Grateful 14 Mar: Training (1)

I had a long and tiring day today, conducting another round of training. But it was also a fulfilling day, as always, because I know I am helping my learners learn. So here is my gratitude entry for today. 

• Morning walk. I woke up at 5:40am, as usual, whenever I have to conduct training. I need to be ready by 8:30am at the latest, and I know I will be too caught up with the training until the evening. So I woke up early to do my daily walk. While I do not particularly enjoy waking up early, I did enjoy the cool early morning walk at 6am before daybreak. Today was especially pleasant for several reasons. Firstly, it was the weekend, so there was no weekday traffic to contend with and the park was quiet. Also, the March school holidays have started, so many people have probably taken leave or are sleeping in later than usual. As a result, I was able to do my walk without being disturbed by the usual morning joggers or families. All these factors made my walk extra pleasant and I am thankful. 

• Training. I had delivered today’s topic several times, and am familiar with the content - so familiar that I can deliver it “artfully”. Nonetheless, I was glad that I made the effort to review the materials again to ensure that I was sufficiently refreshed on both the content and the activities. I am thankful that the effort paid off. I was able to share more real-life examples in addition to the rather difficult content that I was expected to deliver. I strongly feel that providing real-life examples and sharing my personal experiences helps learners connect better with the theories. 

• Learners. Most of the learners were new to the topic and found it challenging to keep up as the day went on. Thankfully, I was able to adjust my pace to better support them. The day ended well, with every learner saying that they were comfortable with the pace of delivery and activities, and that they had learned something from the session. Of course, the real test of my effectiveness will be tomorrow when they sit for the assessment. Let’s hope every single one of them passes. 

I am glad I had enough energy at the end of the day to go through all the activity slides that the learners developed during the session, and to make sure they can use them as references in the future. It was a long and tiring day, but a meaningful one. I look forward to Day 2 of the module tomorrow.

Grateful 13 Mar (2): Ego Boosting Day

Today was supposed to be uneventful, and in many ways it was - except for one interesting experience. Cheekily, I’d say it boosted my ego and it was certainly a huge contrast compared to what happened yesterday. Let me share a little more, starting with the uneventful ones.

• Warm Experiences. I visited the Bedok South hawker centre today for lunch and realised that I had not eaten pork porridge for quite a while. Thankfully the stall was open and the owner’s wife was there taking orders as usual. I paid using my government-issued vouchers. The thing about these vouchers is that most shops do not give change, so we often have to combine them with cash or digital payments to make up the exact amount. But this stall allows me to pay more than the item cost and will give me the change in cash. Such arrangement works very well for me because the coffee stall I usually go to accepts only cash. After getting my porridge, I went to the coffee stall to order my usual caffein fix. The coffee uncle (actually he’s about my age) is so used to my order that he asked his staff to prepare it even before I said anything - kopi-o kosong, mai ka muah (black coffee, no sugar, not too full/ partially filled). This has been my usual order since many years ago as I wanted to limit my coffee intake. I was surprise he remembered my order as I had not visited his stall for months! These small interactions reminded me how stall owners recognise their regulars and remember their usual orders, and such simple familiarity brings much warmth to the experience. I’m thankful for these small, everyday connections. 

• CDC Vouchers. I’m also thankful for the vouchers issued under the CDC Vouchers Scheme. These are given to households as a way of providing support and the amount vary every year. Over the past few years, households have received hundreds of dollars annually for reasons that had evolved since the scheme started: initially to help offset the 1% GST increase, and later to cushion the impact of rising living costs due to inflation post-COVID, etc. These vouchers can be used at neighbourhood hawker stalls and heartland shops or supermarkets and is also a mean to help these neighbour businesses sustain themselves. On average, the amount given to me each year translates to free lunches for almost 4 - 5 months in real terms. So today’s lunch was one small reminder of how such policies quietly support everyday living. As a freelancer, I am grateful for this scheme.

• An unexpected ego boost. Yesterday, someone - not particularly young - offered me his seat on the MRT, which created my "happy yet WTF" moment. "WTF" cos it probably bruised my ego (heh heh...). Today I had another experience that, cheekily speaking, gave my ego a small boost instead.  You see, after lunch, I went to a shopping centre to window shop and visited the toilet. As I was at the urinal, I noticed someone - probably in his late 30s - washing his hands at the basin and beoing (looking at/ cruising) me through the mirror. The next thing I knew, he came over and stood at the urinal next to me. That was a little unusual, since most people would leave an empty space between urinals. As he stood there, he kept glancing at me - up and “down”. The signals were obvious. But I didn’t respond and left. He then followed me out and walked quickly ahead of me towards the next toilet, turning his head frequently - quite obviously inviting me to follow him... Ok, shan't go into details. Suffice to day, nothing happened. But his behaviour clearly suggested that he was keen in some toilet fun. It has been ages since I experienced such “invite”, and I must admit it gave my ego a little boost. I’m thankful for this moment in what was otherwise a simple day. 

So yes, that was my day. It would have been rather routine had it not been for that small episode at the shopping centre. Reflecting, it was funny how the most ordinary days like today can provide such small, warm and amusing moments - a familiar hawker stall, a coffee uncle who remembers my order, and an unexpected encounter that, admittedly stirred me a bit down there... Heh... and for all these moments on an otherwise routine day, I am grateful. And oh, I just realised today is Friday, the 13th. Ok, that's a little random!

:-)

Grateful Mar 13 (1): The Delivery Man

Tonight, I got a call from a Malaysian number about my regular medication delivery. At first, I thought, “Scam alert!” - but then I noticed a message from the same number asking if anyone was home. I picked up the call. The guy spoke in Malay, sounding a little flustered, asking where I was. He had been going round the area but couldn't find my place. Luckily for him (and me), I can speak enough Malay to understand and respond. I told him I’ll sent my Google location. 

That he spoke in Malay made me conclude he’s Muslim and I wondered - has he broken his fast? This is the fasting month and it was already about 8pm, way past Maghrib - the evening prayer and break fast time. As a non-Muslim, I don't have anything halal to offer. So I hurriedly prepared a can of Coke and two packets of biscuits for him. Soon enough, he arrived at my door. After handing over the medication, I asked if he had eaten, and he confirmed he had not - just some bread and a quick drink. He needed to finish his deliveries first, he said. I offered him the Coke and biscuits, and he gratefully accepted before heading off. He texted me after leaving: “Terima kasih bagi air dan biskut!” (Thank you for giving the drink and biscuits!) 

Poor guy! I could tell he was running purely on determination (and maybe a bit of stubbornness). It made me pause. I wasn’t thinking about my medication or the fact that a Malaysian was delivering it - I was thinking about him, working on an empty stomach during Ramadan. So here’s a heartfelt wish: Ramadan Kareem & Selamat Berpuasa! And a little reminder: sometimes the smallest acts - like offering food or a smile - can mean a lot.

I am a blessed person. Thank you.

Grateful 12 Mar: Hahaha…

Today I found myself in a happy yet somewhat WTF situation. It was quite funny when I thought about it, and it certainly broke the monotony of what had otherwise been a peaceful day. Here are the details - and I am thankful for the day too. 

• Nice catch-up. There are those friends with whom you can share your darkest - and even your sexiest - secrets, things you might not even talk about with your partner. And I do have one such friend, whom I affectionately address as “Sister”. We had a very nice catch-up this afternoon. It has been quite a while since we last met face-to-face, and I am glad to see that he is doing well. I have known him for close to 19 years, and he has seen both the best and the worst of me through my relationships and career. Friends like these are rare, and I am grateful for his presence in my life. 

