Faith During Transitions A Psychology of Change The Artistry of Tea Diving with a Cause Weekend Getaway to Bangkok AWA Magazine All Nationalities 2022 SEPT · OCT All women, All walks of SINGAPORElife, Transitions
AWA Calendar
Tuesday Running
Friday Drop-In Coffee, Playgroups, Weekly Tennis
Wednesday Drop-In Coffee, 18-hole Golf, Choir, Walking
Empty time in your week?
Don't miss AWA's regularly scheduled activities!
Monday Walking, Bridge, Mahjong
Twice/month Writers Group, Creative Hands, Hiking, Bar Nights, Local Tours
Monthly Listen Ladies, Book Groups, Bunco, Health & Fitness, Arts & Culture, Workshops, Beauty & Fashion, DISH, Trivia Night, Movie Lunch, High Tea, Cultural Cooking, Community Service, Photography
Thursday Running, After Ni Hao, Hiking
Editor's Note Transitions
AWA also has some exciting changes this September with the launch of our new website! AWA Magazine is following this transition and will be published in a new format as part of the new AWA website going forward. We’re excited to have our talented contributors’ work easily accessible to all our members right from the AWA website. Keep an eye for the new format in November!
Many of us at AWA are facing changes as we move into the autumn. You may be meeting new friends after saying goodbye to those who have moved away or you may be new to Singapore and making the transition to life in a new country. Or you may be experiencing changes in family life, such as children beginning school or the “grown and flown” moment when our children begin a new life outside our family homes.
Autumn is a natural time of transition. The seasons change from the warm, idyllic days of summer to the cooler, sweater-wearing, more purpose driven days of fall. Children go back to school, vacations end and we return to work and regular routines.
“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.” Havelock Ellis
3AWA Magazine Sept/Oct 2022
This September is also a time of transition for me personally as my family is relocating to Bangkok and this September/October issue will be my last as Editor-inChief of AWA Magazine. I’ve truly enjoyed the chance to work with so many talented writers, editors and photographers in the past year and a half! I look forward to keeping up with their work and the activities of AWA through the magazine’s new format on the AWA website!
so reassuring in a moment of transition. Change means letting go of some things, while holding onto the core elements of our families, homes and loves.
I came across this quote by Havelock Ellis in a very fitting moment as I was browsing through shops, waiting for my son’s orientation to finish so I could move him into residence for his first year of university. I found this quote
I have always enjoyed reading. As a child, I loved going to the library and voraciously finished every summer book list assigned. However, now with family, work and volunteering commitments that each require their own accommodations, it seemed increasingly difficult to sit down with a good novel.
Let’s appreciate the pages of our lives as they are being Untilwritten.next time,
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And a fond farewell with much appreciation for Editor Jennifer Williams (AWA Magazine), and co-chairs Jennifer Cormier (Local Tours), Becca Meurer (Tennis) and Elissa Viornery (Writers’ Group) for your valuable contributions. All the best on your next chapter.
AWA Misson Statement
American Women’s Association of Singapore
President's Message
General Manager: Sarah Cockerill
Linda Schindler
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:30 am to 4:00 pm www.awasingapore.org
FAQ’s/Important Information
“Transitions in life can offer opportunities for discovery, provided we are open to random encounters and serendipitous events. Unfamiliar experiences are out there waiting to engage us, even if we can't predict what they are or how we'll find them. Anticipation is part of the joy.” – Robbie Shell
Main: 6734-4895
I would like to thank all of the AWA chairs who help make our transitions in Singapore a bit easier, with a special acknowledgment for Aarti Sonawala (Major Events) for organizing special occasions, like the Holiday Lunch, that bring festive cheer and create new traditions for our members who may be miles away from family; Hyejin Taylor (Coffee & Friends, Newcomers) for creating a welcoming environment for those looking to meet friendly faces; Morgan Steinman (Playgroups) for fostering a safe and supportive space for new moms and their little ones; Meg Sine (Creative Hands) for providing a platform for connection through inspired crafts; Helena Cochrane (International Vocal Ensemble DIVAS) for uplifting communities in need through song; and Anita Young (Vice President) for organizing our amazing AWA Welcome Fair to bring us all back together.
