I'm home!!

Location: Home.

I'm home and the first thing that came to my mind: TOILET BOWL FOR THE WIN!

Seriously, I could stay in the hostel for a year and still not get use to using the squat toilet. Then again, I don't have to worry so much for my standing broad jump thanks to all that thigh muscle workout. 

Thing I miss most right now is the food there in Wuhan. The back alley is seriously convenient and the food is heavenly cheap and nice. Now that I'm back in Singapore, it's time to bid farewell to those goodies. 

Time for a diet.

I doubt anything much has changed since I left home, except for one single thing that bugs me - My dog is staring at me like I'm an alien. And you thought dogs were a man's best friend. So much for a "best friend" who forgets you after a bare 34 days. 

With only a week to adapt back to Singapore before the new semester starts, I'm hoping it passes by as slowly as it can. 

I'm already sweating as I type this post. 

I heard the weather here is hot like an oven. And most of the new clothes I bought were long sleeves. Kill me already. I've hardly sweat in Wuhan that it kinda feels weird sweating now in Singapore.

Thank goodness there's no jet lag or things would be so much more worst. 

Nevertheless, I'm home. :)

Well, time to go unpack my luggage!

BK.

Can we just do without a title?

0954 hours in the morning and I'm blogging. Can't think of a nice title so I'll just do without it.
Anyways, I've not been blogging for some time because of the PBLs and FBLs and reflection journals. Doesn't help that my internet isn't fixed yet.
So, I was shopping by the street the other day when I encountered the black society/mafia/gu waak zai (古惑仔). They were collecting protection fees, "rental" for a nice name, from a few vendors. Not too sure of the exact situation but it seemed like those vendors were new and never "seek permission" to set up their stalls there. So those guys in all black suit were folding their arms and standing in a circle around those stalls, who were tend by mainly old aunties and uncles. Well of course they scurried to keep their goods and make a quick escape, and so did I. Not exactly wise to be standing beside one of them and watch what goes on when I'm in all black suit too.
Quite the eyeopener for me because I only see such things from watching Gu Waak Zai, never in real life. Probably because the street vendors in Hong Kong, Bangkok and Taiwan all pay their rentals on time, or I just don't encounter them.
Yes, I don't see such thing often in Singapore.
Not like I go Bugis street everyday or something but, as far as I'm concerned, such things are unheard of in Singapore. Isn't it heartwarming to know that the police are doing their job to keep Singapore safe and that the income tax your parents are paying isn't going to waste? :) (I wasn't being sarcastic okay!)
I'm not saying the police in China isn't doing their job. Every two days the police bus comes into our backstreet and grab a couple of guys away. And you thought it was safe because it's near a school. These guys are jeopardizing my supper I tell you. The situation is something like having to be on guard and keeping your heads low while going to 7-11 to get something at 9pm. Well, unless you're at Downtown East, there's no need for that.

This trip is really making me appreciate Singapore a whole lot more.
BK.

Learning the arts of Tai Chi at Mt Wudang.

Yes, you may call me a Tai Chi master right now.
To be specific, I specialize in the "pushing" part of Tai Chi.
Can you believe that it took us about 2 hours to get to the Golden Summit and of it, more than 90 mins of pushing and squeezing. Mr Phua coined the terms "farmer attitude" and "agriculture intellects", literally meaning 农民态度.
Back in Singapore we make the "Tch" sound the moment someone bumps into us and like here, you can scream all you want and everyone else is just gonna go ahead of you. They don't care if you're old or young, boy or girl, fit or handicapped, they just push if it means getting there faster. And if you thought staring or saying, "excuse me aunty" is going to work, be prepared for a cultural shock.
I guess they're as "kiasu" as some Singaporeans are?
(Little wonder why China people are relatively slim; they exercise all the time!)
It's like every time I see those yellow markings on the MRT platform telling you to line up and give way, I find it redundant and some what mocking.
I mean, for a developed country who claims to be courteous, it's ironic that we need markings to remind us to line up and give way? Putting that up does show foreigners that we do lack courtesy to some extent, right? And it's not like a few yellow paintings with arrow signs is gonna encourage one to change his attitude, nor does stepping on it help any much.
I guess such attitude needs to be changed if Singapore, or China for that matter of fact, wants to be as developed as she claims to be. I don't see any pride in such claims of having high growth, so much money in reserve and high technology development if the people are crude and have no manners.
Perhaps it's time to start appreciating those courtesy campaigns I always used to laugh at.
Hmmm...

BK.

IhavenoideawhatIampostingaboutrightnowandIampostingjusttocompletemyassignment.

Location: Lying down on my bed with eyes half opened, 1143hrs.

I realized that the stray dogs in Wuhan all got standard one. They're not some zhapalang breed like those we have in Singapore. They're all quite pretty, except for the skin disease.
Then again, these stray dogs were probably abandoned by the people here. Wuhan-ers seem to be quite the dog lover.

So cute right! It's fat and bouncy and its ass is HUGE. And, it's not greedy, unlike the two dogs I have back at home. The owner was trying to train her to eat the leftovers that dropped on the table but she was more interested in cuddling with her owner.
Moving on...
Here's a picture from our picnic the other day with a story to tell.

