Saturday, July 12, 2025

Short Story: Raja's Gold

Nowadays, the art of reading has lost ground for a whole generation of scrollers who are addicted to video clips and the even shorter version of them called shorts.

While you are able to watch a story as portrayed in a video or movie, try reading the printed version of the story for a fresh take. Amongst other things, reading will help you to:

- Focus, concentrate and think in order to understand and take in the story.

- Learn more about the background story of the characters in the story and relate to them with empathy as they struggle with their problems or threats, and root for those you like.

- Learn to listen to the storyteller, suspend your opinion/bias/control, and hear out another's perspective and motivation which may not be your cup of tea.

- Find a sense of accomplishment as you reach the end of story and find that you have expanded the horizon of your understanding and feelings for other people as they were so alive under the magical wand of a masterful storyteller.

Here then is a short story, Raja's Gold, generated with the help of ChatGPT for your refreshing:-

"The wet market still smelled like damp morning air, ginger, and old stories. Maya passed by stall 47—their stall—for the first time in months. The signboard still had the faded red outline of a rooster and the corner where Raj used to hang his towel, still held the rusty hook. For a second, her steps faltered. But only for a second.

They had spent nearly four decades there—scaling chicken, cracking jokes with uncles in fish stalls, giving out a few extra grams to regular aunties. When they retired, it wasn’t supposed to be like this. They were going to take up tai chi, maybe travel a little, or finally repaint the kitchen in periwinkle like she always wanted. But two weeks after retirement, Raj’s cough turned to a diagnosis, and the days blurred into nights at the hospital where time felt both cruel and kind in how slowly it passed.

And then, it was just her.

Grief, she found, wasn’t loud. It wasn’t like the tearing sobs in dramas or the wailing she once thought she’d feel. No—it was in the quiet moments. In the silence of two teacups on the drying rack. In the way she still reached for the passenger seat to point out a passing bird. In how, at dawn, her ears strained for the sound of slippers dragging across the kitchen floor.

But Maya didn’t break.

She folded Raj’s shirts neatly into a bag and gave them to a foreign worker shelter. She kept the one with the burnt iron mark—they used to argue about that—and turned it into a cushion cover. She wore his wedding ring on a chain around her neck, not for show, but for gravity.

What she did next, though, surprised even herself.

She joined a neighborhood gardening group.

Raj had never liked plants. Said they invited mosquitoes. But Maya remembered how he always admired orchids when they passed by the void deck planters. He would pause, call them "divas," and chuckle. So she signed up. She didn’t know a trowel from a fork, but she learned. Her hands, once used to plucking feathers and scaling chicken feet, found new rhythm in the soil.

Every morning, just before sunrise, she watered the plants, especially a pot of yellow orchids she named "Raja’s Gold." A few retirees began to linger. Then came the kids. She taught one boy how to repot basil. He called her “Aunty Chicken,” and she laughed more in that moment than she had in months.

She began baking. Banana walnut loaf, because Raj had once said he liked it, even though he always picked out the walnuts. She brought them to dialysis centres, temple kitchens, and sometimes left them anonymously at doorsteps of folks she knew were struggling.

She wasn’t “over” it. You don’t get over love like that.

But she was walking alongside it now.

Once, at the hawker centre, a friend asked, “Maya, how're you coping?”

She sipped her kopi, eyes soft. “Like learning to use my left hand when I’m right-handed. Clumsy, slow... but every day, I still cook, still laugh, still carry on.”

The friend nodded with a hint of relief on her face.

One afternoon, she sat with a younger widow from block 103. They didn’t speak much. Just sipped tea, the clink of porcelain filling the silence. Finally, Maya said, “You never forget. But you find new ways to remember. And some days, you even smile at the remembering.”

The woman exhaled like she’d been holding her breath for weeks.

That was the thing about life, Maya realised. Fragile like an eggshell, but inside it—if warmed and tended to—held the stuff of beginnings. She wasn’t waiting to be whole again. She was collecting the pieces and making something meaningful with them. Not perfect. But real.

She planted more orchids. Told more stories. Held more hands.

And in the quiet before dawn, sometimes, she swore she could hear the soft shuffle of slippers in the kitchen.

But now, she no longer cried.

