无锡旅游 (Trip to Wuxi)

26 March – 27 March 2005

Favourite catch phrase on the trip (for me): Go back Shanghai, delete this part of memory (especially the Hotel)

The 2 day trip to 无锡 (Wuxi) began early in the morning with a train ride leaving Shanghai at 8.30 am. The train took approximately 55 mins to reach Wuxi. There were a total of 28 students consisting of students from SHEN (NOC, NUS), FUSSA (exchange students studying in Fudan) and other Singapore Friends. The trip was a planned tour pre-arranged with a tour agency. So, everything was planned!

First stop was the Wuxi-Singapore Industrial Park … We were introduced to the Park, its facilities, its operations, its history, and its forseeable future. The guy (whose name I failed to remember) sounded really dejected while he addressed us. It felt as though he was very unhappy and just wanted out of this place! He did mention on several occasions about the more promising situation in Suzhou, and kept lamenting about how Wuxi is different from Suzhou and therefore it has more challenges … Hey, man! Cheer up … you have been there for almost 9 years … take a break …!

After the talk, we went up the building to the 7th level to view the Industrial park from the viewing tower … we then went to a moulding factory to view. The GM of the factory was very nice to show us around and explain the workings of the factory personally.

Next Stop was lunch!

The not very nice place to EAT … boycott! Avoid at all costs! Don’t fall for this ever again! Spare your tummy!

Final stop for the day was 梅园 (Mei Yuan) … very beautiful, especially since the flowers are already blooming!

Beautiful flowers!!!

Amidst the beautiful garden, our 大家源 (Dajiayuan) gang!!!

After 梅园 we went to check into our hotel … hmm … hmm … hmm …
faints! First time I see such a horrible hotel … hmm … actually I have seen horrible hotels, but this is the first time that I was actually going to stay in one!


Once again, avoid at all costs!!! Heater not hot enough and almost froze during the night! Water only attain a maximium temperature of 20 degrees … so cold how to bathe with luke warm water somemore! Blankets have hair on it! Bed Sheet had stain on it! So super Sian! No elavator to take u to the 4th floor where the room was! No lights in the corridor … save money lor! Next time they go holiday, or tour, must let me QC first man! Or at least tell me in advance if they going for hardship tour then I can have enough time to prepare myself psycologically.

After checking in to the Hotel, we went to explore Wuxi, since staying in the hotel was a horrible experience!

Some sight while we were making our almost 2 hour stroll to the city centre in search of Food to eat … and after the long ardous journey … we arrived at …

to eat 小笼包 (dumpling) … and the dumpling was not made of GOLD! … hmm .. hmm!
At least I had my Macdonalds sundae to perk me up!

Some of the gang decided to go to KTV … while 4 of us (KC, MC, HJ and I) went o walk around … backed track the way we came and ended up at an arcade … where I spent RMB5 and playing games which I wish I had not even attempted … firstly, I suck at playing arcade games … I die often … secondly, the games was so boring … that I was wishing that I would die faster so the game would end faster…

After the “ordeal” we made our way across the road to 尚典咖啡 to drink coffee and chit chat!

We sat there from 8.30pm till almost 12 midnight talking rubbish! till the rest of the gang came to join us after their KTV session … and we chatted again till 1 am+++

Finally, we went back to THE HOTEL! Try to sleep! Try !!! Sians!

Next morning, we moved off at 8.30 am …

first stop was 唐城 (Tang Cheng) …

Stayed there for the entire morning, doing various stuff … viewing performance, going for a rather “lacklustre” simulation ride … and play acting … (I was only the camera man!)

皇上。。。三个妃子。。。一个太监！

After that, we went to the same place for lunch … HORRIBLE!!! Faints … the tour agent surely takes a commission!

We went to visit a 紫砂厂 (purple clay factory) that specialize in making tea pots out of the special clay!

太湖 (Taihu) is the final stop for the trip!

weijun sunbathing on the boat … (its winter!)

The boat ride over 太湖 (which is approximately 4 times the size of Singapore with only a maximium depth of 2m)
We only made one stop at 太湖 which was 神仙岛 (God Island) …

Crossing this bridge is suppose to help make you 20 years younger! (Like real!)

