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Singapore American • September 2015
Turn up the volume and prepare to be swept up in a roar of high octane engines and glamorous parties as the 2015 Formula 1 Singapore
Airlines Singapore Grand Prix (better known as the F1) swaggers into town. Unquestionably, this is the top international sporting event to hit Singapore, a hugely thrilling occasion which everyone can enjoy even if you don’t know anything about (or don’t like) motor racing. Embrace your inner racer and read on for a couple of pointers to make the most of your F1 experience.
Singapore, like Monaco, is a street circuit with no long sweeps of track, so don’t expect much passing. If it is imperative you have a really good view of the cars, then it is best to buy a pit grandstand ticket where you can see the cars line up at the start. That said, F1 Singapore is so much more than racing cars! It first started back in 2008 and, in the ensuing seven years, this night race has become an eclectic mix of racing and entertainment, with international bands and parties adding a unique twist to the event.
In true Singapore style, the event organization is hugely efficient. Once you pass through the gantry and into the track area, you can move around freely (except for Zone One) and there is very little queueing, even at the end of the evening. There are plenty of places to see the cars even if you do not have a seat. There is also a good mix of food and drinks available at The Padang. The circuit is large and can get very hot, so dress accordingly and wear comfortable shoes as you will want to walk around and make the most of the spectacle. Taxis are plentiful (especially near to The Fullerton Hotel). The best MRT station to use is City Hall.
Formula 1 takes place over a weekend (Friday, September 18 – Sunday, September 20) and consists of three practice sessions, qualifying and the race itself. There are plenty of opportunities to see the cars and you are certainly not limited to just Sunday evening. The viewing areas are divided into zones with Zone One being the best seats. The tickets are progressively more expensive each day.
Practice FridayIf you just want to dip your toe into the F1 water, then go on Friday for the two, 90-minute practice sessions. At time of print, there were walk-about tickets available for $68, the cheapest tickets for any of the F1 race events. It is magical to see and hear the cars for the first time, so make your way to the top of The Esplanade where you get a great aerial view. The ticket price also includes Pharrell Williams performing at The Padang.Qualifying Saturday Qualifying for the race takes place on Saturday and there are three stages for 20 drivers to qualify: Q1, Q2 and Q3.
In Q1, drivers have 18 minutes to clock a fast time. The five slowest cars are eliminated and will start the race in the final five places on the grid.
In Q2, times are reset and the remaining cars participate in a 15-minute session. The five slowest
Continued on page 8
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
American Association of Singapore Strategic Partners
American Association.....2-3
Member Discounts..............3
CRCE & Business.............4-5
Community News............6-9
Travel.............................10-11
Newcomers Guide toSingapore.....................12-20
Health & Wellness.......21-22
Food & Dining............23-25
Arts & Culture...............26-27
What's Happening............28
Travel 10-11 Food & Dining 23-25 Newcomers 12-20
MCI (P) 185/03/2015
www.aasingapore.com September 2015
A very personal look at the 9/11 Museum in New York City
Things all newbies to Singapore need to know
Health & Wellness 21-22
How to handle a medical emergency on vacation
Navigating Singapore's wet markets
Since 1958
Here Come the Lights!By Anne Morgan
Singapore American • September 2015
EDITORIALEditor-in-Chief: Melinda Murphy, [email protected]
Publishing Editor: Toni Dudsak, [email protected]
DESIGN & LAYOUTGraphic Designer: Joanne Johnson, [email protected]
ADVERTISINGAdvertising Manager: Valerie Tietjen, [email protected]
CONTRIBUTORSKyle Aldous, Faith Chanda, Lena Chong, Kevin F. Cox, Nithia Devan,Melissa Diagana, Rob Faraone, Anna Lewandowska, Joel Ostrom, Chris J. Reed,Laura Schwartz, Matt Thompson , Tana Vine, Dr. Paul E. Zakowich
American Association : Alka Chandiramani, Mary Ferrante, Anne Morgan, Melinda Murphy
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERSPresident: Glenn van Zutphen • Vice President: Steven TuckerTreasurer: Joseph Foggiato, • Secretary: Stephanie NashDirectors: James Arpin, Shawn Galey, Christopher Keen, Mary Beth McCrory and Ana Mims Immediate Past President: David Boden • AmCham Chair: James AndradeAmerican Club President: Scott Weber • AWA President: Annette FosterSACAC Chair: Stu Wilson • SAS Chair: Catherine Poyen US Embassy: Chahrazed Sioud
Non-Voting Member: US Military: Rear Admiral Charles F. Williams
PUBLISHER - AMERICAN ASSOCIATIONThe 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: [email protected] • 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.
SUBSCRIPTIONA subscription to the Singapore American is complimentary with an AAS or CRCE membership. AAS an-nual 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.
SINGAPORE AMERICAN NEWSPAPER
AMERICANASSOCIATION
2
A Message from the President...
I seriously have no idea where the past eight months have gone; it’s all an SG50 blur.As many of you return from holiday and to your “normal” schedule, AAS will offer some
interesting and fun activities. The bar is set high after all of the great times we had at our Independence Day, SG50 celebrations, shopping at the new Warehouse Club and our annual AAS Welcome Back celebration at Smokey’s BBQ. Special thanks goes to Ambassador and Mrs. Wagar and the many folks from the US Embassy, Navy, SAS, community members and, of course, our newest members for joining us at Smokey’s.
This month, we’ve got several Career Resource Center for Excellence events (“Reinventing Yourself,” “Becoming an Entrepreneur” and “How to Ace Your Interview”) as well as our quarterly Quiz Night on September 17 and another of our very popular (and free) Living in Singapore talks on September 29 where you can find out about traditions, food, health & wellness and shopping in our tropical island home. As always, watch for details in our weekly emails or see our events calendar at www.aasingapore.com.
Remember, too, that SAN is available online, every month. Whip out your mobile device and go to the Publications tab on our website for your on-the-go newspaper. In this issue, enjoy our articles on: how to navigate a wet market, a newbie’s guide to Singlish, dealing with medical emergencies while away from home, how to make the most of the upcoming Singapore F1 and much more.
As always, please contact me or General Manager Toni Dudsak: [email protected] with your great ideas and visit our Facebook page or tweet us: @AmAssocSG, (hashtag #AmAssocSG on Facebook, Twitter).Best,
Glenn van [email protected]: @glennvanzutphen
Singapore American • September 2015
Present your American Association membership card and receive:5% Discount for longterm leasing on a Harley-Davidson10% Discount for daily rental on a Harley-Davidson Call 6475 0123 or email to
Walk For Our Children 2015 Come join AAS in supporting our 2015 charity, Singapore Children’s Society, at its annual fund-raising walkathon and carnival. You’re guaranteed to have a great time at this fun-filled day while helping children.
8:30am-12:30pmPalawan Beach, Sentosa
Quiz Night at Smokey'sSeptember’s annual quiz with Distinguished University Alumnae League (DUAL) is at Smokey’s! Price includes two beers per person and a snack of nachos or Smokey’s famous Buffalo chicken wings per table of six.
7-9pmSmokey’s BBQBlk 106 Clementi Street 12, #01-54/56. Singapore, 120106AAS member: $35 • Team of 6: $180
Living in Singapore TalkAre you new to Singapore or do you simply want to learn more about your tropical home? Join us for an exclusive event, as a panel of experts shares its knowledge on settling in; health and wellness, shopping and Singapore’s heritage and culture. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to gain valuable insight and meet new friends.
7-9pmFree event for AAS members and SAS families only. Registration required.
Putting Down RootsHere’s the perfect chance to support Singapore and be a part of the American Association’s heritage on “The Little Red Dot” for the next 50 years!In honor of SG50 and as part of AmCham’s Corporate Community Day, AAS has a unique opportunity to plant 51 trees at the Woodlands Park Connector, one for every US state, plus one for Singapore. And for just $200, you can personally sponsor a tree and be part of the ceremony.Don’t miss this golden opportunity to leave your mark on Singapore’s future.If you don’t sponsor a tree, you’re still invited to the ceremony. We welcome help from one and all to get these trees into the ground. 8-10am Woodlands Park Connector
AAS
For more info and to register for an event: www.aasingapore.com
AMERICANASSOCIATION
3
Past EventUpcoming Events
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.
AAS MEMBER DISCOUNTS
Receive a 10% discount on a one-year membership.
FIRST DRINK FREE – every day, every visit for AAS members. Valid on house pours until September 30, 2015. Show your membership card at the bar to claim.
Two hours free handy-man service worth more than $200 when you book your move with Allied Pickfords. Call 6862 4700.
Get a six-month free membership to Expat Living magazine. Redeem: www.expatliving.sg/aas
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/
3october
saturday
Present your American Association membership card and receive $10 off Warehouse Club membership fee. Valid till September 30, 2015.
Shop Like You Do Back HomeThis was shopping taken to a fabulous height! Everyone was welcomed on board our special bus with a glass of bubbles. Once at the Warehouse Club, we sampled an array of tasty morsels and enjoyed a phenomenal range of bargains! Everyone was thrilled with their purchases and, to top it off, Warehouse Club arranged free delivery! A special thank you goes to Yeap transportation for providing the bus and to Warehouse Club for making this such an amazing experience.
29september
tuesday
17september
thursday
6september
sunday
Singapore American • September 2015
Tell us about yourself.
We are a family from New Zealand who has lived all over the globe. We have three boys and finding leisure activities for teenage boys who enjoy the Kiwi outdoors lifestyle has had its challenges! While we are all enjoying the multicultural city life here, our boys all really looked forward to a big chunk of winter time in New Zealand over their Singapore summer holidays.How long have you lived in Singapore?
We lived here for six years in the early 2000’s. We returned to Singapore in August 2014, ready to start the boys at their schools.How long did it take to find your job?
It took about four months to find a job as I decided not to return to my professional role as an Occupational Therapist because this would have required quite a long and involved registration process here in Singapore with no real guarantee of employment in the end. Having said this, I was fussy because I wanted to find a role which encompassed my professional abilities and interests, but that also met my requirements regarding my family. I suppose I was lucky that the right fit was available when I was looking. What is your current role and basic responsibilities?
