Since news broke of the <a href=" of Anderson JC and Serangoon JC; Meridian JC and Tampines JC; Yishun JC and Innova JC; and Pioneer JC and Jurong JC yesterday, social media has been abuzz with mixed reactions. While the 2019 merger is important to deal with issues of falling enrolment, to many students and ex-students, it also means losing a part of who they are. We asked some of the ex-students of the affected JCs to share their thoughts on the merger and pay their tributes to their alma maters. This is what they had to say.

Serangoon JC

1. “When I entered SRJC, we were the last choice. A JC nobody wanted to be identified with. Look how far we've come as a JC, largely because of one man's faith and plans – Principal Tan Teck Hock, who came and made sweeping changes, initiating events such as the Will Run, Teachers' concert as well as Mr Tan's immense work in not only improving grades across the board but also teaching valuable life lessons, instilling self-belief in many students, and creating a bonded, healthy culture in SRJC. Thank you to all the teachers who were genuinely concerned about students and who worked really long hours in order to help students with their grades, character and performance. We'll miss the good ol' days and the canteen! On the merger, I hope they will keep the Will Run event at least.” – Andy, Class of 2008. 2. “I feel that it’s a pity, but it can’t be helped. I think the statement that the merged JC will have an equal share of staff is irrelevant. Many of our memories are tied to the location of the campus. I'll visit SRJC before it moves, but that’s about it. I probably won’t donate or be able to call SRJC my alma mater anymore. Thanks for the caring teachers who never gave up on me. Without them, I wouldn’t have gotten into uni. I hope SRJC will exist again in the future” –  Barry Choo, Class of 2010. 3. “WHY NEED TO MERGE. Walau! SRJC was really special to me. It was where I had the fondest memories. I made such great friends there, both students and teachers, ran my first 13km because of Will Run, had the opportunity to perform in the 25^th Anniversary musical, became a more cultured lady because of literature night. Laughed so much during Thanksgiving, went to Li Jiang, picked up rock climbing... there is so much more I love about SR. To think that SR will be no more is SUPER SAD.” – Anonymous, Class of 2015.

Tampines JC

4. “Holistically, it’s benefiting for TPJC to be merged with MJC. The former trails behind the latter in most aspects, hence it benefits from being absorbed into an institution with a renowned academic and co-curricular system. Despite its shortcomings, TPJC has been an integral aspect of my personal development. Life goes on, aim and achieve.” – Anonymous, Class of 2011. 5. “I’m ambivalent. It’s sad to see that a part of our memories with the college will be gone, given that the merger would result in the new JC taking the current site of MJC. However, I'm heartened to know that the merger would mean the ability to offer a good range of subject combinations and CCAs for future students.” – Shanen, Class of 2010. 6. “I just think that it basically overrides all the years of culture and memories that have been built there. Demolishing it is one thing, but to merge with another school? It's just like a slap in the face. I've long graduated from the school, and many of those I interacted with then are now already in other places, but I believe that we all have a special place for TPJC in our hearts. The school might be physically demolished eventually, the name might be gone, but the memories will never fade.” – Mel, Class of 2008.

Innova JC

7. “I'm quite reluctant for IJC to merge with YJC because IJ had a very unique culture where all 4 houses, though competitive, were very close! I don't know how the culture will change with the introduction of YJC. Our uniform and school facilities are also nicer. I really enjoyed my time at IJC and I hope that things don't change too much!” – Deborah, Class of 2013. 8. “The merging of our JC shocks many Innovians, partially because our school is relatively 'new'. Many of us remember the journey of trying to establish an 'Innovian identity' together and trying to explain to others where 'Innova JC' is to many of our friends and family. All Innovians definitely have great memories of Innova, and we definitely hope that Innova won't be forgotten. Innovian pride and memories, forever and always.” – Valerie, Class of 2009. 9. “It takes away the unique culture of every JC. There will be so many changes people need to adapt to with the JC merger, and it will dishearten many. Change can be good, but personally, it's just the way the change was done that did not sit well with me – a change that was made without consulting with the people in the JC community, like it was just said and done like that, without any prior notice. Those in the JCs are just expected to follow it. Thanks for the experience you've given me, IJC. I was really blessed to have had the teachers I got. Thank you for your endless efforts to arrange slots for extra classes, consultations and just giving that extra help. Honestly, A-Levels is not just an exam that tests one's knowledge and capability in the academics. For me, it was also a test of my physical, emotional and mental aptitude and resilience. Thank you Mr DeSilva for always guiding us with your leadership advice! Honourable mentions to Ms Marian Thng, Ms Wani, Mdm Chitra, and Ms Krystle Lau.” – Annabelle, Class of 2017

Jurong JC

10. “As alumni, I'm not in favour of the idea, because the merger will affect the school's original culture and a change in the school's building means the loss of many memories I have there. JJC provided me a platform for self-improvement through my CCA touch rugby, as well as a great faculty to help me achieve the best A-Level grades I could possibly wish for. To current students, I sincerely hope that you will enjoy your stay there, even if great changes are about to happen.” – X.Tan, Class of 2012. 11. “I feel sad that our school will merge because of low intake. But I hope our future juniors will still enjoy their time in this newly merged school. I'll forever remember the Funan hard times because I learnt a lot there, both in academics and in character. JJ JJ is the best!” – Ye Min Sunn, Class of 2010. 12. “It’s sad that I won't be able to visit Jurong JC campus anymore and that my teachers will be reshuffled. Thanks JJ for the two years, you made my life complete.” – Anonymous, Class of 2016.

