Interview with Claudia Chua on being financially independent since 17
Coming from a less well-off family, it wasn't a surprise to Claudia when her parents stopped giving her allowance when she was 17.
My Articles
Auspicious celebrations at the Raffles
As families gear up for the arrival of the wood snake in 2025, look no further than the grand dame – Raffles Hotel Singapore – for a celebration that blends old-world charm and contemporary luxury.
Is ‘brain rot’ taking over your life?
With the term first gaining traction during the Covid-19 pandemic, brain rot captures the zeitgeist of a generation constantly plugged into screens. Despite its sardonic name, it is worth noting that social media is not inherently bad.
Interview with Shereen Begum on starting a henna business
In 2021, Shereen founded her henna business, Indian Inks. She started with doing traditional henna before moving to jagua ink at pop-up events.
Interview with Zalelo on the pressures of a famous parent
Zalelo is a Singaporean musician whose father, Aman Shah, was a popular Malaysian singer and actor in the late 70s and 80s. Unfortunately, she didn't know him for most of her life yet she faces constant comparison with him.
Not Quite the Divine Comedy in Troy (2004)
Released in the early 21st century, Troy reflects a cultural landscape shaped by increasing secularism, rationalism and the prioritisation of human agency.
New year, same old you?
As the year winds down, many of us take stock of our goals; the ones we crushed, the ones that got away, and the ones we forgot we even set. But how can you objectively evaluate your progress?
5 things I learnt from an internship after graduation
In July 2024, I graduated from NUS with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature (Honours) and two minors in Communications and French.
Interview with Darren Al Anthony on working and living abroad
I pioneered the Gen Z Stories series for Thrive by The Business Times, a weekly feature highlighting inspiring youths. In April 2022, Darren moved from Singapore to Johor Bahru.
5 things I learnt from being part of the "Covid cohort"
When I started university in 2020, I became part of the “Covid cohort” – the group of students whose university journey began amidst a global pandemic. Everything felt like a small win then.
What are share buybacks?
A share buyback occurs when a company repurchases its shares from the market. In November 2024, seven primary-listed companies conducted buybacks on the Singapore Exchange.
Reviving Singapore’s edible heritage
Singapore's edible landscape is all around us – you just have to know where to look. So says Chua of Gastrogeography of Singapore, an art collective that creates delicious home-dining experiences out of overlooked ingredients.
Sally Rooney’s ‘Intermezzo’: Love, loss and lingering regret
Sally Rooney's latest novel, Intermezzo (2024), was recently released to a flurry of social media excitement, complete with exclusive merchandise and midnight release parties worldwide.
Trump in the White House: Part 2
Donald Trump has won the US presidential election again - this time beating his rival US Vice-President Kamala Harris. He will be the second US president to serve two non-consecutive terms.
Booker Prize finalist: ‘James’ boldly reimagines an American classic
From code-switching to holding internal debates with philosophers such as John Locke and Voltaire, Everett’s James radically changes the narrative perspective in Twain’s novel from that of a white boy to an enslaved Black man.
Thoughts about Deepavali as a non-Hindu Indian
"Are you really Indian?" This was one of the many questions I got from people when they found out that I didn't celebrate Deepavali. Being Catholic, Easter and Christmas are the biggest celebrations in my family.
Guide to the US election
The polls are set to be a close fight, with pre-election surveys showing no clear winner between presidential hopefuls Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
I was not persuaded by Jane Austen’s Persuasion
I am not afraid of admitting that I spent most of this year reading and watching Austen novels and adaptations respectively...However, my experience reading Persuasion was like having a bucket of iced water suddenly hurled at you.
Here's what we know about Iswaran's recent conviction
Former transport minister S Iswaran has been convicted after pleading guilty to five charges - four of obtaining gifts as a public servant and one of obstructing justice.
5 Things I learnt from watching F1
In F1, precision isn't just important - it's everything. One small misstep, like a delayed pit stop or tyre change gone wrong, can cost a driver the entire race.
Why does Singapore shell out millions for F1?
Since its 2008 debut, the F1 Singapore Grand Prix has brought in more than 550,000 international visitors and generated around S$2 billion of incremental tourism receipts.
Pope Francis' historic visit to Singapore
On Sept 12, 2024, Pope Francis held a Papal Mass at Singapore's National Stadium with an audience of 50,000 people. This event took place on the same day as the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary.
5 Misconceptions about suicide
In 2023, there were 322 suicide cases in Singapore. For every suicide in Singapore, there have been 20 attempts. Not all people who die by suicide have a diagnosable mental illness.
Unrealistic job ads
These days, it seems that a lot of employers are asking for the impossible - entry-level positions requiring years of experience, advanced skills and a laundry list of responsibilities. These unrealistic demands create a cycle of discouragement.
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