April/May 2022
A Return to Travel Tips on traveling the region
Ramadan
More than just a hunger game
Easter Traditions The connections between religion and culture
Travel Sustainably
Enjoy life and save the planet
Pimalai Resort & Spa
A review of this tranquil spot in Ko Lanta
Discover the Difference
DE T U
DO R P UN ONS M
PERFORMING ARTS
Pursuit of the arts is a staple of Dulwich life and we devote considerable resources to create opportunities for our students to experience all areas of the arts.
Students have abundant opportunities to experiment and perform, with drama taught as part of the curriculum
singapore.dulwich.org admissions.singapore@dulwich.org (65) 6890 1003
at IGCSE and IB.
Each year students participate in a range of external drama festivals across Asia, working with professional actors, directors, writers and theatre companies.
collaborative relationships and partnerships with top educational and artistic institutions throughout the world such as The Royal Shakespeare Company.
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who we are Happy Spring! Spring always feels like a time of renewal and, despite the fact that our weather never really changes much here in Singapore, I for one am feeling pretty refreshed with the recent changes to COVID-19 Safe Management Measures. It's wonderful to feel the air on my face as I take a walk outside without a mask on; to actually see people smiling rather than assuming maybe they are from their eyes. There are actually people at my daughter's school bus stop who I had never seen without a mask, and I almost didn't recognize one at first! Indeed, this change is most refreshing.
EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief: Susan Williams communications@aasingapore.com Publishing Editor: Melinda Murphy generalmanager@aasingapore.com LAYOUT Graphic Designer: Susan Williams graphics@aasingapore.com ADVERTISING Advertising Manager: Thila Chandra advertising@aasingapore.com CONTRIBUTORS Zoë Arwas, Andrea McKenna Brankin, Faith Chanda, Veehaan Deshwal, Blair Hall, Richard L. Hartung, Lauren Raps, Marc Servos, Claire Williams, Susan Williams AMERICAN ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERS President: Blair Hall Vice President: Michael Johnson
Of course, the increase in group sizes to ten is exciting, and it means larger events for AAS. We are thrilled to be able to plan gatherings for more people, and we have lots of great events coming up in the interim that we think you'll enjoy. I am particularly looking forward to a cocktail making class on Cinco de Mayo!
Treasurer: Ashok Lalwani
The changes in travel restrictions are also something to celebrate, as it brings back the possibility of long weekends away without a ream of documents and what feels like a million COVID tests. We've included some of the basic guidelines to entry to several countries in Southeast Asia to help you plan some getaways. But please do remember to always double check the rules before you leave, as they can change on a dime.
Non-Voting Members
Along with travel-related pieces, in this issue you'll find some background on two major holidays coming up – Easter and Ramadan. I learned several new things from these articles, and I hope that you do, too. Here's to outdoor, mask-free, ten-person celebrations of spring! Editor-in-Chief
Susan Williams
Secretary: Michael Murphy Directors-at-Large: Mkulima Britt, Dana Hvide, Naureen Rasul, Jennifer Yarbrough AmCham: Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei AWA: Linda Schindler SACAC: Jeff Majestic SAS: Kyle Aldous The American Club: Neetu Mirchandani US Embassy: Brian Himmelsteib US Navy COMLOG WESTPAC: Rear Admiral Philip Sobeck AAS: Melinda Murphy PUBLISHER – AMERICAN ASSOCIATION The American Association of Singapore (AAS) is a professional, notfor-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. 56A Boat Quay, Singapore 049845 • (+65) 8030 6183 admin@aasingapore.com • www.aasingapore.com Living In Singapore magazine will be released six times per year, with the purpose of enhancing the expatriate experience in Singapore.
SUBSCRIPTION
A subscription to Living in Singapore is complementary with an AAS or CareerSource membership. AAS annual family membership is $120. CareerSource membership is $220. To join, visit www.aasingapore.com and have Living in Singapore magazine delivered to your inbox. Reproduction in any manner, in English or any other language, is prohibited without written permission. Living in Singapore welcomes all contributions of volunteer time or written material.
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what’s in... 10 Community News 26 Easter
Connections between the cultural and religious traditions..
32 The Practice of Ramadan More than just a hunger game.
26
36 Head Space A new column on mental health.
38 Just Back
A review of Pimalai Resort and Spa in Thailand.
42 Travel Sustainably
How to enjoy life and save the planet.
32
36 38
42
message from the president By Blair Hall Spring is in the air! Which in Singapore, of course, means hot days, stormy afternoons and daydreams of faraway places for our upcoming travel adventures. Let us hope the trend toward normality continues with the approach of summer so we can visit family after long separations, drop in on friends around the globe, and generally indulge our pent-up wanderlust. We hope you find the articles and hotel review in this issue helpful as you navigate the confusing thicket of ever-changing travel and health rules around this region. April also brings the advent of Easter and the start of Ramadan. May the blessings of the season be with you and your family. Happy Easter and Selamat Hari Raya Puasa! AAS marked a milestone in March by holding its first in-person Annual General Meeting in three years! Along with enjoying a delicious dinner in the gracious private dining room of Lawry’s The Prime Rib, an appreciated Association partner, members were able to review with pride the accomplishments of the past year and look ahead with encouragement to plans for the future. Through the tough times of the past couple years, AAS has had to rethink its purpose and its goals to ensure it continues to deliver what the community wants. This is in the best traditions of the Association, which has not endured over 105 years without adapting to changing conditions. Here’s what we realized: people are hungry for connections, eager for experiences and ready for social activities. So, we offered 102 events and activities for our members throughout the year, including sports and social outings, heritage and foodie tours, community service volunteer opportunities, professional and social networking events, and kid-oriented activities. We reinvented our CareerSource program to provide counseling and career advice for people seeking work opportunities in Singapore and as global virtual workers. We upped our digital communication game to engage the community using Facebook, Instagram and other social media, in addition to revamping our website into a fresh, modern, user-friendly source of information. It worked: our membership grew this year to nearly 1800 people and, for the first time since before the pandemic, we turned a profit. Looking at our exciting calendar of upcoming events, we hope you'll join us for some fun, connection and celebration before you head off for your summer travels. See you on the street!
American Community Organizations Directory AAS aasingapore.com
AWA awasingapore.org
SAS sas.edu.sg
The American Club amclub.org.sg
AmCham amcham.com.sg
Navy League nlus-sgp.org
SAIS sais.edu.sg
US Embassy sg.usembassy.gov
American Dragons americandragons.sg
SACAC Sports safl.sacac.com
Scouts BSA Troop 07: www.bsatroop07.org BSA Troop 10: www.sgtroop10.org BSA Troop 1010: sgtroop1010@gmail.com
6 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
Cub Scouts Pack 3010: www.sgpack3010.org Cub Scouts Pack 3017: cubscoutsusa.com.sg USA Girl Scouts: www.singaporeusagirlscouts.org
member benefits Banyan Tree Bintan 15% off best available rates. Valid through 12/31/22. College Ready 100% discount on membership. Valid through 5/30/22. Estheclinic 10% discount for all their treatments. Valid through 12/30/22. Expat Living magazine Free six-month subscription. Valid through 12/30/22.
Marriott AAS members enjoy a 25% discount on F&B. Show a screenshot of your membership. Motorist 15% off car insurance quotes. Valid through 5/30/22. Pimalai Resort & Spa Stay 5 Pay 4 promotion; 20% discount for the general public which can be combined with this promotion. E-mail lauren@ travelprospect.com to inquire. Valid through 9/30/22.
Hard Rock Cafe 15% discount on food and beverage upon showing a screenshot of your membership. Valid through 12/30/22.
Poke Theory Get a free paid topping with every poke bowl purchased, exclusively at Katong Square #01-12. Valid through 6/30/22.
Hedgers Carpet Free high-quality underlayment with every purchase at our store (while stocks last). Valid through 12/30/22.
Raffles Hotel 15% discount at Raffles Spa Mon-Fri; 15% off regular-priced items at Raffles Boutique & Floral Boutique; 15% off total bill at Raffles restaurants. Blackout dates apply.
Jabra Enjoy USD$10 off per device on Jabra products. Valid through 6/30/22. Laguna Golf Bintan
The Shanti Residence AAS Members get 15% off room bookings directly.
25% off visitor rates. Valid through 12/31/22.
Solescape AAS members enjoy 15% discount on their purchase of a pair of shoes. Valid through 12/31/22.
Lawry’s The Prime Rib 15% discount for à la carte food bill for dine-in only. Blackout dates apply.
The American Club AAS members may order dinner from The American Club.
Mr. Jeff Free pick up & delivery for Buona Vista/Pasir Panjang area; 20% discount using code AAS20. Valid through 12/30/22.
Scan or click here for our full member benefits page and more details on each benefit.
