I was never a sports fan! Papa was. My friends were. But me, never. But if there's one thing that I definitely am, it's gotta be curious. Always curious for something new!
So last May 23, I went with Allan, Prim, Chanty, Fred, Anton, Rain, and Lani to the IAAF Diamond League. We left the dorm at around 5 in the afternoon to go to the venue, The Shanghai Stadium. Reached the place at around 6 or 6:30 as it was really far. But all that was worth it! Because I have never, ever, seen a stadium as big as this!! But that was just the beginning coz even the event was a first to me!! As is often the case, it was very exciting!!
All the time I was just being cued about the athletes I was watching because I didn't really know them. Allan was informing Anton who, in turn, was telling me all about it!! Wohooo they were so AMAZING!! I got the chance to see Bolt in action (really good) as well as the Chinese Yao Ming in the field of track who was a HUGE celebrity here!! It was AMAZING!! Definitely one of the best experiences I've had so far here in Shanghai!!
:-)
Monday, May 31, 2010
Shanghai Expo Day 1
Bought 3 tickets to the Expo. Since I am already in Shanghai, thought that I might as well go with all the rest of the world and check out all the frenzy surrounding the Shanghai World Expo 2010.
Since I arrived here in Shanghai last February, there is no denying that the Expo IS a big deal for them. It definitely is. Everywhere you go, you see countdowns, HaiBao - the Expo mascot, buses esp. for the Expo, Expo taxis, and even, a new Metro line specifically for the Expo season. Yes friends, it's that big!! And tickets were sold out fast! Good thing I was able to ask Prim to buy me 3 tickets at student price. Yesterday, I decided to use the first one.
Left the dorm super early. Left at 7:45. We headed to WuJiaoChang Siping Lu since there was a bus there that took passengers directly to the Expo site, Gate 4. Our classmates who's already been to the expo advised that this was probably better since their experience in taking the trains was kind of hell-ish! Apparently, beating the morning rush hour here in Shanghai is much, much, much worst than the Philippine scenario. So we tried this route.
True enough there were 4 buses in Siping Lu waiting for passengers going to the Expo site. There was a line but it wasn't that bad. Perhaps because it was a Monday. The bus ride took 40 minutes and we were there already! We decided though to stand up in the bus instead of wait to be seated. Sorry, impatient and excited!
The line at Gate 4 wasn't that bad either. It was LONG, but compared to our friends who lined up for hours, we were able to get in in just 15 to 20 minutes. After which we were already inside the Expo, Expo site! We decided to go in the pavillions where there was not much lines first as
1. we were still lazy to line up
2. we were waiting for Em who came at around 11 o'clock. (yes, we kind of talked her into skipping her kouyu class).
Later in the day when Em arrived, we continued going around the pavillions where there was not much people. Korea and Japan as well as India and the rich Middle Eastern countries had lines that were SUPER long. Like, 4 hour long. So we decided to skip this and just go some other time. So that in the end, we transferred from Zone A to Zone B and were able to enter 22 pavillions. Well, because Em was late, she was just able to go to 17!
Pavillions we've entered were:
Asia Joint Pavillion I
1. Bangladesh
2. Kyrgyztan
3. Maldives
4. Mongolia
5. Tajikistan
6. Timor-Leste
Asia Joint Pavillion II
7. Afghanistan
8. Bahrain
9. Jordan
10. Palestine
11. Syria
12. Yemen
Asia Joint Pavillion III
13. Laos
14. Myanmar
Zone A
15. Democratic People's Republic of Korea
16. Oman
17. Sri Lanka
18. Vietnam
19. Qatar
20. Iran
21. Morocco
22. Nepal
23. Uzbekistan
Zone B
24. Australia
25. Indonesia
26. Brunei-Darussalam
27. Cambodia
28. Malaysia
29. New Zealand
30. Philippines
31. Singapore
32. Thailand
32 countries, 22 pavillions. We actually made it a goal to finish the whole of Zone B and we almost did! Except for the UN pavillions and stuff. I personally feel that the Philippine pavillion could have been better inside though. Among these, my personal favorites are that of Oman, Thailand, Maldives, Morocco, Vietnam, and Qatar. The Middle Eastern countries looked the same except of course those which were really rich Middle Eastern countries. Australia could have been nice, had they controlled the amount of people coming in and also had it been better organized!
