Singapore American Newspaper

Since 1958 Singapore American • March 2016

AM ERICAN AS S O CIATION O F S INGAP O RE March 2016

www.aasingapore.com

American Association.....2-3 Member Discounts..............3 CRCE & Business............. 4-5 Community News.............6-7 Living in Singapore..........8-9 Real Estate................11-25 Health & Wellness............26 What's Happening..........27

Business 5

Living in Singapore 8

Health & Wellness 26

Real Estate 11-25

All You Need to Know about Paying US Taxes

How to Rent One of Singapore's Black & Whites

Decluttering 101

A Look at Real Estate in Singapore MCI (P) 185/03/2015

Ambassador's Residence

DCM's Residence Admiral's Residence

Diplomacy at Home 2 Special Residences in Singapore Classic Black and White Residence

American Association of Singapore's Annual Strategic Partners

Cover photos by Eric Janes

2 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

Singapore American • March 2016

A Message from the President...

SINGAPORE AMERICAN NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief: Melinda Murphy, communications@aasingapore.com Publishing Editor: Toni Dudsak, generalmanager@aasingapore.com

DESIGN & L AYOUT Graphic Designer: Mandee M. Astuti graphics@aasingapore.com

ADVERTISING Advertising Manager: Valerie Tietjen, san.ads@aasingapore.com

CONTRIBUTORS Front L-R: Ana Mims, Steven Tucker, Glenn van Zutphen, Stephanie Nash, Toni Dudsak.

Back L-R: Shawn Galey, Mary Beth McCrory, Jim Arpin, Patrick Jones, Joe Foggiato I hope you all had a great Chinese New Year holiday and start to the Year of the Monkey.

I also hope all of you attended our amazing George Washington Ball at the W Hotel – Sentosa Cove. We raised a lot of money at the Fabulous Las Vegas–themed event for the Singapore Children’s Society. A big wrap up with tons of pictures is coming in the April Singapore American Newspaper.

In this issue, we celebrate some architecture special to our community. A big thanks to Ambassador and Mrs. Wagar, DCM Hall and Valerie Brandt, Rear Admiral and Mrs. Williams and Olivier and Caroline Duguet for opening their homes to us. We also have useful articles about decorating on a budget, Black & White homes and the low-down on feng shui.

The picture above is our 2016 AAS Executive Committee with General Manager Toni Dudsak. Our mission is to give guidance and oversight for AAS strategy and activities, reporting each month to the AAS Board. We welcome Patrick Jones as our new Treasurer.

I strongly encourage you to come to our Annual General Meeting on March 8 (details on facing page). After a State of AAS update and 2016 budget approval, we’ll try our hand at some bowling. So bring a pair of socks and your best Big Lebowski bowling shirt!

This month we also have two unique events: a museum tour of the Singapore Art Museum with docent Valerie Brandt and a VIP walking history tour with DCM Blair Hall. We’re looking forward to both!

Have suggestions about how we should celebrate the AAS 100th anniversary milestone in 2017? We’d love to hear them! Please send to: AAS100@aasingapore.com.

Finally, have a look at our revised AAS Mission Statement. We think it gives a clear vision of who we are and the role we strive to play in Singapore:

“The American Association of Singapore serves as the leading non-profit organization that enhances, promotes and celebrates American culture among expats from all countries and the Singaporean community through social events, charitable activities and career support. We also help expats achieve a sense of belonging and connection throughout all stages of their lives in Singapore.”

Remember, if you’re on the go, you can read SAN online. Also, watch for our weekly AAS email reminder on Sunday in your inbox. If you’re not getting it, contact Holly (6738 0371) at the AAS office and she’ll make sure that you do. And please visit us on Facebook or Tweet us: @AmAssocSG, (hashtag #AmAssocSG for all social media).

Andrew J. Aylward, Faith Chanda, Lena Chong, Nithia Devan, Rob Faraone, Kaitlin Krozel , Benjamin Moseley, Anne Perng, Nicole Reidy, Marc Servos, Laura Timms, Frank Valliant, Clarissa Wong, Xin Tian Koh American Association: Mary Ferrante, Melinda Murphy

A MERICAN ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERS President: Glenn van Zutphen • Vice President: Steven Tucker Treasurer: Patrick James • Secretary: Stephanie Nash Directors: James Arpin, Joseph Foggiato, Shawn Galey, Mary Beth McCrory and Ana Mims Immediate Past President: David Boden • AmCham Chair: James Andrade American Club President: Scott Weber • AWA President: Tara Eastep SACAC Chair: Stu Wilson • SAS Chair: Catherine Poyen Non-Voting Member: US Embassy: Chahrazed Sioud US Military: Rear Admiral Charles F. Williams

PUBLISHER - A MERICAN ASSOCIATION The American Association of Singapore (AAS) is a professional, not-for-profit organization established to enhance the well-being and living experience of Americans residing in Singapore and to promote relationships, both business and social, between Americans and those from different cultures and nationalities.

10 Claymore Hill, Singapore 229573 T: (+65) 6738 0371 • F: (+65) 6738 3648 E: aas@aasingapore.com • www.aasingapore.com The Singapore American newspaper, a monthly publication with readership of 10,000+, has been published by the American Association of Singapore since 1958, with the purpose of enhancing the expatriate experience in Singapore.

SUBSCRIPTION A subscription to the Singapore American is complimentary with an AAS or CRCE membership. AAS annual family membership is just $70. CRCE membership is $160. To join, visit www.aasingapore.com and have the Singapore American delivered to your home.

Reproduction in any manner, in English or any other language, is prohibited without written permission. The Singapore American welcomes all contributions of volunteer time or written material.

The Singapore American is printed by Procomp Printset Pte Ltd, 57 Loyang Drive, Level 3 Annex Building, Singapore 508968.

Best, Glenn van Zutphen president@aasingapore.com twitter: @glennvanzutphen

The American Association of Singapore & The American Club present the

2016 Ambassador’s Cup Golf Tournament brought to you by Shell

Texas Scramble Format, All Levels Welcome www.aasingapore.com

May 7, Palm Resort Golf & Country Club Senai Johor, Malaysia

TEE UP NOW!

Packages include: Continental Breakfast • Lunch • Refreshments and Free-Flow Beer All-Day • Post-Round Cocktails & Snacks Gala Dinner with Free-Flow Beer & Wine • Goodie Bags and amazing Lucky Draw Prizes

AAS & TAC Members: $295 • Non-Members: $365

To register or for more information visit: www.aasingapore.com

3 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

Singapore American • March 2016

AAS

Upcoming Events

Past Events

Museum Tour

wednesday

2

If you love art, you don’t want to miss this private, VIP tour. Museum Docent Valerie Brandt will guide this exclusive, one-hour tour of not one, but TWO, of the new Singapore Art Museum exhibitions. The evening will begin with a wine reception, then Valerie will lead us through two exhibits, bringing the works to life. This is a great opportunity to view Singapore’s premier Museum of Contemporary Art and contemplate the complex ideas that underlie life in Singapore today and in the future.

Reception 5pm; Tour 6-7pm Singapore Art Museum, 71 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189555 Exclusive to Members: $25 (includes a glass of wine) This event is sold out!

march

Walking Tour

saturday

12

Want to understand more about Singapore’s development from a small trading settlement to a gleaming financial hub? Then come on this insightful two-hour VIP walking tour that begins at Marina Bay and runs along the Singapore River and through Telok Ayer, concluding at the Smith Street hawker stalls in Chinatown. This is an exclusive event for AAS members only.

10am-12pm Meet near the ArtScience Museum Exclusive to members: $15 (includes a goodie bag) This event is sold out!

march

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

Repatriation Talk

Warehouse Club Visit: Together with the AWA, our members visited the Warehouse Club for a shopping morning to purchase their favorite US products, big boxes of things you can’t find anywhere else in Singapore! It was a fun morning and a great opportunity to fill our carts with special discounts! If you missed this roundtrip with us, don’t hesitate to check out the Warehouse Club to shop like you do back home!

The 83rd George Washington Ball: Glamour. Glitz. Fun. All describe The 83rd GWB! This fabulous event gathered 400 people who enjoyed a sumptuous dinner followed by dancing to the tunes of Johnny James. The dance floor was the place to be! Proceeds raised from the Silent Auction and Lucky Draw were donated to a worthy charity, Singapore Children’s Society. Thank you to all our partners and sponsors for their tremendous support. Don’t miss the April issue to see all the pictures from the Ball!

