10th November- Tadaaa….Finally, it’s time to go home! Though we had a lot of fun in this trip, deep in our hearts we missed our families and homes. I for sure, could not wait to go back to my cosy home!
After breakfast, we had a briefing session when we had to pen down our reflections. We then headed back to the hotel room to pack our luggage.
We gained a lot in this Shanghai Immersion Programme. Besides learning more about the history of China and its advance astronautic technology, a very important conclusion we had was, living without parents is not an easy task. Without having our parents to fuss over us, we learned to be independent. We took care our own well-being and our daily chores. In addition, this trip also provided us aplenty opportunities to made new friends, foster closer bonds with our teachers and friends. When we live with our buddies in the hotel we had to learn to adapt to each other’s idiosyncrasies and take care of each other. Without question, this has been an absolutely fruitful trip! :):)
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Day 6
May's thoughts...
I'm so sad that I'm leaving Shanghai... Mr Charles, Ms Samantha and Ms Nuridah...
We went to the Shanghai Urban Planning to see all the model buildings in Shanghai... I was still upset that I spoilt my camera :( We went to YuYuan Garden and Nanjing Road, I bought a frame painting for my dad... I was also nominated as the best behaved pupil... I was so shocked! I don't know why I was nominated as the best behaved pupil... I didn't know why Mrs Chai nominated me... I received a toy mouse as a toy, it was so chubby and cute... When I stepped out of the bus that led us to the hotel, I realised that I forgot my mouse in the bus... I ran back to look for it, Xin Da and David helped me look for it, I found it so they said sorry that I did not get to find it for you... I find them really kind, and wish to thank them again...
We had an interview for the best behaved pupils, i was so nervous that I said some words wrongly the funniest one was: I said Mr Charles as Ms Charles LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We also had a farewell partae!!!!!!! Betty came to our partae! We partied at Megan and Jasmine's room we had an singing audition and it was so FUN!!!!!!!! I would really miss my frens...
Anyway, Thats all...
May♥
Petrina's thoughts...
9th November- This morning, we went to Cheng Huang Temple. It was unbelievably packed, and we had hardly any walking space! This made catching up with the group all the more harder. Besides the temple, we got to see the Yu Yuan Garden. The scenery was beautiful and we took LOADS of pictures. After that, we ate our lunch at MacDonald’s.
Next we made our way to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall. Over there, we saw many miniature models of the buildings in Shanghai. It really was amazing! Soon, we went to Nanjing Road for shopping. The items for sales there were about the same as those in Singapore. They were relatively expensive, so we did not buy anything. As it was utterly cold, Mrs Chai treated us to some hot chocolate. Then, we went for our farewell dinner. It was a tiring day, but we truly enjoyed ourselves!
I'm so sad that I'm leaving Shanghai... Mr Charles, Ms Samantha and Ms Nuridah...
We went to the Shanghai Urban Planning to see all the model buildings in Shanghai... I was still upset that I spoilt my camera :( We went to YuYuan Garden and Nanjing Road, I bought a frame painting for my dad... I was also nominated as the best behaved pupil... I was so shocked! I don't know why I was nominated as the best behaved pupil... I didn't know why Mrs Chai nominated me... I received a toy mouse as a toy, it was so chubby and cute... When I stepped out of the bus that led us to the hotel, I realised that I forgot my mouse in the bus... I ran back to look for it, Xin Da and David helped me look for it, I found it so they said sorry that I did not get to find it for you... I find them really kind, and wish to thank them again...
We had an interview for the best behaved pupils, i was so nervous that I said some words wrongly the funniest one was: I said Mr Charles as Ms Charles LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We also had a farewell partae!!!!!!! Betty came to our partae! We partied at Megan and Jasmine's room we had an singing audition and it was so FUN!!!!!!!! I would really miss my frens...
Anyway, Thats all...
May♥
Petrina's thoughts...
9th November- This morning, we went to Cheng Huang Temple. It was unbelievably packed, and we had hardly any walking space! This made catching up with the group all the more harder. Besides the temple, we got to see the Yu Yuan Garden. The scenery was beautiful and we took LOADS of pictures. After that, we ate our lunch at MacDonald’s.
