思想大山的樣貌
******認識的藝術大師，已年過八十，仍在公益路上行走，於社區作畫、甚至有弟子跟班，讓人敬佩不已。
An artist I've known is still making pictures for the public. Her kindness and deeds guide her to paint in her community, with her follower going with her. This would be something I truly admire.
擁有一顆良善的心地，則世間無事可比之於其更甚……
When a person owns a kind heart, nothing in the world can be compatible...
******雖然不是很想說明，但是自己從事的職業是教學，甚至喜歡在世界各地教學，所以，每每遇到新的學生，全部的經歷就或許必須再提一次的時候，但覺那些和自己沒有什麼關係，像是：
「沒有辦法想像老師做過空姊!!!」
"It's hard to imagine Teacher Hope used to be a flight attendant!"
「老師怎麼拿到世界名校的學位???」
"How did you earn your degree from a world-class university, Teacher Hope?"
「老師妳的學生怎麼已經八十歲了?!」
"Why is it that you have students over 80 years old, Teacher Hope?"
常常，這些問題我不大會回應，那是由於最為深沉的思維就是，掛上什麼樣的外皮都沒有一個主動發揮良善的心地重要。
Often, I do not answer such questions, due to the fact that whatever outward appearance I have, the most significant is an actively kind heart with related actions taken, as far as I can see.
與時並進的我，仍然如此認為。
******插班進輔大的時候，在系上，教授永遠用英語授課，作業永遠用英語書寫，常常或許被要求要寫幾頁幾頁，打印後繳交。
When I was a student transferring to my university, Fu-Jen, in Taiwan, I discovered professors taught in English whereas the assignments should also be in English. We were requsted to type our homework for a few pages long.
工作幾年靠著積蓄及運勢，進到牛津大學的時候，在世界特大的圖書館裡面流覽叢書，並且聽著教授們要求我們的作業，幾乎全部以書寫為主，幾乎全部每一篇以千字及萬字英語計算，甚至考試也相同。
After working for several years and based on the way my destiny guided me, I was admitted into University of Oxford which boasts one of the largest libraries in the world. I attended courses taught by different professors who would then ask us to write paper with hundreds of thousands of words as the limits.
所以回到亞洲教書，當請(或大學、或中學、或小學)學生們書寫時，當他們問到字數時，反而我不大知道該怎麼訂定字數的標準、文字的多寡……
When I return back to teach in Asia and when my (college, high shcool, and/or elementary school) students are asked by me to "write," and when they are concerned about "how many words" they should write, I can be perplexed before answering such a question.
尤其當說及「最少xx字」時候，看到學生們驚慌失措的表情，我也不免驚慌失措起來……
Especially when I mention "You should write at least XX words," as I observe the students' distorted, confused facial expressions, I am rather confused as well...
怎麼我不想再出版書籍的情況之下，已經寫了一百多萬個字還沒有想出版的心境和意圖?
For I have no idea why I would write more than one million words without having the motivation to be publishing other books once more.
怎麼寫下一百多萬個字的?
How have I written more than 1 million words?
何時就會變成兩百萬?
When will they become 2 million words?
一面寫，我會一面更加良善與溫和嗎?
When I keep writing, will I be more kind and gentle?
******學生說：「英語真難背，背了老半天都背不起來。」
One of my student comments on English, stating
那麼我很好奇：「請問背了多久呢?」
I became very curious. "How long have you tried to memorize every single thing?"
學生回答：「大概一個小時……哦，不，大概半個小時。」
The student's answer was "Around one hour... Oh! No... About half an hour..."
「一個小時和半個小時之間，差了半個小時哦……所以到底是背了多久呢? 以及，中間分神玩遊戲，又是多久呢?」
"The difference between an hour and half an hour is 30 mins... Hence, how long have you worked on your English? How long were you distracted by your video games?"
學生對我不好意思地笑著，所以我看出來了，聰明的頭腦放在遊戲上面，沒有放在英語上。The student laughed with some embarrassing laughter, leading me to be convinced that the intelligence of such a person was not put on English acquisition but on games.
「老師為何讓你看看大山呢?」我問道。
I asked, "Why would Teacher Hope ask you to see the mountains?"
學生聽了我的問題後說：「是為了要我可以在目前為了未來做好準備，尤其是我的英語能力。」
After listening to my question, this student replied "You have pointed the mountains out for me in order for me to be prepared for my future, esp. my English proficiency."
「正確!!!而你有沒有發現，之所以覺得難，是因為你一直開口閉口說難……有這麼難嗎?」
"Correct! Have you found that the reason why you believe English is hard is as a result of your belief in the fact which states English is difficult. However, is it truly that hard?"
學生又不好意思地的笑了出來。This student again laughed with some senses of guilt, as if it is unnecessary to be convinced that English is challenging.
因為這件事情，我想到另一件事……在牛津的圖書館裡面，當有全世界所有的英語藏書在我的面前展開，當別人身為旅客卻沒有動到那些圖書的機緣時，每天我像是飢渴的旅人尋找水源般，每一天，我都必須在圖書館裡面自發閱讀幾十本書才甘心。
Based on this, I remember something... Inside the libraries of University of Oxford, I could have the opportunity to read all the books, English books, ever published throuhout human history, unlike the tourists who could merely visit those surrounding areas of such libraries, resulting the fact I was like a person who is thirsty and who was eagerly looking for water. Daily, I would have to read many books inside the libraries to feel such thirst was relieved.
於是，閱讀英語書籍之於我，便得有些像是家常便飯。Hence, to read for me is identical to drinking water or eating food, similar to daily intake.
