“It’s hard to feel comfortable around you, or, you know, the same, knowing that you’ve studied in not just one, but two of the world’s most elite universities,” a friend of mine divulged during our annual catch-up, an occurrence limited by the once-yearly frequency of our returns to our hometown of Singapore. “Stanford and Oxford. Wow. Just wow.”Continue reading “The Best of Both Worlds: Living Alternate Lives in Stanford and Oxford”
Category Archives: Travel
Truth, freedom, and identity: scattered travel thoughts
The contemporary struggle for truth and freedom isn’t quite contemporary; it’s a debate that existed long before the horrors of 2016 (I apologise for referencing Buzzfeed), Conway’s #alternativefacts, or the purported end-of-American-democracy-as-we-know it. We often hear that we are at crucial crossroads, teetering on a precipice of intolerance and deceit never before encountered — but the conflationContinue reading “Truth, freedom, and identity: scattered travel thoughts”
The Unexpected Cuba
Every city has its own music. Havana’s is best characterised by the cacophony of beeps and honks (emitted from decades-old Fords, Buicks, and Moskvitchs/Москвич alike) that – strangely enough – melds into a fascinating symphony when paired with the salsa/samba/rumba music reverberating on every street and plaza corner. Havana’s music reflects its vibrancy: its vibrancyContinue reading “The Unexpected Cuba”
On Movement and Trains (and College)
I’m not quite sure what time it was when the train started to move (ten, fifteen, maybe 20 minutes after it was due to leave the station? Czech trains sadly lack the timeliness and efficiency of its German and Austrian neighbours), but its departure was signalled by a familiar musical refrain – a buildup ofContinue reading “On Movement and Trains (and College)”
From SFO to LHR
“Mr. Møller’s message to us is a call to action. As citizens of the world and leaders of the future, we have a collective responsibility to address the issues of peace, sustainable development, and human rights facing our world today.” – Read my latest article for the Stanford Political Journal, on UN Director-General Michael Møller’s callContinue reading “From SFO to LHR”
Oxford Shenanigans
“Oh, so you blog?” “Yeah, I do! Well, kind of.” That murky wave of guilt laps at my conscience and I remember that it’s literally been months since I last posted. Sitting across a new friend at a beautiful coffee shop in Oxford, I begin to recall why I started blogging in the first place.Continue reading “Oxford Shenanigans”
The Middle Kingdom
[First published in my school editorial, One Voice] The Middle Kingdom has, for the last few decades, dominated the center of many budding and puzzled minds, enshrouded in an amalgamation of mystery, awe, and fear. Fledging teenagers (like myself) struggle to comprehend and keep up with the workings of the economic giant, for it has certainlyContinue reading “The Middle Kingdom”
Italy: Vibrant Hues
The psychedelic colours that saturate this film absolutely stun me; the vibrant hues of foamy blue and blood orange coalesce into some sort of dreamy, eternal-sunset-splashed heaven. Italy is indeed a beautiful place: elderly centenarians (perhaps not quite; but the Dumbledore-esque wispy white beards seem to make them decades wiser) stroll along the cobbled streets;Continue reading “Italy: Vibrant Hues”
Siem Reap: Savong’s School
I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy. – Kahlil Gibran The rickety drive up the bumpy, pot-holed path to Savong’s School was always one of suppressed excitement; the pit of my stomach wouldContinue reading “Siem Reap: Savong’s School”
Siem Reap: Colorful Characters
The most exhilarating part of traveling is chancing across an intriguing, colorful array of people along the way. This trip to Siem Reap not only led us on a journey of self-discovery and service, but brought us on an adventure to meet a myriad of different characters, each with their own riveting stories. Often taxi driversContinue reading “Siem Reap: Colorful Characters”
Siem Reap: Epicurean Explorations
Food is the language we all speak. Food is also the door to another culture; the physical manifestation of complex undertones of emotion, complicated webs of history, and ineffable human connections and individual refinements that all coalesce in a beautiful explosion of flavors. One mouthful is all it takes to taste the rich Cambodian history,Continue reading “Siem Reap: Epicurean Explorations”
Siem Reap: Culinary Creations
The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you’ve got to have a what-the-hell attitude. – Julia Child The kaleidoscopic array of colors arranged so stunningly in an amalgamation of lettuce leaves, carrot strips, cucumber bunches, crisp basil and petite onions sat alluringly in the center of the table. Dinner plates fromContinue reading “Siem Reap: Culinary Creations”
Sri Lanka: Rustic charm amidst quirky delight
Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world. -Gustave Flaubert I’ve always loved elephants, so I was delighted that we were going to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage this trip. Baby elephants are always objects of wonder for children and adults ‘ooh’ and ‘awwwh’ over, but a small patContinue reading “Sri Lanka: Rustic charm amidst quirky delight”
Krabi, Thailand: Foodscapade
Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart. Life is short; why not eat? Good food is a work of art in itself- and like art, food has a immense history of culture and intense flavors that shape each type of cuisine. Thailand is no exception; perhapsContinue reading “Krabi, Thailand: Foodscapade”
Barcelona in Gray Hues: Spain ’11
The shadowy tones of the film; the mysterious blacks hiding under the disguise of alluring whites; the ever-enticing rustic charm- it’s no wonder that black and white film has come back into fashion nowadays. No wonder, that film photography has made its comeback- even with the technological advance that has been so proudly heralded inContinue reading “Barcelona in Gray Hues: Spain ’11”
Splendid Illusions on the East Coast: Orlando ’12
Apologies for the delay; I had my second roll of Kodak developed just this last week. I really can’t stop marveling at the vibrant, saturated colors: they’re absolutely brilliant- the white streaks of cloud rippling across the startlingly blue sky- just perfect. Spending 5 days in theme parks was a tiring ordeal, although it wasContinue reading “Splendid Illusions on the East Coast: Orlando ’12”
Gray Skies, Blue Days- Rainy Adventures in San Francisco
Rain. The soft pitter-patter against the windowsill. The melodic splattering against the ground. The relentless drumming on the rooftop. I love the rain. The tingly touch of it on your tongue, the musty and distinctly earthy smell of the air, the grayish pensive skies. Most days I relish the short spells of heavy rain: itContinue reading “Gray Skies, Blue Days- Rainy Adventures in San Francisco”
Dazzling Sundance on the West Coast
I love the brilliant shine and highly saturated colors of the Kodak Ektar 100. Pretty much all the photos turned out wonderfully (in the beautiful Nevada and Florida sunshine; San Francisco’s weather did not live up to expectation). Pretty proud of this first roll of Ektar on my grandpa’s Pentax MX, considering that the cameraContinue reading “Dazzling Sundance on the West Coast”
Spain December 2011
Last winter’s escapade to Spain was one filled with delights, both in gastronomical terms (the food there was simply divine) and in architectural and cultural wonders. I loved Spain. The shopping opportunities and coastal views didn’t hurt, either. This roll was shot with my Diana F+, 120mm film (Can’t remember which type, but I thinkContinue reading “Spain December 2011”
Ruru 