AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
December 2018
Community newspaper since 1958
www.aasingapore.com
MCI (P) 197/03/2017
American Association.................... 1-6 Member Discounts............................ 3 CRCE & Business.............................. 7 Community News.......................... 8-9 Living in Singapore.................... 10-11 Travel....................................... 12-13 Let's Celebrate.......................... 14-18 Health & Wellness..................... 20-21 President's Message....................... 22 Food & Dining................................ 23 What’s Happening......................... 23
Chasing Santa’s Vapor Trails Snowy fun in and around Singapore. p16
By Miia Koistinen
L Make Christmas meaningful this year. p18
There's no place like home: the challenges of relocating. p21
apland’s attraction is undisputable; it is a place of magical, even otherworldly images – white landscapes of frosted forests and iced lakes. In this region of Finland, one of the coldest parts of Europe, the realms of fantasy often turn out to be more reliable than reality. Around 160,000 tourists travel to Lapland every year hoping to see the elusive northern lights, but the Finns have set up a sure thing: Santa Claus. Come cloud or snow, he’ll be on duty in Santa Claus Village with a warm smile and a beard fluffier than Rudolph’s tail. My first encounter with Santa Claus Village was when I was ten years old. The vague recollection I have of the place is that there were real elves of all ages skipping across the courtyards, reindeer were chomping on lichen, huskies were barking and yelping and my nose was so cold it was numb. Most of all, though, I remember being happy. Ever since my parents’ divorce, skiing vacations to Lapland with my mother provided an escape and no less so with this trip; we could be swept away by the fairytale and the giddiness of excitement and anticipation of seeing Santa.
This time, however, I was returning as an adult and I was curious to know if my memories held true. One thing was for sure though, I had the same level of nervous energy as my ten-year-old self when our airplane took off from my home city of Helsinki, bound for Lapland. After we touched down at Rovaniemi Airport, exiting the terminal was like breaking through the back of the wardrobe into Narnia. With temperatures in the region of -6˚C, which can drop to -20˚C and beyond in December, we were already dressed for the elements and as the snow crunched beneath our feet, we hurried onto the bus which cruised off into the powder-dusted forests. Arriving at the village, the setting was the stuff of storybooks – spruce branches laced with snow, huskies dragging sledges carrying excited children tightly wrapped up in blankets and squealing at the fun, stalactite-like icicles reaching towards the ground. Enchanting, delightful and just as I remembered it. Snowmobiling was the first activity of our two-day stay at Santa Claus Village which we arranged online before we
Centennial Partners
Black gold: enjoy the finer things in life this Christmas. p23
American Association of Singapore – Since 1917
departed Singapore on our 12-hour flight to Finland. By the time we arrived at 3pm, it was already dark – in the runup to Christmas, Rovaniemi gets just four to five hours of daylight and, even then, the sun only just peers over the horizon. After a quick overview on the basics, our machines roared to life and we sped off in convoy, with the kids tucked into sleighs pulled by guides. We soon found ourselves out in the wild, a train of white lights dotted on an iced-over lake. After relocating to Singapore and spending a significant amount of time in the tropics, I'd forgotten just how much fun proper snow can be. We made snow angels, threw snowballs and shook trees. Full of adrenaline, wet-nosed and ruddy cheeked, we headed back to decamp to our hotel before dinner. And that’s when it happened – a sighting! Through the glass atrium of our hotel’s entrance the emerald-green glimmer of the Aurora borealis emerged – we were dumfounded. All of us transfixed by the ripples of light, the snow engulfed us in stillness. No one spoke as we listened to the silent hum of the universe. Continues on page 14
2 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
Singapore American · December 2018
W hat ' s Monday
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December
Wednesday
5
December
Wednesday
5
December
Thursday
13
December
coming up
Toys for Tots
It’s the highlight of the AAS holiday season! Come and share with your family the joy of giving to others. Celebrate the spirit of the season with festive crafts, carols and refreshments. Meet the US Marines and enjoy a visit from Santa himself! Please bring an unwrapped new toy for the Marines to distribute to less fortunate children around Singapore. Hosted by the American Association and The American Club with the US Marine Corps. 5 – 7pm The American Club, The Galbraith Ballroom, (S)229573 For pricing and registration, visit www.aasingapore.com
Coffee Connexions
Join us for morning coffee at Crossroads Cafe where you’ll have the opportunity to make new connexions and catch up with old ones too. 10 – 11:30am Crossroads Cafe Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel (outside), (S)238865 Free to join, but registration required. Attendees are required to purchase from the menu. Attendees will receive a 20% discount on food and beverage purchases. AAS members-only event. Guests are welcome to attend one Coffee Connexions event as a non-member.
Tapas en Español
Have a conversation in your mother tongue or practice your Spanish conversational skills while enjoying tapas! 7 – 9pm Tapas Club, Orchard Central, (S)238896 Free to join, but registration required. Attendees are required to purchase from the menu. AAS members-only event. Guests are welcome to attend one Tapas en Español event as a non-member.
Metworks Happy Hour
Networking group for men. Come swap ideas with working professionals, stay-at-home men and others who share your hobbies or interests. 6 – 8pm Brewerkz, Orchard Rendezvous Hotel, (S)247905 Free to join, but registration required. Attendees are required to purchase from the menu. AAS members-only event. Guests are welcome to attend one Metworks event as a non-member.
Saturday
15
December
Sunday
Christmas Gift Delivery with Beyond Social Services
Reindeers Needed! AAS is pleased to join forces this holiday season on a gift delivery mission with Beyond Social Services – a group dedicated to helping children and youth from less privileged families in Singapore. 10am – 1pm Beyond Social Services (near Tiong Bahru MRT), (S)160026 AAS members-only event. Registration required.
23
AAS at Willing Hearts
Saturday
The 86th George Washington Ball – Tropicana!
December
2
March
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 – 10:30am Willing Hearts Soup Kitchen, (S)409074 AAS members-only event.
Early Bird Tickets on Sale Now Through Jan 15
We’re going to party, fiesta, and dance all night long at the W Hotel, on lush and tropical Sentosa Island! Delight in a Tropicana-inspired paradise and enjoy delicious food and drink, live music and dancing, auctions and lucky draws for charity! Benefiting Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES). 7pm W Singapore – Sentosa Cove 21 Ocean Way, Singapore 098374 Early Bird Tickets: $295 AAS Members $2,700 AAS Member Table of 10 $370 Non-Members (includes a 1-year AAS membership) $3,450 Non-Member Table of 10
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. Register for events at: www.aasingapore.com
3 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
Singapore American · December 2018
W hat
we ' ve been up to
The Metworks crew met up for their regular Happy Hour at Brewerkz, Riverside Point. Their final meeting for 2018 will be on December 13, so be sure to register on our website to catch them before the holiday season is here! AAS members volunteered at Willing Hearts soup kitchen where they chopped veggies and packed containers of food. Willing Hearts distributes around 6,000 meals every day, so if you can spare some time at the next event, then please do – it’s time well spent!
There was a double helping of Metworks last month as the guys met at Pink Blossoms Brewing for a tour of the brewery and a few beers.
Tapas en Español is going from strength to strength! Both new and old members gathered at Tapas Club for an evening of chat in Spanish over food and sangria.
We had lots of fun with the American Dragons dragon boat team on the Kallang Reservoir, but, wow, did we ever get a workout! The view of Marina Bay was spectacular as we paddled on the water. Jo Furniss invited our members to join her at The American Club for a reading of her latest thriller, The Trailing Spouse, which presented a different and unexpected spin on expat life in Singapore. After, there was much discussion over everyone's experiences as trailing expats.
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
Allied Pickfords Singapore is offering AAS Members a special insurance premium of 3%, inclusive of complimentary cover for mould & mildew, pairs & sets, and mechanical derangement. To qualify, you must book an international move with Allied Pickfords Singapore, and provide your AAS membership details. Call +65 6862 4700 to arrange a free quote today. www.alliedpickfords.com
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.
Special Holiday Offer $30 each or two for $50 Gift wrapping available!
The American Journey in Singapore American Association of Singapore: 1917 – 2017
Steve Okun gave a fantastic talk about Trump and the midterm elections to a full house at The American Club! All of us came away feeling better informed of what were to be the potential outcomes.
• Perfect hostess gift • Thoughtful office gift • Great for the history buff on your list • A keepsake for your friend who is leaving Singapore • Have a hard-to-buy-for great-uncle Tony? Problem solved!
