Navel Gazer

Although I started out as a food and travel writer, it quickly became clear that I was even more passionate about people.

So when I was offered my own column in The Star, I revised my earlier aspirations – from Carrie Bradshaw wannabe – to a documentarian dedicated to capturing the rich experiences of everyday heroes.

Since its debut in December 2007, Navel Gazer has connected me with hundreds of people from all walks of life, and I constantly wonder how I can ever thank all of them properly. I’ve contemplated the idea of stitching their stories into a book, adding their photos and sketching in the background details – how I met them, what transpired, what it subsequently led to.

While I work on that, I hope you enjoy your tour of my website. Aside from the clips I’ve posted here, you can read a few more of my columns at the Star link. Or simply google “Navel Gazer Alexandra Wong” and see what comes up.

Finding a reason to continue writing every day is a constant struggle for all writers, and I’m no exception, but having wonderful, loving readers like these help me keep the faith 🙂

Here are some of my personal favourites

If there's ever an article that represents my journey and philosophy as a writer, it's this early work. And yes, this worm which I spent 15 minutes photographing IS the star of the story. I was determined to capture it having a siesta under the leaf 🙂

I was taken aback by the storm of responses it triggered. All good! And I thought my mum and I were one of thew few non-Indian fans of Bollywood shows. When I was in India, I made sure I watched Dabangg at a proper cinema to fully enjoy the quintessential Bollywood experience.

A brief encounter that transformed my philosophy for living. The train driver's simple wisdom was one of the best pieces of advice I've ever heard.

An encounter in a hospital waiting room that lasted only hours changed my life - and relationship with my parents - forever.