AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
August 2018
Community newspaper since 1958
www.aasingapore.com
MCI (P) 197/03/2017
Happy Birthday USA! By Katie Baines
American Association.................... 1-6 Member Discounts............................ 3 CRCE & Business........................... 7-8 Community News........................ 9-10 Living in Singapore......................... 11 Travel Special............................ 12-20 Food & Dining........................... 22-23 Health & Wellness.......................... 24 Education....................................... 25 President's Message....................... 26 What’s Happening......................... 27
Nepal: a Buddah, a dream and an enduring story. p14
Photography: our need to document, share and remember. p16
Hairbrained hotels: quirky places to stay around the world. p20
Photo courtesy of Erick Lo Photography
O
n June 30 we celebrated one of the most significant dates on our calendar; the birthday of the US. As members and guests of the American Association of Singapore (AAS), we came in our droves for this momentous occasion at Singapore American School (SAS), who co-hosted the event with AAS. The playing field was awash with red, white and blue, and the atmosphere was electric; full of fun, laughter and friendliness. There were carnival games a-plenty for both adults and kids who swarmed the stalls, deftly manned by staff, volunteers and representatives from sponsor, Expat Dental, in the hope of winning one of the many awesome prizes. Our sister organizations were out in force in the American Organizations tent, getting into the festive spirit. Kids wore themselves out on the bouncy castles and squealed with excitement at the dryice spilling from the Mad Science booth, while parents browsed the Marketplace. We ate, we drank and were merry, enjoying tasty treats, craft ales and wines from our fabulous vendors which were ferried back to picnic blankets scattered across the field, only for us to burn it all off, line dancing in perfect unison under the guidance of Zumba Instructor, Elkin Bedoya,
and his team. Band on the Run’s 10.seconds kept the momentum going, ramping up the party with modern classics and golden oldies for everyone to groove to on the grass.
drive raffle and Lucky Draw, in which winners were presented with fantastic prizes; from airline tickets, courtesy of American Airlines; to private island getaways; to luxury gift baskets.
Appetites sated and thirsts quenched, it was time to observe the formal section of the evening. The Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/CTF73 Color Guard, presented the colors under a coral sunset and recent SAS graduate, Migs Dimayacyac, treated us to a beautiful performance in singing both the Singaporean and American national anthems.
With smiles all round, it was time to wish everyone a final Happy 4th of July and safe journey home. The AAS team agrees unanimously that it is the people that make events such as these a success, and so we would like to extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to everyone who attended and helped to make it the occasion it was.
Our special guest speakers Angela Wylie, Senior Finance Manager, SAS; Stephanie Syptak-Ramnath, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., US Embassy, Singapore; and Commander Logistics Group Western Pacific & Singapore Area Coordinator, Rear Admiral Joey Tynch, then spoke warmly of the sentiments behind the 4th of July to rouse patriotism among the crowd. Finally, AAS Treasurer, Michael Borchert, closed the formal ceremony, at which point the sky was ablaze with a luminous display of fireworks; arguably one of the highlights of the evening. The celebrations continued with more live music and then the eagerly awaited winner announcements of the LOVE, NILS charity
Centennial Partners
Microbreweries under the microscope: discover Singapore's craft ale scene. p22
American Association of Singapore – Since 1917
We are beyond grateful for our army of volunteers with their tireless energy and hard work they brought to the day. Our VIPs could not have been more wellcatered for, and so massive thanks goes out to TD Ameritrade, who sponsored the tent, with Jerry’s Barbecue and Grill, Brewerkz and Century Cellars who kept everyone fed and watered. We’d also like to offer our endless gratitude to our generous sponsors and prize donators, without whom the event would not be possible. Huge thanks, also, to everyone who donated to the fireworks; in particular our major fireworks sponsor, SAS. Finally, we are indebted to Isaac Benjamin and his SAS security team for facilitating such a wonderful day.
2 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
Singapore American · August 2018
W hat ' s Wednesday
8
August
Thursday
16 August
coming up
Coffee Connexions
Join us for morning coffee at Privé Orchard where you’ll have the opportunity to make new connexions and catch up with old ones, too. There’s no fee to join, but attendees are required to purchase at least one drink/coffee (minimum). 9:30 – 11am Privé Orchard, Wheelock Place, (S)238880 Free of charge, but registration required. This event is open to AAS members. Interested guests are welcome to attend one Coffee Connexions event as a non-member.
AAS METWORKS Social and professional networking for men
Metworks Happy Hour
Meet other men who share your hobbies and interests. Find a golf or tennis partner or other sports fans. Swap ideas about the best Singapore has to offer. Get answers to your questions about life on the Little Red Dot. Make friends in areas outside of your current social, school, or professional circles over a casual lunch. 6pm onwards Brewerkz Riverside Point 30 Merchant Road, #01-05/06, (S)058282 This event is open to AAS members. Interested guests are welcome to attend one Metworks event as a non-member.
Sunday
19
AAS at Willing Hearts
Tuesday
Tapas en Español
August
21 August
Bring the whole family and spend the morning preparing, packing and distributing meals to those in need at this volunteering opportunity organized by AAS. 8:30 – 11:30am Willing Hears Soup Kitchen, (S)409074 This is an AAS members-only event.
Practice your Spanish conversational skills, have a conversation in your mother tongue or simply to enlarge your international network in Singapore. Come join us for tapas at Tapas Club, Orchard. 7 – 9pm Tapas Club, Orchard Central, (S)238896 Free of charge, but registration required. This is an AAS members-only event.
join now!
www.aasingapore.com
We’re adding new events and activities all the time, so please keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for up-to-the-minute information, and to register for an event: www.aasingapore.com
AMBASSADOR’S CUP GOLF TOURNAMENT We are excited to announce that we are going back to Malaysia!
SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, October 6
The American Association of Singapore www.aasingapore.com www.aasingapore.com
3 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
Singapore American · August 2018
W hat
we ' ve been up to
Among the excitement of the 4th of July Celebration, we had a great month in June with our smaller events at the American Association of Singapore (AAS). Here are some of the fun things we’ve been up to.
AAS MEMBER DISCOUNTS AAS members enjoy discounts at a range of local businesses. Present your AAS membership card at time of purchase. www.aasingapore.com/member-discounts
Family Fun Bowling @Superbowl was overwhelmingly popular this month as twenty community members of all ages took to the bowling lanes. After a closely fought contest, it was Dion Walz who was king of pins on the day. AAS members enjoy two hours free handyman service (valued at over $200) on their moving day when booking a move with Allied Pickfords.
Indulge in modern American gourmet burgers and premium craft beer. Enjoy 15% off when you dine at Brewerkz through December 31, 2018. Limit to one redemption per bill/table. Not valid on public holidays and eve of public holidays. Valid for a la carte menu. The management reserve the right to amend the terms & conditions without prior notice.
Taste authentic Mexican Food and blue agave tequila and receive 15% off when you dine at Café Iguana through December 31, 2018. Not valid on public holidays and eve of public holidays. Valid for a la carte menu. The management reserve the right to amend the terms & conditions without prior notice.
Only for AAS members. Enjoy 20% off travel insurance all year round, and S$100 per couple when you book a holiday package* with Flight Centre
Coffee Connexions, hosted by two of the newest members of the AAS team, Arcia Perrenoud and Thila Chandra, was an equally well-turned-out event. A mix of regulars and new-commers enjoyed a morning of coffee and conversation at Privé, Orchard. Check our calendar for the August meet-up!
*Package comprises of at least flight and accommodation. Discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Contact your dedicated travel team at 6692 9658 or visit bit.ly/FCxAAS2018 for more info.
MEMBER
BENEFITS Attention entrepreneurs and small business owners! The guys had a great time socializing and making new contacts at the June Metworks lunch at Brewerkz, Riverside Point. They’ll be meeting at the same venue this August for Metworks Happy Hour. Get on to our website to register.
Are you looking to start your own small business or have started and need help to grow? Then CRCE has the solution for you. Join our Small Business Club series and participate in a number of talks and workshops that ensure you are set up for success! For more information visit our website at www.aasingapore.com
Coffee Connexions Wednesday, August 8 · 9:30 -11am PRIVÉ ORCHARD
Member-Exclusive Events
To register and for more info: www.aasingapore.com
As an AAS member you are entitled to attend a range of memberexclusive events, including Coffee Connexions, Metworks, our men’s networking group, and a whole host of other family fun and volunteer activities. Check our events calendar to see what’s coming up at www.aasingapore.com/events
www.aasingapore.com
VIP TENT SPONSOR
MAJOR SPONSORS
LOGISTICS PARTNER and special thanks to: ABC Cooking Studio, Arts Management Associates, California Pizza Kitchen, Cha Cha Cha, Craft & Culture, Disney, Flight Centre, Greenwood Fish Market, Hard Rock Cafe, LAMC Productions, Lawry's The Prime Rib, Mohan's Tailors, Mokksies, Nectar, Outback Steakhouse, Taiken Sonzai, Tango's, Tempat Senang Resort & Spa, The American Club, The Blue Ginger and Uniquely Marina. Thank you to our volunteers: Darcy Alden, Sarah Bartholomew Wilson & Patrick Wilson, Michael Borchert, Jeremy Berman, Valerie Brandt, Anna Bryant, Sammie Cheston, Andrew Cline, Richard & Liz Coward, Tom Coward, Bill & Tina Cornwell, Eunice & Kate Chin and Tina, Natalia De Roock, Aaron Doyle, Mary Ferrante, Joe Foggiato, Cath Forte, Liam Galey, Shawn Galey & Katherine Krummert, Bill & Sally Hook, Jena Hutchinson, Diviya Indrakumaran, Vanessa Koh, Steven Libby, Shaun Li and Singapore community students, Su Ling, Mike Loth, Maggie Loudon, Mariani Maihadani, Anne Morgan, Vankat Narayanaswamy, Bill Poorman, Paul Poorman, Sam Poorman, Lee Porter, Lavanya Ravi, Steve Robertson, Laura Rowley, Chris & Nikki Rudnick, Deepe Sangkuny, Brian Schwender, Paul Sieveke, Suzanne Swiderski, Dale Taubman, Yvonne Tay & Tazel, Tiffany and Tina, Millie Tompkins, Max Vallestero, Neil Vallestero, Glenn van Zutphen, Becky White, Jenn Wood, GySgt Leandros Rubio and the US Marines, Logistics Specialist Petty Officer First (LS1) Hu, Yong and the US Navy, Zumba instructor Elkin Bedoya and his team. The Beer Team: Chris Maurillo, Dave Alden, Rich Baines, Bill & Tina Cornwell, Blair Hall, Chuck Herman, Hayden Madry, Bill Pazos, Neil Vallestero, Kirk Schulz-Utermoehl and Dale Taubman. Anthems: Migs Dimayacyac. Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/CTF73 Color Guard: Beatriz Byers, Jhirrell R. Bush, Melven J Duatin, Yoo M. Lee , Josue Garavito and Tenzin Pema.