LIVING IN SINGAPORE 7
American Association Sister Organizations Click Through to Find Out What’s Planned at AAS and at Our Sister Orgs
American Association of Singapore AmCham
American Women’s Association Navy League
SAFL The American Club US Embassy
upcoming events Tweens & Teens Talk: Impact of Social Media Use Apr 6, 6:00 – 7:00 PM Metworks Happy Hour Apr 7, 6:00 – 8:00 PM Gin, Tonic & The Empire Tour Apr 9, 3:15 – 5:45 PM Art for Ukraine at The American Club Apr 9, 4:00 – 7:00 PM Apr 10, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
At the Table Women’s Discussion Group Apr 19, 7:00 PM A Taste of Mystery Apr 23, 5:00 PM Entrepreneurs & Freelancers Coffee Apr 27, 10:00 AM Headshot Day May 4, 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Repatriation Tips & Tricks May 4, 7:00 PM Cinco de Mayo Cocktail Making Class
May 5, 6:30 PM Peranakan & Eurasian Tour May 7, 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM Memorial Day Tour May 28, 9:00 AM
AAS Strategic Partners We would like to extend our thanks to our strategic partners at the Association for their continued support and contribution.
Patriot Partners
Stars & Stripes Partners
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What We’ve Been Up To at AAS
After a two-year Covid delay, it was wonderful to be back on the course and continue the Ambassador’s Cup golf tradition started back in 1935. What an amazing day we had at The Singapore Island Country Club playing the TD Ameritrade Ambassador’s Cup Golf Tournament presented by XCL American Academy. It was great seeing all the teams having fun, hitting some long drives and sinking some great putts!
PengWine, The American Club and VanMedia Group.
Birdie Sponsors: Brown-Forman, JW Marriott,
Covid restrictions prevented us from having the
A huge thanks also to all our prize donors: Avo & Co, Banyan Tree Bintan, Hard Rock Cafe, Jabra, Seamless Bespoke, The Fullerton Hotel and Titleist. This event would not be possible without their incredible generosity and support.
And one more round of applause to our Golf Pro Hector McAulay, Golf Chair Chris Milliken as well as SICC Sponsor, Chuan Campbell and his wife It was a thrill to welcome our new ambassador, Nory for their incredible support and guidance. And Jonathan Kaplan, to this year’s tournament. He finally ... a huge thanks to our small, but mighty played with Chris Brankin, CEO of TD Ameritrade; team at the American Association of Singapore. Brian Rogove, CEO of XCL Education; and Ashok Lalwani, who represented AAS. Ashok is the So while it was a crazy fun day, we also had some treasurer on our Executive Board as well as a rain. A lot of rain, in fact! With the rain delay, many Partner at Baker McKenzie. Talk about a power golfers were unable to complete the course which team! made it challenging to calculate the score. Chris and Chuan spent hours trying to find the fairest We would like to say thank you to all of our way to determine the winners. The final score was fabulous sponsors who made this event a smashing calculated by taking the team score for the number success. of holes played, dividing by the number of holes played, then multiplying that number by 18 then Title Sponsor: TD Ameritrade subtracting the team handicap. Whew! A huge Presenting Sponsor: XCL American Academy thanks to them for working this out and to you all Eagle Sponsors: Expat Dental, GRTActive, and for understanding that no scoring system would be perfect given the circumstances. Singapore American School
10 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
usual after-tournament awards dinner so we had Novelty Golf Prize Winners a small awards ceremony at the Hard Rock Cafe Closest to the Line the week after the tournament. Unfortunately, not Praveen Lingamneni won a Callaway leather bag. all the winners could attend to claim their prizes, but those who came enjoyed their burger, beer Longest Drive and prizes! Henry Wood won a bottle of Woodford Reserve. And the winners are...
Nearest to Pin Glenn Ong took home three bottles of PengWine. First Place Winners Glenn also won the top Lucky Draw Prize: a Kari Jokela, Juha Kuntola, Anssi Seikkola, staycation at Banyan Tree Bintan complete with Matti Talala daily breakfast and a round of golf! Lucky guy! Each player received an engraved mug, a Our charity customized tailored shirt of Italian fabric from Seamless Bespoke and a one-night staycation for Thanks to our golfers’ incredible generosity when two including breakfast at The Fullerton Hotel. buying mulligans and taking a chance against the Pro! We are so proud to announce that we raised Second Place Winners $6,000 for LOVE, NILS, our charity for the day! And Sam Ahmad, Fraser Jamieson, Tommy that’s with only about half of the golfers getting to Rathleff, Ming Wong the Beat the Pro hole because of the rain. Bravo! Each player received an engraved flask and a set Click here to learn more about the great work LOVE, NILS does. of Jabra Elite4, Active noise-canceling earbuds. In short, it was a fabulous day on the green Third Place Winners John Malone, Darren Murphy,Jonny Owens, surrounded by many who make the American Association’s community so great. We’re thrilled Henry Wood we were able to host this hallmark event once Each player received an engraved thermal more and look forward to our next marquis event. wine glass and a fabulous gift basket provided by The American Club.
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Thank you to our sponsors who made this tournament possible and added to the fun with amazing prizes and gifts!
Eagle Sponsors
Birdie Sponsors
Golf Pro Sponsors
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Segway Tour of Marina Bay Several AAS members enjoyed a tour around the marina and Gardens by the Bay with a unique mode of transportation - a Segway!
[Saint Jack Movie Screening & Walking Tour] We had a great time watching the 1979 film, Saint Jack, filmed entirely in Singapore, and enjoying terrific local foods. Before the movie began, we heard from Ben Slater, author of Kinda Hot: The Making of Saint Jack in Singapore, about the history of the film and how it was secretly made. A huge thank you to XCL World Academy for hosting the screening! Some of the group got together the following weekend to take a tour with Jane’s Tours of some of the film’s locations, comparing what they look like today to how they appeared 40 years ago!
Beach Clean Up at Pasir Ris Park We once again teamed up with Stamford American International School to clean up the beaches at Pasir Ris Park. Great work, everyone!
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w o rr A e h t f o r e d r O e h t n i y e My Journ y Veehaan Deshwal, BSA Troop 10 B
t t represen Scouts tha r fo ty ie c or so uting’s hon t comes gnition tha (OA) is Sco o c w o re rr l A ia c e e sp of th lives. It is a The Order sive to OA nities exclu in their daily u rt w o La p p d o n l a ecia Oath the Scout gives you sp ty, but also ili b si n o sp f re with a lot o e that includ members. uirements q re in a rt e et c the ts must me er meeting r OA, scou fo le ib lig e troop. Aft e th f o e To be rt a p nce as andidate, th ecome a c ing experie b p m to a p c o t o n a tr e y the signific y, called Th ominated b n ceremon nd being n o a ti c ts u n d e in m e e l.” Th requir ourse of a “The Ordea Over the c te r. e le p rd m O o provement e c must rship in th n camp im e o b rk m o e candidate w m ; ll d f foo toward fu t to amounts o e first step s are mean ceive small re ; e Ordeal, is th c experience n le se e si h T in . ta rs in e a m om oth candidates ep apart fr weekend, cts; and sle je ro p e ic rv d other se lly. ice projects an and menta te the serv physically th o b . To comple ts 7 u 0 o c p S o y e o g Tr n challe ent the da ts from other Scou here we sp h w it n w e h 1 c 2 it 0 k up al in April 2 g Hearts so rvice for d my Orde ted our se at the Willin le g p in m I complete o rn c o e m hen w early in the go to our e needy. W nt, we met g Hearts to ibute to th tr in is ill d W requireme to ft le ls a nd d pack me uniforms, a re finally prepare an our Class A ed, we we d to lu c in n d o helping to e c g g n etin lunch, cha nce the me had a light meeting. O g n si lo the day we c e es. to attend th yed ourselv er’s house te, and enjo a , d e Scoutmast lk equently, it ta lence. We speaking fr si to r u d o se k u a bre are r s are in ou allowed to day, as we tegral word for a whole in t ie w u o q h y n a o flect nging to st led me to re was challe joyed it. It n e Although it lly a tu c carefully. and I a oose them xperience h e c e u ld d u iq o n u sh was a n. I accepte re. We ore OA cla able they a p a lu g va in S w o e h for th and y daily lives Clan Chief enhance m ecome the b to y it n ew it would u n k rt I o p s, p e o ti e ili th nsib was given d my respo Last year, I tly increase n a c ifi n g si it . ge. Though help others e events the challen chance to e th e m and manag e n iv la g p I d n f, a ie s h skill e lan C leadership oop 07. Th previous C 010, and Tr help of the 1 e p o th o h Tr it , 0 w ief, oop 1 As Clan Ch ctronic includes Tr (Mostly Ele lan which c O C re E o M p a d g lle ca re Sin , e campout for the enti h as Chess special onlin a s a w t ssions suc n se ve e e g t d n a e b c t ning meri most re e range of held an eve sted a wid y. We also o g h lo e o W n . h t) c u ital Te Campo ng, and Dig ave fun. oin Collecti C , g in m g out and h m n a h st Progra ju w Scouts to ce. It is a ssion to allo ic experien st ta n gaming se fa a g to be nd finishin Clan Chief hoolwork a role of OA sc e h th it d w n s u e iliti ve fo f responsib So far, I ha have always e Clan Chie ut leaders th o ll c a S e e g th a n d an to ma ake it work portunity challenge a great op naged to m is a It m . A ve O a h in I t im to jo ements, bu ll Scouts a ank requir I suggest a . d e d my Eagle R e e n me when to support been there lan. ill enjoy it. apore OA C and you w for the Sing oop 10 and
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Photos cour
Greek Goddess Day Camp
By Claire W., USAGSO Singapore Troop 21