According to Nancy Jie Deng Yi, this tree is called a Yang Shu. Apparently, the Yang Shu grows vertically upwards, and its trunk does not go sing-eh (crooked). In the olden time, a man who is straight (and I don't mean he's not gay) and has good moral values is often associated with the Yang Shu. Heh! Mother Tongue lesson 101!
It's just sad that back in Singapore, 90% of the MT lessons focuses on how to memorize passages and learn how to write the words and how to write essays. Yes, results mean so much more than knowing how the proverbs came about. @_@
Damn I miss Mr. Huang's lessons.

Anyways! Gotta cut short my blog post to let Justin blog cos I'm using his Ethernet port! Tata for now!
BK.

HDB in China?

Location: On my bed in thick clothing, 1510hrs

Am supposed to be doing my final PBL for the CAM module but my two group mates are sleeping like logs. Guess it's cos of the cold weather here.
Anyways, have been around Wuhan by bus and taxi and I realized something common here and in Singapore: The architecture.
Look at this:

If you were to ignore the congestion, it pretty much looks like the HDB we have back in Singapore, especially the few blocks opposite HDB Hub at Toa Payoh.
We all know that Singapore is looking towards vertical living due to our lack of land, but China? It's one of the largest country and yet, they are doing it as well. Imagine what it would be like in Chongqing, the largest populated, erm, state/province in China. Then again, it's probably a sign of the country's progress and development. Either ways, it's yet again good to have a familiar sight here abroad.

And another thing is, they have plants on the roads too!

It's not everywhere, but on majority of the roads. Quite a few similarities with Singapore, I must say.

Skyscrapers/condominiums and green trees. If a Singaporean has not been told this picture was taken in Wuhan, it's quite possible for him to assume it was taken in Singapore. From the highways to the buildings and apartments to the green trees and grass along the roads, Wuhan does indeed have some similarity with Singapore in this aspect, albeit the air quality.

Time to wake up the two sleepy-heads and complete our project!
BK.

Picutures, pictures, and more pictures!

Location: On my bed with my lappy toppy, 1237hrs

Mad hungry but! 

Still have time for some photos!

Gonna buy 4D for this number when I get back in SG

I do make my bed okay! 

My makeshift bedside table! 

My bed! I'm having so much problems about where to hang my clothes. 

My poor Ethernet port is spoiled! :(

My toiletries rack. So neat right! And I bathe in Dettol!

Never, ever, ever complain about toilet bowls again.

Water heater tank! Yay!

Room heater! Yay again!

THAT BABY IS A BALL! 

A BALL I TELL YOU! 

Rolly and bouncy! Wonder what will happen if she falls down?

Boing! 

Her bally brother/friend!

Okays! Having fun (I guess) here in Wuhan! Will post more pics if I have them!
Gonnna be away to the 3 Gorges Dam so won't be posting anything for 3 days?
BYE NOW! GONNA GO SHOPPING AND EATING AND! OMG!
BK

I. CAN. FINALLY. POST. PICTURES. HA.HA.HA.HA.HA!

 

 

This fat cat is very smart! She poses for us, then runs into the store to "lure" us in to patronize it. Meow!

Taken at the Yellow Crane Tower, quite nice scenery there!

Word used to describe my expression: Bullied. :(

Refer to my second post about eating a huge bowl of ramen. This is it! 38RMB (8SGD) for that! Explains why I'm fatting.

The three of us from 1PO2.

Epic moment where we ate cup noodles on the floor in the airport while waiting for our transit flight. Beggars for 15 mins.

Our little doodle during OIE class today.

OKAY! TIME TO GO BUY FOOD FROM THE BACK STREET! BYE BYE BLOGGER, HELLO FOOD!

BK

To run, or not to run? That is the question.

Location: On my bed in sports gear, 1555hrs

Gonna go for a run later. Time to start burning those fats I gained every since I came to China. Food here is way cheap and nice, albeit too salty and a tad oily.

So currently, I have no access to internet cos my Ethernet port is spoilt. You know that kind of feeling when you meddle with your own port and still get no internet, then get fed up and use your roommate’s port and instantly get to go online? Take my word, it’s frustrating.

-Away for run, be right back-

Alright alright, I ought to stop whining. So anyways, while I’m still typing this on MSwords, I am still unable to upload pictures onto my dull and wordy blog. I spent 20 mins loading the page to upload my pictures onto blogger and nothing happens. Maybe it’s Google Chrome’s problem? Okay, shall try using Firefox to blog later.

I kinda regret not taking pictures of the dormitory room from the other WUST campus yesterday. Or rather I regret forgetting to do so, if there’s such a thing.

Alrighties then. I’m off to dinner! Tata!

BK

Visit to the other WUST campus

Location: Snuggling in my cozy sleeping bag, 0001hrs

Visited the other WUST campus today! (Well it does have a name, not "the other campus", but I can't remember it already so!) Must say it’s a really fruitful and eye-opening trip.

