Need some cheering

I have been wanting to post something about my recent trip to Hong Kong. In fact, I have a lot of unfinished posts in my draft. For some reasons I get inspired to write and then I just don't have the motivation to finish it....

I don't know if its because of the gloomy and cold weather here in China. I am not just inspired to work anymore. I feel so tired easily and I have been thinking so much about my future, which I don't usually worry about since I got here in China.

I don't know if I should stay longer here in China or whether go back home or even the thought of going back to school crossed my mind.

Work is becoming like a burden already. I try to motivate myself that I am luckier than the bus drivers, that takes me to work everyday. They have to wake up very early and have end their day very late, they don't do anything but drive the whole day. These are simple insights just to remind me that I am still lucky to have the comforts of my job and the fair compensation.

By the way, as soon as I got home from work. I immediately logged in to my Yahoo Messenger account. The status I placed is " Need some cheering"

Out of 81 contacts in my list only 5 were online. Suddenly 2 friends who were invisible just message me.

Marisol... Photographer from Singapore

Hi.... why are you sad? you under heavy clouds today?

Axxxx.... My ex girlfriend

Give me XXX Give me XXXX (spelling my name) what do you got? XXX

obviously trying to cheer me up...

After that, I decided to erase my status. I am afraid a lot more available and invisible friends would be popping out and asking me what happened?

Also I realised..... This is just one of those days that I need some cheering

This too shall pass...................hopefully really soon

Happy Birthday Shiao Shuang

I always believe in giving back. Good deed needs to be repaid with another good deed. Paying it forward.

Rewind March 10 2008.
It was my first time to celebrate my birthday in another country and basically alone. Since I was just barely 2 months in China at that time, my only close friends were my classmates. But at that time Mark went to another city and Naomi had to go to Thailand for her visa run. I decided to just have a quiet time in my apartment. Quiet time means cooking good food and drinking wine. I bought a bottle of wine for my mini celebration. Everything went smoothly as planned as my day progressed. I prepared the food but I realized I cannot open the wine because I don't have a wine opener. I was a little stressed because I was planning to drown myself with the wine. I called Shiao Shuang to ask her if she has a wine opener. She was a little shocked why would I be drinking wine on a monday. I had no choice but to tell her that it was my birthday and I felt a bit lonely and I wanna drink. She apologized because she doesn't have a wine opener.

I was feeling defeated. I can't drink.... I was slowly trying to convince myself that I will just have a good dinner and skip the drowning part.....

Same day (3PM)
Shiao Shuang knocked on my door, with a wine opener. She told me, that she had to borrow from someone because she wants me to celebrate so that I won't be lonely...... Sweeet =)

It was just a small deed, but maybe because I was feeling so lonely and alone that the small deed seem to be something very very important to me and I really appreciated her effort of looking for a way for me to drink my wine.

I thanked her for it and asked her when her birthday is. She told me it's far away.... Oct 17
I drank and got drunk that night.

Oct 16

I remembered the good deed Shiao Shuang gave me. And I think it is just proper to give back.
On one of our many conversations, she mentioned to me that her daughter gave birth to her first grandson. And obviously she was a very proud grandmother. She even called me once just to let me see the picture of the cute chinese baby boy.

Same day ( After work )
I decided to buy blue a winter jumpsuit and a set of baby rattles for "pao pao" ( shiao shuang's grandson). This way, it would be very useful since it's starting to get cold.
I also bought a small cake from the grocery for my dear Ah Yi.
I called her to meet me the next day.

Oct 17 (4pm)

I just got back from a short trip to shanghai. I gave my present to her. She was very very happy.
I am happy too. Seeing her appreciate my surprise for her.
Shiao shuang's happiness...... Priceless

I decided to take a photo of her with her cute smile..
Happy Birthday Shiao Shuang




I

The Mysterious Notice

While waiting for my bus at the bus stop near my apartment, I noticed a paper posted on the wall. People were reading the notice. The curious me also took a look.

I got more curious and interested about the notice because it was handwritten and there was a picture of a young girl . It is written in Chinese and looking at it, there were some words that I understood, like Mama and Papa, telephone and some basic words. Being very interested what is it all about; I took the notice from the wall and I brought it with me to work.

Later in the afternoon, I had my chinese friend, Ken translate it for me.
He read the notice and the first phrase he said after reading it is.... It is a bad news.

