牛年（09）展望 Ox Year (2009) New Year Resolutions

元宵过了，新的一年正式开始。哈哈，人人的新年在阳历一月一日就开始了, 我的现在才开始。没办法啦，我这人总是慢半拍！

写了08回顾后，我拿了去年定下的新年愿望来看看，很惊讶也很高兴, 原来自己还真完成了好几项(除了第五项） 。虽不是每项都做足一百分，不过总算很努力。

今年的愿望和去年的很相似。

• 第一 , 安康快乐。吃要吃得健康，继续煲汤，喝茶，学煮一手好菜给Ed (当然也给自己啦）。

• 第二，修心养性，少发小姐脾气。

• 第三，要更努力学好中医。回马时，继续向爸爸学习。希望今年好好研读《黄帝内经》和专注妇产科。

• 第四，部落搬家。突然觉得这里的文章有点散乱，想搬家和整理一下。搬家时会通知大家。

• 第五，这个嘛，要看我在哪个国家。基于种种原因，我正考虑着回澳十个月左右。如决定留在加拿大，要继续考药剂牌，还有好几张试卷。如回澳洲，要回大学读针灸学。这也是我一直想取得的学位。

五个够啦，不可太贪心。至于，去年没完成的第五项　（开一个中医知识部落格），再看吧。

Finally, the traditional 15-day long Chinese New Year is officially finished a few days ago. So, my ‘new year’ is officially started. Well, I know most people’s new years have started from 1st January.   But for me, who studied so hard for exam, I allow myself to start the new year later. Heehee…

To start a new year, I normally begin with a few new year determinations. Looking back at my 2007 new year resolutions, I am quite surprised and a little overwhelmed that I DID achieve most of them (except no.5) ! Although I can’t say I have achieved them 100% (those goals require continuous effort anyway), at least,  I have tried my best. For example, for someone so fussy like Ed, complimented on my cooking, I think I am doing ok 😉  .

To keep up with the flow and the continuity, this year resolutions are similar to last year.

1. Oh happiness and health !  Continue my effort in becoming a better cook, eat more at home, drink more teas and boil more soups. All for Ed, of course, for myself too 😉
2. Just wanna be a better person, so will start with whine less to my hubby !
3. Continue to improve and deepen my knowledge and experiences in Chinese Medicine. It is my greatest treasure to have a dad who has more than 30 years of experience in Chinese Medicine, so learning from him is a must this year. Hope to focus my studies in Gynaecology and the thousands year-old classic <Yellow Emperor’s Canon Internal Medicine>.
4. Move this blog to a new domain. I suddenly realised how messy this blog is, moving will help me to do some cleaning up. Will keep everyone in loop if I move.
5. Ummm….this no.5 will depend on where I will be living this year. Due to a few reasons, I am considering moving back to Australia for 10 months. If I decide to stay in Canada, I will continue my journey to become a registered pharmacist here. If I go back to Australia, I may go back to university to pick another master degree. This time acupuncture, something I wish to do for a while.

Ok, five goals are enough. Don’t want to put too much on myself.

What about the no. 5 goal last year (start a new blog on Chinese Medicine) ? Ummm….shall see….

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鼠年(08)回顾 2008 Review

马来西亚家人朋友 (1月 和 6月)

Dear English readers, please scroll down for English translation.

阳历年时忙考试，没回顾我在08年做了什么。
现在，试考了，农历年过了，回头看看，鼠年可真多姿多彩。

这两年来日子都很漂泊，去年可说是‘四海为家’的顶峰：-
在马来西亚和澳洲各住了三个月，其余的六个月则在加拿大。

和Ed在马旅游 (2月)

1月 – 大马
回马做家里的大小姐。
在爸爸店里帮忙和学习。
天天去巴刹，到处吃吃吃。

2月 – 大马
Ed第一次来马，第一次见家长。
我俩背包游新加坡，吉隆坡，槟城，马六甲和浮罗交怡。
Ed回加国工作，我回澳洲工作。

澳洲的朋友 (3月 - 5月)

3月 – 澳洲
上班。和一位好朋友住。
放工回家就和朋友追港剧。
很高兴和很多朋友相聚。
喝我爱喝的意大利咖啡和比利时热巧克力，
吃我爱吃的eggs benedict早餐。

4月 – 澳洲
继续上班。
搬进一间有三房，却只有一张床和一张椅子的公寓。
没有网络。看了很多英文小说。

寂寞的公寓　(澳洲)

