punk rock since 2003
Food Food is politics, history, culture. It's also the best lens I know for learning about the world. I've eaten extensively across the world, worked on cookbooks, photographed a lot of food for money and for fun, and I write about food often on Mastodon. . Half Boiled Eggs Recipe April 8, 2024 Now that I live so far from home, I have to make my own half-boiled eggs. Half boiled eggs are not the…
I spent most of July in Europe, where a historic heatwave made it unpleasant. However, I had a lot of work wins.
Beyond Responsible AI # I was in Geneva to speak at the UN's AI for Good summit this year, on “Beyond Responsible AI.” Responsible GenAI in Public Services # I also spoke on a WomenInGenAI panel at the WSIS Forum, “Responsible GenAI in Public Services: From Policy Principles to Deployable Workflows.” The focus was moving past high-level AI principles into the practical, governed work of actually…
First international trip in years # I'm on my first international vacation in years. It's a huge deal after years of immigration limbo. Amtrak Rail Pass # But first, I traveled across the United States by Amtrak to New York. I rode the Coast Starlight, and then the Southwest Chief to Alburquerque. It was my first time in New Mexico. I then flew to Atlanta, spent time in Philly with friends, took…
From H-1B1 to O-1 to approved EB-1A and EB-2 NIW, and what it took to build a shared life in the U.S.
Back to founder mode # I am back in founder mode. More shortly. Rebuilding this website # I spent a lot of time improving this site: design system cleanup, typography updates, accessibility fixes, search improvements, and image pipeline migration. Writing and publishing rhythm # I am trying to write and publish in a steadier cadence again, especially here on my own site. Spring projects # I am…
A personal reset after years of visa limbo, with plans to travel again and begin the next chapter.
Refreshed design # Spent some time changing up this site's look and feel. Can you guess what inspired me? Celebrated the new year cozily # This new year, we were snug and cozy, as we have been for a number of years. Still the best way to ring in the year. Catching up with old friends # It's the season for catching up with old friends. This past week, I've spoken to lots of people I've known from a…
In a world that feels like it is coming undone, I find a lot of solace in making things with my hands. The biggest breakthrough I developed was when I decided I don't need to be good at everything that I do. I can just.. do things . That goes against my programming as a competitive over-achiever, but it was ultimately what gave me the mindset I needed to.. do the things I need to feel less shitty…
Building a new website # I am working on a new website to feature my marine and nature photography and writing. It's also a way for me to learn 11ty's new features . Gave a talk at North Bay Python # In April 2025, I gave a talk at North Bay Python just outside Petaluma, CA. I talked about my experience leaving 'tech' for 'fin tech' (at the Monterey Bay Aquarium). Blog post here . Spoke at an all…
When I was a teenager and didn't know anything about whales or lesbians, I heard Margaret Cho say 'lesbians love whale watching. they fucking love it.' I didn't know what any of that was. Well, Margaret Cho, you were RIGHT. I fucking love it. A whale named Pepper. A whale named Little Dimple and her calf. Who is somehow, sadly, not called Littler Dimple. All dolphins are whales. But not all whales…
In late April 2025, I had the opportunity to talk about my interesting career trajectory 'From Fintech to Fin Tech'. If you told me a decade ago that I would be working at an aquarium, I don't think I would know what to think. I hadn't discovered my love for marine life, puns, or marine puns at the time. My life is so much richer now. Here's the video.
In January this year, I wrote this about how I felt being away from 'home' for the Lunar New Year again: This lunar new year eve, I am usually home in Singapore. I am seven years old, and I wake up to the smell of roasted chilli, poached chicken, and cabbage soup. There’s a bustle in the kitchen. My grandpa is stirring a pot, making his signature chilli paste that we all won’t eat our food…
Got into Instant Film # I got a Polaroid SX-70 and that's unleashed a new passion for Polaroid instant film. I've been shooting instant film with Instax film, but Polaroid is a whole other beast. Far more finicky, but I also enjoy the experience. Spent a month with my family # My parents came to visit me. We went to Monterey, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle. It was lovely showing them my part of…
For an all hands meeting at work , I was asked if I wanted to share a story about my life and how I got here. It has not been the easiest, holding all of these identities and selves, often in places that did not welcome me. I think sometimes of Merantau : of finding a home away from home. All of my parts and intersections make up the messy and glorious bits that I have lived and experienced. I…
This is a jumbo sized update, because lots of things have happened. Sea Life # I work at an aquarium now! I started a ridiculously cool gig at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, where I am building their first product management team. There's a lot to do, the people are wonderful, the animals are fun, the environment is delightful. I've been keeping track of some of the things that give me joy here (…
Photographing baby Western gulls with spotted heads at Alcatraz Island
I have a new job , which also means new views! Million dollar views, in fact. I so love this part of the world: when Sabrena and I first moved to California back in 2018, we were so excited to finally be somewhere where we could travel with our dog, Cookie. We booked a trip and came to Monterey for my birthday that year. I wanted to see the aquarium, and I wanted to experience being in a hotel…
Nikon D810, 200-500mm lens, somewhere near the Farallon Islands Once or twice a year I try to get on a boat out to the Farallon Islands with birders in the Bay Area. Pelagic birding is my absolute favorite type of birding: being able to get out in the ocean and see a huge amount of sea life of all types is a treat. In June this year I had the opportunity to head out there again. And this was a…
I love the Mission. Specifically, I love the less gentrified parts of it. There's still so much life and culture; DJs spinning records on the street, bands playing live Latin jazz, record stores where you can explore cumbria, and Indigenous dance groups that perform at the many plazas. Despite its many problems, the Mission is where I default to for food, adventure and fun. And to just generally…