Chengdu Trip

Hi Guys!

As some of you might know, i went to Chengdu,China to study for 6 weeks as part of Ngee Ann Poly's Overseas Immersion Programme. and that i just returned back. This 6 weeks has been the best of my life yet, as it has thought me alot. nothing much to say and comment about the trip, but currently a feeling of missing the attachement school (UESTC) is present in my heart.

If you have the time, maybe you would want to take a look at the previous 6 posts, as they are what i did for my journal as part of my module to be completed in china.

Have fun reading?

till next time. hahas!

Chengdu Week 6 (5th April – 11th April)

Day (Date)	Journal/reflections
Mon 5/4	Last day of excursion!   Significant events Actually nothing much. Spend whole day travelling back to school? Oh! Bought a crystal for my grandma, for longjavity :D Came back and had a mass washing session! Not technically the most fun thing to do, but at least work is done.   Source of encouragement Finally back to school! Miss the hot water for bathing here, and the cool-er temperature.   Source of discouragement Ahhhhh!!! The final test for APPG is tomorrow! Im beyond scared!
Tues 6/4	TT2 and excursion to a Singapore company   Significant events Did THE test. Till now, I still think the paper is one of the toughest programming paper that I've taken. It was so difficult that I kind of had a headache in the middle of the paper! Thanks ah! MR MA… L Went to NCS, I subsidiary of Singtel. Of cause, it's the brunch in Chengdu. It's good to see a Singaporean (I think his name is William) in Chengdu! He gave us a tour around the office, but for some unknown reason, we left after only 10 minutes or so… which is quite strange to me! Maybe we were too loud there… Went to cut my hair here in china! Not sure if that's a good thing or not. Hope my hair will appear nice in front of other people!   Source of encouragement Done with TT2! Relax!   Source of discouragement Realized that the IS presentation is on Thursday! And we have not started doing! My fate of my IS grade lies on 7th April 2010!
Wed 7/4	Visit to the penda zoo, and IS presentation preparation   Significant events Went to the penda zoo! As far as I can remember, this is the first time seeing a penda! I feel that I have accomplished something special today! Stayed in the hostel almost the whole day after the lunch to prepare for the presentation. And I'm happy to announce that I've accomplished it!   Source of encouragement Officially 1 week more here!   Source of discouragement IS presentation? One part of me doesn't what that to happen, while the other part is all prepared and ready to take the stage! :D
Thurs 8/4	IS presentation DAY   Significant events Saw the party secretary of the school! From what I know, he is the representative from the central government in the school! An important person in the school! Had the IS presentation for our china immersion experience. All the presentations are very interesting and I enjoyed most of them. Although I think my group's presentation on TRANSPORT wasn't that interesting, I guess at least it was done with some standard? Had a cultural exchange program with another group of students. They organised a "don't forget the lyrics" style competition, which was quite fun? Although I do not know most of the songs, I had much fun looking at the lyrics and singing along. Met more china student? Crashed into another lecture! This time, it was really uninvited, but interesting, as the lecture was on C++, a similar language to what I knew. Although nothing went inside my brain on that day, at least some form of familiarity was in the lecture :D   Source of encouragement Finally done with everything here in china! Yay!   Source of discouragement Now that there's nothing more to do, what am I doing here still?! Kind of a double edged sward, but I see no point here in china anymore. HAHA
Fri 9/4	Free day!   Significant events Surprisingly, I woke up quite early today; at about 9.30am or so… quite strange, considering that yesterday was quite a packed day! Ate brunch at the commercial market. As the days here in UESTC is numbered, I wonder if I will miss the food here huh? Spend almost the whole day in the hostel itself? Yep that's about it   Source of encouragement Going back home in 6 days!   Source of discouragement Hm… don't really have any plans for the few more days here in Chengdu… how? LOLs
Sat 10/4	Another free day…   Significant events Again, woke up early and started using the computer. Mainly to do up a project report, from my external activity Was offered to go to the nearby theme back here, but rejected as I was too lazy. Didn't feel like going out on that day at all (for some unknown reason)! Took a light dinner?   Source of encouragement 4 more days! :D   Source of discouragement Again, failed to explore the city. Not a very good sign here huh?
Sun 11/4	Third free day in a row!   Significant event Normal slacking day? Bought a lecture pad from the school bookshop! A souvenir for me? At least it has the UESTC wording on the top! Again, slacked in the hostel today. Feel so sorry for myself! L   Source of encouragement I am able to see my family and friends back in Singapore soon!   Source of discouragement Now that I'm leaving, I started questioning myself: will I miss this place? The food? The people? The environment? Sure, there are things that I cannot take it (e.g. the toilet, the showing facilities etc.) but things like their canteen, the fun local students are, from my thoughts now, something I will truly miss.

