Living in Singapore Magazine - December 2022/January 2023

As we barrel forward into the new year at what feels like breakneck speed, we thought it would be good to pause and look at ways to improve our well-being.

The December holidays are traditionally a time of giving, and we've got some ideas for you about how to give back to your community. We also look at how to give back to yourself by way of space, both mental and physical, by decluttering your home. And if that's not enough to improve your mood, you can check out some ideas on how to spend the whopping seven long weekends we will get in 2023!

The Association has some exciting events coming up, including our annual Toys for Tots celebration. Tickets to the event have sold out, but you can still donate an unwrapped toy or gift at any number of locations around the city.

The 87th George Washington Ball is back this year, and that, too, is sold out! But if you'd still like to support our beneficiary charity, you can purchase a personalized star on the AAS Charity Walk of Fame.

We will return to the Ambassador's Cup golf tournament in March, and the way tickets have been selling, I suggest you jump on those as soon as they go

To all those traveling to see loved ones for the holidays, we wish you a safe journey. Happy Holidays, and Happy

EDITORIAL

who we are

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

Leo Arwas, Alexandra Berrie, Samantha Browne, Dr. Jeff Devens, John S. Hamalian, Richard Hartung, Leslie Hull-Ryde, Sara Madera, Lauren Raps, Tara Ritter-Malke, Susan Williams, Dana Wolf

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERS

President: Blair Hall

Vice President: Michael Johnsen Treasurer: Ashok Lalwani

Directors-at-Large: Mkulima Britt, Dana Hvide, Aaron Kim, Daniel Moss, Naureen Rasul, Jennifer Yarbrough AmCham: Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei AWA: Linda Schindler SACAC: Jeff Majestic SAS: Kyle Aldous

The American Club: Neetu Mirchandani

Non-Voting Members

US Embassy: Brian Himmelsteib

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 or CareerSource 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.

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Susan Williams

message from the president

By Blair Hall

‘Tis the Season! Orchard Road is brightly illuminated with festive holiday themes, Gardens by the Bay is a wonderland of poinsettias and gingerbread houses, and the shopping centers are brightly decorated and full of customers laden with wrapped purchases. It can only mean one thing in Singapore: it’s almost Thanksgiving! Winter break and other seasonal holidays will soon follow, and an early Chinese New Year means the celebrations will continue deep into January. �� It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

For Americans, the holiday season always kicks off with Thanksgiving. One of the differences with Thanksgiving celebrations in Singapore is that they rarely are held on Thanksgiving Day because usually, that’s a workday here. Instead, friends and families gather throughout the week in fellowship and gratitude. Getting into the Singapore spirit of starting everything early, AAS and the American Women’s Association teamed up with XCL American Academy to host a sold-out traditional Thanksgiving feast for 200 members and guests a few days before the actual holiday. We were delighted to give thanks for our blessings while sharing cheer with so many friends and neighbors. I also am grateful that I had time to recover before the next round of Thanksgiving celebration meals commenced!

And without a pause, we’re onto Christmas celebrations. Our sold-out, exuberant, open-air bus tour promises to be a lot of fun. Adult refreshments will be served en route and after. Big thanks to the event's sponsor, Cellarbrations. It’s a great way to ease into the spirit of Christmas. For nearly 30 years, Toys for Tots has been one of the Association’s most cherished family activities. AAS will again team up with our co-sponsor The American Club, as well as the US Embassy and US Marines, to host this old-fashioned, sold-out Christmas event on December 5. There will be crafts and cookies, and we’re reliably informed that Santa will likely stop by. You can still donate a new, unwrapped toy for a child aged 7-12 that the Marines will collect and deliver to underprivileged children through Children’s Wishing Well.

2023, the Year of the Rabbit, will keep AAS hopping with activities. The 87th George Washington Ball, our premier black-tie charity gala event, has just sold out! If you're interesting in donating a prize, you can contact our advertising manager, Thila Chanda, at thila@aasingapore.com. In addition to the popular Ambassador’s Cup golf tournament we’ve hosted since 1947, AAS will be in full swing this year with an active slate of social, volunteer, cultural, and culinary events lined up throughout the year. We look forward to you joining us for the events that appeal to you and your family.

With that, everyone at the American Association joins me in wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with good health, peace, and prosperity.

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

member benefits

Banyan Tree Bintan

15% off best available rates. Valid through 12/31/22.

Core Holistic Nutrition

Get 10% off the initial consultation rate. WhatsApp: +65 8789 9064. contact@coreholisticnutrition.com. Valid through 2/28/23.

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

Expat Living magazine

Free six-month subscription. Valid through 12/30/22.

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.

Laguna Golf Bintan 25% off visitor rates. 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.

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 2/28/23.

New World's End AAS members enjoy a 10% discount with unique gift code AAS10. Valid through 2/28/23.

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 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. Valid through 12/22/22.

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 12/31/23.

The Residence Bintan

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

Solescape

AAS members enjoy 15% discount on their purchase of a pair of shoes. Valid through 12/31/22.

Sunbird Brewing Company

AAS members enjoy 15% off with promo code AAS on web orders. Valid through 12/31/22.

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

SAFL

The American Club US Embassy

Monthly Happy Hour with AAS Special: Boozy Bus Christmas Light Up Tour

Dec 2, 7:00 – 10:00 PM

Toys for Tots 2022

Dec 5, 5:00 – 7:00 PM

(Young) Professionals & Newbies Happy Hour

Jan 12, 6:30 – 8:30 PM

Chinese New Year Chinatown Tour

Jan 14, 2:00 – 5:00 PM

Freelancers, Entrepreneurs & Small Business Coffee

Jan 18, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Metworks

Jan 19, 7:00 – 9:00 PM

The AAS office will be closed for the holidays December 16, 2022 through January 3, 2023.

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

upcoming events Community

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On November 20, AAS and AWA co-hosted a Thanksgiving dinner with sponsor XCL American Academy, and we had a blast! We had crafts for the kids and all sorts of games including pumpkin bowling, pin the feather on the turkey, a spoon race with potatoes, and a balloon stomp; a candy guessing contest; and of course, a traditional Thanksgiving

dinner complete with turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. Thanks to The American Club and New World's End for providing lucky draw prizes! Big thanks to XCL American Academy for opening its beautiful campus to us!

For additional photos, click here.

