Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Some pictures of Mei Yee & I taken in The Curve =) Good friends forever ;)
She thanks her Jesus at 8:34 PM
Beijing =)If you guys are interested to visit Beijing, these information will be useful =) General Information
Country: People's Republic of China
Area: 16,801.25 km² (6,487 sq mi)
Location: Northern China
Population: 17,430,000
Major nationalities: Han - 96%, Manchu - 2%, Hui - 2%, Mongolian - 0.3%
Time zone: China Standard Time (UTC+8)
Languages: Mandarin is the language spoken in Beijing, with Beijing's dialect being the standard form of Mandarin.
Religion: 3 major ones - Buddhism, Taoism & Confucianism
2 minor ones – Christianity & Islam
Currency: Renminbi (RMB) or Yuan (RM 1 = RMB 2.0)
* It is advised to convert the Ringgit into RMB before leaving Malaysia. Credit cards are widely accepted at major hotels, shops and restaurants.
Geographical Information & climate
Beijing is the capital of China and is situated at the northern tip of the roughly triangular North China Plain. It borders Hebei Province to the north, west, south, and for a small section in the east, and Tianjin to the southeast. Beijing is China's second largest city, after Shanghai. The geography of Beijing is characterized by flat land, except for hills that dominate in the north, northwest and west of Beijing. It is also strategically close to plains and the sea. The northwestern part of Beijing, especially Yanqing County and Huairou District, are dominated by the Jundu Mountains. The mountains to the west are known as Xishan, which is Chinese for "Western Hills." Mount Dongling in the Xishan ranges and on the border with Hebei is the municipality's highest point, with an altitude of 2303 m. Beijing does not lie on a major river but there are two major rivers flowing through it. They are the Yongding River and the Chaobai River, part of the Hai River system, and flowing in a southerly direction. Water is supplied from two reservoirs -- Guanting Reservoir (on the border with Hebei) and Miyun Reservoir in Miyun County. Beijing is also the northern terminus of the Grand Canal of China which was built across the North China Plain to Hangzhou. The city's centre is Tian'anmen, and the city spreads out in bands of concentric ring roads radiating from Tian'anmen itself.
The city's climate is a monsoon-influenced humid continental climate (Koppen climate classification Dwa), characterised by hot, humid summers due to the East Asian monsoon, and harshly cold, windy, dry winters that reflect the influence of the vast Siberian anticyclone. Average temperatures in January are at around -7 to -4 °C (19 to 24 °F), while average temperatures in July are at 25 to 26 °C (77 to 79 °F). Highest temperature ever recorded is 42°C and lowest recorded is -27°C. Annual precipitation is over 600 mm, with 75% of that in summer.
Traveling Facts & Tips
When to go
Of the shoulder seasons, autumn is optimal - the weather is gorgeous and fewer tourists are in town. Locals describe this short season as tiangao qishuang - literally 'the sky is high and the air is fresh' - with clear skies and breezy days. Spring is less pleasant - not many tourists but lots of wind and dust. Summer (June to August) is considered peak season, when hotels typically raise their rates and the Great Wall nearly collapses under the weight of marching tourists. Winter is the extreme opposite but makes for pretty surrounds if you can stand the freezing temperatures; you'll have Beijing to yourself and many hotels offer substantial discounts. Everything is chock-a-block during the Chinese New Year (usually in January or February) and the week-long holidays of International Labour Day (May 1) and National Day (Oct 1).
Cultural Dos and Don'ts
1. It is generally polite to ask if one has eaten or not, which simply means ‘How is going?’ Do you see the importance of eating in China?
2. A nod or a wave of hand is generally taken as a greeting esp. from a distance.
3. Use a person’s title followed by the family name when addressing people.
4. Direct eye contact in public may be mistaken as weird.
5. Clap your hands if you are happy. Screaming is definitely impolite in public.
6. Push and shove a little bit in a crowd is okay, but people know you do not push that much in America.
7. Eat with chopsticks and a table spoon. Take whatever the host/hostess is serving, the more you eat, the happier he/she is.