Operations Manager, The Resilience Institute, SEA. The role encompasses accounting and
report preparation; information system maintenance and support; project management; marketing; sales and brand support.Do you enjoy working in a new country?
I find working in Singapore to be interesting and, at times, challenging as I have moved outside of my defined skill set. This is mainly because I was used to interfacing more with my clients in New Zealand. However, with some wonderfully helpful friends, I’m overcoming the challenge of using advanced spreadsheets and slowly becoming competent! For me, it is very important to have flexible hours and be able to work from home so that I can keep the “good ship Hamilton” on an even keel as I have a traveling husband.How did you hear about CRCE? When we lived here years ago, I played sports through the American Women’s Association and was aware of CRCE which helped with finding jobs for trailing spouses. Luckily for me, they both are still here, providing valuable service and support.Share with us your experiences as a member of AAS & CRCE?
I have found them to be professional and very supportive to a “returning Singapore expat,” who has different needs than I did a few years back even though I’m familiar with Singapore.From your job search experience, what do you think would be useful to share with others? I wanted to keep my professional role and work part-time, but without the professional help and door opening that CRCE provided (as with many of us trailing spouses here), it would have probably gone into the “too hard box.” If you want to work here, there are opportunities and these are not always apparent at the outset. However, networking with CRCE provided me with the vital link. The bonus? I have met a great new friend!
IN CONVERSATION WITH VICTORIA HAMILTONCRCE MEMBER SINCE SEPTEMBER 2014
SPOTLIGHTON JOBS
Re-invent Yourself: The Career-in-Your-Suitcase Way!Speaker: Jo ParfittTuesday, September 810am – 12pm
Breakfast Talk - Panel Discussion: From Status Quo to Entrepreneurship Moderator: Mouna Aouri LangendorfPanelists: Carolyn SoemarjonoJill Danielson, Michaela AnchanDanielle WarnerTuesday, September 157:45 – 9am
Power Lunch Series: The Employment Pass Landscape in SingaporeSpeaker: Shanker Iyer Friday, September 1811:30am – 1:15pm
Ace Your Interview!Speaker: Alka ChandiramaniWednesday, September 3010am – 12:30pm
English TeacherA language center is currently looking for full or part-time instructors who are available a minimum of 3 evenings per week and Saturdays. As an English instructor, your job will be to teach adults and children (6yrs+) mainly in one-to-one classes and some small group classes (max. 4 students). (job #3126)
Business Development Executive The Business Development Executive’s responsibilities include: research and seek out potential new clients and turn this into increased business; cold call as appropriate within the market to obtain a pipeline of opportunities; identify potential clients and the decision makers within the client organization; research and build relationships with new clients. (job #3125)
IT Support EngineerA global TV site is looking for a part-time IT Support Engineer who will be responsible for maintaining the health of all IT assets and providing service to all employees in three remote offices (San Francisco, Shanghai and Seoul) and onsite in Singapore where the bulk of the employees are based. The general IT IQ for the company is very high, so ideal applicants should be very technically adept as well as capable of providing support to both Windows and Mac. (job #3124)
New Product Introduction Program ManagementThis company is seeking those experienced at project management in the innovation context, including existing consultants looking to expand their businesses. The role will be Singapore based with at least a Dependent’s Pass and thrive on flexible and sometimes uncertain working opportunities. (job #3123)
Membership Marketing & Sales ExecutiveThe successful candidate will support the Membership Manager/Assistant General Manager in the delivery of budgeted new member intake and budgeted membership level for each financial year. This role is also an ambassador for the club to the expatriate community as well as to American and Canadian corporations. (job #3122)
Teacher of MandarinThe teacher will be an outstanding practitioner, fully conversant with best practice in learning and teaching language to non-native speakers; be highly qualified and experienced in leading learning for students of different ages; maintain a detailed and effective teaching file, ensuring that student assessment and progress is continually measured and recorded; contribute positively to a high performing team dedicated to the development of languages instruction at the school. (job #3121)
DID YOU KNOW THAT EMPLOYERS CAN POST JOBS FOR FREE?
CRCE SEPTEMBERWORKSHOPS
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 [email protected]
FIRST COMES THOUGHT; THENORGANIZATION OF THAT
THOUGHT, INTO IDEAS ANDPLANS; THEN TRANSFORMATION OF THOSE PLANS INTO REALITY.
THE BEGINNING, AS YOU WILL OBSERVE, IS IN
YOUR IMAGINATION
NAPOLEON HILL
CAREER RESOURCE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
WWW.AASINGAPORE.COM
Singapore American • September 2015CRCE &
BUSINESS
5
Ten Reasons I Love Doing Business in SingaporeBy Chris J. Reed, Black Marketing
Having been in Singapore for six years now, I truly believe it’s great to do business in Singapore and Asia
compared to doing business in London and the UK. Here are ten reasons why:1. People think regionally, not locally.One of the first things I noticed about doing business here is that people don’t just think about one country or one city. They think regionally. 2. People think locally when it comes to creative execution.Clients may target and operate in Asia Pacific countries. However, clients also tend to believe in country-specific and even city-specific creative execution, acknowledging every city and every country has different a customer profile.3. Every city in Asia is both different and fascinating.Asia Pacific is vastly different to Europe. While culturally different, every country in Europe has similar broadband speeds, infrastructure, religion and politics. There are no alcohol-free countries in Europe. There are no typhoons. Practices are less corrupt. Asia, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. When doing business in each city in Asia, you have to constantly learn and embrace local cultures and customs. 4. People will meet you.One of the great things I noticed about setting up meetings in Asia is that virtually every time I reach out to people on LinkedIn, they generally agree to a meeting. 5. Singapore is an easy place to get together.In Singapore, I can walk to most meetings or my meetings can walk to me. People can decide to meet you tomorrow and it will take five minutes to get there. Even meetings in places like Kuala Lampur and Jakarta can take less time to reach from Singapore than it took me to cross London or use the regional or national rail stations to reach potential clients in the UK.
6. People make decisions.One of the things I do love about Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong and Shanghai is that my clients tend to be very open and straight-talking. If they think we’re too expensive, they tell us. Of course, there are exceptions. Sometimes Asians don’t wish to lose face and, therefore, when they realize that they can’t afford our services, they say they will think about it and will get back to us in a week, a month or a year when actually they mean never.7. There is an expat/foreigner/network.Whether people like it or not, expats buy from expats, foreigners buy from foreigners and locals buy from locals. This works to your advantage if you have a great network of contacts and are good at enhancing this network to grow it further.8. You get out what you put in.More than anywhere in the world, I think Asia rewards hard work. The governments in any of the Asia Pacific nations do not come to your aid if you are in trouble. There is no fall back; no unemployment or disability benefit. Therefore,
the emphasis is on working and providing for yourself and your family. If you do not, no one else will. This is a great motivator to work hard. The harder you work, the more you succeed.9. Asia rewards entrepreneurs.I believe that Asia rewards entrepreneurs more than Europe. Certainly, it’s easier to create and set up a company in Singapore than in London. The environment is more pro-business. Anyone can be an entrepreneur in Asia. It’s also easier to reach out to potential clients here, to network and to work with other entrepreneurs. It’s just basically a more positive business environment in which to do business.10. Business events are plentiful.There are more business events in Singapore than in any other place I have ever worked. This includes amazing business and marketing happenings as well as some fantastic networking events. I could literally go to an event three times a day, every day in Singapore.
Yes, I really do love doing business in Asia, but I especially love doing business in Singapore.
Corporate Partners
Singapore American • September 2015
A Historic Win for SASBy Kyle Aldous
COMMUNITYNEWS
6
Two Singapore American School (SAS) middle school teams had a big June back in the US. They were awarded first
and second place honors at the 41st annual National History Day (NHD) Contest at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland.
No other team at SAS, nor in Southeast Asia, has ever won first prize before, much less both first and second place.
Madeleine Zemans, Sophia Datta and Thani Greco were awarded first place in the Junior Group Exhibit category for their project, “Rose Valland: Recovering Stolen Culture in France.” In the same category, second place was awarded to Callie Elms, Mehek Jain, Jada Li and Madeleine Park for their entry, “Adding Pages to Sir Nicholas Winton’s Scrapbook.”
SAS social studies teacher and Behring Teacher Ambassador and Understanding Sacrifice Member Matthew Elms described the scene:
“It was an incredible moment. They announced the third place winner and it wasn't us. We were getting really nervous. But then, they announced the project on Sir Nicholas Winton for second place and we
were ecstatic! Finally, we had a finalist from our affiliate! I ran down to the stage with the second place winners and accepted the award with them. Just after our girls were presented
their second place medals, Cathy Gorn, the National History Day Director, read out “In first place in the Junior Group Exhibits from Singapore American School...” and that was all I heard. We went crazy down on the arena floor and it was even crazier up in the stands. It's an amazing accomplishment to have first and second place from one affiliate, let alone from the same school.” More than 600,000 students around the world competed in five categories: documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances and websites. SAS is part of the International Schools - South Asia Affiliate; one of 58 affiliates created from the 50 states and countries around the world. SAS students presented seven different projects related to the 2015 NHD theme, Leadership and Legacy in History.
“While it is an amazing experience to win or place at a National History Day competition, the benefits of the program go far beyond any medal or prize. Students who complete a project learn how to research, conduct interviews, make historical analysis and work with a group. They learn that having a passion for history and learning can be as rewarding as playing on a soccer team or performing in
a play. Their lives will be forever shaped by the NHD experience because they learn to examine trends, connections and relationships in history. Students gain a sophisticated appreciation for the past and how it influences the future,” said Mr. Elms.
The projects presented are the culmination of an entire year of extensive research and preparation. Each year, students are presented a specific theme and then have the freedom to select a project they truly love.