A NIGHT OF MAGIC, WINE, AND CHEESE

In the intimate setting of Peterson's Wines on Emerald Hill, Ming Da wowed us with his magic tricks and slight of hand on October 28. While he made us wonder how he did it, we enjoyed wine from Peterson's and cheese provided by Little Farms.

Check out additional photos here

Shoeboxes for Sailors

By Leslie Hull-Ryde

Students and their families from the Stamford American International School and members of the American Association of Singapore, with assistance from The American Club to collect donations, treated Military Sealift Command civil service mariners and Sailors currently operating in the Indo-Pacific Region care packages, complete with homemade baked goods.

“Being an international American school, we embraced the opportunity to give thanks to the US Navy for all they do. This was a way for our American and non-American community to thank those who put themselves on the line for all of us,” said Jacqueline Windebank, senior manager of community engagement at SAIS.

“We believe that giving and service is an important part of well-being. This opportunity allowed us a chance to give something small to those living away from home.”

Windebank explains that many students at SAIS have direct ties to the US Navy as they have family members who either served or are serving in the sea service. One such family was there. The father had served in the US Navy for many years and was proud that his two children were there to help. The children hoped somebody would do something similar for their brother, who is currently serving in the US Navy.

The American Association of Singapore partnered with SAIS to create the care packages just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. Volunteers from both groups donated items and worked together to pack the boxes with familiar objects and a taste of home.

“The American community in Singapore wants to say thanks to those serving our nation. We understand it's hard to be far from home, especially during our holidays. This simple gesture is a way of showing our gratitude,” said Melinda Murphy, general manager of AAS, who helped spearhead the project.

“This community service is also a great way to connect families to our heritage and to those serving our nation. It's an honor to bring a little thanks to those serving so far from home.”

The volunteers created 150 care packages, which were delivered to civil service mariners aboard three Military Sealift Command ships and Sailors aboard two other US Navy vessels. Crews aboard USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14), USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199), USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198), USS

Oakland

When MSC Far East chaplain Lt. Jamil Khan delivered the care packages, one long-serving civil service mariner said it was the first one he’d received since 1999.

“The students' thoughtful act was much appreciated by our civil service mariners and Sailors,” Khan said.

“Those who choose to serve do not necessarily volunteer to do so because they want to spend more time away from their families and friends but rather because they are prepared to make personal sacrifices in order to ensure freedom of the seas.

“It is heartwarming to see that even on foreign land, their efforts are not in vain and that their sacrifice is recognized and valued by others.”

Like their active-duty counterparts, civil service mariners serving aboard Military Sealift Command ships spend extended periods away from friends and family as they are deployed worldwide. MSC Far East ensures that approximately 50 ships in the Indo-Pacific region are manned, trained, and equipped to deliver essential supplies, fuel, cargo, and equipment to warfighters, both at sea and onshore.

Task force commanders, like Task Force 73, employ these ships to ensure mission accomplishment.

Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific (COMLOG WESTPAC)/Task Force 73 is the US Navy's premier maritime mobile logistics organization that supports units conducting missions in the US 7th Fleet Area of Operations. Located in Southeast Asia, COMLOG WESTPAC, in conjunction with Military Sealift Command Far East, logistically resupplies deployed units in the Western Pacific, including US Navy ships and Allies and partners.

(LCS 24) and USS Charleston (LCS 18) received shoeboxes filled with games, food, and supplies.

Wilderness Survival at Camp Thailand

By Leo Arwas, BSA Troop 10B

What is worse than sleeping outside in a tent, close to a tropical jungle, in the rainy season? Maybe sleeping outside WITHOUT a tent in a tropical jungle in the rainy season!

The Far East Council organizes a week-long camp for the regional BSA Troops every year. This summer, after a three-year break due to COVID, 95 Scouts from all over Southeast Asia were finally able to camp again in Chiang Mai, Thailand. During Camp Thailand, I had the opportunity to work on several merit badges. One of the ones I chose was Wilderness Survival because it sounded fun. I had to make a survival kit and learn about different survival techniques and how to best prepare for possibly getting lost in the wilderness. And I also had to build my shelter and sleep in it. A group of us got together to fashion our shelters. We had tarps, wooden sticks, and some paracord, which was pretty much it. It was quite daunting, mainly because some other Scouts had told me that when they did it three years ago, most people got drenched and muddy. Therefore, I am happy that I did this on the second to last night instead of the last night, as initially planned, because it rained so hard on the last night that we weren’t even able to light a campfire.

To build my shelter, I found two trees next to each other and used my paracord to tie the tarp to the trees. Then, I used a log to fix the tarp in place so that it formed two sides of a triangle, with one side of the triangle acting as a roof to shelter me from the rain and the other side on the ground for me to sleep on. I also managed to find some bamboo which I split open with a machete to make nails which I hammered into the ground like tent sticks to fix my tarp in place. When it was time for bed, I was under the (false) impression that I wasn’t allowed to take my camping mat, so I just slept on the hard ground. I sprayed so much mosquito repellent around my shelter that I couldn’t even enter the toxic cloud for at least two minutes. Then, I crawled in. It turned out to be more comfortable to sleep halfway out of my shelter than inside it because of the lumpy ground where I had pitched it, and I kept shifting around. The good thing was, compared to sleeping inside my tent, it was less humid to sleep outside and, in that respect, more comfortable.

All in all, it was not my most comfortable Scouting experience. However, it was undoubtedly a very exciting one that provided me with much more outdoor knowledge.

Leo Arwas is a First Class Scout and a Patrol Leader for BSA Troop 10B.

Girl Scouts Are Off to a Rockin' Start

By Susan Williams, USAGSO

USA Girl Scouts Overseas (USAGSO) Singapore has gotten off to a terrific start! In September, Scouts gathered for the annual opening ceremonies and Songfest, where troops had the chance to interact, learn from one another, and sing many Girl Scout songs. In October, we celebrated Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low’s birthday with Kite Fest. This was a funfilled afternoon for the entire family to fly kits, picnic, and support troops raising funds for troop projects.

The Father-Daughter Dance is one of the most exciting events of the year that girls and parents alike look forward to. For the first time since 2019, we could have the traditional dance in its usual format. The theme was Rock & Roll, and the girls and dads went all out! In addition to dancing their booties off, they made tie-dye t-shirts, got silly in a photo booth, and enjoyed dinner together. Everyone had a fantastic time, and we are so happy to be able to hold significant events like this once again. And of course, all the troops are busily working on badges, camping and learning leadership skills.

