With the interview experience from Family A
I was less nervous for this interview
The family were staying about 15mins metro from home
In my favorite area of paris (Bastille!)
Is similar to haji lane in Singapore (replace the arab factor with jewish)
The family has 3 girls (3, 7, 9 years old)
I was a little stressed about managing 3 kids
but was so happy when the mother said that the 2 older girls love to read
She thinks that they will be tired after school
and i should let them read on their own after school
is their way to relax!
And they love to make art and craft!
Woohoo!
Same questions were asked as the previous interview
but the mother was warm and friendly
shook my hand when i arrived
even the husband shook my hand when he arrived
Okay, husband was friendly too just that he was fixing stuff, haha
She was like asking more personal questions
such as how im settling in france, my family etc
which made me really comfortable with the family
sadly, the girls were in holiday with their grandparents (ah french parenting)
that i did not get to meet them
Unlike the previous mother,
i felt this mother was more involved
she will be taking 2 weeks off in september
to help the girls to get used to school (first year for the 3 year old),
for me to bond with the girls and me to ease into the job (eg intro me to the school teacher)
which i think is really thoughtful
Unlike family A seems to think i can just ease in with a snap of finger
although i was to cook for the girls
the mother will prepare the food schedule and recipes
or i was just to heat up what the mother made the night before
in addition, they love asian food and to help cooking
i guess it will be fun!
The mother assured me that she worked nearby
and her parents stayed nearby
in case of any emergency or i cant come,
they will be there to help me and the girls
which assured me so much!
Regarding homework,
the mother will be helping them and i just need to entertain the other 2.
On days of my work, i will be wortking till 730pm
but mother will be home at 7pm
for their homework time while i am around..
Sounds good!
Before i asked about the salary,
the mother told me that the job will be declared and at euro12/hour
everything seems perfect and i was asked to wait for their reply.
And i received their email and everything was confirmed!
I was to start on 1st September, I am finally employed!!!
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Although family B only requires me to work 13 hours / week,
means less income than Family A.
I prefer the vibes with the parents and it will be managable when i start school
eg if im in school for 20hours / week
in addition, the parents normally has an ad-hoc night babysitter
when they want to have a night out
if im fine, they can hire me as the night babysitter which is easier for them
since they need not return to open door for the other babysitter
and i can earn extra income!
The best is the girls' bed time is 8pm..haha!
PS after i confirmed my job
the agency finally started to send me possible families that i can work with
there was none as near as family A and B
and pay was lower at about euro11/hour (gross)
worst was that each job has about 5-10 people who are applying
i am so glad that i found my own job!
Tuesday 26 August 2014
Friday 22 August 2014
The job interview - Family A
Apparently, it will cost parents euro19-25/hour to hire babysitters from agencies
and euro 10-15/hour to hire on their own
no wonder, i was able to find so many families advertising on craiglist
Families were about to get tax refund if they declare the babysitter
which entails some admin stuff, contract etcs
Since it will be good for me to pay taxes,
i decided that ill want to be declared and not working under the black market
The first family was staying 10mins walk from home (2 boys aged 7 and 9)
I was to meet the mother at their home
The interview was simpler than what i had at the agency
they did not give me situational questions related to emergencies etcs
just a brief talk about my background and why im here in France
then some discussion about my plans and upcoming schedule
Language was not a problem
as the mother and kids spoke with american accents
Apparently, they were staying in the US for a few years
The boys were cute and a little active
(they were playing on iphone, only because it was the holidays)
but lesser than my nieces and nephew at home
Regarding homework,
I was supposed to help the boys as much as i can
which im not so confident..
I was a little surprised at the lack of french gesture
The mother did not shake my hand when i arrived
but the grandmother got up from her seat to shake my hand and greeted me
even when i left, there was no handshake
I don't know is it because of the lack of french gesture
or just some vibes i got from the mother
I did felt not so comfortable about working for the family
however, the mother requested for me to come again in a few days
to meet up with the father
When i arrived home (or in 2days),
I received an email from the mother with an offer of euro11/hour (gross)
Husband and i googled and felt that maybe i should asked for euro12/hour
since i mentioned to the mother that im looking at euro 10-12/hour
so i sent an email to the mother whether they can consider euro12/hour
A few days later, i returned to meet the father
The father seems to be friendlier than the mother
Asking the same questions about my background, reasons to be in france etc
but he has a concern that i do not know my class schedule yet
however, he did asked more about husband and singapore..