• Beautiful walk. I took the MRT to Botanic Gardens and walked towards the Central Catchment area, eventually reaching MacRitchie Reservoir. It has been a while since I last took a late afternoon walk, and I was glad I did so today. The walk took me through the private estates fringing University Road, past the busy PIE, and Bukit Brown Cemetery. The transition from the busy post-office-hour traffic to the quiet peace of the forest was quite a contrast. Once I entered the forest, it immediately felt calmer. The natural environment energised me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am thankful that in this highly urbanized island, there are still such natural environments for us to enjoy. 

• Ermmm… the happy yet WTF moment. After my walk at MacRitchie Reservoir, I took the MRT home. I felt somewhat tired and I guessed my tiredness showed. When I boarded the train, a man stood up and offered me his seat. It felt totally weird! He was probably in his early-50s, and honestly he looked less fit than I did, with a protruding stomach and all. I politely declined his offer, but he insisted. To avoid drawing further attention, I thanked him and simply sat down. I supposed my post-shower messy salt-and-pepper hair must have either made me looked extra tired or extra old! On one hand, I was happy to rest. Yet on the other hand, being offered a seat by someone in his early-50s… that was definitely a WTF moment for me. Still, I am grateful to that gentleman for his offer.

I end the day feeling grateful for: a nice catch up with a friend, the quiet energy of nature, and the unexpected kindness from a stranger on the MRT.

Marcotting

Finally cut off 2 shoots from my ficus plant yesterday. Had marcotted them since 3 weeks ago and much roots has grown. Passed one to my sis (above) and planted one in a pot (below). Let it stabilize and I’ll pass it to my friend. 

I decide to do 2 more today and I believe I will have another 2 pots ready in about 3 weeks to a month’s time. Have to think of who else I can give the plants to!

:-)

2026 Review

Time flies when we do not observe it? Or time flies when we get older? Whatever the reasons. 2026 simply flew by and we are already in mid-Mar, almost a quarter down. So I thought it would be useful to give some thoughts about where I am with regards my 2026 focus:

• Remain grounded in gratitude. I’d rate this 8/10. I’ve made it a point to do my gratitude journaling daily. My buddy called it my “daily prayer” - quite apt, I felt. Admittedly, it’s still not as intuitive as I would like, but I do feel the effects, especially when I observe how others tend to focus on the negatives. The real outcome, I think, is to feel inner peace and happiness. I shall continue to work on this.

• Live with purpose and compassion. I’d rate this 7.5/10. Life has been rather routine lately, but amidst the routines, I’ve kept focused on what is meaningful to me - helping and supporting others. I continue to do this through coaching, mentoring, and training, although coaching and mentoring have fallen short of my expectations. This is despite renewing my commitment to mentor with one organisation this year and signing up with another to do career mentoring. Regardless, these commitments, beyond allowing me to live meaningfully, also provide the engagement I need and a way to practise compassion toward my own mental well-being and ultimately myself.

• Embrace vulnerability and courage. I’d rate this 7/10. This is a direct outcome of what I went through last year (and am still going through). I am embracing life as it comes, handling daily affairs as they arrive and navigating people as I need to. I will probably face my ultimate test in the middle of the year, but I’ll cross that bridge when it comes.

• Nurture relationships that matter. I’d rate this 8/10. I have a clearer view now of what truly matters and have made efforts to invest my energy in the people who do (and consciously not in those who don’t). In this regard, I am glad to have established a better relationship with my sister and my buddy. After a decade, I also sent a text to my brother wishing him a Happy CNY. I recognise that whatever misgivings I have, I need to let them rest - holding onto anger would only punish myself. He is, ultimately, still my brother. He did not reply, and I respect that. Otherwise, I am deeply grateful for the few friends who continue to reach out to me, check in on me, visit me and support me.

• Deepen my spiritual practice. I’d rate this 7/10. I’ve maintained my daily meditations unless I have early engagements. I also make it a point to attend Buddhist classes every Sunday unless I have to conduct training. Otherwise, I remind myself to live life according to what is taught. It’s definitely not easy, but I will consistently keep this in mind.

• Care for my health and well-being. I’d rate this 6.5/10. This is probably the lowest rating for me compared to the other points. I started the year well with my walks, exercises, and careful diet, but I’ve slacked over the past month or so. The most telling sign is the weight gain. I need to be more disciplined and put more work into this.

Of course, the ratings are somewhat arbitrary, but they give me a sense of where I am and how much more attention each area requires. Overall, I feel I’m progressing well this year, and I’m glad I listed these broad focus areas - they’ve guided me effectively so far.

Grateful 11 Mar: Escape (2)

Today was a tiring day. I woke up earlier than usual to meet a coaching client and, once again, worked outside. Somehow, the day ended up being another spontaneous one. Still, it turned out to be a day with much to be grateful for. Here's why:

• Coaching. It’s been a while since I last coach, so I was glad to have the opportunity today. I’m grateful to an ex-colleague who referred her friend to me. Having attended a coaching workshop just last evening, I got the chance to put some of what I learned into practice. It was probably a little rough around the edges, but the session went reasonably well. We met early in the morning and spoke for about 2 - 3 hours. During the conversation, I noticed myself slipping into mentoring mode rather than staying fully in the coaching role. It reminded me that coaching is a skill that needs constant honing. In the past, I might have facilitated a similar conversation within 1 - 2 hours, but today it took longer. Still, I was thankful for the chance to practise again and to be reminded that learning never really stops.

• Coachee. I met a new coachee this morning, and to be honest, I was a little worried about whether I could really help him. But my fears were unfounded. Once the initial chemistry was established, he opened up naturally, and the conversation even went beyond what I had initially expected. That was good, because it gave us a chance to explore the issues more deeply. I was thankful for his openness and willingness to reflect honestly on what he was going through and helped him dissect what he was experiencing and structure the conversation clearly and systematically. I was glad he left the conversation achieving what he had hoped. I left it to him to decide if and when he might wish to return for another session.

• Daily Grind. I was supposed to meet a friend tomorrow, but I mistakenly thought it was today! After coaching, I made my way to town only to realise the mix-up. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I found myself repeating what I had done yesterday - being spontaneous and doing whatever came to mind. This time, I visited the Singapore Sports Hub for lunch, took a bus ride and just watched the world go by. What I experienced today felt somewhat different from yesterday, but I was nonetheless grateful for the chance to slow down and observe life unfolding in its ordinary ways. 

I end the day feeling drained, yet grateful - grateful for the opportunity to coach again, for the trust someone placed in our conversation, and for the unexpected pockets of time that allowed me to pause, wander, and simply be present with the day as it unfolded. 

Grateful 10 Mar: Escape (1)

These few weeks, a unit above is undergoing renovation. We have been told there will be major hacking of the walls until Thursday. As such, the next few days will be crazy and unbearable. So today, I chose to escape the noise by working from different places outside. It turned out to be a surprisingly smooth and even enjoyable experience. On this note, let me give thanks for a few things that made this little escape possible. 

• Working Spaces. I left home before 9am, just as the hacking was about to begin, knowing that the noise would start from 9am and end at 5pm. Over the course of the day, I moved between several places, alternating between short walks, work, and meal breaks. I ended up working from a café in Suntec City mall, the communal learning space at NTUC LHub@Bras Basah, and finally my usual HDB heartland Simei coffee shop. I didn’t deliberately plan to work at these spaces. Rather, I just work wherever felt right at that point in time as I walked. Reflecting, this was the first time I had spent an entire workday moving between different spaces like this and it was interesting to experience the unique rhythm of each space! Above all, I was thankful I could escape from the noise and still get a fair amount of work done. 

