San January 2015

Singapore American • January 2015

January 2015

T h e A m e r i c a n A s s o c i a t i o n o f S i n g a p o re ’s

www.aasingapore.com

American Association of Singapore Strategic Partners

MCI (P) 178/01/2015

Toys for Tots 8-9

Travel 22-23

Arts & Culture 26

American Association 2-3

CRCE & Business 4

Community News 5-11

Living in Singapore 12

Life Balance 14-21

Travel 22-23

Health & Wellness 24

Arts & Culture 26

What's Happening 27

Member Discounts 27

Since 1958

Digital Health 2015: Singapore Gets Connected and QuantifiedBy Dr. Steven Tucker

Continued on page 15

Fitbit Charge HR

Pros

• Continuous heart rate monitoring• Caller ID only notifications• Good battery life• Price point (USD$149)

Cons

• Water resistant, not waterproof• Unique charging cable• Lack of smart phone notifications

• Utilitarian design

Odds are that you or someone around your holiday table received a shiny new fitness tracker or smart watch.

Industry reports describe wearable technology as a 4.1 billion US dollar market in 2014 and expect it to surge to over 90 billion US dollars by 2018. And while some people may be on the sidelines (waiting for the Apple watch, perhaps), there are currently dozens of amazing wearable technologies that bridge across the form and function of smart watches, fitness trackers and medical devices.

Wearable technology is not actually a new concept; it has a history dating back as far at the seventeenth century. The Qing Dynasty was the first to miniaturize the abacus and place it on a ring. We certainly have come a long way from the abacus, as devices today can measure every-thing from steps taken to continuous heart rate to diagnosing migraine headaches and measuring the force of impact in contact sports.

Wearable devices are creating a new culture of health and allowing anyone to gain in-sight into behavior, habits and the personal decisions associated with health and risk of chronic disease. Behavior is the root cause of many chronic conditions, as many adults do not meet recommendations for physical activity, sleep or even medication compli-ance. And chronic conditions such as diabe-tes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pres-sure, and cancer account for nearly eighty percent of health spending. With eighty-six million Americans having pre-diabetes and seventy percent being overweight or obese, addressing chronic behavior and health costs should be no surprise. And of course, one rarely hears of personal healthcare costs going down.

Wearable devices have been shown to make people healthier by creating awareness and encouraging empowerment. Recently the

Mayo Clinic placed activity trackers on pa-tients during recovery after surgery. Patients with the most activity were much more likely to be discharged home sooner. The real take-away for the doctors was not the tracker itself but the data and its meaning. Trackers are transforming health promotion and chronic disease prevention by strategically engaging people with technology. Importantly, they are now being recognized as valuable data silos to connect to electronic health records and to be shared with physicians.

Some of the newest devices, outlined in the article, also illustrate a critical step in tech-nology and health—connected synergy, also known as the Internet of Things. That is, while tech enthusiasts initially used activity trackers like Fitbit, these activity tracking functions are now being absorbed into devices everywhere, and especially into apps and smart phones. Additionally, we are now talking about the

THEME: LIFE BALANCE


Happy New Year! We hope your year-end holiday was filled with family time, relaxing vacations and a chance to reenergize for 2015.

AAS had a busy December, including our annual Toys for Tots event with the US Marines and Honorary Chairperson, Crystal Wagar. Thanks to all for coming and making a difference in the lives of many children. You can see pictures of the event and our wildly successful Turkey Trot run and American breakfast (thanks Navy and Navy League!) on pages 6-9.

In late November, we also had a taste of Clessidra's Italian delicacies—including truffles, cheese and a range of Italian wines along with Valerie Brandt’s exceptional jewelry at our “Sparkle of the Holidays” event. More than a few holiday gifts were purchased!

The theme for this issue of SAN is “Life Balance.” Each year, I resolve to live a bit healthier and happier, and while I don’t always achieve that goal, we have some (hopefully) inspirational articles for you: high-tech fitness, laughter, fasting, outdoor workouts and healthy cooking oils, among others. I wish you success with your New Year’s resolution, whatever it may be.

Following our successful November Quiz Night (some seventy people laughed, ate and drank the night away), we have our first 2015 Quiz Night at The American Club on January 21. If you don’t have a team of four, sign up anyway and we’ll find a fun group for you. Even if you’re not a “quiz night person,” come and give us a try. You’ll see that the night is every bit as much about having fun and making new friends, as it is about cranial output.

The AAS team and ball committee are pushing ahead with final preparations for our 82nd George Washington Ball (GWB) on March 7. (Please see advertisement on next page.) You can purchase tickets at last year’s price, until January 5. Proceeds from the GWB will go to Singapore Children's Society, our 2015 charity. If you’ve never been, the GWB has a well-earned reputation as our best event of the year. While formal, it’s not stuffy—in fact last year, people were on the dance floor even before dinner was served. Valerie Brandt and Tere Aloma, co-chairs of this year’s GWB, give us a glimpse into what you can expect (page 3).

Our AAS/SG50 logo will be seen throughout this year to honor Singapore’s Golden Jubilee. Many organizations around town are not only designing their own logo, but also partaking in a wide variety of events. You can also check out www.singapore50.sg/en/WhatsOn to see what’s happening around town.

We value your ideas. Contact me or General Manager Toni Dudsak: [email protected]. Also, please visit our website and Facebook page or tweet us: @AmAssocSG, (hashtag #AmAssocSG on Facebook, Twitter).

Wishing you an amazing 2015,

Glenn van [email protected]: @glennvanzutphen

A Message from the President...EDITORIALEditor in Chief: Maureen Murray, [email protected]

Publishing Editor: Toni Dudsak, [email protected]

DESIGN & LAYOUTGraphic Designer: Joanne Johnson, [email protected]

ADVERTISINGAdvertising Manager: Valerie Tietjen, [email protected]

CONTRIBUTORSJyoti Angresh, Valerie G. Brandt, Nithia Devan, Kristina Doss, Expat InsuranceRossini Francisco, Munira Hyder, Abha Dayal Kaul, Annette Lang, Samuel Lim, Erin Loranger, Ana Mollinedo Mims, Lissy Ann Puno, Dr. Steven TuckerGlenn van Zutphen, Clarissa Wong, Paul E. Zakowich

American Association : Holly Kreutter

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERSPresident: Glenn van Zutphen • Vice President: Steven TuckerTreasurer: Shelly Dee • Secretary: Stephanie Nash Directors: Joseph Foggiato, Shawn Galey, Christopher Keen, Anne LeBoutillier and Ana MimsImmediate 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: U.S. 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 membership. AAS annual family membership is just $70. CRCE membership is $160. To join, visit www.aasingapore.com and have the Singapore American delivered to your home.Reproduction in any manner, in English or any other language, is prohibited without written permission. The Singapore American welcomes all contributions of volunteer time or written material. The Singapore American is printed by Procomp Printset Pte Ltd,

57 Loyang Drive, Level 3 Annex Building, Singapore 508968.

AMERICANASSOCIATION

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Quiz Night with The American ClubJoin AAS and The American Club as they collaborate for the first-ever all-American Quiz Night at The American Club’s Union Bar. Test yourself against your contemporaries in a wide range of trivia categories. Gather your team and reach for trivia victory! The top three winning teams will receive prizes.

7-9pmThe American Club, Union Bar, 10 Claymore HillAAS & American Club Members: $50 • Team of Four: $190 For more information, visit: www.aasingapore.com

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 their knowledge on settling in, health insurance, Singapore’s heritage and culture, and health and wellness. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to gain valuable insight and meet new friends.

7-9pmThe American Club, Colonial Room (Level 3), 10 Claymore HillAAS Members and SAS Families OnlyRegistration is free but required, includes food and beverages For more information, visit: www.aasingapore.com

AAS

For more info and to register for an event: www.aasingapore.com

AMERICANASSOCIATION

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Untouchable: Children of GodOn November 17, more than eighty people gathered at The American Club to watch “Untouchable: Children of God,” an award-winning documentary about sex trafficking in Nepal and India. The director travelled from the US to introduce the film and answer questions from the audience. He was accompanied by three young Nepalese women who had survived and been rescued from enslavement. It was an incredibly moving and inspiring evening for all who attended.

The Sparkle of the HolidaysThe American Association kicked off the holiday season in style on November 25 with “The Sparkle of the Holidays”—an evening of gourmet Italian food and wine provided by Clessidra, and exquisite jewelry shopping with designs by Valerie G. Brandt.

Past Events

wednesday

21january

Upcoming Events

wednesday

28january

All aboard! For luxury, romance, intrigue and the adventure of travel, nothing rivaled the glamour of the Orient Express. The George Washington Ball committee welcomes you to

ride along on a gala journey recreating the style and elegance of that bygone era.

The 82nd annual George Washington Ball, the premier black-tie charity event of the American Association of Singapore, will “depart the platform” at the W Hotel in Sentosa on Saturday, March 7. Following the traditions of the Orient Express, the evening will feature the highest levels of personal service, outstanding cuisine served in stylish surroundings, splendid entertainment with the Johnny James band, and cultured and alluring guests from all parts of the civilized world. Surely, an evening to remember.

The proceeds from a dazzling silent auction and exciting lucky draw will support Singapore Children's Society in its mission to protect and nurture children of all races and religions. Since its establishment in 1952, the Society has provided services to vulnerable children, youth and families, and served as a research and advocacy platform to meet the changing needs of children. Last year, Children’s Society reached out to more than 72,600 children and won the President of Singapore’s Award for Social Impact. For more information on the work of the Singapore Children’s Society, please visit www.childrensociety.org.sg.