Photos courtesy of Tatyana Kildisheva/Kildi Photo and Erick Lo Photography
TRANSPORT SPONSOR
FOOD & BEVERAGE VENDORS
FIREWORK SPONSORS
The Alden family · Shawn Bajaj · Michael Borchert & Piyapan Kruemai Dylan & Hailey Bush · Jimmy & Carey Fagan · Blair Hall & Valerie Brandt Joe Foggiato · Shawn Galey & Katherine Krummert ITsupportondemand.com - Affordable IT Support for small business Hayden Madry & Sarah Walston · Chris Milliken & Stephanie Nash Bill, Margaret, Sam & Paul Poorman · Brian & Carmen Schwender Kim & Debbie Seidelman · Glenn & Kat van Zutphen
ENTERTAINMENT
MEDICAL SUPPORT
MARKETPLACE VENDORS
WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS It’s my pleasure and honor to say a heartfelt welcome to all of the new members of the American Association of Singapore! AAS is a community organization, and that means we exist to serve our members. We work throughout the year to see to it that you and your family get the support you need during your time here on the Little Red Dot, stay connected to American culture, and have a little fun along the way. Well, more than little, we hope! Of course, I don’t want to miss a chance to say thank you to our returning members as well. You are the base – the rock – upon which we build our program and our future. First-time members bring new energy and vitality to AAS, but you give us a platform to serve the community through your willingness to be there year in and year out. Like so many things in life, this is how it gets done; all of us working together, new and returning members, creating a community of support, assistance, and goodwill in which all of us benefit from one another’s effort and willingness to pay it both back and forward. So, again, a hearty special thank you and welcome to all of our newest members. I look forward to meeting many of you at our events over the course of the year. Please don’t hesitate to introduce yourself and that, of course, goes for returning members as well. Here’s to an exciting year ahead! Bill Poorman AAS Executive Committee Member-at-Large and Membership Committee member
NEWBIE NIGHT! Our regular Newbie Nights are for new members to learn all about AAS, upcoming events and how you can make the most of your membership. Join us to connect with other members and make new friends while enjoying some wine and nibbles. All new members welcome!
“Together with my husband, Patrick, we have enjoyed a number of different AAS activities; from chopping vegetables at Willing Hearts, a quiz night, an evening with a US Rear Admiral and an interesting AGM to name a few. My favorite, though, had to be volunteering at Toys for Tots last December which really kick-started my festivities.” Sarah Bartholomew Wilson AAS member since 2017
Mariko Braswell
Alexander Häller
Helen Noble
Christina Thorsen
Elveeta Doyline Cardoza
Leezibet Heinzraiden
Stanley O'Dell
Tue Tri Tran
Laura Cavanaugh
Rhona Hunter
Cynthia Owens
Lisa Tucker-Kellogg
Hao-Han Chen
Peter Jaussaud
Padmini Pandya
Gina Vono
Eunice Chin
Chelsea Johnson
Aarathi Rajan
Craig Whyte
Alicia Christensen
Kanika Karu
Chris Rowell
Kellie Williams
Zoltan Csonka
Namrata Kaur Randhawa
Alison Sanders
Albert Wong
Bryan Day
Nader Ken Rizvi
Anupam Saraf
Yong Xia
Robin Dean
Amrita Kumat
Christine Schooling
Stephanie Young
Sarika Deshwal
Ranbing Liu
Mor Sgulim
Jessie Zhang
Rita Dobson
Michael Mawson
Jason Sisler
Ding Zheng
Anu Dsouza
Avnish Mehra
Peter Stephan
Jeanette Maria Zmijewski
Laura Fox
Angel Merito
Uma Surana
Peter Getzler
Agnieszka Musiani
Alexandra Taymans
“I first discovered the American Association of Singapore through the United States Embassy when we moved to Singapore in October 2017. I attended a Coffee Connexion event, met some great people and also offered myself up for volunteering at AAS. Through volunteering I've met some wonderful women and satisfied a need that I have to give back and help others.”
“I recently joined AAS and CRCE to re-engage with other Americans and for my job search. AAS reached out to connect me with tennis players and to invite me to their Newbie Night which was a great way to learn about AAS and mingle with other new members. I had a great time volunteering at the Independence Day celebration, too, and I’m looking forward to the job networking events!”
Karen Anderson US Embassy partner member of AAS
Steven Libby AAS Metworks member
“For the past year I have worked very closely with AAS at various offsite events to promote awareness of both our vibrant communities. I was honoured to be asked to volunteer at their premier black-tie George Washington Ball earlier this year. What a fabulous affair! It was wonderful to mingle with so many members of the community and share in their fun and excitement. The American Club looks forward to another fun-filled year working alongside our sister organisation.” Michell Sky The American Club, sister organization to AAS
7 CRCE & BUSINESS
19 17
Singapore American · August 2018
SI N
CE
What's Yours is Mine by Richard Hartung
H
ead out almost anywhere in Singapore and you can find a bicycle along the roadside, ready to ride. If you need a ride to the office, you can instantly summon a Grab driver using his or her car to make extra money. And if you need to use anything from tools to party items, you can rent them through Rent Tycoons. Welcome to the sharing economy.
Patriot Partners
Whether you’ve realized it or not, you’ve probably been part of the sharing economy already. As consulting firm PwC defines it, the sharing economy is composed of marketplaces that allow people to share or make money from underused assets by turning them into shared goods or services. If you’ve rented a short-term apartment from Airbnb, taken Grab to get to work or used Lalamove to get a package delivered, you’re a part of it. While you had to buy your own bicycle or power drill in the past, the sharing economy now allows you to take advantage of what someone else isn’t using and rent rather than buy. In renting, over buying, you can help to save the planet and save money at the same time. Despite regulatory limits on some organizations, such as Airbnb and bicycle services, the sharing economy continues to grow. With companies such as Uber going global, Brookings estimates the sharing economy could grow globally from about US$14 billion in 2014 to more than US$300 billion in 2025. Although the global market may be huge, what matters here in Singapore is what’s locally available and there more available in the sharing economy here than you may realize. Beyond well-known brands such as Airbnb, ofo and Grab, though, actually finding those companies can be difficult. One place to start is the website for the Sharing Economy Association, Singapore, at www.sharingeconomy.org.sg. Even though the association is designed to link businesses together, there are plenty of companies listed on the website that can make life easier for individuals (see box insert). Richard Hartung, the Managing Director of Transcarta, is a freelance writer for Today, gtnews, Challenge, OOSSKAnews, The Asian Banker and other media as well as the author of Changing Lanes, Changing Lives. He is also a consultant in retail banking, focusing on payments strategy and efficiency, with more than 20 years of experience in Asia. Photo courtesy of Tzuhsun Hsu
Eagle Partners
Sharing Economy Associations – Singapore examples Rent Tycoons is an online marketplace that facilitates peerto-peer renting of seemingly almost anything. You can search the portal for items or services you need.
Community Partner
When you need packages delivered it's possible to link to a delivery person via CarPal or Lalamove. Airfrov can even connect you to people who can bring things back from overseas. If you want home-cooked local food, Hcook is a community for home chefs who create delicious homemade food. For repairs, startups such as ServisHero and Kluje can connect you with service providers who provide domestic services from cleaning or handyman services to plumbing and electrical wiring. If you prefer to drive rather than use Grab, apps such as Car Club can link you to drivers who rent out their cars when they’re not using them.