Annual General Meeting

Attention AAS members! It’s time to make your voice heard! Please join us for the Annual General Meeting at The American Club, The Zone.

Tuesday, March 8 6:45 registration; 7-9pm The American Club, The Zone Exclusive and free to AAS Members Registration required For more info: www.aasingapore.com

Join us for an informative talk aimed to help you to understand the emotional and logistical impacts of moving back.

Wednesday, April 13 7-9pm 8 on Claymore Serviced Residences 8 Claymore Hill, Level 4, Singapore 228572

AAS Members: Free • Non-Members: $25 Includes a glass of wine and finger food.

For more information: www.aasingapore.com

AAS MEMBER DISCOUNTS

AAS members enjoy discounts at a range of local businesses. Present your AAS membership card at time of purchase.

Please see a full list of discounts at www.aasingapore.com/member-discounts.

Two hours free handy-man service worth more than $200 when you book your move with Allied Pickfords.

Call 6862 4700.

Present AAS membership card to receive 15% off total bill.

Valid for dine in on a la carte menu at all Brewerkz and Cafe Iguana restaurants from January 4-December 30, 2016.

Limit to one (1) redemption per bill, per table. Not valid on concert days, eve of and on public holidays. Not valid with lunch menu, other set menus, discounts, vouchers, promotions or privileges.

The management reserves the right to amend the terms & conditions without prior notice.

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

JAL is offering a special promotional discounted air fare to AAS members at about 7-9% off the published market air fare. Please take note that this is applicable only for travelers who book through Country Holidays. www.countryholidays.com.sg/en/

FIRST DRINK FREE – every day, every visit for AAS members. Valid on house pours until December 31, 2016.

Show your membership card at the bar to claim.

Check out their new location at: 32 South Buona Vista

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

Present your AAS membership card and receive $10 in vouchers when you sign up for a Warehouse Club membership. Valid till November 30, 2016.

CAREER RESOURCE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE

Singapore American • March 2016

PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

"START BY DOING WHAT'S NECESSARY; THEN DO WHAT'S POSSIBLE; AND SUDDENLY YOU ARE DOING THE IMPOSSIBLE." FRANCIS OF ASSISI

IN CONVERSATION WITH FRANCIS VAILLANT What difficulties did you experience adjusting to previous international assignments? How did you overcome them?

One difficulty is the distance from our home country and the issue it causes in relation to family and friends back home. It is more acute for my wife and kids, since they do not travel as extensively and feel somehow more isolated sometimes. The best way to manage this is to ensure regular contact with the family members through phone and Skype conversations and taking regular trips back to our home country.

How many expatriate assignments have you completed before moving to Singapore?

Singapore is my second expat assignment.

We moved from Canada to London, England where we lived three years before arriving in Singapore six years ago.

Can you share with us your background and professional experiences?

I have worked on the commercial side of the pharmaceuticals industry for more than 20 years in different capacities such as Sales & Product Management, Global Head and, more recently, Head of Operations for the Asia-Pacific region. I am now looking for my next challenge.

What activities and/or experiences have strengthened your self-esteem or selfconfidence while you’ve been in Singapore?

Being able to find a suitable business model for our business in the China and India marketplaces is at the top of my list, given the complexity of these two countries.

One other accomplishment of which I am proud is the ability to build a high-performing and culturally diverse management team very quickly after I first landed in Singapore.

How would you advise trailing spouses (“trailing talents”) who are planning to move to Singapore?

Try to identify activities or volunteer roles that interest you and invest yourself in a good cause as soon as possible when you arrive.

Also, don’t be shy about being involved in small group sessions in order to build your own network as quickly as possible. Keep in mind there are thousands of people in your situation in Singapore.

From your previous professional experiences, what have you observed so far that might be different here?

Singapore is a small place (as opposed to London) so it is somehow easier to meet people and to become aware of the different activities offered if you are inquisitive and make yourself visible. I had the chance to attend several CRCE workshops over the last year and have been quite impressed by the quality and the diversity of expertise from the guests to the speakers. The format of those workshops is highly interactive and allows for many interactions within the small group of participants.

CRCE MARCH WORKSHOPS Exploring NLP Speaker: Puja Kirpalani Wednesday, March 9 10:30am – 12:30pm Lunch and Learn: Recent Changes to the Employment Act Speaker: Sheela Awat Friday, March 11 12:30pm – 2pm My Best Life Speaker: Alka Chandiramani Wednesday, March 16 10:30am – 12pm RE-CONNECT; The Art of Relating & Connecting with People Speaker: Shazaf Moonis Friday, March 18 10am – 12:30pm

Are you an employer with an opening to fill?

Did you know employers can list jobs for free on the CRCE job board?

Log onto www.aasingapore.com to find out more.

ONE-ON-ONE COACHING CAREER SOLUTIONS © AAS OFFERING PERSONALIZED CAREER COUNSELING SERVICES. SIGN UP NOW FOR A PRIVATE APPOINTMENT WITH A PROFESSIONAL CAREER ADVISOR. PLEASE CONTACT CRCE.INFO@AASINGAPORE.COM

SPOTLIGHT ON JOBS Advancement Coordinator The Coordinator is responsible for all administrative aspects of the foundations, including (but not limited to) arranging meetings, taking minutes, followingup and supporting members of the foundation board so that the members can effectively serve as volunteers for fundraising and alumni relations purposes, including prospect lists, event logistics and arrangements. (job #3231) English Teacher - Part-time As an English instructor, your job will be to teach mostly adults and children (6yrs+) mainly in one-to-one classes and some small group classes (max. four students).

Teaching experience is not required. All training will be provided. (job #3230) Front Desk Executive A dental clinic is looking for a friendly Front Desk Receptionist to join its team for their clinic. Both full- and part-time positions are available. All positions include afternoon hours and some Saturdays are required. (job #3229) Strategy Execution Consultants This organization is looking for someone who has experience and contacts in the legal, FMCG, pharma, financial, M&A, private equity, government or military sectors. You must be Singapore-based with at least a Dependant’s Pass (DP) and thrive on flexible and sometimes uncertain working opportunities. (job #3228) Senior Manager, Client Engagement The job holder is responsible for growing revenue from the organization’s executive development platforms and customized programs through targeted sales and business development activities. This person will identify appropriate business opportunities from both new and existing clients to build a strong sales pipeline and will need to develop a strong relationship with senior decision makers and influencers in target organizations to understand their talent management strategies, systems and processes. (job #3226) General Manager A multi-service agency is looking for an energetic and self-starting General Manager who has the ability to lead the team and manage business operations. The successful candidate will be: managing company key projects; overseeing and coordinating main business operations in the company; developing and leading the operations team; establishing departmental policies, goals and objectives. (job #3225) Communications and Media Specialist Part-time Graphic Designer The Graphic Designer’s responsibilities include: adhere to graphic design strategy for both print and digital solutions; follow prescribed specs and guidelines to internal and external partners, printers and advertisers; work under lead designer for the creation and production of all materials; adhere to brand identity and ensure consistency in branding in all collateral; craft and apply vision, design themes, future needs, relevant and meaningful design trends. (job #3224)

5 CRCE & BUSINESS

Singapore American • March 2016

US Tax Facts to Impress Your Friends

By Kaitlin Krozel

W

hile it’s nearly impossible to master the US tax code, you don’t need to be a guru on the subject to demonstrate your wisdom. Below are some important tax facts that every American expat living in Singapore should know for the current tax season.

1. Your US federal tax return is NOT due April 15.

Yes, that’s right. Expats overseas on April 15 are granted an automatic two-month filing extension until June 15 and, if you need

more time, an extension can be filed. Note that if you owe taxes, you should still make a payment by the US deadline or interest will start to accrue. The regular US tax deadline is actually April 18 this year due to a holiday in Washington, DC. This gives taxpayers three extra days to make a tax payment. Payments can be made online at www.irs.gov/payments.

2. The tax benefits of being overseas have increased…and decreased.

Increases: The Foreign Earned Income

Exclusion, which reduces your taxable income, increased from $100,800 in 2015 to $101,300 for 2016. If married and both spouses work, each spouse is able to claim the exclusion. In addition, you may also be entitled to the Housing Exclusion which further reduces your taxable income by allowing for a deduction of rental expenses.

Decreases: Beginning with your 2015 taxes, you can no longer claim the additional child tax credit if you claim the foreign earned income or housing exclusion.

3. Reporting of Non-US accounts will change in 2017. FinCEN Form 114, more commonly known as the FBAR, is filed separately from your federal tax return.