Anderson JC

13. “It definitely feels weird, as it would likely be a mix of different cultures. But if this move is really needed to better the JC experience, then Non Mihi Solum (not for myself alone - the AJC motto). I hope AJC can continue to achieve as a merged entity, and strive for greater heights.” – BW, Class of 2009. 14. “I will definitely miss the days I've spent there. I guess since AJ is rather prestigious, its prestige will be diluted if merged with another JC.” – Min, Class of 2013.

Meridian JC

15. “I feel a little sad, but coming from an educator's point of view, it is the logical thing to do. Many secondary schools have merged recently and it was only a matter of time before it happened to the JCs. It was a great time being in MJC, and while MJC and TPJC may merge in 2019, fond memories of being in Meridian will not be tainted!” – Anonymous, Class of 2010. 16. “I’m quite taken aback. I had two wonderful, fulfilling years with Meridian and it's sad to hear that they'll be merging with another school. It would be difficult for the teachers who want to stay in Meridian but end up getting redeployed. With this merger, there will also likely be a change of school name, and the identity and culture of the school might get diluted, which is an unsettling thought. It's not enough to have a dedicated heritage site, because physical objects can only do so much. It's the everyday life and spirit that makes the difference. I will always be proud to be a Meridian.” – Angela, Class of 2007.

Yishun JC

17. “I’m slightly upset. I feel that the culture of the JC might be gone. YJ felt like a second home to me. YJ itself had a rich history and to merge with another JC means a change in that. And it'll never be the same again. Florescat Concordia” – Anonymous, Class of 2012. 18. “I don't like it. The merger would change the culture YJ has built in the past 29/30 years. YJ will do well without Penguin” – Germaine, Class of 2012.

Pioneer JC

19. “I have mixed feelings about it as it feels as if my JC will not be around anymore even though I know this isn’t the case. But it also means a new beginning for the school, so I look forward to seeing what the future holds for it. I had a good time during my time there, thank you for the memories!” – Anonymous, Class of 2014. 20. “This is too out of the blue. Hopefully, they will still be able to retain part of our school's name in the new name for the merged school. Hopefully the teachers from both schools will adapt well in the new school.” – Anonymous, Class of 2014. “A little bit sad because there’s no more alma mater and there's no place you can 'return to' in future. Nonetheless, thank you for the beautiful memories!” – Ika, Class of 2008. Are you from one of the 8 merging JCs? Let us know your thoughts or pay your tributes in the comments below! Also read 15 S'poreans Share The Sweetest Thing Their Partner Has Done That Will Make You Say 'Spoil Market'

When you're in love, everything is beautiful. Even the weirdest habits and tiniest idiosyncrasies seem cute to you – the way they snort every time they laugh, the hair growing awkwardly out of one of their moles... Heck, even a deathly fart from them can make you laugh. That said, what keeps a relationship alive is the actions partners do for each other to keep that fire burning. We asked 15 millennials about the sweetest thing(s) their partners have done for them. Here are their stories.

1. "He was my glorified hair band"

I was really sick one day and he came over to make me feel better. Really sick like stomach flu, fever, diarrhoea, vomiting – the whole enchilada. It took him about 40 minutes to drive all the way from Bukit Batok to Pasir Ris just to be my glorified hair band, holding my hair and rubbing my back while I threw up. And the thing is, this happened at 4am in the morning! At the time, I didn't want him seeing me in the state I was in – the pathetic whimpering, the contents of my vomit and all. But he said even if he didn't see me at my worse then, he would in the future. He even cracked a joke, saying we must buy a flat that's not so 'ulu' and with a 24-hr clinic nearby. That night, he was my bed warmer, tucking me in, holding me close and patting me to sleep before bringing me to the clinic in the morning. – Samantha

2. "He walked around to 'test' my balloon"

The other day at i Light Marina Bay, he won me a huge, super cute teddy bear balloon. But it kept deflating, so we thought there was a hole on it somewhere. I got really upset, so he went to exchange it while I waited. It took him so long! Turns out he went to exchange it 5 times! He exchanged it, and then walked around to ‘test’ the balloon. The first four times, the air escaped, and he kept going back to change it because he knew I would be sad if I got a defective balloon. – Nur'Ain

3. "He makes my safety his priority"

He sends me home whenever we go out, regardless of the time and place. We're both working adults with a decreasing supply of energy, so workday dinners are both a sweet and tiring affair. There was once when he was so drained from a full day of work events that he fell asleep standing on the train! I kept telling him to go home, but he stubbornly refused through his sleepy eyes and all. It's a simple gesture, but him sacrificing his precious rest time just to make sure I always get home safe is really sweet. – Melissa

