孙女的旅游日记

Jessica Chew
Travel Journal
Penang, Malaysia
18.9.10 to 3.10.10
Saturday 18.09.10
Off to Penang.
Sunday 19.09.10
We landed in Penang after midnight.We went to the Evergreen
hotel by mini bus.We stayed on level 18 which is
the highest level.We could see the sea through our window
from the 18th floor.
At lunch we ate chicken rice and drank ice tea. Next to the
restaurant there was a biscuit shop.We bought three moon
cakes in the shape of pigs.We also bought three lanterns
in the shape of a bird and a fish.
Then we went to a
temple which had a
large pagoda where
my Ah Kong
(grandfather) was
buried.We prayed
to Ah Kong.
From the top of the Pagoda
we could see views of life
in Penang showing the old
and new developments .We
could see the decorated
roof tops of temples and
where the land was cleared
and stepped out for farming
high in the mountain.
We saw turkeys and a chicken by the side of the road.
Then we went shopping with Ah Mah (grandmother), Kor
Kor(first aunty) and Sean Kor (Second aunty).
Monday 20.9.10
For breakfast we had roti chanai. Mummy had fruit with
chocolate sauce.We went to the reclining Buddha and Burmese
temple. The floor tiles show the lotus flower.We
found English Buddhist books and donated some money
by clipping it on a tree.We also found the pictures in one
of our books on the corridor leading up to this temple, the
pictures tell the life of Buddha.
Tuesday 21.9.10
We went shopping and Ah Mah bought us a tiger toy and
we had lunch at a Japanese restaurant passed food by train.
We went swimming in a pool with a fountain.
Wednesday 22.9.10
Kek Lok si temple, with the largest Goddess of mercy.We
went on a cable car to the top of 200 steps where there
were statues of the Chinese zodiac.We had ice cream and
we fed carp (a type of fish) and turtles.
At night we had the moon cake festival to celebrate the full
moon held in September. One lantern caught fire and burnt
up, so we walked very carefully with our lanterns. At the
dinner we were given two games and they were a monkey
game and Congkak (which is a very traditional game)
Thursday 23.9.10
We had a rest day and went out for dinner where we had
prawns, crab, sea snails and fish. I tried the fish.We were
at the end of the Penang island.We were really meant to be
there to walk on the beach but as always in Penang it was
raining, so we also did not see the sunset. So we just had
dinner then drove for an hour to get home to the hotel.
Friday 24.9.10
Shopping and time to show our ballet to Ah Mah
Saturday 25.9.10
We had fun playing in the playroom.We also went swimming
except not Daddy. That night the whole family met
for dinner we took up four tables and still half the family
was not there. I have 10 aunties and 4 uncles (on Ah
Mah’s side of the family) there were so many there that I
don’t know any of them also because there names are so
hard to say. For example my 3rd great aunty is Sah Ee Poh
and 3rd great uncle is Sah Teow Kong .
Sunday 26.9.10
We just played in the play room .We went to the night markets.
Penang comes alive at night the people eat out at
night and go shopping at night like we did.
Monday 27.9.10
We went to a swimming club for diner
Tuesday 28.9.10
Khoo Kongsi, then we went to little India and we saw the
Indian way of life and landscape (India architecture which
is the style of building}and shops selling Indian wears,
clothes and food.We bought beautiful bracelets.We couldn’t
ride on a trishaw (a bike with 3 wheels and a carriage
for passengers to sit with flowers and umbrella to shade
and decorate) as Ah Mah and Daddy suffered food poisoning.
The food is yummy and I love eating Indian fried
bread called roti chanai. My sister likes cheese naan a thick
Indian bread.
Wednesday 29.09.10
We went to a Penang fishing village and saw very poor
houses where people live on a jetty of planks over the sea
and fish to make money. The boats and houses were very
old. This showed another Penang landscape.We also went
to a fish Aquarium and a temple at the ocean. From here
you could see the fishing village next to huge modern tall
buildings.
Thursday 30.09.10
Today we are going to the snake temple where there are
snakes that don’t have cages. They would always stay still
there were at least 20 snakes .
We went to another temple and we saw turtles and fish
and a giant footprint that came from an emperor.
Friday 1.10.10
Shopping and family time at Queensbay mall we filled a
whole suitcase. Shopping is cheaper in Penang.
For example:
1RM is 1 x 2/5=40c
10RM is 10x2/5=$4.00
100RM is 100 x 2/5 = $40
Saturday 2.10.10
Shopping
Sunday
3.10.10
Get on the plane.
Home sweet home!
The homes in Penang are very different fromAustralia. The houses
looked crowded. Some houses looked run down.We saw animals running
free in the city. We saw cows, chickens and dogs next to busy roads.
There are many cars. Some of the cars do not have safety belts in the
back seat. The cars went faster in Penang.
There are many temples. There are different types of religions.We could
hear prayers 5 times a day.
The temples are all very beautiful. Sometimes we had to pay to see the
temples.
We saw many restaurants and eating stalls. Sometimes they were dirty.
The local people eat at these stalls. Sometimes food is sent around by
bike.
There are a lot of shops. The shops look bigger and with more things to
buy.
The local people starred at my sisters and I because we looked different.
Sometimes they liked to touch our cheeks and take our photos.
The End

