I am a Pill Popping Girl

I am astonished by the variety of pills I have to pop per day.

Thanks to my medical checkup recently, I was diagnosed to have a certain virus in my body. The cure, anti-biotics for 10 days, and subsequently many many days of TCM medication.

The modern TCM medication comes in the form of granules which is similar to instant mixes like 3-in 1 coffee. I have been going through the torture of having 2 packets per drink, 2 drinks per day. I completed the first dose, and now switching to the 2nd dose. Very bitter I would say but what to do? Medical help here is a far cry from the medical facilities we have at home.

First, no private consultation. The consultation room is an open office concept where there are 2 desks inside. Behind the desk is the doctor and beside, a chair for the patient. In between the consultation, patients can walk in and out to check whether it's their turn. And halfway through, the doctor will break out into a chat with the doctor sitting in front, totally ignoring your existence and your questions. In the end, I gave up trying to get a respond from the doctor. If you can do OTC medication, than don't go visit a doc. Oh, and I didn't go to any guching gurak clinic. I went to a big National Hospital.

Take my yeast infection for example(caused by the anti-biotics I was having), in the end I had to get OTC medication for self-treatment. For any life-threatening illness, I think I have to fly back to Singapore. No 2 doubts about it.

Oh, I digress...

Anyway, was telling MsPandaeye the numbers of pills I have to pop everyday! She said I am mad.. Indeed, I think so too. Let me list down what I have to swallow everyday

1. 4 tablets of vege supplements
2. 6 collagen tablets
3. TCM drink (morning)
4. Acidophilus (after every meal)
5. If I remember Folic Acid
6. TCM Tablets to regulate menses
7. TCM drink (at night)

38 and 21

Recently I met up my ex-colleague (let's call him D) who happened pop down Shanghai from Tianjin for a meeting. It has been a long time since we met so we took the opportunity to chit-chat and update each other on our lives and happenings since he moved to China.

Over a bowl of Mee Rebus, some curry puffs and chendols I started quizzing him about his infamous girlfriend which, unfortunately I did not have the luck to meet when he brought her back to Singapore.

D was very candid about the Girlfriend (let's call G). G has been living with him for 4 years and is only 21. He said they knew each other from a pub and needless to say, the rest is history.

So counting down to before history, G was only 17 when they started! Good grief! I didn't know that my friend is a cradle snatcher from my 10 over years of friendship with him. D came across as a determined, down to earth guy from humble origins who would likely meet a nice homely Singapore girl, make babies and be a proud parent.

So what does a 38 year old man sees in a 21 year old girl?

This, I will coin it the story of a modern Chinese Cinderella. Girls who are not so highly educated, went out to society to work at a young age after junior high (likely 16) and than snared a established middle age men who have money, career, power who would like sweet young thing to as their companion. Even superstar Zhang Ziyi is a modern Chinese Cinderella with her fiancee, and worse likely language barrier when met.

G is like a typical chinese girl born after 1980s, who can't cook, clean and the only thing that they are able to do well is that they dress themselves so well as if they are a model right out from a Japan Magazine. G belong to the new breed of only daughters who are born after 80s to affluent parents. They do not need to bring the bread home, enjoy life and could lay their hands on branded goods, thanks to rich parents and Boyfriend.

When I asked T this evening what a 38 years old man have in common with a 21 years old girl? He said, "Sex".

I protested! What about LOVE??

And so we debated.

Finally concurred, that the other reason beside the 3 letter word is coincidentally a 3 letter word.




A PET

A walk into the past Part 2

A typical rich man mansion in the past.





I want to stay here!!! (Don't mind if can be transported to the past where I can learn some gongfu and gravity defying qing gong) The big tree on the right is of 1200 years old.

Sitting in front of an ancient clan building which survive to today.


The pier used in ancient times. Made of stones and very impressive. Only time I saw was in TVB period/sword fighting dramas.

My 77 years 老爷爷 guide for the day!

A walk into the past

When I was in travelling in 苏州, I had the chance to visit an ancient old village which lies in the heart of Xishan. This quiet little village is said to be about 2000 years. It is really amazing that I can still find such a gem in the outskirt of Shanghai.

My local guide is a 77 years 老爷爷 (grandpa) who is as fit as me. Grandpa explained to us that the local villagers survived by planting and selling fruits for a living. These fruits can be harvested all year round. As I walked into the little old village, I was immediately transported into another world.

Innocent kids laughters could be heard a distance away. On reaching, we saw kids playing "jumping" on the steps. Challenging each other to outdo another in height. As we walked further down the alley, we saw old ladies sitting outside their house sharing their stories for the days. As we walked, we were impressed by the how well the ancient buildings were preserved, and how unspoilt the little village were.

Walking into the alley. The start of my journey.

Villagers rearing chicken and ducks in their backyard

Small Alley between houses


Typical House

We walked into a local house which dated at least 1000 years of history.

The city gal never see a well before. So must take picture!! This well is still a working well btw. The house occupants drink from it!

The elderly locals sit down to chat in the afternoon.


