我的古代的诗

我不会写古诗，我还是刚刚才弄懂何谓平声，仄声又是什么。但是我一直在自己写一点点五个字七个字凑成的四行字，有时候有押韵，但是符合不了古时候绝句律诗的规则，也没有拿给谁看过，看过的几个人也没有什么反应，可能真的写的太不知所谓吧。这些自己的古诗一直堆在笔记本里，偶尔翻来看，自己还是喜欢的，至少不会觉得肉麻的起鸡皮疙瘩，有时候还依然感受到下笔和写完时的激动。后来自我安慰，想想其实平仄已经无从推考，反正从前的方言跟现在的华语不同，所以我的这些小东西没有跟平仄应该没什么关系吧。这里有几首。。。

猢散鸟飞沙石溅
金楼银窗繁华喧
多情人士自找愁
谁嫌荒剧与凉宴

（某晨开车出门时蓦然发现公路旁的青葱山坡完全秃了，激动而纳闷压满胸腔。。。还没有给诗起名字。。。）

余馥劣茗道南北
不觉窗外雨纷飞
琉璃箭生瓦上花
千尘淘尽终究美

（某个闷午后朋友来个电就谈得没完没了，只是在说三道四评长论短，却被欢愉抱得暖暖的，不觉窗外原来下了一场雨。。诗也是还没有名字。。。 )

尘聚尘散尘天地
缘生缘灭缘轮回
试问万物有否实
唯有霎那影之恒

（来“哲”一下。。。）

谎

If you insist on taking my truthful words as lies, what else can I do?
Or you actually do hope that I was really lying, to prove that you've guessed it right?

如果你总爱拿我的真话当谎言，我还能做什么？
还是你其实真的希望我在说谎，以证明你猜的都是对的？

This is what I want deep down my heart...

Not my photo: Bamboo Forest in Kyoto.

These few weeks had been crazy... biding adieu to a lovely friend, hurtful and sacarstic remarks from a small group of residents over an issue I reported (I think most probably it is because I am the easier target for them to vent their frustration) and the 10,000 words I need to churn out for thesis proposal (which is only a draft, yet still 10,000 words, and to be completed when we are only in the fourth month of the programme)... everything is back to back, everything is lumped up together, I think I have not been breathing properly.

Anyways, this is what I want to share and it is the very image that soothes me when I am trapped in my daily mess.

门前一棵竹

茶香逗寒露

饭后无所事

笑看影追逐

Romping around in Taiwan...elegantly 撞翻台湾

The term "Lavender Farm" will instantly catch our attention, and upon knowing that there was a place called Laventer Cottage, we made our every effort to be there even though it is about two hours drive from TaiChung city, which was where we decided to stop by to prepare ourselves for the bus ride to Sun Moon Lake. One thing strange about Taiwan, is that cab drivers can solicit business in front of the private bus operators' kiosks and both of them won't fight. The cab uncle said it would cost almost the same for us to charter a cab, compared to taking a bus to catch the shuttle that links several farms in Taichung. It was a correct decision. Sorry, I can't remember how much it cost, but the message is, be open to the cab drivers who approach you, they are most probably not touts like the ones you often see in KL and China.

薰衣草森林，新社花海，香菇火锅晚餐。。。全情冲入花的氛围。

I would say it is too much of an effort to travel so far for Lavender Cottage alone, but adding in a couple of other destinations along the way makes the journey a refreshing experience checking out the floral industry in the more laidback parts of Taiwan. The beauty of Lavender Cottage is founded upon an aspiring story of two girls venturing into an industry totally alien to them just because they loved lavender. They quit city jobs to go to the farm and now products from their farm are penetrating into the major cities in Taiwan. The lavender farm is not big and dense enough to leave a deep impression but like other Taiwanese, they have the knack of making things unique and exquisite, so there are still quite a host of things to check out there, such as an aroma labyrinth, lavender ice-cream by lavender farm and a retail outlet selling everything lavender. Thank god for taking the cab instead of chasing after the buses, what we missed in Lavender Cottage was compensated by the sea of flowers we saw in Xinshe. The cab uncle managed to rush us there moments before it was closed for the day, it was a great finale before we settled down for delicious mushroom steamboat nearby for dinner.