The FBAR is required if you had over $10,000 USD among all of your non-US financial accounts at any point during 2015.

Don’t worry: this form does not trigger any taxes. Your 2015 FBAR is due by June 30, 2016 and can be filed online. Bonus Fact: Starting with your 2016 FBAR, the deadline will change to April 15, 2017 and an extension will be available.

4. Thieves are making it harder to get refunds.

Identity theft and tax scams have increased rapidly. Thieves steal taxpayer information and file fake tax returns claiming refunds. To combat this growing problem, the IRS will be validating 20 new pieces of information on tax returns in 2016. While these extra measures help protect taxpayers, they may

also slow the processing of some returns which could mean a delay in issuing refunds. You can check the status of your refund online at www.irs.gov/refunds.

5. Other deductions and credits are available.

Don’t forget about potential deductions and credits for college tuition, home energy incentives, traditional IRA contributions and alimony paid. Dependent care expenses may also provide a tax credit which can even include expenses related to a live-in maid if both you and your spouse work.

6. Most expats are exempt from the health care requirement.

Also known as Obamacare, the Affordable Care Act requires everyone to have health insurance. The good news is that if you qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, you are exempt. To claim the exemption, file form 8695 with your tax return.

So the next time you are at coffee, a meeting or a night out with fellow expats, drop a tax fact or two and watch your friends respond in sheer amazement (okay, maybe that’s taking it too far, but I promise someone will be impressed)!

Photo by GotCredit Kaitlin M. Krozel is a CPA and former Singapore expat. Her firm, Krozel Capital, specializes in tax preparation for US citizens living abroad. www.krozelcapital.com

6 COMMUNITY NEWS

Singapore American • March 2016

Overcome Networking Phobia: Reap the Benefits

By Clarissa Wong

T

he word “networking” creates different reactions in people.

People who enjoy networking often get excited about the prospect of meeting new people and discovering more about what they do. Each new person they meet usually energizes them. On the other hand, people who are uncomfortable with networking may find networking daunting. They could be worried about relating to new people and struggle having a conversation with them.

Yet, having good interpersonal skills is a necessary trait in today’s world and networking can help hone them. Instead of

dreading networking, one of the ways to enjoy it is to have an open mind. Everybody you meet could be vastly different from yourself. Step forward and introduce yourself, be yourself and strike a conversation with someone. Since this is your first time meeting him or her, you are not expected to talk with the person for hours. It’s great if there is a common ground.

Otherwise, learn more about the individual and get fresh perspectives.

At times, you can find common ground when you attend events with like-minded people. These could be conferences, seminars or other business functions, as these types of events are usually good platforms to meet potential business partners. As the saying goes, “It is not what you know, but who you know.” The person you meet today could be a precious connection who may assist you in your business development. According to Black Marketing Global CEO & Founder Chris J. Reed, “Networking is all about chance within a focused business environment. The benefits are innumerable; business is all about meeting people and there is no better place to meet with them than at networking events.”

AmCham organizes member meetings multiple times a week and networking events every month to facilitate connections among members across industries. Reed, also AmCham’s SME/

Entrepreneur Committee Co-chair, continued, “AmCham events are easy places to network. Everyone is there for the same reason: to network, meet new people, re-connect with existing contacts and generally discuss business with likeminded professionals. You also have several things in common immediately. You are members of AmCham, you share an interest in that subject matter and you’re doing business in Singapore/Asia. The AmCham events of all kinds, from pure networking to committee meetings and other events, provide an excellent and easy going environment to network.”

To make each networking session fun and interesting, AmCham seeks exciting venues for networking. The venues over the last year have ranged with members such as an event at Harley-Davidson’s offices to watching horse races at the Singapore Turf Club.

Photos courtesy AmCham Singapore To learn how you can get more involved with AmCham, please contact AmCham’s Head of Business Development & Operations Ashley McInerney at amcinerney@amcham.org.sg.

SCOUTING IN SINGAPORE Boy Scouts Troop 07: www.bsatroop07.org Boy Scouts Troop 10: www.facebook.com/BSATroopX Cub Scouts Pack 3010: sgcubscoutpack3010@gmail.com Cub Scouts: www.scouts3017.com Girl Scouts: www.singaporeusagirlscouts.org

Touching the Future

By Anne Perng

F

or any Girl Scout, the Girl Scout Promise and Law are not just words to recite, but words to live by. One way they do this is by working on Higher Awards. At the Junior Level (when girls are ages 9-11), this means earning their Bronze Award.

This past Fall, when the haze was so bad, Junior Troop 64 decided to work towards their Bronze by creating awareness about the problem. “We wanted to learn more about what causes the haze and global warming," said Gracie Hardy, a troop member. “We wanted people to also learn more about the haze, what they can do to help prevent it and how people can make a change." The troop also connected with local charity, Relief Singapore, which was also responding to the haze crisis in Indonesia. A decision was made to help the children in Indonesia by donating N95 face masks with Relief Singapore’s help.

The troop of ten girls accomplished so much in so little time.

“First, we brainstormed ideas for service projects and we decided on a bake sale as we felt it would be the most effective,” explained

troop member Sabina Datta. “Then we arranged a date with our school and informed the school about it by putting up posters and talking to all the fifth grade classes. Finally, we gave a big presentation at the Girl Scout Father Daughter Dance. The whole project took about a month and a half.”

The presentations at school, the poster campaign and successful bake sale earned more than $1,500, which was used to purchase N95 masks. Other Girl Scouts brought mask donations to the Father Daughter Dance. All told, Relief Singapore brought 1,675 N95 masks to Indonesia on behalf of Troop 64. Carmen Hyslop believes her troop gleaned a lot from this project. “We learned a lot about the haze, the effects on people, the environment and many other things. We also learned skills like communication, team work and cooperation. It reflected on the Girl Scout promise because we were helping other people. Connecting to the Girl Scout Law, we were being caring, making the world a better place and being helpful.”

What more can you ask for?

The Girl Scout Promise "On my honor, I will try to serve God and my country; to help people at all times and to live by the Girl Scout Law."

Upcoming Events The spring is always a lot of fun in Girls Scouts. This year’s annual Overnight Camp has a Percy Jackson theme. Similar to the demi-god hero of Rick O’Riordan’s novels, our Girl Scouts will be goddesses with their own individual powers. During the weekend camp held at Camp Sarimbun, they will have an opportunity to try out their powers by making new friends and testing their mettle in a bunch of fun activities.

The smallest Girl Scouts (too young for sleepovers) will get a camp experience, too, at this year’s Day Camp held at Camp Christine. Junior Troop 57 will get leadership experience and earn their Bronze Award by planning many of the camp activities of this “Under the Sea” themed camp.

Cadette, Senior and Ambassador Scouts will also be challenged competing in this year’s Great Singapore Scurry. Teams on this Amazing Race-meets-scavenger-hunt will compete to complete tasks all over Singapore using clues to help them find the right locations. These older Girl Scouts will need all their powers of deduction and their public transport passes to become winners of the Great Singapore Scurry. No shaking legs* here – there’s a race to win! *Singlish slang to describe idleness, derived from shaking legs in boredom.

7 COMMUNITY NEWS

Singapore American • March 2016

Summer Schoolin', Had Me a Blast

By Xin Tian Koh

N

o matter where your children go to school, Singapore American School’s summer semester courses offer them new learning frontiers. Extending, diversifying and accelerating learning from the regular academic year, it offers course tie-ups with INSEAD business school, Columbia Business School, Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes in association with V-Campus, DigiPen Institute of Technology Singapore and TS College Tours.

SAS Summer Semester invites SAS and non-SAS students aged three to 17 to explore

new areas not found in most schools’ existing courses. Focusing on the whole child, courses can be chosen from three strands: intellectual curiosity, creative expression and sports and wellness.

The early childhood program gives children control over their learning and opportunities to learn by touching, moving, listening, observing their world and expressing themselves. Children will make music; go on nature walks; or learn things such as crafts, cooking, dance and drama.

Parents will get to keep videos and photos of their children’s experiences.

Elementary students will work in multiage groups with a 1:10 teacher-student ratio in indoor and outdoor spaces. They will conduct research on collaborative multi-day projects, record their learning in journals and presentations and reflect on their day to see how to improve. Most uniquely, teachers will customize learning experiences based on children’s interests and preferred learning methods.

