Wahseh!Wahseh!cruisin' and bruisin' leaving footprints on the sand Articles
A Celebration
2007-12-10 09:19:00 A few of us in the bible study group have birthdays in December so we decided to celebrate together with lunch out and a cake. David and I went to buy the cake before meeting the rest and we were impressed that the cake came with a plastic knife cum cake server, candles, paper plates and tiny plastic forks - all ready for our convenience.I had asked everyone to meet at McDonald's at Wanda Plaza not knowing that there was a small McDonald's kiosk outside Wanda and confusing everyone when I said I was 'outside' McDonald's. Eventually everyone got the right message and we congregated but then there was still a decision as to where to eat and with so many people, we have so many different opinions. It didn't take that long when someone took charge and decided and the rest happily followed.Lunch was nice at RBT. It is acronym for Real Brewed Tea but with it's rabbit logo, I always think RBT is an abbreviation of rabbit and have this impression that they serve rabbit meat! They don... More About: Fun , Humor , Friends , Celebration
Plans for Christmas
2007-12-04 15:22:00 David's sister is visiting us in Shanghai over Christmas week and we are looking forward to it. I have been going through the That's Shanghai magazine we picked up over the weekend trying to run through the city events happening during that week so that we can plan out where to go, what to see and where to eat.Most importantly I have to make Hotel Reservations early in case there is an influx of tourist or an event happening around that time.I am getting excited...This is a sponsored post More About: Family , Travel , Plans
Another Shanghai Trip
2007-12-04 07:03:00 We seem to be traveling out of Ningbo during the weekends. This trip to Shanghai is actually a shopping trip for David. He is very much in need of some winter clothes. The temperature is steadily going down and sometimes when we are out at night, it can get very chilly.Every time we are in Shanghai we discover more things. Now that we are familiar with the Metro, traveling by tube saves us quite a few RMBs and it is nice to zip around and do some walking.A train had just left the station.I caught a rare picture of the tube station with no one in it.Our visit to Shanghai is mostly about shopping, eating and attending church. We managed to catch the Sunday school children's presentation at the Shanghai Community Fellowship Church this trip. It was a meaningful message presented by kids from toddlers to 12 years of age. It was also nice to participate and sing Christmas carols together with the church community.We decided to watched a movie, Lust & Caution, at the Cathay cinema on... More About: Travel , Trip
My First Chinese SMS
2007-11-30 03:05:00 This was my message to my Mandarin tutor:-?????????? pinyin ??????????????????I might not have the best grammar but people here should be able to understand. And technology has enabled me to write Chinese character using pinyin.Now, who says I can't write Chinese!
A Mandarin Tutor
2007-11-29 14:38:00 A friend of mine here in Ningbo found me a Mandarin tutor. She works at the Ningbo Broadcasting Station where she hosts a nightly comedy program on one of the radio channels. In exchange I will teach her English!We've both decided that we don't want structured lessons but would rather learn how to converse. We are meeting up tomorrow at the bookshop to find some materials for each other.I am looking forward to our weekly meetings, not only to have someone to converse with on a daily basis but also as an opportunity to make another friend in Ningbo.I sent her an sms tonight to confirm our meeting tomorrow. I chose to use the Chinese character function where I key in the pinyin and several characters will appear from which I can select the right character. David helped a bit with the more difficult characters and I have a trusty Chinese dictionary software on my computer.I am very proud to have sent her an sms in Chinese! She replied in English. So I guess we are off to a good start. More About: Travel , Friends
Driving to Hangzhou
2007-11-27 09:06:00 We made another trip to Hangzhou last Sunday. This time we drove. We had food, coffee and a map and my trusty iPod for some cruising music. I hook my iPod to a FM transmitter - a cheap way to extend the use of the iPod.We set off at 9am and took a slow drive. We wanted to time the journey so that we know how long it would take us to get to the chuch in Hangzhou, door to door, for future trips. The Hangyong Expressway has almost completed it's upgrading works and the 4 lane road is so much better because you don't have to worry too much about overtaking trucks and containers. We also noticed that the heavy vehicles were well behaved, staying on the slow lane and signaling when wanting to overtake. So different from my last year's experience on the highway. Driving back at night, we also noticed that the trucks have installed red warning lights on the vehicle - they used spotlights previously and this is dangerous because it blinds the drivers at the back.Most cities in China are a... More About: Travel , Festival
Sale