To purchase tickets, contact the American Association at 6738-0371 or register online at www.aasingapore.com.

The 82nd Annual George Washington Ball Boards the Orient Express

By Valerie G. Brandt


Michelle has been a member of CRCE since January 2013. How many expatriate assignments

did you complete before moving to Singa-pore?

Singapore is my first expatriate assignment. Can you share with us your background and professional experiences?

I began my career in New York City as a sales assistant for a wealth management firm. After five years with the same firm, I decided it was time for a change, both firm-wise and career-wise. After getting married and relocating to Singapore, I figured this was the perfect time to press the reset button on my career and explore new opportunities! In Singapore, I taught English to Japanese expats and did sales for Chope, a Singaporean startup. I am now the Community Manager for Yelp, a website and app that connects people to great lo-cal businesses in Singapore.Can you think of any activities and/or experiences that have strengthened your self-esteem or self-confidence while you’ve been in Singapore?

Learning to network and find groups and associations that appealed to my interests definitely raised my self-confidence. My university has an active alumni association in Singapore, and through one of the members there I learned about the American Association and CRCE. The events held by the American Association were great opportunities for me to socialize and learn how others found jobs in Singapore. I also attended several CRCE workshops to sharpen my job-hunting skills and prepare for the different interview processes that can take place here. Additionally, being part of the Yelp community put me in touch with passionate Singaporeans who were helpful in answering any questions I had, from where the best chicken rice is to where I can find green tea Kit Kats. (Tip: the Japanese grocery stores in Clarke Quay are a great place to start looking!)

How would you advise other trailing spouses (“trailing talents”) who are planning to

move to Singapore?

It never hurts to start networking even before you move to Singapore. Ask your friends and colleagues if they have any con-tacts in Singapore that they can connect you to and who are willing to meet and

give advice. LinkedIn is a very powerful tool here, as many recruiters and companies use it

to search and learn more about job candidates. If you want to be discovered, be sure to have a

profile and that it’s up to date!From your previous professional experience, what have

you observed so far that might be different in Singapore?Once hired, the onboarding process can require specific paperwork. Pay close attention to the documents you are asked to provide, as they occasionally ask for original copies. Nobody likes hearing that their application for a work pass was rejected; stay organized and the process will be a breeze!Are there any other experiences that you would like to share with the readers?

As with any relocation to a new city or country, give yourself time to adjust, and appreciate the opportunity that you’ve been given to live in this country. As Yelp community manager, part of my job is to bring the community offline by hosting free events that showcase great local businesses around Singapore. These events are good opportunities to meet locals and ask them anything—they love to help!What tips do you have for expats new to Singapore who might be looking for work or a career change?

Take full advantage of the resources provided by CRCE—from the workshops to their jobs board. I learned a lot of valuable skills, and I had better success getting interviews through that platform.

CRCE

Spotlighton JobsCRCE: Career Resource

Center for Expats

For more information about CRCE www.aasingapore.com - click on the CRCE link

CRCE January Workshopsregister at: www.aasingapore.com

Did you know that employers can post jobs for FREE? Visit www.aasingapore.com/for-employers

Full-time IELTS and TOEFL TeacherSelected candidates will be trained to deliver IELTS and TOEFL test preparation courses effectively. After successfully completing training, you are expected to be fully prepared for each class, to closely monitor students' progress and to motivate and assist weaker students. Class sizes are small to ensure maximum attention. Most students are between 17–35 years old and are applying to undergraduate or graduate programs abroad. (job #2952)

Part-time SAT and GMAT TeachersThe SAT and GMAT teachers are expected to be fully prepared for each class, to monitor students' progress and to motivate and assist weaker students. Outstanding presentation and communication skills are required. Teaching experience preferable but not mandatory. (job #2951)

Senior HR ExecutiveThe HR Executive will provide HR support for all operations globally and handle personnel management issues involving Singapore and international staff while advising and supporting in-country (Africa-based) HR personnel on all local hire issues. (job #2949)

Assistant Manager Corporate SecretarialThe successful candidate will work independently on designated jobs, supported by your team of colleagues and supervisors and support a portfolio of clients to ensure that all statutory and compliance requirements are fully met. (job #2947)

AccountantAn accounting firm is looking for a meticulous and organized individual who is able to work independently and as part of a team. The successful candidate should have knowledge of accounting IAS/FRS as well as Singapore tax, gst and CPF filing requirements. (job #2946)

Camp Advisor and AdministratorThis organization is looking for an enthusiastic and bubbly personality to advise families on signing up their children at summer camp. This will require a thorough understanding of the product and the ability to address client concerns effectively. Once children are signed up, this person will be in charge of following up with customers on all required documentation and organizing camper lists. The role is for 7 months a year, from January through July. (job #2943)

In Conversation with Michelle MondonedoYelp Singapore Community Manager

CRCE & BUSINESS

4

START 2015 STRONGWhy not start the New Year strong with a session designed to find your strengths! What are your natural talents? Using Gallup’s StrengthsFinder, discover what you do best. Research shows that people who focus on using their strengths are three times more likely to report having an excellent quality of life and six times more likely to be engaged in their jobs. Discover what you do best every day! Special discounted price available for American Association of Singapore (AAS) members: Only $180 (includes cost of the StrengthsFinder Assessment for your top Five Signature Talent Themes and refreshments). Non-members: $250. Normal price for the assessment is $600-$800.

Be Your Own BossSpeaker: Yana Fry

Wednesday, January 1410am – 12pm

Start 2015 STRONGSpeakers: Carolyn Chan &

Suman Balani Friday, January 169am – 12:30pm

Join the ConversationFriday, January 23

1:30 – 3pm

Jump Start Your Job SearchSpeaker: Alka Chandiramani

Wednesday, January 2810am – 12:30pm

Power Lunch SeriesSpeaker: Michelle Mondonedo

Friday, January 3011:30am – 1:15pm

Singapore American • January 2015COMMUNITY

NEWS

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AmCham Celebrates Singapore's Golden JubileeBy Clarissa Wong, Communications and Public Affairs Executive at AmCham

Corporate Partner

2015 Slate of OfficersAs selected by the AAS Nominating Committee

President: Vice President:

Secretary: Treasurer:

Glenn van Zutphen

Steven Tucker

Anne LeBoutillier

Joe Foggiato

To vote on the Slate of Officers, regular AAS members can attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) that will take place on February 25, 2015.

To sign up for an AAS membership or to renew, please visit:www.aasingapore.com

Director: Director:

Director: Director:

Director:

Shawn Galey

Ana Mims

Stephanie Nash

Christopher Keen

Mary Beth McCrory

Immediate Past President: David Boden

For well over a hundred years, the Ameri-can business community has been active in Singapore. The relationship between Singa-

pore and the United States began in 1836 when the United States established a consulate here. Shortly after Singapore’s independence in 1965, US investments in the country grew substan-tially and the American Business Council (ABC) was formed. ABC grew into an independent trade society and employer’s group that subsequently changed its name to the American Chamber of Com-merce in Singapore (AmCham) in 1993.

AmCham Singapore is hon-ored to be a part of the local community and is looking forward to celebrating Sin-gapore’s fiftieth anniversary in 2015. To commemorate the achievements of the “little red dot” thus far and look towards the bright fu-ture ahead, birthday celebrations of all shapes and sizes will be taking place across the island. As part of those celebrations, organizations are en-couraged to create their own version of the SG50 logo and AmCham has done just that.

The AmCham SG50 logo blends design ele-ments symbolizing Singapore, the United States and AmCham. The colors red, white and blue match the colors of both AmCham and the

United States. AmCham’s lion head is an iconic symbol representing its longstanding commit-ment to the Lion City of Singapore. In addition, the logo contains thirteen stars around its border to symbolize the transition of thirteen colonies into the first thirteen states of the then newly in-dependent United States. By incorporating sym-bols of both countries, the logo commemorates

the close bilateral relationship between them and recognizes the progres-

sion of both countries from humble beginnings to today’s

successes.In addition to creating an

SG50 logo, AmCham will be contributing to the an-niversary celebrations by publishing a survey-based

report highlighting Ameri-can firms’ major contribu-

tions to Singapore’s economic development and providing a

snapshot of the contemporary American business profile. The survey will serve as a for-ward-looking analysis of how Singapore and US businesses can work even more closely together in the years ahead to meet future challenges. Am-Cham will launch the survey in July in conjunc-tion with the United States’ Independence Day.

Finally, AmCham Singapore will host the 2015 Asia-Pacific Council of American Chambers

of Commerce (APCAC) Business Summit on March 11-13. The summit will be attended by members of American Chambers of Commerce throughout the region. The theme, “The Unit-ed States and Asia – New Opportunities in the Pacific Century,” will showcase the accomplish-ments of Singapore and the important role the city-state will play as a leader in Asia’s evolution. The conference will also allow foreign delegates to have the opportunity to learn more about Sin-gapore’s history and vision for the future.

AmCham and its members look forward to continuing to be integral members of the Singa-pore community. The working relationship be-tween Singapore and AmCham will grow from strength to strength with the realization of the ASEAN Economic Community and the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Throughout Singapore’s history, the American business community contributed in large and important ways to Singapore’s economic devel-opment and prosperity. Our members look for-ward to continuing to develop that partnership going forward and wish all Singaporeans a very special “Happy 50th Birthday” in 2015.

