December 2021/ January 2022
Beyond Resolutions Finding Your Purpose in Life
Christmas in Singapore What to Do and Where to Shop
Americans in Singapore What Americans Were Doing Pre-1917
Discover the Difference
DE T U
DO R P UN ONS M
MUSIC
Music plays a major role in a Dulwich education with over 1400 students learning a musical instrument and over 400 students taking individual lessons.
In Junior School, every student is given an instrument so that they can pursue their passion on their own terms and in their own time.
singapore.dulwich.org admissions.singapore@dulwich.org (65) 6890 1003
Students can broaden their musical horizons through our partnerships with esteemed organisations such as the Vienna Boys’ Choir and Berklee College of Music.
Our IGNITE! programme provides opportunities for students to work alongside music professionals in the production of events, leading ensembles, conducting and developing their musical talent and performance skills.
LIVE
Dulwich College (Singapore) CPE Registration Number: 201027137D. Period of Registration: 09 Janurary 2020 to 08 Janurary 2024. School Location: 71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8, Singapore, 658966
Donate new, unwrapped toys and gifts for children in need. Then join us on December 6 at 6pm for a virtual event the whole family can enjoy!
The TD Ameritrade Ambassador’s Cup Golf Tournament
Singapore Island Country Club March 9, 2022 $465 ($425 early bird) AAS Members receive 5% discount Lunch and Dinner included Early Bird registration ends February 15, 2022
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who we are As we approach the end of another tough year, we think back and reflect on all of the ups and downs, and begin to look ahead to the promise of new beginnings that a new year holds. The continued Covid-19 pandemic has created a roller coaster for us here in Singapore – the roll-out of vaccines, and the high uptake in vaccination, gave us hope and promise that perhaps the end was in sight. But then the rapid spread of the Delta variant set us back and created new challenges – and now there’s Omicron. Through it all, we have soldiered on, facing each new setback with strength and rejoicing at steps forward.
EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief: Susan Williams communications@aasingapore.com Publishing Editor: Melinda Murphy generalmanager@aasingapore.com LAYOUT Graphic Designer: Susan Williams graphics@aasingapore.com ADVERTISING Advertising Manager: Thila Chandra advertising@aasingapore.com CONTRIBUTORS Namita Adury, Julian Abraham Chua, Anjali Goli, Blair Hall, John Sarkis Hamalian, Richard L. Hartung, Sunny Liu, Sara Madera, Neelanjana Nambiar, Lily Ong, Ava Ortega, Amanda Sanger, Haya Sareen, Marc Servos, Samhita Uppalapati, Susan Williams AMERICAN ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERS President: Blair Hall
In this issue, we speak with four psychologists about the impact the pandemic has had on us – looking at the past, present, and future of those impacts. We also explore ways to go beyond New Year’s resolutions, and find true meaning and purpose in life. And for those starting the new year with new jobs, we have some tips on how to excel as the newbie.
Vice President: Michael Johnson
We can’t ignore that Christmas is almost here, and as anyone who has lived here long enough knows, Singapore loves its Christmas decorations! We’ve got some ideas for you to explore if you’re sticking around town this holiday season. If you’re heading home for long-awaited visits with family, we’ve got some great gift ideas to take a little piece of Singapore with you.
Non-Voting Members
On behalf of the entire staff of AAS, I wish you all safe travels, happy holidays, and a prosperous new year!
Treasurer: Ashok Lalwani Secretary: Michael Murphy Directors-at-Large: Mkulima Britt, Dana Hvide, Naureen Rasul, Jennifer Yarbrough AmCham: Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei The American Club: Neetu Mirchandani AWA: Linda Schindler SACAC: Jeff Majestic SAS: Kyle Aldous US Embassy: Brian Himmelsteib US Navy COMLOG WESTPAC: Rear Admiral Philip Sobeck AAS: Melinda Murphy PUBLISHER – AMERICAN ASSOCIATION The American Association of Singapore (AAS) is a professional, notfor-profit organization established to enhance the well-being and living experience of Americans residing in Singapore and to promote relationships, both business and social, between Americans and those from different cultures and nationalities. 56A Boat Quay, Singapore 049845 • (+65) 8030 6183 admin@aasingapore.com • www.aasingapore.com Living In Singapore magazine will be released six times per year, with the purpose of enhancing the expatriate experience in Singapore.
SUBSCRIPTION
A subscription to Living in Singapore is complementary with an AAS or CRCE membership. AAS annual family membership is $120. CRCE membership is $220.
Editor-in-Chief Susan Williams
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.
what’s in... 10 Community News 24 Christmas in Singapore
Where to go and what to do to celebrate.
28 Beyond Resolutions
Finding your purpose and living a more meaningful life.
24
32 Pandemic Reflections A Q&A with psychologists on the impact of the pandemic.
40 Americans in Singapore
Learn about the presence of Americans pre-1917.
46 Treasures of Peru
Discover your next travel destination.
28
32 40
46
message from the president By Blair Hall
Writing this as we enter the year-end holiday season, I’ve paused from hanging Christmas decorations to consider the year we’ve had and hopes for the year ahead. Many of our members will be departing for long-overdue winter holidays. Wherever you go around the world – whether reuniting with family, taking a ski holiday, or relaxing on a beach somewhere – I hope you have a soul-soothing break. Valerie and I will spend Christmas in the United States and New Year’s in Singapore, although indications are we’ll be singing Auld Lang Syne to ourselves in stay-home quarantine. Nonetheless, I’m happy for the break and look forward to starting 2022 refreshed and ready for whatever the year has in store. Whether you travel the world or relax at home, I hope your holiday time helps you prepare for a new start. I’m grateful this Living In Singapore issue includes Singapore holiday gift suggestions as well as reflections on coping psychologically with this stubborn pandemic, as I can use some help with both. With the support of its enthusiastic membership, AAS has managed not only to survive another Covid year but to reclimb the path toward active engagement. We’re planning a full range of exciting cultural, social, and personal development events and activities in 2022, and hope you’ll join us for the adventures. Happy holidays to everyone and we look forward to seeing you early and often in the new year!
American Community Organizations Directory AAS aasingapore.com
AWA awasingapore.org
SAS sas.edu.sg
The American Club amclub.org.sg
AmCham amcham.com.sg
Navy League nlus-sgp.org
SAIS sais.edu.sg
US Embassy sg.usembassy.gov
American Dragons americandragons.sg
SACAC Sports safl.sacac.com
Scouts BSA Troop 07: www.bsatroop07.org BSA Troop 10: www.sgtroop10.org BSA Troop 1010: sgtroop1010@gmail.com
6 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
Cub Scouts Pack 3010: www.sgpack3010.org Cub Scouts Pack 3017: cubscoutsusa.com.sg USA Girl Scouts: www.singaporeusagirlscouts.org
member benefits College Ready
100% discount on membership. Valid through 12/30/21. Estheclinic 10% discount for treatments. Valid 12/30/21.
all their through
The Fullerton Bay Hotel Daily breakfast, S$100 dining credit, and room upgrade. Valid through 12/28/21. See website for food and beverage offers. The Fullerton Hotel Daily breakfast, S$100 dining credit, and room upgrade. Valid through 12/28/21. See website for food and beverage offers. Hard Rock Cafe 15% discount on food and beverage upon showing a screenshot of your membership. Valid through 12/30/21. Hedgers Carpet Free high-quality underlayment with every purchase at our store (while stocks last). Valid through 12/30/21. 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 12/30/21.
Marriott AAS members enjoy a 25% discount on F&B. Show a screenshot of your membership. Morton’s The Steakhouse Complimentary cocktail or mocktail (one per diner) and one complimentary dessert per table. Motorist
15% off car insurance quotes. Valid through 12/30/21. Omakase Burger Free side upgrade on any Omakase Burger set meals. 5% discount on total bill for dine-in only at the Orchard Central outlet. Valid through 12/30/21. The Shanti Residence AAS Members get 15% off room bookings directly. Solescape AAS members enjoy 15% discount on their purchase of a pair of shoes. Valid through 12/31/21. The American Club AAS members may order dinner from The American Club. UFIT Five PT sessions for $500; Three Bootcamps for $30; Recovery Services Bundle: 10% off packages.