“We worked for several months both after school and in class to read, research, interview, draft and, ultimately, build our project. It was quite similar to taking an entire class in a subject we had become extremely passionate about,” said SAS eight grader, Maddy Zemans. “None of us had ever been challenged to think so deeply about a leader or a period in history and Mr. Elms never hesitated to push us even further. I think the whole team experienced great challenges at one point or another: whether it was not being able to find a significant piece of information, to get in contact with an expert or just having a major time conflict. But we were always able to work through each challenge together and acquire information that was even more valuable to our project. We worked very well together as a team and each of us brought different strengths to the table. In Washington, we competed against two teams from every state as well as several international regions. We chose to present our research in an exhibit with a detailed bibliography and process paper. Thani and Sophia are incredibly creative and the final project is an expression of their creativity. I think that made a lot of the difference at nationals among all the diverse and interesting projects. I have grown in my ability to think about history and also how far I push myself in a team and how open I would be to doing a project like National History Day again.”
Singapore American • September 2015COMMUNITY
NEWS
7
A Big YearBy Joel Ostrom
Boy Scouts Troop 07: www.bsatroop07.org Boy Scouts Troop 10: www.facebook.com/BSATroopX Cub Scouts Pack 3010: [email protected] Cub Scouts: www.scouts3017.com Girl Scouts: www.singaporeusagirlscouts.org
SCOUTING IN SINGAPORE
Wow! What an exciting year of scouting! The X-men of Troop 10 recently finished the Great Amazing Race
around Singapore, just like your favorite TV stars. Scouts navigated The Lion City by map, dead reckoning and wits to vie for the trekking title and immunity from being voted off the island. And yes, planes, trains and automobiles were all part of the adventure. This summer, Scouts went to Japan for the National Youth Leadership Training as well as summer camp and the National Order of the Arrow Conference at Michigan State University, celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Order of the Arrow.
At the May Court of Honor, 45 scouts were recognized for earning 218 merit badges and 20 rank advancements. They’ve been busy! Both Andrew Edds and Adrian Corona-Vallet reach the summit of scouting’s trail, earning the Eagle rank. Extending their experience at the summit, fellow Eagle Scouts Douglas Riegger earned the Silver Palm award (Eagle +15 additional merit badges) and David Riegger earned his second Gold Palm (Eagle + 25 merit badges). Congratulations to all who did their best and accomplished their goals.
Troop 10 is a new troop, just two years old. We’ve had a great time since we launched, but as
with many organizations in Singapore, people leave each year. We owe a great debt to our departing founding family, Scoutmaster Don Reigger, and District Commissioner Mallory Reigger as well as many committee members who are also leaving. We’ve received fantastic support from our Charter Organization, Stamford American International School and the many volunteers
who share their expertise, passions and time carrying on the great civic tradition of passing it on to the next generation to build a better future.
We have an exciting year ahead. If you’re interested in joining Troop 10, check out our Facebook page listed below or check us out in person. We meet Tuesday nights at 7pm at the Stamford American International School’s
Washington Plaza. The first meeting of the school year was August 11, but it’s not too late to join. See you on the trail!
Singapore American • September 2015COMMUNITY
NEWS
8
cars are again eliminated to fill places 11 to 15 on the grid.
In Q3, times are once again reset and the remaining cars have 12 minutes to clock their fastest possible time as they compete for the remaining places on the grid.
The whole qualifying session is over in about an hour and then you can make your way to The Padang to watch Maroon 5.
Race SundaySunday is a great time to book one of the restaurants around the circuit where you can
watch the race in relative comfort. Many offer F1-themed dinners and, although pricey, you don’t have to buy a ticket to the race. You might even catch a glimpse of a celebrity. Save enough energy to watch Bon Jovi who is headlining after the race is over.
It is also very interesting to walk around the track after the cars have left to soak up the atmosphere and sniff the lingering scent of tire rubber all while watching the crews starting to tear everything down. F1 Need to KnowSingapore’s race has 61 laps. The race itself cannot exceed two hours, unless it is red-flagged (stopped) because of an accident or poor track conditions. In such circumstances, the total duration of the race and any red-flag stoppages cannot exceed four hours.
Flags are used to communicate vital messages to drivers. These include: yellow flag (slow down, no passing), green (track is clear), red (session suspended), blue (a faster car wants to pass), chequered (session ended), black plus car number (return to pits/disqualification).
Who’s who on the grid:Lewis Hamilton is the current champion and there are four other former F1 champions on the grid: Sebastian Vettel (winner in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013), Fernando Alonso (2005, 2006), Kimi Raikkonen (2007) and Jenson Button (2009).
Mercedes is the reigning constructors champions after winning 16 of 19 races last season. Other previous constructors title winners are 16-time champions Ferrari, nine-time winners Williams and McLaren, champions on eight occasions.
Making their debut next year will be the American Haas Formula One Team established by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series co-owner Gene Haas. The team will be headquartered in Kannapolis, North Carolina alongside sister team and NASCAR Sprint Cup entrant Stewart- Haas Racing. Follow them @ HaasF1Team
To buy tickets or learn more visit: www.singaporegp.sg
Photos by Sony-Illuminate & Ian
American Businesses to Invest More in ASEAN RegionBy Anna Lewandowska
This year has been an important year for the development of business partnerships between the US and ASEAN. The
realization of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by the end of 2015 will bolster ASEAN’s attractiveness to investors within and outside the region. In light of these developments, what is the business sentiment of American companies in the region?
AmCham’s annual ASEAN Business Outlook Survey documents opinions of senior executives from small, medium and large US companies located in the ASEAN region. The majority of companies indicate that ASEAN markets have become more important to them over the past two years and expect them to become even more strategic in the future. In fact, 86% of respondents expect their companies’ level of trade and investment in ASEAN to increase over the next five years. The primary reasons why companies remain optimistic about profitability of doing business in ASEAN are the increase in consumer class, limited growth opportunities in other regions and regional integration in ASEAN.
In general, executives also expect their businesses to expand in their response locations and increase their workforces in 2015. Business leaders indicated that the top country for expansion is Myanmar, followed by Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia. Diversification of the consumer base, regional integration and improvement in infrastructure are also the top reasons leading companies to seek business expansion in the region.
As mentioned, with the completion of the AEC or at least major elements of it in place by the end of year, 2015 is truly a watershed year for ASEAN. While previous years’ surveys have shown skepticism on the part of US business that the AEC will meet its deadlines, the surveys have also clearly shown that US companies expect that the AEC will be a reality in the coming years and are preparing for a more economically integrated region. This year’s survey was no exception; a majority of respondents report that key elements of the AEC, such as the elimination of intra-regional tariffs, services trade and investment liberalization and streamlining of customs practices and procedures are important to their companies’ regional operations.
While, as in previous years, the respondents are optimistic about business perspectives in ASEAN, they also note several challenges including corruption, inadequate infrastructure and difficulties in finding qualified workers.
Because corruption has been a recurring challenge across all 14 years of the survey’s history, this year’s report analyzed the issue in greater depth than ever, looking at each country across a series of six corruption-related risks to long-term business operations.
Another issue about which American companies are uncertain is the potential impact FATCA will have on both their operations and their ability to hire Americans. Furthermore, in several locations, respondents are also concerned about the lack of international school spaces in the countries where their companies conduct business.
AmCham remains hopeful that policymakers across ASEAN will use this year’s results to continue to refine laws and regulations to enhance business opportunities in the region. It looks forward to working with its members to explore more opportunities for trade and investment in the region.
For more information on the ASEAN Business Outlook Survey, please contact AmCham’s Head of Government & Public Affairs Tom McNutt at [email protected].
Continued from page 1: Here Come the Lights!
To make the most of the weekend, it can be great fun to get involved with the teams outside of the race as they move around the island at various promotional events. Try following your favorite team on Twitter to get the inside track on what is going on. Formula 1 - @F1
Ferrari - @ScuderiaFerrari
McLaren - @McLarenF1
Mercedes - @MercedesAMGF1
Red Bull – @redbullracing
Williams - @WilliamsRacing
Lotus – @Lotus_F1Team
Sauber - @SauberF1Team
Toro Rosso - @ToroRossoSpy
Force India- @ForceIndiaF1
Singapore American • September 2015TRAVEL
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9-11 MemorialBy Kevin F. Cox
There’s a hole in the horizon of New York City: a large, gaping depression in the sightline of skyscrapers; like a scar that has healed
over, but that will never disappear. Ever since September 11, 2001, with those towering plumes of smoke and ash bending in the sky and drifting on forever, the skyline of the Big Apple has never been the same. Time (fourteen years now) has not obscured this day for most Americans who stood in shock that morning. But there has been some progress, not to heal and forget, but to heal and embrace. It’s the 9/11 Memorial. And I, like so many other Americans, needed to see it.
Standing in the footprint of the 16 acre World Trade Center, the 9/11 Memorial is a flat, open square of black granite, concrete, stone and water. Trees grow selectively in it, including the Survivor Tree, the only living thing that withstood the collapse and is now lovingly maintained and honored. The wide streets of New York’s financial district are busy again and new buildings have been constructed around the huge memorial, accentuating the
absence of what was once there. The result: an unnatural urban empty space that, in an instant, became the most sacred spot in America.
My first visit to the 9/11 Memorial was just before Christmas. I approached it slowly and with trepidation, until suddenly I was in it – that hollow in the towering texture of the city that never sleeps. The wind sliced across the wide, open expanse and crept through every opening in my coat with a frigid chill. I drew inward, pulling my hood tighter, crossing my arms and turning away from the bite. The Memorial, more a park than a structure, seemed desolate and barren. Black stone and granite covers the land, with nothing higher than the short trees, whose grey branches and dried leaves clicked and scraped in the wind. Yet it was somehow beautiful and surprisingly peaceful; even uplifting. An elegant, silent emptiness surrounded by skyscrapers buzzing with more activity than any city on earth.
