It was funny that I writes around strange places. I am sitting at the Grand Place of Brussels right now. Have to do this before sunset. But it's already 9pm, and it's still very very bright.
The weather is perfect today. It gets a little cold after 7pm. Thanks to Danny for giving me a heads up fo the night chill.
Aimlessly walking around the city, wasn't as lucky as last trip because I didn't get a good map. A lot of people don't speak English if you're not at the centre of the city. Honestly experienced more trouble this time because of the language barrier. Besides, the metro system is not the most convenient in the world. Therefore, I ended up walking quite a bit. This created extra stress to my injured ankle.
A very weird scenerio was observed since my arrival. There weren't too many people using sticks or canes, but a lot of crutch. When I said crutch, there was only one, not a pair. Why crutch instead of cane?
Enough of the weird/bad things. When I came to the centre of the city, it was completely different from the dealy atmosphere from the outskirts of Grand place. The Grand place was definitely amazing. It was surrounded by serveral of historical architectures. Then you sit in the square, you are immediately surrounded by the European culture. I am culturalized!!
Another thing.... that guy just won't stop talking to me. He continuously showed off where in Europe he has been working, what language he speaks, he even showed me his shopping card, ID card... what a loser!
So I basically have walked around the busiest area of Brussels. Tomorrow will be the beginning of my museum visits. It was really a pity that I didn't bring my other tour guide with me, as it has more descriptions on what to look at. But it's okay, I will survive.
Oh! The most exciting thing in the city so far was the food. Although I have not yet tried the cheese of chocolate (as they both are quite expensive), I am sure they represent the heaven of taste. As recommended by the tour map, I tried the fries with mayo. In case I didn't like it that much, it was accompanied with ketchup. It was good, but very "hot air". Required the "Ha Song kuk" tonight. And I have figured out my dinner for the following coupla days. Baguette, with cheese or spreading. I have prepared the spoon for that. Belgium waffle. I am sure both of the are very filling.
It's 9:30pm at the Grand Place. And it was till very bright!!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Amsterdam Day 0
Arrived at the airport an hour ago. Had a traditional chicken rice. Ready for the trip.
On my way here, I was still very nervous. Unable to stop thinking of what's missing, or if everything is settled. The reason being.. I have to admit that everything is very last minute. I basically only had one and a half week to prepare everything. However, at one moment, I told myself, you are on vacation, not a practical exam. You should be relaxed and enjoy. Sit back and cherish the time being away. And then, I stopped frowning, started to relax. It doesn't matter if I can't go to every spot listed in the tourist guide. You are going to be there, a beautiful foreign country. Enjoy it.
On my way here, I visualized a very sad scene. The bus to the airport costs $40. An old lady got on, and got off at aberdeen. I feel sorry for her because she will be upset if she realized that her octopus card has deducted $40 instead of $3.8.
So this is the beginning. On board in 30 minutes!!!
On my way here, I was still very nervous. Unable to stop thinking of what's missing, or if everything is settled. The reason being.. I have to admit that everything is very last minute. I basically only had one and a half week to prepare everything. However, at one moment, I told myself, you are on vacation, not a practical exam. You should be relaxed and enjoy. Sit back and cherish the time being away. And then, I stopped frowning, started to relax. It doesn't matter if I can't go to every spot listed in the tourist guide. You are going to be there, a beautiful foreign country. Enjoy it.
On my way here, I visualized a very sad scene. The bus to the airport costs $40. An old lady got on, and got off at aberdeen. I feel sorry for her because she will be upset if she realized that her octopus card has deducted $40 instead of $3.8.
So this is the beginning. On board in 30 minutes!!!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Vacations ON!!!
Flight ticket -------- booked
Youth hostel -------- booked
Train ticket -------- booking
Amsterdam~~~~~~~~~ Here I come!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Control Freaks
Finally found someone in the extended family also thinks that my parents are crazy, and that I am normal. Alleluia!!!
This is not the first time people tell me that my sister is more favourable to my parents, from their impressions. Deep down there, I knew that and I kept it to myself. I try not to make it a big deal.
My parents think that I am a person with no will. When I do have my own idea, I was considered as stubborn. Well, I see myself as open to options, but determined in pursuing goals.
There is no doubt they are control freaks, trying control my life and thoughts. Aunt told me to ignore their comments, avoid negative impacts from their continuous critizism. I will. I certainly will. But the way they try to physically keep me away from my graduation trip, I will not give in.