Next we made our way to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall. Over there, we saw many miniature models of the buildings in Shanghai. It really was amazing! Soon, we went to Nanjing Road for shopping. The items for sales there were about the same as those in Singapore. They were relatively expensive, so we did not buy anything. As it was utterly cold, Mrs Chai treated us to some hot chocolate. Then, we went for our farewell dinner. It was a tiring day, but we truly enjoyed ourselves!
Day 5
View From the Pearl Tower...
The two buildings beside the pearl tower
The Pearl TowerMay's thoughts...
Wow! Today we went shopping on our own! Isn't it amazing? We shopped for some gifts for our family... we formed groups of four... Petrina and I grouped up with Megan and Yi Ning, Jasmine. We bought some stuff at some small set-up stalls in the Super Brand Mall. We had to buy our own dinner too! I almost exceeded the budget 30yuan. At the Oriential Pearl Tower, I bought some batteries and they cheated me out of my money, 8 yuan!
At night we went to the River Promenade Night Scene, it was so cooling except for the street sellers... They say that place is romantic so I made up a story...
There was a couple enjoying themselves at the Riverside... suddenly, a street seller popped out... " This one very cheap! 6 yuan only! Buy lah! So cheap!" The girl got the fright of her life and fell into the sea. "OH my darling! U street seller! I will sue u for hurting my darling! I will jump down and u will have to pay for my medical fees, and set up a funeral for us!" The man then jumped into the sea and drowned... Unwanting to pay for everything the streetseller also jumped in! AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! Actually the girl was still alive.... but when she saw her darling drowning, she also drowned herself...
~THE END~
May ♥♥
Petrina's thoughts...
8th November- Today, we went to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. At 468 metres high, it is the world’s third tallest TV and radio tower. When we took the lift up, we could really feel the pressure in our ears! In the tower, we got to see the magnificent view from above. It was absolutely breathtaking!!!:0
Next, we were given 30 yuan each to buy our own dinner. Together with May, we teamed up with two other P4s, Jasmine and Megan. We then proceeded to the shopping mall’s MacDonald’s for dinner. With the 120 yuan, May and I being the more senior ones, went to order dinner. Having never bought my own dinner (not to mention dinner for others), it seemed like an intimidating task to me! I felt rather nervous and afraid, especially when we had to order the food in Mandarin! Finally, we overcame the language barrier and succeeded in the task of getting us a “sumptuous” dinner.
We ended the evening event with shopping for souvenirs. Within half an hour, the necessary shopping was done. That has been an enjoyable shopping trip for us. : )
Wow! Today we went shopping on our own! Isn't it amazing? We shopped for some gifts for our family... we formed groups of four... Petrina and I grouped up with Megan and Yi Ning, Jasmine. We bought some stuff at some small set-up stalls in the Super Brand Mall. We had to buy our own dinner too! I almost exceeded the budget 30yuan. At the Oriential Pearl Tower, I bought some batteries and they cheated me out of my money, 8 yuan!
At night we went to the River Promenade Night Scene, it was so cooling except for the street sellers... They say that place is romantic so I made up a story...
There was a couple enjoying themselves at the Riverside... suddenly, a street seller popped out... " This one very cheap! 6 yuan only! Buy lah! So cheap!" The girl got the fright of her life and fell into the sea. "OH my darling! U street seller! I will sue u for hurting my darling! I will jump down and u will have to pay for my medical fees, and set up a funeral for us!" The man then jumped into the sea and drowned... Unwanting to pay for everything the streetseller also jumped in! AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! Actually the girl was still alive.... but when she saw her darling drowning, she also drowned herself...
~THE END~
May ♥♥
Petrina's thoughts...
8th November- Today, we went to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. At 468 metres high, it is the world’s third tallest TV and radio tower. When we took the lift up, we could really feel the pressure in our ears! In the tower, we got to see the magnificent view from above. It was absolutely breathtaking!!!:0
Next, we were given 30 yuan each to buy our own dinner. Together with May, we teamed up with two other P4s, Jasmine and Megan. We then proceeded to the shopping mall’s MacDonald’s for dinner. With the 120 yuan, May and I being the more senior ones, went to order dinner. Having never bought my own dinner (not to mention dinner for others), it seemed like an intimidating task to me! I felt rather nervous and afraid, especially when we had to order the food in Mandarin! Finally, we overcame the language barrier and succeeded in the task of getting us a “sumptuous” dinner.
