Issue 8

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SINGAPORE ISSUE 8

MAY 2014

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PUBLISHED BY COGENT MEDIA

MCI (P) 114/08/2013

REVEREND LAWRENCE KHONG talks about family, homosexuality and his haters

SINGAPORE VS MELBOURNE: Which city is more expensive for families?

Don’t just go for a holiday, go for an ADVENTURE!

The MEDICAL CRISIS you never knew, until today

Making His Mark

Cogent Holdings Deputy CEO Benson Tan on emerging from the shadow of his highly successful father and being his own man May 2014 • Family & Life

1

Contents SNIPPETS 4

Father Knows Best

Choice Products, Interesting News and More!

celebrations, Father’s ith all the fuss around Mother’s Day this issue, we would like In . seat Day sometimes takes a back iple roles as protector, mult their and to raise a toast to our fathers the like, with a tongue-in-cheek provider, disciplinarian, driver and look at Father’s Day on page 7.

W

EVENTS 6

6

What’s Happening

A list of upcoming family events

SLICE 7

lenges, especially for the modern Fatherhood brings with it new chal and yet wants to be the go-to old of father who remember the ways nt Holdings on his recent Benson Tan, Deputy CEO of Coge guy for their children. We talk to father, Reverend her anot to Page 10. We also talk fatherhood and its challenges on ly and homosexuality fami of s view his us who shares with (and magician) Lawrence Khong, h on the complex he receives (page 12). We also touc and addresses the hate comments on page 18. facts y with children, with a review of the issue of discussing homosexualit at holiday enrichment around the corner, we take a look With the June school holidays just adventure, other ly fami a for go to interesting places classes for children (page 24) and Chinese clans in (page 28). In our ongoing series on than your usual holiday destinations to look at topical onese on page 26. As we continue Singapore, we take a look at the Cant Melbourne, with an and e pare the cost of living in Singapor issues affecting families, we com crisis concerning ical med g and highlight the impendin emphasis on family costs (page 15), a lighter note, On 22). e (pag of e nts must be made awar antibiotics, something that all pare matic personal account er Euforica Lim sharing her prag we wrap up this issue with our read as a first-time mother.

A Toast To Father

A look at Father’s Day, a quirky gift selection flowchart and more

COVERSTORY

10 Arise, Benson Tan

The Grandstand CEO on emerging from the shadow of his father

FOCUS

12 The Man Behind The Pulpit

7

Lawrence Khong on family, homosexuality and his haters

NURTURE

making an impact. ifying to know that our stories are Thank you for your emails. It is grat that you would like est inter of s ghts with us or any topic Please continue sharing your thou .sg or leave your dlife lyan fami rial@ us an e-mail at edito us to consider covering by dropping m/familyandlifemag. comments on our Facebook at fb.co

15 At What Cost?

A Tale Of Two Cities

Singapore versus Melbourne: which came out tops?

18 Discussing Homosexuality

creating it. y this issue as much as we enjoyed Happy reading and we hope you enjo

With Children

Managing Editor Gerald Woon

The history of homosexuality, homophobia and all things related

20 The 10,000 Hour Rule Is

Outdated

One of the most sacrosanct laws in

academia is wrong

HEALTH

familyandlife.sg

22 The Medical Crisis You

Never Knew About

The medical time bomb that’s in danger of exploding in your face

24

22 24 Interesting Holiday

Enrichment Classes!

Interesting school holiday classes your child will love!

25 The Character Maketh

The Child

A look back in time at the third largest dialect group in Singapore

28 Off The Beaten Holiday Path

Forget the usual holiday destinations; we’ve found four your family will love and enjoy!

BITES

30 Classic White Asparagus

Fine dining brought home

OP-ED

31 Of Love, Lack Of Sleep &

Motherhood

A first-time mother recounts the

2

joy and horrors of motherhood Family & Life • May 2014

SALES & MARKETING

28

26

Gerald Woon gerald@cogentmedia.sg Writer | Farhan Shah farhan@cogentmedia.sg Designer | Zach zach@cogentmedia.sg Senior Marketing Executive| Emily Choo emily@cogentmedia.sg Sales Administrator| Michelle Lee sales@cogentmedia.sg

CONTRIBUTORS

Antoinette Tan Chef Tim Meijers Euforica Lim Cai Rong Julailah Wahid Nasri Shah

PHOTOGRAPHY

Daniel Chan Glenn Lim Koh Sze Kiat

ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE

The most important component in your child’s development

26 Here Come The Cantonese!

CREATIVE

RELAX

MANAGING EDITOR

EDITORIAL

CONTACT US

Manager | Jessica Ong jessica@cogentmedia.sg Editorial Enquiries editorial@familyandlife.sg Advertising Enquiries +65 6704 9271 sales@cogentmedia.sg

MCI (P) 114/08/2013 Colour Separation & Printed by Times Printers Private Limited 16 Tuas Avenue 5, Singapore 639340 Tel: +65 6311 2888 Fax: +65 6311 2801 Licence No. L021/09/2012 Distributed by Region Periodicals Distributor Pte Ltd 20 Bedok South Road Singapore 469277 Tel: +65 6846 0797 Fax: +65 6846 0798 All materials printed within Family & Life are Copyright 2014 © and protected under the Copyright Act. All rights reserved 2014.

Family & Life is published monthly by Cogent Media Pte. Ltd. 100 Beach Road #32-01 Shaw Tower, Singapore 189702 Tel: +65 6704 9266 Fax: +65 6396 3045 Registration No: 201231255H No material of this publication can be reproduced in any form or means – graphic, electronic, mechanic, photocopying, recording, videotaping, etc. – whether in part or in whole, without the written consent of the Publisher. Family & Life will not be held responsible for any infringements of Copyright material in articles submitted by contributors. While every reasonable care has been taken in the compilation of information contained in this publication, the Publisher, editors or their employees and agents shall not be liable for any errors, inaccuracies, and/or omissions howsoever caused. All views expressed in all articles are solely those of the authors, and are not necessarily those of the Publisher and editor. Family & Life reserves the right to refuse any advertisement or advertorial for any reason and are not liable for claims made by advertisers. The information provided in this publication is solely for reference only. Readers are advised to seek the professional advice from the appropriate advisors,

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SNIPPETS A list of choice products, interesting news and cool developments, handpicked by the Family & Life team that will interest parents and families!

THERE’S A SCIENCE TO LOOKING GOOD Body soap ain’t going to cut it anymore for cleansing your face dads! According to a skin study, the average Asian man’s skin is prone to losing moisture, simply because our genes have been built this way. What does this mean for men all over Asia? Dry skin becomes a major concern, resulting in premature aging and a highly sensitive epidermis.

Realising this gap in the market, Clinique has launched a new eponymous skincare range created specifically for the trendy Asian dad – Clinique for Men. Formulated to address the specific causes of dryness that Asian men face, Clinique for Men still retains its founding philosophy of cleanse, exfoliate and moisturise, ensuring that your skin receives the care it needs.

So, why not give yourself or your Dad a treat for Father’s Day this year and indulge in one of the leading names in facial care?

Clinique for Men is available in departmental stores all over Singapore. For more information on the products in the range or to discover the nearest retailer to you, we highly recommend going to www.clinique.com.sg.

ANCE WIN A HIGH PERFORPM AM ER! e away five SKINCARENUH XE this month to giv

folks from We’ve tied up with the e a whopping S$150 to fiv beauty hampers worth n: simple to wi lucky readers! It’s very t browser and point it to 1. Open your Interne bit.ly/WithNUXE

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3. Wait for good news dear at are you waiting for, It’s that simple! So, wh The w! no XE to bit.ly/WithNU reader? Head on over end of June. survey will close at the

HIGH PERFORMANCE SKINCARE “Like a diamond, the skin’s beauty comes from its transparency. To maintain the skin’s full transparency, it is not enough to simply focus on whiteness. We also need to provide the skin with hydration and rosy luminosity. NUXE has achieved this in its own inimitable style, incorporating high-performance flowers and Vitamin C at the heart of a range that delivers exceptional results, demonstrated by objective clinical tests, proven and approved by women,” says Aliza Jabès, CEO of NUXE. Look your best with nature’s rich resources and explore the benefits of white crocus, stargazer lily, porcelain rose and more when mixed with vitamin C. The scientists at NUXE have created Nuxe White, a new range of serums that reduces the appearance of dark spots and improves the transparency and clarity of your complexion.

Similar to the composition of a fragrant bouquet, the Nuxe White products - six daily skin care products and one perfecting mask - come together to create a ritual in which each flower complements and strengthens your skin, helping it to achieve perfect transparency.

Don’t just take our words at face value. According to tests by an independent laboratory, a whopping 100% of women who tested Nuxe White reported seeing results and wished to continue using it.

The new Nuxe White collection by NUXE can be found in all Beauty

By Nature stores at VivoCity, Parkway Parade and ION Orchard.

4

Family & Life • May 2014

A TREAT FOR YOUR BACK What happens when you blend the famous German efficiency found in its high-powered automotive industries with mattresses? You get Activcor, a new range of bedding distributed exclusively by extremely fashionable furniture retailer OM. Driven by the idea of eating eating right, training smart and sleeping well, Activcor wants you to lead a healthy and active lifestyle before coming home to a bed that will treat your tired body right. The German-made mattress does this by using technologically advanced foam cores instead of springs to ensure maximum comfort, support and durability.

Each space-age bedding also comes with Position Assist Technology, which ensures that you won’t be tossing and turning the whole night to get comfortable, and Thermo Cool Performance Fabric, a feature that efficiently manages your body’s temperature during sleep.

The Activcor mattress is available exclusively at OM. Visit the two OM showrooms located at 16 Tai Seng Street Level 8 Singapore 534138 and 177 River Valley Road Liang Court #02-24 Singapore 179030 to let your back experience the difference. The Activcor mattresses are priced between S$3,290 and S$10,000.

NEED TO CUT COSTS? We have less drastic solutions

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Our Professional Services include: • Accounting and bookkeeping • Nominee shareholder and director service • Individual and corporate taxation • Audit and business assurance

• Consolidation of group accounts • Local and offshore incorporation • Company secretarial services • Application for employment and work pass

51 Goldhill Plaza #19-06, Singapore 308900 O: (65) 6353 5608 | E: info@originscorpsvcs.com | W: www.originscorpsvcs.com

THE MOP TO END ALL MOPS

HEALTHY SALAD EATING BY YES SUPERMARKET

We haven’t invented self-cleaning floor tiles yet unfortunately, which means we still have to use our trusty old mop, one which has been relatively unchanged since it first came out in 1496!

As anyone who has mopped floors before can attest to, the hassle of wringing the wet yarn attached to the end of the mop handle and the inability of the mop to reach inside small crevices, such as under a couch, makes mopping a tiresome activity.

We all know how important the colour greens are to our diet but let’s face it, we don’t want to eat like rabbits our whole lives. However, there are a variety of ways that you can spruce up a bland salad; all you need is a little creativity and some help from the other healthy food groups! But, how do salads benefit your health?

1. Eating a high-fibre diet can help lower cholesterol levels and prevent constipation 2. Fruits and vegetables provide a host of powerful antioxidants that protect the body from damage 3. Studies have shown that eating a low-calorie appetiser before your main meal enhances satiety and reduces the total number of calories you consume during the meal 4. Eating a little good fat (found in olive oil, avocado and nuts) with your vegetables helps your body to absorb phytochemicals, the good stuff found in fruits and vegetables

Well, Leifheit International wants to turn mopping into a hassle-free, enjoyable activity with the Profi Mop Press Set. Finally coming to Singapore, this mop set emerged triumphant in a German floor-wiping systems test in 2009, a testament to its mopping capabilities.

The microfiber solid cloth enhances cleaning and saves on detergent at the same time while its bucket compatriot has an easy foot release mechanism and integrated rollers that lets you wring the mop without bending down or using strength.

It’s the perfect cleaning companion for any smart household, that’s for sure!

The Profi Mop Press Set is distributed by Modern Link Pte Ltd. To discover the range of stockists, we recommend heading to www.modern-link.com for more details.

NATURAL CARE FOR YOUR BABY’S SKIN Your baby’s skin is extremely delicate and highly susceptible to the effects of the chemical ingredients found in numerous off-the-shelf skincare products.

Furthermore, the long-term impact of chemicals on your baby’s skin is still not yet fully known. However, fortunately for you and your baby, there are a plethora of organic skincare products in the market that are formulated specially for your bundles of joy, and one of our favourites – Sophie La Girafe Baby – has finally made its way to our shores!

This long-standing Finnish brand, famous for its baby toys, has extended its product range and brewed a series of certified natural and organic cosmetics using only the best ingredients from Mother Nature. That means there are no nasty chemical villains such as chlorine, paraben, triclosan, sodium laureth sulfate and more. In fact, it’s so effective for baby’s skin that adults with sensitive skin and eczema problems have also begun using Sophie La Girafe Baby!

So, if you’re looking to replenish your toiletries supply, why not give Sophie La Girafe Baby a spin? Your baby’s skin will thank you for it.

For more information on Sophie La Girafe Baby or to discover where you can purchase its products, do visit them at www.sophie.sg.

We’ve put together a few salad recipes with help from YES Supermarket.

ANTIOXIDANT FRUIT SALAD Ingredients • 1 mango • 1 cup of blueberries • 1 pomegranate • 2 teaspoons of lime juice Directions 1. Slice the mango in half before dicing it into cubes 2. Remove the skin from the mango flesh and pour the mango cubes into a bowl 3. Cut the pomegranate into half and remove the seeds with a spoon before letting the fruit join its mango brethren 4. Pour in the blueberries, squeeze the lime juice and serve!