2007-11-27 08:42:00 In the middle of nowhere! Things women do for that four letter word - SALE!I went for sample sale at a factory last Saturday. David had a meeting in Yuyao (a city, 45mins drive away) so he said I should make plans to go myself. It was a good thing the meeting was pushed to the afternoon and he could drive us there because it was in the middle of nowhere!Dirt roads, bumpy roads and dust everywhere. We felt as if we were transported to another place, no longer in Ningbo. Good thing the owners of the factory put up red banners to lead the way after the last experience when a lot of people lost their way.When we arrived and got out of the car a bicyclist passed us and stopped a few meters away. This old man got off his bicycle and proceeded to pee against the wall. I actually snapped a photo though he came out very tiny in it. I didn't exactly want to see details but if use the zoom function to see the photo in detail, I can make out the pee trajectory! I decided not to put the photo ... More About: Travel , Sale
Joke of The Day
2007-11-22 14:47:00 Waiter : I've stewed liver, boiled tongue and frog's leg.Customer: Don't tell me your problems. Give me the menu card.First time in China? More About: Fun , Joke
A Nice Day
2007-11-22 11:06:00 I enjoyed my day today. It started with a morning sms - an invitation to lunch. The suggested venue was a coffee house near the river and the Ningbo concert hall. It has a nice view of the river, Qin Bridge and a nice park right beside the building.Lunch was nice - especially when shared with a friend. I enjoyed our time together and after lunch we went for a walk by the river and around the park for some sunshine. It wasn't as cold today as it was yesterday and it was a really pleasant stroll.My friend went back to work after our walk while I was undecided. I was thinking to cut my hair but after my last bad experience at the hair dresser I am very hesitant. I could have taken a taxi straight home but since it was such a nice afternoon, I walked.I think I walked about 4kms today! I walked to a Christian bookshop and bought Christmas cards, then walked to another bookshop and browsed their English book section. I came away with locally published books for a song.I've read The Old ... More About: Personal , Books , Nice
A Graduation Ceremony
2007-11-22 08:47:00 Yesterday, I attended a friend's graduation ceremony at The University of Nottingham Ningbo, China . It was a short and sweet affair without long boring speeches but there was still a level of solemnity with graduands all dressed up in their robes and hoods; and lecturers and deans properly gowned. Classical music in the background made the whole event pleasantly formal.Parents and guests were allowed to take photographs but only from their seats in the auditorium which was good thinking on the organizer's part because it would have been havoc. There were no untoward incidences and I must say that the crowd was rather obliging in adhering to the rules. No mobile phones rang. The only funny thing that happened was one of the parents yawned pretty loudly when the Pro-Vice-Chancellor was giving his speech!We took this picture after his dad robed him Father and son in front of theNottingham Clock Towera replica of the original in UKPunit's dad was beaming especially when robing him. ... More About: Friends , Graduation , Ceremony
Obesity
2007-11-20 04:32:00 Did you read about this lady who was denied a PR in New Zealand because she was overweight and this posed health care concerns to the Government?Obesity is a disease. A health risk in developed countries where processed foods and soda loaded with sugar seems to be common in their diet. A disease which is permeating the more affluent in China as well. As people become rich, there is a propensity to indulge. Eating is not a matter of survival but enjoyment.Obesity in Chinese children may be an indirect result of the one-child policy. Parents dote on their only son or daughter, feeding them the best and over indulging them on sweets and chocolates as treats. It is also a misconception that a chubby cute baby is healthy as the Chinese seem to believe.While some children may grow out of their baby fat, some may end up with serious health problems when they become adults, needing surgery to help them control their weight. Some may need bariatric surgeryI believe good eating habits and the... More About: Health , Food
A New Life
2007-11-20 03:18:00 It never occurred to me that I'd one day live in a country other than Malaysia. Most of my close friends have either moved overseas for work, migrated or married a foreigner and followed their husbands. I used to moan about it and recently a friend highlighted that I've now joined the ranks of those friends living abroad.It has been a discovery of sorts in terms of culture, language, food, weather. Well...basically, everything. At the moment I am trying to get used to the colder weather. My body seems to react badly every time the temperature drops a few centigrade - it seems to need time to adjust!The only fun part about colder weather is shopping for new clothes and shoes! I am enjoying a complete wardrobe change in preparation for winter. And for once, I'll be able to wear all the jackets I've bought but have never worn because it was just too warm to wear them in Malaysia.We are also looking forward to the promise of a new car early next year. David is currently driving a bo... More About: Personal , Life , Cars , Friends , China
Calvin Klein Steel
