My part time job 短期工作-教兒童美語

I decided to find a part time job here because I am going to stay for a while. Actually, I don't know how long am I going to stay. It all depends on my father's condition.

I didn't want to make a lot of money, just want to make some money so that I don't have to ask mom for money while Ian and I stay there. So I modified my old resume and posted on line. Then I got a phone call from a english institute for a position as a children's english teacher. I went for the interview and got the job right away. They pay me pretty well and the hour is great. I only work 4 nights a week and 2 hours each night. It was great! I can have time to be with my family and Ian and also have time to make some money.

Before this trip, I was very concerned. I don't know if this is a right decision. I know both Pat and mom will suffer for the financial cause because of me. But I really want to bring Ian home to see my dad. I prayed and prayed and found no way for it. I don't know how can things work out. But I still felt this is the right thing to do at this time.

But one week after I got back, Pat got some extra income and I found the job later on. These helped me to know I made the right decision to come home. I know when I have faith, everything will work out.

因為這次要回來一段不短的時間，所以決定去找個短期工作，不是要去賺很多錢，只是要減少媽媽的負擔，至少賺賺我和奕凱的生活費和零用錢，所以不用一直向媽媽伸手要錢。

於是，我上了104，把我的檔案叫出來，再修改一下，便把我的履歷打開供各家公司可瀏覽，沒想到，隔2天就接到一個幼稚園的電話，要找美語老師，請我去面談。

當然，這份工作談成功了，pay也不錯，時間也不多，只有一到四的晚上，每晚2小時。所以我有足夠的時間陪著奕凱和家人，也有時間去賺賺錢。

其實，我一直很不確定我這一次回來是不是正確的決定，因為，不管是台灣這邊的家人或是美國那邊的家人，都給他們很大的經濟負擔。

我很想回來，也知道要回來，可是就是不知道事情要怎麼work out，真的很擔心。但是，在回來前的1星期後，小藍先生也多了一些收入，而我後來也找到工作了，所以經濟方面的問題就解決了。我知道我的選擇是正確的，我知道當我去做對的事情時，天父會準備一條道路，給我祝福。

Ian's my dad's favorite person in the whole world奕凱是阿公的最愛

My dad is a very serious person.

Since I'm young, all my friends were scare of my dad because he looked mean. Dad didn't smile or laugh much.

Don't mention after he found out he got cancer. The day we came home, Daddy had a smile that hasn't shown on his face for years. Everyday he smiles when he sees Ian, when he plays with Ian. Ian brings such joy into his life now.

I'm glad that I brought Ian home. So my parents have a chance to be with their favorite grandson-the other grandson.


我老爸一直是個嚴肅的人，因為他的臉很兇，所以，我小的時候其實很怕他！後來才漸漸了解，他是個面惡心善的人。更正確的來說，他是隻紙老虎，老是咆哮的很大聲，可是心卻軟的可以，也從來不會打人。

自從爸爸生病後，他臉上的笑容就更少了。自從我和奕凱回來後，爸爸才又重現他久違的笑容，尤其是看到奕凱時還有看著奕凱玩，和奕凱說話時更是笑容不斷，所以現在奕凱是阿公的最愛囉！希望奕凱也能幫助阿公心情瑜悅，病情也能有所改善。

Ian's Jetleg Problem!!可憐的凱凱找不到床睡---時差真累人

Before the trip, there are 2 things that I worried the most. First is how's Ian going to act on the flight during the 13 hours flight. Second is jet leg problem. How is he going to adjust the time difference.

Ian did pretty well on the plane. But he had a had time adjusting the time difference. Ian is used to sleep in his crib at home. But there is no crib in my mom's house.So Ian slept with me at my bed. He did not like that at all ! Ian had a hard time to go to bed because he can't find his "bed". So the fist night, he went to bed at 7:30pm, got up at 3:30 AM and cried. Second and third night, he went to bed at 8:30 and got up at 4:30am. He tossed and turned every night and whinged a lot. This is terrible.This is not him.

