Friday, September 26, 2008

5.04 Keep up the beat

After yesterday's night 迎新晚会 for the freshmen, today is their big day! It is their Passing-Out-Parade (POP)! I supposed that moment is their happiest moments in their life, just like every NSmen in Singapore. Thus, to that we didn't have much places to visit in the School of Information Engineering as the teachers in-charge went out to support the parade. Anyway, I had a good day with my roommates and the rest.

here i go.. the school's feeder-bus


Highlights of the day:

- Morning Interaction with IE Students
- Morning PPP 1/2
- Afternoon PPP 2/2
- Basketball
- Party Night

After breakfast, we went ahead with an interaction with IE Students, attending their networking lessons. Surprisingly, I saw 王飞, the guy I saw him last week while the first time we visited them in the lab room. Anyway, we had alot of topics and talked all the way till they start their lessons and we have to leave by then. Some things I know about is the cost of the internet provided in dorm. is about $30 RMB/mth, which is quite cheap!

me,王飞 {Credit: taken by GY}


Today, Mr. Tan went through with us PPP in details of what is going to be needed in the workforce near future. All topics went through are relevant and important to me personally. I've learnt about the steps and details in constructing a cover letter, writing a appropriate resume and preparing for a impactful interview.

Lunch at C4:
Br's funny face {credit: pict. from himself!} I was exchanging game behind.

deep-fry food


After lunch:
heading back from a shortcut initiated by joe (sk): starting point

near to end! our dorm is just up ahead

final stage before getting down (the battle of wits) {Credit: pict. from Br}


In the evening just now, we heard some upbeats of the event organised by the dance club "舞团学组" of WUST near C2, then we went back to our dorm and rush to the "party" straight away. Pang seh Br.. =x opps! Anyway, we reached there and saw alot of people dancing to the songs played by the mini stereo set. Anyhow, gy, br and I joined in together with the rest and danced to the beat.

16steps and stuffs {Credit: Pic from GY}


At first it was kinda 尴尬 "awkward", but after awhile of playing and trying to imitate & learn their moves, the steps were somehow catchy and we managed to have fun together with Terry and some others Chinese. It was a crowd and there are the newbies and professionals. I noticed that even though the newbies (likewise) don't know how to dance, they are so willing and get in straight to the fun as well. They are not worried about how people looked at them and they just give their best from what they have. End of the day, the few of us learnt a few moves remarkably. Since tomorrow there's still the event will be going on again, I think most probably we'll be looking forward for the dance.

Reflections:
Today was quite a long day attending lessons and interacting with an Information Engineering (IE) student. In the morning, Guo Yuan and me had a short conversation with the IE student when they are attending a networking class. Although it was quite short, I can say that it was a good interaction when we talked about each other's life in the area of what do we look for in our free time, likes and dislikes in the line of studies, hobbies and interest, and academic system.

the place he lived in: 黑龙江 {northern part of China}

Some word from him:
- Winter can be up to 6 months in a year
- Famous ice palace where almost everything is craved using Ice every year, during Winter season

Upon coming to China for so long already, I felt that the locals students are very friendly & approachable. The people here are easy-going and could talk about anything under the sun. Especially in the topic of talking about each other's culture, they will be very interested in sharing about their culture and keen in knowing ours as well.

=> I felt very delighted with the local students (Interaction with the local student today)
=> I noticed that the students are fun and interactive (Dance club organised a party in the evening)


jac

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

5.03 Freezing Wind

Shout backs
>Mum: Oct. 06th 11pm touchdown (most prob. if no delays), call me when you're free momma.

>Br: haha! not as championic as you leh.. you're an imbalistic! wah piang...

>CT: piclens? haha.. looks like I got loads to do..

>k.: hmm.. tricky question. lemme guess... you're kO? please identify yourself.. anyway, I've been attending lessons and eating.. only on weekends there'll be tour for all of us to relax and enjoy. How about you mr. k.?

>CT: Yeah! I think it visited you too I supposed? These few days so many bugs and problems going on here and there.. China products, computer problem, and now this.. haha! alamak* Anyway, I'm using firefox now, seems like my system is better now.. But I'll reformat soon.. inside hardware still abit sot sot.. :S Week 5 already.. very fast.. how do you feel eh?

>David Santos: Are you some kind of virus?