Went to take a look at how the China student’s dormitory looked like and was taken aback by their hospitality. The room initially had 4 students and after I entered, the other students just kept flocking in to have a chat. According to them, they never had such a personal experience with a foreigner before cos hardly any foreigner visits their dorm. This probably explains why everyone was so curious and friendly.

If the same situation was to happen in Singapore, given that we have local students living in the dorms, I doubt the same kind of hospitality and friendliness would be experienced. Perhaps it’s the difference in culture and upbringing that makes us Singaporeans shy and not willing to take the first move. Here in China, they are very enthusiastic and hence, friendly and passionate. Flooded with questions, I had to struggle to answer all of it in Mandarin. Ironical enough, they thought I spoke Mandarin much more accurately than they did. (Inserts a huge HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA to whoever said I have a short tongue) I guess it’s the difference in the accent that’s why?

PS: This is typed in MSwords cos I have no internet access.

BK

Macdonal's delivery in Chinese!

Very interesting day today!
We ordered Macdonal's delivery cos we were working on our learning journal until it was too late/too cold to go out for food. (Nothing to do with our laziness at all!)
So like I went to google for the procedure to order Macdelivery and like there was an option for English, which made things easier for me. Or so I thought.
I ended up talking to the operator in Mandarin cos she couldn't hear me say Heping Avenue, so I had to say 和平大道 instead and the conversation took off in Mandarin.
I must say though, her English was quite accurate and she kept repeating herself in English every time she spoke in Mandarin.
After settling the order, the deliveryman called me to double confirm our address. I answered with the China accent (no harm/insults/whatnots intended, it just came naturally) and like went:
Wei? - Hello?
Shir-shir - Yes yes.
Eh, dyui dyui. - Eh, yups yups.
Ah, dyui, hao ma er-er-er! - Ah yes! Number 2 2 2!
Har-o de! (with the tongue roll) - Oooooooooooooooooo-kai!

Never excepted myself to spend over 15 mins on the phone just to get dinner. Back in Singapore, the phone call usually last hardly 3 mins, apart from the waiting time to get to speak to the operator. So comes my first experience of having a language barrier. I ought to be thankful both the operator and deliveryman spoke slow enough for me to catch what they were saying.
KIDS! -That being anyone reading this- Listen to Chinese class if you want your food delivered to your door step! Time to start (selectively) appreciating what's being taught in School.

Sorry for the boring and wordy blog post. Will get pictures from Dawn soon!
BK

Settling in!

Location: My fluffy bed, 1127 hrs
Quite a rough start today I must say. No breakfast for us, meaning I starved from 0000 hrs until our brunch at 1130 hrs. Food here is insanely cheap though. Restaurant food for an equivalent of SGD8. That's almost the same amount of money you spend on Macdonalds if you forgot to ask for student meal.

-Imagine me with a huge bowl of ramen here. Blogger's not uploading my photos-

The student guides here are really nice and hospitable. We sort of made them walked up and down the same street nearly four times. Back in Singapore, almost anyone would be annoyed and start losing their patience. Yet, our student guides look more confused rather than annoyed. An honest opinion: the weather is the answer for the vast difference in response. If it's cool and breezy, the people here are able to remain chill at all times. If the sun's bright and it's humid, people tend to lose their patience a whole lot easier.
Speaking of the cold weather, I am officially the heat-pack-warmer here. Yes, my duty is to warm heat packs until they are, well, warm and pass them to the owners.

Well then, that's it for today and it's time to sleep in my fluffy bed!
BK

First day in Wuhan

Location: Hostel room in Wuhan, 0205 hrs

After a total of 11 hours in airports and 2 hours of bus, we’ve finally reached our hostel.

An interesting observation is that the roads in Wuhan are well-lit like it is in Singapore. Random enough but, it kind of gives me a sense of familiarity. That’s probably cos not every country has road lights on every highway. And some of the highways resemble those we have back in Singapore. I guess it’s human nature to start linking our foreign environment to somewhere we are familiar with. In that sense, we feel a lot better and less stressed out.

If you’re wondering what I’m doing right now; I’m feeling stupid cos I didn’t bring an internet wire. My roommates, Issac and Justin, are surfing the net for soccer and Facebook right now. Me? I’m typing this blog post on MSwords so I can upload it onto the web some other day. That reminds me that I have no idea how to add a picture into my blog post.

Anyways, we had this really funny conversation in the plane just now:

Me: Eh, ask the air stewardess for a deck of poker cards leh.

DY: No have one, China people don’t play poker.

Me: So…. We should ask them for a set of mahjong?

Yes, we tend to sprout nonsense during long plane flights.

Okays then, time to sleep. Or probably watch soccer? Hmmm….

BK

EDIT: Soccer streaming was blocked by NPVPN and I KO-ed before the match even started.

Day before departure

Location: Singapore, home sweet home.

Plane heading for China, Wuhan, leaves in about 21 hours.
That means it's my last 21 hours in Singapore before I become China boy for 34 days.
It's situations like these that proves to us how fast time flies.
Seems like just yesterday when we were smsing our parents in class to get permission to go. And before I start sounding cliche, I'm actually quite excited to be leaving. Guess why?
Cos I heard they have chili padi there, which means I won't really be missing it that much.

Okays! Have fun missing me people!
BK