Call the office at 6738-0371 or email admin@aasingapore.com to purchase your copies today
WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS The American Association of Singapore (AAS) celebrates its 101st Christmas in Singapore this year and with that we welcome our newest members who join our extended family to celebrate the holiday season and beyond. Getting into the tropical holiday spirit was a challenge for me when I arrived 15 years ago. Back then there was a zero-degree establishment which was the closest thing to winter cold you could find. Of course, after five minutes of freezing, walking into the balmy Singapore heat was a treat. Fast forward to 2018 and we have the lights on Orchard Road, real Christmas trees (check out the major hotel lobbies) and the light show at Gardens by the Bay; these all are part of my annual holiday routine. One of the pillars of AAS is giving back and this blends into the Christmas spirit perfectly. While AAS offers small charity events throughout the year, we do have a major giving back event with the US Marines via their annual Toys for Tots campaign. This year marks the eighth year of partnership between AAS and the US Marines to provide toys to the less fortunate in Singapore, with a major event being held on December 3 at The American Club. We hope you will participate in this good cause. May you and your family be blessed this holiday season and see you in 2019. Joe Foggiato Director-at-Large
Saya Akiba Dee Allan Soraya Zarain Alonso Gina Anstee Suthar Barthasarathy Pamela Giselle Choo Nick Dahl Mark Forsyth Mike Garrison Jason Giambona Michael Hadley
Momuna Lebbai Meera Sahib Hamid Sultan Sadique Ali Kylie Johnson Mike Jones Donald Klip Tommy Lim Charlotte Macdonald Christopher Maurillo Robbie McCulloch Rosanne Model
Nigel Ng Michael Niederpruem Anna Maria Rajchel Mary Rajkumar Jade Randall Sam Rebera Gaby Riddington James Soback Aditya Srinath Viraj Thakore
Matthew Murray
MEMBER CORNER Who doesn’t like to check out their hometown paper for the latest happenings, to see who attended what party, to dream about and plan for their next vacation and to be in-the-know about community events around town? The Singapore American is your hometown paper on the Little Red Dot!
“Michael and I have lived in Singapore since 1992, but we recently renewed our membership to AAS. We especially enjoy the George Washington Ball and Ambassadors Golf Cup Tournament. We have lots of friends from a wide range of nationalities in the Association and like getting together with them at various events. One of the best things about the AAS is the diverse cultures of the membership; it's not only Americans who join.” Lorraine Hadley Long-standing AAS member
“My eight-year-old daughter and I had volunteered at Willing Hearts before and we had a positive experience, but it was even more special to be able to volunteer as a whole family, preparing ingredients, folding samosas and putting stickers on bento boxes. One of the unexpected pleasures of the morning was the conversation we were able to have with other likeminded AAS members. I know we were not the only ones who left Willing Hearts ready to sign up for another round of family volunteering!” Ann Chow Long-standing AAS member
Where in the world is the Singapore American? Heading out of town? Get a pic of your friends and family displaying a copy of the Singapore American newspaper and send it our way. Include a little info about where in the world you were and then look for your photo in the paper!
5 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
W
e are always looking for better ways to help you get the most out of your membership experience. That's why we have decided to partner with EventBank, an international tech company that provides a state-of-the-art events and membership management platform. The Association Management Software from EventBank will help us increase our productivity, simplify all our operations and bring better member experience to all our members and supporters.
CE SI N
Introducing Our New Membership Management Software from EventBank
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Singapore American ¡ December 2018
Patriot Partner
With this new system, you will be able to quickly manage your email subscriptions, event registrations, and membership information all in one place! To complete the migration processes, we need your kind cooperation to activate your EventBank account and login to the mobile application.
Activating your account On January 1, you will receive an email that will allow you to activate your new EventBank account. Please follow the below instructions to complete the process: 1.Click "Create Your New Member Account" 2. Choose "Register with Email" 3. Set your account's password and click "Register" *Password must be at least 8 characters (could be numbers, letters or signs) 4. Review your contact details, make any amendments and click "Continue" 5. Thank you, you are all set, enjoy the new experience! If you haven’t received the activation e-mail, please contact support@eventbank.com
Eagle Partners Download and login to the EventBank mobile application After activating your account, please download the EventBank application on your mobile phone and login with your e-mail address and previously set password to maximize your membership experience! As with any transition, there may be questions and a period of adaptation for everyone. We ensure you that we and the EventBank team will do our best to make it a smooth one. Pantone 424c: C 57.4 M 47.29 Y 47.86 K 14.12
Community Partner PANTONE 424C
6 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
Singapore American · December 2018
Up Close and Personal With… Chris Brankin, TD Ameritrade Singapore
W
e talk to CEO, Chris Brankin, of TD Ameritrade Singapore, an award-winning online ‘thinkorswim’ trading platform and new Centennial Partner at AAS, about why he’s getting involved with the Association and what makes him tick.
Why partner with AAS? It took us a while to set up as a business here, but now we have it’s important to us to give back to the community where we can. And being able to do it through an organization like AAS is a fantastic opportunity for us because you guys organize these fantastic events. It allows the people we deal with or who we want to deal with in terms of financial partners and financial clients to connect, too.
What made you work in the industry you do? I’ve always worked in finance – I have a degree in finance. I’m originally from Chicago and where I grew up, the people I knew were all traders at the Chicago Board of Trade. So, my first job out of school was trading corn futures as a market maker and ever since then [trading] has always piqued my interest; from everything from futures to bonds to options trading. It was a natural progression to what I do now as the world has changed to a digital trading place where it doesn’t have to be people standing in a pit in Chicago, New York, London or elsewhere. This led me into the brokerage world and eventually to Singapore, where I came for a one-year contract seven and a half years ago!
How do you spend your day? I’m usually up earlier than most Singaporeans, I think. I generally leave the house or start my work day around 7-7:30am, which gives me enough time to talk to my US counterparts and organize my day. I do a lot of earned media or different media pieces for CNBC, Channel News Asia, Bloomberg. We’re constantly looking for new ways to reach out and expand geographically around the region.
What motivates you? Family. My family, growing up, was a rock for me and my brothers and I are very close. My parents both worked very hard and were both very successful in what they did, but they had a totally different life – my mother was a nurse and my father was a plumber. They provided us with stability and that’s always what I wanted to have for my wife and my daughter, especially since I got married and dragged my wife across the world! My daughter was actually born here. So, that’s always been a big motivating factor for me; just to support the ones that I love.
How would your colleagues describe you? Nuts. Ha! You know, I’m very outgoing, my door is literally always open – this is actually one of the rare times that it’s closed. In fact, I normally sit out on the trade desk with everybody, rather than sit in my office, because I want to know what’s going on and I want them to see me there and be able to talk openly. We are our own little family; we spend more time with each other than we do our actual families and friends. So, at the end of the day, we’ve got to like and respect each other and we’ve got to have a little fun along the way.
If you didn’t work in your field, what would you be doing? If I had a choice it would be in professional sports. No, if I wasn’t in finance I would be in engineering – I’ve always liked to create and build things. But all roads would have led me back to math and finance. Or the NFL.
What’s your greatest achievement? Good question! I didn’t get married until a little later in life and having my ‘golden child’, my daughter, is definitely one of my favorite things.
If you could give one piece of advice in investment, what would it be? Educate yourself on what you are investing in. If you do not understand it, do not invest in it!
Wherever
you are from,
American with us.
come celebrate culture
Join AAS today!
www.aasingapore.com
CAREER RESOURCE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
www.aasingapore.com
SPOTLIGHT ON JOBS
“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” WILL ROGERS
First Impressions Matter! By Alka Chandiramani
D
id you know that people make first impressions within three seconds of meeting another person? Only 7% of the impact you make comes from words (verbal language), 38% from your voice and 55% from the body language (nonverbal language). Does this surprise you? We spend a lot of time choosing the right words for a conversation, when, in fact, the biggest impact in communication is our body language and tone of voice. Communication is defined as a process by which we assign and convey meaning in an attempt to create shared understanding. This process requires a vast repertoire of skills in intrapersonal and interpersonal processing. When we communicate, it is important to include both the content and context and then determine the most appropriate method to communicate. Which method of communication (e-mail, phone, voicemail or in-person) would you choose in the following situation? You need a colleague to attend a meeting on your behalf tomorrow – from 9-11am. In this instance, there is no one right answer. The point is to think about the preferable method of communication before you communicate. Sometimes, we think that by avoiding direct conversations and communicating via email, we can avoid emotional issues and conflicts. In fact, the opposite is true. Never use email to communicate anything of a remotely personal or sensitive nature, unless it is pure feedback. Each individual can interpret an email message differently. When we are in the heat of the moment and things are not going our way, we are not able to “see the forest for the trees”. Timeout! The key is to understand that non-verbal language, as conveyed by the tone of one’s voice and body gesture, plays an important part. This speaks louder than words. Often, it is not only what is said but, also how it is said and the body language expressed that determines the effectiveness. The words we use determine the way we feel. Our body language portrays and shapes the way it is perceived. Remember, verbal and non-verbal language work hand-in-hand in the communication process!
