Music and Art Classes for Rachel

One of the weekends in January, my little darling told me that she wanted to learn music. I was happy as well as shocked. I remembered one year ago, I brought her to Yamaha Music School and asked if she wanted to learn Music. Her answer then was a straight and firm NO! Yet, now she herself told me that she wanted to learn. So that very afternoon, both of us went down to Yamaha Music School at Jurong West to find out more about the course. We were told then that the course already started in January 2008, but there will be another class in April 2008 and we could registered our name under their waiting list for April's class. Rachel was quite disappointed then that she couldn't start immediately.

The next day, which was a Sunday, we went down to Jurong West Street 51 where most of the enrichment, tuition centres were, to check out the Music schools and courses there. We went to Cristofori Music School. Rachel wanted to learn Electone Organ but I told her no. Firstly, we must have the Organ at home in order for her to practice, and there was the cost factor to consider. Secondly, she was too short to step on the pedal with her left leg and control the volume with her right leg if she were to be seated on the stool. :P. Learning piano seemed quite okay for me except that I got to get the piano, and for Rachel she may have to exert lot of strength to play the key. 2 down and left with Electronic Keyboard. Cheap to get the Keyboard and also just right for Rachel. There was a time slot for Sunday, 3pm - 3.30pm and it was an individual course. Rachel was very interested then and wanted to start the lesson immediately. I registered her for the course then and told her the lesson will start only in February.

We got a 61-key keyboard through my sister's boyfriend who's working in a toy warehouse. Cheap and free! It cost only $20 as it was a display set with a little crack at the back (which was not noticeable), and was a gift from him to Rachel. :) So far, she has started the lesson for 1 month and starting to play with both hands. :)

As for the Art Class, it is held at the CC which is less than 10 mins walk from my house. 4 of her friends are in the class and she wanted to join them too. She had her first lesson last night. Guess what? They were told to draw a Python! Nearly faint when I went to fetch her after her class. Of all animals why must the teacher teach them to draw that????? And guess what? My dear girl, anxious to go home, did not finish coloring the background. Teacher rejected her work of cos and she had to finish coloring the background as well as to draw the outline. At the end of the whole thing, her Python to me looked more like a duck. Ha ha ha ! :D

She showed her teacher her artwork and when the teacher was commenting on her work, she was very disappointed. Teacher showed her again how to draw the Python and as it was only her first lesson, she was given a B for the coloring and effort. :) After that, we went to Mac for snack. She was still very grumpy and disappointed as it was shown all over her face. I asked if she enjoyed the art class, she said: No Lah! Teacher don't know how to draw snake! I don't want to join already. Ha ha ha. Then I realised that her little pride was hurt by the teacher's comments. Told her it's alright, as it was only her first art lesson. Next time, listen to teacher's instructions carefully. If don't know, ask teacher again. At the end, bought her a Mac ice-cream cone and she cheered up again. Sigh...

Today, she is practising at home, learning to draw that Python to show to her teacher that she can draw. Ha ha ha

Long time no post...

It was really such a long time since my last posting. Whew! Had been really busy, with what? Work lor, what's new?? Well, since when have I become such a workaholic? Where have all my party life went? Sigh.

During these few months, nothing much happened. Home - office - home life as usual. This January was different becos it was BONUS TIME! Hurray! Worked for 1 year just for this day! Just as my paycheck was being deposited into my bank account, my mum told me that she needed to get a new cupboard to store all the things in the kitchen, namely the floor rags, etc. She has even checked out the design, measurement, price and color available for the cupboard! I bought another cabinet for my room. So there goes part of my paycheck.

Since Jonathan is in the morning class this year, my mum will have to bring Jonathan to school at around 6.45am and so I will have to wake Rachel up and change for her etc. Her mummy here is already always waking up late, already not enough time for ownself still got to tie Rachel's hair. Sigh... So here I am, suggesting that she cut her hair short, since her teachers have also been telling her that. She agreed to cut her hair, and when I brought her to my hairstylist, he asked us what design we had in mind to cut. Rachel replied : Cut the same design as my mummy. :P She loves her new hair style, especially when people commented that she looks like mummy. She just hate it when people told her that she looks like "him".

