I KNOW ARISTOTLE

Taylor Swift has dropped a double album to commemorate her breakup with Joe Alwyn, and of course, I think it’s a fantastic album with great music. So Long, London, and Down Bad are a couple of my favorite tracks from it so far, although I’m still in the thick of my semester-end finals and I haven’t quite had the time to explore the 31 new tracks fully yet, and so my answers may change, a couple of weeks later. Five weeks ago, I met a man called Garrett for a first date in Vancouver. I stepped out of the Skytrain station to meet him, and at that moment, the sun was setting on the Vancouver skyline, so we saw the prettiest sight. It was so pretty that, within a few minutes, Jeremy had texted me to look at the sky. Garrett and I joked that we’d made the gorgeous scenery happen for the other person. We then walked around asking each other questions to get to know each other. On the way to have drinks and dinner, we found out that we had the same birthday, verifying by looking at the other person’s ID. After some mediocre buns and drinks, he got us ice cream, matcha for himself and carrot cake for me, although we shared both pretty equally. The ice cream was fantastic, but the banter felt much more comfortable. For the next two weeks, we called each other pretty much everyday, and then we had another date. On that date, he made some pretty good tacos (that I rated 8/10) and got me a tub of matcha ice-cream, on the lid of which he’d written “4 my penguin”, because penguins are his favorite animal. I met his roommates, a pretty sweet couple, before they left for a party, and then Garrett put on a little bit of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour for us to watch, before we shared our life stories with each other. I stayed over at his place, and the next morning, we walked around the Mount Pleasant area. In keeping with our tradition, he got me a carrot cake cupcake, because I hadn’t had carrot cake in Canada (which is my favorite type of cake, I know, how uncool lol), and he was making up for lost time, maybe. He also got me an earl grey donut from Cartems, which I really liked, even though I’ve never really liked donuts very much. Since then, we’ve also been calling and FaceTiming, once, twice, three times a day, every day. We’re currently on FaceTime with each other while we’re studying together. We’re both going through our school finals in the next week or so, and then he’s coming over to Nanaimo to stay with me for half the week. He goes to therapy once a week, and is studying to be a therapist. Whenever we’ve run into things that may turn into issues, we talk things through very calmly and thoroughly, and we’ve said how safe we feel with each other that we’re able to bring things up to each other to talk about, instead of letting things sit and fester. I don’t know, it’s small things so far, and nothing major has happened, but the past five weeks have felt so pleasant and lovely and easy. So… We’ll see how things go.

LIGHT FOR GOOD VIBES

Day 92: What is the last trick you fell for?

Alessia asked "why is the word 'gullible' written on our ceiling?" and I looked up. 

Day 93: What annoyed you or made you cringe today?

Forgetting that I had meetings scheduled.

Day 94: What scent makes you happiest?

Lavender, Chanel No. 5 EDP, Taylor Swift's Incredible Things are all scents that make me happy. I also love the smell of caramelizing onions. 

Day 95: What is the formula for success?
In this world? Be born rich.

Day 96: What is the last thing you searched for?
Love. I think I might have found it, too, although it might be early to tell. It's a lot like love right now.

Day 97: What did you forget to do today?

I forgot to bring my copy of Karl Marx's Selected Writings for Garrett.

Day 98: What surprised you today?

I had a donut I liked, from Cartems Donuts. I'm not usually the biggest fan of donuts, but Garrett got me an earl grey one. 

Day 99: What is the quickest way to your heart?
Caring about social justice issues.

Day 100: What is one thing you've never done?
Scuba dive.

Day 101: How soundly do you sleep?

I fall asleep pretty easily, but am quite a light sleeper and am sensitive to noise. 

Day 102: Whose phone number(s) do you know by heart?
Jeremy's. It's the easiest phone number to remember, tbh.

Day 103: Whose heart have you broken?
I have broken up with a few people but I don't know that I can say I broke their hearts.

Day 104: What was the last vacation you really enjoyed?
I think when I went back to Singapore in December 2022. So strange to think that going back to my home country now counts as a vacation for me.

Day 105: What is your mantra?
If you're not depressed, you're not paying attention.

SAWMILL CREEK

Day 64: Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
My family in Singapore.

Day 65: What are you most proud of?
That I'm still a good person who advocates for humanity even when life gets tough.

