Singapore American Newspaper

Singapore American • April 2014

T h e A m e r i c a n A s s o c i a t i o n o f S i n g a p o r e ’s

www.aasingapore.com

MCI (P) 178/01/2014

April 2014

Since 1958

Hidden Arts Scene

moonlit masquerade

umbria

MOONLIT MASQUERADE

By Haily Lai

1, 4-5

18-19

W hidden arts scene

21-29

American Association

2-5

CRCE & Business

6-7

Community News

8-11

Living in Singapore

13-17

Travel

18-19

Hidden Arts Scene

21-29

Theater

30

Health & Wellness

31-32

Food & Dining

33-34

Member Discounts

35

What's Happening

35

ith a storied history dating back to the 15th century, masquerade balls have been a staple on social calendars.

On February 22, under the blue, turquoise and silvery hues of moonlight, AAS drew on the allure of the masked ball to bring “Moonlit Masquerade” to the 81st George Washington Ball.

With a new, intimate venue, AAS saw 370 guests gather at the W Singapore - Sentosa Cove to celebrate. Guests arrived with spectacular masks and were treated to Cava, champagne, canapés, wine sponsored

by Fuji Trading and an open bar. While enjoying the vast array of beverages, guests perused the range of lucky draw and silent auction prizes including trips, cruises, home décor, jewelry and more. This year, $30,000 in proceeds from the lucky draw and silent auction was raised to benefit Over-The-Rainbow, an initiative under the WholeTree Foundation which focuses on the mental wellness of youth in Singapore. AAS would like to thank the prize donors, without whom the event would not be possible.

Master of Ceremonies Glenn van Zutphen called on the US Color Guard to open the ceremony, followed by a beautiful rendition of the US and Singapore national anthems by Singapore American School 10th grade student Frances Van Vuuren. Guests enjoyed welcome

remarks from AAS Immediate Past President David Boden and US Ambassador to Singapore Kirk Wagar, after which a sumptuous fourcourse dinner was served. Winners of the lucky draw and silent auction were then awarded by Deputy Chief of Mission Blair Hall and David Boden. Later in the evening, Nation One and DJ Raj got the dance floor pumping and had attendees dancing throughout the night.

Guests departed the evening with SKII luxury skincare products by P&G and keepsake magnet photos sponsored by Allied Pickfords.

AAS would like to thank the following companies for supporting the ball through corporate tables: Allied Pickfords, the American Chamber of Commerce, The American Club, Citi, Fuji Trading, Expat Dental, GEMS World Academy, Singapore American School and VanMedia Group.

We would also like to say a special thank you to this year’s GWB committee co-chairs, Tere Aloma and Rosio Flynn, as well as the ball committee, Paulina Bohm, Valerie Brandt, Dana Cheong, Janet Maurillo, Chris Milliken, Janet Stride and Betsy Zink, for their hard work and dedication to making this event memorable for all to enjoy.

See more pictures on pages 4-5.

American Association of Singapore • Strategic Partners

2

Singapore American • April 2014

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

a message from the president...

By now you’ve seen the pictures from the George Washington Ball (pages 1, 4-5); those who were there know what a blast it was. One important point about the GWB: it may be formal attire, but it’s never stuffy. In fact some first-timers this year were surprised to see people on the dance floor before dinner had finished. Having looked at the history of the GWB over decades, great times with good friends is always the event’s hallmark. Special thanks to the ball committee, AAS staff and to Ambassador Kirk Wagar for staying all night and connecting with so many people. If you didn’t make it this year, please join us, next.

I had an experience last month at our embassy that made me look at government in a different light. Let’s be honest, it’s easy to criticize Washington and all of the posturing, wrangling and dysfunctionality on both sides of the political divide. But when we need help, the embassy staff is there to help.

To cut a long story short, I arrived one, sunny morning at the Myanmar Embassy (across from Tanglin Mall) to apply for a visa – several days before a trip to a conference in Yangon.

I thought everything was in order but after waiting two hours in the queue, my visa request was rejected because my US passport had only five months and 27 days left on it, not the required six months. Yes, it was my fault for not renewing earlier, but three days?

Shocked and annoyed, my mind raced with worst-case scenarios of having to cancel my trip and planned meetings on the one hand and the dread and the inevitability of dealing with the US Embassy to get a new travel document, on the other. Out on the street, I called the Consular Section. Despite my frantic tone, they were calm and assured me that they would issue an emergency passport. It sounded too easy.

To my surprise, after filling out a few forms and paying $143, my temporary passport was ready three hours later (and that was over the lunch hour). To top it off, the efficient counter staff suggested that I use the same documents (and fee) for my new, permanent passport, which came a couple of weeks later.

In the end, I got the Myanmar visa and took the trip. Later I asked another embassy employee if I was given special treatment because of my work with AAS, since we work closely with the embassy. She assured me that I did not and that anyone in a similar situation would get the same service.

I’m happy to share this story and look forward to working with the US Embassy throughout the year, including the Independence Day Celebration and Turkey Trot, of which, they are strong supporters.

We have more fun, upcoming events like the Ambassador’s Cup Golf Tournament (see the ad below) on May 10. With Shell as the title sponsor, it will be a phenomenal day of lucky putts, lost balls, laughs, free-flow adult beverages, too much food and $50,000 worth of prizes at our pool-side awards dinner. Though it’s adults-only on the course, over the years we’ve made it a more family-friendly affair, where non-playing spouses and kids stay at the hotel, take advantage of the pool, spa and nearby Johor Premium Outlets mall, LegoLand and Hello Kitty Land. We do this every year as a family and have a great weekend.

Of course there are many other events listed here in SAN (see facing page and calendar listing) and at www.aasingapore.com.

As always, we value your opinion and ideas. If you have questions or suggestions, please reach out to me or Toni, generalmanager@aasingapore.com.

Best,

EDITORIAL Editor in Chief: Claire Slattery, communications@aasingapore.com Publishing Editor: Toni Dudsak, generalmanager@aasingapore.com

DESIGN & L AYOUT Art Director: Scot Mario, scot@aasingapore.com

ADVERTISING Advertising Manager: Valerie Tietjen, san.ads@aasingapore.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Jordyn Arndt, Banana Abroad, Lucia Damacela, Nithia Devan, Rob Faraone, Dana Glore, Richard Hartung, Miguel Hilario, Lauren Keith, Garima Lalwani, Jerome Lim, Tara Moore, Samantha Power, Lissy Ann Puno, Laura Schwartz, Mel Syers, Jim Tietjen, Dr. Paul Zakowich American Association: Alka Chandiramani, Haily Lai, Anne Morgan

A MERICAN ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERS President: Glenn van Zutphen • Vice President: Steven Tucker Treasurer: Shelly Dee • Secretary: Stephanie Nash Directors: Joseph Foggiato, Shawn Galey, Christopher Keen, Anne LeBoutillier and Ana Mims Immediate Past President: David Boden • AmCham Chair: Simon Kahn American Club President: Scott Weber • AWA President: Kristina Thompson SACAC Chair: Stu Wilson • SAS Chair: Catherine Poyen U.S. Embassy: Sue Niblock Non-Voting Member: U.S. Military: Rear Admiral Cindy Thebaud

PUBLISHER - A MERICAN ASSOCIATION

The American Association of Singapore (AAS) is a professional not-for-profit organization established to enhance the well-being and living experience of Americans residing in Singapore and to promote relationships, both business and social, between Americans and those from different cultures and nationalities.

AAS was established in 1917 by a small group of Americans living in Singapore to provide a safety net of community support for American residents. AAS continues to provide community welfare as well as programs and community events.

10 Claymore Hill, Singapore 229573 T: (+65) 6738 0371 • F: (+65) 6738 3648 E: aas@aasingapore.com • www.aasingapore.com The Singapore American newspaper, a monthly publication with readership of 10,000+, has been published by the American Association of Singapore since 1958, with the purpose of enhancing the expatriate experience in Singapore.

SUBSCRIPTION

A subscription to the Singapore American is complimentary with an AAS membership. AAS annual family membership is just $70. CRCE membership is $160. To join, visit www.aasingapore.com and have the Singapore American delivered to your home.

Reproduction in any manner, in English or any other language, is prohibited without written permission. The Singapore American welcomes all contributions of volunteer time or written material.

The Singapore American is printed by Procomp Printset Pte Ltd, 61 Tai Seng Avenue #03-03 UE Print Media Hub Singapore 534167

Glenn van Zutphen president@aasingapore.com • twitter: @glennvanzutphen

3

Singapore American • April 2014

AAS UPCOMING EVENTS

April

PAST EVENTS

Networking Night: Effective Branding for Business

3

thursday april

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

Join AAS, Money Matters and Nigel Smith, CEO of DIA Group, to look at the role branding plays in business and how businesses can leverage the branding process to enhance performance across the spectrum of metrics, from people to products and services, customer loyalty and markets. This networking night presentation will cover topics from integrating brand and business strategy to building a sustainable brand for the long term and will feature case studies from leading global, regional and local brands, showing how effective branding can transform businesses at all levels.

7:00pm-9:30pm The American Club, The Colonial Room, 10 Claymore Hill AAS Member: $30 • Non Member: $50

16

wednesday april

Disney‘s Muppets Most Wanted Exclusive Pre-Screening

Do you want to see the exciting new Muppets movie a full week before its release in Singapore? Grab your friends for this members-only event as we present an exclusive pre-screening of Disney’s Muppets: Most Wanted sponsored by Walt Disney Studios Singapore. Muppets: Most Wanted follows the entire Muppets gang on a global tour through some of Europe’s most exciting destinations, including Berlin, Madrid and London. Don’t wait to see this comedy starring Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell, Tina Fey and the Muppets! Disney’s Muppets: Most Wanted will open in cinemas the following week on April 24.

AAS Annual General Meeting

AAS members gathered on February 27 for the AAS Annual General Meeting. With over 40 members in attendance, Immediate Past President David Boden led the proceedings which included a report on the year and welcomed the new slate of officers. The meeting was followed by a showing of the political comedy Wag the Dog.

6:00pm-8:30pm* Golden Village at Plaza Singapura Orchard Rd, Singapore 238839 AAS and American Club Members: $10 This event is exclusive for AAS and American Club members only.

Price includes popcorn and drink. *Please note that registration begins at 6:00pm and the movie will begin promptly at 6:30pm

tuesday april

22

Redefining Success in the Workplace Inspirational Stories

The workplace is shifting at an insurmountable pace with old certainties being replaced by a more dynamic landscape. How can we successfully adapt to this new environment? Join us with the Irish Chamber of Commerce for a thought-provoking and inspiring luncheon on reinvention, corporate success and overcoming adversity.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear three world-class leaders share their experiences in this interactive session.

RDML Cynthia Thebaud Breakfast Talk

On March 5 guests joined AAS, The American Club, AmCham and US Navy League Singapore Council for a talk with Rear Admiral Cynthia Thebaud. Admiral Thebaud spoke on her experiences as a woman in the military as well as on the US Navy’s role here in Singapore. Guests enjoyed breakfast throughout the talk which was followed by a Q&A session.

11:30am-2:00pm The American Club, The Colonial Room, 10 Claymore Hill AAS Member: $55 • Supporting Organization Members: $55 Non Member: $75

friday april

25

Comedy Night Singapore International Comedy Festival Are you ready for a full night of comedy? Join AAS at the Singapore International Comedy Festival as we are entertained by three comedians. With Jason Chong (SIN/AUS), Wes Zaharuk (CAN) and Laura Levites (USA), it’s sure to be a night of laughter.

7:45pm-11:15pm Barber Shop #01-03 The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane AAS Member: $45 • Non Member: $65 Price includes one drink

for more info and to register for an event:

www.aasingapore.com

Repatriation Workshop

AAS partnered with The American Club, Allied Pickfords and SACAC to conduct a Repatriation Workshop on March 11. Guests heard tips on how to prepare emotionally and mentally for repatriating to their home country. They also received advice from the team at Allied Pickfords on what to look for in the logistics of a move. Since repatriation is often harder than moving away, the talk was helpful in addressing key concerns of guests.

4

Singapore American • April 2014

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

The American Associatio

MOONLIT M

at the 81st George

CORPORATE TABLE SPONSORS

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

PengWine UNIQUE, BOUTIQUE VINOS DE CHILE



5

Singapore American • April 2014

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

on of Singapore Presents

MASQUERADE

e Washington Ball

SPECIAL THANKS TO...

To view more photos from the 2014 GWB, scan the QR Code and view the Flickr set.

The American Club Art Blue Studio C + S Prints Christoph B. Nyfeler Clessidra Cocoon Cutis Medical Laser Clinics Dagmar Jewellery Dana Cheong The Entertainer Grand Vin Heartland Golf Schools Hedger’s Carpet Gallery Hey Gorgeous Cosmetics The Hour Glass Inroads

Ishka John Erdos Home Keith Kuo Lawry’s The Prime Rib Lim’s Arts and Living LS Philosophy Mohan’s Custom Tailors Montigo Resorts Nongsa Rosio Flynn Showroom Singapore Repertory Theatre SuperNature Taylor B. Fine Design Group Tucker Medical Valerie G. Brandt Interiors W Singapore, Sentosa Cove

6 CRCE & BUSINESS

Singapore American • April 2014

CRCE

Spotlight on Jobs

CRCE: Career Resource Center for Expats

Swimming Coach A school is seeking outstanding

in conversation with... Ina Heinitz

coaches who have the ability to inspire and motivate students of diverse ranges of talent and ability, and who are willing to play a full part in the College’s pastoral care and extracurricular program. The successful candidates will have experience

How many expatriate assignments did you complete before moving to Singapore?

None, this is my first one.

Can you share with us your background and professional experiences?

I came to Singapore with my husband who works in shipping. In my home country I studied languages and literature in order to become a teacher but after graduation I eventually started working for an online media company in the fields of business development, sales and content management. I stayed with the company for two-and-a-half years and was promoted to head of office one year prior to moving to Singapore.

