oelp daily reflections (Raphaela)

Day 1

(25/5/14)

Today we went to San He (三河), honestly I didn't really enjoy myself as I find that the guide couldn't really capture our attention. Like she was kinda absorbed in her own world and didn't really bothered to see if we understood. However, I pretty much enjoyed the the train ride from Shanghai to Anhui, Hefei. As it was my first taking the high speed rail, which is a brand mew experience for me. Also I  realized that I felt little homesick just after a few hours as I couldn't get used to the food here and the environment, but this is something that I have to learn from the trip. I have to learn how to adapt to the environment. However, the hotel was much better than I expected and I'm pretty much satisfied with the place we're staying so far.

Day 2

(26/5/14)

Today we went to visit Hefei 45 Zhong (合肥45中). Today I learnt a lot of things about my buddy and her classmates. I was really thankful that her classmates were so welcoming towards us. Also, her chairperson even took the initiative to talk to me when she saw me and my buddy on the street and she was very friendly. She also told me that the class was really anticipating our arrival and had been doing so since 8 in the morning which is their first lesson. Though at first me and my group members were really awkward with them, but however after sometime we got closer to them. During the lessons, my group members and I couldn't really understand the lessons but we didn't have to worry much as we have our buddies to help us through by guiding and explaining things to us slowly so as to ensure that we understand. However I was a little disappointed as I couldn't help my partner out during her English lessons as they knew that we were better in English compared to them. However we were unable to help out as the way they had English lessons were totally different from ours. Not only that I also realized that the teaching style in china is really different from Singapore. I was also really thankful that their English/Formteacher gave us a really warm welcome and even sayed her goodbyes to us when we left and even when we performed not only that she gave us the most support of of the class. Throughout the whole day where we spent most of the time at their school, I learned also learned that the students in China were really enthusiastic in learning and were really eager to answer the questions their teachers ask. Not only did their passion of learning amaze me as despite the fact that their learning environment is not as good as ours, which was cramp and stuffy, they still were really attentive in class and could answer the questions their teachers ask. Unlike them, we have very good learning environment, however we don't cherish it and take it for granted. Hence, all in all I think that today was a fruitful day for me.

5 things I like about RV:

-the not so stuffy learning environment 

-quiet learning environment

-the short school hours 

-the small number of the classmates 

-the nicer smelling toilets than compared to the toilets in China 

Day 3

(27/5/14)

Today we went to the Anhui Museum and to the Cultural Park. At the museum we learnt a lot of about the different things learnt in different dynasties. However, at the Cultural Park I learnt the most there. Our guide took us to watch chickens fight each other and it was really heartbreaking seeing it as there were so thin and were all almost featherless and yet they still have to be used to fight with their own species. Next was the dog racing show, when the dogs were being lead out to the open space intront of us by their trainers, at that moment I felt like bringing those dogs home and take care of them. Even though I'm scared of them I still had to urge to take care of them myself because I know that I can take better care of them than compared to the local people. The dogs were so skinny it's almost as if you gone see their bones protruding out and it was disheartening to see this scene. I also couldn't help but think that the dogs that are wandering around on the streets are maybe happier than these dogs. 

Next up was the circus performance. It was by far the most cruel performance I've watched. Firstly, the tigers came out being lead their trainers at first I though it was gonna be some really dangerous performance for the trainers and pitied them. However, my sympathy for them instantly changed and instead felt sympathy for the tigers as they were being commanded by the trainers to do things that they are unwillingly to do and they were being beaten with a metal stick by their trainers. At the point of the time, I started tearing up as I think that animals should have basic respect from their trainers. As the tigers are also living things, they have feelings too. They don't deserve to be treated like that and being abused by humans. Hence, it made me feel very angry and sad at the same time as the tiger was being mistreated. 