Pix: TanHui Homestay, sorry my mama is a bit prosperous but she is very cute.

My memory of Sun Moon Lake is made up of the tranquil lake (but I wasn't lucky enough to see both the sun and moon's reflections on the lake), rice wine made by the indigenous people, mushroom ice-cream with flavours you could never have guessed, TanHui Homestay where we stayed for the second time and to our pleasant surprise, firework splendour amid rural tranquility. TanHui is still the best option, lavishly renovated, jacuzzi tub and near to all the activities. Do bear with the proprietors who are not so computer-savvy as they are retirees, so you may not get a reply to your emails, but call them up, they will get everything ready for you.

第二次来访，我们看见烟火萦绕的日月潭，喝原住民做的小米酒和吃热腾腾的烧肉，还是住在三位阿姨经营的潭晖民宿，深秋的山中大湖，洋溢着热闹的青春的快乐的气息。

After Sun Moon Lake, it was CheCheng, Taipei, YangMingShan, YeLiu (the Queen's Head, seriously, do not bother going) and the Floral Expo which we found disappointing probably because we could not entre the main pavillion. However, I am lazy to write about all that already and I do not have anymore nice photos to share. So, for further info, please visit 4dime.blogspot.com.

一片Serendah

Photo stolen from Sam's blog: 4dime.blogspot.com

听阳光在簇簇树叶间探索

看花蕾在绒绒光柱中飘落

我们解放理想

在这玻璃屋里蹉跎

只有虫声纷扰

溪水趾间流过

着地冰凉 用木用泥堆一个窝

人性大不同 仅你我他凑得住一伙

我们喝着啤酒

偷来一夜从容不迫

生一堆火 焖一个锅

蚂蚁悠悠爬过

天南地北 胡说八道最快活

呆在水里 心终于比较透亮

白蝶乱兜 黄叶婆娑

涟漪朵朵 将逍遥传播

人说人生苦短 实因心思太多

苦闷太频 因总将风光错过

感激因缘推移 有幸相聚

在冷漠的竞逐中 容我一席欢畅

在荒芜的时光中 留我一池清凉

天池

我要冥想的时候

总是想起那片池

池水结成了冰

凝固了涟漪

众山环绕

雪雾混淆

云都降落在

这个天般高的静谧之境

　　　　

你竟然要到那个地方去

你会不会 像我那样

摔倒在地 却笑到心坎里

而想流落天底

只因心里拥挤

你也许不过在怀疑

又或许喜欢这里隐蔽

而我总难以脱离 漫漫诗意

请代我将清丽放逐水中

让她走得从容

请留下莫名忧愁

任凭风化推旧

离开时

只拾取那幕天池

孤独时悄悄追思

Romping around in Taiwan...elegantly 撞翻台湾

跑去太鲁阁吸收日月精华

山峦是一层层的

石壁也是一层层的，好像我们颜色姣好的九层糕

溪水在某些段落蓝得像Listerine

相当清洁的感觉

习惯了巴生河的吉隆坡人是接受不了的

The pride of Hualien, Taroko National Park, is cut out for a scene in martial art movies. I do not remember what the descriptions said about how the interesting landscape was formed millions of years ago, but it looked like the rock mountains were slashed into halves by the sword of deities back then. The rock mountains' surface have lines in pinkish greyish hues, like the strokes in calligraphy, or rather, our layered nyonya cake. Some stretches of the streams were in Listerine blue while others are in cloudy grey. It is simply picture perfect, but be prepared for a long walk.

Let your imagination run wild and say Hi to the many faces you see on the rock surface. Here's the Monkey King greeting us at the Swiftlet's Cave.

看，美猴王在看。

There's free shuttle accessing Taroko but frankly, it is better to take the cab if you have some seniors in tow. Some cab drivers approached us and we turned them down, thinking they might be touts. After a very tiring journey trying to catch the shuttle at the right time and the long drive, I think the NT$800 they asked for was very reasonable.