It was a bright, sunny day, but I never felt compelled to look upward to the brilliant blue. Indeed, one of the most compelling aspects of the memorial is its downward design. Nothing goes up; instead, your eyes are pulled to the ground, to the names etched along the low sidewalls around the two, acre-sized fountains. The fountains themselves project into the ground, the water pulling down like waterfalls into a deep, square abyss where each tower once stood. They glisten black, the water evenly stretching along the edges in a flow of constant motion, alive with a steady whisper that continues endlessly. The downward focus
of the fountains is more than just an aesthetic design. They remove all reason to look upward and picture again in our minds the jagged scars across the buildings, the falling glass and steel and bodies, the acrid smoke blackening out the sun. We saw it when it happened and the images have flashed in our nightmares countless times since. But here, the fountains represent a refusal to look up and see it all again. Because the 9/11 Memorial is not really about the man-made magnificence that once was the beacon of not just New York, but the free world. And it’s not about the terrorists who brought them down. It is about the people who were lost, either through the pure innocence of living their daily lives or by making the ultimate sacrifice to rescue others from harm. It is for families and friends whose lives were ripped apart coming together to remember and, for the rest of us, to never forget. The MuseumAt one corner of the vast memorial is the 9/11 Museum, a low-slung building which, upon entering, takes you down more than 70 feet into the former foundation of the towers. The sprawling, 110,000-square-foot museum gives a powerful sense of just how massive the World Trade Center was, how huge its support beams, how devastating its collapse. It is filled with artifacts from the buildings and the scars on the underground foundation. Exhibits like the Survivor Staircase (the only structure intact after the collapse), destroyed fire trucks and vehicles, debris found at the site and countless other remnants from that fateful day
Singapore American • September 2015TRAVEL
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are thoughtfully laid out, complete with audio narration as you make you way through. It covers not just what happened in New York, but also at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, PA.
Touring the museum was a stirring experience, worth the corresponding scraping of emotional scars. Running my hand along the enormous twisted and broken steel girders, so incredibly heavy and strong, helped me fully appreciate the completely overwhelming magnitude of what happened. But it was the small, personal objects that were the most compelling and real: a tattered wallet, its ash-covered contents spilled out to reveal the victim who lost it; a pair of high heels; dirty eyeglasses; a makeup compact. Each item, once so normal and unimportant, took on the significance of real people, real lives. It was like confronting a horror that a tiny part of me had for so long been trying to deny.
In one section of the museum, oral histories of those lost, all 2,983 of them, are presented high along the walls and on searchable touch screens. Voices of family members talking about the victims softly filled the large open area. I looked up some lost friends and broadcast their histories on wall-sized screens inside a glass-floored “mourning theater” so others would see and hear them, too. Some people stared silently and motionless; some wept quietly while others smiled and nodded to themselves at the familiar faces and voices of those who, in this hallowed temple of America’s worst disaster, will live on for eternity. The Freedom TowerThe hole in the New York’s skyline has been partially filled with the new 1 World Trade Center,
known proudly today as the “Freedom Tower,” which opened in November 2014. Looming above the memorial, it’s the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere, at 104 stories or exactly 1776 feet high, a deliberate reference to the year of America’s Independence. Some of the businesses that were in the World Trade Center are now here, along with new ones still moving into the building. Though it does not fill the void left from 9/11, it’s a proud symbol to the world of America’s strength and resilience.
The 9/11 Memorial is a landmark that all who come to New York should take the time to see. But when you go, be sure to buy tickets for the museum in advance and give yourself more time that you think. I expected to be there for two hours and stayed for more than five. Though somber, the Memorial is in no way sensationalist, nor does it aim to recreate the horror of what happened. Instead, it embraces the moment that changed America in an honest and respectful manner. It is profoundly powerful, tasteful and deeply moving, a true national treasure.
Photos by hamham730; gabri-micha; New York City Fire Department; Omar; Melinda Murphy; Robert Walsh; edcleve.
Kevin Cox is a New Yorker. He watched the horror of 9/11 attacks against his home less than an hour away from the World Trade Center. After five years in Singapore, Cox is again based in the Big Apple as a food and travel writer who publishes articles in numerous magazines and websites in the US and Asia, and can be found at www.foodwalkers.com.
Singapore American • September 2015
Australian Graeme Bull moved here in 1972. “My employer offered me a choice of Singapore Island Country Club
(SICC) which, at the time, cost $1,200 for a fully transferable membership or Tanglin Club for a $400 joining fee. I'm not an avid golfer so I chose the Tanglin Club. The current market price for SICC is more than $200,000. The Tanglin Club does not have a transferable membership so from that standpoint, well, I have enjoyed the Tanglin and its location.” Graeme also joined the Polo Club and Changi Sailing Club in 70s, but gave them up.
As you can tell, things (mostly prices) have changed, but expats join clubs now for the same reason they did back in the early 70s: to fast-track a newcomer's social life and assimilation.
Today, many clubs offer a wide variety of pricing options, including short-term membership at more affordable prices. Here’s a highlight of Singapore’s most popular clubs with expats: The American Club www.amclub.org.sgNo surprise, this club is usually the first choice for Americans and Canadians who can obtain an ordinary membership for just under $21,000. There are also membership categories available to other nationalities. With full facilities and a central location just off Orchard and Scotts, this club is family-friendly and active. The F&B is also strong. Note: There is a scheduled $65 million renovation which will start in mid-2016. Most club functions will continue, but some disruption will result including closure of the pool though there will be other pool alternatives during this time. The plus side is that come 2019, this club will likely be in a class of its own.
British Club www.britishclub.org.sgThis club really feels like a resort, perched on a hill, a five-minute drive from Bukit Timah. A family-friendly club with multiple food outlets, it welcomes all nationalities. An ordinary, non-transferable membership with voting rights is $10,500 for British passport holders, and an extra $1,000 for non-British passport holders. Hollandse Club www.hollandseclub.org.sgA favorite with Europeans, which includes hotel rooms as well as full facilities. Located back from Adam Road near Bukit Timah on a small hill, this club is quiet with a nice, club feeling. Family-friendly with good food (including yummy Dutch treats), membership includes a nice mix of nationalities. Family entrance fee is $8,888 for a lifetime non-transferable membership, but short term memberships can also be purchased for up to three years. Polo Club www.singaporepoloclub.org This is a quiet, little club tucked away on
Mount Pleasant near Thomson Road. There's tennis, swimming and, what else? Polo and horse riding! The bar and restaurant overlook the polo field, affording a view reminiscent of Virginia horse country . The horses are beautiful
and their occasional whinny is charming. Individual memberships are obtainable only when somebody sells theirs. You can buy them on the open market .Singapore Cricket Club scc.org.sgLocated at one end of the Padang with superb views of the Marina Bay Sands, the Parliament House and the Singapore Grand Prix Raceway is first and foremost a sports club. Lawn tennis belie its British roots, but it's especially popular with the Australian and New Zealand communities thanks to an active Rugby team. Business entertainment is a strong point of this club as are the amazing city views. The club does not advertise its club membership prices, but it offers a variety of membership options, including a Junior Sports Membership. Swiss Club www.swissclub.org.sgThis club is near the newer British Club and is popular with German and Swiss families. Food is European and fondue remains a favorite for guests.
Ordinary lifetime membership for Swiss nationals is about $6,400. The same type of membership for non-Swiss nationals is about $7,500.Tanglin Club www.tanglinclub.org.sgThis club is located close to The American Club and has more extensive grounds and facilities. It was renovated several years ago and has a decidedly British feel to it, though it's open to all nationalities. It is renowned for its pub and four other F&B outlets, a pool, indoor tennis courts, lawn bowling and more. Ordinary membership goes for $50,000, but term membership of up to three years is offered at a lot less.The Legends www.legendsfortcanning.comAtop Fort Canning with a restaurant, swimming pool and gym, this club might be good choice for those living nearby and with no other easy access to leisure or who have a hankering for golf. Ordinary membership valid until 2032 goes for $5,888. Add golf rights at the sister club, Legends Golf resort in nearby Johore, for $3,000 more. One year term memberships are also available.
Boat owner or not, newcomers with taste for the sea can find their retreat at Raffles Marina, Royal Singapore Yacht Club, Changi Sailing Club and
Changi Beach Club. Golf in land-scarce Singapore is expensive
and most courses offer other recreation, as well. There are more than a dozen private courses here, several of which will phase out or lose land over the next decade. If golf is important, check out the choices and also consider the occasional jaunt over to Batam, Bintan or Johore. Greens fees are much less there and package deals abound.
Photos Courtesy of The American Club and Hollamdse Club.
Rob Faraone has lived in six countries in the region over 30 years, including three stints in Singapore. After a career in the moving and relocation industry, he enjoys sharing settling-in tips with new expats in Singapore.
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Should We Join a Club?By Rob Faraone
The American Club
British Club
Hollandse Club
Serangoon Gardens Country Club
Singapore Cricket Club
Swiss ClubPolo Club
Raffles Town Club Tanglin Club
The Legends
S I N G A P O R E
Singapore American • September 2015NEWCOMERS
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Welcome to Our Little Green IslandBy Melissa Diagana
It never snows or hails here. It DOES rain, but it is so warm that you will never catch a cold. So get outside!
Green and LeafyWhen you look around you, in addition to the dense cityscape, you cannot fail to notice all the greenery. Those trees are not there by accident, but rather because of a deliberate policy to keep the country as green as possible, while allowing simultaneous breakneck development. Streets are lined with trees, parks are frequently encountered and the middle of the island houses a large nature reserve. Singapore is known as the “City in a Garden.”
The National Parks Board (NParks) keeps track of 1.3 million trees and shrubs, growing on nearly 6,000 acres of roadsides and in some parks. They not only catalogue where they are, but also record information about each tree’s size, species, health, heritage status and trimming history. Their research is instrumental in maintaining Singapore at the forefront of tropical, urban arboriculture.