She whispered, “Good morning, Raj. Today, the orchids are blooming.”

And life, in all its brief, breakable beauty, went on."


Click
here for more stories at Quarterly Literary Review Singapore.

Click here for more stories at Narrative Magazine.

Thank you for reading Daily Refreshing.


Snippets of Singapore (12 July 2025)

The following blurb is extracted from UOB's website (with photos by Daily Refreshing) :-


In celebration of UOB’s 90th anniversary and Singapore’s 60th year of independence (“SG60”), the UOB Plaza 1 building will become the world’s tallest, brightest and longest projection mapping canvas.

From 28 June to 9 August 2025, the 280-metres-tall facade of UOB Plaza 1 will feature a series of projection mapping shows, developed and created by local talents, that commemorate the Bank’s 90th anniversary and SG60.

1) UNITY presented by UOB in partnership with Hexogon

Presented in collaboration with multimedia integrator, Hexogon Solution Pte Ltd, UNITY brings to life UOB’s 90-year history through an engaging visual and audio experience.

The show has earned three Guinness World Records titles: Largest Light Output in a Projected Image, Longest Architectural Projection-Mapped Display (Temporary) and the Highest Projection Image on a Building. The setup produces a total of 5.85 million lumens, covering around 250 million pixels on UOB Plaza – by comparison, a standard television consists of approximately 2.1 million pixels.

The six-minute animation led by Creative Director, Mr Benjamin Tan, is inspired by the Bank’s values and commitment in doing right by its customers and communities. Through three distinct acts, it celebrates the spirit of innovation and change at UOB that has shaped the Bank’s past and present as it looks towards the future.

Act 1: Time

The first act features a bold and imaginary interpretation on time and reality, connecting the audience back to UOB’s early beginnings with a visually-impactful sequence that plays on the building’s architectural and surrounding elements. This dynamic play using the Singapore River, past and present building blocks, symbolises the Bank’s resilience and adaptability through time.

Act 2: Transformation

The second act celebrates UOB’s achievements and milestones through the use of Asian-inspired motifs and music. Inspired by traditional art forms such as Wayang Kulit, watercolour painting and metal work, projections depicting shadow play puppets, portraits of women and building blocks are some of the visual highlights that will light up the building facade. These visuals represent the Bank’s commitments to supporting our communities, championing for the arts, equality and diversity, and forging strength and security through innovation and courage.

Act 3: Tomorrow

The third act offers a glimpse of what lies ahead in the future through vivid images of technology and nature working in tandem. In the final scene, UOB’s collective aspirations and ambition for the future is depicted by a growing bonsai tree, which highlights the Bank’s continued commitment to building a sustainable future for ASEAN, doing right by our customers, communities, colleagues and the environment.

Ms Janet Young, Head, Group Channels and Digitalisation, Strategic Communications and Brand, UOB, said, “This year marks a significant milestone as UOB turns 90 and Singapore celebrates its 60th birthday. Our growth story is closely tied with Singapore’s growth story, and we are deeply grateful for the continuous support from our community, who have grown and journeyed with us across generations and regions. The projection showcase is our way of giving back – offering a record-breaking visual spectacle for the community, both for those who are based here and those visiting from overseas, to enjoy and to celebrate our shared journey.”

Click here for UNITY Projection Display Show - Full trailer.

Click here for the humble beginnings and growth of UOB.

Click here for UOB Light show 28Jun25 Full video Best angle.


For your further refreshing, here are some clips on life in Singapore.

Click here for Trained by Japan’s best for nearly a decade, this Singaporean now handcrafts bespoke shoes under his own label.

Click here for Living With A Fatal Disease As An ALS Patient.

Click here for Left with no choice, woman moving out of Hougang penthouse as neighbours are too noisy.

Click here for ‘Don’t know how to be human anymore’: Why some young adults need a course on how to talk.

Click here for 11 Best Nature Walk Spot in Singapore to Enjoy Scenic Trails.

Click here for Singapore is 'best place on this planet': Swiss influencer.

Click here for The Food Place by Food Republic – Michelin Picks, Famous HK Cha Chaan Teng, and Local Favourites at Raffles City’s Revamped Space.

