Day 17 - No more IS lessons

Woke up at 7 plus after hearing Hui Miang's alarm. Then, snuggled back to bed and fell asleep until 11.52.

Introducing my breakfast and lunch- Beef instant noodles. Don't feel like going out to get breakfast. So we went to Weiguang's room to get hot water for our noodles.

Afterwards, went for Xiao ling 老师's class. This time her lesson was on "Etiquette " and "Business in China".


One of the slides. We cannot call the service staff in China "Missy(小姐)". It seems to be rather offensive as it also carries another meaning- That you are interested in the service staff.

Confucianism and it's 7 core teachings with respect to being polite.

Whaa!! The best. We all heard of Coca Cola. But what about Pizza Hut? Intriguing thought.

Since I was so freaking bored in class(4 hours straight of history and I will see how others fare), I started taking random photos.

This is Zee Min and the others in the background all having different reactions by the time the lesson was into the 3rd hour.

I told you I was super bored. I look rather smug and deserve a slap huh?

Near the end of the lessons, we presented a token of our appreciation. Xian Yu, representing MDE division, went to present it and was in the spotlight.

See how happy Xiao Ling 老师 to finally get rid of us? Just joking. While her lectures my really be boring to some extent, I fell that she's really engaging and approachable.

The 3 lecturers 排排站(queueing up in a row) We have Mr Wong, Xiao Ling and Mr Cheong.

At last, I went back to my room, put my bag down and went to the street to find Pei Jie and Zee Min as I purchased my dinner.

Along the way, something's really different:

The street is finally coated with a fresh coat of paint! See those diamond shaped makings? They weren't there when I first arrived there... finally, they actually started to take note of the safety of fellow students.

And the zebra crossing. Finally, we all don't have to be labelled as jaywalkers anymore (although, we still do it discreetly).

I want to watch Animal Planet. Seriously, I am missing the feeling of lazing on my sofa and watching documentaries and cartoons while pigging out on snacks.

Why must the car make me remember about my comforts... Damn it.

And with that, I conclude the night by studying the BPE (Business Process Engineering) as there will be a test on chapters 1 to 5 tomorrow. All the way!!

Day 16 - Getting Warmer

Woke up by 8 through a vivid dream. Anyway, for a second there it felt like I was back home and waking up on my own bed. But, that's just a feeling that passed.

And there's presentation from 10 to 12. Luckily, Mr Wong drew lots by room number and so we would be the 2nd last group to present. So, let's watch the presentation order in sequence now, shall we?

First up, we see Zee Min and her teammates performance. Zee Min came in late and literally spilled out her presentation at the speed of a bullet. At least, I was able to understand it.

Next up, we have Stephanie's group. Since they mostly major in BPQE(Business Process Quality Engineering), they picked out a chart most common to them- control chart.

Xin Hui went next. She looked rather flustered and tensed in this picture.

And presenting the "Three Musketeers". We have Benedict, Randolph and Clive presenting.

And next, Franice's group.

Finally, my turn. Ok, I look outdated in this green and black sweater. My team members are Pei Jie and Hui Miang.

I had to operate Mr Wong's computer as well. So, I will be talking about Ishikawa Diagram or Fish bone Diagram as know more commonly.

I had no proper preparations, except that a few groups before me had also mentioned my point and so, I had several hints on where to go from there. See me looking back at the slides ...

The Fish bone Diagram on the screen. Here, I am listing some examples with reference to my Application of the Ishikawa Diagram.

Mr Wong looks way too serious that I am rather not used to him as it is. Why so serious, Mr Wong?

Confucius said that since our body is given by our parents, we cannot harm anything. Then, I have been cutting my hair in any style I please, but I am still a good child, ok?

China's sickening history of foot binding. Imagine the pain that girls have to live through back then. What 'Lotus foot'? More like 'Deformed foot'.

I feel really appalled that women have to bind their feet or else they would not be able to marry off. It's just so unfair(if they are forced to) and stupid that throughout history and modern days, women have to keep suffering all for the sake of fashion and beauty.

Seeing the above pictures, I am glad that in the modern world, woman are counted somewhat as equals.

The 10 laws that devoted Buddhist adhere to. I think that's impossible to adhere to all because we are all not perfect.

Once again, Zee Min fell asleep in class and this time, Hajar was egged by Weiguang to use her camera and take her picture. Poor girl, getting teased again.

