房东老伯，时尚乐活

房东老伯 时尚乐活

我的房东老伯，四年新移民，曾经的高级工程项目经理，如今的超级管家。语言不同，丝毫不影响老伯入乡随俗，成为骄傲的多伦多市民。伯伯认真的照看每一个生活细节，在“好山好水好无聊”的陌生国度有滋味的乐活。

伯伯的大餐

5月的一天，我刚刚搬家不久。伯伯摆起了隆重的晚宴，生菜们整齐列队，红白沙拉酱盘旋期间如工艺品。高脚杯里的深红葡萄汁荡漾生辉。我受宠若惊的在餐桌就座，想着到底是什么特殊的日子…哎呀，原来是女王大人生日？伯伯居然这么有情调的过起了洋节日！我心中暗自好笑，不过有大餐享用总是多多益善。

不久，加拿大国庆又来到了。走到家门前，一面小国旗赫然出现在窗子上。当晚自然又是一番庆祝，我不禁要问伯伯的加拿大生活感言，伯伯大声感叹“好山好水好无聊！”不过我看伯伯说的蛮开心，不像抱怨。饭罢，伯伯还向我重申了垃圾分类标准，并把空罐头瓶仔细冲洗干净放进回收袋。

无聊吗？伯伯的一天，整理家务，买菜烹饪，健身房里挥汗如雨。规律有序，似乎比很多上班一族更充实呢。

大餐的机会又出现了---我的鼻子告诉我。今天是？我来猜猜，是伯伯生日？No! 阿姨生日？ No! 大餐摆好了，色泽协调肉素搭配，伯伯和老伴倒好了饮料摆了Pose认真的拍了照。原来，是伯伯的洋女婿过生日。女婿在外地工作，远隔千里，伯伯的精心准备和长寿面，他今日不能享受. 看到伯伯和老伴真挚的心意，他会在繁忙的一天打拼后会心一笑吧。

两个月里我沾光过了三个生日，就是寿星都不在场，伯伯给远方的儿女过生日，就如同她们还在身边。

世事关心

 不要以为伯伯只是熟悉家喻户晓的女王生日，他对谁家执政，党派政策，市政规划都如数家珍。这要归功于超市门前雨后春笋般的免费中文报纸和中文电台电视台。因为远离故友亲族的好无聊，这些报纸成为了伯伯茶余饭后的陪伴。如今我每日都去问问伯伯地球上有什么大事，多伦多市长丑闻进展如何，哪个区在省选补选，候选人什么背景，等等等等。

有一日伯伯拿来一封信请我辨认，原来是建造世家堡公交系统的民意调查，伯伯听闻再三命令我一定要填好寄回，表达一份市民心声。

过马路的小学生

 我和伯伯的老伴一起出门晨练，回家时候发现阿姨过马路如同小学生，即使在没车没人的小区里，也一定要笔直穿过人行道，走个标准的90度。阿姨说这是因为曾经斜穿马路受到伯伯的严厉批评。 从此刻骨铭心，干脆走直角，严格遵守交规！说到这里我突然想起了大停电中的多伦多，交通灯瘫痪，警察叔叔不知去向。十字路口处，四面车辆心有灵犀，有条不紊。那是我第一次经历如此规模的停电，不仅为多伦多的市民所感动。但是我猜车中的司机大概一如走直角的伯伯和阿姨习惯成自然了，规矩在他们眼中就是红灯停绿灯行这样小小不言，无论周围有没有警察摄像头。守规矩让自己和周围人的生活都变得简单，就像这里的许多事情。

乐游城市

周日一早伯伯提着水和月票出门了。他前日在报纸的社区栏目侦查好了合家欢乐去处，又研究了TTC地图。他说要去市政厅看艾未未的12生肖，还有夏季多伦多轮番上演的多元文化节。午后刚过伯伯却风风火火赶回家。“我找到市政厅了，还有艾未未和美食节，不过没带相机”。回家吃了午餐取了相机会伯伯再次上路。

暮色深了伯伯终于归来。不是从美食节却是从健身房。在一天的游览观光后伯伯坚持每天的传统，去健身房报道完成游泳跑步项目！

我听后不仅暗自冒冷汗。惭愧于自己的一把懒骨头。

Avocado三明治

有天我和伯伯老伴出门参加整日的活动，伯伯听后一早就在厨房忙碌。煎蛋的香气飘满整栋house.