Hi, I’m Claire. In this writing, I will talk about some of my experience in Girl Scout Day Camp 2022. The first thing was the super long bus ride! It was an hour! But I did get to sit with my friends in the back of the bus. Once we got there, we were directed into a small, but nice, theater. We were split into groups named after Greek goddesses. For example, I was in Aphrodite, and one of my friends was in Athena. Then we did color guard and the Girl Scout promise and law. I got to be in the Girl Scout Color Guard and I got to hold the Girl Scout Flag! The first activity for my group was tie-dying shirts. It was very fun and we got to write with fabric markers on white shirts and then choose which colors we wanted. There were only 3 colors - yellow, red, and blue. The second activity was the egg hunt. Basically we found one egg after another and each had a clue which led to a small activity, like a word search or a wordle on a whiteboard ( which I guessed immediately). After the egg hunt, we had lunch, which was really good. After lunch, we played outdoor games on a big field near the camp. It was so much fun! We then made flower crowns for Earth Day. Then we painted a flower pot and planted basil in them. That was also for Earth Day. For the next activity, I had some of the most intense pressure in my life. It was time for the big camp relay race. The first race was to carry someone on your back and run from cone to cone. My team had the fastest time. The second race was the human knot. First we had to get into a human knot with our arms, and then we tried to unknot ourselves. My team didn’t do too well on that one. The third one was using a spoon-type thing and tossing up a small ball while running. We did alright on that one. Then there were the finales. Luckily, my team got into the final. We did Bulldog Rush to decide who won. Someone on my team was the last one standing so we………. WON!! After the Camp Relay Race we all ate dinner. The dinner was also really good. Then we got to go back to the theater to do skits before the campfire. After the skits, we went to the campfire and we ate s’mores. We got to roast the marshmallows over an actual fire! Everyone was enjoying it, singing Girl Scout songs and just really enjoying the nice campfire. Then out of nowhere, came a wild boar! The camp leaders told all the girls to go to the theater and wait there until the bus came and all the girls who rode in a car there waited for their parents. That was the end of Girl Scout Camp 2022.
dys Pang
tesy of Gla
Photos cour
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Camping In the Time of COVID-19 By Zoë Arwas, BSA Troop 1010
Camping is a big part of scouting. The troop spends time together working on merit badges, rank requirements, and team building exercises. We learn important skills and it’s a great way to meet new people. I joined Troop 1010, the girls’ BSA Scout Troop in Singapore, in August 2019 when my friend Elizabeth took me to a meeting. There, I discovered all the different things Scouts did. The first thing I learned was how to set up a tent. It was an enjoyable experience because I was with a group of girls and we were all figuring it out together. Before COVID-19 struck, I was able to go on two troop campouts where I learned First Aid, navigation, orienteering, and cooking skills. Camping was exciting, but I didn’t get much sleep! During lockdown, we did online campouts where we slept in tents in our bedrooms, cooked meals for our families, and interacted with other Scouts over Zoom. Though we practiced important scouting skills, it wasn’t the same. Although overnight camping is still not allowed at the time of this writing, we recently started having day campouts at Sarimbun Scout Camp in northwest Singapore with Scouts from Troop 10. At a recent day campout, we learned orienteering. We converted UTM coordinates into latitude and longitude and took bearings with a compass. We also had to measure the height of the climbing wall without a ruler. I made my friend stand next to the climbing wall and counted how many boards tall she was. Then, I counted the total number of boards and worked out an answer based on how tall my friend was. We worked on basic camping skills like how and where to set up a tent and we practiced First Aid and CPR on dummies and learned how to use an AED machine to restart someone’s heart. Then, it was time to prepare lunch. Before a campout, one person per patrol is assigned Grub Master. The Grub Master plans meals for the campout and both cooks and directs other Scouts who help. An important lesson I learned from being Grub Master is that if something goes wrong, don’t panic. Be prepared to help your fellow Scouts. In the evening, I helped set up the bonfire. We stacked wood pieces in a tower formation and the Scoutmaster helped us pour kerosene over the wood. We waited until it soaked into the wood and then lit it and watched it burst into flames like in the movies. This campout was special because Cub Scouts were crossing over into our troops. We had a flag ceremony and the Cub Scouts crossed over a bridge that we built by lashing poles together with ropes. When the fire was low, we toasted marshmallows and enjoyed s’mores. We also entertained each other by performing skits. My troop performed a skit I wrote called “The Invisible Tent.” Camping is a lot of fun and, because COVID-19 restrictions are finally easing, I’m looking forward to finally being able to camp overnight again. I am especially looking forward to the weeklong Scout camp in Thailand this summer where I will have the chance to meet Scouts from all over Asia. Zoë Arwas is a First Class Scout in Troop 1010 and is the Den Chief supporting Pack 3010 Photos courtesy of Zoë Arwas
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living in s
Fueled by a strong interest in business and a passion for snow skiing, I was able to engineer a career that allowed me to have the best of both worlds, plus a wonderful family, the ability to travel the globe, and make a good living. After graduating with a Bachelor’s in 1989, I worked in the private sector for a few years at Pillsbury Company and Nordstrom. I decided I wanted to do something in international business, so I earned a Master’s Degree through a joint program at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark and Cal State Sacramento, where I met my wife, Dion. I then completed an internship in Washington, DC with the State Department, only to learn that the Commerce Department also had a Foreign Service. My dad was in business and I’d always been interested in travel, so the Commerce Department offered the perfect combination of having a career, making money, exploring the world, and hitting the slopes at the same time. Growing up around lakes, boating and water skiing were a big part of my childhood. I was born in Chicago, and then we moved to Central Florida, then to Northern Illinois to the Chain of Lakes – a rural area with 13 connected lakes that feed into a river going all the way to the Mississippi. My dad’s job then took us to the Sacramento area of California on Folsom Lake (Johnny Cash did, in fact, sing at the nearby prison). Throughout my school years, I developed a passion for skiing that started on the small hills of Illinois and peaked in California in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at Lake Tahoe. When it came to college, I was Midwest-oriented, but I had a dream to compete in ski racing and decided to attend Sierra College – a junior college in California that had one of the top ten US national ski teams. I signed up and made the “B” team, which provided a training program, a season’s pass, and I could earn college credits while skiing a few days a week. We were like a big family and my skiing improved a lot, thanks in part to our coach, a former Olympic skier. Some teammates went on to compete as World Cup racers, becoming major sports figures. Many of my best friends skied as much as possible, working as lift operators, and while being a “ski bum” was tempting, I considered my long-term prospects and decided to focus on a career without giving up my passion.
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singapore Humans of The Embassy Christopher Quinlivan Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs
Eventually, I started picking Foreign Service assignments where I could ski. From Belgium, it was a short drive to the Alps, where we regularly visited the US military base in Garmisch, Germany. The place has a lot of history and provides a recreation area where US troops and their families can ski. It is relatively cheap and had the comforts of home. From four years in Vienna, Austria to an unforgettable work trip to Santiago, Chile, where I experienced the Andes for the first time, I combined work and skiing whenever I could. Singapore is my ninth post and the furthest from snow, but it is not too far from Japan—my favorite place to ski. I am also hoping to ski the South Island of New Zealand before this tour ends. For me, the chance to live in Singapore was worth skiing less often for a few years. Singapore is definitely the warmest place I have spent Christmas, but there is plenty of commerce to keep me busy. The US is the largest foreign direct investor in Singapore, creating over 200,000 jobs and there is a lot going on behind the scenes. People may wonder how US companies get into new countries and the US Commercial Service at the Embassy plays a role by introducing business leaders and helping them find new markets. Looking at the holiday lights, I smile knowing that beyond the stores and sales on Orchard Road are many relationships that my team developed. I had a mentor early on who warned me that this profession takes you away from your family and friends and you end up losing touch with loved ones, but I would do it all over again. I have loved my career, the family Dion and I have built, the mountains I have conquered, and all the memories made. As a family, we settled on a place in Park City, Utah. Dion likes it because it is full of famous people and perfect for her passion, yoga, and I like it because I can walk to the slopes from my front door and the airport is only a 30-minute drive away. Our two youngest kids, Max and Fifi, are in Singapore and our oldest, Hugo, is in college in Canada. Someday I look forward to introducing their kids to skiing. While the Commerce Department is a great profession, skiing offers you freedom. You get the speed, rush, and sensation that you’re flying. There’s nothing else like it. It’s just you and gravity.
