九月三日, 一齊穿黑衣. 雖然我人在美國, 九月三日星期一是公眾假期 (美國勞工節), 我出街, 也會穿黑衣.

參考: 教協 (請支持 9 月 3 日行動：穿黑衣‧掛黑紙條；下午到政府總部聲援絕食人士‧公民教育講座)

連親子王國都來黑衣上陣, 你看, 這個香港政府總是不激怒全香港人不罷休的.

另外, 在肥醫生的網址上, 有個反對國民教育的網上組織名冊, 各位朋友可以找一找自己母校的同學所組成的網上群組加入.

最後, 大家一齊學唱這首歌:

〈問你點解搞呢科〉 (寄調「問我」)

改詞：區新明

問你點解搞呢科？

其實呢科係乜傢伙？

我地求你一一去講清楚

問老師點樣教呢科

其實位位都不清楚

佢笑住回答：這一呢，注定喎！

無論你有百般對

或者千般錯

存心去承受結果

面對世界一切

那怕會如何

全心保存真的我

問你點解搞呢科？

其實邊位寫呢一科？

 我地誠意講一聲

「你係錯！」

I have translated from Chinese into English, the Hunger Strike declaration of the three Hong Kong students of the student organisation Scholarism. Let it be clear: This is an unofficial translation, as I receive no authorisation from the students to translate it into English and I have no contacts with them. Nevertheless, in the hope that our international friends will be able to understand why our Hong Kong students go on hunger strike, I hereby present my English translation of the Declaration. There are certainly rooms for improvement and I am open to any suggestions that will improve the translation.

PS: I have found another translation offered by “Global Revolution – Hong Kong”, though I am not sure if that is the official translation. Despite some typos and grammar mistakes, I believe that for certain parts of the declaration, they have made a better translation than mine, while my translation may do a better job in other parts of it. (11.31pm – 11.50pm, EST, Aug 30, 2012).  

The original Chinese declaration can be found online at: http://commentshk.blogspot.com/2012/08/blog-post_3606.html

My English translation is as follows:

Scholarism: Hunger Strike Declaration

“Perhaps the last moment has arrived

I have not left a will

but only a pen, to my mother

I am no hero

in an era without heroes,

all I want is to be a person.”

The poem Declaration by Chinese poet Bei-Dao duly speaks our mind: all we want is to be a person, an average secondary school student, to go on vacations and to play with our friends in this summer vacation. Nevertheless, our hearts ache. We could not left behind our pain and ignore all that are happening. Approaching the last two days of August, we know that the number of days left are few. Yet we are not willing to give up; we still maintain our hope, fully believing that the “national education” subject will be withdrawn.

Slowly, slowly, we have walked a long path. Though a tiring journey, we have never given up. We believe that to hold on, hope, we shall see. For a year, whether it was a day of windy downpour under Typhoon signal no. 8, or a summer as hot as it is more than 30 degrees Celsius, holding our umbrella, soaked with sweat, we took to the streets and entered into the crowds, for the sake of our next generation, the next generation of Hong Kong.

We cherish that we can still discern what is right from what is wrong; we like that we can still listen to truth and facts; we love that we can still smell the fragrant of democracy; we protect the liberty and autonomy that are still at hand; we treasure that we can speak up for sensitive issues. Yet we are afraid. We fear. We fear that the next generation will never be able to live this way of life.

We had thought that a protest parade of 90,000 people would move our government. Amidst our sea of protests, the government went as far as ignoring our demands. We cried. Holding their children in their arms, parents wept. The future of Hong Kong also sobbed. But we are young; we are crazy; we believe; therefore, we are courageous. After we wept, wiping our tears, we stand up again.

To go on hunger strike, we absolutely are not using our lives to threaten the government, nor we want to become heroes. As our Chinese saying goes, “Food is Heaven for the people”. To give up food – the most fundamental need of human beings – we want to tell the government our concern, our steadfast demand, that the government should withdraw the “national education” subject [from the primary school's curriculum]. We also hope that as we lay down our wants, everyone of us can join hands to raise our concerns, and even more, to focus our attention on this issue.

We clearly know that life is very precious. But even more so, we are crystal clear that our next generation should not become puppets. We hope that they can maintain their own independent thinking and personal feelings. As we now lay down what is the most basic and the most fundamental human need, we are no fools, but we are left with no other options. We had surrounded in protest the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; we had chased after the Secretary for Education Eddie Ng Hak-kim; 90,000 people had taken to the street in protest; we had set up street stations to gather 100,000 signatures in petition; we had chased after the Legislative Council election candidates; we had walked our “Long March”…… All these we have tried, but the government have gave us a deaf ear. “Meanness is the despicable’s pass, while nobleness is the dignified’s epitaph” (Bei-Dao). We have seen how mean the government is, but we will never allow it pass. Never will we bow to the government. We will hold fast to our belief. We demand the government to withdraw the “National education” subject.