There are many, many parks in Singapore; no matter where you live, there will be one not far away. The NParks’ website (see page 16) has a handy map, which will allow you to easily locate a park near you. NParks also has an ever-expanding “Park Connector Network.” These connectors are pleasant, green and relatively traffic-free ways of getting from park to park.Nature ReservesBefore man’s arrival here (and especially before Raffles), most of Singapore was covered with
primary (never cleared) dryland forest. That forest was characterized by the presence of giant trees of the dipterocarp family, named after their characteristic fruits, which resemble badminton shuttlecocks with two to five wings. Unfortunately, most of them, as well as their less impressive neighbors, were chopped down for timber or to make way for lucrative, but
short-lived, plantations of gambier, pepper, nutmeg or rubber.
Today, Singapore has four nature reserves: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (BTNR), Central Catchment Nature Reserve, Labrador Nature Reserve and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Due to the unrestrained deforestation of the 19th century, only the Central Catchment and the Bukit Timah reserves still contain primary forest: less than 500 acres out of a total of over 7,500. Most of the rest of their area is covered with either secondary forest (younger than primary, with fewer tall trees, fewer plant species and less complex organization) or “adinandra belukar” (species-poor forest that grows on degraded land left after exhaustive agriculture).
Despite their altered composition, these two reserves are home to more than 840 flowering plants and more than 500 species of animals. They are essential for Singapore’s biodiversity. In the BTNR alone, the number of plant species is more than that in the whole of North America! The reserves also serve as the last refuge for several endangered mammalian species, including the Leopard Cat, Banded Leaf Monkey, Slow Loris, Sunda Pangolin, Lesser Mouse Deer, three species of civets and numerous bat and squirrel species.
The best advice for hikers is to become familiar with the NParks website, which provides a wealth of information on many outdoor activities. The nature reserves are great places for hikes, and by spending some time with various maps (e.g., sg.mapometer.com,
www.onemap.sg and www.streetdirectory.com), you can easily concoct longer hikes. OrganizationsDespite Singapore’s intense urbanization, there are still plenty of people interested in and concerned about our natural environment. Any one of the organizations listed here is a good starting point for
Continued on pages 16
Singapore American • September 2015NEWCOMERS
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Navigating NirvanaBy Faith Chanda
No matter how far away I live, I will always think of myself as a New Yorker. Having worked in New York
City, I would describe public transportation there as a filthy, over-crowded, unsafe, inefficient moneypit. So I was doubtful about Singapore’s public transportation system. And then I found out how much it costs to have a car here in Singapore…and I thought “Hey, public transport, here we come!”
Thankfully, I quickly learned that the buses, taxis and trains here are less like New York’s mass transit chaos and a lot like navigating in nirvana. They are clean, efficient, user-friendly, inexpensive, safe and downright pleasant to ride.
So, for the newly arrived or newly thrifty, here’s the lowdown on how to get around:
To ride the bus or subway (MRT) system, you’ll need to purchase a fare card to tap at subway turnstiles and bus doorways. You can buy regular tickets, but “stored value cards,” the most popular being NETS Flashpay and EZ-Link, offer greater efficiency and cheaper fares. You can also use them to make purchases, access special discounts and pay for taxis. You can continuously add funds (called “topping up”) using NETS kiosks or the EZ-Link website, ATM and at MRT stations as well as many convenience stores such as 7-Eleven. Senior citizens and kids under seven years old travel free with special “concession cards.” Keep your fare card close at hand to tap both in and out of the MRT or bus. Bus: The bus system is wider and more complete than the MRT system. In general, MRTs will get you to the right part of town and buses (or taxis) will take you closer to your destination. Most map apps can help you with the final walking directions if necessary. You can pay for buses with fare cards or coins, but with coins you need exact fare as bus drivers will not provide change.
When your bus is nearing, you must indicate that you want to get on by waving or it might pass by if no one on the bus wants to get off at your stop. And with so many one-way streets, remember that your bus route to your destination may be entirely different than your bus route back. A couple of apps even tell you exactly when the bus you want will arrive at your stop!
MRT: You must have a fare card (no cash) for entrance, then just follow signs to the correct platform, where screens will show when the next train arrives. Many parents of
you to become active in this community. Some of them offer guided nature walks.
National Parks Board (www.nparks.gov.sg): The “NParks” very rich website should be your first stop when you are planning just about anything “green” to do. You’ll find information about all the parks and nature reserves, calendars of events, lists of guided walks and educational material on biodiversity.
Nature Society Singapore (www.nss.org.sg): The NSS spearheads efforts centered on conservation of our natural heritage, leads nature walks for adults and kids and
publishes a serious magazine. It maintains species checklists for Singapore and has developed a few great apps (currently, for birds, butterflies and snakes).
National University of Singapore Toddycats (www.toddycats.wordpress.com): This very friendly group tries to expose, develop, enthuse and apply individuals (at NUS or not) to programs in conservation, education and research. They also coordinate Singapore’s contribution to the annual International Coastal Cleanup.
Continued from page 14: Welcome to Our Little Green Island
Singapore American • September 2015
little ones find that MRTs are easier than buses because the stations are accessible with strollers which can then be rolled right onto the train, whereas they must be collapsed when boarding buses (presumably to make space for fellow riders).
Taxi: Taxi cabs can be summoned by phone call, SMS, app, at marked taxi stands or (in some places) hailing on the street. A green light on top means it’s available and a red light means it’s not. Most drivers know the island like the back of their hand and also have GPS, but you should know where you’re heading or have a GPS app handy just in case. Drivers are pretty religious about using the meter, so there’s no question about your fare and they don’t expect a tip. Car seats are now required by law in private cars, but not taxis. It is possible to bring your own or special request taxis with them, however, it is not commonplace. And like any human interaction, there may be a few taxi drivers who are rude, incompetent or misleading, but my experience has been far more pleasant than not. Uber is also a somewhat new taxi service in Singapore that has both professional taxis as well as personal drivers using their own cars to
ferry people around the country. These drivers are not as familiar with the streets as their taxi driver counterparts, but using the Uber app can be a good option when it’s hard to get a taxi during times such as rush hour or a bad storm.
I love that public transportation in Singapore affords expats the chance to glimpse the real Singapore. I have rarely been on a crowded bus or MRT where a stranger did not offer their seat to my children or me. While waiting outside an MRT station in a light rain, a lovely older Singaporean woman calmly moved her umbrella to share it with me and we chatted amiably until we parted ways. But what I like best is that every trip offers a fascinating parade of people of all nations, religions, and cultures, all moving together in the same direction.
Apps and WebsitesGeneral information, route maps and taxi contacts: mytransport.sgPublic transportation directions: gothere.sg, How2Go appBus and subway route maps: LTA.gov.sgFare Cards: nets.com.sg, ezlink.com.sgBus timing apps: SGBuses, SG Transport, SG Next Bus Taxi booking apps: Easy Taxi, Grab Taxi, Hailo, SG Taxi, Singapore Taxi, Taxi-taxi@SG, Uber
Photos by Ian Fuller, Onitsuka YUSUF, Singapore Buses
Faith Chanda relocated to Singapore with her family in January from the idyllic small town of Cornwall, NY. She has nearly 20 years of experience in Marketing, Promotions and Event Planning in a wide variety of industries. Lately, she has been spending her time navigating the unique culture of Singapore with a mixture of fascination and bewilderment.
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WildSingapore (www.wildsingapore.com): This website, chock full of up-to-date information about Singapore’s wild places and creatures, also has a good list of green organizations on its volunteer page. You can find out about taking guided nature walks, becoming a nature guide yourself or diving on our coral reefs, for example.
Photos by Melissa Diagana
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.
Singapore American • September 2015
The Malay word “to eat,” “makan” is deployed as a verb or a noun.
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Guide to SinglishBy Laura Schwartz
Despite what a number of Westerners think, you don’t need Chinese to live comfortably in Singapore. The only language you need to get familiar with is Singlish, a dialect so unique
that it has its own separate Wikipedia page (which is well worth a read, especially for the many uses of “can”). Although treated as a mongrel of Mandarin and English, Singlish also includes an array of words from Bahasa Malaysian, Chinese dialects like Hokkien and Cantonese and even some Tamil. For anyone who hasn’t grown up as a bilingual (sometimes trilingual) Singaporean, fluency in Singlish is a near impossibility. But to get you started, here is a beginner’s toolkit of crucial vocabulary and phrases.
This is a mild exclamation of annoyance, disbelief,
exasperation, frustration, surprise, etc. Usually considered one of the
more polite exclamations, its literal translation
is something like “Oh my gosh!”
Originating from the Hokkien word for “red-haired,” ang mo is
now common slang for “white person.” Sometimes considered disparaging, it’s nevertheless a widely used term that frequently
appears in the media.
Vital for those hoping to get a meal at a hawker center, “chope” means to save a seat by placing
the cheapest or most useless item you have (usually a packet of tissues) on the table. To remove or ignore someone else’s tissues is
considered a grave sin indeed.
This is a polite way to address an older man or
woman, especially if you don’t know their name. It’s akin to
using “Miss” to get a waitress’s attention or “Mister”
for a taxi driver.
Hokkien for “afraid to lose,” “kiasu” is
essentially the anxious, selfish “Me first!” spirit you see in those who
edge you out of the way so they can get on the
bus before everyone else or in that friend
who always has to one-up you.
When Laura Schwartz is not traveling around the region or devouring a new book, she juggles her 9-to-5 as an Admissions & Career Consultant with freelance writing.
You can read her articles, travel anecdotes and series of tips on how to be a better tourist at:
www.thecircuition.com.
More assertive that an exclamation point alone, “Lah!” regularly appears at the end of
assertions and declarations. Its tone can range from imperative to
impatient to reassuring.
Lah!
Wa(h) lau!
Kiasu
Ang mo(h)
Aunty & Uncle
Chope
A stalwart of Singlish, this single word is a ruthlessly
efficient combination of an English word
and Chinese syntax, and you will hear it everywhere as a
confirmation. Often, “Can” is used in
place of “Okay” “Yes.”