去年我家大团聚，大孙女说她要用文字留下记忆。七岁的小女孩说的话，我不当一回事。后来，在悉尼与我的儿子见面，他说会把孙女的游记邮递给我。


我操纵电脑的能力有限，一直没法与读者分享孙女的文笔。直到翼骏帮我输入孙女的旅游日记才能与读者分享。谢谢翼骏。

孙女的旅游日记

Jessica Chew Travel Journal Penang, Malaysia

18.9.10 to 3.10.10

Saturday 18.09.10
Off to Penang.

Sunday 19.09.10
We landed in Penang after midnight. We went to the Evergreen hotel by mini bus. We stayed on level 18 which is the highest level. We could see the sea through our window from the 18th floor.
At lunch we ate chicken rice and drank ice tea. Next to the restaurant there was a biscuit shop. We bought three moon cakes in the shape of pigs. We also bought three lanterns in the shape of a bird and a fish.
Then we went to a temple which had a large pagoda where my Ah Kong (grandfather) was buried. We prayed to Ah Kong. temple which had a large pagoda where my Ah Kong (grandfather) was buried. We prayed to Ah Kong.
From the top of the Pagoda we could see views of life in Penang showing the old and new developments .We could see the decorated roof tops of temples and where the land was cleared and stepped out for farming high in the mountain.
We saw turkeys and a chicken by the side of the road.
Then we went shopping with Ah Mah (grandmother), Kor Kor(first aunty) and Sean Kor (Second aunty).

Monday 20.9.10
For breakfast we had roti chanai. Mummy had fruit with chocolate sauce. We went to the reclining Buddha and Burmese temple. The floor tiles show the lotus flower. We found English Buddhist books and donated some money by clipping it on a tree. We also found the pictures in one of our books on the corridor leading up to this temple, the pictures tell the life of Buddha.

Tuesday 21.9.10
We went shopping and Ah Mah bought us a tiger toy and we had lunch at a Japanese restaurant passed food by train. We went swimming in a pool with a fountain.

Wednesday 22.9.10
Kek Lok si temple, with the largest Goddess of mercy. We went on a cable car to the top of 200 steps where there were statues of the Chinese zodiac. We had ice cream and we fed carp (a type of fish) and turtles.
At night we had the moon cake festival to celebrate the full moon held in September. One lantern caught fire and burnt up, so we walked very carefully with our lanterns. At the dinner we were given two games and they were a monkey game and Congkak (which is a very traditional game) moon held in September. One lantern caught fire and burnt up, so we walked very carefully with our lanterns. At the dinner we were given two games and they were a monkey game and Congkak (which is a very traditional game)

Thursday 23.9.10
We had a rest day and went out for dinner where we had prawns, crab, sea snails and fish. I tried the fish. We were at the end of the Penang island. We were really meant to be there to walk on the beach but as always in Penang it was raining, so we also did not see the sunset. So we just had dinner then drove for an hour to get home to the hotel.

Friday 24.9.10
Shopping and time to show our ballet to Ah Mah

Saturday 25.9.10
We had fun playing in the playroom. We also went swimming except not Daddy. That night the whole family met for dinner we took up four tables and still half the family was not there. I have 10 aunties and 4 uncles (on Ah Mah’s side of the family) there were so many there that I don’t know any of them also because there names are so hard to say. For example my 3rd great aunty is Sah Ee Poh and 3rd great uncle is Sah Teow Kong .

Sunday 26.9.10
We just played in the play room .We went to the night markets. Penang comes alive at night the people eat out at night and go shopping at night like we did.