• Walk. One thing I wanted to ensure was to continue my daily walk even while working outside. I had considered heading to the central catchment area initially but the that would limit my ability to work. In the end, I decided to be spontaneous and just take the MRT to town. And instead of staying in one place, I moved from point to point throughout the day. I walked from Suntec City to Millenia Walk, then to Marina Square for lunch, before continuing on to Raffles City, Bras Basah, and Waterloo Street, where I stopped by the temple along the way. I then made my way to Bugis before taking the train to Simei for my kopi o kosong before walking home. In many ways, the day felt quite different from a typical work-from-home routine. The walks allowed me breaks between work and, thankfully, it was easy and the weather was not too punishing. It was a refreshing escape from my usual routine and perhaps something I should do more often. 

• Hotspot. Despite working from different places throughout the day, I was grateful that I could continue accessing my cloud drive through my phone’s hotspot. In truth, my habit of working from home has been influenced, to a large extent, by the stability and convenience of my home Wi-Fi. Yet today’s experience showed me that I could still work effectively while on the move. Accessing my documents and files was smooth and reminded me how much technology has expanded our freedom to work from almost anywhere. I am thankful for this convenience, something that would not have been so easily possible in the past. 

In the end, what began as an attempt to escape the loud hacking above my flat turned into something unexpectedly positive. I am grateful that I could step away from the noise, find spaces where I could continue working, and at the same time keep up with my walking routine. It was a small reminder that even disruptions can sometimes open the door to new rhythms and possibilities. Today, I am simply thankful that I had the freedom to escape the noise, while still being able to work, walk, and end the day feeling that it had been a fruitful one.

Grateful 9 Mar: Friend & Buddy

Today, I remembered and commemorated a friend’s birthday by sending him a birthday text last night. He is a year older than me, and I have known him for probably 15 years. Yet, if I am honest, I do not truly know him in a deep way despite all these years. Regardless, I find myself grateful for his presence in my life, particularly over the past two years. And so today, I give thanks for:

• Him. For simply being who he is. For allowing me to glimpse parts of his life and for extending his friendship to me, despite all that he knows about me. It’s only over the last year or so that he started sharing more about himself and, for that matter, his real full name with me. To me, it reflects the openness and an outcome of the trust built over time. Over the past two years, he has been a source of support when I needed it. His presence has brought moments of warmth and joy into my life, and for that, I am thankful. 

• The Confectionery. I wanted to make his birthday a little special for him, just as he has made mine special in the past two years. Knowing that he enjoys the Teochew la piah - not the usual sweet version, but the mixed sweet-and-savoury kind - I thought it would be nice to get one for him. This, I reckon would be more personalised compared to the usual birthday cake. I am grateful that a small confectionery shop in Chinatown still makes and sells it. And I’m glad he enjoyed it.

• The MRT. It may sound unusual to express gratitude for the MRT, but today I felt thankful for the ease and convenience it provides. It allowed me to travel from my home to Chinatown and back within the time I had planned, without difficulty. Sometimes the ordinary systems around us quietly enable and support the small acts of care we wish to offer others. 

In recent weeks, I have found myself reflecting on whether I might see him as more than a friend. I do not know how this friendship - or relationship - may unfold, and so I remind myself to hold it gently, without expectation. It probably suffice to refer to him as my buddy for now. And today, it is enough to celebrate his birthday, to appreciate the connection we share, and to give thanks for this small but meaningful relationship in my life.

Grateful 8 Mar: The Three Jewels

Today, I attended the weekly Buddhist class and was once again reminded of the teachings of the Buddha - that there is suffering in life, and that there is also a way to overcome suffering. These teachings are simple in their expression, yet profound in their meaning. Each time I listen to them, I find myself reflecting on them a little differently. Perhaps it is because life itself continues to present new situations and experiences. As I close the day, I want to pause and give thanks for the Three Jewels - the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha - that continue to guide me as I seek to understand life more deeply. 

• The Buddha. I give thanks to the Buddha, the teacher who showed us the truth through the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. One reminder that continues to resonate with me is that every one of us has the potential to become a Buddha. Enlightenment is not reserved for a select few, but something that can be cultivated through discipline, mindfulness and sincere effort. The Buddha also taught the importance of the Middle Path - a path of moderation that avoids the extremes. In many ways, this is also a reminder that the journey of cultivation requires balance, patience and steady effort over time.

• The Dhamma. I am also grateful for the Dhamma. To be able to learn and reflect on these teachings is itself something to be thankful for. Yet today’s reflection reminded me that the truths contained in the Dhamma often have many layers. In living our lives day to day, we are constantly faced with situations that require wisdom to interpret and apply these teachings. Life is rarely black and white. More often, it presents itself in many shades of grey. As such, it requires us to reflect deeply on the teachings and to live our lives with mindfulness and clear intentionality, guided by the spirit of the Middle Path. 

• The Sangha. Finally, I give thanks for the Sangha - the monastics who dedicate their lives to preserving and sharing the teachings of the Buddha. Their commitment ensures that the Dhamma continues to be shared with people like myself who are still learning and still trying to understand. Through their guidance and example, they help keep the light of the teachings alive and remind us that the path of cultivation is one that we continue to walk, step by step. 

As I end the day, I am reminded that cultivation is a lifelong journey. The teachings may be clear, but living them requires discipline, constant reflection, moderation and practice. For today, I am simply grateful for the opportunity to listen, to reflect, and to be reminded once again to walk the path with greater awareness and intention.

Honey

Been watching YouTube lots these days, sometimes just as white noise as I work but mostly for me to sing along when I have nothing better to do in the evenings. And this song came on this evening. It is one of those songs that sticks in the mind... for me it does. It's a sad song too. Listening to it reminds me of the simpler days when I was much much younger. That was the time when songs has meanings and tell heartfelt stories. It is definitely before my time. I identify strongly with songs from 50s - 90s... 

[Verse 1]

See the tree, how big it's grown

But friend, it hasn't been too long

It wasn't big

I laughed at her, and she got mad

The first day that she planted it

Was just a twig

[Verse 2]

Then the first snow came

And she ran out to brush the snow away

So, it wouldn't die

Came runnin' in all excited

Slipped and almost hurt herself

And I laughed 'til I cried

[Verse 3]

She was always young at heart

Kinda dumb and kinda smart

And I loved her so

And I surprised her with a puppy

Kept me up all Christmas Eve

Two years ago

[Verse 4]

And it would sure embarrass her

When I came in from workin' late

Cause I would know

That she'd been sittin' there and cryin'

Over some sad and silly

Late, late show

[Chorus]

And Honey, I miss you

And I'm bein' good

And I'd love to be with you

If only I could

[Verse 5]

She wrecked the car, and she was sad

And so afraid that I'd be mad

But what the heck

Though I pretended hard to be

Guess you could say she saw through me

And hugged my neck

[Verse 6]

I came home unexpectedly

And caught her cryin' needlessly

In the middle of the day

And it was in the early spring

When flowers bloom and robins sing

She went away

[Chorus]

And Honey, I miss you

And I'm bein' good

And I'd love to be with you

If only I could

[Verse 7]

One day while I was not at home

While she was there and all alone

The angels came

Now, all I have is memories of Honey

And I wake up nights

And call her name

[Verse 8]

Now, my life's an empty stage

Where Honey lived and Honey played

And love grew up

And a small cloud passes overhead

And cries down on the flower bed

That Honey loved

[Verse 1]

And see the tree how big it's grown

But friend, it hasn't been too long

It wasn't big

And I laughed at her, and she got mad

The first day that she planted it

Was just a twig

Lyrics from https://genius.com/Bobby-goldsboro-honey-lyrics 

Grateful 7 Mar: Life

Several things happened today that reminded me of life as a whole. It is interesting how life’s lessons appear when you least expect it - in a simple book, the memory of a loved companion, or even the fleeting presence of a bird. Each moment reminds me of the beauty, impermanence, and interconnectedness of life. So today, I give thanks for:

• Big Panda & Little Dragon. I mentioned this last week and realized I’ve had the book with me all along. I took it off my bookshelf this morning, skimmed through it, and was immediately hooked all over again. It’s such a simple, straightforward read, yet full of life lessons. Every illustration and quote feels so relatable. I’m thankful for this rediscovery and the joy it brings. 