Mid-year registration for USAGSO is open beginning December 1 until January 15. If you’d like more information or to join, visit our website. We are always looking for more troop leaders and volunteers, too! Come and join us, where leadership training is disguised as fun!

Finding Your Future Through Merit Badges

By Samantha Browne, BSA Troop 1010G

I joined Scouts BSA around four years ago when Troop 1010 was founded. I had heard about what joining Scouts usually entails, such as earning merit badges, tying knots, and camping. Still, I didn’t realize how much Scouting helps prepare you for the future.

Merit badges are especially helpful with figuring out interests and learning about career paths. They provide Scouts with new experiences, and merit badges also help Scouts prepare for the future. One of the requirements for each merit badge is to think about careers related to that merit badge and do research on the kind of education required to get a job in that field. I have always had a slight interest in science and physics, so when I heard that some members of my troop were going to start the Nuclear Science merit badge, I was intrigued. We met with the merit badge counselor and learned a lot about nuclear science through discussions and building models to explain how a nuclear reactor works. Then, I continued with my research to further my knowledge and discover potential careers related to nuclear science. Though I may not pursue a career in nuclear science, earning the Nuclear Science merit badge was a valuable experience.

Earning the Painting merit badge also helped me to explore new areas and learn about exciting career paths. I have always enjoyed art, particularly painting, yet the Painting merit badge taught me new things I had never known before. It allowed me to see new techniques and apply them outside of Scouts in my art classes at school. Discussions with my Scouting peers and my merit badge counselor also opened my eyes to new career possibilities in art.

Beyond gaining knowledge, the merit badge system also helps boost confidence and improve communication skills. A Scout must take the initiative and approach a Scoutmaster to ask about starting a merit badge. Scouts then demonstrate what they have learned through discussions and projects.

I would recommend Scouting to any preteens or teenagers. It is an amazing opportunity to expand your knowledge, friendship circle, and life experiences and prepare yourself for the future.

Samantha Browne is a Second Class Scout and a Patrol Leader for BSA Troop 1010G .

Cub Scouts Pack 3017 – Autumn 2022

By Tara Ritter-Malke

After almost two years of COVID restrictions, we celebrated Halloween as a pack this year! Pack 3017 Bear dens hosted the annual Halloween Carnival on Saturday, October 29, at the Singapore American School. All Scouts and parents were invited to dress up in costumes, enjoy fun games, and get treats! This was a fantastic event, and all the Scouts had a great time! During November, most of the dens in our pack are planning campouts to work on their outdoor skills and complete requirements to earn various outdoor badges. The Arrow of Light dens went camping on St. John’s Island on November 5-6 and worked on their Outdoor Adventure (camping/outdoor skills) and Castaway badges (survival skills). The Webelos dens will be camping at East Coast Park; Bear dens will be camping at Pulau Ubin to work on their Bear Claw (learning pocketknife skills) and Fur, Feather, Fauna (hiking and nature observations) badges; and all Wolf, Tiger, and Lion dens will be doing a day camp at Wildlings and will be learning outdoor skills. These campouts are intended to allow the Scouts to safely practice and apply the skills they are learning in real-life situations while also building comradery and enjoying some S’mores as a treat for their hard work.

The next event upcoming for Pack 3017 will be the Bobcat Ceremony & Uniform Inspection on Saturday, December 3. The Cub Scout uniform fosters a collective identity, gives Scouts a place to show off their accomplishments, and lets the community know that Scouts are doing their best. While the official uniforms have many pieces, most Cub Scouts wear just the appropriate uniform shirt, neckerchief, and slide. During the inspection, Scouts will have to present to a den leader in their formal uniform to show their neatness and pride in their achievements. Bobcat ceremonies are designed to welcome new Scouts to the Cub Scout progression. Typically performed early in the Scouting year, these Bobcat ceremonies are a great way to encourage advancement and to bring the younger Scouts into our Pack family. Parents are invited onstage to paint their Scouts’ faces with the symbols and colors that tell the story of the Cub Scout rank of Bobcat. If you’d like more information about our pack, please get in touch with us at sgpack3017@gmail.com and check us out at Cub Scouts | Singapore | American Cub Scouts Pack 3017 (cubscoutsusa.com.sg) or Pack 3017 Singapore Cub Scouts of America | Facebook.

My parents and I immigrated from China to the US in search of our American dream when I was six years old. I brought with me vivid memories of the years before we moved when people fished in murky waters and suffered allergies due to worsening air pollution from urban development. I learned from a young age the critical balance between environmental protection and economic prosperity.

My family moved every two years across the US, always trying for better opportunities. We made homes for ourselves in Oregon, Vermont, and New Jersey, and I had the immense privilege of meeting and learning from people from all walks of life. But no matter where I went, I saw the tension between environmental considerations and people’s struggle to make ends meet. In 2011, our town in Vermont, our home, and everything we and those around us worked for was destroyed by Hurricane Irene – a rude awakening to the critical nature of climate change.

Fueled by a passion for environmental work on a global scale, I simultaneously pursued two undergraduate degrees in Environmental Science and International Studies. In search of creating a tangible impact, I used my language skills to work as a teacher in rural China, where I developed and taught courses on sustainability. Encouraged by mentors, I delved into marine conservation policy and conducted research with various environmental nonprofits to study

Humans of The Embassy

Luo Zizhan Rangel Fellow

emerging marine technologies and assess potential impacts on global fish production. To deepen my domestic policy knowledge, I worked as a Hollings Scholar with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to analyze commercial fisheries data and US marine regulations.

These experiences highlighted the usefulness of a cross-cultural background for understanding issues beyond face value. It also reinforced my belief in the importance of recognizing economic motivations in environmental work, engaging the public in decision-making, considering the real impact of policies on people, and promoting cross-border initiatives.

Driven by my desire to implement positive change at an international level, I returned to China as a Fulbright Scholar to examine the policymaking process of sustainable fisheries management and its impact on local communities. While this experience clarified my interest in a career in public service and foreign affairs, the abrupt ending to my Fulbright and hasty return to the US due to COVID-19 solidified this path for me. Witnessing the breakdown in relations and ensuing antagonism unfold from Wuhan reminded me yet again of the essential nature of international diplomacy and the effect on humanity when there is a lack thereof.