• The AWA welcomes all nationalities, not just Americans.
The American Women's Association is a sisterhood of women from around the world, who come together to enhance their Singapore experience through fulfilling volunteerrun events and activities.
The Page-Turners of Life
American Women's Association Of Singapore
At these inflection points – whether they be moving to a new place, changing jobs, graduating from schools,
But I realized that although changes can sometimes feel overwhelming and uncomfortable, it is exactly these times that are the highlights of the story – of our story. Then I came across an article in the Wall Street Journal about a journalist’s thoughts on her impending retirement (and how honeybees played an unlikely role in her life).
• Guests are entitled to attend two events (in total, not per year) before we ask them to join the AWA to participate.
As for me, I have found pockets of time (like commuting on the bus) to enjoy my novels again. I hope you also find the space to embrace your transitions and the time to do what brings you joy.
Coming from California, I will use earthquakes as a measure of change. These life “adjustments” ranged from mini shockwaves to seismic shifts. Changes with kids, schools, career, family, friends, the world, and everything in between would leave me engrossed in the details. I would feel like I had no time to focus on anything else, let alone my leisurely reading.
360 Orchard Road #08-02 International Building Singapore 228218
or saying goodbye to relocating friends – we should take solace that these are the points in life that awaken us, make us reflect, and are a vital part of character Withdevelopment.thatinmind,
• Register for membership and events on our website: www.awasingapore.org.
• AWA guest fees apply to Singapore residents. Out of town guests and family members pay the AWA member price.
Treasurer: Katherine McCall
Volunteer Director: Venta Norvilas
External Affairs Director: Julia Tan
Each year the Executive Board changes to a new slate of members. The process starts in February or March with the formation of a Nominating Committee. This year the Nominating Committee was chaired by former AWA President Emeritus and this year's Volunteer Director, Mel Rice. Mel and her committee put together a slate of nominations, meaning identifying a group of ladies who stepped up to volunteer for these positions. This process requires lots of time and effort to identify potential volunteers, lots of asking around and networking.
Bulletin Board
AWA Executive Board Members - Julia Tan, Beth Llewellyn, Marline Fraticelli, Tania Lindsay-Jean, Linda Shindler, Katherine McCall, Venta Norvilas, Angela Chen, Michelle Reeb and Sarah Cockerill
President: Linda Schindler
Social: Angela Chen
Corporate Relations Manager: Lauren Raps
AWA Board Handover Social Event - Tania, Lauren, Julia, Katherine, Michelle, Jaclyn, Sarah, Linda, Beth,Typhaine, Kristin, Aarti and Venta
Executive Board:
Vice President: Anita Young
Secretary: Michelle Reeb
Standing Committee Chairs:
Community Service: Beth Llewellyn
Wonder how the Executive Board is chosen?
The Nominating Committee then reveals a slate of officers to the Executive Board and Standing Committee Chairs at the April Board meeting. Each year in May, the new Board members are elected and installed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). This year the AGM was combined together with another important tradition, the Volunteer Appreciation Meeting. From this date in May, until July 1, the two sets of Board members overlap to allow for a seamless transition to another year of great AWA events and socializing.
Welcome to the new members of the 2022-2023 Board and thank you for your service to several Board members volunteering for another term.
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The AWA Board of Directors
Communications Director: Marline Fraticelli
Sports: Tania Lindsay-Jean
Major Events: Jaclyn Muncy
Special Interest: Emma Pickering
The "Board" is used informally to mean seven positions called "Executive Board" and six positions called "Standing Committee Chairs." The difference in the two groups boils down to passports. The AWA Constitution requires that Executive Board members must hold an American or Canadian passport. The Standing Committee Chairs can be any AWA member, regardless of citizenship. Also, as per the Singapore government, since AWA is an organization called "American", a majority of our membership must hold American or Canadian passports.