And finally we were on our train back to Shanghai … This time around, we took a slower train which will make a stop at Suzhou … and our seats were actually a bed … cos the number of seats needed to be increase … we ended up having beds as seats … (4 to a bed) its called the added carriage … the rest of the gang who took were in another carriage took the actual kind of carriage … hard seat ones … (dunno how to tour agent book for us a return trip on the hard seat one) lucky I was lucky got the better deal in the added carriage if not have to squeeze with alot of peopl in the hard seat carriage because the trains always let people in to the carriage even if they weren’t allocated a seat number! That’s the horror of trains!

And my story ends …

A brand new week of work again … am eagerly waiting for the May Day holidays … Inner Mongolia … Tibet … or BOTH!!! wahahahahaha!!!

day 2

Boss never came into office!

I read all the documents on the company that I could get my hands on from the public folders and the file the Boss sent me … hmm … then spent the afternoon reading online stuff … as usual!

Well, work here is of course better, at least the prospect looks much better … I dun even have to bring my own laptop cos there is a computer there I can use … one less burden to lug along with me every morning as I squeeze into the very very crowded train of the Metro …

The day passed in a blur … and dinner was with the colleagues of Orange Gum … we had dinner at Crossroads @ Kerry Centre … it was a Singapore Restaurant and we had the usual Singapore food, that would have been much cheaper and better in Singapore … but still it was decent and the meal was FREE … haha!

Anyway, I just thought I do a little photo log of the past few days that have passed… have done quite a number of things. .. including more sightseeing of Shanghai … its pearl tower, etc …

but at this moment, the pearl tower photos are not online yet … be patient .. hor …

I begin with the Dinner @ Chuan San Jia again … this time with the NCS 2nd batch as well… and it was a mini birthday celebration for Shuhui …

Shopping at Xiang Yang and eating almost authentic Chicken Rice at the shop next door!

and also eating at a some fancy restaurant called Shintori … where the most fancy part of the whole thing was the toilet!!! haha

Dinner @ Ren min Square … Curry House … after some EMBA talk @ Rits Carlton …

Then there was the usual lazing around at Fudan University’s Yuan Yuan Yuan!

and lazing @ Coffee Bean @ Raffles City area …
Shallene Dozing off!

and my story ends …

tata!

1st Day @ MediaBoxOffice

once again, its a first day of work … and its all within 2 months of arriving in Shanghai … (today 2 month anniversary)

What did I do today?

Went to office and settled into my desk and my computer … installed some stuff that people will use in any computer .. such as MSN and Firefox … Then read through some of the proposals that the company had done for their past projects … such as with their partnership with Capitaland in Raffles City, etc …

I conclude that Advertising pays well! Of course it comes with all the hard work as well!

Went for Class again at Fudan as well … Hmm … I think I still understand only half the class … sians … and the bloody text is in PDF format and its all in Chinese … so very very diffcult to SKIM through, let alone READ … how to “study” this for an examination?!?!?!

Cross fingers and hope can “cham siong” with the “nice” lecturer!

p.s.

as an additional note … ?

MediaBoxOffice’s CEO was recommended to me via one of the Boss at Premas International whom I had an interview with. Interview with Premas was set up by my Dad’s Friend who works in Capitaland. So, how is Premas and Capitaland related. They are if you actually go research on their companies. Capitaland does real estate, Premas does asset management.

Then how does MediaBoxOffice come into the picture. The Boss of Premas recommended me to him after the interview. He just could not find any use for me at his company … he did not need a PA … haha!

So, I chat with the CEO of MBO and my Dad’s friend at Capitaland and viola … I landed a job that I could not refuse …

its really as simple as that!

the End . . . or the beginning?!

Ok, will be ending my stint at Orange Gum this Friday (18 March 2005). I will begin work at mynew office on the 21 March 2005. My new company is MediaBoxOffice. It is a Singapore Company and it only recently opened its Shanghai Branch last year in January.

I have met the CEO, Mr Simon Choo and if all goes as planned, I think the internship would be quite fruitful. Crosses fingers that nothing will go wrong …

Anyhow, I don’t think anything major will go wrong, after all this is the act of God … this job offer was literally given to me, served on a silver platter … thrust into my face … (of course, once again its not with the help of our “dear Gabriel”)

So, I’ve been calling a few bosses the past 2 days to decline their very kind offer as I have already chosen a company … Feels weird that there is so many offers … hopefully when I eventually Graduate, I will have as many offers as these as well … haha!

… … … … …

Have all “silly” questions been answered? If not, JTB!

I Wonder . . .

how many of you are resisting the urge to ask me “silly” questions?

Hahahahahahahahaha!

and the plot thickens …

1st big news!!!

