All Women, All Walks of Life, All Nationalities ......mattresses for optimal spinal alignment. A...

BAMBOO TELEGRAPHAMERICAN WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE

June 2017

ASK THE EXPERT

Dr. Wasserman, Chiropractor

Chiropractic Care#04-19 Tanglin Shopping Centre

19 Tanglin Road6738 9142 | chiropractic.com.sg

What type of mattress is best for spine alignment, and for one’s back in general?

“ ”A good latex mattress performs better than other types of mattresses for optimal spinal alignment.

There are two basic mattress types, one

has a structural base made from metal

springs and is covered by various materi-

als to provide cushioning. Though spring

mattresses are popular, they do have a

drawback as springs tend to conform to

the compression of our bodies over time.

That is why spring mattresses tend to

sag and develop depressions affecting

the ability to support our spine.

The other types of mattresses have no

metal springs and are made from one or

a combination of different types of foam

such as latex and memory foam. Latex is

a natural product harvested from the

hevea brasiliensis tree (or “rubber tree”)

while memory foam is made from a

chemicals.

Memory foam compresses and rebound

slowly causing your body to conform to

the mattress limiting movement and

causing a potential heat build-up. Latex

performs in a totally different way as it

compresses and rebounds much faster

thus allowing greater reactivity when you

move. Since we move 30 to 60 times in

our sleep, natural latex’s dynamic

responsiveness gives in at the right spots

and contours to the body. This enables

the curves of the spine to adapt for

optimal alignment.

Natural latex also has much greater

breathability and stays cooler as it has an

open-cell structure and pinholes allowing

also has some other interesting proper-

ties as it is antimicrobial and resistant to

dust mites, which thrive in Singapore’s

humid climate. It is my opinion that for

most individuals, a good latex mattress

performs better than other types of

mattresses for optimal spinal alignment.

A popular bedding store European

Bedding in Tiong Bahru (32 Eng Hoon

Street) has a great selection of all-natural

latex mattresses for all bed sizes includ-

ing baby cots. The shop stocks three

different natural latex mattress brands,

and even sells latex pillows.

32 Eng Hoon Street, level 29654 3228 | europeanbedding.sg

Bamboo Telegraph June 2017 WWW.AWASINGAPORE.ORG 1

Contents

B T2

3

4

6

8

10

14

15

16

18

21

22

23

24

26

28

29

30

31

32

www.awasingapore.org

AWA Registration Policies

AWA Cancellation Policies

BT Editor


Singapore - AWA

[email protected]

1

6

June

24

21

10

Cover Art from Shutterstock

28

Bamboo Telegraph June 2017 WWW.AWASINGAPORE.ORG

WWW.AWASINGAPORE.ORG2 Bamboo Telegraph June 2017

Pre

sid

ent’s

Mes

sage

President's Message......

AWA MISSION STATEMENT:The American Women's Association is a sisterhood of women from around the world, who come together to enhance their Singapore experience through fulfi lling volunteer run events and activities.

• • •

• •

• www.awasingapore.org

2

Tara Eastep

nd

st

WWW.AWASINGAPORE.ORG Bamboo Telegraph June 2017


Mem

bersh

ip

3WWW.AWASINGAPORE.ORG

Good On Ya, Mate

Rohita Rajkumar

Introduce a friend to the AWA and open

them up to a world of amazing events,

incredible sport and hobby groups and

connect with wonderful women from all

over the globe.

AWA Singapore since 1935

oh shoot ! we need more AWA members !



Mem

ber

ship Introducing the AWA Execut

st

nd

Mem

bersh

ip


tive Board Officers for 2017-1018

AWA Welcome Fair 2017Wednesday, August 23

10 to 12 Fort Canning Lodge, 6 Fort Canning Road

Free Of Charge


Fro

m O

ur A

dvertisers

Are you interested in becoming a COACH?

you need to help others

achieve their best.

Life, Performance, Career & Executive Coaches are in demand now!

