不是所有的城市都有一段傳奇，那是特殊的歷史與環境，才能造就一座城市的身世，賦予她清晰的面貌。吉隆坡，我們的首都，從一個泥濘河口，化身為一個大都會，本身就是一個傳奇。我們缺乏的，或許是一個像帕慕克的作家，以書寫伊斯坦堡為命題，刻畫出那座古老城市的憂傷與深沉，讓世人感受到一座城市的靈魂所在。又或者，我們缺乏了好萊塢的製作，將吉隆坡如哥倫布發現新大陸般的歷史，史詩式呈現在銀幕上。
不管我們用甚麼手法講述吉隆坡，她的開場，恐怕一定得從巴生河說起。
由於我只能坐船到沙亞南，而不是效仿前人那樣從巴生河口直接到吉隆坡，於是，後半段的河道，我只好根據不全的記載來想象。
由於河流彎彎曲曲，所以無法以高速公路的概念來計算航程。我問開船的占比里，根據他的經驗，若把船開到吉隆坡要花多少時間。他回答我說：“我從來沒駕船去那麼遠。現在這一段我也是第一次來。”雖然如此，他還是估算了一下，並說：“至少要一個半小時吧。”
“那你對開發水上交通的看法如何？你覺得可行性高嗎？”我接著再問他。
占比里一面專注握住方向盤，一面回答我的提問：“是可以的，不過首先要把河流弄干凈吧！”這是巴生河的致命傷，要發展，就非得整治不可。
坐在摩托船上的我，腦海里卻想象著百多年前人們劃槳逆流而上的情景。那時候，河流也許未必清澈，但絕對不會發出異味。兩岸叢林茂密，偶爾經過一些部落，原住民在岸邊生活，汲取巴生河的河水洗衣做飯。出行的人，必然帶著食物上船，因為這趟行程得花上3、4天的時間，而沿途想必沒有可供人們用餐的地方。
沉默的見證者
蜿蜒的河流，會有鱷魚出沒，但還算安全，可是如果遇上雨季，就會阻礙船只前進的速度了。白天，太陽必然猛烈，劃槳的船夫肯定汗流浹背。晚上也許會在岸邊扎營，與森林保持一定的距離，因為到底不太安全，就算沒有猛獸，蚊子的叮咬，也隨時讓人感染疾病，甚至導致死亡。
1天、2天、3天，苦悶的行程想不到有任何娛樂，直到人們看見了現在的甘榜雅達（Kampung Attap），發現了村莊，才興奮起來，因為再過不久，小船就會抵達巴生河與鵝嘜河的交匯點，那就是目的地吉隆坡了。
甘榜雅達就是現今雪蘭莪中華大會堂一帶的地方，那也是吉隆坡最早建立高樓的地段，像1953年建的警察合作社大廈（Bangunan Koperasi Polis）就是其中一個例子。再往前一點，是15碑Brickfields。Brickfields是吉隆坡的第一個工業區，因印度勞工在空地上晾曬磚頭而得“磚地”的名稱（Brickfields就是磚地的意思）。
這些具有歷史性和劃時代含義的地區，都挨在巴生河邊。這條河，默默地見證了吉隆坡的發展。一如152年前的那個寂靜天，它目睹受雇於拉惹阿都拉的華人勞工來到吉隆坡的起點，接著在安邦發現了錫礦，從此改寫了吉隆坡的命運。吉隆坡的發展潛能，促成了一批又一批的華人前來開礦，而後來更是在第3任甲必丹葉亞來的強力開發與管轄下蓬勃發展，奠定了吉隆坡的經濟基礎，以致英國人後來的干政，再到後來遷移行政區到吉隆坡，逐步規劃了吉隆坡，使得吉隆坡日益興隆和整潔，讓人對她曾經是個沼澤荒野的印象不再。
泥濘口的奇蹟
眾所周知，吉隆坡在馬來文裡面，意指泥濘可口的意思。為了更準確瞭解吉隆坡的名字來源，我們必須從馬來文著手。Kuala Lumpur的“Kuala”，指兩種情形，一是河與海的交界處，二是兩河碰頭的河口（不像Muar，單指即將出海的河口，如麻坡“Muar”就是）。如果我們有機會找到古地圖，我們還會發現，鵝嘜河以前被稱為“Sungai Lumpur”（泥濘河），而吉隆坡之所以叫Kuala Lumpur，結合以上兩點，結果就顯而易見了。
如果說有河的地方就有生活痕跡，那麼路必然也是人走出來的。在英國殖民政府規劃吉隆坡的道路以前，有3條道路呈蜘蛛網狀散射，和英國人擅長的井字形街道規劃很不一樣。這3條道路，分別是安邦路、白沙羅路，以及富都路。這3條主要道路，是勘察錫礦的拓荒者穿越森林走出來的路徑！
有了道路，可以通往礦區，錫礦也可以從礦區運送至河流，之後再順流到巴生出口。早期白沙羅是一個貨運碼頭，“Damansara”（白沙羅）在北方印度語里，就是“山腳下的港口”的意思。那時候，乘客在巴生河與鵝嘜河交匯點上下船，而貨物則被運送到白沙羅。
巴生河未發掘到錫礦以前，一直不是很重要的河流。可是自從有了錫礦，就變得“有價值”了。根據張集強在《英參政時期的吉隆坡》一書裡透露，1876年至1877年間，葉亞來向所有巴生河錫船征收每播荷（Bahra）一元的錫稅。
說起吉隆坡，我們很難不提起葉亞來。作為吉隆坡第3任華人甲必丹，他扮演了開發、建設、投資與管治的角色，也因為他的建設基礎，才讓英國人將雪州政府的行政機關從巴生遷移至吉隆坡來。
參政司瑞天咸在一份報告中曾經這樣表揚葉亞來：“參政制度還沒實施前，這個市鎮（指吉隆坡）曾三度被燒毀，而甲必丹每回都把它重建……他排除萬難，極力維護這個地方的安寧。華人甲必丹也建筑了多條道路，以聯繫吉隆坡及各主要礦區……”（《英參政世紀的吉隆坡》26頁，張集強著）。由此可見，葉亞來所扮演的多重角色，對於吉隆坡的發展建設，起著舉足輕重的影響。
葉亞來也是一個積極的投資者，是吉隆坡的大地主。1880年吉隆坡市中心一帶有147間店屋，而葉亞來一個人就擁有了當中的116間！巴生河東岸吉隆坡市區有2／3的產業屬於他，當中包括大菜場（現在的中央藝術坊）、賭館和妓院。
想來，那時候要在吉隆坡市中心租房子，很大機會就租下了葉亞來名下的房子。信興祥參燕行的老闆錢重正就告知，他於20多年前買下位於中央藝術坊旁的三層樓建筑時，發現這棟樓最早的業主，正是葉亞來！
破敗不已的發源地
錢重正於上世紀70年代開始在茨廠街一帶打理家族生意和生活，他們家早期是經營參茸批發的。與茨廠街毗鄰的街道，如蘇丹街、指天街、諧街、李孝式路等，都是吉隆坡最早的中心地帶，也是從巴生河岸最早的幾間棚屋發展起來的地區。30多年前，這一帶居住了許多人，不像現在，多數店屋只是租給人做生意，居民都外遷了。幾十年前，錢重正與附近一帶的居民結交朋友，他們有的是咖啡店老闆，有的是旅行社老闆，還有賣眼鏡的、磨剪刀的，甚至賣小鳥的都有。
錢重正習慣在這一帶出沒，當他決定擴充家族生意，要購買自家的店屋時，也決定不遠離這個地區。他選擇了具有“海味街”之稱的Leboh Pudu，經營藥材店，還開了家以補湯為賣點的“靚湯餐廳”。
只是，曾經一度最繁榮與華商集中的市中心，漸漸被涌入的外勞取代，錢重正過去的街坊，也都一個一個搬遷，現在的“海味街”，其實一點也不名符其實。更尷尬的是，這一帶雖然古跡林立，可是沒有受到應有的保護與重視，整個環境顯得破敗、殘舊。另外，由於巴士也多，空氣污染指數比別的地方來得嚴重，交通更是堵塞非常。
站在街道旁，看著古老建筑物斑駁的墻面，我感覺仿佛來到了第3世界國家，而這個地方，如此靠近吉隆坡的源頭，可是景象卻一點也不浪漫。汽車噴出廢氣，失修多時甚至隨時倒塌的店屋，涂抹上奇怪的鮮艷色彩，異常刺眼；幾步路之遙的巴生河，更是為流逝的歷史增添不堪，與週邊的景物齊齊讓人皺眉頭。
巴生河的傳奇不再，巴生已被吉隆坡取代，而吉隆坡邁向國際大都會的當兒，她的起源點，竟然躲在絢麗光彩背後暗自殘喘，感覺猶如被歷史背棄般，這是多麼令人傷感的結局。
星洲日報/副刊‧文：林悅‧2009.06.24
Friday, June 26, 2009
Saturday, December 27, 2008
聖誕節是施愛時候
一個著名的心理學家向3000個人問這項問題：“你為著甚麼而活？”他感到震驚地發現有994人說他們在等候將來、等候結婚、等候孩子長大、等候某某人退休、等候……。等候的同時，他們在計算時間。換句話說，他們在等候“明天”，而卻毫無留意地讓“今天”溜走！
你會時常聽到他們說：“有一天，我要……。”不錯是有決心，然而那一天永遠都不會到來，因為若你不是為今天而活的話，“明天”，或“有一天”，永遠都是很遙遠的！
沒有人能夠永遠地對別人說“我愛你”。如果這個世界將在24小時之內結束的話，馬上人人就會搶著電話撥給心愛的人表達自己的愛意。這是真的，當你知道快與心愛的人訣別時，如果你還來得及講的話，你會向他們表達你的愛。
人生往往就是有許多事情被“不必趕緊”的心態連累，導致自己後悔連連。許多人以為還有很多時間，結果當做的事情沒機會做，當愛的人已經離他們遠去。對於心愛的人，你想為他們做的事情莫推到明天。你打算“明天”才要做的事情，這“明天”永遠都不會來到的！
我引用莎士比亞名言作結束：“明天和明天和明天，日繼日在這小步裡潛入，直到已記錄的時間最後音節；我們所有的昨天點著了愚昧人，那灰土一般的死亡之路。熄掉，熄掉，短暫的蠟燭！生命只是一個行走的影子，一個在舞台炫耀及侵蝕他時間，然後不再聽到的可憐演員。它（生命）是一個由白癡講的故事，充滿聲音和狂怒，表示不重要的事。”
聖誕節是一個向人施愛的時候，如果你想到要在今年的聖誕節向任何人施愛的話，就今天行動吧！多一份溫情，多一份聖誕氣氛。人生，需要趕緊向人表達你的愛。
星洲日報／言路‧作者：陳亞倫‧2008.12.24
你會時常聽到他們說：“有一天，我要……。”不錯是有決心，然而那一天永遠都不會到來，因為若你不是為今天而活的話，“明天”，或“有一天”，永遠都是很遙遠的！
沒有人能夠永遠地對別人說“我愛你”。如果這個世界將在24小時之內結束的話，馬上人人就會搶著電話撥給心愛的人表達自己的愛意。這是真的，當你知道快與心愛的人訣別時，如果你還來得及講的話，你會向他們表達你的愛。
人生往往就是有許多事情被“不必趕緊”的心態連累，導致自己後悔連連。許多人以為還有很多時間，結果當做的事情沒機會做，當愛的人已經離他們遠去。對於心愛的人，你想為他們做的事情莫推到明天。你打算“明天”才要做的事情，這“明天”永遠都不會來到的！
