She is quitting!

Recently, one of our Malaysia worker decided to quit. She's a specialist and she only makes coffee, and she makes good coffee. However, she has decided to call it a day as she found a new job with OLD CHANG KEE who supposedly pays her better. She will be working at the Old Chang Kee branch in Joo Chiat and as has asked me to go visit her when she start works next week.

We are good friends and I asked her why she wants to quit. She told me that's because our boss refuse to pay her a 13th month pay! I've never got a 13th month pay when working in Singapore and I can imagine that must be quite nice! Well, I've learned to be satisfied with what I have anyway! I have good colleagues and that makes working fun... and that is important for me. The last thing I want is to have to drag myself to work everyday.

Why am I concerned this time? That's because my boss has decided that I should take over her place to  be making coffee. I have served coffee before, mostly using the coffee machine but I have never made "home made" coffee... the local brew kind, sometimes called "Kopi-O"! And I  am not even sure if I can do it. I am suppose to start this monday 19 Sep 2011. I told my boss so but he said, just do it... no training, no nothing! Scares me to death! One good point though, my boss said that if I make coffee well, I will not have to work on Saturdays... quite a motivation for me!

What if my coffee turns out terrible? Will people complain about my coffee? Will takings dwindle and my boss comes after me? What if I serve too slowly and people gets agitated staying in the queue for too long? So many questions in my head at the moment... I think I am going to have a few sleepless nights. Stress! Stress! Stress!

Another one bites the dust!

Just about a week ago, another one of my male colleages decided to call it quits. He's had it! He comes early to work (about 6.30am) and he has to get a host of things done by 8am when people start strolling in for breakfast. This includes boiling water, cooking etc... and most of the time, he is unable to get everything ready on time. I cannot tell if he was given too much to do, or he was slow, but nevertheless, the fact is, he could not always finish his task on time.

There is this older Singaporean auntie who is always on the watch for us migrant workers making mistakes or "slacking" and will complain to the boss. She seems to get a pleasure out of doing that, despite knowing that we work as hard as we can. Fortunately, I have not been in her bad books yet. Anyway, she complained to the boss about this colleague of ours and finally after 4 months, my colleague told the boss that he cannot take it and decided to quit. He still owes a big sum of money from his Agent's fee but he's willing to forego that and just go home. I could tell, it's his last straw, he just cannot take it anymore.

I'm not siding with any one but just laying out the facts from what I see and hear. I know that in my first 4 months when I came, I was not able to work at full effectiveness as I had a tough time adjusting to the different culture, living conditions etc... and I am sure my colleague faces the same. I was fortunate though... receiving few complains.

Last Sunday was his last day so we all went out for dinner. Again we had hot pot. They all drank alot of beer and it cost us SGD30 each. That's alot of money but then, it's a farewell dinner for our colleague.

I really felt sorry for him. It's tough to just make ends meet, not to mentioned being the target of complains. Well, I cannot judge if the complains are justified but I do think he has a tough job to do. There is a time constrain to get everything ready. That's a lot of pressure for someone relatively new.

I understand his consequence. The big debt to pay, the shame of going back when others back home expect you to come back "rich and prosperous". It's a sad day but we're tough people, we'll make it somehow!

20 October 2010 was my last day working for Bread Junction

Yes, I finally told the boss that I have decided I did not want to work anymore. Some of you may have recalled that I had fought so hard to have a job in Singapore and was elated to have finally got here. So why call it quits? Well, it's too early to tell you why but as a minimum, I have to tell my readers that I have decided to quit. I will be leaving for China on Saturday evening.

However, I will continue to update my blog, Facebook and Twitter account so that my readers will know what is going on. I look forward to being home and taking lots of new pictures.

While this particular stay is short, I have made lots of good friends. The old lady looking after the toilet is one of these and there is another lady selling rice at the coffee shop round the corner. They both have been wonderful friends. I've also got to know the lady clearing the rubbish on the right. Also I must mentioned Wen Wen, my colleague in Bread Junction at Punggol. She's been a motivation for me and a great help as well. I always look forward to being in Punggol so that I can be with her. Interestingly, on my last day, one of my readers nicknamed "Cucumber" came to visit me and we had a small chat as I was also rather busy. It was a nice feeling to meet some of my readers! Thank you "Cucumber", for visiting!

Yesterday (21 Oct), I went back to the see the Old Lady at the Toilet and the Coffee Shop lady and I bought them both a small packet (300g) of Bee Cheng Hiang  barbecued sliced pork. They were both so grateful. We exchanged phone numbers and I promised to come back to see them should I be back in Singapore again. I also took the opportunity to go back to my old work place at Chai Chee to see my ex-colleagues and friends. Many old customers recognized me! It was a wonderful feeling!

So do keep in touch readers... I'll be back!