I caught Mr Wong 'acting cute' again.

All the important people of China's government area. All of them in their late 30's to 50's.

I also learnt more about Taoism and Buddhism. Ultimately, all religion is created by ancient people who felt compelled to explain the 'universe'. And in turn, it is a philosophy that results in the birth of many religion.

Taoism is about ‘going with the flow' and just making life happy by living a simple life.

And by the way, 观音菩萨(Goddess Guan Yin) was origincally a male figure which was later dipicted as female. At the end of the day, I finally realise that I prefer the philosophy of Tao and would adhere to it's main rules to being happy.

Spring time and the trees all now have green leaves. And to think that when we arrived back then, the trees were all bare. Time flies fast.

Went back to my room to feast on bananas that I bought. Also, went back to learn that the Internet connection was cut off.

I went to speak with the lady in charge of the hostel and was told I had to find another china lecturer. Just as I was contemplating on my next move, I saw Mr Cheong(Another division's lecturer). I quickly related the problem as Mr Cheong called Mr Wong.

Soon enough, someone came to repair the cable. It turned out that the main cable was disconnected causing all other connections to ground to a halt.


Went to the alley to purchase dinner with Zee Min. For dinner, I had 牛肉拉面(Beef Ramen, I think). I also managed to purchase an egg tart(蛋挞) and a loaf of red bean filled bread. But I find the egg tart too sweet to my taste.

Afterwards, went back to her room to eat the dinner.

Departed for my room and dash out again to go to the mini mart that Zee Min pointed out can buy water. I bought 12 bottles of 1.25 litres priced at 20 yuan. Going by some mental calculations, I think it's worth it as 1 bottle will be at 1.67 yuan.

Along the way, I spotted:

The street padddlers were all packing up after a car horned at them. Just who are these people?

Answer: Somewhat like our Singapore Traffic Police. Sorry for the blur image. My digital camera was too slow in response.

I concluded the day stating that the temperature here is literally getting warmer and much more pleasent. If only this kind of weather would last..

That's all folks, night!

Day 15 - Steel Industry visit

Woke up early at 6 to bath and to eat some light breakfast. Later assembled at the main gate and boarded the bus to get to the place.

The safety helmets look really... Hey mum, your 'sentosa's hat'. I get to wear it again.

The 'special' bus that is allowed into the factory. Other buses are not allowed.

I got some free sweets. From 旺旺 . Chewable too!

See the internal railroad. Internal means that the train operates to deliver goods within the boundaries of the factory.

It's not fun because we had to stop and wait to allow the train's passage.

Caught 3 factory workers slacking. Introducing Masita and Hajar and lastly, Pei Jie.

The factory area. See the railway lining this area?

Group Photo. Mr Wong, you are our group member ah? Must do your part in the projects...

We went into the factory whereby no cameras were allowed as a safety measure.

After donning our helmets, we had to move along the passageway and as we did that, a large piece of moulded steel came out, piping hot from the furnace. We all could feel the radiating heat that soars to 900 degrees. No wonder we were all drawing back.

That steel plate was then moved along the conveyors and then using jet waters from another machine, it was cleaned of impurities on the surface. The steel was moving back and forth on the conveyor before progressing.

Afterwards, the steel was later sent to another machine to compress and shape it into large coils ready for direct shipment. I learnt they practiced a Just-in-time (JIT) theory.

Honestly, the noise pollution was really deafening. I had to cove my ears for most of the parts, especially when the crane hovered over us to dispose off scape metal.

The above mentioned process may be lacking as I was not able to see the entire process and so, unable to confirm the whole thing. Mr Wong did fill in the blanks for the process.

MDE students, let's go. Wait, are we students or workers?

Went for lunch with Xin Hui, Weiguang, Nadiyah, Hashanah, Pei Jie, Zee Min and Xiang Yu. Naturally, with respect to the NE message, we have to preserve racial and religious harmony and so, we went to eat Halal food.

I must admit that the blend dishes are tasty and with fresh vegetables, we really were digging in.

Along the way back to our room, I managed to buy this packet of yougr, flavoured with Aloe Vera (芦荟). It's tasty and soon, I finished it up. Initially, the deal was to purchase 4 for 10 yuan and you also get a free cup. Well, Pei Jie walked away with the vup as I got this drink which is good enough.