The question version of the above, “Can?” is often tacked onto the end of a request and can mean “Is that alright?” or “Are you able to…?” For example, “Finish this by tomorrow, can?” (Once in a hawker center when the beer aunty said
“No more jugs. Can?” I was genuinely confused as to what she was saying until she held up the can of Tiger beer.)
Can?
Can
Makan
Another of singlish’s many sentence ending
particles, “leh” is used to soften a command, request,
claim or complaint that may be brusque otherwise.
Here’s another term with double meaning. You may know tai chi as the Chinese
martial art, but because of the slow pushing
movements, “tai chi” is also used to describe somebody
who constantly pushes work onto others.
Tai Chi
Leh!
Singapore American • September 2015NEWCOMERS
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The Key to Online ShoppingBy Melinda Murphy
Do Everything Siteswww.123andup.sgThis is my new favorite site. It searches Amazon and figures out what will ship to Singapore for a price or for free even. It makes navigating Amazon Global a heck of a lot easier.www.gilt.comThis site has daily flash sales of all you want and need. Best part? $10 flat shipping for up to five items.http://shop.borderfree.comBorderfree partners with all sorts of big name stores such as Macy’s, Gap, Land’s End and Williams-Sonoma.www.myinternationalshopping.comMany stores such as Harrods and Macy’s from back home have started shipping to Singapore. Check out this site to see if your favorite is included.www.shopback.sgShopback has deals with more than 300 stores. When you spend online through ShopBack, the site literally gives you cash back on items. Many of the sites mentioned elsewhere in this article are included!
Bookswww.bookdepository.comWith books being so crazy expensive in Singapore, I love this site as it ships books at UK prices for free to Singapore. They take a while to arrive, but it’s worth it.
Childrenwww.kidzloft.comThis site is nirvana for moms of little kids who are too busy (frazzled) to get to the store.
Fashionwww.asos.comOne of the biggest online fashion retailers, ASOS offers free shipping with orders more than $50. Yippee!!www.zalora.sgA local favorite, Zalora offers free delivery for orders more than $40 with a 30-day return policy.
Foodwwww.coldstorage.com For those missing a taste of home, this grocery store chain has all things Western. www.hubers.com.sgThis store and website is a favorite with many. Huber’s meat is excellent, but a bit pricey. You can also order fresh vegetables as well as all sorts of other specialty items. www.iherb.comThis is one of my favorite sites for things like vitamins and organic snacks for my kids. Prices are often about a third of Singapore prices. The best part? Spend more than $40 and ship 14 pounds for free.www.ohdeli.com.sgThis local site has great meats, specialty food items, fresh produce, bread, eggs, olive oils, gourmet hampers and all other things a bit upscale. You can even order an entire BBQ package which is the best meat deal I’ve found in town.www.redmart.comThis is a great place to get all your groceries for less than you might find at your local grocery store. 10% off and free delivery for first time orders more than $30. Promo code: SA10www.qbfood.com.sgThis place has really good prices on meat and delivers free for orders more than $200.
Generalwww.amazon.comSearch “International Shipping” on the home page. The international options are much more limited than at home, but the site still ships more than 10 million products to 75 countries.
www.lazada.sgOne of the largest inventories available, this website has a bit of everything from Michael Kors bags to cameras to clothes.www.qoo10.sgThis site has a massive selection of deeply discounted stuff. I personally find it a bit hard to navigate as it’s a lot of information on one page, but I’ve snagged some good deals.www.singsale.com.sgYou have to join this website (no fee), but it’s worth it to access the wide variety of deals that change daily.
Homewww.hipvan.comThis is kind of the local answer to Pottery Barn. Free delivery for items more than $75.www.overstock.comA favorite site for Americans, you can find all sorts of things at really low prices, but beware of return shipping and pricey restocking fees.
Luxurywww.reboonz.comLove all things high end? Check out this site with discounts on name brands.
Shoes, Bags & Accessorieswww.planetshoes.comAn American company that ships to Singapore. Items generally arrive in 6-10 business days.www.shoebuy.comA US online retailer that ships to Singapore.www.shoes.comAnother American shoe company with a wide variety of selections and sizes (including giant shoes for me).
Travelwww.skyscanner.comThis huge time-saving site will search all the other travel sites for the cheapest airfares available.
Used Itemswww.ebay.com Some items ship free internationally.www.facebook.comJoin the Singapore Expat Wives Classifieds group, open only to women. These ladies are always selling all sorts of good stuff for cheap.www.styletribute.comNeed a dress for the George Washington Ball? Visit this site to visit for luxury, pre-owned items. It’s hit or miss depending on what’s for sale.
There is also something called a reshipper. Let’s say you absolutely love something that you have to have in Singapore, but the company doesn’t ship here. NO worries. Ship instead to a reshipper and they’ll send it to you. They’ll even combine shipments from several shops to reduce the international shipping costs.
www.borderfreewww.comgateway.comwww.pacme.com Promo Code: AAS-Septwww.vpost.com.sg
Shopping online isn’t as easy as it is back in the US or UK, but there are options for those in the know. There are Asian sites with some fabulous clothes
that fit you if you’re lucky enough to sport an Asian build. Most of these items fit my little toe. There are also a ton of US sites that ship to Singapore directly now. The
only problem is that if you order something heavy, the shipping costs kind of eat up the savings. Also, remember that when you order things like shoes or clothes from overseas and they don’t fit, you have to pay the high shipping cost back so shop carefully. Researching this article was fun, but I'm broke now. Enjoy!
Singapore Apps
Lalamove by Easy VanInstantly book a mover.
iChangiCheck flight times and more.
Happy Hour SGFind the best happy hours.
HungryGoWhere SingaporeResearch restaurants and make reservations.
PopcornCheck movie listing and buy tickets.
Page Advisor1,400 providers of all things handy like plumbers and painters.
Singapore RadioConnect to all the local radio stations.
Straits TimesRead Singapore’s primary newspaper.
Singapore American • September 2015
Business opportunities take executives to all corners of the world. At the same time, more holidaymakers are venturing
to exotic and remote locations. So travelers of all sorts should think about about medical care in areas that are not up to standards to which they are accustomed.
Many travelers take precautions such as having a medical kit and receiving recommended immunizations. However, few have formulated contingency plans that deal with medical crisis while away from home. If a medical problem arises, who do you contact? Where should you go? What do you do during a medical emergency?There are several options:Hotel doctors: Most international or modern hotels have a list of doctors for consultation. Many of these doctors will even visit you in your room.Embassy referrals: Many embassies inclucing the US embassy have emergency assistance hotlines for their citizens. They can be an excellent source of referral to medical centers of excellence or provide a list of English-speaking doctors. Travel information organizations: Before starting your trip, you may obtain an international list of English-speaking doctors from a travel information organization such as The International Association for Medical Assistance (IAMAT). IAMAT is a non-profit membership organization founded in 1960 that provides travelers with a list doctors (general practitioners and specialists) around
the world who speak either English or French and have had medical training in Europe or in North America. All the doctors have agreed to be available to members in need of medical care and to charge set rates. There is no fee to belong to the organization, but donations are appreciated. Members get a membership card, a directory of all participating physicians, a traveler clinic record to document their medical needs, a world immunization chart and a world malaria-risk chart. Membership offices are located in Canada, USA, New Zealand and Switzerland. Their website is: www.iamat.org
International Medical assistance companies: These companies provide comprehensive assistance to their subscribers (anything from simple medical advice to arranging air-medical evacuation with a medical team). They are available 24 hours and have alarm centers strategically located throughout the world. Many comprehensive health insurance policies also include international medical assistance (including medical evacuation). Many multinational companies as well provide this benefit to their employees who frequently travel internationally. Some credit cards even provide these types of services as well as translators to help navigate a foreign language. Whatever the provider, the prudent traveler would insure that international medical assistance is part of their travel plans. Health insurance may later reimburse you for medical expenses, but only an assistance company will provide help 24/7 during a crisis.
Finally, consider taking supplemental travel health insurance for each trip. Often insurance companies are skimpy with overseas coverage, especially when dealing with a prolong or complicated illness. Furthermore, many Americans are unware that Medicare generally will not cover overseas medical expenses. Be sure to check the fine print for possible exclusions of coverage such as high risk activities and pre-existing conditions. Most travel health insurance policies will also have medical assistance coverage including evacuation to the nearest health facility and repatriation back home if necessary. However, please check that these options are included.
The American International Clinic is located at the Novena Medical Centre, 10 Sinaran Drive, #10-10. For more information, please visit their website www.aiclinic.com.sg or email: [email protected] or call 6397-7129.
Photo by Eric Flexyourhead
Dr Paul E Zakowich, MD (USA) FACP (USA) is an American-trained specialist, Board Certified in Internal Medicine in private practice at the American International Clinic. He is author of two books: Culture Shock! A Traveler's Medical Guide and Culture Shock! Travel Safe.
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Emergencies Away From HomeBy Dr. Paul E. Zakowich, M.D.
Singapore American • September 2015
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) can provide a quick, safe, pain-free treatment for cold sores and canker sores.
The use of dental lasers has provided oral healthcare professionals with a new and improved approach to the treatment and management of common oral conditions like cold sores and ulcers.
What is a cold sore?Cold Sores, or fever blisters, are a group of small, fluid-filled sores on the lip or around the mouth that are caused by a common, highly-contagious virus. After someone has contracted
the virus, it remains dormant (inactive) in the body most of the time. However, the virus can be reactivated by certain triggers, resulting in an outbreak of cold sores. These triggers vary from person to person, but can include stress, illness, fatigue, sun exposure and trauma to the affected area.
What are the symptoms of a cold sore?The warning signs of a cold sore may include tingling, itching or pain around the mouth and lips, fever, sore throat or swollen glands on the neck or other parts of the body. After the blisters appear, the cold sore usually breaks open, leaks a clear fluid and then crusts over and begins to heal, disappearing after several days or weeks even.