I walked to Office today … all the way from Zhongshan to Jing An … Took about 1 hour to walk there and then had a nice Macdonalds Big Breakfast with Shuhui before heading off to our own offices. I guess the walk wasn’t that long after all … but of course, its winter so walking isn’t that big a deal … wait till summer and if you do try walking … I think will die of heat exahustion before we even hit Jiang Su Road Train Station which is the half way point to Jing An.

2nd Smaller news or more of an update!!!

Had dinner with Professor Jacob Phang (CEO of NUS Enterprise) yesterday. Dinner was along Nanjing Dong Lu (Pu Xing Jie) at a Canotnese Restaurant. Food was rather good, though it was way too much for all our stomachs to take! Prof Phang had just flew in from SV the day before and he will be flying off tonight. He introduced the Grand Vision of making NUS into a Launching Pad for Enterprises … To a certain extent I agree with his ideals … (and I do feel that they are indeed IDEALS … in other words, idealistic … but of course without a dream or a vision its really difficult to do anything big and grand) On the other hand, I feel that with the mentalities of Singaporeans presently, no amount of work put in by NUS will pay off as everyone’s goal is to ultimately leave for SV and make it big there. Singapore just cannot be compared to SV. Furthermore, he mentioned about bringing whatever success they have had at SV with the Business Centre into Shanghai. That of course is an ideal once again. It needs much more localization before any kind of idea can really take root in Shanghai. Well, that future is of course for everyone to create!

3rd News … This is NEWS!!!

Feel like releasing it today, though its already quite old news … Will be changing jobs very soon! Why? (Listen carefully or more precisely read carefully … I will not entertain “silly questions” asked through MSN when answers can be found here.) Orange Gum (the company that I am currently interning at) will be closing its Shanghai office by the end of the month. This news was officially announced on ( 2 March 2005) over a meal of KFC that we bought back to the office! cool, huh? However, I heard the news from Ming Chean the day before. When I first got the news, I was kind of stunned! That was the day of my miracle! I was filled with Joy … ok … I feel bad that the company’s business isn’t going too well in Shanghai, but I also felt great that I was going to be a given a 2nd chance at getting another job … and this time hopefully it would be much better!

Allow me to explain why I don’t exactly like my job … firstly, I have to deal with Java Programming … not just ordinary Java programming, but J2EE which deals with some kind of SMS system. Secondly, I am given a programming task to do with no help whatsoever. No proper documentation, no comments … and I was asked to modify the code to fit the new requirements … sure I keep asking my Sup, but it was always the same answer. “I’ll help you take a look” then few hours later or the next day “Sorry, abit busy cannot help you yet!”

So, wallowing in misery for a few days dragged onto a few weeks and it eventually became a month at Orange Gum. Its not that I hate the company. The people here are great. The locals are very friendly and I enjoy talking to them. Its just the job scope or more precisely the job limitations that I had … I was just not doing something that I could do and I hate to be useless in a company. I rather be busy and doing something useful then so free and not do anything useful!

Therefore, when Ming Chean the other senior interning at the same company told me the news, I was so happy … I asked him “Do you think this is a good news or a bad news?” I think he was baffled by what I was asking … he told me that actually if they contract that they were planning will go through properly, there will be more interesting work to do after that … but OG HQ decided to axe the China Wing so … that was it!

Why was it a miracle for me? Because the day Ming Chean told me about the news was the day that I was going to talk to my Sup about my job scope … either he gave me something else to do, or as a last resort, he let me change company. The night before, I had so fervently prayed for a miracle that something will happen that will make my predicament better and that I will get a job that I will really like… and the next day I received that ground breaking news …. so, eventually I didn’t need to talk to my Sup … all I had to do was to sit and wait for the company to close … (“,) (ok, I know its totally bad to be gloating about a company closing down, but hey, one has to look out for oneself as well, right?) So, the official announcement: The company will close by the end of the month.

I have since decided to go to another company… Details of that company shall be revealed in due time … (dun bother asking me about it … “all in good time”) How did I finally decide on this company? Well, that’s another miracle … the work of the Lord …!

