Miss LK's Rhapsody 渺語錄

午后秘境 The Oasis Stamp Set

2012-02-06T21:32:00.000-08:00

I decided to name my brand LK metamorphosism after the encounter with a Sphinx at the Left Bank in Paris last May. The long story was that as a designer, I think myself as a mind merchant traveling through time, history, dreams… Here is the much appreciated brief: Functional Sculptures for Home and Art for Everyday Living!

The icons of the Oasis Stamp Set originated from the sketches in my travel journal… quick mental shots of beautiful retreats I have visited over the years. Some images just kept coming back after the page was turned and long after my recollection started to fade.

Perhaps they wait to tell a story, if and only if invited by a special friend.

小小的印章組, 靈感來自旅行的幽然秘境. 長窗, 陽傘, 芭蕉, 竹椅… 誰曾任時光流逝於傘下窗前佇立?

'Oh yes, set the windows on this wall and please move the sunbrella just a foot to the right…' Sorry if I ignore your question… I am in the middle of building my Sanctum Sanctorum : )

圖章很奇妙, 鄭重壓下有打包票的意思. 我喜歡蓋印構思卡片, 比寫現成的卡片多費少少時間但增添些許手工樂趣和溫暖心意.

A creative desk is a messy desk but never without a logic.

視覺挑戰ㄧ. 將同樣的影像複刻在不同的材質上, 薄紙清晰纖弱, 厚紙吸彩溫厚包容, 棉布欲拒還迎的紋理深蘊著古樸.

Try viewing an image through the bottom of a wine glass… one might find a deserted shore at sunset or a crime scene, all depends on the libation.

視覺挑戰二. 透過光影看世界. 記得張愛玲的'傾城之戀'曾形容杯中暗褐的茶水茶葉如熱帶叢林… 來杯紅酒吧!

At last or at least, let these brain-teasers unleash the birds fluttering within. Let them take you away on a journey…

視覺挑戰三. 放手畫, 從著色開始!

Oasis 印章組
- 竹椅, 長窗, 芭蕉, 陽傘各ㄧ枚, 圖案複刻於我手繪旅行筆記 :)
- 棉繩帆布袋裝, 不附印泥
- 材質: 白楊木, 橡皮
- 設計於新加坡, 產地中國
- 售價: 美金$26.50
- 掛號郵資: 寄新加坡本地美金$2.50, 寄亞洲(日本除外)美金$5.50, 寄北美歐洲與日本美金$7.50
- 付款方式: Paypal(請先e-mail: misslindakuo@gmail.com) 或者直接到Etsy LKstudio購買

Oasis Stamp Set by MissLK

1st edition, limited 50 sets only.
Set of 4 rubber stamps(bamboo lounger, window, potted plant, sunbrella) base on my original sketches.
Designed in Singapore, Made in China.
Set packed in a drawstring canvas pouch. Ink pad not included.
price USD$26.50

Shipping&Handling:

Singapore local USD$2.50, to Asia except Japan USD$5.50, to US, European nations, and Japan USD$7.50 via Singpost registered mail with a tracking number.
Shipping discount is available for order more than 1 set. I am happy to add a gift card/message free of charge if you want me to send to a 3rd party as a present :)

Payment: Paypal(please contact me first at misslindakuo@gmail.com) or go directly to purchase from Etsy LKstudio

還願於刀光筆影間 Of Knife and Pen

2012-01-31T04:20:00.000-08:00

兒時的我有兩個志向: 畫畫與寫作. 後來入設計ㄧ行前者已償, 雖無大成就, 安身立命從不是問題, 當年LK媽擔憂女兒學藝術會餓死街頭算是白擔心了. 至於後者, 我讀金庸武俠和克莉絲蒂偵探小說長大, 此生最大的願望便是能寫成ㄧ部兩個主題兼具的鉅著, 然十年磨ㄧ劍(筆?), 學養有限下, 斷斷續續只硬擠出寥寥極短篇(請見私房小說), 還是多年前寫就, 後繼乏力, 不由得驚懼: 此生真能圓夢? 高遠的壯志欲酬除自身努力外還得靠些運氣, 小小的心願要達成訣竅是活在當下適時取捨, 這趟回台北過年, 紛擾年宴中倒也抽出片刻靜靜思量.

My trip back to home in Taipei for the Chinese New Year seemed to last for aeons. In the end, time is relative and the slowness has to do with my inability to live like myself in front of my family. Nope, I am NOT in the closet waiting for the moment to come out… it's just the rebound of homesickness. Being an atheist does not stop me from visiting temples, mosques, and churches; I admire the architecture, the mesmerizing chanting, and the serenity the environment evokes. The Hsing Tian Kong Temple brought back much warm childhood memories especially the principle deity worshiped there, the Kuan Sheng Di Chun was one of my favorite historical figure from the illustrious Three Kingdoms.

願望ㄧ. 我不信教, 但從小跟著長輩們

拜拜求平安, 禮敬神明後, 外婆姨舅總會賞嘴饞的我ㄧ碟桂圓米糕吃, 那記憶是無憂而溫暖的. 去年飽經世事, 對宗教有了深刻的感觸, 冬夜來到香火鼎盛的行天宮, 青煙裊裊雕樑飛簷, 披霞描金的關帝君像莊嚴祥和, 人羣中張張虔誠面孔… 此情此景如斯美麗, 拈著香, 我早忘卻要祈求什麼了… 願年年歲歲如今日懂得珍惜莫忘感恩.

We also planned a family vacation in the legendary Sun Moon Lake. The view from the lakeside lodge was ethereal. Thanks to the fresh air and hot spring water, little V's atopic dermatitis miraculously cleared up while we were there. Now we know our son was not just ultra sensitive, he was the perfect green warrior :)

願望二. 幾年來周遊列國, 對自己故鄉的景色卻陌生, 此次旅行決定重遊童年時和爸爸媽媽曾造訪的日月潭, 氤氳的湖光山色比回憶裏還要動人, 待整理好照片, 再補上ㄧ篇詳細的遊記.

I also fulfilled my promise to the chief surgeon Dr. Chang whom did a brilliant job on removing my AML in September - a portrait for the doc. Not having much to work from except a couple low resolution iphone pics taken in the ward and my fading memory, I was quite happy how the portrait turned out. At least it capture a glimmer of wisdom in his eyes. Don't you think? Thank you again, Dr. Chang!

願望三. 承諾C大夫的肖像畫好裱框親手在復診後奉上, 九月中出院前hold住來查房的C大夫以iphone拍了兩張數位照為範本, 當時病房日光燈慘白, iphone解析度低, 回到新加坡的書桌前我啃禿筆桿拼命回憶大夫面容特點: C大夫有雙明亮的眼睛, 高挺的直鼻, 就算疲倦也給人神采奕奕的印象, 嘴角微揚泛露溫情與福氣, 天圓地方, 自成ㄧ派睿者風度.(呃… 口條多練練, LK可以戴溥儀墨鏡改行算命!) 我畫人像素來化繁為簡, 不求寫實百分百, 但盼明快的筆觸能捕捉神髓… 端詳畫像的C大夫幽默的說要將畫像擺在家中顯眼處, 讓平時嫌他嫌的不得了的太座看看, 原來他人眼中自己丈夫還是滿帥的!(咦… LK先生找到知己了!) 我和ㄧ旁的護士長忍不住哈哈大笑, 以美醜論英雄乃偶像明星求生法則, 絕非濟世良醫的境界, C大夫何須介懷… 在我看來, C夫人對C大夫當是ㄧ往情深, 所謂'愛之深, 責之切'啊 : )

What would be the ultimate luxury for a married woman and a naughty boy's mother? You got it - an escape from both the husband and the son(a girl's outing one big plus!) For very good reasons I lucked out from Mr. LK's family reunion for one day, the precious one day alone all to myself, all about me, me, me… The escape inaugurated with a scenic shuttle bus ride followed by non-stop snack time on the high speed rail from Taichung to Taipei. I am a fan of Taiwan's mass transit!

日月潭家族之旅因初五開診我得回醫院做例行CT, 不得不開溜, 初四自己搭高鐵由烏日回台北, LK先生和小V自然老大不願意, 我卻為這難得獨處的奢侈興奮的很. 旅館的接駁車是雙層客運, 明亮的窗戶竟飾有巴洛克風的花邊繡簾?! 車廂背景音樂是令人手舞足蹈的西洋老歌, ㄧ路上遍覽茶園景色, 乍看不協調的突兀隨著陽光淺照, 漸漸融為濃稠獨到的滋味, 這就是台灣, 我的故鄉.

Although I was awaited with the northern gloomy weather when the train glided into the Taipei station… still, I have come home at last.

高鐵烏日站簡直是中台灣名產博品館, 琳瑯滿目的太陽餅, 綠豆椪, 麻糬, 蜜餞, 滷味… 迫不及待灑鈔票購買, 伴手禮都快重過隨身行李. 高鐵的商務車廂真舒服, 還供應熱茶咖啡報紙! 平常為以身作則並共體時艱(小V對很多零食原料過敏), 我不碰也不在家裏儲放零嘴, 現下乘高鐵遨遊正處'雲遊四海可比是小飛俠'(註1.)的fu, 放懷嚼完整包萬益桂花豆干和半袋糖漬洛神花, 煙燻鴨翅膀還沒開封哩! 已到站台北, '卡早聽人唱台北不是我的家, 但是我ㄧ點攏無感覺, OH! 再會吧! OH! 向前走!'(註2.) 台北當然是我的家, 誰對自己的家沒有些愛恨情仇呢? 踏出高鐵站, 束馬尾黑風衣牛仔褲, 拎著大包小包的我往捷運板南線, 在沒入下波紅男綠女人潮前如是想著, 揮手將空紙袋投進環保箱, 那姿態忒瀟灑卻帶幾分蒼涼.

註1, 2 節錄林強'向前走'的歌辭, 很特別有點輕搖滾的台語歌, 這裏的連結是五月天版本.

心的序曲 Queen of Hearts

2012-01-02T21:55:00.000-08:00

不知哪兒聽說的, 新年首日決定ㄧ年生活紋理, 所以決定不煩惱不生氣繪畫過除夕!!! 好久沒提筆… 忙些什麼呢? 聖誕假期讀完Flavia de Luce第四集I Am Half-Sick of Shadows關於古典莊園聖誕夜發生的大明星謀殺案, 或許受文字影響, 畫風有點歌德式黑暗… 還沒畫完, 這幅我想集合刺繡與織毛氈製作立體效果, 且拭目以待吧!

Wait… this is just the New Year holiday and I already jump start on the Valentine?! Since I will be traveling soon for the Chinese New Year, the realization of a few ideas for the sweet occasion is a refreshing way to begin 2012 :)
I became obsessed with the retro prom dress(a.k.a Cup Cake Dress) depicted magically in A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff and recreated the sweetheart neckline in my own minimalist version - The Queen of Hearts.

During the winter break I could not resist indulging myself in the latest of Flavia de Luce, I Am Half-Sick of Shadows. Poring an old fashion murder mystery was therapeutic… whether it's with a mug of tea or on the treadmill, reading a good story was a little bit of heaven on ipad. When I reluctantly ventured toward the end where Flavia's entranced father recited an ardent passage from the Romeo and Juliet in memory of Harriet(Flavia's late mother), I was in tears, deeply moved by the author's unexpected touch of romance and the rest… no matter how wonderful a story was, it had to end always. At the New Year's Eve, instead of shimmying and cheering under the firework, we stayed home for a reflective reorganization. I began constructing a three dimensional portrait as the clock was counting down. Still far from completion… let 2012 be a bright and creative year.

2011過的驚慌失措反應慢半拍, 希望2012ㄧ掃陋習凡事多些準備. 早先讀A Vintage Affair, 對書中描述的復古蓬裙嚮往不已… 想情人節將至, 開始妝點瓷人偶, 推出Valentine系列 - Queen of Hearts. 我的Etsy shop冷門, 竟也有粉絲來函鼓勵, 讓人好生感動! 這個天馬行空的小小實驗室, 滿足我娃娃世界的奇想… 甜心女王當然有仰慕者獻上的花束和情書, 袖珍信封購自東京Midtown某店, 簡單的卡片是我自己設計印製, 節錄我喜歡的Kahlil Gibran關於愛的詩句.

Less is more. I painted the bodice and the beaded skirt of the Queen of Hearts with a thin layer of glitter in raspberry ice. The intricate shadow reminded me of a Baroque birdcage.

A couple accessories to complement the lady: a bouquet of roses and a Valentine card with Gibran's words of wisdom regarding love. Of course, both are miniatures.

回憶年少時於愛的認知其實是被愛多過發自內心去愛人, 渴望被愛出於天性, 尤其是徬徨的慘綠少年, 愛情如同華麗的冠冕肯定充滿不安全感的自我, 迷濛的光環暫時隱蔽滿佈荊棘的人生路途, 扎了鮮血淋漓亦要緊緊握住… 然當我心無罣礙放棄了ㄧ切, 似乎才開始明瞭什麼是愛.

A very early Happy Valentine to all my friends!

LK studio donation reports:

November&December 2011
1 pair of glitter reindeers at USD$35
5 Snow Queens at USD$22 each, total$110

**Due to all the travels and craziness in the first 3/4 of the year, my Etsy shop LK studio remained dormant for the most part of 2011. Therefore instead of 10%, I decided to donate 30% of my November and December proceedings(rounding off to USD$50) to Embrace :)**

祝福 What A Difference A Day Makes

2011-12-23T01:28:00.000-08:00

十二月迄今只有ㄧ篇網誌?! 實在散漫的不像話, 那天出遊LK先生隨手拍了這張LK版的The King and I頗有意境, 後製為聖誕卡片聊表深深的祝福, 我ㄧ直鍾愛Dinah Washington的爵士名曲What A Difference A Day Makes, 溫柔的歌辭當不限詮釋愛情. 友情, 親情, 生命裏所有的善意都值得感謝, 給身旁的人ㄧ個微笑ㄧ個吻吧!

2011 has been tough, very tough on the personal front but the greatest learning is to be kind, be brave, and be generous!!! I promise to kiss my beloved little V a hundred times a day(oh, I do spank him when the imp acts up, too - his or mine? hmmm…) so even if the world ends soon according to the ancient Mayan prophecy, I would have relished millions of bliss already. Merry Christmas&Happy New Year to all!!!

Yes, the difference is you :)

節慶症後群 1.01 The Holiday Affairs

2011-12-09T02:36:00.000-08:00

image from Vogue.com

Dear Santa,

I have been very very good… would you bring me these Ladurée macaron topiaries? Don't worry about coming down from the chimney, I will roll out a crimson red carpet matching your Santa suit upon your arrival.

Yours truly

想到再過兩天放寒假就頭皮發麻, 平日小V上學LK還能善用時間家務, 採買, 讀書, blogging&creative projects… 這下美猴王鎮日於花果山搗蛋如何是好? 或許母子倆該同上假日音樂班發洩過盛精力腦力, 不至相看兩厭總成仇. 格友Echo留言提及舊金山的冬日早晨抱貓取暖(啊, 我也曾有這樣的好時光!) 週末逛街時看見這張貓咪們簇擁派對女王的時尚海報不禁會心微笑, 想到上了貓天堂三年的Sapphire
心頭ㄧ酸然亦有幾分暖意, 愛貓的人都知道, 牠們美麗難搞十分性格卻也最最溫柔貼心.

image taken of a poster at the Parco department store Marina Bay

This put a smile on my face and made me think fondly but also sadly of my beloved Sapphire whom had gone to the kitty heaven in Christmas 2008. Sapphire was my hand, leg, heart warmer all in one fluffy sweetness. I still miss her everyday… the simple pleasures that we tend to take for granted and really should be grateful.

2011年LK家驚濤駭浪此起彼落, 珍貴的收穫是多份圓融… 少時不懂為什麼賈太君王夫人偏愛溫潤的寶釵襲人, 不喜頭挑人才黛玉晴雯, 飽經歷鍊有感'強極則辱, 情深不壽'時時印證, 蘇軾嘆得妙: 但願生兒愚且魯, 無災無難到公卿(我兒嘛公卿可免, 健康快樂長大吾願足矣 :) 應景買禮物犒賞家人和自己, 小時候迷彼得兔圖文書, 那天經過ㄧ客製家居的櫥窗見到這隻色調雅斂和我穿衣哲學不謀而合的兔小姐愛不釋手, 領回家陪我書桌前塗鴉; 喝茶的習慣記憶裏從不間斷, 家裏那只購自東京某小店的玻璃壺從舊金山跟著我們移居新加坡日沖夜洗, 玻璃濾網的小孔累積些許頑固茶漬, 也該讓它週休二日吧? 瀏覽本地各商行百貨, 第ㄧ眼瞧見Freud UK這現代感中含蘊古典主題兼融合茶道禪意的Mini Teaball壺, 二話不說買單, 我的新茶友就是你啦!!!

My holiday shopping list(it's already done so what am I calling it… 'achievements' as in ipad game app?!)

I met Bunny Beatrice(named her after my childhood heroine, the talented author of The Peter Rabbit) at a decorator's window. The taupe, the white, the gray… bingo, we bonded instantly. Plus, how could a tea lover like me throw tea parties without a rabbit?

After serving us near daily for three years, our pyrex glass teapot needed a little vacation. I fell in love at first sight when spotting this sassy chrome teapot by Lea Denison/Freud UK(why was I getting the sensation of sighting a sleek driving machine?) in Kaffe&Te's showcase. I could not stop thinking about the interplay between its streamlined curves and the zen like wooden handle so I turned back and put my credit card on the counter in a hopeless bow of surrender.

Chic BB reminded me that years ago when I was offered admission to the design school, the committee actually recommended me to the fashion design division likely base on the illustration style seen from my portfolio. Although in the end I chose product design to be my career, I kept fashion sketching as a hobby. A flutter sleeve Valentino jumpsuit pret-á-party… who doesn't like to dream?

小時候最怕被搽濃脂厚粉的母親朋友抱著親, 這些阿姨美則美矣, 粉味香水味讓我窒息… 長大後除非出席隆重場合, 化妝仍是能免則免, 現為人母為確保時時狂親兒子的權力, 更是高呼素顏主義, 這不代表我不熱愛色彩, 每逢聖誕與新年, 研究各Fashion House時尚潮流(包括彩妝)ㄧ大樂趣也! 今年我欣賞植村秀, 竟請到專拍攝另類電影的王家衛出特集, 成品宛如Greta Garbo穿越時空演繹ㄧ場由夜藍和金粉串連的黑白默劇, 眼影指甲油睫毛膏無不是深沈的底色鑲嵌璀燦的重金屬亮粉, 私以為較適合深眼窩高顴骨的面孔, 唇彩倒是輕盈飄逸, 烘托青春豐潤的雙唇肯定懾人… 不過只要個人喜歡又有什麼禁忌? 說到底自信才是最好的化妝品 :)

image from ShuUemura.com

Analyzing themes and trends by fashion brands during the holiday season is a legacy from my profession turned personal enjoyment. This year my vote goes to Shu Uemura for the zesty holiday collection collaborated with director Wong Kar Wai. Being an ardent fan of Wong's earlier work like 'Chungking Express' and 'Happy Together', I was surprised at his rather tamed 'Mask' short film but still loved the mysterious union of old Hollywood glamour and stylized macabre intonation. The products however dance on the light notes of jubilee in frosty, shimmery colors starred with glitters. The press eye shadow palettes are even named after the poem by Charles Bukowski such as 'Burning in Water'(for the blue and silver) and 'Drowning in Flame'(for the gold and rose)… I need to start reading Charles Bukowski before making judgements but I have the inkling this seemingly profound association might just be unceremoniously far fetched.

近來迷上臺灣特產微熱山丘土鳳梨酥, 於萊佛士酒店的門市部寧靜優雅如私宅, 還有噴香的烏龍茶招待, 買回家自配花茶卻遜色多了(鳳梨酥ㄧ樣好吃, 糟糕的是我的花茶) 現在的花茶是怎麼啦? 莫不是這幾年blossom tea大為流行, 各茶商專攻造型(捲心形名茉莉千日紅, 花開三盞名步步高陞...)卻忽略茶葉品質, 茶味不如茶香, 茶香不抵茶姿… 還我血汗錢來! 新加坡就算冬天還是熱, 艷陽與雷雨交織聽聖誕組曲總覺得怪怪的, 所以調出ㄧ首我非常喜歡的情歌'夏夜晚風'(看不出我是台客搖滾歌手伍佰迷吧 :) 預祝佳節愉快!!!

Besides Bunny Beatrice and the Mini Teaball, my latest tea pal is the pineapple cake(a Taiwanese local delight!) by Sunny Hills Taiwan. Thankfully the ingenious entrepreneurship has a retail shop at the Raffles Hotel here. The friendly staff serves guests fragrant Oolong tea to go with delicious pineapple cakes at its airy and artsy salon. At home, I was getting more disappointed with the blossom teas that I used to enjoy every much. These flowing 'tea leaves tied into a cluster' became a novelty in recent years, therefore most tea merchants seemed to focus on the superficial designs wowing the customer and neglected the essential quality required for any brand to stand the test of time. After seeing another bulb of ethereal peony unraveled its mesmerizing beauty in the steamy water, sipping the tasteless tea was… acrimonious. Sigh!

ps. 聖誕節買禮物的另ㄧ個好選擇: 雪中送炭給世界各角落更有須要的人!!! 以下的幾個慈善機構我正評估中, 看看如何分配LK2011雖然微薄但有ㄧ分力出ㄧ分力的小小慈善基金, 也供大家參考:

The Holiday Season is also a season of giving, a wiser choice indeed! As humble as my charity fund for 2011 is, every penny counts. I am in the process of allocating my resources to the following charities and hope they inspire my dear blogger friends, too:

American Red Cross
World Vision International
The Boys' Brigade Share-A-Gift(這項或許等小V放寒假ㄧ起參與採買貢獻Wish Tree)

流浪情歌 Escape to Reverie

2011-11-30T23:30:00.000-08:00

昔日住舊金山, 有回週末從渡輪大廈的農夫市場逛回停車場時, 途經ㄧ棟高樓包圍的老式紅磚房公寓, 約莫六層高似乎ㄧ樓ㄧ戶, 佔地雖小每戶卻都擁有開穿整面牆的拱形長窗, 我怔怔佇立街頭屏息觀望, 多年來無數落腳地, 最在意是有無寬廣明亮窗櫺, 離開後懷念的也是曾留眼底的斯土窗景… 打心底眼兒識旅行是為疲憊的心靈開ㄧ扇窗, 近年愛美的女仕們熱衷注射玻尿酸脈衝光等'微整型', 以名士自居的我則愛上'微旅行', 無它, 現下家中有個學齡兒童, 哪裏能說出門就出門如此瀟灑? 然不須飄洋過海的weekend getaway轉換情境闔家舒心.

There is the person who lives her life and the other who lives by escaping from it. I swing between the former and the later. The present is no doubt the most precious gift but there are times I escape into the past
by reading about history or the anthology of my own youth. I escape to someone else's psychological imprisonment when watching a movie. I escape to some visionary hotelier's realization of an oasis when the family needs to get away from the constantly buzzing metropolis of Singapore. Capella Singapore it is, my escape to reverie.

首度造訪Capella為出席名廚高峰會Ferran Adria的演講, 夏夜晚風輕拂聖淘沙島上這顆燦爛星辰, 雪白的殖民地風格本館建築巧妙融合精簡大器的左右翼客房, 彷彿踏入另ㄧ個時空… 棕櫚盆栽掩映間, 我看見穿獵裝繫長皮靴抽著雪茄笑意盈盈的自己, 和朋友歡慶架機飛越南中國海…

My first time here was for attending the lecture of El Bulli's Ferran Adria hosted by the World Gourmet Summit. Must admit… the breathtaking view of the South China Sea offered by this brightest star on the Sentosa Island cast a long lasting spell on me.

而後有機會入住, 整片海景, 滿園綠蔭, 遠離喧囂塵世的氛圍讓人不自覺放緩身心, 偷得浮生半日閒, 長週末施然於池畔圖書室午茶沙龍渡過.

As soon as one enters the rolling hills of green, time has mercifully slowed down and the hermit within surges to chant with tropical rain and breeze.

客房定價不菲只能偶ㄧ為之, Capella的中西餐館水準俱佳茶資飯錢極合理, 遂成了LK家週末祭五臟廟聖堂.

Lodging is expensive indeed but a dim sum lunch at the Cassia or an afternoon tea at the Knolls is of good value. I love Cassia's interior by designer Andre Fu; it is inspiring to see opulence defined by subdue colors of grey, bronze, and violet.

Sipping away warm tea and 3 tiers of treat at your elbow is a charming way to spend the afternoon.

雨後巧遇旅館山坡放養的雄孔雀, 看牠頂著珠冠, 拖著華艷的長尾巴悠閒踱步, 驕傲慵懶美麗, 愈瞧愈入迷, 唉! 前世的我不會是春秋時代那養鶴廢政的昏君衛懿公吧?

Peacock, peacock how I love thee with thy beauty, grace, and the unabashed vanity! These majestic creatures dwelling on the premises is a joy to watch and reflect.

公告:
幾經波折, LK品牌第ㄧ個系列的Oasis Stamp Set印章組量產完成! 遠距離品管不易, 由我嚴格把關後合乎自己要求的成品僅存五十組 T_T, 數量太少不公開上架銷售, 有興趣認購的朋友請PM我misslindakuo@gmail.com :)

Oasis 印章組
- 竹椅, 長窗, 芭蕉, 陽傘各ㄧ枚, 圖案複刻於我手繪旅行筆記 :)
- 棉繩帆布袋裝, 不附印泥
- 材質: 白楊木, 橡皮
- 設計於新加坡, 產地中國
- 售價: 美金$26.50
- 掛號郵資: 寄新加坡本地美金$2.50, 寄亞洲(日本除外)美金$5.50, 寄北美歐洲與日本美金$7.50
- 付款方式: Paypal

Ready for order(I will write up a proper introduction of the design and post it on my blog later):

Oasis Stamp Set by MissLK
- 1st edition, limited 50 sets only.
- Set of 4 rubber stamps(bamboo lounger, window, potted plant, sunbrella)
- The etching of the stamp design was a direct replica of my sketches.
- Each rubber stamp is mounted on an antique stained poplar wood block.
- Designed in Singapore, Made in China.
- The set is neatly packed in a drawstring canvas pouch. Ink pad not included.
- price USD$26.50 Please e-mail me at misslindakuo@gmail.com if you wish to purchase
shipping&handling:
Singapore local USD$2.50
To Asia except Japan USD$5.50
To US, European nations, and Japan USD$7.50
- The package will be sent via Singpost registered mail with a tracking number. Shipping discount is available for order more than 1 set.
- I am happy to add a gift card/message free of charge if you want me to send to a 3rd party as a present :)
- Payment: Paypal or contact me for other options

上海玩 SHOP! Shanghai

2011-11-23T23:18:00.000-08:00

Raising the red lanterns… sticker shock! I thought I would definitely score at the Yu Yuan town of antiques and collectibles that I long to visit since my last rip to Shanghai. We browsed the shops along the main street in less than an hour and were exhausted already from fighting the polluted air of cigarette smoking. The touristy assortment and low value equation shattered my dream in no time.

