人想買，金星人也想買，可是書店大缺貨，印刷廠正在趕工，我們也到處出席簽書會！楷維接著說：我們的每一本書都會熱賣！最後我慫恿他：你每天晚上睡覺前都幫我祈禱吧！

     The Banana Boy is Kai's book. He asks me if it's available in Eslite Bookstores. I tell him that I'd like that to happen too. He then replies, "Me too! I hope it'll be available in every book store!" Then we start to daydream. "Can Martians buy it?" "Not only Martians but also Venusians want to buy the book, but every bookstore is out of stock. The printing factories are hurrying to come up with more! We'll sign books until our hands drop!" He goes on to say, "Every book of ours will be the best-seller!" In the end I prompt him to pray for me every night before going to bed. 

        做「香蕉男孩」真的是用盡我所有的努力了，所以怎麼樣我都不會為難自己，也很感謝和男孩們一起作夢的日子，很希望可以讓更多人看見。

     I literally spared no effort to make The Banana Boy, so whatever the result is, I won't give myself a hard time. I especially love the days I spent daydreaming with the boys, and it's definitely our biggest hope to make the book seen by as many people as possible. 

        等待的同時，下一本書給我的阿嬤，我們七月見！

     Meanwhile, I'll say hello to my next book dedicated to my granny. See you in July! 

Spring wear / 春裝

今天去掃墓，回家和竣弟在路上聊了很多生活和工作的事，好久沒有這樣輕鬆自在。長大之後，我才明白有手足是多麼幸福，除了有人可以幫忙分擔父母的嘮叨外，還可以看到不同的人生選擇。

Today we went tomb-sweeping. On our way home, Jun and I talked much about life and work, which made me recall our childhood when we always chatted to our hearts' content. After I grew up, I strongly felt how lucky I am to have siblings. Aside from distracting our parents' attention, they also show me life is full of all sorts of possibilities. 

        做自己的品牌並非容易的事，不過從弟弟和宴蘋開創「貳們」之後，我看到他們不懈的努力，也從每一件衣服上感受到設計的誠意，我很羨慕他們的勇氣。從設計到行銷，他們不斷在學習，目標是希望更多人可以穿上他們的設計。

     It is by far from easy to create a brand. However, since Jun and Irma started Irman, I have witnessed their constant effort and sincerity they put into each item. To be honest, I envy them a lot for their courage. They are learning every day about design and marketing in hopes that more people can put on their products. 

        每次看爸爸把貳們的設計穿在身上，便感受到獨特的流行味，生活就是需要那麼點小巧思，看起來就會與眾不同。

     Every time when Dad wears Irman's designs, he looks dashing and alive. Jun and Irma know that it doesn't take much to look different, and they have that "spice" in their line. 

        春天到了，來一件貳們的衣服，看起來會更閃亮！

     With the coming of spring, Irman's clothes will make you stand out!

Thank you Auntie Wanda / 汪達姨謝謝你

台大植標館週六下午的假日兒童博物館三週後上場，我今天開始寫活動腳本，先請男孩來試驗一下我的計畫，我們先畫心目中的植物超人，然後再用紙粘土做。思維哥哥設計的是聖誕紅火光戰神，不過執行的時候要讓超人站穩有點困難，所以到最後我們便自由發揮。

Weekend children's museums hosted by NTU Museums will come back in three weeks, and I have begun to plan the activities. I invite the boys over to experiment with my idea first. We draw our superheroes before making them with paper clay. Von's design is the Fire and Light Warrior of Poinsettia. However, it's not easy to make the superman stand on his own because of the soft clay. In the end, we go with the flow and do whatever pleases us. 

        楷維弟弟設計的是捕蠅草方超人，可是最後做成的粘土玩偶很像國王，我還堅持為他穿上條紋小內褲。

     Kai's hero is Venus Flytrap Superman. But he turns out to look more like a king. I even insist on putting on striped underpants for him. 

        男孩們去運動前，楷維突然跑過來說：「汪達姨謝謝你！」出門前還一直念哥哥：「你都沒有跟汪達姨說謝謝！」其實我已經被哥哥寫在他的社會課本裡，成為他的專訪人物！

     Before the boys go play ball, Kai suddenly runs into the study again, "Thank you Auntie Wanda!" I hear him nagging at Von at the door, "You didn't say thank-you to Auntie Wanda!" In fact, I am the featured person in his social studies homework! 

Wrong bus / 搭錯車

昨天本來要帶大女孩們去貓空踏春，結果傻傻地搭錯車，就一路直達了信義區，於是我們決定更改地點去松煙。

Yesterday we planned to go on an outing to Maokong, a hilly scenic spot in the south of Taipei. However, I made the silly mistake of taking the wrong bus, which took us into Xinyi District. Not to waste more time, I consented to the girls' proposal to change the destination to Songshan Cultural Park. 