Monday 27.9.10
We went to a swimming club for diner

Tuesday 28.9.10
Khoo Kongsi, then we went to little India and we saw the Indian way of life and landscape (India architecture which is the style of building}and shops selling Indian wears, clothes and food. We bought beautiful bracelets. We could-n’t ride on a trishaw (a bike with 3 wheels and a carriage for passengers to sit with flowers and umbrella to shade and decorate) as Ah Mah and Daddy suffered food poisoning. The food is yummy and I love eating Indian fried bread called roti chanai. My sister likes cheese naan a thick Indian bread.

Wednesday 29.09.10
We went to a Penang fishing village and saw very poor houses where people live on a jetty of planks over the sea and fish to make money. The boats and houses were very old. This showed another Penang landscape. We also went to a fish Aquarium and a temple at the ocean. From here you could see the fishing village next to huge modern tall buildings.

Thursday 30.09.10
Today we are going to the snake temple where there are snakes that don’t have cages. They would always stay still there were at least 20 snakes .
We went to another temple and we saw turtles and fish and a giant footprint that came from an emperor. and a giant footprint that came from an emperor.

Friday 1.10.10
Shopping and family time at Queensbay mall we filled a whole suitcase. Shopping is cheaper in Penang. For example: 1RM is 1 x 2/5=40c 10RM is 10x2/5=$4.00 100RM is 100 x 2/5 = $40

Saturday 2.10.10
Shopping

Sunday 3.10.10
Get on the plane. Home sweet home!
The homes in Penang are very different from Australia. The houses looked crowded. Some houses looked run down. We saw animals running free in the city. We saw cows, chickens and dogs next to busy roads. There are many cars. Some of the cars do not have safety belts in the back seat. The cars went faster in Penang. looked crowded. Some houses looked run down. We saw animals running free in the city. We saw cows, chickens and dogs next to busy roads. There are many cars. Some of the cars do not have safety belts in the back seat. The cars went faster in Penang.
There are many temples. There are different types of religions. We could hear prayers 5 times a day.
The temples are all very beautiful. Sometimes we had to pay to see the temples.
We saw many restaurants and eating stalls. Sometimes they were dirty. The local people eat at these stalls. Sometimes food is sent around by bike.
There are a lot of shops. The shops look bigger and with more things to buy.
The local people starred at my sisters and I because we looked different. Sometimes they liked to touch our cheeks and take our photos.

The End
去年我们的家庭团聚中，我的大孙女说她要用文字留下记忆。一个七岁的孩子说的话，我不当一回事。去年在悉尼见面，我的儿子说他会邮递孙女的游记给我。

我操纵电脑的能力有限，一直没法与读者分享，直到翼骏帮我输入孙女的游记，才能成功上网。

豪门生活

外甥女嫁入豪门，尽管夫婿对她疼爱有加，但是她一回到槟城夫家，就如一般小媳妇，事事以公婆的意愿马首是瞻，凡事全没有置喙的余地，甚至回娘家的时间都少得可怜。

她一向贪酸嗜辣，犹记得她在澳洲读书时，住在我儿子的家，每一回我到访，都给她带去一大包酸梅，煮阿参叻沙、冬炎辣汤给她解馋。如今，她吃不惯夫家淡然无味的菜肴也得勉强吞下喉，这是她远不如嫁给小市民的妹妹那么自由、快乐之处。

年初一，弟妹甥侄都来我家拜年，我特地给外甥女冲一杯她最爱的酸梅汤。她的女儿吵着也要喝，才喝一口，她就丢下手中的利宾那黑葡萄汁，把妈妈的饮品抢过手据为己有，喝得津津有味。她爸爸连哄带骗，要她舍酸梅汤喝葡萄汁。四岁的小女孩只知饮品合不合她的口味，不会考虑饮品的营养价值，她爸爸也奈何她不得。接着，她抓住一包粟米条（Twisties corn snacks）不放，因为从她爸爸的眼色，她意会到爸爸会用别的过年应节小食换她手中的美食。果然不出她所料，父女俩展开另一场拉锯战。直到她妈妈开腔，说一年一次，就让她吃她爱吃的，绝不会吃坏身体。外甥女是医生，说的话想必有所根据，外甥女婿才没话说。