Finally, I asked my mom if she is able to borrow a crib. I think Ian will sleep better in a crib. Just as I expected, since we got the crib, Ian slept as well as before. But it was a long week before everything become normal. After 2 weeks, Ian goes to bed at 9:00 and gets up at 6:30-7:00 now. So he is back to his routine now. Finally.

其實，在準備回台時，我最擔心的問題除了長途飛行之外，另外就是時差和睡覺問題了。之前在調夏令時間時，才1個小時的時差，他就要一星期才適應，這次可是有著14個小時的時差呢！真擔心奕凱的反應啊！

之前，忘了跟媽媽說請他幫奕凱借一張嬰兒床，因為奕凱睡嬰兒床習慣了，他喜歡在他的床上摩摩蹭蹭的，咬咬小被被，翻來翻去的才會睡著。在家時，他從來沒有在他的小床外睡著過(婆婆家除外，因為婆婆押著他一起睡)，所以我也不知道他到底能不能不用嬰兒床睡覺。

果然，我擔心的事當天就發生了！

當晚要睡覺時，我押著奕凱在地上媽媽舖好的墊上睡，結果他哭鬧不休，後來還是我抱著唱歌哄了半個多小時才睡，而我也不支倒地了！後來奕凱還陸陸續續的半夜哭醒2-3次，最後，竟然在凌晨3:30起床！接下來2-3天也是同樣的情形，只不過起床的時間從3:30變成4:30AM。我跟媽媽都累死了，而且奕凱變的很愛哭，很黏人。

我看情形不對，問媽媽可不可以藉一輛嬰兒床來， 因為奕凱會"認床"，不是認他的床，而是要有"床"可以睡。自從媽媽借回那輛嬰兒床之後，一切都天下太平了！奕凱不再愛哭哭，也不再那麼黏我，雖然時差還沒完全調過來，依然是很早起床，但是每天有晚一點點，而且晚上也不再哭醒了，太好了！All is well一切好！

Terrible trip but wonderful people 飛到地球的另一端

On the way to Taiwan from L.A., we had 6hrs lay over there. From 7:30pm to 1:40am, we have to wonder inside of L.A. airport with all our suitcases. Because we are not able to check in until 2 hrs before your flight leaves. So I carried Ian and my huge carry-on bag and 2 suitcases and walked 30 minutes to go to the international terminal. It's a long way for us. Then I can't find the airline's counter. Because they haven't open their counter yet!!!

I couldn't do anything that time. So I decided to go to food court to get something to eat. It took me the other 15 minutes to find a table for us. While I was struggling how to carry Ian and my food to the table, an old couple who sit on the same table came over and help me carried all my food back to the table for me.

Then I met 2 girls from Taiwan who are going to take the same flight with me, They are my big helper. They took care of Ian when I went to restroom, took care of my suitcases while we needed, and carried our suitcases everywhere until we checked in. And they are with us the whole time in this trip. I'm very grateful for all their help.

Ian was very good on the trip--almost. He didn't sleep well at all. He only fall asleep for about 4 hours during the whole trip(about 13 hrs). But not 4 hrs in a row. He fell asleep in 4 different times. And 1 hr at the time. And I only slept anout 3 hrs total in this trip.

I was worried about Ian can't sleep well on the plane. And it's really a nightmare. Poor Ian. He was so tired!!! But he can't fall asleep on the plane. I tried to calm him down through the trip. He was pretty good about that. He didn't cry much. He played and ate well. Just didn't want to go to sleep.

We were so exhausted when we finally landed. Hopefully that's all the hastle in the trip.

奕凱的第一次長途旅行竟然是搭飛機回台灣！！

在回台灣前，我上網去查了很多資料，因為我很擔心奕凱會如何度過這24小時的旅行時間。我們的行程是從El Paso搭機到L.A.要2個小時，在L.A.6個小時等轉機，再搭14個小時的飛機回台灣。因為這次小藍先生並沒有陪我們回去，而且這是我第一次帶奕凱回家， 奕凱根本沒有長途旅行過，也沒撘過飛機，更不要說要搭十幾個小時的飛機了，所以我很擔心我要怎麼幫奕凱度過這段時間，要帶什麼東西....等等的問題。幸好，拜方便的網路所賜，找到許多人的分享。我也盡我所能的準備要帶的東西。

