First blog 博客 post in Mandarin

在北京的一年光景一瞬间就这样过去了. 在这过去一年里, 我在剩余时间尽力学习汉语拼音及用电脑写文章, 虽然很吃力可是还是坚持尝试一下.

我的师傅嶒经説过, 如果您在单位工作找不到快乐和满足, 那就是监狱, 和囚犯没什么俩样. 可是如果囚犯在监狱里找到的是无比快乐和满足,那就是自由, 他不需要到任何单位工作挣钱也一样能快乐. 我想这应该是心态问题.如果您能满于现状, 无论在那一个地方,也一样能快乐.

798 七九八

The 798 Art Space is located in Dashanzi, an area to the northeast of central Beijing. It was formerly a large state-owned enterprise built by the Russians in early 1959 as part of a war-reparations deal with Germany.
In 2002, artists and cultural organizations began using the space for design, photography, publishing, exhibitions, performance and art. They rented space in the factory and converted individual workshops into independent studios for art, architecture, music and fashion.
The 798 art space and culture project has generated great interest and should not be left out of any Beijing art tour.

Yuan Meng Yuan 园明园

This is one of the tourist spots that I missed out in BJ. So I took this opportunity to visit on the 5th April (Thursday) by myself. I took a public bus (number 834) from my apartment directly to YMY. This is a huge garden built during the Ming and continued in Qing dynasty. The architecture was marvelous and grand. The pillar and arch was carved with european design. There are many water features and fountains at the garden area surrounding the main palace. Xiyanglou is the first replica of European style garden consisting of 10 western style palaces and yards. One can imagine the nobel status and luxury that indulged by the owner and the guests that were invited for any parties hosted before. However YMY was looted and burnt down to the ground in 1860 by the Anglo-French forces consist of 8 countries including UK, Germany, France, Italy..... Today we only see the remnants of stone buildings as a reminder of the national tragedy. Next to YMY is the famous Tchinghwa University. I took a stroll down this university just to feel the undergraduate days again. How nice if I can turn back the clock and go through my school again. I am sure I can do better than before.

Last working day in China

As tomorrow will be my last working day in BJ, I have to return this PC, mobile phone and office badge. That will mark the end of my one year & one month stint in China. It is hard to believe that time flies at the speed where I thought as if I just came on-board few weeks ago. Even though it is just a one year stay, the sequence of change and happenings in this company is really exciting, especially so in the last 3 months. It was like going through war with lots of casualties all over, some staff were laid-off officially, some disappeared (killed) in silence, some have a sudden change of roles or department. For those remains at their current position were working in fear, the fear for the unknown, as everyone does not know what is next, who will be next and how the company is going to proceed. For me, when I was told that my contract will not be renewed and I have to leave as soon as possible. It was a shocking moment for me but I thought there is no turning back. I reacted promptly by moving my belongings hurriedly and plan to fly back within few days. When I informed my boss who was away for business trip at that time, about my return plan. He stopped me and requested to extend my stay for one more week. He fought hard to keep me by asking other department to absorb me. He was confident and sounded positive. However the waiting time is killing me softly. I have decided to go. I really appreciate what he has done for me, but I thought it was a little too late as I have moved and shipped all my belongings. I am left with 2 working shirts, 2 T-shirts, 2 pants, 1 shorts and that’s it. It was hilarious. Finally a farewell dinner has been arranged for me this Friday and so that confirms the end of my career in BJ. It was indeed a different kind of experience for me in the process. It was another lesson learnt.

The Lower Huayan Monastery (华严峙)

This monastery was built in 1038 during the Liao Dynasty, it is one of the best and complete monastic architecture of Khitan 契丹 ethnic group remaining up to date. This Lower Huayan Monastery is a historical monument and it is a museum of Art of the Liao dynasty. There is another Upper Huayan Monastery 50m away from here where it is meant for praying and hosting various religious events. The taxi chatted interesting statement to describe Datong City as “官僚腐败， 警察无赖，人民乞丐”. Not sure whether he is only joking?

45 Grottos (云冈石窟)

There are total 45 grottos/ caves with 53,000 buddha statue carved out of the mountain rock. It took about 100 years to complete these caves. It is unbelievable on seeing how these sculptures are carved, how many tools used and how many people are involved. The statue sizes range from small, medium and big, various postures from standing, sitting, lying and on the floor to the wall up to the ceilings. Different kinds of statue and celestial carving can be seen, inside and outside the caves.