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Every day is a new discovery! Summer Semester at Singapore American School offers a wide variety of activities that excite, challenge, and engage young minds. Running over four weeks, your child can choose a different course each week, or deep dive into the same interest area across all four weeks. At Summer Semester, you’re spoiled for choice. With four weekly sessions running from June 13 through July 8, all activities are run by current SAS educators. Summer Semester is open to both SAS and non-SAS students, with a variety of programs specially tailored for children ages 3 to 14.
Ages: 11 to 14 years old From entrepreneurship to culinary arts, Summer Semester in middle school offers courses that will excite any middle school student while ensuring a balanced approach to learning.
Ages: 15 to 18 years old Summer Semester offers high school students a plethora of courses: ceramics, eco-adventures, writing workshops, and sports psychology!
When
Week 1: June 13 – 17 Week 2: June 20 – 24 Ages: 3 to 5 years old From craft to cooking, science to storytelling, Week 3: June 27 – July 1 dance to drama and painting to water play — the Week 4: July 4 – 8 Summer Semester early learning center has it all!
Ages: 6 to 8 years old
Registration and other details
Registrations open in April! Watch this space for Summer Semester offers an exciting and balanced updates, or watch this video to get a glimpse of program with the flexibility to discover and explore the fun at Summer Semester. passions. From piano camp, experimenting with clay, or learning Spanish in a fun and engaging way, there is an array of options for kids!
Ages: 9 to 10 years old Want to dive into different styles and forms of poetry? Or learn about drumming traditions from around the world? The choices are endless!
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Summer Fun
Planning on staying in Singapore for the summer? If so, you’re probably looking for something to keep your kids busy during the weeks they’re out of school. There are so many great options to choose from, whether you’re looking for sports, academics, art, or drama. This is just a brief list of what’s out there – some tried and tested by our own staff’s kids!
Another sports option is the Singapore Cricket Club. Open to kids age 4 and up, choose from rugby, soccer, tennis, cricket, field hockey, or a multi-sport camp.
For a wide range of activities in one setting, check out Kids Camp, with locations in Fort Canning, Sentosa, and East Coast. Camps are open to kids age 3 and up. Be sure to check out Newtonshow offers week-long camps their Teen Camp for older kids, too. beginning in late May and running through the end The Mindful Camp engages kids ages 5-12 of August, focusing on various science themes in activities based in mindfulness through arts, for kids ages 3-12. Additionally, they offer several sports, and nature. camps under different themes, including a Maker camp (ages 5-13); Tomato Cooking School (ages Sparkd Fitness works kids ages 5-13 both 6-14), with half-day and full-day programs that physically and mentally, exercising their muscles get kids in the kitchen; and Visualize, an art and and their minds. design camp (ages 6-14). For the young thespians in your life, Centre Camp Asia offers a wide range of camps for kids Stage School of the Arts and Singapore 3-16, from multi-activity to drama and cooking, Repertory Theatre have you covered with camps science and math, coding and LEGO robotics. in drama and acting. UFIT Sports for Life is perfect for the kids ages Outdoor School Singapore and Wildlings 4-15 who have a lot of energy to burn through. get kids outside and into the abundant nature Choose from a multi-sport program, mixed martial accessible to us here in the Lion City. From the arts, rubgy, and tennis. forest, to catchment areas and wetlands, your child won’t be bored – and they’ll be away from screens! LIVING IN SINGAPORE 25
Easter: Connections between the Christian and Cultural Aspects
By Marc Servos
Similar to Christmas, Easter is celebrated as a Christian holiday as well as a cultural one. It is characterized with church services celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Easter eggs and the Easter Bunny delivering them. The latter two may seem unconnected, but are actually derived from the holiday’s Christian roots (see below). Another notable observation is Good Friday, observing Jesus’ crucifixion two days prior to Easter Sunday, but associated celebrations extend several weeks prior, and even afterwards with what is commonly known as Eastertide.
anticipation of the penitential period of Lent. Seen as a cultural holiday period, Mardi Gras is marked by festivals and culminates on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, commencing Lent. This Tuesday is also known as Shrove Tuesday, and in the United Kingdom, it’s called Pancake Tuesday.
My own experiences of being affiliated with or otherwise exposed to different denominations have shown various ways of observing Lent and its conclusion during Holy Week. Lent commemorates the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert fasting. It is common in some denominations for followers to These celebrations are not on annual fixed days, choose to give up something during that period but rather are movable feasts on the Christian as a practice of penance. Eastern Christians liturgical calendar based on the lunisolar calendar begin Lent with Clean Monday, following the - a solar year plus a moon phase - similar to the same principle. Hebrew calendar. Based on all of that, Easter falls Holy Week on the first Sunday after the first full moon in Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, celebrating spring. In 2022, the holiday falls on April 17 in the Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Palm Western Gregorian Calendar and April 24 in the leaves, with which people greeted Him, are Eastern Julian Calendar. often given to church congregants on this day, What is Lent? one week before Easter Sunday. Holy Week is Mardi Gras, French for Fat Tuesday, is connected, also concurrent with the Jewish observance of perhaps indirectly, to the Easter season in Passover, celebrating the exodus of Israelites
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had been interned and his appearance to others afterwards as being resurrected. All-night vigils on Saturday, or Sunday sunrise services, are variably conducted.
Easter eggs The custom of Easter eggs can be traced to early Christians, symbolizing the empty tomb and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as fertilization and rebirth. This custom spread to the Eastern Church and later to the Roman Catholic Church (preReformation) in Western Europe. Some sources indicate that eating eggs was from slavery in Egypt. Jesus, who was born a Jew, prohibited during Lent in medieval times. During had come to Jerusalem to celebrate. that period, it was common practice in England Each day of Holy Week is significant. Lent itself for children to go door-to-door begging for eggs ends on Maundy Thursday, commemorating the prior to fasting for Lent. Last Supper. The Eucharist, commonly known as Chickens would produce eggs as they normally communion, is based on the Last Supper. Following the Last Supper were several important events: did during Lent, resulting in a surplus of eggs by Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, His the time they were allowed to be consumed. betrayal by Judas, and arrest by the Romans. Having to eat large amounts of them before Some denominations practice washing of the feet getting spoiled, eggs were typically boiled on Maundy Thursday, reflecting loving humility. A with flowers to give color as a decoration to practice in the Roman Catholic Church involves celebrate Easter. the visitation of other churches, known as Seven Easter Bunny Churches Visitation. Although not common Northwest European folklore presents a hare everywhere, it is common in Singapore (pre- giving Easter Eggs to children, commonly known COVID), and a practice which my Catholic wife as the Easter Bunny. This is also derived from looks forward to. There is in reality no set number the hare being a motif in medieval church art, of church visits by participants. sometimes associated with the Virgin Mary, Fasting on Good Friday is observed by some as a reflection of this mourning period. Several years ago in Singapore, I along with several other attendees at a church service helped a lady get on her feet when feeling weak after fasting, showing how far some commitments go. This is the day Christianity states that all the world’s sins were paid for on the Cross.
and as a three-hare motif, the Trinity. German
And two days later, Easter is celebrated, when it was discovered that there was an empty tomb where Jesus
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Lutherans originated the idea of the Easter Hare, similar to Santa Claus, as determining whether the children are naughty or nice. This idea was brought to America during the 18th century by German Protestant immigrants. The use of Easter baskets has been included in this concept.
Easter Sunday Easter Sunday commences Eastertide, also commonly known as Paschaltide, among other varying names. The Paschal greeting, also known as Easter Acclamation, is practiced on Easter Sunday, often with the greeting, “Christ is risen!” This is met with the response, “He is risen indeed!” In the Christian calendar, Eastertide continues for seven weeks, concluding on Pentecost Sunday, Eastertide’s 50th day. In many churches, the practice of adorning Easter lilies at the chancel, the space around the altar, is a symbol of the Resurrection.
The celebrations of Easter eggs have included hiding eggs in the home for children to find and organizing Easter eggs rolls. The latter has been practiced annually on the White House’s South Lawn, hosted by the President and First Lady on Easter Monday, since the 1870s and at various other locations locally going back to the 1850s. Tradition says Dolly Madison hosted the first one Easter customs go beyond what is illustrated in 1814 (months before the White House being here, and these vary among different cultures set afire). and Christian denominations.
