Posted on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
during my last trip in shanghai, I noticed the eggs section in the supermarket.
“eggs exhibition”
they have all sorts of eggs for sale. from turtle eggs to alligator eggs to swan eggs…
here’s the black ostrich egg, costing $50 per piece!
my friend bought me pigeon eggs. the same size as quail eggs.
check it out. the egg white is translucent! filled with lots and lots of collagen!
has a jelly-like texture. interesting.
Tags: oh so random, oh 上海 again!
Posted on Saturday, October 10th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
The main reason for my shanghai trip was Miao’s wedding.
这次的上海旅程主要是参加淼的婚礼。
I was put up at my dad’s cousin’s place in Wen Zhou, whom I have never met before. Felt weird initially but thankfully, they were very welcoming.
抵达温州后才知道他们把我安排在阿姨家。好像是爸爸的堂姐，我从来没碰面过。刚开始觉得有些尴尬，还好阿姨一家都很好客，非常热情。
The traditions there differ slightly from Singapore. On the wedding day, the groom will lunch together with the bride’s family, even before the tea ceremony. After lunch, he will then return home and gather his brothers and cars to head over again to get the bride and her relatives.
婚礼当天，淼先到素珍家共用午餐，之后再返回预备迎接新娘。
At miao’s place:
他们用紫色和粉红色的气球布置大门：
the couple’s bedroom
新人的卧房
the “brothers” discussing the route and strategy.
一群兄弟在讨论方策。
Miao prepared 12 Audi cars for the relatives.
淼预备了12 辆Audi汽车来接待素珍的亲戚。
I wanted to tag along but, I would be the only girl. so…. i waited at the hotel for their arrival.
我是很想跟着一起去接新娘，可是只有我一个女生，好像有些不妥当，我也只好在酒店等候。
Another group of “brothers” were preparing for the grand entry. Laying out the firecrackers and fireworks.
没开车的其他兄弟忙着准备迎接新人。
this is how a box of fireworks look like:
一箱箱的烟花：
I was really excited since there isn’t any of these in Singapore.
当鞭炮放响时，兴奋的心情难以掩盖。 气氛真棒！
the fireworks were lovely! just right above our heads…
烟花真的很迷人！
lighting up the cones..
把人行道两旁的烟火点着。
sparkles in the air…
烟火四飞。
isn’t it romantic? for the couple to walk through the fireworks…
真浪漫！
getting sprayed by everyone else.. haha..
大家都蜂拥而上，把新人喷得稀里哗啦。
heading up to the restaurant..
手牵手上礼堂。
Let’s get the ceremony started!
婚礼正式开始
Handling over the daughter to husband.
将女儿交给丈夫。
Miao was really nervous on stage. He sounded weird.. lol..
淼表现得好紧张，声音怪怪。哈哈。
They arranged for some games on stage and I got volunteered up. It’s drinking “herbal tea” contest.
他们办了几个余兴节目，我被供上台，比赛喝老王吉。
and yes, i won a plushie for my niece.
赢了个玩偶，送给甜甜。
during dinner, the couple did the usual thank you drink around the tables.
After the relatives had left, it’s time for the games and friends!
we made a hole on the beer bottle and got Miao to use his knees to pour out the beer. it was hilarious!
next was to drink the 2 cans of coconut milk dangling over the bride’s shoulder.
follow on was picking the 2 red dates in the huge bowl of beer.
then, he had to peel the logan and feed his wife.
lastly, was the choosing the right can. There’s 21 cans with only 1 empty can. For every failed attempt by him, the brothers will have to finish 2 glasses of herbal tea. And for the bride, the sisters have to drink up 2 glasses of beer. This is a really tough game! They made 19 unsuccessfully attempts! I ended up helping the sisters with 3 glasses of beer. They only got it right when there was 2 cans left. haha..
and the night ended off with a polariod photo. =)
Tags: occasions, oh 上海 again!, wedding bells
Posted on Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
National Day in China is crazy. Everyone rushes to finish their work on hand and gets ready to return to hometown. I had trouble getting a train ticket to Wen Zhou. It’s was totally sold out, even the standing tickets!
I had to hitch a ride from Leon. It was pouring crazily.
The journey took 9 hours with traffic jam. Pretty much horrible. Can u believe the jam was 40km? That’s like traffic jam from pasir ris to boon lay!!?
We made a stop for lunch.
had rice dumplings, in plastic bag. Gee…
The clouds started clearing up when we were reaching Wen zhou.
Along the way, I saw truckloads of animals!! haha.. i was so excited! a truckload of pigs – big fat pigs. so amusing! lol. took a photo of the goats.. Leon kept making fun of me taking photos of them. Can’t I take photos? hello, we don’t have these in Singapore.
caught the sun set while we drove into Wen Zhou. it was literally an GOLDEN yolk.
Everyone asked how I felt “going back” to Wen Zhou, where my roots are. Seriously, it’s “going to” and not “back”. I don’t feel any connection with this place. Not even my mom stepped foot there before. All that striked me was my grandpa. On his tombstone, it carved “Jia Yi Xian”, and now, I’m here at his birthplace. I missed him.
This is Ou Bei, a part of Wen Zhou.
Tags: grandpa, oh 上海 again!, the dark secrets
Posted on Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
I feel so disconnected with school.
I’m back. touch down at 5:30am, unpack, took a shower and headed off to school. Rushed through my assignment on the mrt ride. When I arrived at class, I realised it had to be handwritten. And I had 2 quizzes today, which obviously were not studied for.
My shanghai trip was an eventful one. I got conned by the cab driver when I arrived at Shanghai airport. He knew I wasn’t local and took a detour. What’s fuming me mad was he gave me a fake receipt which leaves me no chance of suing him to get back my $$.