初二，在大弟家里团聚，晚饭前，爱玩两手的家人围着赌荷兰牌。小女孩也凑兴，由她的妈妈当军师，玩得不亦乐乎。外甥女婿坐在我的对面，他虽没出声，但我看到他频频皱眉头。

次日， 临回新加坡之前，他们到祖屋来。外甥女的一对子女对大人的交谈不感兴趣，他们只顾追着小狗玩。四岁的姐姐紧抱住狗儿，三岁的弟弟则把狗狗卷着的尾巴拉直了。手一放，尾巴又卷回去。狗狗挣扎着跑开，他两姐弟满屋子追着狗狗，重复玩着，乐得嘻哈大笑。外甥女婿忙着给子女洗手消毒。外甥女看了好笑，说新年里，与外甥女婿的家人聚合，他家其他小孩的动作都斯斯文文，讲话也细声细气，就只有她的一对子女最“流氓气”。不过，能给小孩适度的自由，她并不在意家族里其他人的看法。

在豪门里，衣着行动言谈都深受身份所拘束，这是外甥女需付出的代价。她的女儿年纪小小，遇到隆重的节日，穿的不是公主装裙子便是童装旗袍。去年，我的小女儿到新加坡工作，一时找不到准许养猫的公寓，就在外甥女家暂住两个星期，她的女儿见这位表姨一身长袖衣长裤，一再问她：“Aunty Cheeng , you are boy or girl?”原来在小女孩的意识里，Aunty 应该穿裙，她弄不清眼前这个穿长袖衣长裤的“男人”怎会是Aunty？他们一家只在大节日才与我们见面，看不到我们这些市井小民的生活，其实，她弄不清的事还多着呢！

我的小女儿一向随性，她从小就爱吃Twisties，不是在超级市场里一小包一小包的买，而是要我带她到社尾街批发商那儿一买就是一大包。她从小到大，除了校服，穿裙的次数不多，但是 ，她可不是“男人婆”，在大场面里，她穿起旗袍，还真婀娜多姿。我这个做妈妈的，只要孩子过得快乐，我并不计较无伤大雅的细节，所以三个孩子都有快乐的童年，包括不少糗事，如今成为他们兄妹间彼此取笑的话题。比起豪门里的孩子，这个不许做，那个不准做，我们家孩子的童年生活还真精彩！

外甥女的“老爷、奶奶”尊重她是专业人士，加上外甥女婿是长子，是父母的心肝宝贝，她家“老爷、奶奶”对她们一对子女的“流氓气”只好张一只眼，闭一只眼。为了安全，一家人的行动都在家翁的卫星监视中；为了增加家庭气氛，当年结婚度蜜月，家翁家婆带了一家人陪伴，虽然费用有老爷买单，我相信时下的年轻人没有多少个受得了这种豪门的生活方式。
----------------------寒梅