New clothes Wearing new clothes is also often practiced, another symbol of rebirth. This dates back to the early Christian observance of the holiday, and it is said that Roman emperor and Christian convert Constantine the Great ordered his court to wear their nicest new clothing on Easter Sunday during the 4th century. Wearing new clothes remained common during medieval times and is still practiced by some today. Arguably reflecting this concept, Easter parades are held in various locations, notably New York City, and these are often informal and unorganized, with or without religious significance, where people stroll wearing fashionable clothing.
Have a happy and wonderful Easter!
Easter food A traditional Easter dinner is lamb, symbolizing Jesus being the sacrificial lamb on His crucifixion. The sacrificial lamb is also mentioned in the Old Testament, a practice of the Hebrew people before Christianity. Over time, Easter chocolates and candy, often in the shape of eggs or the Easter Bunny, have come into play in this celebration. The sacrificial lamb has been celebrated with a cake formed in the image of a lamb.
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Marc Servos is a Fort Wayne native, Indiana University graduate and U.S. Army vet, including being assigned to Germany in the mid-1980s and later as an officer in the Indiana Army National Guard. He is married to a Singaporean and has been living here for a number of years. He has two children, ages 20 and 12.
Fancy an Easter Brunch?
With group sizes up to ten, it’ll be tempting to get out with friends and family we haven’t been able to dine out with in quite a while, and take advantage of some great Easter brunch options. It feels like we’re slowly getting back to normal, giving us reason to celebrate. Here’s a brief list of some Easter happenings around town. Lawry’s The Prime Rib Singapore is all set to join in on the celebrations in true American style — with a mouth-watering feast and their customary Best Dressed Children Contest. The set menu features the restaurant’s famous Roasted USDA Prime Rib of Beef. Children will receive a limitededition kid’s mask with every kid’s menu ordered, while adults get a $50 dining voucher for use on the next visit with every bill.
Negroni and Tiger draught. Or, opt for a brunch heavy on seafood at La Brasserie. At Clifford Pier, the Heritage Dim Sum brunch will return on Easter Sunday. For an Easter buffet with a French twist, check out Racines at Sofitel Singapore City Center. The newly opened Hilton Singapore Orchard will offer a family-friendly brunch, with kids activities including an Easter egg hunt and pottery making classes. Prefer to stay home, but don’t want to cook everything yourself? Little Farms has you covered with some traditional items, including a lamb shoulder and ribeye roast, available for pre-order.
Maybe you don’t want a full brunch, but want to do something with a little bit of Easter flair. Black Tap Craft The W Singapore - Sentosa Cove will offer a Burgers and Beer will Great Eggscape buffet of Easter-inspired specials have a limited edition in two seatings. Peeps Shake, topped with M&Ms, sprinkles, At The Fullerton Bay Hotel, enjoy a lavish and of course, yellow Easter brunch at Town, with free-flow house marshmallow chicks. wine, champagne, Bloody Mary, Gin & Tonic, LIVING IN SINGAPORE 29
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Keep the kids entertained this school holiday at XCL Camps with a range of exciting and inspiring programs. There are seven different holiday camps to choose from, and each one promises to be educational and loads of fun, too! The camps allow children to try new activities that are memorable, and each one is conducted by passionate and engaging educators. This year, children can look forward to multi-activity camps where they’ll get to learn new skills and make new friends. Additionally, XCL Camps is running a new Science Explorers camp for your budding Einstein, Aviation and Drones for little ones who adore mechanical flight, Game Design with Minecraft for the little gamer, Star Chef Academy to hone the next Wolfgang Puck, and XSports for those who love staying active. There’s even a STEM Junior camp! You may want to sign up ASAP because we know many a mama who raves about XCL Camps!
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The Artist – Art Studio, Star Chef Academy and Stage Drama
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The Techie- Coding, Game Design with Roblox/ Minecraft and Robotics
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The Scholar- STEAM Explorer, Science Explorer, Mandarin Explorer and EAL
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The Athlete- XSports
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The All-rounder- Multi-Activity
The cost of our camps starts from S$650 for a 5-day camp program. Our all-inclusive packages include healthy meals (lunch and snack), six hours of fun activities, quality child-care for your child, all necessary supplies, and an XCL Camp t-shirt. The camps run from Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Upcoming camp dates: •
April 4 to 14, 2022
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June 20 until the end of July 2022
All XCL Camps are held at XCL World Academy (2 Yishun Street 42, 768039). Located just 20 minutes away from Singapore City Center, the campus is easily accessible by car, public transport and MRT. We offer a bus service with convenient selected pick-up and drop-off locations such as Somerset, Novena, Newton, Holland Village, and Bishan at an additional cost of S$100 per camp per week. As places fill up fast, we do recommend booking early to secure your preferred camps. Not sure if this camp is the best fit for your child, or have some questions about the camps? We would be happy to help you choose and answer any questions you might have. Just email us at info@xclcamps.com or call us at 6808 7324.
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By Asif R. Chowdhury By Asif Chowdhury
About two billion Muslims around the world will soon start the annual observation of the month-long Ramadan. Most non-Muslims, and even many Muslims, today associate observing Ramadan primarily with fasting or refraining from eating or drinking anything from dawn to sunset. It is common to hear remarks and conversation revolving mostly around the fasting aspect of the Ramadan such as, “Are you fasting today?” or “…not eating or drinking anything whole day sounds too difficult. I could never do that.” While indeed the day-long fasting is a significant part of observing Ramadan, it also requires following a path of decency and righteousness during this holy season. Along with the body, practicing Ramadan is supposed to cleanse one’s mind and soul.
The calendar Ramadan is the name of the ninth month in the Arabic calendar which follows the pure lunar cycle. The Lunar year (354 days) is roughly ten days shorter compared to a solar year (365 days) as it follows the 12 cycles of the moon. The traditional Chinese, Hindu and Jewish calendars also follow the lunar cycle, but they add an extra month periodically to allow the adjustment to the seasons. This is known as the lunisolar calendar. 32 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
The significance of following the pure lunar calendar is that the month of Ramadan shifts every year compared to the solar or Georgian calendar. So, Ramadan can be in the middle of the winter with very short days, but many years later it can also be in the midst of scorching summer with very long days. This annual shift does not have meaningful implications in countries which are closer to the equator, such as in Singapore, since the length of the day doesn’t shift radically with the changes of the seasons. Imagine having to fast in a country such as Norway during the peak of summer where the day can be more than 22-hours long. This year the month of Ramadan is scheduled to start in early April.