Day 4

(28/5/14)

Today, we took a 4 hour long bus journey to the mid of Huangshan(黄山). However, we still had to take the cable car and climb in order to reach the peak of Huangshan. But, taking the cable car to the peak was mission impossible for him as I have fear of heights. However, thanks to my friends and the encouragment the teachers gave me I took the courage to step into the cable car carriage. Although I was still shaking when I was in the carriage I was thankful that I had my helpful classmates who comforted me and allowed me to hold onto them. 

When we got downt the cable car, I was taken aback by our guide as she said we had to climb 20mins to our hotel and then continuing climbing around 3hours to see different sites. But this trip isn't called OELP for nothing. Though it was tiring that we have to climb so many steps and for so long, but thanks to this opportunity we were able to get to know people we don't usually talk to in class more and bond more with classmates, as we kept giving encouragment to each other. 

Day 5 

(29/5/14)

Today we woke up extra early just to be able to see the beautiful scene of the sun rise from Huangshan.Neverthelss, the scene of the sunrise didn't disappoint me at all. It was by far one of the most beautiful scenes I've ever seen.  

After breakfast, we climbed to the other side of Huangshan and looked around to see other nice scenery in Huangshan. Who knew, coincidentally, we met a RV senior who graduated in 1967☺️We even sang the school song with him and took a group picture with him.🎶📷

After that, it was time we left Huangshan and head to our next destination yixian, which has 200 years of history😱

Day 6 

(30/5/14)

Today, we went to visit different villages. We learnt a lot from this visit as we learnt the stories about almost each and every corner of the place through the local tour guide who explained everything to us in detail. Hence, making us realize that things may look about the same on the outside but the story they are about to tell us different. 

We also had talk about Anhui in the evening. The talk allowed us to learn a lot more about the cultural difference between Anhui and Singapore and also we learned a lot more about Anhui either than the things that we learned in the past few days. 

Lastly to end off the night, we also had circle time. It allowed us to learn how some people honestly feel about certain things and allowed many of us to learn that we shouldn't hurt others feelings because we don't really know the story behind everything that is happening to him/her. This circle time made our class grow even closer and attached to each other. Also, Mr Wong also showed us a video which he edited and I was truly touched by his video because it made me have many emotions. 

Day 7 

(31/5/14) 

Today we went to the ancient street of Tunxi(屯溪老街) to shop. Although there were many things we wanted buy, we could only buy things where we really find that is rare in Singapore as we were only given 40mins to shop😔👜 we still had a really fun time as this was the first and last time we got to buy anything from Anhui☺️

Afterwards, after our short yet fun shopping we headed to Hangzhou. It was another bus journey that took 2.5 hours. At hangzhou, we sat a boat across the river. Even though the view wasn't as pretty as the view at Huangshan, we still had fun on the boat. 

Finally after our Hangzhou trip, it was time for us to head to the airport to go back to home sweet home🏡at the airport, we were given free time to have dinner with our friends and it was by far my best meal throughout the whole trip as I was eating with the people that never fails to brighten up my days withou fail. After dinner, we even went to Starbucks to have a drink☕️I finally satisfied my craving for Starbucks✌️However, who knew that our flight had been delayed by 1h which meant that I will reach home one hour later😭but we were given coupons where we could claim free meals but be so we already had our dinner, we decided to claim the ice creams🍦but we were given two ice cream hence we decided to give one of it to a random stranger🍨

Although, at the start I hated the trip a lot, but as the days passed, I slowly enjoyed myself more and a fun time as I learned a lot of different things throughout the trip😄

oelp daily reflections (Mei Ling)

DAY 1 (25/4/14)

Today we took the High Speed Rail from Shanghai to HeFei and had lunch. Lunch today wasn't that satisfying and the toilets there totally disgust us but it wasn't that bad since we already had some mental preparation that the toilets in China will not be as clean as Singapore's. After lunch we went to 三河古镇 where I learnt a lot about some of the famous people in china history. 三河古镇 is a place with where many outstanding people in china's history resides. Some of the people i learnt about were 孙立人，李鸿章 and 杨振宁. One interesting fact i have learnt was that 杨振宁 was the Chinese man to receive a nobel prize and he specializes in physics. 

