I was just 17 years old when my life fell apart. It all started with my first boyfriend. He was my age, and we had been dating for a few months.

I thought he was the one, but I was wrong. He got me pregnant twice and I had to get abortions both times. It was a difficult and painful experience, but I thought it was all worth it for love.

My second boyfriend was 9 years older than me. I thought he would be more mature and responsible, but he ended up being just as bad as my first boyfriend. He was controlling and manipulative, and I couldn’t get away from him fast enough.

My third boyfriend was only 5 years older than me, but he was the worst of them all. He played me like a fool and left me feeling used and worthless.

I was so focused on my relationships that I neglected everything else in my life. I used to vape and smoke a lot, and it affected my studies. I did very badly for my O levels, only getting 39 points. It was a far cry from the 213 points I got for my PSLE. I was in Secondary 5 when I took my O levels, and everything went downhill from there.

I was a Chinese girl and I thought I was fairly good-looking, but it didn’t seem to matter. I thought that love would be the answer to everything, but it only brought me pain and misery. I couldn’t help but feel like my life was ruined. I felt like I had nothing left to live for.

I used to be such a hopeful and optimistic person, but after all that had happened to me, I couldn’t see the point in anything anymore. I felt like I was just a shell of my former self, and I didn’t know how to move on.

I couldn’t help but blame myself for everything that had happened. I thought maybe if I had made different choices, things would have turned out differently. But it was too late for that now. I was stuck in a cycle of regret and self-loathing, and I didn’t know how to break free from it.

I wish I had known then what I know now. I wish I had realized that love isn’t always enough, and that you have to take care of yourself first and foremost. But it’s too late for me now, and I’m left to pick up the pieces of my shattered life.

Chinese New Year is right around the corner, and I’m starting to dread it.

My relatives are so nosy and full of questions, and I don’t know how to get out of it. I’ve tried making up excuses, but they don’t seem to work. It’s not that I don’t like spending time with them; I just need a break from all the questions.

I’m not sure why my relatives ask so many questions. I think it’s because they want to stay connected with the family. But it’s hard to enjoy a meal or conversation when they keep asking me about my job, my girlfriend, or my plans for the future. It’s like they’re trying to pry into every aspect of my life.

I know I’m not alone in this situation. Most of my friends have similar experiences, and I’ve heard stories from other people too. There must be a way to politely avoid all the questions.

One of my friends suggested that I make up excuses when they ask too many questions. He said that it’s OK to lie if it will help me get out of an uncomfortable situation. I thought about it and decided to give it a try.

So far, I’ve come up with a few excuses. The first one is that I’m really busy with work. I’m a self-employed freelancer, so this excuse works well. I can tell them that I have a lot of jobs to take care of before the end of the year.

Another excuse I use is that I’m too tired to talk. I can tell them that I haven’t been sleeping well and need to get some rest. This usually works well for avoiding uncomfortable conversations.

The last excuse I use is that I’m meeting up with friends. I can tell them that I’m going to meet up with a group of friends for dinner or drinks. This usually works well too, as it gives me an excuse to leave the conversation early.

These excuses have worked quite well so far. My relatives usually accept them and don’t ask too many questions. I’m glad I found a way to politely avoid all the questions.

I know some people might think it’s wrong to lie to your relatives. But I think it’s OK to do it if it will help you get out of an uncomfortable situation. I’m sure they understand the need for some privacy, even if they don’t show it.

Anyone out there got any better excuse?

Growing up, my Mum was always telling me that I was handsome.

At the time, I never really paid much attention to her words. After all, as a kid, I was more focused on playing with friends and having fun than worrying about my looks.

But as I got older, I started to take note of what my Mum said. I began to believe that I was actually kind of good looking.

I realize now that my Mum was just trying to boost my confidence.

She wanted to make sure I felt good about the way I looked and I’m grateful for that.

It’s especially important for teenage boys to feel good about themselves and their appearance.

Having my Mum tell me I was handsome made me feel like I was worth something and that I could do anything I set my mind to.

But I also understand that beauty is subjective. I know that some people might not think I’m as attractive as my Mum does.

That’s okay too. I’m comfortable in my own skin, and I don’t really worry about what other people think.

I’m confident enough to know that my Mum’s opinion is the one that matters to me.

At the same time, I’m aware that it’s not just my Mum who thinks I’m handsome.

I have plenty of friends who also tell me that I’m good looking. I’m sure it helps that I take care of myself.

I’m not one of those guys who never shaves or showers. I like to take pride in my appearance and I think it shows.

My friends also like to joke around and say that I’m the best looking guy in the group. I don’t take it too seriously though.

I know that everyone in our group is attractive in their own way. We all have different features, hairstyles and fashion sense, which is what makes us unique.

At the end of the day, I’m thankful for my Mum’s words. I know that she truly believes I’m handsome and that means the world to me.

I’m sure that I wouldn’t feel as confident in my looks if she hadn’t said those words. I’m also grateful for my friends’ opinions.

They make me feel like I’m part of something and that I’m accepted for who I am.

I’m proud of the way I look and I’m comfortable in my own skin.

I know that beauty is subjective and that some people might not think I’m as attractive as my Mum does.

But that doesn’t really matter to me.

I feel good about myself and that’s all that matters.

As a staff member in a business that is struggling financially, it is easy to understand why my boss might think it is right to take his capital out first instead of paying us on time.