        雖然自己有些失望，不過在大城市裡也有好看的，偶然走進誠品音樂館，找到了幾乎免費的黑膠唱片，倫敦的回憶湧上心頭，之前為了做黑膠唱片的包裝設計，弄得人仰馬翻的日子，現在想起來卻無限珍貴。縱使我沒有唱盤，但因為太多留戀的理由，我便下手買了兩張。

     Being a fanatic fan of nature, I was disappointed by myself, but fortunately, there is much worth seeing in the big city. I accidentally walked into the Eslite CD store and found some nearly free vinyls, which so reminded me of the days in London. Those days when we were all screwed up because of the group project of designing vinyl covers now turn out to be precious as I look back. Though I don't have a turntable, I just couldn't stop myself from purchasing two vinyls. 

        這週把準備了三個月的故事草稿唸給男孩們聽，想不到反應異常糟糕，這是我第一次看到他們皺著眉頭直說不懂。以前的我會生個幾天悶氣再捲土重來，結果我當天晚上馬上想到新的靈感，趁著週間改寫，今天再念新的故事給男孩們聽，哥哥一臉驚奇地說：「居然不一樣了呢！」孩子要的不多，只希望我們用他們的語言說故事，這麼想，我就是三個月走錯了方向，都要回頭。

     This week I read the story I had prepared for three months to the boys. Their reaction turned out to be really awful. This was the first time I saw them frowning when listening to a story. I would have sulked for a few days before pulling myself together in the past, but I was blessed with a new inspiration the same evening. God bestowed drive and determination on me so that I rewrote the story during the week. Today when I read the new story to them again, Von exclaimed: Wow, the story is told in a very different way! Kids don't ask much. They only want us to tell stories with their language. Thus for me, it's very too late to revise. 

        也許我目前無法聽到黑膠唱片裡的音樂，可是我對於裡面的內容會一直抱著好奇的心，就像我對於自己的努力有一天會帶領我到的地方，同樣好奇。正因為如此，搭錯車也不是壞事。

     I have no way to find out what the music inside the vinyl is, but that doesn't lessen my curiosity. Likewise, I am also very curious about where my effort will lead me eventually. Yet thanks to that, I never think it a bad thing to take the wrong bus.

Could it be that way? / 可不可以？

因為在準備新作品，主題是關於對生病、死亡和寂寞的恐懼，所以把男孩叫來聽故事，也聊聊他們之前對阿嬤過世的感覺。我老是和楷維說阿嬤就在我們身邊，某一天我們吃點心吃得正開心時，他突然冒出一句：阿祖就在我們旁邊對吧！

As I am preparing my new book about the fear of illness, death and loneliness, I tell the boys the story and talk about Granny's death with them. Since I always say to Kai, "Granny is by our side," one day he surprises me with the remark: Great granny is next to us right? 

        可是過幾天他又對我說：可不可以他真的在我們身邊，我也看得到的那樣？

     But a few days later he says to me, "Could she really be there, I mean, physically visible?" 

Everyday doodles / 小日子

每天我會收到速報表，記錄著沒有來的同學名單，之前拿到這張紙總是有點困擾，覺得好像可以做點什麼，終於我這個學期開始採取行動，用它來說點每日的小故事，放在一起大合照也是挺驚人的喔！

Every day I receive a slip of paper with the names of absent students on it. I felt I could do something about it, but never really got down to work. Finally, this semester I decided to take action by doodling an everyday story on it. It's quite magnificent when they are placed together for a group photo! 

LBX

男孩們對機器人總是很有興趣，怕他們不來找我玩，我只好假裝想知道關於機器人的一切，可是他們說的繁複知識，我轉頭就忘。

Our boys have been into robots for a long while, so long that other things no longer interest them like before. Afraid that they won't play with me, I have to pretend that I am eager to learn every single piece of information about the vast robot world. However, I can never keep in mind what they told me for ten seconds. 

        昨天薛吉姐姐帶著我的明信片孩子們來我們家玩，男孩們像磁鐵般地立刻被吸過去，只差沒把家裡的所有機器人都搬過來。

     Yesterday Shaggy came to visit us with the postcards I had mailed in the past one and half years. The boys were drawn to her like bees to honey. They literally brought over a house of robots into our living room for an exhibition. 

        現在男孩們不畫畫了，為了讓他們繼續畫圖，每個人都要寄五張以上的明信片給薛吉姐姐，才能再見到他。於是今天楷維立刻動手，把薛吉姐姐昨天沒見到的LBX皇帝畫下來寄給他，順便拍下掉第一顆牙的歷史鏡頭。

     The boys hardly draw now. In order to make them draw, we announce that Sister Shaggy won't visit us again unless each of them sends her over five postcards. It's surprising that Kai is so motivated that he gets down to work today. Here is his portrait of LBX, the king that he failed to show to Shaggy yesterday. Did you notice that Kai had lost his first tooth? 

