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January 31, 2005

A comment from Fiona

Just returned in Shanghai from Cambodia. I am loving Siem Reap not only for the formidable temple moutains but also for the cozy Red Lodge. I learnt the information in your blog and decided to stay in Nat's guest house. In one night, we were chatting in the night in the lovely garden. He still remembered you == a pretty Chinese girl with a foreign guy, speaking very good French. What a small world! I stayed in Room No.9. Is this the one you accomodated? Anyway, I could feel the love of flower ==- floating in the air, independently and proudly. Good luck, Claire!

====================================-
Thank you Fiona ! I'm glad that you enjoyed the Red Lodge. I'm in an internet cafe in north Laos actually. Would like to share more travelling experience with all my blog readers in future !

Posted by claire at 12:02 AM

January 27, 2005

Got a mail from Beth !

Hi claire,

i hope your travels are going smoothly and your still enjoying the pace. Just to say..it was a real delight meeting you ..what a great start! heres a little update till now...

After leaving Saigon i headed to La Dat..in the mountains, along twisted steep roads that climb high with the promise of excursions to lakes, waterfalls and remote villages. It was lovely..my hostel looked out onto the back of a favela where the kids stood waving every afternoon. I met an English guy (Paul) and we decided to take a ride with motorbikes but as passengers. We passed small settlements where the locals were involned in either coffee plantation, silk production, mushroom drying (and selling) or basket/blind weaving.We did indeed see a waterfall (also called after elephants) and after a scrumptious lunch with tofu, freah greens, bbq pork, rice and rice wine (the locals tipple) we visited a tribes village. The children were extremely inquisitive and quite bewildered by this ever so tall (compared to the vietnamese women who average under 5 foot) white girl. They love candy so Paul got some and i handed them out..so adorable. .

Now im in Nha trang, a beach town that im really basking in...too much actually as my hands appear to be severly burnt. Strange but true. there are many tourists here..diving is popular as its cheap and thailand has lost a little trade as you can imagine (and those still teaching are expensive). Im having a lot of nice times here. Yesterday i spent all day on the beach reading..not so productive but welcomed with no effort to fight relaxation. In the evening i walked all over the streets..too much but i found a sweet woman selling water who was delighted by my arrival in her shop..to the extent that she offered to take me to a vietnamese lunch today.

I am getting up early as im not sleeping very soundly for several reasons (light coming through to stir me, men busling outside, the feeling that at 3, 4 or 6 i should be awake for something?).

Set out today on a sweet bicycle (with a basket) to see the huge white buddha that sits high above a pagoda. I thought it would be peaceful and i could also sit and meditater my thoughts but there were too many children trying to sell postcards. On the way back down though i noticed another buddha laying with a sculpted scene behind him. i sat and decided to draw ..really great. Two monks from the pagoda below saw me and came to see what i was up to. looking on in some sort of awe..soon another came who spoke better English and seeming pleased with our conversation asked me to return tomorrow.

i rode out of town to an old Indian resembling temple dated 7th-8th century..the view was clean and fresh angled at the river encircling Nha Trang. Later i retuned to my beach spot to swim and blush my skin with colour.

Its so amazing to be on the road again..my heart jumps sometimes as i remind myself where i am..its so beneficial for the mind and soul...happy feet.

Well i have to fly, my hostel closes the gates very soon (may have even missed the closing time) and last night i had to climb the fence. Dont have much luck in that respect.

Let me know whats didlin where ever you are...keep your feet happy

Bethan

Posted by claire at 03:10 PM

January 26, 2005

People i've met on the way

this entry in under updating...

威尔士女孩Beth,22岁,大学毕业后决定一个人在亚洲旅行六个月再找工作。曾经在18岁时在印度一人游历六个月。

一对曾经在丹麦学习过的日本夫妇,分别是中学的体育教师和经济学教师。

一个出生在西贡(由于父亲正在那里出差),成长在伦敦的French woman,父亲是荷兰人,母亲是法国人。她现在是伦敦某杂志和周末报刊的专业摄影记者!我在西贡到芽庄的open tour bus上那么巧会和她邻座,给她看了我在西贡拍的照片,虚心听取了她的意见和建议。。。