I had various offers … of which was one which I wanted to go … something like the feeling I had with OG when I first chose my company back in Singapore… it was an interest … However, since joining OG, I have been rather afraid of trusting my own instinct so much, so I prayed again and again that an answer will appear for me. Something will be THRUST into my face … just like how the news of OG closing was literally thrown to me out of the blue … After talking to various bosses, it suddenly boiled down to one … it was literally THRUST into my face … something that I could not really reject or want to reject. So, I called my mum to get some feedback too … reply was quite positive and I decided to go with it … If all goes
well, I should have a very good career … IF?! Would probably be starting work by then end of the week or next week… will see how it goes.

So, my entire saga in Shanghai ends … All within one month, I have taken on my first job, lost my first job due to company closure, be an illegal resident and payed a 2000RMB Fine! Most definitely I have had the most experience here in Shanghai compared to the rest of the friends…

Anyway, it has been nice lazing around in the Office for a month plus now, but I would really rather start working on something useful so that I can learn more about Shanghai … and benefit more from the programme.

That’s all to it for this very exciting month in Shanghai! (“,)

To all the concerned people … I am totally fine here and I am still enjoying myself … dun worry urselves … cos you don’t want as much white hair as I have! (“,)

p.s remember … no silly qns too …

Its been a long time

One major matter has been settled …

We are no longer Illegal Residents in Shanghai … It has most definitely been a very tiring week running around and trying to get out VISAs done.

Lets relate the story abit at a time …

I begin my story on 7 March 2005, Monday, when Kin Ching (KC), Lee Tong (LT) and I went to the 上海市出入境管理局 at 吴淞路 to apply for our VISA. Upon approaching the counter, we were told (at least KC was told, as he was in front of me) that our VISA has expired and we cannot apply for a new VISA. We were told to go to the 招待室 (reception) to wait to see another officer. The place looked like it was some interrogation room … faints!!! (lucky, its not.) We came back after lunch to find the officer after lunch as he had already gone for lunch by the time we were asked to go to the room. After which, we were told to go find a 张警官 instead as we were Fudan students and 张警官 was in charge of Fudan University Students.

We went to a back door of the building to wait for 张警官 and we were told by the security gurad that he had went to Fudan for a meeting. So, we waited at the door for him to come back. After waiting for a rather long time, we asked to speak to anyone else from the same department so that we could at least explain our situation to the authorities. The “%^#$%@” security guard kept telling us that there was no one answering the phone and that everyone up there was having a meeting. So, we waited and waited. Till almost closing time (ard 4 pm) before a lady 李力 came down to speak to us. We managed to convey our message to her and she took a photocopy of all our passports as prove that we had come down that day to do the VISA and we will not be fined anymore after that. Anyway, the fine was RMB500 a day (which was really very shocking!!!) up to a maximium of RMB5000.

We then explained our situation to Gabriel who managed to get Fudan to talk to 张警官. By Tuesday morning, we got the news that the Fine has been reduced from RMB5000 to RMB2500 and that we were supposed to get our VISA done asap. How very fustrating … so much money still! Anyhow, we all made our way down to 上海市出入境管理局 at 吴淞路 again. All 7 of us … MC, Yvonne, CK, LT, KC, Shallene and I … and guess what, we just waited … cos 张警官wasn’t around. He was out!!! We were told to come back tmr again. Sians!!! Luckily, some other officer came down and we asked them to help us contact 张警官. MC spoke to 张警官 over the phone and the situation did not look to great. According to MC, 张警官 insisted that if we did not have the money then they cannot do anything also. Sians! 张警官 also informed us to go to Fudan University on Wednesday morning at 10am to attend a Talk that he will be giving on the law and regulations of Shanghai. After which, on Thursday we would be able to get our VISA done.

Demoralized, we left 上海市出入境管理局 and went to sit down some at 永和豆浆 to discuss the situation. We concluded hat we could not do anything, so decided that we had to follow 张警官instructions and go for the talk and do our VISA on Thursday. We also decided to meet Gabriel for dinner to explain in person our predicament. Hoping that the school somehow will play a larger role in this situation.

Wednesday morning, 7 of us went to Fudan to listen to 张警官talk, BUT the talk was at 3.30 pm … we were “tua”ed. SHIT!!! This 张警官 was looking more and more to be an arse than anything else. So, without any choice left, some of us went back to work, while CK, KC, LT and Shallene went for the talk.

During lunch, had a call from Gabriel … and finally good news … he had talked to the Singapore Consulate General in Shanghai and they have decided that it is not worth it to blow the matter up any further and NUS has decided to pay the fine for the 7 of us … (although, it seems that the fault would still remain alittle on us) Anyway, I went o meet Gabriel at Jing An Si area to get the cash for him. Thankfully, prayers have been answered that no money from the students needed to be payed out. Got RMB17500 from Gabriel for the Fine for 7 of us.

