Think about the list of things you want to accomplish within a night's span of 6 hours starting 6pm and you'd be amazed by what you can produce. Here's what I can, only if I were to put my heart into getting it done:
1. Write a feature story
2. Think 3 possible news features to write over the next 7 days
3. Scour Temasek Review for timely debates
4. Read a quarter of a book
5. Write a prelude to a good novella
6. Flea the Flea (Flea Seah)
7. Tag all my friends over msn/ facebook of the newest and hippest of coming events
See? There's much to do in the confines of a room, in solitaire.
Instead, irony's at large, turning table-tops. As the 80-20 rule aptly writes, "We spend more time on the unnecessary than accomplishing what we can/ should."
I'm hereby pronounced guilty for squandering away my entire night, stalking the blog of someone I used to dislike with heavy distaste some 8 years back who's happily leading a glorious life as portrayed, which has led to an accumulation of a sea of tears on my lap. (The only thing constructive which I did for 20 minutes was to scrawl my opinion on Temesek Review's facebook page that earned myself 3 likes and 4 new friends, before navigating away elsewhere.)
Life's Never Fair. Bite It All, Till Your Lips Bleed.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Friday, November 6, 2009
Updates!
"Wen Hui, Joyce is back with more goodies to share!
This time 'round, she delivers you published articles of her craft which she has long sworn her life to."
And so after a 4 month hiatus, the chick returns with journalism worthy works.
Check her out on -
1. InSing.com Cool Treats
http://www.insing.com/news/food-and-drink-restaurants/Cool-treats/id-b5880100?nav=20000
2. City News Portal
http://www.citynews.sg/index.php/2009/07/cast-aways/
3. HALAL Food & Beverage Magazine
4. WHERE, October 2009
5. Prestige Loft, ST Classifides, October 10th 2009
Taken From HALAL FBM:-
This time 'round, she delivers you published articles of her craft which she has long sworn her life to."
And so after a 4 month hiatus, the chick returns with journalism worthy works.
Check her out on -
1. InSing.com Cool Treats
http://www.insing.com/news/food-and-drink-restaurants/Cool-treats/id-b5880100?nav=20000
2. City News Portal
http://www.citynews.sg/index.php/2009/07/cast-aways/
3. HALAL Food & Beverage Magazine
4. WHERE, October 2009
5. Prestige Loft, ST Classifides, October 10th 2009
Taken From HALAL FBM:-
Monday, April 27, 2009
It's A Trip Down Memory Lane!
Air Supply returns with Live In Asia 2009
By Tan Wen Hui
Re-Written from a Press Release provided by UnUsUal Productions
Once again, Singapore's favorite soft rock duo Air Supply will be back this June to serenade us with their hit songs in 'Air Supply Live in Asia 2009' after a successful sold out tour around the region last year.
Held at the MAX Pavilion @ Singapore Expo on Friday, 19th June 2009, 'Air Supply Live in Asia 2009' will be performing well-loved hits such as Lost In Love, All Out Of Love, That One That You Love, Sweet Dreams, Every Woman In The World, Even The Nights Are Better, Two Less Lonely People In The World, Making Love Out Of Nothing At All and more.
Air Supply comprises of the duo Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell, Australian singers who have been actively touring around Asia since the 1980s. Their affinity with Asia is pretty unparalleled and they eventually became the first western group to tour China, Taiwan and other Asian countries that before would not allow pop music into their borders.
The trademark sound of Russell's soaring tenor voice coupled with Graham's simple yet unforgettable songs have always held audiences in captive at their many live shows around the world. Audience participation was never an issue at an Air Supply concert.
Back in 1975 when their career first kicked off, Air Supply has since released countless albums that have generated songs which achieved multi-million plays over the radio. In 1980, their first hit "Lost In Love", also named "Song Of The Year", became the fastest selling single in the world and flew to the top of all chart action.
