Work Starts!!

Finally, I got the job offer and started working since this Tuesday. That's a big relief!!

Basically, I'm using my F-1 on Optional Practice Training(OPT) visa, and it's only valid for 12 months. Because the OPT started at October 1st, and I didn't get the job until recently, this visa can only last till the end of September, 2009. If I want to stay here for longer period, I will have to apply for the H1-B visa for work authorization. That will be another hassle next year....

The job is so far ok. I'm now working in a branch of a Taiwanese bank, beginning as a dealer. I do hope this job will turn out to be a fun job, and I hope I will learn a lot from it as well.

4 more days will be X'mas. I only have one day off but I am going to Brazil for the new year on the 27th. I'm very happy and excited to go there because I can meet my dearest Richard and also my lovely friends, Renata and Herton.

Oh, I do look forward to the beautiful beaches and sunshines there in Brazil now, with the company of my beloved ones~~ : )

Merry X'ams and Happy New Year~~

New Hair

Finally, I got my hair cut again!!
This time, I went to a hair salon in Koreatown, called Etude.

The store is very new and clean, looks like some high-end hair salon.
The decoration and the colors of the store are basically white and black, classic atmosphere.
There are even TVs in front of every seat to entertain you while you're having your hair done!!
But the price is not surprisingly high, at least not as high as the ones in Little Tokyo or Beverly Hills.

I got my hair permed and cut. This time I cut it quite short, because I want to get rid of most of my damaged hair from previous color dying and perms.
When I walked in to the store, my hair was almost to my waist. When I walked out of the salon, it was only 2-3 cm passes my shoulder.....very short for me since I graduated from junior high school. But I look younger and more energetic.

Here are some pictures:

Before the hair cut:(2008.12.02)


After the hair cut:(2008.12.09)



I like my new hair~~ *^__^*

一年又一年....

阿~~
又到了這個時候啦.....
真的是好快啊

還記得去年的生日是在舊金山
老林家慷慨的借我當場地開party
儘管隔週馬上就要期末考
還是來了好多同學朋友捧場
超級熱鬧滾滾

今年搬到了LA
情人和朋友都不在身邊
但是多了家人的陪伴
還是很開心
也許唯一不開心的
是我又老了一歲吧
呵呵

這一年發生了很多事情
也經歷了一大堆的不確定
可是年末總結
也算是收穫滿滿
結果都還令人滿意
該完成的完成了
不確定的確定了
剩下的就是繼續昂首闊步
往前邁進
我始終相信
只要目標明確
過程儘管與計畫的不盡相同
還是可以達到的我要的結果

所以接下來的新目標：
努力工作存錢
持續往歐洲邁進吧
哈哈哈～～

Thanksgiving 2008

感恩節，說穿了就是美國版的農曆年！
這是家人團圓的日子，聚在一起聊近況，聊八卦，吃吃喝喝看電視的日子....烤火雞，說實在的，要烤的好吃並不容易，所以，我們這些湊熱鬧的東方人，就改吃火鍋啦！（反正火雞跟火鍋也只差一個字...哈哈哈~~）

星期三回到Walnut 的阿姨家，星期四我們晚餐就吃火鍋！我只能說，料真是很豐富：用豬骨熬湯，加入番茄作為湯底，陸續放進大白菜，各類丸子（花枝丸，鮮蝦丸等等），然後準備了魚片，去頭明蝦，白豬肉片，黑豬肉片，牛肉片，羊肉片，高麗菜，金針菇，袖珍菇，豆腐，蒟蒻，山筒蒿菜，甚至還有火鍋餃，蛋餃，花枝餃...真是好久都沒有吃到這麼豐富的台式火鍋啦～～（大心～～）

星期五早上我們包水餃，中午研發了新的烤雞腿，配披薩，晚上吃掛包！！有酸菜跟滷肉耶！一整個就是不可思議的台菜大集合！每天的餵豬計畫都沒有停過，體重也直線上升，我的天哪！這樣下去不得了啦～～星期六趕快逃回新家，重新開始進行節食計畫囉！不然年底旅遊哪還有臉見到男友啊～～ XD

下禮拜六就要考CFA了，請大家都把好運跟考運集中給我吧～會的都寫對，不會的都猜對！！

Fighting!!!

A Dramatic Scene!!

This was something happened in my new apartment last Friday.....

My roommate plus landlord, Nassim, locked her boyfriend, DeNon, out of the door. That was the most dramatic thing I've ever seen. Sunday was their 3-yr anniversary and she found out that he was lying something to her, so she was so mad that she didn't even want to see him in her house.(yes, she's the owner of the house) We just happened to change the inner door locks that afternoon and he couldn't get in without the new key. I was cooking dinner and Nassim came down to the kitchen and gave me the key, telling me not to let Denon in because they were having a fight. I was like: Wow, this girl is really a emotional one!!

Then after a while, Denon went back, he couldn't get in. He called her, telling her that he was cold. She brought him some jackets and then they talked very lightly at the door(of course she didn't let him in, just opened the door a bit with the door chain on), then he left. Poor Denon went to his friend's place and didn't come back that night. Saturday morning, when I saw Nassim, she told me that she felt bad that she locked him out there. Then he came back, everything seemed to be all right. They went out for dinner to celebrate their anniversary and she gave him his present, Wii. They played Wii for the rest of the night.

I have to say that DeNon is a really nice guy. He didn't yell at her or try to break into the house when she locked him out. I didn't even hear him talk loudly to her. He's really a polite and gentle man. Then I'm relieved. Because I know if next time they have a fight or something, I may not have to call 911.

Spit Out My Diploma!!!

繼上一篇後
我的畢業證書拖延後續在兩天後終於順利的解決
雖然我還沒有收到
但是學校已經用UPS寄出
我用tracking number 查得它已經在路上了
明天就可以送到
已經安心許多

這兩個禮拜為了搬家還有畢業證書的事情
搞的我都無心念CFA
剩下兩個禮拜
明天開始要好好努力
做最後的衝刺啦!!

搬到新家來
真的覺得一個人自在很多
新家的環境很好
平常都很安靜
室友們也很nice (他們的小狗Bella也是隻很sweet的小狗)
我們都是愛乾淨的人
所以廚房都很整齊清潔
我很開心可以在這麼短的時間裡找到這麼棒的地方
神明真的有在保佑我
雖然剛畢業後找工作很不順
但是最後還是都順利的達到該完成的事情
真的要心懷感激
在這種非常不景氣的環境下
還能夠這樣順利留在美國
要惜福!!

下午大概四點多吧
去了一趟韓國超市
因為上次去是走另一個方向
又是第一次去
感覺比較遠
這次去覺得好近喔
走路不到10分鐘
真是方便

今天去是為了買米跟麵粉(做蔥油餅跟蔬菜煎餅超好用!!)
上次因為沒有力氣提了（有很多青菜肉類跟調味料）
就沒買
結果我過去一整個禮拜都在吃麵
下禮拜一定要吃一點飯啦

剛好碰上魚板特價
就買了一包回來
今天變比較涼了(目前12度)
想說晚上可以煮小火鍋
搭配冰箱裡還有的番茄 金針菇 還有大白菜
一定很讚！！

不敢買太多
因為提著走回來好重~~
結了帳出來才五點
天已經幾乎全黑了
快步走回家
收拾了東西
跟室友聊了下天
煮了很讚的小火鍋
現在決定要去看電視了
哈哈哈～～～～

明天開始
CFA加油！！

What an Inefficient Country!!!

這兩天為了畢業證書的事情搞的我很火大
怎麼可以有學校這樣不負責任?!

事情的原委
就是前兩個禮拜同學差不多都拿到畢業證書了
我還沒拿到
就打電話跟寫信去學校問
Graduation Center跟我說:
Your degree has been posted and the diploma will be mailed out in approximately 2 weeks.
我就心想：好！既然要寄了，我就耐心等吧～

兩週過去，我還是沒收到
再寫信去問一次
結果Graduation Center竟然回我：
Your account has a hold on it and it needed to be cleared before the diploma can be released!!

這是什麼鬼???
如果我的account有on hold
你幹麻上上禮拜不跟我說??
讓我白白等兩週??

所以我又打電話去學校的Financial Center問我的 Account on hold 到底是怎麼回事
一聽更差點沒昏倒：她說我欠繳夏季班的學費!!
！＠＃＄＊＆︿％
我已經氣炸到快要罵髒話了
什麼叫我欠繳學費？？
我全部的學費在整個program一開始就全部繳清
我都已經畢業兩三個月了你才跟我說我欠繳學費??
還好我有練過，修養還可以
就還是維持禮貌的問她說我一開始全部都交啦，為什麼會欠繳？
她說春季班的時候有退費，今年一月份還寄了支票給我
真是活見鬼
我從頭到尾都沒看到有支票這個東西
更不知道有什麼退費
到底在搞什麼東西啊？

所以我只好請她幫我查清楚支票的事情
然後幫我清掉帳戶的on hold
因為我急需畢業證書！！
她說她跟他們的主管討論一下
找出那個支票的紀錄
再打電話給我

兩小時後
那個主管打來
跟我說她需要我寫一個證明我沒有收到支票的信
簽名寄給她們
這樣就可以還原我的帳戶並且清除積欠的學費
所以我立刻寫了信簽好名
今天早上去郵局用快件寄出去(有夠貴....)
明天會到
接下來就是要一直催他們快點把我的畢業證書吐出來

唉
這裡真的很奇怪
我真的是受夠這些人很無腦的做事方法了
XD

New Home~~

恩.......如題
我最近搬新家了
原本是跟阿姨一起住
現在搬出來了
為什麼呢??

說來話長
等手邊事情告一段落之後
再慢慢解釋

新家很漂亮喔
而且空間多很多
廚房餐廳客廳
還有小閣樓電視間
今天家裡新裝了cable tv
剛才吃過晚餐就想說去看一下電視
結果一看不可收拾
兩小時的影集就這樣看過去了 XD
我果然是電視兒童....... =_="

我的房間空間還算大
但是目前家具還不齊
現在還有點凌亂
等我整理好之後再放上照片分享給大家

我只能說
搬家好累
我整理東西整理的腰酸背痛
手也好痛喔.........
整個遜掉~~~

明天又是星期一了
最近LA又在上演野火燒不盡的戲碼
整個空氣都很糟糕
天空也灰濛濛
Walnut因為靠近起火源的 Diamond Bar
影響更大
我在市區都可以聞到味道了
可見有多嚴重.......
希望趕快平息這場wild fire囉!!

