CHRONICLE Florence and The Machine PAGE 17
the nanyang
FEBRUARY
22 , 2010 | V ol 16 no 8 | is sn no 0 218 -7310 | W W w. n t u. edu. s g / c hronic l e
Hall rooms vs YOG: let the contest begin Strict criteria for students to get a room in hall during the upcoming vacation, because of Games Khoo Fang Xuan WITH fewer than 3,500 rooms available for students over the vacation, it will be tougher to find somewhere to stay on campus this summer. Most hall rooms will be reserved for the athletes and coaches participating in the Youth Olympic Games in August. As a result, students wishing to stay on campus must fulfill strict criteria. “Only those who are attending academic programmes during the summer break and do not have a home in Singapore will be considered for hostel accommodation during the May to August break,” said Ms Angela Shang Lai Peng, Deputy Director (Student Accommodation) of the Student Affairs Office (SAO). On ly sc hool-approve d i ndu st r ia l orientations, attachments, internships and Special Terms are taken as academic programmes. The strict adherence to both criteria is necessary as only six of the 16 halls will be available for students. As these six halls (Halls 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7) can accommodate only 3,277 people, those who do not fulfill requirements are advised to look for accommodation off-campus. They could also consider temporarily sharing a room with two other tenants, said Ms Shang. However, students also raised questions about the feasibility of this option as permission of both tenants have to be obtained beforehand and the current rooms are too small for three occupants. Ms Shang was speaking with three other speakers at the YOG & YOU dialogue session organised by the Students’ Union, which aimed to provide a channel for students to understand and enquire how they could be affected by YOG, which will take place from August 14th to 26th. This is the second such dialogue session, after the first almost 12 months ago. Approximately 80 students attended the session, held at LT19A on February 11th, and raised question after question about hall accommodation and shifting. “I wish to know more about how I would be affected by the moving out as I stay in hall and would like to make to necessary
preparations,” said Tay Xiong Sheng, 25, a second-year student from the School of Biological Sciences. The tight rules meant some difficult decisions had to be made. For example, the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) has brought forward its Design and Innovation Project from the summer break to the current semester. It will not be a programme considered for hostel application. Consequently, second-year EEE student Vinai Gopalakrishnan, 25, is deciding between signing up for Special Term and returning to his home country during the four-month break. He explained that his main worry is the date of announcement of the application. “It’s really difficult to find rented houses and with a student budget it gets even more difficult. The panel answered my question, but the reply was disappointing,” he said. Another issue raised concerned the start of semester for the next academic year. The date chosen is August 30th, just four days after the end of the YOG. Students are worried as this means that they will have to move in to the halls on August 29th, Sunday, when hall offices will be closed. One of the speakers, YOG consultant Mr Chong Peng Jek, said that SAO would look into opening the hall offices on that Sunday to help students’ moving in. He added that even though SAO would prefer a later start, the date was decided by the top management of the university. He understands that NTU does not want to compromise on the quality of education, and hence kept the semester at 13 weeks. W hile most questions asked were targeted at hall issues, there were a few on the accessibility of NTU during the break. Some ha l l or ientat ion com m it tee members wanted to find out if they could have access to places such as the Sports and Recreation Centre for the Freshmen Orientation Camps. They were not given concrete answers, though SAO did assure students that the libraries will be open for students’ use during the holiday. The session, which lasted for around two hours, received good feedback from the students. Sean Tan, 22, a third-year student from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, felt that though the session could have been improved to better cater to students’ needs and inquiries, it was informative.
FIRING AWAY: Students watch on as Sean Tan asks questions about the upcoming YOG.
PHOTO | IRWIN TAN
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Time for wine PAGE 10
Surf’s up at Siloso Beach PAGE 35
Nano affair PAGE 19
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FE B R UARY 22 , 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
NTU RSIS ranked third in Asia Leading research and graduate teaching institution wins accolades Samantha Boh NTU’s opinions on foreign policy now carry more weight than before, thanks to the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), a graduate school housed at NTU which was ranked third in Asia in a recent study. The Global “Go-To Think Tanks" study, which ranks institutes doing research and problem solving in areas such as social policy and political strategies, was conducted by the University of Pennsylvania, one of America’s top research universities with over US$500 million in annual external funding. The results were released late last month. Its Think Tank and Civil Societies Programme has ranked more than 1,000 Asian think tanks every year since its launch in 2006. RSIS was placed behind the Japan Institute of International Affairs and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences which came in first and second respectively.
The criteria used to rank the think tanks include academic reputation, success in generating innovative policy ideas, as well as access to elites in the areas of policy-making, media and academia.
“We are very research-oriented and do not publish just for the sake of it, but ensure that our publications are relevant and cutting edge.” Associate Professor Joseph Chinyong Liow Associate Dean, RSIS
Ambassador Barry Desker, Dean of RSIS, said that this ranking is recognition given by the global policy and academic community to RSIS’ contributions. “The ranking is a milestone in RSIS’ growth as a professional graduate school of international affairs and a leading think tank in the region,” he said. Dr Su Guaning, President
of NTU, said: “It signals to the world that NTU is excellent not only in science, engineering and business studies, but also in the field of security studies, strategic studies, international affairs, and international political economy.” Having been officially inaugurated only on January 1st 2007, RSIS’ climb to the third spot has been an efficient one. The Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies—a centre within the RSIS— was ranked 10th by the University of Pennsylvania when Asian think tanks were first ranked in 2008. Associate Professor Joseph Chinyong Liow, Associate Dean of RSIS, attributed the rise in rankings to the focused vision of the school. “We are very researchoriented and do not publish just for the sake of it, but ensure that our publications are relevant and cutting edge,” he said. He added that this aspect of RSIS has been supported through generous funding from companies such as Temasek Holdings. This ranking also bodes well for RSIS as it helps to elevate the school in the eyes of foreign funding agencies seeking to initiate research from Asian think tanks, according to Associate Professor Ron Matthews, Head of Graduate Studies and Deputy
Director of Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies. Associate Professor Ron Matthews sees this enhancement in reputation as a benefit for students as “prospective employers and universities would be aware of this prestigious third ranking that RSIS enjoys. “This can only help their graduates gain excellent jobs and research positions”. Students from RSIS also expressed their delight at the rankings and hopes for continual development of the school as a research institute. “I am proud that RSIS is ranked third in Asia and I hope that the school will continue with this culture of excellence,” said Muhammad Ridzwan Bin Rahmat, 30, a Master’s student of Science (Strategic Studies) at RSIS. Apart from RSIS, the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy from National University of Singapore and Singapore Institute of International Affairs also snagged the 7th and 15th ranking respectively, a sign of Singapore’s growing intellectual capital. “Singapore has always moved towards excellence in tertiary education and this success in the Global “Go-To Think Tanks" rankings definitely shows it,” said Associate Professor Liow.
The link between brains and IT New institute formed to create greener and more efficient science Gu Fenghui The human brain excels at making connections that use minimal energy. Now, a new institute is looking at how computers can learn from our brains' efficiency to create greener technology. NTU is at the forefront of information technology with the opening of the Institute of Sustainable and Applied Infodynamics in Singapore. The research that the centre will do will be the first of its kind in the world. This is a collaboration between NTU and Rice University, based in Houston, US. It will focus on developing ‘green’ technology, and incorporate key neurological findings into information technology in an attempt to create efficient technology that uses less energy. Such technology is possible due to the brain's ability to make links between limited information, according to Rice University's Professor Krishna Palem, who will lead the new institute. “Our brains are particularly good at translating streams of information into a few bits of
useful information," said Professor Palem. “If computers can behave like the human brain and reduce the level of perfection and instead use less information and fill in the gaps, then they could use less energy." The institute will also work on developing a virtual hospital system which will allow doctors to access information on their patients, even if they are not with them, through medical tablet machines which will gather data through bio-sensors and send it to doctors.
“The new centre will expand ISNE's original mission and envision a bigger opportunity for information and its transformation.” Dr Su Guaning President NTU
Professor Palem explained that the tablets will have autonomous decision-support systems, which
news flash singapore's economy is forecasted to grow up to 6.5 percent this year, as compared to previous forecast s of 5 .0 percent. This rise reflects increased economic strength, even though the outlook is still uncertain. president of the united States, Obama, met with exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai L ama at the White House on February 18th. The meeting has the potential to cause complications in Sino-US relations, which have seen tension in the recent months. french luxury fashion group PPR announced that they will continue Alexander McQueen's label despite the British designer's suicide on February 11th. McQueen's team of creators will finish work on his latest collection, which will be presented in Paris on March 9th. a man who was up on jazz Air, a Canadian regional airline, was reportedly kicked off a flight due to his body odour. While the Jazz Air spokeswoman Manon Stuart confirmed that a passenger was "deplaned", she could not provide any information about the person involved and reas ons given. NORTH K OREA HAS declared four naval firing zones near the disputed sea border they share with South Korea. The "no sail" zones suggest that the North might conduct firing exercises there. MINISTER MENTOR LEE Kuan Yew said that Singapore's future in the coming five to 10 years will be an "optimistic" one, with the newly opened integrated resorts boosting the tourism sector. AMAZON HAS RELEASED A FREE Kindle for BlackBerry application, thus allowing Amazon's books to be available on the Research in Motion smartphones. The application allows BlackBerry users access to more than 420,000 works, but is only available to US users. toyota global president Akio Toyoda said that he will testify to US politicians about Toyota's giant global recall programme. Toyota will continue to recall the 8.5 million vehicles worldwide.
IN COLLABORATION: Professor Palem (left) and Professor Mooney stand together to start the Institute of Sustainable and Applied Infodynamics. PHOTO | GU FENGHUI
are able to make decisions on their own. “They will assist doctors in diagnosing medical conditions, even from a remote location connected by a wireless link," said Professor Palem. This could mean cheaper and more efficient healthcare for the public, and will also be an opportunity for those in developing countries to get a certain amount of healthcare as compared to none at all, said Professor Vincent J. Mooney, a visiting associate professor at
NTU, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. He is also a senior fellow from the Institute for Sustainable Nanoelectronics (ISNE) set up in NTU three years ago. These ideas are still on the drawing board as the institute will only be functional during the 2011/2012 academic year. NTU President Dr Su Guaning said: “The new centre will expand ISNE’s original mission and envision a bigger opportunity for information and its transformation."
TIMEORDIME , a s t u d e n t business idea from a group of NTU students that makes use of service networking to allow students run errands for each other, has won 6th place in the Queen's Business Competition, held in Canada.
correction “PARENTS CATCH GLIMPSE OF UNIVERSITY LIFE” (Vol 16 No 7, page 2) The person in the photo was stated as Associate Professor Patricia Tan, Associate Dean of Nanyang Business School. The correct name is Ms Patricia Sim, Corporate Support Officer from Nanyang Business School. We apologise for the error.
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FE B R UA RY 2 2 , 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
NTU wins four out of five competitive award grants Jing-Yuan, Co-Director of NTU’s Residues and Resource Reclamation Centre (R3C) said: “Within this community, all the waste that is generated from household, convenience stores, wet markets, or hawker centers can be converted into useful materials and energy on site.” For this to happen, R3C is trying to develop new methods of converting waste to energy and waste to materials. The CRP will also pursue the conversion of traditional wastewater treatment plants into urban eco power stations. Technologies for reclaiming land used as old dumping grounds can also increase land space. Professor Wang is collaborating with governmental and industrial partners like National Environment Agency, JTC Corporation, and Sembcorp Industries to eventually scale up these technologies for demonstration.
GRAPHIC | ALAN CHOONG
Prestigious research awards given to four NTU projects aimed at fostering sustainable urban development Joel Yuen RESEARCH funding worth $40 million has been allocated to NTU, when four research projects were selected by the National Research Foundation (NRF). Only five research projects in total were awarded the funding under the programme. NRF, together with its Competitive Research Programme (CRP), proposed an open call for submissions with the theme: Sustainable Urban Systems. It attracted 68 entries, submitted by local universities, polytechnics, as well as public and private research bodies. The win, according to Dr Su Guaning, President of NTU, will attract leading faculty members from all over the world to NTU. “Students will have the opportunity to learn from some of the very best,” he said. The bulk of the grants will go towards hiring top global scientists, as well as engaging PhD research students to continue working
on projects which are already underway. The various proposals came under close scrutiny by the International Evaluation Panel, and this is what NTU’s winning submissions are setting out to do. BUILDING UNDERWATER CITIES In future, Singaporeans might find themselves walking along a “coast” not on sand, but below sea level. Associate Professor Chu Jian, Director of the Centre for Infrastructure Systems, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, aims to change the way conventional land reclamation techniques are carried out with the technology that his team is developing. Because of a new technology that helps to block out sea water, “NEUSpace” can be created above and into seawater, without the need for massive amounts of material like sand to reclaim land. Moreover, this technology can double up as storage tankers, reducing the need for additional space on land. sUSTAINABLE URBAN WASTE MANAGEMENT FOR 2020 By the year 2020, a community within a cluster of HDB flats may even become self-sustainable. Associate Professor Wang
ENGINEERING BIOLOGY FOR THE NEXT-GENERATION BIOFUEL Professor Ching Chi Bun, the Chair of the School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, is researching on microbial cell factories that may help develop cheaper means of producing biofuels. Biofuels are a form of energy derived from animals and plants that can take the place of petrol or diesel used in vehicles. According to Professor Ching, cars running on biodiesel are comparable to electric cars in terms of efficiency. However, electric cars are very costly and have a short range.
"Students will have the opportunity to learn from some of the very best." Dr Su Guaning President NTU
“Global energy usage is projected to double in the next two decades, and biofuel will be expected to increasingly serve as a sustainable, carbon-neutral energy source,” he said. TOWARDS EFFICIENT SUNLIGHT HARVESTING Inspired by Mother Nature, Assistant Professor Zhao Yang, from School of Materials Science and Engineering aims to find out how bacteria harvest solar energy and convert it to chemical energy. This process loses only one percent of the energy during conversion, according to Professor Zhao. This process of harvesting energy from sunlight is more efficient than current solar panel technology.
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NTU steps up green research THE University's position in environmental engineering and urban sustainability has been reinforced following a win of three out of five research grants awarded by the National Environmental Agency. This is on top of clinching four out of five awards given out by the NRF. (see article on left) The Environmental Technology and Research Programme is a $15-million programme which provides support for Singapore-based organisations to develop waste management technology. In the first winning project, Professor Ng Wun Jern and his team will develop technology to speed up landfill stabilisation and
tap the landfill as a source of energy. The second winning project focuses on developing a process to convert sewage sludge and municipal solid waste into bio-energy like fuels and electricity. The research team is headed by Adjunct Assistant Professor Yan Rong from the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Senior Scientist and Centre Director of the Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering. The final winning project, led by Associate Professor Wang Jing-Yuan, Director of the Residues and Resource Reclamation Centre, aims to develop biotechnology which will allow for conversion of waste into biodegradable materials.
Malaria: biting back Leonard How RESEARCHERS at NTU’s School of Biological Sciences have scored a world’s first in decoding previously unknown portions of the malarial genome, which could lead to stronger drugs or even a vaccine for malaria. The disease is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes and kills up to three million people each year. Co-leader of the research team, Professor Peter Preiser, said: “A lot of people were excited about [the malaria genome] because we could now identify and determine the function of these genes. “A problem previously was that while we had the genome, we could only predict the function of half of it. A big challenge for the malaria research community was to find out what these unknown genes do.” Using a technique called transcription profiling, the team, led by Assistant Professor Zbynek Bozdech, was able to measure the genetic activity of the malarial parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. By examing infected cells at different life stages of the parasite, they were able to obtain
a picture of all the cellular activity happening at any one time, painting a picture of how the parasite functions. These profiles can, for example, distinguish between cells that are actively dividing, or show how cells react to a particular treatment. “What it has done is to make a really complex story much less complicated,” he said. Both graduate and postdoctoral students make up the research team. With the data, the team has unmasked over 90 percent of the genome’s unknown half and uncovered almost all gene functions. Such research is important as resistance to anti-malarial drugs is growing worldwide. With the malarial genome better understood, scientists will then be able to create a new drug to aid malaria patients. Professor Preiser explained that currently, the biggest problem they are facing is choosing the specific genes to target with a drug. He said that knowing how infected cells respond to specific treatments will go a long way in manufacturing anti-malarial drugs.
LACKING BITE: NTU research may make malaria less of a threat.
PHOTO | INTERNET
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news
FE B R UARY 22 , 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
Ideas spark when business meets community work Student organisation brings together charity and entrepreneurship Ng Yee Theng They went to Cambodia to build water filter systems, and came back with an idea for a business sewing laptop bags. Now, w it h s upp or t f r om NTU Students in Free Enterprise (NTUSIFE), which helps students apply business concepts to help the needy, their idea is taking off. Over the past semester since the club was formed, NTUSIFE has expanded into a team of over 70 active members. The club is committed to combining business with charity. “We provide a flexible platform for anyone to initiate a project of their own interest in the future, because we are in the midst of getting sponsorships for projects incubation," said its president,
Soh Ju Hu, 25, a final-year student from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Last December, it s yout h expedition project titled Project Waterloo saw a team heading down to Pursat in Cambodia to build water filtration systems for the community in nine days. NTUSIFE worked with Sustainable Cambodia, a non-governmental organisation, which taught them how to make cement filters that can provide clean water to the villagers. At the end of the project, the members also came back with a business idea–to generate income for vocational school students in Pursat engaged in the micro business of sewing products, which also comes under Sustainable Cambodia. Joyce Ta n , 20, a P roje c t Waterloo member, said that the Pursat students were initially sewing bags and other handmade items. However, a fellow member suggested that making laptop bags could be more lucrative. “We suggested that they sew
laptop bags, which they weren’t producing yet. And we intend to help sell it in Singapore,” said Tan, a second-year student from Nanyang Business School. For now, they plan to conduct a campus market survey before carrying out a long-term plan with Sustainable Cambodia to bring the product here. If successful, 80 percent of the profit from sales of bags will go to the vocational school students, with the remaining profits going to the maintenance of sewing machines and Sustainable Cambodia’s funds. “Projects should evolve and now, with this micro business oppor tunit y, it’s another step forward for us to build sustainable projects,” said Soh. S I F E We e k , a t h r e e - d a y programme from February 22nd to 24th, will showcase what the club has done and their upcoming p r oj e c t s s u c h a s K a m p u n g Temasek and Global Citizenship Camp. A booth will be put up outside Canteen A.
