Blue Peter Work Experience at the BBC

20 days of unpaid work experience with Blue Peter at the BBC, London.

Day 1

Monday 19th October 2009

I arrived at the BBC at around 10:05am so I decided to walk to Westfield’s to get a bottle of water. I was feeling quite excited and slightly anxious about it all. I got into the main entrance of the BBC at about 10:20 and I waited. I saw some TV faces and the current blue peter presenters. Kate and Leo (who was a woman to my surprise) came down to collect us. Everyone was here on time and off we went into the building past security, it was an amazing feeling. We were in the BBC! We made our way to the ID section of the building and got our photos taken for a temporary pass. Afterwards we walked into the Blue Peter building! It was exciting, I was there! We sat down and I couldn’t believe it, Kate and Leo explained that we were chosen from a batch of 20 who had been interviewed so I felt really honoured to be there. Not long after, we were briefed and explained a general outline of the plan. It sounded quite fun. I saw Barney (the blue peter dog) and played with him for a little while, he was so cool! I was introduced to some of the BBC workers and I started talking to one in particular. He was cool, he did filming and said the job was fun and it was great. We then started to do the Health and Safety on the computer. This took forever as the computers weren’t working! So we went to lunch at about 12.30pm. We all decided to go together and eat together. I had to make conversation and just social up something I haven’t needed to do in a long while. They were really friendly and nice too so it wasn’t too bad. We got back and we continued with the Health and safety, I didn’t realise it would take so long… I started to feel tired. I spent the rest of the day doing this and the data protection video which was also boring. There were some interesting clips and talks but overall it wasn’t the most exciting thing! I was exhausted after. We left together at 6 and went home together on the Central line; we chatted away and then departed our separate ways. We decided that tomorrow we would meet at 9.45am at the main part of the building so we could go up together! It has been a long day.

Day 2

Tuesday 20th October 2009

I arrived at 9.45am again today and met up with the rest in the main lobby. Once we were all there we went up together to the building. My flu was still rather bad, stuffy nose, chesty cough and sandy voice. I felt ok. We did learnt how to open the competition post and enter it on the database which reminded me of a previous admin job of mine. We had completed all the post so we went to help with the appeal. The appeal is creating surgical gowns from t-shirts and so we helped cutting and putting on ribbons! Wasn't too bad. We also finished this and we went to lunch. We went to the canteen area which was ok. Food was still oeverpriced! Afterwards, we went down to the studio to watch the live show. I was amazed when I got into the studio, the feeling was spectacular! First time ever I was in a studio and not any studio it was BLUE PETER! I watched the presenters practice and them live doing the show. I met the presenters today also and shook hands with them. It was great fun! We also sat on the Blue Peter sofas! I really loved that feeling of the studio. Afterwards, we went back to the studio and did bits and bobs. We left not long after. I wasn't feeling great about today even though I had felt great in the studio. I don't know what it was... I just felt quite shabby!

Day 3

Wednesday 21st October 2009

Today, I decided to go in chin up and just see if this is my type of job. I also decided to wear trainers today! As there was nothing to do, Leo gave us a tour around the office and around BBC Centre. It was awesome. I met Marielou today, which was cool. After the tour, me and chloe had to clean out the cupboard and we took everthing out of folders and put them into the confidential waste bags. It was funny as we found some old stickers and deciede to take a few. After this we just went to lunch as the other two who were helping out in the studio with the children had to leave relatively early. So we went to lunch, it was ok. I had bought lunch from Stratford Station so didnt have to spend much. We then walked about and took a few pictures with some Dr Who props and just chatted for a while. It was nice. Tim then asked for a volunteer to take pictures of people in the studio for a careers thing. So I made my way down to the studio and took photos whilst the rehersals were going on. It was really fun. I met some really cool cameramen and sound people. I also took some time to speak to the dog walker who was just talked about the BP pets. Once the show was live all the kids came in and the recordings were done. It was great fun, there was a buzz in the environment and I felt relaxed. Once everything was over, as they were launching the appeal children had made a mess everywhere with their attempt on customising! So we cleared that up. We went back to the office and it was all good. There was nothing else to do so we ended up going home slightly earlier than usual. Only about 15minutes. Still, it had been a long but fun day!

Day 4

Thursday 22nd October 2009

Today was a mixed day. My illness felt it had gotten worse rather than better. This morning I wasn't feeling the best, I was tired despite my 8 hour sleep. I got in a bit earlier than usual and was in the office at 9.45am. I read through the paper and helped with the planning and development team with ideas, but was out of ideas and wasn't really in the mood. The rest of the morning we did some competition post but there wasn't a great deal. We then was in the office just watching some old BP tapes to get some ideas for the show. We split in two teams to think of ideas for the show that Ruari had given us. We had to think of ideas for Barney. I came up with dog IQ and we developed that point. We spent most of the time doing this. We then went to lunch. Afterwards, we got back to the office and continued with the ideas. There was a protest on because the BMP was going to be featured on question time. So things were quite tense around the BBC! We then went to collect our ID cards and watched a bit of the protest! It was quite tense in the BBC! We got back to the office and we had to call up some of the people who had not put their date of birth on! I was a bit nervous as I don't do phones! But I managed to do it fine. Phew. At 6pm we left via the back way and made our way home, we had to walk through Westfields and go to Shepards Bush!

