Communication

Was rushing to work this morning. Bought a hot chocolate and sandwich from Mac and rush to MRT station. But I drop my hot chocolate and spill the whole cup on the floor. Feeling pai seh, I quickly rush to the station master to inform him.

(Conversation carried out in English)

Me : I am so sorry, I spill my coffee and it is a mess there. Can you get someone to clean the place?

Staff : Huh? Your luggage???

Me : Luggage?!?!? No. I mean I spill my coffee (speak real slowly)

Staff : Where is your luggage now?

Me : Huh?????? NO is COFFEE.

Staff : *Blank look*

Lucky there was another staff (standing behind) knew what I was talking about. He just waved and tell me ok.

This is just one of those frustrating incidents. I seriously have problem communicating with people here even though I can understand Cantonese quite well. Well I have learnt not to talk too much as half the time people don't know what I am talking about (regardless if I use English or Chinese). Only speak when necessary.

Taking the train....

Today took the train (the real railway train, not MRT) from East Tsim Sha Tsui to Sheung Shui. Went to visit a treatment centre runs by a christain organisation. Is like the rural area. Nice place even though it is a bit run down. Attend the group work session there and also spend some time chatting with the residents there. Great exposure.

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Anyway, I make a new friend today

"Dim Sum "

Dim Sum jump on me immediately I step inside the centre. Can imgaine me screaming huh. Hahaa... I only "aaahhhh..." Never really scream. Well, he seems to like me a lot, keeps on follow me. As long he never jump up, I am fine with him wandering around me. Ah Nice, next time see if I can befriend Zemon or not :)

Alternative food....

I finally found an alternative after the fire alarm incident. My favorite place to shop is still the supermarket ;) This is what I have for dinner today. Cheap and good. Best thing, no need to heat up, so no microwave!

Pork cutlet from Jusco Supermarket - HK$20

I tried to burn down my apartment!!!

Yes, I just activated the fire alarm of the building at 1 am in the morning. Thanks to the dear microwave in my room. I was trying to heat up my jap sweet potato. And can i just say, i only put it for abt 3-4 mins. Was lying on the bed watching TV when the alarm went off.

Worst thing is that the staff of the apartment is not very helpful. I classified him as a blamer. Yes I admit is my fault and I am really sorry to wake up the whole world in the middle of the night. And all that uncle did is just to reinforce to me that is my fault!!!

Hiazzz... he never even ask me if I am ok. He just sigh and sigh and sigh. At least my neighbour got ask if I am still alive and ok.

Best part on Tuesday, the fire alarm went off in the morning. Give me the shock of my life also cos I was sleeping. And that was went I realise the emergency exit on my floor was blocked by the housekeeping trolley. So I went to tell the receptionist and she told me to use the other emergency exit on that floor instead. Than I realise that it also blocked the fire horse. So wrote in to the manager and complain. So only yesterday they remove the trolley. And today my turn to try to burn down the apartment. That day was an ang moh with his burn toast.

Now I am in depression. Cos I will never dare to cook again. Which means I got nothing to eat!!! I really hate the food here. Hiazzz... How to survive for the rest of the 3 mths????

Yes I am still in shock and feels real pai seh to see any of the guests in the apartment. Lucky there is a darling Yanah online who has been listening to be grumble for more than 1 hour. Yanah I love u! Heehee.. . Lucky you are online if not I will really make IDD call home to ventilate ah.

Hiazz... Life here is tough. How to survive???????

How I travel to work....

Where I stay

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Interchange at Mong Kok

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Where I work

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MTR line in the train - light to indicate which is the next stop

Chinese New Year Celebration

Yesterday attend the CNY celebration organise for the clients of the centre. Quite a lot of clients turn up, got at least 60-70 people ah. I think it just show how successful is the centre group work.

Some photos of the CNY celebration

The MC of the night - Ming & Sandra

My supervisor - Mr David Cheung

All staff of Caritas Look Heep Club performing a song

First day at work

Today is the first day at work. Very tired after work. Just realise that I can get bus sick! Well I am a MRT person, normally in Singapore don't even take bus. Not to say come here have to take at least 30mins bus ride. Tomorrow need to think of alternative way to go to work. Hiazz....

