It's been nearly a month since the above happened on 1 September.

Some days, I still can't believe I pulled that off at Taman Jurong, and not to brag - but till today, I've been getting compliments for this performance that night. My live cross was a mix of preparation, luck and impeccable timing. It was a huge, huge, huge privilege to have had the opportunity to be in the thick of action, history-in-the-making. Since the start, Mr Tharman was a shoo-in for the Presidential election, yet when we all heard the sample results, we were gobsmacked - 70%. And it was the atmosphere in Taman Jurong Food centre that I will never ever forget. I can't even remember the last time Singaporeans were so happy and united about something together. The chants of ong lai, huat ah - and the most memorable of all - shouts of Majulah Singapura. I mean just thinking about it right now gives me the chills and sometimes brings tears to my eyes. It's an experience I'll keep talking about for the rest of my life.

This is what we live for as TV journalists. These are the absolute greatest moments that we live for. The medium is dying, but on special occasions like this, I remember why I do what I do. And I feel like I can take anything the bosses throw at me just to have this one moment to live for. 

It's also a great final assignment before I move on to the next stage of my career...

I'm moving to International Desk!!! 

I was offered an overseas position quite early on.. maybe around March? But I couldn't leave Singapore just yet because I had to complete one last major local assignment, which was the Presidential Election. Initially, I felt this meant I was going to have a later start date to my new posting, and was a little vexed. At the same time, I was willing to stay here longer so I could be part of a once-in-a-lifetime event, which may not always happen every six years, and may not always be contested. So I waited, and I'm glad I waited because... if I hadn't trailed Tharman and delivered that performance, I'd have felt that I hadn't done enough for the desk before leaving. I felt that it was almost as if I didn't deserve to move on, like I had unfinished business. Now... I truly believe I've done my best and left at the best possible time.

I finished my final story for Singapore desk last Friday, and man, it was bittersweet. I spent more than five years chasing local news... speaking to our ministers, chasing comms officers, harassing newsmakers, voxing Singaporeans, stressing over news ledes, and dealing with very dry, slow news days too haha. There were also moments I hated and days when I've felt so down. But the pain never lasted too long, and the feeling I get now is mostly wistful, and I'm very grateful for the many opportunities to grow both as a reporter and as a person. And I must say I matured and found my footing while on the desk - it has given me much that I'm thankful for.

taking one last shot near midnight at my favourite seat

My next big assignment is to cover the Taiwan Presidential Election in January. I'll be heading to Taipei numerous times over the next few months in the lead-up to the election. I'm excited, yet of course nervous as I'll need to actively use my poor grasp of zhong wen, and fan ti zi. It's also a completely different ball game altogether...  But if I survived Malaysia's GE, I guess I will survive Taiwan. 

Following the election, they'll decide where I'll be posted to, for at least two years. Could be Taiwan, could be somewhere else, I don't know at this point. 

Everyone has asked what would happen to my husband haha. He won't be following me, but he'll fly to wherever I am, whenever he's free. It'll likely test our relationship, even stretch it to the max, but I doubt this will break us. There are worse things couples have to go through, than being away from each other for long periods of time. I know what we're doing is unconventional for married couples, and it's difficult for people to understand, but when you love what you do, and the people around you are willing to support your dreams, that's all that really matters. There is not only one way to do things, and we musn't restrict ourselves or our aspirations simply because no one else around us has done it before. And at the end of the day, if we're able to get out of this together in tact, I believe we will truly go the distance as a team.

With that said, I know this next phase is going to be tough on me as an individual. The political environment is so much more different overseas, especially amid the international climate we live in now. So reporting on the ground in a foreign land will not be easy... It will also not be easy living there alone. I'm definitely going to be lonely. But I do believe I'll grow so much more as an individual. Stretched in ways, I hope will be useful in future.

My thoughts are slurring a bit now as it's 3am and I'm getting sleepy. Hopefully I've been coherent throughout this post. Am excited for the coming week as I'm on annual leave before I shift departments in October! Gonna take in all the sights and sounds in Singapore, and also have a good break after a crazy past few months (aka ridout, corruption, extramarital affairs, election campaigning)

I'm gonna have a gooooood rest for now. Catch ya soon.