小黛其實最喜歡星期六上班。星期六supervisor通常不出現,又可以穿denim上班,上班的氣氛特別輕鬆隨性,有點像是在Starbucks唸書,那種你知道你得唸書,卻可以邊喝咖啡邊看窗外風景的感覺。Jose提早下班時沒看到小黛,還在小黛桌上的餐巾紙上留言,讓小黛覺得很窩心。
- Apr 07 Mon 2008 07:14
第一次約會(花系列 Part 5)
- Apr 04 Fri 2008 10:00
這集演的是內心戲(花系列Part 4)
其實小黛的心情很複雜。小黛從小就一直夢想著結婚,這幾年身邊好友一個一個步入禮堂,她雖然為朋友高興,但也為自己感到很心酸。糟糕的是,小黛與大部分的女孩不同。很多人只要感覺對了,或者對方有某種社會地位或財富,或者對方對自己很好,或者時間到了,就可以定下來。可是她沒有辦法。小黛心中的Mr. Right的形象太過清晰,以致於當身邊出現的人一旦與理想形象有一點不合,小黛就沒有辦法說服自己進一步與這個人交往。她當然知道自己也是有很多缺點的,所以她也會給自己跟別人機會,但最終還是無法與理想妥協。這樣的個性讓她被別人批評太picky,但是小黛知道,她只是習慣觀察人,並善於從別人的小動作中分析對方的個性,也很清楚知道自己要什麼與不要什麼。所以即使小黛身邊出現追求者,小黛心裡仍常感到惆悵失落,因為她知道,這個人是她心中的Mr. Right的機會太渺茫。
- Apr 03 Thu 2008 09:15
這下子可愈來愈複雜了....(花系列Part 3)
小黛想了一整晚,仍然不知道該怎麼回覆凱文,第二天小黛決定avoid他。凱文沒有Jose直率,沒有敢問小黛的決定如何,大概害羞躲起來了,所以兩個人並沒有講到什麼話。
Jose是宏都拉斯裔的美國人,比小黛矮一些,年紀看上去約二十幾歲,因為想要轉行念MBA,現在正在準備考GMAT。Jose是這個辦公室裡除了克勞蒂亞以外,跟小黛最熟的人。小黛幾乎可以確定,前兩天剛來上班時,Jose一直在找機會跟小黛說話但苦無機會,終於在第三天時Jose來到廚房遇到小黛,才正式與小黛說到話,還被小黛說的話逗得仰頭大笑,告訴小黛"You are funny"。在那一瞬間,小黛感覺到與Jose之間有click的感覺,只是在接下來幾天的聊天裡,小黛才發覺Jose有點naive。
- Apr 02 Wed 2008 08:46
沒想到....(花系列Part 2)
凱文是在波士頓長大的白人,mid 30s,約六呎高,大大的肚子透著衣服鼓了出來。凱文才搬到紐約不到一年,在這個project已經做了八個月了,小黛剛開始認識凱文時,凱文就曾經說過如果工作有什麼問題都可以去問他,又因為凱文和小黛一樣在波士頓待過,同樣喜歡魔戒,所以對凱文有些親切感。只是小黛一直覺得跟凱文聊天時,凱文的臉讀不出喜怒哀樂,總是用businessman-like的語氣說話,不帶有感情,所以不太能聊得深入。小黛剛開始幾次跟凱文說完話後,凱文總是伸出手做握拳狀要跟小黛很buddy似的碰拳頭,後來有一次凱文跟小黛說"What's up"時跟小黛碰拳頭被優那看到,被優那當場說了句,"Kevin, I've got to tell you something in private."後,就再也不見凱文伸出拳頭了。凱文有次開門走出辦公室走了兩步後回頭一看到小黛跟在後面,連忙跑回來幫小黛開門,並說"I didn't know it was you"後,小黛開玩笑地問,"So you were saying that if it wasn't me, you wouldn't have hold the door?",凱文回答,"No"。還有一次凱文幫小黛把她的轎車服務的voucher特地拿去給離自己位置最遠的小黛,小黛才有些明白。
- Apr 01 Tue 2008 09:33
後續 (花系列Part 1)
沒想到這麼快就有後續。
小黛工作的地方是一間很大的會議室,每人桌前都有一台電腦,為了保密資訊的關係,這裡的規定是桌前的電腦無法上網,於是大家被逼著只能直愣愣地對著電腦工作,而不能跟以前一樣上網偷懶聽音樂(當然小黛也曾看到有人在電腦上玩接龍或者看電影)。要上網的話,只能到會議室的另一角靠近廚房的地方,有四台電腦可以讓人使用,每個人一次限時使用15分鐘。廚房裡,只有簡單的兩張長桌子供人吃飯用,旁邊有洗手台、咖啡機、飲水機和微波爐。每次小黛工作做得很煩躁鬱悶時,總會踱步到廚房倒水,或者去上上網,去外面洗手間,遇到人時便聊聊天。
- Mar 30 Sun 2008 23:21
back to NY again (花系列Preamble)
一回到紐約後,我又開始了document review的工作,不過這次我做的不再是中文的document review,而是英文的document review,於是這次在這個擁有50名律師的project裡,我變成是唯一的non-English native speaker。
- Mar 08 Sat 2008 01:27
Cute Panda at National Zoo in D.C.