For more information about AmCham’s SG50 activities, please contact AmCham’s Head of Government & Pub-lic Affairs Tom McNutt at [email protected]. To learn more about SG50 and how to become involved, please visit: http://www.singapore50.sg.


2014

TURK

EY TR

OT

On a beautiful day in Sembawang over 200 runners limbered up to take part in the annual Turkey Trot on November 22. American Association of Singapore, along with the US Navy League, US Embassy, US Navy

Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) and sister organizations The American Club and SAS, hosted runners for the 2k fun run, 5k and 10k races. First Defence and Trans Tec generously supported the event. Singapore American School fielded a record number of participants. What a terrific team! The race was run with great spirit around the tree-lined neighborhood of black and white houses.

The 10k winners were Andreas Mobius in the men’s division and Adrienne De Michele in the women’s division, who each won an AAS trophy and a gourmet basket from The American Club, plus an US Embassy hat and pin. Second place went to husband and wife team Alastair MacLean and Anne Morgan, who both received an AAS trophy and vouchers from Clessidra and a US Embassy hat. Capturing third place were Peter Webster and Veronica Emrich who each took home Dan Ryan’s vouchers and an AAS trophy.

The “5k Under 30” champions were Jon Ziegler and Colleen Steigerwald, who each won an AAS trophy, $100 voucher from Hard Rock Cafe and a US Embassy mug. Parker Merridith and Kristen Ziegler grabbed second and took home an AAS trophy and Chili’s vouchers. Meanwhile, third place went to Hunter Steigerwald and Regan Reilly who each received an AAS trophy and golf bag.

The “5k 30 and Over” category champions were Dennis Steigerwald and Kay Monteville, who each won an AAS trophy, a luxury Clessidra hamper and a US Embassy mug. Lisa Merridith came in second and took home an AAS trophy and a Clessidra voucher. Rounding out the top were Bart Fabian and Surang Sherwood who each received an AAS trophy and Chili’s vouchers.

The “2k Fun Run” was highly competitive with participants sprinting from the starting line, totally focused on giving their all right up to the finishing line! Once again the Schuster brothers swept the boys’ division with Jack coming in first, Collin in second and Aaron in third. In the girls’ division, Sara Doherty placed first, while Mia Mayacabira took second and Charmise Neo placed third. The 2k winners took home gifts from the US Embassy and tickets for the family from Singapore Repertory Theatre to see the new production of The Three Billy Goats Gruff.

There were also sought-after lucky draw prizes, including a one-night stay at Changi Fraser Suites including a $50 F&B voucher, a one-night stay at Holiday Inn Batam, a two-night stay at Fraser Residence Jakarta, teeth whitening vouchers from Expat Dental and a turkey from the Navy Exchange.

Everyone enjoyed a scrumptious breakfast in the Terror Club and runners took home a goodie bag which included t-shirts as well as a water bottle from Expat Dental and fun goodies from Yelp. Proceeds from this year’s Turkey Trot benefited Singapore Children’s Society.

Photos by Eric Janes

Event Sponsors

To view more photos of Turkey Trot and other AAS events, please visit the American Association of Singapore's flickr page.


Toys For TotsTOn December 5, Santa Claus came to town! The American Association

of Singapore and co-host The American Club joined forces with the US Marines to benefit the annual Toys for Tots event, a program that collects

toys at Christmastime to distribute to children in Singapore and neighboring countries.

As our members arrived, they placed donations of unwrapped toys, including whimsical M&M canisters donated by Mars Corporation, into one of the big boxes at the door and then joined in the activities: decorating the delicious cookies made by the US Embassy, making tree ornaments and getting temporary holiday tattoos. They also enjoyed a tasty buffet complemented with delicious wines from Peng Wine.

AAS President Glenn van Zutphen welcomed everyone, including many honored guests, to this year’s event and awarded lucky draw prizes to four winners. Prizes included a voucher to Chili’s, the 2015 Entertainment book, a voucher to Dan Ryan’s, and a spectacular hamper from The American Club. Glenn introduced Mark Harland, International Marketing Director for General Motors, the major sponsor for Toys for Tots this year, who expressed how happy GM International has been to have recently moved its international headquarters to Singapore. Glenn then introduced Honorary Chairperson Crystal Wagar, wife of US Ambassador Kirk Wagar; Crystal gave a wonderful history of Toys for Tots since its inception in 1947.

Children gathered in front of the SAS Middle School and High School choirs who, under the direction of Kristin Symes (MS) and Annette Devens (HS), treated everyone to a medley of holiday songs. As the familiar “Here Comes Santa Claus” song rang out, the children were surprised to see Santa Claus and two of his elves making their way to the stage. Children quickly lined up for pictures and a chance to tell Santa their Christmas lists. While some eagerly hopped onto his lap, others were a bit more hesitant. Yet all were filled with the wonder of Christmas and anticipation of the days to come. Santa’s elves gave each child a goody bag filled with treats donated by Hershey’s, SAS, Expat Dental and Kids Treasures, and guests took home a keepsake picture of their time with Santa and the Marines.

We would like to thank all of our members, volunteers, in-kind donors, and in particular our Major Sponsor General Motors for making this event a huge success. Additionally, we would like to thank Allied Pickfords: as the children headed home “while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads,” their team delivered the donated toys to the US Embassy.

By Holly Kreutter

Photos By Eric Janes

To view more photos of Toys for Tots and other AAS events, please visit the American Association of Singapore's flickr page.


Major Sponsor Venue Partner Logistics Partner Supporting Sponsors


NEWS

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Finding CompassionBy Erin Loranger

The Journey from Partners to ParentsBy Lissy Ann Puno, Psychologist

Parenting expatriate children in Singapore has its own challenges. The kids generally have fantastic academic support and

lead lives of comfort. But this often means that they are sheltered, through no fault of their own. Parents then must try to instill values like charity, compassion, respect and kindness.

That is easier said than done. Teachable moments can be rare since Singapore is such a safe city that is devoid of obvious poverty. So parents might have to stretch to find an opportunity to teach these values.

My husband and I were reflecting on our family trip to Cambodia, which was remarkable for many reasons. Perhaps most notable was that our eight-year-old son “got it” when our family was taking a boat ride. We talked with the young boat crew, discovering that the captain was fourteen years old and his first mate was twelve. When I looked at my son, the understanding was visible on his face. The boat was their job and their life. There was no school, iPads or air conditioned condos at the end of the day. The rhythm of the boys’ lives was virtually opposite to his own.

My son said that he was glad to have met them and felt that they were happy even though they did not go to school. He did not feel pity, but sadness and gratefulness when he put himself in their shoes.

Meeting the boat crew served as a catalyst for his understanding. Personal experience can be exponentially more valuable than watching the news, hearing about it in school or just

w r i t i n g a writing a check. Cub Scouting is one of those platforms that teaches values and skills that children might not otherwise get, often through hands-on activities.

Many schools have breaks in the upcoming weeks. I encourage you to set aside time to get involved with a service project, either as part of an organization or simply as a good deed that organically originates from within your family. For Cub Scout parents, there are suggested activities and even awards for boys when they get involved with such life experiences. Perhaps you will be travelling to a country where there is need, or returning to a home country where it is easier to lend a hand for a day in a soup kitchen. These are the moments when your children can get a sense of where their lives fit in the landscape of human experience; they also serve as a humbling reminder for parents to practice the virtues that we say are important.

Erin Loranger’s son is a Cub Scout in Pack 3017 www.scouts3017.com.

Photo by Erin Loranger

Elisa Morgan and Carol Kuykendall report that “Children change a marriage. Com-pletely and Permanently.” It is something

to think about if you are considering having children or if you have young children. Filled with joy at the arrival of a new baby, we begin to shift our focus without realizing what it may do to our marriages. The source of incredible joy can totally distract from the once romantic couple and change the dynamic of the couple relationship. The authors write, “Children throw a marriage out of whack.”

The first few years of marriage focus on romantic love—caring behavior, fun times, surprises and spontaneous moments. There seems to be a sense of balance within the relationship.

You add a child and create an imbalance; it is during this period when we discover new things about our partner. This can either cause some disillusionment in the marriage or it can strengthen the couple. Hopefully, you can see your partner from a different perspective and be filled with admiration. If this is not so, you can feel in crisis because the child has changed your roles, priorities and lifestyle.

Talk to your partner about the imbalance and recognize it as a transition. Identify what is causing the imbalance and communicate the needs that are not being met. Stay com-mitted and don’t let temporary imbalances disconnect you from each other.

Regaining Balance in Your Marriage(From the article The Complete Marriage by Elisa Morgan and Carol Kuykendall)1. Attend and maintain “couple together time.” Make time for each other. Set a date night. If your children see this early on, they will get used to you spending time together.2. Create and protect “me time.” Make time for yourself. Give each other a break from parenting. Nurture individual interests, passions and hobbies.3. Keep positive thoughts and images of your partner. Remind yourself of what attracted you to your partner. 4. Don’t let little things grow into big things. Stay away from negative, unhelpful thoughts. Focus on what’s working—the effort and con-tributions big or small. 5. Find a mentor couple. Choose a couple that have older children, have gone through stages in their marriage and family life, and been successful. Draw inspiration from their lives.

Healthy marriages are works in progress. A good marriage is always growing and changing with the first child, second and even third. Build the marriage and family life that you always wanted to have.

