2 Days In School Without AC

No AC, NO AC! In Singapore! These two days, Monday and Tuesday, we ran out of air conditioning at school. There were some problem with the compressor of the AC, the one that was connected to grade 7 and 8 classes, offices, and library. This one had some problems a few times before already. It has been making noises the week before. We can here the AC on the first floor from the second floor.

On Monday, I went to school, prepared my stuff. I went to homeroom class on the second floor, where most classes I go are on. And then, I thought "Why is it so hot in here?" I went out back to the corridor where the lockers are, and my classmate told me "No AC today. It's broken." Then I got it.

Monday, I went through the day without having any air conditioning. In the morning it was okay, the sun wasn't high up yet at homeroom, and I went to French for second period where there is AC. However, when I go back to Humanities, which is third period on Monday, I'm back with the heat again. It was starting to get hot but it was still okay. It's just, there wasn't wind going in the open window and the heat from the first two classes are stuck. PE was normal, actually better for that day. Go to gym where there is AC, and take a shower after class. Lunch was normal, too. Afterwards, I went to intramural where we did hockey. It was fun, but I had sweat all over my body. I went to class, and I guess, I've forgotten there wasn't AC, not until I was about to go in. I though "Oh yeah. Well,  hope there is AC". Answer is NO! I was soaked and hot and the classroom was even hotter than at the corridor. I couldn't stand it during science I had to stand up and move around. After Science, it was Math where there is big AC always, which is usually too cold for me. I expected it but then I realised... Luckily, it was drama next and it was nice and comfortable with suitable AC there. The last class which was LA (English) was as bad as Science. With all the heat from previous classes stuck in there, uh oh...

It was finally the end of school, and I went home quickly for shower.

Tuesday, which is today, I was wishing to have AC again. But sometimes, I mean usually, that is impossible. I immediately went into a classroom to see if there's AC today. Answer is NO! First period was IT/ Design, which was quite fun as we are 3D modelling using softwares. It was good as the sun wasn't high and we were the first class so the heat doesn't, you know... Next class, LA. It was really bad, I guess, it's because there wasn't fan in there, and, the location. The outside of LA class is not totally opened, so the heat doesn't leave. Drama was good, it was the best class for today. After drama, Math, WORSE OF THE DAY, I think it's because it's the last class, and it was afternoon. The whole time I was sitting there, listening, totally not willing to talk. When I was looking at the ebook, my hand was stuck on the trackpad, sticky. And I felt dizzy when I did the exercises. After Math, I went to the lockers and that was when I had a headache.

We were told there's some problems and it probably won't be fix in a short time. Now, I think AC's important. I hope there will be AC at school fast. At home, it's only a few people and the ceiling is higher and it's bigger, and there's fan, so no AC is okay. But here at school in Singapore, no...

My First Time Sailing

At school, we have outdoor pursuits and we have sailing in Mana Mana Singapore for this time. I have never went sailing before. I watched how others sail and observe, I listened to the couch. However, sailing is to be learned through experience. My partner have sailed a few times before, so I let him control the sail; And I did the stirring. Something thrilling happened that made me look forward to sailing the next time. Although what happened may not be as exciting as what others think, it was my first time, so... This is what happened.

First we went out the water on the sailboat, everything was good. I was doing the stirring and my partner was controlling the sail. The wind was okay so we went quite fast. We reach the a buoy which was quite close to shore, and that was the point where we are asked to go back to shore. We started turning but the wind became huge, so we made a big turn, success. And went under the boom and switch sides so I can face the sail (or else the wind is going to blow the whole boat over- capsize), but, my partner stayed on the same side, facing the opposite of the sail- Which he said is because he forgot. The wind, my partners weight, my weight can't hold it. I leaned back more and more to balance the sail boat, and it worked! But then, the boat was starting to tilt. It tilted and tilted and tilted. It was so tilted the whole boat was like 70º and I was standing on the opposite side. When I was about to jump down so I don't get stuck under the boat when it capsize, my partner lost balance, and he fell. Luckily, without his weight, the boat could finally balance, but I didn't know how to control the sail. I was trying but I don't know what to do. Although the sail was swinging, it got into the correct position finally. With the wind, I was going back to the shore, fast. I was going into a rock, and I panicked, so I just turned the tiller. That was when I recognised it was the wrong direction. I quickly turn it the opposite position, and I smoothly went back to shore.

It was really fun and I am looking forward to going to sailing next time- my second time. Anything's going to happen next time!

