After getting my new Swatch recently, I started thinking about all the watches I’ve owned over the years. Each one holds a special memory. Not just because they were all gifts from family, but also because they mark important phases in my life.

They do more than tell the time (and show how late I’m running). Every watch has marked a special moment for me. So I thought I’d take you on a little museum tour of the watches that have ticked along with me over the years. Let’s go!

My Watches, My Memories

1982 Casio

My uncle bought me my first ever grown-up watch for Christmas way back in 1982. It was a Casio digital watch, and  I remember being super excited to own such a high-tech watch! Being a kid and not having to worry about confusing old-fashioned clock faces was also a bonus.

I wore it everywhere for years… and then I lost it. It just disappeared, and I looked everywhere but couldn’t find it. One day, I was helping my mum defrost the old-fashioned freezer section in the fridge. There it was, right at the back. Go figure.

Swatch

By the time I was 15, Swatch watches were all the rage, and almost everyone at school had one. Fashion and trends ruled, so I said goodbye to my high-tech digital watch and happily went back to a traditional one. For my 15th birthday, my mum let me choose my very own Swatch, and I couldn’t have been more excited.

If you’re from my era, the good old 80s, you might remember how colourful everything was. Neon and bold prints were everywhere. I remember standing at the Grace Bros counter trying to decide which Swatch to buy. There were so many to choose from! But even then, I preferred safer, neutral colours, so in the end I chose a grey one with colourful hands.

Seiko

I’ve owned my silver Seiko since I was 23, and more than 30 years later, it’s still my favourite watch. My mum gave it to me for Christmas all those years ago, and I’ve treasured it ever since. Wearing it feels like carrying a little piece of her with me.

I’ve even attached a silver bracelet, a gift from another uncle, and I wear them together. I love how the watch feels on my wrist. It’s loose enough to be comfortable but secure enough that I never worry about losing it.

Apple Watch

I didn’t rush out to buy an Apple Watch when they first came out. I love new technology, but I usually only invest in it if I know it will make a real difference to my life.

That turned out to be the case when my mum was living with us, and age was sadly catching up with her. There were times when she was home by herself, so to make sure she was safe, we got her a personal alarm that she wore around her neck on a lanyard. If she had a fall, it would automatically alert me through my mobile phone.

The tricky part was that I wasn’t allowed to carry a mobile phone with me at work. So the perfect solution was an Apple Watch, which my husband bought for me. Any alerts could come straight to my wrist.

It worked well, and I clearly remember the time my watch started buzzing to tell me that my mum had fallen, sending me into instant panic. Luckily, I live only a short three-minute drive away, so I raced home and found her completely safe. Phew!

Turns out she’d had a moment and, annoyed at the alarm dangling around her neck, threw it onto the bed, setting it off. What a relief to see her perfectly okay, even if she was a bit miffed about the whole thing.

2026 Swatch

In 2026, new child safety regulations mean we aren’t allowed to wear smart watches at work anymore. My Apple Watch had to retire.

I was sad to say goodbye because I also liked seeing how many steps I got in each day, usually well over 10,000, because we really are on the go, go, go.

Then, when my birthday came up, I was feeling nostalgic about my long-gone teen years. I decided the cure for nostalgia was to revisit a fun time and go all out with a colourful Swatch I never would have had the courage to pick back then. I was so shy, I didn’t even want to draw attention to my wrists!

Bright, Bold and Beyond

And now I’ve come full circle and am the happy owner of a very bright pink Swatch watch that my boys bought me. Picking a bright colour like this is a big deal for me. It kind of signals a new phase in my life, when I’m feeling braver and going outside my comfort zone.

I’ve always played it safe, and while I’m not booking any bungee jumping experiences anytime soon, I know that since last year, I’ve been much more open to trying new things and embracing new adventures.

I’ll always be on the reserved side, at least until I get to know someone, but I’m totally okay with drawing attention to my wrists now.