History It is believed that Ramadan has been a special month in Arabia even before the advent of Islam. It was a month when many people retreated from the worldly deeds to meditate and contemplate. The Quran was first revealed to Prophet Mohammad on a night during this holy month inside a cave on top of Mount Hira in Mecca. The special night is known as Laylat al-Qadr or the Night of Power. While the exact date of the revelation is not known, Muslims believe that it is
during the last ten days of the month of Ramadan scholars, Imam Ibn Rajab, some pious predecessor so these last ten days hold a special meaning to Muslim scholars were once asked why fasting was made part of the Ramadan. Their response Muslims worldwide. was, “So that the rich will taste hunger and thus Practices will not forget the hungry.” Indeed, it serves as a A typical day of fasting starts with Muslims good reminder as to how it feels to go without waking up before dawn to partake in suhur, the food, something many of us are lucky enough not traditional pre-dawn meal. Typically, families will to have to worry about. Almost a billion people gather around the dining table and eat the suhur worldwide go to bed every night with an empty meal together. It is followed by the first prayer stomach. Refraining from food and drinks during of the day, Fajr. Food or drinks are allowed until Ramadan allows Muslims to empathize with the just before sunrise. The end of the fasting day is less fortunate. The practice also teaches us not to marked by iftar, or the meal to break the fast right be unnecessarily wasteful. after sunset. It is common to partake in iftar with broader families and friends. Many families cook While Muslims don’t fast for health reasons, traditional foods for iftar. fasting has some long-term health benefits, according to some of the latest research. Long Along with refraining from food and drinks before the observation of Ramadan, the ancient during daytime, Muslims are required to follow Greeks practiced fasting to heal the body. a path of righteousness during this holy month. Today, many doctors and health professionals For example, Muslims are not allowed to lie, advocate some form of fasting for physical and speak ill of others or gossip, quarrel or fight, mental wellbeing. Michael Mosley, who made cause harm to others, use obscene language, and so on. They are also required to be more kind, forgiving, giving, and understanding while trying to take care of the poor and the needy and mend ill relationships. Muslims are also encouraged to meditate, contemplate, and reflect both on the temporal and the spiritual world. They also need to refrain from various earthly pleasures. For example, engaging in any sexual activities during daytime is not allowed. Essentially, it is a month when every Muslim is required to behave, be decent and try to be better human beings. While fasting intermittent fasting popular through his 2012 TV cleanses one’s body, these other important documentary, Eat, Fast and Live Longer, and his tenets allow the purification of one’s mind and best-selling book, The Fast Diet, claims that done soul. Ramadan acts as a month-long physical properly, fasting can have significant positive and spiritual re-booting if done right. These other effect on one’s physical and mental health. Fasting key tenets are sometimes harder to follow than gives our digestive system a break, allowing our the ritual of fasting but are essential parts of body to remove toxins. Mosely also claims that observing Ramadan. intermittent fasting “has shown to protect brain Fasting cells and could reduce depression and anxiety, as Still, fasting remains a key aspect of this holy well as the risk of developing dementia.” Fasting month. According to one of the great Muslim is commonly practiced today by many healthLIVING IN SINGAPORE 33
conscious individuals. (However, one should as Hari Raya Puasa). On this very special occasion, check with their physician to ensure that fasting Muslims all over the world celebrate spending time and feasting with their families, friends, is appropriate.) and loved ones. It will be celebrated on May 3 in Exception to fasting is allowed for relevant Singapore this year which is a public holiday. medical conditions and illness or some other temporary conditions such as traveling. But More than fasting If spiritual cleansing is equally important, Muslims are required to make up for it at a later time if and when possible. For those who are why is only fasting primarily associated with absolutely unable to fast due to medical reasons, Ramadan? Perhaps it is because fasting is they are exempt. However, there are no excuses something very tangible and easily measurable. not to follow the other key tenet of being a decent It is easy to ascertain if Muslims are fasting in observation of Ramadan while it is not so easy human being! to ascertain if they are being forgiving, truthful Eid-al-Fitr and kind – the other not-so-visible yet equally Instead of relying solely on the math of important aspects of Ramadan. But refraining astronomy, many countries and communities from foods and drinks from dawn to sunset and insist on following the centuries old tradition of not observing these other key tenets means not the actual sighting of the new moon to mark the practicing and participating in the true spirit of beginning of Ramadan. As a result, the beginning Ramadan. Prophet Mohammad had said that, “[i] and the ending of the Ramadan can vary by a day f one does not avoid lies and false conduct, God between countries and locations (new moon is has no need that he should abstain from his food not in the same state at the same time globally). and his drink.” So, the observation of Ramadan This year the month of Ramadan is scheduled to has as much to do with being a decent human start in early April. In Singapore, April 3 will be the being as it is with fasting. It truly is more than just first day of Ramadan. So, this will be the first day a hunger game. of fasting for Muslims living here. The last day for fasting will be May 2. The 30-day observation of Ramadan is followed by the biggest Muslim celebration of Eid-al-Fitr or simply Eid for short (in Malay language it is known
Asif is part of the executive management team of a global semiconductor company and has written for various magazines and trade journals. Asif spent four years as an expatriate in Tokyo, Japan, and three years in Seoul, South Korea, which led him to travel extensively in those countries and across the region. He currently lives in Singapore with his wife and son, while his daughter is working in his home state of Texas.
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STAMFORD AMERICAN’S BILINGUAL PROGRAM UNIQUE ONEBILINGUAL-TEACHER APPROACH TRUSTED BY PARENTS Stamford American has developed its innovative one-bilingual-teacher approach in which students are given immersive exposure to Mandarin to help them learn. Classes are taught by bilingual teachers who are masters of both languages, and with extensive experience in teaching in a bilingual environment. The bilingual program gives learners equal exposure to the English and Mandarin languages in the subjects and concepts taught within their grade and is offered from Pre-K to Grade 5.
Scan to learn more
21/2/2020 – 20/2/2024
Stamford American International School CPE Registration Number: 200823594D Period of registration: August 10, 2018 to August 9, 2022
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HEAD SPACE
Welcome to the Head Space column, where we’ll discuss all matters related to mental health and how it relates to our lives here in Singapore. By Andrea McKenna Brankin
Happy Tails and Tales: Dogs Make Everything Better Since the COVID-19 pandemic started in early 2020, we’ve all noticed how many more dogs are now in Singapore. Puppies, babies, new businesses, working from home and fold-up cycling all seemed to explode as people had the chance to decide just when the right time was to do things that mattered and made an impactful change. All around me and my family, neighbors were getting dogs and making them part of their pack. Adding a family member of the furry kind is no small task, as it’s a major life adjustment. But everyone seemed happy with the change including waking up for morning walks, as well as additions to the weekly grocery bill and even in education (via doggy training and daycare). I have it on good authority that getting dog can change your life. I know it did for me! I was lucky enough to be able to rescue a pitbull named Loki back in 2003 amidst a difficult time dealing with Bipolar Disorder. Loki gave me purpose and the unconditional love and support that I needed to rebuild my life. After Loki died in 2009, I took a really long time to decide when to get another dog.
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[You can read more about how Loki became my psychiatric service dog and assisted me with managing the illness and getting to a point where I could reclaim mental health wellness in my book, Bipolar Phoenix, available on Amazon.] Enter Sunny. Two years into the pandemic, I was struggling, mainly with my relationship with my little girl, age 9, who I believe had just had it with all the isolation of COVID-19 restrictions and regulations. I knew we all needed a boost of love and affection in the family and came to the conclusion that adding a dog to our lives was the right thing to do at just the right time. Yes, we had to consider adding walks, dog park visits, feeding times and obedience training to our daily family routine, but it was time. We asked around to our friends who were happy with the places they’d gotten their dogs and settled on a place that imported “doodles” from the United Kingdom. Though labradoodles and goldendoodles have become extremely popular here on the East Coast, based on daily our walks
in East Coast Park, we decided to take it down a size notch and seek out a cockapoo, which is a mix between a cocker spaniel and a poodle. That’s when we found Sunny, our own “cockadoodle,” as I said when we came into the adoption center. There he was, this gorgeous orange fluffy pupster in a huge cage of white goldendoodles. He was our guy, I knew it. I asked the assistant to bring him out and she immediately put the puppy in my daughter’s arms. Yep, he was the right one, as the assistant noted that most people don’t get to hold the puppies right away upon viewing.
shown that doggy love can heal, going back to that unconditional and non-judgmental support theory. That companionship also counters loneliness. Pets encourage nurturing. Experts says nurturing is often a learned behavior and it comes from taking care of someone, or something, else. Feeding, petting, walking and training a dog can surely offer a wide range of ways to learn how taking care of a life. This has important benefits, not the least of which is the satisfaction of seeing their pet happy. Pets help bond families.
Families can not only enjoy cuddles and playtime with their new puppy or dog, but also can join together in the activities that make having After some paperwork and payments, Sunny a dog the most fun, such came home to us a few days later. And we were as walking, running, playing in Puppy Heaven! ball and even swimming. As the dog becomes a focal point, But don’t take my word for it. Many mental families can work together to make him or her health experts say getting a family dog can be feel welcome and at home. a huge benefit to kids and families. According to an article from Parents.com, “The Benefits I know by adding Sunny to our lives our family is of Pets for Kids,” pets, in general, can help with now happier overall. My daughter has the “sibling” the following: we could not give her and nothing beats having a doggy wake you up on a Monday morning after a Pets can help with learning. long weekend. Children (and even some adults) can benefit from having a non-judgmental “listener” as they So, if you’ve been tinkering with the idea of take a shot at reading or doing homework with adding a fur baby to the mix, take a look around the family dog around. Many schools have pet at people who have done so. Evaluate your own therapy and also have incorporated reading values and options. Then you can make the right programs to build confidence by having a dog call for your family. Even though we were the last there with them. of our friends to adopt a dog, I knew we would Pets provide emotional comfort.
not regret it.
Sunny is here to “stay” and we’re “sitting” right When kids and adults experience strong along with him. emotions, cuddling with their best furry friend can help lower anxiety. Many studies have
Andrea has been a journalist for more than 30 years, writing about financial, lifestyle and mental health topics. Her book, Bipolar Phoenix: My F’ed Up Life and How I Fixed It (available on Amazon.com), was released on World Mental Health Day in 2020. She has lived in Singapore for 11 years with her husband, Chris and young daughter, Georgia.