5月 – 澳洲
如4月。

6月 – 大马
回马。如1月。

多伦多 (7月 - 12月)

7 月 – 加国
回加国。见到Ed给他一个大拥抱 ：“亲爱的，好久没见”。
享受我在加国的第一夏天。

8月 – 加国
阳光继续普照。每个周末尽情欢享。
Ed告诉我，我煲的汤和煮的东西已可以见人。Yay !
我这大小姐开始认真做好家务。

多伦多 (7月 - 12月)

9月 – 加国
啊！结婚吧！

10月 – 加国
开始发闷。不如去学喝茶和学泡茶吧。

Hey 先生，来个胜利手势吧 ! (多伦多)

11月 – 加国
好冷。
决定参加考试，

12月 – 加国
好冷。
拼命苦读。
圣诞和新年快乐！

多伦多　(7月 - 12月)

1月 – 加国
试考了，年过了。
2009 牛年要做什么好呢 ? ……

With Family & friends in Malaysia (Jan & Jun)

I was very busy with exam during the New Year, did not get the chance to review my 2008 year. Exam is finally over and (Chinese) New Years came and gone, finally, I have the time to sit down, to reflect on my 2008 year. Looking back, it was indeed a great and interesting year.

For the past two years, I have been dividing my times between Malaysia, Australia and Canada, and last year was my most traveled and drifting year. I lived 3 months each in Malaysia and Australia, the rest of the six months in Canada.

Traveled with Ed in Malaysia (Feb)

Jan – Malaysia
Went back to Malaysia and be pampered like a princess at home by my lovely family.
Learned from my father and helped out in his shop.
Went to pasar often and fully enjoyed the famous delicious street food !

Feb – Malaysia
Ed visited Malaysia for the first time and met my parents for the first time.
We traveled in Singapore, KL, Penang, Malacca and Langkawi.
Ed headed back to Canada, while I went back to Australia.

With friends in Australia ((Mar - May)

Mar – Australia
Went back to work. Stayed with a good friend.
Hong Kong TV series was our favourite passtime together after work.
So happy to catch up with many good friends in Oz.
Drunk my favourite Italian coffee and Belgium hot chocolate;
ate my favourite eggs benedict breakfast.

Apr – Australia

Continued to work.
Moved into a huge 3 bedroom condominium, however,
you won’t believe I only lived with a folding bed and a chair in the condo.
No Internet. Read many novels.

Lonely apartment

May – Australia
Same as April.

Jun – Malaysia
Went back to Malaysia.
Same as January.

Toronto (July - Dec)

Jul – Canada
Went back to Canada.
Gave Ed a big hug, ‘Darling, long time no see! ‘
Enjoyed my first summer in Canada.

Aug – Canada
Went to nearly all summer street festivals and events.
Surprisingly, Ed started to praise my cooking ! Yay!
Finally, I had been better with housework.

Toronto (2) (July - Dec)

Sep – Canada
Let’s get married dear !

Oct – Canada
Started to feel bored and restless. So attended Tea Sommelier classes.

Hey dude, you gonna have fun in summer ! (Canada)

Nov – Canada
So cold !
Decided to sit for exam.

Dec – Canada
So cold !!
Studied unbelievably hard for the exam.
Happy Christmas and New Year !

Jan – Canada
Exam is over, new years came and gone.
What am I going to do in 2009 ? …..

Toronto (3) (July - Dec)

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愿祝圣诞快乐 ! Wish You All Merry Christmas !

圣诞娃娃

昨晚，我一边包圣诞礼物，一边在自言自语．．．．

记得，约十年前，我药剂行的澳洲洋人老板问我，“你是华人，不庆祝圣诞的，对吗？你是佛教徒，不庆祝圣诞的，对吗？那你在圣诞当天上班一定没问题吧?＂这哪是问我，简直是要我内疚，要我上班　（注：我是那间药剂行唯一的亚裔药剂师。那间药剂行365天都开足13个小时）。

我心里算一算，“哗！十三个小时，双倍工钱，即可赚二十六小时的工钱。划算划算。”　那时，我刚大学毕业，穷，又要学人储钱旅行，傻。我假装推迟一下，就答应下来了。反正，我是真的不庆祝圣诞的。接下来的五，六年，我的圣诞都是在店铺里过，从早上七点到晚上十点。我一点都不在意，顾客很少，很空闲，不难挨过。

