Here is an excerpt of a speech...
Speech by: MRS YU-FOO YEE SHOON, MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, YOUTH AND SPORTS
MCYS SPEECH NO: 57/2007
DATE OF ISSUE: 11/11/2007
AT 2.30PM AT SINGAPORE EXPO
"While the Singapore family remains generally strong, like families in most developed countries, they are facing challenges. Today, we have higher divorce rates. The general divorce rate increased from 3.8 per 1,000 married resident females in 1980 to 8.0 in 2006. Although the duration of marriages for divorces in Singapore is on average 9.5 years, we are seeing more young marriages breaking up. Two decades ago, only 2.6 percent of civil marriages registered in 1987 lasted less than 5 years, now 3.8 percent of the 2002 marriage cohort divorced before the 5th year. We also have higher divorce rates for older couples. Twelve percent of civil marriages registered in 1992 ended in divorce before they hit the 15th year mark. This is an increase of 2 percentage point compared to the 1987 cohort."
"Notwithstanding this rate of increase, I note that Singapore continues to have one of the lowest divorce rates when compared to countries like Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, United Kingdom and United States. In Singapore, 2 per 1,000 of our residents were divorced or separated, as compared to 3 in Hong Kong, 4 in Japan and 8 in Britain."
--
According to the Department of Statistics, in 2007, there were 23,088 resident marriages and 7,226 divorces and annulments.
--
With high divorce rates, how to find someone to love you and marry you for who you are...?
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
I just saw one of the old teacher recruitment posters... It says:
Your cubicle: 4 m x 4 m
Your classroom: The World
I think the more realistic size of a teacher's cubicle is (1.8 m x 1.8 m) to (2.0 m x 2.0 m). I should know: I was the one measuring the VJC staff room cubicles in 2000 with Johnson Goh.
They were probably trying to attract the corporate MBA types to convert to teaching.
Your cubicle: 4 m x 4 m
Your classroom: The World
I think the more realistic size of a teacher's cubicle is (1.8 m x 1.8 m) to (2.0 m x 2.0 m). I should know: I was the one measuring the VJC staff room cubicles in 2000 with Johnson Goh.
They were probably trying to attract the corporate MBA types to convert to teaching.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
This is most annoying!
My PC died a week ago. It suddenly died while I was just going online. It was totally dead -- it could not even reach the BIOS start screen. It was probably a display card, power supply or RAM problem. Or perhaps CPU...
Anyway, I carried the box to Sim Lim Square two Friday evenings ago. The PC was left with them over the weekend -- Bliss does not open on Sundays. My brother and my father was most critical and hurtful. They said that I should have stayed there and forced them to repair the PC on the spot. What nonsense! On a Friday evening?! And my father was the one who said to go back to Bliss!
Anyway, I got back on Tuesday and the PC was done. They said that it was the power supply and charged me a total of $69, which was fair enough. The Windows was also corrupted. I asked him to open the box and test it and it worked, except for the fact that Windows could not boot. He did not have my Win XP CD so he could not reinstall for me. Anyway, it was simple enough for me to do.
My brother tried to do the reinstall yesterday as I was too busy these few days. To cut the story short, XP needs a floppy to install the SATA drivers before OS installation. Either the driver floppy disk or the drive does not work now. And my brother and my dad has been using this to attack me day in day out! And they said it was expensive! What nonsense! $69 is fine -- troubleshooting is not FREE!! Normally it costs $30! How much do you think the power supply costs?!
I am sick and tired of this nonsense. I have not been doing hands-on PC work for the past 5 years so they should just shut up. Either be part of the solution or shut up! I'll just have to fix this myself then. I was in IT from 1995 to 2003 so my foundation is there. It's just that I've not been current... No matter -- I'll apply my IT skills once again.
My PC died a week ago. It suddenly died while I was just going online. It was totally dead -- it could not even reach the BIOS start screen. It was probably a display card, power supply or RAM problem. Or perhaps CPU...