And CNY is approaching, got to buy new clothes. I guess, this year I spent the most on clothes. Just last Wed, I spent $320 on clothings in a shop itself. When I left the shop with the 10 pieces of clothings that I bought, I felt my heart bleeding too! Since when I spent so much on myself, especially on clothes! My God!

Last Thursday, in the morning around 10am, I got a call from my mum. She told me that Rachel's school teacher called her informing her that Rachel had vomitted twice in school since that morning. And as Rachel had ran out of clean clothes, her teacher asked my mum to bring new clothing for Rachel. Told my mum to bring Rachel to see the doctor, better don't wait and hurry! Guess what? I called my mum back 10 mins later, she told me that she was about to go and buy new sets of clothes for Rachel as well as to check if the clinic was still open. I was so angry and pissed off! What was she doing during the last 10 mins? Still chit chatting with her friends???? What can I say or do when I myself was still in the office? Luckily clinic was still open when my mum went to fetch Rachel back from school. The doctor said that Rachel's tummy was quite bloated and she should be okay. Just got to be careful with what she eats as her digestive system is not that good.

When Rachel reached home, she called me and told me that she had just seen the doctor and that she vomitted in school etc. Told her to take the med and sleep for a while and mummy will "try" to come back asap. As I was leaving the office at around 8pm, I got a call from my mum asking me where am I etc. As usual, working late again. Guess what? My mum said that Rachel had a fall and she had scratches on her face! My God! I was so worried about how bad the fall was? Did she hurt her eyes? And also CNY is approaching and she fell and hurt her face! I was so worried and went to took a cab back home instead of MRT. Thank God there was no q at the taxi stand, partly becos of the increase in cab fare.

Rushed all the way home and found that Rachel was already sleeping. Guess she was too tired due to the medicine she took and from all the crying she had from the fall. My mum told me that she kept questioning Rachel as to how she fell, she just shrugged and said don't know. There were no bruises or scratches on her hands and legs except her face! I was wondering how she fell too! Questioned Jonathan too but he said don't know too. When I looked at my sleeping princess with her bruised face, my heart just broke.. :(

Next morning as I bathe Rachel before she went to school, I asked her how she fell she told me that Jonathan told her to step on his shoulder. As she step on it, Gor gor fell and she fell next on the ground. That was how she hurt her face. Nearly fainted! Were they trying to play Lion Dance???? I asked her that how come Ah-ma asked her last night and she refused to say anything? Replied : Gor gor said cannot tell Ah-ma.. can only tell mummy. *Faint faint faint! So much for being loyal to Gor gor. Luckily her scratches are healing quite fast and well now. Told Rachel that if my CNY, her scratches still shows, she's going to stay at home with me. Since then i bet she must have been praying very hard for it to heal asap!

Last Sunday, I brought Rachel to Christofori Music School at Jurong West St 51 to enquire if there was any classes suitable for her. Found out that they have got a Children Music Course for age 4 and above. Rachel was so excited about it. We took a tour round the school (it was actually quite small). There were piano classes and Electone Keyboard classes going on then. I asked Rachel if she was really interested in learning and which one she wanted to learn? She told me that she wanted to learn the Electone Organ. I was surprised and happy at her choice becos that was what mummy used to learnt. :) But then, I told her no. Reason : she was too short and small size. How to step on the pedals and played on the upper and lower keyboard, yet still got to read the scores? So we decided to choose Electone Keyboard. Reason being the keys are softer than piano and also cheaper to get a Electone Keyboard than buying a Piano or Electone Organ. So, I registered her for the Electone Keyboard course starting on 3 Feb 2008. Rachel can't wait for the class to start. In fact, she insisted that she wanted to start learning that very day. I hope she will keep this enthusiasm going and not only for a short period of time.

Now, we are just counting down our days to 3 Feb 2008 and CNY for the great long holidays. :

Rachel's 4th Birthday Celebrations

Rachel turned 4

Time flies and Rachel is already now 4 years old. Initially was wondering how to celebrate for her. About 2 weeks before her birthday, I asked Rachel where and how she wants to celebrate this year. She told me that she wanted to celebrate at my void deck with her friends and also at school. She chose void deck because there was place for the children to play and the playground is nearby. I thought, not a bad idea. Can order buffet and invite my friends and a few of my relatives. :) Rachel too, wanted to invite her younger cousins over. But then, my mother opposed to it. Reason given was no body to invite and so troublesome.