Click here for 8 best bak chor mee in Singapore, according to local chefs.

Click here for This Country's Lively Street Food Culture Is A UNESCO-Approved Culinary Tradition Embraced By Celebrities.

Click here for Why this American entrepreneur chose Singapore over the US.


Thank you for reading Daily Refreshing.



Saturday, July 5, 2025

Snippets of Singapore (5 July 2025)

While walking around the waterfront in the vicinity of Marina Bay Sands Singapore, you could well find a beer truck by Pink Blossoms for a refreshing pint of craft beer such as Lean On Me, Let It be - Caroline, Time After Time and One Love.



Click here for Pink Blossoms' story of Celebrating Beautiful Things In Life.

As for that home repair work which is still waiting for you to get fix in Singapore, you might just wanna get some help from Repair.sg 


Photo credits: Repairs.sg

Click here to find out more of their pricing of services in the following categories: Handyman, Plumber, Electrician, Ventilation and Aircon.

For your further refreshing, here are some clips on life in Singapore.

Click here for 16 new species of darkling beetles found in S’pore, thanks to one man’s resolve over 2 decades

Click here for OUR FULL HOME TOUR - From old resale HDB to Wabi Sabi x Modern Luxury! 

Click here for SAF Day 2025 Video

Click here for Zoe Tay on her legacy, storytelling and the essence of belonging

Click here for Romeo Tan on turning 40, 15 years in showbiz, growing up and learning to love himself

Click here for KRU singer recovers phone he lost at Universal Studios Singapore, thanks the person responsible

Click here for Stars spotted: Ayumi Hamasaki enjoys beer at Lau Pa Sat, Lin Chi-ling spends time with family in Sentosa

Click here for 8 BIGGEST Tourist Traps in Singapore

Click here for SINGAPORE's Best Local Food for 6 Days! πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡¬ [Full Documentary]

Click here for How I Opened 7 Convenience Stores Before Turning 30: Young Franchisee's Journey | Money Mind


Don't Stop Loving You

Trust that you are well while reading this. Mental wellness is not a given and it can infect even the best of you or anybody else. The following message on "Don't Stop Being You" is apt. More than this, DONT STOP LOVING YOU.

You matter the most. Before you could even think of loving others, your community or your country, make sure you have personal time to treat yourself nice and be in a state of inner equilibrium. 

Tomorrow is going to be better. In the case of Olympian Leisel Jones, "Stay until tomorrow" kept her going and saved her.

Click here for Swimming great Leisel Jones reveals three words that kept her alive when she wanted to ‘end it all’

One tell-tale sign of whether a person is struggling inside is the cryptic messages, photos or graphics that they post on social media. With the help of ChatGPT, let's dive in:-

"❓Why Do People Post Cryptic Messages or Images of Themselves?

People post cryptic messages or selfies (sometimes with moody filters, ambiguous captions, or vague symbols) for several reasons. It’s not always because of a problem—but sometimes, it can reflect an emotional need or internal struggle.

Here are some common motivations:


🌫️ 1. Seeking Connection Without Being Too Vulnerable

Many people feel emotions—sadness, loneliness, anxiety—but don’t want to come right out and say, “I’m struggling.” So they post something cryptic:

“It is what it is...”

A shadowy photo with no caption.

A quote like: “You never really know someone…”

These are emotional cues—a way to say “I’m not okay,” without explicitly asking for help. It's a protective mechanism.


πŸͺž 2. A Desire to Be Seen or Understood

In a fast-moving, image-focused world, it’s easy to feel invisible. Posting mysterious messages or selfies can be a way of saying:

“Notice me.”
“Try to understand me.”
“Validate that I matter.”


🧩 3. Working Through Inner Conflict

Some people post ambiguous messages when they’re:

  • Going through heartbreak, but can’t talk about it publicly.

  • Feeling misunderstood or emotionally neglected.

  • Struggling with identity or self-worth.

The cryptic nature often reflects the confusion they feel inside.


🧠 4. Possible Signs of Emotional or Mental Strain

In certain cases, repeated cryptic or erratic posts may signal deeper issues like:

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Borderline personality traits

  • Feeling isolated or emotionally stuck

These are not “attention-seeking” in a negative sense—they are calls for connection in a world where asking for help is still hard.


