Pembantu rumah Oh Pembantu rumah

Once it was reported in a local newspaper that Cambodia closes maid centres.. Before that there's issue with Indonesia.. We have many poor family from our own citizens that need stable income.. Can't we train our own people? Can't Malaysians consider working as maids/helpers? Last time helpers were Malaysians and it worked well.. It's not a  job, but it's a decent job.. Why must depend on others when our own people many in desperate need of job?


A friend told me that Felda did propose this last year, even to operate a college. But many educated by any way opposed to such proposal. Why?


Common reply I'll get to that (and even I agree to it) is Malaysians almost if not 99.999% rather work in factory or other kind of jobs that more 'decent' than be 'orang gaji'. Is it true?

To my eyes, it is a noble job.

Some says because the pay is low. With the sama salary, Malaysian would rather work as operator pengeluaran. Although shift but at least 8 working hours a day. If work more hour got OT/bonus. After working can go shopping or watch movie to relieve stress. If bos harasses can complain to union/higher authority. Maid works 5am-12am, non-stop. Especially homes with many kids. Nobody to talk to except anak tuan rumah. No annual leave. No sosial life what so ever. Some cases tuan rumah tak bagi maid keluar rumah pun. With no friends, do they feel depressed? Who do they turn to complain? Most just ran away.

But I disagree. As far as I know the salary for that job is higher nowadays. It's even better than most job of same category because salary received is nett pay. No deduction for rental, utilities, groceries, tax etc. Sure, salary can be higher since no requirement for work permit unlike those from other countries. My own relative ada yg keje as helper for years, and now in her late 40s/or 50s still working. Wherever the employers goes they bring her along. During Hari Raya same as other working people she gets to come back to hometown. Another relative pula,his helper also a local and been staying with the family for years, only recent years balik kampung for good due to old age. Ada pula yg datang for few hours daily or certain days in a week to help with houseworks. 


It's not glamorous but a decent and noble job, plus salary paid is nett. It's how individual and employer perceive the job, that's all.

Nothing to wear..

So true, that is why I can't stop shopping !!!

A little moment of joy..

A lovely touching story I received via email. A good story I wish to keep.

**********************************************************************

I arrived at the address where someone had requested a taxi. I honked
but no one came out. I honked again, nothing. So I walked to the door
and knocked. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could
hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood
before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil
pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no
one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with
sheets..

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the
counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and
glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase
to the cab, and then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and
we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her. 'I
just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother be
treated'.. 'Oh, you're such a good boy', she said. When we got in the
cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, 'Could you drive through
downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly.
'Oh, I don't mind,'she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice'. I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening.
'I don't have any family left,' she continued. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.
'What route would you like me to take?' I asked. For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived
when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture
warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as
a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing. As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now.'

We drove in silence to the address she had given me.. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were
solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been
expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman
was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' she asked, reaching into her purse.
'Nothing,' I said.

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me
tightly. 'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said.
'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might
as well dance.

How Much Sleep Do You Really Need?

Because there is no 'normal' sleep need, you could have a sleep disorder and not even know it By Gail Belsky, Health.com

The term sleep disorder may suggest someone tossing and turning all night, but lying awake for hours with insomnia is just one example of many conditions that affect how you sleep and function during the day. In fact, you can have a sleep disorder and not even know it.


How many hours should you sleep?

There's no normal number of hours that quantifies a good sleep, just like there's no normal shoe size. Most adults need seven to nine hours a night; others manage just fine with six. It's even possible to get too much sleep, since spending excess time in bed can be a sign of another health problem, such as depression or chronic fatigue syndrome.

A 2007 British study found that people who slept the same amount of time (seven hours) each night lived longer, on average, than people who adjusted their schedules to either add or subtract hours from their nightly slumber. Finding your own ideal sleep/wake cycle—and staying consistent—is key to healthy sleep, agrees Carol Ash, D.O., medical director of the Sleep for Life center in Hillsborough, N.J.

Don't sell yourself short

That doesn't mean you can shave off hours of much needed rest without consequence: In a different study, the same British scientists also found that people who are consistently sleep deprived (defined as sleeping five hours or less a night) are at greater risk for high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems—especially women.

Insufficient sleep also raises your risk for obesity, diabetes, depression, alcoholism, and automobile accidents. Plus, a 2007 University of California-Berkeley study confirmed the obvious: Sleep deprivation directly affects areas of the brain that deal with mood and concentration, leaving tired people grumpy, overly emotional, and unable to focus.



Consider quality and quantity

For all these reasons, doctors need to look at both the quantity and the quality of sleep to detect a problem. And when it comes to sleep quality, problems aren't always obvious to patients themselves: An insomniac who lies awake at night can easily tell that something is wrong, for example, but someone with sleep apnea who repeatedly stops breathing in his sleep might have no idea there's a problem.

The most telling sign of a disorder is how you feel during the day. If you generally wake up alert and refreshed, you're a healthy sleeper. If you chronically wake up sleepy, irritable, and unfocused—and stay that way throughout the day—you may have a sleep disorder, no matter how much time you spend in bed.