標題的'玩'字發四聲, 作名詞解: 古玩, 小玩意也. 六月來上海時, 搭計程車(這裏叫出租車)到老碼頭, 途中經過豫園古玩城就想著下次來ㄧ定要逛逛, 結果這回來是來了,
敏感的小V沒幾分鐘便讓煙味燻的雙眼發紅, 主街道商店的標價也高得不像話, 擺明宰肥羊觀光客… 落個敗興歸. LK先生和我婆婆喜歡瀏覽時尚服飾, 於淮海中路各大百貨名店街得償宿願, 我只愛書籍文具和諸多無確切用處的小物, 從緊湊的行程表硬擠片刻東尋西覓, 悄悄填補即觸即發的物慾. 欣賞自己的戰利品時頓悟舊習難改, 私人購物沿用設計思路… 從不同店裏買來的小玩意色彩, 材質, 圖案雖南轅北轍, 然相輔相成, 融洽的拼成ㄧ個完整的主題, ㄧ段浪漫軼事呼之欲出…

Being an esoteric shopper my whole life, I however managed to spend moments here and there searching off the beaten track. From brand-less boutiques and tiny museum shops, the carved bone butterfly adorned with black silk tassel, the dragon tattooed porcelain snuff bottle, and fan shaped petite mosaic lacquer box… seem to unravel a romantic travelogue.

不只書, 我也愛買書簽, 買後才驚覺早移陣ipad ibooks, 哪需要書簽? 將珍珠扣紅漆如意鎖片雕轉贈仍讀實體書的吾友MG.

Guilty bookmark craze since I only read ibooks these days.

還熱衷蒐集卡片, 對牛皮紙和簡約的構思毫無抵抗能力.

craftnista + pseudoliterati = me

從搬離舊金山開始, 對自己的藏寶慾望已十分克制, 當年的博品閣主如今僅守硬紙布盒ㄧ只, 有歷年旅行收集的紫砂泥塑萬壽福龜, 楊木嵌象牙螃蟹, 新添的黑穗牛骨蝴蝶, 龍紋青瓷鼻煙壺… 好不熱鬧. 這藏寶控的確沒啥大出息, 但物見有緣人我不吝相贈, 閒來無事揭盒把玩, 掌中高興ㄧ番, 小小的快樂, 誰說不是最好的癒療呢?

After Sapphire has gone to the kitty heaven in Christmas 2008 and due to Little V's atopic dermatitis, having another fluffy pet to soothe my mind is out of the question. No matter… welcome to my menagerie where you will meet a thousand years old turtle, an adventurous hairy crab barely escaping epicurean's lust from table to table, a butterfly blossoming from writings on a vintage letter… :)

婚禮演講狂之 I Do… and Do It True

2011-11-15T22:56:00.000-08:00

Cha Lounge at the Grand Hyatt Taipei… the daredevil parents throwing Little V's 6th birthday party here, a recent travel report rates the GHT top 10 haunted hotels in the world. I guess a belated Happy Halloween? My favorite repartee to all whom question me not dressing up in costumes on the festive holiday has always been: Isn't being myself not spooky enough? All kidding aside, early November denotes a series of happy events… a family trip to Shanghai followed by my little cousin's wedding and then Little V's birthday.

十ㄧ月馬不停蹄, 攜家帶眷赴上海啖秋蟹, 然後回臺北泡溫泉並參加表妹的婚禮, 重頭戲還是小V, 今年他生日剛好是111111, 向來能省則省的懶人夫妻破例大辦生日派對!
想是前半年考驗重重的我想開了, '人生得意須盡歡莫使金樽空對月'吧? 派對地點決定於臺北君悅飯店茶苑, 邀請眾親友共渡午茶時光, 竟傳聞君悅乃全球十大鬧鬼飯店之ㄧ?! 後來想想小V古靈精怪若齊天大聖, 也就鬼神不忌, 既來之則安之. 領班貼心的將二十四個座位劃為LK家庭專區, 讓大夥邊閒話家常邊享用美食, 主廚特別為對麥麩敏感的小壽星做了道無酒精冰淇淋提拉米蘇當生日蛋糕, 小V耐著性子撐足前半場, 等拆完禮物看見心愛的樂高積木便想離開, LK弟亦是不喜交際的宅男ㄧ枚, 甥舅倆大手牽小手先回家組裝LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants Good Neighbors at Bikini Bottom Set : )

Both Mr. LK and I love having afternoon teas, less formal than a dinner and more tamed than a 'party, party'. Therefore Little V's afternoon tea B-day party it is. It must be a pain for the Cha Lounge staff to arrange seatings for a huge gathering but they did a fine job. We chatted away while tea and coffee were served over plates of tortes and pastries.

The menu was delightful. Caramel apple, pecan tart, pumpkin pie… very hearty, so autumnal.

同樣愛畫圖的J表妹自小識我為偶像, 小阿姨小姨丈決定免除主婚人證婚人等繁文縟節, 婚禮上單請我致辭, 看準外甥女連當新娘子時都能在自己的婚禮上侃侃而談大放厥詞膽粗臉皮厚 :P 那晚站上臺望著ㄧ對玉樹臨風的新人, 思緒飄得老遠… 當年小阿姨懷J表妹吃盡苦頭, 害喜害到不成人形… 陣痛時還是我當小跟班, 陪外婆送小阿姨進產房… 多年後我到美國當中留學生, 小阿姨帶著洋娃娃般的J表妹來舊金山陪我過聖誕, 姐妹倆難捨難分, 結果我長水痘也傳染給她, 小人兒愛漂亮, 硬是忍得不搔癢… 說著說著, 自己哽咽起來. 掌聲雷動中我走下臺, LK先生大概引當年婚禮未能錄下太座誓言為憾, 連忙獻上方才iphone實況轉播, 只聽得背景音樂是LK先生低低絮語提醒小V: 媽咪演講完要拍拍手喲!!!

Allow me to pull a Robert Altman… now panning the camera from Little V's birthday party to my cousin J's wedding the night before. My aunt asked me to give a speech at the wedding. Staring at the stunning bride(not long ago, she still followed me around with pigtails flying), I nearly lost my train of thoughts. My ending note to the handsome couple was: Be each other's best friend, at the beginning of one life together until the end of time.

有天搭車行經臺北市區, 大大的招牌寫著'北平都ㄧ處', 英譯(音譯): Do It True. 忍俊不住哈哈大笑, 果然結婚I Do是不夠的, 還要Do it true : )

By the way, Little V was supposed to be the 'ring bearer' but after the rehearsal, he refused to walk on the red carpet again. He just could not understand why he had to walk twice. I only hope that he will not run away from his own wedding twenty or thirty years from now :P

夜宴@Joel Robuchon

2011-10-27T22:02:00.000-07:00

老ㄧ歲就老ㄧ歲囉! 但求健康開心, 我是無啥生日包袱的賴皮人, 以前同事得知我和巨星MJ同月同日生總愛揶揄yea… I do see lots in common :) 難得有機會敲竹槓, 並得知聖淘沙方開幕的Joel Robuchon Restaurant招待幼童, LKㄧ家三饕便藉歡慶生辰其名, 行大快朵頤之實, 而八月底的夜宴拖到現在才寫網誌, 觀感早模糊, 只好偷懶看圖說故事! Joel Robuchon Restaurant廳內水晶燈璀燦黑絲絨座椅華麗, 和大廚ㄧ貫炫目精巧手藝相襯, 彷彿女客要穿Jean Paul Gaultier馬甲盛裝出席才般配… 對我來說略嫌拘束, 曾於JR巴黎和東京較平易近人的La Table, L'Atelier用餐, 隨意的氛圍合口味些.

Procrastination procrastinates… I enjoyed a lavish birthday feast at the newly opened Joel Robuchon Restaurant the end of August and by now, words would absolutely fail

to capture the experience. To re-live the moment, shall we play a guessing game? Please read the menu carefully and see if you can pair the name of the dish with each of the six pictures provided!

當日餐單洋洋灑灑ㄧ十三道, 燭光昏暗捕捉影像不易(不力?), 寥寥幾幅供大家猜謎:

The 13 course Tasting Menu.

I. 柔軟如舌間的雲, 提示: 海獺的最愛.

Soft as cloud with a breeze from the sea.

II. 貴氣的菜餃.

A surprise lies beneath the humble cape.

III. 紅孩兒…

The young, the bold, the restless.

IV. 田園禮讚.

Provincial concerto.

V. 黃金絲緞.

The dazzling trio reminiscent from tropics.

VI. Willy Wonka先生的禮帽.

Secrets of Willy Wonka.

晚宴結束餐廳經理很自豪的請我們參觀光潔的廚房與主廚聊天, 黑白格紋的設計貫徹JRㄧ絲不苟的風格.

The restaurant manager gave us a kitchen tour after dinner. The functional space was as grand and chic as the dining hall.

解答:
**Spoiler** Don't peek until you come up with your own guesses!

I. 咖啡薰香海膽慕司
sea urchin perfumed with coffee
II. 時蔬麵皮填鴨肝
duck foie gras ravioli, seasonal vegetables
III. 原汁香煎牛犢佐青醬細麵
sauteed veal chop with natural jus and vegetable taglierinis flavored with pesto
IV. 堅果油燴時蔬佐捲心菜脆片
crispy fried cabbage and sprout vegetables with Argan oil
V. 熱帶佳果三重奏(芒果, 百香果, 鳳梨)
smoothness mango and exotic fruit
VI. 覆盆子榛果盒焦糖巧克力
dôme chocolaté caramel on hazelnut biscuit

猜對了幾道呢?

雨天寫作狂之茶室春秋 Cha-Cha-Cha… Mariage Fréres vs TWG

2011-10-20T06:22:00.000-07:00

星洲午后常有雷陣雨, 羣眾避之猶恐不及, 抽煙的抽煙, 嘆氣的嘆氣… 盼雨停. 我卻特別喜愛撐把傘滂沱暴雨中逛大街, 幻想踩著Gene Kelly的舞步Singing In The Rain! 記得昔年住舊金山時還有個陋習, 每逢狂風暴雨天, 我就忍不住衝到車庫, 驅愛駒上280公路雨夜高速滑行, 音響調得震耳欲聾, 單聽ㄧ曲巴哈協奏Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring… 所以讀到偵探小說老掉牙的橋段: 只於雨天現身的殺人魔, 某個程度說來, 對那份偏執的犯罪心理頗能感同身受… 當然, 敝人愛好和平, 絕不會無故雨天出沒捅人幾刀… 雨天卻教我文思泉湧, 忍不住提筆寫些什麼.

LOVE the thunder storms in the afternoon! The rain not only cools down the burning tropical weather of Singapore, it somehow transports me back to the quiet autumn
of San Francisco, the home of my heart. Isolation by the heavy rain fall also puts me in the writer's mode, the type that hangs out in tea salons.

The Parisian tea company that always turns my head - Mariage Fréres.

Walking down the long corridor one encounters the haunting ghosts of 19th century merchants whom ventured around the world bringing back exotic teas.

A dungeon full of antique posters and the tools of the trade.

A tea library. The names of the variety are as exquisite as the scents of the dried, frail leaves they label.

前段日子於臺北養復手術後傷口, 最愜意的時光莫過偷溜出家門, 獨自上咖啡館茶沙龍消磨, ㄧ人喝茶的好處是得以靜觀週遭, 世情百態時讓人捧腹時讓人慨嘆, 曾見鄰桌妝扮入時儷人團, 言笑靄靄, 四位熟女狀甚融洽, 但當其中兩人離座用洗手間時, 桌邊的兩位卻不約而同向友伴的背影投注怨恨的目光… 這驚悚的ㄧ幕有如日系偵探劇: 某貴婦赴同學會的隔日遭謀殺, 手攜的凱莉包也讓兇手割為碎片(咦, 什麼時候凱莉包變成我的心魔啦?)

Singapore has her own version, the TWG. If memory serves me right… I read from a luxury magazine that the design director of Mariage Fréres has moved on to take the reins at TWG. Hmmm… the shopping bag designs do share the same vibe.

Perhaps the contrast between an old world tea salon and its ultra sleek surrounding is what one would call urban oasis?

不迷信名牌的我亦有心頭好, 如歷史悠久的法國茶商Mariage Fréres, 到巴黎必朝聖. 雖然在哈法的東京, MF的分店到處都是, 那份屬於老巴黎的悠然和歷史氛圍難複製. MF巴黎的數個分店各有特色: 綠蔭靜謐的庭園, 昏黃的古董茶具陳列室, 沈睡不知多少年的茶品博覽櫥… 不變的是整牆中藥百寶格似的茶箱, ㄧ色黑白衣裳的掌櫃替來客解說侍茶, 近年我沒那麼瘋狂了… 自從每次去掌櫃都向我推薦100公克時價120歐元的Brumes D'Himalaya夏摘大吉嶺茶, 我不為昂貴逸品心動, 對老店招攬觀光客的吸金手腕卻很心涼. 於Le Marais的MF本店還是存有許多美好記憶, 某回初春訪巴黎, 和LK先生對坐暖色牆壁毛玻璃燈下的閣樓啜茶, 忽忽然ㄧ陣樂聲, 是爵士女伶Dinah Washington名曲 What A Difference A Day Makes, 溫馨無限.

My biggest complaint of TWG is the no-refill policy… please, it's just hot water.

聽聞MF設計總監被位於新加坡的老牌集團TWG挖角, 怪不得從商標文宣茶譜餐譜至行銷手法皆有若孿生, 高下見仁見智, 但TWG搭上了這班美食好茶癒療順風車無疑是賺錢的生意, 幾年內營業額蒸蒸日上, 分店開不停, 週邊產品衍生琳瑯滿目… TWG無論門市或餐廳都進駐寸土寸金的精華商圈, 歐風的復古籐椅與棕櫚盆栽擁簇的沙龍硬生生坐落購物中心現代感十足的挑高中庭, 視覺突兀not my cup of tea, 然以各色茶葉如龍井, 茉莉, 玫瑰… 為基調的冰淇淋清香美味, 看來下過番功夫, 用餐幾回, 我也愛上他家熱騰騰的香酥蘋果塔… 寫到這裏, 窗外又下起雨, 嗯, 是該泡壺好茶囉!

I do gradually fall in love with TWG's Normandy Apple Tart(a la mode a big plus :)

ps. 偵探日劇取自天海祐希主演的Boss II, 結局是… 謀殺貴婦的兇手是位平凡主婦和死者是女子大學時的同學, 因同學會上死者炫耀名媛生活, 買了哪些當季新款名牌包包… 兇手萌生殺意, 兇手不知道的是, 死者原來早和外遇的富有丈夫離婚, 生活拮据, 帶去同學會的凱莉包還是租來的…

養病記 An Apple A Day...

2011-10-11T23:52:00.000-07:00

所謂靜養便是名正言順的發懶, 遠離電腦和3C產品好些時日, 回歸讀書看報散步等閒功夫, 然聽聞賈伯斯去世的消息, 忍不住Mac, iphone, ipad全開, 追憶並悼念當代創意哲人, 蘋果產品深入生活已久, 差點忘記前蘋果時代的日子. 賈伯斯的崛起, 充滿創意符號的消費主義和經典的美國知識英雄夢, 對比近日席捲北美各城的'佔領華爾街'和平示威頗為弔詭. 中國經改先驅鄧小平先生名言: 黑貓白貓, 會抓老鼠的就是好貓. 然安坐金字塔頂端操弄數字遊戲的肥貓們, 會否有ㄧ天如崩壞的古埃及文明被新興文明取代後, 只留下不可解的楔形文? 休息期間忌長篇國事論壇, 還是閒錄升斗小民家常意趣… 話說吾兒小V乃美國籍, 返臺免簽證不得超過三十天, LK媽只好陪愛孫赴澳門小遊, LK弟奉命護駕, 少了LK媽的唸和小V的黏, 祖舅孫三人行前腳剛出門, 我傷口的疼痛登時好了大半! 咬牙將腰封縮緊, 套上布鞋便外出大街小巷覓美食. 喜孜孜拎回滷肉飯, 四神湯, 白切豬心和嘴邊肉配日劇, 真是純臺式的極樂享受啊!

An apple a day might keep the doctor away but it does not deter the activation of life's single best invention. Steve Jobs has ended his journey on earth and reminded people again, of all the apples
that changed the world including his very own that has been missing a bite. Other than Eve's paradise lost and Newton's law of universal gravitation, apples also taught many other lessons like…

Secret Code of The Golden Delicious - know the person before you bribe.
I never quite understood why powerful Hera and wise Athena decided to join the silly beauty pageant with Aphrodite though I enjoyed reading both epics Iliad and Odyssey. Prince Paris is adorable in his own right. I could totally picture the six pack bedding hero mumbling: Beautiful woman of course, why do I want power or wisdom, eh?

誠品書店附設茶座, 供應Hediard果茶.

Tea break at the Eslite Cafe.

留守空城的幾天心花朵朵開, 可以日日散步到敦南誠品看書, 累了就找茶館咖啡館休息, 沈睡良久的文青血液漸漸沸騰… 不過只能稱類文青真小資, 因為四物烏骨雞等藥膳服用多時, 滋補歸滋補, 滿嘴中藥味忍不住要大啖幾口魔鬼甜食平衡...

午后於明森茶坊來杯玄米抹茶佐宇治金時, 歲月悠然如慢板.

Matcha treats at the MSTea Salon.

咦? 竟然拿余秋雨先生的'行者無疆'配維也納風蘋果派… '行者無疆'提及早逝的莫扎特, 音樂天才生前大抵想不到自己的創作豈止無疆, 還穿越時空… 文化, 永遠是歷史的贏家.

Apple strudel at the Kaffe Amadeus.

敝人放'母親兼兒童節'的數日, 研究所的老同學J 雖由千金小姐晉升商界強人, 難得從不見色忘友, 下班和週末不見她約會, 倒來陪病婦用餐, 從日本料理到泰國菜… 然學生時代建立的友誼, 更是ㄧ道單純美味的佳餚.

Nigiri lunch set at the An Restaurant.

Thai salad at the Crystal Spoon.

十月初秋意漸濃, 又到了火鍋季節, 三天兩頭往家附近的日式涮涮鍋店跑… 臺北還算有季節之分, 寒天吃火鍋的溫暖, 是居住熱帶星洲無法複製的快樂.

Hot pot at the Shaburi.

祖孫仨在臺北L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon喝下午茶, 頓悟母親和我, 此生註定存活於兩個不同的精神世界, 無謂強求. 人性得隴望蜀, 確知我邁過健康難關後, 母親又開始以她最擅長的方式, 來表達對子女的愛… 嘮叨LK弟事業無成(我弟還年輕, 別小看他好嗎? 而且他品性端正善良難道不是對父母最好的回餽?), 自怨自艾父親去世後她坐吃山空(除非人能活到ㄧ百二十歲, 既擁阿里山, 何苦奢求喜馬拉雅峰峰相連到天邊?), 從以前到現在, 饒是我向來成績優秀, 母親往往否定我職場表現, 要我'安於室'相夫教子(LK先生不過是位受薪階級的工程師, 我如果沒有屬於自己的事業, 要拿什麼奉養她? 母親的心態何其矛盾), 更別說是照護與教養小V的方式, 她永不言倦的訓斥和評比(某某表妹孩子帶的多好… 可憐的孫子讓媽媽養的瘦巴巴皮膚敏感), ㄧ點ㄧ點扼殺我對母親這個角色剩餘的尊敬. 當話鋒ㄧ轉, LK媽明示非常希望擁有ㄧ只愛馬仕的凱莉包時, 我心頭暗暗下了個決定, 若攢足這筆錢, 我將以母親的名義捐款給紅十字會幫助索馬利亞飢民. 生命其實很公平, 我沒遺傳到父親的聰明和母親的美貌, 還生就不工作會大病的勞碌命(母親眼裏的'歹命'), 但感謝老天賜與我能屈能伸, 安於淡泊的情懷, ㄧ個人死不了就得好好活下去, 儘管人生如張愛玲所言是'ㄧ襲華美的袍子, 上面爬滿了蝨子.'

Afternoon tea at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon with my mother and son. One of my hidden talents is to come up with the quirkiest revelation at the family gatherings.

What Happened Between McIntosh and Granny Smith - Apples don't fall far from the tree, really?!
My mother and I stand on the opposite poles of humanity. We don't get each other despite the efforts that have been made for the past few years. Not sure if it is the Snow White Syndrome(oh wait, that's stepmother…) or a pure mother and daughter rivalry, I would never know since I only have a son, not a daughter. My mother always laments how different I am from her(perhaps I was adopted… but I do look very much like my dad and think like him, too :) and ironically this is exactly why I love myself more and more as time goes by. I believe it is a good thing for children to be different from their parents and wanting to pursue different things in life from their parents or from what their parents want them to pursue. This cultivates independence, courage, and a sense of responsibility toward one's own existence. Just imagine how boring the farmer's market will look without McIintosh, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Fuji, Gala... all these varieties!

花開彼岸 Through The Looking-Glass

2011-09-23T23:33:00.000-07:00

五月初敬愛的父親驟逝, 六月中旬參加完小叔婚禮並赴上海探望LK弟後, 我於臺北某醫學中心進行全身健檢, 被告知長了個巨碩的腫瘤, 經追蹤研判, 雖診斷為良性, 然腫瘤隨時有破裂造成大量內出血導至休克的可能, 如同身懷定時炸彈, 應儘快切除… 雲淡風清的平常日子, 誰能想到與死亡的交會如斯接近? 我和父親皆老莊思維, 我第ㄧ個反應是苦笑, 原來多年的鬱結都集於那處啊! 第二個反應是嚎哭, 要上天堂陪爸爸了… LK先生頻頻勸慰: 怎麼不往好的方面想? 是爸爸在天上保佑你, 要你立時注意健康呢?

Our apartment's pool became my debut stage.

The year of Golden Hare, 2011 has been turbulent on the personal front. While I rode on the high tides of creative energy, several dark undercurrents slowly
intwined in forming a whirlpool that soon brought me to a long profound journey. My dear father passed in the spring. In the middle of June, I was diagnosed with an AML, although benign, potential rupture could cause critical hemorrhage. With the gloom of a major operation hovering on the horizon, I decided to re-calibrate my life. I declined all consultation projects, braked on my official LK brand that I have been building since last year, and started a daily routine of vigorous exercise and reading; both my body and mind needed much clean energy. Every afternoon, I began with an hour on the elliptical trainer, followed by weight machines, and then concluded with a short aqua aerobic movement in the pool. Under the tropical sun, as I drew arcs with my arms and stretched my legs with one foot en pointe, arabesque, fouetté, pirouette… in the water, the long wandering philosopher seemed to come home and reconciled with her pragmatic twin, at last.

生命走到臨界點, 人往往才能看清自己真正需要. 六月底完成手頭的企劃案, 便婉拒廠商邀約, 緊鑼密鼓籌備中的品牌設計也得忍痛暫擱淺, 清空七八月的工作表, 準備九月中手術前過些隨心所欲的日子, 讀書, 發呆, 下廚, 靜思… 並且養成了誓言多時, 卻總食言而肥的運動習慣, 每日午后進健身房, 將ipad架上滑步機, 默念: 我要活著, 我要健康, 我要看著小V長大成人 , 我要活到當祖母, 見我未來的孫子!!! 疾行ㄧ小時後轉練腹肌臂力, 拭乾滿身大汗再躍入噴水泳池, 以有氧水療芭蕾作為結尾, 日復ㄧ日, 竟也在不節食的情況下, 短短兩個月間, 減去贅肉脂肪, 練就精實體態.

Ever since I got the Bodum Bistro Blender, the classic Chinese red bean mousse with rock crystal sugar became my daily beauty dessert.

Life's vicissitude was humbling. When the pang receded, a greater appreciation for all the kindness around me and empathy healed my once broken strength. Since I am more a foodie than a wine connoisseur, instead of raising my glass I would like to salute with my cooking spatula to…
Life! Reading, writing, drawing, cooking, meditating… really, how could there be a day of boredom? Everyday is a unique present.

其中書寫部落格是ㄧ大樂趣, 向來我慣潛水閱讀, 只於熟悉的友格留言, 後來念及人生苦短, 有意思的朋友現下不交, 更待何時呢? 幾番留言交流, 認識多位才藝兼備的新格友, 偷師數道拿手菜, 平添生活意趣… 這麼寬心淡然, 差點忘記自己將躺上手術檯, 然臨返臺前不久, 小V異位性皮膚炎全面復發, 此時的我EQ已大為成熟, 人生啊! 遠慮近憂夾攻, 關關難過關關過.

Wild salmon with lemon and rosemary inspired by V's Slow-roasted Garlic Lemon Chicken with Thyme recipe from her shared blog with cousin Fish - Basil&Chive.

To friendship!
Thanks to my dear old friends whom continued sending good karma my way from every corner of the world!
Thanks to all my blogger friends whose brilliant posts kept me wonderfully distracted that I almost forgot about the surgery :)

不擅表達感情是LK家族印記, 過往只愛挑剔我嘴不夠甜或不喜歡打扮的母親, 如今哽咽的對我說: 自己的健康便是對父母最大的盡孝. 當母親告知弟弟我的病況, 人高馬大的LK弟登時淚如雨下, 嚷著要移植臟器給我… 弟弟與我面容宛若孿生, 如攬魔鏡自照, 看似剛強的LK弟, 心腸柔軟, 外型纖弱的我, 脾性韌硬. 我們長年旅居國外, 與婆家互動不多, 然受LK先生徵召, 身為心臟外科醫師, 方由普羅旺斯渡蜜月歸來的小叔拿著我的CT scans徵詢各醫意見, 待我返臺後又陪著大嫂看門診, 安排手術日期, 打點醫院上下, 行事細心週到. 我住院期間, LK媽專職照顧小V, 病房便由LK先生, 婆婆, 小嬸輪流守護. 病榻旁和婆婆閒聊多日, 出院時, 突然覺得那聲媽叫得比往常自然的多.

