0019 - Bao Ren

Interviewer's Note: Bao Ren was my platoon mate during National Service. He was one of the few people I felt comfortable having discussions and go jogging with. I look forward to see him on TV as a News Anchor someday!

Tan Bao Ren / 22 / Singapore / Undergraduate (News Anchor-to-be) / baoren.posterous.com / @bunman

What do you live for?

To be there for people who needs help and dedicating what I have for people.

Why?

Maybe I am a rather emotional or sensitive person, I more often than not feel for others much more than the average person. Something unfortunate, no matter how trivial it is, that happens to someone else, I often have the capacity to fill myself in the person's shoes and 'feel how he/she would feel' in the particular circumstances. And then I would see how much a simple gesture from me can really made someone's day. I still remember how a junior's simple smile while in school back in secondary school days made my day so much better. 

What is some of the best advice that you have been given/want to give our readers?

“Fallen down,” she says simply. She doesn’t apologize.

“It doesn’t matter,” I say, and I start to pick up the broken glass shards. “I knew it would happen.”

“Then why you don’t stop it?” asks my mother.

And it’s such a simple question.

- Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

This is a quotation from a novel that I read as part of my academic requirements taking English Literature. I found this paragraph particular meaningful because it strikes to me as, if you know something unpleasant or undesirable would happen if you do not take action, act on it. Probably sounds like damage control to some extent but, if you know how sad that person would be if XXXX, then do it. 

Something random you'd like to say?

Chocolate cakes of a certain outlet and hot soya milk are my comfort food.

0018 - Kenny

Interviewer's Note: I've been reading Kenny's blog since secondary school (which wasn't too long ago, but it probably makes Kenny sound very old). His blog posts documenting his life and thoughts have constantly entertained and inspired me. 

Kenny Sia / 29 / Kuching, Malaysia / Blogger | Fitness Centre Owner / kennysia.com / @kennysia

What do you live for?

Impacting my community and changing people's lives for the better.

Why?

My late father was an extremely hardworking entrepreneur who founded what was, and still is, the largest supermarket chain in Sarawak. Unfortunately, he was also a heavy smoker and whilst he took care of

everyone around him, he did not take care of himself well. He passed away of cancer just before his retirement.

His passing made a huge impact on me. From then on, I resolved to live a healthier lifestyle so I can take care of the people I love when I get older.

I founded Level Up Fitness, Kuching’s largest fitness centre, to enable my community to live healthier, so we can be around when our loved ones need us.

What is some of the best advice that you have been given/want to give our readers?

Three of the most important principles a good manager must adopt are: Priorities, Data and Rhythm.

Priorities keep us focused on the important things. Data show that we are going in the right direction. Rhythm keeps the wheel turning and everyone in the team abreast.

Something random you'd like to say?

Interesting Fact: Despite my size, I have completed five 42km marathons, and I am also an internationally-certified RPM (Indoor Cycling) instructor. :)

0017 - Mahlstik

Interviewer's Note: I got to know Mahlstik (I personally know him as Samuel) a year ago, when he was an intern at my previous workplace. What instantly sparked off a connection between us was a deep interest in signs of extraterrestrial life and conspiracy theories. I honestly think his self-portrait below is not actually the most accurate depiction of him. I mean, he's usually smiling 90% of the time I see him.

Mahlstik / 22 / Behind the canvas / Paints pictures / www.mahlstik.com / @mahlstik

What do you live for?

I live for the little things and details in life. Seeing the smile on somebody's face, having a stray cat warm up to you, the fizz from a can of coke, the silence of late nights when you're rushing work, the observation of metronomy, the irony of society, clockwork systems and endless circles of life and death.

Why?

Through experiences and phases in my life which I think no one else should deserve to go through i have realized that a common advice people enjoy giving is " to look at the big picture". I think that is wrong, I think that is misleading. One should not just look at the big picture alone, you should go as close as possible to observe the tiny details, go sideways, go behind, backtrack, top, bottom, any direction possible to you. Heck, tear through the picture, draw over it if you have to, or you'll just be cheating yourself.

What is some of the best advice that you have been given/want to give our readers?

Throughout your journey you'll definitely meet setbacks, a lot of setbacks. It could be a huge one every year, or small ones every week, it could even be frustrating ones everyday. Remember always, it doesn't matter, just pick yourself up, learn from it, move on. Life is too short for regret, life is also too short for laziness and petty thoughts.