US ratifies Kyoto Protocol (at Model United Nations) Fifth NTU Model United Nations has students actively debating about world issues Aakanksha Shad T h e US r at if y i ng t he Kyoto Protocol. Rwanda asking to give the US total control over the proposed African Union. These were but two highlights of the NTU Model United Nations (MUN) held from February 5th to 7th at the Nanyang Executive Centre. The NTU MUN, which is in its fifth edition this year, was organised in partnership with the
International Herald Tribune (IHT) for the very first time. Ac c or d i n g to N T U M U N Secretary-General Jayesh Kannan, the broadsheet’s involvement helped give t he event e x t r a credibility. “By publicising our event in their paper, the IHT helped bring our event to a truly international audience.” Over 250 participants, referred to as delegates of the Model United Nations, came from different schools all over Singapore, as well as both local and overseas universities. They were formed into various groups modelled after the actual United Nations, which included the General Assembly, the Security
DECISION MADE: Delegates prepare for the closing ceremony. PHOTO | ZAKARIA ZAINAL
Council and the World Health Organization (WHO). The press corps were another feature where participants roleplayed journalists from different news agencies reporting on the UN council meetings. Four news agencies, the Associated Press, Xinhua News Agency, Der Spiegel and Al Jazeera were chosen for their various political slants. Students could choose to write, do photography or videography, video editing, anchoring or layout as part of the press corps. One of the key note speakers, NTU Dean of Students A s soc iate P rofe s sor Lok Tat Seng ac k nowledged t hat h i s pa r t ic i pat ion i n N T U M U N has been a tr uly educational experience, citing his increased knowledge of Kazakhstan. Other keynote speakers included Deputy Advertising Director of IHT (Asia-Pacific), Ms Eileen Soh and S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies Terrorism-Research expert, Assistant Professor John Harrison. They spoke on the role of the press in international politics and counter-terrorism respectively. Delhi University undergraduate Tanvi Girotra called the debates and discussions “a wonderful experience”. However, the 12-time MUN participant added that despite the active dialogue, situations there did not completely model that of actual council meetings. While the UN meetings have no timeline, MUN delegates only had two days to come to a decision. Which is why the US agreeing to the Kyoto Protocol has only happened in the MUN so far.
DOING THIER PART: Students filtering sand to obtain particles suitable for use in water filters. PHOTO | SIFE
Fair mix of travel and culture Pearl Lee Returning visitors to NTU’s annual International Culture and Travel Fair (ICTF) were pleasantly surprised to find a less chaotic scene. NTU’s International Culture and Travel Fair (ICTF) has returned for the third year running, drawing crowds of a few thousand.
“We want to promote an awareness and mutual understanding of different cultures among students.” Sirichai Vongsomtakul Chairman International Culture and Travel Fair
Held on January 8th and 9th at Nanyang Auditorium, the fair saw booths set up by students from the International Union Club (IUC) and Language Club. Partnering tour agencies too had booths set up to promote discounted tour packages. With the theme Miniature of the World, the ICTF this year aimed to promote intercultural understanding among NTU students. Several booths showcased cultural items from different countries. Chairman of ICTF, Sirichai Vongsomtakul, 23, said: “NTU
is a melting pot of different cultures, as we have so many students from many different parts of the world. “ We w a nt to pr omot e an awa reness and mut ua l understanding of different cultures among students,” she added. Contik i Tours, a company specialising in student travel, is the official sponsor of ICTF. Sales Officer at Contiki Tours, Mr Jeremy Leong, said that their aim is to increase their brand awareness to tertiary students. Travel agencies such as STA Travel, ECO Travel and Safe2Travel participated in the fair offering discounted travelling packages to students. Marketing Assistant of STA Travel, Ms Angeline Aw, who has participated in the ICTF for all three years, felt the fair was better organised this year. “The response for this year’s fair is almost comparable to previous years,” said Ms Aw. “But the programmes planned out does seem more well-organised." Apart from the cultural and t r ave l boot h s , i nte r nat iona l students also put up performances as they compete to win the “World’s Got Talent" Competition. 21-yearold Kaung Set Zaw from Myanmar Students’ Community won the first prize, a $150 Capitaland voucher and $20 hamper, with a solo guitar performance. First-year School of Physical a nd M at he m at ic a l S c ie nc e s student, Lee Wen Jie, 22, felt that his main aim was to check out the travelling deals offered by various tour agencies. “The crowd was definitely more interested in the travel agencies’ booths rather than the IUC booths, but overall the fair was rather fun and interesting,” said Lee.
FE B R UA RY 2 2 , 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
Old friends, new fish
REELING IN: Participants had a chance to fish in NTU's own Nanyang Lake, and catch up PHOTO | LOONG YONG EN with old friends.
Well into its 18th year, the annual fishing competition remains popular Trinh Hoang Ly THE chance to hook up with old friends and fresh fish was enough to lure many NTU alumni back to the campus for the annual Nanyang Lake Fishing Competition. The event, organised by the NTU Anglers' Club (NTUAC) on February 6th and 7th, attracted more than 120 participants. They included not just students and alumni, but also members of the public. Participants were reeled in by the prospect of 600kg of fish that were released into the lake prior to the competition, as it meant a relatively high catch rate. The winner of the Open Category, Mr John Tan, 43, caught 24.5kg of fish on the first day of the event. He was introduced to the fishing competition in 2006 by his cousin, a staff member in NTU, and has since become a regular participant. Mr Gaston Chee, 26, who graduated from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering last year, is another regular participant. “It’s very much about the company. The catch is only a bonus,” he said. President of NTUAC, Chen Weiqiang, 28, a third-year undergraduate from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, said the quiet
ambience of Nanyang Lake and the abundance of fish “is encouraging and would make people want to come back”. This year's competition advocated the “Catch and Release" system more actively as compared with previous years, encouraging anglers to release the fish back into the lake. “Catch and Release is a good practice that helps maintain the fish population and the ecosystem wherever you fish,” said Mr Jason Lee, a participant who is also the manager of Fishing Paradise, a freshwater fishing pond located in Yishun.
“It's very much about the company. The catch is only a bonus.” Gaston Chee, 24 NTU Alumni
Even though the fish released into Nanyang Lake were purchased from Malaysia, NTUAC acclimatised them to the lake by mixing lake water with the original water they lived in. The fish are expected to breed in the lake and be of little consequence to its overall ecosystem. With 18 years of history, NTUAC hopes that the Nanyang Lake Fishing Competition will continue pulling in the crowds in the years to come. Added Chen: “There’s no age for fishing. The more people fish, the more fishing kakis (buddies) we have.”
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FE B R UARY 22 , 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
The Nanyang Awards Dawn Lim
THE 2009 Nanyang Award recipients are faculty and staff with outstanding achievements and contributions and they receive awards for excellence in teaching, research and innovation, humanitarian work, team work and service. During the February 2nd ceremony, NTU President Dr Su Guaning lauded the recipients for distinguishing themselves “not only by excellence in teaching and research, but also excellence in service”. This year’s ceremony had 22 awards in five categories. The Nanyang Chronicle spoke to five recipients about their work.
Professor Gillian Yeo Nanyang Award for Service Professor Gillian Yeo has been with the Nanyang Business School for 25 years. “I’ve seen the school grow from a simple Accountancy school to a full-f ledged Business school,” Professor Yeo said. In recognition of her contribution, Professor Yeo was awarded the Nanyang Award for Service at the Nanyang Awards 2009. Professor Yeo felt that it could be because she had a hand in helping to see the school through its various transitions. “My colleagues probably think I’m one of the major links in helping the school grow in strength, but the important point is that it was a team effort that helped to bring the school to where it is today,” she said.
Associate Professor Sun Xiaowei Nanyang Award for Research and Innovation
Office of Admissions and Financial Aid Management Support Team Nanyang Award for Teamwork This team of six might have only met a few weeks before embarking on the planning of Open House 2009, but they still managed to put up a successful event that catered to close to 10,700 people. Ms Janice Liau, Assistant Manager of the team, said: “Winning the award is a bit stressful too, we feel a need to put on a better show for Open House 2010.”
Although the event was a success, the team admitted that they are not perfect. Ms Moernie Osman, Executive Officer of the team, said: “We do quarrel, but we make up. We are strong in certain points, but we have weak points too.” Besides working well with each other, the team also worked with students, and the Students’ Union (SU) Open House committee. Chairperson of the SU Open House committee 2009, Ms Yap Hui Ting, 23, who is a graduate from Nanyang Business School, said: “The team took our views seriously and we worked together with the same aim of making the event a success.”
ASSOCI AT E Professor Sun Xiaowei’s research interests may mean halving electricity bills in the future. Associate Professor Sun, from the School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering (EEE) was awarded the Research and Innovation Award at the Nanyang Awards 2009. He was one of two recipients. His research, involves the use of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) rods to create Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). “Light consumes about 20 percent of the electricity we use,” said Associate Professor Sun. “Using LEDs for lighting can save up to half of electricity bills in the future.” Currently, ZnO LEDs can only be used for purposes like computer indicator lights and exit signs as it is not efficient enough for more widespread use.
Assoc Prof Chang Weining Nanyang Award for Humanitarian Work Dr Chua Guan Leong Nanyang Award for Excellence in Teaching
Professor Chang was commended for her recent achievement in humanitarian work. She provided psychological assistance to the survivors of the Sichuan earthquake in 2008, travelling to China to develop a national psychological trauma relief unit. She took advantage of her fluency in both Chinese and English to provide a bridge for the victims to communicate with foreign professional psychologists who wanted to help, but were unable to do so because of the language barrier. “Psychological help and mental wellness programs need to be made affordable for the masses in order for it to be beneficial,” she said.
Dr Chua Guan Leong has a secret to teaching effectively—passion. He is one of the 16 Teaching Awards winners of the Nanyang Awards 2009. A lecturer from the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Dr Chua credited his achievement to his dedication in teaching, as well as the positive feedback he receives from students. “I never treated teaching like a job,” Dr Chua said, adding that it is essential to like what one is teaching. “This is better than any reward.” PHOTOS | LOONG YONG EN, MALCOLM KOH, NEO WEN TONG & NG JUN SEN
Additional reporting by Neo Wen Tong and Fiona Cher
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FE B R UARY 22 , 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
Playing Dunk for a good cause Ng Yee Theng Fundraising has gone beyond the old idea of just asking for donations, and now gets donors moving. T h is yea r, N T U St udent s’ Union Students’ Fund (SUSF) is collaborating with NTU Sports Club and Cultural Activities Club (CAC) to promote fundraising in a novel way. Called Dunk! For Fund, the event is a three-on-three, halfcourt basketball challenge where teams compete to raise funds for needy students. Te a m s a r e i n d i f f e r e n t categories, including a wheelchair
category, which will see eight teams from the Wheelchair Basketball Association (Singapore) (WBA) coming down to play. “Initially, we were thinking of a sport that appeals to the young, and basketball came to mind. Then we found out about WBA Singapore and went down to play a few games with them. They later agreed to play at the event,” said Ong Shi Hao Joseph, 23, chairperson of NTU SUSF. The tournament will take place at VivoCity (the Plaza) on 27th and 28th February from 8.30am to 7.30pm. NTU Sports Club is supporting SUSF in t h is event w it h t he
BASKETBALL ON WHEELS: Having a practice game.
About the event
game mechanics, while CAC will be in charge of performances such as moder n jazz , brea k dance and jazz and blues on the event days. The money raised through the event will go the SUSF, which gives out 30 bursaries a year to needy students and those in need of emergency money to tide them over unforseen events. Gao Fei, 23, a t h i rd-yea r s t ude nt f r om t he S c hool of Biolog ica l Sc ie nce s , for me d a team with her friends from other local universities, said, “I decided to participate because it’s for a good cause and it’s something fun.”
Tattoos, not taboo Wong Oi Shan Tattoos are no longer the taboo that many think. A research study conducted by a group of final-year Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information students as part of their public relations (PR) campaign, showed that public perceptions of tattoos are actually more positive than commonly thought. Team member Sarah Khiu, 22, explained that while their respondents did not think that they are influenced by negative media portrayals of people with tattoos, they believe that others around them are. “It means that society on a whole is not that prejudiced against tattoos,” she said. Their research involved a survey with 360 participants and focus group sessions which had 27 participants. Of those sur veyed, 60.8 percent were between 16 to 25 years-old. However, while acknowledging the demographic limitations of their sur vey, the group said that through the focus group discussions conducted, they discovered that participants above 40 express similar sentiments to those of lower age groups. A not her resea rch group member, Loh Si Pei, 22, said that appearance cues are a factor that more people look out for. “Most of those sur veyed don’t really discriminate against people with tattoos. They just
have their reser vations,” she said. The results from their research study helped them plan for their PR campaign for the Singapore Tat2 Show 2010, as they reached out to the public through blogs and school newspapers. T he a n nua l tat too show featuring works by tattoo artists worldwide, was held from January 8th to 10th at Singapore Expo. Khiu said that their research results motivated them to find other methods to reach out to the public, such as pitching stories about people with tattoos to the media. Second-year student from Nanyang Business School (NBS), Low Seng Kim, 23, is one of those hesitant to accept people with tattoos. Even though he would not intentionally avoid them, he also that he “would be more cautious”. Aileen Tan, 20, a first-year student from the School of Art, Design and Media shares a similar opinion. However, if the tattoos are small and pretty, she feels that they are “nice” and “very creative”. Some people with tattoos are also aware of the social stigma that is attached to them. Rachel Chin, 21, a second-year NBS student, keeps her tattoos on less conspicuous places like her ankle, in order to avoid hurting her future job prospects and from being treated differently because of them. With a prominent tattoo, “you won’t portray a very good impression to others,” she said.
PHOTO | WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION (SINGAPORE)
February 27th and 28th 8.30am to 7.30pm VivoCity (the Plaza)
Categories: Wheelchair Men's under 16 Men's above 16 Female
http://su.ntu.edu.sg/sf/Dunk_ for_fund.html
Prizes for each category: Up to $1,500 worth of Converse Vouchers,
$700 worth of GNC products, Fitness First memberships, Trophy and medals. Other prizes include special goodie bags with Nebo membership cards and welcome pack worth $500 and free Zouk passes. TATTOOS: People are not as averse to them as you might think. PHOTO | INTERNET
Game to help Aakanksha Shad WITH the first Youth Olympic Games (YOG) about five months away, over 2,500 NTU students have already signed up as volunteers. Senior Head of YOG Volunteer Management Team, Mr Radhakrishnan Govind, said that the large NTU turn-out is an encouraging sign. A recent campus recruitment event on a Saturday attracted
more–exact figures have not been collated–although most students registered as volunteers through the YOG website. Mr Govind added that they will try to accommodate as many students as possible, as volunteer places are also open to the general public. There are over 40 volunteer roles, ranging from translators to medal escorts. Applicants’ skills are matched with job requirements and most
“It is a great way to make new friends from different parts of the world and learn about theirs cultutres.”
Ewan Sou School of Humanities and Social Sciences Year 2
students have managed to get their first choice. “I applied for the position of Airport Service Officer, which entails attending to YOG guests at the arrival hall and VIP lounges,” said first-year NIE student Paulyne Teo. “After a short interview, I was offered the position.” Teo has previously volunteered for the Standard Chartered Marathon as a relationship manager. But no matter what their roles and experience, all volunteers have to go through core training which educates them on Olympic history, basic first aid and safety knowledge. Training began in
September last year and will go on until April. Despite the heavy commitment needed by volunteers, most students are enthusiastic about being a part of the Games. First-year HSS student, Chong Tat, 21, called this a “once in a lifetime opportunity” worth giving up his holidays for. O t he r s , l i ke s e cond-yea r Economics student Ewan Sou, 22, simply wanted to soak up the atmosphere. “It is a great way to make new friends from different parts of the world and learn about their cultures.”
Lifestyle Rejuvenate your souls at these tranquil beauty places - Page 13
wine it up
In conjunction with ValenWine, the largest wine exhibition for undergraduates, LeRoy Chan shows you how to appreciate wine and enjoy it with local food BOISTEROUS laughter and chatter filled the air as high-spirited students sipped on Chardonnay a nd S au v i g non Bla nc on a weekday afternoon in the Nanyang Auditorium. T hat wa s ju st one of t he merry scenes at ValenWine on Februar y 9th and 10th, which showcased wines from Australia, Argentina, Chile, France, Greece, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, the US and Brazil. Into its third year, ValenWine, a wine exhibition organised by t he N T U Wine Societ y, aims to introduce wine culture and promote wine education. Mingling with connoisseurwannabes, with wine glasses in tow, were 12 wine merchants, who shared their knowledge and experience.
Such interaction was invaluable to the wine learning experience. Third-year Nanyang Business School student, Sabrina Wee went on a wine-sampling spree around all the booths. “My favourite booth was Magma as they featured many different German wines including the popular Rieslings and Gewurztraminer. Also, it was my first time trying a German red wine, which was pretty good.” Once seen as the drink of the upper class, wine has broken down its exclusively snooty label to become increasingly accessible to people from all walks of life. Recently, wine interest groups have sprouted at Communit y Centres. Zi char places (casual Chinese restaurant-style food stalls) are
also seeing people pairing wines with dishes like hotplate beef and cereal prawns. Even students have caught the ‘wine bug’—wine clubs have become a Extra Curricular Activities club in most tertiary institutions. Wine can build your career too. Some job recruiters hold ‘Wine and Cheese’ sessions to assess potential candidates and with the growing importance of networking sessions, it would benefit students to learn the basics of wine. ValenWine 2010 Chairperson a nd t h i rd-yea r Accou nta nc y student Lucas Hu Qisheng said: “At ValenWine, we want to create an open and conducive environment for t he N T U com mu n it y to experience wine.” And that meant carrying a glass while drifting from one
TEASING THEIR PALATES: Our panel pairing canteen food with wine.
wine booth to another, meeting wine merchants—from the curious newbie to the seasoned enthusiast while sampling the wines. Some students even bought a bottle or two at discounted rates. Second-yea r Computer Engineering student Lim Hui Xiang bought nine bottles of wine and won the grand prize,a Vintec wine chiller.