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NUTTY APPLE SALAD Ingredients • Handful of vegetables, cabbage or lettuce is best • 1 tablespoon of cashew nuts • Half a green apple • 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar Directions 1. Slice the green apple into bite-sized pieces and chop or grind the cashew nuts 2. Combine the vegetables, the cashew nuts and the apples into a bowl before finishing off with the apple cider vinegar 3. Mix well and serve!

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CURRIED CHICKEN SALAD Ingredients • 1 cup of plain fat-free yoghurt • Half a cup of halved grapes or one-quarter cup of raisins • 2 teaspoons of curry powder • A dash of salt • Lettuce • Two cups of chopped leftover chicken Directions 1. Mix in the plain yoghurt with the grapes or raisins, the curry powder and the dash of salt 2. Chop the lettuce and place it on the base of the bowl 3. Drop in the chicken with your yoghurt mixture and mix well before putting the chicken on top of the bed of lettuce 4. Chill until your ideal temperature or serve immediately, it’s your choice!

Instead of buying overpriced salads from generic salad chains, make these healthy and tasty salads yourself with the vegetables, fruits and other ingredients from YES Supermarket. Believe it or not, our favourite supermarket sells greens and fibre for less than S$5!

These colourful salads are also extremely attractive to children, so if you’re fretting about your kid’s lack of greens in his or her diet, why not give these three salad recipes a toss?

YES Supermarket is at Block 433 Tampines Street 43 | Block 201B Tampines Street 21 | Block 138 Tampines Street 11 | Block 829 Tampines Street 81 | YES Marketplace @ Tampines Mart | 7 Tampines Street 32 | 35 Hougang Avenue 3 | twitter.com/YESSupermarket | instagram.com/ YESSupermarket | fb.com/YESSupermarket.

May 2014 • Family & Life

5

EVENTS

WH? T’S

HAPPENING

THE O.P.E.N

Despite its sci-fi sounding name, The O.P.E.N. (Open. Participate. Enrich. Negotiate) is anything but! Rather it’s a place to explore fascinating questions about humanity and the world at large and is a prelude to the popular Singapore Arts Festival, which was recently rebranded as the Singapore International Festival of Arts.

Everyone is invited to participate in The O.P.E.N. through the public performances, film screenings, exhibitions, brunch talks and beginner’s guides. Throughout this initiative, the public will be introduced to the Festival’s five themes – legacies of violence, iconic legacies, digital legacies, personal legacies and legacies of science.

As theatre director Ong Keng Sen explains, “The O.P.E.N. is ultimately concerned with creating a

sustainable ecosystem of the arts in Singapore.” So, bring your children and discover the country’s arts scene in a totally different light. Too often, the arts in Singapore is seen as distant and disconnected. It’s time for that to change!

When: 26 June to 1 2 July 2014 Where: 72-13, Mohamed Sultan Road Price: From S$0 to S$45 For more information about The O.P.E.N., do visit theopen.sifa.sg. There are also a variety of early bird discounts for enthusiastic arts aficionados, so get your tickets quick!

THE MYSTERIOUS NIGHT AT THE MANGROVES The Mandarin language and Mother Nature tastefully join forces this upcoming June holidays in The Mysterious Night At The Mangroves, one of the programmes in Chengzhu Mandarin Centre’s range of activities. Discover the secrets of the night with a trip to the mangrove swamps of Pasir Ris, which promises to inspire your child’s creativity and imagination, and empower your child’s communication in Mandarin.

The Mysterious Night At The Mangroves is designed for children in Primary One to Three and includes stories, drama activities, speech exercises, word games, prop-making exercises and more!

THE SINGAPORE MEMORY PROJECT Remember the Keretapi Tanah Melayu or KTM station at Tanjong Pagar, when the trains would trundle in and unload trainloads of passengers onto the platform? How about the “lava pits” at your primary school’s fitness corner, jumping from bench to bench to avoid the make-believe crocodiles that threatened to devour you if you dropped to the ground? Reminisce about the times that have passed and share with your children about your own childhood at The Singapore Memory Project.

The exhibition space is modelled after a living room so that you can feel at home while accessing a collection of publications and videos produced by the Project and its partners. You can even contribute your own stories and memories about Singapore to The Singapore Memory Project!

Expect an immersive experience that includes a Media Wall, The Partners’ Showcase and more.

The exhibition will be refreshed every month with new content and a monthly series of family bonding activities are being planned as we speak.

When: Ongoing Where: Jurong Regional Library Price: Free For more information on The Singapore Memory Project, do visit www.singaporememory.sg.

6

Family & Life • May 2014

BALLET UNDER THE STARS Immerse yourself in the perfect family evening at the Singapore Dance Theatre’s 19th edition of the annual Ballet Under the Stars at Fort Canning Green! Enjoy two weekends of exquisite choreography by award-winning international choreographers George Balanchine, Edwaard Liang, Edmund Stripe, Natalie Weir and more on two weekends – 18 to 20 July and 25 to 27 July.

Discover the reason why Ballet Under the Stars has been running for more than a decade and counting! Perhaps one of Singapore’s favourite annual outdoor dance event, Ballet Under the Stars is the perfect opportunity for you and your family to unwind with a sumptuous picnic spread and enjoy an evening of dance.

We’ll be there with a basket of sandwiches and wine! Orange juice for the children though.

When: 18 to 20 July and 25 to 27 July Where: Fort Canning Green Price: S$25 for one weekend Children below four years of age can enjoy free admission and early bird sales are until 23 May. Purchase tickets for two weekends to enjoy even more savings

We think it’s a fantastic way for children to find out more about nature in our sprawling urban jungle while deepening their knowledge of one of the most important languages of our time. It’s time to crack out the rain boots and torch lights!

When: June School Holidays Where: Chengzhu Mandarin Centre, #03-01 Rochester Mall, 35 Rochester Drive Price: S$495 (exclusive of GST) Discounts are available for groups of four children and more, and DBS & POSB credit cardholders can also enjoy an additional 10 percent discount. For more information on the full range of holiday programmes, call 6737 5348, email enquiries@ chengzhu.net or visit www.chengzhu.net.

SLICE

r e h t a F

A Toast to

In Singapore, Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June, a day to commend, appreciate and occasionally poke fun at the unyielding efforts of the usually unassuming and stoic figurehead of the house. On this day, the sales figures of ties, electrical products and stodgy shirts experience a dramatic increase because a father can never have too many ties, can he? Could he? Does he even wear ties?

The Condensed History of

FATHER’S DAY

27-year-old Sonora Smart Dodd was inspired to create a day to honour fathers and their sacrifices after hearing a sermon in church about Mother’s Day. She held her father, civil war veteran William Jackson Smart, in high esteem; he had raised her and five other children alone after his wife and Sonora’s mother passed away in childbirth.

The first Father’s Day was celebrated in Spokane, Washington at the YMCA on 19 June 1910. However, the day didn’t take off across the country and slowly faded into obscurity when Sonora went to study at the Art Institute of Chicago in the 1920s.

When Sonora returned home in the 1930s, she started promoting the celebration again. This time, she had the help of companies who made ties, tobacco pipes and other assorted items that made traditional presents suitable for fathers.

IT RUNS IN

THE FAMILY

Father’s Day finally became part of the fabric of society in 1966 when then American President Lyndon Johnson issued a presidential proclamation honouring fathers and designating the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day.

Besides the famous father-and-son politician combos of Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un, and Lee Kuan Yew and Lee Hsien Loong, there are actually a multitude of political pairings in the world that are linked together by name and blood. Here are a few of the more interesting ones we’ve found.

THE KABILA FAMILY Laurent-Désiré

Kabila was a revolutionary who led a full-scale rebellion against the leader of DR Congo at that time, Mobutu Sese Seko, in an attempt to overthrow the regime.

Kabila marched triumphantly into the capital Kinshasa in May 1997 and assumed the office in the same month. Four years later, on 18 January 2001, he was assassinated in cold blood by one of his bodyguards. His son, Joseph Kabila, succeeded his deceased father ten days later and is still holding the reins today.

THE ALIYEV FAMILY

Heydar Aliyev dominated the political landscape of Azerbaijan for more than four decades, when it was part of the Soviet Union and when it formally became an independent state in 1991. He was formally elected as the President in 1993 and held power for a decade. His reign was, to say the least, bloody; there was even an insurrection in 1995 led by the commander of a special unit of the Azerbaijan army that was brutally put down. During the final moments of his presidency and his life, Heydar controversially appointed his son, Ilham Aliyev, as his party’s sole presidential candidate. Ilham was elected into the country’s highest office in 2003 and has held the position until now.

THE PARK FAMILY

It’s not just the sons in the limelight. The current head of state of South Korea, Park Geun-Hye, is the first woman to become the country’s President. She came into the highest office in the country last year after winning the approval of slightly more than half of the Korean voters. She has a storied political background; her father Park Chung-Hee was the third President of South Korea, ruling from 1962 to 1979. Just like Laurent-Désiré Kabila, Park was murdered by the chief of his own security services.

THE CHIANG FAMILY A name familiar

to many Asians, Chiang Kaishek was a military leader who served as the President of the Republic of China, or Taiwan, multiple times between 1928 and 1975. Chiang was a socially conservative politician who favoured traditional Chinese culture over the Western-style democracy that his mentor, Sun Yat-sen favoured. His son, Chiang Ching-kuo, who came into office in 1978, was more open, allowing and tolerating political dissent. Towards the end of his life and presidency, he also lifted the government restrictions on the media.

Chiang Ching-kuo passed away in 1988 while still in power.

May 2014 • Family & Life

7

Get him a tie!

No

DOES YOUR DAD HAVE A TIE? Yes

HOW WOULD YOU RESERVED, CONTEMPLATIVE, MAN, HE’S REALLY A MAN OF FEW WORDS.

HE WAS, AND STILL IS, OUR BEST FRIEND!

Interesting. How does your Dad drink his coffee?

Awesome possum! How friendly are we talking about here?

He doesn’t drink coffee! But, he does love hot beverages.

He’s on a first-name basis with We do a lot of activities my friends and... my friends find together. Travel, sports, him cooler than me ): many memorable Nescafe Dolce Gusto adventures.

MINI-ME! This smart and adaptable machine makes tea, hot chocolate We are Facebook friends yo! and every He’s not even on my Singaporean’s restricted list! favourite - MILO!

As black as charcoal, sugar is his enemy.

Nescafe Dolce Gusto Genio 2! Small and compact, this mean machine whips up an espresso the Italian would be proud of.

He likes them white, occasionally frothy too.

Ah, latte and cappucino. Is he a, gasp, hipster coffee kind of Dad?

ASUS VivoTab Note 8! For everything from social media to movies to work, perfect for any hip Dad.

Kopitiam or bust! All this hipster coffee joints make him rage!!

Chye Seng Huat represent! He so hip, he’s the king of pelvis!

Instagram pictures?

Twitter updates?

Ah, a man after our Managing Editor’s heart. We must ask though, how uncle is he?

He’s quite old-school actually.

Or as the young call it now, vintage.

The Kueh Compendium from Naiise!

It’s a throwback to when kueh was made by hand and not by machines.

He prefers travelling around the region.

Wah lao prease! He is very trendy, trendier than me too, which can be scary.

Vivolite luggage from American Tourister! So trendy and cool, it hurts. Now, even his luggage is cooler than yours and your uncle.

8

Family & Life • May 2014

Very, very long holidays.

I wish I had his amount of leave!

Sony CP-W5 Portable Wireless Charger! Convenient, easy to carry around and fast, it effortlessly charges your Dad’s Qicompatible smartphone so you can stay in touch with him when he’s away.

’s r e h t a

He did both! Man, that really toughened me up and made me the person I am today.

Day

DESCRIBE YOUR FATHER? OH WOW, DISCIPLINARIAN. A FIRE-BREATHING DRAGON!

ADRENALINE JUNKIE AND SPORTS FANATIC! IF THE HEART DOESN’T RACE, HE DOESN’T WANT IT.

Ah, a man after our writer’s heart. Describe his choice of sport and adventure.

Did he favour the cane? Or did he prefer verbal scolding?

VROOM! A tyre & wheel package from Stamford Tyres will give him a safer and comfortable ride

He loves all types of sports and is very vocal about his favourite team! #MoyesSacked An incredible athlete! Marathons, triathlons, cooking marathons; everything is fair game!

Kena verbal scolding jialat jialat when I was younger loh.

He caned me because he loved me ;_; Tough love (wish it wasn’t that tough though).

Did he scold people on the TV too? Especially when watching sports. #refereekayu

Does he talk about the good old times while stroking the cane?

YES!

Actually, he’s quite modern and up-to date now and, dare I say it, hip?

The OSIM uDiva is perfect to lounge on after a physical weekend or a long holiday.

The 50” Toshiba 50L4300VE LED TV to watch the 2014 World Cup

How’s his hairline?

Or lack thereof?

Not really. He’s not a big fan of sports.

Lack thereof, unfortunately.

Ah okay. When he goes travelling, does he prefer long or short distances?

Activcor Mattress! With its patented foam core technology, your Dad’s back problems will be a thing of the past!

YOUR

Both are fine by him!

ather’sDAY GIFT SELECTION

Occasionally, depends on his mood and how his back is feeling.

Pretty healthy actually. I can’t say the same for his back though.

Call Scenic Travel and book him a holiday.

6226 3611

Oh my God, that’s what he does!

