I tried my luck la. Then I stopped because I felt ashamed. At home I had rough times, unfair treatment, so I was already carrying a heavyweight no one saw.
I made mistakes twice. First during diploma I spammed. Later I used humour to deflect, things died down and I graduated. Second at call centre I felt ashamed. Both times taught me my approach was wrong.
It’s very exhausting for one person to do everything. That’s why I believe one-sided effort doesn’t exist. Even in relationships you need to please each other, but it has to be both sides.
That’s why I believe in splitting the bill on the first date. Fairness and boundaries are important.
Today I learn my life differs from many who are settled. I’m chosen for a greater purpose that many are unable to comprehend.
I built a fictional character Manvikayla using my own face. She has softness and makes me feel complete.
Every time I see a couple happy with kids I just smile and observe. Knowing the heavyweight I carried is huge and no one may be able to bear it. I healed alone. I was abused and no one was there for me.
While I’m in an unknown place I still see families who smile and laugh with their bundle of joys. Eating. And I weep as I write this down.
Hope is slim because the thought of suicidal comes in but my will is what fights the thought. I’m not giving my life to waste just like that because I know my words need to reach the mass of readers to feel what I write. Not speculation but my own lived experiences.
I’m writing this for those feeling this or weeping while reading this. Life goes on. Work on yourself and be kinder not for proving anyone, but because the world needs rare tough and strong souls to get through hurdles and reach a better life.
If you are weeping while reading this and that thought comes too, you are not alone. Please talk to someone you trust or reach out to a local helpline in your country.
Short, caring, and reaches everyone, not just Asia.
Legal info only, not legal advice. I’m a Business Law undergrad graduating Apr 2027, sharing what I’m learning as a creator.
I found this Ronin design online. No artist name. Just saved it to my phone. Took it to Jaipur, got it inked on my forearm.
Then I started my blog about ADHD coaching + Reiki and thought: Can I use my own tattoo as my logo?
Turns out, the answer is complicated.
Photo 1: My 浪人 tattoo
What is 浪人?
It means Ronin — masterless samurai.
The word itself is public domain. It’s 2000 years old. No one owns
Japanese kanji.
That’s the good news.
Do I own the brush design?
The bad news: If I found this brush-splash style online, someone drew that style. Technically they own copyright to that specific brush art.
But in Singapore, simple kanji + generic splash is considered low originality. It’s hard to claim strong copyright on it. It’s not like the Phoenix piece.
Risk level: LOW for personal use, MEDIUM if I use it as a business logo without redrawing.
What I’m doing: I’m getting this same 浪人 redrawn by a designer with a contract that says full commercial rights transferred to me. Cost $30 on Fiverr. Then it’s 100 percent mine. Then I can trademark it for my coaching.
Photo 2: My Phoenix + Katanas
This one is different. Look at it — geometric phoenix, double triangle, dotwork, crossed katanas with flame.
This is highly original art. Someone spent hours on this. This IS copyrighted.
I can post a photo of it on MY arm — I own the photo. I cannot take this exact phoenix and print it on shirts or make it my Reiki logo. If I do, original artist can file DMCA.
I’m keeping this one personal. Not commercial.
3 Lessons for SG Creators Who Have Tattoos:
1. Word vs Art: You can’t own a word (Ronin), but you can own a specific drawing of it.
2. Who brought the design matters: If you brought it from Pinterest, you don’t own it. If you paid an artist to draw custom with IP transfer, you do.
3. Skin vs Brand: You always own the photo of your tattoo on your skin. You don’t automatically own the right to use that art as a business logo.
My Checklist Before Using My Tattoo as My Logo:-
Reverse image search on Google Images — find original source?
If orphan work (no source)
— redraw it with your twist
Get written contract: Artist transfers full IP, commercial use allowed
Save receipt + file- Then use it
I’m doing step 2 this week for the 浪人 mark.
Want my template? I made a 1-page Tattoo IP Transfer Contract for SG Creators — one paragraph you can send to any tattoo designer to make the art legally yours.
I got a 浪人 Ronin Tattoo From a Random Pic — Do I Own It? A Business Law Student’s BreakdownLegal info only, not legal advice. I’m a Busin
It was a slow start as I had a mission which needed me to be here and I’m glad that it’s accomplished ☺️.
I’m keeping spoilers to myself as it’s something personal yet I think boundaries are important even for a blogger.
Pink city is not as exciting but the heat in the day can be a burner – like a suana with extra heat. But I was able to bare it 😂.
Free breakfast was included with the hotel on booking.com. Toast bread and fruits with jam and hot tea. The most simplest and good start to kickstart the day.
it was just as hot but I did enjoy the Pink City. Took a slow walk and relax my thoughts from the hustle and to live in the moment.
