Thursday, September 4, 2008

Students' Learning Journal - Day 7 (4 Sept 2008)

Angus and friends trying to trick Seshan into eating ginger... by telling him it is a new type of noodle... Thankfully, Seshan was saved by Miss Mok in the nick of time...

Everyone can't get enough of this view... We took so many photos!!!








Smile for the camera... Yeah! I think the food is coming soon...



We enjoyed the "Bian Zhong" performance at the Hubei Museum... From left: Ang Shang Sheng, Lee Soon Huat and Adam Lin Jun Ting


Our SGS value: CARE being manifested. After two days of major workout, Shang Sheng needs medicated plasters to sooth the ache on his back.
See Jian Guo and Yu Xiang helping him with it early in the morning... These students have learnt to care for one another and to look out for each other...

Ong Yi Lin (2E4)
My legs still ached a lot but I still managed to conquer the 9 floors of Yellow Crane Tower. From the top, we can see the fantastic view of Wuhan. It was then to visit “Gui Yuan Shi”. We got our own divination lot based on selecting one of the 500 “luohans” according to our age. I find it quite accurate. Overall, I feel proud that I persevered on despite the ache in my legs and learnt more about Chinese culture. Perseverance does pay off!

Seshan S/O Veerappan (1E1)
Today was the last day I am studying at Zhuo Dao Quan Middle School. Surprisingly my Chinese classmates have been preparing for a week a farewell party for me. When the teacher announced that there was going to be a farewell party for me, my eyes went wide upon hearing that. All the students sang for me and one student played the flute. The teacher also gave a speech and I also gave a speech to the class. One of my classmates also gave me a small gift. I could not stop myself from taking a 20 minute video in my handphone. Now I know the true meaning of friendship, hard work and responsibility over the 3 days I have spent with my classmates. I wish I can join them for lessons again.


Jesslin Tan Jie Ling (2E4)
In the morning, we headed to Hubei Museum to visit the Tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng. I was surprised by how the sheer size of the coffin of Marquis Yi. It also contains the bodies of 21 ladies who were sacrificed to be his companions as he goes to heaven! We then headed to Yellow Crane Tower which has nine storeys. We learnt about the legend behind the tower. Following that, we headed to “Gui Yuan Shi” and learnt the proper behaviour in a temple. We also picked our divination lot. The day has been very fruitful as I picked up quite a bit of cultural knowledge.

Lim Wei Hui, Desmond (2A3)
Today we visited the Tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng, which was an exhibit shown in Hubei Museum. I found out more about the life of this historical man. Then we visited the Yellow Crane Tower and the tour guide shared with us the legend behind this tower. The story involved one of the immortals, Lu Dong Bin. Next stop was “Gui Yuan Shi”. Most of us picked a divination lot. Mine advised me to study hard to make it in life.


Toh Yu Xiang (2E3)
We visited the Yellow Crane Tower, one of the three most famous towers in China. Yesterday after a tough day of Wushu training, my legs ached a lot. We had to climb up 9 floors and this tested out stamina and patience. I wanted to give up climbing but Ms Leow encouraged me by giving me a chocolate and MsMok encouraged me too. Under their encouragement, I managed to reach the top of the tower. From this incident, I learnt about the importance of not giving up. I could see the beautiful view and the effort I put in was worth it.

Chia De Han (2E4)
Today we visited Hubei Museum and were treated to a performance by a set of historical instruments known as “Bian Zhong”. The music from this instrument was melodious. The whole set weighs about 2500 kg. It is so heavy! After that, we visited the Yellow Crane Tower. We all had a difficult time climbing up the 9 storeys as our legs ached from the physical training yesterday. I bought two seals, one for myself and one for my primary school teacher. We were given time to shop and as we were returning to our bus after shopping, we saw a little girl, down on her knees, begging a woman to buy her flowers. I felt sad for her that she has to resort to begging people to buy from her.

