Monday, April 11, 2011

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.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

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.