一直到四年前，圣诞还是与我无关。没想到，现在，圣诞突然变得这么重要　－圣诞树， 礼物，卡片，火鸡，团圆，假期，派对，还有白雪飘飘。

人生一个转弯，有些重要的好像变得不重要了，不重要的好像开始重要起来．．．．

今早起来，我忘了昨晚思考的问题，匆匆赶去预定两个蛋糕 – 一个要带去明晚朋友家的派对，一个要带去圣诞晚Ed大家族的团圆晚餐。今天不预定，明天一定卖清光！26日晚，和Ed父母吃饭要带的已准备．．．．

愿祝大家圣诞快乐！

Christmas Dinner

Last night, I was talking to myself while I was wrapping Christmas presents….

I still remember vividly how my boss asked me to work on Christmas Day. It was about 10 years ago, ‘Shirley, you are a Chinese, Chinese doesn’t celebrate Christmas, right? You are a Buddhist, Buddhist does not celebrate Christmas, right? So, I think you are the best person to work on Christmas Day !’ Since I was the only Asian in the pharmacy, and he was right about a Chinese Buddhist (plus as a immigrant whose family is in Malaysia) does not celebrate Christmas.

So, I accepted the offer. Well, who won’t? The shop opened on Christmas Day for 13 hours, and I got paid double. In fact, being a poor newly graduate who dreamed of saving for travel, I felt grateful to have the shift ! Since then, my boss never failed to give me the Christmas shift and all my Christmas for the following 5 or 6 years were spent in the pharmacy from 7am to 10pm. Frankly, I did not mind at all. The pharmacy was normally quiet on Christmas Day and it was not a difficult shift.

It was not until 4 years ago, I stopped working on Christmas Day. Prior to that, Christmas was just another day for me. I am surprised to realise that it has suddenly become important in my life – the Christmas tree, Christmas presents, the turkey, Christmas parties, family gathering, holiday, Christmas cards,  and the previously unthinkable White Christmas. I have them all now.

Life is interesting, just a small twist and turn, previously important things are no longer important, and what never appeared important has suddenly play an important role in my life….

Woke up this morning, totally forgot what I was pondering last night, I rushed to Loblaws to order two cakes – one for tomorrow night Christmas Eve dinner with friends, one for Christmas Day dinner with Ed’s extended family.  I know if I don’t order today, I will have trouble getting the cakes I want tomorrow. And we have already prepared what we want to bring for 26th dinner with Ed’s parents….

Merry Christmas to you all !!!

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My 2 + 2 Daily Newspapers

Though I am studying, I still can’t resist to read my 2 + 2 daily ‘newspapers’ online.

One is – The Globe and Mail, for Canada news.

One is – The Age, for Melbourne, Australia news.

Sometimes, when things get interesting across the boarder, I read New York Times.

Sometimes, I read Sin Chew Chinese newspapers or Malaysiakini online, for Malaysia news.

The world is currenly going through an interesting and trying time, I feel that to be a responsible world citizen, I need to be informed. Or is it because of my experiences in the above different countries that make me want to know more, and care for more? I think that plays an important part too.

Thanks to the internet. Otherwise, I would not know the world simply by a click away.

Sometimes, I think : will news online eventually replace newspapers completely? Maybe?

Do I still read ‘real’ newspapers ? Only once every 2 week, I think, except when I am back home in Malaysia.

I still love the ideas of holding the newspapers in the sofa or bed, read them with a cup of coffee or tea. And there are more articles in the printed edition. However, to save the papers, and to know the world better and faster, I have gone to the internet…

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婚礼婚礼婚礼 Wedding, wedding, wedding

(Dear English readers, please scroll down to find the ‘click’ for English translation)

原本, 几天后，我就会回马。一来，是要避一避这里的严冬。二来，是要出席共三场的婚礼。可是，最后还是改变主意，刚巧找到机票，就决定留到圣诞过后才回马。因为，圣诞在这里大过天。就如农历除夕一样，要一家团聚。我知道Ed和他家人希望我可以多留几天。所以，就留下来过圣诞。而且，去年的圣诞不是白色的，有点失望，今年雪下早了, 应该可以如愿以偿。

