Living in Singapore Magazine - April/May 2023

LIVING IN

April/May 2023

THE STORY OF THE SINGAPORE QUAYS

From shipping hubs to entertainment centers

MOVING AGAIN?

How to move your career with success

FINDING SOFTBALL IN SINGAPORE

Learn about our new softball team!

A SALUTE TO JURONG BIRD PARK

As one door closes, another opens further north

AAS has had a busy first quarter of the year. Our first George Washington Ball in three years was a huge success and tons of fun. And the XCL American Academy Ambassador's Cup Golf Tournament was a gorgeous day with some stiff competition for the top three prize-winning spots. Despite some rough seas getting to Desaru Coast, we had a great time. Both events raised funds for charities in Singapore that help children, which is something we can all feel good about.

Going into the second quarter of the year, we are looking forward to a new event – and Easter Extravaganza, complete with an Easter egg hunt and a huge pancake brunch. We've got a bunch of events on our calendar, so check it out!

We're also in planning mode for our Fourth of July celebration, taking place this year on July 1. You won't want to miss it!

Sadly, this is also the time of year when many of our friends bid adieu to Singapore, moving on to their next assignment or heading back to their home country. Repatriating can be harder than moving overseas in the first place, so we've got an event coming up with useful tips for managing the process, both physically and emotionally. Be sure to also check out our article on moving your career with you, particularly useful for those freelancers and entrepreneurs

who we are

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 thila@aasingapore.com

COLUMNIST

Andrea McKenna Brankin

CONTRIBUTORS

Melindah Bush, Asif R. Chowdhury, Wyatt Graff, Didi Hari Krishnan, Sara Madera, Melinda Murphy, Emma S., Marc Servos, Robert Wallace

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERS

President: Ashok Lalwani

Vice President: Mkulima Britt

Treasurer: Naureen Rasul

Secretary: Jennifer Yarbrough

Directors-at-Large: Ed Fitzpatrick, Aaron Kim, Daniel Moss, Michelle Reeb, Priyesh Shah

AmCham: Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei

AWA: Linda Schindler

SACAC: Jeff Majestic

SAS: Kyle Aldous

The American Club: Neetu Mirchandani

Non-Voting Members

US Embassy: Missy Downing

US Navy COMLOG WESTPAC: Rear Admiral Mark Melson

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 membership. AAS annual family membership is $120.

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.

FOLLOW US!

Susan Williams

what’s in...

Community News

Finding Softball in Singapore

Meet the new AAS softball team.

40 Wandering West

An expat's ponderings on Pasir Panjang.

A Salute to Jurong Bird Park

Learn about the history of the former bird park and the opening of the new Bird Paradise.

The Story of Singapore's Quays

How they came to be the centers of entertainment that we know them to be.

56 Moving Again?

How to move your career with success.

message from the president

By Ashok Lalwani

I am honored to have been elected President of the American Association of Singapore, an organization celebrating its 105th year. I am in awe of how our organization has played a pivotal part in our community, from spawning sister organizations such as Singapore American School, AmCham, and The American Club, to being the glue for Americans and bringing all things American to all nationalities calling Singapore home. It is quite a legacy.

I want to thank Blair Hall, our past President, for his outstanding leadership over the years, particularly during Covid, which presented unprecedented challenges for our organization. I also want to thank retiring Executive Committee Directors Michael Johnsen and Dana Hvide for their service and contribution to AAS. We held our Annual General Meeting on March 28, and you can see here the members of our Executive Committee that will serve you for the next two years.

It is lovely to see things getting back to normal. We held the 87th George Washington Ball in February. People were ready to let loose and party, and boy, did they! People danced into the wee hours, and their generosity enabled us to donate S$30,000 to the Kidz Horizon Appeal, a charitable organization that helps needy children with chronic illnesses. It was off to The Els Desaru Coast in March for the XCL American Academy Ambassador's Cup Golf Tournament. For the second year in a row, we were honored to have our US Ambassador to Singapore, Jonathan Kaplan, participate in this tournament.

Ambassador Kaplan's long drives are a sight to behold.

Looking forward, we have a fundraiser for the earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria in the form of a cooking class where you can learn to make Turkish food. All profits from this event will go to the Singapore Red Cross, earmarked for earthquake relief. We hope to see you at this event. Please also mark your calendars for our July 4th Celebration. It will be held on July 1, and details will be on our website, along with more information about the other events we have in store for you over the next few months. We want to bring events that resonate with you and would appreciate any feedback you may have.

We look forward to your enthusiastic participation and connecting with you.

American Community Organizations Directory

AAS aasingapore.com

AmCham amcham.com.sg

American Dragons americandragons.sg

Scouts

BSA Troop 07: www.bsatroop07.org

BSA Troop 10: www.sgtroop10.org

AWA awasingapore.org

Navy League nlus-sgp.org

SACAC Sports safl.sacac.com

BSA Troop 1010: sgtroop1010@gmail.com

SAS sas.edu.sg

SAIS sais.edu.sg

The American Club amclub.org.sg

US Embassy sg.usembassy.gov

Cub Scouts Pack 3010: www.sgpack3010.org

Cub Scouts Pack 3017: cubscoutsusa.com.sg

USA Girl Scouts: www.singaporeusagirlscouts.org

New Executive Committee

member benefits

Core Holistic Nutrition

Get 10% off the initial consultation rate. WhatsApp: +65 8789 9064. contact@coreholisticnutrition.com. Valid through 6/30/23.

Estheclinic

10% discount for all their treatments. Valid through 12/30/23.

Expat Dental

AAS members enjoy a corporate partnership. Contact Expat Dental for details on pricing.

Expat Living magazine

Free six-month subscription. Valid through 12/30/23.

Hard Rock Cafe

15% discount on food and beverage upon showing a screenshot of your membership. Valid through 12/30/23.

Hedgers Carpet

Free high-quality underlayment with every purchase at our store (while stocks last). Valid through 12/30/23.

Lawry’s The Prime Rib

15% discount for à la carte food bill for dine-in only. Blackout dates apply. Valid through 12/30/23.

Mr. Jeff

Free pick up & delivery for Buona Vista/Pasir Panjang area; 20% discount using code AAS20. Valid through 6/30/23.

Marriott

AAS members enjoy a 25% discount on F&B. Show a screenshot of your membership.

Maharaja's

AAS Members enjoy 15% discount off tailor-made clothes (Men & Women) at their two outlets. Valid through 6/30/23.

Motorist

15% off car insurance quotes. Valid through 6/20/23.

New World's End

AAS members enjoy a 10% discount with unique gift code AAS10. Valid through 6/30/23.

Poke Theory

AAS members get a 10% discount. Flash your membership profile to the friendly staff to redeem this perk! Exclusively at Katong Square #01-12. Valid through 12/30/23.

Raffles Hotel

20% discount at Raffles Spa Mon-Thu; 15% off regular-priced items at Raffles Boutique & Floral Boutique; 15% off total bill at Raffles restaurants. Blackout dates apply. Valid through 12/22/23.

Solescape

AAS members enjoy 15% discount on initial consultation at Family Podiatry Centre and 10% discount on their purchase of a pair of shoes. Valid through 12/31/23.

The Counselling Place

AAS members enjoy 10% discount for their first session. Apply code "AAS" in the coupon section when making the booking to receive the discount. Valid through 12/30/23.

The Residence Bintan

AAS members get 15% off Best Available Rate, 10% off Recreational Activities, 10% off Spa Treatments. Valid through 6/30/23.

Scan or click here for our full member benefits page and more details on each benefit.

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

upcoming events

Team AAS Softball

Sundays, Feb-May

AAS Easter Extravaganza

Apr 2, 9:30 AM

(Young) Professionals & Newbies Happy Hour

Apr 13, 7:15 – 9:30 PM

Ramadan Porridge

Distribution

Apr 19, 4:45 – 8:30 PM

Metworks

Apr 20, 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Cooking Class: A Fundraiser for Turkey & Syria

Apr 21, 6:00 – 9:00 PM

AAS at ACRES

Apr 22, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

AAS Strategic Partners

SAFL

The American Club US Embassy

Freelancers, Entrepreneurs & Small Business Owners

Coffee

Apr 27, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Repatriation Tips & Tricks

Apr 27, 7:00 PM

Teachers Night: Shakespeare in the Park

May 12, 7:30 PM

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

Community Partner

The 87th George Washington Ball was worth waiting three years for - what a night! We dined, we drank, and we danced our tails off at the W Singapore Sentosa Cove. The performance by Silent Stars Entertainment dazzled us; Ambassador Jonathan Kaplan gave his insights; and Band on the Run provided tunes all night.