Day 66: What outfit would you wear every day if you could?
For comfort, a hoodie and sweatpants. For appearance, my pink suit.

Day 67: Do you feel blessed or cursed?
At this very moment, I think I lean more towards feeling blessed.

Day 68: What is your biggest fear?
Dying without having done everything I want to.

Day 69: What was the last courageous thing you did?
Run for Director-at-Large with the BCFS.

Day 70: Who always has your support?
Maybe Sara Kishawi.

Day 71: What friendship has grown deeper?
My friendship with Alessia.

Day 72: What is the last movie you went to see?

The Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert movie.

Day 73: In what position do you sleep best?
On my left, slightly curled up.

Day 74: On which topic do you consider yourself an expert?
Taylor Swift, maybe anti-capitalism - at least I'm more of an expert than the average person.

Day 75: What TV show always makes you laugh?
Parks and Rec.

Day 76: What is your dream car?
I don't have a dream car.

Day 77: What is your good luck charm?
I don't think I believe in one???

Day 78: If your life had a theme song, what would it be?

You Get What You Give by New Radicals.

Day 79: Appetizers, desserts, or both?
If I could have both, why would I pick one?

Day 80: What hasn't changed about you over the years?
How much of a romantic I am.

Day 81: What did you do exactly right today?
I cooked the right amount, for my meals today.

Day 82: What is on your bedside table right now?
A bedside lamp, my school course texts, a vibrator, Lush Twilight body spray.

Day 83: What makes you feel like a kid again?
Swinging on the swings, running and playing in heavy rain.

Day 84: Who is your mentor?
In different capacities for different aspects of life: Art, Warren, Kaia, Lauren.

Day 85: Who owes you an apology?
Probably the person who was trolling me with mean comments a few years ago, not that I'd expect one. And also my real dad. Also not expecting that one either.

Day 86: What is the last compliment you received?
Someone calling me exceptionally beautiful.

Day 87: Which year of your life has been the most enjoyable?
I believe it was 2012. I went to see Spring Awakening (one of my favorite musicals), Jason Mraz's concert, etc.

Day 88: How many cups of coffee did you drink today?
One.

Day 89: What is your idea of a great evening out?
A really good movie, or a musical, or a stand-up comedy show, followed by a delicious late night supper.

Day 90: Truth or dare?
??? Who will dare me to do things??? Or ask me questions????

Day 91: City, suburbs, or country life - Which suits you best?
I think the suburbs? IDK, they all have their perks and disadvantages. I like all three for different purposes.

HENRI MATISSE

Day 50: When was the last time you were really angry?

Two weeks ago, at the statement the board made.

Day 51: On what do you spend way too much money?

My education.

Day 52: When was the last time you cried?

Probably when I was angry at the statement and all the different factors surrounding the situation.

Day 53: What do you see outside of your window?

My neighbors’ house behind a fence. 

Day 54: What struggle are you happy to have behind you?

Trying to reconcile religious faith and moral values (the values prevailed!).

Day 55: What promise have you kept?

I have so far managed to stick it out in school, making my family proud, despite all sorts of struggles.

Day 56: What is the first thing you did this morning?

I brushed my teeth.

Day 57: How famous would you like to be?

I’d like to be as famous as AOC, for doing similar things. 

Day 58: What are the top qualities of your perfect mate?

He is respectful, thoughtful, kind, generous, consistently affectionate, slightly naughty, leftist, a good communicator, goes to therapy, likes to cuddle, and has cats.

Day 59: When life gives you lemons, what do you do?

I’d probably start by crying about it, try to change it, talk about it at therapy. 

Day 60: When have you taken a leap of faith?

When I came to Canada for my studies, and when I ran for Women Students’ Rep at the Students’ Union for the first time.

Day 61: Who makes you feel appreciated?

Alessia, Leah, Maggie.

Day 62: What is your favourite day of the week?

Friday, because you can anticipate the weekend.

Day 63: What about your life is different than you expected it to be?

I didn’t really think I’d move and live so far away from my family, not until the last six to seven years of my life.

