Dictionary!

Yesterday was a wonderful day!

One of our regular customer came by and gave me a Chinese-English dictionary. She must have known that I had been trying very hard to improve my English language skills. I appreciate this act of kindness very much as it will come in really useful for me when I have to search for words that I do not know.

Learning English can be really tough. However, with the help of friends and the friendly people around me, I am even more encouraged to pick up the language faster. I know it will help me in my job and even when I do finally go back to China.

If you are reading this and are working at the MOE, do speak to me in English and test my English every now and then OK? I can only learn faster when I start speaking or listening to people speak. You may also laugh at my response, if it is wrong... that's OK! I appreciate a little fun every now and then! The mos timportant thing is I have to learn!

Afterall, what is life if we cannot make a fool of ourselves every now and then???

Thank you, my friend, for giving me this dictionary. I will put it to good use!

Some readers really dislike migrant workers!

There continue to be many Singaporeans who dislike us migrant workers whether they are from China or India or anywhere else. Just like this reader who commented and some who sent me direct messages or emails. In any case, you read about all these sentiments over the news, especially near the election period.

But let's face it. We're all here to make a living as my previous post stated, not to take away jobs. The world is getting smaller. Today, manufacturers in developed countries can blame the internet for pushing their prices down. But will blaming do them any good? Would it not be better for them to use the effort to improve their products, reduce their costs or provide better value to their customers.

Similarly, blaming migrant workers for lowering the salary range is the easy way out for many people. But that's not going to help anyone except make everyone dislike us or the government. Why not spend the time and effort improving your skill sets?

The question arise, "Are our salary low?" For what we take home, yes it is by Singapore standards. However, let's not forget that employers have to pay a levy to the government as well. So for a migrant worker earning SGD1,000, that would be equivalent to a salary from the employer's point of view of, say about SGD1,200. My sister makes about SGD1,400 working overtime and that would be equivalent to about SGD1,600 for a Singaporean. That's not low anymore! My boss recently told me that the levy for me has increased to SGD400+??

I know I am touching on a very sensitive subject for many Singaporeans, but I just want us all to see the picture better and gel together to make Singapore a better place, for you and for me. We take on the jobs that many Singaporeans prefer not to take and help contribute to your country in that way... I'm sure our contribution counts no matter how small and seeing from above, our pay may be low, but the cost to the employer is not!

We bought a computer!

When I was staying at the old place, many of my room mates had their own computer. They use them to chat up friends back home on QQ chat as well as to watch movies. I remember that many weekends, I watch movies with them when there is not much to do.

I had always wanted to computer. Not just to chat and watch movies of course but to learn it and use it. I want to make sure that when I go back this time, I learn some new skills. The two main skills up on my list are English and Computer skills.

After my recent QQ session with my brother, my yearn to have my own computer is even stronger.Both my sister and I decided that we should buy our own computer so that we can keep in contact with my brother and loved ones at home. If my brother is home I may even be able to see my mother!

We decided to take the plunge and scrap together some SGD500 to get a computer. I do not really know what to get so we decided to get the cheapest one that can do the job. I took the model no of the model I borrowed from my teacher friend and went to the shop hoping to get the same model.

I can't wait to show my parents how we are living here, I want them to see my new room, to see my sister and me together, to see that I had taken good care of my sister to the extent that she is gaining some weight... ha ha! I am also sure my parents will be happy to see us "live" in person. They do not know how to operate a computer so we can only do this when my brother gets home!

My friends have told me that the internet line at home may not be strong enough or even be able to connect. My brother uses a little device that plugs into his computer and the last time that I saw him, he was coming through not very clear. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will be able to work well from my home.

The computer that we chose is a ASUS EEPC which is something quite basic for our use, just enough for all the functions that we need. We are not fully computer literate and so choosing one is not so easy. We gave the model number we wanted to the shop and they told us the model is no more in production and recommended the one above at the same price. I am not sure if this one does the job well yet, but we will see! So far, it's good and I like the all white design too.

And it is also small enough to carry around should we need to... Yes it cost a bomb... but as long as I can communicate with my parents and brothers in China and see them, I think it is worth it!

QQ with my brother!

My brother online!

