Living in Singapore Magazine - October/November 2019

October-November 2019

CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING WITH AAS! ALL THE FUN OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON

SECRET SINGAPORE HISTORICAL HIDDEN GEMS

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Check Out What’s Happening!

Every month, AAS brings its members a wide variety of events that are either discounted or member-exclusive.

Sign up online to book your spot at our October and November offerings!

Coming This October and November

CRCE This October and November

Ambassador’s Cup Golf Tournament – a great day of golf with prizes, free-flow beer and more

At the Table – networking for women. This session, how to build your personal brand

Thanksgiving Picnic – all the festive fun of Thanksgiving with the American community Volunteering at ACRES – a family day of animal care and education

Demystify Employment & Entrepreneurship in Singapore – understand Singapore’s employment landscape from job searching to starting a business

AAS Beach Clean-up – do your bit for the environment and join us in cleaning up Singapore’s shores

Interview and Networking Skills Series – a two part series to boost your confidence at an interview or networking in a professional setting

Our Regular Monthly AAS Events Coffee Connexions – make new friends and catch up with old ones over coffee Third Thursday – gatherings, talks, quiz nights and more, every third Thursday of the month Metworks – lunches and happy hours with our networking group for men Tacos en Español – Spanish conversation over Mexican food. All levels welcome!

Men’s Tennis – looking for a men’s tennis ladder? We’ve got one for you!

Join AAS! Have Fun Give Back Be Involved Enhancing the lives of people living in Singapore through social events, charitable activities, career support and community news.

Stay connected through our: • Living in Singapore magazine • Living in Singapore Reference Guide • Career Resource Center for Excellence (CRCE)

Have fun at our annual major events!

• • • •

George Washington Ball 4th of July Celebration Ambassador’s Cup Golf Tournament Toys for Tots For more information: www.aasingapore.com

LIVING IN SINGAPORE 1

who we are As we segue into the latter half of 2019, our attention draws to the holiday season.

While many of us can hardly believe that Christmas is on the horizon, its arguably less commercial holiday sibling, Thanksgiving, is the first to mark our calendars.

We know the script for the celebrations around Thanksgiving; the hive of activity in the kitchen, the delicious food on the table, but what is particularly special is that it’s mostly about getting together.

There is no expectation of the exchange of fancy gifts; the gift we bring to Thanksgiving gatherings is ‘time’. It costs nothing, but it is often our most valuable commodity, and we spend it with the people we most value and are most grateful for.

As such, our cover feature in this issue of Living in Singapore magazine is geared towards freeing up your time over Thanksgiving. We’ve consulted our book of contacts and our sources have passed on their industry knowledge so that your preparations for the day will be under complete control, leaving you to enjoy the company of your friends and family.

As well as news and features from our American community, our contributors scratch beneath the surface of Singapore for you to get the most out of the island over the coming months. If there is a book in you just dying to be released, then read up on how to get involved with November’s National Novel Writing Month; if you’re a history buff, discover the island’s lesser known historical gems in our Secret Singapore feature; and if you’re celebrating Deepavali as well as Thanksgiving, then we’ve selected some fine restaurants that offer the best of India’s gastronomic delicacies for you to savor.

One of the wonderful things about Singapore is the many festivals steeped in cultural heritage that are celebrated here. Even more so is that they are all-inclusive, offering a sense of connectedness to everyone, and the ethos behind Thanksgiving truly buys into that notion. We celebrate together with friends and family, but also welcome, and are welcomed, by people who we now consider to be part extended family in our adopted home, regardless of nationality. So, whoever you celebrate with this year, Happy Thanksgiving!

Editor-in-Chief Katie Baines

2 LIVING IN SINGAPORE

EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief: Katie Baines communications@aasingapore.com Publishing Editor: Christi Novomesky generalmanager@aasingapore.com LAYOUT Graphic Designer: Miia Koistinen graphics@aasingapore.com ADVERTISING Advertising Manager: Thila Chandra san.ads@aasingapore.com COLUMNISTS Dee Allan, Alka Chandiramani, Julian A. Chua, Amanda L. Dale, Laura O’Gorman Schwarz, John Sarkis Hamalian, Richard L. Hartung, Andy Lee, Vivienne Scott, Tyler Wisler CONTRIBUTORS Katie Baines (for AAS), Melindah Bush, Asif R. Chowdhury, Dr. Gina Dahel, Emma Hillman, Laura Hubbard, Mark Kendall, Dr. Sundus Morgan, Lissy Puno, Emnely Rodriguez, Heidi Sarna, Susan Williams AMERICAN ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERS President: Michael Borchert Vice President: Bill Poorman Treasurer: Ria Hoban Secretary: Brian Schwender Directors: Sammie Cheston, Blair Hall, Christin Gustafson, Jason Iafolla, Michael Johnsen Immediate Past President: Stephanie Nash AmCham Chair: Ann Yom Steel The American Club President: Dana Hvide AWA President: Mel Rice SACAC Chair: Jeff Majestic SAS Chair: Tom Boasberg Non-Voting Members: US Embassy: Tor Petersen US Military: Rear Admiral Joey Tynch AAS: Christi Novomesky PUBLISHER – AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE 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.

15 Scotts Road, #03-02 Thong Teck Building, Singapore 228218 (+65) 6738 0371 • admin@aasingapore.com • www.aasingapore.com.

Living in Singapore magazine is circulated six times per year, with a readership of 24,000, 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.

To join, visit www.aasingapore.com and have Living in Singapore magazine delivered to your home. 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. Living in Singapore is printed by Ho Printing Singapore Pte Ltd. 31, Changi South Street 1, Changi South Industrial Estate, Singapore 486769. Living In Singapore magazine Print Permit No. MCI (P) 077/04/2019.

8 thanksgiving • 10-16 community • 18 crce • 20 career • 23 12 hours in • 24 secret singapore • 27 hanging around

8 Let’s Get the Party Started!

Let AAS take the headache out of dining at home this Thanksgiving

24 Secret Singapore Discover the many hidden historical gems across the island

28 The Serendipity of Sri Lanka

8

Delve into the mists of time of India’s teardrop to the south

35 Deepavali’s Grander Fare Indulge in some of Singapore’s Indian festive fine-dining fare

37 The Woman Behind the Curtain Get inspired by the journey of SING’THEATRE’s behind the scenes leading lady

24

35

28

37

cover photo by Katie Baines

41 expat headspace • 42 motivation myth • 44 college branding • 45 school trips • 47 startups • 48 living in images LIVING IN SINGAPORE 3

28 sri lanka • 32 seafood restaurants • 34 chinatown hawker • 35 deepavali • 36 novel writing • 37 sing’theatre • 39 breast cancer awareness • 40 partner closeness

what’s in...

community calendar Message from the President The October/November issue of Living in Singapore is here! As you thumb through this issue, you’ll see that we have a calendar jam-packed full of events for you to enjoy, most of all our Thanksgiving Picnic, celebrating one of our most favorite of holidays.

On November 23, we’ll be joining forces with the American Women’s Association and Stamford American International School to welcome our communities to the school for a catered Thanksgiving lunch with activities, including a kids’ Turkey Trot, pumpkin painting and fun at the photo opportunity booth.

September’s Burger Crawl was a resounding success, with over 22 members joining us for burgers at Outback Steakhouse. For October, we’ll be heading to Burger Joint for another fun night out for food and craft ale. We want you, our members, to have this event your way, so get in touch with our Events Manager, Madeline, if you’ve got a great place in mind to hold the November leg of the crawl!

There are volunteering opportunities for both animal-lovers and eco-warriors alike. In October, we descend on ACRES rescue center for a morning of animal care and education, then in November we meet at Changi beach for our clean-up operation.

The jewel in the AAS calendar crown at this time of year, however, is our Ambassador’s Cup Golf Tournament. On top of what will be a fantastic day of golf, there will be awesome lucky draw prizes, free-flowing beer and dinner in the evening, where you’ll be topped up with more beer and wine.

Check out our online calendar at www.aasingapore.com to sign up for any of these events.

Have a great couple of months ahead.

Michael Borchert AAS President

American Association & Sister Organizations Events American Association of Singapore (AAS & CRCE) Politics with Steve Okun October 3, 6:30 – 9pm Coffee Connexions October 9 & November 6, 10 – 11:30am Metworks Happy Hour October 10, 6 – 8pm AAS at ACRES October 13, 10am – 1pm Third Thursday: Burger Crawl October 17, 6:30 – 8:30pm Tacos en Español October 26 & November 27, 7 – 9pm Ambassador’s Cup Golf Tournament 2019 November 2, 10:30am – 10:30pm Metworks Lunch November 14, 12 – 1:30pm AAS Beach Clean-up November 17, 9:30 – 11:30am Thanksgiving Picnic November 23, time TBC Resume Building Workshop October 1, 10am – 12pm Interview and Networking Skills Series November 7 & 21, 10am – 12:30pm Demystify Employment & Entrepreneurship in Singapore November 13, 10am – 12pm At the Table: Networking for Women November 26, 6:30 – 8:30pm

American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham)

American Community Organizations Directory Navy League nlus.sgp.org

AmCham Townhall & Open House October 16, 5 – 7pm AmCham’s Corporate Community Day November 23, 8am – 1pm

AAS aasingapore.com +65 6738 0371

AWA awasingapore.org +65 6734 4895

American Dragons americandragons.sg

Sacac Sports afl.sacac.com

TAC amclub.org.sg +65 6737 3411

Pumpkin Extravaganza – One Community Fiesta, Halloween 2019

AmCham amcham.org.sg +65 6597 5730

SAS sas.edu.sg +65 6363 3403

US Embassy sg.usembassy.gov +65 6476 9100

Get Your Groove On November 1, 7:30pm – 11:30pm

Scouts BSA Scouts Troop 7B: bsatroop07.org BSA Scouts Troop 10B and 1010G: facebook.com/BSATroopX Cub Scouts Pack 3010: sites.google.com/view/sgtroop10/home Cub Scouts Pack 3017: SGPack3017@gmail.com USA Girl Scouts: singaporeusagirlscouts.org

American Women’s Association (AWA)

October 26, 6 – 8:15pm

Singapore American School Teacher-Parent Conferences (No School for Students) October 9-11 PSAT (High School) October 30 Thanksgiving (No School for Students) November 28 & 29

The American Club American Thanksgiving Feast, November 28 Set Lunch, The 2nd Floor, 11:30am – 2:30pm Set Dinner, The 2nd Floor, 6 – 10pm Buffet Dinner, The Galbraith Ballroom, seatings from 5 – 9:30pm

4 LIVING IN SINGAPORE

notable events AAS at ACRES Roll up your sleeves and come volunteer with us at Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) for a rewarding and fun day of animal care, education and spring cleaning of the facility.

91 Jalan Lekar, Singapore 698917, October 13, 10am – 1pm

Ambassador’s Cup Golf Tournament We’re heading to Malaysia for the much-anticipated Ambassador’s Cup Golf Tournament, hosted by AAS and The American Club. Join us for a great day of golf, free-flow beer, prizes, dinner and more!

Palm Resort Golf & Country Club, Malaysia November 2, 10am – 10pm

member benefits California Pizza Kitchen 15% discount for à la carte menu for dine-in only.

Through Dec 31, 2019. Tel: 6836 0110. T &C applies.

Drinks & Co. 20% discount on all food items. The offer is valid only at Holland Village outlet, through December 30, 2019. Tel: 9619 4568. Reservations recommended.

Estheclinic 10% discount for all their treatments. Through September 30, 2020. Tel: 6221 4797. T & C applies.

Family Podiatry Centre

AAS Beach Clean-up Are you an eco-warrior? Join AAS at Changi beach where we’ll be spending a morning clearing the shoreline of garbage washed up from the Malacca Straits before lunch at Little Island Brewing Co. Singapore Life Guard Corps, Changi beach November 17, 9:30 – 11:30am

Thanksgiving Picnic Join AAS, AWA and Stamford American International School for all the fun of the Thanksgiving holiday over a catered lunch with activities, including a kids’ Turkey Trot, pumpkin painting and a photo booth.

Stamford American International School November 23, time TBC

At the Table: Networking for Women Building Your Personal Brand Come and join the discussion, learn what a personal brand is and why it’s vital to your career development.

Take part in an exercise to craft a dynamic elevator pitch and walk away with a better understanding of the assets you can build in your life to curate your brand.

AAS Office, November 26, 6:30 – 8:30pm

SAVE THE DATE! We’ll be holding our annual Toys for Tots event will be holding our annual Toys for Tots event at The American Club on December 2. Check online for details!

AAS members receive a 10% off discount on first podiatry consultation. Through December 31, 2019. Tel: 6464 8654. T & C applies.

Hard Rock Cafe Singapore & Sentosa 15% discount on food and beverage upon showing your AAS membership card. Through May 2020.

Tel: 6235 5232 (Singapore), 6795 7454 (Sentosa).

T & C applies.

Hedger’s Carpet Gallery 10% off professional carpet cleaning and restoration services.

Free high-quality underlayment with every purchase at our store (while stocks last). Through December 31, 2019.

Tel: 6462 0028. T & C applies.

Lawry’s The Prime Rib 15% discount for à la carte food bill for dine-in only. Tel: 6836 3333. T & C applies.

Morton’s of Chicago Complimentary cocktail or mocktail (one per diner) and one complimentary dessert per table.

Applicable for Main Dining Room only. Through Dec 30, 2019. Present AAS membership card to enjoy. Tel: 6339 3740. T & C applies.

Outback Steakhouse 1-on-1 Beer & 1-on-1 Wine (House pour).

Through Dec 2019. Tel: 6702 6842. T & C applies.

Shanti Residence, Nusa Dua, Bali

CAS’s Poster Boy!

Remember this little guy?

Pocco featured in the Causes for Animals (CAS) article for our August/ September issue after being found with a terrible wound.

LIS magazine columnist, Vivienne Scott, is happy to report that, after a full recovery, he found a permanent home and is the new poster boy for CAS! Animal adoption works.

AAS Members get 15% off room bookings directly.

Quote AASSHANTI. Tel: 63382069. T & C applies.

Solescape 10% off discount with any purchase of Solescape shoes through Jul-Dec 2019. www.solescapeshoe.com. T&C applies.

Telunas Resorts With a minimum 3-night stay at Telunas Private Island, receive a complimentary 90-minute body massage for one person. Through Dec 30, 2019.

Tel: +62 811-7710-951. T & C applies.

AAS Members who do not have a membership card, please contact the AAS office (6738 0371) for your card.

LIVING IN SINGAPORE 5

up close and personal with...

Dr. Gina Dahel, International Medical Clinic

more imported cases of measles. There have been over 100 confirmed cases here so far this year.

What’s going on with health in teens right now?

The team at IMC are long-term supporters of the American Association, and have been particularly involved with our Living in Singapore talks, sharing their expertise in staying healthy and happy on our adopted island. We catch up with pediatrician, Dr. Gina Dahel, about moving to Singapore and current issues in healthcare.

What brought you to Singapore?

I first arrived here in 2013 for two years as a trailing spouse.

I have to admit, I was initially apprehensive about uprooting my family and moving from the UK. Luckily it didn’t take long for us to be won over by Singapore’s charm and we very quickly fell in love with this vibrant city. I especially admire how child-centric Singapore is, which, along with its world-class healthcare, makes it an ideal place to raise a family.

