My off day!

I had my second off day after working here for almost a month now! How time flies! When you are working seven days a week with only 2 days off... you literally don't know what to do when you suddenly are given a day off!

While I truly value this one free day in 2 weeks of hard work, I was just suddenly at a lost. What makes this day even more valuable is that it's not a fix day, so I cannot plan for it. My boss arrange the day off and will just tell us a few days in advanced. So all the more, I should value it!

So, what did I do all day? Well, I woke up a little later than normal. Had my bath and went to the supermarket to buy some stuff. I had always wanted to cook at home to save some money but till now, I did not have the opportunity to do it.

In the afternoon, I decided to visit my old friends at Chai Chee Technopark. I took bus no 3 to Pasir Ris followed by a train to Chai Chee. Was I glad to see them again! After 2 years of working together, they are like a family and friends. And the place has not changed much. I felt so at home I almost wanted to walk behind the counter and start working again! Incidentally, this might be the last time I am able to see them here as my ex-boss will be giving up this place by the end of the September.

Interestingly, a few customers came by and recognized me and came to have a chat with me. A few saw my article in the Lianhe Wanbao and one even saw me while he was jogging in Punggol. What a small world! The lady sitting in the picture above is "Yan Jie", my favorite friend, mentor, "mother"... she's everything to me! The man to the right is her husband who comes by to help her at the stall everyday.

I had a wonderful day-off and I really did not want it to end! However, as always, all good things do come to an end. My only regret was that my ex-boss was not around or I would have loved to see him again and tell him how much I appreciate working for him after all the experiences I had with other employers!

In the evening, I went to Bedok to see my ex-landlord and had a light dinner with them before heading back to Punggol. They were good friends too and I recall the good memories I had while staying there. Sure, there were arguments, and other unhappy events... afterall, we had almost ten people crammed into a 2 bedroom unit... but the good times sure outnumbered the bad! Let bygones be bygones!

Enjoy the few photos I took of all my ex-colleagues that day! They were great colleagues, especially the lady on the top left who had been a great friend, mentor and mother to me while I was here all alone. What wonderful people. I am going to miss them all, for sure... and my customers too!

A little disturbed!

This morning, my sister called me and said that an agent told her that he's got a job for her. It's a job as a beautician in the city and the pay is SGD1,000 without any other allowances. I know my sister is really keen to come to Singapore, especially now that I am here and I am fearful that in the haste, she may make the wrong decision and end up SGD8,000 poorer. My first experience told me that this SGD8,000 will take as long as a year or more to earn back... and the pressure builds if you have to borrow the money too.

My colleague tells me that Beauty Centers are sprouting up in Singapore because the barrier to entry is low. However, many of them don't last more than a year or two. Is this true? I really don't want my sister to fall into the same trap as me... ie just when you earn back your agents fee, it's time to go home!

Isn't it interesting in life that the more we know, the more we worry? When I came out here the first time, I wasn't worried about anything. I just paid and went... because I did not know a thing about Singapore! But now that I know a little more and also a little more experienced, I am a little concerned. I'm not sure how I should advise here as far as this is concerned. Even while taking my breakfast with my colleague, I am thinking about it!

Played out by an irresponsible employer - Part 3 (final part)

The next day, I called the manager again and he agreed to meet me at China Square. He was late for almost an hour. When he finally arrived, he said he will arrange the documents but I need to pay him SGD500. I was furious... and refuse to do so! Imagine! They promised to do this for me and if I had not checked, I might have become an illegal over-stayer! I might even go to jail for this... and yet he as the cheek to ask me for more money. Well, even if I wanted to pay, I don't have the money! Interestingly, when I was there, another more elderly lady of about 45 and a pretty younger lady of about 25 also came to meet him.

When I finally gave up and left, the elderly lady told me I was very lucky. She told me her sad story. She had worked for 3 months without pay. The younger lady, whom I later found out was a singer from China performing at Hot Pot City was not paid for six months! Only then did I realized indeed, how lucky I was. Both these ladies had to leave the country within seven days and they were almost sure they will not have the time or money to pursue this irresponsible employer! I know what they will do... they will just delay payment until time runs out and the two ladies have to leave. I thank God... that I was only owed one day in salary, although I had lost about SGD1,000 in coming over.