8. Feel free to propose a toast to virtually everyone at the table. There is a saying, especially in the north, that “A friend indeed is a friend who with your fill will proceed.” So to drink or not to drink, it is up to you to decide.
9. Hug and kiss are increasingly seen in public, but far from being decent public behavior.
10. People don’t say ‘Love you’ that much, even between a couple, as in America. When you do, be prepared for some surprise. Between friends and within a family, ‘Thank you’ is not so often used, though it is taken implicitly. As Laotze said, ‘The Tao you can tell is not truly the Tao proper.’
What to Wear in Beijing?
You can wear whatever you feel comfortable in during your Beijing tour since Beijing is not as conservative as it once was. If you come to Beijing in spring, a thin sweater or coat will be needed. In summer, the climate gets quite hot so you will want to opt for casual clothes. In the winter, you will likely need a heavy sweater and a long coat. It is important that you remember to dress appropriately when visiting temples and sacred sites during your Beijing tour.
Other Useful Information
Special Telephone Numbers
0086-IDD code of China
110-Police
119-Fire
120-Emergency
112-Telephone repair desk
113-Long distance operator
114-Directory inquiries and information
115-International operator
116-Long distance directory inquiries
117-Time
121-Weather
Electricity
The electricity in China is 220 volts, but the bathrooms of many luxury and medium-grade hotels also have 110-volt sockets.
Drinking Water
Only a few luxury hotels provide drinkable tap water, so don's forget to ask the hotel whether the tap water is drinkable or not. Boiled water is available in all guestrooms, and bottled mineral water is on sale everywhere.
She thanks her Jesus at 8:10 PM
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Outing with Elvin & Hong YeeToday is a holiday =) Praise The Lord for it. I'm so happy that there is a holiday so fast since I started college on Monday.So, what did I do the whole day today? I went out to 1U with my brother, Elvin and Hong Yee. I knew Hong Yee from the driving course that we took. A really nice and friendly guy. Always willing to listen and advise me =) And the best thing is, he also knows my brother. They were from the same year in SMKDJ. When he saw my surname on the first day we met, he already knew that Elvin was my brother... How awesome! So since we all knew each other, I decided that we must all go out today. Linda was also invited but she could not make it. She went for swimming and basketball with Chris, William, Alicia and the rest of the gang. I always wanted to go swimming because ever since I returned from Singapore (where I learnt how to swim) last year, I never got a chance to dip myself in the pool. It was due to assignments and assessments in college. I don't want to forget how to swim my breast stroke and besides, I need exercise. So, even though I couldn't join them, I was not disappointed. The reason? Linda said we could go again this weekend. Yay =) We would be going this Saturday morning...Back to the outing. We reached 1U at 2pm and met Hong Yee at KFC. Elvin was hungry and wanted to munch on something first. But to our slight disappointment, KFC was overcrowded. We headed over to McD which was just next door. Over there, Elvin had Spicy Chicken McDeluxe set and I got myself a Spicy Chicken set. Yummy... Hong Yee who was vegetarian and was not hungry had a Milo exclusively sponsored by my brother =p We chatted about a number of things like friends in school, Hong Yee winning RM 20, 000 from a RHB Bank Slogan contest (wow!) and a few more things I couldn't remember lol. Halfway chatting and eating, I received a call from my dear sister Jas! When I looked at my phone, I went 'this was impossible'. It couldn't be Jaslyn calling because she is in Hong Kong now. She'll only be back in May. That must be her mum using her number to call me. But why? So, when I picked up the phone, it was really her! Yeahhhhhhh =) I couldn't believe it. She said she is already in Malaysia and the reason is because there were some changes in her plans. I'm so glad. I can meet her this Saturday in church =) I also invited her for swimming through SMS. Hope she can make it.After eating, we went looking for Hong Yee's formal white shirt. He wanted to go to Zara. But before reaching Zara, we stopped at one or two shops like G2000. He couldn't find anything there. When we finally came to Zara, what he tried didn't suit him. Over and above that, the prices there were unbelievably high. Still