Tourism Court

Went Tourism Court resource centre on friday to do some research. Small, but the ambience was damn elegant. Got an English feel.

RWS

No time to make an entry. Aniwae i managed to go rws last wed wif ryan. It was amazing, felt just like I was overseas.

I should be going into universal studio by this year end, as soon as de rides are all fully opened.

Went airport yesterday and today to do ma sch proj. Notihng worth mentioning.

Two more weeks to recess.

Numbed is my heart

One word to describe my heart - numb....

Lost my iPhone few weeks ago, now laptop is going to spoil anytime... and today? My bicycle was being stolen while I parked it at tanah merah mrt station. I think the thief must be really poor... even a 79 bucks' bicycle oso don't let off. Maybe because my bicycle looks beautiful. Coz I'm good at buying a product cheap and looks good. Tat's a true value-for-money item.

Now I gotta walk that lonely long road home. 10 mins! Cycle onli needs 3 mins.

If onli got circle line to ma block.

Lost so much at one go. Don't feel anything liao. Numbed. Better to lose maself oso. Life sucks.

Mum's birthday

Went airport for dinner at soup restaurant cos it's mum's birthday today.

Saw many idols carrying a signboard with korean words written on it, as they screamed and ran around like crazy. Dunno which korean star it was.

Went ya-kun before going home.

So tired.

The photocopy room

After 2 years of education in NTU, I have not only been taught on business concepts, but life-skills that are self-taught also. One of these life-skills include learning the ropes of operating a photocopy machine (a.k.a. the photocopier).

I was given the opportunity to photocopy textbooks in the reference library, which would otherwise cost me a bomb if I were to purchase them. (More than 7 textbooks by now).

My mentor was an auntie who works in the photocopy room. From the moment I stepped into the room, she would start off by saying: "2-sided? Book type? etc etc......"

Now I am confident in doing the work by myself, and making the necessary adjustments accurately (otherwise I would waste 1 cent for every print that wasn't well-aligned).

Photocopy machines these days are so advanced. Not only do they have only one button "start," they have many other functions requiring me to tap into my intuition and correct judgment before I hit on that button, in order to yield the best print result.

If there is a module on the complexities of modern photocopy machines, I think I can get 'A' for it.

When can I ever graduate from the photocopy room?

Photocopying work is so mundane. But still, it is better than having so many projects to clear for this semester. If only they just require me to flip from right-to-left, right-to-left, right-to-left...

My brain is now functioning from right-to-left as well (and hope you do so too in order to get an understanding of my core idea):-

.SSERTS-REDNU

First three days of July

First day of July (Thu)

Went to find my colleagues for lunch after gym near where I worked for the past six months. Had omelette fried rice at a restaurant called New Island Coffee along Zhuhui Road (竹辉路). Only 28 yuan. Purpose for finding them was also to have them help me print out my e-ticket.

Booked an AirAsia flight from Hangzhou to KL next wed. Then I will meet mum for Genting before returning back to Singapore on Saturday.

Time really flies. 6 months just whizzed past in a slow blink of eyes. Yesterday seems like 13 Jan 2010. That dinner at Dian Xiao Er in T3, that Braun Buffel wallet that I received.

Anyway after my lunch, I went to buy ticket for the airport coach. Suzhou, being a booming financial city, has no airport unfortunately. The nearest airport is either in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Wuxi or Nanjing. To Shanghai and Hangzhou, it's about 2-hour bus journey. Sickening~

Went to a salon which I still had a prepaid card with credit left unused worth over 60 yuan. So I decided to go for a thai style head massage for 30 plus yuan. Now I'm still left with 30 plus yuan. But don't think I am going anymore. Each time I enter a salon in China I will have stage fright. Because there are many staff standing there, countless pairs of eyes looking at you. Low labour cost. That's why.

A bar along Shiquan Street (十全街) where my salon is located

Final stop was Times Square (圆融时代广场). On the way there I saw a guy carrying umbrella. The sun here is indeed harzardous. Especially now that heatwave is sweeping across China, in what seems like an outdoor sauna. You'll sweat just by standing outdoor in less than 1 minute. But I don't detest it, because I know this will help me burn my calories.

Outside Auchan Supermarket (欧尚超市)

九光 Department Store in Times Square

Went to a dessert outlet and have coconut sago (海底椰西米露) and a banana pancake. Beside my table were Singaporeans. 1 of them was so "yaya" (arrogant) when demanding that the service crew be "快点！" (faster). That fat ugly man.

Walked to Moonlight Harbour (月光码头), which is my favourite spot, to see it for the one last time, and to say goodbye.

This ferris wheel (摩天轮) is where I visited first and foremost when I reached here in January; it always reminds me of Singapore Flyer and Marina Bay

In fact, Suzhou industrial park is very much like Singapore, with plenty of tree-lined boulevards, and high-rise apartments.

Dinner at a crab specialty restaurant (迷宗蟹).