- Mar 05 Wed 2008 00:34
Farewell, DC!
I feel so bad that I had to move back to NY. My stay in DC had been great. Though it was only a month, I had tried to go to as many places and experience as much as I could. Now I am back in NY, I just miss the street on my way to work in DC; I miss the convenience to be able to live in Dupont Circle that practically all the restaurants we dined are in Dupont Circle area; and I sure miss the quality of life there. Hopefully I can find a permanent job in DC in the future. Here is the summary of what I had done in DC:
- Feb 29 Fri 2008 11:23
Careful, ladies! Keep away from those men!! (Part 2)
Case 2--Mr. T
Mr. T is a senior attorney at a big investment bank. I met him through my friend Morgan, and Morgan met him through her 2 girl friends. He is 40, Jewish, bald and short with his big tummy sticking out. The first time we met, he treated Morgan and me for a nice dinner. He appeared to be a really nice and helpful person. Morgan wanted to treat him back by taking him out for a nice opera or movie, but never got a chance.
- Feb 29 Fri 2008 07:43
Careful, ladies! Keep away from those men!! (Part 1)
I don't know why, but I have met a lot of people who are A-holes lately. Instead of yelling at them and telling them what their crimes are, I just keep silent and delete them from my contact list and swear to god that I will never answer or return their calls again.
Listed below are the crimes committed by those people, so then next time if you happen to meet someone like that, suggest you to run away immediately.
- Feb 27 Wed 2008 08:00
Movie--"Juno"

以下截自當Juno確定自己懷孕後打給好朋友Leah的對白:
Leah: Yo Yo Yiggady Yo.
Juno: I'm at suicide risk.
Leah: Juno?
Juno: No, it's Morgan Freeman. Do you have any bones that need collecting?
Leah: Only the one in my pants...
Juno: I'm pregnant.
Leah: What? Honest to blog?
Juno: Yeah. Yeah, it's Bleekers.
Leah: It's probably just a food baby. Did you have a big lunch?
Juno: No, this is not a food baby all right? I've taken like three pregnancy tests, and I'm forshizz up the spout.
Leah: How did you even generate enough pee for three pregnancy tests? That's amazing...
Juno: I don't know, I drank like, ten tons of Sunny D... Anyway dude, I'm telling you I'm pregnant and you're acting shockingly cavalier.
Leah: Is this for real? Like, for real for real?
Juno: Unfortunately, yes.
Leah: Oh my GOD. Oh shit! Phuket, Thailand!
Juno: There we go. That was kind of the emotion that I was searching for on the first take.
------------------------------------------
以下截自當Juno在懷孕幾週後與爸爸Mac第一次與Vanessa與Mark夫婦及Vanessa與Mark的律師Gerta討論如何認養Juno生下來的孩子對白:
Vanessa: So... How are we going to do this?
Juno: What do you mean? Don't I just have the thing? Squeeze it on out and hand it over?
Gerta: Mark and Vanessa are willing to negotiate an open adoption...
Mac: What do you mean?
Juno: Wait... No! I mean, can't we just, like, kick this old school? Like, I have the baby, put it in a basket and send it your way, like, Moses and the reeds?