What’s do you love about being a pediatrician?

During my day, no two appointments are the same. They can be anything from newborn baby checks to treating injuries or managing chronic conditions like eczema and asthma. It’s this variability which makes my job so interesting and challenging. It is an absolute privilege being able to work with children and being entrusted by parents to help treat them when they are sick.

Tell us about a burning topic in the field of health in Singapore at the moment.

An important topic in healthcare globally is the current spike in measles, due to the ongoing decline in vaccination coverage. In July, the Ministry of Health (MOH) urged all Singaporeans to be vigilant as the country is likely to see

I am definitely seeing an increase in the number of teens affected by cyberbullying. We know emotional and mental health is just as important as physical well-being and this is particularly true during teenage years when teens are even more vulnerable.

Bullying can have a devastating effect on teens and cause a wide range of issues, such as anxiety, depression, selfharm and even suicidal ideation. It can also damage their physical health, causing a wide range of symptoms which we are seeing more of in our clinics. I feel this is something that health professionals and parents need to be aware of and more needs to be done to help tackle this issue.

If you could give three tips to new expats in Singapore about safeguarding health, what would they be?

Firstly, ensure all family members are up to date with their vaccinations, including travel vaccines. This is especially important in Singapore as expats tend to travel around Southeast Asia where many diseases are still rife.

Secondly, water safety, especially for children. The tropical climate and easy access to pools makes swimming a great activity for the whole family. Sadly though, drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children, especially toddlers. By taking the correct precautions and teaching children water safety, this risk can be minimized.

Finally, online safety for children. Be aware of which sites your children have access to and what they are posting. Take time to talk to them about the importance of online privacy and encourage them to disclose if they are being bullied so action can be taken.

AAS Strategic Partners We would like to extend our thanks to our strategic partners at the Association for their continued support and contribution.

Centennial Partners

Eagle Partners

PANTONE 424C

Pantone 424c: C 57.4 M 47.29 Y 47.86 K 14.12

Community Partner

6 LIVING IN SINGAPORE

Save the Date

Thanksgiving Picnic Sunday, November 24

Stamford American International School

Hankering for a good old-fashioned American Thanksgiving? Whether American or non-American everyone in the community is invited – bring your family, friends and children!

To register or for more info: www.aasingapore.com

Let’s Get the Party Started!

Thanksgiving at home should be a breeze this year! We’ve consulted our Rolodex of contacts who have shared with us their hints and tips on how you can not only feel you’ve got everything under control, but confident that you’ll be wowing your guests with your catering prowess, leaving you to sit back and enjoy the party.

Take It Away!

You Can Count On The Club

Hosts to our monthly Coffee Connexions event, Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, are taking the sting out of cooking altogether this Thanksgiving by doing all of the hard work for you. Ordering at least three days in advance of your soirée means their Thanksgiving Buffet Dinner takeaway has got everything covered, from appetizers, to sides, the turkey, the ham, the accompaniments, right down to dessert.

Select highlights include, Roast Turkey with Chestnuts, Foie Gras Stuffing, Cranberries & Port Wine Sauce; Honey & Clove Glazed Ham (Bone-in) with Cinnamon Pineapple Sauce; Grilled Asparagus & Pumpkin Salad with Zucchini Radicchio, Flax Seeds & Aged Balsamic; Cinnamon Pecan Tart and, of course, Pumpkin Pie.

Our sister organization, The American Club, are no strangers to catering and have let us in on some of their party tips get the most out of your spread:

Visit them at www.singaporemarriott.com/dining to place your order.

• If you think your guests may hanker some lighter bites, provide them with some healthier options by giving them vegetable crudités as an hors d’oeuvre, or a fruit platter for dessert.

• Don’t know what to do with your leftover turkey? Slice or shred it into small pieces, portion and pack it in small bags then freeze it. You’ll have handfuls of white meat to put into pea soup, pies, spaghetti carbonara, or omelettes.

• You can never go wrong with ham and cheese toasties. Save your leftover ham and cheeseboards for these quick and delicious sandwiches post-Thanksgiving.

Covering All Bases – Salmon Honey-glazed ham and turkey are synonymous with Thanksgiving, but if you want to fit in with all dietary types, then AAS friends, Farmer’s Market, suggest a whole salmon fillet is the way to go, as it’s easy to cook, healthy and tasty. Unsure how to cook such a large piece of salmon? Company founder, Emma Pike, has a recipe up her sleeve:

Ingredients

Method

2 lbs fresh salmon side Sea salt and black pepper 2 lemons 1 ½ ounces butter 2 finely sliced shallots 2 finely chopped garlic cloves ½ cup of fresh herbs, such as chives, parsley or dill

1. Place the salmon skin side down on a sheet of foil, folding up the sides into a bowl. Add the salt, pepper and slices of lemon.

Order your salmon from Farmer’s Market online at: www.farmersmarket.com.sg

2. Preheat the oven to 350º F. 3. Make a butter sauce on the stove on low to medium heat, mixing butter, shallots, garlic and herbs. Simmer for five minutes.

4. Cook the salmon in the oven for approximately 20-25 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, pour the butter sauce over the salmon and continue to cook.

5. Before serving, place lemon halves in a frying pan and cook for around five minutes to caramelize. Arrange them on top for decoration.

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There May Be Trouble Ahead…

If wine isn’t your guest’s tipple, then you might want to consider alternatives that tie in with the spirit of the season. Our friends at Singapore based craft brewery, Trouble Brewing, have come up with a couple of options that nod towards the essence of Thanksgiving and are, handily, available to order online in bottle form from selected retailers. Here are the tasting notes:

Trouble Brewing Pale Ale: Dodgy Tip Their American Pale Ale is full bodied, aromatic and full of flavour with a big kick. Punchy citrus hops at the front and bitter hops at the back.

Trouble Brewing Apple Cider: Pips Out A simple, honest apple cider with a crisp, green apple tang and a balanced dry finish.

Visit their website to check for stockists and view their full range: www.troublebrewing.com

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Christi’s Pumpkin Pie Dessert is covered! Pumpkin pie is a staple of any Thanksgiving dinner and AAS General Manager, Christi Novemesky, has passed on her favorite recipe, full of all the flavors quintessential to the holiday. The best thing about it, though? It’s really simple!

Ingredients

Method

1 store-bought piecrust, fitted into a 9-inch pie plate 2 large eggs 1 15-ounce can pure pumpkin puree 1 cup heavy cream 1/2 cup pure maple syrup 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1. Set an oven rack in the lowest position and heat the oven to 350º F. Place the pie plate on a foil-lined baking sheet.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin, cream, maple syrup, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and cloves.

3. Pour the pumpkin mixture into the crust and bake until the center is set, 60 to 70 minutes. Let cool to room temperature before serving.

Come Celebrate With Us! Can’t get enough of the Thanksgiving vibe? Join us on Saturday, November 23 for our Thanksgiving Picnic!

We’re teaming up with Stamford American International School and the American Women’s Association at the school where we’ll be putting on lunch and fun activities, including a kids’ Turkey Trot, pumpkin painting and a photo booth. See you there!

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By Susan Williams

For most, Scouting takes a break once school lets out for the summer in June. But not for a handful of Girl Scouts who attend d ave starte h summer camps around the world. In July and August, three of 0 1 0 3 k t Pac w oming ne Cub Scou lc f e o our Singapore-based Girl Scouts attended Camp Lachenwald w ts ill u st o y The Sc nd are onsored b ol year a sp o h in Schmitten-Oberreifenberg, Germany, and one attended is sc h ic w h e m, w ). the n hool (SAIS our progra Sc in l Camp Tama, outside of Tokyo, Japan. Many others traveled jo a n o to ti a Scouts Intern m, American BSA progra ts rd to the US, where they also attended various Girl Scout camps u o fo m Sc a e d the St rt of th erica,” an k 3010 is pa m c A a around the country. f P o t u ts o u o s, Cub Sc “Boy Sc nationalitie ll wn as the a Isabel and Katherine Yarbrough, and Lydia Bens, all o f kn o s rly irl e form ns and g smaller de oth boys to b attended Camp Lachenwald for one week in August. For in to d e n iz e n is op orga ce ir experien Scouts are e .

1 th Isabel, a Cadette (grades 6-8), the highlight of camp was 1 re to su 5 n ages ew vel to e to make n ir grade le ts e u the people, both counselors and fellow Girl Scouts. She also th o n Sc o d w base to allo the Scouts of riate, and p h it ro really enjoyed the ropes course, and the food was top notch. w p s p a re e tu is ag dven are their a sh Katherine, a Senior (grades 9-10), loved building a fort in the d n a s d a frien held once re . forest using twigs, branches, and leaves.

Though nervous at a e s g g a n ti e sam njoy e mee couts to e S r, Pack-wid r e first, Lydia, a Junior (grades 4-5), found her first experience fo rg s la ie r it u O portun tures or adven include op o d away from family and friends to be wonderful, and made td n u a o th r n mo othe the o include ping and ls m a good friends and memories.

Her favorite activities were a ts c n , e g v hikin ood nnual e , the Pinew gapore. A e n tie-dying t-shirts and archery. c Si ra d t n a u o aro ing, model b hiking, fish r Regatta Now that school is back in session and Troops are ke bake, a c Raingutte a law , d e n c sights a l el car ra a d beginning to meet again, USAGSO has a fun-filled fall o ric m to y is h rb De f local nd tours o a , planned.

In September, Songfest gathers the Troops g in p m ca vide ts who pro nt stations. n e re to kick off the year with songs and cool treats. In early m a e p r rc e fo en olunte ctice is run by v rn and pra 0 a 1 0 November, Founders Day celebrates Juliette Gordon Low, le 3 k to c y a it P ortun and ith the opp supportive w a ts the founder of Girl Scouts.

And in mid-November, the in u o s d Sc n r ou rtunity new frie e an oppo nd make v a a Father Daughter Dance brings together girls and their s h ill o sk ls a w ne t the Scouts throughou ironment. v s n e e dads for an evening of dinner, dancing and games. g d g a in it b exc and rds and new skills rious awa ire a u v q Photos courtesy of Susan Williams c rn a a e to as them to your Best” ncourage says, “Do o tt year to e nt o re M a t p u r th. Ou Cub Sco each mon s s to, as the rd re a tu w n a e v earn new ad rtunities to . o 0 they face p 1 p 0 o 3 k e c v also ha ort of Pa p rs p e su te n in lu rk o v or to eir wo programs, nition for th bout our and recog a tact n n o o ti c a inform , please ts u o c S For more b the Cu . r child in gmail.com enroll you ack3010@ p ts u o sc b u us at: sgc Bush Melindah

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our community Humans of the Embassy Emnely Rodriguez Marine Security Guard Detachment “National Hispanic Heritage Month is in October and it allows me to reflect on what my Hispanic roots mean to me. My family came from Santiago, Dominican Republic.

I grew up in New York. I never really thought about the fact that my parents were not from the US. I never felt different from other kids.

My hometown was very diverse. We had bodegas, which are basically like minimarts.

Our grandmothers would send us there for groceries, the owners knew our families – the whole community was very tightknit.

I ate a lot of Spanish food growing up – I didn’t really get to indulge in Americanstyle food until I was older. The excuse was always “there’s rice and beans at home.”

There really was always rice and beans every night, to be honest. The best Spanish dish ever, in my opinion, is arroz con leche, or rice with milk. It has a soft oatmeal-like texture and tastes sweet, like cinnamon.

Of course, I think it tastes best when a Dominican makes it. Another favorite dish of mine is this drink my dad makes. It’s orange juice with milk called morí soñando, which translates to, ‘I died dreaming.’ Anytime I go home my parents always have these dishes ready for me.

My brother mentioned joining the US Marine Corps (USMC) first. I was in high school, then, getting ready to go to college and wanted something that challenged me.

I realized college just wasn’t for me. I began researching it more and found myself on the USMC website. I signed up for a free Marine Corps t-shirt and dog tags, and all I had to do was give them my email and number for it. A few days later, a recruiter called me. Now, almost seven years later, this is my passion (I never did end up getting that free kit, though). I still to this day make fun of my brother who decided not to join.

It’s hard sometimes being a female Marine. We make up less than 10% of the entire Marine Corps, so you can imagine how magnified the spotlight is. I have to be the best I can be and there is no room

12 LIVING IN SINGAPORE

for mistakes, even for the smallest tasks.

Anything less than perfect is not good enough. As for high-ranking females, it’s rare to come across. So, when I do have the opportunity to work around them, I just absorb any knowledge I can.

In my role as a Marine, I have to follow rules in presenting myself a certain way. On my days off, I enjoy expressing myself by investing time in one of my personal passions – makeup. Makeup is a form of art through which I can fully express myself. It’s an outlet.

With makeup, I can be whoever I want to be and express how I feel on any given day.

If I’m feeling down, I’ll do a crazy looking face with my makeup. If I’m happy, I’ll do a bright touch with my makeup. There’s no uniform I have to follow and I can let my hair down… literally.

I’m taking online degree courses in criminology and cosmetology, right now, which satisfy both my Marine interests and makeup interests. I am a woman. I am a Marine. I can do it all.”

our community

A Transformational Journey

By Mark Kendall, Team Captain

Arriving in Singapore as a “Trailing Spouse” presented me with a completely different perspective on being an expatriate. I had previously enjoyed two overseas postings in my working career, so I felt reasonably confident that I would integrate into a new life in Singapore. However, without the daily interaction with work colleagues and friends and family, this proved to be more difficult than I expected. Quite by chance I met up with a friend of a friend who had also just arrived in Singapore, who suggested we have a beer with American Dragons Singapore at their monthly social drinks, gathering at Ice Cold Beer, Emerald Hill. We were both warmly welcomed and before the evening was over, we had signed up for our first dragon boat paddling experience the following Saturday afternoon.

For me it was the start of something I could never have imagined would end up being such a key part of my integration into living in Singapore. I have always enjoyed sport, particularly team sports, so being able to participate in a team sport again at 60 was, for me, very exciting and, for my kids, unbelievable. Over the next few months my awkward attempts at paddling became more proficient, with expert coaching from an ex-national paddler and the incredible encouragement from the American Dragons crew.

Dragon boating is a physical sport and you get a great work out. Training is necessary, not just to get and maintain fitness, but to practice the key technical elements of the paddling stroke, the timing with the rest of the crew, and the stroke patterns for the various race distances. So, it was with some trepidation I signed up for my first race – a demanding 500m sprint – only three months after having first stepped into a dragon boat. The Singapore Dragon Boat Festival at Bedok reservoir was my first regatta ever.

I will never forget walking down to the dragon boat with my team, adrenaline heightening my senses with a heady cocktail of emotions, mixing excitement, fear and gut-wrenching worry of not letting my crew down.

The paddle to the start didn’t calm my churning stomach and, as we lined up at the starting pontoons, my heart was pounding. Then, without warning the

starter commanded, “Hold your boats!” This was it. “Are you ready!” No turning back. “Attention.” I gasped... The starting horn sounded, my paddle dug into the heavy water, and one, two, three, four, five strokes passed in a flash. We soon reached our starting pace, then in the blink of an eye we were opening up into our maintenance strokes before the charge to the finish line. The whole race was over in two minutes, but it felt like 15 seconds.

