KTV with Chinamen and Chinawomen!

haha...up till now, i could not believe that I actually went singing with China people that i did not even know! Siqian's collegue called Yang Min was a very nice guy and I was introduced to him through her when I went into Sierli Collection Boutique just a few days ago. So, he invited us to go for KTV and he said he'd pay for it and so I was like, I love to sing, its free, so why not? Hence, we went and got pearleen along and to my surprise, there were a total of 15 other ppl in there...all were his frens and they were singing like there was no tomoro! most were 'smoke machines' and drank alcohol, even Yang min. but nontheless, we got to sing 4-5 songs and i kinda enjoyed it as they sang the songs i liked.

Later, we met up with Hongyi and Roseann as they wanted to go clubbing...I stayed out...and waited outside Haagen Daz for them. I promised my dad that i would not drink alcohol again or go clubbing and i intend to keep it. reason? if the line is not drawn, if the boundary is not set, compromises will take place and before you know it, you have already gone too far off track. haha...i guess that's it for now!

The automatic Majong Table!!!

This table is super COOL!!! just watch it...it automatically shuffles the majong tiles for you and then it will come up of the table, properly arranged in 4 rows and then, the game can start!!! my host was kind enough to open it up to show me and he said a lot of people in China has this table. I have never seen anything like it before and I was SUPER EXCITED!!! look for yourself!

Pls ignore the background noise!!! haha...i was so excited, i said very loudly '我的天啊!'

Hahaha....I really wanna thank my host for letting me video this!!! For those of you who cannot view the video, you can go youtube and type 'rachel hoe shanghai' you will be abe to find it there!

Life in China...

ok...so i have like been in this country for a total of 18 days now. So far, living here has been a blast, as most of you would have seen in my blog, mainly because of the people around me. Nontheless, its really quite different from Singapore. hahaha....anyway, see for youself the comparisons I made:

Its actually kind of funny everytime i think about it. My ancestors came from Shanghai, China. Singapore do not have many Shanghainese around (or rather, people from that dialect group). And so its like, I look at my collegues and I think, almost all of them are Shanghainese, and so we are kindda of the same breed or family of people. hahaha....can't really describe! China is really different from what I thought it would be, as in, looking at how commercialized Shanghai is, really changed my previous perception of China. hahaha...I really hope to come back here someday...(after I leave this place). I know in my heart that I will never forget this trip for as long as I live! I love you Shanghai!!!

Day 15-18...7 Days WORK!!!!

Haiz..this week, we gotta work monday to sunday...no weekend break. Cause the golden week is comes after that and...we will be having a 1 whole week break!!! I think Hongyi and I are more fortunate to have a week break...SiQian and Sean oni got 5 days off...well, but still, working this week was really no fun and games lah...3 words to summarize what I did, translation, translation, translation. Haiz, both of us ended up falling asleep...

Conking>>>>>(I slept too!!! Shacked!!!)

Something interesting did happen that day though, Hongyi and I met up with Roseann and Jasmine for lunch that day and after which, we stepped out of the building for some Milo Ice-cream...(it was very very windy and SUPER COLD) and as it was rather windy, things (litter, leaves, dust) were flying around. A plastic bag suddenly came rushing from behind me and GUESS what! ...After it circled in the air for a few rounds....it flew straight onto HONGYI"S FACE!!!!! hahahahaha...we were ROARING WITH LAUGHTER LAH!!!!

Anyway, later that day, Sean, Siqian, Pearleen, Xue er and Me went to go shopping at Zheng Da (I went and ate with my cousin there b4). We ate at Burger King and later, spent the rest of our evening at H&M browsing through apparel and accessories. haha..

Later, we just slacked at Starbucks, enjoyed the cool autumn breeze, watch the crowd past by. Man, i call that enjoying life! We also chatted and sort of did verbal peer evaluation of each other...haha...b4 it came to my turn, we had to leave as the store was closing...so I hope to hear from them soon...!

Over the week, we also met up with the HTM gals for dinner at Bi Feng Tang...man, the mushroom soup was nice!

