Friday, November 12, 2010
Happy (Belated) Birthday to Me.
I'm officially 19, yay or yay. Lol.
AM BACK FROM CHEENA LAND, in one piece :)
5days trip; Was at Xiamen for the first 3 days and Quanzhou City on the last 2 days.
It was indeed an eye opener for me at Xiamen, Fujian, especially when I get to visit my Grandfather's hometown. Am still amazed that I've many more "new-found" relatives in China. And they are definitely a generous host; gotten the best in my 2 days stay at Quanzhou City (Jinjiang), which is in Fujian. Life in China is progressing, however many are still not living in the best condition. I supposed my relatives are lucky that they are doing rather well in their business, thus they are the more well-to-do in the area. However, there are many other people who aren't as lucky or as capable as them. Many are still living in environment with poor sanitation and hygiene, which resulted in poor living condition and poor health.
This trip to China is an educational trip for me. It's a trip for me to trace back my roots, to know what my ancestors have done to enable me to enjoy what I have today. If my grandfather didn't escape from the "China's National Service" to Singapore a long time ago, there wouldn't be any of us here, we wouldn't be enjoying the life we are having today. I'm really thankful for all that he have done. Even though my grandfather is no longer with us for 7 years, I'm hearten that there are many people out there who looks up to him (my relatives in China), and have the utmost respect for him.
This is probably the reason why my relatives from China are so generous, my grandfather contributed to their success today, hence his children and grandchildren are enjoying the fruit of labour from his hardwork.
Thank you Ah Gong.
"Without you, there wouldnt be daddy, and it means I will not exist. Grateful for all the things you have done for us."
Communication with my relatives is not easy, they communicate using Min Nan Language, also known as Hokkien in Singapore. (Even kids as young as 3 years old can speak FLUENT hokkien, like the little girl in the picture below!) I'm really thankful I picked up some Hokkien from my grandfather when I was younger, so I'm able to understand the language. But the problem is, conversing in that language is really difficult. They have different slangs for the Min language, and my parents even don't understand some slangs as they aren't the same as the Hokkien in Singapore. What a joke. But still, my Hokkien have improved after the trip :) Yeaps, My roots are still intact.
Meal time is crazy for me! Every meal time take at least an hour or more to finish. They enjoy feeding their guests with a widespread of sumptuous meal, to the extend that they will order from restaurant to serve the best meal for their guests. I have crabs, prawns, fish, and about 5 other more dishes for every meal! It's way tooooo insane. My parents and I always died after a meal. Hahaha. But I do appreciate their hospitality and generosity :)
Am really glad I went for this short getaway with my parents. Without this, I doubt I will ever get to see my distant relatives. I will return to the place to visit them again (Maybe in 5years time?When their housing gets better :D); this is my root, my relatives, hence I will cherish them dearly.
Went Xiamen for the first 3 days; and it is quite a nice place to be at :) Met my JC friend, Lynne at Xiamen! Really an impromptu but nice meetup! Hope a goooooooood holiday with my parents :) More updates on the China trip and also the happenings of my birthday soon! Cousin's wedding today! Yippie, so cannot waittttt.
AND, It's Jolene's Birthday today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOLENE TAN!!
Will be back for more updates! :)
♥
AM BACK FROM CHEENA LAND, in one piece :)
5days trip; Was at Xiamen for the first 3 days and Quanzhou City on the last 2 days.
It was indeed an eye opener for me at Xiamen, Fujian, especially when I get to visit my Grandfather's hometown. Am still amazed that I've many more "new-found" relatives in China. And they are definitely a generous host; gotten the best in my 2 days stay at Quanzhou City (Jinjiang), which is in Fujian. Life in China is progressing, however many are still not living in the best condition. I supposed my relatives are lucky that they are doing rather well in their business, thus they are the more well-to-do in the area. However, there are many other people who aren't as lucky or as capable as them. Many are still living in environment with poor sanitation and hygiene, which resulted in poor living condition and poor health.
This trip to China is an educational trip for me. It's a trip for me to trace back my roots, to know what my ancestors have done to enable me to enjoy what I have today. If my grandfather didn't escape from the "China's National Service" to Singapore a long time ago, there wouldn't be any of us here, we wouldn't be enjoying the life we are having today. I'm really thankful for all that he have done. Even though my grandfather is no longer with us for 7 years, I'm hearten that there are many people out there who looks up to him (my relatives in China), and have the utmost respect for him.
This is probably the reason why my relatives from China are so generous, my grandfather contributed to their success today, hence his children and grandchildren are enjoying the fruit of labour from his hardwork.
Thank you Ah Gong.
"Without you, there wouldnt be daddy, and it means I will not exist. Grateful for all the things you have done for us."
Communication with my relatives is not easy, they communicate using Min Nan Language, also known as Hokkien in Singapore. (Even kids as young as 3 years old can speak FLUENT hokkien, like the little girl in the picture below!) I'm really thankful I picked up some Hokkien from my grandfather when I was younger, so I'm able to understand the language. But the problem is, conversing in that language is really difficult. They have different slangs for the Min language, and my parents even don't understand some slangs as they aren't the same as the Hokkien in Singapore. What a joke. But still, my Hokkien have improved after the trip :) Yeaps, My roots are still intact.
Meal time is crazy for me! Every meal time take at least an hour or more to finish. They enjoy feeding their guests with a widespread of sumptuous meal, to the extend that they will order from restaurant to serve the best meal for their guests. I have crabs, prawns, fish, and about 5 other more dishes for every meal! It's way tooooo insane. My parents and I always died after a meal. Hahaha. But I do appreciate their hospitality and generosity :)
Am really glad I went for this short getaway with my parents. Without this, I doubt I will ever get to see my distant relatives. I will return to the place to visit them again (Maybe in 5years time?When their housing gets better :D); this is my root, my relatives, hence I will cherish them dearly.
Went Xiamen for the first 3 days; and it is quite a nice place to be at :) Met my JC friend, Lynne at Xiamen! Really an impromptu but nice meetup! Hope a goooooooood holiday with my parents :) More updates on the China trip and also the happenings of my birthday soon! Cousin's wedding today! Yippie, so cannot waittttt.
AND, It's Jolene's Birthday today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOLENE TAN!!
Will be back for more updates! :)
♥