Apparently, the notice was posted by the girl's parents because they are looking for her. They said that when they received her call on the phone, they immediately came to Suzhou, to look for her. I'm not sure if I heard Ken right, he said that the girl is sick. In the notice the parents are also seeking help to those who read the notice to help them find their daughter.

My thoughts:
The notice was handwritten and was photocopied to produce several copies.
Being it handwritten, my first thought is that the family might not be from a wealthy family, and the parents must be very desperate in looking for their daughter.

One child policy in China
It must be very difficult for the chinese parents considering that most chinese families are only allowed to have one child.

I asked Ken if this kind of situation is common in China. He told me that it is more common for chinese boys to run away . He added that there are many young boys and girls from smaller and poor towns coming to the big cities to look for jobs. If they are not successful in their job search, they prefer to stay in the big city and bear the hardships and difficulties than to go home empty handed and disappointed.

After knowing what the chinese notice is all about, I felt bad for taking the posted notice from the wall.
Today while I was waiting for my bus, even if it's a little awkward and embarrassing, people were staring at me as I posted the chinese notice back from where I got it.

Hongkong.... Not so Keen.... Undecided

My friends back home are going to HongKong on the 23rd of this month. They have been planning this trip for a long time already. And I know for a fact that having to organise this isn't easy for them since they have to make sure they get permission from work and they had a hard time deciding the date that would allow everyone to be able to join the trip.

They have invited me long ago, and I committed myself to meet them in HongKong. I am a little familiar with some sights in HongKong and how to get to some places using the subway system. And importantly cross boarder to Macau by ferry. My friends are rooting for me to help them navigate the city.

Honestly, I am not so keen in going to Hongkong this month for several reasons.

1. I am saving money for my planned trip to either Russia or Kenya early next year.
2. This trip would be my 4th time to hongkong in less than 3 years, not including the stop overs
coming to and from China to Cebu.
3. 4 days in Hongkong is 4 days less from earning money in China.

Because of this, until now I haven't really taken this trip seriously. Last friday I decided to check the airplane schedules and prices from Shanghai to Hongkong. I also compared the price if I fly domestic to Shenzhen and take the ferry to Hongkong. ( I did this route January of this year).

Here are some options that I saw but not confirmed yet:

Option 1 China Eastern Airline RMB2246 ($325)

Oct 22
20:00 Pudong
22:00 Hong Kong
Oct 27
11:50 Hongkong
14:10 Pudong

Option 2 Dragon Air/Cathay Pacific RMB2396 ($347)

Oct 22
19:30 Pudong
22:10 Hongkong
Oct 27
11:00 Hongkong
13:20 Pudong

Option 3 Shanghai Airline/China Eastern RMB 1940 ($281)

Oct 22
8:20 Hongquiao
11:40Shenzhen (via Guangzhou)
Oct 27
11:10 Shenzhen
13:00 Hongquiao

3 options. But I haven't decided on which option to take. The 3rd option is the cheapest but I have to stop in Guangzhou for 45 minutes, and I have to consider the cost in taking the ferry from Shenzhen to Hongkong.

I have to decide within this week so I can finalize everything.

But anyway, I have committed myself to go with my friends, I can't afford to back out right now. I will just think of this trip as a way to relax away from work and spend time with people that I don't see often anymore.

Chasing Pavements

I finished my work at around 8:30PM. I was feeling light headed because it's a friday night.

I was walking to the Bus stop. It's quite a long walk. I am excited for the long walk because I discovered a song that perfectly describes what I am feeling right now...

Armed with my ipod. I set it to " repeat" mode, meaning for the whole 30 minute walk, I would listen to one song.

I am walking in the road pavement...............

Chasing Pavements

I've made up my mind,
Don't need to think it over,

If I'm wrong I am right,

Don't need to look no further,

This ain't lust, I know this is love but,

If I tell the world,

I'll never say enough, Cause it was not said to you,

And that's exactly what I need to do,

If I'm in love with you, Should I give up,

Or should I just keep chasing pavements?

Even if it leads nowhere,

Or would it be a waste?

Even If I knew my place should I leave it there?

Should I give up, Or should I just keep chasing pavements?

Even if it leads nowhere

I'd build myself up,

And fly around in circles,

Waiting as my heart drops,

And my back begins to tingle

Finally could this be it

Should I give up, Or should I just keep chasing pavements?

Even if it leads nowhere, Or would it be a waste?

Even If I knew my place should I leave it there?

Should I give up, Or should I just keep chasing pavements?