He really loves me...

是閃光文！！沒戴墨鏡勿入喔～～　*^__^*

*************************************************************************************

最近發生好多事情
短短的一週之內
我的人生又起了大變化........

在這些變化之中
我最親愛的男朋友給了我很大的幫助支持與鼓勵
他讓我想了很多關於未來的事情
也提供意見替我做各式各樣的準備
我真的很感謝他
就算在千里之外
他還是把我的事情放在心上

這幾天我們在計畫新年旅遊
想要去拜訪朋友
因為年底機票異常昂貴
我又處於失業狀態
在財務狀況不甚良好的情況之下
我陷入了考慮是否放棄一同旅行去拜訪朋友的機會
想說也許就他自己一個人去
他就不用還得先負擔我的機票
沒想到
今天他說：「如果妳不去，我自己一個人去就沒有意義了！」

聽到這種話
怎叫我內心不激動？？
他本來就不是個經常甜言蜜語的男人
總是用行動來表達他對我的在乎
看在眼裡
心裡總是暖呼呼的
這個男人，我怎麼能不愛他呢？

因為一直有技術上的問題，
他一直沒辦法成功地網路訂票
加上早已超過他的睡覺時間
在他幾乎要把電腦給砸了的情況之下
最後他終於幫我買好了機票

我們的新年旅遊
就此敲定！！

啊～～這季節是正熱情的南美洲呢～～嘻嘻　*^__^*

Walnut, CA~~

It's been almost a week, moving down to LA. I still don't have the sense of direction about this place since I have no car and cannot fool around by myself. This is really inconvenient!!!! I will have to get a driver's license as soon as I can, or I'll be depressed sooner or later, being at home all day long......

The weather here is quite warm, at least warmer than San Francisco. But recently, it's getting cooler and I think it's a good thing because I'm not used to the hot weather anymore..... :p

Working on searching jobs still, no big news here. Living with family has good side and bad side. Good thing is I feel closer to my family in Taiwan, bad thing is I have not many chances to speak English....well, I think it's the trade-off for saving rent....

Need to start study CFA again. This time, I really have to pass it!!!

Fighting!!!

Moving~~

After graduating for almost one month, I decided to move out of San Francisco. I'm going to Los Angeles !!!!

Why?? Ohh~~ It's not because that I have already landed a job there, but simply because my aunt lives there and I'm gonna stay with her to save rent. I think it's a pretty good strategy, since living here alone I have to pay almost $700 rent per month. Staying with her and her son, I can save more money as well as taking care of each other easier. Furthermore, I can look for jobs down there, too. There might be even more opportunities in LA than in SF......

I've packed almost everything already, only something left for the rest of the days staying here. My room is a mess right now since the next tenant has already moved in. She's a friend of a friend. Her name is also Betty and she's from Taiwan too. She's here for the MBA program in USF and we even have very close birthdays...What a coincidence!!!! We get along pretty well and it's amazing that the timing is just a great match! ^___^

Anyway, I'm moving down to LA this Thursday. Saying goodbye to my friends and being emotional are the two primary things I did these days!! Last night, I went out for dinner with the other Betty. When we finished the meal, the waiter brought us the lucky cookies. I picked one and opened it, said the little notes inside: " You will travel far and wide, both pleasure and business." Oh My God!!! I wish this saying is really going to come true!!!

New life will begin very soon and I'm looking forward to it. ^__^

Graduation!!

After one year's rigorous training, I finally graduated last week. It is good and bad. Good is that I am done with school; bad is that I am under unemployment......

The economy this year is really bad, especially for financial industry. Almost every bank went south since last year and continued to write off millions or even billions of lost. For me, graduating at this moment is unlucky. Plus the change of the immigration regulation and the huge amount of application of the H1B visa(working visa), the quota is reducing each year... very competitive and also not guaranteed. Things are getting harder and harder and I am like living in the mist....

Now my only focus is to land a job as soon as possible. No matter it will be here or somewhere else, I NEED A JOB!!! Fighting!!!

Waiting~~

I have to admit that I'm very lazy to update my blog lately. Although I only got 2 more classes to go, life is still not easy for me. (well, at lease I don't have to get up early anymore~~:p)

My major task now is LOOKING FOR A JOB!!!!!

Everyday since I wake up, the first thing I do is to turn on my laptop, check my email, and search for new job openings. It has become a routine so far, and I started to feel a little depressed because I didn't heard any good news at all for 1 month. I understand that the job market is in a very bad situation right now, and it won't get better any sooner. But I'm going to graduate soon and I have no time and no money wondering around anymore. Please my dear God, give me a job so that I can earn my own living to pay the rent and food.

The other thing I'm waiting for is my dear Richard's visiting. Finally he's coming to see me. After waiting for more than 6 months and being patiently waiting, he will be here in less than 10 days and stay for 2 weeks.

Notice: Not for work, but JUST FOR ME!!!! Oh~~~I'm flattered~~~ *^___^*

No big news from school, just some boring assignments and quizzes to do every week. I'll be out of this in 3 weeks. No more schools in the near future. I'm Done!!!

Got a name card from my German tutor's friend, Simon. He works in Deloitte and he would be glad to refer me to his company. So I better revise my resume and send it to him as soon as possible. Also Jerry, my senior in AIESEC, who works in Deutsch Bank in HK, is also willing to help me pass my resume to his colleague. I really have to make it work!!!

Fighting!!! :D

Lately~~

I've been pretty busy these days, showing my high school classmate, Yoyo, around the city and the bay area. She arrived last Friday evening. We had some food at my neighbor's(Christopher) place in the evening and then we went out for some coffee and snacks at a nice Italian restaurant later that night.

Saturday, we went to another famous street called Chestnut St. for cafes and shopping close to the ocean. After having some nice lunch, we walked all the way from the Marina area to the Golden Gate Bridge. That was a nice sunny day, but the wind at the beach was just freezing...both of us were so cold and tired after a 3 hours walk along the beach. When we got home, we could barely move our bodies and could only lay down on the floor in my room...we didn't go out that night but only stayed at home, watching some random movies showed on TV and doing some facial mask. Well, beauty time~~~

Sunday, it was cloudy in SF so we decided to go south to Palo Alto for some sun shine. It was a great decision because the weather there was just good enough to take a walk in Stanford University and in Downtown Palo Alto. We had lunch at an Italian restaurant there and it was the the soccer game for Italy and Spain~~Oh well, the Italian went home eventually....We also met my friend Sheryl and had some afternoon tea and dinner together. Girls talk time~~ We caught the last Caltrain back to SF and being frozen again by the weather in the city.....

Monday, we went to the Fisherman's Wharf. It was crazily cold there!!!! I haven't been to that place since my father's visiting...We were at the famous Pier 39 and were watching some street show from the 2nd floor deck. There was a guy standing next to me and he said that the performer was playing the same trick before he went into a restaurant. I thought he was from the U.K. because he got the British accent. But then he introduced himself, saying he's from Köln, Germany!!! Yoyo and I were so surprised that I could bump into Germans anytime....that tell us: 1. there are Germans everywhere; 2. I'm appealed to the Germans. haha~~ :-)

Anyway, that guy was just a tourist and I tried to practice my German with him. But not much though. Since that day was cold and I had class from 5-9pm, we headed back to downtown earlier. I asked Christopher to take care of Yoyo and then I went to the first class for this final semester. The new professor was quite nice and he's working in a private equity firm. He knows a lot about the practical things instead of only academic stuff. I think this class will be fun.(well, also need some work though~~)

After I got out of my class at 9pm. I went home and found Yoyo was at Christopher's place making pizza. I was hungry so I went there to grab some pizza. Christopher also played some guitar music for us while we were waiting for the pizza. 11pm, Yoyo, Christopher, his roommate(John), and me went to Castro(the gay district) to meet with my tutor and his boyfriend. Because the law for gay marriage in California has just passed, Castro is totally crazy at night recently. We went to the gay bar which I went last time and being hit on by some other gay guy. It was quite crowded in the dancing pool, but we still had lots of fun there until 1am. Yoyo, Christopher, and I left and John said he would like to stay longer. (Oh well, I guess he's also a gay...) We got home at around 1:30am and went to bed at 2:30am. I was exhausted....

Tuesday, we got up around 10am and Yoyo began to pack. Her flight was at 1:30am Wednesday. After she has done the packing, we walked to the Golden Gate Park from my house. Yoyo's Taiwanese friend Johnny drove from San Jose to meet with us. We then went to Sausalito. It was warm there, with nice sunshine. But when we got back to the city, it became cold again. I really don't like this!! This kind of weather gives me a headache...it's already the end of June and it's still only 12 degree!! When can I wear some summer outfit??

Whatever, Johnny drove us to some famous spots for Yoyo to take pictures. Then we went back home to an Ethiopia restaurant near my apartment. That was very special food and we don't have that in Taiwan.

We walked home with extremely full bellies and had some hot tea. Then we helped Yoyo to get all the luggages onto the car. Johnny drove her to the Airport. Then my tour guide trip in SF finished.

Yesterday, I went to the German Counselor with my tutor and his boyfriend to watch the soccer game. Yes, all Germans in the room, only me and my tutor's bf are Asian...the live game has faced some technical problems so we missed the second goal of Germany. But they won at the last minute anyway. hehe. GoGoGo!! Germany~

After the game, we had some lunch and they drove me to my class. Another afternoon class. The teacher is nice and we've had his class before. We'll have to do a project for this class but it's a group project. It will not be too hard but will be fun.

Finally, I got home from class, cleaning my room, doing some laundry, and resting. I slept until 11am today. Watched some episodes and a movie. Relaxing life eventually started!!! ^_^

Save me from Myself--by Christina Aguilera

Just heard this song today and found it very touching. Share it with you all.

