il Giardino Romantico

 

This is my first weekend in Liverpool, and what better way to spend it, then heading down to the local pub and drink beer while watching the most exciting game of the week!

這是我在利物浦的第一個週末。很幸運地，這週末對利物浦來說是非常緊張地呢！因為Everton 和  LFC 都是利物浦的球隊呢！還有什麼比跟朋友去pub喝啤酒看球賽還要更『入境隨俗』的呢！

*The following article is in Chinese, because I know you wouldn't be interested.

此時此刻，整個利物浦陷入緊張、刺激的狀態。因為現在利物浦的兩隻球隊Liverpool FC 與 Everton正展開一場激烈的球賽！台灣的球迷們，如果找不到網路轉撥，大概就會錯過這場精彩的球賽了吧！？

別擔心！看不到球賽，沒關係！這裡有好東西與你們分享！

Mind you, this is still the first day of our welcome event!  All international students were invited to a free dinner at the Adelphi Hotel, which is only about a 10min walk from where I live.  It was a nice opportunity to dine in a HOTEL, and socialize with new friends.

As we were walking towards the hotel, I was surrounded by people from the Mainland.  You know, folks, I spend five years working my arse off, and flying over so many countries, I wasn't going to spend the whole time here speaking Mandarin.  No offence to nice folks from across the strait here, but I hope you understand what I mean.

I couldn't get away from them walking faster than they were, so I decided to slow down.  And just as I slowed down my paces, who did I happen to see but my buddy from the same coach ride the day before - Mamo from Japan, with his new American friend, Sam.  I was overjoyed to see them, so I stuck myself to them...

At the entrance, already, you feel the Liverpudlian's passion for soccer football:

As part of the International Students Welcome Event, the Guild and the International Support Team arranged a whole day of events.  This is one I think most of the students have enjoyed, and found helpful - a bus tour around the city!

Buildings on Abercromby Square. 

If you'll notice, the chimneys have little castle watch towers on them.  I find them very interesting.
注意煙囪的造型。很可愛吧！

Looks fancy, doesn't it?


Looks can be deceiving...


Hopefully, I'll be doing a lot of cookin' here....

Victoria Building

Dear family and friends.
I've now made it to Liverpool for two days.  The people here are extremely friendly and easy-going.  I managed to get over the jetlag by sleeping from 5pm to 11pm, then from 1am to 7am.  The day following my arrival, I attended the Welcome Event put together by the Student Guild here.  It was a long day, but fun. 

Money is really confusing.  I will elaborate on that later, when I have the chance.  For now, this is only to let you know that I am doing very well.  The food is great.  The people are nice.  The only trouble I'm having now, is the weather.  The temperature now is 12 degrees C, but these Brits are still running 'round in short-sleeves and shorts, while I'm wrapping myself up like a rice dumpling....

Ladies and gentlemen, these are the meals that you'll always remember, as the meals that made me forget TAIWAN!!! (oops....)

跟老姊、老哥、Jason說掰掰之後，發現得趕快去登機才行。可是在等安檢以及檢查護照時，我已經哭得像小北鼻喝不到奶一樣。好慘。後來直奔登機門，上了飛機，起飛時又開始掉眼淚

【以下純屬個人經驗分享】

雖然已經卸下英語老師的身分，但這幾年來的家教以及補習班、安親班教學經驗，其實收穫最多的不是我教的學生，也不是出錢贊助我出國的家長，而是我自己。這些收穫，豈是金錢能夠衡量的？現在課程全部結束，使得自己比較有時間去思考以及整理這幾年來得到的收穫。此篇文章獻給所有想為孩子們鋪一條輕鬆又有效的美語之路。雖然只是個人意見，但相信對於對美語界完全沒有概念的家長們，應該會稍微有點概念。也相信各位美語老師看到此篇文章，也很樂意分享他們的看法。

【安親美語】

以前擔任全職補習班老師的時候，只要有插班學生來做測驗，一聽到家長說孩子有在安親班學習英語，我們一定是將孩子的英語學習經驗自動歸零。這不是因為對安親美語有偏見。而是做插班測驗時會發現，孩子無論在安親班號稱學了多久，真的吸收的不多。

The Merchant of Venice
Act IV, Scene i, Lines 184~205

 


Portia: The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
           It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

這可能是我出國前的最後一篇食記。之後會去的新餐廳，大概要從英國發文了。

早在知道我的出發日時，傑利就說要一起吃飯。上禮拜傑利就有意想要約我出來，可惜碰巧我有事。之後的那個週末又遇上颱風。只好等到今天才見面。第一次見面，是在我家樓下。他與馬蘭達專程到我家樓下來送簽名。[點入看舊文]而我呢，為了回報他，就答應出席他的新書發表會。其實，要出書真的不容易。我跟傑利聊到一半才聲明我平時是不買中文書的[因為會看到頭痛...]可是朋友出書，如果不出錢買就太不夠意思了。將心比心。如果今天我出書，我也會希望大家多捧場。傑利聽了好像有感動到喔！哈～

總之，好不容易橋好時間，可惜馬蘭達不能一起來呢。不過也沒關係，因為傑利真的很愛講話。所以整個晚上都沒冷場...雖然才兩個人。