Also, if you love doing something, work for free doing what you love for a substantial period of time. I'm not saying to spoil the market or devalue yourself, but if after that time where you've worked your ass off, starved, worry everyday about the next, and you still love what you do, imagine doing it and getting paid at the same time. The feeling of an epiphany or discovery is incredible, however, there must always be a balance. A wise old man once told me that you can't just go do what you love/or what you think you love, find a way to feed yourself and pay the bills, or you'll probably end up dead even before achieving what you set out to do in the first place. Application, that's the trick.

Something random you'd like to say?

I hate hamsters. Motherfucking evil furballs !

0016 - Bevlyn

Interviewer's Note: The first song I've heard from Bevlyn was 'Lonely Afternoon', after a recommendation from my Army platoon mate (who is a self-proclaimed audiophile =p). Coincidentally, I listened to this song while performing a duty on a rather lonely afternoon, and it fitted the mood quite nicely, heh.

Bevlyn Khoo / 33 / Singapore / A singer-songwriter who creates songs for the souls / bevlynkhoo.com / @bevlynkhoo

What do you live for?

I'm beginning to understand my role in the big scheme of things; A couple of years ago I would have said I live to create (in my case, music) for the universe, but now I think I live to test boundaries in life, and music is a tool which I use to test and push boundaries.

Why?

I think that people carry too many assumptions in life; though some assumptions can be helpful to simplify our lives, they are many times but hurdles to live our lives to the maximum potential. Common examples of assumptions involve ideas of beauty, age, love, race etc, where there is much tendency from people to categorise and label. Though some basic assumptions can be useful to pare down options toward our goals, the fine line is easily crossed, and the balance tilted.

For instance, when I first started on the project of my indie EP album 'Lonely Afternoon' in 2008, people asked me which shelf (in the CD store) my album would be on if I have English, Mandarin and French songs in the album. Ironically, this 'rojak' album won the 'Best Independent Album 2009' at the Singapore E-awards. Most people would also frown at the idea of throwing in one's life savings to come up with an album with no label's backing. Again, ironically, this album got me a recording contract and my musical career was able to propel beyond an album... just because I did such a crazy thing. I'm still fighting some of the assumptions I have in life, and it's really interesting for me when my assumptions are tested and proven wrong. I hope that my story can inspire some people to test and rethink their own assumptions, especially about what they cannot or should not do.

What is some of the best advice that you have been given/want to give our readers?

The best advice I have been given is 'Play-sure', which is a combined word from 'Play' and 'Pleasure'. It resonates in me because I realised that the best bits of my life are moments when I please myself and have fun. Hence nowadays when I feel stressed about any projects or events, I think of them as games, and I try my best to find ways to please myself and have fun while executing them.

Something random you'd like to say?

I really love this website. The energy is powerful.

0015 - Tong Yee

Interviewer's Note: Got to know Tong Yee through a friend who was his student. I must say it was a really inspiring experience for me to meet up and chat with him. I admire and respect what he is doing and hope that The Thought Collective continues to get better at what they do. :)



Tong Yee / 38 / Singapore / Director at The Thought Collective / www.school-of-thought.com

What do you live for?
I live for God and to serve his people.

Why?
I prefer to focus my energy to build something that can be permanent, or at least leave a sustainable legacy, as opposed to pursuing fleeting things like, say, an expensive car. Luxury will expire after a few years. The pleasure we receive from luxury almost always depreciates. Why would I want to invest my time and energy to pursue something that will expire someday? That said, I have nothing against people who go after these things in their lives.

What is some of the best advice that you have been given/want to give our readers?
There is so much great wisdom that I have learnt and can share with you, but unfortunately the value really depends on the context to which you wish to receive it.

There was a memorable one that I was given when I was much younger. It seemed insignificant back then, but as I grew older I began to realise how important it is.

"If you can be trusted for the small things, you can be trusted with the big things as well."

There are many simple little things about us that speak volumes about how we deal with bigger things. Remember how our parents would nag at us to switch the lights off when we leave a room? It may not seem like a big deal, but if you can be trusted to perform small tasks like that, then you will have less problem dealing with bigger issues when the time comes. Essentially we are all creatures of habit. And our habits tell us a lot about the kind of people we are.

Something random you'd like to say?
There is a fine line between being open as a person and simply being careless as a person.

0014 - Alex

Interviewer's Note: He's my ex-lecturer (even though I didn't get to attend his classes) and my ex-colleague (nor did we say more than the usual 'hello' to each other when we saw each other along the corridors). However, thanks to social media, I was able to get to know the interesting, witty and sensitive new age male side of him. Glad to have him here with us today. He's got his answers for all 4 questions rolled into one.