A treatment with TK Trichokare! These hair maestros will be able to turn any hairline into the good old times! www.tk- hair.com

May 2014 • Family & Life

9

ARISE, ARISE,

COVERSTORY

BENSON TAN BENSON TAN Throughout history, there have been many men who have had to carry out their responsibilities with the spectres of their predecessors on their backs. Tim Cook had to contend with the shadow of the late Steve Jobs; Steve Ballmer had to battle the giant personality of Bill Gates.

Benson Tan, Deputy CEO of Cogent Land Holdings Limited, also faces such a task, to emerge from the shadows and become his own man.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION Three years ago, in an area steeped in heritage and the legacies of racehorse champions, lied a decrepit shopping centre that had seen better days. The paint was peeling, the tenants were shutting up shop and moving out, and there was a dearth of human traffic.

Turf City was on its way to becoming a footnote in history.

However, while others saw only dust, Benson Tan saw opportunity. The son of Tan Yeow Khoon, the founder of the logistics behemoth Cogent Holdings, envisioned the area to be the crown jewel of Bukit Timah, a place where families could come and have a good time without contending with the crowds spilling out of the malls and onto the sidewalks in the shopping belts of Singapore.

It was an ambitious project and the younger Tan admitted as much in an

By Farhan Shah

interview he gave to a magazine after he clinched the deal.

He budgeted close to S$20 million to refurbish the onemillion-square-foot venue, overhauling the electrical and plumbing systems, upgrading the washrooms, giving the interiors and exteriors fresh coats of paint, etc. This was on top of the million dollars that he was paying every month as part of the master tenancy agreement. In front of the press, industry observers and analysts were respectfully sceptical; “the rent’s too high” and “the lease is too short” were the common refrains.

Who knew what they were saying behind closed doors.

The Grandstand, the new name given to the refurbished Turf City, would either be Tan’s biggest achievement or his Waterloo.

But, Tan has had to conquer stacked odds and prove himself his whole life, and to short-change his fullthroated retail commitment would be a strategic folly. Tan’s family lineage proved to be both a boon and a curse; while it gave him multiple opportunities in the business world, it also provided ammunition to the naysayers who saw him as just another young upstart playing with his father’s money.

Tan acknowledges that there will always be doubters no matter what he does. “But, objectively, what is most important to me is to prove my worth to the company through my actions and then, getting the results. It’s not about proving these naysayers wrong; that’s not my job. My job is to bring this company that my father has started to a higher level,” says the 32-year-old.

Tan’s rise through the company to his current position as the Deputy CEO of Cogent Holdings Limited and the CEO of Cogent Land Capital began in 2004 when he entered as an executive, immersing himself in the logistics arm of the business.

Being the son of the boss came with its own unique set of challenges. For one,

10

Family & Life • May 2014

work was constantly on the agenda, even when Tan was out of the office.

After all, he was sharing a roof with his father. “Unlike the other managers who could switch off after work and return to the sanctuary of the home, for me, it was business 24/7!” says Tan with a chortle, “I would be having a meeting with my dad at work and when we returned home, the meeting would continue! I suppose, in a way, it made things more efficient since we had more time to develop ideas and share thoughts.”

The most critical obstacle, though, was the immense pressure that was foisted onto Tan, both by his father and by himself. Just like any other parent, the senior Tan had high expectations of his son and expected him to surpass the efforts and achievements of the organisation’s other associates. It was a race that Tan could never complete, a game he could never win, because every accomplishment was par for the course and every fault would be magnified. But lest you think that Tan is unappreciative of the cards he’s been given in his life, on the contrary, he credits his father for shaping him into the man he is today.

RAISING THE SLABS “My father was incredibly tough with me; he pushed me quite a fair bit at work. For example, I might be doing the same actions as someone else in the company but while he or she will not be reprimanded, I will be. Going through that process toughened me up and hopefully, will keep me from straying towards mediocrity,” says Tan. At the same time, Tan does want to make a name for himself. While his father is a determined and visionary leader who sets the directions, Tan prefers a more collaborative approach, working as a team to propel the company where it needs to be. You could say it’s a softer, millennial stratagem. This was also the reason

why Tan ventured into the retail industry, as a way to diversify the parent company’s interests, especially in an age when the only constant in business is consistent upheaval.

One of the forward-thinking schemes he put in place was a management trainee programme that trained and nurtured young people with potential so that they would be able to serve the retail arm of the Group, either from operational or strategic positions, with distinction and accelerate its growth.

Now, his flagship project is perhaps one of the most-talked-about family lifestyle destinations in Singapore, with many of its tenants such as PasarBella being regularly featured in the newspapers and magazines, and the subject of many people’s social media posts and images. Take a walk through The Grandstand on a weekend and you’ll see children running around

with their parents in tow, teenagers dressed in their best gear getting a leisurely bite at the painfully hip eating joints, and a vibrant explosion of sound and colour.

Soon enough, Tan too will be joining the throng, pushing a stroller as he basks in the family-friendly atmosphere with his beautiful wife. Tan joined the parenthood club 16 months back with the arrival of his son, Ethan. He admits that being a father has been a challenging experience. “It’s tough, let me tell you that. I spend a huge amount of time at work on weekdays and fortunately, my wife, Vivian, is

extremely understanding and takes care of Ethan without complaint when I’m in the office. Interestingly, although Vivian spends a lot of time with Ethan, his first word to us was ‘Papa’, and so far, it’s still the only word in his vocabulary!” Tan says, laughing triumphantly as he shares the story.

Weekends are when Tan spends quality time with his family, which could mean either taking a leisurely stroll around Sentosa Cove, where he stays, or putting on his imaginary eye-patch and becoming a pirate at the Port of Lost Wonder, a marine-themed kids’ club by the beach that’s just down the road.

RAISING THE ROOF Having Ethan has made Tan rethink life’s priorities. Not that he didn’t think of these before, but rather, Tan has realised the immense sacrifices that most parents make while raising children. He has become more

appreciative of his parents’ unstinting efforts in the past in grooming him.

He is also more understanding of his employees who are young parents themselves. “If someone asks for more flexible working hours or requests for urgent leave, I am more than happy to accede to these requests on a case-by-case basis.”

Ethan’s birth has also solidified Tan’s purpose in life. Now, instead of just thinking about his own welfare, Tan is thinking about how best to nurture Ethan to become an upstanding individual with a strong moral compass, especially in a world that

prizes greed and instant gratification over forgotten ideals of compassion and selflessness. You see, despite growing up in a position of relative wealth, Tan has never let the money cloud the lenses he uses to look at life.

“Money cannot be the value of your worth; it should not be the only purpose to drive you in life. If you are only driven by the pursuit of having more money, then I guarantee that you will burn out sooner than you think. You must develop other purposes in life, and for me, when you have money, you must use it to help others,” says Tan. It’s not something that he likes to shout from the rooftops or publicise to the world. In fact, I had to coax it out of him. It’s as though the act of sharing the good deeds he does with others destroys the sanctity of the idea, and it’s refreshing to see this noble turn from someone who would actually

greatly benefit from the exposure.

Often, many large companies think of their one-off annual charity drive or its equivalent as a vehicle to generate as much goodwill as possible among the general public.

Tan doesn’t subscribe to this concept.

“At The Grandstand, we have this monthly event called ‘WALK (We All Love Kids) at The Grandstand’ for the children from the Melrose Home, a place that provides a safe haven for children who need it. We help to plan day-long activities for these kids and eat with them on one Saturday every

month. My hope is that these troubled children, many of whom don’t have a steady parental figure in their lives, to develop a bond and trust with the staff.

So, the kids will have someone whom they can trust and talk to if and when they do need someone.”

PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES It’s this very same philosophy that Tan and his wife, Vivian, want to impart to Ethan when he eventually grows up, to not live life in excess but to live this one life he has with meaning and purpose.

As Tan shares, “people remember the help and support, no matter how small, you gave them when they were having trouble. When they talk about you, they talk about what you have done for them. No one cares about how much

money you’ve made; the number of zeroes you have in your bank account mean nothing to them.”

Tan even briefly mentions a percolating idea in his head to set up a project that would give disadvantaged people with the opportunities to succeed in life, chances that they would otherwise not receive due to the cards fate has dealt them. It’s a grand charitable gesture that would probably require a lot of work, time and money but Tan is ready to make a difference, ready to emerge from the shadow of his father.

Arise, Benson Tan. History is waiting.

May 2014 • Family & Life

11

FOCUS

Man behind Pulpit

The the

By Farhan Shah

Reverend Lawrence Khong is a name that admittedly stirs up a lot of emotions, mostly due to his vocal passion for nation building and opposition against what he calls the homosexual agenda. But, behind his rhetoric is a man who is also a husband and a father. We talk to him about his parenting philosophies, his relationship with his daughter who is a single mother, his regrets, and his stance regarding homosexuality.

Thank you for agreeing to this interview. I understand that you’re a busy man.

Not at all. The issue of family is something that is dear and important to me, and I feel that in Singapore, the concept of family is falling apart.

We’re currently living in a hedonistic world and a society that continually seeks pleasure, and it’s time to take a step back and rethink the values of our community. We have become irresponsible; we have not been good fathers or mothers and as a result, our families are in serious trouble.

Let’s talk about family. How did you and Nina meet?

We are high school sweethearts!

My wife, Nina, and I were the first batch of National Junior College students. In fact, our Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was our classmate and we would hang out together. Of course, I made the first move back in school and we dated for nine years, through university and National Service, before we got married.

based around positive and negative reinforcement. We should not succumb to the temper tantrums our children throw; when my own kids kick up a fuss in public, I’ll take them somewhere quiet and have a word with them. The idea is to teach them certain acceptable behavioural patterns because if they get used to a wrong pattern, it will become part of their inert behaviour when they grow older.

Often, I see many parents letting their children roam wild when they are young and then, start restricting them when the kids grow older. It should be the other way around! This is why when my children grew older, we started explaining and talking to them instead.

When it came to their studies, we only wanted our children to do their best and we would share our disappointment when we knew they could do better. The results they got were secondary to the importance of the amount of effort they put in though.

You’ve been married to Nina for 36 years! What are the secrets to such a long-lasting marriage?

I believe that a deep sense of trust must be established. The excitement and the wow factor in a marriage will slowly fade away but when the both of you are committed to one another and you’re committed to building trust, then the relationship will reach a deeper level. There will be ups and downs in a marriage and there will be times when you will not be happy with each other, but when the trust has been cemented and you remember the trying moments the both of you have gone through, then, everything will be okay once again.

I’ve always believed that the foundation to a strong marriage is not just love but also a dogged commitment to one another. There will be days when you wake up and don’t feel good, and there will be days when you wake up and feel really excited. However, no matter how we feel, we know we are committed to serve and honour each other.

A funny story: we were actually summoned by the college principal for holding hands in public while wearing our school uniforms! The principal gave us a warning for this behaviour, so we stopped holding hands when we were in our uniforms.

I tell all the couples I meet that there are no perfect marriages because there are no perfect people. There are no perfect husbands and wives, no matter how much you think that when the both of you are still dating! We spend our whole lives trying to change our spouses when we should spend that time honouring, cherishing and appreciating them for who they are and what they’re good for.

What were some of yours’ and Nina’s parenting philosophies?

We believe that parenting comes in stages. When our children were young, our approach was more disciplinarian and we cultivated a behavioural pattern

Have you had any regrets in your life?

There have been several regrets actually. But, if I were to rewind the clock, I would return to the time when my children were still in their adolescent years. You see, at that Continued on pg14...

12

Family & Life • May 2014

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Carrots and a green apple. “I’m sorry, that’s all I have because I didn’t stock my fridge,” says Tim apologetically. He pushes the HUROM Slow Juicer to the top of his giant wooden chopping board and whips out a knife from the his cavernous cupboard. The knife is shiny and no doubt sharpened regularly, seeing how smoothly it slices through the carrots and green apple.

Watching Tim slice fruits and vegetable is hypnotic – fingers working in tandem with each other to turn the fruit and wield the knife, just like the blur of a pianist’s digits over the ivory keys. Once he’s done, he puts the knife into the sink and returns to the juicer before switching it on.

The patented slow juicing system whirs to life, promising the user a glass of refreshing juice filled with nutrients that would normally be lost to the heat generated if you use a normal off-the-shelf juicer. Tim’s eyebrow quizzically raises, realising that the pulp and the juice come out from different spouts.

A short while later, the juicer quietens down, having squeezed the goodness from the carrots and green apple into the glass. Tim takes a sip, then smiles.

“The carrot is a bit old but the HUROM Slow Juicer itself is pretty good,” says Tim, “I can actually imagine commercial kitchens and restaurants using this juicer.

It’s a solid product.”

May 2014 • Family & Life

13

payroll and I’ve never evaluated them on the basis of their homosexual behaviour; I evaluate them based on their competence and I’ve never discriminated against them as people.

My main concern is making this particular sexual behaviour a societal norm, where marriages are redefined.

I am adamantly against this push to not just normalise this, but to club those on the heads who object to this. To me, it’s not fair that I am unable to speak out and that I’m branded as a hate speech monger and a bigot when I object to this. That’s reverse discrimination.

There’s a lot of inconsistency in the language they use. They are asking for tolerance but are not tolerant of those who speak out. However, I will go on speaking what I believe is right and what is best for society. Even though not every heterosexual couple will have children, at least every child will have a father and a mother.

of masculinity and femininity, then the only models are their parents.

But, increasingly, we have become a society where anything goes and where the traditional family model of a father and mother is breaking up.