This success was repeated with "All Out Of Love". To date, their albums such as "Lost In Love", "The One That You Love", "Now & Forever" and "The Greatest Hits" has sold in excess of another 20 million copies.
Last year, Air Supply was named the 83rd best musical act of all time in the Billboard Hot 100's 50th year anniversary edition, based purely on their performance on the charts over the years. They are the only Australian band on the list.
Air Supply Live in Asia 2009 will be held at the MAX Pavilion @ SIngapore Expo on Friday, 19th June 2009. Come take a trip with Air Supply as they bring you down memory lane once more!
Tickets are priced at $128*, $98*, $78*, $58 and will be available at all SISTIC outlets from 2nd April onwards. To book, call SISTIC ticketing hotline at 6348 5555 or log onto www.unusual.com.sg for more information.
"Air Supply Live in Asia 2009" is brought to you by UnUsUaL Entertainment.
For more information on Air Supply, visit http://www.airsupply-online.com.
*Excluding SISTIC booking fee.
By Tan Wen Hui
Re-Written from a Press Release provided by UnUsUal Productions
Once again, Singapore's favorite soft rock duo Air Supply will be back this June to serenade us with their hit songs in 'Air Supply Live in Asia 2009' after a successful sold out tour around the region last year.
Held at the MAX Pavilion @ Singapore Expo on Friday, 19th June 2009, 'Air Supply Live in Asia 2009' will be performing well-loved hits such as Lost In Love, All Out Of Love, That One That You Love, Sweet Dreams, Every Woman In The World, Even The Nights Are Better, Two Less Lonely People In The World, Making Love Out Of Nothing At All and more.
Air Supply comprises of the duo Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell, Australian singers who have been actively touring around Asia since the 1980s. Their affinity with Asia is pretty unparalleled and they eventually became the first western group to tour China, Taiwan and other Asian countries that before would not allow pop music into their borders.
The trademark sound of Russell's soaring tenor voice coupled with Graham's simple yet unforgettable songs have always held audiences in captive at their many live shows around the world. Audience participation was never an issue at an Air Supply concert.
Back in 1975 when their career first kicked off, Air Supply has since released countless albums that have generated songs which achieved multi-million plays over the radio. In 1980, their first hit "Lost In Love", also named "Song Of The Year", became the fastest selling single in the world and flew to the top of all chart action.
This success was repeated with "All Out Of Love". To date, their albums such as "Lost In Love", "The One That You Love", "Now & Forever" and "The Greatest Hits" has sold in excess of another 20 million copies.
Last year, Air Supply was named the 83rd best musical act of all time in the Billboard Hot 100's 50th year anniversary edition, based purely on their performance on the charts over the years. They are the only Australian band on the list.
Air Supply Live in Asia 2009 will be held at the MAX Pavilion @ SIngapore Expo on Friday, 19th June 2009. Come take a trip with Air Supply as they bring you down memory lane once more!
Tickets are priced at $128*, $98*, $78*, $58 and will be available at all SISTIC outlets from 2nd April onwards. To book, call SISTIC ticketing hotline at 6348 5555 or log onto www.unusual.com.sg for more information.
"Air Supply Live in Asia 2009" is brought to you by UnUsUaL Entertainment.
For more information on Air Supply, visit http://www.airsupply-online.com.
*Excluding SISTIC booking fee.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
A Gloomy Awakening
Friday, 16th May 2008. 2:45 a.m.
I was rudely awaken by an abrupt phone call from my boyfriend, Ricky Wang, who informed me that he will be packed off to Chengdu in Sichuan, China, to aid in rescue operations following Monday's massive earthquake which shattered through 10 provinces.
He is among the 55 strong Singapore Civil Defense Force Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) code named Operation Lion Heart, scheduled for departure at 8:30 a.m this morning at the Paya Lebar air base.
Although I knew that he has been on standby for the past 2 months, I secretly prayed hard that he would not be re-called, knowing the imminent dangers which awaited him the moment he sets foot in foreign land - the possibility of post earthquake traumas or the sudden flooding of Sichuan due to leakages from the state's largest water reserves. My initial fears of not seeing him return home alive soon grappled within me.
