Hostel lesson

SINCE SINGAPORE is among most expensive cities to live for expats, I am not of course exceptional. We, all immigrant workers, find it hard to get a suitable place with a reasonable price. Then you might want to know what's reasonable price to be rent a room. There is no standard range for room rental fees but base on some fundamental factors. These comprise the location; prime or outskirt, how far/near from MRT, available to use air-con, allowed to cook, etc. It's fair to pay relatively expensive if the place can give occupants satisfactory. But you may find it difficult to get if you have been in Singapore and come across some personal experiences regarding to seeking a room. On the other hand, there would be some factors to accept if somebody wants to rent the whole flat and sublet to others. Some people might have thought they can avoid the above mentioned difficulties by renting whole flat and being the leader of flat. It's easier said than done.

Being migrant workers, we already have certain pressures at work and of course we don't want to stay at a room that has some different pressures due to either landlord or room-mates or flat-mates. Generally, we all come here to work and safe money amap and remind ourselves not to lose our primary target. As a result, we try to patient not only at work but also other places including hostel. We change places with the hope of a better and relax place and finally we end up with exhausted. This is one kind of things we need to handle in daily life.

According to my personal experience, we want to hire a cheap place with the reasonable expectations. As you know, cheap things never good and good things never cheap. So we probably find mostly some form of problems at hostel. Within 3 years in Singapore, I have been forced to change more than 7 places due to different reasons. Each place has different story to be learned. I am upset to move out and resettle in new place. Within this 7 times, I have stayed both foreigner landlord and fellow citizen. Likewise, I have shared a room/flat together with both foreigners and fellow citizens. I encountered different place got different problem. Probably I am not lucky man in getting a place to live in. But I tried to cope them with minimum complains and sometime it's necessary to ignore neighbours or room-mates. Otherwise we may need to be handle some sort of stress in different places and it'll never stop until we sleep soundly.

While I was working in Malaysia, I always thought that people who are working in Singapore will be discipline and never make any messy things. Because most people who are working in Malaysia are less educated people compare to its counterparts of Singapore. In fact, I found it wrong as I have come across a lot place and people keep making me annoyed. Regardless of gender, I find low standard despite we all are staying and working in one of cleanest cities in the world. What's the morale among working adults? Pay oneself and don't need to respect around? If we think so, what's different between ranker and educated? I myself is not perfect but at least I know how to respect others who are nearby.

At some point, I was surprised to see fellow citizen student's life style. I might have thought the students who are studying in Singapore will be hard working in their studies. Again my prediction was almost wrong. I agree with some for failing to hard study as they need to find tuition fees by doing some part-time works. Meanwhile some students who don't need to works for the same purpose are wrongdoing that can lead them derail. What a pity of their parents who are trying to send out foreign currency for their generation? May be it's non of my business, but some behavior and attitude of them affect to their flat-mates. It's obvious to sense what kind of problems is it if you have been the same experience with me in oversea country.

Sometime I asking myself if my thinking are going wrong ways. Why we shouldn't stay without disturbing other's privacy? Is it because we didn't learn from our school? Is it because our background are chaos. Is is due to lack of proper teaching by our own parent as well as teachers? I partly agree that people's mind can be dominant by its surrounding. I believe on the other hand most of fellow citizen who are staying in Singapore are from superior background in term of rich or high-profile background families. But their activities are not matched with the words they are talking about. To be honest, I have come across some adorable person who are very smart, honest and naive. I'm always proud to read some good news regarding to my fellow citizens in any media in oversea but it happened very rarely. Anyway I hope we can together show our standard by being an considerate person. We can't make a good image of our country with the behavior of gypsy. I believe that we each person are important in building our own country's image among other citizen especially while we are staying and working in oversea.

(to be continued)

Record breaking state?

SINGAPORE is always boasting for their world-class achievements and so do her people I think. I am happy to see Singapore is crossing new lines at all time and of course S'pore become my second home after my native land. Since I came from a mess country, everything in S'pore is super to my eyes. No wonder sometime I read some citizens from big countries such as China, India and regional heavy-weight countries like Thailand, Malaysia are surrendering their own citizenship for a island state. I always surprise to read their world-class prone advertisement everywhere. No matter it is, it can be found from a small cab to double-decker bus as well as SMRT.