PHOTOS | GAN JIA JUN
“I enjoyed the wine talk, which deepened my knowledge and increased my interest in wines,” he said. The Dean of Students and ValenWine’s Guest-of-Honour, Associate Professor Lok Tat Seng, summed it up best. “Wine is very educational and its enjoyment is both a pleasure and skill of life. But remember to enjoy it responsibly: Don’t drink and drive.”
the taste test Who said that wine can only pair with Western food at classy restaurants? A panel paired selected wines from ValenWine with canteen food in NTU. The panel consisted of Lucas Hu Qisheng, ValenWine 2010 Chairperson, Accountancy, Year 3, Fitrina Yuvitasari, Communication Studies, Year 1, a wine newbie, and LeRoy Chan, Biological Science, Year 4, a food blogger and wine enthusiast. Legend: LHQ – Lucas, LC – Leroy, FY – Fitrina
wine/food
Mutton Murtabak ($2 from Canteen B)
Guo Tie (pot-stickers) ($3 for 6 from Canteen A)
Chicken Chop ($3.50 from Canteen A)
Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay 2006, USA ($45 from CornerStone, 6732 0555 ext 216)
FY: It made the murtabak less oily and it highlights the taste of the dough, which is usually overshadowed by the fillings.
FY: It gave a sweet aftertaste, which was not so overpowering. The perfect match for the dumpling.
LHQ: The roundness and citrus flavor of this chardonnay went well with the chicken chop. I found that this oak-aged wine has the body to take on the brown sauce of the chicken chop.
Pink Elephant Rose 2008, Portugual ($29.50 from Wine Guru, 9753 1312) (Right)
LC: I liked how this fruity and crisp rose paired with the slightly spicy dish. The rose had enough weight to just cut through the spices.
LHQ: This pairing worked for me. The flavours of both the dumpling and the wine are allowed to shine together.
FY: It added a floral taste to the chicken chop.
LHQ: For me, the slightly rustic appeal of this cabernet sauvignon matched the murtabak. The tannins amplified the spiciness a little but I like the kick.
LC: This cabernet sauvignon has aromas of prunes, plums and a little herb which I felt can also pair with the guo tie nicely.
FY: Initially, the wine was very strong. However, it became sweeter with the chicken chop. Very surprising.
Intenso Fabiano Cabernet Sauvignon IGT 2006, Italy ($48 from Palitalia Importer & Exporter, 6283 6187) Miolo Gamay 2009, Brazil ($28 from Garnet & Peridot, 9617 5540)
FY: It made an eccentric combination as the wine made the murtabak bitter.
LHQ: The pork filling had a mild flavor, which matches this light red wine.
LC: This is one example that red wine does not always have to go with red meats! The fresh and floral gamay’s fine and velvety tannins complemented the chicken chop very well.
lifestyle
fe b r ua ry 2 2 , 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
11
WINE APPRECIATION FOR BEGINnERS: HERE IS A GUIDE FOR ENTRY-LEVEL DRINKERS
1) See
4) Sip
The appearance of wine in the glass can give clues to its age and weight. Red wines appear ruby red or even purple when young and brownish red when older. White wines are light yellow to greenish when young and become a darker golden yellow with age.
Take a small sip and let the wine roll over your entire tongue. Purse your lips to create a small hole and inhale air by sucking in. This further aerates the wine and enables aromatics to travel to the olfactory receptors. This gives you a sense of the wine’s texture and flavours. A wine can taste acidic, sharp, refreshing, flat, rich, tannic, sweet, luscious, creamy, and so on.
2) Swirl Swirling wine in a glass is not to show off, though it might impress a few people. The aim is to aerate the wine. Swirling spreads the wine over a larger surface area, exposing it to oxygen and releasing aromas. Hold the glass by its stem with one hand and gently swirl using your wrist.
3) Smell Science has proven the nose can detect a bigger variety of scents than the tongue can with flavours. After swirling the wine, place your nose into the bowl of the glass. Smell. Wines have a myriad of scents, such as cherries, vanilla, lemon peel, flowers, spices, herbs and even tar, leather and so on.
5) Savour Swallow if you have not already had. Now look out for the finish and aftertaste. A good wine has a lingering aftertaste. You’ll be able to still taste the wine many seconds after it has been swallowed.
The best part is you are always right. Just as taste is subjective, tasting wines is also very personal. One person may smell pineapple and another detects durian in the same wine but both are correct in their own right. Keep an open mind and have fun exploring the interesting world of wines. GRAPHIC | WILSON WANG
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lifestyle
fe b r uary 22 , 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
foodsnoop
Supper haunts
When the witching hour falls, 'night owls' seek out these popular supper places to feed their midnight hunger pangs. Alvin Chia, Gu Fenghui, Boey Wei Shan and Lifestyle Editor Kenneth Goh go on a cross-island eating trip
NASI BAGUS: A rich selection of ingredients.
north: Chong pang nasi lemak 447 Sembawang Road Opening hours: Mon – Sun: 5pm – 7am
THE windows at the HDB blocks opposite are dark, but life still glimmers at a nondescript shop house along Sembawang Road. A steady stream of cars stops by the road, while a queue forms at the store. The name “Chong Pang" has become synonymous with “nasi lemak"—a sure sign of the shop's popularity–through a series of advertisements last year.
PHOTOS | KENNETH GOH & PRATAWALA
According to owner Ms Kelly Goh, the owner, they are opened so late because it also supplies nasi lemak to other hawker centres and factories around Singapore. The store also makes deliveries before dawn breaks. An added plus is its roadside location, which makes it convenient for peckish drivers to drop by. Frequent customers include army personnel from the nearby Chong Pang Camp, as well as Yishun residents and factor y workers from Woodlands. T he shop i s bu siest af ter midnight This popular supper spot in the north has received earnest raves from food guides such as MakanSutra.
Hailing from the old Chong Pang market, the family business star ted out selling kueh and gradually branched out to selling its signature dish. Do not expect traditional nasi lemak, which comes with ikan bilis, egg and fish with rice. C hong Pa ng Na si L e m a k offers more than 20 varieties of ingredients, including a range of unorthodox ones to pair with the fragrant coconut rice, like sambal sotong, Taiwanese sausage and sushi roll. According to Ms Goh, their r ice is steamed at a specif ic temperature to bring out the rich, aromatic flavour. The shop's food display is reminiscent of a typical chinese mixed vegetables rice stall. The chicken drumstick is the star attraction—coated with a golden brown batter with a nice crunch. “We sell more than 500 chicken drumsticks in a day,” says Ms Goh. Other favourites are the piquant curry vegetables, spicy long bean, sambal brinjal and its fragrant coconut rice, which offsets the flavourful ingredients. “I like their rice as it is not so sticky, yet it is gives a creamy aftertaste,” says Mr Sim Rong Hui, a full-time National Serviceman. A standard serving of nasi lemak, which includes, rice cooked with coconut milk, ikan bilis and an assortment of ingredients, starts from $2.50.
South: Al-Jilani Restaurant
EAST: TANG TEA HOUSE HONG KONG CAFE
127 Bencoolen Street
357/359 Bedok Road
Opening hours: Mon – Sun: 24 hours
Opening hours: Mon – Sun: 10.30am – 4am
Al-JILANI Restaurant is a favourite refuel stop for those in the heart of the arts and heritage district of Bugis. Diners sit outside to enjoy the night breeze while they tuck in and soak up the serenity of the almost empty roads. The menu is typical of most Indian Muslim restaurants, with perennial crowd pleasers like prata, briyani and roti john. W h i le t he d i shes may be ordinary, however its strong point lies in its variety. There is a whopping 107 dishes on the menu, which caters to a variety of taste budes. The roti john ($4) looks like an art piece, with alternate lashings of tangy mayonnaise and chilli sauce. On first bite, the fragrance of chicken and cheese erupts in the mouth.
RED AND WHITE: Roti John, drizzled with mayonnaise and chilli sauce.
Coupled with the chilli sauce and mayonnaise, it is sinful yet pleasurable. T he maggi goreng ($3.50 ) recommended by the waiter, leaves much to be desired though. The evenly cooked dish is like a dry version of instant noodles. Pepper y i n sta nt nood le flavouring strongly permeates the plate of dry and stringy noodles, which is a tad too salty. Besides reasonably priced food, the waiters’ attentive ser vice allows your supper order to arrive within 10 minutes.
NEWFANGLED: Bee hoon in a pancake.
VERMICELLI, more fondly known as bee hoon, is often overshadowed by the other ingredients on the plate. Without crab, fish or satay
WEST: PRATAWALA 63 Jurong West Central 3, #01-71 Jurong Point Shopping Centre 2 Opening hours: Mon – Sun: 24 hours
FOR A refreshing respite from McDonald’s, Pratawala is a newly opened Indian-st yle fast-food café-restaurant. It combines aromat ic and heavily f lavoured dishes, chic décor, counter service and prices slightly higher than in a food court. “Our food is freshly cooked for lunch and dinner,” says Mr Nelson Joseph, the restaurant manager. “At other times, pratas, mee goreng and other foods are also freshly prepared on customer order.” Unique to Pratawala is a ‘Food Pager’. When they order, customers get a device that vibrates and blinks to announce that their food is ready for collection. This helps save waiting time. The fish briyani ($5.40) is a palm-sized portion of fragrant basmat i r ice, spr in k led w it h chopped cashew nuts and a sizeable slab of fish that was both meaty and tender. The fluffy rice is a good foil to the acidity and sweetness of the tamarind, which the fish is marinated with . For fans of Northern Indian
food, their tandoor oven turns out light, crispy naan at lunch and dinner time (till 10pm). One basket of garlic naan ($2.10 ) holds fou r la rge and scrumptious slices of bread. Each naan is soft inside with an inviting garlic aroma. T he side d ish of d ha l, or vegetable stew, was delicious even on its own, compliments the naan very well. A not he r mu s t-t r y i s t he Tandoori Chicken ($6.50). The four fier y red chicken cubes are marinated in yogurt, a dash of zesty lemon juice and masala before being roasted in the oven to give it a smoky flavour.
sauce, the innocuous bee hoon wo u ld n ot d e s e r v e s p e c i a l mention. However at Tang Tea House Hong Kong Cafe the humble bee hoon gets elevated to a signature item. The halal restaurant is located at Simpang Bedok, a well-known supper street, which receives most of its customers on weekends. Being the only food outlet on the opposite side of the street of its halal competitors, it is not difficult to miss. Besides offering customers the option to pay by NETS, orders are taken swiftly, with the help of electonic palm-held devices. The crispy bee hoon ($10) transforms the normally boring staple into an independent dish, which screams novelty. Strands of bee hoon are tangled together, pressed into a compact pancake before being deep fried. A bite of the crispy bee hoon ‘pancake’ gives way to smooth strands inside, and is nicely complemented by crunchy dried shrimps and beansprouts. While it tastes like other bee hoon, the belacan chilli takes it a step away from the norm and
injects a dash of spiciness. For a more intense f lavour, another crowd favourite is the HK dry-fried kway teow with beef ($5). Pieces of tender beef set the tone, with meaty perfumes of juicy meat spreading its strong flavour throughout the pile of glistening kway teow. W hile it wins for ser v ing a good variety of food at food court prices, the dim sum did not impress. The Shanghai steamed chicken dumplings ($3.20), or xiao long bao, has a translucent rubbery skin, which is thick and hard to chew through to reach the meat inside. T he pa n-f r ied c h ic ken dumplings ($3.20) disappointed, with a small parcel of steamed chicken hiding inside a large wrapper. Also slurp up their creative range of drinks like Fizzy Ribena ($2.50), a sweet and sour concoction of blackcurrent syrup swirled with zesty lime in a tall glass. The meal redeems itself at the end, with the ice kachang ($2.50) refreshing without being cloyingly sweet, giving a satisfying end.
SPICE GARDEN: Piquant Tandoori and garlic naan.
lifestyle
fe b r ua ry 2 2 , 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
13
quiet is the new loud
Beautiful Adventures Take time off school and work to pamper yourself as Danielle Han and Clara Lock look for beauty treatment places that will treat you like royalty OFURO: The private traditional Japanese hot bath gives you time for relaxation and contemplation. PHOTO | IKEDA SPA
the golddust
ikeda spa
For a Brazillian waxing appointment, please call Ms Kerry Wong (9189 7336) at least one day in advance. Directions to the private estate in Eunos will be given upon confirmation of appointment.
787 Bukit Timah Road Singapore 269762 Tel: 6459 8080 www.ikedaspa.com
www.thegolddust.com BRAZILIAN LINGERIE: Perfect to show off your PHOTOS | SYAFIQAH BTE SAIRI Brazilian wax.
PLEASANT AMBIENCE: Makes you feel less flighty about getting waxed.
AS PAINFUL and intimate as a Brazilian wax is, personable service and a nice ambience can make the complete removal of hair in the nether regions a worthwhile experience. The Golddust, which specialises in Brazilian waxing ($46) does just that. Ms Kerry Wong converted a room in her house located in a private housing estate in Eunos into a salon and manages it on her own.
Polished divas nail lounge Bugis Village 237B Victoria Street (above Delifrance) Tel: 6339 7646 Holland Village 60 Taman Warna Chip Bee Gardens Tel: 6338 3776 www.polished-divas.com.sg W I T H deep, blac k leat her Ogawa massage chairs, personal DVD players a nd f r e e coc k ta i l s on we e ke nd s , Polished Divas is not your average nail bar.
Furthermore, Ms Wong’s affable bedside manners and impeccable services puts customers at ease throughout the waxing experience. The secluded property coupled with its location in a home also means customers enjoy privacy and comfort. The waxing room, designed by Ms Wong, is decorated in shades of deep purple and grey. Soft notes of bossa nova float through the room, while the strawberry scented essential oils permeate the air. Peckish customers can even help themselves to a bowl of Ferrero Rocher chocolates on a side table. Little touches like this contribute to the total experience. Customers can also buy exclusively imported mineral makeup, jeans and lingerie. W h i le get t i ng wa xed i s not a particularly pleasant experience, The Golddust treats customers with such care such that it warrants regular visits.
Both its branches in Bugis and opposite Holland Village have the same striking interior of black, red and white in varying combinations made modern and chic with complementing dim lights. There are about five treatment stations in each branch that consists of a slick black massage chair and a lamp to make up for the dim lights—all placed at a comfortable distance from one another to ensure ample personal space. T h e m a s s a ge c h a i r s a l s o a l lo w customers to adjust as the customers wish ensuring maximum control when it comes to comfort. Polished Divas has a range of around 30 affordable ser vices from the staple express manicures ($16) and pedicures ($18), to luxurious hand and feet spa services including the new Spa Caviar Gourmet Mani and Pedi ($135).
IT IS hard to believe that a place so serene could exist along the busy Bukit Timah Road. Ikeda Spa sells a quiet, relaxing experience that is hardly local and distinctly Japanese. As customers enter the spa, they are asked to remove their footwear. The cosy waiting area is a raised wooden platform lined with tatami mats while the spa’s interior is designed to resemble a Japanese ryokan (traditional inn). As customers don a yukata (spa robe), the immersion into Japanese spa culture continues as they are led into one of the six treatment rooms. The rooms along the corridor are quiet and ever y shoji door (room divider of translucent paper over a frame of wood) to a room is tightly shut. This maintains the spa’s privacy and serenity which are in stark contrast to the flurry of activities on campus or in the workplace. Each room is equipped with dim lights, a tranquil aroma that lingers, and a magma stone bed—a massage bed made of volcanic stone first brought to Singapore by Ikeda Spa.
Men are also welcome, although they are a rare sight. On Mondays to Wednesdays, which are non-peak days, Polished Divas has two staff to do manicures and pedicures simultaneously, and they are always prepared to guide and advise customers on the colour that suits them best. Perhaps the smartest idea is the mini DVD players, which were introduced because many customers had smudged or smeared their fresh nails while flipping through magazines. There is a collection of almost 100 movies from Marley and Me to 200 Pounds Beauty to keep customers busy while they get their nails treated. The personal entertainment is a pleasant surprise. But this can undermine the value of the staff and their services as that alone will result in a worthwhile experience.
These unique beds come with rich mineral compositions as well as water running through them at 40 to 50 degrees Celsius. But while they pride themselves on authenticating Japan’s hot, detoxifying spa environment indoors, they attentively note that many locals cannot withstand too much heat. The temperature is therefore adjusted to suit the customer’s comfort levels. The addition of shower valves, small wooden stools and a hinoki (Japanese Cypress) bathtub are all akin to that of a Japanese bathhouse. Unlike Western bathtubs, these hinoki bathtubs are deeper and shorter, ensuring that your body can soak completely in hot water doused with mineral-rich hot spring bath salts also known as the Ofuro Bath ($38). Most of Ikeda Spa’s services last an hour, but students and workers with little time to spare can still enjoy their halfhour ‘Break Time’ massages ($38). In its two years, Ikeda Spa has established itself in its principle of delivering a ver y intimate, private experience. NTU students and staff can enjoy the member price for their first trial. Ikeda Spa Facebook and Twitter fans will also further enjoy a $10 discount. Facebook: facebook.com/ikedaspa, Twitter: twitter.com/ikedaspa Please provide your NTU matriculation/ staff card to enjoy the discount.
COMFORTABLE CHAIRS: Relaxing wait as you PHOTO | DANIELLE HAN get your nails done.
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lifestyle review
BOOKS The Unbearable Lightness of Scones Alexander McCall Smith (Fiction) $18.14, available at Kinokuniya Published by Little, Brown Book Group
Alexander McCall Smith’s newest addition to the 44 Scotland Street Series, The Unbearable Lightness of Scones brings back all the much-loved characters onto the stoic street of Edinburgh. Though Scotland Street stops at Number 43 in real life, these recurring characters have brought so much life to Number 44, things could not feel more real. Beneath the cheery street, a foreboding cadence is waiting to erupt and it is the same old issue that haunts us all—love. Matthew and Elspeth strike a wrong chord right at the beginning of their marriage as a heavily daunted Matthew gets cold feet. Down the street, Bertie, a precocious six-year-old boy, battles Olive, the girl who insists on marrying him. Even Cyril the dog, described as “distinctly malodorous and somewhat odd, with that ridiculous gold tooth of his” gets into the dicey business of fathering six puppies after a brief affair with another dog. Love is Smith’s prevailing theme in the novel, and undeniably, predictability is a problem. Still, Smith manages to prove his worth through his writing. He permeates the thoughts of the characters brilliantly, giving them space to grow without judgement. With Scones, it is clear that Smith has baked a winner.