I cried.
Yet, I knew that I could not spare to look on the negative side of the situation. And neither could I afford to remain selfish. With his safe return, he would be greatly commended by Singapore's top governmental officials for his help rendered in the search operation.
"I will be back in either 2-3 weeks time. That's the minimum time frame given. Then, they'll send their second wave of aides to assist in the rescue." As Ricky spoke, I could sense a tinge of despair in his voice. As much as I hated him to leave, he too, had no choice but to comply to the government's orders.
"Does your family knows about this?" I asked.
"Yes."
He is the sole breadwinner of his family.
After our phone conversation, we exchanged several SMSes before he switched off his mobile at 5:30 a.m in preparation for his departure.
For the past four days before Ricky's recall, I have been closely following up on reports of the massive 7.9 magnitude earthquake which claimed over 20,000 lives, most of which are students.
The worst hit province of Wenchuan has already left nearly 10,000 dead.
Chinese government officials said that the death toll is expected to rise to 50,000, reports asiaone news.
Currently, rescue aides in Sichuan are in the midst of a frantic search for survivors buried under heaps of mountainous rubble as time is trickling fast. Friday's SOS call sent out by Chinese President Hu Jintao to allow foreign aid teams to enter Sichuan came as a result of the government's fear of more deaths.
Japan was the first to enter the epicentre, bringing along with them sniffer dogs on an en route flight, followed by South Korea and Singapore.
Risks of diseases are especially acute in the counties of Wenchuan and Beichuan, where death tolls are amongst the highest.
Senior Communist Party official Bai Licheng of Sichuan's Aba prefecture conveyed his urgencies of the needs of body bags while in Yingxiu, amid the changing weather, which hastens decomposition, quotes Asiaone News.
For now, all I could do is to earnestly pray for his safety and return.
I was rudely awaken by an abrupt phone call from my boyfriend, Ricky Wang, who informed me that he will be packed off to Chengdu in Sichuan, China, to aid in rescue operations following Monday's massive earthquake which shattered through 10 provinces.
He is among the 55 strong Singapore Civil Defense Force Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) code named Operation Lion Heart, scheduled for departure at 8:30 a.m this morning at the Paya Lebar air base.
Although I knew that he has been on standby for the past 2 months, I secretly prayed hard that he would not be re-called, knowing the imminent dangers which awaited him the moment he sets foot in foreign land - the possibility of post earthquake traumas or the sudden flooding of Sichuan due to leakages from the state's largest water reserves. My initial fears of not seeing him return home alive soon grappled within me.
I cried.
Yet, I knew that I could not spare to look on the negative side of the situation. And neither could I afford to remain selfish. With his safe return, he would be greatly commended by Singapore's top governmental officials for his help rendered in the search operation.
"I will be back in either 2-3 weeks time. That's the minimum time frame given. Then, they'll send their second wave of aides to assist in the rescue." As Ricky spoke, I could sense a tinge of despair in his voice. As much as I hated him to leave, he too, had no choice but to comply to the government's orders.
"Does your family knows about this?" I asked.
"Yes."
He is the sole breadwinner of his family.
After our phone conversation, we exchanged several SMSes before he switched off his mobile at 5:30 a.m in preparation for his departure.
For the past four days before Ricky's recall, I have been closely following up on reports of the massive 7.9 magnitude earthquake which claimed over 20,000 lives, most of which are students.
The worst hit province of Wenchuan has already left nearly 10,000 dead.
Chinese government officials said that the death toll is expected to rise to 50,000, reports asiaone news.
Currently, rescue aides in Sichuan are in the midst of a frantic search for survivors buried under heaps of mountainous rubble as time is trickling fast. Friday's SOS call sent out by Chinese President Hu Jintao to allow foreign aid teams to enter Sichuan came as a result of the government's fear of more deaths.
