Archive for category Family Robinson
2011 – Ride for the Roses
Jan 24
Last year we took part in Lance Armstrong’s Ride for the Roses in the province of Zeeland, The Netherlands. This year we will be heading out again and do our share in the battle against cancer. Last year was 55km (30 miles), this time we’ll be going for 80km (50 miles).
去年我倆公婆參加了Lance Armstrong 所發起的Ride for the Roses，於荷蘭的海地省舉行。今年，我們將會再次參加，作出我們小小為癌症基金的貢獻，一起與癌症鬥戰到底！去年我們踏了55公里，今年將會踏80公里。
If you want to know more about the event, please search in our website for Ride for the Roses. And most importantly, your support will be very much appreciated. You can help us by sponsoring us. How do you do that? You can transfer to us any amount you wish through paypal/ credit card. Please also notify us that you’ve done so, so that we can keep track of it and thank you personally.
如果你想知道多些關於這個慈善單車行，請在我們的網頁上找找 Ride for the Roses的文章。而最重要不過是大家的支持！你們可以捐款給我們，作為我們的sponsor，所有善款會捐到荷蘭癌症基金。你們可以經以下Paypal/ credit card方式捐任何款項給我們及通知我們一聲，讓我們可以跟進及多謝你們。
其實每一處都會不停發展，舊物不去，新的又怎來呢？一個都市要不停發展，但有時見到以前的舊居將會完全被拆，所謂舊區重建，心裡有些不捨得，亦回想到以前一切。
It’s a true fact that everywhere requires continuous development. Without the old going away, then you can never have new developments. A city needs to keep on developing to keep up, but sometimes seeing old places that you’re familiar with being tore down, my heart sinks. My hometown, Kwun Tong, is one of them, and this triggers a lot of good old memories.
小時候，會跟公公婆婆去買餸。很細小時，婆婆會用傳統『咩帶』背著我，大了就自己跟著行。我們到這兒買菜，還有買拖鞋都是這兒。
When I was little, I always went with my grandparents to do groceries shopping in the market. When I was really little, my grandma would carry me on her back and when I was older, I would walk with them. This was where we would sometimes buy our vegetables, and also slippers, I remember!
而看醫生就是在這裡。
This was where I went to see my doctor.
住過觀塘的人，就會認識這間麥當勞！
And of course, a McDonald’s that all people who have lived in Kwun Tong know.
還有這間已在一九六一年在此的消防局。
This fire department has been there since 1961 to serve Kwun Tong region.
我人生中第一個銀行戶口就是在這間匯豐銀行開的！
And this HSBC bank was where I opened my first bank account!
每個星期日去上彌撒就是這間聖約翰教堂。
Every Sunday I used to go to this church, St John’s.
我中學時，回家有時會經過的小巷，有不少粉面檔，其中明記是我至愛的！老板是我中學同學的父母，上次回港仍見到這對老夫婦努力經營。
I sometimes passed by this ally that has plenty of small noodle restaurants after getting off from school. One of the restaurants has been my all-time favorite. The owners are my old schoolmate’s parents. They were still there when I was in HK last time.
相信不少香港人仍記得以前的廉租屋。我小時候曾經由舅母照顧，她當時住在這兒，所以我仍記住煮飯是在走廊做的，而因為沒有浴室，所以小時候是用紅色大盆內洗澡的！
I bet quite some Hong Kong people are still familiar with this old type of public housing. I was babysat by my aunt who lived there. I remember she used to cook outside in the corridor while we used to bath in those red buckets since there weren’t any bathroom in the apartment itself.
其實很多時，舊區重建的過程是影響了不少家戶和商家，或許這就是一個都市要變得繁榮要付出的代價。只是，很多時，那個代價被那些大地產商弄至平民們的辛酸呢！
Often in the phase of changing, a lot of families and businessmen get affected by this. Probably this is the price which we all have to pay to be a developed city. Just that it’s sad to see that sometimes the price is being heavily influenced by those real estate companies, and it’s the ordinary people who have to suffer from that.
聖誕節人人都想盡方法去慶祝，尤其是有小朋友的，都想弄些節日氣氛。
於是今年與往年一樣，幾經討論後，仍然是買了一楝真的聖誕樹，而且每人都有份幫手裝飾這樹和其他家中的裝飾。氣氛又濃了！
During Christmas time, everyone tries to find ways to celebrate with their love ones, especially those with kids.
So this year, we had first the same discussion, but we decided eventually again to buy a real Christmas tree. We decorated it and the house together. The house feels definitely warmer with decorations.
今年歐洲的冬天來早了，且下了很多雪。之前要上班時真頭痛，但這個多星期我和Daddy都放假了，可以好好享受。不過，見到老人家出外很不方便和危險，而駕車的亦要留神小心路滑，所以現在見到開始溶雪都沒有埋怨。
This year’s winter in Europe came earlier, and we have had quite some snow. Going to work in this condition was a disaster, but luckily we have now vacation, so we can just relax and enjoy at home. Just that seeing how inconvenient and dangerous the elderly people have to walk on the icy roads, and for those who have to drive have to watch out for slippery roads, we are actually glad if the snow gets all melted.