Chengdu Week 5 (29th March – 4th April)

Day (Date)	Journal/reflections
Mon 29/3	The main purpose of the visit -九寨沟!   Significant events Well, 九寨沟! The place itself is very big and I don't think one can really appreciate all the scenery in one day. When saw the first lake, we were amazed by the water, the scenery and all the other factors that make the place a picture perfect environment. But after going to the next few lakes, they feel all the same. And thus we felt bored on the last few lakes that we visited. Cultural show! It was interesting to see the dance moves, and the singing! Different from Singapore's culture!   Source of encouragement The view in九寨沟 is fantastic! Totally worth the trip(s) up.   Source of discouragement The fact that I need to meet at 5am tomorrow morning to take the early flight back. That means no sleeping again! L
Tues 30/3	Flight back to UESTC! (with major hiccups)   Significant events Ton the whole night talking to my friends. Had a nice time! Never knew u can stay awake without using the computer The flight was delayed for a full 4 hours O_o. it was due to the misty environment, and it was unsuitable to land the plane. Although it was understood that safety first, fun later, but most of us were frustrated as we didn't sleep the night last night. Mass wash clothes! When eating dinner, a fish bone pierced through my tongue! And it bleed non-stop. And when it stopped, I felt like fainting(but I didn't, fortunately) , probably due to the sudden loss of blood. Took lots of energy to get back to the room to rest.   Source of encouragement The feeling of seeing UESTC campus after returning is very wired. Something like home, but not really MY home. I guess UESTC will always have a special feeling in my heart.   Source of discouragement The fish bone incident? I must really take care of myself! My new target: not to go to the clinic or any doctor in this trip!
Wed 31/3	Last APPG Lecture/lab session! OMG!   Significant events First up, APPG Lecture! Last lecture on Arrays was… familiar? I self-studied arrays for my COMPRO miniproject, thus I think I can absorb that was thought easier than my friends Lab session was fun! I love the cracking-my-brains-to-think-how-to-get-it-to-work feeling! The satisfaction I get when my program is completed is good! And, I was the first person to complete the lab session! Felt good! Went to get my pair of specs that I have been thinking to get for a long time. Hope thick black framed glasses will look nice on me!   Source of motivation Finally get what I wanted to get for a long time! My new specs!   Source of discouragement My group wanted to discuss about the IS topic today, but we failed to. Shall do it tomorrow!!!!!
Thurs 1/4	Final lesson of APPG and IS lecture on history of china (modern)   Significant events The last lesson of APPG was to go through a past year paper of Theory Test 2 (TT2). As my friend accidently took the answer sheet instead of the empty copy, thus I referred from my friend and calculated what I got 91/100 for the sample test! Second lesson of the day: IS lecture! The lecturer is a lady whom only spoke Chinese. Because of that, a student volunteer had to step in to translate for the Malay students. Her lecture on china's history was very interesting, and really made us understand how did china come out of monarchy into a democratic country for a short period and then to communist. China, like Singapore, achieved her own peace and harmony. Spent the rest of the day washing clothes and enjoying the nice weather in Chengdu! :D Since its April fool's Day. Of course I was both the "fool-er" and the "fool-ed" party. Much fun from this little day.   Source of motivation The IS lecture on china made me more interested in china's modern history, and finally know the importance of 孙中山 to china, as he is also highly respected in Taiwan, which made me confused as they two countries don't see an eye to an eye. This lecture also made me more interested in Chairman Mao and his contribution to china.   Source of discouragement Found out that I will be hitting the roads soon L , to hai luo gou. Actually I am not very excited to go for this trip at this point of time, but I have already committed myself to it, and must go! I shall make this trip as entertaining as possible!
