Day 15: APPG Test 1 and Visit trip to Eco-City.

Today we have APPG Test 1 and then we have a visit to the eco-city. Studied hard last night, hope that I can do well for today test. So far, I think I can pass the test but may be no pass with flying colors.

Then we had lunch with Mr Tan at a “qing zhen” Restaurant. We ordered the normal dishes we usually order, but today we have additional spicy chicken. We finish almost all the dishes when the rice was served. So we ordered 1 more dish to go with it. By the time we finish eating, we found out it’s already 12:25 pm. So we hurried back hotel and get prepared.

When we board the bus, the tour guide gives us a good introduction. After a long journey, we have a toilet break. Then we continue with the journey. I don’t quite understand what he said, so I just took some pictures.

When we reach an industry area, I sat in front to take some pictures. Then Mr Tan help me to translate what he said. From what Mr Tan said, I can see how determine they are to actually make their country a more developed country. Having a lot of ties with other countries and also have industry from other country running their country. Then we came across a bridge with a lot of different type of wind turbine, from smallest to biggest. This shows how much power they need.

Then we stop by at the entrance of the eco-city. Get down the bus and took a lot of pictures, including jump shots. We had a great time taking pictures. Then we head down to the main building, the tour guide ask if we can go in. But we can’t so we have to head back to the hotel. At least we get to see what the area looks like and also I think that they are still under construction.

Then we went to vanguard shop to buy 2 cartons of water and other necessary things. I and Alif had dinner at KFC and the rest went to eat Glass Noodle. Which taste like Bee Hoon with “Satay” gravy.

I also notice that grass has start growing near the trees. Which means spring time is coming.

Day 14: APPG test 1 preparation and Traditional Chinese Philosophy and Etiquette lesson.

Today morning have APPG, going through past year test papers. In the afternoon, we have Chinese class and it’s about Traditional Chinese Philosophy and Etiquette.

I learn about a famous Chinese philosopher, Kong Zi (Confucius). His philosophy is called “ru jia si xiang”. He was also the first person in the world who teaches a group of children. Before that they only have 1 teacher teaching 1 student. I learn from him you must be “ren” (kind). From the Chinese word it shows a person and two. Which means must live happily with others. Also thought about “li” (manners), “ci xu” (order) and many more.

Then I learn about Zhuang Zi. His philosophy is called “dao jia si xiang”. I learn from him that live with freedom, “sheng ming zi you” (life freedom). He teaches other by using stories. He also said “don’t draw a gap when there is no gap”, “don’t draw alive from dead”, “don’t look yourself from others”, “you must have confidence towards yourself” and “no need to envy other people, everyone has their own life”.

I also learn about Chinese Traditional Manners. I learn 5 manners, which is what to do when you meet with each other, when you walk, when you sit, when you eat and during festival.

For what to do when we meet each other, we must our hand together with right hand clench your fist and left hand covering it.

For what to do when you walk, the elderly or the chief must be in front while the rest should be slightly behind him. Then when opening the door, the elderly or the chief shouldn’t do it.

For what to do when you sit, you shouldn’t shake your leg and sit sloppily. It’s like you are shaking off your wealth. It is also doesn’t look pleasant and you will get irritated. Foot must be flat on ground and body straight up.

For what to do when you eat, when some pour tea for you, you can just knock 3 times on the table with 3 fingers. Not to point with chopsticks. When using chopsticks, index finger shouldn’t be pointing out. Don’t be choosy when choosing your food in the dish, especially using your chopsticks. Lastly, do not stick your chopsticks into a bowl of rice or any food. As it symbolizes that you are giving offering to the spirits.

For what to do during festival, you must give best wishes especially to elderly.

At the end of the class, I ask Lee Min to help ask the teacher the slides a video about Chinese Calligraphy as I think it was really interesting and the teacher seems happy about it.

Then at night we have Roll Call, today also we get to know who our encourager was. So I found out that my encourager is Eugene. 

