Since 1958 Singapore American • October 2015
AM ERICAN AS S O CIATION O F S INGAP O RE October 2015
www.aasingapore.com American Association.....2-3 Member Discounts..............3 Welcome Back.................4-5 CRCE & Business..............6-7 Community News..........8-10 Living in Singapore......11-13 Travel............................14-15 Family Health...............16-25 Health & Wellness......26-27 Food & Dining..............28-29
Living in Singapore 11-13
Travel 14-15
Health & Wellness 26-27
Family Health 16-25
Arts & Culture....................30
What to expect at Halloween in the Woodlands this year
Explore a little known island in Indonesia
The real fright power of everybody's favorite Halloween creature
An insider's guide to keeping families strong in Singapore
What's Happening.............31
MCI (P) 185/03/2015
AAS Welcome Back Celebration at Smokey's BBQ By Anne Morgan
W
hat a wonderful coming together of the community at this year’s Welcome Back Celebration at Smokey’s BBQ! It was a day of family fun, laughter and warm American hospitality with superb food, a bouncy castle, a balloon artist and patriotic tattoos. The atmosphere was tremendous and it didn’t matter if you had just arrived in Singapore or had been here some time, all were made to feel truly welcome! Glenn van Zutphen, President of the American Association, commented on how special the event
was and that, for him, the best thing about the day was the chance to speak to so many members of the community. We were also honored to be joined by Ambassador Kirk Wagar and Deputy Chief of Mission Blair Hall and their families. A huge thank you goes to Smokey’s BBQ and our Annual Strategic Partners: Allied Pickfords, Citibank, Expat Dental, Expat Insurance, Japan Airlines and Singapore American School and our community organizations: AmCham, American Women’s Association, The American Club, The Embassy of the United States and
The Navy League who were each represented on the day. The AAS Lucky Draw prizes were generously donated by Mars, Smokey’s BBQ, The American Club and the top prize was the chance to win a weekend’s rental of a Harley Davidson! We would also like to extend a special thanks to Ugg Australia for their very generous support of the event. Thank you to everyone who attended. We were delighted to welcome you back and are looking forward to seeing you at one of our many upcoming events.
American Association of Singapore Strategic Partners
See photos on pages 4 and 5
2 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
Singapore American • October 2015
SINGAPORE AMERICAN NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief: Melinda Murphy, communications@aasingapore.com Publishing Editor: Toni Dudsak, generalmanager@aasingapore.com
DESIGN & L AYOUT
Graphic Designer: Joanne Johnson, graphics@aasingapore.com
ADVERTISING Advertising Manager: Valerie Tietjen, san.ads@aasingapore.com
CONTRIBUTORS
A Message from the President... Hi, I had coffee with a long-time friend the other day who has lived in Hong Kong for 30 years. She loves the buzz and excitement of that great metropolis. Her company has an office in Singapore and she’s been spending more time here lately. During our chat, she expressed her amazement at what a great city Singapore is. I smiled and listened as she recounted all the great qualities of life here, including our growing nightlife. I’m hearing this more and more from “outsiders.” While we don’t have a Wan Chai or Lan Kwai Fong (nightlife zones in HK, if you’re not familiar), our town IS an amazing place. Look at the events of the past five years, since MBS and Resorts World Sentosa opened; the change is dramatic and inspired. I hope you feel the same excitement. While the fireworks and ceremony of SG50 are behind us, AAS is completing its last SG50 event this month and partaking in AmCham’s Corporate Community Day: on October 3, we’re planting 51 trees along the Woodlands Park Connector, one for each US state and one for Singapore. While our individual time here may be relatively short, let’s hope our AAS trees are standing for many decades to come, perhaps even for SG100. On October 8, we’re going to celebrate the authors among our AAS and The American Club communites in an event that showcases the books they’ve written. It’s a great chance to support our friends by buying their book and getting the story behind the story, as it were. If great Sicilian food is your thing, come to our Bella Sicilia food exploration event on October 14 in the Great World City area. Learn about the island nicknamed “God’s Kitchen” while enjoying a pairing of Sicilian food and wine. Finally, a warm thank you to all participated in our annual survey over the summer. The feedback is invaluable in helping us plan for the year ahead. Please contact me or General Manager Toni Dudsak: generalmanager@aasingapore.com with your great ideas and visit our Facebook page or tweet us: @AmAssocSG, (hashtag #AmAssocSG on Facebook, Twitter. Best,
Glenn van Zutphen president@aasingapore.com twitter: @glennvanzutphen
Shirley Casey, Angel Corrigan, Lucia Damacela, Nithia Devan, Melissa Diagana, Fulvio Felletti, Kevin Gantner, Richard Hartung, Ho Shee Wai, Lisa Lee, Joshua Mayberry, Ana Mims, Benjamin Moseley, Bill Poorman, Marc Servos, Conn Shrader, Yvette Skipper, Jennifer Sparrow, Jim Tietjen. American Association: Anne Morgan.
A MERICAN ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERS President: Glenn van Zutphen • Vice President: Steven Tucker Treasurer: Joseph Foggiato, • Secretary: Stephanie Nash Directors: James Arpin, Shawn Galey, Christopher Keen, Mary Beth McCrory and Ana Mims Immediate Past President: David Boden • AmCham Chair: James Andrade American Club President: Scott Weber • AWA President: Annette Foster SACAC Chair: Stu Wilson • SAS Chair: Catherine Poyen US Embassy: Chahrazed Sioud Non-Voting Member: US Military: Rear Admiral Charles F. Williams
PUBLISHER - A MERICAN 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. AAS was established in 1917 by a small group of Americans living in Singapore to provide a safety net of community support for American residents. AAS continues to provide community welfare as well as programs and community events. 10 Claymore Hill, Singapore 229573 T: (+65) 6738 0371 • F: (+65) 6738 3648 E: aas@aasingapore.com • www.aasingapore.com 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.
SUBSCRIPTION
A subscription to the Singapore American is complimentary with an AAS or CRCE membership. AAS annual family membership is just $70. CRCE membership is $160. 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.
3 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
Singapore American • October 2015
AAS saturday
3
october
Past Event
Upcoming Events Putting Down Roots In honor of SG50, AAS has a unique opportunity to plant 51 trees, one for every US state, plus one for Singapore. Please come support us on this very special morning and help us leave a lasting legacy in Singapore. Here's your chance to support our host country and be a part of the American Association's heritage on The Little Red Dot for the next 50 years! 8-10:30am Woodlands Park Connector
thursday
Meet the Author
october
If you love books, the AAS "Meet the Author" night is for you! Authors within our community will get a chance to share their story behind the story. Books will also be for sale. Authors: if you're interested in featuring your book, email events@aasingapore.com for more information.
8
6:30-8:30pm The American Club, Claymore Hill, 229573 This is a free event for AAS members, but registration is required.
wednesday
14 october
Quiz Night at Smokey's As ever, the quiz at Smokey’s was a noisy, enthusiastic affair! In a hotly-contested game, The Expendables were the victors with Claymore 5 and Approaching Expectation taking the next two spots. Thank you to Smokey’s for hosting a hugely enjoyable evening.
Food Exploration: Bella Sicilia! Come and learn all about the island nicknamed “God’s Kitchen” while enjoying a pairing of sumptuous Sicilian food and wine from this very special Mediterranean island. You're sure to love the savory and sweet creations of the talented Chef Lino from Il Gattopardo including dishes arancini with rice; aneletti with pate of almonds and wild fennel; grilled ricotta with eucalyptus honey and white peach with hazelnut ice cream. Yum! 7-9pm Il Gattopardo, 34 Tras Street, 079026 $50 for AAS members • $70 for non-members
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
SAVE THE DATE!
FEBRUARY 27 2016 PLEASE JOIN US FOR
the 83rd
GEORGE WASHINGTON BALL
wednesday
28 october
Meet and Greet Like to meet some friendly people over a glass of wine? Then please come and join us for a relaxed evening of friendship and laughter! This is a wonderful way to reconnect wtih old friends and make new ones.
s u o l u b a F Las Vegas
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 1
6:30-8:30pm The American Club, 10 Claymore Hill, 229573 Free for members
For more info and to register for an event: www.aasingapore.com
AAS MEMBER DISCOUNTS
AAS members enjoy discounts at a range of local businesses. Present your AAS membership card at time of purchase. Please see a full list of discounts at www.aasingapore.com/member-discounts.
Two hours free handy-man service worth more than $200 when you book your move with Allied Pickfords. Call 6862 4700.
JAL is offering a special promotional discounted air fare to AAS members at about 7-9% off the published market air fare. Please take note that this is applicable only for travelers who book through Country Holidays. www.countryholidays.com.sg/en/
Get a six-month free membership to Expat Living magazine. Redeem: www.expatliving.sg/aas
Receive a 10% discount on a one-year membership.
FIRST DRINK FREE – every day, every visit for AAS members. Valid on house pours until October 31, 2015. Show your membership card at the bar to claim.
Present your American Association membership card and receive $10 off Warehouse Club membership fee. Valid till December 31, 2015.
