A unexpected incident brings about a unexpected lesson.

I have been not blogging for this whole week because i was busy preparing for presentations, reports, going to nearby pharmacies to find more about traditional chinese medicine, TCM in short and modifying the dance for the cultural night show. Being an emcee together with Edmund, both of us have to come up with a script as well. From the tight and hectic schedule for the past week, i realised that time management is really important. As all of us are in China, i am sure many of us do not have a proper table, a condusive place to study and concentrate. Maybe our rooms is the only where most of our work is done. For myself, whenever i sit on the bed, i feel so sleepy and really tempted to take a nap.

The night before the big day which is the cultural night exchange between the WUST students and NP students, Camellia, She Hui and I were locked outside the room. We took the wrong key ( Issac's key) and we only brought 1 out. After the mignight movie at cafe 119, it was close to 2 in the morning. We couldn't possibly call Tang Shi Fu to wake up and bring the extra keys. But luckily, Issac and Justin decided offered us to sleep on their beds while they sleep on the mats and sleeping bags. I really appreciated their initiative and i felt really touched that they sacrificed their comfort for our careless mistake. From this incident, i have learnt a few lessons.

1. Sacrifice: It is not something that is easy to do. It is a action that reflects your selfless approach towards others and putting others' before themselves. I believed that sacrificing starts from something small. I would like to say a very big thank you to Issac, Bo Kang, Justin and Clarence for offering us a place to rest at the expense of yours.

2. Initiative: One of my personal goal for this trip. To be more initiative in the things i do like bringing an extra pair of keys just in case which lead to the next thing which is to never take things for granted. We must never assume that things are going to go as planned. Always add in extra precaution so that whatever has happened, there is always a back up plan.

Today was the cultural exchange night and it was really fun and enjoyable. Everybody did received a good dose of laughter and entertainment from the students from WUST and Ngee Ann that has offered. Most of the PHARMily learnt the Indian Dance and a modern dance.

Personally i feel that the Indian Dance is challenging while the modern dance needs time for the body to coordinate. However from all these challenges, all f us did not give up and continued practicing the dance through the night. I was quite touched to hear from them about how serious they take the responsibilty and the determination to get the steps and style right. I really love and appreciate their hunger for learning. I must learn from them.

In conclusion, no matter where you are, what you are doing in your daily lives, you will still be able to find lessons to learn from. Isn't it amazing?

I went on a trip and didn't miss out the adventure.

Climbing the mountain is not as easy as it seems. Seriously. Initially, the year 2s initially wanted

to climb up the mountain and i was thinking, "Why not?" It will be adventurous and a perfect time to test our limits and stamina. However, our spirits were dampened when Mr. Phua said that the weather might not be in our favour.

It turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

From this trip to Wudang San, i can clearly dictate this journey into the events that happened throughout my years of studying. And i think that some of you guys have gone through the same experience as i did. well, here goes.

When we just started out, everything seems okay, like during my primary school life, out-going and mischievous. I thought that studying was easy, and i remembered my mum have to always chase me around with a cane to make me study. And my favourite hiding place is the toilet. I refused to study, and i admit that i hate to study. Just like at the bottom of the mountain, we thought that climbing will be easy since we will be taking the cable car.

Taking the cable car up!

Amazing view inside the cable car.

When we reached the other end of the cable car, the scenery blew my mind. It was simply breath-taking. For once, i felt peace, away from the hustle and bustle 2000m below us. Time suddenly slowed down and being forever hyper, I became even more energetic.

Amazing!! snow!

As we walked to the foot of the summit where our destination for this trip was, we were surprised to find out that there were SO MANY tourists there as well. Reaching our destination suddenly felt impossible. We were so near yet so far. I felt like giving up. At that point of time, my mind suddenly flashed back to my secondary school days where i felt like giving up my goal of going to the express stream when i was in secondary 2 due to the stiff competition between my classmates. It was a obstacle i have to overcome : my hatred for studying and the amount of discipline i need to get through that hurdle. So, since i am happy in the normal academic stream, why should i push myself?? That was exactly how i felt.

