My Wuhan Wonderland

Day 41 - Last Morning In Wuhan

2009-04-14T02:44:00.009+08:00

The First Part of The Day:

our foyer :')
just outside our room
SuperMOuse-WG.

LOL!
all-packed
Goodbye.

Before we board the bus, all of us were so busy preparing to move our luggage from point A to point B and to the next again that we had not have enough time to be emotional about going.

"Goodbye, Wuhan!"- Randolph, while on our way to the bus thats going to take us to Airport.

Another Favourite Boy with the older Lady Boss.

The Lady Boss shed some tears according to Zee Min. It made some of us cried as well but I want her to remember me in smiles. NO crying. I'm going to miss her. She reminds me alot of Grandma. I still have my grandma!

Second Part: The First Flight

This was when things got more teary for some. Local students, thanks so much for sending us off. (pictures in wg's camera)

First flight

It was Raining.

It was Windy.

And we had to take a short bus trip to the plane.

sighs.
abit closer to home.

A new friend; Mr Leo Neng Ping

He said his a University Student once and he was going for a business trip. He taught me four levels of "XIng". I can remember two at the moment: Wake up and surname. Lol
1,2, yes sir, 3 of us.

Third part: Second Flight

Transit between the two flights was a mad rush.

I had to leave my brother's present behind. It turns out I had to compress the soccer ball. Since the ball contains air, "there might be a bomb in it", dad said.

One of the things that made me beyond upset was the fact nobody told me earlier that it has to be compressed. Or else I could have done it myself with the pin. I placed the pin at my luggage because I did'nt want it to be confiscated. Now I have the pin with no ball. haa

I was so upset at the thought of upsetting Danial that I really coudn't help myself. Sorry for pushing you away that time, Hashanah. And yeah, I made quite a ruckus when I start crying. I told myself I should stop bawling about the ball and be big girl for my little bro. Things happened and at the particular moment when I've stopped, I realised crying won't reversed time nor will it pause time nor will it bring back the ball back nor will it help to explain to my brother.

Echo: I can't bring the ball back.

Three words: Deal with it.

I must be independant not only with my actions but with my thoughts and reasons as well.

I don't want anyone to remember me as the girl who cried on her flight home because of a ball.

It sounds silly. Hope you're smiling reading this, whoever you are, because I am (:

no more

Future doctors?

"let me poke you with my special stethoscope"

Feel pity for our patients

know what I mean? aha

the thought of med made us mad

LOL

thats Kinsten.

Too bad I plucked out the courage to talk to her only when we were about to land. So we talked about 14 mins instead of the available 4hrs but its okay, she had her earpiece on and was dozing off most of the time. (:

Fourth: Things Learnt (general)~

Neng Ping and Kisten are both locals in China. Neng Ping travels alot to different parts of China because of his work and he has a child younger than me by 5 years and Kisten travel to and fro from Guangzhou to SIngapore because she's studying in MDIS and she's only two years older than me and she's already travelling alone. Wow, right?

I mentioned in my learning plan that I want to be more at ease with strangers, too. My journey in Wuhan have definitely widen my circle of friends and I've found out I've befriend more strangers than I had imagined I could.

I've endured discomfort of a thin mattress in dorm and had my share of holding breath to pee and also to look away and not look disgusted when others' spit. I feel that I've grown and that I've actually seen another part of the world. Another culture, another lifestyle where there's spitting and slippers are not usually "in". There's so many things that I've learnt (not only a long foreign history) that I can't find the right words to describe this sense of satisfaction and achievement.

If you're a new batch of OIP students wannabes, here's something for you; Go for it!

Fifth: This is Home, truly~

We're so happy to be home!
This is home.

SINGAPORE IS OUR HOME, THIS IS WHERE WE BELONG.

Which NE message is that? (:

Sixth: Last but not least

Thank You Mr Wong for taking care of us all

(even though sometimes I think we all made you quite mad)

Thank You girls of Room 123 for sticking with me

(although at times I know I can drive both of you up the wall)

Thank You to Weiguang who helped us quite alot for the shopping trips here and there

(but I still don't like when you come in our room and being too ______ you-know.lol)

Thank You Groupmates for the pleasant project work-time

(even with a MIA we-know-who and we dont go together always)

and

Thank You All

for the memories, the enriching journey, the friendship, the opportunities

and

even though our Immersion Programme has come to an end,

I hope you know with this end comes a new beginning

(video and self-assignment etc-.-) aha and also because

in life every beginning has an end and every end has a new beginning.

Thank You for Reading.

Day 40 : Last Night

2009-04-11T23:55:00.003+08:00

All 3 of us woke up kind of early today to enjoy our last full day and night here. With a few hundreds still in our purse and a few more souvenirs to buy, we had a planned. It's the salon, nearest Wal-mart, then off to buy the sugar-coated candy in the shopping centre near school, dinner and the back-alley!

Watch out, full day ahead!! HAHA

Last minute change of plans: I decided to start packing my closet full of stuff while they went for a make over. Dint take the photo of the cupboard though but here's most of the stuff after half unpacking.

Oh My

Oh My God

Oh My Freaking God

I was so horrified by the number of plastic bags that I had, I actually considered postponing the whole packing to at night. @_@ However, the fear of not able to complete it on time, push me to do it.

My four new pairs of shoes is packed in 1 shoe bag, new clothes are zipped in 2 big Ziploc bags and 1 big ziploc from Hashanah (thanks yaw! :) .The rest which weigh almost nothing are slot in empty spaces to make my luggage more compact. I recalled ESIA method while packing. aha. Remember elimination? I tried to eliminate what's not in use and integrate those cleaner clothes and new clothes together. ha ha. Its a good thing I started packing that late morning, early afternoon, as it made me realised I need another luggage bag for my stuffs.

I took almost 2 hours to really complete what I had targeted to pack. It was a huge relief once I'm done with it!

Whew!

Their salon-makeover took almost three and a half hours. Just when I was getting the spooks, they came back looking more confident and smiling smugly. Ha ha, too bad they refuse to let me take pictures of them yet as they won't ready to fashion it out. but just a side notice, even though their looks need some getting use to, I think they still look nice in a different way (: *thumbs up*

In the midst of waiting, I took this out from my luggage;

Love letters.

From my youngest sister.

from Jaws.

While reading their letters from the start of the journey, something sentimental strike me and I guess I sort of come up with this:

With God's Will

tomorrow at about this time I'll be on a flight to home

to awaiting friends, family, mom and dad

With God's Will

tomorrow I'll be saying goodbye

to a land once foreign with strangers that turned to home with friends

and although there's dirty corners at times, nothings perfect

and it was beautiful all the same

& here's to all, especially those who've

shared vomit and tears, laughter and panic

here's smiling at you,

thanks for the memories, those happy faces and your joined efforts to make this journey so successful

and here's to you again, Bon voyage and have a safe journey home.

'I'll miss you' is a definite.

(i can feel it already)

Dinner at our usual Muslim food stall:

Dinner: 5RMb for 25 Dumplings

Instead of Ji dan la mian, the 123 girls decided to buy dumplings. I think we can only taste halal dumplings here but too bad for XH, cause the dumplings consisted of beef and mutton mixed and she can't eat beef. BTW, I think I ate the most.

One of my Favourite Boys(:

Neoprint- China Style, can see the difference?

where our last few of Wuhan-night moments are captured

notice the string attached to fan? It's just like the one in the previous post.

I was able to purchase my sugar-coated peanut candy! 2.5kg for 51RMb. Hope its enough to be distributed and be kept in my store! (:

I think I was emotionally unstable today but I want everyone to remember smiles not tears. (: The lady boss at our usual stall let us stay there for quite some time to play and take pictures with the children and herself. (pictures in the stall are in xh's and zee min's camera:)

I'm going to miss their Ji Dan La mian and the satay. Satay and hot soya bean more, I think. FYI, Muslim satay here is more spicy than SG's. I don't think I had enough of their satay or the freedom and sense of peacefulness here. Or the company. Or the class. Or Mr Wong.

ROFL

I'd better get some rest for tomorrow.

long day ahead

Day 39 - The Gathering that lasts till 1030

2009-04-10T23:49:00.001+08:00

Sun is out, Summer is almost here.

(& so is Summer Collection)

On the way to COMA Shopping Center
A japanese-anime I used to watch, is it Gackt?

(can't recall the name)
"Its a torture to cross the street", said Hashanah.

An innovative way to be rid of flies and bugs while showcasing just-cooked/cooked food by the street

WG writing in his Notebook Of Finance

Look how happy Rocco is

(it's his 20Th birthday:))
and he has his friends, us and 5 birthday cakes to cut (one of them is a 3- layer cake)
5 cakes in total.

Think Kumar looks cool here (:

Mr Wong loves the cake's box here

(it's his stylish hat)
XH don't like this photo but I do.

after a full day out.

Shopping again today right after lunch. This time we heed Ms Sally's suggestion and decided to go and shop at a shopping center called COMA (initially, we pronounced it as Ku-mar because of the Chinese slang, i think.) The shopping centre selling standard prices and after buying a few stuff there, we decided to shop by the streets instead. Personally, shopping outside shopping centres can give you a much better deal. The price is much lower and you can still bargain if its not selling at fixed price.

We headed back at ard 6.45pm for the 'farewell-gathering' and managed to reach there on time. Although we did show up a tad late, we got involved in all (i think) of the activities, including the cleaning up, -.-, aha. The open dancefloor, last part was fun.

Sad to think of going, happy to think of returning: its all a tumble of emotions. One day left to shop and do last minute things.

P.S. Kumar, if you're reading this, feel free to grab your picture and Sorry to keep disturbing you about the racist joke. No hard feelings alright, peace (^^.\/)

P.P.S. To everyone else, those who got cream wiped at their faces please take it in good humour and since no one got hurt (except for XH's feet), I hope everyone had as much fun as I did.

P.P.P.S. Shaoming from ECE group told me they are going to have Fireworks display tomorrow at their campus around 7.30 or 8pm. Those interested please tell Zee Min to confirm the exact location and to let the ECE group know how many are going.

many thanks for reading (:

Day 38 - Kid, Kidd, Kiddy, not kidding.

2009-04-09T22:54:00.016+08:00

Look at XY, He's trying to get a good picture by tilting here and there and zooming almost everywhere. ha ha.

Kidd!

boys' room
5 boys in this room for 6 months.
O.O

View from inside the room.

3rd storey Corridor~

Cleaning up the mess with a mop-like broom.

Manicure in process Done.
A shoulder to lean on.

new haircut? Style 2.

Style 1 is much nicer though, no? (:

Carousel for Beginners. aha

Our last ticket was --> Haunted house!
the kid in me.
the kid in them
kiddy roller coaster
a kid in her.

3D-Simulation. There's always a First Time.
Yay, in we go with our tickets and shopping bag! haa

45RMB for 5 kinds of Ride= Less than S$3 per Ride

Us.