Middle school students will create their own schedules by picking one course from each of our three strands. “Woodlands to Wall Street,” “Space Colony: The Final Frontier,” “Crack the Case,” “Junior 2D Game Development,” “Junior Art and Animation” from DigiPen, “Viral Video Ventures,” “Adventures in Robotics” (using the Lego EV3 kit), water polo, yoga, strength training, climbing, orienteering and swimming are just some of their choices!

High schoolers will focus deeply on one area

of interest, such as geometry, biology, Stanford Pre-Collegiate’s “Math Logic and Problem Solving” and “Creative Writing,” INSEAD’s “Developing Innovative Business Ventures,” DigiPen’s “Artificial Intelligence for Games,” and Columbia Business School’s “Global Entrepreneurship and Innovation.”

SAS is also partnering with TS College Tours, offering customized tours for international students aiming for US or UK universities.

TS hires experienced college counselors from international high schools and university admissions officers able to connect with students with international backgrounds, who will practice essay writing, interviews and application strategies.

“What differentiates us the most from a summer camp is our experienced and qualified SAS teachers and rigorous, innovative offerings.

Last summer semester, parents loved that personalized learning let students pursue their interests and passions much more deeply and present it to an authentic audience. We’ve created even more opportunities for this to ensure we meet the needs of the international community again this year,” says instructional coach and summer semester director Louise Donaghey.

Corporate Partners

Beverage Sponsors

Photos courtesy of SAS To learn more, visit www.sas.edu.sg/SummerSemester or email SummerSemester@sas.edu.sg.

Travel Insurance Basics

By Andrew J. Aylward If you live in Singapore, you likely take advantage of the wonderful travel opportunities available to you and potentially have family and friends who come long distances to visit.

Travelers should carefully consider if they need travel insurance, which can help cover unforeseen expenses such as trip cancellation, medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation and accidental death coverage.

The most common coverage, trip cancellation, covers cancellations, interruptions or delays to your trip. Typical coverage includes problems with a visa or passport, illness or injury, weather-related issues, acts of terrorism and other accidents and incidents. Cancellation insurance helps cover the difference between a vendor refund and your purchase price, but make sure you don’t purchase a policy from your airline carrier so you’ll still be covered if the issue is with your service provider.

With the high cost of medical treatment and a lack of

insurance coverage outside your home area, medical insurance can provide medical coverage for short trips or long excursions.

This coverage can help pay medical expenses, locate doctors, hospitals and healthcare facilities and can provide foreignlanguage services if you are injured traveling overseas. With most policies, it’s good to check if you need prior approval from your insurance company for a particular type of medical care. Medical evacuation insurance covers medically necessary evacuation and transportation to medical facilities, which can easily cost $10,000 or more without coverage. Evacuation insurance is extremely useful in remote areas without access to proper medical facilities.

The most common travel insurance is purchased for a single trip, although multi-trip or annual policies can cover longer periods. Cost varies depending on coverage, but per-trip insurance is between 4% and 8% of the trip total. You should

also review other insurance options you may have, such as protection offered by credit cards or other service providers. Need help finding an insurance company? Consult with organizations such as the US Travel Insurance Association or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to find qualified travel insurance providers.

Do You Really Need Travel Insurance Coverage?

No one plans to have an accident or get sick while traveling, but these things happen. Travel insurance can help minimize travel disruptions and unforeseen expenses. Most importantly, read the fine print of any contract you purchase. The right insurance can save you from headaches or a large cash outlay, but make sure you know what the policy covers before you purchase.

The US government urges travelers to consult their medical insurance companies prior to traveling to determine if a given policy applies overseas, or if there are limits on pre-existing conditions. Please note, Medicare does not provide coverage for hospital or medical costs outside of the US. For more information please visit www.Travel.State.Gov.

N

estled in picturesque estates dispersed across the island away from the hustle-and-bustle of fast-paced city life, Singapore’s Black and White houses have long gripped people’s imaginations, dreaming of the charmed and elegant lifestyles of Singapore’s colonial administrators and expatriates long ago. Predominantly built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these grand houses represent a remarkable period in Singapore’s architectural history, when architects drew inspiration from numerous architectural trends and styles popular in Britain, Europe and across the British Empire. They created a unique architectural style that captured the heyday of British colonial life in the early 20th century. However, despite their unique local history and combination of diverse architectural styles, Singapore’s Black and Whites are some of the city-state’s most overlooked architectural icons.

The earliest of these Black and Whites (so-called because of the predominantly black and white color motif that came to define their appearance) were directly influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement of 19th century Britain, which emphasized traditional craftsmanship and simple forms of decoration. As a result, many of Singapore’s earliest Black and Whites resembled pre-modern English homes and have been described as “tropical mockTudor” or “Tropical Tudorbethan.” Later Black and Whites, built in the 1910s and 1920s, also incorporated contemporary design styles, noticeably Art Deco. In addition, throughout this period, colonial architects utilized the spacious design and large verandahs found in the Anglo-Indian bungalow, while adapting the use of elevated foundations generally found in local Malay architecture. These design features were employed to protect the houses from flood waters and allow the flow of air, an important consideration for Singapore’s humid climate before the advent of air conditioning. The typical Black and White was a twostory villa with a large plot of land for extravagant gardens, although a number of Black and Whites, such as those built near military installations for colonial officers, were built within short

distance of one another. Many of those larger Black and White villas were comprised of a main house that was accompanied by servants’ quarters.

Today, while most international travelers flock to see the shophouses of Chinatown and Little India, the neo-Palladian administrative buildings of Singapore’s colonial downtown and the ultramodern facilities of the Marina Bay Sands, very few venture into the scattered corners of the island that contain these historic houses. This may be because many of Singapore’s

Black and Whites continue to be used as private residences and are not open to public viewings. Nevertheless, it is possible to enjoy a nice stroll through some of those charming neighborhoods that still host clusters of well-preserved Black and Whites residences to appreciate the exterior architecture of these grand mansions.

Most of these neighborhoods, such as Alexandra Park and Adam Park, are located in Singapore’s south-central region.

Sembawang Park and Seletar Camp in Singapore’s north, once home to British military installations, also feature a large number

of well-maintained Black and White homes. Furthermore, in recent decades, a significant number of Black and Whites have been converted into commercial businesses. Dempsey Hill, once the location of Tanglin Barracks, possesses a large number of Black and Whites, which had been the residences of British officers, but now houses a slew of popular restaurants, cafés and furniture shops that are frequented by both locals and expats.

Nowadays, around 500 Black and Whites still stand with fewer than 100 being privately owned. The majority of Black and Whites are now owned by the government and managed by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA). People who are interested in living in one of these old mansions can bid to lease specific properties; however, depending on the property, the rates can range anywhere from under S$5,000 to more than S$20,000 a month. Because these residences have been accorded conservation protection by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), renters are expected to uphold the stylistic integrity and general architecture of the buildings.

Among other restrictions, Black and Whites may only be painted black and white and the exterior of the houses, including the doors and windows, must be retained. Nevertheless, the interior of the house may be modernized to accommodate the lifestyles of modern families. You can put in a pool and air conditioning, but must take them out when you move (even if the next owner plans to install them again!). This may seem burdensome , but given the unique history and distinctive style of the Singapore Black and White, all of that may seem worth it.

Want to rent one of these beauties? Log onto www.aasingapore.com and check out the "What's New" section to learn how.

Photos by Eric Janes An SAS alumni, Benjamin Moseley is currently a graduate student at University of Washington in Seattle. When he is not buried underneath a pile of library books or writing papers about democratization and recent history in Southeast Asia, he is attempting to recreate hawker-style food or devising schemes to backpack through Southeast Asia.

11 REAL ESTATE

Singapore American • March 2016

Singapore's Feng Shui

By Nithia Devan

Feng shui (pronounced “fung shway”) is a system that examines how the arrangement of objects within your living environment affects the energy flow. Everything is interconnected: your personal energy flow affects how you think and act, which in turn affects how well you perform and succeed in your personal and professional life. It’s a geomancy system based on positive energy (or qi in Chinese). There are five elements in this system, each attached to certain materials and colors: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Wood, for example, is often linked to green and fire to red.

The term feng shui is composed of two Chinese words: feng (wind) and shui (water). Wind and water are the two natural elements that flow, move and circulate everywhere on Earth, plus they sustain life. The combined qualities of wind and water determine the climate, which determines our food supply and, in turn, affects our lifestyle, health, energy and mood. Wind and water are carriers of chi (the life force) and all living organisms are largely composed of these two elements. So, in a nutshell, feng shui is the art of designing living spaces, which create harmony and enhance the flow of chi, supporting and enhancing one’s personal chi or life force. So get rid of the clutter and unnecessary objects and boost the flow of chi in your home environment!