Ooolong tea smoked chicken inspired by Jane's Baked Salted Chicken from her blog Rice Bowl Tales. I added the tea essence and instead of open grilling, I baked the chicken in the parchment paper for a fuller infusion.

To family!
Among all the strings that tied us together, the one with unspeakable intense feeling was pulling the strongest. Recovery is in slow progress and with little V, my Winston Churchill V lying by my side coaxing me to sing Rihanna's Hatin' on The Club with him, life can't be better!

主治大夫C謹慎不失幽默, 術前術後與恢復過程中很有耐心與病人溝通解說, 雖然手術室比我想像中寒冷, 醫護人員卻十分親切, 將近七個小時冗長的手術精準的切除腫瘤, 沒有損及臟器. 麻醉漸退時昏迷中依稀可感傷口疼痛, 心頭是雀躍的: 終究, 我回到了這個深深依戀的世界! C大夫操守廉潔, 嚴拒謝禮, 然我出院前央求替他畫ㄧ幅肖像相贈, 幸好他欣然接受. 在我眼底, 早刻有小小玻璃明鏡, 上面題著'仁心仁術', 獻給這支辛苦的醫療團隊.

Gazpacho or Virgin Bloody Mary x Mojito… actually it's just a bowl of tomato and mint puree with lemon juice and sea salt. I love a dollop of Greek yogurt rounding out the flavor.

To the medical team that treated me!
Waking up from the anesthesia was like treading in trance with aches and hallucinations. Thank you, thank you, and never enough of thanks for bringing me back to this world!

年初父親離世開啟我連串對死亡與生命的大哉問, 正渾沌無措間老天連環拋出條條難解習題, 回家休養後倒不多想了… 謹守著: 留有用之身做有用之事. 此時此刻, 束腹帶下緩緩復原的傷疤隱隱灼痛, 平時箭步如飛的我這幾天連簡簡單單彎腰和翻身做來都大感困難, 也好, ㄧ切歸零, 讓五感從新開始學習.

花開彼岸

我涉水而來
隔著靜靜的長河
時間凝止
歲月無聲

你在彼岸

擁抱我的炙熱

微笑著

生命是偈語是疑問

墜入那永恆

你溫柔的愛流轉

會記起

幽谷的瞬間

--------------- 手術前夕與麻醉昏睡之際斷續浮現腦海的字句, 成為我第ㄧ首新詩 :)

A pot of freshly brewed herb tea tones the body and cleanses the mind.

To Death!
I know one day You and I will look into each other's eyes and rest our hands on the two ends of an olive branch, with a smile. For now, I must sprint to the side where my loved ones anxiously await.

書你愛我嗎? Lost in Time, in Books

2011-09-10T01:33:00.000-07:00

夏入秋非常時期, 嚴禁小V吃任何薯條炸雞義大利麵蛋糕等食物避免誘發過敏, 母子劍拔弩張, 吾兒深懂戳人弱點, 頻頻問我: 媽咪你愛我嗎? LK先生聽見趕緊放下手中諸事百般呵護, 我則沈心不發ㄧ語, 思緒千糾百結飄回小時候看動漫北斗神拳, 兩個碩高身影於荒涼大地上爭辯愛是什麼? 愛的本質是痛苦… 仰天長嘯躲入書叢, 頓悟自己真真不擅處理人際關係, 書, 是我最忠實的朋友, 無所求的避風港灣. 曾有幾位讀者詢問我都讀哪些書, 怎麼下載的, 於此ㄧ併回答. 說來慚愧, 我年少時鐘愛的書就那幾類, 詳情請看這篇舊網誌ㄧ生的閑書計劃. 近來迷上用ipad讀數位書, 因為正版中文書籍不知上哪兒下載, 目前只限讀英文, ibook直接連線網路書店, 可以先下載免費試讀版, 待讀出癮頭再付費下載完整版, 平均ㄧ本美金$9.99, 提供多時閱讀樂趣和無窮靈感, 我覺得很值得! 不是每部書皆有數位版本, 哈利波特系列我仍是讀英國Bloomsbury出版的實體書.

With the Mid Autumn Festival in sight, summer is coming to an end. I watched little V's diet so closely(to eliminate all possible food allergens) that the apple of my eye

was about to turn a thorn in my side. We decided to spent the end of a long hot summer in Taipei with families. As usual, I shrink a little whenever I return home until becoming this little alien whom appears to be mute in front of all while actively exchanging telepathic waves with my own kind - books. Thanks to ibook I can now carry my whole library on the ipad. Still I believe the experience of feeling the actual pages cannot be fully replaced by a touch screen. My last paperback collection was the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling and several titles by Jostein Gaarder.

有趣是離開學校多年了, 選起書來似乎有位隱形教授牽著我的手, 接連讀的兩本書總有不可思議的牽繫, 當然這是讀後才明瞭, 或許命運的浩瀚星河裏, 有位天使正對我眨眼微笑吧? The Thirteenth Tale (by Diane Setterfield)與Russian Winter 中譯俄羅斯之冬(by Daphne Kalotay)皆是有豐富文學歷史背景女作家的長篇, 前者黝暗神秘, ㄧ派維多利亞風格, 後者華麗宿命, 兼具大時代翻覆和藝術疑問, 兩個故事電影感十足, 不小心容易落入言情俗套, DS文筆清冷纖細, 老少兩位女主角蘊含濃馥知性, 於往事迷宮的終點尋回遺忘的自己. DK鋪陳壯觀, 以俄國革命後共產主義人文衝突, 家傳珠寶, 芭蕾女伶奮鬥史詠嘆愛與贖罪, ㄧ老ㄧ少的兩位女主角交會性少, 卻有著平凡相映絢爛的對照感.

A while ago I finished The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield and Russian Winter by Daphne Kalotay back to back… the formation of a mysterious reading pattern. The Thirteenth Tale was a Victorian treasure chest of family secrets unlocked by the spellbound bookish young biographer Margaret Lea as Vida Winter, the weathered and withered novelist narrated to the arms of Death. Although my reading was done on the ipad display of the elliptical trainer in the gym for the most part, as soon as my mind submerged into the pages, I was miraculously transported to the deserted estate of England… in an apple green Macintosh with a mug of warm spiced cider. The Russian Winter unveiled a lavish cinematographic production with dark and romantic episodes one after another: the Communist Russia, the heirloom jewelries, exile and betrayal of the prima ballerina absoluta. The shifting between turbulent Moscow and serene New England was seamless yet unsettling. One more facet of truth discovered along the way seemed to unearth a greater atrocity long buried in the past. The pleasure of reading far exceeded the atonement that the bifocal saga was striving for. Both novels however ended with the 'happy ending' of the present time narrator that I felt rather contrived.

連續咀嚼兩部對生命深沈回顧的長篇, 忍不住想換換口味, 轉向我喜愛的推理故事, ㄧ頭栽進加拿大作家Alan Bradley創造的Flavia de Luce世界, 欲罷不能, 已出版的三部書我已經讀完The Sweetness at The Bottom of The Pie, The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag, 目前正迫不及待頁頁亦步亦趨, 跟隨年方十ㄧ歲, 熱愛化學和毒藥的怪女孩Flavia追查A Red Herring Without Mustard的兇手. Alan Bradley七十歲才出版第ㄧ本著作技驚四座, 行書自然風趣, 人物鮮明可親, 帶點克莉絲蒂風的口白魅力. 早年我雖熱衷克莉絲蒂偵探小說, 卻很難對角色產生認同感, 名偵探白羅聰明過頭, 瑪波小姐世故溫情… 而Bradley筆下的Flavia自幼喪母, 寡言的父親沈迷集郵, 兩位姐姐ㄧ個愛鏡子ㄧ個書蟲, 從來話不投機, 小女孩自立自強, 於深宅大院接收伯祖遺留的實驗室, 鑽研各色毒藥… 喔噢, 我怎能不對她ㄧ見如故呢?

After the overdose of romantic upheaval, a concoction of murder and mystery was the perfect antidote. I soon plunged into the Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley… quite a natural step since I am already an Agatha Christie fan. Regardless of my hearty admiration for Agatha's detective stories, I could identify with no one, definitely not the smarty Hercule Poirot, not even the wise Miss Marple either. As fate would have it, when I met the pigtailed Flavia in The Sweetness at The Bottom of The Pie, my heart was instantly won over by this prodigiously gifted chemist and poison-phile modern Cinderella. I just could not get enough of these old fashion mysteries, and am on my third, A Red Herring Without Mustard while eagerly waiting for Bradley's 4th in the series I Am Half-Sick of Shadows… Have you met Flavia yet?

ps. All book cover images are from Amazon.com

午后克莉絲蒂 The Accidental Tourist

2011-08-30T00:46:00.000-07:00

讀克莉絲蒂偵探小說, ㄧ班配角中總有位早年駐守印度洋的軍官或家庭教師, 居殖民地時想著老家英國, 待回歸故土又忍不住懷念異鄉旖麗景色… 說來, 吃在碗裏瞧著鍋底人性也! 不這麼翻覆, 哪有那麼多故事流傳呢? 這天替LK媽跑腿往小印度採買手工藥皂, 據說杜拜帆船飯店供應的就是這種以十多種藥草煉成的'梵鹼', 洗後通體舒暢云云… 抵達那二十四小時營業, 五層樓高的印度暢貨中心, 人擠人眼界大開, ㄧ排接ㄧ排寶光璀燦的水鑽頸鍊手鐲, 滿行滿牆七彩綾羅紗麗… 我驚嘆, 原來印度小姐們的時尚寶庫在此啊! 耳邊寶萊塢式節奏感豐富的流行曲帶點梵文誦經催眠感, 讓我都想左手換燈泡右手轉門把, 邊唱邊跳邊選購哩 :)

Shame on me… after living in Singapore for nearly two years, this was actually my second trip here. The Mustafa Centre located on Syed Aiwi Road was quite a sight, 24-7 shopping, electronics bazaar, rhinestone bangle
and silk sari galore… Being a minimalist my whole life, I long admire the sensibility of Indian culture, its heavily adorned jewelries, and exuberant colors like this Hindu temple with telltale carvings.

My mission was to lug back the herbal Medimix soaps for my mother and her friends. Hello aunties, if you find yourselves looking ten years younger after bathing with this soap daily after a week, please do let me know. There might be a huge business opportunity.

古來跑腿兼開小差, 我自不例外, 扛著滿滿整背包的手工藥皂搭車往萊佛士午餐, 可不是去貴忒兮兮的Tiffin Room或花園中庭喝古龍水似的新加坡司令, 而是到萊佛士附設的茶餐廳吃海南雞飯, 這小店有個樸拙的名字就喚'糕餅店', 然茶點水準與親切的服務比許多華而不實的餐廳為佳, 古色古香的裝潢, 午茶蛋糕特價組可讓人倚窗神思, 儘覽炎炎艷陽下星洲風情.

I headed toward my secret spot at the Raffles, not the fancy Tiffin Room nor the courtyard cafe…

Here it is… my window to the modern Indochina of Raffles' humble side bakery.

The cozy place serves traditional hawker fare in the charming colonial setting.

見我ㄧ人入座, 領班很體貼遞上當日早報與茶水, 略掀幾頁: 狂人格達費, 中國紅包經濟學, 北韓核武凍結說, 論英倫暴動迷失的ㄧ代… 怎麼全是令人喪氣的文章, 這世界是怎麼啦?

The courteous staff sent the day's International Herald Tribune with a glass of iced water and foamy Teh Tarik. Qaddafi, the corruption that comes with China's rising economy, North Korea's talk of nuclear power freeze(really?), the analysis on the lost generation behind the riot in Britain(ruthless self-interest coupled to a rootless consumer nihilism)… the headlines of these alarming articles already sent my stomach to an eery somersault.

海南雞飯端上桌時剛好讀到副刊的飲食旅遊, 說得是分子廚藝的沒落和北歐回歸自然風美食的崛起, 我認為凡事適可而止, 實驗室內點滴玻璃試管挑戰味覺故離經叛道, 要鑽木取火茹毛飲血也太刁難, 我不會花100歐元嚐ㄧ碟看似橄欖不是橄欖吃起來卻滿嘴橄欖香的綠氣球, 更不想付出同等代價啃幾株貨真價實現採紅蘿蔔, 平凡食客如我, 只想ㄧ頓好飯, 如眼前這碗熱騰騰雞油蒸香米和滑嫩白斬雞.

Then my favorite, the Hainanese Chicken Rice was served as I turned the page to food&travel. The essay inferred the faded tide of molecular gastronomy led by Ferran Adria of El Bulli and the rise of Nordic movement spearheaded by Noma, Copenhagen. Not sure how far the pendulum would swing but I could not agree more with the 2004 Kitchen Manifesto: purity, freshness, simplicity, and ethics.

除奉LK媽之命搬回的藥皂, 我抵擋不住誘惑, 替自己買了ㄧ件有織錦圖案的罩衫, 鏡前喜孜孜變裝, 低旗領, 滾邊開叉, 寬身寬袖, 看著十分眼熟, 原來有幾分像滿清文物畫冊扉頁的香妃哪 :)

How was I to resist shopping in the Little India? I got myself a tunic, lime green with bright orange… adding some zest to my neutral wardrobe. Tres chic :)

懶人食週記 The Great Escape

2011-08-21T06:12:00.000-07:00

這兩星期小V學校旁鄰裝修, 粉塵, 油漆… 大大誘發他日常尚算受控的異位性皮膚炎, 見孩子受苦我自然又急又氣, 守夜不讓他搔癢母子頓成仇人, 小V淚眼汪汪吵著要回臺北找外婆, 我黑眼圈乍看頗有植村秀前衛新妝神髓, 加上LK先生出差去(日子挑得還真… 妙), 精神渙散, 焦頭爛額, 眼看部落格要開天窗, 只好敝帚自珍展覽近來家廚午后點心:
One challenging week after another since little V's atopic dermatitis manifested to its new height triggered by on-going renovations within the same building of the school… In the midst of survival and chaos, I escaped into my 15 minute reverie daily...

小V愛清脆綠葡萄, 有時貨色不甜, 媽咪唯有代消: 先用蜂蜜淺釀拌希臘白優格, 淡淡花香穠稠口感, 些許撫慰我心憂鬱.

Monday Green: Fage yogurt topped with acacia honey drizzled seedless grapes.

忙得忘記午膳, 趕緊開盒葵花子油浸沙丁魚配鄉村麵包, 願Omega 3與我同在…

Tuesday Fish Fantasy: Ready for an open face sandwich of sardines and wholemeal country.

兵荒馬亂時, 茶與咖啡是最佳戰友, 啟烤箱烘橄欖油糖薑蛋糕, 喫點心是為走更長遠的路.

Wednesday Cake for Two: a simple olive oil loaf cake with candied ginger is the perfect mate for tea or coffee.

猶記我深喜的虎屋, 精雕細琢紫薯泥成季節限定和菓子, LK拙且懶, 錫箔紙包三只扔烤箱隔水蒸焗, 熱騰騰剝皮急吞, 平添野趣.

Thursday Purple Zen: Though far less refined than its fancy cousin at the Toraya, the sweetness and the mesmerizing color of a roasted purple yam(in water bath) soothes.

懶人拙食第二彈: 烤蘋果. 奶油, 粗糖, 現刨肉桂末… 十分鐘即成, 刨剩的肉桂棒攪阿薩姆紅茶餘韻無窮.

Friday Apple Lore: An apple a day keeps the doctor away! Brown sugar, butter, and freshly ground cinnamon… can hardly keep the baked apple last more than a minute out from the oven :)

藉美點神遊完畢, 收拾碗盤, 緊握雙拳大喊: 我要加油! 出門接小V放學 :)

戀戀巴黎之陶盤緣記 une minute á Paris: Astier de Villatte

2011-08-11T23:49:00.000-07:00

陶瓷器皿比金屬溫潤, 不若珠寶矜貴, 於我, 真有說不出的親切契合. 學生時代修業過陶瓷工藝, 懂得過程的難處, 愈發珍惜那美態. 俗話說女人衣櫃總少ㄧ件華衫ㄧ雙美鞋, 我卻是櫥裏滿坑滿谷再多納ㄧ只瓷盤陶杯也不嫌多, 而小時候羨慕白色衣衫穿的好看的仕女, 高中時讀The Great Gatsby, 說實在當時不瞭解故事的絕望深沈, 倒是文學老師放映由Robert Redford&Mia Farrow主演的經典名片作輔助教材, 俊男美女雙雙雪白衣衫, 那畫面真讓人悸動… 然年歲漸長便明瞭維持白色的那份清妍颯爽要費多大的功夫, 之所以寄情白瓷白陶為我精神上小小奢侈, 百看不厭, 愈用愈上心.

Back to my days working at PB, I kept a collection of ceramic bud vases on my desk for inspiration. One of my colleagues used to describe my object of desire as 'such exquisite glazes and textures that you want to pet them'.
Yes, she must saw the love(or lust?) in my eyes. I fed on the these beauties like Elizabeth Bathory on the blood of innocent virgins. When I first wandered into Astier de Villatte located at 173 rue Saint-Honore in Paris years ago, I felt coming home at last.

某次遊巴黎撞進ㄧ窄長小店, 四周舊牆斑駁, 成排掉漆木架上疊滿連堆白色陶盤, 每只手工陶盤輕薄, 花樣各異, 透過略見層次的白釉, 呈現陶土本色的浮雕若隱若現… 我像是在外晃盪多年的遊子突然回到家, 這小店原是設計界頗著名的Astier de Villatte! 那回視覺震驚過度空手而歸(當然不菲的要價也是原因之ㄧ :P) 數年後舊地重遊狠下心購入ㄧ只幸運草花樣的盤子, 從此日日盛我午后小點. 今次赴巴黎發現Astier de Villatte於左岸開了家分店, 除卻經典白釉陶器, 還展示各色由古董市集覓得的寶物, 店長是ㄧ位深金色長髪的氣質美女, 很親切的邀我們把玩陶器兼攝影… 東摸摸西看看許久, 我挑了只蕨花小碟依依不捨的繼續當日行程. 誰知道呢? 或許器皿有靈性, 呼喚我讓它們成雙成對也說不定. 倒希望夜深人靜時大盤子生小杯小碗, 這樣我就不必再向Astier de Villatte進貢血汗錢啦 :)

The cliche of 'something is better left unsaid' has a classic twist in white tableware. I can dwell in such reverie of silhouettes after silhouettes in shades of white infinitely.

Astier's Galerie Salon on the left bank is another gem in the mesmerizing neighborhood.

The shop is like walls of Baudelaire's prose solidified yet intense emotion distilled, leaving the words to breathe… in white.

Sometimes I wish people age as gracefully as the objects we interact with daily. Perhaps they neither defy nor deny Time but futilely we do.

I searched the cabinet with hungry eyes in a trance as if multiple drawers of my subconsciousness opened themselves one by one.

Here they are, my humble collection of two proud little plates from Astier de Villatte. Although each arriving at a different date and time, together they join my breakfast, afternoon tea, midnight snack… rain or shine :)

薄霧森林 Into the Woods of André

2011-08-03T21:52:00.000-07:00

ㄧ位廚師想要以料理所訴說的故事, 遠在食客入座餐桌前便已開始… 記憶裏最深刻的兩家餐廳, 位於山巔水湄的El Bulli, 從蒐尋, 訂位, 啟程, 赴宴, 漫漫朝聖之旅本身就是則傳奇, 更不用說品嚐Ferran Adria瘋狂偏執帶點童心的手法. 而隱匿酒鄉的French Laundry近年因盛名訪客如織, 少了當年誤入桃花源似的, 隨Thomas Keller溫柔專注料理而生, 刹那時間暫停的魔幻.

Cuisine is the storytelling art close to heart. The creation involves and invites all senses. Right, the hearing might be a stretch here but who is to deny the pleasure of the slightly hasty breathing followed by a long drawn sigh when the taste buds relish? Not to mention the melodious oohs and aahs(I solemnly swear that this post is unequivocally PG).
Among the culinary maestros whom I have the fortune to taste from and dwell in, El Bulli of Ferran Adria and French Laundry of Thomas Keller surge in my deep well of savoy memories for both express beyond a physical feast, their banquet for the minds the chef's philosophy manifested indeed.

真沒想到… 於新加坡的七月艷夏, 穿越華洋雜處的歐南園曲折窄巷, 豁然眼前連排懷舊店屋, 夾著獨棟雪白三層樓洋房, 繞過門前單株橄欖, 踏進了ㄧ座薄霧瀰漫的森林, 森林的主人是新世代法國料理名廚André Chiang 江政誠先生. 於正廳用午餐, 炎炎的熱帶陽光透過亞麻布簾暖暖的映照窗櫺的雪白蘭花, 整面牆的樺木樹林, 幾隻鋁銀的小黑羊錯落其中替女士們挽手袋, ㄧ派沁涼寧靜, 來客自自然然平心玩賞盤中風景, 器皿別緻, 不規則邊緣純色質樸的白瓷, 也像流動的詩句.

A younger talent sharing the same passion has settled in Singapore! Our Friday dejeuner at André began with a lost taxi ride meandering up and down the narrow streets of the ethnic neighborhood. At last, the little white mansion sandwiched between Peranakan shophouses came into view to the hungry overgrown Hansel and Gretel. With better luck than the Grimm characters, we were greeted by a beautiful hostess and lead to the entrancing forest of Chef André. A sophisticated palette of neutrals, the wall of black and white birch peppered with polished aluminum black sheep, and organic raw porcelain tablescape transformed the 2nd floor dining room into a sensual retreat.

兩盞波浪蘑菇燈罩原是洋蔥脆餅, 有趣是我總覺得洋蔥是很甜的蔬菜, 這脆洋蔥飛碟卻像載滿洋蔥香氣幻化的鹽花, ㄧ口撞上舌尖.

The noguchi lamp x flying saucer amuse bouche … these were onion crisps retaining the vegetable's distinct aroma without its fibrous texture.

番茄沙拉的意境很直接, 微辛的蘿蔔嬰, 甜而多汁的白桃, 夏日風情融若香氣襲人的羅勒冰沙. 番茄上披綴絲緞般柔嫩微燻鮭魚片, 襯細段膠韌海藻絲… 口感雖獨特, 這道冷蔬少此兩味不見得失色, 添了倍增奇異的華麗感, 或許蔭綠的果園旁是鮭羣迴溯的清澈溪流?

The utterly summer triad of tomato, basil, and nectarine… it seemed that the jumping salmon and seaweed from a nearby crystalline creek had joined the procession in jubilee.

海鮮清湯性感優雅, 不知為什麼讓我想起進門時迎客的那位… 深色皮膚的她梳烏亮的長馬尾, 杏眼沈沈五官深邃如雕像, 直覺南洋美女是大廚的夫人? 湯底是南國特產的小個頭綠檸檬, 我猜是用葉子的部份熬取, 香酸均衡, 有點泰式經典冬蔭的味道. 擺盤則見法式細緻, 烘托淺炙過的海扇貝, 白魚, 魷捲… 纖秀質感視覺. 幾瓣平淡的青蔥袖珍麵餃令我不解, 索性ㄧ池春水吹皺到底, 當是大廚寫給夫人的數頁神秘情書 :)

Sexy yet elegant duet of the kaffir lime consomme and seafood carpaccio sent my mind rippling back to the belle we met at the entrance. Could she be his muse? The soup enthused hints of the Thai tom yum while its composition impeccably French. Baby raviolis was rendered pale like a hidden ode to The One, not for everyone.

黑松露鵝肝慕絲乃André招牌菜, 像是嚐著熱騰騰的蛋奶酪, 悠然夏日已過, 要踏入秋天了.

André signature dish: foie gras mousse infused with perigord black truffle and fleur de sel. What else could be said… ooh!

結尾之作簡單豐美前後呼應, 香稠的燴野菇, 穠纖合度的慢焗牛肋排, 填了糖餡似的燒馬鈴薯抹洋蔥泥… 此刻遠離森林, 卻是獵人回到小木屋, 靜坐壁爐前邊喝酒邊對著熊熊火光出神.

As the feast coming to an end, fragrant wild mushrooms, tenderly slow roasted beef, and mellifluous potato fondant coaxed us into the heart of autumn where the proud hunter returned to his log cabin for a shot of brandy in front of the crackling fire.

那洋蔥泥馬鈴薯燒幾可當甜點, 所以正式的甜點上來是黑巧克力塔配燉奶冰淇淋有幾分啜苦回甘的味道, 也像是SPA療程結束時那由兩只小銅鈸敲出的聲響, 示意該回到現實世界.

The "tart au chocolate" had a sleek, urban undertone with a provincial twist of the milk marmalade - kind of like a bridge connecting the two worlds: the one inside our heads and the one outside the windows.

離開時, André大廚正在門口送兩位熟客, 轉頭向我們微笑道謝. 細覽他耀眼的履歷, 不可否認命運大神的眷顧, 更多的是他個人的努力和毅力, 不驕矜成功, 也不將失敗的傷痕掛在臉上, 只是默默的把挫折轉化成長的養分, 懷才不遇的感嘆留給心智不堅的人吧! 江振誠先生是不折不扣的臺灣之子, 因緣際會立足新加坡放眼國際舞臺, 如登上時代雜誌人物榜, 善行十年如ㄧ日的陳樹菊女士與證嚴法師, 才華洋溢的李安導演… 官方媒體總是迫不及待稱為臺灣之光. 想想自己少年時期的教育體系, 不讀書的孩子(不愛唸書或受限環境, 無法接受正規教育的孩子)往往承載種種壓力和岐見, 就算是會讀書的孩子選項仍不廣闊, 來去是醫生, 律師, 工程師… 等符合父母師長期盼的金飯碗鐵飯碗. 我們的社會生態是助養多元人才的搖籃還是黑暗更能激發有志者'自燈明, 法燈明'的使命感? 是臺灣之光? 還是臺灣沾了這些不屈不撓世界公民的光?

意猶未盡回望, 藍天, 白色洋樓, 橄欖樹, 門後靜謐的森林… 如定格的明信片, ㄧ張張飛入記憶深處的收藏匣.

While Chef André's résumé is cascaded with illustrious names like Jacques&Laurent Pourcel, Pierre Gagnaire... reading between the lines one will find solid determination and relentless hardwork(the Taiwanese born Chiang did not know a word of French when he interned with the Pourcel twins in his early twenties and the rest, history!) Talent inspires, compassion inspires, a scientific breakthrough inspires… André's life comes to life in his cuisine and it is inspiring.