等我下到厨房 只见如巨无霸的三明治已经整装待发。其实刚吃过早餐，我还是一路惦记着阿姨口袋中的三明治，谁知道里面会有怎样的惊喜呢！

终于等到午餐时刻了，巨大三明治捧在手中，一口咬下去，又嫩又香的煎蛋 融化在一种绿色的柔软酱料里，哎呀居然是牛油果三明治！

像往常一样，我照例回家对伯伯的手艺称奇。伯伯这才骄傲透露，我是吃过洋面包的。原来伯伯工作时曾进被派往北美学习管理经验，吃了半年的洋面包。难怪！！

可是我来了多伦多早就超过半年，还是鸡蛋西红柿的忠实拥泵哪。

伯伯应该比我老爸还长一辈人。对生活的敏锐却让我自愧不如。时尚的牛油果三明治味道久久回味，让我开始重新看待我的生活细节。融入一个城市一种不同的生活，是不是只需要一种心态和习惯呢？就像伯伯整洁的花园，井然有序的橱柜，一丝不苟的小菜

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Summer Weekend Getaway--Barrie Hill Farm

Looking for a getaway from the packed city life? Wondering about things to do on a leisure summer weekend? Fantastic attractions are within your reach if you live in Toronto.

Last summer I and my best girl friend went on a friendship celebration day at the pick your own blueberry farm- Barrie Hill Farm and Wasaga beach.
 
It was a long lasting happy memory to revisit on a beautiful summer day like today. And I am hoping this great attraction near Toronto will inspire your next summer getaway plan.

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Barrie Hill Farm is a straight forward two hour drive up north if you take 404, and even faster if you take 400.

The day was scorching hot. Yet the girls were ready to shine together with their brilliant floral dresses.

 
A wagon picked up all the blue berry pickers from the entrance and sent us deep into the farm.We waved hello to the berry bushes and the mouth watering plump blue- purple rounds all over the greenness.

  

We were dropped off at a spot where most berries were at their peak golden stage. Unlike our co-visitors who started their harvest right away, my friend insist that we have a full shot of the berry farm and the fabulous berry picker.

  

After she was happy and satisfied with the berry picker album. We began our berry tasting around the bushes. Unlike any well selected, fully ripe fruits neatly packaged in the supermarket, berries here are more like individuals who have their distinctive characters, some are more juicy, some delivers a crisp and firm texture, some taste more acid than sweet. All of them though, carried the right-from- field freshness that is second to none.

  

Before we filled our basket, we filled ourselves with berries of all size and all flavors, as much as we could.

  

Lots of our co-visitors satisfied themselves with a basket of berries, hopped on the wagon and left. But my friend always has a try -it- all spirit---she called for a stop at the cherry tomato lines--and I was so happy she did so. The tomatoes from the vines were a refreshing wonder to the tongues. You will be so amazed at how an everyday fruit can taste so different and yet familiar. Cannot describe it enough unless you give it a try yourself.

 
 

The tomato feast wraps up our pickers career.
 
We had some extra snacks during a nice break, and we decided on the spot we would head for the unplanned Wasaga Beach, since were already around the area.
 
That adventure will come with next blog.
 
For those of you who cannot wait to taste the field berry and tomato yourself, here is the web site:Barrie Hill Farm

在多伦多做翻译—卑微与高尚

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谨以此文献给翻译生涯中陪伴、鼓励我的同学和同事们：Yini, Emma, Pearl, Yiling ：）

多伦多活跃的翻译（口译）应该也有几百，不过从没见同行分享经历，也许这个职业并不显赫，常常伴随琐碎的事项和频繁的出行，也许一天的跑腿后再无力气闲扯。两年多来，每次做完一个口译我都有冲动拿起笔分享新的收获，却总是在隔日被新的信息和琐事淹没。如今索性在坐车等车途中，用手机键盘“快照”下每日的感触片段。

在多伦多做口译和国内时对口译的印象完全是两个世界。这里的社区口译员和神秘气派的同声传译，商务谈判，联合国大会完全不搭界。当然这里也有会议同声翻译，专职法庭翻译，那就另当别论。

我在过去几年做社区口译，主要打交道的机构包括了多伦多卫生局Toronto Public Health，儿童保护协会Child’s Aid Society，社区医疗中心Medical Center, 保险理赔员Insurance Adjuster, 法律援助诊所Legal Aid Clinic，产前营养班 Prenatal Nutrition Program，受害人及证人援助项目Victim Witness Assistance，小额法庭Small Claims Court等。

要说翻译的职业卑微，的确，我们服务的主要人群可以说是弱势群体：新移民，难民，低收入人群，刑事犯罪的受害人。

但是在接受翻译培训的时候，MCIS的资深前辈美女Judy也告诉我们，翻译是高尚的职业，没有口译员，有些意义重大的对话就无法发生！没错，在过去的几百个口译工作中，卑微和高尚总是萦绕其间。