Immigrating to the US opened my world to countless freedoms, opportunities, and exposure to diverse cultures. But perhaps most importantly, my experiences since have elucidated a path for me to pay it forward. Thus, I took to the Rangel Fellowship – a State Department program that provides funding for graduate school and a pipeline for the US Foreign Service – to allow me to serve my country and the world how I know best.

I look forward to officially joining the Foreign Service upon completing my final year pursuing a Master of Public Policy degree at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. It would be an honor to serve the American people and help build a safer, more prosperous planet for everyone.

Many instances of anxiety and depression are rooted in persistent and pervasive negative thinking. It’s not that kids don’t want to change; many simply don’t know how. When this occurs, a parent tends to either become manic—running from one emotional episode to the next, trying to assuage their kid’s feelings—or dismiss the behavior as immature and childish. I would like to suggest a middle path of consolation, clarification, and confrontation.

When kids (or adults) apply words such as always, never, all the time, no one, everyone, or everybody to their situations, they are thinking in emotional extremes. If they are allowed to persist with these thoughts, negative, nonproductive patterns will emerge. For example, if your child says, “I can’t do anything right,” or “I’ll never be good enough,” they are trying to convince themselves—and you— that they are the victim of circumstances beyond their control. When they adopt this mentality, they eventually take on the role of martyr or victim. It’s from this emotional vantage point that they’ll justify passivity.

Kids are primarily emotional thinkers. Not yet able to compartmentalize their feelings, their moods color all areas of their lives. Parents must help them sort through their pain, use words to communicate, not emotions, and develop a plan of action. With practice and consistency, parents can move kids from being emotionally passive to logical thinkers who can own their feelings.

The steps in this process are outlined below.

Consolation—Validate the Hurt

The way to a kid’s head is through the heart. When kids speak in emotional extremes, it’s vital for parents to acknowledge and validate their feelings.

This doesn’t mean you agree with the sentiments. Saying, “I’m sorry this is happening” or “I can see how you would feel this way when...” are ways to validate feelings. When you do this, expect them to be more emotional initially. Why? You’re providing an outlet for their feelings. Doing this also allows you access to the cerebral side of their brains. In short, they need to be allowed to vent.

Clarification—Ask Difficult Questions

The process of validating feelings and clarifying the issues takes time, sometimes a lot. In fact, your timing of questions is more important than your words. The clarification process is where parents usually run into trouble. Some approach this like a lawyer interrogating a client instead of a parent cultivating a heart. When parents demand evidence to support emotions, the process shuts down. Instead, get your kids talking by asking them questions such as, “When you say you can’t do anything right, can you help me understand what you mean?” or “When you say you have no friends or your teachers don’t like you, can you help me understand what you mean?” These open-ended questions provide insights into what they are thinking. In most cases, the extremes won’t be sustained beyond one or two specific events.

Confrontation—Address the Extremes

Once you understand the specific issues, it’s time to develop a plan of action. Continued passivity and emotional extremes won’t produce positive outcomes. You must take the lead if your child doesn’t want to move forward. Expect your child to either become more emotional or refuse to engage. Have the courage to look beyond the present emotional state of your child and think about how they would like you to handle similar situations in the future. For example, what would you do if your child came to you in tears, stating, “My teacher doesn’t like me!” What if they then used this as justification for not putting effort into the class?

After you’ve validated their feelings and asked for specific examples, arranging a conversation between your child and their teacher may be appropriate to clarify misunderstandings. Your child’s counselor can work as a mediator to facilitate this process. It’s difficult for kids and/or teachers to persist with negative or extreme thinking when a third-party mediator presents the situation from all sides and clarifies any contradicting information. The goal is for kids to selfadvocate, address specific issues and concerns, and seek a positive resolution. This is the kind of work I undertake regularly, and it often leads to positive outcomes.

But what do you do when a child’s feelings are accurate? In some cases, kids may not have many friends, they may not be able to do certain things as well as others, or they may be dealing with a personality clash with a teacher. To deny this is to deny reality. Sometimes reality is painful. There aren’t quick fixes or easy solutions to some of life’s problems. It’s essential to focus on what kids can do. Can they persist despite obstacles? Can they, with support, find ways to demonstrate competence in other areas?

With maturation, motivation, and, yes, emotions, kids can find ways to overcome challenges. A time for wallowing may be necessary, but it’s not the place to camp. Sometimes, to overcome painful circumstances, we have to go through them—even kids. There’s no joy in this, at least not immediately, but there are opportunities for growth. If your child is persistently thinking in negative patterns and you need help, reach out to their counselor or teachers. Kids will need guidance from parents to cope with their emotions, deal with negative self-talk, and find positive ways to own their emotions and resulting behaviors.

Dr. Jeff Devens is a high school personal academic counselor at Singapore American School.

HEAD SPACE

Season of Giving: Give to Live a Better Life Inside and Out

End-of-year holiday time is also called the Season of Giving. We give to those who have less, need more, or maybe are due for a boost in their life to get them to the next level. In my book, Bipolar Phoenix (Amazon/Kindle), I spent a whole chapter talking about giving back as a way to heal or at least cope with my mental health. I know from experience that giving feels pretty good, and I’ve made it a regular practice since I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 20 years ago.

workshops for Writing Through, a US/Cambodianbased charity that teaches conceptual writing to tell one’s own story, good or bad. I’ve written my own good/bad story and seek to share that experience and opportunity with anyone who listens.

All of this feels good to me. I can’t recommend enough that people like us in Singapore take some time to support a cause in the community. Indeed, the American Association of Singapore supports work with charities such as ACRES animal rescue, NEA beach cleanups, and other efforts.

For myself, I give back by advocating for the mentally ill or trauma-challenged people of the world. In Singapore, I volunteer to do sports, writing, and Vision Board activities for the DaySpring Residential Treatment Centre, a home for abused teen girls. I also facilitate writing

AAS chooses a different charity for the Ambassador’s Cup each year, the last one in 2022 being LOVE, NILS, a children’s cancer support organization. One year, the golf tournament supported a bike charity that taught disenfranchised and disabled people how to ride bikes and even provided special bikes for them to do so. AAS also supports charity through the George Washington Ball. This year's charity is Kidz Horizon Appeal, an organization helping children with chronic medical needs. Our sister organization, the American Women’s Association, regularly volunteers for Food from the Heart food preparation and distribution and supports families at the Ronald McDonald House, among other organizations.