Coffee
by Elena Boyce - visit her website wwww.photoimpressia.com 24 8
AWA Magazine Sept/Oct 20226 Contents AWA Singapore's Membership Magazine SEPT OCT 2022 01 Editor's Note 02 President's Message 03 Bulletin Board
and Friends group at Providore on Orchard Road
Photo
On the Cover
8 Coral Restoration 10 Wander Woman 12 Hidden in Plain Sight 14 Faces Behind the Makers 16 Member Spotlight 18 The Fork and Chopstick 24 You're Not Alone Really 19 Thinking About A Psychology of Change 24 You're Not Alone Really 26 Family Fun Adventures 21 Book Review 22 Writer's Block 23 Running Group 24 Tennis 24 Walking & Hiking Groups 27 AWA Group Activities 8 1014
AWA Group Scoop
7AWA Magazine Sept/Oct 2022 JenniferEditor-in-ChiefWilliams editor.awamagazine@gmail.com Staff Managing Editor - Andrea Perez Graphic Designer - Suellen Lee Copy Editors - Helena A. Cochrane - Keri KatherineAdvertisingMatwickMcCall advertising@awasingapore.org Visit us on the AmericanFacebook:www.awasingapore.orginternet:Women’sAssociation of Singapore - AWA Questions,awaofsingaporeInstagram:comments and administrative issues, please email us: office@awasingapore.org Please be advised that any names listed in this publication, the AWA directory or any other material published by AWA are for the exclusive use of AWA members only. Any commercial use is strictly prohibited. The AWA Magazine is published 6 times per year. The American Women’s Association and the AWA Magazine neither endorse nor take responsibility for the opinions expressed herein. Please address all comments and queries to the AWA Magazine Editor. AWA does not endorse or promote any product or service offered through any advertisement that may appear in the AWA Magazine. Bits & Bites of Expat Life
We spent an adventurous and eye-opening week at their home. Not only was it beautifully designed by the couple, but all structures and furniture were made from recycled materials from the region. The entire island is powered completely by solar energy and organic food from the 2-hectare farm that feeds everyone on the island. We learned about the various sustainable initiatives and were truly mesmerized by their work.
Coral restoration
In May, our diving team of seven ladies travelled under the banner of HER Planet Earth, a Singapore-based NGO that promotes female empowerment and environmental conservation. Our journey took us from Singapore to the
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As ocean lovers, we are well aware that the condition of coral reefs is deteriorating due to various threats – from climate change to pollution and dynamite fishing. Since the 1950s, our planet has lost half of its coral reefs.
diving with a cause
The ecosystems and biodiversity created by coral reefs are crucial to the health of our oceans. While they cover less than 1% of the seafloor, they are home to 25% of all marine life and protect the coastline from further erosion.
Coral Restoration
Shark Fin Bay, Pangatalan Island
by Judith von Prockl-Chng
As an avid diver for over 30 years, I have seen many reefs declining rapidly. Yet, teams around the world are collaborating to restore coral reefs. So, when an opportunity presented itself to contribute in Palawan, I joined in a heartbeat.
The Journey
small island Pangatalan in Palawan, Philippines.
Collecting fractured corals
We were guests of Frédéric and Chris Tardieu, the founders of the Sulubaaï Environmental Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring the natural resources of the region Palawan.
A Small Island with a Big Vision Frédéric, Chris, and their team have transformed the stunning island Pangatalan into a sustainable marine conservation area: solar energy, zero waste management, farm-to-table food supply, and mangrove replanting.
Judith von Prockl-Chng has been in Singapore off and on for 30 years. She is the Founder of Gourmet On Tour, a travel company, specializing in food holidays, and is also a Her Planet Earth partner.Ladies of Shark Fin Bay
Coral attachment
During our visit, our team helped install three artificial reefs and 30 coral fragments, also known as "fragments of hope.” With the guidance of our dive master Laure, we collected damaged corals and transported them by boat to a restoration site. Our dive team carefully lowered three SRPs to the reef, then fixed the coral fragments onto these structures. Handling nails, wires and pliers at the bottom of the ocean definitely tested our buoyancy skills.