现在想起来，我也还没见识过马来西亚华人的婚礼。我在澳洲那么多年，马来西亚的朋友结婚，我都没机会出席。在澳洲，虽有参加过华人的婚礼，但都有点西化的。我还没见过什么兄弟们上新娘家‘抢新娘’啦，什么玩游戏捉弄新郎新娘啦，还有什么媒人婆尽说好听的话啦, 等等。这次回马参加婚礼，正好让我这个也开始有点西化的华人开开眼界。

只是，改了机票后, 我会错过一个怡保朋友的婚礼。很可惜。那婚礼是我很期待的。因为，在较小的城市举行，应该会较吉隆坡的传统， 也较不同其他两个婚礼是在吉隆坡）。我这个朋友也是在澳洲住了十多年。这次回马结婚，主要也只是让马来西亚的家人开心就是了。 我有几个在澳洲住的朋友都是如此，他们是一点都不用操心婚礼的。一切交由父母办，他们想怎样搞就怎样搞。总之，到时候，飞回马，出席婚礼，露个面， 一切照做，和亲戚打个招呼，就可以了。婚礼嘛，老人家开心就是了。

我曾听说过，有些朋友（不论是华人或洋人）因为婚礼和家人闹不满。也难怪，两代人的观念不同了，要办的形式相异，磨擦是难免的。有些华人朋友爱开玩笑说，她们的婚礼哪是她们自己的婚礼，其实是她们妈妈或家婆的婚礼。一切听她们就是了。华人传统尊重长辈。有些人觉得，算了啦，不然关系没弄好，嫁进去就难相处。可是，我有些洋人朋友对我说，如我结婚，一定要搞个自己开心的。这是一世人一次的，回头缅怀的是自己。别人意见听得多少啊。哈！ 真是华人和洋人的观点不同。我觉得各有各对。只是，洋人性格较不记仇，过了就忘，相处不会太难。华人嘛，有可能会碰礁哟。

说起洋人的婚礼，前阵子，Ed带我去一个他好友的婚礼。在高尔夫球场举行。很小，才五，六张桌子。那五，六十人是新娘新郎最亲近的家人亲戚朋友。搞笑的是，他们想到可能有人不爱跳舞，给我们猜字游戏玩。新郎还有时间过来和我们玩上好一会儿 (如图）。我好喜欢，感觉好亲切，认识了些新郎新娘很好的朋友。我们真的是为新郎新娘庆祝，替他们开心的。可是，有些婚礼，有超过三百多人。我啊，坐在远远看我穿得很漂亮的朋友，可是却一句话都说不上。 当然，心中很替他们开心，可是也同时在婚礼上碰上一些人其实一点都不认识我的朋友或朋友的另一半。问起他们，关系差上几千万里。有时会疑惑，他们在这里是不是真的会替我朋友找到一世伴侣而开心。

唉呀！我啊，在这里啰哩啰嗦，又不是我的婚礼。嘻嘻！怎样都好，真的很替我那三个结婚的朋友开心。很期待见证他们说我愿意时的那刻…

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遗忘了的习惯 Long Forgotten Habit

（Dear English readers, please scroll down to find the ‘click’ for English translation)

小时候， 很爱阅读， 是个书迷。就是因为常躺着看书，常在动摇的巴士内追小说，常顾不了灯光暗淡还是放不下书本，我变了个千度大近视。

上了大学后，虽还是常看书，可是少了文学，多了课教本。或看的是电脑。唯一接触文学时，是每个暑假回马追金庸武侠小说。不过，那也是好多年前的事。已忘了追小说的感觉很久了。阅读文学书籍这个好习惯早已慢慢在我的日常生活中消失。

现在回想起，我虽曾爱看小说，可是都是以华文书为主。 对英文的文学世界真是一无所知。在澳洲书店见到琳琅满目的英文小说，可真是不知从何看起。所以，要多看英文书的心常不了了之。

至到遇上Ed才稍有改变。Ed爱看书 （只是英文书，他不会中文）。他常鼓励我多阅读英文小说，因为他太受不了我很烂的英文。他说，‘拼命’阅读可较快地加强语文能力。这个我当然知道啦。可是，他的亲身体验还是给了我很大的鼓励。他七，八岁移民来加国时，英文很不行。就算到了中学，还是不过如此。一直到他拚命阅读，书写能力才开始大大地进步。