SACAC Counselling offers support for children, adolescents and adults. For more information, please contact us at 66733-9249, via email at [email protected] or visit our website at www.sacac.sg.

www.theharleystreetclinicsingapore.com

www.danryans.com


NEWS

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Just outside of an Australian town, a semi-trailer truck collided with a tourist coach carrying government employees

from Hebei Province in China. The truck driver was killed and several people from the Chinese delegation were seriously injured. Someone from the police force reached out to the local high school for translation help. Sally Lean, who taught Chinese, responded to the call. “I spent about eight hours that night assisting all the injured,” said Lean, recalling the 1998 accident. She also helped translate for medical staff and a critically injured woman who remained in the hospital for two months. Lean, now a Chinese teacher at Singapore American School’s high school, is not the only one who has needed to tap into her Chinese skills when life threw a curve ball. Her colleagues Robin Pearson and Pauli Haakenson have also found themselves in situations where they needed to employ the language. Whether the situations were serious, practical or funny, one thing is for sure: the experiences helped shape who they are and how they teach. Here is a glimpse into their Chinese-language journey:Kristina Doss: What inspired you to learn Chinese Mandarin?

Sally Lean: In grade seven, it was compulsory at the school I attended in Melbourne, Australia. My parents had the foresight to enroll me at that school for the very reason that Chinese was the main foreign language taught there. Later, I was accepted at the Australian National University whose China-Korea Center is world renowned. After four years of study,

one of which was spent in China studying at university there, I graduated with a Bachelor of Chinese Studies.Robin Pearson (elementary school counselor): I first traveled to China in the early 1980s when I was only eighteen years of age. That trip inspired me to learn Chinese. When I studied my Bachelor of Arts at The University of Adelaide, I majored in Chinese language studies, which culminated in receiving an Australian government scholarship to continue my study of the Chinese language in Hangzhou and Beijing. When I returned to Australia, I completed a fourth year Honors degree in Chinese at The University of Queensland. It was then I decided to teach Chinese so I completed my postgraduate degree in education majoring in teaching Modern Languages and English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL).Pauli Haakenson (elementary Chinese teacher): My inspiration to learn Mandarin came out of my daily struggles of getting around in Taiwan in the late 1980s. Almost every little interaction was in either Mandarin or Hokkien, so the motivation was to communicate at shops, restaurants, the post office—you name it! In total, I lived in Taiwan twelve years so over time it got easier, but I would say the first year of trying to learn was a total failure. I was very overwhelmed by the sound of the language and the writing system.KD: Is there an example of a funny or uh-oh moment when you wish you knew the language better?

RP: Between my first and second year of my undergraduate degree, I spent four weeks

Educators' Journey withChinese LanguageBy Kristina Doss, Communications and Media Specialist at Singapore American School

Continued on page 12

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doing an intensive language course at Xi’an Foreign Language Institute. A group of us were shopping in the street market and came across some fruit, which we didn’t know the name of. At the time, we had not learned the phrase, “How do I say this in Chinese?’ or “中文怎么说?” Embarrassingly, I asked the store holder literally, “Does this fruit have a first name?” asking “ 他叫什么名字 ?”Of course the fruit stall holders burst into laughter. I never forgot the correct phrase after that! Moral of that story is that language learners need a good sense of humor and not be afraid of making mistakes.PH: When we are novice learners, we try to make use of whatever small phrases or questions we have at our disposal. One time when I was in a sports shop in Taichung, Taiwan, the shopkeeper’s daughter was there—she was maybe five years old. I attempted to speak Mandarin to her, ask her name and how old she was. She stared at me and then said in Hokkien, “There is something wrong with your brain!” Of course, this went over my head but later it was explained to me. As it turned out, I needed to know both Hokkien and Mandarin in that town.KD: Share an example of when Chinese came in handy.

SL: It's always handy to listen in to people's conversations about the “laowai” (foreigner) on the bus or subway. After they discuss whether I'm Russian or American, I can chime in and let them know that I'm actually Australian! RP: My first year as the kindergarten counselor at SAS, I observed a mother anxiously looking over the class placement board trying to find her child’s name. I first asked her in English if I could be of assistance, and observing her anxious facial expression, I immediately switched to Chinese since I had heard her use Chinese with her husband. Her look of relief was also coupled with surprise. She was so overjoyed I spoke Chinese and could assist her. It turned out she had enrolled her child at SAS only the day before. I was able to do an immediate placement in my office, assist her with all the necessary information and introduce her to the teacher using Chinese. Her son is now is in grade one. Whenever

she calls, she tells the front desk she needs to speak with the Chinese-speaking counselor.PH: One summer when my kids were doing a farm camp in Vancouver, British Columbia, a visiting delegation from China happened to be there one day and they were planning to purchase one of the horse stables and renovate it. The farm owner was trying to explain to them all the logistics and they weren’t getting anywhere. I offered to help translate. Of course, there were some horse stable-specific words I had never learned in my life (in English or Chinese), but the discussions were a success and it felt great to be able to help them all.KD: How have these experiences helped you in the classroom?

SL: I like to have students include extra things about the unit that they would like to know how to say. For example, in a unit about eating out, a student might want to know how to ask for muffins in Chinese. That's not in the curriculum but if I spend a few minutes addressing students' interests, it keeps them interested and they are able to give more individualized responses. RP: I taught Chinese for ten years at SAS and prior to that, taught in South Brisbane, Australia. As an educator and now a Strengths Finder Practitioner, I realize that my strengths of empathy, developer and learner have always been central to my teaching of Chinese. For example, the strength of learner means knowing what all learners need and what is the best fit. Finding that key is essential to unlocking a student’s potential. A memorable teaching moment was when one of my kindergarten students who had severe speech delay, would sing loudly with the class in Chinese. He was at his happiest when singing our Chinese songs. Those are moments that truly touch our hearts.PH: When I was learning Chinese, I focused almost entirely on listening and speaking first. This is what our program does as well; reading and writing come later. I feel that as long as I can get the kids to use the language to talk about things that are important to them (what they do on the weekends, what their favorite activities are, have they seen the latest movie, their birthday or losing a tooth), it’s more natural.

LIVING INSINGAPORE

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Continued from page 11: Educators‘ Journey with Chinese Language

Settling into SingaporeBy Ana Mollinedo Mims

Singapore is a great island republic, constantly changing and offering numerous things in the way of entertainment, food, shopping and travel. Here,

you will find diversity of people, art, culture, neighborhoods and just about everything else. The key to success as you begin your life in Singapore and anywhere abroad is to see it as an adventure. Explore!

Because there are always things you learn about your new environment that no one tells you before you get there, this year the team of authors of the Living in Singapore (LIS) book, published by the American Association, added some “Insider Tips” (excerpted below) to give some additional guidance to your relocation.

No One Told Me! Insider Tips:Acroyms Rule! MOM, MOE, CTE, BKE, PIE and on and on. There is an acronym for just about everything so learn the basic ones and try to keep up from there. Back-End ParkingYou cannot go anywhere without noticing that everyone back-end parks. While no one has been able to definitely tell us why, small parking spaces and small overall car parks make front end parking more of a challenge.TaxisGood news—there are taxis everywhere like in most major cities. Bad news—the drivers can’t always locate addresses, so research your destination before you get in a taxi. If it’s raining, assume you won’t get a taxi. If it’s morning or evening rush hour, assume you won’t get a taxi. However, using the taxi mobile app, you can book a taxi in advance!

Apps, Apps, AppsSingapore is highly connected. Just about everything you need can be found on a mobile app—so have no fear. Food delivery, taxis, bus schedule, movie tickets, airline information, car park rates, where to eat, where to find a super market all can be found on a mobile app. So before you panic, check the app store on your phone.COEIf you plan on driving in Singapore, you will need to buy a COE—Certificate of Entitlement. Yes, that’s right. It’s a privilege to drive in Singapore because it is an island and it is congested. For this privilege there is a price and a steep one that can range up to S$80,000. Pay to ParkIf you drive, you will pay to park EVERYWHERE. Even shopping malls. For the streets and car parks, where there are no automated cashing tolls, you will need to buy parking certificates which you tear and punch the date and time and display on your window. BEWARE: you cannot reuse the cards and you must properly perforate the card or you will be ticketed.

For more information about Living in Singapore Thirteenth Edition Reference Guide, please e-mail [email protected].

Ana Mollinedo Mims is the Managing Director of Aproposito Pte Ltd, a corporate communications and brand strategy firm. She is an established author, speaker and director on the AAS board.

Photo by Wee Khiang Tan, Photo Impressions

January 28, 2015 • 7-9pm

LIVING IN SINGAPORE

TALK

Your Indispensable Guide to Life in the Lion City

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Singapore American • January 2015LIFE BALANCE

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Fast and Cleanse... a JourneyBy Glenn van Zutphen

There was a time if someone told me I would not eat for eleven days, I would have laughed at them. And yet, here I am,

finishing just such a feat and feeling really good about it. No, really.

Having started an annual ritual of fasting and cleansing nine years ago with my wife Kat, we typically vary the program length from six-to- eleven days. It’s not for any religious reason, but rather to detox our bodies and minds, while breaking bad eating habits. Although weight loss is a great byproduct, it’s not the main reason for the fast.

Everyone who feels the stress of living in a place like Singapore, combined with the non-stop eating and drinking culture in which we live—knows how easy it is to overindulge. Over time, our clothes get tighter; we don’t sleep well and start to feel toxic in a way that can only be handled by a good cleansing and detox program. It’s worth mentioning that I’m not talking about a professionally-run, drug or alcohol detox program, but rather a spa-run program.

