幾天前我在上班的途中，聽到麥基博士(Dr. McGee)講解歷代志上22章。其中他提到了大衛交待所羅門遵行神的律例典章並要剛強壯膽。大衛也將他一心想做的事 - 為神建造聖殿 - 這個使命，按照神的心意交給所羅門去完成，並說：「我在困難之中為耶和華的殿豫備了金子十萬他連得、銀子一百萬他連得、銅和鐵、多得無法可稱。我也豫備了木頭、石頭、你還可以增添。」（歷代志上22：13） 麥基博士說，大衛在千辛萬苦中，仍然不忘為神的殿預備，仍然不忘事奉神，但是我們呢？現在的教會呢？他在這裡用了一句話，他說是從別的傳道人那裏取來的「站在應許之上，卻白佔地土」（Standing on the promises, but sitting on the premises.）神給了教會這麼多的資源，給我們個人這麼多的祝福與恩賜，我們是把它藏在斗底下、埋在泥土中，還是用我們些微的光線照亮周圍？
I heard Dr. McGee preached on 1 Chronicles chapter 22 on the radio on my way to work several days ago. In this chapter, David blessed Solomon and instructed him to follow the law of the Lord and be brave and courageous. David also said "in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.” (1 Chronicles 22:13, KJV). Dr. McGee told us to pay attention to the words "in my trouble". David never forgot to serve the Lord and prepare for the Lord's temple in his struggling with all the problems he had to face. What about us? What about our churches? He quoted a phrase from another pastor that many of the churches today are "standing on the promises but sitting on the premises". God gave His churches this much resources, also gave us many talents and blessings. Do we hide them under the bushel, burry them in the ground, or use whatever we have to shine for the Lord?
2008年1月30日 星期三
2008年1月28日 星期一
雲且留住 Clouds, please stay!
愛看瓊瑤小説的人大概都知道她有一本書叫「雲且留住」。内容寫些什麼我已經不記得了，但是我不會忘記這個書名。雲怎麼可能會留得住呢？昨天晚上下了一場雪，早晨起來大地一片銀白，但太陽出來後不久雪就全化了。可是天上的雲可是一刻也閒不住，整天不停地移動變化。想要拍雲的照片可真是不容易，每時每刻每個角度看起來都不一樣，當你好不容易找到一個沒有阻礙的好角度時，光線和形狀已經改變了。
I am pretty sure all Qiong Yao fans know about one of her books called "Please stay, clouds". I don't remember what the book is aboue but I will always remember the title of the book. How can the clouds stay? It snowed last night. When we woke up this morning, the whole ground was covered with snow, but it melt quickly soon after the sun came out. However the clouds were very busy the whole day, they kept moving and changing. It is very difficult to take good shots of the clouds because they wouldn't wait for you to find the good location and angle.
I am pretty sure all Qiong Yao fans know about one of her books called "Please stay, clouds". I don't remember what the book is aboue but I will always remember the title of the book. How can the clouds stay? It snowed last night. When we woke up this morning, the whole ground was covered with snow, but it melt quickly soon after the sun came out. However the clouds were very busy the whole day, they kept moving and changing. It is very difficult to take good shots of the clouds because they wouldn't wait for you to find the good location and angle.
2008年1月25日 星期五
一句話 A Phrase
今天晚上青少年團契在聚會時，牧師説了一句不知出自哪一個智者的話：「不要因為一件事的結束而哭泣，要因它曾經發生過而微笑」。我聽了以後真是大有感觸，這句話對我的幫助很大也提醒了我很多。我從小就常因為快樂的事情結束而難過，甚至要花很長的時間才能從失落感中走出來，是那種常常盯著那空杯子傷感的人。但是我從沒從另一個角度去想過，只因為這些事情曾經發生過，我就應該喜樂與感恩。我曾經聽過一個見證，有一對父母失去了他們的孩子，但他們感謝神讓這個孩子曾經來到他們生命中，讓他們曾經愛過及擁有過這個孩子，因為賞賜的是耶和華，收取的也是耶和華。這種心情不是每個人都能夠理解的，但也只有基督徒才能因為有永生的盼望而從積極正面的角度來看一些事情的發生。
Our youth pastor quoted one phrase from an unknown source this evening during youth fellowship meeting "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."This really struck and helped me. I always felt sorry and cried for the ending of happy events/time, sometimes it took me a long time to recover from the feeling of lost. I am that kind of person who cried over the empty cup. But I have never thought from the other perspective that I should rejoy and be thankful simply because the good things had happened to me before. I once heard a testimony of a couple who lost their child. They gave thanks to God for letting the child come to their lives and for the time they have had with with their child, and for being able to love the child. Because God gives and takes away. Not everyone can understand how they felt and why they could think this way. Only Christians who believe in eternal live can view things happened to them from a positive angle.