放假的第一個星期，我們比平時遲些起來，節拍也慢些，很舒服呢！有時我們會出外吃遲了些的午餐，或早了些的晚餐。
Since the first week of our Christmas holidays, we get up later than usual. The rhythm is definitely much slower than usual. We sometimes would go out for a late lunch or an early dinner.
見到Julian的食相，是不是很好笑呢？
See how silly Julian’s look was!
我們今年給Julian的聖誕禮物是 iPod Touch一部。雖然他已有一部DS，但出街時，不時都嚷著要我們的 iPhone，而我們見iPhone/ iPod可安裝的兒童遊戲比較容易控制，而亦有很多有教育性的遊戲，包括學中文，於是我們便把他的DS賣了，買了部iPod給他。他看不出iPod 和 iPhone 的分別，說他那部是iPhone，我們也由他吧！
This year we got Julian an iPod Touch as a Christmas present. He did have a DS, but whenever we were out, he always ended up hijacking our iPhones. And seeing the iPhone/ iPod is easier for kids to control plus there are plenty more educational programs/ games, like learning Chinese or so, we decided to sell off his DS, and got him this iPod Touch. He can’t tell the difference between an iPod and an iPhone, and claims his is an iPhone, so we just let him be, as long as he is happy.
聖誕節，我們本來想在一家四星級的酒店渡過，好好慶祝一番。酒店本身不錯，房間很寬敞，設計很華麗。但問題是出於欠缺人手和預備功夫好像做得不好。當晚原來晚餐是分了兩節，第一節是由四時半開始，而另一節是由七時半開始。起初沒人跟我們說，是我們後來問多幾次才知。晚餐一共有六個course，但我們一共用了兩個半三小時等吃頭兩個courses。在晚上九時，Julian還沒有甚麼東西下肚，於是唯有走去對面的麥當勞吃我們的聖誕晚餐。真是想不到會這樣差！
During Christmas day, we planned for a celebration at a 4 star hotel. The hotel itself doesn’t look bad, the room is quite spacious, and the design is quite modern. The problem lies on lack of good experienced staff and proper preparations. That night’s dinner was supposed to be with 2 sessions, starting at 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm respectively. No one told us that until we found that out later that evening. The dinner was supposed to be a 6-course dinner, but we spent 2.5 hours waiting just for our first 2 courses. Pass nine in the evening, Julian still didn’t have much to eat. Eventually we decided to leave and head for the McDonald’s further down the street. We couldn’t believe it at first ourselves.
反而平安夜當晚我煮的晚餐和廿六號在家中吃的西式燒烤比這家四星級酒店好得多多倍，連Daddy和Julian也讚我煮的好！他們吃得高興，我的心也自然甜起來啦！雖然，我們的聖誕過得沒有想象中的美好，但其實我們一家人齊齊整整在家中一起已經是很幸福了！
Whereas the dinner I prepared during Christmas eve and the gourmet we had at home on 2nd Christmas day were even much better than that so-called 4-star hotel, even Daddy and Julian were giving me compliments. Seeing how much they enjoyed it, I myself am very pleased too. Though our first Christmas day wasn’t close to our expectations, but then again, we were all together as a family, and we are already quite blessed by that!
Daddy說自己是皇帝，要統領全世界，哈哈！
Daddy claimed he was about to rule the world, haha…
又到聖誕！Almost Christmas again!
Dec 18
不經不覺，已經踏入二零一零年尾聲了！時間過得很快，尤其是我們這家，平日我和老公就忙著上班，放班後就是照顧小Julian。最近，Julian除了在週末上中文班和游泳班外，逢星期三就跟Daddy上功夫班。現在，我老公平日和週末在上太極班和功夫班。他很想我跟他一起去，但不是每個中國人都是對武術有興趣！我真是沒興趣，他三番四次催我去試，我試了一堂去，否則他就不停說我未試過又怎會知不喜歡。
Time really passes by fast, and we are approaching towards the end of 2010. We are one hectic family. During the week, both my hubby and I are busy at work, and when we get off from work, we take care of Julian. Recently, not only does Julian go in the weekend to Chinese school and swimming lesson, but also every Wednesday he joins Daddy at a kung fu (wushu) class. Now my hubby goes during the week and on Saturday to Tai Qi and kung fu class. He wanted me to join, but it is just not my thing.