Day 5

Friday 23rd October 2009

Friday today! So I was pleased it was the end of the week, I've had a mixture week. The first few days I was not used to working or anything. But the last couple of days, I have had much better days. I have learnt quite a lot since the start! Today in the morning we had a team meeting which was quite interesting. We then got on with our ideas and did the competition enteries, well the ones that were here. We then carried on with our ideas and developed them slightly and wrote them up. As I got there early I had a seat on the computers which was good! At lunch Rikki (Calvin from Hollyoaks) said hi to us! and Anton Du Beke who was on the phone winked at me as I was walking by! We also saw other stricky stars including Zoe from footballers wives. It was pretty cool. When we got back to the office, we continued with our idea write up and Becky then had some research for us to do. I had to call up publicity desk and find out some information and also do some research on rabbits. We have until Tuesday to get back to her.

Day 6

Monday 26th October 2009

The first day of week 2 and there is no live studio this week. So I am just wondering what this week will hold. Leo wasnt in today. We had the brainstorming this morning which was actually quite fun. We all brain stormed xmas ideas and developed some of the ideas. We then opened the competition post and finished it in good time. We also did a little job, dropping off some tapes to current operations. Afterwards we just did jamed until it was time to go.

Day 7

Tuesday 27th October 2009

Today was another good day! I have thoroughly enjoyed my time! I got to work 15 minutes early and so continued with the research that becky had gave us last friday. I finished it all up and sent her back the email, which was fine. Afterwards, we helped clean up the video shelves and books in alphabetical order for the morning as the post had not come yet. Kieran than gave me a task, which was to look up music concerts particularly RnB in Novemeber so I did. I managed to find some decent things. After lunch, there was a sack of post, it wasnt a full as I expected it to be, but there was quite a few in there. So we spent the afternoon just doing the competition. We had finished about 4.30pm, where we was just in time for Blue Peter. As it wasn't a live show we just watched it on the TV as it was airred. We then asked around to see whether there was any jobs to do. We was then told to help do the board in the kitchen by placing blue peter articles featured in the media up on the board. Once we finished, we went home!

Day 8

Wednesday 28th October 2009

Had a lovely day today, but felt extremely tired! As soon as I got in today, I sent the music research I did for Kerion. Leo said Chloe, Claire and I could go into the edit and watch them, so that is what we did! It was brilliant, we sat there for the whole morning. We went to a new place for lunch and I had a chicken and mushroom pie, it was yum! After lunch, we had some jobs from the team. We helped Michelle find some books and we had to go Westfields to buy it. But despite them saying it was in stock there was none!.. After we watched Blue Peter and then I went back to the edit room. There was no jobs to do so we left at 5.30pm!

Day 9

Thursday 29th October 2009

Another fun day. Today we got in and started to count the tshirts and sort out the celebrity t shirts from the kids one and select a few for the show. I then also created a t shirt of my own! It was ok, I then had to shred newspaper for the art/design team for Shelley the tortosies' hibernation! After that, I finished up at the Soft Seating Areas (SSA) with the cleaning and the tshirts. It was quite fun! I got back to the room and did the competition post. Lunch arrived... during lunch we saw Konnie Huq! Something I didn't think I would see. After lunch we continued with post and we finished by 4.00pm, so we emailed to see if there was any work to do, but no one said anything, so we sat around until 5. We then went home around 5pm.

Day 10

Friday 30th October 2009

We got in today and like usual sat in our room. We had forgotton that there is a team meeting on Friday mornings! Luckily Jonathan reminded us just before it ended. We sat in the meeting for the last 15minutes of it. We then opened the post for the competition and the correspondents team. We finished this by lunch. At lunch today, we saw the strickly stars, Len Goodman and Zoe Lucket. Brendan Cole and Anton Du Bek came by and I just asked them if I could get a picture seeing as no one else was going to do it! So I managed to get a picture with Anton while Brendan took the picture! It was cool. Afterwards, we ate and went back to the office. Ruth had some things for us to do, it was bascially to sort out the celebrity tshirts from the kids ones. That didn't take long. Michelle had some things for us to do, we had to make the quiz questions for the show, but it didnt really take all of us to do that. So Claire and I didn't do anything. We ended up just laughing about the Jewish dance and surfing the net! Then one of the ladys came in and asked who could help out with DV solutions, I volunteered seeing as I wasn't doing anything. We had to get loads of equipment! It was mad. Alice drove us there and Vikki and I walked back as the two cars was full! It wasn't fun but now I know where things are at least! When I got back, there was a post it note left by the others. lol Kerion then came and said tomorrow's shoot didnt need anyone and that it was all cool. What he had came to ask us earlier was anyone who wanted to go on a shoot, to shoot the England Cricket team at their hotel. I wasn't fussed. That was cool. I left at 5.30pm.

Day 11

Monday 2nd November 2009

Got into work and Leo is in a meeting.

Got in today normal time, despite missing the usual bus. We got in and just checked the mailbox and stuff. We then got post to open. So half opened the competition the other half opened the post from correspondents. We then finished so we did the quiz cards. Just typing it up, printing and then glue-ing it on the cards. Gavin came in and said he was going to watch the edit from earlier in the week so we went to join him. It was good! Afterwards, I did a job for Julian and went to Westfields to buy some poster paints for gunge. I got back and just finished the quiz cards. We had a production meeting at 3.45 at the SSA so I went over. They went through the proceeds of the studio days and it was cool. I volunteered to be gungeed with water for the run through.. not sure whether I did the right thing! Helen then said there was a problem with operation smile and that we had to ring up all the drop off stores and find out how many. But it was clearly a mess! they couldnt tell us and some didnt even know about it! Sophie and michelle even had a lil tiff it was funny.. saw Paul Whitehouse randomly.