The principles of feng shui have been used all over Singapore. If you visit the Grand Hyatt Singapore on Scotts Road, you will notice the oddly angled glass doors. When the hotel first opened, its doors and the reception desk ran parallel to the street, a configuration that depicted wealth flowing out. To break this flow, the main doors were made to protrude out at an angle.

Tangs Plaza, with its oriental design, green-tiled pagoda roof and red pillars, is a landmark that marks the beginning of Orchard Road. In 1958, CK Tang, a businessman, saw that the area was suitable for a shopping area. He brought roof tiles from his hometown in the Swatow province of China and used them for

the roof of his department store on what was a cheap piece of land. Unfortunately, the land faced a cemetery, which is considered a bad omen in Chinese culture. To counteract this, they installed octagonal shapes, where the Marriott Hotel now stands. Water also enhances the flow of chi, which explains the water features on both sides of the main lobby pathway.

At Marina Bay Sands (MBS), the three towers are meant to represent the three pillars of luck, prosperity and longevity. Meanwhile, the three domes sitting in front of the towers symbolize three coins, signs of prosperity. Additionally, the area around the MBS can be considered a hub of prosperity, flanked by the Singapore Flyer and the lotus-shaped ArtScience Museum (the lotus is a symbol of good fortune and enlightenment). Also, its proximity to water is meant to increase wealth.

If you take an aerial snapshot of Suntec City, you will see that it is designed in the shape of an open hand, with the five towers representing fingers. According to feng shui principles, Suntec City is a “left hand.” This is significant as the left hand represents men in China, while the right represents women. The Suntec investors were all men. Apart from the megamall and convention center, Suntec City is also home to the famous Fountain of Wealth which, for a time, was the biggest man-made fountain in the world. Since the whole development sits on reclaimed land, a layout where water is kept in the palm is essential for the building to receive and retain qi. This brilliant feng shui formation is known as “King Holding Up the Sky.” In fact, Singapore takes its feng shui so seriously that it designed its S$1 coin as an octagon, for good luck!

Nithia Devan is a freelance marketing communications professional, copywriter and editor. She is passionate about supporting Singapore theater and getting more people fired up about local productions and the arts scene. Nithia also writes on theater events for City Nomads, a guide to what’s happening in Singapore.

Feng Shui your pad: Open the front door to let in energy, but make sure it stays in the house! If there’s a direct line to your back door, you need to hang | something to separate the two.

Dump your clutter. Even junk stuffed into a closet or under a bed blocks energy flow.

Mirrors need to reflect something beautiful.

Whatever you do, don’t hang one in front of the door or else all the good energy coming in will go right back out.

Make sure you have something representing the five elements (wood, earth, metal, fire and water) in every room.

And buy some houseplants. Lucky bamboo is always a good choice! eiusmod.

Your bedroom should be restful and luxurious and only put photos of you and your spouse in you room. Photos of children or obligations can be a distraction.

12 REAL ESTATE

Make Your Home Look Rich (or DIY Trying)

By Faith Chanda

T

wo challenges many expats encounter in Singapore are smaller living spaces and less discretionary income to spend on making your house (or apartment) feel like a home. Here are a few tips for warming up your space without burning a hole in your wallet: Rent If you know you’re only here for a short while, it might make sense to just rent the furniture you need and save yourself the time, trouble and expense of moving furniture across the globe.

Buy Abroad Depending on where you go in Southeast Asia, you may find that you can buy gorgeous and unique pieces and ship them here less expensively than purchasing similar items new in Singapore. Some establishments will even dismantle and/or pack pieces to check as

luggage. We did this once with antique side tables from India and they remain among our most prized possessions.

Practice Patience Rome wasn’t built in a day and your perfect home won’t be either.

As long as you have the basics that allow you and your family to function, don’t be in such a hurry to buy the finer touches right away.

As you travel around Singapore and elsewhere, look out for furniture or accessories that catch your eye.

A piece of art, a beautiful textile, even a simple knick-knack, can bring back lovely memories of your adventures and make your home even more personal. Also, keep an eye out for sales, discount schemes and one-off finds like floor models or scratched-and-dented items that often sell for a fraction of the original price.

Be Brave Don’t shop at the malls. That’s where everyone goes! Find the local hole-in-the-wall, mom and pop shops that will be grateful for your business and may yield truly unique finds.

Get By With a Little Help from Your Friends Got a friend with a great eye for design? Take her shopping with you! Chances are she’ll have some great ideas and maybe even some money-saving tips. Or have her come over to your place and give you some inspiration to change things up or some ideas of how to make what you’ve already got look more stylish. Even better? Organize

an exchange with a group of friends (preferably friends with good taste!). Ask everybody to bring one or two home accents that they don’t use anymore or for which they don’t have room and trade them in for different pieces.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle There is robust activity on Facebook groups such as Singapore Expat Wives and websites such as Craigslist.org, Gumtree. sg and Carousell.com, where you can buy unwanted used furniture and accessories at excellent prices. Expat Auctions sells all sorts of great stuff every other Saturday morning. But buyer beware: it is your responsibility to check the condition, measurements and more before you hand over the money. Another option is to repurpose what you’ve already got bringing outdoor furniture inside, or vice versa, for example. Or go rogue and DIY it. Need a lamp? If you’ve got an awesome vase, buy a lamp kit and turn the vase into one!

A chair with good bones can be reupholstered with new fabric to update the look. Need artwork to fill a space? Grab your camera and go take some photos of things you love about Singapore to enlarge. Or frame a map of your hometown. Plenty of websites now offer trendy vintage travel posters from all over the world. Many are printable for a fraction of the cost of purchasing a hard copy: all you need is a frame. Or if you’re very brave, set your kids loose with some finger paint and a large canvas; the final product just might rival any work of modern art, provided you supervise a bit.

In our place, we have a print that says “Home is wherever I am with you.” It’s a good reminder that the most important thing about your home is having your loved ones in it.

Faith Chanda has written for SAN since moving to Singapore from New York with her husband and two children a year ago. As a trailing spouse, Faith has reinvented herself as a writer, after spending most of her career in Marketing Communications and Event Planning, spanning multiple industries and roles.

She enjoys exploring food, culture, nature and design through her travel adventures and looks forward to many new discoveries throughout South East Asia.

The Ambassador's Residence

By Melinda Murphy

“I got here about three weeks before my wife Crystal,” said US Ambassador to Singapore Kirk Wagar. “As many people do when you fly from the US, I got here in the dead of night. I decided I’d go check out the grounds to the Residence and inadvertently locked myself outside. “I went from thinking, ‘This is cool! I can’t believe I get to live here’ to ‘Uh oh, wait a minute,” he laughed. “I went to the guard gate and they said, ‘Mr. Ambassador, we don’t have a key to your house.’ They had to wake up one of the ladies inside to open the door!”

That was the Ambassador’s first night in the official Chief of Mission Residence (CMR).

“An inauspicious beginning,” he quips, to an amazing experience in Singapore. The CMR is a home in which he and his family feel privileged to live – and a home that means a lot to the United States.

“This is America’s home,” said the Ambassador.

“It’s a valuable asset for our country and the amount of outreach we can do here. In the past 30 days, we’ve had more than 1,000 people through the doors. The house is an amazing tool where we can talk about who we are and what we’re doing here in Singapore in a very personal setting. Renting space in Singapore is very expensive so, by doing events here, we can provide more opportunities for outreach. We feel very humbled to live here.”

The 9,750 square foot, four-bedroom CMR was designed in 1992 by The Stubbins Architects of Cambridge, Massachusetts and the construction was completed in 1996, the same year the new US Embassy on Napier Road was completed. Two bungalows were demolished to build it. The current residence replaced the old CMR which was located on Grange Road, the current site of the Spring Grove Condominium.

The old residence now serves as the club and pool house of that condo.

The home is furnished by the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations which oversees all international Chief of Mission and Deputy Chief of Mission Residences. The furniture is updated every 15 years when an interior designer comes and figures out what needs to be changed. The Singapore properties were updated two years ago.

The art, however, is a different story. Crystal, an attorney by trade, worked with the State Department’s office of Art in Embassies (AIE) to curate an entire exhibition for the residence.