What Makes My Heart Sing

Frankly, I'm busy everyday I barely have any free time and my life is stressful. So busy that I am happy even when I finish my work and have some time for RESTING and relaxing. Generally, what makes my heart sing too is when I get BETTER. If I know, understand, learn more, get better at different things. But there are things that I like to do instead of finishing up my work or getting better. I like DESIGNING AND CREATING. I like writing stories and poems, creating musics, drawing something, making things with tools... All I like to do is to take time and CREATE AND MAKE something.

Cultural “Dos and Don’ts”- Hong Kong

Cultural “Dos and Don’ts”- Hong Kong

Please remember: Hong Kong people here is Hong Kong Chinese; Chinese here is Hong Kong people; Hong Kong is part of China

Welcome to Hong Kong- the eighth most technologically advanced city that shines day and night with high internet speed! It has 294 completed skyscrapers, which is the city the most buildings in the world. It has the ninth largest port. It has the 30th highest population, with a population density of 6415 capita/km² . Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region in Southern China that is once ruled by the British, and Hong Kong speaks Cantonese. It is a really advanced city with many different religions and different people, and it has at least 50 tourist attractions to go- including an ocean park with real animals and exciting roller coasters, peak with the best views, beautiful sunsets on islands, antiquities and ancient buildings. All waiting for you! What a worth trip! To let you enjoy a successful trip in Hong Kong, let me tell you a several important cultural rules and cultural etiquette in Hong Kong.

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MEETING AND GREETING

When you arrive at Hong Kong, no matter as a businessman or a relative or a guest, you may want to meet or visit someone first. Hong Kong people are usually friendly and do not talk about what you did wrong. However, to let both parties have a more relax, joyful and successful time, there are a few rules I am going to tell you about meeting and greeting.

Firstly, Hong Kong is a flourishing city with a lot of business to deal with, so they rush a lot. Therefore, being on time for an appointment is expected, early is usually acceptable but not too much. If you are late, apologise repeatedly even if it was not your fault. And if someone you are waiting for is late, give a courtesy time of thirty minutes.

Secondly, Hong Kong people may stand close when talking, but they are reserved and uncomfortable with body contact- Hugging, kissing or patting on others' back should be avoided. It is because public displays of emotions is especially embarrassing and uncomfortable for Chinese including Hong Kong people since old times.

Eye contact can be made of course, but avoid prolonged and direct eye contact. It is impolite to make prolonged or direct eye contact even if you are not staring because Hong Kong people feel awkward and uncomfortable with it. As said so, it is due to the tradition of no public displays of emotions. Lowering eyes with the head slightly tipped down, is a sign of respect because it is like bowing.

One reminder, Hong Kong people have their last name- surname said first in Chinese. Therefore, be careful you call them Mr. “first name”, for respect.

Last but not least, make sure you understand a party’s true feeling so there is no misunderstanding. In Hong Kong, saying “yes” may not mean an agreement, sometimes it actually means “I hear you” or “I get you”. And on the other side, Hong Kong people are non-confrontational and do not say “no” directly even if they disagree, they do so to not embarrass others. They sometimes sucks air through their teeth which means they are unhappy about your idea or opinion. They also say "it needs consideration" or "I am not sure about this". Make sure  you understand their true feelings, and do it their way too.

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GESTURES

When you meet others, make sure you are giving the correct gestures in Hong Kong so you don’t offend them. Here I am telling you a two more important ones.

Firstly, when you are dining and someone fills your teacup, you express your thank by tapping on the table with three fingers- index, middle, and fourth. One finger represents bowed head, while the other two represents prostate arms.

Lastly, avoid pointing or using a finger to beckon someone since that is used for dogs. Instead, extend your arm with your palm down, and move your finger towards yourself. However, this is still impolite and unsuitable for elders. The way you beckon anyone who needs more respect- including elders, someone older than you, and someone with higher position- is to make a fairly short eye contact with them and bow, or nod slightly. It is the most polite way to beckon someone in Hong Kong.

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GIFTS

When you visit others in Hong Kong, a gift or two are expected, and presents from your own tradition or region is especially appreciated. However, there are a lot of rules for giving gifts in China including Hong Kong, about how it sounds and how it looks and what it symbolises. Here I will tell you a couple more important ones that has more serious consequences.

Clocks of any type should be avoided because giving a clock in Cantonese (and “some other Chinese language” will be what I mean afterwards) sounds like the funeral rituals. Clocks also symbolise time running out. Hence, the end of relationships and lives are the messages sent when a clock is given as a gift.

Giving a green hat as a gift is extremely serious. It implies that a man's wife is unfaithful to her husband. It means that the wife has a relationship with whoever gave the green hat. This is because turtles hide their heads in their green shells; while the wife puts her head under the green hat. A turtle hiding its head is like a coward they say. Therefore, this means the man's wife is a coward and is unfaithful to her husband.