There are many places around the region and many ways to get healthy. The Master Cleanser diet (http://themastercleanse.org/) is one that many people try at home: a drink of lemon water, cayenne pepper and syrup across

multiple days. It works for some, but is often difficult to sustain and to gain any real, lasting benefits. There are many other juice and non-juice diets.

For me to succeed, I need to be completely away from the temptation of food and food smells. Over the years, Kat and I have gone to Koh Samui and Phuket to dedicated, holistic spas which offer various fasting and raw food programs. They are professional, safe and very good at what they do.

In late October, I was able to carve out six days from my schedule and start my fast at Amity Wellness (www.amitywellness.com) in Phuket. Far from the Patong “action,” this relatively new spa is tucked into a quiet neighborhood on the southern tip of the island, less than a ten minute drive from a beautiful beach. Arriving on a Sunday, I started right away (having done some preparation in Singapore). Organized and professional, the staff does a physical check and records everything, as well as discusses goals and procedures for the fast.

Amity’s eight modern rooms are situated around a courtyard pool and bar (for fresh coconut juice, vegetable broth and good conversation), an exercise/yoga room, small spa and raw-food kitchen—all under a strong WiFi umbrella. The days are spent drinking

a lot of water, taking supplements, an herbal fiber drink, fresh coconut water and yes, some colonics. I won’t dwell on the last point, but will say that: (1) they’re extremely hygienic and safe, (2) you get used to them and (3) the benefits far outweigh any ickiness.

Most people agree that day two or three of the full fast is the hardest. That’s usually when the toxins, like caffeine, alcohol and other chemicals from processed food, start escaping, sometimes leading to headaches, fatigue and grumpiness. Getting over that hump and the rest of the experience is actually very pleasant: your body temperature slightly decreases (it’s not processing food), sleep is often better and, with the help of your choice of massage every

day, stress levels fall dramatically. Though I didn’t want to do too much work, I was able to check emails and get some stuff done while there—in addition to a few light fitness and yoga classes, evening health talks and several trips to the beach. The main thing about a fast is to listen to what your body wants (except for wanting food, of course!). If you want to take a nap, read a book or lay by the pool—then do it. Getting mentally centered is an important partner to getting physically detoxed.

A key element for me is always being in a supportive environment, where other people are going through the same thing. Trying to fast in the city is difficult; everywhere you turn, there are food reminders. When I returned to Singapore from six days in Phuket, I continued my fast for another five days. By then I was already on my program and able to finish strong.

I’m hoping to combine the great effects of this fast with a healthier attitude about what and how much to eat and drink. Now, if I can just get through the holidays.

AAS President Glenn van Zutphen’s consultancy, VanMedia Group, works with multinational companies and media to train effective speakers and journalists.

Photo by Gurmit Singh

There are many online resources and spas to go to. Read their descriptions closely and check with TripAdvisor or other social media to see how they’re ranked.Master Cleanse http://themastercleanse.org/Dharma Healing International http://www.dharmahealingintl.com/Amity Wellness (www.amitywellness.com)

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Basis PeakPros

• Automatically detects exercise or sleep• Continuous heart rate monitoring• Long battery life• Fully waterproof• Comfortable to wear• Smartwatch notifications

Cons• Expensive for a fitness tracker (USD$199)• Design is somewhat clunky• Doesn't track distance via GPS

Garmin VivoSmartPros

• Smartphone notifications• Comfortable• Water-resistant design• Garmin Connect Ecosystem

Cons• Clumsy clasp• Bland design• Cannot interact with smartphone

notifications• No heart rate measurement• Expensive for tracker, cheap for smart

watch (USD$169)

Misfit ShinePros

• Automatically detects exercise or sleep• Fully waterproof• Can be worn anywhere on your person• Watch functionality• Beautiful modern design• 6-month battery life• Inexpensive (USD$99)

Cons• Lacks display• Basic functionality• Data assessment limited

Continued from front page: Digital Health 2015: Connected and Quantified

concepts of sensors everywhere—ubiquitous sensing in your home, your car or even a restaurant. Ask yourself, is this device a fitness tracker or a phone? Is this a watch or a glucose meter? Remember when we asked, is this a calculator or a timepiece?

With all of this in mind, here is a short list of the newest trackers/smart wearables. Personally, the features I favor are long battery life, waterproof for swimming, automatic activ-ity sensing, inspiring design and universal charging. And this

is just the tip of the iceberg; the devices coming in the next one-to-two years will do even more. Forget “wearables,” we will be talking about invisibles, ingestables, implantables and measuring our body function and vital levels via perspiration, eye movements, blood and brain waves. Until then, featured above are my current favorite devices that are leading the charge in what I call the “Consumerization of Healthcare.”

Author’s note: At the time of writing numerous new devices are also expected in December 2014, including Fitbit Surge,

Jawbone UP3 and Microsoft Band—all of which offer moni-toring similar to the Basis Peak and share a higher price point as well.

Dr. Steven Tucker is the Founder of Tucker Medical and Global Health Advisor to SingTel.

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A few years ago as I ran my usual morn-ing route along the Singapore River, I felt the crisp morning air and saw

the party venue of the country shake itself out of slumber as cleaners arrived to clear away traces of the previous night’s action and set up for another day of indulgence at Clarke Quay. Enjoying the sights along both sides of the river, I kept up a steady pace and used this time with myself to clear my head. I promised myself I would do this forever.

My body, my mind and my soul; I felt exhilarated when they worked together and formed a connection, but this was often fleeting and I longed to hold onto this up-lifting feeling longer. Perhaps you’ve felt or even imagined feeling the same way during and after a wonderful work out session.

Looking to support my running, I added a “once-a-week” yoga class to my schedule on a trial basis since I had never done yoga before nor could I see myself tolerating any

more of it. Besides, where was the time?For an hour every week I went through

breathing exercises, sun salutations, deep stretches, and various poses that caused my body to sweat, forced my mind to stay focused, made my spirits soar and stirred my soul. At the end of every workout, I savored the sweet delight of the corpse pose that required me to lie still on the mat; I rel-ished a deep connection with each breath and bringing my practice “together.” Even though we worked very hard in the one hour, I always left the classes refreshed and uplifted.

Wait! Being re-energized just after a very deep and strenuous workout? How was that possible? Where was the drained-out version of me sprawled on the sofa, towel around my shoulders, head thrown back, catching my breath while every muscle in every part of my body screamed for attention? Surely there can be no gain without pain. Or so I thought.

But this is exactly where yoga differs from other exercise. It is an ancient practice that was developed through an intuitive and intimate understanding of the relationship between our minds, bodies and souls. This connection brings profound benefit to prac-titioners and is what has kept yoga relevant throughout centuries. It is a challenge to

classify yoga as either physical exercise, sport, lifestyle or meditative practice since it is truly a union of them all.

While it’s entirely possible to connect only to the physical benefits of yoga and see remarkable progress in health initially, over time, it is impossible to escape the side-effects of the practice. Uplifted mood, acceptance, discipline, compassion, service, even hope and love. Were you expecting these?

Fast forward a few years now and yoga has undeniably become an essential part of my life. I look forward to my time on the mat and continue to see remarkable transforma-tion in myself. My body is alive; I feel trim-mer and lighter; my mind is alert; I am more patient and accepting (yes, that might be the age but, hey, I could easily have become crankier instead). I practice yoga’s tenet of self-awareness and allow it to guide me throughout my day.

It is a workout that is natural, sustainable and joyful. So open your heart to yoga and just breathe. Om.

A perceptive content writer for organizations online as well as offline, Jyoti Angresh’s growing list of published work includes two coffee table books, chapters in four editions of Living in Singapore and numerous articles in Singapore American Newspaper.

Photos by Paula Easton

Yoga: Taking You to the Next Level of Health and WellnessBy Jyoti Angresh

www.ics.edu.sg


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Confused about which oils are healthy? What oil is best for cooking? It’s impor-tant to use oils wisely, use the right

amount and choose the correct oil for the job. While grandma’s recipe may call for throwing the battered fish into a pot of oil, you will actually get a healthier, more flavorful meal by using less oil and pan-searing instead.

By using fats and oils sparingly in your cook-ing, and selecting oils low in saturated fats and trans-fats you will help round out a rich, healthy diet. Limit animal fats/saturated fats and completely avoid trans-fats whenever possible. The “ideal” cooking oil should contain a higher amount of monounsaturated and polyunsatu-rated fats.

With an amazing selection of cooking oils available in the market, making choices can be terribly confusing. Although having many different oils in the kitchen might seem like a good idea, often it can backfire.

Understanding the smoke point of oil is very important as all oils’ chemical consistency do not remain the same once heated. When oil is heated beyond its smoke point it generates oxygen radicals, which are harmful, produc-ing toxic fumes in your food and becoming extremely unhealthy to consume. A good rule of thumb is that the more refined the oil, the higher the smoke point, making it better for cooking.

Cooking oils such as canola, safflower, sun-flower, soybean, corn, flax-seed, sesame and many other vegetable oils are not recommended for cooking because they are polyunsaturated oils and are very delicate in the presence of heat. Biochemically speaking, high heat, which comes from cooking and/or baking, damages their chemical structures to the point that they eventually become trans-fats.