My brother is 18 years old and he is working in Shenyang... or rather he is learning to become a motor mechanic in Shenyang. He works for a motor shop that pays him only RMB600 per month. Every now and then, I call him to check if all is OK.

Recently, he decided to bring our old and big laptop computer from home to work in Shenyang as my parents do not know how to use it. One day, he called and said he would like to talk to me over QQ messenger, which is the equivalent of the MSN Messenger or Yahoo Messenger many other people use here. QQ is the most popular in China and many Chinese use it to keep in touch with friends all over the world. I decided to borrow a computer from my Teacher friend try to get in touch with my brother.

My brother is currently working very hard. He works from 10am to 10pm every day, seven days a week, and hopes to be able to learn enough to start his own motor repair or service shop one day. A few years back, when he just finished school and we had a talk, he said he wanted to be a motor mechanic because he feels that China will have many cars one day and it will be really good business. I think he has the right vision, it's now up to him to make it work.

His employer pays him only RMB600 per month (or SGD120) as it is suppose to be an on-the-job learning experience. However, I am a bit worried as he as been it at for more than a year and I wonder if the employer is taking advantage of him. Afterall, he is not going to get a certificate as this is not a school.

So we set a time to meet on QQ at 11am last Sunday even though I usually sleep at about 10pm as I have to wake up early the next day at 5am to work. Sure enough, at 11pm, he came online and we were able to get connected. While the line was a little noisy and there was some delay, I was really happy to see him and tears filled my eyes. It's been a long time and I could not control my feelings. We chatted till 11.30pm when my sister came home and all three of us chatted till past midnight.

On monday, I woke up very tired and with swollen eyes, with only about 4 hours of sleep... I think I need a good, good rest!

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!

Old Lady, New Life!

This lady works with us at the MOE canteen. She is a Singaporean but she comes to work each day with a scowl and frown on her face that digs deeper and deeper into the creases of her face as each day passes. We talked every now and then, about work, about life, and just about anything under the sun, whenever there is a little time off between work. She is now past 60 and she is still working hard every day, even though she has a daughter working in Australia at the moment.

One day, she told me that she is so tired of her work. She has to work so hard, sweep the floor, clean the place up, wipe the table etc... etc... and she envies all the office workers who just just eats and get on with life. I could literally feel her tiredness as I look at her and feel sorry for her. She said that that she laments the fact that she wasn't given the opportunity to study as her family was not well off and that she was not born smart, intelligent and into a rich family like the others she sees working in the office building where we work. She said that in her next life, she want to marry a rich man so that she never has to work ever again?

I always tell her that what she sees is not always what she gets. I have seen people dressed up really well and driving a nice car who are actually quite broke. I have seen people who dress up in "rags" but have hordes of cash. In fact, in China, many rich people live a very humble life. It is the newer generation of younger people, who are so engrossed with buying branded goods, who value looking "rich" rather than being really "rich"! I have a Singaporean friend who once tried to help me find a job and introduced me to a lady who runs a beauty salon. She was elegant, and drives a Mercedes Benz. Recently, I heard from my friend that she is really broke and even borrowed money from her. What price do we have to pay to look good??? My friend was quite upset because this lady refuses to give up her Mercedes Benz and branded goods but expects her friends to lend her money to maintain her "high society" image!

Which makes me wonder? Is life really that easy? Every girl wants to marry the man of her dreams. Her Prince Charming to be exact. He must have a house, lots of money, be good looking, intelligent and yet have a good heart (Singaporeans often refer to it as the 5 "C"s). Well, if there is really such a person, what makes you think you are good enough for him anyway? And even if you were good enough for him in your youth, what makes you think it is going to last, if the "beauty" does not??? Afterall, despite medical advances, you still cannot beat mother time!

Do these "prince charming" people exists only in fairy tales like Cinderella?

A big meal again!

These days, I work alternate Saturdays at the canteen at the General Hospital, a new location my boss "picked" up some time back. I got to know the colleagues there very well and last weekend, one of them decided we should all go out for a good meal after work.

I wasn't working that day but I decided to join them. For some reason, every Chinese worker here seems to choose "hot pot" when selecting a place to eat. Not sure why this is so? Do Chinese really enjoy hot pot or is it because it is just low cost enough that we can afford?