Over the past 12 years, the foundation has completely restored the 4.5-hectare island and made it selfsustainable and carbon negative by planting more than 80,000 trees and turning it into a Marine Protected Area. In 2016, Sulu Reef Prostheses (SRPs) were created. Recognized by UNESCO, these artificial, concrete reef structures are platforms on which coral fragments are transplanted. Over 300 SRPs have since been installed in this area, which was heavily destroyed by dynamite fishing. With results of 76% survivorship rate, it is a major contribution in restoring this part of the Coral
Coral Grafting
Another highlight of our trip was an exchange with the women from the local communities around Shark Fin Bay of the Sandoval Barangay. The open forum consisted of fisherfolk, teachers, farmers, home makers, and students, with the objective to have constructive discussions and exchange ideas on how best to protect nature in this Iregion.feelgrateful for this unique experience to learn about our planet’s fragile ecosystem and to contribute and gain new perspectives. If you would like to find out more, please visit Sulubaai Foundation and Her Planet Earth.
Triangle, which hosts 30% of the world's coral reefs and is a hot spot of marine biodiversity.
Local community
Collecting fractured corals
Birds eye view of Pangatalan island, Phillippines
The DiveTeam
Thursday
Wander Woman
After two plus years of some serious family time during Covid, and some excellent family vacations since the border restrictions have eased, it was finally time for an adults only get away with the husband. We decided on Bangkok, a quick two and a half hour flight from Singapore, and to stay at the beautiful new Capella along the Chao Phraya River, a central part of the city near the skytrain and ferry pier. Below is our itinerary and advice on how you too can take a weekend getaway.
Lauren's journey to cross the globe, one amazing Experience at a time
An evening arrival should avoid significant traffic getting into the city. After dropping your bags off at your hotel, head out for a light dinner and drinks, or hit the streets for some of the best street food in the region. Don’t stay out too late, because you have a packed day ahead.
Enjoy breakfast by the river at the Capella’s Phra Nakhon restaurant and then meet your guide for a bike tour created exclusively for the hotel by one of the city’s best
Friday
Another prerequisite for the trip is to have amazing Thai food for every meal but at places that also serve up good cocktails and Madame Musur’s nailed it. Located in the heart of the backpacking area, which sadly because of Covid is still quite empty, Madame Musur’s décor transports you to Bali, while the food takes you right to Northern Thailand. Papaya salad, banana blossom salad and the curries are all amazing, and the cocktails are so fun and refreshing. The great tunes and great vibes will have you coming back for the night DJ.
The afternoon is for chillaxing from the heat. Enjoy swimming and river watching at the lovely hotel pool.
Intricate roof work of Wat Pho, one of Bangkok's oldest temples
AWA Magazine Sept/Oct 2022
Getaway: Bangkok, Thailand
Take the 5:30 PM Scoot flight from Singapore, arriving in Bangkok around 7 PM. The airport and immigration lines are manageable, but consider the Fast Tracking service at a modest fee.
The evening calls for an hour of foot reflexology at My Dear Massage. A-mazing. Then head around the corner to dinner at Charmgang. This hip and happening restaurant
by Lauren Raps
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tour providers, Co Van Kessel Bike & Boat Tours. The Capella has excellent concierge services called Capella Culturist service. They offer activities you can’t get elsewhere. The Bangkok bike tour guide meets you at the hotel and leads you on giant yellow beach cruisers though the back streets of Bangkok, visiting local markets, temples and merchants, and then across the river by ferry to see the old Capital and the more local way of living. It is amazing, adventurous, and eye opening – such a cool experience and a fantastic way to see the city.