Exhausted and exhilarated I had made it without many mistakes, if any. The second heat seemed easier and, against all odds, we won a medal. My first regatta, my first podium – third! As a club, we had had a very successful regatta and so it was back to Ice Cold Beer to celebrate. It’s difficult, even now, to explain the feeling of achievement at being presented with my medal in front of all my team members.

It wasn’t long before the next regatta came along – the National Games. This time the distance was 200m and we made the final of our event by the skin of our teeth, qualifying through the repechage. All the same emotions welled up as we reached the starting pontoons, but this time I knew what to expect. The starting horn went again and we got a bad start, but all of a sudden the magic happened. The crew became connected as one and the boat took off, crossing the finish in line with all the other boats. Catching my breath and looking up I could see all our team members jumping up and down in joy. I picked out my wife who was holding up her index finger and smiling: first place… GOLD! There is no feeling like it.

I could go on about the 10k race around Marina Bay, The Mardi Gras fun race and party we hold every year, the almost spiritual weekly Tuesday morning Dawn Patrol practice sessions watching the sun rise over the CBD, but most of all it’s the comradery of the club and my teammates from all over the world coming together to make American Dragons Singapore a very special club to be part of.

Why not come down to Kallang and try out Dragon Boating? I promise you’ll have a fantastic time and, you never know, you may end up with a medal around your neck!

Mark is the American Dragons Singapore team captain and is from Queensland, Australia.

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our community Becoming Me Singapore American School has long recognized the importance of supporting students in their socialemotional learning. Funded by the SAS Foundation, it is an integral and core component of our institution.

From kindergarteners to adolescent learners, SAS psychologists and counselors take a proactive, childcentered and developmental approach in working with students as they embark on a journey of selfunderstanding, self-acceptance and self-compassion.

Promoting high self-concept is important because it relates to success and happiness as children learn to approach life with resilience. So how can parents support this journey and help their child develop a strong sense of self-identity? Here is some advice shared

by SAS psychologists:

Encourage Exploration of Interests

1. Organization and Routine

Identity is about being able to find a sense of competence and confidence in the activity children are engaged in.

Achieving a level of competence in an activity provides meaning and purpose for kids. Encourage your child to explore a number of varied interests. Start this from a young age and explore these with your child, allowing them to decide whether or not they wish to continue with an activity. These activities are important ways for your child to express who they are.

Establish a routine at home and ensure your child can manage their own schedule. Prompt your child to assume responsibility for routine tasks, such as preparing their backpack for school or cleaning their bedroom.

Do this with clear communication to ensure a mutual understanding. For example, work on a list together and define what constitutes a clean bedroom.

Recognize the Importance of Belonging A sense of belonging is important to every child.

Identity building includes being able to find a sense of connection to peers. This is a process of finding others that share similar views, values and interests. If children can’t find this sense of community, they will feel isolated.

Allow your child to manage relationships and encourage them to solve any problems that may arise on their own, while seeking guidance when appropriate.

Establish Boundaries and Advocate Balance Help your child recognize the importance of balance in life. Due to the busy pace of the modern world we live in, it is common for children – and adults – to overschedule their days, weeks and lives. Children need help with establishing boundaries as a lack of balance can lead to anxiety and stress. For example, when it comes to course selection, without guidance, many students are likely to over-select. If a teenager enrolls in too many Advanced Placement or Advanced Topic courses and fail, they often believe it’s because of their intelligence when, in fact, it has very little to do with intelligence and everything to do with balance.

Encourage Self-Advocacy Through self-advocacy children can develop effective life skills, including understanding and handling themselves, their relationships, their learning and work.

While it is important to support and guide children, it is equally important that children develop the skills to make positive choices on their own. Encourage selfadvocacy through these four key areas:

2. Time Management Help your child to understand what they are doing with their time. If your child is unable to complete tasks in a given day, feels overwhelmed, or is too tired to complete homework, consider how your child spent their day and if it was well-managed. Set clear bedtimes or check how many hours your child is dedicating to their smart phones or social media accounts.

3. Task Initiation Help your child to learn to stick to a task once they have started. Today many of us have phones that are never switched off. The repetitive buzzing sounds and vibrations can result in distraction or lack of adequate focus. Build a habit of time on/time off with your child. When it is time for homework, practice 20 minutes of focused attention, followed by an incentive of a 10-minute break. Remove any potential distractions during the focused moments.

As your child gets older, increase the focus to 45 minutes on/15 minutes off.

4. Emotional Regulation It is important to help your child learn how to control their emotions. Your child will inevitably experience some form of stress through the course of life and, while this stress cannot be avoided, the management of emotions can. Be mindful of your child becoming ‘stuck’ in an emotion or wearing it as an excuse to behave negatively.

This article was created with contributions from Singapore American School psychologists Adrian Elmo, Cindy Gilbert, Kelsey Pierce, and Sarah Pisacano, as well as personal academic counselor Dr. Jeff Devens.

LIVING IN SINGAPORE 15

our community Festive Dining at Home with The American Club

One of the perks of being sister organizations with The American Club (TAC) is that AAS Members get the chance to order from TAC’s Festive Takeaway menu this year! After a brief hiatus due to redevelopment, TAC’s Festive Takeaway is back with a bang and features new creations among comforting favorites. Dig into our delicious Gourmet Sausage Platter and the succulent Fire Roasted Tom Turkey, before ending the feast on a sweet note with Thanksgiving favorites, Pumpkin Pie or Apple Cinnamon Pie.

Scan QR code to view our Festive Guide:

Established in 1987

Curriculum crafted by in-house American educator

Comprehensive holistic programme “Knowledge is power.

Sharing it with our

WE BELIEVE: Education goes beyond the table.

Each child learns at his/her own pace.

WE PROVIDE: Spacious environment with lots of outdoor space for children to explore and discover Bilingual programme with daily Mandarin lessons Lots of hands on activities AGE GROUPS Infant Care: 3 months –17 months Child Care: 18 months – 6 years old

children is empowering them.”

OUR GOALS: To encourage children: To be self confident To be independent To be creative To develop interpersonal skills To care and share for the Community

“The final frontier for Mankind is not space, it’s the boundless imagination of our children.”

Our Programme Includes

Mandarin Enrichment on Saturdays Montessori Ready Steady Go Kids Computer Speech and Drama Abacus Calligraphy

Address: 17 Jalan Mutiara S(249196) Contact Number: 67361037 Email Address: samschildcare@pacific.net.sg Website: www.samsearlylearningcentre.com

HOURS Child care: Half day: 7am-2pm Full day: 7am-7pm 3 days per week: 7am-2pm Infant care: Half day: 7am-1pm Full day: 7am-7pm FEES Child care: Half day: $950.00 Full day: $1100.00 3 days per week: $600.00 Infant care: Half day: $1150.00 Full day: $1350.00

career resource center for excellence Connect and Cultivate – Network with Confidence CRCE At the Table Event

We caught up with Linda Eunson, career and executive coach, who was guest speaker at our September ‘At the Table’ networking and career group for women. Linda shared insights into building your social capital.

How will having more social capital give you a competitive advantage?

A 75-year Harvard Grant Study investigated the emotional and physical wellbeing of 268 male graduates from 1939-1944, and the main factors contributing to this.

It found that good relationships keep us happier and healthier; not money, not notoriety, not power.

From a work perspective, the importance of building “good” relationships at work goes without saying. A professor from a top business school was able to quantify dollars lost by women who were not part of the boys’ network at a major bank. Another study showed that men are better at building relationships within their company, but less so outside the company. For women it was, generally, the opposite. What this means in terms of finding employment through an external network is that women tend to be in a better position than men.

My experience and other studies show that at least 80% of people find their jobs or business opportunities through some kind of network connection. So, having ‘social capital’ can give you a competitive advantage.

Is there a right way to network?

The word ‘networking’ sometimes has a bad connotation and is interpreted by some as being a transactional event; building relationships is a better term to use. The best way to build relationships is by engaging with an organization that has a purpose that speaks to you. This could be sports, your children’s school, a business organization, or a social organization. Get to know people initially, then volunteer to help. You never know who you might meet.

And, yes, do attend ‘networking’ events, but set your expectations low and go in with the mindset of just taking an interest in people. Go in expecting nothing in return.

Look for opportunities to help people or connect them to someone who can help them.

Is there a wrong way to network?

Approaching networking in a transactional way will not likely result in a good outcome. Asking someone to pass on your resume, for example, even if it’s someone you know, is not good practice. Attending a networking event with the mindset of “what will I get out of this”? or specifically targeting a set of people is also not a good practice, not to mention stressful.

How has networking changed in the current digital age?

The advent of social media has made adding people to your network easier. Facebook and LinkedIn, especially, are useful in keeping up with what people are up to.

Posting comments on your contacts’ posts is a great way to stay in touch and it keeps you in their memory banks.

LinkedIn is a must if you are looking for a job. Aside from seeing job listings, you can see who you might be connected to at a specific company. This is invaluable since the best way to apply for a job is through a referral from someone who works at the company. Employers are now getting hundreds of applicants for a single job through online applications and can’t possibly look at all of them, so many companies now have employee referral systems. Going through a referral will usually put you at the top of the pile.

What are the top tips for networking effectively?

When reaching out to people on LinkedIn or via email, just ask for advice. Don’t ask for a job or attach your resume. Advice is free and can be flattering. Try to make it clear that a coffee or a chat will be a give and take, not just a take. Think about what you may be able to offer to the person – your experience or a contact that might be helpful to them. When you craft the outreach, make sure that the other person sees that a conversation with you could be valuable to them, too.

- Join an organization that you are passionate about and get involved.

- Just take an interest in people.

- At large networking events, put your “what can I do for them?” hat on. Look for people standing by themselves and go talk to them. They will likely be thrilled!

- If you are an introvert, set yourself a time limit for the event. Make it an hour – you’ll be less exhausted.

Next At the Table: Building Your Personal Brand November 26, 6:30 – 8:30pm

Linda Eunson Linda has had careers in tech, aviation and executive search in marketing and sales, in Canada, US, Europe and Asia. She coached EMBAs, aged 27 to 62, from managers to C-level, for 15 years with Chicago Booth School of Business. Linda is a coach and storyteller who launched her own company in 2017. Brokering connections is a special talent that she is known for.

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career resource center for excellence

Managing the Emotional Side of Starting a New Business

By Alka Chandiramani

Embarking on a new venture is always daunting, and setting up a business can be a rollercoaster ride. New York Times bestselling author, Dr. Brene Brown, summarizes the value of courage and vulnerability as the key to wholehearted living, and starting a business pushes the realm of vulnerability to a certain degree. She reiterates that this is especially true of people who rumble with failure.

“These are people who choose courage over comfort, accountability over blame, and are able to embed learnings from failures into their lives”. The gnawing questions that can surface unconsciously could be: What if my idea is not feasible? What if it doesn’t work? How will I overcome possible roadblocks?

Setting up any business is like climbing up a mountain without a clear visibility of the summit; it is more than just taking that leap of faith with determination and confidence. The ability to take risks in adverse situations and pure perseverance is paramount. The emotional stress can be mitigated, though, by having a circle of accountability partners and/or a coach during the journey, particularly ones that can be called upon when the going gets rough.

One of the principle factors in preventing your own stress is taking the steps to design a well-researched business plan. Some of the key components to evaluate are:  Understanding the phases of starting your business: Where you are and what you hope to accomplish?

 Filing accounting, taxation and all the necessary formalities and/or documentation  Connecting with the appropriate business partners  Understanding who your competitors are  Establishing branding, social media, outreach and website (where appropriate)  Investigating angel investors and/or start-up grants available  Setting key business goals in the first 90 days/six months/first year  Creating a SMART action plan forward I recently read that positive emotions broaden our sense of possibilities and open our mind, which allows us to build new skills and resources that can provide value in other areas of life. Negative emotions, however, do the opposite. Why? Because building skills for future use is irrelevant when there is immediate threat or danger.

What does this mean for us when we undertake anything new in life?

It is of utmost importance to take the time to pause and reflect on our inner self-limiting beliefs. This, in turn, can enhance our state of being emotionally, physically and mentally bringing our adventureto fruition, without being overwhelmed by the overarching question: If not now, when?

 Identifying your vision, mission statement and the value proposition of your business  Conducting a SWOT analysis  Identifying your target market/customers  Researching business registration regulations in a specific country before the assignment

Upcoming Workshop: Demystify Employment & Entrepreneurship in Singapore November 13, 10am – 12pm

Alka is a multi-lingual human resources practitioner with over 25 years of HR and legal experience. She provides neuro-leadership, intercultural training and executive career coaching to individuals, high school and university students in Singapore and around the region. In Singapore, she currently provides advisory services to the AAS’s Career Resource Center for Excellence (CRCE).

LIVING IN SINGAPORE 19

jobs & career Does Your Resume Have a

Golden Page?

A key additional page to your resume that could increase your chances of getting that job!

By Dee Allan How many times have you applied for a job and not heard from the employer? Sending dead-end email applications has, unfortunately, become the norm, leaving job seekers frustrated and with their confidence affected. After all, what’s wrong with your resume?

There are many reasons why your resume may be overlooked. Algorithms may not have spotted keywords, there may have been human error during the screening process, or your resume may just not stand out. One major reason, however, is because the hiring team can’t see what you can do for them.

Your Resume Resumes are, traditionally, statements of your past. They list everything that you have done, achieved and been responsible for. However, the algorithms sort resumes into ‘yes’ and ‘no’ piles. But what if you haven’t written your resume in a keyword-search friendly way?

HR are bombarded with resumes, emails and demands from all departments daily. So even if you pass the algorithm gauntlet, human error may occur, and this can create a flawed outcome for you and the hiring company.

When coaching a particular client, I had the idea that she should present an additional page to accompany her resume. I call this the ‘golden page’, and it is designed to either turbo charge your application or interview.

Introducing the Golden Page A golden page is a ‘future focused’ list. It aims to tell the prospective employer what’s in it for them, should they decide to hire you. It’s a hook with bait.

Your golden page should state how you intend to add value to the company. It is focused on the company, and aims to show how you envisage your strengths working for them.

What Do I Include in My Golden Page?

1. The results you hope to bring to the team, department or project based on your historic track record.

2. The improvements you think you can make (taking a best guess), and how you would achieve them.

3. How you will enhance operations or bring value to your role.

Tips When Creating Your Golden Page 1. Avoid fluff-talk and shoot for facts. Ask yourself: “Given the right environment, culture and context, what tangible and/or intangible results do I hope to bring to the role and/or company I am applying for?”

2. Use this easy interchangeable two-part formula to devise your bullet points:

i) What are you confident you can bring to the company? ii) How will you carry it out?

Example Statements 1. “My approach is to create a strategic three-month networking plan, where I can meet key decision makers within the first quarter of joining your firm.

My proactive networking approach will grow your client base.”

2. “I have strong client relationships with various F&B clients and well-known hotel brands. I’d like to increase your sales revenue by leveraging my existing relationships.”

Aim for a bullet list of between two to six points.

Presenting Your Golden Page During an Interview

When presenting your golden page during an interview, you should tailor it to demonstrate how you can add value to the role based on the specific job description.

1. Use bullet points which directly relate to the job 2. Use language which helps the reader visualize the results and impact you can bring.

