A new beginning...

I woke up at 9am the next day. This was really late for me as I am used to waking up really early in the morning with the cockerels' crow in my front yard. However, I was really tired and I could really do with a few more hours rest. And I was hungry and there was no food anywhere. Just to be sure I don't break any house rules, I chatted with a house mate who was already hand washing her clothes. She gave me a few tips...  like not eating food on the table or refrigerator that is not yours, not spending too much time in the toilet etc... etc... while I made a mental note to remember all this. Then I did some unpacking so that I could get to my toothbrush for a quick wash and change of clothing. Only when I was fully awake did I realized that I slept without even putting on a bedsheet or pillow covers and there were stains all over the mattress... probably "left-overs" from all those who slept on it before I...

At 11am, the same guy who fetch me came and I was ready. He was a little more cheerful today as he told me what to bring along for my check-up. As we left the house, I had my first look at the location and neighborhood.

"This must be an apartment full of migrant workers... as I pondered the untidy state of the corridors..."

As we moved out of the main gate, he showed me the directions to the bus stop and told me that I have to take a bus from here to my assigned work place. I struggled to remember all the new instructions and routes... in my still groggy mind...

Along the way, I asked him several questions of my own, like, "How do I take a bus or MRT?", "Where do I buy a phone card?", "What type is the most economical for calling back to China?", "How much would I need to get all these in place?". Unfortunately, he was unable to help much and told me to ask my colleagues when I meet them during the later part of the day. I had a lot more questions than answers... but in the meantime, there was nothing I could do but let them rest! As he drove, I admired the new scenery... Singapore is certainly a beautiful country... beautiful people walking the streets, beautiful weather, orderly roads...

Follow my star...

After a week, I still wasn't sure if I did the right thing. After all, I feel quite comfortable in my hometown, where I have friends and I am familiar with everything. My stomach churns when I keep thinking of what I got myself into.

A week later, the agent called and said that there is a job working in a cafeteria and asked if I wanted the job. I went down to meet him and he told me about the job. There's promise of an initial pay of SGD800, with 13th month and bonus for good performance. After 3 months, I'd be eligible for a pay raise, although he did not say how much. Oh, and accommodation is provided!

I quickly turned the figures in my head. SGD800... wow, that's about 4,000RMB, more than 4 times of what I will be getting back home!

The agent's fee is a hefty 50,000RMB (almost SGD10,000)! That hurts! I asked why so much, and the agent said it covers return airfares, documentation etc... etc... I've never saved that much in my whole 26 years, so how am I going to come up with the money. The agent applied pressure... if I wanted the job, I have to pay in 2 days or he'll have to find someone else.

I never felt so pressurized! Stressed out! Cold sweat! He told me to go back and think about it and come back to him in two days. Before I left, he ran me through a little motivation talk again; I could pay back in 6months and come back with a big pile of savings after 2 years!

I've always wanted to run my own little stall selling clothes... my mind started to wander as I walked out into the cold morning breeze!