DAY 28 31032010 Queen Elizabeth~

We had lessons only at 13 00 as Miss Neo had to accompany Daryl, my group member to the hospital to do a check up and to have a final injection; she also had a lot of work uncompleted :/ Daryl get well soon! Group E cannot have any members missing :D Slept a bit later and brought lunch to class. 肉夹饼 and bubble tea again! :D (Y)

The lesson begins when Miss Neo started to set up projector, showing us a movie clips of Queen Elizabeth which is somehow related to the topic that we will be covering on. Though she shown us only Chapter one and seventeen due to the time constraint, i think it is quite a meaningful movie, showing us how Queen Elizabeth had led her ministers and troops in her country.







After finishing the clips, we were instructed to write a full page reflection on how we feel about Queen Elizabeth's leadership. After which, we had lecture on chapter 8, communication. i had learnt about the different communication styles and realize that i am classified under the viewers style :D We were realized right after the lecture ended as i suppose teacher want us to have some time to do the assignment as well as to get prepared for the practical test the following day.

Overall, i find that the video clip or rather just a few scenes that we shown to us are very meaningful as it shows how powerful and noble Queen Elizabeth was, putting her people's life as her main priority. This also tell us that be it as a leader in leading the country or as a project manager, they both must have the ability to lead and of course communicate with your people so as to maintain a good relationship!

DAY 27 30032010-Lessons~

Another typical Tuesday where all of us have to attend another PM lesson. Went to class and Miss Neo told us what we will be doing during the lesson today.

Miss Neo returned us our test paper and i only score 74/100. One word to describe my marks. Careless! I actually got a zero for my resource leveling! (Y) She also went through the common mistakes that we made, and hopefully, they will not be repeated again :/

After which, teacher gave us a sample practical test and we were asked to try out. We were given 2 hours to complete before we can go for our lunch. A little shock when i saw the sample practical test as it is not as direct and straightforward like what we have done during the practical lessons and practices. We really have to read the instructions and looked into the questions carefully. Finally, after 2 hours, we completed our practical and headed for lunch! We planned to have our lunch at the school canteen, but when we saw the huge crowd of people coming out from different classes, we changed our mind and went to the Muslim store in the back street.

Had lecture on Chapter seven which is on Project Manager and Leadership and Motivation. I thought the lesson would be very dry as it is theory-based, but overall was quite fun! :D Lesson ended at around 4pm and we girls went to 建设二路 to replenish our stuff! Bought some disc too~ which we intended to watch tonight :D
We went to 丽红超市 and bought a lot of snacks! We also bought some fruits on the way back.

It was drizzling a little, but we did not have umbrellas with us, so we walked in the rain. Met Ji Long as he was cycling home. Initially, he insist of sending us back, but we were afraid that it is too troublesome for him to travel back again, so we turned down his offer. Such a good guy!

Reached hostel at around 19 00. Bath before having our dinner and movie! Had instant noodles and we watched 花田喜事2010! A rather good comedy show where we cannot stop laughing! :DD

Went to do some bits and parts of the project before blogging and practicing for the practical test! Shall end here!

In all, what Miss Neo taught today in class is rather handy for us in the future as it teaches us what qualities a leader should have, how are they going to solve the problems they faced and how they motivate themselves as well as their workers. Leaders without good qualities or capabilities will definitely have a hard time leading his team. Although i did not really have the chance to be a leader, but i am one of the assistants and i know it is not easy to lead a team without having any barriers. Therefore, being a good leader is not an easy task, but with determination and motivation, i believe everyone can be a good leader! :D

DAY 26 29032010- A day off :D

Lesson was canceled today! Thank Miss Neo for giving us a rest day after climbing Wu Dang Mountain the day before! Woke up at around 10.30am i suppose and do some blogging, my daily routine :/ Surprisingly, almost the all of us did not have any muscle ache or cramps :D

Met up with the girls for lunch! Went to canteen and had fried rice, the food that we will never get sick of it :D Meixiu asked me where we were heading for lunch, and i think i replied her "canteen" most of the time (y). This shows how much we love the fried rice :D Perhaps we should steal the receipt and cook it ourselves when we are back in Singapore!