A weekend visit to Shanxi, 山西 (悬空峙)

We took a night train at 2330 hour from Beijing to Dadong, a city of Shanxi on the 30th Mar 07, to visit the Hanging Temple (悬空峙) and the famous grotto (云冈石窟). Dadong has around 3 million population with a area 20 times bigger than Singapore. It has gone through the Liao (辽), Jin(晋) and Yuan(元) periods and left with very rich cultural and religious heritages. The Hanging Temple was built 1,500 years ago on the middle of the mountain (恒山) cliff. It is hanging half way the cliff and only supported by wooden pillars and stilts, long and short. It’s spectacular how the construction and architecture is done to support the weight and withstand the “wear-and-tear” and more amazingly, it lasts for thousand years !! We actually climbed up and tried our weight on in, but "Bo-Laksa" (no problem).

Olympic Stadium 2008

As my stay in Beijing is numbered, I try to visit as many interesting and memorable sites as possible within the next few days. Obviously one of them is the Olympic Stadium. It is located at 北辰区, north east of BJ city. It looks like a bird nest from outside and thus it is called 鸟巢 in mandarin. There is a lot of constructions going on around this area and most of them are related to olympic. The nearby olympic pool is built in the building which has the shape like the blue water bubble. It has the under ground water storage tank which stores the rain water collected from the roof. It's brilliant idea as it rarely rains in BJ.

Beijing "Clark Quay"

Behind 前海 is 后海 which is more vibrant and exciting than the former. Took a trishaw ride at the "Hutong" 胡同 brings more insight into the whole place. There are 醇亲王府 (last emperor "PuYi"'s father house), 宋庆龄 (孙中山's wife), 恭王府(dawagen's uncle house), 广化寺 (1 of the 10 temples that guard the area from evils), drum tower (provides time during ancient days) etc.....
The houses here are mainly 四合院 (4 walls enclosed in rectangular shape). Gate stones at the main door of each house indicate the status and academic level of the household e.g. governor with power, teachers or military officials.

Side Gate of The Seasons Park

This is the east (side) gate of my apartment where our hired driver Zhang usually pick us up. 3 of us car pool to-and-fo work everyday. We pay RMB65 for one way journey, which is equivalent to RMB2600 (S$520) per month for him. He is very glad and happy for this amount and arrangement instead of running risk to take passengers on the streets. He is driving 黑车, a illegal taxi (evading tax).

Beijing "Boat Quay"

前海 or Front Sea is located behind the forbidden city. There are many restaurants and pub along the sea front. This is also the place to house the close relatives and government officials during the dynasty periods. Today the offsprings of these officials and rich families are staying around here. But on one condition that the architecture and building structure must be the same and blend well with the surroundings. Note that there is no customers at the outdoor table as the weather is only about 5C.

Beijing "Lau Pa Sak"

This restaurant is located at 新东街 near my house and it is owned by a Singaporean "Ah Beng". He speaks hokkian "singapore style" and dye his hair brown. I think you will never like to associate with him if you see him on Singapore streets. But here, he sells delicious food that I like such as Laksa, Mee Siam, Hokkian fried mee and even "小碗面" at the recent promotion special. So he is the one I like to associate the most when I walk into his restaurant. He gave 10% discount recently to us, without asking.

The Eight "do" and "dont" slogan

Beijing government always reminds the citizen to be cultured "讲文明" by avoiding spitting, littering and refrain from talking loudly in public. The premier Mr. Wen 温 came out with The proud eight "do" and disgraceful eight "don't".

Hard to explain every details but roughly the "dos" are hardworking, discipline, unity, service and love the country. "Donts" are the direct opposite. Strange thing here is religion is not very well supported and propagated. Hardly find any churches or temples around the city. Some of the good things like behaviours, disciplines and human characters can be taught through religious teaching, instead of the government. Maybe this has got to do with history that all religions are deemed to be "superstitious" and it were discouraged at that time (till today).

