Tag Archives: culture

Samy’s Curry at Dempsey has Been Renovated & We had a Good Lunch There

Posted on October 16, 2022 by bookjunkie

Went by for lunch. It was packed and there was a queue as we left. This is quite the institution for Singaporean style South Indian curry on a banana leaf. I truly love the cabbage dhal, fish curry and Mysore … Continue reading →

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5 Things I Thought I Would Have when I was a Child: Letting Go of My Expectations

Posted on October 1, 2022 by bookjunkie

This is my exercise in letting go of expectations. Sadly life never turns out the way you expect for many, but there have also been treasured joys I never expected as well. When I was a kid I always imagined … Continue reading →

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Typical Day in the Life of My Mum in the early 1960’s

Posted on September 25, 2022 by bookjunkie

She couldn’t recall exactly what time she woke up, but it was to the crowing of the neighbourhood roosters and not an alarm clock. They were extremely loud she said. She ironed her uniform the day before. Once adorned, she … Continue reading →

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Family Ties: Aunts, Uncles & Cousins

Posted on September 24, 2022 by bookjunkie

I recently asked my uncle how he felt when his son was just born. “Were you nervous being a father now? Nervous about having to carry a baby.” He said not really, and then I realised my baby cousin (I … Continue reading →

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Taxi Drivers Educate Me About Why I Can’t Get A Taxi Post Covid & Interesting Daily Routine Stories

Posted on September 8, 2022 by bookjunkie

I love listening to a new story each time I get into a taxi. Recently the taxi driver who picked me up shared with me that he’s 63 years old, but to me he didn’t look anything past 50 something. … Continue reading →

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Snake Charmers

Posted on August 26, 2022 by bookjunkie

Was at Little India in Singapore recently and B pointed out some informational posters to me. One of them brought back memories about snake charmers. B had never seen them as a kid, but I recall seeing them quite often. … Continue reading →

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Why it’s Better to Grow Up in Singapore Today Compared to the 70’s and 80’s

Posted on April 8, 2022 by bookjunkie

These are just my personal feelings (I’m a diary blogger & not a journalist by any means) based on my particular childhood experiences some of which I don’t wish to relive. Nothing set in concrete. I used to always think … Continue reading →

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My Thoughts About Interviews & Ethics

Posted on April 8, 2022 by bookjunkie

In the past I’ve had a range of job interviews. Most of them have been soul crushing. It is why I will always be thankful to the interview panel at the New Zealand Embassy, even though I didn’t make it … Continue reading →

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This Crazy Need to be Constantly Productive

Posted on April 8, 2022 by bookjunkie

I look at characters in movies and they get so much done within a day. It makes me feel like a sloth, as on some days, even waking up is a chore. There’s this constant need to be ticking off … Continue reading →

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My History

Posted on April 4, 2022 by bookjunkie

Some blogs are truly engaging. Often I am so drawn in that I feel compelled to leave a comment. Usually the writer has been incredibly generous and brave with their life story. I can’t help but wonder, am I wasting … Continue reading →

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Anxiety: Why Am I Wired This Way?

Posted on April 1, 2022 by bookjunkie

My brain has been wired by trauma to always think of the worse possible outcome, so that I can be prepared. I’m constantly in fight or flight mode. It’s a terrible state to be in and I wish I wasn’t … Continue reading →

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Netflix: The Lost Daughter

Posted on March 31, 2022 by bookjunkie

This is probably an unpopular opinion, but I really loathed and was actually repulsed by the main character Leda in ‘The Lost Daughter’, played by Olivia Coleman. She has an affair and leaves her two very young daughters for three … Continue reading →

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Can I Go Back to the Nineties Please?

Posted on March 24, 2022 by bookjunkie

I must be missing out I think, as I watch people get ecstatic on social media, posting jubilant memes in response to Singapore lifting some covid restrictions. Alcohol consumption will soon be allowed after 10.30 pm and live music. You … Continue reading →

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Funny Signs in Singapore

Posted on March 24, 2022 by bookjunkie

Naughty people stuck their stickers on this poor vendor’s notice. Singaporeans can be very lazy indeed when it comes to things like this that’s not considered litter. Also made me wonder. Who is now accepting 5 cent coins. And our … Continue reading →

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How the Society you live in Determines Happiness

Posted on March 23, 2022 by bookjunkie

Warning: this is yet another rambling, meandering post. Stream of consciousness? At first listening to the French Duolingo podcasts was inspiring but after a while I found a common theme. The protagonist surmounted all the odds to win a contest … Continue reading →

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Blogging Life: Been Away For So Long I Dropped Off Google

Posted on March 20, 2022 by bookjunkie

When I started blogging actively around 2011 on my own domain (.com) and not just on free sites (2005-2011), my traffic went up exponentially and I ranked on the first page of Google for years. Then cancer happened and after … Continue reading →

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My Fave Japanese Stores in Singapore #3 : Don Don Donki

Posted on March 18, 2022 by bookjunkie

A picture heavy post. This store is so enticing and attractive, although it’s more on the expensive side compared to Daiso of course. The fruit is like eye candy and the fresh scent of apples today. Just wow. Feast for … Continue reading →

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Where We Used Our CDC Vouchers #12: Yakader Dum Briyani at Tekka

Posted on March 18, 2022 by bookjunkie

Been coming here for years and raving about it to relatives. Miss this a lot during the lockdown period. Back then this stall was not as famous as Allahuddin. When we first tried the Yakader chicken dum briyani, the chicken … Continue reading →

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Where I Used My CDC Vouchers #10: Revisited Toa Payoh Lorong 1 Block 127 Dough Fritter Stall, 02-05

Posted on March 17, 2022 by bookjunkie

The yellow bean hum chim peng was piping hot today and so perfectly good. The salty sweet combo is just heaven to this carb addict. Today there was a young guy at the stall and a lady perhaps the wife … Continue reading →

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Where I Used My CDC Vouchers #9: Chey Sua Carrot Cake

Posted on March 17, 2022 by bookjunkie

I was so glad to see the stall was open today. The last time it was closed even though it was on a day they usually operate. It’s my very first time trying this famous white carrot cake. I asked … Continue reading →

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Life is unfair and humility is underrated

Posted on March 17, 2022 by bookjunkie

I hesitate to publish my raw thoughts. I’m aware that beneath this post lies my own bitterness due to certain traumas in life. But perhaps my thoughts about disparity and privilege might strike a chord with you. You see, on … Continue reading →

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Northshore Plaza: We like this new mall at Punggol

Posted on March 16, 2022 by bookjunkie

In Singapore malls are needed to escape the intense heat. And it’s nice to find a new place to hang out, that’s not too crowded. I think it’s because it doesn’t have a Uniqlo. I noticed that any mall with … Continue reading →

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