Our youth pastor quoted one phrase from an unknown source this evening during youth fellowship meeting "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."This really struck and helped me. I always felt sorry and cried for the ending of happy events/time, sometimes it took me a long time to recover from the feeling of lost. I am that kind of person who cried over the empty cup. But I have never thought from the other perspective that I should rejoy and be thankful simply because the good things had happened to me before. I once heard a testimony of a couple who lost their child. They gave thanks to God for letting the child come to their lives and for the time they have had with with their child, and for being able to love the child. Because God gives and takes away. Not everyone can understand how they felt and why they could think this way. Only Christians who believe in eternal live can view things happened to them from a positive angle.
2008年1月23日 星期三
迎接春天 Ready for Spring
這幾天由於高氣壓的緣故，天氣特別晴朗，晴空萬里無雲，也正因為如此，再加上極地東風的效應，天氣特別寒冷，家裏的暖氣吹個不停。早晨上班時，看見路旁的水塘都結冰了，鴨鴨們只好聚集在靠近打水器的附近，有的甚至“在水上行走”（walk on water）。雖然還是很冷，但是坐在車裏曬著太陽，那耀眼和溫暖的冬陽提醒我冬天已經過了一半，春天近了。已經接近一月底囉！農曆春節在下個月，三月裏春天就正式展開了！真讓人迫不及待！
Due to the high air pressure, we have had sunny days for several days. Just because of it plus the Arctic East Wind blowing, it is extremely cold these days. I saw some frozen ponds and water puddles on my way to work, and the ducks had to gather around the water fountain where the water was still moving, some of them even "walked on water(ice)". Even though it is still cold, the sunshine reminded me that Spring is getting close. It's close to the end of January, Chinese Spring Festival is on 2/7, and Spring officially starts in March! Can't wait!
這兩天正是月圓的時候，早上月落的時間也晚一些，所以我在上班途中可以捕捉到這個畫面。
I captured the full moon on my way to work.
太陽出來後，在大地灑上一片金黃色。
Golden sunshine added a shade of gold to the pasture.
Due to the high air pressure, we have had sunny days for several days. Just because of it plus the Arctic East Wind blowing, it is extremely cold these days. I saw some frozen ponds and water puddles on my way to work, and the ducks had to gather around the water fountain where the water was still moving, some of them even "walked on water(ice)". Even though it is still cold, the sunshine reminded me that Spring is getting close. It's close to the end of January, Chinese Spring Festival is on 2/7, and Spring officially starts in March! Can't wait!
這兩天正是月圓的時候，早上月落的時間也晚一些，所以我在上班途中可以捕捉到這個畫面。I captured the full moon on my way to work.
太陽出來後，在大地灑上一片金黃色。Golden sunshine added a shade of gold to the pasture.
2008年1月19日 星期六
2008 西北區宣教聯會 Mission ConneXion Northwest 2008
Mission ConneXion 2008 總算是順利完成了。我們教會是他們今年唯一邀請的外國教會，也是他們有史以來第一次邀請少數族裔來帶領敬拜。雖然準備的過程不容易，但是感謝神，我們由這次的事奉機會中學習到了很多。Mission ConneXion has finally to come an end. We are the only foreign church they invited to participate in this event, and the first minority group to lead one of the worship sessions. Even though it is a lot of work to prepare, but thanks to God, we have learned a lot through this process.
好大的敬拜中心。Huge worship center.
進行最後的彩排
Final rehearsal
Mason 唱榮耀頌。Mason sang Gloria.
Alex 唱哈利路亞, Sammy 跳山地舞。
Alex sang Hallelujah and Sammy danced.
奉獻詩歌 - 耶和華祝福滿滿
Song of offering - Jehovah's blessings abound
April 彈中國樂器古箏。這對他們來説是很新鮮的樂器。April played gu-zheng. It is a very fancy instrument to them.
David 和 Mason唱我神真偉大。Patrick也唱，但他在後頭被擋住了。David and Mason sang "How Great Is Our God". Patrick sang too but he was blocked.
祢真偉大!How great Thou art!
願神的名得到榮耀！阿門！
May God's name be glorified! Amen!
Credits:
Guitarist Mike and choir
Keyboard player Irene and pianist Thien.
Bass player Patrick and drummer Sean.