So next, I told Rachel that Ah-ma opposed to having the party at void deck, which is the next place she wants to hold her party. Answer : Coffeeshop lor. My friends everyday also go down. We can ride our bicycle at the basketball court or go over to the playground. Ah-ma everyday also there. So that's it. Birthday party at coffeeshop.

I told my sister and brother that the birthday party for Rachel is to be held on 21 Oct '07, 6.30pm at Blk 498 Coffeeshop. Their response was : Huh? Kopitiam???? Ok lor.... I also invited Rachel's friends who are my mum's friend's daughters. So for this Birthday Party, there were only 4 kids attending it - Rachel, Jonathan, Rachel (friend) and her sister Vivian. :) The rest were Uncles, Aunties, Ah- Gongs and Ah - Mas (all Grandma's friends) ;P

I bought 1 Roast Duck, a good portion of Roast Pork, ordered chicken wings, nuggets, sausages, french fries, Seafood Fried Rice, Fried HongKong noddle and Xing Zhou Mee Hoon and an ice cream cake with the Disney Princess picture. Initially my mum kept telling me, no need to order so much lah.. i never tell a lot of people. Only told a FEW uncles and aunties only. In the end, the turn out: 4 kids 15 adults (including me and my mum). The staff at the Zi chai, western food and drinks stall came over and asked whose birthday were we celebrating and even gave us discount. :P Not too bad... Then my mum, being so popular at the coffeeshop due to the long hours sitting and gossiping there, seemed to know everyone who passed by. The moment she saw one of her friends, she will invite them to sit down and eat. Sigh.. Not enough food and got to order another Fried HongKong noddle.

Although it was just a small gathering more than party, Rachel enjoyed herself. She got a big Barney from my sis' bf, 1 set of "barbie" toys and ang pows.. And of all the presents, her favourite was the Barney, and it's now taking a portion of my bed. At night, I asked if she was happy with her "party", she told me yes! Very Happy! Very nice!

On her actual birth date, she got another small celebration in school. Just ordered a Hello Kitty design, strawberry flavour cake from Polar for her. It was also a gift from my sister for her birthday. Her teacher told me to reach the school best before 3pm, but that morning, I had a last minute appointment at Ang Mo Kio Techpark. At first still thought that there was enough time, just to meet the client to sign the documents and go. Who knows, stupid client, delayed the whole thing and by the time I stepped out of their office, it was already 12pm.

I dropped by Eve's house to have lunch with her as well as to collect her present for Rachel. Had a quick lunch with her and rushed off to collect the cake. My God! I reached Jurong Point at 2.45pm and ran all the way down to Polar counter to collect the cake. The staff told me to wait as she need to go to the fridge to get the cake out. I told her to be quick as I need to reach the school by 3pm. Got the cake like 5 mins later because the staff was taking her own sweet time to collect the cake. Managed to get a cab without waiting and rushed to the school. Reached the school at 3pm sharp. The children were just waking up from their afternoon nap.

When Rachel woke up, kept her mattress, she turned and saw me. She started jumping and clinging on to me. She was told by her teacher to sit at the table while the rest were to sit at their class. The seats at the table was arranged by the teacher according to their behaviour. When her friends saw the Hello Kitty cake, they all commented that it was very nice and Rachel was so proud of it. :) Then they started singing the birthday song in English and Chinese and Rachel cut the cake. For her school celebration, there was no candles and she has blown it on Sunday. My mum insisted that birthday candle can only blow once so no choice, and Rachel agreed to it earlier.

Rachel's teacher cut a piece of cake and told her to gave it to me as well as thank me for buying her this cake. When Rachel presented that first piece of cake and thanked me, I felt so happy, pleased and proud of her. :D That piece of cake just taste extremely sweet. :) Her friends said that the cake was very nice and most of them had second helpings except of Rachel. All along, she don't really like cakes but then she likes the cream. Her teacher scooped up the balance cream for her and she finished them! So creamy!!