What is a canker sore?A canker sore is another name for the common (Aphthous) ulcer. Aphthous ulcers are painful sores that appear on the tongue, roof of the mouth or inside the lips and cheeks. They are generally small, round ulcers, usually whitish or yellow in appearance with a red border, and can cause great discomfort while speaking or eating. While the exact cause remains poorly understood, they often appear as a result of stress, lack of sleep or tissue injury. Certain types of spices or acidic foods can sometimes trigger a sore or make them worse and certain underlying health conditions have also been associated with their occurrence.
How are these sores treated?Traditional treatments for both conditions include topical creams and mouth rinses, which can help to manage pain and discomfort, but are generally ineffective at accelerating the healing process. For cold sores, antiviral medications (Acyclovir) can be used to treat outbreaks, but these typically only reduce healing time by a few days. Antimicrobial and corticosteroid mouth rinses are often prescribed for the management pain associated with aphthous ulcers, but these have minimal effects on healing time.
However, LLLT has proven to be a quick-acting alternative for the treatment of ulcers and cold sores that provides both effective pain relief and a significant reduction in healing time. Low-level lasers work by stimulating the growth of cells involved in wound healing without altering the nature of the newly formed cells. This essentially reduces the size of the lesion, while accelerating the healing process. At the same time, the effect of the laser on the nerve fibers greatly reduces the transmission of pain signals, resulting in immediate, profound relief.
Recent studies using LLLT to treat ulcers revealed that 75% of patients reported pain relief immediately following laser treatment, with a total regression of the ulcer occurring just four days after the treatment session. Similarly, when used to treat cold sores, the majority of lesions completely healed within two days, while almost all lesions were healed within five days. When treated during the early warning
stages of a cold sore, laser treatment can prevent blister development altogether. By reducing pain and accelerating healing time, LLLT therapy for these conditions has proven to be a promising alternative to traditional treatment.
Dr. Matt Thompson is an American dentist and the Clinical Director at Expat Dental in Singapore. In addition to dental laser therapies, Expat Dental provides a full range of general, cosmetic, hygiene and pediatric dental treatments.
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Cold Sores and Mouth Ulcers: Lasers to the RescueBy Dr. Matt Thompson
What are the benefits of using a laser in treating cold sores?
• Treatment is quick, affordable and pain-free.
• Pain relief is immediate and longer-lasting than topical treatments.
• Healing is faster without discomfort.
• LLLT helps prevent sores from forming if treated during the warning stage.
• The progression of the sore is arrested following treatment.
• After treatment, it’s possible for sores to recur with less frequency and less intensity.
Singapore American • September 2015
Singaporeans love to eat. It’s hard not to love eating when you are brought up in a multi-cultural environment with an abundance
of different cuisines and food establishments to try. If you are new to Singapore and looking for a way to blend in or a topic for small talk, chatting about food never fails. Here are five, must-try hawker dishes in Singapore:
LaksaA fusion of Malay and Chinese or Straits Chinese (otherwise known as Peranakan) culture, this spicy, vermicelli fish broth dish has quite a few versions around the region. The style famous in Singapore is known as curry/lemak laksa while assam laksa, tinged with the sour assam flavoring, was thought to have been made famous out of Penang in Malaysia. In the traditional Singaporean version, tau pok (beancurd puffs), fish slices, shrimp, cockles or chicken and coconut milk are cooked into a thick, creamy broth, sprinkled with finely chopped daun kesom (more commonly known as laksa leaf ).
Bak Chor Mee This famous Teochew (Chinese minority group) dish, bak chor mee is a direct translation of “minced meat and noodles.” When you order, you can pick the type of noodle to add to the dish. Typically ordered "dry,” the signature taste of this noodle dish is its vinegar-braised sauce served with minced pork, liver, meatball/ fishball and fish cake slices all served with a side of soup (unless you are having the soup or “wet” version).
Bak Kut TehThis simple dish has been around since Singapore's early years. The urban myth is that it was created by a poor stall owner who could only afford to give a starving beggar some left over pork bones boiled with whatever he had left. Luckily, the star anise and pepper made a great combination and the bak kut teh was born: a tasty soup with a color resembling tea.
Hainanese Chicken RiceA simple dish that lots of foreigners can appreciate is Chicken Rice. Locals often judge how good it is by how fragrant the rice is and the juicy and tenderness of the chicken. A dish that early Chinese immigrants from the Hainan province in southern China left behind, this is one dish that you can pretty much find in any local food center or hawker area. You can't miss these stalls with the whole chickens hanging at the front. You have the choice of a roasted chicken (referred to as “black”) or steamed (referred to as “white”). If you are not a fan of bone, you can even ask the stores for a specific part of the chicken or to have it de-boned.
Chili or Pepper CrabFinally, here’s the dish that all foreign guests must try, a dish said to be unique to Singapore. The two most popular ways to eat these crabs are either with black pepper or with a sweet, spicy egg mixed chili sauce, into which you can dip fried buns (mantous). Other variations on the dish like salted-egg crabs or crab bee hoon are also good to try.
Most can be sampled at local hawker centers, but be sure to check out our restaurant and cooking class recommendations for these and other dishes, by visiting our website at aasingapore.com and going to “What’s New.”Happy Feasting!!!
Photos by Justin Ong; Vincent Ferrer; Soon Koon
Lena Chong is a traveler, fashionista and eternal optimist who hates to admit she adores food. Her love for life shows in her curiosity and fascination for all things. She has trekked through malls, villages and forest alike to look for the elusive, new restaurant or new outfit, eating tarantulas and burgers along the way.
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Must Try Singapore DishesBy Lena Chong
Singapore American • September 2015
Most of us visit supermarkets when we want to shop for food items. And there is no shortage of supermarkets
in Singapore. But why not visit a wet market? The term “wet market” comes from the water that is used to clean vegetables and the melting ice from fish stalls. The term came into common usage in the early 1970s where it was used to distinguish these markets from air-conditioned supermarkets. Wet markets are probably the closest you will get to farmers markets here in Asia.
For Singaporeans, the wet market is a local institution. It’s the place to go to find fresh produce and more. For non-locals, visiting is a
great cultural experience as wet markets serve as a microcosm of Singapore’s multicultural society. It’s not unusual to find a Muslim butcher next to an Indian spice stall and a Chinese vegetable stall. Also, as many markets have hawker centers attached to them, it’s a great place to sample local food.
All the markets offer a wide range of fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, spices, dried goods (in dry areas) and even flowers. Generally, prices are much lower than they are in supermarkets, so it’s an effective way to reduce the weekly grocery bill. However, prices can fluctuate due to variations in supply and demand. Often, droughts or floods in Malaysia affect prices and supply. There are also seasonal price variations during festivals such as Chinese New Year. But in general, you will save if you make regular trips to these markets.
So, which wet markets to visit? Look for the one closest to your home. Most of the HDB (Housing Development Board) Estates will have a wet market and a hawker stall. Here are a few of the better-known markets that are worth a visit:Geylang Serai Market and Food Centre Located in the Malay Heritage District, this market’s distinctive design with its sloping roofs, intricate batik motifs as well as decorative details like louvers and timber panels is reminiscent of a typical Malay “kampong” house. It’s a great place to find out about Malay and Indonesian products and the place to visit
during Ramadan if you’d like to sample local Malay cuisine.
Geylang Serai Market and Food Centre, 1 Geylang Serai, Singapore 402001. Opens daily, 6:30am-12pm. (Not near an MRT station. Take a bus to Changi Road or Joo Chiat Road)Tekka Market This giant market started as the Kandang Kerbau (Malay term for “buffalo pens”) Market at the junction of Serangoon Road and Rochor Road. Its former site is currently occupied by
Little India’s first air-conditioned mall, The Verge, which was built in 2003. Tekka is one of the largest markets and is a veritable feast for the senses. One of the more famous stalls is Chia’s Vegetable Supply, known for its local and imported vegetables. Don’t be surprised to find bags of dill and tarragon, portobello mushrooms and rocket (arugula) on display next to local bak choy and spinach. If it’s meat you want, head over to Joe’s Butchery for good quality beef, lamb and sausages. Tekka also has
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Visit a Wet Market!By Nithia Devan
Singapore American • September 2015
a very large selection of spices, especially those used in Indian cooking. There is a hawker center located next door, which sells a wide variety of Indian and Malay dishes.
Tekka Centre, 665 Buffalo Road, Tekka Centre, Singapore 210665. Opens daily, 6:30am-9:30am. (MRT Little India: North East Line)Tiong Bahru Wet MarketThis market is located in one of Singapore’s “hipster neighborhoods,” better known for its
cafes and retro architecture. It’s a relatively small market, but you will be able to find seasonal produce, tofu, Australian and New Zealand beef and even cheese. Plus, some of the island’s best coffee spots are a stone’s throw away, just perfect for that post-shopping caffeine fix.
Tiong Bahru Wet Market, 30 Seng Poh Road, Singapore 168898. Opens daily, 8am-12pm. (MRT Tiong Bahru: East West Line)Pek Kio Market and Ghim Moh MarketIf you ask a Singaporean to name their favorite market, there’s a high chance that they will mention one of these two markets. Both sell fresh produce and dry goods. At Pek Kio, you can pick up kitchen utensils, Peranakan chinaware, locally roasted coffee powder and even plastic sheeting. However, what makes these markets famous is the food at the adjacent hawker centers. Pek Kio has been around for 30 years and its name refers to a white bridge that once spanned Kampong Java Canal. Its hawker center is famous for “nostalgic” local dishes like carrot cake (actually made from radish), prawn noodles, peanut pancakes and steamed rice rolls (chee cheong fun). At the hawker center adjacent to Ghim Moh market, you’ll find long queues at the stalls that sell mixed roast meat and rice, rice porridge and char kway teow (fried flat rice noodles).
Pek Kio Market and Food Centre, 41A Cambridge Road, Singapore 211041. (MRT Farrer Park – North East Line)
Ghim Moh Market and Hawker Centre, 20 Ghim Moh Rd, Singapore 270020. (MRT Buona Vista – Circle Line / East West Line)
(Both markets open early, 6:30am but there are various opening and closing times for the hawker center food stalls)
Photos by Nithia Devan and Melinda Murphy
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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Handy tips to make the most out of your wet market visit.