Massage time! Many recommendations from the expat community are Let’s Massage, which equates to Natureland for its cleanliness and consistency. There are several locations across Bangkok, consider trying other places too. Massage parlors scattered all over the city are inexpensive and a low risk to take.
is recommended by food blogs and offers a new take on Thai classics. It is fun watching the hectic open kitchen turn out dish after dish of curries and grilled dishes using classic Thai ingredients in a modern way. Super cool and super lively. Walk a bit after and then head to the lounge at the new Four Seasons, which shares a riverwalk with the Capella.
ceramics, clothing, food, massages, etc. You want some local art? There will be countless stalls to shop from. Thai pottery? Tons of options for you at Chatuchak. Spanning 25 acres, it is quite overwhelming and an assault on all senses in the best way. Currently it is very local, but in peak times the market draws around 200,000 weekend Ifvisitors.youlike the idea of eating amazing Thai food, drinking local beers on a dock, and watching the river go by, then head to Steve’s Café & Cuisine. Highly recommended by our bike tour guide, this place is not fancy or air conditioned, but the menu is extensive, the spicy food is cheap, and the beer is cold. It has cocktails too, but I’d pass and stick to the beer.
After spending a few hours at Jodd Fairs, head back to Chinatown to capture more street food fun and get a few more bites to eat. Then make your way to Tep Bar for after dinner cocktails made with Ya Dong, a homemade Thai herbal whiskey or rice wine. Try to catch a performance from local musicians from the Central Region of Thailand. Tep Bar is a great bar that offers an authentic experience
Statue of Demon Guardian at Buddhist Temple, Wat Arun
Enjoy dinner at the Market. Although many of the night markets are still closed or affected by Covid, try a new market recently opened during Covid in 2021, Jodd Fairs. You will have a fun night with locals, tons of food stalls, beer and cocktail stalls, some good shopping, and live music. Jodd Fairs is a more sanitized version of a night market but still has all the local foods and some daring foods to try.
Saturday
Another thing to do without kids….shop! Enjoy another delicious breakfast of Thai Omelets at the Capella and then hit Lin Jewelers. Silver is priced quite well in Bangkok and Lin offers great quality and an even better selection of silver jewelry, frames, houseware, and gifts.
Then after Lin - if it’s the weekend in Bangkok, head to the Chatuchak Weekend Market, the largest market in Thailand with stalls upon stalls offering local crafts,
Before Singapore reclaimed more land, downtown ended where the Fullerton Hotel and Clifford pier now stand. The Marina Bay Sands was nothing more than open ocean. Until 1996, what's now the Fullerton Hotel was the general post office and across the Cavenagh bridge in the Empress Place Building were the government offices. In 2003, this became the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM). As Singapore expanded and modernized, this vital patch of the city became the epicenter for public art that depicts Singapore’s commercial past.
Stretch out the weekend and book yourself on the last flight back to Singapore and spend the day navigating the ferries to see some of the iconic temples in Bangkok. For such a modern city, Bangkok is home to more than 400 jaw dropping temples. It's best to get to Wat Arun by boat for a breathtaking arrival at the temple and its complex. Go at sunrise, people recommend, to get the best light for photographs. We took the 11 AM but had a sweltering visit and huge appreciation of the bottle of water included with your ticket.
After the massage, wobble out of the temple grounds and hop in a Tuk Tuk over to Jack’s Bar for your last meal in Thailand. It is such an awesome local joint being on the river and for its spicy food and libation. Jack’s Bar is on a dock that surprisingly has not fallen into the river yet. It’s a dive but the food is so good and so local. It’s the perfect place to pass your Sunday away.
Heritage: The People Who Made This City
Lauren Raps is AWA's Bar Night Chair. She moved to Singapore in January 2021 with her husband and three boys. She is the President and Founder of Travel Prospect, a full service leisure travel planning company.
We left Bangkok full, happy, and longing to return – we feel that we scratched the surface of the city but learned enough to know we want to go back. How lucky are we here living in Singapore that we can hop to a city such as Bangkok for the weekend. Hope you enjoy it too.