3. Present your golden page at the end of the interview and say something like: 4. “I’ve tried to anticipate how I can add value to this role, and have come up with some ideas on how I may be able to have a direct impact.”

You immediately become memorable.

Is the Golden Page the Same as a Cover Letter?

The cover letter is historically written to focus on past achievements. It is not a ‘future focused’ document, and it serves a different purpose to a golden page. Your cover letter’s purpose is to attract the reader to open the resume. Your golden page’s purpose is to help the hiring team visualize how you can benefit the organization, should they hire you.

In Summary Your resume, cover letter and golden page are important, carefully crafted statements about yourself.

Combined, these three statements should give the hiring team an idea about your past, present and future impact.

The most impactful way to deliver your golden page is during the interview itself, as it shows you are looking for ways to add value to the firm, and not just ‘get a job to pay the bills’. The trick is in the delivery.

Dee is the Founder and Director of 3C Synergy recruitment consultancy. She is a keynote speaker, copywriter and career coach. You can email her at deeallan@protonmail.com for career consulting, workshop facilitating, keynote speaking requests and, of course, coffee meetings.

20 LIVING IN SINGAPORE

If the Raffles Landing Site can be considered the birthplace of modern Singapore, then the Kampong Glam district was its cradle. Originally a village (a kampong in Malay) used by sea gypsies that was surrounded by gelam trees, the land vaulted into the history books when it was given to the last Sultan of Johor in 1824 as part of the treaty that ceded Singapore to the British. By the 1920s, what had once been designated a Muslim enclave had picked up a notorious reputation as a redlight district that lasted until the 1970s, when the Bugis area was completely refurbished. Today, Kampong Glam is a blend of vibrant malls and cultural touchstones, a bastion of what defined Singapore’s multicultural capitalism two centuries ago and what defines it today.

in Kampong Glam

By Laura Schwartz

9am – 10am

10am – 12pm

This part of town is slow to wake, with many establishments opening their doors around noon, but that doesn’t mean a delicious breakfast can’t be found. Earlybird is a cozy space with excellent coffee. Located on the corner of Victoria Street and Jalan Pinang, a stone’s throw from both the Sultan Mosque and the enormous mural Girl with Lion Cub by Ernest Zacharevic, it makes for an ideal starting point for the day.

As the crown jewel of Kampong Glam, historically and physically, the Sultan Mosque cannot be missed. A pillar for the local Muslim community, the original mosque was born out of the 1824 accord, but within a few decades, it had fallen into disrepair and couldn’t fulfill the needs of the Islamic community, which had grown significantly. Construction of the new mosque began in 1924, but slowed and stalled in the years of global recession that followed. The funds to finish the building came from the generosity of local Muslims, with those who couldn’t afford to contribute money donating glass bottles instead. These bottles now make up the rings that encircle the base of each of the impressive gold ogee domes.

Note that the mosque is closed to visitors on Friday mornings.

Photos courtesy of Francisco Marin and Singapore Tourism Board

22 LIVING IN SINGAPORE

12pm – 2pm Since the mosque is surrounded by a number of delicious Malay and Mediterranean restaurants, an indulgent lunch is in order. As expected in an area nicknamed the Arab Quarter, many establishments are halal, which means they don’t serve pork or alcohol. Eateries on North Bridge Road, such as Warong Nasi Pariaman, Sabar Menanti II and Pondok Jawa Timur, all give you a delicious taste of regional cuisine. On the Mediterranean side of things, my personal favorites for creamy hummus and delicious kebabs are IstanBlue on Baghdad Street and Alaturka on Bussorah Street. For a treat, the cupcakes and doughnuts from Fluff Bakery on Jalan Pisang are pretty hard to beat. As is the gelato from aROMA on Arab Street.

4pm – 6pm

The Fullerton Hotel, photo by Francisco Marin

2pm – 4pm One of the most unique parts of visiting Kampong Glam is the opportunity to indulge in some truly old-world shopping experiences. The streets of historic shophouses are the perfect place to find Turkish mosaic glass lamps, luxurious carpets and bespoke craft pieces for the home. Sifr Aromatics is legendary and for good reason. If you’re tired of the too sugary and citrusy perfumes found on department store shelves, this should be top of your list. A stroll down Arab Street will lead you past rolls upon rolls of fabric in all colors and textures. Don’t worry if you’re like me and can’t even thread a needle, the majority of these shops have in-house seamstresses who you can tap to make you a custom piece of clothing.

Time to get out of the heat. Located in the former palace of the Johor Sultan, the Malay Heritage Centre is worth seeing not only for the fascinating exhibitions, but also the beautiful architecture. Six permanent galleries and a rotating exhibition delve into not only the history of Singapore’s Islamic community, but also into Malay art and niche perspectives on the region’s conflux of people. Note that the center is closed on Mondays.

Those looking for a vibrant introduction to the local arts scene should check out the Aliwal Arts Centre, an active multi-disciplinary performance space that frequently hosts musicians, dance troupes, poets and other stage talent.

Check out their website for upcoming events and workshops.

The Vintage Cameras Museum and Click Art Museum combine to make for a unique experience, featuring over 1,000 cameras and several rare collections of photographs.

Another enriching indoor option is the National Library Building on Victoria Street, which hosts a myriad of afternoon and evening events for both children and adults. Home to the country’s national archives, history and culture buffs can easily spend hours exploring the seven floors containing the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library.

6pm – 9pm Thanks to its vibrant murals and independent boutiques, the famous, and famously hipster, Haji Lane has become quite the Instagram spot in recent years. Though many of the shops and salons are closed on Mondays, during the rest of the week most are open from noon or 1pm to 8pm or 9pm. The area’s vibe amps up as the sun sets, especially on weekends when the street is closed to vehicles. Restaurants spill out to fill the space with tables and music. Equally cute, and often a skosh less busy, is Bali Lane which runs parallel to Haji Lane and houses gems, like Pita Bakery and Sticky Rice Thai Food.

Not to mention Blu Jazz Café, a pillar of Singapore’s live music scene.

There are too many cute clothing stores, vivacious bars and hidden treasures in Kampong Glam to list them all, but the best part about walking around this colorful part of town is the opportunity to stumble across them yourself.

Laura grew up in Tokyo, Singapore and New Jersey before majoring in Japanese Studies at Bard College, upper New York. Her fiction and non-fiction writing has appeared in The Shanghai Review, Thoughtful Dog Magazine and The Wall Street Journal. A voracious traveler, Laura has visited over 30 countries.

LIVING IN SINGAPORE 23

Secret Sarna

By Heidi

Istana W oodneu

k

When I moved to Singapore more than a decade ago, I had the first impressions many people do. There were shopping malls, condos and HDBs as far as the eye could see, and the city-state felt largely contrived, artificial and new.

However, as a curious history lover, I knew there must be more. I was vaguely familiar with Singapore’s colonial past and its position as a strategic port over the centuries, but I was eager to peel the onion and delve deeper.

Cue Geraldene Lowe-Ismail. A legend in heritage circles, Geraldene is of Eurasian heritage and was born in Singapore a few years before the Japanese occupation in 1942. After moving to Australia to flee the war years and go to school, she returned to Singapore, married with children, and in the tour guiding business.

My new friend Meg tipped me off and I got myself on Geraldene’s email list. I eagerly signed up for one of her popular black and white house tours, following her into colonial-era government-built houses of various ages and styles all over the island, most dating back to the early 20th century.

Geraldene’s tours were quirky, from one focused on vanishing trades – a joss-stick maker, “junk” dealer and Chinese opera costume shop – to others themed on WWII battle sites, Eurasian heritage and the gorgeous rows of eclectic shophouses on Emerald Hill. She liberally sprinkled anecdotes and personal stories into her tours. I was hooked.

The House Many of her tours started in the main Dempsey Hill parking lot, where we’d board a minibus before Geraldene would begin her spiel. As the bus turned onto Holland Road, she would invariably wave a hand toward the Botanic Gardens and mention there was a Sultan’s palace called Istana Woodneuk hidden inside. I was intrigued by this juicy little tidbit and strained my neck to catch a glimpse of it through the trees, but I never saw a thing. And before I had a chance to ask for more details, Geraldene had moved on to another topic as the bus motored to our destination.

A bit obsessed, I started googling Woodneuk and soon a motley assortment of blogs helped me piece together the story of the wedge of land tucked into the southwestern corner of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The land is still owned by the Malaysian royal family, who had built two grand mansions on the hillock there more than a century ago, with manicured lawns and views of Swan Lake. I found old photos and newspaper articles referencing the houses, 24 LIVING IN SINGAPORE

and blogs indicating that the ruins of Woodneuk still survived.

With a bit of bushwhacking, curious folks like me could creep into the foliage and see for themselves. On my second attempt at trying to find “the house,” as it became known to my family and friends, I found it.

With two curious pals in tow, we followed a faint path off of Holland Road through dense vegetation, trekking up and over two small ridges. In just 10 minutes we had arrived at a clearing and the remains of an old road. A dozen steps later, and there it was. The house!

It was thrilling to find what I had been preoccupied with for several months. It emerged from the overgrowth like a scene in a movie. Trees and tall grass nestled the crumbling, but still majestic house, as if nature wanted to take it back.

I loved that Woodneuk was hidden in plain sight – we could hear the traffic from Holland Road, but no one could see us.

Giddy with delight, yet with bated breath, we walked towards the hauntingly beautiful abandoned house, past broken bits of blue glazed roof tiles scattered around the grounds.

We entered through the porte cochère, where I imagined carriages and early cars once deposited the residents and their visitors. We stepped up into the main hall, through doorless doorways, and across worn-out floors with patches of herringbone wood flooring still intact.

We gingerly climbed one wing of the grand double staircase, hugging the edge near the railing so we wouldn’t fall through the rickety planks. At the top were the sleeping quarters, where vines and plants had taken root in rooms once filled with fancy furniture and carpets. One section was crisscrossed with charred beams from a roof fire some years ago, while a swarm of bees occupied another corner.

From the sweeping wraparound balcony, we pictured the expansive views the occupants once had of Swan Lake, surrounding plantations, the Tanglin Barracks and maybe even the sea.

We imagined the parties back in the day, where the ‘who’s who’ of Singapore would drink stengahs and sip champagne from lead crystal, fanned by punkah wallahs and served by a retinue of servants, the moon reflecting in the lake below.

Our morning at ‘the house’ opened a door to an earlier version of Singapore and convinced me that if you looked hard enough and ventured off-the-beaten track, Singapore harbored historic treasures of a wonderous kind for curious birds and history buffs.

Connecting the Dots…

Around the time I discovered ‘the house’, I was visiting a friend in New York City, where we had lived for many years before Singapore. I picked up a book on my friend’s coffee table – Secret New York. The little gem of a book was packed with one-page “secret” things and places all around New York City, from the Hare Krishna Tree to the Broadway clock tower and one of George Washington’s teeth on display in an old downtown tavern.

I immediately thought about a Secret Singapore book. I contacted the publisher listed inside, Frenchman Thomas Jonglez

of Jonglez Publishing, and asked him if I could write a Singapore version of his very cool series. After months going back and forth with Thomas, proposing lists of potential secrets, he finally commissioned me to pen Secret Singapore!

The book of more than 100 secret places and things has taken several years to research and write, with contributions from historians Kevin Y.L. Tan and Jerome Lim. I’ve walked, driven and steered my bicycle all over the island, often with my friend Robin in tow, taking notes and snapping photos of Singapore’s many little hidden treasures.

A Teaser from the Book, Secret Singapore

Here is a taste of a handful of secrets featured in the book.

Woodneuk House Built in the 1930s on the site of an earlier mansion from the late 19th century on a hillock between Holland Road and Tyersall Avenue, Woodneuk House served at times as the official Singapore residence of the Sultan of Johor. Abandoned now for decades, a shell of the house survives, including the pretty wrought iron balcony railings, carved ventilation panels and streamline Modernist sun-shade fins above the window openings.

Brewmaster’s House The colonial-looking black and white building across from IKEA on Alexandra Road is surrounded by the modern Anchorage condo and Anchorpoint Shopping Centre. And with good reason. The 1930s-built two-story structure was the brewmaster’s house for the top taster of the Archipelago Brewery Company (ABC) which once operated a thriving factory on the grounds, brewing its main product – Anchor beer.

Chee Guan Chiang House Sandwiched between towering apartment blocks and further obscured by over-grown trees just off of Grange Road lies one of Singapore’s most outstanding Art Deco houses – the rundown and abandoned Chee Guan Chiang House. This dwelling, and the smaller adjacent one, were designed and built in the 1930s

by Ho Kwong Yew (1903–1942), one of Singapore’s earliest and leading architects of the Modern Movement.

Brewmaster’s House

Chee Guan Chiang House

Marc Chagall inspired stained glass windows.

Photo by Jerome Lim

Marc Chagall Synagogue Windows Gaze upward to see the colorful blue and gold stained glass windows of the Jacob Ballas Centre on Waterloo Street, adjacent to the Maghain Aboth Synagogue. If you look carefully, you will notice how these locally-made windows resemble those made in 1962 by the famous Jewish artist Marc Chagall (1887-1985) for the Abbell Synagogue at the Hadassah Ein Karem hospital in Jerusalem. Chagall’s original windows number 12 in all, signifying Jacob’s blessings on his 12 sons and Moses’ blessings on the 12 tribes of Israel.

Shinto Shrine in the Jungle As fierce as the Japanese were as soldiers and captors, they were equally as intense in their reverence to nature and to their ancient Shinto faith, a belief system based on seeking a balance between nature, humans and the divine. At the start of the Japanese occupation of Singapore (1942-1945), thousands of British and Australian prisoners of war were put to work on building projects in the region. One project at home was the Syonan Jinja, or the Light of the South Shinto shrine, built atop a forested hill along the far western edge of the MacRitchie Reservoir, where the most intense fighting in Japan’s battle for Singapore had taken place.

Secret Singapore will be published in early 2020.

Shinto Shrine Photos by Heidi Sarna Heidi Sarna is a freelance writer and editor who has lived in Singapore for more than 13 years with her husband and twin sons. When she’s not chasing down some secret something in a remote corner of Singapore, Heidi publishes QuirkyCruise.com, a compendium of articles and reviews about off-beat small-ship river, expedition and sailing cruises.

LIVING IN SINGAPORE 25

living in singapore Hanging Around

By Tyler Wisler So, if you’ve been following me so far, you’ve chosen the most amazing color palette for your home, your rugs are popping and looking good… Now, it’s time to address those empty walls and start hanging things up! But do you know that most folks are hanging things all wrong?

Four out of five times I go into clients’ homes and the one thing that jumps out is how the walls are either bare, or the piece hanging on the wall is positioned too high.

It seems perfectly logical, that when something is hung on a wall it should be enjoyed at the optimal height.

Right? And what is that height? Well, simply put, eye level.

Art that is hung should be appreciated at eye level. Repeat this with me: “Art that is hung should be appreciated at eye level”. But Tyler, “I have taller ceilings, they are glorious, I think I can go a tad higher when hanging…” NO. When you go to a museum with soaring 15-meter ceilings, they still hang everything where you can see it without having to strain your neck by looking up.

My general rule of thumb is to find the center point of the piece you are wishing to hang, and that point should be hung at about 165-168cm above the floor. This gives optimal viewing for an average sized person.

What about a gallery wall, I hear you ask? Many of you may know a gallery wall is a cluster of pictures that are grouped together to essentially form one big installation.