AMBERGRIS

It is yet another weekend. You know what’s weird? I’ve been embroiled in so many politically-charged situations in the past few months or so. There are hush-hush whisperings about people and their political leanings, there have been suspicions about who did what and to whom, I’ve tried to learn who the “safe” professors are in school so that I know when I can do projects about things I really believe in, as opposed to pretending to care about meaningless, filler content. I’ve never liked to do this, the acts and airs, but recently I’ve been putting up a front in some professional situations, because apparently some people in advocacy aren’t really true advocates, more than they enjoy the comfortable positions that they’ve held for a long time. It sucks, and it makes me feel icky about myself, but then I did study politics, and I do intend to work somewhere in the political realm in future. Yuck, yuck, yuck. We’ve got about a month to go to the end of this semester and for summer break to start. I cannot fucking wait. This semester needs to die in a hellfire, as does Israel. 

PACHINKO

Day 36: What memory makes you smile? 

I have two surefire memories for this. One is when I went home to Singapore in December 2022, and we surprised my grandma, because she thought I was coming home a week later. The other is when my sisters came to visit me in Canada in December 2021, and I pretended to eat a dirty churro stick that we’d dropped and picked up from the ground (because it was expensive). Both are in my “family” highlight on Instagram. :)

Day 37: What is your favorite restaurant?

In Singapore, Scaled, and Jaan. In Canada, I haven’t been able to afford eating at many restaurants to have a favorite, not yet. I’ve probably been to five restaurants here, and I wouldn’t go back to any of them (!!!).

Day 38: What person in your life is your polar opposite?

I don’t know, I don’t know that there could be such a person who’s a polar opposite of me, but my mom and I are very different in some ways, and my biological dad and I are also very different in some ways. I’m just quite different from my parents in many ways, but I know there are similar traits as well.

Day 39: What is one thing you believe to be true about love?

The right person will never make you feel like you’re too much for them.

Day 40: If you could rename yourself, what name would you choose?

I quite like Sarah Mei, so I wouldn’t choose to rename myself, but if I had to, maybe Naomi? It’s a pretty name.

Day 41: If you could live during any time period, which would you choose?

The 1920s.

Day 42: Who is the strongest person you know? 

Emotionally, Sara Kishawi. Physically, any one of the people whom I used to work with at lululemon in Singapore. Jaysen? Gino? All of them are strong and have their different strengths.

Day 43: What food are you craving right now?

Nyai’s sambal goreng.

Day 44: If you won a million dollars, what would you buy first?

A plane ticket back to Singapore to visit my family again.

Day 45: Who is your Valentine?

It was Kiyara, and we had a really good (friend) date, with really good food, and I’m so glad I’m getting closer with her.

Day 46: With whom did you have a meaningful conversation today?

No one, not today.

Day 47: What are you shy about?

Nothing, really, I’m not a very shy person.

Day 48: Which holiday do you most look forward to?

Is Halloween a holiday? I LOVE Halloween. I like dressing up and I think I’m good at it.

Day 49: Who could have been nicer to you today?

My friends came over and we had a nice, chill time, sharing gossip and watching Booksmart, so I had a pretty nice day. No one comes to mind.

HOMO DEUS

It’s been two extremely long weeks. However, it’s the Friday before my reading week, so I’m finally able to breathe for a few days or so. Last week, one of the boards I sit on released a statement about the Gazan genocide that I didn’t agree with nor vote for. It didn’t call it a genocide nor call for a ceasefire. One of my favorite people on campus (the other man apart from my therapist Art), my Liberal Studies professor, Warren, read the statement and called it astonishingly vacuous, so I know I have the right opinion. However, I’ve been spending time with Sara, Katy, and Kiyara, all of whom are WOC who are not from Canada, so I’ve been feeling much more at ease and free to be myself, when I’m talking to them. Last Sunday, Taylor Swift flew from her Eras Tour show in Tokyo to the Super Bowl where her boyfriend Travis Kelce was playing. That was all anyone asked me about, whether I saw “my” Taylor Swift at the Super Bowl, while Rafah was being bombed by Israel. Taylor also gives no fucks about her climate emissions at all, so I’m kinda sick of her. I got myself a new poster to replace the one of her in my bedroom. However, will I still devotedly listen to her upcoming new album The Tortured Poets Department? Only time will tell. (I probably will.) I’m so sick of her. I wish I could say what I really feel about people like Warren, and Art. I love them both so very much. They are two white men whom I absolutely adore and wish I could be friends with forever. Perhaps I can, but it is unlikely. I also tend to hold onto any form of dynamic or relationship longer than I should, and you know what they say, you will always repeat a lesson until you learn it.