For more information contact Lindley at: www.allinthemind.asia • [email protected]


Exp

at A

dve

ntu

res

EXPAT ADVENTURESBy Alison Sanders

Your First Expat Goodbye


Exp

at Ad

ventu

res

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.


On Friday, April 21st, the AWA spring fashion show, Glamour By the Bay, was held at the Park Royal Hotel on Beach Road. Guests

in Singapore’s tropical climate.

Glamour by the Bay


wardrobe and life with modern and feminine designs with the tropical climate in mind.


occasion dresses. From a cozy cocktail party to a grand ball, all of their formal wear will make you look and feel elegant and

style. Florence has a keen eye for sizing and can instantly tell you the right size and style that will work for best for you and your


Mel RiceChair, 2017 AWA Fashion Show


Co

mm

un

ity

Ou

trea

ch COMMUNITY

OUTREACH

kidsREAD Volunteer TrainingDate: Saturday, June 17Time: Whole Day EventPlace: National Library, 100 Victoria St. 188064Cost: NoneLimit: 10

Please list in the comments box which session you

Please contact [email protected] with questions about this event.

esteem


Green

Co

rner

Green Corner

th

nd st


American Women’s AsSpecial Interest GroupsSusan Yoshimura, [email protected]

Ideal for those taking Mandarin lessons, who want more opportunity to

speak, or native speakers willing to help enthusiastic learners. We meet every

Thursday at 10 am to practice our speaking and listening skills. Our aim is to

practice what we have learned.

Meg Ambroson, [email protected] styled book groups allow you the opportunity to meet other women

and to participate in a regular discussion of books. Book group members decide

on the books to read in advance so that everyone has ample time to obtain and

read them. For a more comprehensive listing of book groups’ meeting times,

openings and book lists, contact the coordinator.

Ibi Stark, [email protected] group meets once a month during the third week of the month. All are

welcome to join. The focus is on mutual support and sharing information

among fellow cancer patients, survivors and friends. Contact the coordinator

for additional information.

Angel Corrigan, [email protected] Connection provides valuable information and resources to help

you and your family connect with local churches, youth organizations, Bible

study groups and more. We act as a clearing house for information on ‘What’s

On’ within the Christian Community in Singapore.

Maribel Bawa, [email protected] the direction of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Music graduate

Lee Khim Chong, the AWA International Choir rehearses and performs

concerts in both Fall and Spring seasons. New members are welcomed at the

beginning of each season: early September and mid-January. Rehearsals are

every Wednesday from 10-12 at St. Bernadette’s Church. Performances occur

around early May and December, when the choir sings at a local elderly center,

a school for special needs children, two hospices and at a selected major venue.

Lindley Craig, [email protected] on promoting positive outlooks, attitudes and behaviors in our lives,

our group meets once every two weeks on a Tuesday morning from 10 am

to 12 noon to discuss a section of a personal development book. Books are

selected by group consensus.

Heather Goessel & Michelle Edmunds, [email protected] to know your city and meet like-minded people interested in photography.

Participate in our regular monthly outings on the 10th of each month and

critique session every second month.There will be critique/advice sessions

throughout the year.

Cyndy O’Connor, [email protected] is an opportunity to pick up your quilting again! Perhaps you are looking

for companions who share the passion of quilting. We meet on the 1st and 3rd

Thursdays from 10 am - 3 pm.

Susan Studebaker-Rutledge, [email protected] you want to get all your priceless photos organized, this is the group for you.

We usually meet the first and third Thursdays of the month at 10 am. Please

contact Susan if interested.

Lucia Damacela, [email protected] your inner writer! Beginning and published writers meet to discuss

their works in a non-threatening atmosphere. We meet every other Thursday

from 10 am to 12 noon at a member’s home or a coffee shop.

Social ActivitiesVenta Norvilas, [email protected] month, step out and about in Singapore with the Bar Night team!