I noticed one news recently that Singapore is ranked 11th most costly place to live for expats in the world; one spot dropped from previous year rank. But still ahead of so many world's cities and they seem proud to announce that. At the same time they were selected world's third most liveable city in the world behind Geneva and Zurich. Meaning island state is first in Asia. The survey took 64 cities including 36 from Asia. In term of costly cities, Singapore tailed to Tokyo, Osaka and Hong Kong in Asia. What make me surprise was New York's position this year. NYC fell from eight place last year to 27th. What a mess is it? According to analysts, it might become due to weak dollar in recent months.

I don't know where is our cities stand. But happy to see my temporary city stand tall but need to expect to spend for more. Nowadays S'pore already has its own casino and tend to attract gambling-addict tourist as well as curious travellers. S'pore aimed to become hubs of almost all things regionally as well as globally in specific things. Then what make S'pore so successful? I think is they have a group of talented leaders who are tirelessly work for their country. I don't think S'poreans are workaholic based on my best knowledge. But they luckily have a good government and they can enjoy highly rated life-style. Their life probably quite rush compare to their regional counterparts. But they seems happy to be their citizen except small percentage of its population I think.

I'm trying to learn on why they can be successful without natural resources as much as possible during my stay and work in lion city. I just want to share my experience to my younger generation one day and hopefully it can help me leading some juniors by the time I got a chance to do so. Hopefully we can keep our jobs until the right time come by in my country. I don't know exactly how long will it take to me. I am grateful to S'pore government & its people for allowing me to work here peacefully. Look forward I can give back something to this island by some ways unless it is significant.

Long awaiting day

BEING EXPECTANT DAD, I have been awaiting one day to welcome our first biological child since we knew my wife was pregnant. We have tried all the way to protect and save our baby by asking our seniors and relatives with fully excitement. Time seem slowly gone to my eager mind because I just want to see baby physically soonest possible. Unfortunately I can't afford to take care my pregnant wife as I need to work oversea. Finally the much awaiting day is at the corner and of course we, couple, are so exciting to cross that special day.

After considering several factors, we decided to give birth by mean of under knife rather than natural birth. Nowaday most of expectant mum choose this way for certain advantages I think. If they afford surgery fees then mostly will go this way in order to avoid hell-like pain during final days. My wife and I were confused ourselves in deciding which method should we adapt. Finally we approached medical doctor especially OG and consult with them so that we can get the flawless result. I hope my wife will go operation theatre room bravely for the sake of her baby.

Meanwhile I wouldn't be on the hospital where she'll give birth due to my oversea exam and lack of leaves at my work. You might have blamed for my irresponsible manner by staying away from family. I don't think I'll need to explain if you are working in oversea. At some point, we can't do what we like. We may have to swallow all incoming desire to suit our life-balance as well as maintain our bread-feeding job. I try to forget about that as I suffer by the time I think about it. I think no father would love to stay away from his very first child's delivery room. Last time I watch such manner from the movie and could feel that sense by common sense. Now I can come across for my own with a different story. Anyway I try to convince myself to calm down when my wild desire come up.

Compilation of days become weeks and weeks become months and finally we are approaching the final hurdle of our baby. What should we do for our baby in advance being a young parent? The more consider the more items come out I think. We, ourselves, were born in Myanmar's rural area where there was no hospital, doctors even nurses. But we tried to reach the position today we enjoyed. So I hope my baby would forgive me for not presenting at the very first day of her world in this planet. I may be a bit crazy to seek some forgiveness from my infant. But she may sense the smell of her biological father because the blood flowed inside her articles will tell her by means of sense.