I wonder if the Singapore government knows of such errant employers, preying on the weakness of migrant workers who came here to earn an honest living? Here is a picture of me finally leaving Singapore again (circled in red), SGD1,000 poorer but counting my lucky stars all the same! I could not help wondering what happened to the 2 poor ladies!

Played out by an irresponsible employer - Part 2

When I arrived, they promised to prepare all the necessary documents for me and I started work the next day. It was quite interesting as there were very few customers. I worked from 10am to 10pm. After one day, the boss spoke to me and said I need not come to work the next day until they call me again. I asked them about my documents as I was afraid of overstaying-staying illegally and they told me not to worry... they assured me that all documents will be in place... and I believed them.

For the next few days, I kept calling back but they told me there is no need to come to work yet... which left me a little confused... and suspicious. One of the managers who helped me arranged my medical check-up did tell me that business was bad and that they may close. However, he told me not to worry as they will find a job for me as they have a few other businesses.

After a week, I decided to take matters into my own hands and called up a few agents specializing in China job placements. I gave my details to a very helpful agent and explained to him the situation. He said he will check for me. Within a few hours, he called back and said that no documents were processed and I had to leave the country within seven days. I was desperate! What should I do?  What worried me more at that time was that I have barely enough cash to buy my own ticket back! I was counting on getting a job and making some money along the way and now... How can an employer who looked so prestigious on the outside be so irresponsible?... (to be cont'd)

Played out by an irresponsible employer - Part 1

Just before my first contract ended when I was working at Chai Chee Technopark, my boss told me that I had 7 days after my contract ended to leave Singapore. I was desperately trying to extend my contract but unfortunately, the government had raised the quota requirement for foreign workers and my boss did not have the numbers required to keep me.

You may be asking, why me and not someone else? Well, it just happened that I was the first contract to run out after the implementation of the new quota requirements (this was in May 2010). I used this seven days to search for jobs. I bought the papers everyday, and I went for 2 to 3 interviews a day. It was really, really tough trying to see so many potential employers in the few days that I had, especially when you do not have much money left and still have to take public transport here and there. Finally after all the hard work, I had two potential employers who said they will contact me. I told them that I had to leave the next day and that once I was back in China, I will send them my contact details.

When I was back in China, the company, SKYE IMPERIAL HOT POT CITY at China Square called me and said they need me. Am I mean to name them? Well, I waited till they are closed before putting up their name.Anyway, we agreed on terms and they asked me to book a flight down as soon as possible. I immediately had to borrow another RMB5,000 and with another about RMB4,000 which I had, I bought a ticket and made my way to Singapore...(to be cont'd!)

A day in the life of a Migrant Worker!

Recently, a friend told me that Singaporeans have been complaining that the government has allowed too many migrant workers into the country. While some of these are high level jobs (where real "talent" is needed from other countries), Singapore is still flooded with "foreign talent" filling out low level jobs which can be filled by local workers. Well, after working a few years in Singapore, I am not sure if they will really want such jobs, even if they are available to Singaporeans. Here is what my recent typical day is like when I work on an 11am to 11pm shift.

0700hrs - Wake up, Wash up... and the usual!
0730hrs - Read a book, check my emails
0800hrs - Prepare some breakfast and have a quick meal.
                Sometimes, walk downstairs to eat and buy
                newspapers
0830hrs - Read the papers
0900hrs - Dress up for work
0930hrs - Walk to the bus stop (Punggol) to take Bus 3
1030hrs - Arrive at Tampines. Sometimes arrive at
                1045hrs depending on traffic
1045hrs - Walk into shop, punch card, change into
                uniform, get read for work!
1100hrs - Work
1330hrs - Lunch (usually eat a bun)
1400hrs - Work
1930hrs - Dinner (usually eat a bun)
2000hrs - Work
2230hrs - Close shop, clean up the place, prepare for
                the next day
2300hrs - Leave the shop
2315hrs - Board a Bus to Punggol
0015hrs - Reach home, shower, rest
0100hrs - Sleep

Occasionally, especially on an earlier shift, my boss may request me to work an extra hour, especially when there is a shortage of manpower. Still want my job?

