【德倫】一日為師，終身為父 Once a teacher, always a teacher. @ il Giardino Romantico

All the destinations during my 2010 trip to the UK was rewarding, but Durham was rewarding in a significantly different way. I came to Durham to visit a former teacher of mine. I say 'former teacher', but in reality, there is no such thing as 'former' teacher. Once a teacher, always a teacher. Wouldn't you agree?

這次的英國行，每個行程其實收穫都很豐富！不過來這裡的收穫是很不一樣的豐富！我是來探望以前的老師。雖然是"以前"的老師，不過『一日為師，終生為父』，老師沒有什麼現在或以前之分（對我而言）。你是否同意呢？

I really looked foward to spending some time with P (this teacher of mine). It was the first time ever in my life to have the chance to so closely observe the lifestyle of a teacher. At the time of my visit, I had a lot of questions, issues, and problems. After openly discussing with P and his wife, J, I think I can say now, that they had help me find that balance in life.

當初真的很期待能夠跟Ｐ老師一起共處。我想這是我人生中第一次這麼近距離的能夠觀察一個老師的生活模式。而且拜訪的時候，我自己在生活上也遇到一些無法解開的疑惑跟問題。藉著這次跟老師以及師母共處打開心房毫無保留的分享，現在我可以說他們在當時真的幫了我找到現在我得到的生活重心。

It was P's first class with us, and he walked in with a can of beer. That certainly made a deep impression on us as sophomores. Then, he started the course by telling us how much he didn't want to teach the course. As it turned out, his method, from my point of view, had been the most effective. He didn't give me very high grades, to be honest. But what kind of reason would it be for one to like a teacher for giving high scores? I felt that I had really learned a lot from him. Ever since that incident with the beer, for the rest of my time during undergrad, I took every single course he taught in the department.

上Ｐ老師的第一堂課時，他老大帶了一瓶台啤進教室。這舉動當然就已經足以造成我們大家對他印象深刻。接著他開始邊喝邊抱怨他有多麼不想上這門課。但時間一過，他的獨特上課風格卻在我眼中成為最有效的教學方式。不過他卻未曾給我很漂亮的成績。當然，我不認為一個給你很高分成績的老師，就一定得成為你心目中永遠難忘的那位老師。而且若是因為這樣才讓你覺得他是好老師，那也有點莫名其妙。我是真的覺得從他身上學到很多！自從啤酒事件之後，他在系上開的每一堂課，我都會想盡辦法去修。

During these few days with him and his wife, we talked about the old days, present day, and the future. Sometimes he would become laconic and the room would be filled with silence. But then the next minute, he'd start telling me a funny story. Then, we'll chuckle together.

在這陪伴他與師母短暫的幾天，我們談了過去，現在，也談了未來。有時候他會沉默不語。整個氣氛變得很沉靜。但下一秒他又會開始敘述好笑有趣的故事。我們師生兩就笑在一團。

I loved watching how P and J interacted. How they would so subtly exhibit their deep love and respect for each other, without giving others goosebumps. There was an instance when they were both busy in the kitchen, while I sat and sipped my premeal sherry in the living room, when I thought - P was the kind of man I wish my future husband would be like!

看著Ｐ與師母的互動，讓我格外感動。他們很低調的表示出對彼此的愛與尊重，但不會過分甜蜜使得旁人尷尬不知所措。記得當時他們兩夫妻正在廚房忙，而我正坐在客廳喝著我的飯前酒，心裡想著：真希望我未來的老公能像Ｐ一樣！

I had originally wanted to name this piece 'Following the footsteps of a teacher', but I changed my mind. I wanted the article to depict that sense, but I don't want to give it away right at the beginning. As students, we are always following the footsteps of our teachers. Whether in our minds they are brilliant or not so brilliant, one incontrovertible fact is - you will ALWAYS! learn something from them.

原本這篇要命名為『跟隨老師的腳步』，不過我後來還是改變主意。我想要呈現這樣的感覺，可又不想再抬頭就將內容曝光。我想身為學生的我們，總是在跟隨著師長的腳步。無論在我們眼中，那位老師是好的或沒那麼好的，無疑的是，只要是老師，你就可以從他身上學到東西！