Our Lucky Draw, Live and Silent auctions raised $30,000 for Kidz Horizon Appeal. Wow! We are awed by the generosity of all who attended. A huge thanks to all of our amazing sponsors and donors.

Special thanks to the GWB 2023 Ball committee: Chair: Valerie Brandt

Committee: Paulina Böhm, Dana Cheong, Jeanne Craig, Andrea Dolobic Fancher, Garima Lalwani, Chris Milliken, Kathleen Moroney, Andrea Poulton, Su-ling Yeo

For additional photos, click here

Thanks to students from Singapore American School’s high school photo club, who stood in as our “paparazzi” at the 87th George Washington Ball: Manya Bahl, Yoyo Bao, Matthew Liu, Navya Saluja, Lukas Smith, and Harry Wu.

It was great to be back on the links again for the XCL American Academy Ambassador’s Cup Golf Tournament. And how special that US Ambassador to Singapore Jonathan Kaplan was able to join us for the day. The Els Club Desaru Coast did not disappoint, with a beautiful course complete with ocean views. Following a magnificent day of golf (seriously, the weather could not have been better), we enjoyed a cocktail hour at The Els – courtesy of Woodford Reserve – and then headed back to the Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast for an awards ceremony and dinner. Families who came along had a great time at Adventure Waterpark, adjacent to the hotel.

Determining the winners of a three-way tie came down to a putt-off at the awards ceremony! Congratulations to our winners:

First Place

John Heming, Sean NIcholson, Kingsley Starling, Sophie Yeung

Second Place

Kari Jokela, Juha Kuntola, Anssi Seikkola, Petri Timonen

Third Place

Chuan Campbell, David Gartrell, Leon Ng, Roger van Baa

Longest Drive: Andrew Rogers

Nearest to the Pin: Juha Kuntola

Nearest to the Line: Brian Rogove

Guess How Many Balls: Warren Kim

Through our Buy the Pro hole, and the sale of mulligans and guesses as to how many golf balls were in a golf bag, we raised $7,150 for =DREAMS, a residential program providing after-school academic and holistic support to students.

For a full list of winners, visit our website. For additional photos, click here

The Doobie Brothers made a stop in Singapore on their 50th Anniversary Tour, and AAS was able to secure a block of free tickets to share with our members! We had a lot of fun, and it was great to see so many of you there. In their 70s, these guys have still got it! What a good time!

High Adventure Camp Thailand

By Wyatt Graff, BSA Troop 10

I started my scouting journey five years ago. During that time, I've attended a lot of troop meetings, service activities, merit badge marathons, and many campouts. Out of all of those experiences, I had the most fun during the High Adventure Scout camp in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in August 2022. What made Camp Thailand special and exciting was that for five days, I got to fully experience being a Scout. From pitching a tent that stayed up for five days with no rain getting inside, to using a camping can opener (not fun), to achieving the knot ninja challenge blindfolded, I had fun and experienced all the things that we practice in our troop meetings.

At High Adventure camp, my troop – Troop 10 – along with other troops from all over Asia, came together to a large campsite in northern Thailand, where we spent the week sleeping in tents with friends in our troop, learning skills from different Scout Masters, and working on completing merit badges throughout the week. My favorite part of camp was at the end of the day, when all the Scouts (more than 100) sat together around a campfire and performed skits and did fun activities and challenges as a troop. I met Scouts from all over the world who are living in Asia. My troop was recognized as the Honor Troop for this campout, and we were all pretty happy about that. It sort of makes up for the clean-up duty we had to do!

Not only was Camp Thailand one of the most fun campouts I've been to, but I was able to achieve a few merit badges and patches, which have helped me advance through the ranks of being a Scout. Now at the Life rank, I am on my way to achieving my goal of being an Eagle Scout, and I am already looking forward to our next High Adventure camp in Nepal in July. I highly recommend joining the high adventure camps as they are a once-in-a-lifetime experience as a Scout.

My brother Vaughan and I on a hike

We set up our tent with extra rain protection

Part of Troop 10 on the hike

Overnight Camp

By Emma, Troop 21

Overnight camp was a pretty fun experience. I think it was a great experience for me, especially with it being my first time at an overnight camp.

When we got to Camp Sarimbun, we were sorted into different groups. Each group had around 13 girls from different troops. It was great that I was placed with one of my friends from my own troop, but I also made a few friends there as well. All the Program Aides (PAs), especially mine, were really warm and welcoming to all of the girls.

The meals were really good. For lunch we had burritos, which we made ourselves, so I liked it even more. For dinner we had chicken rice, and it was really good too. I’m very strict about my chicken rice, but that chicken rice was really, really good. Then the next morning for breakfast, I had pancakes and sausages. There was more, but that’s mainly what I ate.

The activities were very fun and creative. We tiedyed t-shirts, wrote and performed skits, made rockets out of paper towel rolls, went down a long slide into a pond, and, of course, roasted marshmallows to make s'mores. My troop also got to do the opening and closing flag ceremonies!

When it was time to go to bed, the cabins had multiple groups in each one, so I was with almost all of my friends. I was kind of nervous at first, but then by the time we had to go home, I felt much better about it. We all had a really great time!

Singapore's First Female Eagle Scout

By Melindah Bush

On February 21, US Ambassador Jonathan Kaplan joined a special Eagle Court of Honor ceremony at the US Embassy recognizing the first-ever female Scout to earn the coveted Eagle Rank in Singapore, Sophia Ragland. The Eagle Scout rank is the highest rank achievable for youth Scouts in Scouts BSA, the program formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America. It is a rare honor earned by less than 2% of all Scouts since the award’s inception in 1912. Many Eagle Scouts have gone on to serve as US Presidents, astronauts, generals, senators, and CEOs.

Until recently, this Eagle Scout award was only available to boys; young women were not allowed to join until February 2019, when the Boy Scouts was renamed “Scouts BSA” and officially welcomed female Scouts. Sophia Ragland joined the Scouts BSA program in 2019 as a founding member of the first Scouts BSA Troop for girls in Singapore, Troop 1010G, sponsored by the Stamford American International School (SAIS). Since joining Troop 1010G, Sophia has served as a role model to her fellow Scouts and quickly satisfied the requirements to earn the Eagle Scout rank to become Singapore’s first-ever female Eagle Scout.

Earning the Eagle Scout rank is a timeconsuming and rigorous process that requires Scouts to earn 21 merit badges covering a variety of subjects, including emergency first aid, swimming, orienteering, citizenship, and various hiking and camping skills. Eagle Scouts must also demonstrate strong leadership and a dedication to community service with many hours of volunteer work, culminating in a large “Eagle Service Project,” which the Scout must both design and execute to benefit a local charity. All of this work must be completed before the Scout turns 18, with the bulk of the work being carried out during a Scout’s high school years when

Scouts are also busy with class work, exams, and college applications.

Sophia Ragland’s achievement is even more notable because she achieved the Eagle rank in only three years, whereas most Scouts normally spend six to seven years trying to earn the rank if they earn it at all. Sophia only had three years to accomplish this feat because she was only able to join Scouts BSA in 2019 at the age of 15 when the program first admitted girls to its Troops, and she had to complete all the requirements before she recently turned 18.

In addition to earning the Eagle Rank in just three years, Sophia also took it upon herself to help found and lead the first Scouts BSA Troop for girls in Singapore, Troop 1010G, where she served as the Senior Patrol Leader and continues to serve now as an Assistant Scoutmaster. Sophia’s efforts to both earn her Eagle Scout rank and help start the first Scouts BSA Troop for girls were further complicated by restrictions brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite these restrictions, Sophia helped to grow Troop 1010G and managed

(for girls) and Troop 10 (for boys). Ambassador Kaplan commemorated the event by recognizing Sophia’s achievements and presented her with a challenge medal to mark the special occasion. The US Marines, who served as the Honor Guard for the flag ceremonies during the Eagle Court of Honor, also presented Sophia with a celebratory coin to mark the occasion.