接驳车的司机小姐魏秀文，为我们介绍了好几道道地美食。回柚子家途中还吃了精美便宜的黑森林和提拉米苏，才体会台湾人问什么常常把幸福挂在嘴边。晚上被小米酒和损友骗醉了。

Nevertheless, we met some new friends, like the nice lady driver of the free shuttle, Miss Wei XiuWen , who brought us to check out some great local snacks. We ended the night with exquisite and affordable Tiramusi and Black Forest at a cosy bakery along the way back. When the aunties were asleep, Sam and I and the host and an air stewardess from Taipei finished the entire bottle of high-alco rice wine bought at the lst stop of Taroko, and I spent the night crawling to the toilet to puke (cause Sam kept pouring the content in her glass into mine). Don't underestimate the local products.

翌日更要天明前起床！但是确实值得啦，到七星潭在铺满满小石头的海边再躺下，石头都是圆圆滑滑的有美丽的色调，浪退时可以听见它们齐齐滚动的声音。

Still she forced me to wake up before dawn, but it was worth it as I got to lie down again on the swathe of cold and smooth pebbles by the seaside. The pebbles were in subtle colours, and you could hear the sound of them rolling happily when the waves retreated back to the sea.

Pix: The cafe of the hot spring homestay, which occupies a condo unit.

The afternoon we reached JiaoXi, a small town in the east coast and it is famous for hot springs apparently endowned with great medicinal and beauty benefits. There was nothing except for hot spring resorts and facilities alongside only two rows of shop, but it was exactly the reason why I loved it here. We did nothing but soaked ourselves into steamy spa tubs, the drizzle made the experience even lovelier, and we wrapped up the night with hot spring veggies for supper.

我喜欢礁溪，因为它什么都没有，只有滋养的温泉和完善的温泉设施，可以什么都不做，只泡温泉吃温泉菜。

九份的童话，童话的九份。看来看去，还是老舍的温莎堡民宿最吸引，于是重回九份时又住那里，还是那样心满意足。看姑姑那样高兴的表情，就知道这实在是正确的选择。

There's a certain sense of fairytale to the hillside town Jiufen that faces the sea, an abandoned gold mine turned tourist destination. Yes it is touristy (beware of the tea houses' cover charge, always check before you enter) but it is still elegantly nostalgic, with soothing oldies lingering in the cool breeze all the time. Homestays in Jiufen are relatively more pricey, it is an average of RM100 per person per night on weekends but we had more than what we've paid for. After quite a bit of reseach, we still checked into WenShaBao on our second visit to Jiufen, the unique decor, thoughtful service and hosts' sincere hospitality completed our fairytale stopover.

Romping around in Taiwan...elegantly 撞翻台湾

其实那两个星期在台湾，我无时无刻不觉得累得要死，因为要表扬孝心，总是争着要帮妈妈拿行李，又想带她到更多地方，行程铺得满满的，累得天昏地暗。不过无论是那时候，还是现在回想起，在台湾乱撞的每份每秒都是美好的。

Two weeks in Taiwan with mum and all her baggage was, seriously, darn tired, but of course, we enjoyed every moment of it.

相信很多懂中文的朋友都听说过花莲的柚子之家了吧？那就不多说了，用几个字总结：接近完美，人和狗都那么棒，可以的话到花莲直奔他们家就好了。

Homestay is the best invention and I think will probably become one of its best heritage in Taiwan. It makes Taiwan different from everywhere else in the world, and it brings us face to face and be amazed at how unbelievably nice the locals are (trust me, this is not because they run the homestay you stayed at). In Hualien, the beautiful east coast town which was our first stop after touch down in Taipei, we stayed at Youzi's Place (guest you may need to type the bold Chinese characters above to find their webpage, don't think anything is in English), value for money, very homey, very comfortable, very well equipped, very nice people and very cute beagle (which was a stray rescued by the young couple running the place!), and you may also find very cute baby as the hostess just gave birth around Christmas 2010. (Oh telling you this reminds me of an article I promised to contribute to the Sunday section but totally forgot.)