TABULA RASA

Day 22: What is your favorite joke to tell?

I’m all for a two-state solution, but then how would we differentiate between the two Palestines?

Day 23: What is one thing in nature that moves you?

Bodies of water/walking barefooted on the ground or soil.

Day 24: What foods make you happiest?

Hotpot, ssambap, sushi.

Day 25: Which room in your home is your favorite?

My bedroom.

Day 26: What treasured object would you rescue from a fire?

I feel like I don’t treasure any material object enough to need to rescue it from a fire, but if I had to, then my iPad. 

Day 27: What country would you like to visit some day?

The answer to this question could never be exhaustive, but for the sake of answering, I’ll just say Greece.

Day 28: Who are the people in your life who really understand you?

Maggie, my sister Lyssa, Alessia.

Day 29: What could you never give up?

Speaking up for what I believe in.

Day 30: What song could you listen to over and over again?

All Too Well (10-minute version).

Day 31: Who are you worried about? 

My friend Jasmine, and also myself.

Day 32: What is one mistake you don’t regret making?

Not getting a degree earlier in my life.

Day 33: What is the most you would pay for a haircut?

If it’s just a haircut with no wash or other services, $30?

Day 34: What is the best part of your day?

Talking to Sara Kishawi about activism for Gaza.

Day 35: What relationship in your life do you wish you could improve?

The one I have with myself — I want to trust myself and my instincts more.

LUCKIEST GIRL ALIVE

This past weekend was the BC Federation of Students’ AGM. I spent it campaigning for a year-long position as a Director-at-Large. There were four Director-at-Large positions, with eight candidates vying for them.

On Saturday evening, we each made our speech contesting our case, then spent an hour in the room for the other Locals’ delegates to approach any of us and ask questions about whatever they wanted, pertaining to our candidacy. 

We were scattered all over the room, and I was asked questions like (list not exhaustive — I literally did not stop talking for one hour): how my being in the position could help the Federation’s relations with Indigenous communities; how I could improve the BCFS’ position on environmental or sustainability issues; (because I’d been the only candidate to bring up Gaza in my speech) how I’d deal with potentially an Israeli student feeling offended by my Palestine-geared advocacy; what kind of initiatives I’d push for if I received a position. 

I fielded these questions, one after another, as best and as authentically as I could. It was exhausting, I’d never felt like I had to talk about all the values I believed in and cared for, for all of an hour. I don’t even do that at therapy, during which I’m either laughing because I get to relax and let my guard down when I’m with my therapist, or I’m crying, for similar reasons. 

Nonetheless, I felt encouraged by all the questions, I knew the room was filled with 150 or so people who only wanted to make sure that the positions were filled by someone competent and up to the job, and I knew they, like me, were doing it because they cared. It might have been only an election of university students across BC, but I honestly think it was a positive situation because we’re all mostly mature enough to know of real-world issues, but not jaded enough to engage in mudslinging like in real-world politics. My seven candidates who ran for the position and I, we’re friends, and I knew we all wanted to do our best in the interest of students. 

Today, we received the results and I had won one of the four positions. Cole and Leah cheered the loudest and gave me cheek kisses when we found out. I could finally breathe deeply and fully. I was elated but what really filled my heart was when the other Local delegates congratulated me. 

They said things like they felt a good vibe coming from me when they talked to me, that they could trust me, that they never questioned that they would vote for me, that they were proud of me — and these were people who’d just met me for the first time! It warms my heart because doing activism is obviously a kind of work that can be draining. It requires that you focus on the problems and issues that exist in society, so that you can create awareness of and hopefully help to fix them. 

Most of the time, out in public, I’d have to explain what certain -isms mean, why some things aren’t cool nor acceptable, or why we should be doing more when we have the capacity to do more. When you care about one thing, you usually care about more and more, and burnout can be so real. 

In this room, though, I didn’t have to explain myself. They knew what issues exist in the world, they only wanted to know that I cared the way they did. I didn’t have to convince them of anything, except that I will eventually do the things I said I would. My favorite times are whenever I spend time with the BCFS because these people get me, they don’t make me feel like I’m too much or I care too much. So it meant a lot to me that they believe and had such faith in me.

