My good friend - May!

It's not often that you get a good friend at work but if you do, it is such a blessing! Working life can be tough and cruel and good friends make working fun! I am fortunate to have a few good friends here and there wherever I go and I treasure them alot. Being a migrant worker can be lonely at times. It is also nice to be accepted by people other than your own country folks. I learn new cultures, mannerisms and even new words and phrases from different people. Some local friends were surprised when sometimes I utter, "Wa lao eh!", a phrase which I picked up while in Singapore!

I have a good friend I want to introduce to my readers. Her name is May and she is a Malaysian who works with me at MOE. May is one cheerful person that always never fails to make my day. She is always smiling, joking and poking fun at people. She is sharp and witty and it's just so much fun exchanging words with her. She has her own facebook page as seen on the right here...

May is also a great help at work. When I am working and she has done her work, she will always come by to help me. If I have to be in the kitchen, she will help me mend the stall. If I have to be at the stall, she will help me with the kitchen work. Sometimes we both work at the stall and that can be really fun!

What I like best is that with her around, I actually look forward to going to work! When there is a little bit of free time, we would sit and chat, eat together or even "shop" a little at the little stalls that are set up in the eating area. The pictures here show May shopping for a bag at one of the stalls.

Recently, May had her hair done as well, so I told her I am going to post a picture of her now hair-do here on my blog. Do "like" my blog on my facebook page so that I can show it to May ok? She's such a constant source of fun and encouragement for me!

I really enjoy her company and I dread the day when we have to part. Some day, that may come... but as for now, I am going to enjoy every moment I can with her.

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!

My landlord is not too happy!

Just before the Hari Raya holidays and despite the Hari Raya celebrations round the corner, my landlord has not been in the best of moods recently... and it is mostly our fault!

Since moving here, my sister and I had been busy working. I leave early in the morning at 5.30am and am usually back home by 7pm or so. My sister leaves at about 9am and is usually back at 11pm when I am already asleep. My landord leaves for work about 8am and is usually back at 6.30pm or so.

Unbeknown to me, my sister, in her haste to go to work had left the main door unlocked twice. Once, my landlord came home to find his main door unlock. He did not say anything that time. Another time, he came home and an old neighbour lady was in his house. When I came home, I thought that the old lady was his mother and I greeted her. Little did I know that she was a friendly neighbour who came to give my landlord some food she cooked. However, in finding the door unlocked, she stayed in the house until my landlord came back, just to be sure.

I did not know of the above until my landlord called me the other day and spoke to me when I came home. He was rather unhappy over the two incidents. He also brought up other incidents like cooking too often, washing our clothes too often but he did say that these others were minor. The biggest incident which he is unhappy about is us leaving the door unlocked.

I do not blame him but I confronted my sister when she came home. My sister in her usual defiant and hot tempered way, said that she only did it twice, because she forgot to lock as she was late for work. I told her that this was not a good excuse and that my landlord had threatened to evict us if we ever do it again. I also told her that I should not cook for her as often as my landlord thinks we are cooking too often and we should only wash our clothes once or twice a week (even though we hand wash our clothes most of the time). I told her that we found a good place, a good landlord and it is our responsibility to make sure the place is safe, clean and not to inconvenience him in any way. My sister was upset with me... even though she admitted her faults. I told her we should be glad that nothing was missing... or we might have to pay for it.

I dread having to look for a place again, or even having to move. This is a nice place and my landlord is a nice and reasonable person. I enjoy the place and I hope my sister will come to her senses and apologise to my landlord! Young people are too hot tempered these days! She did not even call or sms me on my birthday!

Checking out cheap air tickets

After my rather unsuccessful visit to the NATAS fair, I decided to take the advise of some of their agents and visit their offices in the city. One Saturday, after my work, I decided to go to People's Park to remit some money back home. Incidentally, that's where many of the travel offices are located as well, so I decided to take a walk around and check out some of the travel offices. I was actually quite surprise at how big People's Park is as I seldom walk around even though I go there to remit money every month!