Japan was the first to enter the epicentre, bringing along with them sniffer dogs on an en route flight, followed by South Korea and Singapore.
Risks of diseases are especially acute in the counties of Wenchuan and Beichuan, where death tolls are amongst the highest.
Senior Communist Party official Bai Licheng of Sichuan's Aba prefecture conveyed his urgencies of the needs of body bags while in Yingxiu, amid the changing weather, which hastens decomposition, quotes Asiaone News.
For now, all I could do is to earnestly pray for his safety and return.
The Charles And Keith Series
Written By:- Tan Wen Hui
Designed By:- Fiona Ng
Marketing Produced By:- Tan Wen Hui
Designed By:- Fiona Ng
Marketing Produced By:- Tan Wen Hui
Reviving Old Memories
Written by Tan Wen Hui
Tuesday July 22 2008
In an aggressive battle against rising food and pump prices, self-acclaimed chicken rice chili proprietor Mr Derek Chen, who runs The Big Bird Restaurant at Balmoral Plaza, has made substantive plans to reestablish his restaurant business back at Selegie.
The jovial 60-Year-Old businessman, who has been in the food and beverage (F&B) industry for almost two decades, has finally made his move last month to conquer over two store units on the second floor of Paradiz Centre at Selegie Road since his flopped business partnership venture which eventually forced him to close down his Selegie outlet in 2000.
Mr Chen was also left heavily in debt and had to be declared a bankrupt as he could not afford to pay the incurred debts accumulated by his partner as a result of poor sales.
"When we first started out with this business which we opened at Selegie, customers frequented us because they found our chicken rice chili sauce good. I was then, preparing the sauces till we decided to expand our business to Balmoral Plaza." Reminisced Mr Chen with a smile spread across his sun-beatened face as he leaned over the second floor banister at Paradiz Centre outside his future outlet, hands clasped as he reminisced over his days back at Selegie Road.
"After our expansion, which was a year after we started out venture, I decided to move over to run the Balmoral outlet. That's when business here at Selegie started to take a downturn as the sauces and dishes prepared by my partner differed alot in taste than mine. So while business at Balmoral remained healthy, business at Selegie dropped."
After four years of struggling to cope with poor chicken rice and chili sales due to the unmatched quality in dishes and sauces prepared by Mr Chen's partner, both men decided to end their four years of partnership, which saw the winding down of The Big Bird Restaurant's Selegie outlet.
However, Mr Chen decided to continue on with his pursuit in making delectable chicken rice and chili sauces for his customers.
"Since I've been in this line for a substantive number of years, I might as well continue running it and push to perfect the quality of my rice, chicken and chili." Wreathed Mr Chen delightfully.
Today, business at Balmoral Plaza is bustling with customers, especially during lunch hour. Patrons from all woks of lives, including the young schoolboys from the nearby Anglo Chinese School (ACS) Barker Road campus, would flock down to The Big Bird Restaurant and savor Mr Chen's delectable chicken rice chili sauce on steamed chicken rice.
His wife, Besty, would lend him a helping hand by serving as his restaurant manager while he remains busy in his kitchen, coaching his son on how to prepare his daily dishes while he works hard to further improve on his métier courses.
To date, Mr Chen has whipped up some 30 odd dishes ranging from his savory lemon grass chicken rice down to the coolest yet crispy acres of his cold crab.
In addition, he has also conjured eight uniquely flavored chili sauces, with his chicken rice chili sauce remaining as his restaurant's top selling sauce.
Each bottle is sold for SGD 8 and is only available at The Big Bird Restaurant.
Tan: You seem to enjoy the art of preparing dishes. What was it which got you first interested in F&B?
Mr Chen: Initially, I started preparing chili for my family. That was when I got more engrossed in what I was doing and aim to perfect my chili. Later, I experimented my chili out on chicken rice and likewise, aimed to perfect my dishes. Only after all these three elements were made perfect, I decided to open up The Big Bird with my partner, who at that time, was helping me out with the experiments.