Taking a pic with 2 little cute sisters who were playing at the alley.

The kids sportaneously took a group pic with me.

More pictures tomorrow.

阳澄湖大闸蟹

Guess. The most famous dish in Shanghai in the month of October?


阳澄湖大闸蟹 !!

Yesterday T's colleague brought us out to visit 阳澄湖 and 西山 in Suzhou for the crab eating feast. In China there are many shops selling fake 阳澄湖 crabs. What they do is to place "foreign" crabs into 阳澄湖 2 to 3 weeks before harvesting time and then claimed they are the real 阳澄湖 crab.


T colleague is a resident in Suzhou. Ｈe went to 阳澄湖 and hand picked the crabｓ from the lake and took them along to the famous 太湖 (spanning Wuxi and Suzhou） for our lunch beside the breathe-taking 太湖.

Me having the chance to lay my hands on the real stuff took the opportunity to snap snap.

阳澄湖大闸蟹 (Female are harvested earlier compared to the males. The best time for eating should be mid-end of October when it is cold. There would be more meat as the crabs are preparing themselves for winter.)


How to tell if it is the real thing? The real 阳澄湖大闸蟹 are supposed to have golden hair on their legs. Like the one in this picture.


This is a male crab which could be differentiated from the pointed shell. Note the reddish spot on the white shell. This means that there is alot of roe inside. Another way to distinguish the real 阳澄湖大闸蟹.


Voila! Look at the roe!! And considering the time is still early for the good stuff! Looking forward to end of October for the good stuff!

Taihu （太湖） so beautiful that the emperors (eg Qian Long) traveled incognito to visit (part of 江南trip）

P/S - I think the crab is very expensive. I have no idea how much it cost as someone paid for it!

My visit to a president suite

One of the perks in my job is that I get to visit all the places which I probably have no chance of seeing or stepping my foot upon in my entire life time.

Being in a company who specialises in hotel renovations, I will get to see all the pretty interior decorations in out of bound areas to mere commoners, who cannot afford exorbitant price for a one night stay in one of very expensive, if not the most hotel in Shanghai.

Few weeks ago, I had the chance to go understudy Ritz Carlton Portman in Shanghai which my company is working on. Seizing the opportunity, I asked my local staff to bring me in to see the President Suite at the 40 plus storey. I was told a night in this suite would set you back by 60,000rmb. That would be approximately $12,000 Sing dollar if the exchange rate is 1 Sing dollar to 5 Yuan. (Now I heard is 1 to 4.8)

The master bedroom ensuite bath-tub.

Bvlgari Toiletries! How luxurious. ( I was told that the normal soap for the standard room cost about 50yuan each. That's like $10 Sing? OMG!)

I was told the US president slept on it before. Famous celebrity would include Carina Lau who favoured this hotel when in Shanghai.

Keeping fit in the built-in gym.

The grand study table for important decisions.

Living Room for entertaining guests! (Note the red flowery print behind. I heard it costed a bomb and was hand woven in Japan)


Super long dining table behind and then the marble table is the bar counter.

A year older

I am a year older today.

Like previous years, the day is spend just like any normal day except this is the first year I spend my birthday in Shanghai. I did not do any unusual thing except stay at home, waiting for the time to pass for dinner to celebrate with T.

In this small little house, I missed my piano. Really really missed it. Unfortunately, the rented house is too small for me to buy or rent another piano so I have to make do with life without my own music. I did contemplate to pick up Guzheng, but having not accomplish anything on my newly learnt guitar, I better not.

Now I am surfing net to check for the prices of 2nd hand Yamaha piano here. Maybe who knows next year, when I have a bigger house I could jolly well buy myself my fourth piano!

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! 中秋节快乐

This is my first year spending my Mid Autumn Festival in Shanghai, China. Unlike my previous years in Singapore, I am spending it alone with T. The weather today isn't that good and was raining this afternoon due to the typhoon. Cannot see the moon tonight.

T received so many boxes of mooncakes up to the extent that I thought it was really ridiculous. We have kept 8 boxes and gave the rest away. How can both of us eat so many mooncakes in one go?? So I ended up taking some mooncakes to office to share with my colleagues.

If you think mooncakes are selling cheap here. WRONG. Each box retails at about 200-300 RMB which convert to Singapore dollars is about 50 - 60plus. The most expensive of them all is the Haagen Dazs 七星伴月 which is about 400++ RMB. （80+ sing).

Most of the mooncakes are similar to Singapore traditional types except they have green tea, cheese with lian rong, truffles with lian rong. I still prefer the the lian rong with eggs.


Thinking if T "ren yuan" is so good next year, I can prolly set up shop to sell the extra mooncakes at a discount.

Haagen Dazs 7th stars surrounding the moon.

Hotel Mayfair Mooncake. I love the box design.

2 boxes of Andersen Ice-cream


2 boxes of Christine Mooncake Gift Set (with truffle inside)

While blogging, I am eating the Haagen Dazs Cookie and Cream Mooncake. Very nice ! ! !

Olympics Fever

The Olympics is here!!

