The long stretch of the KPE highway evokes the relentless pursuit of progress and the ingrained expectation of forward momentum within Singaporean society. The curve in the road subtly hints at the deviations and unforeseen turns that punctuate even the most meticulously planned journeys, a signal to the unpredictable nature of life.

Like the cyclist pedaling into the shadows, we are invited to consider our own journeys through liminal spaces, and the quiet resilience demanded when we choose to ride through, despite the weight of unseen eyes and unspoken expectations.

Where does he gather all this strength? After all the fatigue and destined heartbreak, those intergenerational pain he inherited, and the pain the world insisted he bear, here he is. Moving, with a joy bigger than the size of the bus itself, nourishing himself with his own steps. No, I don't think he received this from my own parenting, this was his own armour he forged.

Here, it seems it’s all about the rhythm of getting by. Decisions made not for their inherent value, but for the simple act of completion. Tick the box. Send the email. Meet the KPI. Not with a flourish, not with exceeded expectations, but with the quiet satisfaction of a task accomplished. A message sent, a box checked. That's enough, right?

Have I revealed enough of myself, my potential, without appearing… desperate? And then you dissect their papers, eager to prove you grasp the nuances of their field, that you’re not merely another face in the crowd, but an individual with a distinct perspective, a unique voice waiting to be heard.

The ambiguity of the situation gnawed at me. It was a strange dance of expectation and reality. Because, in truth, a supervisor wasn’t a mandatory prerequisite at this stage. It was ‘encouraged’, yes, a gentle nudge rather than a firm directive. Encouraged, but not compulsory.

That’s the thing about feedback. It’s inherently challenging, not because it’s wrong, but because it holds a mirror up to your work, and by extension, to yourself. To take it in requires a certain headspace, a preparedness. You can’t simply dive in blindly. There’s a ritual to it, you find your way of transitioning into a mindset fortified with enough self-assurance and grace to withstand all those exposing vulnerabilities.

In 2024, the interplay of nostalgia, creativity, and growth shaped a year of profound personal and sensory experiences. These moments, rooted in tradition yet forward-looking, offered a glimpse into a year where the past and future converged to enrich the present.