high although there was a warehouse clearance and further markdown in price. It could definitely burn a hole in his pocket lol. So, he decided to go to Padini. In Padini, there was this nice RM 129 white shirt but he said he would come back after the movie to try it again.We watched the cute Alvin and the Chipmunks! It was a really great show =) Funny, cute and adorable. The three small and adorable chipmunks, Alvin, Simon and Theodore were so cute. Not only because of their voices but also their faces. So chubby! I love Theodore the most among all the three. He's the fattest lol! Their relationship with their 'daddy', Dave was a touching one =) I truly recommend you guys to get your tickets. It is worth it ;)
So, after the movie, we went back to Padini for Hong Yee's shirt. He did try it once more but still couldn't decide. Finally, he decided not to take it yet. He wanted to look more at other shops. RM 129 was really not a small figure even though it was within his budget and still cheaper than Zara.Hong Yee still wanted to hang around 1U. Primarily to have his dinner and still walk around. But Elvin and I had to make a move. So, we left at about 7.15pm. Hong Yee waited with us for our mum. Felt like not leaving him alone but I was glad he was only staying there until 8pm. Dude, I would go out with you again soon =)Overall, we enjoyed ourselves. The movie, food and chit chat was good =) Thanks Lord for the wonderful time ;)Before ending, I would like to post some of my studio photos taken in Singapore last year. Didn't think of posting them earlier lol...
She thanks her Jesus at 8:41 PM
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Plans for going out =)I have been going out quite a lot ever since my holidays started. Among the things I did were going back to college for two purposes which were having lunch with Tej and Foong Ching and visiting the library, went for my church's SS 2 care group pot bless on one Friday, went to 1U with Linda, ET, Bryan and Mei Yee and of course going for my regular church services. There are 25 days left before classes start on 7th January next year. I plan to go to several places with some people. Firstly, there will be a youth Christmas rock concert this Saturday in my church and Andrew, Hong Yee & another friend of his will be coming =). I am so happy and looking forward to it! Andrew will be picking me up and he agreed to pick the other two as well. Thanks, Drew =). This is the first time I'll be sitting in Drew's car. I'm also soooo glad that Hong Yee will be coming. He knows my brother but they have not met for a long time. So, I hope my brother can make it to the concert as well. Secondly, I'll be going with Drew for a dinner in 1U after the concert. He suggested to go to TGI Fridays. This Saturday will be my first time eating there. I'm looking forward to it too =)My next program will be an outing with Tee Ying this Sunday to The Eye. I think we should go at night because the view will be more spectacular. The entry fee for adults is RM 15 per person. Just some fast facts about The Eye: It has 42 air conditioned gondolas and one gondola can sit eight people. One complete ride will take 12 minutes. The Eye is 60 metres high and one can view the whole of KL from the gondolas. Kids who want to experience this adventure will only have to pay RM 8. So, I really don't know how are we going to get there. I know we can go by PUTRA LRT and KL Monorail but it will not be safe at night. I'll try to ask my dad if he can send us there and back. Mei Yee and I will be going out again to Sungei Wang next Wednesday. We have not gone there together before. Every year when we go out with each other, we will always head to 1U lol. I have a few things to purchase this time. One pair of court shoes, one pair of sandals and one pair of sports shoes. Yes they are all footwear lol. Mei Yee will be parking her car at my house and I'll ask my mum if she can send us to the LRT station. She'll definitely say yes because she is so nice lol. When Tej comes back from Penang with his family, I'll be going with him and Foong Ching to Aquaria KLCC. Over there, you can feed sharks lol. The entry fee is quite pricey but Tej said he could pay for me! Yay =) Thanks, Tej. You are so kind =). However, we haven't decided on the date because Tej will only be back on the 20th and after that I guess I will be having a few choir practices for the Christmas concert on Christmas Eve.The other so important thing I want to do is to go back to the library again next week. I must photostat my senior's TIS and study how she did it.
