Overtime work is always not on my mind whilst working in Hong Kong, because you are trading off your personal time with the work that will not be recognized nor be paid extra.
Here in Australia, Company actually "beg" you to do overtime on Saturday. Not only will they pay you extra, they will also provide lunch. So on a Saturday afternoon, I am sitting in the office after eating a mouthful of pasta & salad & pies, listening to the in-house radio (yes, there is always background music in the office programmed by the in-house radio), and writing the blog.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Come And Go
People come and go in our lives, we make new friends, and at the end of the party, you might have difficulties recalling their names.
However, there are people you met that you feel a connection. The encounter needs not to be long, but you know somehow you are connected. It is hard to say goodbye to these people. When you meet people on the road, it is very likely that the goodbye is an eternal one. All the bullshits about meet up again some years later in your / my countries are just a sweet way to round up.
However, there are people you met that you feel a connection. The encounter needs not to be long, but you know somehow you are connected. It is hard to say goodbye to these people. When you meet people on the road, it is very likely that the goodbye is an eternal one. All the bullshits about meet up again some years later in your / my countries are just a sweet way to round up.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Respect
***WARNING: People who disapprove homosexual is encouraged to STOP reading***
I witnessed one of the most bizarre weddings in Sydney Festival last Saturday. A gay couple was holding their wedding ceremony during this massive arts & music festival. One of the couple is a Chinese who told his family his sexual preference at the age of 16. The other one is a over 6 feet & 180 pounds foreigner who had married at a very young age, and is a father of a girl. He struggled hard in the heterosexual marriage, and lastly he confronted his sexual orientation. (Brokeback Mountain?)
You could feel the love between them, they kept giving each other little kisses on the cheek and stroking each other lightly in their holding hands. When the huge foreigner read his vowes, big tears were rolling down. Even you disapprove gay marriages, you will be moved by his vowes.
Actually gay marriages are not lawful in Australia, but the couple would like to go through the normal rituals as in a normal marriage to signify their commitments to this relationship, and most importantly, the organizer of the event is open minded enough to make this happen.
This is a true demonstration of showing respect on people's decision in their lives.
I witnessed one of the most bizarre weddings in Sydney Festival last Saturday. A gay couple was holding their wedding ceremony during this massive arts & music festival. One of the couple is a Chinese who told his family his sexual preference at the age of 16. The other one is a over 6 feet & 180 pounds foreigner who had married at a very young age, and is a father of a girl. He struggled hard in the heterosexual marriage, and lastly he confronted his sexual orientation. (Brokeback Mountain?)
You could feel the love between them, they kept giving each other little kisses on the cheek and stroking each other lightly in their holding hands. When the huge foreigner read his vowes, big tears were rolling down. Even you disapprove gay marriages, you will be moved by his vowes.
Actually gay marriages are not lawful in Australia, but the couple would like to go through the normal rituals as in a normal marriage to signify their commitments to this relationship, and most importantly, the organizer of the event is open minded enough to make this happen.
This is a true demonstration of showing respect on people's decision in their lives.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Interview In Bakery Shop
On the day I finished the coffee making course (Barista Course), I handed in my resume together with the coffee making certificate to one of the bakery shops in China Town. Just received a call from the 老闆娘 for interview at 6pm...
The 老闆娘 did not show up until 6:15pm, and I was not the only applicant. The 5 of us - only me is working holiday, others are university students studying in Sydney, sat around the coffee table just outside the shop, and she started her speech as follows:-
"My main concern is whether you girls can speech good English, I don't care whether you speak fluent Mandarin or Cantonese (Damn! the ad. said clearly that FLUENT Mandarin, Cantonese & English are ESSENTIAL!!!). So now, please use English to introduce yourself, tell us what kind of retail experience / coffee making experience / customer service experience that you have. (Are we going to have a role play afterwards?)"
So we went on introducing ourselves before she started again:-
"Alright, so everybody's English is acceptable. (ACCEPTABLE?!?! Dunno about the others, but I am not going to accept a low comment as my English is only acceptable!!)