We ended the evening event with shopping for souvenirs. Within half an hour, the necessary shopping was done. That has been an enjoyable shopping trip for us. : )
Day 4
Me and Pet in the Aerospace part of the Oriential Green Boat
Some of the discoverers
The clock they use in the pastMay and Petrina's thoughts...
Petrina's thoughts...
7th November- Brr… it was a really chilly morning! My hands were cold like ice, ought to have brought along gloves! After breakfast, we went to the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum where we toured it with our teachers.
Then, we proceeded to the Qi Bao Gu Zhen. It was raining cats and dogs, but we continued to shop for souvenirs. Despite the rain, the streets were packed like sardines! After a while, it rained even heavier. We decided to seek shelter first. By then, it really turned freezing and the air that we exhaled instantly turned into mist! It was the first time I had seen it, and everyone was excited to see it.
Petrina's thoughts...
7th November- Brr… it was a really chilly morning! My hands were cold like ice, ought to have brought along gloves! After breakfast, we went to the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum where we toured it with our teachers.
Then, we proceeded to the Qi Bao Gu Zhen. It was raining cats and dogs, but we continued to shop for souvenirs. Despite the rain, the streets were packed like sardines! After a while, it rained even heavier. We decided to seek shelter first. By then, it really turned freezing and the air that we exhaled instantly turned into mist! It was the first time I had seen it, and everyone was excited to see it.
An interesting signage we found in the restaurant.....
Soon, it was lunchtime and we gobbled up the hot and steaming food in order to fill up our cold and empty stomach. We then proceeded to the Oriental Green Boat.Over there, we got to see many fighter planes, model ships and tanks. After that, we arrived at the roof of the building. It was EXTREMELY windy! Umbrellas were blown away, and everyone had a fun time chasing after them. Next, we toured on a road lined with statues of great thinkers, scientists, and inventors like Issac Newton, Marie Curie etc. It was definitely a thrilling experience!!!
May's thoughts...
It was raining pretty heavily today... We went to the Oriential Green Boat where there were statues of discovers... I bought a hairclip for my sis and three necklaces... I felt guilty that I did not listen to the tour guide just because I don't understand 'Shanghai' chinese...i hope to be a better ambassador next time...
May♥
Day 3
Ancient Costumes
Petrina in the Chinese Calligraphy room
Buddha Statue Made of Porcelain
We are in the Shanghai Museum!
May in front of ancient jugs made of porcelain
Shanghai Museum This is how it looks like
Petrina in the Chinese Calligraphy room
Buddha Statue Made of Porcelain
We are in the Shanghai Museum!
May in front of ancient jugs made of porcelain
Shanghai Museum This is how it looks like
My bag was torn today... LOL . I miss my family and I was crying when I talked to them last night... We went to the Shanghai Museum, their secruity was really high just like in an airport... We saw lots of things, like stuff made from porcelain, clothings an coins used in the past. We performed at Jin xin Primary today. We sang two Singapore Songs, they are 'Where I Belong' and 'Singapore Town' I also bought some stuff for my family... After we ate at anoother hotel's restaurant, we went back to our hotel, walking... on the way back, the rain poured and we were soaked...
May♥♥
Petrina's thoughts...
6 November- Yippee! We went to the Shanghai Museum. It was seven-storey high and has a lot of exhibition halls! Due to time constraint, we managed to visit only a few exhibition halls.
The first hall we visited was one that showcased ceramic and pottery artefacts. They looked rather ancient and we found them fascinating. After that, we went to see the calligraphy artefacts. Most of the words looked like illegible snake-like drawings. They just don’t resemble the normal Chinese characters that we are familiar with. Seeing us at a lost, a lady approached to explain the meanings of the words to us. Though we managed to understand the meaning of each calligraphy stroke, it was tough for us to fully appreciate these exhibits.