Fri 2/4	The big dinner hosted by NP teachers!   Significant events Again, woke up late! Why? There isn't a need to wake up early as there wasn't any lesson in the morning (for the matter, the whole day!) Sneaked into my team leader's lecture on management in the afternoon! This module of theirs is somehow like our IS module, where each student can take up a module of their choice, outside their main disciplinary. Thus it was kind of a slacking time for most of the students there. My team leader even did his homework during the lecture! Learnt more about the way UESTC operates as a school from my team leader. Learnt that most modules are thought in Chinese, while the others are thought it English, some even getting from the US University of MIT! An 18- dish dinner hosted by our NP teachers to all students UESTC staff-in-charge, and student leaders. What else can I say? Food stacking up our table, with lots of food left on the table.   Source of encouragement I attended a UESTC lecture today! I found it weird that there wasn't any activity to sit into their lecture. Defeats the purpose of coming to Chengdu! But! At least I have been to their lecture. At least once! :D   Source of discouragement Not exactly looking forward to the trip to hai luo gou! L
Sat 3/4	Day one of hai luo gou trip! (Should I be happy?)   Significant events Woke up early to prepare myself to go on a bus ride to hai luo gou! Was told it is a 6-hour bus trip there. Turned out it was a lot longer! Suffered almost the whole day sitting on the bus. Zzz The food is surprising better than the ones in 九寨沟, with more meat dishes on the table, and non-spicy food! Kind of like the food! I pictured the hotel we are staying in to be of about the same quality as the one in 九寨沟, but I was wrong. The hotel was a lot lower in standard, and it even had a power failure in the middle! Although they claimed that hot water is available from 8pm to 12am, it turned out to be false when I attempted to bathe. In the end, I had to wash my hair in "freezing" water. What I horrible experience!   Source of encouragement We will be going to the hot-springs up in hai luo gou tomorrow! It's sure to have some bathing facility with hot water! :D Official 1 month in Chengdu! :D   Source of disappointment As Nicolas's room is up on the ROOF TOP of the hotel, the teacher deemed that it is unsafe, thus he had to sleep together with me and roomie. I will have to share a bed with him for the whole night! O_o
Sun 4/4	Hai Luo Gou!   Significant events Woke up early, so that we can see the sunrise in the mountain itself. Kind of paid off? Attempted to climb the mountain, but because of the slow ascend to the mountain, we didn't climb all the way to the top. The route up was so slippery! Our shoes could not have a good grip of the floor, and we had to buy spikes for our shoes. Like any tourist attraction. They are ridiculously priced. No choice but to buy from them L Went for their hot springs! Its kind of the highlight of the mini trip!   Source of encouragement The fact that I will be going back to the school tomorrow? The living condition is a lot worse there then in school!   Source of discouragement TT2 on Tuesday! O_O

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chengdu – week 4(22nd March – 28th March)