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.

Still, I often hear from people who say, "I don’t know what to do or how to get involved." For me, it was easy because I’m a writer and I do sports with kids, so both my charities lend themselves to my strengths. As a mental health advocate, these efforts jibe with my vibe and passion for supporting the mental health space.

What I recommend to others is the same way my husband recommends picking stocks: choose what you like or what you are good at. Find a choir (like AWA’s!) that sings at nursing homes if you enjoy singing. Attend AAS’s Toys for Tots event and bring a gift if you would like to help needy children. If you like sports, find a children’s home or school that needs volunteers. If you’re good with money, do a session for a group on managing their money. If you’ve had legal trouble or addiction, consider supporting the ex-con community who needs help rebuilding their lives. If you have money but no time, by all means, DONATE!

In that vein, you can take a look at the website called Giving.SG. It has 500 different charities to choose from with all different focuses. Here you’ll find one that suits you and maybe get some ideas for where to contact places to volunteer directly. The website has all those contacts. I’m not saying we give to get tax breaks, but in Singapore, you get double back, as Singapore matches your donations twice over.

Whatever you choose, I can guarantee you will feel better about giving back. I know I do. Happy Holiday Season and Happy Giving!

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.

Coming Soon!

A Chinese New Year Revelation

By John S. Hamalian

As fireworks raged in the distance and New Bridge Road rumbled under the feet of ecstatic Lunar New Year revelers, a strange hand reached out from the shadows and touched me from among the throngs of humanity. Thinking it was a beggar or unwelcome solicitor, I instinctively waved the intruder off with indifference as I continued my march down the street. After walking a few steps, I stopped and turned around, overcome by an odd feeling of being remiss. An older man was standing there, staring at me. “Help me … please,” he said as swarms of people whisked to and fro, practically transforming him into a blur. An elderly woman was standing by the man’s side, her arm wrapped tightly in his, both of them frozen in front of a rather deep curb that he could not manage to transgress. I made my way through the crowd and joined his side, clutching his arm to brace him as he slowly made his way down the curb to the walkway below. That was all he wanted – a simple helping hand – and I almost completely ignored him.

Sometimes we go through life programmed to avoid, disengage, and shut our eyes. We trudge along our little paths in our personal

zones of semi-apathy, understandably preoccupied with our jobs, our fortunes, and our families. At times like these, our senses get dulled, and the ravages of routine diminish our curiosity. Yet, if we disconnect ourselves from the tender touch of humanity, we may fail to see sparks of inspiration that can help us overcome the darkness of the day. When walking through the forest of life too fast, we can miss some lovely trees along the way.

Safely on firm ground, the elderly man looked up at me and managed a broad smile, despite the pain from his failing legs. “Thank You,” he said as the couple moved on into the night. The magic of those two simple words is amazing, stirring a feeling of intense warmth that no fire possibly could.

For me, Chinese New Year took on a special meaning that night. Beyond the festivities, past the fanfare, and apart from the reunions, the uncle on the street taught me an additional purpose of the holiday: to freshen the mind, open the eyes, and enlarge the heart.

Give Your Time, Talent, or Treasure

constantly struggle to raise funds, and any amount can help.

If you want to add to your impact or don’t have funds to donate, you can volunteer your time at non-profits by volunteering to help with activities. Many organizations have very tight budgets and depend on volunteers to help deliver the services they offer. Giving your time can help make sure they achieve their mission.

While any type of volunteering is beneficial, many non-profits also need specific support for more

complex tasks. You can do even more for nonprofits by providing your talent. Offering your skills in marketing, social media, accounting, legal work, technology, or other fields can improve how nonprofits operate and enable them to have an even more significant impact on their cause.

Volunteer at the Right Level

As part of your decision about giving your time, talent, or treasure to a non-profit, it is also important to look at your giving level. Some people are more comfortable volunteering for basic tasks such as chopping vegetables in a food program. In contrast, others want to work on setting the organization’s strategy as a board member.

There are four levels or phases of contribution, consultant AC Ho explained in Is Giving Worth It The first phase is when you are a novice and learn about volunteering or offering support that doesn’t require specific skills, such as serving food or cleaning a shelter. The second is when you are a professional contributing your expertise or talent, such as accounting or legal skills. In the third

level, you contribute through managing events, coaching, or mentoring. And phase four is when people contribute strategically by serving in roles such as board member, committee chair, or strategic planning committee member.

AC Ho said, “We need to ask ourselves, ‘What is my best level of contribution’,” as well as what we are most comfortable with and what we prefer.

Choose Where to Give

It is also essential to give to an organization that you care about and that matches your interests, preferences, and values. Non-profits support causes ranging from serving the elderly or children to providing services in healthcare, conservation, education, and more.

The first step is to consider your personal preferences, values, interests, why you want to volunteer, and your broader purpose so you can find the right match.

Then, you can use various resources to find nonprofits that need help. SG Cares, for instance, has a volunteering portal where you can enter your preferences and receive suggestions. The giving.sg website lists hundreds of ad hoc and long-term volunteering activities. The American Association of Singapore can connect you to volunteering opportunities. Or you can do searches online to find portals or organizations where you can give.

The Benefits of Giving

Whether you give your time, talent, or treasure sporadically or regularly, you will have a tremendous positive impact on the community. Along with helping non-profits, your volunteering can help you, too. The more people volunteer, researchers at the London School of Economics found, the happier they are. Wharton professor Cassie Mogilner found that people who volunteer feel like they have more free time. And research by the renowned Mayo Clinic found that volunteering can reduce stress, decrease depression and give purpose. By helping others, you will support a cause you care about and help yourself, too.

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.

Less Mess Less Stress

By Dana Wolf

The boxes are piling up in your storage, and the wardrobe is bursting at the seams. How do you prepare your home for the holidays and at the same time stay mentally sane? Do you know that there is a correlation between your environment and its impact on your mood? Clutter can annoy us, distract us or take away much-needed energy. Clutter makes you unhappy, even if you don’t think it does. Certified Marie Kondo consultant Dana Wolf will give you tips and tricks to tidy up your home and make space to start a joy-filled life.