Sophia joined her fellow Eagle Scouts by taking the Eagle Scout Oath and thanked her family and the adult volunteers who help support the Scout Troops. Her fellow Scouts in Troop 1010G also presented her with special gifts to help celebrate her achievement as they follow in her footsteps as the first generation of young women in Scouts BSA.

to complete her Eagle Service Project by working with ACRES (the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society) to create and design a vegan recipe cookbook to help promote more sustainable and cruelty-free lifestyles.

To celebrate Sophia’s historic achievement, an official Eagle Court of Honor was held at the US Embassy to present Sophia with her Eagle Rank badge and medal. The Eagle Court of Honor was attended by Ambassador Kaplan, members of the Embassy staff, a US Marine Corps Honor guard, as well as members of Scouts BSA Troops 1010G

Sophia Ragland’s achievement officially opens a new chapter in Scouting for young women in Singapore who are interested in joining the Scouts BSA program. If you would like more information on the Scouts BSA Program in Singapore, please feel free to contact Troop 1010G (for girls) at sgtroop1010@gmail.com, and Troop 10B (for boys) at sgtroop10@gmail.com. Both Troops 1010G and 10B are sponsored by SAIS and meet weekly at SAIS, in addition to organizing several overnight campouts, hikes, and excursions to give young men and women an opportunity to grow within Scouting.

Humans of The Embassy

Derick Koh

Resident Chef at Deputy Chief of Mission's Residence

I started cooking at a young age, helping my grandmother in the kitchen. She had a huge influence in inspiring me to pursue this profession. Before joining the Embassy, I was in the Singapore Navy as a chef in the Archer class submarine. That was an interesting experience experimenting with different dishes and cuisines to serve my former colleagues and VIP guests. I not only cooked Singaporean food, but I also delved into Western cuisine, applying what I learned during my training in Sweden.

As the resident chef at the Deputy Chief of Mission’s residence, I am responsible for creating the menu and preparing the dishes for his guests. Before the pandemic, we held more regular events. Occasionally, I get starstruck by some of our guests. I guess meeting a diversity of people from all walks of life is one of the perks of working for the US Embassy, but more importantly, I like to think that I contribute to a greater cause of forging strong US-Singapore relations through my food. Food is a great way to bring people together, regardless of differences in culture and tradition. I’m glad that I have an opportunity to do this.

I feel good thinking that what used to be a hobby became a job that I enjoy doing. Not everyone gets the chance to do what they love as a profession so I consider myself privileged. It’s a real bonus to be able to contribute to a wider cause while being in this profession.

Allied’s guide to choosing the right mover

Moving home is hard work. Moving homes across continents and cities is even more taxing. It is critical to choose the right mover for your next move.

It is common to enquire with different movers prior to deciding and usuallyother than services - cost is one of the main points of comparison across other providers. It may be tempting to go with the lower cost options but oftentimes, the quality across several areas of services could potentially be compromised.

What should I look out for when selecting a mover?

Allied has been in the household goods moving and relocation business for decades and our brand name is synonymous with seamless, stressfree, and successful moves. We work with diverse clientele, be it corporates, local or international moves. Our move consultants are well trained and understands the complications of moving domestically and internationally.

The first step to selecting a mover is the way the consultant conducts a site survey (if they even do this) at your home. A site survey is an important step so the mover knows what items you would like to move, the total quantity and for them to advise on items which can be packed and moved (depending on where you are moving to, some items are forbidden in certain countries). Some questions that would be helpful to ask yourself during the survey: Are they meticulous and knowledgeable? Are they transparent and able to answer all your questions regarding the move

To find out how Allied can help you in your next move, scan the QR code to enquire.

and costs involved? They should be able to come back with a proper quotation within 48 hours of the site survey.

The next step is to identify the range of services the mover provides. Can they do door-to-door moves like packing and moving your belongings from the doorstep and delivering them right to your new home? Do they have the capabilities and manpower to do international moves? Is there a local team to oversee the move in the destination country? Can they provide visa and immigration services? You may need answers to these questions.

Some local movers may claim to have the expertise of doing international moves but, they could be outsourcing the job to uncertified agents, hence compromising on the service level and quality of your move. By outsourcing to other agents, you run the risk of not

being able to track your shipments properly, have your items damaged or lost.

What Allied provides Allied is an award-winning professional, reliable, and efficient moving service. We have won the Moving Company of the Year by Forum for Expatriate Management (FEM) under the Expatriate Management & Mobility Awards (EMMAs) in 2022. This is testament to the brand’s true capability of adhering to the highest standards in household goods moving and simultaneously, offering the best service to our clients. A trusted brand by many worldwide, we aim to lighten our clients’ load by ensuring their move is as stress-free and as seamless as possible.

Bringing Nature to the Classroom

By Didi Hari Krishnan

Empowering students to make connections to other topics of study, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), first-grade students at Singapore American School were tasked to design a solution to a problem by mimicking how a plant or animal’s external structures function to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs. The biomimicry unit provides students with the opportunity to play the part of young engineers, generating and selecting ideas to create a prototype, and subsequently spending four weeks in their art classroom to create their very own prototype.

“What has been amazing to watch is the collaboration between the students. Students are partnered up throughout this process, and they can problem-solve independently when they face an issue,” shared art teacher Kelly McFadzen. Elementary science teacher Kelli Buxton echoed, “Students have their own thought process, but it’s about the learning that takes place during the process that matters—the imagination they have and the ability to utilize their voice and choice. While the materials and concepts are common, everything else is entirely up to them to determine.” Depending on the students’ driving questions and intended solutions, students were challenged to learn many new skills and concepts: from learning about science and nature to constructing cardboard models, students could apply multiple concepts throughout this unit.

Biomimicry Process

Imagine: Generate and select ideas for prototyping

Students generate ideas for prototyping by exploring the following driving question: “What is the animal or plant structure and function that I will mimic in my prototype?”

“Biomimicry means copying animals and creating something based on that. We thought of elephants because of their tusks. Lions, sea turtles, and sea otters because of their sharp teeth.”

—Sofia

Ask: Define and explore the problem

Students think about the problems they wish to solve. First-grade Chinese immersion students were given a biomimicry vocabulary list to help them understand the various science concepts in Chinese.

My mom is allergic to dust, so my friend and I made a duster. We had a long list of items to use, but we changed some of the things we could use in the end.”

—Aliya

“I wanted to fly. Julian and I made a kite, and we planned to make wings, but we didn’t have much time. We focused on making a nice kite.”

—Timmy

Plan: Generate and select ideas for prototyping

Students think about the animals that inspired their innovation, structures they wish to mimic, and the mechanics/functions of their invention.

“Since there were three of us, we each had a new idea and we tried to combine it but it did not work out. And then we changed it when we realized it was not going to work.”

—Logan

Create: Generate and select ideas for prototyping

Students assess the inventory available, and they choose to create something based on the items and the prototype they have created. Students learn various art techniques from cardboard construction to paper sculptures.

“I thought about self-growing shoes, but it was going to take too long to figure out the solution to that. So, then I switched to a different plan. I made a shovel instead.”

—Joonyoung

Test and Improve

As part of the engineering design process, students are encouraged to test their prototype and determine if there are ways in which students could improve the prototype. Photographing their prototype and observing what could be changed helps students build their critical thinking skills.

“We realized our prototype was too heavy… they were not able to move as well as the real elephant ears. Maybe next time we could make a structure or frame first and then use fabric or something light like that.”

—Nari and Emma

The prototypes are taken apart at the end of the unit so all of the materials can be reused for other art projects. Art teacher Erin Caskey shared, “This adds a sustainability element to the process. Students took photos of their prototype, and they shared them with their families.”

Through this unit, students were able to pursue a topic in-depth and personalize it to their own interests, creating a wonderful learning experience not only for students but also for teachers and parents alike. This brings a sense of joy and purpose to their learning and is critical to encouraging students to become lifelong learners.

The American Club

A Home Away from Home

Monica and Timothy Pitrelli Children Noelle (10), Layla (8) and Vivienne (7)

“My husband Timothy and I moved to Singapore from Newport Beach, California. We were to stay for three months – six, if we were lucky. Just recently, we celebrated our 15th anniversary here. Since then we’ve had three daughters: Noelle, Layla and Vivienne.

