Tan-Ong Pek Loon and Ms. Tan-Ho Ser Luan, for their untiring technical support throughout my research project.I would like to thank my friends, especially Catherine Cai and Nicholas Foo, and family, Mum, Dad, Sis, Guojie, my niece and nephew and my in-laws, many of whom are also the same people acknowledged above. They are the ones who have always provided a welcoming environment to return to and to rest, and who were always supportive of my ambitions. They are the bedrock on which my experiences are built upon. My parents, sister and her family are an especially large part of this equation, always being there when I need the support.My best friend, Sheena Lee deserves a mention and much appreciation all on her own, for her company, working endless late nights with me. She was and is always there to lend an encouraging smile, or a deep hug, to keep me going, and her infectious enthusiasm is always welcome through particularly tough times.To my wife and partner-in-crime, Yvonne Yap. She is to blame for leading me on this path of research, for inspiring in me my thirst for knowledge through every single day I'm with her. Despite all of the challenges we have faced, accommodating each other's needs and being there for each other, Yvonne has always found the time and space to be kind, gracious and understanding. She is the reason I am who I am today, and I will be forever grateful to her for that. And as much as she supports me, her own intense quest for knowledge constantly amazes and inspires me to do more. Yvonne is at once both an inspiration in my research, as much as the safe harbour I return to.Last, but certainly not least, to those who I have not specifically mentioned here: thank you, in all the ways you have helped me in this journey. You are not forgotten.