Next time I go, I really hope the weather is nice. And that there's not much line again! So that I won't feel lazy to line up. I am excited for Italy!! I've been hearing so much about it, I just can't wait!!
Since I arrived here in Shanghai last February, there is no denying that the Expo IS a big deal for them. It definitely is. Everywhere you go, you see countdowns, HaiBao - the Expo mascot, buses esp. for the Expo, Expo taxis, and even, a new Metro line specifically for the Expo season. Yes friends, it's that big!! And tickets were sold out fast! Good thing I was able to ask Prim to buy me 3 tickets at student price. Yesterday, I decided to use the first one.
Left the dorm super early. Left at 7:45. We headed to WuJiaoChang Siping Lu since there was a bus there that took passengers directly to the Expo site, Gate 4. Our classmates who's already been to the expo advised that this was probably better since their experience in taking the trains was kind of hell-ish! Apparently, beating the morning rush hour here in Shanghai is much, much, much worst than the Philippine scenario. So we tried this route.
True enough there were 4 buses in Siping Lu waiting for passengers going to the Expo site. There was a line but it wasn't that bad. Perhaps because it was a Monday. The bus ride took 40 minutes and we were there already! We decided though to stand up in the bus instead of wait to be seated. Sorry, impatient and excited!
The line at Gate 4 wasn't that bad either. It was LONG, but compared to our friends who lined up for hours, we were able to get in in just 15 to 20 minutes. After which we were already inside the Expo, Expo site! We decided to go in the pavillions where there was not much lines first as
1. we were still lazy to line up
2. we were waiting for Em who came at around 11 o'clock. (yes, we kind of talked her into skipping her kouyu class).
Later in the day when Em arrived, we continued going around the pavillions where there was not much people. Korea and Japan as well as India and the rich Middle Eastern countries had lines that were SUPER long. Like, 4 hour long. So we decided to skip this and just go some other time. So that in the end, we transferred from Zone A to Zone B and were able to enter 22 pavillions. Well, because Em was late, she was just able to go to 17!
Pavillions we've entered were:
Asia Joint Pavillion I
1. Bangladesh
2. Kyrgyztan
3. Maldives
4. Mongolia
5. Tajikistan
6. Timor-Leste
Asia Joint Pavillion II
7. Afghanistan
8. Bahrain
9. Jordan
10. Palestine
11. Syria
12. Yemen
Asia Joint Pavillion III
13. Laos
14. Myanmar
Zone A
15. Democratic People's Republic of Korea
16. Oman
17. Sri Lanka
18. Vietnam
19. Qatar
20. Iran
21. Morocco
22. Nepal
23. Uzbekistan
Zone B
24. Australia
25. Indonesia
26. Brunei-Darussalam
27. Cambodia
28. Malaysia
29. New Zealand
30. Philippines
31. Singapore
32. Thailand
32 countries, 22 pavillions. We actually made it a goal to finish the whole of Zone B and we almost did! Except for the UN pavillions and stuff. I personally feel that the Philippine pavillion could have been better inside though. Among these, my personal favorites are that of Oman, Thailand, Maldives, Morocco, Vietnam, and Qatar. The Middle Eastern countries looked the same except of course those which were really rich Middle Eastern countries. Australia could have been nice, had they controlled the amount of people coming in and also had it been better organized!
Next time I go, I really hope the weather is nice. And that there's not much line again! So that I won't feel lazy to line up. I am excited for Italy!! I've been hearing so much about it, I just can't wait!!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
giving up my LOVE..
officially giving up one of my most beloved starting tomorrow. Sad. I know!
Since I arrived in Shanghai, I can't help but crave for something sweet everytime I finish eating my meals. Be it an ice cream (which I usually get), Coco (which I made an everyday habit for a time), Kinder Bueno (which reminded me of my Taiwan days so I also made it an everyday habit) and little sweet what-nots. Of course, I also didn't stop eating every after 2 hours. Justification: it's a system my body has gotten used to since my IMS days. And of course, needless to say, I am seriously suffering the consequences already. Read: gained weight, knee problems once again!
Before I left for Shanghai, I made a deal with myself and Anipay Tinapay. We were gonna get ourselves something* upon my return provided I am even a single pound thinner.