🧭 How Can We Help Someone in This Situation?

1. Reach Out Gently and Without Judgment

Rather than commenting publicly, send them a private message like:

“Hey, I saw your post. Just checking in—how are you doing lately?”

Simple, honest questions can open doors.

2. Be Present, Not Pushy

Let them know they don’t need to explain everything right away. Say something like:

“You don’t have to talk about it if you’re not ready. Just know I’m here.”

This builds trust.

3. Offer Real-World Connection

Encourage coffee, a walk, or a call. Isolation often fuels cryptic behavior.

4. Avoid Overanalyzing or Mocking Their Posts

Never say things like:

“Why are you being so dramatic?”
“What’s with the mystery posts?”

This can shut them down further.

5. Encourage Professional Help if Needed

If the posts suggest serious distress (e.g. hopelessness, dark thoughts), you can say:

“Have you ever thought about talking to someone? There’s no shame in getting support—everyone needs help sometimes.”


🀍 Closing Thoughts: Empathy First

When someone posts cryptic messages, try to listen between the lines. Behind the crypticness, there’s often a human yearning:

  • To be heard

  • To be seen

  • To not feel alone

Instead of assuming it's for attention or dismissing it, see it as an emotional whisper—and if you’re able, respond with kindness.

Let’s help one another feel a little less alone in this big, noisy world.


Here’s a gentle, caring message you can send to someone who’s been posting cryptic messages or photos. You can adjust the tone based on how close you are to the person:


Option A — Warm and Casual (for friends or peers):

Hey, I saw your recent post and just wanted to check in. You've been on my mind. If you ever feel like talking—about anything—I'm here. No pressure at all. Just know you're not alone.


Option B — Gentle and Affirming (for someone more reserved):

Hi there. I came across your post and it felt like maybe something’s been weighing on you. I may not fully understand, but I’m always here to listen if you’d like to share or just talk. Sending kind thoughts your way.


Option C — Closer Connection (if you’re more familiar with their ups and downs):

Hey, your post felt a little heavy and I just want to say: I care. I’m not here to pry, but if there’s anything on your heart that you want to talk about—or even just sit in silence with someone—I’m just a message away.


Option D — Light & Friendly (for someone who might feel awkward talking seriously):

Yo! Your last post got me wondering if you’re doing okay. No need to explain, but just holler if you want to chat, vent, or go get bubble tea and pretend everything’s fine for a while. I'm here."

Hope that was helpful. Stay well, and then reach out to someone else in need.

Thank you for reading Daily Refreshing.


Sunday, June 22, 2025

Snippets of Singapore (22 June 2025)

What are people in Singapore queuing for this week? Here are just two sample queues.


Asia Cat Expo 2025 at Suntec City



Opening of Oriental Kopi at Nex Mall

Click here for Oriental Kopi's accolade and their distinguished products.

For your further refreshing, here are some clips on life in Singapore.

Click here for Are HDBs Making Us Lonely In Singapore? | What The Fact Ep 6

Click here for Why I Left Everything Behind To Live At Sea

Click here for Meet the 26-year old Wet Market Fishball Maker l A Hawker’s Tale Ep 1

Click here for Why I'm Living Two Lives as a Vegetable Seller and Runway Model

Click here for Inside A Japanese Minimalist 1,216 Sqft HDB Home

Click here for Inside A 1930s Walk-Up Apartment In The Middle Of Nature | Singapore

Click here for 7 luxury homes in Singapore | Remarkable Living

Click here for The Rise, Fall, And Return Of Chin Mee Chin, One Of Singapore's Oldest Coffee Shops

Click here for We checked out 4 DIM SUM Restaurants with Citi Gourmet Pleasures Deals | iEat Food Trail

Click here for This China-born Vlogger Knows Singapore Like A Local | On The Red Dot

Click here for Why Do So Many Expats Come to Singapore? | Street Interview  


Thank you for reading Daily Refreshing.  


Saturday, June 21, 2025

Don't Stop Writing Your Story

You have a unique story to tell the world.

The going is tough, but don't give up. Keep going and work it out to the best of your ability and make it world-class.