Present your American Association membership card and receive: 5% Discount for long term leasing on a Harley-Davidson 10% Discount for daily rental on a Harley-Davidson Call 6475 0123 or email to andrew@harleysingapore.com
Singapore American • October 2015
a true American-s
Photos by Melinda Murphy and Natalia Wakula
Singapore American • October 2015
style get together
CAREER RESOURCE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE
Singapore American • October 2015
PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
THE TYPE OF PERSON YOU ARE IS USUALLY REFLECTED IN YOUR BUSINESS. TO IMPROVE YOUR BUSINESS, FIRST IMPROVE YOURSELF. IDOWU KOYENIKAN
MICROMANAGE YOURSELF OUT OF MEDIOCRITY By Fulvio Felletti
Have you ever felt you’re settling into your comfort zone, entering into mediocrity? It’s happened to us all. There are five issues that prevent us from getting back on track promptly: • We don’t realize we’re falling into mediocrity until it’s too late. • We waste time blaming ourselves for feeling unmotivated. • We don’t know what we really want. • We don’t set a simple plan. • We don’t put ourselves in the right frame of mind to successfully get back on track. To move forward, ask yourself daily questions such as “Do you feel you are in the right place?” and “Are you surrounded by interesting people?” At the end of two weeks, things should be clearer. Or keep a diary. Don’t blame yourself for lack of motivation. That’s useless. Rather, embrace the idea that you can be who you want to be and do what you
want to do. Of course, once you understand it’s time to change and decide to take the first step, you have to figure out which direction to start walking! For me, it boils down to asking questions about my sense of purpose, the combination of four factors: beliefs; pain and pleasure; keydefining moments in our youth and role models. Understanding each component will help you map how you react to change. Once you understand your map, you can define alternative scenarios and figure out which scenario corresponds to your definition of “awesomeness.” One major mistake is to prepare a very detailed plan that becomes immediately outdated. A good plan needs to be simple, lead you towards the desired destination and be flexible enough to adapt to whatever fate throws at you. Set a goal that is usually about five years away with one milestone to meet along the way, as well as a few baby steps that need to be achieved in the first few weeks. Finally, surround yourself with the right people, live in an exciting environment and have a stake in the change. Once you turn thoughts into action and action into momentum, everything becomes simpler and smoother. In my pocket, there is always a sheet of paper with a handwritten list of what I call “my commandments” including things such as, “Complete everything you have started,” and “Block time in your day to take action.” Create your own commandments list. Think of everything that frustrates you and prevents you from feeling awesome. Choose the action that you need to change that and add it to the list. If you break your commandments, you let yourself down. This simple method has helped me kick things into action. It has also brought me out of mediocrity and into awesomeness several times. I hope it can do the same for you.
CRCE OCTOBER WORKSHOPS Persona Worklab: Tell Your Story Speaker, Roger Grant Friday, October 2 10am – 12pm LinkedIn 101 Friday, October 9 10am – 11pm Join the Conversation: Pros & Cons of Co-Working Spaces Friday, October 16 1:30 – 2:30pm Ins and Outs of Working in The Little Red Dot Speaker: Suzanne Anderson Thursday, October 29 10am – 12pm
DID YOU KNOW THAT EMPLOYERS CAN POST JOBS FOR FREE?
ONE-ON-ONE COACHING CAREER SOLUTIONS © AAS OFFERING PERSONALIZED CAREER COUNSELING SERVICES. SIGN UP NOW FOR A PRIVATE APPOINTMENT WITH A PROFESSIONAL CAREER ADVISOR. PLEASE CONTACT CRCE.INFO@AASINGAPORE.COM
SPOTLIGHT ON JOBS Financial Planning Assistant An organization is seeking a part-time financial planning assistant. Applicant should possess excellent written and oral English communication skills and a high level of organizational proficiency. (job #3149) On-Line Business Team Lead The successful candidate will be entrepreneurial and will be able to try your hand to all activities. You will need an understanding of marketing, on-line shopping trends, buying habits and will know how to market good offers. This is a great job for someone wanting to take a piece of the action in one of Singapore’s leading on-line businesses. (job #3148) Corporate Events Manager A chamber of commerce in Singapore is seeking candidates for the role of Corporate Events Manager. This candidate will conceptualize, develop and execute high quality programs that are aligned to the members' needs and address the interests of the most members possible and identify programming of potential interest to potential members. (job #3147) Senior Interior Designer Coordinator An interior design practice is recruiting for an Interior Design Coordinator who also has experience managing medium scale Interior Design projects from conception to completion including site management expertise. To be successful in securing this position, you will ideally need to have a minimum of 5 years building construction and/ or interior design qualifications and experience. The candidate must be able to present a strong portfolio of previous workplace projects relating to project co-ordination such as Project Schedules, Bill of Quantities, Specifications and Schedules. (job #3145) Alumni Relations Manager The Alumni Relations Manager will manage a wide range of responsibilities within the existing alumni relations program, including (but not limited to) an extensive events schedule, a variety of service offerings and a wide range of communications. (job #3144) Account Manager/ Assistant Account Manager A boutique agency specializing in content marketing, multilingual copywriting and digital design, is looking for an individual to manage or assist in managing multilingual advertising and marketing projects and be the interface and coordinator of internal and external teams from different countries. (job #3142)
7 CRCE & BUSINESS
Singapore American • October 2015
Banking and Investing in Singapore By Richard Hartung
E
verything from on-line and mobile banking to apps for check deposits and payments can seem to make managing money easier than ever. However, Singapore expats in general (and Americans in particular) are often finding banking more challenging. The main reason for the difficulties is that banks and brokerage firms have to comply with new regulations and laws that the US government put in place to reduce tax evasion and money laundering by American citizens and permanent residents (PRs). The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), for example, requires foreign financial institutions to report details of Americans’ accounts to US authorities. The result of the requirements is that some banks simply find it too difficult to do business with Americans or won’t allow certain types of accounts or investments. Opening a Bank Account One of the first challenges is opening a bank account. For now, the three local banks as well as many of the foreign banks here allow American citizens and PRs to open a bank account. However, some Americans have reported being turned down so try another bank if one refuses to open an account. Using premium services such as Citigold or
HSBC Premier can be even more challenging. Banks sometimes only allow Americans to put money into savings and checking accounts or time deposits rather than other types of investment accounts that require more reporting and there seem to be few, if any, ways around the restrictions. Investing in Singapore Expatriates who have had brokerage accounts in Singapore at companies such as Phillip Securities or DBS Vickers for many years continue to use them. As with banking, opening a new account can be difficult and individuals may need to try another firm if they are turned down. To minimize their reporting requirements, brokerage firms also sometimes limit the types of accounts Americans can hold. For instance, one firm moved a customer’s extra cash from an account that paid interest to one that did not in order to make its reporting easier. US Brokerage Firms and Banks Crack Down Online services from banks, brokerage firms and mutual funds in the US have made it easier than ever to manage or invest money in US markets. However, an increasing number of these firms are stopping services for customers
with an address outside the US. One American in Singapore was told to close his account, for example. Another was given 30 days to move his accounts or else they would be frozen until he returns to the US. Banks based in the US seem to have fewer restrictions than brokerage firms so far, though some banks have also started to disallow accounts with addresses outside the US. Using a US address for bank accounts may be preferable. Be sure to download bank apps you want to use while you’re in the US, too. While taking a picture of a check and sending it in for deposit sounds great, some banks do not allow that app or other useful ones to be downloaded here in Singapore. Taxes Whatever income American citizens or PRs receive from accounts or other sources needs to be reported to the Internal Revenue Service. Filing a tax return has become so complex that many Americans turn to tax advisors for assistance with tax returns that can easily be fifty pages long or more. Along with filing a tax return, Americans also have to report all their accounts using Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) forms and they need to file IRS form 5471 for companies outside the US that they own. There can be myriad other reporting requirements, as well. Persistence and Patience for Successful Banking Despite the challenges the requirements and restrictions may pose, it’s easier than it sounds to manage money here. The keys are persistence in finding financial institutions that will help and patience in dealing with them as they work with the restrictions.
Photo by Dave Rutt Richard Hartung is a consultant on payments strategy with more than 20 years of experience in financial services, primarily in Asia, and he is a freelance writer. He volunteers with the Metropolitan YMCA, the Jane Goodall Institute and other organizations.
Corporate Partners
8 COMMUNITY NEWS
Singapore American • October 2015
Fore! A Good Cause By Jim Tietjen
A
re you ready for fun, games and prizes? Thanksgiving is coming and so is the Stamford American – AmCham 15th Annual Thanksgiving Charity Golf Tournament on Wednesday, November 25. All of the proceeds will go to AmCham’s charity, the Yellow Ribbon Project. In past years, we've raised as much as $50,000 and we hope to exceed that mark this year with your generous support! So if you like fun, sun, a genuine Thanksgiving feast, camaraderie and fantastic lucky draw prizes, you’ll definitely want to join us. It’s time to sign up! Check-in commences early at the scenic Raffles Country Club followed by a scrumptuous breakfast. You’ll receive a goodie-bag packed with cool stuff: a pair of Crocs, a Nike golf shirt and hat and many other valuable goodies. For charity, you’ll be able to buy a mulligan (one per person) before you zoom out for a game of luck and fantasy. Do you have to be good? No! Is it better to be lucky? Absolutely! During your round, snacks and beverages will be available when you need them. On the course, you will be able to donate to charity as well by buying a pro’s drive on a par-three and a par-four hole. We play a Singapore Scramble format which is a lot of fun, very fair to all golfers and makes the game move quickly. You will use your team’s best ball for each shot. This gives each foursome four chances, 18 times, to get it right. Hole-inone prizes include two Delta Air Lines roundtrip business class tickets to New York and a Breitling watch. You don’t have to be good, but
it’s great if your partners are! Prior to lunch, you will have ample time to freshen up and network. Then we’ll talk turkey, beef, ham, stuffing, yams, cranberry sauce and free-flow beverages - the whole nine yards! In addition to your goodie-bags, there will be pre-drawn lucky draw prizes (a listing will be on your table) and real-time lucky draws for which you’ll need to be present to win. We’re talking prizes like exotic hotel stays in Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam; vouchers for food and golf; dinners; spa treatment and even a language training course (just to name a few)! There will also be skill prizes for nearest-tothe-pin and line. For the best team and the runners’ up (net scores), there will be special prizes. Finally, the team that donates the most cash on the course will win a prize. So please bring cash and remember: it’s all about charity! Please sign up soon to avoid disappointment. It’s for a very good cause, and for you to have lots of fun. If you cannot play, but would still like to donate, see below. Even if you are not a golfer, you are most welcome to join us for Thanksgiving lunch at a very reasonable price. Non-golfers can donate too, either before or during our tournament! Please see our website at www.amcham.org.sg for more information, or contact Lorna at low@amcham.org.sg or Nathan at psivarajah@ amcham.org.sg. Call them at 6597-5730. Registration is ongoing. Sponsorship packages, although limited, are still available. We hope to see you on the links in November!