I wondered is it because the mother was not here,
the boys seems more active but just playing UNO
I dont find them noisy, they were not shouting
but the father told them to lower their volume (Ah french parenting)
Mother arrived and told me that she will consider my request for euro12/hour
and get back to me again
Same thing, no handshakes
I still did not get the excited positive vibes to work for them
added that it was working 20hours / week which can be tiring for me
they did offered euro12/hour in their next email
however, i rejected them because I was confirmed by family B!
and euro 10-15/hour to hire on their own
no wonder, i was able to find so many families advertising on craiglist
Families were about to get tax refund if they declare the babysitter
which entails some admin stuff, contract etcs
Since it will be good for me to pay taxes,
i decided that ill want to be declared and not working under the black market
The first family was staying 10mins walk from home (2 boys aged 7 and 9)
I was to meet the mother at their home
The interview was simpler than what i had at the agency
they did not give me situational questions related to emergencies etcs
just a brief talk about my background and why im here in France
then some discussion about my plans and upcoming schedule
Language was not a problem
as the mother and kids spoke with american accents
Apparently, they were staying in the US for a few years
The boys were cute and a little active
(they were playing on iphone, only because it was the holidays)
but lesser than my nieces and nephew at home
Regarding homework,
I was supposed to help the boys as much as i can
which im not so confident..
I was a little surprised at the lack of french gesture
The mother did not shake my hand when i arrived
but the grandmother got up from her seat to shake my hand and greeted me
even when i left, there was no handshake
I don't know is it because of the lack of french gesture
or just some vibes i got from the mother
I did felt not so comfortable about working for the family
however, the mother requested for me to come again in a few days
to meet up with the father
When i arrived home (or in 2days),
I received an email from the mother with an offer of euro11/hour (gross)
Husband and i googled and felt that maybe i should asked for euro12/hour
since i mentioned to the mother that im looking at euro 10-12/hour
so i sent an email to the mother whether they can consider euro12/hour
A few days later, i returned to meet the father
The father seems to be friendlier than the mother
Asking the same questions about my background, reasons to be in france etc
but he has a concern that i do not know my class schedule yet
however, he did asked more about husband and singapore..
I wondered is it because the mother was not here,
the boys seems more active but just playing UNO
I dont find them noisy, they were not shouting
but the father told them to lower their volume (Ah french parenting)
Mother arrived and told me that she will consider my request for euro12/hour
and get back to me again
Same thing, no handshakes
I still did not get the excited positive vibes to work for them
added that it was working 20hours / week which can be tiring for me
they did offered euro12/hour in their next email
however, i rejected them because I was confirmed by family B!
The job search
Reflecting on my studies and career,
i realised being a counsellor / social worker is so country, language and culture restricted
added that i cant speak french
it seems impossible to go back to my profession for a long
when i am in paris
however, im bored to be a full time housewife
especially when im not a rich tai tai and i have no friends here
so i was really stressed out to find any job to keep me occupied
and earn some si fang qian
with no knowledge of french, is really hard to find a job
even i have to speak french if i work in mcdonalds..
i started to google and realised most english speakers start with babysitting job
babysitters seems to be in great demand in paris
as schools end at about 4pm and parents end work at 6pm
english speaking babysitters are appreciated
since parents want their kids to be exposed to english at a young age
however, i am not confident about being employed as a babysitter
especially when im asian, where people assume english is not out native language
for the past few months, i sent many cv and emails to babysitter employment agency
and hope for the best
maybe because it was the coming of summer holidays
and kids are in vacation
i did not receive any replies / positive reply
but i received an interview appointment with 1 agency
and was "hired" in the sense that their customers can access my profile
to hired me etcs
so i was really happy
Sadly, summer came and i have no updates about interested parents
and i grew desparate again
Thinking maybe i can work as a cleaner or dishwasher
okay, im that bored at home...
As my sister was looking for babysitter for her geneva trip,
she asked me about craiglist
i never had a good idea of craiglist
because i thought is some weird forum to sell stuff or social escort service
but i decide to try my luck at craiglist.
I was surprise with the amount of families looking for babysitters
so i just email all that seems do-able for me (with my classes starting..)
i did received some replies
and surprisingly, i have 2 families who want to interview me!
1 family is staying 10 minutes walk from my home
while the other was 15mins metro away
Yes, i see the light at the end of the tunnel!
i realised being a counsellor / social worker is so country, language and culture restricted
added that i cant speak french
it seems impossible to go back to my profession for a long
when i am in paris
however, im bored to be a full time housewife
especially when im not a rich tai tai and i have no friends here
so i was really stressed out to find any job to keep me occupied
and earn some si fang qian
with no knowledge of french, is really hard to find a job
even i have to speak french if i work in mcdonalds..
i started to google and realised most english speakers start with babysitting job
babysitters seems to be in great demand in paris
as schools end at about 4pm and parents end work at 6pm
english speaking babysitters are appreciated
since parents want their kids to be exposed to english at a young age
however, i am not confident about being employed as a babysitter
especially when im asian, where people assume english is not out native language
for the past few months, i sent many cv and emails to babysitter employment agency
and hope for the best
maybe because it was the coming of summer holidays
and kids are in vacation
i did not receive any replies / positive reply
but i received an interview appointment with 1 agency
and was "hired" in the sense that their customers can access my profile
to hired me etcs
so i was really happy
Sadly, summer came and i have no updates about interested parents
and i grew desparate again
Thinking maybe i can work as a cleaner or dishwasher
okay, im that bored at home...