Throughout the year, the team will be arranging drinks for you at new venues

and old favorites. There will be ladies nights, couples nights and opportunities

for you to bring new friends to the AWA. This is a great opportunity to try

something new - bar nights are free events and you are welcome to bring friends

and (when applicable) partners. You can register for bar nights via the events

calendar of our website. (We do ask you to register, so we can get an idea of

numbers and also sometimes due to venue space constraints.)

AWA has many options for Bridge players! To find out which group is right

for you, email Alison Robb at [email protected]

Sock-Yan Sim, [email protected] you and your spouse or partner enjoy eating, drinking, socializing and

playing bridge? We play once a month on a Saturday evening, and we rotate

houses. Each couple is asked to bring a drink and an hors d’ouevres; the hosting

couple makes a dessert. The format is party bridge, using Chicago scoring,

and the couples play as partners. The idea is that we will just play fun, casual

bridge, socialize and make new friends!

Esme Parish, [email protected] Monday afternoons we play Duplicate Bridge according to American

standard five-card major rules. Players do not need a partner to join. We do

play duplicate but we randomly determine partners on the day of play or you

are welcome to pair up ahead of time. Registration is via the AWA website.

This is a fun afternoon of bridge at the friendliest game in town!

Seema Joshi, [email protected] Bridge is for ladies who want to improve their game in a relaxed

conversational atmosphere. We play a “Chicago” Four-Deal Rotation, changing

partners throughout the afternoon. We accept players from “experienced

beginner” upward, with our more advanced players happy to coach those newer

to the game. Every few weeks a new bidding convention is introduced or reviewed

with set hands for practice. We play on Thursday afternoons in the Orchard area.

Machelle Robbins, [email protected] is a simple dice game but mostly it’s a fun excuse to get together once

a month, meet new people, see old friends and enjoy some adult beverages.

Contact Machelle if you would like to join the afternoon or evening group.

Kathy Dolny, [email protected] DISH is a monthly social luncheon, located at various savory restaurants

throughout Singapore. Grab the hand of a friend and join us. Please email or

join the AWA DISH Facebook group page to find out more.

Rosanne Hebert, [email protected] a month on a Friday or Saturday evening, byob and munchie. Ice and

mix to be provided by host. We will alternate homes/ party function rooms.

Beginners and husbands welcome! Easy to learn!


ssociation ActivitiesSiew Wei Ngiam, [email protected] play the international style in a low-stress, FUN and ‘learner-friendly’

atmosphere on Mondays between 1 pm - 4 pm at Boomarang Robertson Quay

for $10/person (inclusive of one drink). You can either register to play as an

individual or as a table of 4 (limited availability). If you are new to Mahjong,

please email me to arrange for the required 2 training lessons before.

Anne Perng, [email protected]

AWA Movie Lunch Group meets once a month for lunch followed by a movie

in the Orchard Road area. To be added to the regular mailing list, please go to

the Movie Lunch page on the AWA website and register for the mailing list.

Sports

18-hole group: Monica Devereux, [email protected] group: Kathy Dolny [email protected] our 18-hole group on Wednesday mornings, or our 9-hole group on

Thursday mornings for a friendly round of golf on regulation courses here

in Singapore. Registration is via the AWA website. A handicap is required

for 18-hole and our 9-hole group is perfect for beginners or to work on your

short game.

Michelle Ford, [email protected] tennis committee offers a variety of singles and doubles play for players of

all levels. The seasons run from September through December, and February

through April. Other team tennis is offered in the off season from December

through February. We run three tournaments covering all skill levels. Our

hugely popular end of season celebration is held every May when we award

coveted bag tags and acknowledge tournament winners. Please contact us at

[email protected] to set up a session.

Jeanine Stewart, [email protected] us on Tuesday and/or Thursday mornings for a group run at 8:30 am.

We cater to all levels with a focus on meeting your goals and having fun as

we explore various areas of Singapore. Afterwards, we reward ourselves with

the appropriate ‘cool down’ at a nearby cafe.