翻译的内容有的毫无技术含量，只是基本个人信息核对。有的则要求口译通晓社会政治-法律-经济-医药 等等等等。合格的口译脑子里应该有个维基百科，各类术语信手拈来。初入翻译行业之门，我常常在大脑搜索一片空白时采用 paraphrase的办法尽可能解释明白，不过我也会暗自冒冷汗，冲回家把那个绊住了舌头的单词找出来，印象深刻的输入大脑内存。

翻译对话的分量也是天差地别，从一日三餐，喂奶换尿片，孩子反叛，夫妻拌嘴，到证人供词的惊心动魄，法庭上的性命攸关。有的翻译工作谈笑风生，轻松如串门；有的则是句句珠玑，要屏息倾听，快速精确回应。

除了对语言本身精确性的要求，翻译职业的很大一部分是对职业规则的理解和遵循。在100小时的社区口译员培训中，几位老翻译最经常分享的就是口译如何处理和客户的关系，如何在对话中达到"传声筒"的理想状态，如何让两个语言文化相隔万里的沟通者感到毫无障碍，如近邻般顺畅亲切交谈。

专业口译要遵循的基本准则：守时，为客户保持隐私，保护自己的隐私，不向客户透录个人全名联系方式，在翻译任务之外不能与客户攀谈，不能与客户独处一室。这些行业准则都是按照"最坏的假设"制定的，对于给怀孕妈妈和护士间的翻译，这看起来有点小题大做，但是如果客户是犯罪嫌疑人，目击证人，案件当事人，整个事件的结果都可能因为翻译的心里倾斜而被颠覆。这样看来这些准则就毫不为过，既保障了客户语言的平等权利，也保障了翻译的安全和长久信誉。

专业标准对翻译的要求是如实准确翻译交谈中的每一句话，并且全部使用第一人称。还要适当体现说话人的语气、声调、情感。这就是"传声筒"概念的由来。理想的境界是交谈的双方完全忘记了翻译的存在，就如同共用母语的两个人在对话。我们还被建议要鼓励双方尽可能与对方直接交流，包括目光交流；而做口译的人，最好是看着自己的笔记，只让声音存在。毕竟我们完全是局外人，如果不是久远年代上帝区分了语言，我们怎会进入这场对话。所以有时候当翻译结束后，我都没有看清客户长什么样！当然在很多轻松场合，比如孕妇班护士家访，我们也会像几个朋友坐在一起谈天般，似乎看不出界限。

如实翻译双方所讲的每一句话，简单吗？我觉得这简直是翻译生涯中最具挑战的部分。乡野俚语，村夫俗谚，医生律师的行业天文，法官的庄重，律师的雄辩，用通过一人的嘴来表达。翻译不再是自己，而是一个存储着多种语言数码的扩音器。如果我们的储备不足，怎能区分出诊所、家庭、法庭、警察局、避难所……

除了不会讲，还有不敢讲的问题，我们曾经看过一个视频，在性侵案件中，翻译由于个人习惯信仰不肯如实翻译受害人所讲的隐讳部位词语，而导致罪犯逃脱制裁无罪释放！

还有呢，如实翻译，就要求我们"永不解释"，就算你再心急客户怎么听不懂警察问询，就算客户的回答完全不着边际，应该解释和打断的永远是交谈双方！翻译唯一发问的时刻，就是翻译本身没有听懂任何一方的话, 或对行业术语要求进一步解释。

我曾经看过一段受害人在警察局录制口供的录像。当时是晚间，口供已经过了一个小时，受害人是孕妇，精神还没从事件中缓和，回答问题往往文不对题。一小时后，翻译开始表现出明显烦躁，频频打断受害人的回答，用自己的解释推进对话进程。作为同行可以理解其心情，但这样对受害人实在有失公正。

我理解的，翻译的高尚并不是滥用同情和逾越界限的援助，而是努力用专业客观的服务架起沟通的桥梁，让弱势群体，至少是语言上的弱势群体能无所阻碍的speak out and speak up.

Thinking of Private College?

 I have compared the pros and cons of private vs public colleges in my previous post. From what I have talked about, It sounds like private college is less of a good idea for people who want quality education and adequate career training. However, I don't want to write off the merits of private colleges and discourage readers from considering it an option at all. 

Most Private colleges, if not all, have their specialty and industrial connections, which can turn out to be an asset for students who are career-driven. Some students have quite positive experience at private colleges, and they landed professional jobs thanks to the practical knowledge and effective referrals. 

Make the most of your initial consultation interview with the admission advisor, ask questions and take a campus tour.Things you want to consider and know well before making a decision: 

 
--How long the College has been offering this program you are interested in?