Incidentally we went back to the same place next to the kallang mrt station where my friend, Jianwei, brought me before she left. This place seems to be really popular with Chinese migrant workers. Must be the very attractive price. However, because we were early, it wasn't as crowded as before. We had a good time. The food wasn't great but it's always great to get together with friends and enjoy the afternoon.

As you can see from the videos I took, we had a good time. It's not often we get to chat about home and life in Singapore but when we do, it's a fun time! I really cherish these times with good friends!

Looking for a boyfriend!

Some time back, I wrote about my room mates from my old place. Among them was a kindergarden teacher who stayed with me until I left recently. About 3 weeks back, she also found a place near the Bedok swimming pool where she shared an air-conditioned room with 2 other friends. They pay SGD250 each (SGD750 for the room). She says it is much cleaner and quieter than the old place we stayed where we have to stay eight to a room!

She called me recently and told me she broke off with her Chinese boyfriend and jokingly asked if I can recommend someone to her. She would prefer a Singaporean as she would like to stay in Singapore to work. Currently, as she has higher qualifications than me, she holds an "S" pass.

She's a petite, sweet and active girl with a nice personality and beautiful long flowing hair. We went jogging together a few times, whenever our free time coincides. Once we even jogged to the beach and had a nice long walk and conversation together.

I told her I will visit her soon. Actually besides just seeing her, I would also like to see how a SGD750 room looks like? I've always stayed eight to a room  (until recently) and I am always curious how Singaporean live, so it would be nice to pay her a visit.

So, any one wants to know a nice Chinese kindergarden teacher?

Insect Bites!

During my first stay at Joo Chiat, about three years ago, when I first came to Singapore, I experienced many insect bites on my legs and arms when I sleep. This happens even when I change my bedsheets but somehow or other, I was unable to find out what bit me. They could never be found anywhere. I was really glad when I finally got out of the place and found a cleaner place to stay.

Yesterday, a new colleague told me that she had been very badly bitten each night when she sleeps. She showed me her "bite" marks and I could immediately tell that they were exactly what I experienced a few years back. She asked me what's the solution and I told her to move out. In the past, some of my room mates had tried changing mattress, even forking our their hard earn money to buy new mattresses, all to no avail. The bugs will just move from old mattresses to new and unless all the old mattresses are thrown out, there is no way to get rid of them.

Her bites were even worse than mine. She tried wearing long pyjamas to sleep and despite the thickness of the pyjamas, the bugs still bite through!

I think some of these hostels renting out rooms should be more hygenic, maybe even to the point of taking out their mattresses to sun every now and then. But I guess most of these landlords are working people just like us, and will do the minimum to keep the place reasonaby neat and tidy for tenants. Whatever cannot be seen (including these bugs), will be just left alone.

My colleague will see a doctor today and will also start looking for a better and cleaner place to move to. I am so glad I have gone past this unpleasant experience!

Being in Singapore???

Many Chinese come to sunny Singapore to earn a living. Some like Singapore, some don't. In fact, when I first came to Singapore, I dislike it (see my post on "New kid on the block"). I had to share a room with eight people, I had to work long hours, no friends, I had to queue long hours to use the bathrooms and the weather is so hot and humid, that it just saps your energy away, my bed had bed bugs etc... etc.... And to top it all off, the stress of having not enough money to pay off my debt, adds on to the dislike for being here.

However, as time goes on, I felt that being here isn't all that bad. The people are generally nice and I made many good friends. Even the Chinese (from China) tend to be closer knit now that most of us are away from home. While the pay is low by Singapore standards, it is high going by what we can earn in China. As stated earlier, I earn about RMB800 per month in China while here I earn the equivalent in SGD, which is about 5 times more.

Now that my debt is paid, Singapore is not bad at all. My sister, who had me to pick her up from the airport, and a place to stay and me to cook for her, loves being here, despite the hard work. She is lucky in the sense that she never had to go through the initial culture shock, many of us face. Some of my new colleagues think being in Singapore is fine but not on a long term basis... the pressure and stress is just too great!

I came across many new Chinese workers who initially dislike being here. I try to council them, telling them I felt exactly the same before but now, things are a lot better once you get used to it. Being without any good qualifications, there is no way we can earn this kind of money in China. So with 2 years to pay my debts and another 2-4 years of hard work, earning and saving, I should have a healthy sum to bring home and either start a small business or buy a house. It's a little sacrifice we all have to make to realize our dreams!