• Sapphie. Sapphie, my late dog (photo above), passed away on 22 March 2016 - exactly 10 years ago this month. A spontaneous question from my buddy about past pets prompted me to look through some old photos I had kept. Seeing her brought a smile to my face, tinged with a little ache in my heart. I thank her for the selfless love she gave me over 15 years and 4 months of her life. 

• Dead Pigeon. Walking out of my condo backgate today, I noticed a dead pigeon on the park connector, its body twisted awkwardly in the hot sun. I felt a pang of sadness looking at the carcass. Realizing there was nothing I could do, I walked on. Later, I returned and moved it to the grass. I want to ensure it wouldn’t be stepped on or cycled over. The pigeon is considered a pest by many, but in death, a little dignity and respect should nonetheless be accorded to it. This experience is similar to another that occurred in 2005 and reminded me that life is delicate and fleeting. I’m grateful for this quiet, poignant reminder.

Today’s experiences remind me that life reveals itself in unexpected and simple moments. From the joy of revisiting familiar stories, to the warmth of memories that linger, to the quiet reminders of life’s fragility, each experience deepens my awareness and gratitude. I close this journal feeling present, thankful, and gently reminded of the preciousness of every living moment.

Grateful 6 Mar: Ex-Colleagues

It’s a lovely day to be able to catch up with old colleagues and reminisce about those corporate life days. It’s been 3 years and much has changed. Names were mentioned, many of whom I do not know. And for those that I do know, some have been promoted and many have also left the company - either joining another organisation or taking a career break. I therefore want to give thanks for: 

• My Ex-Team. Despite having left 3 years ago, we have remained in constant contact, catching up with one another over simple meals and sharing updates on the developments in our respective lives. We are more friends than just ex-colleagues now and I am thankful for that. In addition, they have also come to me individually whenever they need advice about work, career, life, professional development and so on. I am also thankful for the support they have all extended to me when I needed it. 

• Simple Conversations. One of the topics we spoke about during our catch-up was movies, and the song “Tian Mi Mi” (甜蜜蜜) came up. It was such a coincidence as this was the theme song of the movie I watched yesterday: Comrades: Almost a Love Story (1996). It made for good banter and sharing since we were talking about all sorts of topics during our 2 - 3 hour catch-up, jumping from movies to work memories and back again. Moments like these also remind me how simple conversations can unexpectedly connect different experiences across time.

• Another Ex-Colleague. I met up with another ex-colleague after lunch. It was meant to be a quick meet-up to pass her some traditional pastries, but we ended up having a quick drink and catch-up instead. I meet up with her rather regularly, and she had volunteered as my coachee during the months leading up to my obtaining my coaching credentials 2 years ago. It was nice to catch up again, and I am thankful to her for her time. 

Looking back, what stands out most from these catch-ups is the camaraderie we nurtured during our time in the office. The many good and bad moments we went through together continue to bind us long after we left the company. And I am especially grateful that although I was their HOD back then, they are still able to connect with me without too much difficulty. This reinforces my belief that friendship can be forged after we leave our company. For that, I am grateful.

Grateful 5 Mar: Abundance

I woke up today feeling good, knowing that I have managed to clear most of the weight I gained over the past week or so. It was a reassuring start to the day, and it reminded me that with a bit of discipline and consistency, things can be brought back into balance again. The day itself went by rather routinely - with my usual exercises, work, and quiet moments in between. I also had a visit from B, who had just returned from his hometown. This visit end up being the highlight of the day. So today, I find myself grateful for the following: 

• Dinner & Food. B visited and brought dinner along with some food from his hometown. I am always touched by this simple but thoughtful gesture. Each time he goes home, he makes the effort to remember this friend of his and brings something back for me. Such thoughts and acts carry a great deal of warmth and kindness and I am deeply grateful of. 

• Lovely Evening. I also thank B for the nice evening chatting, listening to songs and catching up. He recommended and we watched Comrades: Almost a Love Story (1996) (picture above). It was such a lovely show! Watching Maggie Cheung and Leon Lai on screen again brought back a wave of nostalgia. And of course, hearing Teresa Teng’s songs once more added to that familiar, sentimental feeling. There was a great evening - not just from the film and music, but also the conversation, and the simple joy of spending time with a friend. Some films and songs seem to carry a timeless quality - they bring us back to another era and remind us of how certain emotions never really change. 

• Abundance Again. And so I end the day with plenty of food in my fridge once again! Not only from B, but also because my sis dropped by too and brought even more food. Just when I thought I had finally managed to clear most of the food in my fridge, it is now fully stocked again. Haha. It feels a little ironic, considering how hard I have been working to manage my weight. Nonetheless, I give thanks to these warmth and abundance. 

I end the day feeling rather full and slightly bloated and the cycle of weight gain and weight loss will have to begin all over again. But then again, this is hardly something to complain about. All the food in my fridge represents the care and generosity of people around me. In that sense, I remain deeply grateful to be surrounded by such warmth, not only from my sister, but also from friends who continue to remember me in their own quiet ways. A quiet abundance, indeed.

Grateful 4 Mar: Work Engagements

It was a busy and mentally engaging day - one that really exercised my grey matter, and I enjoyed it. Here are my key takeaways from today:

• Material Review. I’ll be teaching a new module next month, and it’s a topic close to my heart. As I reviewed the slides provided, it was evident that the content lack theoretical rigour and the module lead/ developer’s lack of corporate experience. I guess have more work ahead of me and I’ll need to do the content “clean up” sensitively. Positively, this process allows me to refresh my understanding of the material in very real terms, and I’m grateful for that opportunity.

• Workshop. I attended a workshop this evening and came away with some insights about breaking out of mindsets. The hands-on nature of the session made the learning practical and memorable, and I’m grateful for the chance to gain fresh perspectives on the topic.

• Catching up. I had the chance to network with most of my fellow trainers who were at the workshop. Since most of our training sessions are conducted online, we mainly interact with learners and not each other. Today’s session gave me the opportunity to get to know my peers better, and I’m thankful for this in-person connection.

Overall, today was both stimulating and rewarding. I’m thankful for the opportunities to learn, connect, and grow - both intellectually and professionally.

How I Know I am Old

I walked through the uni this afternoon and saw a casually dressed young man with a knapsack walked by. Just when I thought he was a uni student, I saw other kids walked by, nodded respectfully and greeted him, “Good afternoon, Sir”… oh… he is a lecturer… I was immediately reminded of my age. Well, on further reflection, I share here a list of observations and takes on how I know I have grown old - with age… 

• When people start telling me, “Hey, age is just a number”… and I didn’t even say anything. 