Another view.
2008年1月18日 星期五
隨想 A random thought
無意間發現了Vivian這張照片，是我好久以前掃描下來存在電腦裏的。1993，感覺似乎年代已久，但又歷歷在目。我記得很清楚那時我是趴在OSU音樂系館前的草地上幫她拍的，轉眼間十幾年已經過去了。我現在可以明白過去聽長輩們説的：「怎麼能不老啊！孩子們都這麼大了。。。」I accidentally found this picture file which I scanned and save in my computer a while ago. 1993 seems like a long time ago, but I can remember clearly that I was lying face down on the grass in front of the building of OSU Music Department when I took this picture of her. 15 years passed just like that! Now I can understand what the older people says "How can we stay young? Our children have all grown up".
2008年1月17日 星期四
大人與小孩 Adults and children
今天早晨下樓時，赫然發現昨天晚餐後一桌子的菜都没收（我們家的慣例是一人煮飯做菜另一人收拾）。問了先生後，他才説：「啊，我忘了。。。」由於當時趕著送Vivian上學，所以沒空繼續跟他「討論」下去。等我回家後，把所有的菜都給倒了，碗盤洗上後，又匆匆忙忙地趕著上班，就這樣一來一往，原先在心裏盤算好的演講詞也沒時間發表了。。。唉，算了吧！但是，這件事讓我聯想到，如果今天換作是Vivian 放學後沒有先完成她的功課，只顧著做她想做的事，第二天到學校後發現：「啊，我忘了。。。忘了作功課！」那她是不是非得被我們罵得狗血淋頭不可？
仔細想想，這就是大人與小孩地位的不平等。我們平常管教孩子時，是不是常犯這樣的毛病呢？
仔細想想，這就是大人與小孩地位的不平等。我們平常管教孩子時，是不是常犯這樣的毛病呢？
2008年1月15日 星期二
西北區宣教大會 Northwest Mission ConneXion
再過兩天一年一度的西北區宣教大會 （http://www.missionconnexion.com/）就要登場了。今年的場地是選在波特蘭南方 Tualatin 的 Rolling Hills Community Church，我們教會今年很榮幸地被邀請去帶領週六早晨的敬拜。請在禱告中記念我們的事奉，也為所有來參加的弟兄姐妹禱告，願大家都因此得到激勵，為主的國度發光。
Mission ConneXion 2008 will begin in two days at Rollings Hills Community Church in Tualatin. Our church is invited to participate in leading one of the worship sessions. Please pray for our ministry and all those who will come to the 2-day event. May all of us be encouraged by the worship, messages, workshops, and fellowship.
Mission ConneXion 2008 will begin in two days at Rollings Hills Community Church in Tualatin. Our church is invited to participate in leading one of the worship sessions. Please pray for our ministry and all those who will come to the 2-day event. May all of us be encouraged by the worship, messages, workshops, and fellowship.
2008年1月11日 星期五
與上帝面談 The Interview With God
與上帝面談，這是一個在網路上流傳已久的檔案，裏頭有許多很美的照片，顯示出神創造的奇妙，我真的鼓勵你到這個網頁去看看。今天再次看見它，仍然有很深地感動，因此我把它的内容記錄下來並譯成中文，讓讀中文的朋友們也能了解其中的意義。作者是這麼寫的：
我作了一個夢，在夢中我與上帝有一個面談。
「你想要採訪我嗎？」上帝問。
「如果你有時間的話。」我説。
上帝微笑了。「我的時間是永恒。。。你想問我什麼問題呢？」
「人類最讓你驚訝事情的是什麼？」
上帝回答：
「他們覺得童年無趣，急著要長大，然後又渴望回到童年。
他們因為追求財富而失去健康，然後又因想換回健康而失去金錢。
他們焦慮地想著未來卻忘了現在，因此他們既不活在現在，也不存在於未來。
他們過著似乎他們永遠不會死的生活，死時又彷彿他們從來沒活過。」
上帝伸出手握住我的，我們沉默了一會兒。
我接著又問：「身為一個父親，你希望你的子女們學到那些生命中的功課？」
「學習到他們無法使任何人來愛自己，他們唯一能做的是學習如何讓自己被愛。
學習到拿別人來與自己比較是不好的。
學習到只需幾秒鐘就可以深深地傷害自己所愛的人，卻可能需要花幾年的時間才能治癒這個傷痕。
學習到一個富有的人並不是因為他擁有最多，而是因為他需求最少。
學習到明白有些人深愛著他們，只是不知道如何表達他們的情感。
學習到兩個人雖然看著同樣的事情，卻可以有著不同的感受。
學習到光是原諒別人是不夠的，他們必須要能夠原諒自己。」
「謝謝你的時間。」 我謙恭地説。
「還有任何其他的事情你要你的孩子們知道的嗎？」
上帝微笑了。祂説。。。
「只要知道我在這裡。。。永遠不變。」
The Interview With God is something circulating on the Internet for a while. I really encourage you visit the website and take a look when you get a chance. It contains many magnificent photos which show the wondrous creation of God. I saw it today again and wanted to share it with you. The author said:
I dreamed I had an interview with God.