出生在老挝,十五岁随原籍潮州的父母移居德国的Yao。15岁之前没有国籍,由于老挝不给外国人提供出生证明,他直到30岁才知道自己确切的出生日期和地点。他会说国语,粤语,潮州话,德语,英语,泰语,老挝语。曾经在德国开泰国餐馆并从事翻译业,现在正打算离开德国,定居泰国。通过他,我还了解到,战后的老挝人民纷纷逃到泰国,在那里可以填申请表移居外国(欧洲各国,美国,中国,etc.),随后各个国家会通过各自的口径对他们进行评估并给出回应。通常,他们会选择前往最早给他们正面回应的国家,以最快的速度离开饱受战争磨难的苦难生活。

威尔士的nico,30岁,每工作两三年就会辞职到一个地方旅游几个月。他热爱印度和佛教,曾经在印度北部旅游了7个月,并在藏民聚居的小城见到达赖喇嘛。这次他的行程长达10个月,不坐飞机,只通过火车和汽车旅行,从威尔士途径德国,俄罗斯,蒙古,中国,西藏,尼泊尔,印度,泰国,柬埔寨,越南,老挝。。。最后将到达新西兰,并留在那里工作一年。

和我差不多年纪的一对法国couple,毕业后取得澳大利亚的working/holiday Visa,在那里渡过了一年,是为数不多的几乎没有法国口音的法国人。我们在会安的一间衣服店偶遇交谈,后来又在离开会安前在吃早餐的咖啡店重逢!

在Snecma工作的法国人Lorent,和他在Intersport工作的越南妻子Ha,一年前结婚,生活在巴黎Orley机场附近。我和Lorent在顺化到河内的open tour bus上认识,到了河内后,我们三个人一起在河内度过了非常愉快的一天。吃Bun Cha的时候,邻座居然是他们两三年未联络的在法国时的旧友!

法国人Bernard和Christophe,在老挝的琅勃拉遇到。Bernard父母都是意大利人,在台湾工作五年了,女朋友是台湾护士,他们之间用国语交流。Christophe的故事就非常曲折了,法意混血儿的他大学历史系毕业后,和当时的原籍柬埔寨的女友一起开了间公司从非洲和中美洲进口花草,五年后生意兴隆,生活很是滋润。不料本命年那年,相处十年的女友红杏出墙,不但离开了他,还卷走了公司一半的资产。毫无防备的他只好卖了房子关闭了公司,生活重新开始。他重回学校读了商校的master,在北京实习过五个月,本想留在中国工作,不料公司遭遇了911重创不再聘人,而且后来中国又受到SARS影响,总之中国梦未能实现。他现在在巴黎的一家医院做医疗系统的后勤管理,implement的居然是SAP的MM模块。。。另外,业余时间也给法国的中国移民免费教授法国历史,还正在写作一部历史题材的小说,不为出版,只因为自己是个罗马帝国史的狂热爱好者。

Posted by claire at 11:46 PM

Hoi An

会安是一个古老的小镇,不同于其他的越南城市,它在多次战争中幸免于难,没有遭到过多炸弹的轰炸。于是当我骑车在古老的街道间徜徉,我看到了各种不同建筑风格的融合。法国人,中国人,日本人,纷纷在这里留下了印记。

会安的十家店铺有八家是衣服店,会安的居民十个人中有八个是裁缝。他们为各种国籍的游客们量体裁衣,你甚至可以从时尚杂志任意挑选一款中意的时装,第二天就能够拿到拷贝不走样的好看衣服。

我在这个洒满阳光的古老小镇待了两天,已经和当地的人们照了个脸熟。从Nha Trang(芽庄)到Hoi An(会安)的夜车上的邻座就住在河边,今天傍晚的散步中竟然又能偶遇,就是这样小,这样安静的小镇。

下榻的旅馆是Lonely Planet上介绍的。今早慵懒地睡到11点才起床,被reception的男生嘲笑,随后还被邀请与hotel的全体staff(一共五人)共进午餐,真的受宠若惊。

晚上和新认识的朋友们在一家cafe restaurant喝啤酒聊天,威尔士人nick辞了职出来游历各国,和我的法国朋友Pascal一样,也是不坐飞机,只通过陆地的旅行,历时十个月。听他描述旅途的种种,和他一起感慨,life is too short.