When giving gifts, please pay attention to numbers, because they sound like different words and represents different things, as Chinese care quite a lot about how they pronounce words. Gifts in 3 are good because “three” in Cantonese sounds like “life” in Cantonese. Gifts in 9 are good because “nine” in Cantonese sounds like “eternity” in Cantonese. Gifts in 8 are good because “eight” in Cantonese sounds like “prosperity” in Cantonese. Gifts in 4 are bad because “four” in Cantonese sounds like “death” in Cantonese. Odd number represents bad luck because they say "doubles makes pairs" which means people become pairs- which is a good thing- when there are even numbers. Odd numbers are the opposite of even numbers, so it meaning is the opposite, which is bad luck, and not good.

Last but not least, colours represents different things too, so be careful. White or black are often used in funerals as Chinese think they are too pure and has a boring, dull and depress atmosphere. Therefore, wrapping paper and envelopes in white or black should be avoided. Gold are lucky colours because Chinese like gold and gold is very rare, so if they get gold things, it represents they are very lucky and have a good fortune. Therefore, gold gifts and gold wrapping paper are good.

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DINING

In Hong Kong, there is a whole lot of delicious food waiting for you to try- including fish-balls, siu mais, dim sums, pineapple buns, white radish cake, char siu rice, sticky rice and rice rolls. All these food that makes you drip! Still, there are a few etiquettes that you may want to know about dining.

Let me start with planting chopsticks in the food. To do so reminds people of the incense sticks standing up in the sand at Buddhist funerals. It is extremely impolite and should always be avoided.

Secondly, passing food from one pair of chopsticks to another is also impolite should always be prevented. It is because it resembles the way that bones are handled by families after the cremation of relation. If you want to pass some of your food to others, pick it up, place it on a separate plate, and let the other person pick it up with their own chopsticks.

Thirdly, turning a fish over while dining is inappropriate. Before then, people are mostly fishermans, they think when you flip the fish over, it looks like a boat capsizing, and it would be a really bad luck and bad incident to have a boat capsizing. Hence, they believe that turning a fish over brings really really bad luck and serious consequences.

Moreover, always leave some food in the serving plate, otherwise it is impolite. Also, leave some food in the plate when you are full to let the host know. If you do not do so and they do not know you are full, they will serve you more, and more, and more, because they always like people to be full!

Lastly, when you finish your food, and if you loved it and enjoyed it and think it is delicious, give a burp. Don’t be afraid, it is a compliment for the host and the cook, it means the food is delicious and you are full, as long as it’s not a long, disgusting one!

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REFUSING AND DISAGREEING

You may hear Hong Kong refusing or saying “no” a lot even when it is about something good. Do not be worried, they do so because traditionally Hong Kong people are brought up to show humility always. Do not be scared, but go along with it and follow them.

Do refuse a gift or food or drink or anything that is offered, refuse a few times before accepting, otherwise it's considered greedy. Say “no” when you get a compliment to show humbleness and politeness, it just means “Oh, it is nothing really”. Do not agree others to pay the bill but fight to pay the bill. Hong Kong people consider it is good manner to attempt to pay the bill loudly and strenuously. If you do not do so, others may think that you do not want to pay for the bill and you are being greedy.

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Follow the rules, make yourself a good impression to other Hong Kong people, and have a successful trip. Wish you a great trip in Hong Kong!

Where I'm From

WHERE I’M FROM

By Me

Looking at the sky, thinking of where I’m from,

the stars and moon are the same,

but I am a world away from home.

I am from skyscrapers that reach the sky,

racing with the mountains which surround them,

where beneath is crowded streets with thousands and thousands of different customs of people,

where shops, restaurants and offices are all located,

where busy business by days and nights knits a network all over.

I am from beeps and vrooms and pings.

I am from fast speeds,

of twenty-five-minutes lunches,

and tons of statements an hour.

I am from a school among schools,

where schoolmates were like neighbours.

I am from an estate among estates,

where neighbours were like families.

I am from a flat among flats,

where lived a family which never gave up one another.

I am from a flat,

where lived a dreamer,

who worked with his studies till dinner,

and watched television later.

I am from watching television for quarters,

while wishing Dad would come home earlier,

just like a dog waiting for its owner.

I am from swimming pools and amusement parks,

from weekly family gatherings with arts, crafts and darts,

which in my mind they’re marked.

I am from the clock which annoyed me in class,

from the clock which frightened me during  tests,

from the clock which rushed me at weekends,

from the clock which gave me new chances every morning.

Because I am from stories and experiences of time.

This is where I’m from,

I am from my home,

where the stars and moon are the same.

But home seems a world away.