我引用莎士比亞名言作結束：“明天和明天和明天，日繼日在這小步裡潛入，直到已記錄的時間最後音節；我們所有的昨天點著了愚昧人，那灰土一般的死亡之路。熄掉，熄掉，短暫的蠟燭！生命只是一個行走的影子，一個在舞台炫耀及侵蝕他時間，然後不再聽到的可憐演員。它（生命）是一個由白癡講的故事，充滿聲音和狂怒，表示不重要的事。”
聖誕節是一個向人施愛的時候，如果你想到要在今年的聖誕節向任何人施愛的話，就今天行動吧！多一份溫情，多一份聖誕氣氛。人生，需要趕緊向人表達你的愛。
星洲日報／言路‧作者：陳亞倫‧2008.12.24
Saturday, December 6, 2008
聽心情在唱歌
聽歌是不少人休閑時的消遣，可是有沒有注意到，在聽歌的當兒，心情很容易跟旋律改變，鮮少會把心情打破原有的弦律。打個比方，有一首歌《一個人走，一個人》，哼哼，怎麼感覺好孤獨啊！啊，原來一路上只有我一個人在孤軍作戰，渺茫的前方，我的人生很寂寞？有沒有試過，一瞬間，原本還過得去的心情突然掉進寂寞孤獨中，然後一整天怎麼樣也提不起勁。
再來是這首歌“每條大街小巷，每個人的嘴裡，見面第一句話，就是恭喜恭喜……”，車上播放這首新年歌謠，明明離新年還有一個多月，可是……哇，怎麼感覺特別有活力？你看車窗外的大廈也跟旋律熱舞，還有那霓虹燈一閃一閃地更像是在歡慶新一年到來。就連路上的行人也感覺特別熱情和喜悅，整個大地充滿了新年的氣息。這就是所謂心情被旋律控制了。
優雅的音樂總讓人變得有氣質，狂野的旋律讓人想放縱地起舞，我們總不小心中了旋律的魔咒，跟它依它的腳步。只有在十萬分重的心情下，情緒才可以真正的打敗旋律。當你最親最愛的人離開你，此刻的心情是如此的哀痛，就算播放多熱情的舞曲，心還是刀割似的痛，再輕快的音樂聽來也只有傷感；再換個情況，要是和最心愛的對象結婚了，此刻的心情是多麼的甜蜜，整個世界都充滿了情和愛，再感傷的音樂都侵入不了愉快的心情。
聽歌聽歌，其實只要感覺對了，就是現在最適合聽的歌了。
星洲日報／副刊‧文：可慧‧2008.12.01
再來是這首歌“每條大街小巷，每個人的嘴裡，見面第一句話，就是恭喜恭喜……”，車上播放這首新年歌謠，明明離新年還有一個多月，可是……哇，怎麼感覺特別有活力？你看車窗外的大廈也跟旋律熱舞，還有那霓虹燈一閃一閃地更像是在歡慶新一年到來。就連路上的行人也感覺特別熱情和喜悅，整個大地充滿了新年的氣息。這就是所謂心情被旋律控制了。
優雅的音樂總讓人變得有氣質，狂野的旋律讓人想放縱地起舞，我們總不小心中了旋律的魔咒，跟它依它的腳步。只有在十萬分重的心情下，情緒才可以真正的打敗旋律。當你最親最愛的人離開你，此刻的心情是如此的哀痛，就算播放多熱情的舞曲，心還是刀割似的痛，再輕快的音樂聽來也只有傷感；再換個情況，要是和最心愛的對象結婚了，此刻的心情是多麼的甜蜜，整個世界都充滿了情和愛，再感傷的音樂都侵入不了愉快的心情。
聽歌聽歌，其實只要感覺對了，就是現在最適合聽的歌了。
星洲日報／副刊‧文：可慧‧2008.12.01
Sunday, October 19, 2008
不能假装悲惨不存
李家同： 不能假装悲惨不存 2008/10/13 14:05:45
●彭蕙仙（台湾前媒体人）
要李家同谈谈自己，他笑笑：“有什么好说的？我是一个普通人”。
打开电邮，很多人常会收到不知已经转寄了多少手的李家同的文章，但每次看、每次都依然能被文中深刻温暖的人文关怀所感动；他的著作热销40万册，在书市里，近年来，李家同已是畅销书行排榜上的常客；在学术专业上，他被公认是台湾演算法的权威……
身为李鸿章家族后代，并且因为与李鸿章同一天生日，因此父亲特别为他取名“李家同”的他，从附中一路念到台大、柏克莱博士，这个普通人其实并没那么普通，不过，他倒是有个很普通的坚持：一切从基本做起。
他不但写文章阐述这个理念，自己也是这个理念的实践者。
过去十多年来，李家同每个星期天都会到新竹宝山乡德兰中心，教导一些穷孩子学英文，还为他们编写了一套英文有声书；如果问他，以一个大学教授的时间成本来说，自己跑到穷乡僻壤教一些连发音都有问题的孩子英文，不是太不经济了吗？
但李家同并不这样想，他认为，要表达关怀，“捐钱也很好，可是我想，有时对这些穷人家的小孩来讲，你去教他，表达的是一种‘身教’式的关心。”而他认为穷孩子特别需要这样“面对面”的关心。
李家同一直是所谓“前段班”的好学生，但他对后段班的孩子始终有着深深的负担。自从去过德雷莎修女的“垂死之家”后，李家同开始关切贫穷问题，于是透过写作关怀弱势团体，因为这些人没有资源，没有社会能见度，也少有人为他们代言，“人类中有不幸的人，并不是一件最不幸的事，”李家同说：“但没有人替这些人说话，这才是最不幸的事。”做为一个社会里的秀异分子，李家同常提醒自己：“我不能假装世界上的悲惨不存在。”
成了弱势与贫穷孩子的代言人
因为有这些反省，他常常不知不觉成了弱势的、贫穷孩子的代言人，在文章与演讲中再三提醒决策者以及社会上有能力的人必须注意贫穷问题；他尤其在意的是教育资源与制度的公平性。
李家同感叹，台湾的教育与考试制度已愈来愈不利于非都会区的家庭，不利于穷人家的孩子，“很多人可能一辈子都没有办法翻身。”
他举自己教学辅导的经验为例。他有学生因为书读得不好，没有什么成就感，决定去跳八家将（按：原是台湾地方庙会传统的艺术文化，但近年被不良组织控制，吸引涉世未深的少年加入，涉及斗殴、贩毒等犯罪事项，导致社会观感不佳），他花了很多功夫去游说他不要这么做，“才国中（初中）就放弃学业，前途真的叫人担心。”
另有学生有经济压力、对上学没兴趣，宁愿去夜市卖盗版光碟、去赌场把风赚钱，这让他很痛心；他说，或许经济不景气是全球性的问题，“我们无法让这个社会完全没有贫穷的人，但我们一定要努力，让穷人家的孩子可以脱离永久性的贫困循环中；而教育，正是其中的关键之道，因此不能遗漏任何一个孩子。”
说到教育，李家同对现代大学生的无知与无聊也是批评最力的人之一。前一阵子，他提出了一分问卷调查，里面有包括科索沃战争（按：Kosovo War，1999年最引人注目的事件，也是将对世界格局产生重要影响的事件；以后“科索沃战争”或“科索沃冲突”这个名词通常是用来描述在内战后，随即发生的国际冲突）、密特朗（按：Francois Maurice Marie Mitterrand，法国前总统，在政治方面主张限制总统权限，扩大议会作用，实行多党制。）等30个名词解释，他考了很多所大学的学生，结果平均答对不到三分之一，“我们的教育教出了怎样的一批大学生？他们没有知识，对世界不关心……”李家同感叹。
大学生不读非专业东西
总归一句，“大学生不阅读，尤其不读非专业的东西。”就算读点什么，也多半只选择励志、实用的书籍，李家同并不那么鼓励如此的阅读取向，他在为盲人规划有声书时，也避开一般爱选用的励志小品，而是为他们朗读文学名著，尤其是小说，“因为小说有很多思想对话的乐趣。”
他以自己深爱的《白鲸记》为例，小说谈论的是人类意志与自然律的关系，“但不是直接的教训，而是以生动的情节铺陈一个深刻的思索空间。”此外，文学作品比较讲究谴词用句，对现在文字能力普遍不佳的学生来说，也提供了很好的观摩、学习机会。
李家同非常热爱小说，不但是国外推理小说俱乐部的会员，也把浓浓的小说笔法与人文关怀揉和在文章里，他几乎可说是开创了“虚拟情节+真实感动”这种书写风格，让许多人念念不忘他书里的故事；而这些故事能够说得好看、动人，是因为李家同有一支文字柔雅、却深具力量的笔，相信这也一定是多年、多方阅读文学作品有以致之。
但他还是谦称自己没什么特别，甚至女儿也从来不曾跟同学提过有个畅销作家老爸。某次，李家同女儿跟同学逛书展，同学兴奋地指着一本书说：“这个作者我见过，他写得好棒！”把书拿来一看，哈，原来作者是李家同，于是女儿淡淡地跟同学说：“这个作者嘎？我也见过欸。”
一个女儿眼中再普通不过的父亲；一个台湾知识界的社会良心。说到教育，李家同还是坚持：“我们的孩子，一个都不能少。”这个看似普通的理念，要实践起来，却一点也不普通。
●彭蕙仙（台湾前媒体人）
要李家同谈谈自己，他笑笑：“有什么好说的？我是一个普通人”。
打开电邮，很多人常会收到不知已经转寄了多少手的李家同的文章，但每次看、每次都依然能被文中深刻温暖的人文关怀所感动；他的著作热销40万册，在书市里，近年来，李家同已是畅销书行排榜上的常客；在学术专业上，他被公认是台湾演算法的权威……
身为李鸿章家族后代，并且因为与李鸿章同一天生日，因此父亲特别为他取名“李家同”的他，从附中一路念到台大、柏克莱博士，这个普通人其实并没那么普通，不过，他倒是有个很普通的坚持：一切从基本做起。
他不但写文章阐述这个理念，自己也是这个理念的实践者。
过去十多年来，李家同每个星期天都会到新竹宝山乡德兰中心，教导一些穷孩子学英文，还为他们编写了一套英文有声书；如果问他，以一个大学教授的时间成本来说，自己跑到穷乡僻壤教一些连发音都有问题的孩子英文，不是太不经济了吗？
但李家同并不这样想，他认为，要表达关怀，“捐钱也很好，可是我想，有时对这些穷人家的小孩来讲，你去教他，表达的是一种‘身教’式的关心。”而他认为穷孩子特别需要这样“面对面”的关心。
李家同一直是所谓“前段班”的好学生，但他对后段班的孩子始终有着深深的负担。自从去过德雷莎修女的“垂死之家”后，李家同开始关切贫穷问题，于是透过写作关怀弱势团体，因为这些人没有资源，没有社会能见度，也少有人为他们代言，“人类中有不幸的人，并不是一件最不幸的事，”李家同说：“但没有人替这些人说话，这才是最不幸的事。”做为一个社会里的秀异分子，李家同常提醒自己：“我不能假装世界上的悲惨不存在。”