Yip Poh Mun (2E4)
When we were on the tour coach on the way to visit Hubei Museum, we were caught in the heavy traffic. Regardless of the heavy traffic, the vehicles still cut into one another’s lane and honked endlessly at one another. It was quite chaotic. I hope the road system in Wuhan can improve. One of the attractions we visited today was Yellow Crane Tower. We do not have such attractions in Singapore. The view at the highest floor was fabulous. I believe we will be able to attract many tourists if we have such an attraction. On the way back to the coach, after shopping, I saw a little girl selling flowers. To make people buy from her, she begged them on her knees. The sight was pitiful. I am fortunate that I am provided with an education and do not need to worry about earning a living.

Adam Lim Jun Ting (2E4)
Today when I woke up, I felt that my throat was sore. Then I told Soon Huat that I will most likely have fever. After breakfast, we went to Hubei Museum. We were caught in a light drizzle. Ms Mok asked me to put on my raincoat but I did not follow her instruction. I walked quickly in the rain. The exhibits are interesting. I took many pictures with my friends. Then it was off to Yellow Crane Tower where we took more photographs and I bought a souvenir for my sister. After dinner, my fever developed. The others went to shop while I followed Ms Tay to Starbucks where I rest and took medicine. I felt better after that and managed to shop for a shirt, which was a present for my father. Lastly, I just want to say that I have learnt my lesson. Next time, I will listen to the advice given by my teachers.

Patricia Ng Hui Yi (2E4)
In the morning, we visited Hubei Museum. We saw the artifacts dug from the tomb of Marquis Yi. He was buried together with young girls and so his coffin was very HUGE! We also watched a performance by “Bian Zhong”. It really must be very heavy, weighing at 2500kg. In the night, we witnessed how little girls were selling flowers on the streets. One of them even knelt down to beg a passer-by to buy flowers. I feel that I am very lucky to be a Singaporean, growing up in such a good environment.

Lee Soon Huat (2E4)
We had KFC for breakfast. The coach was late in fetching us to sight-see as it was caught in a traffic jam. Ms Lee gave us a briefing about how we can improve the way we reflect about each day’s happenings while we waited for the bus. After that, we headed to the Hubei Museum and Yellow Crane Tower. From the top of the tower, we had a good view of the city of Wuhan. We then prayed at “Gui Yuan Shi”, one of the most famous temple in Wuhan. After that we went shopping.

Ang Shangsheng (1E1)
Today we visited the exhibition of the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng at Hubei Museum. I think it is cruel that when he died, young girls had to be buried with him. I think this is very barbaric. Women are humans after all.

Tan Jian Kuo (2E2)
In the evening, after a sumptuous meal of dumplings, we went shopping. After shopping, we saw little girls selling flowers to the passers-by. One of them even had to beg a woman to buy her flowers by holding onto her leg, refusing to let go. I feel sad to see this but I cannot help her. I must thank my family for my wonderful life.

Ong Ying Yu (2E4)
Today was a rather relaxed day as we went sight-seeing. The coach was late as it was stuck in a traffic jam. I think the traffic in China is not as smooth compared to Singapore. We went to visit Hubei Museum. From the artifacts, I learnt that China has a long history. We also watched a performance by “Bian Zhong” which was unearthed from the tomb of Marquis Yi. The music was very nice and the dance was beautiful. We then visited Yellow Crane Tower after lunch. It has 9 floors. The place and scenery were beautiful. The tour guide bought for us fresh lotus flowers and we dug out the lotus seeds to eat them. It was tasty. Yummy! Then we visited a temple, “Gui Yuan Shi”. I learnt that we must be serious when we visit the temple and not be careless in our speech so as to show respect to the Gods. We chose our divination lot and mine said that I should spend more money. Haha, we were then given free time to shop after dinner. After shopping, we saw a girl begging a woman to buy her flowers. She was on her knees and refused to let go of the woman’s legs. I felt very sad and wanted to buy flowers from the girl but we were rushing for time.