“So you would like to interview me?” God asked
“If you have the time,” I said.
God smiled. “My time is eternity…what questions do you have in mind for me?”
What surprises you most about humankind?
God answered,
"That they get bored with childhood, they rush to grow up, and then long to be children again.
That they lose their health to make money, and then lose their money to restore their health.
That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live in neither the present nor the future.
That they live as if they will never die, and die as if they have never lived."
God’s hand took mine, and we were silence for a while.
And then I asked, “As a parent, what are some of life’s lessons you want your children to learn?” “To learn they cannot make anyone love them. All they can do is let themselves be loved.
To learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others.
To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.
To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in those they love, and it can take many years to heal them.
To learn that a rich person is not one who has the most, but is one who needs the least.
To learn that there are people who love them dearly, but simply do not yet know how to express or show their feelings.
To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it differently.
To learn that it is not enough that they forgive one another, but they must also forgive themselves."
“Thank you for your time,” I said humbly.
“Is there anything else you’d like your children to know?”
God smiled and said…
“Just know that I am here.” “Always.”
我作了一個夢，在夢中我與上帝有一個面談。
「你想要採訪我嗎？」上帝問。
「如果你有時間的話。」我説。
上帝微笑了。「我的時間是永恒。。。你想問我什麼問題呢？」
「人類最讓你驚訝事情的是什麼？」
上帝回答：
「他們覺得童年無趣，急著要長大，然後又渴望回到童年。
他們因為追求財富而失去健康，然後又因想換回健康而失去金錢。
他們焦慮地想著未來卻忘了現在，因此他們既不活在現在，也不存在於未來。
他們過著似乎他們永遠不會死的生活，死時又彷彿他們從來沒活過。」
上帝伸出手握住我的，我們沉默了一會兒。
我接著又問：「身為一個父親，你希望你的子女們學到那些生命中的功課？」
「學習到他們無法使任何人來愛自己，他們唯一能做的是學習如何讓自己被愛。
學習到拿別人來與自己比較是不好的。
學習到只需幾秒鐘就可以深深地傷害自己所愛的人，卻可能需要花幾年的時間才能治癒這個傷痕。
學習到一個富有的人並不是因為他擁有最多，而是因為他需求最少。
學習到明白有些人深愛著他們，只是不知道如何表達他們的情感。
學習到兩個人雖然看著同樣的事情，卻可以有著不同的感受。
學習到光是原諒別人是不夠的，他們必須要能夠原諒自己。」
「謝謝你的時間。」 我謙恭地説。
「還有任何其他的事情你要你的孩子們知道的嗎？」
上帝微笑了。祂説。。。
「只要知道我在這裡。。。永遠不變。」
The Interview With God is something circulating on the Internet for a while. I really encourage you visit the website and take a look when you get a chance. It contains many magnificent photos which show the wondrous creation of God. I saw it today again and wanted to share it with you. The author said:
I dreamed I had an interview with God.
“So you would like to interview me?” God asked
“If you have the time,” I said.
God smiled. “My time is eternity…what questions do you have in mind for me?”
What surprises you most about humankind?
God answered,
"That they get bored with childhood, they rush to grow up, and then long to be children again.
That they lose their health to make money, and then lose their money to restore their health.
That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live in neither the present nor the future.
That they live as if they will never die, and die as if they have never lived."
God’s hand took mine, and we were silence for a while.
And then I asked, “As a parent, what are some of life’s lessons you want your children to learn?” “To learn they cannot make anyone love them. All they can do is let themselves be loved.
To learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others.
To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.
To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in those they love, and it can take many years to heal them.
To learn that a rich person is not one who has the most, but is one who needs the least.
To learn that there are people who love them dearly, but simply do not yet know how to express or show their feelings.
To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it differently.
To learn that it is not enough that they forgive one another, but they must also forgive themselves."
“Thank you for your time,” I said humbly.
“Is there anything else you’d like your children to know?”