What is the KonMari method all about?

The core of the method is to be surrounded only by things that spark joy. It will change your way of thinking. It’s life-transforming. The reason is that when you put your house in order, you put your affairs and your past in order too. As a result, you can see quite clearly what you need in life, what you do not, and what you should and should not. A messy room equals a messy mind. Visible mess helps distract us from the true source of the disorder.

What does “Spark Joy” mean?

It’s that feeling you get when you know something is a “yes.” It’s a heart-feeling, not a head thing. Only you know what your yesses are. Everyone’s yesses are different.

How to start my tidying journey?

There are basic rules to tidying up that must be followed in order.

• Commit yourself to tidy up. • Imagine your ideal lifestyle. • Finish discarding first.

Tidy by category, not by location

Follow the correct order:

• Ask yourself if it sparks joy. • Determine a place for everything - Every item has a “home.”

My family members are messy. How can I force them to tidy up?

Tidying is a personal activity so to embark on this journey successfully, you must be ready to take the first step. Instead, why not focus on areas within your control such as your personal belongings and space? You will be surprised by how much tidying can positively impact you and your surroundings. Try to lead by example.

It’s all about an internal shift first. There is a logic to this process that works. You practice and build up your skills, starting with more manageable things. As you work on each category of items in your home, you re-set old habits. Most importantly, you will dramatically change your mindset.

What positive changes can I expect?

• You’ll get more connected to your True Self.

• You’ll have more confidence saying “no” to what’s not suitable for you and more clarity about what you love and what’s a “yes.”

• You’ll practice this with your things, but it will extend beyond your stuff into all the areas of your life.

• You’ll free up mental and emotional energy as you gain clarity about what you want

to keep, and you’ll feel a peaceful release and a sense of freedom as you let go of anything you no longer desire.

• You will create room in your home or workspace to enjoy doing what you love alone and with others, rest, nest, be more present, and savor your life.

Dana is a certified Marie Kondo Consultant and Feng Shui Master. She is passionate about decluttering her clients’ houses and minds. Dana believes in the impact of the spaces that surround us. Her mission is to make space for a joy-filled life for her clients. Anjia Living is a consulting firm based in Singapore. For a limited time, Dana is offering a holiday special if you’d like to gift your loved ones with a Marie Kondo or Feng Shui session rather than something materialistic. For more information, visit her website at www.anjialiving.com or follow her on Instagram at @anjialivingcom

Nothing has ever worked for me, and I’m really messy. What can I do?

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Headed Back to the Office? Here’s a Checklist to Help With the Transition.

By Sara Madera, Career Coach

Women are headed back to the workplace. Whether because they are gaining traction on jobs, being called back into the office for a hybrid work situation, or returning to work after maternity leave, the days of accepted work-fromhome seem to be behind us.

Women carefully unwound their lives and schedules to accommodate home learning; developed workstations for themselves, partners, and kids; and added teacher, entertainer, and nurse to their resumes – all while managing a full-time household, and often still brought the results in their job. Over time, women learned to juggle it all by unloading the dishwasher during a conference call, using that hour of commuting time to connect with a colleague who lives across the globe, or finding the time to take a 30-minute break when their kids came home from school.

But, as we close in on two solid years at home, women are finding that while they are more efficient, they are also managing five additional hours of domestic chores

per day compared to pre-pandemic when both partners worked outside of the home. Some are also struggling with a loss of autonomy, missing eating lunch with colleagues, and feeling empowered from navigating the world without the context of the home. Still rebuilding their networks, women are beginning to feel like robots, living only to take care of others with work and life happening in the confines of their homes. So much for that walk planned during a Zoom break – there’s laundry to do.

To regain their identity as an individual, with ambition and adventures no longer on hold, some women are looking to unwind from work-fromhome life and find a world that offers them both flexibility and a way to untie the apron strings. But what needs to be considered when headed back to the office, whether it’s post-pandemic or postbaby, that will allow success at work and home?

now will allow the feeling of productivity to lead the first few months in the office.

• Master Your Values – Especially during the transition, constant evaluation of the tasks at hand will allow for focus on priorities. Energy will be required to manage the change, so spend time where it’s essential, whether it’s with family bonding, healthy meals, or clean floors. If all of those are important, it might require outsourcing or a change of expectations, such as mopping the floor every two weeks instead of one. There will likely be trade-offs, but the answers become more apparent when values lead decision-making

• Childcare – Many lists and resources debate the personal choice of nanny versus daycare, but backup scenarios must be part of the plan even when kids are in school. Consider assigning days of the week to each parent, or ask a neighbor or grandparent in advance to help out on school closures or sick days. At times it will feel like there are more “backup scenarios” than regular days, but being prepared for them will take the stress out of last-minute scrambling.

• Organize and schedule – Many people live or die by their work calendar – and the schedule at home should be the same. Kid activities, cleaning time, bedtime, and even alone time can be part of the schedule. This also offers a solid visual of where time is being allocated and could give insight into the boundaries needed to enforce it.

Pro tip: try to check an item off the list that may have fallen to the bottom before the first day back—finishing a baby book, cleaning a closet, or washing the car. Taking advantage

• Make time for you – Part of the reason to return to the office is to reclaim a sense of self, but work will feel focused on clients, bosses, and colleagues, especially in the beginning. Ensure there is an intentional space for rest and time to hear an internal voice. Maybe that time is during commuting with podcasts or meditation or stopping by the gym on the way to or from work because self-care allows the capacity for taking care of others. Not to mention, it creates a place for self-compassion and forgiveness. Not everything will go to plan. Find and give grace to learn what will work at this family stage.

Advocate for yourself – Workplace biases won’t have fixed themselves in the time away from the office. Be clear about goals at work and home, and, after buy-in from a boss or partner as needed, communicate what is required to accomplish them. Does it look like you work from home on these specific days? Does someone need to pick up the kids on Tuesday to allow time for a reading by a favorite author? Let them know! If they understand how they are a part of a journey to success, they are more likely to be supportive. And be sure to share how going back to work is a transition; adjusting will likely take six months or so. By being prepped, they can be patient with creating the “new normal.”

Returning to the office will be a transition, even in a part-time capacity. But women have successfully weathered a pandemic and more and will adapt to this change, as well. With some thoughtful planning, self-care, and communication, a hybrid

work situation could allow for the best of both worlds, including time to manage a family and a household and reconnection with a sense of self outside the home. With the right tools and techniques, it is possible to create a balanced, beautiful life that includes both office and home.