Day 12

Tuesday 3rd November 2009

I got in at 9am today, well slightly earlier as I was supposed to be shadowing Jo, the studio runner today. When I got there I rang her but she said she was poorly and is taking a sick day. So she rang Michelle up and ask her to look after us today. So I went down to the studio and helped out. Julian told me to go and make some gunge! It was pretty cool.. it consisted of custard, water and green paint! Tom helped out and so did Catherine. It was cool. I cut my finger from the edge though! Afterwards, I just chilled by the side of the studio. I watched the world record man blow up the hot water bottle which was funny! So jokes! I then had to go and run something up to the edit room.. then not long after Tom told me to go downstairs to the studio to get changed into my gunge outfit. He said I had 6 minutes! So I rushed! I managed to get there in time and not long after it was my turn to stand inside the tank with a bucket full of water above me! They rehearsed and I was shocked when the water dropped and even screamed a little. It was fun. The presenters said I was brave haha.. it was all good fun. I loved it. Once I finished, they gave me towels and I dried off. I went to the presenters dressing/costume room and got changed. It was really nice. Was an amazing experience. It was lunch and I went back to the office, Claire was there and said everyone had gone to do a task. So i bought lunch back to the office to eat and work at the same time. Afterwards, the others came back and left for lunch, Claire had to go to the studio and so I was alone. Leo came to join me shortly whilst opening correspond post and I was doing competition. We chatted for a little while and the others came back shortly. We finished off the competition post and then left downstairs to watch the live show. It was brilliant. As i left the bbc studio, i saw lezo walk passed into the building. Passed jools hollands dressing room as well some others.

Day 13

Wednesday 4th November 2009

Today was JLS and Tinchy Stryder Day! We went to the studio today and JLS were late but when they did arrive Oritse said Hi! Then JLS went to perform for rehearsal. It was brilliant. We was just laughing and joking about! Was jokes! Afterwards, we had lunch and then went back up to the office to open the competition post as well as the normal post. After normal post, we had two sacks of competition post! We managed to get through half. When it was time, we went down to watch the live shows, Tinchy Stryder was in the studio! We watched the live studio and then left back to go upstairs to do the post!

Day 14

Thursday 5th Novemeber 2009

Today I have a headache!! We finished off yesterdays post and did todays ones... BORING! We finished all yesterday's post by lunch time and we all went to get some tippex from westfields after lunch! We got back and resumed. It was bare tideous but we also fun as we joked around!

Day 15

Friday 6th Novemeber 2009

Today was a good day excluding the journey home! I was running a bit late today but I managed to get to work on time. A team meeting was held this morning and it was good. Quite funny and useful. After team meeting we went to do the post but there was a job that Laura asked us to do yesterday. So Chloe and I did the job. It was to ring up the councils and ask about the Child licencing. I was not really wanting to do that at first but it was ok once I got phoned them. We then had to go to DV solutions so we all just headed over there! We got the kit back to the place and we stayed over there for lunch as there was a resturant in the building. Afterwards, we got back to the office, we continued with the post but as there was some councils that had no answer, we had to ring them back. So we rang them back whilst the other two were tippexing. An email earlier had asked someone to take Barney back to Helen's house. Chloe replied, and once we finished I asked if I could join her. We asked Alsa who wrote the email and Leo who was happy for us to go. That was cool. We took Barney onto the bus and he was well behaved! Thank Goodness. It started to get dark and started to rain.. After a bus ride and a walk, we ended at Helen's house! Her dad and her friend was there. we returned barney and got the bus back to White City! There was serve delays and heavy raining. I left at 6 and didnt get home until 8!!

Day 16

Monday 9th November 2009

I got to work 15 minutes earlier than usual even though there was a bus strike! When I got to work, I did the usual email checking and stuff. We then went to the brainstorm in the SSA which was boring. After, we went back to the room and did the little post that there was. Lunch time and off we went. We saw Arlene Philips! We got back and we did the normal post there wasn't much. We finished and so we just did some research about facts for the factbyte factory. I then had to take the new kid Josh to DV Solutions. When we got back we just ended up doing nothing. A very boring day. We left at 5.15pm!

Day 17

Tuesday 10th Novemeber 2009

I got to work at about 9.45 again today and just checked my emails. There was no post so I just did some research and hoped to find something interesting to pitch. The post arrived shortly and we just did that. We went to lunch at 12 instead of the usual 1 because Sophie had to go to a film. We saw Ravi from Crimewatch! We got back and to my suprise, Leo said that Claire and I could aslo tag along to the filming as we haven't yet experienced it! I was so happy and grateful. Unfortunately Michelle had to stay at the office seeing that she had already been out filming! We had to go to Vauxhall bridge and we walked from Waterloo! We got slightly lost! Matt came to fetch us from a little cafe by the riverside near Vauxhall bridge. They had just been filming in Lambeth Palace! Sophie got changed into her banana costume and Ian and Matt got changed into being spys. We then left to meet up with Andy and the crew opposite MI6 building. They started filming and it was pretty cool watching it! After the filming we left off home, it was about 4.15 and I managed to get home around 4.50!

Day 18

Wednesday 11th November 2009

I manged to get to work just for 10 today! Before all the post I helped Leo label the boxes 1 to 10. which was simple enough. The post didn't come until after but there was a little bit, after that we did competition post. As we had finished all the post and it was too early for lunch, we just played games! It was very funny. We then went for lunch. After lunch we helped Tom do some t shirts ready for Pixie Lot to do some. It was cool. We then had a sack of post to do! Which kept us busy. At 4.35 we all went outside to the SSA and we watched Blue Peter on the TV, it was really good! Loved it. We went back to the office and did some enteries.