Let me tell you: I would be the first to stand up for a homosexual if he or she is doing a good job in the company but is fired solely on the basis of homosexuality. They’ve been around for a long time and if someone makes them feel lousy, then we should stand up for them.

However, by changing the laws, we have to think of the social implications and costs. We have a responsibility to shape our society into what is good in the long run. Our marriages are already having problems (and I’m not blaming the homosexual community for this); we need to strengthen this and changing the laws will only create further complications.

...from pg12

point of time, I was extremely busy with the opportunities that I was given and the success I had slowly accumulated. I was travelling so much that unfortunately, I was absent from my children’s lives.

It was just for a couple of years but it was during the period when my children’s values were being crystallised and when they were finally forging their own identity. In these crucial years, if you are not intensely engaged in their growth, then the efforts you have made in the past will be wiped out just like that.

Could you share with me what exactly happened?

Sure. My eldest daughter, who is working with me now on my magic shows, formed her own set of values during adolescence based on her interactions with her friends. I’ve come to realised that, at that age, friends are more important than family. Of course, as you know, she became a single mother.

It took me a long time to really engage with her but thankfully, we did. This whole episode of her being a single mother and me accepting it has demonstrated to her that I love her even though I might disagree with the choice she made.

There have been a number of people who called you a hypocrite because you turned a blind eye to the faults of your daughter.

I think a hypocrite is someone who pretends to be something that they’re not. However, I’ve always been a transparent person, so when my daughter became a single mother, I spoke to my church and shared with them my problems. I was very 14

Family & Life • May 2014

accountable to them and I’ve not tried to make something right when it was wrong.

For my daughter, I’ve always told her that she’s done something wrong but I’ve also always said that there are no illegitimate children on this earth; there are only illegitimate parents.

I’ve never said that anybody is perfect and beyond reproach. In fact, it’s probably because I’m so open that my attackers know more about me than other public figures. I’ve never hidden anything. By using my daughter to attack me, it reveals more of themselves than it reveals of me! I love my grandson and he has really pulled the whole family together.

Your stance on homosexuality has been well-documented in the media.

First, I am not just against homosexuality.

As a Christian, I am against any form of sexual immorality – whether it’s premarital or extramarital, whether it’s heterosexual or homosexual. Objecting to it doesn’t mean that I go around condemning this behaviour.

I have friends who are divorced or have slept around, but we still hang out even though I don’t agree with their lifestyles.

Second, I have worked with homosexuals and I’ve never had any problems accepting them. There are actually a few of them on my

I’ve read many reports that children raised by homosexual couples are normal though. What are your thoughts on these studies?

Well, there are many claims and I’ve heard all sorts. But, we have to discriminate between the different studies; we have to evaluate the research and verify the validity. For example, there are people who grow up in terrible, broken families but turn out to be good. That doesn’t mean that it’s fine to grow up in a broken family! I do not think that anyone will doubt that the health of a marriage influences the behaviour of our children.

I’ve never said that homosexuals are bad people and they may actually turn out to be right. But, if you want children to understand the concepts

Have you had people come up to you in public and condemn you for your views?

Actually, I’ve had more people come up to me and thank me for speaking up on the issue and making a stand for family! One day, I was strolling in a shopping mall when a man came up to me and said: “Lawrence, may I take a picture with you? Thank you for speaking up and I’m so glad that you dared to be vocal about it.” I’ve had a lot of a public affirmation.

Yes, I do have people coming up to me who asked me to be a bit more careful with my words. But, I am a fearless fighter and I will take anyone on. Maybe that’s why I’m such an irritation to the homosexual community because they cannot upset me!

NURTURE

Co t?

At What A Tale of Two Cities

By Antoinette Tan

Singapore was recently ranked the World’s Most Expensive City to live in 2014, knocking even the likes of Tokyo and Paris off their thrones. But is our city-state really that costly to live in and raise a family? Antoinette Tan investigates.

It’s no surprise that our recent victory as the World’s Most Expensive City has sparked much contention; politicians hastily downplayed its findings despite the crescendo of local gripes about rising costs, which now appear to be confirmed by the Economist Intelligent Unit (EIU) report.

However, are we really the most expensive city? How is it possible that we toppled even Tokyo, Paris and Zurich, which have gained a longstanding reputation for being the costliest? Has our cost of living truly gone up? What are the repercussions? More importantly is raising a family still conceivable?

TOP 10 MOST EXPENSIVE CITIES 1. Singapore 2. Paris 3. Oslo 4. Zurich 5. Sydney 6. Venezuela 6. Geneva 6. Melbourne 6. Tokyo 10. Copenhagen

THE EIU SURVEY The bi-annual EIU Worldwide Cost of Living Survey compares more than 400 prices of 160 products and services across 131 cities.

These include food, drink, clothing, household supplies, personal care items, utility bills, transportation, as well as recreation and entertainment costs. Predictably, the report findings ignited an onslaught of affirmative responses on multiple media by disgruntled Singaporeans who have been feeling the pinch for the past several years.

In a bid to reassure its residents, Deputy Prime Minister and

Minister for Finance, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, addressed this issue at the Budget 2014 Debate Round-Up in March. He mentioned three main reasons the EIU report is not relevant to us: the objective of the survey, the exchange rates, and the types of goods and services that were being compared.

“First, as the Singapore dollar strengthens, it becomes more expensive. But the reverse is true for Singaporeans. The stronger Singapore dollar improves purchasing power for Singaporeans.

The second important difference has to do with what goods and services are being measured as part of the cost of living basket in these surveys. The EIU tries to put together a basket of what they think are expatriate costs, perhaps more on the higher end of expatriates.

It is quite different from the goods

and services consumed by ordinary Singaporeans.”

The minister assumes that expats and locals consume completely different goods and services, to which Jon Copestake, Editor of the EIU report, responded that the basket of goods included many everyday items.

“The survey basket ranges from a loaf of bread to a luxury car. In fact, the highest-weighted category in our survey is that of groceries and everyday staples which include goods like fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, rice, etc.,” So, how much are we really paying?

We compare the prices of our everyday goods with Melbourne, voted one of the World’s Most Liveable City yet only the sixth most expensive in the survey.

While the benefits may ease disposable income burdens, milk formula in Singapore is comparatively more than double that in Melbourne at an average of SGD45.61 for an 800-gram tin compared to AUD21.58. This would make a substantial amount spent over an extended period.

Add to that the disparity in purchasing power and disposable income and Singapore becomes an expensive place to live and raise a child.

May 2014 • Family & Life

15

SHOW ME THE MONEY: A COMPARISON OF INCOMES

Singaporean. Numbeo, the world’s largest user-generated online database of cost of living also states that the local purchasing power (the number of goods that can be purchased with a unit of currency) in Singapore is 63.36, but a much stronger 105.18 for Melbourne. And what about those pesky exchange rates that everyone keeps harping about? Well, a Deutsche Bank report, The Random Walk: Mapping the World’s Prices 2013,

Before comparing individual consumer prices, we’ll need to benchmark incomes, spending power and disposable personal incomes across Singapore and Melbourne. We’ve decided to take an average exchange of SGD1.20 to AUD1, based on the year’s fluctuations that ranged between SGD1.30 and SGD1.10 for 1 Australian dollar.

According to the Department of Statistics Singapore and Ministry of Manpower, the median gross monthly income (or the income of a typical worker in the middle of the income distribution of workers) including CPF contributions is SGD3,480.

This means that after deductions, employees are left with 80 percent of their salaries to spend per month at SGD2,784.

After income tax, it would leave them with about SGD2,727.90 for life’s necessities and paying the bills. This is before tax reliefs. [see TABLE 1] Over in the World’s Most Liveable City, the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM) calculated the median income distribution to be AUD3,591.67 (SGD4,310) per month. Using both values and even with a much higher income tax rate that soars to 44.9 percent, plus a 1.5-percent deduction for Medicare Levy, the disposable income drops to AUD3,074.94 (SGD3,690). [see TABLE 2] Based on those numbers, it would mean that the take-home cash of a Melbournian is about 35 percent more than a

It’s not a surprise that Singapore is the most expensive city in the world when you’re talking about a particular basket of goods and services that includes cars. And yes the cost of living has gone up, but is Singapore the most expensive city? It depends on what you’re comparing.

AUSTRALIA Melbourne

TABLE 1 Chargeable Income ($) On the first

40,000

On the next

40,000

Rate (%)

Gross Tax Payable ($) 550

7.0

7% x (41,760 - 40,000) = 123.20 Total Tax: $673.20 (year) or $56.10 (av. month)

Personal income tax for a Singaporean earning $3,480/month or $41,760/year.

TABLE 2 Taxable Income ($)

Rate

Gross Tax Payable

0 - 18,200

Nil

18,201 - 37,000

19c for each $1 over $18,200

37,001 - 80,000

$3,572 + 32.5c for each $1 over $37,000

$3,572 + (0.325 x (43,100 - 37,000)) = $5,554.50 Total Tax: $5,554.50 (year) or $462.86 (av. month)

Personal income tax for an Australian earning $3,591.67/month or $43,100/year.

TABLE 3: PRICE COMPARISONS BY EIU Item/Price

When

Singapore (1st)

Melbourne (6th)

Average US$ price 1kg loaf of bread

Current

$3.36

$4.43

Average US$ price 1 litre unleaded petrol

1 bottle table wine (750ml)

Last year

$3.25

$4.87

5 years ago

$2.90

$3.77

10 years ago

$2.97

$2.19

Current

$1.73

$1.35

Last year

$1.74

$1.49

5 years ago

$1.36

$1.28

10 years ago

$0.69

$0.57

Current

$25.04

$22.28

Last year

$25.65

$25.03

5 years ago

$22.52

$17.45

10 years ago

$13.25

$11.11

TABLE 4 Item/Price

Singapore (av. S$)

Melbourne (av. AUD)

Fresh milk 1L (Pura)

3.70

1.95 (S$2.34)

White bread 650g

1.43

1.08 (S$1.30)

Minced meat 500g

7.85

4.33 (S$5.20)

San Remo Pasta (spaghetti) 500g

2.45

2.43 (S$2.92)

Broccoli 300g

2.52

1.95 (S$2.34)

Tomatoes 500g

2.13

3.48 (S$4.18)

Carton of 12 eggs

3.18

4.52 (S$5.42)

White rice 5kg

9.85

13.05 (S$15.66)

Toilet paper 20 rolls

9.58

10.70 (S$12.84)

Milk formula 800g tin

45.61

21.58 (S$25.90)

Diapers 24pack

8.2

9.1 (S$10.92)

PROS Stronger purchasing power (your dollar stretches further) Arguably higher income, in spite of higher taxes Cheaper baby milk formula Cars are cheaper Slightly cheaper to raise a child CONS More expensive to eat out Pricey public transport Costly entertainment, clothes and cigarettes

16

Family & Life • May 2014

puts purchasing power parity at 158.9 for Australia and 83.9 for Singapore based on the International Monetary Fund’s conversion and exchange rates.

BREAD AND BUTTER REALITIES FOR LOCALS How much would a local pay for essentials on a day-to-day basis in each city then and how has it increased over time? The EIU tracked the price increases of three items – bread, petrol and wine – from a decade ago. [see TABLE 3] We’ve also visited the different supermarkets in Singapore (NTUC, Giant and Cold Storage) and Melbourne (Coles, Woolworths and Big W) to personally calculate the prices of the different necessities. [see TABLE 4] It is also a lot more expensive to eat out in Melbourne. For instance, the cheapest complete rice meal (without sides or drinks) would cost about AUD7.50 at Don Don, AUD9.50 at Hanaichi and AUD9 at a food court at a mall, as compared to a complete rice meal (like chicken rice, char siew rice, or rice with mixed dishes) at SGD3.50 to SGD8 at a food court or hawker centre. A bowl of noodles costs more in a Melbourne cafe too, ranging from AUD11 (for kolo mee or dumpling noodles), compared to a similar bowl in Singapore at SGD3.50 to SGD8 at an eatery.

While cars and petrol, sport shoes and alcohol or beer cost a lot more in Singapore than in Melbourne, apparel, cigarettes and entertainment options are costlier in Melbourne. For example, movie tickets are a lot pricier at a minimum of AUD18 compared to Singapore’s average of SGD9.

It is also more expensive to travel around Melbourne via public transport; taking a train, tram or bus costs AUD3.58 for a Zone 1 trip, AUD2.48 for a Zone 2 trip and AUD6.06 for both. This is in comparison to our minimum of SGD0.77 for the shortest bus and train rides, with fares averaging SGD2 if you travel from one end of the island to the other. Taxis are also ridiculously expensive in Melbourne, with a starting fare of AUD3.50, close to Singapore’s flag-down fare, but a meter rate of AUD1.83 per kilometre compared to Singapore’s SGD0.60 per kilometre.

However, this is due to the affordability of cars, with secondhand ones sold as low as AUD1,400 up to the top-selling Toyota Corolla at about AUD21,790. In contrast, due to the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) prices in Singapore, a Toyota Corolla ranges from SGD118,000 to SGD153,000.

First, as the Singapore dollar strengthens, it becomes more expensive.

But the reverse is true for Singaporeans. The stronger Singapore dollar improves purchasing power for Singaporeans. The second important difference has to do with what goods and services are being measured as part of the cost of living basket in these surveys.

However, both governments have a variety of schemes and rebates to offset the costs. For example, both countries offer a Baby Bonus (AUD5,294 per child in Australia; SGD6,000 each for the first two children in Singapore, SGD8,000 each for the next two).