US Passport Changes and the End of Extra Visa Pages By Conn Shrader, Consular Section Chief, US Embassy
T
he Department of State is improving the security of the US ePassport through a redesign that will ensure it has the latest security features to protect US Citizens and the nation’s borders. As part of that effort, a proposed rule to discontinue the consular service of adding additional visa pages to US passports is currently undergoing final review by the Office of Management and Budget in Washington, DC. We expect this to take effect as of January 1, 2016. Why? The Department of State is committed to ensuring that the US ePassport is the most secure document possible. Visa page inserts pose vulnerabilities to both the security of the passport and the internal controls of the passport issuance process. The new ePassport integrates the latest concepts in electronic document protection, including measures preventing unauthorized reading of passport information. Radio frequency (RF) blocking material is added to the passport cover and additional visa page inserts diminish its effectiveness. Our Service to You Passport books with 52 pages are issued to all applicants applying in Singapore and other overseas posts at no additional cost. This policy seeks to lessen the burden that may be placed on frequent travelers residing abroad, (of which there are many in Singapore). Currently, our typical processing time is less than two weeks from the time the application is submitted to the arrival of the new US Passports from the United States.
We are actively pursuing additional service options, including possible adult passport renewal by mail, to reduce the need for US citizens to come in person to the Embassy and to speed the process for those who do. The Impact We recognize the impact for residents of this part of the world who have heavy regional travel responsibilities. Recent changes in visa reciprocity between the US and China make it very likely that US citizens will be able to obtain 10-year business travel visas to China, mitigating one of the chief concerns we hear from US citizens. However, US citizens will need to keep close track of how much room is available on the existing pages of their passport and plan accordingly to allow time for renewal. Similarly, US Passport holders will need to be aware if visas or residency permits will need to be renewed upon receipt of the new book. Ultimately, the result of a more secure document that offers better protections to our nations and its citizens makes this effort worthwhile.
Singapore American • October 2015
10 COMMUNITY NEWS
Singapore American • October 2015
Report Cards
Scouts
By Jennifer Sparrow, Singapore American School Deputy Superintendent
By Joshua Mayberry
U
sually, parents react to report cards with statements such as: “Great job! I see you got all A’s!” or “You got a C?!? You’re grounded until you raise it to a B! ” These are one-way judgments of whether their child’s report card met parental expectations. This kind of conversation focuses on external motivation (either getting rewarded or punished) and reinforces a fixed mindset. The child thinks, “My grades define who I am; whether I am a success or a failure.” In contrast, having a learning-focused conversation with your child helps you both focus on the why and the how, rather than the what. This helps both of you think about growth, motivating your child to think, “I can develop my abilities through dedication, hard work and problem-solving!” This fosters their love of learning and resilience, both of which are essential for lifelong success. Tip 1: Ask about behavior Begin your learning-focused conversation by
discussing your child’s behavior to reinforce the impact that behavior has on achievement. Start by noticing areas where your child met expectations and then focus on areas where they are still progressing. Use the following questions to guide the conversation, tweaking them as needed for your child’s age. Then use their answers to maintain, revise, or create routines that will help them grow. • What is helping you be successful in the areas in which you are doing well? • What impact is your lifestyle (e.g., sleep, diet) having on your behavior? • How does our home study routine and our space at home help? What might we do differently? • What do you say or how do you act when you are stuck, confused or upset? • What can I do to help you? • What can you do to stretch yourself or grow? Tip 2: Keep academic results in perspective Keep academic results in perspective. They are a snapshot of one term in your child’s school career. Begin the learning-focused conversation on areas where they met gradelevel expectations, then notice areas where they have room for growth. Use the following questions to guide your conversation. • What led to your success in the areas where you met expectations? How might you stretch yourself in these areas? • What can you do to grow in the areas that are a challenge for you?
Continued on page 11
O
ne Friday evening in September, several Scouts from Troop 07 accompanied the Woodlands Gardens School Jaguar Scouts to the annual adaptive indoor campfire, this year held at Fernvale Gardens School. We met the Jaguar Scouts at their school and rode the bus with them to the location. We were warmly welcomed by more than 150 Scouts and leaders from seven special needs schools. The evening began with the lighting of the indoor campfire followed by singing campfire songs. The theme of the evening was a MasterChef competition, with a Scout twist. A Scout from each school got to show off his or her talent by cooking a campfire dish for the evening. The creations ranged from an orange and sausage hedgehog (you really had to see it!) to fruit and cheese kebabs to just good old Nutella and white bread sandwiches. For me, the highlight of the evening was watching the special needs Scouts play musical chairs. I could see the excitement on their faces as they tried to find a seat. Everyone was goodspirited and it was fun to see the determination on some of their faces. Troop 07 helped the game by taking away chairs after each round. Another highlight was when the lights were turned off and each Scout was able to shine a
flashlight to make it seem like the room was filled with stars. At the end of the evening, after all the games, the Scouts all linked together to form a train. By that time, everyone had become very comfortable with each other and it was an energetic way to end the evening. After all the thank you’s, the Scouts sang “Auld Lang Syne” and, even though Troop 07 was not very familiar with the song, we gave it our best try. All in all, it was an incredible opportunity to participate in an adaptive indoor campfire with the special needs Scouts. I think that all of Troop 07 learned a lot of things and I encourage other Scouts to go if we do it again. I think that when we played games with the other Scouts, we realized our differences, but more importantly, our similarities. For volunteering opportunities at WGS, kindly follow the link: www.minds.org.sg/WGS/ Volunteer_Needs
SCOUTING IN SINGAPORE Boy Scouts Troop 07: www.bsatroop07.org • Boy Scouts Troop 10: www.facebook.com/BSATroopX Cub Scouts Pack 3010: sgcubscoutpack3010@gmail.com Cub Scouts: www.scouts3017.com • Girl Scouts: www.singaporeusagirlscouts.org
11 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
Singapore American • October 2015
Fright Night in the Woodlands By Shirley Casey
T
his Halloween in the Woodlands promises to be bigger than ever. Because it falls on a Saturday night, residents have been told to expect a record-breaking 10,000 trick-or-treaters (far outpacing the usual 5,0008,000 attendees). That’s a lot of candy! Halloween has quickly become my favorite holiday since moving to the Woodlands. We are about to celebrate our fourth Halloween here and my whole family looks forward to it every year. One of the reasons Americans love
Halloween in Singapore is because it gives us a chance to share a tradition from back home with not only our neighborhood, but the local community as well. Trick-or-treating is a very family-friendly event. If you come, you’ll have a blast. We prepare for months in advance: ordering or making costumes, finding the best local candy deals, decorating our houses and preparing for crowds you just have to see to believe. This year, I have taken on the role of neighborhood Halloween coordinator. This role involves communicating with neighbors, the security team, first aid responders, the police department, Singapore American School, sponsors, vendors, charities and more. Here’s what you need to know: • The event runs from 5:30-8:30pm. Those with younger families should come early, as the crowds can be a little overwhelming. • Security is provided for by Singapore American School. They monitor the street
Report Cards: continued from page 10 • What different strategies should you try? • From what mistakes can you learn? • How can your teachers help you to grow? • How can we help you? What roadblocks do we have to remove? Tip 3: Shift your child’s mindset Children exhibit a fixed mindset when they let success or failure define who they are. It is common to hear children make statements such as: “I’m awesome at this!” “I give up. This is too hard!” “I just can’t do math.” “This is good enough.” In a learning-focused conversation, parents can help shift their child’s mindset by redirecting their thinking. For example, if your child says, “I’m a failure,” you can
redirect their thinking by saying, “No, you failed, which is different from being a failure. What will you learn from this to do differently next time?” If your child says “I’ll never be organized,” redirect them by saying, “Being organized is challenging and takes practice. What’s a different organization strategy you could try?” This helps them focus on specific actions instead of their identity and allows them to see that their abilities can be developed or improved. Having a learning-focused conversation instead of a traditional, results-focused conversation will have a lasting impact by instilling in your child the belief that their intelligence and character can be developed and that their true potential is a work in progress.
closure on Woodgrove Avenue, patrol the crowds, assist with directions and ensure safety and crowd control. • The Singapore police department issues a permit for a gathering of this magnitude. • A First Aid station is set up to help with minor injuries and heat exhaustion. • Our friendly neighborhood kindly donates money to make this all happen. • Parking is limited. The closest MRT is Marsiling. A pre-booked taxi would be best. • Try to make the costumes lightweight. It gets very hot in a big crowd here in Singapore. • Keep an eye on your kids! It’s very easy to lose them in such a crowd. You might consider putting a bracelet with your info on them or even writing on your children’s skin. • Keep your stuff to a minimum as it’s hard to walk with so many people. However, one thing you must bring is a water bottle for sweaty, little ones.
Of course, this is a lot for residents to manage, but all the effort is definitely worth it. Last year, we got a lot of great feedback. I myself was blown away last year at the amount of candy people were bringing to help Woodlands residents out. We filled up the kids’ pumpkins and their parents filled up ours! It gets very expensive to hand out candy for crowds like these and every little bit helps. If you are planning on coming in to trick-or-treat, please consider donating bags of candy to distributing houses. We want to keep doing this year after year and this is the best way to say thank you for our efforts. Please come – and have fun! Photos courtesy of Shirley Casey Shirley Casey and her family are from Houston, but have lived in Singapore for three years. Casey, a former high school teacher, is now a stay-at-home mom to five beautiful girls. She enjoys cooking, reading, going to church, doing crafts, watching Texas A&M football and keeping her family active and happy. Her biggest fear? Being eaten by a shark.
Singapore American • October 2015
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By Marc Servos
entosa bills itself as Asia’s favorite playground, but it’s also home to a favorite spot for history buffs: Fort Siloso. This complex of structures is Singapore’s only preserved coastal fort providing a fascinating peek into colonial times. It’s located at the west end, near Siloso Beach. The fort has played an important role in The Little Red Dot’s history. Designed to defend Singapore from offshore threats, work commenced in 1878 which included demolishing the top of the hill to create a suitable level gun platform. Fort Siloso played no role during World War I except to help quell the Indian Mutiny in 1915. During World War II, its guns were turned inward and fired towards the Japanese forces already in Singapore as the invaders advanced from Malaya. After the British surrender in February 1942, the installation was used as a prisoner of war camp. Back in British hands for a number of years after the war, it was handed over to the Singaporean authorities in 1967 and designated an historical site in 1972. Three different tours are available: Yellow, Red and Blue Zones. The Yellow Zone shows several life-sized dioramas depicting the British soldier’s life in 1885. Battery Sergeant Major Cooper is a recurring figure, first seen at the guardroom reporting about the arrival of new recruits. Upon leaving the guardroom, the visitor journeys up a walkway, adjacent to lifesized figures of soldiers and local civilians hoisting a gun up the hill. This strenuous work of parbuckling
involved using sledges with wooden rollers, planks and blocks and tackle. Once at the top, the visitor sees how recruits traveled from England on a harsh 60-day journey by sea, often seasick, laying on swinging hammocks or on the hard floor as exhibited. On arrival, the recruits settled in their barracks and were greeted by an audio of the commanding Sergeant Major Cooper. Next to the barracks are dioramas of the laundry, the cookhouse and the tailor shop, all employing local civilians. The Red Zone focuses on Singapore’s experience during World War II, displaying memorabilia at several locations. For an additional fee, the visitor can visit the Surrender Chambers which consist of two dioramas depicting the British surrender in February 1942 and the Japanese surrender in September 1945. Touring the Blue Zone requires a staff member to escort the visitor through Tunnel A to the Fire Direction Tower at the tip of Siloso Point. The purpose for the escort is that the tunnel is often reserved for laser tag games.