4. "He sings me sweet lullabies"

Ever since the song 'All Of Me' was released in 2013, it has been my favourite jam and I find the lyrics very sweet and meaningful. At the end of our nightly phone calls, he always sings that song to me to lull me to sleep (it works by the way!). I think he may have gotten lazier over time though, because nowadays, he only sings the chorus. But the fact that even after more than 5 years of dating, he still sings me to sleep? I think it's very sweet! – Zaf

5. "She splurged on me"

On Valentine’s Day, she surprised me with a pretty expensive watch. I have a watch I usually wear when I go out, but it was spoilt, so I stopped wearing it. We are both saving up to get married, so I was surprised that she splurged on that watch for me. It’s sweet to me because she makes my needs a priority despite having to save up for our big day. – Julian

6. "She thinks of my family"

She always thinks of me and my family whenever she goes overseas. She brings snacks and bits back for them, even if it’s a short trip. I remember how one time, she bought durians for my parents (I hate durians by the way) because she knew they like eating them. The fact that she has me and my family at the back of her mind when doing things is what makes it very sweet. – Ming Da

7. "She made me a lucky charm"

I was going for an important English exam and she made a good luck charm for me: a handmade paper-craft that could be tied to the key chain I use. She knew I was unprepared and all tensed up, so it was her way of helping calm my nerves. She probably took a whole day to make it, and that's a heartwarming thought. – Vincent

8. "We look good for each other"

When many couples are together for a long time, they tend to get comfortable and stop doing what they used to for each other. However, she’s different. To me, the sweetest thing is that she always dresses up to look pretty whenever we meet. It’s not that she doesn’t look good when she doesn't dress up, it’s more about the effort she consistently puts in. I really appreciate it and I do the same for her – this way, we always look forward to seeing each other. – Lawrence

9. "It's in the little things"

There is no one sweetest thing, but rather many little random acts which are all equally sweet. For example, during dinner, she always puts food on my plate first. And because we have different work schedules, sometimes we may not get to see each other for a few days. But almost every day, she will text to say 'good morning', and this is 6 years plus into our relationship! These little gestures actually do mean a lot, even if they don’t seem like much. – Kelvin

10. "He got the hint"

He surprised me with flowers during Valentine’s Day this year. This is the first time ever, because I told him I didn't like flowers last time, so he never gave any. A month before Valentine’s, I told him that actually flowers are quite nice, just that they will probably die quickly in my hands. So on Valentine's Day, he came to fetch me from my place and there he was, waiting in his car with the flowers and he used Facebook live to capture the moment. – Naomi

11. "She sacrifices her sleep for me"

I work as a photographer for weddings and events and often come home late after shoots. The sweetest thing shes does is cook supper for me, which sometimes is really my dinner. This is in the middle of the night, when she is already about to sleep, and she has to wake up early for work the next morning . – Clement

12. "She still gives me morning calls"

We've been together for more than 4 years, and she still gives me morning calls to wake me up for work. There are times when I have to wake up really early as I shoot weddings, and she'd be my very reliable human alarm clock. She would set her own alarm to wake up at 4am in the morning to call me, just to ensure I don't oversleep and be late for my shoot. This is even when she has her own work commitments from 10am to 11pm that same day. – Ivan

13. "He makes me feel safe"

One night, my sister told me she could feel a ghostly presence in my room. I was so scared I couldn't sleep and I sobbed. That's when my then boyfriend (now husband) called me and asked what he could do to make me feel better. I didn't reply and continued crying, until I heard him strumming on his guitar. He started singing praise and worship songs in an attempt to calm me down. He assured me that God would be there to protect me no matter what and that he would keep on singing until I fell asleep – and that's exactly what he did. – Dorothy

14. "He made me a dream catcher"

One of the sweetest and most thoughtful things my partner has done for me is learn how to weave a dream catcher. I used to have a lot of nightmares and on one of our anniversaries, he made one for me. Hanging the handmade dream catcher above my bed, he told me it was to catch all my bad dreams. Just imagine a man weaving a dream catcher! And this is coming from a man who doesn't even usually do handicraft work. – Patrina

15. "He waited 3 hours for me"

A few years ago, when I was doing my internship, I was suddenly dragged into a last minute meeting that lasted past 9pm. I was supposed to meet my boyfriend at 6pm at a mall nearby for dinner, but I couldn't tell him I was in a meeting because I didn't have my phone on me. When I left, I expected to go home alone but he was standing outside my office waiting this whole time! I was really touched because I was so drained from the long day, and him being there just made everything better. These acts of sweetness mean so much more to me than grand gestures and extravagant gifts. – Venessa While these may not be the grandest of gestures, one thing's for sure: the littlest of actions can brighten up the day of the one you love. What are some of the sweetest things YOUR partners have done? Let us know in the comments! *Some names have been changed for privacy reasons. (Top Image Credit: Douglas Lin)

“What are you anxious about?” This is a question I’m asked all too often, and usually, this is how it goes: I try to explain why I’m feeling this way, other people try to convince me that it’s all in my head, telling me “just don’t think about it” like it’s as simple as that. And I simply… nod and pretend to agree. It’s come to a point where I’ve stopped telling people I’m feeling anxious altogether, and resorted to saying that I’m not feeling well—it’s just a lot easier that way.