Even if it leads nowhere

Should I give up, Or should I just keep chasing pavements?

Even if it leads nowhere,

Or would it be a waste?

Even If I knew my place should I leave it there?

Should I give up, Or should I just keep chasing pavements?

Even if it leads nowhere

Nearing my bus stop, I suddenly wish the bus stop to be farther so I can walk more in the pavement and listen more to the song.... even if it leads nowhere

Ah Yi

Ah Yi in chinese means Aunt.
Ah Yi can also be a cleaner.

In our apartments here in China we all share 1 Ah Yi. She does not clean our individual apartments, but she cleans the corridors and we call on her if there is something that needs to be fixed in our rooms, or for most of the time, if we lock our keys inside the apartment. She has all the keys.

Shiao Shuang is our Ah Yi. She speaks very very very little english. She knocks in our doors screaming "Hello" .
She says 'Thank You".
And I heard her mention the word "Banana" once.

One of China's advantage over the world is it's cheap labor.
I was able to talk to Shiao Shuang one time, I was complaining about work and compensation. She told me that I should not complain because chinese people like her are not paid very well. She told me that in a month she is getting 800RMB($115usd). And thinking of all the responsibilities that she has to do, certainly 800rmb a month is a meager amount.

Last Wednesday, when I open my fridge to get some water, I was surprised to see something different ( I don't keep any food in my fridge, its just water..... Yeah I'm too lazy to cook since I got to China). I saw a can of Ice Cafe Latte, I can't remember buying this.... When I looked further I saw 2 ice cream cups on my mini freezer and 2 chocolate ice cream Popsicles.

I thought of a colleague, whom I always crash and beg for food asked Shiao Shuang to put the goodies in my fridge, because I am always out of site.
I sent her a message confirming if the Ice cream and coffee are from her. She said No, it's not from her.

I was wondering, who could be giving free ice cream and ice coffee now that it's starting to get cold.

I decided to call Shiao Shuang. I tried my best to speak chinese to solve the mystery.
Here goes ( English Version... very simple chinese words were used.. My chinese is not good)

Me: Ni Hao... Are you busy? I have a question
SS: Ni Hao.. I'm ok. I have time. What's the problem?
Me: Who gave me the ice cream and ice coffee?
SS: It's me. Do you like to eat Ice cream?
Me: Oh Thank you very much? Why are you giving me Ice cream? ( surprised)
SS: Because you are my good friend. I don't see you often anymore. Do you like Ice cream?
Me: Oh Thank you... Thank you... yeah I like Ice cream so much. Thank you very much

Mystery solved. It was Shiao Shuang who gave me the Ice cream. It's such a heartwarming experience, coming from a person I least expected.

Despite her not so much earnings Shiao Shuang appreciates my friendship and went an extra mile to surprise me...

Thank You so much Ah Yi... She is not just a cleaner... she can be an Ah Yi.... an Aunt

I will surely miss her when I go back to my country.

Zhao, My Host, the person who gave me another impression of Chinese people

(words in the conversations were not the exact words used... but the thought remains the same)

Zhao is my host in Sichuan. He made sure I was taken cared of. From the time I arrive at the Chengdu Airport, he was already waiting for me, despite the countless times of telling him not to fetch me at the airport. I don’t want to cause so much trouble for the fellow. But he really insisted of meeting me at the airport.

Zhao is the first Chinese person who invited me to stay in his apartment. I was not sure on how to react to the invitation. I insisted on staying in a hostel so that I won’t have to bother him so much. Again he insisted that I stay in his apartment. I was thinking this would be an interesting experience having to stay in a Chinese home with a Chinese fellow.

Through him I was able to get to know deeper some Chinese cultures learned more how Chinese people see things differently.

Firstly, Zhao introduced some of the famous Sichuan Dishes….. Yes they are all spicy and undoubtedly very delicious!
He is a very graceful host; Zhao introduced me to some of his Chinese friends and even went his way to travel with me to nearby Sichuan towns.

I will try my best to recall some conversations I had with Zhao that made me learn something new about Chinese people and how he sees things.

Zhao: I wish one day I can travel around like you.
Me: Yeah you should travel. You will learn a lot and gain many experiences
Zhao: It’s not so easy to travel. I need to work and earn money.
Me: That’s right. But through traveling you will discover that there is still a bigger world out there. It’s not just China. Though China is really beautiful
Zhao: We Chinese people in China are like inside a Great Wall…..