Light and Extra Light Olive Oil What is labelled simply as olive oil is typically blended with a large percentage of refined olive oil and a small amount of extra virgin olive oil. Refined olive oil, like most seed oils, is produced by treating poor quality oil with chemicals and high temperatures, resulting in bland oil with few healthy attributes. We have all been educated to use olive oil for cooking, but olive oil has a low smoke point. Olive oil is a very healthy monounsaturated fat as long as it’s not heated above 200°C. Otherwise it becomes toxic and polyunsaturated. To truly enjoy olive oil the way Mother Nature intended and benefit nutritionally from this fat, it is strongly encour-aged that you use it only for salad dressings or as a dipping oil for your favorite foods.Extra Virgin Olive OilExtra virgin olive oil is the natural juice cold-pressed from the whole olive. It is a rich source of monounsaturated fats, the good fats, which are important. It is the highest quality olive oil and is produced without any solvents, chemicals or excessive heat. The smoke point to safely use it to fry is about 200°C which is a medium heat. When you’re making salad dress-ing or a quick sauté of vegetables, olive oil is an excellent choice.Coconut OilThis is the current fad oil and rightly so. Organic extra virgin coconut oil is the best oil with which to cook. Not only is it healthy saturated fat, it’s a very stable fat, suitable for all types of cooking and has a high smoke point and contains no cholesterol or trans-fat. Most re-search so far has consisted of short-term studies to gauge its effect on cholesterol levels. Suggest you use it sparingly until more research is done.

Grapeseed OilThis has a very high smoke point and is a great all-purpose cooking oil and has a mild flavor.Canola OilNeutral flavor and its high smoke point make it an excellent choice for baking and sauté-ing. Canola oil generally doesn’t have many antioxidants, as olive oil does, but it does have a relatively long shelf life. It is the richest cooking-oil source of alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3. It’s a healthy choice because of its low in saturated fats and high in monounsaturated fat. It is commonly used in frying.Nut and Seed OilsMacadamia oil is a delicious oil that is high in monounsaturated fats. The smoke point is high so it can be used for cooking and baking and won’t lose its nutty flavor.

Peanut oil has a very high smoke point, and is good for high-heat cooking, like stir-frying. Almond oil is also a good mono-rich choice for everyday use.

Vegetable OilProbably the most commonly used of all the oils, vegetable oil can be used for frying. It’s a blend of several oils, such as corn, soybean, palm and sunflower.Corn OilRelatively low in both saturated and mono un-saturated fats, it is popular in margarine and used in both frying and baking. It should only be used when frying at medium temperatures.Sunflower OilSunflower oil is low in saturated fat and high in vitamin E. Many food manufacturers are recog-nizing the health benefits of sunflower oil and are using it as the preferred oil in snack foods such as potato chips. It can be used in the home to fry, cook and make salad dressings.

Annette Lang is the founder of Expat Kitchen Cooking School, and her guiding philosophy is “bringing the family back to the table.”

Ask Our Food Experts Heart-Healthy Cooking: Oils 101By Annette Lang

Quick GuideMonounsaturated Fats: Lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) and increase the HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol). These are plant-based oils (olives, avocados and quality nuts).Polyunsaturated Fats: Fats also lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. These are plant-based oils with omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, mackerel, walnuts).Trans-fats: Raise LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) and lower HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol). These are manmade, partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (margarine, shortening).Saturated Fats: Raise total blood choles-terol as well as LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol). These are mainly from animal sources (dairy and butter).Tropical Oils: Coconut, palm and palm kernel oils.

LIFE BALANCE

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If you’ve been spending much time at the gym lately, you may have heard the buzz words, “relative strength training” or “functional fitness.” Around the world,

the trend in working out is shifting away from build-ing absolute strength (how much you can bench press, for example) to developing strength, speed, balance and agility—in unison. The key is integrating muscle move-ment rather than isolating muscles and working them independently.

“The main thing is to handle your own body weight in such a way that you can maneuver and move freely,” said Rossini Francisco, swimming coach and trainer. “After all, we are designed to move.”

As the name suggests, relative strength training focuses on developing strength in relation to your own body weight. You’re considered “functionally fit” when you can lift a lot for your size but also move efficiently. With an emphasis on gaining more control and better bal-ance, these workouts also aim at preventing injury and strengthening the body in the ways it was meant to be used. In the photos below, Rossini demonstrates these highly coordinated and strength-building moves.Rossini Francisco is a swimming coach at United World College South East Asia. To get more workout ideas, like his Facebook page: Freedom Street Workouts. Photos by Cash Cacho

Relative Strength Training By Maureen Murray

Single Arm Push Ups• Increase your sense of balance• Improve body strength • Build core strength and posture alignment

Handstand• Improves upper body strength

• Increases your sense of balance

• Builds core strength and posture alignment

• Boosts your mood

• Helps with bone health, circulation and breathing

Inverted Row: Builds great back muscles • Develops core and posture alignment • Improves arm strength

Archer Pull Ups: • Improve single arm strength

• Develop back muscles

• Build core strength and posture alignment (To achieve one arm pull up exhibits great training; it’s one of the most challenging and elusive moves in all bar calisthenics).

LIFE BALANCE

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Have you ever imagined taking part in a workout swinging kettlebells, hanging on gymnastic rings, and doing barbell

squats and deadlifts—with your kid? Children as young as four are already taking part in CrossFit programs tailored to pair fitness and fun.

While regular adult classes focus on constant-ly varied, high intensity and functional move-ments, kids’ CrossFit classes aim to inspire kids to embrace a lifelong pursuit of fitness.The Kids Fitness ProgramChildren can benefit both physically and emo-

tionally from strength-training programs like CrossFit. Tailored specifically for children, CrossFit can be a way to get kids more active by having fun with exercise; the training also can lead to significant improvements in self-esteem, mental discipline and socialization.

Introducing children to a qualified and experienced trainer can help them cultivate natural move-ment instincts that lead to enhanced motor skills and sports performance. Poor movement technique is caused by poor movement habits developed during the early years so it’s best to establish proper form and technique early on.

Not all children will be able to comprehend the importance of this at an early age. Therefore, proper coaching, spotting and loading are essen-tial to maintain an injury-free program.

Look out for a coach who can motivate your children and inspire them to have a positive at-titude toward lifetime physical activity.What Parents Need to KnowA CrossFit class for young children shouldn’t seem any different from a gymnastics class, soccer session or swim lesson except that the CrossFit class exposes the children to all the fit-ness benefits in those sports!

Parents also play an important role in encour-aging fitness for life. It is vital to understand

your children's interests and strengths, and learn how to encourage rather than force your them into joining these classes. You are your child’s learning coach at home after all.

Samuel Lim is the head coach and owner of CrossFit Fire City, and creator and organizer of Sin City Invitationals, Asia’s largest CrossFit competition.

Photos by CrossFit Fire City

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CrossFit for KidsBy Samuel Lim

Choosing the Right Fitness Center or Coach:

• Ask if classes and workouts aredesigned based on level of age and movement maturity.

• Make sure your child is assignedto age-appropriate activities to avoid injury.

• Find a place where the trainer-to student ratio is low.

• Confirm that your child will be allowed to go at his or her own pace during the class.

• Review the setup and safety aspect of the training environment.

• Check trainer‘s/coach's qualifications and training backgrounds.

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Building structures. Designing robots. Developing apps. Discovering innovation.Our STEAM programme and makerspaces provide project based learning experiences that challenge inquisitive minds, fuel innovative thinking, and create a culture of teamwork and collaboration. Develop your entrepreneurial spirit at CIS and get ready for the real world.

Visit www.cis.edu.sg/STEAM today. As an IB World School, CIS offers the PYP, MYP and IB DP.Canadian International School Pte. Ltd.CPE Registration Number: 199002243H | Period of Registration: 8 June 2011 to 7 June 2015

DISCOVER... The Next Big Thing!

OPEN HOUSE24 February 2015Register atwww.cis.edu.sg/openhouse

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21

There may be some truth to the saying, “laughter is the best medicine.” Recently, several clinical trials have demonstrated

the benefits of laughter to help relieve pain, strengthen the immune system, reduce stress and promote a sense of well-being. Studies show that laughter may reduce blood pressure, lessen depression and even lower cardiovascular disease. A recent study at the University of Maryland Medical Center found that laughter and a good dose of humor may even protect you against heart attack. How Does Laughter Help?Similar to aerobic exercise, a “laughter workout,” has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. Intense laughter increases heart rate, deep breathing and oxygen saturation. It also strengthens several muscle groups including the diaphragm, chest, back and abdominal musculature. There is also stimulation and subsequent relaxing of the sympathetic nervous system. The stress-related hormones cortisol, ACTH, epinephrine and norepinephrine are lowered. Mental stress and muscle tone are reduced. Laughter has also been postulated to diminish inflammatory changes in the endothelium lining of blood vessels. This has been speculated as a plausible mechanism for the subsequent reduction in cardiovascular disease.What Are the Practical Applications of Laughter and Humor?“Laughing Yoga” has become increasingly popular as a form of bodily exercise to promote general health. Initially started in 1995 in Mumbai, India, there are now more than 6,000

laughter clubs in sixty countries. There are no jokes, humor or comedy during the sessions. As laughter can be contagious, the groups encourage each other to laugh through eye contact and prompting.

Many medical centers are using humor and laughter along with other kinds of alternative medicine to help patients manage pain

and cope with serious illness such as cancer. This can reduce the need for drugs and painkillers. Laughing and humor may also complement strategies to prevent or help treat cardiovascular disease.Steps to Increase Humor and Laughter • Watch comedies when you are feeling low. This is a great way to chill out following a stressful day.

• Develop a positive attitude. Learn to laugh at life’s problems and ever changing circumstances. Even better, learn to laugh at yourself and take life less seriously.

• Mingle with cheerful and funny people. Avoid those who are always negative and bring you down.

