I was inspired to write this entry after reading a friend’s status on Facebook a few weeks ago. She is a Malaysian currently residing in Singapore.
In her status, she expressed frustration over her Filipino maid because “she wants weekends off like her friends in America”. Then, she went on to say that her maid is only entitled for one day off per month but she is already giving her another day extra and still, the maid complains.
I felt gutted…
Only two days off a month on one of the most stressful jobs – taking care of small kids everyday? With no specified daily working hours or job specification? I am sure taking care of kids plus managing a household is no easy feat, otherwise why would one need domestic help?
Is it because of the fact that she is a “maid” makes her undeserving of rest day(s) and personal time each week like any employee?
Even office workers, who get weekends off and additional annual leave complain of job-related stress. Why the double standard?
Is the ”maid” here to provide assistance as an employee or a slave? Or perhaps a robot?
Reading Genn’s observations, can these (often) young foreigners working in Singapore or Malaysia be blamed if they are not exactly “performing”? They are exhausted!
Like any other employees (e.g. you and I), when unhappy with the job or boss (i.e. no job satisfaction), do you think they will have a heart to be dedicated while on the job?
One of the comments on her status read, ”Get Indons instead, they are more obedient and less stubborn”.
Contemplating between watching the Rugby World Cup (RWC) opening ceremony at Eden Park being telecast live on TV at home or at the Queen’s Wharf near Viaduct with thousands and thousands of others on a super big screen, I chose the former and said “No” to my friend Serene as she asks for the last time if I wanted to join her before she leaves the office……..I ended up changing my mind 20 minutes after that and called up Serene to meet in town.
I thought the fact that I happen to be in Auckland during such a major sports event is a good enough reason to not miss the fever.
A very crowded Queen Street
This is my first time attending a mass party since years ago when I went to Kuala Lumpur city centre for the 2003 New Year’s countdown party and fireworks.
I could already feel the excitement as I walked with hundreds and hundreds of Rugby fans making their way down Queen Street to the waterfront. Many of them with flags, face paint, wigs, costumes and really really loud cheers. It was only 4.00pm.
By 5.00pm, my friends and I were standing in the middle of thousands, packed like sardines in front of a big screen waiting for the live telecast at 7.30pm. The crowd was still growing.
Rugby fans
Police chased off people from the roof of a nearby hut. They ignored the police and kept waving their flags! Many fans were screaming out country names. Then other fans screamed out their own country names in retaliation. The screaming continued for a while. We snapped pictures of ourselves. A woman flashed her titties from the balcony of another building. We stood there in the middle of all the craziness for hours and starving!
The police chasing people off the roof
(I do realise that I am writing about a major event and I have only 3 pictures from my mobile phone to post. Some blogger I am!)
After a few songs by the live band and a Haka dance performance, it was time for the opening ceremony! All eyes were locked on the screen.
It was beautifully done. I thought the Maori culture and history was woven nicely into the ceremony. I especially loved the rich and lively projection on the floor, the dance formations and of course the powerful Haka performance. More cheers and screams from people.
Here’s the video (in 4 parts):
I thought the RWC anthem wasn’t strong enough to match the energy of the ceremony. The loud music was drowning out the local singer’s voice. But overall it was a spectacular affair.
Then there were fireworks from where we were standing. They were everywhere, I literally didn’t know where to look. Two men were marching down vertically from the building in front of my eyes. On wires of course! Choir singing from the balcony. Performances in different places around Auckland. More fireworks. It was all very grand!
I took zero pictures or videos of fireworks because I know I can find better ones on You Tube. And the best one is of course from TVNZ
After all was done, we braved through the crowds back onto Queen Street to find food!
Fortunately for us, we got out quick enough. There were reports of the crowd getting a little crazy towards the end with people falling and getting stepped on! I saw at least 5 ambulances throughout the course of that night. I hope no one was seriously hurt.
Anyhow, I am glad I went. And later that night, the All Blacks won their first RWC match against Tonga.
As I was finishing my coffee, it started to rain. I decided to wait a little while until it stops before I go out the door to catch the bus to university.