>Br: Yeah certainly it sucks! What can I do under computer loan.. Not everybody like you could get a free laptop! :p haha! you! you! don't let me catch your laptop getting any sickness.. anyway, I'm kinda looking forward for the final PM lesson tomorrow! And oh ya, your presentation for tomorrow, all the BEST! Paika, how's your ankle feeling anyway?

>StiCkmAn: haha! yeah.. oh really? seems like you're looking forward for that trip eh? But I think too rush no fun also.. nvm la, you grad. go ns 2 and half years come out still can go one.. =x haha! damn, it's week 5 already.. 2 more weeks and we're gonna say bye bye to Wuhan.. how do u feel, sticky?

>KoZinE: Wah, sounds good.. it's gonna cost alot in your pocket I guess? haha.. Yeah....... I think that's gonna be a few more years? BUT, I'll be there for sure! {food food food} haha. Enjoy your hols before schools reopening real soon!

Today highlights:
  1. PM Final Lesson {Woo}
  2. PPP (Resume Drafting) {Afternoon}
  3. Freshment welcoming party {Evening}
Climate Check:
  1. Wuhan => About 28 deg
  2. Chongqing => About 36 deg (yj is over there and I think she's going crazy over the hot weather)
In this season, Wuhan will be turning cold from a hot weather period. Mr. Tan explained to us that the change is called "秋老虎" - Tiger of the Autumn. Yeah, I'll be looking forward for a very 'shiok' weather in these 2 weeks!

my group of the PM presentation: me/Br/ZW {PM's lessons are officially over!}

the champion of the most bunnic/shitcoming face is... : Bingrong!

shops along canteen 4 street/canteen 4 + activities center

most hygienic canteen among others/specialty in c.4

mr.tan getting a break/windy day!/a truck model- part of my name

after dinner at KFC, here we are at the freshmen orientation celebrations {迎新晚会}


the crowd is overwhelming. Like a filled up stadium of 5k ppl?

just as Br & I about to go down again, the ceremony has officially ended about 9:30pm! Anyway, it was a g'day for all of us I supposed.

Oh yes, something that I wanted to express out: I felt that Mr. Tan is a very good & caring teacher, even though at times he's a little long-winded in his lessons but thinking back, it is meaningful afterall as he is being detailed in his teaching.

He is the one teacher than I ever came across that always put a smile on his face (not in a bad way), but showing his hospitality & friendliness towards anybody. Besides, he's someone who is humble and kind, giving people a feeling of easily approachable. I've also noticed he is a conscientious person where he prepared almost everything (pre-enrolment for IS/plugs to bring/etc) for us before coming to China.

Upon reaching to China, he has been always taking good care of us, noticing our health (inform and send email on the danger of dairy products), taking actions on the harm we met (lipmois. for sk). And even today, even though he had his dinner and we met along the way he's walking back and we're going out for dinner, upon knowing that sk isn't feeling well, he accompanied us along for dinner all the way to KFC (15mins walk away).

I believed that most of us had a good chat with Mr. Tan (like a friend), sharing about his working life and some industry topics. I felt and think that this kind of teacher is hard to find and forget.

Reflections:
Making a living in China isn't that easy. Today, I received a picture (attached below) from teacher, displaying the allowance of the various staffs' positions, working in a restaurant.



To my surprise, it is very low compared to Singapore. Thus I was wondering, with that amount of money earned, are they able to frequent the nearby KFC frequently? To them, I think KFC is a high-class fast-food restaurant which they would chose to dine-in once in a blue moon. I've noticed today and some other days back when my roommates and I went down to KFC during dinner peak timings, we didn't saw many local Chinese dinning, but most of the street shops (food shop), fully-packed with people.


jac

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

5.02 Windy

Today weather was quite hot but not as hot compared to yesterday at 35 deg.
Highlights of my day:

  1. PM Lesson {Morning} (2nd Last) 1/2
  2. Visit to the Information Engineering School {Mid Morning}
    - Lab session
    - Network Room's Orientation
  3. Lunch at 小田园
  4. PM Lesson {Afternoon} 2/2
  5. Dinner
  6. See the rehersal of tomorrow's event for the school's orientation (end of the military training)

some architecture scenes of the school of Information Engineering

pavement outside classrooms/lab room

students in the lab room used the computers to learn and complete their exercise on the programming language they are focusing.

network room (the only network room in the school)