And that is the key; it becomes one big installation, so when you have decided how you are going to arrange the pictures, again, find where the highest piece is, where your lowest piece is, and right there in the middle is where you are using the 165-168cm guideline.

Something I like to do as well, before pounding nails into the wall, is to map out everything with removable painter’s tape on the wall, so I can see how everything sits.

If you are the fastidious type, like me, I suggest physically laying out all the pieces on a larger piece of paper, so that you can mark exactly where everything should go.

Then, tape that larger piece of paper to the wall so there are no mistakes, and outline each marked picture with a dozen pinholes tapped into the wall.

One hint I have when curating a gallery wall is to interject three-dimensional objects into the mix. Your eye likes to see contrast and texture, so when you have an entire wall of pictures that are the same general thickness, the same frame, it visually becomes less interesting. To remedy this, something as simple as using a mix of different frames with varying shapes, sizes and depths can make all the difference. If you want to take it a step further, try throwing in a more sculptural piece, hang a strand of beads – heck, throw in a hat, it will bring that gallery wall to life!

Tyler is an international, influential and sought-after designer. He currently stars as a judge and mentor on Asia’s biggest design competition show, Sony Channel Asia’s The Apartment, where he is known for tough love and sound, practical advice. His work has been seen in Architectural Digest, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Elle Décor and Better Homes and Gardens. www.tylerwislerhome.com LIVING IN SINGAPORE 27

The Serendipity of Sri Lanka

By John S. Hamalian

Emanating from the deep mists of time, the legend of Ceylon endures. As the waves of history continue on their watery path, the dreams of generations yet wash up on its glistening shores. This teardrop shaped island of mystery and intrigue, whose magnificence has conjured comparisons to the Garden of Eden, is tiny in relationship to its giant neighbor India, but its small size belies a tremendous amount of history and culture. Finally, having shaken itself free from three successive foreign intrusions, Sri Lanka had awoken from a deep colonial slumber and breathed its first independent air in centuries, only to find that its newest threat came from within. It is difficult to fathom a serene tropical paradise stained by the ravages of rancor, but now that the haze of battle has risen the wonders of Sri Lanka can finally be rediscovered.

Ancient Tree of Enlightenment After a splendid journey through lush countryside outside of the current capital of Colombo, my first stop was, fittingly, to Sri Lanka’s first capital: the ancient metropolis of Anuradhapura. This legendary city was founded way

back in 380 BC and served as the center of the island’s entire civilization for more than 1,400 years, until relentless attacks finally forced the king to relocate. As Sri Lanka is a predominately Buddhist nation, its strong religious roots have emanated from Anuradhapura ever since the king converted to Buddhism in the 3rd century, via the son of the famous Indian Emperor Ashoka. It was only a few years later that Ashoka’s daughter brought to Sri Lanka a prize of incalculable worth – a bodhi tree that grew from the sapling of an ancient tree – but this was not just any ordinary growth, this was the holy bodhi under which the Buddha gained enlightenment. While the original tree in India has long since perished, the Sacred Bo Tree lives on; and many consider it to be the oldest living historical tree in the world.

Ironically, while post-Ashoka India had wandered back to a primarily Hindu-based belief system, Sri Lanka has always been passionately Buddhist and may have been the primary influencing agent behind the spread of the religion to much of the Southeast Asian region. It was a truly humbling experience to gaze at this tree, such an old yet living relic of the past.

John is a US citizen and an avid explorer with a passion for travel journalism and photography. He has visited over 65 countries, including the entire Far East of Asia. He has written for the Singapore 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.

Aside from the incredibly ancient tree, the most impressive sights in Anuradhapura are its dagobas, or stupas; domed monuments that contain important Buddhist graves or relics. In some cases, the dagobas are so huge they also contain entire monasteries. The massive Jetavana Dagoba once rose 400 feet high, with a diameter of 370 feet, making it the largest such structure in the world, and had accommodated 3,000 monks inside its cavernous walls.

To give you an idea of its sheer immensity, the dagoba occupies around eight acres of land, making it just a little smaller than the Great Pyramid of Egypt. The oldest dagoba in Anuradhapura is Thuparamaya, which dates back to the 3rd century and is believed to contain the right collarbone of the Buddha himself.

Fortress in the Sky My guidebook describes Sigiriya as an ancient, impregnable fortress mounted atop an immense slab of rock, but, as we raced down the dusty, rutted roads of central Sri Lanka, my neck craneed to find it. If it is so big, where can it possibly be? And then, finally, there… there beyond forests of dreams and under clouds of mystery appeared the magnificent stone structure, as if frozen in time. Sigiriya was a 5th century king’s palace and also doubled as a fortress due to feared invasions. King Kassapa was a real family man; he killed his own father and drove his brother out of the country – it’s no wonder he was paranoid about an attack. The climb to the halfway point of the immense 650ft high monolith is not without effort, but doing so will endow you with brilliant, remarkably preserved frescoes of voluptuous maidens, over 1,500 years old.

Once atop the terraced midpoint, one realizes that between you and the palace above lay a sheer cliff in which the likeness of a massive lion was once cut. All that is left of this feature, which gave Sigiriya its name ‘Lion Rock’, is a pair of huge clawed paws, through the center of which must be entered to undertake the final harrowing ascent up the steep rock face. After conquering the last fortress wall to reach the highest plateau, any breath that you may still have will be taken away by the spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. All that remains of the palace itself are its foundations, but it is not difficult to imagine the magnitude of the power and opulence that this place must have possessed in the pinnacle of its glory. As I gazed out over ancient walls, water pools and pavilions, I could not help but think that I am standing atop the Asian version of Machu Picchu.

Such was I mesmerized by the rapture of the ruins at Sigiriya, I completely lost track of reality – far exceeding the agreed rendezvous time and patience of my usually cheerful driver. Upon my return, he animatedly pointed out that he hadn’t eaten for eight hours that day, and how could I be so inconsiderate. Eventually he settled down after I showered him with numerous apologies and treated him to a very nice lunch before we made our way to the next stop on the adventure.

Ruined but not Diminished The last stop in a string of ancient cities was to Polonnaruwa, the center of a once prosperous, highly advanced and culturally rich kingdom in the 11th century. Remnants of a massive Grand Palace, a Royal Bath of exquisite engineering, impressively designed dagobas and a nearly two-foot-thick book made of stone are some of the

fascinating attractions in this sprawling window to another world. Monuments and temples abound from every corner, and the mammoth complex takes the better part of a day to explore. One of the more interesting sights is Gal Vihare, or ‘Rock Temple’, where a group of four Buddha statues are carved out of sheer rock. With craftsmanship at such a level, they are an artistic testament to the superb capabilities of this once mighty civilization. The dominating feature is a 43-feet-long reclining Buddha, so finely detailed and realistic one could easily imagine his last peaceful moments before leaving this earth. Another highlight in Polonnaruwa is a unique relic house known as The Vatadage. This circular structure with majestic stone pillars looks as if it could have come from the ancient Greeks if it weren’t for the four Buddha statues silently seated within, whose tranquil features remain serene enough to tame the most insane of men.

Kandy, Anyone?

The final destination was perhaps appropriately Kandy, for it was here that the last king of Sri Lanka exhaled his final breath of royal air upon being unseated by the British invaders. Known mostly for its Ceylon tea plantations (Ceylon was the name of Sri Lanka during British colonialism), placid lakes and emerald hills surrounding quaint, laidback village homes, the city also has quite an impressive history in its own right. By far the most famous site in Kandy is the Temple of the Tooth, a splendidly ornate temple that houses the most venerated religious relic in Sri Lanka – the sacred tooth of the Buddha. The tooth was brought to Sri Lanka in the 4th century from India, secretly hidden in the flowing hair of a fair princess. There are daily ceremonies to pay homage to the tooth, and every year there is a special parade where a replica of the tooth is carried through the streets in a huge procession of hundreds of decorated elephants and flamboyant dancers. If you ever go to Kandy, don’t miss the traditional Sri Lankan cultural show – in addition to wonderful dancing and drumming, there is an absolutely mind-bending display of walking on red-hot coals, barefoot.

The Shores of Serendipity During the drive back to Colombo, I searched hard to consolidate my final impressions of Sri Lanka. It was not easy because this seemingly diminutive nation possesses considerable breadth and awesome depth.

The shining smiles on spirited peoples, the gently sloping hills of lush countryside, the ancient remnants of amazing civilizations, the shadows of recent acrimony. Yet, in the end, my thoughts were pervaded by my trip itself – largely unplanned, very last-minute and mainly resting on a whim, I silently thanked myself for making the clutch decision to visit this wonderful land. It was then that I remembered the story of how Sri Lanka had inspired the formation of the word ‘serendipity’ – the occurrence of happy events by chance – derived from Serendib, as the island was once known as long ago. With this word perpetually etched into the history of the nation, if one keeps their mind open and their spirit free, a trip to Sri Lanka will truly be a serendipitous experience.

Getting There Four-hour flights from Singapore Changi to Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport depart daily.

Zenof Nara The

By Asif R. Chowdhury

Japan is a popular vacation destination for expats living in Singapore. When I ask my expat friends about their Japan itinerary, most of them include big cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, or historic Kyoto. Others may go to colder regions, such as Nagano or the northern island of Hokkaido looking for a break from the perpetual heat of Singapore. Interestingly, one place that is almost invariably missing from their itinerary is Nara. Yet Nara is home to eight ancient temples, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. More importantly, all eight of these UNESCO heritage sites are located within a radius of eight kilometers and some right inside Nara Park, a beautiful open space where over a thousand peoplefriendly deer roam freely. A day of sightseeing in Nara can provide a great opportunity to visit and understand Japanese history.

I had originally heard about Nara from my dad when I was in fourth grade. While he was telling us his many wonderful stories about Japan, his description of Nara struck a chord with me. I was simply awed to hear about herds of deer wandering among the many traditional Japanese temples dating back over a thousand years – and his photos were even more 30 LIVING IN SINGAPORE

mesmerizing. Many years later, during my four-year expatriate assignment in Japan, I would find myself visiting Nara many times. It turned out to be just as intriguing as I had imagined when my father shared those stories and photos with me as a child. Having travelled extensively all over the country, I can’t imagine a trip to Japan complete without a visit to this ancient city.

Nara was the capital of Japan during the Nara Period, from AD 710 to AD 794. This period is a significant part of Japanese history as the economic and administrative system, language, literature and religion flourished, and the system of a permanent capital city was established. Prior to this, the practice was to move the capital with the reign of each new Emperor – the belief was that the Emperor passing pollutes the city and, hence, could no longer serve as the capital. Nara was modeled after the then Chinese capital of Ch’ang-an, or modern-day Xi’an. During this period, the Chinese characters were adopted into the Japanese writing system which, in turn, led to the first ever official written history of Japan in two different compilations, known as Koji-ki and Nihon Shoki. It was also then that the first ever collection of Japanese poems, Manyo-shu, was

produced, and Buddhism became wide spread as the Emperor embraced it as a key religion and philosophy.

Each time I visit Nara, I always start my self-directed and almost-perfected city tour at the Nara Park, usually opting for the 30-minute walk from the station. Even though I have visited the 502-hectare park a number of times, it’s always ‘love at first sight’ all over again.

Once inside, my first stop is Todai-ji temple, a short distance from the park entrance. As I work my way through the gates and arrive at the courtyard, I am overwhelmed by its vastness and the architectural grandeur of the of the main hall. Founded in AD 728, it’s considered one of the main Buddhist temple complexes in Japan. The original structure was rebuilt twice after being damaged by earthquakes and fire, with the current structure having been reconstructed in 1709.

Even at a third of the size of the original building, the main hall of the Todai-ji temple is one of the world’s largest wooden structures Also world-beating in size is the bronze Buddha statue, or Daibutsu, housed in the main hall. At over 15 meters high and weighing over 500 tons, it’s jaw-dropping sight, whether for a repeat or first-time visitor. According to

Kasuga-Taisha shrine.

The Great Buddha Statue.

Horyu-ji temple.

Deer in Nara Park.

historical records, over two and half million people helped to construct the statue, completed in AD 752, over a period of approximately five years. Rumor has it that the construction cost of the Daibutsu almost brought Japan to the brink of bankruptcy.

After taking in the grandeur of the Todai-ji temple, I take a leisurely 30-minute walk to my next stop – the Kasuga-Taisha shrine. With lush green trees and grazing deer everywhere, this corner of Nara Park exudes serenity. Turning into the long, slightly up-hill pathway leading to the shrine, it’s difficult not to be struck by the three thousand stone lanterns lining the path. This spectacular Shinto shrine, an ancient structure from AD 768, is awash with bright orange and adorned in intricate designs which can be seen all over the temple complex.

The interior of Kasuga-Taisha shrine is well-known for its many bronze lanterns. I can only imagine how beautiful they would look along the path and inside the shrine when lit at night.

As I head back towards Nara station, I am stunned by the 122-feet, five-story pagoda adjacent to the Horyu-ji temple located at the edge of the Nara park, another 30-minute walk from the Kasuga-Taisha shrine. The pagoda remains the oldest wooden building in the world today, even though it was built over 1,400 years ago. While the other buildings of this temple are no less spectacular, the pagoda is truly is a sight to behold representing all that is quintessentially Japan.

There are four other notable UNESCO heritage sites worth visiting while in Nara, and are within easy reach from the city

Todai-ji temple.

by bus or taxi. Yakushi-ji temple is one of the most famous imperial Buddhist temples, then a 10-minute walk away is the Toshodai-ji temple. Both showcase impressive Japanese architecture and are not to be missed.

A short distance from these temples is UNESCO heritage site, the Heiji-kyo Palace. This was the imperial residence and administrative center during most of the Nara period.

Finally, the lesser known site of the Kofun tomb, is located close to the Heiji Palace. These are ancient burial grounds of Japanese emperors from the 3rd to early 7th century which, from the air, resemble key-holes. Visitors are not permitted to enter the burial sites, but can experience them from outside.

In fact, no westerner has ever had inside access to them and they remain protected by the Imperial Household Agency.

With its ancient history, rich culture, grand traditional architecture and abundance of natural beauty, Nara emanates an almost Zen-like aura. Even a day trip to this old capital city provides a unique a glimpse of ancient Japan unlike any other Japanese city or town.

Getting There Flights from Singapore to Osaka depart daily, from where a train can be caught to Kyoto. Nara is less than an hour away from Kyoto by train, which run almost every hour.

Photos by Asif Chowdhury

Asif is part of the executive management at a global semiconductor company and has written for various trade journals. Asif spent four years as an expatriate in Tokyo, Japan in business development, which led him to travel extensively over the country. He currently lives in Singapore with his wife and son, while his daughter is studying for a BSc at Purdue University, Indiana.

LIVING IN SINGAPORE 31

food n’ drink 5 Hidden Seafood Gems in Singapore

By Julian Chua Delve into a little of Singapore’s history and you will soon discover that this country was once a sleepy island with a large population of hardworking fishermen who made their living fishing at sea.

Although that era is long gone, the seafood eateries across this corner of Asia are a reminder of this significant part of Singapore’s historical tapestry. It’s not surprising, then, that there are some truly fantastic, hidden eatery gems, serving up some of Singapore’s finest catch-ofthe-day.