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JUST BACK: PIMALAI RESORT AND SPA A LITTLE SLICE OF HEAVEN MAKING A HUGE IMPACT FOR GOOD
BY LAUREN RAPS
“It’s what Phuket was 30 years ago,” remarks Charintip Tiyaphorn, owner and representative of Pimalai Resort and Spa, as we sat peacefully listening to the waves lap onto the shore of Pimalai’s sandy beach. Pimalai Resort was built by Charintip’s family nearly 30 years ago, when her father, Anurat Tiyaphorn, discovered this part of Thailand while on a business trip in Krabi. He met a few local people who introduced him to Koh Lanta and rented a longtail boat to explore beaches on Koh Lanta and found Ba Kan Tiang beach, where Pimalai is today. Its name in English means, “a little slice of heaven,” and what the Tiyaphorn family has created in this beautiful cove on Koh Lanta Island is exactly that. Charintip was a child when her family bought the land, and she remembers all five of them sleeping at the construction site, in temporary housing, as they spent all of her school holidays overseeing the creation 38 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
of Pimalai and laying the foundation for what has become one of Thailand’s best resorts, and also one of its most sustainable. While creating a sustainable resort was paramount to the family as they created Pimalai, designing a luxurious and intimate experience for guests was as important. With beautifully
Excursions include diving, snorkeling, and kayaking around the gorgeous limestone mountain islands that dot the sea, a mangrove tour on an authentic long-tail boat , or a sunset boat ride. appointed and sizable state rooms and villas, quality dining establishments and bars, and the kindest, most attentive staff, it is a treat to stay at such a resort while also knowing its positive impact on its local environment and community.
villas dot the coastline and then the resort climbs vertically up the mountain. It’s built in a way so that it blends in with its natural surroundings with infinity saltwater pools and numerous, tucked-away areas to lounge the day away staring out at the sea.
Pimalai’s footprint on the island is not large. Its beach
It’s a resort that ticks all of the boxes people seek for a
holiday. A quick, ninety-minute flight from Singapore to Krabi, where you will be picked up by your driver, then a 45-minute drive to the town dock, and your vacation begins when you board the private boat shuttle to Pimalai’s shoreline. The car transfer and boat ride are included in the rate, and I must say, the boat ride through the Andaman Sea would probably be an excursion many guests would want to take regardless of its necessity in this case.
holiday. You can spend the day secluded in your private pool villa, or at the two resort pools steps away from the beach. Located near a national park, Pimalai does not support motorized water sports with the exception of its fleet of boats, but kayaks, paddle boards, and other beach activities are offered complimentary for guests, as is the kid’s club which hosts two daily activities for the littlest guests (but guests are free to utilize throughout the day).
Pimalai would be an ideal destination for a romantic getaway, girls’ trip, or for a family
Excursions offered include diving, snorkeling, and kayaking around the gorgeous limestone
Charintip Tiyaphorn, owner
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mountain islands that dot the sea, a mangrove tour on an authentic long-tail boat combined with lunch and a tour of Koh Lanta’s village, a sunset boat ride, or stay back at the hotel for a Thai cooking class with their head chef. Or better yet, stay at the hotel and take advantage of the oasis that is the Pimalai Spa. Tucked away on the resort, the spa is a destination in itself, with streams flowing through the shaded pathways which take guests to their individual huts to enjoy such treatments as Bamboo and authentic Thai Pra Kob massages. A full-service gym, tennis and basketball courts, yoga classes, and a Thai boxing gym can help make your holiday as active as you would like it to be.
Hotels have come out of the COVID-19 pandemic in so many ways, and just like us humans, we all had the choice about how we wanted to spend these trying years. Pimalai chose to take care of their staff; they chose to renovate some of their rooms and common space; and they chose to come out of these dark days renewed and ready to greet their guests once again with the kindest hospitality.
probably knows I will return…as most guests do. Pimalai Resort and Spa is offering AAS members a special Stay 5 Pay 4 promotion until September 30, 2022. The hotel is also offering a 20% discount for the general public which can be combined with this promotion. E-mail lauren@travelprospect .com to inquire.
It is one of those hotels where the staff remembers your name, and how you like your coffee and tea on day two of your stay, and will remember again when you return on your next visit. “We want to keep Pimalai as our sanctuary forever,” says Charintip. “And we train the staff to provide service from the heart, and to be a good example.” And in that, we say goodbye for now as she
Lauren Raps is an AAS member and founder of Travel Prospect, a leisure travel planning company and member of Virtuoso. She has lived in Singapore since December 2020 with her husband and three sons. LIVING IN SINGAPORE 41
Travel Sustainably, Enjoy Life and Save the Planet By Richard Hartung
After two years with little or no travel, many people are ready to fly away as soon as they can. Travel for pleasure or business has a massive impact on climate change, though, so it’s important to travel sustainably.
Travel has a Big Impact Indeed, the travel and tourism sector creates as much as 11 percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, according to research cited by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). So even though travel and tourism also accounts for more than ten percent of global GDP and drives employment opportunities as well as economic growth worldwide, the WTTC said the sector has the responsibility and potential to be a catalyst for profound system change.
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With the impact of travel being so large, it might seem like the actions any one person takes might make little difference. In reality, though, simple steps to travel more sustainably can limit GHG emissions and help change the world.
Travel Green There are actually are a multitude of relatively straightforward steps each of us can take to reduce our personal impact on climate change tremendously. It starts with our flight. Rather than taking lots of short trips, for instance, taking one longer trip on a non-stop flight can be more enjoyable and causes less climate impact. Whereas a nonstop flight from Los Angeles to the Philippines travels 7,292 miles, according to Sustainable
it’s tempting to use electricity that the hotel pays for, you can mitigate climate change by turning off the lights, TV, mini fridge and digital devices when you’re not using them. Some green hotels use energy from renewable sources, less water, and natural furnishings. And with more airlines taking action to The environment at an eco-friendly hotel can reduce climate change, selecting the right one then be healthier than at a traditional hotel is important, too. Air France/KLM is investing because the materials used in construction, in alternative fuels such as biofuel, Travel & paint, furnishings, and cleaning products avoid Leisure magazine noted, while Alaska Airlines ingredients that pollute or release toxins into has a “Greener Skies” program and United’s the air. “Eco-Skies” program has improved its planes’ While staying in one place rather than taking fuel efficiency by more than 30 percent many side trips reduces your carbon footprint, since 1994. it has many other benefits. You can deepen As you get ready for your trip, consider your appreciation for the place by walking traveling lighter. Transporting heavier luggage around and interacting with locals so you really uses more fuel. STI found that reducing your get to know the area. Tour company Trafalgar baggage by 15 pounds (6.8kg) decreases suggests choosing a local tour guide, drinking emissions by about 80 pounds (36.2kg) on a local beer and wines, and enjoying local dishes. ten-hour flight. Local foods are tastier, support local food When you arrive at your destination, buses producers, and keep food transport miles low. and trains are more climate-friendly options for Offsetting your carbon footprint side trips. Whereas rail travel creates 14 grams Inevitably, though, travel has an of CO2 emissions per passenger mile, according environmental impact. While reducing the to the European Environment Agency, air travel impact is most important, offsetting GHGs creates 285 grams per mile and cars create caused by your travel can be beneficial. You can 158 grams. Taking a train can cut 90 percent off purchase carbon offsets such as planting trees CO2 emissions. at organizations such as Sustainable Travel Hotels International, Native, Carbonfund.org, and As you choose where to stay, consider a Tomorrow’s Air. hotel with a lower carbon footprint. Hotels that In the end, it’s important to relax, reconnect use energy efficient fixtures and appliances, with family or friends and enjoy your trip. At the renewable energy and locally-sourced products same time, travel will be even more meaningful are better. You can use Google to search for when you make small changes that have a huge eco-certified hotels or look for “green hotels” impact by mitigating climate change. on Trip Advisor. And once you’re in the hotel, reduce energy and water usage. Even though Travel International (STI), adding a layover in Taiwan comes in at about 7,600 miles. Those 300 extra miles add about 163 pounds (74 kg) of carbon dioxide (CO2) to each passenger’s carbon footprint.
Richard is the Managing Director of Transcarta and a freelance writer for Today, Challenge, The Asian Banker and other media, as well as corporate clients. He is also the author of Changing Lanes, Changing Lives. Richard is a consultant in retail banking, focusing on payments strategy and efficiency, with more than 20 years of experience in Asia. You can read more from Richard at www.richardhartung.com.
LIVING IN SINGAPORE 43
TRAVEL SOUTHEAST ASIA Keen to travel now that restrictions have loosened further? Read on for the current rules (as of April 1, 2022) for quarantine-free travel in the region, and start planning that well-deserved break. Happy quarantine-free travels!
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SINGAPORE Re-entry to Singapore is as close to normal as it has been in more than two years. Gone are the expensive VTLs and the pesky VTPs, replaced now with the VTF – Vaccinated Travel Framework. Vaccinated travelers no longer need to take a specific flight, or apply for a pass to enter Singapore. Those who are fully vaccinated will no longer need to quarantine if they have not visited any countries in the past seven days that are on the Ministry of Health’s Restricted Category. Currently, there are no countries in this category. A predeparture test is still required before traveling to Singapore. Do note that short-term visitors will still need to purchase travel insurance with a minimum coverage of S$30,000.
