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Learning to listen isn't easy, but it's worth it

How many of us can claim to be good listeners? I've come to realise that listening is an art. Think of all the people you've ever spoken to who is a 'good listener'. Apart from your friends, these folks are most likely doctors, counsellors, customer service reps, and yes, even barbers and hairstylists. Listening with an open mind does not come naturally to everyone. I feel it requires a genuine desire to hear the other person's perspectives and opinions without judgment. Only then

jeresinex

jeresinex

Inchcape Singapore's all-new motor insurance: 5 quick facts!

Courtesy cars, 24/7 roadside assistance, and an NCD protector await those who insure with Inchcape DriveSure, ensuring your freedom of movement always.   Due diligence should always precede the purchase of any product that you’re seeking to hold on to for the long term. And no, we're not just talking about the cars that greet you in our glitzy local showrooms, but an essential (virtual) document that is necessary before you get behind the wheel: Car insurance. There are certa

clarencegi75

clarencegi75

'Water' you going to do for your next wallet-friendly getaway? Here's an idea…

For those stuck in the relentless, monotonous city grind and dreaming of crystal-clear waters and sandy shores for their next getaway, here's a thought: With Singapore as our launchpad, us locals can explore the charming beaches of Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam without breaking the bank. These nearby paradises don’t just offer cheap and affordable flights and accommodation; they also provide the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. So, if you're pondering your next escape, let this guide

chrissyc

chrissyc

Musings about the Pomodoro Method

In a hyper-connected mega-city, where time seems to tick at a relentlessly brisk pace and where distractions are aplenty, pondering the art of productivity and focus is inevitable. In fact, it’s almost become a necessity. No wonder so many listicles have been written to point us in the right directions. Different methods works for different folks, of course, and when I was in my final year of university, I was introduced to a method that I regularly return to still: The Pomodoro Method, a d

In a hyper-connected world, your physical presence is more important than ever

The advent of apps and the Internet have revolutionised our ability to connect instantaneously. From social media to video calls to messaging apps, our capacity for real-time communication is unprecedented. However, it seems that the more hyperconnected we are online, the further apart we're growing in real life. Experts' Consensus Doctors, scientists, and specialists have all reached the same conclusion: Staring at our devices causes us to drift further apart – a trend I've obser

jeresinex

jeresinex

Are forums outdated? I try to find out by asking AI

Is your boss asking you to explore and learn how to use AI to improve the quality and efficiency of your work? Yup, you aren't the only one in that boat.  Whilst exploring new AI tools, I figured: Why not use it to answer some burning questions that I have? This time, it was about whether forums are outdated. Yes, forums like this one that we are on. I remember how before social media became popular, and before apps like Carousell existed, forums were where I chatted with others t

Motorcycle riding is a sensory experience beyond the exhaust

Riding a motorcycle is like taking your nose on a wild adventure. You're cruising down the road, expecting to smell nothing except exhaust fumes and perhaps rubbish, when suddenly - bam! - you're hit with the mouthwatering aroma of sizzling char kway teow from a nearby coffeeshop. Heck, you might even catch a whiff of someone's fancy perfume as you zip by. It's like your bike has magical powers, transforming an ordinary ride into a sensory rollercoaster. It's these unexpected olfactory deli

jeresinex

jeresinex

Stressed out? Why not take up aquascaping?

Our recent little 'explore' of Pasis Ris really drove home the fact that the fish farm along Pasir Ris Farmway is no longer there. I know, I know, this is old news and all, but I just miss the old days when I’d travel across the island in search for new plants to stock my aquarium. The high days of Luohan and Arowana keeping may be long gone, but you’d be surprised just how vibrant the fish keeping scene is here in Singapore. And for those (like myself all those years back) who ca

How are we already in June?