I know it might not be the biggest deal but I’m truly grateful to be doing such work. I’m afforded an opportunity to be representing 170,000 post-secondary students across British Columbia, to do what I love and fulfills me. It gives me hope. Thank you all for creating an environment that’s allowed me to grow so much. I’m definitely gonna do my best for you.

HEY, MUST BE THE MONEY

Day 15: Who is the first person you thought about today?

I don’t remember, maybe Alessia.

Day 16: Who was especially kind to you today?

No one, not today.

Day 17: What job would you like to trade your job for this week?

I got my hair cut today and would love to try being a hairstylist/hairdresser. It would be so fun.

Day 18: What lie have you told recently?

I told my professor Michael Mackenzie that I would hand in my reflection note for participation marks, but I wasn’t really intending to, and I didn’t do it.

Day 19: What are you beginning to doubt?

I had a lengthy conversation with one of my political professors recently, and I’m beginning to doubt whether I should be working in government or a political party. She told me that I would have to lose parts of myself, and she advised me to stay true to myself instead.

Day 20: What is one thing you have learned about life?

That you can and will thrive if surrounded by the right people, in the right environment.

Day 21: How hard did you work today?

I didn’t have to work hard today, but I worked really hard the past three days.

I HOPE THIS PAIN’S JUST PASSING THROUGH

Now I am stuck between my anger 

and the blame that I can't face 

And memories are somethin' 

even smoking weed does not replace 

And I am terrified of weather 

'cause I see you when it rains 

Doc told me to travel, but there's COVID on the planes

And I love Vermont, but it's the season of the sticks 

And I saw your mom, she forgot that I existed 

And it's half my fault, but I just like to play the victim 

I'll drink alcohol 'til my friends come home for Christmas

And I'll dream each night of some version of you 

That I might not have, but I did not lose 

Now you're tire tracks and one pair of shoes 

And I'm split in half, but that'll have to do 

So I thought that if I piled something good on all my bad

That I could cancel out the darkness I inherited from dad

No, I am no longer funny, 'cause I miss the way you laugh

You once called me forever, 

now you still can't call me back

TIME CAPSULE

Here are my answers to Week 2 questions.

Day 8: What age do you feel?

I feel 28 in terms of maturity, and 82 in terms of how exhausted I am.

Day 9: What change do you want to make?

I want to be more independent and also be physically stronger.

Day 10: What is the last dream you remember?

I was on stage performing with Taylor Swift at her concert.

Day 11: Rate your happiness today on a scale of 1 to 10.

10 — I finally received my 2022 tax returns from Canada, LOL. Seven months after I filed it. $3300 to go towards my winter semester later this year. 

Day 12: What famous person would you like to meet?

I’d like to meet Taylor Swift. I’d ask her why she hasn’t spoken out about Gaza.

Day 13: Who in your life is most like you?

I think, for now, it’s Maggie? She’s been the person I’ve been to the Gaza marches with. She and I love just vegetating at the pool (mostly for the sauna room), we believe in many similar values and are soft-hearted, but also try our best to engage in strong advocacy.

Day 14: What color best describes your mood today?

I’m feeling happy and grateful for the past week today, so it would have to be pink, my favorite color.

Alessia and I got back from Vancouver this evening after the loveliest weekend. For Christmas, she had gifted me a studio session to do an awkward pose photoshoot, so we went to do it yesterday, and I believe we smashed it. We’d pre-planned some poses and we kept laughing through the half an hour. 

Today, we went to Dhuha’s housewarming party at her new place. She lives at Koala Court so the party was koala-themed and super cute. Her baby girl, Laila, was asleep for most of when we were there, but Dhu and her family provided so much good food. Alessia and I had sandwiches and pasta hors d’oeuvres and meat skewers, and those really good lemon square bars from Granville Island. We happened to sit at the dining table with Dhu’s younger sister and her two friends, they’re all grad students at UBC, so Dhu called us the students’ union/kids’ table, and it was so fun and enjoyable.

