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”
Category Archives: personal
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”
Stocktake- PhD Life Updates
Summer 🌞 One thing I really like about university life is chunking the year into seasons. This makes looking at the year and goal-setting more manageable, and creates natural moments to take stock. This post is partially meant for social workers (or those in similar professions) who are considering whether to embark on a PhD.Continue reading “Stocktake- PhD Life Updates”
Social Working, Everything 