The room is established in 2007 and the entire things in the room (servers, structure of table, etc.), all-in-all it cost about $1,000,000 RMB ($200,000 SGD). There are 8 tables, form of a team of 6 person. Each table is accompanied with a server. A server consist of a Controller, switch, router, firewall, patch panels. Also, there is a teacher's table that is also accompanied with a server. To complete the entire architecture set-ups in the room, it takes about 8 months. The function of this room is to provide students with the ability to experiment and tryout of the various networking functions. Below is the picture of the server.

cost price: $50,000 RMB

a law enforcer?/along the street of resturants, they provide free car washing service for customers.

here we are: 小田园

dishes highlights

the only unique food we ate today: green veggie with a certain bean paste/蜂蛹蒸蛋 (feng yong zheng dan) steamegg with a kind of kun zong 昆虫! But, it is delicious!

After a day of the PM, we headed out... ... and Blow wind Blow!

After dinner, the upbeats of the rehearsal attracts me to have a view of it. It's nice eh, the lights and stage performance. Here goes:

folk dance

mixture of dance (popLock/break/etc)/solo singing

slowdance (group)/closing to debrief


Reflections:
Today it was quite a surprise that we're going to visit the school of information engineering to interact with the students and get to know about their system. It was quite a last minute decision and I didn't really managed to prepare a list of questions to ask them.

Anyway anyhow with the limited time, I managed to get to know a little of a 4th year student, pursuing a IT related course for 4 years. I get to know from him that he have to finish studying 7 programming language in this final year before he graduates. Some language such as PowerBuilder, ASP.net, Java, etc.

I then asked if he like the course he's currently studying. He told me that it is rather a good course with a bright future but, he also complaints that there are a lot to study. Furthermore, he said that these language are just like maths, once learnt and digested into memory, easily forget in the future. Thus, he claimed that this is rather irritating for him that he have to refresh his memory again if he decides to do it again. To that, I agree with him to a large extent.

Anyway, by chance then we talked about internship training and to my surprise, they have 2 choices - either offered opportunities from the school or venture on oneself to source for a company to work in, throughout the 4 years in his university. Which means every year, one could grab hold on the opportunity if there's one, to have internship with the company.

Otherwise, one would have his free time whilst other are in the internship. For his case, these coming November he'll be going for an internship.

Although it's an short chit-chatting session with one of the IT student, but I felt it's a fruitful interaction with the friendly student.


jac {take care all}

5.01 Suana

Today is a very hot day!
  • Planned to have lunch at 小田园 (Fishballs), but delayed.

  • Had PM lessons in the afternoon 1-5pm (Sweaty skin & tired)

  • End of day
Reflections:
Currently is the start of week 05 and exactly I left about 2 weeks before flying back to Singapore. Looking back to the start, I've set for myself to develop certain global skills. One of the skills such as the Interpersonal skills, I grade myself as 50/100 at the start. After spending 4 weeks in Wuhan and hanging out with the people around (local/roommates/other friends), honestly I think I've improved by a little. I would say for now, I stand about 65/100 in terms of being able to better understand the language and the slang the Chinese used to converse with me. Compared to the start, I was a little worried that my standard of Chinese I wouldn't be able to understand the words they used and the slang they elaborate the meaning. However, I managed to learn certain words and I felt more confident in being able to communicate with them by expressing myself freely with the basic Chinese language I have. But still, there are certain constraints such as remembering certain words.

Other than the language spoken with the locals and the people, there is another factor which I'm still weak in. The area is about my boldness in interacting more with the people face to face. I think I'm lacking in that area. Thereby, the remaining 2 weeks, I'll be looking forward and believing for myself in putting myself in places of discomfort and constantly challenging myself to interact with people.


jac

Shout backs

Notice: Please refrain from consuming dairy products from China.

>c0w: ...... haha! if given a chance, I would really want to go to trek up the mountain. That day treking up 武当山 is solid man! How I wish if Bukit Timah hill could be traded for that. haha! Aussie guy, still having alot on your hotdogs and burgs.? I guess we left about 2 more weeks! :

>Br: slowly lah.. haha! It's not easy for an unstable PC to keep on focus on chionging finish eh, have to phase by phase one ok.. haha.. finally I think I got my journal on last weekend finished! I hope you done that too. ^^ Tmr long day ahead.. hopefully it's gonna be cooling.. yeah, woo! It was quite a good one going up Wudang! Worth the trip.. by saving $50RMB! heh.

