January 24 — I have never lived alone.

I went from living with my parents and brother to living with my husband and his family — a trajectory I share with most of my peers.

January 17 — Earlier this week the region and the world watched as armed men roamed through central Jakarta inflicting arbitrary violence on a terrified populace. Explosions, gun shots, bodies — no longer confined to active warzones but now in the centre of an otherwise peaceful capital.

JANUARY 10 — Growth. Singapore’s story, the story of our island nation over the past five decades is one of growth. Growth in terms of population, opportunities and infrastructure all underpinned by world-beating economic growth. 

JANUARY 3 — The dawn of a new year is peak season for crystal ball gazing and while the art of divining the future is fraught with difficulties and notorious failures, I’m feeling confident.

Dec 27 — An aunt (from my husband’s side, he’s not Singaporean) came to visit Singapore recently. She took her cohort of grandchildren to Universal Studios last week.

DECEMBER 20 — If you are caught “borrowing” your carefree neighbour’s unsecured wireless Internet, you can end up with a fine of up to $10,000 (RM30,340) or be jailed for up to three years according to the Computer Misuse and Cybersecurity Act making for an impressively expensive Facebook status update.

Dec 13 — 38 Oxley Road.  This is where the People’s Action Party took shape and where for decades one man chartered the course of our entire nation. More even than the Istana, this is a symbol of political and ideological power — the home of Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

DECEMBER 6 — Sterile. This was the most common word I encountered over a three-day trip to the capital of Malaysia. I heard it the first evening I arrived and found myself standing in the corner of the elevator of the very swanky, very popular Troika Sky Dining building in the heart of the city.

NOVEMBER 29 — For most of my life, I have heard the common refrain that we Singaporeans are an apathetic bunch. No matter what the issue — foreign policy, domestic matters, civil rights — Singaporeans, it is said, will keep their heads down, put their noses to the grindstone and say: this one is none of my business.

Nov 22 — A friend stepped out for a smoke during lunch the other day and when he returned, we got talking about the shrinking habitat left available to smokers in our garden city.