After the short tea break celebration, Rachel refused to attend her Chinese class. She wanted to go home with me. I told her that I will picked her up 1 hour later, she started tearing. Seeing her like that, I also relented and told her only for that day as it was her special day. The rest of the days, no such things. She immediately put away her cup, collect her water bottle and was jumping up and down, saying goodbyes to her friends and teachers. So off she went home with me. Dinner was at coffeeshop again, just a simple dinner.

Now when people asked her how old is she, she will replied very proudly : Last time I'm Three but now I'm Four! :)

Rachel's School Performance

Rachel's Childcare centre held their School Kindergarten Graduation cum Family Get-Together last sat, 29 September 2007, at Japanese Garden Rest House.

We were quite worried about Rachel as last year performance, she just stood straight on the stage, scratching her head. She was very nervous and scared at the big crowd then. Luckily, this year was different. Phew!

On Saturday itself, she woke up at 7-ish am and told me that she wanted her milk and changed quickly to go to school as she was having her school performance that day. Told her that school won't be open till later in the afternoon. They were told to reach the school by 1.45pm on that day. She was very excited that day.

Around 12pm, we brought her to school, thinking could change and do her make up in the school. Who knows, none of the teachers were there! I think they reached there only at 1pm. No choice, we brought Rachel back home to change and make up for her. Of cos, her make up was done by my mum. Friends who know me, will know that I don't put on makeup. :P

Before Rachel's performance, we (me and my mum) kept telling her that she has to dance, and not stand on the stage "gong gong' like last year. And we also told her that if she dance on stage, we will bring her to Jurong Point as reward. Hee! Hee! Hee! Even my sister and her boyfriend, Uncle Blackie, came to give her their support. My sister hor, never attended any of her son's performance, yet can apply for leave to watch Rachel perform... So touch man! :P Ha ha ha

About 15 minutes before Rachel's performance, the kids played and push a little and next thing was a kid was crying. That kid happened to be RACHEL.. sigh.. she said her friend, Yi wei, hit her and Yi wei said that she already apologized to Rachel. sigh.. how to control a bunch of kids outdoor?

Luckily for Rachel, she turned her tear tap on and off real fast. So within minutes she stopped crying and some of her make up gone too. When she was onstage, she started looking around the crowd for us. Once the music started, she started dancing. :D Her performance is just slightly more than 2 minutes. After her performance, I think she was too tired. She was the only one sitting at the seats allocated while the rest were running about. My mum went over and passed her a bottle of mineral water and a packet of biscuit, so she just sat there alone, eating her biscuits.

After another 2 performances by the K1 and K2 students, all the students went up on stage for Grand Finale performance - singing of their school song, Que Sera Sera and a chinese song - Wai Po de Pen Hu Wan. After the songs, there was a break of like 15 mins and we went around taking pictures.

After the pictures taking, we went back to the Rest House. Now the teachers were stationed in their own counter - there's a Hand Henna Counter, Nail Painting Counter, Fishing Counter and a Catch the Ball Counter. Well, it's not FOC though. We got to buy tickets for the games - $1 each. My sister's bf bought 3 tickets, 1 ticket was for Rachel to play the games and the other 2 for food. My mum also bought another ticket for food. So, Rachel got her right hand henna by her favourite and form teacher, Teacher Renna, nails painted by Teacher Punna. She got tried the fishing game. At around 5.15pm, there was a lucky draw by the school. We won 3 prizes out of the 4 tickets bought. Ha ha ha! Even the school principal announced.. Oh! So lucky! It's Rachel's mummy again! :D The prizes we won were just a small gestures type. We won a Simplex Build and Play, a box of Rocher and a paper clip stand.

By the time we reached home at 6pm, we were all dead tired. Both Rachel and me took a nap and at 8pm, we were out again out for a dinner with my mum's friends. Here's a video of Rachel's dance performance, but sorry pals.. it's a bit shaky and no music. Blame my brother for buying such a lousy camera. Anyway, have told him, it's time to upgrade our digital camera. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBDewZr19_4

Check out my Slide Show!