• When I start to find some bus drivers hot, and I take the public bus and sit right at the front just to watch the bus driver do his job, ogling his arms and how each muscle twitches as he drives along. OMG, many of them look young, muscular and full of youthful vigour. 

• When I book a taxi or Grab (the Uber equivalent) and, just like with bus drivers, think they are young but wonder whether I will be safe. Also, I sometimes book these rides and then take a screenshot and zoom into the picture to see if whoever accepted my booking is cute! LOL…

• When I go to the clinic and/ or hospital and find the doctors young and kiddish. I’m like - OMG! They could be my kids! Or OMG! They behave like kids! And of course, I admit I even question their credibility and whether they are even qualified, considering how young they look! 

• When the songs I sing at karaoke sound foreign to many because they are younger and do not identify with the songs I know… and they just let me sing by myself. The more upfront ones would simply say, “Baba, the songs you sing are very before our time…” (read - prehistoric). 

• When the songs that appear on my YouTube are categorised as “old songs from the 60s, 70s, 80s” or “golden hits from the past” and feature singers I know so well: The Carpenters, Donny and Marie Osmond, Madonna, Alphaville, Donna Summer, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, Oliver Newton John, etc. You get it. 

• When the shows and MTVs that appear on my YouTube feature actors and actresses and I go: OMG! Brad Pitt looks like a kid in the show… (ditto for Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise, Renée Zellweger, etc), and then I realise the show was some 20-30 over years ago and these actors are in their late-50s or more now! 

• When I read the daily news and go - what the hell is this journalist saying? Such amateurish writing and poor analysis of events. And to convince I am not out of line, I even run the article by Gen AI and Gen AI agrees with me, but says diplomatically that what the journalist wrote is simply a younger generation’s perspective - and that I, being a more mature (read - old) person who has gone through much, will perhaps have a different perspective. 

So yes, the young man turned out to be “Sir” and somewhere along the way, I became “Uncle”. Life moves fast. But I must say - I age gracefully (and maybe even glamorously). And this is a fact, not self consolation!

Ahem!

Grateful 3 Mar: CNY Chap Goh Meh

This is the final day of CNY and it’s an important day for many. We call it “Chap Goh Meh” or Hokkien for “The Fifteenth Night”. It is also the first full moon of the Chinese calendar. Let me thus give thanks to the following:

• Family. I had a surprise text from my sis last afternoon inviting me for Chap Goh Meh dinner tonight. It turned out to be a lovely curry fish head dinner with her and my brother-in-law. I am glad and thankful that I am able to spend this special day with family - a day when many gather for a final round of CNY reunion.

• Dinner. We had a curry fish head zichar dinner - an unusual dinner for a CNY get-together. But as I had reflected previously, having such multicultural fare is something very normal for us. The curry fish head, together with dishes such as ginseng chicken, sinchew noodles, made for a sumptuous meal - a very nice treat from the usual home-cooked fare that I had been eating these days. And we had another round of yusheng too!

• Blood Moon. Today is an auspicious day for us. And to have a total lunar eclipse on this particular day is certainly rare. Some may call it an ill omen, as a lunar eclipse is said to be akin to the dragon swallowing the moon - which I was made to believe when I was a kid living in the kampung - but not to me. I’m glad I lived to experience such a rare occasion, although regrettably I only get to see the partial eclipse as it was cloudy during the full eclipse.

As the first full moon marks the close of this festive season, I end the day with a quiet heart - grateful for family, for simple joys, and for the rare moments the heavens choose to remind us how small, yet blessed, we are.

Grateful 2 Mar: Air, Water, Earth

I want to give thanks to the usual mundane things that we often don't give enough attention to: 

• Air. I am thankful for the fresh air I breathe today, and for that matter, daily. It is there all the time. And I’m not specifically referring to just oxygen. Every element found in air contributes to life in some sense or other, and we cannot do without it. It moves in and out of me quietly, sustaining me without asking for recognition. And for its presence, I give thanks. 

• Water. I am thankful for the water I drink. And not just water per se, but the presence of water in every fluid I take in - coconut water, juices, tea, even the occasional Coke. Water is the base of everything and is present in every cell of my body. It nourishes, cleanses and restores without discrimination. And for its presence, I give thanks. 

• Earth. I am thankful for the solid elements that are a part of me, that support me and nourish me - the food I eat, the ground I walk on, the shelter that protects me, the tangible things I can see, hold, feel and taste. These are the physical forms that make me and make life possible. They provide structure, stability and sustenance. And for their presence, I give thanks.

All these tangible things are a part of me, and they sustain me. Yet I do not think I give enough focus to them, precisely because of their omnipresence. They are so constant that I take them as a given. Today, I remind myself to acknowledge what has always been quietly supporting me, and to offer my gratitude for their faithful presence.

Grateful 1 Mar (2): Safe

I want to do a special post today and express how grateful I am to know that a friend is home safe and not caught in the thick of the mess that’s happening in the Middle East now. 

She has been working in the Middle East since last year but has returned for the weekend. She’s supposed to fly back last night but just as she was about to check in, she was told the airspace had been closed and all flights were cancelled. Am so glad she’s back home safe and sound. Whew!

Work is important, but nothing is more important than her safety.

Grateful 1 Mar (1): BC

Buddhist classes restarted today after a 3-week CNY break, and I had such a rich learning experience. I will not attempt, nor it is my intention to, to list all the learnings, but I want to call out the 3 important reminders that stood out for me:

• "The Company". During class, we watched a short video where the narrator shared lessons from "Big Panda & the Tiny Dragon". I had read the book before, but hearing the lesson again left me wowed. I truly agree: the company we keep often makes the process so much more fulfilling. 

• Love Yourself. The facilitator asked the class: What qualities do we expect from a best friend? Everyone shared answers like “warmth,” “understanding,” “non-judgmental,” “supportive,” and “being there.” Then he asked, How many of you ever consider yourself to be your own best friend? In that moment, he reminded us that we often externalise love and expectations, forgetting to start with ourselves. Only by loving ourselves first can we truly love others. It also highlighted how, as humans, we are conditioned from birth to seek validation and live by others’ standards - often without asking: What do I really want? Am I satisfied with who I am? I am deeply thankful for this reminder.

• Nurturing a Garden. Towards the end, my facilitator shared an analogy: life is like a plot of land. If we only focus on removing weeds, the plot remains barren. But if we plant seeds and nurture them with care, we grow a vibrant, flourishing garden. Similarly, by cultivating good values, deeds, and experiences, we create a meaningful and rich life. Focus solely on the weeds, and life can feel empty - a timely reminder indeed.

I walked out of today's class feeling much enriched. I have learned much: from meditation techniques to self-love and acceptance, importance of self awareness and the need to be proactive and work on things to improve ourselves, etc but these three lessons left the deepest impact. I’m truly glad Buddhist classes have restarted and that I came away with such meaningful insights.

Grateful 28 Feb: Food

Today, I want to give thanks to food and all the ways it nourishes me. Over CNY, with all the invites and celebrations, I haven’t really been able to stick to my usual diet, so my weight and macronutrients have been all over the place. Even so, I feel grateful for the abundance - and thoughtfulness - that’s surrounded me over the past two weeks. This sense of care and plenty feels like a positive start to the Fire Horse year. 

• Abundant and Thoughtful Meals. I’m grateful for the abundance of food and the care my family puts into it. Even with many coffee shops and food outlets closed during the first two days of CNY, I’ve never been short of a meal. My sister, aunt, and cousin have all packed food for me, so there’s always something ready to eat. Sometimes I even find myself wondering what I should choose - a nice problem to have! I make sure not to waste anything, spreading meals over several sittings and using proteins from my fridge to boost them. This stretches the food over more days and keeps my meals balanced, which I really appreciate. 