我反而就開始了去健身室和玩 Spinning。起初第一次上 Spinning堂，很擔心自己跟不上。但幸好教訓先給我詳細講解部單車的運作，又很有心機教我不同的姿勢，是想我姿勢正確。他說上他堂的都覺得他要求很高，有少少地獄教練，但就吩咐我要跟著自己的能力去做。上了第一堂後，我肌肉痛了差不多大半個星期！很久未試過這樣痛！但幸好，我仍堅持繼續上健身，上spinning。之後，就沒有再這樣肌肉痛了，反而愛上了上 Spinning。上完後出了一身汗，然後來個淋浴，有時間的話，還可以來個芬蘭浴或蒸氣浴。原來這樣獨自去做運動和去嘆嘆芬蘭浴是好一個鬆馳神經的方法！再者，還可以減肥！我已經成功減了兩三公斤呢！希望可以再減，反回以前未生BB時的磅數啦！
Instead, I joined the gym and started spinning. My first spinning class was a bit nerve racking, since I worried not being able to keep up. Luckily the instructor did give me a good explanation of how the stationary bike works, and showed me the 3 main positions on the bike. He said the positions are very important. Also, he said he is known to be giving tough classes, but asked me to just try keeping up while knowing where my boundaries are. After my first spinning class, I had soar muscles for just a bit less than a week. It’d been a long time since I had such soar muscles. Fortunately, I kept going to the gym doing fitness and the spinning class. I stopped having muscle pain, and I started loving spinning. After one hour of sweating followed by a nice shower, sometimes when I’ve enough time, I would even go for a sauna or steam bath. I found by going there doing sports alone, I really get to relax and forget about all the stress. Besides, I can loose some weight that I’ve been trying to get rid of. Now I’ve got 2-3 kgs off me, so hopefully I can get back into the shape I was before Julian was born.
最近，荷蘭的冬天來得早了和冷了！不止荷蘭，全歐洲都是！小朋友見到雪就興奮，但要駕車上班的大人就苦惱了！除了有某程度上危險外，就是塞車。我有次塞了三個小時才回到公司，跟平日的四十五分鐘車程差得遠！有次還是在老公出外工幹一星期時發生，當時，我公司還要月結，真的有些考驗我呢！
Recently the Dutch winter arrived a lot earlier, and got a lot colder. Not just Holland actually, but the whole Europe. Kids get all excited when they see snow, but those who have to go by car to work aren’t really enthusiastic about it. Not only it is dangerous but also the traffic jams are killing. I once got stuck for 3 hours to get into the office, while normally it would only take me some 45 mins. That happened in the week when my hubby had to be away for a week for work. It was also the week when I’d my month-end close reporting. Quite a challenge.
不過相信這個考驗都不夠 Julian要面對的考驗，就是上中文班。在外國上中文班，就如在香港或亞洲上外語班，如上英文班一樣。只靠週末上那幾個小時，真的不容易！況且，在外國不同在香港般，上無數的興趣班是正常的。所以，我更不想給 Julian太大壓力。要一個平日上荷蘭沒功課做的五歲小孩，在星期六一連上四小時中文班真是不容易！跟他做功課，因他對自己要求高，所以寫好一頁中文字需要不少時間、心機和耐性。起初還只是學寫一至十，現在快來臨的考試，要他懂得認以下字詞：醫生、護士、警察、消房員！這未免要求過高！老師問我想怎樣處理追不上的 Julian，我心想做老師的不是有教無類的嗎？我就回答老師：『我只期望他多聽多講，至於寫那方面盡了力就成。』老師說他幾次默書都不合格，怕明年要留班。我就跟她說留班我都沒所謂。其實，我覺得若然給小朋友那樣大壓力，他們只會感到楚敗感。我現在跟 Julian說，只要盡了力，媽媽已經開心！
Yet I don’t think this is anything comparing to the challenge Julian sometimes faces at the Chinese school. Studying Chinese in a western country is like studying foreign languages like English or French in Hong Kong or Asia. By just learning a language for a few hours in a week, that’s not easy. Plus here kids are not as fanatic in taking extra curriculum as those in Asia. I really don’t want to give Julian extra pressure. For a 5 year old child who doesn’t even have homework at his ordinary Dutch school, having to sit in a class for 4 hours on every Saturday isn’t that easy. I try helping him with his Chinese homework, but he is a perfectionist, so for him to finish one page of Chinese writing takes up really a lot of time, effort and patience. They started with writing 1-10 in Chinese, but the upcoming exam requires them to be able to recognize words like doctors, nurse, police, fireman, etc. I find that too demanding. The teacher asked me what I would like to do with Julian doing not so well there. I just think that if they take him as a student, then they have to keep teaching him as much as they can. So I told the teacher that I only expect him to listen and speak more Chinese. When it comes down to writing, I think as long as he has tried his best, that’s good enough for me. The teacher mentioned that he failed a couple dictations, and thought he might have to repeat this year. I told her also that I’m fine with that. After all, if you try to push kids too much, then they would only feel like they have failed. I always tell Julian now that he must always try his best, then Mommy is very pleased and proud of him.
最後在此祝大家一個愉快的聖誕和更進一步的新年！希望明年經濟復 甦，人人生活更高興！
Last but not least, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and a better and happier new year! Hopefully next year’s the economy will recover entirely!