Day 19

Thursday 12th November 2009

Today has been a brilliant day! Loved it. I got to work just a little before 10 and sat at a computer. Outside at the BBC they were filming for Children in Need and doing Fame. We just completed the competition post from yesterday. It was ok. Then Sophie and Michelle went to sit in an edit so we contiuned the post. It was really fun, we just chatted away and joked. Chloe mentioned the laying down game. At lunch they was still filming fame and we decided to have a peak. We also decided to play the laying down game and we just went crazy with it. It was brilliant and so funny! We went to watch it, and we saw Christine from the One show, Jessica Bell and Rav from Crimewatch! We made our way to the Blue Peter Garden and Sophie did the laying down! It was jokes. We got back to the office. I did the normal post and also then moved on to tippex but there was none left. I went to Westfields to buy some tippex and when I got back to to the office I started Tippexing. We then finished the job so we had to check all the enteries which was boring but had to be done I suppose. Afterwards, Leo told us about the review and stuff it was quite sad actually, we was leaving. Off we went to have a meal together at Meat and Wine which was fun and yum! Loved it.

Day 20

Friday 13th November 2009

The end has come. It has been one of the best times ever. We started with a team meeting and Joe was in for Tim as he wasn't in. He went on about some stuff and we got our badge packs that did not contain a badge. sad times. After that we went through the competition post and checked it through. We then went with Marielou down and picked up the envelopes etc and brought it back upstiars. We then went to lunch. We got back up to the office and then went to DV solutions to pick up a few things. Sophie and Claire went to buy some foods. Afterwards, we helped Marielou do some correspondents. It was fun. I went home with marielou and had a good catch up.

TwentyOne

The nearest and dearest messages on my 21st birthday.

"21 WooHoo! xXx" - IJ

"Hey, me again lol. Want2 wish u a Happy 21st Birthday, tho i dunno how to phrase it rite lol, so im gna write that.. with great respect. kno that im here for u whatever n whenever.. dnt be afraid to ask.. I dnt bite.... hard :) lol. Take care n we'll catch up sumtime soon. Lotsa love, J xx" - JS

"HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY, U ARE AN AMAZING AND FUCKING FUNNY GIRL! LOVE YOU TOO BITS, get drunk! Haha! xx" - JF

"Happy 21st my lovely lai. Have a fab day ! X" - PN

"HAPPY 21ST BDY LAI! I hpe dis yr is blesd wv only da bst 4 u! I knw ur hedn 4 a brite n sucesful futre wv luv n hapines all round! n ofcourse our frndship always! xxx n ps i wil defo mke sure i gt 2 c u dis mnth wethr u organize sumin or nt! I realy hpe t av a gr8 day 2day!N il mke sure wn i c u..we av an evn betr time ;) :P x" - LM

"HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY! We've been through so much together & I couldn't ask for a better friend. I love you loads and only wish that good things come your way. Xx" - HH

"LAI! Happy 21st! You've left us and gone over to the dark side! Lol.. Have a super fab wicked day! cant wait to see you next week! Love u loads!x" - DP

"Morning lai ^^ happy birthday =D hope u had a fabulous niGhts sleEp so ur nice+awakke to enjoy ur lovely birthday=) and apologies 4not wishin u a happy fake bday yday=P hope u hav a lovely year being 21, hope i have lots of fun and smiles =) i shall see u in approx 2 mins =) damN u jus came in >.< lol.. Xx" - HT

"Lai! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Have a great day watever you do. Have a shot on me haha =] x" - MP

"HaPpY 21st BiRtHdaY LaI!!! =oD i hOpe yOu haVe aGreat DaY n Get EvRyFiN u wiSheD foR!! HaVe pLeNtyFuLs oF FuN dUde..y0u deServe it!! *hUgS*.. xXx" - RB

"Hey lai! Happy 21st birthday! Hope u have an awesome day n year to come n hope all ure bday wishes come true n that u have really good cake :D. X" - NM

2009 Resolutions

2009 Resolutions
“If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it.” - _{William Arthur Ward}.'

1. Keep a diary
2. Read at least 6 books

3. Acquire a new skill

4. Give blood

5. Less Internet

6. Un-silent phone

7. Be confident 

8. More sociable / talkative

9. Have fun

10. Relax / Be calm

11. Control emotions

12. Be brave

13. Take a risk

14. Drive comfortably 

15. Fear less

16. Make a new friend

17. Monitor money

18. Get a job 

19. Appreciate life

20. Be happy

21. Work hard

22. Stop procrastinating 

23. Stop / help dad from smoking

24. Be more honourable

25. Helpful towards family

26. Run 5k

27. Don't give up

28. Chase after desires

29. Get a first

30. Be optimistic

31. Learn from mistakes 

32. Try something new

[COMPLETE] [TIRED/HALF COMPLETE] [BROKEN]

China 2008

Tuesday 27^th May 2008, Day 1.