Stars & Stripes
CAREER RESOURCE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
www.aasingapore.com
“I'm a big believer that life changes as much as you want it to.” MARTIN FREEMAN
The Sabbatical That Changed My Life by Alban D’Sa
I
t was a hot and humid Sunday afternoon in December when I landed at Phnom Penh airport last year. I was immediately welcomed and warmly greeted by Kathy Tucker and a few teachers from charitable foundation, New Hope for Cambodian Children (NHCC). Driving through the crowded, dusty, horn-blaring streets of Phnom Penh, our driver was skillfully adept at avoiding trishaws, vehicles and pedestrians. A couple of hours later we passed neat brown and dusty fields, once rich rice paddies during the monsoons, where dozens of stray dogs basked in the sunshine, cows grazed on the little grass they could find, chickens scratched and pigs wallowed in mud. Little did I know that this journey would lead to a life-changing experience. NHCC was founded in 2006 by American couple Kathy and John Tucker, in partnership with the Royal Government of Cambodia, to provide food, shelter, clothing, education and much needed medical assistance to more than 200 orphaned or abandoned children with HIV or AIDS virus. Initially, they came to Cambodia in 2000 to help adults affected by the epidemic spreading through the country, but quickly realized that parents were leaving behind children suffering with the same conditions after they passed away. The ethos behind the foundation is to give these children a future and the potential to live rich and full lives.
We soon reached the NHCC campus where I hurried to unpack and headed straight to the soccer field to play with the kids; mostly teenage boys, but with one amazingly talented girl who played goalkeeper – without shoes. After an exhausting 75 minutes, caked with sweat, grime and dirt from the dust bowl of a playing field, the next few moments changed my outlook on life forever. A little girl of about five years old charged towards me and leapt into my arms. I spoke no Khmer, she knew little English – “Hello teacha” was all she had – and yet we communicated beyond words in that moment. All boundaries, social or otherwise, were broken by this small gesture of affection. All problems, anxieties and difficulties I had grown accustomed to in the corporate world were gone. She wanted a hug and I wanted to be hugged.
SPOTLIGHT ON JOBS Job listings will resume in September, in the meantime CRCE members can check the website for all the latest available positions.
CRCE WORKSHOP Resume Building Speaker: Suzanna Borst Thursday, August 23 10am – 12pm
Volunteering, giving my time and energy to a cause I felt passionate about has been one of my most rewarding experiences. It could change your life too. Photo courtesy of Alban D’Sa
In working with the kids at NHCC, I gained a renewed sense of perspective and I wanted to maintain some sort of contribution in any way I could. While scribbling away with the children in class, one of the teachers asked me whether I had painted on canvas before, which gave me food for thought. So, on returning to Singapore, I picked up a canvas, some oil colors, a few brushes and set to work. Since then I have been devoting all of my spare time creating artwork on canvas, albeit amateur stuff, which I give in exchange for direct donations to NHCC. So far, my canvases have generated US$750, with every cent going to the foundation.
To donate your time and energy to experience that “Hello teacha” moment or to contribute financially: contact NHCC via their website at www.newhopeforcambodianchildren.org Alban D’Sa’s work can be viewed on his Facebook under his public photo album “Brush Strokes by Alban”, all of which can be purchased for a direct donation to NHCC.
NEED HELP WITH APPROACHING THE JOB MARKET? DOES YOUR RESUME NEED A FACELIFT? AAS OFFERS PERSONALIZED CAREER COUNSELING SERVICES. CONTACT US FOR A PRIVATE APPOINTMENT WITH A PROFESSIONAL CAREER ADVISOR: CRCE.INFO@AASINGAPORE.COM
Co-Working Wednesdays Looking for somewhere to work alongside other people? It’s often easy to feel isolated when you work alone or from home here in Singapore, but AAS is here to help.
Co-Working Introducing Wednesdays – an opportunity for people to get out and meet likeminded people in a friendly, workfocused environment. Our co-working space is available every Wednesday of every month. You’ll have use of the AAS small office, assistance with small photocopying jobs and scanning of documents, refreshments and connection to our WiFi. CRCE members will be able to enjoy this benefit as part of their membership and offer a complementary trial to a co-working buddy to get a feel for the space and see if CRCE is for them. Interested? Contact the CRCE Manager at crce@aasingapore.com or call 6715 7480 for more details.
9 Singapore American · August 2018
‘LEGOED’ OUT! By Kinjal Shah
B
uilt like a tank, Singapore American School (SAS) visual arts teacher Jeffrey Pabotoy looks like someone you’d never want to mess with. You’d think he wouldn't be interested in mini-anything, let alone little Lego bricks and minifigures that take hours of patient building. If the truth be told, Pabotoy is a Singapore American School Lego hero, known for his collection of thousands of Lego bricks and more than 500 minifigures, a few of which travel with him every time he leaves the country. In a 25-minute conversation, this 213lbs (96kg) man tells me about his obsession with the world of Lego. As his eyes light up with the wonder and excitement of a little boy in a candy shop, you can’t help but see the irony.
When did you get your first Lego? I grew up in a small fishing and farming village in the Philippines with no access to running water or electricity, let alone Western toys. We played with sticks and whatever else we could find. Moving to Manila, I saw all these toys at a fairly wealthy neighbor’s house. We were never allowed to play with his toys; only watch him do so. I noticed these little figures and bricks, so I guess that was when I first laid eyes on Lego. I was around eight or nine years old, and asked my mum for a Lego set, but we really couldn't afford it. One day she came home with a plastic bag with seven or eight little pieces of random Lego bricks. I remember being excited and playing for days, forming hundreds of configurations.
When and how did you start collecting Legos? As a kid, I longed to own Lego, but I couldn’t and the feeling of wanting to collect it stuck with me for a long time. Once I finished college and had a little disposable income, I started collecting minifigures, buying little kits because I loved building. It was when I started traveling that it got really interesting. I thought I could set up a thing here and there, take the Lego with me and snap photos. And just like that, I’d found a hobby I enjoyed.
What does your family think of your hobby? They’re all in! My wife, Katy Mankin, who is also a teacher here at SAS, is extremely supportive of my little quirks. Taking Lego on our travels has become a family tradition. She buys me Lego every time we travel; on my birthday, for Christmas – you name it! My kids and wife all help scout locations and arrange the minifigures for our travel shots. The fact that my whole family is on board makes it even more fun and interesting.
What are your top favorites? Hands down, my trip to Jordan. I had Petra with Indiana Jones. Score! Lots of people take Lego minifigures when they travel. What’s unique about mine is I plan and research a place before I travel there and mix, match or buy Lego figures to go with the culture. When we went to New Zealand, I got the Lord of the Rings Lego, as well as a Maori one. The recent Interim Semester trip to Tokyo had a Godzilla Lego, a girl in a kimono and a little Samurai guy. The most amazing feeling is when, by sheer coincidence, I find a real person that looks just like my Lego minifigure. How awesome is that?!
What’s next for the Lego hero? I plan to publish a Lego travel book for kids and currently I am in the process of gathering information on copyrights. Secretly, I’d also like to get enough followers on my Instagram account @legoglobetrotter to hopefully get Lego’s attention to sponsor minifigures to take with my family’s adventures. In the end, if nothing comes of this nerdy hobby, I will be walking away with hundreds of little memories with my wife, kids, and eventually someday with my grandchildren, and you can be sure that I’ll have a Lego for those moments when they come. Photos courtesy of Jeffrey Pabotoy
COMMUNITY NEWS
10 COMMUNITY NEWS
Singapore American · August 2018
The Presidential Visit by Katie Baines
W
ith the world watching, the spotlight was very much on Singapore this June as the much anticipated and historic event of the first ever meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader took place. Hundreds of people lined the streets just to catch a glimpse of the the entourages transporting the leaders from venue to venue; hotels familiar to AAS and its community. A year ago, we trod the same floors at the Capella hotel, Sentosa, where the actual summit took place, at the 2017 George Washington Ball. We’ve also hosted the Ball at The Shangri La where President Trump held the POTUS meet and greet, addressing the US Embassy and Sembawang families. It’s not as if Singapore hasn’t played host to a US President before now; George H W Bush visited President Wee Kim Wee and Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong in 1992, fourteen years ahead of son, George W Bush’s visit in 2006. The last leader of the US to come to the island was President Barak Obama in 2009. It would be difficult to deny, however, that the magnitude of this particular visit had the world transfixed.
Our host nation welcomed over 2,500 people from local and international press, housed in 2,000 work stations and 50 media booths, according to the Ministry of Communications, to splash images of Sentosa and its skyline across the globe. In terms of showcasing Singapore, this was priceless. From Changi airport to the garden city, the island, its infrastructure, its measures of safety and security, right down to the subtleties of Singaporean icons, such as the Merlion and orchid displays that adorned luncheon and conference rooms, became known on a world scale. Aside from the immediate fervor over the impact the summit had for tourism to the island, looking to the long-term, Singapore has demonstrated itself as a platform for world peace. As expats, there is something of a feeling of pride we can take from this; our understated home-away-from-home took to the world’s stage. Photos courtesy of SOPA Images Limited/Alamy Stock Photo and White House Photo/Alamy Stock Photo
High Adventure and Service
The Great Outdoors with Troop 10
By Troop 07 Committee
By Ed Cox
S
couts BSA Troop 7 is all about high adventure! We have an active program with plenty of opportunties to learn outdoor skills such as hiking, kayaking, trekking and first aid. We hold frequent campouts during the year throughout Singapore and neighboring islands, as well as trips further afield in Asia. Highlights for this year were scuba diving in Borneo and Rawa Island, Malaysia, and there will be a wellattended Far East Council campout in Mongolia this summer where scouts can learn horseriding, archery and pioneering skills. Over the Fall break, there will be a week long campout on a ‘liveaboard’ boat in Thailand. But it’s not just outdoor skills the Scouts will take away from this year. The troop has also been involved in many service projects, including raising disability awareness with the Purple Parade, suppor ting the Salvation Army Student Care Centre in Bukit Panjang and horseshoe crab and mangrove conservation projects, which have been great ways to give back to the
Singapore community that supports us. With more than 45 boys, a supportive Scout Committee, excellent Scoutmasters, and involved Merit Badge Counsellors, Troop 07 is a great place for youth leadership opportunities and to advance toward Eagle Scout rank. We invite you become part of our troop and join us in the adventures in store for 2018-19. Meetings are held every Tuesday from 6 – 7:30pm starting on August 14 at Singapore American School (SAS) in room H301. Open to all boys 11 to 18 from any school. From February 2019, the troop will also welcome families with girls interested in joining BSA Scouts. Contacts: scoutmaster@bsatroop07.org or committeechair@bsatroop07.org
S
couting fosters character development in today’s youth. Come join us! Troop 10 meets in the Adams Café at Stamford American International School on Tuesday nights from 7 – 8:30pm. Last year we had a great Scouting year that included hiking, camping and community service. We did a high adventure trip to Bintan that included rock climbing and kayaking; we cooked a turkey in a reflector oven for Thanksgiving; and we performed service projects all over Singapore. We even sent Scouts to Mongolia for a week to camp with Scouts from across Asia.
