盈珍攝影 - Ying Chen photography
來巴黎前
想到心中的理想
或許能在這𥚃得以實現。
其實媽媽並不贊成我遠赴他鄉。
當時的我也無法體會媽媽的心情。
終究還是爸爸助我圓夢，
飛向遠方。
抵達巴黎時落霧正濃。
心中有點茫然⋯
但我決心走出一條自己的路。
就讀ESMOD之前，
先入語文學校進修。
每天午後溫習功課，寫生畫畫，
常閒得發慌。
於是開始積極找半天的零工。
由地鐵地圖找目標地址並不難，
我已習於每天搭乘地鐵
進進出出找工作。
有一次找到香榭大道巷內的
一座典雅宅院，
老紳士與我以英語交談。
其妻是心理醫師 ( 只說法語 )
需要一位助理。
他熱心的勸妻試用看看。
我去了一週，
整理文件 ( 用於診療 )
收放資料⋯
語言溝通不易，
不願造成醫師的不便，
於是知難而退。
他們也表示遺憾。
也曾到郊區拜訪一位華僑朋友。
她的表姐介紹我到巴黎十一區的
成衣公司。
在台北曾學過平面裁剪，
縫製成衣對我而言駕輕就熟。
老板對我很讃賞。
然而我感受到他的女友 ( 也是主管 )
態度不友善，
辭掉工作後覺得輕鬆自在多了。
領悟到人生無常，並非事事能如願。
後來到一家香水免稅專賣店應徵，
主管說了一句：
『像妳這樣嬌弱的淑女
怎能在這行工作？
每天都像要上戰場打仗的！』
開始感覺到前所未有的挫折與難過。
當時媽送我的古典小巧手錶
突然停了。
住處附近鐘錶店的一位華僑技師
幫我修理，也換上漂亮的紅錶帶。
向技師道謝時，他問我有否課餘時間
幫他的朋友工作？
我欣然答應。
隔天我就開始幫她做手工藝
( 挑選美麗的羽毛，黏貼於各式面具上 )
訂單增加時必須加班。
回想起來有甘有苦，
但從事美工還是能讓人樂在其中。
也是我人生的一段珍貴重要歷練。
每當我搭乘地鐵，
聽到關門前的一聲長鳴
與車廂進行時自成一格的韻律，
有種特別的感受。
想到當年
隨著地鐵勇往直前的
那種心情。
Before coming to Paris
think of the ideal in my heart
maybe it can be realised here.
In fact, my mum did not approve of me
going to another country.
At that time, I couldn't understand her mood.
After all, my dad helped me
make my dream come true.
It was foggy when I arrived in Paris.
I felt a little confused in my heart...
But I was determined to walk my own way.
Before studying in ESMOD,
I entered a language school.
Every afternoon, I did my sketch and drawing.
I was often so idle.
So I began to actively look for odd jobs
for half day.
It is not difficult to find the target address from the subway map.
I'm used to taking the subway every day.
Go in and out to find a job.
Once I found an elegant mansion
in the Avenue des Champs-Élysées.
The old gentleman talked to me in English
( an assistant is needed )
His wife is a psychiatrist (only speaks French)
He enthusiastically persuaded his wife
to try to accept me.
I have beenthere for a week,
organised ( for diagnosis and treatment)
Collect and release documents...
Language communication is not easy,
I would not to cause inconvenience to the doctor,
So I asked to quit my job.
And they expressed their regret.
I also visited an overseas Chinese friend in the suburbs.
Her cousin introduced me to the 11th arrondissement of Paris.
a garment company.
Because I have studied flat cutting in Taipei.
Sewing ready-made clothes is easy for me.
The boss gave me a lot of compliments.
However, I feel that his girlfriend’s
( she was the manager )
unfriendly attitude…
I felt much more relaxed
after quitting my job.
Realise that life is impermanent, and not everything can be as you wish.
Later, I went to a perfume duty-free specialty store to apply for a job.
The leader said:
“ A delicate lady like you,
how can you work in this kind of work?
It's like going to the battlefield every day! “
I began to feel unprecedented frustration and sadness.
At that time,
the watch ( which was my mum gave me ) stopped suddenly.
An Chinese technician in the watch store near my residence
repaired it for me and put
a beautiful red strap.
When I thanked the technician,
he asked me if I had any spare time
to help his friend ?
I gladly accept.
The next day, I began to help her with handicrafts.
(Choose beautiful feathers
and paste them on various masks)
I must work overtime when the order increases.
Looking back, there were joys and sorrows,
but working in artisanal craftsmanship
can still make me enjoy it.
It was also a precious and important experience in my life.
Whenever I take the subway,
I heard a long ringing sound
before closing the door,
and the rhythm of the frame when proceeding with the carriage,
there is a special feeling.
Thinking of those years,
as the subway moves forward bravely…
That kind of mood.
