I suppose today is the last time it snows this winter, before temperatures start to rise and we gradually move into spring. And I'm glad I was out to enjoy it today, despite the chap on the roads and walkways :) It's so much more enjoyable walking in the snow than in the rain, especially with today's gigantic snowflakes. Total coolness.

A very nice day it has been. Looking forward to dry roads (but pretty impossible considering how much it has snowed today) and clear blue cloudless skies tomorrow :)

I learnt something new today :)


On static electricity...in the triboelectric series, our hands rank top so whenever we touch something that conducts, electrons jump from us to the object and we feel the static shock. And we end up positively charged. I suppose I conserve electrons better than Jo, because she's twice as likely to feel the shock than me. Haha. So when 2 people feel the shock upon contact, 1 has given the other some electrons. Interesting to know. It's more obvious in winter because the air is very dry. In summer, the air is more humid and the water in the air helps electrons move off us quickly so we do not build up as big a static charge.

On snow...frozen rain = sleet while frozen water vapour = snow. Cold temperatures change water vapour in the atmosphere directly into the solid state of ice (bypassing the liquid stage), creating snow that falls out of the sky. If the transformation happens closer to the ground on a cold surface, frost is created.


Our central heating has screwed up again :( And my voice is not back yet :(

campus visit

Visited 北大 and 清华 today. 北大 campus was full of old buildings, but the roofs and tiles were like the ancient palace kind, albeit not so grand. Everything was grey and the sky was gloomy and misty, giving everything a stale and dreary kind of feel. 清华 was much nicer, but it was kind of like a tourist destination, as there were souvenir shops and people touting for guided tours and bike rentals at the entrance. It was really serene, like a garden neighbourhood on its own, with lots of trees (but they were bare since it's winter) lining the roads which must be really beautiful in Spring or Autumn. Then there were fir trees and architecture which reminded us of the American-style Universities, with the red bricks and overgrown creepers which made for a perfect horror movie in my imaginative mind, but which was otherwise peaceful and homely, and certainly conducive for studying.

According to maria, "In 2009, only 3,560 out of 6.29 million people who passed the gaokao were admitted to 清华. Some 10.2 million students sat for the gaokao, which was spread over three days." So 0.03% of the students who sat for the gaokao got into 清华, and for 清华 and 北大 combined they would have the top 1%. Cream of the crop who escape to the USA eventually for greener pastures, according to my Opthalmology teacher today. What an irony. She said China is like nuturing talents for the USA.

烟火的季节

I haven't been so excited and amazed since my first encounter with snow last November. My gosh. When I first touched down I heard and saw fireworks. The next night I heard and saw fireworks again. I almost concluded fireworks must be free here. Then today, the last day of CNY, we bought our own fireworks and firecrackers to play!!! For just 20rmb per small set. Total coolness. From morning to night we hear "BOM BOM BOM" all the way, it's almost as if we're being invaded by fighter jets dropping bombs. Then at Anna's estate I got a first-hand experience of a war zone, it's what I'd imagine real war would be like. "Bombs" going up everywhere, from all directions around us, non-stop. Like stepping into a minefield or being bombed continuously from overhead. Just that everywhere you look you see beautiful sprays of fireworks in all designs, colours and magnitudes instead of blood and body parts. And at such close proximity, in-your-face with no blockages. This must be the most happening, exciting, happy, meaningful CNY ever. It just shows how no-life we've been in SG. Marvelling over 5-min fireworks displays during National Day when over here people light firecrackers and fireworks for 15 consecutive days like nobody's business. Nobody even stops to look up when they're walking on the streets, much less does traffic stop, unlike us sua-kus who just ooh and aah everytime the sky lights up or we hear the "wheeee-bom-bom-bom" every 5 steps we take. It took us frigging long to walk home, and for once it wasn't because of the rain and snow. Lol.

What a total blast it has been! We promise to make next CNY even more happening - shall invest in 200rmb fireworks! Ha. I wanted to buy and keep for my bday, but according to the seller it's illegal after CNY though it's possible as long as you don't get caught. But don't wanna risk getting caught and deported before I complete my degree hahahaha. So 1 year from now! Am so looking forward.

A great day it has been, and a great end to CNY. Hope this signals the start of a great 2010 :))