Here are five highly recommended seafood spots to visit.

Bayswater Kitchen

The Boiler

This restaurant, with its nautical Mediterranean vibes and spacious al fresco dining, has a bright and breezy setting with a seafront view of Keppel Marina. It makes a great place for a lunch or casual dinner that’s very much seafood-centric.

With a menu that features a range of fresh and wholesome choices, from freshly shucked oysters to grilled whole red snappers, it’s hard to resist. Highly recommended items on the menu include Grilled Sea Bass and The Fisherman’s Feast, a sharing platter comprising of shrimps, mussels, clams, squid and seasonal fish, on a bed of linguini.

2 Keppel Vista, Marina @ Keppel Bay bayswaterkitchen.com.sg

Whether you’re an American expat or tourist, this casual seafood joint may just make you feel right at home.

Located in an industrial park at Tai Seng area, they have an entire menu dedicated to dishes from the Southern regions of the US and specialize in authentic, Cajun seafood boiled to perfection (hence the restaurant’s name!). Its open-plan interior, high ceilings, modern finishings and floor-to-ceiling windows make for a pleasant ambiance; an oasis set among the monochromatic surroundings of the industrial park. Some excellent menu picks to try include Bacon, Prawn and Boston Lobster in Garlic Butter, Cajun Seafood Boil and Bombdiggity Bag, a sharing plate for four, piled with Dungeness or seasonal crab, shrimps,mussels, clams, sausages, corns and buns.

18 Howard Road 8 Raffles Ave theboiler.com.sg

Pince & Pints Anyone who’s a lobster lover should head over to this niche eatery on Duxton Road that specializes in high-quality, classic Maine lobster dishes. Its regular import of freshly caught lobsters, shipped in from Massachusetts, Maine, and Canada twice weekly, is testament to its impressive quality control. Get ready to choose from a range of lobster dishes, that include lobster rolls, grilled lobsters, chili lobsters and many more savory dishes. If you’re feeling adventurous, how about lobster mac and cheese?

32-33 Duxton Road pinceandpints.com

Humpback Never fear, we’re not talking about whale meat here! This modern and breezy 40-seater Seattle-inspired seafood restaurant puts emphasis on its fresh and affordable oyster menu. Flown in all the way from the US Pacific Northwest, these oysters come from areas known for its quality produce such as Hama Hama, North Bay and Fanny Bay. They also make an impressive array of seafood-themed cocktails that pack a serious punch to pair with your food and sip along to their 80s and 90s classic rock playlist.

18-20 Bukit Pasoh Road humpback.sg

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Majestic Bay Are you looking for a completely unique seafood experience? Look no further than Majestic Bay, a ship deck-inspired seafood restaurant serving exquisite contemporary Chinese dishes at Gardens By The Bay. The ocean-going concept, along with a breathtaking waterfront view of Marina Bay and relaxed, neutral vibes set the tone for a visually and gastronomically spectacular dining experience. Some must-try uniquely Singaporean-inspired dishes on the menu with a twist, include: Kopi Crab, cooked in a special sauce made with coffee beans; Crispy Shrimp in Peanut Satay Sauce; and Singapore Laksa Xiao Long Bao. 18 Marina Gardens Drive #01-10 majesticbay.sg

Julian is an entrepreneur who runs several businesses that deal with consulting and brokerage in Singapore.

He combines his love for food and writing with his business experience to provide readers with a balanced perspective on the F&B scene here in Singapore. For the past decade, he has been a freelance writer for NTUC Lifestyle, Business Times, Spin Asia, and Time Out.

food n’ drink Chinatown Hawker

By Laura Hubbard Away from the tourist crowds on Pagoda Street, the Chinatown hawker center is busy serving up some of Singapore’s best food. But the soul of the place is in the people that frequent it. Go to see the old men playing checkers outside in Kreta Ayer Square, the friends catching up over kopi and the friendly caretaker with his necklace of padlocks.

The Chinatown Complex food center reopened on June 1 after a three-month refurbishment. The overhaul has taken nothing away from its charm, however, as many of the changes are mostly unseen, such as fresh paintwork, more fans and an upgrade to the sanitation system. Opened in 1983, the Chinatown Complex houses Singapore’s largest hawker center, as well as a wet market and a seemingly random assortment of shops, including a great record store.

Part of the fun of hawker meals is exploring to find your own favorites, but with hundreds of stalls to choose from, here are some top picks.

I first visited the hawker to have drinks at Smith Street Taps (#02-062). This hipster enclave serves creative local and international craft beers on tap. Overlooking Smith Street, as its name would suggest, this corner of the hawker is a great spot to find a table with a breeze amongst an eclectic crowd. Alternatively try the locally made craft beer around the corner at On Tap (#02-75).

Photo by Katie Baines

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They do a decent wheat beer and the prices are as low as Singapore goes.

I am hesitant to draw attention to Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao (#02-135), but the queues suggest that the word is already out. My favorite meal in Singapore, the soup dumplings and spicy wontons are simply incredible.

Customers can watch the dumplings being deftly hand folded, and I always get a gracious smile no matter how badly I butcher my order of xiao long bao.

Popiah are fresh spring rolls made with fried turnip, lettuce, egg and peanuts. Grab a couple from Ann Chin Popiah (#02-112) to add some freshness and crunch to your meal. If you are lucky, you will see the proprietor making the thin popiah wrappers, two at a time on hotplates.

The soy sauce chicken at Liao Fan Hawker Chan (#02-126) is purported to be the cheapest Michelin stared meal in the world. This stall is the original location of what is now a chain of restaurants in Singapore and overseas. Although some grumble about quality having slipped, daily queues from 10:30am suggest that Chef Chan’s chicken is still worth a try, even if just for the Instagram post.

The hawker is broken up into four sections, but in reality, it is a network of winding spaces. It’s best to have a wander to find the vibe you are looking for, whether it’s loud and lively or quiet and breezy. The hawker is packed at lunchtime, so a good option is to visit for dinner or on the weekends. Dumplings and a beer make for a fantastic lazy Sunday lunch.

Originally from New Zealand, Laura has spent the last decade living and working overseas. She has just returned to Singapore after a two-year solo travel adventure through Europe and Asia. Frequent weekends away and the great food in Singapore has helped Laura readjust to office life as an Energy and Mining consultant.

food n’ drink Deepavali’s Grander Fare

By Emma Hillman Diwali, or Deepavali in Singapore, is an assault on the senses. The streets of Singapore’s Little India are festooned with brightly colored garlands and lanterns, the heady aroma of exotic spices hangs in the air and stalls are set out selling all manner of sweet and savory snacks to seduce your taste buds. Full immersion in this cultural experience is a treat unto itself, but eating out over Deepavali need not be all about the rough charm of sampling street food. Singapore is also home to a variety of high-end Indian restaurants that are fine spots to indulge during the Festival of Lights.

Shahi Maharani Shahi Maharani is a family affair, with owner, Kishore Mirpuri, continuing her mother’s legacy of traditional cuisine to be enjoyed surrounded by regal opulence. Ordinarily, the restaurant’s flagship fare hails from North India, but for this year’s Deepavali, its festive selection showcases the very best of what each corner of the country has to offer.

Their ‘Colourful India – A Diwali Gastronomic Weekend’ lunch menu runs from October 25 to 28 and includes Chaats from Mumbai, Sarson ka Saag & Butter Chicken from Punjab, Laal Maas & Ghatte ki Subzi from Rajasthan, Rogan Josh & Yakhni from Kashmir, to name but a few dishes. For evening eating over the festival period, dine beneath twinkling oil lamps while listening to live musicians performing ghazals and Bollywood tunes.

252 North Bridge Road #03-21B Raffles City Shopping Centre www.shahimaharani.com

Punjab Grill Singapore The Punjab Grill, nestling in the Marina Bay Sands complex, portrays the glamour of Indian royalty and is the first Punjab Grill outside India. It brings gourmet food from Lahore, Peshwar, Rawalpindi, Kabul, Amritsar, Multan and Patiala, all of which are located the northwest Indian region of Punjab and gastronomic power houses in their own right. Though the founding father of the Punjab Grill, Jiggs Kalra, passed away earlier this year, the mark he leaves is still evident through modern twists on favorites, such as the Punjab Grill Butter Chicken, Tandoori Lamb Chops, Coastal Prawn Curry and Barramundi Tikka.

B1-01A, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, South Podium, 2 Bayfront Avenue www.punjabgrill.com.sg

Rang Mahal On paper, Rang Mahal is the oldest Indian fine-dining restaurants in Singapore. It first opened in 1971 at the now defunct Imperial Hotel, but reopened at the Pan Pacific in 2001, where its more modern concept is gourmet buffet dining during the day, and Indian fine-dining by night.

Chef Milind Sovani, formerly of The Song of India, lists on his menu elegantly plated signature dishes, such as his soup, Tomato Saar with Mulethi Herb

Foam, sharing platter, Roomali Masala Papad, Tandoori Fondue – An Ensemble of Kebabs, Dhuwandaar Lamb Chops and Bombay Pani Poori.

Level 3, Pan Pacific Singapore, 7 Raffles Boulevard www.rangmahal.com.sg

The Song of India Set back behind lush greenery at 33 Scotts Road sits a black and white house, and if you venture inside, you’ll be welcomed to multi-award winning The Song of India.

The restaurant earned its first Michelin star in 2016, and although credit for this accolade is bestowed unto Chef Milind Sovani, Chef Manjunath Mural now deftly holds the reins, bringing guests a modern Indian cuisine fine-dining experience that won’t break the bank.

Celebrants of the festival may feast from the restaurant’s Special Diwali Brunch Buffet between November 27 and 28 and highlights include locally inspired dishes, such as Chargrilled Laksa Chicken Kebab and Sambal Barramundi Tikka, as well as their Deepavali Song’s Art Palette platter, which includes Nargisi Quails Kofta (quails eggs stuffed with minced mutton), Mangalorian Prawn Gassi (tiger prawns topped with a creamy coconut sauce) and Murg Malai Khumb (chicken roulade).

33 Scotts Road www.thesongofindia.com

The Tiffin Room The Tiffin Room was officially named Raffles Hotel’s main dining room in 1976, and it has maintained its air of traditional, colonial fine-dining ever since, with whitewashed walls, high ceilings, wooden fans and polished silverware inspired by ornate tiffin carriers – the lunch boxes commonly used in India. The concept carries through to the way in which the restaurant’s North Indian delicacies are served, in that diners are presented with an interactive dining experience, picking and choosing from up to four tiffin carrier trays. Savory selections include Kadhai Lobster, tiger prawn Jhinga Kebabs, Scallops Coconut Curry, Kashmiri Lamb and Tiffin Dal Makhani.

Grand Lobby, Raffles Singapore, 1 Beach Rd www.raffles.com Emma is a travel writer and photographer from California.

While she spends much of her time on the move all over Southeast Asia, her base is in Singapore and she joined the American Association earlier this year.

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arts&entertainment Write a Novel in Thirty Days during National Novel Writing Month

By Emily Oberton Beginning at midnight on November 1, writers across the world will flip open their laptops and let their fingers fly as they begin a thirty-day challenge to write a 50,000word story for the National Novel Writing Month project. If you’ve ever considered writing a novel, November is the perfect month to begin (and finish!) an entire book, and Singapore is the ideal place to write it.

National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo, began in 1999 in the US with only 21 writers.

The event is now a global endeavor, with more than 14 million people writing from hundreds of cities across the world. Last year, 264 people from Singapore participated in this free, online writing challenge, which deems anyone who finishes their novel a winner.

Writers, Take Your Mark, Get Set… NaNoWriMo is a race that’s run one word at a time toward the 50,000-word goal. Some writers who reach the target word count end the month with a completed novel, while others finish with the first 50,000 words of a longer story. There are no restrictions on genre, and novels may be written in any language. Writers validate their word counts at the end of November on the event website.

This high-intensity, deadline-driven writing event encourages novelists to write quickly – really quickly – and edit later. Hundreds of NaNoWriMo novels have been published traditionally, including Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants.

Although participants must wait until November 1 to begin writing, they may start planning their story as early as September, and announce its title and other basic details in October. National Novel Writing Month, the international nonprofit organization behind the NaNoWriMo event, does not give prizes to winners, but instead awards online badges to writers for reaching milestones, like reaching the first 10,000 words.

To enter the 2019 competition, register at nanowrimo.org and select your home region, then monitor your online dashboard for important dates and regional information.

The NaNoWriMo Singapore forum posts invitations to local write-ins and other events.

Writing Resources in Singapore Singapore, which hosts a vibrant literary and arts community, offers countless resources to aspiring novelists.

The Singapore Writers’ Group (SWG) provides writers with opportunities to improve their craft and network with fellow writers during meetups, writing sessions, critique groups and workshops.

International associations, such as the American Women’s Association of Singapore, have special interest groups for writers to share their work and receive feedback.

Photo by Emily Oberton

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If you prefer to write outside the walls of your home, there are many public spaces available. Coffee shops are popular spots to power on your laptop, and most public libraries have ample tables and chairs. The National Library Board of Singapore provides a list of all public libraries, which includes detailed information on how to get there, as well as floorplans of each library.

Co-working spaces are sprinkled throughout Singapore, with some of these spaces charging as little as several dollars per hour, or $15 per day. FlySpaces.com helps with the search for coworking spaces in your area.

Online Resources and Groups Fellow writers are only a hashtag away on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Choose your favorite site and use hashtags, like #nanowrimo, #amwriting, #writingtips and #writerslife to grow your online community of friends who write.

There are many websites – writersdigest.com, thewritelife.com and thecreativepenn.com, for example – that provide tips on the outlining, writing, editing, publishing and marketing of a book. The online learning platform, Udemy, offers reasonably priced e-courses on how to write a novel, too.

If you have a story inside you that’s begging to be written, let November be your month to set it free. Be sure to join the Singapore Nanowrimoers Facebook Group and follow the @wri_sing Twitter handle for Singaporean NaNoWriMo participants.

Emily is a freelance writer, novelist and public relations consultant from Texas. She moved to Singapore in late 2018, and when she isn’t writing, she’s either playing tennis, volunteering at her children’s school, or out exploring this beautiful side of the world.

arts&entertainment The Woman Behind the Curtain Singapore’s arts scene has been gradually growing over the past decade or so, with theater companies springing up over the island, meaning performing arts, specifically, have become more accessible. One such company is SING’THEATRE, founded in 2006 by Nathalie Ribette. From the grassroots of amateur dramatics, when she arrived in Singapore as a trailing spouse, to company producer and director, Nathalie speaks to Katie Baines about her passion for performance art.

How did you get into theater?

I arrived in Singapore in 1996 with my husband and our young twins. The twins were extremely sick at the time, so I wasn’t able to work, but I really wanted something for me. So, although I didn’t have much experience in drama, I went for an audition at the cultural organization, Alliance Française, who were organizing an amateur musical called Star Mania in June 1997. I wasn’t fantastic, but luckily there weren’t many other great people either, and I got the part! That’s when I fell in love with performing arts.

When did you go professional?

I joined a professional entertainment group called Tina and the Turners. Tina was a tribute act and she was looking for a few back up girls who could dance. We actually did a few things with the American Association and at The American Club for a few years. It was here that I began to learn a few stage skills.