I have been busy catching up with my favourite games since last saturday. Shooting, Diving, gymnastic, volleyball. Anything that is shown on the tv, I watched.

The commentators here are also very professional which makes watching all the most interesting. These commentators are either ex Olympic medalist or ex coach of the national team. They give blow by blow account and explain the difficulties of the moves (for gymnast, diving etc) and explain the points the moves could get, and even point out when points are deducted.

So I won't be blogging until the games are over! Hoping Singapore can get a medal this time! Jiayou!!!

BTW, I now know how to sing the China National Anthem. Too many times the anthem were repeated. :p

My Typical Lunch Menu

Every day I have lunch with my local colleagues in the canteen at the building next door. The canteen serve set lunch at an unbelievable price. For RMB 8, you can have 3 vegetarian dishes and 1 rice. For additional meat, one just need to top up to RMB10 for 3 dishes mixed vegetable and meat rice.

Because it is so cheap, the canteen is always crowded at lunch time as the local working around the area flock over for a cheap and no frill lunch.

The canteen reminds me of a factory canteen where the workers queue up for food with their trays, mugs and cutlery.

Me queuing up for food

An average lunch of a Shanghai office worker.

And the food if you ask me, is just as unappetizingly as it looks. However, this is already considered "not bad" standard by the local. For me, I have to do what the Romans do. Not all my colleagues can afford a decent lunch (by my standard) which would cost roughly 30RMB. An average office worker only earn about 2to 3k RMB per month or even lesser!

A typical day to work

Picture says a thousand words. So I shan't write too much and let the pictures do its work.



Every morning I have to brave through the notorious crowd and underground system to get to work. The train is very packed until its skin touching skin. And who says the Chinese don't queue? This picture shows the people queueing and waiting for the train but ironically when the train comes, the queue just collapse and everyone rushed towards the door. Duh...

.

Today was an unlucky day. The bus I was on had an accident and all of the commuters had to wait on the roadside under the hot scotching sun for the next bus.

Next I reached office at about 9.15am (45 mins late for work). All I have is a small little table and a secretary chair. A far cry from my luxurious cubicle when I was in CAAS.


Very pathetic but no choice. Got to bear with the meager facilities. Even the photostating machine and printer/ fax is of dinosaur period.




See, the photostating machine don't even have a feeder. I have to stand there and do photostating one page by one page. Argh.... Wait until cow come home.

Cat in Shanghai

Finally the Great Wall of China has relaxed abit and allow the netizen to access blogger website! Yeah!! I only discovered in June after I accidentally entered into Xuexia's blog to read that notorious blog which is now causing a big stir in the blogger world and Cozycot Forum.

I hope this is not a reprieve given that Olympics is just around the corner. If China relax its regulation, it should be apply to the rest of the blog website right? But still, I can't gain access to vox, LJ and Wordpress so that means that the current privilege is only for Blogger/Google. I am crossing my fingers that blogger will remain unblocked after the Olympics.

This aside, I am into my 3rd month in Shanghai. The Summer here is incredibly hot and humid. You just sweat the moment you step out of the house and office. The local weatherman report an average of 35 to 37 degrees but the locals say that the report is inaccurate saying that the actual weather is definitely higher than reported. The reason is because according to China law once the temperature hit 40degrees, it will be immediately declared a day off as the weather is too hot for any work. So in order to prevent that from happening, the temperature never get reported above 40degrees. 39 yes, but never 40 degrees. So smart right?

The room temperature is also unbelievable warm. Coming from a tropical country Singapore, I thought I can stand the Summer heat. But no!! The buildings were not build like Singapore where we have lots of windows and enjoy natural cross ventilation. Here the windows are small and I kept it closed most of the time due to the air pollution. Daytime, the indoor temperature can climb to say about 33 degrees which is equivalent to the outdoor temperature in Singapore. Can fry an egg on the street already.

My lift lobby is enclosed with no windows nor openings. I can assure you that it is very very stuffy if the MCST didn't switch on the ventilator for air exchange. ( which happens most of the time to save electricity) Even in Summer, they only switch it on occasionally. Argh..... I just hate waiting for the lift. One can get suffocated while waiting for the lift to come and it doesn't help that I stay at 20th storey out of a 31 storey building.

Oh they even switch off the ventilator for the lifts! You might think that I am staying in a run down local estate right? Hell no! I am staying in a high-end condominium in a prime central location!

My house is very small. No rooms for my shoes and clothes so things just get thrown everywhere. T is very upset with me for the mess. But I just can't help it. There is no space for my clothes in the cabinets and my winter clothes are still packed up in boxes tuck in one corner of my master bedroom.

I really missed living alone a big apartment!

Can blog but cannot read

Funny.

Now that I am in Shanghai. The website allows me to go in to create new account for blogger but blocked me from reading and accessing blogger website. That means that I can only blog my whereabouts but can't read other blogs. Boo hoo hoo...

So far, they blocked Vox, LJ and blogger. The only way for me to blog would be to set up a chinese blogsite which I think is going to be painful for me navigate.

So sad I have to stop my Vox account as I have no way to go in to write.