Tan: How well-known was The Big Bird back then at Selegie? Was it similar to household brands like 'Ayam Brand'?
Mr Chen: Quite well-known. Business was packed before I took over running the Balmoral outlet.
Tan: When your initial outlet at Selegie Road first folded, what were the challenges faced apart from monetary issues and how did you cope with these challenges?
Mr Chen: Business at Balmoral was as usual as most of our regulars would come down to support us. The only inconvenience is that customers are unable to locate us at Balmoral when they visit us for the first time there. And it is also difficult to travel down to Balmoral as the nearest MRT station is a far walk down to us, so we ended up losing some of our regulars.
Tan: With your new outlet reopening back at Selegie but at a different location, will business be just as good as before? Also, what was it that inspired you to reopen business at Selegie, especially at during this time of the year when inflation rates are soaring, not to mention that petrol imports are increasing?
Mr Chen: We were running The Big Bird back then at Selegie, to improve our current business, my wife and I decided to open back an outlet there so customers within that area could come down to savor our tasty chicken, rice and chili.
Tan: What do you perceive of the future of The Big Bird in another 10 years time?
Mr Chen: (Laughs) Luck! Without luck, no matter how good your business is, you won't succeed. That's why some stores which sell lousy food manages to remain strong because of luck! So more luck!
Tan: Any last parting words/thoughts to your customers?
Mr Chen: We'll continue making the best chili and dishes because we're already the best!
Tuesday July 22 2008
In an aggressive battle against rising food and pump prices, self-acclaimed chicken rice chili proprietor Mr Derek Chen, who runs The Big Bird Restaurant at Balmoral Plaza, has made substantive plans to reestablish his restaurant business back at Selegie.
The jovial 60-Year-Old businessman, who has been in the food and beverage (F&B) industry for almost two decades, has finally made his move last month to conquer over two store units on the second floor of Paradiz Centre at Selegie Road since his flopped business partnership venture which eventually forced him to close down his Selegie outlet in 2000.
Mr Chen was also left heavily in debt and had to be declared a bankrupt as he could not afford to pay the incurred debts accumulated by his partner as a result of poor sales.
"When we first started out with this business which we opened at Selegie, customers frequented us because they found our chicken rice chili sauce good. I was then, preparing the sauces till we decided to expand our business to Balmoral Plaza." Reminisced Mr Chen with a smile spread across his sun-beatened face as he leaned over the second floor banister at Paradiz Centre outside his future outlet, hands clasped as he reminisced over his days back at Selegie Road.
"After our expansion, which was a year after we started out venture, I decided to move over to run the Balmoral outlet. That's when business here at Selegie started to take a downturn as the sauces and dishes prepared by my partner differed alot in taste than mine. So while business at Balmoral remained healthy, business at Selegie dropped."
After four years of struggling to cope with poor chicken rice and chili sales due to the unmatched quality in dishes and sauces prepared by Mr Chen's partner, both men decided to end their four years of partnership, which saw the winding down of The Big Bird Restaurant's Selegie outlet.
However, Mr Chen decided to continue on with his pursuit in making delectable chicken rice and chili sauces for his customers.
"Since I've been in this line for a substantive number of years, I might as well continue running it and push to perfect the quality of my rice, chicken and chili." Wreathed Mr Chen delightfully.
Today, business at Balmoral Plaza is bustling with customers, especially during lunch hour. Patrons from all woks of lives, including the young schoolboys from the nearby Anglo Chinese School (ACS) Barker Road campus, would flock down to The Big Bird Restaurant and savor Mr Chen's delectable chicken rice chili sauce on steamed chicken rice.
His wife, Besty, would lend him a helping hand by serving as his restaurant manager while he remains busy in his kitchen, coaching his son on how to prepare his daily dishes while he works hard to further improve on his métier courses.
To date, Mr Chen has whipped up some 30 odd dishes ranging from his savory lemon grass chicken rice down to the coolest yet crispy acres of his cold crab.
In addition, he has also conjured eight uniquely flavored chili sauces, with his chicken rice chili sauce remaining as his restaurant's top selling sauce.
Each bottle is sold for SGD 8 and is only available at The Big Bird Restaurant.
Tan: You seem to enjoy the art of preparing dishes. What was it which got you first interested in F&B?
Mr Chen: Initially, I started preparing chili for my family. That was when I got more engrossed in what I was doing and aim to perfect my chili. Later, I experimented my chili out on chicken rice and likewise, aimed to perfect my dishes. Only after all these three elements were made perfect, I decided to open up The Big Bird with my partner, who at that time, was helping me out with the experiments.
Tan: How well-known was The Big Bird back then at Selegie? Was it similar to household brands like 'Ayam Brand'?
Mr Chen: Quite well-known. Business was packed before I took over running the Balmoral outlet.
Tan: When your initial outlet at Selegie Road first folded, what were the challenges faced apart from monetary issues and how did you cope with these challenges?
Mr Chen: Business at Balmoral was as usual as most of our regulars would come down to support us. The only inconvenience is that customers are unable to locate us at Balmoral when they visit us for the first time there. And it is also difficult to travel down to Balmoral as the nearest MRT station is a far walk down to us, so we ended up losing some of our regulars.
Tan: With your new outlet reopening back at Selegie but at a different location, will business be just as good as before? Also, what was it that inspired you to reopen business at Selegie, especially at during this time of the year when inflation rates are soaring, not to mention that petrol imports are increasing?
Mr Chen: We were running The Big Bird back then at Selegie, to improve our current business, my wife and I decided to open back an outlet there so customers within that area could come down to savor our tasty chicken, rice and chili.
Tan: What do you perceive of the future of The Big Bird in another 10 years time?
Mr Chen: (Laughs) Luck! Without luck, no matter how good your business is, you won't succeed. That's why some stores which sell lousy food manages to remain strong because of luck! So more luck!
Tan: Any last parting words/thoughts to your customers?
Mr Chen: We'll continue making the best chili and dishes because we're already the best!
Turnabout Keigo
Written By Tan Wen Hui, Joyce
Interviewed on March 13th 2008
Last edited on March 26th 2008
A dedicated businessman, a caring husband and a doting father, it is hard to imagine that Mr Keigo Wee was once a problematic youth expelled from school and an ex-offender, too.
Yet as the 32-Year-Old stocky and jovial businessman spoke of his past deeds and achievements, a tinge of boorish cadence lingers in his speech, reminiscence of his early days as a ruffian.
A witty but rebellious youth who grew up in a dysfunctional family as an only child, Mr Wee's circle of friends then, were school dropouts and ruffians who enjoyed staying out late and getting involved in violent gang fights.
"Back then, I was a 'chao ah beng' who didn't care what I did and whom I mixed around with. I disliked going back home and even rented an apartment above Bugis market, so I could hang out more with my friends around areas nearby clubs and pubs."
A year later, Mr Wee ran afoul with the law. A minor, he was sentenced to a total of three years behind bars – with one year being spent at the Singapore Boys' Home and another two at reform school.
He was only 15-Years-Old.
When his grandmother learnt of his sentence, she became distraught by the thought of her only grandson having to live the rest of his life with a criminal record.
"When she came to visit me after my transfer to reform school, she lost so much weight I couldn't even recognize her." Said Mr Wee in fluent Mandarin as he recalled with distress on seeing how much his grandmother has suffered - thanks to his imprudent acts.
It was then he realized that he ought to turn over a new leaf.
A New Lease Of Life
Upon his release from reform school, Mr Wee requested for an immediate enlistment into National Service (NS), where he spent another 2 1/2 years kept away from bad influences within a safe proximity, this time, serving the Government as a civil servant.
Armed with neither qualifications nor working experiences, a determined Mr Wee took on a variety of challenging sales jobs which allowed him to prove his worth as a salesman, thereby earning as much as $11,000 a month.