Money..

I had created this blog for.. hmmm let me see.. believe coming to 3 years already. The encouragement came from a dear friend of mine, and to my question of what to write etc in the blog, she simply said anything that I feel like writing. A good example she gave me was to write about my holidays.

And here I am still clueless of what to post in my blog. Though just for my viewing and others selectively, I still am clueless. I even had a draft (but empty till now) since 2009.. And since last week, I've drafted 2 but still unfinished.

For the sake to have one posting for this year, I am writing this now and will make sure I post it today. No specific topic, just something I feel like writing.



Today while having lunch with a friend, she told me of a very frustrating news she received last Friday. She told me that she had been waiting since 2009 for bonus, but to her disappointment, due to the company instability no bonus was paid.



This year her lucky star came her way. She got a job offer! Though on contract basis, but the perks & pay is better off than the current one. This is her last week with the current employer. While enjoying her last few days, the MD called all staff for quick meeting last Friday and announced that the company will pay 2 months bonus for 2010. Gosh! Pity her, totally. Of all the years of waiting the MD chosed to announce it towards her last few days with the company.



Her comment was, "With that money I can go Europe for holiday!".. I know how she felt, really I do as I experienced the same more than once throughout my career life. It's a no bonus year for me as well be it from previous employer which I left 2 months before the company's year end or current employer which I joined 5 months before its year end.

Yeah, people say that is standard practice. Impossible for a company to pay to an employee despite the employee served the company full one year, or the company's profit made solely from his/her clients. Whatever the HR policies etc etc, I still believe we the employee deserve to get whatever belongs to us based on what we contributed to our employer(s).

A good employer is one that compensate employees and always encourage for career development be it with the same company or others. Because in reality we are all fully aware that there is no such thing as a true and fair opportunity based on the individual as a person with no other side factors when it comes to career development. If there's such, very rare.



There is nothing wrong with sharing the profit, the wealth same as the knowledge. Those are what we can enjoy on this earth while we still have the opportunity. Sharing such means putting a smile and happiness to someone's life. Why such is so a burden to employer/boss to do so?

I know one bumiputra company which the Chairman or MD treats employee as and when the company feels necessary. The CEO/MD does not wait until year end, bonus pay time to compensate the staff. Profit is shared half yearly if not quarterly. Staff even sometimes given perks such as blackberry, new laptop as and when the CEO/MD feels like the staff requires new one. On top of the adhoc profit, the staff also enjoys year end bonus. Of course, at same time staff is required/pressured to meet target. But well, isn't all companies require such from their employees? As far as I know, this particular company is making profit year after year, and business seems getting better. Is giving and sharing with employees make the company losing profit? Obviously not. So why other company not able practice if not exactly the same, but at least some of it?



As many said, money is not everything. But to me, money is the one that make things in life possible. As how love is important in our lives, money also a main factor to a happy comfortable life. How much each of us need it, it all depends on individual.

Of course once money enter our life, it is a struggle to limit our 'enough' level. Difficult to hear people say, "No thank you, I have enough already. I do not need increment, bonus etc. I am happy with whatever I have now."


There is so much in life for us to see, venture, enjoy, learn etc which at the end leads to satisfaction and happiness.


As for me, I love spending on myself, treat my mum, buying gifts for my siblings, outing with my loved one, movie session with nieces and nephews, coffee-cake session with friends, shoppings all year round, going holidays and many more! ... So, is money still not important?

Malays = Memalukan = Musnah

Today as most or perhaps all of us aware there’s chaotic situation in KL city centre following a demonstration by people who strongly believe that they are fighting for people’s right or whatever their beliefs are.

But to me, there’s only one thing they are representing i.e. kemusnahan.

Today I was among those victims caught in your stupid act. Today you made me paid nearly double the taxi fare I used to pay to go to city centre just because of the unexpected bad traffic jam. Today you made me took Putra LRT from Ampang Park to Dang Wangi and then walked from Dang Wangi to Sime Darby just to take the Star LRT to meet my brother at Chan Sow Lin as both Putra and Star LRT did not stop at two stations – Masjid Jamek and Bandaraya. Today you made me passed families with kids/babies and strollers walking for unnecessary distance just to avoid the chaostic, just to take the train from those unaffected stations. Today you made me watched old folks looking exhausted which I believed due to the chaostic you have caused. Today you made watched students discussion best way to go home as their normal routes could not be used. Today you made me cursed you because all the unnecessary trouble you have caused to many innocent people like myself.

Don’t blame the police for doing what they did to you as I would do the same. After all, people whose hands are dirty with ‘people’s blood’ and heart black with hatred are deserve to be treated like that. PErhaps not ISA for you, but Alcatraz.