Day (Date)	Journal/reflections
Mon 22/3	Trial lab test(APPG), results for TT1 back   Significant events Got back TT1 so happy, as I got high marks for the test! 95/100. Although I know my mistakes and there are still room for improvement, im contented with my results! As a saying goes, "at least I didn't fail!" Trial lab test. It was considered easy for me I guess? I have confidence to get high marks for this module too! Ate dinner with the rest of the teammates again! This time I guess it was better as all four group members were around to eat with us. Felt more comfortable! But! I still do not know their names! I must really remember their names!!!!!   Source of encouragement The test result I guess? Although I didn't get the highest (its 97 marks) but I guess its high enough.   Source of discouragement Still not comfortable with the team members! Most of them are from AE, and although still trying to befriend them further, still at a slow rate.
Tues 23/3	APPG Lab test, and group member being sick   Significant events Lab test! I guess everything was well done, and im certain to get high marks (not the highest though, I know there will always be someone smarter than me). One of the team members fell sick! He is down with stomach flu. This is a wakeup call to treat my body well and don't anyhow eat! The team member vomited in the room! And me and another teammate had to clean up after him, as he was too weak to even move.   Source of encouragement Lab test was well done! :D yay for me!   Source of discouragement I must take care of my health! Getting sick here in china is not a good idea! It's not worth it for the MC!
Wed 24/3	The hardest APPG Lab to date!   Significant events Morning APPG lesson was about Methods, or functions in C programming terms. Frankly, it was boring!!!! Didn't learn anything much. APPG lab was next. The hardest lab till date! It makes me fully concentrated into the program, ignoring questions from my friends. The group mate who was sick is now feeling a lot better! Hope he doesn't vomit in the room again!   Source of encouragement The feeling when I've completed that hard lab session is superb! Today is the third week that I'm here in UESTC. Wow!   Source of discouragement Three more weeks before I return to Singapore. Not sure if it's a happy or sad thing….
Thur 25/3	Best of both worlds! Waking up late and having lessons.   Significant events Woke up late! Not as late as of previous days, but later. Maybe I'm getting used to the schedule here in UESTC. Afternoon class of APPG was a war! Spend 100% of my energy and time doing the enhancement component of Lab 6. INTENSIVE! Went to look for spectacles in the plaza in school. I think I'm going to get a pair of spectacles before I return to Singapore! It's kind of cheap too! Found out that there was quite a bit of potential for the lab program to continue, and this I sat down on my desk in the hostel after lesson to continue to do modifications I want. Felt good.   Source of encouragement The feeling when I completed the program additions that I have is great!   Source of discouragement Missing home a little? I called my sister to have a good chat with her! :D
Fri 26/3	Cancelled IS lesson D:   Significant events There was supposed to be a lesson by a Chinese lecturer, but the lecturer didn't come as his/her car broke down! What an unlucky day for him/her huh? Given details for the九寨沟trip from Sunday to Tuesday. Looking forward to it! :D Went to KTV at night with my friends! Finally some form of entertainment in china! :D   Source of encouragement Looking forward to the trip to 九寨沟! It's the first time that I will be taking a domestic flight!   Source of discouragement After the KTV session with my friends, I think that my chinese is of a much lower standard as my friends! What happened to the "I would like to improve my Chinese" part of my goal! I shall take the remaining time to try to master the language! Not of the type of writing essays, but for normal real life usage.
Sat 27/3	Trip to WalMart!   Significant events Woke up late again! This time I work up early at first, only to see my teammate praying, and I went to sleep as I do not want to disturb him Got a call from my friend from another group, to go out together, as a deal yesterday night after going to KTV the previous day, so yep! We went out! Went to this shopping centre, which has lots of "Singapore" feel inside, is it is managed by CapitaLand! Feels so much like home! And going into the first walmart in my life!   Source of encouragement Went out of school for the first time in my stay here!   Source of discouragement Can't think of any… is that I good thing?
Sun 28/3	九寨沟 day one!   Significant events Stayed up late the whole night (until about 4.30pm?)! we had to go to the airport early for a morning flight to九寨沟 airport! First time that I stay up late in UESTC! Because of the lack of economy seats, I, together with some other OIP students, was given First class seats! It is the first time that I sat on seats of a better quality! The visit to Zha Ga waterfall. Words can't really describe the view, and you got to see it to believe it. The visit to a Tibetan's home for a dinner. They treated us well as guests and although the cost is a little steep at 150 yuan, and the food didn't really justify for that amount, the entertainment and knowledge acquired is huge. Had the best sleep (with a super confortable bed) in my trip to china!   Source of encouragement It has got to be the First Class plane ride to九寨沟! Not in a sense that I look forward to the trip (I didn't want to leave the seat after the plane journey is over) but a little reward for going for this trip, and so far, I think it is going pretty well!   Source of discouragement This is a little ironic, but the bus ride from the airport to the hotel (including lunch) made me wonder why did I sign up for such misery? Having a painful butt from the bumpy rides and awful dinner made me think twice of my purpose here. As what I always tell my friends, this is overseas IMMERSION programme, we need to IMMERSE into their country to know them better! This explains us living in their hostels and almost living like a Chinese student here.

