最近在忙一件大事 -- 把從前錄下來的影帶轉到DVD上，也藉由這個機會回顧了一下過去。看著女兒從幾個月大還不會爬的娃娃，一天一天長大，從喜歡穿漂亮裙子的小女孩，成為現在老愛穿牛仔褲和T裇的少女；看著她從生嫩的琴藝，到今天可以流利熟練地彈奏出美麗的樂曲；看著先生的身材，從結實精壯經過小腹微凸，到現在比微凸再凸一點；看著自己的髮型，由長到短，再從短變長，雖然影像解析度不太好，但仍然可以察覺出歲月在臉上（和身上）留下的痕跡；看著過去讀書時住的公寓，還有經歷那一場大雪之後滿地的皚皚銀光；看著那年聖誕節全家人和媽媽妹妹及“Uncle Vincent”一同拆禮物；看著當年哥哥嫂嫂來時我們一同準備的海鮮大餐。。。回首前塵，一路走來都是成長的痕跡。小孩長的是智慧和身量與神及衆人愛她的心，我們看到的是神豐盛恩典的累積。雖然我懷念過去的日子，真想再抱抱那裏頭的娃娃，但在神的愛裏，在祂的保守帶領中，我仰望未來，知道我們的日子一天新似一天。我曾看過這幾句話，願與大家共勉：過去，是感恩的記錄；現在，是服事的記錄；將來，是仰望的記錄。
你以恩典為年歲的冠冕，你的路徑都滴下脂油。 - 詩篇65：11
I am working on a project to transfer our old VHS home video to DVD now. Because of this opportunity, we get to review some of the old tapes. I saw our daughter transformed from a small baby to a young lady, from one could only play simple tunes to be able to perform huge beautiful pieces; my husband's shape from slim fit to carrying a mid-sized pillow around the belly area; my hair style from short to long then from long turned short, and some trace of time on our faces. I saw the old apartment we lived in while studying in graduate school, and the unusual snow storm as well as the beautiful view it brought. I remembered that Christmas when we opened our gifts one by one with mom, sister, and Vincent, also that seafood feast while big brother and sister-in-law visited us. It is amazing to see how God has lead us through the years. Even though I miss those good old days and want to hold that little baby in my arms once again, but I am looking forward to tomorrow and the years to come. Because I know He holds our future and His blessings abound.
You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. -- Psalm 65:11
2007年10月31日 星期三
2007年10月30日 星期二
忙啊！Busy busy
李宗盛的那首歌是這麼唱的 -- 許多的電話在響，許多的事要備忘，許多的門與抽屜開了又關關了又開，如此的慌張。我來來往往，我匆匆忙忙，從一個方向，到另一個方向。。。。
從前仗著自己年輕記憶力好，書總是要等到最後一分鐘才唸，做事也喜歡一心數用來省時間。現在書不管什麼時候唸，結果都是一樣記不住；自己仍然可以同時做多件事情，但似乎沒有一件事是按照原定計劃完成的。老是做著這個想著那個，但是一回頭又忘了剛剛在干啥。昨天在禱告時，半途中我竟然忘了向神說到哪兒了。。。我想是太忙了吧！真該沉靜一下自己的思緒，放掉一些繁瑣的事務，專注在少一點事情上。否則將來在育“老”院見到親人朋友，還得問 “請問您哪位呀？”
如果我們能像小孩一樣有多好？純真、心思簡單、沒有雜念、更沒有煩惱。難怪耶穌喜歡小孩，要我們回轉，成為小孩的樣式。阿布提供了以下一段孩子們的可愛對話與大家分享。。。
弟弟：上帝比房子還大嗎？
哥哥：是啊！
弟弟：那耶穌也是嗎？
哥哥：是啊！
弟弟：那祂怎麼能進得去房子裡面呢？
哥哥：………?????
I found myself losing trend of thought more frequently now. Yesterday I even forgot where I was in the middle of my prayer. I am gradually losing my multi-tasking ability as well and get side-tracked easily. For example, I was going to garage to pick up some stuff from the freezer to prepare for dinner. On my way to the garage, I noticed that I forgot to finish my laundry, so I started to do the laundry. Then I saw all the dusts in the laundry room, so I decided to go upstairs to get the vacuum cleaner. The minute I got to the second floor, I saw Vivian's room, and I decided to clean up her room first... I think I am too busy.
從前仗著自己年輕記憶力好，書總是要等到最後一分鐘才唸，做事也喜歡一心數用來省時間。現在書不管什麼時候唸，結果都是一樣記不住；自己仍然可以同時做多件事情，但似乎沒有一件事是按照原定計劃完成的。老是做著這個想著那個，但是一回頭又忘了剛剛在干啥。昨天在禱告時，半途中我竟然忘了向神說到哪兒了。。。我想是太忙了吧！真該沉靜一下自己的思緒，放掉一些繁瑣的事務，專注在少一點事情上。否則將來在育“老”院見到親人朋友，還得問 “請問您哪位呀？”
如果我們能像小孩一樣有多好？純真、心思簡單、沒有雜念、更沒有煩惱。難怪耶穌喜歡小孩，要我們回轉，成為小孩的樣式。阿布提供了以下一段孩子們的可愛對話與大家分享。。。
弟弟：上帝比房子還大嗎？
哥哥：是啊！
弟弟：那耶穌也是嗎？
哥哥：是啊！
弟弟：那祂怎麼能進得去房子裡面呢？
哥哥：………?????
