http://blogs.channelnewsasia.com/yee-fong China through my eyes Sat, 27 Dec 2008 14:44:54 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Chinese people love to volunteer, or so it seems from recent events in the country. I would say volunteerism reached its peak in China during the Beijing Olympics -- 100,000 volunteers -- including a good number of the best and brightest from Beijing's most prestigious universities, participated with the aim ... http://blogs.channelnewsasia.com/yee-fong/2008/12/27/chinese-volunteerism/ Flashbacks of my dad writhing in pain from kidney stones in the middle of the night appeared before me as I punched out yet another story of a food scandal in China. That happened when I was barely 3. Yet, the image was etched in my mind because his agony was ... http://blogs.channelnewsasia.com/yee-fong/2008/10/10/some-types-of-milk-are-less-equal-than-others/ Watching the Singapore flag raised in the prestigious Olympics hall for the much-anticipated table tennis match brought a tear to my eye. It was one thing watching any Chinese team play against other teams in an Olympic venue - the cheering and support is overpowering; but rooting for your own country ... http://blogs.channelnewsasia.com/yee-fong/2008/08/24/bringing-the-house-down-in-red-and-white/ The media marathon in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics can be trying, and at times, exasperating. But it also brings out the most curious response from all of us who were, and still are, engulfed by Olympics hysteria... Overheard at a press conference… “I would like to know where that picture ... http://blogs.channelnewsasia.com/yee-fong/2008/08/24/overheard/ If there was one thing that the Beijing laobaixing might have learnt from the whole Olympics fanfare, it would be the Human Wave (or Mexican Wave to the Mexicans; or the Kallang wave to Singaporeans…), and the fun of letting their hair down cheering for players on the courts. I had ... http://blogs.channelnewsasia.com/yee-fong/2008/08/24/rooting-for-the-underdog/ As journalists, we are often caught up with capturing the moment of action. We get a kick out of freezing the most candid/emotional/telling/embarrassing expressions of our subjects. Rarely do we realize how WE ourselves may look through the lens of others. Mr Chia Hui Yong of Mercy Relief, who kindly gave ... http://blogs.channelnewsasia.com/yee-fong/2008/08/24/candid-moments/ I have always been a faithful participant of Singapore’s National Day celebrations. Watching the parade on TV was an annual affair. Since I was three, my dad would take me to watch the parade "live" whenever he could, especially when there's a march past near our home. When I went to primary ... http://blogs.channelnewsasia.com/yee-fong/2008/07/31/me-a-chinese-a-singaporean/ So the no-no list for the Beijing Olympics spectators is out - no long umbrellas allowed in the Olympics stadiums, folks. There are other items restricted or banned – liquid cosmetic, crossbows, huge banners, flags representing Tibet and Taiwan Island, and oh, nudity! Why have I picked the most ordinary ... http://blogs.channelnewsasia.com/yee-fong/2008/07/20/under-one-brolly/ “Do you report about Beijing getting good weather?” I recently posed this question to two friends working in the media. After all, so much has been said about the pollution and bad air in Beijing in the mainstream media. My logic for asking the question was simple. You see, if bad news, ... http://blogs.channelnewsasia.com/yee-fong/2008/07/10/what-do-you-see-when-you-look-into-beijings-sky/ Many of you have shared your thoughts about my experiences in covering the Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan. Rest assured I've read all of them and I appreciate your kind thoughts for us. J Do continue with your contributions and keep the discussions alive! My last post was meant to highlight some ... http://blogs.channelnewsasia.com/yee-fong/2008/06/28/more-on-chinese-hospitality/