How did you find out about CRCE? On the Facebook page Singapore ExPat Wives. I was looking for advice on where to get career counseling and opportunities to network with people and several women suggested I join AAS and CRCE. Until then I had no idea that the organization was open to all nationalities.

Eventually I started volunteering for AAS and got the chance to attend several CRCE workshops which helped me a lot with my job search.

Can you think of any activities or experiences that have strengthened your self-esteem or self-confidence while you’ve been in Singapore?

Giving up a good position back home, moving to Singapore on a Dependant’s Pass and sending out applications for months in vain rather lowered my self-esteem but meeting great people at different events in our condo and at CRCE workshops helped me cope with the growing frustration of being unemployed! The exchange with others in similar situations and also with professionals such as the people running the career workshops made me confident that I would eventually find a job and would feel better about myself. So far away from home, I found it very important to build up a strong social network of people sharing the same interests and it cheered me up just spending time together after a long day of sending out applications.

How would you advise other trailing spouses who are planning to move to Singapore?

You should start networking the second you arrive in Singapore but also seek professional advice on job search with an organization like

teaching all levels of swimming, and have coached with age groups and youth-level swimmers. (job #2737)

CRCE. The layout of the resumes, the application and hiring process, laws, work culture, interview styles, etc., are different here so it helps to understand the requirements and all the processes better before starting to look for a job.

From your previous professional experiences, what have you observed so far that might be different here?

It is more about who you know than what you know, which means that networking is more important than actually sending out applications to advertised jobs. For Singaporean companies it seems very important that the university you graduated from and the company you worked for are prestigious. Also, it seems quite important that you fulfil all requirements stated in the job description, otherwise you won’t be considered even though you might have a lot of relevant work experience for the company and have proven in the past that you are a quick learner.

Are there any other experiences that you would like to share with the readers?

Finding a job in Singapore was much harder than I thought. Having graduated with distinction and bringing to the table a couple of years of work experience in various fields, plus being fluent in four languages, I hoped I might have more options here. I found it very hard to stay motivated because nobody replied to my applications and the various coffee dates I had with people I met were very nice but didn’t really pay off. Also, if you are a rather shy person, it is twice as hard because you really have to network so much and try to leave a staying impression so they might remember you when they hear about an open position.

Volunteering for AAS helped me make many contacts and also gain local work experience which looks great on one’s c.v. It also shows to the potential employer that one is really proactive and wants to work.

Stay focused and motivated no matter how depressing it gets because eventually the efforts will pay off and a lot of expats are living proof of it.

Receptionist (part time) A therapy center is looking for a fulltime customer service representative with a warm, sunny personality, excellent

customer

service

skills

and experience to join its team. The successful candidate also needs to be flexible and a good team player.

As a customer service representative you will be responsible for clerical and administrative support in order to ensure that municipal services are provided in an effective and efficient manner. (job #2736)

Social Media Marketing Volunteer (part time) A non-profit organization is looking for a volunteer who can easily selfmanage a project and is web-savvy to assist with social media and marketing projects over the next two to three months. (job #2733)

Web Developer The successful candidate will assist the Managing Director to develop and

promote

this

company's

business websites. The role includes:

Did you know that employers can post jobs for FREE? Visit www.aasingapore.com/for-employers

optimizing

website

rankings;

becoming an expert at Google

CRCE April Workshops register at: www.aasingapore.com 1-1 Career Solutions

1-1 Career Solutions

Coach: Miryame Krogmeier Monday, April 7 Various times

Coach: Miryame Krogmeier Monday, April 21 Various times

Re-defining Success in the Workplace: Inspirational Stories

Effective Cross-Cultural Communication

Speaker: Sher-li Torrey, Robert Vogtle, Caroline Casey Tuesday, April 22 11:30am – 2pm

Speaker: Zsuzsanna Tungli Friday, April 25 10am – 12pm

Ace Your Interview

Speaker: Alka Chandiramani Wednesday, April 30 10am – 12:30pm

SEO

criteria;

implementing

the

most modern webpage navigation; website

content

improvement;

implementing SEO strategies; social media strategies. (job #2731)

Economic Research Writer This organization is seeking highcapacity Economic Research Writers with creative minds who are well accustomed to doing their own research. The position will involve doing research for all aspects of the business, including macro-economic research regarding every country in the world.

The ideal candidate

would have a Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in Journalism and/or

for more information about CRCE www.aasingapore.com - click on the CRCE link

Economics. (job #2728)

7

Singapore American • April 2014

CRCE & BUSINESS

Business Start-up Part 5: Staffing

By Richard Hartung

T

he most important staff in your new company when you start out is you. You, and potentially a partner or two, will likely fill all roles, from visionary and strategist to coffee maker and copy clerk.

As the business grows, however, one or two people can’t always do everything. And even when the company is small, it may also be more time-effective to focus on business development or service delivery rather than doing mundane tasks or running errands.

Fortunately, there are many options for staffing, for everything from part-time support for daily routines to full-time roles in strategy or marketing.

People with the experience needed to take a key role in your company or work on specific projects may well come from or be referred by your contacts in your industry. Whether you’re in software development, manufacturing, consulting, event planning or something else, you can also network to find experts who are willing to work full-time or support short-term projects. Many entrepreneurs also develop and maintain a formal or informal network of local and overseas associates who have the experience needed to work on projects – or even full-time – and you may wish to do the same thing.

Another option is to outsource to experts for specific projects. Companies like Elance (www. elance.com) or Guru (www.guru.com) enable you

to tap into skills from around the world, with freelancers providing services ranging from logo and website design or programming to legal or engineering services. One entrepreneur received bids from freelancers in places including the US, India, Argentina and Singapore, for example, for designing a new website for his business. Rates are usually quite affordable.

There are also options for the day-to-day administrative support you may need for errands, scheduling appointments, organizing events, data entry or other routine tasks. One is to hire full-time or part-time staff. Another is to hire a virtual personal assistant through organizations such as Virtual Assistants Singapore or Cream Counsel. And yet another alternative is to have staff at serviced office firms such as Regus or Servcorp answer the phone, handle mail or provide other services. While their services come at a cost, they can provide support that frees up your time for more valuable activities.

As your business grows, it may be preferable to start hiring full-time staff. Along with tapping into your network of contacts, targeted advertising can yield surprisingly good results.

Online jobs portals like Jobs Central or Jobs DB can be a good way to identify candidates, though they can sometimes seem too broadbased and the number of resumes you receive can be overwhelming – one advertiser received more than 500 resumes for just an admin

position. As an alternative, services like CRCE at the American Association, a free job board for employers to post positions on, can help locate people with very good skills. Once you hire these staff, you’ll need to handle administrative requirements such as CPF payments and insurance as well as to respond to their questions about their working location, vacation days, sick leave (MC) days, transport allowances or other benefits.

Staffing companies like Adecco or Kelly Services can also find full-time, part-time or contract staff who can provide anything from administrative support to high-level strategy.

Along with supplying the staff, these companies will handle everything from payroll to CPF payments for the staff on your behalf.

Whether you need full-time or part-time expertise for anything from administrative tasks to specialized skills, then, the range of resources available and the channels to reach them make it easier than ever to find the support you need to grow your business.

The series is intended to be interactive, so please send comments, questions and suggestions to richard@transcarta.com so we can share your ideas or provide more information.

Richard Hartung is a consultant on cards and payments strategy with over 20 years of experience in financial services, primarily in Asia. He also works as a freelance writer for Today, gtnews and other publications.

The Employment Pass Landscape In Singapore

What are the changes in the Employment Pass landscape in Singapore? This was the topic of a recent CRCE event. The event covered foreign workforce statistics, explained the different types of work passes available in Singapore, eligibility criteria, 2014 changes in the Fair Consideration Framework, how the framework affects businesses and more. Scan the QR code to view the full presentation by Iyer Practice Advisers on AAS’s blog.

8

Singapore American • April 2014

COMMUNITY NEWS

2014 APCAC Spring Summit: Asia's Resurgence and America's Role

By Samantha Power, Government Affairs Executive

“Businesses, more and more, recognize the importance of focusing on the VIPs – Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. These three markets and others like them in ASEAN, all have large and growing populations, an emerging middle class and are moving to being domestic demand-driven economies.”

A

mCham Philippines recently hosted the 2014 Asia Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce (APCAC) Summit in Manila. AmCham Singapore sent a delegation led by AmCham Board Member Frank Albrecht. The delegation consisted of eight representatives from member companies and three members of the AmCham Executive Team.

The Summit took place March 19-21 and was led by Singapore-based Steve Okun, chairman of APCAC and director of public affairs for KKR. During his opening address, Steve said, “The Philippines is the perfect place to hold this year’s APCAC. In the past, businesses were very focused on entering and expanding in the BRICs – Brazil, Russia, India and China. While those markets remain important, businesses, more and more, recognize the importance of focusing on the VIPs – Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. These three markets and others

like them in ASEAN, all have large and growing populations, an emerging middle class and are moving to being domestic demand-driven economies. There is much opportunity here for the US business community in bringing investment and global best practices.”

Formed in 1968, APCAC represents over 10,000 business entities, 50,000 business executives, 20,000 organizations and 20 countries through 28 member chambers in the Asia-Pacific region.

Many honorable guests from the Philippines government spoke at the Summit, including: Gregory Domingo, secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry; Cesar Purisima, secretary of the Department of Finance; Enrique Ona, secretary of the Department of Health; and Mary Ann Lucille Sering, secretary of the Climate Change Commission. There was a session on “Disaster Response Preparedness” and lessons learned from typhoon Yolanda

that included discussion on rebuilding opportunities. The US government also had strong representation at the Summit with an address by US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg and a panel discussion with US commercial officers from across ASEAN. Tami Overby, vice president, Asia at the US Chamber of Commerce spoke on the “View from Washington.” Tami shared the US Chamber’s perspective on the immense opportunities for American businesses in Asia and the important role that US policy plays in making sure these opportunities are realized.

She also discussed the promise of greater economic growth and development that could be achieved with the realization of the TransPacific Partnership (TPP). Tami encouraged countries that are not currently parties to the TPP to use the United States’ Enhanced Economic Engagement Initiative as a path to join the agreement.

This was the first APCAC Summit for AmCham Singapore’s new executive director, Judith Fergin. Judith said, “The Summit is a great way for businesses from across the AsiaPacific to get together, exchange ideas and discuss common issues. As the vehicle for all member chambers of commerce to channel positions to US policy makers and to develop initiatives for the region, APCAC is a critical force for advancing US commercial interests.”

AmCham encourages members to join the delegation for the upcoming 2014 Washington Doorknock in July and the 2015 APCAC Summit.

For questions, please contact AmCham’s Head of Government & Public Affairs Tom McNutt at tmcnutt@amcham.org.sg.

9

Singapore American • April 2014

COMMUNITY NEWS

Camp Mission: Possible

By Tara Moore

Camp was fabulous! I enjoyed doing the skits. It was cool creating our own CIA voting skit. I made lots of new friends. We played many games involved with spying.

The aqueduct was quite creative, even though my group was last. We swapped some SWAPS (Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere). My favorite was a spy folder. We had a campfire and sang songs. I’m still singing the “Penguin Song” at home. We roasted marshmallows (yum!) and made s’mores (double-yum!).

I was a little worried about staying overnight, but it turned out to be awesome. I thought my first camp was great!

Audrey, Troop #94, Age 8

O

ver the weekend of February 7-9, Camp Christine hosted nearly 200 USA Girl Scouts at Camp Mission: Possible. For the girls, camp preparation started in December as nearly 20 older girls began their training to become Program Aides (PAs) and Counselors-in-Training (CITs). About 75 girls arrived after school on Friday, February 7 to be welcomed by the PAs, settle into their cabins, eat dinner with their new friends and enjoy some skits and songs by the Eco-Fire.

On Saturday, they were joined by about 90 Day Campers from kindergarten, first and second grades. The campers spent the day

challenging themselves by solving a mystery, building an aqueduct out of everyday objects, playing spy games, using maps to solve puzzles and running an obstacle course.

After saying goodbye to the day campers, the girls talked about having the courage to follow their dreams and support the dreams of others; they performed more skits (Girl Scouts leading the CIA!), then had some welldeserved downtime after dinner while waiting for nightfall.

At the campfire, the girls brought the tradition of the Campfire Ashes ceremony to USA Girl Scouts Overseas (Singapore) by

adding ashes from previous campfires dating back to 1922 and adding their own specially decorated logs to the fire. As the fire died down, there was time to sing “Kum By Ya” and toast marshmallows before lights out. Sunday morning was devoted to packing and cleaning up (Girl Scouts leave places cleaner than when they arrived), and saying “see you soon” to new friends before heading back to “real life” (and homework!).

Highlights of the weekend included a squirrel loose in a cabin (and being extracareful about closing doors afterwards); making s’mores around the campfire; cooling off after a

hot Saturday outside; making dream catchers; creating an enormous Friendship Squeeze with all the campers and volunteers; building water channels out of tablecloths, chopsticks and other materials; exchanging swaps; and seeing friendships grow.

USA Girl Scouts Overseas (Singapore) would like to thank Camp Director Monica Buell, the PAs and CITs, and all of the parents and volunteers who donated their time and effort to make Camp Mission: Possible a success!

SCOUTING IN SINGAPORE

Boy Scouts:

Boy Scouts:

Cub Scouts:

Girl Scouts:

contact: Troop 07 www.bsatroop07.org

contact: Troop 10 www.facebook.com/BSATroopX

contact: www.scouts3017.com

contact: singaporeocc@yahoo.com

10

Singapore American • April 2014

COMMUNITY NEWS

And The Straits Times winners are…

By Miguel Hilario, Grade 12

Lulu

F

or the first time, Singapore American School competed in The Straits Times National Youth Media Competition held November 19. Six Eye (Singapore American School’s student newspaper) students Varun Bindra, Jihoo Park, Taylor Haas, Daniel Bieker, Christina Yoh and Lindsey Cosgrove represented SAS and won first place against nine other finalist teams from schools in Singapore.

