Category Archives: Culture & Society

The Adorable Darth Vader Boy

Posted on February 9, 2011 by bookjunkie

I don’t watch the Superbowl or soccer for that matter, but I am so glad Crystal of Expat Bostonians shared this delightful commercial when she blogged about the superbowl.  I love how she brings a slice of America into Singapore … Continue reading →

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Asian Kid Self-Censorship Syndrome

Posted on January 21, 2011 by bookjunkie

I was emailing my cousin D an SNL clip on YouTube, that was a little raunchy. In my email I confessed that I would have put the video on the blog if my mum, aunts and uncles were not a … Continue reading →

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Cyclists on a Pedestrian Pass

Posted on January 20, 2011 by bookjunkie

My family and friends have a common pet peeve – cyclists who zoom by on pedestrian paths and yell at you to move aside when they are coming from the back (the pedestrian’s blind spot).  I didn’t realize that it … Continue reading →

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A New 13th Star Sign: Yikes! It May Mean You’re Not Who You Thought You Were

Posted on January 18, 2011 by bookjunkie

There’s a new 13th sign in the zodiac that is making everything go haywire. It’s a sign between Scorpio and Sagittarius which has a name I can’t even pronounce – Ophiuchus. I don’t quite understand it all, but it is … Continue reading →

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I Feel Sorry for Nadya Suleman When I Watch This

Posted on January 18, 2011 by bookjunkie

It feels like Suze Orman was bullying Nadya Suleman. If you don’t know who Nadya is, she’s the woman who has been labelled the Octomum, because she had 8 kids through IVF when she already had six children she couldn’t … Continue reading →

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Vui Kong, You’re Just a Child to Me

Posted on January 16, 2011 by bookjunkie

Dear Vui Kong, Happy Birthday. To me you’re just a child.  23 is so incredibly young.  When I was  23 I was often told I was innocent and green.  I fear that you were even more so, when you resorted … Continue reading →

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Serenity Now: Relationships, Marriage and the Importance of Having Your Own Space

Posted on December 27, 2010 by bookjunkie

{Image: Telegraph} Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter have already won my respect for their artistic talents and now they have won me over with their unconventional lifestyle. They have 2 kids and have been together for a decade, but … Continue reading →

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Beautiful People Get Away with Murder at Work

Posted on December 26, 2010 by bookjunkie

{Image: China Smack} My cousin just sent me this article. It’s about the old bias that everyone knows exists at work, but that’s never officially acknowledged. Better looking people who are less qualified can get away with lot of nonsense … Continue reading →

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Singapore Daily Photo: Please Q

Posted on December 16, 2010 by bookjunkie

Still don’t quite see this happening. They queue, but when the train comes and the doors opens, everyone rushes in and your path is blocked as you try to make your way out.

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Be Kind to the Bus Captain

Posted on December 15, 2010 by bookjunkie

Haven’t taken the bus in a while, and I was impressed by this new sign on the bus. It’s true. We need to be kind to the bus captain and we shouldn’t tolerate it if they are abused. These days … Continue reading →

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5 Billion Reasons Why Investors Like Singapore

Posted on December 13, 2010 by bookjunkie

An article, just out, by Howard Stutz in the Las Vegas review journal surprised me. I knew that the 2 casinos in Singapore were doing well, but I didn’t know that their annual earnings of S$5 billion exceeded that of … Continue reading →

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I was Awestruck: The Three Belles by Strangefruit

Posted on November 27, 2010 by bookjunkie

Some days you get an unexpected delight and today was my day.  Thank you Three Belles, for adding magic to an otherwise regular day. Another reason why I find the new Marina Bay Sands amazing and not just another mall. … Continue reading →

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Is Shadeism Worse Than Racism? (via Pretty Brown Girl™)

Posted on November 25, 2010 by bookjunkie

You must watch this thought provoking video posted by blogger Pretty Brown Girl. It is shocking to me because it is so familiar. The little girl in the video could be a member of my own family. http://vimeo.com/16210769 It's not … Continue reading →

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14 Moments of Culture Shock

Posted on November 25, 2010 by bookjunkie

In my life so far, Culture Shock ranges from mild to extreme.  Television and movies have  reduced the total strangeness and unfamiliarity element, but not everything is captured on screen.  Here are some of my Alice in Wonderland moments: 1. … Continue reading →

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Singapore Daily Photo: Disturbing Income Gap

Posted on October 18, 2010 by bookjunkie

I found this accidental capture quite disturbing, as the discrepancies between the rich and poor widen. Singapore seems more and more a playground for the rich, while the lower income citizens are left on the sidelines.

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Society is Afraid of Alone

Posted on August 19, 2010 by bookjunkie

I think this poem translated into a film is just beautiful and meditative. The poet is Tanya Davis. Watching the little clip made me feel so much more relaxed and for a moment, no longer constrained under the glare of … Continue reading →

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Culture Shock: Singapore Expat Bloggers Give Great Insights

Posted on July 30, 2010 by bookjunkie

I love reading blogs by expatriates in Singapore. They give me new insights and perspectives.  They also scoop out interesting tidbits I have overlooked. All of the guidebooks and expat guides to moving to Singapore mention a particular local custom. … Continue reading →

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Singapore’s Last Village

Posted on July 29, 2010 by bookjunkie

I didn’t even know we had a village? But now that I do know, it’s sad that it’s going to the torn down. It’s wonderful to me that the landlords have been charging the residents of Buangkok Village who are … Continue reading →

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The Noose: Let’s Have More Empathy for Lower Income Foreign Workers

Posted on July 20, 2010 by bookjunkie

Michelle Chong does a spot on Philippino accent.  Some Singaporeans really treat their maids terribly.  Aren’t they employees just like any of us working in an office, but somehow they get treated a whole lot worse – dehumanized.  Anyway I … Continue reading →

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Places of Worship (Little India)

Posted on July 16, 2010 by bookjunkie

As we drove by Serangoon Road (Little India), I took photos of a Mosque, Hindu Temples and a Sikh Temple which was undergoing renovation. There was a church as well, but I couldn’t snap the photos in time. You can … Continue reading →

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Toddlers and Tiaras: You’re Never Too Young To Get Your Eyebrows Waxed!

Posted on July 15, 2010 by bookjunkie

Update: You’re never too young to get our eyebrows waxed! (via Dlisted) 10 year old Brooklyn even manages to warn other little girls “Don’t try this at home!”. The guy who waxes her eyebrows even boasts that she will only … Continue reading →

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Culture Shock: Eating with My Fingers

Posted on July 10, 2010 by bookjunkie

My French cousin has adapted well to various Indian cultural things, except that she doesn’t eat with her fingers. Since she was little she has been scolded when she touches food with her fingers as it is considered barbaric and … Continue reading →

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