Upon arrival at the hotel, there wasn’t any reservation under my name. Had to call Leon and luckily, he had the order reservation number. Next, I tried to topup my china sim card but it didn’t seem to work. Plus singtel didnt give me my roaming! Lastly, the Internet connection in my room was screwed up. What a night for my last day of my 21st year.
But thankfully for the lovely birthday present. The room was great! I soaked in the bubble bath to de-stress and had a good night rest.
Everything worked out well the next day. I got both phones working and Internet access.
And thanks to everyone who wished me! 
I couldn’t possibly reply then. What’s more, facebook & wordpress were both blocked in China. I was really deprived of my leisure outlets. It was days later that I found a way to access Facebook! 
Lunch at Paul’s was a disappointment. I had grilled scallops, lemon macaroon and raspberry tart. I didn’t feel the Parisian touch.
Went down to Kang Jun for a pampering massage session, sponsored by Kelvin. 60mins foot massage plus 90mins of full body! Totally awesome!
All for just $40.
In the night, Leon drove me down to Shi Men Yi Lu.
had my cravings satisfied @ Xiao Yang Sheng Jian Guan. We arrived at 10.45pm, just in time for the last batch of buns! My birthday bun! haha…
The hotel was great, apparently a 5-star. Totally loved the bath tub. I have no idea why it’s 2 queen-size beds. They have an indoor swimming pool at 26th floor that oversees part of the city.
The luxurious stay only lasted for 3 nights. I moved into miao’s place – a very drastic change.
There were alot of construction and road works going on in his area. Air quality was really bad. I could feel the dust in the air. I was looking for the iron and I found it in the cupboard, with a thick layer of dust!! These people don’t iron their clothes??? It probably laid in there since I left the house 3 years ago.
Tags: happy birthday, oh 上海 again!
Posted on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
my happiest moment for this shanghai trip…
has to be the home-cooked dinner!
miao demostrating his newly bought ‘food drill’.
he’s ‘drilling’ watermelon into juice.. lol…
even hui chun told me i looked really happy during the dinner. yeah, i brought her along to savour miao’s cooking!
satisfying smile after a good meal… =)
I can’t wait for October to arrive. And i’m even more happy to find out that my term break falls between 28th sep to 4th oct! which means I don’t have to skip lessons for miao’s wedding.
I hope he keeps to his promise and fly me up. ^_^
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shanghai was a good trip but it made me felt lost in my path…
Tags: oh 上海 again!
Posted on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 at 7:29 pm
shanghai is supposedly a great place to shop at. especially QiPu.
but i have lost the patience to shop there. Only managed to get 2 pairs of heels.
But at my last day in Shanghai, i went out to the supermarket and got myself tons of goodies.
spent about $50 on these:
They have a great variety of Pocky and it cost about $1.20/box only! i think i bought at least 2 dozens.
I love the red wine chocolate pejoy. super yummy!
Nothing wrong with your eyes. They have got the weirdest flavours for Lays potato chips.
Cherry Tomato, Mango, Lime, Lychee. hmm… inter-est-ing.
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If you didnt know, Barbie opened it’s flagship building in Shanghai.
One of hui chun’s friend was celebrating her bday at the Barbie Cafe and I crashed for it.
Loved the pink light reflection:
The barbie dolls on display were lovely!
All of them are Singaporeans studying at FuDan. Except for hui chun and lewis, who are on exchange programme.
And most of them are MOE scholars, studying Chinese.
They are such a fun group of people, really cracked me up.. lol.
Tags: oh 上海 again!
Posted on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 at 10:57 am
I’m back!
My flight was supposed to depart at 00:10am from Shanghai, but it was delayed. It took off at freaking 02:40am! Due to disinfecting of the plane. boo.
feeling kinda sad. felt like crying when the pilot made the announcement: “we will be landing at Singapore Changi Airport in approximately 8 minutes.”
I wanna go back to Shanghai.
it’s like a dream. and i wana continue to day-dream…
It’s not about Shanghai.
It’s about out of Singapore.
It’s about freedom.
It’s about the friends there.
Tags: oh 上海 again!, the dark secrets
Posted on Saturday, May 23rd, 2009 at 10:59 am
not again!
this is irritating. I got shortlisted for another job and went for measurements and fitting. Since the uniforms are gonna be made in Korea. My agent told me it’s more or less confirmed.
But who knows, they decided to have hire lesser models. And there it goes, i’m out.. arghh…
I guess this is really my down period. And worse still, Kelvin is in Shanghai for the whole week.
But he knows i’m really upset about what happened with the tel comm and he told me to join him in Shanghai!
And so I confirmed my ticket to Shanghai with his miles. whaahahaha..
I’ve been waiting for this, for the past 3 years. Waiting for someone to fly me up to Shangahai. lol..
there’s so much things that I wana do in Shanghai!
The crazy times i had in Shanghai with them. I love overseas exchange!
I can’t wait to see Miao and Leon. I miss them SO much!
I wana move in to miao’s place so that he can cook lunch and dinner for me everyday! lol. I miss his cooking. And it’s so fun to squabble with him. haha…
I’m gonna have my daily dose of jasmine milk tea at ChaMate.
Go Tiffany’s and get my hair wash cum massage every alternate day. It’s only $6! hopefully no inflation.
Attend Riveria events and party like crazy every night!
Eat the mutton kebas, sichuan dishes, fried rice cake, sheng jian bao, etc, etc, etc.
oh wait, it seems like im going there for a weight gaining program. haha…
Tags: oh so random, oh 上海 again!