我越来越意识到,旅行在有意无意间,改变着一个人看世界的维度,和对待生活的态度。

Posted by claire at 01:35 PM

January 23, 2005

From Nha Trang

I met my french friend Pascal that i got to know in Shanghai this morning. He was travelling in Laos during 28 days, and will go to Saigon the day after tomorrow.

Beach, shining sun, blue sky, golden sands, blue sea, bikini, tropical fruit shake, seafood, people's smile... i am in the paradise.

i've decided to stay one day more in this lovely town.

Posted by claire at 10:39 PM

January 22, 2005

Mekong Delta

Waking up at 7h30AM, shouting "putain c'est pas vrai!" (a french bad slang), i jumped out from my bed. The bus was supposed to depart at 7h40! Thanks god tour buses are never on time. I arrived at the departure place at 7h45 and waited for the bus with Beth till i finished two vietnamese pancakes as breakfast.

Both Beth and i loved today's tour in the Mekong Delta.

We firstly arrived in Cai Be by bus, where we were showed how people produce rice crispies. And then a boat took us to see the floating marcket. It's a real pity that we could not be there during the busy hours, to see people bargining and exchanging their goods from their boats. (Only two-days tour provides such an opportunity)

We had a dilicious vietnamese lunch. We rolled Elephant Ear Fish and mixed vegetables with a piece of rice paper, and tasted it with fish sauce. I ate a lot again... (Always like that, i just could not control myself sometimes ) After lunch, we went cycling in the town. We found a wonderful place where there are plenty of Lychee fruits. We were kindly offered a bunch of lychees and did enjoy them.

During all the day, our boats crossed green paddy fields stretching towards the horizon. It was so peaceful and tranquil everywhere. People kept smiling and saying hi. Beautiful life. I feel sorry that i don't have enough time to explore this place. It would be great if i could stay several days here.

We met a lot of friends today as well. A japanese couple of my parents' age from Osaka, many Australian people, a girl from Danmark travelling alone, a Japanese guy who married a vietnamese girl several days ago, an italian guy with his "temporal" vietnamese girlfriend, another italian living in Califonia for 30 years... A lot of discussion over all kinds of subjets, that's what makes travelling such an interesting thing in life.

Beth is leaving tomorrow morning for Da Lat, while i'm taking the night bus at 8PM for Nha Trang Beach. We had a glass of beer together and hugged each other tightly, wishing each of us a safe trip. We promised to keep in contact by email for the rest of the trip.

Posted by claire at 12:23 AM

January 20, 2005

I love Saigon

Beth and i met each other at the Kim Cafe at 10AM this morning. After a quick western breakfast, we decided to visit the town by walking. We only realised later in the day that it was a crazy decision, as we were both completely exhausted in the end.

Firstly we visited the Ben Than market, where i bought two pairs of sandals for 12 dollars. I knew i could bargin more, but i just loved those ones so much and didn't want to waste time. It was too hot to wear my puma trainers in such hot weather.

We then tried to figure out where the Reunification Palace was, but instead we found the Notre Dame and the Post Office, which was also in our visiting plan.

We became really tired then we decided to have a rest. We had a mixed salad somewhere on the way to the War Crime Museum. The photos and objects exhibited in the musuem were so powerful, that i felt speechless because of the horrible disaster that the war is always bringing to human beings. Beth and i left the museum quietly, with much melancholy.

It was already 4PM when we sat on the stone bench before the "not-so-special" Runification Palace, trying to decide what to do next. We took two moto-cycle taxis to go back to the district of Pham Ngu Lao. It's somewhat the "home" of our backpackers. We had a nice vietnamese vegetarian dinner at a small restaurant called Lac Tieng. Also got to chat with two german women of the table next to us. They arrived at Saigon today from the north. They seemed to appreciate Hoi An a lot, which makes me kind of consider staying one day more there.

A shower, and some photos by night. That's my day. Tomorrow, we are heading for a Mekong Delta one-day Tour. Feel more and more excited.

Posted by claire at 11:28 PM

January 19, 2005

Safely arrived at Saigon

After one unexpected night in Guangzhou, i finally manged to take the flight VN917 and arrived at Saigon at 17h15 (18h15 BJT). Thank wholeheartfully to Ruiyi who hosted me in Guangzhou.