-Sarah Chang
fe b r uary 22 , 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
“I wanted it MUSIC Heartland to exist as an ,,,,, album and also as sort of a basin of warm water that you could stick your head into."
Owen Pallett (Orchestral Pop) Previously known as Final Fantasy, Owen Pallett dropped the moniker to avoid confusion with the video game.
Owen Pallett, in an interview with Pop Matters, on Heartland
-Jennifer Dhanaraj
What The Dog Saw and Other Adventures
Alter The Ending
Malcolm Gladwell (Non-Fiction)
Dashboard Confessional (Alternative Rock)
$31.03, available at Kinokuniya Published by Little, Brown Book Group
,,,,,
Malcolm Gladwell has long been responsible for distilling social events, psychology and thought processes into easy reads. His latest book, a compilation of his most popular articles written for The New Yorker, continues the trend. What The Dog Saw is divided into three sections. T he f i r st cha r ac ter ises people Gladwell calls “obsessives and minor geniuses”, such as massively successful television salesman Ron Popei. The second dissects the causes behind catastrophic failures, like the eruption of NASA’s space shuttle, Challenger. The third portion on character traits examine what makes someone a great artist, and whether those same traits could make him or her a serial killer. Gladwell’s gift has always been turning everyday occurrences into psychological and social analyses. One article, about homeless alcoholic Murray Barr, implores us to think about the societal costs of homelessness and how social burdens can become even bigger if not solved. Yet Gladwell is never didactic in his writing, conveying instead such social issues in his trademark digestible manner. The book is not without its faults. An article evaluating the flavour of ketchup makes for a tedious and bizarre read. Even so, fans of Gladwell will find this latest offering a smart, sardonic contribution to the literary world. This is a book with so many hits, the occasional miss can be easily pardoned.
In addition to their own tour, Dashboard Confessional will also be opening for Bon Jovi’s US tour in early 2010.
IN THEIR sixth album, Dashboard Confessional takes on a more mature tone that is befitting of the soul behind Alter The Ending. Chris Carrabba wrote the album during what he describes as a period where “things kind of fell apart”. The album opener Get Me Right begins with simple chords, building momentum before launching into a full scale explosion as Carrabba emotes the desire for refuge from desperation. Throughout the album, there is a recurring idea of challenging the listener to take control of their lives and make it better. Lyrics such as Maybe we were right to carry on, to carry on/Even when they said we'd be undone/Take it as a sign we can still go on, from their title track, Alter The Ending, speak of soldiering on despite the odds. The poignant Belle Of The Boulevard echoes these sentiments against the backdrop of a string arrangement by Tony Visconti. Yet it is Carrabba’s stark honesty that makes Even Now border on discomfort and appear slightly obsessive, with lyrics like I can feel your arms/I can feel your breasts. For those who prefer a more toned down version of the album, the deluxe edition contains an all-acoustic bonus disc, featuring Carrabba’s vocals the way fans first knew and loved—stripped down and unplugged. Touted as Dashboard Confessional's most optimistic album to date, Alter The Ending does deliver with its unique blend of orchestral music and acoustic sounds. When paired with Carrabba’s ability to connect with listeners by combining honesty and music, Alter The Ending proves to be a refreshing offering from the veteran artiste.
-Karthik Shankar
BOOKS FROM KINOKUNIYA
Heartland features 12 songs that are written as monologues of a violent farmer named Lewis who lives in a fictional world known as Spectrum. The one-sided conversations are directed at his creator, Owen, with whom he shares a very strained relationship. The opening track, Midnight Detectives, advances with the percussion providing a steady foundation. The pizzicato strings, horns and the vocals build on that foundation until the snare drums propel the last minute of the song into an exciting battle between the snare and the strings. The most outstanding track is the instantly addictive Lewis Takes Off His Shirt. Swelling strings pair with Pallett’s gentle but confident singing of the line I’m never gonna give it to you, and push the song into a beautiful, emotional climax. It is an orchestral pop record that is filled with Pallett’s dense and lush classical compositions. He also utilises the digital synthesiser to great effect, allowing the electronic elements to perfectly complement the orchestration. As Pallett’s vocals are unclear at times, it is difficult to follow the narrative without a lyrics sheet at hand. But that does not detract from the listening experience as the tracks in Heartland serve well as standalone pop songs. The use of the Czech Symphony Orchestra to accompany Pallett’s compositions is a wise choice as a plethora of instruments, ranging from strings to bassoons, add a measure of vibrancy and liveliness. Heartland is Pallett’s most accessible album yet, and warrants multiple listens to fully appreciate the layers of beautiful orchestration.
PHOTOS | INTERNET
-Regina Koh
lifestyle
fe b r ua ry 2 2 , 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
LUNGS OF STEEL In Singapore for their one-night-only gig, Florence Welch of Florence and The Machine talks to Reviews Editor Clara Lock about the inspiration behind their album, Lungs Florence Welch sits across a small group of journalists, in a quiet section of a bar that has been closed off for the interview. Her flaming red hair is striking against alabaster skin, and her large, bright eyes dance and sparkle as she speaks. Welch fronts Florence and The Machine, the Machine, the band that accompanies her. The group has recently attained critical acclaim, picking up the award for best British Album at the 2010 Brit awards. They were also nominated in two other categories. Hailed by Rolling Stone as one of the upcoming artists to watch in 2009, Welch is a breath of fresh air in today’s music scene, introducing a musically eclectic display of exuberance and chaos. When asked about the inspiration behind the themes of violence and destruction that
are features in many of her songs, Welch reveals that she has “always been more attracted to things that will spark something off in your imagination, things that aren’t quite comfortable and really visceral”. She adds: “I like the juxtaposition about the softness of being a woman, and then singing about things that are tough, things that guys can’t sing about because they’re too extreme. “I can get away with being more violent and darker in my lyrics because people wouldn’t expect it." Just like that, she reveals the spunk behind her pretty face and delicate features. It is the same dauntless drive that saw an inebriated Welch corner and sing to Mairead Nash, one half of the DJ duo Queens of Noize, at a club. It impressed Nash enough to convince her to manage the group.
Welch lapses into a quiet, contemplative vulnerability when asked about how she relates her personal life to her music. She admits to finding it difficult to express her feelings to the people she loves. “I get so stuck in my own head, like there’s a thousand million ways I should say it but I’m not even sure what it is I’m trying to say, so maybe music is my way of conquering that. “Maybe I’ll use a metaphor instead, it’s my way of hiding my feelings." Her penchant for metaphors is evident in the debut single Kiss With A Fist, which Welch says is “all in fun” and hardly as brutal as it seems. She describes it as “a kind of give and take about the kind of extreme lengths that love will push you to, especially first loves". She adds: “You love each other in such an aggressive way its like you’re pulling each other apart." Welch goes on to muse introspectively about the “emotional violence” in the song, rather than the physical aggressiveness that is immediately apparent. The 24-year-old London-born Welch cites playing at the Glastonbury music festival last year as the highest point of her career. She candidly revealed: “Musically, we were probably all over the place. It was not perfect in any sense but that’s not what you look for in a live gig, I think what you’re looking for is the emotion and the energy, and if people play a bum note, you know, who cares?"
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PHOTO | INTERNET
FILMS A Serious Man
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Drama/Comedy Michael Stuhlbarg, Sari Lennick, Aaron Wolff 106min
After an Oscar win in 2008 and the wacky outing, Burn After Reading with Brad Pitt last year, the Coen Brothers are back with a more personal feature. Thespian Michael Stuhlbarg stars as Larry Gopnik, a scholarly professor in a Midwestern suburb in 1967, and the film portrays in bleak reality the emotional torture he is put through. Drawing from the Coen Brothers’ Jewish upbringing, it is a darkly humorous and dysfunctional portrait of a man’s sanity falling apart. Gopnik’s wife is divorcing him for a hypocritical man. His socially inept brother is sleeping on his couch and nursing a bothersome neck cyst. His teenage son is busy getting stoned while his teenage daughter is saving up for a nose job. To make matters worse, a Korean student at school is attempting to bribe a passing grade out of him. Save for a few plot twists, the dramatic tension boils just beneath the surface, creating an unnerving air as Gopnik searches aimlessly for the solutions to his problems. The anxious Gopnik is surrounded by a steady supporting cast, including wife Judith (Sari Lennick) and son Danny (Aaron Wolff) who portray their flatly-drawn characters perfectly. Gopnik is the only character who evolves from a calm, rational man to an individual nearing hysteria. His visits to three rabbis during the course of the movie highlight his desperation for answers, but each visit turns out to be more questionable than the one before. The Coens paint a satirical picture of Judaism, which in turn unravels more questions about the faith and tradition that the brothers grew up with. Within the film, an Oscar nominee for Best Picture this year, the profound questions will not be answered.
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Valentine's Day
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Romance /Comedy Ashton Kutcher, Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway 125 min
PHOTO | INTERNET
The puzzling opening and abrupt ending to the film might not sit well with the casual movie-goer. But as the Rashi quote advocates at the start and end of the film, “Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you”. Take the movie simply, and you just might see it in a new perspective. -Wilson Ng
Valentine’s Day unfolds in sunny Los Angeles. The show tries to emulate Richard Curtis’ Love Actually, from its star-studded ensemble to its multiple, loosely woven storylines, while falling short of Curtis’ humour and wit. The film centres around florist Reed Bennett (Ashton Kutcher), who experiences a Valentine’s Day crisis when his new fiancé Morley Clarkson (Jessica Alba) reconsiders his marriage proposal. Julia Fitzpatrick (Jennifer Garner), Bennett’s best friend, falls for adulterer Dr Harrison Copeland (Patrick Dempsey). Up in the air, introverted Army captain Kate Hazeltine (Julia Roberts) finds a friendly flight companion in the form of businessman, Holden Bristow (Bradley Cooper) while on leave of duty. Thus unfolds a relationship that teases the audience with a “will they/won’t they” situation. Representing love in the youth department, Twilight alumnus Taylor Lautner manages to keep his shirt on to romance Taylor Swift, who
PHOTO | INTERNET
makes her film debut as a bouncy airhead. This frothy concoction has three actresses to thank for its strengths. Anne Hathaway’s character Liz Corryn entertains, purring down the phone line to customers while upping the on-screen chemistry with Topher Grace. Roberts delivers great acting as usual, although her role was limited by screen time. Finally, Fitzpatrick’s emotional outbursts as she discovers her partner’s infidelity are convincingly relatable. Yet, the movie is chock full of love related clichés, such as “It’s not you, it’s me”, and predictable outcomes, save for one unexpected couple. To his credit, director Garry Marshall managed to juggle all the story lines and tie them up into a neat ending. One might be inclined to expect more from the man who brought us the 1990 classic, Pretty Woman. But as far as cute and fluffy goes, Valentine’s Day makes the grade. -Boey Wei Shan
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lifestyle
fe b r uary 22 , 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
review
THEATRE
BACKSTAGE ACCESS
We grill three thespians about their roles in upcoming plays. Rosemary Chan, Clara Lock and Goh Zhi Ling report
Brendon Fernandez Catch Brendon Fernandez in To Kill A Mockingbird, playing at the Drama Centre Theatre from 26 February-21 March. Tickets available from Sistic from $35-$59 each. Student tickets are available at a 15% discount for group bookings of 20 tickets and above.
Stand a chance to win tickets to To Kill A Mockingbird! The Nanyang Chronicle has three pairs of tickets to be given away. Simply answer this question: To Kill A Mockingbird opens on 26 February. True or False? Email your answer to chroniclereviews@gmail.com before Sunday, February 28th, 2359H. Include your name, matriculation number and contact number. Prizes are courtesy of Toy Factory Productions.
SITI KHALIJAH Catch Siti Khalijah in Model Citizens, playing at the The Necessary Stage Black Box from 3-14 March. Tickets available from Sistic at $27 each. Student tickets are available at $22.
Tell us a little bit about your character. Do you think he is in any way similar to who you are?
physicality and the vocal quality. That I guess is one of the challenges for those playing vastly different ages.
Atticus Finch has a very strong concept of what is right and wrong. I suppose Atticus Finch is in some way the person that I would like to be. I’m not as good as he is in following up with his convictions. He stands up for what he believes, every single time. That’s what I would like to do.
What is your favourite part about preparing for a production?
Atticus Finch is a father of two. Could you give us some insights into the challenges you faced in trying to portray Atticus in terms of his age? I’m not that old, so it’s a challenge as an actor to portray such a role. My character is about 50, and you have actors in their twenties playing 10 and 12 and eight-year-olds. I think their challenge is even greater because to play those roles at that age, it’s difficult to find the
Could you tell us more about your character? The character I'm playing is called Melly, an Indonesian maid who's very “happening". She's loyal, confident and hardworking. She has a strong vision of what she wants and will go all out to pursue it. What challenges did you face in preparing for your role in Model Citizens?
PHOTO | Ming from Surround
EMMA YONG Catch Emma Yong in Blackbird, playing at the DBS Arts Centre–Home of SRT from 6-20 March. Tickets available from Sistic from $35-$50 each. Student tickets are available at a 25% discount, terms and conditions apply.
Stand a chance to win tickets to Blackbird! The Nanyang Chronicle has one pair of tickets to be given away. Simply answer this question: Emma Yong stars as Una in Blackbird. True or False? Email your answer to chroniclereviews@gmail.com before Thursday, March 4th, 2359H. Include your name, matriculation number and contact number. Prizes are courtesy of Singapore Repertory Theatre.
Portraying her different personalities with conviction and articulating the different lingos of Bahasa Indonesia with perfection, are the real challenges for me. Also, this show is very multi-lingual. [Goh] Guat Kian will be speaking in Mandarin and Karen Tan in Patois and English, so we have to be extra attentive and really listen for our cue to say the next line. When we first started out it got pretty crazy because we weren't sure and ended up panicking.
Tell us more about your character in Blackbird. Una is a very damaged girl trying to come to terms with her past. She is very lonely but very determined to make sense of what has happened to her. What were your thoughts on the script when you first saw it? I loved it! I thought the writing was brilliant. It was like free form verse–it had stops and starts and repeated words, revealing the speech patterns and emotional states of the two characters. The subject matter is so dark but the writer approaches it with so much empathy that it makes it very difficult to judge what has happened. It will stay in your mind for days afterwards. How did you prepare to take on such an emotionally challenging role?
It depends on the show. Discovering new things with the other actors and the director. Finding out things you didn’t know about the script. And then there’s opening night, and letting people see it and hearing what they think of it. There’s no one particular part, I guess I’m lucky that I enjoy many parts of it.
with a person. Racism—the idea that the way you are born may make you somehow better or worse off than someone else just based on the colour of your skin, or where your parents came from. That idea is still very relevant in the world and our culture today.
What do you think are some of the issues in this play that might be relevant to our society today? The concepts of justice and human rights. What it means to be a human being and what civilisation recognises as how can we deal
Congratulations on several nominations at the Life! Theatre Awards. What made you decide to pursue a career in theatre? I've always been interested in watching theatre when I was younger and it was only later when I took Drama as a Co-Curricular Activity in school and was being encouraged by my drama trainers to continue pursuing it, that I started going for auditions. I later decided to do it as a full-time job after testing the market for a year. It was a decision I never regretted making. What has been your most enjoyable role to date, and why? That’s a tough choice, but I will have to go with How Did The Cat Get So Fat? by Zizi Azah, because it was the piece that helped open many doors for me. It was a very challenging monologue! I had to switch amongst playing different characters at the drop of a hat with
PHOTO | Toy Factory Productions
no co-actor to “bounce off” against. And I'm thankful because Fat Cat was the piece that got me my first nomination for Best Actress during the Life! Theatre Awards 07. What are the dynamics like, working in an all-female cast? The chemistry between the three of us is really wonderful. We can go from discussing the script to suddenly going off-tangent talking about kuehs and bulging tummies! But seriously, it's great because we can easily connect emotionally and “feel” each other when we're performing. What does being a model citizen mean to you? Someone who leads by example in any way, big or small.
Everything is there in the text, the actor's job is to live and breathe the words as best as you can. It's a joy to work with such a brilliant script, even though it is emotionally exhausting. Do you find any parallels between Una and yourself? I think I can relate to the extremes she goes through because of the conviction of her feelings. We can't help it–are you going nude for the show? Well, both actors will be baring their souls. What is one thing audiences should look out for in Blackbird? It's powerful, raw and visceral theatre–it'll be unlike anything they've ever experienced.
PHOTO | Emma Yong
lifestyle
FE B R UA RY 2 2 , 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
19
tech review
How it's meant to be heard Ng Jun Sen
The man sitting opposite me quietly reads his Sunday paper. Suddenly, his phone rings. The poly phonic version of some unknown Mandarin hit song fills the train angrily, demanding attention. A baby cr ies i n t he ne x t carriage. Someone coughs. T he t r a i n complete s t h i s discordant cacophony with its bass line of mechanical grumble and noise.
More importantly, the sound is its most redeeming quality He r e, most people wou ld employ the use of whatever device they have available to drown out the racket. Thankfully, I had my MP3 player, the latest in-ear monitors
Elizabeth Law
(IEMs) from the Ultimate Ears line of premium earphones, the SuperFi 4. As an I EM, the SuperFi 4 requires the user to insert the nozzles deeply into his or her ear canal, ensuring a perfect acoustic seal. Not only does this give an unhindered transmit tance of music to your ears, it can also isolate the user from the noisy environment. You do not need to blast your music to deafening volumes just to compete with someone’s ringtone because the IEMs simply block it out. With a price of $199 however, the SuperFi 4 may sound like quite an unlikely purchase to many. Yet, for people who value their music, the IEM it is worth every cent. It comes supplied with three different-sized pairs of silicone eartips and two pairs of Comply™ foam tips. The foam tips provides much bet te r wea r i ng com for t a nd acoustic sealing. Sporting a gunmetal gray, machined aluminum housing,
The
I started an affair two weeks ago. It was both thrilling and aweinspiring though I sometimes wish it never started. Everything began when I got my hands on an iPod nano for review. Though I already own a twoyear-old iPod video, I always thought it would be nice to have a sleek MP3 player that could fit snugly in my jeans pocket. Thus, this experience was a true test of my commitment. The Nano did not disappoint because like all Apple products, the Nano made my hands tremble as I took opened the box. It was love at first sight. Running my fingers over the streamlined 6.2mm body, there were times when I thought it would snap like a cracker if I held on too tight. But the sturdy aluminium casing made sure of no such incidents. As in any affair, our initial moments together were passionate and exciting. A new feature on the nano is a native VGA video camera which is able to record 30 frames per second in the H.264 format. The video feature is armed with real time video effects like Sepia and X-ray.