I visited quite a few travel agents and they were all quite crowded as well. I found out that there is a second building beside as well and another one called the Pearl's center further up the road. Unfortunately, I was quoted quite a high price of almost SGD900 for my air ticket to Shenyang by many agents. That's almost SGD200 more than I paid the last time when I went home and that would mean that I will have nothing left to buy anything for my parents and brothers! They say it's the peak season!

But all hope is not lost. One agent suggested that a cheaper way may be to take a ticket to Shanghai and take a high speed train from Shanghai to Beijing. Beijing is not too far from Shenyang and from Beijing, I can also take a train back home. That may be a good idea to save cost but I am not sure it would be a good idea to travel when I have limited number of days back home. The train itself is about 4 hours and that means I could take as long as 12 hours just to get home instead of about 8 hours. And added to that, the train crash recently in China is still clear in my mind... But the yearn to go home and see my parents is too strong this time, so I am still eager to seek a solution! I spent about 3 hours there and at the end of the day, I was hungry, thirsty, tired and a total wreck. A food stall I came across look so delicious I decided to treat myself to a good meal!

Going to NATAS fair

I had been toying with the idea of going back home to visit my family this coming Chinese New Year (2012). It's still a long way off (4 months+ away) but I learned from my colleagues that it is better to book my ticket early to get a better price. Ticketing agencies and airlines bump up their prices towards the festive season knowing that hordes of Chinese will go home to visit their families.

2012 Chinese New Year falls on a Monday and Tuesday, so I could leave on Friday evening and spend Saturday, Sunday and Monday with my family before coming back on Tuesday. It's going to cost but I had already started putting aside SGD80 every month since the beginning of this year to see if I can make this trip back. I expect the ticket to cost about SGD700 and that will leave me some money to buy some gifts for my parents and brothers.

Two weekends ago, I visited the NATAS fair. My colleagues told me that you can get cheap air tickets back to China. The place was really, really crowded and I had trouble just knowing where to go or moving around. Singaporeans must be a lucky lot... having enough to go on holidays every now and then!

Unfortunately, after spending 2 hours there and despite paying SGD4 for the entry ticket, I did not get a good deal! Most of the companies were selling tour packages and did not even want to entertain me when I asked them about ticket back home. A few more friendly ones told me to go to their offices in the city to check out ticket prices and gave me a card of their address in town. They advised me to book when it is closer to the dates as they were not able to tell me ticket prices at the moment. This is contrary to what I hear from my friends and colleagues who told me to book early. Can any readers advise?

Why is my ticket so costly? That's because I live at the far north of China. I have to fly to Shenyang and then take a 2 hr taxi ride or train home. There is normally one stop in between... so altogether, it could take me as much as 8 hours to get home.

From 2 Saturdays to 3 Saturdays

In May, I wrote about working on Saturdays where during my first stint in Singapore, I had to work half a day every Saturday. During my second stint, my boss told me I do not have to work Saturdays and for that, he will be taking away our 7 days leave. Fair enough, I thought. In May, he wanted me to work 2 Saturdays every month but will not reinstate the 7 days leave. Well, it's not big deal. It's suppose to be half day work but we usually end up at 3.30pm and one a few occassions, we even ended at 5pm.

Yesterday my boss told me he wants me to work 3 Saturdays now. He claims that one of our colleages left recently and he is short of staff. Also, the foreign worker levy has gone up from just over SGD200 to SGD400 for me. While he did not say it, it appears to me that he wants to make sure I "pay" for the extra SGD200 in levy by working another Saturday... making it 3 Saturdays of work now.

With many Singaporeans up in arms against foreign workers, things are getting tougher and tougher for us. The government is bending to the demands of the the public in fear of losing more "votes" and is raising the levy on us migrant workers. While many think this has no impact on us, employers are imposing longer hours on us to recoup the extra charges they have to bear. Ultimately, it is the foreign workers who have the bear the brunt of it all. There's even a "Foreign Talent Bashing Ring" set up in some forums to "bash" us... scary to see this happening in peaceful Singapore.

