HOME AT LAST.

Now I am, in my room sitting on my comfortable bed thinking of my life in Wuhan.

Life in Wuhan is really enjoyable with classmates, local students, friends from the back alley, Mrs Tang, Mr Imran and Dr Teoh. Everyone played a significant role in my life in Wuhan.

Thinking of life in Wuhan, I felt really fortunate.

• I have a very comfortable place to live in, with mattress four times thicker than the students sleeping in their bunk everyday. 
• I have warm water to brush my teeth and bathe. 
• They have to wash their own clothes while my washing machine wash my clothes. 
• They have to worry about having enough toothpaste, shampoo and daily necessities while all of mine are well taken care of by my mum. 
• I have a fan and an aircon when the weather gets too hot, while the students living in their dorm do not even have a heater-cum-aircon to keep themselves warm in winter and spring and keeping themselves cool during the summer. 
• My dinner is settled for me by my parents while they have to get their own outside. 

Just these few points alone makes me feel very fortunate. What more living by yourself miles away from your family, for the sake of studies and barely seeing them. If I am in their shoes, I would probably be really sad over that. This makes me realize that the warmth of family and friends is really important! 

My stay in Wuhan also allow me to gain several life knowledge. 

For example, friends.

Having friends is probably the most important thing in life. When I was ill back in Wuhan having pain on my left abdomen and at the same time She Hui was unwell and we were both sleeping, Gracia brought two buckets of laundry for washing all by herself. After that, we went to get lunch for us accompanying lunch is warm tea. Thank you Gracia, you've been a great friend and is a great help for me while we are in Wuhan. Same goes to She Hui as well. Thank you for being there as a really good friend. 

This trip bonded me closer to both of them as we often have heart to heart talks in our rooms! Sometimes together with Issac and Calvin too! Before this trip, I barely know the both of them as well as the rest of the group. But, after 5 weeks, we really bonded well! 

This shows that over time, strangers can become really good pals too! :) 

LOVE PHARMily! ♥

A big thank you to everyone including teachers who guided me through this trip, without you guys... I wouldn't be me! :) 

Reflection #3!

Friendliness
Two incidents where I think China people are friendly!
Firstly,  an incident where I come across when shopping too.
There's this shop I went to get clothes at in a shopping mall. We bought a shirt for the physically unwell Shehui, and left. Gracia wanted to buy another shirt so we went back about 2 hours later and the shop owner still actually remember us! So, as usual she bargain with her while I take another look around the shop. I saw a nice blouse so I asked her for the price, she said 120 yuan, so I tried bargaining.

In the process of baragining (translated to english) : 

Me: 70 yuan can lah!
Her: Cannot, too low already! I give you at 90 yuan! (Touch my shoulder.)Me: See, we buy so many things from you, you should give us a cheaper price right?!
Her: But really too low already! (Touch my arm.)Me: Can one lah!
Her: You ah, bargain until like that! (Attempted to smack my butt.) 

We were talking like friends because of her friendliness, before that she asked where we were from and what are we in China for. Many shop owners think that me and Gracia is from Korea/Japan, and said that we have their faces. Some also thought that we are from GuangZhou because the way we speak chinese sounded like them.

Second incident happened when we were out to Roller Skate while killing time.
Roller skating is really fun but it isn't like roller blading. The techniques are different making me very afraid to skate fearing that I will fall. But eventually I still did. So how did it happened?

We were skating in a line with our arms on the shoulders of the person in front of us.
So, first one is Calvin, followed by Gwen, Gracia, Me, Issac.
We were skating happily even after an unknown professional guy came to pull Calvin for us to go faster. Some strangers, if I'm not wrong 3-4 girls, also joined the line by holding Issac on his waist/shoulders.
They were pushing behind and they didn't know we wanted to stop for a rest. So, starting from Gwen, everyone else behind the line fall. It's like building a human pyramid or what we called a "TauPok". Some fell on me while I fell on Gracia and Gwen. And, now I've got 3 bruises on my right leg! But anyway, that's not the point!
The point is the friendliness of the teenagers at the Disco Skating Rink. Even though they didn't know us, they joined us for the fun. This shows how people in China love to have fun together be it with their friends or strangers.

I was also told by Chen Ming that if a guy do not know how to skate, girls will come forward to them to teach them, and the same goes for the girls. This is something that isn't seen in Singapore, or perhaps rarely seen.

