<- Click to filter by commenter
| 27 |
Snowing Huangshan Hi Jianshuo, I'm a bit confused: "Wendy got bus in Shanghai at 5:00 PM and arrived in Shanghai around 11:00 PM. ". Did you mean to type that she got in Huangshan at 11pm? :) ps: I love the gorgeous scenery; wished I could tolerate cold weather to take my first winter trip to anywhere! :) |
| 26 |
Pictures of my Newly-Born Baby Hi Jianshuo It's been a long time since i've visited your blog (and read your postings)- happened to do so recently as I'm planning for my 2nd trip to Shanghai (and Hangzhou) next month. I'm extremely surprised and happy to read about the new member in Wendy and your family- CONGRATULATIONS! i love the pictures of your son (especially of the one where he's smiling in his sleep :) and i think he's just absolutely adorable. oh! i heard that it's not good to use the flash when taking pictures of little children (because of light exposure, infra-red etc) but I think you've got that in mind as the pictures posted seem to have been taken in natural light. once again, GONG XI NI! |
| 25 |
Volunteer for Beijing Olympics If travel, hotel are provided. Volunteer are means volunteer or not? I think if all these provided, there must many people want to be, just guessing. |
| 24 |
US Credit Card Fraud Infected China (and Me) Hi Jianshuo, i picked this up from a local (SG) bank's website. "US Credit/Debit Card Scam You may have read or heard about the security breach in the US of a third-party processor of payments for credit and debit card transactions, including Visa and MasterCard. The bank views this seriously and has started replacing the affected cards. However, please also be warned that there have been overseas reports of "scammers" and "phishers" contacting affected cardholders to confirm their new card details. They were instructed to call a specified phone number to verify their new card details; or reply via a hyperlink within an email." http://www.uob.com.sg/pages/personal/alert.html |
| 23 |
Pudong Starbucks is Nice separately, on the topic of coffee available in Singapore (although i'm not a fan of it :), mediaspin is correct to point out that there are many much cheaper alternatives here. For instance, a cup of plain kopi-o (local term for black coffee with no sugar/cream) in a coffeeshop or hawker centre is unlikely to cost you around S$0.60-0.80(?) whereas a cup of iced coffee at Starbucks, Coffee Bean, Spinelli (and etc) would cost at least S$4-5. i vaguely remember that when the concept of coffee houses such as Starbucks began in Singapore several years ago, the coffeeshops decided to create their own forms of coffee beverages which were available at such coffeehouses. anyway, the question remains- why does the price of a cup of coffee differ so much? could it be: 1) the environment (e.g. air-conditioned seating areas) 2) better quality coffee beans 3) that you pay so much so that you can sit as long as you want 4) ???? |
| 22 |
Pudong Starbucks is Nice Hi Jianshuo, this looks like the Starbucks which i saw from the night ferry i took on the HuangPu River last year! the sight (of a Starbucks by the river) was stunning to me too! :) |
| 21 |
Shanghai Under Stress Test the answer to Richard's question is : global warming. Humans' ignorance & reluctance to take care of, preserve and love our environment & Mother Nature :( |
| 20 |
Shanghai is Hot Jianshuo, hope you and your family & friends are fine! =========== Channelnewsasia, posted: 04 July 2005 1700 hrs Hundreds hospitalised as Shanghai swelters amid heatwave SHANGHAI : Hundreds of people have been hospitalised in the Chinese metropolis of Shanghai as a record-shattering heatwave showed no signs of letting up, straining already stretched power resources. The thermometer hit 39 degrees Celsius (102.2 degrees Fahrenheit) on Sunday, making it a record ninth straight day above 35 degrees and the hottest July 3 in the city since 1873. The sweltering heat has strained power supplies as air-conditioners were turned up to maximum, but hundreds, mostly elderly, were hospitalised with heat stroke and breathing difficulties. Over 600 ambulances have been dispatched each day, the Shanghai Daily reported. No deaths, however, have been reported. With air-conditioners accounting for much of the power usage, authorities have instructed government buildings, malls, offices, hotels and entertainment venues to set their air-conditioning dials no lower than 26 degrees Celsius. Residents of the city of 17 million will have to endure the hot, humid temperatures at least until Wednesday when meterologists have forecast partial relief from expected rainstorms, the Shanghai Meteorological Bureau said. - AFP/de |
| 19 |
