People

Outside of work, N is quite the dancer. Having picked up dance in his polytechnic and university days, N tells us that he tries to go for dance classes when he can find the time.

“My favourite building in Singapore is the Golden Mile Complex which unfortunately will be demolished soon. Unlike the rest of the country that can feel very polished and rigid, this building feels alive—I can feel it breathing and changing, and it’s full of character!”

“I’m a Bartender at Night Hawks, a new bar that just opened in mid-2022. I’ll usually go for any drink, especially if it’s free, since it’s part of my job to try everything out there, but baijiu (Chinese liquor) is a no for me—it tastes like vomit!”

“I moved to Singapore from Ipoh, Malaysia to take on a job in Videography and Editing because of the currency. Apart from that, I also wanted to try working overseas and since there isn’t much cultural difference between both countries, Singapore became an obvious choice for me.”

“In my free time, I enjoy building mechanical keyboards and customising everything from the switches to the layout. I’ve also just picked up skateboarding after wanting to do so for a long time. There’s a constant fear of falling since I’m not as young as I used to be, but it’s a hobby I wish to continue.”

“Last year, I picked up the courage to make a career switch to Early Childhood Education after five years in Pharmaceuticals. The change was really tough on me at first, but thankfully I had guidance along the way. One of my students even said I’m their favourite teacher, which made me really happy!”

“I manage a bag retailer in Joo Chiat called The Bag Creature. As the face of the shop, my favourite part about working here is the connections I make with people and the cool stories they have to share. I feel that my purpose in life is to be the bridge that brings people together, so it’s what I’ll continue to do, whether at this job or elsewhere.”

We first spotted Clarisse, a freelance illustrator from Indonesia, across the street, glowing in her vibrant pink outfit in the light of day, sipping on her iced coffee with her dad by her side as they strolled around, seemingly unbothered by the midday heat, in search of a good spot for lunch.

“I’d give my son the same advice that I live by—do what makes you happy. Sometimes in life, we may find ourselves pursuing ambitions that don’t end up being fulfilling, so we just need to keep on chasing that sense of happiness.”

“After attending a course on the habits of highly effective people, I’ve come to realise that it’s important to work on ourselves first before anything else, so this year I’m hoping to prioritise personal growth and my wants and needs as a form of self-care.”

“I’ve been a Design & Technology (D&T) instructor for 25 years and I’ve seen the education system change a lot over the years. Like it or not, we have to learn and adapt with the times or we won’t be able to survive. As such, I now also teach 3D printing, laser cutting, and computer programming as part of the D&T curriculum.”

“I’m a student at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and I work with sculptures and ceramics as I’m intrigued by textures and the hands-on nature of the medium, plus you’ll never really know how each piece will turn out! For my works, I like to make use of recycled and unconventional materials that I find on streets and in bins—anything really, even an old bandage with fleshy bits stuck on it.”