Looking after my sister!

My sister started work on Wednesday afternoon after her medical check-up earlier in the day. The agent said that she will be selling clothes but she ended up selling shoes instead! She did not mind that actually, they are quite the same. She works at the Ang Mo Kio MRT Station at a store called KIYO. I believed they have several branches all over the island as I remembered seeing them before. I text my sister to tell her that I will be picking her up as she is not sure how to take the train system in Singapore. I'll show her the way home and then the following day, she will have to do it all on her own.

That evening when I came home, I prepared some dinner for her before I went to pick her. Here's what the dinner looked like. My sister told me she is not quite used to the local food yet, so I'll just cook something up for the next few days until she knows what to eat. I know how it's like to be in a new country... in a new culture all alone. I've been through it all just over 2 years ago and it's no fun... so I'm going to make sure my sister's life here is better!

My sister works 6 days a week from 10am to 10pm with one day off. She chose to have Monday off every week. For this, she is paid SGD1,000 per month with a SGD200 living allowance. Better than what I get but then... I'm really happy with my job!

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!

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...