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CAMBODIA Fully vaccinated travelers to Cambodia simply need to present proof of their full COVID-19 vaccination, and obtain the necessary visa where applicable. Health insurance which covers COVID-19 is encouraged, but not required. Pre-departure and on-arrival tests are not required.
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MALAYSIA Perhaps one of the most exciting border openings for many in Singapore is that of Malaysia. Travelers will once again be able to enter Malaysia with proof of vaccination, pre-departure and arrival tests, and travel insurance with a minimum coverage of US$20,000. Travelers will also need to download the MySejahtera app. The land borders with Malaysia are also re-opened, without the need for quarantine or testing.
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INDONESIA Bali has re-opened to tourists, requiring fully-vaccinated travelers to present proof of vaccination, as well as both pre-departure and on-arrival PCR tests. Travel insurance must also be purchased. The PeduliLindungi app must be downloaded, which is used to complete an electronic Health Alert Card. Visa on arrival is available to those from 42 countries, including the US, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. The Batam-Bintan-Singapore travel bubble follows the same protocols as Bali, in terms of testing and health insurance. The bubble has been expanded to allow for visa on arrival to nationals of several countries, including the US, Australia, and the UK, who are permanent residents in Singapore. As of this writing, Bali and the Riau Islands (Batam and Bintan) are the only areas of Indonesia open to tourists. LIVING IN SINGAPORE 45
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THAILAND Travelers to Thailand need to first apply for a Thailand Pass, and may enter under the Test & Go scheme, or the Sandbox program. Thailand no longer requires a pre-departure test on fully-vaccinated travelers, and the minimum number of days required to stay under the Sandbox program is five, down from seven. Fully-vaccinated travelers from low-risk countries are required to stay in a Test and Go Hotels for at least one night on Day 1 before they are permitted to travel to other parts of Thailand. An arrival test and a self-ART on day five are still required. Travelers must also have travel insurance with a minimum coverage of US$20,000.
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VIETNAM To the delight of many travelers, Vietnam has re-opened its borders. To visit quarantinefree, travelers must take a pre-departure test, obtain the necessary visa where applicable, and purchase travel insurance with a minimum coverage of US$10,000. Visitors must also download and use the PCCOVID app, which is similar to our TraceTogether app.
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Getting Your Helper Home The past two years have been hard on us all, being so far away from family, unable to travel easily. This hardship includes helpers from the Philippines. Now, at long last, many are able to travel back, but getting there is complicated, to say the least. The paperwork involved is enough to make your head swim, so be sure to work with your helper to get it all done. Here’s what you need to know as of this writing.
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PRINT AND SIGN: OFW Form Standard employment contract plus the undertaking of employer.
MAKE EMBASSY APPOINTMENT: However, there are no appointments available online through April! One option is to try to schedule an appointment by writing directly to the embassy at polosg2021@gmail.com. Icon looks like this:
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GET INSURANCE BOND Before your embassy appointment, you’ll need to get an insurance bond which starts the date the day of your appointment. The cost is $67. If you have an issue getting the documents, call: 6788-6616, extension 2 and then 3.
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DAY OF APPOINTMENT Your helper will need to take the following with her to the appointment: • Signed contract, original & copy • Signed letter of undertaking, original & copy • Two photocopies of the helper’s passport • Two photocopies of the helper’s work pass • Two photocopies of the employer work pass • Passport/ID • A copy of NTUC insurance bond • A printout of appointment confirmation • Cash: $103 + $96.50 + $36
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BEFORE DEPARTURE Your helper will need a certification that she is vaccinated. Here’s how she gets one. 1. Register helper for SingPass. Note that this can take up to three days to process. Make sure your helper has her own email address before starting 2. When SingPass is set up, request the health certification.
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BEFORE DEPARTURE Purchase travel insurance Download TrazeContact on her phone, an app in the Philippines similar to TraceTogether.
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THREE DAYS PRIOR ARRIVAL IN THE PHILIPPINES Register your helper with the OneHealthPass program.
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WITHIN 48 HOURS BEFORE FLYING TO PHILIPPINES Take a PCR test in Singapore.
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THREE DAYS BEFORE ARRIVAL IN SINGAPORE Complete the arrival card.
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Information courtesy of "Real Singapore Expat Wives" Facebook group.
WITHIN 48 HOURS BEFORE ARRIVAL IN SINGAPORE Take PCR test or an ART if she is flying on a VTL flight. Here’s a list of labs in the Philippines. And here’s another list, this one of supervised ART providers. Make sure the test result document has the following info: • Helper’s name • One personal identifier (i.e. date of birth or passport number) • Negative COVID-19 test result • The date your COVID-19 test was taken • The name of the testing institution
ARRIVAL IN SINGAPORE Unsupervised self-swab ART test Report results here.
BUSINESS TRAVELERS RETURN TO LESS-CROWDED SKIES By Faith Chanda
Global crises have a way of exposing truths. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, we learned how essential our “essential workers” truly are, and that most of the time their pay doesn’t reflect their value. Employers and employees showed their true colors: where some employers handled the ever-changing situation with empathy and ethics, others failed their workers spectacularly. Employees such as first responders and frontline workers were rightfully hailed as heroes, and many went above and beyond to help keep people safe and businesses afloat in troubled times. Some of the biggest adjustments happened in the travel industry as the world closed borders to try to contain the virus. As a result, business travel ground to a halt. Virtual meetings and working from home became the norm, almost overnight. In late 2020, Bill Gates anticipated the effect this would have on post-pandemic life: “My prediction would be that over 50% of business travel and over 30% of days in the office will go away.” Now that most of the world believes we have come through the worst of it, we are beginning to see what changes may be here to stay.
This could have been an email. The saying used to go, “This meeting could have been an email,” but COVID-related travel restrictions showed that many business trips “could have been” virtual meetings all along. Zoom and Microsoft Teams have been on the receiving end of the jackpot, with arguably one of the most important meetings of modern global politics, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky addressing NATO, happening virtually. The availability and quality of online meeting technology makes it hard to contend that such a large percentage of business meetings need to be in person anymore. While travel budgets and priorities most certainly have changed, that doesn’t mean face-to-face interactions have entirely disappeared. At the Singapore Airshow 2022 media roundtable in January 2022, Changi Airport Group’s (CAG) Lim Ching Kiat predicted, “I think some essential business travel will return. People also want to establish new relationships. They can maintain existing relationships via video calls, but nothing beats networking in person to forge new partnerships.” Victoria Magaz, Sales Lead, APAC for Microsoft, agrees. She was back in the air quickly once travel became possible again. “I had team members and customers that I’d never met in person because of the travel restrictions. So as soon as I could make it work, it was really important to me to physically go there to connect with them in real life.” Lim, Changi’s Managing Director of Airhub Development, also suggested that businesses feel the “need to get back to their customers, before their competitors close in.” After having not been around for so long, business travelers are also looking forward to re-engaging with colleagues and clients alike. “Relationship building in person takes a deeper dimension, a more personal dimension, too, and it’s very important to instill trust to get our partners to share more with us so we can both get the most out of our partnership,” says Sandrine Louvel, a sales executive at a large multinational corporation.
Passenger movement is on the rise. As restrictions loosen, the statistics tell the story. In December 2021, Changi Airport saw the highest level of passenger movement since the start of the pandemic. And passenger movement in just January and February of this year are already nearly half of those of the entire year of 2021. While these numbers include leisure travel as well as business travel, it indicates a significant recovery from the critically low numbers in 2020 and 2021. The implications from the global travel downturn will undoubtedly change the face of travel forever. With the birth of new and start-up airlines outpacing the demise of existing airlines, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the renewed competition will hopefully turn around the floundering industry and drive prices down from the shocking levels seen as of late. Processes and procedures will undoubtedly change too, also for the better it seems. Changi Airport reports contactless systems will, for the most part, stay in place while digital ticketing and check in will be facilitated and encouraged in order to improve efficiency and reduce health risks. LIVING IN SINGAPORE 49
Career Resource Center for Excellence (CRCE) is now
ARE YOU LOOKING TO DEVELOP YOURSELF PROFESSIONALLY OR PERSONALLY IN SINGAPORE? If so, CareerSource is the place for you! CareerSource is for individuals residing in Singapore who are: • job hunting in Singapore • contemplating a career change • looking to get back into the workforce • wanting to further develop their professional skills • considering entrepreneurship • interested in personal development
MEMBER BENEFITS Job Search • Exclusive access to a members-only jobs board • Weekly email alerts with the latest jobs • Upload your resume for employers to review
Workshops & Events • Member pricing to workshops and events • Complimentary admission to one workshop • Access to selected AmCham events
Join CareerSource today! Membership begins on the day you join for 12 months. CareerSource membership is $220. If you’re a current AAS member, for an additional $100, you can add CareerSource access. Talk to us about joining now! careersource@aasingapore.com
