Apologies...

Hi pals!
I can't view your blogs currently because I'm in China and they blocked blogspot, however for some reason I can still post new blogs. I will visit your blogs when I get back to Melbourne! :)
Can't wait to see you guys again!

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

A couple of weeks ago, I bought a CD called Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. It features music from the 2002 animated film, a story about a horse called Spirit who was born in the wild during the times of the Old West, and was later captured by humans, and yet after struggling through countless obstacles and danger, finally regained his freedom with his cimarron herd. It is a beautiful and moving film, and I remembered that I cried the first time when I watched it. *sniff sniff* There is not much dialogue in this film, as the horses don't actually talk, yet I think this is what's good about it. It's definately one of my favourite animated films. I highly recommend this movie to everyone. The movie can be downloaded in eight parts on YouTube, but watching it on DVD would be much better as you can enjoy the brilliant music as well.

This film's soundtrank is totally amazing! Music is composed by Hans Zimmer. The CD mostly features songs sung by Bryan Adams, with a few instrumental tracks. The most majestic of these I think is 'Homeland'. While listening to this track, I can still vivdly picture the wide open plains where wild horses ran free. The songs meanwhile are just as good as the music. Bryan Adams is a great singer, and his songs truly reflect Spirit's personality; his gentle yet fearsome nature, as well as his grief in times of darkness and his courage in the face of danger. Yeah, so if you feel like it, why not download some tracks and give it a try?

The CD I bought contains 15 tracks, and these are:
1. Here I am (end title)

2. I Will Always Return
3. You Can't Take Me
4. Get Off My Back
5. Brothers Under the Sun
6. Don't Let Go
7. This Is Where I Belong
8. Here I Am
9. Sound the Bugle
10. Run Free
11. Homeland (main title)
12. Rain
13. The Long Road Back
14. Nothing I've Ever Known
15. I Will Always Return (finale)

'Sound the Bugle' is probably my favourite track. It's played when Spirit's future was looking grim, and he is thinking of giving up because he cannot find a way out from the humans' grasp. I love the lyrics, here goes:

Sound the bugle now - play it just for me
As the seasons change - remember how I used to be
Now I can't go on - I can't even start
I've got nothing left - just an empty heart

I'm a soldier - wounded so I must give up the fight
There's nothing more for me - lead me away...
Or leave me lying here

Sound the bugle now - tell them I don't care
There's not a road I know - that leads to anywhere
Without a light I fear that I will - stumble in the dark
Lay right down - decide not to go on

Then from an height - somewhere in the distance
There's a voice that calls - remember who you are
If you lose yourself - your courage soon will follow

So be strong tonight - remember who you are

Ya you're a soldier now - fighting in a battle
To be free once more - Ya that's worth fighting for

Snow Day in Ningbo!!

I woke today to find the ground covered in a fluffy layer of snow!! Since I live in Australia, snow is indeed a rare sight. I was so excited! The last time I played in the snow was about three years ago, during my previous visit to China.

After breakfast and some house chores however, half the snow has melted away. Still, there was plenty to make a small snowman. My sister Jane and I thus wrapped up in cloaks, scarves and gloves and headed outside.

We got all the snow we needed from on top of the cars coz the snow there are the whitest and the fluffiest. Findind a place to build the snowman was a bit difficult as there weren't many flat ground around. At last we found a stone chair to act as the base for our snowman project. My gloves were soon soaked by the melting snow, making snowman-building increasinly difficult. Brrr...it was freezing! At last, our beautiful snowman was finished, we used a few lychee cores for its eyes and nose, and a piece of snow pea for the mouth. We dubbed it: Mr.Squishy!!!

The Pros and Cons of Living in China

Although China is my home country, I still think that Australia is a better country to live in. Well, both countries have their own pros and cons. Wouldn't it be great if I can mix the two together? :P

Pros of living in China:

• The cost of living is cheaper. Say if one earns money in Australia, then spend it in China, nearly everything would seem a whole lot more affordable, especially every day essentials.
• Late closing times are very convienient. Every day, shopping centres are open until 10 to 11pm, unlike in Melbourne, where the shops close at 5.30pm except on Thursdays and Fridays when shops close at 9.00pm.
• Clothing range: the varieties of clothes on sale in China is far more diverse than what I have noticed in Melbourne. Most of my clothes are bought from China as there are not many clothes that suit me or my tastes back in Melbourne.
• Food glorious food: I can enjoy authentic Chinese cuisine in China, as well as other delicacies which cannot be found in Australia.

Cons of living in China:

• Large population: in my hometown, Ningbo, alone, there are over 5 million people. Due to rapid development, the number of vehicles on the roads are increasing by hundreds every day. It is a pain just to park your car, not to mention travelling a major road during peak hours. My cousin told me that you can leave your car on the road to use the toilet and when you return, your car would still be in the same spot!
• Dangerous traffic: in China, you cannot wait until the road is clear to cross the road, or else you will never get to the other side. It is a pedestrian's job to safely weave in and out of vehicles to cross the road. Cars will come within inches of you, even on a pedestrian crossing. Cars are not the only danger. Cyclists and motorcyclists are probably the most daring people on the roads. They are everywhere, zooming in and out of streets, one must keep their wits about them in order to avoid being hit.
• Inadequate control of hygiene rules: even though their are "keep our country clean" signs everywhere, some people still spit all over the place, which is much more indecent than littering. When I walk on the streets, I have to constantly look on the ground to avoid stepping on spit. Eww...XP Australia is much cleaner and less pollution results in a better environment.
  

Nevertheless, China is still an exciting country, with plenty to see and do. Still, I can't wait to return to Melbourne! :)

Winter in China

Brrr!! It's so cold here in mainland China. Still, I am glad to leave the stuffy hot summer back in Melbourne, Australia. One thing I missed though - my pet rabbit Rex. I had to leave him at home in the cage all the time, but my lovely auntie is looking after him every day. Although he won't be out and about, at least he would have a clean cage and litterbox, and plenty of food and water.

We got a new home in my hometown Ningbo, China. It's kinda like a two-storey apartment and it's ultra awesome! It is much more modern-looking than my home back in Melbourne. I have my own room with a double bed! Dad also bought a 46inch Sharp Aquos LCD TV, complete with DVD player and surrond stereo system. Watching movies at home is a whole lot better now! Our home has three bedrooms, an open study, two bathrooms, two balconies, two walk-in wardrobes and an open kitchen opposite a spacious living room. Ahh! I love my new home! :)

I have been in China for nearly a month now and have done a LOT of shopping already. I got heaps of new clothes, shoes, a R4 card and leather pouch for my Nintendo DS, some books and best of all, a lap top computer of my own! It's a blue Sony CR series laptop and it's absolutely brilliant!!

Food here in China is really cheap, well in terms of currency conversion. One Australian dollar equals to around 6.5 RMB. When I go to supermarkets, I buy a load of snacks such as cakes and those yummy Asian snacks, which are a lot cheaper than in Melbourne! My grandparents also buy us fruits which you don't get in Australia, they said, "Try to enjoy them while you can!" Mmmm....I'm in heaven! Hehe...

Well, that's it for now...FOR NOW...more to come! :P