Scan or click here for our full member benefits page and more details on each benefit. LIVING IN SINGAPORE 7
American Association Sister Organizations Click Through to Find Out What’s Planned at AAS and at Our Sister Orgs
American Association of Singapore AmCham
American Women’s Association Navy League
The American Club US Embassy
upcoming events Toys for Tots Dec 6, 6:00 – 7:00 PM TD Ameritrade Stock Trading Session for Americans & US Stock Markets Jan 25, 10:00 – 11:00 AM
Movie Night: Saint Jack and 3-course Dinner at XCL World Academy TBD, Late February The TD Ameritrade Ambassador’s Cup Golf Tournament March 9
Understanding US Tax Obligations Feb 8, 10:00 – 11:00 AM
The AAS office will be closed for the holidays beginning December 20, 2021, reopening January 3, 2022. Keep an eye on our website for new events as they are added! We wish all of our members a very happy holiday season! See you in 2022!
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
8 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
LUXURY GOLF CLUB MEMBERSHIP
MASTERS COURSE
DUSIT THANI LAGUNA SINGAPORE
GREENHOUSE
with AAS
Enjoy limited time offer: ONE YEAR TERM MEMBERSHIP | $22,000+ FIVE YEAR TERM MEMBERSHIP | $60,000+
LAGUNA PRACTICE, POWERED BY TOPTRACER RANGE
FOR YOUR PERSONALISED CONSULTATION Please contact Senior Membership Manager Maggie Tuya at +65 6326 1901 or maggie.tuya@lagunanational.com
• Playing privileges at two championship 18 hole courses for 7 days of the week without green
fee • Social & Recreation privileges 7 days of the week • Full access to an extensive reciprocal and affiliate network of international golf clubs • Legal spouse and dependent children (below age 21) included at no additional charge • Exclusive Member pricing at Laguna Practice, Retail outlets, Leadbetter Golf Academy and complimentary access to the Short Game Practice Zone • Private and Exclusive Members restaurant (The Nest) with Member Pricing • 25% discount at all other Food & Beverage Outlets*
October 30 12:00-10:00PM Tickets start at $99
• 15% discount at Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore Devarana Wellness* • 10% discount for Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore hotel rooms and suites* • 5% discount for Banquet Facilities / Meeting Rooms / Events at Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore* • Complimentary access to the Gym, Swimming & Relaxation pool facilities • Access to the Tennis Courts and activities / competitions / training classes • Exclusive Member pricing and allocations for Laguna Lifestyle events and activities
Includes admission to USS, dinner & more
11 LAGUNA GOLF GREEN SINGAPORE 488047 W W W. L A G U N A N AT I O N A L . C O M
* Subject to terms and conditions as and when they are related to special or limited promotional offers. Prices listed are subject to GST.
What We’ve Been Up To at AAS
Beach Clean-Up at Pasir Ris Park We did it! One hundred people from Stamford American International School and AAS managed to stay socially distanced while picking up lots of trash across the four beaches of Pasir Ris. Yay us!
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Cooking Class with Chef Emmanuel Stroobant at XCL World Academy Emmanuel Stroobant, chef of the two Michelin starred Saint Pierre, taught 30 lucky AAS members how to make laksa mussels and a very fancy shrimp tomato starter. Yum! How did we land him for a class? Simple! Emmanuel is also the resident chef at XCL World Academy, where the event was hosted.
Thanksgiving Sunset Cruise Official Sponsor
What a magical way to celebrate Thanksgiving! Our sunset dinner sail sponsored by Singapore American School was truly delightful – and yummy! It was lovely to see people eyeball to eyeball including special guests Chargé d'Affaires and US Chief of Mission Rafik Mansour and his wife Nermine as well as Rear Admiral Philip Sobeck and his wife, Lesley. The Silent Auction and Raffle brought in $5455, half donated to The Mission to Seafarers Singapore. A huge thank you to all who donated to make the evening a success!
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LIVING IN SINGAPORE 13
Thanksgiving Sunset Cruise Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors!
Valerie Brandt Designs, Tatiana Alieva & AT ART GALLERY, and Craigellachie
On board the cruise, we held a silent auction. Half of the proceeds from these events, $2,727.50, was donated to The Missions to Seafarers Singapore (MTSS). The MTSS supports the 1.5 million seafarers who work to bring goods to the rest of the world. Many of these seafarers have not been able to leave their ships, with some being stuck on board for over a year. This donation will help to provide seafarers with wifi routers, allowing them more stable connections to communicate with their families. We also wrote letters to seafarers to thank them for their tireless efforts aboard the ships. Thank you to all who participated in our silent aution and letter writing!
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Turkey Trot with XCL World Academy Turkey Trot is back! On the Sunday after Thanksgiving, 35 runners (the max under current Covid restrictions) wound their way through the beautiful XCL World Academy campus. After the run, everybody enjoyed a picnic breakfast then took home participation medals and a goodie bag. What a fun way to burn off all those Thanksgiving calories!
Congratulations to our Most Festively Dressed family!
LIVING IN SINGAPORE 15
s l a u q E s A r e h t Toge A Tro S B , a g e t r O By Ava
op 1010G
my etings and oing to me g d ve lo e ts. H meeting e Cub Scou ng to every r joined th lo e a th d e ro g b g r e ta I y old ng. In 2014, m and scouti nd fought ant to go a ed with him w lv t o vo n in id ry d I re ve ting. parents we e first mee one having saw every member th d re n a ill d st e n iv a .Ic n I arr outing by and activity stead. Whe all about sc d ay home in e st rn e a m le I t , le tle to . Little by lit most of my parents more than perspective w re e ti n n k e I t y a m th re ged fun, it chan ties. I am su other activi d n a ts u -o mp going to ca ion scouting. et recognit the boys in niform or g u e th r went by a e me. Years ouldn’t w ti c t I a : th m t le a b s ro tivitie es, baking only one p any BSA ac rby car rac in e jo D There was d to o o d e w Pine re not allow boat races, lways well ys. Girls we es. I was a er Regatta ti tt vi u ti g c in a like the bo a g R n f duri adows o outs in line ing in the sh smaller sc e th p e with me hid e k pack. parents part of the lly helping my ia d c n ffi a o s, t o st ding conte was n of the foun d, even if I . I was one appreciate in d jo n a ld d u o te c p ho acce t girls any girls w ounced tha weren’t m s, BSA ann re g e n th ti , e e lly m ia Init ave a of going to railblazers.” hool and g After years went to sc were the “t I . e it W . ru c re o re p a outs. Six d to help BSA in Sing join Cub Sc to I was aske ls so ir , g girls to join d g e in in jo ncourag of my my grade e ar because ye t speech to rs fi y m s during as Webelo girls joined ry proud. ade me ve m It s! rt o eff ipate ed to partic nally allow fi s a w I , g re I was of waitin d right befo e g After years n a h c e Then, my lif a BSA cognition. to become and get re ub Scouts C m o e fr r BSA. All th to crossove re was no e th scheduled re e h new life w riences in d to start a ut my expe B . w Scout. I ha o d in out the w made were plans I had changes. dapt to life a to e m d elpe scouting h allowed cout. This S e n Lo a s SA a too. As a stayed in B and I also at scouting p d o o o o tr g g e n b ti ould an scou that girls c be part of local Mexic s to show ore fun to m m a h re c I joined the d u y m m s is so ing toward is tough. It hout the tinue work g skills wit lone which a in s rn e a ti le me to con vi n ti o c cus do all the a , but they fo t you must ican Scouts x e M Lone Scou h g u ction thro id get intera a Troop. I d not go on gh we can u o h t. T ! n e ily m ce fam rank advan ed my BSA , just being have rejoin se of COVID d u n a a c e re b o p n a o pers k in Sing e troop in myself bac e girls in th th f Now, I find o st o m not seen , and I have like home. w camp-outs gain feels a A S d make ne B in one day an ore and p ts a u g o c in S S le in e Eag back all over the can becom couts and ls S ir g A S w B o n in t gapore know tha er, as girls in Sin l for me to do it togeth legacy for to a e g It is specia m n ti ti a r u re is is o . We are c century. Th e the boys for over a g in o d traditions lik n e e oys have b same as b world, the equals.