Save me from Myself--by Christina Aguilera

It's not so easy loving me
It gets so complicated
All the things you gotta be
Everything's changing
But you're the truth
I'm amazed by all your patience
Everything I put you through

And when I'm about to fall
Somehow you're always waiting with
Your open arms to catch me
You're gonna save me from myself
From myself, yes
You're gonna save me from myself

My love is tainted by your touch
Well some guys have shown me aces
But you've got that royal flush
I know it's crazy everyday
Well tomorrow maybe shaky
But you never turn away

Don't ask me why I'm crying
'Cause when I start to crumble
You know how to keep me smiling
You always save me from myself
From myself, myself
You're gonna save me from myself

I know it's hard, it's hard
But you've broken all my walls
You've been my strength, so strong
And don't ask me why I love you

It's obvious your tenderness
Is what I need to make me
A better woman to myself
To myself, myself
You're gonna save me from myself

http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=HYxmS4UNrWY

再見吧，我的男孩

Dolphin傳給我的網站，是個很感人的故事。
故事中的A先生在養了12年的小孩之後，才發現孩子不是他的親生骨肉，於是找上律師蘇兒真。
是律師也是歌手的蘇兒真從委託人的故事裡，得到了靈感，並創作出這首歌：再見吧，我的男孩。

有興趣知道故事的朋友，從下面的連結去看吧～
先看故事再聽歌，很有感覺喔！（哭點很低的朋友們要小心了！）


http://www.wretch.cc/blog/ninthchords/5244272&tpage=5#trackback3902287

丈夫的眼淚 by 嚴長壽

★僅以此文為四川災民祈福！

九二一大地震過後，我到災區去做了幾次演講，除了談到如何重新包裝南投，振興當地的觀光產業外。最重要的是，我覺得發生這樣的災難，人們最需要的是關懷，所以我想去跟災民們站在一起，鼓舞他們。

演講之後，有一位災區母親寫信給我，她說因為聽了我的演講，所以想看我的書，她去書店找到了，但站在那裡卻猶豫了。
一隻手捧著書看，一隻手在口袋中掙扎著，那裡是一家人的生活費，買書是多麼奢侈的浪費。一次一次她走進書店，站著閱讀，然後離開，最後才靠著每日省下的一點點菜錢，終於買了書。
（很久以後，新聞報導某家百貨公司門前，有一群為了搶買名牌包包的民眾竟然打架、踐踏，甚至送醫。我突然想起在台灣地理中心曾經有一位母親，面對著殘破家園，她在生活糧食與精神糧食之間，躊躇又徘徊的身影……）

她寫給我的信，字跡清秀，工工整整，足足有六七頁長，說著她自己的故事。
她說她先生是農專畢業的，她自己則是高中畢業，還有一雙兒女，一起經營家裡留下來的茶園，生活恬淡平實，不忮不求，她以為，生命應該會這樣好好的走下去。沒想到夜裡的一場天搖地動，震碎了一切。
她的房子全垮了，茶園灌溉用的水塔也倒了，更不堪的是整片茶園橫切裂開來一個地縫，一切都完了。

什麼都沒有了。

不 得已，他們只好到臨時搭建的組合屋住了半年。之後，政府撥放補助，於是他們想回到原來的地方從頭做起，重新再來。但當時補助錢不多，他們必須貸款，再跟朋 友借了一些錢，才把房子蓋起來。原本在餐旅學校讀書的女兒，很懂事，因為經濟因素休學，到溪頭的米堤飯店打工，多少補貼一些家用。

心傷仍在，但他們很努力的一點一點縫合。正當一切似乎都有了新的希望，沒想到地震的餘悸猶存，颱風又來了。

二○○一年的桃芝颱風，從花蓮秀姑巒溪登陸，橫掃花蓮後，越過中央山脈，一路撲向南投。連續六個小時的豪大雨，引發嚴重的土石流，瞬間吞沒了屋瓦房舍、農田林地，帶走兩百多條人命。

又是一夕之間，女兒打工的米堤飯店被巨大的土石流淹沒，接著他們重新蓋好的家又垮了。

重建家園的夢又破了、碎了。什麼又都沒了，還留下債務。

那天清晨，她看見她先生站在已經傾倒的家的後院。一個大男人眼淚一直掉一直掉，然後自己擦眼淚，手一擦，眼淚又掉了更多……。

她在信中說，作為他的妻子，我真的不知道該怎麼安慰他。她說：「總裁，可不可以請你幫我寫封信給我先生，給他一些鼓勵。」

這封信看得我熱淚盈眶，立刻就寫了回信。
我跟她的先生說：你或許是一個非常不幸的人，失去了家，失去了事業，失去了許多有形的財產，但是我卻也看到了你擁有許多有錢有勢的人都得不到的富有。
你擁有這樣一個懂事的女兒，願意為了家庭放棄學業；你更有一位這麼體貼的妻子，她如此關心你的感覺，深怕你無力振作，希望我來鼓勵你，希望帶給你希望與力量。

面對命運那樣無情摧殘的這對夫婦，我的信多麼卑微。

我們落榜、我們失戀，我們被上司構陷、被同儕排擠，我們志不得伸、我們一分努力得不到一分收穫，我們頹廢了、就要放棄了。但是我們不曾想過，有一家人被命運 的手操弄著，在黑暗中連續兩次把根都拔除，那樣的挫折如何承受？就連對他們敞開心肺大喊一聲加油，都會被淹沒在滾滾的巨流中。

我只能盡我的力量有時間便寫信，看到國外好的茶葉產品就寄給他們參考。
我沒有想像到的是，幾年的光陰過去，這家人展現了驚人的韌性，他們不但又一次重建了家園，也重建了茶園。在裂縫的土地上，長出了向陽的新茶。
不時我會收到他們寄來新採成的茶葉，這家人正朝著精緻產品的方向努力。沏一壺茶，一心二葉在滾燙的水中緩緩舒展，我的心又一次熱了起來。
他們一定不知道，他們是我心目中的天使。

New Job!!

YES~I got a new temp job at school. It's the law school final exam proctor. Sounds ridiculous, right? But it's true!! They need proctors to help them out during the final exams weeks. So, this week I'll be busy proctoring at school.

It's not a hard job, in contrast, it's quite easy. After I distribute the exam sheets to the students, I can just sit there and do my own thing. It's like I get paid to study in the room!!! How Nice~~ And today, I saw my roommate, Paul, was sitting there struggling for the exam......I understand that kind of feelings...XD

Well, I just want to get this job to help me with the application of social security number. It will be easier for me to get a REAL job later on once I get the SSN.

Anyway~it's May already...The finals have just ended and the new semester has begun. The big thing that is coming up is the CFA exam. Have to get my gear on it!! Really need to pass it this time, or I think I would never do it again......this is such a pain....

Richard baby may visit me soon. So happy~~~YEAH~~

One Year!!

（這是閃光文～沒戴墨鏡不要讀喔～呵呵～）



It has been 1 year~ since we first met in Boston. I am glad that I went to Renata's birthday party, so that I could meet you there.

It was a great year being with you. And I hope we can be together soon after I graduate from school. We've been apart for so long and I know it's not easy for both you and me.

I would like to thank you for the company for the past 12 months. I'm so happy to have you with me. With your care and love, I can move forward with no doubt, because I know you'll always be supportive behind me.

Thank you so much.

Ich liebe dich.


一年了，好快！回想剛見面的情形，到現在都還記憶猶新。要不是去參加了好友的生日趴，就不會認識我家帥氣的理察王子。

這一年其實我們真是聚少離多，真的是很辛苦的遠距離戀愛。但是，也因為有他的陪伴跟支持，我才能一直有動力去面對未來的挑戰，也能夠無後顧之憂的一路往前。對我來說，他是除了家人之外，最重要的人了。如果一切順利的話，希望畢業後我就能跟他在一起，不用真的住在一起，但至少不要再分隔半個地球了！

一年快樂！*^__^* (灑花~~~)

Cute Houses

I was watching TV during lunch time. The program "Euromaxx" from DW-TV was introducing a series of cute housing in Europe. These 2 are my favorite ones:

http://www.loftcube.net/

This is the Loftcube. It's in Berlin. Not only the style is very simple and neat, but you can build it everywhere you want(technically...). Moreover, you can move it to where you want by renting a helicopter to hang it in the air!!! You can stay in the house while the helicopter moves your loftcube, just like having a bird's eye view tour from your own house through the trip. Amazing~~ I want one!!!


And here is another interesting house in Switzerland(near Zurich, I think...), called Earth Houses

http://www.erdhaus.ch/main.php?fla=y&lang=en&cont=start

There are several projects going on in different places. It's stylish and energy efficient. I have a feeling that it looks like Shire (The Hobbits' residences in The Lord of The Ring movie) when I first saw it. You can live within a community or be isolated in your own villa, just depends on what you need. Cool housing~~

I like them both. For me, the Loftcube is suitable for a single, and the Earth House is perfect for a family. Different usage. :)

What do you think??