Look at how crowded the place is!!!

Whoo!!

But still, we have to go up. Luckily, a few of my friends accompanied me up the tedious path, squeezing into every inch of gap if possible and trying to stay close with them. the steps were so steep and everybody were as if racing with one another to get to the top. To me, it was not easy. There were many difficulties and i think that the most challenging is to balance yourselves while climbing the steps up as there were ice on the floor. Just like the O levels, each and everyone of us wants to be top. I wanted to push myself to the limit when i came to realize that i slacked most of the time during my primary school days.

I shall not elaborate more when i reached the top. Shall let the pictures do the talking. During this journey, I felt it was more than a sightseeing day. I was contented that i realized i have come thus far and my hard work have been paid off. Although in life there were many obstacles ahead of me and the competition between classmates, the only opponent that you have is yourself. Never set your eyes away from your goals and nothing will take it away from you. No one.

In conclusion, life is not easy, we just have to grit our teeth and do what is best for us.

Industrial Visits.

This week is really a busy week for all of us. Instead of having a good laugh after a scrumptious dinner together, most of us locked ourselves in the room, not wasting any minute to study for our tests and doing final touch-ups for the presentations. However, during this busy week, we managed to go for 2 industrial visits in the mornings. The first industrial visit was to Wugang where metal stripes were manufactured. I must say it was truly an eye-opener for me. Metals were melted, re-formed, coiled into stripes within 10-15 mins. And it was really hot in the manufacturing area where we saw the whole process. Just imagine the tempreture inside during the summer....

The second industrial visit was to the coca cola factory in Wuhan province. One word to describe. Wow. The factory was huge. When we first entered, the staff offered us a glass of coke and told us to sit to watch a video about the history of coca-cola. I must say that the coca-cola company is one of the most respectable company in the world. Not just the drinks that they manufacture but also the number of charities and sponsorships they took up during their years of production. Business is not just about making money, it also means giving back to the society and sharing what you have with the less fortunate.

Amazing trip along the Yangtze River,

Hello i'm back to blogging!!!

We spent the last weekend on the cruise at Yangtze river! I must say it was a enjoyable trip and the highlight of the trip is to see the three gorges dam and to know how does the world's largest hydro power station works!

We set off on Friday at around noon because we have to travel by bus to YingChang where the river is. It took us 6-7 hours because there was a minor accident along the way. As YingChang is not as urban as Wuhan, the sights were different and has a more rural feel to it. We finally reached the harbor close to 6 in the evening. the funny part that made all of us is that we have to wear a checkered hat. It was really a funny sight but it was used to identify us because the harbor was filled with other passengers too. We got on board right away and we were shocked that the cruise was better than we expected! Most of us over-prepared by bringing big packets of snacks, cup noodles, and many big bottles of water. I was panting so heavily while carrying the luggage up and down to the cruise. haha!! oh well, treat it as a form of exercise.

Look at how much we brought!!!! over prepared!

Got this beautiful sight while on the bus to YingChang.

We have to wear this checkered hat. Everybody looks the same!

The cruise that we were about to board =)

At the reception area.

For this trip, Mei Ling was my room-mate!!! Once we got our keys, we proceed to put our luggage in our rooms. Everybody was so happy that our rooms were really neat and the mattress was super thick!!! Can't wait to sleep at that time. When we finally settled down, it was time for dinner. The food was better than what i thought. After which we spent our time at the VIP lounge and at the deck while waiting for the ship to enter the very first ship lock which will bring us from the downstream to the upstream. In total, there were 5 of the ship locks and it took us a total of 4 hours to travel from downstream to upstream. At the very first ship lock, everybody felt how the ships were raised when water rushes through from the bottom. This is my very first experience and it was amazing how ships can be raised.

Our room! 3020!!

our dinner!! They love to give the rice in a very big bowl

Enjoying the cold weather with others at the deck!