So this time we get to choose again for our next encourage. 

Who did I get? End of 2 weeks will be reveal. 

Day 13: APPG lesson in the afternoon.

Today had free and easy morning, but in the afternoon, we have to go back and study for APPG. As Mr Chua is doing revision with us for the upcoming test. Went through a few papers, to see what mistakes that we tend to make.

After the class we plan to go to Carrefour, while some suggest we go to the Vanguard Supermarket nearby. So we went there to buy our daily needs. Like moisturizer, bread, etc.

On the way home, we tried the hot sweet potato again. As it smell tempted us. It was really soft and sweet. It’s something we don’t really get to experience in Singapore. 

All of a sudden, just few blocks away, someone actually set up fireworks outside a restaurant. I realise that they can set up firework as when they like. Sometimes, early in the morning at around 6 plus or 7 plus, I can hear fireworks.

Day 12: A trip to Tang Gu.

Today went out to Tang Gu. As Mr Chua said that there is cheap things sold there. We took a bus to Zhong shan men, then took train to Tang Gu station. It was my first time to see a temporary pass coin. Instead of a card, it’s a coin. So when we enter we have to tap in using the coin, and drop the coin when we left the train station.

When we went out of the station walking our way to the shopping centre, we saw a group of guys gathering outside the KFC. It seems fishy, but we ignore and enter the KFC to have our lunch.

Before that, there is a guy who overheard our conversation that we are going to Tang Gu, so he followed and brought us there. He is also a student from the TUT.  So he actually warn us not buy many things as they actually gang up to give the price, so he told us to be more be careful. He said he had to go off, so he has help us this far.

So we continue walk-in the street. I found that they sell a lot of weapons than something that we can buy. Even though there are some shell sculptures, and old things like SEGA game console and its cartridges.

My buddy bought for me and my girlfriend a keychain. Thank her a lot and will plan to buy for her gift. Some of the things is actually cheap. It seems like a place in Singapore, Sungei Road.

Was a good experience to walk at street that sells weapon and also saw real weapons.

Then we had a long journey back to hotel and had a good rest.

Day 11: APPG and Tea & Purple Pottery Culture Trip.

Today I thought I, Alif and Jia Wei thought that we will be late. As we thought that there will be Pop-Quiz. But end up we found that there isn't any quiz.

So today Mr Chua goes through chapter 5. Today was even more unbelievable than yesterday; we manage to complete chapter 5 within hours. May be it is because it is a short topic.

Then we went for lunch at "Qing Zhen" restaurant with Mr Chua. It was his treat! Then we went to mobile shop as Zhi Ting wanted to buy her Top-up card. Then coincidentally, we met our buddies outside the shop. We talked for quite long. Almost forget about the time. So I told them we left with 30 minutes to get walk back, prepare and report to the place we all have to meet. So we rush back to the hotel and prepare.

Again, we left the hotel together with Mr Chua. After reaching to the place, i thought that there will be a bus provided. But actually we were taking the public transport. It was quite a long journey. We manage to get seats only after the bus has stop at Ping Jiang Street. After a few stops we have reach the place.

Then the person gives us an introduction about their collection and teas. They have a whole lot of variety of teas, teapots and many more. Then we were assigning to a table where they will do a demo to us on how Chinese culture serve tea. From my understanding, it is like a Chinese Tea "Bar Tender". As they get paid to serve the tea. Its an optional for them to entertain the guest, only if the guess talk to them then they will talk. If not they will just keep quiet and just serve the tea.

It was my first time to taste a tea that is sweet and fragrance enough without any sugar. It was so nice that I asked for what the name of the tea is and how much it cost.

From the looks of how our host serve us and how she does it, it seems easy. So we were given a chance to try. So i give it a try, and its actually more difficult than what i see. She hold it as if it was not hot, but when i touch at the place she touch, it was as hot as touching a hot pan. So from what i observe, it needs a lot of experience and skills to serve. Then Gary give it a try, then Felicia.