Scouts will do pioneering, water sports and camping while serving their community and earning rank and merit badges. Troop 10 is a great place for youth leadership oppor tunities and to advance towards Eagle Scout. We welcome boys of all nationalities from all schools who are between the ages of 11 and 18. Join our weekly meetings at Stamford American International School, starting on August 14, to be a part of Troop 10! Photo courtesy of Ed Cox
The Scouting adventure continues in 2018-19, with campouts planned in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Photo courtesy of Suzanne Kellam
SCOUTING IN SINGAPORE Boy Scouts Troop 07: www.bsatroop07.org Boy Scouts Troop 10: www.facebook.com/BSATroopX Cub Scouts Pack 3010: www.sgpack3010.org Cub Scouts Pack 3017: SGPack3017@gmail.com Girl Scouts: www.singaporeusagirlscouts.org
11 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
Singapore American · August 2018
A Newcomer's Guide to Singapore: Shopping by Angel Corrigan
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he invention of the search engine has made figuring out your new surroundings easy; all you need to do is click a few buttons to find just about anything. However, it pays to know people “in the know” so, in a series of features for the Singapore American newspaper, I'll be putting together some starting points in your search and save you precious time. This month I’m covering food, shopping and personal services.
Cooking and food shopping As George Bernard Shaw once said, “There is no sincerer love than the love of food”. Knowing where to get top quality food for our families at the best price is critical to making a home. Finding places to shop where you can find familiar food products or good substitutes for the things you are used to in your home country is also necessary. Singapore is very easy on both counts. One of the best ways to save money and get fresher fruit and vegetables is by finding the nearest wet market, which have local open-air fresh produce stalls. However, there are many good home delivery grocery services and just about anything can be ordered through online grocery outlets, such as Redmart, Amazon’s Prime Now or Giant Online. Special spice mixes that pertain to specific regions or holidays – pumpkin pie spice, for example – may have to wait until you return from a trip home. Usually people bring back speciality items they can’t find here so make a list before you next leave. Consider taking some cooking classes to learn local and regional cooking. There are many opportunities to do this and will broaden your family’s palate. In next month’s feature I’ll be covering family and keeping a happy home.
Clothes & shoes & personal services Clothing sizes in Asia tend to come up on the small-side, meaning that choice can at times be limited, but buying clothes online has become increasingly easier as many online sites have free international shipping.You can also go through package delivery services, such as vPost, Borderlinx or ComGateway, which allows you to shop on any website and have your items delivered to you in Singapore. If you are an incurable shopper and must hit the local shops, it is prudent to check the store policy on returns before purchasing what you simply must have there and then. Very few places allow returns, so ask before you purchase, and if they do allow returns, it is usually within a short timeframe so ensure you check for any defects before you leave the shop. This might mean opening packages up and checking items over, or even plugging them in. Hair maintenance can also be a challenge, particularly if you have curly hair, in this humidity. It’s worthwhile to ask around and get personal referrals from ladies who have similar hair to your own. Another good resource is the Facebook group Real Singapore Expat Wives where you can find reviews of salons. It’s wise to meet the stylist in advance to talk about your hair needs and get an idea of their experience with your hair type, particularly for treatments such as highlighting. Nail salons, hair salons and spas all have packages you can buy to get free treatments or a percentage off your treatments. Make sure you ask about expiration dates and if they will restrict the number of ‘package’ customers per day, or even week, making it more difficult for you to get an appointment. There can be good deals, but you need to be a savvy shopper, ask questions.
Angel Corrigan arrived in Singapore in 1999 with her family. She has lived around the world as a military spouse. In Singapore, she has worked at the US Embassy and in the fundraising and development field as Managing Director of her own company.
National Day By Marc Servos
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ingapore’s independence on August 9, 1965, was not like that of most former colonies. Rather than being granted severance from its two year old union with Malaysia, it was expelled following a series of issues, including two race riots from the previous year. Film footage from that historic day shows a young and tearful Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew addressing the Singaporean people about the separation, and there was uncertainty about the new nation’s survival. However, the country not only survived, it flourished, and since the Republic’s first birthday Singaporeans have celebrated with pride their independence with National Day activities, most notably the National Day Parade (NDP). The first NDP in 1966 was celebrated at the Pandang and, unlike parades in recent years, this event began at nine in the morning with people arriving as early as 7am. Sitting in a grandstand at City Hall, members of the government, including Prime Minister Lee and President Yusof Ishak (pictured on Singapore’s local currency) watched military and civil contingents, as well as those from various schools, march past and into the city where the parade culminated in a mass lion and dragon dance performance. The parade grew from strength to strength and even the heavy rain of 1968 didn’t deter the crowds.
In 1970 the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) joined to support the festivities with the introduction of a flypast of both the State Flag, and the People’s Association contingent got involved by its appearance with the streamer float. The association’s participation was acknowledged in the 2015 parade, celebrating the country’s 50th birthday, by former members re-enacting the role the float played. Although the NDPs were initially held annually at the Padang, other venues were introduced after 1974 and have included the old and now the new National Stadiums, the Marina Bay Floating Stadium, and on a few occasions, at decentralized locations, the last of which occurred in 1983. The general itinerary has, however, remained constant and involves military parades and displays by the Singapore Armed Forces, flypasts from the RSAF, and themed shows reflecting the local culture. It culminates with a stunning fireworks display accompanied by Singapore patriotic songs. Each NDP is prepared for meticulously and there are a several rehearsals which are in essence the same spectacular performance as the real thing. Getting tickets to see either the rehearsals or the actual event involves an application through the NDP website, open to Singaporean citizens and PRs, and often involves a contest. However, every year students at the Primary 5 level have the opportunity to attend a rehearsal in order to ensure they get the opportunity to see the parade at least once in their lives. In the
event one doesn’t get a ticket, it is aired live on the MediaCorp channels, or you can join the crowds outside to feel a part of it. The National Day Rally (NDR), at which the Prime Minister speaks, is conducted on the first or second Sunday after the NDP. Held annually since 1966, and first televised in 1971, the Prime Minister addresses key issues and policy changes similar to the President of the United States' State of the Union Address. The rally has been held in different locations, beginning with the now defunct National Theatre. In recent years, the venue has been the Institute of Technical Education College Central. When my Singapore-American family attends the AAS July 4 celebrations at the Singapore American School (SAS), another of our annual pilgrimages, we often notice the RSAF Chinook helicopter carrying the large Singapore flag south of the SAS campus as a part of the preparations for the NDP. If you happen to see it at next year’s event, think of Singapore, too; our host country’s independence celebrations are not far away. Marc Servos is a Hoosier in terms of his home state and Alma Mater. The Fort Wayne, Indiana, native is married to a Singaporean, Sherley, and has been living here for years. He has two children, ages 16 and 8. Photo courtesy of Thant Zaw Wat/Alamy Stock
12 TRAVEL SPECIAL
Singapore American · August 2018
Our Family In Beijing By Faith Chanda
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ike many kids at international schools in Singapore, my 9 and 7-year-olds take Mandarin lessons daily, but speaking Mandarin with your teacher in school is different than doing so immersed in regular life in China. So, we decided to use ten days of our December to January school holiday to explore Beijing. With seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, Beijing is full of historical attractions. On the first day we headed to Mutianyu to see the famed Great Wall. We were picked up early from the hotel to avoid the crowds by our English-speaking driver, aptly referred to as “Mr. Go”, whose English turned out to be limited, but whose expertise in charades and working the translator app on his phone, were unsurpassed. After the hour and a half drive to get out of Beijing and travers the countryside, we pulled up to the Mutianyu access point parking lot, close to where an out-of-place Subway restaurant had seemingly muscled its way in. It seems even the Great Wall hasn’t escaped commercialism. After an exhilarating chairlift ride to the top of the mountain, our first footfalls on the Great Wall felt epic. However, it was when Mr. Go offered to take some photos of us when my breath was truly taken away; we were practically alone on the Great Wall of China. In a country known for its crowded masses, standing on one of the seven manmade wonders of the world, we had the privilege of taking photos that only feature us and large parts of the Wall. It felt like we had gone back in time. The Wall itself is simply astonishing; the massive scale, the human endeavor, its critical place in history. We spent a couple of hours exploring in both directions and, while it was difficult for the kids to understand the gravity and context of architectural wonders such as this, we tried to steer the conversation toward ‘when’, ‘how’ and ‘why’ the wall was built. This seemed to help them get an idea of its historical importance, and how lucky they were to be experiencing what was around them. One of the biggest kicks out of the experience for my 9-year-old, however, was practicing her taekwondo pattern; cue the Karate Kid theme tune. Ok, so taekwondo originated in Korea, but still, she looked pretty fierce and she nailed that pattern!