Attachment


5 weeks of our stay in Wuhan, we made a lot local friends.
Though it seems short, tears rolled down on their faces on the day of our departure.
We are suppose to gather at 10am to take the bus down to the airport.
9.30am, we went to get breakfast and say a final goodbye to the cute baby and friendly owners at the Lotus Leaf Rice stall. We wrote our contact numbers and email addresses in a book given by them. They say they will try to find time to email us. What touched me the most is when we are preparing to board the bus, the mum of the baby, carry him here and she was crying while heading for our direction. Seeing that alone makes me eyes swell. She was actually crying because of us as we were leaving. The entire scene look like a movie clip but yes, very heart wrenching to see her cry like that. We took a couple of photos with her and I gave her a goodbye hug before boarding the bus. It's the last time I'm seeing her already. :( Yes, it's sad!
I'm so missing her, her husband and their baby now! :(

Anyway, other than that... Chen Ming and Christina boarded our bus and send us off to the airport. Christina was having a test that afternoon and we asked her to get off and study but she didn't want to. She tagged along to the airport. In the bus, she opened our gift which is a DIY book of our pictures and the individual notes we wrote for her. She was really elated and said it's really pretty! Both of them cried when we left. It's the last time I'm seeing Chen Ming already! :( He probably will not come to Singapore because of financial difficulties. On the other note, we're still seeing Christina next year because she's coming to Singapore to study! I hope she will study hard because her fees to Singapore will be heavily subsidize!


I hope that my friends in Wuhan will not forget me! I will not forget them as well as they really played a part in my life in Wuhan. :) We wrote notes/letters to them attached with photos and gifts for them as a goodbye gift. I hope they will keep it safe and take them out to read/look at whenever they miss us! :')

Back in Singapore!

It's 2.31am, 12/04/2011.
Just landed in Singapore at 10pm today after a whole 12 hours of journey.
Not feeling really tired yet because I slept a lot in the bus and plane.
And I just weigh myself, I am 46kg! Which means I gain only a kilogram after 5 weeks of stay in China with oily, salty food with huge servings! Is this a good thing or a bad thing?
How about you guys? Did you guys gain/lose any weight?!

Reflection #2 : 


Courtesy in China
People here don't often say thank you like for example when buying clothes because they believe that they paid for it. I, myself have a habit of saying thankyou everytime I interact with strangers be it buying things, asking for directions or after a meal. However, when I come here... I realize I don't really say thank you that often anymore. Firstly, because of their stuck up and rude attitude. (Will be further elaborate in the next point)

Let me give an example... At the "co-op" in WUST. When I asked where to find A4 paper, the lady just point the direction briefly to the stationery area and what's worse is she didn't even look at me. So, I didn't bother to say thank you either since she's not helping much and is not even courteous to begin with.
I also realize that they don't really talk to you unless it is needed. Like at the counter when paying.
What they'll do is... Firstly, they scan your items, you look at the amount, fish out for money, give the lady, and she'll return you with the change (if there is), you keep the money, they leave the things there. Lastly, you take the things and leave. TADA! 


Working attitude 
The first time when I accompanied SheHui to the hospital with Mrs Tang and Dr Teoh, I realized something.
The receptionists use handphones at work, openly. This brings me to picture this image if it were to happen in Singapore. They would probably be sacked or warned or complained immediately after being seen.

I noticed 3 receptionists there, and out of 3, 2 of them are rude. When a customer approaches and asks a question, they answer their inquiries with their eyes are still glue to their phone. I feel that this is really rude and is giving no respect to the people. Maybe because of this, people in China thus don't say thank you? I think its somehow interconnected! What do you think? :) 

Bargain 
Several trip for shopping makes me realize that people in China really know how to make business. Their prices can go up as high as 3 to 4 times more than the initial value. It's really scary. I think I got conned quite a lot because I don't really know how to bargain well. Christina, the local student, is really good at it! Going shopping with her is really awesome because with little money, I can buy quite a couple of things! She even went to bargain with the chicken wing seller because some wings are smaller. It's so hilarious to look at her doing all these because in Singapore we rarely have sights like this. We don't usually bargain even if it's at Bugis Street.
Is that why they are prospering so much now? 

Cultural Night!

Just the day before cultural night, we were locked out of our rooms.
After watching Despicable Me at Cafe 119, it was close to 2am.
I tried my key and it doesn't fit. And, I was right. It was Issac's key.
He left his key on my table while coming over to have his milk tea. And, where's my key?
Its on Shehui's table because she came back first after dance rehearsal and I gave Gwen my key for her to enter to room.

Stranded outside our room, I tried to use a card to open our door, so did Dr Teoh, Issac and Gracia. But, to no avail. Its not working. Because Shehui's table is near the window, an idea struck me. To go outside and reach my hand through the window. LIGHTBULB. But... the main door was locked. We couldn't get out and can't break it down because there's an alarm to it. So, since its about 2am... There's no way we can call Mrs Tang and disturb her from her sleep. The guys offered their beds for us to sleep in while they sleep on the floor. I felt really guilty and was stoning before falling asleep on Issac's bed. So, 6 people in the bunk. Me, Gracia, Shehui, Issac, Clarence, Justin. Issac assured me that I'm not troubling them and will get pissed if I still refuse to sleep. Having said that, I fall asleep after 5 minutes later.