• Research the area you are visiting for bus routes and MRT stops. If you drive, check out the car park locations. • Go early. Most of the fresh food stalls open before 6am and close around midday; none of them stay open all day. • Don’t go on a Monday. Wholesalers who supply the wet markets do not work on Sundays, so you won’t get the freshest produce on Mondays.• Forget looking fashionable. Wear casual, comfortable clothes, as the markets are not air-conditioned. More importantly, wear covered shoes or trainers to keep your feet dry in the wet areas.• Bring a chiller bag with ice packs. If you are planning to buy seafood and fish, you’ll need it to keep your purchases cold. • Bring some wheels. As there are no shopping carts, bring your own trolley. • Talk to the stallholders. Transactions in wet markets are mostly verbal, so strike up a conversation with the stallholder. They may seem brusque at first, but persevere and ask questions and you’ll find that they can be helpful.• Leave the credit card at home. All transactions are in cash.
Singapore American • September 2015ARTS &
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Quick Arts and Culture GuideBy Tana Vine
Singapore, as a regional cultural hub, has attracted interesting art fairs and big-name museum exhibitions in recent years, from
historic Southeast Asian pieces to exhibitions by famous painters. Most of the museums offer free admission to locals and permanent residents.
National Museum of SingaporeIf you want to know more about Singapore’s history, the National Museum of Singapore is the place to go. Established in 1887, the oldest museum in Singapore delivers the country’s history and culture through live performances and modern multi-media exhibits. Look out for film screenings and theater performances.www.nationalmuseum.sg
Singapore Art MuseumOnce accommodating the Catholic boys’ school St. Joseph Institute for 135 years, the beautiful historic building on Bras Basah Road now holds a fine selection of contemporary artworks from across Southeast Asia. The art museum has more than 7,000 permanent art pieces. Look out for visiting exhibitions as well as displays at the museum’s annex on Queen Street. www.singaporeartmuseum.sg
Art Science MuseumCombining art, science, design, media, architecture and technology, Art Science Museum has housed notable exhibits and works from iconic artists including Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali and, most recently, Leonardo da Vinci. www.marinabaysands.com/museum
MINT Museum of ToysMINT (Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys) is the world’s first museum built for toys. The current collection is said to be worth around $5 million. It’s a place to relive your childhood memories as you browse through the 50,000 vintage playthings collected from different eras including pre-WWII. It’s also a great place to introduce the iPad generation to real toys!www.emint.com
The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM)The ACM presents more than 5,000 years of recorded history through a diverse collection of Asian artifacts. The permanent exhibits have dedicated sections for many of the major
religions in Asia, including Islam, Daoism and Buddhism. The museum is located along the Singapore River within easy reach of Boat Quay and Clarke Quay. www.acm.org.sg
Peranakan MuseumThe museum is located in a quaint Peranakan house (which used to be a school) along Armenian Street. The museum showcases collections of Peranakan (Straits Chinese) items, including jewelry, furniture and household items.www.peranakanmuseum.org.sg
Singapore Philatelic MuseumThe Singapore Philatelic Museum is a haven for stamp enthusiasts. It celebrates the hobby and features private collections of philatelists as well as international and themed exhibitions. On display are interesting stamps from Singapore’s past and present.www.spm.org.sg
Red Dot Design MuseumThis is the place for all things design. Presenting the latest trends in the design scene, Red Dot displays the winning works of the International Red Dot Design Award, one of the world’s leading and largest design competitions. www.museum.red-dot.sg
Singapore American • September 2015
c a l e n d a r o f e v e n t sAny responder should make any further enquiries with the organizer or should verify the information independently if necessary.
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The Maritime Experiential MuseumThis multi-sensory museum allows visitors the chance to experience Asia’s rich maritime history and Singapore’s past as a trading port. Journey along the ancient Maritime Silk Route and see valued artifacts from the Bakau shipwreck and Temasek archaeological site. At the end of the exhibition, visitors get to “sail” through a treacherous storm in the 360º multimedia Typhoon Theatre.www.rwsentosa.com/language/en-US/Homepage/Attractions/MaritimeExperientialMuseum
The Changi MuseumIf you would like to know more about Singapore during WWII and the Japanese Occupation, make a trip down to this war museum. Documenting significant events of the Japanese occupation in Singapore, the Changi Museum serves as memorial for those who fought and suffered during that dark period of history.www.changimuseum.sg
Singapore Pinacothèque de ParisThis recently-opened museum at the Fort Canning Arts Centre is the first international
outpost of the world-famous Parisian art museum. There are three main galleries: Collections is a permanent exhibition of 40 to 50 rarely-seen masterpieces from private collections; Features has rotating showcases; and Heritage Gallery highlights the historical significance of Fort Canning. There are also classes by the Art Academy, as well as art-inspired retail and creative F&B outlets.www.pinacotheque.com.sg
National Art GalleryThis new art gallery is set to open in October 2015 and will display Southeast Asian art collected from the 19th century till today. Stated to be the largest museum in the region, the National Art Gallery boasts 689,000 square feet of space, comparable to Musée d’Orsay in Paris. The museum resides in the refurbished Victorian buildings of the former City Hall and the Supreme Court. www.nationalgallery.sg
Museum of Art and Design (MAD) MAD is the first art museum to feature important and usually inaccessible pieces of
contemporary art. The museum is not only for art purists and buyers, but also for those who appreciate the influence of art and design on everyday life. Across two stories and 19,000 square feet, MAD Museum acts as a living, breathing art space for the “already famous” to the “up-and-coming.” The café has a regularly changing menu. There’s even an exclusive cigar bar and lounge.www.madmuseumsingapore.com
Looking to find out more about the vibrant arts scene in Singapore? Be sure to check out the back of Singapore American Newspaper every month. The calendar makes a great tear-out for your frig.
Alternatively, here is a list of websites that provide up-to-date information on the performing arts and art galleries in Singapore. These online publications also cover restaurants, live music and much more. You can even subscribe to them online and receive daily and weekly updates.
Arts Republicwww.artsrepublic.sgCityNomadswww.citynomads.comHoneycomberswww.thehoneycombers.com(Also has a good section on activities for children)InSingwww.insing.com
SG Nowhttp://sg.asia-city.comSingapore Art Gallery Guidewww.sagg.infoSingArtwww.singart.comThe A-Listwww.a-list.sgThe Muse www.themuse.com.sgTimeOut Singapore www.timeout.com/singapore/arts-entertainmentYour Singapore www.yoursingapore.com
Event listings and ticket bookings:Peatix www.peatix.comSistic www.sistic.com.sgTicketMash www.ticketmash.com.sg
Photos by William Cho; Bertrand Duperrin; Iash tan; myradee; Brian; Beng Hock Lim; Choo Yut Shing; Choo Yut Shing
Tana Vine is a British freelance journalist, editor and editorial consultant. She has written weekly and monthly columns for the some of the regional publications such as the Singapore Business Review and the South China Morning Post. She enjoys traveling and writing about her journeys around Asia. She is currently based in Singapore.
From 1 SeptemberChinese Ink Works from Lee Kong Chian Collection of Chinese ArtLee Kong Chian Gallery, NUS50 Kent Ridge CrescentTuesday-Friday 10am-7:30pm; Weekends 10am-6pmwww.nus.edu.sg/museum
1 September – 3 April 2016Great Peranakans – Fifty Remarkable LivesPeranakan Museum39 Armenian StreetDaily 10am-7pm; Friday 10am-9pmwww.peranakanmuseum.sg
1 September – April 2016Vietnam 1954 – 1975: War Drawings and Posters from the Ambassador Dato’ N Parameswaran CollectionNg Eng Teng Gallery, NUS Museum50 Kent Ridge CrescentTuesday-Friday 10am-7:30pm; Weekends 10am-6pmwww.nus.edu.sg/museum
1 – 27 SeptemberDr. Seuss’ The Cat in the HatDBS Arts Centre – Home of SRTwww.sistic.com.sg
3 – 26 SeptemberHello GoodbyeDBS Arts Centre – Home of SRTwww.sistic.com.sg
25 September – 4 OctoberSaturday Night Fever The MusicalSands Theatre, MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sandswww.sistic.com.sg
1 – 30 SeptemberHedger’s Carpet Clearance Sale15 Dempsey Road #01-0910:30am – 7pmwww.hedgerscarpetgallery.com.sg
12 September – 16 OctoberMid-Autumn FestivalChinatownwww.mydestination.com/singapore
18 SeptemberSeptember FairHollandse Club Main Hall22 Camden Park10am – 5pmwww.hollandseclub.org.sg
18 – 20 September2015 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix Marina Bay Circuitwww.singaporegp.sg
24 – 27 OctoberChinese Brush Paintings by Ang Cheng ChyeSingapore ScenesARTrium @ MCI140 Hill Street9am – 6pmwww.angchengchye.com
From 1 SeptemberUWCSEAApplications for Admission to UWCSEA in 2016/2017 open Dover or East Campuswww.uwcsea.edu.sg • [email protected]
7 – 10 SeptemberUWCSEA Dover Campus Open DaysPrimary School (9 & 10), High School (7) & Middle School 8)1207 Dover Roadwww.uwcsea.edu.sg
10 SeptemberCanadian International School Open HouseLakeside Campus - Kindergarten7 Jurong West Street 419amwww.cis.edu.sg
15 – 17 SeptemberUWCSEA East Campus Open DaysPrimary School (15), Middle School (16) & High School (17)1 Tampines Street 73www.uwcsea.edu.sg
17 SeptemberCanadian International School Open HouseTanjong Katong Campus - Kindergarten371 Tanjong Katong Road9amwww.cis.edu.sg18 SeptemberOpen HouseStamford American International School279 Upper Serangoon Road9amwww.sais.edu.sg
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Singapore American • September 2015