Prisoner of Love--Utada Hikaru

最近在聽的歌
就是這首啦
因為是春季日劇Last Friend的片頭曲
我才看了第一集
就愛上這首歌了
一整個好聽到爆炸
戲當然也是很好看
但是一個禮拜才演一集
簡直是要我命
所以我還是乖乖的等候一陣子好了
上野樹理太可愛太帥氣啦>///< 點連結可以聽歌喔
http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=x1EFAZ3X2ik


Prisoner of Love - 宇多田ヒカル

I'm a prisoner of love
prisoner of love
just a prisoner of love
I'm just a prisoner of love
a prisoner of love

平気な颜で嘘をついて
笑って　嫌気がさして
楽ばかりしようとしていた

ないものねだりブルース
皆安らぎを求めている
満ち足りてるのに夺い合う
爱の影を追っている

退屈な毎日が急に辉きだした
あなたが现れたあの日から
孤独でも辛くても平気だと思えた
I'm just a prisoner of love
Just a prisoner of love

病める时も健やかなる时も
岚の日も晴れの日も共に歩もう

I'm gonna tell you the truth
人知れず辛い道を选ぶ
私を応援してくれる
あなただけを友と呼ぶ

强がりや欲张りが无意味になりました
あなたに爱されたあの日から
自由でもヨユウでも一人じゃ虚しいわ
I'm just a prisoner of love
Just a prisoner of love

Oh もう少しだよ
Don't you give up
Oh 见舍てない　绝対に

残酷な现実が二人を引き裂けば
より一层强く惹かれ合う
いくらでもいくらでも顽张れる気がした
I'm just a prisoner of love
Just a prisoner of love

ありふれた日常が急に辉きだした
心を夺われたあの日から
孤独でも辛くても平気だと思えた
I'm just a prisoner of love
Just a prisoner of love

Stay with me, stay with me
My baby, say you love me
Stay with me, stay with me
一人にさせない

---

I'm a prisoner of love
prisoner of love
just a prisoner of love
I'm just a prisoner of love
a prisoner of love

裝著一副沒事的表情說謊
嘻嘻哈哈 露出厭煩的模樣
想的儘是輕鬆簡單的事

強求自己所沒有的而憂鬱
每個人都在追求安逸
明明足夠了卻相互爭奪
追逐愛的影子

索然無趣的日子突然開始閃耀起來
從你出現的那一天起
儘管孤獨痛苦也覺得不在乎
I'm just a prisoner of love
Just a prisoner of love

不管病痛的時候或健康的時候
就算暴風天或晴天也要一起走下去

I'm gonna tell you the truth
選擇了無人瞭解的坎坷道路
決定把一直為我加油的你
當作真正的朋友

倔強或奢求全部變得毫無意義
從被你深愛的那一天起
自由也好從容也好一個人實在太空虛
I'm just a prisoner of love
Just a prisoner of love

Oh 就差一點點了
Don't you give up
Oh 別眼睜睜放棄 絕對不要

殘酷的現實愈是拆散兩人
愈是會更強烈地吸引彼此
感覺再怎麼樣也可以努力下去
I'm just a prisoner of love
Just a prisoner of love

稀鬆平常的生活突然開始閃耀起來
從心被奪走的那一天起
儘管孤獨痛苦也覺得不在乎
I'm just a prisoner of love
Just a prisoner of love

Stay with me, stay with me
My baby, say you love me
Stay with me, Stay with me
不會讓你孤獨一人

歌詞 from:
http://blog.roodo.com/hachikyu/archives/5816943.html

30 歲後，談一場大人的戀愛

出處:
http://www.books.com.tw/magazine/2006cmg/chealth/200605/page03.htm

30 歲後，談一場大人的戀愛

不是 17 歲的夢幻，也不是 27 歲急著結婚的功利， 30 歲以後的戀愛，是完全屬於自己的靈魂之愛。

文．朱芷君 攝影．邱瑞金

曾接觸過某著名婚友社的公關企劃，她一直不忘提醒，「年輕貌美」是女生找對象最大的本錢，學歷、工作是其次， 30 歲以前一定要嫁掉，想辦法在拉警報之前把自己推銷出去，否則前途堪慮。

對女生來說， 30 歲就像預告青春的結束，被分類到熟女一族：專櫃小姐會大力跟你推銷抗老產品、經常碰到自認熱心人士的鞭策提醒「眼光不要太高」、「再挑小心嫁不出去」。

雖然飽受刻板印象的束縛，其實這些內外兼備的大人之女，幾乎都經濟獨立、個性成熟、懂得過日子，而且因為善加保養，比起同齡男人禿頭凸肚子，她們才正擁有屬於自己的美麗。 只因年過 30 ，就該戀愛機率渺茫嗎？

從夢幻到現實

知名主持人及作家吳淡如受訪前先講了一個笑話：有人告訴 3 個女生有個未婚男性條件不錯， 18 歲的女生問：「他長得怎樣，英俊嗎？」， 28 歲的女生問：「他是什麼職業，有錢嗎？」 38 歲的女人則問：「他在哪裡？」

「年紀愈大，的確會碰到選擇機會變少的問題，但這不是件壞事，」笑完後吳淡如正色道，因為量少品質可能更精良，而且「選擇少你才會選擇自己，看見自己的價值，」她指出，寧缺毋濫是這一代大人之女該有的堅持。

「我們媽媽那一代是寧濫毋缺，」吳淡如說，當時女人沒有經濟能力，如果 30 歲沒結婚，大概會被當成過期的泡麵，被認為只能嫁給「離婚有 3 個小孩」或者「父母中風在家需要人服侍」的男人。

而現代女性一個人也可以過快樂日子，如果介紹一個樣樣不如她的男生，「女人會自問，他能帶給我什麼？為什麼要跟他在一起？難道我是要『找歹命』嗎？」吳淡如觀察，對大人之女來說，如果不幸福快樂寧可不結婚、不談戀愛，「已經不是想為誰犧牲付出的世代。」

因此大人之女希望對方具備的，也不再是錢財、長相等炫耀用的條件，「而是一起生活、處得來的人，」吳淡如認為，大人之女不希望結了婚人生就停滯不前，「她們還是希望可以成長。」

「二十幾歲時比較夢幻，希望符合自己的理想條件，」從事網路工作的 Alice 承認，她 34 歲遇見現在老公， 3 個月就步入禮堂，已經結婚五年多，「三十幾歲就實際很多，知道婚姻裡很多柴米油鹽，溝通體諒更重要。」

她先生是看藝術表演會睡著的人，年輕時 Alice 會無法忍受，過了 30 歲比較成熟，「不會那麼自我中心，」 Alice 說，雖然能遇到一個不錯的人是幸運，但也因為不像年輕時任性苛求，才懂得把握。

愛自己才能愛他

這一代大人之女已經有更多人生選擇，但在強大的社會壓力之下，很難不介意別人商品化的眼光，擔心自己人老珠黃、乏人問津。

「 30 的確是個關卡，」吳淡如不諱言，她身邊不少大人之女自信十足，對愛情也很有衝勁，卻也有人受年齡限制而自閉，「但突破了以後你會發現海闊天空，人生不該為別人的要求而活，」她指出，就因為青春有限，反而更想妥善利用。

她以自己為例，「年輕時追我的大部份都是爛男人，」她表示，二十幾歲時會扭曲自己的個性，覺得要溫柔、小鳥依人，而且「我那時崇拜的是才華洋溢，說得天花亂墜，會開 BMW 來接我的人，」她笑說。

她形容 30 歲之前戀愛是削足適履，隱藏自己以合乎對方的要求， 30 之後豁出去，用本來面目戀愛，反而都遇見好男人，「他們對事業有堅持，願意平等溝通，尊重你有自己的天空，肯定你的夢想，」吳淡如認為，「假裝」，只能吸引不適合的人。

她和先生在 28 、 29 歲時就認識，開始時只是朋友，「他說我那時散發著『遠離我吧』的孤僻，」吳淡如也沒想到要跟他交往。

而 30 歲之後，她慢慢看見自己的個性，選擇對象也變得腳踏實地，雖然先生是正常上班族，沒像之前男友有錢有才華，卻接受吳淡如本來的樣子，不會要她改變來成全自己，是可以「在暴風雨中互相扶持」的伴侶，「他說我比以前可愛多了，」吳淡如說。

「把自己調整好，對的人就會出現，」廣告創意人及作家李欣頻相信，準備好的定義是好好愛自己，把自己變成獨立的輪子而非缺角的圓，「這樣才能找到健全的人，完整的愛情。」

35 歲的李欣頻，曾經是個為愛瘋狂的人，在遇到現任男友之前好幾年沒有對象，每個算命的都說明年，桃花密招什麼都做了。去西藏旅行時還每天求佛陀給她真命天子，求了 16 天看佛陀在笑就死心了，「覺得有這麼完美的男人在你面前還求什麼？」她領悟。

她下定決心這輩子不要戀愛結婚了，回歸自我，工作、財務統統都規劃好，因為之前看了不少奧修的書，便到印度奧修社區體驗靈修（她打算一輩子過單身優雅的靈修生活），卻居然遇到現任男友。

「我 旅行三十多個國家從來沒有豔遇，」李欣頻說，她與男友各方面都很契合，可說是靈魂伴侶，卻沒有一個算命預言到他，更令她相信，自己運轉得好時，「別人就會 被你吸引，戀愛想擋都擋不了，」她表示，一直在意「沒有」、得失心太重，只會創造殘缺的磁場，「別人躲你都來不及。」

「真 的不要急，」她提醒，有別於婆婆媽媽來者不拒的相親理論，李欣頻反而建議沒對象的大人之女，先假設一輩子會單身，準備好的居家空間、餘暇生活、理財計劃 等，讓自己不靠任何人都能過得愉快，「你就會散發自信，而不是灰頭土臉像花癡，」她認為，愈急愈會找到不好的，害怕寂寞湊在一起只會互相折磨。

笑說過去失戀會想死，現在則認真自我成長，愛情只是人生一部份，「我像一艘船，照著自己的航線走，愛情則是行進中伴隨的風，是小小的助力，吹起來很舒服，」她比喻，風也有他的路徑，沒有誰綁誰，「反而愛情一直在。」

「 Always keep walking, don't stop for anyone, 」李欣頻說，有緣的人會跟你走，無緣則另會有其他人在前面等你，如果自己不能幸福快樂，「別人也給不了你。」

眾裡尋他千百度

看起來， 30 歲之後還是能遇到對的人，足以振奮人心，但如果拿吳淡如的好男人標準來看，不管單身女人是 20 、 30 、 40 ，都還是會怨嘆，茫茫人海，這樣的好男人要去哪裡找？

「我 覺得大家都忘了看自己耶，」知名節目主持人陶晶瑩拿買牛仔褲的經驗為例，她一直以為自己是 A size ，常常找不到適合的牛仔褲，覺得牛仔褲一定是殘害女性最恐怖的發明，有一天她改穿 B size ，「突然發現，這麼多年我竟然不願意承認適合穿 B size ，只想擠進 A size ，自己為難自己。」