Anyway, I carried the box to Sim Lim Square two Friday evenings ago. The PC was left with them over the weekend -- Bliss does not open on Sundays. My brother and my father was most critical and hurtful. They said that I should have stayed there and forced them to repair the PC on the spot. What nonsense! On a Friday evening?! And my father was the one who said to go back to Bliss!
Anyway, I got back on Tuesday and the PC was done. They said that it was the power supply and charged me a total of $69, which was fair enough. The Windows was also corrupted. I asked him to open the box and test it and it worked, except for the fact that Windows could not boot. He did not have my Win XP CD so he could not reinstall for me. Anyway, it was simple enough for me to do.
My brother tried to do the reinstall yesterday as I was too busy these few days. To cut the story short, XP needs a floppy to install the SATA drivers before OS installation. Either the driver floppy disk or the drive does not work now. And my brother and my dad has been using this to attack me day in day out! And they said it was expensive! What nonsense! $69 is fine -- troubleshooting is not FREE!! Normally it costs $30! How much do you think the power supply costs?!
I am sick and tired of this nonsense. I have not been doing hands-on PC work for the past 5 years so they should just shut up. Either be part of the solution or shut up! I'll just have to fix this myself then. I was in IT from 1995 to 2003 so my foundation is there. It's just that I've not been current... No matter -- I'll apply my IT skills once again.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
BBQs
Always maintain a Halal chain (including sauces and cakes!) and no beef. Also, do not hold BBQs on Fridays (Catholics).
Booking a Public Pit
Location should be close to amenities and a toilet. In Pasir Ris, you need to be close to Downtown East. In the East Coast, you need to be close to the McDonalds area, Parkway Parade area or Lagoon Hawker Centre. Refer to the map.
You need to be cheap! Also, getting food from a supplier is easier, but you can marinade yourself if you have access to a house or chalet. (Soya sauce and sesame oil for meat.) (Honey for meat.) (Sambal sauce (bottled) for fish.) (lemon + margarine for fish.)
Cordial is much cheaper than bottled drinks, but we use bottled water for security and hygiene reasons.
Non-Food Items
Plastic disposable forks and spoons
Paper plates
Large disposable cups
Charcoal
Firestarter
Wire mesh (size!)
BBQ torch (bring!)
Tongs (bring!) – 3
Thick and long satay sticks
Serviettes
Aluminium foil
Newspaper (tablecloth)
Fan
Plastic bowl or recycled disposable microwave container (2) (bring)
Plastic knife (recycled) (bring) (2)
Bread knife
Kitchen shears
Water container (small) (10 l)
Food
Chicken satay
Mutton satay
Chicken cheesedogs
Chicken wings
Sambal Stingray / sutchi fillet (frozen)
Sambal sotong
Prawns (frozen)
Sotong ball / fishball
Margarine / garlic spread
Bread (baguette)
Salad bowls (ready)
Cheese prata (frozen)
Marshmallows
Drinks
Ice (triple plastic bag for insulation)
Mineral water (2 l)
Cordial drink (1 l)
Fruits
Water-melon (need to cut!)
Oranges
Grapes
Setting up the BBQ Area
3 workers in total are needed: Table IC (leader), food IC (leader) and fire IC (UG / ODAC student). No clumsiness, please. Wipe down the tables with a rag. Lay out the newpapers. Clean the pit itself.
Table IC sets up the table. Table IC prepares the water container and puts in cordial first before water. The ice station is set up. The food station is set up. The salad and bread station is set up with half the margarine. The bread is cut and then passed to the food IC for toasting. The utensils area is set up. The fruits area is set up. Table IC ensures the table is neat and students follow the rules so that food and utensils are kept clean. Table IC calls the students to eat when one third of the food comes out. He maintains the drinks station.