I had some new Chinese colleagues recently and decided to ask them about their initial experience in Singapore. The above were their answers.

Everything can be good or bad depending on how you look at it. A glass of water can be half full or half empty... it all depends on how you look at it. Looking at things positively gives you energy and strength to live life to the fullest! Looking at it negatively, saps your energy, breaks you down and makes everything look gloomy!

What a sad day!

I wonder what is happening in Singapore??? Recently, one of my good friend, the "chilli queen" who stayed with me at my previous place was sent back to China almost overnight. From what I heard, the "authorities" found out that her certificates presented were false. She works at a local laundry shop in China town. I saw her the day before she left and she was full of remorse. As always with migrant workers, she had not paid up her agent's fee of SGD8,000 and this means she has to go back with a big debt to pay. And in China, with a salary of between RMB800 to RMB1,200, it will take ages to pay back such a loan!

Yesterday, I heard from my ex-landlord that he will be sent back the following day as well. This time, the company he is working for (a cleaning company) just handed him a letter and air ticket and told him that he has to fly back the following day. He is in a dilemma as he has a rental contract with 2 months deposit and so many belonging in the house (beds, washing machines, wardrobes etc...) that he has no time to clear them all.

I felt really sorry for him and went to see him yesterday. All his tenants were shocked too and nobody, including my ex-landlord, was sure why he was being sent home. We had a meal together and had a good talk.

Migrant worker life is really not that easy. Even when we are willing to work really hard, something comes up along the way that may destroy our dreams. In one of my last posting, I mentioned that my boss forgot to send my medical check-up results to MOM and this may cause them to terminate my employment pass. I still have not heard from them, and I am keeping my fingers crossed, that I won't have to face the same fate. It will be a total disaster for me!

I am lucky that this second time around, I did not go through an agent and do not have that huge debt to pay. But I can imagine what it is like for most other, when instead of going overseas to make some money, you end up with a big debt and have to work the rest of your life paying it off. I wish some of the employers could be more responsible... ie if they know their business is not doing well, they should not be hiring foreign workers. But unfortunately, it works the other way around. The more they are not doing well, the more they would want to cut cost and the more they would want to hire foreign workers. See my posting about this hot pot restaurant who brought me over and told me they are closing down... how irresponsible!

Gastric Pains!

When I first came to Singapore almost 3 years ago, one of the bad habits I developed was to go without meals and sometimes have only one meal a day, just to save a few dollars, especially over the weekends. During the weekdays, I work at the canteen at Chai Chee Technopark and at least meals were provided and I usually have a good breakfast and lunch but still would go without dinner. The timing is also different as we have to eat at a time when there are least customers. This means we have our breakfast at about 11am and our lunch at 3pm, the quietest time of the day.



The medicine I brought with me!

 Towards the second year, I developed gastric pains occassionally. Sometimes the pain get so intense, I have to take MC. My colleagues and room mates have always reminded me to take my meals regularly.

Recently, I developed gastric pains again and I had to take the afternoon off. When I came back a second time to Singapore, I brought some pain killers from China but they did not help.

The aweful medicine!

My Singaporean colleague, Ah Mei, happen to stop work at 2pm that particular day and told me that she will take me to see a doctor. We went to a Chinese doctor she recommended and he gave me a concoction which taste like a "water and soil" mixture! Yucks! And I was told I have to finish the whole course, which will take up to 2 weeks! Oh dear, one taste and I could almost puke! And to top it off, I had to pay SGD96 for the whole treatment! That's a lot of money for some "soil" like tasting mixture!

Some of my Singaporean colleagues had also advised me not to visit any Chinese doctor as many are not properly trained and may cause more harm than good! Is this true? For me, back in China, we visit Chinese doctor alot and many have proper certification and training in Chinese Universities.

I have since gotten well but I am not sure if it is due to the medicine or just that time heals. I'm wondering if I should stop taking the aweful tasting medicine! Yucks! I still have about half of it left!

Medical Check-up!