Mark: Technically, that would be kicking it Old Testament.
Gerta: ...So, we all agree that a closed adoption is the best decision for all involved?
Juno: SSHHIT! YES! Close it up!
有興趣的可以去看Juno的官方網站:http://www.foxsearchlight.com/juno/
- Feb 20 Wed 2008 02:36
DC • DC (Part 2)--Dupont Circle
Dupont Memorial Fountain
Dupont Circle is a historic district, now is being used as a residential area, and the neighborhood is centered around the traffic circle. Not only is it home to many restaurants and shops, but it is also a gay/lesbian friendly area. The park in the center of the circle is a gathering place for many gay/lesbian parades and political rallies each year. Around the corner is the farmer's market, where many fresh dairy products and bread are sold here every morning. Along with the Massachusetts Avenue lies the Embassy Row, where you can find numerous embassies.
- Feb 18 Mon 2008 08:41
DC • DC (Part 1)
為了這個位於DC的document review的工作,我在上星期二晚上搭了夜車來DC,在隔天凌晨四點半check in旅館。早上interview完,在傍晚時確定這個工作即將於兩天後開工後,我火速在craigslist上找到了個交通方便又可以每個星期付房租的地方後,我就在DC住下來了。
- Feb 02 Sat 2008 10:45
New York Winter Restaurant+Jazz Night
It's good not to have to work during the NYC's winter restaurant week, and it is also good to have a friend who knows where to eat. This new friend that I've just met seems to know every restaurant in New York and can immediately analyze the goods and bads of each and every restaurant which we passed by. We ended up with having food at this restaurant:
Perry St
176 Perry Street, NY
This is one of the restaurants opened by Jean-George, one of the world's famous chefs. It is located in West Village and is rated one star from Michelin Guide. Though fancy and modern from the outside, the price isn't too crazy. It is said that Perry St serves "contemporary American food", but I still have trouble understanding what that means. Anyway this is really a nice experience. They have good cocktail too.
Here is what I had:
- Jan 21 Mon 2008 13:44
My job as a document reviewer (Part 3)
跟這一大群大陸人混久了之後,在說說笑笑間,也開始對對岸教育、社會、政治層面有更進一步的瞭解。來自大陸的小孩也許是受一胎化的影響,男生、女生從小的資源皆相同,沒有太重的男尊女卑觀念,也沒有台灣社會裡對女生的種種要求。我看到的大陸女生,個個都很放得開,想說什麼就說什麼,想做什麼就做什麼,相當自在。他們也沒有台灣以前所謂的打罵教育,爸爸媽媽或學校老師從來沒有打過小孩,每個父母都是孝子孝女。做我隔壁的Chen說,她每次回家,爸爸一定會把水果一片片切好餵到她嘴邊上。除此之外,每個大陸人都很有企圖心,心態上與台灣人差異很大,除了他們的大國心態以外,大陸高於11%的經際成長,也讓他們想要回國貢獻,讓中國成為世界第一強國。跟他們聊天之後,突然覺得他們open up a whole new world for me,眼前的世界忽然寬廣了起來。
- Jan 09 Wed 2008 23:41
My job as a document reviewer (Part 2)
之前因為每天工作十幾個小時,回到家只是睡,寫一篇文章花了一星期才生出來,現在工作突然結束了,時間忽然多了出來,正好來寫寫回憶錄。
- Jan 02 Wed 2008 08:36
My job as a document reviewer (Part 1)
- Dec 10 Mon 2007 02:05
As Good As It Gets

I would consider this movie as one of the best romantic comedy movies. Jack Nicholson is such a great actor.
Quotes from the movie "As Good As It Gets":
Melvin (played by Jack Nicholson as a cranky writer) said to Carol (played by Helen Hunt as a waitress): "I might be the only person on the face of the earth that knows you're the greatest woman on earth. I might be the only one who appreciates how amazing you are in every single thing that you do, and how you are with Spencer, "Spence," and in every single thought that you have, and how you say what you mean, and how you almost always mean something that's all about being straight and good. I think most people miss that about you, and I watch them, wondering how they can watch you bring their food, and clear their tables and never get that they just met the greatest woman alive. And the fact that I get it makes me feel good, about me."
