Glee fever

Ok. I have not been updating here since donkey years ago. It is simply because my life has become so mudane and so inspiring that I have nothing interesting to write. I can't be writing about me going to school, mug, eat, tuition, sleep those sort of stuff right?

Ok a quite update. Yours truly have just graduated, not officially though, still waiting for the administration to confer me the degree. So my 20+ years of academic life ends. so many years of studying, tests, exams and it all comes down to that piece of paper, which determines your future, or not. I am definitely not going to miss the 'studying' part of school, but definitely going to miss the 'non-academic' part of school life, talking cock during meals and breaks, doing funny things in lecture to keep myself and my friends awake, all the late nights doing things not related to studies. Well, I shall be looking forward to working life, and financial freedom!

Over the past few months, the television series, Glee has been getting a lot of 'attention' from me. It was recommended to me by one friend in HK, but i didn't get to watch it till I get back to SG. And once i watched the first episode, I was literally hooked. I love the semi-musical style of this series. And there seems to be many stereotypical labels throughout the plot and the characters that makes it really interesting. Sometimes, the storyline is just so-so and some of the episodes are rather meaningless. However, a few good episodes can literally save the whole series.

This series also brought back a lot of english hits from the past, as well as featuring modern pop hits. Don't Stop Believing is one classic that has been revived. Seriously, I have not even heard of this song before i watch Glee and Don't Stop Believing is such a classic that should be 'popularised' in this modern era. Many of these songs are on my iPod reruns and I would say I never get sick of some of these songs.

It set me thinking, would it be possible to produce a chinese version of Glee, bringing back hits from the 70s, 80s and featuring some really good tunes from modern chinese pop. Hmm.... perhaps some taiwan producers can do this and get together a talented cast to perform. Possible?

Some of the songs that wow-ed me.

7 days in Beijing! 北京欢迎你！

北京欢迎你，为你开天辟地，流动中的魅力充满了朝气！
The plane was playing this song over the PA when I touched down in Beijing!


Well, Beijing is a city I had always wanted to visit. The last time i went was in 1995 and 15 years later, it's a totally different place!

The Old Beijing!

Outside Tiananmen 天安门！



@ The Forbidden City.


Inside Forbidden City 紫禁城!

Along the walkways. Reminds you of 金枝欲孽 yeh....


@ Temple of Heaven 天坛

Great Wall of China 万里长城！Now I am a 好汉！

豫和园 Summer Palace!

前门！

The NEW Beijing!

世贸天阶！with a gigantic screen above!

国家大剧院，the big dome/egg in the middle of the water.


Bird nest 鸟巢！

Ｗ

Water Cube　水立方！



Beijing Capital International Airport Terminal 3. Resembles HKIA actually...

Shall blog more about this city (and other cities) when i have more time!

11月29日反高鐵 停撥款大遊行

Any form of protest or demonstration in Singapore is definitely a no-no but the case is totally different in Hong Kong. On weekends, you often see groups walking on the streets, holding banners, showing their discontent with certain government's decision. To most Hong Kong-er, they are so used to it and one local told me that the largest demonstration will be held on July 1st every year.

11月29日反高鐵 停撥款大遊行 is held to protest against the government's decision to build a high speed rail network from kowloon west to guangzhou. This project has gained lots of controversy since it was launched. People opposed to this for many reasons. Firstly, the project cost $65 billion dollars Hong Kong Dollars which is considered an astronomical sum. Furthermore, these $65B comes from the tax payers money. Many people do not see the need for this rail link as there are already many connections to mainland China. Secondly group of protestors are mainly the residents who will be forced to relocate due to the construction. Villagers of Choi Yuen Village, who have been living there for many years and had a sense of attachment to the place, had been told to move away. They were blaming the government for the insufficient consultation with them over moving and compensation issues. Another group are the enviromentalist who fear for the environmental damage the railroad will bring to the natural habitat in New Territorities.

CU student union is one of the organisers involved and thus all of us got an email notifying us about this event. Since I had never took part in something like this, and I may probably not get a chance to do so, I went down on sunday to take a look. I joined the demonstration and got the chance to talk to a few locals. Of course, they were very curious about Singapore's system and I similarily wanted to find out more about their view on this matter. Though most of them did feel that such protest is not going to help, they just want the government to know their thoughts. We walked down the street, held banners, holding leaves (which signify the green nature farmland which will be destroyed).

I did not stay through the whole thing as I was super hungry, so a few of us went off halfway. I read on the news the next day that a group had actually gathered in front of the legislative building and there was some form of clashes between them and the government. It seems like a few of them, perhaps the residents, really did not want their home to be destroyed and they held on till the end.

Well, many people asked why I joined since it is none of my business. Well, I went down mainly to take a look out of curiosity. I also knew a bit about the whole controversy behind this rail link and through different views, I got to see the whole picture. I feel in the short term this project may not work but in the long term, it may be beneficial as the whole of China is developing a high speed rail network. As for the villagers, development is inevitable and someday, one has to relocate. I am not in any position to say whether this project is right or wrong but I am offering this little insight. I am trying not to turn this blog post into an academic one, which i would rather save the effort for my essay.