Fire IC starts the fire in 3 piles. He watches the fire and ensures it is clean and without plastic. He gets sufficient charcoal to burn before spreading them out to cover the entire area. He holds a pair of tongs for charcoal and a fan. When the fire is ready, he puts on the wire mesh. He then assists the food IC with his 2nd pair of tongs.
Food IC prepares the food. He washes his hands and the wire mesh first. He skewers sotong / fish balls and then the chicken, in a straight line with drumlet at the tip. He arranges the food in order and then washes his hands. He then skewers marshmallows. When it is time to cook, the food IC will take out his tongs and with the fire IC, will cook the food and look after it. Food IC loads food and turns food while fire IC turns food and removes food. This ensures fire IC’s tongs are always in contact with hot food. There must be good light to check that the food is cooked. Skewer test the thick part of the food. When ready, fire IC will cut it with kitchen shears if needed and bring it over to the table where the table IC will organize it.
The 3 workers will eat as they do their work. The time taken to prepare is about 40 minutes. A rider may be needed to buy more ice or water. Alternatively, if you are close to a 7-11 or Cheers, you can get the students to buy their own super big gulp drinks so drinks need not be provided.
Always maintain a Halal chain (including sauces and cakes!) and no beef. Also, do not hold BBQs on Fridays (Catholics).
Booking a Public Pit
Location should be close to amenities and a toilet. In Pasir Ris, you need to be close to Downtown East. In the East Coast, you need to be close to the McDonalds area, Parkway Parade area or Lagoon Hawker Centre. Refer to the map.
You need to be cheap! Also, getting food from a supplier is easier, but you can marinade yourself if you have access to a house or chalet. (Soya sauce and sesame oil for meat.) (Honey for meat.) (Sambal sauce (bottled) for fish.) (lemon + margarine for fish.)
Cordial is much cheaper than bottled drinks, but we use bottled water for security and hygiene reasons.
Non-Food Items
Plastic disposable forks and spoons
Paper plates
Large disposable cups
Charcoal
Firestarter
Wire mesh (size!)
BBQ torch (bring!)
Tongs (bring!) – 3
Thick and long satay sticks
Serviettes
Aluminium foil
Newspaper (tablecloth)
Fan
Plastic bowl or recycled disposable microwave container (2) (bring)
Plastic knife (recycled) (bring) (2)
Bread knife
Kitchen shears
Water container (small) (10 l)
Food
Chicken satay
Mutton satay
Chicken cheesedogs
Chicken wings
Sambal Stingray / sutchi fillet (frozen)
Sambal sotong
Prawns (frozen)
Sotong ball / fishball
Margarine / garlic spread
Bread (baguette)
Salad bowls (ready)
Cheese prata (frozen)
Marshmallows
Drinks
Ice (triple plastic bag for insulation)
Mineral water (2 l)
Cordial drink (1 l)
Fruits
Water-melon (need to cut!)
Oranges
Grapes
Setting up the BBQ Area
3 workers in total are needed: Table IC (leader), food IC (leader) and fire IC (UG / ODAC student). No clumsiness, please. Wipe down the tables with a rag. Lay out the newpapers. Clean the pit itself.
Table IC sets up the table. Table IC prepares the water container and puts in cordial first before water. The ice station is set up. The food station is set up. The salad and bread station is set up with half the margarine. The bread is cut and then passed to the food IC for toasting. The utensils area is set up. The fruits area is set up. Table IC ensures the table is neat and students follow the rules so that food and utensils are kept clean. Table IC calls the students to eat when one third of the food comes out. He maintains the drinks station.
Fire IC starts the fire in 3 piles. He watches the fire and ensures it is clean and without plastic. He gets sufficient charcoal to burn before spreading them out to cover the entire area. He holds a pair of tongs for charcoal and a fan. When the fire is ready, he puts on the wire mesh. He then assists the food IC with his 2nd pair of tongs.
