Day 19 - Smile makes the world goes round!

Hooray! An official break from the oncoming stress from both studies and projects! We have got the entire day for us to SHOP! When it comes to shopping in Wuhan, the first place that comes into mind is 步行街 (Bu Xing Jie), a place that is somewhat similar to our Orchard Road!

To make sure we have more time to shop around the area, most of us actually gathered at 9am and made our way to the shopping paradise!

Meals we had to kick start our day!

Today’s trip was really worthwhile for most of us, except for those that came much later than us! Lucky there will still be a free and easy session during the last weekend before all of us go back to Singapore.

Reflections:

Today is also the Chinese’s first official weekend break from their work because it is their NATIONAL DAY week!  This also means that we have to squeeze with the people here when we shop! Although I am one that does not really like overcrowded places, but sometimes, it does feel nice to see many people around, some smiling because they may have bought something they have always wanted, while some could be happy because they are finally out to have fun! 

Doesn’t the smile on people’s face tell you that they are happy? Let’s put aside the ones that put up a fake front, or just smile to entertain others, because the main focus now is those that are truly happy.

People say sneezing is contagious, but I would say that smiling or just being happy is contagious as well! When you see others smile, you will also feel like smiling isn’t it? So let’s be someone that brings about happiness to others instead of sadness! SMILE! =D

"Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, 

a gift to that person, a beautiful thing."

Mother Teresa

Day 18 - Procrastination

Another afternoon off for us to catch up the blog posts that we have been delaying. To be honest, I am really behind time, why? I guess this is because of the procrastinating habit of mine that have been inside of me since I’m born! Ohh wait, I’m pretty sure that I was better when I was young!

So in the end, as expected, I did not manage to complete them. Not because of the laziness in me or whatsoever, it was partly due to the internet connection speed here =p

After all the ‘hard’ work, some of us went out to have some fun! So before the highlight of the day, we went over to the MacDonald’s to have our dinner. After the international fast food, we are finally ready to have some FUN!  

 

We will be going to the Karaoke Lounge to sing the stress away!  Seriously, the KTV Lounge here in China are very cheap as compared to Singapore, I guess this is because of the rental fees that these businesses have to pay.

So let the FUN begin! 

 

Although not all of us know each other well still, but all of us still managed to put aside our little awkwardness and sing our hearts out! Hmm, okay, maybe not all of us, but for most of us I believe! =Y

 

Reflections:

Sometimes after fun and laughter, all it comes to you is the stresses from studies, or anything that you may want to excel in but have not reached your goal yet. The reason that I can think of now, is not because of whichever things such as luck or that you do not have the ability to do it, in fact, it is because of the laziness in people or the procrastination that many people likes to do, especially myself.

Having to do blog posts every day, although pretty energy, time and mind consuming, but it teaches me a lesson. If you procrastinate and try to delay the blog post by one day, it will start to accumulate. As days goes by, when you are finally ready to start doing it, you realize that the stress becomes too overwhelming and you start feeling breathless. When you want to go out and have some fun with your friends, there is an invisible hand that pulls you back to origin of stress.

So, procrastination is something that has only bad points instead of good. I really hope in the future, I can be a better man of my words and finish the tasks handled to me in a planned and ordered manner. Bless me for my future! 

   “Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.”

-Unknown

Day 17 - It’s foodilicious time!

Finally! It’s time to try out the street foods that we have been ‘banned’ from since the day we reached here! Adding on to that, this day was a day filled with all sorts of different types of food!

First off, was a fast food restaurant somewhat similar to KFC. One very special different was that they offer warm milk tea along with the set meals available, which is something really very weird but interesting! 

The food we ate is considerably good as compared to the KFC food we have in Singapore, and what’s more? The food here is real CHEAP! It’s almost the half price of the fast food we have back in Singapore!

Up next, it was the vegetarian hot pot! Apparently, one of my classmates, who are a vegetarian, got to befriend with the boss of this vegetarian stall and always ordered delivery from him, as time goes by, most of us also did the same because of the convenience of not having to leave the hostel. The boss slowly got to know that we are foreign students coming from Singapore and decided that he wants to give us a treat!

Other than that, some of us also went to a noodle restaurant to have some 米线mi xian, although we have tried it before, but this time unexpectedly, it was nicer than the previous encounter!

Not wanting to end it there, Edward and I started buying the street foods, from waffle that has circular spheres, which was really nice, and also the mutton sticks from 新疆! Although we were told to be careful of the street foods because our stomach may not be able to adapt to their local food here, but I feel that since we are all here, we should give it a shot. No matter what comes after that, let’s try being positive minded. HAHA!

Reflections:

Trying out the local street delights may sound very daring or dangerous for some, but personally, I feel that this is taking a step to be part of their culture. Even though there is a slight chance that our stomach may not be able to take the food here, I feel that it is still worthwhile. 

Not only that, I feel that since we are all foreign coming from outside China, we should try their local delights, what’s more, I think that there may not be any more chance to be back in Wuhan in the future. So why not make full use of this opportunity, and try out the food here, it may be unexpectedly nice to you! 

" What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything? "

Vincent van Gogh