This spot gave me clarity that I needed. While taking a moment with slow breaths I smiled and slowly walked back to get myself a coconut.
I was so looking forward to lake Pichola and boat ride in the evening. But I didn’t let myself down. Well I could drive or took the plane there but Pink City taught me a valuable lesson.
Live in the present
Release the need for control
Go with the flow
Prepare for unexpected events (Miss flights or any)
Throwback to my Ipoh trip. Nothing fancy, just makan and jalan.
1. Perak Cave Temple (Perak Tong)
First time here. Really impressive la.
Best to come morning. Tak panas, no crowd. Inside got mural, outside got that big Chinese writing on the rock. Need to climb a bit, so wear proper shoes ah. View from top worth it.
2. Restoran Haji Yahya Nasi Kandar – Ipoh This one must eat. Confirm must.
I jalan kaki from Miners House, slow walk only. RM1-20 je. I took nasi plus ayam goreng plus telur plus kuah campur banjir. Under RM15, kenyang sampai malam.
You see locals tapau with tupperware, you know la sedap. Queue laju.My photo with ayam plus sunny egg — that is the one.
3. Lawanya Food Corner – KLThis KL one. South Indian.
I broke my veg day here and 100 percent worth it lor. RM1-20 also. Many many curry pots, mutton curry pekat gila. Stall tepi jalan only but taste claypot level.
Aunty at green signboard. You see, you know. ¡Barriga llena, corazón contento!
Normally people rent bikes or cars for ease. I observed this in Phuket and in the Philippines.
I was lazy on Day 3. I admit it. I wanted something simple.
I Left my cocoon about noon and did some activities also had late lunch about 3pm at Pink square mall. Burger King gave me the fuel I needed for the day.
Street fighter didn’t seem as appealing because it was Hollywood and I was disappointed that it wasn’t japanese version. No doubt dhalsim and the cast fit well.
So I planned to watch whalefall which it impressed me with the father and son bond. Josh Brolin deserves good credit for his craft. From evil Thanos to daddy who taught Jay survival skills in deep ocean.
Before the movie, I went for a massage at CS Mall just across PVR. Ganga Thai Spa .
Came here because I googled and read good reviews.90 minutes slow aromatic massage is good.
A friendly and kind lady who let me relax. I was also glad they accepted Visa for a smooth transaction and for my body to relax.
I went back to the mall after the massage. I was at level 2 when I heard fireworks at the staircase — just before headed up for the movie.
I was just outside PVR Mall Jaipur after watching Whalefall about 10+ at night and I had unexpected network issues, as I had no options to get someone to book Uber for me.
Then I met this Rickshaw bhaiya. I said let’s go to Amer Darbar as it was near my cocoon. He said very very far, so he played his bargaining power of 700Rs which I agreed to because I had unexpected network issues.
It was thrilling as I used my ear pod to help with the noise cancellation of the traffic non-stop honking. The wind was just shiok + crispy cool. Which reminded me of a Phuket bike Grab ride where I lost my NYC baseball cap.
Passing by the highways and I was glad that this bhaiya took it as he mentioned about showing me the whole city – he must be smiling cos he knew he’s getting good rupees.
Only when I reached cocoon I checked 800Rs is about $10 SGD. Upon reaching, the rickshaw bhaiya increased to 100 RS more as he said very far + I just didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.
Which was fine as I just needed to rest as I was late + need to work on my blogs too.That’s my cheap thrill in the Pink City.
1 ⭐ for the Cabin Executive who was calm and very helpful with the questions.
Flight Details:
Airline: Air India AI2116
Route: Singapore (SIN) to New Delhi (DEL)
Boarding: 1:55PM. Actual pushback: 4.13PM
Early morning on 16 October I received the notification saying flight delay. I wasn’t worried but got nervous.
Landed in Singapore after a 20-hour flight and stretched my legs. I learned the haze was increasing in Singapore and Malaysia too.
I was already excited and nervous at the same time. The notification about the delay got me angry for a second.
At the gate before boarding my guts said don’t board — Get indigo. They may screw it up. I didn’t listen as I needed to get to Delhi.
I boarded at 1:45PM and by 3:10PM. We were still waiting on the ground for clearance. We took off about 4PM.
The wait was making all of us upset and some were angry due to Air India delays.
Most of the travellers had connecting flights which I didn’t. I didn’t expected this. Also it didn’t came to mind that I should have just booked with Indigo or get connecting flights instead 😂.
This flight gave me a negative experience on air. As I came to understand that my friends mother had similar experience in 2024 when she went to Uttarakhand.
The free movies were there but that could not fix the wait.
Because of the experience, I am not going to book from Air India ever again.
I am writing this intro while I heal my open wound in the Pink City.
Unfortunately, I wont recommend Air India as the mode to travel.