God smiled and said…
“Just know that I am here.” “Always.”
聖城之光 The Light of That City
你能想像嗎？到那一天，我們都會在聖城的光中，與衆天使和先我們行一步的親友們一同敬拜我們的神。在那裏沒有死亡，沒有眼淚和痛苦，瞎眼的將得看見，瘸腿的能行走，啞巴也要與衆人一同歡呼「聖哉！聖哉！聖哉！」多麼榮耀、喜樂、令人敬畏！！
讓我們聚集上帝的聖殿
先行的朋友們已經起步向前
在地上我們學習接納、原諒、和赦免
到那日在聖城中會再相見
星空下讓我們一起走天路
雖有黑暗讓我們彼此相扶助
我們將會看見主賜下的祝福
一起來迎向光明同行天路
到那日我們唱「聖哉！聖哉！」
到那日在光中齊跪拜
被提升天，定睛在主耶穌
彌賽亞！榮耀再來！
雖然我還看不見聖城的光景
雖然我還測不透父神的心意
但我知道在聖城中
瞎眼將會得看見，年老的轉為年輕
瘸腿將能行走在聖城之中
到那日我們唱「聖哉！聖哉！」
到那日在光中齊跪拜
被提升天，定睛在主耶穌
彌賽亞！榮耀再來！
-- 中文譯詞取自王子音樂「聖城之光」（專輯名稱：有一道光）
Can you imagine that on that day, we will be worshipping together with angels and our loved ones who took off early in the Holy City? On that day, there will be no more death, tears, or sorrows，the blind can see, the lame can run, and dumb will sing Hallelujah! How glorious, awesome, and joyful!!
In this house we've built of make believe
Loved ones go long before seems it's time to leave
We will learn how to grieve, to forgive and receive
'Til we see them there in that city
Span of stars overhead as we walk this road
While this darkness remains I will bear your load
And together we will tend the seed He's sown
As we walk along the road to that city
On that day we will sing "Holy, Holy"
On that day we'll bow down in the light
And then we'll rise and turn our eyes
To the Lord, Jesus Christ, on that day
Though my eyes can't see what is waiting there
Though my mind can't conceive all that He's prepared
There the blind will see the sun
What was old will be young
And the lame, the lame will run all over the streets of that City
On that day we will sing "Holy, Holy"
On that day we'll bow down in the light
And then we'll rise and turn our eyes
To the Lord, Jesus Christ, on that day
2008年1月8日 星期二
信心 Faith
從達拉斯回來的那天清晨，天還是黑的，我們按著GPS 的指引往機場開去。在一個高速公路交流道附近，我們明明看到路上往DFW 的指標是要上161W，但是GPS 卻往相反的方向指去。當時我雖然是選擇了跟從GPS 的指示，但是心裏開始有了很大的懷疑。我只用了這個GPS 三天，並不清楚它的準確度有多少，然而我卻是親眼見到路上的指標。根據經驗法則，我似乎是做了一個錯誤的選擇。後來心裏越想越毛，在途中還停下來，再次確認我輸入了正確的機場（因為達拉斯有不止一個機場），順便把路綫再看清楚一些。後來由於時間充足，加上GPS 顯示七分鐘之内我們就會到達，所以我決定跟著它走到底，萬一錯了再想辦法。後來果然我們很快就到了機場。。。
這件事讓我想起了我們信心的功課。對GPS 來説，我信心（confidence）不足，所以當我發現與我的理解有所出入時，我便開始懷疑。我對神的信心（faith）是否也是如此呢？有時候神的帶領是我們一時之間無法了解的，如果我們凡事都要符合自己的想像與認知才願意跟從，那就不是跟從神，而是跟從自己的選擇，可能會因此無法得到許多神要賜給我們的福分，而且迷失在曠野中找不到方向。
“那沒有看見就信的、有福了。”-- 約翰福音20：29下
In the morning when we were on our way to DFW airport, it was still dark, we followed the direction guided by GPS. We were driving on a highway and saw the sign to the DFW airport while the GPS lead us to a different direction. Though I chose to follow the GPS, I had huge doubt in my mind. I had only used the system for 3 days, however I saw the sign with my very own eyes that I needed to take the highway to the opposite direction instead. The more I thought about it the worrier I got. So I stopped at one point and checked to make sure I entered the correct airport. Since we still had plenty of time and we could get to the airport in 7 minutes per GPS, I decided to follow the GPS to the end and thought we could always found our way if it turned out to be wrong. And we did get to the airport as the GPS indicated.