Now I will give everyone a CHANCE to have trial work, the work starts at 8am, if you are late, you are out!! During the first 30 hours of working, you have to remember all the prices and names of the cakes, otherwise, you are out!! You will be given FIELD REVIEW after these 30 hours. (Woo! So we got appraisal as well!) You always have to smile at your customers, make them feel warm. Make them feel that your warm smile will go around with them with the cakes bought.
Once you are being hired, I will distribute our company's policies and guidelines to you. (What a well structured multi-continental company!!~)"
I am going to turn down the offer. If the 老闆娘 asks me why, I will tell her, according to the condition of my Visa, I am not allowed to do illegal works. As I know that the minimun wage in Australia is AUD13.8, whilst you are only paying half of it. As my French housemate said, this is an absolute SLAVERY!!!
Well, honestly, I won't mind earning less so I got the chance to practise making coffee, but I do mind the overbearing manner and cannot endure the arrogance of Her Majesty.
The 老闆娘 did not show up until 6:15pm, and I was not the only applicant. The 5 of us - only me is working holiday, others are university students studying in Sydney, sat around the coffee table just outside the shop, and she started her speech as follows:-
"My main concern is whether you girls can speech good English, I don't care whether you speak fluent Mandarin or Cantonese (Damn! the ad. said clearly that FLUENT Mandarin, Cantonese & English are ESSENTIAL!!!). So now, please use English to introduce yourself, tell us what kind of retail experience / coffee making experience / customer service experience that you have. (Are we going to have a role play afterwards?)"
So we went on introducing ourselves before she started again:-
"Alright, so everybody's English is acceptable. (ACCEPTABLE?!?! Dunno about the others, but I am not going to accept a low comment as my English is only acceptable!!)
Now I will give everyone a CHANCE to have trial work, the work starts at 8am, if you are late, you are out!! During the first 30 hours of working, you have to remember all the prices and names of the cakes, otherwise, you are out!! You will be given FIELD REVIEW after these 30 hours. (Woo! So we got appraisal as well!) You always have to smile at your customers, make them feel warm. Make them feel that your warm smile will go around with them with the cakes bought.
Once you are being hired, I will distribute our company's policies and guidelines to you. (What a well structured multi-continental company!!~)"
I am going to turn down the offer. If the 老闆娘 asks me why, I will tell her, according to the condition of my Visa, I am not allowed to do illegal works. As I know that the minimun wage in Australia is AUD13.8, whilst you are only paying half of it. As my French housemate said, this is an absolute SLAVERY!!!
Well, honestly, I won't mind earning less so I got the chance to practise making coffee, but I do mind the overbearing manner and cannot endure the arrogance of Her Majesty.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Typist
I am a typist who woke at 5:45am in the morning, wash up, breakfast and walk out the house at 6:20am. Start typing at 8:00am, with coffee breaks once every hour. Bell-ringing af coffee break signal reminds me of the recess time in school.
Official lunch break is 30mins, seems short but sufficient for a nice meal and some good laughs. Luck comes and paralyses all the computers. Typist has nothing to do except reading gossip magazines and exchange MSNs. The pro-longed lunch hours dragged till 2:30pm, typist is being assigned to unmeaningful filling works and dismissed early at 3:00pm.
Today's gross income for the typist is HKD800... literally for a half day work.
Official lunch break is 30mins, seems short but sufficient for a nice meal and some good laughs. Luck comes and paralyses all the computers. Typist has nothing to do except reading gossip magazines and exchange MSNs. The pro-longed lunch hours dragged till 2:30pm, typist is being assigned to unmeaningful filling works and dismissed early at 3:00pm.
Today's gross income for the typist is HKD800... literally for a half day work.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
The Best Refuge
The best refuge when I am lost and down is to talk to my brother. He is the representation for happiness, good humor and care-free.
Whilst in big contrast in talking with my mum, I have to withold my temper and swallow the fire in our conversation. Why is so pressurizing to talk to her always, in all subjects... Am I not good enough? Our rows will start whenever I am not performaning under her expectations or not following her directions.
This time, I am determined to walk the other way, straight till the end.
Whilst in big contrast in talking with my mum, I have to withold my temper and swallow the fire in our conversation. Why is so pressurizing to talk to her always, in all subjects... Am I not good enough? Our rows will start whenever I am not performaning under her expectations or not following her directions.