《 秋决》电影分享会

大众影业公司在1972年推出的《秋决》，是一部获得第十届金马奖多个奖项的佳作，计有最佳剧情奖、最佳导演奖及最佳男主角奖。
《秋决》带出中国传统的伦理观念：
a.《秋决》带出中国人不孝有三，无后为大的伦理观念。
当老奶奶知道三代单传的孙子裴刚难逃死刑的命运时，为了替裴家传宗接代，竟然采用刑曹出的馊主意：买通狱卒，送个女人到死牢与裴刚成亲。这种做法史无前例，往后也不会有来者。难怪牢头会说从没听过有这种安排；老奶奶也承认，说如果事情不是发生在她孙子身上，她也不会相信有这种安排。从这种荒谬的安排足见中国人对传宗接代的观念有多执著。
b.古代中国女性传统的自我牺牲与奉献的妇德。
只为了报答裴家收留与养育之恩，莲儿奉献出的是一生的幸福------嫁给一个在等待秋决，寿命不到一年的男人，更重要的是那是个她并不爱、性格粗暴的男人。莲儿在裴家长大，她看清这个男人在奶奶溺爱之下的暴行和并不完美的性格。仓促间要她决定肯不肯到牢狱里与裴刚成亲，表面上看，老奶奶好像留给她选择的余地，实际上那是老奶奶一贯的杀手锏，她真有选择的余地吗？不过，身为古中国女人，她发挥了报恩、奉献、认命的妇德。如果剧情的女主角是西方女性或是近代东方女人，后果就不一样了。
c.古代中国富有人家的不健康心态：
古时中国富有人家总以为有钱能使鬼推磨。这种腐败的观念害了他人也误了自己：裴刚从小就被灌输以天塌下来都有奶奶顶住的理念，铸成他不明白杀人就得赔命的颟顸性格。他以为有个有钱的奶奶，即使伤了人，只需赔钱就没事了，所以他有恃无恐。一句“杀红了眼”，就能“要杀就杀个痛快”，他靠着有老奶奶撑腰，竟然一口气取了三条人命，是不健康的心态驱使他走上不归路；奶奶虽然知道杀人偿命的道理，但是她以为只要肯花钱，大事可以化无事，所以她斩钉截铁地说她卖田卖地，有办法把孙子弄出监牢，还很自信地安慰孙子说他很快就能回家。她贿赂刑曹、花钱要二爷上京疏通御使衙门里的换帖把兄弟、试图用银两收买牢头，无所不用其极，勾画出中国富人使钱要鬼推磨的丑陋面目。
《秋决》的教育价值：
a.为溺爱付出代价：
老奶奶看三代单传的裴刚犹如家传古董一样，必须小心翼翼捧在手心。她对裴刚的教育法是“不管你在外chuang(外门内马结构，我的手提电脑字典没有这个字)了多大的祸，都有奶奶替你担待。”裴刚小时抢了人家的玩具木马还打伤人。奶奶赔医药费了事，不怪孙子无理欺负人，还怜惜他在伤者家人上门理论时脸色都吓白了，这种教育法是害不是爱。这句话如今已经很经典，整40年前，有钱人家的老奶奶领悟不出这层道理。他们的价值观是：有钱人家的孩子是宝；穷人的孩子是草。
在这种娇惯教育下，把孩子惯坏了，养成“顺我者生，逆我者就该杀”，蛮不讲理的态度。祸根是自己种下的，老奶奶就得为错误的教育法付出代价。
b。书生不着痕迹的熏陶：
剧情安排个代父受刑的书生，不着痕迹地用深带哲理的话渗透裴刚的心。如果不细心观察，很难觉察出来。当裴刚不甘受牢头修理，发牢骚称自己“从小到大，没人敢碰我一下”时，书生说“要经过千锤百炼，才能炼铁成钢”；当裴刚说他怕死，不许任何人提“死”字，书生说“人有生自然有死，谁都免不了一死，只是死要死得心安理得”。书生的话当下并没引起任何反响，其实已在裴刚心里发酵，也是剧情的伏笔。三翻两次试着越狱的裴刚在牢头自愿牺牲放他走时，断然谢绝，为的是不让妻子与肚里的孩子失去尊严，不愿一家人永远蒙着逃犯的罪名过活，他选择死要死得心安理得。
《秋决》的生活价值：
a.百炼钢化为绕指柔：
谁有能力感化像裴刚这样被娇宠惯坏得残暴成性的人？狱卒的大拳头他不怕、牢头的拳脚他不服，但是娇弱善良的莲儿却有办法把百炼钢化为绕指柔 ，让一个杀到眼红就有理由杀人的狂徒醒悟自己罪有应得；一有机会就想法越狱的死囚不肯接受牢头牺牲自己，放他逃狱的好意；怕死怕得要命的人从容面对死刑，为的只是在保护肯为他牺牲一生幸福的莲儿和她肚里的孩子，让他们不必负着逃犯妻儿的罪名。在生活里，柔情更胜刚强！
b。理直气就壮：
当无赖的二爷为霸占裴家的产业，不肯承认莲儿是裴家媳妇的身份时，一向娇柔的莲儿记起老奶奶临终时的嘱咐-----对意图欺负她的人要坚强。她数着二爷误人误事的罪状，理直气壮地要二爷召集族人来论理，她恫言会当众揭发二爷诈财的勾当，把个刁钻奸诈的二爷吓跑了。莲儿，她有柔顺的一面，也有坚毅的时刻！
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注：
槟城妙香林寺诚邀有意观赏《秋决》的人士在农历正月十五日（17。2。2011）晚上八时正，出席在大雄宝殿右首的鼓楼举办的电影分享会。入场免费。