Soon it was lunchtime, and we left the museum for JinXin Primary School. After lunch, we proceeded to the field where the rocket competition took place. My gunpowder was damaged and needed a replacement. The competition was about to commence but the teacher-in-charge had yet to give me the replacement! I panicked and told May about it and she advised me to tell the teacher about it again.
The first contestants prepared their rockets for take off. Before we knew it, we heard a loud whooshing sound and the first rocket was fired high up in the sky! Soon it would be my turn but I had yet to receive the new gunpowder! I reminded the teacher again and he decided to swap me to the back of the list and suggested I fire my rocket after watching the water rockets launching. However, I was just too nervous to watch the competition. A few minutes passed (but it seemed like eternity to me), the teacher finally came to fix my rocket. I took a deep breath, pressed the button and … up flew my rocket! It flew high up in the sky! Though the parachute did not eject, guess what? I won the first prize! I was exhilarated and could not wait to burst out the news to my parents!
May♥♥
Petrina's thoughts...
6 November- Yippee! We went to the Shanghai Museum. It was seven-storey high and has a lot of exhibition halls! Due to time constraint, we managed to visit only a few exhibition halls.
The first hall we visited was one that showcased ceramic and pottery artefacts. They looked rather ancient and we found them fascinating. After that, we went to see the calligraphy artefacts. Most of the words looked like illegible snake-like drawings. They just don’t resemble the normal Chinese characters that we are familiar with. Seeing us at a lost, a lady approached to explain the meanings of the words to us. Though we managed to understand the meaning of each calligraphy stroke, it was tough for us to fully appreciate these exhibits.
Soon it was lunchtime, and we left the museum for JinXin Primary School. After lunch, we proceeded to the field where the rocket competition took place. My gunpowder was damaged and needed a replacement. The competition was about to commence but the teacher-in-charge had yet to give me the replacement! I panicked and told May about it and she advised me to tell the teacher about it again.
The first contestants prepared their rockets for take off. Before we knew it, we heard a loud whooshing sound and the first rocket was fired high up in the sky! Soon it would be my turn but I had yet to receive the new gunpowder! I reminded the teacher again and he decided to swap me to the back of the list and suggested I fire my rocket after watching the water rockets launching. However, I was just too nervous to watch the competition. A few minutes passed (but it seemed like eternity to me), the teacher finally came to fix my rocket. I took a deep breath, pressed the button and … up flew my rocket! It flew high up in the sky! Though the parachute did not eject, guess what? I won the first prize! I was exhilarated and could not wait to burst out the news to my parents!
Day 2
Their playground...
Their toilet!!!
In the canteen of Jinxin Primary School
In the language room!
In the language room!
May beside the piano in the music rm....
the teacher's staff room
the computer lab, WOW!!!!!!! better than ours...
Science Lab!
the teacher's staff room
the computer lab, WOW!!!!!!! better than ours...
Science Lab!The water looks... err.... green...
the hotel!
Our Canteen
Our Breakfast!
the hotel!
Our Canteen
Our Breakfast!
YUM!!!!!!!!!!!
5th November- That morning, we went downstairs to have a breakfast buffet before
proceeding to Jin Xin Primary School
. At the entrance of the school, we could see that the school compound was enormous! There was even a playground there! After the welcome speech by the students and the principal of the school, we toured round the school. They really had lots of facilities in the school!
Then, we were divided into groups and we proceeded to different classes. Some students went to have P.E, others to have Maths or Chinese lessons. As for May and I, we attended their arts lesson where they taught us how to create a symmetrical drawing. We found it very surprising to see the students being so active during lessons: at least half of the class would raise their hands whenever the teacher asked a question! I also realised that during discussions, the students were allowed to talk as loudly as they wanted to! They were very attentive and seemed very eager to learn more.
After the lessons, we went for lunch. We could not buy our own food like in Singapore. I feel very lucky that our school sells a variety of food instead of serving a standard meal. However, I feel that the students there would have a balanced meal instead of eating only their favourite food. After feeding our stomach, we had a water boat competition. We had a wonderful time playing with the boats. Someone actually sank the remote-controlled boat! We then proceed to make rockets. It was very exciting! Initially, we had a tough time trying to understand the instructor’s words but fortunately, our buddy (from China) was patient and demonstrated the steps to us slowly. It was a really thrilling experience making our own rockets!