Photos courtesy of Ava Ortega
Thoughts from Troop 51 Magical Me Camp
activities that were planned were amazing. During
By Neelanjana Nambiar
the portion of the camp when it wasn’t raining, we got
The Magical Me Camp was definitely magical when it started to rain. The rain didn’t limit the fun time for us. We took this as an opportunity to get wet and have fun. At the end of the day, we were all dripping wet and tired. We all had our share of fun before the rain started, though. My group managed to do the obstacle course, s’mores, and archery before it started raining. We all helped clean up the canteen. Overall, the camp was a different experience, and quite fun.
to do all sorts of things making s’mores, and an obstacle course. The Scurry required teamwork, it
was
definitely
worth it. As a team, we decoded clues and
Zoom Meeting vs In-school Meeting
MRTs,
By Namita Adury
and
pros and cons. For the Zoom meetings, most things were done more quickly and we weren’t behind on anything. However, a con is that sometimes people were lagging or didn’t have a good connection. And
and
while it was tiring,
made
way
In my opinion, I think that both of the options have
reach
our
through buses, malls a
place
to
final
where
we had pizza, drinks, and fruit. We also got to buy treats and snacks along the way.
for the in-person meetings, it was more fun because
Girl Scouting Downs
we got to actually see everyone and eat snacks
By Anjali Goli
such as brownies and cake. It was a lot of fun, but at times we did waste time because people were late and we had to take spare minutes to get everything organized. Therefore, both options are good and they both have pros and cons. I like both. Girl Scouting Ups By Samhita Uppalapati I feel that some of the really fun parts of Girl Scouts are when we have our patrol meetings. During our patrol meetings, we always do hands-on activities. But the most exciting part of Girl Scouts last year had to be camp and the Singapore Scurry. Even though this year’s camp was slightly dampened due to a thunderstorm that forced us inside a
such as outdoor archery,
When I first joined Girl Scouts, I expected less interaction with other troops, as I saw in movies and TV shows. However, it was different as there was quite a lot of socializing with other troops, maybe a little too much for me. It helped me learn about myself and what I am comfortable with. Archery By Haya Sareen One of the badges that we earned as a troop was the archery badge. We went to the archery range and an instructor told us how to do archery and how to count our points. We practiced shooting a target and then we had a competition. We had ten arrows and we needed to get as many points as possible. I got 48 points, which I’m really proud of. After we left the range I had two things more than I did before – a bow and arrow pen and a liking for archery!
small, leaky shelter for a majority of the camp, the
LIVING IN SINGAPORE 17
Scouting Through Covid by Sunny Liu, BSA Troop 10
For the past two incessant years, the world has been in a troubled state, with many suffering under the harrowing pandemic, many stuck at home with precious time for fun activities lost. Troop 10 had its first virtual scout meeting in 2020, and it wasn’t exactly perfect. There were a lot of things to figure out and technical challenges to overcome. But we made do, even with the confusion and technical difficulties. As to be expected, the way things are has changed to adapt and better engage scouts and provide opportunities for their advancement throughout the two years. At least in my memory, these meetings were fun, and Troop 10 has had many joyful memories and moments of growth and learning. For all this time we’ve spent online now, Troop 10 has yet to slack off! Scouts still plan meetings to teach skills that help others in the troop advance. We’ve covered topics such as First Aid, orienteering, and even had a number of meetings on STEM. Parents and counselors from Troops 07, 10 and 1010 taught a huge variety of different Merit Badges, such as Public Health, Fingerprinting, Animation, Electronics, Sustainability, Programming, and many more. The summers have been bleak, but the plentitude of activities during the school year was definitely enough to keep us busy and learn the things that we enjoyed. Troop 10 has not lacked the willingness to continue participating in scouting activities and meetings. The Troop held a mini-Olympics back in February - back when regulation in Singapore was just opening up a bit where scouts in appropriately sized groups participated together in a friendly troop-wide athletics competition, with social distancing, of course. In September, a number of scouts went horseback riding together to work on the Horsemanship merit badge. Many Troop 10 Scouts advanced in rank and earned plenty of Merit Badges, even throughout the complicated times of 2020 and 2021. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the support of the parents behind the scenes, and the diligent scouts and young leaders who planned and helped run these activities. So, thank you to all who have helped out in making these last couple of years memorable and enjoyable! Sunny Liu is a Life Rank Scout and is Troop 10’s Senior Patrol Leader.
Photo courtesy of Sunny Liu 18 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
LIVING IN SINGAPORE 19
living in s
I still claim to be a Michigander, despite not having lived there for many years. Growing up with three brothers on a lake kicked off my love for football. Once, while basking in the sun on the dock, my dad found my brother reading Cosmopolitan and me reading about Fantasy Football. Although Michigan is very hospitable and strangers even wave when they drive by, I dreamed of living overseas and venturing out into the world. At 19, I moved to Chicago, fell in love with the aviation industry, and began a 16-year career working for United Express Airlines. When 9/11 happened, it was frustrating to see the lack of communication and systems in place that were not working. I felt I had to do something about it, something bigger. I heard of several positions with the US government advertised and – within a week of applying – I accepted the job that began my government career of nearly 20 years ago. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), an agency under the US Department of Homeland Security, was created after 9/11 to implement and oversee security for all US airports. I was part of the initial team hired for TSA and we rolled out the federalization of 429 airports across the country. The very first airport was in Baltimore, where I was a Terminal Coordinator and managed the newly hired screening workforce to follow federal regulations and International Civil Aviation Organization standards. Over the years, I gained the knowledge and experience to land my dream job in Singapore, where I have been focused on security for Asia Pacific for the last four years. When I arrived in Singapore, it was comforting to become a member of a church and discover the Singaporean preacher I’d been following for years prior. During the last 20 months on the island, I began practicing yoga regularly and meditating for at least five minutes each morning to get my day started right. I then don’t feel guilty about eating my favorite Indian food from Annalakshmi,
20 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
singapore
Humans of The Embassy Amanda Sanger, Transportation Security Administration
My brothers and I outside of our house on Wall Lake in Michigan.
a restaurant run by volunteers, that offers pay-asyou-wish vegetarian dishes and the option to pay for meals for others too Life has a funny way of working out, as I was able to drop my daughter off at college at NYU in Shanghai, and soon learn of my position in Singapore, which put my mind at ease knowing I was not so far away. Before COVID, I traveled twice a month, and – while it was tiring – I crossed many places off my bucket list, including Thailand, India, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China. I did not think I would be able to do the Great Wall and the Taj Mahal until much later in life, so I’m grateful for all the travel opportunities. While I have loved my time here, and feel fortunate to have had my dream job, I am excited to return to the US to be closer to my family, especially my son, daughter, dad, and brothers in Michigan. I also look forward to continuing my work at TSA to advance security measures across Asia Pacific with former colleagues from Singapore. We will have plenty to reminisce about when we are back in chilly DC for the winter! Feel free to follow TSA on Instagram as we have a surprisingly funny account filled with travel tips and dad jokes!