这个我也明白。我在澳洲住了那么多年，英文虽已比以往好，日常的沟通也没问题。可是，还是有很多时候有些词不达意，也写不出漂亮的文章。现在，手头上有些时间，所以决定好好啃书充实自己。

于是，Ed常带我到书店逛。他会介绍我一些好的作家。我则会站在那读上几页，看我喜不喜欢作家的风格。加上，这里有很多二手，或便宜卖过时畅销文学书的书店。Ed弟弟的妻子也很爱书。上次见她，给了我一大堆书看。

渐渐地，我又开始爱上了阅读。最近，除了中文书，也看了蛮多英文小说，对英文的现代文学界也开始有多些了解。

很开心，把遗忘了的好习惯重拾起来。也添加了新的阅读习惯。语文能力虽没那么快进步，可是书中的‘黄金屋’已找到….

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Whoo-hoo! Go Aussie !

I woke up this morning, checked the results of Australia Election. Whoo-hoo ! Labor Party won ! I checked my email account. I received an email from an Australian friend, she too, thinks Whoo-hoo!

Normally, I am not a very politically sensitive person. Yet, never before, I pay so much attention to this election. When I went back to Australia recently, I could feel the change of atmosphere. I feel the importance of this Election, and have kept a closed eye to it since. I feel, something significant and historic is going to happen….

Under Howard’s government, although Australia has unbroken 11 years of economic growth, people are generally not happy. There is a long term drought; young soldiers are being sent to Iraq; Australians worry about climate change and Kyoto Protocol issues; there are new laws which hand too much power to employers, etc etc. There are something money can’t buy. As much as there might be a factor of ‘ time for a change’, Australians have courageously chosen something more important than economic. They want better health, better education and better environment, which Labor Party promised.

Although we are continuously disappointed by the promises of government, although it seems like there are always these ‘dark forces’ in politics that things are not get done the way it should be or promised, and etc etc. At least, this election shows me that Australians have spoken, loudly and clearly, to the people-in-charge, what they really want and what is important to them now. Go Aussie ! As someone who has lived in Australia for the last 13 years, I feel really proud !

Australians have done their part, now and the next, which is the most important : Mr Rudd and your team, now is your turn, please do your part well !

I think Australia is now entering a new and exciting phase. The world is watching. Just like my friend said, she now has more hope that Australia will move towards a more compassionate stand in the world.

And I asked Ed this morning : Do you want to go back to Australia ?….

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古怪天气 The weather is weird…

(Dear English readers, please scroll down to find the ‘click’ for English translation)

这一，两天，好多了。鼻没那么塞，可以顺畅呼吸了。真开心！

其实，想得仔细些，着凉事小，只是发牢骚。可是古怪气候令人担心。戈尔最近因在温室效应的努力拿了半个诺贝尔和平奖。撇开政治不谈，环保问题又开始被关注。

在此, 我想谈谈我自己的经验和观察。先谈多伦多。据天文气象计算，秋天约在９月２１日正式降临多伦多。可是在过去的几个星期，气温却多像夏天的气候, 有时高至三十度。在网上查到，过去几年的同一天的平均温度约在15至18度。至到这几天天气突然变冷，才较像秋天的天气。

我去年的圣诞在多伦多过，还以为会是白色的。怎知，那天，阳光普照。第一场雪在12月28日才下。听说，这几年来，多伦多的圣诞节已不再是白色。去年冬天，天气一向较温和及较少下大雪的温哥华竟下了好几场暴风雪，成为新闻头条。有许多房屋被破坏了，因为那儿的房屋建时没想到会下暴风雪。苦了那边的人。曾读到一篇调查，加拿大人愿意缓慢强劲的经济以捕救令人担心的环境问题。

记得去年, 当我将要去香港和回澳洲时, 先和香港及墨尔本朋友通电话以安排行程。问起他们那里的天气如何时，得到的答案都是- 这里的天气有点怪。总结一句：该冷时不冷，该热时不热。我在香港时，湿度高达90巴仙。难怪我朋友的妈妈在香港有风湿病，在澳洲时就没有。

澳洲这几年来都面对旱灾和可怕的森林大火。怎知，约在今年七月左右，突然下了好几场豪雨。水坝水位上升了，是一件好事。可是，豪雨却带来水灾，也是一个来得措手不及， 苦了人民。