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@AASINGAPORE.COM
Senior English Language Teacher FT/ PT We are looking for passionate English language teachers to join our academic team. Our teachers are expected to have a solid knowledge of their specialty language and culture. They will prepare and deliver lessons, tutorials and remedial classes according to the course syllabus. This will include conducting private or group classes, preparing written and oral tests for students, developing course contents, providing academic support to students, participating in orientation and marketing events and other duties as assigned by the Academic Director. (job #3776) Events Manager Our Association is recruiting for an Events Manager to develop, conceptualize, organize logistics, plan and manage our Connexions events and four major annual events. This multi-dimensional position includes event design, production, communications, logistics, budgeting, negotiation and client service. (job #3777) Graphic Designer We are searching for a talented Graphic Designer to help us raise the latest edition of our guidebook to the next level. We’re looking for someone to provide overall layout design for the roughly 470-page book and to design interesting information graphics for each chapter. The graphic designer would work closely with the Project Manager and Editor to realize the organization’s vision. (job #3778) Accounting Executive Our predictive analytics company has a newly created opportunity for an Accounting Executive to join our small but dynamic team in our Singapore office, based in One North. This position can be offered on a full or parttime basis with flexibility in hours, depending on the successful candidate. (job #3779) Associate, Corporate Our organization is currently looking for and Associate to join our team. The ideal candidate will have one to three years of related professional experience and a diploma or degree in business, English, journalism, public relations, communications or related field. Fresh graduates are also welcome to apply. Candidates must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; have the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines under pressure and work independently; possess strong writing skills; and have a collaborative work style. (job #3780) Entry-level Public Relations Specialist (Healthcare) We are expanding our healthcare team in Singapore! We are now looking for fresh graduates in looking to kickstart a PR career specializing in healthcare. Those with agency experience but open to do healthcare are welcome to apply. You are a conversationstarter, a headline-grabber, an attentiongetter, a reputation-guarder and an idealauncher. Comfortable with both traditional and 'new media' PR, you are excited by the increasing opportunities to support digital and social media aspects of client programs. (job #3781) Senior Associate to Senior Account Manager We are seeking motivated and proactive Integrated Marketing and Public Relations professionals who have a minimum of three solid years of PR experience working with financial services, corporate or technology clients for our fast-growing team in Singapore. More experienced candidates will be considered for senior positions. You must have integrated marketing experience working on multimarkets with Fortune 500 clients. (job #3782)
8 COMMUNITY NEWS
Singapore American · December 2018
Meet Curtis Walker Chief, Office of Defense Cooperation, US Embassy
S
ome of my earliest and fondest memories are centered around flying. When I was a kid, my father owned a small fabric-covered, two-seat airplane and I was his flying buddy. We spent a lot of time together at a small country airfield and I loved every minute of it – the roar of the engines, the smell of gasoline, gravel taxiways, grass-covered runway and an old tattered windsock. It was exhilarating to me, from our preflight checks to bouncing down the runway and just clearing the trees on takeoff. I knew early on I wanted to earn my living in the sky, immersed in aviation and surrounded by people who loved it as much as I did. Eager to get started, I spent what money I could scrape together as a teenager on flying lessons. Then I enlisted at 18 years old as an aircraft mechanic, later went to flight school and have now served in the United States Air Force for more than 30 years. I can’t begin to describe all the richness of that experience or my gratitude for it. I’ve taught others to fly, gone supersonic over West Texas, flown helicopters across the desert southwest, conducted rescue missions in the North Atlantic – even piloted an airplane to the edge of space. As much as I’ve enjoyed flying, the best part of my career has been the teamwork, camaraderie and life-long friendships. The worst part? Too many of my friends have lost their lives in this inherently dangerous business – I remember them all. My days in the cockpit are over for now, but I’ve embraced new opportunities. I’m thrilled to be posted in Singapore representing America and the US Air Force as a military diplomat. Singapore has always held a special place in my heart since, as a child, my family lived in Indonesia and we visited here often. I was shaped by the rich experiences and wonderful people of Southeast Asia and found this beautiful island to be – like many port cities world-over – vibrant, diverse and tolerant. Over the years, I have continued to study and admire this miraculous city-state. I revel in the opportunity to show visitors around town, whether they’re dignitaries or friends and family. I give them a taste of Singapore in four bites – the modern marvel
that is on display in the CBD and around Marina Bay Sands; the natural Singapore of the MacRitchie Reservoir where the tropics still reign; the historic Singapore of the Old Ford Factory, Battle Box and the National Museum, the places which portray the trauma and chaos from which the nation as we know it today emerged; and, finally, the melting pot, or should I say ‘rojak’ of cultures that is on display all across Singapore, but especially in the ethnic enclaves such as Little India, Arab Quarter and Chinatown. My Singapore, in all its tasty goodness. Recently, my aunt sent me two photos of my late uncle who was also an American Airman. The photos are from Léopoldville, Congo in 1965. The photos reflect my ideas of what an American representing the United States military abroad should be – filled with purpose, warm and engaged with the local community. It’s how I’ve aspired to be. Photo courtesy of US Embassy Singapore
Adventures in Phuket By Jakob Weisser
O
ctober signals spiders, skeletons and all kinds of spooky stuff. But for the Boy Scouts of Troop 07, it brought new opportunities in the form of the week-long Phuket campout. This six-night campout took place during the October school break onboard a boat called The Merdeka 3. This year, 15 Scouts and three adults came on the trip to southern Thailand. We started at the port in Phuket and then sailed around the surrounding islands. On and off the boat we did many really fun activities. We had fun fishing, kayaking, fishing on a kayak, learning about astronomy, playing chess and jumping off the boat into the water. Some Scouts even managed to swim a mile in the open water. We also practiced a fundamental part of Scouting – wilderness survival – spending a night alone on a deserted island with only whatever shelter we could build to keep out the rain. It was tough, but a great learning experience as it not only rained, it was also very windy, which meant our space blankets were blowing all over the place and our shelters didn’t work as intended. Overall, it was both mentally and physically challenging because we
had to work together to solve the problems we were facing. It was character building and we all had a really great time. Another main part of Scouting is service to the community and being helpful to others. As a result, it is a tradition to do a service project on overseas camping trips. On this trip, we went to a local school called Ban Nam Judd School on Koh Yao Noi island as part of one of the older boy’s Eagle Scout project. The project was to restore the school by applying fresh coats of paint to the walls and build some shelving units for students to store their things. We spent nine hours painting while the adults built the shelves.
The Ultimate Adventure By Kate Y, Cadette Troop 64
T
he Girl Scouts held their very first Adventure Day for our Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors last month. We got to plan our own adventures and choose the activity that we thought would be most interesting. We met first as a group to decide on our activities, then broke into smaller groups to plan the adventures. The options we chose were iFly, bouldering, mud pits, high ropes and challenge cubes. Overall, more than half of our older girls were able to have the adventure they wanted.
Jakob Weisser is 12 years old and was born in New Jersey. He has lived in the US, Germany and Singapore. His favorite part of being a Boy Scout is Camping.
I chose to do iFly. Before our flight, we had a training session to make sure we were doing the activity correctly and to make sure we stayed safe. I loved the sensation of flying in the air in a controlled environment. It was exhilarating! Everyone who tried it loved it. My sister decided to do bouldering, which is similar to rock climbing, except it is lower to the ground, has no harnesses and you climb sideways. She was able to reach the top of the rock and she felt so accomplished. She had so much fun!