DAY 2 (26/5) 

Today, we went to 合肥45中 for a observation program. On our way there, the new tour guide told us many many facts about Anhui and HeFei. Some of the more interesting and new facts to me were that the happiness index of the people living in Hefei is the highest in the whole of China! I was very shocked by this fact. Next, HeFei has the highest increase of GDP for a consecutive 8 years! I have always thought that Hefei is a not so developed place in China but instead, it was the total opposite thus i was taken aback by this fact. 

Next, after traveling on the bus for quite a period of time, we finally reached the school! Firstly, we went for class with our buddies. There are a few things that i have noticed about the differences in classes in China and Singapore. The students in china are really pro-active!! Whenever the teaches asks a question, the students will immediately shout out the answers. This leads me to my next point, i realised that the china students do not raise their hands before answering questions. In Singapore, it is a must to always raise our hands before talking in class as it is deemed as a form of respects towards to teachers. Also, they do not greet their teachers when they enter the classroom. It is a must for us to greet teachers when they enter the classroom as it is again, a form of respect. However, from their actions, we can see that they respect their teachers a lot although they do not do what singaporeans think is respectful. They also have a 10 min break after every 40 min class. I feel that Singapore schools should implement this so that we will not doze off so easily in class as we can use the break to rest and prepare for the next class. After having lessons with our buddies, they brought us out. My buddy brought me to her house and to the park. 

After spending a day in the school with my buddy, i've discovered that they are many differences between the education system of China and Singapore. 

5 things i love about RV:

-cleanliness

-hygiene

-quiet

-class size not too big

-classroom is big enough for a class

After a day in the school, i've realised that their toilets are very dirty and smelly. They have almost 60 students in a class with a very small classroom which makes their seats really cramped. They are also very noisy during their breaks which will get irritating sometimes. Therefore, i am thankful for the above 5 things mentioned.

DAY 3 (27/5) 

Today, we went to the anhui museum in the morning. At the museum i've learnt about the different things used in different dynasties such as windows, pots and memorial archways. One of the more interesting part of the museum i that 文房四宝 gallery. There, i learnt more about how the paper is made, i also learnt that the 毛笔 are made of different animals' hair such as rooster and rat. 

Next, we went to the intangible cultural heritage park. We went to watch rooster fighting, dog relay and a circus show. The rooster's feathers were dropping and its whole chest was red with many injuries. The dogs were so skinny that we can see its bones. The circus show started off with the circus master commanding the animals to do some acts. They beat them when the animals didn't obey them. I was very angry and sad. I feel that tigers should be living freely in the wild life but instead, they are captured and forced to perform these inhumane acts. Though animals are not like human, having to ability to talk, they still have a life and they still have feelings. I believe that everyone should have the freedom to not do things that they do not like. Likewise for animals, they also have a life and they should be living freely, wildly in the wild life instead of being enclosed in such a place getting tortured by, getting deprived of the rights they have. Although i am strongly against these acts of abuse, i also understand that the circus masters also have to make money to live. However i still think that this is a wrong way to make money. Being able bodied, they have many other choices to make money. 

DAY 4 (28/5)

After breakfast at the hotel, we set off on a 4-hour bus journey to 黄山! After the long journey on the bus, we finally arrived at 黄山市. After lunch we boarded the bus again to the cable car. We then took the cable car up to 黄山 and climbed our way up. 

After climbing countless flights of stairs, we finally reached the peak of 黄山!! The scenery up on 黄山 was totally breathtaking. It is no doubt a must-see in china. After exploring the mountains for quite some time, we headed back down to our hotel and had dinner. Sadly, we did not have any debrief tonight as we have to sleep well and wake up at 4am tomorrow to catch the sunrise! 