成了弱势与贫穷孩子的代言人
因为有这些反省，他常常不知不觉成了弱势的、贫穷孩子的代言人，在文章与演讲中再三提醒决策者以及社会上有能力的人必须注意贫穷问题；他尤其在意的是教育资源与制度的公平性。
李家同感叹，台湾的教育与考试制度已愈来愈不利于非都会区的家庭，不利于穷人家的孩子，“很多人可能一辈子都没有办法翻身。”
他举自己教学辅导的经验为例。他有学生因为书读得不好，没有什么成就感，决定去跳八家将（按：原是台湾地方庙会传统的艺术文化，但近年被不良组织控制，吸引涉世未深的少年加入，涉及斗殴、贩毒等犯罪事项，导致社会观感不佳），他花了很多功夫去游说他不要这么做，“才国中（初中）就放弃学业，前途真的叫人担心。”
另有学生有经济压力、对上学没兴趣，宁愿去夜市卖盗版光碟、去赌场把风赚钱，这让他很痛心；他说，或许经济不景气是全球性的问题，“我们无法让这个社会完全没有贫穷的人，但我们一定要努力，让穷人家的孩子可以脱离永久性的贫困循环中；而教育，正是其中的关键之道，因此不能遗漏任何一个孩子。”
说到教育，李家同对现代大学生的无知与无聊也是批评最力的人之一。前一阵子，他提出了一分问卷调查，里面有包括科索沃战争（按：Kosovo War，1999年最引人注目的事件，也是将对世界格局产生重要影响的事件；以后“科索沃战争”或“科索沃冲突”这个名词通常是用来描述在内战后，随即发生的国际冲突）、密特朗（按：Francois Maurice Marie Mitterrand，法国前总统，在政治方面主张限制总统权限，扩大议会作用，实行多党制。）等30个名词解释，他考了很多所大学的学生，结果平均答对不到三分之一，“我们的教育教出了怎样的一批大学生？他们没有知识，对世界不关心……”李家同感叹。
大学生不读非专业东西
总归一句，“大学生不阅读，尤其不读非专业的东西。”就算读点什么，也多半只选择励志、实用的书籍，李家同并不那么鼓励如此的阅读取向，他在为盲人规划有声书时，也避开一般爱选用的励志小品，而是为他们朗读文学名著，尤其是小说，“因为小说有很多思想对话的乐趣。”
他以自己深爱的《白鲸记》为例，小说谈论的是人类意志与自然律的关系，“但不是直接的教训，而是以生动的情节铺陈一个深刻的思索空间。”此外，文学作品比较讲究谴词用句，对现在文字能力普遍不佳的学生来说，也提供了很好的观摩、学习机会。
李家同非常热爱小说，不但是国外推理小说俱乐部的会员，也把浓浓的小说笔法与人文关怀揉和在文章里，他几乎可说是开创了“虚拟情节+真实感动”这种书写风格，让许多人念念不忘他书里的故事；而这些故事能够说得好看、动人，是因为李家同有一支文字柔雅、却深具力量的笔，相信这也一定是多年、多方阅读文学作品有以致之。
但他还是谦称自己没什么特别，甚至女儿也从来不曾跟同学提过有个畅销作家老爸。某次，李家同女儿跟同学逛书展，同学兴奋地指着一本书说：“这个作者我见过，他写得好棒！”把书拿来一看，哈，原来作者是李家同，于是女儿淡淡地跟同学说：“这个作者嘎？我也见过欸。”
一个女儿眼中再普通不过的父亲；一个台湾知识界的社会良心。说到教育，李家同还是坚持：“我们的孩子，一个都不能少。”这个看似普通的理念，要实践起来，却一点也不普通。
专心吃饭
牛棚读书记: 专心吃饭 2008/10/17
梁文道，(牛棚书院院长)香港资深传媒人及文化评论人，十多年来他写过政治、文学、艺术、书评及乐评。
我们天天进食，何曾试过每一口都专心地吃呢？吃早餐的时候看报纸，吃午饭的时间变成一场工作会议，吃晚餐的时候用电视汁捞饭；我们有多久没试过好好地，一心一意地对待眼前的食物？
我曾经介绍过一个我最喜欢的书痴故事，关于匈牙利革命时期的一位贵族，他嗜书如狂到了一个程度，即使是在被推上断头台之际，仍然不忘用笔在书上划线做笔记。假如一个人爱书爱到了连死之将至也不为所动的地步，那书痴这个称号，他就实在是当之无愧了。
我再和大家介绍一位真正的美食家。他是一位20世纪的日本大禅师，日日修行也没什么别的嗜好，唯独喜欢甜食。在他病重的时候，弟子们从全国各地赶来探望，当然也不忘带一些果子送给恩师，好让他在圆寂前尝一尝。终于到了快要坐化的那一刻了，老禅师一如任何道行高深的修行者，端坐席上，相貌平和。然后，他竟然再拿起了一块甜饼，放进口中，有点艰难地慢慢咀嚼。吃罢，他微微启唇，好像要说点什么，于是弟子们统统紧张地紧聚过去，心想师傅要做他人生中最后一次开示了，非得好好听清楚不可。老禅师终于说话了，他只说了两个字，“好吃！”。然后他就断了气。
一心一意对待美食
一个人到了死前的最后一刻，心中想的竟然还是适才甜品的滋味，留下的遗言竟然还是对那块甜品的赞美，没有任何告别，更没有不舍与恐惧，他还不算最厉害的美食家吗？所谓的美食家难道不就该是这般模样吗？一心一意地对待眼前的食物，别无旁骛，甚至置生死于度外。
后来大家都说这位禅师真是高，已经到达觉悟的境界了，理由是佛学的修行最讲究一个人是否时刻“正念”。“正念”指的就是非常专注地活在当下，走路时专心走路，睡觉时专心睡觉，脑子既不执过去发生的快事，也不忧虑未来的烦恼。这种状态自然是快乐的，同时也是无我的，因为它完全切断了我的过去与未来，不把过去发生的事情当做自己的事，也不把将来的我看成是现在这个我的延续。要在平常达到这种状态已经很难，要在死的那一刹那仍然保持它就更难。所以很多人都认定这位甜品禅师是真正的涅槃了。
何曾专心对待美食
其实我们天天进食，又何曾试过每一餐每一口都专心地吃呢？吃早餐的时候看报纸，吃午饭的时间变成一场工作会议，吃晚餐时用电视汁捞饭；我们有多久没试过好好地，一心一意地对待眼前的食物？如果我们专心地吃，食物的味道会不会变得和平常不一样呢？
我们常常为一些吃斋的人感到可惜，为一些饮食上诸多禁忌的人扼腕，觉得他们失去了人生的乐趣。可是回头细想，我平常囫囵吞枣地吃东西，甚至吃这一顿的同时就念下一顿，难道这就真的享受了人生，懂得饮食的乐趣了吗？看来美食家起码可以分成两类，绝大多数都是心思敏捷，想像力丰富，吃一块肉的时候，会回味起从前远方某家菜馆的手段是如何地高明，又或者明天的一顿盛宴。少数像甜品禅师这样的，则全神贯注于眼前所见嘴中所言。对这种人来讲，或许连一口白饭都是人间至味。
梁文道，(牛棚书院院长)香港资深传媒人及文化评论人，十多年来他写过政治、文学、艺术、书评及乐评。
我们天天进食，何曾试过每一口都专心地吃呢？吃早餐的时候看报纸，吃午饭的时间变成一场工作会议，吃晚餐的时候用电视汁捞饭；我们有多久没试过好好地，一心一意地对待眼前的食物？
我曾经介绍过一个我最喜欢的书痴故事，关于匈牙利革命时期的一位贵族，他嗜书如狂到了一个程度，即使是在被推上断头台之际，仍然不忘用笔在书上划线做笔记。假如一个人爱书爱到了连死之将至也不为所动的地步，那书痴这个称号，他就实在是当之无愧了。
我再和大家介绍一位真正的美食家。他是一位20世纪的日本大禅师，日日修行也没什么别的嗜好，唯独喜欢甜食。在他病重的时候，弟子们从全国各地赶来探望，当然也不忘带一些果子送给恩师，好让他在圆寂前尝一尝。终于到了快要坐化的那一刻了，老禅师一如任何道行高深的修行者，端坐席上，相貌平和。然后，他竟然再拿起了一块甜饼，放进口中，有点艰难地慢慢咀嚼。吃罢，他微微启唇，好像要说点什么，于是弟子们统统紧张地紧聚过去，心想师傅要做他人生中最后一次开示了，非得好好听清楚不可。老禅师终于说话了，他只说了两个字，“好吃！”。然后他就断了气。
一心一意对待美食
一个人到了死前的最后一刻，心中想的竟然还是适才甜品的滋味，留下的遗言竟然还是对那块甜品的赞美，没有任何告别，更没有不舍与恐惧，他还不算最厉害的美食家吗？所谓的美食家难道不就该是这般模样吗？一心一意地对待眼前的食物，别无旁骛，甚至置生死于度外。
后来大家都说这位禅师真是高，已经到达觉悟的境界了，理由是佛学的修行最讲究一个人是否时刻“正念”。“正念”指的就是非常专注地活在当下，走路时专心走路，睡觉时专心睡觉，脑子既不执过去发生的快事，也不忧虑未来的烦恼。这种状态自然是快乐的，同时也是无我的，因为它完全切断了我的过去与未来，不把过去发生的事情当做自己的事，也不把将来的我看成是现在这个我的延续。要在平常达到这种状态已经很难，要在死的那一刹那仍然保持它就更难。所以很多人都认定这位甜品禅师是真正的涅槃了。
何曾专心对待美食
其实我们天天进食，又何曾试过每一餐每一口都专心地吃呢？吃早餐的时候看报纸，吃午饭的时间变成一场工作会议，吃晚餐时用电视汁捞饭；我们有多久没试过好好地，一心一意地对待眼前的食物？如果我们专心地吃，食物的味道会不会变得和平常不一样呢？
我们常常为一些吃斋的人感到可惜，为一些饮食上诸多禁忌的人扼腕，觉得他们失去了人生的乐趣。可是回头细想，我平常囫囵吞枣地吃东西，甚至吃这一顿的同时就念下一顿，难道这就真的享受了人生，懂得饮食的乐趣了吗？看来美食家起码可以分成两类，绝大多数都是心思敏捷，想像力丰富，吃一块肉的时候，会回味起从前远方某家菜馆的手段是如何地高明，又或者明天的一顿盛宴。少数像甜品禅师这样的，则全神贯注于眼前所见嘴中所言。对这种人来讲，或许连一口白饭都是人间至味。
十年
十年
副刊 星雲 2008-10-18 17:05
陪孩子觀看電視節目，經常搖頭興歎。那些年輕的朋友，為何那麼急於揚名立萬？本地電視台舉辦歌唱比賽，出類拔萃者馬上搖身一變，成為節目主持人和連續劇演員。不久前比賽，他們還在學習唱歌和跳舞。
過去流行“唱而優則演、演而優則導”之說，畢竟還有奮發努力的過程。如今，仿佛一蹴而就，一步就登天。我想起快熟麵等速食。陳容唱歌是數十年功力；周潤發演戲是數十年揣摩；要當主持人，也不是單靠一項比賽或一張臉孔就能登台。