We joined The American Club after our first daughter was born. We were sold on all the things the Club has for families – from parent-and-baby swimming classes to meeting “Santa” without having to stand in line at the mall.

We go to the Club several times a week, and Sundays are my family’s favorite day to visit. The kids attend tennis lessons, and sometimes my husband and I hit the courts too. Then we have breakfast before stopping by the library to borrow books and movies.

The beautiful thing about the Club is that everyone in my family enjoys going, although for different reasons. While I go to the spa or the Pilates studio, my husband may get a haircut, visit the gym or relax over a cup of coffee. The kids would play games in the multi-level children’s area called The Quad for hours, if we let them – and sometimes we do! During some of the toughest parts of the pandemic, my husband and I worked in the business center to get a break from the house. While there, you meet other members and get to know the staff on a first name basis. But the thing that draws us back time and again is the convenience. Where else can you grab a quick meal, pick up dry cleaning, buy stamps, order a case of wine and have several chats with friends?

I also enjoy the fact that my helper often joins us at the Club. We enjoy meals there and celebrate the kids’ birthdays together.”

About The American Club

The American Club is a members-only social club with a distinct American culture that offers unparalleled hospitality and a unique lifestyle all under one roof. A sanctuary in the heart of bustling Orchard, the Club boasts an extensive range of dining options, recreational facilities, events and activities for every member of the family.

From left: Vivienne, Monica, Layla, Timothy, Noelle

The Gym

Noelle and Layla having fun with their friend Justin at The Quad

Coming Soon!

Finding Softball in Singapore Finding Softball in Singapore Finding Softball in Singapore

By Robert Wallace

I wasn't necessarily looking for something else to do, but then – over post-work sips of Budweiser – Yutaka mentioned the American Association was trying to resurrect its club softball team. Would I be interested? The commitment was manageable: two games on Sunday afternoons and no weekly practice. There were two seasons a year, Spring and Fall, with a break over the summer and another around the holidays, leaving plenty of time for family obligations. Worse case, I'd get to spend sunny afternoons getting fresh air and exercise. Besides, as a middle-aged American expat, wasn't I obligated to take up with the local softball team?

The American Association's general manager was organizing the effort. I quickly let her know that I was interested. She just as quickly let me know that they were still looking for more players. We needed at least ten to field a team on any given Sunday, a roster of 15 would be ideal to

account for when someone couldn't make it. Did I know anyone?

I was able to rope in Andy from my Metworks contacts. AAS tapped its network of members and found our coach, Joe, through the Singapore American School. Ren came through best of all, pulling from the ten-plus years she’s played in various leagues across Singapore, to add half a dozen other locals.

We might have been a bit of a random bunch when that first slow pitch floated across the plate, but we had our team of ten. Coach Joe doled out fielding assignments and set the batting order based on players’ self-attested levels of ability. Having not touched a bat, ball, or glove in nearly thirty years, I volunteered for the outfield and wound up eighth at the plate. Entirely fitting.

We played our first two games about as well as could be expected. Easy fly balls were missed

in the outfield and throws to first on infield grounders went wide of their mark. At the plate, we were able to connect, but the required wood bats made it hard to get the ball anywhere past the second baseman. We didn't win, but we held our own and along the way there was the occasional moment of brilliance. A last-minute snag here or a strikeout there. A double to keep us alive somewhere in the fifth. Inning by inning, we got a little more comfortable and a little closer to playing as a team.

Relaxing around a cooler of cold beers after those first games, we got down to the business of trying to come up with a name. The Patriots was suggested and quickly shot down by someone not from New England. The Silver Bullets (on account of the more than one head of hair speckled with grey) made a strong showing but didn't excite our younger players. The Grizzlies seemed appropriately vicious but just didn't seem to fit. Someone threw out the Yankee Doodles. It was fun and patriotic. Someone else half-jokingly countered it should be the Yankee Noodles, given we were in Singapore. It was enthusiastically seconded with a bit of hooting and hollering. With that, the American Association's official softball team was successfully resurrected and christened– a successful day after all!

Since that first weekend, the Yankee Noodles have continued to stay after it. A solid group of genuinely good people shows up religiously every Sunday afternoon, rain or shine, to the UWC East campus. They make their way from every corner of the island to the heartland in Tampines to give it another go. We're still chasing that first W, but getting closer every game. We're a mixed bag of Americans, Canadians, Japanese, and Singaporeans. Some have played for decades, and some are taking it up for the first time in just as long. We have a good time though. I've found it's quickly become a highlight of my weekend. It's just plain fun.

American Association of Singapore founded the Singapore Baseball League in 1934 and had either a softball or baseball team for years, but the team dissolved long ago. Today’s Singapore Baseball and Softball Association has six teams that have been together for many years. The Yankee Noodles is the first new team in the league in recent history.

Want to join? Register here!

FIND YOUR EXCELLENCE HERE

I absolutely loved my senior year at Stamford American, and it’s hard to pick just one favorite memory! One standout experience for me was my study trip to China in 11th grade, which gave me the perfect opportunity to step out of my comfort zone, meet new people, and learn more about myself.

Stamford American’s culture of care and sense of community is what sets it apart. Everyone at the school is supportive and welcoming, which made me feel truly valued. While the school emphasizes community and well-being, I also felt challenged to excel, try new things, and make the most of all the opportunities available.

Looking back on my time at Stamford American, I’m proud to say that it prepared me well for my future endeavors. I often think fondly of my time at Stamford American; a place where students can thrive, learn, and grow in a supportive and stimulating environment.

Trisha Bhaya

Stamford American Salutatorian, Class of 2021 Student at the University College Utrecht in The Netherlands, Literature and History (major) and Political Science (minor)

Stamford American International School CPE Registration Number: 200823594D Period of registration: August 9, 2022 to August 8, 2026

What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is also referred to as mouth cancer or oral cavity cancer. This is a type of head and neck cancer that can occur on the following:

Lips

Gums

Tongue or under the tongue

Inner lining of the cheeks

Roof of the mouth

Sinuses

Pharynx/Throat

Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer typically starts as a growth or sore in the mouth that does not go away If you have had any type of growth or sore for more than two weeks, we would recommend being seen by your dentist or doctor.

A white, reddish, or speckled (white and red) patch on the inside of your mouth

A sore on the face, neck, or mouth that bleeds easily or does not heal after 2 weeks

Rough spots, crusts, or eroded areas on lips

Chronic sore throat

Hoarseness or a change in voice

Loose teeth or change in your bite

A growth or lump in your mouth, neck, or back of the throat

Mouth and/or ear pain

Difficult or painful swallowing. This can feel like something is caught in the back of the throat

Difficulty speaking or moving the jaw or tongue

Who Gets Oral Cancer?

According to the American Cancer Society, the risk of developing oral cancer in one's lifetime is about 1 in 60 for men and 1 in 141 for women. This is the average risk, but a number of factors can affect your risk for developing mouth cancer.

Oral cancer risk factors:

Men are twice as common to be diagnosed with oral cancer as women.

Tobacco use of any kind

Heavy alcohol use

Previous oral cancer diagnosis or family history

History of sun exposure, especially at a young age, which increases the risk of lip cancer

Human papillomavirus (HPV) exposure

People who are 55 years old or older

Poor diet

While these risk factors have been associated with oral cancer, over 25% of all oral cancers occur in people who do not smoke and who only drink alcohol occasionally

Oral Cancer Screening

Like with many cancers, early detection increases your rate of survival. And since your dentist knows what a healthy mouth should look like, every time you visit the dentist is a chance to be screened for oral cancer!*

How the screening works:

Your dentist will regularly look for suspicious changes that indicate cancer or precancerous conditions in your mouth. If your dentist discovers any signs of mouth cancer or precancerous lesions, they may recommend: (1) a follow-up visit to see if the suspicious area has changed and/or (2) a biopsy procedure to remove a sample of cells for laboratory testing.

*The only way to definitively know a lesion is cancerous is through a biopsy and cancer screening A visual oral cancer screening can miss small cancer or precancerous lesions. There's no evidence that routine oral cancer examinations can reduce the number of deaths caused by oral cancer However, screenings may help find cancers early, which can increase the chances of a better outcome during treatment

All AAS members can take advantage of our corporate partnership!

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.