我要帶回台灣的東西不多，大多都是奕凱的東西，只有一大箱和一小箱，但是裡面一半的東西回來就會用完，所以基本上，只有不到一箱的行李，因為我媽一直叫我不要帶太多東西，可以在台灣買的就回來再買，我只有穿一套帶一套衣服，和身上穿的一雙鞋子而已。雖然不多，但是重點是----我在L.A.有6個小時的候機時間，但是，要再上機前的2個小十才能CHECK IN，所以等於我要帶著奕凱，推著我一大一小的行李箱，在機場等候。Oh, My gosh! 我完全不知道該怎麼辦！

艱苦的旅程在L.A.才真正開始了，首先，我背著奕凱，推著我一大一小的行李箱，走了30分鐘到國際航廈去，接著在裡面走來走去，找了3遍，才知道馬來西亞航空的櫃檯要到起飛前3個小時才開(難怪我都找不到)，所以決定去吃晚餐，到了二樓，等了大概20分鐘才有位置坐下，去點餐時，還好跟我同桌的老先生幫我端餐回來，不然也不知道要怎麼拿呢！

但是，最幸運的是---我們碰到2個台灣女生，她們是我們這一路上最大的幫手！

在L.A.候機時，在我們旁桌的2個女生是台灣來遊學的，因為奕凱要換尿布，所以我請他們幫我看著行李，她們超高興的，因為想跟奕凱玩。就這樣，這2個可愛的女生就幫我們一路到底。她們幫我們推行李，幫我照顧奕凱，跟他玩，一直到上機為止(因為我們坐在不同區)，真的非常感謝她們。

也很感謝馬航的空少空姐，她們也都一路幫我照顧奕凱。我很喜歡馬航的服務態度，非常好。值得一提的是在美國的機場，他們會讓帶小孩的家庭和行動不變的人優先上機，所以我們可以不用跟一大堆人一起排隊，慢慢擠上去，非常有人性。總之，感謝一路上所有人的幫忙，我們才能夠安全抵達。雖然奕凱和媽咪都沒怎麼睡，總共只睡了4小時，還分成4次睡，所以到達台灣時，媽媽說我們怎麼看起來那麼憔悴。不過，一切的辛苦在看到我親愛的家人後也都值得了！

Leaving on a Jetplane

Because of my father's illness, my mother asked if I would be able to bring Ian home to stay for a while. I counselled with Pat about this. Although it will be hard for him, he agreed that we could go home to Taiwan. I feel very bad to leave hime at home alone, but knowing this is what I need to do at this moment for my parents.

Ian hasn't had the chance to meet my parents yet. And he is their only grandchild. My parents can't wait to see him. Mother even called me couples days ago telling me that she dreamed that we are already home.

One thing worries me a lot is I don't know how is Ian going to act during the trip. He never had a long trip yet. And it will take 2 hrs to go to L.A. and the other 13 hrs to go to Taiwan from L.A.. I tried to prepare everything that he will need in my backpack. Hoping those will comfort him during the trip. But..... We should see.

奕凱不理爸爸媽媽

7/28凌晨，因為小藍先生一整晚都翻來覆去的，我終於爬起來問他：
" 你還好嗎？"

" 不好，我下腹痛，痛到睡不著！" 小藍先生回道。
於是我們打電話給我婆婆，看看她知不知道該怎麼辦。
那時，是凌晨3點半。

婆婆三更半夜被我們挖起來，所以，根本沒聽清楚我們在說什麼，整個根本是雞同鴨講，所以沒幫助。我們決定繼續睡覺，明天一大早就去看醫生。

隔天，當我問小藍先生什麼時後要去醫院，他說：
" 現在不痛了，所以沒關係啦！"

但是，在接下來的2小時裏，他又開始覺得疼痛，並且每當要起身時都很痛苦。因此，我下的最後通牒，給他2個選擇，看看是現在馬上去看醫生，或是下午我去上班時去看。他決定馬上就去。剛好我也要去上班了，所以便請婆婆來我們家幫我們照顧奕凱。