Photo courtesy of Dennis Steigerwald
Some girls challenged themselves to the
Overall, this campout was an ideal example of what Scouting should be about. It combined skills and service, new experiences with old and allowed new bonds to be made and strengthened. It was these same things that originally drew me to Boy Scouts.
high ropes course early in the morning, others decided to get dirty and have fun in the mud pits. The girls who did the challenge cubes conquered their fear of tight spaces by taking on a puzzle in a cave-like experience. They had a real bonding experience with the other girls doing the activity. One of the best things about Adventure Day is doing something challenging with likeminded girls my age. Getting to plan and choose your own adventures is something we can’t do anywhere else but with the Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts is all about letting girls learn to do things that challenge them and that’s why I keep coming back each year. Adventure Day was amazing and I can’t wait to do it in 2019! November also saw the return of our most popular event of the year: the Father Daughter Dance. This year’s luauthemed dance had the biggest turnout ever, with almost 450 people showing off their best hula moves. Next up? Day Camp and Overnight Camp! Photo courtesy of Kate Y
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
9 Singapore American ¡ December 2018
A Celebration of Community By Charlotte Hewson
A
t Singapore American School (SAS) we celebrate the diversity of our community. Our student body currently represents 65 nationalities.
Our community celebrates this beauty of diversity through the International Fair, an annual event hosted by the SAS Parent Teacher Association (PTA), enriching the deep and lasting learning among people with varied learning styles, experiences, cultures and global perspectives. The International Fair is the single day of the year which draws the highest number of the SAS community out at once. It is estimated that between 4,000 to 5,000 people pass through the fair each year. The SAS PTA was founded alongside the school in 1956 and fundraisers and fairs have been a long-standing tradition ever since. The main focus of SAS PTA services and events is to enhance a sense of community at the school. Some of the hosted events are purely social, while others have an added component of fundraising. PTA fundraising events provide the means to sponsor scholarships for high school interim semester trips and graduating seniors, visiting educational speakers and artists, school projects and library enhancements. There are many community favorites at the International Fair including an international parade, representation of over 60 high school service clubs, delicious international food found at over 16 country booths, The American Club's famous offerings, the used book sale, the vendor fair, the silent auction, not to mention the numerous games including the bungee jump that kids line up for! Faculty and student bands play throughout the event, while the climbing club opens up the high school climbing wall to the public. There are performances by all ages going on in the auditorium, as well as appearances by the renowned SAS Eagle mascot. It is truly an exciting day and a celebration of community, fun, family and spirit. The next International Fair will take place on March 16, 2019. All SAS and non-SAS members are welcome to join the fun! Photos courtesy of Singapore American School
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
10 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
Singapore American · December 2018
Here's Hoping the Haze Stays Away By Bill Poorman
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f you’re relatively new to Singapore, it’s likely that you have never lived through one of the haze events that have periodically enveloped the island in prior years. Count yourself fortunate. During especially bad haze events, all of Singapore can smell and feel like standing downwind of a roaring campfire. If it’s really bad, it can even penetrate into closed houses running air con. No fun at all, that haze. Haze refers to ‘transboundary haze’, meaning it crosses over international borders. The haze starts with the world’s demand for palm oil. Oil palms are grown on plantations in Singapore’s neighbors, Malaysia and Indonesia. Farmers and corporations will often use fire to clear land to make room for more crops. If those fires continue for too long or are too widespread, they create huge plumes of smoke that drift across Southeast Asia, clouding up and poisoning the air. The worst smoke comes from fires in Indonesia on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. Various factors contribute to the intensity of haze. For one, the plantations in Indonesia are located on peatland. Peatland is made up of partially decayed plants and, once it is set alight, it tends to burn for a long time at a low intensity, creating huge amounts of smoke. Second, unscrupulous growers can flout laws and restrictions on clearing new land, but in recent years, regional governments, including Indonesia, have made special efforts to reign in these bad actors. Finally, global weather patterns can have an influence – specifically, El Niño. El Niño is a cyclical warming of a large portion of the Pacific Ocean along the Equator. It was named by South American fishermen, who first noticed how the water would occasionally warm. They named it El Niño – baby boy – since it tended to begin around Christmas. The corresponding eventual cooling of those waters has come to be called La Niña, or little girl.
When an El Niño event occurs, it can change weather patterns around the world. For example, in the US, weather agencies are forecasting that southern and mid-Atlantic states could see more precipitation and possibly more snow this winter – although it depends on the ultimate strength of this El Niño. It’s anticipated that it should be on the weak side. In Southeast Asia, an El Niño can sometimes lead to less rain, which is normally counted on to help tamp down palm oil plantation fires before they grow too large. Here in Singapore, the Meteorological Service Singapore is currently forecasting a relatively mild El Niño, so any possible disruptions to world weather might be slight. Also, Singapore's National Environment Agency emphasizes that the connection between El Niño events and haze problems tends to be fairly weak. It emphasizes the many factors that go into whether the Little Red Dot becomes the Very Hazy Spot – factors as complex as the steps neighboring governments and corporations have taken to help solve the problem to things as simple as the direction the wind happens to blow. The last three years have been fortunate for Singapore, with little to no haze. The last major event was in 2015 and lasted for three months. There was an especially bad event in 2013, as well. Here’s hoping that we’ve seen the last of those days. Bill Poorman is a writer who’s lived in Singapore for four years, which means he dodged one haze, but got to enjoy the big one. No matter what, he recommends stocking up on government-approved face masks, just in case. Photo by Bill Poorman
What Is TCM?
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ingapore’s healthcare system is firmly based on a western model, yet even Hippocrates, the founder of western medicine, mused that, “It is more important to know what sort of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has.” The idea of treating the whole person, rather than individual symptoms, is the basis of eastern medical traditions like traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). When seeking out complementary therapies, make sure you feel comfortable with the practitioner and be sure you tell all your healthcare providers about what treatments you are receiving. For example, herbal therapies and supplements can interact with other medications you might be taking and have an equal potential to increase a drug dose, resulting in toxicity, or lower a drug dose, resulting in ineffective treatment. Think of your doctors and complementary providers as your healthcare team and give them all a full picture of what you are doing to manage your health. TCM practitioners and Chinese Proprietary Medicines are strictly regulated in Singapore and many westerners are surprised to find TCM doctors in white coats operating out of TCM clinics located in prominent hospitals and medical centers. TCM is based on two main principles: yin and yang representing complementary opposites (dark and light, feminine and masculine, age and youth) that must be kept in balance in order to be healthy; and ch’i or qi, roughly translated as “life force”, that moves through the body along meridians that connect all of the internal organs and bodily functions. In the TCM view, illness is caused by disruption of the ch’i from stagnation, cold, dampness, heat or other maladies, or by an excess or deficiency of yin or yang energy in one or more of six organ systems. A TCM doctor will look at all of a patient’s symptoms, looking for a “pattern of disharmony” that is creating an imbalance, then prescribe a multi-pronged course of treatment to bring the body back into balance. This might include herbal medicine, acupuncture, acupressure, moxibustion, cupping, massage, exercise like Tai Ch’i or Qi Gong and dietary therapy. Why try it? Many Westerners seek out TCM, especially acupuncture, for treatment of problems like chronic neck, knee or back pain, arthritis, sports injuries, sciatica, migraines and weight loss, after trying other options that are not working or not providing complete relief. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), acupuncture has been specifically proven through controlled trials to be an effective treatment for these and other problems, including bad reactions to chemotherapy, allergies and hay fever, colic, depression, hypertension, dental pain including TMJ dysfunction and recovery from a stroke. Women can find relief for problems related to menstruation and menopause and pregnancy-related issues like morning sickness, induction of labor and correcting the position of the fetus during labor. TCM practitioners are regulated by the MOH under the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Act passed in 2000, which requires registration with the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board (TCMBB). The TCMBB registers TCM physicians and acupuncturists and accredits TCM institutions and courses for continuing education. You can search for a registered TCM practitioner by name, region or registration type on the MOH website at: www.moh.gov.sg. Some clinics take appointments but many see patients on a first-come-first-served basis during set office hours. As featured in Living in Singapore Reference Guide, 14th Edition.
12 TRAVEL
Singapore American · December 2018
Head, Heart, Health and Hands By Laura Coulter
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rowing up on the Canadian prairies, I belonged to our local 4-H group for many years. 4-H, so called because of the 4-Hs members pledge – head, hands, heart and health – is a global network of youth organizations with the goal to develop citizenship, leadership, responsibility and life skills of youth through experiential learning programs and a positive youth development approach. Through 4-H, I learned how to take care of and ride a horse, made great friends at the summer camp, practiced public speaking at the annual speech competition and always recited the pledge at each meeting: I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country and my world. This pledge has carried me into my adult life with my volunteer work with another organization – Habitat for Humanity (HFH). Through HFH, I have now participated in 12 Global Village builds and each one has been rewarding and different. The time flies by on a build and it's a perfect combination of my love for travelling, interest in fundraising and philanthropy and deeper commitment to 'be useful'. A service vacation with Habitat ticks all of the boxes.
the husband's father and with extended family members. The parents wanted a place to call their own, so approached the CBO for information and had been working with them to organize the mortgage and paperwork. They, and extended family members, worked each day on the build, in addition to their regular jobs and while they didn't speak a lot of English, everyone understood each other just fine. Before joining a Global Village build, volunteers contribute a fee that goes towards building materials, as well as food, accommodation, insurance and transportation to and from the build site. The organization then works with the family in need on an interest-free mortgage. The family is expected to put in a set amount of 'sweat equity' hours and also receive education on budgeting and making the mortgage payments. The goal is to build strength, stability and selfreliance through shelter. I feel this covered the 'head' part of the 4-H motto; understanding how assistance is provided to the families and learning about the different layers of planning involved is complex. The challenges of 'giving' and how to best serve those in need is a difficult issue. There is no one 'fix-all' method, yet I feel Habitat is transparent and sound in its strategy, with the goal of providing a safe and decent place to live.