Food IC prepares the food. He washes his hands and the wire mesh first. He skewers sotong / fish balls and then the chicken, in a straight line with drumlet at the tip. He arranges the food in order and then washes his hands. He then skewers marshmallows. When it is time to cook, the food IC will take out his tongs and with the fire IC, will cook the food and look after it. Food IC loads food and turns food while fire IC turns food and removes food. This ensures fire IC’s tongs are always in contact with hot food. There must be good light to check that the food is cooked. Skewer test the thick part of the food. When ready, fire IC will cut it with kitchen shears if needed and bring it over to the table where the table IC will organize it.
The 3 workers will eat as they do their work. The time taken to prepare is about 40 minutes. A rider may be needed to buy more ice or water. Alternatively, if you are close to a 7-11 or Cheers, you can get the students to buy their own super big gulp drinks so drinks need not be provided.
Friday, December 05, 2008
I had a class BBQ tonight. The organizing student asked for food to feed 15 but only 6 people stayed for dinner in the end. Moral of the story: You must really organize an event, not just verbally assume.
In any case, those doing the BBQ were not as disciplined as they should be. In a BBQ, we want to minimize accidents, minimize incidents, minimize wastage of food and resources, and keep the place neat and organized.
As usual, no one payed me anything. I have a feeling I wasted my money this time as they did not learn anything, nor felt appreciative. I usually aim to spend >$100 per year on my form class' BBQs, meals and chalets and this is the first year that my investment has failed. It is probably because they are Sec 1s...
Anyway, for the benefit of those who do read my blog, I'll teach you how to organize a BBQ. The package prices for 20 pax at BBQ Wholesale are $178.10 (Basic), $252.69 (Meaty) and $322.40 (Seafood). This is a pricing guide I aimed to beat -- the packages are also not very good, if you see their website.
For 15+ people (2 adults, many kids, more girls), I bought the following items from a BBQ supplier at Marine Cove, NTUC Fairprice and Giant. Always buy from a supermarket whenever possible.
12 bottles of 1.5 litre drinks (including green tea) $18.60
1 pack of 5 kg ice $4.80
2 loaves of bread $3.60
2 packs of BBQ marshmallows $5.00
2 packs of chicken chop (ready-to-cook) $18.40
1 pack of 20 honey 3-joint chicken wings (ready-to-cook) $14.20
20 servings of sambal stingray in foil (ready-to-cook) $32.00
1 large and 1 small pack of cheezy chicken sausages $21.80
50 sticks of mutton satay $17.20
20 sticks of chicken satay $7.20
2 boxes of frozen tiger prawns $29.00
3 assorted salad bowls (ready-to-eat) $10.45
1 pack of frozen cuttlefish balls (700 g) $6.20
15 sweet oranges $5.25
2 kg of seedless black grapes $11.51
1 tub of margarine $2.19
1 basting brush $1.15
50 paper plates $3.30
50 plastic spoons $1.49
50 plastic forks $1.49
15 wooden chopsticks $1.59
40 cups (medium size) $3.60
1 box of aluminium foil $1.50
2 packs of serviettes $1.42
1 pack of firestarter $1.40
1 pack of 4 kg charcoal $5.15
1 large wire mesh $4.50
I wanted to use celery or leek as usual instead of a basting brush, but was afraid it would not stand up to the abuse by the kids... Also, I bought bread instead of buying cooked food as it would be more interesting to toast bread. They could not bring a bread knife so I did not get baguettes.
I also brought along 2 BBQ torches, fully refueled, and a pair of new kitchen shears.
I am glad to say I managed to beat BBQ Wholesale this time, with a package that is much better than the basic one. I deliberately ordered less food to ensure that no food was left. If we finished early with less food, we could always adjourn to to Lagoon Food Centre. Every BBQ previous to this had excess food so I wanted this to be different. Well, it was still the same. The students took back most of what was left of the food.
I'll teach you more in the next post...