After lunch, we decided to do some shopping. This time, only the five of us went, Hazel, Eline, Charmaine, Noor and i. Surprising, we went out without 7/7 but 5/7 ! Took the public bus 588 to 江汉路. Time pass super fast when we were shopping! Our stomach was growling, telling us that it's dinner time~ We decided to dine in KFC and tried the burgers as we did not have the chance previously. One word to describe the food. Delicious! The KFC restaurant here is different from Singapore's as they emphasis mostly on the burgers here.



After dinner, it drizzled a little, but it did not stop us continuing our shopping! We shopped till 2100 and spilt up to take a cab as there is no more bus after 20 00. The cab fare looks weird as the distance is the same, but the price differs by around 10 RMB? Wonder did the uncle cheat our money by going in circles :/

Overall, today shopping was great! I wanted to buy a denim jacket with stuts. The price labeled on the jacket was around 160 RMB, but when i took it to the counter, the lady, who i assume she is the lady boss, said loudly in Chinese that the price is printed wrongly and blame other people who labeled the price. She then snatched the jacket from my hand, which makes me stunned. No sales person ever did that to me! Or i look that i cannot afford it ? This is my first time seeing such an impolite and attitude sales person! It is a relief that Singapore does not have such sales person, i suppose, if not our reputation would be ruin.

DAY 25 28032010- Up Up Up to Wu Dang Shan!

We will be climbing the Wu Dang Mountain today! This is my first time climbing mountain, a little excited~ I woke up after Charmaine is done with her wash up. I guess it's around 6 am(:
All of us got ready by 7am and off for breakfast! Before going for breakfast, some of our friends and Miss Neo borrowed our toilets as their power tripped. Hurried over to the 餐厅 and settle down. Had our breakfast and getting ready to climb! But before that, we went to check out and assemble at the main lobby for some briefing. We were told that the climbing process of going up and down takes around 5 hours. I wonder how high is the mountain :?Almost everyone went for the climb except for those who are not feeling well, which is minority.

The morning air is very refreshing and cold~ But the tour guide told me that i am actually wearing too much :/
For the first few minutes, we were enjoying ourselves, talking, laughing and taking photos on the way, but after that, none of us really talked as i think by that time, we were perspiring and conserving energy to climb.




After climbing for some time, Charmaine could not take it anymore, so she gave up climbing and took a rest at the sheltered area near the shops. Eline, Hazel and I perserve and continued climbing! We were drained up when we reached the next resting area, which is not even 1/3 of the whole journey! But we are determined to climb up the mountain.


Hundreds and hundreds of stairs. Look at this people! For the sake of worshiping at the temple, they would do anything for it for the exchange of being bless.



Was separated with Eline and Hazel, but managed to reach the golden summit with Tee Li! It was like finally! :D Waited for the rest before the going in.
The scenery and the air is super good up there! Clean and refreshing~ Explore the place and took some photos!







Seeing this picture really makes my blood boil! Can u see i got a "new sister"? We were queuing up to take a picture with the sculpture behind, but look, these people just cut the queue whenever they like! Didnt really bother much and took the picture with her :/

Look at the bars! They will turn gold upon the rising sun! Cool isn't it?



We also saw a lot of people throwing coins up the roof. I think that it is a belief that you would be bless and stay up at high position if the coin did not fall down from the roof? There are also people buying locks engraved with their name and date and locked it with the chain along the stairs. Perhaps these are also some of the reasons explaining why there are so many people!

After the exploring and taking of pictures, its time to go back. It will take another few hours to walk down the mountain. Can you imagine that?! We had some rest situated near the golden summit and met up with the rest! They were eating and replenishing their energy for the climbing down!