This time, I am determined to walk the other way, straight till the end.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Christmas Present
In all the years before, I did not have any particular things I wanted as a Christmas present. This year, I would like to have a new book. A new book that can immense myself indulgently for some hours.
As I finished reading the book I bring to Oz yesterday, I felt a sudden moment of emptiness... hoping that I should either bring along a thicker book or more books. Yick!!
As I finished reading the book I bring to Oz yesterday, I felt a sudden moment of emptiness... hoping that I should either bring along a thicker book or more books. Yick!!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Thursday
Thursday is a "Shopping Day" for Australians, all the shops will prolong their opening hours to maybe 9pm. The holiday mood started to come out from people on this day, as you can see ladies and young guys dressed smartly at night attending parties.
In order to fit into the custom, I bought some wine... some means a pack, and a pack equals 4 litres. hohoo~ A normal bottle of red wine is about 725ml, which means 4 litres is equals to 5 bottles, but the price is similar to a bottle of red wine. Strange!!!
Sometimes they have a weird logic in calculation, say one noddle costs $1 and if you buy a large pack (5 noddles), it will cost you $6. Then what is point of buying the large pack if it is less expensive to buy them individually.
Finally we had internet connection after a week, but we have to occupy the phone line first before we can use the internet... how weird. So now, we are dialling our landlord for every 3 hours (coz after 3 hours, the fee will be higher), in order get everyone connected. Ha!
In order to fit into the custom, I bought some wine... some means a pack, and a pack equals 4 litres. hohoo~ A normal bottle of red wine is about 725ml, which means 4 litres is equals to 5 bottles, but the price is similar to a bottle of red wine. Strange!!!
Sometimes they have a weird logic in calculation, say one noddle costs $1 and if you buy a large pack (5 noddles), it will cost you $6. Then what is point of buying the large pack if it is less expensive to buy them individually.
Finally we had internet connection after a week, but we have to occupy the phone line first before we can use the internet... how weird. So now, we are dialling our landlord for every 3 hours (coz after 3 hours, the fee will be higher), in order get everyone connected. Ha!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Suddenly
Sitting at Gloria Jean's Coffee (Australia's chain coffee shop, like Starbucks) today, and digest almost every single word from a booklet distributed for Working Holiday Makers like myself, with a cup of Triple Hot Chocolate (with additional chocolate toppings added by me). Feel so relaxed for that hour as nothing is particular in my mind except to finish off reading the booklet.
As I walked into one of the Youth Hostels, informations & booklets for WHM are numberous, as I read on, thousand of young minds are flocking into Australia in searching for a Gap Year. A gap year that between careers, or a gap year between graduation and work life.
Suddenly, I do not feel lonely as many are thinking in similar way as I am, and I do not feel absurb and stupid in making this decision. As in other countries, this seems perfectly normal and seemingly a "must-do" in one's life.
As I walked into one of the Youth Hostels, informations & booklets for WHM are numberous, as I read on, thousand of young minds are flocking into Australia in searching for a Gap Year. A gap year that between careers, or a gap year between graduation and work life.
Suddenly, I do not feel lonely as many are thinking in similar way as I am, and I do not feel absurb and stupid in making this decision. As in other countries, this seems perfectly normal and seemingly a "must-do" in one's life.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
First Two Weeks
Just been in Sydney for exactly two weeks, and went to some typical tourist attractions. This city is kind of likeable. Well groomed people, stylish restaurants, laid back cafes, around the corner bookshops, excessive parks / gardens, stunning beaches and..many more.
I will move in the apartment we rent & have an interview with a recruitment agency tomorrow; the AUD43 unlimited Travelpass is going to expire this Sunday; and an old friend from London will be in Sydney next Monday. Many things are happening and I am so excited about everything. Hope this excitment will be kept on.
I will move in the apartment we rent & have an interview with a recruitment agency tomorrow; the AUD43 unlimited Travelpass is going to expire this Sunday; and an old friend from London will be in Sydney next Monday. Many things are happening and I am so excited about everything. Hope this excitment will be kept on.
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