What’s Wrong With Me?

I first found out about my anxiety 3 years ago. I was constantly on edge. There would be many times throughout the day when I’d feel like I couldn’t breathe. My own thoughts and worries would just keep coming and I just couldn’t shut off my brain. Beyond that, it felt like I was constantly waiting—always waiting for the anxiety to pass. What was wrong with me? Wanting to make sense of this, I went to see the doctor. What started as one visit turned into a lot more. The doctors visits grew more and more frequent, and being a student, this burned a hole in my pocket. The doctors would offer vague diagnoses, saying its stomach flu, or some virus and they would “fix” me symptomatically. That only worked till the course of the medication was completed. After that, I was back to square one. The 4th doctor I saw finally prescribed me anxiety meds. It was a gamble on his part because, at the time, he wasn’t sure if I had anxiety. I was just glad for another explanation for the way I was feeling. That night, I took the medicine and it felt like the blizzard in my belly had blown through, and it was clear skies again. No more unpredictable waves of nerves. No more sinking feeling in my stomach with no explanation. I went on feeling this way… until the anxiety returned. My body had gotten used to the drugs and the anxiety had found its way back to me. Feeling like a prisoner in my own mind, I constantly told myself it was going to be okay. I told myself I would get through this. There was a time when I too, thought it was as easy as chucking negative, worrying thoughts to the back of my mind. I’ve tried that, but it simply doesn’t work—it never has. Anxiety doesn't heed the advice of logic. No matter how much I tell myself to keep positive or calm, my anxiety overshadows it, and I hear nothing else.

Living With Anxiety

Living with anxiety is exhausting—both mentally and physically. I was going through the motions day in and day out. Even with all the concessions and exceptions my friends and family made for me, it felt like they all turned into crutches for me. While it helps at first, in the long run, it’s no remedy. Often, I’ve found myself wondering what it’s like to not feel this way. We’ve all felt free before; relaxed. That feeling of having no worries, no stress in the world. Clutching onto that memory, I always think back, trying to remember what that felt like, wishing I could go back to that. I look at the people around me, at the way they seem to be able to deal with life and its demands so much better, and it frustrates me that I can’t do the same. When others are stressed or nervous, they’re able to rein their feelings in. They can control how they feel and prevent it from getting in their way. That’s something I can’t seem to do no matter how hard I try. My emotions always get the better of me.

Slightly Broken And It’s Okay

These days, I cope better. I still have my bad days, but I also have plenty of good ones. I’ve come up with a couple of tricks to keep my anxiety under control. Guided meditations are my go-to and have now become a routine. I’m surrounded by people who care about me, and while they may not fully understand what I’m experiencing, I can see the many ways they try. Even though I’ve been cursed with this problem, many blessings have come forth from it. Despite feeling slightly broken, I think I’ll do okay.