I think it somewhat reflects my inner desire of meeting someone who can understand and appreciate me. I am not greedy, just one person is enough.
- Dec 07 Fri 2007 01:52
Burger Joint, Time Warner Center and m&m's World
- Dec 05 Wed 2007 14:41
On second thought...
- Dec 04 Tue 2007 14:35
夠了吧?!不要太過分了! Bad luck! When is enough really enough?
最近時運不繼,很多鳥事接二連三發生,運氣不好到讓我不知所措不知道該怎麼辦才好。今天痛定思痛,深刻反省自己之後發現,很多事情會發生都是由於自己軟弱的個性所造成。
- Nov 28 Wed 2007 03:31
無所事事的日子 I did nothing?!
我念法律,唸書的時候一直以為作為一個法律人很屌,因為正義的化身/西裝筆挺在法庭上辯護/社會階級高/薪水高等等原因。我立志要做個financial/transactional lawyer,因為接觸的客戶都是大公司,接觸的案子都是幾百萬元幾億元的case,賺的錢比較多。且因為是專業領域,入門比較難,講行話時更可以顯出我的地位。
回台灣時進到律師事務所裡做非訟,也就是做所謂transactional的案子。譬如說哪家科技公司要發行員工認股權憑證、買/賣某機械原料需要簽約、在美國/香港上市、幫海外客戶設立公司,做公司併購/重組。聽起來感覺好像很厲害,但是說真的,我也只是幫那些有錢人大企業以「不違法」的手段幫他們達到他們要的目的,並沒有為這個社會實現多少正義或者帶給自己多大成就感,每次做完一個deal我總是不痛不癢,反而之前在美國的小事務所做訴訟時還有些意義,因為我接觸到的是一般individual,他們遇到的事情也都是在日常生活中會遇到的,譬如說有人要離婚,有人租房子後跟房東鬧糾紛,或者賣盜版包包被抓(雖然這種case是我最不想接觸的)。
每天穿上西裝高跟鞋,提著公事包進出辦公大樓,腳步匆匆,如果哪天早點下班在晚上9點多回家還可以遇到鄰居,鄰居們都用理解的語氣說:「加班呀?」。如果晚上8、9點多回家的日子變多,媽媽都會擔心地問一句:「怎麼最近比較早回家?是不是發生什麼事?」好像只有加班才是正常的,如果早回家,代表不受老闆重視。跟朋友約吃晚飯,如果誰約晚上7點在餐廳見,朋友間還會暗中較勁,想著「這人工作真閒呀」!好像加班愈晚工作愈忙才能顯出自己的價值。如果有一陣子天天加班到半夜,週末也要進辦公室,就要記得隔天中午跟同事吃飯時要「不小心」講出這個事實,讓大家知道我的價值。只有與不同的事務所之間的其他法律人聊天時,若得知誰可以「正常」下班,我們才會「真正」羨慕他,認為他的工作真好。
但是人生的價值究竟在哪裡?究竟這樣的cycle要重複多久?我還是很迷惑。我想甩開「台灣這個社會」(註:指父母+親戚朋友)帶給我的價值觀,找出自己的價值觀及方向。我擔心30歲的我如果再不動,就永遠沒有動力也沒有勇氣尋找改變了。所以等到我確定我出國後不會餓死,且休息一陣子之後回台灣也不會餓死之後,我馬上訂了機票來到美國,一下飛機馬上殺去西岸玩。我就像被關在鳥籠裡很久的鳥突然被放出來一樣,覺得天地寬闊了起來,心情非常愉快,充分enjoy旅行,孰料這個社會給我的價值觀已經是根深蒂固,在那次旅行之後,我突然一下子心虛了起來,我沒有在上班,也沒有在學校讀書,沒有準備什麼考試,我真的能理直氣壯的「什麼也不做」嗎?大部分的朋友都期待我只是來美國休息一個月,休息完後就回台灣,回到原來的「軌道」上。但是如果我休息三個月、六個月以上呢?是不是真的就對不起誰呢?連我的室友看到我在家看電視也忍不住問我,「你要不要去念點書,譬如說,去考個律師?」
但所謂什麼也不做的日子也不是真的無所事事,在這段日子裡除了磨練我的開車技術,又迷上了做菜,每天從廚房裡端出來的東西變成我成就感來源之一,三杯雞、麻婆豆腐、螞蟻上樹、排骨湯、烤羊排、玉米濃湯、義大利麵、蛋糕....覺得這輩子從沒這麼厲害過。且一個人住在美國,要面對的大小瑣事特別多,一個人面對處理也是種成就感,而不像以前與爸媽同住時只要把工作做好就可以了,回到家只要負責張嘴,當然也沒有什麼水電搬家等瑣事輪得到我處理。
但是當然很多問題不是一時之間可以理得清楚的,為了不讓自己在這段期間餓死,我很快地找到了一個工作,明天就要開始上班。我想,既然沒有什麼工作是錢多、事少、離家近、有成就感、同事老闆好相處的,於是我找到一個可以在最短的時間中賺最多錢的工作,就這樣,我把靈魂賣給devil。
於是我這段波西米亞式無所事事的日子終於要告了一個段落。希望在接下來的日子中,可以找到我想要的答案,或者,讓我更接近答案。
- Nov 26 Mon 2007 11:32
Chikalicious--the dessert bar
Finally I had the chance to revisit one of my favorite dessert shops Chikalicious in Manhattan. The shop was closed on my last night before I flew back to Taiwan 2 years ago, and I had to go back to Taiwan with regret. So this place is definitely a must go for me.