Pix:

A wall of postcards from all over to thank the host's hospitality. Warmth and freedom.

海内存知己，来自东南西北的明信片都在这墙上了。

Pix: The three-pax room, ya you won't have hotel luxury here but I think this feels much better.

三人房，懒惰出门了。

因为我有一个名叫Sam的伟大朋友同行，我们的正餐小吃和旅游热点都经她在网上的深度考究而安排得天衣无缝。这花莲名店－－鹅先生－－是必访的。薄薄的鹅肉片多汁鲜嫩，这整碟还有其他大盆小盆的，我们伍眨眼间扫光（其实在之前已经吃了好多粒小笼包和水饺，才５０仙马币一颗小笼包，每吃一颗都在偷笑）。

Thanks to my bestest friend who had done extensive research on what to eat and where to go, I basically could walk with my eyes closed in Hualien. This "Mr Goose" located in the town centre is a must-try, the thinly sliced meat was tender, succulent and suitably flavoured. Yes, they had foie gras, but, erm, don't be too excited as we did and ordered two plates, they tasted like nothing but liver... and they are cloying, not bad for a try though.

Pix: Rich and creamy "mud" coffee served by an affable uncle who loves travelling and photography. He gave us a stack of postcards printed with his works as souvenir.

喜欢旅游和摄影的阿伯的浓浓的泥巴咖啡，拜拜时还送我们明信片呢。

Pix: A lovely second-hand bookstore tucked away in a dark corner on the fringe of a neighbourhood. Named "Time". Nicely enveloped in a musky sense of nostalgia.

时光，二手书店，美在没有一丝新意。

To be continued....

爱菊

烟离烛跳影瑟缩

小方红墙记因果

物换星移点头笑

傲立静息尝生活

启程

Pix: Sunset over Chaktuchak, Bangkok


终究有一天
我忽然醒过来
发现自己身在莫名的地域
灯光异常光亮
视线异常通透
记忆异常清朗
而大家则奇妙地疏远
有的用怜悯的眼神回望我
但大部分都兀自忙碌
在钳着玻璃的木箱之外

我不会向你们呼唤
我不会捞起任何的过往
尽管我挺想
再钻入被窝继续睡在那温暖的身躯旁
我则必须前行
走向我不清楚的方向
会有点彷徨吧？
但我还是表现安详
是颇五味杂陈
但我这只留下
一副轻轻微笑的模样

我但愿 我曾经
在某些场合让你欢愉
让你觉得世界美好
临睡前心里有暖意
我知道 我一定
向你说过思路不明的话
做过让你啼笑皆非的事
因为我从来不聪明

我又遇见了
那些我弄丢的东西
我又碰见
多年不见但深深惦念的人们
我还是无法明确地
说出脑子里的想法
但我会专心地
去找出自己在哪里
到底要到什么地方去

红楼梦回

Pix: 家附近的公园，不懂为何这树那个月开得这么绚烂。

天弃青石 石临崖
你那笑颜在雪浪中硬化
霞落白竹 竹叩纱
风雨潇潇写不尽在字帕

辗转凡尘 尘迎鸦
拿黄砂红泥代替妆粉擦
月下生藤 藤上丫
鬼迹仙踪寻你当年痴傻

红檐渐高 花墓更深
挚爱错爱在天幕上刻痕
残塘越寒
思念更狠
最懊恼那缕交会的眼神

影弄胡同 同声泣
弄出荒冢凑集此生悲喜
水湮晚灯 灯送魂
若隔世 伊凭栏杆 心事浑

泪弄涟漪 漪浑沌
只嘱咐莫为枉债徒销魂
烛边听雨 雨淅沥
明朝梦醒 让我容貌变稀

廊中画中郎
桥见水见乔
翻过页转过身沉入涛中消
随檀香上楼
随暮霭纷飞我自甘悲悒 你不亏欠谁

一顿饭

茶的花瓣叶芽示范着反引力
纳闷于杯面沉不了底
想用我的逻辑向你表达浓情蜜意
那遣词用字得比较清晰
可那样又不合乎我性情
最后斗胆用一顿饭表明
让你意外原是我的魅力