The day started out with our last presentation for our stay here. Almost everyone showed up (to give their support?) in the end. Listen attentively to Mr Wong's briefing of the final OIP group and individual's assignment and Xiang Yu informed us that the farewell gathering will be held tomorrow night at 7.30pm and there'll be KTV. Honestly, I don't think KTV is very interactive. Perhaps, it is to many of them. Something like a prom night would be better for me, drinks and foods aside, open dance-floor, but I'm just a voice of the minority whose idea will always be kept in the storage. haha

Anyway, as a form of celebration and savouring our last days of freedom in Wuhan, B.A.S decided to go out and shop after lunch. Since WG was going to buy kites first, we agreed to meet him later on at Wal-Mart.

Right after we got on the lift, we bumped into Kidd, his hair was cut. i think longer look nicer but it'll grow back, so no worries there. He offered to show us his dorm, maybe he was just being polite since he was going there to put his stuff but we pounce on the idea like how cats would pounce on mouse. ROFL. Definitely an eye opener. We, Singaporeans, take a lot of things for granted isn't it.

Said our thanks, bid farewell to Kidd and ate Ji dan lamian before taking bus 702 to wal-mart, just us girls. Yay, we made it!

Shopped around and accompany Xh for a manicure, but I felt asleep while waiting =/

Whwn Weiguang arrived, Hash and me brought him around to the earrings stalls while Xh go get a pedicure as well. One of the jewellery store owner told us to go up to level 5 and whoa, its like Bugis street there! Must buy, buy, buy, bargain, bargain, bargain!

Play arcade after that. initially just wanted to play the basketball hoops only, since the promotion ride is cheaper and the majority wants to go to the haunted house, all four of us bought the 45yuan ticket for a carousel ride, kiddy roller coaster, 3D Simulation, Bumper Car and Haunted House.

I drank Mocha Shake with oreo topping at Dairy Queen for the first time. Tastes like Chocalate Ice blended Bubble Tea, only less sweeter and abit more bitter. Nice~ but I got diarrhoea approximately 2 hours later. -.-

In case, you can't tell, apart from that, I had a really nice day (:

Thanks, JO1s (:

P.S. An unfortunate thing happened to _____, hope you get better asap.

Day 37 - All out for Assignment 3

2009-04-08T22:10:00.005+08:00

assignment 3 PowerPoint slides
something similar like donation box
waiting for my order to be delivered.

We stayed in our bunk for, almost, the whole day to devote ourselves to assignment 3. ha ha. Since yesterday was so exciting, my teammates knocked out early without intending to. Luckily, Mr Wong is flexible in the time slots and has an available slot for us on Thursday.

I tend to learn more when I'm working in a team rather than doing things individually. Sometimes my teammates and I would come up with the same idea(s) and we laugh ourselves' silly over little things that happened. I don't think Flexsim is that hard anymore (: Thanks to the Flexsim Test Revisions and also to this team's support and brain-wrecking together.

Shall tune in early for tomorrow's 9.30a.m. presentation.

On a not-so-bright-note, our toilet bowl is choke =x

Day 36 - One day Adventure "Camp"

2009-04-07T22:26:00.016+08:00

Instructor(s)/ Activity Coordinator(s)
On the way to the ECE students' dorm
making a tank wheel

trying out the wheel
making of the wheel

the 'perm' head/ fancy pants is the orange guy.

ROFL

During games:

the surrendered
the fierce war aha

trust-fall

High elements; 8m off the ground
to go or not to go
to go.

i told myself i wont be afraid

but i still held on for dear life. ha ha

while waiting for turns to try the rock-climbing, picnic in the shade with ice cream and potato chips ((:
Sunset and friends (:

ECE WUST area.

with new friends, Ya Lun, Siew Bo, Shao Ming of ECE
JO1s with three of the LSCT OIP members.

new friends from ECE and LSCT!

Sasi, Satish, Kumar ((;

Scenic spots, said Mr Wong.
We're in the same Afro team.
Because Afro ROCKS!

Rised up early again to go for the one-day leadership/adventure camp. We were only told about it like three or four days before yesterday's 2-day-1-night trip. So I guess it is abit of a last minute plan but it was so much fun!

First off, we were grouped into four. Students from LSCT, ECE and MDE get to mingle about and befriend one another. I am still partially amazed at how well we could get along.

The activities that we went through were as follow:

1) Interaction between members in the respective groups to come up with a group name/ logo/ cheer/ slogan and flag decoration.

- A really simple activity: It's either my groupmates are very supporting or they are very supporting (heheh) to enable us to bring up a good performance. *thumbs up* (:

2) Wheel of a Tank using newspapers ONLY

- Time management, Coorperation and Teamwork plays a big role here. We came in second! Second means *Two thumbs-up* aha (:

3) Lunch with ECE students as hosts

- They rearranged the table like nobody's business so that we can eat together. Hurhur (; The food there is not bad at all. Too bad didn't have time to try the dumplings. There's four menu for the muslims there but some of the dishes (especially the ones with chicken) are not available.

4) Apartment Visiting

- Their Dorm is shared 8 people in each "apartment" and their beds are like hotel beds and they have two toilet! One is with a proper, seat-toilet bowl, which could not be used often because it chokes up easily (; I prefer our bunk though, its small, and maybe squeezy and have thin mattress but its cozy. (:

(and we can shop easily here. wahhaha)

5) Games

- That is honestly, the first time I carry a guy who is not of any blood relation. Usually people carry me one. haha!

6) Trust-Fall

- You have to fall straight backwards into the arms of your teammates. Pretty scary especially if you find it hard to trust.

7) High-Element Jump

- The jump is scary, too! It's all in the head though.

8) Rock-climbing!

- Manage to get to the top but no photos to prove yet.

9) Scenic View Photo-Taking

10) Dinner and Assignment 3

Quite a day we had.

Mixing around with the other students outline some of our differences more clearly, be it in terms of personality, culture and even races but this differences that we encounter should be set aside so that we could achieve better results when facing problem(s). In other words, to be a united team despite our differences just like the 2nd NE Message: We must preserve racial and religious harmony. We value our diversity and are determined to stay a united people.

Will wake my teammates later to continue on assignment 3.

P.S. Thank you Siew Bo for the photos, as well! (:

Day 34 & 35 - The 2 Day 1 Night stay

2009-04-06T23:41:00.023+08:00

Day 34

We had to meet the rest at the main entrance at 7am on that Sunday morning. We reached our destination at about 12pm and I was thinking of food. Ha ha! Lucky me, we had lunch soon after. We also checked into our respective rooms. Supposedly two in a room, since neither one of us wants to be and let the other sleep alone, three of us decided to merge beds and sleep together. (:

during lunch time (:

Oof! Face "kenna" squash. ROFL

happy-'Three'-friends.

Making full use of the time; we had to meet back at the carpark at 2.30pm for the Mei Ren Gu - Beauty Lake visit. (:

Mei Ren Gu - Beauty Lake Visit Photos

Near the entrance are filled with yellow flowers.

Don't think anyone could resist not taking photos with them (:

Entrance

Local Children playing by the banks of the river.

We were going up, up and away to the waterfall areas. (:

Ben fell and was hurt along the way.

The wound looks pretty bad.

Live singers ~

Don't understand what they are singing but they sure have rhythm.

and my favourite part of all, they are wearing those long-ago costumes!

*Excited*

((:

with my classmates.

opposing me is this:

One of the fabulous waterfall.

At the top, right side of this waterfall, there's a maiden beauty sofa and curtains- Sort of those fancy beds that has curtains, but they are made of rocks! It was said that its the place where the Beauty sleeps. There's also a small 'belle lake' (like bath tub) for the Beauty to "bathe" in.

With Mr Wong and Zee Min.

Trying out Malay Dance Pose.

LOL!

Just opposing us is the Lover's waterfall:

(from Clive's blog) I think all of us are inside.

The beautiful streams were used to wash clothes in the olden days, there's a lone statue of a woman washing her clothes for future generations, like us, to reminisce the past and be aware of how convenient the world that we live in are.

Signboards we noticed:

The rocks are all jutting out in the pathways.

(:
You can't disagree, can you? (:

Before dining at the same place again for dinner, we visited the local- mushroom farm near our resort.

Local- Mushroom Farm Photos:

Mushrooms grow on logs.

This bridge can hold up to 10 people at a time.

Thrilling walk (:

logs for mushroom to be grown on.
baby~

By the way, there's this yellow notice at the entrance of the door if the family followed the one-child policy rule. Some notice that says Legal Family in Chinese.
Rearing of Chickens.

Chicken shit looks a lot like bird shit.

Ya hor, chickens are bird. -.-

the beautiful sun. I dint know I missed the sun so much till I finally felt its warmth again.

When you're always there,

You're almost suffocating.

Ever since you're absence,

I basked in your attention

whenever I can.

I could skip a flat pebble till three times maximum after a few tries. Average was 2. Minimum was a "plop". ha ha!

Campfire Local Style:

Presenting the entertainment; This man jumped around on glass! Wow, right?
The same man stepped on hot, sharp knife blades.

Double wow, right?
Mass Cha-cha dance and the standard go-around the fire dance. (:

Karaoke Next. LSCT students went first.

Followed by Clive (:

Masita, Hajar, Hardy, Mengzhen and Fran sang too. Brave of them.

I sat and support only (:

Wrapped it up with everyone on stage singing a "Friend" song in Chinese. I was playing with the bubbles. LOL, can't sing la. =)

Went back to the resort around 8 or 9 plus. Gawk at the TV until Hash found a channel where they are showing english show! It was a shark movie! I think its Jaws. No idea. Haha. Didn't like these kinds of movie before. Hha. I watched it till the end with my half-closed eyes. Next show was a Jackie Chan movie. Felt asleep after about 10 minutes of watching. haha.

Day 35

The Luling Tour is actually on the second day.

Three of us won't late this time (;

Lulin Tour Photos:

Somewhere at the Entrance

Sighs.

There were quite alot of stairs.

Mr Wong told me not to cheat his feelings.

"I climb, you climb hor. Don't cheat my feelings."

Waa, teacher smart already.

haha

Classmates. (:

a place to see the time in the past

I wonder how you survived out here

No TV, no PSP, no books to read

How fresh the air you breathe

How easy you made it seem.

There are alot of stories that the guide told us along the way. One of them is this tree:

This tree symbolises Eternal love because of the faithful vines (8 kinds of them) who grew old with the tree.. like lovers.

Moon-Lake O_O

With Xinhui and one of the legendary heroes.

Playing the Er-hu. Traditional instrument. Produces sad notes and gloomy atmosphere though.

The above spot where the Er-hu musician and the statue is found was the meeting place of joined alliances, whom are regarded as heroes now. There was a Big Chess near the statue, to symbolise the strategies that were thought of by these heroes.

Other stories includes the robbers' village, an old house(hut), poem on the stone, how the camel-stone is formed and etc.

battle place.

There were loud stereo playing war drums. It seems like real war with the sounds and the big army soldiers. Quite scary.

WG showing off muscles, haha!

surprisingly, it's light.