 
--Who are the instructors, what's their industrial related background, and years of experience they have in teaching this subject 

 
--Do graduates from this program get the same professional certificate and recognition as those from public colleges?

 
 --Facilities and on-campus resources that are essential parts of the learning experience (computer lab, medical lab, library, etc)

 
 --What kind of solid connections do the College have with the industry that's going to help students both for their internship and future career 

--You may also would like to know who are your future classmates by having a tour of the classroom and talk to a few seniors. You definitely are not keen on hanging around with folks that live in another planet (I went to a program at a private college, and realized most of my classmates are moms and dads, and most of them talked among themselves in a language other than English. They are nice people but I found out for a young person like myself, this is not a place I can build up my network and find much common grounds) 

--Some of you may even want to check out the dining room, kitchen, cafeteria...since you are going to spend quite some time here, and you want to feel at ease and comfortable. 

Besides the school itself, it will be more than beneficial to talk with people who are already in the field.

During networking event, ask seniors about programs that have established reputation within the field. Another benefit of this information exchange is that you can get an idea about the nature of the job, skills, and qualifications that are in high demand, and subject matters you need to take care of most while you are in school, so that you start to prepare yourself for the real world from day one of your career training. 

Last but not least, I hope you will soon find your ideal program, and have a college experience that is rewarding and enjoyable. 

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US Visa Interview in Toronto (B1/B2)

For non-Canadian Citizens who are seeking B1/B2 Visitor Visa to the States.If you are going to the Toronto US consulate, please read this before you go!

Your US VISA application declined on the interview? Even though you are genuinely only intending for a cross-border shopping and leisure tourism.... The skeptical visa officer behind the window just won't give you a pass? You are not alone!

There are a whole bunch of people out there who are innocently bewildered about their bad fortune. However, it is not necessarily the wrong zodiac that let you down.

Based on my own and my friends' experience with the visa office, I do have some tips to share:

Be prepared: 

Every time I was there lining up, I came across visa applicant stopped at the door simply because they didn't print and bring with them the essential, required confirmation page.
 
And photos as well! If you don't have adequate ones with you, make sure you shoot a set from the machine (if you go to the Toronto Us consulate there will be a camera machine available on site,) before you approach the window.
 
But it's always better to prepare photos in advance following online instructions. What if the consulate you go for does not have an instant photo kiosk? And it may take you two hours to get the photo ready and come back only to find that your appointment has expired!
 

Demonstrate by Evidence: 

You will be talking about your work, income, your family tie, perhaps your big mansion on Toronto lakeside, your local business---all those things that will pull you back like magnet...  So you may want to show some hard evidence like certificate, pay stub, bank statement, property ownership, etc

Well organized files also demonstrate that you take it seriously. You are well prepared and you have the confidence to justify your application.
 

Be Courteous and Respectful:

Treat others the way you'd like to be treated. Isn't that old magic too true?

Build a respectful relationship no matter how temporary it can be. Through your body language, eye contact, tone of speech, and your words, and guess what? The other side behind the window will quite likely mirror your attitudes :)
 
No one would abruptly reject a courteous applicant before allowing you enough time and opportunity to present your case.
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I have a friend who thought the officer behind the window was another front desk sign-in guy, and he threw back a few answers casually, thinking to himself " who you are to ask me all these weird questions".. And before he even pulled out his well-organized documents about work, income, he was out of the game.

Dress Well:

The first impression and "err on the safe side rule" play just as well as in any interview.
 
You may find lots of applicant in their Friday jeans and lounge room hoodies? But it won't give you a demerit point if you dress your regular business outfit and present yourself in a decent and more serious manner.

Be Sincere and Genuine:

Look at the officer in the eyes and tell your story as it is. If you have sincere reasons to travel and return, he will give you a sincere consideration.
 

Talk Reason:

If you have been unlucky enough to get a refusal, you cannot shun the question: what happened last time?
 
I know there is a lady who got refusal more than once and her reply to that question is always: I don't know.
 
Here is what my friend has done to revoke the decision:

He obtained a good interpreter for his second interview and explained to the visa officer:
I did not understand the procedure very well; my English is limited, and for the first interview I didn't have a qualified interpreter to assist me; I did not have a chance to present all the documents as I put in front of you today, etc. etc.
 
He did get a pass at the second interview, shortly after the first refusal.
 
My whole point is, visa interview is like a job interview, people failed not because they are not qualified, but because they don't follow common interview rules.
 
Besides, Visa officers are human beings like you and me, and the decision process can be highly subjective.

What you cannot change is your factual conditions, but you can certainly have some influence on the human side. If you are able to market yourself well, you increase your chance of getting a nod.

For information on how to book an US visa appointment within Canada, please refer to my previous blog:

How To: Apply for US VISA

 
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