PHOTO | Logitech
the SuperFi 4 looks sleek and minimalistic. It is also one of the smallest designs in the U ltimate Ears range. It features a Y-cord wire that does not tangle easily and helps with cutting off noise when tugged on accidentally. More importantly, the sound is its most redeeming quality. Is it worth the price? Compared with the standard
nano
H i g h q u a l it y aud io i s a great compliment to the video recording. The iPod nano can handle audio at 160Kbps at a 48k Hz sampling rate. C o u p le d w i t h t h e u s u a l functions like music and video support, the nano is no longer a mere music player: it is truly an entertainment device.
Like lovers sharing their first kiss, I was excited as I went through everything the nano had to offer Not only could users load content in it, with a camera and a voice recorder, one could even create your own content. However, its biggest attraction is also its Achilles’ heel. T he camera is awkward ly located at the bottom right, which means that when one tries to take a video, your right hand can easily block the camera. This is a big problem if you are right-handed like I am. Furthermore, with a mere 2.2inch (diagonal) TFT display screen,
watching videos on it bordered on torturous. But the video function truly shows off the motion sensor that has been popu lar ised by t he iPhone. Tilt the device horizontally while play ing a v ideo and it activates the full-screen mode. Do the same while playing a song and you get shown all the album art. This allows you to choose songs based on their album covers. Maybe Apple knew about the side effects of small screens, which is why they included an alternative large font for menu functions. It's battery can last up to 24 hours of music playback and one can charge and sync the nano through Apple's dock connecter f rom a USB por t or a power adapter. Like lovers sharing their first kiss, I was thoroughly excited as I went through everything the nano had to offer. Another first was the in-built FM Radio; the pre-loaded songs no longer mattered as I explored the Live Pause function. Live Pause means that while listening to Live Radio, one can pause the show and take a quick break. You can then rewind as far back as 15 minutes and then fast forward to the show in real time. What I find most attractive
iPod earbuds, the SuperFi 4 is audio nirvana. It surpasses the iPod earbuds in every aspect, obliterating it with its warm, full-bodied sound and better bass and treble response. There is no contest here. For a fairer comparison, the SuperFi 4 should be compared to other IEMs of a similar price range. Up against rivals such as the Etymotic Research Labs ER6i, the Shure SE210 and the Westone UM1, Ultimate Ears manages to hold its own. Playing Pink Floyd’s Time reveals the pros and cons of the SuperFi 4. While the cymbals and bells are well presented, the bass guitar fades into oblivion, becoming muddy rather than punchy. However, the vocals are clear and precise, a typical Ultimate Ears strength. Wit h classica l music, t he problems in the SuperFi 4 begin to appear. Its lack of neutrality and rolledoff highs are not suited for such critical listening. Listening to Bedrich Smetana’s
Má V last on the SuperFi 4 is uninvolving. One cannot enjoy the full scale of the symphonic orchestra. T he va r y i ng pitc h of t he timpani and the pizzicato of the string section are lost on the ears. H ow e v e r, t h e Su p e r F i 4 performs best with rock and pop music, and is unpretentious in its preference. With its roots in making IEMs for rock concerts, Ultimate Ears excels here with the SuperFi 4’s musicality. Playing music through the SuperFi 4 usi ng a ded icated headphone amplifier only enhances it slightly, not a noticable difference to the untrained ear. The SuperFi 4 is made to be enjoyable when connected straight out of the iPod, MP3 players or any other media players you may have. Verdict: The SuperFi 4 is a recommended buy. As one of the most balanced rock earphones in its price range, it is worth the premium you pay as your first step into the audiophile world.
affair about the nano is that it had Genius in it. The Apple patented feature could create an entire playlist based on a single song, which makes it better at reading moods than any guy around. Another talent of the iPod nano is the VoiceOver kit. VoiceOver speaks the names of songs and artists, allowing you to navigate through your collection without looking at the screen. This is useful for consumers who use the nano while exercising. Coupled with the Nike+ programme, t h is is touted as t he per fect athelete's music player. VoiceOver supports 20 different languages, including English, Mandarin and even Finnish. Yet wh i le t he a f fa i r wa s exhilarating, it was ultimately a novelty that soon wore off. Somehow, while gallivanting around with the nano on borrowed time, a part of my heart kept going back to a beat-up white and chrome portable music device at home. My trusty motion sensor-free iPod video, bulky though it may be, was all I really needed. It was fun having a music player dictate what you listen to, but most of the time, we all just want to go back to something familiar, like that Damien Rice song that saw you through your last break-up. So though a nano may seem like a nifty device to have in your
PHOTO | Apple
pocket, it may not be a good choice for fans of large screens. There are still times when I wonder if things would have been different had a gotten a nano instead. But these are merely day dreams. Till the iPod video gives up on me, au revoir mon cheri nano. $288 for a 16GB model $228 for an 8GB model
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lifestyle
fe b r uary 22 , 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
tech review
Wireless and noiseless
Kevin Lim tech editor
PXC 310 BT
Situated at the side of the headphones are control buttons that give you playback and volume control.
Connectivity Using Bluetooth, the PXC 310 BT can connect to most devices. Some phones do not have the latest Bluetooth technology and is not able to support functions like next track and previous track control from the headphone. The headphones are accompanied by a stereo 3.5mm cable which allows you to plug the headphones directly into your media player.
Noise Cancellation
Keep your portable media player in the deepest pockets of your bag because the new PXC 310 BT has no need for cables.
Sennheiser's NoiseGard™ 2.0 significantly cuts down on ambient noise. Although it does not guarantee total silence, quieter sounds like the whirring of the fan and engine of the car are noticeably removed from your music.
Battery
PX 200-II
It lasts about five hours, lesser if the noise cancellation feature is turned on. The battery is removable, so you can carry around spares to continue enjoying the wireless technology if you are worried about your battery dying.
A cheaper alternative if high tech features like Bluetooth and noise cancelling is not needed is the PX 200-II headphone. Neatly folded into a compact for m, it can conveniently be carried around in your bag. The PX 200-II can be considered as one of Sennheiser's more trendy looking headphones. However, it does not hold back in its sound quality. It s aud io pe r for ma nce i s comparable to the PXC 310 BT and it even comes with a volume control dial. The PX 200-II is also available in black.
Sound Sennheiser's patented Duofol diaphragms are quite impressive. It delivers a decent balance of highs and bass. T he PXC 310 B T s ou nd s different when it is plugged in direct, using Bluetooth and using noise cancellation. The soundstage changes most noticeably as you turn on the NoiseGard function—It sounds more enclosed. The headphone sounds the best when it is plugged in directly using the cable. But it still sounds good when Bluetooth is used.
Media sharing for dummies Sng Chin Guan Ever since the dawn of the digital media age, we have been constantly faced with an increasing need to have a centralised device for the organising, storing and sharing of our photos, music and videos. Linksys’ Media Hub is designed to satisfy all these needs, ensuring that all your files are accessible within a few clicks, no matter where you are. While it is not as feature packed as similar devices on the market today, it has a striking attribute that is too hard to miss—it is ridiculously easy to use. Setting up the device and connecting it to my home network w a s i nt u i t i v e a nd s t r a i g h t forward. There were no complicated steps or convoluted instructions to follow. Instead, I was guided by a series of pictures during the setup process and the Media Hub was up and running in less than five minutes. Measuring at 7.8”x4.37”x6.61”, the Linksys Media Hub is not very much bigger than your average 1.5 litre ice cream tub.
In fact, it looks amazingly sleek thanks to its glossy piano black surface on its front and top. Each Media Hub comes with two hard drive bays. The first bay is occupied by a 500GB Western Digital Hard Drive. Accessing the drive bays is extremely convenient and all you have to do is push a button located on the top of the Media Hub and the lid pops out.
PHOTO | Linksys
Whether it was live streaming of videos, music or pictures on your home network, or syncing with iTunes, the Media Hub performs all these tasks effortlessly. In addition, it also serves as a backup device as users have the option of backing up their files automatically with the bundled NTI Shadow software. Remote access was as simple as point ing you r browser to http://www.ciscomediahub.com/ and typing in your device’s remote access name and password. However, the Media Hub is not entirely flawless. Firstly, remote access is not entirely free. It is free for the first year, but users are charged $9.95 per year thereafter. Secondly, as with any device endowed with glossy piano black surfaces, the Media Hub is a fingerprint and dust magnet. Despite all these f laws, few media sharing devices can match the Media Hub’s intuitive interface and ease of use. While the Media Hub may n ot b e t h e f a s t e s t n or t h e coolest looking media sharing device available, it is definitely somet h i ng t he whole fa m i ly would love.
VERDICT Both headphones are great sounding and look great. For m u s ic lov e r s i n t h e urban city, the PXC 310 BT is the recommended choice with its wireless capability and noise cancellation feature.
PX 200-II
PHOTOS | Sennheiser
$649 for PXC 310 BT $199 for PX 200-II
姜还是老的辣吗？ —— 刊25页
新闻
异乡过节 体验另一番滋味 随着出国交流的学生有 增加的趋势，在异乡过 节或许也另有一番滋味。
她解释，去年过节时，她人 在墨西哥，而今年只是换了个 地点，所以并不怎么想家。 黄惠玲坦言：“其实我觉得 到国外交流给了我一个避年的 借口。由于我来自小家庭，每 年到不太亲近的亲戚家里拜年 都会感到很尴尬。” 黄惠玲也没有与朋友在意大 利大肆庆祝农历新年，因为只 有她自己是有习惯庆祝农历新 年的华族同胞。
郭慧盈●报道
与
往年相比，今年的农历 新年对人文与社会科学 学院三年级生李曼婷（22岁） 来说很不一样。没有家人，也 没有熟悉的朋友，这次春节是 在巴黎度过。 今年在异乡过农历新年的南 大生不只有李曼婷一个。 根据南大官方所提供的数 据，这学期一共有大约680名 学生参加了国际学生交流计划 （INSTEP）和全球教育计划 （GIP）。 上周的农历新年，这些学生 都在世界的不同角落有了非一 般的体验。 在巴黎政治学院（Sciences Po Paris）交流的李曼婷，和其 他身在巴黎的南大生一起庆祝 了新年，到当地唐人街逛逛。 她说：“其他在欧洲进行交 流的南大生也到巴黎和我一起 过新年。我们听说唐人街每年 都会举办游行大会，所以就去 那里凑热闹！” 此外，李曼婷也邀请一些法 国朋友与其他新加坡学生共同 享用年夜饭，让他们体验过农 历新年的滋味。 虽然身旁围绕着许多朋友， 但始终是第一次在国外过年的
二度避年 却在外弘扬华族文化
插图｜钟佳唐
她，还是非常想念家人。 她说：“在寒冷的巴黎过 节，让我最想念的是我的家 人，接下来是祖母和亲戚朋 友。红包则在我‘最想念的东 西’排行榜内排名最后。” 乡愁并非人人所困 不过，乡愁显然不是每个游 子的困扰。同样是首次在异乡 过年的黄金辉传播与信息学院
二年级生薛剑岳（23岁）则觉 得，自己一点也不想念在本地 过年的感觉。 他坦言：“农历新年食品我 都吃腻了。我反而很庆幸有这 个机会能尝试在美国过年的感 觉。” 问及新年是否是一个人度过 时，他说自己和一群新加坡学 生一起吃了火锅大餐，一点也 不孤单。 虽然无法和亲友拜年，但
在密苏里大学（University of Missouri）交流的薛剑岳今年 还是有红包拿。 他补充：“我的父母甚至用 了银行转账系统把红包钱转进 我的户头里，在‘经济上’让 我感受到新年的气息。” 已经是第二年离家过农历新 年的黄惠玲也有同感。这名23 岁的英文系三年级生现在正在 意大利都灵大学（University of Turin）进行交流。
去年在墨西哥时，她与新加 坡和香港的朋友办了个派对。 但今年则比较简单：自己准备 了鱼生和外国朋友分享。 不过，她也借此机会为他们 介绍了一些有关农历新年的传 统习俗，弘扬华族文化。 总是到了一家团聚的特别日 子，游子也就会更思念家人。 就是因为独处异乡，22岁 的邱慧芳才更想过年。这名 数理科学学院三年级生庆幸 着，在华威大学（University of Warwick）就读的新加坡学生 都十分活跃，也在当天举办了 庆祝活动。 她的家人也不忘把一大箱年 货寄去英国伦敦，让她能够继 续在外国品尝春节不可缺少的 肉干和罐装鲍贝。 “虽然一些东西可以在伦敦 购买得到，但还是比不上从新 加坡寄来的关心。”