Practicing yoga can come with many benefits—increasing physical strength, tightening your core, increasing flexibility—but for many, the benefits extend far beyond the physical. In fact, whether through wisdom imparted by the teachers or stilling the mind through the breathing exercises, the practice of yoga has led some to find themselves. We asked 9 yogis to share how yoga has changed their lives and here’s what they have to say. Why So Serious? “Serious is my middle name. There are only so many times a girl can be asked “Why so serious?”. Over the years of yoga practice, I’ve learnt that yoga is not about all work and no play. It's OK to laugh at myself when I wobble and topple over during class and it's OK to laugh at myself when I make mistakes outside of the mat. Yoga is now a constant reminder for me to always be silly, honest and kind.” – Joey Finding A Community “Yoga always gives me what I want. When I wanted to learn and grow, yoga led me to many wonderful yoga teachers who continue to inspire me until today. A little over a year ago, when I moved to Singapore, I decided I wanted friends in Singapore. As soon as I put myself in a yoga community, I met many loving souls who I hope to continue to get to know. Not only do yoga lovers meet at the practice space, we also have moments during the practice to reflect on our deeds and desires. I feel that as long as we are congruent in our thoughts and actions, we will always get what we want.” - Jib Dealing With Stress “Moving to Singapore was exciting, but it was also a big transition in my life. It was my first time not having a full-time career and I hadn't realized how much of my self-worth was connected to pursuing career goals. Yoga—particularly finding a yoga studio I loved—not only helped me feel a connection to home, but also helped me find peace of mind and a sense of belonging in the midst of a stressful time. Yoga is universal, no matter where in the world you are or who is teaching. I could find comfort in my practice and let go of worries, stress, and even leave behind an aching ego that was tied up in achievement and independence. And the great thing is, yoga ended up providing me with a rewarding career here as well.” - Lauren Finding Healing “Failing the SIA cabin-crew medical helped me discover the severity of my scoliosis. That made me determined to do all that I could to be healthy and happy. I saw it as a blessing in disguise, as it led me to seek out natural ways to heal the body such as through movement, strengthening and a vegan lifestyle. I've seen and felt a huge improvement in my spine since. Having a consistent yoga practice was the best decision I've ever made. The journey, though not always easy, is something I will choose over and over again.” – Trish Saying “Yes” More Often “The more I showed up on the yoga mat, the more open I became to saying yes to opportunities I probably would've said no to previously. I enjoy being independent and doing my own thing -- there's nothing wrong with that -- but I was starting to get too comfortable with being by myself that I noticed I was alone most of the time. Yoga helped me learn to say yes and to surround myself with people more often. Shifting my energy from a “no” to a “yes” created that possibility. Also, it makes me stretchy -- super life changing!” – Kaj Stepping Out Of My Comfort Zone “Yoga has slowly peeled my layers away, allowing me to face my deepest fears, insecurities and desires. I am able to let go of doubt, attachment and the fear of moving to new beginnings. This was apparent when I had to make the decision to leave my stable job and relationships behind in order to move to Maldives for a new career. It never occurred to me that there were other opportunities waiting for me. Yoga helped me gain the confidence to move forward and to never look back. Since then, I’ve never been more in control of my life. ” – Aly Finding My Authentic Self “I’m from Vietnam and have been working in Singapore for 6 years now. I always believed that my English sucked because it’s what my colleagues have told me. Yoga has opened my eyes to question and find out who I really am, my authentic self and not what someone once said about me or what I deduced from past life incidences. They are completely wrong; my English isn’t as bad as I thought it was!” - Anna Change In Perspective “Recently, I missed my step and tumbled down the stairs. Normally I would have cursed and swore but instead I said to myself, “whew, I got down those stairs fast!”. It came to me that my yoga practice has taught me how to shift my perspective on and off the mat. When I take on a different perspective, I see things differently and hence, respond differently. That change made me realize that I can take control of my thoughts, emotions and outlook on life.” – Matt Confidence Inside And Out “With my hectic work schedule, yoga is the only time I feel I am dedicating time to myself. Yoga has taught me many things in life; to be patient, to not rush the process. Everything I experience on my yoga mat can be applied in life. I became more confident as I practiced more and more (like when you see NBA Basketball players walking like there's wind blowing through their hair with their head held high, full of pride, that’s how I feel). Yoga is a big part of my life and I will yoga till my hair turns white.” – Meerly Yoga isn’t just about doing headstands and wrapping your legs behind your head; it’s about honoring the light from within and finding calm in the chaos. That said, yoga takes time, patience and determination—there's no quick fix. It can touch your mind, your heart and your soul and with a constant practice, yoga just might give you a fresh take on life. So, let’s inhale the good shit and exhale the bullshit, Namaste.

A mostly unspoken ideal in the world we live in is unfettered stoicism - we all admire people who don't flinch in the face of adversity. People who don't whine or complain about their problems. People who work hard to achieve their dreams with nary a complaint. Even in relationships, people never seem to tell each other how they feel directly. We play these little word and mind games with each other, and then complain when we are misunderstood. Essentially, we have entire societies filled with people who aspire to live with no attachments or messy emotions. It's unsurprising, really. In a world where we can, for fun, literally put our lives on display for the world to see, how could we not try a little too hard to paint ourselves in a completely positive manner? But the truth is this: we can't avoid having negative feelings. No matter how hard we try, we can never get away from the chemical secretions our brains periodically use to colour our perceptions - even if, sometimes, the colours are kind of ugly. Our attempts at maintaining a constant, Zen-esque calm at anything and everything life throws at us by emotionally distancing ourselves from anything is... well... laughable. Consider this quote from Buddha himself, the one guy we all look up to when we want to stay cool and zen: "The root of all suffering is attachment." Most of us know this quote - you've probably seen it on the feed of some hipster's Facebook page, typed out in cursive font underneath a badly cropped pictured of the Buddha. What most people don't know is that, according to Zen Buddhism, this statement is generally considered a type of ko-an, which is basically a riddle of sorts designed to screw with your head. You see, if one were to follow through with this statement - get it tattooed on your left buttcheek, shave your head, sell off all of your possessions, and fly off to Nepal or something to live in the mountains with a bunch of goats, you would find yourself completely miserable still. Think about it. You'd be enjoying that awesome mountain view, but somewhere in the back of your head you'd still wish you had a phone to snap a picture of the moment with (#eatpraylove #wanderlust #findingmyself #positivity #nopainnogain). Three days later, while picking at the bowl of grass that is supposed to be your breakfast, you'd quickly get an insane craving for chicken nuggets. Give it another week or so, and you’d get on a plane back home, ashamed and frustrated with yourself at your failure to rid yourself of desire. Why? Because, as the Buddha discovered during his days of meditation under a tree, it isn't possible for one to live without emotion, or attachment. The desire to not desire is still…well, a desire. See? You can’t win! In fact, a huge source of anxiety comes from the frustration at having the desire to not desire, on top of all those other desires you can’t get rid of anyway. If we are to truly find happiness and satisfaction with our lives, we have to understand that we are only human, and that the negative feelings and attachments we form are perfectly normal, and nothing to be ashamed about. Let’s be open with our feelings, our wants, and our desires, all so we can better control what we do with them.