During lunch with my mother a couple of weeks back over yong tau foo, I was asked about my opinion on the latest NDP song. And of course, as expected of any chronically insular millennial, my reaction was: “Huh? There’s a new NDP song?” But of course there is. And I say this not to disparage the wonderful songwriters and musicians that provide an anthem to remember the nation’s birthday by annually, but to knock into my own mind the harsh reality: We’re already in mid-June.  It fe

donutdontu

donutdontu

23 years on, Infernal Affairs remains the best gangster movie I've watched

TL;DR It's over two decades old, but Infernal Affairs remains THE gangster trilogy. *SPOILERS AHEAD* *SPOILERS AHEAD* *SPOILERS AHEAD* The Hong Kong Police and a triad have placed moles in each other's ranks. Tony Leung is Chan Wing Yan, an undercover cop desperate to leave his assignment. The antagonist is Senior Inspector Lau Kin Ming (Andy Lau), a decorated policeman who is actually a mole for Hon Sam (Eric Tsang), a triad boss. It's a game of cat-and-mouse, with poli

jeresinex

jeresinex

Journey to the West: First Steps in Southwestern China, Pt. 3

Note: This is the third instalment of a series covering my trip to southwestern China. Read Pt. 1 and Pt. 2 here. CHENGDU Day 7: We savoured one last morning view of the Chongqing skyline from our rooms before heading to Shapingba Railway Station for our ride to Chengdu. Because we had quite a bit of luggage, we split into pairs upon our arrival and took different taxis to our accommodation. When Mum and I got there, my brother was waiting alone. Apparently, upon reachi

Movile Cave: Aliens on Earth

Picture this: a subterranean hideaway so exclusive, it's been sealed off from the outside world for a cool 5.5 million years. Yep, the Movile Cave is a strange alien universe right here on Earth, tucked underneath the Romanian coast.  It may be just 20 metres below ground, but the Movile Cave is about as alien an environment as you will find anywhere on Earth. With no interference from the plebeian air that we breathe and light that we see, the cave instead is a concoction of sulphuric

bobthemob

bobthemob

I have a new favourite game - Dave the Diver!

Nowadays I think many people have a Nintendo Switch, considering how it is often given away as a free gift when you sign up for credit cards,etc. Instead of just playing Mario Kart, Overcooked and Pokemon, I have another game to introduce to you all! The game is Dave the Diver. This game has completely captivated me with its delightful blend of adventure and relaxation. From the moment I dove into its vibrant underwater world, I was hooked. The gameplay mechanics strike that perfect b

Japan is weird. I love it (Part 9)

You know when you go to a mamak shop or Good Price and see those brightly coloured plastic toy 'instruments' that you would buy for kids to bang away on? Well, someone (Japanese, of course) had the idea to basically turn that into an actual musical instrument.  I present you: The Otamatone.  The Otamatone originated in Japan in 1998, thanks to the creative minds at CUBE Works and Maywa Denki. This playful music instrument boasts a quirky, note-inspired design that has captured the imag

bobthemob

bobthemob

Imagine being reduced to just your balls...

So... A few months ago, a little fish captured the attention of the internet after it was filmed on its way to the ocean surface. Fish, of course, break the water's surface all the time, but this fish was something else. Take a look here:  So apparently this thing you're looking at is a black seadevil anglerfish, and it's rare for these things to come to the surface. The internet, having witnessed this, is naturally rife with speculation as to what exactly is going on. A

Singapore lunch staple: Why cai png is unbeatable

As a bustling metropolis renowned for its culinary diversity, Singapore offers an array of dining options that cater to every palate. Yet, amidst this gastronomic abundance, cai png stands out as an unparalleled lunchtime staple. It’s hard not to be consistently drawn to the simplicity cai png (or cai fan) - with its customisable array of meats, vegetables, and gravies, all of which embody the essence of comfort and convenience. In many ways, cai png is not merely a meal; it is a refle

What happened to Billabong?