Many coastal artillery pieces from the Victorian Era up through World War II are displayed at Fort Siloso as well as gun turrets. In addition to what is depicted in 1885, life-sized figures also demonstrate action in February 1942 (including the very same Sergeant Major Cooper who hasn’t aged). The buildings housing the dioramas and memorabilia had various uses when the installation was in operation. Three tunnels are on the premises. Nearby is the new Fort Siloso Skywalk, a 181-meter high structure providing a scenic overhead view of the area, including part of Fort Siloso. Being a US Army veteran and military history buff, I have visited Fort Siloso several times since my first visit to Sentosa in 1999. It’s on my recommendation list for those wanting to know more about Singapore’s colonial history. Photos by Marc Servos Marc Servos is married to a Singaporean and has been living here for a number of years. The Indiana native is a real estate agent and a US Army veteran.
Singapore American • October 2015
Singapore American • October 2015
The Magic o
“Mr. Ben, do you believe in black magic?”
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his was the response from my Indonesian friends immediately after I told them I would be traveling to the Kei Islands, a cluster of small islands in the southeastern part of Indonesia. Initially, I thought this was a silly question. Many of my friends seem like rational people; yet the lore of these islands had captured even their imaginations. I, too, almost began to believe in the Kei Islands’ magical aura when my first flight to the islands was cancelled under questionable circumstances. Far away from most of Indonesia’s major tourist destinations, the Kei Islands are a bit off the radar for most travelers. In fact, the islands are closer to Darwin than they are to Jakarta. However, among seasoned Indonesia vacationers and beach bums, the Kei Islands are known for their beautiful, quiet beaches and the people’s commitment to ancient customs. While today most Kei Islanders practice Christianity (both Catholicism and Protestantism) and Islam, these old traditions continue to inspire the daily lives and practices of the islands’ inhabitants. These shared customs bring together the Catholics, Protestants and Muslims of the Kei Islands into one cohesive community. After arriving at the small airport, I headed straight to the town of Ohoidertawun, on the
northern coast of Kei Kecil or “Little Kei.” The draw of this small town is its access to beautiful beaches on the island’s north coast and the presence of a complex of guest houses, known as Savana Cottages, run by Dutch-born Gerson and his wife Lucy. Gerson is both a Westerner and a Kei Islander, a child of the Netherlands’ Kei Islander community who moved to his parents’ home island as an adult. He understands how to host Westerners and is also able to give helpful explanations of Kei culture. In addition, the cottage-style rooms and seating areas by the beach are perfect for simply relaxing with a book or an ice-cold beer. Just east of Ohoidertawun lies Bukit Masbait, Kei Kecil’s highest point. The hill is an important pilgrimage site for the islands’ Catholic population, particularly during Easter. As you climb up the hill, you pass a series of reliefs depicting the Catholic Stations of the Cross. Even if you are not a practicing Catholic, the vista on top of Bukit Masbait is worth the climb. The wonderful view is a panorama of the twin towns of Langgur and Tual, the bay and the surrounding islands. If you head to the west coast of Kei Kecil, you will eventually come upon the Kei Islands’ premier destination: Pasir Panjang, three kilometers of white-sand beach that perfectly
Singapore American • October 2015
of Kei Islands By Benjamin Moseley
contrasts with the turquoise and sapphireblue waters that surround the Kei Islands. (By the way, Pasir Panjang means long beach and many islands have an area with the same name). Locals Bob and Ketty run a small group of cottages, Coaster Cottages, just overlooking this piece of paradise. Individual rooms are available, but you can also rent “The Villa,” which has two bedrooms and a sitting room which you can get for between US$50-80 a night. On Sunday, day trippers from all over the island head to the beach, but on other days, you’ll likely have a large span of beach all to yourself. If you’re weary of crowds, Sunday can be the day you take a boat and explore the small surrounding islands. This can be arranged by Bob and Ketty, who will also pack up a picnic basket for your party. Half a kilometer from Coaster Cottages is the incredibly beautiful and quaint village of Ohoililir. Happy to see visitors passing through to the nearby Coaster Cottages, the people of Ohoililir are also incredibly enthusiastic to show you around their town and their woma, a small shrine that is the spiritual center of every Kei town. Traveling south of Pasir Panjang, you encounter a series of small villages that have
their own sites and pleasures to offer. Just outside the town of Letvuan, Goa Hawang is a cave with clear, crystal blue fresh water where local youth enjoy swimming after school and on the weekends. Further south, the town of Evu has constructed a beautiful public pool from the local springs. After four amazing days traveling in the beautiful Kei Islands, I reluctantly boarded my flight to return home. I was only able to truly explore Kei’s main island, but I know that the other islands certainly have a lot to offer in their own right. And these islands definitely do have some sort of magic. It may not be black magic, but there is something about these islands that draws you into them and keeps you wanting
more. While I was waiting at the airstrip to board my plane, I remembered something that Gerson in Ohoidertawun said to me: “I know you’ll come back to the Kei Islands. I’ll use my Kei magic on you. You’ll come here every few years.”
Photos by Benjamin Moseley An SAS alumni, Benjamin Moseley is currently a graduate student at University of Washington in Seattle. When he is not buried underneath a pile of library books or writing papers about democratization and recent history in Southeast Asia, he is attempting to recreate hawker-style food or devising schemes to backpack through Southeast Asia.
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Singapore American • October 2015
Keeping Kids Grounded By Angel Corrigan
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n Lewis Carroll’s 1865 novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the looming caterpillar asks Alice a question she has trouble answering. “’Whoooo ARE you?’ said the caterpillar. This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation. Alice replied, rather shyly, ‘I hardly know, sir, just at present – at least I know who I WAS when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.’“ When we venture outside of our home cultures, we sometimes unwittingly throw our children into an Alice and the caterpillar situation. They ask themselves and are asked by others, on a regular basis, just “who” they are? Living and experiencing things away from the familiarity of family and culture can cause a great deal of confusion. Below is a compilation of advice from professionals and friends on the subject of keeping your children as grounded and culturally connected as possible. It takes a style of intentional parenting for which we might not have been prepared. However, it is possible to help our children in understanding our international experience without losing a sense of belonging. Keep routines and rituals. This is something everybody agrees is important to keeping kids grounded. Connecting with some of the same activities they did back in your home country becomes invaluable to personal identity formation. Whether it’s playing a particular sport or still being involved in Scouts, familiar activities are important. They will meet new people, but it will be around a familiar activity, something the workplace does for adults. At the same time, it’s important to keep a proper balance between activities and study. This is much easier said than done with so much pressure on academic achievement, but it’s worth putting some effort behind this as it can bring peace to your home. Keep a dinner routine which does not include
using the phone or watching TV. No eating in their own room. Much has been written on the subject of the family table. Drawing together to form family ties while sharing our own ethnic heritage over food is very important. Cooking with your children adds another layer to the family foundation. Another ritual might be to have a particular quilt that goes on your child’s bed wherever you are. This familiar piece can be reassuring, helping them settle into the new place. Finally, find a place of worship that suits your family. Staying connected to your faith is something that my adult children have identified as central in helping them navigate the trials and tribulations of life. Create a family identity and set of principles. For example, my family, the Corrigans, have Sunday dinners together. Or as Corrigans, we always are polite to the waiter. Corrigans don’t hold grudges and we make up with one another at the end of the day. Creating this family identity solidifies teaching that may have come more naturally otherwise. It also helps when the kids wonder why someone else gets to do something you don’t approve. It puts a framework of clear identity around them. Set boundaries. These are part of everyone’s maturing process. We have boundaries at school and at work so boundaries need to start at home. Create consistent rules and enforce them with dependability. Believe it or not, children crave boundaries, a well-studied and documented fact. Chaotic environments create chaotic behavior. Assign chores. Boundaries are also important when you have a live-in helper. In Singapore, we have the opportunity to have help that would never be available to us in our home countries. This creates the temptation to allow our children to
opt out of chores at home. If you don’t want this to continue when you repatriate, do not allow it here. Create a home plan that keeps your family involved in the day-to-day running of the home. For example, your helper can do the laundry, but ask your children put it away. Your helper can cook the meal, but have your children set and clear the table. Your children can make their beds, but your helper can wash the sheets. These small chores not only teach responsibility and valuable life skills, but they also keep your family connected. Monitor friends. Knowing your children’s friends is crucial, but is infinitely harder in the world of the everpresent, electronic communication devices. Enforce curfews and be clear about the places that are off limits to your children. Don’t allow them to hang out in town during school days and only on weekends with a curfew. Manage money. Limit the amount of money your children have to spend and teach them about budgeting. This is especially valuable for when they leave your home and need to know how to stick to a budget. Embrace the new culture. Immersing into a new culture is an exciting proposition. Trying new foods, hearing different languages and seeing people dress differently is fun. Help your children understand the differences and do your best not to let your frustrations about different ways of doing things become a negative in their minds. Sometimes, it’s just different and different can be interesting. Without opening yourself up to learning about the differences, you leave a lot of room for confusion in your child. When you know the reason behind the differences, you and your child will be able to relax and enjoy the people without trying to fit them into your cultural mold.