After a good 10 minutes, it looked like it’s not going to stop anytime soon. So I put on my shoes and made my way to the bus stop. Without my umbrella. It broke weeks ago and I have yet to buy a new one. I shouldn’t have procrastinated. Ahh well.
Instead of the usual 800-meter and otherwise pleasant walk to the bus stop, I decided to take a detour to cut the distance in half. I made my way to another closer bus stop so that I didn’t have to stay in the rain so much. I’ll have to pay slightly more in bus fare but I’ve expected to do that on rainy days.
By the time I reached the bus stop, my toes were soaked in cold water, my jacket smeared with rain and my face numb from braving the cold wind. What a way to start the week.
The only consolation was the bus came in less than 2 minutes. Just as I was getting settled on the bus, it stopped raining. Not only that, it was very sunny. “Perfect” timing.
As the bus approached my stop, it started raining again! It’s like it was waiting to rain on me.
Anyhow, I thought I should really get that umbrella now. So I walked towards a shop in the university. In the rain.
After paying the cashier, I walked out the shop with my new umbrella to a bright and sunny day. Just to rub it in one last time.
Last Thursday the 7th, I noticed a little spike on my daily blog stats. Just a little….. Not as significant as being Freshly Pressed but noticeable enough for me to be curious.
What a pleasant surprise to find out that CNN linked to me!
Yep, ST's me!
Many weeks ago, they did a compilation fo the World’s 50 Most Delicious Food. There was quite a buzz in the comment section. Some furious that their national food was “overlooked” while others argued that some in the list should be disqualified!
I, on the other hand, enjoyed reading the list and appreciated the recommendations of good food (complete with yummy pictures!) without thinking too much of the rankings ;)
Anyhow, Chilli Crabs was number 35. And since I had just made chilli crabs myself, I thought I’d just leave a comment and a link to my recipe. Nothing happened after that and I soon forgot about the whole thing.
Then last Thursday, CNN did a follow-up post and highlighted my link! Yes, finally I can be famous!
Of course I was very happy! The visits from CNN has since died down fairly quickly but I am still very pleased.
Tonight will be a big night for New Zealand. The Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC) is opening tonight in Auckland! All eyes on New Zealand.
The Eden Park Stadium is just a mere 10 minutes drive from my new place. But of course, there would be road closures and 10 minutes drive means 30 minutes walk today. Am I going? I didn’t get the tickets and I am not a sports person anyway.
But I can’t help catching a slight RWC fever myself. Passing in front of Eden Park daily seeing all the signboards, flags, rugby fans occasionally (and suddenly) screaming their country names on the streets….yeah pretty hard to miss!
The new Eden Park Stadium in my neighbourhood
Today I’ll leave early to avoid the traffic and stay home to watch the opening ceremony on TV instead of watching it live at Eden Park or even to be at the city tonight where there will be thousands of people gathering to celebrate with fireworks. I know, I am boring……!
But, but…….I do look forward to the live coverage on TV with heaps of eye candy in the form of muscular rugby players from all over the globe! And of course the infamous Haka dance.
The All Blacks team doing the Haka dance
The least I can do is show my love on Facebook
Go ALL BLACKS!!! (That’s the NZ rugby team and the only team I know…..)
I’ve been a lousy blogger yet again for abandoning my blog for weeks!
Terry and I are moving again! There are so much to do, so much to organise, so much to buy. The fact that we have such a clutter problem makes it almost a nightmare! But at the same time, we are excited to move to a bigger place.
On the other hand, studies have been keeping me busy. My work has come to the level where I can start working towards publishing an academic journal paper so that my work gets recognised. Very happy about that. But first I have to work out some really difficult maths to make my work strong enough. Don’t even know if I am capable of that but I am trying!
I have heaps of pictures of my cooking and lots of things I want to talk about but haven’t really found the time to sit down and blog. Hopefully by the time we are settled in our new place, my blogging routine will get back to normal again!
In the meantime, Happy Eid Mubarak to all my Muslims friends!