一位年輕朋友要我出版他的詩集。他是我的學生，本該“優先考慮”。然而，我拒絕了。理由很簡單：過去十年，他並沒專心寫詩。寫詩60年的余光中，還在為年少之作後悔。
台上一分鐘，台下十年功
畫家梵谷，十年默默寫生習作。那時，沒人理解他，也沒人看得起這位怪人。可是，他在生命最後的日子，迸發耀眼奪目的光彩。他那鮮艷的粗線條，以強烈的個性呼喚田野和夜星。年輕的歲月，總是很難理解磨練與永恆的關聯。
當我們喜歡一件事，我們會沉浸其中，廢寢忘食。十年不過彈指功夫，還恐怕時日易過，造詣未深。二、三十載，猶怕徘徊門外，未窺堂奧。
歲月，會一點一滴，回報我們的投入與付出，回報我們的衣帶漸寬終不悔。箇中或隻影向誰去、倚杖聽江聲，或許窮居陋巷、一簞一瓢；然而甘苦自得，光澤自在。
生命或如流星；才華不應一閃而逝。它必須在水裡火裡、風裡雨裡，淘汰雜質，粹煉精華。人生最難之處，在別人看不到的地方。天險，卻在自己看不到的地方。
十年磨一劍。十年寒窗無人問。台上一分鐘，台下十年功。
我是這麼看人，也這麼看待才華的。
星洲日報‧文：傅承得‧2008.10.13
副刊 星雲 2008-10-18 17:05
陪孩子觀看電視節目，經常搖頭興歎。那些年輕的朋友，為何那麼急於揚名立萬？本地電視台舉辦歌唱比賽，出類拔萃者馬上搖身一變，成為節目主持人和連續劇演員。不久前比賽，他們還在學習唱歌和跳舞。
過去流行“唱而優則演、演而優則導”之說，畢竟還有奮發努力的過程。如今，仿佛一蹴而就，一步就登天。我想起快熟麵等速食。陳容唱歌是數十年功力；周潤發演戲是數十年揣摩；要當主持人，也不是單靠一項比賽或一張臉孔就能登台。
一位年輕朋友要我出版他的詩集。他是我的學生，本該“優先考慮”。然而，我拒絕了。理由很簡單：過去十年，他並沒專心寫詩。寫詩60年的余光中，還在為年少之作後悔。
台上一分鐘，台下十年功
畫家梵谷，十年默默寫生習作。那時，沒人理解他，也沒人看得起這位怪人。可是，他在生命最後的日子，迸發耀眼奪目的光彩。他那鮮艷的粗線條，以強烈的個性呼喚田野和夜星。年輕的歲月，總是很難理解磨練與永恆的關聯。
當我們喜歡一件事，我們會沉浸其中，廢寢忘食。十年不過彈指功夫，還恐怕時日易過，造詣未深。二、三十載，猶怕徘徊門外，未窺堂奧。
歲月，會一點一滴，回報我們的投入與付出，回報我們的衣帶漸寬終不悔。箇中或隻影向誰去、倚杖聽江聲，或許窮居陋巷、一簞一瓢；然而甘苦自得，光澤自在。
生命或如流星；才華不應一閃而逝。它必須在水裡火裡、風裡雨裡，淘汰雜質，粹煉精華。人生最難之處，在別人看不到的地方。天險，卻在自己看不到的地方。
十年磨一劍。十年寒窗無人問。台上一分鐘，台下十年功。
我是這麼看人，也這麼看待才華的。
星洲日報‧文：傅承得‧2008.10.13
吃一片橘子
吃一片橘子 2008/10/04 13:05:15
●梁文道
以烹调精进料理闻名的日本禅僧藤井宗哲曾经在一趟新干线的火车旅次上遇见一位青年，这个年轻的上班族把公事包放在膝上当小桌，一边喝啤酒一边看杂志，还拿了个便当出来吃。宗哲和尚注意到这位青年“是以看杂志为主，顺便吃便当。”他的行为“不过是把‘进食’当作机能性动作；也就是将食物放入口中，机械地咀嚼后，经过喉咙，最后储存在胃袋。我好整以暇地瞥看着这位上班族，发现他的目光始终盯杂志，一点也感觉不到便当的存在。此后，我不知又遇到过多少这样的人。这类人的饮食生活，可称之为‘机器人进食’。”
挂着交谈忘了食物
说来惭愧，我也是个进食机器人，常常一个人吃饭，而吃的时候也是丢不开书本杂志，生怕浪费了吃饭的时间。再推想下去，平日的工作、午餐或饭局，岂不也是如此？为什么很多饭局明明叫了一桌子菜，走的时候总是剩下许多未尽的菜肴，偏偏回到家还会饿肚子呢？那是因为在饭局里头我们往往挂着交谈忘了食物。没错，食物不是主角。我很少听到有人会说：“喂，有家餐厅很不错，我们约xxx一起去吃吧。”绝大部分的情况是反过来，先想好要约哪些人吃什么，才去找个饭馆成全大家的聚会。
无论是一个人吃饭的时候看书报电视，还是一堆人找个吃饭的地方开会谈生意，都是我们不想浪费时间的表现。真是讽刺，这可是个美食膨胀的年代，几乎人人都是美食家，偏偏我们还会觉得吃饭是件浪费时间的事情。大概心有个标准，觉得日常三餐又是必要的营生手续，可以随便打发，任意填上其他活动；而美食，则是一种很特别很不日常的东西，必须严阵以待。
橘子禅说明正念饮食
不过，要是我们用对待美食的态度去对待最简单不过的食物，又会产生什么效果呢？去年，誉满天下的越南高僧一行禅师访香港。在他主持的禅修营，他教大家用很慢很慢的速度吃饭，吃的时候不要交谈，全神贯注于眼前的菜肴，这就是所谓的“正念饮食”了。一行禅师曾以“橘子禅”说明正念饮食的方法：不要像平常那样一边剥橘子一边吃，而要专心地剥开橘子的皮，感受它刹那间射出的汁液，闻它散发于空气中的清香。然后取出一瓣橘肉，放进口中缓慢地嚼，全神贯注地体验门牙咬断它，臼齿磨碎它，舌头搅动它等每一个动作，直到它几近液化，通过食道吞咽下去为止。
如果你这么做，你会对一片最普通的橘子产生前所未有的全新感受；你会发现自己还用着不去买一枚昂贵的意大利血橘，因为你从来不曾知道什么叫做吃橘子。最美妙的，是这种修行还会引导你注意吃的过程，仿佛你不曾吃过。
比一行禅师的橘子禅更夸张的，是美国佛学导师康菲尔德（Jack Cornfield）的葡萄干修行法，他教导学生们用10分钟去吃一颗葡萄干，很多人吃完之后竟然觉得太饱了！
我们不可能每一顿饭都这么吃，但至少可以每天花一点时间练习心无旁骛的正念饮食。你也不用觉得它是个宗教色彩很浓的仪式，你只需要把它当成认识美食的基本练习就行了。正如饮酒，若连水的味道都分辨不出来，又怎谈得上欣赏酒的复杂呢？
●梁文道
以烹调精进料理闻名的日本禅僧藤井宗哲曾经在一趟新干线的火车旅次上遇见一位青年，这个年轻的上班族把公事包放在膝上当小桌，一边喝啤酒一边看杂志，还拿了个便当出来吃。宗哲和尚注意到这位青年“是以看杂志为主，顺便吃便当。”他的行为“不过是把‘进食’当作机能性动作；也就是将食物放入口中，机械地咀嚼后，经过喉咙，最后储存在胃袋。我好整以暇地瞥看着这位上班族，发现他的目光始终盯杂志，一点也感觉不到便当的存在。此后，我不知又遇到过多少这样的人。这类人的饮食生活，可称之为‘机器人进食’。”
挂着交谈忘了食物
说来惭愧，我也是个进食机器人，常常一个人吃饭，而吃的时候也是丢不开书本杂志，生怕浪费了吃饭的时间。再推想下去，平日的工作、午餐或饭局，岂不也是如此？为什么很多饭局明明叫了一桌子菜，走的时候总是剩下许多未尽的菜肴，偏偏回到家还会饿肚子呢？那是因为在饭局里头我们往往挂着交谈忘了食物。没错，食物不是主角。我很少听到有人会说：“喂，有家餐厅很不错，我们约xxx一起去吃吧。”绝大部分的情况是反过来，先想好要约哪些人吃什么，才去找个饭馆成全大家的聚会。
无论是一个人吃饭的时候看书报电视，还是一堆人找个吃饭的地方开会谈生意，都是我们不想浪费时间的表现。真是讽刺，这可是个美食膨胀的年代，几乎人人都是美食家，偏偏我们还会觉得吃饭是件浪费时间的事情。大概心有个标准，觉得日常三餐又是必要的营生手续，可以随便打发，任意填上其他活动；而美食，则是一种很特别很不日常的东西，必须严阵以待。
橘子禅说明正念饮食
不过，要是我们用对待美食的态度去对待最简单不过的食物，又会产生什么效果呢？去年，誉满天下的越南高僧一行禅师访香港。在他主持的禅修营，他教大家用很慢很慢的速度吃饭，吃的时候不要交谈，全神贯注于眼前的菜肴，这就是所谓的“正念饮食”了。一行禅师曾以“橘子禅”说明正念饮食的方法：不要像平常那样一边剥橘子一边吃，而要专心地剥开橘子的皮，感受它刹那间射出的汁液，闻它散发于空气中的清香。然后取出一瓣橘肉，放进口中缓慢地嚼，全神贯注地体验门牙咬断它，臼齿磨碎它，舌头搅动它等每一个动作，直到它几近液化，通过食道吞咽下去为止。
如果你这么做，你会对一片最普通的橘子产生前所未有的全新感受；你会发现自己还用着不去买一枚昂贵的意大利血橘，因为你从来不曾知道什么叫做吃橘子。最美妙的，是这种修行还会引导你注意吃的过程，仿佛你不曾吃过。
比一行禅师的橘子禅更夸张的，是美国佛学导师康菲尔德（Jack Cornfield）的葡萄干修行法，他教导学生们用10分钟去吃一颗葡萄干，很多人吃完之后竟然觉得太饱了！
我们不可能每一顿饭都这么吃，但至少可以每天花一点时间练习心无旁骛的正念饮食。你也不用觉得它是个宗教色彩很浓的仪式，你只需要把它当成认识美食的基本练习就行了。正如饮酒，若连水的味道都分辨不出来，又怎谈得上欣赏酒的复杂呢？
Thursday, October 2, 2008
添飯
副刊 星雲 2008-09-28 17:21
從小開始，一家人一起吃飯，爸一定要我們添飯，就是第一碗飯不要裝得太滿，吃完後再依需要而添加一些，即使再少也沒關系，就是不要只吃一碗飯。爸說這是跟隨曾祖父先前留下來的規矩，吃飯時要明白米飯得來不易，應該珍惜並懷有感激之心，所以吃飯要用心慢慢的吃，不要吃得太快。爸也說吃飯時不要一次就吃盡，老人家說這叫山窮水盡，要留些空間，留有後來。我於是把它理解成是廣東人的生活習俗。
後來在外參加活動，在集體吃飯的時候，帶隊的隊長就教導我們，由於是大夥吃飯，飯菜不夠吃是常有的事，所以想要吃飽就要動一點腦筋，方法就是第一碗飯不要裝得太滿，這就可以吃得比別人快，再添加第二碗飯時就儘量裝滿，甚至把飯緊壓在碗裡，那就可以吃得多吃得飽了。那時期的我們食量較大，這方法讓我們戰無不勝屢試不爽。後來回想，這是求生的手段，但過於世故和自私，這樣的添飯方式太沒有美感。
