騎腳踏車的日子 The Days of Cycling
可能因為地形平坦，而且自行車專用道普及。騎單車完全不是一件令人困擾的事情。我很喜歡在天氣微涼的時候騎單車，也喜歡在冬天早晨刻意的騎快車以此讓身體暖和起來。我很喜歡騎著小綠（我的單車）迎風騎乘的感覺。有的時候就這樣騎車去看馬，去河邊看牛或看羊。可惜的是，小綠沒能挺過一年的風雨，在我剛度假完回荷蘭的不久後就因為鏈條壞掉報廢了！
Perhaps due to the flat terrain and widespread bike lanes, cycling here is far from being a hassle. I thoroughly enjoy biking when the weather is pleasantly cool and intentionally ride faster in the winter mornings to warm up my body. Riding my bike, affectionately named “Little Green,” with the wind in my face is an exhilarating feeling. Sometimes, I pedal to see horses, cows, or sheep by the riverside. Watching them graze while I, in a way, ruminate over my thoughts, is a contemplative experience.
Unfortunately, Little Green didn’t make it past the first year’s challenges. Shortly after my return from vacation to the Netherlands, it succumbed to a worn-out chain and had to be retired!
想要戒除手機成癮的日子 Days of Trying to Overcome Phone Addiction
「我覺得你這樣很不禮貌。」
常常參與聚餐或是社交活動。雖然是個超級外相的人但是我其實很怕遇上找不到話題時的微尷尬場面。忍不住的我都會默默的把手機拿出來然後稍有負罪感的偷滑個兩三下。雖然自己在台灣遇上這種社交場合時，把手機拿出來使用好像沒什麼關係，與親近的朋友之間更是可以毫無保留的突然拿起手機大滑特滑。與歐洲友人聊天的時候才發現，這樣的舉動顯得有點不禮貌。好像談話被中斷，或是玩手機那方呈現了一種婉拒談話的氛圍。較親近的歐洲朋友也曾多次問起為什麼亞洲人都喜歡一直捧著手機？我其實沒有一個正確答案，但是對於我而言，這種場合的社交其實帶著些許壓力，尤其在文化背景不同且感受不到對方想要尋找共同話題時，其實內心多少覺得有些心灰意冷，或許就是為什麼我想逃避的原因吧。
話雖如此，我手機螢幕使用時間超過五個小時。多數歐洲友人的使用時間約莫於一到兩個小時之間。
“I find it quite impolite of you.”
In the early days, I often joined gatherings or social activities. Despite appearing outgoing, I’m actually afraid of those awkward moments when I can’t find a topic to discuss. Unable to resist, I would discreetly take out my phone and scroll a couple of times with a hint of guilt. While in Taiwan, using your phone in such social situations might seem acceptable, even with close friends, it’s a different story. Talking with foreign friends made me realize that such actions can be considered impolite. It seems like the conversation is interrupted, or using the phone creates an atmosphere of avoiding interaction. Close European friends have asked why Asians always have their phones in hand. I don’t have a definite answer, but for me, socializing in such situations brings some pressure, especially when cultural backgrounds differ, and it’s challenging to find common ground. Perhaps that’s why I tend to seek an escape.
That said, my screen time exceeds five hours, while most foreign friends spend around one to two hours.
自己做菜的日子 Days of Cooking My Own Meals
留學生活中，下課之後會先進行一段逛超市的舒壓時間然後火急火燎的回家張羅晚餐。製作晚餐加上吃晚餐至少會花上兩個小時。等不及一邊煮菜一邊吃的情況也時常發生。自己做菜的日子變多了以後，也常回想起媽媽做菜時候的背影，好像不曾看到媽做菜做到一半忍不住就開始吃飯的畫面。除此之外，現在對於媽可以在短短的時間內操辦一桌好菜的能力深感佩服。
典型的荷蘭午餐通常是兩片麵包夾上一片起司有時再配上一大勺的無糖花生醬。雖然這樣簡單的午餐不僅非常方便而且經濟實惠，但生冷的食物通常不符合我對午餐的要求。因此晚餐過後的夜晚直至午夜經常是在製作隔天的午餐或是運動時間。為了節省時間，我開始習慣製作一系列的小菜，小黃瓜紅蘿蔔茄子或是菠菜都是常出現的食材。
In the student life abroad, after class, I’d unwind by strolling through the supermarket before rushing home to prepare dinner. Cooking, along with eating, takes at least two hours. There are times when I can’t wait and end up eating while cooking. As I find myself cooking more, I often recall the image of my mom, never seen pausing her cooking to eat. Besides, I now deeply admire my mom’s ability to prepare a feast in such a short time.
Typical Dutch lunches usually involve two slices of bread with cheese, sometimes accompanied by a generous spoonful of unsweetened peanut butter. While this simple lunch is convenient and economical, cold food doesn’t quite meet my lunch preferences. So, the evening after dinner until midnight is often spent preparing the next day’s lunch or exercising. To save time, I’ve developed a habit of making a variety of side dishes, with cucumbers, carrots, eggplants, or spinach being common ingredients.
精打細算的日子 Days of Budgeting Carefully
荷蘭的超市通常每週都會有不同的品項折扣。不知不覺中養成了習慣每天查詢各家超市的特價商品，然後依照特價品設計每日菜單。再騎著腳踏車道不同超市購買所需物品。每每看到收據上省下了了20到 30歐元，溢滿的成就感也下次超市戰爭的養分。
Dutch supermarkets typically have different items on discount every week. Realizing it, I’ve developed a habit of checking daily specials at various supermarkets and designing my daily menu based on discounted items. I then ride my bike to different supermarkets to buy what I need. Each time I see a receipt showing savings of 20 to 30 euros, the overflowing sense of accomplishment becomes fuel for the next supermarket war.
都是一天一天的小日子 Everyday Life, One Day at a Time
是開墾足下的蠻荒，砸下鋤頭再緩緩鬆動土壤。一天一天的小日子對比時間洪流顯得無足輕重。一天一天的小日子對比每分每秒卻也足夠長久，足夠留下一點一點小小回憶。在國外的子裡總是不斷地頗析從而審視自己，這種自我覺察並無優劣，而是在這些異同中發現每個人是如何被形塑。
It’s like clearing the wilderness underfoot, striking the ground with a hoe and slowly loosening the soil. In the face of the relentless flow of time, the days seem insignificant. Yet, when compared to every minute and every second, each day is long enough to leave behind bits of memories. Being abroad constantly prompts self-analysis and self-examination. This self-awareness isn’t better or worse; it’s about discovering how each person is shaped amid these similarities and differences.
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