Three years prior, SAS qualified for a print-only The Straits Times competition against four other finalist schools but could not compete due to conflicting schedules.

The 2013 competition included a mock press conference with Lawrence Wong, the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, a video story on cycling, and six briefs which the teams made into their own stories. The teams were given 24 hours, from 9am on November 19 until 9am the next day, to submit a video story on cycling and produce a printed front

page for The Straits Times.

Team member and Eye Editor in Chief Varun Bindra said it was their creative headlines and the unique way they presented their information that won them the competition.

“We had to write a story on Minister Lawrence Wong about youth culture in Singapore. All the other groups used a picture of his profile as their cover and we used an action shot instead,” Bindra said.

The editor of The Straits Times publications for schools and the organizer of the competition Serene Goh said, “SAS showed a high ability in storytelling and the way they cast the news was very creative. They were unafraid to experiment with the way they played their stories, too.”

Group members never expected to come out on top. Taylor Haas said they went into the ceremony hoping just to place in the top five.

“I thought maybe we’d get third place, maybe fourth, but I did not think we’d win first,” Haas said.

During the awards ceremony, the judges

announced the rankings in ascending order from 10th place to first. By the time sixth place was announced, Haas said she worried that the team may have been too low-ranked to win any recognition. She said she couldn’t remember if there were 10 or 12 schools in the competition.

Haas laughed when asked how the group reacted when first place was announced.

“There were two groups left, us and Hwa Chong and they said the winners were Singapore American School. We all just looked at each other for a minute before processing what happened. I turned around to look at the screen just to make sure.”

As the winners of the 2013 competition, the group won $3,000, a Canon printer each and a three-week internship at The Straits Times. They plan to use their internships during the last three weeks of school.

“I really don’t know what to expect.

I hope it’s really interesting and I’m excited,” Haas said about The Straits Times internship.

Gender: Female Breed: Cross Mini Schnauzer Color: Grey Age: 9 mths HDB Approved Lulu didn’t get such a great start in life. She’s now ready to meet the right family who knows what a growing puppy needs. She’ll do well with training and socialization to help her overcome her slightly shy nature. She’s a sweetheart and is looking forward to her future with a good family!

Pitch

Gender: Female Breed: Local Color: Black Age: 2 yrs Pitch is our black beauty who is eager to meet the family of her dreams. She may no longer be a kitten but she still has plenty of energy to boot! Are you ready to welcome her into the family?

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Singapore American • April 2014

It’s Time to Sign Up for Summer Camp

By Claire Slattery

I

f your kids are lucky enough to be in Singapore for the summer holidays, there are untold options to keep them entertained. Swimming, drama, arts, sports, languages – if you can name it, you can probably find it. The only problem might be in deciding what to do.

Village Camps Village Camps runs its Singapore day camp program at UWCSEA East Campus in Tampines. The campus provides a range of facilities for a camp including multiple indoor gyms, dance studios, purpose built art rooms, a full soccer field and an outdoor shaded Olympic-sized swimming pool. A ‘mini’ program is offered for 4 to 6 year-olds, the ‘junior’ program is for 7 to 9 year-olds and the ‘senior’ program is for 10 to 13 yearolds. Activities are chosen and designed to suit each age group with a ratio of one staff member for every five children. Basketball, Frisbee, swimming, drama, arts and crafts and dance are changed daily to keep the children engaged. www.villagecamps.sg Canadian International School Camp kicks off on June 23 and runs through to August 1 at CIS’s two campuses, Lakeside and Tanjong Katong. The activities are focused on specific age groups and whether your child’s passion is gadgets and gizmos, arts and science or sports and dance, there is something for everyone. Older kids will have the opportunity to take classes such as digital photography and website building, while the littlies can create their own fortresses, indulge in storybook adventures or explore an animal safari. Open to all youth (not

just CIS students), the kids experience the joys of discovery beyond the regular curriculum during the week-long program. www.cis.edu.sg/summercamp LJE Sports Ex-pro basketball player Bernard Williams of LJE Sports organizes basketball camps during school holidays. Who doesn’t dream of being a basketball star? Newcomers will learn new on-court skills and tune-up existing ones from July 7 to August 10. Held at three different locations, Anglo Chinese School, HomeTeamNS and the Hollandse Club, kids aged 6 to 17 years will learn basketball fundamentals such as rebounding, shooting, faking, pivoting and dribbling. www.ljesports.com Camp Magic Camp Magic is an arts-based holiday program created in Singapore by Canadian Storyteller Katherine McLeod 14 years ago. Since its inception, Camp Magic has been about providing children, 3 to 12 years, with a safe, fun, creative environment where they can stretch their minds, imaginations and bodies through circus, art, craft, drama games, soccer, song-writing, performance and more!

Learn more about all the activities and this year’s exciting new theme – The Yurt of Fun on their website. www.ilovecampmagic.com Camp Asia Camp Asia is located at two facilities, Stamford American International School and Australian International School in Singapore.

Kids can choose from Multi-Activity Camp, Super Chef Camp with Celebrity Chef

Emmanuel Stroobant, Sports Stars Camp, Mini Mandarin Camp and more. New camps on offer this year also include English 101, Passion for Art, Mad World of Science and Math Mania. Note that Camp Asia provides a bus service to popular drop off points around the island. Camps run from June 16 to July 4 at AIS and July 7 to August 8 at SAIS. www.campasia.asia The American Club For American Club members, the Club offers a Stars ‘n Stripes Summer Camp from June 2 to August 15, conveniently based at their Claymore Hill location. Young ones get to explore all the attractions on Sentosa, swim in the different water parks in Singapore and unleash their imaginations during art and craft activities. www.amclub.org.sg ISS International School Summer Camp ISS offers summer school for kids aged 4 to 18 years from July 7 to August 1. A wide variety of engaging and interesting courses for junior kids and seniors alike, including Creative Writing and Language Skills, Adventure Sports, Fun Science Camp, ESL, Creative Visual Arts (and many more). NonISS students are welcome to apply. www.iss.edu.sg/summer_school.php Top: photo by Camp Magic; Middle and Bottom: photos by Canadian International School

COMMUNITY NEWS

Singapore American • April 2014

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Singapore American • April 2014

LIVING IN SINGAPORE

Blogger of the Month: A Grumpy Brit Abroad

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auren Keith (a.k.a A Grumpy Brit Abroad) started the blog Reflections of an Ang Mo in 2013 and has since been documenting her time as an expat in Singapore. She decided to start blogging to share her experiences of life in Asia and provide some insights into the challenges and opportunities which occur when you move six thousand miles away from home, armed only with $400, a (slightly bulging) suitcase and a ‘good feeling’ about it.

Here’s how Lauren describes her journey into the blogosphere: I moved from the UK to Singapore in January 2013 and someone suggested that I write a blog, but the idea didn’t take hold at first. What would I write about for a start? I’m just a grumpy Brit who happened to move abroad to work – albeit at a week’s notice, armed with only $400, and a slightly bulging suitcase.

However, a few months later, having settled into my new home and job, I found myself at a loose end one morning.

I’m lucky enough not to start work until after lunch three days a week; so what to do with all this free time I had suddenly gained (apart from explore and travel)? And so, Reflections of an Ang Mo was born.

I guess boredom was probably a major factor in why I started writing (I like to keep busy) and isn’t that why so many expats turn to blogging? I found those first couple of months strange, and at times, lonely, having so many new experiences, but so far away from the people I would usually share them with.

But if boredom was a factor in my blog’s beginning, it is certainly not a reason for its continuance. Reflections of an Ang Mo is a mix of reviews, posts about my travels, sightseeing, general reflections regarding life in the Lion

City, anecdotes from work (as a teacher, the funny things that children come out with never ceases to amaze me!) plus anything else that interests me at the time. I guess it’s sort of like an online diary of my life abroad – things I don’t want to forget or things that have struck me as an expat living in Singapore.

I find writing very therapeutic and recording aspects of my life in Southeast Asia helps me to appreciate it even more. This was especially true of the early days, before I’d found my feet, and it still applies whenever I am feeling a little homesick. When I look back on some of the amazing things I’ve been lucky enough to experience here, it’s hard to regret my decision to move half way across the world on a whim.

In fact, since I began documenting things via my blog I’ve become markedly less, well, grumpy… And I’ve learnt so much in the short time that I have been blogging – not least what

PUBS

an RSS feed is!

By far the most rewarding thing about blogging, however, has been the opportunities that have opened up as a result of it and the connections made. I’ve met several great people whose paths I probably wouldn’t have crossed otherwise. It’s also been interesting to hear people’s views on the topics I have posted on, especially as they often differ from my own – it’s allowed me to see things from an entirely different perspective. And it’s also reassuring to learn that I’m not alone in missing Boots (I’m sorry Singapore, but Watsons and Guardian just aren’t the same)! http://agrumpybritabroad.blogspot.sg Photo by Dana Glore

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Singapore American • April 2014

LIVING IN SINGAPORE

ANNUAL STRATEGIC PARTNER

Making the Move Back Home

By Mel Syers, Allied Pickfords

A

re you planning on moving back to your home country in the near future? For some, this move is sometimes harder than moving away in the first place! Aside from the physical aspect of moving, you and your family could also encounter a “reverse culture shock” trying to re-integrate into your home environment. At Allied Pickfords, we try to lessen the impact of the physical move, and here we have put together some useful tips to help you during this period of change.

Moving Tip #1 – Choose Your Moving Date 2 months before moving you should invite moving companies to your home to quote and to explain to you what is required.

3-4 weeks before moving you should start downsizing your possessions if needed. You should also collect school, medical and tax office records.

2 weeks before moving you should arrange disconnection of essential services, mail redirection, closure of bank accounts and confirm your move details with your moving company.

1 week before moving you should determine what you want to keep with you as hand luggage and pack.

1 day before moving you should place your hand luggage and valuables in a marked cabinet or room. You should also disconnect appliances and your refrigerator.

Moving Tip #2 – To Ship, Or Not To Ship?

It is important to consider the differences in climate between Singapore and your home country. Some of your possessions may not fare so well in a drier or non-tropical environment.

Think about down-sizing but also think about last minute purchases for items that you cannot get back home.

Are you relocating your pets? A reliable moving company will be able to advise you on the intricacies of this process.

Moving Tip #3 – What Can Be Shipped?

It is imperative to understand that there are certain items that cannot be shipped between countries. This could include hazardous goods and perishable items and some countries are stricter than others. To prevent any uncomfortable situations with the destination country, we strongly advise against shipping any consumables, in particular, food or liquid items.

A reliable moving company will be able to provide you with more information relevant to your destination country.

Moving Tip #4 – Find A Reputable Moving Company Any company you choose to move your treasured possessions should have experience and a proven track record. Look for: • ISO & FIDI accreditation, and BizSafe Level 3 accreditation • A code of conduct • Experienced and well-trained staff • A global network • A shipment tracking system • Storage facilities Be sure to ask your friends for recommendations as well.

the shipping process – so you must make sure your goods are covered for anything unforeseen.

Moving Tip #7 – Important and Valuable Items All jewelry, personal documents and other important items should be hand carried with you to avoid them being misplaced or packed with your other household goods.

Moving Tip #8 – “Do Not Move” Items Assign a room, or a separate space for your luggage and valuables that will be traveling with you. Keep all jewelry, hand phones and important items in a separate room, closet or cabinet and lock them up if possible. You can also ask your mover for “do not move” stickers to place on these items.

Moving Tip #9 – Storage Decide if storage of your goods is required. Storage may be required if: • Your residence is not ready when your shipment arrives • There is a delay in paperwork • You hand over your residence earlier than your move schedule

Moving Tip #5 – A Pre-Move Survey It is important that a pre-move survey is carried out before you choose a moving company. During this in-home visit, you should discuss the following points: • What crating is required (for high value and fragile items) • Origin and destination services and processes • Packing and transit time • Required documents • Insurance

Moving Tip #10 – Your Moving Day When your moving day arrives, consider the following points to make the process flow smoothly: • What documents do you need to have on hand?

• Check your residence before and after packing • Dispose of your garbage – don’t let it get packed!

• Check that your dishwasher is emptied • Keep your pets in a safe spot and out of the way • Ask a friend to mind your children

Moving Tip #6 – Insurance, Make Sure You Are Adequately Covered!

Although all care may be taken, situations can occur which are totally out of the moving company’s control. Your household goods are not designed for vibration, shock, pressure, g-forces, movement and atmospheric changes – all possibilities during

At Allied Pickfords, we aim to provide an informed and stressfree move for you and your family. We have been in operation in Singapore for over 40 years and globally for more than 400 years, making us the experts in moving you.

So relax, we carry the load. www.alliedpickfords.com.sg

University World Rankings As the end of the American academic school crests on the horizon, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2013-2014 have been announced. The rankings judge universities worldwide across teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook. Here are the top 20:

1 California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

11 Yale University

2 University of Oxford

12 University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

3 Harvard University

13 Columbia University

4 Stanford University

14 ETH Zürich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich

5 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

15 Johns Hopkins University

6 Princeton University

16 University of Pennsylvania

7 University of Cambridge

17 Duke University

8 University of California, Berkeley

18 University of Michigan

9 University of Chicago

19 Cornell University

10 Imperial College London

20 University of Toronto

Qing Ming (All Souls’ Day)

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his spring festival occurs on the first day of the third month of the lunar calendar, which falls on April 5 this year. To commemorate Qing Ming, meaning “clear and bright,” the Chinese visit and tend to ancestors’ graves, urns or ancestral tablets in temples, with some offering food, tea and wine. Candles are often lit and joss sticks and special paper money are burned to honor the dead.

Rituals are performed as acts of devotion and reverence to deceased parents and family. The festival is also known as Ancestors Day or Tomb Sweeping Day.

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Singapore American • April 2014

Hop To It: 8 Ways to Celebrate Easter in Singapore

LIVING IN SINGAPORE

By Claire Slattery

Keep young and old entertained this Easter weekend with egg-ceptional just-for-kids activities, brunches, lunches and high teas around the Lion City.