I found myself losing trend of thought more frequently now. Yesterday I even forgot where I was in the middle of my prayer. I am gradually losing my multi-tasking ability as well and get side-tracked easily. For example, I was going to garage to pick up some stuff from the freezer to prepare for dinner. On my way to the garage, I noticed that I forgot to finish my laundry, so I started to do the laundry. Then I saw all the dusts in the laundry room, so I decided to go upstairs to get the vacuum cleaner. The minute I got to the second floor, I saw Vivian's room, and I decided to clean up her room first... I think I am too busy.
2007年10月27日 星期六
快樂的臉龐 Happy Faces
We saw many happy faces on top of the Mt. Tabor Park today. This is Mr. Coque (ko-kee). He was pretending to be 'cool'. You can tell he had lots of fun by all the stuff over his face.
我們今天下午在Mt. Tabor公園裏看到了許多快樂的臉龐。這位是故作鎮靜裝酷的高奇先生。看他滿臉渣渣就知道他剛玩得不亦樂乎。
Coque again.
高奇的另一張照片。
This is passionate Miss Bella. Can you see that she is smiling?
這一位是熱情洋溢的貝拉（美女）小姐。你看得出她在微笑嗎？
寧靜 Tｒａｎｑｕｉｌｉｔｙ
藍山 Blue Mountain --
Courtesy of DavidC (because he was hogging the camera at that time...)
2007年10月25日 星期四
祂既看顧麻雀 His Eye Is On the Sparrow
兩個麻雀、不是賣一分銀子麼．若是你們的父不許、一個也不能掉在地上。就是你們的頭髮、也都被數過了。所以不要懼怕．你們比許多麻雀還貴重。（太十29-31）
所以我告訴你們、不要為生命憂慮、喫甚麼、喝甚麼．為身體憂慮、穿甚麼．生命不勝於飲食麼、身體不勝於衣裳麼。你們看那天上的飛鳥、也不種、也不收、也不積蓄在倉裏、你們的天父尚且養活他．你們不比飛鳥貴重得多麼。....你們這小信的人哪、野地裏的草、今天還在、明天就丟在爐裏、神還給他這樣的妝飾、何況你們呢。所以不要憂慮、說、喫甚麼、喝甚麼、穿甚麼。這都是外邦人所求的．你們需用的這一切東西、你們的天父是知道的。你們要先求他的國、和他的義．這些東西都要加給你們了。（太六25-26,30-33）
我願藉著這首詩歌，來安慰我一個親愛的朋友。她目前正在經歷一些改變，面臨一些考驗。願神的愛這時觸摸她，神的靈感動她，讓她明白她並不孤單。耶穌是我們永恒的依靠，只要我們願意接受。
為何灰心常怨歎，為何黑影瀰漫？為何心靈孤單？甚至欲脫塵寰？
耶穌是我的福杯，祂是我的良友，祂既看顧小麻雀，深知我必蒙眷佑，
祂既看顧小麻雀，深知我必蒙眷佑。
我聽救主溫柔聲，除去你心憂情，安息主懷多恬靜，毫無疑懼戰驚；
有主引領在前頭，步步跟隨祂走，祂既看顧小麻雀，深知我必蒙眷佑，
祂既看顧小麻雀，深知我必蒙眷佑。
當我每次遇試探，黑雲遮蓋迷漫，喜樂詩歌變哀歎，盼望轉為暗淡；
我就要更親近主，祂必除我憂愁，祂既看顧小麻雀，深知我必蒙眷佑，
祂既看顧小麻雀，深知我必蒙眷佑。
我唱因我有喜樂，我唱因我自由；
我救主既看顧麻雀，深知我必蒙眷佑。
A special message for one of my dear friends. She is experiencing some changes and facing some challenges right now. May God's love and Holy Spirit touch her, so she knows that she is not alone. Jesus is our confidence, as long as we are willing to accept.
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
2007年10月24日 星期三
試煉中的歌吟 Song of Trial
經文：哥林多後書4：8-11，17-18
8 我們四面受敵、卻不被困住．心裏作難、卻不至失望．
9 遭逼迫、卻不被丟棄．打倒了、卻不至死亡．
10 身上常帶著耶穌的死、使耶穌的生、也顯明在我們身上。
11 因為我們這活著的人、是常為耶穌被交於死地、使耶穌的生、在我們這必死的身上顯明出來。
17 我們這至暫至輕的苦楚、要為我們成就極重無比永遠的榮耀。
18 原來我們不是顧念所見的、乃是顧念所不見的．因為所見的是暫時的、所不見的是永遠的。
洪啓元弟兄把它譜成了一首詩歌。歌詞是這麼說的：
當我四面受敵 不被困住 心裏作難 不至失望
逼迫卻不被丟棄 打倒卻不至死亡 耶穌的生顯明在我身上
將我的眼光 放在未來 讓我的盼望 定睛天上
暫時的苦楚 在榮耀的光中蛻變成不朽的生命與剛強
黎明的曙光即將到來 雨後有彩虹高掛穹蒼
死亡與復活僅是一線之隔 試煉後綻放出屬天的光亮
2 Corinthians 4:8-18
8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.
17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
During our mission conference last weekend, Pastor Chiu reminded us that the problem with today's church is that Christians are afraid of being witnesses to the world, some churches/Christians choose to be "popular" or choose not to offend others. I totally agree with him. As a matter of fact, I can see that happens every single day. May God help us and strength us.