下午，在上班時突然接到小藍先生的來電。
" Caroline,你現在趕快回來，我在醫院。"

晴天一個大霹靂！在醫院做什麼？

" 我盲腸炎要開刀，手術排在4:30，妳趕快過來！"

我嚇了一跳，馬上跑去跟經理說我要早退。

我甚至沒時間回家換衣服，匆匆忙忙的就到醫院去了。雖然不是什麼大手術，也是要在醫院過夜的。所以奕凱便讓婆婆照顧了一天一夜。其中，我回了一趟家去換衣服和帶一些需要的東西，但是，其實是為了回去送奕凱上床睡覺。他從來沒有晚上跟我們分開過，所以不知道他會有什麼反應，爲了讓他能好好睡，所以回去一趟。

婆婆跟我說，凱凱好像感受到有是發生。因為傍晚時，他爬到門邊，一邊手捶著門一邊叫媽媽。唉唉，聽了好心疼，可憐的寶貝。

隔天，小藍先生出院回家，第一件事就是去婆婆家接奕凱。結果，不管我們怎麼叫他，他正眼都不看我們一眼。我知道他在生氣，因為他昨天晚上沒有看到我們。真的，他足足有差不多一小時不看我們，也不跟我們笑，也不跟我們玩耶！真傷心！小朋友真是敏感的很，尤其是他週遭的事，不能馬虎的！

基因--真是個神奇的東西

基因---真的很神奇。不但在奕凱的長相上，也在他的習慣上一一出現我和小藍先生的基因。

從奕凱一出生，我們就常常在比較到底是東方人的基因強，還是西方人的基因強。
在外表上，好像是我的東方人的基因佔了優勢，但是一一細數的話，真的很難說。我覺得奕凱像小藍先生多一點。

在外表上，奕凱雖然看起來像東方人，可是其實祇有顏色像而已。他的額頭，嘴唇，下巴，都比較像小藍先生，只有鼻子像我。至於眼睛，不知道像誰，因為他的眼睛很大，我媽說他的眼睛好像"牛眼" ，到底像誰啊？我們兩個的眼睛都不大啊！

奕凱的手和手指和指甲的形狀像我，可是他有一雙像小藍先生的大腳丫和長長的腳趾，婆婆說奕凱的腳趾好像手指頭， 因為他們可以捲屈起來，好像我們在彎曲手指一樣。

說到習慣囉！長相是可以繼承的 ，可是習慣呢？我想也是的。
奕凱睡覺時喜歡把兩手往上抬，放在頭旁邊，那是我的習慣。我只要是仰躺著睡，我的手就是往上抬，放在頭的兩邊。看看下面的照片。


奕凱3星期大

奕凱3個月大

奕凱額頭皮膚可以往上移動，像小藍先生。奕凱個性溫和，也像小藍先生。但是最重要的一點是-----奕凱喜歡咬被被！奕凱從出生以來就喜歡被被，當他還是1,2個月大時，只要用被被包著他，他就開始昏昏欲睡。再來到大一點時，睡覺時就開始咬被被了，而且沒有他的被被就睡不著！這個怪孩子到底從哪裏遺傳來這個習慣呢！哈哈哈，原來小藍先生也是這樣的。真是有趣且神奇的遺傳基因。

Bedtime Routine 睡前儀式

奕凱在2個月大時就被我訓練可以睡過夜了，因為我要回去上班的緣故。但是在他3個多月的時候，突然的，每天晚上放他進他的小床去睡時，他嚎啕大哭，怎麼哄都哄不停，常常要抱他起來，搖他個30-45分鐘才終於不支倒地。這種情況持續了1個月左右。

後來，我和一個朋友在聊天，她有個大奕凱1個多月的小女生，她也有同樣的問題，有人給她一個建議，這解決了她的寶寶睡前哭鬧的問題，所以她也跟我分享這個好主意---就是睡前儀式。

睡前儀式是什麼呢？就是每天在寶寶睡覺前，固定做一些事，像是唸故事書，唱唱歌，洗澡啦...等等的事，讓寶寶習慣這些儀式之後就是要睡覺了。我覺得這個建議很好，所以就採用了，我們的睡前儀式是：