Shanghai is Hot Jianshuo, hope you and your family & friends are fine! =========== Channelnewsasia, posted: 04 July 2005 1700 hrs Hundreds hospitalised as Shanghai swelters amid heatwave SHANGHAI : Hundreds of people have been hospitalised in the Chinese metropolis of Shanghai as a record-shattering heatwave showed no signs of letting up, straining already stretched power resources. The thermometer hit 39 degrees Celsius (102.2 degrees Fahrenheit) on Sunday, making it a record ninth straight day above 35 degrees and the hottest July 3 in the city since 1873. The sweltering heat has strained power supplies as air-conditioners were turned up to maximum, but hundreds, mostly elderly, were hospitalised with heat stroke and breathing difficulties. Over 600 ambulances have been dispatched each day, the Shanghai Daily reported. No deaths, however, have been reported. With air-conditioners accounting for much of the power usage, authorities have instructed government buildings, malls, offices, hotels and entertainment venues to set their air-conditioning dials no lower than 26 degrees Celsius. Residents of the city of 17 million will have to endure the hot, humid temperatures at least until Wednesday when meterologists have forecast partial relief from expected rainstorms, the Shanghai Meteorological Bureau said. - AFP/de |
| 18 |
US Credit Card Fraud Infected China (and Me) Hi Yun, sorry for the delayed response. The fraud does affect credit card users from all over the world based on what I've been reading in newspapers.. you can read more abt it from here http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/06/17/national/main702793.shtml |
| 17 |
US Credit Card Fraud Infected China (and Me) Jianshuo, here in Singapore, i read from the Straits Times newspapers that people who had used their cards in USA or at USA websites between Nov last year to Apr this year were especially "vulnerable" to the fraud... |
| 16 |
Second Day of College Entrace Exam Hi Jianshuo, after writing my post last night, I watched again on SG tv, a newsclip from China, saying that the university students can get hold of the ANSWERS (!) to their papers a day (?) after their exams. But there are many parents who cannot wait that long and pay for these answers instead. Is this true?? I'm really amazed answers are given! |
| 15 |
Second Day of College Entrace Exam I watched the news this week and it mentioned that the students make sure they do not take cabs/taxis with the "inauspicious" numbers (0, 4 & 6) during exam-days. As I understand from that news, these numbers are avoided for the following reasons: - 0: looks like an egg, and therefore, no one wants to score a "zero egg" for their papers - 4: pronounced as "si" in Chinese which sounds like "die" in Chinese - 6: i think it's because it sounds similar to a Shanghainese word that means "slipped away". |
| 14 |
Lugu Lake Jianshuo, was the first lake picture taken by you?? It's absolutely gorgeous!! you're right, i was browsing through the pictures before reading the text below, and the first thing that struck me with the pictures was: 1) the wooden hut 2) then a picture of you and a COMPUTER in that hut. i'm amazed, and impressed!!! what i'm curious with is: how did the owner move a house aged 100years ago within 3 days?!? wow! |
| 13 |
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas to everyone at JS' blog too! Firstly, i need to sincerely apologise to i-forgot-your-name for not (yet?) translating Wendy's birthday wishes for you. pls forgive me as I am currently having some serious problems at work so i hope you can understand my situation (of not being to spare much time and energy at this, for the time being). i really do hope i will be able to sit down one fine day and finish the task for you! Secondly to Bellevue: it's coincidental that you brought up the "politically-correct" topic as it is exactly what I had read in the Straits Times (Singapore newspapers) today (as attached).. "STRAITS TIMES" Dec 24, 2004 Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? Christians in the US, fed up with secularisation of festive season, are fighting back WASHINGTON - MS JULIE West is tired of being wished 'Happy Holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas'. She is annoyed with department stores that use 'Season's Greetings' banners, and with public schools that will not touch the Nativity story. So last week, she sent a baked protest to a holiday party at her first-grade son's school: A chocolate cake with vanilla frosting and red icing that spelt out 'Happy Birthday Jesus'. 'Christmas keeps getting downgraded, to the point that you are almost made to feel weird if you even mention it,' Ms West, a resident of Edmonds, Washington, told USA Today, describing herself as a non-denominational Christian. 'What is the matter with recognising the reason behind the whole holiday?' This Christmas, she has plenty of company. Christians and traditionalists, fed up with what they view as the de-emphasising of Christmas as a religious holiday, are filing lawsuits, promoting boycotts and launching campaigns aimed at restoring references to Christ in seasonal celebrations, USA Today reported. Christians across the United States are moving to counter years of lawsuits that have made governments wary about putting Nativity scenes on public property. In Bay Harbour Islands, Florida, a Christian sued in federal court after town officials refused to let her erect a Nativity scene next to a menorah, or Hanukkah candelabra, on a causeway. Last week, a judge ordered the town to comply. In Maplewood, New Jersey, parents and students petitioned the school