又有一次參加一個宗教團體活動，領隊的人告訴我們，在吃飯的時候不要浪費，能吃多少才拿多少，一定要把所拿的飯菜吃光光，而且也要看看別人夠不夠用，如果真的因為準備的飯菜不夠的話，每個人就少吃一點，讓大家都可以享用。所以我們的第一碗飯就不會裝得太滿，之後如有需要才斟酌地再添加一些。這種大家平等的觀念，讓我對添飯有了深一些的理解。
後來到台灣念書，每在過年過節，如果沒有回家的話，常會被老師或教官邀請到他們家裡吃飯，又或會去拜訪同學順道在他們家過節和吃飯。
老師和教官們是關心我們因為沒有回家而有想家與思鄉之苦，所以邀請我們到家裡一起過年過節，讓我們在異鄉也感受到過年過節的氣氛，因此一般上家裡準備的菜肴都很豐富。到師長或長輩家裡做客，基於禮貌，開始時會顯得拘謹一些，大都不敢儘量的吃，多少有點保留才不至於失禮。曾經曆過軍旅生活的師長，明白年輕人的食量和胃口，會擔心我們吃得不夠，一直勸我們加菜添飯，要盡情的吃，要把所準備的飯菜吃完才好回去。這時添飯就成了進攻的策略，節節前進，到最後我們都會吃得過飽，偶爾還喝了兩杯才回去。
添飯即是添福又添壽
到同學家裡過節做客也一樣，尤其是到一些比較小的地方，生活和民風比較純樸，對到訪的客人非常熱情，非常用心，好像對待自己的家人一樣。有些媽媽為了我的到訪，還特別去買了烏魚子、鴨子、魚、雞或當地的一些名菜，在廚房忙了個老半天煮了一大桌的菜肴來招待。由於做客，面對一大桌的美食，心動卻不敢行動。一般上，開始吃飯時主人都會裝很少飯給客人，為的是要客人多吃豐富的菜肴魚肉。年輕時吃飯，飯少就不頂飽，光吃菜不吃飯也沒吃勁，同學的媽媽多會體貼客人，所以一定會為客人添飯，讓客人慢慢吃飯大家慢慢聊天。席間，主客之間就相互交融，彼此互相瞭解。主人會關心我們在台灣的生活，有沒有遇到什麼問題，家裡父母是否健在，從事什麼行業，兄弟姐妹幾人，台灣有沒有親人等。有些媽媽對僑生不太瞭解，對僑居地沒有什麼概念，把我們當成老外一樣看待，以為我們對中國和台灣沒有認識，甚至奇怪我們會說國語（華語）。經此以後對我們和南洋或僑居地就有了大概的認識。
添飯成為一份溫情的傳達。
就有一次過年，我到台灣南部一同學家做客，同學媽媽同樣熱情地為我添飯，她還特別說添飯就是添福又添壽。聽了這媽媽所說的話，我非常感動，一時間有所明白，我們一向來吃飯時添飯的意義，不也就是添福又添壽嗎？
後來我聽長輩說起，到人家裡做客，添飯是一種禮貌，表示對主人家盛情招待的感謝，並藉此表達食物的可口美味。
現在自己家裡吃飯，我也延續爸的方式，一家人圍桌吃飯，一定要添飯，小孩也跟習慣。晚餐是一日將盡的回報，是一天最後的豐盛，是每一天事情已經完成後的圓滿，是一家人在一起時的幸福。一家人在飯桌上就該慢慢地吃飯，邊也輕松地聊聊天。添飯就讓用餐時間增長感情，話題因此延長，飯後喝茶。吃飯是溫馨的時刻，是家庭溫暖的融合。
我還是最喜歡那份心意，添飯即是添福又添壽。
星洲日報‧文：黃建華‧2008.09.18
從小開始，一家人一起吃飯，爸一定要我們添飯，就是第一碗飯不要裝得太滿，吃完後再依需要而添加一些，即使再少也沒關系，就是不要只吃一碗飯。爸說這是跟隨曾祖父先前留下來的規矩，吃飯時要明白米飯得來不易，應該珍惜並懷有感激之心，所以吃飯要用心慢慢的吃，不要吃得太快。爸也說吃飯時不要一次就吃盡，老人家說這叫山窮水盡，要留些空間，留有後來。我於是把它理解成是廣東人的生活習俗。
後來在外參加活動，在集體吃飯的時候，帶隊的隊長就教導我們，由於是大夥吃飯，飯菜不夠吃是常有的事，所以想要吃飽就要動一點腦筋，方法就是第一碗飯不要裝得太滿，這就可以吃得比別人快，再添加第二碗飯時就儘量裝滿，甚至把飯緊壓在碗裡，那就可以吃得多吃得飽了。那時期的我們食量較大，這方法讓我們戰無不勝屢試不爽。後來回想，這是求生的手段，但過於世故和自私，這樣的添飯方式太沒有美感。
又有一次參加一個宗教團體活動，領隊的人告訴我們，在吃飯的時候不要浪費，能吃多少才拿多少，一定要把所拿的飯菜吃光光，而且也要看看別人夠不夠用，如果真的因為準備的飯菜不夠的話，每個人就少吃一點，讓大家都可以享用。所以我們的第一碗飯就不會裝得太滿，之後如有需要才斟酌地再添加一些。這種大家平等的觀念，讓我對添飯有了深一些的理解。
後來到台灣念書，每在過年過節，如果沒有回家的話，常會被老師或教官邀請到他們家裡吃飯，又或會去拜訪同學順道在他們家過節和吃飯。
老師和教官們是關心我們因為沒有回家而有想家與思鄉之苦，所以邀請我們到家裡一起過年過節，讓我們在異鄉也感受到過年過節的氣氛，因此一般上家裡準備的菜肴都很豐富。到師長或長輩家裡做客，基於禮貌，開始時會顯得拘謹一些，大都不敢儘量的吃，多少有點保留才不至於失禮。曾經曆過軍旅生活的師長，明白年輕人的食量和胃口，會擔心我們吃得不夠，一直勸我們加菜添飯，要盡情的吃，要把所準備的飯菜吃完才好回去。這時添飯就成了進攻的策略，節節前進，到最後我們都會吃得過飽，偶爾還喝了兩杯才回去。
添飯即是添福又添壽
到同學家裡過節做客也一樣，尤其是到一些比較小的地方，生活和民風比較純樸，對到訪的客人非常熱情，非常用心，好像對待自己的家人一樣。有些媽媽為了我的到訪，還特別去買了烏魚子、鴨子、魚、雞或當地的一些名菜，在廚房忙了個老半天煮了一大桌的菜肴來招待。由於做客，面對一大桌的美食，心動卻不敢行動。一般上，開始吃飯時主人都會裝很少飯給客人，為的是要客人多吃豐富的菜肴魚肉。年輕時吃飯，飯少就不頂飽，光吃菜不吃飯也沒吃勁，同學的媽媽多會體貼客人，所以一定會為客人添飯，讓客人慢慢吃飯大家慢慢聊天。席間，主客之間就相互交融，彼此互相瞭解。主人會關心我們在台灣的生活，有沒有遇到什麼問題，家裡父母是否健在，從事什麼行業，兄弟姐妹幾人，台灣有沒有親人等。有些媽媽對僑生不太瞭解，對僑居地沒有什麼概念，把我們當成老外一樣看待，以為我們對中國和台灣沒有認識，甚至奇怪我們會說國語（華語）。經此以後對我們和南洋或僑居地就有了大概的認識。
添飯成為一份溫情的傳達。
就有一次過年，我到台灣南部一同學家做客，同學媽媽同樣熱情地為我添飯，她還特別說添飯就是添福又添壽。聽了這媽媽所說的話，我非常感動，一時間有所明白，我們一向來吃飯時添飯的意義，不也就是添福又添壽嗎？
後來我聽長輩說起，到人家裡做客，添飯是一種禮貌，表示對主人家盛情招待的感謝，並藉此表達食物的可口美味。
現在自己家裡吃飯，我也延續爸的方式，一家人圍桌吃飯，一定要添飯，小孩也跟習慣。晚餐是一日將盡的回報，是一天最後的豐盛，是每一天事情已經完成後的圓滿，是一家人在一起時的幸福。一家人在飯桌上就該慢慢地吃飯，邊也輕松地聊聊天。添飯就讓用餐時間增長感情，話題因此延長，飯後喝茶。吃飯是溫馨的時刻，是家庭溫暖的融合。
我還是最喜歡那份心意，添飯即是添福又添壽。
星洲日報‧文：黃建華‧2008.09.18
Saturday, July 19, 2008
親愛的人
副刊 星雲 2008-07-14 20:46
《東京鐵塔》裡小雅的母親說：“人，就是這麼任性，對親愛的人使壞、鬧脾氣，但是，遇到困境時，只要看見親人的臉，就放心了。”
對親愛的人使壞，鬧脾氣，理所當然呀，因為那個人是親愛的人。
誰願意對不熟悉的陌生人使壞、鬧脾氣？
不是不敢，而是清楚陌生人既無疼愛之意，就不會有縱容之心。
我們在世俗生活中學習世故，面對無親無故的人，我們永遠客客氣氣，甚至笑咪咪地，張揚表相的親切，絕不讓他看透心事。
就算看他不順眼，覺得討厭，也一樣可以對他微笑。
因此親愛的人，請多容忍，就看在把你當成親愛的人的份上罷。
星洲日報／文：大耳‧2008.07.07
《東京鐵塔》裡小雅的母親說：“人，就是這麼任性，對親愛的人使壞、鬧脾氣，但是，遇到困境時，只要看見親人的臉，就放心了。”
對親愛的人使壞，鬧脾氣，理所當然呀，因為那個人是親愛的人。
誰願意對不熟悉的陌生人使壞、鬧脾氣？
不是不敢，而是清楚陌生人既無疼愛之意，就不會有縱容之心。
我們在世俗生活中學習世故，面對無親無故的人，我們永遠客客氣氣，甚至笑咪咪地，張揚表相的親切，絕不讓他看透心事。
就算看他不順眼，覺得討厭，也一樣可以對他微笑。
因此親愛的人，請多容忍，就看在把你當成親愛的人的份上罷。
星洲日報／文：大耳‧2008.07.07
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Commencement
Commencement Address 2008
Professor Shih Choon Fong
President, National University of Singapore
11 am, 7 July 2008, University Cultural Centre
Head, Heart, and Luck:
Reflections on Life
Mr Chancellor, President S R Nathan
Minister for Education, Dr Ng Eng Hen
Chairman of the National Research Foundation, Dr Tony Tan
Dean of Diplomatic Corps, His Excellency Sajjad Ashraf
NUS Pro-Chancellors
Chairman and Members of the NUS Board of Trustees
Distinguished Guests
Honorary Graduand Wee Cho Yaw
Graduands, Parents and Families
Alumni and Friends
Ladies and Gentlemen
Congratulations and Recognizing Students’ Contributions