As my sister was looking for babysitter for her geneva trip,
she asked me about craiglist
i never had a good idea of craiglist
because i thought is some weird forum to sell stuff or social escort service
but i decide to try my luck at craiglist.
I was surprise with the amount of families looking for babysitters
so i just email all that seems do-able for me (with my classes starting..)
i did received some replies
and surprisingly, i have 2 families who want to interview me!
1 family is staying 10 minutes walk from my home
while the other was 15mins metro away
Yes, i see the light at the end of the tunnel!
Thursday 21 August 2014
Dernier Bar Avant La Fin Du Monde
I can't remember which friday it was
but we went to this pub before meeting husband's friends
the translation of the pub name is "Last bar before the end of the world"
Is a geek pub, haha
basically where you can play games,
similar to those board games cafe in Singapore
with more decorations and is a pub
husband always wanted to visit it
and we finally made it
yes, my husband is a geek
is not as great decorated as we imagined
games were more books / games / series related
and the drinks were expensive
thank goodness we were there at happy hour
well, i guess is the only geek pub in paris..
Oh there's a game attached to the male urinal
Pee to play.. Haha
but we went to this pub before meeting husband's friends
the translation of the pub name is "Last bar before the end of the world"
Is a geek pub, haha
basically where you can play games,
similar to those board games cafe in Singapore
with more decorations and is a pub
husband always wanted to visit it
and we finally made it
yes, my husband is a geek
is not as great decorated as we imagined
games were more books / games / series related
and the drinks were expensive
thank goodness we were there at happy hour
well, i guess is the only geek pub in paris..
Oh there's a game attached to the male urinal
Pee to play.. Haha
Friday 8 August 2014
Singapore food party
1 of husband's friend suggested for me to prepare a Singapore food party
So, i started research on Singaporean food recipes
while husband complains that i never made Singaporean food at home
it is difficult to identify the national dish of singapore
That does not clash with south east asia or asia..
with limited ingredients in Paris and my limited skills..
Anyway, i have identify a possible menu
nothing too strange to scare the french and do-able..
Starter - Bite size curry puffs (spicy) and sardine puffs
I guess curry puffs can be considered related to Singapore
I was surprised that the pastry was quite simple to make
The outcome was good in terms of taste but i guess i need to practice on the wrapping
I tried to bake for a healthier version
but realised that frying them taste better
husband said that baking taste more like a pastry and frying makes it unique
Main - Hainanese chicken rice with oyster sauce veg and tofu?
Although joyce brought the instant hainanese pack from Singapore
I decided to cook it without the instant pack
but i used the chilli and ginger sauce for husband to taste the unique sauces
the chicken seems to be too small that it didnt have the fats that should accompany the skin
husband loved the dish and was wondering why i didnt cook it earlier
Anyway, i was supposed to cook with ginger , which i didnt have..
and need start to try to make the sauces..
Not sure what is good to go with the chicken rice
i can only remember that oyster sauce veg can be ordered along the dish in singapore
so i guess i will make a veg with oyster sauce as a side
husband will like a tofu dish for his friends to try
buit sadly, the tofu i made seems more chinese dish than Singapore dish
I need to think what tofu to make
Dessert - Tao suan and Sweet beancurd
im gonna try provide 2 desserts in case the texture turns anyone off
I guess these are the simplest to make but i need pandan leaves for tao suan!
Guess i need go search for possible pandan flavor in shops
I hope no ones ends up in food poisoning..
So, i started research on Singaporean food recipes
while husband complains that i never made Singaporean food at home
it is difficult to identify the national dish of singapore
That does not clash with south east asia or asia..
with limited ingredients in Paris and my limited skills..
Anyway, i have identify a possible menu
nothing too strange to scare the french and do-able..
Starter - Bite size curry puffs (spicy) and sardine puffs
I guess curry puffs can be considered related to Singapore
I was surprised that the pastry was quite simple to make
The outcome was good in terms of taste but i guess i need to practice on the wrapping
I tried to bake for a healthier version
but realised that frying them taste better
husband said that baking taste more like a pastry and frying makes it unique
Main - Hainanese chicken rice with oyster sauce veg and tofu?
Although joyce brought the instant hainanese pack from Singapore
I decided to cook it without the instant pack
but i used the chilli and ginger sauce for husband to taste the unique sauces
the chicken seems to be too small that it didnt have the fats that should accompany the skin
husband loved the dish and was wondering why i didnt cook it earlier
Anyway, i was supposed to cook with ginger , which i didnt have..
and need start to try to make the sauces..
Not sure what is good to go with the chicken rice
i can only remember that oyster sauce veg can be ordered along the dish in singapore
so i guess i will make a veg with oyster sauce as a side
husband will like a tofu dish for his friends to try
buit sadly, the tofu i made seems more chinese dish than Singapore dish
I need to think what tofu to make
Dessert - Tao suan and Sweet beancurd
im gonna try provide 2 desserts in case the texture turns anyone off
I guess these are the simplest to make but i need pandan leaves for tao suan!
Guess i need go search for possible pandan flavor in shops
I hope no ones ends up in food poisoning..
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