There was a hut to tryout archery, because of many people and I guess, most of us dallied around too much taking photos, I reached the hut and was greeted by "LUNCH TIME ALREADY! LET'S GO!" *heartbreaks* Sad 'coz I walked up all the way till the hut and was told to retreat back =(

Next stop after having lunch at the same place was the cave:

Kong Shan Dong- Cave Photos:

Entrance

There's a sign saying: Mao Zhe Dong loves the people there in three different languages. None I can read, by the way.

Entrance Cave.

The cave was chilly inside. "Free air-con", said Mr Loh. I guess its true. Quite a unique experience. I saw a Toad and Turtle Lover, a musical instrument made by the rocks, cool signboards reading through its water reflection, a bed for newly weds to share their first night in etc.

The Cave tour lasted about 45 mins to 1 hour. It had to end up with a long, spiral staircase. I'm exhausted by that.

Flexsim Assignment is still half done. Will try to finish it tomorrow.

P.S. My camera is under repair and "hibernating", sobs, photos are taken using Xinhui's, Hashanah's and Weiguang's camera. Thanks, you all!

P.P.S. Some are grabbed from other MDE bloggers as well.

Day 33 - Chance upon something familiar

2009-04-04T23:12:00.005+08:00

Help! I need to pee!

with Randolph~
As the days went by, I discover something about myself, I am usually very, very spendthrift when it comes to buying things for myself. In this trip though, money comes out like waterfall and I am very much aware of it but I'm still letting it be. Its either my roommates are very influential or its because of the crazy, cheap deals we're getting. Must be a little of both.

@_@

The day started out with almost half of us heading off to the bank to change for more china currency. It rained, quite heavily,"Such a turn-off weather", as quoted by Randolph.

Sadly, it turns out the bank could only change currency during weekdays from the following Tuesday onwards. As the bank is quite a distance from our school and we may not "survive" with the cash left on hand, the ten of us decided to just withdraw from the ATM. Its sad because we have gone on a wasted trip as there's an ATM near our school. Its a bit weird that only certain banks have SG currency whereas most have US and others. Nonetheless, I guess most of the banks main purpose is to help their citizens save and keep their money. Since china population is so huge, it explains the many banks. Good for them not so good for us =(

We head off to a nearby shopping mall to shop. Since Xh, Hash and me had not really taken our breakfast and its almost lunch time already, the JO1s decided to go for brunch at KFC while the rest went off to shop first. This is when we discovered KFC is not halal. There's a pork burger on their breakfast menu. I could have kicked myself for not checking first. What's done could not be undone so the one thing that keeps me from moaning any longer is the thought of KFC in SG in about a week's time.

JO1s headed to the Shoe City in Han Zheng Jie soon after. Whee~ ! Han Zheng Jie, WO AI NI!

During the search for lunch, we chance upon a small mosque and heard a brother reciting the Al-Quran. How much I've missed hearing it.

the brother who is reciting the Al-Quran is inside. His voice is not bad, a little different than how I am used to listen to. (; The space is quite limited here though. There's also some tables and chairs in it. I think the dark passageway on the right and left (hidden) will lead to the prayer room but I didn't check that out as I came my monthly.

notices

the halal raw meat can be found next to the small mosque

barbequed potato and tofu

(i prefer ball potato)
yum!
roasted beef la mian
half of the things we bought
Muslim food stall

Cab ride there was 12yuan, so 3 yuan each. The way back is 27yuan (27.8yuan, i think, but xh's bargaining skills was too good to be beaten! I learn something everyday!), about 7.30yuan each. Quite expensive but our hands were too full to get on the bus and we are quite beat ourselves.

Dinner at the usual Muslim Food Stall, bought some candies and attempted to do Flexsim again.

It's worth it. I got something for the whole family there. And I end up with the same amount as the one I have before I withdraw more.

Bad, isn't it?

Then again, it's worth it. (:

public toilet (some of the doors were spoilt and from the inside of the toilet, you can see this main entrance and vice versa. my camera can't really catch it though.)

LIVE FROGS!

its either the taxi is short or the bus tires' are tall or I have not been in a Taxi for far too long. aha

Rain again
inside the cab. Wg took the seat beside the driver.

Two differences in SG's and China's Cab:

- At the back of China's cab just behind the back-passengers' seat, there's some word-advertisement flashed.

- The driver of a China's cab is seperated from the passengers by either a thick, hard layer of plastic or fences.

I think it shows that Singapore cab drivers have more trust towards their customers and have confidence that their customers are honest. I hope there aren't anymore who will deplete this trust. I think this reflect one of the NE messages: 6. We have confidence in our future.

spendthrift, not anymore.

Day 32 - Computer Town and Homecook Dinner

2009-04-03T23:44:00.011+08:00

Hello.

Plan to go Han Zheng Jie was cancelled since we woke up quite late and have not much money to spent on. =/ We decided to go to computer town today. The shops there are different from what I've imagined. The electronic stalls are not clearly divided. They are just one whole bunch of stalls sitting together in something similar-like the ones you'll see in a jewellery store. Only difference is that each stall owner is given a small part of the table to mind their customers and showcase their products.

I think the area was very big and I am too electronic-'noob' (stupid) to know which handphone, mp3 and headpiece (the reason that I came for) are worth our time to see and survey. In the end, I wanted to get out as fast as I could.

We saw quite a few things along the way (including puppies for sale! O_O ) and I bought another soccer ball for 20yuan. Its cleaner, look shinier and it comes with the needle thing so that my brother and dad could pump air and deflate it if necessary. I think I'll give away the old soccer ball to the locals here or the almost "twin" brothers at our favourite stall.

We had quite a hard time finding our way to the bus as its 1. Raining quite heavily. and 2. We can't resist but to shop along the way. We managed to get a bus back to school but arrived quite late for the home-cooked dinner plan. Many apologies here to those who came early and on time.

Xiang Yu was the head Chef and some of the others helped him to prepare a few dishes. One of them is Mr Wong! Mr Wong cooked curry chicken. Actually, it tastes more of like my mum's "kurma" dish than curry but it was really nice. Mr Wong cooked it especially for the Muslims. Thank you Mr Wong and Thank you all for the lovely get-together, home-cook style. Its quite a long time since I ate something not flour-base. Appreciate it lots(:

Here are some pictures taken:

KTV at Mr Loh's House.

(haha)
Mr Loh
Clive
Mr Ng
taking pictures~
Mr Wong
Zee Min and Vivian
Hui Miang, MengZhen and Fran

Raining heavily (at the bus stops)~

puppies for sale

china's post
potato balls for sale

crossing the road~
chocolate frappucino and caramel frappucino
pathway/foot way

puppies for sale again

2nd storey carpark?

"king" satay

erm?
because of one-child policy
flowers' shop~

watched TV like family.

Day 31: Assignment 2 Presentation

2009-04-02T23:09:00.000+08:00

B.A.S in room 123~
Shoot until we're like ZZzzzz...
Vivian's Group!
The Powerpuff grls? naww cool uniformed outfits though (:

I thought today was totally devoted to assignment 2 presentation. The presentation was at 3pm. My group and I stayed up late to complete the slides and matrix structure. Its only around 9am in the morning that we finalised the report and practiced our speech. Brunch (Lunch + breakfast) was sneaked in between practicing our speech.

I guess I fumbled here and there but I manage to get more points elaborated that the previous presentation. Mr Wong shoots down almost every group and the three of us were trying not to panic if he shoots us as well. One word to describe it: Seram~

It's about ten more days left in Wuhan. I'm feeling the same mixed feeling I have before my trip here. Home sounds familiar yet foreign now.

the heart is heavy to leave my siblings and the new-found family behind.

Owh owh! I ate satay yesterday! Someone else took over Mo lee's stall. (random)

and and we saw a centipede in our room just now! its not very big but its hairy! and moves very fast. Originally near Xh's luggage then with one blink it goes all the way almost to my luggage!

Thanks to WG and XY and the broom of the 121 grls (:

Seram gila~

Day 30: New Campus Visit and Test 2

2009-04-01T23:44:00.000+08:00

Confessions: I did not bring my own camera for this trip

Reason: I have no idea where my camera was and no time to search coz I was blur and the brain is not working properly

Conclusion: To other bloggers, I have credited those of you whose pictures and videos I've grabbed. Please dont be mad! T_T!!

I think Test 2 was just "ARGH!". Even though its open book, I cant phrase some of the words as properly as I would like. I think I was too tired what with what happened yesterday night (to those who know: On behalf of Room 123 grls, thanks to all for your care, help and concern!) and also because Hash and I had to go get some lunch right before the paper. Though after the paper, I guess I felt really relieved it's over. (=

The presentation done at the new campus has its good and bad points I guess. (:

Pictures grabbed from XY's blog:

Model of the new campus
Model of Old Campus (but its where we are at)

These two models are shown later on in the WUST exhibition hall.Although the new campus is bigger and much beautifully lit up (especially at night), I prefer the older campus where MDE and LSCTare staying at. One reason is there are alot of local shops here where foods and shopping are readily available. The new campus don't even have halal food in their canteen. Well, I think they have but as it goes, maybe they are not very strict in the practices.

_ _ _
Above Picture is taken using Seok's camera.

That was the scene that greeted me when I first unboard the bus and they are my team-mates.

From WG's and Hash's cameras:
Masita, WG, Me, XH and Hash with WUST students who showed us around. Vivian was there too, but she was taking photos.

Hash said this cracked her up. hurhur

That was taken during the medical school visit in the new WUST campus. They actually built the building to be hospital-like with the "Susan-doll" lying in a few beds and even have ICU departments. We arrived to a room where a lesson was going on. In the picture below, it'll give you an idea of what the medical-students wear and how they look like.

(from XY's blog)

They look professional huh..

Below is not lesbian love. I just thought its cool to walk on the stones holding hands with another person, especially Xh? hahaha. Hash happened to capture it. (=

This girl gave me a bad scare yesterday's night.

Taken during the first historical exhibition (the one that ends with the model of the old and new campus). I'm just glad she is up and standing (haha!), i mean, herself for the day (:

Below is one of the video that Vivian posted up. The videos consists of live experiment objects which once breathe the Earth like us. I think its quite hair-raising to be there (living things-expedition). There were brains, lungs, bisected bodies, reproductive system parts, private parts bisected skulls etc in the exhibition but I cant bring myself to look at them further (needless to say post any of that pictures up.) Just thinking about it makes me feel bile coming up my throat.

I thought its clay-made but its soaked in some kind of solution and a WUST student later on told us that they are live-specimens. If you notice closely, some of the frogs-bisected specimens still have blood in them. ... There are more pictures at the other blogs if you're interested, I would recommend Vivian's other video as well but to post it here would not make me want to visit my own blog as well. Sorry.

Day 29: The Only Birthday Girl in MDE OIP TRIP (:

2009-03-31T20:44:00.003+08:00

First up:

Here's To Hui Miang,
may all your hopes and dreams come true. (:

The first part of today is spent by :

That's right. The earlier-part of today is attending class to celebrate Hui Miang's 18th Birthday. Not everyday, someone turned 18 and we sure can't get the same number again. Hope we made it a little special by being there for her. (: Furthermore, her birthday is the only one that happened to be in this trip, other than someone whose-name-i-could-not-reveal-yet. (:

We listened to Mr Wong's briefing on Assignment 2 and our upcoming test 2 later on and received our test marks. I got a slightly low-average mark even though its open book but Mr Wong said all of us passed and he concluded all of us "did well". Well... haha. I think Randolph got the highest for test 1. Congrats! (:

Some other photos:
a unique birthday candle (:

back alley kitchen view

back alley at about 8pm. The back alley closes at about 11pm whereas other shops near the McDonalds closes earlier, around 930pm or so.