Vicki Bunker, [email protected] join a fun loving group of women as we walk all over this amazing

island! We have walks for all kinds of walkers ranging from 1 to 3 hours.

Each week, walking locations and directions are posted in advance on our

Facebook page, AWA Walking with Women. To join, go to our Facebook

page, request to join, or email us. Looking forward to walking & talking!

Regular CoffeesLaurie Day, [email protected] is a coffee meet every Wednesday and Friday (excluding public holidays)

in Tangs at the Providore Cafe 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. It’s a wonderful way to meet

new friends or reconnect with old friends. No need to register, just show up.

Rohita,Rajkumar, [email protected] join us for our monthly coffee as we welcome returning and new

members to join us to learn about what the AWA has to offer and to provide

help and information to make Singapore feel like home. Details on our

membership page.

Community ActivitiesKerry Driver, [email protected]

This group helps AWA members connect to volunteer opportunities in

Singapore. We coordinate volunteer programs for members at five featured

organizations, and we review and help promote other volunteer opportunities.

Committee members oversee these efforts, and support AWA events to benefit

community outreach partners. To learn more about the volunteer programs,

see the information below, visit the website for dates and other opportunities,

or visit the AWA Singapore Community Outreach page on Facebook and “like” it to receive current news and information via your Facebook newsfeed.

Sheila Weidner [email protected]

Sign up to join the pool of AWA volunteers that cover shifts at both the Ronald

McDonald House and the Family Room to support the families of children

getting treatment at Singapore’s National University Hospital.

Allison Burden, [email protected]

Volunteer to support one of the AWA programs with the residents at HOME’s

shelter for migrant workers in Singapore, where a small group of members go

every few weeks to provide education, entertainment or exercise.

Isabella Duncan, [email protected]

Donate magazines and / or visit with hospitalized expat patients to keep them

company during their time in Singapore’s Mt. Elizabeth Hospital.

Machelle Robbins, [email protected]

Help children in Singapore’s public schools develop a love of reading with

kidsREAD, a program supported by the National Library Service especially

targeting at risk pre-school and primary school students.

Janet Stride, [email protected]

Join other AWA ladies to help pack bags of food that go to families in Singapore

cannot afford to feed themselves and their school age children. On other days,

AWA volunteers and their family distribute some of those bags to people who

can’t get to the distribution centers.

Seema Sutradhar, [email protected] The People›s Association is the branch of Singapore›s government that aims

to promote racial harmony and social cohesion in Singapore. Their mission is

to build and bridge communities in achieving one people, one Singapore. AWA

Singapore joined the People›s Association network of Grassroots Organizations

in 2016 and via our Community Outreach committee, we help connect AWA

members to government-organized volunteer opportunities, such as aiding

elderly and underprivileged children at community events, and participating

in government activities, such as the annual Chingay parade.

WWW.AWASINGAPORE.ORG18 BAMBOO TELEGRAPH JUNE 2017

RAMADAN RAMBLE

TIME: 2:30 – 6 PLACE: Corner of Beach Rd & Jln SultanCOST: $68 Members $85 Guests LIMIT: 15

Kampong Glam is one of Singapore’s oldest ethnic enclaves, rich in history

to visit as the area comes alive with

of Ramadan. Our guide, Diana Chua, will take us to explore this well-known local area in search of Malay

along the side streets of Jalan Sultan, where blacksmiths and tombstone carvers once thrived, to appreciate

architecture of the old quarters. Learn about the intriguing scheme behind the original Singapore Contract as we visit the grounds of the Kota Raja (old Sultan Palace). We also visit famous landmarks such as the village mosque Hajjah

an Islamic religious school.

During the tour, discover shops

Malay kueh kueh (pastries). Stop for drinks half way and have a chance to try some of the local colorful delicacies.

