I’m very flattered by the amount of inquiries and comments I’m getting on my previous article “How to Hire a Domestic Helper in Hong Kong“.  I’m also glad that I am able to provide assistance where I can in an area where there isn’t much public information on the whole picture in English.
As an aside, I’ve been getting many questions about “How I Trained My Domestic Helper”.  I do mention that I (or other parties, like my mother and mother-in-law) helped in training her.  It’s nothing like a formal program, …

I specifically say HONG KONG walls because the type of mildew or mold or fungus or growth or whatever you’re getting growing year after year on your walls, is not the same as the species as those in North America.  Many articles found online are from less humid and damp places around the world, so this article has a targeted geography.  I guess, if you’re living in Taiwan, South East Asia, Macau, it would apply.  The conditions would be:

Relative humidity of 60% and more a great deal of the year
Areas with …

I’m kind of kicking myself for writing this so late.  It’s only because I’ve recently had many friends give birth to children and they are ASKING me for confinement details that I’ve decided to write a post on it and then send it to them instead of answering their lengthy emails and then going into more depth when they call.  I don’t mind giving details and I certainly don’t mind assisting as much as I physically can, but isn’t easier to just consolidate all my learning on to a page?  …

I’ve recently had friends ask me how to do this since they were newly graduated or thinking about changing locales in where they work.  I actually found my job in Hong Kong even before I moved to Hong Kong (as with many people I know who are currently in Hong Kong).  So where do you start?  You don’t even live there!  Here are a few suggestions to help you along the way if you’re thinking about making the jump to another country, but try to answer the few questions below …

Assuming you do have a domestic helper and you want to travel outside of the country, this article is for you.  If you don’t have a domestic helper, maybe you can read this first: “How to Hire a Domestic Helper in Hong Kong.”
Planning ahead
If you’re considering taking your domestic helper with you while traveling abroad, it’s helpful to plan ahead.  I know some people may balk at me and say “why on earth do you need a helper to travel with you?”, but when you’re traveling alone with 2 young …

Many of my friends are pretty impressed that I’ve managed to get my 6-month old baby to sleep independently (meaning, no mommy around most of the time – no helper either OK?).  She will be bathed, fed, burped and put down in her cot ALONE and AWAKE and will eventually drift off to sleep.
 
I am writing this post as a continuation of a previous post “Kids Need Sleep“.  So if you’re new to this post, I’d suggest reading that first to get a better understanding of my very strong position …

“If you have a domestic helper, you have heartaches.  If you don’t have a domestic helper, you have hand aches.”  This is my mom speaking.  Obviously doesn’t work as well translated in English, but you get the gyst. 
 
I am currently on my 3rd domestic helper within the span of a year.  If you’re lucky, you get a great helper.  If you’re not, you get one who can potentially be lazy, a horrible cook, dishonest and just darn right bad.  My current helper is amazing.  I’ve only had her for 2 …