Chengdu – Week 3(15th March – 21st March)

Day (Date)	Journal/reflections
Mon 15/3	'Normal' School day   Significant moment: Had APPG lesson today Ate lunch in canteen! I think the food in canteen is super filling! With the amount of rice that is given O_O Had food delivered to us in our room! (Fast food!)   Source of encouragement During APPG's lab session, I managed to solve most of the problems that my friends face, and I am very proud of myself Realized that results will be on Friday! Results for 1.2, that is. It should be a source of encouragement (for now)   Source of discouragement Today's day was VERYYY normal. Let's hope this kind of days do not occur again!
Tues 16/3	Normal lessons again….   Significant moment: The morning's APPG lesson was 20 minutes only! All 4 of us have completed what was needed to do for that lesson already, so we are free to leave! Went back to our hostel to rest and relax. Had the worse lunch EVER! We were a little late for lunch, and thus most of the food is already sold there. We had to eat the stuff that we usually don't eat, and boy it was yucky Had the earliest dinner ever! We bought back out dinner after your lesson at 4pm as we are too lazy to go out for dinner; we bought dinner before returning back to our hostel. Turns out all of us started eating a little after 5.30pm, and yep. That was our dinner   Source of encouragement We went through the trial theory test 1, and I did quite well for the open ended sections! Most (if not all) correct! Exam results out in 3 more days! :D   Source of discouragement The MCQ questions for the TT1 were poorly done! Only one correct! It made me stop being so proud about my programming (I think I am one of the better students in COMPRO, and then APPG I guess?)
Wed 17/3	Free day   Significant moments: Woke up late! Yay! Much needed sleep for me again! Did housework. Swept the floor and washed clothes. Guess what is what happens when I become too bored in the room! Hm this time, doing housework wasn't that bad as when I did in in Singapore when I didn't have a maid… guess I have grown up! Revised for my coming TT1. Not a lot, but I guess its not that I didn't study too… hope I can get good marks (an A grade?) for the test! :P   Source of encouragement: Exam results in 2 days! :D :D :D   Source of discouragement: I wanted to go to the library to study initially, but I didn't in the end as none of my roommates don't want to. I should have asked people from other rooms to make my way to the library! Shall try to do that soon.
Thur 18/3	APPG normal School day   Significant moments: APPG lesson! Played pool again!   Source of encouragement: Exam results tomorrow! The pool playing part. I feel happy to play pool as it is one of the things I frequently do in Singapore with my friends! It would make myself less homesick, and make my day a little more enjoyable!   Source of discouragement: It's a really simple day, so I guess where wasn't anything discouraging today! I'm quite a positive thinking person!
Fri 19/3	IS day, and Exam Results day!   Significant moments: Results of year 1.2 out! I was hugging my phone in the morning to get the SMS from school regarding my results. Sure enough it got a message, and it was really my results. A sense of satisfaction was in my head, as I read the contents of the message to myself, but after looking at my GPA, I wasn't that contented as it has dropped. Vice principal of Ngee Ann visiting us. I was very surprised when Mr Teo told us that NP's vice principal will be visiting us after the IS class in the morning, even thinking that he was fooling us. But when the VP came, I was a little shocked and happy to see him, as he is Mr Foo See Mei, whom happens to know both my parents, and was a graduate from my secondary school. The negotiation activity which the Chinese teachers planned out for us. At first I thought it is a very lame activity, but after going through the whole thing, I think its very fun and was time well spent.   Source of encouragement The visit by Mr Foo. It made me feel that we are important here in china, for him to visit us all the way from Singapore, and I will work hard to interact with the fellow students from both NP and UESTC.   Source of discouragement I guess it would be the fact what I got a lower GPA for my results. BUT! I shall use this to be a motivation to work hard in my Chengdu trip for both APPG and OIE. :D
Sat 20/3	Shopping day in city area   Significant moments: Bought a lot of things! (Well, lesser then the previous time, but still good buys). A pair of shoe, a jacket and a belt to be exact. Had I good time out of school! Um… had meals out of school? Not the usual stuff that we normally eat.   Source of encouragement Feels good to be out of school!   Source of discouragement The fact that I didn't buy a lot of things in today's trip. The fact that there will not be any more planned trips to the city is just sad. Fear not! I think we will go out of school to shop once more before we return to Singapore! :D
Sun 21/3	Cultural activity!   Significant moments: Good sleep again! I just love waking up late in the morning and just think about things till I feel like it. Then again doing too much of that isn't good at all. And if I didn't go for this trip, that would be doing that my whole holidays! Flied kites! Believe it or not, I have never done such a thing in my 17 years of living! Glad that I went for this cultural activity! I didn't want to go in the first place, as I think it was very lame, but I turned out well :D Big cleanup of the room! Washed clothes, mass sweep floor (not that we don't sweep floor every day, but today was more through) and wash toilet (sort of?). Happy!   Source of encouragement I've had a good experience of flying kites today! J   Source of discouragement I was lazy to go out to eat today, and thus didn't. What a lazy pig I am! :X