It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Having a ‘hood is a wonderful thing! A place where you can get everything you need, and everything you want and see some friendly faces along the way. For me, it’s the Joo Chiat neighborhood in Marine Parade on the East Coast of Singapore.

As I often do, I compare before Covid and after Covid for our mental health states. It’s such a big change to go from being totally restricted to our houses, where we had to get everything delivered, and being able to actually go out and get things ourselves without a mask. Including workouts!

Since we’ve finally tossed away masks, I’m really enjoying getting the bus from Fort Road down to the corner of Joo Chiat Road and East Coast Road. Everything I want is there: Cold Storage for deli turkey, Baggies for biltong, and workouts galore at places like Yoga Movement and ActiveFitness.

With that, I love being able to hug Zaety at Shopping At Tiffany’s in i12; say cheers to Cheeers owner Sam who wears an old USA cowboy hat; talk BBQ with Shawn at The Butcher Box; and grab a cheeky cold one at Ali Baba’s bar on my way to the bus stop with whomever I know that sees me pass by. Usually, it’s Allan.

The point is this: I have a connection here. It’s something we all need for our social-emotional wellbeing. Being locked up during Covid took that away and showed us how important it is to see people IRL (in real life). Now, I did get to know all my delivery guys, but having a whole neighborhood to run around is next level in social-emotional joy.

Even with a nice place to go, sometimes it’s hard to get out there. It’s normal to have downtimes when you don’t feel like going out. But the extreme side of that is agoraphobia, the fear of leaving your home, which requires support and treatment. I knew many people who had this post-Covid, coupled with the fear of going out and getting sick. Strange times do strange things to our minds.

My hope is that people are starting to take a second look at where they live in Singapore and find their own wonderful places to walk, shop, talk, and just be in the moment in life.

So, take a moment to check out your local area, or even my fave, Joo Chiat, to see what you can find and who you can meet. Maybe it’ll be me! I’m good for a hug and handshake and a big smile. I think Mr. Rogers had it right.

WANDERING OUT WEST: One Expat's Ponderings on Pasir Panjang

By Amanda Lim

I’m penning this from a sleepy little loft-style shophouse along Pasir Panjang Road, where my husband and I decided to lay down our brick-andmortar roots in a joint business space. Outside my window is a beautiful modern condo designed in the colonial black-and-white style, and opposite our building is the first of many winding, uphill roads full of historic landed houses of all shapes and sizes – one of which we now call home.

To call the West Coast of Singapore “home” feels very new and very foreign, as I’ve spent my first eight years here slowly moving up the Northeast (Purple) Line of the MRT (first in Little India, then Farrer Park, Boon Keng, Serangoon, and finally Kovan as the years went by).

But given the current (skyrocketing!) rent crisis in Singapore as well as our desire to start a new business together, my husband and I uprooted our cozy little Kovan life to begin a fresh start on the Southwest side of the island.

As a native of the West Coast of the United States (California), I have to admit I was excited to immerse myself in Singapore’s version. When we were renovating our office space, our contractor told us he grew up in this area back when it was all a kampong, and he said, “the air is just better here.”

That really stuck with me, as our entire family has issued a collective exhale amid the large, open green spaces and slower pace of life over this way. Our bedroom window looks out into the full forestry of Kent Ridge Park, and on the

other side of the house, much to my kids’ delight, we recently spotted a monkey using our window grids as a stand-in jungle gym.

We also recently discovered that at the end of our street is a “secret” staircase to a nearly-private extension of HortPark containing a children’s playground, picnic area, and fitness corner. These hidden gems are astoundingly spacious, green, and beautiful, and have a very different natural energy than the (still wonderful!) HDB spaces we’d known before.

Moving to a new region of Singapore after so many years has taken some adjustment, to be sure: learning new freeways (prior to this, the CTE and PIE were our lifelines; now we’re regulars on the MCE, AYE, and West Coast Highway), mastering new MRT lines (most of the West Coast is connected by the Circle Line, anchored by megamall VivoCity at the Harbourfront interchange), and figuring out new routines (we are yet to find a prata shop with the ultra-crispy style we’d loved at our local Little India joint, and the closest NTUC FairPrice is a bus ride, not a quick walk, away). A new specialty coffee shop just opened next to our workplace, distracting me from the fact that the nearest Starbucks is a 30-minute walk away, and even the local kopi options are spread a bit further afield than I’m used to in the more crowded Northeast.

It's also interesting to be an expat in this area, where our immediate neighborhood has a far more local vibe. As opposed to the Northeast, where we lived among the French and Australian

international schools, Pasir Panjang feels much more like the heartlands. I’m often the only angmoh diving into a plate of nasi lemak at local favorite Fong Seng, and my daughter is the only mixed-race (half-Caucasian, half-Chinese) student in her new preschool. Our quiet hilltop house was built in 1977 and retains much of its original, quaint Singaporean charm (classic crown molding, distinct wet and dry kitchens, and a carport a mile long, to name a few features).

There is a great deal still up and coming in Pasir Panjang, especially since the government has massive plans for the area via its Greater Southern Waterfront project. The project, scheduled for completion within the next five to ten years, includes a new waterfront promenade stretching from West Coast Park to Labrador Nature Reserve, an innovative funicular system connecting to the Mount Faber cable car station, and an entirely redesigned residential precinct on the former Keppel Club site. There is a lot of active construction along the waterfront, meaning it doesn’t quite have the peaceful vibes of, say, East Coast Park, but the existing park connector pathway and West Coast Park amenities are quite ample for our family to hike, bike, and play all over the coastal area.

It will take a while to get used to the new pace of life and routine over here, but one thing is for sure – there’s no adjustment necessary to the natural beauty, green space, and waterfront views here on the West Coast. I can’t wait to keep getting to know this place, one deep breath at a time.

A Salute to Jurong Bird Park 1971-2023

By Marc Servos

My family and I visited Jurong Bird Park in December 2022. We wanted to see this iconic tourist attraction one last time before it closed on January 3, 2023, after five decades of operation. Its location covered 49 acres on the western slope of Jurong Hill, that region’s highest point. If you missed it, don’t be too disappointed. Its successor, Bird Paradise, is opening in May. Like Jurong Bird Park, Bird Paradise forms part of the Mandai Wildlife Preserve, which also consists of the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders (formerly named River Safari), and the upcoming Rainforest Wild Park.

Jurong Bird Park operated as an aviary, sometimes referred to as a flight cage, where birds can fly freely in a large enclosure in a simulated natural habitat containing plants and shrubbery. The idea of a permanent aviary in Singapore was first conceived in 1968 by Minister of Finance Dr. Goh Keng Swee, who had been impressed after seeing a free-flight aviary during a visit to Rio de Janeiro’s zoological garden. Work commenced in 1969 on Bukit Peropok, the previous name of Jurong Hill.

The initially 35-acre park opened to the public on January 3, 1971, 52 years to the day before its closure, and was built at a cost of S$3.5 million. It consisted of 78 display aviaries, and among the operations included an administration block, a transit and quarantine station, and a nursery breeding area. Servicing the visitors’ transport needs was a tram system, and they could enjoy meals and refreshments at a restaurant and kiosks around the park.

When it closed, Jurong Bird Park was the largest bird park in the world in terms of the number of birds (5,000) and the second largest in the number of species (400) and in land area (50 acres) after Weltvogelpark Walsrode in Northern Germany. Twenty-four percent of Jurong’s species were classified as threatened, being vulnerable to extinction in the near future, the highest of any zoo globally. These numbers were a far cry from 1,000 birds of 60 species during the Park’s early years.

Jurong Bird Park strived to continually improve the infrastructure, which included new attractions, upgrades, and redevelopment. Facilities opened over the years included the Breeding and Research Centre to strengthen ongoing

efforts in the breeding and management of the birds, especially rare and endangered species, transportation for guests, and the first avian hospital in Asia-Pacific. To facilitate the developments, a Master Plan was launched in 1985, leading to a twophased redevelopment that commenced in 1986 and transpired over the following seven years, and a S$10 million revamp in 2006, celebrating its 35th anniversary.

Exhibits

Many exhibits were modified during the park’s years of operations, and others have

come and gone. The exhibits following in bold were in operation at the time of the park’s closing.