1. 唸故事書 (奕凱已經有一個書櫃的書了，不一定要唸多久，看情況，有時候奕凱不累的時候，我們就唸久一點，他累的話就唸幾頁就好。)

2. 唱歌 ( 通常是教會的兒童會歌曲，我會唱個幾首，但是，選一首當成晚安歌，每天晚上用那一首歌做結束。所以當他聽到那首歌時，也知道要睡覺了。)

3. 祈禱

自從我們開始用睡前儀式之後，奕凱就沒有哭鬧的情形了，真的很神奇為何睡前儀式行的通，嘿！反正行的通就行囉！到現在奕凱8個多月的，依然每晚做睡前儀式喔！

超不對盤的爺爺

凱凱是個很乖的小孩，也不太怕生，幾乎所有人都可以抱他--幾乎--但是爺爺就是那個例外。

凱凱跟老藍先生真的是超不對盤的，不要說抱了，只要老藍先生看著他，不到3秒，他就開始扁嘴，接著就放聲大哭。屢試不爽！
老藍先生很努力的逗奕凱玩，可是他一點也不領情，哭的好像被揍的很慘一樣。

我婆婆開玩笑的說：
" 因為他的臉太凶惡了，即使是平常，也看起來像在生氣一樣。"

哈哈哈，真是形容的太妙了！真的是這樣的，老藍先生原本就是很嚴肅的人，不要說奕凱了，連我們都怕他。
而且，因為老藍先生不太常跟奕凱相處，所以當然會造成凱凱無法親近他。

看看這段影片，老藍先生和奕凱的相處。

Ian and his Uncle John

When I was pregnant, my mom told me:

" It is said that if the first born was a boy, he will look more like his mother's brother. If the first born was a girl, she will look more like her father's sister."

This is funny because it works on me. I am the first born and look more like my father's sister. So my mom was worried if my baby looks like my brother-John.

" What's wrong with John? He is a handsome young man." I said.

When Ian was born, he looked like me--actually he looked exactly like John. When I saw him for the first time, I saw Jonn in him. As he grows older, he looks more like his daddy now. But there is one face that never change-- his #1 face--still looks like John. Because John has the same face even now. I love to see his # 1 face. It always makes me smile. He looks so cute with that face,too.

我懷孕時，媽媽跟我說：

" 人家說第一個孩子如果是女生，會長的像姑姑，如果是男生，會長的像舅舅！"

那時媽媽還擔心凱凱長的像我弟弟--冠捷，我說：

" 那有什麼不好，冠捷長的濃眉大眼的，很男生阿！"

結果，果然印證媽媽說的是事實！

凱凱越大越多人說他長得像爸爸，但是，他剛出生時，長得完全像我，正確的說，是像我弟弟---冠捷。我第一眼看到奕凱時，就覺得他很像冠捷，但是隨著他越長越大，也就漸漸的變了，雖然現在長得不太像舅舅，但是，奕凱有一種表情，一直沒變，而那也是他最像舅舅的表情----呆呆臉，一臉呆呆的樣子，最像冠捷了，如果我有冠捷的呆呆臉照片的話，我一定會PO上來，現在先看看奕凱的照片吧！上面那張是最經典的呆呆臉照片，每次看都會引我發出會心的一笑！

It's Summer Time! Go swimming!

Summer is earlier this year. It is really hot at the end of May. My goodness! It still has several months until the summer is over. What are we going to do? We decided to take Ian to go swimming!

This is Ian's first swimming experience. We don't know how is he going to react. But according to his bath experience, we think he is going to like it.

As we thought, Ian loves to swim. Just like the fish in the water. He is so excited to be in the water. SPLASH~SPLASH~SPLASH~

今年夏天很早就來臨了，5月底就好熱了，真不知道我們是怎麼度過每年的夏天，還好這裡是乾熱，所以不會覺得全身黏搭搭的，但是每次被太陽照到，皮膚都好像要燒起來一樣，唉，還有好幾個月要過呢！

所以我們決定帶著奕凱去游泳。這是奕凱第一次去游泳，所以不知道他的反應會是如何，不過，依照他那麼喜歡洗澡的經驗來看，他應該也會喜歡游泳吧！

果然沒錯，他阿，如魚得水呢！興奮的不得了，用力的拍水，玩到整個臉都是水，還不太想離開了呢！跟大家分享照片！

Like father like son有其父必有其子

Recently, Ian discovered a new toy--his daddy's keyboard.