先将材料洗涤 晶莹透剔
阳光在指缝间嬉戏
流水趁着学习勾引
缝合着两只灵 休想逃离

冰里鱼幽幽呼出海腥
与心洞里的浪漫呼应
蒸汽滚滚闹得神智不清
这就是尘世间最高境地

椒袒露了情丝累累
蒜在暮晖里自嘲冒昧
我得保持微笑以保护你的味蕾
还有你腌菜般保密着的梦境
尤其在这末世的前夕

当然这时候饭香细细
游走在灶君嘴边 好话连连
溜进了僻静巷间 碎花翩翩
今天衣裳没遭雨淋
连乌鸦也为这小丫头高兴

天黑之际照亮了心情
弄得像写诗般心跳不已
天下情爱都焖在一锅饭里
煮熟的温柔 让我屏住了呼吸

序幕

灯瘦成一根柱悄悄窜入室
曲磨成一盒尘飒飒洒遍世
我耐心静等九十年不迟
漫漫混沌中这抹身影我似乎认识

心腐朽再震动像珠冠颤巍巍
容皱褶再上脂长衫还娇媚
藏匿于这乌亮大盒躲不尽我疲累
用长生郁闷典当一霎亢奋
宿命或否就看你这刻转身

我知道你已不记得我
请倾听铜扣开出的那一幕幕戏
你一定能感觉心中涟漪
似渐渐苏醒于晨雾中小艇
而无法否认你熟悉我脾性

我该说句什么让你想起我
多担心这千载难逢就这样错过
你会否因钗上假石闪烁
狂嗥自己在轮回中蹉跎
疼惜我咬破牙根
也宁愿魅影婆娑

镜点成斑看穿多少红线
谱兀自展延木雕个痴怨缠绵
你眼里笑意将我封上了咒
百年后解开时
理应来个鬼哭神嚎

太虚游记

黄霞紫烟乾坤宁
大势归零六根静
仙穴寂寂镜花苒
庙钟呜呜水月清

暮气脆 凑巧那稀月里看见你的美
道袍飞 昏暗里檀烟袅袅似思愁成灰
叹轮回 五行八卦只不过循着两极追
时机对 此时此地此缘故我为你心醉

独酌坛前听龙鸣
笑之谐谑儿女命
川溪蜿蜓自寻恼
奔涌汪洋恨难停

天渐黑 想念只为当时风光太明媚
岁月吹 明知你从未留我一席位
太虚悲 最怕再见时反问我是谁
凡尘累 前来之人似你而非 无所谓

从

我不讨厌，
人与人之间的猜疑，
因为全心相信是一种奢侈

我不介意，
人与人之间的隔膜，
因为没有距离是一种乏味

我不拒绝，
人与人之间的隐瞒，
因为太透彻的是一种残酷

我却怨恨，
人与人之间的衡量，
因为它让每个人的心都刺着那把尺

现在的我（全球版）

怎么还没做完？
怎么还没做到？
怎么还没做好？
怎么还懦弱？
怎么还紧张？
怎么还妒嫉？
怎么还担忧？
怎么还害怕？
怎么还战兢？
怎么还要解释？
怎么还要明白？
怎么还要装饰？
怎么还要修饰？
怎么还要努力？

现在的我(地球版）

我把整个天空塞进了脑袋

结果却堆满了云朵

堵住了思路

蒙蔽了逻辑

混淆了一直盯着的方向

连话也不会说了

现在的我（月球版）

我用下个月的心态活着这个星期
我说以后我会想念这个黄昏
虽然现在它并不样
怎么于是有诗意了

我说当我的血液有酒精的时候
会遥想那片雪域
虽然现在不感觉什么
于是有情愁了

我说我三年不见你
会发现自己爱上你
虽然心没告诉我什么
尽管我们一同探望
那辈子的第一瓣雪
于是有思念了