Amanda的家庭感恩禮拜 Amanda's family appreciation ceremony

參加Amanda的家庭感恩禮拜, 非常溫馨的聚會. 尤其是Amanda獻花給她高齡的阿媽時, 那其中對阿媽滿滿的感恩與愛, 讓我又羨慕又感動. 憑著Amanda的信仰與對人生的正面態度, 我相信她一定會堅持幸福的. :-)

I was invited to Amanda's family appreciation ceremony. It's a sweet banquet. The moment when Amanda handed her grandmonther a bouquet of flowers was very touching. I could feel the deep appreciation and love from Amanda. Based on her belife and positive attitude toward the lives, I believe that she will keep the happiness around her.

China - Wuxi - Business Trip 中國無錫出差 2009/12/13~2009/12/18

沒啥新鮮事... 住高級飯店無錫凱賓斯基飯店, 便宜的按摩(但沒有遇到特別棒的手技), 吃的從在地蘭州拉麵, 日本料理, 到每天飯店的高級早餐... 沒有去那兒玩... 就是出差. 倒是遇到一些人喜歡跟我聊天, 像是一位司機大哥和一位按摩的妹妹, 聽到很多在地的聲音, 以及小人物的甘苦與夢想.

There is nothing really special, but just a business trip. I stayed at a great hotel Kempinski Hotel Wuxi, went to the office everyday, had massages, and ate various food such as the local noddles, the Japanese food, and the daily breakfast buffet. I didn't have any tourist schedule. However I met few people, who like to chat, such as a driver and a massage girl. I heard lots local voice and stories, including the joys and sorrows, and also the dreams.

啊~ 想到一件事. 每天飯店清潔人員都會在我的床上放一些東西, 其中包含一個寫著孔夫子名言的書籤, 一面中文, 一面英文翻譯. 由於翻得非常無厘頭看不太懂, 還蠻有娛樂效果的.比如說 "學而時習之, 不亦悅乎? 有朋自遠方來, 不亦樂乎? 人不知而不慍, 不亦君子乎?" 翻成 "To learn and to practice what is learned time and again is pleasure, is it not? To have friends from afar is happiness, is it not? To be unperturbed when not appreciated by others is gentlemanly, is it no?" "學而不思則罔, 思而不學則殆" 則翻成 "He who learns but does not think, is lost. He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger."

oh.. I remembered one interesting thing. Everyday the cleaning lady would put something nicely on my bed, including a bookmark. On each bookmark, a Confucius' proverbial saying was printed, both in Chinese and English. I found that the translation is not understandable but amusing.

此外, 大陸的計程車司機都會用鐵條把自己圍起來防搶. 有的只圍司機的座位, 有的前後隔離, 這次有機會就照了張相片. 有位司機跟我說他已經想好遇到搶劫要怎麼辦, 他的座位下有一把刀子, 遇到就拼了, 命一條. 當我們被教導說沒有什麼比生命重要時, 有些人卻在為一家人的生計煩惱, 沒有什麼比錢重要. 突然覺得很沉重, 想起馬斯洛的需求層次理論.

In China, every taxi driver is blocked by iron sticks to prevent from robberies. One driver used to tell me that he already knew what to do if he encountered any robbery. He had a knife under his seat and he for sure will fight for it. When we were taught that nothing is more important than our lives, some people struggling with earning money for their families insisted that money is the thing to keep their lives and there is no way to take it away. Suddenly I felt heavy, and thought of Maslow's hierarchy of human needs.

Restaurants at Taoyua 桃園餐廳 - 風車的故鄉, 尼尼義大利餐廳 and 鐵木真麻辣鴛鴦火鍋店

- 風車的故鄉 -

03-2123233
桃園縣蘆竹鄉中正北路326號

Note. 空間很棒的一間餐廳, 坐在沙發式的椅子上抱著抱枕和朋友聊天非常舒適. 價位稍高, 但有特色還算值得.


- 尼尼香辣餐廳 Nini Spicy -

03-2221370

桃園南崁台茂Shopping Mall

Note. 這是逛台茂時隨興吃到一家好餐廳. 我和姊帶著兩個小外甥去, 服務人員非常貼心地安排適當的座位, 不論義大利麵或披薩都很好吃, 價格也平易近人.