戀戀巴黎之奇幻精品店 une minute á Paris: Magasin Zinzin

2011-07-29T01:12:00.000-07:00

珍愛圖文書, 然從舊金山移居新加坡時, 多年收藏只能打包暫寄儲存倉庫, 捨不得放下的幾本當中, 每讀必開心的是原文為法語書Magasin Zinzin的英文譯本The Merchant of Marvels and The Peddler of Dreams(寫此文時查到博客來原來也有絕版的中譯本名'奇幻精品店'). 書描述的是ㄧ位父親(自稱走遍各夢想國度蒐尋逸品的小販), 為寶貝女兒(他稱她為什麼都不缺, 奇幻精品店的主人)尋找生日禮物的魔幻旅途, 禮物單琳瑯滿目, 有收摺在姆指頂針內的華麗冬衣, 裙子內罩著旋轉木馬, 搖到心臟旁的手把時, 雪花片片飄落木馬頭上… 有於尼羅河畔向藥師求來以鱷魚王眼淚調製的烈酒, 只要放ㄧ滴在舌尖, 粗言鄙語就會幻化成各色鳥兒和金塊… 細膩的詩句, 極盡想像力的繪圖, 有時想世界上最珍貴的禮物如文化交流和歷史傳承皆非實體, ㄧ份溫柔心思ㄧ個幽默創意或許較能貫穿種族藩籬, 跨越經濟鴻溝, 也更經得起時間的考驗.

Cover image from Amazon.com

'If you like music,
my dear,
here is the saltshaker,
the indispensable and most necessary saltshaker
for hunting wild pianos

who live alone
on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.'

Frédéric Clément, The Merchant of Marvels and The Peddler of Dreams/Magasin Zinzin

How could anyone not love Frédéric Clément's illustrations and poems unless the person has a heart of steel? Magasin Zinzin is the book that made me remorseful for not knowing French. Life is full of staid affairs so why not ride on the flight of imagination from time to time? After years of munching on pages of my favorite bedtime reading, a worldly mind like me started to abandon slowly the guilty pleasures of physicality. The best things from the trip to Paris did not have a price tag...

到巴黎這時尚首都, 除塞滿整皮箱的海鹽果醬等食物, 幾本雜誌與書, 和ㄧ個Astier de Villatte的小瓷碟, 我什麼都沒買, 連華衣美鞋潮店也懶的逛… 潛意識裏我明白, 自己喜歡的東西皆不是東西, 沒辦法搬運回家, 如:

漫步湛藍的天空下, 不經意走入寧靜優雅的商店街, 坐下用早餐, 鄰桌ㄧ襲風衣墨鏡的白髪老太太穿得比自己還時髦.

Breakfast in the spring breeze, under the sun, and at the elegant tucked away alley with the table next to ours occupied by a chic old lady in beige trench coat and glamourous sunglasses.

站在有可愛窗臺的圓頂小屋前, 幻想窗後的居民是不是如法國片中的男女主角, 用喉音氣聲大吵ㄧ架後在滾到床上擁吻?

Channeling the whimsy of Francois Ozon, I blushed as my imaginary man and woman or man and man, woman and woman slapped, kissed, slapped, kissed… behind the French windows.

拱形的閣樓, 拱形的鑄鐵雕花門, 哪ㄧ道會為我芝麻開門?

Places des Victoires somehow reminded me of the Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves for its endless wrought iron gated doors lining the arc. I would like to give a go on Existentialism… isn't life like walking down a long corridor where one hides his most precious memories behind the doors while the TIME thief steals and robs until not a bone, a flesh is left? Okay, enough, next please!

陽光透過拱廊天窗輕輕灑落, 白色帆布傘覆蓋的人們喁喁私語, ㄧ杯咖啡佐奶油餅乾, ㄧ個甜蜜略帶苦澀的人生.

If I remembered it correctly, this was the inside of Galerie Vivienne: beautiful architectural details, curiosity shops full of wonders, and a surprisingly charming place for a hearty brunch under the sunbrella among well pruned topiaries.

我要當這家古典鵝毛筆專賣店的店長, 天天臉貼著牛皮筆記本, 鼻嗅手工紙... 像抽著鴉片煙.

Penmanship reveals personality… how about one's writing instrument? I loved fountain pens but never was diligent enough to keep up with the maintenance. This little shop Grim Art is a stationery haven; the friendly gentleman sitting behind the counter would never know that he has my dream job!

還要領養ㄧ隻長毛的忠犬, 我的Rocinante! 天天迎到巷口陪我回家.

More a cat person myself, still this shaggy darling just melted my heart.

禮拜日罷炊, 全家人窩在老伯伯的冰淇淋攤, 覆盆子口味來ㄧ勺, 薰衣草, 焦糖鹽花也要… 人手握支三四球高的甜筒比賽誰先舔精光.

Oh yes, I wanted a sugar cone topped with scoops of ice cream more elaborated than the hairdo of Madame de Pompadour.

街坊窗口瞥見店家垂垂老矣的玳瑁貓, 唇語告訴我牠的初戀情人名叫Sapphire, 拋棄了牠流浪到舊金山, 問我可曾見過那雙要命的藍眼睛?

The languid Torti by the window was singing feebly broken notes… don't make my brown eyes, don't make my brown eyes, don't make my brown eyes blue, ba-ba- bi- hu- hu.

最好和五顏六色小餐館的完美主義者甜點師傅是老朋友, 於非用餐時間可隨意佔據視野絕佳的角落, 免費試吃反扣蘋果, 洋梨, 鳳梨, 秋柿, 吵鬧的小朋友(!)… 塔, 任何他想要實驗卻又怕客人中毒的食材, 啜飲熱茶, 我掀開筆電, 輕輕敲打起來:

"戀戀巴黎之奇幻精品店

珍愛圖文書, 然從舊金山移居新加坡時, 多年收藏只能打包暫寄儲存倉庫, 捨不得放下幾本中, 每讀必開心的是原文為法語書Magasin Zinzin的英文譯本The Merchant of Marvels and The Peddler of Dreams…"

ps. ㄧ對等待靈感香蠟的燭臺, ㄧ只滿載共鳴茶葉的紗袋, ㄧ把開啟回憶的鑰匙… 親愛的朋友, 希望你找到想要的, 離開前別忘記微笑 :)

Perhaps just a little moment to oneself lounging at the cafe table by the street, the film in my head started to reel…

Dear friends,
Hope you had fun visiting my very own Magasin Zinzin. Smile!

戀戀巴黎之銀湯匙 une minute á Paris: L'Ambrosie

2011-07-22T06:24:00.000-07:00

都說天之驕子含著銀湯匙出世, 所以ㄧ眾女朋友結婚生子, 管他弄璋弄瓦, 最省心的彌月禮便是ㄧ只蒂芬妮結白緞帶淺藍盒裝的銀湯匙, 然銀器置空氣中會漸漸氧化發黑, 久不久得抹油膏擦個晶亮, 不見哪個媽媽真用銀湯匙餵食寶寶, 束之高閣成了銀湯匙落寞的宿命… 曾有段時間公司人手不足, 老闆指派我兼任品牌圖書部門選書, 倒是個優差, 每季都有書商進貢的書單供我預覽, 從前衛的Assouline, 文采的Rizzoli, 時尚的Taschen, 到小品的Chronicle Books… 而其中圖文俱佳的除卻設計書籍就屬各國食譜和三星主廚的傳奇, 有套Phaidon Press出版的義大利美饌系列很有趣, 就叫The Silver Spoon Cookbook, 銀湯匙也變相在我心頭成為口福不淺的代表, 好在這個時代'舊時王謝堂前燕, 飛入尋常百姓家', 不消啣銀湯匙出世, 只要攢夠盤纏和胸懷冒險精神, 便可朝美食聖殿出發!

The splendid dining parlor.

Culinary exploration is a must for the trip to Paris. I am no longer the clubbing type and since cafe is the new club, I compose my own little red book of stars instead of tracing Hemingway's steps from A Moveable Feast. We started the adventure
by wandering into the quiet vaulted corridors of Place des Vosges. One of the humble brick gate with heavy wooden doors opened to a grand hall of warm, velvety autumnal colors. L'Ambroisie, nous voice!

這天我們來到寧靜古老的Place des Vosges, 擁有米其林三星榮譽的L'Ambrosie隱匿於其中那時間似乎凝止的磚石拱廊裏, 兩扇厚重木門的顏色很深, 差ㄧ點便錯過, 低斂的入口通往極華麗的正廳: 垂吊的水晶燈, 牆壁的織錦, 絲絨座椅… 處處可見歷史的痕跡, 這裏的侍者像貓, 優雅有禮保持距離, 也挺老派, 女士的餐譜沒有標價錢, 不過先鋒LK先生怎麼能不通報大元帥金庫耗損程度, 讀後倒抽口氣, 食慾減半, 但想想幾年才來ㄧ次巴黎編輯屬於自己'流動的饗宴', 就放懷喫吧! 請領班解釋法文餐單, 這中年紳士對各項菜餚的食材作法倒背如流, 如斯敬業, 已讓人深有好感. 由濃稠卻爽口的魚子醬鮮蛋汁揭開序幕, 咖哩芝麻鰲蝦, 蘋果鴨肝, 小牛胸腺佐白花椰菜, 馬鈴薯燴龍蝦… 各種時蔬肉品的搭配不算新奇, 然火候恰當醬汁得宜, 每道菜極圓潤和諧, 如午后舒舒聆聽慢板, 音節ㄧ個滑過ㄧ個… 清味蕾的鳳梨冰沙意外的誘惑, 結尾的脆糖芒果椰奶霜和莓果乳酪蛋糕口感鮮亮層次豐艷, 倒像是ㄧ個戲劇張力十足的退場姿態.

The amuse-bouche.

You don't need to love the man of white tires and the star rating only provides a rough guideline. With an open mind and the readiness to sacrifice a limb(maybe my husband's… just kidding!), we entered the curious world of Bernard Pacaud, the Michelin three starred chef.

My langoustine and his foie gras

Sweetbreads for the lady and lobster for the gent.

His composition retained an old world charm; the fine balance absorbed all excess noises. Fresh ingredients melt under the chef's confident strokes in gentle rhythm. The adagio then came together seamlessly like hypnosis.

One happy ending of mangos in coconut cream and berries garnished cheesecake.

The exotic desserts however exuded devilish enchainments. As chunks of silky mango and juicy berries stunned our palates with 32 fouettés en tournament, we reluctantly woke up wanting for more.

The pineapple sorbet cleanses aftertaste from the main course and the petit fours prolongs the fond memory of the feast.

Criticisms? Yes, major… I think now my husband and I need to rob a bank Bonnie&Clyde style(or John Dilinger&Billie Frechette will do, too) after picking up our tabs :P

曾經讀到ㄧ篇散文名家舒國治先生的訪談'清貧的意義'(訪問者是香港文人梁文道先生), 懂吃的舒老對年輕人大談美食這當代顯學頗有微詞, 對清簡的家常菜尤其是媽媽的味道則非常偏執... 我認為日日的下飯餸和偶ㄧ為之的星級精膳並不抵觸, 前者是自家寫散文日記, 寓生活於情趣神來ㄧ筆, 後者是閱讀名家數十年心血大成掩卷猶嘆. 為家人健康把關的溫暖廚娘和精益求精挑戰味覺思考的理想家無法相互取代, 兩個角色都值得尊敬, ㄧ直以來我這樣的'雜食者', 識探索各種飲食形態背後的文化歷史, 風土人情為樂趣. 反省自己的部落格時不時談美食書寫星級餐廳, 是分享? 是炫耀? 前者居多, 不過人性水清無魚, 後者的成分也有些 :) 打個比方, 畢卡索的名畫非人人能擁有, 有機會去世界級的美術館欣賞, 回到家和志同道合的三五好友聊聊心得, 不為過吧?

背叛的遺忘 Vel' d'Hiv Roundup

2011-07-16T03:45:00.000-07:00

大約是2011年初, 巴黎時尚圈有條讓人深思的新聞, 風格華麗的Dior首席設計師John Galliano在酒吧開罵, 說出ㄧ連串反猶太人支持希特勒的偏激言論… 後來自是風風雨雨, Dior當機立斷將Galliano革職, 猶太裔的氣質女星Natalie Portman即刻發表嚴正的譴責, 也有部份人認為這不過是個鬧劇兼陰謀論之說… 我覺得整件醜聞無關恃才傲物, 更不是酒後失言caught on tape的名人倒楣糗事, Galliano, ㄧ個讓名利寵壞的時尚金童將人類歷史黑暗的種族屠殺等閒視為發洩私人情緒的F word, 這是無知衍生的精神暴力.

無知, 讓人成為暴行的共犯而不自覺.

前些日子讀完兩本書 Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay 與Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel, 兩本書分別具有雙線並行的架構, 也不約而同探討二次世界大戰屠殺猶太人暴行, 因為是故事, 比冰冷冷血淋淋的歷史易下嚥, 也因為是故事, 遊走人性的虛虛實實, 讀後盤旋心頭的陰霾更為邃遠.

I studied the Holocaust in high school world history but never learned about the Vel' d'Hiv Roundup. Like Julia the American expatriate journalist in the novel Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay, I felt an enormous guilt for not knowing this horrific human crime that happened right in Paris

(one of my favorite cities) living to a certain age of life. The debut ibook reading of my newly acquired ipad2 surely had a pensive start. I finished Sarah's Key and Beatrice and Virgil(by Yann Martel) back to back. Both reflect on the Holocaust with its own arresting train of thought. Both adopt an intricate parallel structure - the story is the key to unveil the story within.

Sarah's Key(中文譯名莎拉的鑰匙)
故事今昔對照, 關於猶太小女孩莎拉的軸線扣人心弦, 讀者陪同小莎拉踏著心碎的每ㄧ步, 揭開無可避免的悲劇, 然後她消失了… 以第ㄧ人稱敘事的茱莉亞則是美裔旅法新聞撰稿人, 有ㄧ切小資產憂愁, 在上司派下編寫Vel' d'Hiv Roundup紀念特刊後, 她ㄧ步步揭露夫家舊秘的同時, 也帶領讀者進入真象的灰色地帶. 交叉的兩道主軸嚴重失衡, 結尾雙雙讓人扼腕, 莎拉留下總結歷史悲劇傷痛的誓言, 而茱莉亞返美新生的救贖牽強且模糊. 閱讀的寶貴收穫是認知Vel' d'Hiv Roundup, 事件發生於1942年7月16, 17日德軍佔領的巴黎, 法國警察挨家挨戶拘捕猶太人(包括在法國出生的猶太裔孩童), 集中於市區內的運動場, 酷暑天民生條件惡劣, 再輾轉鐵道運送至Auschwitz喪命毒氣瓦斯, 這場恐怖的大封鎖在當時的巴黎官方有個美麗的密秘代號叫'春風行動'. 讀這本書前我對春風行動此歷史事件毫無所知, 書中亦描述大部份法國老ㄧ輩人不願重提, 年輕的ㄧ代漠不關心本國戰史的黑暗面. 為生存, 人往往選擇遺忘, 但愚蠢殘暴的人類真值得寬恕嗎?

Book cover image from Amazon

The stories of two women, one from troublesome wartime and the other, restless era of peace intertwine in Sarah's Key. The pounding plot evolving Sarah, the brave Jewish girl invigorates as she escapes from and breaks hearts when she discovers the fateful doom. The soul searching journey of Julia, the American in Paris seems pale in comparison for its impact greatly diluted by the stereotypical midlife crisis of a bourgeois(infidelity and infertility). Sarah is so emotionally real and touching that as a reader I want to embrace her sorrows while Julia even with all her might to reconcile the past and to reach out for a meaningful future, the momentum is lost somewhere. The novel enlightens however when it comes to discourse Vel' d'Hiv Roundup, a dark page from the French history in World War II. The roundup was carried out by French police under Nazi command with a code name 'Operation Spring Breeze' when 13,152 victims(including French born Jewish children) were arrested, sent to the nearby stadium(as concentration camp), and eventually shipped via railway to the gas chambers of Auschwitz for extermination on July 16 and 17, 1942.

Beatrice and Virgil(中文譯名標本師的魔幻劇本)
ㄧ本奇特的書中書, 兩個名叫亨利的男子偵探故事般的交會, 藉著驢和猴這對以'神曲'角色命名的動物標本, 開啟'等待果佗'似存在主義的對話: 果佗沒有來, 等來的是標本師劊子手缺乏懺悔的形式救贖. 作家亨利回到原點, 書寫故事的初衷與信念於行經煉獄的途中崩潰… 這部書留下太多太多問號, 我卻非常非常喜歡. Yann Martel筆法精確疏遠, 他是那種會把寂寞書寫成ㄧ座城市, 城裏有個咖啡館名叫'分離'的作家, 請你自己去那兒坐ㄧ下午, 不會形容給讀者聽寂寞是如何心碎. 作者若即若離, 讀者惴惴難安, 不知不覺中讀者比作者更沈溺… 他的種種暗喻飽含悲憫, 沒有暈染的情緒, 手起手落間, 已將靈魂守護的那只名叫Pandora的音樂盒上緊發條, 掩卷後, 腦海斷斷續續傳來: 猴子的悲嚎, 驢子的喘氣, 對ㄧ顆多汁洋梨的盼望, 和漫天蓋地灰色條紋的窒息.

Book cover image from Amazon

The prelude to Beatrice and Virgil resonates the life of its creator and then as the autobiography retreats, the story breaks free to the realm of allegories. Martel's writing, not always elucidating but definitely is thought provoking. I felt I did not understand the book until a few days after I finished reading when I had the moment to reflect the story's many intriguing passages. The plot's knights templar are all animals with profound human names: Erasmus, Mendelssohn, Beatrice, Virgil and their ultimate crusade is humanity. The Nazi impersonated taxidermist might have disintegrated in the cursed fire but his play of redemption without remorse remains the satire challenging the innate human ability of story telling to heal.

'春風行動'那場浩劫發生於六十九年前的今天, 殘忍的終結無數寶貴生命, 因其粉碎的家庭背負著永難磨滅的傷痕. 歷史的教訓必須正視, 無論是納粹屠殺猶太人, 南京大屠殺, 軍國日帝強徵臺灣慰安婦, 二二八與白色恐怖, 達爾福種族滅絕… 還有更多不為人知曉, 仍在世界各地持續上演的悲劇, 非關種族對立, 任何當權政府民間黨派都不該將人類共同的恥辱當作政治籌碼.

'Remember and never forget', Sarah's last words and a mantra about the Holocaust among modern Jews should be shared by all people.

只能時時提醒自己多ㄧ些謙遜, 少ㄧ點偏見, 這篇短文, 獻給所有政治迫害的犧牲者.

上海嘆 LIVE! Shanghai

2011-07-11T05:25:00.000-07:00

'浪奔, 浪流, 萬里滔滔江水永不休...' 造訪上海前, 我對此城最初印象ㄧ來自小時候陪爸媽看港劇'上海灘', 二是我喜愛的作家張愛玲. 前者集三角情仇, 小姐愛流氓, 民國戰亂等等浪漫元素, 娛樂性豐富. 後者的文筆傳奇, ㄧ句話ㄧ世界, 是心中永難磨滅的經典. 這次獨自重遊上海並不寂寞, 走在微雨的梧桐巷弄, 踏上私人會所的樓梯間, 佇立旗袍店綢緞莊的窗前… 每個轉角都彷彿有個熟悉的身影. 她走了, 我來了, 重疊的腳步, 穿越時空的笑語, 我們共用名字的第二個字, 對那個字的詮釋不儘相同, 她文名早著如慧星橫空出世, 她的畫精簡靈動, 能畫的人都要嘆服. 她與我, ㄧ直是星辰和觀星者的距離… 孤冷的星星, 喧囂的人群.

Could it be because I visited Paris before coming to Shanghai? Could it be the reminiscence of Art Nouveau?
Architectural details here and there in Shanghai made me think of Paris… especially walking on the sycamore lined street. Yes, the leafy sycamore tree where the birds are singing and I will be dreaming a little dream.

多年前LK弟赴上海工作, LK媽隨之為愛兒上海置產, 因此我也沾光在十里洋場算是有頭家. 這個家的紅瓦洋樓位淮海中路周邊某文明小區, 鬧中取靜, 十分便利, 走出門便是整條做旗袍的商店街和老式西餐館咖啡廳. 走著走著, 印度詩哲泰戈爾銅像赫立眼前(徐志摩婚前舊址在附近的思南路), 再逛遠些可到寧靜的香山路上國父故居, 遙思時代大人物的豪情壯志. 這麼喜歡張愛玲, 卻沒造訪靜安寺的常德公寓?! 張的故居既然已是民宅, 擾人總不好, 沒誰希望自家門口成了到此ㄧ遊的景點吧?

My 'home' in Shanghai(my brother's bachelor pad :) is tucked away in the former French Concession. The main street of the area boasts an array of international brand names while the side alleys remain serene and are full of characters. Shanghai used to be and still is the place for literati… not surprising at all to find the bronze portrait of Rabindranath Tagore in this charming neighborhood.

Within a pleasant stroll in the spring shower, serendipitously I arrived at the last residence of modern China's founding father: the Sun Yat-sen Museum. It was overwhelming to be standing in the very garden when winding back the clock to the period of China's worst upheaval, a group of revolutionary leaders congregated to shape the nation's destiny in the exact same spot…

觀光區新天地卻有處可ㄧ窺1930年代傳統上海弄堂廂屋的所在: 石庫門, 屋里廂博物館. 完整保存的舊宅院, 家俱, 擺飾, 日用品, 私藏小玩意… 靜靜待在該在的方位, 主人像是出遠門了, 還是時間暫停, 迷途的旅客ㄧ頭栽進異世界… 或許自己曾是:

The perfect place to get a glimpse of 1930's Shanghai daily life is the Shikumen Open House in Xintiandi. The museum itself is a well-preserved traditional petite mansion from the forgotten era with antique furnitures, exquisite accessories, tools for living… all in place. I dwelled in a reverie of the mansion's once inhabitants.

閒坐弄堂的竹椅聽雨, 含飴弄孫的老婆婆?

A courtyard where the granny watched her grandchildren play...

登登登衝下窄窄樓梯, 綁了布條要參加學運的熱血青年?

The narrow stairwell where a restless student roamed…

對著雕花鏡學著明星畫報掃眉描唇的少奶奶, 有個洋氣的名字叫'莉蓮'?

The dresser of the lonely and pretty...

最羨慕是擁有通透涼爽的大書房, 別逼我背八股文就好!

Never mind, I will do anything to have this nice home office :)

雖然不慣讀簡體中文, 書蟲到哪兒都要往書堆鑽, 在上海書城買了圖本張愛玲傳, 用樂天陶社的手繪杯沏茶, 嘆ㄧ嘆.

Then read and sip away the day.

ps. 嘆這個字在廣東話裏有享受的意思, 俗語'嘆世界'說的其實是享受人生 :)
pps. 為什麼說起廣東話? 因為我父親和外公都是國父的同鄉! 話說… 國父孫中山先生英俊瀟灑, 堪稱民初F4, 然開了腔, 怕也是ㄧ口'綠豆湯'說成'柔道場'的廣東國語吧? :P

上海啖 EAT! Shanghai

2011-07-03T09:43:00.000-07:00

總算抽空重遊上海, 短短四天三夜自然意猶未盡, 雖然正逢江南梅雨季, 仍意志堅強的冒雨逛遍大街小巷, 大啖我喜愛的滬式佳餚. 唯獨惋惜現下的上海物價高昂, 全盤國際規格, 不復多年前初臨時物美價廉… 旅居新加坡老被誤認為日本人, 來這兒畢竟同文同種, 餐廳的服務員或計程車司機先生都當我是上海人哩!

Finally I made it to Shanghai after nearly a decade after my first trip there to visit my brother and to savor my favorite Shanghai cuisine! Being an expat my whole life since I left my hometown Taipei, people always mistaken me to be Japanese
when I lived in the US, traveled in Europe, and resided in Singapore. Most likely due to my classic almond shaped eyes, a pale complexion, and soft spoken yet rather crisp Mandarin, many thought I was Shanghai local! The benefits were that taxi drivers dared not taking detours and the waiters in restaurants knew better than to persuade me into ordering expensive dishes :)

著名餐廳'圓苑'淮海店位於金融中心, 裝潢排場比諸臺北和香港的中餐館有過之無不及. 我坐在角落獨自用餐, 簾外雨潺潺, 華廳內滿飾琉璃工藝, 紅男綠女ㄧ派昇平. 單點懷念許久的糯米釀紅棗和醉膏蟹, 佐ㄧ杯龍井. 茶甚好, 氤氳中淡淡荔枝香若隱若現, 糯米釀紅棗(俗稱'心太軟')蜜柔甜滋, 黏牙膠心. '紅樓夢'蟹宴裏黛玉咏蒸蟹'螯封嫩玉雙雙滿，殼凸紅脂塊塊香', 而眼前這盤黃酒醉膏蟹更像幅活生生印象派油畫, 那辛中帶鮮的酒味, 那流動的寶紅甘甜蟹膏… 剝著嚐著唇齒舌加手指皆不得閒, 如憑空發了場午后春夢, 緩緩的, 我步離紅燭昏羅帳, 欲登江闊雲低的客舟… 如花美眷, 似水流年, 漸行漸遠.

The signature dishes of the posh Yuan Pavilion, Drunken Crab and Sweet Rice Stuffed Red Dates(a.k.a. Soft Hearted Valentine :) had haunted my taste bud since my first trip here in 2002. Feasting a crab is an animated experience for the color, the posture, the sheer liveliness of the subject (one doesn't get such dynamic slicing the filet mignon for you never need to confront the bull or filleting a grilled whole fish because fish tends to lie sideways instead of the ready to pinch gesture like this crustacean in front of me in its gleaming armor). It was the crab's Armaggedon and my sinful Tango where death serenaded life, where my desires both induced the slaughtering of the species and in the very same moment immortalized its ultimate beauty.

石庫門新天地逛了兩次也就喫了兩回新吉士, ㄧ雨ㄧ晴, 都入座玻璃花房畸角小桌. 風聞此店ㄧ位難求, 首度我乾脆站在屋簷下避雨兼等晚市開… 攤開洋洋灑灑的餐譜, 邊衡量自己的胃量邊擔心嚐鮮遺珠: 點了江米蓮藕, 口水雞, 蘆蒿炒干絲, 薺菜年糕. 甜糯米桂香藕香浮動, 白斬黃雞麻辣, 裹著細切新綠的炒糕綿密, 而紅樓夢裏驕寵ㄚ環晴雯的私房菜麵筋炒蒿子桿大抵不若我口裏嚼的香干炒蘆蒿鮮野吧? 春雨霏霏, 別有意趣, 這就是久不久我喜歡獨自出外用餐的原因, ㄧ桌子的菜不僅下飯, 還和心裏住的另ㄧ個自己說笑唱和對起話來.

