WK41B / MICA (P) 144/08/2012
Find out
P10
Off the beaten trail:
how to deal
with teenagers, from
Focus on
the Family july 19 - 25, 2013
WEEKENDER
P11
Experience
Kyushu’s wonders YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND filled with FUN AND HAPPINESS
DELIVERED FREE TO YOUR HOME
11
insider’s guide: ho chi minh CITY
page
05
BABE & MOM: Power 98FM’s
jamie yeo
06
masterchef vs. SINGAPORE hawkers
E
02 • WEEKENDER • july 19 - 25, 2013
VENTS
YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED with FUN AND HAPPINESS For a pdf copy of Weekender visit: www.facebook.com/weekendersgp
= FREE
This Week’s Highlights
Noise
27 Jul - 14 Aug, 10am-9pm daily
Singapore 2013
Festival Showcase
Singapore’s largest creative arts showcase for young people aged 35 years old and below will feature works including art and design, and photography. More than 200 art and design and photography works chosen from close to 9,000 entries submitted by young and budding artists will be on display. These works were selected by big names in Singapore’s creative industries, from urban artist, ANTZ to photographer, Robert Zhao. Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, www.noisesingapore.com
LET’S FL!P
USS
10 Aug, $54 (Child), $74 (Adult)
Over 5,000 people present at Resorts World Sentosa will see how a theme park can become a classroom at this nationwide competition where questions will be asked about USS’ rides and attractions using the FLIP app. Anyone above seven years old can take part in searching for the answer, and those who submit the correct answers may win attractive
FREE! NEW! The Apprenticeship Programme Exhibition 27 Jul - 1 Sep, 10am-7pm (until 9pm on Fri) Come see artworks by 71 aspiring artists on the Singapore Biennale 2013 (SB2013) theme "If The World Changed". The group exhibition of these apprentices who went through a intensive four-month mentorship programme is held in conjunction with SB2013. Singapore Art Museum, 8 Queen Street, www.singaporeartmuseum.sg, Tel: 6332 3222
FREE! NEW! The Music Mentorship Concerts 16-18 Aug, various timings Noise musicians from The Music Mentorship programme such as PunkANation, The Animal Parade and The Auditory Effect will be performing original tunes and groovy beats at the Esplanade. Esplanade Outdoor Theatre & Concourse, 1 Esplanade Drive, www.esplanade.com
small group of educators who decided to get back to the basics of learning and create and execute one of the best learning methods: self-directed learning. letsflip@scorecampus.com www.scorecampus.com/letsflip
prizes from the sponsors. There is both a solo and family section. This is considered self-directed learning, as the concept of the “Flipped Classroom” is that lessons are taught and learnt outside of the conventional four walls of a classroom. This was started by a
All events are correct at time of print.
FREE! NEW! Telling Stories Through Portrait Photography – by Sam Chin 25 Jul, 7.30-8.30pm A meaningful portrait is not just about technical elements and composition, but also a subject’s personality and environment. Learn from Sam Chin how to gain access, move closer and develop a connection with your subject to brush up your portrait-taking skills. Ang Mo Kio Library, 4300 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6
Three Children & Hokkien Me: double-bill 25-28 Jul, 3pm, 8pm, $20 (Concession), $25, $28 In Three Children, three siblings journey into their childhood memories navigating a tangled web of relationships. In Hokkien Me, a Cantonese working girl who married into a rich Hokkien Family is initially disapproved of, but proves her mettle when disaster strikes. The Arts House, Play Den, 1 Old Parliament Lane, www. theartshouse.com.sg, Tel: 6332 6900
WEEKENDER FUN-TO-DO IDEAS Japanese symbolic drum, a threestringed Japanese guitar, harp and bamboo flute for a special preview. There will be a meet-and-greet plus photography session. Jurong Point Shopping Centre, 1 Jurong West Central 2, www. jurongpoint.com.sg, Tel: 6792 5662
Singapore Favourite
Food Village Until 21 July, 11am-11pm In conjunction with the 20th anniversary of Singapore Food Festival, this ten-day festival celebrates Singapore’s unique food heritage and pays homage to local culinary heroes, with 40 popular local hawkers and eateries showcasing their fare at the Food Village. Expect to savour our local favourites of chilli crab, carrot cake, rojak, laksa, roti prata, popiah and more. Bayfront Avenue (Marina Bay), open field next to Bayfront MRT station
now on Check out these events over the next two weeks FREE! NEW! 125 Years of Progress and Transformation at Straits Trading Until 19 Jul, 10am-9pm This exhibition shows viewers a side of Singapore when it was part of the Straits Settlements under British colonial rule, with the Straits Trading Company Limited being one of the oldest public-listed companies in Singapore. National Library Building, Promenade, Level 9, 100 Victoria Street FREE! NEW! 1 Dimensional Society 26 Jul–14 Aug, 10am-6pm, except 1.30pm-2.30pm, closed on Mon & public holidays The exhibition explores dominant themes such as perceptions of choice with the use of beanbags, with collective Ban-Fam paying
homage to Herbert Marcuse’s ideologies about a totalitarian society. Institute of Contemporary Arts Singapore, Lasalle College of the Arts, 1 McNally Street, Tel: 6496 5075, www.Lasalle.edu.sg/ICAS FREE! Home: A Solo Exhibition by Sunar Sugiyou Until 12 Sep, all day, daily This showcase features 30 of Mr Sunar Sugiyou's recent Chinese ink paintings, which will take viewers through an almost forgotten Singapore. His works captures old landscapes and concepts of Singapore as a multi-cultural society, and part of the proceeds from the sale of his artworks will go to Singapore General Hospital Needy Patients Fund. The Fullerton Hotel, East Garden Foyer, 1 Fullerton Square FREE! NEW! Drum TAO at Jurong Point 27 Jul, 6pm; 28 Jul, 5pm To celebrate their 20th anniversary, Drum TAO is performing with the
ILLUMINATIONS: Taiwanese Media Art Exhibition 26 Jul-15 Aug, 10am-6pm (except 1.30-2.30pm), closed on Mon & public holidays Created by a new generation of Taiwanese artists recognised for their innovation in creative media, the works include highly-stylised videos that combine Western traditions of portrait and still life with Asian subjects and paintings reminiscent of scenes from popular computer games. Institute of Contemporary Arts Singapore, Lasalle College of the Arts, 1 McNally Street, Tel: 6496 5075 FREE! NEW! Lit Up 2013 Progression The Indie Arts Festival 19-23 Jul, various times This ground-up indie arts festival is a platform for emerging and established artists to showcase and perform new works. There will be performances, visual arts, bands, workshops and talks. Aliwal Arts Centre, 28 Aliwal Street, #02-05, www.litup.sg NEW! Live Band Singing Competition 20 Jul, 8-10.30pm Bukit Panjang Community Centre is organising a singing competition to provide a platform for singing participants to showcase their singing talents. 8 Pending Rd, www.pa.gov.sg, Tel: 6506 0900 FREE! NEW! OL Bazaar 31 Jul, 1 Aug, 11am-7pm Go for some lunchtime shopping at OL Bazaar instead of spending it at the usual food court. You may score some prize finds. For those keen on selling their pre-loved items, booth rentals are still open. Fusionpolis, Connexis Tower B1, 1 Fusionpolis Way, www.forfleasake.com, Tel: 6556 2123 Fun Fiesta 2013 at Marina Barrage 20 & 21 Jul, $12, 1pm-9pm (Sat),
9am-3pm (Sun) In Conjunction with Youth Day, Dance.Act.Play Performing Arts Society for the Disabled is organising a two-day carnival for families. They can watch magic shows; take part in a zumba dance workout session, game stalls, kiddie rides, food stalls, water-based activities, and fringe activities. Tickets from Sistic. Marina Barrage, 260 Marina Way, Tel: 6514 5959 Food and Electronics Bazaar 2013 19-21 Jul, 11am-9pm Enjoy an amazing range of yummy snacks and meals ranging from local delights to international cuisine at this bazaar, and check out the electronics available. Singapore Expo, 1 Expo Drive, singaporeexpo.com.sg, Tel: 6319 4020 Home Away from Home 20 Jul, 10am, $3 (student & senior citizen) $5 (adult) Part of the monumental walking tours, this tour will take you to the heritage buildings founded by the three largest Chinese dialect groups in Singapore during the 19th Century, Thian Hock Keng, Ying Fo Fui Kun and Fuk Tak Chi. To register, email nhb_nationalmonuments@ nhb.gov.sg with your name, NRIC, age and contact number. Various locations, www.nhb.gov.sg
