今天和Tony聊到對Surrey Central 的兒時記憶. 浮現在腦海的第一個畫面就是坐在游泳池板凳上等我下課的爸爸.
七歲時移民來溫哥華不久後, 媽為了照顧外婆較多時間在台灣.
原本是忙碌設計師的爸因而得父代母職, 兼起照顧我們三個小孩的生活起居的擔子.
在許多台灣移民家庭圈內, 多半是由媽媽顧家, 在台灣工作的爸爸在則兩岸來回跑. 我們家剛好相反. 但我爸當家庭主父不輸別人家媽媽!
每天爸都會幫我們照料三餐, 洗衣, 買菜, 接送上學, 周末會研究地圖帶我們出去玩.
還好姊&哥上高中可以自己娛樂, 我卻無時無刻得跟著爸.
早上起來爸都會幫我選好衣服 (配色很細心), 札公主頭 (還不用吸塵器), 包午餐 (菜色多變), 下午放學時會幫我準備點心, 晚上教功課.
好像典型的母女互動是逛街烤蛋糕和種花, 喜歡運動的爸會和我打羽毛球, 帶我騎腳踏車... 有一陣子還陪我打棒球! 所以我在PE的表現其實算不錯的! 每個星期五, 爸會帶我去逛附近的"Guildford Mall", 他最喜歡看名牌西裝, 我會跟在後面不耐煩. 爸晚上無聊時會打發時間玩電腦上的接龍, 我則會把跳棋板搬上桌要他陪我玩. 他都沒有怨言, 還可以兩邊玩 (真忙).
下午放學後從教室走出來, 爸的車都已經停好, 人站在旁邊等著我. 每次出門西裝筆挺的他會受到眾媽媽的注目, 許多同學都會跑來跟我說, "我媽覺得你爸很帥!" 讓我又得意又害臊. 學校郊遊時, 每次看到爸來做義工司機都會感覺很驕傲.
有一陣子我想學游泳, 爸就幫我報名游泳課, 一個星期兩天爸都會開車帶我去游泳. 我上課時, 他會做在遠處的板凳上耐心地等我, 和旁邊的家庭主婦比起來, 穿西裝皮鞋看報紙的爸感覺好像有點格格不入! 上完課爸也不怕弄濕衣服, 幫我梳洗. 之後還有熱騰騰的便當吃.
送媽上飛機後我一定會大哭. 現在想起, 當時最捨不得媽的人一定是爸, 可他總是收起沉重的心情安慰我. 在當時長途電話還不便宜的時候, 每晚爸都會掏出兩張紙, 我們各自默默地寫一封傳真給媽, 隔天下午就會收到回信. 那大概是我們倆最期待的時刻. 我永遠看不懂媽寫的中文, 所以爸會很有耐性念給我聽媽的回信.
家庭分兩邊對夫妻是很大的犧牲, 但讓原本是忙碌設計老闆的爸來顧家真的很不簡單. 可是我爸很厲害, 他給我健全的童年 (我身高都是靠他的牛肉湯來的), 而且我覺得我洗澡快, 刷牙不用杯子, 隨和樂觀的態度都是學我爸的 (自豪中). 大家都說我被爸寵壞, 我也不得不承認 (不然被罵). 我真的很幸福能有這樣的條件. 高中被誇獎成績好其實背後也都是因為有爸在旁邊細心照顧 (好啦, 媽, 你也是) 讓我無憂無慮的學習, 這不可能是一個人的成績, 我感謝上帝讓我出生於這對爸和媽. 但同時我也擔心, 以後我也能夠做到這麼好嗎? 我能給我的小孩一樣的條件嗎? 想來想去最好的辦法就是把小孩給他們外公外婆照顧就好了. 多好.
Saturday, 16 August 2014
Saturday, 14 September 2013
楊同學 Library Square 再次報到!