（刘美云补充报道）
茶展一日游 学习中国茶文化
摄影|陈奕龙
源自不同朝代、形状不同的茶壶，一一展示在桌上，让参观者学习茶壶来源 之余大饱眼福。 除了南大生，80名来自醒南小学的学生也前来参观由南大中文学会的茶艺组 举办的“兴福饮茶”茶艺展。 第一次接触茶文化的他们，看到茶具时都兴奋不已。 问及比较喜欢亲手泡的茶还是市场上的包装茶时，大多数同学都选择后者。 但是12岁的王子熙说：“两个都喜欢！平静的时候可以喝中国茶，没时间的时 候就喝瓶装的！” 相反的，刘易学（12岁）认为泡茶能陶冶心情，所以自己还是想学茶道，亲 手泡茶品茗。 找寻自己的那杯茶 刊22页
22
fe b r uary 22 , 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
「
融入社群可从学园开始
陈鑫琪●报道
找 兴福 寻 饮茶 自茶 己 艺展 的 那 杯 茶
来
」
自意大利的弗拉米尼亚（Flaminia Lilli，28岁）虽然感受过世界各地不同的 茶文化，但她却对中国茶文化的茶道情有独钟。 她说：“我不像其他的欧洲人，我很喜欢喝 茶，尤其是中国茶！” 由于意大利人在亚洲人印象中大多是爱喝 酒，所以本地的朋友都对她的嗜好感到讶异。 因受热爱亚洲文化的母亲所影响，对弗拉米 尼亚而言，茶道不只是一种艺术，也是一种生活 方式。她也认为对茶的态度反映着一个国家的文 化以及人民。 8年前初到新加坡时，她失望地发现本地青年 不懂得欣赏茶道。因此她希望有一天能说服他 们，让他们发现喝茶并不是大家所说的俗气。 平时爱喝乌龙茶的弗拉米尼亚也喜欢介绍朋 友上茶馆品茗，与他们聊聊茶道历史，间接让一 些朋友也爱上茶道。 在南大从事研究工作的她，也没错过不久前 的“兴福饮茶”茶艺展，还当场购买了两个雕刻 精美的中国茶壶回家。 “兴福饮茶”茶艺展是由南大中文学会的茶 艺组所举办的，意在让南大生能进一步了解中国 茶文化，而展出的茶具总值约2万元。观众不仅有机会品尝茶艺组 亲自泡制的6种茶类，同时也能认识茶道经典。 茶道和睦美满 益处良多
插图｜钟佳唐
蔡可
●报道
国
家历史、文化和社会规 范——这些都是成为新 公民的基本要素。 对多元文化、多元种族的 新加坡来说，这些因素越显 重要，在教育新公民方面也 应与时并进，作出改变。 从今年3月开始，本地准 公民必须先完成一系列国民 融合活动，才能参加宣誓仪 式成为新加坡公民。 目前国民教育计划只需 半天的时间，新活动则需一 天半。这项由国民融合理 事会（National Integration Council）举办的“新加 坡公民之旅”（Singapore Citizenship Journey）延续现 有计划的部分过程，并加入 上网了解国家的互动方式。 准公民也得出席由基层代 表举办的对话会，以提升对 新生活环境的了解。 新计划能有再改进空间 本报与30名南大生进行 的问卷调查中发现，超过半 数的受访者认为社群融合是 重要的，而绝大多数的学生 也认为新活动还可以做得更 好。 外国学生方面，大多数觉 得新计划并不会左右他们成 为本地公民的决定。 来自马来西亚的中文系四 年级生王慧萍（22岁）说， 这是一项强制性的活动，必 有不情愿参加的人。不过她
认为计划还是能促进准公民了 解与认识新加坡，并逐渐增加 对新加坡的归属感。 今年8月即将成为永久居民 的她说：“对我来说，这里就 像第二个家一样。但是我对故 乡还是有一份情感，所以成为 新加坡公民还需考虑。”
“许多成为公民的 新移民其实至今还 没融入本地社会， 我觉得政府更应探 讨他们所面对的问 题，并致力协助他 们融入新生活。” 郑伟俊 基建系统与海事专业系三年级
然而，基建系统与海事专 业系的三年级生郑伟俊（24 岁）觉得新计划似乎太晚推 出。 由于政府日前已表示将开 始限制外来移民人数，所以计 划对于新加坡社会来说作用不 太大。 他解释：“许多成为公民 的新移民其实至今还没融入本 地社会，我觉得政府更应探讨 他们所面对的问题，并致力协 助他们融入新生活。” 他认为融合过程不是一次 性的，需长时间经营才能看到 效果。 数据显示，在南大就读的 外地学生人数近4500名，占了
总学生人数19%，足以显示学 校在为外地学生融入本地社会 也占重要地位。 随着新计划的推出，首届学 校融合研讨会也将于4月举行， 让来自不同背景的学生分享交 流经验。 此外，理事会也计划推出让 本地与外地学生一起吃饭交流 的活动。 教育部也将探讨通过“课程 2015”计划（Curriculum 2015） 帮助学生提升跨文化了解，为 日趋全球化的世界做好准备。 对于融合学生的管道增加， 就读宇航工程系二年级的本地 学生王志鸿（23岁）表示赞 许。 他认为新加坡是个优雅的社 会，国人有义务坐言起行，让 外地人能够感受到本地人的热 情。 他觉得学校应该更积极推广 让各地学生交流的活动，促使 外国学生有更多机会与本地学 生打成一片，从而提高他们在 这里求学的快乐指数。 他说：“以一个新加坡人的 角度来看，我们也许真的不够 主动去和外国学生交流。面对 管道也不多的情况，现实是学 生们大多只和自己国家的人来 往。” 王志鸿以‘international games’举例说，这项活动虽 然可以促进各国学生之间的互 动，但它更多的是让个别国家 的学生团结去赢得比赛。 “我们需要的是有更大作用 的管道，当然本地与外地的学 生都必须要保持开放的态度， 才有可能使融合活动有效。”
主办单位认为茶道是一种和睦美满的仪式，对身心相当有益。 首先，现代人崇尚健康饮食，由天然植物（茶树）做成的茶不 添加色素或化学物品，恰恰符合这个需求。“以茶养生”也通过 科学鉴定，证明茶的营养价值不只高，医疗效果也特别好，例如 在养颜美容、防止蛀牙和减肥方面等。 比如之前觉得茶的提神作用不及咖啡的王炜凯（21岁）在参观 茶展后，决定尝试喝茶。这名工程系一年级生解释，因为家人没 有喝茶的习惯，所以从未接触过茶文化，因此忽略了茶其他的好 处。 其次，现今社会发展步伐快速，总是让人喘不过气来。人们都 需要一个放松身心，有助乐活的减压方法。在泡茶及喝茶的过程 中能让心情平静，是不错的选择。 修读电脑工程系四年级的彭俊文（24岁）偶尔会抽出时间学茶 道，因为他认为茶道能让忙碌的生活有个落脚处。他说：“若能 在百忙之中抽空泡茶，那种感觉很宁静，我很喜欢。” 茶艺展筹划过程繁琐，执委坦言若不是自己用人情到处向茶友 借茶具，展览或许会办不成。 茶艺组负责执委林甘澍（23岁）秉持着学佛布施的精神——虽 然成立过程辛苦，但他始终坚持自己要分享茶文化的愿望。 虽然他由衷希望茶艺能在本地传承下去，但是被遗忘的文化要 再次融入今日的社会并不是件简单的事。 他无奈地说：“我想在50年后的新加坡，应该没有人会喝茶了 吧。” 6大茶类简介表： 茶类
汤色
好处
适用器
绿茶
黄绿色
营养价值较高、促进新 陈代谢、提高免疫力、 明目、去暑、防蛀牙
玻璃杯、瓷盖
黄茶
橙色
助缓和消化不良、食欲 不振
玻璃杯、瓷盖
白茶
杏黄色
降血糖、去暑
玻璃杯、瓷盖
乌龙茶
橙黄、 金黄
提高能量代谢、降低胆 固醇
紫砂壶、瓷盖
黑茶
深红、 褐红
减肥、去脂、降低胆固 醇功效特别好
紫砂壶
红茶
红艳、 红亮
促成提神、集中思考 力、进而使思维反应更 加敏锐、记忆力增强
紫砂壶
资料来源|中文学会茶艺组和网络
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fe b r ua ry 2 2 , 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
言论 编辑室
黄康玮 中文编辑
每
最真诚的心意属有心人
逢佳节来临，是与亲戚 好友寒暄和祝贺的好时 期。而在迎接新年到来的前几 周，也正是贺年卡“丰收的季 节”。话虽如此，身为年轻一 代的我们，记忆里或许已经没 有祝贺卡片的印象了。 五六年前，朋友寄来的生日 以及贺年卡片还算不少。卡片 里也充溢着童年那纯真无邪的 问候，偶尔翻出来重温时，叫 人倍感窝心。
心意——从我们的 心，转存到记忆 里，现在又储存在 机器里头。 若是现在，每年收到的卡 片，顶多是一两张。取而代 之的是通过手机简讯，不然年 轻一代的我们就会在社交网站 Facebook上留言，以简单的四 个字“生日快乐！”祝贺朋友 老了一岁。 以卡片祝贺的风气 明显淡化，也不再受重视了。 但笔者仍坚信祝贺卡片上的
插图｜韩欣
祝福，依旧胜于其他方式。 卡片虽寥寥数语，但亲笔写 下的一字一句却传达了无限的 祝福，所表达出的心意必定比 简讯留言的统一字体还来得亲 切。
再说，卡片上所写下的每 个字，随着时间流失却依然不 变。相反的，发送出去的简讯 以及网上留言则会因“删除” 键，或是种种科技故障被删 除，从这世界上消失。
诚然，现代科技的进展， 和更简单方便的祝贺方式，让 我们在生日节日当天收到更多 的祝福。这些祝福除了知己好 友 ， 也 来 自 自 己 交 谈 甚 少 的 “朋友”。在这些祝福当中，
我们或许会质疑：哪些是真诚 的？哪些是偶然的？哪些是礼 貌上祝福的？ 况且，社交网站上提醒用户 朋友生日即将来临的功能，也 让我们不再需要记得他们生日 是几时了。这功能原本意在方 便大家忙碌之余还记得知己重 要的日子，却也培养了我们漠 视的心态。 心意——从我们的心，转存 到记忆里，现在又储存在机器 里头。忙碌的生活，使众人认 为以机器来维系感情是再理所 当然不过了。 当然，人们也常说，有心意 的朋友，或许不会寄出祝贺卡 片，也未必会发送祝贺简讯或 留言，也许不会记得知己的生 日在何时，只要放在心上就好 了，因为心意不需以实际行动 来证明。但扪心自问，身为现 实动物的我们，能够感受他人 的心意吗？ 笔者相信，一个有心意的朋 友，除了不会等到佳节生日来 临时才献上祝福，而采用的沟 通方式也依旧是最原始的：亲 笔写下的卡片，或是拨电话交 谈。 一字一句，以及那熟悉的声 音，充满着内心的真诚和对另 一方的祝福，也正是这特征， 成为这友情亲情存在与维持着 的确证。
自动自发 责无旁贷 韩伟定
新
加 坡 行 善 运 动 （Singapore Kindness Movement）上月中旬推行了一 项新运动，鼓励国人在快餐店 用餐后，顺手清理托盘，以示 行善之举。参与的有6大快餐连 锁店，包括麦当劳和肯德基等 共314所用餐处。 对于这样的活动，国人反应 不一。有些人觉得清理托盘是 多此一举，有的则觉得快餐店 的清理人员多半是较年长的员 工，所以只要用餐者清理自己 的托盘，可给这些员工和下一 个用餐者带来方便。 这项运动的推行，成功与 否，或许还太早断定。国人的 心态则是活动的成败关键。 之前，《海峡时报》 在2008年推行了类似的运 动“Goodness Gracious Me！”， 鼓励国人在食阁用餐后清理托 盘，可是该运动似乎没有达到 预期的效果。 学生在校园内食堂用餐，从 幼儿园开始到初院，甚至大专 学府，校方一直叮嘱学生用餐
后清理碗碟，学生也就照做。 或许有权威性人物的把关，学 生在校园里会循规蹈矩，收拾 碗碟也成了一种习惯。 既然有校园内训练出的“习 惯”，为何不能延续至公共场 所的用餐处？有报道就指，受 访的学生因为健忘，所以没有 清理快餐店的托盘。 习惯是可以养成的，健忘则 是一种推卸。
但也发现，不是每 张餐桌都贴了告 示。这是否就意味 着食客可以“因为 餐桌上没有贴告 示，所以我不清 理”为由，眼不见 为净，吃完就走？ 笔者最近到快餐店用餐的时 候，特别注意食客是否有把托 盘清理一下。
观察了约45分钟，自行清理 托盘的人屈指可数。多半还是 对快餐店贴在餐桌上“清理托 盘”的友善告示置之不理。 但也发现，不是每张餐桌都 贴了告示。这是否就意味着食 客可以“因为餐桌上没有贴告 示，所以我不清理”为由，眼 不见为净，吃完就走？ 有些人可能会认为，既然快 餐店有聘请员工清理托盘，那 为什么要食客自己处理托盘。 快餐店是不是因为要减低成 本、减少员工才参与这样的计 划？ 从个人角度而言，用餐后清 理托盘，只不过是轻而易举的 事情。这是最基本“为他人着 想”的心态。 这当中也存在着形象问题。 若在用餐繁忙时间，快餐店员 工来不及清理托盘，到处都堆 满了垃圾，会有损市容。 不过，要在一夜之间改变国 人在外用餐后不清理托盘的习 惯，是不可能的。行善运动只 能治标不能治本，要如何把这 个“自行清理托盘”的概念渗 入国人的生活作息，成为一种 习惯才是关键。
尽管快餐店桌上已贴上友善告示，仍不见食客主动清理托盘，可见 国人的习惯有待改进。 摄影|韩伟定
24
fe b r uary 22 , 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
生活
中文音乐 越夜越动听
想沉浸于中文歌曲，却不知到哪里寻 找？跟随记者余思远和廖哲豪到四家 餐厅和酒吧，共赴一场音乐的飨宴。 Lunar Asian Fusion Bar 地点：Block C, The Cannery, River Valley Road, #01-03, Clarke Quay, Singapore 179022 营业时间：每日傍晚7时 至早上6时
华
Ark @ *SCAPE
地点：*SCAPE Youth Lab, 113 Somerset Road, Singapore 238165 营业时间：星期三至星期六，傍晚6时30分至晚上11时
在
不久前搬迁的木船，如今就坐落于乌节路的*SCAPE。环境舒适、面积不 大但感觉温馨，是个听好歌、喝饮料的理想地点。 餐厅以黑色做为主色，搭配设计简约的桌椅。这简单、不繁杂的布置让人容 易放松心情，毫无忧虑和牵挂地听歌。此外，业者也非常贴心地在舞台的最前 方摆放沙发，让想近距离享受音乐的听众能得偿所愿。 虽然主打的是中文流行歌曲，但是歌手们也不时会带来一些老歌、英文歌曲 以及粤语歌曲。所有的驻唱歌手都必须经过试音和木船的歌唱训练，因此歌唱 实力有一定的水准。 负责人董劲廷表示，木船的特别之处在于会定时引进新歌手。过程虽然累 人，但为了帮助更多有理想的年轻人圆梦，一切的辛苦都是值得的。 已有16年办民歌餐厅经验的木船宗旨是做好音乐，以及为有才华的年轻人提 供一个表演的舞台。而这次决定和*SCAPE合作，木船抱着远大的志愿，那就是 把中文音乐做起来。近期，木船也积极筹办户外活动，让更多在乌节路逛街的 年轻人认识本地中文音乐。
丽的布置，宽敞的 空间一向来给人一 种高不可攀的感觉，但是 Lunar并不如此。 这间在克拉码头营业两 年的酒吧，虽然门面上给 人一种贵气逼人的感觉， 但是价格却在年轻人消费 能力的范围。负责人钟崧 文表示，把价格定在平易 近人的水平是为了吸引现 在爱逛夜店的青年，同时 让他们多接触中文音乐。 Lunar每晚都会有三段 由驻唱歌手带来的现场乐 队（Live Band）表演。他们都是由制作团队特别飞到台湾、中国以及香 港搜罗的。虽然表演歌曲以流行音乐为主，但是间中也会穿插多首粤语 歌曲，以及80与90年代的经典金曲。表演在周末时则会增加到四场。 此外，在表演空档中，DJ也会为大家以remix形式播放耳熟能详的流 行歌曲。同时，业者也效仿台湾的知名夜店Luxy Club，在这段时间内让 舞者在台上为大家呈献动感的舞蹈。 Lunar里也有能容纳18人以上的卡拉OK厢房，提供消费者一个适合举 办多人聚会的场所。同时，业者也为喜欢宁静的朋友提供了一个布置豪 华的lounge area。
Dragonfly 爱琴海民歌餐厅 Music Dreamer Live! Café
地点：Marina Square, 6 Raffles Boulevard #02-308, Singapore 039594 营业时间： 星期天至星期四（包括公共假期） 傍晚6时30分至晚上10时30分 星期五和星期六（包括公共假期前夕） 傍晚6时30分至晚上11时15分
以
希腊故事爱琴海（Aegean Sea） 的浪漫传说为主题，业者希望打 造一个安静、温馨的听歌角落。 餐厅坐落在滨海湾一带的购物商 场，地点交通便利。内部装潢以蓝色和 白色为主。加上贝壳和灯光的点缀，使 环境弥漫浪漫的气息，非常符合主题。同时，爱琴海也有提供餐点服务，让你能 一边听歌，一边享用晚餐。 在爱琴海献唱的歌手都必须经过试音与现场考验，所以个个具备歌唱实力。 据负责人曾志强透露，除了安排歌手及乐手为顾客献唱，爱琴海也有一些特别 的节目。例如，每逢星期一的观众时间和星期二的主题之夜。观众时间的概念是 让观众上台表演，并且会有乐手伴奏。 业者偶尔会安排一些特别的主题，如新谣之夜、怀旧金曲等。从节目的安排， 不难看出业者的用心。 爱琴海希望为有才华的人提供一个发表作品的平台，同时推广本地音乐。
地点：3 Sentosa Gateway, St James Power Station, Singapore 098544 营业时间：每日傍晚6时至早上6时
坐
落在圣占姆士发电站的Dragonfly一向来深受白领人士的欢迎。 精彩的现场演出是他们吸引顾客的卖点之一。 拥有阵容强大表演团队的Dragonfly每晚都会为观众在视觉与听觉 上带来非一般的震撼，表演可媲美演唱会的水准。 他们的常驻表演者中包括首届《新加坡偶像》亚军沈祥龙。同 时，绚烂的灯光效果与亲近观众的伸展舞台为表演气氛加分许多。 Dragonfly的演出大多以现场乐队（Live Band）形式呈献，并以中 文流行歌曲为主。同时，他们也留意潮流走向，在某些时候演唱时下 流行的韩语歌曲。 酒吧的主场分成两个区域，分别有适合想要坐下来欣赏音乐的人 的吧台区，以及能够让人凑热闹的摇滚区，为顾客带来不同的感觉。
摄影|李丽敏、黄俊森与Mohd Zakaria Zainal
25
fe b r ua ry 2 2 , 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
娱乐 不只是“伍式情歌”
一点也不是SOSO而已
伍思凯 《小伍，歌 故事的第一行》专辑
张克帆 《我是个SOSO的男生》EP
听
得舒服、感动人心的“伍式情歌” 就是伍思凯的卖点。 不过，6年没有出专辑的伍思凯，去年 12月中旬再次出击，以年轻的装扮，不一 样的曲风，试图为自己的专辑注入新鲜 感。 当然，伍思凯写过那么多歌，也曾经 出了那么多张专辑，这一次寻求突破是个 关键。 新专辑有了突破，也让我们看到和听 到了不一样的他。瞬间的转变，可能让一 些听惯“伍式情歌”的人感觉不习惯。 之前的专辑，伍思凯大多以自己擅长 的情歌为主轴。但是新专辑里却听到他尝试了嘻哈、爵士和blues曲风 等，跳脱他给人的既定印象。 或许是伍思凯曾在台湾选秀节目《超级星光大道》担任第4届的评 审，接触年轻乐坛的动态，因此为了让自己跟上步伐，而尝试另一种 音乐方向。 伍思凯在新专辑中首度和方文山合作，量身定做了首波主打歌《故 事的第一行》。他也在《喝酒歌》与胡军合唱，引起了话题。
在
1989年以团体“红孩 儿”成员出道，1995 年单飞后发行首张个人专 辑，到2000年的《宽频情 歌》，张克帆在乐坛上辗转 多年，也算是歌坛老将。 淡出歌坛后，擅长音乐 创作的张克帆，以网络为发 表平台，将创作上载与网友 分享。近几年，他仍活跃于 娱乐圈，频频出现在综艺节 目，保持曝光率。 或许有了综艺节目作为 踏板，即使只是B咖艺人，相隔9年后再闯歌坛，也成功获得年轻听众 的喜爱。其中自创曲《两个世界》，更是张克帆为初恋欢欢（“忧欢 派对”成员）而写的，感动了不少人。 歌坛流行的抒情歌实在太多了，不过EP的两首抒情歌，没有花俏的 编曲，只凭真挚感情取胜。EP只是他回归歌坛的一小步，能不能再出 张完整的专辑，就得看歌迷的支持了。 会弹钢琴又会创作的张克帆，真的不只是SOSO而已。
歌唱比赛办了一届又一届，年轻歌手有如雨后春笋般涌现，抢攻唱片市场。 不过，在年轻歌手引领舞台时，一些暌违多时的资深歌手也纷纷重出江湖， 与他们争片天。且让韩伟定为你分析老“姜”们的战略。
性感与感性
天籁之音依旧
黄小琥 《简单/不简单》专辑
王菲 《幽兰操》单曲
素
有“灭绝师太”称号的黄小 琥，在台湾节目《超级星光大 道》当了三届的评审。一针见血的点 评风格，让人无法想象严厉的评审其 实也有性感和感性的一面。 暌违8年，黄小琥小露性感，在新 专辑《简单/不简单》中带出最有女人味的感觉。不论是在歌曲的选择 方面，多以爵士歌曲带出她磁性歌声中的温柔感性，专辑造型、表情 和姿态也很女人。 黄小琥和年轻音乐人方大同合作的新歌《最爱的人》中，流行R&B 元素加上成熟细腻的诠释，效果令人赞赏。 新专辑颠覆了黄小琥pub歌手的形象。老将实力果然不容忽视。专 辑听了让人如痴如醉，有多少歌手能够把歌曲中的复杂情绪诠释得淋 漓尽致呢？ 真是不简单。
淡
出歌坛近5年，王 菲接唱电影《孔 子》主题曲《幽兰操》， 而也正式复出。 她俐落洒脱，空灵悠 远的歌声让人回味，可 照片｜网络下载 见其功力不减。 天后级的王菲，唱功有目共睹。这些年坊间频频传出天后将复出的 消息，直到上个月《幽兰操》MV曝光后，听众又再次能够听到她的天 籁之音。 王菲的歌声有种特质，是90年代的歌坛代表，正如80年代的邓丽君 一样。 她不刻意改变以迎合流行趋势，倒是保留了最真实的自己，成功虏 获歌迷的心。若王菲再出张新专辑，或许会在乐坛引起一阵“骚动”， 复出表现备受看好。
老 将 返 场 实 力 不 减
26
fe b r uary 22 , 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
为不负己望 小综力求全方位 他开玩笑地说：“牛 奶是个要求非常严格的舞 蹈老师，好哥们儿也不给 面子。所以，我在排舞的 时候皮总是绷得特别紧， 生怕跳错又被他嫌。” 唱歌跳舞并不简单
近期涉足到歌唱领域的郑元畅，坦承自己得付出更多心力，以勤补拙。 摄影|梁永恩
宋佳佳●报道
被
粉丝昵称为“小 综”的郑元畅，紧 密筹备一年多后，终于推
出个人首张EP《畅一首 歌》，舞姿却被好友牛奶 嫌弃。 近日来新宣传EP的郑 元畅在记者会上表示，为 求专辑尽善尽美，特地力
邀前ENERGY团员叶乃 文“牛奶”为他编舞。 但在排舞的过程中，自己 却常因手长脚长，无法协 调而使好友牛奶不禁发出 “啧啧”的唾弃声。
从得心应手的戏剧跨 足到陌生的歌唱领域，两 者之间的差异一度让小综 对自己产生怀疑。他坦 承在歌唱方面不是很有天 赋，因此必须付出比别人 更多的心力，以勤补拙。 他说：“唱歌和演戏 虽然都是在讲述一个故 事，但不同的是唱歌要在 5、6分钟内把一个故事说 完整，极具挑战性。” “而且，演戏是在扮 演别人，唱歌则是把自己 的声音和感情赤裸裸地呈
乐评 音乐Jukebox
现出来，起初还真有点儿 不习惯。” 这次在EP中不仅初试 啼声，还首度载歌载舞。 对于两个全新的领域，郑 元畅觉得两者对自己来说 都很难。 他谦虚地说：“无论 是唱歌，还是跳舞，我都 算是新人，而且是没有 什么天份的新人。唱歌需 要很多技巧，必需慢慢雕 琢，跳舞也是一样。不过 还好我平时就对跳舞感兴 趣，学习起来很开心。” 涉足唱片界惟恐自己失望 由于近年来郑元畅因 主演偶像剧在戏剧圈大放 异彩，观众对于他涉足唱 片界后的表现自然也会有 一定的期许。 对此，小综倒是很看
得开。他说：“唱片公司 并没有因为我在戏剧上的 知名度而向我施压，反而 把我完完全全当成新人在 教，这是我非常感激的。 公众对我的批评指教我当 然会认真面对，不过现在 我最害怕的不是让别人失 望，而是令自己失望。” 虽然在偶像剧领域稳 坐一哥宝座，但小综透露 自己在2005年时曾遇到事 业低潮。也正是这股低潮 使他有了做全方位艺人的 想法。 他说：“那时在工作 上开始找不到快乐的感 觉，于是就尝试唱歌、演 舞台剧等领域。唱歌是让 自己走出低潮、令自己更 开心的真谛。” 新年之际，小综希望 能越唱越好，最终推出一 张属于自己的完整唱片。
影评 电影播映室
专辑：《我相信》 歌手：张靓颖 推荐：《快活》、《办不到》
距
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离张靓颖上一张专辑的发行已有一年多了，而 本月发行的新专辑《我相信》真可谓是在众 多“凉粉”的翘首企盼中诞生。 专辑封面呈现的是张靓颖的全新造型——自然大 方中透露着成熟的魅惑。新专辑由华语歌坛“天后专 属制作人”阿弟仔及其团队全盘打造，推出“百变 DIVA”的主题。 专辑风格以R&B为基调，结合张靓颖圆润多变的唱 腔，其间穿插着她独家的海豚音，在爱情演唱中灌注 她洒脱奔放的独特个性。 采用典型的R&B风格的《办不到》，歌词中“干脆就拉拉拉拉倒”就唱出张靓 颖别样的洒脱。《快活》也是一首快歌，与以前的抒情慢歌有很大区别，可以看出 张靓颖在曲风上努力地寻找突破。 与曾经那个没有自信的自我相较之下，在经历过诸多磨练后的张靓颖首次将自 己多年来的心路历程，通过首波主打《我相信》里的歌词写出来，展现出自信坚强 的自我。 张靓颖的努力也将受到越来越多的国际关注与肯定。（文／周诗娅）
专辑：《下一站，幸福》原声带 歌手：合辑 推荐：《我爱他》、《你为什么说谎》、《亲人》
台
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湾目前收视第一的偶像剧《下一站，幸福》 里，剧中演员个个演技都备受好评，其中饰演 梁晓乐的小小彬表现最亮眼，年仅5岁的他哭功一流。 当年在《流星花园》饰演美作的吴建豪获得演艺生 涯里最大一次的突破，与安以轩分别担当《下一站， 幸福》的男女主角，饰演晓乐的父母亲。 原声带其中的歌曲包括忠实观众耳熟能详的戏剧主 题曲《我爱他》。这首由丁当深情演唱的歌有股强烈的伤感却同时表现了女生对失 去的爱的一种坚持态度；对于过去式的爱不但不自怜自艾，歌词的最后一行：若那 一刻重来我不哭/让他知道我可以很好，鼓励女生可以很坚定地看待爱情。 往往原声带成功的地方就在于歌曲歌词与剧情的关联性是否强烈。这张专辑当 中就出现如此歌曲，比如《你为什么说谎》和《亲人》分别都与剧情相似，好似诉 说着角色的内心独白。故事剧情环绕着家庭温情和说谎等主题；为了保护所爱的家 人而迫不得已说谎的心情在《你为什么说谎》当中刻画得淋漓尽致。 虽然此戏即将落幕，到达“幸福最终站”，但原声带能让对于剧情和角色念念 不忘的观众能在回忆里得到无限延伸。（文／丘芳 ）
照片|网络下载、国泰机构和新格媒体提供
电影：大兵小将 导演：丁晟 主要演员：成龙、王力宏
一
,,,,,
般战争片中的哀鸿遍野和刀光剑影，看久了总让人觉得太沉重。但这回 在成龙和王力宏领衔主演的《大兵小将》里，我们换个口味，不谈复杂 的战略，而是透过一个梁兵的观点看死亡、离别、背叛等主题。重点不在感 伤，相反的，是对人生的希望和豁达。 这部影片说的是一个梁国士兵（成龙饰）想把卫国将军（王力宏饰）押回 梁国当俘虏的故事，从梁兵代表的“小人物”和“大将军”回国途中发生的冲 突，窥探一场无止境的战争，如何把小市民毫无选择地逼得无路可退。 有别于过去英雄般的出场，成龙大哥这次变身成窝囊的梁国逃兵。原以为成 龙对于小人物的揣摩，应该掩饰不住其大哥风范。但他以很自然的演技，演活 了这个士兵的平凡却又乐观的个性，十分具感染力，与卫国将军之间亦敌亦友 的对手戏有不少风趣幽默的对白更是火花不断。 特别喜欢全剧贯穿的一首歌曲，借梁兵的口唱着种田的简朴生活。卫国将 军在被俘虏的过程中一直蔑视梁国士兵是个丢梁国脸的“小人物”。但“小人 物”向往的就只是田园生活，可是卫梁之间的战争却让一切遥不可及。每每从 鬼门关逃过一劫，口中简单一句“挺好的”却是寓意深远，乐观开朗与对于生 命的渴求深深感染了观众。 人生纵然千回百转，但不也惊喜不断。看完才明白，结局或许不一定尽如人 意。可最窝囊的“小人物”虽胸无大志，但懂得以和平为出发点顾全大局，知 足常乐的道理。最重要的是他明白，小小的幸福也是幸福。（文／宋慧纯）