Plant an Easter Bunny Celebrate Easter with an art and craft cum planting workshop with NParks at the Children’s Garden! Learn how to make an Easter bunny planting pot using recycled materials and grow some “hair” for your Easter bunny. Learn the importance of recycling and caring for your plant and have fun at the same time too. Suitable for children in K1 – P6 levels. Registration is required at least one week in advance.

April 12, 10-11am | $10 per child Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden Singapore Botanic Gardens Education Branch nparks_sbg_edu@nparks.gov.sg Explorer Kid Activities Hunt down colorful eggs at the Begonia Lawn with ExplorerKid. Prizes worth more than $350 are up for grabs in three categories – bunny hop race (4-6 years), egg and spoon race (7-9 years) and pin-the-tail (4-12 years), where kids get to compete against each other – or team up with mom or dad in the Easter egg hunt.

April 19, 10am Event Square @ Downtown East www.explorerkid.com

Buffet Lunch at Marina Mandarin Celebrate with a sumptuous buffet lunch spread at AquaMarine, where the little ones will be entertained with activities such as egg hunting, face painting and balloon sculpting.

Guests can indulge in the seafood counter or chicken shawarma marinated with organic honey and ginger.

April 20, 12-4pm Adult $68++ | Child $34++ aquamarine.marina@meritushotels.com Oasis Poolside BBQ Brunch Oasis Easter BBQ Brunch at the Grand Hyatt will keep the kiddies entertained with a line-up of fun activities and their very own buffet line at the adjoining lawn in Oasis. A wide selection of all-you-can-eat, freshly-grilled meat and seafood prepared on the open charcoal-fired grill will be sure to whet everyone’s appetite, along with free flowing premium alcohol for the adults and face painting, egg decorating crafts and an Easter bunny mascot for the kids.

April 20, 12-4pm | Adult $88++ free-flow beer, wine and margaritas | Child $58++ (7 to 12 yrs) singapore.grand.hyattrestaurants.com

Clockwise from above: photos courtesy of The Westin, The Grand Hyatt, Marina Mandarin and The Westin

Four Seasons Easter Brunch Families can look forward to a traditional line-up of sumptuous meals in One-Ninety restaurant and Jiang-Nan Chun restaurant on April 20. The celebration is topped off with an Easter Egg Hunt in the Crescent Ballroom Foyer.

April 20 | Two seatings: 11:30am and 2pm Adult $198 free-flow champagne | Child $68 oneninety.sin@fourseasons.com Westin Egg-citing Easter Egg Hunt Staycation at The Westin Singapore and be the first to find the Easter Egg and win attractive prizes. Watch out for clues on where to find the eggs on their Facebook page. Only for in-house guests.

April 12 – 21, 8am onwards thewestinsingapore.com or www.facebook.com/thewestinsingapore

Capella Brunch at Sentosa At Capella Singapore guests can look forward to a lively afternoon on the grounds with a Mediterranean buffet spread at The Knolls, complete with fresh seafood, gourmet meats and desserts. Making the day a family affair, children will be treated to fun-filled activities, games and an exciting hunt for “peacock eggs.”

April 20, 12:30pm | Adult $228++ free-flow wine and champagne | Child 7-12 years $118++ | Child 4-6 years $78++ knolls.singapore@capellahotels.com Afternoon Tea Enjoy 10 SCOTTS’ signature afternoon tea with the cascading waterfall as your backdrop along with a special Easter iced tea, Easterthemed desserts and extended seatings.

April 20 | Two seatings: 11:30am and 3pm Adult $93++ (alcohol), $63++ (non-alcohol) singapore.grand.hyattrestaurants.com

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Singapore American • April 2014

LIVING IN SINGAPORE

It’s My Business

By Anne Morgan Since its inception in 1919 Junior Achievement (JA) has worked with local businesses and volunteers to foster work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills, and use experiential learning to inspire students to dream big and reach their potential.

With the help of more than 202,000 volunteers, JA students develop the skills they need to experience the realities and opportunities of work and entrepreneurship in the 21st-century global marketplace. It really is never too early to connect what is taught in the classroom with the world of work after school.

With this in mind, the American Association of Singapore (AAS) and The American Club joined forces to offer the JA course “It’s My Business” on two consecutive Saturday mornings to members’ children aged 12 to 14. Under the expert eye of Hau Yee Ng, director at Junior Achievement Singapore, three enthusiastic adult volunteers and a group of 10 exceptional students explored topics relating to entrepreneurship.

The students learned about local and international entrepreneurs, how they started out and, ultimately, how they grew their business from an idea to a reality. They learned the skills necessary to believe in an idea and market it to an audience through an interactive and lively course.

After attending, all the participants said they would recommend JA to a friend!

When asked if they would attend more classes the feedback was unanimously positive, “Yes. I would want know more about this. I wish they had classes that everyone can join and I wish it was longer.” The adult volunteers also had a wonderful experience and the privilege of interacting with an exceptional group of students.

When one JA participant was asked what they would tell other students, she said, “Entrepreneurship is a good life long skill and doing this course would definitely teach them and give them another option in life on what to do.”

The American Association of Singapore will run another JA course later in the year, so please look out for it and make sure your teenager signs up early.

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Singapore American • April 2014

LIVING IN SINGAPORE

So Proud of You

By Garima Lalwani

Even so, I often find myself saying “I am proud of you” to my children.

T

he East taught me the virtues of humility and not to brag about your kids. The West taught me to let my kids know how proud I was of them. Every time I say to my child, I am proud of you, my brain rebels. I ask the kids out aloud, “Why am I proud of you?” Is it because you are respectful towards teachers, women, grandparents and those who are worthy of it? Or am I proud of you because you know how to have fun without crossing the limits? Am I proud of you because you will not give up your friend’s confidences in spite of the many ways I try to bribe and guilt you? Or is it because you finished high school and are headed to college?

But these are things I expect of you. They are part of the value system that I and your father have given you and are a credit to us. Why should I be proud of you for how well you turned out as a human being? We raised you right, hence I should be proud of myself. So far you have not lived enough, not had a chance to have enough accomplishments on your own, not dealt with enough failure and hardship in a dignified way for me to be truly proud of you. We need to wait awhile before these words will have enough meaning when applied to you.

Even so, I often find myself saying “I am proud of you” to my children.

Yet there are others in the family that I have never uttered these words to – my parents. As my father turns eighty this year, there are so many reasons for me to be proud of him. For being a young man of 15 who left his home in the village to study, work and make his own way in a big city like Mumbai; a writer whose stories were accepted by some of the top magazines of his time; a brother who would rather be a social outcast than let his sister be married against her will in India of the fifties; a father who encouraged his daughter to gain higher education when others showed concern that she would be over qualified for a good marriage match; a husband who did not leave his wife’s side no matter how ill she was; and a

son who never raised his voice before his father.

I am proud of his interest in poetry, dance, drama and art and for introducing me to things that were not on the menu for my friends.

He took me to Classical Indian music concerts and to see Star Wars. I accompanied him to late night Kavi Sammelan (poetry festivals) and to see Russian troop dance performance. If wealth is counted by the number of friends one has, he is a very rich man indeed.

Just when I thought I knew everything about him he surprised me again.

I knew he was knowledgeable about Jainism but I did not know he did a year of Bible study via correspondence just because he was curious about Christianity. I know he tried to learn French but I did not know he was interested in learning Urdu. I knew he enjoyed English movies but I did not know he was a member of the film society in the sixties and had seen many Japanese films.

As I continue to find out new things about my father I have to make sure I tell him “I am proud to be your daughter, Papa.” I want to say “I am proud of you, mom” but that will have to wait awhile since she has moved on to the next phase of her existence.

Over the years, I found time to ask my parents to do things for me. I found time to fight with them for the many perceived childhood wrongs. I found time to tell them many mundane things. Now I have to find a way of telling my parents how proud I am of them.

Garima as lived in Singapore for the past 10 years. She enjoys volunteering at her kids’ school and as a docent for the Asian Civilisations Museum and the Singapore Art Museum. She has a Masters in Psychology.

Corporate Partners

Corporate Partners

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Singapore American • April 2014

TRAVEL

milano firenze

tuscany

umbria roma napoli

sicily

Umbria:

Under the Olive Branches

By Nithia Devan

“the flavors that came through were a fresh scent of herbs, a strong olive flavor and a hint of artichoke”

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Singapore American • April 2014

L

ast October and November I made a “foodie” trip to Italy. I was joined by a small group of friends and we traveled to Piedmont, the Lakes (Maggiore, Isola, Orta, Stresa), Milan, Bologna, Florence, Tuscany, Umbria (Todi, Bevagna, Assisi) and then to Rome. One of the most unforgettable parts of my sojourn to Italy was a visit to an olive grove and a family-run olive oil mill in Umbria.

Umbria is very famous for its extra virgin olive oil, rated as some of the best in Italy, if not the world. And it is packed full of antioxidants, polyphenols and Omega 3, to boost one’s health!

Olive harvesting takes place from October until the first weeks of December and it’s a great time to sample newly pressed oil. The best and most aromatic oil is obtained from early harvest olives, picked by hand at the very time when the fruits change from green to purple.

My group started out from Todi on a beautiful sunny morning with our local food and wine guides, Alesandra and Leonardo, traveling along the undulating hills, covered with vineyards and the soft silvery grey olive groves. On the way to Bevagna, we stopped to admire the amazing view from a natural “terrace” on a hillside, from where it is possible to see the cities of Assisi, Spello, Foligno and the valley of Mount Subasio.

Our guides informed us that a “D.O.P.” olive oil road has been identified in the region and it is divided in five areas: Trasimeno Hills, AssisiSpoleto Hills, Martani Hills, Orvieto Hills and Amerini Hills. D.O.P. means Denominazione di Origine Protetta (Protected Denomination of Origin) and it designates an agricultural/

TRAVEL

food product from a region whose quality and characteristics are essentially or exclusively due to the geographic environment where the product is cultivated.

Umbria boasts about 56,000 acres of olive trees and 27,000 producers of top extra-virgin olive oils. The extra-virgin “liquid gold of Umbria” (which is actually green) is highly prized by gourmets and connoisseurs of olive oil around the world. According to our guide, famed French chef Alain Ducasse wants only the superb olive oil of the Assisi/Spello area on his personal table, rating it world’s best.

The climatic conditions in Umbria are perfect for the slow ripening of the olives, essential for the production of an olive oil with an extremely low acidity level. The predominance of the moraiolo olive variety (leccino, frantoio, San Felice and dolce agogia are other prevalent varieties) ensures the piccante (sharp) taste and greenish color of top olive oils. Olives are picked just as ripening starts (generally in early November), when the olives are only partially dark and the fruity flavor is at its peak.

The first part of the tour entailed a visit to the olive groves. The trees were divided into the older and newer varieties. We were informed that some of the older groves contained trees of around 400 years old! We were given a crash course on the olive tree varieties as we walked along the paths in the groves.

Olive trees in Umbria belong to three varieties: Moraiolo tree, Frantoio tree and Leccino tree, plus a special variety called Dolce Agogia, found near Trasimeno Lake. The olives from the different varieties can be mixed together to create a “blend” extra virgin oil or

they can be pressed separately to produce a so called “monocultivar,” each one with a different flavor and aroma.

From the olive groves, we were taken to the mill. We saw how the picked olives are sorted, weighed and then taken to the production area full of gleaming stainless steel equipment. The olives are first made into a “paste” which is then “cold pressed.” We watched as vibrant green liquid began to slowly drip along the sides of the press. Olives contain water, which needs to be separated from the oil. Once drained, we could see the “liquid gold” dripping into a container. What was most exciting was the thought that this oil came from olives, some of which had only be harvested from the groves we visited less than three hours ago.

We were shown how the olive oil is poured into cans and stored. And then it was time to taste the olive oil, something we had been waiting for all morning. What really surprised me (and my taste buds) was how peppery new olive oil is and also how green. Tasting olive oil is a ritual, just like tasting wine. We were shown the “technique” – take a little in your mouth, roll it around and then open your mouth and draw air into it. It sounds crude but it is effective!

Each oil had a distinctive flavor, which was a far cry from the stuff we get at the supermarket.

The flavors that came through were a fresh scent of herbs, a strong olive flavor and a hint of artichoke.

The mill also produces blended oils flavored with rosemary, lemon and orange, as well as soap, face cream and body lotion. We each purchased several tins of Ronchi oils, which

we subsequently wrapped securely in bubble wrap and masking tape for transportation back to Singapore. I would recommend that all foodie travelers come prepared with packaging material such as bubble wrap, tape, zip lock bags, etc. as it makes it so much easier to transport bottles and tins and even fresh produce.

In Umbria, it is normal to sprinkle salt on bread as Umbrian bread is unsalted (due to Pope Paul III’s tax on salt in his Papal states – what is now Umbria, Marches, Latium, Abruzzo – in 1540). The locals use olive oil in virtually everything, from salads, vegetables, meat, pasta, to make cakes, biscuits, bread and even in desserts. This is in contrast with the “richer” states in the northern part of Italy where more butter is used. Extra virgin olive oil is strongly connected to their heritage and roots: it’s part of “being Umbrian.” And who can blame them? It is spicy, fruity, aromatic and intensely green when just harvested. Plus it is not only a healthy condiment, but it actually enhances everything it is drizzled upon. The oil should not be used for cooking as the heat will destroy its fragrance.

Olive oil is not the only foodie attraction in Umbria. We tasted excellent local wines: Sagrantino, Grechetto, Trebbiano, just to mention a few. We also sampled the products of a local pork butchery: salame, capocollo, salsicccia, guanciale and coppa, with the excellent bread.

I still have a couple of tins of the Ronchi olive oil at home, which I use sparingly. And when I do, the smell and flavor takes me back to the olive groves and the rolling hills of Umbria.

Singapore American • April 2014

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Singapore American • April 2014

HIDDEN ARTS SCENE

World Art On A Historic Street

By Laura Schwartz

“Armenian Street is at the center of the future arts district“ “I think it’s one of the best locations in Singapore.”