Sunday
There is so much to see at Wat Arun, and we wish we had more time, but we had to jump back across the river to Wat Pho to see its famous reclining Buddha and for our booking at the Wat Pho Massage School located right on the temple grounds. A couple tips on this one -- make sure to book ahead – there were people there waiting for hours, and then – go for the 90 minutes treatment, as the massages are amazing. You will be getting your treatment in a room of about 30 others and it's more functional than luxury but regardless, probably the best massage you will ever have.
by Jennifer Williams and Isabelle Tadmoury
in a fun and hip setting.
AWA Magazine Sept/Oct 2022Singapore12
A few steps further along the river, in front of the Maybank Tower, sits another quintessential scene from Singapore’s trading times. The River Merchants by Aw Tee Hong
Hidden in Plain Sight
Discovering singapore's vibrant street art scene "First Generation" sculpture by Chong Fah Cheong
On the banks of the river, steps from the Fullerton Hotel, a bronze sculpture of joyful children leaping into the water is a slice of daily life from early days. Sculpted in 2000 by Singaporean sculptor and Cultural Medallion award winner Chong Fah Cheong, First Generation, is a reminder that children once commonly played beside bumboats unloading their wares along Boat Quay.
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Before heading across the bridge, catch a glimpse of a mother cat with her kittens on one of the stone pillars. The bronze sculpture depicts the Singapura cat, listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the smallest breed, and by Singapore Infopedia as one of the rarest cats in the world. The cat is called Kucinta and is the unofficial mascot of the tourism board in Singapore.
On the front lawn of the Asian Civilisations Museum are five reflective spheres that commemorate Singapore’s 50 years of independence. Created by Singaporean artist Baet Yeok Kuan, the 24 Hours in Singapore spheres are
Before the museum entrance stands a bronze statue of four men weighing goods. The Great Emporium by Malcom Koh honors the coolies who helped build Singapore from its early trade in silk and spices to its later trade years in rubber and tin.
depicts prominent Scottish merchant Alexander Laurie Johnston mediating between a Chinese trader and a Malay chief, while coolies load sacks onto a bullock cart.
This five-minute walk at the mouth of the river will give you a sense of what Singapore River life was once like. Be sure to visit inside the ACM. We think it's the best museum in town, as it combines numerous ancestral treasures of the region. Catch a special exhibition called Batik Kita: Dressing in Port Cities (until Oct 2nd) which explores the rich history and culture of batik, from its traditional roots to contemporary designs.
Chettiars to Financiers sculpture by Chem Lian Shan
"The Great Emporium" by Malcolm Koh
On the other side of the river (on the side of the ACM) is Chettiars to Financiers by Chern Lian Shan. This sculpture represents the various financial institutions of olden-day Singapore. Financial businesses set up their offices near the Singapore River to be close to the area’s many trading houses. In this sculpture, the figure seated at the low desk represents a South Indian chettiar (moneylender), while another figure in the middle portrays a Chinese clerk and the third figure with his raised hand is a trader trying to make a deal.
supposed to capture everyday sounds of life in the city, from the rustling of the MRT to the sellers at the local wet market. Unfortunately, the audio on the sculptures is faint and can’t be heard very well.
"The River Merchants" by Aw Tee Hong
Isabelle and Jennifer share a love of art, good coffee and exploring Singapore. Both came here in 2019 and are always on the lookout for the next great statue or mural that is just around the corner.
What are your favorite aspects of the trade?
The history of tea dates back to ancient China, almost 5,000 years ago. According to legend, in 2732 B.C. Emperor Shen Nung discovered tea when leaves from a wild tree blew into his pot of boiling water.
Faces behind the Makers
Fostering connections over tea
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Tea has been a media for fostering relationships since 1046BC. At first, tea was rare and was used as a tribute to a superior such as the King or Emperor. From 733AD, tea became an item to gift to friends and acquaintances and gifting tea became a way to express the giver’s value for the relationship.