Peter Zimmermann - Crystal & Fruits Until 21 Jul, 12pm-7pm (Tue-Sat), 12pm-6pm (Sun), closed on Mon & Public holidays Having been featured in many international exhibitions, Peter Zimmerman's first solo exhibition in Southeast Asia features paintings that deconstruct traditional pictorial concepts and reveals the defining cultural power of visual practices. Gillman Barracks, 9 Lock Road, #02-21, galeriemichaeljanssen.com, Tel: 6734 8948 Princely Treasures from the House of Liechtenstein Until 29 Sep, 10am-6pm daily, $5.50, $10 91 artworks ranging from paintings, prints, tapestries, sculptures to rare decorative art objects will be in Singapore - the first time they will be in Southeast Asia. Collected over 500 years, they include significant works by important Flemish artists like Rubens and Anthony van Dyck,
and other renowned European masters such as Raphael and Lucas Cranach the Elder. National Museum of Singapore, Exhibition Galleries 1 and 2, 93 Stamford Road
before visiting the Sri Perumal Temple. Email your name, NRIC, age and contact number to nhb_ nationalmonuments@nhb.gov.sg to register. Various locations
Terms & Conditions Until 8 Sep, 10am-7pm (Mon-Sun), 10am-9pm (Fri), free for citizens & PRs; $5, $10 Singapore Art Museum partners Barjeel Art Foundation to present Terms & Conditions, one of Southeast Asia’s first surveys of contemporary art by artists from the Arab world. The exhibition features 16 key works by artists selected to show audiences the emerging art scene in the Arab world, and the representation of history, identities and social realities. Singapore Art Museum, 71 Bras Basah Road The International Cultural Fiesta 2013 20 Jul, $5 Organised by the Integration Naturalisation Champions of Marina Parade GRC, Mountbatten SMC and Potong Pasir SMCs, the International Cultural Fiesta is back for the second year with added artistry. Marina Bay, The Lawn, 8A Marina Boulevard, Tel: 63293535 FREE! Charles Tan & For This Cycle 31 Jul, 8pm, minimum one drink applies Since his first EP release of The Pelham Sessons, folk artiste Charles Tan has toured and performed support tours with artistes such as Brooke Fraser. He will be performing with Singaporean musician Weiwen, who goes by the moniker “For This Cycle”. Timbre @ The Substation, 45 Armenian Street, Tel: 6338 8277 Devotion and Desire: CrossCultural Art in Asia Until 8 Dec, 10am-7pm (Mon-Thu, Sat & Sun), 10am-9pm (Fri), free (citizen & PR); $2, $4, $8 This exhibition showcases a new acquisition of cross-cultural art pieces created by people of different cultures and faiths throughout Asia. The themes include the importance of trade, transmission of religions, courtly art, and colonial networks. Many of these artefacts are being showcased for the first time. Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Place, www.acm.org.sg, Tel: 6332 7798 Rediscovering Old Serangoon 20 Jul, 9.30–11am, $3 (Student & senior citizen), $5 (Adult) Take a journey back to old Serangoon to experience the sights, sounds and smells of Little India. A former resident will tell you about the trades of the various ethnic groups in Serangoon Road,
FREE! NEW! Ribbon Community Art Exhibition 2013: Acceptance Until 28 Jul, 10am-7pm (SunThu), 10am-9pm (Fri) This is the first time the exhibition will feature an outdoor installation piece conceptualised by Singapore artist Mojoko together with the inmate artists. Adopt some artworks by these inmates who are rebuilding their lives, and the funds raised will go towards the Yellow Ribbon Fund. Singapore Art Museum, 8 Queen Street, The Chapel, www.yellowribbon.org.sg, Tel: 6332 3222
• Continues on page 4...
YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITH FUN AND HAPPINESS
July 19 - 25, 2013 • WEEKENDER • 03
E
04 • WEEKENDER • july 19 - 25, 2013
VENTS
• Continued from page 2...
FREE! Reloved Market 27 & 28 Jul, 4-10pm There’s no limit to the number of bags one can own. Add to your bag collection by picking some up at Reloved Market. MyVillage Level 1, 1 Maju Avenue, www.forfleasake.com, Tel: 6556 2123 FREE! Snakes and Ladders Until Sep, 9.30am-7pm (Tue-Sun), 1-7pm (Mon) Did you know that snakes cannot move backwards and have very poor hearing? The colourful,
YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED with FUN AND HAPPINESS For a pdf copy of Weekender visit: www.facebook.com/weekendersgp
creative display simulating a Snakes and Ladders game allows children to learn interesting facts about snakes at this exhibition held in conjunction with the zodiac year of the snake. Singapore Philatelic Museum, 23-B Coleman Street, www.spm.org. sg, Tel: 6337 3888 NEW! Spicy Saturday 27 Jul, 17 Aug, 10am-12pm, $20 per parent-child pair Parents and children can bond while exploring the Spice Is Nice exhibition, followed by a walk to Fort Canning Garden to learn about spices, their origins and uses. They can also bring home a special ‘origami spice frame’ craft.
Philippe Gaulier Masterclass 5-9 Aug, 10am-4pm, $300 Revolutionary theatre master Philippe Gaulier will be conducting a series of masterclass sessions on “Bouffons” – a performance genre that originated during the French Renaissance. Sign up for this masterclass by Jul 19, as only 30 places are available. Priority will be given to experienced theatre performers. Goodman Art Centre, 90 Goodman Road, Tel: 6337 2525, www.practice.org.sg
1 Dec, various times, $25, $65, $75, $95
Standard Chartered Marathon 2013
Email Laura_Tan@nhb.gov.sg or call 65137348 to register. Singapore Philatelic Museum, 23-B Coleman Street, www.spm.org. sg, Tel: 6337 3888
= FREE
Services. Suntec City International Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Raffles Boulevard, Hall 403
FREE! Wedding Village 2013 26-28 Jul, 10am-10pm This will be the first large scale, one-stop wedding exhibition with themed walkways showcasing a Parisian theme and the Garden theme. Bridal boutiques that are exhibiting would be showcasing their gowns in a Bridal Fashion Show and there will even be marriage talks held by Touch Family
Choice event picks coming in a month or more NEW! Hairspray The Musical 26 Sep – 1 Oct, 3pm, 8pm, $60, $90, $140, $160, $230 For the first time in Southeast Asia, Broadway’s musical comedy hit is coming to Singapore shores. It tells the heart-warming story of courage and staying true to oneself as a plump social outcast, Tracy Turnblad transforms into an overnight celebrity. Esplanade Theatre, 1 Esplanade Drive, www.esplanade.com
VOLUNTEER EVENTS Lend a hand or spend your time meaningfully
U Sports Beach Games 2013 17-18 Aug, 9am-6pm, $100, $120, $140 Form teams with your friends to compete together in beach volleyball, touch football or dodgeball and stand to win over $5,000 in cash and prizes. Register at www.usports.sg and you will also receive an exclusive event singlet and goodie bag worth over $30. Siloso Beach, Sentosa
Coming Soon Mark your calendars for these events coming very soon NEW! Property Investment Summit 2013 3 Aug, 10am-8pm, $97 This summit will educate retail investors about property investment and turn them into investors who are savvy with the current property markets. NTUC Auditorium, 1 Marina Boulevard, www.ntuc.org.sg
/weekendersgp Take part in the marathon of the year with your family, as there are various categories ranging from kids dash, half marathon, full marathon and even a wheelchair category. Register at www.marathonsingapore.com Location TBA
Preview
W If you would like your event listed, please email the details and pictures (where applicable) to
events@weekender.com.sg
FREE! Twelfth Flea 27 Jul, 12pm-6pm Discover hidden treasures and wonders at this flea market with all items below $20, and you can get a Ben & Jerry’s scoop of ice cream with a minimum of $20 spent in a single receipt. There is free parking for vendors. Rochester Mall, Ground Level, 33 Rochester Drive, www.forfleasake. com FREE! URBAN MOMENTS – PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION Until 30 Aug Win up to $1,000 worth of prizes and stand a chance to be featured in an exhibition at Goodman Arts Centre by participating in a photography competition organised by them and Southeast CDC. The theme is Ecology – People, Nature and Architecture. www.goodmanartscentre.sg/ urbanmoments
All events are correct at time of print.