2007年10月23日 星期二
歲月不待人 Time and tide wait for no man
My eyesight is similiar to this picture right now, the farther it goes, the clearer it is. My optometrist said it is the birthday syndrome...the more birthdays I get, the more obvious it becomes. Of course he added "you are kind of too young to get this..."
我的視力就好像這張照片一樣，離得越遠就看得越清楚。驗光師說這是生日症候群，越過生日症狀就越明顯。。。當然他很好心地加了一句 “你開始這個症狀是太年輕了一點。。。”
我的視力就好像這張照片一樣，離得越遠就看得越清楚。驗光師說這是生日症候群，越過生日症狀就越明顯。。。當然他很好心地加了一句 “你開始這個症狀是太年輕了一點。。。”
何必捨近求遠？自家門口拍的照片也不輸給Ｍｔ．Ｔａｂｏｒ Ｐａｒｋ．
2007年10月22日 星期一
幾首詩歌 A couple of praises
幾首詩歌，給愛唱詩的你。好的詩歌能帶來鼓勵與安慰，滋潤乾渴的心靈。願它們點亮你的每一天。瑋瑋，你喜歡嗎？
Some praises for you. May they light up your day. Do you like it, Allen?
親眼看見祢
BY 基恩敬拜音樂事工
寶貴十架 Prescious Cross
BY 讚美之泉 Stream of Praise
Some praises for you. May they light up your day. Do you like it, Allen?
親眼看見祢
BY 基恩敬拜音樂事工
寶貴十架 Prescious Cross
BY 讚美之泉 Stream of Praise
2007年10月19日 星期五
哀鴻遍野 Not a good scene
今天，更安靜了。
這次的裁員比我預期中的大得多，有些即使很有技術的人也被砍了。我所見到的是，有的整個部門被刪了，有些特定工作被去掉了，或是有的「表現不夠」的走了。這是我從進公司以來，感受到最大的一次裁員。太多我直接認識或間接知道的人被影響，由此可看出公司所謂「精簡人事」的決心。即使你有好技術好表現，但如果待在特定的部門從事特定的工作，仍然要被選中。經理們也很辛苦，要他們傳達這些不好的消息給他們員工，想必是很不容易的。我同時看到了同事之間互相打氣，彼此鼓勵，這種平時工作繁忙時看不出來的情誼，很讓人感動。
It's even quieter today in the office.
This time the impact is much bigger than I anticipated, even some highly techincal people are affected. What I can see is, some groups are cut, certain roles are eliminated, some don't perform up to their standard are gone. This is the biggest one I have ever experienced since I joined this company, too many people I know directly or indirectly are impacted. If you are doing the right thing but in the wrong group at the wrong time, you are out of luck. It's not fun either for the managers who need to deliver the unpleasant message to their direct reports. I am touched to see colleagues encouraging and looking out for each other. You don't usually see that during normal busy working days.
這次的裁員比我預期中的大得多，有些即使很有技術的人也被砍了。我所見到的是，有的整個部門被刪了，有些特定工作被去掉了，或是有的「表現不夠」的走了。這是我從進公司以來，感受到最大的一次裁員。太多我直接認識或間接知道的人被影響，由此可看出公司所謂「精簡人事」的決心。即使你有好技術好表現，但如果待在特定的部門從事特定的工作，仍然要被選中。經理們也很辛苦，要他們傳達這些不好的消息給他們員工，想必是很不容易的。我同時看到了同事之間互相打氣，彼此鼓勵，這種平時工作繁忙時看不出來的情誼，很讓人感動。
It's even quieter today in the office.
This time the impact is much bigger than I anticipated, even some highly techincal people are affected. What I can see is, some groups are cut, certain roles are eliminated, some don't perform up to their standard are gone. This is the biggest one I have ever experienced since I joined this company, too many people I know directly or indirectly are impacted. If you are doing the right thing but in the wrong group at the wrong time, you are out of luck. It's not fun either for the managers who need to deliver the unpleasant message to their direct reports. I am touched to see colleagues encouraging and looking out for each other. You don't usually see that during normal busy working days.
2007年10月18日 星期四
我真的很難過 I am really saddened
現在受影響的名字一個一個浮現，我真的非常的難過。當我看到平常和我一起工作的同事和我進來時第一個老闆的email時，我忍不住哭了。。。不止要走的人痛苦，留下來的人也很傷心。願他們都能順利地找到一個更好的工作，脫離這個惡性循環。
我們今天本來有一的企劃要推進生産綫的(push into production)但是可能會被延誤，就因為這個原因。
Now the names keep surfacing, I am really saddened. When I saw the farewell emails from my colleagues and my first manager at this company, I could not hold it any longer and cried. Not only those people got effected feel bad, those who survived this round are suffering with them too. I wish them the best of finding a much better job/working environment, and left all of the nightmares behind.
We have a project scheduled to release into production today could be put on hold due to this reason... Sigh...
我們今天本來有一的企劃要推進生産綫的(push into production)但是可能會被延誤，就因為這個原因。
Now the names keep surfacing, I am really saddened. When I saw the farewell emails from my colleagues and my first manager at this company, I could not hold it any longer and cried. Not only those people got effected feel bad, those who survived this round are suffering with them too. I wish them the best of finding a much better job/working environment, and left all of the nightmares behind.
We have a project scheduled to release into production today could be put on hold due to this reason... Sigh...