So, at 9am in the morning... Mrs Tang came to open our room door for us. Thankyou! :)
Issac went back to bed as he didn't sleep well the night before and woke up countless of time. I believe Justin and BoKang too. Sorry for the inconvenience caused. Their selfless self have struck me hard and I feel really touched for them doing such a thing for us!
A big thankyou to all of you guys who suffered because of my absent mindedness.
Sorry to Gracia and Shehui who suffered because of me as well. I'm so sorry! :'(

-

Cultural night is awesome. The atmosphere was so high and everyone was screaming practically throughout the entire night. PHARMily did our dance and I want to congratulate them for the awesome performance they have brought up. Their determination in mastering the dance no matter how much it takes is really amazing. Practices after practices. Good job guys! Everyone did well! :D

From the cultural night, I've learnt that Chinese people are more open-minded than Singaporeans.
There's this girl who went up to the stage for a singing competition, before starting, she explained that this song is dedicated to a guy and the song is "Because of You" by Kelly Clarkson. Believe it or not? The guy actually went up to kiss her on the lips halfway through her song. The local students cheered, and we, Singaporeans were utterly shocked from that act. If this happen in Singapore, the couple will probably hit the headline news in "The New Paper" or "The Straits Time".

However that, we all had fun and took many pictures when the night ends. :)
Thankyou to all local students like Chen Ming and Christina who have been there for us throughout the trip whenever we faced difficulties and problems at any point. Thankyou! :D We love you and won't forget you guys!

Get well soon, TSH! :D

Time has passes so quickly during our stay in Wuhan.
4 more days and we are out of Wuhan already.

On 31st April, SheHui had her nightmare. It probably would be better if its just a nightmare, but it's real.
Her knee cap shifted out of position and as a result, her ligament tore. Her knee was swollen, and I was praying that the swell will go away the next day. However, it did not. (This is the second time it happened to her).
The next morning, I accompanied her, together with Mrs Tang and Dr Teoh, to the hospital. She took an X-Ray and had a cast placed below her right leg. Everyone thought this is an April Fool joke. Azleena called me and asked what happened, telling her everything, she still have doubts and thought I'm pulling her leg.

Anyway, the trip to the hospital is really an eye-opener.
There were hospital beds along the corridors... I was imaging, (touchwood), what if I have to lie in a bed like that in a hospital. Firstly, the mattress is so thin and next, you don't even have privacy in doing your own things. People will be probably staring at you the whole time when they are walking past. How are patients going to recuperate like that? It would maybe just aggravate their medical conditions.

Secondly, you've got to pay for the services before you can actually have them. SheHui, in pain, got to wait for Mrs Tang to help her settle the bills for X-ray before actually going for it, and you know what? The queue ain't short. We waited for about 20 mins before going over to the building for X-ray which is about 5 minutes walk. Wonder how people in critical conditions survive... Are they going to demand them to pay up first?

Anyway, Shehui's feeling better already after the second trip to the hospital where she had to draw 2 syringes of blood out of her knee. Admire her strong courage, I would probably cry to death.

During this incidence, I have also learnt...
Care, concern and compassion...
A lot of our classmates came over to our room when Shehui was back from the hospital. Showing their concerns through many different methods. Edmund, JiannLeong and SoonEng changed rooms with us for her convenience, BoKang gave Shehui his toilet seat, some offered to help her get her meals, Mrs Tang boiled soup for not only her, but me and Gracia too, Meiling, Yvette and Qiuyan got her fruits and puddings.

On her behalf, I want to thank Dr Teoh who did many things for her. Like helping her rub her swollen knee on the night for her fall, carrying her in and out of the cabs on trips to hospital, dress her wound. And others who carried her around to the cultural night venue, assist her in walking and everything else.

This love touched me! :')

Love this one big PHARM-ily! 

Trip to Wudang San!

Our 2 days 1 night trip to the Wudang Mountain is quite awesome.

The scenery is simply amazing and breathtaking. Also, I've learnt quite a couple of things during the trip.

Firstly, since Buddhism is also the largest ethnic group here in China and Wuhan is no exception, many of the locals went to the temples in Wudang Mountain to pray. Thus, this resulted in the squeeziness.

Reaching the peak of the mountain seems like one of the toughest thing to do and it seems that we're taking forever to reach the mountain. At certain point of time, I really feel like giving up and simply saying "You guys carry on, I'll wait for you all at the foot of the mountain". But, however... I pressed on and I'm glad I didn't back out because the view at the top is simply too good to be true!

So what resulted in the almost-giving-up me?