2007-11-19 16:38:00 The brand famous at one time for their jockey style underpants with its waistband emblazoned with the name Calvin Klein and worn with the waistband showing by men and women. I got a few pairs as a gift but never dared to wear it like it was meant to be worn! In any case the waistband came up to my waist and it felt uncomfortable!There was live modeling show at Wulin Square in Hangzhou when we were there on Sunday. There was music and it was very crowded. We walked past and didn't notice anything. When we came back to the same place later in the evening when it was dark, I noticed more.It was a huge box with a display window and live models were inside this fluorescent lit box, parading half naked in their Calvin Klein Steel underpants. Dishy looking European men with abs and buns of...steel? There was also a blond leggy model and I think she was the one the Chinese men were ogling at!Quite cool I must say and very daring for a launch in China ! More About: Fun , Travel
Hangzhou
2007-11-19 15:46:00 It is only a 2 hour train ride and we are in Hangzhou . A friend mentioned that she might head to the capital of Zhejiang for the day - go to church, get a haircut and do some shopping. It sounded like a nice way to spend a Sunday so we asked to tag along. The only tough part was having to wake up early to catch the 7.15am train. At least we could sleep on the journey because the seats were pretty comfortable.It was much colder in Hangzhou and I was glad that I went prepared and had my scarf with me. My new coat kept me quite warm and I had on an extra pair of wool socks. It is so uncomfortable when my feet are cold. We grabbed a taxi quickly and headed towards the general area where the Hangzhou International Fellowship met for Sunday service.We didn't know exactly where it was but upon asking around, it seems that most people knew the church and pointed us towards the Gulou area. We were looking out for the cross and a traditional church building only to come across quite an enorm... More About: Religion , Travel , Food
My New Toy
2007-11-17 09:55:00 I have a dream...And it is to learn to play the piano. I've always bemoaned the fact that I never learned to play a musical instrument. We had a grand piano in our house when I was between the age of 6-9 but it wasn't ours! Our landlord asked us to store it at our rented home. It was sitting pretty there all the time - impressed the guests and collected dust.Then we moved.At our new home, someone gave us an organ. A dinosaur - a huge and bulky brown thing which we placed in a corner, and again collecting dust because my parents weren't financially able to pay for organ lessons. It was so outdated that the percussion came in a separate box attached to the main body. We had fun just turning on the percussions - the sounds were so dated and cute.My cousins were all into playing the organ so I did the next best thing - learning from whatever they would teach me and begging them for their chord books so that I can practice on ours. I managed quite well and learned a few songs - all on... More About: Fun
Smart Car?
2007-11-17 09:43:00 Not quite...I spotted a BMW X5 on the street one day while out walking. Now, I recognize cars. And this X5 to me looked all wrong. I know that X5 received a face lift and I thought that maybe, this was it. But something was not right. On a closer inspection, I realize it was actually another make, designed to look like the X5. The owner must have replaced all the badges with a BMW logo badge and the X5 tag. Amazing!There were too many people on the street and as it was, they were staring at me walking and round and staring at the car so I didn't take a picture. I finally saw the real face lifted X5 on the road - what a beauty and was relieved to know that design is still top with Auto Bavaria! More About: Humor , Cars , China , Smart , Smart Car
Nintendo Wiiiiiiiiii
2007-11-15 05:09:00 I had my first Wii experience yesterday night! It was really, really fun. It was difficult to calm down after that and carry on with the bible study :) And it becomes another reason why we don't spend enough quiet time with God which happens to be the subject of the study yesterday night! What a good illustration of how things around us distract us from our appointed time with our Lord.I went for the study without David since he was busy with a client. Back at home I told him about the fun I had and he seems keen for us to get our own set! I knew this would happen. I bought him a PS2 for his birthday some years back and I think he only played with it, at the most 5x and the set has now been passed to my nephews.I've never been addicted to video, arcade or computer games so I doubt I'd get addicted to the Wii even though it was absolutely cool to play with - especially with friends. It was indeed a good ice breaker before bible study. More About: Religion , Fun , Entertainment , Friends , Nintendo
Our Daily Walk
2007-11-12 07:05:00 David and I have started taking a walk after dinner. We walk around the building block for some fresh air and exercise. Also to walk off the heavy feeling after a full meal.There are loads to see and I can window shop since there are a lot of little shops around our area. The weather may be a bit cold in the evenings but you get warmed up fast when you walk briskly. We tried walking within the compound but David finds the gardens a bit dark so he prefers the outside. I persuaded him to walk within 2 nights ago and we could observed people in their homes as we went by. Some don't draw close their curtains so we can see everything. Not that I am nosy - I just enjoy looking at the interior of homes to see how people decorate. Some of the residents have gone all out and created a showcase home. I have to admit that though most have the same style, they are adorned with beautifully crafted lightings, screens and furniture.I noticed that flat panel TV is a common feature in most of these... More About: Health , Technology , Daily , Entertainment , Walk