2007年10月17日 星期三
平安過關 Survived another round
感謝神，這次又平安過關了。明年再見！
昨天下午，組裏的另一個女同事和我組成一隊，和其他的男同事們比撞球賽。總共有八隊，除了我們以外，各個不是省油的燈。猜猜結果如何？我們竟然歪打正着打成冠軍！哈哈哈哈哈！其他人有的爆笑，有的想撞墻，有的搖頭嘆息。結果我們一人得了一張２５元的Starbucks卡，也贏了業餘撞球手的名號！
Praise the Lord, another safe landing! We will see what happens next year.
BTW, another girl and I teamed up for the billiard tournament within our group yesterday. Guess what, we beat all other men's teams and placed the first among the eight teams. Ha! Ha! Each of us won a $25 gift card and a reputation!
昨天下午，組裏的另一個女同事和我組成一隊，和其他的男同事們比撞球賽。總共有八隊，除了我們以外，各個不是省油的燈。猜猜結果如何？我們竟然歪打正着打成冠軍！哈哈哈哈哈！其他人有的爆笑，有的想撞墻，有的搖頭嘆息。結果我們一人得了一張２５元的Starbucks卡，也贏了業餘撞球手的名號！
Praise the Lord, another safe landing! We will see what happens next year.
BTW, another girl and I teamed up for the billiard tournament within our group yesterday. Guess what, we beat all other men's teams and placed the first among the eight teams. Ha! Ha! Each of us won a $25 gift card and a reputation!
2007年10月16日 星期二
破曉 Morning Has Broken
當我第一次在高中英聽課聽到這首歌時，我並不了解它的意義。但，現在我明白了。
I didn't really pay attention to the lyrics when I heard it the first time, now it really makes sense to me.
Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for the springing fresh from the word
Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven
Like the first dewfall, on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where his feet pass
Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day
I didn't really pay attention to the lyrics when I heard it the first time, now it really makes sense to me.
Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for the springing fresh from the word
Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven
Like the first dewfall, on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where his feet pass
Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day
2007年10月15日 星期一
一些照片 Pictures
Where the junior level competition took place.
青少年組比賽場地。
Preparing for the artist level concerto competition. Do you see your national flag up there?為藝術家級的協奏曲比賽作準備。看到您國家的國旗了嗎？
Alexandria International Airport, LAAlexandria 國際機場
All the departure flights of the day.
一天中所有起飛的航班。
2007年10月14日 星期日
你不會相信的 Quite an advanture
星期天早晨出門前遇到另一個參賽者的家庭（媽媽是印度人，爸爸是美國人，兩個青少年小孩。媽媽是醫生，爸爸原先是大學教授，但放棄教職全心homeschool兩個小孩）。看看他們已經準備要出門了，就問他們是否要先去練習預備上課，媽媽回答我他們一家要先去教會。我聽了又感動又慚愧，他們才來短短地一、兩天，就已經找到教會了，並堅持主日一定要崇拜。感謝神讓我看到他們的見證。
主辦單位在比賽最後一天為參賽者準備了master class，Vivian一口氣見了三位老師。老師們都很好，尤其是日本老師Matsumoto。她說她很喜歡Vivian 彈的蕭邦第三號敍事曲（Chopin Ballade No 3)，並教她如何使用及感受全身的力量來彈奏強音。另外兩個俄國老師上了貝多芬奏鳴曲(Beethoven Sonata Op2 No3)，兩人的看法不同，當然說法也不同，由此可見評審們要達成共識有多困難。
下課後為了找聽説的中餐buffet照例又繞了將近一個小時，最後是靠著餐廳屋頂上一只大大的熊貓才找到的。菜色還好，而且只要$7.99。最精彩的是最後一段回機場的路。高速公路上看不到任何往機場的指標，等到好不容易看到一個在交流道口畫著飛機的路牌時，為時已晚。憑著自己來時的印象往機場方向開，轉了一個彎兒後上了一條限速50英里的公路，一路上沒什麼車，開了一段時間之後覺得有點怪怪的，根據自己在此地開車兩天的經驗，我們似乎是逆向行駛。果然，後來前面來了一輛車，裏頭的兩個人同時把手伸出窗外指向另一邊的綫道，我只好當機立斷馬上橫跨中央分隔草坪，轉到該走的路上去。。。
到了機場還車時，按著指示開進停車場，但看不到還車的地方，也沒有見到預期的服務人員，繞了半天後決定放棄。在停車場收錢處問了問才知道，必須找到地上寫著租車公司的格子，把車停在那兒。我停車後往機場内的櫃檯走去，那時我手上沒租車合約（丟了），也沒記下英里數，一問三不知。但她人真好，只問了我們有沒有把油加滿，大概猜了一個里程數就讓我們把車還了。
Check-in以後，一切就緒準備上飛機時，他們說飛機座位超賣所以要求自願者讓位，我去問了一下，他們說會僱taxi載我們去另一個機場（Lake Charles, LA)轉機，並讓我們搭上同一班從Houston回Portland的班機，一個位子他們補償$300，可以用來訂未來的機票。我想，反正我們到Houston後還得等好幾個小時，既然別人需要座位，那就讓他們坐吧，$300可以做為Vivian未來的比賽/夏令營的旅行基金，於是我自願了，Vivian和我（拿到位子的那一家人向我們謝了又謝）。。。
沒想到，taxi將近一個小時後才到，等我們開出機場後，這位司機先生們坦白地告訴我們，我們不可能趕得上Lake Charles的那班飛機，於是我們又折回Alexandria機場，那時已經6:20pm 了。我在途中打電話給Continental，他們說最後一班飛機是6:45pm，但是已經客滿了。到了機場後，看到還有幾個旅客等著要check-in，但按照那兒規定，機場櫃檯在飛機起飛前30分鐘就停止check-in了。一個服務員出來看到我後，馬上轉回辦公室。十分鐘之後，原先送我們上taxi的服務員出來了，二話不説就要我手上的登機卡，一邊用手機和別人通話，一邊試著在電腦上輸入。後來6：45pm，實在不行了，他走出櫃檯，要我們跟著他跑。他帶我們過了安檢，等我們到登機口時，我看到飛機已經離開登機口，似乎是已經準備走了但後來在跑道上又停下來，重新開門等我們上飛機。。。我想那兩三位上不了飛機的乘客一定很沮喪（我猜我們是坐了他們的位子），也對他們覺得很抱歉，但我真的很感謝神憐憫讓我們能上這班飛機，否則我們會在兩週内兩次因為飛機的緣故無法回家、上學、上班，而且這次是自找的。