Have you liked us on Facebook?
FREE! Evergreen Bees Mentoring Programme 24 Jul, 2.30-6pm Pay it forward. Volunteers are needed to befriend and tutor Primary 4-6 students from disadvantaged or dysfunctional families, in Maths and English. There are also games, where volunteers participate together. Teck Ghee Youth Centre, Blk 346, Ang Mo Kio Ave 3, #01-2280, www.carecorner.org.sg, Tel: 6554 7100 FREE! NEW! Heart-for-Rice Charity Drive 20 Jul, 11am-2.30pm Who says volunteering is boring? Fold origami hearts in exchange for rice for the needy at this biennial event by Kaki Bukit Youth Executive Committee, and be part of the attempt to break Singapore's Book of Records for the most hearts folded in an hour. 670 Bedok North Street 3 FREE! NEW! Home Improvement/Visitation 24 Jul, 7.45-9.45pm Do your part for the elderly by volunteering with The New Charis Mission team for their weekly visit to ten to 20 elderly residents at in Ang Mo Kio to chat with them and to clean up their homes. The ability to speak dialects is a plus. Blk 217, Ang Mo Kio Ave 1, www.thenewcharismission.org. sg
2 weeks before your event date.
Listings must arrive in email Wednesday two weeks before publication. Listings are free but, as space is limited, inclusion is not guaranteed. Nevertheless, we try our best to include every listing possible. All events listed here are accurate at the the time of print, or are listed as stated by the organisers. Please check with the relevant organisers and contacts for more information and to book tickets.
WEEKENDER ABOUT US We are a Social Enterprise! Besides enriching the lives of our readers, we provide training and employment for disadvantaged Singaporeans from CDCs, ISCOS and IMH. Our humble team:
Editorial Director Frank Young frank@weekender.com.sg Editor Lester J Wan Writer Cheryl Chia Contributor Chia Hui Jun Art Director Nicodemus Aw Graphic Designer Foo Dun Jie Sales Director David Phey Senior Manager Seth Leow CONTACT US: Advertising Sales: seth@weekender.com.sg Enquiries: +65 6493 2001 general@weekender.com.sg Weekender Group Pte Ltd 80 Playfair Road, #02-03, Blk A, Singapore 367998 CRN# 201212438E MICA (P) 144/08/2012 Disclaimer: The illustrations, photographs, views and statements expressed by our contributors, bloggers, illustrators, or writers do not necessarily reflect the views of Weekender Group Private Limited. Weekender Group Private Limited does not warrant the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of those views or statements and do not accept any legal liability whatsoever arising from any reliance on the views, statements and subject matter. © Copyright Weekender Group Pte Ltd. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, all rights including those in copyright in the content of this publication are owned by or controlled for these purposes by Weekender Group Pte Ltd. Copyrights to photographs, Illustrations, or any other forms of work which appear in this publication provided by non-Weekender Group Pte Ltd contributors are owned and controlled their respective creators.Except as otherwise expressly permitted under copyright law or Weekender Group Pte Ltd, the content of this publication may not be copied, reproduced, republished, downloaded, posted, broadcast or transmitted in any way without first obtaining our written permission or that of the copyright owner.
july 19 - 25, 2013 • WEEKENDER • 05
YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITH FUN AND HAPPINESS For a pdf copy of Weekender visit: www.facebook.com/weekendersgp
Power 98 DJ Feature
BE HAPPIE
Jamie’s first priority is her child and family
Jamie Yeo has been on our television screens and radio airwaves almost since she graduated from studying Mass Communication in Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Many still remember her from her role as Tammy Tay in the nostalgic TV drama, Growing Up. Jamie’s popularity further grew when she hosted Football Crazy on ESPN. She undoubtedly made many men hot under the collar. Being an old friend, Jamie reveals a little about her life and raising a baby. What has been going on for you, apart from hosting your show on Power 98? I’ve been hosting a show by TTV, which is a half-an-hour TV show packaged for 4 and 5-star hotels in Singapore, introducing the sights and sounds of Singapore to hotel guests.
R
Jamie Yeo is a babe and a mother
How did your strangest request go? “Dear Jamie, please play me a song or else I’ll kill myself.” Which song would you sing in the bathroom? I would sing whatever song that is stuck in my head. Usually, something I just heard on the radio. Anything by Coldplay, usually. But, just the other day, I caught myself singing “As Long As You Love Me” by Justin Bieber. Which is your favourite break-up song? “Time of Your Life (Good Riddance)” by Green Day. That’s how one should look at it at the point of breaking up. It’s just another turning point in life. A “fork stuck in the road”. Let’s move on. Hope you had the time of your life. What makes you happy? My daughter, Aly. Every day is precious and full of joy as I watch my little girl grow up. Every new word she learns, every new sentence she utters, every new expression renews my faith in God and my hope for the future. How do you handle being a DJ, TV host and mother at the same time? What challenges do you face? Not many [challenges] now that Aly is older. She’s two and a half. I’ve got a very competent helper and a very helpful set of parents who are always willing to look after Aly. Having gone through various life and work experiences over the years, how different is your perspective on life now? My daughter definitely comes first above everything else. It’s all about making sure I spend quality time with her now. But, of course, work is still important. I love what I do and have done this for as long as I’ve been an adult. The job pays well and I’m passionate about it now as I ever was. Which famous person, living or dead, would you love to host a show with? I would love to host a show with Ricky Gervais because he’s brilliant and would just be such a laugh to work with. Plus, he’s highly intelligent, which is something I appreciate in a man. What new or upcoming project might you be involved in? At the moment, it’s all hush-hush as it’s not really confirmed but there might be some TV work and an Internet business venture in the near future.
What it’s like being a
babe
with a babe Jamie Yeo, one of the hottest DJ-presenters in Singapore, reveals what it’s like to be a media babe and to raise a baby
What do you love about Power 98? My co-host Sonja. She’s my gurrrl! And Shareen [Wong] is really such a great boss. She’s patient and really cool. I really respect her. W
By Lester J Wan
Catch Jamie Yeo on the Power Breakfast Show with Hubert Tang and Sonja Steinmetz, on weekdays from 6am to 10am, on Power 98FM.
ENTERTAINMENT Power 98 Music Review
Uncover the secrets of Egypt’s “Golden Pharaoh”, King Tut, in Ultimate Tutankhamun
Dr Chris Naunton finds out why King Tut’s mummy was badly charred, and dsicovers other secrets
Few Egyptian pharaohs have captivated the world – or been as shrouded in mystery – as King Tutankhamun. 3,000 years after his rule, the exact circumstances behind his death remain unclear. Ultimate Tutankhamun investigates 90 years’ worth of evidence to offer the most comprehensive picture of an iconic Egyptian pharaoh. New Findings & Act of God Premiering on the National Geographic Channel, Ultimate Tutankhamun follows a team of international experts, led by renowned Egyptologist Dr Chris Naunton, as they tackle some of the most enduring questions about King Tutankhamun: Why was his tomb – found virtually intact – not quite fit for a king? What makes his mummy unique? How did he die? The two-hour special blends forensic investigation, stylised reconstructions, and extensive CGI to highlight some incredible findings. A Shallow Grave? Visiting Tutankhamun’s tomb, Naunton and his team take in the ancient pharaoh’s haphazard burial site. With little decoration, modest size and absence of esoteric text, the tomb hardly feels fit for a king. Even more unusual, King Tutankhamun’s famous death mask seems to have been hastily
Intrigue, act of god and charred
mummy fashioned from a woman’s headdress, and his toes have been hacked off to fit into what appears to be an incorrectly-sized sarcophagus. Could those who prepped him for burial have borrowed the materials from his legendary stepmother Nefertiti? And, why was his tomb so spartanly designed? What Naunton ultimately discovers are a stolen tomb and plenty of ancient Egyptian political intrigue. Possible Causes of Death Naunton and his team struggle with the most pressing questions that have baffled scientists for
decades: what caused the Golden Pharaoh’s death and why was his mummy so badly charred? An extensive virtual autopsy along with forensic accident reconstruction and bone impact tests reveal that King Tut experienced severe damage to his body. While many think of him as the “boy-king”, perhaps his legacy is one of a youthful warrior whose experience on the battlefield ultimately led to his demise. When his tomb was excavated, Tutankhamun’s mummy was described as a “charred wreck” - the only royal mummy ever known to have been found in this condition. Spontaneous Combustion & More Revealed In a surprising twist, they conclude that Tut’s mummy spontaneously combusted within the gilded coffin because of self-heating oils used during
mummification. With incredible insight into King Tut’s death and burial, Naunton’s investigations also examine just how it is possible that his tomb was left so virtually intact until its discovery in 1922. Using recent geological and hydrological data as well as clues from an active excavation at another tomb, the team illustrates how the tomb was saved by an ‘Act of God’ when a mega flash flood struck the Valley of the Kings, concealing the tomb’s entrance for 3,000 years. Ultimate Tutankhamun (a two-hour special), National Geographic Channel, premieres as part of the Explorer 125 series, 19 July, Fri 9.45am, StarHub TV Ch 411 & SingTel mio TV Ch 201 Weekender Tip: Also check out the Mummy: Secrets of the Tomb exhibition, now on at the ArtScience Museum.
