In Australia, when people know I don’t have a religion, they will be a bit surprised: “Really, you don't have one?” It seems odd to them.

However, 20 years ago, when I worked in a state-run company in Shanghai, there were very few religious people among 600 employees.

I knew one nice Christian man; colleagues especially reminded me: “His family believes Jesus.” He seemed unique to me.

At that time, a Christian is rare in China. Recently, the increasing numbers of people are becoming Buddhists or Christians, etc.

In my memory, the Christian colleague was a very kind one, who was different from most of the others.

He has never said anything bad behind people; he’s a pleasant man always with smiling face.

That’s the impression I’ve got from a religious person. Because I lived with the family in Shanghai, I wasn’t eager to make friends with him.

It was until 2003, the first time I left the family to a brand new world. I arrived in Australia with limited English speaking and listening skills.

Then I could tell what loneliness was, I cried the first night but must stop because no one was going to help me except I had to rely on myself.

Otherwise, I’d back to China- the dream I had pursued so long would be over shortly.

It was summer school holiday the time I studied 10-week English short course in the language centre. Therefore, only some Asians and very few Aussies stayed in Chisholm College.

One day, I saw a few Chinese floor mates were having potluck dinner, I asked: “May I join you next time?” The organiser, a Shanghai girl looked at me without saying “Yes or no”.

At Christmas Eve, I was happy to invite that girl to join a Christmas BBQ arranged by the college, but she refused: “No, I won’t attend unless the other girl is going with me.”

I’ve got a feeling she didn’t like me very much.

Well, that’s ok; then I went to the party by myself and met lovely people there.

Eventually, Uni started, how exciting!!! There were about 12 international and local students moved onto my floor.

I was warmed up by an adorable Malaysian girl, Cai Yun; she’s one of the sweetest girls I had ever met in my life.

I didn’t know her at all, but she treated me as one of her family members.

One day, she knocked on my door: “Hi, Sweetolive, please have a bowl of ABC soup I cooked.” She said with beautiful soft voice.

In summer, she's always the first one got up and prepared a pot of bamboo soup for our floormates.

She used to invite me to have cakes and desserts she made. Also, I was most welcome to join the picnics she organised with her friends.

That’s the way she changed my attitude towards people who were mean and nasty previously I met.

There are amazing ones in this world.

She’s the sunshine which brought me happiness, that’s how I felt Uni life the best moment.

I noticed Cai Yun went to the Church on weekends- she is a Christian.

At the workplace, a team leader was so rude; he shouted at me in front of others without considering my feeling, I felt insulted so that I quit the job without a doubt.

However, from there, I still miss a Sri Lankan lady, Chandanie, who used to smile at me during lunch break we talked to each other.

She was a lawyer in her home country; then moved to Australia and did office work with me.

She’s so patient in listening; she would like to try her best to help me out whenever I had difficulties in handling with work.

She is doing a job while taking care of three children; meanwhile, she’s enrolling an online course to get a certificate in accounting.

Just for doubt check, I texted her tonight: “Are you a Christian, Chandanie?” “Yes, why?” “I guess so because you are very nice.”

This year, when I did casual accounts work, one day, I was late for work and walked in a hurry.

After entering the office, I sweated so much on my face. A lady saw my hair wet; she urged me to have a rest though I was not ready to do that.

In a while, she asked me to find a few invoices although that was her job.

While I was sitting in front of the computer, I heard two ladies were arguing. A Sri Lankan lady, Angelina was telling the other one to stop doing that: “You can’t ask Sweetolive to do your work.”

When the girl was a bit bossy and requested me to have dinner at a particular time, again, Angelina told her: “Sweetolive is upset, you can’t treat a new employee like that; anyone has right to do what she likes.”

I was thrilled; Angelia was so brave to help a new person in the company without worrying to offend a superior one who has been working with the company for eight years, while Angelia only works for one year.

Normally, from my job experience, at most places, there are very nice ones and bitches, but no one has ever stood out to help a person who is new and useless.

I told Angelina: “Thank you very much, you are so helpful, I love working with you”.

Angelina said: “No worries I did lots of temporary jobs before, I know how to deal with those people, I am not afraid of them because God will support me.” 

How strong she is, she’s my hero.

The three gorgeous Christian ladies, they are the best, without them, that would be difficult for me to stay in Australia.

In 2017, I am surrounded by Christians, when I worked at Salvation Army, which is run by the church; all the colleagues I worked with were very kind.

After that, Hugh, from English passion, who invited me to join an English group, most of them are Christians.

Brian is also a Christian, who made comments to my blogs which gave me lots of inspiration and confidence as he said that my writing had brought the positive influence to his dream to become a writer.

Wow, I was so happy to hear that, that’s the value I brought to a reader and the best feeling I’ve got.

When Hugh told me how happy he is for being a Christian, he would like to share his wonderful experience with me, but I said: “Sorry, I know they are the fabulous ones, but I can’t make a commitment at this stage.”

If one day, I changed my mind, probably, Christianity is the first choice I will select.

I don’t think life has a purpose in Australia without these terrific friends. 

If I only earn money and work with nasty colleagues eight hours a day, then I’d better go back to China.

Thanks so much for all the beautiful ones who had ever stayed with me and tried to give me a hand when I was nothing and couldn’t bring them any benefit.

They are the real friends. That’s the way I love Australia.

Please don't be afraid of going to a new country, there are always nice ones waiting for you, it will always be better than what you imagined.

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