- 尼尼義大利庭園餐廳 Nini Garden -
03-3138498
桃園縣蘆竹鄉南竹路二段313-1號

Note. 基於上次在台茂Nini愉快的用餐經驗, 我和姊這次決定去試這家Nini新開的店, 我也剛好幫老姊慶生. 和台茂的Nini比起來, 這間Nini場地較優, 後面還有一片草地, 夏天在外面曬太陽應該很舒服; 食物品質大同小異; 可惜大概是因為當天生意太好, 服務人員有點忙不過來, 貼心度就略遜一籌了.

- 桃園鐵木真麻辣鴛鴦火鍋店 -

03-3555288

桃園市中正路849號1樓　

Note. 湯頭很棒, 免費加的湯底料很闊氣也很實在, 食材新鮮, 有些菜還是老闆自己種的. 我個人最喜歡的就是那用竹杓盛的魚漿嚕~

Early Christmas Parties

It's a Christmas party arranged at Whye-choy's home. We prepared and exchanged gifts. At the beginning I drew a 8G USB memory card, but exchanged with Simon to a cup on which a beautiful picture would show when hot water is filled.

到Whye-choy家提早過聖誕~ 當然包含交換禮物嚕~ 我抽到USB 8G記憶卡, 但後來和Simon換成蔡國強的杯子, 注入熱水杯子表面就會浮出一幅很美的畫喔~ :-)

Since not all the colleagues could join the party at Whye-choy's place, we arranged another gathering at a restaurant Hugo at Linkou. We found this restaurant via the comments on the Internet, and the food didn't disappoint us! :-)

因為很多同事無法參加Whye-choy家的party, 我們另外安排了在林口的聚會. 雨果西餐是在網路上看到評價頗高的餐廳, 沒讓我們失望, 好吃!


Hugo 雨果西餐
桃園縣龜山鄉文化村復興北路23號
(03)3288059

草嶺古道 Caoling Historic Trail

今天和壽星麗紋到草領古道一遊, 一早先從台北坐火車到福隆火車站, 然後搭接駁車到草領古道入口, 芒草, 我們來啦~

I went to the Caoling Historic Trail with Li-wen, the birthday girl today. We took the train from Taipei to Fulong, and took the bus to the entrance of the histoic trail.



一路上的風景相當美, 雖然已經到的芒草季的尾端, 啞口滿山滿谷的芒草還是很壯觀, 一路上各段又都有不同的景觀, 我特別喜歡在小溪聽水聲休息的時刻.

"The Story of Silver Grass and the Historic Trail" is a very famous annual autumn event of the Northeast Coast in Taiwan. The silver grass covers the mountains along the trail in autumn. The views change along the trail. I like the momnet we took a rest next to the stream, hearing the voice of the natural.


巧遇一群不知做啥法事的宗教活動, 我並沒有特別詢問, 倒是覺得令旗配國旗的畫面別有一番風味. 今天也遇到一些有趣的人, 從國光號的司機到客棧遺址的店小二都超級熱情可愛, 幫這趟旅程增添不少樂趣. 最後還在大里天公廟遇到RSM的學長, 太巧了.

當然啦~ 福隆便當怎麼能錯過?! 看那豐富的菜色, 划算又好吃~ :-)

We saw a local religious activity. I didn't ask the detail, but thought that the combination of the religious flag and national falg is interesting on the photo. On the way we met some enthusiastic and lovely people, such as the bus driver and the tea steward in the simulated old-style tea house, making the trip even more fun. At the end of the trip, I even met a RSM alumnus. How a coincidence!

The meal box at Fulong is very famous. How can we miss it?! We bought them when the train stopped by the train station and enjoyed them on the way back home. They are really delicious~ :-)

恭禧姿樺&鈞元結婚嚕~ Wedding banquets of Tzu-hua and Jun-yuan

- 2009/11/21 台南結婚 Wedding banquet at Tainan -


一大早從八九點眾伴娘們陸續抵達新娘家梳妝打扮, 一路忙忙忙... 最後回到家時已經是晚上十點多了, 天啊~ 我才知道原來結婚是朋友比家人還忙... 我弟結婚時好像也是他的眾多朋友們最忙... 感恩ㄋㄟ... :-)

今天我們的主要任務就是陪新娘, 設計新郎來迎娶時的闖關, 幫忙宴會各項事宜等等. 難得我們姊妹這樣一整天在一起, 盡情聊天, 歡笑不斷, 六個人明明穿得漂漂亮亮卻總要照幾張鬼臉照片, 兩位攝影師也樂此不疲, 哈哈, 相信鈞元和姿樺會很幸福地過一輩子的!