Whenever Pat hold Ian to sit in front of his computer, his hands can't help but getting on the keyboard and started typing. He didn't like anything else but the keyboard. Look at the picture. He is very serious! It looked like he is very concentrating on that. He really is his daddy's boy! I won't be surprise if he like to play computer just like his daddy does.

最近，奕凱有了新的玩具---爸比的鍵盤。

每當小藍先生抱著奕凱坐在電腦桌前，凱凱的小手就會很興奮的抓住鍵盤，開始打鍵盤，他不喜歡玩其他的的東西喔，只有鍵盤，看起來還挺像一回事的。果然是有其父必有其子，以後應該會跟爸比一樣愛玩電腦吧！

Da Da在哪裡？

今天，抱奕凱去午睡前，我跟他說：

" 凱凱乖乖去午睡喔！等你午睡起來，爸比就回來了，你再跟爸比玩喔！"

結果-----奕凱午睡起來後，我進去他房間，我問他：

" 你睡的好嗎？凱凱？"

他的回答是
" DaDaDa(那是爸比的意思)???" (他在問他的爸比在哪裏，媽咪不是說等我睡醒爸比就會在家嗎？)

哇！哇！他真的有在聽我說話耶！雖然我一直知道嬰兒廳的懂大人說的話，也一直堅信跟嬰兒用大人的方式說話，但是這是第一次奕凱給我這麼直接的回應呢！告訴我媽咪的教育方法是對的喔！

Bumbo Chair!

We bought the Bumbo chair for Ian when he was about 5 month old. It is great! Ian loves his Bumbo chair. It can help support him to sit up.

When we first got it, it's a little too tight for Ian. His legs got stucked in the hole. It was really funny to see that. Furtunately, as Ian grows, his leg beccame skinnier. It's a wonderful substitute for high chair. We didn't have a high chair for Ian. We have the bumbo and the booster chair for his meal time. And they work great!

Bumbo Chair 是我們2個月前買給奕凱的，它的材質是優質無毒軟膠，Bumbo 之所以大受歡迎，皆因其好處比其他嬰兒座椅，如嬰兒高椅好得多，不佔空間輕便可攜性高。Bumbo可於任何地方使用，放在汽車後座或在嬰兒手推車的存放空格行李箱裡，出門就隨時幫寶寶帶了椅子。戲水、用餐、踏青等，以便於戶外任何平面地方使用；其座椅由軟性材料製造，質輕、無毒，持久耐用，而且還容易清理。Bumbo 的椅背能保持嬰孩的坐姿舒適挺直，還有以嬰孩自己重量來收窄其腿上空間的設計，可輕柔地把嬰孩維持在適當的姿勢。Bumbo 最常用於嬰孩餵哺時間，或是平時讓寶寶坐下觀看其他孩子遊戲的時候。

奕凱很喜歡坐在Bumbo上，但是他的大腿有點小粗，所以會卡住，所以不能坐太久，最近我們還買了Bumbo專用的餐盤，讓他可以坐在Bumbo上吃食物泥和米糊，就不用買high chair餐椅了，很好用喔！

I love my feet!

I don't know if every baby has the same habbit as Ian. But Ian loves to eat his feet.

Really, really loves them. He alsways puts his feet into his mouth and sucks on the toe. Just like sucking his binky. I laughed so hard when I saw him do that the first time. It's really funny! Such a wierd baby he is.

我不知道是所有的baby都有這個習慣，還是這是奕凱特有的嗜好----奕凱喜歡吃他的腳腳，很喜歡，很喜歡，沒事就好像作餘家一樣把腳腳拉到嘴巴，津津有味的吸吮起來，第一次看到時笑死我啦！怎麼有這麼奇怪的小baby，愛吃腳腳，好像把腳當成奶嘴一樣呢！