Chikalicious is a small dessert bar which features a prix fixe 3 course dessert that comes with Amuse (similar to the appetizer in a formal meal, it is usually gelato), a choice of menu (the main dessert), and Petite Fours (the last dessert) for US$12. By sitting at the bar you can see how the dessert chefs prepare our dessert, and it is quite a performance. You won't be having the same thing because from time to time the chefs try to change the dessert menu, so it is also quite an adventure for you don't usually know what you will get. Expect to have a 30 min wait because the shop is really popular!
The Amuse: vanilla sorbet and pumpkin cubes
- Nov 26 Mon 2007 09:17
I am moving again
Since I will be paying two rents for my two apartments from Dec. 1-Dec. 20, I will be happy to let you stay in my apartment if any of you want to visit New York during this period.
- Nov 13 Tue 2007 08:18
簡易食譜--紅燒鑲油豆腐
- Nov 11 Sun 2007 23:41
Foliage trip--New Hope
New Hope到處都是canal。沿著canal散步做canal walk相當舒服
New Hope & Ivyland Railroad--New Hope有名的火車站
New Hope車站的蒸汽火車(像不像Polar Express?)
連接賓州New Hope及紐澤西州Lamberville的橋。橋下是Delaware River。
Washington Crossing State Park的美景(from New Jersey side)
1776年的聖誕節George Washington就是在這裡成功阻止英軍的攻勢
Washington Crossing State Park的美景(from Pennsylvania side)
- Nov 06 Tue 2007 00:42
New York • New York
繞了一圈,我又回到了紐約。
- Oct 22 Mon 2007 05:30
簡易食譜--瓜子肉
瓜子肉
材料:味全花瓜一罐(鐵罐)、豬絞肉一斤、醬油1大匙、糖1小匙、酒1大匙
做法:
1.將花瓜取出剁碎,將其餘的汁倒掉不用。
2.取一個淺碗(高約4、5公分那種淺底的碗)將剁碎之花瓜及所有材料放進碗中拌勻,放入電鍋中,碗外放1.5杯水,蒸至電鍋自動跳起即可。
- Sep 07 Fri 2007 22:20
Montreal及Quebec City三天三夜遊
Montreal(蒙特屢)及Quebec(魁北克)都是位於加拿大Quebec Province(魁北克省)的城市,由於這裡是加拿大法國移民最多的地方,所以城市裡有許多法國風味的建築。很多住在美國東北邊的老美或者是加拿大人如果有三四天的假期,而想感染一些歐洲氣息的話,魁北克是最好的選擇。
- Sep 07 Fri 2007 09:53
Something about Toronto
SINCE my cousin lives in the suburbs of Toronto and the nearest store is almost an hour of walking distance away, in order for me to go out and get some fresh air, I have to get up early and go out with my cousin when she drives to work, and to be picked up on her way back to the house. So here I was, wandering around in downtown Toronto on my own today for 9 hours before my cousin found me at the shopping mall.