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From Stability to the Unknown — Why I Chose to Drift

From Stability to the Unknown — Why I Chose to Drift

Change has been a constant theme in my life, shaping who I am and where I stand today. Growing up in a densely populated, historic city in northern China, I always dreamt of exploring the world beyond my hometown. My journey took me from Sun Yat-sen University in southern China to the United States, where I pursued my passion for biology and eventually found my calling in bioinformatics and data science. Each step was a leap into the unknown, fueled by curiosity and the desire to grow. Relocating to Singapore with my family felt like another chapter in this journey of change. It wasn’t just a physical move; it was an opportunity to reassess my priorities and explore new possibilities. After years of dedicating myself to a career I loved, I found myself craving something different — the chance to travel, spend more time with family, and embrace the unpredictability of life, even if that meant occasionally forgetting what day of the week it is. Drifting isn’t about being lost; it’s a...

Woodlands Regional Library with Kids: Best Book Collection + Free Water Play (2025)

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The 4th-floor children’s section at Woodlands Library, with cozy tree-shaped reading areas and kid-sized tables. 4. IMG_5362.HEIC Caption: Free rooftop water play area at Causeway Point Mall, just next to Woodlands Library. Alt Text: Colorful water play zone on the 7th floor of Causeway Point Mall with fountains and play structures. Quick Overview 📍 Location: 900 South Woodlands Drive, #01-03, Singapore 730900 🚇 Nearest MRT: Woodlands (NS9/TE2) – 3-minute walk 📏 Size & Vibe: Massive, community-focused, and kid-friendly 🕘 Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM 👨‍👩‍👧 Best For: Book-hunting families, toddlers, and rainy-day play + food combos First Impressions Woodlands Regional Library is by far the largest library we’ve visited in Singapore so far. The children’s section takes up the entire 4th floor and is thoughtfully designed with multiple reading zones. There’s a cozy tree-like structure, kid-sized tab...

Central Public Library (Bugis): Ocean-Themed Reading Adventure for Kids

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An undersea adventure in the heart of the city—Central Library’s children’s section features colorful reef-themed shelves, soft carpeting, and plenty of space for kids to read and play. Central Public Library (Bugis): Ocean-Themed Reading Adventure for Kids Quick Overview Located at 100 Victoria Street, B1-01 in the National Library Building, the Central Public Library is just a 3–5 minute walk from Bugis MRT (EW12/DT14). It’s large, modern, and situated right in the heart of Singapore’s civic and cultural district. This makes it a convenient and inspiring stop for families, students, and design-lovers alike. Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM What We Loved The ocean-themed children’s section at Central Public Library is truly a delight for young explorers. From the moment you enter, you’re surrounded by immersive marine visuals, complete with glowing coral reefs and swimming sea creatures projected onto the walls. Th...

Singapore’s Public Libraries: The Best Family Activity You’re Overlooking (2025)

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Exploring the Children’s Biodiversity Library at S.E.A. Aquarium—where learning meets wonder! This themed nook makes reading a real adventure for little ones. 1. Introduction Reading books to babies is one of the best ways to support early development. In our home, bedtime stories are a nightly tradition. But buying books can get expensive, not to mention the space they take up—especially with growing kids! That’s why we turned to public libraries. After moving to Singapore, we started looking for a local library and were surprised to discover just how impressive the public library system here is. We began exploring these gems one by one (and yes, you can return books to any branch—huge bonus! This level of convenience isn’t common in many other countries, which makes it even more impressive). Each library has its own personality and is often surrounded by unique attractions. Stay tuned as I share mini features on some of our favorite...

Koh Samui with Kids 2025: What We Loved, What We’d Skip

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Blue Lagoon Magic – A quiet moment at Ang Thong National Marine Park. Totally worth the climb. We just returned from a family trip to Koh Samui with our two young kids. And while the island is beautiful, not everything went as smoothly as expected. In this honest review, we’re sharing what really worked for us, what didn’t, and how we’d plan it differently next time. Table of Contents Where We Stayed: Villa vs. Hotel Kid-Friendly Tours: What Was Worth It Fisherman’s Village: A Walkable Family Spot Koh Samui Airport: A Surprisingly Charming Welcome Our Koh Samui Itinerary (5 Days) What We’d Do Differently Next Time Quick Tips for Visiting Koh Samui with Kids Final Thought Where We Stayed: Villa vs. Hotel Over five days, we split our stay between a villa on Bophut Hill and one night at Hyatt Regency. Surprisingly, the villa won us over, and here’s why: 🏡 Villa on Bophut Hill Transportation: ...

The Best Way to Get Cash while Travel internationally (Without Wasting Money on Fees)

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Why This Travel Tip Matters I always thought the safest and cheapest way to get foreign currency for an international trip was to plan ahead, visit a bank, and exchange cash. It felt official, secure, and hassle-free. But while planning our upcoming family trip to Thailand, I did a deep dive—and what I found shocked me. Bank exchange rates? Often among the worst. If you're like me—traveling with kids and trying to avoid surprises—this post breaks down the real best ways to get cash while traveling internationally, based on recent research and real-world comparisons. I Compared Options—And Here’s What I Found Tap to view the full-size table. Not all currency exchange options are equal—this side-by-side table shows which methods cost more and which give you the best value while traveling. What Is the Mid-Market Rate? The mid-market rate is the real exchange rate between two currencies—the midpoint between buy and sell rates o...

How to Get a Job in Singapore on a Dependent Pass (2025 Guide for Expat)

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From Sponsorship to Startup: Work Options for Dependant’s Pass Holders in Singapore (2025 Guide) Introduction When I first moved to Singapore as an expat mom, I was excited about the adventure—but also anxious. I had left behind my career, my social network, and my comfort zone. As I began navigating life in a new country, one question kept resurfacing: Can I work here on a Dependant's Pass (DP)? Having previously gone through the immigrant journey in the U.S., I knew how tough it could be to find a job that requires visa sponsorship. Companies often need to justify the cost and effort of hiring a foreigner, which adds an extra layer of complexity. That experience shaped how I approached working in Singapore—with determination, realism, and a willingness to explore creative paths. This post shares what I’ve learned and aims to guide other expat moms navigating similar uncertainties—because while the road may not be easy, it's certainly possibl...

New to Content Creation? Here’s the Facebook Page Setup I Wish I’d Known About

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1. My Rookie Mistake as a New Content Creator When I started my journey as a content creator, I had no clue what I was doing—so naturally, I created an entirely new Facebook account just for my brand. It felt like the “official” thing to do. But when I launched my second project, I stumbled on something game-changing: I could’ve just created a Facebook Page from my personal account all along. No extra account. No extra login. And no violation of Facebook’s rules (yep, creating multiple personal accounts is technically not allowed). That realization saved me time—and a lot of future headaches. No extra logins. No burnout. Just smarter content management. 2. Facebook 101: Accounts, Profiles, and Pages (Explained Simply) Let’s break it down, because Facebook’s setup can feel like alphabet soup: Facebook account : Your login—your email and password that let you access the platform. Facebook profile : Your personal identity, where you...