Chengdu – Week 2 (8th March – 14th March)

Day (Date)	Journal/reflections
Mon 8/3	First real day of APPG   Significant moments: Had APPG lesson! Lecture is quite boring, I must say. But I think I understand what the lesson is heading, and enjoyed the lab a lot! Called for delivery for our dinner! I think it's really cool for a university to have such a inter school delivery! Ngee Ann should have one too!   Source of encouragement I'm finally learning in china! Started to fulfill the last of my three learning objectives in this trip.   Source of discouragement I think that the "normal" school days here will be a little boring. I shall try to make it more interesting next time! :D
Tues 9/3	IS lecture on Taoism and APPG   Significant moments: IS lecture on Taoism? Personally, Taoism isn't something close to my heart, as I live in a Buddhist environment, where my parents are Buddhists. I tried my very best to stay awake to listen in for my lecture, but couldn't, as I found it to be very boring. But at least I learnt a little more about Taoism! I have always thought that Confucianism is closer knitted into Chinese family values, but I guess it's wrong! APPG- lab session. We did a practical and lab session today! It's about making a t-shirt ordering program. Although I find the lecture very boring (the classroom is seriously too big to have a programming related (hence very hands on style learning) lesson. But, I have to adapt! For only then I can excel in this module. Now reflecting back, this is the reason why I chose a poly route: to have a more hands-on learning environment! Many of my friends say that I should be in a JC, but I always replied that I chose to come here (ECE was my first choice in my JAE) and i have not regret it J   Source of encouragement The Practical APPG lesson. It re-ignited my passion for learning Engineering! Being able to complete it and discovering the methods to do it makes me feel very contented.   Source of Discouragement The IS lecture. Why? I SLEPT DURING LECTURE. For me, it's a sin for me to sleep during lecture. As studying from books isn't my thing, my only source of learning would be to listen to someone talk and bring life into these "dead" books. I vow not to sleep during lectured again! (at least not in this trip)
Wed 10/3	Free day O_o   Significant moments: Work up late? I didn't have a chance to do that for a longggg time since I have arrived again. Maybe it's the cold weather (I don't usually sleep in a air –con room) that the cold makes me sleep even more. And I don't get that kind of treatment when I'm here. Thus a simple thing of sleeping until I naturally wake up is the highlight of my day today! Sorry, I really can't find anything much to tell. I bathed on that day? LOLs ohoh I missed a chance to play basketball today. It would be good to have some fresh air and play some sports, but I guess I didn't! sad   Source of encouragement The fact that today is a free day? (if that's even counted) A day to rest up and adjust to the environment more.   Source of discouragement The fact that I didn't take the chance to play basketball. Now reflecting back, I didn't take the opportunity given to me to have sports. I didn't achieve what I set before the trip! I shall take this remaining 5 weeks to change myself. (and yes, its exactly 5 weeks more before I go home here)