到了Houston，上了回Portland的飛機，心上的石頭才落了地。找到自己的位子後，天啊，我旁邊坐的是貴乃花！（一個日本著名的相撲選手。其實這位先生只是有相撲選手的尺寸而已啦。）他佔據了我三分之一的位子。整個４小時的飛行路程，我都只能縮在一角，同時還得避免侵佔了我另一邊乘客的地盤。Vivian 一邊坐的是熊爸爸，一邊是熊媽媽，所以她也沒比我好到哪兒去。但是那熊爸爸還真好，看到她在做功課，還主動幫她開燈，調整方向。想想還好，有我和Vivian來和他們分享空間。如果相撲選手坐在熊爸爸和熊媽媽的中間，那可怎麼辦？
淩晨一點，終于平安地回到家了。感謝神的保守，讓我們得到這麼多的幫忙與學習，我看到了南方人的友善 - 親自送我們上飛機的服務員、一直陪著我們確定我們能上飛機後才離開的taxi司機先生、公路上給我們指示方向的人，虔誠愛主的家庭，在比賽過程中的學習，與參賽者家庭的溝通，如何與人分享我們有餘但他們需要的，等等。總而言之，不虛此行！
Just some highlights during the last day of the Louisiana trip.
Vivian took master classes with three jury members. They were all very nice, especially the Japanese judge, Matsumoto. She said many times that she really liked the way Vivian played the Chopin Ballade. She also taught Vivian how to feel the connection between finger tips and her back so she can utilize her full body strength better for ff. She also told Vivian to look at bigger picture instead too focusing on small details. The other two Russian/German teachers were also nice, but they had different opinions on the same Beethoven sonata. It is good that Vivian followed whatever they said to get the most out of the class.
On our way back to the Alexandria airport, I got lost again. They don’t have any airport sign on the high way, except for a small airplane picture showed up at a ramp. And of course, I missed it again. Anyway, the most scary thing was, I drove on the high way (not a free way but close) in the opposite direction at a 50 miles/hour speed for a couple of minutes, until both the driver and the passenger in a car coming towards us pointed to the parallel “road” next to the road I was on!! So I had to drive across the center grassy area to the lane I was supposed to be on. Both of us freaked out but could not stop laughing afterwards.
The next episode was, we almost missed our flight from Alexandria to Houston. The flight we were supposed to be on was oversold. So I took the option to take a taxi to another airport (Lake Charles, LA) and take a flight from there to Houston(because all the remaining flights by all the airlines were full). They promised that we will have plenty of time to catch our flight from Houston to Portland and offered us two coupons of $300 each, which are good for next booking with Continental. Everything sounded fine until the taxi showed up almost an hour late. We were very worried but that sounded like the only option at that time, so we got on the taxi anyway and drove out of Alexandria airport. On our way to Lake Charles, the driver told us that there was no way that we could catch the flight no matter how many people he killed along the way. At that point we decided to go back to Alexandria airport. Fortunately the Continental guy was very helpful and nice, he tried to issue us new boarding passes(without success), called the departing plane to stop, rushed us through the security and to the gate (at that time the plane has already left the gate and moved towards the run way), so we were able to leave. Whew~ that was a close one. Otherwise we would have to stayed overnight at Alexandria, and would have to miss another day of school and work. Ok, the reason there were still seats left for us was because some passengers were late (the ticket counter closed 30 minutes prior to departure time), and they were still at the ticket counter trying to get on to the plane while we were running like crazy in the airport. I really feel sorry for them.
On the flight from Houston to Portland, I sat next to a sumo wrestler. Well, he is not exactly a sumo wrestler, but he has the size of one. I was squeezed to one corner of my seat, and in the meantime trying not to invade into the space of the passenger on my other side. Vivian sat between a papa bear and mama bear, so she was not in any better situation. We got home at 1:00am.
That was a crazy and wild day, but both of us will remember it always. Visit there in another 2 years? Maybe, maybe not. We'll see.