• Be like children. Re-learn how to play and have fun. As adults, there is a tendency to become more cynical with age.

• Make a conscious effort to smile and laugh with others. Gradually, this may become ingrained in your personality. Laughing is incompatible with feelings of anger, worry or sadness. Only humans have the ability to laugh. As science continues to

explore the purpose of humor, it may turn out that the road to good health is a laughing matter.

The American International Clinic is located at the Novena Medical Centre, 10 Sinaran Drive, unit #10-10. For more information, please visit their website www.aiclinic.com.sg or email: [email protected] or call (65) 6397-7129.

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.

Laughing Your Way to Better HealthBy Dr. Paul E. Zakowich

www.aiclinic.com.sg

www.alliancecounselling.com.sg


A Royal Romp in IndiaBy Abha Dayal Kaul

Six months of careful planning for a unique and special group tour came unraveled when unexpected heavy monsoon rain

unleashed chaos and confusion in Northern India. Incessant downpours and unprecedented flooding sadly caused grave damage in the lovely Kashmir Valley last September, forcing us to cancel and postpone our intended October travels to India’s northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir.

However, a core group still wished to go to India, especially those finally prepared to discover the subcontinent for the very first time. Miles had been cashed in, tickets bought, expectations raised—could we secure eleventh-hour hotel bookings and produce an alternate itinerary in weeks? At short notice, and to everyone’s enthusiastic agreement, we decided upon travelling via New Delhi to the visitor-friendly and enthralling western state of Rajasthan.

This was a major switch—from from the

lure of the Kashmir Valley’s scenic landscapes of high mountains, deep lakes and beautiful gardens in October’s cool autumn season, to the high heat, golden sand and spectacular sandstone structures of rugged Rajasthan. There we were then, twelve international ladies from Singapore and my French-Canadian friend from Montreal, in Delhi’s sultry pre-Diwali weather, ready to make the most of our October sortie.

In New Delhi, we visited a Kashmiri carpet and shawl warehouse, as planned in our original itinerary. Genuine learning and frenzied purchasing took place while sipping fragrant kahwa tea. A late dinner at an old friend’s home was a joyous event, where we enjoyed conversations, connections and cocktails out on the rooftop under a low-slung orange moon, witnessing occasional bursts of fireworks ten days before the important festival of Diwali.

The next morning we were at our first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historic Qutub Minar Complex with its tall red sandstone tower from the twelfth century embellished with exquisite calligraphy and sublime floral patterns. This was after we had veered off the usual beaten path to admire a couple of hidden gems in the adjoining sprawl of Mehrauli Archaeological Park—a serene Sufi tomb and mosque complex, quirkily called Jamali Kamali, and the medieval Rajaon ki

Baoli, a three-storied step well used for water supply and public gatherings in the shelter of cool, covered galleries around its deep pool.

That afternoon, we strolled in the birdsong-filled gardens of Humayun’s Tomb, struck by the sheer beauty and precise symmetry of India’s first garden-tomb and Delhi’s own Taj-like building, erected a century before the divine Taj Mahal in Agra. Also a World Heritage Site, this sixteenth century red sandstone and white marble architectural marvel was constructed in Mughal Emperor Akbar’s time to honor his late father, Humayun.

Then it was on to Rajasthan, home of erstwhile Rajput maharaja kings and brave warriors, impressive forts and ornate palaces, and a rich architectural, artistic and cultural heritage, thanks to the region’s strategic location at the hub of several trade and access routes on the western borders of India. An hour’s flight southwest of New Delhi brought us to Jodhpur, chief city of sandy and dry Marwar lands set on the edge of the Thar Desert.

Jodhpur’s first sight was the gorgeous pink sandstone Umaid Bhavan Palace, one of the world’s largest private residences, where we appreciated the museum of royal memorabilia, including the last Maharaja’s fancy collection of vintage Rolls Royce cars. In the early evening, we checked out the old city’s vibrant Clock Tower Market with its dizzying array of handicrafts, spices, textiles, foods and more, as we dodged honking motorbikes and nonchalant cows. After a cup of masala tea at a spice vendor’s little store, we climbed up a narrow


several woven beauties, possibly the last of a dying craft.

After a delicious set-menu local lunch in town, we arrived at Jodhpur’s top landmark, its stunning Mehrangarh Fort, situated on a rocky outcrop 400 feet high. Built in 1459, of and into the rosy sandstone of the hill, by powerful Rathore rulers of the region, the fort affords tremendous views, houses beautiful palaces and maintains a wonderful museum of regal heritage—arms, paintings, costumes, cradles and palanquins. Much as we loved travelling back in time and absorbing rich history and culture, this intrepid bunch of gals got our real thrills on the Flying Fox, a zip line circuit of six lines that flew us from the fort’s ramparts high across moats and battlements, a memorable experience and perfect way to end a delightful day as we watched the sun set over the “blue city” at the base of the grand fort.

Next morning we set off for Rajasthan’s westernmost city, Jaisalmer, a long, arduous drive through scrubby desert. A detour to the ancient oasis town of Osiyan added time to the road journey but was a fulfilling exercise. In spite of the neglect and rundown condition of a once flourishing medieval center, the ruins of gorgeous eighth-twelfth century Hindu temples were astonishing and superb. So was the modest town expert we met; we learned

that he is actually writing a book and helping produce a film with international scholars on these little-known temples in what’s called “the Khajuraho of Rajasthan.”

Continuing on the desert road towards Jaisalmer, we took another turn-off before our final destination—this time to spend the sunset hour in the surprising, classy elegance of an upscale tented camp. Here we watched the sun go down into the sandy horizon, as we relished a fabulous high tea served by spiffy staff. They showed us around the luxurious tents dotting their vast property where in-house poultry lays fresh eggs and cows provide daily milk for privileged residents headed here to get away from it all.

Also in a world of its own was our amazing, opulent fort-like hotel, from where we explored the twelfth century golden fort-city of Jaisalmer, a recently listed UNESCO World Heritage site, still relatively new to international tourism. Its shimmering yellow sandstone fort rises out of the desert like a mirage, overlooking a sea of sand in all directions. Once an important trading town, populated by rich merchants and Jain preachers, until the 1960s it relied on water from the fourteenth century Gadsi Sagar reservoir, a peaceful spot to linger in outside town with its pretty waterfront gateways and pavilions.

Within the fort, we admired the small palace and beautifully carved Jain and Hindu temples, all cut from the same golden sandstone so typical of Jaisalmer. Fine havelis built by ministers and merchants sport magnificent stonework on their exteriors, breathtaking to look at.

In the evening, we had fun on a camel safari through gentle sand dunes, taking in another lovely desert sunset followed by a night of folk song and dance performance in a charming outdoor setting. Far away from Singapore and our urban lives, we soaked in the culture, traditions and natural beauty of another place and era. We didn’t get to Kashmir this time, but were wonderfully restored and energized by the vibrancy of Rajasthan’s warm people, bright colors and rich heritage.

Abha Dayal Kaul enjoys travelling to heritage sites and discovering hidden gems. When she can, she is happy to write and talk about her travels, and also take others along.

Photos by Abha Dayal Kaul

A Royal Romp in Indiastaircase and found ourselves seated in a textile exporter’s crammed stockroom, mesmerized by his almost professional “show” on a full range of lavish wraps, covers and spreads destined for international fashion houses.

Many purchases later, in a complete contrast to the market’s streets, we were dining outdoors in the quiet oasis of an old haveli or mansion converted into a modern boutique hotel at the foot of Jodhpur’s most famous fort. Along with upscale Rajasthani cuisine, here we also enjoyed a private shopping session with the city’s best-known bangle-maker who brought his glittering wares to discreetly set up his stall near us. Between courses, we could peacefully try on and buy glass, pearl and crystal bracelets so beloved to Jodhpur’s royal and regular womenfolk.

Our village visits next morning took us first to a potter’s family home where traditional clay items are still turned by hand on the wheel as they were by his forefathers. Then we headed to a Bishnoi farmer’s humble abode—this community cares deeply about trees, animals and the environment, and lives by its own ethical, prescribed rules. Finally, we arrived at a proficient weaver’s place where cotton durries, like kilims to be spread on floors, are woven by hand in the old ways taught by parents to children, in most appealing colors and geometric shapes. The dry white heat of midday did not prevent us from collecting

Rajasthani Flute Player with Long Mustache Osiyan Temple Details


According to Singapore’s Ministry of Health (www.moh.gov.sg), the number one reason for hospital

admittance is accidents, and unexpected treatment does not come cheaply. Private hospital stays in Singapore average $500 per night and should you be admitted to the ICU, you are looking upwards of $600-$900 per night for the room charges alone before including any treatment costs.

This is why we buy medical insurance: to protect ourselves from the financial burden of hefty hospital bills when life throws us a curve ball. Whether it is illness, a condition, an accident or emergency, you want to know that you and your family have access to quality medical care, regard-less of cost.Ensure Your Medical Plan Protects You and Your Family While Living AbroadAs expats living abroad, we tend to place extra importance on safety and protection. Extended family and other support networks are far away, and many can no longer use their home country’s public health benefits. Knowing you have medical insurance that provides ad-equate coverage can help you feel at ease.

In Singapore, there are more than a dozen providers of medical insurance, each with a plethora of different products. Every product has a complicated policy attached to it that outlines exact benefits and exclusions in legal language. Knowing how and where to begin the search for the right policy often can leave you feeling baffled and discouraged from taking immediate action.