Godparents
2007-11-11 15:16:00 We are going to be godparents!We were asked to be godparents to Harry but we couldn't make it to the UK at the time when he was christened but since we our families are so close, I guess it doesn't take a ceremony for us to treat him like a godson.Harry is 4 and loves Spiderman! This was taken in Cape Townafter our Huey heli ride.And now we have been invited to be godparents to Joshua. Joshua's mom, Lisa, is Harry's godmother. Harry's parents are also going to be Joshua's godparents. So we are all linked in that way :) I have to admit we are not quite sure what godparenting entails but from what I've read, godparents (also called sponsors or proxies) promised to bring the child up in the Christian faith, and took responsibility for this. So it does sound like a huge responsibility which we intend to take seriously. We only wished we live nearer each other. Joshua and his parents, John & Lisa live in UK and Harry and his parents, Mike & Ling live in Brisbane. And we ar... More About: Family , Friends , Parent , Pare
Another Controversy
2007-11-09 07:24:00 I bought Philip Pullman's trilogy, His Dark Material the last time I was back in Malaysia. The first book titled, The Golden Compass has been made into a movie to be released in December. I haven't even removed the plastic wrapping.And now I have come to know that there are controversies surrounding his book and some Christian sections have called for a boycott of the book and movie.It's like Harry Potter all over again.I admit I like certain fantasy books. Harry Potter the more famous one of course and books like the Inkheart trilogy by Cornelia Funke and the Bartimaeus trilogy by Jonathan Stroud, all have some form of withcraft, djinn and warlocks. I picked up Philip Pullman's book for the same reason. I also note that most of these books are classified under the young adult section!I am always pained when a book attract controversies! In fact, I think the controversies exists in themselves and the book is just an excuse to bring it out in the open! I wonder why we can't just... More About: Personal , Religion , Books , Controversy
A Romantic Interlude
2007-11-09 04:52:00 I caught up with a friend recently. I haven't heard from her in 2 years and it was good to say hi! And to fill each other up on what's been happening in our lives. Her life couldn't be more exciting.She's been traveling the world and hanging out with friends in Europe and UK the last 3 months because she is in between jobs. I was filled in on her love life and it seems that it can't get more romantic than her getting involved with a Frenchman. I think they are smitten with each other!It is unfortunate that the French guy is now back in France and she is in Malaysia.But not all is lost! He sent her a return air ticket to visit him in Paris! It sounds like a romantic movie played out before my eyes and I am trying to live vicariously through her so I keep asking for details.She's planning to fly there next year, hopefully in February. Christophe doesn't live in Paris itself - somewhere on the outskirts so they'd have to find some hotels in Paris. I am quite sure he is familiar... More About: Travel , Friends , Romantic
An Exciting Evening
2007-11-07 18:04:00 My throat was actually a bit sore after the basketball game!I can't believe that I was at some point, sitting at the edge of my seat as the ball neared the basket and clapping with the crowd when a point was scored.We heard the whistle blow to signal the start of the game as we were walking quickly to enter the stadium. By the time we sat down, the score was 6:3 or something like that. The Ningbo Bayi Rockets were leading. David's business partner generously invited us for a game with his season passes.I sat next to these 2 men who were busy eating their melon seeds, cracking them loudly between their teeth and spitting out the shells on the floor! I had to scoot closer to David because the guy was spitting in the direction of my legs. I had to contain myself from telling him off!He stopped eating them after a while and I was able to enjoy the game properly. The atmosphere was rowdy and loud because we had a team of supporters cheering the team and they were right behind us on ano... More About: Sports , Entertainment , China , Evening
Growing Old
2007-11-07 06:28:00 Death is inevitable and for some it is not the fear of death that keeps them up at night. It is the dying process!It is the same with growing old. I do not think people fear growing old. They fear growing old, alone. They fear growing old and getting sick with no one to care for them.Prudent people work hard and save for their children's education but not all will save for their own retirement unless it is mandatory as with some countries. The Asian way of thinking is that they invest in their children with the hope that when they grow old and incapable, their children will in turn take care of them in their old age. This is not what is happening nowadays. So it is every man or woman for themselves.In our case, we don't have children yet. So our planning is limited to one for retirement. It is prudent to start planning now and not end up like the many homeless old people you see on the street. It is indeed very sad.When we grow old, I do not think David and I would want to be a b... More About: Personal , Health , Growing