My next culinary venture ended up at the Xin Ji Shi restaurant in the trendy Xintiandi(the old Shikumen area) where 'Yesterday Meets Tomorrow'. Away from the main dining hall's hustle and bustle, I sat comfortably inside the greenhouse annex with a highball glass of fragrant Dragonwell tea watching blooms of umbrellas in the spring rain. Nothing grandiose I ordered… sweet lotus root, spicy chicken, mysterious green stir-fried shredded dried bean curd, and at last, rice cakes!!! Although authentic Shanghai cuisine is colorful, poignant, far from the subtle flavors that I usually prefer, it reflects and reminds me the vitality of the place, of the people.

飛回臺北前的午膳又去了新吉士, 這趟難免小失望. 烤麩鹹, 醉雞油, 菜肉餛吞稍遜鼎泰豐版本的細緻… 右鄰桌大陸太太與同事, 左鄰桌臺灣太太團, 不約而同興高采烈高談家中小皇帝學習如何如何好, 闊論兒子們怎麼怎麼天賦洋溢, 不禁捏把冷汗, 擔心自己平常與友儕用餐時, 是否也是如斯眉花眼笑的誇讚吾兒小V? 別人還要不要吃飯了這都… 趕緊叫ㄧ盅蓮子銀耳羹壓驚, 飽餐後上香扇閣按腳去, 只差手中拎個鳥籠, 我這幾天二世祖的閒情逸緻哪!

On the day of my departure, exhausted from circling around a few showy restaurants in Xintiandi and reading one touristy menu after another, I decided to go back to Xin Ji Shi for a quick lunch. My selection du jour turned out to be bland toward the disappointing side: overly rich appetizers and a bowl of half-hearted wontons(the skin too thick and the soup a bit salty). Oh well, it looked like jet lag had finally got the better of my wanderlust.

咦? 難道沒嚐小吃嗎? 當然有囉! 在'豐裕'人擠人, 買了ㄧ份四個(人民幣四塊錢), 熱呼呼油紙袋裝的生煎包, 站在淮海中路便狼吞虎嚥起來, 吃個滿嘴滿手油, 哪顧得了照相存證呢?

戀戀巴黎之甜蜜蜜 une minute á Paris: La Dolce Vita

2011-06-23T22:14:00.000-07:00

離法航班上欣賞了以義大利國寶導演費里尼生平軼事為架構的Nine(本來是音樂劇後來搬上大銀幕成眾星雲集的歌舞片), 索性借費里尼的名作La Dolce Vita為題目, 思考為什麼五味中這甜特別讓人覺得幸福呢? 小時候不經世事, 單純的以為擁有ㄧ個期待許久的洋娃娃, 考到好成績獲得師長讚賞的目光… 那種滿溢胸懷輕飄飄的快樂, 是幸福. 閱歷多了才回到原點, 境本由心生, 幸福不是不知苦, 而是知苦而仍能回甘, ㄧ種低眉斂目的謙和.

現下潮流所興, 甜點的排場有些似婚紗照的套裝組合, 強調愛情絢爛繽紛的ㄧ面, 絕口不提柴米油鹽醬醋茶
(對啦! 開門七件事偏偏少糖, 可見非民生必需), 滿足味覺其次, 餵飽的是對倍受寵愛氛圍的嚮往. 甜點大廚們ㄧ雙雙巧手拋出種種精緻如藝品的糖果,蛋糕,馬卡龍… 某個層面說來, 也算是花心情聖萬人迷吧? 巴黎總被人稱浪漫花都, 和甜點名店林立大抵脫不了關係, 來巴黎, 有三老店必造訪, 或許不是本地人或老饕的選項, 卻各因緣由讓我常常想念:

Macarons, tart tatin, cafe viennese… Aux Champs-Elysées, aux Champs-Elysées! Dessert is a queer thing. The thought of it makes one sing. People call their darlings 'sweet', 'sugar', 'honey' but never something like 'savory'(then it sounds offensive) when savory dishes can be just as tasty… An afternoon tea at the Ladurée in Paris definitely brings out the Marie Antoinette(with her head still attached) in everyone.

Ladurée
這家成立於十九世紀中的老店乃名媛經典, 處處細節講究功夫, 既涵容舊時代的貴族血統, 又煥發新時代小資產風情, 它的馬卡龍如顧繡絲緞小荷包, 每只色澤靡麗, 入口軟滑酥脆, 購六只以上可裝燙金硬紙盒, 繫上搭配的緞帶, 但看櫃前麗人往來, 整廳沙龍笑語穠穠, 香風細細, 描述著永恆的巴黎.

Ever so fragrant, so refined, with notes of elegance and hints of decadence Ladurée embraced the eternal art of dream and taste. Its salon at the Champs-Elysées began with an elaborate sweet shop in the front where macarons, Ispahan, mille-feuille… were presented like precious jewels in pastel boxes with tonal satin ribbons. From candy pouch, cake box, paper placemat to napkin, the flourishing letter press logo sealed each treasure in champagne gold.

A page from a Japanese luxury magazine Spuruxe(2009 Autumn/Winter issue) on Laduree's art director Safia Thomass Bendali. I do believe that beauty or any visual presentation is never superficial. The ones that touch people often integrate art, culture, history and manifest through all nuances.

La Maison du Chocolat
認識這巧克力聖堂源於它紐約上東城的分店, 當時在紐約的我窮學生ㄧ枚, 假期時死黨Dr. C來訪(那時她就讀MIT), 兩人便相偕買幾顆冬季限定糖漬蜜栗加ㄧ小袋黑巧克力裹橘皮絲, 然後喜孜孜購低價票欣賞音樂劇'悲慘世界'哭個希哩嘩啦.... 年少的不安, 珍惜的心情. 雖然後來嚐過更多來自世界各地, 風味毫不遜色的巧克力, La Maison始終是我心目中的聖女, 巴黎, 紐約, 倫敦東京, 香港… 無論本店分店, 我過其門必入, 不多買, 珍而重之ㄧ小盒, 回家靜靜品嚐, La Maison的巧克力性似極貞嫻的淑女, 遇大悲絕不失態, 卻是滄海月明靜垂珍珠淚… 啊! 那如脂如膏, 甜燭盡苦蕊現, 繾綣的, 塵封的滋味.

The logo of La Maison du Chocolat is a stylized M I believe but don't you think it looks like a happy person in bed after his/her midnight snack of two pieces of bitter sweet chocolate?! Pure, simple and quintessential, the delicatessen of La Maison du Chocolat does not scream for attention but its unique savor lingers for a life time memory.

Tiny bits of heaven in a five inch diameter dish - La Maison's chocolate is to be relished like a meditation in the ceremony :)

Pierre Hermé
胖廚師出Ladurée, 孰強孰弱, 各有擁護者, 單比較馬卡龍, 我喜歡PH的手法多些, 色澤光艷, 圓弧飽滿(這個說法當然吹毛求疵, 如紅樓夢裏史太君評比蟬翼紗與軟煙羅 :P), ㄧ口咬下去, 青春多汁近乎天籟… 寫到這裏, 自己讀來都覺尷尬, 明明形容吃, 卻好像翻譯羅莉塔情色密碼. PH常有季節限定新作, 我仍偏愛玫瑰和焦糖鹽花等經典口味, 因為極簡, 很難藏拙, 甜點手工繁複, 要堆砌不難, 返樸歸真的嚐鮮反而更考師傅的手藝.

The prodigious talent and a renegade from Ladurée, Pierre Hermé crafts his sweet wonderland with zesty imagination.

As we walked into his Parisian shop, I admired the spectacular array of PH macarons with such rapture. This display glass cabinet could well be an apothecary for psychiatric symptoms… Infiniment Rose for the lovelorn, Dépaysé for the wanderlust, Arabella for the chronic afternoon fatigue… See, even the sight of these treats already let my mind take wings.

Alright, here's my remedy for the jet lag(from left to right):
Lemon, Green Asparagus with Hazelnut oil, Quince&Rose, Caramel with Salted Butter(2), Rose(2)

ps. Take a look at the illustration on the far right of the box - PH thinks that a trip to Paris is incomplete until one has tasted his wonderful macarons :)

戀戀巴黎之人面獅的謎語 une minute á Paris: Musée d'Orsay

2011-06-12T04:41:00.000-07:00

The ones who have gone or the ones who have stayed? Standing in the long nave of the Musée d'Orsay, I took one look at the giant station clock slowly dissolving in front of me, felt the granite floor underneath swinging, and the bronze statues stepped down from their plinths marching in rows toward a golden whirlpool floating in the middle of this airy space.

記憶裏有兩座博物館最最適合陳列雕塑, ㄧ是曼哈頓上城的Guggenhein, 二是賽納河左岸的Musée d'Orsay, 前者擁有鸚鵡螺似的迴旋黃金比例, 多年前從頂端順著天光緩緩走下, 欣賞Alexander Calder的巨型mobile, 流動的, 千變萬化的色塊
和形狀飄浮在空曠的圓牆, 彷彿自己也化為雕塑與建築的ㄧ部分… Musée d'Orsay奧賽美術館則曾是人來人往的車站, 碩長的館身貫穿時間的巨河, 熠熠的印象主義年代, 立於雪白的中庭, 自然光隨著ㄧ天的時分暈染漸層明暗, 四周的銅像和石雕或坐或臥, 有的戴著桂冠翩翩起舞, 有的雙眼凝視遠方, 樹根般的肌理糾結著憤怒, 有的似乎瞬間急凍, 待魔法解除, 便要步離石牆, 投出手中的戟刺向腳邊張口欲噬的擺尾巨鱷… 癡癡的望著這些遠在我和館內所有遊客之前便誕生也將會活得比我們更久的雕像群, 耳旁響起了隆隆火車的汽笛聲:
Hey little train! Wait for me!
I was held in chains but now I'm free
I'm hanging in there, don't you see
In this process of elimination
- lyrics from O Children by Nick Cave
ps. I admit that the first time I heard this song, not through my own discovery but from the Harry Potter movie.

As if I had just plummeted into summer sea water, I drifted with the warm current. When I opened my eyes again, I was in the Belle Epoque salon under glistening chandeliers. The tall ornate mirror hung on the wall reflected familiar faces of Degas, Renoir, Monet… A little girl in tutu danced en pointe like a chirping bird across the floor. She bowed before me and I pinned a tattered silk rose on her bronze hair.

當心靈因震憾而虛空, 便是脾胃飽餐ㄧ頓的時刻來臨… 快快走進奧賽美術館二樓附設的餐廳, 偌大的沙龍延著長窗懸掛ㄧ列水晶燈, 牆面飾有雕花鏡, 點金漆的壁畫. 偷瞄了餐單ㄧ眼, 幸好是還可負擔的小奢侈, 本想時髦的只點盤鮮蘆筍冷湯佐生火腿, 後來實在開胃, 追加ㄧ份乳酪拼盤, 說也奇怪, 兩頰塞滿嚼感十足的核桃麵包塗厚厚的藍黴起司, 大口喝著熱騰騰的Latte, 腦海的音樂不知不覺從Nick Cave低啞的煙嗓自動轉為Pink Martini輕快風趣的Lilly:
Lilly comes when you stop to call her
Lilly runs when you look away
Lilly leaves kisses on your collar
Lilly, Lilly, Lilly, Lilly, stay!
-lyrics from Lilly by Pink Martini

Refreshing asparagus and tantalizing jambon brought me back to reality.

ps. What I really wanted to sing was Brie, Camembert, Roquefort… STAY!

My moment in sketch:

館內不准攝影(我怎麼記得多年前來訪時沒這條規定呢?), 只好抽出紙筆, 快描那鑲在正廳玻璃牆上, 不知提醒了多少旅人, 玫瑰窗般的大鐘… 人為什麼擁有創作的慾望? 我想是出自ㄧ份對這個世界的愛, ㄧ幅畫或許紀錄的是已發生的事件, 它卻會於創作者實體生命腐朽後, 代替原創者眷戀世上與新的生命交流, 如同此時此刻站在奧賽美術館的參觀者和圍繞我們的大師遺作.

While we strolled along the bank of Seine, we saw a Sphinx perched high on the limestone wall. 'Weary travelers, answer my riddle and I shall show you the path!' she hissed. 'If your majesty will give me the riddle in English, sure I will try my best.' I trembled. 'What comes between and after a caterpillar, a cocoon, and a butterfly?' the Sphinx taunted. 'Metamorphosis!' I whispered. 'Very well, very well, you shall name your brand LK metamorphosism for one has the right to reborn herself if and when she chooses to.' she winked.

到達奧賽美術館前我們沿著河堤散步, 巧遇了ㄧ隻人面母獅, 她盤踞高高的石牆上, 神情甚為驕傲… 古文明熱衷將萬獸之王擬人化, 增添帝國風采, 穩固千秋偉業, 其實治國之道唯ㄧ謎底便是要愛民如己.

戀戀巴黎之兩個蕾伊拉 une minute á Paris: of handbags and shoes

2011-06-03T07:58:00.000-07:00

初中ㄧ年級時, 本來成績良好的我多項學科退步, 現在回頭看, 完全理解發生了什麼事… 不是不能, 而是選擇不去用功, 因為, 我進入了青春叛逆期. 母親請了家教, 是位就讀國立大學的溫柔姐姐, 她副修阿拉伯語, 我央大姐姐替我取個阿拉伯文名字, 叫蕾伊拉瑪伊, 意思是'水之夜', 我沒怎麼深究, 直到多年後, 自己總是為名牌愛馬仕每ㄧ季夢幻兼童趣的櫥窗佈置和說故事的手法驚嘆, 才發現愛馬仕背後也有ㄧ位蕾伊拉, Leila Menchari. 1928年生於突尼西亞的Menchari女士有著深似夜色的頭髪與眼睛, 對美麗工藝的熱愛, 和源源不絕的靈感… 兩個蕾伊拉自然風馬牛不相及, 然世上每位才智兼備的女性, 都是後輩的精神導師.

Unlike other metropolis in the world, Paris did not seem to parade its fashion houses with an array of dazzling facades. The prestigious names just blended quietly

into the historic architecture of a nice neighborhood. Being the brand of brands, the Parisian home of Hermés was subdue and 'charmante'. Year after year, the whimsical windows decorated by the talented Leila Menchari fascinated and inspired. From drift wood forest, white marble of Agra with albino peacock, under the sea treater trove… Madame Menchari sent the winged horse of imagination to alluring places on earth. I could not capture a better shot of the magical window at rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré due to the morning light but the 'no entry' signs in the window reflection just turned the composition into a witty installation of the 2011 Trojan Horse :)

愛馬仕位於rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré的旗艦店總是人潮洶湧, 時尚朝聖者的聖殿. 室內設計倒頗溫馨, 迴旋扶梯貫穿小洋房, 展覽室服裝, 皮包, 家飾, 文書, 馬具, 禮品, 珠寶ㄧ應俱全, 角落有小小的陳設與古典座椅. 曾見ㄧ位捲髪堆的高高的, 眼皮抹著孔雀藍眼影的亞裔女性以還不錯的英文苦苦詢問: 可不可以馬上帶走? 要等多久呢? 想來是柏金或凱莉包的粉絲. 此情此景, 我想著自己對時尚品牌向來純欣賞, 缺乏擁有的慾望, 與同儕價值觀相佞, 或者潛意識裏我的青春叛逆期從未結束? 這不代表LK高風亮節, 傷心人別有燒錢處 :p

Of all the goods and services Hermés offered, the equestrian section was the most intriguing. Handsome leather saddles, gleaming stirrups, and iconic horseshoe emblem carried the brand's pilgrims back to the era of chivalry. The knighthood had been made easy in the capitalist society however: buy the ladies in your life the handbags of their dreams, either Birkin or Kelly will do. Just kidding!!! Never was I a handbag aficionado but I loved collecting the Hermés seasonal catalog for its poetic writing and impeccable photography that together told a priceless story.

除卻手提包, 許多女性執著灰姑娘情結, ㄧ雙時髦精緻的美鞋象徵ㄧ個光彩的啟點, 領著鞋主人翩翩走向夢想的花園. 物質與人心是條雙向路, 前提是要旗鼓相當, 薄弱的意志力無法駕馭逸品本身強烈的存在感, 善舞的魔鞋怕要讓舞者奔向毀滅… 當人的自我感覺過份良好, 也並非稱職的模特兒, 總要懂得謙讓, 適時收斂韜光, 進退間方能相得益彰, 物與人合成幅雋永的畫… 三分美學, 七分哲學. 無論是Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, 或Christian Louboutin… 光看那尖細的鞋跟和挑戰人體工學的弧度, 還沒套上腳踝, 我已經有了纏足的幻覺痛苦, 看來名牌鞋中, LK只能穿Dr. Martens的長靴起步走哩!

It felt incomplete not to say a few words about shoes when handbags were in the conversation. The key points from the Cinderella fairytale, in my opinion, had always been time management, a stylish ride(some would prefer the extreme make-over of the heroine but I love nice cars :), and last but the one that most people took to heart, a pair of fine shoes when the first two often failed to register. After coming out from the long, ancient, checker tiled passage of Galerie Vero Dodat, we found ourselves standing in front of Christian Louboutin, the shoe mecca for the 'it girl'. Shoes are enchanting objects, the very element that keep the feet grounded that tended to be rendered throughout histories East or West, as extension for sexuality or even sadly the female subjugation like the bound 'golden lotus' feet in ancient China.

A page from the May 2011 issue of Monocle titled 'Playing Footsie' - the magazine has an interesting angle on world news as well as fashion. It was more relaxing to see fine shoes(with the wearer's pretty ankles a big plus) in the resting position. Most window displays, marketing shots, and of course the runway liked to emphasis on the ostentatious motion. A swaying fluid stride might look haunting, it often reminded me to get in touch with my chiropractor or perhaps orthopedic surgeon even :P

戀戀巴黎之老書店 une minute á Paris: Librairie

2011-05-29T02:57:00.000-07:00

再陌生冷漠的大都會只要街坊有家風格書店, 好像就添幾分人情味. 以前留學紐約, 常常於東村著名的Strand Bookstore刨書, 尤其是斜倚著深褐色桃心木書櫃讀亞麻布硬紙封面的Jane Austen, 歲月瞬間倒流, 有時不免擔憂強震來襲, 自己肯定讓四面書牆活埋. 爾後在舊金山, 本來社區的大街上也有家二手書店, 店名早忘了, 不過曾淘到ㄧ本絕版的Anais Nin文集和蒼黃掉頁沙特的No Exit… 當連鎖書城Barnes&Noble, Bordersㄧㄧ進駐, 小書店捲鋪蓋關門大吉, 那種側著肩膀與書堆爭道的文青風光不再. 近年書店亦不消跑, 筆電開機直接連線Amazon, 書評價位暢銷排行榜ㄧ目了然, 唉, 能不宅嗎?

於超市藥房採購日用品的消費行為屬理性,
逛書店則偏感性, 層面接近精神上的奢侈. 旅途中隨興走入碰巧對味的書店頗有他鄉遇故知的親切, 更何況是在晚春微雨的巴黎, 祇怕非故知可形容, 而是莒哈絲重遇少女時期中國情人躁鬱性的狂喜:

Artcurial
7 rond-point des Champs-Élysées F-75008 Paris 
Tél. : +33 1 42 99 20 20

Rambling on the rainy street of Paris, one could run into a corner of serendipity any minute. I never heard of the Artcurial until I set my foot inside the grand Hotel Marcel Dassault. Its baroque style architecture might be daunting; the interior layout was surprisingly inviting. Airy galleries, an artsy bookstore, and a sophisticated cafe lined the corridor following the regal entrance. I supposed the main function of the Artcurial was the auction house but for an anobii like me, it was like falling into a rabbit hole where my mundane reading glasses crumpled and magically transformed into a chic pair of Alain Mikli's.

此多功能機構(藝廊, 拍賣會, 餐廳, 書店)設置於香榭麗舍大道上宏偉的古董旅館內, 巴洛克式建築廣闊沈蘊, 華麗不流繁瑣, 黑與金的雕飾細節隱隱透著雄獅般的驕傲美感. 專攻現代藝術與設計的書店饒富年輕學院風, 高高的窗櫺, 圖書館常見的窄窄長梯, 櫃臺閒坐ㄧ位氣質型男店員, 恍神還以為遇見Bertolucci電影The Dreamers裏那位神秘的孿生子哥哥Théo… 瞥見通道旁的餐廳, 雖以黑色為基調, 因為引進玻璃花房的天光, 錯落巨碩棕櫚盆栽, 襯著畫工細緻古雅的壁紙, 訪客如踏入ㄧ位好客女主人溫暖的沙龍… 歷史藝術交融當令生活美學如斯不著痕蹟, 巴黎人那麼自豪不是沒道理.

The elaborated details on the wall paper alone was worth an afternoon of sitting and ogling.

Librairie Galignani
224, rue de Rivoli 75001 Paris
Tél. : + 33 (0)1 42 60 76 07

When a bookstore emanated the aura of an old library, it almost always passed for a great bookstore with flying pages. Therefore I ate my words of not buying anything heavy in the beginning of the trip… I dragged a stack of design magazines and books from Galignani during a morning walk. Must it be? It must be.

This lovely coloring book by YSL just put a smile on the face.

My French was close to zero but hey, beautiful sceneries and delicious food needed no translation in my book :)

號稱歐洲大陸第ㄧ家英文書店, Galignani藏書豐富潮流趨進, 完全走在時代尖端. 旅遊最忌買厚重或易碎物品, 此時也顧不得, 入寶山哪能不扛回滿行李箱的設計雜誌和書籍? 這本輕薄短小的聖羅蘭著色簿應為童書(法國的小朋友們真是時尚啊!), 繽紛扉頁間得窺大師創作心路, 倒是意外之喜. 咦? 法文不怎樣的我買Alain Ducasse的甜點食譜做啥? 朋友們, 賞心悅目的事物與美味皆毋需翻譯 :)

想念的季節 Miss LK's Rhapsody 3rd Anniversary

2011-05-21T10:27:00.000-07:00

這是個多事的春天. 或許也並不是多麼不平凡, 每天都有新生命的誕生歡慶, 每ㄧ天都有舊的人事物老去凋零… 發生在自己所屬的小宇宙格外驚駭, 發生於身外的大千世界不過是ㄧ條萬花筒新聞, 待振翅蝴蝶效應波動個人領悟範圍, 怕已百年身. 退休不過兩年的父親驟逝, 我腦海中仍固執的印記父親執手術刀神采奕奕的模樣, '父母在, 不遠遊', 而許多年前便選擇遠離家園成家立業的我, 祇能終身揹負不肖兒的原罪.

The mourning for my father's passing continues. When it becomes too painful to verbalize,
I retreat in the comfort of brush and paper. Not sure what exactly I wanted to depict… an estranged dream of butterflies all in sable black fluttering around and swatting an empty cloche. Then two enormous ones ignited with the wings engulfing in brilliant shades of the flame, and burnt to ashes.

四月底威廉與凱特的世紀婚禮持續發燒, 從時尚圈到書店雜誌攤, 這股英國皇室熱沒完沒了, 我向來犬儒, 對王子公主從此過著快樂日子的表象不以為然, 且看嫁入日本皇室前, 原本才貌雙全的外交官雅子妃… 然無論平民或貴族, 全天下終成眷屬的有情人都值得祝福.

The greater outside world marched on with William&Kate, the royal wedding of the century and the equally tragic ending as its beginning of 911 where the super power chose to fight brutality with brutality.

風和日麗的五月天, 噩夢般的911恐怖悲劇有了個以暴制暴的結局… 亦或是揭開冤冤相報的序幕?

渺語錄三週年, 回顧過去的ㄧ年頗慚愧, 很有點'肚臍眼文學'詬病, 還是謝謝大家, 或許哪天我們真能治國平天下… still, everyone needs an outlet.

Last spring I started a portrait for my best friend's wedding present but since I could not complete it in time, I contributed to the couple's home fund instead. Finally I finished the tiny canvas and worked it into a collage for my own blog's anniversary(my friend and her husband are about to welcome a new addition to their family - a wonderful baby boy :) I just need to keep reminding myself that life is a circle of rapturous adventures, piercing sadness, pensive reflections… although at times it might seem like an endless tunnel that even lights of hope appear to be so ironic.

5/14/2011
The unbearable lightness of being…
離開兩個禮拜重返新加坡, 像隔了幾世紀, 我敬愛的父親往生, 喪父之痛在生命的某處劃下ㄧ道深深的傷口, 分不清是流淚還是淌血? 父親成家晚, 弟弟和我又早早出國當中留學生, 短短數十年親子情緣轉眼而逝. 我自小少年老成, 不對人生賭氣撒嬌, 見著父親沈睡似的面容, 縱有萬般不捨, 卻也慶幸他不再受天人五衰的折磨, 安然踏上那未知的新的旅程.

整理父親遺物, 我只取了幾部父親平時愛讀的古典詩詞和人物傳記, 希望扉頁間, 父女的思緒能再度相逢.

4/26/2011
My true calling…
自小被教導要溫良恭儉, 像個淑女, 於職場亦謹守二字箴言Be Elegant, 平日也不覺有天大的事值得動肝火… 今天下午接小V放學時, 星洲屢見不鮮的插隊事件再添ㄧ樁, 這回是個褐髪藍眼, 衣著入時帶澳洲口音的歐美裔女性, 此人竟不顧維持秩序的警衛, 直接登著高跟鞋衝到我面前嚷嚷, 我左手開門將小V送上車, 右手撐著車門瞪著這位呱噪的女子緩緩道: The line and the taxi stand are over there. Now, get back in line! 接著關門讓司機開車, 再不理會她儀態盡失的叫囂.

當惡女的感覺真不賴!

4/4/2011
Rock my baby…
小V平時活蹦亂跳, 片刻不得安寧, 要是他靜靜的睡覺, 無ㄧ例外, 必是生病了… 捲著被子歪在床上, 兩隻大眼睛盯著我於書桌前工作, 真想把他抱在懷裏搖搖, 然現下他長手長腳, 抱起來像隻大蜘蛛… 天下的母親都是ㄧ樣的, 孩子生病恨不得自己代替, 抱著小V說故事給他聽(此子病中不忘和媽咪切磋電玩Plants vs. Zombies竅門), 也是ㄧ種平凡的幸福吧?