《 落叶归根》电影分享会

《落叶归根》是一部在2007年获得金马奖肯定，也获得2007年柏林影展天主教人道精神奖的影片，内容以中国人落叶归根的传统思想为主题。
古时的中国人相信人死后若不归葬家乡，魂魄会被葬地的土地神所驱逐而沦落为异乡流浪鬼。为了不做异乡流浪的孤魂野鬼，有钱人家把亲人的遗体入殓后运棺回故里埋葬；穷人则请道士赶尸，让尸体在有道行的道士带领之下，靠死人的双脚一路跳着回家乡，才入土为安。像这部戏里，老赵背着老刘的尸体，万里迢迢走回家的情况只能在虚拟的剧情里看得到。尽管电影标榜着剧情根据真人真事改编，事实上，一具没加防腐的尸体能不能瞒天过海在人群中穿梭，很有争论性。不过，观众只需在欣赏剧情之余，在中国传统道德观念日渐淡薄的今天，重温中国人仗义、守诺的美德，就不失这场电影分享会的意义了！
剧情借着老赵为实践承诺而吃尽苦头，还坚持要把老刘完尸归故里，也为了保住死人的补偿金，老赵誓死与凶狠的劫匪理论，他仗义的行为感动了曾经出卖弟兄而被纹上“假仗义”的劫匪，带出了古时中国人一诺千金、仗义、坚持的价值观。我从老赵一路上的经历，体会到这部电影透过人物的举止言谈，表达出人性的善与恶。
曾经违背义气，拦车抢劫的劫匪领袖对老赵誓死为已故的同事保住死亡补偿金的壮烈行为所感动，把所抢的财物送给老赵后，带着手下下车离去，盗亦有道的做法叫今日心中眼里只看到财物的匪徒汗颜；同车乘客取回本该已属于老赵的财物，非但没有一句感恩的话，还纷纷吵着车上有具尸体要求退票，老赵只能带着尸体下车赶路，反衬出人性的自私与无情。
一般车主不肯停车载他一程，有的则一听到他带个死人就不肯让他搭顺风车，这是怕惹麻烦及对死人有所避忌的普遍心理，加以城市里常见心怀叵测的歹徒借搭顺风车伺机抢劫，你我可能也会有相同的顾忌。最不该的是半路车子抛锚，老赵帮忙推车以求能搭顺风车，谁知车子一能开动，司机就扬长而去，这是食言背约的缺德行为。所幸人间不尽是冷漠，也有司机肯载他一程，相比之下，善良坦荡的人性值得赞扬！
为了赚饭医肚皮，老赵为人哭丧。原来是活着的人无子息，想到死后无人送终，先为自己办一场风光的丧事。活死人为老赵仗义送死去的朋友回乡所感动，不但送他土方防尸臭的药物，还送他一部手推车运尸体。反映出仗义行事力能感动人，也带出了中国人要求身后事办得风光的心理。
有了手推车，运尸就省力。老赵一轻松下来，不服输的牛脾气就展现------他竟然以人推车与牛拉车较劲。人力输给牛力一个马鼻，幸亏遇上一位坚持要骑单车上西藏的青年给他加油打气，推他一把。这是个互相衬托的画面------老赵坚持要排除万难，一定要把老刘的尸体送回故乡；青年坚持要排除万难，不靠飞机火车，只凭体力骑单车到西藏，一老一少，相互勉励，画面感人。
手推车从斜坡滑下，摔坏了。老赵向路旁一位司机讨个报废的推泥机车轮胎运尸体。推动轮胎很吃力，下山坡时连轮胎带尸体滚下去。老赵心疲力倦，只好弃轮胎，改而想先挪用老刘的补偿金雇车送他回乡。路上吃饭遇上黑店，不得不先借用老刘的补偿金以求脱身，这才发现工地老板欺老刘已死，所发放的补偿金竟然是伪钞。连死人的补偿金都敢欺骗，工地老板吃人连骨吞，是人神共愤的孬种！这个发现不止让老赵崩溃了，观众对无良老板的丑陋面目也感到厌恶，对丧尽天良的人心彻底失望，我深信这一刻观众的沮丧不会轻于老赵。
身无分文，前面的路还很漫长，老赵心力交瘁，竟萌起与老刘一起异地共眠，死了算了的念头。他挖洞穴与老刘排排卧，用大石自击昏去，却被避世的养蜂人家所救，不但让他饱餐一顿，还不避忌死人，用车子送他们一程。养蜂人家的儿子吟唱的歌给他带来阳光的心情陪他上路。看到这里，我心里涌上一股暖流，毕竟是村夫俗子的心地比较单纯，待客比较热忱。
老赵为了换取食物填饱饥肠而去捐血。这是马来西亚的人民难以想像的事，也给我很深刻的启示------生活在丰衣足食的生活环境里，我们可曾知福惜福？我国有的是丰富的资源，却多的是身在福中不知福的子民，是多么大的讽刺！能不叫人感叹？
曾是乙型肝炎带菌者，老赵捐血不成却被卖血集团逼去卖血，这又揭出社会黑暗的一面。卖血集团------专靠别人的血谋暴利，昧着良知把带菌的血混着卖，陷病人于更深陷阱的吸血鬼！这里也充斥着被迫用鲜血换取生活的可怜人。老赵在这儿邂逅了一个捡破烂为生的单亲妈妈，为了筹钱供独生子读大学，她每三个月卖一次血，儿子却羞于有个捡破烂的妈妈，脸不红心不惊地要求妈妈只寄钱给他，不要妈妈去见他。这种娇宠得只知接受不懂感恩的新生代该打扁了丢在垃圾桶里与垃圾为伴！
故事在老赵一波三折中终于来到了老刘的家乡。老赵因疲劳过度晕倒送院，他一路背着尸体的真相终于被揭破。基于法律所限制，老刘的尸体难逃被火化的命运。老赵“我背也要把你背回家” 的诺言没法实践。骨灰送到老刘的家门口，但是，家园已因天灾所毁，后人已迁居湖北宜昌，老刘的尸骨回到家乡，仍然无法落叶归根，入土为安，是整部戏最大的遗憾。
这部不以俊男美女为号召的戏，载满了人性的写照、人情的冷暖及做人的道理，是一部值得一看的好戏。
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dakaixinchuang.blogspot.com
槟城妙香林寺将在农历正月十四（16-2-2011星期三）及十五（17-2-2011星期四）两晚，晚上八时正，在大雄宝殿右首的鼓楼举办电影分享会，《落叶归根》及《秋决》，欢迎有兴趣的人士随缘参与。入场免费。
注：
基于地域、时间及其他理由，不是每个想观赏这两部戏的观众都能出席电影分享会，愿能通过文章与大家分享。