Going home. Whether it’s just for a visit or you’re repatriating, it’s important to understand and recognize things that have changed in your children’s understanding of the world. If you have lived overseas, you will probably come home with some different programming. As one friend put it, “The hardware is right (looks, skin color, you were born there), but the software is different (your accent has changed; you like new kinds of food; you feel odd being around only one nationality). This readjustment takes time and awareness. You have to learn how to interact with your own countrymen, which is the reverse of what you did in moving overseas in the first place. One thing many people recommended is to teach your child to only share about your overseas adventures when asked. This is terribly hard as children can become excited about sharing their experiences, but sharing adventures can come off as pretentious and, especially for kids, it can cause unintended problems. Encourage your children to use the curiosity that developed learning about other cultures to learn about their own and ask other people to talk about themselves. Then maybe your children will in turn be asked to share their own information. I am thankful to my many friends who shared their wealth of knowledge. I see the wonderful kids you have raised and the leaders they have become! In passing this knowledge along to those who come after, you have truly become the expat village elders. Photo by Maia Garcia
Angel Corrigan has lived around the world as a military spouse. In 1999, she arrived in Singapore with her family and has worked at the US Embassy and in the fundraising and development field as Managing Director of her own company.
Singapore American • October 2015
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Singapore American • October 2015
Finding Strength Through Art By Nithia Devan
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hat is art therapy? To be honest, before I started researching this article, I knew next to nothing about it. I probably would have said that art therapy involves using paint or other materials or that only those who are artistic can benefit from art therapy or that it is only for children or that art therapy is not “real” therapy. I had a lot to learn. Sivan Weinstein, a practicing art therapist, said “Art therapy is a well-established branch of psychotherapy that makes use of different forms of art as a mean of therapistclient communication. In art therapy, art compliments verbal communication to provide another layer of exploration and interpretation of the unconscious and by making use of the soothing power of art itself.” Sivan works with adults and children with a variety of disorders in different settings, such as schools, hospitals and private clinics. Her clients can be anywhere from four years old to
65 and they seek art therapy for a wide range of reasons such as unbalanced relationships, relocation, stress at work, emotional difficulties, depression and more. “It’s essential to first build trust and a relationship with all the clients and to assure them that they are in a safe setting,” says Weinstein. Her clinic is cozy, surrounded by greenery containing a wide range of materials: paints, crayons, clay, games, stamps and more. Sivan calls it a safe place that provides a pleasant atmosphere and encourages self expression. “Part of the process is about allowing my clients to explore various media and materials when they are emotionally ready.” LASALLE College of the Arts offers an MA in Art Therapy, a two-year, full-time professional training program grounded in psychodynamic psychotherapy theory and principles. The course is taught by accredited and registered art therapists with training from Canada, the US and Singapore. LASALLE is the first and only institution that offers this level of training in Southeast Asia. Ronald Lay, the program leader says, “This program has been reviewed by the Australian and New Zealand Arts Therapy Association (ANZATA) and has been granted ‘approval’ status. This is significant as it means that our graduates, once they are credentialed through ANZATA, can work as registered art therapists in Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.” Since first launching in 2006, there have been 101 graduates. In addition to course work, students complete at least two clinical placements and they must acquire a minimum of 814 clinical hours during their training. Lay
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Singapore American • October 2015
says, “An ideal candidate is someone who has experience working both with the arts and people in need. At a minimum, applicants must have a BA, have social service experience (whether paid or as a volunteer) and have an art portfolio demonstrating proficiency in a range of art media.” The LASALLE programme is unique in that the students and staff are engaged in several national and international collaborative community projects such as hosting the World Mental Health Day Carnival or presenting a joint exhibition with the Dover Park Hospice. In 2012, LASALLE became the Educational Partner with The Red Pencil, an art therapy humanitarian foundation developed in Singapore by one of the program's alumni, Laurence Vandenborre.
Vandenborre says, “Art therapy differs from traditional art-making or performance in that the emphasis is on the process of creating and meaning-making, rather than on the end product.” She also dismissed the myth that artistic types are best suited to art therapy. “Art therapy does not rely on artistic knowledge or ability. The therapy works by accessing imagination and creativity, qualities which all human beings possess, in order to generate new models of living and contribute to the development of a more integrated sense of self.” Rosita Lui, another LASALLE alumni member, is the current President of the Art Therapists’ Association Singapore (ATAS). She is an independent Art Therapist and has piloted and developed the art therapy programs at the Alzheimer’s Disease Association, National
Neuroscience Institute and Alexander Hospital. She works closely with all stages of dementia including patients with early onset. ATAS was set up in 2008 and currently has 43 members. She says there is a misconception that art therapy is without a scientific basis. “Evidence-based and practice-based research is well-established in all the art therapy, including visual art therapy, dance and movement therapy, drama therapy and music therapy.” So, the “art” in art therapy is a loose definition that covers not just visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, for example) but also music and movement. It’s a very wide, if lesser-known, area of therapy, but one that has helped people to resolve conflicts, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and achieve insight. It’s an interesting area that is worth exploring further.
Art Therapists’ Association Singapore (ATAS) www.atas.org.sg LASALLE College of the Arts www.lasalle.edu.sg/programmes/master -of-arts/art-therapy Red Pencil www.redpencil.org Sivan Golan Weinstein www.art-therapy.sg Photos Courtesy of The Red Pencil Nithia Devan is a freelance marketing communications professional, copywriter and editor. She is a keen supporter of the arts in Singapore, especially theater. Her other passions are cookery, cinema, travel, art and crafts. Nithia also writes for City Nomads, a guide to what's happening in Singapore, www.citynomads.com.
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Singapore American • October 2015
Learning Different By Ana Mims
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hen my daughter Sydney was pretty young, I started to notice that something was not quite right and suspected she could be dealing with a learning challenge. That suspicion increased when she was in first grade with simple spelling words. My daughter was supposed to write the letters as I said a word and spelled it aloud. Except that half the time, she could not write the letters in the order she had just heard them. “She’s little,” I’d think. “It’s just me.” Then, the first reading assignments came home. I noticed how hard it was for her to sound out the words. One day, while she was reading, I saw her constantly looking toward the back of the room. “What are you doing?” I asked. “I’m reading Mommy. The words are floating to the back of the room.”
Special Needs Resources For a more complete list of resources, pick up a copy of Living in Singapore, the reference guide published by AAS. DAS International Dyslexia Association of Singapore www.dasint.org.sg Dynamics Therapy Centre for Kids Offers complete range of services www.dynamics.com.sg Genesis School for Special Education Full-service school for children of all ages www.genesisschool.com.sg Integrated International School Mainstream and support approaches www.iis.com.sg Kaleidoscope Therapy Centre Provides a wide range of services www.kaleidoscope.com.sg Leap Frogs Center offering a variety of therapies Leap-frogs.com Melbourne Specialist International School Special needs school for ages 3-18 msis.edu.sg Dr. Roby Marcou Development/Behavioral Pediatrics www.drrobymarcou.com.sg
The MSL Centre (formerly, the Orton Gillingham Centre) Specialized help for dyslexics www.msl-orton.com National University Hospital Assessments through child development unit www.nuh.com.sg Rainbow Centre Early intervention for more severe disabilities www.rainbowcentre.org.sg Singapore General Hospital Variety of services ranging from eating disorders to stuttering www.sgh.com.sg SSNAP Support network for parents www.facebook.com/singapore. ssnap The Winstedt School International school with specialized services www.winstedt.edu.sg Treetop Therapy Centre Speech and language therapy www.treetop.com.sg Wee Care For children age 4-8 with developmental challenges www.weecare.com.sg
“Why hadn’t someone picked this up in pre-school?” I thought. My daughter, unlike many other dyslexic children, didn’t go to great lengths to disguise her challenges. The problem was that her excellent oral vocabulary, sophisticated humor and emotional intelligence kept everyone distracted from the problem: dyslexia. The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity estimates one in five students has dyslexia. Why isn’t there more urgency about the issue? Well for starters, parents often don’t want to admit something could be wrong, making kids afraid to say anything. If you think your kids don’t know what you might feel or think about these issues, think again. I remember being on a play date with Sydney. My friends asked why I had moved Sydney from the school she was attending. Casually, without thinking, I said, “Well, we had her assessed and she has dyslexia….” Before I could finish my sentence, I realized the look of horror two of the women had on their faces. We’ve never been invited to a play date again and they’ve never responded to one of our invitations. But dyslexia isn’t the only challenge. There are many issues that affect learning. (See chart) Moving from your idea of what you think your child is going to be to the real version is a common challenge for many parents. Parents of children who don’t learn or think like the average child are hit early and hard with the reality that almost everything to do with school in the
early grades is particularly difficult for their children, not to mention for them. As parents, we all have a choice of how we are going to respond: A) See no problem, hear no problem, acknowledge no problem. B) Think our child will grow out of it. C) Find help! I sprang into action: reading, researching, talking to other parents and consulting doctors. I quickly realized that finding help in Singapore wasn’t going to be easy. There isn’t a plethora of schools or resources for kids who learn and think differently in the Republic City, a place that outperforms most of the world in math and science. Making it worse, I called a number of international schools to see where I could place my daughter. Some either did not return my call or told me flat out they could not help me. One school that actually did speak with me, talked to me as if I had an information processing challenge myself and told me about their special education department and the assistance my daughter could get after, around and in-between class. “What about IN the classroom?” I asked, “That’s where she needs the assistance.” SILENCE. “Hello?” “Well, you would have to pay for that on your own, but we would not want to disrupt the classroom. That’s why we have the Special Ed Department.” Fortunately, while not in heaps, there are places to seek help. Our journey started with an amazing tutor who saw what I saw and directed me to Leap Frogs for a less formal, initial assessment. That led to a formal assessment to confirm the diagnosis of dyslexia. A year and a half later, we met Dr. Roby Marcou and her team. The waiting list for Dr. Marcou is long, but she’s considered by many to be the best in Singapore. That assessment uncovered other “known associates” of dyslexia, meaning other issues that often accompany the disorder. They also referred me to The Winstedt School. Winstedt is an international school (Pre-school – Year 6) with mainstream British curriculum focusing on children who think and learn differently. Not only did my daughter find a place where she can conquer and thrive with her challenges, but I found a place to have my questions answered and my concerns addressed and to learn how to address her needs through these early school years and beyond. Looking back on my own academic journey compared to what my daughter has to go through, I realize how very average my journey was indeed. I did well in average circumstances. My daughter’s perspective on learning and life at such a young age is so much more robust than mine was at her age because she does process information and life differently. Already, she says and does things that amaze me and more and more I realize that I will have to work hard to keep up with her ability to think. Photo Courtesy of Ana Mims
Ana Mollinedo Mims is the mother of a 9-year-old student at The Winstedt School. In her free time, she is the Managing Director of Aproposito Pte Ltd, a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of AAS and author of the “Settling In” chapter of Living In Singapore.