From there I went to The Stage Club and spent a few years both backstage and on stage. It was an absolutely fantastic time! After that, I wanted to grow, so I took some acting lessons, went to more auditions and got a part in a professional play called The Expat Wife. I was then recruited by theater company, Wild Rice, where I met local stars, Selena Tan and Ivan Heng, who really helped me with their advice.

How did you make the move from actor to producer and director?

I approached Alliance Française to be a producer and director of a show that I wrote about Edith Piaf’s life and songs – far before the movie ever came to the screen. It worked very well and was a huge success, to the point of shows being sold out.

A few years later, Ivan Heng encouraged me create my own theatre company [SING’THEATRE], which I did in 2006.

In the beginning, it was really to promote French culture in Singapore, and among the people of Singapore. After 10 years of shows, with two shows per year, however, I decided to drop the French element because it was limiting me too much, so now the program is more open.

What is your proudest achievement working in theater?

I have won awards and recognition – first of all from the American community! – but the program I developed to bring music to hospitals, called Music Fest, is probably what

I’m most proud of. The idea was to hold a music festival from 9am to 9pm with stages everywhere; in the chemotherapy units, in the cafeterias, on the wards. There were a few hundred performers and 150 volunteers, so it was huge.

To be honest, I did this because a few years before a good friend of mine passed away. She was a performer and an inspiration and after she passed, I lost my drive.

Another friend suggested that maybe if I did something for her, the drive would come back, which is exactly what happened. It turned out that the event we first held in June 2013 was something that would return every year.

What’s happening at SING’THEATRE? The next production coming up is A Spoonful of Sherman, which is a musical review of songs by the Sherman brothers, who wrote the music for Mary Poppins, Winnie the Pooh, the Jungle Book, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It’s nice, as adults, to be able to hear these songs again and introduce them to our kids. The show premiered in London two or three years ago and was received really well, and it’s now on tour in the United States and the UK.

What advice would you give people wanting to get into theater in Singapore?

My advice would be to join The Stage Club. Without The Stage Club, I would never be where I am. It’s the oldest theater company in Singapore – it’s been around since 1948 – and it has a lovely ambiance. You can, of course, help backstage since they’re always looking for help with set design or publicity, but if you want to get on stage, their auditions are open to anyone. They produce two to three shows a year, and you meet fantastic people who have the same passion as you.

A Spoonful of Sherman runs from November 20-30, 2019 at SOTA Drama Theatre.

Photo courtesy of SING’THEATRE

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health & wellness Breast Cancer Awareness

By Dr. Sundus Morgan Breast cancer. It’s a frightening thought, and all too many people, including – and perhaps especially – men assume it won’t happen to them, meaning vital screenings often go missed. October, though, is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and its mission is to urge both men and women to get checked out as clinicians stress that early detection and treatment is key. Make October the month you talk to your health practitioner.

How common is breast cancer?

Worldwide, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women and is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women, after lung cancer.

In the US, about one in every eight women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. Male breast cancer accounts for 1% of total cases.

What are the risk factors?

Family History: Having a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) with breast cancer doubles or triples the risk of developing the cancer. Having two or more firstdegree relatives with breast cancer increases the risk to five to six times higher.

Breast Cancer Gene: Mutations in two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, are associated with a higher risk of developing breast cancer, but only 5% of breast cancer is attributable to these mutations. If relatives of such a woman also carry the gene, they have a 50-85% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.

Gynecologic History: Women with early menarche, late menopause, or women who have never borne a child or had their first pregnancy after 30 years of age are at higher risk.

Use of Oral Contraceptives: Oral contraceptive use slightly increases the risk of breast cancer (by about five more cases per 100,000 women). Risk is highest during the years of contraceptive use and reduces during the 10 years after stopping. Women who began to use contraceptives before age 20 years are at particular risk.

Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT): Use of HRT with estrogen alone is associated with little or no increased risk of breast cancer. However, HRT treatment with estrogen and progesterone appears to increase risk modestly. The risk increases with the duration of HRT use and decreases once HRT is stopped.

Radiation Therapy: Exposure to radiation therapy to the chest area before the age of 30 increases risk.

Diet and Lifestyle: A Western diet, obesity and alcohol may contribute to development or growth of breast cancers.

What are the methods of treating breast cancer?

Once breast cancer is confirmed, additional tests are undertaken to evaluate the type and stage of breast cancer diagnosed. This information allows clinicians to determine the best treatment plan, which will usually

involve surgery and radiation therapy, with or without adjuvant chemotherapy, hormonal and targeted therapy, taking into account patient preference.

What are the top five preventative actions to take to reduce the risk of breast cancer?

Screening: National screening programs are offered in many countries and have been shown to reduce mortality rates. Screening programs vary from country to country, but usually begin from the age of 47-50 years on an annual basis until the age of 50, reducing to two yearly, thereafter, in some countries.

Genetic Counseling: If you have a first-degree relative with breast cancer or ovarian cancer, then counseling at a genetic cancer clinic may be advised to evaluate your risk and discuss the advantages and limitations of genetic testing. Genetic cancer clinics can give advice on the relative risk of developing breast cancer and can test for the gene mutations.

Clinical Breast Examination (CBE): An annual CBE by a health practitioner for women aged 35 years and above should be performed. This augments rather than replaces screening mammography. It can identify suspicious changes and allow for earlier investigation, detecting between 7-10% of cancers that cannot be seen in a screening mammography.

Breast Self-Examination (BSE): Learning to examine your own breasts allows women to identify suspicious changes and seek medical attention early. Women can learn BSE from their health practitioner and should do this on a monthly basis. Changes can include lumps, skin changes, nipple changes such as redness, scaling, inversion or nipple discharge other than breast milk.

Lifestyle Changes and Diet: Limiting alcohol consumption, eating a well-balanced diet, not smoking and maintaining a normal weight can minimize the risk of developing breast cancer.

Summary Early detection of breast cancer can save lives and improve survival rates. It is therefore important to raise awareness about breast cancer so that women can start with monthly breast self-examination and a screening program. Preventative care should be emphasized, focusing on lifestyle changes to help reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Dr. Sundus Morgan is based in IMC, Katong, and speaks German and Arabic.

Call 6733 4440 to make an appointment or visit www.imc-healthcare.com LIVING IN SINGAPORE 39

health & wellness The Commuter Marriage Maintain that close relationship with a travelling spouse

By Lissy Puno, Counselling Psychologist Arriving at your new host country can be filled with joy and excitement, as you and your spouse anticipate this new adventure you promised to experience together.

Before you know it, your spouse is travelling weekly to exciting places in the region as part of the job, returning with stories of people met and cultures discovered.

The children are settled in school, but you may start to feel isolated thinking: “What about me?” You build your environment and fill days with a routine of a wellmanaged home, making new friends, keeping up with your fitness, and taking on volunteer opportunities. The source of anticipated happiness, though – the shared expatriate life – can bring total disillusionment to the once-connected couple, as expectations of the shared experience are not met.

The new regional role is taking away the travelling spouse from the family on a weekly basis. Back with the family on the weekend, but filled with fatigue and the need to be an involved parent watching sports activities, or shuttling the children between play dates. The social life of the expatriate couple can also be demanding, as they spend more time apart.

Couples start living parallel lives without realizing it. It starts with legitimate reasons of needing ‘me’ time to destress as the working week was no fun, with meetings all day. The children’s active lives are also exerting demands, so there is a need for time out. The push for individual happiness and prioritizing what the ‘me’ wants, and feels it deserves, creates the disconnected lives that make a relationship distant. The idealistic expatriate image of what a relationship should be creates significant pressure, because the reality is that both are consumed with work and home management, and there’s no time for each other.

Soon enough, the adjustment phase feels more settled and things start to change. This change is inevitable and couples begin to wonder if this move was right for both of them. They question if they had made a mistake and doubt whether they can continue.

Are you unknowingly drifting apart? Ask yourselves a few of these questions.

1. Are you distracted by day-to-day challenges of life that mean you are paying less attention to each other?

2. Has your schedule been dominated by your work or social calendar that you’re not safeguarding couple time?

3. Do you assume that there is really no need to ask about each other’s lives, because if there was something to be known, then the other would?

4. Have you stopped behaving in caring and affectionate ways because you believe that they are not as important?

Maintain closeness by focusing on a few basic things: Safeguard your weekly couple time. Make time for each other. As adults, you can take care of your needs, but remind yourselves that you are a team and need support from one another. Set a date night, have fun recreationally and enjoy each other’s company, in or out of the home.

Connect daily in loving ways. Offer gestures of affection. While travelling, attempt to have a few minutes to talk via various ways technology can offer.

Stay interested in each other’s lives. Keep intimate personal conversations going and attend to each other’s needs.

Share areas of interest and maintain intimacy.

Learn new things together. Develop new hobbies. Get involved in weekend activities as a couple that do not include the children.

Offer emotional closeness. You and your spouse should know each other the best, so validate feelings and thoughts that may arise during the week.

Keep positive thoughts and images of your partner.

Remind yourself of what you appreciate in your partner.

Those traits are still within, but may be temporarily put aside during stressful moments.

Don’t let little things exacerbate. Stay away from negative, unhelpful thoughts. Focus on what’s working.

The effort and contributions, big or small. Heighten the overall good of your partner and the value given to family life.

Stay committed to each other. Keep in mind the longterm vision of your relationship, family and couple goals.

If you feel that you are in a crisis because the new lifestyle has changed your priorities, don’t despair. Talk to your partner about the imbalance; recognize it as an adjustment phase which all relationships will go through during times of change. Identify what is causing the imbalance and communicate the needs that are not being met. Stay committed and don’t let temporary imbalances disconnect you from each other. Discover ways to nurture your relationship amidst the challenges back to a place where you feel understood.

Healthy marriages are work in progress. A good marriage is always growing and changing with the stressors in life. Build the marriage and family life that you always wanted to have wherever you may be.

Lissy is a practicing Counselling Psychologist at the International Counselling & Psychology Centre located at the International Building on Orchard Road. She is the author Affairs Don’t Just Happen, Stay Connected, and facilitator of the internationally known “Getting The Love You Want” couples weekend workshop. www.intlcounselling.com 40 LIVING IN SINGAPORE

health & wellness What to do after the ‘Expat Honeymoon’ is over

By Andrea McKenna Brankin “Am I going crazy?”

I get that question a lot from fellow expats who are dealing with stress in their lives.

We are weathering so many changes living here, be they the stress of moving, changing from a house to condo, new schools for the kids, cultural changes like having a helper, not having a car, having a traveling spouse, or having to change, or even quit, a career because our dependent pass restricts what we can do. There are myriad issues we can explore in our ‘Expat Headspace’…

It’s stressful. It can be isolating. It can be hard mentally.

But you’re not alone! And if you think you’re going crazy while trying to settle in here in Singapore, please know that this is normal and may not be a permanent blow to your mental state. But if it is, there’s help for that, too!

One of the most important things is to be aware of changes that may require medical attention. Second to that is self-care; making sure you are taking meaningful steps to manage your mental state daily, even if it means meeting a new friend for coffee, Skyping a relative or just taking a walk in the park.

Luckily, there are experts in Singapore who deal with expat issues, including several therapy and counseling agencies, who understand where you are coming from.

Maria Luedeke, counselor, psychotherapist and executive coach with Aspire Counseling, says anxiety and depression are cousins, in that when one is present for a length of time, the other can crop up as well. In the expat life of ever-changing points of reference, one often experiences both.

She notes that there is something called a “U Curve” that exists when expats relocate. “There’s a Honeymoon period after moving where things are exciting and novel, then a dip where things are not novel, just annoying and different from what they have previously been used to. Slowly expats usually begin to adjust to the new social and cultural norms of their new host country. All this happens while expats are removed from extended family and friends, trying to create a ‘home’ for spouses and children, and tackle new work situations. So, mood swings, anxiety and sadness are pretty normal in this context,” says Luedeke.

Despite that, she advises that one should seek help during any prolonged period of depression, anxiety, mood swings or other intense emotional states that interfere with the ability to function or interact with others.

Noticeable behavior changes may be in eating, drinking or shopping. Other common changes may include sleeping too much or too little, not leaving the house, having relationship problems at home, or disconnecting

from regular support systems. Luedeke reassures that mental health professionals can help assess and provide coping skills and strategies, as well as developing good self-care programs.

In my expat experience, self-care programs can include therapy (I do equine-assisted therapy, for example), or seeing a medical doctor for care. Contact with others is also important; maintain connections with friends and family back home, join a local social organization, like a PTA at your child’s school, the American Women’s Association or the American Association of Singapore, all of which will do things, such as celebrate familiar holidays like Thanksgiving or Fourth of July. These may give you a chance to pursue some new social outlets, like a crafting group, tennis team or international choir, among many other options.

So, to go back to the original question: Are you going crazy? Maybe a little, but a lot of it is very understandable and justifiable. And the bottom line is that with more focus on mental health in society, particularly in our home countries, it is definitely the right time to look for some help and support.

Luedeke suggests expats seek to be genuine and prioritise their wellness through self-care, seeking support networks and reach out for professional mental help when needed. This way, one can enjoy the positives and learn how to manage the negatives.

“I’m often struck by how easily expats will ask one another for recommendations for accountants, hair stylists and dentists, but they shy away from asking for recommendations about mental health professionals.

We actually experience emotional pain in the exact same way we experience physical pain, so stop suffering in silence and reach out for help!”

If you or know someone is in severe crisis, go to a hospital emergency room, known as A&E in this country.

Call 995 for an ambulance and/or call the Samaritans hotline 800-221-4444, which has trained counselors who can advise you.

A professional writer and journalist, Andrea has written a book about living with mental illness, and writes magazine and blog articles about expat life. She was one of ten women featured in the book, Dear Ms. Expat. She runs the Listen Ladies support group for the American Women’s Association in Singapore. In the US, she was in the Speaker Bureau for the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

LIVING IN SINGAPORE 41

sport&fitness The Myth of “Motivation”

Why Discipline and Habit Beat Goals & Motivation Every Time

By Amanda L. Dale As a personal trainer, you might assume my world runs on motivation. The new year (or, in the typical expat cycle, the new school year) comes around and suddenly, folks decide it’s time to get in shape. They double down on training sessions, swear to keep to their intermittent fasting hours, or Keto diets, or Whole30 detoxes, and commit to finally changing the bad habits that have been sabotaging their fitness and health for years. For some, this “once and for all” approach works, but for a commanding majority, it does not. Why? The answer: motivation, despite its best intentions, is a myth. It is fleeting, fickle, and time-bound. Motivation peaks when there’s a carrot on the end of the stick – a wedding to get ready for, a tropical vacation on the horizon, or losing baby weight – and falls to a silent lull once these moments have passed. An empty stick doesn’t hold appeal for most of us, especially when the “carrot” was invested with significant personal or emotional value. So, what tools do we have if we want to actually make healthy changes and stick to them?

The answer is actually simpler, and perhaps more obvious, than we all think. In his article, The Mundanity of Excellence, Daniel Chambliss explains the success of certain Olympic swimmers over their equally talented peers by noting that, “excellence is accomplished through the doing of actions, ordinary in themselves, performed consistently and carefully, habitualized, compounded together, and added up over time.” In other words: achieving excellence is no secret, it is simply the repetition of the correct actions over the proper amount of time.