End of Days 15-18>>>>

Day13(Sunday)-Day14(Birthday!)

STREETS OF QIPULU>>>>>>>ROAR!!!!

Pearleen joined us today>>>>>

I-AM-A-CHINAMAN>>>>>
We went shopping at QIBULU!!! i bought quite a number of items, a bangle, a watch, a wallet, a shoe and a boyfriend-shirt. but the thing i am most glad about is the fact that my friends came to church with me...and we went to Starbucks after that! my very first time eating there...
The MRT station where we are staying>>>>

Anyway, we later found a street hawker center that sells really good food at a really cheap price and its just behind the place we are staying...and the other thing is, we managed to get pirated Taiwanese Drama Series there!!! 1 whole set costs only Singapore $1.70!!! i got 3 of them...(2 of which starred Ming Dao).

Anyway, we went home and I was in the guys room using laptop, all of us were in the room using the laptop together. but they suddenly left the room and i did not realize as i was quickly using the computer and i had to do a bit of ironing later before i sleep. so when the door opened, still looking at the com, i asked if they needed any clothes ironed and the lights suddenly went off and i wondered wat happened. so i turned around, and there they were with a birthday cake, candles lit, singing a birthday song!

I was really touched and when i looked at my laptop, i saw that it was exactly 12 midnight! i was really happy! as i never thought they would celebrate my birthday the minute i turned 19 and it was really special to be remembered in such a way! I really thank God for giving me such friends at times when i need care and concern the most. I will never forget this day....never ever... thanks for making this day sooooo memorable for me...i love you guys, and i really mean it from the bottom of my heart...

Day 12...Getting some exercise.(2nd weekend)

Today is a sat and since my other 2 friends went to work, Hongyi went to the gym together to get some exercise. Haha...and which better place to exercise other than California Fitness!!!

I got the opportunity to go in once more (i have been there b4) as Hongyi is a member. However, this was my going to be my first and last time as i was only allowed one entry. Anyway, it was good to exercise again!!! This particular Shanghai outlet is where Yao Ming goes for exercise and there was a special cubicle (extra high, specially catered for his height) in the MEN's toilet allocated just for him!!! How cool is that!!! Haha...anyway, i think my arms are going to ache from lifting so much weight tomoro...

Boxing Area>>>>>

Punching Bag>>>>

Their TV above the running machine is showing a Singapore Drama Series on CCTV>>>>>!!!

Weight Lifting>>>>i tried lifting for a while and now my arms are aching!!!

My Favourite Machine!!!! can stretch any part of your back that aches>>>>

End of Day 12>>>>>I think i have lost 2.5 kg already so far on this trip!!!

My 3 OSIP Friends.

Today, i decided to blog about the people who have been living with me under the same roof for the past 10 days in a foreign land. For starters, let me talkabout my room mate.

SiQian>>>>>

I previously thought she was the sort who leads a complicated life (as one who been through a lot of setbacks in life), rather quiet and would keep to herself most of the time but since day 1 till now, we have been chatting about almost anything under the sun. haha...ANYTHING!!! She is very open, honest, frank, easy-come-easy-go, ...and I admire her for that. I have been having a great time with her and she has shown me a lot about the world in which she lives in. What is that you may ask...the world of friends, world of image consciousness(dressing-up, make-up), the world of shopping and the world of clubbing. (so far, that's about it). I have also shown her the sort of lifestyle I live about being a Christian, being Family-Oriented and leading the simple life. Anyway, i am really glad to know such a person as open as her...she does not keep things to herself and just openly shares how she feels whereas for most of my other frens, i have to guess their current emotion by looking at their facial expression and then ensure that i say the right things so as not to hurt them. Well, i can get pretty tired of that and i am glad i dun have to be that way in-front of her.