Me and my glasses!

One morning recently, while still working at Punggol, I woke up and my eyes hurt. I'm not sure what was the reason but I decided to wear my glasses to work that day. It was quite interesting as my colleagues and a few customers commented that I looked like a teacher and started calling me "laoshi" or "老师", Chinese for teacher. I'm not sure I should take that as a compliment or not... as I am not sure how teachers are viewed in Singapore by the general public. Some friends tell me that the impression of teachers are that they are the nerdy type.

Certainly not in China though... teachers are a well respected profession there... maybe a view that has trickled down, since the days of Communism and Chairman Mao!

Wouldn't it have been nice if I was really a teacher? Then maybe I don't have to struggle that hard just to make ends meed! Actually about one year ago, while working at Chai Chee, a customer approached me and asked if I would like to tutor his primary four daughter in Chinese. I had to turn him down as I was not familiar with the local syllables and I will be doing gross injustice to her to take up the job and not be able to do it well, especially if her results does not improve! 

Now thinking back, maybe I should have accepted it. Chinese tutor for hire... anyone?

Just when I found a place...

When I first came back to work for Bread Junction, I thought I was suppose to work at the Tampines branch, since that was where I went for my interview the last time, before I left Singapore after my Chai Chee stint. As such, I decided I will continue to stay in Bedok, since I am familiar with the landlord and I still have some friends there. However, on my first day at work, my boss told me I will be working at the Punggol branch. The distance was way too far and I decided I have to find a place in Punggol to stay.

After one week, and looking at the papers almost daily, I finally found a place about a 15 minutes walk from work. Imagine to my surprise when my boss told me after my second night staying in Punggol that he will need me to help out at Tampines as Hari Raya is coming and many of his Malaysian workers will be taking a break (this was about 2 weeks before Hari Raya). I asked how long I was needed to help out and he said probably about a week... and one week turned out into two...

I really do not have a problem helping out at all... and as I always said, I'm used to the hard work. What is tough on me is that I have to tell my landlord at Bedok that I have to put up at his place for a week and then two... and  now I end up paying double rent for almost 2 weeks! Well, I could continue to stay at Punggol and make my way to Tampines but I will incur about SGD6 transport daily, not to mention the time lost. So, it's pretty much the same... so I'd rather lose the money all the same and at least save the time!

Well, who said live was easy anyway... and I really should not be complaining. In fact, I am grateful I have a job in Singapore.

Anyway, I've included two pictures of me here. One taken in my new room in Punggol and the other of me in a bus on the way to work in Tampines!

My broken hearted friend!

A couple of months after I started work at Chai Chee, a group of guys came by to buy drinks just after lunch. There were three Chinese guys and one Indian guy. While my colleague was preparing for them the fruit juice which they ordered, the Indian guy asked one of his Chinese friends to ask me if I had a boyfriend. I understood what he was asking his friend but of course, I pretended not to know.

So cheekily, his friend turned around to me and said, "My good friend here wants to know if you have any boyfriend?"

Interestingly, I had this discussion with my colleagues while having breakfast a few days before. We usually took a short break at between 9-10am where we had our own breakfast and small talk as this was a quiet period for us. My colleagues told me that there will always be guys coming by to ask about us and will want to know if we are attached etc... etc... Some were genuinely interested, some just wanted to poke fun at us and some were just being friendly. My boss warned us that it was best to just tell them we were attached so as to not attract further attention.

With this in mind, I replied, "Yes, I have a very good boyfriend whom I love alot".

This cheeky Chinese guy turned around to his Indian friend and said, "She says she has a very good boyfriend whom she loves alot!" I almost burst out laughing. The Indian guy put his hand to his heart and using two hands to signify that it is broken told his friend to tell me that he was very heart-broken! Ha ha. My colleagues and I had a good laugh that day.

It's a good thing we had such little funny incident happening every other day or so... otherwise, life can be so tough in little Singapore... at least for us migrant workers!