In any case, those doing the BBQ were not as disciplined as they should be. In a BBQ, we want to minimize accidents, minimize incidents, minimize wastage of food and resources, and keep the place neat and organized.
As usual, no one payed me anything. I have a feeling I wasted my money this time as they did not learn anything, nor felt appreciative. I usually aim to spend >$100 per year on my form class' BBQs, meals and chalets and this is the first year that my investment has failed. It is probably because they are Sec 1s...
Anyway, for the benefit of those who do read my blog, I'll teach you how to organize a BBQ. The package prices for 20 pax at BBQ Wholesale are $178.10 (Basic), $252.69 (Meaty) and $322.40 (Seafood). This is a pricing guide I aimed to beat -- the packages are also not very good, if you see their website.
For 15+ people (2 adults, many kids, more girls), I bought the following items from a BBQ supplier at Marine Cove, NTUC Fairprice and Giant. Always buy from a supermarket whenever possible.
12 bottles of 1.5 litre drinks (including green tea) $18.60
1 pack of 5 kg ice $4.80
2 loaves of bread $3.60
2 packs of BBQ marshmallows $5.00
2 packs of chicken chop (ready-to-cook) $18.40
1 pack of 20 honey 3-joint chicken wings (ready-to-cook) $14.20
20 servings of sambal stingray in foil (ready-to-cook) $32.00
1 large and 1 small pack of cheezy chicken sausages $21.80
50 sticks of mutton satay $17.20
20 sticks of chicken satay $7.20
2 boxes of frozen tiger prawns $29.00
3 assorted salad bowls (ready-to-eat) $10.45
1 pack of frozen cuttlefish balls (700 g) $6.20
15 sweet oranges $5.25
2 kg of seedless black grapes $11.51
1 tub of margarine $2.19
1 basting brush $1.15
50 paper plates $3.30
50 plastic spoons $1.49
50 plastic forks $1.49
15 wooden chopsticks $1.59
40 cups (medium size) $3.60
1 box of aluminium foil $1.50
2 packs of serviettes $1.42
1 pack of firestarter $1.40
1 pack of 4 kg charcoal $5.15
1 large wire mesh $4.50
I wanted to use celery or leek as usual instead of a basting brush, but was afraid it would not stand up to the abuse by the kids... Also, I bought bread instead of buying cooked food as it would be more interesting to toast bread. They could not bring a bread knife so I did not get baguettes.
I also brought along 2 BBQ torches, fully refueled, and a pair of new kitchen shears.
I am glad to say I managed to beat BBQ Wholesale this time, with a package that is much better than the basic one. I deliberately ordered less food to ensure that no food was left. If we finished early with less food, we could always adjourn to to Lagoon Food Centre. Every BBQ previous to this had excess food so I wanted this to be different. Well, it was still the same. The students took back most of what was left of the food.
I'll teach you more in the next post...
Sunday, November 09, 2008
(This is a pre-dated post uploaded after I'm back in Singapore.)
The breakfast was a big western buffet! The best ever.
Some of the girls are scared of strangers -- like me, as I'm not their teacher. Also, when other Singaporeans talk to them at the restaurant, they are very scared and say that it is very strange that people talk to them just like that. Obviously, the kids have no concept that they are in an alien place. When other Singaporeans hear Singlish, they will surely want to talk to you. These kids have no feelings at all.
After breakfast, we left for the Panda Base. The place was very well-done. The enclosures were open like Singapore's. The pandas were very cute! And they allowed visitors to see their nursery via glass windows. We should allow people to see the vet building in our zoo too! They had a movie screening in English, which was good. We went across the road to get "chiong" panda souvenirs and other stuff. Once again, the kids were big spenders! The boy sitting across me on the bus had to borrow from his friend! He had 5 RMB left! I wonder if our kids are like that overseas. Yesterday, one girls' father even came over from Shanghai to Jin Sha Yi Zhi to meet her and he gave her even more money!
