Went Shenzhen today. As if travelling into Shenzhen is not scary enough — think squeezing pass the custom by foot at Woodlands Custom x 10, to make things worse I travelled in with mom on the last day of CNY public holiday, when people who have flocked back to China for CNY is now rushing back to HK for work tomorrow. Making our way in was not too bad, but we were defnitely not prepared for the scene when we make our way back to HK (read: Woodlands Custom x 100).
Mom had planned for us to start going back to HK by 4pm, but we got abit carried away with shopping and went out of the shopping mall at about 4.30pm. The route to custom is one level below the ground floor of the shopping mall, and when we look down we see black, I mean we can only see hundreds thousands of heads lor!! I almost fainted.
We had no choice but to join the massive crowd. While being pushed along like ducks/chickens being chased around by the farmer, I discovered a interesting fact — that I actually have above average height. As I stand there, I can see above all their heads and see what’s happening infront. Mom however is unfortunately of average height. Thank goodness the weather was cooling, else the BOs and stuffiness might just suffocate mom.
I think Shenzhen is really bad for me. With that few hours in the shopping mall covered with a thick fog of cigarette smoke, super tiring process of bargaining, and all the shopkeepers pestering you to take a look at their bags/watches/do manicure, I developed a bad headache. I sent an SOS sms to MB and he said I’m like a old lady.
Shopping is so not my activity. Especially in Shenzhen. Arggh!
It’s my 3rd day in HK spending CNY with my parents. I had thought I would totally be out of touch with the cyberworld here coz there is no internet connection at my parents’ place, but guess what? Dad just bought a new laptop and using it I was able to “borrow” someone else’s wireless network. Joy!
Have been hibernating at home the past 2 days, decided not to nua further and went out for some shopping today.
Before we headed home just now, we dropped-by Park N Shop (a supermarket chain in HK). As I walked in I was greeted by a wall of gold at the entrance. It was a wall made up of many many boxes of Ferrero Roche. The ray of gold lights reflecting off the packaging of the chocolates almost blinded me. Talk about in your face marketing.
As I carried on walking, I see towers of cookie boxes, especially the danish cookies. The practice of Hong Kongers during CNY is slightly different from S’poreans. Here you can’t just take 2 mandarin oranges and then go CNY visitations. It would be essential that you get a gift — like cookies, candies, chocolates etc.
It’s the 2nd day of CNY and most shops have opened. Weather is perfect today — clear blue sky with cooling breeze. Reminds me of Melbourne. Have been eating non-stop as expected, too many things to eat, too little stomach space. I will put on weight, slowly but surely. Hai~
It was the gloomiest day, everything in sight becomes grey. There is no hope in life anymore. The world has ended.
It’s Kat’s last day in her twenties!
And we were there to usher in this new era of her life, we had to make sure it is unforgettable, so we went through lengths to “decorate” her house and the office.
QueenMother decorated her house’s front door and I decorated the office. And all people who knows Kat were mobilised to sms her a birthday wish, the number “30″ would be mandatory in their birthday wish.
With her 30th birthday celebration as the perfect excuse, we decided to check out Balcony. The food weren’t as expensive as we thought, however there wasn’t much selection available. And the music was a little too loud for old people like us — first we can’t hear each other, then when we talk we had to shout. But overall it was pretty cool.
As we toast to her special day, we did the yum seng. Ambitiously we wanted to yum seng 30 times, but by the 3rd or 4th time, our voice were all coarse from the laughing, shouting over the music and singing of birthday song (which we did 3-4 times as well, loud loud).
After dinner we proceed to level 2 at Balcony and managed to squeeze all 7 of us into a bed like area. It was kinda hot tho with no aircon.
Soon it was time to countdown and as the clock strikes twelve, Kat is officially 30 years old!!
Happy birthday woman!! Wish that you’ll stay young and pretty always. Try not to grow fat ok!! Haha!!
Enjoy a joyous Chinese New Year and as Frederic says it, “Everyone HUAT AH~!!” (loosely translated: everyone make big money!!).
Wishing everyone can eat alot and not grow fat.
Being the ultimate procrastinator, I left buying of the shopping list my parents gave me to the last minute. I only have today and tomorrow to — buy all items on the shopping list, change money and pack. Not helping that I’m joining the CNY crowd who also enjoys last minute shopping.
I headed down to Jurong Point yesterday evening, hoping to get good rates for money changing. As Jurong Point is well known for being crowded, MB stopped the car at the pick up point along the main road and I walked a short 1 minutes journey to Jurong Point.
I took the envelope with the money to change in it and started walking to Jurong Point. Feeling unsafe, I clasped the envelope closely to my chest (in true auntie fashion) and started walking real fast coz I was so afraid someone would run from behind and snatch the envelope away. Just being a little paranoid here.
Jurong Point was packed as usual. I went to basement where the moneychangers are. Lo and behold! The queue!! I took a peek at the bak kwa store (one of the items on the shopping list) and the queue is equally spectacular. I gave up and started my brisk return journey to the car, again clasping the envelope close to my chest.
I did my moneychanging and bak kwa buying during lunch today at another place. Tho the rates were not as good, at least there was no queue. Backside itchy lah, early early don’t prepare, what to do?!
Your eyes had just closed for a spilt second, or so you thought. Eyes wide opened now with heart pounding furiously, the brain attempts to process the gazillion thoughts that are rushing through.
You are suddenly confused of where you are, what time it is and which day this is. Frozen, you stare out the window looking at the dimly lit sky.
Panicking, tears started welling up in your eyes and you didn’t know what else to do — but cry.
Standing at the kitchen door sobbing inconsolably, dad is cooking and is bewildered as to what could have caused his little girl to be so upset.
Suddenly, you realised.
You are not late for school. You did not miss the school bus. It’s 7pm, not 7am.
With a sigh of relief, you dry your eyes and proceed to turn on the TV for Smurfs.
…
This is a true story. Don’t tell me it has never happened to you before. Don’t laugh.
If not for the fact that he needs to send his mobile for repair, these pictures would never be downloaded.
[Originally posted on 17 March 2005]
Metrosexual Boy bought some delicious chicken bak kwa (very cheeeep too! Only half the price compared to SG) in JB for his family, but alas, left it in one of the shop there and forgot to bring back. He told his family about his purchase and they told him not to take it back coz he might get caught at the custom, and might get a fine for it.
I told him it can’t be so serious, at most the custom officer would take it and throw it away. Fine?! Unless you are bringing into Singapore a whole truckload lor.
Well, at most when kena caught at custom and the officers insist that he should know since it is in the newspapers, do the best puppy doe-eyes and plea innocence, “I really dunno! I really dunno!” *blink eyes incessantly*
When I told Kat about it this morning, she commented, “Look at MB! I don’t think the custom officers would buy it lor. Tell him this tactic is not suitable for him lah.”
Something I have yet to see in HK.
Visit Engrish.com for more.
Via QueenMother