As soon as i walked out the airport, i realized the extend of the heat in this city! I helped a guy sitting next to me in the plane to fill his arrival card. And he kindly offered me a free ride from airport to the budget travellers' favorite district - Pham Ngu Lao Street. It saved me 4 usd.

The guesthouse i reserved via internet was full, due to my delayed arrival. I soon found another cheap one for 10 usd per night, with air-con, hot water, cabled TV, and clean room. No breakfast offered but it's well located and enough comfortable.

I then changed to summer clothes and went out for a walk. I found the Mekong Delta Adventure Tour office successfully and reserved a one-day tour to the Mekong Delta there.

I've made up my detailed plan for my vietnam stay as well. Will defenitely take the open tour operated by Sinh Cafe to go towards Hanoi.

It's my first time travelling alone, and it's so amazing ! I've already met a living-in-London Wales girl who starts her 6 months trip in asia alone from Saigon. I tried the dilicious Papaya Shake for 20,000 Dons in a popular cafe called Allez Boo, while she ordered tea and french pancake. We also discussed with two English guys of the table nearby, who started the conversation when he saw a rat run under our table, he says. Tomorrow, Beth and i will go sightseeing in town together.

Ok enough for today. No Chinese input in this cheap Internet-Cafe, so excuses for my bad English. Hope all my friends have a good time, wherever you are in the world !

P.S. Bad news is that my cell phone doesn't seem to work here. Tried to switch off and re-turned on, it doesn't change anything. Don't understand why.

Posted by claire at 11:29 PM

January 18, 2005

回见

理完包了,谢谢ruthie的55L的大包,被我塞满了东西,真的好重啊!

一个Bigpack大包,一个Lowepro照相机包,一个Nikko腰包,我就这样踏上一个人的旅途了。我带上大家给我的祝福,和紫色的幸运上路,当我离北回归线越来越远,阳光也越发灿烂。

如果要保持联系的话,请:
- email to moi_tchootchoo at yahoo dot fr
- SMS me,不过请记得署名(漫游时没有来电显示)。

除夕下午回到中国开始接听手机。
年初三左右回到上海。

在这里给所有关心我,爱我的人,拜个早年!

Posted by claire at 12:34 AM

January 17, 2005

临走前要做的事

真不好意思把blog暂时当作记事本来用。。。(至今没有2005年的记事本)

上午:校医院配药;找ABZ;去Bank of China换美金(带上passport);call LXX
中午:带40L背囊给potato;去买捷信三脚架;地铁河南中路站找Frankie
下午:买运动袜;买湿纸巾;买酒精棉球擦擦净;买沐浴露/shampoo
傍晚:最后的jogging
晚上:理包(总是磨蹭到deadline前,恶习难改阿)

肯定还有什么东西忘记的。

PS. 刚才把十月份在柬埔寨买的当地的宽大裤子找出来了,貌似完全忘记了该怎么穿!:'(

Posted by claire at 01:25 AM

January 15, 2005

Clase de Espanol

今天是我的最后一堂西班牙语课。下一堂课总复习加考试的时候,我已经在越南的某一个地方了。

虽然大冬天的每周六赶到虹口区去很辛苦,但是原来有了passion,每堂课结束后的心情总是那么兴奋。感觉上西语的教学进度很快,400个学时未满,《现代西班牙语》第一册都没结束,已经把直陈现在时,肯定命令式,简单过去时,和未完成过去时都教完了,词汇量也相当不小。我现在已经可以和别人互发西语短信,在MSN上用西语聊天了。:|

二级春季班2月26日开始,还是于老师教。除非我找到了外地的实习,我想我一定会继续。

Posted by claire at 08:43 PM

January 14, 2005

深夜心情

(一)我就要离去
当一个吴哥之旅中意气风发的决定,真的演变为零四年尾那几宿彻夜的不眠,终于,我的整个旅程在脑海中渐渐清晰起来。

这些天来,仔细阅读手头的三本Lonely Planet,刻苦钻研ctrip上驴友们的篇篇游记,无数的电话打向各个航空公司办事处和各种来路的票务agency,终于,把这一程所需的所有机票都攥到了手里。