This reminded me of our faith. Because I didn't have enough confidence in the GPS system, so I started to doubt when what I saw was different from what it directed and when the GPS seemed to be not correct according to my judgment. It is the same as our faith to our God. A lot of times we can't comprehend God's guidance or His will in our lives in the beginning, but we will understand if we choose to follow Him to the end. If we choose to obey only what we think is good for us, then we are not following His will but ours. We could miss the best portion that He has prepared for us and get lost in the wilderness.
"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." -- John 20:29b
這件事讓我想起了我們信心的功課。對GPS 來説，我信心（confidence）不足，所以當我發現與我的理解有所出入時，我便開始懷疑。我對神的信心（faith）是否也是如此呢？有時候神的帶領是我們一時之間無法了解的，如果我們凡事都要符合自己的想像與認知才願意跟從，那就不是跟從神，而是跟從自己的選擇，可能會因此無法得到許多神要賜給我們的福分，而且迷失在曠野中找不到方向。
“那沒有看見就信的、有福了。”-- 約翰福音20：29下
In the morning when we were on our way to DFW airport, it was still dark, we followed the direction guided by GPS. We were driving on a highway and saw the sign to the DFW airport while the GPS lead us to a different direction. Though I chose to follow the GPS, I had huge doubt in my mind. I had only used the system for 3 days, however I saw the sign with my very own eyes that I needed to take the highway to the opposite direction instead. The more I thought about it the worrier I got. So I stopped at one point and checked to make sure I entered the correct airport. Since we still had plenty of time and we could get to the airport in 7 minutes per GPS, I decided to follow the GPS to the end and thought we could always found our way if it turned out to be wrong. And we did get to the airport as the GPS indicated.
This reminded me of our faith. Because I didn't have enough confidence in the GPS system, so I started to doubt when what I saw was different from what it directed and when the GPS seemed to be not correct according to my judgment. It is the same as our faith to our God. A lot of times we can't comprehend God's guidance or His will in our lives in the beginning, but we will understand if we choose to follow Him to the end. If we choose to obey only what we think is good for us, then we are not following His will but ours. We could miss the best portion that He has prepared for us and get lost in the wilderness.
"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." -- John 20:29b
2008年1月6日 星期日
照片 Photos
Lennox International Young Artist 比賽場地。
The location where the Lennox International Young Artist Competition was held.
鋼琴協奏曲比賽的音樂廳。
Concert hall where piano division competition took place.
在飛回舊金山的上空，看到一個四周被雪覆滿的湖。不知道是什麼湖，但是很美。
During our flight back to San Francisco, I saw a beautiful lake surrounded by snow. Not sure which lake it is.
看起來真的好近哦！相信是一個海拔相當高的湖。It looked so close! I believe it is a lake of high altitude.
機上看到的雲海。可惜我不坐靠窗的座位，所以只能拍到這一張。
Sea of clouds from the airplane.
灣區的海面被隔成一塊一塊的，不知道被用來做什麼。
This is the San Francisco Bay area. They divide the bay into different areas. Not sure what they do that for.
2008年1月5日 星期六
比賽結束 Competition over
比賽結束了，雖然Vivian 並沒有得獎，但是我們認識了很多人。許多參賽者是音樂學院的大學生，有的已經大二了，還有一個是得過許多國際大獎，在國家音樂廳演奏過的林洛安，她得了第二名。他們彈的曲子一個比一個大，而且都彈得很棒，我們由這次的經驗和與一些人的談話中學到了許多事情，也知道以後該怎麼準備這種比賽。有意思的是，有個朱莉亞音樂院二年級的小提琴學生並沒有得名，所以很多事都很難説的。早晨Vivian 上場前我覺得比賽真是一件很殘忍的事，因為連我自己都緊張得不願意進場去聽。但等比賽完和大家溝通後，我開始覺得這真是很好的學習、經驗的累積，也可藉此建造人際網路。我想如果有機會，我會常常帶Vivian出來比賽，只是不知道要多久才能開始看見學習的成果。。。
晚上我們藉由GPS找到了一個中國人的購物廣場, 那兒有許多的餐廳，一個超市，及一家麵包店。我們找了一家臺灣小吃點，很興奮地點了臭豆腐、蚵仔煎、肉羹米粉、和鹽酥雞。可惜的是，除了米粉以外其他都不好吃，所以我們剩了一半的食物沒吃完也沒帶走，真是有點浪費。我開始有一點喜歡這種短期的比賽兼旅行，有吃有玩，但Vivian可能覺得一點都不好玩。。。
比賽是給馬用的。-- 巴爾托克
The competition is over and Vivian didn't win anything, but we get to know many people this time. A lot of the competitors are conservatory or college students, and some of them are even sophomores. A pianist who came from Taiwan and had won many international competitions, Lo-An Lin, came as well. She received the second, and I know she is very disappointed. All of them played big and difficult pieces and of course were all good. We learned some tips on how to prepare and practice through our conversation with some people. The interesting thing is, a violinist from Julliard didn't win anything, so sometimes it is very hard to say. Before Vivian started to play this morning, I thought that competition is really a cruel thing, as even I was too nervous to walk into the concert hall to listen. But after we talked to some people, I changed my opinion. I feel that it is not only a very good learning process, one can also networking with other people and accumulate experience. I think as long as we have the opportunity, I will keep taking Vivian to competitions. I just hope that we can start to see the fruit of her effort sooner.