I was taken a back on how he describes China’s enclosure to the outside world. With the strict implementation of information coming in and out of china, they are very particular on cable channels, blocking some internet sites certainly; there is limited information in China.

We also spoke about the shape of a person’s face and how Chinese people view it. Zhao told me that if a person’s face is round and he has a broad forehead, he is deemed to be somebody who is going to be rich.

Me: Does that mean that I’m poor? I have an oval shaped face...
Zhao: Yes….
Me: Uhhhmm?

We talked about Chinese families, on how Parents play a part in a person’s life decisions.

Zhao: I really like shanghai, I hope one day I can visit shanghai, it’s very modern city
Me: Why not try looking for a job in Shanghai? Or maybe in Suzhou?
Zhao: I want to but my parents would not allow me to be far from them.
Me: But you are earning your own money already and you can be independent.
Zhao: I cannot leave my parents here, they are old.
Me: Wow your parents really affect the decisions in your life.
Zhao: Yeah… how about you?
Me: I have my brothers and sisters, and I can always go back home anytime.
Maybe this is so because of the one child policy… You don’t have brothers and sisters to help you take care of your parents.
Zhao: Maybe…

We talked about music…
Zhao has a very good taste in music. I was amazed because most the Chinese people I know have the same taste in music. It is mostly western music that became popular few years ago. But Zhao’s music was very up to date. It is a shame; a Chinese person gave me some songs to upload in my ipod. His choice of music is really impressive. Aside from that he helped me upload some Chinese songs too!

Me: I’m really impressed with your choice of music.
Zhao: Why?
Me: I thought Chinese people are not so updated with western music
Zhao: No not all, I always use the internet
Me: I’m really impressed!
Zhao: Well we are all the same people. We listen to one music

By the way, Zhao also watches popular western TV series… Can you beat that?

Zhao, thanks for your hospitality and for sharing your time when I visited Sichuan. I have learned
A lot from you..Thanks for the goodies from luojiang =)

Deng yi haha! kuai yi ti er( quiet'r)

Collecting my thoughts in the plane…

I am so overwhelmed with new insights during my 6 days travel to Sichuan province. So overwhelmed, that I don’t know where to start and how to contain everything.

I am in the plane right now. 3 hours to shanghai from chengdu. I will try my best to recall the events in the last 6 days. I will be writing about my Sichuan experience.

Let me first share some pics I took from the airport.

I just finished 1 entry…. So timely Lunch is served now…;-)

Wheeew Airplane food again… It’s rice, chicken with sauce and peanuts. I’m sorry I cannot describe the other foods. They are packed and all written in Chinese. And I am not so hungry to eat this. I might just give this to some Chinese kids in shanghai.
I’ll continue my 2nd entry after my lunch..

Amazing Sichuan

Arriving at Shuangliu Airport at chengdu, I immediately sent my host a message that I have arrived in Chengdu already; I got a message back that I will be met at gate number 2. I must have been the first passenger to go out of the exit, because I did not have any check in baggage.

I was greeted by my friend Zhao in the exit. As we headed towards the bus station to wait for our bus to Deyang City, we talked about my flight and I also asked how long has he been waiting for me at the airport.

ChengDu has a welcoming atmosphere. Everything is calm. It’s pretty modern; the closest city that I can compare it with is Shanghai. It is not as modern as shanghai but it’s definitely not as unfriendly as Shanghai.

I was treated to my very first Sichuan Dish……Man…. The food was so good. It was a bit spicy but it was really good.

When we got to Zhao’s apartment, it is very clean and comfortable. I experienced my first Chinese hospitality, because this is my first time to get invited to a Chinese house. Zhao really made sure I get comfortable in his place. He gave me a little tour in his apartment, and even asked me which room I would want to sleep. I answered that I can stay anywhere, and I don’t want him to offer the master bedroom. I opted to stay in his guestroom.

When Zhao showed me the toilet, he showed me how to use his shower. He then asked told me to tell him if there is something I need. I told him “I don’t know how to use the toilet”.

“ I don’t know how to use the toilet” This sentence could mean either 2 things.
A. I don’t know how to operate your toilet bowl.
B. I don’t know how to properly squat in a traditional Chinese toilet bowl.
And I mean B. I don’t know how to use the toilet using the Chinese toilet bowl…

I was too shy to elaborate more, Zhao got me wrong he showed me how to flush the toilet.
Oh no…. at the back of my head I was thinking…. How long can I hold this?