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Thursday, May 28, 2009
I have mixed feeling as the date gets nearer, and the numbers I have been counting down gets smaller. On one hand, I really wish to see my love ones again. But on the other hand, I know I am going to miss everything here.
The MTR which we frequent almost every day for beverages, the ‘mei shi-er’(没事儿) which the locals says whenever you thank them, the 3 for 1rmb bread which most of us love to eat, the thrill you get just from simple things like crossing the road, the receptionist who we greet every morning, the room which we have been staying for almost 2 months, the shopping, my buddy and other friends I have made here, etc. The list goes on like never ending.
I have never regretted joining this trip here. I will treasure the last week of my time here and bring back, all the good experiences and memories, home.
Music Addict 10:31 PM
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Today we had our last presentation on the code of education. And we have concluded that to the Chinese here, education is their pride.
The first week, we did interviewed our buddies and found out some basic information of the education system here. When they were young, education is something compulsory for them, and everything was decided by their parents. Hence, it is a process which all the children have to go through.
Second presentation we talked about the amount of stress they undergoes due to the large populations in china. They have to pick a direction for themselves as they grown up, and they have to make sure that they do well and excel in their own decision.
The third week, we quoted key points from all the interviews we have done and we realised that education is all about helping them to prepare for the future, be it getting a job, being able to feed their family or realizing their own dreams.
And finally, for the last presentation, we interviewed and found out what people say about their close one’s achievements after education. They all speak about the good quality of their love ones. They ‘brag’ to others about it as they are proud of their achievements.
From there, we concluded that achievements are results from education. Hence, by having good achievements will bring pride, not just to themselves, but to their family too.
Music Addict 10:22 PM
Monday, May 25, 2009
Finding the respondents for the project was not an easy job. We have to face the fact that anyone may just blast off at us. Most of the shop keepers’ face turned black right away when they know that we were not there to buy their things, but to approach them for help for our project.
Hence, I am really glad to know Mrs Zhang, a pretty young boss.
We went forward to the shop and told her honestly about what was our intension. I was mentally prepared that the worst thing we could have gotten was to get chased out by a broom. However, she was totally understanding and nice to us.
I find her real easy to talk to. She told us many things she knows, be it through experience or from her own observations. She even told us to feel free to look for her for help whenever we want to, regardless of what it is about.
Music Addict 11:05 PM
Friday, May 22, 2009
The one and only street stall I have frequent was the one selling fried banana and chicken fillet. Haha… ‘Welcome to China!’
But still, I don’t really want to take the risk to try the other stalls even though most of my friends did not faced any problems eating those food. (Yes! Most of them, but not all. =X)
Yvonne was the one who introduced the fried banana to me and hence, I took up the courage and went back to the stall one day to buy their food. The stall keepers did realise that I am not local and they started chatting with me.
I told them that I was being introduced by my friend to try out their food. After chatting for quite awhile, as I was about to go, they actually gave me a bigger serving than the usual, telling me to help them advertise. As promised, I have introduced the food to my friends and I’m glad that most of them like it too.
Today I went back to the stall with WeiLun and KokKit. They waved to me even before we stepped forward to the stall. We bought four servings of fried banana and fried chicken fillet each. And the lady actually gave us a rice stick to try out for free!
The Chinese here sure do know the importance of building a good relationship between people.
Just like MTR, the shop selling all kinds of beverages. I guessed they are really earning a lot from us, the Singaporeans.
And I’m sure they will miss us when we get back to Singapore. Haha!
Music Addict 10:13 PM
Thursday, May 21, 2009
We had our 3rd presentation on the code, education.
We did quite a number of interviews, asking the interviewees on their thoughts and definition of education. From their statement, we quoted out the key words and come out with the conclusion that education, to them, are all about responsibility.
Being responsible is not just something to do with the moral. It is about future; a journey, improving oneself, cultivating, realizing ones’ dream, being prepared for challenges, etc. And most importantly, being responsible to they themselves so that he/she will not live with any regrets in life.
Music Addict 9:59 PM
Monday, May 18, 2009
First time visiting the customer whom the company got for us, was quite a pleasant one. When we reached the apartment, I thought it was quite old and dirty. However, as we stepped into her house, I was surprised. Though the interior was not extremely fascinating, but I thought it was quite fairly done up and cosy as well. That goes back to the old sayings, ‘never judge a book by its cover’.
The lady was nice to us. She treated us like her guest instead of people who were there to ‘do work’. We had a nice chat with her. She told us about her daughter and we could tell from her expressions that she is really proud of her. Indeed, her daughter is really very capable! I hope we will be able to meet her in person during the next visit.