Some of the workers sitting on the sedan waiting for business. Some of our friends wanted to try, but it is too costly :/


The process of climbing down the stairs is not as tired as climbing up, but our knees hurt! Hazel and I were shaking :/ After a few hours, we are back! Took group photos which marks the end of our golden summit journey! :D


But when we reach the foot of the mountain, we were behind our schedule as one group is very late. Our lunch was held back and one of the teacher said that we only have 10 minutes to get our lunch done. So, we rushed to the restaurants and gobble our food quickly. We did not manage to eat a lot due to the time constraint, so we went to the nearby convenience store to grab something for our 5 hour long journey! Rest a little in the bus, black jack and slack. We reached our dormitory only at 2100, and due to the late lunch we have, we did not have our dinner (; Shall have an early rest tonight ! nights~

Overall, i am proud of myself for climbing up the golden summit! Though i have thoughts of giving up half-way, but i saw many people, who are so much older than i am, carrying all the incense and offerings, really make me have second thoughts. They can do it, why can't i?
The workers carrying the sedan also increase my strength of will as i saw them sweating profusely, carrying passengers which weighs more than 70kilograms, and they did not give up! This also shows me that for the sake of money to provide for their family, they have to persevere! Moreover, i believe that the shop vendors here did not really have a good life as i saw many of them snatching business. They sure have a lot of competition here.
About us being delay in the noon, i hope that this would not affect the reputation of Singaporean, or the NP, being slow and steady. Alright! All i have to say that today's trip was a good one! If we have the chance to conquer Mount Everest, we will! Right girls? :D

DAY 24 27032010- Off to Wu Dang Shan!

Woke up early in the morning as we need to assemble at 7am! A little reluctant though. I packed my bag only in the morning as i spent the night in my friend's room! (:

Washed up and changed and off to Wu Dang Shan!

We have the same tour guide with us again. The bus journey was 5 hours! So I decided to take a nap :D Stopped by and have our lunch at a restaurant. The restaurant is filled with cigarette smell, which I don’t really like it, but I have to bear with it :/

The dishes for lunch today are alright, only the donkey meat which I cannot take it. I think it is a little cruel and donkey is really not a very common meat to be found. Therefore, I did not even try to lay my chopsticks on it! Had carrot soup like finally! Good!

\After lunch, we continue with our journey. We reached the ticket office of Wu Dang mountain scenic spot. Cool name indeed. It is the place where we need to buy some ticket for entrance and after which, we changed quite a number of bus, going different locations in Wu Dang.

The first place we went was 太子坡and the second place was 紫霄福地.

At 太子坡, we can see there are many different halls in the temple. Being respectful, it is not advisable to take photos of the status.

We went inside and explore the place. Most of the rooms with the god status inside has a lower temperature than the outside.To preserve the status or it has other meaning? We then went to the 财神殿(Hall of the God of Wealth), of course we were praying that we will become rich! =D Next, we went to the CangJing Tower. It was used to store Daoist Inscriptures. there were two side rooms on the first floor which were the storekeeper's living rooms. I wanted to take a peep inside, but it was locked ): Spotted this tree, which is the 桂花 tree, with a lot of strings tied around it. I think people tie the string up on the tree perhaps they wanted the god to fulfill their wishes or bless them. I bought a letter from a street store near to the tree which is related to my surname and the origins of it!

Went into a tea house and have some tea. Eline, Charmaine and I bought some pearl bracelet at the temple for our family and we are perhaps a little superstitious as we might think that it will bring some luck to our parents. We went to The Five Storey Tower; look around and took some pictures.

After which, we left for our second destination,紫霄福地.

When first entered the place, it look kind of holy as compared to the previous one. Perhaps it is larger with more different categories of hall.We took a group photo before it is free and easy time.

We walked around the temple and went in to each and every room. I like a particular room we went in. It consist of all the herbs and stuffs that are being used in the olden times. I like it! :D After which, we left and went to check in to our motel.

Mixed feeling when we were going to see how the motel looks like. We were being told that it is a 3-star motel. But i really wonder what kind of motel can they have at a mountain. Took bus and we have to walk a distance before we cab reach our destination. We went pass quite a few shops and it looks like all of them are selling the same thing.

We walked further down the street and finally reached our motel! The place is better than what i expected! It does not look like a motel at all, but a 4-star hotel! We collected our key and went to our rooms immediately! The room is bigger than the hostel and of course much better than the cruise, with 2 arm chairs, a dressing table and television! We also have a bath tub! i suppose we have a VIP room~ Lucky for me and Eline! :D Hazel and Charmaine later moved to our room we will be sleeping together! :D

We only have 5 minutes to get ourselves prepared and we shall head to final attraction before having our own free time!

We were supposed to climb the stairs to another temple, but we did not managed to though we were half way due to time constraint. We bought some snacks and sat outside the shop, enjoying both the food and the scenery!