Alex Soh Sheng Aik / 48 / Singapore / Lecturer, Writer, Traveller, Filmmaker, Swimmer, Philosopher, Athlete, Singer, Actor, Computer Scientist, Facebooker, Blogger, Model, Joker / facebook.com/bluefishcake

What do you live for?

Why?

What is some of the best advice that you have been given/want to give our readers?

Something random you'd like to say?

I live to read and to travel, and to me, they are two of a kind. To see a different world, to understand another culture, to free up my mind, to taste exotic food, to find my second home, to experience a different lifestyle, to be inspired, to face the truth, to comprehend and appreciate the beautiful plan laid out millions of years ago, to bring together the different maps in my heart, to nullify the prejudice, pride and racism I was brought up to believe, to hug my family, to make new friends, to see things in different perspectives and dimensions, to understand the true meaning of humility, to throw my arms around the world, to breathe, to ogle, to love, to learn about philosophy, evolution, psychology, biology, art, architecture, stories, physics, myths, chemistry....to understand Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism....to count my blessings, to grow old gracefully with no regrets, to summarize, to shout in exaltation from the highest peaks, to understand the fragility of humanity and the eco-system, to find the missing pieces of the jigsaw puzzle of life, to make sense of my own ancestry, to answer to my calling, to not waste this life in static, boring routine, to create, to laugh, to cry, to fill the gaps in my timeline, to practice what I preach, to snap pictures, to bear the unbearables, to keep feeling fascination, to listen, to feel, to be, to read, to live....:)

0013 - Visakan

Interviewer's Note: Visa and I started Statement just slightly over 2 months ago and it's been an interesting experience so far. We'll be introducing even more kick-ass conversation-starter stuff to the world soon, so stay tuned!

Visakan Veerasamy / 22 / Singapore / Writer / visakanv.com / @visakanv

What do you live for?

I live for beautiful moments. Making a perfect basketball shot. Having endless hours of intense conversation with friends, then wondering where all the time went. Moments of tranquility, detachment and harmony with all things. Fantastic art in all forms that rips into your gut and shakes you out. The right thing in the right way at the right time.  I live for love, and for joy.  

Why?

Why? That's a tough question. I think love and joy are ends in themselves, they bring pleasure and fulfillment. Life is a precious gift, and we ought to make the most of it. This is one of those things that's hard to rationalize- you either intuitively sense it or you don't. I think when in doubt, we ought to try many different things, and then go with what feels right.

What is some of the best advice that you have been given/want to give our readers?

There is no one-size-fits-all advice that everybody needs to hear- different people need to hear different things, in different ways. So I can only speak for myself, and perhaps for people who are, in their lives, somewhat where I am, or have been. 

The best advice that I was personally given was "Serve your mission, not your ego." It's succinct, resonates powerfully with everything I already intuitively know, and phrased in a way that I cannot refute, resist or deny.

Two other good pieces of advice:

"Sometimes in life you will have to do things that you don't want to do, and it makes more sense to figure out how to make the most of it. Being stubborn and adamant will not help you- being resourceful and adaptable will."

"How you say or do something often speaks louder than what you actually say or do."

Something random you'd like to say?

Reading a good book is almost always the best investment you can make with your time.There is a book that will resonate with your soul in a way that nothing else ever will, that you never dreamed possible. Go find it.

0012 - Joan

Interviewer's note: She's been a good friend of mine since my Polytechnic years. She may appear shy and quiet to many people, but she's actually wonderfully warm towards those who are close to her heart.

Joan / 23 / Singapore / Dreamer / joanx.net

What do you live for?

Learning, happiness and illustrating

Why?

I guess the main reason is to be a better person and to be able to be there for people who I treasure most. Life is too short to let time just pass by freely. I used to think that there's still a lot of time for me to have fun without caring. But when time passed too quickly and I realised it was a little too late, I decided to fully utilise the time that I have.

I decided to learn to my fullest and to do more things that I enjoy doing rather than forcing myself to do things that I don't like.

Perhaps I am just being greedy but I love learning. Even though there are times when I can't do what I like to, I will tell myself that it's actually a lesson for me to learn from and to do it to my best ability.

As for illustrations, I usually can't express myself fully through words and speech and I thought that the best medium for me to express myself is through illustrating.

What is some of the best advice that you have been given/want to give our readers?

People come and go, and we can do nothing to stop them from leaving no matter how unwilling we are. So all we have to do is treasure those times and it's all part of life to let them go and hope that everything goes well. Nothing is permanent. Family is important too, never neglect family as they love you for who you are, no matter how unique or awkward one's personalities are.

Complete this sentence. Life is too short to...

...regret and sulk all the time.

Something random you'd like to say?

I would really like to know if aliens do exist.