Established in 1963, AIE strives to culturally expand US missions by curating permanent

art collections for new embassy buildings and temporary exhibitions for the residences of all US Ambassadors. Besides the AIE curatorial team, Crystal also roped in her artist father to help choose the works and add artists of personal interest.

“The process was much lengthier than you’d imagine. I’d find something I liked, but it wasn’t available which would throw off the whole balance so we’d have to regroup. There were a lot of starts and stops to the process.”

“I picked out the two Peter Max paintings,” said the Ambassador. “That was my big contribution.

When I come home, the first thing I see is the Statue of Liberty. Being an immigrant myself (the Ambassador was born in Canada), it really represents America to me.”

The result was well worth the effort. The exploratory exhibition of contemporary art they named “Creations of a Nation” is a collection of mediums and formats, including photographs of America’s historic moments, works by Manuel Neri, Mequitta Ahuja, Michele Oka Doner, Jacob Lawrence, Natasha Kohli and many more.

The home is also blanketed with photos of Ambassador Wagar with President Obama and other dignitaries. “When I got the job, I was told I should put lots of these kinds of pictures out,” the Ambassador explained. “Trust me, I don’t usually have so many photos of myself all over the house,” he said with a disarming grin.

Most of their personal art is upstairs in the private apartment, but Crystal does like to add her own touches to the downstairs part of the home. “I’m a big fan of flowers. I like to go to the local market, buy some flowers and arrange them myself either for the week or for a special event. I think they add so much to the room.”

Art and flowers bring color into a home, but it’s the family that brings life. The Wagar’s two-year-old daughter Rhys is a little human dynamo, always on the go. She really is the heart of the CMR. “She sees this as a stadium for her to run around, just a big playroom. She will just be three when we go home so she probably won’t remember this amazing experience.”

But the Wagars will. Singapore and the CMR have made quite an impression. They will stay until President Obama leaves office. “Our plan is that when the President gets on the helicopter, we’ll leave at the same time.”

Photos by Eric Janes

Buying in Singapore

By Marc Servos

M

ost expats in Singapore rent a home, but if you wish to purchase property, here’s what you need to know: The good news is that cooling measures exist to keep the prices from soaring. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) implemented a Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) calculation to determine if a buyer is qualified for a loan, which can be granted for up to 80% of the purchase price. This calculation is based on 60% of the buyer’s gross monthly income minus the monthly debt payments to determine monthly mortgage payments. Other factors on how big a loan can be granted include repayment period and the age of borrower.

If approved, the buyer pays a Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) based on purchase price or market value, whichever is higher, with rates of 1% and 2% of the first and second $180,000, respectively, and 3% of the remaining amount. The foreign buyer pays the Additional Buyers Stamp Duty (ABSD) of 15% of the purchase price of a residential property in addition to the BSD, but the ABSD doesn’t apply to purchasing commercial or industrial property.

The good news for American citizens (and those of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) is that they are exempt from paying the ABSD on their first residential property, due to Singapore’s Free Trade Agreement with these nations. Bear in mind that you are subject to the ABSD on a second residential property purchase.

Most properties in Singapore are strata properties, where the owner holds the title of the residential unit, but not the land where it sits. An expat would likely purchase a private condominium or apartment. Aside from private residences are Housing Development Board (HDB) flats which are primarily the homes for

Singaporeans. A foreigner is restricted from purchasing an HDB flat unless the buyer has Singapore PR status and purchases the property as a co-owner along with a Singaporean citizen or PR, such as the spouse. Executive Condominiums (EC), part of HDB, have the same character as private condominiums with the typical facilities. Foreign buyer restrictions on an EC are lifted when the development is ten years old.

Foreign nationals, including PRs, who wish to purchase a landed property here, must get approval from the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), which would be granted only for purchase at Sentosa Cove for non-PR’s. PR’s can be granted permission for properties on the Singapore mainland in rare cases, such as for those conducting major medical research in Singapore.

Most properties here have a 99-year lease or are freeholds, the former being the majority. The lease begins when the property is completed, not when the buyer purchases it. The government repossesses the property when the lease expires, a factor to consider especially since the expiration will likely occur during the buyer’s (or heir’s) lifetime. This is not an issue to factor in for a freehold property as there is no lease expiration.

There are 28 postal districts, with the prime areas located in the Central Core Region.

For useful websites about buying property in Singapore log onto www.aasingapore.com and check out the "What's New" section.

Photo by Paul Chaloner Marc Servos is married to a Singaporean and has been been living here with his family for a number of years. The Indiana native is a real estate agent locally with ERA and a US Army veteran, the latter giving him his first overseas experience in Germany during the mid-1980’s.

The DCM Residence

By Melinda Murphy

“It’s a real privilege to live in a place like this,” said Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Blair Hall. “We view ourselves as conservators of the residence, charged with maintaining it as a place where Singapore and the US can come together, an emblem of the long-standing relationship between the US and Singapore.”

And what a history the Dempsey Hill property has to conserve.

Originally, it was part of the East India Company’s 1854 grant.

Back then, the land was a nutmeg and later a rubber plantation.

In fact, some of the large trees remaining on the estate date back to that time. In 1908, the land was subdivided and the residence was first built on the 1.8 acre property 20 years later, designed by the McLaren & Swan architecture firm. The house is a mix of styles, with its rough cast cement exterior, exposed brick arches and hipped red tile rooflines being typical of the Arts and Crafts style. The home is notable as a hybrid example of the Singapore Black and White style and all modifications to the exterior are strictly controlled and reviewed to ensure compliance with historic preservation guidelines. The colonnaded living room is classic while the high ceilings and long horizontal places harken to a Modernist style. The home was first purchased by the US government in 1949 and has been the residence of the DCM of the US Embassy since the 1960s.

Since then, the four bedroom classic bungalow has seen a lot of interesting people cross its threshold: Lee Kwan Yew had dinner there before Singapore gained its independence and, during

the second Eisenhower Administration, then-Vice President Richard Nixon slept in the guest room. The residence continues to host people – a lot of people.

“We often host four to five events a week,” said the DCM’s wife, Valerie Brandt, who is an interior and jewelry designer.

“If Embassy sections need a place to have an event, we use our house. They host everybody from Embassy staff to visiting dignitaries. One night, we might have people from the Navy, the next night, we entertain people from the world of business and the next we host an event focusing on education in the US. I like it because I get to learn about all sorts of things.”

When they entertain, they do so with an American flare, serving traditional American food or dishes such as Tex-Mex. “Singapore is an expensive place,” added DCM Hall. “If we used a public space, we’d have a much more limited ability to do that kind of people-to-people contact. Visiting here gives people a connection to the US. Using the residence is more cost effective and a more intimate setting.”

Intimate indeed. Valerie has worked hard over the three years they’ve lived there, using her incredible sense of design to make the space special for the couple and their two daughters, Emma and Grace. The residence is furnished by the US government and recently received an extensive interiors upgrade, but Valerie has added her own touches creating not only a home, but a showcase. When you visit the residence, you really do get the feeling that you are being invited into the couple’s life. The two have an extensive art collection amassed during DCM Hall’s

34 years in the US Foreign Service, with assignments in Tokyo, London, Copenhagen, New Delhi and Washington DC. They bring a little bit of everywhere they’ve been with them. The walls of the residence are graced with the art of the likes of Ellsworth Kelly, Robert Longo, Greg Mort, Toko Shinoda, Donald Sultan, Qi Fong Wei and Andy Warhol. But it’s more than just the gorgeous art that makes the residence so warm.

“With each of the ten homes where we have lived, I bring decorative accessories, have slipcovers made, add throw pillows and paint walls. I do what I can to make the house feel like ours.” Valerie even personally designs the place settings for the formal dinners and oversees changes in the landscaping.

Hall’s post will be up this summer and no word yet where they’ll go next.

“We’ve really enjoyed our time here,” said Valerie. “We have come to know so many lovely people and gotten very involved with the community. I’m an active member of the American Association of Singapore, the American Women’s Association and a museum docent at the Singapore Art Museum. It’ll be sad to say goodbye.”

“And I’ll miss the tennis court,” laughed Hall, an avid tennis player. The court was installed in the 1980s, but Hall personally oversaw the resurfacing in 2014. “But seriously, we’ve had a good life here. We’ll definitely miss Singapore.”

Photos by Eric Janes

21 REAL ESTATE

Singapore American • March 2016

Finding a Home in Singapore

By Lena Chong

Whether you are looking for a place to buy or rent, the first thing you would do is research online. Sadly, there isn’t one single best place to look. Instead, there are many sites, often with duplicated listings. But I have also seen some homes only listed once.