Common Types of Learning Challanges
Difficulties With
Dyslexia
Reading, writing, spelling, speaking
Dyscalculia
Math, understanding time, using money
Dysgraphia (Sensory Integration Disorder)
Writing, spelling, organizing ideas
Dyspraxia
Fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination
Dysphasia/Aphasia
Language, poor reading comprehension
Auditory Processing Disorder
Differentiating sounds, reading, language
Visual Processing Disorder
Interpreting visual information Source: HelpGuide.org
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Singapore American • October 2015
Coming of Age in Singapore Updated from Living in Singapore, Thirteenth Edition Reference Guide
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eens are in a unique period of their lives: both they AND their parents are often absolutely positive about exactly what is interesting and worthwhile – and they don’t always agree. For teens, many family-based activities can still be fun, but for many other activities that teens will want to do, they will want to do them without parents! And they may also have concerns that their parents are either not able or not willing to discuss with them. Drinking The legal drinking age in Singapore is only 18, which means that some high school students legally qualify to go clubbing. Furthermore, sale of alcohol to underage minors is not rare. Thus, teens may be more likely than they were before moving here to encounter alcohol in their social lives. It’s the rare teen in Singapore who has his or her own car. So, while it can be terrifying to imagine your baby and buddies in a bar, at least your child won’t be driving home inebriated. Buses and the MRT run until at least midnight and taxis are cheap and around all night long. The recently passed “Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act” bans drinking (by people of any age) in all public places from 10:30pm to 7am. Gone are the impromptu little Red Bull and vodka groups that would hang out in places like
*SCAPE www.scape.com.sg Orchard, Somerset MRT *SCAPE is a non-profit organization where young people can engage in “across a broad spectrum of interests with creative and cutting-edge events, ranging from music, media, dance and personal discovery.” So check out this resource hub for cool programs, cool shops, cool restaurants and, most importantly, cool dreams.
footbridges over the river. Stores are also not allowed to sell alcohol during this period. As public places include parks and beaches, even a teen party on the beach will be subject to surveillance and fines. Relocation Relocation to Singapore can be a huge stressor for teens. Good-bye to their network of friends, their established routines at school or recognition of past sports triumphs. Hello to an entire school full of over-achievers, a forced adjustment to new cultures or frequent absences of a traveling parent. To a parent who is also feeling a bit overwhelmed by the family’s expatriation, it is tempting to tell your young adult to “grow up and deal with it.” But a young adult is not yet a full-fledged adult and, even if they never enunciate it, teens still need to be parented. So encourage them to get out there and start their new lives, perhaps with a new activity. Let them spend time creating a blog or online book recounting their new adventure, which they can share with their “old” friends. Allow them to Skype or FaceTime friends and family back home at odd hours of the night. And consider investigating the workshops and other services offered by the counselors at the Singapore American Community Action Council, www.sacac.sg.
Repatriation Reverse culture shock should be expected and the family can help their teens to accept it without making it to be too negative of an experience (except, of course, for the chores that will be expected of them with no live-in helper around!). Encourage teens to spend time reminiscing about that amazing surf in Bali around the family dinner table, NOT while walking around the mall with school friends. Or to tell friends that it would indeed be fun to join them for a buggy ride after apple picking, but to stifle the (natural) impulse to compare it to elephant rides in Chiang Mai. Teach kids to write a check before going home. Prepare your children before you go home, not after.
Singapore American • October 2015
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Singapore American • October 2015
Divorce: Helping Children Cope By Ho Shee Wai, Director and Registered Psychologist of The Counselling Place
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t is not an easy decision for a couple to come to the decision to separate or divorce. This decision is made even more difficult if there are children involved. Parents naturally worry about the well-being of their children during the transition of this period when, in a heightened emotional state, parents may not always act in a way they normally would. Here are some tips for parents who are trying to help their children navigate this difficult time: 1. Do not put your child in the middle. Communicate to your (ex-)partner directly. Do not ask your children to carry messages. Do not have them avenge you or manipulate your ex. Do not pump your children for information regarding your ex. Communicate to your children that it’s okay they now have two families and they can love all members of both families.
2. Don't ask your children to choose a parent. This may happen literally where a parent ask “You like your daddy better than your mommy, don’t you?” or it can happen more subtly, such
as discouraging your children to participate in your ex’s religion. Your children need to feel free to love both parents. 3. Do not assign fault to the divorce. Do not tell children what they do not need to know, something that will hurt their relationship either parent. Divorce is made up of two people contributing to the problems in the marriage. No matter how much you feel your ex as the cause of the divorce, it does not help your children in any way to know that the other parent had an affair, for example. 4.Do not talk negatively about your ex. Your children know they are part of both you and your ex, so to portray one parent as bad gets internalized and children often assume they must then be bad, too. This means you have to walk in a fine line between telling the truth and being disrespectful. 5.Keep boundaries with your children. Do not allow your children to assume a parental role or that of your confidante about your feelings about the divorce or separation and any ensuing hardship that follows. Your children are in a vulnerable state and they need to be allowed to be children and to be nurtured. Seek your own support or engage a professional therapist to help you work through your feelings. The Counselling Place will be conducting a series of workshops to support parents who are struggling to help their children adjust to divorce or separation in November 2015.
Check out www.thecounsellingplace.com
“It (Divorce) is when someone signs a paper, someone leaves home and then kids cry.” from a 5-year-old child
Photos Courtesy of The Counselling Place
Shee Wai has been helping expatriate families deal with marital and relationship crisis since 2002. Shee Wai is the only marriage therapist in Singapore who has the specialized skills of working with couples in which one partner is struggling with a mental health diagnosis or suspected diagnosis and is experienced in the area of Parental Alienation and helping couples who are struggling with intimacy or sexuality issues.
24 FAMILY HEALTH
Singapore American • October 2015
Investing in Your Future By Yvette Skipper
I
own a house that is more than a hundred years old. A couple years ago, I noticed there was some moss growing near the roof on a shady side of the house. I scraped it off and sprayed moss killer on the affected area, believing that would solve the problem. The next year, it was back and I repeated the spraying. The year after that, the problem persisted. Finally, I had a contractor take a look at it. It turned out that small mossy area had become a large rotted mess and I had to replace about a quarter of the roof. Had that contractor come out the first time, I could have saved that portion of the roof. Marriage can be like this. The time to work on a marriage is BEFORE you have to tear off the roof. We all acknowledge that things of value require looking after, so why do we neglect our partners so willingly?
Money, conflict management and intimacy issues top the list in most marriage roadblocks. When talking about marriage in an expat setting, you can add adjusting to a new culture, language and country. If you and your spouse are from different countries, add cultural communication issues on top of interpersonal communication issues. The possible loss of one spouse’s career, the stress of having to constantly rebuild social networks, as well as living and raising children in a culture that is not your own can cause one caustic stew. Dr. Yvonne McNulty of the Singapore Institute of Management has done groundbreaking research into expatriate marriages. According to her report published in the Journal of Mobility, McNulty found
25 FAMILY HEALTH
Singapore American • October 2015
that many female trailing spouses felt their needs were trivialized by their husbands because they were perceived to be on holiday, having things like a cook, a maid and a driver. Husbands who travel all week have a hard time reintegrating into the family unit just for weekends and the trailing spouse is left feeling as if they are essentially a single parent. Over time, these and many more issues start to wear away at the fabric of our relationship. When the going gets tough, the smart seek a qualified counselor. Luckily, there are many dedicated and highly-qualified counselors here in Singapore. Counselor Geraldine Koempel of The Change Group believes that conflict is natural in relationships, but that the key is learning how to communicate effectively. “When we don’t manage our conflict effectively, we get entangled in negativity. Staying away from the four killers of healthy communication (criticism, defensiveness, stonewalling and contempt) goes a long way towards creating harmony in your home. The trick isn’t in avoiding conflict altogether, rather it’s learning how to manage it with a positive mindset.” One major issue is the feeling of social isolation. In Debra Bruno’s Wall Street Journal article, “Divorce, Global Style: For Expat Marriages, Breaking Up is Harder to Do,” she sites McNulty’s research into the causes and consequences of expat divorce. “Most expat couples are far removed from any kind of setting – family, friends, communities – that might have bolstered a struggling marriage.” Dr. McNulty says that in her research, “One of the strongest things that came out was the lack of role models or
Here are a couple positive steps you can take right now: Attend a seminar 1. Find a mentor. This can include a friend or relative who has a strong marriage. 2. Attend a seminar. The Change Group will be holding a one-day couples retreat on Saturday, November at The Swiss Club. www.thechangegroup.sg 3. Get a good book on marriage counseling. Popular books include Love is Never Enough, The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work and Getting the Love You Want. 4. Work on your financial plan together. For a comprehensive planning tool, visit www.timberchase.net under the “expatriate” tab).
mentors” for troubled marriages. Many of the women she surveyed said to her, “If we had been home, my parents, his parents, his brother would have pulled him up by the scruff of his neck and said, ‘What are you doing?’” Finances are another key, gridlocked issue. HE wants her to work. SHE wants to stay at home and take care of the children. One spouse
wants to split their financial responsibility on a 50/50 basis while the other one doesn’t see it this way. So who’s right? The question should actually be: What’s important and right for YOU and YOUR spouse? Together, you need to create a mutual vision of the life you want to achieve together. Connecting with your partner on financial issues is vital and will help you tackle more difficult subjects such as death, loss of job, insurance and more. Everyone should have a file that contains important documents, insurance information, your will, all banking information et al. This is important
in developing a competent financial partnership. We waste significant amounts of emotional capital and, in the end, huge amounts of financial capital when we ignore the small leaks in our relationships. I hope these words encourage you to take small steps towards creating a better relationship with your spouse. Photos by Katie Swartz, Mark and Allegra Jaroski-Biava Yvette Skipper has worked in Communications and Child Development, but like most serial expats, she has had to be flexible in her career path. Currently, she spends her time working to prevent human trafficking.