For the sake of freedom of thought and freedom of sentiment, for the sake of the next generation, for the sake of Hong Kong’s tomorrow, we go on hunger strike, out of our own volition and in firm determination. To withdraw this brainwashing “National education” subject without further ado, the government of C. Y. Leung must stand up and come out to respond to our demands. To face the will of the people, is your duty.

We believe in the sunshine of tomorrow, and we believe that every day we will see the sun-rays at the crack of dawn.

 

Last time, I wrote that one of the Windows updates was problematic that disconnected my internet connections.

In the end, I installed the Windows updates one by one, and tested if my computer remained connected to the internet after installing each update. And by the way of elimination, I identified the very culpit of the problem: KB2731847.

Don’t ask me why it created the problem. But it was KB2731847 that made my computer internet connections fail. And once I used system restore to return to the previous restore point, my internet connections worked fine.

If there is any computer expert that can tell me why, I will be grateful. Meanwhile, I am happy to stay connected to the internet, without understanding what KB2731847 had done to my computer.

On Sunday, my home desktop internet connections suddenly – for no obvious reasons – fail. Meanwhile, my laptop and my wife’s laptop connected to the internet properly. Chi and I tried many different ways, including restart the computer; disable and then re-enable the wireless connections; use LAN line instead of wireless; re-set and re-boot the modem-router; etc. etc. All failed. The strange thing was that my desktop PC could still pick up an IP address from my modem-router.

I then contacted my computer scientist friend at the university that I previously worked. He spent one and a half hour helping me, over the phone, trying to sort things out, making diagnosis using command prompt, and then changing registry etc. etc. But it still did not work. All failed.

At last, Chi and I decided to do a system restore. We restored the computer system to the state just before my desktop computer last Windows update.

And funny enough, after system restore and a restart, all in a sudden, the computer was connected back to the internet. I quickly sent an email to my friend. And he replied that there are so many mysteries in our computer, many of which we would never find out why……

Now, I am finally back online after two days “black out”…. I found that I am very internet-dependent, up to the point even though I still have alternatives (my laptop internet connection stays working fine and I have internet access at work too), I have become so annoyed that I could not sleep properly last night….

Anyway, “hello world!” How happy it is, to stay “connected”.

搬家半個月, 家裡的互聯網才正式修理好, 今天, 終於可以在家上網.

本來好想寫有關國民教育的文章, 又想寫七月渡蜜月的遊記. 都因為沒法上網, 所以暫沒有動筆.

倒是開始了我下一個歷史研究/寫書大計. 一個在我心裡已有三四五年的題目, 我終於下了決心, 要在2013年年底, 寫成一本書.

這是我人生一大挑戰. 我的目標, 先寫完這本書, 之後才與太太生小孩. 我怕生了小孩, 我的書就永遠寫不完了.

至於有沒有出版社出版? 這個問題, 等我寫完才算吧. 我現在在整理史料, 心裡構想這本書應該要如何寫, 還沒有動筆.

當然, 我不是什麼都沒寫過. 兩年前, 我用當時找到的史料, 寫了篇學術論文. 後來找到大量新史料. 發現與其重寫文章, 不如寫書. 因為一萬字的歷史論文, 根本講不完我要講的東西. 再而, 歷史論文, 對大多數人來說, 實在太悶了. 我今次要寫一本歷史故事書, 面向的讀者, 是一般的知識份子, 而非歷史學家. 當然, 書的內容, 依據的, 仍然是我辛苦進行的嚴肅的歷史考證. 這本書, 一樣會有註釋, 不過, 多數是放在書後 (endnotes).

香港幾大宗教辦學團體, 包括佛教聯合會, 天主教會, 聖公會, 循道衛理教會, 信義會, 以及中華基督教會, 都宣佈旗下的小學, 明年都不會推行所謂的國民教育 (也即大陸的政治課). 都算有良知. 見到我母校前校長夏永豪, 出面代表聖公會表明立場, 證明他老人家都有guts, 暫時未被中共統戰去了. 總算有些安慰.

這場”仗”, 香港人無論如何都要打. 辦學團體, 老師, 學生, 家長, 都要站出來, 反對中共違反一國兩制, 強行在香港向小學生宣傳一黨專政的法西斯思想 (中共今天的一套, 根本就是法西斯.)