The Great Wall of China.
Mostly, though, we just stared in wonder. The watchtowers that dot the Wall, vast structures in their own right, only emphasize its enormity as it snakes through the landscape. There are intriguing nooks and crannies to explore inside and on top of them the views stretch for miles. Other tourists eventually trickled in and then after a few hours the hoards began to arrive. As we preferred to remember the Wall in the quiet dignity in which we found it, it was time to leave. Having had our fill of the magnificent views and taekwondo kicks, the options to return to the parking area were by the chairlift we had arrived on or by the luge ride next to it. Obviously, we were all in for the more adrenaline-charged way down and so hopped onto the double toboggans specifically made for parents and kids to ride together and began our descent. What a thrill! And what a fantastically fun element of our visit to a world wonder. Next on the agenda was the Summer Palace, and on arrival we subsequently discovered why ‘summer’ was chosen over ‘winter’ in its naming. It was windy and so, so cold that no monarch would have ever dreamed of residing here at this time of year. Imagining the lovely breezes off the lake that must grace the palace in the summer months helped warm us a bit. As did the unique experience of sitting on sled-like chairs and using poles to propel ourselves forward on the ice. The kids had a great time and this was certainly something we could have done all day, but fearing frostbite and exhaustion, we were finally able to drag them away. The most impactful sight for me and my husband was Tiananmen Square. Standing near the middle, next to the Monument to the People's Heroes, you are surrounded on four sides by the Great Hall of the People, where the legislature sits, the National Museum of China, the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong and the Gate of Heavenly Peace, which leads to the Imperial City and the Forbidden City further inside. Geographically, it’s located in the middle of Beijing and it feels very much the center of China’s long history, too. We couldn’t help but think, however, of the significance Tiananmen had in more recent times owing to broadcasts around the
Summer Palace in winter.
Singapore American · August 2018
world in 1989 of the student protests, epitomized by The Unknown Protestor, the lone figure carrying shopping bags, standing in the way of an imposing line of military tanks on their way to quell what was viewed by the government as a rebellion. Although almost thirty years have passed, even now the event is still a highly sensitive topic in China. From the square, we walked toward the Gate of Heavenly Peace fronted by the imposing portrait of Mao Zedong; seeing such an impossibly large image of someone’s face was surreal to say the least. We walked through a series of elaborate gates leading to the Forbidden City with amazing examples of ancient Chinese architecture around each courtyard. What we noticed most was that every roof structure was intricately designed and decorated. Many were adorned with traditional figures, such as dragons or lions; each one a work of art. We were passed by a very impressive looking regiment of military personnel marching and paused to watch and show our respect before exiting out a side gate. Beijing was our first experience in China and, although it certainly won’t be our last, we were sad to leave as we felt we had barely scratched the surface. We look forward to more adventures discovering the past, present and future of China. And our kids can’t wait to come back for more luge rides. Faith relocated to Singapore in January 2015 with her husband and two young children. She is a freelance writer and marketing consultant and the sole proprietor of F. Chanda Communications & Events. Faith enjoys exploring food, culture, nature and design through her travel adventures and looks forward to many new discoveries throughout Asia. Photos courtesy of Faith Chanda
Guards at Tiananmen Square.
Where The Mountains Endure by John S. Hamalian
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e’re bouncing up and down in a rickety old SUV as it races down a dry, dusty road. As I look out at the fleeting landscape, I catch a glance at an elderly farmer, sweat running down his brow, leaning on his rake and staring into the distance. As I follow his gaze, I finally lay my eyes on them; there, amidst the rice fields and straw houses, are the mountains I came so far to see. The mountains most others only dream about. Welcome to Nepal, where the mountain is the soul and the people are the heart. From frozen peaks to fertile plains, Hindu gods to Shaman rituals, brilliant palaces to golden temples, over the years Nepal has woven an amazingly diverse tapestry in full defiance of its modest size. The region’s earliest recorded history dates back to around 800BC, considerably earlier than the first time I heard Bob Seger belt out a tune about some faraway place called ‘Katmandu’.
The Valley of Museums Amid trekkers with visions of Everest mirrored in their sunglasses and neo-hippies yearning to partake of the local herbs, there is another lesser known side of Nepal. History, religion, art and culture are so intertwined with each other they converge into the same essence, and perhaps nowhere is that more evident than in legendary Kathmandu. Architectural delights dot the entire Kathmandu Valley, which consists of three former city-states that once vigorously competed against one another for political supremacy. Kathmandu, Patan and Bhakpatur all display works of grand exquisiteness, such as extraordinarily designed pagodas, temples, stupas and palaces. The entire area is sometimes called an ‘open-air museum’ as any stroll down the corridors of the ornately decorated squares will quickly confirm.
“The Mountain So High That No Bird Can Fly Over It” In what must have been the best $200-spend in my life, I took an airplane tour to see the Nepalese Himalaya, circling mighty
Mount Everest and then returning to Kathmandu. The plane ticket (Buddha Air) cryptically read. ‘Depart: Kathmandu – Arrive: Kathmandu’. I have never had so much fun not going anywhere! The Himalaya are truly extraordinary. Viewed from the air, they look magnificent, domineering and terrifying all at the same time. An astounding eight of the world’s ten highest mountains (all but number two and number nine) are located in Nepal. As the nation has historically been fiercely isolationist, it was not until 1788 that any foreigners ever even knew about Nepal’s soaring peaks. Remarkably, even after its ‘discovery’ by the outside world, another century would pass before Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay famously conquered the mountain which so many here revere as a manifestation of the gods themselves. When it finally came into view, the audible gasps from passengers said it all. Like seeing the gentle flakes of a snowfall or the vast waters of an ocean for the first time, beholding Everest is one of the most awe-inspiring sights in one’s lifetime.
A Buddha and a Dream As fascinating as Kathmandu is, a trip to Nepal should include its second most favorite destination, Pokhara, known for serene natural beauty and a peaceful vibe. Here, soaring mountains and placid lakes mingle with quaint streets and small shops. Pokhara’s laid-back nature can be explained by its traditional insularism – the wheel, for example, was first introduced here only the 1950s! Trekkers love Pokhara – Annapurna I, the world’s tenth highest mountain, lays a mere 48km (30 miles) away. Perhaps nowhere else in Nepal are the Himalaya more accessible. After enjoying some quiet time in Pokhara, it was time to head for less-traveled Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Although my work schedule never permits me to trek around aimlessly for weeks on end, I did feel compelled to take the beautifully mountainous Pokhara-Lumbini route by car in lieu of flying, allowing me to take in breathtaking views and interact with the amazingly friendly people in villages outside the touristy cities. In this way I could also partake in the
dangerous and thrilling ‘ubiquitous moun country’ adventure where the only thing death below is your tongue, which by now your gaping, screaming mouth. Every turn o harrowingly narrow and blind 90 degree aff blasts of the car’s horn, itself gasping and breath, is the only hope for survival.
To go to Lumbini is to see a window to the f A major part of the city has been built up as to establish it as a heartland for Buddhism centers sponsored from every major Budd once-empty fields and historical sites are bei For centuries, Lumbini was lost to the wo were only ‘rediscovered’ in the late 19th cen here is Maya Devi Temple, the exact spot w – better known as the historical Buddha – e a non-Buddhist, I found Lumbini to be a s for deep reflection.
An Enduring Story
As we head back to Kathmandu I catch a gli peaks for one last time. Resilient and prou people who have lived in their midst; str hands of the farmers who toil in the hot and unwavering, like the spirits of those who peak. The mountains are the beginning a Nepal, and its people happily fill in the p a tumultuous political past and recent de people here, like their mountains, rise up impressive of all human traits: perseveranc
An avid explorer, John has visited over 60 co Far East of Asia, and speaks conversational Ma in travel writing, he has been published over Straits Times, Shanghai Daily and Bhutan's natio
ntain drive in a developing between you and certain w is sticking straight out of on the primordial roads is a fair, so that nearly constant wheezing to catch its own
future mirrored in the past. part of a grandiose design m. New temples and visitor dhist nation are rising from ing made more accessible. orld and its noble grounds ntury. The most sacred site where Siddhartha Gautama entered this world. Even as special and spiritual place
impse at those magnificent ud, like the generations of rong and steady, like the steamy fields; permanent o braved the world’s tallest and the end of the story of pages in between. Despite evastating earthquake, the to demonstrate that most ce.
ountries, including the entire andarin Chinese. Specializing r 20 times, including for the onal airline magazine.
