(For translation, see below!)
So… our fundraising deadline of Sept. 1 has finally arrived and we’re still dumbfounded by the response for our little home video – 108,000+ hits! From what we know, we were able to encourage at least $6,065 in donations for the relief efforts, which also exceeded our humble expectations. While no amount of money will ever reverse the devastating loss of loved ones and homes, we hope that any little bit can help survivors to stand strong and recover quickly. Thanks so much to everyone, friends, families and strangers across the Pacific who bothered to share this with others and to pledge donations.

Many of you said you were moved to tears by the song. We were in turn touched by the unexpected outpouring of warmth, kindness and support, especially for a pair of 2nd generation Taiwanese Americans. It made us feel like little long-lost grandchildren being welcomed back by their loving “ah-gohng and ah-ma” (grandparents) with open arms and open heart. Reading the hundreds of sweet comments gave us a happy sense of pride and belonging in our hearts. The response was also a testament to the strength of Taiwanese pride and identity. Needless to say, it was emotional and a bit overwhelming. You make us proud to be Taiwanese

For those who do not understand the lyrics of “Ai Bianh,” here is a simple translation. We chose this song because it reflects the Taiwanese spirit, which is resilient in the face of challenges, as well as upbeat and hardworking. The message must resonate powerfully with many Taiwanese now, who may feel defeated and down after all the suffering caused by the storm.

There is no need to complain when you feel demoralized/
No need to be scared in the face of abjection/
Don’t ever lose hope and grow drunk and numb/
Lest you become a scarecrow – a body without a soul./
Life, like the ocean tide, has its highs and its lows/
In good times and in bad, you must pick yourself up and carry on/
Success is 3 parts heaven’s will, and 7 parts hard work/
So you must work hard to succeed!

Because so many people seemed to enjoy 愛拼才會贏, we may just make a recording of our own Taiwanese-American folk rendition in the near future! Along with any other Taiwanese songs we know. So do visit us again!

love,
emily + susan (許以純 + 許以真)
++++++++++++++++++++++

Translation:
說著說著，我們募款的截止日期 (九月一日)已經來臨了，在台或者在美同胞共同帶給我們十萬八千多個點閱的熱情反應 ，至今還讓我們目瞪口呆。就我們所知，我們的小片子至少推動了六千六十五美元的捐獻，這個數目確實超過了我們謙遜的估計 。雖然金錢無法挽回流失了的生命和家園，我們希望捐獻出的每一點一滴都能幫助逃生者堅強地再站立起來，以好及早復原與重建。非常謝謝橫誇太平洋兩岸的朋友，親人，以及數不盡的陌生人，是你們不嫌麻煩地把這個小片子與你們的親友分享，我們才有今天的成果 。

有不少網友說，“愛拼才會贏”這首民曲引觸了他們的感情，也潮濕了他們的眼睛。同樣的，在美和在台同胞們流瀉出的溫暖，殷切和支持，也深深地感動了身為第二代台裔的我們。這一次切身的經驗，讓我們覺得彷彿是走失了的孩子，看到了阿公和阿嬤愛心無比地展開雙臂和心懷，歡迎我們的歸來一般。小片子底下好幾百個友善的留語，帶給我們一股驕傲與附屬的感覺。民眾點閱的反應，牽引了許多勢不可擋的感觸暫且不說，真正的見證還在於台灣同胞強烈的自尊與認同。你們讓我們引以台灣人為傲.

有些人不知道“愛拼才會贏”這首歌的含意，我們簡單地把它翻譯成英文。我們喜歡這首歌是因為它代表了台灣抵禦挑戰的彈力，以及民間上進，苦幹的精神。它所表達的心聲，自然而然地鼓舞了台灣再度受災受難同胞們的士氣。

很多網友似乎蠻喜歡用合聲與些微美國民謠的方式來表達 “愛拼才會贏”這個曲子。以後我們有時間的話，將錄製一兩首我們喜愛的台灣歌曲，歡迎上網察循動向！謝謝！