望天打掛

作中醫最好可以多認識天文地理，這樣才能兼顧天、地、人，並給病人擬出最合適的方案。

最近聽完KO阿佬節目，介紹這本老農年鑒（The old farmer’s almanac)，是有關加拿大農民看天氣和種植的寶典，類似加拿大版的通勝。

不是迷信，以計算星體間距離和引力影響地球上的能量，而對天氣產生不同變化，再引申人應作甚麼的調節和活動。這件事其實十分科學，亦正合中醫所謂 「虛邪賊風，避之有時」。

碰巧今天逛Safeway 竟然見到有得賣，就買來看看有幾堅～

As a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner, it's best to have a good understanding of astronomy and geography. This way, one can consider the relationships between heaven, earth, and people to create the most suitable treatment plans for patients.

Recently, after listening to KO Ah Lo’s program, I learned about The Old Farmer’s Almanac, which is a classic guide for Canadian farmers on weather patterns and planting—essentially a Canadian version of the Tong Sheng (a traditional Chinese almanac).

It’s not about superstition; rather, it involves calculating the distances between celestial bodies and their gravitational influences on the Earth's energy, which in turn affects weather patterns. This leads to insights on how people should adjust their activities accordingly. This concept is actually quite scientific and aligns with the TCM principle of "xu xie zei feng, bi zhi you shi" (avoiding harmful external influences at the right time).

By coincidence, while browsing at Safeway today, I spotted a copy for sale—so I bought one to see how solid it really is!

The Best Place

《The Best Place》是Danya Fast以研究人類學為前題下觀察並追縱溫哥華一班藥物成癮青年人的集結。

溫哥華的藥物成癮問題肯定是大家移居後十分關注的，新移居者的觀點與本地很多人的想法之間明顯存在不少的分歧。

Danya的描述中看到成癮者背後有不少是原住民背景，他們從小被迫與至親分離，也遭受不少的肉體上和心靈上的暴力，藥物成為他們逃避現實、安撫他們的焦慮不安，甚或至後來是他們認為要依賴各種不同的藥物才能使生活可以運行。當中有的青少年從起初對未來存在美麗的幻想，希望生活可以改善，到發覺現實不如預期的沮喪感到力不從心、原地踏步。溫巿的減害措拖（Harm Reduction Approach）也讓一些青年人覺得他們在不斷的循環中未能找到踏實的里程碑和前行的方向，既沒有讓他們的生活走向積極健康，卻只是讓他們留在困境中等待死亡。

沒有讓一些曾經戒癮的人從新生活，從此脫離毒品，部分是因為戒癮者本身沒有另外找到遠離毒品的圈子，缺乏物質上和心靈上的支援，此外這是也公共政策上的一些空隙。很多本地人認為減害措施減少歧視、讓有需要的人更願意尋求協助，及避免他們藥物使用過量。可是，要怎樣才是真正可以幫助到他們呢？單是減害肯定是不夠的。他們想要看到希望、找到改變的動力，讓他們可以逐步站隱在社會上。除了讓他們認識神之外，這裡還有沒有其他機構可以幫忙呢？

想起以往針灸戒毒的病人，不知他們有沒有徹徹底底離開黑暗，生活是否安好？

DIY子宮頸癌篩查

來到加拿大很多事情都要親力親為，就連做子宮頸癌篩查都可以DIY。

只要在網上登記，檢測包便寄到府上。使用方法還有網上教學片段，都算十分簡便。取樣後用回郵信封寄回檢測中心，檢查結果會在4-6星期後收到。

過程完全自助，不用等家庭醫生轉介，而且費用全免。十分推介這個定期檢查，當然最好無事，但有事的話越早發現越好處理。

如果妳符合以下條件：

• 住在BC省內
• 25-69歲女士
• 3年內未做過pap test / 5年內未做過cervix self screening 

可以在以下網址登記：http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/screening/cervix

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In Canada, there are many things you need to handle yourself. Even cervical cancer screening can be done DIY.

Simply register online, and the test kit will be mailed to your home. The kit comes with online instructional videos that guide you through the process, making it quite straightforward and user-friendly. Once you collect your sample, you send it back in the prepaid envelope to the testing center, and the results will arrive within 4-6 weeks.

The self-service approach eliminates the need for a family doctors's referral, and it's completely free. I highly recommend this regular screening. While we all hope for a clean bill of health, catching any issues early on allows for better management.

If you meet the following criteria:

• Live in British Columbia
• Are a woman between 25-69 years old
• Haven't had a Pap test in the past 3 years or a cervix self-screening in the past 5 years

You can register and get more information at the following website: http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/screening/cervix

Make sure to take advantage of this opportunity and take charge of your health!

海外小孩學中文

孩子上中文班開始會在課文上自己寫點英文筆記或拼音幫助自己記憶，有點像我們小時候學英文時會寫上中文筆記，蠻好笑的。

看著不得不讚賞孩子開始長大了。

不論這是否最好的方法，但見他有用心去學習，還有主動去動腦筋解決自己的疑難，作為媽媽已心感安慰。相信有會主動解難的能力，在其他學習範疇也會慢慢進步的。

在外國堅持學習中文不易，現階段孩子還是有點半推半就的學，看看能學多少就多少。

盼望孩子往後能找到學習的興趣和動力，這樣才能走得更遠。

--------------------------

My child has started writing English translations and notes to help himself remember words during Chinese class. These notes are similar to the ones we created while learning English as kids, which I find quite amusing.