主辦單位在比賽最後一天為參賽者準備了master class，Vivian一口氣見了三位老師。老師們都很好，尤其是日本老師Matsumoto。她說她很喜歡Vivian 彈的蕭邦第三號敍事曲（Chopin Ballade No 3)，並教她如何使用及感受全身的力量來彈奏強音。另外兩個俄國老師上了貝多芬奏鳴曲(Beethoven Sonata Op2 No3)，兩人的看法不同，當然說法也不同，由此可見評審們要達成共識有多困難。
下課後為了找聽説的中餐buffet照例又繞了將近一個小時，最後是靠著餐廳屋頂上一只大大的熊貓才找到的。菜色還好，而且只要$7.99。最精彩的是最後一段回機場的路。高速公路上看不到任何往機場的指標，等到好不容易看到一個在交流道口畫著飛機的路牌時，為時已晚。憑著自己來時的印象往機場方向開，轉了一個彎兒後上了一條限速50英里的公路，一路上沒什麼車，開了一段時間之後覺得有點怪怪的，根據自己在此地開車兩天的經驗，我們似乎是逆向行駛。果然，後來前面來了一輛車，裏頭的兩個人同時把手伸出窗外指向另一邊的綫道，我只好當機立斷馬上橫跨中央分隔草坪，轉到該走的路上去。。。
到了機場還車時，按著指示開進停車場，但看不到還車的地方，也沒有見到預期的服務人員，繞了半天後決定放棄。在停車場收錢處問了問才知道，必須找到地上寫著租車公司的格子，把車停在那兒。我停車後往機場内的櫃檯走去，那時我手上沒租車合約（丟了），也沒記下英里數，一問三不知。但她人真好，只問了我們有沒有把油加滿，大概猜了一個里程數就讓我們把車還了。
Check-in以後，一切就緒準備上飛機時，他們說飛機座位超賣所以要求自願者讓位，我去問了一下，他們說會僱taxi載我們去另一個機場（Lake Charles, LA)轉機，並讓我們搭上同一班從Houston回Portland的班機，一個位子他們補償$300，可以用來訂未來的機票。我想，反正我們到Houston後還得等好幾個小時，既然別人需要座位，那就讓他們坐吧，$300可以做為Vivian未來的比賽/夏令營的旅行基金，於是我自願了，Vivian和我（拿到位子的那一家人向我們謝了又謝）。。。
沒想到，taxi將近一個小時後才到，等我們開出機場後，這位司機先生們坦白地告訴我們，我們不可能趕得上Lake Charles的那班飛機，於是我們又折回Alexandria機場，那時已經6:20pm 了。我在途中打電話給Continental，他們說最後一班飛機是6:45pm，但是已經客滿了。到了機場後，看到還有幾個旅客等著要check-in，但按照那兒規定，機場櫃檯在飛機起飛前30分鐘就停止check-in了。一個服務員出來看到我後，馬上轉回辦公室。十分鐘之後，原先送我們上taxi的服務員出來了，二話不説就要我手上的登機卡，一邊用手機和別人通話，一邊試著在電腦上輸入。後來6：45pm，實在不行了，他走出櫃檯，要我們跟著他跑。他帶我們過了安檢，等我們到登機口時，我看到飛機已經離開登機口，似乎是已經準備走了但後來在跑道上又停下來，重新開門等我們上飛機。。。我想那兩三位上不了飛機的乘客一定很沮喪（我猜我們是坐了他們的位子），也對他們覺得很抱歉，但我真的很感謝神憐憫讓我們能上這班飛機，否則我們會在兩週内兩次因為飛機的緣故無法回家、上學、上班，而且這次是自找的。
到了Houston，上了回Portland的飛機，心上的石頭才落了地。找到自己的位子後，天啊，我旁邊坐的是貴乃花！（一個日本著名的相撲選手。其實這位先生只是有相撲選手的尺寸而已啦。）他佔據了我三分之一的位子。整個４小時的飛行路程，我都只能縮在一角，同時還得避免侵佔了我另一邊乘客的地盤。Vivian 一邊坐的是熊爸爸，一邊是熊媽媽，所以她也沒比我好到哪兒去。但是那熊爸爸還真好，看到她在做功課，還主動幫她開燈，調整方向。想想還好，有我和Vivian來和他們分享空間。如果相撲選手坐在熊爸爸和熊媽媽的中間，那可怎麼辦？
淩晨一點，終于平安地回到家了。感謝神的保守，讓我們得到這麼多的幫忙與學習，我看到了南方人的友善 - 親自送我們上飛機的服務員、一直陪著我們確定我們能上飛機後才離開的taxi司機先生、公路上給我們指示方向的人，虔誠愛主的家庭，在比賽過程中的學習，與參賽者家庭的溝通，如何與人分享我們有餘但他們需要的，等等。總而言之，不虛此行！
Just some highlights during the last day of the Louisiana trip.
Vivian took master classes with three jury members. They were all very nice, especially the Japanese judge, Matsumoto. She said many times that she really liked the way Vivian played the Chopin Ballade. She also taught Vivian how to feel the connection between finger tips and her back so she can utilize her full body strength better for ff. She also told Vivian to look at bigger picture instead too focusing on small details. The other two Russian/German teachers were also nice, but they had different opinions on the same Beethoven sonata. It is good that Vivian followed whatever they said to get the most out of the class.
On our way back to the Alexandria airport, I got lost again. They don’t have any airport sign on the high way, except for a small airplane picture showed up at a ramp. And of course, I missed it again. Anyway, the most scary thing was, I drove on the high way (not a free way but close) in the opposite direction at a 50 miles/hour speed for a couple of minutes, until both the driver and the passenger in a car coming towards us pointed to the parallel “road” next to the road I was on!! So I had to drive across the center grassy area to the lane I was supposed to be on. Both of us freaked out but could not stop laughing afterwards.