Well, it was just a little eye-opener for me this time round.

It's cold!

Everyone was telling me Hong Kong will only get cold in December or January and you could practically still be wearing shorts/berms in november. This year, it doesn't seem to be the case. The cold weather from the north moved southwards and places like Hong Kong got really cold. It went down to 8 degree celcius on certain nights last week. While i was in Guilin, the temperature plunged to 4 degree celcius and it was practically freezing cold, especially when the wind blows. Just when I was hoping to come back to sunny HK, I reached shenzhen wearing 3 layers of clothes.

Well, since I thought the weather will not be this cold, I was rather unprepared in terms of clothings. In Guilin, I had to go get myself a scarf and long john as it was really freezing. Luckily I could find these clothings at a really cheap price. Back in HK, I had a few pieces of long sleeves shirt and sweater that I could put on but I couldn't possibly wear the same thing over and over again. On another note, the local students really dress up well for winter. With nice coat, scarfs and leather boots, it really looks like a fashion parade in class (even the guys too!). With all of them dressing up well, I feel pressurised to look well (at least not wear the same thing everyday).

So off I went shopping for more clothes, which would mean more excess luggage charges. UNIQLO is a good choice as the winter collection they had was good and decently priced. However, it seems like the whole of HK is buying clothes as well, so it was utter chaos in the store. Items on the special price rack was strewn all around and it was so hard to look for the piece that you want. Long queues at the cashier as well. Luckily, there wasn't a need to go to the fitting room as we could just put on and try on the spot. Checked out other stores and it was the same situation. Crowded and messy stores. I guess the Hong Kong-ers were also caught by surpirse and needed to get winter clothes earlier than what they had expected.

Buying winter clothings was a hard choice for me. I had to make sure that what I bought can be worn back in Singapore. No point buying a thick and nice looking sweater when it is going to end up somewhere deep in my closet back in SG. Well, one way to stay warm is to wear many layers and take off some layers when necessary.

The classrooms at CU is kind of crazy. Some LTs still had the aircon on during the cold weather and all of us were wearing thick coat in class! They should have turned off the a/c to save energy! Well, at least some building do. Our dorms do not have any heater so sometimes, I had to sleep in long pants/sleeve/ socks under a thick comforter! I had used the inner layer of my comforter as my bed padding before and now, it is being used for warmth. I heard this marvellous way of keeping warm and comfy at night. Before you go to sleep, throw your bedsheet and blanket into the dryer for 5 mintues. Then grab it, run back to your room, put it back onto your bed and jump in to bed! Well, it costs some $$ but I think it is a sure way to keep warm.

The cool weather is kind of pleasant at times. I can walk for a long long time (down nathan road from TST to mongkok) without feeling tired or sweating. The cold breeze could make feel so refreshed. I guess with sufficient clothing, it will be ok.

Well, Beijing is gonna be freezing when I get there so it means more clothes to pack inside my backpack. Think xiamen is going to be cold as well... Well, when i get back to singapore, I am sure to complain about the heat all again!

香港天氣

It's such a pleasant feeling waking up to a 17 degree celcius weather in Hong Kong. I was wondering when winter will come and finally, we see this day of cooling weather. Finally I can put my long sleeve shirt into action. Strolling along the road to class, seeing all those around me wrapped up in long pants and long sleeve (except a few who still wore shorts/miniskirt), enjoying the cold breeze in my face. It would be perfect if everyday were to be like this.

The bad news, cold weather is only expected to last for 2 days in HK. After the 2 days, it will be back to the hot sun and T-shirt and berms will come out once again. Have to wait till december.

And Beijing had her first snow fall of this winter, a bit too early though. After seeing the news, I then realise that the central govt did cloud seeding which caused the snow. I guess Beijing will be freezing when I visit in december. Need to buy winter clothes!

Another crazy weekend!

All the last minute work for the past 3 days is killing me. Well, that's the price to pay for having fun during the weekend. Which means working my ass off on monday to finish an essay as well as to study for mid-term. Throw in another 2 assignments to rush through on tuesday night. Well, now i am only left with another mid-term and then I can go back to enjoying myself till the last week of nov or the beginning of december, where all the deadlines are.

It's gonna be a crazy exam schedule this time round. We have only 3 days of study break!!!!

8th dec - GRM3310 paper due

9th dec - Cantonese oral exam (give a speech)

10th dec - GRM3305 paper due

11th dec - UGC296U and GRM3310 Exam (Back to back!!!)

14th dec - UGC219E Exam

15th dec - GRM3305 Exam

18th dec - GRM2324 Exam

Looking at such a crazy schedule makes me hate december. But well, after the 18th, i am free to go travelling! Planning Xiamen, Beijing, Tianjin and Guilin in december. Tentatively, flying back to SG on 8th jan and sch starts on 11th! It's gonna be tiring.