After that we are free to walk around, took some pics of the place and bought the teas that i tried. It was fortunate that we had student price, which was around 50%. So I bought 2 boxes of white tea and a box of mixed berry tea. Total cost was 95 RMB. We were release early, so we decided to walk around Ping Jiang street as its only few stops away.

On the way to bus stops, i thought i saw the other group that went for this trip passed by us. So I called Mr Chua and told him are they from the other group. Then Mr Chua seems unsure, he then said loudly "you Singapore-lang?". The girl then replied, "are Singaporean?". Then we came to each other and talk. We found out that they are from EEE, SP. They are here to study 12 modules in 6 weeks. My jaw drop hearing it.

It felt relief to met them, its like finally we found some Singaporeans here. It was a sign of misses of our own hometown. As we have difficulty in communicating here, and its like finally we can talk like how we usually do with other Singaporeans in China. Took some pics with them, then we head down to Ping Jiang street.

We went shopping around, bought a shoe again for my girlfriend. Then we went to have dinner at KFC. I, Alif and Jia Wei got separated. So we end up taking bus home by ourselves. It’s a new experience, it felt like an achievement when we reach the hotel. It’s because we felt insecure because it was night time and the bus was dark. So we took care of each other and keep a look out for each other. 

Mr Chua then told us that roll call is at 10pm, we have to be back by 10pm at lobby. 

Day 10: APPG Lesson.

Lessons starts at 8 30 am. We also had a Pop-Quiz for chapter 3. Had 20 minutes to our last revision before the quiz starts.

Then Mr Chua go through with us chapter 4. It was my first time experience to finish 1 topic within 1 day. It was at a very fast pace, but i can still understand some of it. As i already the basics in COMPRO. Its about If-Else statement, do-while statement. Something new that I learn from this chapter is the Try-Catch statement.

It was also a warm day, so Chia Chun treat us Ice-Cream!
I realize that at here, their body is used to the weather. We felt so cold under the sun, but for them under the sun felt warm. They also prefer a day without wind, whereas for us, we need the wind. So its a new experience to be in this kind of situation.

Day 9: APPG and went to Ping Jiang street.

Went to school at 8 30am. Today we finish up all the lab and tutorials for chapter 3, and also have to prepare for Pop Quiz tomorrow.

Today we class half day, so the other half of the day we went to Ping Jiang street to shop. Took bus there then i and Alif went for prayers as the mosque was nearby. Then meet up with the rest of them at Mai Go Shopping center. Went around to find some shoes. Found a nice and sweet Nike Dunk shoes, so i bought a Nike Dunk shoe for my girlfriend.

Then we got separated, so I, Alif and Jia Wei walk around ourselves. I saw a building with different types of painted mask. I thought it was a building that sells that kind of mask, but it was actually a Saloon and on the upper level was the Steamboat Restaurant. So we walk back, and found a shop that sells "Qing Zhen" food. So we bought a bowl noodle, biscuit and a cute hand-made biscuit.

Beside it was a KFC, we had some rest and ate a meal. I realize even for a Singapore Chinese was having difficulty communicating with the locals. As they talk faster and have different accent. So in conclusion, they have difficulty understanding us and vice versa.

Then we continue walking till the end. All of a sudden I felt like as though we are some other country. As the architecture was different. It looks more like we are at a Europe country. Then we met up with Gary and the rest. So we walk back to meet up with the rest.

We decided to take a cab back. It was much more difficult to get a cab, as some of the cab driver which was not occupied didn't even bother to stop. Instead, they stop for the locals. Then we finally got a cab and head back to the hotel.

Had the last rol call with Mr Tan. So i decided to do a "magicTrick" to Mr Tan. I too got tricked by YiWen. Everyone had a good laugh. I also receive an encouragement letter in a tissue packet.