我個人覺得, 有需要的時候, 不惜罷課示威, 也是應該的.

肯定又會有人跑出來說, 世界各國的學校, 都會教學生認識自己國家, 例如美國的本科生也要學美國憲法等, 為何香港人不需要?

我答曰: 問題是背後的價值理念.

自由民主國家, 教育其公民, 認識自己的基本自由與人權, 讓他們知道及行使自己的權利, 包括投票權. 學習憲法, 就是要知道國家政府的權力是有限的. (憲法是用來限制政府權力的 — 如非憲法授權, 政府則無權.) 此乃自由主義之國民教育.

一黨專制的國家, 教育其人民, 是要將其專政合理化, 用民族主義情緒, 加上一些似是而非的理論 (例如中共”無私地”"服務人民”, 美國兩黨制卻”苦害”其人民……), 為其暴政說項. 此乃專制主義之國民教育.

可以說, 這是自由主義國民教育與專制主義國民教育之戰. 在敵我實力懸殊的情況下,

上策是反國民教育到底, 迫老共收手, 維持香港教育現狀.

中策是迫政府下放權力, 讓香港的學校, 校本自決開不開國民教育課, 以及自選課程內容, 而且不應該由教統局操控教程綱要. 不然各出版社的課本都會大同小異地對老共歌功頌德.

下策是消極對抗, 由老師在課堂上, 講授官定課本以外的內容, 讓學生知道六四真相等等.

讓我們的學生公正客觀地認識他們的國家, 而非替專制統治者擦鞋, 是每位老師的責任.

為了我們的下一代, 為了香港的未來, 無論如何都要反對國民教育, 這是盡我們香港人的公民責任, 捍衛自由民主, 反對專政強權. 

 

今天我們倆終於結束長達超過一個月的準備結婚 – 結婚 – 渡蜜月之旅, 回到我們在美國南部的家.

我們渡蜜月的地方是位於加勒比海的美國屬土– 波多黎各. 那裡既有拉丁美洲的風情, 又有美國的一切好處 (包括作為美國屬土, 我們只是坐domestic flights, 不用再進出美國國境; 以及, 用的是美元, 而且手機不用漫遊, 因為那是美國國內). 加上, 從美國南部出發去遊波多黎各, 價錢與香港人去泰國旅行差不多. 很實惠. 對我們來說, 是個上佳選擇.

有空的時候, 會再寫寫我們的旅行見聞.

我們二人暫時還是會分開住, 直到月底搬家為止. 這樣安排, 既方便她上學, 又方便我上班.

Here below is the list of books that we received recently as wedding gifts:

Group A: On love, marriage and family
愛中契合
建立配偶的自信
家庭祭壇
夫妻與主同行
牽手一世情
愛之語
愛, 一生學不完

Group B: Church history
Fukien Memories (影印本)
方尖碑: 紀念朱樹德神父

Group C: Others
醫生札記
那些年, 我走過的路 *
Wintermotifs (with CD) **
國際政治夢工場IV ***

*這是我特別請求飲者叔叔送他的大作給我們. 多謝飲者叔叔. =)
** 這是我特別請求獨立音樂人Arnold送給我們他的大作. 多謝Arnold. =)
*** 這是我託太太託小綿羊, 請求國際著名教授送他的大作一本給我們. As one of Shen’s fans (“沈粉”是也), I am very happy. Thank you Simon. =)

這十幾本書, 竟然沒有重覆. 我雖有千幾本藏書(香港及美國), 但我真的沒有這十幾本書. 大家好像知道我們沒有哪本書似的.

謝謝各位的厚意. 有書作為禮物, 好開心. =)

經過了星期六的婚禮及星期日的婚宴, 再經過了星期二在東莞的”于歸酬宴”, 這兩天, 我們兩口子, 都在”盤點”禮金禮物賀卡.

多謝各位親戚朋友老師同學同事的盛意, 我們收到了許多禮物.

首先, 各位出席我們婚宴的朋友的禮金, 有效解決我們的經濟難題. 有些沒空來的朋友, 也送上禮金, 實在萬分感謝.

第二, 我們收到各位的賀卡. 有許多不同的款式, 其中有些款式一定是很多人的至愛, 所以重覆出現. 賀卡上的賀詞, 有真摯的感言, 也有別出心裁的文字. 實在叫我們感動.

第三, 我們收到了相當於兩個大行李箱的體積的禮物. 有的真的很大. 例如電飯煲乙個. 也有很小的 如:由某社會企業出品的肥皂乙塊.