Thurs 11/3	APPG, plus wash clothes day?   Significant moments: During the morning session of my APPG lesson, I didn't get to being the plug converter! This made some inconvenience to my whole group, as they are now unable to use their laptops during the lesson. But this was solved when one of my roomies got a seat closer to the power plug. This made me feel the importance each other is to the group, and responsibilities I have to take amongst each other. Had canteen food for lunch! My roomies don't really like canteen food (after the first meal on 3/3) but they decided to give canteen food a second try. And it turned out good! As what I told my roomies, this is an immersion trip. We should "immerse" into their student life's. Hope we can eat there more often! J   Source of encouragement Again, During APPG. I was able to understand what the teacher was talking about although I was kind of slacking around. More and more confidence in this module!   Source of discouragement For dinner, we went to the shopping area's restaurant . I ordered a side dish on top of the usual MSG-ful fried rice. Turns out it was not to our liking. And it costs 22 yuan! Everyone in the group had to bear the cost together, and makes me a little disappointed in myself. I shall try to order something to everyone's liking next time! (or just not order any). Hahas!
Fri 12/3	The day before the first outing?   Significant moments: IS lecture about Sichuan FOOD! (When I didn't have breakfast that morning). Very interesting lectures, although I think that the Muslim classmates would not enjoy it as most of the Chinese delicacies are pork based. Learnt more about Sichuan! Played pool! First time in china that I played pool here. Had a good time spending my lunch break! Briefing about the trip out of school tomorrow! I think it shall be interesting! (Sorry, APPG isn't in this list as I think it's not a significant moment anymore. It's a part of life here)   Source of encouragement The pool session! Definitely! And for some reason, I think I play better here than in SG. LOLs!   Source of discouragement My back pains that I'm having now. I can't take care of myself! Hope it will just naturally go away. HAHAs!
Sat 13/3	Outing out of school!   Significant moments: Went to places! DuJiangYen and QingCheng mountains. Finally get to go to some places of interests in Chengdu. DuJianYen blew my mind in regards how ancient people can built such wonderful stuff even with such low- tech equipment. I guess its low maintenance too. Also as the QingCheng Mountains are having renovations, I'm surprised how the people there need to hand carry the equipment up to the mountain. I admire their strength! Knowing that the place I've been to today was a disaster zone last year during the 512 earthquake. I guess it's the closest I will be to a disaster zone. Bonded more with my people from my team (team 4)! At least they know my name now! (im bad at remembering names)   Source of encouragement The fact that I went out today! Although I (still) have a back pain, I did climb up the mountain with my teammates. Good joy Rui De! Best day here in Chengdu!   Source of discouragement I still don't know my team member's names! I shall try my best to remember them! I still have 1 month to do it!
Sun 14/3	Bonding games with UESTC and fellow NP students day   Significant moments: Woke up late today! Not the usual 7.30am, but 11am! Wow did some catching up with my sleep: D I feel that it's much needed hahas! Had a day out in school having fun I guess? The games were innovative and we had fun, although I feel like a small kid during that time Had dinner early! Like 4.30pm. gosh! So early!   Source of encouragement Made new friends? At least talked. And still don't know their names. Zzz   Source of discouragement Found out that we have been eating about the same stuff for the past 2 weeks: fried rice. I need to eat something new!