This is not the first time people tell me that my sister is more favourable to my parents, from their impressions. Deep down there, I knew that and I kept it to myself. I try not to make it a big deal.
My parents think that I am a person with no will. When I do have my own idea, I was considered as stubborn. Well, I see myself as open to options, but determined in pursuing goals.
There is no doubt they are control freaks, trying control my life and thoughts. Aunt told me to ignore their comments, avoid negative impacts from their continuous critizism. I will. I certainly will. But the way they try to physically keep me away from my graduation trip, I will not give in.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Graduation trip
At the beginning, I have decided to visit Cambodia and Vietnam. Cambodia as the priority, mainly want to be exposed to the truely natural environment, wonders of the world, and also the true poverty of the third world. However, the rainy and typhoon season created my hesitation. This place could be visited in comparatively lower humidity season. That's it. I will save the trip for later.
Right now, I am aiming for Amsterdam and Brussels. Back in 2006, when I was planning the trip to Paris & Rome, I thought of stopping at Brussels as one of the cheap flights only stop in Brussels and Rome. At that time, I didn't look into that city, but I thought to myself, when in my lifetime am I going to visit this city? If this trip is successful, I would be proud to say that, I am going to visit Brussels in 2009. Brussels is the capital of Belgium, where is right next to Netherland. There are trains between Amsterdam and Brussels which spends only 2.5 hours. It's pretty fast considering you're going to another country.
If this trip is successful, it will be more relaxing than the 2006 trip as it was 4 cities in 21 days. This time I plan to spend 2 cities in 14 days. I really set up my own pace this time.
Now I only wish..... that this trip will be successful.
Friendship issue:
Today I went out with a friend. She is always after brandname materials, like clothes, shoes, jeans, cellphones, ipods, etc. We passed by a cellphone store today. She said, "That cellphone XXX is coming out today. There must be a lot of people rushing to buy it tonight." Then I accidentally slipped out, "Then how come you're not following them?"
Guess she was pissed, "After all these years that you know me, I didn't know you see me as a person who 'follows the wind' to do things."
I am like..."I am sorry."
She went on, "I am not those people who likes to gossip or know everything about everyone...."
Then I didn't say anything, but she is the only person I told that I got C+ at UCH, and the whole class knew about that by the end of second sem.
Right now, I am aiming for Amsterdam and Brussels. Back in 2006, when I was planning the trip to Paris & Rome, I thought of stopping at Brussels as one of the cheap flights only stop in Brussels and Rome. At that time, I didn't look into that city, but I thought to myself, when in my lifetime am I going to visit this city? If this trip is successful, I would be proud to say that, I am going to visit Brussels in 2009. Brussels is the capital of Belgium, where is right next to Netherland. There are trains between Amsterdam and Brussels which spends only 2.5 hours. It's pretty fast considering you're going to another country.
If this trip is successful, it will be more relaxing than the 2006 trip as it was 4 cities in 21 days. This time I plan to spend 2 cities in 14 days. I really set up my own pace this time.
Now I only wish..... that this trip will be successful.
Friendship issue:
Today I went out with a friend. She is always after brandname materials, like clothes, shoes, jeans, cellphones, ipods, etc. We passed by a cellphone store today. She said, "That cellphone XXX is coming out today. There must be a lot of people rushing to buy it tonight." Then I accidentally slipped out, "Then how come you're not following them?"
Guess she was pissed, "After all these years that you know me, I didn't know you see me as a person who 'follows the wind' to do things."
I am like..."I am sorry."
She went on, "I am not those people who likes to gossip or know everything about everyone...."
Then I didn't say anything, but she is the only person I told that I got C+ at UCH, and the whole class knew about that by the end of second sem.
Friday, June 12, 2009
HA interview
The day has come. No one in the house knew where I was going. Otherwise, they would be babbling around for the entire month.
Suits up, certificate prepared, I was ready to go. On this heavily rainy day, I seriously thought that I was going to be late. Then I met Chun and Michael at the minibus station. Shit! I am going to be interviewed with THEM. The worst possible thing happened. Anyway, we shared a taxi and be on time. Then I saw Winnie at the check in spot. Another Shit! All the first hon people at the same time slot, completely screwed. Winnie was checking in. She pulled out piles and piles of certificates and awards. Then it was Michael, another piles and piles of certificates. Followed by Chun, the whole freaking folder of certificates.