One of the key aspects is to determine your comfort zone when it comes to coverage: basic, medium or comprehensive. In Singapore, a basic policy will cover hospitalization and inpatient costs including surgery. The next tier will usually cover outpatient services (GP), but exclude specialists and restrict you to a specific list of local primary care doctors. Comprehensive plans typically cover all your medical expenses and will rarely leave you out-of-pocket by reimburs-ing costs for specialists, dental, maternity, physiotherapy and/or routine screenings.

Deciding what plan is best for you falls in the details and this is where the services of an advisor prove invaluable. A professional advisor will simplify the process by narrowing down the field of options to match your preferences and budget.Exclusions for Critical Illness Cover and Pre-Existing Medical ConditionsWhen healthy, one rarely considers the possibility of falling critically ill, especially if family history shows no cause for concern. The Cancer Research UK (www.cancerresearchuk.org) states that up to five percent of cancers are caused by an inherited faulty gene, meaning that most cancer cases occur in people with little to no family history of the condition. The treat-ment costs for such unpredictable discoveries can be exorbitant. You need to know if you are adequately protected should you be diagnosed with a critical illness or require long-term treatment. If you are underinsured, the bill will fall to you for payment once your expense limits are exhausted.

Within your medical policy, your advisor will point out any hidden exclusions that will leave you vulnerable to large uncovered medical expenses. The most common exclusion is pre-existing conditions. Depending on the type of condition and severity, insurers may offer to include the condition by charging an additional premium. In many cases, this additional charge is less than if you were to bear the costs of the condition out of pocket. Family Planning Singapore is an ideal location to welcome a baby into the family. Healthcare institutions and physicians are considered some of the best in the world and there are numerous support groups for mothers.

With great facilities, the cost of delivering a baby can be high. Medical expenses for each pregnancy typically range between $10,000-$14,000 for a natural delivery and $12,500-$16,000 for Caesarean. As maternity insurance cannot be purchased on its own as a separate insurance policy, your advisor will show you how to select it as a benefit extension attached to your main health insurance policy. One Plan Doesn’t Necessarily Suit AllFor families, keep in mind that it is not necessary to put all members on the same plan or with the same insurer. The employed spouse may just need a top-up plan because work pro-vides basic cover, the other spouse may have a pre-existing condition best served by another policy, and while the kids are healthy, they tend to frequent the doctor’s office for minor ac-cidents and illnesses.

Embrace the selection of your medical insurance policy by getting the right family package through the aid of an Insurance Advisor. Contact Expat Insurance at 6401 9201 or visit www.expatinsurance.com.sg for professional assistance and complimentary advisory services.

Expat Insurance is Singapore’s award winning insurance broker for US expats in Singapore. The company founder is a US native who strives to bring American-style service to Singapore.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

24

The Importance of Medical InsuranceBy Expat Insurance

www.dulwich-singapore.edu.sg


www.frasershospitality.com

www.imc-healthcare.com

www.cutislaserclinics.com

Singapore American • January 2015ARTS &

CULTURE

26

Don't Miss Out on the Art and Drama of 2015By Nithia Devan

M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2015: Art and Loss January 2015 sees the eleventh edition of the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival organized by The Necessary Stage, a local non-profit theater company.

Audiences can look forward to a diverse array of works with eighteen events from eight countries across several venues. Organized around the theme of “art and loss,” the Festival will open with three world premieres: With/Out by Loo Zihan (Singapore), The Duchamp Syndrome by Por Piedad Teatro / El Trapo Teatro, The Play Company (Mexico/USA) and How Loneliness Goes by Nguan (Singapore).

The Festival will run from January 14 to 25 at various venues. For more information, please visit www.singaporefringe.com and www.sistic.com.sg

KidsFest 2015Here’s something for both parents and children: KidsFest 2015, a popular theatrical event featuring eight world-class theatre productions from Australia and London’s West End.

Look forward to exciting shows such as The Gruffalo, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, The Snail and The Whale, The Princess and the Pea, and two popular productions by Horrible Histories! This engaging theatrical extravaganza is suitable for children aged three-to-seven years old and is a great opportunity to introduce your kids to the world of theater.

For more information on KidsFest 2015, please visit: http://www.kidsfest.com.sg/

Art Art Stage SingaporeThe fifth edition of Art Stage Singapore will return to the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center in January. The flagship art fair of Southeast Asia, Art Stage Singapore kicks off the international annual visual arts calendar, connecting the world to the best of Asian and global contemporary art.

A major highlight of Art Stage Singapore is its series of public programs. For its 2015 edition, Art Stage Singapore will partner with ARTnews in presenting the talks with a series titled ARTnews Talks@ Art Stage Singapore. For more information, please visit: http://www.artstagesingapore.com/

Nithia Devan is a freelance marketing communications professional, copywriter and editor. Her passions are cookery, cinema, travel, arts and crafts. Nithia also writes for City Nomads, a guide to what's happening in Singapore.

Steve McCurry, Blue City India, Courtesy of Sundaram Tagore Gallery

The Gruffalo, Photo by Tall Stories

Photo by Olivier Henry, Milk Photographie

Why not start 2015 with the resolution to incorporate more art and theater into your life? Singapore kicks off the year with a variety of terrific options for you and your family.

www.sistic.com

www.expatdental.com


1 – 25 JanuaryAuspicious Designs: Batik for Peranakan AltarsPeranakan Museum23-B Coleman Street9:30am-7pmwww.peranakanmuseum.sg

1 January – 8 FebruaryStill Moving: A Triple Bill on the ImageSingapore Art Museum71 Bras Basah Road10am-7pmwww.singaporeartmuseum.sg

1 January – 11 FebruaryLeonardo Da Vinci’s ‘Earlier Mona Lisa’The Arts House at the Old Parliament1 Old Parliament Lane10am-11pmmonalisaexhibition.com

1 January – 31 MayMedium at LargeShapeshifting Material & Methods in Contemporary ArtSingapore Art Museum71 Bras Basah Roadwww.singaporeartmuseum.sg

1 January – 10 AugustSINGAPURA: 700 yearsNational Museum of Singapore93 Stamford Road10am-6pmwww.nationalmuseum.sg

15 – 31 JanuaryElvis – An ExhibitionCelebrating 80th Year of Elvis’s BirthSingapore Philatelic Museum39 Armenian Street10am-7pmwww.spm.org.sg

9 JanuaryOMM Goes to the Movies IIEsplanade Concert Hallwww.sistic.com.sg

9 – 25 JanuaryCATSGrand TheatreMasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sandswww.sistic.com.sg

21 JanuaryLarry Carlton & Steve Lukather – Live in SingaporeThe University Cultural Centre, NUSwww.sistic.com.sg

29 January – 1 FebruaryErth’s Dinosaur Zoo SOTA – Drama Theatrewww.sistic.com.sg

1 FebruaryDiscovering Music! – Enigma Variations (SSO with Associate Conductor Jason Lai)Victoria Concert Hallwww.sistic.com.sg

9 FebruaryJohnny Marr – Live in SingaporeThe University Cultural Centre, NUS www.sistic.com.sg

1 – 31 JanuaryNew Year Carpet Sale – up to 70% offHedger’s Carpet Gallery 15 Dempsey Road #01-0910:30am – 7pmwww.hedgerscarpetgallery.com.sg

2 FebruarySuperbowl Breakfast PartyDan Ryan’s Chicago Grill91 Tanglin Road #B1-01, Tanglin Place6am-11amT: 6738 2800

From 1 JanuaryUWCSEAApplications for Admission to UWCSEA in 2015/2016 open nowDover or East [email protected]

1 – 9 JanuaryCamp Magic Solstice 2015201 Ulu Pandan Road &60 Dunearn Road www.ilovecampmagic.com

7 January Dulwich College Open Day71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 810-11:30amwww.dulwichcollege.edu.sg

16 JanuaryOpen HouseStamford American International School279 Upper Serangoon Road9amwww.sais.edu.sg

24 FebruaryOpen HouseCanadian International SchoolLakeside Campus 7 Jurong West Street 419amwww.cis.edu.sg

3 JanuaryMR25 UltraMarathonMacRitchie Reservoir, outside the Amenity Centre7amwww.mr25.org.sg

17 JanuaryRun for Light 2015Gardens by the Bay5pmwww.lightrunners.com

7 & 8 FebruarySafari Zoo RunSingapore Zoo and Night SafariSat: 4-7pm, Sun: 9am-12pmwww.safarizoorun.com.sg

8 FebruaryTerry Fox Run902 East Coast Parkway, Big Splash6:30amcanadians.org.sg/Terry-Fox-Run-2015.htm

S P O R T S

L I F E S T Y L E

E D U C A T I O N

E N T E R T A I N M E N T

M U S E U M S

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.

M E M B E R D I S C O U N T S

Receive a 10% discount on a one-year membership.

If you spend over $800 at their Dempsey Store, receive a hand-woven Indian Kelim flat-weave rug (5’6”x3’6”) worth $150 absolutely free (while stocks last). Call 6462 0028.

Get a six-month free membership to Expat Living magazine. Redeem: www.expatliving.sg/aas

Receive complimentary insurance consultations with an experienced insurance advisor. Visitors can choose to receive free, no-obligation quotes on Home, Medical, Life, Travel, Motor and Business Insurance.

2 hours free handyman service worth over $200 when you book your move with Allied Pickfords. Call 6862 4700.

AAS Member DiscountsAAS 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.

www.hungrygowhere.com

chachacha.com.sg

San January 2015

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