Sara Madera is a mother of two and founder of Plan Creatively, which provides individuals and organizations with career coaching programs for working mothers.

FIVE PAYMENT OPTIONS IN SINGAPORE

THAT YOU WON'T FIND IN THE US

By Alexandra Berrie

When you’re an American expat first arriving in Singapore, store clerks can sometimes make you feel like a slow snail on a wet sidewalk. When you first approach a cash register and hand over your credit card, they often ask, “How you want to pay?” You may think, “It’s a credit card, my dude. You just run the stripe along the side of the machine.” But it’s not that easy here – it can take some time to get the hang of the entire array of options. Here are five of the most common. It’s your job to tell the cashier which button they should push on the register to initiate the transaction. Please don’t make them guess!

01

PayWave

PayWave is the most common, contactless payment system in Singapore. It works like contactless payments in the United States: tap your credit card on the terminal to pay. However, shop clerks in Singapore sometimes throw recent arrivals for a loop because they ask for it by name at checkout.

PayWave is the brand exclusive to the Visa network of electronic funds transfers, while MasterCard has a similar, but less-catchily named, service called MasterCard Contactless. However, cashiers always seem to ask, “PayWave?” instead of “MasterCard Contactless?” probably because “PayWave” is less of a mouthful. Since MasterCard and Visa each strive to distinguish their brands in the market, the two services have different names. Still, the basic idea behind both is the same: tap your credit card on the reader, and the transaction amount gets charged to your account, whether you’re using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or another card.

PayWave relies on Near-Field Communication, or NFC, the chips embedded in your bank card or cell phone allow you to “wave” (get it?) or tap your device onto a reader. This transfers money from your card or phone to the store using Radio Frequency Identification or RFID. With

this nifty technology, the miniature computers embedded into these chips are powered by the very radio waves they use to communicate. The transfer happens in a flash, and you can take your instant noodles and skootch out the door.

02

PayNow

PayNow is a service offered by most Singaporean banks that allows you to send and receive Singapore dollars using a mobile phone number. Think PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle all rolled into one and virtually everyone with a Singapore bank account has access to it. Shops and restaurants generate a QR code that you scan to pay. If you want to pay a person, you can also do that using that person’s mobile number.

Yet other purchases may require you to key in a UEN, or Unique Entity Number, to send payment. UENs are a by-product of Singapore’s trademark government efficiency. These numbers were initially developed to help the Ministry of Finance identify corporations in administrative records but have since come to be used in other transactions that don’t involve the government.

03

Digital Wallets

In Singapore, many competing digital wallet services vie for market share. Some of the most popular are PayLah, GrabPay, and EZ Link Pay by Wallet. With each of these services, you load your digital wallet of choice with Singapore funds and the wallet stores that amount until you use it up. Because Singapore has so many similar payment services, they try to distinguish themselves in the market as lifestyle apps. Each offers discounts, promotions, and cash back on purchases. Consumers who pick one service and use it exclusively can amass rewards over time that add up.

The NETS Cashcard and Motoring Card are primarily used to pay for road and parking tolls. They differ mainly in the technology powering them. The NETS CashCard, introduced in 1995, is a physical chip-based card that you insert into a vehicle’s card reader. It automatically deducts road tolls from the user’s stored value. However, NETS intends to phase out the old CashCard and replace it with the newer Motoring Card. The NETS Motoring Card is a contactless card compliant with the CEPAS standard used in second-generation vehicle transponders. From the end user’s standpoint, the payment technology doesn’t matter much: the primary concern is whether the cards work when needed.

The NETS CashCard and the NETS Motoring Card allow you to pay for parking lot charges and congestion pricing. What is congestion pricing? Known locally as ERP (Electronic Road Pricing), it’s a means to regulate traffic flow in the Central Business District. The price for driving into the ERP area fluctuates based on traffic conditions, with times of peak traffic accruing greater tolls.

Don’t confuse the CashCard or the Motoring Card with the NETS FlashPay card. The FlashPay card is a storedvalue card aimed at consumers rather than motorists. You can use it to pay for transit, including the MRT and buses, and also at retail outlets. Many small shop owners offer payment by NETS but not Visa or Mastercard because NETS charges lower fees than the multinational credit card networks.

One word of warning: legacy NETS terminals lie in wait all over Singapore to ambush unsuspecting foreigners simply trying to make their way out of parking garages. You can also top up these cards using an app on your phone.

05 04

Three Kinds of NETS

The Network for Electronic Transfers, better known as NETS, is the granddaddy of electronic funds transfers in Singapore. It was founded in 1985 by a consortium of local banks. NETS currently comes in three varieties: NETS Cashcard, NETS Motoring Card, and NETS FlashPay. Like the digital wallet services mentioned above, the various NETS cards store funds.

Crossed Checks

When you write a personal check in Singapore, there is a convention that prevents an individual from cashing the check directly. When you make out the check, if you write the amount on the payment line with a slash and an equals sign following the number (for example, $500 / =), then the check must be cleared through a bank deposit. In other words, no individual can cash the check to their personal account. This is referred to as a “crossed check.”

Singapore's range of payment options can seem surprising to new expats. Like many other things in this country, the sophistication and focus on convenience can prove highly inconvenient if you don’t know what you’re doing.

When my family first moved into our house, we rented a van to transport bulky items. Since we already possessed US credit cards and an account at a local bank, it simply never occurred to us that we might need a NETS card. We visited the Paya Lebar mall to shop late on a Sunday night. We drove innocently to the exit of the parking garage as a long line of cars piled up behind us. Of course, the payment terminal only took NETS CashCards. We frantically tried every card in our possession to get the gate to open. Imagine my mortification when everyone had to reverse to let our van back up.

Once we had parked for the second time, we spent the better part of an hour searching for a place to buy a card that would let us out of the parking lot, but we could not obtain one. NETS CashCards are usually available at convenience stores, but we had the bad luck of visiting three separate ones that were out of stock. Ultimately, we had to ask the mall security to scan their card while we paid them in cash. No one was happy about the situation.

I hope this article can help new expats avoid making the same mistakes we did!

Experiential Learning is Essential for Children’s Development – But Why?