DAY 5 (29/5)

Woke up at 4am today to see sunrise at huangshan!! The guide told us that there is only a 50% chance of us seeing the sunrise as it is spring now, however all of us woke up at 4.30 to see the sunrise. And we saw the sunriseseeeee!! It is my first time catching the sunrise and it was reaaaaallyyyyyy beeeaauutiifuull~ *.* no regrets waking up at such a unearthly hour to catch the sunrise!!

After breakfast we went back up the mountains and had some free time to explore 黄山! With such beautiful scenery, who wouldn't spam pictures up there? Coincidentally met a rv senior who graduated in 1967 up there and we sang the school song with him in 黄山! Before we know it, it already time for us to leave 黄山 and head to our next destination. Already missing the beautiful 黄山! 

Next stop: yixian!

We visited yixian, a place with 200 years of history! They have a drain with steps above it to allow them to wash their clothes without obstructing the way. They also designed the houses in a way that if a fire breaks out, the houses surrounding it would not catch the fire. 

DAY 6 (30/5)

Today, we went to visit many villages such as 徽商大宅院 and tangyue. I realised that although all the villages belonged to different people, they all looked rather similar. I especially like the village with the seven memorial archways, each with a different story and meaning behind it. Some of the stories behind the memorial archways are about loyalty, filial piety and chastity. 

After visiting many villages today, we had a 2 hour lecture at night. The whole lecture allowed me to know more about Anhui's history, local food, and its famous people. It definitely increased my knowledge on Anhui!

After the lecture, we had a circle time. The circle time allowed us to know more about our classmates and made me reflect on myself and the trip. It made me think about the purpose of the trip and if i have achieved it. After watching the slideshow of all the pictures Mr Wong took, it made me really sad that this trip is coming to an end. 

DAY 7 (31/5)

Time flies, today is already our last day of the trip. Cant help to feel sad that the trip i was looking forward to since the start of the year is ending... 

We visited TunXi Ancient street in the morning to SHOP!! There were many things to buy there but however, we were only given 40 mins to shop which everyone thinks its not enough. One thing i've bought there was a fan where the owner would think of something meaningful out of your name and then write on the fan on the spot! 

Next, we boarded the bus again towards Hang Zhou. After 2.5 hours of bus ride, we finally reached and had our lunch there. After lunch, we went to take a West Lake cruise. As it was a man-made lake, the scenery around it was not that nice but still, we took many pictures at the back of the boat and enjoyed the cruise!

After the cruise, we walked over to the Yue Fei Mausoleum. Yue Fei is a man who loved his country and was loyal to his country. There is a round shaped tomb at the end of the mausoleum where they say Yue Fei is buried in it. Many respected him a lot and paid respect to him. 

We headed to the airport next. It is really sad to be leaving China, to be leaving the good times spent with our teachers and friends. We had dinner ourselves at the airport. We got some free coupons as our flight got delayed and since we already ate, we used the coupons to buy 2 ice-creams where we ate one ourselves and decided to give some random strangers the other one! Better to give than to receive :)

This oelp trip has definitely achieved its aim of us wanting us learn more about China and have fun in the process!! :D

3 questions

1. Will we have a hard time climbing up Huangshan?

2. How steep is Huangshan?

3. Are all parts of China linked by the high speed rail?

'How to start a Movement' - Derek Sivers

I feel that a leader is a very important person of the crowd. However, it also takes a follower to make the leader a leader. It is often seen as the leader is the most important person of the whole crowd but in actual fact, it is not. It is the first few followers who made they the movement successful. After the first few followers who joined, more people will join in. Therefore, the first follower is also considered as a leader. He is what makes a lone nut a leader. This is what sparks a movement. After all, whats a movement with only one person? Therefore i feel that followers are equally as important as the leader as the follower is the one who makes the leader not be seen as a loner doing things alone just like in the video. -Mei Ling

How to start a movement-Derek Sivers

Who starts a movement? People will normally say the leader, who is the person who initiated the movement. However, the person who really starts the movement, is the person who did not care abt his face, did not care about what others think of him, did not bother abt what others will say, and join the person into doing something, no matter if it is silly, and do it with him. That is the true person who starts a movement. 