Also, Dr. Bondoc told me, that, in order to rid myself of my knee problems, I had to loose 20 more pounds. I was 130 back then. He wanted me to be 110. I don't know if it was just me and my hearing problems but for some reason, the loose registered to my mind as gain? Oh hell!!
So now I met MM! and we BOTH LOVE sweets and eating it after meals! And we're both in Shanghai and both in need of some SERIOUS DYETAH!! So we made a bet! TO ONLY EAT SWEETS TWICE A WEEK! - ONE WEEKDAY, ONE WEEKEND! It was supposed to start last week but it totally slipped off my mind! Plus, temptations were all around me! So I texted her, "Em, pwede start tayo next week? let's make this a dry-run week? coz I don't know what to eat na and I think I'm dying na?" Moments later and voila she texted me saying "Keish, binigyan ako ni Lot ng MOCHI, dry-run week na talaga itoh!.."
SO MUCH FOR BETTING!! :-)
Since I arrived in Shanghai, I can't help but crave for something sweet everytime I finish eating my meals. Be it an ice cream (which I usually get), Coco (which I made an everyday habit for a time), Kinder Bueno (which reminded me of my Taiwan days so I also made it an everyday habit) and little sweet what-nots. Of course, I also didn't stop eating every after 2 hours. Justification: it's a system my body has gotten used to since my IMS days. And of course, needless to say, I am seriously suffering the consequences already. Read: gained weight, knee problems once again!
Before I left for Shanghai, I made a deal with myself and Anipay Tinapay. We were gonna get ourselves something* upon my return provided I am even a single pound thinner.
Also, Dr. Bondoc told me, that, in order to rid myself of my knee problems, I had to loose 20 more pounds. I was 130 back then. He wanted me to be 110. I don't know if it was just me and my hearing problems but for some reason, the loose registered to my mind as gain? Oh hell!!
So now I met MM! and we BOTH LOVE sweets and eating it after meals! And we're both in Shanghai and both in need of some SERIOUS DYETAH!! So we made a bet! TO ONLY EAT SWEETS TWICE A WEEK! - ONE WEEKDAY, ONE WEEKEND! It was supposed to start last week but it totally slipped off my mind! Plus, temptations were all around me! So I texted her, "Em, pwede start tayo next week? let's make this a dry-run week? coz I don't know what to eat na and I think I'm dying na?" Moments later and voila she texted me saying "Keish, binigyan ako ni Lot ng MOCHI, dry-run week na talaga itoh!.."
SO MUCH FOR BETTING!! :-)
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Oh the places you'll go..
There's this book by Dr. Seuss that I really, really like. The title is "Oh, the places you'll go". Encountered it in one of my classes during college wherein Ms. Mia ( I think? ) shared it to us with much, and I mean much enthusiasm, as a parting message to our class! Believe me, it was really nice! As a matter of fact, that book always goes sold out in almost all bookstores!! You know me, there's just some part of me that kinda bookshop-holic! That's actually one of the places I miss the most here in China.
So now am in China. And just now I thought to myself "oh, the places I'll go!" China has basically become an education/travel adventure for me. The schooling part courtesy, of course, of my scholarship from the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, while the travel part, of my ever supportive Benefactors back home! love you lots dearest B's!
So now I've been here for more than 2 months. And a whole lot of stuff has happened already. Been to many places, done too many things! To an extent, my knee problem's resurfacing once again! I don't know why but I don't really care. At least not yet. Because I am determined to make the most out of this opportunity.
Been blogging about the places I went to. But I feel that it's not enough coz I don't really get to post pictures in my blog here coz of some restrictions. But figured out a way just now. So, here once again are some events that happened already, as well as some places I went to! Hope you like and enjoy them. I know I did!