There really aren’t any hard or fast rules specific to Singapore, but here are some useful websites and apps that have helped me while I was shopping for my own home. I hope they come in handy for you too.

Property Guru (website & app) This is one of the most established and popular portals, which has grown by leaps and bounds since its inception in 2006. It is a standard choice for many agents, but now also holds listings that are outdated. www.propertyguru.com.sg SRX Property (website & app) This modern website's updated and better quality photos makes it one of my favorites.The site comes across more reliable and accurate because there are fewer properties with horrible, unhelpful or no photos at all. The site was created by the leading real estate agencies in Singapore. www.srx.com.sg

iProperty (website) Official partner of the Singapore Institute of Estate agents (IEA), these guys are also the exclusive content providers to MSN’s Property Channels. www.iproperty.com.sg The Edge Property (website) Part of a publication group, The Edge Property is a more directed effort for property reporting, which is in-demand. www.theedgeproperty.com.sg 99.co (website & app) Very handy to have while checking out an area, this app allows you to see what homes are available in the vicinity as you walk. It gives you the available home options by location with a pretty good built-in GPS. www.99.co Onehome.sg (website) A relatively new site, this portal provides free handyman services for all units leased from them and a useful list of other home services you may need. Of course, you

can also find similar services on Craigslist or Gumtree. www.onehome.sg Final Tip: Read The Business Times and The Straits Times to keep abreast of changes in this market and to find out about any policy changes that may benefit you. Magazines like Expat Living (www.expatliving.sg) often feature listings of available homes or write-ups of specific areas in Singapore.

Finding the right home is important, so do not rush into it. The right one at the right price will come along eventually and it is just as important to enjoy the process.

So, be happy house hunting!

Illustration by Freepik

SINGAPORE

SGP SGP SGP SGP SGP SGP SGP SGP SGP SGP SGP SGP SGP SGP eternal

Lena is a traveler, fashionista and optimist who hates to admit she adores food. Her love for life shows in her curiosity and fascination for all things. She has trekked through malls, villages and forests alike to look for the elusive new restaurant or new outfit, eating tarantulas and burgers along the way.

Singapore American • March 2016

Singapore American • March 2016

Temasek House

By Melinda Murphy

“...because of the layout, we can have the entire military community down on the void deck for the holidays.

This is a house that enables that kind of connection.

It opens its arms to us."

“Part of what makes Singapore special for us,” said Rear Admiral Charlie Williams, “is where we live.

We’ve got the traditional Black and White house with neighbors who are from all ranks of the military who are either American, Aussie or Kiwi. And yet, a short walk away, is an HDB with great food stalls and a train station.

We can step right into Singapore culture.”

The Admiral, his wife Mary Beth and their twin 17-year-old daughters Olivia and Monica, live in Sembawang Park, an historic area dating back to the 1920s with Black and White houses originally built for the Royal British Navy. Their property is known as Temasek House and it has been home to the 12 US Navy Admirals who have lived here since 1992 when the US Navy moved its regional command from the Philippines to Singapore. The house is leased from the Singapore government by the Ministry of Defense.

“This house is designated for the Commander, but we all live in houses that look similar with the same layout,” said Mary Beth. “Everyone who lives here feels fortunate to call one of these their home.”

The layout is basic: 2400 square feet, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, living room, dining room, a kitchen, a void space underneath plus a detached two-room house that was typically the amah’s (helper’s) quarters.

Like most Black and Whites, the home has high ceilings, breezeways and an open concept. However, Temasek House has one notable upgrade: the amah’s quarters have been converted into an industrial kitchen.

“The expectation is that we entertain a lot. I’m very fortunate because I have an enlisted aide who is in the World Master Chefs Society,” explained the Admiral.

“He’s able to turn out amazing meals for the various events we host here. And because of the layout, we can have the entire military community down on the void deck for the holidays. This is a house that enables that kind of connection. It opens its arms to us."

The Williams have lived in many places as a military family: Virginia Beach, Virginia; Newport, Rhode Island; Washington, DC; San Diego, California and Millington,

Tennessee. They also did three tours in Yokosuka, Japan.

With a total of ten moves under their belt in twenty years of marriage, they’ve had to turn each house into a home.

“Military housing is always a clean slate,” said Mary Beth. ”Everything is white and clean and bare. Yet when you place your things around the empty rooms, suddenly, it becomes yours.”

For the Williams, that means filling their house with items they’ve collected from their travels and tours of duty. Among their most prized possessions is their collection of Japanese kokeshi dolls.

“I have one for each of the commands associated with my time in Yokosuka,” said the Admiral. “They include USS CURTIS WILBUR (Executive Officer); USS STETHEM (Commanding Officer); and Destroyer Squadron FIFTEEN (Deputy/Commodore). My favorite is the samurai that the Commander of the SEVENTH Fleet gave me after my tour as Chief of Staff.”

Of course, not everything about the house is great. The area has lots of critters: monkeys, geckos, wild packs of dogs, wild cats, really big monitor lizards, cobras – even a 7-foot-python! And maintaining an old home is harder than a shiny, new condo, combatting things such as mildew and termites.

Each family who has lived in Temasek House has done something to improve the home, from planting things in the yard to building a service bar in the void deck for entertaining. Mary Beth was reluctant to share details when asked what they would do. “It’s in the works,” she laughed.

When the time comes, the Williams will be excited for their next chapter, but sad to leave Singapore.

“Sembawang is small compared to other duty stations, yet there’s a strong sense of community,” said Mary Beth. ”There’s something about the friends you make when you’re so far from loved ones. They really become your second family so we feel blessed to have that here.”

Photos by Eric Janes

24 REAL ESTATE

malaysia ISKANDAR

By Rob Faraone

Vertical-living Singapore residents are beckoned by Iskandar, a development corridor across the Causeway in Southern Johor offering US- style superhighways, glamorous projects, tranquillity and space.

I have personally attended 25 Iskandar project presentations from 2012 through 2014 in a quest to find an affordable Asian home.

Iskandar is three times the size of Singapore, comprised of five flagships: Johor Bahru (JB), an airport, two ports and the state capital. Full development will take a few decades, but a lot is already built or in the works such as EduCity (an education hub comprised of universities and institutes of higher education), a variety of healthcare projects, attractions such as Legoland and new residential developments.

Iskandar’s main appeal to Singapore is affordable, nice housing projects which offer more space and a markedly lower cost of living. The condos are classy and the home floor plans are often more than 2500 square feet.

Singaporeans make up the majority of the foreign home investment. By moving to Iskandar, for example, an HDB owner can rent his Singapore unit for S$2,500/month and find a much larger, landed property in Iskandar for half that amount.

Temasek Corporation is a significant shareholder in Iskandar, as are large Singapore developers such as CapitaLand. Prices have risen from S$135/sf to double that and more in just two years. Some high rises quote S$335-500/sf. My own interest in Iskandar cooled when I realized that good, US-based projects in Arizona, Las Vegas or Florida cost less and were already interesting places, not waiting to be developed.

The main drawback is a border-crossing commute, which can be a time-eater for those holding a Singapore-based job. JB has plenty of “city stuff,” but other areas are lean on interesting consumer retail and entertainment offerings, with the exception of Bukit Indah.

Construction is slow-going, which adds to the feeling of remoteness.

American Cass Meyers and his wife use their Bukit Indah home for weekends, rather than live there full time. “It’s a nice break from city life. It’s very easy to get to by bus from Jurong East and other areas in Singapore, normally taking under an hour including both Singapore

and Malaysia Immigration and Customs. The area has developed over the past three years with lots of excellent restaurants, featuring many varieties of Asian and Western food and there is great shopping at Aeon Shopping Centre.”

Aside from personal lifestyle issues, the current outlook for Iskandar has darkened. It is overbuilt and the Malaysian economy is in a funk, which could take a few years to dissipate. The pricing of new launches seems disconnected to a still-small customer base. Despite a slowdown in take-up of units, the government implemented a minimum foreigner threshold of MYR1 million and added capital appreciation tax if the property is sold within five years.

Some of the big plans for EduCity and Pinewood Studios (film and television studios) will take time. Healthcare facilities by giants such as Gleneagles and Raffles should do well for the cost advantages they offer.

A firm controlled by Singapore billionaire Peter Lim is developing a healthcare city beside the upcoming Thomson Iskandar medical hub.