Tzu-hua and Jun-yuan got married today! Besides our congratulations, we six bridesmaids accompanied the bride whole day. I arrived Tzu-hua's home at 9:00AM. When I went back home, it was 22:00PM already. After the graduation from the high school, it's the first time that six of us were all together for the whole day. Therefore although we were exhausted, we appreciated the time being together very much. :-)

Our main tasks were to accompany the bride, to design and execut the little games to challenge the groom, and to help in the banquet. Not only the nice photos but also the funny photos with the wry faces were taken. It's a day with lots of laugh. Hope Tzu-hua and Jun-yuan would have happiness together and forever!

- 2009/11/24 林口補請 Wedding banquet at Linkou -


今天姿樺在林口補請, 我第一次當主持人呢~ 自己覺得口條還有待加強, 但能順利完成任務已經相當欣慰~ 姿樺一家人一直感謝我讓我很不好意思, 但也很窩心~ 有機會能幫到好友的忙非常開心呢~

Since Tzu-hua has lots colleagues and friends at Linkou, she arranged another banquet at Linkou. I was the host and it was my first time of being a host on the stage. I was gratified by the completion of the mission, and was happy that I can help my good friend. :-)

Restaurant at Tainan 台南餐廳 - 醉月樓 Shanghai Pavilion

趁著回台南的機會幫媽咪慶生. 我列了幾間餐廳給老媽選, 結果台南遠東飯店38樓的醉月樓獲得壽星的青睞. 用餐後的心得是景色, 菜色以及服務都很好, 下次可以再來, 不論是看夜景或帶小外甥來坐電梯應該都蠻好玩的. :-)

Taking the chance of going back to Tainan, I celebrated my mom's birthday with my parents in the tallest restaurant in Tainan. The overall quality of the food and the service is good. I would like to go there again next time, maybe for the view at night or to take my little nephews for the cool elevators.

- 醉月樓 Shanghai Pavilion -

台南市大學路西段89號 (遠東大飯店香格里拉)38F
(06) 7028878

Restaurants at Linkou 林口餐廳 - 聖馬汀咖啡工坊 and 丹提咖啡

帶本書, 悠閒地享用早餐, 幸福的早晨~ :-)

It's always nice to enjoy the morning with a great breakfast and a book. :-)

聖馬汀咖啡工坊

03-3979260
桃園縣龜山鄉文化三路146-1號

Note. 一份早餐100元, 一杯拿鐵130元, 總共230元.



丹提咖啡 Dante Coffee

02-2602-4502
台北縣林口鄉仁愛路二段29號

Note. 一份美式早餐含拿鐵115元.

新竹出差 Business trip to Hsinchu 2009/10/19 ~ 2009/10/23

這個禮拜到新竹出差, 入住煙波大飯店都會一館, 雖然沒有湖畔主館的景色, 但有離市區較近的地利之變. 這次一起來的還有香港和荷蘭的同事.

I went for a business at Hsinchu for one week, staying at the Lakeshore Hotel. Three colleagues from Hongkong and the Netherlands also participated in this trip.

星期一 Monday

新竹同事帶我們去吃活蝦, 也帶老外去嘗試鮮芋鮮.

The colleagues in the Hsinchu office took us to the restaurant with all kinds of shrimp dishes, and later to a store for local desserts.

- 易鼎活蝦餐廳 -
03-656-5223
新竹縣竹北市光明六路91號

星期二 Tuesday

今天安排和我的好友也是我的大學室友佩真見面, 只是因為有外國同事在我們沒有真的好好聊聊, 只好之後網路補聊嚕~ 那天我指定去民歌西餐廳, 之所以想去民歌西餐廳只是因為有一天突然想到n年前去聽歌的感覺, 於是上網查到火車站前的這間餐廳. 我們聽了兩個歌手, 還不賴, 食物也不錯.