I am blessed by my Dad’s teaching to never give up easily. I had to start at the bottom of my Grandfather's shop, learning the ropes the hard way with one of the company's loyal, old tea masters. The old tea master told me that he wanted to make sure that I truly had the passion and commitment towards tea culture and
Challenges keep us on [our] toe[s], to always improve ourselves, learn new things, and become wiser through the process
by Elena Boyce
*In the old days when China was a poor country, the Chinese had to leave China to look for jobs in order to send back money to the family. There were two main routes. For the people fromGuangDong it was the Americas. For others, it was SouthEast Asia, known as Nanyang.
Kenry, how did you become engaged with your family business?
tea trade. I learned that only through hard work are we able to taste the sweetness that was imparted by my Grandfather.
When we travel to Nanyang, we do not know what is available to us , but we need to solve all the problems on the way to fulfill our dream. Trade allows us to interact with people and become better.
The Art of Connecting with Tea
discovering singapore's heritage trades
Kenry Peh demonstrating the art of pouring tea
Nowadays, friends are made through a tea-tasting session and memories of that friendship are rekindled while drinking Foundedtea.in 1925, the near centuryold company Pek Sin Choon has established itself as the foremost purveyor of premium Chinese tea in Singapore. Today, the company is helmed by fourth generation descendent and tea man Kenry Peh. The company continues to source, blend and roast tea in the traditional way. Each pack of tea is painstakingly packed by hand in-store.
A sample of dried tea
Kenry also follows his Grandfather’s ways of doing business where relationships play an important role. He treats all business partners as friends, most of the customers become his friends and he establishes constant communication with trade associates and competitors.
Pek Sin Choon Tea Merchants
Part of the essential process of creating these blends is tea tasting with friends. Each time Pek Kim Aw developed a new Classical Nanyang Tea, he would invite his friends to do a tea tasting. One of the signature blends, Renowned Unknown Fragrance, even got its name through the teatasting session.
Packaging
Tea has a 5000 year long history, but the heritage that Singapore can call its own is Nanyang Tea, a craftsmanship that is unique in this region where the tea merchants in Singapore creatively blended and roasted the aged and new oolong tea together in an attempt to keep the quantity and quality of the tea supply consistent. A unique taste was established during this exercise.
2. More demanding customers. This is also a spillover effect of point one.
How does your trade fit into Singapore’s heritage?
Address: 36 Mosque Street, Singapore
What are the challenges your company is facing?
1. Easy access to information on tea for the general public. The negative impact of this is that people who have little knowledge on tea will pick up the information they found and apply it immensely without verifying and quantifying the information.
Pek Sin Choon made this Singaporean tea culture even stronger when the co-founder Pek Kim Aw, crossed the boundary to blend and roast the Southern and Northern Fujian aged and new tea together, creating a more allrounded tea taste, which he called Classical Nanyang Tea in order to differentiate the uniqueness of this tea blend.
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Kenry Peh in front of his store
The Nanyang tea blend was created by Pek Sin Choon. It comprises of oolongs from North and South Fujian in Mainland China
Elena Boyce is currently working on her new photographic project "Faces Behind the Makers" that aims to create awareness and revive an interest in Singapore's heritage trades. www.photoimpressia.comthe tea
Happy customers with their tea products
3. More intense competition. Competition started to emerge from nontraditional sources such as online and other businesses who did not focus on tea previously.
getting to know our members beyond the usual chitchat
Tara Romoff arrived in SIngapore in 2021, and wasted no time in finding herself several groups with which to mingle. She and her husband John are savoring their empty nest, knowing their kids are doing well as they launch into the world. She has done much of her exploring in SIngapore on foot.
Before Singapore, the idea of downsizing was stifling. We realize now we don’t need a household full of worldly goods, and it's far less intimidating to think of one day settling in a much smaller home.
What has been your funniest or worst mishap while living in Singapore?
Did you know much about Singapore’s geography before coming to live here?
What habit(s) make you feel most settled in Singapore?
