There is a proverb that goes “no man is an island”, and it means that humans do not thrive when in isolation. I believe differently; that each individual is an “island”, and that it is crucial to form links with other “island”s, like how most economies have opened their markets and embraced globalisation. Like the average current economy, I am also consistently building new bridges. However, maintaining multiple bridges is high-cost and requires much effort on my side. Those deemed unnecessary should be left to natural weathering, and those that bring about more harm than benefits ought to be burnt down.

Among the new bridges that I’ve built, one is especially harmful to my ego. Guys who can cook, or make delicious food, make me envious. And people who mock my cooking make me want to hide my food (and myself) in a hole somewhere.

However, the state of my wallet is more important, and I foresee myself having no choice but to continue enduring the battering to my pride.

Ying Tong (hoping that my lack-of cooking skills will one day land me a househusband)