One of my favorite stuff we did here the past few months was when we did the Bund River Cruise! With all the hunger, walking, and what-not's, I'd say that it was really worth it! BIG TIME!! http://s1030.photobucket.com/albums/y370/keishachengdelcastillo/The%20Bund%20River%20Cruise/
Then we went to Suzhou. The first time I took the trains here in China. Not the metro kind of trains. First time I went out of Shanghai, also the first time I met the other Filipino group who are also studying here in Fudan. Suzhou is nice. It was okay. I wish to go back. If I I get the time. And if, my conscience doesn't kill me with guilt because the B's are just so willing, it's killing me!! http://s1030.photobucket.com/albums/y370/keishachengdelcastillo/Suzhou/
Then there was the first ever long Chinese Holiday. Think I forgot the reason why again. Fudan organized a field trip for International Students. Really cool coz we got to check out the history of China which I've been studying for the past years but didn't really understand. So I decided to "reconnect" with my roots and go to Xian! Whoa there! Blast from the past much?? http://s1030.photobucket.com/albums/y370/keishachengdelcastillo/Xian%20field%20trip/ If only for it's architecture, I really liked Xian! SUPER. It's very intricate, modern, sophisticated, architecturally pleasing to the eyes! A place where you'll see a nice blend of contemoirary times as well as of China's past. Then there's the Hot Springs ( http://s1030.photobucket.com/albums/y370/keishachengdelcastillo/HuaQingChe%20Xian%20field%20trip/ ) which I really liked and the mountain tomb ( http://s1030.photobucket.com/albums/y370/keishachengdelcastillo/Li%20Shan%20Xian%20field%20trip/ ) which seriously reminded me of home. Then who can ever forget the overwhelming feeling I got upon seeing the Terra-Cota ( http://s1030.photobucket.com/albums/y370/keishachengdelcastillo/TerraCota%20Warriors%20Xian%20field%20trip/ ) and the fast shopping we did due to lack of time in the Goose Pagoda, our last stop (http://s1030.photobucket.com/albums/y370/keishachengdelcastillo/Goose%20Pagoda%20Xian%20field%20trip/ ). Let's forget Yan'An first ( http://s1030.photobucket.com/albums/y370/keishachengdelcastillo/Yan%20An%20field%20trip/ ) because this got me real pissed! Very much like the bulok train ride we had going to the places!!
But all is well because after this, I recently went to Moganshan last Labor Day holiday. It was very much Tagaytay! But to me, it was really more like Carolina! So I was happy. Pricey but nonetheless happy! Coz yeah, I miss home and the things I do back home!! http://s1030.photobucket.com/albums/y370/keishachengdelcastillo/Moganshan/
Good thing I have my Xiamen ban friends or rather I say, "clique" who makes me happy with all the chikas the chicas have. http://s1030.photobucket.com/albums/y370/keishachengdelcastillo/Xiamen%20Ban%20Dinner/
So now am in China. And just now I thought to myself "oh, the places I'll go!" China has basically become an education/travel adventure for me. The schooling part courtesy, of course, of my scholarship from the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, while the travel part, of my ever supportive Benefactors back home! love you lots dearest B's!
So now I've been here for more than 2 months. And a whole lot of stuff has happened already. Been to many places, done too many things! To an extent, my knee problem's resurfacing once again! I don't know why but I don't really care. At least not yet. Because I am determined to make the most out of this opportunity.
Been blogging about the places I went to. But I feel that it's not enough coz I don't really get to post pictures in my blog here coz of some restrictions. But figured out a way just now. So, here once again are some events that happened already, as well as some places I went to! Hope you like and enjoy them. I know I did!
One of my favorite stuff we did here the past few months was when we did the Bund River Cruise! With all the hunger, walking, and what-not's, I'd say that it was really worth it! BIG TIME!! http://s1030.photobucket.com/albums/y370/keishachengdelcastillo/The%20Bund%20River%20Cruise/
Then we went to Suzhou. The first time I took the trains here in China. Not the metro kind of trains. First time I went out of Shanghai, also the first time I met the other Filipino group who are also studying here in Fudan. Suzhou is nice. It was okay. I wish to go back. If I I get the time. And if, my conscience doesn't kill me with guilt because the B's are just so willing, it's killing me!! http://s1030.photobucket.com/albums/y370/keishachengdelcastillo/Suzhou/
Then there was the first ever long Chinese Holiday. Think I forgot the reason why again. Fudan organized a field trip for International Students. Really cool coz we got to check out the history of China which I've been studying for the past years but didn't really understand. So I decided to "reconnect" with my roots and go to Xian! Whoa there! Blast from the past much?? http://s1030.photobucket.com/albums/y370/keishachengdelcastillo/Xian%20field%20trip/ If only for it's architecture, I really liked Xian! SUPER. It's very intricate, modern, sophisticated, architecturally pleasing to the eyes! A place where you'll see a nice blend of contemoirary times as well as of China's past. Then there's the Hot Springs ( http://s1030.photobucket.com/albums/y370/keishachengdelcastillo/HuaQingChe%20Xian%20field%20trip/ ) which I really liked and the mountain tomb ( http://s1030.photobucket.com/albums/y370/keishachengdelcastillo/Li%20Shan%20Xian%20field%20trip/ ) which seriously reminded me of home. Then who can ever forget the overwhelming feeling I got upon seeing the Terra-Cota ( http://s1030.photobucket.com/albums/y370/keishachengdelcastillo/TerraCota%20Warriors%20Xian%20field%20trip/ ) and the fast shopping we did due to lack of time in the Goose Pagoda, our last stop (http://s1030.photobucket.com/albums/y370/keishachengdelcastillo/Goose%20Pagoda%20Xian%20field%20trip/ ). Let's forget Yan'An first ( http://s1030.photobucket.com/albums/y370/keishachengdelcastillo/Yan%20An%20field%20trip/ ) because this got me real pissed! Very much like the bulok train ride we had going to the places!!