I must praise my child for starting to grow up. While it may not be the best solution, seeing him take the initiative to learn and solve his own problems is comforting as a mother. I believe that if he can take the initiative in this area, his overall learning will gradually improve as well.

Learning Chinese in a foreign country is not easy. At this stage, my child is a bit reluctant and sometimes needs encouragement from us. I hope he will find interest and motivation in his studies so that his journey of learning Chinese can continue further.

Google Review

 

謝謝Lihua在Google留言讚賞。💖

病人能緩解病痛讓醫師最滿足和喜樂。😊

當然要加倍努力！💪

---------------

Thank you, Lihua, for the kind review on Google. 💖

It brings the greatest satisfaction and joy to a doctor when a patient can find relief from their suffering. 😊 I would definitely work even harder! 💪

C'est la vie

從多倫多回來溫哥華的機程，機長突然宣布叫大家望向右邊窗口可以看到極光！還邀請大家上前去控制室前窗觀看。活潑的團隊確為這趟旅途添加了不少生趣。

雖然寄艙行李現時未有消息，但還有很多可以遇上的好人好事。

C’est la vie.

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On the flight back to Vancouver from Toronto, the captain suddenly announced that everyone should look out the right-side window to see the Northern Lights! He even invited passengers to come up to the front near the cockpit for a better view. The lively crew really added a lot of fun to this journey.

Although my checked luggage is still missing, there are always good people and nice surprises to come across. 

C'est la vie.

極光

20年一遇，

安在家中可以看到極光！

讚嘆！

我觀看你指頭所造的天，

並你所陳設的月亮星宿，

便說：「人算什麼，你竟顧念他？

世人算什麼，你竟眷顧他？」

詩篇8:3-4

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Once in 20 years,

I could see the Northern Lights from home!
Amazing!

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
(Psalm 8:3-4)

異鄉港孩

最近在溫哥華圖書館尋到寶，這本《異鄉港孩》出版還不到一年，這兒的圖書館已經可以借閱，內裡記載著30個家庭的移民故事還有他們的教養理念，亦從各人的故事中找到不少共鳴。

古有孟母三遷，很多移民家庭離開原生地也是希望為孩子締造一個更合適的成長環境。只是轉變來得突然又劇烈，要適應的自然不少，當中大人和小朋友的成長，除了因為是在新環境的衝擊，還有家庭互動的變更和價值觀的更新與重整。

誠然在每一個地方，都有各地的優缺點。而人又不是全知，只能在我們的有限之中，選取當下最合適的選項。取捨過後的得失，很難一一算清，始終我們無法窺看在平行時空中選了不同選擇的我們。最好還是為自己的決定負責，繼續好好的走我們的路。到目前為止，我也確信我們的選擇是對的。

若說單單為著孩子而作決定，對孩子來說未免太沉重。尤其是那時孩子還是矇懂無知的幼兒，他們還沒有辦法改變大人的意思，只有跟隨的份兒。我會認為是自己在原居地住得膩了而任性出走，是我們大人以個人的價值觀選擇，而這個選擇自然而然地影響到孩子往後的人生。

所以，非常感謝孩子在一路上對我們的信任和跟隨。

感恩我們家這兩年的適應是出人意外地順利，再來便是書中對每位受訪者關於身份認同的問題。「我是香港人？」這問題既遠又近。當然人家問起，也會自然地答我來自香港，不過離開得越久，便越是疏離，上年聖誕節返港身心也有點點不適應，感覺更像過客。而在這邊又還是很新，還未有生根，需要更多時間心機去經營。大抵「我心安處是吾家」，相信無論身在何處，人生都只是客旅，最後盼望的不過是返天家。

------------------

Recently, I stumbled upon a gem at the Vancouver Public Library. This book, Exiled Hong Kong Children, was published less than a year ago, and the library already has it available for borrowing. It documents the immigration stories and parenting philosophies of 30 families. I found much resonance in their stories.

In ancient times, Mencius's mother moved houses three times for his education. Similarly, many immigrant families leave their homelands in hopes of creating a better environment for their children to grow up in. However, the transitions are often abrupt and intense, requiring significant adaptation. Both adults and children undergo growth, not only because of the challenges of a new environment but also due to changes in family dynamics and the reevaluation and reshaping of values.

Indeed, every place has its pros and cons. As humans, we are not omniscient; we can only make the best choice within our limitations. The gains and losses after these decisions are difficult to quantify. After all, we can’t peer into an alternate reality where we chose differently. The best we can do is take responsibility for our choices and continue to walk our path with conviction. So far, I firmly believe we made the right decision.

To say that the decision was made solely for our children would be too heavy a burden for them. Especially since, at the time, they were young and innocent, unable to influence the adults' decisions and left with no choice but to follow. I tend to think that it was my restlessness and desire for change that prompted this move. It was a decision based on our personal values as adults, and naturally, this choice has shaped our children’s lives in profound ways.

I am deeply grateful for the trust and willingness our children have shown throughout this journey.

I am also thankful that our family’s adjustment over the past two years has been unexpectedly smooth. This brings me to the topic of identity raised in the book. "Am I a Hongkonger?" This question feels both distant and close. Of course, when asked, I naturally respond that I am from Hong Kong. But the longer I’ve been away, the more distant it feels. Last Christmas, when I visited Hong Kong, I felt slightly out of place, more like a passerby.

Here in Canada, though, we are still newcomers without roots, requiring more time and effort to settle in. Perhaps the saying “Home is where the heart finds peace” rings true. No matter where we are, life on earth is but a temporary journey, and in the end, our ultimate hope is to return to our heavenly home.