My most recent build was in Middle Eastern country, Jordan. I joined a Global Village international team of 14 volunteers from different countries and, together, we worked for a week on a home for a Jordanian family of four. Having previously spent a year in Jordan, teaching in the capital city of Amman at the International Academy of Amman, this was an exciting chance to return and to give back to a country that had generously hosted me. Jordan is an amazing country full of history, natural geographical wonders, hospitable people and delicious food and I jumped at the opportunity to return.
Now to use my hands and be useful: the house building style was cement blocks, so the team spent several days moving 10kg cement bricks in a chain, laying a brick, making cement for the brick, adjusting the brick and then moving more bricks. Habitat employs a local professional tradesman to oversee and guide the project. After witnessing him coordinating us all, I feel it takes a special person willing to work with adult volunteers and guide their enthusiasm into something constructive. Despite having volunteered on previous builds, there is no experience required and a lot of the work is pure 'grunt' – shoveling cement, carrying buckets of water, moving bricks. This provided a sweaty, but refreshing break from my usual pace of life. Using my hands (aside from typing on the computer or phone) works a different part of my brain.
Upon arrival, we travelled to the north-west corner of Jordan, in a small village near Umm Al Yanaba’a Aljunm, by the Ajlun Forest Reserve. Here, the team joined a local Community Based Organization (CBO) that works in partnership with HFH. In Jordan, three events have shaped the current housing situation: economic stagnation, the rise in cost of living and the mass influx of refugees in the last three decades. For this build, we worked with a family of four; parents and two small children. They were currently living with
I stayed in locally provided accommodation and the evening meals were enjoyed in the community. Every evening, I walked (usually in the dark, in the small local town) to find the way to a local's home where a feast was waiting for the team. Many of the meals were shared mezze style – hummus, olives, tabbouleh, soups, salads, breads, sweets and plenty of tea and coffee. These meals were donated and hosted by local members of the community who were grateful for the support of their area and wanted to help the building
Petra, the Rose City. Stock image.
efforts. This was a chance for the team to interact with the locals and learn more about their daily lives. The food was delicious and generous. This definitely ticked the 'health' part of the 4-H motto! In addition to a lot of local fresh vegetables, the team also had falafel wraps, zaatar spice, mint tea and the national Jordanian dish, mansaf – a highly addictive plate of yogurty chicken or lamb served with rice. The build concluded with a home dedication ceremony. This part filled the 'heart' requirement – seeing a family with a chance for them to have their own home, where they can raise their children and be together was a heart-warming moment. I stood at the building site, surrounded by both the exterior and interior walls that I had helped put up in the week and felt a sense of accomplishment and pride. The house will take another one to two teams to complete and the local electrical and plumbing tradespeople will come to work on the house. The family should be in their home by summer! Post-build, Habitat generously organized some sightseeing in Jordan, including visits to Jerash (an ancient Roman city with a coliseum), Mount Nebo, the River Jordan, the Dead Sea and the famous world heritage site of Petra – the rosecity. The history of Jordan is amazing – Amman, the capital, has been inhabited for over 9,000 years. If you are interested in history, architecture, food, natural geography or culture, this should be your next destination. It was refreshing to have a few days away from the building and to look back on what I had accomplished with the team. Using my head, heart, health and hands on a holiday allowed me to come back feeling refreshed and revived. Give it a try – you won't be disappointed. Laura Coulter is a globe-trotting journalist, event planner, teacher and fundraiser. She enjoys hosting fabulous events that give back to her community and the causes in which she believes. Laura created and hosts the long-running Your Clothes Friend Swap. She also volunteers her time to build homes with Habitat for Humanity. As contributor to the Living in Singapore nightlife section, Laura continues to search for the perfect martini. Photos courtesy of Laura Coulter
13 TRAVEL
Singapore American ¡ December 2018
The team
Wadi Rum valley
Distant view of the Dead Sea
"Building homes, hope and community!"
Find out more: Habitat for Humanity strives to give a 'hand-up' not a 'hand out' to families working towards a home and believe that everyone has a right to a safe, decent housing. More information about your own service vacation or volunteer build can be found at www.habitat.org. Look under "Global Village Builds" for a list of international destinations and dates. Habitat builds in over 100 countries, all year long.
14 LET'S CELEBRATE
Singapore American · December 2018
Continued from page 1 On the second day, our adventures began with a husky ride followed by a reindeer sleigh. Apparently, there are approximately 200,000 reindeer in Lapland; more than there are people. Wrapped in blankets and sitting around a fire drinking warm berry juice, we listened to tales of the Saamelaiset people and folklore before we headed on to the main event. At Joulukka, a park deep in the forest, our afternoon was spent with elves who were just as enthusiastic as any cast-member of a Broadway show. We received a crash-course in elvish culture, decorated gingerbread around a roaring fire before we were taken along a forest path lit by flickering candles to Santa's Command Centre. The barn-like building was almost buried in snow. Dark pines soared around it. We were ushered past the satellite reindeer tracker and the enormous radio transmitting the crackling voices of overseas elves reporting on behavior of children globally and could hardly contain ourselves as we reached the door, beyond which was who we had come to see. The door crept open, letting out an orange glow, and family by family, we were led inside. And there he was – sitting in his study. We were star-struck! Given the expense of a trip such as this, costing in excess of US$1,000 per person for two nights, some would say that it is extravagant to say the least. However, people have been coming for all sorts of reasons – some are splashing out, some have saved for an age, some with special needs or serious illnesses. Thankfully, the cost was mostly reflected in the quality. The activities were immaculately planned, our hands were held throughout and the trip to Santa Claus Village was the only time it got slightly kitch. In the end, though, no amount of Santa fridge magnets could spoil the magic and there is a certain amount of bragging rights in getting your passport stamped inside the Arctic Circle. Photo courtesy of Visit Rovaniemi
Catering for Curve-Balls at Christmas By Bonnie Taylor
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t’s the most wonderful time of the year. It can also be a huge headache! When feeding the 5,000 over the festive period there is, more often than not, a myriad of things to factor in, usually surrounding timing, preparation and kitchen space. So, here are a few hacks to keep your cool while catering for the masses.
If Peeling’s Your Pet Peeve... Being confronted with a mountain of fresh produce to peel can suck the Christmas spirit out of anyone – there’s a reason why this job is reserved for prison inmates and commi chefs. Take the sting out of peeling potatoes by not peeling them at all. Instead, cut a thin line around the circumference of each and boil until tender. Transfer your potatoes to a bowl of iced water and, once they’ve cooled down, slide the skin off. Peeling apples for your pie can be just as much of an annoyance which can be remedied by the use of power tools. Attach a boring bit to your drill and skewer your apple with it. Set the drill to a relatively slow rotation and use a Y-peeler to remove the skin.
Out of Space Unless you have a kitchen large enough to make Gordon Ramsay blush, then ‘space’ always rears its head as an issue when cooking in quantity. One way of freeing up one of the burners is to make and serve mulled wine from a slow cooker. The added bonus with this is that it infuses the flavors from the spices more gently than when boiling up the concoction over a stove and keeps it at perfect drinking temperature. Ovens are also invariably tight on space, given the amount of roasted food we traditionally eat this time of year. So, cook your meat in a cooler. Place your cut of ham or beef in a Ziploc bag, squeeze out the air and tie with twine before putting in a medium-sized cooler. Fill with enough water to keep the meat submerged and, using a thermometer, keep an eye on the temperature until it reaches 130º F for ham, or 135º F for beef. Close the lid and monitor the water temperature every hour to see that it remains constant for four to six hours, after which you can glaze the ham or sear the beef in a pan. Granted, this is labor intensive, but it works!