Firstly, the Chinese locals.

One thing I dislike about being in crowded areas in Wuhan is because the locals here will push and squeeze their way through by all means, even if someone have to fall. Well, maybe not that exaggerating but I hope you get my point. Seriously, people here just push you to get their way to for example, the ticketing booth, or the peak of the mountain. I deem that this is one of the major difference of China and Singapore. No matter how pack or crowded the place is in Singapore, people barely come into contact. Unless you are referring to ignorant people who decide to push their way through too. But, here's the point... Singaporeans hardly shove each other. Does this make us sound really benevolent and compassionate?

At certain point of them, when I'm shoved aside really hard, I would just push them back having nothing else in my mind but to "take my revenge". Okay, this sounds really childish but I just want them to have a taste of their own medicine. What if their in my shoe and is being pushed about? Ain't it annoying?

I'm sure most of my classmates agree with me, right?

Secondly, the atrociously steep and large stairs. 

The staircase to the peak of the mountain is really high and it's so so steep.

That's probably why they are selling "walking sticks" to aid their way up to the peak with lesser difficulties.

And oh, this brings my point to Chinese locals being really respectful, I would say? Although the journey is tough, I've seen quite a couple of old-aged people climbing to the peak, trying their outmost best even if it takes 3 days. This kinda struck me hard because for a "kid" like me, I almost gave up. Seems like I have a lot of perseverance skills to learn and brush up on.

Lastly, the weather. 

We were told to layer ourselves up because its gonna get really cold since we are on a higher altitude. However, the weather is really hot at that time because its noon and the sun is really scorching. I wore 4 layers and even held a thick winter jacket on my hand in case its really cold. I brought my beanie, scarf, gloves too and that explains my bulky and heavy bag. So... does higher altitude means colder or means you're closer to the sun that explains why it's hotter?

Anyway, the emphasis is the breathtaking view at the top. The surrounding mountains, the trees were all covered up with snow. According to my friend who went there exactly one week before us, it snowed. Probably that explains all the yet to be melted snow! Somewhat glad that it didn't snow this time or it'll be really freezing, but on the contrary it's really a pity because I never get to smell, feel, touch, see, taste the snow before.

Oh! And we did Tai Chi in the second day morning as well!

We spend so much time repeating the steps which makes us have no more much time left to learn the other moves. I feel that Tai Chi is really a hard exercise to do because it evolves swift, slow movement incorporated with meditation and breathing techniques. It seems so un-suitable for us, teenagers to do because we are usually hyperactive. Despite that, I really enjoyed this morning exercise and it seems like it refreshed my mind!

Simply put, I've really enjoyed the trip. :) 

Reflection #1.

Today 29th March 2011, marks the third week of my trip to Wuhan, China.
Throughout my 3 weeks of stay in China, I've experienced a lot to what that can't be learnt in Singapore itself.

Firstly, the most general spitting issue here in China.
I'm sure all of us is pretty bothered by Chinese nationals spitting as and when they like, don't we? As seen from the small group presentation for our OIE module, many of us have included hygiene as a difference as of in China and Singapore. I think it's really gross to see some pinch of phlegm when you're happily walking down to road. To me, its as if that one spit and spoil my entire day. Let alone if someone's fluid got onto you. Like YUCK, seriously. If Singaporeans were to do the same in Singapore itself in the midst of a crowd, hundred pairs of deadly eyes will be staring at you straight into your eyes. Oh right, Singapore being a fine city, you might also want to think of the amount of fine that will be imposed on you! Maybe some corrective work order too?

I find that the littering issue is quite a big problem too. That's what I see in them, but probably they won't know how bad the situation is until they are in Singapore. Singapore, to me, is a relatively clean country if comparison were to be make. I hardly get to even see any dustbin around when walking on the streets. I'm kinda pitying the cleaners here in China. They seem like they've got never ending rubbish to clear and sweep. If I were them, I would probably just faint.

And next, extra services for you mdm? 
Well, I haven't really experience a situation of that but some of my guy friends were telling me about it.
Trip to the supposedly-written-on-the-signboard "Foot Reflexology", might be a disaster if you were to enter it alone, especially at night. Who knows you might be still a virgin when you are next seen. That's what me and  some of them were discussing about that time when Calvin and JianLiang went into it!
I think I've seen a guy walking out from a room behind a wall, which is quite hidden, I would say. After which, about a minute later follows a lady. Hmmm... doubts for takeaway? 
As far as this is concern, I think we should all take precautions when we are in China because extra services might be anywhere, anytime on anyone!

Life here is getting more and more interesting, I would say. It seemed that we have already adapted to the environment and pretty much got used to the little things we used to complain about. Right my friends? :)

PS: This is getting really lengthy, so stay tune for the next post! ^^