My Current Work outfit!

At my current work place, we have to wear a white Sun Shade to work and a white polo-T. Not sure what the Sun Shade is for, after all, it's indoor but it looks quite cute. Unfortunately, it's also hot, especially in the hot and humid Singapore weather! But just so you know what it looks like, here is a picture of me in the Sunshade... on my way in my Agent's car to collect my documents from MOM.

Moving back to the East!

After a week working at Chai Chee Technopark, I kind of got used to it and kind of liked the new environment. However, the travel from Tanjung Pagar to Chai Chee was killing me... an hour and thirty minutes each way. I had to look for a new home... and fast too... otherwise, it was eating into my pocket too quickly.

I asked another Chinese colleague about where I could start looking for a new place and she suggested looking at bus stops. Many Chinese migrants working in Singapore put up notices at bus stops to look for room mates and that will be the cheapest way to go. So one evening, I decided to visit a few bus stops in Chai Chee and Bedok to pick up some numbers to call. In the next couple of days, I managed to find a place in Bedok Central charging SGD210 per month for bed space with 6 to a room... not too bad I thought. I immediately made an appointment to go take a look at it after work.

Well, the place was kind of a disappointment, dirty, cramp but the location was great! It's right next to the Bedok MRT and bus stop, there are two supermarkets nearby and a food center and a library too. I decided that I cannot ask for too much with the small budget I had, so it's either a nice place or a good location. I decided to go for it! Come to think of it, I even had a small TV in my room for all the room mates to watch... a little luxury helps alot!

"In a period of about 7 months, I have already moved 3 locations... "

Next day, I told my landlord from Tanjung Pagar that I was moving out and lugged my luggage to work. Thank goodness, I don't have many belongings or moving would have been a big headache. Sometimes it pays to travel light. So, in a period of about 7 months, I have already moved 3 locations... is there more to come??? Ha ha! After just more than half a year in Singapore, I am ready for anything that comes my way! Nothing is a surprise anymore!

My duck eggs hatched!

A few weeks just before I came back to Singapore in August 2010, our batch of duck eggs hatched and we had a bevy of beautiful little ducklings. I'm not sure any of my readers had actually experienced ducks hatching right in your own home but this is quite exciting to watch and experience. In fact, sometimes the anticipation can be quite an adrenalin rush. You're never sure what you are going to get... an ugly duckling perhaps?

In fact, sometimes it calls for celebration as it means that we are going to have more ducks, either to sell, eat, or keep for more eggs in the future. Regardless of how you look at it, when eggs hatch, it always means something good is coming along!

One of my Singapore colleagues used to tell me that a long, long time ago (she's about 55 now), she used to keep ducks and chickens at home when she was a kid. However, due to industrialization, the new generations of Singaporeans will not get many chances of such an experience as I just had ie a new batch of ducklings. Well, to the "less fortunate", I'm sharing this with you. Enjoy it!

Transfering to Chai Chee.

OK, now that I'm at work in Singapore and after 3 days, things are starting to get back to normal, I can start updating on my previous work experience in Singapore again.

5 months into my job while still at Tanjung Pagar, my boss told me that he needs me to help out in his Chai Chee foodcourt as somebody had just left and he was shorthanded. I was initially taken aback as I had just moved from Joo Chiat to Tanjung Pagar for barely 2 months to save on transport and time and now I have to go the other way.

"I'm almost as good as a nomad, or Gipsy... going where the wind blows!"

But I remembered someone once said to me, "When life throws you a lemon, make lemonade!" and so with this, I answer, "Sure, anything I can do to help, I will!" But at the back of my mind, it's the thought of having to make that long journey back to the East and this will easily cost me an additional $3-$4 per day.

Anyway, I had to go. I guess my boss was just being nice and courteous to ask me if I can help out. He could have just said, "You have to move to Chai Chee!". I appreciate the respect and courtesy anyway.