B

eginning at Coleman Street and ending a short distance away at the junction of Stamford Road and Waterloo Street, Armenian Street is just a squib of a lane in the city’s civic district. But don’t let its modest length fool you; for anyone looking for a delectable dose of art in all its forms, Armenian Street is a place not to be missed. Nestled in the rows of refurbished art deco shophouses from the 1930s to 1950s are historic paintings, modern sculptures, dramatic performances, film screenings and sophisticated architecture.

If you’re intrigued by the patterns and shapes of Singapore’s history, the Peranakan Museum is home to a rich collection of porcelain Nonyaware pieces in every color, intricate beadwork purses, gilded teakwood cabinets and armchairs, protective amulets with bells and tiger claws, an elaborate wedding portmanteau, and even a selection of old telephones that connect you to conversations from another era. The museum is housed in the Old Tao Nan School building, an elegant relic from 1910 that features arched verandahs, high ceilings and sweeping symmetrical staircases

fashionable in Europe at the time. The cool rooms and quiet galleries are a serene space to peruse on a hot afternoon.

If vibrant, live performances are more your style, I suggest you hit The Substation. As its name suggests, the building was previously a power sub-station until 1990, when it was transformed into the nation’s first independent modern arts centre by playwright and director Kuo Pao Kun, who is considered the pioneer of Singapore theater. Today, The Substation continues to be known as an incubator for emerging or experimenting artists, who fill the black box theater, gallery, dance studio, classrooms and garden with everything from short films to one-act plays to multi-ethnic love letters.

For those craving a secluded moment with contemporary artwork, both 11.12 Gallery and Mulan Gallery feature unique pieces by an array of artists. However, it is the grand fourstory Art Plural Gallery that stands capacious and proud as one of the focal points of not only Armenian Street but of the Singapore art community.

In 2008, Carole and Frédéric de Senarclens predicted that Singapore was poised to become a hub for the Asian art world and since opening Art Plural Gallery with a splash in 2011, they have been proven right. The couple wanted to be in the historical and cultural district, so it only made sense that Armenian Street would become their carefully chosen base on the island. In the midst of Singapore’s heritage and museums, Art Plural Gallery nevertheless mimics the country’s pivot towards the international and Frédéric travels the globe to find promising artists to feature.

Recently, the gallery collaborated with Audemars Piguet and Gatehouse Publishing to launch a book that explores and celebrates the growing presence of globalization in contemporary art. Art historian and author Michael Peppiatt declares in the book’s introduction: “The artists of today are constantly on the move… This conjunction has given rise to a diversity hitherto unknown in any medium at any previous moment in the world. And the key word here is world because, for all the indications that national or local

traditions remain influential, there can be no doubt that we have reached a moment when we can talk convincingly in terms of world art.”

Few countries could compete with Singapore as a crossroads and flagship for artists who not only reflect strains of globalization in their work but who have also themselves gained international recognition. When I suggested that galleries such as Art Plural were integral to this island’s burgeoning reputation as a multi-ethnic art center, Carole insisted: “We’re just part of the momentum. We couldn’t exist without the museums, without even the Peranakan Museum, around us in this neighborhood. It all combines together to make a really interesting artistic hub.”

“Armenian Street is at the center of the future arts district,” Frédéric added confidently.

“I think it’s one of the best locations in Singapore.”

When Laura is not traveling around the region or devouring a new book, she juggles her 9-to-5 with freelance writing. You can read her articles, travel anecdotes and series of tips on how to be a better tourist at: www.thecircuition.com.

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Singapore American • April 2014

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artcommune gallery

it‘s all about Singapore art and artists

By Jim Tietjen

H

o Sou Ping, the founder of artcommune gallery is a shy, unassuming gentleman.

I first met him at the Affordable Art Fair in 2012. At first, I thought he was browsing, as I was. What caught my eye, and I assumed his, was my favorite local artist, Ong Kim Seng. I am a sucker for watercolors and Kim Seng is arguably the best in town. As I spoke with Sou Ping I realized he was the proprietor of the booth I was perusing. I immediately queried him about the remarkable watercolors on display.

I was not surprised when Sou Ping said he was an artist, but was amazed when he said he had been an aerospace engineer for 12 years! Being a pilot and engineer myself, I have rarely encountered an engineer cum artist, who are most often like oil and water. Ironically, in this transformation he was dabbling in vivid oil and colorful water on canvas. Little did I realize how much I was soon to learn about art from Sou Ping… not only art but Singapore art and artists.

Sou Ping grew up during Singapore’s postindependence years. Like many Singaporean youth of that time he studied engineering, earned a degree and became an aerospace

engineer. However, years earlier, when he picked up a paintbrush at the age of 13, he knew his passion was art. While still working as an engineer he earned a Master’s degree in Art History at the Lasalle College of Art to enhance his art literacy. In 2007 Sou Ping decided to mount a solo show. This was a key move. It was during this show that he met a fellow who would help him make the transition from engineer to full-time artist. Despite the financial risk of giving up a stable income, he decided something had to change if he wanted to be truly happy.

In 2009, Sou Ping left aerospace engineering behind to pursue his dream.

With some help he founded artcommune gallery. Originally at Chinatown Point he relocated to a small, nondescript shop in Bras Basah Complex in 2011, which now serves as a platform for established artists, unrepresented artists and promising local talent. It also serves as his studio. This is where you will find Sou Ping most days, from noon until seven.

There are several things that set artcommune gallery apart from other galleries in Singapore.

The first is Sou Ping’s “budget airline” approach to the gallery itself (not the art). He focuses

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solely on the art so that he can offer great pieces at the lowest possible cost to clients. At artcommune gallery there is no glitz or glamor, just fantastic artwork in simple surroundings.

When you enter you will not notice the décor anyway, as your eyes will be riveted on the art.

Sou Ping recognizes the importance and value of art education. He wants artcommune patrons to understand what they are looking at, where it fits in the Singapore art milieu and how Singapore art history has evolved.

To this end, he regularly conducts courses on art appreciation and art history in an effort to enhance art literacy. But it’s even more than this. He sees the Singapore art scene as an ecosystem. At its core are the artists, from the “first generation” to second, and now third. To nurture this ecosystem Sou Ping not only offers courses, he publishes guides about local artists.

He also carefully curates monthly art exhibits at his shop. His gallery is dynamic, to say the least. To be sure that he tells “the Singapore art history story” (his own words) accurately, he employs full-time researchers to keep the educational flow going. As such, the gallery is consistently changing and evolving.

Being the shy fellow he is, you won’t always see Sou Ping’s own work on the walls of his gallery, but it’s there in the background. He personally specializes in Feng Shui (harmonious) art and also does commissioned pieces. Though he keeps extremely busy making his gallery run and educating people, he finds time to paint.

“Sometimes I get so engrossed in painting I forget to eat,” he laughs. Actually, he’d rather tell you about Singapore’s first generation artists like Cheong Soo Pieng, Chen Wen Hsi or Lim Cheng Hoe. That’s where the history is… they,

and others are at the core of the Singapore art ecosystem. This is what is important to Sou Ping. This is the story he wants to share with art lovers.

Artcommune’s art appreciation and art history courses span three areas: theory, appreciation and actual painting. If you view the website, http://artcommune.com.sg/ courses-theories, you will see the plethora of information Sou Ping makes available on the web. It’s a virtual treasure trove of Singapore art history and also includes numerous “how-tos” such as, “An introduction to art appreciation,” “Investing in art,” “Introduction to modern art,” and “Chinese painting appreciation.”

Attending courses at the gallery is better than surfing the net – you have a chance to meet and talk to some of Singapore’s artists, who sometimes attend, or even give their own talks at the gallery.

Whether you are a novice, a dyed-in-thewool art lover or just want to learn more about Singapore art and artists, it’s time for you to make your way down to artcommune gallery.

Before you go, have a look at the website. It will prepare you for what you will see and experience. Artcommune is dynamic (I try to visit once a month) in that Sou Ping showcases older and newer artists as well as traditional, contemporary and modern styles regularly. You may also like to check out what courses or talks are coming up. You may be pleasantly surprised not only with what you see but what you hear, too. It’s all about Singapore art and artists, as well as the history, the ecosystem and the story.

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Singapore American • April 2014

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One Artist’s Journey

By Rob Faraone

I

n the mid-70s and up through the 80s, there were few art studios and even fewer tattoo parlors. Times have changed and along with Singapore’s more cosmopolitan environment, we see more outlets of artistic expression.

Today, tattoo art shops abound in and around Orchard Road.

Some people sport tattoos while others may shun body art. But like it or not tattoos are no longer the domain of male bikers, Triad hoodlums or young servicemen; they are an integral part of youth fashion.

Douglas Ting is a married, father of two and a 19-year veteran tattoo artist. He has owned tattoo shops since 2003 and now works for Primitive Art Tattoo. We chatted over coffee at his Far East Plaza shop.

How did you happen to pursue tattoo artistry?

I was in the Singapore Navy for six years and got to travel.

In 1992, I had a three-day leave in Thailand with Navy friends who were intent on drinking, chatting up women

and getting a tattoo. I got my first tattoo then. This experience was the start of my interest. I felt I could enjoy and succeed in tattoo art once I left the Navy.

How did you prepare for this career?

When I was in school I took art and liked it. I used to do cartooning as a boy so it was sort of “in me.” My Navy travels exposed me to more art and in 1996, after the Navy, I rested a while and went back to the Thailand tattoo shop.

I got an apprenticeship with the shop I’d visited in 1992.

I traveled back and forth in one- and two-month sessions. In 1996, I bought some used equipment from them and set up Bugis Tattoo Parlor. My Thai mentor spoke limited English so I did a lot of self-study at the library to learn more about the field.

In 1998, I closed my small shop and joined with another artist to set up a larger parlor in Parklane. I learned new genres such as Japanese traditional art and others. I later sold out and hired on with Primitive Art Tattoo.

What would you do if you were not a tattoo artist?

I would be a chef as I love cooking. Somehow I find cooking and art are related. I have to create and there is a need for “presentation” in both.

Are there any famous tattoo gurus in Singapore?

There are some who are very good in their own style and genre. Traditional Japanese, Fantasy, Realistic, Black Work (Maori-style), Animation, Geometric – there are many styles and genres, actually.

What is your own particular specialty?

Black and grey, realistic images, abstract, fantasy, dragon and phoenix images.

What generalizations can be made about customer preferences you see here?

Western tourists seem to like Chinese traditional tattoos such as characters or symbols like koi fish. Expats living here also like the Chinese traditional art and maybe want to recognize their time in Asia. Or they want tattoos with their family member or children’s names in Chinese.

Local customers seem to want the opposite and like western tattoo art like roses, eagles and guns.

Women usually prefer softer designs and prefer them to be on the shoulder, ribcage area or ankle.

Men like tattoos on their arm, shoulder or chest. Some like the leg.

What kind of preparation takes place before the needle touches the skin?

Step 1, we talk to the customer and listen to the requirements and design wants. That can take 30 minutes or more.

Step 2, we draw the design according to what we are told by the customer. It takes 30-60 minutes to prepare the artwork.

Step 3, we get customer approval and a 20% deposit.

For a first time, normal-sized tattoo the cost is in the $250 range so we collect just $50 in advance.

Step 4, the tattoo event can be the same day as Step 3, or customer can set an appointment for a few days later. The tattoo event is usually 45-60 minutes.

What happens if an artist makes a mistake or the customer changes their mind?

Experienced artists seldom make mistakes because of their skill and careful preparation. We either speak to the customer if it is a big mistake or we cover up small mistakes. We can see and can correct or adjust the design at once.

It’s not very often that a customer has a change of mind. I stop and discuss the change. Then I draft their change on paper so they can approve it. If they agree to my draft I go back and resume the work on the skin.

What is the difference between a Singapore tattoo parlor and elsewhere in this region?

There is no difference in the artists’ practices or the need for hygiene and there are not specific rules formally set. We have Ministry of Health visits once a year or more if there are complaints from customers.

Smaller shops in other countries may not have made the investment we do in sterilization equipment like autoclaves. We also use disposable needles, tubes for ink and gloves that we wear at all times. This shop does piercings, too and the hygiene needs are the same but the hardware is totally different.

Have you heard of technical changes such as ink which fades automatically over a set period of years?

There are rumors but I have not found any firm information on the Internet so far.

What special care do you extend to first-time customers?

The customer must be 18 years or older and must fill in a form.We urge first-timers to not get too big a tattoo or position it on an exposed area like the hands or neck. With Singapore culture, it is best to place a tattoo in discreet areas. If a customer has been drinking a lot we ask them to wait before we work on their skin.

Rob has lived in six countries in the region over 30 years, including three stints in Singapore. After a career in moving/relocation industry, he enjoys sharing settling-in tips with new expats in Singapore.

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Singapore American • April 2014

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Poetry in Singapore

Corovado Arts: Bridging The Gap

By Lucia Damacela

By Nithia Devan

P

oetry is no stranger to Singapore. The city-state, better known as a global business and transportation hub, offers many opportunities for artistic expression, poetry included. The following is a non-exhaustive review of settings where you can produce, share, or just enjoy some verses.

Poetry Slam If you thrive on a competitive environment and cherish challenges during your time off, poetry slam is for you. Born in Chicago in the eighties, the slam has been sponsored by Word Forward since 2003, when Savinder Kaur and Chris Mooney-Singh brought it to Singapore. Poetry Slam and open mic sessions take place monthly on the last Thursday. The event is currently relocating to TAB, in Orchard. Schedule information is found at Word Forward (Facebook).

The Slam mechanics are simple: You reserve a slot in advance. You perform three-minute poems to a 100-strong audience, mostly millennials. A three-round elimination process renders a winner selected by five judges. The winner and the two runners-up get cash and beer prizes, and a well-earned celebration ensues.

Performance is key on stage; one slammer declaimed “poetry slam is like 50 percent writing and 50 percent performance.” Performers aimed for immediate crowd appeal, but also conveyed thought-provoking messages.