In Australia, there are Family Tax Benefit A or B, Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement (additional AUD2,001.50 to the Family Tax Benefit Part A for the first child or AUD1,000.50 for the other children), Child Care Benefit, Work/ Training/Study Test, Child Care Rebate, Parental Leave Pay, and Education Tax Refund (up to 50 percent of education expenses).

Citizens and PRs also enjoy free public schooling.

In Singapore, parents are able to use their Medisave to pay for delivery and pre-delivery medical expenses in the Medisave Maternity Package. Other benefits include Medisave Grant for Newborns (SGD3,000), the dollar-for-dollar match of savings to your Child Development Account, Parenthood Tax Rebate (SGD5,000 for the first, SGD10,000 for the second and SGD20,000 for subsequent children), Working Mother’s Child Relief, Grandparent Caregiver Relief, along with subsidies for childcare centres and domestic helpers. There are also four months of Maternity Leave or Government-Paid Maternity Benefit, Extended Childcare Leave, Infant Care Leave and Paternity Leave.

Last year, Mr Joseph Chong, the former CEO of a financial advisory firm had an article in the newspapers that estimated the cost of raising a child in Singapore to be about SGD900,000, “SGD500,000 in family funds and SGD400,000 in state funds”.

While the benefits may ease disposable income burdens, milk formula in Singapore is comparatively more than double that in Melbourne at an average of SGD45.61 for a comparable 800gram tin compared to AUD21.58. This would make a substantial amount spent over an extended period. Add to that the disparity in purchasing power and disposable income and Singapore becomes an expensive place to live and raise a child.

What about Down Under? According to the 33rd Income and Wealth Report, Cost of Kids, published in May 2013 by Australian wealth management company AMP and NATSEM, raising two children until they are 21 costs about AUD812,000 (SGD974,400) for a typical middle-income family, comparatively cheaper as compared to Singapore but still incredibly expensive.

Song Seng Wun, a regional economist at CIMB in Singapore aptly concludes, “It’s not a surprise that Singapore is the most expensive city in the world when you’re talking about a particular basket of goods and services that includes cars. And yes the cost of living has gone up, but is Singapore the most expensive city? It depends on what you’re comparing.”

FAMILY ADDITIONS

PROS Cheap public transport Affordable to dine out at hawker centres Very low tax Generally cheaper groceries as a whole

SINGAPORE

CONS Cars are expensive Baby milk formula is costly (double the price compared to Melbourne) Lower purchasing power

May 2014 • Family & Life

17

NURTURE

Y T I L A U X E S O M O H

g n i s s u c s i d

By hah Nasri S

n e r d l i h c h t wi

into the thrust n e e b ’s much ve gapore obia ha h in p S o r d r m CTION sexuality and ho h Promotion Boa ssions are neithe U D O R u lt INT homo Health ch disc he Hea ions on caused ver, su e t ase of t u e w asic l o o l e l H r a Discuss . f e ing s the “b uary h th u r it in s b a n w e e t F m h e e r in h spotlig y F AQ e, yet t -sex t family sexualit g same ingapor rify tha t S in a u l g o c in a b r o g a t u o in talked pelled -break not enc ground f e e l c o m e F AQ s w e r e r o o t n g . n y w r o h o ne im Y d that t h advis r Gan K a healt iety” an s c a o Ministe s g f in o t was ac g block buildin ather, it R . s ip sh relation

1

n ng ago i o l o o t t o It was n this year when y Februar furore among r as a there w ens. The trigge z n ti local ne due to an FAQ o e was ted by th a e r c y t i rd sexual tion Boa s o m o r P Health Nasri explore re. ic Singapo ions of this top licat hildren. c r the imp u o y on

2

Unfortunately, the unchanging terms of the discussions in Singapore – often along the lines of “Nature versus Nurture” and “East versus West” – are sorely lacking the context of recent legislative, academic and cultural changes towards sexuality in general.

Also, anyone who has spoken to a child knows that communication with children is dynamic and not just a one-way channel.

Whilst it is important that discussions accommodate different viewpoints, civic responsibility demands that these discussions not only reflect but also respond to these changes.

After all, the recent HPB brouhaha illustrates that it is important to openly discuss, rather than shy away from, the topic.

18

Family & Life • May 2014

3

ABOUT THAT GAY GENE

Discussions around homosexuality came into being in the 19th century.

The “nature/nurture” divide finds its etymological roots in the work of British polymath Francis Galton, who was otherwise known for his dubious research on hereditary traits and eugenics in criminals. In more recent memory, eugenics played a large part in the policies of the Nazi party who colourcoded their prisoners according to what the authorities deemed were their respective “defects” – foremost among these being homosexuality, which was represented by a pink triangle.

From the 1960s till the present day, this nature/nurture divide has been turned on its head. Research has been carried out on the hypothesis of a “gay gene”, as it was described by media in the early 1990s, often by geneticists empathetic to LGBT rights. For instance, the work of American geneticist Dean Hamer in 1993 found that there were genetic similarities amongst homosexual members of the same family. More recently this year, a study conducted by Dr Michael Bailey discovered that there were at least two chromosomes that affected a man’s sexual orientation. “Sexual orientation has nothing to do with choice. Our findings suggest there may be genes at play - we found evidence for two sets that affect whether a man is gay or straight,” Dr Bailey says. However, he sounds a word of caution and explains that there are certainly other environmental factors involved

and that the chromosomes only accounted for between 30 and 40 percent of a man’s sexual orientation.

Others, still, have argued that diversity and difference is the work of compassion, rather than the result of a gene. Psychologist Daryl Bem has suggested that biological conditions are mediated by childhood experiences of difference. His findings, termed the “Exotic/ Erotic” theory, found that gender-conforming children are often attracted to members of the opposite gender who are thought to be different. Likewise, a non-gender-conforming child often finds himself or herself attracted to members of the same gender, who seemingly exhibit different characteristics.

To lapse into the nature versus nurture argument, however, is to miss the point.

At the start of this year, Edge magazine approached a variety of academics including biologists, anthropologists and linguists, in order to ask: which scientific idea is ready for retirement? The answer was disarmingly unanimous – the nature/nurture divide was completely obsolete. The respondents argued that nature and nurture are in fact reciprocal, if not completely ambiguous, categories.

Your genetics at birth continue to influence the body at the same time that it is influenced by changing environmental factors; neither one can be wholly separated from the other.

5 A OF HOMOPHOBI it deemed to eliminate what re si de a as w a bi ho op supposed Historically, hom uality or control its ex os m ho of s si l ba ined in 1965 by to be the natura e term was first co Th . rs he ot e ur rt psychologists ability to nu ribe the fear that sc de to g er nb ei ge W ng. It was also psychologist Geor non-clinical setti a in en m l ua ex of being ds homos fear that men had harboured towar e th e rib sc de to lar culture DS crisis in North later used in popu larly during the AI icu s rt pa , ls ua ex os expressed in term mistaken as hom bia was therefore ho op n m sa Ho Su s.

80 by d s an argued America in the 70 d destruction, as an t en nm ai nt co fection, of metaphors of in its Metaphors. d an Sontag in AIDS d M. Ryan from Professor Richar by 12 20 in d te uc cond pants who had In an experiment ed that the partici er ov sc di he r, te me level Roches t who displayed so the University of bu ” ht ig ra st y hl lves as “hig ies. This suggests declared themse vour anti-gay polic fa to ed nd te n tio actions towards of same-sex attrac nst one’s own attr ai ag x fle re a be may recent string of that homophobia s may explain the ng di fin e es Th x. wn whilst me se with their pants do members of the sa ht ug ca e er w ho w r liticians is, in spite of thei American male po ith other men – th w rs te un s. ht co en rig y al ga embroiled in sexu ing, or protecting rgeted at recognis ta s ie lic po of n tio opposi e “institutional homophobia includ of es pl am ex t en of violence or Other promin religious sanctions or l ica lit po as ch ity. Often, these homophobia”, su mosexual commun ho e th of rs be em m ral grounds – penalties against religious or cultu on y lit ua ex os m ise ho nalty while penalties criminal ce, is the death pe an st in r fo n, Ira domy in t they were in ns whether or no the penalty for so tio la re x se em gaged in sa Ugandans who en r life. be imprisoned fo the country would to e term has grown the 1960s then, th in n io , one pt of t ce in in po al e in titudes to th From its orig at d an s se on sp e range of re by contemporary encompass a wid tered significantly al en be s ha d an n, responded to might say, dilutio ried and should be va is a bi ho op m d, ho ivated by different uses. As discusse r example, is mot fo a, bi ho op m ho ards alised be expressed tow differently – intern ophobia, and can m ho l na tio itu st reasons than in otional relations. sexual and/or em ely different from untry is qualitativ co e on in a bi ho , homop ked that the More importantly -Shan has remar ah W ou Ch or th n Chinese Au to a North America another country. is rather specific a” bi ese ho in op Ch om e th “h bia in history of the term says that homopho he y, or st hi e o es to in or Ch trums - perverse context. Based on two extreme spec n ee tw the unique be e s ur te pt la ca culture oscil hobia fail to op m ho of es ns e sexual in , “both se ch understands th hi generic. However w e ud tit at l ra inese cultu specificity of the Ch l.” terms of the socia

4

Y A SHORT HISTOR

COMING OUT, COMING HOME IN SINGAPORE

In Singapore, the idea of homosexuality and consequently, homophobia, is complicated by our multiethnic and multi-religious society. In such an environment, Dr Russell Heng recognises that the concept of “coming out” is a Western concept that celebrates individuality and one’s right to freedom of expression.

However, in an Asian cultural framework, individuality takes a backseat to family, community and group solidarity. If homophobia in the Western world is an affront to someone’s right to freedom of expression, then homophobia in Asia might be understood as a denial of this person’s right to family and community. In place of “coming out” then, Heng and Chou suggest “coming home” instead – of asserting one’s place and significance within society or a family in spite of one’s sexuality.

6

“IS MY CHILD NORMAL?”

Childhood educators Kerry H. Robinson and Criss Jones Dìaz commented that it is important to communicate about difference and diversity with children from an early age. Children begin to develop a cognitive awareness of visual and behavioural cues of difference, which stem from a growing sense of self-consciousness, from the age of two. From five years onwards, children learn to respond to these cues. Markers of difference that are thought to be threatening often result in fear, or an attempt to exert some form of control over these threats – often manifesting in racism or sexism.

Amongst older children, you should challenge uncritical assumptions about homophobia and homosexuality, even those mentioned in this article. Regardless of your views, it is in the best interests of you and your children to acknowledge the complexity of the phenomenon.

If your seven-year-old child asks about homosexuality, is it time to panic? Not at all. Being calm is the best route to take.

If your seven-yearold child asks about homosexuality, is it time to panic? Not at all.

Being calm is the best route to take.

But, you might say that a seven-year-old is far too young to ask such questions. Robinson and Dìaz challenges this assumption by claiming that such responses artificially constrains a child’s dynamic cognitive ability. In fact, claims that a child is too young or too innocent are thought to be more accurate descriptors of the adult’s own expectations rather than the child’s. Indeed, one last look at the HPB FAQ will show you that most questions are in fact tailored to soothe the parent and the adult reader, such as: “Is my child normal?” or “Will my child become normal again?”

The answer to both questions?

“Yes”.

May 2014 • Family & Life

19

NURTURE

10,000 Hour Rule is The

By Julailah Wahid

Outdated

It’s a conjecture that has become academic law, sacrosanct even.

But, new evidence has suggested that tons and tons of practice and hours put in might not necessarily make perfect.

Julailah explores the obsolete idea of putting your children through hours and hours of tedium practicum.

Be it mathematical problems or reading aloud, many parents and teachers have emphasised the importance of regular practice towards achieving success. In his book Outliers: The Story of Success, author Malcolm Gladwell reinforces this point with the 10,000 Hour Rule, claiming that it takes approximately 10,000 hours of practice to truly master a skill.

It all started with an old paper in American Scientist, when Herbert Simon and William Chase drew a thoughtprovoking conclusion: “There are no instant experts in chess—certainly no instant masters or grandmasters.

There appears not to be on record any case where a person reached grandmaster level with less than about a decade’s intense preoccupation with the game. We would estimate, very roughly, that a master has spent perhaps 10,000 to 50,000 hours staring at chess positions…”

Since then, psychologists and researchers all over the world have conscientiously studied Simon and Chase’s observation, and they always drew the same conclusion – it takes plenty of practice to be great at complex tasks.

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Family & Life • May 2014

THE CONCEPTUALISATION Talent Takes a Backseat

While Gladwell acknowledges that no one becomes an expert without innate talent, he states that in cognitively demanding fields, there are no naturals.

“Achievement is talent plus preparation. The problem with this view is that the closer the psychologists look at the careers of the gifted, the smaller the role innate talent seems to play and the bigger the role preparation seems to play,” says Gladwell.

A 1993 study conducted by psychologist K. Anders Ericsson and his colleagues found that the best musicians had simply practised more across their lives than other musicians. Students learning violin at the Music Academy of West Berlin, Germany were classified into three groups: the best – those who had the most potential to become international soloists, the second best, and a third group who were the least exceptional.

It was later discovered that the best musicians had accumulated about 10,000 hours of practice in total, followed by 8,000 for the second best and 5,000 for the least accomplished. The elite had double the practice hours of the less capable performers, suggesting a direct statistical relationship between hours of practice and outstanding achievement.

After all, if natural talent had a profound effect on performance, some of the naturally gifted would emerge at the top of the elite level with fewer practice hours than everyone else. The data, however, showed otherwise.