So the next morning, I started work at Chai Chee, and started learning the process all over again... meeting new colleagues and friends. Interestingly, I kind of liked Chai Chee after the first day. It was not as busy as Tanjung Pagar and somehow, the environment seems better. Hmmm.... I decided I was going to ask my boss if this was permanent so that I can find a place to stay in the East. I'm almost as good as a nomad, or Gipsy... going where the wind blows!

Here is a picture of my workplace in Chai Chee... taken with my handphone, so it's not so clear.

My first day at work in Singapore!

Today is my first day at work in Singapore and I am looking forward to it. My boss decided to put me up at their new Bread Junction branch in Punggol Drive. Yesterday, I decided to try to get there from my Bedok place and it took me almost 1.5 hours and about SGD3.15 in bus fare to get there. There are two shift of workers : 6.30am - 6.30pm and 10.30am -10.30pm and I am starting off taking the 10.30am shift. Punggol is a new housing estate, so it does not look as busy but I am sure it will become just like any busy housing estate with time to come. This morning, it was raining when I got up, so I decided to leave early so as not to be late for work. I arrived at 9am, one and a half hours before work, so I had time for a coffee and breakfast.

My boss had advised me to move to Punggol where they rented an apartment for some of the workers. This apartment is walking distance to work, so it will be more convenient. It will cost us SGD200 per month each for a room with 4 persons. Our lodging allowance is SGD100. I had originally thought it was SGD150 when I spoke to the girl over the phone but my boss said it had been reduced to SGD100. Well, I'm already here, so I will have to make do with it. "Beggars" cannot be choosers!

In any case, I will take a look at the place before I decide to take it. If not, I will have to look up my own place nearer to work. I've decided not to look at all the small negatives which can make us unhappy... instead I should focus on working hard and making some much needed money for the family! I've always had very good relationships with people be they customers, bosses, friends or just casual aquaintances so I am quite confident that it will all turn out well. I'll also try to look for a place of my own to see if I can find a better bargain. Who knows, Punggol is a new estate and I may be able to get a room for two for SGD400+ (or SGD200+ each)!

As I had mentioned earlier, events had moved so quickly recently I did not have time to update my work adventures from Tanjung Pagar and my move to Chai Chee etc... but I will continue updating these events as well as happenings at home in China once I settle down a little. Meanwhile, if you are ever in Punggol, come visit me!

I'm here!

Finally, after a long flight that lasted almost 12 hours including transit and delays, I am finally in Singapore. I started the day at 5am when my mum and I boarded a taxi to Shenyang airport. Got there at 7am and checked in before my mother left. It was hard for my mother to see that I have to leave again after a 2 months stay. And now, there is even a possibility my sister may come... which means she is going to miss both daughters! I could see the tears welling in her eyes as I consoled her and tell her that I have to earn some money for the family.

I finally boarded the plane at about 9.30am and got to Beijing at about noon. Following a 3hour transit which was further delayed another hour plus due to heavy rain, I finally boarded the plane at Beijing to Singapore at just past 4pm.

I finally arrived at 10.30pm at night and when I got out of the airport, it was 11.15pm. My agent who was suppose to pick me was again no where in sight. How is it that agents are always late? Or is this just part of the local culture?

I went to the local convenience store to get a phone card so that I can call him. It cost me RMB80+ or about SGD26. When I got through to him (the agent), all he can say was, "Oh you are here. I'll will come fetch you now". No apologies or remorse. Finally he arrived at about 30mins past midnight. By then, I almost collapse of starvation.

"Again he is late..."

Here is a picture of me taken at Bedok where I've decided to stay, just this morning while again waiting for the agent to come pick me up for a Medical check-up. Again, he is late...

I will update on my workplace once everything is firm...

I'm coming to Singapore again!

So many things have happened these recent few weeks, I've hardly have time to update my past working experience.

I've been wrting about finding a job in Singapore and I've had several miserable failures... but recently I had two good opportunities. One was from my agent who who called recently about a job at a bar/pub. I mentioned this earlier in one of my earlier posting.