Something happened somewhere between before class finishes onwards. Its the feeling of discomfort and uneasiness which turned to annoyance with myself and the person(s) involved after much pondering are done. I learnt something there though. If only life is not a drama that keeps dividing the people of the community depending on their different emotion and feelings towards one another. If only the world has a bigger place for understanding, forgiveness and perhaps ... a place where communications are not just assumed to be read straight off from the minds but are spoken out in the open; Out front. Well, main thing is I learnt that not only different languages can create communication barrier today. I guess I am better off not talking so much. Dot.

Second part of the day was spent to do our assignments and project presentation OTOT(own time own target). Assignment 2 discussion wasnt very successful. Maybe its our jam-tired-brain or maybe most of us are thinking too much of other stuffs or maybe just not thinking harder at all. Although we agreed to continue later on, in any case, the afternoon session ended disturbingly.

I went to tapao some food for dinner with WG and XH to eat in bunk. During the short trip, I was thinking of Satay and it seems like a long time since I've ate any (about 10 days maybe? haha) but Mo Lee wasnt there. There was another stall thats selling the big mutton satay that claims to be providing halal meat but I just have to be more assured than that and decided to not buy even when XH and WG bought 2 each. I was starting to miss the China's mutton (halal) satay alot but I guess the addiction better stop sooner than later eh?

Will be going to Zee Min's room to prepare for tomorrow's presentation at the new campus.

Day 28 - Back to work? No, please get away from me.

2009-03-31T01:53:00.013+08:00

my stomach! omg! Too many ji dan la mian -__-

did not let xinhui in because we were going out.

ahah!

I ordered something from the promoted menu. Guess which one?
my skins around my lips is recovering but its super ugly now.

wg likes to sit beside me. LOL. nola. -.-
jo1s (:>

Mr Wong discussed with us about our first and second industrial visit during class just now. Should Singapore would want to set up either a steel-manuacturing company or fibre-optics manufacturing company, I would definitely vote for the latter. My reasons:

1) It's not noisy

2) It's air conditioned *raise eyebrows*

3) It's more high-tech, therefore

4) there would be more high-skilled workers needed, and so

5) MORE PAY *jumps*

6) Fibre-optics products are not cheap thus they are more value-added.

7) And it does not have those BAM BOOM BAH sounds. (okay, i'm just emphasising on the noise part)

However, I find the first industrial visit more captivating and also an eye-opener. This is because we got to somehow feel how hot the furnace was, see how the whole steel was compressed and rolled up and most importantly(processes), how loud the machines were when they were at work. I think we are very fortunate to experience and see it live but once is enough. haha.

The second company looks alot like one of SG companies. I remember there is one industrial visit that we went to when I was year 1... its quite similar in the sense, the company also gave us just a briefing on the processes and lets us see a video of what they did just like the Fibre-optics company, therefore the industrial visit is somehow similar like the one in SG. (Can't recall the name at the moment.) The only difference the other company has is that we are allowed to go around and see and touch the machines instead of watching most of the processes through a glass window where on the other side, there are only limited amount of dust (its very clean) is allowed in.

Went class in the morning and ate at the jidan lamian shop after finding out Julian's (from the previous oip trip) recommended fake kfc at the 2nd level of a building in the back alley is not halal. I bought a soccer ball, second-hand for rmb10 for my brother. -.- Dad laughed at me. Was it really, really silly? It weighs almost nothing to me... Anyways went out to dinner again and ended up buying jeans, shoes and a skirt-overall. RMB150 kiss goodbye.

Day 27 - Free & Easy

2009-03-29T23:40:00.006+08:00

fried beef rice with egg (: my luncner? (lunch cum dinner)

cooking something similar to Naan. Maybe it is Naan? but of a different name? The name was in chinese, something xiao ping? not sure. just eat, lol. no meat, so safe. (:

Its not until recently that I learnt its called Naan, and what Naan really is; Basically its a flat, yeasted, bread made from wheat flour. Traditionally its from Northern India but it can be found almost in every part of the country and it has become synonymous with Punjabi food (or with curryyyy:)).

wrapping up the Naan

Naan is also cooked in a clay oven, "tandoor". The temperature of the oven can reached 500 degrees celsius and the naan will be wet on one side and will be slapped to the sides of the tandoor to be cooked. Alternatively, it can be cooked on a cast iron griddle on the stove top.

I'm not sure if I've tasted Naan in SG before but the bread above sure looks like Naan. haha. I like the salty Naan better than the sweet one btw (:

gou-gou in baby's cloth. The owner owns a KTV nearby and she was, as you can see, very friendly and even encouraged us to take a proper picture of her cute dog. ((:
gou-gou!!

they are what i call Grandfather dogs! see their furs? Like Qu Yuan's moustache! (no offense, just trying to describe grandpapa's beard look-alike)
army training? or similar like NCC?
a dog was going around the long stretch of trees, pee-ing.

(marking his territory-its male, saw the balls)

butt-crack pants; This boy damn cute, i tell you, he smiled at us when we walk pass him also (:

butt-crack pants. One of the little boys at our favourite backalley muslim foodstall (;

he was eating apple and spitting it out. Hash concluded he just wants the juice. Most probably, she's right. (: Anyway, some of the locals told us that their babies have butt-crack pants because its for their own babies' convenience sake as they might not be able to hold their bladder.

The grls and I stayed in our room almost half of the day. This is because:

1) Its free and Easy

2) No one asked us out

3) Too lazy to go out

4) We wanted to try to tackle assignment 2.

All 3 of us slept in late and didnt bother to bathe until afternoon. LOL. We tried to do the second assignment but it was abit too confusing. We end up completing a design matrix halfway and agreed to asked Mr Wong the next day.

We finally went out around 4pm to just walk around and see-see and have our dinner afterwards. Took afew photos and bought afew things for some of our classmates and some more souveniors to bring home and went to eat at the favourite muslim food stall around 8.45.

Head back home soon after and bumped into Weiguang and the rest who went to homestay. They look well. Zeemin was telling us about her Disney-brand shopping when we reached our door. Thats all for today. (:

Today's research on Naan is based on http://mydiversekitchen.blogspot.com/2008/02/naan.html

Day 26 - Day Tour is Equal to Day to Shop

2009-03-28T23:54:00.011+08:00

i love their strawberry ice cream
our tourguide: Xiao Qin

(I finally know his name!)
mommy, there's a big hole on the roof.

sweet potato, orange on the insides are sweeter (:
BABI is pork in malay.
Jackfruit. I've always bought the ready-made ones O_O
skill~ lol.
In the shopping centres, we saw quite afew of the cleaners carrying broom-mop to "sweep" and keep the shopping centres clean of the sandy particles, dirt, hair etc. If you can see, the blue pail is almost filled with sandy particles.
Admit it, he's cute.

Look at the wedding cars!!

There are quite afew wedding cars. All of them got married on this day?
haha. Mr Loh.
It was raining quite heavily.

The wind was seeping through our jackets and the cold sticks to us like glue. It was almost as bad as our first day, immatures on winter weather. brr~

It was suppose to be a tour today and we were supposed to stopby two places. Due to the wet weather, we were brought to the Bu Xing Jie (shopping street) almost right after we reached the first location (which is something close to the Beach), "So cold already you still want us to go to beach, Siao ah?" LOL. That was the expression most of us had, actually. Haha.

Shopping at the Bu Xing Jie wasnt as fun as shopping at Han Zheng Jie. Maybe because, all around we turn are expensive stuffs, "So expensive, might as well buy in Singapore." However, the three of us recognised one of the buildings and we agreed we've been there before. Remember Mr Chen? and the Kfc near the wal-mart? yeah. btw, we had lunched there with Vivian and Mr Wong.

Poor Mr Wong had to keep going out and in of KFC because he brought in outside foods. -_-

They say Bu Xing Jie is quite known for pickpockets. Unfortunately, I think some of us had fallen prey to it. We have to mind our belongings more carefully and be more alert of our surrondings, just like how Mr Choon Boo and some of the lecturers had asked us to before we came.

an 'okay' day

Day 25 - Second Industrial Visit and the Nearer Wal-Mart

2009-03-27T23:46:00.009+08:00

Hello. Lets start off this post with some random stuff:

1. An email from Mr Wong

Click picture below to see what Mr Wong thinks of my picture:

-.-"

sighs. heartpain.

Jidanglamian=my face. new trademark. -___-

2. Accident

All other vehicles cramped to the other lane.

3. The Blood Donation Center

Their blood donation center is just a small (what do you call it?) clinic by the roadside and very near to the Wal-mart.

- - - -

The Industrial Visit

I think the whole lot of us who went to the Industrial Visit today are very fortunate. I say this because Yangtze Optic Fibre and Cable Company Ltd. (YOFC), is not just any international company, YOFC is also the 2nd largest fibre manufacturer and the 5th largest cable manufacturer in the world! They are also ranked No.1 in China because of their excellent sales for 15 consecutive years! I think its amazing. There's this saying that means we have to learn from those who are successful and more knowledgeable, "Learn from the wise", and although the tour was less than an hour and most of the processes are not shown due to the company's secret, I think all of us had benefitted and learnt how the optic fibre is made.

optic fibres (the ones shaped like bangles) and cables

Raw materials to make the optical fibre
Mr Wong told us all something sad about BPQE. Even though its logical and I think its true, I'm still sad to know that whatever I've learnt all this time will be redundant and since they've taken out the engineering modules, I guess the more useless my diploma will be. =/ I actually felt discouraged and less motivated to do well at this point of time, which sucks big time cause I'm already not doing that well. If I keep this up, I'll get 2 or less for my g.p.a next 2 semesters.

I'm sorry.

The main point was Quality is already a must in companies and whatever I've learnt now will be provided for everyone who is working later on. So you know, the diploma fees are... ya, okay. Its too late to think of changing course.
brief history
in the 2nd largest optic fibre company in the WORLD!

The largest optic fibre company is in America.

Glass rods are the main raw material and the fibres are, as thin as your hair, extracted from them and are rolled up like sewing threads (above). Should the fibre was broken halfway, they are rejected due to quality reasons.

These fibres would undergo some coating and other (not revealed to us) processes that are able to give them colour and etc.
there are no seats there, actually.

"the translator" is in front of Ben and Randolph
The guide is the one in orange jacket.

its not that I dont want smile as big as them, its because of limited lip movement.

first picture with Mengzhen

ehem, asst. and grp leader again ((:
urm, yeah. I wasn't exaggerating.

- - -

On the way home, the bus dropby most of the LSCT students to collect their Sakura Tickets (to see the Sakura flower) while most of the MDE students (or was it all?) chosed to go to the nearby Wal-mart to have their lunch (and shop).