家常便飯一直延續至今……常常手上一本書，欲罷不能，尤其在時間被切割的情況之下，飢渴的旅人希望閱讀的心境更加強烈。
This habit lasts till this day. Frequently, I would get hold of a book which I would devour so as to quench my spiritual thirsts.
但這種我常常手拿一本、全部都是英語字的書籍，卻對許許多多人來講像是惡夢一樣。
However, this kind of English book which I am so used to would be a nightmare for most individuals I know.
甚至我發現，要「談」英語、用英語與人談話，對於一些人像惡夢一樣，並非像我似的能夠享受於其中。
More than that, when it comes to TALK in English, it is even more nightmare-like to many, contrary to what I have found, that to talk to people in English is something to be enjoyed, savored, and to have fun with.
或者，這就像我無法體會為何有些人會享受逛街那樣……因為我愈來愈無法理解逛街或者購物的樂趣，反而必須運用最少的時間完成相關的事宜……
******上天對我非常厚道，送我回到小時候曾經生活、成長的學區工作。
The Universe and/or our Heavenly Father has treated me with much honor, for I can enjoy working at an environment where I used to live when I was a teenager.
雖然學生們總因為我看來—據鄰里民眾說是「你們學校這位老師很時尚」—而看不出來，但是，喜歡逛傳統市場的我，完全戒不掉這個習慣，並且，身處在任何位置時，方圓百里所有的傳統市場，我都喜歡到處看看……
Though it is not easy for people who see me nowadays to comprehend, as many in the neighborhood crown me as being "fashionable," I enjoy touring traditional markets tremendously. It is something I cannot quit. Wherever I am, I like visiting those local markets around the region.
清晨，山嵐擁抱群山時，來到熟悉山坡道中的傳統市場，和熟悉的阿桑(年長的婆婆)買什物。
That is why, one of these mornings, I've visisted one of those traditional markets situated on a slope. There is a shop managed by an aged lady whom I've had the pleasure to visit quite often.
喜歡化妝、打扮的時髦阿桑，個子雖然不高，年歲已然不低，卻是剛剛生過氣，非常有情緒。
This older lady favors some make-up. Regardless of her old age and not-very-tall constitution, she's upset and angry when I arrived this day.
「……我就是賣這個有點問題的，才賣這麼便宜嘛!!!那剛剛那個客人還要問東問西。她是到底還要怎樣?!」阿桑激動地說明。
"... I sell this kind of problematic stuff with cheaper prices... It is already such bargains but she was still asking me many questions..." This lady was explaining to me in details, aware that I am a frequent client of hers.
我笑開了，知道阿桑是因為我常常光顧她的店家，所以和我閒扯，所以我拍拍她的背，輕輕摸了幾下，跟她說：
「免生氣啦! 什麼人都有，笑笑就過了!!!」
I smiled and patted her on the back, "Don't be angry. Just smile! There are many different kinds of people everywhere."
阿桑的妹妹在旁邊，專門剪頭髮的，問我：
「小姐妳哪裡人? 台語好像不輪轉?」
我用不標準的台語說：「哇台灣狼(我是台灣人)哦~~~敏擱今嘛攏嘸人攻台灣味(但是現在都無人說台語)啦，索一攻就賣耶(所以講得很爛)!」
Replying her in Taiwanese, "I am from Taiwan ya!!! It is only that in the society today, very few are speaking in Taiwanese. That is why my Taiwanese is so poor!"
阿桑和妹妹齊聲說：「有什麼關係，小姐妳長這麼美，台語青菜講人家嘛聽嘸。」
At this every moment, both this older lady and her sister whom I have the pleasure to meet for the first time expressed "It does not matter! You look pretty. Whatever you have said, people would understand!"
「那不敢當!!! 恁
姊妹呀卡水啦!!!」我不好意思地說。
I feel quite shy by their words. "The two of you look a lot prettier!"
阿桑的妹妹我是頭一回見，她說：「小姐妳都笑容滿面，真好!!!」
The sister of this older lady then pointed out "You are with such smiling face all the time. How wonderful!"
平時都是我稱讚學生，在市場裡面被人稱讚，使我有些靦腆而買完物事急急地離開，內心感謝這些天使的出現。
Often, it would be me praising my students, as a teacher. Now, some are sending me thier kinds words... Of course I am honored and grateful. What is even more worthy praising would be those foreign colleagues, brothers and sisters of mine who have sent me images of their leaners interacting with different people.
天使很多很多……尤其許許多多我的多國友人們……趁著在整理他們所傳來的各地學生們的活動剪影時，我先將必須教授給自己學生們的歌曲，作詞作曲完畢……
There are so many angles around. When I am still in the preparation of such works, of editing their works so many would be able to view such incredible footsteps, I need to finalize the songs I would like to teach my students about.
「妳們學校的鐘聲……哈哈哈!!! 難怪妳會說妳的腦子中蠱， 都是那種聲音……我一聽到就知妳在講啥，那音樂太鮮明了。」一位好友說。
One of my friends points out "The bell... that sound in your school... it is so different. I know what you were saying, that in your brain, all day long, the same sound comes again and again..."
是呀! 是呀! 就是因為這樣，挑戰新學年新接的班級，用新的歌來帶學生，竟然花了超過一個月的時間，歌詞歌曲才得以誕生，或者是史上最久的一次吧?!
Indeed! Based on such melody affecting my brain waves, I think I must have utilized much time to produce the following works...hitting my own records of "hard to be produced because of..."
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