唉！我们不需要他人告诉我们全球变暖等问题，我们多留意身边的气候环境就可知道。到头来，哪管那些政治人物或其他人大吵大闹，面对温室效应的恶果的是我们这些小市民。制止大商家减少二氧化碳很重要 ，但努力也要从我们开始。

我喜欢屋子光亮亮的，爱把灯都开了。Ed常骂我浪费电源。 我在澳洲学会节俭用水，Ed则说加拿大有很多水，我就骂他不会居安思危。怎样都好，至少我俩常提醒彼此要节省资源。

希望大家也各自警惕吧！ 各自一点棉力是可以积少成多的。

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着凉了的药剂师 A pharmacist who caught a cold

(Dear English readers, please scroll down to find the ‘click’ for English translation)

上周末，气温出奇地热，约30度，是破了这几年来秋天最热的记录。

怎知，两，三天后，气温突然降到12至14度，还下大雨和刮风。

Ed说，这才算是平常的秋天天气。

可是，一个措手不及，我还是着了凉。

我想, 是那天我去上法文班淋到雨时开始的。

头痛鼻塞，呼吸不到，最受不了，什么心情思绪都没了。真讨厌！

没什么，只是很少感冒，没想到这么辛苦，要发发牢骚。

要提醒自己，下回工作时，要对着凉的病人多点爱心。

还有，去药剂行买一些帮忙通鼻和润喉的糖果时，看到一些无助的病人。

在加拿大，感冒的药物和其他商品摆在一起。

即，自己拿就可以了，药剂师不过问。

病人看着一大堆的药物，抓头也不知什么才好。随手拿算了。

我看得心惊，真想问他 – 你有高血压吗？ 有高血压的话，最好不要用这个。

真想告诉他 – 这个会有头晕的副作用，用时，最好不要开车。等等….

在澳洲，感冒药物的买卖都要经过药剂师或药剂师的助手。

主要是要帮助病人选最适合和对他们最安全的药物。

虽然，有些病人都会很不耐烦，怎么药剂师有那么多无谓的问题。

可是，小心能驶万年船。

感冒不是大病，它的药物虽大都安全，可是还是有副作用。

用得不妥当，是对身体有害的。

像在这里，病人可以随意买，虽然没澳洲那样啰哩啰嗦，可是看得我很担心…

没办法，我这个着凉了的澳洲药剂师还有一病 – 职业病。

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This is how we date 我俩是这样谈恋爱的

和Ed在一起已有三年多了。

除了他在澳洲工作的十个月时间，我俩都是一个在北 （美加）, 一个在南 （澳洲）。

前一，两年，我俩通常是电话联络。

最近一年，我们开始用另一个方式‘谈恋爱’- Skype。

诚心感激先进的科技，让我俩的感情可以维系 😉

当然，没有彼此的信任，了解和要在一起的决心，再先进的科技也帮不到我们。

现在，我只希望我俩能像平常的情侣一般，可以一起吃饭看戏，不只是对着电脑说笑。

(photo taken by Ed in Canada, while I am in Malaysia)

Ed and I have been going out for more than three years. Apart from his ten months work in Australia, most of the times, we are thousands of miles apart – he is in USA or Canada, and I am in Australia.

For the first couple of years, we communicated through phone calls. In the recent a year or two, we started to ‘date’ through Skype 😉 Thanks to the modern technology that helps us two to keep our long distance relationship. Of course, without each other’s trust, understanding and determination to be together, no advanced technology can help in any way.

What I really wish now is most couples already have – just to be able to spend times together, rather than ‘talking’ to and ‘laughing’ with the ‘computer’ most of the times.

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‘Pasar’ Life

(Dear English readers, please scroll down to find the ‘click’ for English translation.)

巴刹 (pasar) 是个马来词，意为市场。马来西亚华人也通用此词在日常对话。

巴刹对马来西亚人来说可是生活中不可欠缺的一部分。当然，在许多庞大购物中心林立后，巴刹可能已不是大多数人的最爱。可是，我家还是保持着对巴刹的偏爱, 我家还是巴刹的忠实支持者 🙂

巴刹有两种- 一为早市(pasar pagi)，另为夜市 (pasar malam)。通常，早市每天都有，一大早至中午。夜市则只一星期一次。马路会被封锁来给巴刹小贩摆档摊。