Last week, my wife told me on the wire that our OG let us choose the delivery day between July 19 & 26. So my eldest sister and wife discussed with some famous astrologer and relative to decide the specific day & date. Finally we initially chose July 22 (Thursday) for our first baby. Consequently we began to think the name of her. I proposed my wife to include my first two name in my daughter's name and she had no objection with my tender. What a pleasant life to have own family for a person? I think all young family will understand what I'm trying to say. Anyway I'll try to become a good father to my beloved child in future. She might be my world or my future. She might be my strength. She might be my driving force in work. She might be my relax when I feel tired after job. She might be my favourite singer when I want to listen music. She might be my chef when I am hungry at home. She might be my mentor when I am old. She might be my guiding star when I am disable. What a wonderful life to able to think like that being a person? I will never forget the important of my wife and child in my life. Hopefully I can build a comprehensive family life sooner or later.

May my wife be free from painful and give birth successfully.

What if paper is put at bay?

I AM BLIND when I have no chance to read newspaper. You might want to argue my opinion by showing way to replace it by internet as we can easily access internet in lion city. To me, there are much different perspective between paper and internet. Probably it is due to my lack of skill in surfing. Being office worker, I need to work with computer at all time during office hour and end of the day, my eyes are too exhausted to look at monitor again. Moreover I am needed to see projector at my class to upgrade my knowledge. Anyway I prefer to look at paper than surfing. One reason I like paper most is it doesn't spoil my eyes. Also can stop at anywhere and anytime whenever I want for any reason.

Luckily I am able to reach paper through various sources including free distribution. I didn't notice the useful of paper when I was continuously read it. But that order begin to collapse recently because I moved out newest place nearby office and I started to miss paper. As a result I am nothing but a blind man in term of information both local and global. Since my new hostel is just walking distance away from my office, I don't need to use public transportation and that make my life keep away from paper. For one week, never mind, two week, no problem, three week, it's fine, one month, start to notice how different it is.

Last time, I always have some topic to be share with my friends when we are entering conversation through wire or personal. I am staying in a small room and need to share three person in the same room. So I find it hard to settle myself to create a good place to rest or pleasure place to read. I even can't afford to unpack my properties at the new place. I rented it for location that favor me to save money and time. I indeed save the aforesaid but needed to give other factor owned by right. I can solve out other daily matters by someway but miss most for paper reading time. No reading mean no raw things to write new post in my very own post. I just miss idea to resume since I entered my exam on last May.

I just come back from my native town and understand that there is no proper media such as paper, tv, internet, etc in my home land. Then I think how can make people different from outside world. The answer is quite clear for migrant worker like me. But for locals, they seem do not mind for that. As long as they can view korea tv series in tv, they'ld think their life is completed. They don't mind upon not to know about local news truely. I will also become like them if I never come out of my country. I feel lucky able to work in developed country like Singapore. At the same time, I can get a chance to touch latest technologies through daily life style. I am not IT savvy but I can still use computer, hand phone, internet, etc. It's basic right and fundamental things in a country like Singapore. After comparing between my native land and here, I more notice and value the benefit of working in a developed country.

It's just my idea regarding to a paper oriented society. I can find some free papers and some paid papers in this island state. No wonder their country is moving forward constantly since their people are loving to read and their government is creating such situation for its people. It's people mind not to do difficult thing and want to test if things are easy. So people become readers by the time they can get papers without much effort. What they need to invest is a little bit time in queuing for paper. But it is worthy to do so in term of return knowledge or info. We being migrant workers also get the same chance to read them if we are interested in.

Then what will happen a country without paper and with papers in the long term. Of course, they will move opposite and will end up extreme. Moving positive way should be welcome if we are desperate to create a developing country. Once we are on the right track, the life style of our people will automatically raise up to match. Hopefully I can see such society in my home land sooner or later within my life span. May all my fellow citizens able to read a right media so that they can breast with their peers.

Final Respect

TODAY I am informed that my eldest brother was died yesterday due to his high rated diabetes. He is middle age man and serving my country as a soldier since I was an infant. What he could have done in his life with regard to either his country or his own family? In fact he dramatically became a soldier without a plan. I knew about his story from my mum and it was a bit hilarious I thought. But he was dutiful and hard working soldier and got a reasonable position due to his habit of doing anything neat and tidy.