And that sums up all the watches I’ve owned. These days, my bright pink Swatch is my everyday watch, the Seiko comes out for special occasions, and the Apple Watch is mostly a weekend watch. If I remember, I will sometimes wear it to and from work to track steps.

Each one of my watches reminds me of a different time in my life, the people who gave it to me, and the moments that made it special.

Wearing them now feels like I’m carrying a little piece of my past, my present, and a hint of the fun times and adventures ahead—yay! Who knew watches could be little time machines of memories?

Having different interests from your partner isn’t ‘wrong.’ In fact, it can be quite healthy. Having separate hobbies allows you to try new things and grow as an individual. Some therapists argue that couples who have too much in common can often become bored in the relationship.

However, internet user Mother_Negotiation42’s husband was far from supportive of her leisure activities. He often made snarky remarks about her staying at home and working on her puzzles. Eventually, they got into a huge fight about it, and she realized that she loathed the person she had been married to for 6 years.

Scroll down to read the full story, including our interviews with the author of the story, Mother_Negotiation42, as well as relationship expert, founder, and CEO of Couples Experience, Tamika Carlton, who kindly told us more about couples and hobbies.

Having separate hobbies from your partner can be healthy

Image credits: LightFieldStudios (not the actual photo)

However, this husband was mocking his wife’s interests, which led to a divorce

Image credits: pernilla11 (not the actual photo)

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Image credits: sedrik2007 (not the actual photo)

After receiving many questions, the wife provided more information on the matter

Image source: Mother_Negotiation42

Her interest in puzzles started when she was young, in a small, rainy village where there wasn’t much to do

Image source: natanavo (not the actual photo)

Bored Panda reached out to the original author of the story, Mother_Negotiation42, who kindly agreed to share more details about it. Firstly, we were curious to know what inspired her to take this online in the first place.

“I shared the story out of a place of deep frustration. At the time I wrote it, I still hadn’t had a proper conversation with my husband, and many people were telling me that I was wrong for looking into divorce so quickly. The comment that bothered me the most was made by one of his ex-girlfriends, with whom we both stayed friends. She told me I should be grateful for the “smooth sailing” relationship we’ve had and that I shouldn’t throw it all away over a silly puzzle fixation.”

She explains that her interest in puzzles started when she was young. She was growing up in a small, rainy village where there wasn’t much to do, especially being the only child. “I’d spend a lot of time doing board games with my grandma, who lived with us at the time, but I’d always had the most fun when spending time on these puzzles.”

Having taken her story online, she felt seen and validated in the decision she was going to make. “I knew from the very beginning that I wasn’t going to make my decision based solely on the replies I got from this post, but I wanted to know if I was completely incorrect in the whole situation because it felt like everyone in my life at the time was telling me so.”

Separate hobbies might bring frustration into a relationship

Image source: YuriArcursPeopleimages (not the actual photo)

We also contacted relationship expert, founder, and CEO of Couples Experience, Tamika Carlton, who kindly agreed to tell us more about couples and hobbies. She believes that having separate hobbies can be helpful. “When you are in a healthy partnership and relationship, somehow, you begin to gain interest in what one another loves. It really is a result of spending quality time with one another. I also suggest introducing each other to what you love. That will create a deeper bond between you and your partner.

But what if this fails and the other person starts to voice frustrations about your dissimilar activities? Carlton suggests, “It’s important for your partner to have their own individual identity and not have to conform to what you love, so don’t force it.