Kelly airs her Dirty Laundry Third time’s the charm? Not for Kelly Rowland, who goes back to R&B for her fourth album, Talk A Good Game By Charmaine Phua
Name all the members of Destiny’s Child. Most people would begin with Beyonce, then Kelly Rowland, and later remember that they forgot Michelle Williams. KELLY VS. BEYONCE Needless to say, Beyonce’s success has overshadowed that of her former partners in crime. Kelly Rowland, in her new album, Talk A Good Game, addresses the issue in what has to be her most controversial tune yet, “Dirty Laundry”. Kelly breaks open Pandora’s Box in this track, starting with her jealousy of Beyonce’s success, and culminating in her experience of being in an abusive relationship – it seems like she’s taking tips from Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato, releasing her emotions through her songs. Despite her admission of jealousy, she’s still close to them, with all three reuniting on the track entitled “You Changed”. The trio took the stage together at the Superbowl this year. BACK TO R&B With this album, Kelly revisits her R&B roots. Notable tracks include the first single, “Kisses Down Low”, which is her most successful single yet, and also the most explicit. Be warned, in case your kids start asking: “Mommy, what does that mean?” I really enjoyed the groove on “Street Life”, which features Pusha T. and was written and produced by Pharrell Williams. That’s not
the only track with Pharrell’s seal of approval – he also produced “Stand In Front Of Me”, with a distinct 1950s doo-wop spin. WHAT’S NEXT? Though she hasn’t experienced the success that Beyonce has, Kelly recorded over 70 songs for “Talk A Good Game”, so I’m sure she has another record or two up those translucent sleeves. She’ll also be back in the spotlight, taking the seat next to Simon Cowell and Demi Lovato as a judge on the next season of X-Factor (starting in September), so it’s safe to say that, sometimes, airing your dirty laundry may not be such a negative thing after all! Tune in to Charmaine Phua on Eats & Entertainment on Saturdays from 5pm-9pm, on Power 98FM.
About Charmaine Phua
Charmaine Phua is Producer/ Presenter & Music Executive of Power 98FM. Charmaine generally prefers the scent of freshly baked bread or truffle-anything to dirty laundry, but graciously gave Kelly Rowland the benefit of the doubt. Tune in to her on Power 98FM.
F
06 • WEEKENDER • july 19 - 25, 2013
OODMANIA
YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITH FUN AND HAPPINESS For a pdf copy of Weekender visit: www.facebook.com/weekendersgp
Delightful
Wood-fired grills and kiln ovens give the meat a richer flavour
surprises at
Smoked Quail Eggs with runny yolks
Hanayoshi
If you would like some spontaneity, or can’t decide what to order, leave it in the hands of the chef with Hanayoshi’s omakase menu
All fired up Love the smoky flavour of a woodfired barbecue? Look no further
By Chia Hui Jun
Tofu Salad
The Burnt Ends Sanger
Wagyu Foie Gras Nigiri
Pineapple, Rum & Vanilla
By Cheryl Chia
Any barbecue aficionado can tell you that the burnt ends are the most coveted part of any barbecue cookout. The charred ends of the brisket provide the smoky taste in a well grilled piece of meat. Burnt Ends Burnt Ends is a restaurant on Teck Lim Road which serves wonderfully-charred meals with their wood-fired grills and unique kiln ovens. The latest project started by Chef Andre Chiang of Restaurant Andre and lead by Australian Chef Dave Pynt’s Basque country sensibilities, the restaurant uses quality ingredients which are prepared in a handmade dualcavity oven where temperatures reach over 700 degrees Celsius – the first of its kind in Singapore. Dishes range from $5 to $30. Unique Cooking & Top Ingredients Chef Andre says, “We wanted to open a place with a casual environment and unique style of
Ramsay had a commanding presence
cooking, with an emphasis on top quality ingredients; I am hopeful that Singaporeans will love the concept as much as we do.” We especially like their Smoked Quail Eggs with runny yolks on the inside and the Salmon, Oyster and Seaweed with oyster emulsion, seaweed powder and salmon roe. This is a great way to start the meal. We also loved the Toast, Tomatoes and Jamon – a crusty piece of toast topped with roasted vine tomatoes and jamon [Spanish cured ham]. The Burnt Ends Sanger is not to be missed. Tender pieces of pulled pork and homemade slaw sandwiched between soft buns. We polished this off in mere minutes.
quality to them. The Wild Hibiscus, Smoked Ice Cream and Ginger was tart, smoky and had a fragrant spice to it, making it a unique dessert for sure. Also try the Pineapple, Rum and Vanilla – a grilled pineapple slice with rum and vanilla ice cream. The restaurant takes reservations for its first seating. Burnt Ends, 20 Teck Lim Road, Singapore 088391. Tel: 6224 3933
Interesting Desserts Even the desserts have a smoky
Singapore Hawkers: 2 Gordon Ramsay: 1
H
anayoshi is tucked away at Duxton Road. It is a warm, homely and quiet Japanese restaurant, with simple wooden furniture and yellow lights.
Omakase Menu Their lunch set menus are pretty affordable, from $28++, and if you can’t decide on what to order, opt for the omakase set menus ($150++ and $180++), which leaves the choice of dishes up to the chef. You may be pleasantly surprised by Chef Mitsuo Ishii and the executive chef’s creative, tasty creations. After all, Chef Ishii has served dignitaries and was previously the personal chef of two Japanese ambassadors to Singapore. We were served nine dishes for this omakase menu, which came in pretty presentations and were delectable treats. The appetiser was Nigauri Tosani, or bitter gourd with bonito flakes, followed by Tofu Salad, Sashimi, and Steamed Red Snapper. Jelly Umeshu One of their interesting and noteworthy dishes was their unique concoction of Ikegame Shuzo Jelly Umeshu, which is made up of 90 per cent jelly, instead of plum. We liked that it was cool and refreshing – great for the sweltering weather. The jelly added texture and was chewy.