Walked back and waited outside 太和宾馆 at 6.30pm. We had a VIP room! All thanks to the malay guys~ :D
The food served is not very appealing :/

After dinner, we decided to browse the shops along the streets and we bought some snacks and cup noodles ! Back to our room. Bathed and changed. We had our snacks while watching television program! The show was awesome! We laughed like there is no tomorrow :DD Perhaps its because also i have not been watching shows for the past one month :/

It is the first time we slept so early! 10.30pm and all of us are like dead logs, i suppose :D Nights~

In all, the places we went today seems to be related to Taoism. There are temples whereby there are a lot of people, regardless of tourists or the locals, they would come and pray to the status there. I believe that they are quite accurate, if not why would people come to such a far place and walked/climbed for so long! I cannot said that they are superstitious as i am also into this kind of stuff :) After all the rides and walks i have taken today, i can see that China differentiate their lines very clearly between rural and urban :/ Afterall, i really enjoy myself today as the scenery is really beautiful here :D There is also one television program we watched and i find it quite meaningful. It is a show whereby the children have to overcome some barriers in order to find their mother, with the help of their fathers and other people. They have to go under a temperature of around -30 degrees and they are only 4-6 years old! I think they are quite independent as i think the task is not easy for them. I think this is good form of training for kids, but their safety are still the main priority :D

DAY 23 26032010- Cherry Blossom aka SAKURA~

Had IS lesson with Miss Grace at 9am today, which is also the last IS lesson. We learnt about the philosophy of China. The teacher also asked us how we feel in China and stuff. It is quite a pity that we only have a few lessons, and soon we will be leaving. After which, we negotiate with Miss Grace to let us off early to view the cherry blossom at Wu Han University and she agreed! :D Thanks!

We are given a piece of "homework" which is to be completed before we can leave. The worksheet consist of 8 case studies which is about some of the basic culture that the Chinese believes and their thoughts on it.

After finishing the worksheet, we went for lunch before going back to our hostel and change into our colorful leggings. Eline wore blue, Hazel wore maroon, Charmaine wore red and i wore orange :D COOL! You would not find us wearing this in Singapore!

Bought bubble tea and flag for the "bread" van at the back street. We compared the different prices between 2 vans. One of the driver gave a price of 60 RMB while another gave a price of 40 RMB ( but there are no seats behind). Due to the different rates given by them, we chose the cheaper one. Sorry guys for sitting on the hard ground :/

We sat in the van for more than 30 minutes before reaching our destination. At first we were told that the entrance is free, but when we reached, we were stopped by some school traffic/security and we were asked buy the ticket before we can enter the university. Thus, we bought tickets and went in!

After arriving at the University, we can see there are a lot of people coming into the school to see the cherry blossom! We walked around and capture some pictures.

Lovely o3♥

I heard from my friends that if they would want to see cherry blossom, they would find the flowers with white petals instead of pink as white is not as common as the pink cherry blossom. They are so pretty!

After taking a lot of pictures (Thank You HAZEL!), we sat down near the volleyball court and watched the on-going volleyball match. Some of them are wearing jeans while some of them are wearing sports attire; but their team spirit is still there :D Nice Game!

After which, we proceed back to our hostel. The driver who sent us there is waiting for us beside the volleyball court. At first, we thought that we negotiated with him the price to be 60RBM, back and forth. We didn’t expect the total price for the whole journey would be 150RBM, which include the petrol cost and the tour around 东湖! Ridiculous!

Settle the money and bought our dinner before blogging time again!

In all, I feel that the IS lesson really help me a lot apart from knowing some of the history of China, but also some of the Dos and Don’ts in business and the philosophy. Thank you Miss Grace and Miss Zhang HongJ! After today’s lesson, I realize that it is their Chinese customs that they would really serve their host very well, making sure that they would feel comfortable in their country. *Thumbs up*

Feeling a little angry about the driver that sort of ‘cheats’ our money, as I did not know that he would let his customer pay for the petrol oil! I know that money is hard to earn in china, but is this one of their tactic? Only they know themselves!

But nevertheless, today’s trip was a fruitful one as it is my first time seeing cherry blossom! :D

Time pass very quickly and 19 more days I’m going home!