I am like..... um.... I don't have anything...... except my previous Bachelor cert. hm.... Didn't even take my infectious control and first aid certificates... should I bring my volleyball coach certificate... or my Beijing olympics particpation thingie... or Standard chartered marathon thingie... Anyway, I ended up with ONE certificate.
Nervous nervous nervous. Entering the room, I scrolled around the people to see who's there. Besides the huge pair of eyes rolling around me, there was Ms Poon from QMH. I AM SO HAPPY TO SEE HER AGAIN!! I smiled at her immediately, then I knew she recognized me.
Then there went the questions of interview... boring.. how do you manage chronic pain, asked by Mr Chau. He didn't have any impression on my answer. But I could see the huge pair of eyes was moving up and down with her nodding head. That wasn't too bad, hopefully.
After the interview, Ms Poon came out from the room during the break. She's like, "I am so happy to see you again. You reminded me of the old man you treated. You didn't tell me about your background during placement."
Actually, I am not sure if it's a good thing or not that the CE knows about my background. From my experience at UCH and CMC, CEs had different expectations from me which I usually am unable to reach. That's how I obtained the lowest grades at those two centres. Ms Poon agreed that it was possibly better not to know to minimize bias.
I am soooo HAPPY to see Ms Poon TODAY!!!!!!!!
Some family issue...
My mom has hair line fracture at Rt radius and some carpal bones, had POP SLAP on Monday, removed on Friday morning. Then she started her mobilization exercise right away, by playing MJ. Very enthusiastic! Poor dad was left at home, making chinese medicine for her.
Suits up, certificate prepared, I was ready to go. On this heavily rainy day, I seriously thought that I was going to be late. Then I met Chun and Michael at the minibus station. Shit! I am going to be interviewed with THEM. The worst possible thing happened. Anyway, we shared a taxi and be on time. Then I saw Winnie at the check in spot. Another Shit! All the first hon people at the same time slot, completely screwed. Winnie was checking in. She pulled out piles and piles of certificates and awards. Then it was Michael, another piles and piles of certificates. Followed by Chun, the whole freaking folder of certificates.
I am like..... um.... I don't have anything...... except my previous Bachelor cert. hm.... Didn't even take my infectious control and first aid certificates... should I bring my volleyball coach certificate... or my Beijing olympics particpation thingie... or Standard chartered marathon thingie... Anyway, I ended up with ONE certificate.
Nervous nervous nervous. Entering the room, I scrolled around the people to see who's there. Besides the huge pair of eyes rolling around me, there was Ms Poon from QMH. I AM SO HAPPY TO SEE HER AGAIN!! I smiled at her immediately, then I knew she recognized me.
Then there went the questions of interview... boring.. how do you manage chronic pain, asked by Mr Chau. He didn't have any impression on my answer. But I could see the huge pair of eyes was moving up and down with her nodding head. That wasn't too bad, hopefully.
After the interview, Ms Poon came out from the room during the break. She's like, "I am so happy to see you again. You reminded me of the old man you treated. You didn't tell me about your background during placement."
Actually, I am not sure if it's a good thing or not that the CE knows about my background. From my experience at UCH and CMC, CEs had different expectations from me which I usually am unable to reach. That's how I obtained the lowest grades at those two centres. Ms Poon agreed that it was possibly better not to know to minimize bias.
I am soooo HAPPY to see Ms Poon TODAY!!!!!!!!
Some family issue...
My mom has hair line fracture at Rt radius and some carpal bones, had POP SLAP on Monday, removed on Friday morning. Then she started her mobilization exercise right away, by playing MJ. Very enthusiastic! Poor dad was left at home, making chinese medicine for her.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
June fourth, forget NOT
It was my first time to join the memorial gathering for the June 4th Massacre. Personally dislike any types of political conflicts. However, this is about truth and justice. This is about people who cannot voice for themselves anymore. This is about the rotten and corrupted Chinese society, and the Poors are always the victims of the decay, like the tofu-dregs schoolhouses.
This is why, after twenty years, we still want to continue the dreams of those sacrificed students, to develop a democratic society, so that everyone in the country receives truth and justice, so that one country is not only under the influence of the communist.
Politics cannot move me. But truth and justice is far more important.
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