我們收到了很多本書, 居然沒有重覆. 這也是另類的”天作之合”. 大家心有靈犀, 在互不相識的情況, 各自買了不同的書給我們. 大部份的書都是與婚姻生活有關的, 除了有幾本是我特別request的例外. 容我將來再說.

第四, 我們當然也收到了至親送給我們的金器. 不過, 要去銀行開個保險箱收藏, 都有些麻煩.

***

過程中, 也有些有趣的插曲:

例如, 某長輩的禮金是私人支票. 抬頭是我的英文名. 但由於帳戶名沒有我的英文名. 所以無法入票. 當我當面請他修改的時候, 他就立即拿出現金來跟我”兌現”了那張支票.

又例如有私人支票沒有寫日期, 因而無法入票, 是銀行的那位姐姐好人, 幫我蓋了日期蓋章……

又有人寫錯我的中文名, 不過, 好像銀行那位姐姐沒有發覺……

***
我們收到的禮金, 大部份是”薄儀” (現金), 少部份是禮卷. 禮卷當中, 以恆生銀行的最多.

另外, 我們也收到不少崇光的禮卷. 看來, 在不少香港人心目中, 如果去教堂婚禮, 又不知買什麼禮物好, 買崇光禮卷是最得體的. 但為什麼不是永安先施? 也許崇光地位更高?

***

我其實是想將我收到的禮金, 進行統計學分析, 然後將median和mean公佈出來給大家參考. 不過, 都是覺得不太好.

之後, 想想, 其實可不可以用這些生活例子, 用來作為統計學入門的課程內容.

但是, 美國那些大學生, 應該不大會明白我們在做什麼.

不過, 我自己真是覺得幾有趣.

***

我的台北朋友, 在禮金封上, 寫上他送給我們的對聯:

主作之合永恆情, 情投意合愛不息

***

而我的上海朋友, 則在賀卡上, 送上詩經·周南·桃夭:

桃之夭夭, 灼灼其華.
之子于歸, 宜其室家.
桃之夭夭, 有蕡其實.
之子于歸, 宜其家室.
桃之夭夭, 其葉蓁蓁.
之子于歸, 宜其家人.

***

大家真有文采.

終於結婚了. 由於我不用面書, 所以不用 update status. 不過, 還是在這裡, 再次多謝所有蒞臨本人婚禮之朋友及網友.

今天, 可以見到很多朋友.

遠的, 有的從上海來的, 北京來的, 台北來的. 包括有人即日來回上海–香港.

近的, 有朋友特地為了出席本人之婚禮, 而改機票, 推遲他們去倫敦的行程.

久遠的, 有些是多年未見的小學同學老師, 中學同學老師. 有些是會考以後, 十幾年未見過的了.

新近認識的, 包括好幾位學者朋友及教會朋友, 特意前來觀禮.

好多人真是給我們很大的面子.

這裡特別多謝我們的伴郎 Andy, 伴娘 Joey, 兄弟姊妹團 Sam, Laptak, Anson, Nicole, Yvonne, Ivy, Wing Yan. 還有我們的主禮的黃牧師, 講道的范牧師, 讀經員George & Amy, 司禱員Wai-hang, MC Gary, organist Mr. Yue, pianist Jonny, conductor Eugene與詩班成員Anson, Benny, Gabriel, John & Alice, Elaine, Jade, Jenny and Elaine, 化妝師Polly, 攝影師們 (包括何老師及Peter)及司機們(包括Raymond), 還有幫忙reception &/or 取餅的TK, Felix, Sharon & 家希. . 沒有他們的幫忙, 這次婚禮, 不會如此順利.

要多謝我們的父母, 還有我太太的弟弟, 以及一眾親戚. 沒有他們的支持, 我們又怎麼能結婚.

最後, 以一個小故事作結.

話說, 婚禮結束, 大家拍照 (集體照, 用了一個小時, 因為人多.). 拍照後, 收拾東西.

我問兄弟姊妹團, 一個好重要的問題: “我地張結婚證書去左邊?”

結果, 大家開始找呀找, 翻箱倒盒的找, 整個副堂都找了一次, 就是找不到.

大家開始有些緊張, 但就是找不到.

最後, 你們猜, 我們那張結婚證書去了哪裡?

……

教堂的垃圾站裡的垃圾堆……

應該是有人不小心將之當成垃圾, 放了進黑色垃圾袋裡去.

幸好, 那張證書沒有破損.

這就是我們的”結婚證書失蹤記”.

今天, 我們拯救了我們的結婚證書. 希望以後我們倆不用從垃圾堆中去拯救我們的婚姻. =)

謝謝大家.