I'VE now been single for four years and at 24 - that's 1/6th of my life.

Since moving to Singapore in 2005, I had been searching, in vain, to find someone who could become my Mr Right Now.

So after finding this person and seeing him every day and having him accompany me to Manila on a press tour (in which he sat patiently through photo shoots and TV guesting), I realised that he is someone truly special.

Indeed, we've become so close so fast that it's bordering on scary for me.

Where I used to find solace in my mother and friends, I now find myself only wanting to call HIM when I am upset. That only HE can calm me down and make me feel secure.

This is, of course, a shock to the system and highly unnerving as I always thought that I'd never be one of those 'needy' girls.

THE CONS

In addition to the scariness of co-dependence, as well as the sheer inconvenience and distraction of being someone's other half, there are some serious cons to being in a relationship.

I work from 2.15pm to 1am at the radio and he works normal office hours.

The only time we see each other is a snatched express lunch before I begin work or a one-hour dinner during my dinner break at the radio.

These meals are mostly at the same locations near my work and involve serious heartburn from eating too fast.

Nowadays, however, I join him or he joins me after work. We just sleep holding each other as he's already asleep when I arrive.

He gets up at 6am and I get up at 9am.

You can imagine, however, the less than satisfactory sleep brought on by my 1am entrance and his 6am departure.

As a result, I have been cranky and have been dragging my tired carcass around Singapore with fresh acne breakouts from sleep deprivation and pretty much a horrible snappy temper.

Is being in a couple making me a nasty diva?

THE PROS

But then comes the pros of being in a relationship.

Since the beginning of the year, I have worked religiously to be a better DJ and have curbed my going out. I have cut back on all vices, including fatty food, so I could look better on HBO.

Self-improvement was my guru, and to a large extent, I was happy with this new disciplined Simone that faced me in the mirror.

But now, after falling for someone and feeling the contentment of knowing they feel the same way is indescribable.

I look in the mirror and think: 'Ahh, Simone, so that's what it's all about. That's what you have been waiting for.'

The pre-HIM life was a lot like watching TV in black and white. It was bearable but never quite satisfying.

I can safely say, my life is now screening in technicolour.

This article was first published in The New Paper on Aug 2, 2008.