I spy Hajar falling asleep in class. Can't blame her. We are somewhat tired and also, check out the 'fashionable' orange tees most of us were still decked out in.

We still had lessons at 1. Mr Wong was highlighting aspects of manufacturing steel which we could not see such as the moulding of steel, adding of alloys as well as the cutting of the finished coils.

What have I learnt for today? Chapter 6.

I had instant noodles for dinner.

So, night!!

Day 14 - Tug of War

Woke up feeling relatively cold. I realised that I was late by 30 minutes as I had forgotten to set the alarm properly. Lucky me.

Anyway, on the way to class, Pei Jie, Zee Min and me came across this sight on the basketball court. They were having a game of tug of war. We could have played as well but we had to rush for class as it is.

Come on, pull harder!

During lessons, Mr Wong asked the class how we find the trip to the Three Gorges and many of them went in unison, "boring."

I beg to differ, I found it really relaxing and wonderful experience. Can say I have unique tastes as compared to the others?

Also, the Flexsim software was getting harder by the minute.

Spent the rest of the time slacking in my room.

For dinner, went to the backstreet for some street food. Once again, I purchased some fried rice, this time, with eggs. (鸡蛋炒饭). Seriously, I am getting addicted to the streets 肉包. Oh my god...

Seriously have little idea what to get for gifts. Ok, Don't have to say no need to because I already bought some foodstuff intended as gifts. But I think that I still need many more souveniers as it is.

Well, night, folks!

Day 13 - Long bus ride back

Had to wake up early for breakfast. Zee Min and I ended up being the last two again.

And on to the 5 hour bus journey whereby I manged to sleep a little but also, my neck was aching because of the wrong sleeping position.

Finally, stopped at another store where we get many more goodies for the room or as gifts. I managed to secure food packages that is locally made.

Initially, I wanted to purchase the group in a plastic bag that costs 100 yuan. Then, I decided to purchase individual packets at 16.50 yuan each meaning that in total, I only have to pay 66 yuan. So much cheaper and total costs can be lowered.

I also purchased some honey candy.

Finally, reached school and had my laptop back with me.Thanks to the postwoman, Kathy. Thus far, the keyboard is really springy as compare to my previous laptop. Although, there are some markings on the screen, I think.

Anyway, had great time at the three gorges as well as the ferry. Truth be told, the ferry's bed are way better though.

Well, finally concluded the trip with a stiff neck to boot.

Day 12 - Silvermoon's cruise

Breakfast on the ship is served as shown below:

There's warm soya milk, hard boiled eggs, porridge. I just ate whatever I could lay my hands on.

After some breakfast, Zee Min and me went on to the deck whereby we took some pictures and started singing loudly to the tunes and songs from 环珠格格(Pearl Princess). At that moment I really felt like we were in the film's era through our songs.

The Silver moon's behind view. Her jet powered engines caused such waves.

Another view from the deck.

This mountain reminds me of the pyramids in Giza only that it's natural.

Silver Moon herself looks something like this ferry.

We had to change ferry as we will be venturing into smaller tributaries from now on.

A bridge! I had no idea why I keep snapping bridges one after another.

This is Mr Wong and one of the tour guides. Mr Wong is confirming about the timing of the trip.

The ferry has some business as well. Here, antiques as well as some jewellery are sold.

Once again, another group picture on the ferry.

See the turquoise water and clear reflection? Exactly what I wanted for a vacation... also something I will seldom get.

Another type of bamboo that pandas can eat. (Look, Mr Wong told me that) Focus on the green part, please.

The peak that is prefect to practice Titanic. Just kidding.

A crevice that nests birds or bats. More likely the latter.

And the tributary brunch we are on is known as 神农峡(Shen nong is an ancient emperor revered as god of agriculture).

Since this area was famous for herbs, I initially wanted to look at the wild herbs but it was not allowed t as this place is a natural reserve for the wild herbs.

A local boy.

We were then sub divided into smaller group to fill the 'sampan'. All of us put on our life vests as the local tourists start to introduce themselves.

Well, the rowers are so 辛苦(tiring and hard work). And the tour guide asked, "Guess where is the head of the boat?"

Obviously at the back because you don't see him actually rowing the boat now, do you?

As we sail by here, we are told this is an old town that will be demolished or flooded as the villagers moved to higher grounds.