• Foods that Help Me Stay Balanced. I’m thankful for the foods that help my body stay balanced despite indulgence. Today, I had 2 bananas and a can of coconut water - both rich in potassium - which help counter the high sodium in CNY dishes. These foods support recovery, prevent cramps, and help me feel better after exercise or indulgent meals. Even amidst rich, salty foods, having these small additions makes me feel nourished and looked after. It’s a simple reminder that food can both delight and support wellbeing. 

• Thoughtful Preparation. I’m grateful for the steps I’ve taken to prepare for myself. My fridge is stocked with protein sources - eggs, meat, prawns, chicken, tau kwa - which I can rely on to keep my meals balanced and to maintain my muscle mass. Tonight’s dinner really shows this in action: the sardines and bitter gourd stir-fry with chicken and black beans were brought over by my sister, and I added an egg from my fridge to boost the protein. It’s a simple combination, but it reminds me how I can enjoy festive foods while keeping my meals protein-strong. Knowing I have these options on hand gives me reassurance that, even during indulgent periods, I can take care of myself and stay on track. This mix of family care and personal preparation makes every meal feel nourishing and meaningful.

I am grateful to have access to such thoughtful, nourishing food every day. Even when my weight or macros swing, each meal - from family-prepared dishes to simple additions like bananas or coconut water - reminds me of the care, sustenance, and joy that food brings. I’m grateful for every bite and the role it plays in keeping me nourished, balanced, and well.

Grateful 27 Feb: Health

I decided to increase my exercise intensity today, and I’m glad I managed to follow through. I wanted to clear off some of the weight I had gained over the CNY period. So here’s what I want to call out in my gratitude journal today:

• Steps. By the end of the day, I had clocked about 23K steps - roughly 17km. It’s been a while since I covered such a distance, and it’s almost twice my regular daily average in recent weeks. I’m grateful that I’ve built my health well enough to do this - and even for the 10 - 12K steps I manage daily. Clocking my steps daily has become a habit; I feel like something is missing if I don’t. But the steps themselves are not the real outcome I’m striving for. Rather, the ability to clock them reminds me that I am healthy, and that my body is still capable of going the distance.

• Push-ups. When I started doing push-ups in mid-2025, I could barely do 20 without panting heavily. But I kept at it, and within 2 months, I was doing 200 - 300 daily (10 - 15 sets of 20). Push-ups is one of the few form of resistance training that I can do without needing weights. I would also include planks every few days, but over time I stopped. These days, I’ve reduced my push-ups to about 100 every 2 - 3 days, recognising that at my age, recovery time is needed. Today, however, I managed to complete 200 again, and I’m thankful I could do so without too much difficulty. Perhaps it’s time to revisit my planks, in addition to push-ups.

• Health. A key reason I focus so much on steps and resistance training - beyond vanity - is health. I’ve also become more conscious of my dietary habits, cutting down on fats and carbs while increasing my protein intake. I’m glad to see the results. Over the past 7 - 8 months, my health markers (BP, RHR, etc) have improved greatly - beyond my expectations. My weight dropped from about 75kg to around 63 - 64kg, probably the leanest I’ve been since my 30s. Most importantly, I feel stronger now, and I hardly experience any significant backaches these days. And for this, I am grateful.

So yeah, I give thanks to my health, my ability to walk and to do my push ups. I will work towards sustaining this habit for as long as I can. And for the near future, perhaps it’s time to focus on building a little more muscle mass. 

Jiayou ba!

Grateful 26 Feb: CNY Connections (3)

Today, I had the chance to meet up with my aunt’s extended family for our annual CNY dinner. This aunt, the 2nd eldest sister of my dad, is already in her 90s, and her health has been deteriorating rather quickly in recent years and I am glad to be able to meet up with her and her family today. On this note, let me give thanks for:

• Family. My aunt has 5 children and my cousins are all in their 60s. It feels good to be able to connect with them every CNY. Among my generation, I am the only one invited to join them - not just for their annual CNY dinner, but also for their family get-togethers every few months. I always appreciate their hospitality; they make me feel so welcome each time I visit. My cousin, PL, also consistently makes it a point to prepare extra food for me to bring home after the CNY dinner. I am truly thankful for the way they include me, and I always look forward to our yearly reunion.

• Cousins. I am always thankful for the warmth my cousins show whenever we meet up. Among my cousins, I am probably closest to two of them - PL, who is the primary caregiver for my aunt, and CS, her brother, who currently resides in Australia. I suppose I am closer to PL because I can appreciate the challenges she faces as a caregiver, having been one myself when I took care of my mum, and we occasionally chat about it. As for CS, he is a year older than me, and we went through similar undergraduate courses during our uni days. We eventually pursued different careers and he migrated to Australia not long after graduation. But we will always meet up whenever possible, such as during our CNY gatherings.

• Next Generations. There are 4 generations in my aunt’s family. Her great-grandchildren are already in their teens. I belong to the “grand” generation and there is a generation gap between them and I - even with my cousins’ children - but they remain respectful towards me. It’s very heartwarming to have watched them grow, get married, and move through different stages of life. But it also reminds me that I, too, am moving along with age.

I am not sure how many more CNYs my aunt will be around for, given that she is already in her 90s. But I am grateful to have had another chance to see her, to wish her well for the New Year, and to spend time with her extended family. Most importantly, visiting them and joining them for their annual CNY dinner makes me feel very included and reinforces my sense of kinship with them.

Huat ah!

Grateful 25 Feb: Credentials

I successfully renewed my Senior Professional credential today - and I must admit, it came with quite a big sigh of relief. I first earned this credential two years ago, and it will expire end of this year. To renew, I will have to stay engaged with industry practitioners, keep myself updated on developments, and clock enough professional development hours along the way. So I am relieved it’s now done - and that means I can continue my freelancing role as an industry trainer. For that, I am truly grateful. I would like to acknowledge the following that made this possible:

• Professional Industry. I am thankful to be part of an industry that has recognised my contributions. Such recognition was not automatic; it required substantial years of experience and the successful completion of an exam before accreditation was granted. More importantly, I am deeply appreciative of the industry practitioners who have supported, coached and mentored me over the years. As a former public servant who transitioned into the corporate world, being recognised as a Senior Professional is something I do not take for granted. I remain indebted to the many individuals whose paths I have had the privilege of crossing over the past decade and more.

• Training and Professional Networking. At the end of 2023, I made the decision to leave the corporate world to pursue freelance work. I subsequently became an adjunct trainer, specialising in subjects related to my industry. I was given numerous opportunities to train aspiring professionals seeking to enter the field. These engagements sharpened my own expertise - after all, one often learns best when one teaches. I was pleasantly surprised and glad that these training hours are recognised as part of my continuous professional development and will contribute to credential renewal. Similarly, the networking opportunities over the past two years have kept me connected with fellow professionals and enabled me to remain current with industry developments. For all these opportunities, despite having left the corporate world, I am truly grateful.

• Support Structures. Two days ago, I received an email informing me that my credential would expire this year and that a CNY promotion was available to offset a portion of the renewal cost if I complete it within the week. I was glad that I had diligently kept record of all my training and networking hours. It made the document submission easy. I was thankful for the responsiveness and support of the organisation’s team that helped resolve a couple of minor technical issues during the renewal process. 

Today’s successful renewal extends my credential to the end of 2029. More importantly, it represents over 15 years of experience and sustained effort in the industry, the privilege of learning from dedicated practitioners, and the continued opportunities I have been given even after stepping away from the corporate world.