Class of 2008, well done! Today we celebrate your commencing on a new phase of life. You have arrived at this milestone through your intelligence and perseverance. And behind each of you are families whose love, and in many instances, whose sacrifices, have helped bring you to this proud day. Congratulations to each and every one of you, and to your families.
Let me also thank you for contributing enormously to our university community in rich and diverse ways. Rich, because your intelligence and youth continue to challenge your professors. Diverse, because each of you brings something unique to our learning community. The different cultures and backgrounds you represent – close to 100 nationalities – contribute to our community’s intellectual and cultural vibrancy. Your creativity, energy and passion have done for us what rankings alone cannot do – you have contributed to the life and spirit of NUS. And to those of you who took up leadership positions in our Union, halls, clubs and societies, who gave energy to campus life, and who set traditions for those entering NUS, we thank you.
Moving On
You will soon be receiving your well-deserved degrees. You are stepping out into the world with all of its opportunities and uncertainties, bringing with you the knowledge you have gained here, to confront all that is changing rapidly or is still unknown. In this respect, you and I share something in common.
After 12 years of serving this University, with the last 8 as President, this will be my final Commencement Address at NUS. In December, I shall become the founding President of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia. Like you, I too am setting out on a new adventure.
In my first Commencement Address, I urged the Class of 2000 to stay on the journey of learning and discovery, the journey to their dreams. Today being my last Commencement with you, I would like to speak from my heart and share some personal stories and reflections. As I look back on my own life journey, I recognize how I have benefitted from the interplay of head, heart and luck.
Head or Heart?
Moving on from NUS, you will have many decisions to make. Which job to take? Finding a life partner? Fulfilling family obligations? Pursuing your dreams? Or just toeing the line?
These are questions that have also gone through my mind. Indeed, a younger colleague asked me recently how I made the choices in my life. She was curious about how one might go about making some of the big decisions in life.
I said to her: “For big decisions, it is not enough to think with your head, listen also to your heart. If you want to buy a car think rationally, with your head – you pay daily for it. If you are deciding on a life partner, go with your heart. You live with that person for a lifetime.”
Someone else in the conversation disagreed with me. He said: “Use your head, be calculating and logical for marriage. You know, the passion ends after the honeymoon. Your spouse is someone you have to put up with daily, and pay for dearly. Now when it comes to buying a car, you want to be passionate and follow your heart. Because you aren’t stuck with it for life and it won’t argue with you.”
The question is: Use your head or listen to your heart? Be logical and calculating, or go with your instincts and intuitions? You most likely would have found yourself in situations where your head and heart were at odds. This is the perennial dilemma – the head or the heart?
I remember when I was being recruited from the US in the mid-90’s to come back to Singapore from Brown University. My friends and peers in academia urged me to be sensible, to think like a scientist, and not to be swayed by my feelings for home. They pointed out I would be giving up lifetime tenure at a world-class research university for a five-year appointment at a teaching-oriented university. Some called it “career suicide in a cultural desert.” My peers also questioned the kind of academic freedom I would have in a country that forbade the selling of chewing gum.