感覺這裡快變成我的 ‘事業部落格’，從去年到現在大部分的文章都是紀錄我的實習經驗。不過怕以後就不會有這麼棒的工作，所以還是能紀錄多少就算多少囉。
時間回到今年七月。我在新的實習環境已習慣了，工作也蠻上手，長官很滿意到願意續約，也和同期學生成為要好朋友（那種每天都會惡作劇的）。離開Library Square也兩個月了。依然很想念那裡，偶爾經過那個大樓還是不經會抬頭望著20樓。可是得趕緊面對現實呢。我的計畫是九月回到學校，明年畢業。儘管工作內容不是我特愛的，但至少每天都很忙，有成就感，時間過得快。很好，就這樣照著計畫走下去吧。
某天早上，我在辦公桌前處理項目數據，左手握著早餐麵包，右手分攤滑鼠和鍵盤，還沒機會罐下已經暖掉的咖啡，我對於自己的多重任務執行能力引以為傲。
突然我的電話響起。可惡，從來到現在打給我的不是打錯就是詐騙電話，這次又來了。也是，誰會打給只來做四個月的小實習生呢？ 很不願意的接起來，勉強的以禮貌口氣帶過，‘Sherry Yang speaking’。
‘Hi Sherry’ 電話另一邊傳來熟悉的聲音，真的很想念LS的長官哪！ 我有點納悶，她平常很少用電話啊，這麼這麼突然。問候了對方之後轉入了正題。“有沒有興趣回來再作一個學期？” 我放下麵包，一開始還說不出話來，驚訝的問 “天哪！妳是認真的嗎？” 聽說那邊工作量大增，急需人手。雖然很想一口答應，但我身旁還有策劃多時的計畫，眼看就快要畢業了，偏偏這個時候來電話。
我告訴她我需要時間考慮，我們約了一個星期之後見面。可是根本不用考慮，我對於LS的喜愛已到了很不理智客觀的地步。我決定我想要這個機會，我不管計畫了，我只想要回去作個過癮。於是，我從很不理智的興奮到緊張，之後的幾天我無法安眠，食慾不太好，害怕萬一她們改變主意怎麼辦，那我會多失望呢！ 見面的前一晚，我買了一瓶紅酒和好友Carolyn享用。原本只是想幫助入眠，可是在焦慮的情況下喝到空瓶，醉昏上床後就一覺到天亮。
起來時還宿醉頭痛。這樣昏走到辦公室，完全沒辦法專心。昏走到了咖啡廳，定坐在那裡，帶著耳機聽音樂嘗試安撫情緒。長官來了，站起擁抱時還一陣頭痛。我第一次宿醉去工作會面，偏偏要在這個時候。 談話時也傻掉，原來酒精這麼可怕。
問候過對方後，我們進入主題。我發現我的焦慮都是多於的。她們沒有改變主意，我當場接受了實習機會。
這不是什麼了不起的成就，但我心存感激。她們大可以續約別的學生或是找新的，學歷更高，比我英文更好的學生。
回到LS的第一天感覺超現實也很熟悉。離開時我完全沒想到說居然還能再次踏進LS。大家依然很熱情，長官也繼續帶著我。當天和別組的同事聊天時，他說 “當時大家都在幫妳加油”。我好奇問說那是什麼意思？聽他後來的解釋，大概是當時要把用過的學生帶回去不是件簡單事，恐怕和人事部糾纏了很久。聽到這裡覺得挺欣慰的，看來大家還是愛我的！！
時間回到今年七月。我在新的實習環境已習慣了，工作也蠻上手，長官很滿意到願意續約，也和同期學生成為要好朋友（那種每天都會惡作劇的）。離開Library Square也兩個月了。依然很想念那裡，偶爾經過那個大樓還是不經會抬頭望著20樓。可是得趕緊面對現實呢。我的計畫是九月回到學校，明年畢業。儘管工作內容不是我特愛的，但至少每天都很忙，有成就感，時間過得快。很好，就這樣照著計畫走下去吧。
某天早上，我在辦公桌前處理項目數據，左手握著早餐麵包，右手分攤滑鼠和鍵盤，還沒機會罐下已經暖掉的咖啡，我對於自己的多重任務執行能力引以為傲。
突然我的電話響起。可惡，從來到現在打給我的不是打錯就是詐騙電話，這次又來了。也是，誰會打給只來做四個月的小實習生呢？ 很不願意的接起來，勉強的以禮貌口氣帶過，‘Sherry Yang speaking’。
‘Hi Sherry’ 電話另一邊傳來熟悉的聲音，真的很想念LS的長官哪！ 我有點納悶，她平常很少用電話啊，這麼這麼突然。問候了對方之後轉入了正題。“有沒有興趣回來再作一個學期？” 我放下麵包，一開始還說不出話來，驚訝的問 “天哪！妳是認真的嗎？” 聽說那邊工作量大增，急需人手。雖然很想一口答應，但我身旁還有策劃多時的計畫，眼看就快要畢業了，偏偏這個時候來電話。
我告訴她我需要時間考慮，我們約了一個星期之後見面。可是根本不用考慮，我對於LS的喜愛已到了很不理智客觀的地步。我決定我想要這個機會，我不管計畫了，我只想要回去作個過癮。於是，我從很不理智的興奮到緊張，之後的幾天我無法安眠，食慾不太好，害怕萬一她們改變主意怎麼辦，那我會多失望呢！ 見面的前一晚，我買了一瓶紅酒和好友Carolyn享用。原本只是想幫助入眠，可是在焦慮的情況下喝到空瓶，醉昏上床後就一覺到天亮。
起來時還宿醉頭痛。這樣昏走到辦公室，完全沒辦法專心。昏走到了咖啡廳，定坐在那裡，帶著耳機聽音樂嘗試安撫情緒。長官來了，站起擁抱時還一陣頭痛。我第一次宿醉去工作會面，偏偏要在這個時候。 談話時也傻掉，原來酒精這麼可怕。
問候過對方後，我們進入主題。我發現我的焦慮都是多於的。她們沒有改變主意，我當場接受了實習機會。
這不是什麼了不起的成就，但我心存感激。她們大可以續約別的學生或是找新的，學歷更高，比我英文更好的學生。
回到LS的第一天感覺超現實也很熟悉。離開時我完全沒想到說居然還能再次踏進LS。大家依然很熱情，長官也繼續帶著我。當天和別組的同事聊天時，他說 “當時大家都在幫妳加油”。我好奇問說那是什麼意思？聽他後來的解釋，大概是當時要把用過的學生帶回去不是件簡單事，恐怕和人事部糾纏了很久。聽到這裡覺得挺欣慰的，看來大家還是愛我的！！
Monday, 15 July 2013
That felt great
I was born with fairly average qualities. Average physique, average intellect, average personality and average ambition and average many other things. I try my best to improve on things whenever I feel the need, but overall I'm very happy with what I have. I like myself. But sometimes I can still get pissed off when someone tries to emphasize their better self right in front of my face. I don't need you to tell me that you're better than me, I'm smart enough to recognize that despite my average brain. That's right, I can be very bitter.