But all is well because after this, I recently went to Moganshan last Labor Day holiday. It was very much Tagaytay! But to me, it was really more like Carolina! So I was happy. Pricey but nonetheless happy! Coz yeah, I miss home and the things I do back home!! http://s1030.photobucket.com/albums/y370/keishachengdelcastillo/Moganshan/
Good thing I have my Xiamen ban friends or rather I say, "clique" who makes me happy with all the chikas the chicas have. http://s1030.photobucket.com/albums/y370/keishachengdelcastillo/Xiamen%20Ban%20Dinner/
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Welcoming Mayo!!
Hello, May!!
It's May already. Been here for almost 2 and a half months. 2 and a half more, and I am, we are all Pinas-bound once again.
I miss home. I miss Pinas.
There are times when I am reminded of old habits back home.
Of my family waiting back home,
Of friends back home.
Of home-style dish,
Of my favorite places as well as things to do back in my beloved Pinas.
There are also times when I am reminded of the not-so-happy times that happened the past months.
But this is also the time when I am starting to love Shanghai!
The places to go to, places to see, to discover.
The excitement over trying out something new everytime.
The opportunity to make friends..
with both Shanghai locals as well as international classmates.
The time when we are free to do whatever and try whatever whenever we feel like!
because I believe that this time, will forever be one of those times we can truly call,
THE TIME OF OUR LIVES!!
Sad that I am leaving in a few months esp. when I have started to get the hang of this life.
But happy to be going back once again to where my everything really is.
Someday, sometime, I will want to come back to Shanghai.
And I know I will. Simply because it is and will surely be hard to forget this one place where I spent half a year of my life in.
It's just truly hard. Because in this half a year spent in this place with these people,
there are just so, so much memories.
Memories worth treasuring and remembering forever.
So hello Mayo!!
because you are one truly busy month for me, for us,
and for Shanghai!!
It's May already. Been here for almost 2 and a half months. 2 and a half more, and I am, we are all Pinas-bound once again.
I miss home. I miss Pinas.
There are times when I am reminded of old habits back home.
Of my family waiting back home,
Of friends back home.
Of home-style dish,
Of my favorite places as well as things to do back in my beloved Pinas.
There are also times when I am reminded of the not-so-happy times that happened the past months.
But this is also the time when I am starting to love Shanghai!
The places to go to, places to see, to discover.
The excitement over trying out something new everytime.
The opportunity to make friends..
with both Shanghai locals as well as international classmates.
The time when we are free to do whatever and try whatever whenever we feel like!
because I believe that this time, will forever be one of those times we can truly call,
THE TIME OF OUR LIVES!!
Sad that I am leaving in a few months esp. when I have started to get the hang of this life.
But happy to be going back once again to where my everything really is.
Someday, sometime, I will want to come back to Shanghai.
And I know I will. Simply because it is and will surely be hard to forget this one place where I spent half a year of my life in.
It's just truly hard. Because in this half a year spent in this place with these people,
there are just so, so much memories.
Memories worth treasuring and remembering forever.
So hello Mayo!!
because you are one truly busy month for me, for us,
and for Shanghai!!
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