Will You Close The Window?!?!?!

When I wrote my blog regarding 10 things I hate about China, it was spring.  At that time, the weather is still cool that there’s no need for air-conditioning.  Now that it’s the peak of summer, air-conditioning is a relief to the scorching heat of the sun.  However, in China, most of them seem scared of the cold.

A couple of days ago, I was lucky enough to ride an air-condition bus home.  It was hot and humid and I badly need something cool.  When I entered the bus, it felt heavenly.  However, when I sat down behind a Chinese guy, he suddenly yanked open the window so wide and let the humid air in.  I was so annoyed so I tap his shoulder and asked him to close the window.  He replied in Chinese, “I moved to this seat because I want to open the window.  I’m scared of the cold!”  I was fuming inside and was contemplating banging him in the head and say “This is an airconditioned bus!  If you hate the cold, you shouldn’t ride this bus!”  I didn’t do it but I almost did.  Maybe next time I will.

House Rules During Olympic Matches

The Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee recently posted on their website the house rules for spectators when watching Olympic matches.   I suggest you print it out as sometimes they might have their own rules which are unreasonable and you have something to disprove them.

I remember attending one of the Good Luck Beijing games and I had some paracetamol with me.  They informed me that I can’t bring it in.   As I was in a hurry, I just let it be.   This time, I’ll come prepared and print myself a copy of the house rules.

The House Rules are as follow:

Latest Tianjin Starbucks Mug & Tumbler

I was meaning to go to Starbucks for quite some time to take photos and check out the latest city mugs and tumblers.  I got the chance to do it yesterday as I was at the main office and there’s a Starbucks on my way to the bus stop.

In that Starbucks, they still have the Beijing mug & tumblers which I’ve posted in my previous blog as well as the latest Tianjin tumbler and demitasse set.  The Tianjin tumbler has that huge clock structure which I saw on the way to the city from the train station.  The color and font design is similar to the new Beijing & China tumblers which they’ve recently released.  Retail price for the tumbler is RMB 95.

The demitasse set composed of one Tianjin cup and one China cup.  Retail price  for this set is RMB 88.  They’re quite cute and when I went to the Starbucks near my home, they said it’s already sold out.

Since I wasn’t happy with the photos I’ve taken in the Starbucks near the office, I  thought about going to the Starbucks near my home.  When I got there, they don’t have the tumbler nor the demitasse set.  They, however, have the Tianjin mug.  In this shop, they were more amenable to have a picture taken so I think the picture is much better.  Retail price of the mug is RMB 90.

Well.. for the collectors in Manila, I have a friend going home this August.  Send me a comment if you want me to buy you some of them.  For other collectors, I’ll see what I can do with the shipping.

Last Chance to Grab Your Olympic Tickets

The Phase 4 of the Beijing Olympic ticket general public sales will start tomorrow, July 25. A total of 820,000 tickets will be sold to the public of which 250,000 are for sports events to be held in Beijing.

Ticket sales will start from July 25, 9am to 6pm until the tickets are sold out. Each person can only purchase a maximum of 2 tickets for one event. They also put a cap on how many tickets will be sold daily and for which events. No English list yet out there.

Ticket buyers can proceed to the respective venues ticket office except for the events in the Bird’s Nest, Water Cube, National Indoor Stadium, Fencing Hall and Wukesong Baseball Field. These tickets will be sold at the main box office in Beitucheng Road. Payment method is either cash or VISA credit card. Invoices can also be issued, if needed. For more information, visit the ticketing website at http://www.tickets.beijing2008.cn/?lang=en-cn

So.. what are you waiting for? You sure won’t see me there! Hehehe.. I already have a bunch of tickets which I won from Phase 1 to 3. See you at the Games!

Pacquiao is the Official RP Flag Bearer

Country hero Manny Pacquiao was officially confirmed as the RP Flag bearer for the upcoming Olympic Games. This position is usually reserved for Olympians only but the Beijing Games organizers gave way to the Philippine Olympic Committee’s request to have Pacquiao assume this prestigious role.

The Olympic Games will hold it’s opening ceremonies on August 8, 2008 at 8:08pm. The Philippines will be sending 15 delegates in 8 sports namely Shooting (Eric Ang), Athletics (Henry Dagmil and Marestella Torres), Boxing (Harry Tanamor), Swimming (Christel Simms, James Walsh, Daniel Coakley, Ryan Arabejo and Miguel Molina), Diving (Rexel Ryan Fabrega and Sheila Mae Perez), Taekwondo (Tshomlee Go and Mary Antoinette Rivero), Archery (Mark Javier) and Weightlifting (Hidilyn Diaz). The Philippine Embassy in Beijing is planning to have a Team Welcome Ceremony at the Olympic Village on 4 August 2008 should the Beijing Games organizers allow entry to Filipinos supporting the delegates.

The flag bearer news was announced in Philippine newspapers last July 10, 2008. So.. as usual.. my news is always late. However, I’ll keep you posted with pix and stories of the opening ceremonies which I’ll be watching live at the Bird’s Nest!