Dictionary!

Yesterday was a wonderful day!

One of our regular customer came by and gave me a Chinese-English dictionary. She must have known that I had been trying very hard to improve my English language skills. I appreciate this act of kindness very much as it will come in really useful for me when I have to search for words that I do not know.

Learning English can be really tough. However, with the help of friends and the friendly people around me, I am even more encouraged to pick up the language faster. I know it will help me in my job and even when I do finally go back to China.

If you are reading this and are working at the MOE, do speak to me in English and test my English every now and then OK? I can only learn faster when I start speaking or listening to people speak. You may also laugh at my response, if it is wrong... that's OK! I appreciate a little fun every now and then! The mos timportant thing is I have to learn!

Afterall, what is life if we cannot make a fool of ourselves every now and then???

Thank you, my friend, for giving me this dictionary. I will put it to good use!

Some readers really dislike migrant workers!

There continue to be many Singaporeans who dislike us migrant workers whether they are from China or India or anywhere else. Just like this reader who commented and some who sent me direct messages or emails. In any case, you read about all these sentiments over the news, especially near the election period.

But let's face it. We're all here to make a living as my previous post stated, not to take away jobs. The world is getting smaller. Today, manufacturers in developed countries can blame the internet for pushing their prices down. But will blaming do them any good? Would it not be better for them to use the effort to improve their products, reduce their costs or provide better value to their customers.

Similarly, blaming migrant workers for lowering the salary range is the easy way out for many people. But that's not going to help anyone except make everyone dislike us or the government. Why not spend the time and effort improving your skill sets?

The question arise, "Are our salary low?" For what we take home, yes it is by Singapore standards. However, let's not forget that employers have to pay a levy to the government as well. So for a migrant worker earning SGD1,000, that would be equivalent to a salary from the employer's point of view of, say about SGD1,200. My sister makes about SGD1,400 working overtime and that would be equivalent to about SGD1,600 for a Singaporean. That's not low anymore! My boss recently told me that the levy for me has increased to SGD400+??

I know I am touching on a very sensitive subject for many Singaporeans, but I just want us all to see the picture better and gel together to make Singapore a better place, for you and for me. We take on the jobs that many Singaporeans prefer not to take and help contribute to your country in that way... I'm sure our contribution counts no matter how small and seeing from above, our pay may be low, but the cost to the employer is not!

We bought a computer!

When I was staying at the old place, many of my room mates had their own computer. They use them to chat up friends back home on QQ chat as well as to watch movies. I remember that many weekends, I watch movies with them when there is not much to do.

I had always wanted to computer. Not just to chat and watch movies of course but to learn it and use it. I want to make sure that when I go back this time, I learn some new skills. The two main skills up on my list are English and Computer skills.

After my recent QQ session with my brother, my yearn to have my own computer is even stronger.Both my sister and I decided that we should buy our own computer so that we can keep in contact with my brother and loved ones at home. If my brother is home I may even be able to see my mother!

We decided to take the plunge and scrap together some SGD500 to get a computer. I do not really know what to get so we decided to get the cheapest one that can do the job. I took the model no of the model I borrowed from my teacher friend and went to the shop hoping to get the same model.

I can't wait to show my parents how we are living here, I want them to see my new room, to see my sister and me together, to see that I had taken good care of my sister to the extent that she is gaining some weight... ha ha! I am also sure my parents will be happy to see us "live" in person. They do not know how to operate a computer so we can only do this when my brother gets home!

My friends have told me that the internet line at home may not be strong enough or even be able to connect. My brother uses a little device that plugs into his computer and the last time that I saw him, he was coming through not very clear. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will be able to work well from my home.

The computer that we chose is a ASUS EEPC which is something quite basic for our use, just enough for all the functions that we need. We are not fully computer literate and so choosing one is not so easy. We gave the model number we wanted to the shop and they told us the model is no more in production and recommended the one above at the same price. I am not sure if this one does the job well yet, but we will see! So far, it's good and I like the all white design too.

And it is also small enough to carry around should we need to... Yes it cost a bomb... but as long as I can communicate with my parents and brothers in China and see them, I think it is worth it!

QQ with my brother!

My brother online!