Carol Chin Xin Yi (2E4)
Today we visited the exhibition of the relics and coffins unearthed from the tomb of an important man, Marquis Yi of Zeng at Hubei Museum. The coffins were all so old and huge. Do we have such exhibition in Singapore? I found out that many types of weapons were used in wars in the past. The remnants of these weapons, for example, arrowheads, were shown. Jade objects, old cupboards and ancient crockery were exhibited. We also visited the Yellow Crane Tower which has a long history. The structure of the Tower changed several times over the many years of its existence. It’s present structure now has 9 floors in total. We can see the beautiful sight of the city from the top of the tower. Then we visited “Gui Yuan Shi”. It has 500 “luohans” in it. Through visiting these places, I learnt that China has a long history and valuable lessons to be learnt.

Soh Khee Siang Angus (2E4)
We visited the Hubei Museum and saw the exhibition of the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng. His coffin was very big as 21 young girls were buried with him. Other relics unearthed from the tomb included a closet which was of a unique design. I also saw weapons used in the past. We had dumplings for dinner and it was delicious. Later we saw a girl begging passers-by to buy her flowers. I must treasure the good life I have in Singapore.

Aloysius Lim Bai Jun (2E3)
Today we visited the exhibition of the relics and coffins unearthed from the tomb of an important man, Marquis Yi of Zeng at Hubei Museum. We saw coffins and weapons used in the olden times. We also watched a performance using the instruments unearthed from the tomb. We then visited Yellow Crane Tower and I bought some souvenirs. I also learnt that the structure of the tower was changed several times through it’s long history. We then went to visit a temple, “Gui Yuan Shi”. The others prayed but I did not as I am a non-Buddhist. We went to get a divination lot each and mine said that I would have sadness and kindness around me. I should also control my temper and that when I see others happy, I would feel better too. It is very accurate!

Tan Dolbie (2E3)
We went to Hubei Museum today. We saw the relics and coffins from the tomb of an important man, Marquis Yi of Zeng . From this, I learnt that women in China in the past have very low status. 21 young girls aged 13 – 21 had to be buried together with the Marquis. I realized how fortunate I am to be born in this century where women and men have equal status and women are treated with respect and dignity. Later in the night, we went shopping. It was really fun. Things in China are cheaper compared to Singapore. Lastly, I saw a Chinese girl who sells flowers, begging a woman to buy her flowers by holding on to her legs. I then realized that I am fortunate to live in Singapore as there is little poverty and life is much easier than life in China.

Lim Li Jun (2E3)
Today I went to the Yellow Crane Tower. The scenery there was beautiful. I still enjoyed myself even though I ached all over from yesterday’s tough training. I found out that China is very big and there are many popular places compared to Singapore. Singapore cannot be compared to China in this area. China has many historical places as it’s history is more than five thousand years already. Singapore is only 43 years old. The people in China are very hardworking and keen to learn. Singaporeans will have to work doubly hard in order to compete with others.

Ong Yan Lin (2E3)
Today we went to “Gui Yuan Shi” (a temple). The tour guide shared with us that the signboard with its name was written by an Emperor which shows how prestigious this temple is. The temple has 500 “luohans”. It can help to predict our fortune. We chose our own luohan based on our age. We then took a card based on the number of the luohan and we can know our fortune, according to the writings on the card. Generally, the cards would encourage us to work hard for our future. I respect the Chinese culture as it has a long history. The Chinese people are very creative and will innovate to help the county to progress. Singapore, in comparison, has fewer people and probably does not have as many talented people. Singaporeans will have also have to venture out of our country to explore and learn about other cultures as well as strengths of people of other countries.

Tan Song Leng Edwina (2E3)
Today we visited the exhibition of the relics and coffins unearthed from the tomb of an important man, Marquis Yi of Zeng at Hubei Museum. Young girls would be buried alive with rich men back then. They had no right to object as they were of lowly position. I feel so lucky that I am born in this modern era whereby men and women are of equal status. Woman can now choose their own destiny and have the freedom of speech.

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