TUNNEL!

tortoise, anyone?...
... for soup?
Live frogs!
at RMB5.90 per 500g.

*gulp*

pizza hut have PORK.

=(
perfume testing, cool huh?
something I am not allowed to get~

Manicure. =/

double decker bus O.O
B.A.S/123 girls
double decker bus O.O

(notice the diff in China and SG buses?)
happy roommates

(the bus was bumpy)
double decker bus' stairs O.O

- - -

We reached home (dorm) around 4 plus and went out to buy and eat dinner at Mr Loh's apartment. I had fun watching the TV (you won't hear that from me if I'm still in SG). More pictures below, that's pretty much how the 25th day was.

slacking at Mr Loh's apartment

preparing Green Bean Soup which Clive likes to eat with SPOONFULS of sugar. *shudders*
ehem, both asst. and grp leader cleaning up, together ^^

they say China people are very hardworking
now i know why.

DAY TOUR TOMORROW!!

Day 24 - Bled Lips and the Singapore Presentation

2009-03-26T21:16:00.010+08:00

Class at 10 am. The girls and I were late. That was because of me. I delayed too long in the toilet (in front of the mirror, to be exact) on my peeling skin and bleeding upper lip. I'm sorry, I know, that was inconsiderate. I apologise.

Completing Lesson 9 and 10 and also after doing the quiz no.10, WE ARE DONE WITH LECTURES! Hip hip hooray! Okay, but to be fair, there's still some assignments to present and, urm, group projects to complete.

-___________-

(fyi, thats an expression & fyi stands for FOR YOUR INFORMATION)

Group E went out to lunch for the first time ever, with Stephanie. We ate at the Muslim Canteen Stall, which, according to XY, there is one dish that make use of alcohol. I have to check with him to confirm again what dish is it.if im not wrong it consists of duck.

Credits to Vivian. btw, I was not gobbling, I was eating as slow as I can with limited lip movement and thats Stephanie. Say Hi to Stephanie, everyone.

& so we went to rehearsed, twice, at their (Seok and Stephanie's) room. Thats where I found out Steph, Seok and Mengzhen had not bring down the decorations that the previous occupants had left in the room. I will take a picture of it asap, k?

For now, let the pictures do the talking:

View from where I'm resting before meeting the rest at 3pm to have our final rehearsal with the rest. & our overflowing rubbish bin.

around 3.45pm at the lecture hall (presentation room) and deciding the flow of things with the LSCT students

the FINE group presenting FINES and the FINE city
Group E going to present~
Just before presentation: Nervous, much? YES!

Candid, before presentation. I was telling Seok I wanted to pee. Right, Seok?

The whole lot of LSCT students went first, followed by the introduction of MDE courses, transportation in SG (skit by Group E), then the many fines that are implemented in SG making SG a fine country (presentation and movie by Group D), followed by Peranakan presentation (combination of assistant group leaders from A,B and C) and the malay culture presentation (Steph's Group, A) and a song and (simple) dance of Rasa Sayang Eh and then the finale, the whole lot of MDE and LSCT students together with Mr Wong, sang the Singapore Town. Hope the locals enjoyed it as much as I know most of us enjoyed singing to them!

Haha.

Dinner was Niu ro zha Ji dan la mian (fried beef noodles with egg in hanyu pinyin). If you say "zha" its fried, if you say "jia" its add. BIG difference okay, beware~

Working together with the group (and the bigger group: MDE AND LSCT) to come up with something about Singapore really pulls out our Singapore spirit up. Songs most of us learnt eversince primary school (some even during Kindergaten) began to surface and its just a nice feeling to know that we, different races and religion, coming together although from different family and childhood background and experiences, joining in together to merge our voices just to sing a simple song, its a feeling you get when you stand in a crowd and singing along in NDP especially the same when you're with all your class and schoolmates in your primary and secondary school days.

Well, you know...
(:

NATIONAL EDUCATION MESSAGES

Singapore is our homeland; this is where we belong.
We treasure our heritage and take pride in shaping our own unique way of life.
We must preserve racial and religious harmony.
We value our diversity and are determined to stay a united people.

... you know, you belong.

P.S. Weiguang has the whole singing thing on video! GO SEE!! ((:

Day 23 - Flexsims Test!

2009-03-25T22:43:00.015+08:00

Mr Wong telling us The Ant story
Lesson 8
Yellow PUS

I woke up today and went toilet to find out that my upper lips has produced yellow, yellow dry stuff that, my roommates and I now, suspected is called "pus". Its damn disgusting.

Honestly, I would have even consider to not want to go to class if it was not the Flexsims Test today. Moreover, I am still deprived of sleep because of my sleepless nights (nights because including last night, its been two days I had not been sleeping my usual 6 hours at least). ):

I made my mum worry yesterday. It seems to get a little more lonely eversince the pain starts. I'm trying to see "enduring this pain almost alone" as a challenge that I'm suppose to overcome.

Flexsims test was either about FastFood Outlet or the Bank. I received the one about FastFood Outlet. I could run the model and had recorded down what needs to be recorded down. Now its only a question of did I run and recorded it down correctly or not, just like my yesterday's laundry.

Finally get to meet Xiao Lin Lao Shi and . . .

shh, enough said. (: *secret*

After lunch, went back to class. This time lecture was at room 702 instead of 705 (our usual) since 705 was in used by another lesson. Mr Wong started out the lesson with some email-jokes and the story of an ant. He went through the notes and we took the test 8 and class was over! The whole lot of us stayed back to get ready for tomorrow.

We are having a mass presentation tomorrow yaw!

i excited can?

credits to XY
pictures with Red Border: Credits to Clive

P.S. Clive recorded our rehearsals and posted it in his blog! GO SEE! ((:

Day 22 - Another Day

2009-03-24T21:41:00.014+08:00

Messy-looking table

Test tomorrow~

HELLO!

I found out a few days ago I had done my laundry wrongly. It turns out I did not add in washing powder before I soak my clothes. Therefore they had this peculiar smell. I had to soak and wait for it for another day before I could hang it to dry. Because of that I almost don't have any undergarments to wear; One careless mistake I dare not forget and one good example to show the difference of getting things done and getting things done correctly or not. -.-

toilet/laundry room
toilet/laundry room

Mr Wong told us to attend the 1pm class to practice more on our Flexsims. Mr Wong also gave us some more tips and explained more about the statistical distribution that we would most likely be doing tomorrow:

The above are some notes that I've copied old-school style from the whiteboard (the New-school style would be using MS word or even Paint)

Class ended approximately around 3pm and the BAS/123 grls got ourselves a Strawberry-flavour-chocolate-coated-IceCREAM CONE (Cornetto)!! Its RMB4(S$1) each. o.O jealous, much? =P

Group E members agreed to meet at Group Leader's room to discuss on our Thursday presentation. It turns out I'm pretty much pumped up to do this. Mainly because, XY got the main role (leader mah^^) and Vivian got the Narrator's job (I don't like to talk too much) and Seok and I get to be CALEFARE! haha. small but necessary roles, i like (:

Dinner at the usual back alley ji dan la mian shop but I ordered Neu ro la mian jia ji dan (Beef soup noodles with egg). Se-dap!

tired

Day 21 - Back Home (Hostel) !

2009-03-23T23:40:00.003+08:00

Marks on my hands (left hand)
(right hand)
during class (Mr Wong showing the Wushu shots taken:)

The night before wasnt spent as smoothly as other nights. My whole body itches and I feel like there's something crawling all over me, causing me to be wide awake in the middle of the night just to scratch those few spots. I had to constantly apply moisturizer to relieve my dry and irritable skin.

It wasnt the first time I have these "itch-attacks" due to lack of water and dryness. My lips had begun to swell and was as big and as red as nobody's business. The worst part was that since I'm wearing short sleeve to sleep the sleeve keep rubbing the sore area causing it to be more irritated. It was really painful and the main thing was I could not sleep at all because of all it.

It got to a stage whereby waking up was almost a relief. Since I did not sleep well the night before, my swollen eyes showed and my roomates and I cant help but thought my whole face was swollen. -.- It was that bad.

Lesson (lecture) was at 1pm since Mr Wong wanted us to rest well for the trip as we came back quite late last night (around 9pm). Therefore my roommates and I bought some food and ate in our bunk before heading to class.

Mr Wong shared with us a website that shows a few countries' brief history and historical event to enhance our understanding from our IS lesson. I thought it was very useful as other countries were mentioned and compared to China as well. He had also kindly shared with us some of his photos from his other trips i.e. in India and Egypt. At one point of time, he described what happen to some of the individual in his group and how they were able to pull through as a team. It reminded me of the 6th NE message:

We have confidence in our future.
United, determined and well-prepared, we have what it takes to build a bright future for ourselves, and to progress together as one nation.

Probably the spirit that he have with his team is similar to the ones some of us felt during the climb especially sticking with each other to give moral support and boost of spirit.

After class did a little bit more laundry and had dinner with JO1s at the Fake KFC. I had 5 chicken (4spicy mcwings-taste-alike and 1 drumstick) with fries and iceCoffee, "damn shiok can.". Went back to blog to polish up the day.

sleepless night

Day 20 - The Climb

2009-03-22T23:35:00.020+08:00

Han Xuan: Our Tour Guide and my cable car partner
Cable Car View from the Peak
ARH!
with another one of our Tour Guide
Saying Goodbye...
Cable Car View
Cable Car View
High up... see the locks at the right foreground of the pictures? They are shaped like hearts or even two hearts combined and are said that lovers who locked each other names will stay together. Should they want to go their seperate ways, it was said they have to go and unlock those locks.
Cable Car View
The Golden Peak
Cable Car View
Resting near the peak
It was said they Rub the Bars for Good Luck...
and believers placed coins in between the bars as well.
Approximately 1,612 m from sea level yaw!

It was cold, cold, cold....
The Golden Peak from below...
As we climbed, there are others who worked to help you get there
So strong...
The narrow steps
Hashanah Jiayou!
At the Peak. ((:

Alot of the temples have roofs shaped like that.

I think thats a trademark for temple?

Some of us saw how the man carried the door. It looked downright heavy and the man was skinny. Its hard to live, isnt it? We take our good life in Singapore for granted most times.

The Climb to the golden peak was a refreshing exercise. There were alot of steps; Most of them are steep and narrow. The golden peak itself was full of people. Since the Wudang Mountain was believed to be one of the holy mountain for the Taoists, there were alot of people praying and wishing for forever love (locking their name and their partners' in lock) and people rubbing the bars of the "Heaven Palace" Temple and leaving coins in between those bars so that their wish could be granted.

Personally seeing what Taoists believers believe in, helped me to recall the things I'm being taught in my religion. I think I am more able to make better comparisons with my beliefs and theirs. Maybe one of these days, I shall accompany PeiJie on Sunday to Church so that I am able to learn more about the Christians.

2. NE Message: We must preserve racial and religious harmony.
We value our diversity and are determined to stay a united people.