According to Ericsson, there are no natural talents in cognitively demanding fields. With enough practice, he claims that anyone can achieve a genius-level proficiency – it was simply a matter of putting in the time. These findings would later serve as a catalyst for Gladwell’s research.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRACTICE For his book, Gladwell interviewed Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates, who had thousands of hours of programming practice with his friend Paul Allen. The two co-founders met at Lakeside, an elite private school in Seattle which managed to raise enough money to purchase a computer terminal for the school’s computer club in 1968.

Since the eighth grade, Gates had unique access to computers at a time when they were not commonplace. Gates would also sneak out after bedtime to use the computer at the University of Washington near his home. By the time Microsoft was launched in 1975, Gates and Allen had amassed at least 10,000 hours of programming practice.

Similarly, before The Beatles achieved international stardom, the quartet played in local clubs in Hamburg, Germany for at least eight hours per night, seven nights per week.

Gladwell highlights how hours and hours of playing time forced them to improve as musicians and performers. And the better they got, the more time they were granted on stage. By the time they gained worldwide popularity in 1964, the Beatles had played over 1,200 concerts together. In comparison, most bands today don’t even play 1,200 times throughout their entire career.

THE DEBUNKING More than Just Practice

However, new research has emerged that suggests that the amount of practice you put in isn’t always the deciding factor between goodness and greatness. In fact, some people really just possess natural talent and flair.

To determine how much of rigorous practice benefits performance, psychology professor Zach Hambrick and fellow researchers from Michigan State University recently analysed 14 different studies on chess players and musicians.

The team found that preparation only accounted for one-third of the variation in success in chess and music; factors such as innate ability, age, and intelligence made a more significant difference.

In another study, Hambrick also found that a person´s working memory capacity could also make a difference.

Working memory is a system in your brain that temporarily stores and manages the information required to carry out complex cognitive tasks such as learning, reasoning, and comprehension.

Hambrick’s study involved a series of experiments, during which participants were required to perform complex tasks such as sight-reading music. He discovered that regardless of the person’s prior experience, people with higher levels of working memory capacity outperformed those with a lower capacity.

“While the specialised knowledge that accumulates through practice is the most important ingredient to reach a very high level of skill,” he says, “it’s not always sufficient. Working memory capacity can still predict performance in complex domains such as music, chess, science, and maybe even in sports that have a substantial mental component such as golf.”

Achieving greatness takes more than extensive practice but Hambrick points out that there is a silver lining.

“If people are given an accurate assessment of their abilities and the likelihood of achieving certain goals given those abilities, they may gravitate toward domains in which they have a realistic chance of becoming an expert through deliberate practice,” he says.

Psychologist and journalist Daniel Goleman also debunks the 10,000-hour myth in his book Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence. He explains that the problem with the rule is that “if you are a duffer at golf, say, and make the same mistakes every time you try a certain swing or putt, 10,000 hours of practising that error will not improve your game. You’ll still be a duffer, albeit an older one”.

QUALITY > QUANTITY What is more important than the amount of time you put in is actually what you do within that time. It is known as the concept of “deliberate practice”. Deliberate practice involves a specific training regime designed to hone the individual’s skills, with the goal of providing growth and improvement.

What sets the experts apart from the merely good is the way they pay attention during their practice sessions. While the hours matter, the quality of feedback and level of concentration play an even bigger role.

Referring to his much-cited study of violinists, Ericsson

found that the experts – the ones who had over 10,000 hours of practice – were completely focused on improving a particular error that was identified by a master teacher during their practice. The true experts actively concentrated throughout practice, unlike novices and amateurs who were content to let their efforts become passive, bottom-up operations.

Practising within your comfort zone for 10,000 hours will get you nowhere, and practising outside it the whole time won’t get you anywhere either. To be good at something, you have to play at the absolute limit of what you can do without making any mistakes. Going through the motions during your practice will result in an insignificant rate of improvement. If you want to be great, you have to continually push your boundaries by actively improving your shortcomings.

THE MYTH OF HARD WORK

While the specialised knowledge that accumulates through practice is the most important ingredient to reach a very high level of skill,” he says, “it’s not always sufficient. Working memory capacity can still predict performance in complex domains such as music, chess, science, and maybe even in sports that have a substantial mental component such as golf.

The Universe Plays a Part It’s not all about hard work though. In fact, your child’s success might really boil down to Lady Luck. Throughout Outliers, Gladwell discusses how family, culture, and friendship play a role in an individual’s success. He also asks whether successful people deserve all the recognition, suggesting that the idea that hard work pays off could be a fallacy.

For example, Bill Gates came from a well-to-do family who could afford to send him to an elite school. Once there, he was fortunate to have access to computers. Without such luck, Gladwell claims that Gates would still be “a highly intelligent, driven, charming person and a successful professional”, but that he might not be worth billions of dollars.

Many believe that outcome is directly proportional to the effort you put in.

The problem with this argument is that it disregards other factors that may be at play. In fact, sometimes it’s not what you know so much as who you know, or that you just happen to be at the right place and time.

Not having much success playing in Australia, pianist Mario Grigorov moved to Los Angeles in 1992 at the age of 30.

One day, he walked into a well-known piano store and sat down to play.

Music executive Bob James overheard Grigorov and requested for him to play more. Impressed, James recorded the

pianist’s performance. Three weeks later, Grigorov was offered a contract with Warner Music. He went on to land major gigs and also composed the score to the 2010 Oscar-nominated film Precious. While Grigorov logged about 25 years of dedicated practice before being discovered, it was really due to chance that he achieved success.

THE CONCLUSION The 10,000 Hour Rule seems to apply only to cognitively demanding tasks, such as playing chess and musical instruments. In the field of sports, however, most athletes rely more on unchangeable physical attributes to succeed in their sport. Essentially, great sportsmen and women are born, not made. Having said that though, there is still a lot of hard work and discipline to reach the top.

Simply, the 10,000 Hour Rule should be understood as an average. While practice can help us learn and develop, we are not equally skilled at every task.

Perhaps the old “practice makes perfect” adage is oversimplified.

Practice doesn’t make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect.

May 2014 • Family & Life

21

HEALTH

The Medical Crisis You Never Knew About

By Farhan Shah

In many parts of Southeast Asia, out-of-date and poorly stored drugs, low dosages, counterfeit medication and many other medicinal issues are fuelling the time bomb of antibiotic resistance.

Farhan delves into this rarely talked about problem and explores a potential future that could see your children in the future passing away from a simple cut.

In 2008, a 67-year-old man was admitted to a Manhattan hospital to undergo the Whipple procedure, a major surgical operation and one commonly used to remove pancreatic cancers. Although the operation went smoothly, the man picked up an infection that was surprisingly resistant to the typical course of antibiotics used to treat it. Fourteen days later, the man passed away. The antibiotics barely made a scratch on the bacteria responsible for the infection.

The following year, a man named Richard Armbruster went to a hospital in St. Louis to go through a routine hip replacement; his right hip, worn from 78 years of living, had begun bothering him. A month later, Armbruster was dead after falling prey to a series of post-surgical complications. The killing blow was a bloodstream infection that resisted all treatment with antibiotics and put him into shock.

...with today’s antibiotics losing its effectiveness at such a rapid rate, the profits, if any at all, that can be gained from creating new antibiotics are simply not enticing enough for the pharmaceutical giants.

1940

1950

1960

Alarmingly, these cases are becoming more common, so much so that doctors have come up with a new term – pan-resistant – to describe infections that are impervious to the array of antibiotics that are currently available. The physicians who valiantly tried to treat the 67-year-old man in the first case had this to say while piecing the investigation together. “It is a rarity for a physician in the developed world to have a patient die of an overwhelming infection for which there are no therapeutic options.”

Dr Brad Spellberg from UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine has even addressed this emergent problem in a book titled Rising Plague: The Global Threat from Deadly Bacteria and Our Dwindling Arsenal to Fight Them in an effort to galvanise not just the medical community but the whole world to band together and do something to nip the issue in the bud before it spirals out of control. The scariest thing, as Dr Spellberg eloquently puts it, is that “this is not cancer; it’s infection disease that has been treatable for decades, yet you’re sitting with a family, trying to explain that you have nothing left to treat their dying relative”.

SOUNDING THE WARNING BELLS…SIX DECADES AGO Yet, the plague of antimicrobial resistance was not something that caught the scientific community by surprise. Sixty years ago, the founder of penicillin and the one arguably responsible for kick-starting the antibiotics era that we’re currently living in, Alexander Fleming, cautioned the audience while accepting the Nobel Peace Prize for Medicine. He said: “It is not difficult to make microbes resistant to penicillin in the laboratory by exposing them to concentrations not sufficient to kill them…there is the danger that the ignorant man may easily under-dose himself and by exposing his microbes to non-lethal quantities of the drug to make them resistant.”

Even at that nascent age of medicine, Fleming knew that the bacteria that he and the scientific community were battling would eventually develop defences to counter the drugs they’ve produced. It was just the way evolution worked. What Fleming was worried about, though, was that the misuse of these antibiotics would hasten the process of evolution.

The passage of time served to prove Fleming correct. Traces of penicillinresistant gram-positive bacteria begin emerging in the 1940s, around the time when penicillin had only starting being mass-produced. As more and more antibiotics were created and thus mass produced to be used in treating infection, the windows of time between a drug’s production and the emergence of bacteria resistant to it slowly shrunk.

1970

ERYTHROMYCIN

TETRACYCLINE

METHICILLIN

A TIMELINE OF ANTIBIOTIC EVENTS Family & Life • May 2014

1990

2000

IMIPENEM AND CEFTAZIDIME

PENICILLIN

22

1980



2020

LINEZOLID

VANCOMYCIN

GENTAMICIN

2010

CEFTAROLINE

LEXOFLOXACIN

Antibiotic Introduced



Antibiotic Resistance Identified

THE QUESTION OF ECONOMICS AND DIETS The main problem is simply due to the mechanics of free market economics.

The pharmaceutical industry pours in an incredible amount of money and time into the research and development of a new drug. The Infectious Diseases Society of America postulates that any R&D medical programme would likely “require 10 or more years and an investment of US$800 million to US$1.7 billion” before it brings a new drug into the market.

However, with today’s antibiotics losing its effectiveness at such a rapid rate, the profits, if any at all, that can be gained from creating new antibiotics are simply not enticing enough for the pharmaceutical giants. To lay the blame squarely on profit-driven companies, however, would be short-sighted since these organisations need to use the profits generated from the sale of drugs to fund future research.

Another area that the world needs to look at is the massive amount of antibiotics used in, of all places, the fields of farming and agriculture. In the US, 80 percent of antibiotics sold, by weight, are used in agriculture, “primarily to fatten animals and protect them from the conditions in which they are raised”.

DRUG INVEST ---------------- MENT -------

US$800 MILLION TO US$1.7 BILLION

Although the operation went smoothly, the man picked up an infection that was surprisingly resistant to the typical course of antibiotics used to treat it.

Fourteen days later, the man passed away.

The antibiotics barely made a scratch on the bacteria responsible for the infection.

However, according to journalist Maryn McKenna, “a growing body of scientific research links antibiotic use in animals to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria: in the animals’ own guts, in the manure that farmers use on crops or store on their land, and in human illnesses as well”.

She cites the case of Tom Dukes, a patient whose gut bacteria – the ones responsible for digesting his food – had developed an unusually high resistance to antibiotics. The pouches within his body that stored the bacteria had torn open and dumped the pan-resistant E. coli into his abdomen, forcing doctors to cut off eight inches of his colon in emergency surgery. The physicians never figured out why the E. coli within his stomach had become resistant to antibiotics but Dukes told McKenna that he suspected it was due to his meatheavy diet.

If you’re considering switching to a pescetarian or vegetarian diet, you might want to hold on to your meaty horses. The problem isn’t only confined to livestock. The aquaculture and fruit and vegetable industries are also grappling with the blight of panresistant bacteria. Fish and shrimp farmers regularly introduce antibiotics into the water to protect their marine life from the bacteria in pools.

Antibiotics are also used to manage the spread of fruit and plant diseases.

A POST-ANTIBIOTICS WORLD In her keynote address at the 2012 Combating Antimicrobial Resistance: Time for Action conference, Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization, said: “A post-antibiotic era means, in effect, an end to modern medicine as we know it. Things as common as strep throat or a child’s scratched knee could once again kill.”

The healthcare industry would be turned upside down. Routine procedures such as Caesarean sections, normal biopsies and hip transplants would suddenly become incredibly risky solely due to the threat of pan-resistant bacterial infections; chemotherapy and radiation treatments would be as dangerous as the cancers they seek to cure; major surgery would of course be out of the question.

We would essentially revert to a prepenicillin world, one that seemed so far back but was actually only 60 years ago. In this world, five out of every 1,000 women would die during childbirth, three out of every 10 people who

contract pneumonia would pass away and one out of every 10 people who got a skin infection from a scrape or cut would lose a limb.

To put things into even greater perspective, it would be wise to remember the case of a British policeman named Albert Alexander, one of the first people to receive penicillin experimentally. Alexander was so riddled with infection that his scalp was oozing pus and one of his eyes had been removed. How did Alexander come to such a state? He had accidentally scratched his face on a rose bush.

With this in mind, would you let your children run free while out and about?

Would you have another child? Would you let them keep pets? As Dr Michael Bell from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, “right now, if you want to be a sharp-looking hipster and get a tattoo, you’re not putting your life on the line. Botox injections, liposuctions, those become possibly life-threatening. Even driving to work. We rely on antibiotics to make

a major accident something we can get through, as opposed to a death sentence”.