She thanks her Jesus at 1:52 PM
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
The meaning of roses =)
Roses have had meaning since the dawn of time. Everyone knows that a red rose is a symbol for love but did you know that when you give a bouquet of white and red roses, it means unity?
Read on to learn what your favorite roses mean in the very special language of flowers.
In Victorian times, suitors would present a bouquet to their intended that held much meaning once the flowers were looked at. These bouquets were called "tussie-mussies" and every courtship began with their presentation. The content of these tokens often changed as the relationship did until the bride walked down the aisle with the most meaningful bouquet.
Red roses say “I love you” and also stand for respect and courage.
Rosebuds symbolize beauty, youth and a heart innocent of love or: “You are young and beautiful.” Red rosebuds mean “pure and lovely” and white rosebuds signify girlhood or “too young to love.” The moss rosebud stands for confessions of love.
A single rose stands for simplicity. In full bloom, it means “I love you” or “I love you still,” and a bouquet of roses in full bloom signifies gratitude.
White roses have several meanings: “You’re heavenly,” reverence and humility, innocence and purity, “I’m worthy of you,” and secrecy and silence.
Red and white roses together, or white roses with red edges, signify unity.
Pink roses in general symbolize grace and gentility. For more subtle shades of meaning, choose deep pink to stand for gratitude and appreciation. Light pink conveys admiration and sympathy.
Yellow roses usually stand for joy and gladness, but can also say “try to care.”
Red and yellow blends stand for jovial and happy feelings.
Coral or orange roses denote enthusiasm and desire.
A deep burgundy rose means “unconscious beauty.”
Pale colors convey sociability and friendship.
Hybrid tea roses mean “I’ll remember you always” and sweetheart roses symbolize just what their name implies.
Two roses taped or wired together to form a single stem signal an engagement or coming marriage.
A full blown rose placed over two buds forms a combination that signifies secrecy.
Withered white roses have two meanings: fleeting beauty and “you made no impression.”
A crown made of roses signifies reward or virtue.
Rose leaves are a symbol of hope.
She thanks her Jesus at 2:22 PM
Thursday, May 17, 2007
I was a bit worried that I did not know what to talk about when I was with my friends. What if I only responded with an "oh" if they told me anything. Will they find me boring and will I be left alone eventually? I started feeling like this around a month ago. I don't know how did this feeling come about. I told mum about it and she advised me to read more newspapers (so that I have more topics to talk about) and just keep asking questions. The Holy Spirit brought into remembrance of what Pastor preached in church. To be quick to listen and slow to speak and anger. So, I know that being quiet is good but not to the extend of being too quiet and reserved. Anyway, I am a gentle and feminine girl. Can a talkative girl be also gentle and feminine? Please comment. I read a bible passage from E-Min just now. In the book of Acts, Paul talked about all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spending their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas. The prayer was: LORD, words are important, but some people are all talk and no action. They may sound good and give an appearance of importance, but their actions tell a different story. Mere talk about good ideas can never take the place of following Your direction and leadership i n a timely and appropriate manner. I want to recognize You when You speak, understand what You say, and then do it without hesitation. I want what I am to be evident by what I do and not just what I say. You designed me with two ears, eyes, hands, and legs, but only one mouth. Help me listen and act more than I talk. In Jesus' name, Amen.
The words in pink struck me. Yes. I don't want to be all talk and no action. There is a famous saying that actions speak louder than words. I was never a person who spoke only and did not do anything. And, I always kept to my word. It is amazing that God created us with everything two but only one mouth. That means He wants us to speak less.
I know I can also be evident by what I do and what I say. That means whatever I say I will do, I will do. And I will also be quick to listen. But I also want to be an interesting person.
She thanks her Jesus at 3:51 PM
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
A strong positive confession"God favors me today. God honors me today. I am a success today. I have God's special favor upon me today. He makes His face to shine upon me today. I am someone very special with the Lord."
She thanks her Jesus at 9:57 PM