Since 21 January 2017, in response to Donald Trump’s inauguration as President of the United States, a series of political rallies known as Women’s Marches occurred around the world to promote women’s rights. The movement began in Washington, D.C. and spread to 673 marches in 34 countries worldwide, including Asian countries Japan, South Korea, and India, with global attendance numbering in the millions. Singapore, however, is not on that list of countries. Of course, one could be content with the explanation that the Trump issue is too far removed from our shores for us to care enough. However, as one of Asia’s most developed nations alongside Japan and South Korea, and one with a large American expatriate and student population, Singapore’s absence from such a major global movement should surely raise the glaring issue of free expression and the right to dissent in Singapore. As many of you should know, protesting is illegal in Singapore outside of licensed protests in Hong Lim Park’s Speakers’ Corner. If that sentence made you frown in confusion or laugh out loud, you’re probably not Singaporean. “Protesting is illegal”, “licensed protests”, “Speakers’ Corner” – it all sounds like a bad comedy – one that Singaporeans have grown numb to. Around the world, Singapore is known as an Orwellian dystopia of silent obedience, where almost all dissent is effectively repressed by the law, draconian punishments are meted out in disproportionate spades, and everyone is so used to the oppression that the country actually operates rather peacefully; it’s almost like a North Korea done right. Ask any citizen of almost any other “first-world” nation if protesting is legal in their country, and the answer will almost invariably be, “Of course, why wouldn’t it be?” The right to dissent is seen elsewhere as a basic human right. Not here, though. Some would argue that the restricting of protests is necessary for socioeconomic stability in a country, but as all the developed nations of the world that afford their citizens the freedom to protest highlight, that is all a crock of shit. Stability and freedom of expression are not mutually exclusive. One needs simply to be equipped with the maturity and open mind required to handle discourse and dissenting opinion. In any discussion about protests in Singapore, many would point to the race riots of 1964 and 1969, Hock Lee bus riots of 1955, and Chinese middle school riots of 1956, and go, “See? That’s what happens when people protest.” This argument, however, fails to consider that these events happened over 50 years ago. A lot can change in 50 years; our society is now more educated than ever, and well-informed of events around the world. To assume that we would simply devolve into the same horrible behaviour of our forefathers given the opportunity would be incredibly pessimistic and insulting to the intelligence of modern Singaporeans as a whole. We are not rabid animals waiting to tear each other apart at the slightest provocation. Give us a chance to voice our grievances and concerns freely, and you might find a populace living with a far more robust sense of genuine belonging and purpose. How could we possibly develop a personal stake in a place whose government operates so far above the silent voices of the people, knowing that nothing we ever do or say will make any difference? To be fair, though, things are showing signs of getting better. In 2008, the government ruled that events held at the Speakers’ Corner would no longer require police permits, or be banned from using audio amplification devices, although organizers still had to register with the government-controlled National Parks Board. Peaceful demonstrations such as Pink Dot continue to be held there annually, attracting more attendees with each passing year. It is still comically ridiculous that protests must be restricted to one small area, but it admittedly is better than nothing. Do I wish to see a protest happening every other day in Singapore? Of course not. I like peace and quiet. I do, however, want to know that anyone with a grievance and a desire to make his/her voice heard in a public capacity has the right to do so without fear of being thrown in prison and caned on the backside. Because any country that forces its residents to internalize all their problems instead of freely expressing themselves in a peaceful way is forcing peace and stability upon its people rather than earning it. <a href=" Image Credit

I am Singaporean. I was born in Singapore to parents who are of Chinese descent. I also used to have a strong American accent. Now, let’s get all the usual questions out of the way. Was I faking it? No. Do I have an “ang moh” girlfriend or boyfriend? No. Am I “mixed”? Not that I know of. Did I study in America? Yes, for a semester. How did I pick up the accent so fast? Why and how did I lose it? Funny you should ask.

Adding To A Blank Slate

As many Singaporeans with accents should know, picking up a new accent as a Singaporean is actually incredibly easy. Why? Because the ‘Singapore accent’ is pretty much a blank slate. Everyone says that their own country’s accent is no accent at all, because that’s the one they’re most familiar with. In the case of Singapore, however, that might be especially true. The Singapore accent is defined almost entirely by a lack of what typically constitutes an accent. Intonation, emphasis – all of these are almost completely missing in the Singapore accent, which employs constant and unchanging monotone, loudness, and tempo. So lacking in tonal character is our accent, in fact, that we have to invent and add non-English words a.k.a. Singlish to our speech in order to convey any sense of emotion or nuance. With its minimalistic nature, the Singapore accent thus becomes surprisingly easy to overwrite when exposed sufficiently to another accent. You just have to talk to people.