The Performing Artist If you want to dip your toes into performing live but prefer to do so in a non-competitive fashion, there are a few options as well.

Speak is a collective, formed by Deborah Emmanuel, Vanessa Victoria, Stephanie Chan, Paul Pereira and Razi Razak, that provides a platform for people to share their words. Started in January 2013, Speak hosts an open mic night one Wednesday a month. It is held at Home Club, on The Riverwalk. There are usually 10 slots of three to five minutes each, and is a free entrance event. Schedule information is found at Speak on Facebook.

Spacer.gif ’s open mic – Destination:Ink – takes place the second Monday of each month at Blujaz café, in Kampong Glam. “D:inkers” get five minutes to showcase their poetry. There is a small entrance fee. Schedules are published at spacer.gif collective on Facebook.

Writing Groups If you are a member of the American Women’s Association, and value the feedback that other participants can provide, then the AWA’s Writers Group is calling you, as it has called me. The group meets the second and last Thursday of each month at The American Club, and is open to both beginners and seasoned writers. Donna Hartke, coordinator, mentions that this is a supportive place where fellow writers offer valuable insight and suggestions. Co-coordinator Teresa Zink adds that it is inspiring to share the work with other writers and to give and get feedback. Contact www.awasingapore.org.

Meet-up Singapore includes writers’ groups geared towards a wider constituency. Two popular ones are the Singapore Writers Group, and the Singapore Writers Meetup Group. They cover other forms of writing in addition to poetry. Search www.meetup.com/cities/sg/singapore/.

The Spiritual Experience If slamming, performing, or putting your work under the spotlight is not your cup of tea, you could instead sip it (the tea) at Coffee, Tea and Poetry. This Meetup group, open to everybody, convenes the second Wednesday of every month at Taylors Arts Café, to share or to listen to poetry of the soul created in any language, about a pre-agreed topic. The group focuses on the spiritual power of poetry, and provides a forum for expression without judgment; for this reason questions are allowed but no criticism. Regina Sayer and Brinda Naidu started the group in August 2013.

Easy Listening If you prefer an environment more relaxed than open mic nights, you can attend poetry book launchings. There are several venues that schedule poetry readings, such as Books Actually, in Tiong Bahru, www.booksactually.com; or The Arts House on Parliament Lane, www.theartshouse.com.sg.

Poetry can convey universal messages. With the many options available, Singapore is most likely offering poetry events that could speak to you. Why not venture out and see for yourself?

Lucia is a freelance researcher and writer, interested in exploring and writing about Singapore and the region. She moved here in 2013 and is enjoying the experience along with her family. Top: Shadow photo by Speak. Bottom: Marc Nair from Word Forward performing at Poetry Slam, by Lucia Damacela.

S

ingapore has a vibrant arts scene with good infrastructure, a growing art market and an increasing number of art exhibitions and art organizations. The last few years have been particularly exciting for Singapore with the emergence of new platforms such as Art Stage Singapore, Affordable Art Fair and the Singapore Biennale, and facilities such as the Singapore Freeport (a high-security facility for the storage of fine art and goods). Also, being a major regional hub, Singapore is part of a growing market in international contemporary art. Traditionally, local collectors have focused on art from China, Southeast Asia and Europe.

However, they are also beginning to look at art from Latin America, a very new market for many. Latin American art is the combined artistic expression of South America, Central America, the Caribbean and Mexico, as well as Latin Americans living in other regions. A few galleries here have held exhibitions by leading contemporary Latin American artists such as Fernando Botero, Eduardo Guelfenbein and Federico Uribe but on a small scale. Works by Colombian sculptor, Fernando Botero, have had a longer presence in Singapore. His iconic “Bird” on the riverfront by UOB Plaza is hard to miss, as are his works at the entrance of the St. Regis Hotel and Marquis condominium.

However, for the most part, Latin American art is an unknown territory.

Corcovado Arts has identified this gap in the Singapore Art market. Carmen Viviana Garcia Velasco started the arts group in 2012.

According to Carmen, although globalization and technology have made the world a smaller place, culturally rich South America is relatively unknown in Asia. “We aim to bridge the gap through Corcovado Arts, to promote healthy cultural exchange between these two regions, giving special emphasis on Brazil, a country that has one of the most prosperous and promising art scenes in the world, grounded in a solid historical tradition that includes the second-oldest Biennale in the world.” Indeed, the name “Corcovado” is taken from Mount Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro, famous for the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer on its summit. Carmen mentioned that Corcovado Arts is working with Brazilian institutions to facilitate an exhibition of Brazilian art in Singapore in the near future.

In addition to promoting Brazilian and other Latin American art, Corcovado Arts has also identified a growing sector of the public who would like to deepen their knowledge and

appreciation of the visual arts. Singapore has been investing heavily in the development of an arts infrastructure, which includes venues, festivals, art fairs and more. However, there is still a gap when it comes to reaching out to the public and helping them better appreciate visual arts. To help bridge this gap, Corcovado Arts has established an education arm. The first project was a series of talks to educate and motivate art lovers. “We started off with introductory Art History classes to provide attendees a clear understanding of the art styles and periods covered, making connections with the historic events, urban developments, technological progress and social changes occurring at the time.” said Carmen. “Our core strength are courses that are straightforward and easily accessible to everyone.”

These talks, which started in September 2013, were conducted by Dr. Sian Jay, an Oxford educated anthropologist with a passionate interest in art, architecture and design history, who is also Carmen’s partner. In the series, “Introduction to Modern Art: Bridging the Centuries, from Manet to Picasso,” Dr. Sian Jay gave an overview of Modern Art History, starting with the impressionists in the 1860s.

Some of the artists featured in this lecture series were Manet, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Matisse and Picasso. Dr. Jay mentioned “Teaching people from all backgrounds and cultures about art, which is universal and should be accessible to all on a level they can readily access, is one of the most rewarding tasks an educator can undertake.”

Corcovado Arts has subsequently presented talks on Singapore’s Modern Art from its early development to the present, in conjunction with “A Changed World” exhibition at the National Museum. The artists reviewed were pioneers such as Cheong Soo Pieng, Liu Kang, Lim Hak Tai, Chen Chong Swee, Chen Wen Hsi and others.

The group plans to run more educational talks in the future, such as The History of Spanish Paintings, Sculptures Trail in Singapore, Art in the Americas and Southeast Asian Art. If you are interested in learning more about Latin American Art and the history of art in general, visit www.corcovadoarts.com.

Nithia is a freelance marketing and communications consultant. She is a passionate supporter of the performing arts, especially local theater. Her other interests include travel, cinema, cookery and arts and crafts.

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Singapore American • April 2014

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Modern Art the Old-Fashioned Way

By Dana Glore

S

ingapore is known for its culinary flair, lush greenery and surplus of shopping malls but the Lion City is also recognized as the emerging hub for contemporary art in Southeast Asia. Who knew? One institution in particular has helped to propel Singapore to the forefront of the contemporary art scene, the Singapore Tyler Print Institute (STPI).

Established in 2002 by native Chicagoan and master printer of the 20th century, Kenneth E. Tyler, along with support from the government and the Singapore Tourism Board, STPI is as a non-profit art institution committed to the advancement of paper and print-based art practice, collection and education. Situated in a restored warehouse overlooking the Singapore River in the center of Robertson Quay, its modest front can be easily missed among the restaurants, shops and hustle and bustle. This inconspicuous exterior, however, is not indicative of STPI’s presence in the contemporary art world. Over the past 12 years, the institution’s dedication to facilitating fresh and innovative approaches to creating art using print and papermaking methods has proven it to be a visionary force in Singapore, Asia and beyond. The institution maintains its connection to the local community through its various public educational programs while also establishing dialogues with international audiences as well.

The artists and the art come first at STPI, which is demonstrated by their in-house

residency program for emerging and established contemporary artists. The “Visiting Artists Programme” was designed to give artists from across the globe an opportunity to immerse themselves in the print and paper making expertise and explore new ways to use these methods to create art. For six weeks, the artist resides at STPI (the building also contains a dedicated housing space) where they get handson training in the print workshop and paper mill, while growing more familiar with the fundamentals of lithography, screen printing, intaglio, relief printing and papermaking. Lead by its highly skilled creative workshop team, the residency program challenges each artist to break out of their comfort zone and encourages its students to experiment with the versatility of print and paper making techniques.

Interestingly, resident artists come from various backgrounds and many are not necessarily trained in print or paper-based methods. Head of Marketing and Development for STPI, Nor Jumaiyah, explains, “We have artists who paint, photographic artists, installation artists and it is interesting because they bring a new perspective to our work here and challenge us in different ways.” STPI has collaborated with artists from Singapore, United States, Malaysia, France, China, Philippines and Indonesia, to name a few, and each collaboration brings with it its own unique opportunities for both the team and the artist alike to pursue innovative techniques.

The STPI Gallery holds several exhibitions throughout the year where new works by their resident artists can be discovered in unique ways. Their most recent exhibition, “Paper Pushers: Methods and Mediums,” features works from seven artists which highlight the “melding of ideas” between the artists and the print and papermaking team as they uncover the possibilities of paper as a medium for creative expression. By incorporating digital technologies and other methods such as photography and construction, these works are a brilliant display of the limitless qualities of this versatile medium. STPI’s artwork can also be found at local Asian art fairs like Art Stage Singapore, ART HK and Art Basel Hong Kong and, most recently, attended New York City’s famous Armory Show where they were well-received by the US audience. Not only do these art fairs increase STPI’s visibility to potential collectors but they also provide a forum to connect with other artists, curators and museum directors. As a non-profit organization, any funds raised through art sales help to cover operational costs. STPI’s next art fair appearance will be Art Basel in Hong Kong (May 15 – 18).

STPI has effectively evolved to incorporate the influences and interests of its international audience, providing them with a substantial international network. However, despite its international prominence, STPI remains closely connected to the local community.

Nor tells me, “Most of our docents and volunteers come from the expat community here in Singapore.” STPI works closely with Friends of the Museums to conduct tours of their exhibition and workshop facilities for individuals, groups and even schools. Another way STPI engages with the community is by offering public programs and workshops where individuals can explore the art of print and papermaking at their own speed. They have even partnered with several local schools, holding in-house workshops to educate students on techniques such as papermaking, screen-printing and book making. Continuing to enrich the lives of Singaporeans by making art friendly and accessible remains a primary goal of the organization.

Want to learn more about STPI? Visit www. stpi.com.sg to stay informed of the institute’s upcoming exhibitions, workshops and public programs. Located at 41 Robertson Quay, it is open between events to visitors interested in viewing and purchasing artwork Tuesday through Saturday, from 10am to 6pm.

Photos courtesy of Singapore Tyler Print Institute.

Dana recently moved to Singapore from Nashville, Tennessee. She previously worked in the biomedical research industry, but is currently discovering the charms of living abroad and the Singaporean experience. In addition to spending time with her other half and devoted calico cat, Dana enjoys running, painting, traveling and volunteering for local organizations.

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Singapore American • April 2014

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In Pictures: Art of Tiong Bahru

By Jordan Arndt, photos by Samantha Power

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Singapore American • April 2014

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T

iong Bahru has been home to artists since its creation as one of the initial public housing estates in Singapore in 1930s. With a history of resident fine artists, photographers, musicians, and more, Tiong Bahru has a distinctive charm that lures visitors into its quaint independent book shops, art deco architecture on its streets, and its various cafes and gourmet breakfast locales.

The Monkey God Temple (photo 1) was founded in 1920 and is dedicated to Sun Wu Kong, the Monkey King from Wu Chen-en’s classic fable Journey to the West. The temple trustees claim that it was the first shrine on the island to be dedicated to the worship of the Monkey God. Today there are over 40 such temples.

The Horseshoe Block (photo 2) is the largest block of HDB flats in Tiong Bahru and was designed in a modified form of “Streamline Moderne,” a unique pre-war architecture style. The aerodynamic lines and curves which characterize the building were inspired by modern forms of transportation.

Another compelling aspect of the building is the basement which was designed to serve as a covered playground for children and an air raid shelter in times of emergency. This was the first air raid shelter included in the design of a public housing project in Singapore.

As Tiong Bahru was not a primary target during World War II, the shelter was rarely used.

The Dancing Girl (photo 3) sculpture, created by a leading sculptor in Singapore at the time, Lim Nang Seng, is done in a modern design. While the female figure is engaged in a harvest dance, the piece is often described as a swan.

Readers interested in visiting Tiong Bahru and learning more about the region’s history and architecture can download a Heritage Trail walking guide from the National Heritage Board’s website, www.nhb.gov.sg.

Jordyn is a research analyst at an innovation center in Singapore.

She recently moved here after conducting research in Morocco through the Fulbright program. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, traveling and learning about regional cultures and cuisine.

Singapore American • April 2014

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Singapore American • April 2014

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The Private Museum

By Jim Tietjen

T

he Private Museum sounds posh, doesn’t it? Or maybe secretive, as if few know where it is or how to get in, or if you will be allowed in, if and when you find it! Truth be known, it’s neither posh nor secretive, there’s no special password or secret handshake, and though it’s slightly off the beaten track it’s actually easy to find. As a matter of fact, The Private Museum prefers not to be “private” at all.

The Private Museum is situated in the heart of Singapore’s arts and culture district at 51 Waterloo Street, up one flight of stairs, all the way in the back. It’s right around the corner from the familiar Singapore Art Museum, just off Bras Basah Road, nestled next to the Saint Peter and Paul Church. It was founded by Singaporean philanthropist and real estate developer Daniel Teo, an art collector and long-time sponsor of the arts. As a non-profit organization, The Private Museum provides a platform for budding local artists to push boundaries through various art forms. It also provides space for art collectors to showcase their collections in a curated display. Using this binary approach of offering up-and-coming (and at times, avant guarde) artists as well as collected art of various genres, The Private Museum’s public outreach program consistently brings new and established art to the general public. This helps foster public awareness, interest and support. As you may have deduced, as a non-profit organization The Private Museum runs mainly on passion and private donations.