It's almost a year since I came back to Singapore. How time flies! Every year, we have to go for a medical check-up. Mine was just done abut a month ago and I had it done at the clinic at Bedok Central. We had to do a blood test, urine test and a few other check-ups. Quite a simple test actually. We also have to wait a week for the results.I collected my results about a month back and everything was fine.

I handed the result slip to my boss who told me that he will send it to MOM. However, somehow or other, he forgot and got a warning letter from MOM. He told me that if he is late, I may lose my permit and have to be deported. I was afraid. I was questioning this as it seems quite unfair that a worker is deported because the management forgot to send in the Medical result slip???

Anyway, my boss handed me an envelop to send, which I promptly did. Now I just have to keep my fingers crossed that nothing bad will come out of it. I cannot imagine being out of a job again when I have not even worked a year. I also cannot imagine leaving my sister her to fend for herself. I promised my mother that I will look after her... and I intend to keep my promise.

Church Donation - Do I give?

I've been attending the church here for some time and each time they pass the "red bag" around (see video), I tend to feel a little uncomfortable. It could be because when my friend brought me there some time back, she told me that normally, everyone gives something, no matter how small. Since she has gone back to China, I have been going to church on my own... and I am kind of at a lost as to how much to give.

Usually I give two dollars or so but today I realized that I did not have any small change and I gave a five dollar note. While the giving has never been an issue for me, five dollars is quite a big sum for me. Some friends tell me they normally give about 10% of their salary. This means about SGD95 for me each month and this can be quite painful on my wallet.... especially when every month, my finance is so tight and I am sending almost every dollar I earn back home.

Some people tell me that the more you give, the more you are blessed! Is this true?

Is giving a norm in church? Is 10% too much, too little? I really have a lot of questions and I hope some readers can enlighten me.

Old friends dinner invite...

Last weekend, I had to visit the supermarket to buy some groceries to cook dinner for my sister. Since it is near to my old place, I decided to visit my old friends again. Maybe now that I have a room to myself, I am feeling a bit lonely... I really don't know Yet, I do value the privacy that I have currently. Life is tough when you have to make such decisions. I do realize that one cannot have everything too. But I do know I miss my friends and would like to know how they are doing. It's always nice to have someone to talk to when you are alone.

I had a good look at the place now that we have left. A lady took over my sister's bed and decorated it beautifully. I am glad that things are moving along just fine for my ex-landlord, as he is also a friend. In fact, I think his "business" is getting better. It seems like every time someone vacates the place, someone else takes it up almost immediately!

It was about 6pm by the time I got there and some of my old friends were cooking dinner. They invited me to join in and I gladly accepted. For once, they had quite an elaborate meal which is quite rare. They even bought fish that day. Normally, we would just have rice and maybe one or two dishes of vegetables and some small pieces of pork. But fish is a rarity and a luxury too.

We had a delicious meal that evening. I was glad I visited them again. I still miss them a lot but come to think of it, I would not trade my privacy for it. At least now I can go back to visit them anytime I want.

Remitting money again!

Yesterday was 1st  June and I had my payday. As always I promptly make my down to People's Park Complex to remit money back home. I think the companies that help us remit money do good business. They charge us about SGD25 per remittance and this place is always full. I have done this every month for coming to 3 years and the situation is always the same whether I go there in the evening or on Saturdays or Sundays.

At any one time, there is an average of 30 people there... so that's a SGD750 collection. Throughtout the day, there could be easily 300 to 400 people. That would be a daily collection of SGD7,500 to SGD10,000. And that's not counting the exchange rates gains they would be making from converting SGD to RMB.

I would imagine they do one single transfer at the end of the day to China and from there, individually bank in the money to each account. Imagine the profits they would be raking in. No wonder, there are easily 10 shops doing such brisk business within People's Park complex alone. Personally, I have used the same one shop since I came to Singapore as they have proven reliable and I see no reason to change.

Can you imagine that during my first month in Singapore, I remitted SGD200 back to my parents in China and had to pay a SGD25 fee? That's more than a 10%! I guess we all get smarter with age and experience!

My sister's Birthday!

25 May is my sister's birthday! In China, we usually celebrate our birthday's by having a "special" sweet noodles and eggs, so signify having a longer life. However, in Singapore, and especially at a rented place where cooking should be kept to a minimum, this might not be so practical. So I was wondering how I should celebrate my sister's birthday???