We found a Chinese shopping square by the help of GPS system. There are many restaurants as well as a supermarket and a Chinese bakery. We decided to go to a Taiwanese food cafe and ordered oyster pan cake, stinky tofu, sticky soup rice noodle, and pop corn chicken. Unfortunately nothing was tasty except for the sticky soup rice noodle, so we didn't finish half of them. What a waste. I started to like this kind of short competition/trip, I can go visit different places and eat different food, but I am sure Vivian doesn't like it...
Competitions are for horses. -- B. Bartok
晚上我們藉由GPS找到了一個中國人的購物廣場, 那兒有許多的餐廳，一個超市，及一家麵包店。我們找了一家臺灣小吃點，很興奮地點了臭豆腐、蚵仔煎、肉羹米粉、和鹽酥雞。可惜的是，除了米粉以外其他都不好吃，所以我們剩了一半的食物沒吃完也沒帶走，真是有點浪費。我開始有一點喜歡這種短期的比賽兼旅行，有吃有玩，但Vivian可能覺得一點都不好玩。。。
比賽是給馬用的。-- 巴爾托克
The competition is over and Vivian didn't win anything, but we get to know many people this time. A lot of the competitors are conservatory or college students, and some of them are even sophomores. A pianist who came from Taiwan and had won many international competitions, Lo-An Lin, came as well. She received the second, and I know she is very disappointed. All of them played big and difficult pieces and of course were all good. We learned some tips on how to prepare and practice through our conversation with some people. The interesting thing is, a violinist from Julliard didn't win anything, so sometimes it is very hard to say. Before Vivian started to play this morning, I thought that competition is really a cruel thing, as even I was too nervous to walk into the concert hall to listen. But after we talked to some people, I changed my opinion. I feel that it is not only a very good learning process, one can also networking with other people and accumulate experience. I think as long as we have the opportunity, I will keep taking Vivian to competitions. I just hope that we can start to see the fruit of her effort sooner.
We found a Chinese shopping square by the help of GPS system. There are many restaurants as well as a supermarket and a Chinese bakery. We decided to go to a Taiwanese food cafe and ordered oyster pan cake, stinky tofu, sticky soup rice noodle, and pop corn chicken. Unfortunately nothing was tasty except for the sticky soup rice noodle, so we didn't finish half of them. What a waste. I started to like this kind of short competition/trip, I can go visit different places and eat different food, but I am sure Vivian doesn't like it...