Sunset

It has been precisely 2 years since I last travelled by plane and the first time I have travelled without Jo and Ally (my sisters). This morning, I woke up about 8 o’clock but decided to go back to sleep as I knew I had a long day ahead of me. Then about 11 o’clock I got up and I went onto the Internet for the last time before I jetted off. After eating some rice with preserved sausages for lunch, I went to tidy my room as it was in a state after trying to pack. There was still time to kill so I played with the turtles and even played a piano game with Jo. About 3.20pm, we loaded the luggage into Jo’s car and were getting to leave at 4pm. We gathered anything we needed into our hand luggage and off we all went to the airport. Even though I was going on holiday, it didn’t really feel real, not just yet anyway. We got to the airport and to my surprise the whole layout of Heathrow had changed but it wasn’t too hard to navigate around the airport. A short while later, we checked-in, said our goodbyes to Jo and Ally and departed our separate ways. We had to go through security like usual, but this time we had to take our shoes off! Which was rather funny. Then as we passed the area where they check your hand luggage, mum’s bag had to be taken aside for inspection! Mum was mumbling to herself “how silly, I don’t have anything; there’s nothing in my bag”. The lady finally finished checking it through and off we went into duty free. We brought loads of gifts such as alcohol, chocolate and biscuits for the relatives in Hong Kong/China and also I got the perfumes that were requested by Jo and Ally. We passed a little stall in the Duty Free area and they were giving out some free sample of alcohol so we all took a cup and drank it! Not long after, I could feel my face go red! As a result of this heavy shopping in Duty Free, we had to go and buy another hand luggage bag! Before we looked for a bag we sat down and shared a pizza between us. Once we had finished, with luck, we found a foldable hand luggage bag in Boots so we bought it and put everything from Duty Free into it! Then it was nearly time for boarding but of course we had to stop at the toilets! Once the parents had finished with the toilet we went to the boarding gate; once the gates opened we entered in systematically where the end-seated people would enter first. Our seats were ok, not the best in my opinion as it was close to the toilet. We boarded and got comfortable, I quickly rang Jo to see whether they had headed home, but they said there was loads of traffic! About 10-15 minutes being seated, the plane started to move and off we went… the sky was setting and the streaks of red where radiating off the clouds, it was an amazing sight. Not long after, dinner was served; I chose a Chicken dish and had a delicious Banoffee pie. I watched many films and listened to some music but for the first time I was extremely bored on a plane mainly because I had no one to talk to and no one to discuss the movies with. It felt weird.

Wednesday 28^th May 2008, Day 2.

After about 12 hours, we had entered the world of Hong Kong. We checked out and waited for out luggage, to find that it was on the floor on the other side of the conveyer belt! Luckily, we walked around. My “Goo Jer” was waiting for us and we walked outside to catch a Taxi. As soon as I walked out of the airport, I could smell the Hong Kong Smell and the humid weather hit me. We arrived at “Sok Por’s” house and Goo Jer’s daughter was taking her nap, she’s really funny and wanted to copy everything I did! About 7pm, we decided to go out to eat dinner. Both of the Goo Jer’s and their children were there, along with Sok Gong and Sok Por. The food was lovely! Afterwards, we went to my grandma's house and sat for a while, dad then left with Sok Por and Sok Gong. I spoke to on the phone with Jo and Ally, which was rather odd. I took a shower and slept. I was exhausted.

Thursday 29^th May 2008, Day 3.

I didn’t sleep very well last night! I’m not sure why but maybe because of the time difference. My mum and I made our way to Sok Por’s house about 8 because we both were awake extremely early! As a result, we got to Sok Por’s house and they were still sleeping! When they got ready, we made our way to the Chinese Restaurant by their house and ate breakfast. Once we had finished we made our way to the Visa Office which was at Wan Chai Station and boy, was it a long journey! To make matters worst it was raining heavily! The Visa place was a nightmare also, but eventually we got that sorted after phoning Jo at 4am London time and asking her to email dad’s old passport page! Not to mention we had to go to Goo Jer’s house, which was at Wong Tai Sin Station to print it off before making a second trip back to Visa Office. That journey was also another detour and a half! Once the Visa’s were sorted we went to exchange some money and by the end of all this it was about 5/6pm. I was shattered and as we got back to Sok Por’s house, I took a much needed 3hour nap. We ate dinner and mum and I left for Por Por’s house.

Friday 30^th May 2008, Day 4.

Yet again, it was raining heavily but I had the best sleep and could have slept for longer! I guess I was worn out after yesterday’s travelling and waiting around. Dad had arranged to meet with his cousin and so me and mum had to go to Sok Por’s house slightly early. We when to the restaurant dad planned to meet his cousin and sat and waited. I was freezing due to the strong air conditioning breeze! After a while, dad’s cousin arrived, we ate and then headed to the bank straight after. They sorted out what they had to, while I stood about and waited. Sok Gong, dad, mum and I went to Causeway Bay Station for some shopping and to kill some time before we had to go to collect our Visa’s. We went to Times Square first, the 9 floors of shops but was highly expensive so we decided to go across the block to Sogo, the 10 floors of shops. We found that Sogo was as expensive as Times Square but still walked about. By luck, I found a remote Ferrari car and brought it as soon as! We then strolled to the ladies market, which was near by, and then dad suggested we walk to the Visa Office as it was ‘close’ but it was. We ended up taking about 30 minutes! But it was a nice walk, I suppose. After collecting the Visa’s, we went to Mong Kok for some more shopping but started to rain again! We stopped by the electronic stores and other indoor shops for a quick peek but everyone started to become restless so we went home. As we got to Sok Por’s house, Goo Jer’s daughter was there, I gave her the big Hello Kitty toy I brought for her earlier and played with her until dinner was ready. Not long after, dinner was served. It was absolutely delicious. We headed back to Por Por’s house around half 11. Mum and Dad wanted to go to China tomorrow but they were so indecisive of whether to go to Guangzhou first or to go straight to the village. I was getting annoyed at their indecisiveness and their difference in opinion. They ended up deciding to go to the Village first at 2am.    