That person will lead others into following what he has done and not make them feel awkward and be left out. This person makes the initiator and the audience not feel awkward and is kind of like the in between which lets the initiator gain supporters through the actions of the first supporter.

Thus, the person who really starts a real movement is the first supporter, the person who makes everyone bond together and supoort each other. That is the real hero who has the bravery to start a movement.

-Carissa (1)

Beijing national stadium

This bird-nest like structure is most recognizable for it's hosting of the prestigious Olympic event in 2008, the hosting country being China. Besides that, the Beijing national stadium has also made a significant impact on world architectural history due to it's unique and innovative structure.The Beijing national stadium is also known as 'The bird nest' for its uncanny resemblance to one.

See the resemblance?

INTERIOR

A paranorma of the interior of The bird nest

The stadium covers an area of about 258 thousand square meters (99.614 square miles), which can accommodate 80,000 fixed seats and 11,000 temporary seats. The stands can be changed in many ways, which can satisfy the needs of different numbers of spectators in different periods. The seats are placed so that the spectator's view is not obstructed at all times.The spectator stands surround the central of the stadium and is shielded by a thin bubble film , strategically placed on the top of the structure. The bubble film is waterproof, but is thin enough to allow light to penetrate, which explains the luscious green lawns in Beijing national stadium.

STRUCTURE

The design of this large stadium was accomplished together by Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron and Chinese architect Li Xinggang and the others. The structure of the building was inspired by Chinese ceramics. With the aim of a 'porous' yet 'collaborative and whole' structure, they exposed the steel supports and let them become it's most natural feature, with an exposed area in the center, which is directly above the players. The stadium is made of two completely different components - a red bowl that holds all the spectators and the outer steel structure. Originally intended to hide a retractable roof for the exposed center, it soon became acknowledged as the bird nest's most distinguished feature and hence, the retractable roof idea was dropped. Although the placing of the steel frames appear random ,the positions are nearly identical and symmetrical to each side.The highest point of the stadium is at 68.5 m from the ground and the lowest being 48 m.

Just my two-cents worth; I think the Chinese architects have outdone themselves with the Beijing national stadium. It is aesthetically pleasing even though the steel bars look at random, and serves its purpose well. It is a symbol of China's national pride and the effort they put in to be up to par as a country hosting the Olympics, so as to leave an impression on foreign countries and foreign players. It is most definitely an innovative idea and the likening of it to a bird's nest gives a very homely feel, for nests are where the bird families reside. That is one large steel nest that the world had its eye on during the 2008 Olympics and it was impressive.

-sinyee

Tiananmen

The Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, commonly known as the June Fourth Incident (六四事件) or more accurate language as '89 Democracy Movement (八九民运) in Chinese, were student-led popular demonstrations in Beijing which took place in the spring of 1989 and received broad support from city residents, exposing deep splits within China's political leadership. The protests were forcibly suppressed by hardline leaders who ordered the military to enforce martial law in the country's capital. The crackdown that initiated on June 3–4 became known as the Tiananmen Square Massacre or the June 4 Massacre as troops with assault rifles and tanks inflicted casualties on unarmed civilians trying to block the military's advance towards Tiananmen Square in the heart of Beijing, which student demonstrators had occupied for seven weeks. The scale of military mobilization and the resulting bloodshed were unprecedented in the history of Beijing, a city with a rich tradition of popular protests in the 20th century.

The Chinese government condemned the protests as a "counter-revolutionary riot", and has prohibited all forms of discussion or remembrance of the events since.Due to the lack of information from China, many aspects of the events remain unknown or unconfirmed. Estimates of the death toll range from a few hundred to the thousands.

This to me shows the people's difficulties and problems that they face. I learnt that we should maintain social order no matter what we do and this protest at tiananmen shows exactly what happens during a riot where many people are killed. 

~Carissa Lim