你对我说过,我有一颗漂泊的心。
是的。那么趁我还年轻的时候,让我尽情游历吧。

1月18日。我就要离去。


(二)眼眶潮湿的那一瞬
今年的春节全家要到武汉去过,去看望故世的外婆唯一的弟弟。妈妈在房间里拨通了武汉亲戚家的电话,很自然地,开始操起了乡音。

正在低头写字的我心头竟是如此地一震。

外婆四十岁移居上海,未能学会半句上海话,仍保留了一口浓浓的乡音。在家里,大家都跟她讲家乡话。从小被外婆带大的我,也因此能够说流利地道的武汉话。然而自从外婆那一年长逝,家里便再也不曾响起过这熟悉的乡音了。

眼眶骤然潮湿的那一瞬,我知道,外婆一定感应得到。


(三)我爱我妈
今天晚上很乖地复习了西班牙语。温习了第一人称单复数的命令式变位,还把圣诞节那堂拉掉的课的课堂笔记全部抄写并自学完毕。

妈:18号走?你自己的正经事情还是要抓抓紧。
我:哦。知道了。一回来就抓紧。
妈:那说好了,一回来就谈个朋友。
我:妈,你说的不是毕业论文啊!

好吧,生活中总有些事,让人狂汗。

Posted by claire at 01:23 AM

TO-DO List

周五
- 中午,与 herbert 见面,拿CF卡读卡器
- 13h30,与 ruthie 见面,拿55L 的 bigpack
- 下午,复印 LP Thailand 里关于清迈和曼谷的章节
- 下午,找 remi 陪我去 Decathlon 选一双登山鞋
- 晚上,两个 party 撞车,选择,或都去。

周六
- 一天的西班牙语
- jogging
- 晚上,matthieu 的暖屋party

周日
- 与 potato 见面,给他40L的背囊,拍照练手
- 拟定越南九日的详细行程
- 预订好第一晚在 Saigon 的hostel
- 理包

周一
- 去学校医院配点药
- 去 Bank of China,换美金现钞
- 理包
- jogging

周二
- 走人。。。

Posted by claire at 01:08 AM

January 13, 2005

No Comment

没有想到一篇和父亲吵架后发泄的文字,也可以吸引来快20条comments。

感谢大家对我的私生活的关心,爱护,和中肯的教诲。

我写博客唯一的目的,是记录下承载了我最真实情感的文字。我一年多来的那么多文字,不是为了张扬我的生活方式,不是为了和网友探讨生活的哲理,更不是为了在众多并不了解我的人面前哗众取宠。

对自己的生活,我有我的思考。关于人生,我想我会有自己的选择,如何去成长。

谢谢一年多来comment过我blog的所有认识或不认识的朋友。然而,请原谅我最终会选择了让我的文字有安静的天地。

Posted by claire at 02:35 PM

January 12, 2005

上海移动的漫游费

旅游前什么都要问问清楚。1860的服务态度还是不错,被我搅和了好一阵子。

在我要去的所有国家和地区,收短信都免费。发短信的话
越南:2.38 / 2.43
老挝:4.76
泰国:3.21 / 3.26 / 4.11
澳门:1.33 / 1.38 / 2.23
香港:3.52 / 3.57 / 4.42

以上分别是漫游在当地时,发给 移动/联通/国际 每条短信的人民币价格。

拨打电话就更贵了,这里略去。接听的话
泰国:11.53 / 12.31
澳门:5.74
香港:5.11

越南,老挝没有问,按道理是越穷的地方越贵。1/18 - 2/09 期间恳请大家不要给我打手机(打了我也不会接的),想我就给我发短信和email好了!:)

Posted by claire at 01:30 AM | Comments (5)

January 11, 2005

忍无可忍

在高桥的七个月多么开心啊!即使生活在那么偏僻的地方,但是我有自由,我完全地拥有属于我一个人的生活。现在又回到父母家里,生活得再舒适又如何?我睡懒觉不可以,晚回家不可以,连包里有包烟都要提心吊胆的。

这些都算了。最可怕的是,一道深到无法逾越的鸿沟让沟通的可能性彻底归零。双方都已经彻底放弃了尝试沟通的企图,就好比缴械投降,每次吵架都瞬间演变成破罐子破摔的恶言相向。

