Lively Home Away From Home

This is dedicated to Aunty The Great Chef, Mrs. Seng, who left for Singapore and her hometown in Malaysia.

Her arrival caused jitters. We weren’t used to an additional person in the house.

The house has surely been made so much livelier with her presence.

She whips up wonderful dishes too. A wonderful chef.

Her trademark soup pot is something I’d surely miss.

I’d always look forward to having hot, delightful and tasty soup when I come home.

We’re quite fortunate in a way; having home-cooked food while enjoying some elderly company… Perhaps a test to living in the greying population?

Skating The 798 Art Zone

Pronounced and read 七九八 (Qī jiǔ bā) btw. Everything here has a Chinese name and should be pronounced in Chinese to avoid confusion and blank stares from your partner. 798 is a famous art space comparable to other countries’.

Reality check: What in China is not comparable to other countries’?

798 Arts Zone was an area for many state-owned factories. Factory 798 was originally producing military electronics. Not all factories there are occupied for art production and display. Factory 798 had quite a bit of history on communism. It’s currently attracting contemporary art galleries for artists and visitors locally and from overseas.

Frankly, I do not know much about the arts. I can’t properly appreciate artwork. But I am sure people who appreciate good artwork will love this place. There are lots of takeaways from artworks.

Many artworks contain some history, artistic impressions, feelings and emotions, stories and legends and myths.

I, for one, don’t usually take interest in the arts. But I went with an open mind and I’m pretty satisfied with what I’ve seen.

Sing The Same Song 同一首歌

Finally got to have a taste of Beijing’s nightlife with KTV and clubbing.

I have inherited Mum’s genes of being nocturnal. I haven’t been widely partying away my youth like many others in my age. It’s not because I do not like that kinda environment, but rather, circumstances always do not seem to allow it.

And oh, please remind me how much does it costs to my wallet too. No entrance fee waiver. And there are no free drinks.

But enjoying nightlife is very essential. Every one in awhile, you should plan some activities like that to bond with friends, family, colleagues, companions, business partners, etc.

Set off together after work

同一首歌 KTV.

Looks pretty decent. Not sleazy. Quite classy.

A long wait for our room. And Jasmine became naughty.

I find some of these sculptures artistically nice.

Booking a room includes buffet-styled food.

Which is damn filling btw!

Btw, the small room (which is not small at all) is damn cheap. And every single aspect of it totally owns K-Box man.

Singing, screaming, merrily laughing.

Jasmine, her boyfriend and I hogged the mike… Jay selected many songs but didnt sing them!

These musical instruments add beats and groove yo!

Finally left the complex at 6.30am.

Finally had my taste of clubbing and nightlife after more than 2 months.

Both William and Jay are damn funny guys. Always seem to be laughing with them.

天王星 is not a good clubbing place.

It is very hot inside… Sweaty bodies eee. There’s only 3 dancefloors  blasting music. To my surprise there aren’t many Chinese R&B and techno. The Chinese are gaga over Lady Gaga. They love Ke$ha as much too.

We were worried when Terence suddenly disappeared. He didn’t tell anyone he was going home. He was not contactable because the lousy SE Satio died. We searched the dancefloors and other areas for him more than 5 times. We didn’t believe he would be at home. But he was. Phone turned on, charging, and in silent mode.

On a Friday night, didn’t spot any non-Chinese there. Heard there are mixed races one at other clubs. And yes the standard – drinks at fucking exorbitant prices.

Fragrant Hills 香山

This hill peaks at 557m. There is a North and South Route and a Stupid Route to scale this place. There is no actual fragrance about this hill.

It is actually 烧香 (burn incense) and its peak is Incense Burner Peak. There’s no fragrance from 香水 (perfume).

With the fog and minus the people, it really does seem like an Incense Burner doesn’t it?

it’s a pity that the fog hinders much view of the city.

Did I not mention that Mao’s former residence was there?

Beijing Welcomes You 北京欢迎你

Beijing Olypmpics 2008. You hear that song everywhere. Seriously… all their speakers play them.

The Olympics Spirit rides deep within the hearts of Beijingers. Even many years after the Olympics.

I’d welcome you to Beijing, really.

Cherry Blossoms? 玉渊潭公园!

Ain’t a fan of going to gardens. But tourist attraction > greenery and nature > shopping > wasting one day off.

There will never be a time that I will stay at home doing nothing or not going anywhere. So far, the weather has been perfectly kind to me and hasn’t spoilt plans.

Thank Buddha.

I missed the proposed summer activities like the Cherry Blossoms Festival. Didn’t think there was going to be a beautiful one because of the long winter and erratic Spring arrival.

Anyways…

Beautiful greenery and cherry blossoms greets you at 玉渊潭公园 Yu Yuan Tan Garden.

Beijing Zoaquarium

The main feature of the Zoo is actually the Aquarium. Don’t be fooled by the Giant Panda’s cute massively black eye makeup to think that pandas here in China are the best.

Expect lots of photos. I had to borrow Terence’s SD Card cos I didn’t free up enough space for the videos and photos I was going to take that day.

8.3GB of data, 840 photos, 8 HD videos. After edits, 4.3GB of data, 360 photos, 9 HD videos. And my Sanyo Enelope batteries still did not die on me at the end of the day.

My homework has already told me roughly what to expect. And to be honest, I didn’t really have that place in my list of important places to visit.

We enjoyed ourselves anyway.

Flowery Dreams of SSA

Beijing SSA has arranged to meet yet again. I love how SSA plans so many activities. I am so grateful they brought more colour to this overseas internship. I never knew the effectiveness of Overseas Students Association. I am grateful for what I experience now.

My mum used to work for OSA in Singapore. Arranging activities and programmes. It was fun then too. I can understand how despite being far away from home, students here can feel the warmness and friendliness of people.

It’s really a pity that Joanne and YiTing decided not to forgo shopping for this.

Theme was a potluck picnic at the Botanical Gardens. Don’t expect just solitary peacefulness, card-games, couples making out, flowers and plants and trees and botanical studies.

Oh gosh, do I have to remind you? This is China.

Four Seas Restaurant Hunan Gone

This weird title is a Google Translation of 湘飘四海酒楼. You’ll soon find out why not everything can be Google-translated. Google has served my all my needs well. The Translator is accurate to a few Chinese words. Google is already being more useful by including robotic hanyu-pinyin pronunciation of Chinese words.

It is rare for all three of us male waiters to hang out. We are always somehow in different shifts.

Jay has been a good tour guide. Bringing us around to nice places to eat and stuff. You have to know a local when you’re overseas to survive man.

干锅湘之驴 Gan Guo Xiang’s Ass. LOL I rather they use Google Translate, really.

Really Catering

It is very rare for Olio to have catering 外卖. Prices are too expensive. The food planning committee has a budget. It is a tough decision to get approval for the cost.

Very commonly we are summoned for deliveries to nearby offices at 华贸中心, the Suntec-equivalent in Singapore. Not a huge catering event like this.

I should count myself lucky. This might be the one and only chance in the 6 months of my internship “training” employment / exploitation.