26 HEALTH & WELLNESS
Singapore American • October 2015
Going Batty By Melissa Diagana
stabilizing tree Sonneratia. Those would be the “cute” bats, the fruit- or nectar-eating flying foxes, like Stellaluna. Cute, BUT….
I
t’s that time of year again when we see images of bats everywhere, all a part of Halloween festivities. Back in 2000, we were watching Kathy Freeman become the 40m Olympic champion on her home turf and the Sydney stadium was ablaze with bug-attracting bright lights. Suddenly, hordes of bats turned the artificiallylit night sky back into night, feasting on insects and probably urinating on us as they flew. At the time, I thought that bats were simply extraordinarily cool flying mammals. Growing up in the northeast United States, I had always considered bats to be our friends, as they merrily chomped their way through muggy mosquitoridden summer skies. Those would be the “ugly” bats, the insectivores, the ones with the squished up faces and otherworldly noses. Later, after moving to Singapore, I discovered that bats engage in another friendly activity: they pollinate plants such as durian (yes, some of us do like durian!), agave (even more of us probably like tequila), petai (those too-stinkyeven-for-me beans), kapok and the mangrove-
Batty biology Fascinating as they may be, I now know that all bats harbor an incredible diversity of viruses in their furry little bodies: retroviruses, filoviruses, coronaviruses and lyssaviruses, to list a few varieties. Viruses that cause fatal disease in other mammals generally leave their bat hosts unscathed. So how? Bats and viruses have evolved together over millions of years and the bat immune system appears to evolve faster than that of other mammals, allowing bats to adapt their defenses to viruses that are pathogenic for other mammals. Furthermore, bats often live in dense colonies, an ideal situation for constant exposure to infection. Parts of their immune system are thus always “on” and can rapidly tamp down the levels of any new virus, keeping the bats healthy. And, flapping those wings elevates their body temperature, which like a fever in people, can decrease the amount of viruses in their bodies. To top it off, bats may even benefit from carrying viruses: bats have a low rate of tumor formation and one idea is that certain bat viruses may destroy tumors. The clincher is that bat-borne viruses can be transmitted by bite, of course, but also by saliva, urine or feces. So, when my daughter was merrily handfeeding a fruit bat in Bali and turned to me and
27 HEALTH & WELLNESS
Singapore American • October 2015
asked, “Mom, can I pet it?” I should have said “No!” And she probably shouldn’t have had her feet underneath it (in case it urinated) and she probably should have taken her hand away from its mouth.
to attract the bats: they open at night, they are light-colored and they have a strong smell. Kind of like a Pontianak (a local vampiric ghost, who is dressed in white and who exudes a strong perfume), don’t you think? Photos by Melissa Diagana, Patricia Bjaaland Welch & Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Public Health Image Library. A molecular biologist by training, Melissa Diagana enjoys studying the broader picture of natural history as much as its reductionist details. She regularly writes about nature and environmental topics.
Nasty viruses In Chinese, the word for bat is a homonym of the word for “good fortune” (fu) and bats are considered to be harbingers of good luck, but for those who have suffered from rabies or SARS or Ebola virus, they are anything but. This past year, we have witnessed the horrors of ebola virus in West Africa. A toddler in Guinea may have been the first person to fall ill in that epidemic and one of his hangouts was under a tree filled with Angolan Free-tailed bats. Fruit bats are now considered the most likely natural reservoir for ebola virus. Closer to home, a friend living in Bali rushed to rabies-free Singapore a while ago to receive shots after having been bitten by a potentially rapid dog. Bats are also a main source of the rabies virus. Nipah virus has caused disease outbreaks in Malaysia, India, Bangladesh and right here in Singapore. The natural host of this highly dangerous virus is the Malayan Flying Fox. Some scientific sleuthing explained an
outbreak in Bangladesh: humans ate the sap of date palms which had been contaminated by bats carrying nipah virus. In 2003, the nasty SARS virus killed around 800 people, including 33 in Singapore. Early work implicated palm civets in southern China (nicknamed “toddycats” here). More recent research has demonstrated that the true reservoir for the SARS virus is the insect-eating Horseshoe Bat. Trick or treat! Out of 1200 species worldwide, there are about two dozen species of bats on our island. Unfortunately for the Halloween spirit, there are no blood-sucking vampire bats in Southeast Asia. Bats aren’t all bad. In addition to pollinating numerous plants in this part of the world, bats are also important in dispersing seeds throughout the forests. The flowers use tricks
Ceramic dish with the Chinese character for longevity in a sea of flying red bats.
28 FOOD & DINING
Singapore American • October 2015
Living with Food Allergies By Bill Poorman
I
f you live with food allergies, you know the fear all too well. Eating or drinking the wrong thing can trigger a reaction. Maybe it's just itchiness and hives, but if it’s an anaphylactic reaction, the body goes into shock and the throat swells shut, preventing breathing. Eating the wrong thing can literally be a life or death situation.
Food allergies are scary and they can make a move to a new country intimidating. My family and I, we know. Our younger son has severe food allergies. When the opportunity came to move to Singapore, his safety was our top consideration. Now, after a year of research and experience here, I can tell you that living with food allergies in Singapore is possible,
even if it does require a few adjustments. You can often find most of the food products you purchased back home. The large groceries that cater to expats, such as Cold Storage and Jason’s, stock many western goods. To fill the gaps, there are several natural food stores, such as Brown Rice Paradise, SuperNature and The Organic Grocer. If that’s not enough, there
are the online sources, such as iHerb.com and even Amazon. Finally, there’s the old-fashioned expat method for getting products from home: haul them over in a suitcase. One word of caution, though, about buying food off the shelf in Singapore: make sure to thoroughly check the label. Familiar brands might have different ingredients. For example,
Oreos don’t contain milk in the US, but here they are manufactured in facilities that also handle milk and peanuts. Thankfully, Singapore has a robust food labeling law. As for cooking the food you’ve purchased, you might decide to enjoy the full expat experience and hire a helper. After avoiding this for several months, we decided to explore our options. During the interview process, we were quite clear about the severity of his food allergies. Several candidates turned us down, but we eventually found someone who has had no problem adjusting to our requirements. In case of an allergic reaction, Singapore has world class health care and the fact that English is spoken here adds to the comfort level. Through our pediatrician, we found an allergist at National University Hospital. We’ve been through a round of annual allergy testing and the procedure matched our US experience. Emergency medicines, such as Epipens and asthma inhalers, are readily available, but we had to purchase them through the clinic pharmacy. They weren’t available at neighborhood stores, such as Guardian or Watsons. If your child has food allergies, you should find the schools quite aware and knowledgeable. Our experience is with the Singapore American School. Everyone there, including the nursing staff, teachers, administrators, counselors and fellow parents, has been attentive and supportive. Other international schools are similar in their approach. Finally, Singapore is legendary for its hawker and restaurant food, but as anyone with food
allergies knows, you're taking a risk when you eat out. For our son, we just bring meals cooked at home. We’ve never been questioned about it, although we do always make a point to tell the server that he has food allergies. Living with allergies is never simple or stress free. You or your loved ones might be sensitive to airborne food or environment allergens, including the annual haze. But hopefully living in Singapore with food allergies, in particular, won’t seem as daunting now. Try to relax (at least a little bit) and enjoy the experience that is Singapore! Photos by Danielle Segura and Bill Poorman
Bill Poorman is a stay-at-home dad who has lived in Singapore for just more than a year, but has lived with food allergies for more than ten years - and he has the gray hair to prove it.
Healthy Eating on a Budget, Singapore Style By Lisa Lee
W
hether you adhere to a dairy-free or gluten-free lifestyle or have committed to eating unprocessed foods most of the time, finding the wide variety of fresh produce easily available in North America, Australia and Europe can be somewhat of a challenge in Singapore. Given that most of Singapore’s food is imported and that the shelf life of anything in the blistering tropical climate is a much shorter than elsewhere, finding fresh, healthy foods requires effort, especially if you wish to stick within a budget less than, say, your mortgage payment back home. A visit to your local wet market is a great way to learn about your new home and experience
fresh food at a good value. Stalls at Tekka Market sell freshly grated coconut, as well as durians, mangos, rambutan and other tropical fruits. However, it is hard to trace the source of produce and it is rumored that some vendors automatically label items as “organic” in order to fetch a higher price, so buyer beware. (Organic produce is typically labeled with a sticker beginning with the number 9). Note that due to organic certification standards, nothing grown in Singapore can be certified organic because of the planes flying overhead. If you have a green thumb and some balcony space, it’s easy to grow your own herbs and leafy greens. If gardening is not your strength, a few dedicated and passionate farmers remain
in Singapore, who will make weekly deliveries for little or no cost with a minimum purchase amount. One of my favorite local pesticide-free farms is Quan Fa. These farmers passionately refrain from the use of pesticides and engage in healthy land stewardship practices. You can really taste the difference in their produce. Eating locally-grown produce saves money and is a great way to experiment with exotic vegetables such as wing beans, pandan leaves, and more familiar leafy greens such as bok choy and kai lan. Hays Dairy Farm offers daily (except Tuesdays) farm visits and produces fresh goat milk. Bollywood Veggies also offers tours of its fruit and vegetable farm and freshlycooked meals. These farms are found in Kranji, which offers an entire farm visit trail. If your family enjoys sustainable seafood and meats that are humanely slaughtered and raised without antibiotics, the options have improved in recent years. Sakura chicken, raised without the use of hormones or antibiotics, is even Jamie Oliver approved. There are several great butchers around town including The Butcher. The Alaska Guys offer wild caught Alaska salmon and Fishwives offers wild caught New Zealand salmon, along with a variety of quality meats. Redmart offers online ordering and delivery of New Zealand meats, in addition to a wide selection of household items and dry goods. Given the extraordinary value of land in Singapore, it’s hard to find space for even a roaming chicken, but the folks at Freedom Range Eggs do just that. NTUC Finest and Warehouse Club offer a wide variety of organic, in-season produce, Freedom Range eggs and organic Australian
milk, at the best prices in Singapore. While the stock is inconsistent, one can usually find organic staples such as cooking oils, dairy products, rice, cereals and snacks. For the occasional splurge, Cold Storage and Tanglin Market have varied and consistent inventory from around the world. Some days you just need that French wine or cheese and Wine Connection has both in quality and variety at decent prices. Both Supernature and Four Seasons offer a wide variety of organic foods and otherwise hard to find healthy toiletries and supplements. Brown Rice Paradise also stocks organic vegan foods, nuts and snacks. For further details, see websites of organic/ hormone free food vendors and the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean 15” lists. Check out the AAS website under “What’s New” for a list of healthy food providers. Photos by Lisa Lee When Lisa Lee is not busy ensuring her young children are eating healthy, she practices international estate planning, probate, trusts, elder law and transactional real estate. She is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and other legal organizations.