I like the cable car ride, even though at some point of the time its abit too steep and scary; its a new experience to ride a cable car. Ms Han Xuan was afraid of height. She keep saying something like "Wa pa"(I'm scared). So I try to calm her by patting her knee and trying to take her mind off the ride by talking but there's a communication barrier. I tried to guess what she's trying to say with sign language and try to reply in broken chinese while she tried to reply me by sign language and broken english. Almost half of the time we tried to communicate we end up laughing at ourselves as we cant understand what each other is saying. Its another new experience. I found out she is 26 and has a brother of 20 years old and I told her about my 2 sisters and brother's age and then we reached our stop... hahaha. Took us 20 mins to just get that through. LOL

Besides that, we also get to see some more of the local attractions and bought afew more souveniors there. The road high up the mountain have quite a few sharp turns. I think the bus rides to and fro from a destination at the mountain to the next itself is an adventure.

The bus ride home however was exhausting and Ms Han Xuan is really nice. She apologised for rushing us (although we know thats necessary) and she likes us and see us as her little Titi and Meimei. I have a chinese older sister yaw! (;

Day 19 - Wudang Mountain; Climb Cancelled

2009-03-22T23:05:00.024+08:00

MDE wushu group shot
looks abit like a scene in horror movies
rub the pot and the higher the water rises up, the better your luck.
Mr Wong disturbing XH? oops

(heheheh)
Little workers: It was said that there were ordinary Humans who wished to be Higher thanthe Taoist "God" without doing anything. Thus, the Taoist God granted their wishes by tying them on the roof his statue is resting so that they will always be "physically" placed higher than him as a form of punishment.
Wushu Group Shot

Dropped petals
. . .
Fireworks!

Stairs @_@
Solo Wushu Shot?

Climbing Stairs T_T

Uneven Steps

Prince Temple ahead.
The Prince Hall...
Local Attraction
Lunch (after);

Lunch Before

The day started real early. Around 6am for me and the grls in Room 123. Met the rest at the foyer* and went off to meet Mr Wong and the other students from the other division.

We were suppose to climb till the peak today but since it rain... The climb was postponed to the next day. We spent the day by visiting the local attractions located near the Wudang Mountain. There were alot of temples and halls that contains different kinds of Taoist God(s). I had some difficulty in absorbing the fact that they (taoist believers) has alot of God during IS lesson. When I saw the statues, I am able to understand more. However, I do think its alittle confusing but I shall keep my opinion(s) to myself as religion is a sensitive issue.

The first highlights for the day was the Wushu practice we saw. Most of us were inspired to copy some of the moves. We took a group shot and MDE shot with Mr Wong as the 'Shifu'.

Wushu practice

Wushu Practice

The second highlights was the HOTEL WE SLEPT IN! Whoohoo!

LUXURIOUS!!!

(luxurious until all 3 woke up late-.-)

grls 123 at room 3302

The beds are much bigger than the hotels in Malaysia. Papa, if we ever go China as a Family, we book a room of two single beds and it will be enough for all six of us. I'm not kidding! Yes sir, we slept leisurely. Arms spread, legs wide, I think I look like a starfish when I slept. The 123 girls shared a room again and boy, we laughed ourselves silly trying to cramp our faces together in a picture. (:

*foyer is actually our dormitory corridor near the staircase.

Day 18 - Shopping at Han Zheng Jie

2009-03-20T23:49:00.017+08:00

i think this was pretty cool.

Stress during test. Too many things to write and not sufficient time or maybe its just me who dont know what to write,thus just writing down what I think is appropriate, when some are not? Okay, enough about tests and that includes results!

B.A.S decided to go shopping today right after test instead of following Mr Wong to see the sakura(s). Sorry Mr Wong, hope you were'nt too lonely. lOl(;

Shopping at HAN ZHENG JIE:

1) CHEAP!

2) WE ARRIVED JUST INFRONT OF THE 'SHOE-CITY' AND thought there are only shoes in that street. HAHA.

3) SPENT MORE THAN 400 RMB?

4) !!!!

Its so much fun shopping with friends especially when you are allowed to spend a little bit more than average and able to bargain your fill. ((: I dont normally get these shopping opportunities and freedom like this (shopping from 3pm to 9pm? can you believe it? =)) Arriving at the Shoe City first causes some confusion but once it sorted out, I began to relax walking down the street w my classmates. Although there are some times I checked behind my shoulder to see if XY was following but of course, that was just me getting too used to someone who was once always there? lOl. Xy, what happen to you eh?

Shop till almost all of the shops closes down. Hash bought her last item(SHOES!) before we went for dinner. Mr Chen (refer to picture below) was the shoestall-co-owner. When he heard we planned to hail a taxi to go to walmart from there, he volunteered to show us a short-cut. Took us about 20 mins (10 mins if he walk alone) to reach there. Thank him profusely. ((:

DINNER AT KFC!! YUM YUM SLURP SLURP. okay. hee (: I had my first egg-tart ever. custardly feeling, damn nice. Why am i always talking about food? Mr Wong will continuously disturb me about the foods I ate if he know. -__- oh. i know why. Coz its nice and he jealous :P LOL

FOur of us bought flowers for Ice Sea (previously mentioned as ICY) and caught the bus (588) back. Main motive was just to give Ice Sea the flowers since she had kindly invited me (as claimed by Peijie) to go ktv to celebrate her birthday. However, Cherry and Benedict instead brought us to their ktv lounge. Though tired we are and packing, we have not, we stayed. I couldnt contribute much in singing chinese songs (hurhur). Had suggested and picked afew english songs but we agreed to leave for home not long after.

Reached the gate around 11++ and I panicked when the big gate was close. Zzzz/ Since I'm here blogging, I did not get locked out laaaa...... Okay, here's some uploaded pictures:

Shoe City
Pulling Carts
Lonely grandpa. Can you see him?

O-kay.........
walk2
small lanes of HAN ZHENG JIE
smoke

FIRE BRIGADES!
THICK SMOKE
Not sure whether he is a cleaner or a broom -seller (probably the latter)
a motor-trishaw
ice-cream by the street

HAN ZHENG JIE
HAN ZHENG JIE
HAN ZHENG JIE

a fire brokeout
fire extinguisher problems?

night-life (near wal-mart)

damn pack like "pasar malam" in SG
crossing the road
no pavement or small road rules.
closed at 430pm
the dog that wallops something similar-looking to shit right after this picture is taken.

Tom's World Staircase Entrance (ARCADE!)

wont get to see more than 7 basketball hoops in SG right?

ooohh money2
something like Para-para?

happy shopper.
one of the nicest toilet w stylish flush function. step on the pedal to flush. but theres still a wastebin on the left side though. hurhur.
like blue shooting stars to me.
FOUND YOU ATLAST!

Mr Chen
I ate half of the burger then remembered about taking picture.

LOL

sit on them and they go BOINK BOINK not POP!

happily shopping =D

"best thing about tonight is we're not fighting

could it be that we have been this way before.."

(from Fall for you by Second Serenade to sum up my random thoughts)

Day 17 - Last Day of IS

2009-03-19T21:14:00.010+08:00

The paper-plane made during break time (first).

flying.
My paperplane notes.

shirt that i bought for 40RMB
No Idea why there's strips of newpaper on the inside of it.

Heyyo,

Roommates and I went for class at 1pm after doing our usual stuff (chatting online, bathe, eat etc) as class was cancelled (yeap, hip hip hooray!). All 3 of us slept pretty late the day before to finish up our overdued assignments and were all feeling groggy and kind-of, low-spirited.

I thought Xiao Lin Lao Shi class was getting interesting the day before. Today, Ms Sally talked about ethics and the chinese customs (and cultures) that are still practiced in their daily lives. I was a little more attentive than usual as that was one of the things that I have tried to get to know and has recorded down in my learning plan before I came.

Unfortunately, I couldnt bring myself to stay long enough after 3pm that day. I tried to get some sleep during the second break but the area I was sitting was not too quiet (as it was break time and it seems like everyone was talking). I decided to went back to bunk the moment I taste bile in my throat. Initially wanted to take panadols but changed my mind and sleep instead.

I felt bad leaving IS class halfway when I woke up to let my roommates in. I hope I wasnt marked down too harshly. Concerned friends/lecturers reading, I dint throw up afterall, please do not worry.

Something I have to share though: MsXiao Lin Lao Shi actually gave me handouts on the "Muslims in China" and some Chinese Superstitions that I asked for yesterday. I'm very touched and moved that she remembers. Turns out, the whole lot of the others took photos with Xiao Lin Lao Shi and had thanked her personally. Can't believe I had totally forgotten it was the last day. @_@

I'm gonna show her that I've learnt something in her class but for now, nobody needs to know.

Day 16 - First Presentation and the Sixteenth Day

2009-03-18T23:26:00.015+08:00

Pretty,pretty, blooming, blooming

Being alone does not mean Lonely kayyyyyyyyyyyyyy (:

Room 220 (Seok's group) presented second.

Room 123 presented third.

Room 116 (Vivian's)

Room 222 (XY)
The view from the toilet. hahah!

be amazed the cubicles are low
and there's no lock or latch
the act-cute face of wei guang

the slept-at-3am faces
i only now then noticed the pretty lights of the lecture hall. O_O

Whoo~ *Pats stomach*

tall, talented basketball girls at practice

Hello!

10am presentation so the 123 girls woke up around the range of 730 to 8am to touch up and run-through our slides. Almost marked (or maybe already marked) as late though since we got carried away in the midst of our preparation.

Good news: All three managed to get our points across.

Bad news: two of us had to be probed for answers, that shows we did not explain it rather thoroughly right?

Good news: ITS OVER!

Its a ratio of 2:1, that should be a call to celebrate, isnt it? Haaa -___-

I had maggi for breakfast and lunch, maybe maggi for breakfast tomorrow also? (OMG, dear hair, please dont take offense with the plenty intake of MSG and continue growing like normal, okay? I love you~)

Xiao Lin Laoshi starts off the lecture on Queue (the long men's hairstyle) and also the feet binding history. That sets me wide awake. heh.

It was when the Manchus managed to conquer China and they made all of the men (the Han Chinese exactly) to do the queue hairstyle as a sign of submission. The men were'nt happy (although, I think most of them were more unhappy towards the new hairstyle rather than being conquered).

Infact, I dont think anyone likes to be conquered, thus relating to the NE message: 5. We must ourselves defend Singapore. No one else is responsible for our own security and well-being.

Makes me miss my little hometown now...

Just look at the crushed toes. only the big toe was untouched. other than that every other bone in the feet are crushed eversince they are 3 years old! *#&*@ 3-inches feet are considered golden lilies feet. 4 inches-Silver lilies. iron lilies-5 inches. If its gold and silver and iron, how come never show it off?

grr.

It started off from the dancers that were asked by the emperor to dance on a golden lily platform with their feet bounded. Logically, our feet should be big and long enough and of the appropriate shape to withstand our weight. I can only imagine them hobbling around with feets spoilt and cramped. I guess thats precisely why they were'nt It was done to show your a woman of high class. The smaller your feets are the most desirable you are. ouch! imagine someone wanting you because of the size of your feet? Its like wanting you just for the size of your tits.