荷蘭同事指名要吃Cold Stone的冰淇淋, 我超愛冰淇淋的, 當然一定要排到行程裡啦~ :-P

I scheduled the dinner with Fareh, my good friend and roommate at the university, at a restaurant with live folk songs. My colleagues also joined us. Upon one of the colleagues' request, we went to Cold Stone for ice cream. (Since I also love ice cream, of course we needed to put it in our schedule. :-P)

- 吉普塞民歌西餐廳 -
03-5257115
新竹市信義街30號2樓

- Cold Stone -
03-5241685
新竹市北區民族路14號1樓

星期三 Wednesday

任維廉教授是我的恩師之一, 在交大時就跟著老師做國科會的案子, 不只在專業知識上, 老師的身教和言教也都讓我受益良多. 畢業後只有一次和老師見面, 之後幾次到新竹都很匆忙, 這次終於又能和老師聚聚實在很開心. 當然, 還有特別從台北下來的靖媛和俊廷, 以及在新竹開戰鬥機的曉榮, 大家好像都變了, 也好像都沒有變. :-)

Professor Jen has been one of my highly respected teachers. In the university he guided me for some National Science Council's projects. I also learned from the way he behaved and talked. Therefore it's always nice to be able to meet him. To join this dinner, Lucy and Jun-ting took the high speed train from Taipei. Leo is an aviator of battleplanes at Hsinchu, so he also joined the gathering. It seems that everyone has changed, but sometimes it seems that everyone hasn't changed. :-)

- 川流日本料理 KAWANAGALE -
03-5589-393
新竹縣竹北市文田街15號
note. 算是價格品質蠻實惠的日本料理~

星期四 Thursday

高中好友玫玲結婚時我在荷蘭錯過了, 現在寶寶剛出來幾個月, 趕快去抱抱~ 本來就很溫柔的玫玲現在更多了母愛的圍繞喔~

今天還有第二ㄊㄨㄚ. 雖然隔天就要去老姊家住, 但兩個小外甥還是吵著要來找阿姨, 當阿姨的當然是很高興啦~ 每次和他們玩完都睡得超好~ 小朋友的體力真的很好ㄟ... :-P

I missed Mei-lin's wedding because I was in the Netherlands. Now she just got the first baby born, so of course I wanted to visit her. After the gathering at Mei-lin's apartment, my nephews asked my sister to take them to my hotel, although I will see them the next day. I always have extremely great sleep after playing with them, the super energetic little guys. :-P

和媽媽一起渡過的900天旅行 A 900-days trip with Mom

It's one of the books I read in these days. A 74-years-old man ride a tricycle with her 99-years-old mom in the back from the north, to the south, and back to the north of China. It took them about 900 days. The reason of this trip was just that traveling was his mom's wish. There is no doubt that their souls and smiles are incredible and beautiful.

I am not going to write further in English because it might take forever and I still couldn't exactly express how I feel. :-P

"和媽媽一起渡過的900天旅行" 這本書無庸置疑地描述了一個令人印象深刻的感人故事, 一個難以致信的孝道實踐. 然而, 就像作者說的, 他只是一個平凡人, 是我們把他的行為看得太偉大, 其實我們都可以做到.

一個74歲的老先生騎著一輛三輪車載著99歲的媽媽出去看世界, 歷時900天, 從中國東北端的塔河, 往南走至海南島, 再返回青島. 出發, 只因為旅行是媽媽的願望.

三輪車含母親重約200多公斤, 遇到騎不動的山坡或天候時, 他就用麻繩拉, 拉斷了再換一條. 三輪車後面的空間只夠媽媽用, 所以遇到冰刨時躲在車下, 夜晚若是騎在前不著村後不著店的地方就睡在外面, 早上為媽媽做完早餐後開始騎車身子就熱了... 這是體力上的考驗. 長期的旅行母子兩總會累, 總會有些衝突, 母親也難免返老還童... 這是心靈強度的考驗. 然而, 哪個快樂不是在矛盾中獲得? 生活總在高高低低中來來去去, 只是我們都要學會不僅享受快樂的時光, 也要享受低潮的時刻, 因為, 低潮總是朝向下一個快樂時光的出發點~

看著他們的笑容, 充滿著大富大貴都買不到的滿足與快樂, 多麼美麗的人生啊~ "白色巨塔"的書中主角曾無奈地陳述說"每個人都為了一些理由活著, 不管你自己喜不喜歡." 但我覺得那個理由可以大, 也可以小; 可以為自己, 也可以為他人; 可以心不甘情不願地面對, 也可以歡天喜地地實踐; 最終, 都是自己的選擇, 最動人的, 則總是簡單的純粹.

忘了書中哪一段老先生有提到飛鴻雪泥, 那是我高中時相當喜愛的一首詩"人生到處知何似, 恰似飛鴻踏雪泥; 泥上偶爾留指爪, 鴻飛那復計東西", 時間過去了, 詩的意境依舊~ 老先生在母親生前讓母親圓夢, 不留下遺憾~ 佩服!