Green Tea Gelato
“Chef Ishii has served dignitaries and was previously the personal chef of two Japanese ambassadors to Singapore.” There are three types of agemono, which means deep-fried dishes – Suage (where food is fried without a batter coating), Karaage (where marinated chicken is lightly covered with starch and deep fried) and Tempura. Unusual Dishes We had Tempura Moriwase, where prawns are dipped in yuzu tempura batter, and served with three-flavoured salt. This ingenious culinary idea allows for three different tastes for the same
Masterchef Gordon Ramsay loses two out of three challenges to hawkers but ends up the winner with a 1,000-strong crowd
dish. It went quite well with green tea salt, followed by the aromatic curry salt, then the sakura salt. However, our favourite dish had to be the Mango Dengaku, or grilled mango with miso. It was warm, sweet, sour and savoury at the same time, and would make a good dessert. We were served Sushi and Somen (a type of noodles) after that, and ended the meal with gelato. W Hanayoshi, 21 Duxton Road, Singapore 089487, Tel: 6225 5567 Tri-Colour Somen
By Lester J Wan The Masterchef himself, Gordon Ramsay, was in town for the Hawker Heroes Challenge at Newton Food Centre on Jul 7. There, the three-Michelin-star chef pit his skills against three of Singapore’s top hawker heroes. Mdm Foo Kui Lian of Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, Mr Ang Kiam Meng of Jumbo Seafood Restaurant [for Chilli Crab], and Mr Ryan Koh of 328 Katong Laksa were chosen out of a list of 12 popular hawkers through an online poll by SingTel. Chef Ramsay had to visit the various hawkers and to learn to cook the dishes before the event. Fanatic Fans More than 1,000 members of the public thronged to Newton Circus to witness this culinary battle. It was reported that some had even queued from 1am. The pulsing crowd cheered whenever they were queried by the host, none other than Makansutra’s KF Seetoh himself, about Ramsay or whenever they caught a glimpse of him. Before the night was over, Ramsay greeted his adoring fans and took photos with them, and even signed autographs. He was very different from his on-screen “Hell’s Kitchen” persona, and was the perfect gentleman. Squaring Off Diners were given a set of each of the hawkers’ speciality dishes, as well as Gordon’s version of each. Once they had eaten, they were asked to SMS their vote for the better version, which they preferred. Our taste and preference matched the final result. Ramsay’s Chilli Crab was fantastic, and
had a taste somewhat similar to that of the Perankan Ayam Buah Keluak curry, while Jumbo Seafood Restaurant’s Chilli Crab tasted a bit too sweet and was fairly starchy. Tian Tian Chicken Rice and 328 Katong Laksa were in a league of their own and were incomparable to Ramsay’s rendition of the two dishes. Katong Laksa’s gravy was rich, creamy and flavourful, while Ramsay’s Laksa was a bit too spicy and biting to taste. Love for Singaporean Food “It’s been phenomenal to see how passionate the people of Singapore are about their hawker fare. The hawkers have impressed me with their ability to whip-up dishes with such amazing flavours,” said Ramsay. “I can say without doubt the people of Singapore have much to be proud of – authentic, genuine, simple food that is of amazing quality and flavour,” he added. Said Mdm Foo of Tian Tian, “I enjoyed teaching Chef Ramsay the art of making chicken rice. The SingTel Hawker Heroes Challenge was a wonderful celebration of the good food we have here in Singapore.” Plans for Singapore When pressed on further thoughts about Singapore and possible plans, he immediately responded that he loves Singapore and that he is definitely looking into plans for something here.
1
Perrier celebrates 150 years, with Warhol 2
1. Ramsay's Chilli Crab was fantastic, and easily won 2. His laksa was too spicy and could not compare to 328 Katong Laksa
A new restaurant or Masterchef Singapore perhaps? We can expect to hear more in the near future. Ultimately, the winners are Singaporean hawkers and Singaporean food.
Perrier celebrates its 150th anniversary with unique Andy Warhol designs French carbonated water brand Perrier celebrates its 150th anniversary with unique Andy Warhol designs on its label. This series is presented in four design variations. In 1983, Jean Davray – the person responsible for the modern version of Perrier – met Andy Warhol himself. Warhol then went to Paris and designed a collection of silk-screened Perrier bottles. Perrier has redone its label to celebrate its 150 years with vibrant backgrounds and pop art. The limited edition bottles will be introduced in stages at major
supermarkets such as Cold Storage, NTUC FairPrice X’tra, Isetan, etc. Collect them all!
For a pdf copy of Weekender visit: www.facebook.com/weekendersgp
RECIPE
A
july 19 - 25, 2013 • WEEKENDER • 07
YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITH FUN AND HAPPINESS
FOODMANI
Abalone and mushrooms make a great delicacy
Chinese delicacies are usually savoured on special occasions but Ah Yat Seafood offers these mouth-watering dishes at great prices
Pork Belly
Craving for a good pork belly? Why not make it yourself with this recipe? Chef Immanuel Tee, Chef de Cuisine of Keystone Restaurant, shares his Pork Belly recipe with us. This Pork Belly dish is inspired by Chef's Immanuel's childhood memories of the dish, and its flavours are robust. “Growing up, I realised that pork always makes its way to the dining table in just about every meal. It is a favourite with locals and one of my favourite ingredients to work with,” says Chef Immanuel. “I dedicate this dish to my mum who has through the years prepared her home-fashioned rendition for the family more than a thousand times,” he adds. This Pork Belly dish was also part of the Farm Fresh workshop, under the Singapore Food Festival, that was held on Jul 4. Ingredients • 60g of pork belly [from Snake River Farms] • 1 organic egg • 300g of agria potato • 10g of jamón Ibérico pork or bacon • Gourmet whip • 15g of porcini, 25g of shiitake and 25g of button mushrooms • 150g of sake • 60g of mirin • 15g of shoyu
• 40g of brown rice • 1.5g of texturas (gelling agent) • Salt and pepper • Butter Method • Cook the pork belly sous vide [sealed in an airtight plastic bag, in a water bath] at 65 degrees Celsius for 18 hours. Follow with a slow braise with sake, mirin, shoyu and brown rice for another 3 hours. • At 63 degrees Celsius, cook the organic egg sous vide for 30 minutes. • For the espuma, season the cooked agria potato with salt, pepper and butter. Follow by puréeing. Add the texturas and pour in the gourmet whip. Add two nitrogen cylinders and shake hard. • Sweat the jamón Ibérico slowly for 20 minutes to ready the fat, and then add the porcini, shiitake and button mushrooms. Lightly season and cook until tender. • Complete the dish with a crouton of jamón Ibérico, dehydrated for 5 hours. Keystone Restaurant Pte Ltd, 11 Stanley St, Singapore 068730, info@keystonerestaurant.com.sg
Suckling pig and Peking duck are traditional Chinese delicacies usually reserved for festive or special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and the Lunar New Year, and few would splurge on it on a day-to-day basis. But if you are craving their succulent meat and crispy skin, Ah Yat Seafood may be the solution. Suckling Pig and Peking Duck Set Ah Yat Seafood is offering a super value Suckling Pig and Peking Duck Set ($398++ for ten persons, $258++ with half suckling pig for six persons). This delectable set comprises a roasted whole suckling pig, whole abalone, braised shark’s fin, fish, prawn and crab – food fit for a king. This set is amazing value for money, as the whole roasted suckling pig already costs $188. Or you can opt for the Peking Duck, King Crab and Abalone Set ($298++ for ten persons, $198++ for six persons), which also includes thick lobster soup with seafood, stir-fried prawn
Seen and heard to be the best local Singaporean food
puff
Onan Road Karipap These karipaps also contain the typical curried potatoes within flaky layered pastry. However, these karipaps are eaten with their ‘special sauce’ which brings out the flavour even further. 124 Onan Road, Singapore 424536 Balmoral Bakery This bakery in the West has been around for more than 40 years. It sells flaky curry puffs, beef puffs and chicken pies as well. 105 Clementi St 12, #01-06, Singapore 120105
“Whether the Chinese made curry puff, the Indian karipap or the Malay epok-epok, this humble pastry snack is definitely a local love.”
The curry puff is the quintessential local snack that satisfies those mid-day munchies with its crispy pastry shell and soft curried filling, sometimes with a slice of hard-boiled egg. Whether the Chinese-made curry puff, the Indian karipap or the Malay epok-epok, this humble pastry snack is definitely a local love. Epok Epok Central Epok Epok Central is heralded to have the best epok-epok in town. These puffs have a lighter, flaky pastry and are stuffed either with potato, potato and egg, or sardines. They are fried fresh throughout the day so you’ll get them nice and warm most of the time. Block 4A, Eunos Crescent, #01-09, Singapore 402004
The Suckling Pig Set is great value
great prices
with celery and scallop, steamed pa-tin fish in Nonya style, stewed whole fresh abalone or Japanese mushrooms and vegetables, stirfried duck meat with black pepper, fried Alaska king crab with salted egg yolk, braised Ee-Fu noodles with mushrooms, and dessert. Eat to your heart’s content! Ah Yat’s Famous Dishes Besides these sets, you can’t go wrong with Ah Yat’s famous Fresh Stewed Whole Abalone with Japanese Mushroom and Vegetables; Braised Shark’s Fin with Four Treasures including
“This delectable set comprises a roasted whole suckling pig, whole abalone, braised shark’s fin, fish, prawn and crab – food fit for a king.”