I had told my boss that I had to attend English lessons on Saturday at the local community center and I had shown him my receipts where I had paid for classes till September. He was kind enough to allow me to attend the classes but I still have to turn up for work after my classes. My classes usually end at 11.30am and by the time I make it to work, it will be about 12.30pm.

Again I must emphasize that this is not a complain against anyone but a factual article for readers to know the situation and make their own judgements. I am just glad to have a job in Singapore, and while it is tough, it's not any better back home too.

Migrant Workers - Are people getting it right?

After my post on migrant workers, a few readers who were also employers themselves wrote to my facebook account with some comments.

They felt that many Singaporeans are mistaken that migrant workers are coming to Singapore to take their jobs, bring down their salary and reduce their quality of life. Being employers themselves, they personally experienced little or no savings as far as salary for migrant workers is concerned. Sure we get less, but as mentioned in my post, it does not mean employers pay less.

With the recent rise in foreign worker levy, employers now have to pay as much for foreign workers as well as local workers. The main difference, as explained to me, is that employers find foreign workers to be hungrier, and willing to work longer hours.

Yes, we are hungrier. We need the money, or else, we would not have travelled so far to a foreign land to earn money. And being here, and having paid a hefty, agent's fee, we would need to make sure we work as hard as we can. The last thing we want is to be sent back with a big debt to pay. Most of us work 12hours plus days, 6 days week (sometimes 6.5 days as in my Bread Junction days) while our Singaporean colleagues work an 8 hour day and a 5.5 days week maximum. My own sister works a 13 hour day 7 days a week for two weeks straight just to be paid some overtime. She takes a day off every two weeks.

Please do not read the above as a complain or comparison. I am so blessed to have a job here and I am very happy working the hours assigned. I am so blessed to have a good boss, good colleagues and good friends. I am posting this hoping to shed more light on the matter (for myself as well as others) so that we can all live happily and make Singapore a better place.

Bread ends never tasted this good!

I love to eat the end of a bread loaf because I like the tough texture of the bread crust. Interestingly, most people do not like it although I know that some locals like to buy french loaves to dip in curry. French loaves are tough, just like the ends of a typical bread loaf.

In the place where I work, we collect the bread ends and crust when we prepare sandwiches to sell. We usually discard a few bags of these at the end of the day or someone will come to collect them, either to sell to farms or use as fish food etc...

One day, I decided to take some of these home to make french toast. I have eaten french toast made with sliced bread  but never with the end of the bread. This would be my first experiment!

That day when I got home, I excited prepared some eggs and made about six slices of these "french toast". When done, I realised that they tasted wonderful... better than those made with normal bread. I normally eat two slices but this time I ate three and left three for my sister to eat when she comes home late a night! Maybe this is an opportunity for me to save some money too... afterall, these bread ends are thrown away most of the time.

Maybe her putting on weight was indeed my fault after all... I used to prepare food for her to eat and she sleeps immediately after eating!

Will you help me to make this blog more popular?

There were a few reasons for me to want to put my thoughts on the internet. Firstly, I would like to keep a record of my adventures, as if it is a diary. Secondly, my friends, both here and at home, can read and enjoy our adventures here. Thirdly, I just want people all over (and particularly in Singapore) to know the real life of a migrant worker, including the sufferings and joy we go through.

Last but not least, I was also attracted to the idea that I may be able to make some money out of this whole exercise. Not something I can depend on, but at least something.

I think I'm pretty happy with 1. and 2. but I am not sure about 3. and 4. As for 3. you'd have to tell me if you enjoy and learn something about the life of a migrant worker from China. Interestingly, when I first intended to write this blog, I had lots of unpleasant stories to tell. However, the more I write, the more they became like pleasant stories and the unpleasant ones just starts to fade away. I get encouraged by positive reader's comments and I made many new friends too.