Ice-cream, You Scream, We All Scream
Your freezer will be working overtime and the likelihood is that it will be almost too effective at keeping everything frozen, which may mean the ice-cream you intended to serve with
dessert ends up rock solid. To prevent this from happening, place the tub in a Ziploc bag in the freezer and your ice-cream should stay soft enough when it comes to scooping it out. No ice-cream? No problem! Combine one cup of half-and-half cream, two tablespoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract in a Ziploc bag and push out the excess air before sealing. Into a larger sealable bag, add three cups of ice and a third of a cup of salt then place the small bag of ingredients inside. Shake vigorously for seven to ten minutes until the ice-cream has hardened.
Gracious Guests “What can I bring?” is a great problem to be confronted with and one you’re likely to hear from any polite visitor. So, give it to them straight. More often than not, people genuinely want to contribute if you’re hosting a party and quick, practical and easily transportable offerings usually come in bottle form, particularly around holiday season. If you’re supplying the wine and beer, make a list of who can bring which specific liquor to grow a fully stocked bar organically. That way you just have to make sure you’re stocked up on mixers. Bonnie Taylor, originally from London, moved to Singapore in 2014. She graduated with a BA in English Literature, an MA in Photography and, after ten years in the business sector, picked up her camera and started exploring. When she’s not wining and dining in exotic locations, she freelances as a photographer and writer.
16 LET'S CELEBRATE
Singapore American · December 2018
By Julia Kratofil
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ecember is here and with it the time of the year you might know to be cold and comfy. I, for my part, can’t help thinking of white landscapes completely covered in snow, children building snowmen and cozy evenings before the fire with a cup of hot chocolate to warm my hands. In Singapore, with an average temperature of 27 degrees and humidity of 80%, a tropical island completely covered by what seems to be a sea of apartment blocks and skyscrapers, this mental image appears to be entirely out of place. However, against all expectations, it is possible to experience winter in and around Singapore. So, all of you who miss the cold temperatures and the fun winter sports just as much as I do, here you will find some things to do that will give you a little piece of wintertime from home.
Winterly activities in Singapore Winter Adventures at Snow City
Since June 2000, the only indoor snow center in Singapore has offered 365 days of snowy fun every year. This is the perfect place for you if you need a break from the hot temperatures outside and want to get out your winter gloves and hats. In six different snow zones you can experience wintery adventures only 10 minutes' walk from Jurong East MRT. Their offering ranges from Arctic Exhibitions over snow sculptures to blizzards and snowfall. The highlight of your visit, though, may well be the 60-meter-long snow slide, where you can show off your snowboarding and skiing talents. If you are a complete beginner or want to improve your skills, you can also take lessons at the complex.
Ice-Skating in Singapore Have you ever dreamed of learning professional figure skating, ice-hockey or speed skating? Try one of the various courses at The Rink. Don’t worry if you are a complete beginner, their Learn-to-Skate programs cater for all ages. The only Olympic sized ice-skating rink in Singapore, which also hosts international competitions, provides you with a professional-level ice-skating experience all year round. Check out the online schedule for the public skating sessions. All the necessary equipment can be rented and purchased at the center, which is located five minutes from Jurong East MRT. Throughout the year, The Rink also offers public events and activities, such as their “Disco Night on Ice”.
Wintery destinations for a vacation from Singapore You like the idea of a wintery vacation, but don’t want to spend 12 hours or more on a plane on your way to Europe or the States. No problem! Asia and the Pacific region have fantastic destinations for a winter holiday.
Niseko, Japan Mount Niseko-Annupuri is Japan’s premier vacation spot for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. The residents in the region are very open towards foreigners and the numerous hotels and resorts offer a wide range of after ski activities. The towns around the mountain bustle with an active nightlife and après-ski that would appeal to international guests. If you need a break from your sporting activities, the next bigger city, Kitchan, is a good option to spend the day shopping or to go out for dinner. With the numerous activities and winter sports the region has to offer, you are sure never to get bored.
Craigieburn Valley, New Zealand Craigieburn is a ski-area situated in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. Spanning two wide basins, the region is especially appealing to advanced or expert skiers and snowboarders because of its steep terrain. The place is not just perfect for skiers, though, as it also offers plenty of hiking and ski-touring opportunities. For you to make the most of your vacation, stay in one of the ski-lodges near the mountain, as nothing beats the ski-in ski-out experience of staying directly on the slopes. You will be as near to nature and winter as you can get.
17 LET'S CELEBRATE
Singapore American · December 2018
Harbin, China With its 10 million inhabitants, this city in the north of China is not only one of the world’s coldest cities, it also hosts the world’s biggest winter festival. The Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, attracting millions of tourists every year, displays ice and snow sculptures in four different venues. Visitors can wander about the artistically lit and beautifully carved ice sculptures and buildings, some of which reach a height of 50 meters. You can connect your visit with a trip to China’s biggest ski resort, Yabuli, or the Harbin Siberian Tiger Park, home to no less than 1,000 tigers.
Shirakawa-go, Japan The region adjoining Shogawa River Valley was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995 for its gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old. Gassho-zukuri directly translates as “constructed like hands in prayer”, which is what the residents saw in the roofs of their houses. The wooden roofs need to be strong enough to bear the weight of one or two meters snow each year and it’s their tall chalet-like construction that makes them so stable. You can stay at one of the farmhouses to experience how the residents live. During high season, the houses are illuminated on special days which is a spectacular experience with a wintery charm. Originally from a small town in Southern Germany, Julia Kratofil moved to Singapore with her parents after high school and has recently volunteered at the AAS office. She enjoys reading and is very interested in music. In winter, she normally spends her free time in the ice stadium or skiing in the Alps.
For more information: Snow City www.snowcity.com.sg SportQuest www.sportquest.com.sg The Rink www.therink.sg
18 LET'S CELEBRATE
Singapore American · December 2018
Put Christmas Back Into Christmas By Richard Hartung
“T
hen the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before,” wrote Dr. Seuss. “What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” With Christmas lights having gone up on Orchard Road in October and malls full of decorations, as well as sales from at least November, it can easily seem like Christmas here is only about glitz and shopping. Look a little further, though and there are plenty of opportunities to share the music, pageants and spirit of giving that make Christmas so special.
Music and Theatre One of the true delights of the season is singing or hearing Christmas carols and watching Christmas pageants. One of the best is the AWA International Holiday Choir Holiday Concert, which you can hear in the evening on December 6. Malls want to bring shoppers in, so they also host Christmas concerts – and you can listen for free without shopping. The Paragon often has a cappella concerts, for example, while Tanglin Mall and others offer a range of music. Many churches here also host performances of Christmas music. St. George’s Church will have 9 Lessons and Carols on December 2 and churches ranging from the International Baptist Church and St. Ignatius Catholic Church to St. Andrew’s Cathedral and a multitude of others have Christmas performances, too. Most are free, though donations are welcome. Many of the churches also feature a Christmas pageant shortly before Christmas, so you can attend a performance to get in the Christmas spirit. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra has its annual Christmas concert, a collection of music with a singa-long segment on December 14-16. A concert on December 7 features Mark Hayes’ What Sweeter Music, an arrangement of classic carols and original compositions.
Giving Back Of course, Christmas is more than carols or pageants and giving embodies the true spirit of Christmas. Along with giving gifts to family and friends, you can help the community by giving back. The Boys’ Brigade hosts an annual Share-a-Gift project for the community, giving to families in need by donating food at supermarkets island-wide and the US Marines here are partnering with AAS to collect Toys for Tots at The American Club on December 3. As in many countries, the Salvation Army will have volunteers ringing handbells to encourage commuters to donate from late November until just before Christmas at MRT stations island-wide. You can also volunteer to help ring the bells or help needy families by donating goods at Salvation Army collection centers.
Making Gifts Meaningful When you do give presents, you can make Christmas more meaningful by giving something other than storebought gifts that may soon be forgotten. You can give something homemade such as a photo album or candles, for example, or create gifts at the Botanic Gardens’ Floral Arrangement and Christmas-in-a-Bottle workshops on December 15. You can write a letter telling a family member or friend how much you appreciate them. Or you can bake cookies and share them with neighbors. While it’s easy to get caught up in shopping and parties and more, there’s plenty to do that will make Christmas more meaningful if you just look a little further than usual. 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.