Saturday 31^st May 2008, Day 5.

I couldn’t quite believe it was Day 5 already! We headed to the village via coach that took about 3 hours! So this morning, I had to pack everything I needed and had to wake up rather early to do so as I didn’t even finish packing everything last night. Half way through the coach ride, we had to go through customs luckily everything went smoothly. It started to rain extremely heavily, so heavy that the water outside had splashed as high or even higher than the coach window. Every other car drove with the emergency lights. After about 3/4-hour journey we arrived, we stood in the rain waiting for Sok Por to call the van to pick us up. Ten minutes or so, it arrived. With the luggage’s we got on and stopped at the restaurant we were going to eat at and our great uncle, Thomas was already there. He introduced himself with his witty voice, “hi I’m your great uncle” which reminded me of the last time we met him. When everyone arrived, the adults started to order food; Thomas explained a few delicacies and ordered water cockroaches! Initially, I was apprehensive of trying it but by the end of the night I managed to taste a strand of its body! I wasn’t brave enough to suck the life out of it, apparently the way you eat it! After dinner, we headed to the village and everyone decided that it was best to shower at Sok Por’s village house and then all slept over at dad’s house. We also had late snacks before going to bed. It was a fun but tiring day.

Sunday 1^st June 2008, Day 6.

I managed to sleep ok. We went to eat at a restaurant for breakfast without Sok Por as she was preparing for Bi Sun. The restaurant was rather dirty, as expected and just felt quite uncomfortable. Afterwards, we went into “town” the market place to walk around where we brought a few things for a great price! Following this, we went back to the village and walked about there, but mum had a headache so we made our way back to the house. Soon after, it was time to Bi Sun, and Um Por came and helped us with the Bi Sun. I sat and watched as they proceeded. We then went to Sok Por’s houto eat with some of the other villagers. The food was delicious as usual and wasn’t as fun but I still enjoyed visiting the village. Reaching about 3/4o’clock Sok Por decided to come with us to Guangzhou but mum kept insisting that she didn’t need to, but Sok Por and Sok Gong both came along with us. So we all got on a coach to Guangzhou the journey was about 1hour 40 minutes but it arrived slightly earlier than expected. As we arrived, Cou Fu was already waiting for us but didn’t drive his Taxi. Sok Gong and Sok Por came up with us to their house and sat a while. Everyone decided that we should have dinner outside but Sok Por and Sok Gong had already told their relatives they would stay for dinner at theirs so they didn’t come. Cou Fu and Mum took them to their place while, Dad, Com Mow, Cousin and I went to the restaurant first. About half an hour later, the other 2 joined us. We went back to Cou Fu’s house and Cousin had to pack to go back to uni! But before she left, she had told me how to use the Internet and told me I could use it when she wasn’t here. When she left, I logged on and Ally and Jo was online! It was weird but funny. I also took a look at things to do in Guangzhou as the parents asked me to do but there was nothing much. It was then time for bed. I was content.

Monday 2^nd June 2008, Day 7.

One week into the holiday so far, and it has only been the past few days that was actually productive. The begun at 7am when I was rudely awaken by a thumping noise on the door. We trekked to the hospital so mum and dad could do their body check so we had to be there early. Once done, we went to Bi Gong Gong at Wong Tai Sin and then went to eat at a nearly restaurant. The variety of food wasn’t great but I ate enough. Next we went to what was planned, which was Dr Sun Yat-Sen’s Memorial Hall. We crossed the road and then went into Guangzhou Yue Xiu Park. IT seemed to be a billion stairs to the top! I ran up them in slippers while the parents were taking them time, but it was rather sunny which I loved. Following the park path, we went to the ‘5 Ram’ place. There was more stairs! My legs were really exhausted at the point! We got a Taxi back, but Cou Fu had taken the train due to the 4 people per Taxi rule. Before we went up to the house, we went to the bread shop and brought some bread. It was delicious and we ate it along with a coffee. Luckily, it was raining heavily once we had got back and not during our exploring. We sat about and chilled until it was dinnertime. We ate porridge and then off to bed I went. Draining legs.

Tuesday 3^rd June 2008, Day 8.

I woke up at 10.30am and I stayed in the room just using the Internet. We went to the market and the library to look at some books mum wanted to purchase, I managed to buy some final fantasy stickers! I was satisfied! We also went to the travel agents to check out the short holidays but once again mum and dad couldn’t decide on where to go. It was weather was poor and we had hot pot for dinner. The rest of the night, we spent watching TV and chilling.

Wednesday 4^th June 2008, Day 9.

This morning I woke up at 10.30am again, we had porridge for breakfast and we headed off to the fish market. We manage to buy some stones so we could engrave our names in it for $30! Where they originally said it was $250! We also went to the tealeaves market where we brought tealeaves! Afterwards, we went home and ate bread and cake it was delicious! For dinner, we went to the restaurant we went to last time where we had ice cream. Also, mum and dad finally agreed to book a mini holiday to Beijing for 5days! I wasn’t sure what it I was in for, but hoped it would be fun!

Thursday 5^th June 2008, Day 10.

