In China, groups of "Tai Jian" gave up their marriages because of their jobs. However, she chooses to be single because of her religion.
She is Sister Laura Watt, one of the nuns in St. Paul's Convent.
In 1969, she made the most important decision in her life-- dedicating her life to God.
Said she: "My mom is a Christian. However, I became a Catholic when I was studying in a Catholic secondary school.
"My Catholic church gives me support, sense of security and
sense of belonging. Therefore, I am devoted to all church activities.
"I find it meaningful to serve God and my Church. This is why I choose to be a nun."
Many people think that being a nun means sacrificing one's career and marriage.
However, Sister Watt disagreed.
"Both the Church and my family are important to me. What I did is to choose a better one for myself.
"I prefer living with a large group of people who share the same religion and target with me. Therefore, it is not a sacrifice," she said.
Almost every parent hopes his or her children will get married and have children. Sister Watt's parents are no exception.
"My parents, especially my mom, did not want me to be a nun. She cried as she thought she would lose me.
"However, I am the daughter who accompanies her the most now. Because my brothers and sisters have their own families, they spend less time with my parents.
"Therefore, I'm the one whom my mom usually talks to when she has problems," she said.
With her family's support, Sister Watt is now enjoying her life.
Nun's activities are not confined to praying and singing. They have to follow a timetable. Everyday Sister Watt and other nuns wake up early in the morning and the first thing they do is to pray and sing to praise God. The remaining three prayers are conducted at noon, in the afternoon and at night.
In the afternoons, they spend time thinking and reading the Bible or attending the eucharist. Private time is available only after nine at night.
Besides the daily schedule, all nuns abide by three rules.
Said she: "The first rule is poverty. It means all nuns must not have any possessions.
"I am a nun and a nurse at the same time. The salary I earn is not
mine but the Convent's. I can tell God my soul is completely dedicated to him."
The rule of virginity means "not to get married".
"Some people challenge us that not getting married is abnormal, but we can do better to serve God because we need not shoulder the burden of family," she added.
And the last rule is obedience.
"Being a nun, we need to follow the instructions given by the Pope, Bishop, Superior and Superior of the Convent. If they assign us to Africa to serve God, we need to go there."
Getting used to be a nun is not easy. Thus, all Catholics who
want to be nuns need to receive an eight-year training.
At the beginning, all interested parties live in a convent for a short period of time to see whether they can get used to the new life.
Then, a two-year probation period begins.
In these two years, they live with nuns in the convent and learn to abide by the three rules.
Then, they have another three years to make the final decision.
Afterwards, those who are determined need to make a permanent vow. They must be nuns for their whole lives unless they get permission from the Pope.
Recalling the days in the Convent, her life is sometimes filled with frustration.
Said she: "When I worked in St. Paul's Hospital, one of my patients died and her relative was on the brink of collapse.
"I could not understand her feeling as I do not have the experience of losing my beloved."
Regardless of her future, Sister Watt cherishes the life of being a nun.
"A precious diamond needs rubbing continually.
"Nuns are like diamonds. Facing the challenges ahead, we need the company of one another to make our lives shine," she said.