And now my friends in Singapore are saying similar things about my going to Saudi Arabia: “Here, you are on home ground. There, you will be in a real desert. Here, you are in a top university in Asia. There, it isn’t even built yet. And while you may not care much for chewing gum, you do like your wine.”
All reasonable. All sensible. A scientist should think and act rationally. If this were the case, I would not have left the US to come home. I would not be here this morning. I would also not have made the decision to go to Saudi Arabia.
Singapore and Saudi Arabia have been two crossroads in my life. Each time, I have recalled something my mother taught me: “It’s very good to want something, but you mustn’t want something so much that you can’t bear to live without it. To go far, be ready to give up what you already have.” My mother was a Buddhist, and this was her understanding of the principle of non-attachment.
This principle has helped me through life. It taught me to be passionate, but not obsessed; to be determined, but not to define myself by either my successes or my failures. I have learned that non-attachment gives the mental and emotional resilience to get beyond failures and setbacks. You can also enjoy your successes without taking yourself too seriously.
I take comfort in knowing that ultimately, my decisions at each of the crossroads were not held back by the familiar, the comfortable, or attachment to what I might have accomplished.
Befriending the Unknown
In my work and life, I have often ventured into the unknown. Some may see it as going off the beaten track of logic and reason.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, scientific progress and breakthroughs don’t always occur with hard-headed logical analysis. There is a moment when all of a person’s training, all of the logic, all of the accumulated knowledge of an entire discipline, lead that scientist to the very edge of knowledge. Peering over the edge of the cliff into the unknown, all there is … is an abyss. The choice is stark – to stay put and tinker on the known side of the cliff or to take a leap into the unknown. In these leaps of faith and intuition, scientific breakthroughs take place.
You may recall a scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, where Indie comes to the edge of a cliff. It was only as he stepped into the dark void that a bridge appeared. I wish it was this simple to achieve scientific breakthroughs.
In your journeys through life, I am not asking you to leap blindly. I am saying that it is possible to jump, to leap, with both eyes open, and with open minds and open hearts. I first learned this not in the research lab, but during my childhood in Singapore.
The Singapore where I grew up in the 1950’s and 60’s was a Third World country. Like most people in those times, my family was far below the middle class of today. Upgrading for me was moving from sleeping on the floor to a canvas camp bed when I was 15. I trust that it’s neither my self-conceit nor my imagination when I say that my generation, who had so much less, risked more, in part because there was not much to lose. We had a shared attitude that things just had to be done, regardless of the potential setbacks. The motto of Singaporeans of the 60’s was “Just do it!” Nike adopted it later.
I have observed that your generation, especially those who have grown up in First World Singapore, tends to be more risk averse, content to ride the escalator of life, more inclined to preserve what you already have. I see many turning conservative too early in life. By conservative, I do not mean your political or social beliefs, but your more cautious and calculating approach to life, which we often associate with those who are much older or tied down with life’s baggage.
Conservatism strives to secure certainty. It attempts to offer a safe harbor from the unknown. But in these times, new uncertainties, new unknowns proliferate. There is no safe harbor from them. My hope is for you to befriend the unknown, rather than be intimidated; to explore life on your terms rather than those prescribed by others; to let go of parochial loyalties and let life’s experiences teach you.
As you journey forth, I know you will use your head. After all, you have a university degree. But I hope that when it comes to the big decisions in life, you might also make them with more of your heart. The heart alone does not guarantee you success. Marriages do fall apart, careers you love can come to a dead end, friends you trust can let you down. But if these were chosen with the heart as well, then the pain, while seemingly unbearable, at least helps you grow. You will come to know what matters most. You will know what true friendship is. You will come to know yourself better.
Know Yourself, Be Yourself
This brings me to my next point – know yourself. The Greeks inscribed at their temple at Delphi these words: “Know Thyself.” I would like to add: Don’t just know yourself; be yourself.
I like to think that from an early age, I was myself. As a young boy, I found joy in creating exciting experiences for myself rather than learning by rote in the classroom. I was curious. I also let myself be curious.
Pursuing my curiosity meant sometimes missing classes and exploring the longkangs to catch fish and going into the forest to catch spiders for spider fights with other boys my age. It also meant creating my own learning experiences, such as going to the library to find out how to build an antenna to improve reception on my short-wave radio. It meant poking a hole through the roof of my house to affix that antenna, to the horror of my mother when it next rained.
Admittedly, Singapore of the 60’s was a less orderly place and far less structured. Yet, it had more space, more freedom, to do my own thing. My preference for exploring the longkangs, instead of devotion to schoolbooks and passing exams, did lead to mediocre grades. Although they got me into trouble, my childhood escapades helped me develop my own interests, which would serve me well later as a researcher.
My boyish delight in taking things apart in order to understand what held them together led me to the emerging field of fracture mechanics. It has since become a key area in engineering science impacting the design of high performance structures, such as in nuclear reactors, aircrafts, and Formula One race cars. Many of my peers had wondered about my choice of specialization. To them, it was not in the mainstream and could have a short shelf life. If I had had a more calculating mind, I might not have chosen fracture mechanics. But, I wanted to be myself. Driven by curiosity and passion, my play became my work and my work became my play.
I hope that in your time here at NUS, you have developed an inkling of what stirs your heart. When you begin to know yourself, you also begin to discover where you can do well. Should your work and play become one and the same, I believe you will excel in extraordinary ways and accomplish the exceptional.
Luck
Let me now turn to luck.
Where does luck come from? Some say it comes from the supernatural realm, like spotting the right questions for an exam you are desperate to pass. Others feel that luck is pure chance, of being in the right place at the right time. As for me, I see that luck can be created.
This kind of luck comes from connecting with people. People can open doors and help you see windows of opportunity. The Chinese call this yuan fen （缘份）– when something is created out of serendipitous encounters. When Bill Gates, Paul Allen and Steve Ballmer met in school, this was yuan, or chance encounters. When they became friends, sharing ideas and dreams, this was yuan fen.
In my own life, yuan fen too played a role. Some of you would be aware that I don’t have a bachelor’s degree. I’m probably the only faculty member here without a first degree. I could say that I didn’t apply to the University of Singapore, predecessor to NUS. The fact is I was not even eligible. I spoke earlier about my lack of interest in school, spending time instead discovering the world outside the classroom. I paid for my unquenchable curiosity with mediocre O-level grades. They were not good enough for me to take what you would now call the junior college track. I ended up going to Singapore Polytechnic.
During my Poly days, on the occasions I ran into the principal, Robert Edis, I would take the opportunity to share my ideas with him. He found them interesting enough to ask a visiting professor from McGill, Raymond Yong, to look at my work. Sufficiently impressed, Dr. Yong offered me a research assistantship at McGill.
From there, I went to Harvard, where my PhD advisor, John Hutchinson, would not only become my mentor, but my lifelong friend as well. John was brilliant and working in an emerging area of fracture mechanics, which fascinated me. He was one of the youngest full professors at Harvard, and close in age to me – only six years older. It was not just our youth which we had in common. We recognized in each other a shared passion. We reached out and connected with each other. John gave me the space and support that I needed to be myself, and thus, to be my best. Meeting John was my yuan. Working with him was yuan fen.
Closing
Graduands, today you become part of the NUS alumni family. You are moving on from NUS, just as I am. This University has been a big part of our lives. We leave with a warm spot in our hearts for the memories we share and the friends we have made here at NUS.
You are connected not only with your classmates, but also with generations before and after you. As you commence, let yuan fen work for you. It is people connecting with one another, sharing ideas and dreams, which enhances luck. The key is not how much attention you can get from others, but your giving regard to others – your engagement and interest in them.
We tend to have fixed ways of seeing people who are different. I hope we can let go of our preconceptions, our prejudices and even our conditioning. By taking a second look, in revisiting our assumptions – about people, places and ideas – in being open to the unknown, we improve our luck.
As you journey into the future, you will surely forget much of what I have said today. I do hope that as you go about life you will remember the interplay between head, heart, and luck. May your head and heart, powered by luck, bring you great success.
Congratulations on your Commencement.
Professor Shih Choon Fong
President, National University of Singapore
11 am, 7 July 2008, University Cultural Centre
Head, Heart, and Luck:
Reflections on Life
Mr Chancellor, President S R Nathan
Minister for Education, Dr Ng Eng Hen
Chairman of the National Research Foundation, Dr Tony Tan
Dean of Diplomatic Corps, His Excellency Sajjad Ashraf
NUS Pro-Chancellors
Chairman and Members of the NUS Board of Trustees
Distinguished Guests
Honorary Graduand Wee Cho Yaw
Graduands, Parents and Families
Alumni and Friends
Ladies and Gentlemen
Congratulations and Recognizing Students’ Contributions
Class of 2008, well done! Today we celebrate your commencing on a new phase of life. You have arrived at this milestone through your intelligence and perseverance. And behind each of you are families whose love, and in many instances, whose sacrifices, have helped bring you to this proud day. Congratulations to each and every one of you, and to your families.
Let me also thank you for contributing enormously to our university community in rich and diverse ways. Rich, because your intelligence and youth continue to challenge your professors. Diverse, because each of you brings something unique to our learning community. The different cultures and backgrounds you represent – close to 100 nationalities – contribute to our community’s intellectual and cultural vibrancy. Your creativity, energy and passion have done for us what rankings alone cannot do – you have contributed to the life and spirit of NUS. And to those of you who took up leadership positions in our Union, halls, clubs and societies, who gave energy to campus life, and who set traditions for those entering NUS, we thank you.
Moving On
You will soon be receiving your well-deserved degrees. You are stepping out into the world with all of its opportunities and uncertainties, bringing with you the knowledge you have gained here, to confront all that is changing rapidly or is still unknown. In this respect, you and I share something in common.