Chengdu - Week 1 (3rd March – 6th March)

Day (Date)	Journal/reflections
Wed 3/3	Today is a big day, where I got introduced to my life in the next 6 weeks. Significant moments: · In the Singapore airport, my sister (who was there to send me off) started crying as she was about to enter the immigration gates. This really shocked me as my sister didn’t seem like the type who could cry just because she missed someone. This made me feel how important I am to my sister in her life. · On the plane, my semester one classmate and roommate told me that this is his first time taking a plane, as far as he could remember. These made me feel that I am in a very lucky family who could afford and bring the family to so many places. · Got introduced to the school and my hostel. To my surprise, the school is a very long trip away from the CBD. Going out of the school seemed like a impossible task without the help of trip leaders. Good thing is there is a supermarket and basic facilities like ATMs and food outlets are in the school itself. · The 2 SIM Singapore SIM cards didn’t work. ! I could not SMS back to my family to inform them about my safe landing in Chengdu. Had no choice but to wait for the internet to be set up in my room. Source of Encouragement · My sister. See Sig. moments Source of Discouragement · The weather. It is a lot colder then what I expected. This made me put the thought of going back to SG into my head.
Thurs 4/3	Formal introduction of the people of UESTC to us, and first lesson Significant moments: · Was late for the first meeting between UESTC staff and us. This is what the ECE director told us NOT to do, and we repeated our same mistake. · My groupmate, Nicolas was sick. · Went out to a small town to eat ma la huo guo Source of Encouragement · The first APPG lesson that we attended was quite easy. (I guess) have a motivation to score well for this module Source of Discouragement · When going out to the town, I found out that I do not know most of the people here. Thus I would need to make a lot of new friends to enjoy my time here.
Fri 5/3	First OIE lesson Significant moments: · Learnt more about Chengdu. I always thought that all parts of china are the same, but today, I realized that every province has its own culture. It put what I’ve learn in textbooks of the romance of the 3 kingdoms etc. into life. · Found out quite a nice place (and Singaporean taste) to eat. Can help me when I miss Singapore. · Realized what it is quite boring to be in the hostel room at night, if we didn’t go out. Source of Encouragement · I have finally found some food that I think is nice, although it is a little more expansive than the other food in the area; it is cheaper than in SG! Source of Discouragement · Realizing that I would need to have a lot of persistence to stay through my days in Chengdu.
Sat 6/3	Whole day out in Chengdu’s CBD Significant moments: · At last! Went to their town, or at least went out of the school. This made me realize that China is really big! I think the trip from school to the city centre is almost like the length of PIE itself! · Bonded more with my roomies. Out of the 3 other members, I only know one of them before this trip. The ice is really hard to break, as the other 2, I would dare say, a little softer spoken. What seemed to be a long wait to past time in a café (we kind of finished our shopping at 5pm) turned into a fun time together playing Chinese chess. · Making a last minute attempt to buy a shirt for my friend at the last minute. I saw this shirt, which I think will fit her very well, but felt that she wouldn’t accept it. And didn’t buy at first. But then, since I will only be here in Chengdu once, why not just buy it! It is much better then regretting right? Half an hour before the stared meeting time, I decided to buy it and dragged my friends there to buy! Source of encouragement · I have made my own decision of buying gifts for me and the people around me! This might seem like nothing for some (especially the girls) but being a person who don’t really like to buy stuff, I’m quite proud of myself! (lame, but true) Source of Discouragement · I have failed to take care of myself! My lips were very dry as we left the hostel, but I didn’t turn back to take my lip bum. Didn’t want to hold up the group. But then, the dryness grew and grew, finally, it was so bad that my day out in the town wasn’t that great. L Note: The following things mentioned here may seem small, but, as a saying goes, It’s the little things that make life great! :D
Sun 7/3	Off day ( no activities planned out) Significant moments · Had a good sleep! Woke up at 10am instead of the usual 7.30am. · Went to play basketball with my student leader! First time playing in such a cold temperature! Ok… maybe the first time playing sports in a long time. :P · Nothing much on this day huh? Except that my friend told me that it’s going to be zero degrees on Tuesday. Hope what my friend says isn’t true. Hahas! Source of encouragement · Bonded with my members even more! Hope it will turn out positive and long. One of my members kept singing Source of discouragement · My basketball sucks. And we played basketball today. Really hurt my mood today. Hope I can improve in my basketball!