First, it was Ocean Park on Friday (23/10). 6 of us went in the day, taking almost every possible ride. The last time i went to Ocean Park, it was raining cats and dogs and most of the rides were closed. This time round, it was sunny and we are able to scream our hearts out on the roller coster and the Abyss Drop. The Abyss Drop is the one that makes my heart skip a beat and it is really committing suicide. It is not called 跳楼机 for no reason.

all happy before all the games!

View from the cable car.

The plunge that got us wet.

This turn spins us round and round... looks innocent but it's not.

Roller Coster with a view!

The other roller coster. with overturns you 3 times!

The abyss drop. From top to bottom in less than 1 sec!

another turn round and round game.

Flying swing.. reminds me of genting....

Ocean Park Aquarium. Underwaterworld is better.

one of the halloween decorations!

The animal show! What a great backdrop!

All the CUHK peeps with 辫子姑娘，the single braid lady poster.... It's a CU ghost story and I have to walk past it to the canteen everyday..

Panda! They are my next favourite animal! So cute!

The most exciting part of Ocean Park is at night. When night falls, Halloween Bash starts and the whole theme park is turned into a giant haunted house. With lots of 'ghosts' wandering around the park and up to 8 haunted house to visit, it was definitely not for those with a weak heart. It is like Fright Night on a scale of the whole campus.

The haunted houses had themes such as a school, a hospital, police station and there were 'ghosts' inside to scare you. They will be hiding behind doors, under tables, lying down on the bed and they will jump up to scare you when you walk pass them. I do realise something, the more afraid you are of them, the more they like to disturb you. I did get a shock a few times, especially when i am leading a line of girls behind my back, clinging onto my bag. One of the haunted house even had each of us stand alone in an individual booth, while they show you some scary clips and a random ghost will pop his head into the booth. It's kind of funny seeing girls, and even some guys, who were so afraid that they kept the head down throughout the whole journey in the haunted house. And it's fun to hear them scream!!

The shock and scaring does not end once you step out of the haunted house. There were roaming 'ghosts' who will occasionally creep up to you on the streets, scaring the wits out of you. We were able to take pictures with some of the friendly ghosts though. I can see that a lot of effort was put into this halloween theme, with decorations and the ghosts' makeup. I even lay inside a coffin! It feels good to be dead. After all night of getting scared and screaming, I was wondering, is Halloween about scaring others? Well, whatever, at least all of us had lots of fun! The only downside, we had to queue for at least 1/2 hr at each haunted house just to get scared for 5 minutes.

Kudos to the ghosts! I think they did a great job and it was really tiring i think. To scare people for 5 hours straight? I wanna go be a ghost next yr!

This is referring to my school... yup. CUHK has lots of ghost stories.

The queue we had to endure through before getting scared.

Another haunted house site.

The police staiton. With lots of vampires inside...

Occult Lab. The place where you have to go solo!

Sleeping in a coffin! It's kind of comfortable. One should try sleeping in one cause when you really do sleep in it, you will not know how it feels like!

The Forbidden Mall. Another haunted house.


Taking picture with one of the friendly ghosts!


Another Friendly ghost!

A whole 14 hours spent at ocean park. amazing.......

After a day of recuperation, it's time to head out again. This time, to Lantau. One would not have been to Hong Kong if he or she have not gone to the Big Buddha. When I first touched down in HK, the Ngong Ping Cable Car was under maintainence till end of september and we were like, oh well, we can always visit it later on. (coincidentally, when i came to HK in 2007, the cable car had an accident and it was shut down till further notice) This time round, I finally got to sit on the cable car.

View from the cable car is great. You can see the whole of Tung Chung, the whole Hong Kong Airport Island and lots of mountains in Lantau. It really makes you wonder how the cable car system is built. After the ride, it was to the Big Buddha where you squeeze yourself in between all the tourists for a picture with the Buddha.

View just after leaving Tung Chung!


Hong Kong International Airport! Looks like i am on a plane!

Big Buddha statue in the distance!

upclose to buddha!

Group photo!

a really good vegetarian meal! I have not had so much vegetables placed in front of me for quite some time.

After Ngong Ping, we headed off to the other side of Lantau, to Tai O Fishing Village. What once used to be a quiet fishing village with a rather large salt industry has now became a tourist site filled with people on a weekend. I can see that there are still a lot of residents there and many of them are actually locals who visit their parents who stayed there. In a way, I guess the residents have gotten used to the large crowds on weekends. It means more money for those doing a business. We did manage to walk till Shek Tsai Po, a relatively quieter area, where we are able to sit down and enjoy the view.

Tai O packed with tourists!



Kind of like the peaceful surrounding and the 'old school' feel. Different from the Hong Kong we see.

Sunset!

What a weekend! Where to go next?