No wonder he couldn't become an officer as he educated until high school and didn't pass matriculation exam. As a result of hard working and long term service, he received a sergeant level recently and he luckily able to earn to support his family. Being a father, he raised his family as high as possible and also seek any chance to help his relatives when they need something within his afford. Of course he supported our family when I was school age boy and my parent are too old to work any job. As a soldier, it's hard to find extra money after spending daily necessities, but he tried to manage to support our family regularly. I don't know how did he manage to maintain it. But I understood nowaday as I am already adult as well as working.

I saw him last year when I return Myanmar for my wedding formal celebration. We rarely met each other despite we came from a same source (meaning same family and product of a mother). It can be as far as once a decade. Being a soldier, he'ld find it difficult to take leaves on what he want. For instance, he didn't arrive in time by the time our mother was died. I still clearly remember the day he cried infront of our mother's tumb. We (all siblings) understood his situation and forgiven him. But he felt so sorry and I could able to see his pain through his tearful eyes. He was real soldier with proud and a lot of medals honoured by Government for his achievement. But this all cannot prevent him to cry out when he saw his mother's tumb. He was such a good man to our family.

Our mother died after fighting long time for diabetes and he heritage this killer disease from his mum. Other will say it's due to generation but the result is he follow his mum so early for the same reason. Few years back his elder sister also passed away for the same reason. Altogether there are 10 siblings in my family. He is third sibling to detach from our family tree. We all love each other and support each other since we lost our parent very early. It'ld be always pleasure time when we enjoy union dinner by teasing each other. In fact it's quite difficult to meet all at the same point because all of my siblings are government staffs and they are serving at different towns. Luckily they all try to present my wedding last year and I was of course very happy to see them all at my wedding day and I really felt I am honoured.

Since I am youngest in my family, they all love me uniquely. They always think me and treat me like a child ever. It doesn't matter how old I am and where I am working as well as how high my position is. What a beloving habit. To me they all are my father and mothers. They all are my teachers. They all are my guiding stars. I can't be exist where I am today without their supporting role and irreplaceable encouragement. Gradually my family tree is eroded by time and now left for 7 only. What a sadful story unable to present his final journey? He tried all the way to present my wedding, but I am now failing to go his funeral because I am now working in a foreign country. Hope, as usual, you will understand me for my absent at your final journey. But I'm sure my soul would be there these days and I'll never forget everything you have done for me in this life.

Today afternoon, all my siblings will go your final resting town from the different cities to pay our final respect and tribute as you are our respectful eldest brother who guided us in going a right track. I don't seek your forgiveness for my absent to pay final respect but I believe you'll understand me. I'ld be in Myanmar next week this time and hopefully I can pay my final respect with late effect as you did when our mother was passed away. What a sorrowful life, my big brother? You, being soldier, is not allowed to live in where you enjoy. Me, a shore job worker, not possess my life and even resemble with a robot that can move by its programme. At the end of the day, we are tired of life and the money we always chasing cannot save our lives. I wish you possess the better and peaceful life if any.

Brother, you will always be alive in our memories. We all know you are a dutiful man to your family as well as country. I praised what you have done and achieved in life as a person. I hope I can follow your footstep in nursing my own family as I am now an expectant father. Life is uncertain and we cannot avoid associated risks. Life is nothing by the time we draw a curtain down. Nothing left. Nothing possess. We left our loved ones for another uncertain life if any. Probably some hero would be remembered by his/her peers. But it won't be long lasting. As our traditional saying mention "Dead man would be forgotten when time goes by". To me, you are our family's hero and we all would remember you ever unless you are a hero for this country. You don't need to regret for your past as you have done well both your country and family. You would be blessed by all sort of Lord I am sure. I hope you have passed this life peacefully.

We are youth for old.
We are healthy for sick.
This is universal truth, nobody can overcome it even our Lord of Buddha.
Believe you understand this life cycle better than me.
I remember the poem we learned during our high school days.

"For men may come and men may go
but I go on forever"

The brook yelling in the poem, like this, we are coming to this world as a visitor and this will never end. Born and reborn regardless of life.

Finally this, too, shall pass away.
Have a peaceful life there, my beloving brother.
I won't say goodbye to you but salute you for everything you have done for me in life.

Your youngest brother
zmn
sg
170510 (Monday)