Festive Events Web Directory AAS www.aasingapore.com AWA www.awasingapore.org Botanic Gardens www.nparks.gov.sg/sbg Boys’ Brigade www.bb.org.sg International Baptist Church www.ibcs.org Singapore Symphony Orchestra www.sso.org.sg St. Andrews Cathedral www.cathedral.org.sg St. Ignatius Catholic Church www.stignatius.org.sg
20 HEALTH & WELLNESS
Singapore American · December 2018
Take a Break Before You're Broken By Alan Cromlish
T 1. Take a vacation – seems simple enough, right? Consider a three-day weekend, a one-week vacation or a 10-day trip. All have been considered “optimal” vacation times for decreasing stress and burnout. Disconnect from work and go somewhere that will allow you to stop ruminative thinking. Consider spending more time with a friend or loved one or be more adventurous and try to accomplish a fitness goal such as hiking a mountain, running a race, or attending a new festival.
2. Staycation – don't have time to leave the country? Feel that it is too much planning? Try exploring Singapore with your own schedule or going to the events that range from food and drinks, to concerts, to cultural events. Consider staying in a comfortable hotel away from the house or treating yourself to a special dinner at a new restaurant. Visit Singapore’s website at www.visitsingapore.com provides useful listings of what’s going on in and around town.
3. Weekends – Relax at home with some good food and drinks with a favorite or a new recipe. Consider getting involved with sports, a food group, book club, or any other interest you have. Spend the weekend doing what is familiar and enjoyable or try joining a new group as a beginner to expand your social scene.
he workplace can be a source of stress for many people. Feelings of being overwhelmed, an indifferent or lack of interest and feelings of inadequacy are common symptoms of too much stress at work. If these persist, it could lead to eventual burnout or worse. A recent study found that over 120,000 deaths in the US are associated with workplace stress and this would make it on par with stroke and Alzheimer’s, the fourth and fifth largest causes of death in the US. The supporting facts do not make it any better. “Job insecurity increased the odds of reporting poor health by 50%, while long work hours increased mortality by almost 20%. Additionally, highly demanding jobs raised the odds of a physician-diagnosed illness by 35%.” Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower reports that, on average, workers log 45 hours a week, the highest among member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and that 72% of Singapore employers believe stress and mental health are a concern. Our jobs and the workplace play a significant role in our lives and they are often associated with our identity. Jobs and our activities help provide meaning, socialization and engagement. However, unfortunately, the local and global problems of workplace stress can have lasting impacts on us physically, mentally and socially. Having feelings of burnout at work caused by perceived inadequacy, feeling overwhelmed, or just too much stress will slowly wear an individual down if a location and job are associated with strong negative feelings. With jobs traditionally taking place Monday to Friday, research carried out has studied the relationship between our emotions and the days of the week. The Monday to Friday workweek is a mix of emotions that depends on how much you enjoy your job and if you are engaged after work, but the biggest change is the weekend. The weekends are greater associated with happiness, enjoyment and laugher. This ‘weekend effect’ helps explain why researchers came to the seemingly obvious conclusion that weekdays are a lot less fun than the weekends. The two biggest cited reasons for the increase in these positive emotions on the weekend are because of a well-deserved break from work and an increase in wellbeing, specifically engaging in more social activities and enhancing relationships. First, full-time workers are happier than those who are unemployed. While this does enhance well-being for a number of reasons, it allows individuals to work hard during the week and enjoy a deserved break for at least two full days. Second, the weekends allow for more time to be spent with friends and family as well as to be involved in more activities. With chores, sleep and work taking up bulk portions of the work week, it can be difficult to give some of the remaining time to activities and those that are not close to your daily routine, work or home. The weekend frees up a large block of time and provides the individuals the opportunity to increase their well-being. While the ‘weekend effect’ does offer individuals more positive emotions and an opportunity to increase their well-being, vacations can do the same. A vacation provides the opportunity to disconnect from the routine and from work. It offers time to relax your mind and stop stressing. More importantly, vacations have been linked with more sleep, more physical activities, more social activities and less obligatory engagements which allow people to be stress free. Additionally, the physical distance from the house and work provides the extra benefit of providing people the physical and mental distance from the everyday and work-related stresses. With the holiday season upon us, take the time to let go of work and utilize the break. Empower yourself and know how to maximize your leisure time. Whatever you choose, leave the thoughts of work and stress behind. While there are many choices in how to spend one’s free time and vacations, it is more important to spend that time with friends and loved ones and focus on improving relationships. Alan Cromlish is a doctoral student at the University of Southern California where he works with a Finnish university on student health and wellness. He previously worked in South Korea as a professor of education and was the program director within the Global Educational Institute. He moved to Singapore with his wife after being relocated and continues his doctoral work.
21 HEALTH & WELLNESS
Singapore American · December 2018
Fulfilled or Full Up?
The Challenges of Transitioning Abroad By Vivienne Scott
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elocating and starting a new chapter in another country can be an exciting and fulfilling experience. As expatriates, we recognize the opportunity and enrichment that living abroad may bring, but with any significant change or transition comes loss. As an educational psychologist working in the international context, I am often asked why relocating can be an anti-climax; why family life can suddenly transform from a household of calm and contentment, to one of tears and tantrums. The impact of change and transition affects each of us differently. It is dependent on the nature of the change: was it planned, expected, voluntary? Is there a knock-on effect to other changes and are these temporary or permanent? Has there been experience of change in the past and was this considered positive? Answers to these questions are likely to differ for each family member. Consequences that are considered highly significant to one individual may appear unimportant to another and perceived lack of support or understanding may escalate feelings of isolation and detachment from ‘home’. It can be difficult to express or verbalize these feelings and behavior often becomes the primary form of communication, particularly among children. Parents should first consider the oxygen mask analogy: passengers are always reminded to first fit their own mask because if they run out of oxygen they will be unable to help anyone else. The same applies for emotional wellbeing; when we are emotionally 'full up', we have no capacity to provide emotional support to those around us. In extreme circumstances this can result in something psychologists refer to as ‘blocked care’; when a caregiver is unable to respond to the needs of their child
(or person in need) because they are consumed by their own stressors. Psychologists have, for a long time, emphasized the importance of a safe environment and secure relationships as prerequisites for higher order thinking skills and emotional regulation. Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Marjorie Boxall’s model of nurture both have their bases in establishing a consistent, predictable and structured environment. For children and adults alike, when our environment becomes the opposite of this, our anxiety levels increase and stress hormones are released that prompt primitive behavioral responses. Stress not only causes us to act like we are wearing blinkers and focus repetitively and exclusively on the source of the 'threat', but also impairs our ability to think logically and rationally, remember things, manage our emotions, have quality sleep and even fight illness and infection. When relocating, is it important to retain the same or similar routines, boundaries, expectations, rules and consequences so that our familiar environment has not changed completely, but has done just that – relocated. The oxygen mask analogy is but one reason why relationships often suffer during times of change and transition. With less capacity to manage stress, we become over-reactive and over-sensitive to daily events and, as our behaviors become less rational, our relationships suffer as others struggle to relate to our responses. By prioritizing time for rest, relaxation and ‘me time’, we are putting on our own oxygen masks and increasing our capacity to face daily challenges and respond to those who need us. Only when we feel safe and in control of our environment, can we develop, establish and maintain positive relationships that are reciprocal in nature. It is
through these relationships that we can access support and comfort, gain perspective and normalize our emotions and experiences. Tears and tantrums are normal as we readjust and reestablish ‘home’ in our new surroundings. As the Chinese proverb states, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Vivienne Scott is an Educational Psychologist working with Dover Court International School. Before her own relocation to Singapore in 2015, Vivienne worked in Scotland where she coordinated support for children and families who had experienced significant loss and change, among a wide range of other social, emotional and learning support needs.
Concerned Your Child May Have ADHD? By Vicky Fagan and Dr. Leo Hamilton
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here are always days when kids can’t sit still, are off in their own world, aren’t following instructions no matter how often you repeat them, or who shout out inappropriate comments at inappropriate times. If it’s constant, though, they may have ‘attention deficit hyperactivity disorder’ (ADHD). ADHD makes it difficult for people to hold back their spontaneous responses, which can involve anything from movement to speech to attentiveness. We asked Pediatrician, Dr. Leo Hamilton, to review the key questions around the disorder.
What is ADHD? It is a condition, not a disease. It likely just describes how certain people are – not everyone is made to sit still in school or focus on homework for hours. It’s also not just too much movement and energy – it can appear as losing focus and seeming to 'daydream'.
Why treat it then? It is a problem because if you can’t focus well enough, it may affect school work and friendships.
Is it common? Yes, more than one in 20 children will be diagnosed with ADHD. In the US, more than one child in ten will be diagnosed by age 18.