我家一早醒来，就会到巴刹吃早餐。家里的新鲜肉菜都是从巴刹采购。虽然未必符合先进国的卫生标准，可我们已习惯了，也很少有食物中毒之事。

晚上，工作后则会到晚市巴刹逛逛解压。吃小食，买便宜货，捡些盗版电影等，不亦乐乎。虽然，我家附近的夜市巴刹一星期只一次。在其他的夜晚，我们有时会跑到邻近花园的巴刹逛。

在澳洲住了那么多年，我对巴刹仍未‘忘情’，尤其是夜市巴刹。可能是我太爱它的小食了。我不管吃相如何不雅，我还是忍不住，一边逛一边吃 😉 其实也没什么大不了，反正很多人也如是。

通常我不爱拥挤的人群，也不会想买什么，可却爱逛。因为吵杂的叫买声，讨价还价的声浪，小食的香味，耀眼的灯光，让我感觉到勃跃的生命力。

所以，我很喜欢墨尔本在夏季举办的街头节庆 （street festival) 或夜市场。在马，就如每星期都有，可唯一不同的是没有拉阔音乐，可算美中不足吧。

Ed说，多伦多在夏季也有许多街头节庆, 让我好期待！

我妈妈买肉 My mother is buying some fresh meats.

顾客等待着他们的炒面。Customers are waiting for their fried noodles takeaway.

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3 Questions

（Dear English readers, please scroll down to find the click for English translation ) 最近飞得频密。每到一个城市，与朋友见面喝茶时，朋友都会问以下三个问题 ：

1. 你这次从哪里来？
2. 你将去哪里?
3. 你这次来此是为什么？

我的答案通常如下：

1. 加拿大，马来西亚或澳洲
2. 如上
3. 见家人，见男友，工作，为学业或转机

我飞得有点累了。开始期望比较有规律的生活。

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小康之家 Family Reunion

（Dear English readers, please scroll down to find the click for English translation )

我回马已有几天。弟弟比我早几天回马。

我从澳洲回，他从中国回。

我是在将往加拿大开始新生活的当儿，回马和家人聚一聚。 弟则是刚从中国学中医毕业回来。在过去弟弟留学 的两年期间，我俩没在马碰到面。现在，难得一家团聚。

我还有一个妹妹， 正在家附近的学院念电子学。她最近有了个男朋友- 人乖巧，对她还蛮好的。弟弟也有个女朋友，也是人乖巧，对他蛮好。我和Ed 在一起也很开心。 家里多了几个成员，多了两个中医，我想爸妈最高兴。

今天想到这里，我突然有感而发， 幸福感油然而起。庆幸我的家是个快乐又平凡的小康之家。

我家经过艰苦的经济风暴，多谢爸妈努力经营，现在三餐温饱，我们有升学的机会。我家也曾经历过痛失我另一个弟弟的悲伤， 现在家人因此更珍惜彼此。虽然，家里仍有我们的烦恼，可难得一家人健康和和睦相处。

Ed 常说我怎么常常有数不完的梦想，而他只是想过平凡简单的生活。今天，我才发现， 原来我也是个爱平凡简单生活的人。

原来，快乐真的可以很简单。

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Going home or Leaving Home Series 离家.回家：（3）人物介绍 The Cast

很久没写这个系列了，今天 让我介绍介绍短片中的人物。（以下的介绍只是他们当时的情况，自此他们的生活已有了很多改变, 有一些已移居到其他城市或国家。）

I have not written a post for this series for a while, let me introduce the cast in this doco today. （The intro below was their lives then， there are many changes since then, some of them already moved to another city or country).

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两个旅行箱的日子 (1) Life with two suitcases (1)

四个多月前， 我从澳洲寄出了我所有的“财产” – 共七箱的物品。

内有我心爱的书本，衣服，用品，照片，纪念品等等。

还有妈妈千吩咐万吩咐一定不可丢了的烹饪用具。

我只带了两个旅行箱去多伦多生活。

船运公司说， 那些物品三个月会到。

我在这里已等到颈都长了，冬天过了，花儿就盛开了….

我也就快要回澳洲了，它们还没来。

打电话询问时，总是有种种原因。

这四个多月来，我就只有重要的文件， 几件随身的衣物， 和一些中医课本。

虽买了一些冬天的衣鞋，可是现在是春天，已不适用了。

我看，那七个箱子可能要在我回澳后才到多伦多吧。

虽很想念那些我很爱的东西，同时，我也开始了解到 –

原来， 生活可以这么简单 –

只两个旅行箱就够用了…..

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