After the panda place, we went to Jin Li historic street, which is a shopping street. Again, we must have this in Singapore! Preserved old buildings along the street. I have got to suggest to STB!
We then left for the airport. It was the end of our trip. We had a KFC lunch and then got ready to check-in. Their teacher said that Xiao Long Ren school in Renshou is also as good as the Leshan Art School. Guess the schools they go to are all very good. Immigration had a quality survey! They really value service quality now!
The flight landed slightly early and I reached home at 12.30 pm.
THE END!
The breakfast was a big western buffet! The best ever.
Some of the girls are scared of strangers -- like me, as I'm not their teacher. Also, when other Singaporeans talk to them at the restaurant, they are very scared and say that it is very strange that people talk to them just like that. Obviously, the kids have no concept that they are in an alien place. When other Singaporeans hear Singlish, they will surely want to talk to you. These kids have no feelings at all.
After breakfast, we left for the Panda Base. The place was very well-done. The enclosures were open like Singapore's. The pandas were very cute! And they allowed visitors to see their nursery via glass windows. We should allow people to see the vet building in our zoo too! They had a movie screening in English, which was good. We went across the road to get "chiong" panda souvenirs and other stuff. Once again, the kids were big spenders! The boy sitting across me on the bus had to borrow from his friend! He had 5 RMB left! I wonder if our kids are like that overseas. Yesterday, one girls' father even came over from Shanghai to Jin Sha Yi Zhi to meet her and he gave her even more money!
After the panda place, we went to Jin Li historic street, which is a shopping street. Again, we must have this in Singapore! Preserved old buildings along the street. I have got to suggest to STB!
We then left for the airport. It was the end of our trip. We had a KFC lunch and then got ready to check-in. Their teacher said that Xiao Long Ren school in Renshou is also as good as the Leshan Art School. Guess the schools they go to are all very good. Immigration had a quality survey! They really value service quality now!
The flight landed slightly early and I reached home at 12.30 pm.
THE END!
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Teacher Attachment in China (Sat)
(This is a pre-dated post uploaded after I'm back in Singapore.)
We went to Emei Shan by foot. We took a buggy from the entrance to the temple -- quite remarkable that buggies could go uphill! The place was scenic, but it was temple stuff. We went down by foot.
Lunch was at the same restaurant yesterday evening. The kids had catfish (one of the best fish they had) -- and they did not touch it! It was the best fish in the trip -- no bones too. We took over their fish -- we had three! I thought it was because their parents told them not to eat China fish because of the bones (like my parents). But their teacher said that that was not the reason. They are used to their parents preparing servings for them. When it is just one big fish, they don't know how to tackle it. They pick a bit with their chopsticks and that's it!
The group has just 7 boys and the rest are girls. The kids are in general quite cute. But their teachers say they are monsters...
After lunch, we moved back to Chengdu. We visited Jin Sha Yi Zhi Museum. It was very solid, a museum built over an archaeological site. Very well-designed. And you don't think for a second that this is China until you see the Chinese words. A private developer had unearthed some old artifacts and work was terminated. (Poor developer!) The place was excavated and then it was protected by building a museum on top of it. Some of the stuff was reburied to protect them.
Ms Chen said that the Science Centre was also quite good. Dinner was at the same Tian Fang Lou Halal restaurant. We then went to the city shopping area. There were a lot of people in the streets! The weekend, I guess. We were supposed to take a tram ride inside the shopping area but the last tram was at 6 pm and we reached at 5.40 pm. The person probably thought we were not coming and left. Ms Chen was a bit disappointed that she could not fulfil her obligations. We then went to our hotel not far away. The plan tonight was to lock the kids in the hotel with the Singaporean tour leader. The teachers and P would then go out shopping.