JUNE

8Thursday

AWA LOCAL TOUR

POLICIES

This tour will take you to an area of Singapore that your probably never visit, and you will be able to experience Singapore both “old” and “new.” We’ll start in the Japanese cemetery, which was originally started by a brothel owner for his working girls, and is the largest Japanese cemetery in Southeast Asia. You’ll learn about some of the illustrious persons buried there. We’ll next take a walk back

where we will enjoy a tea break (included.) We’ll then visit Punggol and Singapore’s most coveted HDB

with architecture unlike any other in Singapore. Our tour will wrap up at

Airbase. The cafe owner is a vintage car restorer who also dabbles in bicycle art, and has agreed to give us a tour of his work. Our tour ends with lunch on your own here, at your own pace, as you’ll make your own way home from here. Please note that this area is not well served by the bus or MRT system.

TIME: 8:45 – 1 PLACE: Meeet at Newton Food Centre CarparkCOST: $55 Members $65 Guests LIMIT: 6

July

15Saturday

RUSTIC CHARM OFTHE NORTH EAST

• Complete detailed tour

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

• approximate.

BUS

BAMBOO TELEGRAPH JUNE 2017 WWW.AWASINGAPORE.ORG 19

Local Tours

The Marina Bay Sands Art Path

Marina Bay Sands’ design architect Moshe Safdie. Each project blurs the boundaries between art, science,

scale.

Art Outreach, a company whose mission is to increase visual art

in Singapore, will be your guide as you walk through the Marina Bay Sands hotel, mall, casino, and outdoor spaces, learning about these great

created them.

TIME: 10 – 11:30 PLACE: Rain Oculus Artwork at Marina Bay Sands Shopping MallCOST: $20 Members $25 Guests LIMIT: 15

JULY

20Thursday

MARINA BAY ART PATH

WWW.AWASINGAPORE.ORG20 BAMBOO TELEGRAPH JUNE 201720 WWW.AWASINGAPORE.ORG

Gather your friends and team up to compete in a race around Kampong Glam. You will not only learn about Malay Culture and Heritage, but you will discover the hipster side of this cultural village. Teams will be sent around the streets in search of pit stops. At every pit stop, your team will complete challenges to earn points. At the end of the race, the team with the most points will be crowned the winner!

the pre-loaded iPads that you will use for the race. You will login to the game app, take a Team Photo and enter your team name. You will follow the app map to locate pit stops and access the team challenges. The challenges vary and may require you to make videos, play games, answer trivia

At the end of the race, we will break for lunch (on your own) and then meet back at the Community Center in Kampong Glam. We will watch videos and photo slideshows from the mornings events and get the results of the race. Teams can have 4-6 members. When you register, be sure to

a team? No worries!! You will be assigned to a team the day of the race.

AWA Local Tours Presents

The Kampong Glam GPS ChallengeBy Asia Detours

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

Date: Wednesday, September 27Time: 9.00am to 2.00pmPlace: Kampong GlamCost: $85 Member, $110 Guest


The Round the Island (RTI) Monday walks were a big hit again this year!!! Thank you to our fearless walk leaders.

A very special shout-out to Pamela Jean Wagner and Peg Albert for mapping out all of

every region of Singapore.

AWA Walking With Women

Round the Island and Monday Walks

Thank you to all of the AWA walk leaders: Gloria Carion, Rachel O’Sullivan, Rebecca Seewald, Francoise Wiard, Catherine Delloue, Andrea Stueven, Kathy Dolny, Helga Herrera, and Andrea Brankin.

Wednesday Wanderers

Neither heat, nor rain, nor mosquitoes, nor early morning wake-ups could keep the amazing women of AWA from

Join the “AWA Walking With Women” Facebook page!


a group 2x per week at Mac Ritchie Reservoir and the Botanic Gardens at 8:30am. We added Monday’s to the mix where

workouts. It’s a great way to start the week!

One run can change your day... many runs can change your life.