My trip to Beijing

My boss qualified for 3 tickets to Beijing this August and he was very generous as to give 1 of his ticket to me. That's how I got a free 5D 4 N trip to Beijing. :) Not sure if it's a good thing becos 2 weeks before the trip, I got to work like shit! But I really enjoyed the trip as I got to see and leart a lot of their history.

My office driver came to fetch me up at 6.10am on Mon (17 Sept '07) to the Airport. My God! He was half an hour late when he picked me up. Claimed that he couldn't find the place but when I gave him the directions to my place, he claimed that he was back at the same spot. This type of people just don't know how to lie... sigh.. After picking me up, rushed to pick my boss and after which to pick his Mentor cum boss at Joo Chiat and headed straight down to Airport. We were supposed to reach the airport by 6.50am but we reached there around 7.10am. Still not that bad as my driver was driving all the way at the speed of 110.

Took SQ flight to Beijing.. Good service as usual. But we met 3 turbulence on the way to Beijing. It was quite bad and scary and it happened during our meal onboard. Thank God, we managed to reach Beijing safely and on time at 3pm. Their Airport was quite small and it was not air-conditioned. Weather was very hazy then and it was around 24 Degree Celsius. We got to travel for 1 hour in order to reach our Hotel - Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing. It is a new hotel, around 30 mins walk to Forbidden City, 10 mins to Wangfujing Shi Jie (Roadside stalls).

By the time we reached our Hotel, checked-in, freshen up, we were out for our appreciation dinner at Diaoyutai State Guest House. Nice scenery but when we arrived there at 8pm, it was raining and quite dark. Don't want to take the risk of taking photos out in dark in case I see "something". ;P. The Guesthouse is renowned for the culinary feats of its kitchens. But then, maybe it was not up to my taste buds.. not really fancy the food. Mostly were soups, at the end of the meal, you will find that your stomach is bloated with water. :( After dinner, we went back to the hotel to put our door gift, which was one of the Olympics Fu Wa. I met up again with my boss, 5 of my colleagues and another 3 FAs from other coys to go drinking. We went to a pub called Suzy Wong, which is just like our Mdm Wong here but on a smaller scale. A lot of Ang Mohs in there, sound system sucks. We finished a bottle of Chivas, 2 bottles of beer in like 2 hours and we headed back to hotel for the night as we had to wake up early the next day.

Day 2, we went to the Insurer's business office for a visit. No choice, we got to go as this was TM AsiaLife's incentive trip. We were there for like 2 hrs and during their speech, I was dozing away. ;P After the visit, we went for our Peking Duck Lunch. Every dishes were cooked using Duck. Just the Peking Duck itself, we had 2 and a half duck to each table. Scared of eating duck after that. After lunch, we started our first sight-seeing trip - Tian Tan (Temple of Heaven). It is much bigger than the Forbidden City and smaller than the Summer Palace, built during the Ming Dynasty for the Emperor to offer sacrifice to Heaven. When I walked into the Temple, I was so shocked by how big compound was. We were also showed the place where the Emperor will stand and pray to the Heaven. After Tian Tan, it was time for dinner. Travelling again took 1 hr to reach the place. This time round, we went for an Imperial Dinner at Beihai Park. Another fantastic park with scenery. Food wise, sucks again. They piled the dishes up as if they were feeding pigs. After the dinner, back to hotel again. Met my boss at the lobby as he did not attend the dinner earlier. He got to go down to the Airport to make payment for his air ticket as he has to come back to Sin latest on Friday morning. We decided to go to Yaxiu Shopping Centre for shopping. When we reached the shopping centre, it was already 8.15pm. We didn't realised that shopping centres in Beijing actually close at 9pm! So early!! * sob sob* Didn't get to shop much then. Only went to 3 stores and grab whatever fits me. Bought 1 Olympic Polo shirt, 2 sets of Chinese Silk clothes for Jonathan and Rachel and 2 knitted tops for myself. Since the shop closed at 9pm, we decided to go to their Wangfujing Food street for supper. For myself, I don't dare to eat at those roadside stall for fear of stomach upset later. Seeing the rest eating so deliciously, I did try to take a few spoonful of the soup. Nice, spicy and hot. :9 After the supper, we headed back to the hotel, and the rest went for their part 3 programme - massage, I went back to my room to rest for the night.

