There are few Kdramas that linger powerfully in my mind, as few can achieve the perfect ideal of having both excellent cinematography and meaningful themes involved. Mr. Sunshine is one of these. I’ve had this as a draft post from since my PhD days when I watched this Kdrama and it gave me the neededContinue reading “Mr. Sunshine”
Category Archives: personal
Empowering Intergenerational Programming for Aging Communities
2025 is shaping out to be a year where ‘writing for fun’ is at an all-time low. I’ve been preoccupied with writing and editing a book chapter on community work with older people (a follow up from this journal piece- unfortunately paywalled but happy to share the PDF), and the second piece on the dualContinue reading “Empowering Intergenerational Programming for Aging Communities”
Hanami; liminal beauty
Having just returned from wistful beauty of cherry blossom trees and their falling petals in the spring wind, I totally relate to why hanami or cherry blossom viewing, is such a big thing in Japan. As much as I loved hanami myself, just revelling in the beauty of a single cherry blossom or appreciating theContinue reading “Hanami; liminal beauty”
Saved by Strangers
Amid feelings of stagnation and anxiety, moments of kindness from strangers offer hope and connection. From a caring mother to a supportive commuter and a thoughtful driver, these small gestures remind us of the beauty in everyday life. Despite challenges, the spirit of community flourishes like wildflowers through cracks. – AI generated and pretty much accurate, with flourishes 🙂
Supporting PhD Students: A Case Study
A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is an arduous and time-consuming journey fraught with uncertainties. At the same time, given that only about 1.3% of adults hold a PhD based on a 2021 projection from OECD countries, those pursuing a PhD (henceforth termed PhDs) tend to be the only ones within their social circles. The paper here uses a case study (n=1) approach to examine the microsystem (Bronfenbrenner, 1974) support (or lack thereof) given to a PhD student.
Update: Last Lap! 🥵
I have 3 unfinished post drafts, all on topics I find really important to put out there. Sometimes I find myself itching to write here as an avenue to organise my thoughts on a range of things. The image I get is this: Update: Yes I am done with my viva voce (thesis examination)! ItContinue reading “Update: Last Lap! 🥵”
Practicing GTM Sidenote, or Book Review
A small sidenote on practicing GTM cum book review of Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart.
hello darkness, you are not my friend
Something more personal for SWE 🙃 hello darkness, you are not my friend there is some comfort in knowing, i am not exceptional. i don’t want to be exceptional right now, i longingly look at another’s life, and wish it were mine. maybe i will be happy just doing a waitressing job? or any otherContinue reading “hello darkness, you are not my friend”
My Liberation Notes
I am sure I have taken the train with different Mi Jeongs, Gi Jeongs, and Chang Hees, each one looking down at a screen to create their personal bubble amidst the faceless crowd. What does liberation from this ‘quiet desperation of ordinary living’ mean?
Teachers’ Day; Molding the world
Today is Teachers’ Day in Singapore. As a Social Work undergrad, I constantly reassured my concerned mother that teaching would be my ‘backup’ career plan if being a social worker was not sustainable 🤣 (Ah, those days when the profession was still not as established!) Seeing how I ended up in this PhD partly influencedContinue reading “Teachers’ Day; Molding the world”
Social Working, Everything 