After 12 years of serving this University, with the last 8 as President, this will be my final Commencement Address at NUS. In December, I shall become the founding President of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia. Like you, I too am setting out on a new adventure.
In my first Commencement Address, I urged the Class of 2000 to stay on the journey of learning and discovery, the journey to their dreams. Today being my last Commencement with you, I would like to speak from my heart and share some personal stories and reflections. As I look back on my own life journey, I recognize how I have benefitted from the interplay of head, heart and luck.
Head or Heart?
Moving on from NUS, you will have many decisions to make. Which job to take? Finding a life partner? Fulfilling family obligations? Pursuing your dreams? Or just toeing the line?
These are questions that have also gone through my mind. Indeed, a younger colleague asked me recently how I made the choices in my life. She was curious about how one might go about making some of the big decisions in life.
I said to her: “For big decisions, it is not enough to think with your head, listen also to your heart. If you want to buy a car think rationally, with your head – you pay daily for it. If you are deciding on a life partner, go with your heart. You live with that person for a lifetime.”
Someone else in the conversation disagreed with me. He said: “Use your head, be calculating and logical for marriage. You know, the passion ends after the honeymoon. Your spouse is someone you have to put up with daily, and pay for dearly. Now when it comes to buying a car, you want to be passionate and follow your heart. Because you aren’t stuck with it for life and it won’t argue with you.”
The question is: Use your head or listen to your heart? Be logical and calculating, or go with your instincts and intuitions? You most likely would have found yourself in situations where your head and heart were at odds. This is the perennial dilemma – the head or the heart?
I remember when I was being recruited from the US in the mid-90’s to come back to Singapore from Brown University. My friends and peers in academia urged me to be sensible, to think like a scientist, and not to be swayed by my feelings for home. They pointed out I would be giving up lifetime tenure at a world-class research university for a five-year appointment at a teaching-oriented university. Some called it “career suicide in a cultural desert.” My peers also questioned the kind of academic freedom I would have in a country that forbade the selling of chewing gum.
And now my friends in Singapore are saying similar things about my going to Saudi Arabia: “Here, you are on home ground. There, you will be in a real desert. Here, you are in a top university in Asia. There, it isn’t even built yet. And while you may not care much for chewing gum, you do like your wine.”
All reasonable. All sensible. A scientist should think and act rationally. If this were the case, I would not have left the US to come home. I would not be here this morning. I would also not have made the decision to go to Saudi Arabia.
Singapore and Saudi Arabia have been two crossroads in my life. Each time, I have recalled something my mother taught me: “It’s very good to want something, but you mustn’t want something so much that you can’t bear to live without it. To go far, be ready to give up what you already have.” My mother was a Buddhist, and this was her understanding of the principle of non-attachment.
This principle has helped me through life. It taught me to be passionate, but not obsessed; to be determined, but not to define myself by either my successes or my failures. I have learned that non-attachment gives the mental and emotional resilience to get beyond failures and setbacks. You can also enjoy your successes without taking yourself too seriously.
I take comfort in knowing that ultimately, my decisions at each of the crossroads were not held back by the familiar, the comfortable, or attachment to what I might have accomplished.
Befriending the Unknown
In my work and life, I have often ventured into the unknown. Some may see it as going off the beaten track of logic and reason.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, scientific progress and breakthroughs don’t always occur with hard-headed logical analysis. There is a moment when all of a person’s training, all of the logic, all of the accumulated knowledge of an entire discipline, lead that scientist to the very edge of knowledge. Peering over the edge of the cliff into the unknown, all there is … is an abyss. The choice is stark – to stay put and tinker on the known side of the cliff or to take a leap into the unknown. In these leaps of faith and intuition, scientific breakthroughs take place.
You may recall a scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, where Indie comes to the edge of a cliff. It was only as he stepped into the dark void that a bridge appeared. I wish it was this simple to achieve scientific breakthroughs.
In your journeys through life, I am not asking you to leap blindly. I am saying that it is possible to jump, to leap, with both eyes open, and with open minds and open hearts. I first learned this not in the research lab, but during my childhood in Singapore.
The Singapore where I grew up in the 1950’s and 60’s was a Third World country. Like most people in those times, my family was far below the middle class of today. Upgrading for me was moving from sleeping on the floor to a canvas camp bed when I was 15. I trust that it’s neither my self-conceit nor my imagination when I say that my generation, who had so much less, risked more, in part because there was not much to lose. We had a shared attitude that things just had to be done, regardless of the potential setbacks. The motto of Singaporeans of the 60’s was “Just do it!” Nike adopted it later.
I have observed that your generation, especially those who have grown up in First World Singapore, tends to be more risk averse, content to ride the escalator of life, more inclined to preserve what you already have. I see many turning conservative too early in life. By conservative, I do not mean your political or social beliefs, but your more cautious and calculating approach to life, which we often associate with those who are much older or tied down with life’s baggage.
Conservatism strives to secure certainty. It attempts to offer a safe harbor from the unknown. But in these times, new uncertainties, new unknowns proliferate. There is no safe harbor from them. My hope is for you to befriend the unknown, rather than be intimidated; to explore life on your terms rather than those prescribed by others; to let go of parochial loyalties and let life’s experiences teach you.
As you journey forth, I know you will use your head. After all, you have a university degree. But I hope that when it comes to the big decisions in life, you might also make them with more of your heart. The heart alone does not guarantee you success. Marriages do fall apart, careers you love can come to a dead end, friends you trust can let you down. But if these were chosen with the heart as well, then the pain, while seemingly unbearable, at least helps you grow. You will come to know what matters most. You will know what true friendship is. You will come to know yourself better.
Know Yourself, Be Yourself
This brings me to my next point – know yourself. The Greeks inscribed at their temple at Delphi these words: “Know Thyself.” I would like to add: Don’t just know yourself; be yourself.
I like to think that from an early age, I was myself. As a young boy, I found joy in creating exciting experiences for myself rather than learning by rote in the classroom. I was curious. I also let myself be curious.
Pursuing my curiosity meant sometimes missing classes and exploring the longkangs to catch fish and going into the forest to catch spiders for spider fights with other boys my age. It also meant creating my own learning experiences, such as going to the library to find out how to build an antenna to improve reception on my short-wave radio. It meant poking a hole through the roof of my house to affix that antenna, to the horror of my mother when it next rained.
Admittedly, Singapore of the 60’s was a less orderly place and far less structured. Yet, it had more space, more freedom, to do my own thing. My preference for exploring the longkangs, instead of devotion to schoolbooks and passing exams, did lead to mediocre grades. Although they got me into trouble, my childhood escapades helped me develop my own interests, which would serve me well later as a researcher.
My boyish delight in taking things apart in order to understand what held them together led me to the emerging field of fracture mechanics. It has since become a key area in engineering science impacting the design of high performance structures, such as in nuclear reactors, aircrafts, and Formula One race cars. Many of my peers had wondered about my choice of specialization. To them, it was not in the mainstream and could have a short shelf life. If I had had a more calculating mind, I might not have chosen fracture mechanics. But, I wanted to be myself. Driven by curiosity and passion, my play became my work and my work became my play.
I hope that in your time here at NUS, you have developed an inkling of what stirs your heart. When you begin to know yourself, you also begin to discover where you can do well. Should your work and play become one and the same, I believe you will excel in extraordinary ways and accomplish the exceptional.
Luck
Let me now turn to luck.
Where does luck come from? Some say it comes from the supernatural realm, like spotting the right questions for an exam you are desperate to pass. Others feel that luck is pure chance, of being in the right place at the right time. As for me, I see that luck can be created.
This kind of luck comes from connecting with people. People can open doors and help you see windows of opportunity. The Chinese call this yuan fen （缘份）– when something is created out of serendipitous encounters. When Bill Gates, Paul Allen and Steve Ballmer met in school, this was yuan, or chance encounters. When they became friends, sharing ideas and dreams, this was yuan fen.
In my own life, yuan fen too played a role. Some of you would be aware that I don’t have a bachelor’s degree. I’m probably the only faculty member here without a first degree. I could say that I didn’t apply to the University of Singapore, predecessor to NUS. The fact is I was not even eligible. I spoke earlier about my lack of interest in school, spending time instead discovering the world outside the classroom. I paid for my unquenchable curiosity with mediocre O-level grades. They were not good enough for me to take what you would now call the junior college track. I ended up going to Singapore Polytechnic.
During my Poly days, on the occasions I ran into the principal, Robert Edis, I would take the opportunity to share my ideas with him. He found them interesting enough to ask a visiting professor from McGill, Raymond Yong, to look at my work. Sufficiently impressed, Dr. Yong offered me a research assistantship at McGill.
From there, I went to Harvard, where my PhD advisor, John Hutchinson, would not only become my mentor, but my lifelong friend as well. John was brilliant and working in an emerging area of fracture mechanics, which fascinated me. He was one of the youngest full professors at Harvard, and close in age to me – only six years older. It was not just our youth which we had in common. We recognized in each other a shared passion. We reached out and connected with each other. John gave me the space and support that I needed to be myself, and thus, to be my best. Meeting John was my yuan. Working with him was yuan fen.
Closing
Graduands, today you become part of the NUS alumni family. You are moving on from NUS, just as I am. This University has been a big part of our lives. We leave with a warm spot in our hearts for the memories we share and the friends we have made here at NUS.
You are connected not only with your classmates, but also with generations before and after you. As you commence, let yuan fen work for you. It is people connecting with one another, sharing ideas and dreams, which enhances luck. The key is not how much attention you can get from others, but your giving regard to others – your engagement and interest in them.
We tend to have fixed ways of seeing people who are different. I hope we can let go of our preconceptions, our prejudices and even our conditioning. By taking a second look, in revisiting our assumptions – about people, places and ideas – in being open to the unknown, we improve our luck.
As you journey into the future, you will surely forget much of what I have said today. I do hope that as you go about life you will remember the interplay between head, heart, and luck. May your head and heart, powered by luck, bring you great success.
Congratulations on your Commencement.
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