Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Chinese Language Differences



Only when I arrived Beijing did I realize that there are some differences in Singapore mandarin and Beijing mandarin. In order to reduce cultural and language shock for new comers, I have summarized some of them as follows.



English, In Singapore, In China

1) Potato , 马铃薯 , 土豆
2) Taxi Driver, 司机 , 师傅
3) What,s the matter, 有什甚事?,有啥事?
4) Spoon , 汤匙 , 勺子
5) Pineapple, 黄梨 , 坡罗
6) Air conditioner, 冷气机, 空调
7) Many times, 很多次, N多次
8) Let's go out , 我们出去, 咱们出去
9)Friends ! 朋友们 , 同志们
10) Wife/ Husband, 老婆/老公 , 爱人
11) Tax , 德士车 , 出租车
12) Bicycle , 脚车 , 自行车
13) Public Bus, 巴士车 , 公交车
14) Turn left/ right, 左转/右转 , /右拐
15) Brothers, 兄弟们,哥儿门
16) Muscular , 威风,爷们儿
17) capable, 很行,很牛
18) Police station, 警察署,派出所
19) U-Turn sign, 转回头,吊头转
20) Circle Junction, 交通圈,环岛转盘
21) Small Estate,小市镇,
22) Use strength, 用力,使劲儿
23) Heavy, 很重,很沉
24) Hurry, 快一点,赶紧
25) Helpless, 无奈,纳闷儿
26) blanket, 盖被,毛毯
27) one night, 一晚,一宿
28) standard, 标准,规范
29) gone case, 没办法,没哲
Technical Term

1) metal stamping: 冲压
2) machinery: 车间,车床
3) spray painting: 喷漆, 喷涂
4) electro coating: 电镀
5) rubber molding: 橡胶注朔

There are some other vulgar words that my taxi driver has taught me. But since I could not find the characters in the Chinese dictionary, it is omitted here.

Note: This section will be updated regularly as I come along and discover more differences.

Saturday, August 19, 2006

Living in new environment


Accompanied Binu and YH, Spore colleagues to buy some fishes and tank accessories at the "Women's Street". When the fishes were released into the beautiful lighted tank at Binu's home, one can notice the different responses from each of these fishes. Some were stunt with heavy breathing, some were calm and swam with joy, some were hiding under the plants.

Isn't it the same with human behaviour when he or she were put at different environment to live?

Dinner with Singapore colleagues


One of my Singapore colleagues will be returning back home end of this month. We had a simple farewell dinner for him at the Yunnan Restaurant located at the "Super Bar Street". He has no special feeling about living and working in Beijing after completing his two years contract. In fact he feels happy and looking forward more to returning back home and reunite with his country and family. This will happen to me one day. As about the future after returning home, it is uncertain !! This will never be wrong. "The future is uncertain !"

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Singapore Presence in Beijing





Singaporean Taste

BeeChengHiang, Prima Taste, BreadTalk, LauPaSat, Raffles Beijing Hotel, 77th Street, CapitalLand are some of the familiar names available in Beijing. They are located mainly near WangFuJin area which is next to the famous Forbidden City.

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Alone in Beijing



Began new career in Beijing, China on the 6th March 2006.
Took me 2 weeks to accept this new challenge, leaving behind
family, friends, siblings entering new country, environment and
organization.

Stayed in Hotel Best Western for the 1st week whilst looking for
apartment at the same time. Settled down in Season Park's Condo
along "Dong-Zhi-Men" area, heart of the city near the famous bar-streets.

With conducive surroundings and impressive club house facilities, main pass-time now will be Gym, gym & more gym !! Trying to trim excess body fat accumulated from past years. Successfully cut down "three" Kg after six months' stay. Not bad a result !!

Friday, August 11, 2006

Samsung Days !


D&D Shanghai Night !


Lovely KTV girls for my farewell party !

Last day at UE Square office

13 years of working in Samsung has ended with next career in overseas. Leaving wonderful memories of the past good times and bad times together with these gang.

These are all excellent performers with strongest bondage and spirit I have ever felt in my entire life. Well done guys !!


Three Brothers



















Hayden (Lao ErEr) to the left, Dylan (baby) to the right
Vernon (Ta GeGe) below



Playing at the pool side (strangle Ta GeGe for not sharing toys !)
Photoshot with Rackline Che-Che (extreme right)
Sunset at the balcony

Best moment of growing up at this stage.
Filled with brotherly love and kindness.
Worry not, burden not, afraid not.....It's wonderful time
Main driver is simply Toys ! Toys ! and more Toys !!

Every day is a learning lesson from waking up greetings, appreciation for taking and compassion for giving. Amazing fact is that each of the three brothers has totally different characters and traits, even for the twins brother ! (Hayden & Dylan) has no trace of resemblance.

The only unquestionable common fact found for all three boys is the Birth Date which falls on the 15th October !! It means One Cake for three boys which is likely to cause dismay to all invited guests for their birthday party. For one simple reason, 3 "angboa" is expected to attend their party !