LIVING IN SINGAPORE 21
Early Learning Center Chinese Immersion Program at Singapore American School time. I can help my mom order Chinese food; I can speak Chinese with my grandparents as they do not speak English; I can watch shows that are in Chinese; and I can probably speak to the 1.4 billion people living in China! 在中文沉浸班，我 喜欢的是既能学习中文，又同时能用中文学习各种 科目。我能帮妈妈点中国菜；我的祖父母不会说英 语，我能用中文和他们交流；我也能观看中文节 Chinese is the most spoken language in the 目；另外，我还能和生活在中国的14亿人聊天:)” world and with a set of over 50,000 characters SAS is excited to announce that beginning next (3–5,000 needed for literacy in daily life), it is probably one of the most complex languages school year, the Chinese immersion program will to learn. With the introduction of the Chinese expand to include students in the early learning immersion program, students have opportunities center (ELC) and intends to open two classes with integrated into every moment to develop high the same learning community structure. This will capability with the language while learning be a unique opportunity for our youngest learners to begin their language development skills at a in the language. very formative time in their lives and benefit The Chinese immersion program at Singapore from all the advantages of Reggio’s emphasis American School is a highly successful program on developing capable and competent learners, that promotes strong bilingual opportunities in curious about the world around them. English and Chinese for students. The program Immersion in the early years builds children’s was launched in the 2017–18 school year and has expanded significantly since that time. Third oral Chinese language skills and ensures greater grade Chinese immersion student Lauren F. success in literacy skills. Here are five ways muses, “I enjoy being able to learn academically, children can reap the benefits of bilingual learning: but also being able to learn Chinese at the same According to research, children have an innate ability to acquire languages at a young age. Through an immersive model, children are able to learn language the same way they learn their first language and develop better metalinguistic awareness, leading to higher academic achievement.
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1. Cognitive development
4. Cultural appreciation
Problem solving, memory, multi-tasking, and decision-making are all components that can be strengthened through immersive education and the ability to switch between two languages. Students of immersive education learn to process and manage two languages, which are simultaneously activated whenever one of the languages is used. Over time, this strengthens their memory capacity and the ability to multi-task.
Mastering another language assists in the understanding of and the experience of other societies and cultures. Bilingual and multilingual people have access to foreign media, literature, and the arts. They are able to connect with other people in a new and different way due to their expanded worldview and learning to be accepting of the worldview of others.
2. Academic achievement Research suggests that English-proficient immersion students are capable of achieving as well as, and in some cases better than, nonimmersion peers on standardized measures of reading and math. In studies covering six states and 37 districts, Thomas and Collier found duallanguage students to have higher test scores and greater academic achievements. Bilingual students could perform better academically.
3. Employment opportunities Being proficient in more than one language has multiple employment benefits. Many jobs and careers require involvement with international companies that require an additional language.
5. Social development Bilingual people are known to have better communication and listening skills. In order to be bilingual, you have to pay attention to other people and the language they are speaking to you in. Being able to say “good morning” to your English-speaking teacher, and “bonjour” to your French-speaking mother requires skills of inhibition and task switching which are subsets of an ability called “executive function.” Would you like to know more about the Chinese immersion program at SAS? For more information, contact sasinfo@sas.edu.sg or sign up for our virtual admissions tour here.
LIVING IN SINGAPORE 23
(Christmas in Singap Whether you’ll be in Singapore for Christmas, or want to get into the holiday spirit before heading home, there’s plenty of festive fun to be had. If you’re heading out of town for the holidays, leave yourself some extra time and check out the Christmas displays at Jewel Changi Airport.
will make an appearance and 15 lucky families will get to chat with him in a private chat room!
There are also plenty of festive displays all around town. You could go mall-hopping and check out the decorations. Christmas on a Great Street, the annual lights and decorations along If you’re in the mood for a dose of winter, check Orchard Road, are always worth the trip. out the Ice Hotel and other cool attractions at The Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay Snow City. For something a little more low-key, has Nordic-inspired floral displays and an eightwith ice skating, “snow” play, and plenty of photo meter-tall cupcake ferris wheel to celebrate the ops, head over to Capitol Singapore and Chijmes. holidays. Christmas Wonderland also returns If it’s a visit with the big guy you’re looking for, to Gardens by the Bay, with light displays, carnival what better way to see him than to bring him to games, and more. you at home? Book a personal visit from Santa However you like to celebrate Christmas, there’s with Newton Show. Or, opt for a virtual vist with surely something for you to do here in Singapore! Portable North Pole. Be sure to join AAS for our Happy Holidays! virtual Toys for Tots celebration, where Santa
24 by LIVING IN SINGAPORE Photo Erwin Soo, Singapore
pore)
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Coming in Fall 2023
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LIVING IN SINGAPORE 27
Beyond Resolutions: Find Your Purpose By Richard Hartung
As we enter 2022, it’s helpful to take some time to decide on our purpose - for our life, not just for the year. Then, setting meaningful goals and creating a vision of how to achieve them can help ensure that we live our purpose and create a truly meaningful life.
Find your Purpose in Life At the start of the year, it’s traditional to make New Year’s resolutions with goals to achieve during the next 12 months. While goals yield a sense of achievement and are essential to living the life you desire, renowned coach Tony Robbins observed, purpose takes those goals to an even higher level.
Start by thinking about what brings you the most joy in your life, both at work and at home. As well-known coach Jack Canfield puts it, explore what you love to do, what comes easily to you, and what the world would look like if it were operating perfectly according to you. You can use this to figure out where your passions lie.
Then, identify about five people you admire the most and the characteristics that make you value them. It could be the passion Tom Brady has for football, the caring nature of Mother Theresa, the dedication of your mother or father to their work or family, the creativity of Steve Jobs, the hope for nature of Jane Goodall, or someone To get from New Year’s resolutions to figuring else. When you reflect on the commonalities in out your purpose in life will take reflection and the characteristics of these five people, you can a little time. Still, it can be more straightforward figure out the key qualities that can help define your own purpose. and faster than you might imagine. 28 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
Next, decide where you add the greatest value and how you will measure your life. Deciding how you want to measure your life means making a stand for something, Forbes contributor Margie Warrell suggests, and then living your life in alignment with it. “Ultimately, living with purpose means focusing on things that matter most.” Finally, use these steps to consolidate your insights and write your life purpose statement. The statement describes what you want to achieve and the direction for your life. It should be short, sometimes five words or less. It is also incredibly important, as it will guide what you do in life. Examples include:
towards the work and personal life that reflects your purpose. Some steps can be small, such as talking with colleagues to improve your work relationships or volunteering with a conservation non-profit. Others can be so life-changing that they involve deliberate steps that take time, such as changing your career. One millennial left his job developing financial plans for the ultrawealthy at a multinational bank after he realized it did not match his purpose, for instance, and joined a start-up delivery company so that he could focus on his purpose of helping blue collar workers gain the skills they need to succeed in their career.
As Jack Canfield puts it, “Once you know what “To be a teacher. And to be known for your life purpose is, organize all of your activities inspiring my students to be more than they around it. If an activity or goal doesn’t fit that thought they could be.” – Oprah Winfrey formula, don’t work on it. You don’t need to overhaul your life completely all at once. Instead, “To make people happy.” – Walt Disney start living your purpose a little more fully Follow your Purpose to Create a every day.”
Meaningful Life
If you need some assistance, there are a variety The first step in living your life according to your of resources. Designing Your Life by Stanford purpose is to create a plan to turn purpose into University Life Design lab co-founders Bill Burnett reality. To do that, take time to reflect on where and Dave Evans, for instance, provides ideas and you are in your work and your personal life, and tools that people can use to design and build where you want to go. This step will help you their way to a well-designed life that they love. identify whether what you’re doing aligns with While creating a purpose statement and your purpose and whether to make changes. making changes to align your life with it may If you need to make changes to align your work take some effort, it can be truly life-changing. and personal life with your purpose, set goals for Going beyond New Year’s resolutions to find your taking action. Then, turn those goals into clear purpose and live it will enable you to lead a truly steps with timelines for taking action to shift meaningful life.
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.