焦虑症

刚从悉尼回国那一段时间，我的睡眠素质很差。一向来倒头就能入睡，夜里少被梦境干扰的我，每天清晨三、四点醒来就再也睡不着。最初我以为是时差的关系，不以为意。随着精神不济，对着堆积如山的工作，偶而还会不知要从哪一件做起而恍然若失，我开始觉得有点不对劲。直到我为了要在两天内准备好一堂本来已推辞掉的生活营课程的资料而焦急，心里又挂碍着必须在《法华经》选读研习营开始前把笔记整理好，在短短八天内得完成两件棘手的工作，层层压力让我透不过气，心跳频率超速，全身乏力，必需靠药物减压。那时我以为自己神经衰弱而沮丧，医生则诊断我是患了焦虑症。 不论是 神经衰弱也好，焦虑症也好，我都必需趁早加以自我调整，不让它一再复发。

我知道自己的弱点是还没学会拒绝。不论是不是我份内的工作，只要有人向我开口，我就会毫不犹豫地承接过手，即使因能力办不到而婉辞，心里总会有股抱憾的感觉。那种驱之不去的歉意比接下工作更加折磨人，这也是我宁可选择接受的原因。此外，有待改变的是我的工作态度。身边的朋友见我非把工作做得称心满意绝不罢休（只是自己称心满意，可不一定做得最好），她们见我废寝忘食的工作而心疼，也为我执著得无可救药而感到无奈，不客气地说我拗得像牛，谑称我该换过来肖牛。工作习惯在学生时代已养成，约翰修女教我们“一天不做工，一天不吃饭”，后来才知道百丈禅师也严格执行一天不做工，一天不吃饭，我对修女的教诲更加信服。她也教我们把每件工作都视为是为主耶稣而做，如此一来，无须有人监督，也会尽可能把工作做得尽善尽美。万料不到的是年轻时的好习惯竟然在年纪老大，力不从心时造成压力。三年前，我也是在《萤火虫启示录》付梓后因心跳频率超速而住院留医，很明显的，问题症结在于操劳过度，心力交瘁。只是，光是知道症结却不知该如何对症下药，于事无补，是我最大的困扰。

阅读《双耳之间》专栏，主治医生在《先学会停》文中，从他的滑雪经验谈到生命的步伐，给我很深刻的启示。“我们总是加快我们生命的步伐去追赶许多物质与空虚，就有如在雪地上快速地向下滑，结果我们失去平衡而跌得遍体鳞伤”，一针见血，仿佛是我的病情的写照。在工作上，我那不知节制的工作态度不就像在雪地上快速地向下滑？被焦虑症缠上了，算是失去平衡而跌得遍体鳞伤。文章里对症开出的药方则是“要学习放慢脚步，停下来歇歇脚，让身心有段休息的时间”“最重要的是要先学会停，才能保持平衡，才继续地潇洒滑行”。