The Penguin Coast was an indoor temperature-controlled exhibit that simulated the necessary climate suitable for the several species of sub-Antarctic penguins. Its predecessors included the Penguin Pool from the park’s early years and Penguin Parade, which was completed in 1990 and was later upgraded and renamed.

Caribbean and Lesser flamingos could be seen at Flamingo Pool, and

the Greater flamingos waded at the larger nearby

Flamingo Lake

Wings of Asia housed 500 birds from 135 species. Many endangered birds have been successfully bred here. Just outside were enclosures for black-necked storks and Cape Barren geese.

Heliconia Walk consisted of the largest collection of the heliconia plant in Southeast Asia, and the aviaries here housed a variety of rare birds.

Guests could observe a variety of waterfowl and others at the Wetlands. A wave machine prevented the buildup of algae in the water, and visible from the path but inaccessible was a large aviary housing scarlet ibises.

Window on Paradise consisted of three free-flight aviaries for birds-of-paradise. Species located here included the green oropendola, lesser and Raggiana birds-of-paradise, Malayan peacock-pheasant, and the Victoria and western crowned-pigeons.

Twenty-seven large aviaries made up the Hornbills and Toucans attraction, which contained the world's largest collection of the former and a few species of the latter. The first successfully bred black hornbill in captivity was at Jurong Bird Park.

African Treetops was a walk-through aviary as the visitor could enjoy the immersive experience simulating the rainforest environment with elevated walkways and a suspension bridge. As the name implied, it featured various birds from the rainforests of Africa.

African Treetops was formerly the Lory Loft, which was moved to the former Jungle Jewels site. The Lory Loft allowed guests to feed various species of lorikeets and lories.

Birds of Prey was a series of large aviaries consisting of various species of vultures, eagles, condors, and storks.

Dinosaur Descendants featured ground-dwelling birds such as cassowaries and cranes, as well as storks. In this area, interactive displays were found at four huts, and there was a dig site play area for children.

The Pelican Cove featured multiple species in its pond and the world’s first underwater viewing gallery for pelicans.

Parrot Paradise was a 2.47-acre complex consisting of parrot species from Australia, Asia, and South America.

The 35-meter man-made Jurong Falls was perhaps the most popular attraction and crown jewel. Jurong Falls and the Jurong Falls Aviary were completed in September 1970, prior to the park’s opening. Jurong Falls were the tallest man-made indoor waterfalls in the world at the time but have since been surpassed by the Rain Vortex at Jewel Changi Airport and Cloud Forest Indoor Waterfall at Gardens by the Bay, both in Singapore coincidently. The aviary,

renamed Waterfall Aviary in 1993, covered 4.9 acres, and its atmosphere resembled a tropical rainforest where guests could cross a suspended bridge to watch the many different birds. It houses a large variety of birds, including gray crowned cranes, roseate spoonbills, and several passerines.

Two arenas were the venues for bird shows; the Pools Amphitheater held the High Flyers Show, which displayed the natural abilities and skills of various birds, and Hawk Arena held the Kings of the Skies show featuring birds of prey.

Jurong Bird Park Panorail 1992-2012

A bygone service at the park was the eco-friendly electric-powered monorail, Jurong Bird Park Panorail. It began operation in April 1992, replacing the diesel trams in ferrying patrons around the park. It ceased operations in May 2012, when it was replaced by a trackless tram. Named for its feature offering panoramic views to the passenger, it facilitated closer contact with the birds as it traveled on the 1.1-mile-long loop track. The four air-conditioned four-car

trains took approximately 11 minutes to travel around the park, giving the visitor a chance to listen to the recorded commentary detailing places of interest during the journey. The three stations servicing the Panorail were Main Station, located near the entrance and Pools Amphitheatre; Lory Station, near the Lory Loft; and Waterfall Station, near the Waterfall Aviary and Jurong Falls.

The Mandai Wildlife Group announced in 2016 that the Jurong Bird Park would be relocated to a much larger park at Mandai, originally planned for opening in 2020, integrating with the other wildlife parks. In 2021, the group announced it would be named Bird Paradise. At 42 acres, it will be slightly smaller than the 50-acre Jurong Bird Park. More than 3,500 birds of 400 species will be displayed, along with 50 species of flora moved from Jurong. There will be eight walk-through aviaries simulating different types of habitats found globally. Bird Paradise will soft open on May 8, with special rates from May 8-26. Ticket can be preordered starting April 24 here.

Photos by Brandon Servos

Renderings: Mandai Wildlife Group

Arpin International Group is a leading international household goods moving and storage company with over 120 years of experience led by five generations of the Arpin family.

With offices in N. America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and a global network of over 3,500 quality supplier partners, Arpin provides a seamless moving experience to our customers worldwide. Your complete satisfaction is our top priority!

The Story of the Singapore Quays

By Asif R. Chowdhury

The four Singapore Quays today serve as prime recreation and entertainment districts of the island for families, friends, singles, locals, and expats alike, each with its own choices of dining, from local dishes to cuisines from many parts of the world; bars and night clubs; and access to various choices of chain and local hotels and upscale condominiums. Starting at Collyer Quay, located at the mouth of the Singapore River where it meets the waters of the Singapore Straits, you’ll come to Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, and finally, Robertson Quay as you goes upstream along the Singapore River.

It is difficult to fathom that not too long ago, these clean, pristine, and well-manicured entertainment quays were dirty, chaotic, and bustling commercial areas also serving as major shipping hubs throughout the nineteenth and most of the twentieth century. It is equally difficult to imagine that in the not-too-distant past, these were also sites with old and rundown buildings, shops, and godowns (warehouses) along the shoreline of a heavily polluted river. What has transpired with the quays, in a relatively short period of time, is nothing short of a modern-day miracle, transforming these areas into lively recreational areas and beautiful neighborhoods, completely unrecognizable from only a couple of decades earlier. Each of the four quays has its own story to tell to any eager listener. But the story of the Singapore Quays will remain incomplete without first telling the story of the

Singapore River, as they are inseparably woven together, from how the river encouraged the early inhabitants to call this place home more than one thousand years ago, to how it shaped and wrote the history of the island through trade and commerce throughout the centuries and played a key role in the development of modern Singapore.

From the perspective of the long history of the world, Singapore is a newborn baby nation, gaining independence only in 1965, a mere 58 years ago. But the island’s history goes back more than one thousand years, as early as the 10th century when it was first established as a small fishing village called Temasek. With the waterways of the surrounding sea and the river, it is not surprising

that the early inhabitants of the island were primarily sea gypsies known as orang laut in the local Malay language. Ancient Chinese historical reports, as well as the Annals of Malay (known as Sejarah Malayu in the local Malay language), mention a thriving city and community around the 11th century called Kuala Temasek, the capital of Temasek, located at the original mouth of Singapore River, which is around the present-day Queen Elizabeth Walk.

It is worth digressing from the story of the river just a tad to share the tale of how the island came to be renamed Singapore. By the late 13th century, the island of Temasek was ruled by the prince of Palembang (the capital city of the Indonesian province of South Sumatra), Sang Nila Utama. The story goes that when the prince landed in Singapore in 1299, he spotted an auspiciouslooking beast resembling what seemed to him a large lion. So, he named the island after the beast calling it the city of the lion or Singapura (eventually Singapore), which comes from the Malay words singa meaning lion, and pura meaning city. Knowing what we do today, it was likely the creature he saw was a tiger as lions never inhabited Singapore, but the name has stuck.

Over the course of the following centuries, the Singapore River not only continued to serve as a key provider of livelihood for the

local inhabitants but also helped the island to grow continually through ever-increasing trade. By the 1800s, Singapore was ruled by the Sultan of Johor of Malaysia, and during the early 1800s, the chief public security officer of the Sultan, Temenggong Abdul Rahman, and his followers had started to build their settlement at the mouth of the Singapore River. Even before the British set foot on the island, it had developed into a relatively busy port. The river had already become an active waterway with all kinds of boats, barges, and junk constantly sailing in and out of the harbors. Several buildings and warehouses were already built along the river for the purpose of housing the officials and the workers, and for storing the goods. When Sir Stamford Raffles arrived on the island in 1819, he was quick to realize the potential of these waterways and deepsea access, especially to challenge the trade monopoly of the Dutch and the Portuguese in the Southeast Asia region, and he was eager to establish a British colony on the island. Temenggong Abdul Rahman played a major role in signing the Treaty of Singapore with the British East India Company in 1819, which officially established the colony. Sir Stamford Raffles almost immediately started work on fulfilling his ambition and initiated redesigning the layout of the city-state. The river and the quays were instrumental to his plan to increase the volume of trade and

commerce on the island, which helped turn it into a major free port in the region. By 1823, a mere four years after the British established the colony, it is estimated that the Singapore River was used by more than 3,000 boats and barges with a total trade volume of about $13 million. This subsequently led to an economic boom attracting immigrants from China, India, and other neighboring countries, and the rest is history.