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New Job? Here’s how to make an impact without losing your sense of balance. By Sara Madera
Starting a new job can be stressful. There are systems to learn and people to meet, all while you are trying to establish yourself. It’s easy to get overwhelmed. But with the right mindset and these tools, you’ll be a superstar in no time. Be Curious There’s a lot to learn, yes, but remember that it’s not just the tasks that are important, but understanding the why. If something doesn’t make sense, ask questions. It’s good to know the history or the decision makers involved even if doesn’t make a lot of sense now. Later it will click and you will be able to make bigger jumps when the time comes because you already have the understanding of how the process was created. Connect Although there is a lot on your plate to understand the new job, learning the players is crucial. You may be tempted to stay behind to read that document again, but instead make the effort to go to lunch with your new colleagues. Or set up coffee dates or Zoom calls to get to know individuals better. Sure, ask them about their role, but the more you know about them as people – likes, dislikes, hobbies, kids – the better you will be able to work with them. 30 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
Be Clear I have found that in the first six months in a new role, there is a huge opportunity to fill gaps, as you aren’t bogged down with long and winding histories and personalities. Ask your boss, your colleagues, and other stakeholders about the objectives of your department, role, or project. I’ll bet you get as many different answers as people you ask. But in the overlap, you will find crystal clear needs that aren’t being met. If you can articulate a solution to this objective – the simpler the better – your new company will be wowed. By following these 3Cs – Curious, Connect and Clear – you’ll be making an impact at your new workplace in no time. And remember to get your sleep! When you sleep your brain is able to connect the concepts you are learning all day. You are learning a lot – which is exciting – so be sure to give yourself the downtime to recover. If you’d like to talk more about being successful at work and finding careers that matter, send me an email at sara@plancreatively.com.
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A reflection on the pandemic’s impact in Singapore By Julian A. Chua
When Covid-19 first came onto the scene back in early 2020, most of us would have thought that it was just another isolated virus outbreak in China. Little did we know that it would become a global pandemic that impacted countries and economies around the world, drastically changing the way we all lived, worked and played.
emerged overtime. The chaos, uncertainty and unpredictability of it all was simply overwhelming for many of us.
A new chapter awaits
Although the fight against this pandemic is not over, we can now see the light at the end of the Social distancing, mask mandates, lockdowns, tunnel. As more people get vaccinated, borders and travel restrictions, among other government open up, and restrictions are lifted, people start to measures, made life difficult for everyone but adjust their life to a new norm, slowly but surely. were necessary to mitigate the spread of the AAS spoke to a few mental health experts virus. Adding to the anguish of a move away from based in Singapore, to get their opinions on the normalcy in society, many people lost loved ones past, present and future of a post-pandemic era due to the virus, enduring prolonged restrictions domestically. and measures as new Covid-19 variants
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Daniela Schreier Clinical Psychologist S.M.A.R.T. Living LLC
To your understanding, what kind of impact coworkers whether by phone, online, and in did the pandemic have on people living in person at socially distanced meetings, as much as possible. Singapore? Covid-19 had a substantial health and psychological impact on people living here; a disruption of life, daily structure and habits contribute to increased stress, anxiety, and depression. But the Singapore government and its people handled the pandemic well with its resilient attitude, adaptive qualities and collaborative strategies. What tips can you provide to expats living in Singapore who may feel isolated and fearful? Do realize that feelings of isolation and anxiety are to be expected and are normal in current unforeseen times. Acknowledge that engaging in or drowning in negative thoughts and feelings does not yield solutions.
Turn towards the light. What is still working and what is positive for you? Use gratitude and a gratitude journal. Write positive things down. How and when do you think normalcy will resume in Singapore's society over the next six to 12 months? Covid-19, with its various mutations, is here to stay. It has become a part of our reality and we will adapt to it over time, just as we learned to adapt to other viral diseases, such as the common flu. Singapore will slowly open up to allow more social gatherings and business activities as the vaccination rate climbs and case numbers go down.
Singaporeans will slowly return to some of their Give yourself a maximum of 25 minutes of old habits and structure, but be aware the country “active worrying time” a day and then gently snap may open up and halt again. It’s potentially a yourself out of prolonged negative thoughts; it’s two-steps-forward-and-one-step-back approach determined by Covid developments. Hence be like restarting your computer. prepared. Remain connected with friends and family and
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Soak Mun Lee Clinical Psychologist The Center for Psychology
To your understanding, what kind of impact through physical or other experiential activities did the pandemic have on people living in that help us express emotions or foster a sense of wellness (e.g., gym, yoga, meditation, art or Singapore? music). The pandemic has impacted us on multiple Re-assess and rejuvenate levels. Some of these measures also pose threats to our means of livelihood. Prior to the Some of us may experience a change in pandemic, people living in a fast-paced city like perspective with a significant event such as the Singapore have already been exposed to chronic pandemic. While distressing for some, it can be stressors (such as traffic, noise, hot weather, work meaningful for others. Such moments provide us pressure). The global pandemic, piled on top of with an opportunity to review and re-assess our existing chronic stressors, coupled with the drop values and priorities in life – be it continuing the in coping mechanisms, could serve as a tipping positive journey we are already on or shifting our point for many people during this period. focus to things that matter to us. What tips can you provide to expats living in How and when do you think normalcy will Singapore who may feel isolated and fearful? resume in Singapore's society over the next six to 12 months? Develop self-awareness Look out for negative and persistent physical, behavioral, or emotional changes within ourselves so that we can act on them. For example, persistent body tension, increased irritability, emotional numbness or outbursts may indicate signs of being overwhelmed.
From a psychological perspective, I think that it is helpful for us as individuals to retain hope while focusing on our progress one step at a time. We need to recognize and acknowledge that the level of uncertainty and threat of the virus has lessened between early 2020 and now.
Again, bringing our focus back to what is within our immediate sphere of control, and taking Learning to adjust our expectations of ourselves responsibility for our own well-being, will serve and others can be helpful. There may be a need us well as we play our part in riding through the to change our plans or goals given that everyone pandemic-endemic wave. is affected by the pandemic. In the meantime, we could find ways to calm our body and mind Self-management strategies
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Dr. Amy Reale Principal Psychologist Comprehensive Psychological Services Pte Ltd
Once you know what is driving your feelings, To your understanding, what kind of impact did the pandemic have on people living in you’ll be able to better identify what’s important to you and you can then make concrete decisions Singapore? about how to make things better in your life. The pandemic has naturally heightened our For some, this may mean changing their daily sense of fear and anxiety. The grief in people’s lives is also pervasive. In addition to the obvious schedule. For others, it might mean looking for losses, we have also lost our sense of connection a new job. If there are some things out of your to others and feelings of normalcy and stability control, then it is helpful to try to focus on where in life. The chronic stress and prolonged fear you can make changes and to try to also notice can cause irritability, fatigue, obsessionality, the silver linings. Seek professional help if you hypervigilance, physical pain, and suspiciousness, need it. to name a few. How and when do you think normalcy will On the positive side, this experience perhaps resume in Singapore's society over the next gave people a chance to reflect and re-evaluate six to 12 months? their priorities, values and relationships; I can’t predict how long it will take to resume appreciate and focus more on their health; and life without restrictions here in Singapore, but I do change how they spend their time. think that we will be uncovering and recovering What tips can you provide to expats living in from the emotional effects of Covid-19 for many Singapore who may feel isolated and fearful? years to come. We may get to do the same things we once used to do, but as people, we will be Try to accept and allow yourself to feel any different. emotions that come to you. Be careful to not tell yourself that you “should” or “should not” be feeling a certain way. Go easy on yourself. If you don’t know what is specifically upsetting you, it can help to write or draw a visual of all the things in your life that are creating stress.