WORD OF MOUTH
The perfect
Chinese delicacies at
Old Chang Kee This fried snack chain is as iconic as they come in Singapore. They sell hot, deep-fried sardine and curry puffs. Although Old Chang Kee has become a chain, selling many types of snacks, its curry puffs are still known to be one of the best. Do try their other savoury snacks. Visit www. oldchangkee.com for the list of outlets. Tip Top Curry Puff These are the old school curry puffs we grew up with. Buttery crust, fragrant fillings with egg, chicken chunks and spices. This is a popular choice. Block 722 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8, #01-2843, Singapore 560722
sharks’ fin, sea cucumber slice, fish maw slice and mushroom slice (diners who don’t eat shark’s fin can have fish stomach as replacement); the well-known Chilli Crab; Steamed Live Sea Prawn with Bamboo Basket; Deep Fried Soon Hock Fish; Stewed Bean Curd; Braised Ee-Fu Noodles and selected desserts. Deep discounts If you are a seafood lover, Ah Yat also offers live seafood and Hong Kong dim sum daily at a whopping 40 per cent discount, with a wide selection of more than 80 types of live seafood from all over the world, including Alaskan King Crab, and Geoduck Clam cooked in the style preferred by diners. With Ah Yat Seafood, you don’t have to wait for a special occasion to indulge in traditional Chinese delicacies.
Deep Fried Soon Hock Fish
Two sets with Peking Duck give you great options
Ah Yat Seafood, Turf City Main Grandstand; Jurong Bird Park, Tel: 6883 2112/6265 8218
H
08 • WEEKENDER • july 19 - 25, 2013
YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITH FUN AND HAPPINESS
EALTH & BEAUTY
For a pdf copy of Weekender visit: www.facebook.com/weekendersgp
BEAUTY IN BRIEF The Long and the short of the beauty industry for this week
crabtree & evelyn
Toni & Guy
Designed to cleanse and condition the skin. Each hand wash from Crabtree & Evelyn is infused with a light fragrance in an array of jewel-like colours. It is free of parabens, propylene glycol phtalate and mineral-oils.
For the summer season, Toni & Guy recommends casually un-tucked ends, reinventing the classic chignon, kooky topknots and punked-up waves. To help achieve these styles, try using these products from Toni & Guy such as the Reconstruction Mask ($25.90) and the Heat Protection Mist ($21.90). Available at select Guardian and Watsons outlets.
Maybelline
Coming in Hot Pink and Navy Blue, these Hyper Glossy Runway Pop Liquid Liner delivers ten times the shine of regular eyeliners. It is waterproof and smudge-proof as well. Add a bright pop of colour to your daily makeup to spice up your look. Available at Watsons, Sasa, Guardian and select department stores from September. Marc Anthony Morocco has been known for centuries as a beauty standard for healthy-looking hair. With argan oil as the foundation of this new collection, it strengthens, moisturises and makes hair shine. The Oil of Morocco collection combines argan oil with keratin to protect and correct hair follicles. Price ranges from $17.90 to $18.90. Available at Ngee Ann City, Bugis Junction, Ion Orchard, Marina Square and Vivo City.
Dermalogica The MultiVitamin Power Serum by Dermalogica uses a boost of multiple vitamins to fight the skin ageing process, with an increased efficacy thanks to a new active ingredient Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate that intercepts the aging process at the dermal layer. Available at AsterSpring Origins of Beauty Centres and all Dermalogicaauthorised treatment centres.
Hee Premium Series Our Korean counterparts are known for their flawless skin and clear complexions. Four non-invasive Hee Premium beauty products with LED Light Therapy properties have been launched in Singapore: Hee Magic Acne, Hee Magic White, Hee Magic Collagen and Hee Magic Duo (a combination of Hee Magic White and Hee Magic Collagen). The sophisticated technological beauty devices from Korea will target three skin conditions – acne, ageing skin and dark spots – in a natural, safe and effective way. Visit www.heewellness.com to purchase.
SPECIAL FEATURE Enhance your bust for greater beauty Natural bust enhancements, in multiple locations around Singapore Tokyo Bust Express is comfortable and professional
Enhance your beauty with a better bust
Promotion FREE: 1 x 120 min Session of Customised Bust Enhancement Therapy (UP $688), suited to individuals’ needs + a complimentary Bust-Up Kit worth $288 (first 30 calls / SMSes only). Please call 6262 6161 or SMS WE_ Name_NRIC to 8533 0226.
A woman only has one pair of breasts to last a lifetime and the need to protect them and prevent the stresses of life and age from taking their toll is paramount. Tokyo Bust Express naturally enhances your bust. Best of all, Tokyo Bust Express is located in multiple locations. Reverse the Course of Nature Childbirth, breast-feeding and general genetics could cause your bust area to sag, become misshapen or become disproportionate. Or you could be too flat for your liking. After just one session, you’ll look and feel the difference in your bust. A typical session starts off with an individual personalised bust analysis to assess the best treatment for your current condition. Tokyo Bust Express prides itself in the Japanese ideal
of beauty – hairlessness, slimness and full breasts.
detecting abnormalities in the mammary.
Natural Enhancements Tokyo Bust Express utilises an organic soybeans extract naturally-brimmed with phytonutrients coupled with age-old Japanese concepts. Implementing Nippon’s specialty, Tokyo Bust Express uses non-surgical methods to enhance your bust region with the help of traditional Japanese massage techniques combined with the most advanced bust technology. These methods help to revitalise and strengthen breast support tissues to enhance the décolleté area without the pain of injections or the dangers of unknown pills. The methods also help to boost circulation and the well-being of the bust area by opening up the lymphatic nodes, breaking up benign cysts and possibly
Correcting Imperfections Phyto-nutrients constituents are used in their patent serum and essence have been selected carefully to manipulate the breast region’s glandular tissue. The ingredients align with female hormones, correcting any imperfections. To enhance your bust and to bring out your beauty, head down to Tokyo Bust Express.
Tokyo Bust Express, Park Mall, Square 2, Nex and City Square Mall. Tel: 6262 6161
July 19 - 25, 2013 • WEEKENDER • 09
YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITH FUN AND HAPPINESS For a pdf copy of Weekender visit: www.facebook.com/weekendersgp
Deborah’s best friend, Janna, who always visited whenever she could
HEALTH & BEAUT
After discharge, after the major ‘attack’, Deborah went on her first long trip with friends
Deborah in hospital after the latest relapse, when she was feeling much better
Anti-NMDAR Auto Immune Encephalitis is a rare condition that affects the immune system. We hear firsthand about the courage to overcome this CONDITION By Deborah Yap
Anti-NMDAR Auto Immune Encephalitis is an antibodymediated disorder that causes psychiatric features, confusion, memory loss and seizures, followed by a movement disorder, loss of consciousness and autonomic fluctuations. Some patients initially have hallucinations whereby they display bizarre and often disturbing behaviours, and sometimes they are mistaken for having a mental illness. Subsequently, they may be misdiagnosed as having a mental disorder. Positive Response to Treatment The patient can respond well, albeit often slowly, to various immunotherapies and / or the removal of an underlying ovarian
courage to face L
ike most 22-year-old female undergraduates in their final year of studies, I was preparing hard for my exams. Little did I realise, I would be facing life-threatening challenges. Something Brewing On Nov 28, 2011, the unexpected occurred. I suffered my first bout of fits, in school. The medical tests turned out negative. I recovered and I was back to myself within a day. On Dec 30, 2011, I had multiple fits at home and, while warded at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, I developed a high fever and I remained at a low level of consciousness. Over the next week, my condition stabilised but I was still not myself. Unusual symptoms I gradually deteriorated into short ‘frozen’ periods of time lasting a minute or two, and drooling at times. These were silent seizures and my arms would tremble and feel very warm as if I was running a very high fever.
