Trip in Beijing Day 1

Today was supposed to be my results release day. But 1.5 hours has passed since I woke up to check and the server is still unavailable GRRRR. To pass time, I might as well blog about my trip to Beijing just last week while my memory is still fresh.

Hotel that I was staying for the whole trip. Pullman Beijing West Wanda. LOVE it!

Lobby area

The highlight of the room was the bathroom. No worries, there was a remote controller to pull down the blinds

Our first stop was at Temple of Heaven or known as 天坛. It was the  place "where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would worship the God of Heaven and pray for good harvest".

There were countless stone carvings adorning the steps of these ancient buildings 

This is the interior of the great hall. Sadly, and for good reasons, no visitors were allowed.

We didn't walk the whole 273 hectares (siao) due to lack of time so we just stopped short after visiting that iconic temple-like building.

Arrived at infamous Tiananmen. 

I'd say its infamous as contemporary China had seen a massacre in 1989 on these grounds. But prior to that when emperors still reign, this entrance wall was used to hang the scrolls of laws decreed by the emperor and passed on from officials to the people of ancient China. At least that's what I think my tour guide said. -_-

Crazy huge Forbidden City i.e. 紫禁城 

The emperor's bed. 

Again, according to my tour guide, she said that everything was left in the original state. Like the silk bedsheets, where such top grade silk and materials were used that even after hundreds of years, the colours are still as vibrant as ever.

The empress' bed. Notice that the bedsheet colours are much duller than the emperor's. This is probably because lower grade quality of materials were used for the empress instead.

Random room inside the imperial quarters. 

It looks so eerie that I can almost picture the emperors and empresses of the past gliding across the room or sitting on the chairs. Shudder.

The concubine's room

Apparently, potential concubines were asked to wait in this room before they were presented to the emperor. Makes sense - the bed is much more modest than the previous two.

The above pictures were all taken through dusty window panes. The rooms are all sealed up. Which may explain why some pictures turn out grainier or something.

In the courtyard where there are small streams flowing through the palace and plenty of  really fascinating architecture . Boy the royals sure live it up good!

Forbidden city from the back view

Another temple like place for the emperors to pray. 

This building resides on top of an artificial hill. As for why they need to make this hill, well. It's cos of fengshui. :)

After which we ended our day with a nice theatrical show; The Legend of Kungfu, which was in the Red Theatre.

Stage backdrop before the show started

The show was basically about the practices of Kungfu which took place in Shaolin temples as well as the principles behind it. The actors were all highly talented and they had been learning the real deal type of kung fu as practised by Shaolin monks in the secluded temples.

Day 1 in Beijing was an eye opener. I was drooling at all the ancient places because it's hard to believe that such huge architecture from hundreds of years ago are still kept in tip top conditions. Yes, some buildings have been repaired and repainted but others have still been kept to the original state up till today like the royal pathways that ONLY the emperor can walk on and some others for special occasions.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Blehackk!

Saw online on the raving benefits of greek yogurt and thought it won't hurt to try. So I bought it eagerly, topped with almonds, strawberries and blueberry and scooped a big chunk of it.

GAWD IT TASTES AWFUL! Sour and as someone commented, it tasted like sour milk. And the sour blueberries did nothing to alleviate that taste-_-

Probably going to go for small portions with larger toppings next time. Finish it, throw it away and say adieu! I shall NEVER EAT YOU AGAIN(unless I can sample an awesome tasting one).

Gah that nasty taste it still in my mouth yechh.

I'd save my last dance for you, my friend

I am soo ready for exams to be over! Two more weeks, two more papers and that's it. Enjoy and get ready to partay! And *cough findajob.

As always, will post what I plan to do during the holidays as a motivation to look forward to. :)

1) SHOPPING till my legs cramp. Seriously.
2) Mahjong w the girls + sleepover
3) Find a job
4) Spend more time with kx till he goes to UK for hols
5) Research on Korea trip in June
6) Eat healthy
7) Exercise
8) Harry Potter marathon
9) LOTR marathon
I can accomplish points 7 and 8 with this fabuloouss chart i found on tumblr! Credits to blogger Taco :)

Feeling happier and less depressed these days! Yay me

Ps: no idea why the image is out of proportion- at least on my screen. Oh well will fix it if I have time.

High flying birds

Semester starts. Projects meetings are almost a daily occurance. Tests coming up soon. O_O

This semester modules are really all about prepping us for the business world. B2B marketing, Direct marketing - I really am glad I have the opportunity to learn all these in detail.

Just 3-4 more months, hang in there!! Till then, I can hardly wait when the baby is due estimated 4 weeks from now. So EXCITING. I really want to be the world's best aunt (that's what all aunts will probably say). It's been tough on my sis carrying the excess weight.

Very pregnant sis and me

A'ites. Break's over. Gotta get back to studying. I shall post XB photos! Her FB page is so outdated already. So is mine. D=

Bear waiting for a treat. Arf!

Xiaobai showing her artistic side with her classic wink

This is your life, this is your time

Recently I got my iPhone 4s and I wasted no time toying with Siri. Of course when you're in a bad mood it helps that whenever you curse and swear there's always an annoying reply.. which makes you curse and swear all the more.

Played around with the camera lomo-typed effects a lot. Gave up on Golden Half because you need a film and the time to develop - but this is instant which i loveee.

Was testing the front camera. It was a super CMI shot. But thanks to camera apps. It became a less-CMI shot. Not none. Just less.

Okay here's another shot with the awesome camera effects thingy.

Kx at Wild Honey Scotts Square

So amazing! Haha. Yes, I am a laggard and I have just recently discovered the wonders of the iPhone and the range of apps it offers.

iPhone craze/obsession aside, I love this music video featuring Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon Levitt. Three words to describe.

Quirky, offbeat and uplifting. Well, at least for me. Well if you have 3 minutes of time to kill. Here ya go.

You have the shield; I'll take the sword

Why is everybody moaning about how difficult exams are going to be.

Complain - must study

Don't compain - also must study

Might as well suck it up and do your best?

In case anyone needs to de-stress, here's a 5-minute breather. She's my new favourite singer already and has many awesome songs. This is one of my ultimate favourite!

If you don't like this song. I AM QUESTIONING OUR FRIENDSHIP YA HEAR?

No haha not. Joking.

Or am I really.

Oh well. Exams get to me in a way.

a story about a girl name Lucky

At the end of the day. It's not the gift count that matters. It's the friends who bother.