Day 3, we climbed the Great Wall of China (Juyongguan Pass) which is 72 km, which is also the shortest of The Wall. Well, while in Singapore, I'm already exhausted when I climbed the overhead bridge! Of course, I did try to reach the 1st Tower! Bravo! Initially when we walked up the slope, we were still shooting video, taking pictures and still joking. Less than half way up, we were panting like a dog, holding on to the side bar and dragged ourselves up. One of my colleagues, Jessica, was so comical. She actually brought a tripod stand, cosmetic bag, vitamins pills all in her bag up the Great Wall. She had a bad time climbing up of course. We joked that she wanted to build the Great Wall. And that she brought along bricks and cement so that when she reached the Tower, she can put her own bricks there. :) The scenery there is really awesome! So beautiful... When we were up at Tower 1, we started to wonder how did the soldiers climbed up with their armour on and carrying all those weapons? Must be really a tough job!

After the Great Wall of China, we went to the Ming Tomb. That's where the 13 Emperors of the Ming Dynasty were buried. Well, not sure if our Guide was scared to go in or what as she mentioned that the place is very 'Yin". We did not get the chance to really explore the whole place. She only merely showed us in to the Museum to see what was buried with the Emperors. Me and 2 other advisers, Jessica and Celia, went to explore on our own. We went up to the Soul Tower, joined in other tour groups where their tour guides were giving an explanation of the place. Before we left the Soul Tower, there's a Chinese practice which all must follows.. That is, to stamp our feet hard on the ground, cross over the barrier (guy - left foot, ladies - right foot first) and shout as loud as you can : I'm back (in Chinese) and never turn back. According to them, this is to tell your soul that you are going back home.

After Ming Tomb, we went for Foot Reflexology in a Sports School. They claimed that they only massage the States' athletes but due to the building of the new Olympic Stadium, all the athletes were transferred to other places to train. So for the time being, this centre is open to tourist. During the massage, they will try to sell you their herbs bag and services, e.g. removal of dead skin, corns, clearing of fungus nails etc. Cost is only 60 RMB (S$12). I did the removal of dead skin and I'm very satisfied with the end result. After the Foot Reflexology, we went for Shanxi Dinner. Overall, I find the meal very salty. Got to drink lots of water after the meals.

On the 3rd night, we went to Hou Hai, which is like our Boat Quay. Except that the weather is much much cooler in Beijing and you wont feel sticky after sitting there for your drinks. We had a bottle of Red Wine. I took less than half a glass of it as I'm not a Red Wine drinker. We paid 100 RMB each for the Wine and snacks. That's quite cheap. After the Wine, we went to Queen at Worker's Stadium to join my Boss for drinks and dance. I don't really like that place as it was playing Techno type of songs. We finished a bottle of Martelle quite fast and ordered another 5 bottles of Heineken. By the time we finished all the drinks, it was only 2am and we headed back to the Hotel as the disco closed at 2.30am.

Day 4 we went to Forbidden City. Beautiful and majestic place! Really envy the Emperor and their family... staying in such a huge place, and the Empress and Concubines, nothing to do whole day! According to our tour guide, the only show that was filmed in Forbidden City itself is "The Last Emperor". Actually, there's nothing much to see inside. Went in through The Meridian Gate, Wumen in Chinese (southern entrance of the Forbidden City). Once inside, you will see 5 bridges with a courtyard beyond. We walked throught the central bridge that was used exclusively by the emperor. So on that particular day, we were all Emperor and Empress. After that we saw Zhonghedian (The Hall of Central Harmony), Baohedian (The Hall of Preserved Harmony), the huge marble relief of nine dragons playing with pearls. Pass through Qianqingmen (The Gate of Celestial Purity) we will see Qianqinggong (The Palace of Celestial Purity) which was the sleeping quarters of the emperors. After that Kunninggong (Palace of Terrestrial tranquility) which was empress' bedroom. newly wed emperor and empress lived in the East Warmth Chamber of this palace for just a few days. After this time, the emperor would move to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and the empress would move to another palace. The emperor's bridal suite in the East Warmth Chamber was painted red and the palace lamps were decorated with red Double Happiness symbols to create a warm and happy atmosphere. Next was the Yuhuayuan (the Imperial Garden) and just behind the garden end of the garden is Shenwumen, the Gate of Divine Might and the rear exit from the Forbidden City. When the last Emperor, Pu Yi, was driven out of the Palace, he left through this gate. Just for visiting the above places, just to look / see and take pictures, it already took us 2 hours.