Does a three-year-old who won’t stop moving have ADHD? Probably not. ADHD should not be diagnosed in a child under four years old because hyperactivity and poor attention spans are very normal.
So how is it diagnosed? Not every overactive or daydreaming child has ADHD. The best way to make a diagnosis is a questionnaire for parents and teachers to fill out. Ask your child’s pediatrician for the forms if you think you need an evaluation carried out.
If your child has ADHD, does he/she always have to take a medicine? No, especially with younger children. Medication seems not to be very effective the younger you are and working with a child psychologist produces better results. Many teenagers can learn coping skills and do not need to take anything long-term.
So why take a medicine at all? Many older children and teenagers with ADHD are already having problems in school or with maintaining friendships. The medication can help immediately, but coping skills and counselling takes time. Some people,
especially teenagers, can start to think they are not capable of succeeding in school. Taking medicine will work in just a few days so they start to believe they are able to do more than they did before.
What is the medication? Singapore is very limited in choice. The primary medication here is methylphenidate (sold as Ritalin, Concerta or Medikinet). The lack of choice is a problem for some, but methylphenidate has been proven to be the best first choice and is recommended to everyone as initial treatment.
Are there any positives in having ADHD? Yes, it appears people with ADHD have better multitasking skills as adults. If you are concerned or would like to discuss this further please reach out for support. Vicky Fagan is Awareness Manager at IMC. Originally from the UK, Vicky has worked in marketing roles in London and Sydney before settling in Singapore. Dr. Leo Hamilton is a US trained Pediatrician and Senior Doctor based at IMC Pediatric. For more information about IMC, visit: www.imc-healthcare.com
22 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
Singapore American · December 2018
SINGAPORE AMERICAN NEWSPAPER
A message from the President... Throughout the year, Singapore presents us with a multitude of festivals. From Chinese New Year, to Vesak Day, to Deepavali, we celebrate the melting pot of cultures and religions that make up the rich diversity of the island. For me, though, December is synonymous with the end of year holiday season. For many, this may present images of winter and snowy scenes, but in the tropics we captivate and immerse ourselves in the holiday spirit just as fervently. Orchard Road is always so beautifully decorated and Gardens by the Bay transforms itself into a dazzling wonderland to get everyone in the mood. It would be remiss, then, for the theme of December issue of SAN not to focus on what is touted to be the most wonderful time of the year. In this month's issue, we chase down Santa in his spiritual home of Lapland, discover snowy experiences in and around Singapore and how we can put the holiday spirit back into the holiday through the many concerts and festive activities across the island. We hope there’s something for everyone. A highlight for AAS this time of year has to be our Toys for Tots event, which we'll be holding at The American Club on December 3 with the US Marines. Each year, toys collected at this charity drive are distributed among children less fortunate and it is something that AAS is proud to be a part of. We hope to see you there for fun family activities and to share some Holiday cheer. Also on our calendar are regular monthly features Coffee Connexions, Tapas en Español and Metworks Happy Hour where members will be seeing out the year at their usual haunts, so be sure to register for the final meet-ups of 2018 via our website. One of our most coveted of events is just around the corner and it’s full steam ahead in preparing for the 86th George Washington Ball on Saturday, March 2, 2019. This year’s theme is Tropicana! We are excited to be going back to the W Singapore-Sentosa Cove, who did a fabulous job last year. Early bird tickets are on sale, so now is a great time to register online and ensure you’re there at the party. We can’t wait! Have a great month ahead.
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 Laura Coulter, Alan Cromlish, Vicky Fagan, Dr. Leo Hamilton, Richard Hartung, Charlotte Hewson, Julia Kratofil, Bill Poorman, Vivienne Scott, Bonnie Taylor, Curtis Walker, Jakob Weisser, Hannah Wilson, Kate Y For AAS: Alka Chandiramani, Katie Baines, Miia Koistinen
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 Joey Tynch AAS: Sarah Alden
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 The Singapore American newspaper, circulated 10 times per year, with a 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 Follow us on Facebook or Twitter: @AmAssocSG, #AmAssocSG
SUBSCRIPTION A subscription to the Singapore American is complimentary with an AAS or CRCE membership. AAS annual family membership is $120. CRCE membership is $220. To join, visit www.aasingapore.com and have the Singapore American delivered to your home. 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 Zutphen Immediate Past President
23 FOOD & DINING
Singapore American · December 2018
Caviar at Christmas By Hannah Wilson
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or some, C hristmas is all about a little indulgence, spoiling yourself and your
family with all sorts of delicious food. If you’re looking to really go all out this year, get yourself some sturgeon caviar. Atop party canapés, or as a starter this season before festive feast, caviar is a luxury that never goes out of fashion. While the finest stuff originally came from the Caspian and Black Seas, it’s now produced in Asia and easily accessible in Singapore.
Singaporean producer, Benjamin Goh, Founder and CEO of Caviar Colony, operates four sturgeon farms across China and started trading in what is widely regarded as one of the most decadent of treats. “Caviar is perfect at Christmas time and has been a ritual throughout history, particularly in Russia”, he says. “It is, of course, expensive and this is why it is reserved for special occasions such as the holiday season.” The fact that Champagne is a popular pairing option only adds to the ceremony behind eating the delicacy. “If the caviar is of good quality it will be less salty and will have a creamier flavor, which is why the citrus and yeasty aromas from the Chardonnay grapes in a Brut Blanc de Blanc Champagne pair well – the drier the better,” Benjamin explains. “If this is the case, the caviar should be eaten on its own. Salty caviar can be eaten with blinis, though.” Some purists would say that caviar should only ever be paired with vodka and this is, indeed, how many enjoy it as the spirit brings out and prolongs the flavor of the roe. “As with the pairing of all fine ingredients, make sure you choose a brand of vodka that equals the quality of your caviar,” Benjamin says. “Otherwise you will do it a disservice.” Benjamin’s farms produce around 50 tons of five different varieties of sturgeon caviar each year, ranging from Amur and Kaluga Hybrid, which he recommends for those who are new to this luxury, right up to the most princely of caviar, Kaluga. Kaluga has a similar creamy and nutty flavor to Beluga and is rapidly becoming the sustainable alternative to its endangered counterpart. Although Kaluga may be king, Benjamin’s pride is actually in his mid-range caviar, Russian Hybrid, which he achieves by breeding female Osetra with male Siberian sturgeon. “We’re the first to produce this hybrid and this is the first year of harvesting it – it has an after-taste of Japanese grapes and is proving popular as we have lots of orders.” English teacher Hannah, when not in the classroom, is a nighthawk who loves to explore what Singapore has to offer after dark. Between school semesters she is an avid traveler and enjoys hopping over to neighboring countries in Asia.
HAPPENING IN SINGAPORE Any responder should make further enquiries with the organizer and verify information independently if necessary.
AAS EVENTS December 3 Toys for Tots 5 – 7pm December 5 Coffee Connexions 10 – 11:30am December 5 Tapas en Español 7 – 9pm December 13 Metworks Happy Hour 6pm onwards December 15 Beyond Social Services Christmas Gift Distribution 10am – 1pm December 23 AAS at Willing Hearts 8:30 – 10:30am For more events: www.aasingapore.com
ENTERTAINMENT December 1 – 26 Christmas Wonderland Garden by the Bay www.gardensbythebay.com.sg
December 1 Winter Wonderland Stamford American International School www.sais.edu.sg
December 1 – 30 Family Art Workshop: What Is Minimalism? National Gallery Singapore www.nationalgallery.sg
December 2 Cinderella, A Magical Pantomime The Tangling Club www.tanglinclub.org.sg
December 25 Christmas Open House at SAM Singapore Art Museum www.singaporeartmuseum.sg
December 4 Judas Priest Zepp@BIGBOX www.zeppbigbox.com.sg
EDUCATION
December 5 The Weeknd Singapore Indoor Stadium www.sportshub.com.sg December 6 – 10 Sleeping Beauty Esplanade Theatre www.singaporedancetheatre.com December 31 Marina Bay Singapore Countdown Marina Bay www.visitsingapore.com
MUSEUMS November 30 – December 2 Science Flair Art Science Museum www.marinabaysands.com/museum
December 7 Early Years Open House Stamford American International School www.sais.edu.sg December 1 & 11 Open House GEMS World Academy www.gwa.edu.sg
SPORTS December 2 one-north Run 2018 one-north Park: Mediapolis www.onenorthrun.com December 8 – 9 Singapore Marathon F1 Pit Building www.singaporemarathon.com