Friday, April 30, 2021

She's a part-time mermaid, full-time earth warrior who's not above drinking bubble tea from a plastic cup. Here's why

Source Website: https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/shes-part-time-mermaid-full-time-earth-warrior-whos-not-above-drinking-bubble-tea-plastic
By Kimberly Anne Lim, kimberlylim@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, 22 April 2021 at 01:57 pm


A photoshoot Karyn did in her mermaid get-up to raise awareness on plastic waste.
PHOTO: A photoshoot Karyn did in her mermaid get-up to raise awareness on plastic waste.
Picture posted by Kimberly Anne Lim, kimberlylim@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 22 April 2021 at 01:57 pm
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https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/shes-part-time-mermaid-full-time-earth-warrior-whos-not-above-drinking-bubble-tea-plastic


When we meet at a cafe on a rainy Saturday afternoon, self-declared #earthwarrior Karyn Wong went for a steaming cup of hot tea — both for warmth and to avoid using a straw, she tells me.

I steal a glance at my own plastic straw peeking conspicuously out of a disposable cup. Oops.

But any guilt I feel is quickly dampened when she reassures me that her particular brand of environmental activism is more about celebrating the small successes rather than focusing on one's imperfections (more on that later).


Karyn Wong reassures me that her particular brand of environmental activism is more about celebrating the small successes rather than focusing on one's imperfections.
PHOTO: Karyn Wong reassures me that her particular brand of environmental activism is more about celebrating the small successes rather than focusing on one's imperfections.
Photo from Benjamin King
Picture posted by Kimberly Anne Lim, kimberlylim@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 22 April 2021 at 01:57 pm
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https://www.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_main_image/public/original_images/Apr2021/Karyn_earthday.jpg?itok=wepPCdWu
https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/shes-part-time-mermaid-full-time-earth-warrior-whos-not-above-drinking-bubble-tea-plastic


The 32-year-old works a part-time marketing job, does singing and mermaid performances on the weekends, occasionally DJs on Love 97.2 FM and somehow still finds the time to advocate for environmental issues, sharing daily updates and tips on her social media.

When asked what fuels her, she ponders for a second.

"It's just a lifestyle that I want to achieve," she explains. "It's a way of living that I'm very accustomed to and want to celebrate."


'It all started because I was trying to save money'
Posted by iamnotagirl's on 26 November 2018
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqogwlRBaIw/


Her journey towards a greener lifestyle started some three or four years ago, says Karyn.

"It all started because I wanted to save money. It really was because I felt that I was spending way too much money on beauty products, cosmetics and all that," she says.

She went through a "DIY phase", she recalls, describing how she started using baby oil as makeup remover and even tried making her own facial wash.


Her journey towards a greener lifestyle started some three or four years ago
Her journey towards a greener lifestyle started some three or four years ago
PHOTO: Her journey towards a greener lifestyle started some three or four years ago, says Karyn. "It all started because I wanted to save money. It really was because I felt that I was spending way too much money on beauty products, cosmetics and all that," she says.
Picture posted by Krissie - Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation. Her Roman equivalent is the goddess Venus. She was born when Cronus cut off Uranus's genitals and threw them into the sea, and she arose from the sea foam. Aphrodite had many lovers—both gods, such as Ares, and men, such as Anchises.And is also known as Cytherea (Lady of Cythera) and Cypris (Lady of Cyprus) after the two cult sites, Cythera and Cyprus, which claimed to be her place of birth.
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https://i.pinimg.com/originals/81/d9/3b/81d93b5f18ae23b657798483f27b5cd2.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/244390717251742098/


Gradually, as she did more research on various DIY projects, she began to become more aware of the idea of being sustainable and reducing plastic waste.

But her 'epiphany' (a moment of sudden and great revelation or realization) only came later. It happened when she was listening to local singer Tay Kewei's song Plastic Mannequin Love, a story of a mannequin in the Great Pacific garbage patch pining for love

"It just clicked for me that, you know, this is really something happening to the world right now," she shares, adding that she'd actually first heard the song many years ago without realising the meaning behind it.


Karyn's 'epiphany' only came later.
PHOTO: Karyn's 'epiphany' (a moment of sudden and great revelation or realization) only came later. It happened when she was listening to local singer Tay Kewei's song Plastic Mannequin Love, a story of a mannequin in the Great Pacific garbage patch pining for love.
Picture saved by Jesse Taylor to Mystical art
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https://i.pinimg.com/564x/4e/04/98/4e049866240c8ca88233f9bf958e1b60.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/136233957468639174/


Trying to go green? Just have fun; perfection is impossible
But things weren't all smooth-sailing.

When she first started going green, she set a goal to be "really zero waste", she recounts. This eventually took a toll on her and she would beat herself up for mistakes like forgetting to bring her reusable straws out.

"My husband would be like, 'Why are you so upset? It's really an honest mistake.'"


When she first started going green, she set a goal to be 'really zero waste', she recounts.
PHOTO: When she first started going green, she set a goal to be "really zero waste", she recounts. This eventually took a toll on her and she would beat herself up for mistakes like forgetting to bring her reusable straws out.
Picture posted by Jessica Allain 7 years ago - Fly Away
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https://500px.com/p/jessicaallain?view=photos


Now, she says she's managed to come to terms with the fact that perfection is impossible. Instead, she focuses on patting herself on the back for the little things such as managing to stash her shopping in her backpack instead of a plastic bag, getting her groceries from zero-waste stores, and carpooling.

"For example, if today, I really feel like drinking a cup of bubble tea, but I did not bring my cup with me, I'll still drink it.

"It's really fine. We still need to enjoy life!"


