But Minda, our new helper, is honest in her humble opinions. I really enjoy hiring someone that I can level with. She doesn’t have many strings attached. She sends money home to her father and I presume she is saving for her retirement.
So far we are getting along well. To my astonishment, Minda is worried that I don’t give her enough work. For the past 13 years she had to clean 2 houses (Mr Ho’s house and Mrs. Ho’s house), tend a very large garden, cook meals, and chase after 2 children. She now has a single small flat and one (energetic) two year old to watch over. I think at times she doesn’t know what to do with herself.
Aaron and I were initially very hesitant about hiring a nanny. It wasn’t something we ever imagined we would do. Given all the changes we’ve experienced moving here, having someone else watch our daughter and clean our house has perhaps been the biggest culture shock of all. Though after only a few weeks, we’ve already asked each other, “What are we ever going to do without Minda?”

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