Finally, the truth about 4 is that I had not been making much. To date, it's rather pathetic as you can see.

If you like what you are reading, will you help me increase the popularity of this blog by sending out the web address, http://www.chinalass.blogspot.com/ to 5 friends each, create a link in your own blog, or like my post on your facebook? Also, you can help me make some money if you browse some of the ads on my blog if you find it interesting.

I thank you in advance for your help.

Finally decided to cut my hair!

I've not cut my hair in years... since my school days. It's grown to my waist line and since my hair has some natural curls in it, it may not look as long. OK, this post came a little late as you can see from my birthday posting, my hair was already cut! So this event was really just the weekend before my birthday!

I remember when I first came to Singapore and found that it was so difficult to up keep my long hair. The weather was hot and humid and shampoo was expensive in Singapore, compared to back home. I go through a bottle of shampoo bottle quite quickly with my long hair. There was once I wanted to get it cut and went to a local salon to check the price. I walked out almost immediately as a hair cut cost more than SGD40 here.... and with wash and blow etc... it is even more! How could I even afford this?

Recently I got to know a local Chinese friend who works in a salon through my friend in Punggol, Wen Wen. He said he will cut my hair and straighten it for a much lower sum than the salon charges. Sounds like a good deal!

I made arrangements to have my hair done last weekend before Singapore's National Day. My friend brought his tools of the trade and we finally set about cutting my hair! I was a little apprehensive as to how it will turn out, but then... I think it will be worth the effort as I will feel cooler and it will be less costly to maintan!

So here is the outcome! Finally, I am outfitted to conquer the hot weather in Singapore! Not quite short but still, a lot shorter than before!

My Birthday today!

Today is my birthday! However, for the whole of this week, I had been having a wonderful time from well wishers and friends who wants to share this joyful day with me. So this year, I turn 29... and it's my last year of celebration before I hit the big 30! I am afraid... for they say in my hometown in China, that if a woman hits 30, she will be left on the "shelf" and nobody will want her ever! Scary thought!

But in the mean time, a good Singaporean girl friend brought me out for ice cream on Monday night. I had a big Coit Tower at Swensens... a little guilty for taking in all that calories but this is just a once a year thing. In all my 29 years, I had never tasted ice cream so good. Back home, due to the cold weather, we never had ice cream. In summer when it is warm, we do have some vendors selling cheap ice cream on the streets but I always had the impression this is more for kids... ha ha, how naive of me.

Nevertheless, this ice cream from Swensens is the best I have tasted in my life... creamy, milky, smooth and tasty!

On Tuesday, I had dinner with another Singaporean friend who brought me out for a good dinner of Chinese noodles. We had dinner at North Point in Yishun, a little far from my home but the dinner was wonderful. In fact, I've never tasted noodles this good either.

I wonder if the food taste better because it is my birthday or is that it's been a long, long time since I have been out for a good meal, other than the hot pot dinner I have every now and then with my Chinese friends. While these hot pot dinners never were that good, they are a great way to have some fun, socialize and even to talk aloud (because everyone speaks loudly at such a place... I wonder why?"

When I arrived for work on this morning, my wonderful Singapore friend, Ah Mei, gave me a beautiful pendent. It's a beautiful gift from a beautiful person.

I have one more dinner to go with my Chinese friends tonight but even before this event, I know this must be my best birthday ever! This is the first time I've had two nights of celebrations for my birthday but it was fun and I really enjoyed it.
I am ever so blessed, despite being in a land so far away from home! Thank you my friends, for giving me such a wonderful birthday... even before it is over!

Will you help him?

This fellow blogger has an interesting site at http://kowtz2012.blogspot.com/. He is asking for help from readers to surf his site and browse his ads. I found this out from a comment he posted on my blog.

I do find his success quotes quite interesting and so decided to share with my readers. Please do extend your help to him. Have a great time surfing!

I finally adopted a name...

Niki and Kiki!