Facing Judgement

There will always be a large portion of dyed-in-the-wool Singaporeans who believe that any Singaporean who speaks in a foreign accent is either “faking it” or just “not a true Singaporean”. Chances are, these people have either never lived overseas in other English-speaking countries, or lived overseas but refused to socialize actively with the locals. After returning to Singapore with an American accent that I couldn’t hide, I faced no small amount of judgement from this group of people. They just couldn’t fathom how a Singaporean could genuinely speak with an accent. They gave me funny looks, and snarky questions and comments like, “Why are you talking like that?”, “You’re faking right?”, “It feels so weird talking to you now,” or, “Your accent sounds confused.” Because apparently, the manner in which words came out of my mouth had to match up perfectly with my skin colour and nationality. Eventually, the stress and discomfort of being judged whenever I spoke and sounding different from everyone got to me, and I slowly lost my American accent. It took about a year before my accent was virtually undetectable, a much longer time than what it took for me to gain it, and sometimes I wonder if I should have stood up to the judgement and done more to maintain that part of me. Or perhaps it was just a matter of exposure, and there was nothing I could do. When a white person speaks with an accent in Singapore, no one bats an eye. But when an Asian speaks with an accent, tongues start wagging and eyebrows furrow with confusion. “Is he Singaporean?” “Is he ABC?” “Is he faking? I can’t tell.” How about you mind your own business, you racist little tw*t? Maybe, it's the strong sense of nationalism that our government has hammered into us from childhood, or maybe it's the irrationally strong connection we subscribe to between race and language, perpetrated by the 'mother tongue' syllabus. In any case, a modern, metropolitan Singapore would certainly be better off understanding that different people talk differently, and that's okay. Top Image Credit

"I don't know how to act my age. I've never been this age before." People say you’re supposed to be an adult at age 18, 21, 24. People say a lot of things, but as you check each of those birthdays off the calendar, thinking the next one will be the one, you start to wonder: Am I ever going to feel like an adult? When you were a child or teenager, the “adult” was a concept of something that you were not. Like, “I don’t know what the hell it means to be an adult, but I sure as hell know I’m not one, so yeah! Take that, old people!” You didn’t know exactly what it meant to be an adult, but you knew you weren’t one for sure. I mean, how could you be, right? But as you got older, it became harder and harder to convince yourself that you weren’t an adult, and you started to wonder why you hadn’t hit that stride that would carry you into being a proper adult like your parents. I think the truth is that you never will. None of us actually ‘become’ adults, we just kind of… are. Growing up is a process of learning many different new things, and letting go of many of the things that defined our younger selves. For some of us, we might have let go of our crazy, impossible dreams, like the dream teenage me had of being a rock star. Or, we let go of the all-consuming desire to be liked and popular. Being an adult is not just about learning how to pay your taxes and make money at your job and gamble with stocks; it’s also about unlearning things from your younger days, for better or worse. For every bad habit we let go of as we mature, we often let go of good character traits as well, and learn terrible things from the people who call themselves adults. We learn to be judgemental, to discriminate. We learn the difficult truths that selfishness is the law of the land, and that there is no such thing as good or bad, right or wrong. Adulthood is about learning, first and foremost. But since we learn throughout our lives, the process of becoming an adult is really an ongoing one. In that sense, if we grow into adults, then the ‘adult’ is really just a perfect version of ourselves that we can never be, like a dog chasing its own tail. For what it’s worth, though, here are a few lessons I’ve learnt that have helped me in some little way in my clueless fumble through adulthood. Maybe they’ll help you too. Well, probably not, but who knows right?

To Be Happy Is to not give a f*ck

In ‘simpler’ times, all people had to care about was food, water, shelter, and sex. That was it. Get fed, get hydrated, find a cave, get laid. Now, we have a laundry list of stupid little things, including laundry, to attend to, and it’s frankly exhausting af. Is it better than living in the jungle and worrying about getting mauled by tigers? Probably. But it’s still exhausting af. People use the term ‘carefree’ as if it’s something they want, something they aspire to, but they do absolutely nothing to achieve it. Too many people care way too much about way too many things, and in doing so neglect the truly important things in life. Trim the fat. Pick your battles. Stop caring about things that are not important.

Other people’s opinions of you are none of your business

Speaking of not giving a f*ck, one of the stupidest things to give a f*ck about is the opinion someone else has of you. Especially stupid is when you care about the opinions of people you don’t even know. That is the kind of nonsense high schoolers worry themselves with. So, f*ck those people staring at you on the train. F*ck superficial acquaintances who think they know everything about you because they’re such great judges of character. F*ck the things people say about you but are too spineless to say to you. They don’t matter. And your opinions of others shouldn’t matter to them either.

Everyone thinks they’re the good guy

In the process of becoming an adult, you realize that the ‘good guys’ – sold to you by the media as kids – don’t actually exist. Right or wrong is all a matter of perception. There is no such thing as an objectively ‘good’ or ‘bad’ person, only a person who is good or bad for you. When you learn this, you stop chasing someone else’s ideals of what it means to be good, and start focusing on your own version of being a good person. You understand that the righteous hate you have for others is all bullshit, and you become more understanding of the differences between people. You learn that there is often no point in trying to convince someone to see things from your point of view, and to instead live in a state of mindful acceptance with the world around you.   Growing up sucks, let's be honest. But maybe next time you feel lost and confused about adulting, you can take some solace in the knowledge that everyone else is just as f*cking clueless as you are. Top Image Credit

“Be yourself”, they say. “Stay true to who you are.” Well, who is that, exactly? Who is this fabled ‘self’ that I’m supposed to be? How do I ‘be myself’? How do I know who I am? Well...