Photos by John S. Hamalian
16 TRAVEL SPECIAL
Singapore American · August 2018
Travel and Photography – Humanity and Community by Bill Poorman
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e are, all of us, foreigners. Many of us living here in Singapore know this firsthand. By choice or necessity we looked over the horizon and then went beyond it, and with that came the realization that everyone is a stranger somewhere. Of course, people have ventured and traveled for millennia – that’s not new – and in all that time they have also endeavored to record the experience of travel to capture their special broadening and life-changing moments. Words and artistic renderings served for a long time, but starting in the 19th century a new era began: that of photography. For the first time ever, fleeting photons of light that had disappeared in a moment could be preserved for all time. At first it was a highly technical and somewhat magical endeavor with backbreaking equipment, hazardous chemicals and the mysterious darkroom. Now, of course, with the advent of digital technology and smartphones photography has become commonplace. Our lives are saturated with images. One could think that, due to this ubiquity, photography could have lost its attraction. But instead the passion for photography has vastly grown, especially when visiting the personally exotic and unknown. Why do we do this? Why do we take photographs, especially when we travel? We take them to remember. Memory is wispy and unreliable, and when we arrive home, we wish, just for a moment, to be transported back to a unique moment in our lives. We take them to share. Sharing photographs is a way to bond with family and friends. And, let’s be honest, we also take them to preen – at least a little. But photography is not just about remembrance and socializing. We also take photographs to express. We want to say something about ourselves, about the world and take others along for this journey. Through our choices of subject and frame and light and settings, we evoke emotion and mood; we ask question and give answers; we engage in a dialogue, both within ourselves and with others, some of whom we will never meet. Through that dialogue we hope to pique curiosity, which satisfies for a moment, but then demands more. The desire of the photographer is for the viewer to then want to experience the sounds, the smells, people’s voices – the full vitality of a place – so that we can together share a fuller, richer life. In the end, through photography – one of the most modern of the arts – we hope to serve that most fundamental and ancient need among people: community. Yes, we are, all of us, foreigners, but through photography – perhaps, just a bit – the foreign becomes familiar. Bill Poorman is a writer living in Singapore. Photos by Francisco Marin
18 TRAVEL SPECIAL
Singapore American · August 2018
Edinburgh: Artful & Approachable By Laura Schwartz
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icturesque is the ideal word for Edinburgh. If the Gothic architecture and striking geography of Scotland’s capital aren’t enough to convince you, the homegrown arts scene should. Edinburgh is famous for its festivals, concerts and live acts. The annual Edinburgh International Festival features invitation-only performances in music, theater, opera and dance. However, the most well-known is the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as it’s the world’s largest arts festival. Unlike the International Festival, anyone can perform almost any type of act. Last year, there were over 50,000 performances in everything from children’s shows to spoken word to cabaret, though the Fringe is best known for its strong line-up in its comedy segments.
Edinburgh is very walkable, and anything that isn’t in walking distance can be reached via a robust network of trams and buses (almost all of which have free Wifi). The general atmosphere is laidback. The people are warm. The food scene is flush with local produce and craft alcohol. The metropolis, along with Melbourne, has been named City of Literature by UNESCO and this year an exchange program was launched to facilitate networking between their robust literary scenes. Even on a casual walk through Edinburgh, you’ll encounter statues and monuments to literary greats such as Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns. In addition to being a haven for writers, Edinburgh is wealthy with galleries and museums, many of which are free. I highly recommend the National Gallery for two reasons. One, it features spectacular work by Renaissance masters, including Da Vinci, Raphael and Michelangelo. And two, by studying paintings from hundreds of years ago, it’s possible to see just how little the cityscape has changed over the past millennium. Modern-day Princes Street, one of the main thoroughfares, is instantly recognizable in Alexander Nasmuth’s painting from 1825. This is
partly due to regulations that limit the height of newer buildings and partly due to the city’s topography. The multi-leveled nature of Edinburgh means there are several prime vantage points from which to gaze out over the sprawl. Calton Hill is worth the climb, but Edinburgh Castle, of course, takes the cake. The stone fortress watches over everything from its perch on the aptly-named Castle Rock, as it has done since the 12th century. Boasting just under 1,000 years of history, it routinely tops the list of Edinburgh’s must-see sites. It has two spectacular approaches. You can stroll through the verdant Princes Street Gardens and then languidly take a path up a grassy slope that’s populated with daffodils in spring. Or you can start at the bottom of Old Town and meander up the Royal Mile, which begins at Holyrood Palace and follows the medieval streets directly to the castle gates. Give yourself plenty of time to make stops and detours, as this route passes St. Giles’ Cathedral, the National Museum of Scotland, Scottish Parliament, the University of Edinburgh as well as a plethora of notable restaurants and pubs. There are also numerous secret passages and small, winding stone alleys to explore. Some of them you may already be familiar with, as parts of the Harry Potter movies were filmed here. Like I said, picturesque. Born in Ireland, Laura Jane Schwartz (née O’Gorman) grew up in Tokyo, Singapore and New Jersey before attending Bard College in up-state New York, where she majored in Japanese Studies. Her fiction and non-fiction writing has appeared in a range of publications, including: The Shanghai Literary Review, Thoughtful Dog Magazine and The Wall Street Journal. She’s as voracious a traveler as she is a reader, and to date has been to over 30 countries. Photos courtesy of Laura Schwartz
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Royal Mile
The climb to Edinburgh Castle
Statue of William Pitt, George Street
Edinburgh Castle
19 TRAVEL SPECIAL
Singapore American · August 2018
Top Three Beach Getaways from Singapore by Jennifer Tan
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earning for a respite from the daily grind? Give yourself a break and get a generous dose of vitamin sea at any of these three beach destinations, a short flight away from Singapore.
Bali, Indonesia Bali is a utopia for both beach enthusiasts and those looking for lush rural serenity. From beautiful golden sands lined by swaying palms, natural geographical formations that seem to rise from the ocean, to spectacular sea views from dramatic cliff facades, Bali's seascape is the envy of many Asian islands. There is plenty to do for watersports fans, too, as the island offers world-class facilities, both on and below the waves. Away from the coast, Bali's green rice paddy fields, Hindu architecture, vibrant markets and yoga retreats provide for those who recharge through cultural and well-being experiences. Bali is best explored from May to July and from September to November. From Denpasar international airport, all corners of the island are in easy reach by taxi, allowing you to take the volcanic landscape of Amed in the north, the verdant greenery of Ubud in central Bali and the rugged surfer-paradise of the Bukit peninsula in the south.
Phuket, Thailand
Bali by Katie Baines
Stunning beaches, water sports, breathtakingly gorgeous sunsets and a vibrant nightlife – Phuket, only one hour and forty-five minutes away by airplane from Singapore, seems tailor-made for a quick beach getaway. The best time to enjoy calm seas, blue skies and pleasant weather is between November and March. While the Kata, Kamala and Bang Tao beaches on the east coast are ideal for swimming, snorkeling or a lazy day, head to Patong to discover for yourself what the fuss about Phuket's nightlife is. For the road less traveled and quieter beaches, Cape Panwa and Ao Yon beach to the south east of the island has a more sedate and less developed feel, making it popular with honeymooners and those looking for an authentic Thai-island experience.
Koh Samui, Thailand Koh Samui is the original Thai paradise destination. The white powder-sand beaches lined with palm trees are hard to beat and, as one of Thailand’s largest islands, finding somewhere away from the crowds is relatively easy. Mae Nam Beach gives visitors more tranquility and is just a short hop from Fisherman’s Village which, as its name suggests, offers great seafood. The popular west coast, however, is the place to be for sunset cocktails before detoxing the next day in any one of the islands luxury spas. As with Phuket, Samui is a short hour and forty-five minute flight away from Singapore and so perfect for a spontaneous beach holiday.
Phuket by Katie Baines Jennifer Tan is in Traveler Marketing and works for vacation rental marketplace, HomeAway. Visit www.homeaway.com.sg for details.
20 TRAVEL SPECIAL
Singapore American · August 2018
Weird and Wonderful Places to Stay By Frances Strong
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he world is full of amazing places to visit, whether you’re drawn to the pristine beaches of the Maldives or Thailand, or the cosmopolitan buzz of Paris or New York City. While it’s tempting to play it safe and opt for luxurious resorts with Michelin-starred restaurants and beautifully appointed bedrooms, resplendent with crisp white linen, this might not always be the most interesting option. Sure, it’s great to take the traditional five-star package, but cast your net a bit wider and you will find some truly unique accommodation choices. Here are five weird and wonderful options I’d like to try one day.
