Chan Pei Ee

Chemical Engineer

Industry:

Engineering, GlaxoSmithKline

Country:

Malaysia

Been in Singapore for eight years
Currently a Singapore Permanent Resident

Rich career and training opportunities in Singapore have seen Pei Ee make satisfying professional strides, including a transition from her sales and marketing jobs to a technical one. Her family life is also taking off – Pei Ee, 31, who is married to a Malaysian working here, is expecting her first child.

A day in my life

1. 7.40 am

   Breakfast in the canteen – what’s it going to be today? Fried bee hoon, mee siam, wanton noodles... they all look scrumptious. Hey, I’m pregnant, I’m allowed to eat for two if I want!

2. 10.45 am

   Morning meetings are done and I’m now monitoring the line from my desk. My colleagues are on the production floor; they’ve been great about limiting my exposure to chemicals now that I’m expecting.

3. 12.00 pm

   Quick drive out to the Jurong Point for lunch – it’s a sprawling mall and I love the shopping buzz there. Feel like having Japanese food today. Wonder if that bag I spotted at a store nearby is still there...

4. 3.30 pm

   Pop round to our sister site for my favourite meeting. The PlayWell committee is discussing what our next company outing should be. It’s a somewhat raucous affair – all the jokers from every department are here today!

5. 6.00 pm

   I meet my husband after work and we go for my prenatal check-up together. I love that the clinic’s just 10 minutes from the office and it’s open till late. Who knew obstetric care could be so convenient? I plan to deliver in Singapore, where the prenatal healthcare is excellent, and we enjoy the support of our old friends from university and our colleagues here.

6. 8.00 pm

   Relaxing with a weekly Reiki session at a friend’s home. Our little group consists of a few Singaporeans, a Malaysian, and a Dutch – all advanced practitioners except me. I miss my old yoga workouts, though. Must remember to call about that prenatal yoga class someone recommended.

7. 10.00 pm

   Feeling energised after the Reiki session. I might blog about it... or better still, surf the Internet for somewhere new to visit this weekend. Two years after compiling my list of things to do and see in Singapore, I’m still only about halfway through! I’m always surprised by how much I’ve found to do here despite the size of the country.