My brother is 18 years old and he is working in Shenyang... or rather he is learning to become a motor mechanic in Shenyang. He works for a motor shop that pays him only RMB600 per month. Every now and then, I call him to check if all is OK.

Recently, he decided to bring our old and big laptop computer from home to work in Shenyang as my parents do not know how to use it. One day, he called and said he would like to talk to me over QQ messenger, which is the equivalent of the MSN Messenger or Yahoo Messenger many other people use here. QQ is the most popular in China and many Chinese use it to keep in touch with friends all over the world. I decided to borrow a computer from my Teacher friend try to get in touch with my brother.

My brother is currently working very hard. He works from 10am to 10pm every day, seven days a week, and hopes to be able to learn enough to start his own motor repair or service shop one day. A few years back, when he just finished school and we had a talk, he said he wanted to be a motor mechanic because he feels that China will have many cars one day and it will be really good business. I think he has the right vision, it's now up to him to make it work.

His employer pays him only RMB600 per month (or SGD120) as it is suppose to be an on-the-job learning experience. However, I am a bit worried as he as been it at for more than a year and I wonder if the employer is taking advantage of him. Afterall, he is not going to get a certificate as this is not a school.

So we set a time to meet on QQ at 11am last Sunday even though I usually sleep at about 10pm as I have to wake up early the next day at 5am to work. Sure enough, at 11pm, he came online and we were able to get connected. While the line was a little noisy and there was some delay, I was really happy to see him and tears filled my eyes. It's been a long time and I could not control my feelings. We chatted till 11.30pm when my sister came home and all three of us chatted till past midnight.

On monday, I woke up very tired and with swollen eyes, with only about 4 hours of sleep... I think I need a good, good rest!

Meeting my old Bread Junction colleague!

Wen Wen

Last Saturday, I did not have much to do and decided to take a bus to Punggol. For some reason, I missed the blueberry waffle that I used to eat when I was at Bread Junction. Of course that's not the main reason to go there. The main reason is to see my old friend and colleague, Wen Wen, whom I had not seen for at least 6 months since I moved to my new job!

My tasty blueberry waffle!

She will be going back soon in about 4-5 months time and I thought I should better make a trip to see her before she leaves. She had been a great friend during my tough time at Bread Junction. She had encouraged me, motivated me and help me to learn the ropes quickly.

It was nice to see her again and the place brings back memories. I wanted to buy a waffle but Wen Wen said that she would give me a treat, so would not take my money. Bread Junction had also hired someone new to help out after I left.

Wen Wen's new colleague!

We had some small chat but I did not want to stay too long, as I would hinder their work. I did not want news getting to the bosses that their emplloyees were gossipping behind their backs. And as you may remember from my previous post about bread junction, they put up CCTV in all their branches which can be monitored from their main office in Tampines!

I also had a chance to meet with some old friends from the hair salon next door. I wanted to trim my hair but the queue was too long, so finally I decided to leave. It was a great Saturday afternoon!

Old Lady, New Life!

This lady works with us at the MOE canteen. She is a Singaporean but she comes to work each day with a scowl and frown on her face that digs deeper and deeper into the creases of her face as each day passes. We talked every now and then, about work, about life, and just about anything under the sun, whenever there is a little time off between work. She is now past 60 and she is still working hard every day, even though she has a daughter working in Australia at the moment.

One day, she told me that she is so tired of her work. She has to work so hard, sweep the floor, clean the place up, wipe the table etc... etc... and she envies all the office workers who just just eats and get on with life. I could literally feel her tiredness as I look at her and feel sorry for her. She said that that she laments the fact that she wasn't given the opportunity to study as her family was not well off and that she was not born smart, intelligent and into a rich family like the others she sees working in the office building where we work. She said that in her next life, she want to marry a rich man so that she never has to work ever again?

I always tell her that what she sees is not always what she gets. I have seen people dressed up really well and driving a nice car who are actually quite broke. I have seen people who dress up in "rags" but have hordes of cash. In fact, in China, many rich people live a very humble life. It is the newer generation of younger people, who are so engrossed with buying branded goods, who value looking "rich" rather than being really "rich"! I have a Singaporean friend who once tried to help me find a job and introduced me to a lady who runs a beauty salon. She was elegant, and drives a Mercedes Benz. Recently, I heard from my friend that she is really broke and even borrowed money from her. What price do we have to pay to look good??? My friend was quite upset because this lady refuses to give up her Mercedes Benz and branded goods but expects her friends to lend her money to maintain her "high society" image!