Over the next century, Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, and Robertson Quay along the river would play key roles as major shipping and trading ports and hubs along the river in this tiny island state. By the turn of the late nineteenth century, the Singapore River, abuzz with all sorts of trade and economic activities, had started to give rise to communities along the river, starting at Boat Quay. With the meteoric rise of trade, commercial activities started to extend more upstream starting from the 1860s. Many Chinese villages, Malay kampongs, godowns, rice mills, boat yards, and other trades started to spring up along the river towards Clarke Quay and then on and beyond Robertson Quay. By the early 1900s, these areas along the Singapore River had become heavily industrialized and hence crowded with businessmen, tradespeople, coolies, and watermen, all living around and up the riverbanks. With the explosive population growth and increased shipping activities, the heavily used waterways of

the river had started to get filthy with garbage and sewage as well as with pig waste from the nearby pig farms. By the middle of the last century, the river had become significantly polluted. By the 1970s, the situation had worsened further with oil spills and wastewater from the boats and ships. Things eventually got so bad that the government had to step in, making a monumental decision to take on the massive task of cleaning up the river. A detailed plan was submitted to the Prime Minister accordingly in October of 1977. The first part of the plan entailed moving all the trade and commerce away from the quays to a new modern port facility in Pasir Panjang, which was built in 1974. Subsequently, the project of cleaning the river would start. As the boats, barges, junk, and ships slowly started to move to the new shipyard, all the trade-related activities also started to fade away from the quays. Soon, all the hustle and bustle of Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, and Robertson Quay started to unwind until they all fell silent for the first time in more than a century. It truly marked an end of an era in terms of the history of the quays.

The cleaning of the river continued for the next ten years, and the project was successfully completed in 1987. Over the next few years, with the clean waters of the Singapore River and with no shipping activities, new plans were being drawn up to revamp the quays and turn them into commercial, residential, and entertainment precincts. This marked the beginning of the layout of the quays over the next decades and transformed the areas into what we see and experience today. While the story of the Singapore River indeed binds the history of the Singapore Quays together, each of them has an interesting tale to offer about its own journey – its formation, transformation, and what each has to offer today to its many patrons and visitors.

View of twakows or lighters in Singapore River showing the level of pollution; 1982

Collyer Quay

While Collyer Quay is located at the mouth of the river, interestingly, it never quite served as a trading post. In fact, the development of Collyer Quay was almost like an afterthought by the British colonial government. The city center had originally grown a little further up the river around Raffles Place, where the godowns and trading houses were clustered. During the early years, the shoreline of Collyer Quay was known as Tho Kho Au in the local Hokkien dialect, which means “behind the godowns.” In 1859, as the upstream Singapore River was getting congested, the shoreline of Collyer Quay was reclaimed by a municipal engineer to help with the increasing commerce. The engineer was George Chancellor Collyer, after whom the quay was named. Within a few years, the quay started to sprout with activities, with shops and trading houses built in the area. From the shores of Collyer Quay, the merchants were known to scan the seas with telescopes for arriving vessels. Reciprocally, this was the shoreline that provided the very first glimpse of Singapore for the many arriving immigrants. The reclamation and the subsequent increase in trading activities led to further development of a grander scale in the early 20th century as many new buildings with colonial architecture were built along the shoreline. Some travelers would compare the new skyline with Shanghai’s famous Bund area. Author and historian Julian Davison recalls of the Singapore waterfront

at Collyer Quay, “Here were 1920s blockbusters: Ocean Building, The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, Union Building, and the Fullerton Building, so mammoth because of their cutting edge, lighter reinforced concrete frames……the skyscrapers of Asia Insurance Building and the Bank of China were gigantic legs soaring into the clouds.” Today, among many of the colonial-era buildings, the Fullerton Building - which used to be the post office and is now Fullerton Hotel - and the former Asia Insurance Building still stand. The glamorous financial district showcasing Singapore’s modern-day skyline stands close to Collyer Quay.

Boat Quay

The historic Boat Quay lies upstream from Collyer Quay. In line with his plan to establish Singapore as a major shipping and trading hub in Southeast Asia, Sir Stamford Raffles decided that Boat Quay, located not exactly at the mouth of the river (but also not too far inland), was ideally located for handling all

Collyer Quay, 1900

the shipping and commercial activities. However, at that time in the early 1800s, most of the area around this quay was swamp land and somewhat unsuitable for establishing an elaborate trading zone. But Raffles was determined to use this as the island’s main business area and in 1822 and 1823, he undertook what would be the island’s first land reclamation project. A number of small hills around the area were leveled, and land from the leveling was used to create embankments around the river, forming what would soon become Boat Quay. The leveled hills were turned into places of trade and business, first known as Commercial Square and later renamed Raffles Place.

During its heyday, Boat Quay was the busiest port of Singapore and, by the mid-1800s, was known to handle 75% of all shipping business on the island. Boats and junks from all over Southeast Asia - China, Siam (Thailand), India, and Indonesian islands - hauled in all kinds of goods, from coffee, spices, silk, porcelain, and rice to opium, making the return journey to their respective homelands filled with ironware, steel, guns, cotton, and many other goods. With the increasing volume of trade, multiple godowns were built in Boat Quay to house the goods. Alongside the godowns, many shops also started to spring up to display and sell these items. Boat Quay, along with Raffles Place, remained the primary center of commerce in Singapore through the 1800s.

After the epic Singapore River cleanup, Boat Quay’s days as a shipping hub came to an end. The area was deserted from 1983 to 1986. Then in 1986, a master plan was undertaken to conserve the Singapore River and key areas around it. Part of the plan included conserving the historic shophouses in Boat Quay. In 1993, the redevelopment started, and the shophouses went through major reconstruction under strict guidelines of restoration as defined by the Urban Redevelopment Authority. The entire area has since been revamped as a shopping and entertainment district, with many of the original shophouses transformed into nice bars and restaurants, giving it an elegant and rustic look.

View of Singapore River at Boat Quay, looking towards Fort Canning Hill, Singapore ~ 1900. The covered landing stage on the right was the site of the original Hallpike Boatyard where boat building and repairs were carried out from 1823 to late 1860s.

Some folks prefer a night out at Boat Quay due to its relatively quiet and low-key environment compared to the more boisterous and livelier Clarke Quay.

Clarke Quay

With the rapid growth in trade activities in Singapore, Boat Quay was soon bursting at the seams, and there was a need to expand the island’s commercial and trading hubs. As a natural progression, development continued upriver along the banks of Clarke Quay. Very quickly, the area became another key site to carry on the increased shipping commerce. Accordingly, many commercial offices, shophouses, and godowns were also built in Clarke Quay. The two- to three-story shophouses served as trading offices and shops while the working-class families lived in the upper quarters of these iconic buildings. The quay is named after Sir Andrew Clarke, who was the Governor of the Straits Settlement from 1824 to 1902. Along with being major ports and commercial hubs, both Boat Quay and Clarke Quay became well known for various kinds of lively entertainment, such as Chinese opera performances and street storytelling sessions – both very popular at the time, especially for the local Chinese folks.

With the Singapore River cleanup project and the shipping moving to Keppel Harbor, Clarke Quay also fell victim to the eventual improvement of the waterways and soon became irrelevant to shipping. The government wanted to transform the area into an entertainment district. So, from 1989 through

1993, Clarke Quay went through a major revamp, which is considered to be the largest conservation project at that time, costing about S$186 million and covering an area of more than 230,000 square feet. It involved the restoration of five blocks of 60 old shophouses and godowns under the stringent requirement to keep their original “look and feel” to ensure that they didn’t lose their historical luster and significance. The project also included creating a large promenade with many restaurants and bars. Perhaps one of the most iconic parts of the redevelopment was having 80 gaslights that had to be manually lit every night. This created a very nostalgic atmosphere, along with the restored shophouses and godowns. When it opened in 1993, Clarke Quay was promoted as a family-friendly place for dining and entertainment.