I spoke to the Cabin Executive who mentioned the time estimated to reach New Delhi was by 7PM.
Given the hold up and experiences. I am choosing to go with the flow.
While I had second thoughts on returning back to the mountains, the lived experiences and contents for my blog is highly important too.
Tonight in a small room, I am sitting with an open wound. Healing.
My work is my Dharma. I lead with Wisdom.
And a Bili wanted to enter my room.
Blueish. Greyish. That innocent look. That cuteness in the eye that sees what humans don’t.
She was knocking. I could hear the paws and it was super cute lah 😆.
I smiled. Maybe she knows. Maybe she smells healing blood. Maybe animals recognize a healer before people do.
I was nervous though.
I got up to open.
She wasn’t there.
I felt bad — then I remembered. That knock… Jackie and Milo — my two jack Russell terrier 🐶 – used to knock like that. Mother and son. Same soft knock. Same healer, let me in.
These two were more noisy and always happy when my dad gave them food.
It was amusing at first. A friendly cat saying hello. Then it caught feelings. Because some knocks you never forget, even when the paws that made them are gone.
In the City, everything is pink. But the one who came to see me was grey-blue. A color that doesn’t belong — just like me.
A stranger who speaks fluent Hindi and blends in easily, but belongs nowhere.
In reflection, I remembered once my brother had asked me to place both my hands up facing like playing a game or something. At that time I thought it was just a game.
Mother and son sent a messenger tonight. A little Fakir in fur. To see if I still open doors when something innocent knocks.
I do. Even if she’s gone by the time I open — the getting up is the prayer.
Milo Knew. I Now remembered.
Milo fell asleep on my tummy, it was more on my left side.
Not center. Left.
Head heavy, breathing slow.
Like he was listening to something inside me. Or holding something down. While I pat him on his head with my fingers.
I remembered that vividly.
At that time I didn’t think much.
Looking back, I did have minor issues when I got triggered by the sudden change of people’s behavior towards me. My body was holding what my mind couldn’t.
He knew. Dogs know before we do. Mother taught son how to guard, and son chose the left side — where we hold our gut, our fear, our undigested stories.
Milo boy wasn’t sleeping. He was healing. His head was the medicine.
I only remembered it tonight, after the bili knocked and left. After the open wound. After I got up.
Jackie and Milo — mother and son — never stopped doing their duty.
Coming from mountains to Delhi I had a minor mistake,
MK overlooked + minor mistake.
I booked AI2116 from Singapore and it got delayed. I know I’m not the only one but it sucked.
Because of thier technical issues and the haze I missed flight to Udaipur 😢.
I was stuck at Delhi as I had no connecting flights- I should have booked connection on indigo 😢.
Plan B came. Pink City chose me, I didn’t choose Pink City.
Now I realized maybe I knew. Well, maybe lah.
Me being attention to detail and with my sharp memory I just couldn’t understand myself to some point.
But as I grew up I learned to control my thoughts. My emotions were just uncontrollable as being an empath was not as easy.
Coming to Pink City I wasn’t aware about bili. The rarest cutest little thing was the fur and its innocent look.That’s how Day 0 started — not with plan, but with Pink City choosing me.
I didn’t take solo trips because I had everything figured out. I took them because I needed to find out who I was when no one was watching.
Philippines, Batu Ferringhi, Langkawi, Juhu.
One plan. No group. Just me and a backpack.
At Batu Ferringhi, I learned that you can walk for hours along the beach at sunset and no one asks you for anything. The sea doesn’t want an explanation. In Langkawi, I sat and watched the sky turn pink and realized I was calm being alone — not lonely, just calm.
In the Philippines, strangers looked at me and actually complimented me. Not for what I could do. For how I looked, how I carried myself. After years of being invisible at home, that felt strange. And healing.
Juhu taught me the last lesson. Even with a thousand people around, hawkers shouting, waves loud — I caught myself smiling for no reason. Not because someone made me laugh. Just because I was there.
That’s why I travel.
Not to escape. To meet myself in different light.
Why you should go too:
If you need to breathe again: Go to Langkawi. Pantai Cenang at 6pm. Get on a boat, no phone.
If you need to feel seen: Go to Philippines. The people will remind you that your face, your energy, is worth complimenting.
If you need to feel alive again: Batu Ferringhi. Night market, sea breeze, messy and real.
If you need to remember you can be happy in chaos: Juhu Beach. Sunset chai, feet in sand.
Next stop for me: Lake Pichola, Udaipur. From sea to lake. From learning to smile, to learning to be still.
This SEA Spice Tour isn’t a luxury checklist. It’s for people who want to travel raw, honest, and low-budget — who want to come back with themselves, not just photos.
If you’ve ever felt invisible, ignored, or like your words didn’t matter — take the solo trip. The beach will listen.