Grateful 24 Feb: Gen AI

I was at the coffee shop this afternoon, drinking my kopi-o-kosong, when I decided to check what this new Fire Horse (丙午) year might mean for me. As a Fire Horse myself, it is considered my ben ming nian (本命年) and thus not the best year. But I also understand that the month, day and time of birth all play a part in shaping the overall outlook. So, naturally, I consulted ChatGPT. And as usual, I was impressed by what it gave me. That simple kopi moment became today’s gratitude reflection - not just for ChatGPT, but more generally for Gen AI. 

~< ••• >~

My use of Gen AI started with ChatGPT about two years ago. Since then, it has grown steadily and expanded to other apps such as DeepSeek, Gemini and Suno, to name a few. So here are my call-outs for today’s gratitude journal.

• ChatGPT. I use it daily - for monitoring my caloric and macronutrient intake, to support my blogging, amongst other things. When I first started, I used it to plan travel itineraries, improve my resume, develop career profiles, seek perspectives on financial planning, or simply to check my English when I blogged: sentence structure, grammar, coherence, flow. I would throw my entire draft in and ask it to “do the necessary”. It would return a nicely polished version - so polished that I had to rewrite major parts of it as it didn’t sound like me. I had since “trained” it, even as I have learned how to better use it. For example, in my last annual reflections, I asked ChatGPT to review a whole year’s worth of entries and suggest a theme and draft write-up. At other times, I would jot down rough bullet points and ask it to propose a structure. But I’m very clear: this is my blog, not ChatGPT’s. I will always review, refine and rewrite the writings to ensure it captures exactly what I want to say - and to say it in my voice. Sometimes the process is iterative - draft, refine, rethink, refine again - until I am certain the words are fully mine. My end-of-2025 entry, for example, took almost one and a half months to craft. The final version is totally different from what ChatGPT had proposed. Still, I am thankful - for the perspectives, the convenience and the support it brings to me these 2 years.

• DeepSeek. I started using it early last year, around the CNY period when it was first launched. Initially, it was simply an alternative to ChatGPT. Over time, however, I noticed its distinct analytical tone and subtle differences in perspectives. It may be too simplistic to say one feels “Chinese” and the other “Western”, but there are nuanced cultural differences in how they respond. These days, I log my daily food intake, blood pressure and resting heart rate into both DeepSeek and ChatGPT, using them to cross-check each others’ analysis and recommendations. Their responses are not identical - and that, in itself, is useful. In the end, I decide what works best for me. AI, to me, is a tool - helpful, but not authoritative. And I am thankful for the additional lens it provides.

• Other Gen AI apps. Beyond ChatGPT and DeepSeek, I also use others such as Gemini, Suno, Leo (previously Leonardo), Copilot, Taskade, Meta AI, as well as AI-enhanced platforms like Canva and Google. Each has its strengths. Gemini, with its Nano Banana, helps best enhancing old photos and creating images (like the one above); Leo allows me to create images and short videos; Suno lets me compose songs just for fun. They offer convenience at my fingertips - for creativity, productivity or simple curiosity. I am grateful to have the opportunity to learn and experiment with these apps in this season of my life.

My understanding of Gen AI is still basic. There is much more to explore and to learn. But I am clear that these tools are here to support me, not replace me - and I remain responsible for how I use them and what I publish. 

~< ••• >~

And as for what ChatGPT told me about this Fire Horse year - after considering my birth month, day and time - it will not be a bad one for me. It will, however, be an intense and defining one. I must not, however, mistake intensity for misfortune. I must see it as a year of consolidation. A year to stabilise my new identity - choose meaningful engagements and a slower, intentional life, without needing to prove anything to anyone. It will be a year where I get to consciously choose who I want to be next. That, to me, is power - not bad luck.

Grateful 23 Feb: Convenience

Today, I give thanks for the many conveniences I enjoy in my daily life. Here are my three call outs for today:

• Amenities. I live in a condominium about 1.5 km from the nearest HDB amenities - coffee shops, a shopping centre, convenience stores, and so on. To some, this may seem far. For me, it is perfectly balanced: near yet far, far yet near. Let me explain. The amenities are located at a comfortable distance - far enough that I am spared the bustle and occasional rowdiness, thereby allowing me to enjoy peace and quiet at home. Yet they are near enough for me to walk there in about 15 mins. That short walk gives me the added benefit of exercise - something that I do daily. I am grateful for this balance between convenience and peace.

• Public Transport. When I bought my place 30 years ago, many felt it’s too ulu and public transport and amenities were inadequate. But that was precisely what appealed to me - the peace. I drive, so it doesn't matter, I thought. Since then, the area has transformed significantly. A housing estate has been built nearby, along with a uni and a biz park; and public transport has improved greatly. Yet the peace has largely been preserved, as main amenities remain a short but manageable distance away. I enjoy the convenience yet without the noise. There is now a bus stop and an MRT station within a 5 min walk from my home. Best of all, the MRT line is underground. In Singapore, the vision is for residents to have access to an MRT station within 500m of their homes, and I am grateful to the urban planners for this thoughtful consideration. I have since sold off my car.

• Giving Feedback. I am thankful for the OneService app that allows us to report municipal issues easily. It channels feedback to the appropriate agency for follow-up action and is suberbly easy to use. Of course, the app is only as effective as the people managing it - and I must say the authorities are truly on the ball. Yesterday, during my afternoon walk, I noticed an unusual sight: a Chinese tombstone leaning against a roadside tree. It appeared abandoned. I used the app to take a couple of photos and submitted a report. This morning, I received a notification from NEA (the National Environment Agency) that the tombstone had been removed. They even sent a photograph showing it being removed last night (or early this morning). I was impressed by their efficiency and grateful that providing feedback is so seamless.

Much has changed over the 3 decades I have lived in this area. Transport links and amenities have improved tremendously, yet I still enjoy peace and quiet at home. For this balance - convenience without compromise - I am deeply thankful. I cannot ask for more.

Grateful 22 Feb: Multicultural Food

Today, I want to give thanks to something I believe many in Singapore take for granted: food. I was looking in my fridge and noticed some Chinese New Year leftovers, dishes my sister brought over, and more. Reflecting on it, I realized how much I’ve had the privilege of enjoying a variety of multicultural flavours - yet often without truly appreciating them. So, let me highlight a few.

• Malay. I had chicken rendang for dinner today. Though originally a Malay dish, many non-Malays have learned to cook it, giving rise to Indian-style and Chinese-style rendang, each adapted to the respective culture taste-buds. My aunt had cooked and packed it for me during the CNY reunion, and I kept it in my fridge to enjoy during the CNY period when many shops were closed. Over the past few days, I had a piece or two, and today I decided to stew it further with some prawns. It was such a lovely dish - rich, fragrant, and infused with the aromatics of the rempah. I am grateful for this treat from my aunt.

• Peranakan. My sister made Nonya ngoh hiang (meat rolls comprising minced pork or chicken and prawns) for CNY. This is her speciality, which she makes every year before CNY, and she packed 10 rolls for me as usual. I used some to host friends over the last week. I still have 2 rolls and had 1 for dinner. Like rendang, different families have slightly different recipes, but I especially enjoy my sister’s version because it closely resembles my mum’s. It's so nostalgic. To add to the list, I made pengat kacang (green bean soup with sago and gula melaka) today for friends visiting me to bai nian (CNY visitation). This is one of my favourite desserts that I used to cook for mum when she was alive. I’m glad I have the chance to cook it today. My mum, being Peranakan (Straits-born Chinese), had a strong influence on our upbringing, and being able to savour Peranakan food during CNY is something I am thankful for.