And their work's never done. The rowers also had to hoist the boat. Back in the olden days, they were rather naked and so, many of us were disappointed that there wasn't such re enactment.

Our local tour guide who clasped her hands to the stance of an opera singer and sang her folk songs well and loud.

We also were introduced to the CD's containing her local folk song priced at 28 yuan each. So commercialised.

Along the journey, apparently, the disc is not refundable as a guy in out boat dropped the disc into the gaps of the boat and so, had to purchase it. The tour guide also refused the return of the wet disc and cover and so, Xiang Yu swapped it.

It made me feel put off. While it is true that she should be selling the discs, accidents happen after all.

Back on shore, I went up to see Mr Wong purchasing some potatoes from the local children. I admire their courage and impressed. In Singapore, kids their age should only be having fun and not working at all.

There's supposed to be the famed 'Hanging Coffin' inside there. Erm, I could not capture it.

Back on Silver Moon and just in time for lunch. A plain fare.

As we travelled further upstream, these mountains resembled a clenched fist.

At last, one of the three gorges. A rock that was said to take on the shape of a woman. A typical heartbreaking story around the rock- That of a wife waiting for her husband.

See something that looks like a tablet there in the middle top middle of the photo? That's named after a plaque(of sorts) placed outside the Capital in the past to announce the scholars who passed the imperial exams.

Yea. We enjoy the camera and the view as well.

An abandoned and old temple situated on the hill. Now we know why it's abandoned, it's on high grounds.

This peak is another part of the three gorges. It resembles (should) the picture of the mountain on the 10 yuan note. Seriously, is it the same one?

The beautiful setting sun on the deck. In the open air, as the cruise sails, the setting sun casts a super reflection that made me recall that this is a never ending cycle. Like Yin to Yang and life to death.

By nightfall, we finally reach the place.

This is the temple whereby I was ushered to pray for peace while I still had little idea what's going on. I was given a packet of rice and told to donate 99 yuan. In the end, a tour guide came to my rescue and I paid only 2 yuan. It's the though and sincerity that counts and not the amount.

I find it scary that the monks wold use such tactic to make quick bucks. It seems to be going against buddha's principles.

A wooden coffin. And iinside, there's money because people believe that by throwing money into the coffin, you will have wealth (丢钱在棺材，年年都有财）Pun on the last characters.

Bones of an elderly man and a child found in a coffin that is smaller in size. Scary to see skulls loooking at you.

By touching the bark of this tree, it is said to bring luck and peace to the person. Go and touch the photo, whahaha.

I am not sure what is this statue of but women use their right hand and man use their left hand only to touch all parts of the statue. Said to make you stress free, no backpain and all, it's great fun as people kept 'molesting' the statue even with use of wrong hands.

An ancient room.

And beside the ancient room, stalls were all selling combs. Many of the others purchase combs at 50 yuan that is said to be healthy for the hair.

Much later, As Zee Min and me passed by the shop, she saw the exact same comb at a mere 38 yuan and kept complaining to me that she felt cheated. Take it as a lessson learnt, everyone, never just buy anyting directly in China. We all have to source before buying.

Words that I have never written or read before. But still, it's artistic.

Ancient Chinses used to write from pictures that resemble the animals which later became simplified chinese. But these writings give us an insight to ancient chinese's writing which resembles drawings to tell a story.

A place to commerate Liu Bei as well as Zhu Ge Liang from The Three Kingdom. 白帝城 is loosely translated into City of White King.

Sedans that could carry us up the stairs (my legs went numb). Of course, we had to pay for the service.

On our way back, we came across this sign:

We have to pay for such service. Wait. When does the temple even become such money grabbers? This is too much.

Along the way, we all stopped at the provision shop whereby I managed to get some biscuits for the long journey back.

Thereafter, went back to our room in Silvermoon for dinner before I retire for the night.

There's televison in our room! Cool.

Oh yea, I got stuck in the toilet 2 times and both times, I had Zee Min to bail me out. Thanks. Actually, Zee Min was te first one to get locked in and her situation was even worse. She had went back to her room and locked the door before getting herself locked in the toilet.

We all could not enter the room and helped her. Xiang Yu went to get a staff with the master key and we finally rescued her. No wonder Zee min hates that toilet and I think that someone up there hates me enough to try and trap me...