去年的工作结束后，我的压力顿除，身心都恢复正常；今年的工作才将开始，难保不会重蹈覆辙，我必须慎加提防，希望不再与焦虑症沾边。只是，几十年来的干劲要在一朝连根拔起，谈何容易？看来我不止是需要学习放慢脚步，更需要远离工作环境，从此不问人间事，才能真正停下脚，歇一歇。问题是身处凡尘，五蕴犹未空，六根还未净，离莲花出污泥而不染，濯清涟而不妖的意境遥不可及，想活在人间而不问人间事，能吗？
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新加坡之旅

我的小女儿在公司抽奖中抽到新币一百五十元的Takashimaya礼券，却花了三百多元买飞机票邀我在周末南下新加坡与她一起分享那笔幸运奖金。在Takashimaya百货公司，一百五十元买不到什么像样的东西，结果，她买了一双凉鞋，我买两件T恤，她还得倒贴整百元。很明显的，她所谓的分享幸运奖金只是一个借口，小女儿真正要的是我到新加坡与她一起度周末。她不动声色的孝思很令我感动。 虽然我的三个子女各有他们尽孝道的方式，我对他们尽量不加以比较，但是女儿的心思毕竟比儿子细腻，这是男女两性的基本区别，勉强不来。

我的儿子性格温顺，讲话从不会得罪人，在医院里很受同事及病人的尊重。从小到大，他不曾对我粗声粗气讲话或发过脾气。最令我难忘的是有一年暑假，他两兄妹回国，那时先夫总在子女回国时带一家大小到新加坡度假几天，顺便买他们俩第二年的参考书。出门在即，他却找不到书单。我急得连声责怪他粗心大意，没带书单回国，花一大笔旅费到新加坡干什么？尽管他一再肯定他有把书单带回来，我仍然一路唠唠叨叨。直到办登机手续时，先夫在我儿子的护照皮夹的夹层发现那张书单。原来他怕把那张纸条弄丢了，慎重其事地藏在护照皮夹的夹层，事后却忘了。错怪了他，我只好向他道歉。他竟然语调平和地说：“妈妈，您何必为一件小事发那么大的脾气？”事隔二十多年，这句话一直藏在我的心坎里，火暴的脾气常因这句话而收敛不少。他总在我到他家时请假一个星期陪我出门购物，接下来每个周末带我出门。与女儿不同的是出门时他把钱交给我，少见他自己替我选购我想要的东西，极有可能他根本不知道我想要什么东西。

两个女儿则不同，无需我开口，大女儿知道我吞药丸有困难，在英国发现我所服用的药物有液体包装版，都会替我买回来。她知道我的腰背不好，除了为我买消痛用的麦包(The Wheat Bag)、Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation，家里那几台按摩机都是在她的建议下，三兄妹在我的生日或团聚时买给我-----她是三兄妹中带动孝举的火车头！

小女儿不会用话逗我开心，也少用肢体语言表示心里的感受。两个兄姐与妈妈见面时总是兴奋地又抱又吻，她却是做得很生硬勉强。有一年，她趁着被公司派到美国参加课程之便，到Corningware厂里参观，看到款式与我家相同的盘碟、汤碗，知道那种花式在马来西亚已断市，我到处搜寻都买不到，她不嫌麻烦，把沉甸甸的盘碟汤碗背回来给我，叫我很感动。

有儿有女万事足，我对三个子女一视同仁，只要哪一个孩子需要我，我都会放下手上的工作，第一时间赶到他们的身边。幸亏我当义工的组织都能体谅我，这些年来才能得心应手，既能给子女们妈妈的爱，也能为服务的组织尽我所能，执行义工的任务。

小女儿转轨道到新加坡工作将近半年，这是我第一次到她的新住处。三天两夜里，她带着我从一家百货公司转到另一家百货公司，从上海餐厅到日本餐馆，我最享受的却是回到她的家，母女相对话家常的时间。这一趟新加坡之旅，我纯粹用妈妈的心态看一景一物，带回的是满满的联想。从女儿的家居、交通情况，我每天可以联想到她这一刻如何上班、回家、休闲、上网。。。。。。这就是妈妈的心思，希望普天下的子女都能懂！

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