Unfortunately, despite the great effort to restore Clarke Quay, it didn’t bring the commercial success that the investors had hoped for. During the early 2000s, Clarke Quay underwent a second round of upgrades with further improvement of infrastructure while increasing both the quantity and quality of nightlife, catering more to the tastes of young professionals, expatriates, and foreign visitors. This second revamp proved to be more successful compared to the original restoration and indeed increased the popularity of the place. Today, it remains the most visited site among the four quays of Singapore by expats and locals alike.

Robertson Quay

Robertson Quay is located the most upstream of the Singapore River and is the largest of all the four quays. Named after Dr. J Murray Robertson, a municipal counselor under the British colonial government, it covers an area of 126 acres or nearly 5.5 million square feet. The area remained a swampland through most of the nineteenth century. But to cope with the ever-increasing

shophouses in Robertson Quay were demolished or integrated into the new developments and architecture. The area was eventually transformed into a more family-friendly neighborhood with nice condominiums, restaurants, and bars. In 2016, the area underwent a major renovation, and upon reopening in 2017, it was completely reinvigorated as one of Singapore’s most sophisticated areas.

demand for shipping and commerce along with the rising population, another commercial area was established further upriver from Clarke Quay. The area around Robertson Quay was reclaimed in the 1880s. By the beginning of the 20th century, the area started to develop and take shape as another major business site. Much like the transformation of Boat Quay and Clarke Quay, many Chinese and European-style boathouses and buildings were constructed at Robertson Quay, catering to the needs of increased trade activities. Ultimately it met a similar fate as that of the other quays when the shipping activity stopped in the mid-80s. The area was rezoned for residential, commercial, and hotel use in the 1990s. However, unlike the preservation efforts during the reconstruction of Clarke Quay and Boat Quay, most of the original godowns and

Each of the four quays on the island offers a level of unique experience to all its visitors. When visiting any of them for a nice and enjoyable evening of entertainment, dinner, or just simple leisure, it’s worth taking a moment to remember that not too long ago these were the sites of major commerce and trade. They were crowded with various kinds of merchant vessels, and the riverways were polluted with all kinds of filth but nevertheless, were instrumental in paving the way for the creation of modern Singapore. The amazing turnaround that each of the Quays has witnessed in the last couple of decades stands as a testament to the astonishing transformation of Singapore from an underdeveloped nation to a first-world city-state within a generation.

Robertson Quay 1955

THE ONLY JOURNEY WORTH TAKING IS THE ONE THAT CHANGES YOU

The Maldives By

MOVING AGAIN?

How to move your career with success

BY SARA MADERA

Expats in Singapore are no strangers to moving, with relocation companies saved to your contacts, apps for lists, and friends with friends in nearly every location around the globe. But no matter how prepared you are, there is inevitably a moment during the process when you will feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and maybe a bit lonely.

This is even more true for the trailing spouse, who often has to handle many of the logistical and family tasks, to ensure everyone is comfortable and reasonably happy both through the moving process and in the new location. Finding temporary lodging, arranging viewings for more permanent housing, researching schools, and getting the kids excited about a new location are just some of the items on the todo list, so it’s no wonder these partners end up putting their own needs on the back burner.

As a career coach for moms, I often see the primary parent, usually the same partner who is the trailing spouse (84% are female), struggle to make time for themselves, both personally and professionally. Yet moving to a new location brings more uncertainties and complications that require more time, not less. For example, your current career may not be feasible in your new destination, due to licensing, visas, or market demands, which means you will need time to determine what is possible.

Whether it’s your job or your partner's precipitating the move, both careers will be impacted, so all the better to be prepared. How quickly you adapt to the landscape, culture, and skills will

determine your success in the new location, especially when living abroad with a family.

After moving nine times, some for my job, some for my husband’s, and some by choice, I have managed to work throughout the trips around the globe. Now I’m sharing my best tips for managing your career through the move.

Do Your Research

If you don’t already have a job lined up in your new location, and if you haven’t already put aside an hour or so for research, do that first. Will you have access to a work visa through your partner, or do you need to secure your own? Do you need a license for your work? If you

can’t work, are there suitable volunteer opportunities that you can consider? Have you googled your current job title in your next town? This should be a part of any exploration you are doing, just as important as neighborhoods to live in and schools for the kids. Remember to put yourself on the list!

Build Up Your Network

With a new job or without, don’t leave your current workplace without connecting with colleagues, clients (if appropriate), and work friends on LinkedIn or other social media platforms before you leave. If they aren’t on social media, see if they wouldn’t mind sharing their personal contact information with you. Once you’ve left, try to reach out, comment on their posts, or update them on your next steps within three months of leaving, and then every six or so months afterward. This will help you build and maintain a valuable network of friends and

professional contacts that can follow you. Naturally, over time your list might get smaller, but it will contain the people most invested in your success.

Additionally, ask your friends in Singapore who they know in your next destination. They inevitably know someone and will likely be happy to make an introduction. However, unless you are looking for some specific information on, say, neighborhoods or schools, no need to reach out until you’ve arrived. Most people will say, “Contact me when you get here,” so think of connecting with these folks as a great way to kick start your new community once you are on the ground, rather than adding to your to-do list before you leave.

Start Building Relationships

Once you’ve arrived, settled in a little, and moved beyond boxes, it’s time to start reaching out to those friends of friends and scheduling coffee or lunch dates when you have time. If you have kids, consider setting up

playdates with kids from school – your kids make new friends while you can connect with their parents (local Facebook parent groups are also good for making these connections). Admittedly, this can feel uncomfortable, whether you are an introvert or extrovert, so acknowledge this is a means to an end, take a breath, smile, and do it anyway. At this stage, all contacts are good contacts, whether personal or professional, so this isn’t the time to be shy.

Take the opportunity to not only ask about the best restaurants, dry cleaners, and classes for the kids but also about their jobs. If there is any overlap with your interests, ask more or set up a coffee to just ask about this. Armed with a bit more information, you can start looking up people on LinkedIn with your identified job or industry and reach out. Often people are willing to help a newcomer who has turned to them (the expert) for help.

Develop Your Message

Additionally, it’s important to be prepared to tell your story in your cover letter. Many companies are rightfully concerned about the transient nature of expats or those who move a lot, so be able to speak to your planned tenure. Should your length of stay be two years or less, it might be worth exploring starting a business or consultancy that is as mobile as you are, freelance work, or volunteer opportunities. If you need help, consider working with a career coach that can help you develop messaging that works, and give you support and advice through the search process.

Create a Plan

Your initial conversations, informational interviews, and career coach will assist you in finding clarity on what kind of role will work for you and will help provide direction in your job search. And don’t forget to brush up on your knowledge of local standards and customs for resumes and job applications, such as whether or not to include a

photo of yourself, your marital status, or your blood type. With your new contacts putting in a good word to get you to the top of the resume pile, and your old contacts providing recommendations on your behalf, before long, you will be fielding offers, choosing the role that is best for you!

Living overseas is an adventure, and your career can be, too, if you are willing to take the journey. Finding a job in any setting can be difficult, so be sure to take care of yourself, physically, mentally, and emotionally through the process by getting enough rest, moving your body, and exercising your mind by continuing to be open, learn, and remind yourself of your strengths. Before long, this new location will feel like the best move you’ve ever made.

All AAS Members are now also CareerSource members! Take advantage of CareerSource services and events as part of your regular family membership.

CareerSource services are perfect for individuals 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 entreprenuership

• interested in personal development

Female AAS members can also join PrimeTime events at PrimeTime member cost.

Join our various networking groups!

Metworks (men's networking)

Where "grabbing a drink with the guys" meets "making great connections" A different venue every month, same good time with great guys!

Young Professionals & Newbies

Women's Networking

“When women gather, great things will happen.” Our women’s group is about more than networking – we support, we sympathize, we brainstorm, we collaborate, we laugh… and we have a great time!

Freelancers & Small Business Owners

Join

Join fellow young (and young at heart) professionals for Happy Hour! Grab a drink, find the AAS tables, and strike up a conversation!

our networking sessions to brainstorm, problemsolve and share challenges, ideas and best practices.