We ate breakfast at a close by restaurant followed by a trip to the bank to exchange some money. We then went to the Six Banyan Tree Temple & Flower Pagoda (Liurong Temple). It had 9 floors, but only dad and I trekked all the way up to the top! After, while we was going home, we passed a Sushi place and Uncle, Mum and I went to eat in it because Dad and ‘Cum mow’ didn’t feel like it so they carried on and went home. It was appetising. We also collected our stones with our names engraved in it and stopped at McD’s to buy pies! There was a bigger variety than in London! We went home and munched on the pies and chilled out until dinner was ready.

Friday 6^th June 2008, Day 11.

Today, nothing was planned. We stayed at home and didn’t nothing. It was raining heavily outside, which was good since I was tired and aching from walking up that temple! At 5.30pm we went across the road to a restaurant to eat dinner. When we came back, we packed for Beijing as we were leaving at 4/5am.

Saturday 7^th June 2008, Day 12.

Yesterday, I begun to really get bored of Guangzhou, but as we arrived in Beijing, I didn’t feel much different. So we woke up at 4.50am and uncle drove us to the airport. The sky was still dark and it felt like winter in London! I felt quite excited at the time. We arrived at the airport and found our tour guide but the process wasn’t very systematic. Eventually, we managed to board on the plane with the rest of the tour mates. We went to some park place and some pottery place before settling into our hotel room. It was weird but lucky the rest of our tour mates didn’t just speak mandarin! There was also an American family, which was good for mum as she made a friend with the mum of that family. When we arrived in our hotel room, we went down to eat dinner but it was not tasteful! So afterwards, mum, dad and I went to the local shop to stock up on snacks! We also had to buy some shoes for me as we was told the place we was going to go tomorrow do not allow slippers! And my trainers were left in Hong Kong! Beijing was different from what I expected.

Sunday 8^th June 2008, Day 13

Today my legs are proper f’cked. Because youre not allowed slippers into the Chairman Mo memorial place yesterday when we went to buy snacks I bought some fake kappa’s and tolday my legs are fucked. I woke up nicely at 6 and morning call was at 6.30 but I woke up in time and we got ready and everything. It was nice and sunny!! Breakfast was discgusting!! Which was at 7.30 and by 8 we got on the coach to our first destination which was the forbidden city and the palace museum. It was long! Damn it was massive and it meant we had to do a lot of walking . My feet were tired! We went to Chairman Mo where they have his dead body on show. It looked plastic to me. Lunch wasn’t served until 12. We had some lunch at some restruant which was quiet alright probably because everyone was hungry. After 4 hours of walking anyone would be in addition to the intense heat! We then went to do some shopping! It was go your own way from about 4 to 6.15pm/ We bought quite a bit of stuff and I was getting quite pissed off because my dad wanted to go the, as directly translated, greedy street and my lets were already dead and all he wanted to do was look. It was 5 by then and we still hadn’t eaten! But we went to McDs and I ate a fish burger meal. It wasn’t that nice and it was a small partition compared to the usual. We then trekked back to the greedy street and ate some sugar coated fruit. It was quite funny. After we walked back to the coach. The tour guide gave us an option to either go back to the hotel or we could go watch some flying areobactics. The marjority voted for the flying areobactics so that is what we did. It was brilliant despite the falling over and the mistakes but my dad thught it was shit. We arrived back at the hotel at 9.30pm and I went to take a shower and I went to get ready for bed as tomorrow was the great wall of china. I was very excited!!! Must rest my feet.

Monday 9^th June 2008, Day 14

Today we was going to the great wall of china and I was rather excited. I woke up at 6.15am and ate the nasty breakfast but I was starving. To my surprise, we went to the 13 ming tomb place first which was rather boring and pointless and then we stopped at the jade factory and we bought a few goods from there. We then went to some supermarket for snacks and mum’s twin (who was just another passagner in our tour group that just reminded me of my mum and we joked about this throughout the trip) bought 8 whole ducks! This was followed by lunch which was at a nicer place. We was full and so we got back on the coach and headed to the great wall! It was absolutely great fun and I didn’t plan to go all the way but I saw an old man with a medal and I immediately wanted one. This became my motivation. I trekked on with a tour friend and so did my dad until he stopped because he got tired. I ended up going and followed the road. I knew my mum may have been a little worried but every step I took, I thought I might have reached the top for a medal and then I could have turned around but every time that was not the case. No medal was seen so I carried on going. Eventually we walked right to the end where it was a dead end and we walked back to the start. The heat was blazing and the views from the top was amazing. There was some steep areas and at some points I thought I might have slipped and died but it was so fun! I had no idea what the time was or anything, I was just with this tour person separated from everyone else. When we got down and was by the coach, everyone else slowly came. My dad walked towards me first and he said ‘you are in big trouble with mum’. When my mum approached me she shouted at me for going off and was so worried she was about to cry and she was just shouting at me. Everyone else started to feel a little worried too. We all got on the coach and things were still going on but it did calm down. I started to feel dizzy, not good! We stopped at a medicine factory and mum got sucked in and bought more stuff! We got back on the coach again and this time I was feeling absolutely bad. Sicknes! We stopped for dinner but I felt like throwing up so I decided to go to the toilet to throw up! And I did. Lol! I felt much better but didn’t feel like eating. I think developed a fever! We headed back to the hotel and asap I took 2 parcetamols. A short while later I was starving. I decided to snack on kola bears biscuits. There were two others on the tour who was also feeling really ill. The camera man bought some pictures and said we should buy them. They were SLR pictures and he had made a DVD too. We ended up buying it.