I decided to buy a birthday cake for my sister. She wasn't really for buying a cake as she has been trying very hard to lose some weight. Ha ha. She has been working non-stop, even sacrificing her one free day to work overtime for a little more pay, so it's been hard to find any time to exercise at all. I feel quite lucky compared to her... at least I still have time to go jogging in the evening, and even do Yoga! For her, it's like the moment she gets home at about 11pm, she washes up and go to sleep and then wakes up and go to work! What a life for my poor sister... but we are both glad that we have a job in Singapore, knowing how hard it is to work here with the reduced foreigner's quota these days.

I told her it's only once a year! We should not forget to relax once in a while, even while we come to Singapore to earn a living! And to ease her guilt, I bought a mango cake. While still a cake, it at least has some fruits and my sister likes mangoes! In a simple celebration, we both had a slice of cake when she came home late at night. I offered my landlord a slice and kept the rest for another day.

For her birthday, my sister dressed up specially nice. She put on favorite best dress and make up for the day. She also bought herself something from the place where she worked... a pair of new shoes! Don't you think we both look a little alike in this picture of her (center pic)? Her face is a little rounder but the features are similar!

Paying my Rent!

It's the end of my first month stay at the new room... and it also means it is time to pay my rent. So instead of SGD210 each, we now have to pay SGD300 each.

After one month, I must say that despite the higher cost, it is a pleasure to pay the SGD90 extra for each of us, as the privacy alone is priceless. My sleep is more sound, I save time not having to queue for the bathroom or washing machines or even just cooking a bowl of instant noodles! I must say I am very happy to have found this beautiful cosy room for my sister and myself!

Here is a short video of me paying the money to my landlord! It's a little dark as my landlord enjoys doing his work in a more cosy lighting in the hall. Enjoy!

Old Friends?

Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to go back to my ex-landlord's place to pay them a visit. It's always nice to visit old friends again. This time however, I was actually on the way to the library, so I decided to pop in about 2pm to catch up with them.

Well, as usual on Saturdays or Sundays, some of them are out for some fun but a few of them were around. In fact, it was rather rowdy as usual with my ex-landlord inviting his friends over to play cards. My ex-room mates were having their lunch in the room too.

The "New kid on the block", whom I wrote about some time back is now starting to feel more comfortable. She told me she still does not like Singapore but at least the work isn't too bad. Her working hours are quite normal and she does not work on weekends. After being around for a while, she realizes that she is quite lucky as some of us migrant workers have to work on weekends too. For example, while my sister is allowed to take a day off a week, she had not taken a day off in 4 weeks, all in an effort to earn more money to send back home!

Another ex-room mate who was around was one we called "Chilli Queen" because she is so fond of hot and spicy stuff. She's also a good friend and just like me in the past, she usually prefers to stay home on weekends so that she don't have to spend money unneccessarily. Most of us try to save as much as we can in the short stint in a foreign country!

Actually, you can see (and hear) from the videos that we Chinese speak rather loudly, especially the men! A local friend once told me that the way we speak sounds like we are picking a fight! Ha ha! But that's just they way most (not all) of us speaks.

It's aways nice to visit old friends again. While I love my new room and the privacy it gives me and my sister, I kind of miss the friendship, gossips and even the bickering at the old place!

I want a Christian Name!

A few days ago, a customer suggested that I have a Christian Name. He said that Chinese names are not easy to remember and especially to pronounce, especially for non-Chinese. This is even more so when you have to pronounce the name in Chinese, since our names are direct conversion using Pinyin. It does not read like any typical English words.

In Pinyin, every Chinese character has 4 tones, dictated by symbols wriiten next to their Pinyin translations.

He suggested the name Niki. So I will be called Niki Li??? I said I will think about it. I wasn't sure if it is a good name, or if there are any meanings associated with that name, given my limited English???

While I am proud of my nationality, there is a saying that, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do!". So I thought that since many Singaporeans have a Christian name, why not have one too? In fact, in major cities in China, many Chinese are having Christian names too.

So what makes a good Christian Name? It must be simple to write, easy to pronounce, easy to call and uniquie! I am not familiar with Christian Names... so I hope my readers can help me!

So, any suggestions? Or is the name Niki, a good name for me?