May's thoughts:
When I woke up in the morning, I felt a really sharp pain in my stomach's right area. It was so painful that I can't even get up from my bed... We went to Jinxin Primary today... there were young students welcoming us... so cute...
5th November- That morning, we went downstairs to have a breakfast buffet before
proceeding to Jin Xin Primary School
. At the entrance of the school, we could see that the school compound was enormous! There was even a playground there! After the welcome speech by the students and the principal of the school, we toured round the school. They really had lots of facilities in the school!Then, we were divided into groups and we proceeded to different classes. Some students went to have P.E, others to have Maths or Chinese lessons. As for May and I, we attended their arts lesson where they taught us how to create a symmetrical drawing. We found it very surprising to see the students being so active during lessons: at least half of the class would raise their hands whenever the teacher asked a question! I also realised that during discussions, the students were allowed to talk as loudly as they wanted to! They were very attentive and seemed very eager to learn more.
After the lessons, we went for lunch. We could not buy our own food like in Singapore. I feel very lucky that our school sells a variety of food instead of serving a standard meal. However, I feel that the students there would have a balanced meal instead of eating only their favourite food. After feeding our stomach, we had a water boat competition. We had a wonderful time playing with the boats. Someone actually sank the remote-controlled boat! We then proceed to make rockets. It was very exciting! Initially, we had a tough time trying to understand the instructor’s words but fortunately, our buddy (from China) was patient and demonstrated the steps to us slowly. It was a really thrilling experience making our own rockets!
May's thoughts:
When I woke up in the morning, I felt a really sharp pain in my stomach's right area. It was so painful that I can't even get up from my bed... We went to Jinxin Primary today... there were young students welcoming us... so cute...
I attended art lessons, They taught us how to form symmetric pictures using paint:). B.T.W they learn playing remote controlled boats we got a chance to try it too... it was so fun!
May♥
May♥
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Day 1
Briefing at Changi Airport Our Group Photo
< Me and my partner Petrina- at Changi Airport
Ready for Our Journey ....
Our hotel room!
Me and Pet on the Maglev Train.... 431km/h --wow!
Petrina!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheeze!!!!!!!!!!
Petrina's thoughts:
4th November 2008 is a day that we would never forget in our lives! On that day, 40 students from Unity Pri Sch were to embark on an immersion programme to Shanghai. My buddy, May and I were among the lucky 40 students. We believe this is the first time, almost if not all of us leave our ever-doting parents behind to have a fun-filled 7 days trip without them.
On the day of departure, both of us woke up at the crack of dawn to get to the airport. The air was chilly, and as the sun rose from the horizon, the streets were awakened by the hubbub of traffic. On our way to the airport, our hearts pounded at an amazing speed and adrenaline rushed within us. We could hardly wait!
When we arrived at the airport, a few students were there already. Soon most of the pupils had arrived, and the teachers distributed our nametags and booklets. We then took a group photo before dispersing to take our group photo, but we were so excited that we could hardly eat!
At around 9.30, we assembled at the departure gate and bade farewell to our parents. We were rather afraid that we would get homesick without our parents, but excitement rolled over me in waves, and we were soon boarding our plane. The journey on the airplane was rather long, but we managed to make friends with the student around us. Could you believe it? The temperature outside was actually minus 54 degrees Celsius!
After a few hours, we reached Shanghai’s Pudong Airport! Our heart palpitated at an amazing speed as we collected our luggage and headed to the Shanghai Maglev Train Transfer where we took the world’s first Magnetic Levitation Train. We boarded the train, and WOW! The train traveled at an amazing speed of 431km/h! The train then started slanting and the whole world seemed slanting too!
Within a few mere minutes, we reached our destination, and took a bus to our hotel-the Shanghai Astronautics Hotel.
We went to our hotel rooms and left our luggage there and went to the restaurant in the hotel for dinner. Then, we assembled for our briefing before we got back to our rooms and prepared our things for the next day. It was a really exhausting day, and fell asleep soon! :0zzz
Petrina♥♥
May's thoughts:
I can't belive I'm really going to Shanghai on my own! But I'm pretty sure I'm gonna get home sick... 'sighs' My sis was still sleeping so I just gave her a kiss and here we go...