Music Addict 9:41 PM
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Recently, there were quite a few incidents which really bring down my mood to the core.
The room flooded with water due to my carelessness, the snapping of strings due to the heavy clothes I hung up after washing and the scolding I got from the reception aunty for throwing tissue into the toilet bowl, causing it to be stuck up.
That makes me wonder, am I really down on luck? Or is it merely because I’m always the pest for causing so many problems?
Guess I really need to be more careful when doing things.
The Discovery Island on friday!
The rides were thrilling and exciting. The place was beautifully built. However, sadly to say that, the service they provides were not up to standard.
But still, we had lots of fun enjoying the rides and scaring ourselves up.
Music Addict 10:41 PM
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Everything was pre-planned for the celebration. The cakeS, light sticks, balloons, dine in together, etc. Each of us had a part to play. And mine was to cook for everyone!
I started preparing for the dinner right after the lesson ends. This was the first time that I had ever cooked for such a big group of people. The job wasn’t as easy as I thought. But luckily, I had ShiYin, YingYing, Paul and Ivan, whom helped me out with the cooking.
Hopefully the spaghetti paste didn’t taste that bad. Haha!
And most importantly…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CINDY!!!
Hope you did enjoyed our company!!!
Music Addict 11:45 PM
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
The gang surprised me with the keyboard I saw at Olympic Square, and which I have been considering whether to buy it or not. I was talking on the phone and someone was pressing the door bell continuously. When I went to open the door, I was shocked to so many of them standing outside. At the very next moment, I closed back the door! Guess they were all puzzled by my weird reaction.
It’s only when I open the door again that I realised, right in front of me lays the keyboard on the two tables taken from their rooms. I was overwhelmed with joy when I saw the keyboard. They bought it for me as belated birthday present! Thanks everyone!!! I really love it a lot!!!
Music Addict 11:03 PM
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Victory Square is humongous!
We shopped for the whole afternoon but had not even finished walking the lowest two levels. As it was built underground, you cannot really tell how big is it going to be or what the whole circumstance of the place is. I bet even the largest shopping malls in Singapore cannot be compared to.
Dinner was pizzas, wings and onion rings, soups, fries and wedges, and nice beverages. Everything was finger-licking-good! The restaurant was called ‘The Pizza Company’. I am recommending it to all of you! It is definitely a ‘must try’! (They should start paying me commissions for that. Haha..)
Music Addict 10:17 PM
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Music Addict 10:16 PM
Friday, May 8, 2009
Cindy and I went to take photos for the ethnography project today. The place looks just like our Sim Lim Square, with lots of electronic stuffs.
Both of us realised that there are actually more sales person as compared to the shoppers. Hence, whenever we by-passed the stalls or shops, all their eyes were on us and they would start to ask, ‘what are you looking for?’. That makes our job real tedious as we won’t be able to snap the photos that easily. Moreover, it definitely affects our willingness to go into any of the shops. Even if you just wanted to step in and have a look at what they have, they will sure to attend to you right away. That gave us a sense of pressure which made us not wanting to continue looking at the things any longer.
Unless you are really sure of what you are looking for.
Music Addict 11:13 PM
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Music Addict 3:10 PM
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Woke up at 6am to prepare for the trip. However, it was being cancelled due to the weather.
In the end, we've decided to go to town for ktv and shopping since we are already up.
This was the second time i've been to the ktv. The first time was with my clique. I seriously like the ambiance there. The room is big enough, with the bonus of having a nice mini stage. Everything makes the price all worthwhile, except for their poor services.
After having our lunch, we went to shop for clothes at the street that we managed to spot after exploring for quite awhile.  Music Addict 11:59 PM
Friday, May 1, 2009
On our way to the Golden Pebble Beach...
    The beach wasn't as beautiful as i thought it will be. Perhaps I had set my expectation too highly which, in the end, caused such a disappointment.   However, I still enjoyed taking photos with my friend!  And I also got to cycle a four wheels bicycle.
Riding on the road was seriously bloodcurdling! The cars were coming in all directions, making Sandy and I feels panic. But after riding for a few times, back and forth, we got more familiar with the bike and were able to make everything all under control =)
We also went to the Police training camp. The basic requirement to become a policewoman will be with a height of 170 and above!!! And they will usually ride on horses for patrolling!!! Arh! I'm so jealous!!!!!!  Even though I can't be one, but at least I still get to put on their uniform and ride on a horse!   ('Hi! I'm Qiang Qiang! I was surrounded by many girls! Muahahahaha...') Music Addict 9:17 PM
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