Our first presentation. (:

It went okay, I guess. All of us did our best with the efforts that we have put in.

Since we are here for 6 weeks to complete our Business Process Engineering module, I feel that the lessons and schedule are quite tight and we have to really keep up with the pace. Usually during normal semester, we tend to procrastinate and push our work only when the deadline is nearing. Honestly, maybe that's why I'm finding it a little hard to cope here because everything seems to be moving too fast. Hahaha.

Well, what I know about the local students here is that they will tend to always finish their work on the day it was given. Only after completing them then can they enjoy and play for the rest of the day. However, our case is usually the other way round though. 

I think it would be good if we were to adopt this habit of theirs. In that way, students can manage their time better instead of always saying that they do not have enough time to do projects and assignments. Not forgetting the stress that we always claim to face. (:

Maybe I should start practising this habit very soon. (:

When stress is over, it is all smiles. (:

Well, today is one of the more interesting lessons for IS. We learnt about the history behind the foot binding and the Chinese queue that was practised during ancient China.

Let's start with foot binding. (:

The lady above is not suffering from any growth on her feet.

This is how their feet looks like when they have bound feet with their shoes on.

What about without the shoes on?

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BRACE YOURSELF. (:

I find that it is really amazing how their feet grows to be. Instead of how it will normally grow, the toes would actually grow downwards and under the sole of the feet to form a 'pointed lily bud'. They also had to bend the middle section of the feet so as to reduce the distance between the toes and the heel.

The rationale behind this foot binding or better known as 'Lily Feet' is that it was regarded as a symbol of feminine beauty and royal approval (high-class). This is because during one of the dynasties, the emperor ordered his concubine to dance in front of him in bound feet on top of a 'Golden Lily Platform'. It was also to keep women from "wandering" which was actually to control them. The practice then became a custom which lasted for more than thousand of years in China. 

Imagine your feet growing to about less than three inches which is only 7.62cm!

Hahaha. (:

I can't really imagine the pain the women had to go through. They even had difficulty in walking and had to have someone assisting them. In my opinion, this practice became a custom because it actually started with someone of high status, that is the emperor and thus is being highly regarded by many people. Just like what we always say, a leader leads by example. (:

Ever wondered why the Chinese men used to have long hair during ancient China?

It was because they were being forced to have one.

It was actually a specific hairstyle worn by the Manchus from Central Manchuria and was imposed in China when they dominated the Chinese state after the fall of the Ming Dynasty. It was a symbol of Ming Chinese submission to the Machu ruling and as an identification of the Chinese who refused to accept the Manchu domination. They had to do so within 10 days or else they had to face death.

From these two examples that happened during ancient China, I feel that people who are in power would look for ways to create a significant practice that would symbolize their ruling. It could be a good or bad thing because people would eventually remember them for the things that they implemented and how they have made them suffer or lead a better life.

Of course, people would always try to stand out from the rest;

Wanting to be different, unique and outstanding.

But I believe being ourselves and who we really are is still the best. (: