Right now I stand in the Holocaust Tower, located in the basement of Jewish Museum Berlin. Nestled in the darkest corner that’s fit only for one person, I allow words to flood me faster than I can write. The shadows from the nearby rustling trees dance right above me, creating shadows and blocking the only light source — the sun — as I reflect on the nature of human beings. The very species that I am.

The silence is almost deafening, shattered only by the occasional shuffling of feet and voices from outside that escaped through the tight door. A bespectacled, tall man of a different race stood opposite me in a familiar variant of Singapore’s senang diri position — with both arms behind his back, feet wide open — staring into the sky. He hasn’t moved for the last 10 minutes. Not even one bit.

How is it that we, as humans with full control of our emotions, can turn a blind eye to our actions, even when they carry tangible, terrible consequences? Starve us, and we turn crazy, desperate for food to satisfy our hunger. Cut us deep, and we bleed — a bright red, no different from the rest. Because we hurt no different from the rest.


I recall the sunset I caught the day before, surrounded by hundreds of people from different walks of life. How our cameras lifted to capture the same moment right before the sun sank beneath the horizon; I remember the sun hung so low that the sky bled red. Is that not the red we see when we bleed? Do we all not bleed the same blood, see the same sky, watch the same sunset? How is it that some are capable of such callousness none could have thought of?

How are we any different from the cruelty of the Holocaust if we never learn from their mistakes? How can we ignore the continuous atrocious that’s STILL going on in the world today? Because it doesn’t concern us? Because we don’t see it? Because out of sight, out of mind?

After a while, it seems evident that we are all the same. Still the same.

We only fight for what concerns us.

-

Written on 8 May 2018, 3pm at Holocaust Tower, Jewish Museum Berlin. My unpremeditated visit to Jewish Museum Berlin ended seeing it rise on my list of favourite museums in the world. I would recommend this to everyone, especially on your last day in Berlin, after you’ve taken a look at the other historical sites. The Holocaust Tower was an amazing place to reflect solemnly on the atrocities that happened in Berlin, and beyond.

Jewish Museum Berlin

Address: Lindenstraße 9-14, 10969 Berlin, Germany
Opening Hours: 10am to 8pm

On a side note, I should really start penning down my thoughts more frequently.

It's funny. I had imagined a gloomy day in a sombre place like Auschwitz but what greeted me couldn't be a starker contrast — the sun was too bright, the flowers too radiant, the grass too green, the sky too blue.

Yet we all shared the same gloom as we trudged down the same railway millions did before us.

Althea's been launching lots of new products lately and I'm happy to do a review on their newest product, Milk Peek Cream Mask. The Milk Peek Cream Mask, formulated with AHA & BHA, is a refreshing exfoliating peel mask to gently strip away dead skin cells gently peel off dead skin cells for smoother skin. Althea's Milk Peel Cream Mask also contains Casein Protein, a milk protein extract, which provides moisture to the skin.


Unlike most exfoliators I used, Althea's Milk Peel Cream Mask doesn't feel rough to touch and I don't see visible dead skin being removed. However, I take it as a good sign that it means Althea's Milk Peel Cream Mask is really gentle on my skin.  I love that Althea's Milk Peel Cream Mask has a pleasant milk smell too.


Here's how Althea's Milk Peel Cream Mask looks like! It is a clay-like texture, and it bubbles up when I massage it on my face. Althea's Milk Peel Cream Mask deeply cleanse pores by detoxifying and pulling out impurities, making it perfect for my night facial routine after I remove my make up for the day.

Althea is currently running a 10% off promotion for their Milk Peel Cream Mask. Shop on Althea now to enjoy the promo :)

Everyone keeps on telling me to not worry, that I'll figure things out and I'm doing fine for my age. But what people don't understand is that I don't want to be fine. I dread falling into the spectrum of fine. Being fine is my biggest fear.