「找不到真命天子是人家不夠好還是自己不夠好？有沒有試著想跟別人共處，或者只等著別人配合你，」陶晶瑩認為，一旦改變心態，不再自我設限，「你會發現什麼都可以穿、什麼人都可以碰到，」她的精神就是勇往直前，「我很喜歡談戀愛，我就會自己去找呀！」

「一 定有好男人，只是你的視力還沒到看得見的位置，」李欣頻比喻，假設好男人在 5 樓，自己在 1 樓，可能只看得到地下室的男人，「所以要努力往上走，」她指出，每個人都有真心想完成的事，做到很快樂，就能提升自己的品質，「到山頂你就會看到其他山 頭，一直停在山腳下只會看到路邊攤跟垃圾堆。」

並且，「要主動一點才行，」吳淡如認為現 在好男人比女人更怕被拒絕，大人之女要懂得給暗示甚至明示。她有個朋友約會開車去載男生，「不知怎麼車子被她弄拋錨了，她就和那個男生坐計程車去找他的機 車，男生再載她回家，然後請對方上來喝杯咖啡，」吳淡如笑著描述，「這個女生的男朋友都是自己追來的，而且都比她年輕、外在條件比她好。」

「如果真想碰到好男人，你就要不斷去戀愛，」陶晶瑩以為，愛情還是有運氣的成分，不要被傳統觀念設限，只要不是腳踏兩條船，欺騙別人，多談戀愛，「就當作是增廣見聞也很好啊，考慮太多，幸福就被你的猶豫給蹉跎了。」

你可以學吳淡如的理性，李欣頻的靈性和陶晶瑩的率性，但戀愛畢竟不能紙上談兵。

大人之女不是跳樓大拍賣的清倉貨，只能苦等路人垂憐，要相信你所累積的一切，足以選你所愛。別再看純愛劇呼喊愛情，去找一個活生生的人，讓你墜入情網。

A pain in the ass...

This semester is really, really, really a pain in the ass.... too much homework, too many quizzes, to many things that I could not understand, too complicated....the finals are coming in 2 weeks. My brain is like a piece of swiss cheese and could not well functioning. Plus the CFA exam is also around the corner, I have a feeling that if I can make it through all the way to the CFA exam, I'll be completely another person, like a new-born baby, waiting to discover the whole world and take whatever challenge in my future life.

I watched the lecture from Prof. Randy Pausch on Youtube. He said something very important: "The brick walls are there for a reason: they let us prove how badly we want things!!" The brick walls are only there to stop people who don't want things badly enough. Here is the link of the brief version and the introduction of Prof. Pausch.

http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=mSrYhRi5WNI&feature=related

Richard told me about the same thing, telling me to keep trying and do not easily give up what I really want. I found it interesting so I sent the link to him. He replied me saying that he found this lecture last year and watched it all the way through during his work. He tried to get in touch with Prof. Pausch for an interview during his business trip in Boston, but he never got a reply. Well, it's understandable since the professor had cancer and could only live for another few weeks or months since this last lecture(Sept. 2007)

I should be grateful that I'm healthy and my families are also all healthy. I admire Prof. Pausch's attitude toward his life, his career, and his family. Even before he's dying, he still lived a happy life. I really should stop complaining and just do the things I need to do.

Be focus!!! Richard has been very supportive and showed his love to me. Be thankful, too!!!

Spring Break~

It's almost over.....my last spring break. Didn't really do anything, just tried to relax and think about nothing. I wanted to leave my brain a blank, not to worry too much about the school work, the exams, the jobs, and the future.

But this is somehow an exciting week. Because, I've been asked out by 2 guys!!

It was not under my expectation but it just happened. I found I am much more popular here in the U.S. than in Taiwan...XD Can't say it's a good thing or a bad thing. But having someone like you and want to hang out with you is a good sign, showing that I'm still adorable. haha~~


However, things could go further and out of my control. Foreign guys are more active/passionate and they're not afraid to show their desires toward you. I was totally freaked out when one of the guys wanted to kiss me when he sent me home after my German tutor's party. God!! He knows that I have boyfriend and he doesn't seem to mind that much. Oh well, I had to say "NO" to him of course.

I told Richard about this, and he was completely not worried about me. He even said it's understandable that the guy likes me....XD Is he too confident with himself, or he's too confident about me??

Anyway, the guy has been rejected by me, and my spring break is coming to the end. It's Easter today and wish everyone a happy Easter!!

Time to Get Married??

Ok, don't get freak out!! It's not "I" who's getting married. It's my high school classmate, Genny.

The Wedding: simple but sweet

This morning, she and her boyfriend, Gene(now husband), has already registered to be husband and wife in San Francisco City Hall. City Hall provides the services of doing the wedding ceremony. Although it was very simple, with the families and some friends attending, the whole ceremony was very sweet and touched. I feel really happy for them. They've been together for such a long time, from Taiwan to New York, then to San Francisco. 6 years being with each other, now they've decided to spend the rest of their lives together. I can only give them my sincerest wishes and hope they live happily ever after.

The Bride and the Groom:Genny and Gene

But for me, I really do not know when I will get married.(Even though I got the bride's flower...) It is not something under my control. I think I would prefer to get a good job and see how far I can reach in 3 years. Then I'll think about marriage. But who knows? There's always uncertainty in the future. I'm just surprised that I'm already at the age of thinking about "Marriage." Time flies......

I've been so busy recently. This quarter is very tough and all the courses require I contributing more time and efforts on them. Just about to get crazy!! Next week will be spring break for me. No fun activities particular, maybe just stay at home and study. Oh, also sending out more resumes......XD But at least I do not have to wake up in the early morning and rush to the class and take the god damn quizzes!!

Just got rejected by CitiBank because I can't speak fluent German. Well, I applied for it's Frankfurt office, so it's understandable that I got rejected... Now I realized that, other than doing the CFA exam, the most important thing I should focus on is practicing German. My life is getting harder and harder this semester......

One Quarter Has Passed....

This is crazy....Another quarter has already passed!!!! Just finished the finals yesterday, and next week the new quarter of this semester will begin. How come time rushes so fast???

But, I'm glad that I only have to do this program for one year. Then I can finally get a job and work in the real world. Well, this is another problem: finding a job.... Where will I be after I graduate??? Of course, my first priority is moving to Germany. However, getting a job there from here is not an easy issue, especially my German is still at basic level. Although for an investment bank environment, speaking English is fair enough, the problem is that if I can really get a job from an investment bank!!! Thinking of these things causes me headaches....

Richard will be back to Germany on Sunday. I'm getting used to the geographical distance between us, but actually, after I came back from Germany, I did feel that the distance between our hearts has become closer and closer. While he's staying in Boston this time, he called me almost everyday and I felt happy that he does think of me, no matter how busy, tired or weak he was, he would still give me a call or send me a message. I'm so touched. T__T

Therefore, I have to keep working hard to find a job in Germany. Don't want to part from him for too long a period. No matter what, I must get closer to him!!! Gogogo~~

Learn to be Lonely

It's kind of hard to explain why this headline shows here. But I hope it's just a temporary situation that will disappear soon.

Long distance relationship is always a very difficult one among all kinds of relationship. Lucky me, I'm in that situation for the most of my relationships. Maybe it's just because I'm too independent and busy, I seldom asked my partners to do anything for me, especially when we were parted. And that gave them the impression that I'm very strong and do not need extra care.

Yes, I tried to be strong. Not pretending, but really became stronger. However, there were still days that I felt lonely away from my loved ones. I would not tell them that I didn't feel good, because that would only make them worry about me. Thus, I had to "Learn to be Lonely."

Recently, Richard came to Boston to attend a conference. I am very happy that he could make it to the U.S. because he always wanted to go to that conference and also go back to MIT and Harvard to attend the fellowship reunion. I am also happy that we're now in the same country and being closer, geographically. However, he was sick before he departed from Germany and was getting more and more serious when he arrived in Boston. He did write me emails and call me to not to worry too much about him. But still, I'm a nervous person and want to know if he has been better or not. I called him several times yesterday but couldn't get through him. That made me more anxious!! Suddenly, I found myself so lonely and I put too much attention on Richard that I could not concentrate on other things!!!

I felt sad and angry about myself that I couldn't stay the way I was as he was in Germany. Even though he's now in Boston, he's still 3000 miles away from me!!! I should not be that excited and lose control of my emotion.....

So, I should go back to my normal life and stay the way we used to communicate with each other. I'll be fine in a few days!!

夢幻南德之新天鵝堡

來到德國好幾天，到慕尼黑之後都是自己一個人在大冒險，終於來到週末，親愛的Richard可以陪我去玩耍一下了。這天起得挺晚，但是還是趕上了中午的火車，在下午時間約莫兩點半抵達了新天鵝堡的所在地。

很幸運的，又是一個有太陽的好天氣，搭火車的一路上，只見皚皚白雪厚厚的覆在兩旁的道路上，這是來到這邊之後第一次看到雪，一方面很興奮，一方面又覺得好冷，真是矛盾的心情呀！不過下車之後，看到城堡也蓋上了一層白雪，非常有白色聖誕節的味道啊～～所以，就算冷死我也甘願啦！

火車兩旁道路的積雪

位於阿爾卑斯山的山腳下，新天鵝堡是巴伐利亞邦國王Ludwig二世建造的城堡，他是一個非常具有浪漫藝術情懷的人，對於音樂以及中世紀的各種故事都十分著迷，無心從政，只想遠離塵囂，在他夢想中的城堡裡，與音樂共度餘生。新天鵝堡自1869年開始費時15年的建造時間，Ludwig二世實際上只住在裡面半年就過世了。城堡在他過世之前仍未完工，所以直到現在仍然是保留著當初未完工的模樣，變成了博物館，供遊客參觀。也因為新天鵝堡夢幻的建築外表，成為當代最有名的城堡。迪士尼的城堡商標還有遊樂園裡的睡美人城堡，都是以這座僅有一百多年歷史的新天鵝堡做為藍圖設計而成的。