29 FOOD & DINING
Singapore American • October 2015
Salmon! By Kevin Ganter
H
ave you heard the saying, “You can’t judge a book by its cover?” Well, that is true about salmon. To the untrained eye, wild caught and farmed salmon look the same. However, things change once you physically and nutritionally examine the fish. The bright red colored flesh and lean white strips of fat of wild caught salmon are the result of several years spent feeding on the sea’s natural foods and swimming against the cold, strong currents of the ocean in places like Alaska. Their nutritional profile is complete with naturally occurring micronutrients, fats, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. This offers better flavor, better texture and a nutritional profile that is far ahead of any farm-raised seafood. Farmed salmon are caged in tight pens throughout their lives and are typically fed grain products and a fishbased diet. Antibiotics, pesticides and coloring agents are added to help prevent diseases and parasites and to turn their white flesh into a color similar to the wild-caught salmon. Farmed salmon may contain slightly higher levels of omega-3s, but unfortunately, their omega-3s comes from fishmeal typically made up of ground fish parts or fish oil. While both wild caught and farmed salmon may look similar, they do not offer the same nutritional benefits. Farmed salmon has fewer dietary advantages and has several significant disadvantages. • Farmed salmon contains high concentrations of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) as well as other dangerous contaminants not found in the wild caught salmon. • Artificial coloring, toxic byproducts, antibiotics and other drugs and cancer-causing contaminants are present to various degrees in the tissues, often at levels that can affect human health. • Farmed salmon have many more pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids than the anti-inflammatory omega-3s. What are the nutritional benefits of wild salmon to farm-raised salmon? • Wild caught salmon has 32% fewer calories than farmed. • Wild caught salmon has half the fat of farmed. • Wild caught salmon contains more calcium, iron, potassium and zinc. • Wild caught contain less sodium (due to natural sea salt). Does Cost Reflect Benefits? Farmed salmon is much cheaper than the wild-caught salmon and it’s available everywhere since salmon is the most popular type of fish raised in farms at sea. But it’s worth spending the money on salmon that comes from places like Alaska. Many organizations recommend eating Omega-3s and salmon two or three times a week. The American Medical Association, for example, says consuming salmon lessens the risk of deaths due to cardiovascular diseases by more than 30%.
So How Can You Tell? From my observation, almost all of the salmon in Singapore’s grocery stores and wet markets are farmed from Norway. I have no data to support this, but I would venture to say that figure is around 95%. If it is not labeled, it’s very difficult to be certain without asking the retailer or restaurant. It is always best to ask. However, there are some clues. If the label reads “Atlantic” salmon then it is farmed. In Canada, there are no legal commercial fisheries for Atlantic salmon and virtually all Atlantic salmon served in restaurants or sold in stores are farmed fish. If the label simply reads “fresh salmon,” there is a good chance it is farmed. Most wild salmon will be identified by species: pink, coho, sockeye,
chinook or chum salmon. But chinook (also called king) salmon are farmed as well, so the name is not a guarantee. Visually, there are two simple ways to tell the difference between wild caught and farmed. • Color: The color of wild-caught salmon varies between the species, but typically range from pink to bright red. The color of farm-raised salmon vary as well but they typically range in color from orange to light red • White Fat Streaks: Due to the sedentary lifestyle, trapped in open water pens, farm-raised salmon contains large white fat streaks. These fatty white streaks are not common in wild caught salmon. Where to find the best wild-caught Alaskan Salmon in Singapore? Check out The Halia at Raffles Hotel or the Botanic Gardens. You can get your fix of Alaskan Sockeye Salmon at Flutes at the National Museum and/or Vis a Vis in the near Kembangan. You can rest assured these fine establishments are providing real 100% Alaskan seafood. And you can buy it yourself from us, The Alaska Guys. So before you buy, have a good think about what benefits you can get from wild salmon over cheaper, farmed salmon. (Who ever heard of a fish farm anyway?) Don’t judge the book by its cover. Be sure to flip through the pages and judge for yourself. Kevin Gantner has lived in Singapore for the past 13 years with roots in Alaska. He is co-owner of The Alaska Guys.
30 ARTS & CULTURE
Singapore American • October 2015
The National Museum Opens Again By Lucía Damacela
T
he National Museum of Singapore reopened its revamped permanent galleries to the public on September 19, after a hiatus of nearly a year. Visitors will find displays of historical artifacts never shown before; refreshed and updated content on Singapore’s contemporary history and, above all, exhibitions presented in more vivid and engaging ways. “The revamp was aimed at creating more personal and emotional connections with the visitors, motivating them to further learn about Singapore on their own,” said Ms Angelita Teo, Director of the Museum. The re-opening was timed to be part of the SG50 celebration and the launch weekend included free admission and festive activities that recalled the country’s history, such as story-telling, picture taking in vintage costumes and traditional local treats like kacang puteh (assortment of nuts and beans).
The new galleries sprawl over two levels. On the first level, the “Singapore History Gallery” comprises four sections: Singapura (12991818), Crown Colony (1819-1941), SyonanTo (1942-1945) and Singapore (1945-to the present). The gallery chronicles the country’s journey, particularly from the post-war struggles to the global city it has become. The “Global City” section includes audio-visual multimedia and an interactive map. Level two offers snapshots of people’s everyday lives during specific periods. The “Life in Singapore: The Past 100 Years” exhibition is organized in four galleries. The “Modern Colony” gallery, set in a blackand-white bungalow, portrays Singapore as a cosmopolitan and modern British colony in the 1920 and 30s. The “Surviving Syonan” gallery examines a painful period of Singapore’s history: the fall of Colonial Singapore to the imperial Japanese Army. In an immersive cityscape of crumbling
walls, a series of artifacts from the period symbolize hope, courage and love. “Growing Up,” the third gallery, looks at the transformations of Singapore in the fifties and sixties, from the point-of-view of a child. Societal changes during these turbulent years from Post-war to Independence are explored through changes in the kampong and other settings. The fourth gallery, “Voices of Singapore,” places the spotlight on cultural endeavors and creative works from different voices within the society. Issues of national identity and belonging are paramount during the self-expression of the 70s and 80s and are represented through cultural artifacts such as music, performances, television and theater. In addition to the “History and Life in Singapore” galleries, works from the William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings are featured at the Goh Seng Choo Gallery on a rotating basis. “Desire and
Danger,” a new exhibition of selected drawings from the collection, conveys the complexity and difficulties of the human-nature interaction. Visiting the National Museum is always a treat; its neo-classical 128-year-old building, thoroughly modernized in 2006, is worth a visit in and of itself. An excellent starting point to learn about contemporary and historical Singapore, the latest updates strengthen its appeal. To enhance the experience even more, consider taking a free guided tour www.nationalmuseum.sg. Photos by Lucía Damacela Lucía Damacela moved to Singapore with her family in 2013. A social psychologist and researcher by training, she has started foraying into creative writing and recently contributed a short story to the book “Rojak – Stories from the Singapore Writers Group.” Lucía is a museum docent who guides at the Singapore Art Museum, writes about culture and life in Singapore and blogs in Spanish
Singapore American • October 2015
calendar
of
events
Any responder should make any further enquiries with the organizer or should verify the information independently if necessary.
MUSEUMS
M U SE U M S
From 1 October New Permanent Collection National Museum of Singapore 93 Stamford Road Daily 10am-6pm nationalmuseum.sg
ENTERTA I N M ENT 9 – 18 October da:ns festival Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay www.dansfestival.com 20 October – 1 November GHOST the Musical Sands Theatre, MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands entertainment.marinabaysands.com 28 October – 22 November Cirque du Soleil - Totem Under the Big Top Next to Marina Bay Sands www.sistic.com.sg
L I FEST Y LE 2 – 31 October Halloween Horror Nights Universal Studios Singapore, Sentosa halloweenhorrornights.com.sg
10 October Oktoberfest Asia Marina at Keppel Bay www.sistic.com.sg 17 – 18 October The WineFamily Gathering Singapore Flyer Event Hall www.sistic.com.sg 22 – 25 October Singapore Jewellery & Gift Fair 2015 Marina Bay Sands Singapore – Hall A, B & C 11am – 8pm (7pm on the last day) www.SingaporeJewelleryGemFair.com 24 – 27 October Chinese Brush Paintings by Ang Cheng Chye Singapore Scenes ARTrium @ MCI 140 Hill Street 9am – 6pm www.angchengchye.com 25 October BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore Indoor Stadium wtafinals.com 30 October – 1 November Societe Generale Singapore Cricket Club International Rugby 7s 68th edition The Padang www.sistic.com.sg 14 November Gottman Couples Workshop www.thechangegroup.sg
14 November Helping Children Dealing with Separation & Divorce The Counselling Place 7500A Beach Road, #04-323 The Plaza 2:30 – 4:30pm Register by November 7 www.thecounsellingplace.com 28 November Understanding Parental Alienation The Counselling Place 7500A Beach Road, #04-323 The Plaza 2:30 – 4:30pm Register by November 21 www.thecounsellingplace.com
ED U CAT I ON From 1 October UWCSEA Applications for Admission to UWCSEA in 2016/2017 open Dover or East Campus www.uwcsea.edu.sg admissions@uwcsea.edu.sg 16 October Stamford American International School Open House 279 Upper Serangoon Road 9am www.sais.edu.sg 29 October Canadian International School Open House Lakeside Campus 7 Jurong West Street 41 9am www.cis.edu.sg
Singapore American • October 2015