Anyway work is ok. People are all very nice. Got a very good orientation from supervisor and another senior social worker. Even sit in one of the intake assessment interview. Only problem is language. Listen to cantonese for the whole day, got headache. And adding on to it, all the reading materials are in Traditional Chinese words. So I have been trying to translate them into English. If our dear Doreen is here, I think she will die. Haha...... Her "ancient people Chinese words" will kill her ;P

I guess the strengths of Singaporeans is multi-lingual. Whatever language also understand and can speak a little. Some of the colleagues are suprised that I can read Chinese. Well, read can read, don't ask me to write.

Has been communicating with everyone in my half past six cantonese for normal routine stuff. But come to work, is in English. Seriously I don't know how to give comment on assessment in Cantonese.

That is language. Social work field in HK is definitely much more establish and recognise than Singapore. Even though they are NGO (=VWO in singapore), I think they are more open to serve people. Not like VWO in Singapore where they got a lot restrictions and a lot of times we feel that they are too rigid.

Well the centre that I am attached to has a lot of activities. So I can foresee that it will be a busy 3 mths for me. Which is also good lah, won't be bored here.

Ok end off with this photo. This is my lunch today. People that call me glutton, should change their view liao. Cos this is left after trying very hard to finish it. I was very full ah. Very large packet of Hokkien Fried Rice.

Hokkien Fried Rice that comes with a complimentary corn soup + milk tea

Cost HK$33

Getting started....

Today is Sunday. Got nothing to do so walk around Tsim Sha Tsui area. Found my way to the Star Ferry Pier to see see look look and also to get some maps from the Vistors Centre. Yesterday was rushing out of airport as supervisor was waiting for me so did not get any maps or guide. Ya, so finally saw the Star Ferry Pier that we always see on TV. Also went to the Cultural Centre which is just next to the pier.

View from Star Ferry Pier

On my way to the pier, saw a group of Muslims. People wearing tudongs. Not a usual sight in Hong Kong. Than I realise that there is a mosque near my apartment. So Yanah and Hilli, no worried about coming to Hong Kong, sure can survive one. I am sure they have Halah food somewhere.

The Mosque

After touring the pier, took the MTR to Lok Fu, somewhere near my office. If you realise I say
somewhere cos it is not near at all. Haha.. Walk for quite a distance. That is just a normal residential area so not as happening as Tsim Sha Tsui . But they have a very huge park there. Forgot to take photo cos just too engross in finding my way.

Anyway found out that there is a direct bus from my apartment that stops somewhere near the office. So took the bus back and have dinner at a Chinese Cafe. Don't know what to order so order Shui Jiao Mian (Shrimp dumpling noodle). Cost HK$18, consider cheap I think. Taste not bad.

My Shui Jiao Mian

My Apartment

Everyone has been asking me what my apartment looks like. Bascially it is just a nicer version of a HDB 1-room rental flat. Of course there is no LCD TV in a 1-room rental flat.

Some photos of the apartment....

Queen side bed

Very small pantry with a electric stove

Working desk and a very cool LCD TV that can be turn anywhere

I am in HONG KONG!!!

Yes, I am finally in Hong Kong to enjoy the so called 3 mths break. No more HP ringing, no more SWIS. And most impt JCIA got nothing to do with me!

At the request of bimbo wanabe, this blog is born. Bascially this is to prevent members of Circle of Trust from missing me. I can foresee what they will say on Monday. "The office is so quiet." Yah, I know I am noisy. If anyone miss my "voice", feel free to call me. Haha.....

Some photos taken today.....

Me & Enya @ Airport

Cousins - Froggie & Ah Xian

My Family

The mothers and their kids

MSS send off team (oh, where is Nasim???)

Anyway just want to thank everyone for sending me off today. Gals, thanks for the notebook even though it take me some time to realise what you all are talkng abt. My heart is still with Didi. Heehee.. Nasim thanks for the chocolates. And of course to the group that is slogging at work today, you all make me distracted and I nearly lost my way at airport.

Ok, it take me one whole night to write this post. No more engery liao. Continue this again....