Guard at the Seasons Park

It has been quite sometime that I wanted to write about the security guard at my apartment. Reasons being these guards always change every alternate months, every few weeks or sometimes few days. I found out some behind storys about the job. Their job is as simple as opening door and greeting whenever residence or visiting guest walk in. No checking on identity or verification is needed. They are paid S$120 per month, but only get 1 month salary upon completing 2 month job. One month is kept at management office as guaranty (for not quitting). One meal is provided per day. These guards are normally coming from other provinces, very eager to work in Beijing which is their dream city, big, prosperous and filled with vitality. One of the previous guard told me that he paid huge sum (about S$1000) to the job agency to go Beijing. Upon arrival, he could not find the working place mentioned by the agent and he realized that he (and his cousin) was cheated. They ended up sleeping at the underpass as they had no money at all. Later they were spotted by the management office and introduce them to work as guards at our apartment. However not long after, he decided to run away as this is not the job he wanted. He did not call home to his parents as he still has no money after working for 2 months. I gave him S$40 to buy train ticket back to his home town at Jilin. It was a nightmare for him.

Shocking Moment

It was early in the morning that my boss called me into his office. I knew something to do with my contract which is due this month. I pestered him several times about the renewal status and he is not sure about it. As the company is undergoing a massive re-structuring by removing APAC level to achieve "lean" organization, no one in China APAC knows what is going to happen, including my boss. I really do not like to pester him since I know he can not give me an answer, but my house lease is due, and so as my work permit "visa". All these thing is pushing me for an answer ! Finally my boss's boss came today to make an announcement. Thank god, at last he came and gave us a latest updates. As expected, my name does not appear in the new org chart. I am OUT !!! For that moment, I was blackout and blank !! How am going to cope ? How am I going to find a new job ? When I broke out this news to my colleagues through on-line mail, my tears swelled and flowed. It is not so much for leaving China, but the feeling of leaving my good friends and peers in the company made me sad. When they wrote back "be strong" "be cool", more tears came out. It was uncontrollable !! It was just the soft character in me, which reflected the human weakness. That is how religion comes into rescue. I started to accept the reality, the truth of life that "it is not a sure thing", be it pleasure or pain, happy or sad. I am better now. That's for sure. Just like death, that's for sure too.

Snow in Spring

As I miss the winter snow last December 2006 due to my home trip, thank god and fortunate to see snow in Spring. It is surprising ! Snow started in the late night of 2nd Mar. By the next morning every where and every thing exposed outside was coverd by snow. I intentionally took a slow walk out door, just to experience snow. Also open my mouth to taste snow. It was exhilarating !

Ancient Cave House

Arrived in BJ again on the 22nd Feb, after spending one week CNY holiday in Singapore. Since we have a long week end here before new work week, me and my Spore colleague and his family went to visit Ice Sculpture, ancient "cave" house and the great wall "Juyongguan" station.

Breakfast in Beijing

The meal I enjoy the most in Singapore is Breakfast. That is especially so during weekends. Normally wake up early around 7:30am and go for a slow jog around the mental institution which is surrounded by tall trees with lots of green. Air quality is fresh and traffic is less. The kuanyin statue at one of the hospital entrance also adds on some serenity and tranquility. Best moment comes after the jog i.e. Breakfast Time !! There are variety of breakfast items at the market near my house such as carrot cake, "wanton mee", "chee-cheongfun", roti-platta or even macdonalds and longjohn silver. Here in Beijing my daily breakfast is merely "Bimbo" brand bread and butter and coffee/tea "3-in-1" type. Nothing more !!

Dinner at home

I normally reach home at about 7pm on weekdays after work. It takes about 45 minutes road journey without jam. But clear road with no jam is a “dream” in Beijing. Even we set off at 5pm from office, I will still reach home after 6:30pm. With much exhaustion, I will normally skip dinner outside and replace it with fruits, salad, bread or just honey drink at home. If I really really need something to munch, the next best alternative will be the instant noodles. These noodles are with curry chicken, laksa or mee goreng flavor which I brought from Singapore. None of this flavor is available in Beijing. Most popular brand here is "Kang Shifu" or "康师傅" in Chinese. Mostly came with beef flavor which I do not like though some said that it tastes equally good.

春运

The hot topic now in town is about "Spring Transfer". There are millions and millions of people will start the "spring transfer" from this week onwards. 春运 refers to the movement back to the home town to celebrate the Lunar New Year with families. In order to manage this huge human movement all around main land, China government has given concession and encourage students to move first. Since the CNY is only less than 2 weeks from now, it is better for citizen to move early in order to avoid the crowd and to risk ticket "sold-out" situation. There are many transport company also starts to mark-up price discreetly even government guarantees that the price will not changed. "黄牛票" will be common and will be popular for the "last minutes" commuters.