The next episode was, we almost missed our flight from Alexandria to Houston. The flight we were supposed to be on was oversold. So I took the option to take a taxi to another airport (Lake Charles, LA) and take a flight from there to Houston(because all the remaining flights by all the airlines were full). They promised that we will have plenty of time to catch our flight from Houston to Portland and offered us two coupons of $300 each, which are good for next booking with Continental. Everything sounded fine until the taxi showed up almost an hour late. We were very worried but that sounded like the only option at that time, so we got on the taxi anyway and drove out of Alexandria airport. On our way to Lake Charles, the driver told us that there was no way that we could catch the flight no matter how many people he killed along the way. At that point we decided to go back to Alexandria airport. Fortunately the Continental guy was very helpful and nice, he tried to issue us new boarding passes(without success), called the departing plane to stop, rushed us through the security and to the gate (at that time the plane has already left the gate and moved towards the run way), so we were able to leave. Whew~ that was a close one. Otherwise we would have to stayed overnight at Alexandria, and would have to miss another day of school and work. Ok, the reason there were still seats left for us was because some passengers were late (the ticket counter closed 30 minutes prior to departure time), and they were still at the ticket counter trying to get on to the plane while we were running like crazy in the airport. I really feel sorry for them.
On the flight from Houston to Portland, I sat next to a sumo wrestler. Well, he is not exactly a sumo wrestler, but he has the size of one. I was squeezed to one corner of my seat, and in the meantime trying not to invade into the space of the passenger on my other side. Vivian sat between a papa bear and mama bear, so she was not in any better situation. We got home at 1:00am.
That was a crazy and wild day, but both of us will remember it always. Visit there in another 2 years? Maybe, maybe not. We'll see.
2007年10月13日 星期六
一個奇怪的地方 A strange place
這是我在美國境内所到過最奇怪的地方。我們連續兩個晚上迷路迷得一塌糊塗。Google 印出來的路綫圖或地圖都沒發生什麼功效，因為我們看不到路標。在夜間越需要找路的地方就越暗，路標小得恰恰讓你看不到。高速路上一路有廻轉道，但在夜間你唯一看得到廻轉道的時候，就是你發現自己已經錯過的時候。到如今我還在尋找傳説中的 "Rainbow" 路。結果，我的電腦+Google map+加油站的燈光立了大功。真慶幸當初下定決心訂了無綫網路電腦卡－每月的服務費，$60，在陌生幽暗的地方迷路卻靠它找到回飯店的路，無價。另外，此地的週六下午，路上空無一人。
但是，這兒的人真是善良，尤其是我們在鋼琴賽中遇到的義工。
對了，説到鋼琴賽，雖然我們沒有得獎，但是她彈得非常有音樂性(musical)，我對她的表現沒有任何抱怨。唯一可惜的是她犯了一個明顯的錯誤，所以結果是在我們意料之中。青少年組的冠軍來自北京，一個可愛的女孩。藝術家組的結果出乎我們的意料，但我們歸咎與樂團不夠好。對了，藝術家組的冠軍也是代表中國的，所以今年中國是大贏家。我們為了臺灣的鋼琴家抱屈，她只拿了第三名，她彈得真是好，應該最少最少得第二的。
明天再參加過一個master class 以後，我們就可以回家了，吔！！
This is the strangest place I have ever been in the US. We got lost two nights in a row. On average, it took us 1 hour to finish the 10-minute trip to the recital hall or back to Hotel. The roads are very dark at night, and the street signs are small enough just for you to miss it. Till now I am still looking for the promised “rainbow” road. I am so glad that I decided to pay for the wireless card for my laptop. Monthly service fee, $60, to find your way back to your hotel in a strange and dark place, priceless.
However, the people here are nice (at least the ones I met in the competition). Many Russians here, not sure why. This competition is closely connected with Russia anyway.
Speaking of the competition, we didn't win anything, but I have no complaint about her performance. She played very nicely and musically, I loved every single bit of it. However, she made an obvious mistake, so the result is expected. Both winners in Junior and Artist levels are from China. China is the biggest winner this year. I feel bad for the Taiwanese pianist. She played Chopin No 1 so well, so musically, and with so much detail, but lost to the two Russian concertos (Paganini and Concerto No 2 by Rachmaninoff). As I said, it is very Russian here. :) Getting the third place brings down her average.
We will be home tomorrow after a master class. Cool!
但是，這兒的人真是善良，尤其是我們在鋼琴賽中遇到的義工。
對了，説到鋼琴賽，雖然我們沒有得獎，但是她彈得非常有音樂性(musical)，我對她的表現沒有任何抱怨。唯一可惜的是她犯了一個明顯的錯誤，所以結果是在我們意料之中。青少年組的冠軍來自北京，一個可愛的女孩。藝術家組的結果出乎我們的意料，但我們歸咎與樂團不夠好。對了，藝術家組的冠軍也是代表中國的，所以今年中國是大贏家。我們為了臺灣的鋼琴家抱屈，她只拿了第三名，她彈得真是好，應該最少最少得第二的。
明天再參加過一個master class 以後，我們就可以回家了，吔！！
This is the strangest place I have ever been in the US. We got lost two nights in a row. On average, it took us 1 hour to finish the 10-minute trip to the recital hall or back to Hotel. The roads are very dark at night, and the street signs are small enough just for you to miss it. Till now I am still looking for the promised “rainbow” road. I am so glad that I decided to pay for the wireless card for my laptop. Monthly service fee, $60, to find your way back to your hotel in a strange and dark place, priceless.
