回德州一年了
“Home is Where the Heart is.” – Elvis Presley
“家，心之所在。”
Exactly one year ago, during the time of chaos around the world, we moved from Taiwan to Austin. A giant step for my family and me, we left the people we love and everything that we were familiar with and stepped into the unknown. Well, for me probably a bit easier, because I am just picking up whatever I left behind 20 years ago and continuing with it. But, for my family there is a whole new adventure ahead of us!!
就在一年前全世界陷入了混沌，我們從台灣搬來到Austin。這對我們一家人可是跨出了一大步，我們離開了我們所愛的人們，熟悉的一切，踏上了未知。或許對我來說容易了一些，因為我只需要再重新拾起我二十年前拋下的一切，再繼續下去。但是對我的家人而言，未來是一場全新的冒險旅程。
After one year, the kids’ English improved dramatically, and they all met many friends in school. Because of them, I met some great parents, and some became good friends. And yes, I do miss my people back in Taiwan. Especially the ones who are close to my family and me during the very last year before we left. Those are the family I know I will cherish forever.
在一年之後，孩子們英文進步了許多，在學校認識了許多朋友。我們也因為他們，認識了許多很棒的家長，有一些也成為了好友。沒錯，我還是會想念台灣的人們。尤其是在台灣最後那一年與我們一家有緊密接觸的朋友們，那些是我會珍惜一輩子的家人。
Ever since my young adulthood, after I left my parent’s house, I’ve been searching for where I belong. Not till I have my own child and family to realize that I am so close to home. I’ve been searching in the wrong direction. Cherish the loved ones by your side, enjoy the time with your family and friends, those simple daily life experiences are the ingredients of happiness. Home is not the house where you grew up, home is where the heart is. Home is where the love is. I was home back in Taiwan, and I am home now in Texas.
自從我成年離開父母的家後，我一直在尋找屬於我自己的地方。直到有了自己的孩子跟家庭之後才發現，其實我一直離家很近，我一直找錯方向了。珍惜身邊所愛、享受與家人及朋友在一起的時光，這些簡單的生活體驗才是快樂的配方。家不是那個你從小長大的地方，家是你心之所在，哪裡有愛就是家。我的家曾經在台灣，而現在德州，我回家了。
During this year, I only reconnected with the friends who contacted me directly. Because of the pandemic, I lost my social skills. I don’t know how to approach people anymore. Should I hug? Handshake? Or just bow to each other from a distance? I am a hugger, I hated it when I saw a friend and we had to keep our distance because of the fear of being contagious by this damn virus. But the threat is real, we can’t really ignore it. And sure, I understand the friend who left us standing outside of his lawn and waved to us like a caged animal when we showed up at his door. Everyone has different concerns and different safety precautions. So, after that, we only meet up with the one who contacts us directly and the one who is willing to meet up in person. Therefore, I only get to reconnect with a few friends from my past during this year.
這一年間，我只有跟有直接主動跟我聯絡的朋友，重新連繫彼此的關係。因為疫情的關係，我已經喪失了我社交的能力，我已經不知道怎們主動去與人溝通接觸。見面是要擁抱嗎？握手？還是保持距離互相敬禮？我是個喜歡擁抱的人，我不喜歡與朋友見面時因為害怕被病毒傳染還必須保持一定的距離。但是這個病毒的威脅是真的，我們沒有辦法漠視它。當然，我理解那個當我們去拜訪時，讓我們站在屋外隔著窗戶跟我們招手，不敢與我們接近的朋友，每個人都有不同的擔憂及不同的防範措施。所以從那個時候開始，我們只跟有主動跟我們聯絡及願意跟我們碰面的朋友見面。也因此，這一年間我只跟過去少數的老朋友重新連繫。
I’ve been back with my family for one year already, and it’s been more than 2 years since the COVID hits globally. I think we all need to get back to our normal. Including the way, we interact with each other. I need to think of a way to reconnect with my old friends and meet new ones. Not just wave at each other and say hi, we all need a deeper connection to each other, to our friends, families, neighbors, and even a stranger on a street.
如今我們已經回來一年了，疫情蔓延全球也超過了兩年的時間。我想我們都必須回歸正常，包括我們人與人之間互動的方式。我需要想個方法來與我的老朋友重新連繫感情及認識周遭的新朋友。不只是互相招手問好而已，而是更深入的互相理解與連結，面對我們朋友、家人、鄰居、甚至路上的陌生人。