I also made several calls to companies in Singapore and finally, one company was looking for a Chinese worker. It's a company manufacturing and selling bread and it has a few branches in Singapore. The job seems tough with working hours from 9am to 9pm with pay of SGD800 per mth plus SGD150 for lodging allowance. Also, it is seven days a week work except for 2 off-days a month. As I had made this contact on my own, I do not have to pay the hefty agent's fee but the company still require an agent's help to settle some papers. According to the company, the fee is SGD1,000 which I will have to bear as well as the airticket. This is of course much less than the SGD8,000 I have to pay if I had the agent help me find the job!

"I was so happy I went out to pick a nice water melon from the farm to share with my family!"

I've decided to take up this offer as I'm still a little skeptical about the "bar/pub" job. My feeling is that many pubs in Singapore will run for a couple of years and then either change location or close down. I really want a job that is long term in order that I can save some money to bring home some time in the future.

So, in taking up this offer, the company has said that they wanted me to start work as soon as possible. I've booked my ticket and will be in Singapore this coming Wednesday. I will update again once my job is firm and everything is running well. Hmm... I was so happy I went out to pick a nice water melon from the farm to share with my family!

My sister is still waiting for news on the bar/pub job and she should know in a few weeks if she will be able to come to Singapore as well. I certainly hope she is able to come as well. Somehow, having a close member of the family around helps alot in a foreign land (even though Singapore is now quite familiar to me after working here for 2 years already).

The beautiful scenery near my home!

Readers, I apologise for the long lapse between posting. Here is one about my home.

I live in the rural area of Benxi and there are definitely pros and cons to living here in the country side. While it is far from the city and difficult to get to work (unless you find a job nearby which is rare), it is a beautiful area to live in with lots of space, un-congested roads and beautiful sceneries.

Just a 10minutes walk from our door step, you will see big stretches of land, some of which are used for farming and other agricultural purpose. A small tributary of a larger river runs through our city and this feeds into a huge reservoir which provides drinking water for the whole region. It also provides food. My dad used to fish here every weekend so that we get fish in our diet as well. And to this day, whenever my brother is back from the city, he will come here to try and catch a fish for our family meal. Whenever someone asks me why I have such big eyes, I will always tell them, "I ate a lot of fish which my dad caught!" Ha ha!

Just a little further in the background, a mountain range provides a beautiful silhouette against the setting sun. This can be even more beautiful on a cloudy day when silver linings form along the edges of the cloud. Now I understand when my english speaking friends in Singapore says, "Every cloud has a silver lining!". A girlfriend I know from DBS just upstairs of where I work in Chai Chee (DBS has since moved out) once explained this phrase to me when I told her I was down and stressed with the huge debt I was responsible for (another post on this later).

The most beautiful time to see these mountains is in winter when they are topped with a fresh cap of snow. Sometimes I just love standing out in the open, breathing in the fresh country air and admiring the beautiful scenery. It clears my mind and has an excellent therapeutic effect on my whole being. I always feel lighter and with more energy after the exercise.

"People say women are hard to please..."

While I work in the city and sometimes I wish the city was nearer, I also sometimes wish my hometown to be the same as always. I would dread to see the day my hometown become fully developed and becomes a concrete city, like Shenyang. People say women are hard to please because they don't know what they want.... and sometimes I have to agree!

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

I thought I should spend some time replying to some readers who had posted some queries to me. I may not be able to answer all questions at one time, but in order to keep my post short and sharp, I will answer a couple of questions each time. So here you go :

1. You said you come from the country side and do not have much money, but in some of your pictures, you are wearing ADIDAS wear? Are you lying?
• My family is definitely from the country side (I will show more pictures in my coming post but I've already showed you my "pet" cockerels. chickens and donkey. Some of the pictures have me in them, so they are definitely real! Here is another picture of the chickens at my house in China. Ha ha. And I wear ADIDAS because I like their design... also, in China, they are really cheap. My white ADIDAS top cost me about RMB20. Now I won't go so far as to tell you if they are the genuine stuff because I really don't know. I buy them because I think they are nice and cheap! 
2. I see that you are wearing black or white most of the time and hardly any other colors? Why?
• When you have a limited wardrobe, black or white is the best because they match everything and any color of handbags, shoes, hairstyle etc... etc... you choose to take with you! For this reason, my favorite colors remain black and/or white.
3. Your sister don't look like you. Is she really your sister?
• Of course she is my sister. But we are 5 years apart which means that we may not look as identical as sisters born closer together! I'm not sure if that is the reason for our difference... but she is definitely my lovely sister!