Thai B & B / 泰北民宿

回顧泰北的旅行，我很想念當地的民宿設計，對於像我這樣懶散的旅者，有舒適的休息空間是很重要的。我可能會因為很多因素再次拜訪泰北，美好的民宿絕對是其中之一。

When I look back on my trip to North Thailand, what stays in my mind is the lovely architectural designs of B & B. For a lazy traveler like me, a cozy place is definitely a plus. I might visit the region again for many reasons, one of which is for sure the wonderful B & B. 

清邁 / Chiangmai

1. Gord Chiangmai 

        民宿多位於小巷裡，而清邁的小巷風景值得速寫者流連。Gord Chiangmai是由好幾棟房子組合，所以要穿越室內外才能從接待台走到房間。Gord Chiangmai在古城的民宿一級戰區裡，房間寬敞，早餐好吃，wifi速度快；缺點是櫃檯有點小，浴室沒有乾濕分離。

     In Chiangmai, most B & B can be found in alleys and lanes, where I would like to linger for many interesting views. Gord Chiangmai is formed by several buildings, so we have to snake through the courtyard to go to our room. It is located in the part of the old town lined with lodging places. Our room is spacious, the breakfast is rather good, and I am very satisfied with the wifi connection. However, the front desk is small and there is not a separate shower stall in the bathroom. 

2. Green Tiger Vegetarian House

        Green Tiger價位稍微高一點，但是服務和房間品質超優。我們住的四樓有小吧台，早起的我就去看日出，房間陽台望出去的景色迷人。早餐吃得像王室一樣，白華離開綠虎之後念念不忘。

     Green Tiger is a little bit pricey, but the service and quality of the room is perfect. Our room is on the fourth floor; around the corner is an open bar where I go whenever I get up too early. I am fascinated with the views there. Green Tiger offers royal breakfast. It's the B & B that Bai Hua loves the most. 

3.  Charcoa

        常居走小家碧玉路線，有自己的餐廳和庭院，很有古典的設計感，早餐也很可口；房間不如前幾家寬敞，浴室有點老舊，打掃不是很乾淨。

     Charcoa is not large, but it has its own restaurant and courtyard. The design is rather classical, and the breakfast is delicious. However, the room is not big. The bathroom is kind of worn out, and the room should be better cleaned. 

清萊 Chiangrai

Happynest

        清萊的住宿比清邁便宜，我們選了位在大馬路上的快樂窩，是一家還蠻新穎的民宿，由年輕人經營，雖然是一整棟，但是空間設計很有趣，一樓到四樓的樓梯繞來繞去的，空間極為寬敞；樓上的wifi不是很靈光，早餐品質要加強，會聽到馬路上轟轟的車聲。

     The living costs in Chiangrai are lower than those in Chiangmai. We choose Happynest, which is a rather new B & B located at the roadside run by young people. The design of the space is very interesting. To go up to the top floor, we have to look for the stairs. The wifi connection on the upper floors is not fast; breakfast is mediocre; we are accompanied by the noises of cars all the time. 

Morning in Chiangmai / 清邁的早晨

收假上班的第一天，外頭滴滴答答下著雨，把曼谷的電台轉成BBC，不過心裡想的是清邁的早晨：六點半之後天才亮，但最棒的時刻是在天亮之前，整個城市沉浸在深藍色裡，可是又看得出屋頂的輪廓，天亮之後，那些輪廓變得線條清晰，我知道美好的一天又要開始了。

On the first day of going back to work, it rains outside. I also reluctantly switch the radio channel in Thai to BBC. However, my heart is packed with the images of the morning in Chiangmai. 

The sky doesn't lighten up until six thirty, but the best moment is before it. The whole city basks in the indigo hue, but the outlines of the roofs are sort of recognizable. Afterwards the morning light reveals the classical and beautiful shapes of the houses. Then I know, another wonderful day is there waiting for me. 

Thai flora / 泰式花草

旅行出發前才學到的火焰木，泰北路上到處都是。

I happened to learn about African tulip trees before going on the trip. The tree can be found everywhere in North Thailand. 

一片又一片的欖仁樹構成清邁的市景。

Indian almond trees form the cityscape of Chiangmai. 

緬梔也很常見。

Temple trees are common too. 

不只是波羅蜜，好多樹木都果實累累。

Apart from jackfruit trees, many trees bear numerous fruits. 

清盛的柚木高直挺拔。

The teak trees in Chiang Saen are now protected from being sawed for making furniture. 

接著就是我不認識的奇珍異果，先列出來，也許有一天我就會找到答案。

The next section is devoted to plants that I don't know. Maybe I'll find the answers one day. 

1. 

2.

和一號同學在同棵樹上，可是感覺不是同一種植物。

No. 1 and No. 2 are found on the same tree, but I am not sure if they are not the same plant. 

3.

4.

3號和4號同學長得有點像，可是葉片不一樣。

No. 3 and No. 4 look similar, but their leaves aren't the same. 

5. 

6. 

7.

8. 

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

這些植物看起來艷麗多產啊！

The plants look so colorful and productive!