Basketball
2007-11-06 08:00:00 I am actually going for a basketball game tomorrow evening!Ningbo is famous, among other things, for their basketball team. The Ningbo Bayi Rockets will be playing against the Zhejiang Guangsha. The CBA season opened 27th October and we got invited to watch the game tomorrow at the Youngor Stadium.I am still not sure what to expect. The only sporting event I would have liked to watch would be a football match at Old Trafford but that's not so much because I am a fan but more because the stadium is famous. And I've mentioned before in some previous posts that it would be amazing to sit in a stadium full of fans singing their team songs and synchronizing their cheers and yells. The last time I was in a full stadium was during the Commonwealth games closing ceremony back in Malaysia and when you are surrounded in that atmosphere, you can't help joining in.I wonder if it would be like that at a basketball match in China ? Well, there is a first time for everything and though I must co... More About: Sports , Basketball , Bask
A Gift from Samuel
2007-11-04 08:31:00 My Dad has his little lovely boatThank God it always stays afloatI used to catch little squids with net and handNow I want to be more adept in being a fisher of men(C) Samuel Goh Kim Enghttp://MotivationInMotion.blogspot.com This was a comment by Samuel on my previous post Memories of Fishing. I felt to do him justice, the poem should have it's own dedicated post so here it is. Thanks again Samuel. More About: Friends , Gift
Memories of Fishing
2007-11-03 11:02:00 I met up with my dad while back in Malaysia. I don't really see him often and when I do, we tend to reminisce about old times. During my last visit, he gave me a small plastic bag of photos - photos taken at family holidays, birthdays and those where he wanted to test out his camera and we were his so called models (me and my siblings). Dad was an amateur photographer. I shouldn't say amateur by the looks of the equipment and accessories he had. He even went to the extent of buying a slide projector and forced us to endure hours while he showed us our holiday photos! I guess you could say that he is serious about his hobbies.He was also a fishing and hunting enthusiast. Later, as we were growing up, mom made him give up hunting. It is an inhumane sport - killing for fun! We even had stuffed animals in our home - I remember a squirrel, a duck and the one which was the talk of my visiting friends, an elephant leg stump. We used it as a telephone stand! I know it sounds gross but it ... More About: Personal , Family , Fishing , Memories
Worship
2007-10-30 06:37:00 Shanghai Community Fellowshipfor the international communityIt was our first church service in China and I was very moved. Moved to tears because it felt good to worship the Lord with one voice. It was also literally the voice of every tongue from every tribe because the congregation in the Shanghai Community Fellowship is made up of people from 40 nations.Somehow I needed refreshing and when you drink from living waters, you are a washed with the spirit and peace settles. More About: Religion , Worship
The Art of Bargaining
2007-10-30 04:27:00 I learned a few tricks yesterday - how to bargain at markets, especially in China . You see, I am bad at bargaining. For one, I am soft hearted. Another is that I am too shy to slash the price down low and my face is too expressive - especially if I really like an item.Here are a few tips I learned from David and my friend, Christine. They are my gurus when it comes to bargaining and because of them I got great stuff at low low prices. It also made me realize that I overpaid for so many things before!So here goes:-One - Choose a shop where there are no other customers. The shopkeeper tend not to want to bargain when there are others around because they don't want others to hear the price you pay.Two - If there are other customers, try paying more attention to local customers when they pay - you might just spot how much they pay. David was our spy since he was just waiting around for us while we browsed.Three - Don't look too interested. Browse and pretend there is nothing much you... More About: Travel , Bargaining
Around Ningbo City
2007-10-27 11:46:00 Nice landscaped gardens remnants of the Golden WeekA view of a parkThe city skyline caught at duskAnother interesting flower/shrub arrangementsThey look like lizards with dragon heads on their tail!Ningbo 's Gulou with a very modern clock designI walked out without my camera today and relied on my phone. The resolution may not be great but I managed to snap quite a few nice shots. I walked to and from Tianyi Square back home and it felt nice to get a bit of exercise and take in the city on foot. More About: Travel , China , City
In The Still of The Night
More articles from this author:2007-10-26 19:09:00 The carpet's been pulled from under my feetI feel displaced, i feel at oddsThe world i face challenges my faithI search and search and see not beyond my screenThe elusive seem near but yet far from reachAnd i strain and strain to find meaning withinMy instinct is to anchor all thoughtsAnd to cast all worries and despairTo Him and unto Him my savior beside meUntil His peace settles over me like a cloudAnd I can find rest and sleepTo wake to a new day and to know He cares More About: Personal , Religion , Night 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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