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Dr. Hong-hui Lin Principal Clinical Psychologist The Psychology Atelier
To your understanding, what kind of impact How and when do you think normalcy will did the pandemic have on people living in resume in Singapore's society over the next six to 12 months? Singapore? The pandemic certainly has challenged and impacted our sense of physical and emotional safety in unprecedented ways. With social distancing in Singapore, we have found ourselves less able to turn to our support network for comfort. Such disconnection from our social others becomes an added whammy that could heighten our sense of loneliness, depressed mood, and helplessness, when we already have to deal with a series of prolonged or uncertain stressors from COVID-19. What tips can you provide to expats living in Singapore who may feel isolated and fearful?
I would like to highlight that many individuals in Singapore have shown great resilience and adaptability to the pandemic since our first Circuit Breaker. For example, people have used this opportunity to start new hobbies or found innovative ways to maintain connection with their loved ones (e.g., people unfamiliar with technology started using social media and video calls). Some even took this as a period for selfreflection and took courageous steps and risks like leaving their existing jobs or to start a new venture.
One practical way is to list down the things or emotions that are stressing us now. Then, we can look at this list and assign them to a pie chart to see visually which ones contribute to the highest percentage of our distress/stress. This picture will inform our unmet needs.
Julian Abraham Chua is a serial entrepreneur and freelance writer who is passionate about crafting content around lifestyle, business, technology, fitness & wellness, self-improvement and sports, among other subject matters. He combines his business experience and love for writing to provide readers with insights and balanced perspectives across a range of topics.
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The AAS Board and staff would like to thank our members for a terrific comeback year. We couldn’t do it without the support of all of you. The entire team looks forward to another great year ahead!
on the
Happy Holidays! AAS Office Holiday Closure Please note that the AAS office will be closed beginning Monday, December 20, 2021, and will reopen on Monday, January 3, 2022.
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Human Rise A New Start for the World By John S. Hamalian
In December of 1968, something extraordinary happened in the annals of human history. The inhabitants of Earth gazed their eyes on a colorful image of their own world brilliantly rising above the horizon of the moon, a remarkable photo now known as Earthrise.
reuniting with arc connectors such as the Roman highways, the Silk Road, and the rediscovery of the Americas, and now we are more linked than ever before.
With the planet now facing an ever-growing number of mutual, global threats such as All of humanity stared in awe. One planet. One infectious diseases, climate change, weapons of mass destruction, rogue asteroids, solar storms, place. One people. and the unknown risks of super-advanced It was at that precise moment that we began technologies, we have a historic opportunity to to understand that our planet is small, that it is rethink the only home we have, to redesign how precious, and that we all share it together as one we cooperate, and to rebuild the world we live in. common home. Rivers know no borders, winds know no The COVID pandemic and other relatively recent frontiers, ideas know no limits, and missiles know catastrophes such as the 1918 flu, smallpox, and no bounds. So it only makes sense to build a two horrific world wars, have shown us that, world where we collaborate to solve common rather than sitting on isolated points, we all lie on problems, share and exchange innovations, the same arc of humanity. respect each other even as we disagree, and That global epiphany in 1968 helped connect look at each other through the prism of mutual us back to ourselves, evoking a deep, perhaps human kinship. forgotten, sense of belonging in humanity. At While working on his film Apollo 13, Ron Howard some point we were all together and over the recalled that several astronauts “described millennia, we slowly drifted apart, gradually 38 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
Earthrise, taken on December 24, 1968, by Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders.
the feeling of looking back at Earth and finding rising…rising high above the horizon of our old our conflicts so ludicrous when the planet was animosities, mistrusts and self-interests. Out of one there was many, and now out of many there viewed as a single entity alone in space.” can be One. Despite a lot of ugliness, the coronavirus has Let’s honor the many victims of the COVID-19 shown the world that we can be strong in the face of adversity, united when we need to be, and crisis by doing a deep reflection on humanity and possess a limitless spirit of love, innovation and using the lessons we have learned to collectively positivity. Let us leverage our amazing potential build a new future. to work together to face mutual challenges in a We were inspired by Earthrise, now it is the time new Age of Cooperation. for Human Rise. With the amazing photo of Earthrise and its Let us rise up together to create a new world…a vision of a shared homeland ascending in our new dream…a new start. minds, it is now time to act upon this image, only this time instead of the Earth rising, it will be us
John is a US citizen and an avid explorer with a passion for travel journalism and photography. He has visited more than 65 countries, including the entire Far East of Asia. He has written for The Straits Times, Shanghai Daily, The Armenian Mirror-Spectator, My Paper, The American Women’s Club of Korea and the in-flight magazine of Royal Bhutan Airlines.
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New Beginnings for Americans in Singapore By Marc Servos
Those of us who were in Singapore in 2017 – and in some capacity connected with the American Association – remember the Centennial commemoration as being a fairly recent observance. Most of the Centennial’s focus was post-1917 with the Singapore American Newspaper highlighting this celebration throughout the year with articles, (some of which I contributed), covering activities of the American community’s history and Association developments and establishments during the previous 100 years. The January 2017 issue, however, consists of a number of articles on historical American activities prior to and around the time of the founding of the American Association of Malaya as it was initially known. The American Journey in Singapore, written by long-time American expat Jim Baker and published as the year closed as part of the celebration, gives much valued insight on how the American experience manifested. The American presence, not only in Singapore but also in this region even long before Sir Stamford Raffles’ historic arrival in 1819, eventually led to the Association’s establishment.
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Early American Commerce in the Region During the period of Colonial America, Yankee traders as British subjects made their presence with their involvement with the East India Company in the Straits of Malacca going back to the late 17th century. One prominent figure who served as president of the company was Elihu Yale, who was also the biggest benefactor of what is now Yale University. During much of the following century, Colonial American privateers participated in the region during the wars between Britain and France. American commercial activities continued in the Straits after the War for Independence (17751783), but this slowed down during the War of 1812. American commerce resumed its prewar level of involvement after hostilities ended in early 1815, largely with the United Kingdom Commerce and Navigation Treaty between the former foes, which opened British ports for American trade. When East India Company official Stamford Raffles put Singapore under British rule in 1819, Americans were seen as competitors. Now
under British Crown rule, company governance was a technicality used as an excuse to deny free access to Singapore for American traders. American traders worked around this by going to nearby Dutch islands and ferrying their goods to Singapore. After much debate and American pressure over the years, Singapore was opened to American commerce in 1839.
Joseph Balestier, First American Consul, and his wife Maria Revere Balestier Joseph Balestier (1788-1858) is best-known as being the first American consul in Singapore, officially from 1837 until 1852. He was also the first American consul to the Riau Islands south of Singapore, part of the Dutch East Indies, presentday Indonesia. He established a 1,000-acre sugar cane plantation in Singapore where today Balestier Road runs, and he transformed the crop into sugar and rum with the use of a steam engine. Prior to 1839, he had already conducted business in Bintan while residing on his plantation. Balestier also was a founding member of Singapore’s first Chamber of Commerce. His wife, Maria Revere Balestier (1785-1847), daughter of famed patriot and silversmith Paul Revere, donated the Revere Bell to the first Church of Saint Andrew’s in 1843. The bell was manufactured by the family-run Revere Copper Works and used to signal curfew, ringing for five minutes every night at 8 pm. After the church’s demolition in 1855 and replacement with the current Saint Andrew’s Cathedral upon its completion in 1861, the Revere Bell’s use continued there until 1874. It was subsequently in storage for years until its installation at Saint George’s Garrison Church in Tanglin Barracks in 1911. It later became irreparably cracked and donated by the Anglican Archdeacon of Singapore Graham White in 1937 to Raffles Museum, now the National Museum of Singapore. The bell has since been displayed at the National Museum
with the exception of 1997 until 2006 when it was on loan to the United States Embassy in Singapore while the museum went through renovation. Maria’s obituary in 1847 in the Singapore Free Press recognized her “untiring zeal in the service of the sick, the afflicted, and the needy - to obtain her good offices the only requisite was to need them” and further added that “she treated her servants like sons; her friends and neighbors like brethren.” Joseph sold his property in Singapore the following year after a decline of the sugar industry due to Singapore produce not being given import privileges, and also due to his declining health. However, he continued to hold the post of American consul until 1852. He died in York, Pennsylvania, in 1858.