AWA RUNNING GROUP

ASIAN COOKING WITH CLASSES WITH VIDA

Time: 10 –1

Form your own group. Helpers are welcome to all classes. Saturday mornings classes too. Children classes. Couples evening. Classes….bring your wine’Date: Call or email for details for full monthly menus and wet market tours.Cost per class (with recipes and lunch or dinner) $136 for 2 classes booked and paid Contact: Vida Berry:64682764 or [email protected]

Over 29 years of teaching cooking experience.Found to have good health

changes slightly featuring all the famous dishes of Thai,India,Malaysian and Chinese cuisine..Classes are conducted at my premises in a comfortable atmosphere.All the ingredients and recipes are supplied.Teaches how to select and use fresh quality ingredients for each region and share cooking techniques that will give the best results when you cook at home in a healthy way. And of course you get to taste the dishes you prepared with a small lunch!

per person)

variety of veggies,fruits ,Asian spices and herbs.

Tours on weekdays and Saturdays


Golf Shots

GOLF SHOTSAWA Golfers Say Farwell to Our Longest Playing Member!

her the best of luck in her new endeavors in the US. Mary has been a member of the 18 hole group since 2010, and one of our previous leaders. Her wisdom and humor will be sorely missed!

AWA Golfers Love to Laugh on the Golf Course!

TENNIS Felicia Burch Results

24 WWW.AWASINGAPORE.ORG BAMBOO TELEGRAPH JUNE 2017

Girls Night Out

Fun, Friendship, and Fair Play

Bad weather didn’t stop us having a great Felicia Burch tournament! 12

trophy, along with some really great tennis bags courtesy of Savitar.

quickly to cope with the rainout on Monday. Many thanks to her for running a great tournament.

Our wonderful co-ordinators Maria Scanlon and Sammie Oliver won't be here to run GNOs next season so please join me

Tenn

is


Tennis

Summertime

Thank You

during my term.

Season party in May.

www.savitargroup.com. Discover Tennis Clinics will be back in the Fall - details again on website.

WWW.AWASINGAPORE.ORG26

SID

ER

BAMBOO TELEGRAPH JUNE 2017

Flirting with FoodBy Terrie Price

number one food item I will miss! Take advantage of this delicious treat!

if you prefer black.

Durian: Try to get it past your nose and give it a taste. The taste is creamy, sweet and savory all at once. If you cannot get

vegetarian, I was surprised there were so many! Be adventurous and try new tastes. Google is your friend if you need help

Hawker Center: No stay in Singapore is complete without dining at a Hawker Center. Go with a group so you can try more

Be it a local neighborhood explore, a cooking class ,or a food tour, immerse yourself in Singapore’s food culture. You will

WWW.AWASINGAPORE.ORG 27BAMBOO TELEGRAPH JUNE 2017

Flirting With Food/From

Our A

dvertisers

It was a challenge to decide which recipe to share! I decided on one of my personal favorites. I never

of a smoothie bowl is that it is (obviously), a smoothie in a bowl! In order to make it more edible with a spoon, make sure that the smoothie is thick. This can be accomplished by using less liquid, or more frozen ingredients.

Smooth ingredients:

1 cup frozen fruit½ cup coconut milk (may need a little water to thin out)1 teaspoon honey1 banana½ cup spinach

Toppings:

GranolaChia seeds

Sliced fruitDried Coconut

Pour into bowl and arrange toppings.

• Fresh fruit will work but you will need to adjust the liquid by using yogurt for a thicker consistency.• Try cooked pumpkin, avocado or cooked beets• Add 1 cup spinach or kale for a green smoothie• Add raw cacao or dark chocolate chips

• Try other liquids such as nut milks, soy milk, yogurt, fresh fruit juice or coconut water.

Bio

chefs in over 20 countries to learn about vegetarian cuisine.

Sadly for the AWA and the Bamboo Telegraph, Terrie is moving on to her next adventure this summer. We

healthy from Terrie going forward, please visit www.

