Sulastri's Journey - The Beginning

Getting a live in maid was new to me.  As this would be the first time I'll be sharing my space for the longest time.  I had my reservations at the beginning. .... What would she be like?  Could she get use to our culture and habits?  Food wise .... is hse the adventurous type.

I remembered our telephone conversation.  I asked if she was willing to learn new things and accept it with an open mind.  She kept saying YES, Yes.  At that point of time I was not sure if it was sincerity or lack of understanding.

The process itself took about a month.  She finally arrived on Feb 10th.  I ran down with her some basic rules and our expectation of her.  It was the following day that it finally dawned on me that she understood very little English.  So I told her ... ok. 2 hours daily she sits with me to study English.  This consists of reading, comprehension, vocab, vocal exercises.

In the very beginning - things like do not litter.  Hygiene standard is not up to par.  Proper manners, etiquette, civil were not up to par.  This made me more curious on how she brought up her two sons and how she ran her household. 

Using proper equipment for proper purpose need to be shown (but this part I was not surprised).

She is not ambitious and have a minimal curious mind.  I have to encourage her and spot check on her work.  Somehow I get the feeling is that from her stand point - as long as I get the job done.  Without wanting to know why or how is the best way to complete the job efficiently.

 

Hiring a Foreign Maid

Employing a maid in Singapore is easy and inexpensive when compared to other countries. Initially you have to evaluate your needs for either a mainly foreign full time live in maid or a locally based part time maid.

If you have access to enterAsia's online step-by-step relocation guide to Singapore follow the step on employing a maid in the relevant chapter.
Foreign maids are hired as foreign domestic workers from Indonesia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. Maids from Indonesia and Sri Lanka are paid less as they do not speak English as well as most of the Filipino maids. The monthly salary for Indonesian Maids is SGD 280 Filipinas earn between SGD 320 and 350 a month.

Foreign maids must be at least 23 years old and not older than 38 years and have to proof eight years of formal education.

They need to pass an entry test comprising multiple choice quastions in English. At times there may be a shortage of Indonesian maids. 

For a full time live-in maid you should calculate around S$1000 per month plus hiring costs and airfare tickets for the bi-annual home leave and return. Monthly salaries for Filipinas average S$350-S$400 and depend on the country of origin, experience and English language abilities. Indonesian maids are paid SGD 280 per month onwards. As usual expatriates tend to pay more than the locals. There is an additional food and toiletries allowance of S$150-180 if the maid is not eating the family's food and receives shampoo, soap and toothpaste from her employer. To ensure prompt salary payment, salaries need to be paid into the maid's bank account in Singapore. This is a useful option as bank transaction records of salary payment will useful in the event of any salary dispute. Foreign domestic workers who have been paid promptly by their employers can choose to keep their current arrangements.

To Be Free

We admired the flowing clouds
Nothing at all obstructing them
The colors of the sky we engraved in our memories
Are like that day and we hope it won't change
(Where should we go? To a place we haven't seen yet)
Time won't stop　Reach out your hand

We started running even though we were thirsty
Because we realized we wouldn't let our hearts be deceived
Without enhancing anything, just as we are
Simply going where the wind takes us, to be free

We laughed together in the sunlight
Our innocent voices are resounding even now
An overflowing amount of wishes that face tomorrow
Hoping they will shine, hoping they won't change
(You're not alone, so wipe your tears)
I think you'll realize what's important

We painted dreams even though we'd become transparent
Because we'll shine brighter than the unfaltering sun
Even leaving our sweat as it is
Simply searching for the light, to be free

Unable to look over our shoulders
We ran through to the end
Repeatedly going up and down, yeah
Those times were sometimes sweet, sometimes bittersweet

We started running even though we were thirsty
Because we realized we wouldn't let our hearts be deceived
Without enhancing anything, just as we are, to be free

We painted dreams even though we'd become transparent
Because we'll shine brighter than the unfaltering sun
Even leaving our sweat as it is

We started running even though we were thirsty
Because we realized we wouldn't let our hearts be deceived
Without enhancing anything, just as we are
Simply going where the wind takes us, to be free

自由 - Freedom

流れる雲に憧れた僕ら
遮るものなど何一つない
記憶の中に刻んだ空の色は
あの日のように　変わらぬように
(どこへ行こうか？まだ見ぬ場所へ）
時は止まらない、手を伸ばして


渇いたまま僕らは駈け出したんだ
ごまかせない心に気付いたから
何も飾らず、そのままで
風に吹かれ行くだけさ　To be free


日射しの中で笑い合った僕ら
無邪気な声が今も響いてる
溢れるほどの想いは明日に向かい
輝くように、変わらぬように
(一人じゃないさ、涙拭えば)
大切なものに気付くのだろう


透き通ったまま僕らは夢描いたんだ
諦めない太陽より煌めくから
流した汗もそのままで
光求め行くだけさ　To be free


振り返る事も出来ずに
走り抜けてきた僕ら
上り下り繰り返した　Yeah
それは時に甘くほろ苦い


渇いたまま僕らは駈け出したんだ
ごまかせない心に気付いたから
何も飾らず、そのままで　To be free


透き通ったまま僕らは夢描いたんだ
諦めない太陽より煌めくから
流した汗もそのままで


渇いたまま僕ら駈け出したんだ
ごまかせない心に気付いたから
なにも飾らず、そのままで
風に吹かれ行くだけさ