But, before you start hoarding supplies and building a postapocalyptic shelter for you and your children, take heart. The medical industry is already taking steps to slow and even halt the relentless march to a world without antibiotics.

Hospitals have started rigorously cleaning each and every room, and scrutinising prescriptions to ensure that patients don’t get drugs that they don’t need. Countries such as Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands have begun regulating the use of antibiotics in medical and agricultural use.

What about the common man and woman? What can the everyday parent do? Here are a couple of guidelines:  Do not ask your doctor for antibiotics when you’re suffering from coughs, colds or the flu.

These diseases are caused by viruses and not bacteria.  If you are prescribed an antibiotic, make sure to:  Take it exactly as prescribed and not to miss out on any doses  Not hoard the antibiotics for future usage  Never take antibiotics that are either out-of-date or prescribed for someone else If we act now, we can preserve the future as a safe place for our children to live, work and play in.

May 2014 • Family & Life

23

RELAX

Interesting Holiday

Enrichment Classes!

The June school holidays CRESTAR LEARNING CENTRE are just around the corner One of the regional leaders in lifelong education, Crestar Centre has a bunch of fun and great enrichment and you’re looking for the Learning classes for children this upcoming June holidays. These perfect enrichment class programmes are three to five lessons long and last for your children. Well, your between one and two weeks. Some of the enrichment search is over! We’ve found classes are actually short taster programmes to let your a few enrichment classes child experience what their regular 11-lesson programmes are like! that are not only beneficial but fun too! We are especially looking forward to the programmes they’ve created especially for the holidays!

Art Whether you’re into clay modelling, 3D paper sculptures or even Chinese brush painting, Crestar Learning Centre has a programme for you and your children!

Chilren will learn to create beautiful 3D paper sculptures of flowers and a variety of other gorgeous items from the Paper Relief classes.

Here are a list of the other Art classes Crestar provides: • Clay modelling • Mosaic art • Felt craft • Canvas painting • Paper diorama • Chinese brush painting Cook & Bake Is your child thinking of becoming the next Jamie Oliver or perhaps the new Twelve Cupcakes superstar?

The art of cooking and baking has been slowly increasing in popularity, evidenced by the number of cafes and restaurants sprouting in Singapore as well as the buffetloads of food pictures on the different social mediums.

Crestar Learning Centre has also lined up a few cooking programmes catered for children to learn essential kitchen skills and great recipes.

Here are some of the recipes that your child will be learning with Crestar: • Cookies - Chocolate cream - Raisins - Butter corn - Strawberry • Cupcakes and large cakes - Marble - Oreo cheesecake - Blueberry • • • •

Pizza Fruit tarts Sushi Macaroons

Crestar Learning Centre has nine centres around the island. For more information on the different holiday programmes as well as a full list of the addresses of the centres, we recommend opening your browser and pointing it to www.crestar.com.sg.

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Family & Life • May 2014

LOGICMILLS ACADEMY In an increasingly complex world abundant with information, it’s difficult to find meaning and to connect the dots. Unfortunately, the traditional Singaporean pedagogy just can’t cut it anymore, according to Professor Mark Nowacki, founder of LogicMills.

Instead, the skills that today’s children need now, more than anything else, are higher-order thinking skills, great collaborative quotient and the ability to cross different cultures.

That’s the promise of LogicMills, the only MOEcertified institution “providing analytical thinking skills through experiential learning”. As Nowacki explains, “the students are actually learning real-world learning abilities by playing games, which makes it fun!” It’s not just fun and games though; the LogicMills programme has been validated by the MOE to increase students’ grades across all the different capability spectrums by an incredible 16.8 percent. In another independent longitudinal study, a group of Secondary One students that went through the LogicMills programme for a few weeks went on to score higher grades than their peers in the ‘O’ level examinations three years later!

The idea for LogicMills was planted when Nowacki’s wife and fellow founder, who dealt with the CEOs of a wide variety of multinational companies, asked the C-suite executives about the strengths and weaknesses of the average Singaporean worker. “They’re great. They’re hardworking and are able to follow instructions but we wish that they would be able to make decisions on their own,” was the common refrain.

Similarly, Nowacki, who also teaches at the Singapore Management University, realised that young Singaporean children were already blessed with the ability to think rationally and logically through his experiences with them. This quality somehow became blunted as they progressed through the education system, which was what he was seeing at the tertiary level.

LogicMills is simply teaching children, perhaps merely restoring, life skills, all of which are useful not only in the boardroom or the office but also in everyday living. We can certainly get behind that!

The Academy has a wide variety of taster holiday enrichment programmes, combining thematic integrated learning with fun experiences and excursions. The holiday programmes are typically two to three days long and are held on the second and third week of the June school holidays.

LogicMills is at 1 Goldhill Plaza, #03-01. If you would like to know more about the enrichment holiday programmes, do check out www.logicmills.com, give them a call at +65 6253 2558 or email them at info@logicmills.com.

ADVERTORIAL

The Character The Child

Maketh

More Than a Decade in Character Building

Have you ever looked at a child who minds his Ps and Qs and who says please and thank you at every turn, and you wonder how that was achieved? It’s all about moulding the character of the kid, and it isn’t as complicated as you think it is.

What is the difference between the traditional Montessori approach and Character Montessori?

Grace: At Character Montessori, the children will go through the complete rigours of the traditional Montessori curriculum; children work with the materials, learn independently, and practice character traits like attentiveness and self-control.

However, research informs us that moral values need to be taught, caught and practiced to take root in the hearts of children. Thus, in Character Montessori, we lay a moral foundation in our children through the direct teaching of values and interactions with teachers and friends in group activities; children develop moral reasoning when they learn why having a particular character trait like patience is good and to apply it when they engage in co-operative work or group learning activities which are not in the Montessori curriculum. Children also engage in discussions where they grasp the importance of a character trait and apply it in life - “Benny did not keep his toys after playing. Do you think it is a good or bad thing to do? Why?” “How would you help Benny?”

Tell us a typical day in a Character Montessori classroom.

Grace: In a Character Montessori classroom, there are three key components, all of which are interlinked with one another. These components are the environment, the programme, and the community.

When we talk about the environment, we are referring to both the physical and cultural environment in the classroom. The physical space is set up in such a way so that children can easily access the materials on the shelves independently. Essentially, everything is placed at the typical child’s height, who is trained to not only retrieve the items but also to return them after use. These materials are designed as part of the teaching curriculum for revision and reinforcement of concepts taught in the lesson.

Grace Yong is the founder and current principal of Character Montessori, and is the first certified Singaporean Character Education Practitioner, accredited

by The Abraham Lincoln Centre for Character Development (USA).

Grace also holds a Master in Education from James Cook University.

And what about the cultural space? In a Character Montessori classroom, we accord children the respect they deserve and give them the space to be capable, outstanding individuals. We affirm children (“Thank you for being so helpful”) rather than praise them (“Good boy!”) when they display the appropriate and right behaviour. This helps to build confidence in children and creates the proper motivations.

We build a community in the classroom, rather than assigning roles. The teacher and the children make up the community and work together to set the moral tone in the classroom. What does this mean? It means that the children, those four years and older, work together with the teacher to establish the rules as well as the consequences for breaking the rules. Thus, the children will feel responsible for making sure their classmates follow the rules. If a problem emerges, then the teacher will engage the children in a class meeting and work together to form a solution. While the teacher still holds the authority in the classroom, the responsibility of maintaining moral standards is shared.

Call

65070 444

enquiries@cm-preschool.com

www.cm-preschool.com Join our facebook group parents4character

A Beautiful Transformation Counts

Ang Mo Kio

Punggol

161 Ang Mo Kio Ave 4

420 Punggol Rd

New

New

Yishun

2 Yishun Ind St 1 Northpoint BizHub

Bishan

1 Pemimpin Dr One Pemimpin

(Franchise-Biz Available)

May 2014 • Family & Life

25

RELAX

Here Come the

Cantonese!

In an ongoing series, we cover the different Chinese clans in Singapore and how life was for them in our island’s early years. This month, the Cantonese people are in the spotlight!

The third largest Chinese dialect group in Singapore, the Cantonese clan can trace their historical origins to two main locations – Hong Kong and the Southern region of the Guangdong province in China, particularly near the Pearl River Delta. In fact, this area functioned as the economic centre and was an important shipbuilding region; it was also the largest port in China, which was how the Cantonese clan started making its way to Singapore in large numbers.

The Cantonese, who were mostly artisans back in China, became carpenters, tailors, shoemakers, goldsmiths, barbers and builders in Singapore, transferring their skills to trade instead.

1819

When Sir Stamford Raffles sailed into Singapore in search of a trading post for the English East India Company, two things greeted him: marshland and a local population comprising about 100 Malays and 30 Chinese. However, within a decade, the Chinese comprised the largest group in the island, outnumbering even the Malays. The community was so large that there were five distinct subgroups, one of which was the Cantonese.

The first traditional Chinese association, the Ts’ao Clan House, was founded in 1819 by a Cantonese cook named Ts’ao Ah Chih. Apparently, he was a cook on board the ship that Raffles sailed in.

1821 - 1822

The Cantonese sailed to Singapore from the Pearl River Delta port as well as the port of Macao. The earliest recorded instance of a Chinese junk travelling to Singapore from Macao was in 1821! It was also during this time – 1822, to be exact – that another Chinese association and major Cantonese bang, the Ning Yeung Wui Kun, was established.

Interestingly, one of the leaders of the Ghee Hin secret society, which would go on to be the largest secret society in Singapore, was also a council member of the Ning Yeung Wui Kun. His name was Zhao Wenbing.

1824 – 1887

Together with the Hakka community, the Cantonese clan built the Fu Tak Chi temple on Telok Ayer Street, dedicating it to the popular Chinese deity Tua Pek Kong. It was one of the first stops for Chinese immigrants who just arrived in Singapore as they would come here to offer their thanksgiving for their safe arrival in Singapore. The initial structure of the temple was just a small shed over the Tua Pek Kong shrine but as donations poured in, the bricked temple was finally completed in 1825. There were further renovation and redecoration works in 1869 and 1887.

Similar to Zhao Wenbing, the Director of the Fu Tak Chi in the 1840s, Deng Xujin, was also a prominent Ghee Hin leader. Unlike the modern era, the Chinese secret societies at that time played important social and economic roles.

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Family & Life • May 2014

RENOWNED CANTONESE PERSONALITIES The Samsui Woman She came to Singapore in the early part of the 20th century in search of construction and industrial jobs, and became a critical component of Singapore’s development. Her hardiness and determination were second to none, carrying rocks, digging holes and conducting other menial work around the site. The strength she displayed belied her small physical stature. Her moral steadfastness was also legendary; she would reject jobs involving vice such as opium peddling and prostitution even though they paid more. She lived with the other Samsui women in cramped shophouses in Chinatown, living and eating simply until retirement. Most of them took vows never to marry, relying on each other instead. Today, there are less than a hundred of her sisters still in Singapore, with most of them being in their 80s and 90s.

Eu Tong Sen (1877 – 1941) The son of Eu Kong Pai and his first wife Madam Leung, Eu Tong Sen was a businessman who led the traditional Chinese medicine giant, Eu Yan Sang, during the pre-war years. He was handed the reins of the company when he was only 13 years old but only began to make business decisions after he completed his education at the age of 21. When he took over his father’s businesses, Eu discovered most of them to be in decline, but with his astute business sense, he would expand the business empire beyond Singapore to Malaya and Hong Kong. By the age of 30, Eu was one of the richest men in the region. Besides his business interests, Eu was also the vice-president of the Anti-Opium Society.

Ho Yuen Hoe (1908 – 2006) Born to a family of silk weavers in Guangzhou, Ho Yuen Hoe was the second of three children who was sold when she was only five, as her family was incredibly destitute. A life of hardship and bad luck soon followed, as she was sold from one person to another. When she was in her late teens, Ho was persuaded to come to Singapore, ostensibly to work on a rubber plantation, but the job never materialised. Alone and penniless, she married a grocery business owner but left him and returned to Singapore when she realised he was cheating on her. When she was 28, she set up shop in Chinatown, helping to weave and comb the hair of her customers, working from 8 am to 3 am daily!

Finally, when she was in her 40s, she had scrimped and saved enough to buy a shophouse in Club Street. She made further property investments and soon became a landlord, renting out rooms. When her wealth grew, she decided to adopt children from poor families to help them out. Once her children were all grown, she dedicated the rest of her life to caring for others, especially old folks. She decided to set up a home with her savings, caring and tending to the needs of the others. Venerable Ho once said: “I used to feed the old folks at some of the homes, and it would sadden me to see them so yellow and sallow…I might be illiterate but I wanted to give back to society. I didn’t want to sit around and wait to die.”

1900 – 1949

The iconic Samsui woman was usually a Cantonese lady who came from the Sam Sui district in San Shui county.

One of the common customs in the Sam Sui district was that women had to hold the responsibilities of being both the child-minder and the breadwinner, quite the life of hardship. However, an estimated 200,000 Samsui women opted for the freedom of singlehood and travelled to Singapore in the early 20th century. This continued until 1949 when the emigration from China was declared illegal here.

Ho Ching (1953 – Present) One of the most well-known personalities in Singapore, Ho Ching is the wife of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the CEO of Temasek Holdings. The eldest child of four children, Ho did well in her studies and was Student of the Year in her junior college cohort. She went on to major in engineering in NUS and Stanford University before starting a career as an engineer with the Ministry of Defence Singapore, the beginning of a meteoric rise that saw Ho head the Defence Material Organisation, Singapore Technologies and Singapore Technologies Engineering. She has been credited with turning Temasek Holdings from a passive custodian focused mainly in Singapore into a global investor managing a portfolio worth more than S$200 billion.