Hoe Brothers Catering

Roasting Turkeys since the 1960s

40 Woodlands St 41, Singapore 738547Singapore American School

Tel: 63636449Fax: 62691855

Mobile: [email protected]

Catering for all OccastionsFish and Chips and BBQ selections

Western and Local dishesBartender Services


The

Fork

and

Cho

pstic

k THE FORK AND CHOPSTICK Mission: To highlight heritage, social enterprise, family-run, or just plain fun chomping grounds

By Jenni & Eric Lee

The Cutlery Curtain:Far East Shopping Centre, 545 Orchard Road, #06-19, 238882

a few: The Boston Restaurant, Jimmy’s Kitchen and Tai Ping Koon. Shashlik is one of these places in Singapore. “Russo-Hainanese restaurant of 30 years of heritage. Old school charm lives on!”-described on their Facebook page. According to the Straits Times, Shashlik was popular in the 1980’s and 90’s

older Singaporeans will have nostalgic memories of being taken to Shashlik by their parents.

We enjoyed Escargot, Caviar with Eggs, Bliny Caviar, Borsch with a Hainanese twist, Lamb Shashlik, Beef Shashlik, Oxtail Stew, Baked Alaska, Banana Flambe, etc. The Onion Soup was not to our liking though, but the shashliks were tender and juicy.Also on the menu: Chicken a la Kiev, Grilled Salmon. Banana Split, Cherry Jubilee.

care of you. Despite the language barrier, our server made

original wooden trolleys, just like yesteryear, and shashliks (skewered meats) were served on sizzling plates. One thing

Mustard-yellow tablecloths and napkins remain from before the re-opening, along with the servers’

menu. May try


Writers’ Block

AWA WRITERS’BLOCK

By Stephanie Nguyen

Writers' Block is a monthly contribution from our AWA Writers’ Group members.

Vietnamese dish, I am reminded of my childhood.

I was born and raised in Hanoi at a time when people grew their own food in gardens. In my memories, I can still see the fields along the Red and To Lich rivers. My grandparents had their own little farm with chickens, pigs, rabbits and a fish pond, as well as gardens full of fruits, vegetables and herbs.

Today, Vietnam is still an agricultural country. Eighty percent of our population are farmers. They work hard on the farm every day. The farmers’ labor force are cows and water buffalos. They are treasures to the farmers, so they are never killed for food. They are consumed after they die. Because our food is still harvested or picked from gardens or farms daily, Vietnamese cuisine is famous for its freshness.

In Vietnam, we believe that the fresher and greener the food, the healthier and leaner we will be. We also use a great variety of herbs, so our food is known for its richness in fiber and its medicinal qualities.

My grandfather used to say: “If you don’t eat right, there is no cure the doctor can give. But if you do eat right, then you will never need a doctor.”

While my grandfather was the one who taught me to appreciate farming, it was my father›s godfather who gave me a passion for cooking. My father’s godfather was one of the best chefs in Hanoi when the French were still there. He worked in a 5-star hotel from the 1940s until the end of the 1980s. He loved to cook and cooked until he was almost 80-years-old.

When I was a child, I loved to see him in the kitchen. He was a magician to me, with his chopsticks and knives as magic wands. The best part of the show was when he asked me to try this or to try that and would ask:

- “Is it good or not?”

To me, anything he made was always the best food I had ever tasted!

When there was a party, his dishes were always presented beautifully, full of flavors from Heaven and Earth, sea and forest, rivers and rice patties and vegetable fields. My eyes, my nose and my mouth were kept wide open, unable to blink, sniffing and tempted by all of the flavors.

My father’s godfather taught me that the best thing about Vietnamese cooking is that the recipes are simple, easy to cook and very flexible in your choice of ingredients. In fact, we use the same recipe for most of our dishes, but with your own creative skills you can use different types of vegetables, fruits or herbs to make the food to your own taste. In addition to the fresh produce, we use rice, beans or nut products, along with a little meat or fish to add richness to the dish.

Every time I teach a cooking class or share these recipes, I feel like I am reliving my childhood games. I am transported back in time 30 years to my grandparents’ backyard in Hanoi where I would play with my sisters and cousins, picking all the plants from my grandfather›s garden and pretending we are shopping or cooking or imagining we are ladies who run our own family restaurant.


