Day 10 - Some Things Learnt

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

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.

Day 8 - Flexsims~

the 10.20am view from my window seat in the class
Lessons going on~

afternoon lab lessons; Flexsims

I am falling back to a familiar routine now. The first five days have been uncertain and still very much need to get use to but with a day out with the locals, Seventh and Eight Day are like what we would be doing especially after having BPE lessons. 

basically, I would go to a nearby shop to buy snacks, put down my bag and rest and if I am still feeling pumped up, I'll go and join Xh and Weiguang to play badminton or i can (i think) ask XY or Clive to go for a run if they want to.

Today had been a short and tiring day. Right after class, I did my laundry (super many) and dream about buying a washing machine when I grow up and had my own apartment. Mum, I have not been thanking you enough for willingly washing all six of our clothes when we're busy.

When most of them are up on the line to be hanged to dry, I lay on top of my bed and blow my breath out~ LOL. Even though I know I'm beat, I want to push myself out of my comfort zone ad see how  much of it I still can take. I think that is why I agreed to go out and play badminton with xh instead of resting with Hash...

Surprisingly, Mr Loh and Mr Wong agreed to joined us as well. Later on, Xy joined us and play too. Its okay Xy, I am not very good in badminton as well.

Dinner consists of 5 sticks of Mutton Satay and Ji dan Mian take-away again. yay!

//editted

Today's highlights: I slept with my laptop on even before the clock strikes midnight.

Day 7 - The Completed First Week In China

So here it is folks! The Official Day that marks us being in China for one WHOLE WEEK! Whoo~ I think its a memorable day indeed...

Class started at 10 am and as promised we were dismissed approximately 11.30am to go for our brunch (breakfast+lunch) at the canteen. After finishing our lunch and did the toilet-visiting-procedures *smiles* , We had a surprise visit in the afternoon from the Deputy Principal Of Ngee Ann Poly (right), the director that handles the international programs in Ngee Ann Poly (center and in the white coat) and also the One that is responsible in making it possible for all of us to be here (far left).

With each lesson, there will be a follow-up quiz. So far i manage to get not so bad marks. Practical lesson are hands-on practice with the Flexims software. It ended around 4. I did a few errands with the rest of my roommates and rest alittle while only to go out again with Xh to play badminton. I played a little and then decided to join Clive and XY for a run. Its important to keep up our young stamina, you know~ haha!

We went back to Xh and Wei Guang playing badminton and I stayed to play with them and some of the locals before heading back to change for Joey's birthday party. By then, its already dark and its only 7! 

Before, my teachers in primary school told me about Winter season and how the day seems short and the nights are long and the weather is just cold and chilly. I think i'm very fortunate to experience what she told us about. 

Below are some of the pictures taken during Joey's birthday party. I had to grab some photos from Hajar, Masita, Benedict and Randolph and some others because I had totally forgot all about my camera. I'm sorry little cammie, I won't forget to bring you along next time, hokay?

 

Thanks for taking these awesome shots people!

During Dare or Dare (originally its truth or dare): Zeemin had to cut abit of her hair~
During Dare or Dare again: XH had to call a local guy, picked by Joey and have to ask or his name, age and tell him "Wa ai ni" Hahahha!
My face was smacked with cake badly~Oof! Thats Ice and Journey (:

Face smacked with cake was directly after most of us had our share of the cake.FuhsyoH! cake smacking damn shiok i tell you! there were some who resisted but all of them turns out with a face similar or worse than mine! wahahahah! No one was spared! whoo~

and nope, thats not a wedding cake (i thought its a wedding cake!). thats Joey's birthday cake! wow, right?
During Dare or Dare: Ice had to hug an opposite sex (see, zeemin excited~). Whos the lucky opposite sex?

BENEDICT!!

Formal photo before face is covered with cake (:
Roommates with Journey! I told you no one was spared and Xh smacked and facial-ised the most faces ah! :-P ahahha
Formal photo with our faces smacked with cake! =DD

To summarised it,the party went like this:

Song, cake, cake-mania, eat, game, eat, well-wishes, goodbye (;

Then i went to buy satay and Ji dan mian with jo1s! (((:

Best wishes to Joey! Hope you had as much fun as most of us. Last but not least thanks for inviting us to your party. I had loads of fun (;

priceless memoirs