Image credits: ChatGPT

With the help of ChatGPT, "Here are five deeply inspiring stories of actors and writers who were at rock bottom before turning their lives around through resilience, belief, and persistence. Each story highlights a different kind of struggle—and a triumphant comeback.

🎬 1. Sylvester Stallone – From Homeless to Hollywood Icon

Rock Bottom:
In the early 1970s, Stallone was so broke he was sleeping in the New York bus terminal. He sold his dog for $40 just to afford food. He was rejected over 1,500 times for acting roles because of his slurred speech and looks.

Turning Point:
Stallone wrote the script for Rocky in just three days after watching a boxing match. Producers loved the script but didn’t want him to star. He refused every offer—even $350,000—unless he played Rocky himself.

Victory:
Eventually, he got the part with a lower salary. Rocky went on to win 3 Oscars, including Best Picture. He later bought his dog back—for $15,000.


✍️ 2. J.K. Rowling – From Welfare to Wizarding World

Rock Bottom:
Rowling was a single mother living on welfare in Edinburgh, battling depression and suicidal thoughts. She wrote the first Harry Potter book in cafΓ©s while her baby napped beside her.

Turning Point:
She submitted Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone to 12 publishers. All rejected it. A small publishing house, Bloomsbury, finally accepted—but only after the chairman's 8-year-old daughter loved it.

Victory:
Rowling became the world’s first billionaire author, and the Harry Potter series has sold over 500 million copies, changing millions of lives—including hers.


🎭 3. Robert Downey Jr. – From Prison to Iron Man

Rock Bottom:
Downey battled substance abuse for years. He was arrested multiple times, spent time in prison, and was seen as uninsurable by Hollywood. His once-promising career was nearly destroyed.

Turning Point:
He slowly turned his life around through rehab, therapy, and support from friends like Mel Gibson. The real shift came when Marvel took a huge gamble by casting him as Tony Stark in Iron Man.

Victory:
Iron Man launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Downey became one of the highest-paid actors in the world and a symbol of redemption.


πŸ“š 4. Stephen King – From Janitor to King of Horror

Rock Bottom:
King grew up in poverty and worked odd jobs—including as a janitor and gas pump attendant. He lived in a trailer and couldn’t afford a phone. His first novel Carrie was rejected 30 times.

Turning Point:
Frustrated, he threw the manuscript in the trash. His wife, Tabitha, pulled it out and encouraged him to keep going.

Victory:
Carrie sold over a million copies and became a major film. King has since published over 60 novels and is considered one of the most successful authors in history.


🎬 5. Charlize Theron – From Trauma to Oscar-Winner

Rock Bottom:
Born in South Africa, Theron witnessed her mother shoot and kill her abusive father in self-defense. She moved to the U.S. to become a ballet dancer but a knee injury ended that dream. She was broke, alone, and desperate in LA.

Turning Point:
Theron had a breakdown at a bank when she couldn’t cash a check. A talent agent witnessed the scene and gave her a chance.

Victory:
She became a top Hollywood actress, won an Oscar for Monster, and has since become a respected producer and activist.


🌟 Takeaway Message:

Each of these individuals hit a wall—poverty, addiction, trauma, or rejection. But they didn’t stop. Their success was born not of luck, but of grit, persistence, and faith in their own story.

“Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”
J.K. Rowling


Thank you for reading Daily Refreshing

Combat Free Radicals With Antioxidants

The following ChatGPT-generated article serves as a refreshing reminder not to neglect eating fruits and vegetables as part of your daily diet.

These fresh produce are readily available and you could even have them as a drink from the likes of Kagome and Campbell's.

Image credits: kagome-sg.com


Image credits: campbells.com


"Oxygen is essential for life — it's crucial for generating energy in your cells.

However, in excess or in the wrong form, oxygen can also be harmful. Here’s why, and where antioxidants come in:

πŸ”¬ Why Oxygen Can Be Harmful

When your body uses oxygen to produce energy (in a process called cellular respiration), it also creates byproducts called reactive oxygen species (ROS) or free radicals. These molecules are unstable and can damage:

  • DNA

  • Proteins

  • Cell membranes

This damage is known as oxidative stress, which contributes to aging, inflammation, and diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease.