虽然回到家里住才一个月的光景,我已经再也无法忍受了。等我旅游归来,马上
(1)找房子租
(2)索性找个外地的实习

我也很想在父母膝下做个乖女儿,特别是家里的老人都不在了,我又是独生女。
我也很期盼温馨和美的家庭生活,没有大喊大叫,每晚在餐桌旁其乐融融。
我也知道,正在老去的父母,在我身上倾注了一辈子的心血,我是他们的希望。
我也明了,做儿女的,不应让父母孤独。有一天当我再也无法陪伴在他们身旁,我会后悔莫及。

但是,每次在家里,总是言语不投机,总是到最后大家心情很差,我该怎么做?

==
老大对我说,你老爸才是这辈子最爱你的男人,相信我吧。

真的不懂,爱怎么就会被这样扭曲地表达呢?

Posted by claire at 07:56 PM | Comments (24)

So why not Hong Kong...

本来的打算是从Macau坐大巴到广州,然后花 RMB 980 直飞到武汉。

后来发现,如果从Macau到Hong Kong,在HK爽两天,然后花 HK$ 1346 直飞武汉,貌似是更好的选择。

Checking tickets now.

==
Btw, just got my passport by EMS with vietnam VISA attached and 2000 usd wired in my american VISA card account.

Everything seems to be ready for now, while concerns always exist. I will have to apply for Laos VISA upon arrival at Vientiane International Airport. And apply for Thailand VISA upon arrival by boat as well, knowing that my passport expires in less than 6 months.

Hope i can successfully navigate these administrative issues.

Posted by claire at 02:11 PM | Comments (4)

January 10, 2005

锻炼身体

旅游前要好好锻炼身体,以最佳的精神面貌出现在越南人民,老挝人民,泰国人民,澳门同胞,和广州大佬面前!

这是我昨天的jogging纪录:68min,331kcal,6.2km

发现自己现在在跑步机上慢跑没什么感觉,可以一直跑,一直跑,也不觉得累的。

Posted by claire at 01:04 AM | Comments (8)

January 07, 2005

Latest ticketing situation

This entry is under instant updating

(一)
1/18 上海(11h30)- 广州(13h30),广州(15h40)- 胡志明市(17h25)
1/28 河内(08h25)- 万象(09h45)

航班:FM 9301 / VN917 / VN841
价格:2450CNY + 290CNY tax。

(二)
2/6 曼谷(06h40) - 澳门(10h25)

航班:Air Asia Flight 8330
价格:1499THB + 150THB tax(42.57 usd in total,incredible!)
Booking No:BWZICT
Status:CONFIRMED
You will need to provide this booking number and a valid Identity Card (IC) or Passport at check-in counters to receive your boarding pass.

(三)
2/6 澳门 - 香港 by 飞翼船,0.5 hr 直达。

(四)
2/8 香港(11h35)- 武汉(13h20)
航班:南航 CZ3076
价格:1410CNY(含税)

Posted by claire at 12:08 PM | Comments (0)

So why not Thailand...

据说春节前的那一周云南的价格会很贵。我突然想,为什么不从去泰国呢?Chiang Mai(清迈)是泰国第二大城市,距离老挝很近,而且去过的朋友都交口称赞,据说比曼谷感觉好多了,附近还有地方可以骑骑大象什么的。这是驴友发在ctrip的游记:泰国从南到北走遍-背包自助游之清迈篇,泰国自助游之三-清迈,孤身走清迈(一),孤身走清迈(二),泰国北部旅行攻略(2003年)。

这样的话,路线就变成了:
上海 - 西贡(单飞)
西贡 - 河内(Open Tour)
河内 - 万象(单飞)
万象 - 琅勃拉(bus)
琅勃拉 - 会晒 - 清孔(通过湄公河入泰国境),by机动快船
清孔 - 清迈(火车3小时)
以清迈为中心的周边游(Elephant trekking,竹筏漂流,不知是否太冷)
清迈 - 曼谷(火车夜车)
曼谷 - 上海(单飞)

明天打电话check一下曼谷飞上海单程的价格。旅行社可以帮我订 Shanghai-HCMC-Bangkok-Shanghai 这种联票吗?