Next up....SEAN>>>>>

Till now, I dun really know Sean as well as my other 2 frens as I did not manage to spend much time communicating with him. But one thing i know, i somehow feel i can count on him to help me in my time of need. He is more like a brother to me and i feel rather secure when i am around him. its just a feeling of which i can't really explain, maybe its because we have something in common, we are Christians and we both love God, wanting to accomplish His will for our lives. haha...hence, we lead rather similar lifestyles too! anyway, i like his way of fun...playing cards and soccer table. (He is a MANCHESTER FAN!!!) haha...this is wad i know about him so far and i hope to get chances to know him better...

And now...last but certainly not the least...my working partner...

Hongyi>>>>

My previous perception of him was more of someone who likes to 'play'....someone with a rather active social life and so far...i am right! haha...but i have also discovered the more serious side to him. He has more 'Substance' in him than what meets the eye...wad do i mean by substance? I mean things like being knowlegable, caring and having a certain level of maturity. haha...i have gotten to know him better and i am enjoying working together with him. i can almost say there is not a boring day with him around! he is like our big brother on this trip and takes good care of all of us. i have learnt a lot from his life experiences and i hope to gain more as i am rather ignorant...i am also glad that he is rather open so communication flows easy for us. so...that's 11 days of getting to know him as well.

Summary: Before coming to Shanghai, I was really worried what life was gonna become...i mean, i did not know all the 3 of them very well and naturally, i really dun know what to expect at all. but now, i am starting to wonder what the 4 of us will become when we return to Singapore...79 over days of bonding, staying together, hanging out together, playing together is a really long time. (longer than times spent with our family at home even, if we count by hours per day). we each have our own company of frens back home but how close will we bond? how far will our friendship go? hahaha...i guess i think too much but till now, i also wonder why the 4 of us were put together since we came from all different walks of life. haha...i dun think its a coincedence but rather, destiny, that we should learn from one another...haha...I love you all and I just wanna thank the 3 of you for making this trip a joyful and enjoyable one! May we never forget these special times we shared...

END>>>>

Day 8-11...Work, work,work.

Whoa...i am seriously beginning to tire at work...we had to do translation of contracts (or rather, letter of intention) from English to Chinese and i really thank God for Google. It translates rather well and saves me a lot of trouble. Hongyi and I also chat a lot in the company using SKYPE and we talk about the silliest stuff. this chat we had below was when it was already 6 and we wanted to go home but yet, we did not and none of us wanted to ask our supervisor (she is fierce!!!), so we scissors, paper, stone....

I Won!!! but we just left anyway...so, as mentioned...We have finally met up with both our supervisors and since they are both Singaporeans, they speak to each other in Hokkien at times. I hear 7 languages constantly being spoken at work, Chinese, English, Shanghainese, Singlish, Hokkien, Cantonese and Malay!!! ...haha...I am glad this is a Singaporean company. Anyway, just yesterday, Hong yi, Si Qian and I went to LA LIANG (a new word i learnt here that means taking a stroll). We walked and my frens suddenly said they were going to see 'PORN'...so naturally, i was like, i wanna go home now! haha...but it turns out they were joking and we went to the 'POND' to just sit down and enjoy the night view...

Siqian resting>>>>

Haha>>>>Taking in the breeze>>>>super tired!!!

During this week, we also happen to visit a NIKE store. It has very good visual merchandising and the best part is...it had a soccer table! I played with Sean and it certainly got many ppl staring at us...hahaha....

I am losing!!!>>>>

Sean spinning away>>>>>

haha...anyway, that's about wad happened for the past 3 to 4 days...i will be updating real soon. remember to come and c.

End of Day8-11>>>>>

Day 7...Mooncake festival holiday...

we met up with our business school mates from hospitality today to go to the new science tech park. we had lunch at yoshinoya b4 that and afterwhich, we went shopping!!! the place was full of cheap and good stuff but yet, i was not particularly inclined into buying anything...haiz...anyway, after that we went to their apartment for dinner (and a game of heart attack) and carried lanterns on our way out.