*taking deep breaths*

thats my view.

Since in olden days women are known to be more obedient and respectful of authority (esp. towards their parents), I guess they would have no choice and when it determines your future.... sighs.

-__________________-

IS teacher also covered on the politics (different parties like those PAP in SG) in China... FYI, students involve in communists parties are not as favourable as those who are not in any parties for international students . It reminded me of Nancy, my classmate. I think she's not associated?will ask.

Religion about Taoism and Buddhism were also covered. Do you know Buddhism orginated from India? i thought it was from China. hurhur.

After class, I asked teacher to cover more on the chinese beliefs that they applied in their daily life now, as that is one of the things I had looked forward to. She told me she will look into it and asked me to help her write down about the Muslims in China as well so she wont forget. I think mr Wong gave her that suggestion.

by the way, mr wong can be a very good Phua Chu kang, dont you agree? LOL. OIP grp has been assigned to do a presentation things on Made in Sg. So far, XY have not delegated any tasks but I guess we can auto- do our research already since its next thursday and we're going away again this weekend. to WUDANG O_O known for their wushu-as said by Hajar. LOL

Highlights for today:

Told ya, I have pretty roommates.

(They even sleep, prettily)

Hee.

Fridayyyyytessssssssttttttt!

ARGH

Day 15 - First Industrial Visit

2009-03-17T23:15:00.010+08:00

HSM-2 was the exit. HSM-1 was the entrance.
Random.

What does that sign mean?

They were trying to make a smiley face w the leftover strips of food.
Nothing to do, huh.

If I remembered correctly, Vivian said it reads, "Since the grass is beautiful, please do not step on them". Please feel free to correct me. LOL.
Group E. With do-I-really-need-to-say-who's-that-sandwiched-between-XY-and-Seok? hahaha

The train (probably carrying cargo?) that held us up for about 15-20 minutes maybe?
the administrative building
Opposite the administrative building/looked at hash's tired face.

tsk.
xh, want fight is it? Haiyak!

haa, about 7AM: we were all just waiting to board the bus.

waiting to board the bus.
still waiting to board the bus. about 7 plus plus AM.

Woots~

Woke up early to catch the arranged-bus to Wugang(Wuhan Steel Mill Industry). That's our 1st industrial visit during our OIP stay. We get to wear those orange construction workers safety helmet and see how steel is being processed from a hot block of stuff to a roll of steel.

The factory produces real loud sounds like BOOM BOOM BAM! You can either be deaf or die of heart attack if you're not used to it. Curiously and also almost quite disturbingly, the workers working in there were not wearing any ear protection at all. I am concern for their health.

Besides the noise, the heat was almost unbearable when the hot block of iron was moved along the conveyor right in front of us. 2000+ degrees celsius beb, you tell me is it hot or not... LOL We were standing at the top but with some distance from the "Oven" and the Line of production but you can still practically feel the hot iron ore tanning your face.

Its was so hot that we can even still see the heatwaves of the iron ore at its final stage which is when we are ALREADY OUT of the processing area! Phew~

Lunched with JO1s, XY, Vivian, Pei Jie and Zee Min. Xh, weiguang, hash and Vivian shared 4 dishes while the rest of us shared another four. Miraculously (or not?) our side seems to finish eating much much faster than usual that it seems a big deal to comment "That was fast." haha!

just jking.

The whole eight of us went for lecture around 1pm. After which, both roommates and I start to really panicked and become stressed up about the project that we were all on the verge of not wanting to go out to get dinner. We went anyway since I cant seem to stop pestering them about my hunger.

It was short though and since we went out abit earlier than usual, we didnt expect Mo Lee to open his stall already but he had. Even told us, in his strong Hui accent, he was there eversince 2pm.

Its because of these friendly stall owners that China is slowly being imprinted in this closet of mine.

... Finding it hard to deal with leaving and its not even near the time yet.

Day 14 - The First Time I Ate Kuaci with a Lecturer

2009-03-16T22:32:00.012+08:00

KUACI

LUNCH-TIME

And we always complained canteen 1 is packed.

lunch ((:

(Mak, lauk telor dengan tomato sedap tapi Yah rindu masakan mama. )

Mo Lee (donno how to spell his name)'s Satay

Mr Wong peeling Kuaci in his room.

Hello...

BPE Lesson and head off to the Muslim food stall for lunch. Along the way, the other locals must have been released out of their classes around the same time as us. Phew the empty roads are suddenly filled with bodies! Scared the **** out of me. Tempted to clutch my purse and move quickly in other words run away from the crowd, I slowed down my pace instead, swoop my camera out and took the overwhelming scene. I dont think I will complain if canteen 1 is always full anymore. Heh (;

This afternoon Flexsims is one of the most stress-est class I attended so far. Mainly because I could not get my stimulation to work properly even though Ive followed accordingly to the instructions. I just followed WeiGuang pointers and handed in the report that I had. I dont know how I'm going to pass the practical ='(

Dinner was jidan mian (big bowl=ta) and 4 sticks of Satay. I tend to eat more when I'm upset these days. Maybe because i become abit richer in China? haha. maybe.

I joined Xh and Weiguang to chat w Mr Wong. Thats why he offered us some of his Kuaci, I guess. Thanks, Mr Wong. I think I will avoid disturbing Mr Wong in the future because it seems like we are disrupting his night and especially when...

My group and I have not yet finish our assignment presentation 1.

Or the Report.

damn stress, can.

Day 13 - Coming back Home (Dormitory)

2009-03-15T21:50:00.004+08:00

The lift looked like a cable car, only bigger.
rice cake (traditional)
my tour-for-the-dam ticket
my sampan ticket (:

...

Woots~

We went off the boat before the clock strikes 9 (i think).Haha. We climbed the long staircase instead of paying 2Rmb for the big-lift that could carry the whole occupants (okay most) of the cruise ship.

We went on our way home the same as we went before (I think). I cant confirm with you as I have the tendency to doze on and off in transportation, right, Dad? haha.

Main point is we reached home (our dorm) safe and sound, had our dinner and took our rests... (:

Highlights:

I CANT BELIEVE I ACTUALLY MISSED THIS ROOM OF OURS WHEN THE CRUISE BEDS ARE MUCH THICKER THAN OUR MATTRESS BED LARH!

...almost like home.

Day 12 - Three Gorges Tour Part 2

2009-03-15T21:30:00.030+08:00

Our Cruise boat

(we're In the smaller ship)

look at our background; the staircase~ whoo

(damn long, can?)

Roommates.

It was hot and sunny but the wind is cold and chilly.

Hot and cold.

Vivian (my groupmate) and I.

Xh looking thoughtful?
Benedict missing home? Or missing Icy?

(actually he felt asleep with his position like that) Haha.

Lucky never fall.

let me play among the "mountains"

Transferring from a smaller ship to a sampan
Civilisation on high-land
the old-fashioned way when the water is not deep enough to row

PULL!

our small boat local tour guide.

She sang some of the local songs, it's so nice that I fell asleep.

The boat is rocking and her voice was super nice can?

the construction in the background captured is on purpose

They are going to build a bridge right there. Fascinated, I am.

Civilisation on high land again
Yellow flowers~

Reflection

Later on in the afternoons:
Tried to capture the sunlight

The supposedly Goddess of Mercy

captured

a souvenior from the mountains?

cool,huh?

cave~

"frog" mountain

Potential photographer in action...

Angel figure?

Trying to capture far-offs shot

The view when we alight for more sightseeing

Hello again..

Waked up a little late for the ship's breakfast. Supposed to wake up at 6am for 7am breakfast but both Hash and I woke up to almost 7am and discovered breakfast will only be served at 7.30am

funnyyy~ LOL

Almost half an hour after breakfast, (we had porridge and mee Hoon and pau:) we were assembled to go change to a smaller ship to cruise along a river that could lead us to the "SAMPAN" ride at the SHEN NONG STREAM!

(okay Im not very sure if the name is correct, though)

Along the way, groups and individuals (including yours truly) took a lot of photos (I will try to post up everything I have) Some of the photos are grabbed from my OIP mates, so enjoy them okay?

((:

Later on in the afternoon just about after the 2 (or 3pm) lunch, announcements were made to informed us about "Scenic Views"

Honestly, after the heavy lunch and the adventure we had in the morning, the four of us (JO1s) were quite reluctant to leave the comfort of the ship's bed. Reason: sleepy and lazy. LOL!

We dragged our lazy bums up though. Lucky, we did, if not we would only lose out on the rare and breathtaking sceneries. (Refer to the pictures above) I apologise firsthand that I fail to capture all of the glorious scenes that we were able to see. I have 2 eyes and only 1 camera lens therefore everything I captured on camera will only be like half of what Ive seen. heheh, makes sense right? =)

Honestly, I just find it really hard to capture everything that my eyes did with the lens. I guess those are just the memories that make it more special for us, who have seen it. Dont jealous okay? It could be yours in the future...

The Jo1s slacked around in the cabin I shared w Hash. We talked about our days in Polys so far, the friends we made and shared our expectations of the trips. Xh, hash and I was quite close once, somehow we drifted... Unexpectedly, we're together in this trip. It's nice to just sit and chat and just let the world go by sometimes (or in our case, sail by). captured moments.

We went sightseeing about 6.30pm later on. Mostly to see the 'town' area and also for a night tour. 3 things I remember distinctively about the night tour was THE LONG, steep, dark staircase, the night scenery with stars,fog and the sea, and the temple where the believers are suppose to pay to pray. like wth? hahah

Highlights for the day:

1) Everyone was practically queueing up for Dinner.

2) Listening to conversations till I fell asleep.

Heh.

all in all... the cruise ....

...its not that bad, afterall.

Day 11 - Three Gorges Tour Part 1

2009-03-15T21:08:00.018+08:00

MDE photo. There's some MIA-ing because they are helping us to take the pictures. By the way, this picture is grabbed from XY's blog.

Going AWAY to cruise! YAY!!!

and we walk and we walk in the cold, cold, intermission of spring and winter drizzling days~

Sat on the right side of the bus and closer to the window seat. I told you it's cold. Point proven (:

Slept and wake up to a much clearer (but still cold) sky.

Went to the toilet by the side of this canteen (could not grab the scene of the toilet fast enough though)

many pretty yellow flowers planted.

Mr Wong sitting down after singing us "1 Little 2 Little 3 Little Indian...~"

Cool, huh?
Pond~
Mystical place (heheh)

falling behind. Next destination~
I WAS near an historical event mark!

(olympics logo, can see?)

The dam, man, the dam, the dam.

what does those chinese characters mean, you asked?

I'm sorry I can't recall at the moment.

(I think its a memorial garden)
the card and I'm just outside here:

Three gorges Project Model.

(it's big)

Random. I like how the picture turned out though (:

Was trying to get the bus' ceiling, notice it is unlike other buses.

One of the nicest dish I've come across in China: Spicy potato. the other nice ranking dish is the one with black fungus. YUM! Lip-smacking good, beb~

Exploring the cruise boat (:

Before seeing the 'Lift' at the first level, I saw this just before we enter the 'Lift' chamber. The image reminded me of Churning Emotions.