After collecting the $$$, i went back to work. Had to collect a server back for OG… Damn heavy for a thin piece of metal … Darn! Anywya, managed to collect it and lug it back to the office (of course on a Cab lah!)

Now, things were almost settled… the 7 of us decided to meet for a nice dinner @ Steak King to destress alittle. At dinner, KC, CK, and LT told us even better news … they had managed to Chit Chat to 张警官 after the talk that day and 张警官had decided to reduce the Fine to RMB2000 only … too bad, they did not have more time to talk to 张警官 if not the Fine could have been further reduced. Look how things went … Fudan exlained from RMB5000 to RMB2500, then we negotiated from RMB2500 to RMB2000 and now NUS payed the Fine … At least it is settled … PHEW!!!

So, on Thursday … we went to 杨浦公安局 to pay our Fine … met a 黄警官and a 邓警官who helped us to process our Fine … and we gave away RMB14000 for the 7 of us … Sighs!!!

Afternoon, we went back to Fudan, some of us went for lessons … while LT and I hung around for while … waiting for the to finish lesson, before we head back down to 上海市出入境管理局 to find 张警官 to help us do our VISA … and we are done … We will be collecting our VISA on the 17 March 2005.

Today, went with 张师傅 and Martin to the same place again to do his VISA although he did not really need to do it … so, I went to that place for a total 4 times this week … how exciting!!!

Anyway, I am very glad that its settled.

virgo mania

Virgo Career Profile

Need a quick fix? Call a Virgo. Those born under this Sign simply love to analyze and bat things around and are bound to come up with some answers. The mental, smart Virgo is a talker and a helper and likes to facilitate solutions as a service to others. Even so, Virgos crave independence and a space of their own, so don’t expect all their cards to be laid on the table — some things are best kept private.

Members of this Earth Sign are forever realistic and will set practical, achievable goals for themselves and the others on their team. Virgos are task-oriented and highly organized, a very loyal colleague and often the conscience of their group. They will get things done but are often reluctant to take the credit! The Virgo’s perfectionism can often lead to nervousness and ill health, so a bit of balance, the yin with the yang, is a lesson well learned.

If there’s one thing a Virgo can do (and they can usually do plenty, thanks to their strong work ethic), it’s create a winning team. Their discerning eye and discriminating style is hard to beat. Virgos find it easy, and a pleasure, to be the thinker, problem-solver, organizer and supporter of the team. It’s important for them, though, to take care of themselves as well! All work and no play can make anyone a dull boy. When Virgos remember to criticize less and emphasize (the positives) more, a lot can be accomplished.

The Virgo office is (what else?) highly organized, with a slew of computers and other electronic gadgetry for maximum efficiency. Slobs should definitely hang out elsewhere. When a car is required, a midnight blue Mercedes that purrs like a kitten is both elegant and reliable. If it’s time to talk business, take the Virgo out for a light salad in a squeaky-clean restaurant, and you’re bound to get results.

Virgos are well suited as chemists, doctors, investigators, nutritionists, managers and entrepreneurs — veterinarians, too, the better to help a pup in need.

Virgo Friendship Profile

If you ever need a designated driver for a night on the town, Virgo is the one to call. Not only will they show up for any and every important occasion, they’ll be early enough to take care of last minute details and put everything in order. The Virgo is the most helpful friend you’ll ever have. They’ll help you work out at the gym every day, they’ll help you remember not to gorge on junk food, they’ll remind you to brush your teeth at least twice a day, and they’re there to assist in the planning of the minute details of your life. All this helpfulness might drive you batty. At the same time, if you ever actually do need something, Virgo will be right there for you. They give excellent advice and are fast on their feet in crisis situations. Their practical outlook will help you through the rough times, so long as you don’t embarrass them with any big displays of emotion. If you can handle your Virgo buddy jumping up to do the dishes as soon as dinner is over, you’ll have a loyal, intelligent and interesting friend for a very long time.

Best Friend Bets: Cancer, Scorpio

Virgo Money Profile

The fun for Virgos isn’t in spending money, it’s in cultivating less tangible assets such as knowledge and friendship. Now that’s golden!

NOTE: all text above are from the links above… none whatsoever are my own. I neither own the copyright or rights to it. I am merely quoting the other website. Please follow link to get more information.