Which makes me wonder? Is life really that easy? Every girl wants to marry the man of her dreams. Her Prince Charming to be exact. He must have a house, lots of money, be good looking, intelligent and yet have a good heart (Singaporeans often refer to it as the 5 "C"s). Well, if there is really such a person, what makes you think you are good enough for him anyway? And even if you were good enough for him in your youth, what makes you think it is going to last, if the "beauty" does not??? Afterall, despite medical advances, you still cannot beat mother time!

Do these "prince charming" people exists only in fairy tales like Cinderella?

A big meal again!

These days, I work alternate Saturdays at the canteen at the General Hospital, a new location my boss "picked" up some time back. I got to know the colleagues there very well and last weekend, one of them decided we should all go out for a good meal after work.

I wasn't working that day but I decided to join them. For some reason, every Chinese worker here seems to choose "hot pot" when selecting a place to eat. Not sure why this is so? Do Chinese really enjoy hot pot or is it because it is just low cost enough that we can afford?

Incidentally we went back to the same place next to the kallang mrt station where my friend, Jianwei, brought me before she left. This place seems to be really popular with Chinese migrant workers. Must be the very attractive price. However, because we were early, it wasn't as crowded as before. We had a good time. The food wasn't great but it's always great to get together with friends and enjoy the afternoon.

As you can see from the videos I took, we had a good time. It's not often we get to chat about home and life in Singapore but when we do, it's a fun time! I really cherish these times with good friends!

Looking for a boyfriend!

Some time back, I wrote about my room mates from my old place. Among them was a kindergarden teacher who stayed with me until I left recently. About 3 weeks back, she also found a place near the Bedok swimming pool where she shared an air-conditioned room with 2 other friends. They pay SGD250 each (SGD750 for the room). She says it is much cleaner and quieter than the old place we stayed where we have to stay eight to a room!

She called me recently and told me she broke off with her Chinese boyfriend and jokingly asked if I can recommend someone to her. She would prefer a Singaporean as she would like to stay in Singapore to work. Currently, as she has higher qualifications than me, she holds an "S" pass.

She's a petite, sweet and active girl with a nice personality and beautiful long flowing hair. We went jogging together a few times, whenever our free time coincides. Once we even jogged to the beach and had a nice long walk and conversation together.

I told her I will visit her soon. Actually besides just seeing her, I would also like to see how a SGD750 room looks like? I've always stayed eight to a room  (until recently) and I am always curious how Singaporean live, so it would be nice to pay her a visit.

So, any one wants to know a nice Chinese kindergarden teacher?

Insect Bites!

During my first stay at Joo Chiat, about three years ago, when I first came to Singapore, I experienced many insect bites on my legs and arms when I sleep. This happens even when I change my bedsheets but somehow or other, I was unable to find out what bit me. They could never be found anywhere. I was really glad when I finally got out of the place and found a cleaner place to stay.

Yesterday, a new colleague told me that she had been very badly bitten each night when she sleeps. She showed me her "bite" marks and I could immediately tell that they were exactly what I experienced a few years back. She asked me what's the solution and I told her to move out. In the past, some of my room mates had tried changing mattress, even forking our their hard earn money to buy new mattresses, all to no avail. The bugs will just move from old mattresses to new and unless all the old mattresses are thrown out, there is no way to get rid of them.

Her bites were even worse than mine. She tried wearing long pyjamas to sleep and despite the thickness of the pyjamas, the bugs still bite through!

I think some of these hostels renting out rooms should be more hygenic, maybe even to the point of taking out their mattresses to sun every now and then. But I guess most of these landlords are working people just like us, and will do the minimum to keep the place reasonaby neat and tidy for tenants. Whatever cannot be seen (including these bugs), will be just left alone.

My colleague will see a doctor today and will also start looking for a better and cleaner place to move to. I am so glad I have gone past this unpleasant experience!