I was recently in Indonesia standing outside an adventurewear shop, and suddenly thought about the Billabong brand. In my teenage days, Billabong shops dotted every shopping mall you went to. And yet, until this past weekend I have probably not thought about the brand in maybe 10 years.  What happened?  The Rise and Fall of Billabong: A Fashion Empire's Journey Picture this: It was 1973, the sands of Gold Coast were buzzing with surfers, and Gordon and Rena Merchant were busy stit

bobthemob

bobthemob

The enduring charm of Singapore wet markets

I know I’m idealising it all - as a not-so-young millennial that can’t remember the last time he cooked a full meal for himself. (That was probably a good two years ago.) But moving on slightly from morning walks now, the space I’ve found myself frequenting when I feel like I need a break from the routines of everyday life (or to simply clear my head) isn’t the park. It’s the basement level of Punggol Plaza. That a wet market even exists here should be surprising. Punggol, after all, is qui

Pitcairn Islands: Life in the middle of nowhere

I was recently on Google Maps doing some cursory pre-holiday "research", and decided for some unexplainable reason (no, I have no ambitions to be a geoguesser) to randomly explore. After some random mouse click-and-dragging, I found myself in the middle of nowhere. Okay well, in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean. Zoomed out far enough on Google Maps, it's just a complete sea of blue. But zoom in more and little islands start to appear (actually their names start appearing before the actual i

bobthemob

bobthemob

Singapore weather: Rainy or sunny, what’s healthier for you?

Singapore can be that predictably unpredictable equatorial city, where the skies shift from radiant sunshine to torrential downpour in mere moments. Given how things have been the past few weeks, I’ve subconsciously found myself pondering the impact of this mercurial weather on our health. What does the internet say: Is it the sun-drenched days that truly invigorate us, or do the rhythmic rains offer a more profound rejuvenation? In a city where the climate dances between these two ext

Could 100 of us take on a gorilla?

Could 100 of us take on a Gorilla? This is what the internet should be about: Debating trivial hypotheticals instead of spewing hateful content. Yes, we are a little late to the trend. But still, this one's still worth talking about we think. So, obviously, no use of weapons or armour, and no use of erm, more unconventional methods like this guy is suggesting… But could 100 examples of you take on a gorilla? Wikipedia informs us that a gorilla can typically reach a

A 20-year journey, an old passion rekindled

For us 90s babies, the Holy Trinity of Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network formed a big part of our childhood. The internet was just about coming into fruition, with the rise of a plethora of websites with numerous entertaining flash games and of course, the early days of YouTube. And though those things have come and gone, one thing in my life remained constant: My love for Pokemon. I first got into Pokemon 20 years ago, and I remember exactly how it went down. Let me set the

The Joys of Morning Walks

Like most other folks stuck in the rut of smartphone-hyper-use, I recently caught myself doing the same each morning: Waking up to immediately reach for my phone. Reflecting on the first quarter of the year, however – and realising that I’ve been subconsciously plunged into an extended bout of languidness – brought me to the realisation: Perhaps it's time to embrace a different routine. One that started with stepping outside into the crisp morning air, and feeling the gentle warmth of

donutdontu

donutdontu

YOLO or FOMO? The perils of overpacked holidays

You've finally escaped your daily grind, jetted off to paradise, and now you're... exhausted? Welcome to the modern vacation conundrum. In the words of a well-spoken colleague, this is "where YOLO meets FOMO in an epic battle for your precious holiday time". The overplanning trap Many of us are hardwired for productivity because we're pressed for time. Everything from errands to visits to workouts must be scheduled in a bid to save time. At times, it seems like the only goal is to

jeresinex

jeresinex

Ready? Steady? Slow!

Have you ever watched on of those baby crawling races? They are hilarious. I watch a lot of NBA, and sometimes they have these races as a halftime entertainment. And its hilarious because unlike most athletic races, there's an inherent unpredictability and chaos to these things. They get distracted, they get bored, they get tired. Babies doing baby things, you know.  Well, England thinks it can one-up the absurdity of racing: Introducing to you, Snail Racing.  It seems almost

bobthemob

bobthemob

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