Iskandar is conceptually sound and backed by serious money from two governments. It is, however, a test market and not a tested market. It could be some years before plans come to fruition. A high-speed rail is expected by 2020 connecting Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, stopping in Iskandar before reaching Singapore. A Rapid Transit System (RTS) will also connect Iskandar Malaysia to Singapore’s Thomson Line MRT by 2019. Also, the planned MRT continuation from Singapore into at least two points in Iskandar will help a lot. The MYR is cheap now so take advantage if you are inclined to buy in Malaysia.

Map courtesy of iskandarmalaysia.com.my/ Rob Faraone has lived in six countries in the region over 30 years, including three stints in Singapore. After a career in the moving/relocation industry, he’s now engaged by the International Association of Movers and regularly writes for its global publication. Rob has been a SAN contributor for three years and is active in AmCham and The American Club.

26 HEALTH & WELLNESS

Singapore American • March 2016

Secondary Drowning

Digging Out

By Nicole Reidy

By Laura Timms

What is it?

Secondary Drowning (sometimes known as delayed drowning) occurs when a small amount of water enters the lungs after an episode of being submerged underwater. The child may be coughing and spluttering immediately after a scary underwater moment, but then seems fine afterwards.

The inhaled water interferes with the lungs ability to oxygenate the blood and causes increasing difficulty with breathing for up to 24 hours later. If not recognized and treated early, then it can result in death. Thankfully, it is a very rare occurrence, only accounting for 1-2% of all drownings.

How does it happen?

When the water enters the lungs, it can wash away surfactant, a chemical in the lungs which is essential for the transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide. This causes the alveoli of the lungs to become damaged and fluid to leak into the lungs, called pulmonary oedema. As a result, it becomes increasingly difficult to breathe and there is a lack of oxygen getting to the brain, called hypoxia.

What are the symptoms?

Any child who has needed to be rescued by an adult and has come up struggling for breath, coughing or vomiting should have a medical evaluation.

There are four key symptoms to watch out for in the first 24 hours.

• Difficulty breathing/coughing/chest pain or vomiting • Extreme tiredness. This can be a sign that the brain is not getting enough oxygen.

• Behaviour changes. Children in the early stages of secondary drowning may exhibit marked irritability or become argumentative.

This is caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain.

• Physical symptoms. Blue lips and pale skin can be signs.

If you notice any of these changes in your child after they have inhaled water, take them to the emergency department to be checked. Time is a critical factor in successful treatment. Your

child will be monitored for the oxygen levels, undergo lung examinations and may be referred for further testing such as a chest x-ray. Treatment is supportive with children being given oxygen and ventilation in extreme cases.

How can this be prevented?

Although awareness of this rare, but potentially dangerous, condition is very important, the key message is to practice water safety to prevent all drownings.

The best way to monitor your children around the pool is to get into the water with them. You should be within an arm’s reach of your children at all times. Children under the age of four should not be left alone, even for a minute, around water.

Babies and young children can drown in as little as one inch of water so vigilance is essential at all times.

At parties, choose one adult to have sole responsibility of watching each child. When lots of people are around, people assume someone else is watching and this is a high-risk time for drownings. Drownings are silent and often occur when the child is being supervised, but there is a momentary loss of attention. Do not drink alcohol when you are supervising children at the pool.

Make sure your children are educated about water safety from an early age. Educate yourself and become formally trained in CPR. Make sure all adults who care for your children are aware of this condition so that they know to tell you should there be an incident in the bathroom or the pool.

Photo by Prayitno Dr. Nicole Reidy is an Australian doctor who graduated from the University of Tasmania in 1996 and was awarded Fellow of Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (2003). Dr. Reidy completed her general practice training in Melbourne and spent six years living in the UK where she practiced in psychiatry, rural general practice and student health, culminating in the appointment as a partner in a NHS general practice in Marylebone, London. www.imc-healthcare.com

An edition of the Singapore American Newspaper focusing on homes and property would not be complete without a mention of Marie Kondo’s The New York Times bestseller The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. Kondo’s exacting methodology for decisive decluttering has been recognized by the London Times as “psychotherapy for the home.” Kondo argues that, if done correctly, “Tidying is a dialogue with oneself ” through which we may learn not only our domestic likes and dislikes, but discover how we burden ourselves with obligations and expectations. These are the “shoulds” such as holding onto unwanted gifts from friends, manuals for appliances that we use confidently every day or notes from past studies, to refer to in future or study in more depth when time allows (which it rarely does).

From TV shows like Hoarding: Buried Alive, it’s easy to see not just how dangerous a home can become when someone is unable to discard objects appropriately, but to understand that, as the London Times observes, “Mess is often about unhappiness.” So what about tidying up? Therapists frequently work with clients with obsessive compulsive disorder who cannot tolerate mess and fear contamination if their home is not always scrupulously clean. Tidying up and decluttering carried out to excess is also “often about unhappiness,” a form of purging where a person only feels relief from intense anxiety by discarding items and “purifying” their home through cleaning.

What excessive hoarding and excessive decluttering have in common is the sense of being driven that sufferers experience. They are not fully, mindfully conscious of their actions, but are acting under the influence of a compulsion.

As far as tidying up goes, it’s the difference between deciding you’d like to get the family room tidied up and so clearing it out at a reasonable pace over the weekend, versus staying up far later than you had planned to do, intent on clearing out just one last cupboard because you simply won’t be able to rest otherwise.

Kondo’s bestseller offers an important piece of advice that can help us, whether our tendency is to hoard or to discard excessively: she emphasises the importance of acting mindfully. Tuning in to an item and our response to it, respectfully and with our full attention, is the opposite of the driven, anxious and unsettled state experienced when we act through compulsion. If you recognize yourself feeling driven in this way in any area of your life, practicing mindfulness is likely to be helpful for you; expert help is available from the team at SACAC Counselling.

Photos by Billie Grace Ward and Kris Krug Laura Timms is a psychotherapist and coach, originally from the UK, practicing at SACAC Counselling.

calendar

of

events

Any responder should make any further enquiries with the organizer or should verify the information independently if necessary.

M U SE U M S 1 March – 26 May Chua Ek Kay: After The Rain & Wu Guanzhong: Beauty Beyond Form National Gallery of Singapore 1 St. Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957 www.nationalgallery.sg 1 March – 29 May Treasures from the World from The British Museum National Museum of Singapore 93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897 www.nationalmuseum.sg 1 March – 31 May South Asia and the Islamic World: Highlights from the Collection Asian Civilisations Museum 1 Empress Place, Singapore 179555 www.acm.org.sg

ENTERTA I N M ENT 1 – 6 March Cirque Eloize Sands Theatre, MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands www.sistic.com.sg 11 & 12 March The Iconic Film Scores of John Williams: Star Wars and Beyond Grand Theatre, MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands www.sistic.com.sg 11– 20 March Disney on Ice: Magical Ice Festival Singapore Indoor Stadium www.sportshub.com.sg

18 & 19 March Concerts for Children: Jason’s Short Guide to Music History (SSO) Victoria Concert Hall www.sistic.com.sg

L I FEST Y LE 1 – 12 March Singapore Writers Festival Various Locations www.singaporewritersfestival.com 12 March Carpet Auction Hedger’s Carpet Gallery 15 Dempsey#01-09 Viewing: 5:30-7:30pm Auction: 7:30pm hedgerscarpets@singnet.com.sg

S P ORTS 12 & 26 March 2016 Super Rugby National Stadium www.sportshub.com.sg

ED U CATON From 1 March Applications for Admission to UWCSEA in 2016/2017 open Dover or East Campus www.uwcsea.edu.sg admissions@uwcsea.edu.sg

From 1 March United Educare Pre-school Pte Ltd Applications for 2016 Admission open 35 Lotus Avenue, Singapore 277618 www.unitededucare.com.sg unitededu35@gmail.com 3 March Canadian International School Open House Lakeside Campus 7 Jurong West Street 41 9am www.cis.edu.sg 18 March Stamford American International School Open House 279 Upper Serangoon Road 9am www.sais.edu.sg 19 March Start of Testtakers SAT and ACT prep programs for the April ACT and May SAT International School of Singapore (Orchard) 25 Paterson Road 12pm www.testtakers-sg.com 23 April CIS STEAM FAIR Canadian International School Lakeside Campus 7 Jurong West Street 41 11am – 3pm www.cis.edu.sg/STEAMFAIR 6 – 17 June 20 June – 1 July Summer Semester for Preschool to Grade 12 Singapore American School 40 Woodlands Street 41 www.sas.edu.sg/summersemester