Author Archives: bookjunkie

About bookjunkie

Blogging about life in Singapore & recently cancer too.

My Niece Made Me So Happy Today

Posted on May 2, 2023 by bookjunkie

One of my nieces read my blog for the first time today. It feels momentous to me so I have to make a record of it here. To protect her privacy, I’m not mentioning her name. (Although they both have … Continue reading →

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Grateful for My Cousins

Posted on April 23, 2023 by bookjunkie

When I see my nieces with their cousins, it makes my heart swell. I want them to be close all their lives, like they are right now, and have beautiful memories like I do. My childhood was not easy due … Continue reading →

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Siem Reap March 2023: Pink Lotuses

Posted on March 15, 2023 by bookjunkie
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Siem Reap March 2023: Day 1 Angkor National Museum

Posted on March 13, 2023 by bookjunkie

Thought it would be good to learn some history at the museum. Many of the artefacts from Angkor are preserved here. There is a locker up front where you are required to place your handbag with the guard if it’s … Continue reading →

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Siem Reap March 2023: Day 1 (Arriving at the Jaya House River Park Hotel)

Posted on March 11, 2023 by bookjunkie

We were picked up at the airport and driven in air-conditioned comfort to the hotel. In the minivan we were given cold jasmine scented towels and reusable aluminium bottles of iced water. We were already feeling pampered. The driver’s voice … Continue reading →

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Siem Reap March 2023: Day 1 (Landing at the Airport)

Posted on March 11, 2023 by bookjunkie

It was a bit of a bumpy landing, but of course always happy to land safe and sound. Kinda cool to find we were on the tarmac and walked to the rustic looking airport that’s modern clean and spacious inside. … Continue reading →

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Beautiful Singapore Morning

Posted on March 2, 2023 by bookjunkie

14 April 2022 at 6.44am. Haven’t risen to see the sky this beautiful since, but I hope to. I pushed myself too much perhaps and now I’m down and needing to take a forced rest. Hope to get back to … Continue reading →

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Some Days I Can & Other Days I Just Can’t

Posted on February 23, 2023 by bookjunkie

I can be pretty hard on myself. I think I’m too lax, but that’s what my partner and mum tell me. I am trying desperately to regain my fitness. It gets harder as you’re aging and I suppose even harder … Continue reading →

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Don’t Know How to Feel About This

Posted on February 20, 2023 by bookjunkie

I’m getting closer and closer to my father’s age, but he’ll never be any older than 61. It’s weird that if I stood next to him now, to strangers, at the very most he would look like an older brother … Continue reading →

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Must Read: First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung

Posted on February 20, 2023 by bookjunkie

I’ve never been so fully engaged in a book. The last one was perhaps Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood. The parts of the book touching on the fear and pain of losing a father made me cry. I can’t recall … Continue reading →

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Things People in Singapore say

Posted on February 17, 2023 by bookjunkie

Just some things I overheard when travelling on the MRT or sitting at a cafe. Often I don’t even want to hear these conversations, especially those of business folks who seem so overconfident and love the sound of their own … Continue reading →

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Plant Based: Who Knew it Could Be so Yummy

Posted on February 17, 2023 by bookjunkie

I had never heard of plant based calamari before and did not expect it to taste so good and be as chewy as squid. The ambience at Little Farms Bar and Grill at Serangoon Gardens is pretty nice especially after … Continue reading →

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#20. Simple Joys: Singapore being cooler because of all the trees and plants

Posted on February 16, 2023 by bookjunkie

It’s something we take for granted. The rest of Southeast Asia is much hotter due to the lack of trees, even though Singapore lies closer to the equator. We also have the advantage of being an island. The surrounding water … Continue reading →

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An Introvert Who Likes People

Posted on February 16, 2023 by bookjunkie

I am not a good conversationalist. I like it when friendly strangers speak to me, but I always feel like I respond in an awkward manner. My partner tells me that I look approachable unlike him. I think I am … Continue reading →

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No More Masks on Trains or Buses

Posted on February 15, 2023 by bookjunkie

I was nervous when I heard the news that from Valentines Eve, no less, the rule to wear masks was being removed. You’d think I should be jumping for joy. Back when the rule was imposed, old me would have … Continue reading →

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I’m Concerned About Injuries

Posted on February 14, 2023 by bookjunkie

I wish I could push myself to the extreme the way I did without worry in my twenties. That’s one of the hardest parts about aging. I used to walk long distances and swim countless laps in the University pool. … Continue reading →

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I Hope I Can Keep this Up

Posted on February 13, 2023 by bookjunkie

Finally woke up early again and was able to do my morning walk. Been feeling panicky lately, as I feel that with the psoriasis, it indicates that my immune system is not doing well. The steroids are not working and … Continue reading →

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#19. Simple Joys: A Glimpse of Thaipusam and Devotees carrying Kavadis and Milk Pots

Posted on February 5, 2023 by bookjunkie

So glad my partner agreed to drive through Little India even with the traffic crunch. I really wanted a glimpse of the festivities. I truly respect the devotion of the devotees and was looking out for my cousin and her … Continue reading →

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Finally Living Again in 2023 Post Covid

Posted on February 2, 2023 by bookjunkie

By living, I mean taking the bus and train more regularly as opposed to being stuck at home where you tend to be too sedentary. I honestly prefer these modes of transport to a taxi or car if I’m not … Continue reading →

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#18. Simple Joys: A Dragon Dance

Posted on January 30, 2023 by bookjunkie

Just when I was thinking my life is so humdrum, I heard a cacophony of cymbals and drums and headed towards it. I felt so uplifted and blessed to be perfectly on time for a dragon dance. And in my … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture & Society, Midlife Musings, Simple Joys, Singapore Living | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Feel Like I Have Nothing Significant to Share Right Now

Posted on January 27, 2023 by bookjunkie

It is why I hardly write. I only write when I feel the compulsion. It can’t really be forced especially with regards to matters of the heart. Also I am now extremely self conscious about the oversharing I did shortly … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Cancer, Midlife Musings, Trauma | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

13 Days Into the New Year

Posted on January 12, 2023 by bookjunkie

This post will be all over the place as I cram thoughts about these several days into one post. I’m getting used to the psoriosis. I also now realise that the daivobet steroid gel has worked after a month. Some … Continue reading →

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