American Missionary Work British victory over China in the Opium War (1839-1842) led to the latter opening up for international trade, paving the way for American Protestant Missionaries in that county. American missionaries had appeared in Singapore about a decade prior to 1842, and this gave them the opportunity to prepare for later activities in China by working with the Chinese in Singapore. Printing Chinese-language translations of the Bible were among the activities of the American missionaries. The missionaries in Singapore also printed other texts in the Chinese LIVING IN SINGAPORE 41
language, including secular ones on US history with canned goods being shipped to the western US states, especially after the completion of and geography. the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 enabling more convenient transport of goods to the rest of the country. The British, including those in Singapore, initially sympathized with the Confederacy as the Union was seen as an economic competitor. The Confederate Navy was never a threat to the Union Navy and relied on raiding Union commerce, and the CSS Alabama was built in Britain for this purpose. It even made welcomed stops in Singapore in late 1863 while on expeditionary raids on the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific. But the crew of the Confederate vessel indiscriminately raided targets other than Union Continued American presence and vessels, and after the Alabama sank the British activity in the mature colony up to 1917 flagged Texan Star in December of that year, Trading rights in 1839 benefited American it was no longer welcomed in Singapore. The commerce which included shipping opium from Alabama returned to France for repairs, where Turkey to Asia, competing with the East India it reached the port of Cherbourg in June 1864. Company, and importing ice from New England. But the Union Navy’s USS Kearsarge confronted These activities were profitable prior to the it days later and sank it in battle. American Civil War (1861-1865). Clipper ships, Facilitating economic expansion and demand prominent during the 1850s, sailed into Singapore, for raw materials, Singapore became connected but were soon replaced by steamships. to New York and London by telegraph line During Admiral Matthew Perry’s first expedition in the early 1870s. The gutta-percha plant, in 1852-53 to negotiate with feudal Japan to introduced in Singapore and grown on local open its ports for American commerce, the fleet plantations, helped provide coating to protect the stopped in Singapore in March 1853. During this underwater cables. stop, Perry said: “There is a striking contrast in the dwellings of those who have settled in this thriving place between the elegant and convenient houses of the colonial officials and merchants and the ill -ventilated and filthy domiciles of the Chinese or the frail tenements of the Malays.” The American Civil War created huge markets for manufactured goods for the Union Army, including tin for canned foods. Much of this raw material was exported from Singapore and Malaya. This demand continued after the war 42 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
What is also of note is that the American During this period, other American firms making their appearance in Singapore included American platoon was formed as part of the British-run President Lines (APL), previously known as Pacific Singapore Volunteer Corps during the war. Mail Steamship Company, making its arrival in The American Association of Malaya was the colony in 1869 and subsequently conducting operations with the United States West Coast. With the Singapore market being a major source of rubber and setting its price, Goodyear, US Rubber, BF Goodrich and Firestone made their appearances during the early 20th century. In 1902, the International Banking Corporation (IBC) became the first American bank to be established in Singapore. IBC facilitated the practice of using a highly trusted intermediary known as a comprador, between the bank and the local businesses, which was not permitted in the United States. IBC was purchased by the First National City Bank of New York (FNCB), one founded in August 1917 when a group of of its investors, in 1915, and it was later renamed American businessmen met with the American Citibank in 1976. consul general, located at Raffles Place at the time. This economic growth drew more foreigners to Singapore, and it was reported that there were 40 The increasing number of Americans in Americans in the colony in 1891 with quadruple the colony included some being themselves the number by 1915. It was by the latter year stranded and even destitute. The Association’s that the United States had surpassed the United objectives as stated in its constitution, included Kingdom as Singapore’s most important trading then as of today fostering United States citizens’ partner. But despite Singapore’s position as a interests and their ties with other nationals leading economic hub by the turn of the century, and encouraging beneficial relations among the society continued to be transient with most Americans. These involved affiliating with other newcomers staying temporarily. associations and assisting Americans in distress.
1917: United States entry into WWI and
The Association was initially opened to American men residing in Malaya with 33 Founding of the American Association members at its inception. Membership grew to President Woodrow Wilson declared war on 122 members within a year. Germany on April 6, 1917, and subsequent occurrences of the American community Summarization of the American reflected the war. community and the Association On April 26, the Americans commemorated its entry by declaring America Day. American flags flew or were draped on cars at Raffles Place. A special service was conducted at St. Andrews Cathedral, where Marie Revere Balestier several decades before had donated the iconic Revere Bell. The British Union Jack was displayed in front of the altar, and the American Stars and Stripes was draped on the pulpit.
The present-day backbone of American activity in Singapore continues to be seen through the American Association of Singapore. Since its founding, this non-profit organization has established a number of other organizations and establishments, some noted examples being The American Club, American Women’s Association, and the Singapore American School, as well as holding a number of events and activities. It also connects with the United States Embassy and LIVING IN SINGAPORE 43
American Association of Singapore1 AAS 94x138-PFA.pdf 94MM x 138MM
the American military presence in Singapore and continues to serve as a constitutive establishment for the American community as well as a number of non-Americans involved.
12/11/21
2:54 PM
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References: Jim Baker, The American Journey in Singapore, American Association of Singapore, 2017 Singapore American newspaper, January 2017 Additional Recommended Reading:
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Jim Baker, The Eagle in the Lion City: America, Americans and Singapore, Landmark Books, 2005 Y
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RE Hale, The Balestiers: The First American Residents of Singapore, Marshall Cavendish Editions, 2016 MY
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Glenn A. Wood (editor), American Association of Singapore 50th Anniversary/American Association of Singapore 1917-1967 (spine title), American Association of Singapore, 1967; Available at the National Library Board.
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Marc Servos is a Fort Wayne native, Indiana University graduate and U.S. Army vet. He is married to a Singaporean and has been living here for a number of years and has two children, one turning 20 and the other 11. In addition to contributing to the SAN and LIS, he has also contributed to the Canada-based History Magazine.
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Registration is open on our website December 15 through January 15 for girls ages 5 to 18. Learn more at www.singaporeusagirlscouts.org. Like us on Facebook at Singapore USA Girl Scouts Girl Scouts is leadership training disguised as fun.
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Heading Home for the Holidays? Find the perfect gifts for family and friends Many of us will be heading home for the everything from clothing to jewelry to beauty holidays, in some cases seeing family for products. the first time in two years or more. If you’re Kids will love books that are set in and looking for gifts that say Singapore to take feature Singapore as a backdrop. Woods in with you, we’ve got you covered. the Books and Closetful of Books are both Find all sorts of Singapore-themed gifts great, small business options. at Independent Market, with locations Tea drinkers will love a gift of TWG Tea, at Tanglin Mall and Holland Road Shopping or Asian-inspired blends from Gryphon Tea Center. You can also find fun and quirky gifts Company. For the coffee lovers, locallyat Cat Socrates, located in Tiong Bahru and roasted beans from Common Man Coffee Joo Chiat. Supermama, the retail partner of Roasters, Perk Coffee, or Five Oars Coffee the National Museum of Singapore and the Roasters will hit the spot. Asian Civilizations Museum, is a great place to find dishes to take the spirit of the Lion City No matter who you’re shopping for, the into friends’ and family members’ homes. options to take a little bit of Singapore with you, back to wherever you call home, are Stop by Design Orchard, on Orchard Road, endless. for one stop shopping amongst close to 100 local brands. They’ll have you covered for
Looking Forward to Traveling Again? Check out these Treasures of Peru By Lily Ong
As travel begins to open up more and more each week, it’ll be tempting to start making plans to explore new places. When the time comes for a VTL with Peru, you’ll want to know about some of the best spots to explore.
