I can't believe a week has already gone by since I've posted anything! I guess that's a testament to the fact that we are getting settled in and busier each day. Since my last post, I think I've become even more accident prone......I fell down the stairs (missed the last one) and had a nice bruise on my knee and elbow........and also, knocked the "snot" out of my head while doing laundry (hit it on the shelf). No need to try to explain those any further as it would take up too much space and the fact is that that was the outcome. I'm recovering though and haven't had any other "Missy Mistakes" since last week so maybe my luck has changed!A couple of good and new things have happened since last week. Ethan and I started the play group at Sunshine House School. We go 2 days a week (Thursdays and Fridays for now) from 10:30 - 12:00. It's been a little bit of an adjustment but we both enjoy it! He's learning his shapes and loves the songs and outdoor play. He doesn't care much for the snacks (kiwi fruit/apples/biscuits) and tends to loose interest during the 5 minute Mandarin lesson. I kind of don't blame him on that one because it's held at the very last 5 minutes of class and after almost an hour and half they all tend to loose interest and are exhausted, let alone try to concentrate to learn something completely foreign to them.....or maybe I'm talking more about myself! LOL And to brag just a little.....the teacher said today that he is "very sharp for his age!" Seems to be the running opinion in his schools so of course, I was beaming to hear that yet again from his teachers! With the size of his head, it's good to know he using all those brains up there (like his Daddy!).
The other good and new thing is that we found a helper! And only after 10 phone interviews, 5 home interviews, and 2 trials (2-4 hours of work at your house)! Her name is Janice and a she's 42 years old Filipino who's been working in HK for over 7 years. She came highly recommended from her previous employers who are moving back to Australia. She will live in with us and her contract begins Feb. 9th. It's been crazy and I know I've promised to post things about this process and our experience with it but it's been such a learning experience for us and a bit overwhelming. As my good friend Maddie said, "it's such a foreign idea and in a foreign country." And the truth is that I just haven't known where to even start. I'll make an attempt.....
Foreign Domestic Helper's (FDH) are often customary to hire in HK. I can't speak for anywhere else, though I'm sure this isn't the only place. They come here to work for families and to basically do all the domestic chores and "mind the children/dogs" as well. Almost 1/2 of what they make is typically sent back home to support their families. The minimum salary is $3,850HKD a month ($494 US) and then you add a food allowance ($300-$800HKD) and travel allowance (ferry/taxi/hire cars/bus/etc) which varies from employer to employer. We're treating Janice very very fair with her allowances and she seems very grateful for this - we just feel better about it and we want her to take care of herself and to be happy.
I always feel so bad about saying that she'll be living in our garage but it really isn't as bad as it sounds. Our garage is a separate area from our house and it's actually a very nice and large room (by the average standards here) off of the garage area. There is good size bathroom as well as A/C and we have a space heater already for her. I'll take pictures before she moves in so I can ease your curiosity here. I know I'd want to see it too!
We are responsible in accordance with the HK Labor Department to provide light and water supply, toilet and bathing facilities, a bed, bedding (pillows, sheets, quilt), and a wardrobe (closet). Other items that are not required but seem suggested are a desk and chair and a refrigerator - Janice will have these as well as a requested electric stove top (these are inexpensive but this will allow her to cook her food when she's off work and chooses not to take any of what she has prepared for us). Her days and hours will be the standard for a "Western Family" which will be from 8:00a.m.-8:00p.m. Monday-Saturday. Sundays here are family days and most of the FDH are off on this day. If you ever saw my photos from my first trip here in 2006 you might remember the one where all of them gather at the IFC building - spread blankets out and do each others hair/nails, play cards, eat, and socialize in this manner. Janice says she doesn't do this as you can get yourself in trouble with these people. She goes to church and then will go to the boarding house to meet her friends there. Other points that might be of interest is that we are responsible for her medical insurance which is very inexpensive ($10US a month) but very good coverage as well as for home leaves. Home leaves mean that we pay the cost of RT air fare to her home country 1 time per year that she works for us (it's a 2 year contract). No problem here as we have home leaves with UPS also once a year and will just send her home when we go. Unfortunately, I think we'll have to board the dogs when that happens. The cost is typically no more than $200US to send her RT from here to the Philippines.
Ok - well, I can't seem to think of anything else on that but I'll keep you posted on the application/contract submission to the Immigration Department. Janice and I will have to go together sometime next week to submit ALL of the paperwork. That trip should be very interesting! I hope we only have to make it once, especially with Ethan coming along for the ride! :0) I'm more than willing to answer any questions that I didn't cover in this post on this subject or you can look at this site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_domestic_helpers_in_Hong_Kong
That's it for now.....wishing you all warm and well.
