Day 10 - More History

Woke up at 8 and could not get breakfast as it was raining. Did I mention that the temperature also dropped to almost the same degree as the first day we been here. After my bath, I packed my clothing's for laundry.

I bought it to the store and the auntie there was like, "Wahh! So many. So I ended up paying 15 yuan because had to split the clothes load.

Went to class under an umbrella and still turned out to be the earliest again. After placing my umbrella to dry at the back, I opened the windows and was hit by the cold breeze as I took the pictures.
From the 7th floor, the view is really beautiful. Artistic?
The city life. Urban jungle as far as my eye can see.

Mr Wong conducting lessons on the white board for the first time. Wait! Not even our lessons. More like on the Three Gorges (三峡). And to be honest, his drawing is really my standard of drawing. Sorry.

Somehow, it got linked to Physics. The Dam that has water with potential energy and releasing it will result in kinetic energy that will turn the turbines to generate power. Thanks...

And, for lunch. went to the back alley to 打包(take-away) the 刀削面(noodles) and bought some (肉包)buns as well.

I was so clumsy that I nearly tripped over a ledge and spilled the soup contents on the floor and my pants. Looks like this pair of jeans is going to the laundry when I return.

Who says it's wrong to eat in class? But, I was starving as it is.

On to the IS lessons. History Part 2...

Maritime Silk Road. At first, I did not know what this picture is about. Then, upon closer inspection, I finally saw two boats on the banners on the sea (people)...

Ladies and Gentleman, Zee Min fell asleep and I managed to take this picture of her. After looking at this picture, she remarked, "I look like a 大头娃娃 (Big headed doll)"

The last emperor Pu Yi.

China as we know today, is surrounded by around 14 other countries.

Chairman Mao's calligraphy. He's a man of various talent.

A poem composed by Mao Zedong. Reading the English translation, I came to understand that chairman Mao is a rather poetic soul. The original version in Chinese is rather difficult for me to comprehend.

Another of his Great Works. After reading the translation alone, I felt like Chairman Mao was inspired by the beauty of nature as well as historical lectures.

As I intend to learn more about the Arts in China, I felt really inspired and full of praise for Mao Zedong.

Maoism= The Way of Mao. China people are all impressed and follow his thinking along with the little red book.

Dengism=Deng Xiao Ping's Theory.

The difference between Chairman Mao and Deng Xiao Ping is their ideology. Mao Zedong focuses on the needs of the people while Deng Xiao Ping focuses more on China's economy and stability.

Religion Time! Confucius (confusion next) has many quotes including, the above 3.

This relatively a funny conversation. Good command of English may be best in understanding the whole thing.

Day 9 - Simple Day

Ahh, there was no lesson for early morning but still, I woke up early to get my breakfast before lazing around in bed and doing the assignment until 12.30 as well as watching YouTube.

Then, we departed for lessons. There is really no need to rush since we are one the earliest again as it is. And along the way, Pei Jie had a packet of those gummy treats and she was attempting to catch it with her mouth by tossing it. She failed 5 times in a row. Those sweets are wasted.

Passed by the basketball court on our way to the classroom.

Only no 帅哥(handsome guys) playing ba.
Spring is here Look, the shy blossoms are blooming at last.

During class, Xiao Ling 老师, she started with a quiz. Pei Jie answered the question and was given a medal of honour- A pen.

Later on, she turned to pass me the pen because I was the one supplying the answers for her.

You are the top student, Pei Jie. Just kidding

See the objectives for 4 hours worth of lessons. The 2nd point of the objective is meant for history loving students. How on earth do you actually remember like 5000 years of history?

This is the Great Wall Of China.

The class also wanted to go to Beijing by rail which will cost 2000 yuan. But, the Great Wall...

The artificial Grand Canal.

Chinese people are inventors of their time. And the 4 of them are shown above.

Why does the early compass look so funny? Oh, still in progress.

Initially, gun powder was invented by accident. Taoists alchemists wanted to make the pill of immortality but ended up with gun powder instead.

Later on, gun powder was used in fireworks as well as military purposes.

Another invention. The Chinese character, "和"(peace) is written there. It signifies china's yearning for peace.

From here, I felt that peace does not come easy and we, as Singaporeans, must do everything in our power to protect our homeland because, Singapore is our home and no one else is responsible for our well-being.

The priceless pottery- Black in colour. I also want them.

The Three Sovereigns and the confusing time line.The picture of the Three Sovereigns...

And the same goes for the Five Emperors.

The Five Emperors...

Oracle Bones 甲骨文. Can be used for divination and fortune telling. Wait, I also wanted to try fortune telling as well.

See the evolution of Chinese characters? Back then the characters were derived from paintings to the real objects and now, it's been simplified.

Famous philosopher, legendary Kong Zi(孔子).