There Is No Self

I’m about as far from religious as one can be, but I think the teachings of Buddhism can help to grant us a fair bit of insight into this topic. In Buddhism, there is the belief that there is no such thing as the ‘self’; that change is the essence of being, and all living things are wholly impermanent with no such thing as a ‘self’ within them. Now, I’m not here to crap on your belief of an eternal soul and all that, but I think the Buddhists might be on to something here with respect to the nature of the self. As a person, you are a product of an innumerable number of factors. Your experiences, upbringing, genetics, everything about you comes together to create this version of you, and as you go through life interacting with the world around you, the things that make you you change as well. Your actions are not determined by who you are. Who you are is determined by your actions. Or, as everyone’s favourite sore-throat-voiced Batman says, “It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.”

The Illusion of Consciousness

Biologist and DNA co-discoverer Francis Crick famously said, “You’re nothing but a pack of neurons.” Crick may have helped to revolutionize our understanding of genetics, but his take on human life as being nothing more than a smattering of neural activity might be a little reductive. All of our emotions, memories, and thoughts, both conscious and subconscious, are the result of electrical signals coursing through the neurons of our brains. However, this interpretation of human consciousness fails to consider the external, experiential element of our interactions with the world around us. Our brains may be set to respond to things in certain ways, but our neurons cannot control what happens to us externally and how our experiences shape every aspect of our being. As living, thinking entities, we have the agency to influence our own minds and create our own identities, rather than be enslaved to them, through the decisions we make and the actions we perform. As a result of our myriad mental processes, we are fed with an illusion of self, a sort of meta-cognition. We think of ourselves as existing within our minds, passengers in our own bodies. We develop a notion of a certain inner self; a core at the centre of our very being. A version of ourselves that cannot be tarnished, shaped, corrupted, or otherwise changed by the ravages of external influence. That is all, of course, a bunch of bullshit.

On Creating that which does not exist

So if the self does not exist, and therefore cannot be ‘found’, how then do we create it? We create ourselves through the things we do and the decisions we make. We craft a constantly changing, amorphous identity that is never the same one day to the next, and is never more or less real for that change. The more relevant takeway from the whole “be yourself” narrative is not to stubbornly refuse change without exception, but to simply be honest with ourselves. To do what we truly believe we should, and make sure that the actions which define us are truly reflective of the thoughts that motivate them, not the whims and sensibilities of others.

Contrary to popular belief, being in an interracial relationship is not too different from being in any other relationship. We argue about the same silly things, and have the same kinds of fights. I’ve been with my Chinese boyfriend for almost 3 years now. There’s a lot I’ve learnt about his race, and he of mine. There are however some struggles that we face being an Indian-Chinese couple in Singapore. Like every relationship, interracial relationships have their good and bad; ours are just a little more specific.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE

This is something almost every interracial couple deals with. For an interracial couple to be stared at by individuals in public is not unheard of. My boyfriend and I aren't really prone to participating in public displays of affection, or as most call it, PDA, but on the rare occasions that we do, we would be lucky to get by without getting at least one stare on the public train. Public acceptance, however, doesn't just come with not getting stares anymore. If only I had a dollar for all the times someone reacted with the tone of surprise as I tell them that my boyfriend is Chinese. It’s like I’ve said the most absurd thing in the world. It’s very much similar to getting glares in public. It makes me question how well the public accepts interracial couples. Even in today’s day and age, it’s bizarre to see how many Singaporeans are surprised seeing two people from a different race in a relationship.

PARENTS' APPROVAL

This is a big one. For most people, disapproval from parents can be a deal-breaker. You would be surprised at how many parents today are STILL prohibitive about who their children should date. Couples don't usually take the next step without their parents' approval in a family-oriented culture like Singapore's. Take my parents for example - their ‘ideal boy’ for me should’ve been an Indian Hindu. That clearly didn’t work out well for them. In all seriousness though, if your parents approve of the person you love, you don’t know how lucky you are.

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

Understanding another's culture takes effort. I was lucky that my boyfriend had an understanding or was at least aware of the Indian culture, having a ton of Indian friends himself. There are, however, a lot of Singaporeans that tend to not be as aware of other cultures – especially that of the minorities. However, I wouldn’t say that my boyfriend knew everything about my culture, or that I knew everything about his. In an interracial relationship, a lot of time and effort needs to be put into listening to the other talk about their traditions, rituals or even their food. And through the course of time, these cultural ‘differences’ are what bring you closer to your partner.

BEYOND THE STRUGGLES

While there may be struggles to being in an interracial relationship, there are tonnes of positives as well. When you learn about another race, you look at life from a different perspective. My boyfriend never understood what it felt to be a minority in Singapore until we were together. I know it might be hard for someone not in an interracial relationship to realise this, but we’re honestly not that different. And in a society where interracial couples are growing in numbers, I can only hope that the acceptance of the public towards us sees a growth as well.