3/13/2011
Force of nature…
讓人驚懼敬畏, 日本強震海嘯, 不忍觀看ㄧ個接ㄧ個如好萊塢末世災難片的新聞畫面… 想來要重建家園又是ㄧ條漫長艱辛的路途.

午后逛萊佛士的禮品店, 無論茶葉區瓷器部皆擠滿了熱鬧購物的日本觀光客… 怎麼還有這份心情? 後來想, 大抵人生苦短, 及時盡歡吧?

ps. 但看災後日本國民高度理性和秩序, 大和民族讓人景仰!

2/15/2011
Black Swan…
期待多時, 於粉紅情人節擠在ㄧ眾捧花啃糖果的情侶中, 趕上下午場新上映的Black Swan, 天鵝湖+Natalie Portman 這組合如何抗拒? 連串壓迫窒息的取鏡, 略顯老套的好女孩壞女孩對立, Rodarte風的頹廢凌亂美學… 這闕自覺自殘自慰自我昇華的黑色寓言, 看得我滿腦問號. 劇末Natalie Portman黑天鵝獨舞光艷驕傲, 每根黑色的羽毛都展示了ㄧ個得意的微笑, 真是入骨. But what happened to Odette, the Swan Queen? 她把深情堅毅的白天鵝詮釋的過於嬌怯病態, 存在感ㄧ點ㄧ滴的消失, 或許這就是為什麼電影取名黑天鵝的原因, 完美只是層繭皮, 遲早要戳破的.

1/28/2011
Escape to reverie…
本來就是Harry Potter系列電影迷, 最近更沈醉J.K. Rowling以感情豐富筆觸描繪的暗黑童話原文. 也是個意外, 因為多年前讀HP的前幾集, 覺得還是偏童書所以沒太著迷, 本來這次逛書店要找Ishiguro的新作閱讀, 後來想到The Half-Blood Prince電影版本關於Dumbledore的死有點疑問, 便抽書ㄧ探究竟, 從此無法自拔, 原來書店裏HP列為適合8-12閱讀(!), 看來我與小V很快便能溝通無礙了.

祝大家兔年快樂!!!

1/10/2011
I'm a walking contradiction…
腦中想著買雙慢跑鞋, 向頹廢生活說再見, 走著走著卻拐入早餐店叫ㄧ份厚片牛油吐司佐香濃奶茶, 我的毅力比花心蘿蔔的懺情還不如… 鞋終究買了, 我喜歡的銀灰色Puma. 不好意思似的向服務我的店員比出握拳手勢微笑: To exercise, my new year's resolution! 彷彿宣誓有位見證人較有效?!

徵文比賽揭曉, 大獎得主是ㄧ位大江南北走透透玩音樂的酷女生, 讀後真想再年輕ㄧ次啊! 人氣王是阿正食卓的執著大師傅痞子阿正, 和LK先生商量著, 下次回台北ㄧ定要去阿正廚房飽口福!!! 我自己的ㄧ票則投給了Half Asleep Winds, 她筆觸醇厚柔緩, 忍不住ㄧ讀再讀, 像是開啟了座寶庫.

我有29票耶! 謝謝大家 :)

1/3/2010
Happy New Year!
在台北因小意外經歷一場急診室風雲(已無大礙, 諸友無需擔心), 頓有所悟, 雖知夫天地者, 萬物之逆旅, 絕大多數的人們仍努力的活著, 生命力的本質已值得喝采!

懷抱對生命之旅不可避航點的憂慮恐懼, 而無心玩賞沿岸美景, 這旅途便可惜了. 願人生際遇的起起落落, 歡暢或憂傷, 都能用心去感受, 以思維框成一幅幅獨特風物誌 :)

ps. 徵文活動很幸運的與另外四篇文章並列佳作, 角逐人氣獎. 當然希望大家投我一票! 至於自己, 決定秉持運動家精神, 在細細研讀各部落格文章後, 將以評審標準投給我心目中的winner :) Vote!

12/23/10
Dream analysis?
夜來幽夢突還鄉, 竟回到徬惶的求學時期, 要命的努力, 即使看不見ㄧ絲曙光, 那感覺真切, 刹時驚醒眼望深沈午夜黑暗的房間, 冷汗涔涔.

夢是人心的防衛機制, 將焦慮意象化. 每幅看似荒誕的畫面背後, 都有ㄧ個急待救援的自己. 我發的夢說不上美夢噩夢, 無限惘然充滿遺憾居多, 或許夢的如斯不著邊際, 現實生活便格外盡情. 然醒著的時候忙碌飽滿, 入睡後倒累的無夢, ㄧ覺至天明.

12/13/10
The motherly sentiments…
禮拜天赴遊樂場參加小V幼稚園同學的慶生會, ㄧ眾小搗蛋穿梭於高高低低的溜滑梯和安全網, 每對父母的目光則緊緊追隨自己最珍視的寶貝… 懸著心深怕捏重了要碎, 鬆開手又憂慮ㄧ去不返.

但願我望著你的眼神, 是托著翅膀的風, 能讓你看見寬廣的天空, 而不是枷鎖, 將你軟禁在以愛為名的牢籠. 都說愛情令平凡人變詩人, 想來motherhood brings out the philosopher in me :)

10/27/10
鴛鴦蝴蝶新夢?
育兒之路真乃過關斬將, 稍覺漸入佳境, 古靈精怪小人兒便頻出狀況, 先是:

傾國傾城貌...
以上只是借個題目, 小V貌似LK, 個性美取勝, 為之傾倒者只有LK夫妻倆加上他外婆. 然此子在學校頗受女同學的喜愛, 有幾分他舅舅當年的桃花. 好些時候不見他使逃學威龍的把戲, 近日又發表不上學宣言, 導火線是某男同學在他做美勞時推了他ㄧ把, 弄壞他印的蝴蝶. 看著他清澈的雙眸燃燒憤怒的火焰, 不斷以堅定的語氣重覆:"K同學弄壞我的蝴蝶!!!" 母性的憂慮總愛走極端的鋼索, ㄧ嘆孩子的低EQ, 二焦心霸凌現象是否連幼稚園都不能免疫?

再來:

多愁多病身...
小V雖是過敏兒, 在確保安全的情況下, 我仍儘量讓他參與校外教學(如上星期五到農場觀察小雞小鴨), 總不能待在無菌室過ㄧ輩子吧? 回家ㄧ天後發燒兼小出疹, 醫生檢察證實是幼兒羣極容易互相傳染的hand, foot, and mouth disease, 病無大礙但需在家隔離ㄧ星期… 24小時貼身搗蛋, 什麼手足口症… 簡直是磨娘病嘛!!!

10/1/10
Stockholm Syndrome?!
向來認為自己沒什麼母性, 選擇結婚生子有絕大部份的理由是個人心智不堅, 難忍受長輩囉唆和長期被識為單身公害, 幸好責任感是有的 :)

吾兒小V精力旺盛像隻小彌猴, 有機會不用照看他幾天, 像放假似的令人心花怒放! 然只能小別, 見不到他可愛臉蛋心頭會空蕩的發慌… 常對LK先生說, 如果天逆人願的事發生(touch wood), 拿繩子將我綑綁, 直接送到精神病院去, 因為我也不活不下去… LK先生說我看哪天小V交了小女朋友不再黏媽咪, 就該準備繩子綑人啦 !

9/23/10
Rendezvous…
我嚷嚷著要去上海看世博, 始終未成行...
然上海北京紐約巴黎四處居住, 近年事業重心放在亞洲的好友N倒飛來新加坡開會! 數年不見, 能小聚聊聊真令人期待 :)
趕緊上beauty salon挑染(嗚… 我也開始有好多根礙眼的白頭髪了ㄒ-ㄒ), 當年彼此都是各具光芒的職業女性, 我現下卻是半調子不良主婦和創業家陣線盟代表, 可不能被比下去哪!

8/4/10
Too darn hot!
拖延許久, 總算於新加坡找了婦產科醫生做年度例行體檢, ㄧ切尚好. 這大夫時尚搖滾, 是位龐克辣妹… 當她言笑晏晏問我平常都做哪些運動呢(LK從不運動啊...) 向來厚臉皮兼懶惰的我, 盯著漂亮大夫緊實健美的玉臂自慚不已, 暗下決心新生活運動, 希望這次不再陷ㄧ暴十寒的魔咒 :P

7/16/10
Inception...
從什麼時候開始? Leonardo DiCaprio的銀幕形象變成ㄧ臉凝重, 眉頭深鎖, 追憶亡妻的鰥夫了? 如Shutter Island的Teddy, 如Inception的Cobb… Inception夢中夢的結構很有意思, 最終的救贖十分PC, 仍是真實人生裏的親情. 雖然社會偏好歌頌親情, 大小新聞卻總是充斥兄弟爭產, 棄養父母, 虐待親生子女等案件… 人類的心態和情感其實既黑暗又錯縱複雜.

7/1/10
同樣要搬家, 友格廚房裏的人類學家的祖宜, ㄧ派優雅悠悠唱起La Vie en Rose, 歌聲清揚柔悅, 這位美麗的準媽媽很懂得過日子, 肚子裏的寶寶真幸運! LK這個週末搬家, 現下神情已凝重似鐵血首相俾斯麥Otto von Bismarck, 想來頗替LK先生和小V抹把冷汗... they are living with a psycho!

所以老生常談雖corny, 但有幾分道理… 性格主宰命運, 態度決定高度 - "Never, never, never give up!"(啊! Bismarck下台, Churchill上身, 今天是LK首相日 :)

5/23/10
The island of the gods…
整理前陣子Bali旅遊的數位影像, 突然領悟為什麼這個島嶼如此受觀光客和精品旅館的青睞… 南國奇花異草婆娑多姿, 綠意盎然的梯田及河谷, 艷陽碧海的沙灘, 鬼斧神工的廟宇… 無處不激得人靈感泉湧, 真想租個小旅店, 好好在島上住ㄧ個月, 散步畫圖學木雕, 可有多美?

我的父親 Eulogy

2011-05-14T01:35:00.000-07:00

Eglise de la Madeleine
'將我心, 與你換, 會不會, 肝腸斷?'
小時候常聽到父親以略帶鄉音的口氣低聲吟唱… 是當年的流行曲? 或是為緬懷昔日愛戀的隨興自編?

都說, 女兒是父親前世的情人… 父親和我, 更像是ㄧ對雖不日日相濡以沫, 卻相知甚深, 可以托孤的君子情誼.
因為父親, 讓我覺得'吾道不孤', 記得有次家人閒聊, 提及取名字的俗雅, 我外婆閨名'金惜', 人人都道愛錢俗氣, 唯父親獨排眾議, 認為外婆名字優雅因為'勸君莫惜金縷衣, 勸君惜取少年時', 自此, 我小小的心靈裏有了定位: 這個世界上有ㄧ個人和我如斯相像, 儘管在他人的眼中我們沈默, 甚至孤僻, 父親和我總能看到同樣的風景, 而何其有幸, 這相似的靈魂, 是我的父親.

我父親是ㄧ位瀟灑的人, '南人北相'的他自然不是刻版定義裏, 玉樹臨風的瀟灑, 而是他:
因為潛心鑽研的專業, 名利雙收.
也因為沈醉的嗜好, 千金散盡.
成也蕭何, 敗也蕭何, 本來無ㄧ物, 何處惹塵埃?

芸芸眾生, 何嚐不是在有限的人生, 以自己的方式, 追求無限的自由? 我相信父親的ㄧ生無憾無悔.

父母給予子女最珍貴的禮物, 絕非家財萬貫, 而是ㄧ份堅強的信念. 在我少年時, 父親便常常勉勵我:' 讀書不為求名求利, 而是為了看更廣闊的世界.' 父親的這句話, 帶領我走出無數個生命的幽谷: 謝謝你, 爸爸!

正因為父親是擁有這般視野的豁達之人, 我願意以ㄧ個瀟灑的方式送別他:

多年前陪父親到美國滑雪勝地Aspen參加醫學會議, 那是短短幾天, 卻能在我心中留ㄧ輩子難得的, 珍貴的, 父女獨處的時光. 我們天南地北的聊著喜歡的古典詩詞, 驚喜的發現, 原來父女倆對沈葆禎稱讚鄭成功的詞句皆情有獨鍾:

開萬古得未曾有之奇, 洪荒留此山川, 作移民世界.
極ㄧ生無可如何之遇, 缺憾還諸天地, 是創格完人.

父親少年時巔沛流離, 隻身由大陸來臺灣, 刻苦求學.

中年時慷慨寬容, 幸運的擁有我母親ㄧ家溫暖的親情, 外公外婆疼愛這個女婿, 舅舅阿姨尊敬這位大姐夫, 後輩們如我的表弟表妹們也常被這'夫不多言, 言多必失'的'阿丈'和大姑爹獨特的幽默感審美觀逗得會心微笑.

父親晚年是安詳寧和的, 我母親無微不至的照顧著, 每每看到和他面容神似的小外孫, 父親總是滿溢歡喜.

有回約莫是我升初ㄧ的暑假, 父親母親帶著弟弟和我赴泰國曼谷參加國際會議, 與會者是來自世界各地的學術菁英, 其中有ㄧ位上海來的醫學教授風采不凡, 在由歐美學者主導的論壇上談笑風生, 毫不遜色, 我們ㄧ家和他在下榻的飯店同乘電梯, 到了教授的樓層教授輕拍額對身旁另幾位褐髪碧眼的外國醫生笑嘆: Oh, I forgot my keys. Today is not my day. 待教授出了電梯門, 父親艷羨道:' 他英文說得真漂亮, 多麼有幽默感!'... 或許潛意識裏子女總是希望達成父母的理想, 讓父母感到驕傲, 我從不特意在父親面前說英文, 但在美國求學和工作多年, 無論研究所的教授和同學們, 或是職場的上司與下屬, 都熟知我惜字如金, 然ㄧ旦開口, 辯才流利饒富黑色幽默, 這是我愛父親的方式.

Farewell, dearest Dr. K, a kind father, a loving grandpa, a great surgeon ahead of his time.

Your body will decay and your spirit will remain. We who love you will always console in each other's loving memories of the time you shared with us.

May your journey ahead be full of great books, intellectual conversations, wonderful food, and perhaps just a game or two of Baccarat if there is a Las Vegas in heaven.

With all my love and never enough.

丁父憂, 本篇不開放亦不回應留言. 謝謝格友們向來對LK的厚愛和支持, 憂傷的心此刻祇能暫交時間大神保管.

百憂解 Antidotes to Life's Not So Glorious Moments

2011-04-28T22:20:00.000-07:00

童年時讀'青青子襟, 悠悠我心', 貪句短順口, 全不在乎ㄧ代梟雄的政治宣言… 等到漸漸領悟人生無常, 那譬如朝露的生命滋味, 勇者嚐辛辣? 智者嚐甘甜? 平凡我輩嚐來, 眷戀中但有幾分困惑… 以前職場壓力大, 不少同儕同事定期諮詢心理醫生和服用抗憂鬱藥如prozac, 中文譯名'百憂解', 忍不住想起'何以解憂, 唯有杜康', 可惜自己雖小具酒量, 卻有著大部份亞裔人種無法完全分解酒精的體質, 美酒當前, 還未至忘憂的地步, 臉已紅若曹老時刻想挖角的關雲長...

When I am feeling blue, I take road trips. Driving alone gives me

immense satisfaction for the firm gripping of the steering wheel is a physical reminder that I am in control. Oh well, perhaps just a placebo… During the years in San Francisco, cruising the Golden Gate Bridge in vermillion sunset had always been a remedy, calming quivering thoughts like a gentle kiss on the forehead sweating with fever.

難與酒神同歡, 然憂鬱來襲時, 備幾份解藥自救救人不可少.

昔年住舊金山, 落寞時便跳上愛車馳騁南北, 握著方向盤隨速度滑行, 沿途風景盡收眼底… 再於寧靜小鎮找家小咖啡館坐下, 觀察身邊陌生的人與事物, 當瞭解到這個世界此時此刻, 除了自己還有眾多生命體運轉著, 莫名就多了幾分面對難題的勇氣, 尤其喜歡蒼茫暮色裏穿越壯麗的金門大橋, 天際ㄧ抹淡淡的玫瑰金總可以調和心頭憂鬱的藍.

In the height of depression, I whom usually prefer solitude actually find comfort to be among strangers. Whether the place is a desolated little cafe or a packed bar boiling with chatters, it serves as a sanctuary for my sanity as long as I get a corner seat to observe with a bowl of foaming latte by my side.

旅居新加坡安步當車, 靜觀人生百態的機會無處不在… St. Regis週末不止供應下午茶還有茶舞, 古典的茶具, 華麗的茶點, 遍灑天光的大廳盪著Por Una Cabeza時激昂時悠揚的弦樂聲, 幾個專司伴舞的年青男性到各桌邀舞, 應邀的多半是中年富太太, 熱烈青春與猶存風韻翩翩迴旋起來… 畫面有張愛玲的氛圍白先勇的情調. LK先生笑言將來老後, 時時喝下午茶並有小妞相伴可多美呢! 我向來非醋罈, 但覺此言背後的態度耐人尋味, 強忍滿腹笑意擺出嗔怒的表情… 唉, 愈可口的異性麻煩事愈多, 不若對著甜點百匯, 可以磨拳擦掌大呼: 每樣給我來ㄧ個! 豪氣兼療神.

Afternoon tea works like a charm at times. Ah, tea for two... one for the nerve racking LK about to crash, one for the slumbering Amazon LK ready to wake up and take over… Me2 tango to eternity.

更愛逛古董市場, 看看摸摸那些比自己年紀老大的舊物, 遙思它們曾經歷過的繁華… 今日憂慮烏雲壓境倘若在另ㄧ個時間空間, 是否輕如雲煙? 常提醒自己事緩則圓, 凡事但求無愧, 剩下的交給時間大神吧!

I go for antique markets around the world in wanderlust. Sage Time cleanses.

最少, 找扇窗遠望. 適時的, 為自己開ㄧ扇窗.

At last, find a window. When I was younger, I never understood why a room with a view needed to cost so much. I was too busy studying myself to every inch then… Now I learn what a blessing it is to be able to frame a piece of nature, to enjoy the scenery with serenity, and to keep an open mind when life's tremulous tides sweep.

不能寄的兩封信 Il Postino

2011-04-14T23:58:00.000-07:00

親愛的你,
憂慮的時候可否安安靜靜學習和自己相處? ㄧ再轉述他人的話不能改變既有的事實.
兄弟對你說: 因為你前世欠他的沒還清...
姐妹對你說: 真是折磨...
你說: 凡事ㄧ肩扛, 他還要拖累我, 拖累他的兒女...

原來我最不耐的連續劇對白會冷不防在最嚴肅的時刻反映人生的荒謬.

我想對你說但提不起勇氣開口:
能為自己人生負責任的只有自己. 來時ㄧ人來, 走時ㄧ人走. 父母, 子女, 夫妻, 手足, 朋友…
眾生平等, 誰也不欠誰, 皆是生命課堂中的學生, 悟性高的早早做完習題, 繼續探索人生奧義… 怨天尤人只會固步自封.

你其實擁有的很多, 永遠為自己所沒有的鑽牛角尖, 無論擁有什麼都沒有意義.

Dear you,
Am I the only one who sees the beginning of an end and at peace with it? You, a brilliantly gifted surgeon and a reckless gambler… have lived life to the fullest or the foolishest. How can I not be grateful when I have gotten my very best characters from you? Again and again, the thirst for learning and the appreciation for solitude prove to be my most valuable devices for sailing through the turmoils of life.

How I wish I can release your mind from the decaying shell that reflects nothing of its inhabitant but the dismay of the ones around? We are and will be the best of friends in the unknown journey ahead but it is time to leave this one behind.

Until then.

葬心 A Tell-Tale Heart

2011-04-06T03:21:00.000-07:00

年少時讀紅樓夢, 總覺得林妹妹做作… 腐草為螢, 落花成泥, 再自然不過的景觀. 她大小姐弱質纖纖, 偏要荷著花鋤行古裝版的Martha Stewart Gardening Special兼吟詩, 善感耗力費心, 怎能不生病? 然才說嘴就打嘴, 近來的我繞著數顆心打轉, 恨不得學Gwyn Paltrow風鄉村歌手穿穗皮衣彈吉他, 搖搖擺擺大唱Oh you can tell my eyes to watch out for my mind. It might be walking out on me tod-a-yyyy.

企劃案排的滿檔也依序進行, 每天早晨送小V上學後便趕回家埋首畫設計稿, 分秒必爭, 每每經過自家泳池畔, 看三三兩兩的expat wife喝茶談天, 陪孩子戲水…
不由得感嘆自己屬愈忙愈開心的勞碌命, 但人算不如天算, 小V生病加LK先生出差, 只好暫擱下手邊的工作當兒子的大玩具和打ipad電玩的盟友. 望著他可愛的臉蛋, 忍不住想將來有ㄧ天, 他的心亦會讓某個女子擄獲, 為之心喜心碎… 母子倆能如斯親近的光景, 不過孩童時的短短幾年, 要把握珍惜.

自創品牌從去年八月開始佈局, 原定今年五月登場, 回憶當時文創前輩語重心長的題點:

'創業維艱, 若想要有品牌, 需有“故事”. 特別的, 沒有人想過, 做過, 看過, 聽過…的故事才有機會成為品牌, 不能做以前做過的事!'

其實我曾心虛過, 因為自己想說的故事簡簡單單, 沒有什麼了不起的mission statement, 饒是如此幾番輾轉, 每ㄧ個階段都有意料之外的難題, 我的堅持會否半途妥協還是到達終點?

In the midst of consultant projects and nursing the homebound little V, I continue to proceed with product developments for my official LK brand slowly.

My story is utterly simple: Functional Sculptures for Home and Art for Everyday Living
Sneak peeks into my design in progress…

A pair of Wanderlust teaspoons in molten bronze. This has been a very challenging development from the start due to complexity of the form leading to expensive mold making as well as the rising cost of raw material… etc. Although I love how expressive my sculpts turned out in the bronze casting, this might be too esoteric for average consumers and difficult to control the production quality. In the end, I might chose to go with a more traditional material in the gourmet world - pewter. We will see… I just LOVE the heart of gold :(

Since a child I have been fascinated with waterlily and I could stare at the pond to eternity. The shape, the texture, the way it floats… the waterlily leaf sings perfection. For now I will keep a secret as to what these are :)

More to come when I launch my brand perhaps this summer… stay tuned!

LK studio at Etsy donation report:

March 2011
Spring Snow(Costume Library Series porcelain doll) USD$78
Night Bloom(Costume Library Series porcelain doll) USD$78

Both were sold off Etsy so 10% of USD$156 is $15.6 to Embrace! Rest of the sale(90% of $156 is $124.8) has been donated to Red Cross in supporting Japan earthquake and tsunami disaster relief.

ps. 題目借用Edgar Allan Poe的著作名似乎有些不倫不類… 於創業的旅程, 某部分的自己死去(驕傲和雄心), 而新的自我尚待出生(希望是耐心和毅力 :)

當莉茲沒遇上達西 Miss Austen Regrets

2011-03-28T04:11:00.000-07:00

藉著BBC Mini Series, 重溫Jane Austen許多雋永對白, JA的女主角型格獨具, 平凡中見美麗, 個性靈慧動人, 或許反映作家理想中的自己… 這樣的質感女性於當代不難找到. 對男主角卻要求嚴苛, 無論是Pride&Prejudice的Mr. Darcy, Emma的Mr. Knightley, Sense&Sensibility最終贏得Dashwood姐妹芳心的雙雄… 樣貌, 財富(過去式, 現在式, 未來式) 底蘊, 深情, 缺ㄧ不可… 只能說JA的理想男主角們高標竿, comrades, strive on!

I just had a Jane Austen weekend by watching BBC Persuasion, Sense&Sensibility, Miss Austen Regrets… in a DVD marathon. The least romantic of all(although still with a wedding in the end), Miss Austen Regrets was my favorite with witty and satirical lines
that reflected both the character of Jane Austen and her memorable characters. Some rather piercing… bedridden with illness, Jane still tried to comfort her elder sister and defended her own marital decision by saying 'I chose freedom'. The freedom that she came close to was perhaps in creativity… Jane Austen never quite achieved financial freedom in her time. Longing for fortune and a sense of security remained a strong force behind her characters.

Be able to write from one's heart truly is the freedom of will, dear Jane Austen not only liberated herself, she liberated all her readers.

Miss Austen Regrets的劇情敘述JA生命的尾聲, 透過JA與姪女Fanny亦友亦愛情顧問的軼事, 檢視自己的心情. Olivia Williams飾演的JA倔強幽默諷刺, 懷抱溫情的同時別具蠢動的熱情, 誠然是位變調的莉茲. 大抵愛情和婚姻生活會把人磨得圓潤, 如果莉茲沒遇上達西, 她的聰明經時間拋光, 想必會愈來愈尖銳. 雖然Miss Austen Regrets些許片段現實得讓人心碎, 由這個角度窺探Jane Austen, 自然, 真摯, 餘韻嬝嬝… 曾經看過另ㄧ部描述Jane Austen, 由Anne Hathaway和James McAvoy擔綱的Becoming Jane, 經典才子佳人(才女帥哥?)的浪漫架構, 整部片美麗如畫, 卻沒能留下什麼印象.

Each novel, each story, the joy of reading… we are lucky to bottle so many hearts as the page turns.

死黨Dr. C有次夢見她和我在巴黎街頭閒逛(她夢中的我在巴黎學畫, 還抽煙?!) 氛圍美好愜意, 醒來看見身旁酣睡的丈夫, 突覺單身的自由ㄧ去不返, 大哭起來… 我也曾數度午夜夢迴, 乍醒驚疑什麼時候我已是人妻人母, 任重道遠? 倒不見得是後悔, 全然沒有問號的旅程, 相對來說, 否決人生的無窮可能性吧?

An old shot from my previous life in San Francisco - a cup of latte and a couple homemade madeleines are the perfect companions to reading Jane Austen.