• Chinese. I had cheng tng as for dessert after dinner. My sis made it and brought some over a couple of days back. Cheng tng is a Chinese dessert commonly sold in hawker centres across the island. It can be consumed warm or chilled. It is a sweet, refreshing longan-based soup filled with a colourful mix of ingredients - dried longans, lotus seeds, gingko nuts, white fungus, barley, and more. This is also a dessert I used to make for friends and for my ex whenever he craved for it. I hardly make it these days. It doesn't make too much sense to cook these days as I live alone.

The above are just some of the “usual, normal” food I had today, most of which were kept in my fridge. There are also Western dishes, such as chicken potpie. All of this food reflects the multicultural environment I live in and I am grateful to be part of.

Grateful 21 Feb: Social Media

I’ve been on social media since the late-1990s. It started with gay community sites like Fridae.com and SgBoy (later Trevvy). Then came Facebook, Tumblr, Grindr, Hornet, Scruff, Jack’d, Romeo, Blued, Twitter (now X)… and probably a few I’ve forgotten along the way. I have left most of them. The one that has truly grown with me and survived the test of time is Blogger. So today, I’m giving thanks to the following: 

• Social Media (in general). It has become an integral part of my life. I use it for entertainment, pleasure, information, and of cos, connect with people beyond my usual circle - sometimes actively, and sometimes quietly "stalking" them and observing them from afar. I note the endless debate about the pros and cons of using social media, the dangers and all. But to me, social media is just a tool. What we get out of it depends on how we use it (and how much drama we’re willing to tolerate). We can always remove ourselves from it - just like how I deleted my Facebook profile or hide my X app when I found myself too attached to it. On the whole, for me, the positives of using social media outweighed the negatives. I’ve learnt, connected, laughed, cried, occasionally rolled my eyes and, not to mention, grown. So yes, I give thanks for it.

• Blogspot/ Blogger. I’ve been on Blogspot/ Blogger since the early 2000s. It’s a space to capture my life's moments - the highs, the lows, the breakthroughs, the heartbreaks and all. Journaling these moments helped me process my emotions, reflect, and make sense of my experiences. Blogger also allowed me to record my past and my heritage - the personal and cultural layers that shape who I am. I would even go as far as to say that Blogger allows me to share thoughts that I would not have shared so openly in real life. Now, when I revisit old posts, I am able to see how much I’ve come through my experiences, how much I’ve grown, and how judgmental I had been at times. It gives me a sense of my own evolution over the last 2 decades. I’m thankful this space has been with me through the years. It’s little archive of myself and I’ll probably continue for as long as Blogger is around. 

• Blogger Friends. And then there are the people. They add another layer of meaning to my blogging experiences. There are readers who quietly read my blogs and there are those who occasionally share their thoughts - just like how I would read and contribute to their blogs and keep up with their lives. I appreciate all their comments and sharing. Amongst my blog readers, some have, over time, become real-life friends, just like the few whom I will meet up whenever I visit KL. Similarly, I have hosted a couple of blogger friends who visited Singapore. Blogging has certainly widened my world beyond geography, routine, and circumstance. And for the connections I’ve made through blogging, thank you.

So yes - Thank you, social media. Thank you, Blogspot/ Blogger. And thank you my blogger friends if you have shared even a little bit of this journey with me, whether loudly or quietly. It’s been a good ride. 

Grateful 20 Feb: City in a Garden

I have gained back all the weight I lost over the last 5 months over the past 2 weeks - an outcome of all the feasting and fat-rich CNY food! So I decided to head out again for my walk along my usual route - from the housing estate into the Changi Business Park (CBP). Along the way, I saw several interesting sights - wild animals - and it reminded me how lucky I am to live so close to nature, even though I am in an urbanised environment. So today, I give thanks for these reminders:

• Nature. I live next to CBP where a large part is a solar farm and lined with lush greenery. It is also located next to a golf course. With such abundance of greenery, gay men have made it a cruising haunt since the early 2000s. But that’s not why I am writing this post. Rather, the place has attracted many animals. Animals commonly found here include various bird species including the sunbird, spotted dove, pink pigeon, bulbul, drongo, Asian koel, black nape oriole, kingfisher and kite, reptiles such as the monitor lizard, calotes, tortoise, various species of snakes, etc. As a nature lover, I am truly thankful to have this park so near me. 

• Asian Openbill. I saw this eye-catching bird while walking along the fringe of the golf course. I was surprised to see it as it is not a familiar sight locally. I was to learn that it is not endemic to Singapore but a migratory bird that is seen only during the northern winter period. And it was the first time I see an Asian Openbill and at such close range. It moved a few steps away when it saw me approaching. I froze and it stopped moving, but it remained wary of my presence. I snapped a couple of photos and videos before walking on and leaving it in peace. I am grateful to have been able to see this migratory bird up close.

• Wild Chickens. I was pleasantly surprised to see a family of 7 - 8 wild chickens at CBP. A few months back, there was only one! It has certainly multiplied quickly, probably due to the lack of natural predators, and I certainly welcome the sight. It certainly make the place a lot livelier and interesting. Wild chickens, while common decades ago, had almost disappeared for unknown reasons but reappeared during the COVID lockdown period. Since then, they have spread across the island, and we now see them in many places!

I am thankful for the chance to connect with nature even while walking through an industrial/ business park. It was such a pleasant experience. Years ago, we began with the “Clean and Green” Singapore campaign to soften the hard buildings that were being constructed at a rapid rate. This evolved into the “Garden City” vision, where flowering plants were introduced, and in recent years, the vision has been refreshed to “City in a Garden”. As a nature lover, I am blessed to be living in this city-state.

Grateful 19 Feb: Shelters

We were blessed with plenty of “good luck” from the heavens today - yes, it rained heavily for most of the day. Despite the rain, I was able to go about my daily walks and afternoon breaks, without needing to bring my umbrella, and still stay relatively dry. I, therefore, give thanks for the following:

• Rain. I am grateful for the rain - not just because it symbolises good luck - but also because it cools everything down. It has rained quite a lot over the past few days, and with it, the temperature has dropped from 30s to low-20s. It feels really pleasant and such a contrast to the hot, scorching weather we experienced through most of Jan and early-Feb. And as I enjoy rain, I was all tempted to head out for a walk in it but decided against it in the end as I want to minimize the chance of falling sick. 

• Sheltered Walkways & Underpasses. Despite the heavy rain, I was able to walk almost 8 km without getting wet, thanks to public sheltered walkways and underpasses. Of course, there were small stretches - perhaps 10 metres or so, such as when crossing minor roads - that I still had to manage, but these were minor inconveniences. I believe Singapore is one of the few, if not the only, city state in the world with such extensive public sheltered walkways, so much so that they have almost eliminated the need for umbrellas, and for this, I am thankful.

• Last Stretch Umbrellas. The public sheltered walkways link directly to my condominium rear gate. To reach my block, there is a final 80m of unsheltered path. For residents’ convenience, the condo management has installed umbrellas from the gate to the various blocks. Such a seamless arrangement is deeply appreciated by residents, judging by how well utilised the umbrellas are. I thank the condo management for this arrangement.

For all of the above, I am grateful. In the past, whenever it rained, many of us would simply stay home to avoid the hassle of carrying umbrellas or getting wet. But with these thoughtful provisions, I am no longer confined indoors. Life carries on as normal, rain or shine.