As a parent, I have experienced the joys and challenges of using an iPad to keep my child entertained during long journeys or when waiting in a queue. However, recently, I had an experience that made me question the wisdom of relying too much on technology to keep my child occupied.

It was a typical weekday afternoon, and my son and I were on our way home from his piano lesson. We had a long journey ahead of us on the MRT, and I knew that it would be a challenge to keep him entertained for the duration of the trip. So, I brought along his iPad and loaded with his favourite games and videos.

For the first half of the journey, everything went smoothly. My son was happily engrossed in his iPad, and I was able to catch up on some reading. However, as we approached the midway point of the journey, I noticed that my son’s iPad battery was running low. I reminded him to save his game and switch off the device, but he refused. He begged me to let him play a little longer, promising that he would switch it off as soon as the battery ran out.

I hesitated for a moment, but then I gave in to his pleas. I figured that a few more minutes of screen time wouldn’t hurt, and it would keep him calm for the remainder of the journey. However, as soon as the iPad ran out of battery, my son’s mood changed dramatically. He threw a tantrum, screaming at the top of his lungs and kicking the metal pole in front of him.

I was mortified, and I could feel the disapproving glares of the other passengers on the train. I tried to reason with my son, telling him that he had already had plenty of screen time and that he needed to learn to entertain himself without technology. However, my words fell on deaf ears, and he continued to scream and cry.

In that moment, I felt like the worst parent in the world. I had relied too heavily on the iPad to keep my child calm, and I had failed to prepare him for the possibility of a low battery or technical malfunction. I realized that I needed to make some changes to my parenting approach and find a better balance between technology and other forms of entertainment.

As a smoker, I had been keeping an eye waiting for the announcement that the tax on cigarettes was going to increase.

I felt like I was living on the edge of a volcano, knowing that it could blow at any minute and wondering how I was going to cope with the changed landscape.

Went to stock up on cigarettes

When the news finally broke that the tax was indeed increasing, I knew I had to act fast. I was determined to stock up on cigarettes before the price hike came into effect.

I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed my keys and rushed out the door, heading straight to the convenience store below. I was relieved to see that the shelves were still well-stocked with cigarettes. I grabbed a few cartons and headed to the checkout.

The cashier was a bit surprised by my purchase, but she didn’t ask any questions. I knew that the tax increase was going to make cigarettes more expensive, but I didn’t realize just how much.

When I got to the register, I realised that I had bought $500 worth of cigarettes.

Eventually could just quit smoking because its prices are getting too ridiculous

I was glad I had acted quickly, but I was worried about how I would manage my budget in the future. I knew that I would have to cut back on other expenses in order to afford my habit.

I also knew that I would have to be more mindful of my smoking, because I couldn’t afford to buy more cigarettes every week.

As I walked out of the store, cigarettes in hand, I couldn’t help but feel a little bit relieved. I knew I had done the right thing by stocking up before the tax increase went into effect.

I was still a bit anxious about how I would manage my budget, but I was glad that I had taken the initiative and acted quickly.

I made my way back home, feeling a little bit better about the situation. I was relieved that I had been able to get my hands on some cigarettes before the price hike went into effect. I knew it was going to be tough to manage my budget, but I was determined to make it work.

All in all, I was glad that I had taken the initiative and bought some cigarettes before the tax increase went into effect. It was a smart move, and it saved me a lot of money in the long run.

My Valentine’s Day began like any other day. I woke up, went to work, and went about the typical day-to-day. When I got home, I was surprised to find my boyfriend standing in my living room with a bouquet of flowers.

I was taken aback, since it had been a while since I had gotten flowers, especially on Valentine’s Day. He had a big smile on his face as he handed me a bag of chrysanthemum and said, “Happy Valentine’s Day!”

Upon closer inspection, I realized he had given me an unusual gift – chrysanthemums. My heart sank. Chrysanthemums are usually associated with mourning, and it seemed like my boyfriend was trying to send me a message.

The one I got is those kind bought from Chinese herb shops that are used to make chrysanthemum tea.

I asked him why he had chosen to give me chrysanthemums. He explained that he had heard that chrysanthemums were a sign of loyalty, something he wanted to show me on this special day. He said that I demanded for flowers every year and he is getting sick of it and decided to play a prank on me.

I was so pissed by his gesture, and I couldn’t help but get angry. I thanked him for his thoughtful gift in a sarcastic way and kept quiet after.

I don’t think I would have ever thought of giving chrysanthemums as a Valentine’s Day gifts he trying to break up with me?

I love coffee. From an early age, I was always known to be the one with a cup of coffee in my hand.

Whether it was for the kick of caffeine or to simply enjoy the smell and taste of a freshly brewed cup, I was always in search of the perfect cup.

A lot of coffeeshops now don’t provide straws to be ‘environmentally friendly’

That being said, I have noticed that lately there has been a trend of coffeeshops that are no longer offering straws for their drinks. I understand the sustainability concerns, but I think this is an area where we can still do better.

I think that coffeeshops should still provide straws for their drinks as it is unhygienic to drink straight from the cup. I’m sure most of us have seen people at coffeeshops drinking straight from the cup and it’s not a very sanitary practice.

he germs and bacteria from the person’s mouth can transfer to the cup and then to you if you were to drink from it.

