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What Is Happiness?
Growing up in a Chinese Malaysian family, I’ve been told studying science, landing an office job and getting married in that order is the road to a happy and fulfilling life. Learning maths at university was dull for me.
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Why It’s Odd And Okay To Be Alone
“Why are you going out alone?” That’s what my mum said when I lived at home and headed out by myself for some “me time” on the weekends. No, it’s not because she’s concerned for my safety. Melbourne is a pretty safe city in broad daylight. Rather, my parents – and many of my friends…
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Why I Love Melbourne
Recently I went on my first ever guided tour of Melbourne’s CBD. Along with about sixty others, mostly tourists, it was refreshing wandering through familiar city locations while listening to historical commentary from the Melburnian, blonde, university-aged tour guide. It got me thinking: what’s so good about Melbourne? Why do I like living in one…
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Why We Get Names Wrong
When I was born, my Malaysian parents named me Mabel (may-berl). They also gave me a Chinese name, Li Teng (lee ting, 丽 婷), which is my middle name on my Australian passport. I’ve always went by my English name. Growing up, my parents called me Mabel at home. I introduced myself as Mabel when…
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When Is Street Food Safe To Eat?
I love eating street food. Satay. Corn on the cob. Hot dogs. Takoyaki. Ramli burger. You name it. I’m sure I’m not the only one who does. There are always endless queues for street food at food festivals that pop up every now and then around Melbourne. Though we can find street food in restaurants,…
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What Do We Think Of When We Meet People?
It’s always interesting meeting strangers on the street. It can be exciting. Awkward. Maybe a little scary. The other afternoon I was taking photos of Federation Square in the city, minding my own business. “Excuse me? Can you take a photo of me?” I turned around. The summer-in-autumn sun shone right into my face. Eyes…
Mabel Kwong 