board after officials dropped even instrumental versions of Christmas music from class programmes. In Denver, a Protestant church responded to the city's decision to drop 'Merry Christmas' from public signs by trying to enter a Christmas-themed float in the holiday parade. Supporters picketed the parade and sang Christmas carols after the float was rejected. In California, a group called the Committee to Save Merry Christmas is boycotting Federated Department Stores. The group claims that Federated's affiliates, including Macy's, prohibit clerks from saying 'Merry Christmas' and ban the word 'Christmas' from ads and store displays. The retail giant says it has no such policy. The new battles over religion's role in holiday celebrations come more than two decades after the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups began going to court to try to get municipalities to remove Nativity scenes and other religious displays from public property. The ACLU argued that such religious symbols violated the First Amendment's ban on government-endorsed religion. In two rulings in the 1980s, the US Supreme Court said that Nativity scenes are acceptable when they are combined with other symbols - such as a Santa Claus house - that indicate Christmas is a secular holiday in American culture as well as a religious one. But cake-maker Ms West is claiming a small victory. Although her son's teacher expressed misgivings, Ms West served slices of her 'Happy Birthday Jesus' cake to 20 first-graders and about five other parents. No one complained. " |
| 12 |
Top 10 Places to See in New York City Hi JS, until recently, i was diligently researching on a Christmas trip to New York so I'm most glad to share with you, NY websites which i had found. I have seen on tv that the New York Christmas lightings are already on so you're really lucky!!! http://www.nyctourist.com/xmas_in_NYC.htm http://www.iloveny.state.ny.us/ http://members.aol.com/chopstcks/newyork/nyplaces.htm http://hot-links.ws/ny-links.htm http://www.key2newyorkcity.com/index.esiml http://www.newyorkcityfocus.com/ I would also strongly recommend that you join Flyertalk as you can go through the forums on New York and look for relevant info, & if needed, post questions for others to help you with http://www.flyertalk.com This is their New York Forum (you may browse without joining FlyerTalk) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=a509ee152a2793207e2c03d34360ff8f&f=465 I really look forward to seeing your trip report and pictures from US! |
| 11 |
Alexa Cheatting JS, i can't seem to locate the "cheating" article you are referring to.. |
| 10 |
Two Cats in my Garden Hi JS, did you mean to type "mother" (instead of "month") under the first picture mean? i am just a little confused.. :) |
| 9 |
Going Back to China? Hi Jianshuo, I was wondering if the title should read as "Coming back / Returning to China" instead, as it is a post from your viewpoint. anyway, i just read something which really made me sit up. " NY declares Chinese New Year a holiday FROM next year, people living in New York state will enjoy an extra public holiday - the Chinese New Year. A new Bill making this a gazetted holiday was passed on Monday in recognition of the great contributions to New York state made by Asian immigrants, reported Xinhuanet yesterday. There is now also hope among Chinese residents in other states that the New York move will spread. New Yorkers currently enjoy 10 days of public holiday while Singaporeans have 11 days, of which two days are for the Chinese New Year. Other countries that designate a public holiday for this festival include Malaysia, China, South Korea, Vietnam and other Asian countries. The Chinese festival, usually highlighted with fire crackers and lion dances, will be celebrated at all New York schools and organisations, and will be used as a platform to promote the Asian culture. Currently, 28 per cent of the 18 million residents of New York State are Asians. ~ from Streats 12 Nov 2004" ps: I know that i owe someone a translated post of Wendy's article. I'll try my best to complete the task by this weekend. my sincere apologies for the delay- have been caught up with work. |
| 8 |
ShanghaiWiki.MetroTypos Created Hi Jianshuo, i just read this article from the English newspaper in SG. Thought I'd share it with the rest here at your site. actually i have another interesting article abt China which i'd like to share (perhaps i should start my own blog BUT that wld probably take me forever to create AND maintain! haha). should i email it to you instead?? to JL: i will try translating Wendy's blog (found it!) during the weekend if time allows :) ===================== Straits Times ~ Oct 21, 2004 English signs go up in Guangzhou TOILET and police are in. Cesuo and jingcha are out. English is displacing hanyu pinyin on public signs in Guangzhou, Guangdong's provincial capital. According to the local official committee that advises on the city's language policy, the Guangzhou government has asked several of its departments and organisations to use English words or names for local venues. The change will encompass Guangzhou's city streets, scenic