Second Day of July (Fri)

Went to the gym in the morning. Boarded a bus (no. 2) wanted to go to Lingyan Mountain (灵岩山) but got off the bus 2 stops later due to the sweltering heat. Returned home and slacked before going to Hanshan Temple (寒山寺) at 3.30pm instead after the weather got better, even though still hotter than Singapore. Taxi from home was 37 yuan. Entrance fee 10 yuan (student). Went in to ring the bell 3 times inside a pagoda 5 yuan.

Visiting temple in China isn't like visiting temple in Singapore. Temples in China can earn big bucks from entrance fees and sale of joss sticks (some 60 yuan and upwards depending on the size and popularity of the temple).

Being a poor student like me, I can only afford to press both of my palms together, and drop 2 yuan coins into the donation box.

Took a bus to Guan Qian Street, and then bus 178 to Xiangmen (相门) where I had dinner at a street known as 相门后庄 with full of foodstalls. I had cold noodles (凉面)

Third Day of July (Sat) - Today

Went to Mudu Watertown (木渎水乡古镇) and Lingyan Mountain today. Was super sunny and hot when I left home, but upon reaching it was drizzling. Hate the rain. The former paled in comparison with Zhouzhuang, Tongli and Zhujiajiao watertowns. And with the summer season into play now, trees are growing thick into what looks like a tropical rainforest to me.


Lingyan Mountain reminded me of climbing Bukit Timah Hill, with a temple at the top and boasts of good view of Suzhou city and beyond (entrance fee 1 yuan, cheapest joss stick here 10 yuan). The walk downhill was challenging. Fell once due to the steep incline and slippery path with algae. Then almost slipped another time.

同人不同命啊 (Same human, different lives)

Reached back to my neighbourhood at 4pm and went to the gym till 5.05pm.

Had dinner at In City of spicy soup mee hoon (麻辣汤) but I requested for non-spicy.

Singapore chicken curry

Went gym in the morning, napped in the afternoon, before having chicken curry at Food Loft restaurant in In City for dinner. 30 yuan. Ronald had hainanese chicken rice for 25 yuan, and said it tasted similar to the one he had in Singapore. I felt my chicken curry was nice too.

Went for body massage and cupping (拔灌) before returning home at about 9 plus.

Karaoke

Went to the gym this morning, and then to Guan Qian Street. Had lunch at Yong He Soya Bean (永和豆浆). Ate century egg porridge, you char kway and warm soya bean.

Sang for an hour at a KTV, although the package was 3 hour at 38 yuan. Left home when wl called to say she has forgotten to bring her key. Anyway I can't sing any further, so I left home. Cooked white porridge for dinner.

Farewell dinner

Had my farewell dinner yesterday at Guan Qian Street before going ktv. A taiwanese and japanese cuisine restaurant.

My farewell gifts...

A keepsake since I don't know really use it... 488 yuan!

I like blue, so I'm always having "blues" - no wonder!

Although the size fits me, but I can keep a small chicken inside

From Shanghai World Expo - Romania Pavilion

And this?? Oh! It's my dinner. Initially it was one piece. I thought of heating it up in the microwave so that its oil will secrete and I can absorb it using tissue paper (health-conscious); who knows the salted egg exploded inside the microwave - what a mess!

Thank God its not the whole microwave that had exploded... now I have 1 more phobia besides phobia of height.

Going to bed soon. Yesterday had insomnia again. This time round caused by hazy weather condition due to forest fire somewhere. And irritating mosquito bites!

Suzhou's theme park

Went Suzhou's theme park today (苏州乐园). Rode on tornado, vertical drop and 2 other types of roller coaster. Returned h0me feeling nauseous and took medicine before going In City for dinner at a 麻辣锅 (spicy pot) restaurant.

Had orange and lemon juice for 10 yuan from the food court.

My usual breakfast - cornflakes, scrambled eggs

Suzhou's theme park reminded me of Tokyo Disneyland, although the rides here are much more thrilling.

Guan Qian Street, Massage, Simon's Cafe

Thursday 03 June 2010

Went gym after work before taking a cab to Guan Qian Street where I bought 1 book on Cruise Vacation (for work purpose because I am doing a cruise guide booklet for Chinese market), a hand-drawn map of Suzhou and a book on China's top sceneries (for keepsake).

Bought dinner from Ajisen (char siew ramen) for 25 yuan, and took it to an outlet selling "过桥米线" where Ronald then told me that this food originated from yunnan. Men there have to do cultivation and going home for lunch is difficult. So, they will pour a layer of oil over the noodles in order to store it for a longer period of time.

Friday 04 June 2010

The sun at 4.30am... waking up to wear eye mask so i can sleep in total darkness

During the day, went Tian Hong Department (天红百货) and sat at coffeebean to use internet. Bought a coffee bread from a bakery opposite, after buying a bottle of vitamin b, melatonin and mosquito's ointment. Mosquitoes are in full blast now that summer is here. And oh, China is officially in summer w.e.f. from (21st of June) - 夏至.

At night about 9 plus, went massage at Ichiban Massage House in Suzhou New District - 1.5 hours for 75 yuan/pax. My neck almost broke.

Saturday 05 June 2010

Went Simon's cafe (where I had my birthday celebrated) for fruits, before going to the gym. Dinner at In City. Ate salmon at a Sushi restaurant (24 yuan) before having 麻辣烫 (spicy soup with vermicelli) for 10.50 yuan at a newly-opened food court. And a cup of freshly squeezed orange juice for 8 yuan.