So there you go... hope those answer some of your queries! And as a parting shot, here is a picture of some oxen we use for ploughing the ground! Enjoy!

My first pay day in China - Joy and Frustration!

Since I came back the second time (after being played out by Hot Pot City) to China towards the end of June, I started working at a boutique near Tieling, which is about a 1+ hour bus ride from my home. The pay is RMB800 per month. Every morning, I take a bus at 6am to get to the work place by about 7.15am or so and that cost me RMB3 per trip. Work starts at 8am but I cannot come any later as the bus comes hourly and if I miss the 6am bus, I will be late for work.

28 July is my first month payday and I was looking forward to getting my first paycheck. While RMB800 is not a lot of money, it is about the average amount most boutiques are paying here. I was looking forward to it as I need to return some money I borrowed for my second trip to Singapore where I was "played out" by Hot Pot City and had to come back. I had plan to return about RMB500 every month leaving about RMB300 for my own spending.

I was in a good mood all day, waiting for my boss to come in towards the late afternoon to pay us our money. Imagine my surprise when I only get RMB300 for my month's worth of work! The boss explains that they keep RMB500 of our first month's pay to cater for any deductions that I may incur for any loss of goods, damaged goods or for being late for work. This wasn't told to me when I first came for interview.

When my boss left, I asked my colleagues if that was true and they all said they had the same experience. However, the boss did say that when we do leave the company, they will return the RMB500 less any deductions to us.

This is terrible... imagine looking forward to your month's pay only to have more than half deducted away just like that. And taking into account that I spend an average of RMB6 a day on bus fare ie RMB180 a month, I am basically left with RMB120 to take back home. RMB120 sounds like alot until you realise that it is just SGD26! Now, what am I to tell my creditor?

Breaking News... a new opportunity?

My agent called me today and said that a new pub in Singapore is opening soon and will require 10 Chinese female workers and asked if my sister and I are interested. We are naturally interested in any jobs in Singapore but working in a pub? That's something new to me. In fact, the term pub may sound too good but in Mandarin, it's called a 酒吧 (jiǔbā) or closer to a "bar". Working hours is from 6pm to 4am which means that we have to make drastic changes to our sleeping habits and we both are really what you might call "early birds" ie we sleep early and wake up early!

I asked the agent if it is one of those "girlie bar" and he said he is not sure. I made it very clear that we are not interested in "PR" type jobs that require you to sit with the client, drink with them and indulge in small, meaningless talk to boost their ego etc... etc... He said that he is quite sure that this is not and it is more like a job selling and serving drinks to the clients. The requirements call for an age requirement of between 20 to 25 so actually I am over the age requirement but the agent told me that it should not be a problem.

In any case, the client want to see us in person (or at least over the internet). The appointment has been made for this Friday where my sister and I will be going on the internet for a QQ session with the client. We will also be able to ask questions to clarify any doubts we may have.

What's my fear? My main fear is that this is a new business venture and it is not guaranteed to succeed. If it does not, then we stand to lose the agent's fee of SGD8,000 and have to go back to square one ie back to China! Going back to China isn't the main issue... but losing SGD8,000 or twice of that (SGD8,000 per person) since my sister is the one who is more interested to come, will be a big big burden for us.

Well, it is too early to say anything yet but by this Friday, I will know if the client thinks we are suitable for the job. Who knows, they may not even want us after seeing or speaking to us. Or they may want my sister and not me, since I am over their age requirement. Anyway, my sister probably will not go alone... my mother had told her that,"...unless 大姐 (big sister) goes with you, you cannot go!" Ha ha, my parents really dote on her! And she is still just a little girl (like in the picture above) to them! My sister is really impatient to get started in life... and while that is good, hurrying into something is not always the best way to get started... as our judgement tend to be affected by our impatience and we could end up making more mistakes.

So, should we go or not?