We’d brought a couple of tokens for the white elephant gift exchange, and I got some small gifts for Laila too, but when we left, Dhu had us each pick out a mug and fill it with some goodies for our door gifts. I left with a homely pink ceramic mug, filled with a belif eye cream, some artisanal hot chocolate, a lemon-lavender-vanilla soy candle (that’s burning in my room right now), a bath bomb and a lip balm, and Alessia got an original Beauty Blender (she checked hahaha), so we both left with much more than we came with. It was a lovely afternoon, and I’m always so glad to mingle with Singaporeans. When my semester quiets down, I’m gonna try to visit them again. From Dhu’s Instastories of her, I can see Laila definitely is turning out so bright and precious.

QUESTION...?

Alessia and I did a thing, and we might do more of such a thing, if people like the thing.

PIGTAILS

I filled in the questions for the first week of the year from my new journal, and included Saturday’s and Sunday’s, because I don’t think my answers would change in the next two days. If they do, then I’ll edit them, I guess, but it’s unlikely. 

Day 1: What goal would you like to accomplish this year?

I would like to be able to drive/receive my Novice licence. I’ve been on my L, and I have lessons lined up. I have a good feeling about it, this summer I might be able to start driving on my N, and it will taste so sweet. 

Day 2: Who do you envy most? 

My cousin Hazwani. She’s my age, and we grew up together. She has a pretty decent life, she is married to a good guy and have a happy, cute marriage together. She has a stable job as a radiographer, that challenges her, and she also travels fairly often, either with her family members or her friends. She and I are very close, so sometimes I feel a little sad that I’m a few stages behind her in life, but I’m always happy that she’s happy.

Day 3: What is one thing you learned today? 

Today I went for the first Pilates lesson of my life. I wanted to do new things for the new year, and also the first/trial session was free, and so I signed up. It was challenging. However, the instructor is extremely knowledgeable about the human body, and the other people in the class were elderly, retired people so it gave me hope and encouragement that Pilates would get me to strengthen my core and age as gracefully and with as much dignity as possible. I also naturally don’t have the best posture, so all the different alignment exercises are so useful for me. 

Day 4: What is one thing you wish you had done differently today? 

I did everything the way I wanted to do today.

Day 5: What event or milestone are you looking forward to? 

I look forward to graduating university. On the one hand, I do enjoy learning, and I’m a great student. I feel like I could do it for ten more years. On the other hand, the international student tuition fees here are more than three times the domestic prices, so I’m ready to graduate and start earning some money so I can pay off my loans and travel a little bit. 

Day 6: If you were an animal, what animal would you be?

I would want to be a quokka, as they always seem so happy. 

Day 7: What is the best news you’ve received lately? 

That I received the Alexandro Malaspina award for excellent work in my studies, and it came with a $500 prize. The certificate was also dated December 13, 2023. It shouldn’t matter that December 13 is Taylor Swift’s birthday, but of course it does. It was her birthday, and she gave me a gift. ;)

ZEEP ZORP

During one of my therapy sessions in the past year, Art (also known as my Professor Dad) asked me for a motion that I could use as a self-soothing method, when I told him that sometimes I didn't have anyone around to ask for a hug or to comfort me. I had to think about it, but then I told him I guess I could bring my palm up to press against my chest, just around my sternum, to simulate the pressure that one would feel during a hug. Sometime in the last few weeks, my sister shared a video with me, that was of me crying at a kind gesture from a cousin of ours, before I'd left Singapore, before I'd ever stepped foot in Canada. In this video, I could be seen soothing myself by pressing my palm against my chest and rubbing it gently yet firmly. That was when I realised I'd been doing the thing before I even knew I was doing it for self-comfort. It was a genuine "huh, cool" moment. 

I ordered a journal for myself that should arrive soon, it's called One Question A Day. It's supposed to have 365 questions and you answer one per day, and compare your answers, year on year for five years. I don't know what the questions are yet, but I hope they're good, and I might update them here weekly, when I'm done answering them, depending on how good of prompts they are. Jeremy recently suggested that I begin to write more often. At first I thought, I write so much for school, I write essay assignments and exams and speeches, why would I write even more? But then I realised he was right. I used to love writing for myself, for fun, and I'd pretty much stopped, because I was too busy with school and work. I want to go back to writing more just for leisure and for the fuck of it, so I guess here I am, starting the new year in a way that I will try to be consistent with.