After all, he is the one who invested his hard-earned money into the business and it is important to him to protect it.

However, I believe that taking out his capital first instead of paying his staff on time is not the right thing to do.

It is important to remember that a business is nothing without its staff.

Without us, the business would not be able to function, and taking out the boss’s capital first instead of paying us on time would be a disservice to us.

The staff is the backbone of any business, and taking out the boss’s capital first would only serve to weaken that backbone and make it harder for us to do our jobs.

It is also important to remember the impact that not paying us on time would have on our morale.

If we were to be paid late or not paid at all, it would have a negative effect on our work. We would feel taken advantage of and would be less likely to work hard.

This would ultimately have a negative effect on the business, making it even harder to turn a profit.

Finally, it is important to remember that the staff is what makes a business successful.

If the staff is not taken care of and paid on time, then they will not be motivated to continue working for the business.

This could lead to a high turnover rate and a decrease in productivity, which would make it even harder for the business to turn a profit.

Taking out the boss’s capital first instead of paying the staff on time is not the right thing to do.

It would be a disservice to the staff, would have a negative effect on morale, and would make it harder for the business to turn a profit.

It is important to remember that the staff is what makes a business successful, and taking care of them should be a priority.

Paying us on time is the right thing to do, and I hope that my boss will recognize this and take the appropriate steps to ensure that we are paid on time.

Why are some old people so mean

I was working from home today

So i walked down to a nearby coffee shop to buy my lunch.

The moment i speak to the auntie to place my order, she was already expressing her unhappiness in the way i talk(very random). I was sure that i was courteous, polite in the way i spoke.

Then she proceeded to say in hokkien that “kids nowadays dont work and only take money from parents”.

Then she proceeded to tout me in verbal ways, seemingly hoping i will respond back and start an argument with her.

Take note i have never talked to his auntie before

Me being me, stood calm and unresponsive to her instigation, paid money took my orders and left.

Auntie, my 1 month salary maybe can probably equate to half a year of your annual salary. I don’t take but give money to my parents so that they don’t need to around with people like you.

Not happy to work just stay at home and watch your tv or something.

Not every “kid” will tolerate your monkey behaviour like how some of us will.

Netizens’ comments

• Why are young people nowadays so easily offended
• A lot of these grumpy old people are bitter they wasted their younger years, so they vent their own unhappiness on the younger people. Serious. Unprovoked, a few frail old uncles have challenged me to a fight before. Can tell easily they have wasted their youth being fragile so they need to prove something and hope the younger person backs down out of “respect”. The only way to counter this type is to explain to them the truth of how they have wasted their lives and now can only be bitter, but you have your whole life ahead of you. They will shut up quickly.
• Laugh at her while she continues to be bitter for her remaining years. Don’t need to waste time, energy and effort to retort or argue with her. You did great, order, pay and be on your merry way. Stay positive as the road is long for you, enjoy it in a good way.
• Can relate. Also find myself wondering about this sometimes. Why are some old people so mean
• Here we go. Complaint from a strawberry generation kid. Just try to be friendly and amicable kid. A little bit of kindness goes a long way

Should I still stay?

I have learnt, after this 1 year together. I have learnt to make myself the priority, instead of you.

I am frequently spending time to wait for you to end work (where your end time is irregular), so that we can have a dinner together.

I could have made better use of that time clearing my task list instead of hanging around outside near your workplace. I could have saved some of my emotions from anticipation.

Seems like you make yourself the priority over me.

Whenever I arranged a time early in the morning with you to go for date activities, you would mostly be late to wake up and delay the itinerary.

However, you can wake up at the same early time to do your own work at home. Is this an example of a lack of effort? I guess its just you making yourself the priority.

When I look at fried food at food stalls and asked if you wanna share, you would pull me away and say you are not a fan of fried food.

However, you ate fried food happily when you went out to dine with your family. I feel disappointed when I saw this.

Why is there a difference in treatment? I am not asking for anything lavish or expensive, just to share a piece of fried food with you, and its once in a blue moon too.

You say you would prefer not to dine in malls as the food there are more expensive. Sure, we can go to coffee shops, I don’t mind.

However, you always visit restaurants with your family and friends and pay for those. Why is there a difference in this then?

Sometimes I want to enjoy some good food with you too. You said umpteen times that we should visit this Omakase restaurant ever since Valentine’s day last year, but what has happened?

I really am doubtful and insecure when you made a promise you cannot or maybe don’t even bother to fulfill. Am I still able to trust you this way?

Usually, its me initiating the date plans and ensuring that it pulls through and we get to actualise it. I am really happy when you initiated that few times at the start of our rs.

However, slowly, there come times where you suggested places to go, I became excited about them, but the plan just falls through.

There was no follow up on your side. I feel disappointed, especially after anticipating it. Over time, I have learnt not to anticipate anything from you anymore.

When I told you a disappointing issue that happened to me, you didn’t come to ask me if I am okay or not, how I am feeling etc.

You just expressed a sigh and continued talking about your own stuff. Is it too much of me to expect words of concern from you? Must I ask openly for this?

I don’t know if I am being too sensitive over the small things here, or these are red flags in this relationship.

I have tried to endure this and subtly communicate over this period, but am a little tired now.

I feel lost. What’s next for me to feel insecure about here?