Bringing the Singaporean culture to Suzhou

Bought eggs and fruits on the way back.

Cheap eggs, 10 for only 4.90 yuan (1.10 sgd)

My two favourite fruits now besides apple (these alone costs me 36 yuan)

Body massage

Went for body massage on friday with ronald at Suzhou New District, an outlet called "Ichiban Massage Club."

Indeed my masseur was skillful enough, such that I could hear the cracks and feel the pain.

Two hours for only 100 rmb. Includes "ba guan" (拔罐) (known as "cupping"), such that my back is now full of dark circles.

Prior to that we had lunch at In City. Conveyor belt sushi. Many plates with fresh salmon for only 75 rmb.

Just returned from running. Ate subway's smoked turkey ham sandwich for 23 rmb. Spooned half of the watermelon I bought for 1o rmb. Then cooked green bean soup again as dessert for afternoon tea.

Fruitful weekend

Another weekend is gone, this one is especially fruitful.

Got a shock seeing Walmart's trolley downstairs

Sichuan cuisine - middle dish was frogs' legs

Heading for night ride, partially opened top in cool late spring weather

I will miss this moment

Invitation to home-made dinner

Now Singaporeans are gathering at my place for barbequing at the roof top.

I am starting to miss Suzhou and my friends here...

I miss winter

Winter was long, spring seems short-lived, is summer here?

Past few days have been scorching hot during the day. Just like in Singapore, the kind of sun that you'll expect while walking down Siloso Beach on Sentosa Island, totally shadeless. I've blended into Singapore's weather now, so it won't be torturous when I return home in July.

Jan/Feb

Mar

April

May

Having four seasons are good. Now I miss winter.

Toured Wuxi, Suzhou and Changzhou over the 3-day weekend. Quite unlucky in two instances.

Instance 1 - Friday 30 April 2010

While in Wuxi, I boarded an earlier train hoping to get back to Suzhou earlier. I thought all Shanghai-bound train would stopover in Suzhou. In the end I got home nearly midnight. If I have abided by the time stated on my train ticket, I would have reached home by 10pm.

Instance 2 - Sunday 02 May 2010

As soon as gj and I reached Changzhou by coach, we went to the ticket office to buy our return ticket back to Suzhou. We told the counter gal 7 in the evening same day. But she said no more left. Only left with 10 o'clock. No choice we took the 10 o'clock ticket. Who knows when we turned up at 10.20pm, we saw that the coach station was already closed. On closer scrutiny, the ticket follows 24-hour format, and printed on the ticket was "1020."

In the end, we had to take a midnight train (0148) back to Suzhou. Reached home at about 0330.

Anyhow, I have spent a fruitful weekend. Fruitful in the sense that I have spent most of my time queueing (being labour day public holiday in China).

Sunday 02 May 2010 - Changzhou

Queued 3 hours for a thrill ride yesterday at Changzhou's Dinosaur Park (常州中华恐龙谷乐园), a theme park which is said to be China's disneyland. I felt extremely disappointed. No crowd and queue control. China people cutting queues like nobody's businesses, and I've seen incidences of near-fight.

At 1211...Queues starting to form behind me in less than 10 mins

At 1226...
At 1322...On the second level

At 1330...

At 1430...

At 1410...

GAME OVER!

Now I learn a new technique in cutting queue, but it can only work with 2 or more people. First of all, you must buy a cup of coke and some snacks, rush up from behind and then follow the script as follow:-

Person A (carrying some snacks，with head turning back to Person B while walking): 快到了，快到了。他们就在前面 [we're reaching soon, they are in front!].

Person B (carrying a cup of coke, with his head frantically looking out for his "invisible" friends ahead of the queue): 不好意思啊，请让开谢谢。哦！我看到他们了！Excuse me, I am sorry. Oh I've seen them!

Intially I don't even know they were cutting queues, until my china friend told me about it. Haha. Can try this out next time in Singapore's Universal Studios.

Saturday 01 May 2010 - Suzhou

Decided to stay in Suzhou. Went Tiger Hills where there was a flower festival. Instead of admiring the beauty of flowers, gj and I turned out to be admiring "human" nature. For once the whole of China's population seemed to have descended upon Suzhou. Every of my photo turned out to have some unknown heads or full-length photo of other people, either left or right or mutually inclusive!

This is what I mean, who's supposed to be the lead?

Bought mangosteen. To quench our thirst, as the weather soared to about 30 degrees celsius.

Saw this Singapore float by the river... felt homely, although I don't miss home

Went Carrefour to buy grocceries.

Friday 30 April 2010 - Wuxi

No class today. So I went Wuxi alone. Woke up early at 0700. Heard birds chirpping for the first-time, as the migratory birds are here to enjoy the warm weather.

Visited Lingshan Big Buddha 灵山大佛. Many people, but not too many, on this day since it was a friday and people needed to work. So I've enjoyed myself, and an ice cream under Buddha's feet.

Buddha are you craving for it too?