Competitions are for horses. -- B. Bartok
2008年1月4日 星期五
德州騎士 Texan Drivers
清晨四點就起床，由於飛機機械故障，所以我們下午三點半才到達拉斯。Vivian的鋼琴伴奏是一個來自臺灣，南加大畢業的鋼琴演奏博士。她們花了半小時練習，兩人合作得還蠻好的。後來我們又到本地一對老夫婦的家裏練習，是主辦單位特別為我們安排的。他們兩人真是好，我們到了不久後，他們就放心地出去訪友了，出門前還特地為我們準備了點心和飲料，真是一對善良的夫妻。
一切都還算順利，只是這裡的駕駛真是讓我不敢領教，不知道是不是牛仔精神，他們一個個是當「然」不讓的！車開得快暫且不説，如果你換綫道到他們前頭，他們一定會確定趕到你的前面去並讓你知道他們很不滿意，即使是正常地從交流道上高速公路，他們也覺得你應該等在他們後面，甚至加速從同一個綫道擠到你前面去。。。實在是不敢領教。
一切都還算順利，只是這裡的駕駛真是讓我不敢領教，不知道是不是牛仔精神，他們一個個是當「然」不讓的！車開得快暫且不説，如果你換綫道到他們前頭，他們一定會確定趕到你的前面去並讓你知道他們很不滿意，即使是正常地從交流道上高速公路，他們也覺得你應該等在他們後面，甚至加速從同一個綫道擠到你前面去。。。實在是不敢領教。
2008年1月3日 星期四
音樂 Music
寒假已經接近尾聲，我們整個寒假都在練習與錄音中度過。明天清晨要帶Vivian飛往德州的達拉斯，去參加一個協奏曲比賽（Lennox International Young Artist Competition）。出發前我特別準備了GPS，相信不會像上次在路易斯安那一樣迷路。這次由於是協奏曲比賽，所以還要在賽前與當地的一個鋼琴伴奏一同練習。音樂真是一個要求非常嚴格的專業，不止要有一定的天分，更要有後天的努力、時間的投入、自律、專注、忍耐、還要有適度的自我肯定並能夠自我調適。一個國際Van Cliburn鋼琴大賽金牌獎得主曾經説過，在他贏那場比賽前曾經輸掉過50場比賽。這就和聖經上説的一樣「忘記背後努力面前的，向著標杆直跑」。唯有努力不懈，堅持到底，才能完成自己的夢想。
Winter break is getting close to the end, we(Vivian, to be precise) spent the whole time practicing and recording. Tomorrow we will take off to Dallas, Texas for Lennox International Young Artist Competition. This time I borrowed a GPS system so I think we won't run into the same situation as last time in Louisiana. Because it is a concerto competition, she will need to meet up with the piano accompanist before the competition to rehearse together. Music is a discipline requires talent, hardwork, self-discipline, focus, perseverance, ability to adjust after defeats, and certain degree of self-confidence. A past International Van Cliburn Piano Competition gold medalist once said, he lost 50 competitions before he finally won the world prestigious Van Cliburn Competition. This is just like what's said in the Bible "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, press on toward the goal to win the prize...". Only those who can stick to the end will accomplish their dreams.
Winter break is getting close to the end, we(Vivian, to be precise) spent the whole time practicing and recording. Tomorrow we will take off to Dallas, Texas for Lennox International Young Artist Competition. This time I borrowed a GPS system so I think we won't run into the same situation as last time in Louisiana. Because it is a concerto competition, she will need to meet up with the piano accompanist before the competition to rehearse together. Music is a discipline requires talent, hardwork, self-discipline, focus, perseverance, ability to adjust after defeats, and certain degree of self-confidence. A past International Van Cliburn Piano Competition gold medalist once said, he lost 50 competitions before he finally won the world prestigious Van Cliburn Competition. This is just like what's said in the Bible "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, press on toward the goal to win the prize...". Only those who can stick to the end will accomplish their dreams.
2008年1月1日 星期二
新年快樂 Happy New Year
2007 眨眼就過去了，今天全世界堂堂進入主後2008。還記得約十年前為了應付電腦系統千禧蟲的問題，全世界都在緊緊張張地做準備，一晃眼就十年過去了。小的時候時間是以小時或是分鐘記的，現在是以年為單位，隨便回想一件事都是幾年前。再過一段時間，就要以幾個十年來計算了。
您的新年新希望是什麼？我的希望是無論什麼事，都不需要靠立下新年新希望來達成。願你在新的一年中與神更親近，有健康的身體和活潑的靈命，家庭和睦溫暖，事業學業順利！
2007 passed in a blink of eye, the world entered into 2008AD today. I can still remember when the everyone was worried about the "computer bug" before 2000AD and the whole world started to prepare for the "disaster" a little over 10 years ago. When I was young, I counted time in hours or minutes and now I use year as a unit. Pretty soon I will be counting in decades.
What is your New Year resolution? My resolution is that I don't need to set up a resolution to accomplish my goal. May you become closer to God, have great health, good spirit, happy family, and great success at work and school!
您的新年新希望是什麼？我的希望是無論什麼事，都不需要靠立下新年新希望來達成。願你在新的一年中與神更親近，有健康的身體和活潑的靈命，家庭和睦溫暖，事業學業順利！
2007 passed in a blink of eye, the world entered into 2008AD today. I can still remember when the everyone was worried about the "computer bug" before 2000AD and the whole world started to prepare for the "disaster" a little over 10 years ago. When I was young, I counted time in hours or minutes and now I use year as a unit. Pretty soon I will be counting in decades.
What is your New Year resolution? My resolution is that I don't need to set up a resolution to accomplish my goal. May you become closer to God, have great health, good spirit, happy family, and great success at work and school!
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