PS:行程再怎样这个周末也必须最终定下来了。否则机票买不到,17号走不了就不好玩了。。。

Posted by claire at 01:06 AM | Comments (6)

January 03, 2005

Got Canon 300D

Canon 300D Body (Black):6200
Canon EF 17-40L:5500
Hoya UV(N)HMC Filter:110
ScanDisk 1G CF Card:600
Lowepro Micro Trekker 200:420

12830 Yuan in total.

Important
It's my strong preference not to see any further discussion on the price changes of above components in future. Thanks.

updated on Jan 09 2005:
Elook digital mate: 220
Hitachi 40G portable disk:580

800 Yuan in total for my DC portable disk

Posted by claire at 08:38 PM | Comments (10)

January 01, 2005

写在2005年的元旦:回眸零四

甚至在提笔之前,我已经预感到,这一眼回眸,将很艰难。不是因为我渡过了多么跌宕的一年,亦非我的悲喜已是言辞所不能达,那我的这种预感,又从何而来?

——写在前面


零四年开头的时候,我已经生活在自己的祖国。每天回家,我再也看不到最亲爱的外婆和祖母。我时常在各种情境里梦到她们,每天,我依然能够感受到熟悉而温暖的,绵恒的爱。我有一个交往了15个月的法国男友,他将于两个月后来到上海工作。

2003年尾和2004年初接二连三的期末考试让我几乎在闵行校区的自修教室渡过了辞旧迎新的日子。总算31日在考完了分布式操作系统后,我和微软的同事们在美罗的好乐迪不眠不休地扯起嗓子,二零零四就这样来了。

1月14日考完了最后一门政治课,我迎来研究生生涯的第一个寒假。甚至未来不及怎么庆祝,本命年就挨着挤近来。1月22日凌晨,我在世界上最大的软件公司23楼的窗边迎来人生中第三个本命年。

2月21日,他离开了他的国度,终于来到上海。依然清楚地记得那天我们在浦东国际机场相互找到的第一眼。依然可以想起我们在他公司附近吃的第一顿水煮鱼的滋味。依然会微笑着翻看第二天他和我的家人第一次见面时留下的那些相片。是的,我曾经为他的到来而如此快乐过。

3月10 日,我正式从微软全球技术中心check out。我告别了一周三天的兼职生活,告别了亡命奔波于徐家汇和闵行校区之间的辛苦,也告别了曾经相处得如此愉快的同事们。分别,这一年里我经历了多少分别!

3月13日,我开始每周六全天在一家法语培训中心教授基础法语。在回国前我给自己定下的最大的愿望,是在上海能够依然做到经济独立。这份实习也许不能给我带来很大的value,但却锻炼了我的presentation skill,handle人的能力,以及不错的收入。更重要的是,我的学生们是如此可爱,我和他们一起聊天,一起开怀,一起欢笑。感谢际遇,让Viviane,这个同是天秤座的会拉大提琴的漂亮女生,成为我的闺中密友。

3月15日,host我blog的建硕同学兴高采烈地买了一辆FIAT,小名“狗蛋儿”。(写这一句纯粹是PMP,to make him feel great :)

除了周末的兼职,我在学校里选修了最大允许度内的管理学院课程。曾经试图在直升硕士的时候转到管理科学与工程系的吴冲锋教授门下并受到这位知名教授的接纳,却由于种种行政上的原因未能如愿。于是我选修了费一文教授的“Corporate Finance”等管理学院王牌课程,这些课构成了我这一年的硕士学业中最大的passion。

4月6日上午,爷爷辞世,享年89岁。至此,在短短三年的时间里,家里的三位老人相继逝去。 我在纪念祖父的文章里写道:这三位老人在我身上付出的爱,那爱凝聚着多少时空的重量,是这般无私,这般彻底,这般宽厚。我何德何能,得以有幸承受;我至惭至愧,未能尽心回报!