πŸ›‘️ Why We Need Antioxidants

Antioxidants are molecules that neutralize free radicals, stopping them from causing damage. Your body naturally makes some antioxidants (like glutathione), but you also need to get them from your diet to maintain balance.

Without enough antioxidants, oxidative stress can overwhelm your system.


πŸ₯— Sources of Antioxidants & How to Get Enough

You can get antioxidants naturally through whole foods, especially:

🫐 Fruits & Veggies (High in Vitamins A, C, E, and polyphenols)

  • Berries (blueberries, strawberries, blackberries)

  • Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons)

  • Leafy greens (spinach, kale)

  • Carrots, sweet potatoes

  • Bell peppers, broccoli

🍫 Other Great Sources

  • Dark chocolate (rich in flavonoids)

  • Green tea and matcha (catechins)

  • Nuts and seeds (vitamin E, selenium)

  • Coffee (polyphenols)

  • Turmeric (curcumin)

  • Olive oil (polyphenols)

  • Red wine (resveratrol — in moderation)


Tips to Get Enough Antioxidants Daily

  1. "Eat the rainbow" – Include a variety of colorful fruits and veggies daily.

  2. Choose minimally processed foods – Processing reduces antioxidant content.

  3. Use spices liberally – Cinnamon, turmeric, oregano, and cloves are antioxidant-rich.

  4. Drink green tea or coffee instead of sugary drinks.

  5. Snack on nuts, seeds, and dark chocolate instead of chips.


⚖️ Balance is Key

While antioxidants are beneficial, excessive supplementation (especially in pill form) may interfere with natural body processes or even increase certain health risks. It's best to aim for antioxidants from food sources unless advised otherwise by a healthcare provider.


Here's a simple antioxidant-rich meal plan for one day, designed to be delicious, balanced, and easy to follow — using everyday ingredients.


πŸŒ… Breakfast

🫐 Mixed Berry Greek Yogurt Parfait

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Greek yogurt (plain or lightly sweetened)

  • ½ cup blueberries + ½ cup strawberries

  • 2 tbsp rolled oats or granola

  • 1 tbsp chia seeds

  • Drizzle of honey (optional)

Benefits: Berries are high in anthocyanins, yogurt provides probiotics and protein, and chia seeds are rich in omega-3s and polyphenols.


☕ Mid-Morning Snack

🍡 Green Tea & A Handful of Almonds

  • 1 cup brewed green tea (no sugar)

  • 10–12 raw or lightly roasted almonds

Green tea = catechins (powerful antioxidants), almonds = vitamin E


πŸ› Lunch

πŸ₯— Quinoa Salad with Grilled Chicken & Roasted Veggies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cooked quinoa

  • 1 grilled chicken breast (or tofu)

  • Roasted bell peppers, broccoli, carrots

  • Olive oil + lemon juice dressing

  • Sprinkle of pumpkin seeds

Colorful veggies = variety of antioxidants. Quinoa and seeds = zinc, selenium.


🍊 Afternoon Snack

🍊 Orange Slices with Dark Chocolate

  • 1 medium orange, peeled and sliced

  • 2 small squares of 85% dark chocolate

Citrus = vitamin C. Dark chocolate = flavonoids.


🍲 Dinner

🐟 Salmon with Stir-Fried Veggies & Brown Rice

Ingredients:

  • Grilled or baked salmon (seasoned with turmeric, garlic, and lemon)

  • Stir-fried spinach, bok choy, mushrooms (light soy/garlic)

  • ½–1 cup brown rice

Salmon = omega-3s. Turmeric = curcumin (anti-inflammatory). Leafy greens = lutein and vitamin C.


πŸŒ™ Optional Dessert / Evening Treat

πŸ‡ Frozen Grapes or a Small Glass of Red Wine

  • A handful of frozen grapes
    or

  • 1 small glass of red wine (if you drink alcohol)

Resveratrol in grapes and wine has antioxidant properties.


πŸ”„ Rotate & Customize

  • Swap berries for mango or papaya

  • Replace quinoa with barley or brown rice

  • Use tofu or tempeh instead of chicken or salmon

  • Try different teas: rooibos, hibiscus, or matcha"



Thank you for reading Daily Refreshing.