27
fe b r ua ry 2 2 , 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
男 女 间 没 完 没 了 的 战 争
李丽敏●报道
谁
是男人，谁是女人？这问题看似简单又直接， 但随着现代男女的外在、气质和社会角色的变 化，两性之间的界限其实已越来越模糊。 继去年的《华丽上班族之生活与生存》在本地深 受好评后，香港著名导演林奕华再度与剧团来新， 和观众一起探讨《男人与女人之战争与和平》。 这部舞台剧是今年华艺节的开幕节目，说的是 男女两性长期以来的爱恨关系与角色移位的矛盾冲 突。《男》是由台湾偶像剧小天后林依晨、香港创 作型歌手何韵诗和台湾型男王耀庆担纲演出。 导演林奕华日前在记者会上表示，是缘分让他有 机会和这三位出色的演员合作。而在《男》的创作 过程中，演员们对剧本付出很大的贡献，因为他们 对剧中所探讨的议题都有自己的体会和想法。 导演和主角哭点低 常常都会泪流成河
《男》中人物塑造的灵感来源是法国名著《小王 子》。林奕华透露，他和三位主角在密封的房间里 将《小王子》从头到尾念一遍时，他们都在不同的 时候流下了眼泪。 林奕华指演员们的“哭点”很低，每每最后一幕 都会泪流成河。他笑说：“我们从创作到演出到谢 幕，其实都还蛮‘湿’的！” 首次演出舞台剧的林依晨，因参与《男》而与何 韵诗成为好友，两人各自都在歌影视三方面交出了 不错的成绩单。 问及接下来是否有望再次合作，何韵诗表明不排 除有合作的机会，还说要和林依晨一起拍偶像剧。 林依晨则说：“不要啦，我想可以合作古装片，因 为有很多武打场面，应该蛮好玩的。” 从两人一来一往的互动中，不难看出她们之间的 默契和好感情。 自1998年退伍后就从事演艺圈工作的王耀庆，有不少的戏剧作 品，但真正让人记得他的可说是《华》。因舞台剧巡演的关系， 他最近比较少回台湾拍戏，改上综艺节目较多。 他表示，一直以来都把自己视为演员而非艺人，只不过要找到 一个好的剧本需要天时地利人和。王耀庆说：“遇到对的人做对 的事，就会起正面的影响，所以我现在非常快乐。” 第四次与王耀庆合作，林奕华对他有赞无弹：“耀庆有很大的 能量，可能他天生就是做舞台的。”
由何韵诗 （左起）、王耀庆和林依晨担纲演出的《男》，反映男女 之间的爱恨关系与矛盾。 摄影|刘思敏
华艺节2010精彩看头 戏聚现场：演出现场 后代 戏剧盒（新加坡） 林家两代三个女人为了这一代的唯一男丁或多或少地牵绊一生，但他却是个患上爱之病的同 性恋者。林家面临的一定是“绝代”问题吗？林春兰1992年作品，由香港导演邓树荣执导。 时间：2月27日（星期六）晚上8时；2月28日（星期日）下午3时与晚上8时 地点：滨海艺术中心小剧场 票价：$30 ，$21（在籍学生、国民服役人员及乐龄人士优惠） 欲知详情，请上网www.huayifestival.com查询。
Opinions “Being left out in NTU?” Turn to page 32 to find out
frankly, my dear
EDITORIAL
A column by The Chronicle editors on issues close to their hearts
Overheard at NTU In the past week, a new NTU-based Facebook group has cropped up online— “Overheard at NTU”. It fol low s a r e c e nt trend of Facebook groups in Singapore universities wanting to capture and share the thrills and spills of university life. T h e s e “o v e r h e a r d ” groups are not a new trend in cyberspace. In fact, they exist across the world— from universities such as Harvard to newsrooms. Wit hin t wo days “Overheard in N T U” hit over 1,000 members. C u r r e nt l y, t h e ne w group a lready boasts a me m b e r p opu lat ion of almost 4,000. As the semester pic k s up, s uc h g r oup s are a welcome respite—a reminder that there’s more to universit y education than the assignments and exams. They give the university, a nd b y e x t e n s ion , i t s students, character.
These groups give NTU’s 33,000-strong population a sense of camaraderie and the chance to keep up to date with the humorous, and uniquely NTU bits of campus life. However groups like these also run the risk of offending more people than it should. Already some students h av e t a ke n of fe nc e at pictures of something they considered to be a personal joke being uploaded. As they say, one man’s t r a sh i s a not her ma n’s treasure. It is our responsibility, even as we attempt to find some humour on our tiny island, to practise some form of decorum and tact. As we attempt to create a university culture of our own, it is important that it be a culture that we can look back on, be proud of, and feel comfortable laughing at rather than one that will leave a bitter taste in years to come.
CH R O N ICL E THE NANYANG
chief editor Shereen Naaz Charles MANAGING editor Law Shi Ming Elizabeth sub-editors Kwan Hui Xian Lau Liang Tong Lin Jieming Melissa Neo Wen Tong Vo Van Hung News editors Aw Yeong Jia Jia Maxie Goh Kai Shi Lifestyle editors Goh Shang Zhe Kenneth Jennifer Dhanaraj Reviews editor Lock Mei Jin Clara TECH editor Lim Song En Kevin dapper editors Lim Hui Ching Audrey Tan Jingliang Chinese editors Su Wenqi Wong Kang Wei
opinionS editors Chan Xiu Fen Rosemary Goh Jiamin sports editors Eve Yeo Yu Ping Loh Jiaju Ronald layout editors Hong Shuqi Loh Jun Qi Mak Jinfa Joseph Tang Ying Ying Glenda photo editors Chan Wan Wai Eunice Ng Jun Sen graphics editor Choong Jia Tang Alan ONLINE editorS Han Xinyun Danielle Tan Jun Long Jeremy business managers Lee Hui Ting Gladys Lim Pei Yi Vivian production support Ng Heng Ghee Teacher advisors Andrew Duffy Xu Xiaoge
A students’ newspaper published by the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI) Nanyang Technological University 31 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637718 Tel: 6790 6446 Unsigned editorials represent the majority view of the editorial board of The Chronicle and do not necessarily reflect the policies or views of Nanyang Technological University, its employees, the students or the Council of the University. Signed opinion columns, letters and editorial cartoons represent the opinion of the writer or artist and are not necessarily those of The Chronicle. Printed by KHL Printing Co. Pte Ltd, 57 Loyang Drive, Singapore 508968
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU News Hotline: 6790 6446 Letters: chronicle@ntu.edu.sg Opinions: chronicle.opinions@ ntu.edu.sg Please include your full name, contact number, faculty and year of study.
Engineering love Jennifer Dhanaraj lifestyle editor
A
couple of weeks ago, I was reluctantly sitting in my Integrated Marketing Com mu n icat ion’s tutorial. The professor remarked that in 10 years’ time, about half the class would probably still be single —that is, completely alone and without a partner. T h at w a s to m y d i s m a y especially since I had planned to be married with kids by the age of 30. I immediately looked around the class for prospective husbands that I could chat up after class. With my high expectations and my low social skills, it was not looking good. It was not always like this in my family, though. My mother was barely 20 when she was engaged to my father after only seeing a picture of him. The first time they met was at their elaborate engagement ceremony in India. At that time she was an Indian citizen and my fat her was a Singaporean. Their marriage was arranged, which was not unusual back then in India. A r ranged ma r r iages have been a staple of Indian tradition for centuries now and are still prevalent although the number of love marriages is on the rise.
But recently I find myself more open to the idea of an arranged marriage My cousins in India have all wed Indian computer engineers picked by their parents. So it is a long running joke with my friends that I will eventually marry an Indian computer engineer of my mother’s choice. I usually laugh with them. But recently I find myself more open to the idea of an arranged marriage. As I catch my parents just as they are going out for one of their late-night dates to Mustafa or when they are having a petty
GRAPHIC | ALAN CHOONG
argument over their favourite Indian actors, I feel that it is indeed possible to grow to love another person wholeheartedly. Even if you did not choose the person. Their marriage remains strong after 24 years while some of the love marriages in my family have dissolved. With my lacklustre love life and my crushes on boys not lasting longer than a day, it may be wise to leave my marriage arrangements to my mother. Especially if I do not want to end up as an old lady surrounded by cats for companionship. For a person as lazy as me, an arranged marriage is essentially a solution that cuts corners. There is no need for me to be on the prowl for a husband and neither do I need to worry about my parents’ approval. Of course, I am still saddled with a million Western notions of Romeo and Juliet love. I want to be able to tell my kids that I met their father while listening to The Smiths in the elevator on the way home.
I want to tell them about the Valentine’s Day surprises that their father planned for me during our courtship. But maybe a more pragmatic life can be as rewarding as a fair ytale romance in the long run. When I am 80 and greying, I want to be able to sit on the porch with my husband and be proud of what we have achieved together. So what if this was the life chosen by my parents? They made the best out of it. Afterall, my mother gave up her entire life in India to move here. Maybe in 10 years’ time, I will be emailing the Professor to tell him that I am happily married to an Indian computer engineer. It may seem that I am bitter about the concept of love when I really am a hopeless romantic. I am just open to the option of approaching love from a different way than most. As Morrissey sings in The Smiths’ song Rusholme Ruffians: “I might walk home alone… but my faith in love is still devout.”
opinions
fe b r ua ry 2 2 , 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
Examinable vs Non-Examinable
31
canteen talk
Examinable versus non-examinable modules, which do you prefer and which one do you feel is more beneficial? We find out what some NTU students think.
Non-examinable modules would allow me to focus more on my other modules during the examinations.
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Evon Goh, HSS, Yr 2, 21
“ GRAPHIC | JOEL YUEN
Ma Yanjing
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on-examinable modules are uncommon within the Singaporean education system from the time we start
schooling. For an average Singaporean student, fretting over final examinations which make or break our grades has made up just about all our days as students. In NTU, while at least 50 percent of grades depend on a final examination in most examinable courses, non-examinable modules aim to cultivate consistency and gradual improvements in students through continual assessments. For non-examinable modules, grades do not depend lopsidedly on a one-off examination. Students have to study consistently to get good results for each assessment during the semester. This requires more effort and time. Even when students are preparing for other exams, they have to spare time for the various projects and assignments for the non-examinable modules they are commited to.
In comparison, the results from final examinations may not be a true reflection of one’s capabilities “It seems that non-examinable modules make us free of exams and are easier to score but actually this is not so,” said Ren Hengjiang, 19, a first-year student from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
“It takes a lot of effort to get a satisfactory grade in every assessment. “I will feel very busy and stressed the whole semester since some courses have projects and are dependent on teamwork. It is quite annoying to be in a group where other members just don’t want to work.” While this is so, it is through such hard work that much is learnt and retained. In the process, interpersonal skills are also tested and developed. In comparison, the results from final examinations may not be a true reflection of capabilities. Non-examinable modules better ensure that knowledge is not simply memorised and regurgitated, but understood and applied. They are also good for those who do not perform well in examinations due to reasons other than academic capabilities . Not doing well in one assessment might not influence the grade as much as failing an exam would. Without the stress of a final examination, students are invited to enjoy the learning process. On the other hand, some students still see the advantage of examinable modules. Due to the education system we have been through, many students are used to studying just before the exams. Ren, for instance, commented: “Hard work before exams is very useful. “On usual days it is difficult to force myself to sit down and study.” He also added: “I have been used to this way of studying since secondary school.” Geng Yihang, 20, a firstyear student from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace
Engineering believes that examinable modules are fairer in giving grades. For non-examinable modules, each tutor is responsible for the grades of his class and different tutors may differ in their grading standard. They might even hold prejudice against some students.
