I was asked by a local women's magazine in Singapore about my 2012 new year resolutions. I'm generally not that great in keeping them, but given that I've declared this one nice and loud to the mass media, it is only fair to include it in my work blog as well. Perhaps this will provide better accountability and hopefully more motivation to fulfil this particular creative project! … [Read more...]
Saturday
Can I Just Say…
March 26th, 2011
I received my first few e-queries this week and I'm not sure why, but it seems a lot more exciting than receiving regular e-mails. It may have something to do with the e-mail header that greets me in the mailbox whenever such a form comes in -"NEW SUBMISSION". So fresh, so promising and I guess it gets me a little more stoked than "Query" or "Hi". Or perhaps it's because I feel that the people who do use my contact form actually spend a little more time "navigating" my website - good on … [Read more...]
Tuesday
Uncle Ubin
March 9th, 2010
Uncle Ubin loves his plants, he knows their healing powers well. People come to him for all kinds of cures - even cancer - and this is why he has a huge barrel where he collects all his raw materials of twigs and leaves for his next concoction. Uncle Ubin was also the first person to spot the Goddess of Mercy Stone while he was doing some stretching one morning facing the quarry. It hadn't been there before, but apparently, there was a storm and a tree fell altering the formation of the … [Read more...]
Sunday
Liquid doodles
March 7th, 2010
Liquid paper - Singapore's version of adolescent vandalism. While it has been ingrained in our youths that aerosol paint spray is Evil and only used by Really Bad People (or "Established Artists" who are commissioned by various ministries to draw culturally harmonious images on designated walls), white liquid paper, perhaps because of its more diminutive size and reversibility, has been the default marking of choice. And you can find these inkings everywhere - desks, bus stops, MRT seats, toilet … [Read more...]
Saturday
First article on Travel + Leisure :D
December 12th, 2009
Click on image for a more hi-res version. … [Read more...]
Saturday
Behind the scenes: Dai Sijie Interview
October 24th, 2009
While interviewing French author and filmmaker Dai Sijie on his favourite travel destinations, I gave him a sample of the kind of article I was hoping to write on him. That particular profile was of a certain celebrity chef who loved Sydney Harbour. Here's how Mr. Dai responded in Mandarin: "Who in the right mind would say Sydney Harbour is their favourite place?! I was there once and saw a man slap a woman. A writer would NEVER like a place like this. Who is this guy again? A cook? A … [Read more...]