Crane Hotel Faralda, Amsterdam, Netherlands Ever wondered how it would feel to have a bird’s eye view of the city without settling for a soulless high-rise hotel? Check out Crane Hotel Faralda in Amsterdam. As its name suggests, the hotel is actually housed inside a shipping crane, located in a former shipyard. The other buildings in this edgy area have been transformed into funky artist spaces and hip restaurants, making this a quirky location, even for Amsterdam. Boasting a panoramic lounge, three fabulous suites and a spa pool at the top of the crane, the 360-degree views of the city are unrivalled. Definitely one for my bucket list. Find out more here: www.faralda.com
Jumbo Stay, Stockholm, Sweden Experience your most unique flight yet without leaving the runway in the Swedish city of Stockholm. Take this opportunity to spend the night on vintage Jumbo Jet, a relic from the mid-1970s. Located next to Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport, Jumbo Stay offers guests options including budget dormitory accommodation with communal facilities, en-suite rooms or the luxury Cockpit Suite, which affords panoramic views (of the planes landing at the adjacent airport!). Quirky and fun, this is a great alternative to the usual airport hotel with a very modest price tag, inclusive of free transportation to terminals. Find out more here: www.jumbostay.com
Skylodge Adventure Suites, Cuzco, Peru Another aerial view (without the skyscraper) awaits in Sacred Valley of Cuzco, Peru. Spending a night at Skylodge Adventure Suites will give you an idea of what it would be like to spend a night in a condor’s nest. These three transparent capsules are only accessible by climbing a 400 meter high via ferrata – a protected "iron path" climbing route – or hiking through a trail of ziplines; there’s no luxury buggy transfer, so travel light. Guides are provided to assist you on your journey to the Skylodge and there’s a dining capsule for lunch with a view, too! Find out more here: www.naturavive.com
Henn na Hotel, Nagasaki, Japan Not keen on your fellow humans? This Japanese hotel might be just right for you. Henn na Hotel in Nagasaki is staffed by robots. To add to the futuristic feel, no room keys are required, as a facial recognition system allows access to your room. The robots have been programed to be warm and friendly (in multiple languages) and will have a conversation with you as they go about their chores. Could this be the future of the hospitality industry? It's got to be worth checking out. Find out more here: www.h-n-h.jp/en/concept/
Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve, Chile Is a trip to the rainforest more your style? Take a look at Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve, set deep in the Chilean Patagonian Rainforest, in the shade of the Andes Mountain range. Committed to the conservation of nature and local culture, the Huilo Huilo Foundation will take you on a fascinating journey through the reserve. Along with a more traditional hotel, the accommodation options include the Canopy Village, which is essentially a collection of giant tree houses. This no-frills lodging, equipped with camp beds, blankets and cooking facilities, affords guests the opportunity to get up close and personal with the flora and fauna of the rainforest, without having to pitch a tent. Find out more here: https://huilohuilo.com/our-accommodation/standard-canopy-village/ Originally from a tiny seaside town in the UK, Frances Strong has called Singapore home since 2011. Six years later, she's still exploring the Little Red Dot and loves to find new and quirky places to wow her visitors. When she's not playing taxi driver for her children, she likes to write about travel, motherhood, food, life... and anything in between. Photos courtesy of Crane Hotel Faralda, Jumbo Stay and Hen na Hotel
22 FOOD & DINING
Singapore American · August 2018
by Katie Baines
T
he old adage of 'good things come in small packages’ is none the more pertinent than when it comes to craft beer. Once the beverage of choice for the hipster crowd found in only the most select of drinking establishments, craft beer has made its way into the mainstream with microbreweries rapidly springing up onto the urban bar scene as customers demand more from their beverage. Produced in small batches, brewers have complete control over their concoctions and, because of the artisanal nature that the beer-making process, they play around with every ingredient from hops to yeasts, fruit and acidity. Although Singapore's craft beer scene started out with a handful of bars importing a small selection of experimental brews from overseas, what's now on offer has grown to an expansive array of choice provided by world-beating microbreweries through to the passionate individual's stall at a hawker market, serving up their connoisseurly choice of imports until the barrel runs dry.
LeVeL33 Right in the heart of the CBD and thirty-three floors up, LeVeL33, the world's highest urban microbrewery, offers arguably the most breathtaking views over Marina Bay for you to drink in while you sup from your pint glass. All five of their signature European-style craft beers – their 33.1 Blond Lager, 33.1 India Pale Ale, 33.1 Stout, 33.1 House Porter and 33.1 Wheat Beer – are brewed in their copper brew house kettles. If, however, you're in the mood to deviate from the norm, seasonal beers are also crafted on a quarterly basis. Flights of the five signature offerings can be purchased, too, with light-bite pairing suggestions. 8 marina Boulevard, Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 1, #33-01, Singapore 018981
Little Island Brewing Company Way out east, the Little Island Brewing Co (LBIC) likes to keep it quirky with adventurous brews on tap. Their pale ale, A Whiter Shade of Ale, and dry Irish stout, That Old Black Magic, are firm favorites with patrons. For a taste of something truly local, though, try 'Ale Yeah'; LBIC has put its own stamp on this India Pale Ale by maturing it in oak, giving it a malty, dry finish. Experimentation is encouraged, too, among its clientele as this microbrewery has a DIY self-pour system that charges for however much is taken, meaning you can sample your way through their brews until your heart's content. To go completely off the beaten track check out LBIC’s sister bar, The Alchemist; the world’s first infusion beer lab, serving up concoctions comprising of anything from fruit, to herbs, to spices steeped in its brews from Changi. LBIC, Block 6 Changi Village Road, #01-01/02, Singapore 509907 The Alchemist, 26 Beach Road, #B1-16 South Beach Avenue, Singapore 189768
23 FOOD & DINING
Singapore American · August 2018
Brewerkz Owning the status of Singapore's first microbrewery restaurant, Brewerkz has been collecting a host of awards for it trophy cabinet since 1997. All five of its signature beers – Golden Ale, Hopback Ale, Pilsner, India Pale Ale and Oatmeal Stout – are featured at all five of their outlets dotted across Singapore, and there is an impressive list of 22 seasonal beers on rotation. Currently on a quest to shake up and fine tune their core range of beers, Brewerkz are inviting clientele to give their new experimental XP series ratings on beer rating app,‘Untappd’, giving the customers the opportunity to have a say in what they are served. Brewerkz, 30 Merchant Road, #01-05/06 Riverside Point, Singapore 058282 (Flagship site)
Little Creatures In the late 1990s, a group of Australian buddies with a background in brewing sampled something new; American Pale Ale. Excited by the hop-driven flavors, they bought a plot of land from a failing crocodile farmer in Fremantle, just outside of Perth, Western Australia; it was there that work began and Little Creatures brewery was founded. On May 30 this year they swung their doors open at one of their newest locations on Club Street, where an extension of the Fremantle brewery has set up shop to offer, among others, its signature Pale Ale. Check out August’s special brew as a nod towards the Singapore independence day celebrations. Little Creatures Mohamed Ali Lane, 36 Club Street, Singapore 069469
The 1925 Brewing Co. Named in celebration of the birth-year of their grandfather, brothers Ivan and Eng Kuang and uncle Yeo King Joey officially opened their family venture in May, 2014. Inside their new microbrewery’s premises, a chic two-story shophouse just north of East Coast Park, nestle four 600-liter beer tanks producing two pale ales, a dark ale, a Manuka honey stout, and an intriguing beer made from a combination of old and young ginger, all of which have been affectionately named with the family in mind. Their pale ale Yellow Van, for example, is so called because the brothers’ grandfather would ferry them around in his bright yellow van when they were younger. It is in beer and food pairing, though, where the real passion lies and many of its menu entries are beer-inspired or feature its BLK 622 Dark Ale glaze. The 1925 Brewing Co, 261 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427515
Beer Crawling Like the Locals Make no mistake, craft beer is not produce reserved for the most prestigious of venues with shiney copper kettles. Some of Singapore's most passionate purveyors of great craft ale import from around the world, serving on tap and bottled beer, have set up shop in Singapore's hawker markets: • Smith Street Taps, found on level 2 of the Chinatown Complex is collaborative between Daniel Goh of The Good Beer Company, and Kuok Meng Chao of Brewer's Craft, Clementi. Both owners have a talented nose for sourcing outstanding craft beer, worldwide, and the choice they have on offer is constantly changing. • The Good Beer Company, located a few stalls along from Smith Street Taps is the side-kick to its larger operation in Kent Ridge. Daniel describes his beers as 'uncommon, epic and legendary' and is often on hand to enthuse over his wares. • 3rd Culture Brewing Co holds two hawker spots in the Maxwell Food Centre, Tanjong Pagar, where is has 12 rotating beers on tap, and at Old Airport Road Food Centre, with ten rotating beers on tap. Their passion is pairing beers with local delicacies. • Craft Beer Store in the Newton Food Centre is a pocket-friendly gem in what is otherwise an overpriced tourist trap and has over 50 beers to choose from, serving until 3am. • Charlie's Corner over at Changi Village Hawker Centre dates back to 1979 and holds between 50 and 60 beers, with the majority of its stock hailing from the UK, Belgium and Japan. Photos courtesy of Brewerkz, Level33, Little Creatures, Little Island Brewing Company and The 1925
24 HEALTH & WELLNESS
Singapore American ¡ August 2018
Welcome to Singapore – What You Need to Know About Health Here By Dr. Neil Forrest
W
hen moving to a new country, it is normal to have a mixture of feelings. You may feel excited at the thought of all the new experiences you will have, but you may also have concerns about some of the practical issues such as healthcare. This may be a particular concern for those who are living in Asia for the first time, for people who have chronic health problems and for families with young children. The good news is that medical practice in Singapore is of a very high standard. It is generally modelled on the British system, and doctors have standard compulsory university degrees with hospital training. Specialist doctors often have their further training in the United Kingdom, North America or Australia. As with moving to any new country, there are some medical problems which you may not have come across before:
Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika Viruses These viruses are transmitted through the bite of the Aedes mosquito and are widespread across Southeast Asia. The main symptoms are prolonged high fever, headache, body pain and sometimes a rash. Most people make a full recovery but, given there are potentially serious complications, it is important to consult your GP if you or your children have unexplained fever. We recommend protection as the best course of action and avoid getting bitten by mosquitos by using mosquito repellent.
Mycoplasma This is a common condition worldwide but frequent outbreaks are seen in schools, offices and other communal environments. The most common symptoms are cough, fever and fatigue, and the condition is often referred to as 'walking pneumonia' as most patients are still able to function normally while infected. Although the
fatigue can last up to 6 weeks, most people will make a full recovery without treatment. In a small number of cases the condition is treated with antibiotics.
Hand Foot and Mouth Disease Again, a common condition globally but outbreaks are seen more frequently in the tropics and this year there has been a marked increase in cases in Singapore. Common in nurseries and schools, the main symptoms are fever, sore throat and characteristic spots on the hands and feet, although the rash often spreads to other parts of the body. Again, treatment is seldom needed but children should be kept out of school until they have fully recovered. My advice to parents regarding rashes in children is always: if you're unsure about a rash, get it checked by your GP.