As technology evolves and the world becomes more connected, it’s more important than ever to teach transferable skills such as leadership, problem-solving, innovation, and more to our children.

However, today’s parents and teachers face a significant challenge: how can they help children develop these skills when they’re not taught like other subjects at school?

While you may not find a “leadership” section in your child’s textbook, they have plenty of opportunities to learn and implement these skills — especially when their school has an experiential learning program.

What is Experiential Learning?

When we hear “learning,” we often think of books, videos, podcasts, and other learning materials. While these are essential in a school setting, they’re not the only way for children to learn new skills and knowledge.

Experiential learning allows students to connect with a subject or concept by experiencing it for themselves. This type of learning often involves hands-on activities such as experiments and fieldwork — but it can also take place over more extended periods (for example, a year-long class project).

Benefits of Experiential Learning for Students

Experiential learning allows students to explore their curiosity, make mistakes, and learn from them in a low-risk environment.

It also helps develop essential life skills such as leadership, communication, problem-solving, self-motivation, and more on top of the subject material. Students can take what they’ve learned and apply it in other contexts, strengthening the connection between two disciplines or subjects.

Additionally, research shows that hands-on activities lead to higher test scores and a deeper understanding of the subject beyond mere facts and figures.

Finally, experiential learning provides opportunities for children to discover what they’re passionate about — helping direct them to fulfilling careers and pathways in the future.

A unique learning experience for students in Singapore

At XCL American Academy, real-world learning is an essential part of our curriculum.

Starting in elementary school, our students will participate in the Pioneer Town experiential learning program that allows children to learn about practical topics such as business, marketing, communication, civics, leadership, and more.

In this educational model, students lead their learning journeys. This helps develop curiosity, collaboration, and selfmotivation — all essential traits in the 21st century.

Overall, experiential learning is a powerful tool for teaching essential life skills and helping students connect deeply with the knowledge they gain in the classroom.

If you are interested to learn more about XAA’s Pioneer Town program and how it can open your child to a world of possibilities, contact our Admissions Team today at admissions@xaa.edu.sg or (65) 6230 4222.

Guided by teachers and industry mentors, students will work in teams on different entrepreneurial projects throughout the school year. They’ll learn about market research, product design, business development, and other aspects of starting and running a business. At the end of the year, they will present their solutions to an expert panel, simulating a realworld pitch session.

Students will also participate in a large-scale simulation of a town where they can role-play and explore various careers. Through the town’s self-contained economy, students will learn how to manage their money and what it takes to keep a town running.

XAA’s Pioneer Town is a living, breathing, and authentic experiential learning experience unlike any other in Singapore. Students will have life-changing opportunities that will travel with them to a future unseen — an uncharted future led by Pioneers such as themselves. The latter are willing to take risks and create success that will lead to achieved goals and embraced dreams.

We look forward to seeing what our young Pioneers can achieve through rich, experiential learning!

Hitting The Long Weekend Lottery

By Lauren Raps

We have earned this.

After years of having our wings clipped, we are back to being travel fanatics and finding ourselves on the brink of a year in which Singapore is granting us a whopping seven, long, holiday weekends. To this, we say, “Thank you, Singapore,” and, “You are welcome,” to Singapore Airlines, or Scoot, for all the money we will be sending your way.

If, like many of us, you have spent the past couple of years creating your lists of where you want to go when we “get out,” you are rightfully overwhelmed by the embarrassment of riches we have living in Singapore. So, I have gathered some ideas to help you or make your list that much longer.

For the Quick Family Getaway

While only an hour and a half away on Scoot, Langkawi feels like a million miles away from Singapore when you step out of the airport. Blood pressure instantly goes down as your car takes you past beach towns and small villages spread across the beautiful jungle landscape of Langkawi.

On this 478.5 square kilometer island, you will find the rainforest paradise, The Datai, my selection for the best place for families in Langkawi. Kids will love the beautiful, private beach with unlimited, non-motorized watersports and an enormous beach to explore. Parents will love that the beach is kid-friendly, with gentle surf and a sizeable shallow area for the young ones.

This sustainable resort is eco-friendly in every aspect, and you will not find a typical kid's club, but rather a nature center with a guide who takes children out for animal hunting and nature watching throughout the day. All restaurants are also extremely child friendly, with a kid’s menu leaps and bounds beyond hot dogs and chicken nuggets, offering wholesome foods that would please the pickiest of eaters.

For the Adults-Only Escape

There are so many options in Bangkok these days, but with three nights and no kids, to escape from reality, I would head right to the Lumphini Area and check into the Rosewood Bangkok for your city oasis in the sky.

With fantastic restaurant options, and the super buzzy vinyl bar Lennon’s on the grounds, you don’t need to leave the hotel. However, you are still in Bangkok, and it would be criminal not to explore.

Steps away from the Rosewood, have dinner and drinks at the amazingly creative Mod Kaew Wine Bar or head over to Charmgang Curry Shop for a fresh take on Thai classics.

Spend a morning taking a motorbike over to Lumpini Park and get a couple of laps in with the locals.

Bangkok is an assault on all of your senses in the best of ways.

For the Girls Getaway

One of my favorite things about Bali is that there is something for everybody - couples, families, backpackers, etc. But having recently spent a few days there with some of my girl squad, I can vouch that Bali makes an ideal girl’s getaway. Because in the same vein, it is a destination that can offer your posse a long weekend based upon shopping, food and cocktails, yoga and wellness, and even tennis. It’s a chameleon of an island with so much to offer.

Stay at the Legian in Seminyak and spend your days at the various beach clubs and local boutiques to have a more social and active experience, or Como Ubud Shambhala to experience one of the most amazing wellness retreats on the island. There is so much to love about Bali, and who better to share it with than your closest girls?

For the Special Getaway (because, again…we deserve it)

If you want to use one of these long weekends and celebrate something special, I recommend Bawah Reserve in Indonesia. It is certainly one for the bucket list. The previously uninhabited islands in the little-known Anambas archipelago are only accessible by seaplane and sustainably chic with glamping tented suites and overwater bungalows. Rooms have air conditioning and all the amenities you would expect from a five-star resort, delivered by the most authentic and caring staff. While this hidden treasure is priced higher than others on the list, it is a good value considering that all meals, activities, and spa treatments are included. Makes for a fantastic worry-free, memory-making experience.

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.

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