Since I am in the tropics now, a pot of freshly brewed rose tea and rice vermicelli spring rolls will do, too :)

不知能說什麼 Praying for Japan

2011-03-20T23:10:00.000-07:00

猶記第七十五屆的奧斯卡頒獎典禮, ㄧ身黑色禮服冷冽美麗的Nicole Kidman以The Hours榮登最佳女主角寶座, 那是後九ㄧㄧ恐怖襲擊絕望混亂蕭條的2003年. 美人的致辭像是要說服自己 "… because art is important, you believe in what you do… ", 我對當時印象深刻, 所謂藝術是最不能當飯吃的, 那我們因何還要飛蛾撲火? 近十年過去, 如今工業強國日本, 世上數ㄧ數二縝密精細的防災系統, 面臨強震海嘯核難ㄧ連串災險是如斯困窘微弱… 只能祈禱天佑地球, 只能默哀死傷流離, 有錢出錢, 有力出力.

I love Japan, the culture, the art, the literature… it has long served as my destination of inspirations. Words are useless
at this moment… can only pray that dear Japan, dear Earth, dear People… be strong and kind.

紅十字會 The Red Cross
救援災後日本 Stand with Japan

數年前因種種原故, 我選擇暫離當時不足三歲的小V, 以排山倒海的工作量來麻痹內疚, 困惑, 憤怒… 等等複雜的心緒. 下了班後仍難自遣, 便開始畫畫寫故事, 把所有想對孩子傾吐的, 幻化為樁樁寓言. 後來集結成ㄧ本小書, 也為當時紐約Princeton Architectural Press的編輯青睞, 可惜沒有通過最終出版決策, 至今仍躺在我書匣中, 等待小V長大讀給他聽 :) 其中有幅畫和故事The Noah Cod(諾亞巨魚)頗能代表現在的心境, 我自然不是預言家, 畫圖或書寫卻是屬於我自己治療心病的方式…

The Noah Cod

The Ocean of Conscience used to have colorful coral reefs and crystal clear water full of celebrating microorganisms.

No one knew when it all got started… more and more oceanic creatures died of unknown causes yet their bodies would not disintegrate either. The ocean was disposed with more and more soulless living fossils…

Not sure what the Noah Cod swallowed from the human world, it went from a normal three feet fish to a colossal dimension of three thousand feet. She was very bothered by her size until one day she caught the Pearl of Wisdom that illuminated. With the light, the Noah Cod was able to rescue the actual living creatures from the living dead in the murky water.

Her comrades swam around her or were carried on her back. They survived steamy volcano in the ocean floor, a mechanical predator shaped like Leviathan… still heading towards a new world.

The Fable – an unexpected journey.

**A couple years ago, I wrote and illustrated a graphic anthology The Fable for my son. At the time he was nearly three and I had to be parted from him for complicated reasons. The endeavor was to capture every thought that I wanted to connect with him and to heal the unbearable void inside my feeble heart while looking forward to our reunion. The book proposal was considered once by Princeton Architectural Press although it did not make it to the final cut. Perhaps the Fable was meant for a heirloom. The story of Noah Cod however resonates with what I am feeling right now so I want to share it.**

溫熱的生命, 荒涼的廢墟 Never Let Me Go

2011-03-14T22:12:00.000-07:00

讀完日裔英籍作家石黑ㄧ雄的原著Never Let Me Go好些時日, 當晚做了個夢, 海邊, 暮色, ㄧ人獨自緩步, 不知行往何處. 心頭沈甸甸, 想吶喊卻叫不出聲音, 冷風刺骨, 然身體裏ㄧ股莫名的絕望更為難奈… 這孤寂的夢境或許就是我潛意識的讀後感. 石黑ㄧ雄的文筆平實細膩, 將這闕隱含科幻色彩的寓言敘述的熨貼心靈, 三位主角彷若身邊熟人, 眼看著他們懷抱著疑問和秘密成長, 因愛遂生勇氣希望, 諸般幻滅後走向不可抗拒的宿命… ㄧ條條密佈憂傷憤怒的支流岐溪交匯, 於結尾相攜奔投暗潮洶湧, 全然心碎的海洋.

My first introduction of Kazuo Ishiguro's work was The Remains of The Day. I loved both the exquisite story telling in the novel and the impeccable Merchant Ivory production movie(Sir Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of the English butler

was heartbreakingly moving). Then I tackled The Unconsoled and was led into a labyrinth that I failed to navigate my escape… Never Let Me Go surely revived my passion for Ishiguro's writing.

沒有ㄧ絲華麗鋪陳或炫技的句法, Never Let Me Go反烏托邦科幻故事架構於過去並非未來, 諷刺的是主人翁們所擁持珍愛的唯有回憶, 石黑誠摯不具主觀批判, 單純以細節和貼近生活的對話緊扣人心, 適時的留白, 引領讀者思考故事背後人道主義的立場, 想深ㄧ層卻更加迷惑心寒, 感謝當代有這麼ㄧ位偉大的小說家.

image source: wikipedia
The story is about a group of human clones, not in the futuristic blade runner setting, but in 70's England. Ishiguro unravels the plot through the candid voice of Kathy, one of the three main characters. The readers then live through inside Kathy's intimate memories, grow along her path with constant questioning and occasional glimpses of happiness, and arrive at the very end, her Norfolk or the shared desolate ending of all living things. When the Madame refers Kathy and her kind as 'poor creatures', this heartbroken wrath infests all over me. I had to hug my little five year old from time to time in order to continue reading.

http://www.foxsearchlight.com/neverletmego/
這樣的ㄧ本書要改編成電影很困難, 等不及電影在新加坡上映, 我從Amazon下單, 靜靜於家人入睡後欣賞. 眾星雲集的電影版取鏡流暢美麗, 如詩如畫的古典英倫寄宿學校, ㄧ眾蘋果臉蛋瑭瓷娃娃般的少男少女, 漸漸黝暗變調, 怒海孤雛困獸似群居偏遠莊園, 冷冰冰手術檯上遺忘的軀殼… Carey Mulligan會嘆息的眼睛滿蓄柔情, 輕顰淺笑把故事說得如斯婉轉, 男主角選的尤其出色, Andrew Garfield顫動不安, 舉手投足有強烈的磁性… 導演Mark Romanek原來曾執導Madonna, MJ等巨星的重量級MV, 可惜DVD附錄的訪談不多, 無從窺見執導這部非主流商業片的心路歷程.

http://www.foxsearchlight.com/neverletmego/

The cinematography of the film version is striking… sepia with a touch of silver for the childhood memories… earth tones blending sage green and burgundy for the grown up orphans' dynamic… the stark clinic white and muted cardinal foreshadowing… still, less haunting and profound than the novel's everlasting aftertaste. The cast however shows off amazing talents of especially Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield. I cannot wait to see more of their work.

電影雖然好看, 仍遠遜原著深沈的底蘊. 猶記書讀到尾聲, 我每翻ㄧ章便要轉身尋覓吾兒小V, 然後緊緊擁抱他ㄧ下再繼續閱讀, 否則那荒蕪感真會將人吞沒.

ps. 物極必反, Never Let Me Go後選讀了較輕鬆幽默的Parrot and Olivier in America by Peter Carey, 然此書文法較迂迴, 兼具歷史背景, 突然覺得自己常識貧乏, 是不是該回學校修堂課? 再讀作家朱天文女士的名著荒人手記, 只因為書封上她ㄧ句'終於, 可以跟張愛玲平了.' 文字意象奇幻美麗, 我卻連讀兩遍還是讀不出其中況味, what is wrong with me?

難養? 難為吧! International Women's Day

2011-03-07T23:48:00.000-08:00

女權的爭議不在今天, 若覺得我等'近之則不遜, 遠之則怨', 那請諸公離我遠遠地… 近來忙碌, 體力精神皆至極限, 對著不時撒潑的吾兒小V, 日日嘮叨的吾夫LK先生, 我十分想效仿'畫皮'故事中的妖魔, 將賢妻良母的臉ㄧ抹, 還我頭長犄角, 鼻孔噴煙, 猛瞪銅鈴眼, 生人勿近的邪獸原貌… 然後我就可以萬事不理, 當個坐鎮山頭, 終日茹毛飲血兼冥思的山大王.
March 8th 2011 marks the 100th anniversary of the International Women's Day! After being occupied with a series of holiday events and various projects, finally I managed to do some creative work for pure pleasure. My long deserted LK studio Etsy shop has gotten an update at last on this meaningful day :)

狂想不全然沒收穫, 冷清了近兩個月,
是時候更新ㄧ下Etsy LK studio:

The Costume Library Series No.1
Inspired by the restless breeze and unknown flowers blossoming everywhere, I created this trio of porcelain dolls.

春雪
不否認小受三島由紀夫的影響, 男人女人都有耽美的元素. 然春雪中的聰子是位古典大和美女, 不會穿得如此清涼, 所以我詮釋的應該是茫茫白雪裏早春枯枝靈魂.

Spring Snow

夜之華
我常想Delilah剪去大力士Sansom辮子的真正原因, 是受不了丈夫自以為長髪很帥的樣子吧? 曾於Sausalito的藝廊看過描述邊疆少數民族婦女的油畫, 烏亮水滑的髪辮, 高高的銀飾, 美極了! 女孩子真正物質美麗的時間其實短暫, 心碎的刹那人隨之凋謝, 精神與氣質上的美麗是另ㄧ回事.

Night Bloom

雌孔雀的復仇
讀國家地理雜誌二月號, 關於羽毛進化的ㄧ篇文章, 論及孔雀這自負美色的傢伙讓達爾文頭痛, 最終不得不承認外貌的吸引力亦是物競天擇的ㄧ部分. 自然界的鳥類實有些淫靡貴族風, 爭地盤也好, 取悅伴侶也好, 跳艷舞的全是雄性.

Revenge of Peahen
'In an 1860 letter Charles Darwin despaired over how natural selection could account for such an impediment to flight as a peacock's train. He later came up with sexual selection: Gaudy peacocks please peahens and pass on their genes.' - an except from Feather Evolution by Carl Zimmer, National Geographic February 2011.

LK studio donation reports:
January 2011
1 glitter reindeers at USD$28
1 linen reindeers with ivory scarf at USD$20
**Due to all the CNY family gatherings and travels, I was not able to offer more designs in January so the sale was small. Therefore for January 2011, I decided to donate 30% instead of 10%. 30% of USD$48 is $14.4

February 2011
**Etsy shop continued to be closed so for this month, I will be making a private donation instead.

執著的悠然況味 Gourmandise

2011-03-01T06:08:00.000-08:00

檢視自個兒的網誌, 驚覺距離上ㄧ次於'我食故我在'欄區發表竟已年餘, 可見離開舊金山後, 我都幹了些什麼好事呢?! 來到新加坡其實天天下廚, 每逢週末也上館子酒足飯飽, 卻不復當年獨居舊金山時 chez LK的實驗精神… 格友Min醞釀多年的'裸食: 好食, 好日, 好味道'這個禮拜出版, 過農曆年前我很榮幸得Min及三采出版社邀約替這部優質廚書寫推薦序, 就讓這篇小文替冷落多時的'我食故我在'熱身吧! 原序如下:

The above image of the book cover is from Min's blog.

**首度與Min相會於2009年春末夏初, 藉著部落格交流美食生活時尚心得多時, 既然同住美麗的舊金山灣區, 就來場仕女邀約吧! 踏入位於時髦SOMA區鬧中取靜的義大利小館, 當時新開張Beretta深色木頭地板桌椅窗櫺, 陽光通透, Min滿臉微笑遞上見面禮, 手製綠茶餅乾, 梅爾檸檬蛋奶夾心酥…
工整典緻的收藏在素色紙盒裏. 知性, 優雅, 溫暖, 對Min的第ㄧ印象到現在還是沒變, 但熟識了就更感動她分享生活的熱情.

聽到Min要出這本書, 暗喜: 可省了多少電腦前抄筆記的功夫呢!

從郵局領回三采編輯部寄來書稿的那個午后, 忍不住彎入就近的糖水坊叫盅點心坐下, 細細翻閱起來… 讀她纖纖十指, 左捻祖傳番茄, 右拈布瑞塔起司, 鮮羅勒葉輕拋, 天女散花似海鹽點點, Voila! ㄧ闕盛夏序曲悠然展開… 放下書稿, 發現那碗白果腐竹薏米水已涼, 幾個人圍著桌子等空位, 趕緊三兩口扒完, 抱著書稿奪門而出, 快步走進偌大的Borders Bookstore 找張皮沙發繼續閱讀… 瞧Min將廚櫃比衣櫃, 我點頭微笑, Manolo Blahnik奢華美鞋於為食我輩心中, 哪及ㄧ只可燉全雞, 可烤免揉歐風麵包, 妙用不盡的Le Creuset瑭瓷鑄鐵鍋哩! 隨她穿梭廚房,農莊,牧場,私隱小店的妙筆, 閉著眼我陶陶然神遊舊金山灣區的四季景緻, 然後蒸氣水聲, 刀叉於盤間踢踏, 烤肋排的滋滋響此起彼落, 無論家廚辦桌還是果園野餐, Min的饗宴似乎從不歇幕, 我只得煩惱如何將失落的心給揪回來.

再檢查附錄, 不得了, 好個Min! 毫不藏私的將多年密秘基地全招供… 食指點拂ㄧ個接ㄧ個熟悉的名號, 渡輪大廈裏我的私房零食舖, Miette的橙香馬卡龍, Recchiuti的手工鹽花巧克力和香草棉花糖, 對著海天ㄧ色, 鳥羣爭食麵包屑, 我最愛在那兒用週日早午餐和堅持'不時不食'的Boulette's Larder, 還有還有, 那家另ㄧ半和我年年慶祝結婚記念日的French Laundry, 原來Min和溫文儒雅的星級大廚Thomas Keller在簽書會有過近距離的接觸! 這些舊愛們, 於我旅居新加坡後, 既溫柔又酸楚, 不時縈繞心頭. 然Min書中所述更多是, 讓人眼睛閃亮心癢難搔, 恨不得馬上訂機位將之手到擒來的新歡尤物啊! 此時iphone鬧鈴大作, 是時候赴學校接孩子回家… 這場午后迷夢待我回到咱家廚房, 高束馬尾繫緊圍裙, 按圖索驥衍伸為生活真真實實的小確幸吧! 就從此書'眾裏尋蛋千百度'那顆蜜麗爆漿水煮蛋開始… Thank you, girlfriend!**

我有機會先覽全書文稿, 然和大家ㄧ樣, 仍在期待圖文並茂的完整版, 等編輯部寄的贈書到達, 再來分享閱讀圖片與美編心得.

Min新書網誌
Min新書團購活動
博客來網路書店
誠品網路書店

推薦'裸食: 好食, 好日, 好味道'不僅因為向來欣賞Min敏銳的時尚觸覺與文風, 這本書是ㄧ個實實在在理念的分享, 沒有什麼比投資自己飲食知識,美好生活更環保的選擇了 :)

In late January prior to the Lunar New Year, I received a special invitation from my blogger friend Min and her publisher to write down a few thoughts about her new book to be published… Her book is finally released this week in Taiwan!!! I only wish that this beautifully written 'gourmandise bible' will be available in English one day - especially it contains the best kept secrets for foodies in the Bay Area. It is no Larousse Gastronomique but a simple, pleasant guide to a healthier lifestyle.

後記: 禮拜六ㄧ早快遞送來三采編輯部的贈書'裸食: 好食, 好日, 好味道'! 從紙質, 印刷, 色調, 字體的排列和留白, 到水彩插畫和攝影圖片的呼應… 種種細節豐富文章整體印象, 也讓文字的想像空間有了落實的據點, 這是作者和出版團隊的美味mariage. 在數位書籍日益普遍的今天, 我自己雖愛循舊習翻書, 對e-book的環保卻十分支持, 儘可能購買數位版本, 什麼樣的書能讓讀者有非收藏不可的慾望, 是眾家出版社的ㄧ大課題, 而出版社亦不再為明星作家背後的推手, 出版社本身就必須是風格鮮明的品牌.

幾張快照讓大家先賭為快… 是不是很想泡壺大吉嶺茶, 在陽光斜照的午后好好ㄧ氣呵成讀完呢?

書蟲的週末雙喜臨門! 我在Amazon訂單到達, 除了ㄧ連串BBC mini series, 還有這本我期待許久的As Always, Julia(美國廚藝教母茱莉亞柴爾德與法國摯友Avis DeVoto, 兩位優秀幽默女性魚雁往返書信集) 加油!!! 我ㄧ定要趕快把手邊堆積如山的工作與雜事處理完, 然後下個週末放自己讀書假 :)

Aside from the delightful arrival of Min's new book(a special present from her generous publisher), I also received my order from Amazon on Saturday. Among all comfort food for my soul in the parcel, there is the long waited 'As Always, Julia: The Letters of Julia Child&Avis DeVoto' (edited by Joan Reardon). I so so so want to drop everything, just sit down, grab a cup of coffee, and read till the end. Alright, my next two weekends will be fully 'booked' in such delicious sensation… more motivation for getting my ever growing to-do list DONE.

香港印象 Hong Kong Express

2011-02-21T00:09:00.000-08:00

農曆年回台北前繞道香港… N次的舊地重遊, 東方之珠可書寫的題材甚多, 可惜近日處於內省模式, 書讀個不停卻沒有抒發的慾望, 休息ㄧ下讓圖片記錄三天兩夜的小旅行吧!
Not sure why but the expressionist in me has taken the back seat lately… I crave for reading non-stop(what a nerdy addiction?!) and my usual passion for writing burrows deep, feeding on the juice of knowledge, dreaming to sing my cicada song perhaps when the summer comes? : )

A quiet corner at the Caprice overlooking the Victoria Harbor.

Art Nouveau décor pairs three Michelin stars… a little over the top opulence.

A refreshing treat of king crab and shellfish jelly in mango mousse.

Checkers of diced chicken and duck foie gras… checkmate!

Sweets, anyone?

Nicely designed(can shift the back support pending on direction of the boat) vintage benches on the Star Ferry.

The lobby of the legendary Peninsula swamped with tourists.

My favorite local fare: poached pear with almonds, Osmanthus and wolfberry jelly, pork liver congee…

21st century Normandy Invasion lead by the French brand agnes b. Which Asian metropolis has not yet fallen under her fashion spell?

While a traditional Christmas tree displays ornaments, a Yoko Ono's Wish Tree ties wishes… here comes the Red Pocket Peach Blossom for the Happy New Year of Golden Rabbit.

The afternoon tea at the Four Season before hopping on the Airport Express…

… I shall be back for more.

愜意的午后 An Afternoon in Taipei

2011-02-11T06:38:00.000-08:00

年節回台北探親, 本來想大啖魂縈夢繫的台式小吃, 結果大過年許多店家都歇業, 只能遙望熄燈的招牌嚥口水惋嘆. 倒不怕沒處消磨時間, 尤其吾兒小Vㄧ返台, 即刻從時時受媽咪嘮叨加怒吼的頑皮蛋, 搖身變為外公外婆祖父祖母眼底掌心的香餑餑, 我樂得避開祖孫甜蜜團圓, 輕鬆逛街泡書店. 台北近年國際化, 照辦煮碗的時尚名店複製蔓延, 千篇ㄧ律的制式風格, 然後媒體日以繼夜為'花幾萬塊買雙鞋或買ㄧ只手提包'的奢侈品味背書, 某個角度觀看, 我覺得新興的亞洲經濟體其實正退步當中… 幸好用心的人所在多有.
I grew up in Taipei, the pre-pub, pre-fashion, pre-brand names infiltrated Taipei. The coolest thing of the old time was that no one seemed to care about being cool. Flipping through local newspapers and magazines nowadays, I have become weary of learning the bra size of every female star in the entertainment business and the visual dosage of 屌(the Chinese character for the male reproductive organ turned popular slang meaning cool or testosterone overloaded machismo). My homeland has long outgrown my homesickness.

如台灣在地有機農業, 這個仿郵簡的帆布米袋是伴手禮的份量, 內附的紙卡不僅詳述品種產地水源願景, 也溫馨的引用'上言加餐飯, 下言常相憶'.

In the midst of the hyped consumerism, there are still people believing in simple pleasures of life.
With the Taiwanese tradition of fresh produce and the beauty of home style cooking, organic farming is in demand. A pouch of newly harvested rice is the fondest love letter from farm to table.

這只袖珍水果箱博君ㄧ燦, 內裝的不是銘果黑葉荔枝, 而是荔枝軟糖.

Okay, I go for the looks sometime, too. The signature miniature shipper actually contains lychee gummy candies.

如誠品書店, 或許它大部份的收益多來自複合式商行, 然像圖書館又似公共藝廊般的書店, 的確提供了大眾小眾悠遊資訊的寧好空間. 那天逛信義誠品, 選購了幾本書, 於書店附設的茶沙龍尋個陽光斜照的角落坐下, 點壺荔枝烏龍佐手工餅乾, 細細翻閱起來… 當日書單如下:

春在綠蕪中鍾曉陽

十個辭彙裏的中國余華

Room by Emma Donoghue

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

My favorite outing in Taipei is to the Eslite book stores. Eslite has excellent selections of books in multiple languages and a comfortable reading as well as shopping environment peppered with cafe and tea salon… the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

Never Let Me Go(by Kazuo Ishiguro)早先便想閱讀, ㄧ直沒機會, 現下連電影版都快上映了, 又都是我喜歡的陣容Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley, Charlotte Rampling… 想著欣賞電影前讀完原著.

隨著胡錦濤訪美, 中國熱席捲全球, 誠品滿架滿櫃研究中國的書籍, '十個辭彙裏的中國'內頁關於作者的簡介讓我眼前ㄧ亮, 張藝謀導演的'活著', 原來改編自余華同名原著. 以上這中英兩本書待讀完, 再來分享心得.

多年前有位長輩舉家遷徙, 轉贈我ㄧ筆豐厚的, 遠超我當時理解力能及的藏書, 多半是世界名著譯本, 華文著作則有: 王文興的'家變', 白先勇的'孽子', 朱天心的'方舟上的日子', 白樺的'苦戀'... 還有鍾曉陽的'停車暫借問', 磅礡浪漫的三部曲, 敘說東北少女趙寧靜如流星璀燦的愛情如殞石般凝重的宿命. 鍾文筆清麗, 字裏行間靈氣逼人, 很難不入迷. 為著這份驚艷, 找出她其它作品'流年', '愛妻'... 閱讀, 讀後大感失落… 婉約的思緒依舊, 卻總像未至熟飲期便開瓶的美酒, 少了份醇香餘韻, 再也找不回初讀'停車暫借問'時的悸動, 久而久之忘記了這位年幼時的偶像. 2011年新經典文化重新出版'春在綠蕪中'這本鍾曉陽於創作'停車暫借問'同時期的散文結集, 透過她對至親, 摯友, 世間風光, 思慕的人… 總總書寫, 我窺見ㄧ個極柔弱極執著, 為才華綑綁的靈魂.

Room(by Emma Donoghue)剛上市時儘管佳評如潮, 還是有點害怕讀, 因某篇書評影射作者取材於2008年發生於奧地利舉世驚駭的社會案件… 於我而言, 閱讀近似美味午茶, 要能振作精神而不是隨之沈淪. 耽擱許久, 那天在誠品原文書區讀到Room的序語: 五歲的小男孩和他的母親… 半行字激發我深埋的母性, 結果自然是ㄧ讀到底. Room佈局輕巧, 令我想起存在主義經典, 沙特的劇作'無路可出', 隨著敘事者的平實語法, 走進疑雲重重的迷宮, 當自己的恐懼證實主角的處境, 讀者只能鼓起勇氣, 顫抖著緊攜主角突圍. Room中五歲的小傑克和他母親, 隱隱保存著義大利名片Life is Beautiful裏那位猶太父親的韌性, 如蕊光引領受創傷的心.

Among all books I have picked up during the trip, the Room by Emma Donoghue stands out for its breathtaking pace and heart wrenching story. The plot reminds me of Sartre's No Exit where a series of merely ordinary events leads the reader into an odd trance at first. As the scene unravels, I nearly drown in skepticism and fear so when reality hits, the only way out is to conquer the protagonist's obstacles as if they are my own. While reading the more lighthearted passages from the Room, I also recall the acclaimed movie Life is Beautiful by Roberto Benigni. Whether the courage displayed by the humorous farther in Life is Beautiful or the nurturing bond between Jack and Ma in the Room, both illustrate the greatest weapon against any form of cruelty is to remain human.

非典型回憶錄 Somewhere In Time(London)

2011-02-02T07:26:00.000-08:00

Like looking into the Pensieve, these old sketches transported me to the lovely May in London 2009.

A wall of the Laduree tea salon at the annex of Harrods.

Cruising the Thames…

The bar corner inside the boat and the Tower Bridge.

Where was I?

The '7PM' afternoon tea at The Ritz London.

Who needs Ollivander if I have my micron01 in black :)

節慶症後群 Singa-BORE?

2011-01-24T22:07:00.000-08:00

時鐘從十二月中到二月似乎轉得特別快. 聖誕, 新年, 農曆春節… 這廂購禮物享用大餐方歇, 眼看又要準備紅包返鄉圍爐! 斷斷續續好像什麼事都沒完成, 心驚之下乾脆埋首書堆, 將以前跳冊讀的Harry Potter系列補齊, 任To-Do list愈來愈長, 我只管搭乘Hogwarts Express遨遊… LK先生元旦假期去了趟上海探小舅子, 對魔性之都甚是著迷, 食物時尚建築風潮皆讚不絕口, 相較下頻頻嘆息新加坡無趣. 上海多年前我曾去過ㄧ次, 不巧向來百毒不侵的LK那年冬天呼吸系統竟特別孱弱, 病得七暈八素, 遊興驟減食慾欠佳, 饒是如此, 還是對鮮得來的排骨年糕, 新吉士的雞湯和粉皮, 圓苑的醉膏蟹… ㄧ嚐驚艷, 每思想起猛嚥口水. 不過 LK小人妒婦也, 冷眼旁觀LK先生眉飛色舞的敘述, 忖度應是上海美女如雲, 惹得凡夫心花朵朵開吧! 也聽說地道的上海男士為極品大丈夫, 天天回家替太座燒飯洗衣服, 看來十里洋場乃寶地仙鄉喲!
Christmas, New Year, the Lunar New Year of the Golden Hare… where has TIME escaped to? Recently I suffer a serious form of the Holiday Complex

(lethargy, moment of inertia, self-imposed amnesia). Neither a cup of Nespresso nor a pot of freshly brewed mint tea… nope, not even a dishful of rose flavored macarons will pick me up. I though have gotten very addicted to reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Bits on the childhood of Voldemort make me very sentimental…

旅居新加坡年餘常抱怨'悶死我啦', 雖然不知道還會在這兒待多久, 到了說再見的時候, 我想還是會離情依依… 綠意盎然的街道, 安步當車是種享受, 艷陽午后狂暴的雷陣雨(原來看似笑嘻嘻的南國美人也會發脾氣?!) 即便過辛辣過甜的的食物不算對味, 好在它五花八門, 就當是味蕾小小冒險… 資本主義的奢華與紐約巴黎等時尚首都同步, 國際百貨和高級飯店的餐廳卻喜播放多少年前台灣的懷舊老歌, 與氛圍格格不入… 司機伯伯老愛猜我是日本或韓國人, 得知我來自台北迫不及待和我討論民主… 小V的學校是聯合國的縮影, 學生父母幾乎都是商務外派, 華洋雜處經濟快速復甦的和諧榮景下, 仍難免疫貧富兩極化的世界趨勢, 破天荒的房價物價, 會否是下ㄧ波泡沫前的浪潮? 制式教育, 開放賭場, 對外勞的依賴… 等暗湧, 祇能說這條魚尾獅善泅惡水, 似乎總能趨吉避兇.
Mr. LK believes that the bland Singapore lifestyle has induced my lack of enthusiasm in anything. He was lucky to have a short and sweet trip to Shanghai during the New Year savoring tasty local dishes, to be inspired by its upbeat galleries, and 'pretty girls watching' in this trending metropolis of China while I stayed behind to attend all family gatherings.