After leaving the Forbidden City, we head straight to Summer Palace for our lunch and tour. This garden was built during the Jin and Qing Dynasty. the rampages of the Anglo-French allied force and was destroyed by fire. In 1888, Empress Dowager Cixi embezzled navy funds to reconstruct it for her own benefit, changing its name to Summer Palace (Yiheyuan). She spent most of her later years there, dealing with state affairs and entertaining. In 1900, it suffered again, being ransacked by the Eight-Power Allied Force. ans subsequently it was opened to the public. This place is famous for it's Long Gallery (728 m) and the different painting along it. We also took a boat ride out in the Kunming Lake. During Winter time, the Lake becomes Beijing's biggest ice-skating ring! After the boat ride, we managed to take a look of how Li Lian Ying, Empress Dowager Cixi's fav Eunuch's room look like. It's a very very small room! Guess what? Over at Summer Palace, I met my mum's friends! They were there for their holidays too! I bought a bag from their Souvenior Shop, costing only RMB 45 (S$9). :)

After the tour, we were supposed to go to TeaHouse. Another place where the Guide get to earn their commissions. As I have told my Director, Yoke Koon, the night before that my roommate and I will not be joining this TeaHouse trip as I prefer to go shopping, he decided that the whole group of us dropped off from here. Hurray! Finally get to do my shopping. We took a cab to Xidan, their local shopping centre. Their clothes there just don't suits me.. so ah lian! We took our dinner at MacDonald and took a train to Dongsishitiao which is near to another shopping centre, Yaxiu. Over there, I managed to buy Rachel and Jon a pairs of shoes, jeans for myself and they were about to close shop! My God! Can't they just close later???? :(

Since they were closing up, we got no choice but to go back to our Hotel to meet our Director for supper. When we met up, he said that he was not going to join us for supper, so the 4 of us (me, Jessica - my roommate, Wendy and Jason - couple) went to Gui jie for BBQ food. Fantastic and simply delicious. Especially their BBQ Mushroom. We ordered like 20 sticks of BBQ - beef, squid, mushrooms, meat balls, Chou Dou Fu, and 2 plates of the Shan Bei.. it cost only RMB 130 (S$26) only!! After supper, we went back to the hotel to pack up for departure the next day.

When I reach my hotel room, there was a note to us saying that on Day 5, our departure day, we will check out early at 9.30am and proceed to Yaxiu for 2 hours of shopping before heading down to the Airport. I was so happy then.. another 2 hours of shopping. On day 5, I bought 2 sets of pants & shirts for Jon, 1 Snow White long pants, 2 dresses, 3 t-shirts, a pair of Puma shoes for Rachel, a bag for my mum and a pair of Puma shoes (same design as Rachel's) for myself. Time's up, happily left Yaxiu for Airport.

Flight back to Sin was at 4pm, so after check-in, we went for a quick lunch and me, continued my shopping at their Olympics shop. Bought 2 t-shirts and some magnets back for my family. :) So fast, 5 days trip gone just like that. During these 5 days, I got to know one of our Directors, Yoke Koon, and other advisers, Celia, Jessica, Wendy, Sydney, Noel, Xiangling and Kelvin. Except for Yoke Koon, who is 2 yrs older than me, the rest are all younger than me! My God! I felt so old to be with them. :( Also, with these group of people, I can also see who my boss likes and don't likes. Well, too bad I have been mixing with the group of people whom he don't like during the trip. :) To me, I find them much more fun to be with, as we had our own drinking session and joking around with no boundaries in Beijing.

I'm glad to be back home with my darling Rachel. How I missed her! Luckily she called me every night and I got to hear her voice. I woke her up when I reached home at around 11pm. She was happily ransacking and clearing my luggage bag for her gifts! Well, home sweet home is still the best!