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16/06/2002
We came second in the Dragon Boat Races!
Sorry I haven't written here in a while. Anyway, the first annual Suzhou
Dragon Boat races were excellent!!! Quite a few teams went in it and they purposely made the course long and twisty, so there
were heaps of collisions.
It was fun to watch, but in the first heat our boat nearly
got taken down! After a scrappy start, with many a bump, we were looking at a 20 metre deficit to the leaders. With just under 15
metres to go, we were finally starting to bear down the lead boat but time was running out. With the
finish line just metres away, we tried a last ditch attempt to take the inside running. As they moved to cut us off,
we ended up ramming them into the pier wall and smashing off their dragon head! The final few metres was just a mad scramble
for the line and as we came from different angles, we smashed bows again crossing the line! In the end the referees called
it a draw, so both teams qualified for the final.
The final was cool too, but once again we got smashed up at the start and had to chase down the leaders. This
time though, we weren't able to repeat the effort and we had to settle for second prize. After the races, everyone sat
down to a live band, buffet dinner and fireworks.
I guess that's the main news for now, but I really should mention that it's my Mum's Birthday!!!!!!
so if you know her, send her an email, k?
Ok see ya, and thanks to all the people who've mentioned that they're visiting my site. You know who you are. Cheers,
Justin.
08/05/02
It's my bro's birthday today!!! and also I'm back from Hong Kong!!!
For the record, Hong Kong was excellent!!! There were beaches and pubs to hit, views to see and things to buy. The harbour
in particular was the most spectacular sight I've seen in a long time. I mostly spent my time roving around the coast and
the beaches, drinking expensive drinks and eating expensive food, ($400 aussie bucks on one meal! - but it was an awesome
meal in a great place)
Despite the great attractions on offer, my favourite thing about Hong Kong was the movies they show in the city
busses. Among these I loved the one where an old warrior and a little kid have a kung-fu fight over who is the best at mastering
that 'two sticks with string between them and a spinning, thing thing' For the record, the kid did win the fight,
but the old guy used a bald guys head for a pommel-horse and walked away with the good-looking chick, so you tell me who really
won?
All in all I had a great time, big thanks especially to the Thomas family who put me up and looked after
me almost the whole time.
ok, gotta, gotta go. Cheers, Pak
27/04/02
I am going to Hong Kong tomorrow!
It's all sorted out and it's
even free!!! Work is paying for me to go so I can renew my visa, but apart from that, I have nothing to do but take it easy.
I'll sail into the city harbour on Sunday afternoon for my first glimpse and stay there for a week!
Of course lots of other extremely exciting things have been happening lately...
For instance, I went to a karaoke bar with friends from work last night. Everyone was in great voice, singing
slow and sad kind of songs in Chinese. That being the case I felt a responsibility to lighten the atmosphere a bit, which
I tried to do by singing 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer', (who according to the lyrics had a very shinny mose). Perhaps not
the best choice, but I wasn't familiar with such tunes as 'And Then She Nit Me' or 'Motel California'.
ok, next time there'll be photos of Hong Kong somehwere on this site! Until then, check you later!
Cheers, Justin.
12/04/02
Hey again!!! I've certainly had an excellent last few weeks! Included in the excitement was an excellent
trip to Nanjing where a posse of Navy dudes wanted to beat me up for kicking their butts at arm wrestles! Luckily for
them they backed off.
I also had a fantastic time recently hanging out at the hospital on a drip. It sounds bad, but actually in China
they chuck you on a drip for just about any medical complaint. I seriously saw a kid with the sniffles get hooked
up.
Finally,as fantastic as this website is, neither I nor any other person in China will get to enjoy it again! I think
some commie government guy is blocking my my site here. grrrr.
ok, enough for now. Check out some new photos I've got happening over at 'Photos of stuff in China'.
16/03/02
Had a big night kicking around Suzhou, causing lots of the usual chaos and destruction with improvised and ill-advised
darts play-offs. I can't decide whether it was the 'behind the back' , 'under the legs', 'over the shoulders', 'off the foot'
or 'long distance cross pub' competition that was the worst idea.
In other news, I learnt another character but only got 3 stars this time. Still, teacher says my colouring in
is really great!
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| It says 'niu' and means 'cow'. |
8/3/02
Well I'm pretty stoked right now because at school this week I completed by first Chinese worksheet and got five
stars! Usually 3 stars is excellent so all the other kids were very jealous. If I keep this up and behave myself, I might
even get a spiderman sticker!
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| It says 'dian' and means 'electricity'. The teachers comment says 'hen hao' which means 'very good'! |
1/3/2002
Lately I have been checking out the nightlife of Suzhou. My faves are the discos that have the bouncy dance floors
and video screens to watch while you go to the toilet. Being the only western-looking type in most of these places, it's
very easy to get noticed and be the centre of attention. But being the shy and retiring type, I don't go in for
that much.
25/02/2002
It's my birthday!!!
22/02/02
Just got back from a couple of days in Hangzhou. It's a really top sort of town! Stacks of ancient stuff to see and just
overall a pretty kind of place. That was my impression on a drizzly day too! Photos to follow real soon.
Check you later!
20/02/2002
Hmm... Not to do with China, but did you know that today at 10:02pm there will be a rare palendromic occurance?
It will be 20:02 20/02/2002! That will only ever happen one more time in history, so savour it! I only know all
this because CNN did a big half-hour special on it, (including reassuring my long-held fears that people would 'go cuckoo').
Tomorrow I will phone in a Bin-Laden sighting to prevent this kind of thing making the news again.
11/02/2002
Well, it's New Year's holidays right now so people are doing stuff. Lots of stuff.
Ok, bye!
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