I am staying with the AM tonight. The hotel has Internet access. They had net access in Dongpo International too. The AM said that he thought I was a big shot and did not expect that I was only a teacher. Probably because I'm very experienced -- 10 years. Anyway, it is my birthday today, so I thought I should see if there was anything interesting out there. The AM managed to sneak past the P's group which was delayed as he spoke to the children for a while. He also managed to elude the lady teacher group and we were out on our own.
We went to the shopping area by foot. We first went to a department store/supermarket. The AM wanted to buy tea, so we went to try out many varieties. He bought some tea, and we bought green tea cookies. The shopping area closes at 10.30 pm to 11.00 pm, later than in Singapore. We walked around and then eventually tried food at Dico's, which is a big Chinese fast-food chain modelled after KFC but with MosBurger's rice burger as well. One set meal was around 25 RMB. The AM wanted to look for a pub or a bar, but we could not find any.
We went back to our hotel and the AM accessed the net. I was in no hurry to access the net so I let him use it all the way. DBS axed 900 jobs today. And I watched the 2nd part of the documentary TV series on Shenzhou 7's EVA. Very good, this was not a dubbed show. The Chinese can be good when they put their hearts into it.
We went to Emei Shan by foot. We took a buggy from the entrance to the temple -- quite remarkable that buggies could go uphill! The place was scenic, but it was temple stuff. We went down by foot.
Lunch was at the same restaurant yesterday evening. The kids had catfish (one of the best fish they had) -- and they did not touch it! It was the best fish in the trip -- no bones too. We took over their fish -- we had three! I thought it was because their parents told them not to eat China fish because of the bones (like my parents). But their teacher said that that was not the reason. They are used to their parents preparing servings for them. When it is just one big fish, they don't know how to tackle it. They pick a bit with their chopsticks and that's it!
The group has just 7 boys and the rest are girls. The kids are in general quite cute. But their teachers say they are monsters...
After lunch, we moved back to Chengdu. We visited Jin Sha Yi Zhi Museum. It was very solid, a museum built over an archaeological site. Very well-designed. And you don't think for a second that this is China until you see the Chinese words. A private developer had unearthed some old artifacts and work was terminated. (Poor developer!) The place was excavated and then it was protected by building a museum on top of it. Some of the stuff was reburied to protect them.
Ms Chen said that the Science Centre was also quite good. Dinner was at the same Tian Fang Lou Halal restaurant. We then went to the city shopping area. There were a lot of people in the streets! The weekend, I guess. We were supposed to take a tram ride inside the shopping area but the last tram was at 6 pm and we reached at 5.40 pm. The person probably thought we were not coming and left. Ms Chen was a bit disappointed that she could not fulfil her obligations. We then went to our hotel not far away. The plan tonight was to lock the kids in the hotel with the Singaporean tour leader. The teachers and P would then go out shopping.
I am staying with the AM tonight. The hotel has Internet access. They had net access in Dongpo International too. The AM said that he thought I was a big shot and did not expect that I was only a teacher. Probably because I'm very experienced -- 10 years. Anyway, it is my birthday today, so I thought I should see if there was anything interesting out there. The AM managed to sneak past the P's group which was delayed as he spoke to the children for a while. He also managed to elude the lady teacher group and we were out on our own.
We went to the shopping area by foot. We first went to a department store/supermarket. The AM wanted to buy tea, so we went to try out many varieties. He bought some tea, and we bought green tea cookies. The shopping area closes at 10.30 pm to 11.00 pm, later than in Singapore. We walked around and then eventually tried food at Dico's, which is a big Chinese fast-food chain modelled after KFC but with MosBurger's rice burger as well. One set meal was around 25 RMB. The AM wanted to look for a pub or a bar, but we could not find any.
We went back to our hotel and the AM accessed the net. I was in no hurry to access the net so I let him use it all the way. DBS axed 900 jobs today. And I watched the 2nd part of the documentary TV series on Shenzhou 7's EVA. Very good, this was not a dubbed show. The Chinese can be good when they put their hearts into it.