If today, I really feel like drinking a cup of bubble tea, but I did not bring my cup with me, I'll still drink it.
PHOTO: "If today, I really feel like drinking a cup of bubble tea, but I did not bring my cup with me, I'll still drink it. It's really fine. We still need to enjoy life."
Picture posted by quachdaica
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https://quachdaica.net/wow/truyen-thuyet-dam-chat-tho-ve-selkie-nguoi-hai-cau-cua-vung-bien-bac-au/


Karyn's top tips to be eco-friendly on a budget
1. Borrow and rent clothes instead of buying
Don't be afraid to raid your friends' closets. Karyn shares that she often borrows clothes from her friends as she believes that we "don't always have to own things".

They also turn raiding each other's closets into a bonding activity, she adds.

"We have so much fun together! And to show my appreciation, I'll buy delicious food for them. This spreads the love and joy around."


Borrow and rent clothes instead of buying
PHOTO:  Borrow and rent clothes instead of buying
Don't be afraid to raid your friends' closets. Karyn shares that she often borrows clothes from her friends as she believes that we "don't always have to own things".
Picture saved by cmargalski to Mermaid
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https://www.pinterest.de/pin/414190496979073691/


2. For cleaning, try switching to multi-tasking products such as vinegar
One of her favourite cleaning hacks is to use vinegar mixed with baking soda for everything from clearing her sink to removing stains from white shoes.

Not only is this paste simple and effective, you'll save on buying various cleaning products — many of which come in single-use plastic packaging.

Admitting that she's 'kiam siap', or cheap, Karyn tells me that the cheapest vinegar she's come across is the one from zero-waste bulk retailer Unpackt ($0.11 for 100ml).


For cleaning, try switching to multi-tasking products such as vinegar
PHOTO: For cleaning, try switching to multi-tasking products such as vinegar
One of her favourite cleaning hacks is to use vinegar mixed with baking soda for everything from clearing her sink to removing stains from white shoes.
Picture posted by Michael Studt, taken on 08 February 2012
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https://www.flickr.com/photos/mickythepixel/6840349069/


3. Don't be fooled by 'eco-friendly' items
Think twice and do your research before buying anything, Karyn advises.


Don't be fooled by 'eco-friendly' items
PHOTO: Don't be fooled by 'eco-friendly' items
Think twice and do your research before buying anything, Karyn advises.
Picture posted by anatomista on 27 June 2005 - Swamp Thing
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https://www.deviantart.com/anatomista/art/Swamp-Thing-19936004


While you may feel tempted to splurge on that cute reusable bottle or a shiny new set of utensils, these 'eco-friendly' items will just result in more waste (both plastic and monetary) if you don't end up making full use of them.

Instead of trying to emulate Instagrammers and their picture perfect pantries stocked with matching jars, it's perfectly okay to just reuse takeaway containers, she says.


Instead of trying to emulate Instagrammers and their picture perfect pantries stocked with matching jars, it's perfectly okay to just reuse takeaway containers, she says.
Instead of trying to emulate Instagrammers and their picture perfect pantries stocked with matching jars, it's perfectly okay to just reuse takeaway containers, she says.
PHOTO: Instead of trying to emulate Instagrammers and their picture perfect pantries stocked with matching jars, it's perfectly okay to just reuse takeaway containers, she says.
Picture posted by veshelby17, Orange Country Mermaid on 12 August 2019 - The Golden Goddess — Siren to the Stars
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MERMAIDS ON A MISSION
PHOTO: MERMAIDS ON A MISSION to inspire imagination while reinforcing self-confidence, kindness, friendship, and a love for the ocean and all of its creatures in young minds.
Picture posted by Mermaid Avalon, Orange Country Mermaid
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http://orangecountymermaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/orangecountymermaid.jpg
http://orangecountymermaid.com/


While you may feel tempted to splurge on that cute reusable bottle or a shiny new set of utensils, these 'eco-friendly' items will just result in more waste (both plastic and monetary) if you don't end up making full use of them.
PHOTO: While you may feel tempted to splurge on that cute reusable bottle or a shiny new set of utensils, these 'eco-friendly' items will just result in more waste (both plastic and monetary) if you don't end up making full use of them.
Artwork by Mani C. Price  - “La Sirene”
Picture saved by Maximiliano to Yemoja
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https://i.pinimg.com/564x/b9/bf/9e/b9bf9eb22f8a9d717633370bc9ebac88.jpg
https://www.pinterest.es/pin/21744010680619968/


Karyn Wong, the 32-year-old works a part-time marketing job, does singing and mermaid performances on the weekends
PHOTO: Karyn Wong, the 32-year-old works a part-time marketing job, does singing and mermaid performances on the weekends, occasionally DJs on Love 97.2 FM and somehow still finds the time to advocate for environmental issues, sharing daily updates and tips on her social media.
Selkie Maiden" by Catherine E. Moore
Picture posted by Modern Eden Gallery -  Chronicle: Tales of the Sea
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https://www.moderneden.com/products/selkie-maiden


Mermaids never swim alone!
Mermaids never swim alone! 
PHOTO: Mermaids never swim alone! They are the best in the industry and bring magic to audiences of all ages. Believe in fish tales and create memories which will last a lifetime. The culmination of a childhood dream, lots of imagination, business school, chlorine-stained hair, and a lot of late nights.
Picture posted by Orange Country Mermaid on 01 February 2018 - I have always believed a mermaid would treasure a crown of flowers over a crown of pearls.
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By Kimberly Anne Lim, kimberlylim@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, 22 April 2021 at 01:57 pm
Reference
[1] Kimberly Anne Lim, kimberlylim@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, She's a part-time mermaid, full-time earth warrior who's not above drinking bubble tea from a plastic cup. Here's why, posted on 22 April 2021 at 01:57 pm, https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/shes-part-time-mermaid-full-time-earth-warrior-whos-not-above-drinking-bubble-tea-plastic


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