(Thanks to Wei Guang! If it wasnt for him, the above is the clearest I could get out of my camera, which sadly do not have night-vision. =)

Before

After being lifted up

Just entering the chamber (before)
After being lifted up afew metres higher

the tired+satisfied looks.

just look at how red our eyes were... haha

Hello!

The first day of cruise was spent in a five-hour bus ride, two toilet stops (i only went for the latter), going around in a city called Yichang where the Yangtze River runs through.

I google-d the word "Yichang" and this website came up:

"The Yangtze River runs through the city of Yichang, creating many natural reserves along its path. This valuable resource has made Yichang a valuable territory, and for this reason it became a place contested by all strategists. Yichang was a famous battlefield throughout the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280). It is also the birth place of many historical celebrities, such as Qu Yuan and Wang Zhaojun."- http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/hubei/yichang/

That really highlights Xiao Lin Laoshi's History lessons.

Some of us experienced the typical, public, street toilet in China. I didnt went down though. Yea, wasted right? Can't show readers as well. Next time, ok? Anyways, the toilet here cant be flushed with toilet papers thrown in them. Therefore for those better ones, they have lockable doors and a wastebin with your toiletbowl/toilet to throw in. Hurhur, guys, you think your wastebin sucks? take a look in the waste bin for the girls especially when the previous occupants had their monthly visit.

hurhur.

There were two tour guides that lead the way. Although they (okay one of them) explained some stuff during our journey to the designated location, most of the times, I could not get what he is talking about at all. Hash and I, had to refer to Xh, Wei Guang and Mr Wong for translation. Alittle troublesome, I just hope they were'nt get fedup with all that hassle.

I get to go under a very long covered tunnel and I think I actually felt asleep during that period mainly because its dark and lights are switched on to form a rather comfortable atmosphere and also partly because we had to wake up around 5 am to catch the 7 am bus that morning and did not have enough sleep because of how we spent the night the day before (Zzz..).

There were so many straight out-of-the painting pictures that I am impossibly awed. How can a place be beautiful and dirty at the same time? There it was though. wow, huh?

There are so many pictures that I wanted to take. Not surprising that others wanted them as well. We ended up delaying the cruise boat for an hour. Tsk. One of the things Dad had never liked about going on with big groups: waiting for others and/or letting others waste their time waiting for. I agree thats one of the cons but if we look at the bright side, if we hadnt gone with it, we may take a much longer place to discover these specific places.

Not much photos of the dam mainly because my camera could not zoom as well. Haha. (:

I'll tell you something though:

1) The dam is BIG

2) The dam has hydroelectric pump thingy that allows adjustments of the water-level thats coming in

3) We EXPERIENCED THE LIFT-EPISODE! Remember my drawing from the previous post? Yes! We took the boat at Station 1 of my paint-software drawing! Some of us stayed up long enough to experienced twice! Total level are five of them, each 30 metres high (10 storey high, i think) and all five of them are like staircase steps so in total all five steps are about 150 m high! Fascinating.

4) Its just a super-amazing feeling to stand in the cold-chamber with friends. Staying up late with the moon and the wind whipping and howling at your ears as the boat cut its way through the water after succeeding going up the water-elevator.

i wrote random things while waiting for boat to get its turn to go inside the lift chamber (as we missed the timeslot because of our one-hr delay)...

One of those random things~

8:10pm : Waiting around, I sat on my big, cold blanket.

Even the boat has pros (foooood) and cons (no heater).

Its all in the experience though. 'Nights (:

it's like 'wow'.

Day 10 - Some Things Learnt

2009-03-12T23:49:00.011+08:00

Harmony brings prosperity~ yes (:
All those within the four seas can be considered Brothers". yeah, man, whatsup bro?

handouts on human sacrifices~
Random.
can you see the 2 boats in the flags each man are holding?

Wei Guang's face while waiting for food~

I think the one cooking is the son and the one supervising is the Dad. Its pretty normal to see the local family involve in a family business: just like how it goes in the Malay proverbs"mana tak tumpah kuah kalau bukan ke Nasi"

briefly telling us what we will be able to see tomorrow~

Mr Wong said we might not be able to take the boat at station 1 to experience the lift since most probably than not we will be boarding the boat somewhere between number 2 and 3 or number 3.
this is how Mr Wong illustrated at the whiteboard just now. i redraw using Paint. Look how high the water can go and Yepp, it most definitely will flood the whole civilisation near the bank. Mr Wong told us most of them have been compensate and moved to higher ground level but being humans, some are never satisfied with what they are given. There are some political and social issues regarding that.
To prepare themselves, about twenty years ago, they decided to build a dam about 150 m high (about 40 storey building) and just leave the past civilisation to be buried underwater. Using whatever technology and resources that they have, without outsiders' help, it was said they are about 70% finish with what they intend to do. By the way Mr Wong had added in that there would be some control as to how much water level that can pass through using the dam and the technologies that are built-in in it.

Hashanah preparing for class: the class has not even start yet!
Xinhui preparing for class. Well, you know, the class has not even start yet then (;
My style of preparing for class: These sweets damn shiok I tell you! One of the things I promise myself to bring home to SG if I can~Peanuts in a coat of sugar~ Whoo~
I noticed something from my same window seat view: Wust have beautiful stairs. I post this up for my interior design friend. Last I heard she had to do research on the different types of stairs. Hope it helped (:
Another view, I was actually trying to capture the raindrops. It was raining (not so heavily though) but enough for us to feel the cold slipping in through our jackets and warning us to pile up more clothes for tomorrow.
Taken at night (it was still super duper cold hokay!): these active women are exercising out on the streets, IN THE FREAKING COLD WEATHER. Seriously madams, hats off to you.
the first spotted sports car on Wuhan streets and its Yellow yaw! ((:
I know its yellow, please don't think dirty, its just something to touch instead of press before crossing the road (:

Awww man, I was getting used to telling everyone the stories behind those pictures. I have a very bad habit of bringing my camera wherever I go. Thats why I depend on some others to help me take but since I dont really like to do that I have lesser pictures than I would like to have. I must be such a disappointment to Mr Lim Choon Boo. =/

Class starts at 1pm today and Xiao Lin Laoshi gave us handouts (yay!). She gave us two types; on human sacrifices and a write-up on the different 'famous people' who ruled the land of China. Although its very interesting, I did not get to finish it as soon as I wanted to as my eyes became tired. I think Teacher have been very understanding towards our bad attitude in class.

I know MDE and LSCT students might prove to be too many to handle but I still look forward to having more interactions in her class instead of the screen.

Wu Zhetian was the fifth wife to her first emperor husband and the second wife to her second emperor husband (which happened to be the son of her first husband-like wow right? its like marrying yur stepmother, no?) until she killed her infant daughter and framed the 1st wife of her second emperor husband. Then she was able to be the 1st wife=empress. When her second husband died, the throne was given to her first son. Since she find it hard to control her son (Zhongzong), she made changes and let her second son, Ruizong to be the Emperor-her puppet.

In the end she get to rule the land for 15 years beore a palaca coup occured and she died at the age of 82.

Yessire, I think I am half fascinated and half disgusted with her. Weirdly, I think there are still people who have similar traits and who are as ambitious as her. The world is ... @_@

Day 9 - Some Things Originally Founded In China

2009-03-11T22:46:00.021+08:00

Class started at 1pm and today's history lesson covers quite alot of stuff. Mostly the famous and well-recognised emperors and the sole-empress in the Chinese History and what are the things that they have influenced about and how each of them come to gain their power.

Other stuff such as the Four Great Inventions are also covered:

1) Compass; They used a ladle (some kind of spoon) instead of needle in the early days (picture below)

2) Gunpowder; Before any of the war started, gunpowder is used to make beautiful fireworks.

3) Paper; "Paper is made of randomly oriented (a felt) plant fibers. While not as cheap or as plentiful, bast fibers are much easier to process." -http://www.bio.ilstu.edu/Armstrong/syllabi/rpaper/paper.htm

4) Printing; "Woodblock printing is a technique for printing text,images or patterns used widely throughout East Asia and originating in China in antiquity as a method of printing ontextiles and later paper. "-Wikipedia

Some of the stuff I posted and researched on are mentioned by Xiaolin lao shi (Sally) in class. I must admit there are times when the subject alone can piqued my interest but to withstand a lecture for a full 4 hrs about it is really asking me to shutdown halfway, midway or/and gradually. I'm sorry, I'm not kidding.

Stuff in the past can be interesting especially if its linked to the present. For example the origin of the four inventions and also the Great wall of China. I think my idea to learn about the chinese culture is more towards how the chinese carry their culture in their everyday lives now. For instance, most Malays nowadays still live up to the old tradition of wearing traditional clothings (baju kebaya/baju kurung) during festive seasons. I wonder how they celebrate their chinese new year here especially since China is known for its Chinese Language and most probably its culture as well. That is one of the things that I have yet to discover.

Anyway, history lesson ended quite early today (about 10 mins early). Since morning class was cancelled (yay!) i finished up washing my jeans as well! I think being alone without my close friends and family members is helping me to grow up faster. Within a week, I am cooking and buying my own meals and doing my own laundry~ Gah! It still bugs me that I have to depend on my Chinese-speaking friends to order. @_@ (I think I need to apply for new modules; any Chinese-speaking Diploma Plus available here?)

The whole MDE gang went out by the back gate to see the wet market and some other interesting shophouses (Geylang working women-China style also have). We stopped by Mr Loh's place and gawk at his well-furnished apartment.

The main purpose of going out together is to have dinner at a restaurant recommended by Mr Wong. HAHA! Since, its for the non-muslims only, Hash and I ended up in the first restaurant where we had dinner during our first night here.

Its okay! I get to see my eye-candy! LOL!

(;

IS topic for today

early-printing (block printing)
gunpowder
early paper
early compass

Google image: Empress Wu Zetian (I think even though she is said to be beautiful, she is cruel, cold-hearted and a ruthless leader. Probably that is why she managed to become the sole-female emperor that rule China?)

Evolution of the Chinese Characters

Google Image: Emperor Qin Shihuang (He is the one who willingly sacrifices 2-3 million criminals and captured enemies to build the Great Wall of China. phoo~ what a man.)

condom vending machine somewhere near our hostel

Google image: Baju Kurung (traditional malay costumes)

my mum in 'baju kebaya' and dad in the male 'baju kurung' during 2008 Hari Raya

Chinese Restaurant Corner
Part of the wet market near our dorm

On the way to Mr Loh's apartment (blur version)
Mr Loh's apartment with heater lights (O_O)
Mr Loh's toilet has toilet bowl ~
Looks old eh? Don't be fool..
On the way to Mr Loh's apartment (clear version)

from Mr Loh's kitchen window~
Walking towards Mr Loh's apartment also...

eating ice cream in the cold weather (must try one day)
Our bunk: No toilet bowl.
My laundry: it takes about 4 days for my clothes to be really dried up indoors. I need to carefully plan which day I am able to spare while drying it up so that I wont run out of things to wear.