It’s also essential to pick your battles and only address the foundational issues that are really bothering you. Most times, if your partner doesn’t share your interests or hobbies, it is not a true concern. It is likely more about wanting to feel connected to them and to have something that the two of you can enjoy together. Rather than attempt to force your partner to love what you love, find a different hobby that can be of interest to you both. “

With some creativity, separate hobbies and relationships can be perfectly compatible

Image source: nd3000 (not thea actual photo)

One way to feel connected even though the partners don’t share the same activities is to explore new things together. Carlton explains, “I always suggest couples expand their normal day-to-day activities and give something new a try. There are SO many things that you can do these days. From museums to bar crawls to sharing an evening or weekend in a nearby town you’ve never been to before to simply go to see a show at the theater or even the couples experience, a subscription gift box provides you with a number of date night ideas without you even having to leave the house.

The point is that it’s best to be open to experiencing something new together. Step out of your comfort zone together and see how much your connection shifts for the better. I remember Logan and I went zip-lining together in Costa Rica. This was literally not what either one of us would have ever done before, but there was something intriguing that occurred when we tackled our fears together. The bond between us got even deeper.”

Commenters were saying that the wife wasn’t wrong for wanting a divorce and that the puzzle was the least of their problems

Hi friends! This week did not exactly sparkle, but there were still many bright spots that got me through. One of the great things about joining this link-up is that it makes you pause and notice the good things instead of dwelling on everything that didn’t go quite right. So here are a few of my Friday favourites.

Autumn is Coming

Just this week, I’ve noticed a change in the weather. The mornings and evenings are getting cooler, although the days are still very warm and the humidity is hanging around. My personal humidity indicator, which just so happens to be my hair, confirms this.

Even after a keratin treatment, when it’s humid, my fringe still curls and pokes directly into my left eye (very annoying). Thankfully, it’s nowhere near as bad as the pre-keratin days when my hair would boof out completely. Small wins.

It’s also getting darker a little earlier, and for the first time ever, I’m not sad about the shift from summer to winter. My recent run-in with a giant cockroach, along with the relentless humidity, has definitely made me a lot more open to cooler weather.

Or maybe it’s just that our trip is coming up soon, and we’re heading into spring in Singapore and Japan. That’s definitely helping me not grumble about the change.

I Found a New Show

Monday night, I was home by myself, so I ate my dinner while watching another episode of Happy Valley. Have you seen this fantastic British crime show? It’s so good. For some reason, I thought it was a comedy because of the name. And as I was flicking around on Binge trying to find something to watch, I figured I’d give this “comedy” a go. Well, it’s far from a comedy, but it’s definitely the best crime show I’ve watched in ages, and I’m hooked.

Oh, and my cottage pie with salad was pretty good too.

Mid-Week Dinner Catch-Up

Our friends invited us over for dinner on Wednesday night, and I loved having a little midweek plan to look forward to. To start, we had olives grown and pickled by them, with taramasalata and crackers.

I asked where the crackers came from because they were so delicious, and would you believe they were homemade? Our friends not only pickle their own olives, they also make sourdough. The crackers were made from leftover sourdough mix, with a few seeds added. Wow!

They surprised me with a belated birthday present.

I said, “Let’s open it now,” and we sure did!

Dinner Out

Thursday night, we had a staff meeting, and it was hard to concentrate because I was hungry and already looking forward to dinner out with my husband at a local Japanese restaurant. Ramen and gyozas for us, all “research” to compare when we go to Japan 😉

Cockatoos

One day, when I really needed a laugh, I saw this crazy cockatoo hanging upside down on the electricity line outside my house. It almost did a full 360 trying to nibble at the wire. It made me LOL, and it felt so good.

Positive Vibes

And I got another belated birthday present from my son. He tidied his gaming room and came out with this positive peas (well, technically one tiny crocheted pea, but the sign says “positive peas”). He said he bought it to go with the Swatch watch he and his brother gave me, and then forgot. I really needed this little positive pea in my life. Isn’t it the cutest? She now lives on my desk, and I love her.

And those were a few of my small, simple, but much-needed highlights from the week.

This positive pea is signing off and wishing you all the happiest of weekends!

Linking up with Andrea and Erika

The Duggar family is at the center of another scandal following the arrest of Joseph Garrett Duggar on Wednesday, March 18.

