Judge a Book by Its Cover

A photo of a toilet might seem a bit odd at first 🤔 — but there’s a reason behind it! As I am taking part in the “Judge a Book by Its Cover” activity in Vancouver Public Library’s Adult Summer Challenge. The idea is to choose a book and take a photograph in a setting that matches its vibes.

So, I picked my humble work from years ago, 暢便 (“Easing Constipation”), and posed it with the toilet at home. It’s truly the perfect setting for this book — the environment, and even the scent, are right on theme! 🙂

The library’s summer challenge runs until the end of August. If you’re interested, feel free to join in too!

For more details, visit the Vancouver Public Library website: https://www.vpl.ca/program/adult-summer-challenge

突然出現一張廁所相片好像很奇怪🤔，皆因醫師準備參加溫哥華圖書館Adult Summer Challenge 的「Judge a book by its cover」活動，這個活動就是要選一本書放在合適的氛圍拍照上載。

故此，醫師就找了我多年前的拙作《暢便》與我家馬桶拍個照，相信這本書跟這地方合照，除了環境氛圍是絕配，連氣味都很對味。：）

這個圖書館活動舉辦至8月底，大家如果有興趣也可以參與呢～

有關詳情請參閱溫哥華圖書館網站：https://www.vpl.ca/program/adult-summer-challenge

是日湯水

今天陽光普照，氣溫達攝氏28，正是喝冬瓜咸蛋湯的時候～ ：）

Today is sunny with a temperature of 28°C, perfect for drinking winter melon and salted egg soup~ :)

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方法、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。

未能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，讓他們可以逐步站穩在社會上。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。

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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！💪

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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.