Since it opened in mid-2010, The Private Museum has hosted 14 exhibitions. In January 2014, their 15th exhibition titled “Zul: Sonically Exposed” opened, featuring an internationally renowned, contemporary sound-media artist. Definitely on the “innovative” end of the art spectrum, this is an installation you can see, touch and hear! Children will find this exhibit fascinating and perhaps open their young eyes and ears to art as they’ve never experienced.

Reaching back in time, three previous exhibitions captured my attention. In August 2012,

The Private Museum hosted a collaboration between two Singapore artists, one a photographer and one a charcoal artist. The result was the black and white “Void & Void Decks” exhibition, which explored the concept of notional space. Chow Chee Yong juxtaposed different locations in his photos, giving birth to chimeric locales. His colleague, Tang Ling Nah sketched existing, public transitory tracts – HDB void decks, alleys, corridors and passageways – nondescript places people subconsciously traverse daily. The result was a thought-provoking dilemma – fanciful places you could never go apposed with places folks go every day, places everyone “knows,” whether you’ve been there or not.

In January 2013, the museum’s visitors were afforded a bona fide artistic treat. The founder hosted an exhibition of his private collection of artwork by renowned Singaporean secondgeneration artist Lim Tze Peng. So distinguished was this display that the chairman of the Singapore National Art Gallery came to open the show. A Singapore Cultural Medallion winner, Lim Tze Peng, who was 90 at the time, was in attendance. He remains today a master of Chinese ink, Chinese calligraphy and oil-on-canvas. This particular exhibition offered works from his Bali series, Singapore Street Scene series, Calligraphy series and Still Life series.

You can see his work in the Singapore Art Museum as well as at The National Art Gallery when it opens in 2015.

In October 2013, as part of the Biennale, The Private Museum hosted the Kitakyushu Biennial in Singapore: i (information). This exhibit showcased video fragments of information developed into new media artworks. i (information) was a touring project, which began as a screening event in Berlin. Follow-on exhibitions were held in Busan, Korea; Kitakyushu, Japan; and, finally, at The Private Museum.

If you enjoy small, dynamic, ever-changing art museums that offer an eclectic variety of artwork, from traditional to contemporary to avant garde, The Private Museum is for you. If, perchance, you have a collection of art that you would like to show, the museum offers a safe and professional space for private collectors to share their collections with the public. With curatorial assistance and fine art transportation on hand, they will ensure that your artwork will arrive and be displayed with careful thought and safe handling.

For the Private Museum, no collection is too small to be featured. By the way, it seems to me they may want to rename this place to – The Public Museum!

Jim flew USAF fighters for many years but prefers to fly gliders. An avid sportsman and amateur adventurer, he enjoys tennis, golf, diving, trekking and all travel. Jim also has a passion for watercolor paintings, carpets and wine. Most of all, he likes to help people achieve their goals.

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Singapore American • April 2014

THEATER

SRT’s Shakespeare In The Park The Merchant Of Venice

By Nithia Devan

T

he Singapore Repertory Theatre’s annual Shakespeare In The Park production is growing in popularity. Seasoned theater goers, lovers of Shakespeare and theatre novices alike take this opportunity to pack a picnic and sit under the stars on Fort Canning Green to experience Shakespeare’s plays. Over the years, the SRT has presented Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night’s Dream,

Macbeth, Twelfth Night and Othello to 3,000 audience members. This year, fans of this event are in for a treat as the production is The Merchant of Venice, one of the bard’s most popular plays.

Here is a synopsis: Antonio (the merchant of Venice) lends 3,000 ducats to his friend Bassanio in order to assist him in his wooing of Portia, a wealthy and beautiful woman who lives at Belmont, an estate some distance from Venice. However, Antonio’s own money is tied up in business ventures that depend upon the safe return of his ships from sea, so he borrows the money from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender who he has previously insulted for his high rates of interest. Shylock lends the money against a bond – failure to repay the loan on the agreed date will entitle Shylock to a pound of Antonio's flesh. Antonio’s ships founder and Shylock demand his pound of flesh. With court assembled and a judgment due, Portia swings into action to save Bassanio’s friend. To say more would give away the plot!

The Merchant of Venice is thought to have been written in either 1596 or 1597, after Shakespeare had written Romeo and Juliet and Richard III, but before he penned the great tragedies of his later years. The Merchant of Venice’s Italian setting and marriage plot are typical of Shakespeare’s earlier comedies but the characters of Portia, Shakespeare’s first great

heroine, and the unforgettable villain Shylock, elevate this play to a new level. Shylock’s cries for a pound of flesh have made him one of literature’s most memorable villains and many have found him a compelling and sympathetic figure. Actors Dustin Hoffman and Al Pacino have played Shylock on stage and screen.

The text is littered with quotations that are in use to this day. Here are a few examples: ‘The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.’ (Act 1 Scene 3), ‘It is a wise father that knows his own child.’ (Act 2 Scene 2), ‘In the twinkling of an eye.’ (Act 2 Scene 2), ‘All that glisters is not gold.’ (Act 2 Scene 7), ‘If you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?’ (Act 3 Scene 1).

Bruce Guthrie, who also directed last year’s production of Othello, will direct SRT’s production of The Merchant of Venice. He shared some information on the forthcoming production, “I think it will be different to the work we have done in previous years in the park. Othello was pretty huge and we very much went for an epic scale war drama. Merchant is more about action and consequence. It is about people taking control of situations when it appears they are trapped.”

According to Guthrie, The Merchant of Venice will be a contemporary setting inspired

by Singapore. “From a visual point of view,

the production is inspired by Singapore itself.

The designer (Richard Kent) and I have looked at a lot of visual references and drawn inspiration from the many types of architecture in Singapore to create a world for the play with a contemporary feel.”

And what is the appeal of The Merchant of Venice to modern day audiences? “It is a terrific story with fascinating characters. We fear what is different and prejudice is born in that fear.

It also has the gripping aspects of a love story coupled with a courtroom drama. It is comedy with tragic elements woven in. It makes for a gripping night of theatre in the park,” says Guthrie.

The Merchant of Venice opens on April 30 at Fort Canning Green. For tickets and more information, visit www.sistic.com.sg and www.srt.com.sg.

Nithia is a freelance marketing and communications consultant. She is a passionate supporter of the performing arts, especially local theatre. Her other interests include travel, cinema, cookery and arts and crafts.

31

Singapore American • April 2014

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Connected–Nest

By Lissy Ann Puno, Psychologist, SACAC Counselling

Singapore’s Comprehensive Mental Health Practice, est. 1973

A

s we approach our youngest son’s graduation in June, many people have been warning me, and sympathizing with me, worrying about the “empty nest syndrome.”

What will happen? How will it be for you? What will you be doing? Will you be ok?

The questions and concern were met with mixed feelings of denial, sadness, happiness, confidence and sometimes bewilderment within me. I began to think, observe and be aware of my own reactions. I knew that the feelings would be like a rollercoaster for a while in anticipation.

Yes, the alarm clock will not go off at 6:15am, as it has for the past 18 years. Birthdays won’t be planned as they had been. Food menus will be reduced considerably as hungry boys would not be dropping by on a whim. The regular routine of checking in on whether homework has been done or whether lights are off, will be over.

It will be different. It will change.

The empty nest syndrome could be seen as a psychological condition that parents experience when their children leave home. Many parents will experience some form of it in varying degrees. It is a sense of loss that may be characterized by grief and sadness for the departing child and for the family unit that is now missing another person. The loss may have an extreme negative impact on a parent's daily life, self-esteem and moods, and the ability to function overall.

Although both parents go through the experience, the symptoms are highlighted more with mothers. It is possible that this is because mothers are more in charge of the nest mostly. The empty nest is also experienced by both parents during a life stage that is characterized by a lot of change called the midlife shift. Both parents will go thru it in different ways.

Author Molly Edmonds of Discover Fit & Health writes the following: If a woman has largely shaped her personal identity as that of mother, then an end to the reproductive years accompanied by a child leaving home can be especially traumatic. For this reason, the empty nest syndrome seems to strike stay-at-home mothers more than mothers who work full-time or part-time. Because stay-athome mothers lack an immediate outlet for their time, they have more time to fixate on their loss. Women may also be more likely to suffer from empty nest syndrome if they have very traditional views of family and place a high value on a traditional maternal role.

Maybe as mothers we should not really worry so much because it may not be empty for so long. Studies have shown that there are an increasing number of adult children between 25 and 34 who now live with their parents at home. Psychologist Allan Scheinberg notes that these “boomerang kids” want the “limited responsibility of

What the Haze?

S

ingapore has been affected by severe smoke haze due to forest fires in the region periodically.

This is due to the common practice of open burning to clear land for agricultural uses. It can be made worse by dry seasons, changes in wind direction and poor precipitation. Prevailing winds sometimes carry smoke haze over Singapore’s skies produced by the forest fires.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) provides early warning of haze, measurement and dissemination of air quality information and guidelines for dealing with haze-related issues.

NEA releases 3-hour air quality PSI readings during haze periods via its myENV mobile app (iPhone and Android), NEAsg Twitter account in addition to its website, www.haze.gov.sg.

childhood and the privileges of adulthood.” Children may also return home for various other reasons.

What are some of the ways to prepare for the empty nest? The Mayo Clinic Newsletter gives us a few ideas outlined below: • Accept the timing: This is happening and what you experience is different from what your child is experiencing. Make it about them. Focus on what you can do to help your child succeed when he or she does leave home.

• Plan ahead: Look for new opportunities in your personal and professional life. Keeping busy or taking on new challenges at work or at home can help ease the sense of loss that your child’s departure might cause.

• Keep in touch: You can continue to be close to your children even when you live apart. Make an effort to maintain regular contact through visits, phone calls, emails, texts or video chats.

• Seek support: If you’re having a difficult time dealing with an empty nest, lean on loved ones and other close contacts for support. Share your feelings. If you feel depressed, consult your doctor or a counselor.

• Stay positive: Thinking about the extra time and energy you might have to devote to your marriage or personal interests after your last child leaves home might help you adapt to this major life change.

Think of all the positive things that would be happening in your own child’s life.

My own theory as a psychologist is that we need to build a “connected-nest” to avoid the empty nest. Through the years of parenting, one must stay connected with the self, with their spouse, with their professional and personal interests, with family and friends and with the community.

The nest need not be empty because you and your spouse will still be in it. Many other things can fill up the nest aside from your children who will be returning to the nest for visits. You can simply “renovate” the nest with new things.

I know I will shed tears for my family unit that will not be what it used to be. There will be an adjustment phase and a reorientation of our days and activities as a couple and as a family. At the same time, as I plan ahead, I will attempt to celebrate the empty nest because it means accomplishment, independence and success for children who are flying from the nest as capable, responsible and confident young people.

32

Singapore American • April 2014

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Travelers in the Tropics, Pay Heed to Malaria Prevention

By Dr. Paul E. Zakowich

A

lthough Singapore is safe from malaria, precautions must be taken when traveling to certain rural areas within Southeast Asia and other tropical regions. Depending on the itinerary, travelers may need to protect themselves against malaria.

Two-thirds of the world’s population lives in malaria endemic areas. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2010 an estimated 219 million cases of malaria occurred worldwide and 660,000 people died, most (91%) in the African region.

The problem has become worse in recent years due to mosquitoes becoming resistant to pesticides and malaria parasites becoming progressively resistant to drugs.

Mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles transmit all four types of the malaria parasites. Most fatal infections are caused by the P. falciparum type. Death occurs primarily when diagnosis is delayed or treatment is inappropriate. Other names for malaria, particularly used in European countries, are “Paludism” or “Paludeen fever.”

Prevention of Malaria If you are planning a trip, you should be aware of the following: First, determine if you are traveling within a malaria endemic region. The CDC website provides a “Malaria Information by Country” table that provides detailed information about the specific areas of countries where malaria transmission does or does not occur. It also provides additional information including the species of malaria that occur there, the presence of drug resistance and the specific medicines that CDC recommends for use for malaria prevention in each country where

malaria transmission occurs.

Malaria is spread by mosquitoes, which bite mainly at dusk and throughout the night. Any measures that reduce mosquito bites reduce the risk of contracting malaria, dengue fever and filariasis. Avoid perfumes and colognes as some may attract mosquitoes.

Use insect sprays, mosquito nets and screens and wear clothing with long sleeves and long pants. Use insect repellents containing at least 30 percent diethyltoluamide (Deet) on exposed body areas, especially during evening and night hours. Be aware that Deet can cause severe reactions, particularly with prolonged or excessive use in children or in higher concentrations. Spraying clothing with permethrin (Permanone) and using permethrin-impregnated mosquito nets may also help.

For prophylactic drugs to be effective they must be taken regularly. These drugs give an additional layer of protection but do not provide absolute protection against malaria.

Exceeding the recommended dosage of prophylactic medicine does not increase its effectiveness and may actually increase the risk of side effects.

Finally, before traveling to a malaria endemic area, it is best to consult your doctor concerning the need and proper use of these antimalarial drugs.

Dr Paul E Zakowich, MD (USA) FACP (USA) is an American-trained specialist, Board Certified in Internal Medicine in private practice at the American International Clinic.

American International Clinic is located at the Novena Medical Center. For more information, visit their website www.aiclinic.com.sg, email zakowich@ aiclinic.com.sg. or call 6397 7129.

What’s On at NUS Museum?

If you haven’t been to the NUS Museum lately, check out these latest visual arts exhibitions.

Works & Documents of Lim Mu Hue & Jimmy Ong. Until July 20, 2014 The Recent Gifts exhibition presents a modest selection of works acquired from two artists, the estate of the late Lim Mu Hue (1936 – 2008) and Jimmy Ong (b. 1964).

While Ong’s Chinatown Suite brings together sketches completed between the mid1980s and the early-1990s, Lim’s body of work were completed over a broader period beginning in the late 1950s. These works are accompanied by supporting materials including photographs, personal artifacts and other documentations.