4月17日。对我而言,这几乎是这一年中最重要的日子。这一天,是我的法国知己Eric的婚礼,我有幸成为婚礼女司仪,承担了双语主持的重任。这一天,我遇到了我曾经一再错过,最终依然会错过的F。从法国来参加婚礼的他,只用了一句连语法都那么简单的话语,轻而易举地,在我平静的生活中激起万丈波澜。关于之后我们的依然错过,我已经不想去回想。然而,他让我重新面向自己的生活。我轻轻地问向自己的心,这日复一日的安稳,是否真的是我要的幸福。

我终于做出艰难的决定。我离开了为我而千里迢迢的他。我们在一起一共19个月的时光,在那一刻画上句号。那是怎样的时光,我不愿在这里用文字去回忆,因为那种复杂而难以言明的情感,让天地失去颜色,那是一段太不堪回首的经历。

4月29日出发去新疆的前一天,我在早晨九点半来到中环广场30楼接受了一次面试。之后在新疆10天的行程中,我得知我将于5月9日返回上海后的第二天开始上项目实习,地点在我后来渡过了七个月柔软时光的浦东高桥。

6月18日,是这一年里再一个已经在我心之深处创造了某种永远的日子。这一年里发生了太多无法用文字去表述的深刻,请原谅我的无能为力。

7月10日的一次Swimming Pool BBQ Party让我遇到了优秀得让人无法相信的C。感谢他陪我走过了一个月的时光,感谢他在所有朋友跟前对我的种种赞美,感谢他在离开上海时邀请我来到他的farewell party。我们彼此有着如此的appreciation,使我们不能成为相伴到底的情侣。只有到了最后的时刻,我们之间才终于变得透明,我们微笑着挥手。

9月18日,我开始在斜在城市东北角的虹口区学习西班牙语。

十月的黄金周,我选择了柬埔寨作为我在亚洲旅游的第一个国家。还是自由自在地背着包,和法国朋友Francois一起踏上旅途,同行的还有公司的几个同事。

很感谢远,陪伴我渡过了我二十四岁的生日。感谢远,让我再一次面对自己的心。我又一次问自己,我要什么?我们来到这个世界为了体验夏花般短暂的一生,然而有多少次我们能够真正做到坦然而直接地面对自己内心那团不灭的火焰。很遗憾当我最终还是选择离开,但是我知道,我和他,都有更幸福,在不远方。

12月10日,公司在高桥的项目实施完毕,我也结束了为期七个月的full-time实习。至此,我的简历上有了五份跨国企业的实习经历,分别分布在地球上的三个大洲。而这份实习,是所有的实习中我最appreciate的一份。也许它将成为我的职业生涯开始前,对我最重要的一段历练。这份实习带给我的一切,我都不会让其随着2004的过去而过去,我会用心去珍藏。

12月14日,我完成了研究生生涯的最后一门考试。从此,一直到2006年初的毕业,我还剩下一篇论文需要在国家级重点学术期刊公开发表,以及一篇毕业论文需要得到导师和学校的审核通过。

12月19日,今年第三次来到杭州,与父母和家人一起,为外婆外公,和祖父祖母下葬。那是一片傍山临水的好风景,我含泪在墓前跪下,祈求老人们在天之灵相伴相安,再也无忧无愁。

曾经在一篇大学里的文章里写过冬天。此刻当我又写到冬天的时候,心头竟添了温暖。我感谢上天派他来到我的身边,为我取暖,和我一起走过这个飘雪的季节。每个故事开始,我们都不知道情节会被命运牵引着怎样写下去。然而我只要知道,双鱼座的他,忧郁善感的,脱俗梦幻的他,是我在这个冬天,最好的礼物。

2004年的最后几天,我做出了令自己都有些吃惊的决定。我终于要背上行囊,走上一个人的旅途。整整三周时间,我将一个人纵穿越南,游访老挝,闲居云南。作为史无前例的不识地图的大路盲,以及史无前例的极度害怕孤独的人,这样的决定让自己感受到了前所未有的兴奋和更为前所未有的不安,以至于在做出决定后的整整几夜无法入眠,神经衰弱的症状初见端倪。

2004年的12月31日的零点时分,我和他以及朋友们在衡山路上的the Cotton's一起举杯迎新。他在我耳边说,2005年开了个好头。是的,至少,从2005年第一秒起,我便感受着幸福。2005年的头几个小时,我们在不远处的另一个酒吧The Dragon's Club,新的一年,开始在香槟酒和舞曲声中。。。

整整一年的回顾,至此。

Posted by claire at 11:17 PM | Comments (25)