And herein lies the tough part about sustaining healthy changes: they are often boring and take a lot of time to make. Investing the time and handling the boredom is where folks tend to fall short. Sure, swapping out your lunchtime hamburger for a fresh, crisp salad may be fun for the first few days, but returning to the same salad bar over and over means suddenly the burger beckons you back, even if just for variety.

This is where author James Clear of Atomic Habits provides a workable solution. He asserts that the steps to making a good habit, or breaking a bad one, is simply two sides of the same coin. To make a good habit stick, it must be obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying. To make a bad habit disappear, it must be invisible, unattractive, difficult, and unsatisfying.

For example, if you are trying to eat cleaner at home, you must make healthy foods obvious (place them front and center in the fridge), attractive (wash and prep your fruits

and veggies so they’re ready-to-eat), easy (pre-portion snack-size bags of nuts or fruit so you can grab and go), and satisfying (find healthy recipes you are truly excited about making, and cook them at home with the family).

On the flip side, you must make junk food invisible (do NOT bring it into your house), unattractive (store unhealthy foods as far away from your healthy snacks as possible), difficult (ask your partner or family member to move any junk food to a location you don’t know), and unsatisfying (make sure to write down how you feel after eating poorly and keep that note squarely on the fridge door). Until your better habits become second nature, set up environments and structures that force you to stay on the straight and narrow.

Speaking of strategy, a quick word on ‘goals’; a word that often goes hand in hand with ‘motivation’.

Goal-setting in itself is a productive act. Individuals and organizations need clearly articulated and timely goals to stay accountable to their greater purpose.

However, goals and motivation both suffer from the same problem of short-sightedness – once the goal has been reached (or, worst case scenario, forgotten or abandoned), if there is no established structure keeping the person or group on track, motivation wanes and the steps once taken toward the goal tend to slow down or cease entirely.

This is where the second solution – discipline – comes into play. In addition to forming healthy habits, one must also cultivate a sense of self-discipline, whereby acting in a way that is consistent with your greater purpose becomes second nature, rather than guilt-inducing series of daily choices. As Clear notes in Atomic Habits, instead of saying that you’re going to work out every day for the next 30 days, commit to becoming the type of person who doesn’t miss their workouts. Tie your healthy intentions to an identity that is consistent with them – joining a weekly running group, for example, to reinforce your goal of becoming a better runner – and don’t allow yourself to lose focus.

If all of this habit-and-discipline talk has you feeling overwhelmed, remember: the best way to start any lifestyle change is in small, measurable pieces. Focus on what you can do today and commit to repeating that same action tomorrow. Especially in the beginning, consistency trumps grandeur in terms of the action taken.

It is better to run a single mile every day than to run a marathon once in your lifetime and never again.

Amanda is a certified trainer and nutritionist and director of Singapore-based fitness consulting firm Peak Health. With over a decade of experience in the health and wellness industries, Amanda has coached and transformed over 200 individual clients, and consulted for large multi-national companies. She has also contributed to fitness publications such as SELF magazine and SHAPE.com.

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International Counselling & Psychology Centre

Continuing a tradition of community-based services with 40 years of experience in Singapore and the region

ICPC counsellors and psychologists work with individuals, children, adolescents, couples and families to address psychological health and wellness.

Lissy A. Puno, MA

Counselling Psychologist Certified Imago Relationship Therapist

Sarah Haas, MSW Counsellor / Psychotherapist

Richard Logan, MSocSc

Counsellor / Psychotherapist Certified Imago Relationship Therapist

Rachel Williams, DipPsy Counsellor / Psychotherapist

Miranda Ledesma, MA Counsellor

360 Orchard Road. #06-08 International Building, Singapore 238869

+65 6734 6463

www.intlcounselling.com • connect@intlcounselling.com

education Personal Branding for College

By Andy Lee Admissions officers at leading universities sift through soaring piles of applications during each cycle and often spend only a few minutes evaluating each applicant before rendering a quick judgment. In order to stand out against the competition and to capture the attention of admissions officers, you must carefully craft a unique personal brand. Personal branding is not a long summary of all your achievements and accomplishments, but rather a selective showcase of your traits and qualities that would garner the interest of your target audience – admissions officers at your dream schools.

Powerful brands, such as Apple, Nike and Coca Cola are successful, in part, because they epitomize and represent certain desirable characteristics that consumers covet.

When it comes to college admissions, the consumers are the admissions officers who decide which students are granted permission to enter the hallowed halls of their university. Like all consumers, these officers are attracted to things that embody traits and qualities that are aligned with their taste and preferences.

So, how do you go about devising a personal brand that is both authentic and compelling? Here is a simple threestep process to guide you on your journey of effective personal branding:

Step 1: Assess

Carefully reflect on the following questions: • What are your strengths and weaknesses?

• How do you enhance your strengths and mitigate your weaknesses?

• What universities are you drawn to and why?

• What are the universal and specific qualities that the admissions officers at these universities are seeking?

Step 2: Achieve • Look for opportunities (i.e. tournaments, competitions, summer programs, etc.) that will enable you to demonstrate your strengths that align with your desired college’s core values.

• Search for resources (i.e. tutoring, coaching, remedial programs, etc.) that will allow you to work on improving your weaknesses.

• Keep detailed records of all your achievements, but also your failures and how you overcame them.

Step 3: Communicate • Determine the key achievements, qualities and other personal traits you would like to convey to the admissions officers • In your application essays, interview and recommendation letters, communicate your brand by using compelling personal anecdotes to showcase your personal traits and accomplishments.

Final Tips on Personal Branding: 1. Start Early: By starting early, you will have more time to build up achievements and accomplishments that will make your personal brand authentic and tangible. When it comes to activities, longevity of experience will carry more weight than more recent ad-hoc involvement.

2. Seek Outside Perspective: Speak with your family, friends, teachers and mentors to gain a better perspective on your strengths and weaknesses. Be open to listening to feedback, both positive and negative.

3. Revise and Proofread: Since your personal brand is primarily conveyed through your writing, you must ensure that your final draft is lucid, coherent and impactful.

By following the these programs outlined above, you will be able to create a distinctive personal brand that puts you in the best possible position to seize the interest of admissions officers, and maximize your chances of getting admitted to your dream school.

Andy is a a seasoned American university and boarding school admissions consultant with nearly a decade of experience. He is a graduate of Columbia and Cornell and has provided comprehensive educational counseling to over 100 students, many of whom have gone on to attend institutions like Columbia, Cornell, Penn, Berkeley, UCLA, Georgetown, NYU and USC. 44 LIVING IN SINGAPORE

education

Why residential trips may be one of the most important parts of your child’s curriculum.

Taking Up Residency

By Vivienne Scott I vividly remember my first residential school trip. At the tender age of seven, this was the first time I had ever stayed away from my parents, perhaps with the exception of the occasional sleepover. I recall the anticipation of going away with my friends and teachers, the nerves about whether I’d like the activities, the pride in packing my own suitcase, and the fear (or was it excitement?) of being away from home. It is the same emotions I see on the faces of our year four (third grade) students at Dover Court International School* as they arrive early in the morning, laden with bags and, perhaps, a few too many snacks, ready to depart to Kota Rainforest Resort.

Children’s daily schedules are busier than ever as schools compete to provide innovative opportunities for academic, sporting and extra-curricular learning, and parents complement this education with further tutoring or recreational activities and clubs after school.

In our efforts to provide children with the best possible opportunities, though, is there a risk that their days are so overly structured and timetabled, that they are inadvertently restricted in self-directed activities and self-discovery?

Time, or lack of therein, is often our worst enemy. We know that children are capable of organizing their own belongings, serving their own food, tidying up after themselves; we simply haven’t the time to wait and allow them this responsibility. Our busy schedules often dictate that it is often quicker and easier if an adult does this for them. From the minute students arrive for their residential trip, however, there is no assistance to carry their luggage, organize their belongings or direct the completion of tasks. To some, this creates initial confusion and helplessness, but as children learn to problem solve and work together, learning is quickly observed.

Inevitably, students forget to bring their water bottle

or sun screen to their activity, and this creates a natural consequence of delaying and shortening their time spent on it. Natural consequences are vital learning opportunities and it is satisfying to see the same students rehearsing and double-checking their self-organization skills the following day, without need for adult instruction or intervention. Their satisfaction and self-esteem arise from pride in their newfound independence.

Unlike the formal classroom environment, residential camp activities are delivered as problems requiring trial and error approaches until success is achieved. These challenges require resilience, collaboration, negotiation and conflict-resolution, and students’ strengths and personalities naturally develop into the roles of leaders, directors, mediators and collaborators; each as important as the next. A leader cannot implement their idea without a team, and a team lacks direction without a leader. What better way to challenge a fixed mindset or teach respect for all hierarchical roles?

Of course, the greatest value in residential trips is that this invaluable wealth of learning and personal development takes place without children really noticing or considering it to be ‘education’. Self-reflection is an ongoing requisite for learning in this environment and learning, therefore, takes place in context. Skills are not taught, but acquired and developed. It is widely recognized in the field of psychology that teaching strategies to overcome challenges will have little benefit unless a client opts to put themselves in that real-life scenario and practice applying and honing new skills.

Benjamin Franklin once said: “Tell me and I forget; teach me and I may remember; involve me and I learn.” Perhaps this is a fitting summary for why experiential learning is of such great value in our modern-day education system. * At time of writing.

Vivienne is an educational psychologist with extensive experience in assessing and responding to a diverse range of mental health and additional support needs for children and families. She regularly provides workshops and training opportunities for parents and educators to increase their capacity to manage children’s and their own wellbeing needs while living in Singapore.

LIVING IN SINGAPORE 45

business Investing in Startups

By Richard Hartung If you’d invested $1,000 in Facebook at its advent in 2005, your investment could be worth more than $600,000 today.

Entrepreneurs are continuing to start up new companies, from financial technology to beauty product firms, that could follow in the social media giant’s footsteps to be the next game-changer. Even if you don’t set up a company yourself, you can still get a piece of the action by investing in startups.

Investing in Startups: High-Risk, High-Return Investing in startups is indeed exciting, and many of them are creating disruptive new products which can literally change the world. Carousell, Gojek, Grab, JobStreet and Lazada are just a few of the startups in Southeast Asia that have made it big.

The fundamental question individuals considering an investment in a startup need to ask themselves, though, is whether they can accept the risk.

Search online for information about startups and you’ll likely see that nearly 90% fail. This commonly-accepted percentage, however, may be over inflated as other data sources, such as an oft-cited study in 2007 led by Willamette University professor Robert Wiltbank, shows that just over half fail. Regardless, more than 50% likely won’t succeed, and the possibility of losing your entire investment is high.

The advantage of investing, though, is that you can earn a good return if the company succeeds. While data is limited, the 2007 study led by professor Wiltbank also found that the average return was 2.6 times the investment in 3.5 years, or an internal rate of return (IRR) of 27%. Other studies have shown that about 10% of startups increase in value by more than 10 times. Another example, according to Forbes, is that $1,000 invested into Airbnb in 2009 would now be worth more than $550,000.

To earn those returns, however, you’ll usually need to wait until the startup is bought by another company or lists on a stock exchange in an initial public offering. That process can take at least 5-10 years, so you’ll need to be prepared to tie up your funds for quite a while.

If you do decide to take the risk, two principles are essential.

The first is to learn more about investing in startups.

Networks here, such as Angel Central, hold classes, while platforms in the US, such as the Angel Capital Association and FundersClub, have online materials. Learning platforms Coursera and Udemy offer online classes, and there are any number of books about investing.

The second is to spread your risk. Rather than investing

large amounts in just a few startups, experts suggest investing in at least 10 companies to lessen the risk.

How to Invest There are several ways to invest. Entrepreneurs usually need more money to grow their business after they’ve tapped into family and friends to get their initial funds, so they often look for investors.

One option is to find companies on your own. You can start by talking to friends and colleagues to find companies or link up with other investors through groups to identify potential investments, then start investing.

BANSEA, for example, organizes educational conferences, workshops, research and networking to match early stage companies with angel investors.

Another is AngelCentral, which organizes pitch sessions, angel education workshops and syndication services for members. Startup SG Investors also offers access to coinvestment opportunities.

An alternative is to invest through a platform, which pools funds from investors. FundedHere offers investments in early-stage startups, while Fundnel offers pooled investments in early-to-late-stage startups.

One consideration is that you may need to be an accredited investor to invest through some platforms, meaning that you have more than S$2 million in assets or income above S$300,000 per year. FundedHere does, though, allow some professional investors with an annual income above S$100,000 and practical investment knowledge.

Minimum investments are usually at least S$5,000 for FundedHere and often at least S$25,000-S$100,000 for Fundnel and BANSEA. For individuals who are comfortable with risk, yet have less money, investing in the US can be easier. The 2013 JOBS Act opened investing in startups to almost anyone, with the caveat that you can only invest $2,200 a year or 5 percent if your annual income, or if your net worth is less than $107,000. Microventures, SeedInvest, StartEngine and WeFunder as well as other platforms welcome investors and may offer educational materials.

Startups Investing Can Be Attractive For risk-averse individuals concerned about losing money, it may be preferable not to invest in startups. For investors willing to take some risk, though, it can be worthwhile to learn about angel investing, figure out how to mitigate risk through platforms or other solutions, and consider using the organizations listed here or a multitude of others to put money into startups.

Richard is the Managing Director of Transcarta and a freelance writer for Today, Challenge, The Asian Banker and other media, as well as writing for corporates. 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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Our Singapore:

LIVING IN IMAGES

How do you see Singapore? Every issue we’ll showcase moments captured by AAS members in a photography competition depicting our island at its finest; from the throng of the city to the wild wetlands, from the characters among its people to its varied landscape.

Singapore Marina: Eagle Eye View – Shreyas Subramanian Shreyas is 12 years old and from the San Francisco.

He loves photography and cinematography, especially with his drone.

Shreyas wins $100 in Lawry’s The Prime Rib vouchers.

2nd: library@orchard – Emily Oberton Emily is from Texas and moved to Singapore in late 2018. She’s a freelance writer, but loves taking photos.

Emily wins $75 in Greenwood Fish Market vouchers.

3rd: Moonlight Over Marina Bay – Blair Hall Blair has lived in Singapore for six years. This photo was taken after an evening event at the Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay.

Blair wins a bottle of Fetzer Cabernet Sauvignon, courtesy of Benchmark Wines.

Submit your photo of your Singapore!

Just snapped a cool picture? Send it on to our Editor-in-Chief, Katie Baines, at communications@aasingapore.com with ‘Living in Images’ in the subject line.

The competition is reserved for AAS members only • Members may submit images that are 300dpi and 1MB in size (minimum half A4 paper size) • Each entry must include name, short photographer biography and complete caption • Readers must own the rights to the picture submitted and must have obtained permission to photograph human subjects depicted • Judges’ decision is final • Entries are automatically disqualified if they do not meet our criteria and stated T&C • Winners will be notified via e-mail when the prize is ready to be sent out • Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash.

48 LIVING IN SINGAPORE

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We offer a Direct Billing Service with many health insurance companies to make your visit even easier.

Book in for your appointment now.

smilefocus 1 Orchard Boulevard #08-02/03 and #08-07/08 Camden Medical Centre Singapore 248649 T: 6733 9882 or 6834 0877

www.smilefocus.com.sg

Dr Jonathan Luke BDS (Otago).