But there was one day when nature decided to turn the tables. When I was in second year, I took a course on biogeography. One day I was walking with my lab to the Pacific Spirit Park for a field study. A girl happened to be walking with me, and we started chatting up. She was a year younger than me, and told me that she was an IB student, and that she had satisfied many credits already, that she shouldn't need to take the course and that she found university classes to be a piece of cake. Okay maybe I made up the last part, but that was the idea. She spoke in a very arrogant tone, at least that was my impression.
When we arrived at the study area, she saw her "IB pal" and quickly teamed up with her to do the research. I was working independently, and asked the TA many questions. Because, that's what they're for no? But I couldn't help but notice the way those two girls worked. They buried their heads together on their clipboard, whispering to each other and cautiously observed their surroundings as if people were eavesdropping. And indeed I was, couldn't help it. They were afraid because they were so smart. One of them started by saying, "I think the answer to this is.." and proceeded to write on her own paper to show the other person, to which she concurred intently. When I passed by them they immediately ceased talking. They also held onto their clipboards like their babies, protecting them against the harsh wind and of course, the potential cheaters. I took off. I don't think they understood the purpose of TAs, and that students actually would much rather use them instead of their peers for their assignments.
A few weeks passed by and I didn't see her again until one day after class, when students went to the front of the class like sardines to collect the marked lab assignment on the field study. I decided to stay in my seat until the crowd dissipated. While I was waiting, she appeared with her assignment. She asked how I did, to which I replied, "I don't know, I'm waiting to get mine". Then she held out her assignment, and complained to me how she was so disappointed in a 90%. Just when I was about to tell her to suck it up and that 90% is good enough, my friend, John, came to me with both of our assignments. He appeared to be impatient and couldn't wait to get out of the warm and humid lecture hall. I thanked him for grabbing mine and took my assignment. "Oh did we both get 100%?" I was a little surprised. "Yes, yes,... are you done? Can we go now? I need to line up for Japadog". I then got up swiftly and said to the girl (who, by this time, was speechless), well I'm sure you'll do better next time! See you later!
Yes I felt really good that day. I don't think I'm being gleeful or proud. I think the message I'm trying to express is, you just never know when an average person isn't as dumb as you think. There may be exceptions.
But there was one day when nature decided to turn the tables. When I was in second year, I took a course on biogeography. One day I was walking with my lab to the Pacific Spirit Park for a field study. A girl happened to be walking with me, and we started chatting up. She was a year younger than me, and told me that she was an IB student, and that she had satisfied many credits already, that she shouldn't need to take the course and that she found university classes to be a piece of cake. Okay maybe I made up the last part, but that was the idea. She spoke in a very arrogant tone, at least that was my impression.
When we arrived at the study area, she saw her "IB pal" and quickly teamed up with her to do the research. I was working independently, and asked the TA many questions. Because, that's what they're for no? But I couldn't help but notice the way those two girls worked. They buried their heads together on their clipboard, whispering to each other and cautiously observed their surroundings as if people were eavesdropping. And indeed I was, couldn't help it. They were afraid because they were so smart. One of them started by saying, "I think the answer to this is.." and proceeded to write on her own paper to show the other person, to which she concurred intently. When I passed by them they immediately ceased talking. They also held onto their clipboards like their babies, protecting them against the harsh wind and of course, the potential cheaters. I took off. I don't think they understood the purpose of TAs, and that students actually would much rather use them instead of their peers for their assignments.
A few weeks passed by and I didn't see her again until one day after class, when students went to the front of the class like sardines to collect the marked lab assignment on the field study. I decided to stay in my seat until the crowd dissipated. While I was waiting, she appeared with her assignment. She asked how I did, to which I replied, "I don't know, I'm waiting to get mine". Then she held out her assignment, and complained to me how she was so disappointed in a 90%. Just when I was about to tell her to suck it up and that 90% is good enough, my friend, John, came to me with both of our assignments. He appeared to be impatient and couldn't wait to get out of the warm and humid lecture hall. I thanked him for grabbing mine and took my assignment. "Oh did we both get 100%?" I was a little surprised. "Yes, yes,... are you done? Can we go now? I need to line up for Japadog". I then got up swiftly and said to the girl (who, by this time, was speechless), well I'm sure you'll do better next time! See you later!
Yes I felt really good that day. I don't think I'm being gleeful or proud. I think the message I'm trying to express is, you just never know when an average person isn't as dumb as you think. There may be exceptions.
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