spots, parks, residential areas, bus stops, metro stations, piers, museums and even public toilets. It is part of the government's effort to turn the city into an international metropolis. Currently, the Romanised words demarcating the city's public places are either in hanyu pinyin or transliterated from the local Cantonese dialect, both of which most foreigners find confusing. The committee will follow up with checks to ensure the replacements are undoubtedly English. New police cars are already Anglicised, with the pinyinised Chinese word for police, jingcha, replaced the word 'police'. These new cars started patrolling Guangzhou late last week. An English-speaking police hot line was also launched. And before the end of the year, police stations will have to include their English names on the signs hung on their gates. -- CHINA DAILY/ASIANEWS NETWORK |
| 7 |
Happy Birthday to Me Hi JL- wld you mind letting me know which date's blog (of Wendy's) are you referring to? I cld try to translate, but i can't seem to find any such blogs at Wendy's site after a look at the Sept & Oct entries. What catches my eye though are: 1) the 2 cats playing outside Wendy and JS' house 2) Wendy's 13 Oct entry, which i find very interesting but i don't really understand (very mind-boggling indeed).. the "conversations" are a little confusing. |
| 6 |
Happy Birthday to Me 祝你生日快乐， 身体健康! (也希望Wendy已康复了) 嗯希望你不会介意。。 这帖子的标题少了个H |
| 5 |
Inside Pudong Airport Maglev Train I look forward to being on the Maglev on my next trip to Shanghai, especially after seeing the impressive photos taken by JS. My friend's husband had highly recommended me to give it a try when I was in Shanghai in June, but I didn't have the chance. He had however, also lamented that it was not his top choice of transport to Pudong Airport as the stations were not very central I have one question though: what are roles of the Maglev hostess? Are they similar to the stewardess on airplanes (i.e. serving food, beverage)?? BTW, i noticed that if you scroll the photos from the bottom, (i.e. start with the ticket photo, and scroll up till you reach the one showing the train's ceiling), it hits you with a loud WOW. try it!! |
| 4 |
Happiness, Wealth and Long-Live sorry to read that Wendy's fallen ill- oh dear! I hope she will recover soon. Could it be due to the changing autumn weather? A balanced diet, lots of rest and water and a visit to the doctor should do the trick- Don't worry JS! pardon my blurness but i assume these "statues" are what we more commonly refer to as "Fu, Lu, Shou" |
| 3 |
PVG: From Pudong Airport to Hangzhou hi all, i am going to Shanghai early next week (first trip to China! excited, although not so abt the current mei yu season.. grrrr... r.a.i.n..). part of my plan is to stay overnight at Hangzhou with my friends for a day. we would like to know if anyone has recommendations on good, reliable hotels in Hangzhou, which are preferably near to the train station as we will be rushing back to Shanghai (via express train) the following day to catch a flight home.. it would not make much sense at too expensive a hotel since we will be checking out real early your soonest reply will be greatly appreciated- THANKS!!! |
| 2 |
Shanghai Consolidated Guide i'm sorry, after going through half of the website, i am still not sure if this is the right place to post this question. I would like to ask where can local Chinese, in Shanghai, change RMB to foreign currencies such as HK$, NT$, SGD or Mysia Ringgit? I was told that it is EXTREMMMEELLYY difficult for the locals to change RMB to foreign currencies. My friend (not a local) said they need to produce a passport at the banks to prove that they are foreigners before they can change foreign currencies to RMB. My other question is: are there ANY restrictions on the amount of RMB a foreigner can bring OUT of China?? This is the situation which i'll be facing IF my Chinese friend can't change the RMB to my currency easily in Shanghai. this problem is giving me so many headaches before my trip to SH next Tuesday. HELP me please! |
| 1 |
Difference Between Quanqiutong and Shenzhouxing Hi Jianshuo, i sent you an email a few weeks/mths (?) ago but i think you've been really busy. I am going to Shanghai next Tuesday and have a friend there. I've asked my friend to get a prepaid SIM card for me first so that i can contact my friends who are using non-China sim cards (on autoroam) in Shanghai. (These friends are visiting Shanghai with me). I was wondering if it is possible to make an overseas call, and send SMS to an overseas number using a Shen Zhou Xing card? and would you have any clue where we can find more info on Shen Zhou Xing cards?? You see, my friend has been in Shanghai for almost a year and still can't figure out how to send an SMS to an overseas number using the prepaid card (i'm assuming my friend is using Shen Zhou Xing, as I was told it is a prepaid card). the norm would be to add a plus sign in front of the country code etc. but i don't think that works in my friend's case Would really appreciate your soonest reply on this- Thanks (it was not very encouraging to read of the rainy season though.. sob..) |