Schloss Neuschwanstein--新天鵝堡

先去買了票，確定入場時間，我們就開始在附近照相，並且一路爬坡往城堡的大門口前進。下圖這座黃色的城堡，也是Ludwig二世的城堡。在新天鵝堡建造的期間，他就住在這個城堡裡監督新天鵝堡的建造工程，稍有不滿意的地方，就立刻修改。正是因為他的善變以及多種要求，新天鵝堡耗時多年，卻始終沒有完工，而他自己也無緣享受這夢幻般的城堡。

Ludwig監工時住的城堡

經過大約半小時的上坡，在半路因為肚子餓買了熱狗還有一點零嘴之外，我們還挺快就抵達主要的入口處，距離我們入場的時間還有二十多分鐘，我們也開始在附近及城門裡照相，因為進去城堡裡，是禁止照相的喔！

城堡外牆


入口處城門


城門內部

接著我們又走到稍微下坡處的一個天台照相，希望可以照到全景。這個雲的形狀和城堡得尖塔，真是太搭了！

城堡頂端


天台上照的城堡


天台上與Richard合影

終於輪到我們進去參觀了，導遊小姐很親切專業的跟我們解說著城堡的歷史以及每個房間的特色，新天鵝堡之所以會有這個名字，就是因為Ludwig二世非常喜歡天鵝。所以真的可以發現城堡裡有非常多天鵝的圖案，不管是門把還是壁畫甚至標本，都出現天鵝的影子。但是可惜裡面不能拍照，不然真想把裡頭華麗的裝潢以及栩栩如生的壁畫給照起來呢！既然不能照裡面，導遊小姐說照外面的風景是可以的，所以就照下城堡後方美麗的湖吧！不過據說Ludwig二世就是死在這個湖裡的！有一說是自殺，也有一說是遭人毒殺，但因為皇室不願開棺驗屍，於是他的死因至今仍是個謎團囉！

城堡後的湖


從城堡裡看山下的居所

參觀完城堡內部，天色漸漸暗了，於是我們也準備下山搭車回慕尼黑啦！臨上車前，仍是不忘再來一張，配上滿月，以及老樹的襯托，非常有感覺。當然，攝影師是我家的Richard囉！！呵呵～



回到慕尼黑，接到Julia的邀請，我們就一起到她家吃晚飯，因為我們隔天就要去柏林了，所以算是提前一起過耶誕節吧！於是等Hanno也到了之後，我們就開飯了！今日晚餐：奶油義大利麵。Julia說，這大概是最肥的奶油醬汁了（我的天哪！熱量熱量熱量！！）不過真的好好吃喔～反正天寒地凍的需要熱量，就吃吧！>__<

晚飯後，我們又照了很多很好笑的合照，這邊就不放啦！有興趣的人，到我的相簿去看吧～（連結在My Favorite Link裡面喔～～　^__^）

我和Richard兩人第一次的夢幻城堡之旅，在冰天雪地的夜裡，帶著圓滾滾的肚子和飽足的笑容，圓滿的畫下句點。

慕尼黑大冒險之三

繼前一天的單車大冒險，渾身痠痛的我，這天選擇了較為輕鬆的博物館散步行程。因為不想跑很遠，所以又選擇了離家近的博物館。當然博物館也不可能逛一天，所以Axel又給我規畫了散步路徑，讓我可以走一圈剛好回家。

天氣晴朗，出了太陽，雖然還是冷風颼颼，但是有太陽總比沒太陽好。出了大門，沿著Isar河走，是個風景好，又悠閒的步道。

Isar River


Apartments along the Isar Riverbank


走走停停的拍照，約莫半小時我抵達了我的目的地：Deutsches Museum(The German Museum)。

Deutsches Museum: The Entrance


占地47,000平方公尺(超過11英畝)，「德意志博物館」是同類型博物館中數一數二的先驅。開幕餘一百多年前，裡面展示的是各類科技的發展，自然科學以及研究成果，每年大概有120萬的參觀人次。

學生票還挺便宜的，3歐元。裡頭展示的從物理化學到天文生化醫藥，也有樂器，電影，航太，造船造橋火車等的部分，真的非常大，而且廣納各類理論及應用科學，應有盡有，看的是眼花撩亂啊！像造船還有航空等部門，真的有幾乎是實體大小的飛機和帆船在陳列廳裡，整個就是不可思議。

樂器展示館：鋼琴的演進


航空展示館：飛機的演進


造船展示館：帆船的演進


最有趣的是一個礦坑的展示廳，我覺得他根本就是把整個礦坑給搬來，太逼真寫實了！我進去裡面以正常速度走一圈出來，大概要花個30分鐘左右。裡面就是礦坑的樣子，高低起伏，蜿蜒的坑道，還不時的出現蠟像工人和搬運道具給你身處在真實礦坑的臨場感，在某些定點，也很貼心的另設搬運道具或是礦坑地點演化的現代歷史陳列廳，我只能說真的很驚奇。因為時間關係，我並沒有跟到礦坑的導覽，但是據說跟導覽的話，要一個半小時才能走完這個礦坑。德國果然不愧是泱泱大國，連個博物館也可以弄得這麼棒，值得大力稱讚！！

在博物館裡晃了三小時，腳痠了肚子也餓了，就離開前往我的散步路徑。

Isar River


路上有很多小店，有停下來逛一下，經過一家藥妝店，看到襪子特價，就進去買了兩雙厚的長襪，因為一些破掉的舊襪子被我丟掉了，現在呈現襪子荒的狀況，哈哈！

走著走著，尋找Axel跟我說的餐廳，想要去吃午餐，但是左看右看都找不著，就放棄啦！街上咖啡廳還挺多的，找一間順眼的進去覓食吧！於是我的午餐就在下午快要3點，於一家小麵包咖啡店點了一個火腿三明治和一杯熱茶解決了。

My Lunch:Ham Sandwich and Hot Tea


吃完午餐，想說要去找Richard拿鑰匙回家，沿著地圖找到了他的公司所在地，再繞到一家麵包店買了一些甜點，到他公司門口打給他，他才從辦公室出來把鑰匙交給我。把甜點給他，他很開心的說他正需要一點甜食。約好了在家裡見，他回去工作，我就晃回家了。

晚上是另一場電影，我跟Richard先到去取票，然後去一家pizza店吃晚餐，等Hanno到了，我們才一起進去電影院。本日電影：伊莉莎白-輝煌年代。我沒有看第一部，所以我不知道她是怎麼當上女王的，但是還是不錯看，講的是英國和西班牙的戰爭，西班牙因為過度自信而慘敗，奠定大英帝國日後在航海殖民的領導地位。

電影結束，外加是周五晚上，我們三人就跑去酒吧喝酒啦！這裡的好處是不用出示ID就可以點酒，壞處是大家都在吸菸，我最討厭菸味啦！！>_< 不過不管怎樣，我喝了一罐檸檬啤酒，還挺好喝的，但是喝一瓶我就不行了，心跳很快，臉紅耳熱的，所以我們就在寒夜裡走回家啦！

慕尼黑大冒險之二

大冒險之所以稱做大冒險，正是因為在人生地不熟之處，冒著語言不通，天寒地凍，缺乏糧食，卻又獨自一人在街上闖蕩。是的！我的大冒險顧問Axel先生，這天給我出的主意，就是「騎單車遊慕尼黑」。如果是在夏天，我百分之三百相信這是一個非常好的選擇，但是，天真如我（或說蠢蛋如我）並沒有預料到冬天不是個適合騎車出遊的時節，所以，接下來我的一天，就在飢寒交迫中，很狼狽的度過......

單車哪裡來？好心的Axel跟他餐廳隔壁的租單車店弄了一台來給我（是免費的！是免費的！不然一小時要好幾歐元啊～～）Axel在他的餐廳跟我說明了遊歷路線，還請我喝了一杯綠茶後，我就全副武裝的騎上我的小粉紅出發了。

第一站：我必須先去弄個手機預付卡，不然Richard要聯絡我很不方便。所以在大馬路上找到一家T-mobile，就進去辦了個卡，我以為會很貴，結果才10歐元，呵呵！便宜便宜！

第二站：慕尼黑奧運會場。
Olympiapark:Olympiaturm(Olympic Tower)

這個景點一整個遠，我真的騎騎停停差不多一小時才到，一方面是找路，一方面是停下來拍照，最重要的，是太冷啦！！！騎車風超大，我已經把自己裹的跟愛斯基摩人一樣了，還是抵不住寒風直灌手套和鞋子，所以一定要停下來牽著車走一走，讓手腳不至於凍到沒知覺。
冷到不行之愛斯基摩人裝扮 >_<

好不容易騎到了，漂亮是很漂亮，但是真的好冷喔～而且很荒涼。奧運場地和選手村在1972年慕尼黑夏季奧運結束之後，就沒有在用了。現在就是一個觀光景點，也提供民眾美麗的自行車道和廣大的公園綠地和湖畔風光。溜冰場有開放給民眾打冰上曲棍球，餐廳改裝成自助餐，其他建築物就像是放在奧運公園裡的大型擺飾，很美，卻很孤寂。好吧！也許是因為冬天的緣故，才讓這裡顯得冷清吧！
Olympiapark:the tented roof, an architectural stroke of genius


在拍照及努力認路之後，我離開了冷死人不償命的奧運公園，繼續往下一站前進。但是老天似乎決定要更讓我享受在寒冬裡騎車的樂趣，竟然飄起雪來了。我的媽呀～難怪這麼冷！

第三站：Schloss Nymphenburg。
Schloss Nymphenburg

我不知道這個城堡的中文翻譯是什麼，但是可以確定的是這是一個城堡，King Maximilian的兒子 Prince Electors夏天的離宮。這個城堡內部是有開放參觀的，可是我來的時間真是太不巧，外牆整修中，內部也沒開放，整個就悶到了。所以我只能在冷冽的花園裡試圖很悠閒的散步，但是因為很冷，又不自覺得走很快，這才驚覺已經下午2點了，難怪肚子好餓。於是我就在美麗卻寒冷的花園裡找張長椅坐下，開始啃蝕我做給Richard早餐沒吃完的一片法國吐司以及Richard前一天買給我的餅乾。咬下麵包的同時，發現麵包都變冰的了啦！！更別說我水壺裡的水了.....好冷的午餐喔......
城堡內花園一角


吃完午餐，決定打道回府，因為實在是不能再繼續在外遊蕩了。回程又花了我2個多小時邊走邊騎，當我終於把車騎回Axel的餐廳時，他驚訝的問我去了哪些地方，我說我把他告訴我的地方全都去啦！他一整個覺得我很厲害。哈哈！

接著我就自己搭地鐵去跟Richard會合，因為約好了要去看電影。來德國的第一場電影，美國片，片名是 ：Away From Her。有點傷心的片，但是還不錯看。電影看完才八點，我們就回家了。Axel跟Angela叫了壽司外賣，我跟Richard也一起點了。我們一邊吃飯，一邊看電影「失控的陪審團」。我吃飽後，因為這部我已經跟我室友一起看過了，加上我又很冷又累，就跑去泡澡了。好久沒泡澡，他家的大浴缸真是太舒服了啊～覺得血液有循環到我的手腳趾間，這種微刺的感覺真好！

可以肯定的是，腳踏車這個東西，在我還在這裡的期間，不會再次使用了！

Mid-term Exam

Oh My God~~

I couldn't believe that I just finished the BLOODY mid-term exam....It was completely a mess!!! No one really finished it and most of us turned in the exam sheet late. Well, I couldn't imagine what the results will be....