However, the people here are nice (at least the ones I met in the competition). Many Russians here, not sure why. This competition is closely connected with Russia anyway.
Speaking of the competition, we didn't win anything, but I have no complaint about her performance. She played very nicely and musically, I loved every single bit of it. However, she made an obvious mistake, so the result is expected. Both winners in Junior and Artist levels are from China. China is the biggest winner this year. I feel bad for the Taiwanese pianist. She played Chopin No 1 so well, so musically, and with so much detail, but lost to the two Russian concertos (Paganini and Concerto No 2 by Rachmaninoff). As I said, it is very Russian here. :) Getting the third place brings down her average.
We will be home tomorrow after a master class. Cool!
2007年10月12日 星期五
飛往路易斯安那.. Off to Louisiana
今天要到路易斯安那去。
這是我們第一次參加國際性的鋼琴比賽(International Piano Competition), 相信一定能遇到許多年齡相仿實力相當的年輕鋼琴手。我們也會有機會聽到藝術家級的協奏曲決賽。這將會是一次很好的經驗，願所有參賽者都能有很好的表現。拭目以待嘍！
Today we are going to Louisiana to attend Louisiana International Piano Compeitition. This is the first time we attend international level competition. It is so good to be able to go out of Portland to meet other pianists around the world. We will also have the opportunity to listen to the concerto competition of the top three finalists at artist level. I checked out some of their bio's, they are all very good pianists. This will be a wonderful experience, and I hope that all the participants will do very well in the competition. Looking forward to it!
http://www.lacompetition.com/
這是我們第一次參加國際性的鋼琴比賽(International Piano Competition), 相信一定能遇到許多年齡相仿實力相當的年輕鋼琴手。我們也會有機會聽到藝術家級的協奏曲決賽。這將會是一次很好的經驗，願所有參賽者都能有很好的表現。拭目以待嘍！
Today we are going to Louisiana to attend Louisiana International Piano Compeitition. This is the first time we attend international level competition. It is so good to be able to go out of Portland to meet other pianists around the world. We will also have the opportunity to listen to the concerto competition of the top three finalists at artist level. I checked out some of their bio's, they are all very good pianists. This will be a wonderful experience, and I hope that all the participants will do very well in the competition. Looking forward to it!
http://www.lacompetition.com/
2007年10月10日 星期三
一首很美的詩歌 A Beautiful Song
天韻的 「眼光」
不管天有多黑，星星還在夜裡閃亮
不管夜有多長，黎明早已在那頭盼望
不管山有多高，信心的歌把它踏在腳下
不管路有多遠，心中有愛仍然可以走到雲端
誰能跨過艱難，誰能飛越沮喪，誰能看見前面有夢可想
上帝的心看見希望，你的心裡要有眼光
喔 你心裡要有眼光
不管天有多黑，星星還在夜裡閃亮
不管夜有多長，黎明早已在那頭盼望
不管山有多高，信心的歌把它踏在腳下
不管路有多遠，心中有愛仍然可以走到雲端
誰能跨過艱難，誰能飛越沮喪，誰能看見前面有夢可想
上帝的心看見希望，你的心裡要有眼光
喔 你心裡要有眼光
2007年10月9日 星期二
美景與您共享 Pictures that I promised
新的一天 A New Day
今天，我成了一個詩人。不是因為我得到詩人的文筆及靈感，而是我有了詩人的情懷。
早晨起來時，外面的天色是金黃中帶著粉紅伴襯著藍天。急急忙忙地用相機捕捉了幾張照片（有空時會post出來）。開車送Vivian上學時，更看見Mt. Hood被雲海環繞，金色的太陽在旁邊閃閃發光。。。再看見一路上路旁的樹葉，被染上了不同層次的黃、橙、紅色，我不禁開口唱著 “主啊我神，我每逢舉目觀看，你手所造，一切奇妙大工。。。” 我知道神的光正照耀著我們。
回頭看看最近這段時間，被不同的繁瑣事務纏繞著，幾乎快喘不過氣來。今天我再次被提醒，神是信實、慈愛的，祂始終看顧著我們，無論在逆境低谷，或是山巔，祂一直在我們身邊，從不曾離開。只是有時候我們看不清方向，忘了往哪兒去尋祂。
於是，我有了一個想法。我願意開始一個部落格(blog :)，與我的弟兄姐妹及好朋友們一同分享我們屬靈上及生活上的一些得著或掙扎，互相鼓勵、彼此扶持。
早晨起來時，外面的天色是金黃中帶著粉紅伴襯著藍天。急急忙忙地用相機捕捉了幾張照片（有空時會post出來）。開車送Vivian上學時，更看見Mt. Hood被雲海環繞，金色的太陽在旁邊閃閃發光。。。再看見一路上路旁的樹葉，被染上了不同層次的黃、橙、紅色，我不禁開口唱著 “主啊我神，我每逢舉目觀看，你手所造，一切奇妙大工。。。” 我知道神的光正照耀著我們。
回頭看看最近這段時間，被不同的繁瑣事務纏繞著，幾乎快喘不過氣來。今天我再次被提醒，神是信實、慈愛的，祂始終看顧著我們，無論在逆境低谷，或是山巔，祂一直在我們身邊，從不曾離開。只是有時候我們看不清方向，忘了往哪兒去尋祂。
於是，我有了一個想法。我願意開始一個部落格(blog :)，與我的弟兄姐妹及好朋友們一同分享我們屬靈上及生活上的一些得著或掙扎，互相鼓勵、彼此扶持。
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