Another great person born before Kong Zi. 老子(Lao-tsu).

孙子兵法(Sun Zi and The Art of War) Having to read the bamboo compilations sounds like sheer delight but the weight is also no joke...

Everybody knows this famous emperor who unified China. Qin ShiHuang! Also in history one of the hated emperor as well as insane emperor(in my view).

He who commissioned the construction of the Great Wall had 2-3 million killed in the longest graveyard. Why would he not be hated? Also, I think he's somewhat obsessed with immortality and insane enough to consume mercury.

A zoomed n version of the Silk Road.

On the real map the Silk Road is this long. How many Singapore's is the distance equal to anyway?

Empress Wu Zetian. She was buried with a tombstone that's blank and so, many historians as well as modern day people are left to guess why she commissioned it this way. What do you think?

Tang Dynasty Summary. I think we went through about 5 dynasty. Seriously, now I know why I never choose history.But, it's quite fascinating as I did not fall asleep and kept penned down notes.

Then, met up with Xiao Ling and Kathy who actually introduced me to some nice food that became my dinner.

The others went out to eat but I already got mine so, rotten timing!! Oh well, next time then!!

Day 8 - Lost! Help for shopping

Woke up at 7 and attempted to wake Pei Jie up. But in the end,she decide to sleep in and so, I prepared myself and went to the back alley to purchase my breakfast. On the way back to my dorm, I saw this buggy.

It was meant for the security guards and so it made me think of a National Education message: We must ourselves defend Singapore.

I mean, no one owes Singapore a living and even here, they are taking no chances with the security system. We cannot take things for granted because if we did, we would end up losing everything.

My breakfast. I got to try 肉包(meat bun) priced at 50角(equals to 50 cents here) each. I also purchase hot soya milk.

Needless to say, soon, it was time for lessons. And again, theory for 2 hours. In the end, I read through the notes and afterwards, armed with some common sense as well, I attempted the quiz and completed it in a short period of time.

Met up with Amy and Xiao Ling and went to canteen for lunch together, I managed to get some fried rice today. It was piping hot as I quickly consumed it. Later, I left my laptop in their hands for repair while I went on to the lab lessons.
In the simulation practice today, Zee Min's computer simulation became stacking people.

After lessons, we went to do some shopping by taking bus 702 to Walmart in a 20 minutes ride.

Walmart logo there. Don't have it in Singapore.

The shopping centre. Seriously, it's all about shopping a it is.

Zee Min posing in front of the ice cream truck. Their cars are able to park all the way until the pavement. Imagine Singapore cars doing that and we get- Fines!

Also, it's in their culture not to horn nor signal when changing lanes. It's dangerous and we did not even notice the vehicle until it was near us. Were they expecting their people to be mind readers? It's really dangerous, I speak for all people's safety.

In the underground passageway. It's laden with stores down there.

Made it to Walmart. Actually, Zee Min and me stuck together as we got separated from the others.

In the fruits section. Snapped some locals buying fruits.

Rice is not sold in packet here. It's like, self-service to your own rice. Interesting.

The small watermelon. See, Zee Min means to say, "Look, so small!"

"恭喜发财" (Congratulations and Prosper) It's really larger then the tangerines by so much. Can I get a red packet?

There's so many of the itsy bitsy ones too.Can we can grow watermelons this small in Singapore? It's so convenient and unique.

Introducing the shopping Queens striking a pose. From Left- Masita, Pei Jie and Hajar. Look, they already have their stuff.

Nice view!

StarBucks Chinese name is so literally translated. Nope, we never had any cup of coffee as it is.

The KFC menu. So different from Singapore.

One of the staff also took our orders. In the end, I split the bill with Zee Min and share the food.

Did I mention that we keep going to the fast food restaurants to eat? Ahh, I need a decent meal sia.

The man- Wei Guang style.

Our model attempting to eat chicken......

Itsy Bitsy sized chicken- It looked so good on the menu....

Thereafter, Zee Min and me went for a shopping spree. We bade goodbye to the group as we went into the shopping mall. Zee Min bought a hat while I managed to settle my undergarments. My undergarments cost 138 yuan.

Then, we got lost. I mean it, we keep walking and walking trying to find our way back to the bus stop for bus 702. In the end, Zee Min had to call for hel while I smsed for help. Thankfully, we manged to get back.

Ahh, Not busy street again! We always jaywalk and seriously, we were also looking both ways at the same time.

Amy and Queenie returned me my laptop. They informed me that they can help me get it fixed on Saturday or Sunday. So thankful to all of them for helping me big time. It ain't cheap since I have to pay like 280 yuan for it.I hope it's worth it.

Lastly, we have lessons from 1 to 5 tomorrow. Alright. I get to rest.

Got some duck neck from Mr Wong. Tasty and spicy. Eating all this I wonder if I will have any voice tomorrow....