COOL CANTONESE TRIVIA! • In the early days, it was unusual for Chinese women to hold jobs outside their homes. Cantonese women were the exception! Cantonese men were noted for their liberal treatment of women and did not necessarily practise foot-binding, unlike their other dialect counterparts.

• The traditional red scarf that the Samsui women would wear was reportedly first worn by the concubine of Chinese writer Su Shi, who lived during the Song Dynasty. The striking red headdress not only served to protect the head of the Samsui woman but also to warn other people that there were workers in the construction area.

• Dim sum, a popular food item in Singapore, is a style of Cantonese food and can trace its roots all the way to the ancient Silk Road in China. Travellers using the Silk Road as well as tired farmers would rest at teahouses along the road and would be served tea and bite-sized snacks. The literal meaning of dim sum is “touch the heart”!

• Bruce Lee’s martial arts mentor Ip Man was Cantonese! He was portrayed by another Cantonese, actor Donnie Yen, in the 2008 eponymous film, thus cementing his popularity in today’s Internet generation. Occasionally, he has been mistaken to be the person responsible for setting and enforcing the rules of the Internet protocol suite.

May 2014 • Family & Life

27

RELAX

f f O e Beaten Holiday Path h T Are your holidays becoming predictable and perhaps a little boring? Today, many families are in search of holiday experiences that are adventurous and unforgettable yet safe and comfortable. We’ve scoured the island and discovered four amazing holiday operators offering just that.

GLOBUS What began with just a simple rowboat in Switzerland in the 1920s has now evolved into one of the most comprehensive travel planning organisations in the world - Globus. There are different tour operators under the Globus umbrella of brands giving you the family vacation you’re wishing for.

Here’s what you get with Globus: VIP access to major attractions, private transportation, culturally relevant cuisine, local favourites and superior hotels. The mystical lands of Israel, Jordan and Turkey await, but if the Middle East isn’t your cup of tea, North America is just a few hours away.

Price-conscious? Don’t fret, Cosmos has your back.

Tour around Europe (up to nine countries) for less than $1,000! After you’re done, cross the North Atlantic Ocean to America and Canada for as low as $123 a day.

What about Monograms?

Independent travel but

ASIA TO AFRICA SAFARIS Twelve years ago, safari enthusiasts and investment bankers Victor Dizon and Jose Cortes hung up their pressed suits and ties for safari vests and hats.

The result: Asia to Africa Safaris, a bespoke travel agency specialising in crafting the perfect safari trip for you.

Now, Asia to Africa Safaris sends about 600 travellers a year to the Dark Continent. In fact, Dizon says 25 percent of their customers are repeat travellers, a testament to the level of service and fun that Asia to Africa Safaris offers.

Dizon also notes that he has been seeing a steady uptick in families.

In 2013, almost 40 percent of the customers were families. A decade ago, it was close to zero. “Going on a safari as a family is one of the best times to bond together in a natural environment!” says Dizon.

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Family & Life • May 2014

Ready to embark on a trip to discover a world untouched by the hands of globalisation? Asia to Africa Safaris is at 3 Pickering Street #01-13, Nankin Row, China Square, Singapore 048660 and www. atoasafaris.com. Give them a call at +65 6442 7600 to make an appointment.

with a local host any time you need one. The best part: they take care of the hassle of logistics!

If you’re sick of being a landlubber, put on your sea legs and head to the rivers with Avalon Waterways.

One of the premier and most modern river cruise fleet operators, Avalon Waterways lets you experience some of the world’s most extraordinary destinations on the waters! Weave through the romantic Rhine, drift your way down the scenic Seine or slice through Yangtze; the choice is yours. Of course, you won’t just be stuck in a boat. There will be on shore excursions led by certified local guides.

You won’t be a tourist with Globus. You’ll be a traveller.

Ready to see the world? We have an array of exclusive discounts just for you, dear reader. Check out the accompanying advertisement together with this story. Head to Globus (www.globustours. com.sg), Cosmos (www.cosmostours.com.sg), Monograms (www.monograms.com.sg) and Avalon Waterways (www.avalonwaterways.com.sg) for more details!

AMALA DESTINATIONS About five hours away lies one of the most intriguing countries in the world. Where are we talking about? Bhutan, a nation lackadaisical about money but regards happiness as one of the most pressing concerns of life.

This summer, Amala Destinations, a SingaporeBhutan bespoke travel service, wants to bring you and your family to the last Himalayan Kingdom.

Toss away your smartphones, leave behind your laptops, and disconnect from the grid to reconnect with the world and your family in Bhutan. Amala Destinations has specially crafted a package – Summer Path to Phobjikha – for kids, parents and lovers during these school holidays.

Ready to find inner peace? The Summer Path to Phobjikha by Amala Destinations starts from USD$3,480 per person and includes return air tickets, accommodation, visas, meals, tours, royalties and any other expenses related to your stay within Bhutan. Check out amaldestinations. com or give them a call at +65 9115 3288.

AQUA EXPEDITIONS Launching in late 2014, the Aqua Mekong adventure will show you another side of Southeast Asia you’ve never seen. Whether it’s your first or 51st time venturing into Vietnam and Cambodia, the Aqua Mekong promises you and your children a unique perspective into the esoteric culture of our close neighbours.

Of course, if you’re itching to get your hands dirty, founder and CEO of Aqua Expeditions Francesco Galli Zugaro promises a myriad of offshore excursions, many of which are only accessible by boat, such as the flooded emerald forests, the bamboo stilt villages, the remote Buddhist monasteries and more.

Ready to embark on an adventure of Indiana Jones-esque proportions? Aqua Expeditions is at www.aquaexpeditions.com. Give them a call at +65 6270 4002 to make an appointment.

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480 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh HDB Hub East Wing #13-01 Singapore 310480 TA469

May 2014 • Family & Life

29

BITES

Classic

White Asparagus

At Family & Life, we believe that cooking can, and should be, a family affair!

This month, we present the simple white asparagus, just coming into season in the month of May, and our resident chef’s take on this humble vegetable.

The European white asparagus normally comes into season in the months of May and June, and is slowly increasing in popularity in Singapore, as diners begin to appreciate the vegetable’s unique blend of tenderness and crunch. The most important thing to note about the white asparagus is that it’s highly recommended to cook it when it’s fresh because older white asparagus tends to taste bitter if left out for too long.

Egg yolks........................4 White wine vinegar................50 ml

White wine..............150 ml

Butter...... 750 grams

Vinegar, tarragon, salt

and pepper........... To taste

MATERIALS

Asparagus 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Flat plate

5.

Cooking pot

6.

Knife

Tim Meijers is a globe-trotting chef with more than a decade of experience working in Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants. He came to Singapore three years ago and worked for Saint Pierre before starting Tim’s Fine Catering Services, bringing the luxury of fine dining to offices and homes all over the island.

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Family & Life • May 2014

Deep tray Chopping board

Clean cloth

Boil a small pot of water (make sure the mixing bowl fits in nicely without touching the water).

Melt the butter in a pan and put it aside.

Put in the white wine, vinegar, tarragon, and peppercorn in a cooking pot.

Reduce this mixture until there is about 50 ml left, then add 50 ml of water and the four egg yolks before transferring the product into the mixing bowl.

Whisk the mixture in the mixing bowl, which is above the boiling water, until the mixture is of yoghurt thickness.

Switch off the fire and continue whisking the mixture until it reaches room temperature before slowly mixing in the butter that you’ve melted.

Baby Carrots 1.

2.

3.

Peeler Mixing bowl

Peel the asparagus (make sure you take off the skin). Do not throw the skin as we will use this to make a stock.

Fill up a cooking pot with water, add the asparagus skins, and bring it to boil. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat and leave it for 20 minutes. Now, you can remove the asparagus skins from the pot of water.

Add 250 grams of butter to the water and bring it back to boil.

Throw in the asparagus, wait for the water to boil again, reduce the fire and let it simmer for five minutes.

Now, switch of the heat and leave the asparagus covered with a cloth for another 20 minutes.

Hollandaise Sauce

Whisk

ABOUT THE CHEF

We hope you have fun with this recipe. Do share your asparagus creations with us on our Facebook page at www.fb.com/familyandlifemag!

INGREDIENTS PREPARATIONS

SERVES: 4 people (starter size)

Medium-sized white DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Easy enough asparagus.....................

16 for kitchen newbies!

30 minutes Baby potatoes.......250 grams PREPARATION TIME:

TOTAL COOKING TIME: 20 minutes Ham (from the leg)...... 100 grams

Personal fine dining chef Tim Meijers, who runs his own fine dining business and has had cooking experience in the kitchens of Saint Pierre, loves serving this earthy vegetable with baby potatoes, ham and hollandaise sauce.

Wash the potatoes thoroughly with a sponge but leave the skin on as it has a lot of flavour.

Put the potatoes in cold water and slowly bring the water to boil in low heat. When the water is boiling, leave the potatoes in for another 20 minutes.

Strain the water away from the pot, leaving just the potatoes, before melting 50 grams of butter and adding this to the potatoes.

Ham 1.

2.

Take 200 ml of asparagus water and bring it to boil.

Put the ham on the deep tray and add the water. Leave the ham inside for about two minutes to warm the ham up.

OP-ED

Of Love, Lack of Sleep & Motherhood

By Euforica Lim Cai Rong

Back in October, one of our guest columnists, Desmond Foo, recounted the pitfalls of being in China while traversing their family’s first pregnancy. This month, his wife, who recently gave birth two months back, discovers the joys (and horrors) of motherhood.

Having a baby is something I have always been looking forward to. In fact, every bit of my pregnancy was inundated with the joys of the impending delivery. Having pored through tons of baby books, magazines and online forums and with multiple seminars and antenatal class under my belt since my baby started its journey as an embryo, I was ready to be a proud mum, almost as proud as if I was going to be awarded a PhD in motherhood.

However, that confidence was soon quashed as reality knocked some sense into me - my perceived “PhD” was in fact a PSLE certificate in disguise.

My expectation of a well-planned day with routine feedings, diaper changing and showering was as real as a castle built in the air. Instead, the first few days after being discharged from hospital were governed by my little one’s whim and fancy. Almost everything I learnt from books and seminars was ejected from my memory the moment he started wailing. Sometimes the wailing reduced me to tears. Whenever that happens, my significant other had to soothe not one, but two crying babies, and he always managed it without much difficulty.

Motherhood (or rather parenthood) is life-changing in several aspects, none of which would be imaginable before personally setting foot into this phase, but all of which I willingly accept as the responsibilities of a doting mum.

SLEEP The very first thing to be sacrificed upon assuming the role of a parent is sleep. Many others who have trod this path warned me about the meagre sleep we could afford.

Indeed, succumbing to fatigue at those hours that I have been so used to, became a luxury. Our sleep is now rationed at intervals determined by

my little one’s feeding and nap time. After accounting for the time to address our daily needs, there is only so much left. You know sleep is lacking when you make a fruitless attempt to seal the milk bottle with the wrong cap, or mistake the little one’s head for the giant switch button on his favourite musical seahorse. Even normal physiological reflexes are delayed by seconds.

Fortunately, with dogged determination, it did not take too long to learn to predict the feeding time with accuracy and differentiate one cry from another (whether it is hunger, wet diaper, pain or simply the need to be carried and pampered). Mastering these granted my husband and me with golden opportunities to take power naps.

MEALS Since the onset of pregnancy, I surrendered the privilege of choosing what I loved to eat, and went for what I needed to eat instead, only indulging myself when my taste buds threatened to revolt against the healthy diet. This self-imposed healthy diet got stricter when I started breastfeeding, knowing that what I eat is what he gets. Earlier, I would have baulked at the mere thought of ingesting any animal innards (like kidney or liver) or green leafy vegetables bigger than a toddler’s palm. Now, I wolf them down like delicacies. I am fortunate that my motherin-law is a good cook, making it easier than I expected.

Milk supply is another factor that determines what I eat, thus Fenugreek tea and oat milk, which are said to help boost milk supply, have become fast friends. I go to the extent of volunteering to test milk supply boosting cookies for a friend selling them (and to her credit, I must say those cookies taste great).

SHOPPING TRIPS An indication of being sworn into the circle of motherhood is when everything else takes a backseat to the needs of the little one. Even the sacred daily beauty regime is not spared. It is somewhat amusing when you unknowingly replace the shopping trips for skincare and fancy dresses with trips in search for the best nappy cream, diaper and milk powder. A mammoth diaper bag, filled with diapers, changing pad, milk powder and bottles, pacifier, nappy cream, extra clothes and bibs, health booklet, almost half the house in fact, take the place of dainty bags when we leave the house.

However, despite the changes to almost every aspect of my life and the painful sacrifices, motherhood is a journey I never regretted stepping into. For every hair-tearing moment, there is bound to be a priceless one, like when he smiles cheekily in his sleep or when he answers your one-sided conversations with oohs and ahhs, as if he understands what I’m saying to him. Looking at him, snuggled in my arms, I have no qualms sacrificing all the nice things in life for him, even my career if need be; I will have to return to China, where I am based at currently for three years, this month and I am petrified by the thought of him being taken care of by a stranger, especially after hearing stories of babies being abducted in the land where most parents are restricted to just one offspring.

Motherhood is no doubt lifechanging and it often forces you to reassess your priorities (sometimes even prioritising the priorities), but when it comes knocking on your door, maternal instincts naturally takes over and imparts you the ability to navigate its challenging terrain.

May 2014 • Family & Life

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