Not only is it unhygienic, but I think it is also uncomfortable for many people. For instance, if you have a cold or are feeling under the weather, you don’t want to be drinking straight from the cup with your own germs.

A straw can help provide a barrier between your mouth and the cup.

Still better to use a straw

Also, I think it is more convenient to use a straw. It can help you to drink your coffee faster and not have to worry about spilling it all over yourself or your clothes.

Sometimes these cups are also washed in a hurry by these coffeeshops and therefore it might not be as clean to drink directly from the cup.

I understand that there are sustainability concerns and that we should be taking steps to reduce our plastic waste.

However, I think that coffeeshops should still provide straws for their drinks as it is unhygienic to drink straight from the cup and it is more convenient to use a straw.

I’m a recent Uni graduate. I had been searching for a job for months and finally I got an interview for a position as a marketing assistant at a big company. I was so excited and I was sure I was going to get the job.

When I got to the office, I was greeted by a friendly receptionist who directed me to the interview room. I was ushered into a large, luxurious office and I was greeted by a tall, handsome man in a well-tailored suit. He introduced himself as my interviewer and shook my hand.

Told him I can offer him a ‘hand’ when asked what could I offer to the company

He asked me a few questions about my education and experience and then he asked me the dreaded question: “What can you offer to this company?”

I was so nervous that I didn’t think before I spoke. Instead of talking about my skills and qualifications, I blurted out: “I can offer you a ‘hand’.”

I immediately regretted my words and wanted to take them back. I could feel my face turning red with embarrassment as I realized what I had said.

The interviewer just stared at me in shock and then he stood up and walked out of the room without saying a word.

I knew that I had blown my chance of getting the job. I left the office feeling extremely embarrassed and ashamed of myself. I had made a huge mistake and it was going to cost me my dream job.

I went home and tried to forget about the incident, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had ruined my chances. I had done something so stupid and I felt like such an idiot.

I thought about all the other job interviews I had been to and how I had done so well in them.

Why did I have to say something so stupid?

I spent the next couple of days in a state of depression, wallowing in my own self-pity. I had let my nerves get the best of me and ruined my chances of getting the job. I had let my foolish mistake cost me my dream job.

I had no one to blame but myself.

It all started with a simple craving for a brownie. I had seen it in a bakery window and it looked so good that I just had to have it. I had been trying to eat better but the lure of the chocolate was too strong and I gave in.

Little did I know that one brownie would lead to a spiral of unhealthy choices that would eventually lead to me feeling like a dumpling in my dress.

Kept eating junk food

I started to eat more and more junk food. I convinced myself that it was alright since I was still eating healthy most of the time.

I kept telling myself that if I could just have this one treat, then I would go back to my healthy eating habits the next day. But the next day came and I was still choosing the unhealthy options.

Before I knew it, I was eating junk food almost every day and I was starting to gain weight. I didn’t want to admit it at first, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

My clothes were getting tighter and I was feeling more and more uncomfortable in my own skin.

I decided that I had to do something about it, so I started to go to the gym. I was determined to lose the weight, but no matter how hard I worked out, it seemed like I was just gaining more and more. I was so frustrated and I could feel my self-esteem dropping.

It wasn’t until I had to buy a new dress for a special occasion that I really realized how much weight I had gained.

I was horrified when I tried on the dress and saw how much I had changed. I looked like a dumpling in the dress, and I felt so embarrassed.

I was so ashamed of myself, I couldn’t even look in the mirror. I wanted to cry but I couldn’t, so I just went back home and lay in bed. I had let myself down and I felt like a failure.

Tried losing weight but CMI

I started to try and lose the weight again but it was so hard. I was so discouraged by my lack of progress that I stopped trying altogether and just continued to eat whatever I wanted.

I was stuck in a vicious cycle of unhealthy eating and I was too ashamed to ask for help.

Now, I’m stuck where I am. I’m still overweight and I still look like a dumpling in my dress.

I know that I should be taking better care of myself but I just can’t seem to get motivated.

I was chatting with my boyfriend on my phone, and I decided to send him a few R-21 photos of myself. I had done it before and it was always fun for both of us.

Accidentally sent it into my family group chat

So, I went into my photo gallery, selected a few pictures and sent them to him. However, as I was sending the pictures, I realized something was wrong. Instead of sending them to my boyfriend, I accidentally sent them to my family group chat.

You know, those chat where your family members will always send those ‘good morning’ greetings to each other? Yes I sent it inside there.

My heart sank and I immediately wanted to disappear. I was so embarrassed and panicked. I thought to myself, what have I done? I quickly tried to delete the pictures, but it was too late.

My family and relatives had already seen the pictures and were reacting in shock.

I was completely mortified and couldn’t believe what I had done. I knew I had to do something to make up for it. I sent out an apology message to my family after deleting it, explaining the situation and apologizing for sending the pictures.

I also promised to be more careful in the future and to be more mindful when sending photos.

Got warned of the dangers of doing so

At first, my family was quite taken aback by the whole situation. They warned me about the dangers of sending my own obscene photos on social media and said even my bf can use it to shame me.

Eventually, they all accepted my apology and were surprisingly understanding. They even made jokes about it and tried to make me feel less embarrassed about the whole thing.

My boyfriend was also understanding, although he was a bit embarrassed by the situation.

He said he was still happy to receive the photos, but that he would have preferred it if they were sent directly to him.

We both had a good laugh about it and I assured him that I would be more careful next time.