Seasonal Haze Haze in Singapore refers to air pollution from forest fires in neighboring countries and is common in the Southwest monsoon season, from September to November. For most people this will be nothing more than an annoyance but for certain vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, very young or those with chronic lung or heart problems, there can be an impact on their health. It is important to discuss this with your GP as measures can be taken to reduce the impact.
Influenza Due to the lack of seasons here, flu is common in Singapore throughout the year. Symptoms consist of fever, cough, sore throat, gastric upset and muscle aches. The condition can be severe in some cases so it's important to review with your doctor if concerned. There is a flu vaccine which is updated twice a year by the World Health Organization and the IMC always receives a batch.
Vaccinations In addition to the routine vaccinations which you require in your home country, there are some additional immunizations which you should have while living in Southeast Asia. We will work with you to tailor an individual program based on your age, medical history and travel plans. Dig out any old vaccine records you have and talk to your GP. Dr. Neil Forrest is a British trained GP based at International Medical Clinic, Camden. Please call 6733 4440 for an appointment or visit www.imc-healthcare.com Photo courtesy of International Medical Clinic
25 EDUCATION
Singapore American · August 2018
Bilingual Programs: Breaking Down Barriers By Rachna Sunder
C
hances are that if you’re an American parent considering international schools in Singapore, you’re realizing that there is array of language programs and might be wondering about the benefits of children taking on a new language.
Studies have shown that becoming proficient not only in one’s own native language but fully at ease with another, helps a child to assimilate successfully, comfortably and confidently to new cultural settings which is an invaluable skill at any age. A second language doesn’t simply open social and academic doors; it opens a child’s appreciation of different cultures and being internationally-minded, something that is inestimably important in our interconnected world.
What are the most noticeable benefits of my child following a dual language program? In regular curricula, students take isolated foreign language classes which represent around ten percent of their day. In following a bilingual program, where children spend around 50 percent of class time studying in the target languages, students are generally more successful in gaining a deeper insight into the cultures of the languages they are studying and also stand to have a better grasp of the second language allowing them to switch back and forth between languages easily.
Worrying about confusing your child? Don’t. Research shows that students who study in bilingual programs for five to six years score better on English tests than English-only students and the younger they are the better as language development flourishes in early years. Initially, children may code switch, whereby they alternate between the languages they are learning in. However, this dissipates over time and, eventually, it is common for child on a bilingual program to have a greater understanding of syntax and language use than a child of the same age in a regular school program.
Will a bilingual program be too stressful for my child? The workload on bilingual programs in all international schools in Singapore can be demanding, with homework often being twice as much as that required of students attending a standard kindergarten. However, it can be a valuable challenge for children as it helps them learn how to become comfortable in an initially uncomfortable environment and surmounting those challenges leads to growth and resilience.
Rachna Sunder works at Stamford American International school which will be holding an Expert Speaker Panel on their World Language Program on August 24, 2018. Interested families are welcome to register at www.sais.edu.sg/open-events. Photo courtesy of Stamford American International School
For information about their bilingual program visit www.sais.edu.sg/world-language
26 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
Singapore American · August 2018
SINGAPORE AMERICAN NEWSPAPER
A message from the President... A warm welcome home-away-from-home to all of our community who were on their travels over the ‘summer’ period, and to all who stayed on the Little Red Dot I hope you enjoyed a more tranquil island. The AAS team is now back, the office is open and there is already a hive of activity as we prepare for the forthcoming events. This month we have some exciting new features to SAN. We are proud to present our beautiful new cover page, giving it a fresh and clean feel while keeping the best aspects from the former version. Also introducing the ‘Welcome to New Members’ page, featuring existing members telling us about how they get involved with the Association and a message from our Executive Committee member, Bill Poorman. If you’re new to AAS, keep an eye out for your name on this page! Whether a member of old or a new member, though, a strong draw to Singapore is its proximity to the exciting destinations accessible in this part of the globe. As such, this month’s special feature covers travel; from Beijing to Bali. We hope it will give you food for thought for future travel plans as there is plenty to explore. Also not to be missed is the fabulous photo spread of this year’s wonderful 4th of July Celebration hosted at Singapore American School (SAS). This event is a particular favorite among our community, and this year’s festivities certainly didn’t disappoint. Full of American spirit and patriotism, a true carnival atmosphere was enjoyed by thousands of people who came together in the SAS sports field adorned with red, white and blue. Special thanks goes out to our fantastic AAS staff, Isaac Benjamin and his team at SAS, and a hoard of volunteers, supported by our generous sponsors. Our next big event is the much-anticipated Ambassador’s Golf Tournament and we have an exciting schedule lined up for you! This year’s event is to be held in Malaysia on the first weekend of October and promises to be nothing short of spectacular. Watch this space for the official announcement. Next month sees the welcome return of the ever-popular Living in Singapore Talk, based on our Living in Singapore Reference Guide, which is free to members and families from Singapore American School. This event fills up quickly, so be sure to go to our website to register.
EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief: Katie Baines, communications@aasingapore.com Publishing Editor: Sarah Alden, generalmanager@aasingapore.com
DESIGN & LAYOUT Graphic Designer: Miia Koistinen, graphics@aasingapore.com
ADVERTISING Advertising Manager: Thila Chandra, san.ads@aasingapore.com
CONTRIBUTORS Faith Chanda, Angel Corrigan, Ed Cox, Alban D'Sa, Dr Neil Forrest, John Hamalian, Richard Hartung, Bill Poorman, Laura Schwartz, Marc Servos, Kinjal Shah, Frances Strong, Rachna Sunder, Jen Tan For AAS: Katie Baines
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERS President: Stephanie Nash • Vice President: Shawn Galey Treasurer: Michael Borchert • Secretary: Joseph Foggiato Directors: Sammie Cheston, Blair Hall, Bill Poorman, Brian Schwender, Jenn Wood Immediate Past President: Glenn van Zutphen • AmCham Chair: Ann Yom Steel The American Club President: Kristen Graff • AWA President: Mel Rice SACAC Chair: Greg Rutledge • SAS Chair: Dr. Chip Kimball Non-Voting Members: US Embassy: Tor Petersen US Military: Rear Admiral Donald Gabrielson
PUBLISHER – AMERICAN ASSOCIATION The American Association of Singapore (AAS) is a professional, not-for-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 T: (+65) 6738 0371 • admin@aasingapore.com • www.aasingapore.com
Best wishes,
The Singapore American newspaper, a monthly publication with readership of 10,000+, has been published by the American Association of Singapore since 1958, with the purpose of enhancing the expatriate experience in Singapore.
Stephanie
SUBSCRIPTION A subscription to the Singapore American is complimentary with an AAS or CRCE membership. AAS annual family membership is just $120. CRCE membership is $220. To join, visit www.aasingapore.com and have the Singapore American delivered to your home.
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Reproduction in any manner, in English or any other language, is prohibited without written permission. The Singapore American welcomes all contributions of volunteer time or written material. The Singapore American is printed by Procomp Printset Pte Ltd, 57 Loyang Drive, Level 3 Annex Building, Singapore 508968.
AAS Executive Committee .com
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Stephanie Nash President
Shawn Galey Vice President
Michael Borchert Treasurer
Joseph Foggiato Secretary
Sammie Cheston Director-at-Large
Blair Hall Director-at-Large
Bill Poorman Director-at-Large
Brian Schwender Director-at-Large
Jenn Wood Director-at-Large
Glenn van Zuthpen Immediate Past President
HAPPENING IN SINGAPORE Any responder should make further enquiries with the organizer and verify information independently if necessary.
AAS EVENTS August 8 Coffee Connexions 9:30am August 16 Metworks Happy Hour 6pm August 19 AAS at Willing Hearts 8:30am August 21 Tapas en Español 7pm For more events: www.aasingapore.com
MUSEUMS
August 1 – 26 Imaginarium: Into the Space of Time Singapore Art Museum www.singaporeartmuseum.sg
ENTERTAINMENT August 4 LA Comedy Live Presents: AiB Shine Auditorium www.la-comedylive.com August 6 Bob Dylan The Star Theatre www.apactix.com August 9 National Day Parade Multiple Venues www.visitsingapore.com/festivals-events-singapore
August 1 – 31 You've Got Mail – Seeing Is Believing! Unusual Stamps Singapore Philatelic Museum www.spm.org.sg
August 18 – 26 Singapore Night Festival Multiple venues www.nightfestival.sg
August 1 – 31 Signature Art Prize National Museum of Singapore www.nationalmuseum.sg
August 20 – 29 ACT 3 International Presents The Rainbow Fish Victoria Theatre www.sistic.com.sg
August 1– 31 Children's Festival: Small Big Dreamers 2018 National Gallery Singapore www.nationalgallery.sg
August 31 – September 6 Ballet Under The Stars Fort Canning Park www.sistic.com.sg
EDUCATION August 24 Open House – Expert Language Panel Stamford American International School 9:30am www.sais.edu.sg August 29 Whole College Open Morning 9:30am Dulwich College Singapore www.dulwich-singapore.sg August 31 Open House Stamford American Early Learning Village 9:00am www.sais.edu.sg
SPORTS August 10 – 12 NCA Cheer Camp Singapore American School 9am http://cheercamp.safl.sg August 18 SAFL Cheerleading High School Cheer try-outs Singapore American School www.safl.sg