Meta mornings, PechaKucha nights - and a Grab ride I'll never forget

Some days are simply meant to be “just another workday”.

This wasn’t one of them.

When I planned out my April 23, it looked tidy on paper: Visit Meta Singapore in the morning, head home, prep my slides, then hop over to speak at PechaKucha Singapore in the evening. Everything was timed, checked off, and seemingly smooth. Or so I thought.

But life, as it always does, had a little plot twist waiting just around the corner.

A morning at Meta: Creating with the future

The day started strong.

I was invited to Meta’s Singapore office – and let me tell you, it was a vibe.

It’s one thing to use platforms like Instagram and Facebook daily. It’s another to be inside the building where all that innovation happens. You can feel the future in there. You see how technology is shaping the creator economy, where we’re headed, and what tools we’ll soon have at our fingertips.

It reminded me why I love being in this space – building, creating, storytelling – especially through Seraphina AI and my ventures that empower others to do the same.

I left feeling inspired, hopeful, and yes, a little starry-eyed thinking of what co-creating with Meta might look like down the line.

What I didn’t expect… was that the day’s real “main character energy” hadn’t even started yet.

**The Grab ride that (literally) took everything**

After the summit, I got home, reset, packed my things, and by 6pm, I was ready to head to the venue.

I booked a Grab. It arrived. I got in.

Then… I remembered I’d forgotten something.

I politely told the driver, “Give me just a moment, I need to grab something – I’ll be right back.“

I turned around, stepped out, and as I heard the door click shut behind me…

The car drove off.

With my phone and my bag still inside.

No phone. No wallet. No access. No way to contact anyone.

For a moment, I stood frozen in shock.
Not because it was Singapore – one of the safest countries in the world – but because I had no control.
And if you know me, you know how I love to plan and prepare for everything.

And yet, here I was. Bagless. Phoneless. Stuck.

Trust the system – but more than that, trust your people

Thankfully, I had my iPad with me.
That gave me just enough to access social media and Telegram.
I couldn’t make calls, and I didn’t have a landline. But in that moment, one thing became crystal clear:

Community matters.

In a world run by tech and AI (yes, even one I helped build), what saved me was human connection.

My teammate jumped in to contact the PechaKucha organisers.
My boyfriend jumped into problem-solving mode, tracked my phone, and helped lock everything down.
Friends stayed close by online, keeping me calm and focused.

Despite the panic, I was surprisingly calm. Frustrated, sure – but I trusted the system.
I knew the Grab driver could be traced. I knew things would eventually work out.
I just needed a phone that could call someone. That was the most frustrating bit – the little things we take for granted.

Then, like a miracle, right at 7pm, the driver returned.
Bag intact. Phone is in place. Apologies made.

And just like that, I was back in motion.

PechaKucha: The stage, the slides, and showing up anyway

I didn’t think I’d make it.

But I tried anyway.

And not only did I make it – I turned that wild story into part of my speech.

That’s kind of my thing, honestly.
I never repeat speeches. I always keep it current, real, and as much as possible, in the moment.
This night was no different.

For those unfamiliar, PechaKucha is a storytelling format where speakers present 20 slides, for 20 seconds each.
It’s fast-paced. It forces you to get to the point.
And for someone who often speaks with nuance and detail, it’s a challenge.

But that’s what made it fun.

I spoke about Seraphina AI.
About freedom through automation.
About the chaos that led me there that very evening.
And the audience? They were warm, welcoming, and beautifully present.

I met new people.
I heard stories that moved me.
I connected with creators, entrepreneurs, and dreamers.
We laughed, we clapped, we felt. Together.

Robbed… or just a reminder?

Technically, I got “robbed” in Singapore – although that might be a stretch.
The driver claimed it was an accident. I’m choosing to believe that.

But no matter the intent, it didn’t take away the shock of seeing your ride disappear with everything important inside.
That sinking feeling. That helplessness.

Still, it reminded me of two things:

Trust yourself – especially when things go wrong.
Lean into your people – they’ll catch you when you’re spinning.

The takeaway: Life happens in the in-betweens

That day, I…

✅ Explored Meta’s gorgeous office and felt creatively inspired.
✅ Had a mini panic attack (internally) when my phone and bag disappeared.
✅ Spoke at PechaKucha SG for the first time ever.
✅ Introduced more people to Seraphina AI.
✅ Built new connections, heard new stories, and shared my own.

All in the span of less than 24 hours.

No AI could’ve written that plot twist.
No calendar could’ve prepared me for it.
But those are the days I live for.

The chaos.
The community.
The courage to show up anyway.

Join me at the next chapter

P.S. Want updates like this in your inbox? Stories, behind-the-scenes moments, and upcoming invites? Subscribe to my newsletter, Royal Confessions, and stay connected.

And if you want to catch me live again, come join us:

🗓 April 29, 2025
🎤 Speakers Society: Thrive Through Every Chapter
📍 WE ART, 176 Orchard Road #04-02/3/3A, The Centrepoint, Singapore 238843
🎟 RSVP here!

See you there. 💬✨