從小每次換班級時，總是很緊張地想該怎麼介紹自己。要當班上耍寶的還是比較文靜的? 要多笑一點好還是酷一點好？要等別人來打招呼還是要自己主動去認識人？要自己提供綽號給大家還是讓他們自由發揮？即使三十出頭了，每次認識新人之前還是會忍不住的東想西想，又怕嚇跑對方，又怕不夠熱情。但還好現在有我的動物朋友們了。可以比較狡猾的讓他們們出來打頭陣，希望可以藉由我的動物世界先彼此熟悉認識。
很高興有這個機會，讓我的想像世界在這邊與大家見面。我是胖鼠！這些動物都是我的朋友們，除了大家所熟悉的動物們- 小豬、公雞、浣熊、松鼠以外，還有南美洲常見的羊駝跟很靈活的變色龍。拿著探照燈的是兩隻怪物，一橘一綠，常常會好心腸的想要幫助動物們。筆下的故事大多是被日常生活的互動所啟發的。畫這些畫讓我很開心，每次打開畫本就進入了另一個世界，讓我不知不覺就放緩生活的步調，也更加細心的留意生活周遭。希望這個感覺也能夠散播給你，能帶給你幾分鐘的放慢腳步遠離現實。
Growing up, I always dreaded the first day of school, I can lose sleep days ahead thinking about not how the teachers will be like, but whether I’ll be able to make friends in a new environment. The first day seemed like setting the stage to me. It offers a fresh start but could also lead to disasters. Should I be known as an outgoing person or a cool one instead? Should I smile more or act aloof? Should I go introduce myself or wait for people to approach me? Should I let my classmates come up with a nickname or supply one I like? Even in my thirties now, I still get anxious when meeting new people, afraid I might come on too strong or not friendly enough. It’s such a blessing that I created all these animals, I get to reach people and let people know a bit about me through them before actually meeting properly.
Extremely grateful for this opportunity to share my imaginary world with everyone. I’m Pongshu! And these animals are my friends. Other than the familiar animals— piggy, rooster, racoon and squirrel, there’s also the alpaca from South America and the flexible chameleon. The two critters with spotlights hiding in the curtains are my take on adorable monsters, the orange and green duo have good intentions and often try to help the animals (although the outcome might not always be ideal). These illustrations represent the moments of my daily life, either heart-warming, hilarious, or cynical. Drawing has been a great outlet for me, and I always feel happier after spending a few minutes lost in this alter universe. Hopefully my illustrations will have the same effect on you! Channeling you to another universe for a few minutes, and help you slow down.
Aloof (adj)：冷淡的，冷漠的，疏遠的。
Not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant; uninvolved and uninterested. Synonyms: distant, standoffish, detached. A funny scene from Season 3 of Friends plays around with this word when Chandler wanted to win back Janice. Monica and Rachel advised Chandler to act “aloof”, instead he acted like “a doof”.
Outlet (noun): 出口，(感情、思想、精力發洩的)出路，表現機會。
The original meaning of the word is a pipe or hole through which water or gas may escape. It has evolved into also meaning a place from which goods are sold. Here, I use the third meaning of it, which means a way of expressing one’s talent, energy, or emotions. Synonyms: release.
圖／文｜胖鼠
責任編輯／林安儒