But, since everyone is on the same base, I shouldn't worry too much. It's a computer modeling class and basically we're no CS students, plus there's time limit, the professor can't expect us to get a full score on this test, especially when nobody understands what he was teaching in class.

Therefore, when we used our own computers to take the exam in the library, the only thing he can expect was we would definitely discuss and cooperate with each other and get the answer in every way we could. Copy and Paste would be the most useful functions for us.....

A New Week~

School has already started for 3 weeks. Nothing much happened here with me. Life back to school is quite normal, but it's already mid-term. Time really flies fast~

This weekend was quite plain. I didn't go out on Saturday because I was lazy. I stayed at home, tried to clean my room, and talked to friends on my computer. Later that night, I talked to my mom and my brother and aunts, they were all at my house in Taipei. We used the web camera and microphone so that we could see and talk to each other. It was fun, but because of the difference of the time zone, I stayed up so late till 2am that I couldn't get up early on Sunday morning. When I woke up, it's already 11am....

Then, the painting party started... 3 out of 4 of my roommates(including me) were doing the painting. What's the painting for?? Well, just something to make our living environment better. The hallway and the kitchen has been painted just before I moved in. Therefore, it's time for the tenants to be responsible on our own room doors. We ordered some pizza to share for lunch while waiting for the first coat to get dry. And we also watched an episode of "The West Wing" during lunch. I really have to say that this show is getting great in Season 2. Everything becomes very interesting. Although I'm not that kind of person who's enthusiastic about the politics, it's still a great story to watch and learn something from it. (Well, I still only understand 70% of it, that's why sometimes I have to pause it and ask my roommates to explain to me)

After the painting was done, I was already tired.(God, I've only painted one door!!!) I went to sleep on my couch and then I got Richard's SMS, telling me that he got back to Munich safely and was already in bed. So I got up and tried to finish the assignment due on Monday. When I finished my assignment, I watched another 2 episodes of The West Wing with my roommate and then studied for the quiz for Monday class.

I have a mid-term open-book exam on Tuesday evening. Still don't know what it will be like and have no idea how to prepare for that. Maybe I should just pray to God for having it be easy. Haha~~

I didn't sleep well last night because I was too nervous about the quiz. Now I felt tired and need to take a nap. The weather is shitty these days but it looks fine outside now. I hope I'll get a chance to go jogging later after my quick nap. Really need to do some exercise or my belly is getting bigger and rounder everyday.....>__<

慕尼黑大冒險之一

行李送來了，我的心頭大石也就此落下。好好的洗了個澡，想說可以睡個好覺，結果又是一早又醒了，八成是在火車上睡太多。不想吵醒Richard，就自己偷偷摸摸跑到客廳，在靠窗的大沙發上往外看著早晨慕尼黑的街道。好安靜的感覺。Angela已經起床了，她看到我一個人在客廳，問我會不會無聊，她有一些英文雜誌，可以借我。真是個好人。20分鐘後，Richard也起來了，他起床在房間沒看見我，就走出來客廳找我，問我起來多久了。今天他要上班，等他沖好澡，他弄了水果優格當早餐，還幫我泡了茶，他自己泡了咖啡。看到這個早餐，我不禁笑了出來，他問我想什麼這麼好笑，我說，在波士頓，我們第一次一起吃早餐的時候，也是他做了水果優格，泡了茶還有咖啡，所以現在想起來很懷念囉！

送他出門後，我的大冒險顧問Axel也起來了。我拿了我的旅遊書給他看，他給我指了幾個點，還有中午可以吃飯的餐廳，還有說明地圖路線，就這樣，我全副武裝，帶著我的相機和旅遊書出門探險啦！

慕尼黑小巷子真的很多，彎來彎去的，很容易從一條街變成另一條路，非常詭異。就算我方向感還不錯，結果還是迷路了一下。不過最後我還是有找到目的地，就是第一站：Marienplatz。
Marienplatz--Neues Rathaus

這是巴伐利亞邦的心臟，算是很中心點的地方，因為聖誕節快到了，所以有聖誕節市集，裝飾精美的小攤賣著各式各樣的聖誕節裝飾品，吃的，喝的，還有玩的，人潮洶湧可以媲美台北SOGO的週年慶啊！
Christmas Market


11點的時候，Marienplatz 的招牌大音樂鐘就會開始表演，很可愛的呢！
Carillon at Marienplatz

但是，站在外面等它表演和看它表演真的是太冷啦，我實在是凍的手腳發麻，覺得耳朵都快要掉了，等它一表演完，我就趕緊快速走開，看到旁邊有一些服飾店，就衝進去讓我的手腳回溫一下，順便看看有沒有便宜貨可以撿，雖然我此行完全沒打算血拼，還是想要知道一下行情，說不定有便宜的折扣貨可以下手。但是冬天試衣服實在不是一件容易的事情，要把身上穿的帶的都脫掉換上新的，再把新的換下把原本穿戴的再穿回去，太費工夫啦！我試了兩家店就放棄了，所以我什麼都沒買，雖然在櫃台等候結帳的人是大排長龍，但是很抱歉，賺不到我的錢啦！！

接著走著走著就到了Frauenkirche，我不知道中文翻譯是啥，但是英文是Cathedral Church of Our Dear Lady，兩個長的像大洋蔥的綠屋頂是慕尼黑的地標，進去晃了一圈，就出來了，因為很冷啊！裡面也沒暖氣，我對教堂內部沒有甚麼特別的感覺，跟我不是教徒有差吧！走來走去發現慕尼黑到處都是教堂啊～真的是非常天主教的一個城市。

逛了這麼久，飢寒交迫，決定去吃午餐。Axel推薦的一家餐廳，有巴伐利亞特有的白香腸，要我一定要嘗嘗。
白香腸: white sausage

一開始去餐廳，人好多，讓我有想打退堂鼓的念頭。我自己一個人來，不會講德文，又是東方臉孔，怎麼看怎麼突兀。後來想想，既來之，則安之，而且反正每間餐廳都有人吸菸，也沒分區，我去哪間都躲不掉，就跟侍者說請給我一個位置。好不容易在裡面坐定後，點菜又是一個大問題：我哪知道哪個菜是哪個啊......請小姐跟我解釋一下後，我點了一個白香腸，一份烤香腸配馬鈴薯泥。坐在我旁邊的一位老先生，開始跟我攀談，問我從哪裡來，來多久了之類的。他還教我白香腸要怎麼吃，要把外面的皮去掉，真是感謝他！但是我的馬鈴薯泥並沒有吃完，因為加了太多奶油跟起士，我覺得實在是太膩了，吃不下口，所以也沒打包。結了帳，吃飽就有力氣面對外面寒冷的天氣啦！繼續往皇宮前進！
皇宮 Residenz

皇宮一整個太大，我從外牆走到裡面，又從裡面繞到外面，腿都要斷了。幸運的是還好有陽光，感覺沒有這麼冷，要是沒有陽光，我應該就直接凍死了。但是在外面走走停停拍照，除了吃飯坐下來的一小時，我一共在這種冷空氣中獨自晃了六小時，又冷又累的結果，我決定要回家休息了。可是又小迷路，在路上抓了一個人來問，是帥哥！回家的路上，我又繞去早上看到的超市買點做早餐的材料，所以四點左右，我終於回到溫暖的家，沒過多久，Richard也回來了。六七點又出門去跟他朋友一起吃飯，一個是他的同事兼好友Hanno，另一個是好朋友Julia，他們人都好可愛喔！雖然他們後來又開始不自主的講德文，我又開始想睡覺，可是他們有很努力的在講英文讓我理解，只是講到工作的事情的時候，就會換回德文，比較好溝通吧！但是我會知道他們在講工作的事情，儘管我不清楚細節是什麼，沒那麼厲害都聽得懂，可是有時候可以猜得到。Richard覺得我真的很神奇，竟然知道他們在講什麼。他笑說，很快他就不能背著我用德文講祕密了。

前進慕尼黑

經過一晚的休息，算是養足了精神。不過因為時差的緣故，其實並沒有睡多少，反而很早就醒了。早餐是九點，跟男友媽媽一起吃，她還很認真的拿出地理字典查詢台灣的相關歷史，還問我書上說的是不是真的。真的覺得她很可愛，非常想要了解我的樣子，心裡真的高興又感動。早餐桌上有一種果醬非常好吃，我試了之後簡直不能停止，和小牛角麵包真的是絕配，男友說這是一種德國特產的果子，他們家後院就有種，這就是自家後院摘下來的果子，媽媽自製成果醬保存，所以是新鮮天然又不含防腐劑的手工果醬。男友媽媽看我這麼喜歡，就拿了一罐給我讓我可以帶回美國，天哪！真是太感動了。來這邊還有吃又有拿，真是謝謝招待～