Book

Rev

iew AWA Book Review

By Judy Blume

in the way of entertainment. There

television, and two of them would be

I was 10 when I overheard my two older cousins (12 and 14) whispering

begged them to let me see… they

if I really wanted to read it, well, I was just going to have to get in line. I was told gravely that this week, the book was going to be with X, and the following week, it was going to be with

Y. Then, they told me, I could have it, but only for three days (they knew I was a fast reader), because then they would have to pass it, as promised,

“the book” were agonizing as I had to also endure hearing them talk about Margaret and Philip and periods.

The book, of course, was Judy Blume’s iconic

, and at almost 11, it was a life-changer if ever there was one. Like my cousins and many of my friends, I learned about periods from Margaret. And more importantly, the personal,

and just the way a person talks? From there, I went backwards to

and . I wept over and I puzzled over

the mysterious Won’t, which I didn’t fully understand

write Ms Blume a poem, and she sent

I went forward to and of course, later on , and even later on,

. Judy Blume taught me a great deal

workshop. I found her mastery of

breathtaking, even at my tender age. It was magic I thought, how she cast a spell and made her words resemble

more like a friend telling a story, as though she was were whispering it in your ear.

And then I grew up and heard

. This is Blume’s big book, the adult novel that goes way

you can sink your teeth into that’s accessible as only Blume can be, and yet, simultaneously so redolent of substance, meaning, resonance. It

and leaps forward to the characters as adults now carrying a shared secret. Blume tackles ideas she has delved into previously, being a woman, the heartbreak of love, the complexity of friendship and also the pain of family. In it, she penetrates the personal while speaking to a

her books when you were young, reading In the Unlikely Event will be a pleasure you will thoroughly enjoy. And if you didn’t, it may just send you back to those long ago books in search of what you missed.


Motivational Book Review

Motivational Book group Review

that she was interested in self-development and wanted like-minded people to join the group

Book Group has had a few caretakers including Lind-ley Craig, Meiling Wong and Pat Chiota.

As one of the original members of the group, I’ve seen how people have changed over the years. Some come to the group struggling with a new country, new culture, and new life

more about myself, other human beings and about the

a lifelong interest in gaining insights about myself and

wise and compassionate authors. I have learned much that

journey through this life. The idea of being able to discuss

adds much to the learning dimension. Being part of a

enriched my life and has led to many lovely friendships.”

When discussing the history of the group with old and new members, I asked what they enjoyed most about the group.

both from the books themselves and from the other women in the group!”

I couldn’t agree more!

Susan adds, “I love the open-mindedness of our members. We have not only the willingness to learn new things and

reference point and provide mutual support. I love the books we read ,and I love applying the insights and wisdom I take

it’s about taking it and doing something with it


SundayM

ondayTuesday

Wednesday

ThursdayFriday

Saturday3

45

68

9

For more info: www.aasingapore.com

Singapore American School

American Association of Singapore and Singapore American School Welcome You to

Get the skills you need to be your best.

Complete course information at: www.allinthemind.asia

Problems? Only 1 of these can give you the skills you need to solve your problems.

starting September 25th

You want your child to be equipped with the tools they need to choose their learning pathway after school, and excel in their selected career after that. So do we.

Providing leading education at Stamford American, we believe

unparalleled choice and academic rigour combining American Education Reaches Out (AERO) standards with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Curriculum and the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

of both worlds as a pathway for children 18 months to 18 years.

OPPORTUNITY: GIVE YOUR CHILD UNPARALLELED

International Baccalaureate

AP Courses College Board

AEROStandards

US

21/2/2016 – 20/2/2020

+65 6653 7907

sais.edu.sg/curriculum

[email protected]

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS NOW

All Women, All Walks of Life, All Nationalities ......mattresses for optimal spinal alignment. A...

Documents

Transcript of All Women, All Walks of Life, All Nationalities ......mattresses for optimal spinal alignment. A...