Fine implies I'll never achieve anything newsworthy, I'll never be someone's inspiration, I'll never be that rags-to-riches story. Fine equates to being lower middle class at best even after spending my adolescence grappling with being in the working class. Fine suggests that I will never fulfil achieve my dreams. Fine hints that I will continue struggling, continue being envious of someone else, continue being... this way.

In essence, doing fine means living with mediocrity, being satisfied with the fact that I'll only remain ordinary and passable my whole life. I really don't want to be fine. I'd hate to be on my deathbed reflecting on the life built upon a string of just fine.


“You drink a little too much and try a little too hard. And you go home to a cold bed and think, ‘That was fine.’ And your life is a long line of fine.” — Gillian Flynn

Remember a while back I shared my review of Althea's Real Fresh Skin Detoxers? The product did so well that even Minsco, famous Korean beauty influencer, Jeonghwa, member of K-pop group EXID, raved about it!

Watch the video here:



Althea is running a special promotion now: get a Real Fresh Skin Detoxer Set at 10% OFF + free shipping on all Althea Exclusives

Shop now on Althea's website!

Any self-respecting friend of mine would be aware of how deathly aware of the sun I am. Naturally, I was thrilled when Althea announced the launch of Petal Velvet Sunaway, a lightweight sunscreen that is cruelty-free and made of natural ingredients.

Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway is made with a non-chemical UV filter, meaning it builds up sunscreen filter on the surface of our skin and scatters UV light, protecting our skin from UVA and UVB rays with a SPF 50+ PA++++.


Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway is perfect as the last step in my skincare regime as it contains hyaluronic acid, which replenishes moisture in my skin while controlling excessive sebum. I've used many sunscreens in the market and some give me the "shiny" look and, believe me, that's not something you want because it REFLECTS in photos.

After using Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway for a month, I think what I love most about it is how it gives me a light, velvety finish that is perfect even for days without make up. It's also non-sticky and, as mentioned in my IG Story, it doesn't break me out or make my eyes sting. Trust me, I've used many sunscreens from well known brands that end up stinging my eyes!


Pros of Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway Sunscreen:

• Lightweight and leaves no white cast
• Makes my skin feel smooth after application
• Made of natural ingredients (You can check out the full list of Althea's Petal Velvet Sunaway ingredients here)
• Suitable for sensitive skin
  

Cons of Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway Sunscreen:

• I'm not a fan of it's rose smell, but that's pretty subjective
• The texture is a little watery so it's sometimes hard to control the amount that's being squeezed out

Althea also sent me their Petal Velvet Powder, with a special 3rd anniversary edition in Pink Lavender. I love the scent of lavender so you can obviously imagine how much this appeals to me! I previously reviewed Althea's Petal Velvet Powder here.

Anyway, Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway is retailing at only S$13! Purchase yours from Althea's website today :)

Sudio Sweden's first completely wireless earphones, Nivå (Promo code below!)

A few months ago, Sudio Sweden sent me their wireless earphones, Vasa BLÅ, for review and I was completely blown away by just how convinient wireless earphones are. Now, Sudio Sweden just launched their first true wireless earphones, Nivå, and they sent me a pair to review!



Charging is super easy — just place your Nivå headphones back into the case. It'll snap and fit snuggly into its case.


A pair of USB cable is given with every purchase (but it's basically an Android, which you can also use for other devices if you're travelling) to charge your portable device.


Nivå features bluetooth 4.2 with a 10m wireless range, which means I can place the headphones in my bag while I browse for things handsfree!


I especially love how stylish Nivå headphones are and how it effortlessly matches my every outfit. BONUS: Since Nivå is noise-cancelling and so small, I can wear them at boring functions and pretend I'm paying attention *nervous laughter*


Nivå, even in its casing, is lightweight and easy to bring around, which is my favourite part of it because my bag is usually filled with too mcuh nonsense. Nivå's takes up little space, making it really portable.



Nivå is also surprisingly affordable, making it a great subsitute for Apple Earpods if you're interested in buying completely wireless earphones.

Get your pair of Nivå earphones today!

• Use my promo code PEKYJ15 for 15% off all Sudio Sweden earphones