>Aziz: Bolla! Oh yes yes, dairy products here.. there's alot of variety! But I like the yogurt drink here.. been drinking quite frequently.. but will be stopping for the time being. Yeah, we'll be soon meeting in the jungle once again, monkey. ...... I shall see what can you be up to with our pics! haha.

Notice: Please refrain from consuming dairy products from China.

Monday, September 22, 2008

4.06 & 4.07 武当山 [WuDangShan]

20th Sept. 2008 Saturday
Something about Wudang Mt. (武当山): ... ... located in Shiyan in north western Hubei, is both a famous scenic spot and the Taoist Holy Land in China. The ancient architectural complex on the mountain was listed by UNESCO in 1994 as a World Culture Heritage Site. That day we only explored 2 places of attraction in Mt. Wudang from The Crown Prince Slope (太子坡):


  • Nanyan Temple 南岩宫

  • Purple Cloud Temple 紫霄宫
lunch after half day of bus ride/chestnut's shop along street

entrance of Mt. Wudang

mansion outside Mt. Wudang

stores inside Mt. Wudang along the pathway

visitor center/the entire map of Mt. Wudang

a junction/interesting signboard

//the origin of chinese's surnames


interestingly the architecture of this support could withstand for years
osmanthus tree/flower of osmanthus (smells like peach)

tree full of wishes, casted by people

inside Nanyan Palace/interesting fire extin guisher

a little peak where people knelt and pray


street along Mt. Wudang/mist = cold


our hotel room



21st Sept. 2008 Sunday
The Start: We climbded the Mt. Wudang by feet up and...
The End: cable car down!
Destination: Golden Hall (金顶)

the start of treking/our tourguide "Jiang San" treking with us (she's fit!)


see no end-point, see no start-point



nearly reaching the peak 金顶/300metres away

//paddlelock locked by passer-by

//zhengwei & me at the peak



nice scenes from the peak

heading back down to where we first trek via cable car ($45RMB for this ride)


At night upon reaching dorm about 10pm, we relax and head out for supper around 11pm...

supper outside school/tangyuan 黑芝麻汤圆 in rice wine



Reflection:
This 1 minute of video (below) is a footage of how the lower class of citizen live in their agriculture fields and cultivate crops. Because of the speed of the bus and the lack of a good view, this is the best I can capture, so please hang on.

Anyway, the big large scale of landscape along the highway captivates me and kept me awake for a time being, as thoughts coming through my mind, thinking about the goodness they found with the nature.

It's not only 1 or 2 houses that is built with the green. But at some places, it's a long stretch of houses and at their designated area, they have their own farmland to take care. Apart from that, looking through into their houses, they have a street of shops they opened along the mini roads. It seems like a small village have been popped out.

The green pastures with the cow, cultivating crops and selling/trading it to neighbours, enjoying the carefree life. It's really something that it least be found in Singapore. Everything in Singapore is so competent, everybody wants to be the top in all things and strive to work hard to aim for a balance in life. So I guessed, there are a small amount of people who wished to have a life like this in China. I think for a moment, if China is going to advance and bloom in the future years, will all these nature living standard be wiped out? I hope not.

During this weekends, I noticed quite a number of things & defined some areas of personal understanding. Weeks ago, I thought that Chinese are very persistent in China and would get to the things they want. However, that was to an extent that they have high endurance in executing tasks that is at top priority. But not persistent in a way that they concentrate on the things they wanted so much. Looking back quite a few weeks back, I've noticed that they are relational-oriented Chinese where they don't evoke any conflict easily; to maintain tip-top harmony the best they can. To that, coming in deal with any of their business, regardless along the street or in commercial buildings, they always asked for our quotes but not they themselves. This shows that they respect our decision and won't make us feel bad. Like the experience I had at 大洋百货 where the lady is persistent in selling away their things and instead of she offer a price after I told her to reduce the price a little, she insisted that I name the price.

Apart from that, there's another situation which I thinks Chinese in China are very harmonious where I noticed that the caution signboard in China are very indirect but caring for the people. Unlike the ones in Singapore which are direct and "By Law". One of it I noticed, which is on the top of the police car behide the siren where it has an LED lighted message, displaying "祝你平安" (Peace be with you). It was at night and only then the first time I saw this message with the police car. One another example is in the bus (picture below) :

the caution sign in bus (refrain from smoking to promote healthy environment)




jac