"Initially, it was tough getting a job, especially in the era where a growing number of University grads are vying for a single job. Moreover, I'm just a PSLE cert-holder."
After having worked for a total of eight years coupled with his extensive experience in the sales industry, Mr Wee decided to set up his own baroque - rococo clothing line catered to a niche group of individuals who enjoy dressing up for special events and occasions.
In July 2004, Mr Wee successfully opened Sumairu Gothic Lolita fashion at Bugis Village. His shop imports three contemporary brand names - Sumairu, Gothic Lolita and Punk (GLP) fashion and Banana Fish.
Today, Mr Wee is gainfully employed as his own boss and is also happily married with an adorable 3-year-old daughter named Atsuki Wee. He subsequently changed his shop's name in tribute to his daughter.
Currently, Atsuki Gothic Lolita is located at My Playground in Suntec City, level 3.
"Seriously, its not worth getting yourself involved in gang fights. Being part of a gang is nothing glamorous, especially once you are caught red handed.”
“Also, it's both your family and friends who are suffering while you're placed behind bars."
Interviewed on March 13th 2008
Last edited on March 26th 2008
A dedicated businessman, a caring husband and a doting father, it is hard to imagine that Mr Keigo Wee was once a problematic youth expelled from school and an ex-offender, too.
Yet as the 32-Year-Old stocky and jovial businessman spoke of his past deeds and achievements, a tinge of boorish cadence lingers in his speech, reminiscence of his early days as a ruffian.
A witty but rebellious youth who grew up in a dysfunctional family as an only child, Mr Wee's circle of friends then, were school dropouts and ruffians who enjoyed staying out late and getting involved in violent gang fights.
"Back then, I was a 'chao ah beng' who didn't care what I did and whom I mixed around with. I disliked going back home and even rented an apartment above Bugis market, so I could hang out more with my friends around areas nearby clubs and pubs."
A year later, Mr Wee ran afoul with the law. A minor, he was sentenced to a total of three years behind bars – with one year being spent at the Singapore Boys' Home and another two at reform school.
He was only 15-Years-Old.
When his grandmother learnt of his sentence, she became distraught by the thought of her only grandson having to live the rest of his life with a criminal record.
"When she came to visit me after my transfer to reform school, she lost so much weight I couldn't even recognize her." Said Mr Wee in fluent Mandarin as he recalled with distress on seeing how much his grandmother has suffered - thanks to his imprudent acts.
It was then he realized that he ought to turn over a new leaf.
A New Lease Of Life
Upon his release from reform school, Mr Wee requested for an immediate enlistment into National Service (NS), where he spent another 2 1/2 years kept away from bad influences within a safe proximity, this time, serving the Government as a civil servant.
Armed with neither qualifications nor working experiences, a determined Mr Wee took on a variety of challenging sales jobs which allowed him to prove his worth as a salesman, thereby earning as much as $11,000 a month.
"Initially, it was tough getting a job, especially in the era where a growing number of University grads are vying for a single job. Moreover, I'm just a PSLE cert-holder."
After having worked for a total of eight years coupled with his extensive experience in the sales industry, Mr Wee decided to set up his own baroque - rococo clothing line catered to a niche group of individuals who enjoy dressing up for special events and occasions.
In July 2004, Mr Wee successfully opened Sumairu Gothic Lolita fashion at Bugis Village. His shop imports three contemporary brand names - Sumairu, Gothic Lolita and Punk (GLP) fashion and Banana Fish.
Today, Mr Wee is gainfully employed as his own boss and is also happily married with an adorable 3-year-old daughter named Atsuki Wee. He subsequently changed his shop's name in tribute to his daughter.
Currently, Atsuki Gothic Lolita is located at My Playground in Suntec City, level 3.
"Seriously, its not worth getting yourself involved in gang fights. Being part of a gang is nothing glamorous, especially once you are caught red handed.”
“Also, it's both your family and friends who are suffering while you're placed behind bars."
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