Without the stress of a final examination, students are invited to enjoy the learning process But in exams, they tend to have a more consistent way of marking. “The tutors might be all good and fair, but there’s still a risk. And I don’t want to risk my GPA,” Geng said. Dr Wong Kai Sin, an Associate Professor from the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, agrees. He said: “It is human nature that different tutors have different standards of grading and it is common in many universities." However, these are very result driven approaches to learning, in which the process of attaining and understanding knowledge has been ignored. Sufficient effort and a positive attitude would ensure that one gains from the module even if an A is unattainable. This is what university education aims to fulfil and is what we, as students, should learn to embrace.
I don’t believe what I learn in a module can be reproduced in an examination. Doing projects is more practical. Rohan Jain, EEE, Yr 2, 19
Non-examinable modules are a breath of fresh air from theory-based information and essays.
”
Samantha Ann Francis, HSS, Yr 2, 20
“
I found the nonexaminable module I took boring but easier to score in compared to an examinable module. Liszt Lisit, SPMS, Yr 1, 20
Non-examinable modules seem easier to score in but are more stressful for us during the semester.
”
Angeline Teh, MSE, Yr 1, 20 TEXT | ROSEMARY CHAN ; PHOTOS | GRACE AUYONG
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opinions
fe b r uary 22 , 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
Are we not one NTU? Priscilla Poon
T
wins are born of the same mother and share certain similarities but are ultimately different. This is no different from the two main extra-curricular activity (ECA) bodies of NTU. Differences between the Cultural Activities Club (CAC) and the NTU Sports Club are clearly drawn. They have been allocated different locations. Nanyang House is for all CAC activities while the Sports and Recreation Centre (SRC) houses the Sports Club. But sometimes these clear demarcations actively hinder one thing that they both work towards—representing NTU. For example, Nanyang House has one dance studio for the entire student population, which includes CAC’s seven dance clubs. Each practises on average twice a week. Currently, the dance studio at the Nanyang House is fully booked with dance clubs permanently block-booking time slots. That means some groups are left out. The NTU Contemporary Dance group has been unable to book the studio, due to the tier system
GRAPHIC | ALAN CHOONG
which CAC uses, giving bigger dance clubs priority. Instead, the group practises at the Nanyang House function room which is too small to accommodate all of them and lacks the right flooring and mirrors. So they turn to the SRC to book one of their venues that would be more suitable. It seems, however, the administration turned them away.
This was not because they were not available, but because they were CAC clubs. So, according to the rule book, they already have the facilities at Nanyang House. “Generally, the SRC administration gives more support to sports teams,” said Mr Yum Shoen Keng, Senior Assistant Director and In-Charge of Block Booking of Facilities for the SRC.
“If they want dance facilities they should seek Nanyang House for support instead.” According to the NTU website, all staff and students are allowed to use the facilities in the SRC, subject to conditions governing the use of facilities. Since this is so, does it then mean these facilities are free for all to book? Not necessarily.
An executive committee member of the NTU Contemporary Dance Club faced difficulties in booking SRC facilities. And she was told that, “Clubs under CAC should only book Nanyang House rooms and not fight with the clubs under NTU Sports Club”. But if no sports group had booked the space, why should a CAC club not be allowed to make use of facilities that would otherwise lie vacant? Booking indoor facilities such as the multi-purpose hall in the SRC should be open to all students regardless of ECA. And by the same token, sports groups should be allowed to book rooms at Nanyang House if there is no room at SRC, and if it does not take the space from CAC clubs. After all, both CAC and NTU Sports Club belong to NTU. Our goal, collectively, is to work towards representing NTU the best we can. In order for clubs to so, support from the school is necessary. We all belong to NTU and it is necessary to think less of “Me” and more of “We”. Only then will we share the same goals and make the relevant efforts to help improve our situations whatever they may be.
Pointing in the wrong direction Priyabrata Priyadarshi
H
all is more than just a place to stay during the week, or somewhere to take a nap in between classes. In order to stay in hall, a student has to earn his or her place, be it through involvement in extra-curricular activities (ECA) or hall activities such as Inter-Hall Games. And the Hall Admission Scheme (HAS) helps to regulate the shortage of hall accommodation in the face of huge demand. The first objective of the current HAS, as listed on the Student Affairs Office (SAO) website, is that it “encourages students to join activities purely out of interest, passion, commitment and community or civic spirit”. Although the intent is good, it ignores the fact that many students have more than one interest that they actively take part in. It is common to find students who participate in more than one ECA. But at the moment, they only get HAS credits for one of their activities, which seems to encourage them to focus all their time on just one, at the expense of the holistic educational experience we are so often told university life is about.
So why should students not get credit for all of their commitments? The objective of a merit-based system is to ensure that students who contribute most actively in ECA are given higher priority during hall room allocation. But the current system calculates hall points based only on the ECA that gives the highest number of points.
That sends a clear message: do not waste your time serving as a member because it would not help get a room in hall Being in the executive committee of an ECA gives more points than being a member. For instance, a president may get up to nine points, while a member may only get three. This non-accumulative system, though merit-based, recognises only those who hold positions in ECAs. That sends a clear message: do not waste your time serving as a
member because it would not help get a room in hall. Only being on the executive committee is worthwhile. But times are changing as an improved system awaits implementation. In keeping with the sixth objective of “encouraging social and cultural interaction between local and international students to facilitate opportunities for networking that transcends nationality”, there will be a slight change in the HAS for international students from Academic Year 2011/12 onwards. In a bid to encourage more ECA involvement on their part, the distance points awarded to international students will be reduced. Currently they get maximum distance points throughout their course of study in NTU, so they are more likely to have a room in hall. This new system will see a decrease of one distance point after every academic year, so they will need to participate more in ECAs to earn points. This is a good move. But still, although efforts have been made to better achieve the objectives of HAS, by potentially increasing interaction between students, both international and local, it still fails to acknowledge the efforts of students who
GRAPHIC | SREYA BANERJEE
dedicate their time to more than one ECA.
That must be the next change for the HAS to make.
34
sports
fe b r uary 22 , 2010
T h e na n ya ng c h ron ic l e
bpl talk
Where patience is no longer a virtue As football becomes more business-like, managers are facing more pressure Mark Tay IN THE past, players were the ones who felt the heat of transfers. Today, managers, too, face this same predicament. As clubs find themselves having richer and more influential owners—think Roman Abramovich at Chelsea and Sheikh Mansour at Manchester City—managers are losing their managerial relevance on the pitch. Managers used to call the shots, doing what they deemed best for the club. Be it match line ups, the transfer of players or even retorts at press conferences, their say was often final. In today’s multi-billion, profit-driven football industry, managers have become mere puppets of their powerful masters. A case in point would be the dismissal of Manchester City’s manager Mark Hughes last December two hours after a 4-3 home win over Sunderland. His successor, Roberto Mancini, who led Internazionale to seven trophies in four years, was appointed for his illustrious track record as a manager. Hughes' 18-month stint at Manchester City saw him purchasing players such as Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez and Joleon Lescott. Despite such heavy spending, match results had failed to impress owner Mansour. Hughes thus got the sack.
It has become common for businessmen to demand for instant returns on investments and key point indicators. As such, the game of football is on a slippery slope. In many instances, managers have been judged not by improvements made to the club, but their match results. To blame a manager for a dry spell may not be a fair thing to do. Hughes’ performance in the 2009/2010 Barclays Premier League (until December 19th, 2009) saw him winning seven games, drawing eight and losing only two others.
Managers have been judged not by improvements, but by match results Compar ing this to the Merseyside Reds, Rafa Benitez’s lacklustre team has disappointed fans and owners alike. Liverpool currently (at press time) find themselves below City in the Premier League table, despite having played one game more. Yet, Benitez still finds himself employed, thanks to Liverpool’s desire to build a longterm winning squad. Sir Alex Ferguson and his Red Devils have had their fair share of dry spells too. The 2005/2006 campaign was a rough patch. The Old Trafford outfit finished last
GRAPHIC | MUHAMMAD HIDAYAT
in their Champion League group and went on a trophyless run, making Ferguson contemplate quitting. It was the foresight of the club and Ferguson’s tenacity to push on that kept them going. It paid off handsomely. Manchester United went on to win three consecutive Premier League titles of 2007-2009, and the prestigious Champions League trophy in 2008.
While money makes the business world go round, vigour, faith and patience are what clubs and managers need to possess to achieve long term success. However, in today’s football arena that is dominated by multi-billion-dollar owners, Mancini’s belief that “the most important quality a manager needs to be successful is luck" could be well proven true. It seems the beautiful game is starting to run on common cents.
sports profile
Unfailing in toughness
No fear, just faith. Chua Yan Yu speaks to two scholarly athletes who triumphed over injury
Cheryl lim, 19, sport science and management studies, Year 1 WHEN she sustained a back injury a few years back, her coach refused to let her rest and simply pushed this belief on her: Mind over matter.
This propelled Cheryl Lim, 19, a first-year Sport Science and Management student, forward as she was awarded prestigious new Adam Scott Foundation Scholarship last year. Recipients of the scholarship receive $30,000 over their four years of study of sport science and management. Lim represented Cedar Girls' Secondary School in long and triple jumps before switching to sprinting in St Andrews' Junior College. Some achievements include a national sixth position for her long jump performance for the B division and a national eighth position for A division as she clocked her personal best timing. Lim is playing Ultimate Frisbee in NTU and likens the sport to Track and Field as agility is required in both. “Frisbee is a group sport that requires some thinking. It’s unlike Track because we need to think of the various strategies to maneuver," she said. Aside from sports, Lim loves to read books, especially detective novels. In addition to her parents’ unwavering support, Cheryl’s attributes her success success to the fact that she did not have any ambitious goals. “I don’t look at others’ performance because it is unrealistic to look at national records and force myself. I just strive to improve my personal best," Lim said.
PHOTOS | EUNICE CHAN
crystal wee, 19, sport science and management studies, Year 1 Despite having two torn ligaments in her knee, Crystal Wee was delighted at being awarded the Adam Scot t Foundation
Scholarship because it showed the sports world still believed in her. Spotted as a potential talent while running for her school, Wee joined the Track and Cross-Country team which ignited her passion for running. However, she suffered sporting injuries during her first year in National Junior College and switched to swimming. “It takes a lot of self-discipline to engage in a new and individual sport,” she said. Currently, Wee is on a sabbatical to recover. “I’m not really active in any sport at the moment," she said. “I hope to get back on my feet soon because I often feel bored and lazy, which was never the case before." Other than the physical activity in sports, Wee said she “missed the energy, camaraderie and unrelenting energy of her track and field team". Wee is close to her former team mates and the support from each other helped them during training by cheering one another on. Wee also enjoys photography and playing the drums. As a sportsperson, Wee understands that as much as encouragement is needed to keep an athlete going, perseverance plays a vital role too. “Out there on the track or at the pool, mental strength and determination is all you have,” she said.
sports
fe b r ua ry 2 2 , 2010
T h e na N ya ng c h ron ic l e
Surf, sweat, all with a big heart Love, novelty and tchoukball take centrestage on Siloso Beach Poh Wee Koon HOT bodies and copper tans are what you would expect at a beach event in Sentosa, but the limelight went to a record of milestones at Surf n Sweat 2010, held on February 7th. Amongst the milestones were the 47 athletes from the Special Olympics Running Group—the highest ever participation from the group in this event. Ms Kim Lau, sports manager of the Special Olympics contingent, said: “Taking part in mainstream sporting events help these athletes to pick up social skills and boost their self-esteem." “ We w a n t t h e m t o f e e l integrated, like they are the same as anybody,” Ms Lau added. The entry fees were waived for the Special Olympics athletes, and special care was taken to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Several measures were also taken to put together a more vibrant event and to accommodate more participants. The event was moved from Tanjong Beach to Siloso Beach for the first time in its 15-year history. “Siloso Beach is very vibrant, lively and accessible. It also has huge human traffic,” said Darius Zheng, 21, chairperson for Surf n Sweat 2010.
LOVE ACTUALLY: Couples' synergies were the determinants in the Lover's Challenge.
Zheng, a first-year student at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, revealed that despite their efforts to accept more teams, they still had to turn away many participants, especially for side events. One of the measures taken to accommodate more participants was to play four-on-four beach volleyball instead of the traditional two-on-two.
READY, SWEAT, SET, SURF: Participants gearing up for the 400m surf segment at Silso beach.
“They are able to engage the young people in so many different ways.”
Mr Zainudin Nordin Member of Parliament for BishanToa Payoh GRC
PHOTOS | MALCOM KOH
The number of courts used was also increased for this sport, which was the most popular event. Zheng added that the event was organised at a higher cost than in previous years, but the move to Siloso also attracted more sponsors to offset the higher costs this year. Tchoukball was another first at this year's Surf n Sweat. It is a team sport in which goals can be scored on both ends of the
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court by throwing a ball against a rebound frame. “This is the first time that I’m playing tchoukball on sand, and it is very different,” said Joseph Wong, 20, a tchoukball player with the Youth Development Council’s team. A Surf n Hunt category was also introduced to the event. Participants started with the surf segment, and went around Sentosa completing game stations for the second half instead of the usual run. Part of the Surf n Hunt category was the Lovers' Challenge, in which participants had to complete the entire race in pairs. “We had to clear the challenges together," said Chan Mun Pun, 23, who took part in the Lovers' challenge with his girlfriend. The third-year student from the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering added: “While we were tested, we had fun as well." Guest of honour, Mr Zainudin Nordin, a Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, sees Surf n Sweat as one of the events that will lead up to the YOG in August. “What I like about this event is that they are able to engage the young people in so many different ways, on all the different platforms that they have,” said the chairman of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Community Outreach Advisory Committee. Mr Zainudin added: “It is important for NTU to be good hosts, as they are the first touch points for YOG. They need to show what Singapore is all about, and what Singapore’s youth and dynamism can do for the country."
STRIKING NEWCOMER: A student taking a shot at tchoukball.
Sports
Sand, sun and sea on Page 35
Child’s play with new wading pool Ronald Loh sports editor
NON-SWIMMERS and children of campus residents will have something to look forward to next month. The Spor ts and Recreation Centre (SRC) aims to open a 0.6m deep wading pool in March. Mr Yum Shoen Keng, the officer in charge of pool administration and operation, said: “The pool will cater to children, people who cannot swim, those not comfortable with the deep pool and for people who want to take a soak.” “The University community does not include just students,” said Mr Yum. “We have a large number of staff and graduate students with families staying on campus. Meeting their needs is also important.” Feedback from staff and the campus residents allowed for the construction of the pool to be pushed through. “We have staff on duty daily that provide feedback on usage patterns,” Mr Yum added. “We actually have been lobbying for a while for the construction of the wading pool.” Campus resident Madam Bao Shu
Guang praised the SRC’s decision to open a pool for children and nonswimmers. “The SRC is very considerate and caters to residents’ needs. With this new wading pool, our children can have more fun,” she said. M ad a m Bao, who goe s swimming twice a week with her two grandchildren, added that “having a new pool solely for children it would make it safer”. Mr Seng Chiau Teck, a lifeguard at the pool, said that the safety of all users will also be enhanced, as swimmers of different abilities are separated into two different pools. “Previously, weaker swimmers and families and families with children were just in different sections of one pool,” said Mr Seng. “Now they are in different pools, which will make it safer for the swimmers.” According to Mr Yum, the size and layout of the wading pool allows for maximum visibility by the lifeguards. Additional safety measures have also been implemented. T he div ing pool has been fenced off and the main pool is separated from the wading pool by a planter box.
SAFETY FIRST: The new wading pool will provide for children and non-swimmers.
While lifeguards will now be specifically tasked to look after the users of the new pool, children will still require adult supervision when using the wading pool.
“There should be always be at least an adult to look after the safety of their own kids,” Mr Yum said. The pool’s operating hours will remain the same.
Canteen operator turned composer
Lau Liang Tong
AS THE crowd begins to clear from Canteen 9, canteen operator Mr Lim Hoi Chong brings out his guitar, laptop, stereo set and, within minutes, is watching a music video on YouTube and strumming along on his guitar. This is a typical day in the life of the 50-year-old, whose interest in music led him to compose a theme song for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) 2010, titled Youth Olympic for the World. His song did not make it as the official theme song, but Mr Lim was not too affected as producing the song had already been a great experience. He was involved in every aspect, from production and presentation, to publicity. “Since the event is held in NTU, I thought it would be a good idea to try and see where I stand in the field, and also for a bit of fun,” he said. He recruited his own singers and also distributed flyers to gather votes for his song on the Sing! Singapore website, where the song was initially posted.
A RECIPE FOR MUSIC: Mr Lim is aiming for greater heights with his musical talent.
Nur Liyanah Ali, a third-year student from Nanyang Business School was one of the two singers. An active Hall 9 resident and a familiar face around the canteen, she often chats with Mr Lim.
Thus her involvement came as no surprise. The 22-year-old said: “Mr Lim had approached my friend and I for help writing the lyrics and that was how the collaboration started.”
PHOTO | LOONG YONG EN
The song was written with a racial harmony theme, and has parts in English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil. Liyanah was asked to sing the Mandarin and Tamil parts while
PHOTO | NG JUN SEN
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another NTU student, Michael Tom, 21, a final-year student from the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, sang the Malay and English portions. Tom, who is from Indonesia, spent three years with the NTU Choir. He said: “The transition from one language to another was quite a challenge, but it was fun.” Liyanah added: “We had to do several takes to get the correct pronunciation. Singing the part in Tamil was tricky for me.” Tom added that Mr Lim was trying to get a message across with his song, “that everyone was equal regardless of our skin color or language spoken”. For 22 years, Mr Lim was the canteen operator of Canteen A. Two years ago, he switched over to Canteen 9. He has been playing the guitar since he was 17 years old. While his song has been taken down as it did not make it as a finalist, Mr Lim has not given up on music. “I will definitely join another competition,” he said.