I may not understand what you are fighting for as politics is not my turf, but one thing I know I am a registered voter, played my role as a voter, thus a true Malaysian. And because of that, I have the right to say this: I pray one day Malaysia will be ruled by a non-Malay because on that day I can cheer as loud as I can to you to say this:

“Padan muka kamu semua!! Inilah hasil dan bukti kebodohan dan kedaifan kamu semua. Bergaduh sesama sendiri hanya kerana merebut kuasa yang tidak boleh dibawa ke dalam kubur. Konon demi rakyat, tapi sebenarnya kerana kuasa. Dengan bertopengkan kata-kata yang kononnya begitu berkaliber, begitu berjiwa rakyat, begitu mahukan keadilan, kamu berjaya memporak-perandakan Negara sendiri dan meruntuhkan moral kaum sendiri. Dengan sumpah, maki-hamun orang ramai yang menjadi mangsa sifat dengki, pentingkan diri dan singkat pemikiran kamu itu, sesungguhnya perjuangan kamu hanya akan memakan diri dan memalukan bangsa sendiri. Sebagai Melayu, aku sudah lama tidak berbangga dengan orang yang mendabik dada mengatakan berjuang demi agama, bangsa dan Negara kerana sehingga kini tidak seorang pun dari kamu berjaya membuatkan aku memandang tinggi terhadap kamu sebagaimana rasa kagum dan hormat yang aku rasakan pada bangsa Melayu yang berjuang memerdekakan Negara. Melayu sekarang hanya tahu melaungkan suara, menuding jari, menghasut sana-sini tapi sedikit pun tidak membangunkan diri. Musnahlah kamu Melayu, musnahlah secepat mungkin kerana aku, seorang Melayu yang sudah muak melihat Melayu seperti kamu di muka bumi Malaysia ini.”

Rise of the 3S women By Cao Xiaofan
The STAR, Sunday 14 December 2008

- an good article I've been wanting to share with single ladies out there. Not sure about you, but indeed it suit nearly perfect to my current life affair.

BEIJING: Guo Xiao, a 34-year-old single woman working as a mid-level manager in a Beijing branch of a foreign bank, is philosophical about turning down dates.

Having passed the “best marriageable age” for city women, conventionally recognised as between 25 and 30 years old, Guo refuses to rush into marriage. “Marrying ‘Mr Wrong’ is even worse than being single,” she says.

Unwed women such as Guo are labelled in China today as “3S women”– single, 70s, and stuck. They were generally born in the 1970s, are well educated and have decent jobs.

In her early 20s, Guo was an accountant in a bank in Jiangsu province, focusing her whole time and energy on her career. “I barely stopped to see a movie, let alone get involved in a relationship,” says Guo.

Many women put relationships on the backburner while they develop their careers.

Sociologist Xu Anqi, of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, notices that against the backdrop of China’s progressing urbanisation, the growing single population is the result of more time spent on education and career.

Guo was a workaholic before one day, when she was 26, she fell head over heels in love with a middle-aged photographer.

“Talented, smart and wild – he had everything I admired,” Guo recalls.

The two-year romance ended in tears. “He couldn’t promise me marriage and had no intention of settling down,” says Guo. “I met the wrong person at the right time.”

To get over the heartbreak, Guo went to Australia to pursue her studies. When she earned her master’s degree on financial management from Sydney University in 2003, Guo returned to China and secured a position as a senior accountant in a British industrial designing company in Beijing.

Guo’s parents started to nag her about marriage and even resorted to matchmakers. But their efforts were in vain. “I wouldn’t compromise by marrying a guy I didn’t like,” she says.

The number of single women like Guo, who are well educated and in well-paid jobs, is on the rise. A nationwide survey conducted by Shanghai Municipal Statistics Bureau in 2007 suggested that more than 60% of the 500,000 single people aged 30 to 50 in Beijing are women. In Guangzhou, the proportion is 70%.

Many of Guo’s friends of her age are also unmarried career women.

“Stressful work, an increasing divorce rate – there are many reasons leading career women to live on their own,” she says.

On top of that, Chinese men are reluctant to marry more mature women.

A survey conducted by Beijing Normal Uni­versity in 2006 showed about 65% of male respondents believed 25-year-old women were desirable for marriage, while only 12.5% said they could accept women over the age of 35 as wives. As a result, a huge number of that age group – many are “S3 women” – remain single.



Recently, the degrading term of “sheng nu”, which literally means “leftover women”, has been created to refer to the “3S women” as though there were something morally wrong with them.

“We’re not that passive,” says Guo. “I admit being a single woman comes with its challenges, but it also offers an opportunity to develop personally and do things outside of the shackles of a relationship.”

Guo spends about three hours a week practising calligraphy. She also enjoys whole Sunday afternoons at a beauty salon.

“I am no different to everyone else, except that I don’t have to wash men’s dirty socks and baby diapers,” she says.

In the past, China had a saying for women: To marry is to live. However, better education and jobs are giving career women better financial status.

With a monthly salary of about 16,000 yuan and a 60 sq metre well-decorated downtown apartment, Guo’s financial circumstances are secure.

“Marriage is no longer a necessity for me compared with women of my parents’ generation, unless Mr Right appears,” says Guo.

“The influence of material factors on marriage is diminishing among today’s Chinese career women,” Xu Anqi says. “Society is more tolerant of independent women.” - CHINAdaily.com.cn