Some time back, I wrote about wanting a christian name, something that is easier for people to remember. I've had many suggestions from kind readers and some of those I considered includes Cleo, Niki and Jean. I finally narrowed it down to Niki and Cleo.

While I like the name Cleo, it sound a little too sophisticated and believe it or not, a little bit difficult for my twisted Chinese tongue to pronounce.

So I guess it's down to Niki. For some while now, I've called my soft toy dog Kiki, so I guess Niki is a good name for me too. It rhymes!

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!

Prawning 2!

Well, I finally was able to find the time to cook some of the prawns for me and my sister to share. Initially I wasn't sure how I should cook it as I have never tried fresh water prawns! These have a much bigger head, smaller body and comes with two long pincers... like a mini-crab! They can be painful when they get a grip on your tender flesh, as I had experienced during my prawning experience.

I decided to just stir fry the prawns with some black sauce and vegetables. Actually, when it comes to eating them, both freshwater and saltwater prawns taste quite alike, similar texture.

So finally, here is the finished product. I ate about 5 and left 6 for my sister. Quite tasty actually... or is it my cooking??? Ha ha!

Prawning!

My turn to try my luck!

Last Wednesday evening, my teacher friend and some of her friends decided to go prawning. It was not something she had done before although she saw some people doing it. It looks interesting according to her. She asked me along and I told her I will go as long as it is not too costly.

We went to the East Coast Park area to a small prawning place located not too far from McDonalds. They rented a rod for SGD30, split among 4 of us for 3 hours and we had our share of fun. While I find it rather expensive, I decided not to be a spoil sport and just join in the fun.

Our first catch!

Fortunately for us, one of the workers at the place was a Chinese national too. He was here just for ten days and he said he will teach us how to catch prawns. He even was nice enough to hook the bait for us. How sweet! It's nice to meet a friend, wherever you are!

We tried for the first fifteen minutes with no success. Then the Chinese worker came to help us. This time, he brought some worms and told us it will be more effective. True enough, within minutes of hitting the water, the float was bobbing up and down. We all screamed and lifted the rod to land our first big prawn!

Our Chinese "friend"!

About an hour into prawning, a group of guys came by and started talking to us. We were a little wary and did not speak much. Seeing that we had 4 girls fishing with only one rod, they offered to get another one for us but we turned them down. Nevertheless they hung around us for the rest of the night and even offered us drinks.

All through the 3 hours, we landed a total of 15 prawns, not bad for a group of novices. We laughed, anyway, that with SGD30, we could buy alot more prawns from the supermarket! But nevertheless, it was an excellent experience for me and my friends, one which I will cherish but not do again, especially at this price! My friends gave the prawns to me and told me to cook it and share it with them! Ha ha!

Fish for Dinner!

Recently, my sister called me from work and "complained" that she had not had a meat dish for some time. She craved for some meat. I guess it's my fault as for cost reasons, I had resorted to cooking mostly vegetable dishes for her. Also, I always think vegetables are healthier, although after reading some news articles about the amount of pesticides used, I am not so sure these days. Guess it depends on where they come from.

Anyway, my sister has been working so hard, I guess she deserve some good food as well... whatever I can afford!

So the next day, I went to the supermarket across the road to get some meat. The fishes all looked quite good but were quite expensive, so I decided to buy a cheaper freshwater fish for her. This fish was listed as a Red Tilipia and it cost SGD3. Most others cost about SGD4 or more. It's a bit more than what I would like to spend actually, and the truth is, I am not sure of the diffference. I am, afterall, not too familiar with the fishes here, although we do have red tilipia in China.

I think with the right cooking methods, spices and sauce added, any fish will taste good. As the saying goes, it's the cook that counts.

So my sister came back and ate the whole fish all by herself. She told me the next day (via sms) that it tasted good. Well, when you yearn for something bad enough, anything is good. When you are hungry, any food will satisfy you... or is my cooking that good???

I'm glad for her. I think we need to keep happy and healthy by eating good food every now and then. And good food need not necessarily be expensive.

So now she is finally happy!