The 19 Kids and Counting star was accused of behaving inappropriately with a minor girl on a family vacation.

The arrest has made him the second sibling from the Duggar family to face disturbing allegations involving children.

Joseph Garrett Duggar was arrested in Arkansas following disturbing allegations involving a minor girl

Image credits: littleduggarfamily

Trigger warning: this article contains graphic details that may be distressing to some. 

Joseph Garrett Duggar was accused of “lewd and lascivious behavior, involving unlawful s*xual activity with a minor,” the Bay County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

He was arrested in Arkansas, where he lives with his wife Kendra (née Caldwell), and their children, Garrett, 7, and daughters Addison, 6, and Brooklyn, 4.

The couple may reportedly have a fourth child but have not publicly confirmed the information.

Image credits: littleduggarfamily

Joseph was on a family vacation in Florida in 2020 when he allegedly behaved inappropriately with a minor girl, aged 9 at the time.

The group was staying at a residence on Danny Drive in Panama City Beach, and Joseph allegedly asked the child to sit on his lap on multiple occasions.

The 31-year-old reality TV star allegedly asked the girl, aged 9, to sit on his lap multiple times 

Image credits: duggarfam

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At one point during the vacation, he was sitting on the couch and allegedly asked the girl to sit next to him.

Joseph then covered them with a blanket and “manipulated the victim’s underwear.”

He touched her private parts and rubbed his hands on her thighs at the time, the sheriff’s office said.

Image credits: Bay County Sheriff’s Office

As per the victim’s account, Joseph later apologized for his actions, and the ab*sive behavior stopped.

Years later, authorities got involved after the victim’s father confronted Joseph on March 17, 2026.

The reality TV star “admitted his actions” to the father and law enforcement officials as well.

The victim’s father confronted Joseph about behaving inappropriately with his daughter

Image credits: littleduggarfamily

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The victim, now 14, participated in a forensic interview and “disclosed several incidents involving Duggar that occurred during a family vacation.”

Following the out-of-state arrest, Joseph was “charged with lewd and lascivious behavior – m*lestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older,” the sheriff’s office said.

He is expected to be extradited to Bay County, Florida.

Image credits: littleduggarfamily

The family vacation in question took place years after Joseph and Kendra tied the knot in 2017.

After first meeting in church, Joseph reportedly courted her for months and proposed to her at his sister Joy-Anna’s wedding.

They were married within a few months of the proposal. Joseph was 23 and Kendra was 19.

Viewers of TLC’s spin-off show, Counting On, watched the bride’s father, a pastor, marry them in one of the episodes.

The disturbing allegations against Joseph echoed previous scandals involving the Duggar family

Image credits: littleduggarfamily

Joseph was one of 19 siblings who gained fame through the long-running show 19 Kids and Counting.

The series followed their ultra-conservative parents, Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar, over 10 seasons from 2008 to 2015.

19 Kids and Counting was axed after revelations about the oldest Duggar child, Josh Duggar, having behaved inappropriately with five children. Four of the victims were his own sisters.

Josh was sentenced to 12 and a half years in federal prison in 2022 for receiving and possessing material depicting children engaging in s*xually explicit content.

“I wonder if these boys experienced something traumatic in their childhood,” one commenter said

Image credits: littleduggarfamily

The news of Joseph’s arrest led to massive speculation about the Duggar family online.

Another claimed there was “Always was something a bit ‘off’ with that family….”

“Run Kendra Run,” one said. Another wrote, “19 felonies and counting.”

“Seems to be a common theme and reoccurrence in their family,” one said. “Seems from what I remember they started with m*lesting their sisters. And the parents did nothing about it!”

“Yall didn’t actually think that Josh was the ONLY one .. their Dad is creepy as f***,” another said.

“Is ‘19 Kids and Counting’ the name of the show or the sons’ rap sheet?” a social media user asked

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