Lanterns>>>>When we reached home, the host had some frenz over ad they were all smoking and playing majong!!! the whole place was super smoky and we were all rushing to close the doors each time we entered or exited our rooms....haha...by the way, their whole table has some in-built electronic thing that can automatically shuffle the majong tiles!!! it's a special big wooden table created for the sole purpose of playing majong...haha...that's it for now.

End of Day 7>>>>

Day6 transit day7...

Later that night, we ate dinner at a korean restaurant....and i finally got to eat zha zhiang mian!!! very cheap aso....3.50 sing dollars oni...

We went to see the Dong fang ming zhu aso...this is how it looks like...

afterthat, my frens and i were in the mood for singing, particularly me and so we went to haoledi...it has good and cheap karaoke services...

HAHa...>>>selecting songs!!!!

Singing away>>>

Crazy guys>>>i have totally no idea who they are....

*while i am blogging on this, one of these 2 crazy fellows are peeing out the window of their room and i happen to be in there!!!! (of course i shut my eyes, for those of you out there who thinks otherwise)

END OF DAY 6-7>>>>>

Day6...to all bros and sis in Christ out there...

today, it was a sunday and i headed to church in the afternoon at around 3 but b4 that, the host cooked lunch for us...

The church i went to was called Shanghai Community Church. Its the biggest church (protestant) in Shanghai and it has english services from 2-4 and 4-6pm. So i went for the 4pm one...it is located near Hengshan Station for those who are interested in attending their church service and more details can be found once you google 'Churches in Shanghai'. Anyway, many people from various nations came together and most were americans. Koreans, philipines, malaysians, singaporeans and many others were also represented. The church sings mordern worship songs with a majority being hillsongs but in a more serious way i would say and then the pastor came to speak on ephesians 2 as they were covering the book.

anyway, one thing i learnt from him was that, most of us would probably have this question in mind:' If God is so loving and kind, why does He still condemn people to hell? ' i did have this question at the back of my head, i mean since hell is so scary and all.... but what he explained, i find was very true. He said that the devil wants us to think that God is the one who will put you in hell. But that is not the case, when we were born in this world, we were ALREADY on our way to hell...God has been trying to save us and eventually, sent his son. That's why we have to be born again! haha...anyway, that's it for now!!!

The church entrance>>>

Inside the church>>>>

Top Level>>>>>

End of Day 6>>>>

Day 5 >>>Shanghai (1st weekend)

Nothing much to sae about today...i was like home most of the time and only left at around 3 to go and register with the China police embassy. but the area which i went to was very nice...its streets and streets selling apparel, accessories and many others...take a look...

Streets just outside the police station >>>>>

Dragon Bridge>>>> juz giving it a name

This is our host's bookstore...he has 20 outlets in Shanghai!!!

End of Day5 >>>>

Day4 >>> All it takes...is a little

These are my collegues David (Wu Cao) and Jeff. Really nice ppl...

At the time i took this picture, it was 6'o clock. (Singapore n Shanghai has no time diff). there was a typhoon going on outside...

Today i had quite an experience. After work, my frens wanted to club as it was a friday night...my intention was to have a look as i had never been into one before and so we went. we entered this club known as G+ (i think) and 3 words to descibe it: Smoky, Noisy and Crowded (with soooo many ladies). Anyway, we went and i think the lady forgot to charge us entrance fee of about 50 yuan per person and so we got in free. After that, we ordered a few cups of vodka and i had a small taste. I really dislike drinking cocktail and so, i thought i would never like alcoholic drinks...however, it was mixed with sprite so i could not really taste the vodka and hence, i drank about 1/4 of a small cup.

Despite drinking very slowly, that was all it needed to make me a little red in the face and afterwhich, i think we drank a shooter (which also tasted nice) and i had a really small cup. i had this perception that drinks that had alcohol would taste bad (beer) and when i could not really taste the alcohol, i naturally perceived that there was little alcohol in the drink and so i sipped and soon after, my stomach stirred!!! so a fren and i left the place... and when we exited the building, i threw up!!! so...i learnt a lesson...a little alcohol is all it takes.

My Havoc Frens>>>>>

End of Day 4>>>>>