2008-07-16 00:11:06Yvette
有趣的「老」同事
前幾天四個熟女在丹堤看 Yvette 的無聊札記時，發現一個有趣的人被書寫在札記裡，那是 Yvette 的同事--筆名夏烈的夏老師，林海音老師和何凡（夏承楹先生）的兒子，也是中山文藝獎的得獎人。
夏老師其實是工程師，但是因為家學關係，寫小說和文學理論都很擅長，他對音樂和繪畫的解讀也讓學生欽佩得目瞪口呆。他本人是一個有正義感的超級頑童，每次開口就可以把我們逗得笑翻天。他來我們學校教了一陣子的書，退休之前因為眼睛小手術需要休息，我每年都幫他代一門課，他前年退休之後只兼一門，就把小說「還」給我了。
這學期剛開學在路上碰到，他很興奮的說：
「哇！妳變漂亮年輕了。」（這句話的背景應該是說：妳把頭髮燙起來了啦！？）
因為看到我瞠目結舌，無法回答，他就補一句：
「我今天只想到86分的讚美，下一次再碰到，我就會想一個 92 分的讚美！」
「那我也去想一個九十二分的讚美來稱讚你。」
「不用了！我是老頭子，不用讚美了！」
（過了一兩個禮拜，我在教師休息室碰到他，趕快跟他招供，因為我還沒想好讚美詞，可是他完全忘了這檔子事了。）
剛剛整理舊 e-mail, 在 2003 年 9 月 16 日看到這個有趣的對話，那時候我幫他代另一門課，他堅持要幫我把機器完全搞定才要回美國手術：
(Yvette to Fred Hsia)
Subject: Did I ruin your class?
I am never a confident person, and for the first time I found that I
am a total contrast of you in personality. Guess I am not strict
enough. Honestly, I almost never call the roll. I gave some pop
quizzes sometimes to make sure they cared about this course.
That’s about all. Probably I should follow suit, at least in
Literature and Cinema.
I will make the photocopies of the text soon, and I will give you
one copy.
If you can trust me enough, you don’t have to feel obliged to
coming to class after the namelist is set. It would be a little
boring to you, I guess.
(Reply to Yvette)
Yvette, yes you ruined my class because I noticed that sutdents paid
more attention to your lecture than mine. However, I have literally
known your good reputation for some time. I will still participate
a few times to help operate the DVD machine as well as showing up
to avoid any dispute that I completely discard this course I am
offering. In fact I want to watch ”To Kill a Mocking Bird.” This
movie is very similar to my mother’s 城南舊事 both in writing and
in filming--both show children’s view of adult world. I noticed
our differences. But that is good. I like to find out why students
like you. One good thing is that this class has a lot of girls than
boys--your lecture for sure will interest them more than mine. I am
glad that I asked you to teach for me this semester and I am sure
you will like to take it over officially next year. Thank you, Yvette.
(不過後來我的課實在太多了，就沒有「正式將課程接下」。)
那一學期真的很有趣。
我「老」了也要變成這麼有趣的人。
夏老師其實是工程師，但是因為家學關係，寫小說和文學理論都很擅長，他對音樂和繪畫的解讀也讓學生欽佩得目瞪口呆。他本人是一個有正義感的超級頑童，每次開口就可以把我們逗得笑翻天。他來我們學校教了一陣子的書，退休之前因為眼睛小手術需要休息，我每年都幫他代一門課，他前年退休之後只兼一門，就把小說「還」給我了。
這學期剛開學在路上碰到，他很興奮的說：
「哇！妳變漂亮年輕了。」（這句話的背景應該是說：妳把頭髮燙起來了啦！？）
因為看到我瞠目結舌，無法回答，他就補一句：
「我今天只想到86分的讚美，下一次再碰到，我就會想一個 92 分的讚美！」
「那我也去想一個九十二分的讚美來稱讚你。」
「不用了！我是老頭子，不用讚美了！」
（過了一兩個禮拜，我在教師休息室碰到他，趕快跟他招供，因為我還沒想好讚美詞，可是他完全忘了這檔子事了。）
剛剛整理舊 e-mail, 在 2003 年 9 月 16 日看到這個有趣的對話，那時候我幫他代另一門課，他堅持要幫我把機器完全搞定才要回美國手術：
(Yvette to Fred Hsia)
Subject: Did I ruin your class?
I am never a confident person, and for the first time I found that I
am a total contrast of you in personality. Guess I am not strict
enough. Honestly, I almost never call the roll. I gave some pop
quizzes sometimes to make sure they cared about this course.
That’s about all. Probably I should follow suit, at least in
Literature and Cinema.
I will make the photocopies of the text soon, and I will give you
one copy.
If you can trust me enough, you don’t have to feel obliged to
coming to class after the namelist is set. It would be a little
boring to you, I guess.
(Reply to Yvette)
Yvette, yes you ruined my class because I noticed that sutdents paid
more attention to your lecture than mine. However, I have literally
known your good reputation for some time. I will still participate
a few times to help operate the DVD machine as well as showing up
to avoid any dispute that I completely discard this course I am
offering. In fact I want to watch ”To Kill a Mocking Bird.” This
movie is very similar to my mother’s 城南舊事 both in writing and
in filming--both show children’s view of adult world. I noticed
our differences. But that is good. I like to find out why students
like you. One good thing is that this class has a lot of girls than
boys--your lecture for sure will interest them more than mine. I am
glad that I asked you to teach for me this semester and I am sure
you will like to take it over officially next year. Thank you, Yvette.
(不過後來我的課實在太多了，就沒有「正式將課程接下」。)
那一學期真的很有趣。
我「老」了也要變成這麼有趣的人。