Deborah with her sister and her mom
The frequency of the silent seizures gradually increased and so did the duration of each seizure. My motor control was also impaired, and I would choke while eating solid food or drinking. As I could not feed myself, I depended heavily on family members and nurses. the ‘other side’ A week later, I developed a series of continuous silent seizures
the other
side
over a couple of hours which then broke out into a series of fits lasting one to two minutes each. I began to hallucinate. I walked out of my ward, talking to invisible friends, and I experienced personality changes – behaving childlike. The nurses strapped me to the chair as I was restless, refusing to sleep and disturbing other patients. I could not speak in complete sentences
and, at times, could not make myself understood. Words with five syllables or more were a challenge. Speech therapy was of great help. My loved ones felt like strangers. This had to be the lowest point of my life as I came face to face with ‘the other side of me’.
What It Actually Is On Jan 20, 2012, doctors confirmed my condition as “Anti-NMDA Receptor (NMDAR) Auto Immune Encephalitis”. It is a neurological condition that was first diagnosed only recently, in 2007.
tumour that often comes with the condition. Fortunately, I did not have any tumour. After a treatment of steroids and other seizuremanagement drugs, I completely recovered and was discharged on Feb 8, 2012. To this day, I have very little recollection of that month. Following my doctors’ advice, I rested for two months at home. I resumed my studies but with medication and a reduced academic load. Relapse and Control Unexpectedly, I had a relapse on
Y
Feb 26, this year, while preparing for my exams. This time, the changes and hallucinations were less extreme. I believe early diagnosis, case history and medication helped. Nonetheless, the severity of the seizures and their increasing frequency alarmed the doctors and I was transferred to the High Dependency Ward. Likewise, my medication had to be increased. My cognitive function was temporarily impaired and I had trouble making simple decisions. I was told that my consciousness levels were so low that I fell asleep while eating. For fear of more seizures, I had to be confined to the bed, and fed and bathed by the nursing staff. I finally recovered and was discharged on Mar 25.
Hope for the Future Today, I am on a one-year immune-suppression treatment recommended by doctors and I have postponed my academic studies. I look forward to pursuing my passion – a career in baking and pastry. My prayers are with medical researchers and doctors to find an answer to this dreadful auto immune disorder, of which 80 per cent of sufferers are younger women. I thank God that I was spared the extreme symptoms and condition of the disorder. For greater awareness and Help As this condition is extremely rare, it is important to help to spread awareness so that more will know about it. This may also reduce the chance of misdiagnosis. Former journalist Susannah Cahalan, a previous victim, has published a book and set up a website dedicated to providing more information about Anti-NMDAR Auto Immune Encephalitis. Go to www. susannahcahalan.com for more. If you experience any of the symptoms, please consult a doctor immediately. W Visit Deborah’s blog at oceansizedlovee.wordpress. com for more on her personal experience.
F
10 • WEEKENDER • july 19 - 25, 2013
AMILY & FRIENDS
YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITH FUN AND HAPPINESS For a pdf copy of Weekender visit: www.facebook.com/weekendersgp
Part
One 3
Dealing with
Teens Young people can be difficult to understand, or to deal with. Here is the first part of a series of questions and answers on teenagers
Q
UESTION:
A
NSWER:
demonstrates a growing ability to regulate his or her behaviour.
I’ve heard about the discipline and training of strong-willed toddlers, but what about strong-willed teenagers? Many of the basic principles used with toddlers still apply, but it is crucial you begin to put them into practice now:
Fun with
Have you found it hard to understand your teenager at home? Do you sometimes find it difficult to deal with a strong-willed teen? Here is a question on teenagers, with some answers from Focus on the Family.
1
Be confident and have a proper plan of action in mind. Eat healthy meals, get enough sleep, and take care of your emotional health as you need strength and self-control to handle a challenge like this.
2
Establish clear guidelines.
Communicate your expectations and the consequences for disobedient behaviour in advance, and make sure everyone understands them.
Have fun over the weekend with your family, with lots to do at Downtown East
the family at
Implement consequences promptly and consistently. If your teen challenges these standards, stay calm and don’t let them seize control of the situation. Teens of all temperaments are trying to form an identity at this stage, which leads to behaviour calculated to define ‘self’ in opposition to or over and against the values, beliefs, wishes and instructions of the parents. Therefore, it’s important to categorise your guidelines as such: non-negotiable rules, negotiable rules and rules that can be discarded as your adolescent matures and
Teach your teen about the reality of consequences when rules are broken.
Talk about the ripple effect of the choices we make in life – on ourselves, our friends, our families and the world around us. Negative consequences should take the form of lost privileges (phone or computer time, curfews, or access to the car). Match disobedient behaviours with appropriate consequences.
4
Affirm any attempt to cooperate.
One effective way to promote cooperation is to establish a point system based on chores that need to be done around the house: every chore earns a certain number of points, and points can be used to ‘buy back’ privileges lost as a result of rebellious behaviour. This helps adolescents understand the links between actions and outcomes.
5
Watch for strategies that separate you and your spouse.
You and your spouse must be on the same page to discipline effectively, as most strong-willed teens will pit the ‘softer’ parent against the ‘stricter’ one. If this applies in your case, consider seeking counselling as a family. Strong-willed kids often have at least one strong-willed parent, and it is difficult to work through the complex family dynamics associated with this clashing of wills without the assistance of a trained specialist. For information and support, feel free to contact Focus on the Family’s Counselling Department.
The school holidays may have come to an end, but that certainly does not mean that your weekends have to be boring. Take your children out for fun surprises and entertaining events at Downtown East this July and August. Exciting Events & Vouchers With three exciting events and activities coming up in August, there is more reason to celebrate at Downtown East. Pop by on Aug 10 to participate in games and stand a chance to purchase National Day Mystery Bags priced at just $4.80. These bags contain Costa Sands Resort
Nickelodeon slime cup Calling all Nicksters! The Nickelodeon Slime Cup is coming to Singapore on Jul 20 and 21. This actionpacked weekend will be filled with Nickelodeon’s signature green slime, soccer-themed games and prizes, as well as free-style soccer performances for the whole family to enjoy! There is also up to *1,500 goodie bags to be redeemed. Your child’s favourite Nickelodeon friends such as Spongebob Squarepants, Patrick Star, Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go! and the ever-popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be at Downtown East! They will be there live, and ready for phototaking opportunities. Create memories for your children with this event. It’s free admission, so get ready to be slimed! Remember to pack an extra set of clothing. Movie Preview: Planes On Aug 31, kids are welcome to a movie date with eXplorerkid to catch a movie preview of Planes, an animated film by Disney, before heading for unlimited hours of playtime in eXplorerkid at Downtown East, and to join in the art and craft activities. Mark those dates down and head to Downtown East. Visit www.downtowneast.com.sg or www.explorerkid.com for more details. *Terms
Have fun and get slimed with Nickelodeon activities
HELLO
Be aware of the day-to-day details of his or her life at home and at school. Take time to talk about any fears and anxieties they have, and to gain insight into circumstances that may be driving the disobedient behaviour. Express genuine concern for your teen’s well-being and teach some basic skills for managing negative emotions and maintaining positive relationships with other people. W Used by permission of Focus on the Family Singapore. Visit www. family.org.sg for more parenting resources. © 2010 Focus on the Family. All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
/weekendersgp Have you liked us on Facebook?
Babies - aren’t they the cutest things ever? That’s why Weekender dedicates a section to your adorable darlings in diapers. Send us your favourite photos of your newborn, so the rest of us can coo and ‘ahh’ over him / her too! What better way is there to celebrate your child than to share him / her with the rest of the world?
WORLD Email your photos to
general@weekender.com.sg . Please make sure to include your baby’s name and
Athreya Srinivasan Born Feb 27, 2012
Naura Qeesya Bte Rohaizad Born Nov 18, 2012
surname, gender and date of birth. We look forward to receiving photos of your loved one!
Aiden Zhuo Born Aug 19, 2012 Charlene Ang Yee Teng Born Oct 6, 2012
and conditions apply. While stocks last.
“Take your children out for fun surprises and entertaining events...”
Stay in touch with your teenager’s feelings.