吃過早餐，跟男友到後院走走看看。因為是冬天，所以是一片光禿禿的，沒有結實纍纍的果樹和爭奇鬥艷的花朵。但是根據男友的說詞，春天跟夏天，後院是非常迷人漂亮的，他們自己架了個小溫室，裡面有不少花；院子裡有蘋果樹和李樹，還有做果醬的那種水果樹（我依舊不知道那叫什麼名字...）。院子裡還有兩個小池塘，裡面有小魚，夏天有小青蛙，只是冬天水面都結了薄薄的冰，水裡的小生物都不見蹤影了。突然覺得住在這種四季非常分明的地方，有著自己的房子和庭院，裡頭的一花一草一水一木都瞭若指掌，生活愜意閒散，一切都讓人安心，非常舒服。平凡的幸福，也不過就是如此吧！
Richard父母家庭院

回到房間整理行李（雖然我沒有行李好整理....），和男友爸媽一起吃過午餐後，男友爸爸就送我們去車站搭火車，準備返回慕尼黑了。

六七個小時的火車旅程，或者看雜誌，或者聽音樂，或者睡覺，或者跟男友聊天講話，感覺很久，其實也沒有這麼久。男友說，現在我就瞭解他老是在火車上的感覺了。其實也沒有很糟，座椅也還算舒服，空間也比飛機上大，又有桌子可以用，也有插座，所以如果有電腦可以看電影，時間也是可以過很快的。（驗證：後來我帶給他的Macbook pro就發揮作用啦，三個小時電影不用插電，讚！）

回到慕尼黑車站，已經是傍晚七八點。下車第一個感覺：冷！！開放式的月台冷風颼颼，趕緊跟著男友往車站裡衝。回家前先在車站的商店街買點食物還有吹風機，接著搭上地鐵，20分鐘後，我們終於到家了。

慕尼黑的家一整個大，雖然是公寓，可是還是好大！！是豪華公寓啊！！客廳大概比我台北的家還大，每個房間都跟我台北家的客廳一樣大，男友有兩個房間，一間書房起居室，一間臥室。另外還有一套半衛浴，浴室真是夠大，淋浴間跟浴缸還是分開的，浴缸還是大到我整個人可以躺在裡面腳伸直的那種尺寸，泡澡的絕佳配備啊！

男友的室友是一對可愛的情侶，男的Axel自己開了餐廳，就在家裡附近，女生Angela是個金髮美女，人超可愛，是學藝術之類的。Axel是當地人，於是成為我日後在慕尼黑大冒險的顧問。

我們放好東西，男友就帶我先上街逛逛，認識環境。天已經全黑，路上商店也幾乎都打烊，男友住的這條街是慕尼黑最有名的名店街：Maximilianstraße，媲美紐約第五大道的頂級名店街。放眼望去，都是歐洲名牌，一間接著一間，因為已經打烊，只剩下櫥窗的燈光，映著穿著像是奧斯卡晚禮服的模型模特兒，不敢想像這樣一件衣服到底要價多少。我們走到了德國最有名的啤酒吧Hofbräuhaus.
Hofbräuhaus

進去看看，裡面真的就像旅遊書上那樣，女服務生穿著傳統巴伐利亞式的服裝，送麵包還有啤酒，人非常多而且非常熱鬧，男友問我要不要喝東西，但是因為很多人在裡面吸菸（德國的餐廳酒吧是可以吸菸的，但是2008一月一號開始全面禁止），我就沒有很想要留下來，所以我們就決定離開了。到門口，看到有兩個希臘人被門房擋了下來，不給進去，跟門房快要吵起來，男友就上前幫忙，結果最後幫他們從後面的門繞進去了，這兩人很感激，就說要請我們喝一杯，於是我們就還是留下來了。坐下來喝酒聊天的結果（呃～我因為頭痛所以沒敢喝酒，所以只有他點，我偷喝一小口而已），男友就得到了去希臘的邀請。回到家，發現我的行李已經送來了，開心的都要尖叫了！！

總結：真是妙不可言的慕尼黑第一晚。
Hofbräuhaus的啤酒

第一天，第一晚

真的很久沒有用中文寫文章了，感覺都生疏了，果然一種語言的使用頻率對於該語言文字的應用是有很大的影響的。

今年的寒假我去了德國，目的顯而易見的是為了與男友相見，共度耶誕及新年佳期，當然也是順道造訪我老早就想去的歐洲。這趟旅行，是我極度沒有規劃，完全自由行動的一次，卻是最最開心滿足的一次。我除了訂了機票，買了德國高鐵週遊券，買了一本關於慕尼黑的旅遊書，其他什麼都沒計劃，因為不能確定男友的休假時間。於是在出發時，我對於在德國到底要做些什麼，看些什麼，玩些什麼，買些什麼，完全沒概念，心裡只想著：我可以依賴男友吧！

經過14個小時長途飛行加轉機，我抵達慕尼黑機場第一件驚嚇的事情就是我的行李沒跟我一起來！白話文就是：我的行李掉啦！我急得快哭了，一個人在機場，又不知道那個該死的公共電話要怎麼用，手機也不能用，本想趕快先跟男友說「我到了」的好心情早已完全被破壞了，加上這趟飛機不是很平穩，我在飛機上頭痛想吐，百般痛苦，食物又超級難以下嚥，導致我幾乎是兩餐沒吃，這種狀況下要是打給男友，我一定會當場嚎啕大哭！當下決定不要這麼做，自己把事情解決了再說吧！很鬱悶沮喪的去服務台，不只我一人掉了行李，還好幫我處理的那位先生人很好，他說應該可以找到，八成是還卡在轉機的費城機場，所以隔天就可以送來。我留下了男友的電話跟住址給他，自己又繼續去另個航廈等待下一般國內線飛機。國內飛機稍微延遲了半小時，不過因為飛行時間很短，抵達時間並沒有延後很久，走出機場，看到男友拿著花在出口處等我，除了大大的微笑，當然是緊緊的擁抱。感覺就像昨天一樣，一點都沒有變，好似我們從來沒有分開過半年這麼久一樣。

問他有沒有覺得我的行李少的過份，他才瞪大眼睛問我行李是不是掉了。我這才笑著說：「不然我哪可能這麼快就從機場出來？」當然，我告訴他我已經去過服務台了，送行李的人明天會打電話給他。如果沒找到的話，我麻煩就大了！

他開了他爸爸的車來接我，一台幾乎年紀跟我一樣大的老賓士，在德國沒有速限的高速公路上以時速160公里的高速狂奔著。我看著窗外逐漸黯沉的景色，真的好有歐洲的感覺。路邊竟然就有羊和馬在滿是綠草的土地上閒晃，問男友，他說是有人養的，很平常啊，我大驚小怪像沒看過馬一樣，我只是不認為牠們可以離馬路這麼近啊.....

將近一個小時車程後，我們從漢堡開到了男友爸媽住的城鎮，終於到家了。男友的媽媽是個很親切的長輩，他爸爸也是既親切又開朗健談，家裡客廳及餐廳布置的既溫暖又溫馨，非常雅緻，配上昏黃的燈光，讓人非常有時光錯置的錯覺。我相信他們對我這個東方來的女子肯定也覺得很新鮮有趣吧！

在樓上房間稍微休息一下後，頭痛稍稍緩解了一些，下樓和兩個老人家一起晚餐。他們知道我會講一點點德文後，好像很開心似的，還誇我講得很好。早知道我去之前就多用功點啦！不過大部分時間還是需要男友充當翻譯，真是辛苦他了，呵呵～

晚餐後稍微休息一下，男友帶我去拜訪他的一個朋友，他們小時候是同學，他朋友已經結婚，有兩個小孩，最近在創業中。他做了些小點心讓我們邊聊天邊吃，一開始他們講德文，我很認真聽，字裡行句間我突然覺得我聽得懂一些，我跟我男友說我知道他們在說什麼時，他可是驚訝到不行！不過當然到最後，我因為時差很累，他們一罐啤酒下肚，又開始講德文，聽得我昏昏欲睡，而且他朋友兩夫妻隔天都是要上班，我們也不好打擾太久，11點我們就告辭離開了。

回到家，很快的沖個澡，就準備就寢了。還好我有自備一件T-shirt和睡褲及一組盥洗用具放在手提行李，不然這個沒有行李的第一晚，真不知道該怎麼過啊～但是，看到睡在身旁的男友，臉上依舊是停不了的微笑，經過了半年分隔，終於，我又見到你了。真真實實的觸摸，擁抱，親吻著你。我真的感謝上天讓我遇到了這麼好的你，只要有你在我身邊，我什麼都好。滿。足。

這是記憶深刻的第一天，第一晚。

First Week of School

Yes, I'm back from Germany. It was a great and wonderful trip. I could not find a proper word to describe my feelings of being there. I could only say that I did enjoyed the time there, really enjoyed. Being with my beloved boyfriend, meeting his lovely parents, hanging out with his friends, going to the museums, exhibitions, attending the New Year's Eve concert of Berlin Philharmonic, eating good food, watching movies.....I love the way we live our lives together. Everyday, I prepared a sandwich as breakfast for him, and he made the fruit salad and coffee and tea for both of us. When we went out, I could always find my hand in his hand. I felt extremely happy and satisfied when I looked into his eyes and found myself in his eyes and mind.....I should stop talking these things because it could be endless when everyone knows I'm in love. :p

I've been lazy these days that I don't want to update my blog. But I did update my album. Everyone who's interested in seeing the pictures from Germany can go to my album and take a look.

First week back to school was nothing in particular. Same classroom, same classmates, almost same professors. Well, we do have one new teacher for the first-half semester, teaching computer modeling and risk management. He actually now works in the bank, Wells Fargo, as the risk management manager. The teacher is from China, and I have to say, I have problem understanding his English......not only me, but lots of other classmates have this problem....I guess those American students must be painful.... But he's a good guy, especially he's willing to give opinions to students' resumes or CVs, and even written recommendation letters for students if they're doing good with the team project of the class. I think I'll try to seek for his help of my resume and maybe ask for the recommendation letter from him.

This semester will be a tough one, especially when it comes to the second half of it. Also I have to deal with the CFA exam again..... Need more efforts for this semester!! GoGoGO!!