My dad drove me there, we had lunch with our parents after we cheked in our luggages then gathered again. I bade farewell to my parents... 7 days without my family would be quite sad... I would REALLY REALLY miss my family...
When we arrived at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, we took the Maglev Train to the City... The Maglev Train Travelled at the speed of 431 km/h WOW!!!! So many times faster than Singapore's SMRT train... When we stepped out of the Maglev Train, it was chilling....
When we arrrived at the Astronautics Hotel,
we got our room keys... Me and Petrina's room was 1601, our room was at the end of the corridor whereby there is a opened transparent door located on the right side of our room (looking from the view when you step out of the room) so it was kinda spooky...
The silence was creepy so we on the TV loudly so that it would not be so scary... We had to gather in the conference room so we stepped out of the room and were too scared to close the door... we ran and screamed like hooligans... we went down and asked Ms Yap for help to close the door... too bad for us we forgot to take the key out when Ms Yap an us step out of the room.
Thats all for now... ;)
May♥♥
4th November 2008 is a day that we would never forget in our lives! On that day, 40 students from Unity Pri Sch were to embark on an immersion programme to Shanghai. My buddy, May and I were among the lucky 40 students. We believe this is the first time, almost if not all of us leave our ever-doting parents behind to have a fun-filled 7 days trip without them.
On the day of departure, both of us woke up at the crack of dawn to get to the airport. The air was chilly, and as the sun rose from the horizon, the streets were awakened by the hubbub of traffic. On our way to the airport, our hearts pounded at an amazing speed and adrenaline rushed within us. We could hardly wait!
When we arrived at the airport, a few students were there already. Soon most of the pupils had arrived, and the teachers distributed our nametags and booklets. We then took a group photo before dispersing to take our group photo, but we were so excited that we could hardly eat!
At around 9.30, we assembled at the departure gate and bade farewell to our parents. We were rather afraid that we would get homesick without our parents, but excitement rolled over me in waves, and we were soon boarding our plane. The journey on the airplane was rather long, but we managed to make friends with the student around us. Could you believe it? The temperature outside was actually minus 54 degrees Celsius!
After a few hours, we reached Shanghai’s Pudong Airport! Our heart palpitated at an amazing speed as we collected our luggage and headed to the Shanghai Maglev Train Transfer where we took the world’s first Magnetic Levitation Train. We boarded the train, and WOW! The train traveled at an amazing speed of 431km/h! The train then started slanting and the whole world seemed slanting too!
Within a few mere minutes, we reached our destination, and took a bus to our hotel-the Shanghai Astronautics Hotel.
We went to our hotel rooms and left our luggage there and went to the restaurant in the hotel for dinner. Then, we assembled for our briefing before we got back to our rooms and prepared our things for the next day. It was a really exhausting day, and fell asleep soon! :0zzz
Petrina♥♥
May's thoughts:
I can't belive I'm really going to Shanghai on my own! But I'm pretty sure I'm gonna get home sick... 'sighs' My sis was still sleeping so I just gave her a kiss and here we go...
My dad drove me there, we had lunch with our parents after we cheked in our luggages then gathered again. I bade farewell to my parents... 7 days without my family would be quite sad... I would REALLY REALLY miss my family...
When we arrived at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, we took the Maglev Train to the City... The Maglev Train Travelled at the speed of 431 km/h WOW!!!! So many times faster than Singapore's SMRT train... When we stepped out of the Maglev Train, it was chilling....
When we arrrived at the Astronautics Hotel,
we got our room keys... Me and Petrina's room was 1601, our room was at the end of the corridor whereby there is a opened transparent door located on the right side of our room (looking from the view when you step out of the room) so it was kinda spooky...
The silence was creepy so we on the TV loudly so that it would not be so scary... We had to gather in the conference room so we stepped out of the room and were too scared to close the door... we ran and screamed like hooligans... we went down and asked Ms Yap for help to close the door... too bad for us we forgot to take the key out when Ms Yap an us step out of the room.
Thats all for now... ;)
May♥♥
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