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!

What's for lunch today?

So you think working in a bread shop is nice? Afterall, we get free bread to eat every day right? Well, think again! While yes, we do get bread to eat everyday, sometimes, I get so fearful just looking at bread every day. Here is what I had for lunch today.

Sometimes, my colleages feel the same too. We see bread everyday, from the way they are made to the time it goes into the oven, to the time when it is all done and just freshly taken out of the oven and onto the display shelves that we prefer to just pay a few dollars to have something else, like a bowl of noodles or a plate of rice. Yes, it's not free, but at least its something different.

Bread smells really wonderful when it is just out of the oven. However, being a non-paying staff has its disadvantages too. We only get to eat the cold ones! Hmmm!

As the saying goes, "Man does not live by bread alone!"

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?

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 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.

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!