Titanic!!! haha!!

VIP lounge.

The VIP card that was issued.

Playing cards!!!

Finally entered the first ship lock

The white line will indicate where the level the water would rise until. Seems impossible...

But it is possible!!! amazing!

After seeing how the ship rise, we went back to sleep as all of us were tired from the travelling. The next morning, while waiting for the ship to reach the three gorges where we have to change boat, we started playing cards in each other's room. Finally after lunch, we boarded another boat and it was freezing cold.

Playing cards!

Playing cards too!!!

Ticket to the three gorges and to experience a ride on the wooden boat!!

It was freezing cold!!!

Such a scenic view...

LARGEST cave found.

On board the shaking wooden boat that is moved by six men at the front and one at the back to control the direction. Many excited faces!!!

How they pull the boat. One man would wrap himself with a wooden rope and pull it along the river bank. Hard work!!!

From the experience on the bow, i realised that the people have to work very hard rowing boats everyday. However, they did not give up on their culture that their ancestors have passed on to them and continue to stay in their hometown despite their children have moved to the city area. This shows loyalty. I really admire their persistence in continuing on their cultural practices. we learnt that the term " Huo Ji" means good friend. " Huo Ji Jia you!!!" ( press on good friends of mine!!!)

after experiencing such a memorable boat ride, we headed back to the cruise for the night. The next morning, we were brought back to where we started off by going through the 5 ships locks from the upstream to the downstream. We woke up really early and then took a bus to the world's largest hydro power station where we could see the dam and understand how it works.

At the entrance to the dam

Weather and wind direction stated at the ticket counter.

Ticket to the hydro power station.

At the peak!

Can you see the dam?? =)

We went to different stations to catch different view of the dam. Due to the weather, it was really misty and we couldn't take clear pictures of the dam, only a few.

Warming ourselves with a cup of hot drink!! See how happy Jian Liang is =)

Posing very the camera!!

Bought this milk ice cream. Really very nice!!

At the park!

Having loads of fun!!!

The park was filled with flowers and for the first time in my life, i get to see real sakura flowers!! i was so happy and lucky at the same time=))

So beautiful

Found tadpoles!

What a sight!!! Love sakura!!!

Jumpshot to end this weekend trip filled with laughter and memories...

A week in China!!!

Hello!

It has been more than a week when we arrived in Wuhan=). The experience has been really great so far and i have been really enjoying myself and so does the rest, i hope! However, work load is getting heavier with lecture tests, presentations and PBL tests. Sigh... but it is still part of our assignments. Well, have to play hard and study hard!

During this whole week, we have been having many lectures and a presentation on herbal supplement as well. Although we had many assignments, we did not miss out the fun as well. In the evenings, we would meet up others to have a run around the school campus or meet up with the local students to play badminton. I really love excercising in China at this time because the weather is really cooling and unlike in Singapore, we won't get sweaty, smelly or tired easily. we played for about 2 hours and it was really great fun!

Furthermore, in one of the afternoons before the class start, we went to Greenery Cafe again!! This time, i ordered beef in hot plate for RMB 35 (S$7)!. Superb!!! In some days, if the breaks are really short, we would just have lunch in the school canteen. As the serving portion is huge, I would always ask the lady for less rice. However, i still couldn't finish.

Lecture about the geographical aspects in china

The different provinces in China


The best beef steak i have ever tried. AWESOME!

Stir-fried tofu with rice. RMB 5

Camellia's lunch!

On wednesday night, as Mr Imran suggested, most of us went to have a German buffet near Wal-Mart. The foos was to our taste and we did have a fun time chatting and drinking beer=))

Had German Buffet at Golden Hans!!!

We finally have a seat after waiting for soo long!!

Camellia, Qiu Yan & Yvette

Mei Ling, Me & She Hui

Food!!!!

Will be heading to the 3 gorges tomorrow!!! Can't wait to see the scenery and create more memories there with others!!! Shall come back with more pictures! See you!!!