Tuesday 10^th June 2008, Day 15

Today I woke up feeling no strain at all. I watned to sleep for longer. Last night I went to bed around 11.30pm and got  up at 7am. Breakfast was served a little later today. We first went to the Blue Zoo place where we saw many fish and bought goods! It was amazing and we saw turtles too! Then we walked back ot the coach and went to see this biding where a fung shi man was there and explaining some stuff. It was interesting but things they were trying to sell was far to expensive. We then had lumch at some hotel, we think it was a 5* hotel and it was delicious. After lunch we went to another one of them type of places and it was alright, just the usual walking around. My head started to poind and I had some pop corn for 5RMB. IT was cool. Everyone was comapling about aching legs! Mine only hurt when I walked down stairs. We eventurally went back to the hotel for dinner at 5.30. It was yummy! We chilled and packed as tomorrow was the last ay in Beigjiing. Even though these 5 days I dreaded at the beginning, I actually had such a good time!

Wednesday 11^th June 2008, Day 16

Today was the last day in Beijing and on the plane I was listening to some music. This morning breakfast was served at 8am, I woke up about 7am and had an early night as I barely slept the night before. We went to some place called Tiantan. It was really cool. At 11am everyone checked out and we handed our hotel cards back and out we went. The coach and the tour guide was outside and everyone came out and loaded our luggage into the coach. Off we went to eat! Even though it was 3 hours ago we had eaten. We went to the place where I threw up to eat and even though I wasn’t hungry, I managed to eat quite a lot. At about 12, we left the restaurant. The sun was blazing it was amazing! After we had a bit of free roaming time until 3pm but everyone had finished roaming and off we went to the airport. There was some traffic along the way so I took a nap. It was about 5 something, we arrived at the airport, the coach driver said bye while the tour guide lead us into the airport. He checked us in and said our byes. As we got into the boarding area, it was 5.30pm, the boarding time was at 6.45 and the flight was at 7.15pm. My mum and I roamed the airport for a while and we all sat together and chatted away. It felt quite sad, the group had gotten quite tight and we all had a good laugh together. This was a good choice. As soon as the gates opened we all went in and found our seats. We had some food on the plane and I chilled after. It was estimated that we would arrive about 10.05 and my uncle said he will pick us up from the airport. Everyone went to sleep. We left the plan and arrived at 10. We collected our luggages and departed our separated ways to our fellow tour mates. Before we went back home, we went out for dinner. 

Thursday 12^th June 2008, Day 17

Today I woke up at 7.30am to pack up. We ate and then left for the train. We had to wait an hour for our train. We sat upstairs and I took a nap. We ate and even though I wasn’t that hungry! I did some youtubing and then off I went to sleep.

Friday 13^th June 2008, Day 18

Woke up at 8.30 ate porridge and some noodles then off we went to do some shopping at the APM. It was cool. My aunt started to feel sick so my uncle and her went home first while we roamed around Mong Kok to look around.

Saturday 14^th June 2008, Day 19

This morning, we ate porridge again. My aunt and uncle was ready to leave for Guangzhou. They planned to leave the 10.30am bus. We finsiedh eating and dropped them off to the bus stop. We said our goodbyes and then left for the jewellery shop. My mum bought 3 pendants a total cost of 4500dollars which is about £100 each, a relatively good deal. It was cool, then my mum and I went around to my dad’s brothers house to meet my dad. We went off to Sha Tin for some shopping and bought a few pieces. We then headed back to their house and my dads nieces’ daughter was there so I played with her for a bit and then used the net. It was time for dinner and we went ot Hollywood Plaza which was in Diamond Hill, a restaurant that was rather busy because it was fathers day. But luckily we had booked a table and they knew the manager. We ate and I really enjoyed myself. We headed home and I saw a little kitten outside the block crying. My heart was so sad for it and I had no food or anything I couldn’t help it! We started up late to pack ntil around 1.10 am and then went to bed.

Sunday 15^th June 2008, Day 20

The official last day of my holidays and I thought it was unbareable but I have really enjoyed it. I loved the experience and yes I may have been bored at times but I had a great time. This morning, we left to eat out and then did one last bit of shopping. I bought my sister some things. We said our goodbyes and my mum and I left to go back to my grandmas. On the way we stopped at the cake shop and bought a mango and chestnut cake for fathers day. On the way home, we rang and knocked on her door but no one answered. We waited outside for a while before trying again. It turned out that my grandma was in the kitchen with her radio on so she couldn’t hear the door. We ate the mango cake , showered and I took a nap. We then gathered our stuff and said goodbye to my grandma. We got into the taxi and my grandma wanted to cry. I didn’t want to leave and I know Id miss it. We headed to my dads brothers house and went to the market to eat some dessert. I was on facebook for a little while talking to my sisters. My mum weighed herself and she was 75kg as opposed to her 80kg! She was very happy. We ate and went to bed around 1.30.

Monday 16^th June 2008, Day 21

So at 4.50am, my mum woke me up and I was in the middle of a dream! I was still extremely tired! The taxi came at 6am, we said our goodbyes and the taxi meter to the airport was 282 but the taxi man asked for 200. Everything went smoothly. My arm had some reaction to the seafood dinner we had last night too. We boarded the plane and I was so tired I wanted to take a nap. They said they will serve sandwhichs and ice cream which I wanted. So I waited for it! I watched a few movies. I went to sleep for a bit. Ice cream and sanwhichs were served which was followed by dinner shortly. The flight arrived back in London fairly early so it had to go around in a lopp four times before there was space to land. It was a very good holiday and one I will not forget!