Manu National Park Renowned as one of the largest refuges of terrestrial biodiversity in the world, Manu National Park is wrapped by meandering rivers located at the confluence of the South Eastern Andes in Peru and the magnificent Amazon basin. A tropical forest of 1.5 million hectares, the park spans over a wide altitudinal gradient of the Eastern slope of the Andes from around 350 to 4000 meters above sea level. A haven of majestic biodiversity, it harbors 200 species of mammals,
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800 species of birds, 68 species of reptiles, 77 species of amphibians, and a spectacular number of freshwater fish. Thankfully, Manu Park has been spared from human impacts and remains largely inaccessible to this day.
Temple of Chavin
The Inca Trail
Known for their construction of temples and advancement in engineering and metallurgy, the Chavin was a civilization in the northern Andean highlands of Peru from 900-250 BCE. Seen here is the Temple of Chavin in the central region of the Andean Mountains in Peru. Built and occupied between 1200 to 400 BC, its priests were known for their extensive influence in the Northern and Central highlands and coasts.
A 30,000-km network of roads, the Inca Trail highlights the achievements of the Incas in architecture and engineering. An infrastructure for trade, storage, and accommodation, it also houses sites of religious significance. What makes this trail extraordinary is the terrain upon which it was built – from the snow-peaked mountains of the Andes to the coast, running through forests, fertile valleys and arid deserts. It is so vast that it encompasses the present territories of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Cathedral and Archbishop Palace in the Main Square of Lima One of the most important landmarks of the historic town inscribed in the World Heritage List, the Cathedral and Archbishop Palace sits in the Main Square of Lima, which was founded in 1535. Up until the 18th century, the capital of Lima was the most important city of the Spanish territories in South America. Most of its historic monuments, which date from the 17th and 18th Machu Picchu centuries, are described as typical examples of Referred to as “probably the most amazing “Hispanic-America Baroque” and the “result of urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height,” collaboration between local crafts people and and “among the greatest artistic, architectural others from the Old World.” and land use achievements anywhere and the most significant tangible legacy of the Inca civilization,” Machu Picchu is truly the most iconic archaeological masterpiece of Peru. The citadel perched at its top is surrounded by a stunning landscape of exceptional beauty. Its seamless integration with its environments makes it look like an extension of nature. Built in the first half of the 15th century, Machu Picchu was hidden for centuries before being discovered by the American explorer Hiram Bingham.
Former residents of America but currently based in Singapore, Lily and her daughter, Tess, traverse the world regularly as a motherdaughter team. Lily is involved in media and diplomacy while Tess is a kindergartner and the only one known to study the safety instruction cards before every flight.
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Myth vs. Reality: Toothbrushing Does an electric toothbrush make your teeth cleaner? Do you need to use mouthwash and why do we have more dental problems as we age? Dr. Dianne Sainsbury of Smilefocus unpacks all the dental myths below. An electric toothbrush is better than a normal toothbrush It all depends on your technique. If your technique is up to scratch, then there’s not much difference in the quality of your teeth clean if you use an electric toothbrush or a normal toothbrush. But if you don’t have good practices, including proper attention to the gum line and the chewing surfaces, then an electric toothbrush can really help. They’re often the best solution to ensuring good oral hygiene if you are wearing fixed braces, as braces can be hard to clean. Whatever toothbrush you use, you always need to floss at least once per day, and drink plenty of non-carbonated water.
We have to use mouthwash to get a deep clean
unable to clean your teeth, but they do not clean your teeth and do not enhance the clean after using a toothbrush and toothpaste. Spitting but not rinsing for 30 minutes after using a fluoridated toothpaste is a better way to utilize the value of a fluoridated product than a mouth rinse, but if you do use a mouth rinse, try not to drink or eat anything for as long as possible so the rinse remains in contact with the teeth. That’s why using a mouth rinse before bed is a good idea. Don’t use a mouthwash immediately after brushing as you are rinsing high fluoride toothpaste away for lower fluoride mouthwash.
Brushing your teeth once a day is good enough
Once a day is definitely not good enough, but certainly better than not at all. A minimum of twice a day, with at least one time for a thorough Non-alcoholic mouthwashes are a good way to two minutes, is the best way to look after your refresh your mouth after eating when you are teeth and mouth. Plus, you should floss once a
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health day. The ancient adage “floss the teeth you want of food/sugary drinks, and not brushing your to keep” never goes out of fashion, and has never teeth regularly will lead to cavities. Cavities can be minimized if your mouth is rinsed with water been disproved! after eating or drinking.
As we get older we have to see the dentist more often
As we age our hormones change, man or woman. Hormones play a role in managing the bacteria naturally occurring in our body, including in the mouth. Stress, diet choices, pollution – these things and many others – affect the balance of our hormones, and we are exposed to more and more the longer we live. Grinding, or bruxism, can be a reaction to stress and this can also have a negative impact on your teeth. If you haven’t been taking care of your oral hygiene, you may experience dental problems, and the longer you haven’t been caring for your mouth properly, the worse these problems may be. So it’s not age that sends you to the dentist more often. It’s what your life-long habits have been, and your natural aging rhythm, that are the drivers.
If you have sensitive teeth, it means you have worn away too much of the enamel Sensitive teeth can develop in several ways. Extreme hot and cold temperature changes can cause teeth to expand and contract. An example would be crunching ice with your teeth. Over time, your teeth can develop tiny cracks, which allow sensation to be transmitted to the nerve of your tooth, causing discomfort and pain. This painful reaction – referred to as “cracked tooth syndrome” – can be caused by hot and cold, and also by biting pressure. Most of these fracture lines cannot be seen, but whether or not a fracture is found, sensitivity to pressure and cold usually indicates a problem.
If your teeth are sensitive along the gum line and you experience discomfort only when brushing your teeth, this can suggest you have The harder you brush, the cleaner your teeth get an exposed area of dentin. Dentin is the proteinrich layer under the enamel – a tooth’s inThis is definitely not the case. In fact, the harder built shock absorber. Because tooth enamel is you brush your teeth, the bigger the problem you thinner along the gum line, it can be worn away may end up with. You can brush away the dentin by abrasion from hard-bristled toothbrushes or near the gum line which can cause sensitivity. aggressive brushing. Receding gums are most often caused by longterm heavy-handed brushing. The teeth need the Use a soft brush without aggressive scrubbing gums to keep them in position. So if you don’t and brushing or switch to an electric toothbrush have enough gum because you’ve been using a to reduce damage. hard toothbrush and brushing really hard, you’ll lose your gum and your teeth will fall out.
When it comes to cavities, sugar is the main culprit The main culprit for making cavities is not sugar, but the naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth that feed off the sugar. Not drinking enough water, particularly after eating any kind
Dr Dianne Sainsbury graduated from Otago University and has worked in NZ, Australia and the UK. Dr Sainsbury is passionate about preventive dentistry. She is experienced in family work, crown and bridge, implants and teeth whitening, and aims to build long-term relationships with parents and their children.
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CAREER RESOURCE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
ARE YOU LOOKING TO DEVELOP YOURSELF PROFESSIONALLY OR PERSONALLY IN SINGAPORE? If so, the Career Resource Center for Excellence (CRCE) is the place for you! CRCE is for individuals residing in Singapore who are: • job hunting in Singapore • contemplating a career change • looking to get back into the workforce • wanting to further develop their professional skills • considering entrepreneurship • interested in personal development
MEMBER BENEFITS Job Search • Exclusive access to a members-only jobs board • Weekly email alerts with the latest jobs • Upload your resume for employers to review
Workshops & Events • Member pricing to workshops and events • Complimentary admission to one workshop • Access to selected AmCham events
Join CRCE today! Membership begins on the day you join for 12 months. CRCE membership is $220. If you’re a current AAS member, for an additional $100, you can add CRCE access. Talk to us about joining now! crce@aasingapore.com
Take our survey to let us know what you’d like to get out of CRCE! Complete it by August 20 and current AAS and CRCE members will be entered in a drawing to win High Tea for Two at Raffles Hotel.