Klaryss Ng Born Oct 25, 2012
vouchers, Wild Wild Wet tickets and / or other mysterious goodies. The bags are worth $14.80 and, if you are really lucky, even $480 each. Cultural & Entertainment Events Hari Raya Puasa is also coming up and an evening of cultural performances such as the traditional Malay dikir barat is lined up for Aug 24. Take this opportunity to expose your child to other cultures or even to educate them about their heritage.
6
Evans Chua Born Jun 18, 2012
Downtown East Meet Dora and Diego and other stars live at Downtown East
“Talk about the ripple effect of the choices we make in life – on ourselves, our friends, our families...”
Atticus Jax Pang Born Jan 21, 2013
JULY 19 - 25, 2013 • WEEKENDER • 11
YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITH FUN AND HAPPINESS For a pdf copy of Weekender visit: www.facebook.com/weekendersgp
Food before sex please, we’re Singaporeans Snacks over sex, say Singaporean Vacationers. A 2013 study reveals vacation priorities of Singaporean beachgoers Most Singaporeans would eat more than they normally would
65% Singaporean beachgoers are the most gluttonous travellers in the world, according to the 2013 Flip Flop Report global survey. Food Over Sex In the study, 65 per cent of Singaporeans surveyed confessed that they would eat more than they normally would while on holiday. In contrast, only one in two (53 per cent) would get intimate with their partner during the vacation, while a mere 9 per cent said that they would get intimate with a stranger – one of the lowest rankings globally.
waste, 39 per cent will also buy a new beach outfit and 14 per cent will go for a sun tan to flaunt their beach-ready body. Another surprising finding from the study showed that 29 per cent of Singaporean beachgoers have gone nude or topless on a beach before, higher than the global average of 27 per cent. Singaporeans are not so conservative after all! The Sun, the Sand & the Savvy Holiday-makers from India, Malaysia and Singapore are the most connected to social media. About 34 per cent of Singaporeans indicated that they will share their videos online and 56 per cent stated that they will share photos on various social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. That is one in two Singaporeans!
The Flip Flop Report Expedia’s 2013 Flip Flop Report is an analysis of the behaviour and preferences among beachgoers around the world. Conducted from Apr 19 to May 15, the online study spans North America, South America, Europe and Asia Pacific. It reveals the behaviour and attitudes toward beach vacations of over 8,000 travellers above 18 years old in 21 countries, with 305 Singaporean participants. Looking Good is Everything Many Singaporeans are determined to lose their excess weight before they go on holiday. About 29 per cent indicated that they work out before their vacation, higher than the regional average of 27 per cent. Not to put their good figure to
Insider’s Guide
8
Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon City Hall
Tourists in Japan usually go to pulsing Tokyo to experience most of the aspects of Japanese life, or to Osaka, for its hearty cuisine and cultural attractions, one of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE Compared to the congested roads in Tokyo or Osaka, Kyushu is considered among Singaporeans an ideal countryside destination for self-drive holidays as it is an easy place to drive around, and the Japanese drive on the same side of the road. Nonetheless, nothing beats being driven around or being taken on a guided tour. SingExpress Travel has a 7D6N Wondrous Kyushu tour, which brings you to scenic sights in Miyazaki, Kagoshima, Ibusuki, Kumamoto, Yanagawa, Nagasaki and more. NATURAL WONDERS Be swept away by the spectacular, panoramic view atop one of the most famous active volcanoes in Japan when you take the Mount Aso Ropeways. Kusasenri is a great location with a view of Mt. Nakadake. It’s a shallow, square prairie over the northern base of Mt. Eboshidake. There’s a large pond in the centre and horses graze on the pasture. Another gorgeous site you’ll be visiting is the Takachiho Gorge, which was created by the Gokase River eroding Aso lava. This natural wonder is where many waterfalls cascade from precipitous cliffs into a ravine.
Ho Chi Minh City is a great place for a quick weekend getaway. The food is good and cheap due to the currency exchange rate. There is also much nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City, and a lot of cultural sights to take in during the day. I should know; I lived there. Here are eight places you should visit when you take a trip to Ho Chi Minh City.
Ben Thanh Market, District 1 A large market in the middle of District 1, Ben Thanh Market sells wet goods such as fish and seafood, cooked food items,
2
REST AND RELAX You will be taking the Yanagawa
Tokyo and Osaka are popular destinations in Japan, but Kyushu is fast gaining popularity. See what’s amazing about this lesser known place
Kyushu Takachiho Gorge
Be swept away by the sight of volcanic mountains and other landscapes
Traditional drummers in a lively public performance
River Boat Cruise down Yanagawa’s main attraction, on a poled gondola-like boat with willow trees swaying in the wind. Unwind with a hot sand bath at Ibusuki, where baths are heated by natural subterranean geysers. LUXURIOUS STAYS AND SHOPPING Comfortable lodging is key in a holiday. There is a three-night stay at onsen (hot spring) hotels and a one-night stay at the elegant Huis Ten Bosch Hotel. You’ll also be brought to Tosu
Ben Thanh Market and its colours
The Cu Chi Tunnels from the Vietnam War
Ibusuki Hakusuikan Sandbath
beaten trail:
N
places to visit in
1
Off the
Ho Chi Minh City is great for a weekend of sightseeing, eating and partying. Here are some places you can go By Cheryl Chia
Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1 If it’s your first time to Ho Chi Minh City, the backpacker area of Pham Ngu Lao is great. It is about 20 minutes from the airport and it is surrounded by bars and cafes. Pham Ngu Lao is also walking distance from a lot of sights. Luxury hotels such as the Caravelle Hotel are also in this district.
More on the Flip Flop Report 2013 can be found here: www. expedia.com.sg/expedia-flip-flopreport-2013
TRAVELATIO
Premium Outlets and Tenjin Underground Shopping Arcade – the largest of its kind in Kyushu – for a spot of shopping, before flying back to Singapore the next day. Book this remarkable 7D6N Kyushu tour with SingExpress Travel for unique travel memories today. SingExpress Travel Pte Ltd, People’s Park Complex #02-05, Tel: 6438 2221; 10 Toh Guan Road, #08-01, Tel: 6823 1668; www.singexpress.com.sg
dried goods, souvenirs, tourist clothing, cushion covers and decorative items. Beware of pickpockets. Always remember the entrance you came in from. Pho Hoa, Pasteur Street This is as local as it gets. The best pho [say “fur”] in town can be found at Pho Hoa on Pasteur Street. Dip the fried dough sticks [much like our eu char kway] in the soup for the most authentic local dining experience. Located at 260C Pasteur Street, Dist 1.
3
Trois Gourmands, District 2 This place may be a bit far from the centre, but if you love French food, this is the place for you. Imagine a sevencourse meal for a mere US$45. Everything is full-sized and you’ll eat until you burst. Located at 18 Tong Huu Dinh, Thao Dien, Dist 2.
4
Cu Chi Tunnels Take one of the tours from the backpacker district to the Cu Chi Tunnels, for about US$6, and see
5
the ingenuity of the Vietnamese during the Vietnam War. The complex underground tunnel network helped them to avoid the attacks above, on the ground. Some of these tours will also take you around the city to see the Notre Dame, the Post Office and the Reunification Palace. Lush One of the better clubs in Ho Chi Minh City, the drinks here are cheap and the music is fairly good. It has a mixed crowd of expats and young Vietnamese. Ladies, take note, Tuesday is ladies night here. Visit www.lush.vn for more information.
6
Bun Thit Nuong Noodles
Nha Hang Ngon, Pasteur Street If you love Vietnamese street food, you have to visit Nha Hang Ngon. Try the Bun Thit Nuong Cha Gio – a rice noodle dish with pickled vegetables, grilled pork and Vietnamese nem, all drenched with a bowl of tangy fish sauce. Located at 160 Pasteur St, Dist 1. W
8
Saigon Square 1 and 2 If you want to do a spot of shopping, try Saigon Square 1 and 2 for some cheap buys. These places also carry a few ‘over-runs’ from branded goods such as Forever 21 and Banana Republic. So, if you are lucky, you might find a good steal.
7
Fried Nem
12 • WEEKENDER • JULY 19 - 25, 2013
YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED with FUN AND HAPPINESS
Weekender is published by Weekender Group Pte Ltd, 80 Playfair Road, #02-03, Blk A, Singapore 367998. Printed by KHL Printing Co Pte Ltd, 57 Loyang Drive, Singapore 508968.