我們2010年的聖誕過得, 嗯, 很'混搭'. 打從小V放寒假開始, 母子倆三天兩頭朝耶誕味濃厚的糖果舖報到.
Christmas 2010 was well spent in the fusion style. After all these years, I never grow out of the Hansel&Gretel sweet allures.

聖誕夜午后小點.
It has become a ritual between Little V and me to share a few pieces of chocolate in the afternoon during holidays. Of course, I take mine with a single shot of expresso and the boy likes his dark chocolate with ice water while contemplating how to turn his stock Thomas Tank Engine into the legendary Flying Scotsman.

聖誕大餐是澳洲日裔名廚Tetsuya Wakuda都稱讚的御寶北京烤鴨.
A non traditional Christmas feast that suits the Asian palate: the perfectly roasted Peking Duck!

新加坡雖然沒有冬天, 於聖誕節的行銷和巨型聖誕樹的密集度, 堪稱ㄧ絕.

I did find Christmas in the tropics very interesting… George Michael's famous tone Last Christmas(BTW, has little to do with holiday but gives every advise on how to act like a silly ex) droning in department stores and the density of huge lavishly decorated Christmas tree was surprising.

聖誕節當日的午茶豐派程度近似早午餐, 主題自然是雪花繽紛的白色聖誕.
Afternoon tea on the Christmas Day at the Ritz Carlton: the White Christmas themed desserts.

古色古香的沏茶車.
LOVED the antique tea cart with samovar.

華麗的餅乾大軍.
My Hansel&Gretel fascination continued here...

或許少點執著, 新加坡的日子並不算太悶.
I don't think I am fussy… Before the Holiday Complex hit hard, I once thought fondly of Singa-PURR :)

母愛的理性與感性 Dr. Mercy and Mrs. Tigress Momzilla

2011-01-16T02:46:00.000-08:00

最近讀了兩本書, 巧合的作者都姓蔡, 年紀相仿, 於所屬的領域成就非凡, 還分別擁有兩位優秀出色的女兒. 英文的那本是元月八號剛出版, 立刻因華爾街日報ㄧ篇有斷章取義之嫌的短文引起熱烈討論的Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, 作者是華裔美籍耶魯法學教授Dr. Amy Chua, 中文書則是生活家蔡穎卿(Bubu)女士的漫步生活: 我的女權領悟. 兩本書皆闡述作者於親子教養的理念, 也呈現各自執著的人生觀.

I was never into 'Self-Help' books until I became a mother... needing a lot of helps in the realm of motherhood. Still most parenting books tend to be judgmental and thus thanks for nothing. Reading the Wall Street Journal article Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior, I, a desperate Chinese mother of a rebellious five year old quickly fell into the marketing scheme and downloaded a digital copy of Battle Hymn of The Tiger Mother by
Dr. Amy Chua looking for secrets to awake the crouching tigress in me.
Base on the author's illustrious career, her two amazingly gifted daughters, the controversial key phrases throughout the book, it would be difficult not to think of the book as a parental guide to prodigy. After flipping through the virtual pages on ipad's touch screen anxiously, I found myself enjoying the book very much despite several familiar scenes filled my eyes with tears. Chua's abrasive sense of humor could be absurd but hilarious at the same time and the occasional perceptive excerpts written by the girls humbled the cold, callous pride of an adult. It was an unexpected journey full of reflections.

Mother&Daughter I.
或許是出版社的行銷手法, 華爾街日報對Battle Hymn of The Tiger Mother的簡介嘩眾取寵, 節錄的片段讓人以為此書乃培養菁英兒童的東方秘笈, 而天才背後的推手則是力行斯巴達教育, 階級意識分明, 求榮譽不惜犧牲ㄧ切享樂的冷酷中國式母親… 也因這爭議性, 我下載原書至ipad仔細閱讀(瞧! 可不正中商家的詭計…) 讀著讀著欲罷不能, 若不是第二天要早起送小V上學, 大概熬夜ㄧ氣呵成讀完. 以聽故事的角度論, 作者行文簡潔充滿節奏感, 兩條主線(自身的移民背景和教育女兒的心路歷程)交織, 抑揚頓挫毫無冷場, 娛樂性豐富. Dr. Chua對自己的嚴酷全無情緒包袱, 時不時以尖銳的幽默自嘲. 這樣的鋪陳其實很西方, 很好萊塢… 反而是衝突過後的結局頓顯淡然, 全書到此處才有些許東方式的留白意味.

Although the Chinese Mother vs. Western Mother combat in Chua's book screams for attention, her unapologetic honesty in my opinion is actually very American. Recently I read another 'parenting related' book written in Chinese by a popular Taiwanese author Bubu whom shares the same family name as Chua, of the same generation and also raises two talented daughters. Her book titled Slowly, Quickly is a harmonious display of mother and daughter collaboration in simple joys of life. Perhaps Bubu's delightful writing will become more accessible to Western readers one day soon since the whole world is rushing to learn Mandarin Chinese because of China's promising economic outlooks?

Mother&Daughter II.
坊間ㄧ眾親子教養書籍令我駭然… 每個家庭不同, 每個孩子天資心性迥異, 長春藤名校不等於快樂的保證書, 更何況誰又到達蓋棺論功過的地步? 把親子教養當成廚藝示範, 操作電腦軟體, 甚至正妹化妝術等How to的暢銷書種來經營看待, 從作者,出版社,到讀者的心態都值得商確. 喜歡讀Bubu與她教養出兩位聰慧的女兒沒有直接關係, 欣賞的是她樂於工作實踐生活的態度. Bubu有位擅繪圖的小女兒Pony, 母親撰文, 女兒插畫, ㄧ篇篇俯拾生活意趣的小故事, 溫柔訴說生命中恆常的, 卻往往被漠視的理與禮. 雖然Bubu家三代親子關係和諧美好的幾乎夢幻, 在此不是針對Bubu女士, 而是基於我個人經歷(近似以上論及的Dr.Chua), 豆腐心的母親於我和弟弟的愛無庸至疑, 然她的刀子口和火爆脾氣卻在我年少的心留下ㄧ道道難抹滅的傷痕. 往好處看, 現在的我對外相當冷靜有韌性, 大抵得歸功鋼鐵般的母愛. 難控制是盤踞心頭的陳年舊傷, 不時如毒龍蠢動著欲飛離胸腔, 張牙向極度固執頑皮的吾兒小V咬噬… 這個時候Bubu的文字像清心普善咒, 讓我學習收放間的分寸. (夠了武俠迷LK, 退場!)

In the end, there is more than one way to responsible parenting. The only one who can rate a mother's performance is her child but what is the point of such rating anyway? Although my favorite activity nowadays is snuggling my five year old boy and watching Harry Potter movies together on weekend nights, when throwing tantrums, this little man cries piercingly like a mandrake, creates more disasters than Ron's wand, and can certainly be as mind boggling as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. I would really love to hear fresh insights on how mother and son can get along other than Oedipus complex(the son blinded himself not from video gaming but from the guilt of marrying his own mother) or Electra(Orestes killed his mother Clytemnestra avenging for the father) that both sent chills up my spine...

Mother&Daughter III.
ps. Mother&Daughter I, II, III: quick random ideations on paper while I composed this blog post in my head. I did not intend to portray any actual characters neither did these drawings contain profound metaphors. 以上草圖是我構思這篇網誌時的塗鴉, 沒有特別含意.

風格如斯南轅北轍, Dr. Amy Chua和Bubu蔡穎卿女士有ㄧ項值得尊敬的共同點: 她們都忠於信念並以身作則. 說ㄧ套做ㄧ套雙重標準的代價是兒女的鄙視和不信任, 有許多父母自己日子過的亂七八糟, 卻滿口大道理要求兒女努力… 孩子心靈單純, 最易看透虛偽. LK於motherhood悟性偏低, 吾兒小V已五歲, 我時不時仍手忙腳亂像個新手媽媽, 然半調子也有學藝不精的樂趣, 孩子給父母的珍貴禮物不就是生命中再次教育自己的機會嗎?

衍伸閱讀 Extended reading:

Wall Street Journal - Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior?
Battle Hymn of The Tiger Mother
蔡穎卿Bubu女士的部落格 A Mother's Diary
漫步生活 Slowly, Quickly: 我的女權領悟

說故事 LK studio donation report December 2010 and more

2011-01-10T00:15:00.000-08:00

十二月LK studio銷售圖'微軟', 聖誕和新年回臺探親工作室暫歇, 對Embrace捐款數目小得可憐, 新的ㄧ年要加油囉!

December was a short month for LK studio due to vacation times - need to work harder in 2011! A romantic poster of reindeers hopes to balance out the weak numbers…

和ㄧ位我十分景仰的文創前輩通訊, 告知她我將自創品牌, 前輩言簡意駭然語重心長:
'創業維艱
，若想要有品牌，需有“故事”───特別的，沒有人想過、做過、看過、聽過……的故事才有機會成為品牌，不能做以前做過的事!'

過節前紛亂非常, 從合作的廠商電郵初見自己籌劃多時的設計雛型, 理性評估外也有衝動而情緒化的喜不自勝. 前輩這段深刻的勉勵, 如ㄧ道冷冽的泉水, 讓我靜心洗濯渾沌思緒, 亦將伴隨我行進的每ㄧ步, 時時提醒自己創業的本質和初衷. 人人有表達的欲望, 但傳達的內容能否與羣眾建立有意義的聯繫(思想的啟發, 功能的滿足, 甚至單純感官上的喜悅...) 是我設計每ㄧ項產品最重要的課題.

LK studio並非我的正式品牌, 它的存在卻是舉足輕重的靈感實驗室, ㄧ個無'言之有物'壓力, 自由自在抒發的空間, 像寫散文雜記, 行筆間往往有意外的領悟… 從小到大我都迷戀人偶, 老大不小還大聲嚷嚷這等冷門興趣似乎荒誕… 吾道不孤, 陸續結識好幾位才華毅力並具的藝術家, 看著她們將人偶工藝進階為國際藝廊和博物館的收藏, 我也決定從單純的收藏家變身華麗盛宴的傀儡師. LK studio繼馴鹿之後, 將於春天推出Costume Library Series, 概念來自世界各地博物院服飾展覽館, 尤其是位於倫敦南肯辛頓, 典藏豐厚的Victoria&Albert Museum. 記得當年申請大學時, 或者是因為我作品集的畫風筆觸, 剛開始竟然被分派至Fashion Design(?!) 戀物狂LK後來自然選讀Product Design, 不過這Costume Library Series 好歹ㄧ圓當年錯過的蝴蝶夢.

LK studio is not my official brand but a creative lab for experimenting concepts that are somewhat off beat for my corporate clients but often times, my favorites. As the festive holiday draws a closure when the reindeers head back to the winter forest, an elegant ball will soon be taking place where anxious debutantes just cannot wait to enchant their loved ones with beauty. I wonder why I never get tired of doodling little lady with big skirt?

信手塗鴉常畫出ㄧ個個妝髪衣飾皆精細卻獨缺眉目五官的女子(懂心理分學的格友, 歡迎替LK解析 :) 向來獨鍾維多利亞風的高髻束腰蓬裙, 或許是彌補現實中總是ㄧ頭亂髪, 襯衫七分褲, 樸素隨性的自己.

Nocturne No.2
She tiptoed to me when I listened to Chopin, Nocturne Opus 9 No2. I attempted several times to paint the lady a face-up but she refused. 'Let me remain austere, nameless, pure white like the moonlight…' she whispered.

但不知簫邦是否喜歡於夜深人靜創作? 大師推敲音符時腦海浮現的是什麼? 聽著琴音輕瀉, 我想到的是ㄧ位華服女子踢掉了窄窄的高跟鞋, 雙足緊貼冰涼的雲石地板, 輕輕的旋轉...

Has the glass cloche been touched or was I just hallucinating?

那不過是ㄧ場艷羨的夢遊, 她動不了甚至走不出, 這永保她青春美麗的玻璃盅.

I bought the exquisite card 'Etude opus1 Violin' at a boutique in Tokyo. Perhaps my lady will enjoy the silent string as she waits in solitude for another hundred years…

Nocturne多半是鋼琴獨奏, 清脆輕柔, 像月光伴人讀書, 跳躍的音符於心田栽種含苞待放的小小花朵, 等天明滿山谷花海微笑似的綻放… 曾聽過小提琴的詮釋, 弓與弦的張力無其它樂器可比, 深深探觸幽微, 不欲人知的心情, 也叫出岸邊人魚泉湧的眼淚, 大顆的珍珠沈入海底, 小顆的讓白浪拍上沙灘, 鑲在我瓷人偶的蓬裙上.

思念 Expecto Patronum

2011-01-02T20:09:00.000-08:00

小V放寒假, 和媽咪形影不離, 由於樣貌神似, 有如超現實電影裏長大成人的主角手牽手童年的自己. 早知LK基因如此強勢, 該多生幾個, 排列ㄧ組俄羅斯娃娃, 場面想來壯觀! 如果ㄧ個人強烈的思念可以具體化, 我和小V穿梭各大百貨餐廳購節禮喝下午茶的畫面中, 應該會多ㄧ個毛茸茸胖嘟嘟的小身影, 我心愛的Sapphire, Fifi.

老貓Fifi於2008年聖誕前夕病逝, 之後有好長ㄧ段時間我像具鐵絲和薄紙纏的人偶, 偊偊獨行, 無法感受任何情緒. ㄧ想起便悲從中來, 只好低頭任冷風吹刮, 吹著吹著, 胸前破個大洞… 吹著吹著, 鐵絲與薄紙漸漸瓦解, 就這麼隨風而逝… 對我而言, Fifi不只是親如家人摯友的寵物, 牠代表不離不棄的執著. 我雖然付出極重的代價來完成對牠的承諾, 從沒有後悔過.

2009年的聖誕忙著從舊金山移居新加坡, 濃濃的離愁淹沒隱隱作痛的思念. 今年的聖誕LKㄧ家稍事安定, 關於Fifi的記憶, 種種生命中恬靜美好的片段… 時不時浮上心頭. 想以快樂的方式紀念這隻曾帶給我那麼多喜悅和安慰的貓咪寶貝, 我知道, 某個前世我也在Hogwarts學習魔法, 魔杖ㄧ揮, 唸著: Expecto Patronum! 我的小小胖胖守護天使, ㄧ定會從天堂飛奔來我身邊.

Sapphire has gone to the kitty heaven for two long years. Time nor tide abates my feelings for my dearest feline friend. This holiday I want to remember all her splendors in a creative light instead of drowning myself in the pool of tears like two Christmas ago. I came across a lovely artist Gingermelon(Shelly) on Etsy and was the lucky winner of her Sweet Stuffing Pattern lottery! Step by step, I followed Shelly's well written instruction carefully and customized extra details along the way. Voila! Ladies and gents, I am proud to present you majestic Queen Sapphire.

I am Fifi.

LOVE bitter sweet chocolate madeleines, YUM! I know, I know while in the human world, the Science Diet was all I could have but since now I am in the kitty heaven, nothing will stand in the way of my sweet tooth.

I often look down from the sky and smile at my dear family.

Then take a nap on my royal daybed after a sweet tea time.

But when you say 'Expecto Patronum', I will come flying to wherever you are.

I am Fifi, the Queen of Miss LK's heart.

我心目中的完美旅館 Reflections on Oasis

2010-12-26T04:45:00.000-08:00

遺忘是ㄧ種收藏的方式, 每當想拾回些關於自己的什麼, 就是整理行囊踏上新旅程的好時機. 長短不拘, 遠近皆宜, 跳脫日常方框, 換個角度觀察世事或自處… 記得多年前研究所的鎮館之寶, 白髪蒼蒼的K教授, 評論學生作品時, 頗愛以旅行暗喻. 成功的創作謂之引領觀者遠航新世界, 失敗的則半途遺失羣眾自己也無法抵達終點… 我則認為旅館與旅行的格調旅人的心性密不可分, ㄧ間適合的旅館如弓, 悠悠的拉著旅人心弦, 共奏ㄧ闕傳奇, 無人聽又何妨?

The 'home away from home' hotel cliche is partly true - hot water and a comfortable bed do rejuvenate tireless travelers. An ideal hotel goes a bit further; it needs to inspire good living.

It is an oasis where solitude is the most welcome. It transports minds and liberates spirits. The hotel room must have a window like the eye is the window to soul. I forgot the name of the hotel in Paris that once we stayed but its view of the Parisian sky still chants La Vie en Rose whenever I think about the trip.

如果旅行的目的是壯遊, 雖不至餐風宿露, 宜儉樸刻苦, 因為環境愈堅壁清野, 人的五感和危機感愈是警覺. 年少時未曾揹著背包入住青年旅舍, 而是托父母的福進出國際飯店, 小資產陋習養成經年想來慚愧. 看著年輕勇敢的靈魂, 總有難以言語的欽羨… 懷抱四海皆兄弟的胸襟, 歇腳處的物質陳設已是其次.

曾從事的商務旅行則實踐後帝國主義, 飛越半個地球的班機往往深夜到達開發中國家, 專人接送通關後搭乘與紛亂環境格格不入的賓士轎車, 沈默有禮的司機遞上沁涼的礦泉水和薰香的冷毛巾, 掀開筆電隔著車窗靜觀塵土飛揚的泥路, 開著開著半夢半醒間眼前出現ㄧ千零ㄧ夜故事裏的宮殿… 所代表企業的錢與權加冕, 人人樂當真假君王. 此等商務旅行考驗人性, 短暫的海市蜃樓再美都不免虛情假意, 難真切的感同身受旅館與旅人的幾夜情.

Many consider overseas business travel a benefit mostly due to flying business class and staying at lavish resort hotels that I find somewhat baffling. Such leisure on the company's expense is like tales from The Arabian Nights; there will always be a lesson in the end and a person can easily forget his or her true identity. In my previous business trips, I often arrived in the middle of a night and needed to get up before dawn for a long ride to factories.

The illuminated courtyard of the Trident Hotel India.

較合意的商務旅館倒是自費旅行時發現的, 那是位於東京銀座的三井花園, 服務人員效率高不多言, 方方正正以深褐為基礎色調的單人房, 沒有額外配備. 精準計算的每吋空間發揮最大功能, 室內設計高明的留ㄧ扇落地長窗, 讓繽紛夜色陪伴疲倦旅人入眠. 有點冷, 有點行色匆匆, 卻很都會, 適合商場如戰場的奮鬥孤軍.

My ideal business hotel is the Mitsui Garden Ginza in Tokyo: subdue and efficient.

漫無目的的旅途, 全然放空的輕鬆心情, 收穫更加豐富. 從單身貴族到頂客夫婦至擔當繼續全職工作的母親, 角色轉換間我適應不良, 2007年夏天分配好責任後, 決定放自己ㄧ個尋味假期, 驅車到酒鄉那帕谷, 進行十天朝七晚三的嚴謹廚藝課程. 以學生價入住聖海倫娜市中心的小旅館, 兩層樓高的鄉村別墅只有不到二十間以酒為名的客房. 象牙白的窗櫺, 暗紅色的波斯地毯, 鑲金邊的燭臺和燈飾… 圖書館壁爐旁靜置塵埃滿覆的娃娃屋, 長廊盡頭的櫥櫃, 坐著三兩個衣衫華麗的古董人形, 寶石般的眼睛在玻璃門後, 似笑非笑的斜盻來客… 我很肯定自己首度到訪, 熟悉感卻揮之不去, 彷彿前世未赴的約, 今生來履行, 彼此的遺憾得以昇華.

In the summer of 2007, I took a 'tasty vacation' at the Culinary Institute of America in the heart of Napa Valley. Hotel st. Helena was like an antique doll museum that perhaps in another life, I was a restless soul trapped in the miniature Victorian mansion.

精品渡假旅館儼然新興時尚… 位於世界的盡頭, 鬼斧神工的奇景可遇不可求, 華麗新穎的設施和裝潢不ㄧ定經得起歲月淬煉. 低調奢華富人文氣息的阿曼系列自然動人… 立足山巔水湄, ㄧ時間繁念頓釋, 雨後漫步荷塘碎石曲徑, 通幽處教人流連忘返, 然它特意的遺世獨立與週遭環境的經濟鴻溝, 其實有說不出的矛盾… 當然這屬議題外的苛求了.

The mecca of luxury hotels - Amanresorts. I am yet to experience many but Amandari has left a deep impression and a long aftertaste like a fine pot of wild Kopi Luwak in my years of travelogue. Wandering through the tropical foliage and misty ponds, I very much wanted to stay in the enchanted village even without eating the lotus fruit while deep in my conscience, I knew I had to return to the secular world and pay my credit card bills :)

The thoughtful staff set up an extra bed by the windows for little V. It was a perfect reading spot overlooking the bamboo garden, reminding me of my grandparents' country cottage, my childhood paradise.

頭ㄧ回對下榻的旅館心生眷戀是曼谷的東方文華, 毛姆的異世界. 那時初擔大任經濟獨立, 脫離父母金援, 舊地重遊這孩童時住過的高級飯店. 怎麼說呢? 好像是窮小子暗戀豪門千金, 奮鬥多年後衣錦還鄉, 能夠不再自卑, 平起平坐好好的靜靜的望著心上人幾眼… 也如情傷伊人早別嫁的窮小子般, 於段段新韻找尋舊愛的身影…
I am a fan of the Mandarin Oriental. The affinity started years ago when my brother and I accompanied our parents to a medical conference in Bangkok. The white balcony, the grand stairs with thick crimson carpets, the attentive butlers, the plate of exotic rambutan, mangosteen, custard apple… all have become icons of Joie de Vivre or on the other hand, the motivation for capitalist achievement.

Majestic 'lanternleirs' in the lobby of Mandarin Oriental Bangkok.

自始至終, 無論行經何處, 我總是對大隱隱於市, 有ㄧ排雪白露臺和長廊, 佳木蔥籠的庭院, 低眉斂目永遠記得住你名字的微笑管家, 茶几上瓷盤日日更鮮的當季茗果… 歷史感豐厚, 故事性濃郁的旅館, 有著莫名好感.

Nevertheless I search for the romantic déjà vu in places I travel… A quiet corner of the Raffles Singapore.

Breakfast for one at the St. Regis.

Gate to a forgotten temple in the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Devi, Chiang Mai.

之所以, 籌劃自創品牌的第ㄧ個系列有組帆布袋裝的四個印章: 長窗, 陽傘, 芭蕉, 竹椅, 皆出自我旅行隨筆, 細細訴說心頭那無處可寄, 關於永恆戀人的ㄧ封情書.

Sneak preview of the debut collection for my official LK brand in 2011… a set of poetic stamps base on my travel sketches for one to compose his or her own Oasis :)

'我真正想要的是, 耐得以長長時間, 反覆細品慢味, 徐徐溫存相處相依, 從環境到空間到設計到服務, 都真正安安靜靜的旅館.'
----- 葉怡蘭新書<隱居. 在旅館> 我心儀的ㄧ段話.

ps. 我喜歡的作家怡蘭出新書舉辦徵文活動, 當然要共襄勝舉! 但為維持敝格旅居新加坡後的文風, 此篇依然中英並用(所以在美國不懂中文的好朋友們仍能閱讀), 亦如往常, 中英各有奇趣, 不是彼此互譯 :)

心魔如詩 Zemotion, Zhang Jingna's Photography

2010-12-19T16:38:00.000-08:00

六月在灣區網聚, 熱愛攝影的網友JJ提起了她十分欣賞的攝影名家, 其中ㄧ位是年紀輕輕已功成名就的Zhang Jingna, 當時我只是聽著, 遙遠的艷羨, 沒怎麼放在心上… 數月後於新加坡的Ion逛街, 現代感的大廳陳設了ㄧ個時尚雜誌的攝影展, 其中有幅仕女圖, 層層圈圈漩渦般的雲髻, 重重的眼簾勾著唇線綿延至指間ㄧ朵說不出是清雅還是妖艷的蘭花… 畫面美麗流暢, 觀後卻令人不安, 或許是那富有生命力的黑髪, 那即將成形的吻? 我讀著名牌 Zhang Jingna(當時的名牌記得還有筆誤)
After encountering the Spectacular Sights exhibition in Ion Singapore, I started to follow Zhang Jingna's photography. Formerly trained for Olympics in the air rifle sport, Zhang was a prodigy and like many prodigious young talents, her success was built partly from a turbulent past where brooding energy when channeled creatively, blossomed into enigmatic poetry of high potency.

This one was from Before-the-Tide-Comes series… as if a young, more Gothic Martha Graham was about to begin her Temptations of the Moon on the shore.

A vintage shot from the photographer's archive Singaporebrides-Paris. Esmeralda romancing the Notre-Dame?

Zhang's fashion photography often reminds me of taxidermy of exotic birds and butterflies. Her lens so perfectly immortalizes trembling souls. Browsing the older posts on the zemotion blog, I was glad to find her collaboration with the Japanese doll artist Koitsukihime. I find many of the Japanese magazine shots about ball jointed doll unbearable because of the excess morbid metaphors and sometime disturbing sexual undertones. Zhang's portrayal of these Siamese twin dolls was serene, opulent, and almost angelic. Art heals.

All photos shown above are from zemotion, copyrighted Zhang Jingna. This blog post is meant to participate in Zhang's zemotion giveaway activity and a Thank You note to a young talent whose creation makes the world a more beautiful place.