Come Cannibalise Us, Why Don’t You? Until May 4, 2014 Emerging from an ongoing discussion between NUS Museum curators and artist Erika Tan since 2009 about the heterogeneous potentials of the museum object, the colloquially titled ‘Come cannibalise us, why don’t you?’ is an artist-installation that re-visits and adapts artefacts and writings from the exhibition Camping and Tramping Through The Colonial Archive: The Museum in Malaya (2011-2013) alongside newer artworks developed by the artist that include film, sculpture and works on paper.

www.nus.edu.sg/museum for more information

33

Singapore American • April 2014

FOOD & DINING

Potent Nostalgia: Cocktail Bars from Bygone Eras

By Laura Schwartz

A

s I sipped a bliss-inducing Lemongrass Collins at the Miss Wong Cocktail Bar in Siem Reap, I wondered: Just what is it about bars devoted to the past? A speakeasy can now be found in just about every major city – from Raine’s Law Room in New York to Milk & Honey in London to R2 Supperclub in Tokyo. If I had to choose two reasons why, I would say it’s partly the nostalgia for a straightforward form of glamour and partly the luxurious, hand-crafted cocktails.

For anyone bored of the standard mixer/spirit combo, these bars’ bespoke recipes, freshlysqueezed juices and house infused liquors are a godsend. And while these drinks will obviously cost more than your average Rum ’n’ Coke, the rich ambience makes up for it. These bars invite you to step out of your daily troubles and experience life as a member of the exclusive elite from a time past. The vintage Shanghai atmosphere of Miss Wong is a soothing and seductive counterpoint to Cambodia’s dry heat and Pub Street’s pulsating clamor but don’t worry if you’re not swinging by Siem Reap any time soon. There are a couple of speakeasies to be found right here in Singapore.

Abhishek Cherian George would be reluctant to brand his cocktail bar, The Spiffy Dapper, as a speakeasy. With its tables plastered in vintage comic book covers and a pair of colonial Indian fighting staffs on the wall, the establishment is more of a homage to the creative and irreverent spirit of the 1920s. Originally from South India, George calls himself an “insufferable capitalist” and is an enthusiastic advocate of trial-and-error. Many of the custom ingredients on the shelf behind the bar (which bear labels such as Turkish Black Tea Gin and Cayenne-Citrus Himalayan Pink Salt) are the result of mistakes. For instance, accidentally overdehydrating some tomatoes led to a reinvented Bloody Mary called the Ossified Mrs Grundy, which translates to ‘The Drunk Prude’ in 1920s lingo. Every beverage on the menu sports a jazzy name and a rich description because, George says, “A product is only as good as the back story.” For him and his lead bartender Hilda, the creation and consumption of a cocktail is nothing short of art.

The idea behind the drink is vital to the process and the beverage must convey the artist’s thought or emotion to the drinker.

House of Dandy in the Tanjong Pagar area also has a proclivity for the irreverent. Despite being a temple to the dandy (a middle-class man in the 1800s who highly valued his refined appearance,

aristocratic mind and leisurely hobbies), the upscale cocktail bar hasn’t limited itself to top hats and aristocratic superiority. As their menu explains: “A dandified life is one that is refined and tastefully in excess. Keeping an edge without sacrificing neither style nor standards.” Thus, among the myriad of hedonistic idols that the lounge pays tribute to are Beau Brummell, Oscar Wilde and Andy Warhol— see the Dandy Warhol cocktail, an inimitable and delicious blend of vodka, Midori, Limoncello, lemon juice, sugar syrup and egg whites.

While the Miss Wong Cocktail Bar in Siem Reap seeks to emulate 1930s Shanghai, both The Spiffy Dapper and House of Dandy allow themselves to follow the spirit of an exalted era through the years. The bathroom at The Spiffy Dapper is a maddening tribute to Stanley Kubrick’s film A Clockwork Orange and the walls at House of Dandy feature portraits of women wearing revealing outfits and Stormtrooper helmets.

Singapore isn’t searching for a flawless recreation of a past decade but rather for a taste of the irreverence that was once possible. The speakeasies of today strive to provide that old, gossamer spirit of carelessness in a world where now every foolish act can be splattered across the Internet in seconds.

So, if you find yourself nostalgic for a time when leisure was uninterrupted by mobile phones and secrets remained secrets, slip into the dim interior of a speakeasy. Bring high expectations for a quality cocktail. Remember to sip slowly.

Where to Find: Miss Wong Cocktail Bar The Lane, Siem Reap Cambodia The Spiffy Dapper 2/F 61 Boat Quay Singapore House of Dandy 74 Tras Street Singapore When Laura is not traveling around the region or devouring a new book, she juggles her 9-to-5 with freelance writing. You can read her articles, travel anecdotes and series of tips on how to be a better tourist at: www.thecircuition.com.

From Top: Miss Wong’s Cocktail Bar, The Spiffy Dapper and House of Dandy

34

Singapore American • April 2014

FOOD & DINING

Vietnamese Pho

By Banana Abroad

M

y all-time favorite weekend dish, and the one I request the most when I go home, is pho. The clear, rich beef broth cooks for hours with cinnamon and other spices to build flavor. Warm and inviting, the broth is served with delicate, fresh pho noodles and bright herbs that lift the dish.

Pho can be made with vegetables, pork, chicken or beef as the main ingredient but in my parents house it is always beef. In addition to the thinly sliced beef, my mom tops the bowls with beef meatballs, tripe and tendons but I like to keep it simple.

Here is my version of my childhood favorite (based on my mom’s recipe, of course) Broth: (cooked in 16 qt. pot) • 4-5 lbs beef marrow bones (cut into 2 inch sections) • 5 star anise pods • 3 cinnamon sticks • 2 black cardamom pods • 6 cardamom pods • ½ tsp fennel seeds • ½ tsp whole cloves • ½ tsp coriander seeds • 3 cloves of garlic • 1 fat finger of ginger, cut into thick slices • 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and halved • 1 chunk of daikon radish • 1-1 ½ tbsp salt • 1 small chunk of rock sugar • ½ tsp MSG • Fresh pho noodles or dry noodles • 1lb beef (London broil or round steak) thinly sliced Toppings: • Cilantro, roughly chopped • Culantro, roughly chopped (If you can‘t find it at the wet market just skip it) • Yellow onion, thinly sliced • Crispy, fried shallots (not traditional but adds a nice crunch) • Bean sprouts • Sliced scallions (if you don’t enjoy raw yellow onion) • Lime • Hoisin sauce • Sriracha sauce

Notes: I’m sure you’ve noticed the MSG in the ingredient list. I grew up cooking with MSG in a lot of dishes and so I use it in my cooking now. If you’re allergic or adverse, you can use fish sauce or a piece of dried seaweed to achieve the same effects. After all, MSG was originally derived from seaweed. When cooking with MSG remember that, as with salt, moderation is key.

For the rock sugar, use the yellow rock sugar sold in Vietnamese and Chinese grocery stores. They sell it broken up into small pieces in a bag or in a large chunk which you have to break up yourself. If you can’t find it, use light brown sugar.

In lieu of buying all of these spices separately, you can also find pho spice bags which have all of the spices you would need for a pot of pho.

Directions: Parboil the bones. Bring 1/2 pot of water to a boil (just enough to cover the bones).

Boil bones for 5 minutes. Dump the bones and water into a clean sink. Rinse the bones with warm water. Scrub the pot to get rid of any scum that may have gotten stuck on the sides. Place bones back in the pot and fill with water (leaving just over an inch of room at the top). Bring back to a boil then reduce to a simmer.

Toast the spices. Gather the onion, spices and garlic and place them in a mesh bag.

Tie bag with kitchen twine. The ginger and daikon can be put into the soup out of the bag because they won’t disintegrate during the long cooking time.

Place the mesh bag, ginger and daikon in the pot with the bones and water.

The minimum cooking time I would recommend is 4 hours. I normally put the pot on about 8 hours before I want to eat.

Following my mom’s example, when I want to have pho for lunch, I make it the night before. While the bones may give up all their flavor after about 3 hours, I cook the broth for longer because I want the flavors to meld together.

While cooking, cover partially with a lid after the first few hours so you don’t have to top off with water. If the soup is too fatty for your liking, skim the fat off the top.

Season with salt, sugar and MSG about an hour before you want to eat but be sure to

taste it right before serving and adjust as needed.

While the broth cooks, prepare your toppings. Gather your fresh herbs and vegetables.

Thinly slice your beef. To help you slice as thinly as possible, partially freeze the beef beforehand. If you use dry noodles, soak them in hot, almost-boiling water for 15 minutes before use.

When you’re ready to eat, bring the pot of broth back to a rolling boil. Fill bowls with pho noodles and thinly sliced beef (if you’re eating other meats such as beef meatballs, add them to the bowl now also).

Ladle the boiling broth into your bowl.

The broth will cook the beef and noodles.

Allow diners to top with whatever herbs and toppings they like. I also serve a section of bone with every bowl so people can eat the marrow which has soaked up all of that cinnamon, clove and star anise deliciousness. The marrow cooks down as you cook the broth.

Serve with a side of hoisin sauce, lime and Sriracha sauce which are great for dipping the thin slices of beef.

The author has lived in Singapore since mid-2012, after moving here from Florida, where she grew up in a Vietnamese family. Read more recipes on her blog: banana-abroad.com.

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Singapore American • April 2014

CALENDAR

WHAT’S HAPPENING

OF

EVENTS

Any responder should make any further enquiries with the organizer or should verify the information independently if necessary.

MUSEUMS 1 – 29 April The People’s Collection – A Special Exhibition National Museum of Singapore Concourse, Level 1 93 Stamford Road www.nationalmuseum.sg 1 – 30 April In/sight: Abstract Art by Wu Guanzhong and Artists from Southeast Asia Singapore Art Museum www.singaporeartmuseum.sg 1 April – 4 May Secrets of the Fallen Pagoda: Treasures from Famen Temple and the Tang Court Asian Civilisations Museum ACM Empress Place www.acm.org.sg 1 April – 11 May More than a Garden National Museum of Singapore Stamford Gallery, Level 1 93 Stamford Road www.nationalmuseum.sg 1 April – 30 June Horses for Courses Singapore Philatelic Museum 23-B Coleman Street 9:30am – 7pm www.spm.org.sg 1 April – 6 July Inherited & Salvaged: Family Portraits from the Straits Chinese Collection NUS Museum, University Cultural Centre 50 Kent Ridge Centre www.nus.edu.sg/museum

ENTERTAINMENT 12 April Italian & Classical (SSO) Esplanade Concert Hall www.sistic.com.sg 25 – 27 April A Tapestry of Sacred Music Esplanade Concert Hall/Esplanade Recital Studio www.sistic.com.sg 25 April – 11 May GREASE MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands www.MarinaBaySands.com/Ticketing 30 April – 1 May Da:ns Series KAGEMI: Beyond the Metaphors of Mirrors

by Sankai Juku (Japan) Esplanade Theatre www.sistic.com.sg 30 April – 25 May Shakespeare in the Park - The Merchant of Venice Fort Canning Park www.sistic.com.sg 27 May – 1 June Tap Dogs MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands www.MarinaBaySands.com/Ticketing

31 May Concerts for Children: Come Meet Mozart! (SSO) University Cultural Centre, NUS www.sistic.com.sg

LIFESTYLE 18 – 20 April Easter Carpet Sale – up to 70% off Hedger’s Carpet Gallery 15 Dempsey Road #01-09 10:30am – 7pm www.hedgerscarpetgallery.com.sg 24 May Abacus Tax Limited The Boardroom @ The American Club 10 Claymore Hill 2pm – 4pm info@abacustaxltd.com

EDUCATION From 1 April UWCSEA Applications for Admission to UWCSEA in 2014/2015 open now Dover or East Campus www.uwcsea.edu.sg admissions@uwsea.edu.sg 4 April & 9 May Open House Stamford American International School 279 Upper Serangoon Road 9am www.sais.edu.sg

MEMBER DISCOUNTS AAS Member Discounts AAS members enjoy discounts at a range of local businesses.

Present your AAS membership card at time of purchase.

Please see a full list of discounts at www.aasingapore.com/member-discounts 2 hours free handyman service worth over $200 when you book your move with Allied Pickfords. Call 6862 4700.

Receive a complimentary round trip transportation to and from Changi Airport when you book a package tour with Country Holidays. Call 6334 6120.

Receive complimentary insurance consultations with an experienced insurance advisor. Visitors can choose to receive free, no-obligation quotes on Home, Medical, Life, Travel, Motor and Business Insurance.

Get a three-month free membership to Expat Living magazine.

Visit www.expatliving.sg/aas.

Receive a 10% discount on all purchases over $100 at both Marina Bay Link Mall and Rochester Park locations.

SPORTS 11 & 12 April SKECHERS Electric Run Marina Bay: Pit Building & F1 Track 8pm – 2am electricrun.sg 13 April NewMoon khcycle MetaSprint Series: Triathlon Changi Beach Park 7am www.metasprintseries.com 27 April RUN 350 – 21KM, 10KM, 350 Kids Dash 5:30am – 11am www.run350.com 11 May The Pinnacle @ Duxton Vertical Challenge 2014 Pinnacle @ Duxton 8am regonline.activelife.com 18 May HomeTeam NS Real Run 2014 Sentosa Gateway 7am www.realrun.sg 24 & 25 May The 5K Foam Run Sentosa 9am – 5pm www.the5kfoamrun.com.sg

Receive a free 4”x 6” framed print, worth $90 with any photography package valued at $300 or more. Call Helga on 8233 0960.

If you spend over $800 at their Dempsey Store, receive a handwoven Indian Kelim flat-weave rug (5’6”x3’6”) worth $150 absolutely free (while stocks last). Call 6462 0028.

Up to 15% off Japan Airlines / American Airlines flights!

Special offer for AAS members only – Depart by June 15, 2014

Receive a 10% discount on a oneyear membership.

Special benefits for AAS members. Located at the Novena Specialist Centre, email community@tuckermedical.com for further details.

Singapore American • April 2014