I had been here a couple of times, though I was pleased to discover there are diverse neighborhoods. Leaving Orchard Road for the green spaces is doable because of the ease of using the vast public transport system besides it being clean, efficient and convenient.
Forming a routine, such as playing tennis and joining the AWA Walking and Hiking. Certain activities throughout the week keep me organized, and then we plan spontaneous things around them, such as exploring a different part of the city, trying a new bar, and joining an event.
because I was still nervous with all the paperwork and documentation that was required to live here. I hung up, realizing I was being scammed. I was beside myself with worry for a few days. People warned me the next questions would have been banking and passport info. Good thing I didn't let it go that far.
Have you adopted a habit in Singapore that you hope to take with you to your next home?
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I did not realize the makeup of Singapore was of Chinese, Malay, and Indian descent. I love how all these ethnicities have distinct neighborhoods, food centers, services, and shops. All seem to have a mutual respect for each other.
Tara Romoff
In the first few days of being here, I answered a call and naively gave the caller too much information, probably
What did you do to meet people and form friendships as an expat? What advice would you give first-time expats?
What about Singapore culture has surprised you the most?
To integrate more with local culture, I joined a Singapore tennis team, which has turned into an invaluable experience. The women are lovely and welcoming and
Tara Romoff
Member Spotlight
by Helena A. Cochrane
A (sometimes twice) daily $7 Starbucks coffee. (I used to do this at home but it was almost half the price)
Did you change the way you dress to “fit in” as an expat in your new home?
Tara and John
How do you treat yourself in Singapore? What is your luxury? Was your luxury the same in the US?
What do you miss from home that you can’t find in Singapore? How would having that item in Singapore change or improve your experience?
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You can get anything in Singapore if you are willing to pay for it. The price of strawberries still shocks me – if only they were a fraction of the cost. Strawberries were my happy fruit and I look forward to eating many when I go back to the US.
A hat, always a hat. Most of this has to do with the Singapore climate.
Since moving from Philadelphia in 2018, Helena has been active with AWA's Walking with Women, Writers' Group and International Choir as well as with Urban Sketchers of Singapore.
have shared their insights about life in SG. I even had them all over for a delightful potluck dinner!
Luckily our household goods arrived the same day we moved into our apartment. There were things that made me feel at home: candle holders, fun napkins, placemats, vases, and other décor pieces. I was ready to host a cocktail party that evening!
Tara with a Starbucks coffee
What item in your Singapore home-away-from-home makes you feel the most settled?
Wild Child Pizzette
Brought to you by the Cicheti Group, Wild Child was a good place to enjoy great artisan pizza while pairing it with sake, which was possibly one of the last beverages one would think to pair with pizza. Word of warning: pizzas were not big and the word pizzette was accurate (10 inch, 4 slices). The margherita pizza was simple and true to the quality tomatoes, cheese and basil ($21). Tomato sauce was balanced well between acid and sweet, with buffalo mozzarella on top to show off its creaminess. All this was brought together by the slightly tangy crusta result of long fermentation along with being bubbled and blistered in the right amounts. Other variations to try would be Spianata Calabrese which came with an interesting twist due to the sichuan chili honey. In need of more heat was the Diavola ($23), but that could be overlooked with free servings of Wild Child’s “crack oil,” an “Italian” chili crisp with a bit of sweetness.
highlighting off the beaten path, heritage, or just plain fun chomping grounds
the pizza - the Polpo octopus was overly chewy and borderline inedible.
4.6 and 4.3 out of 5 stars on Google & FoodGrab, respectively.
was hopping with the after work crowd and date night. Service was efficient and friendly.
Friday Dinner Chomp:
Digest this - the Good the Bad and the Ugly:
“The service is swift and friendly,” “LOVE THE DOUGH,” “The fried margherita was reminiscent of a youtiao,” “The menu is catered to Asian taste but with some good and bad results….Service was also excellent, friendly and fast,” “Come here for the ambience, the pizzas and the sake,” “steaming and fluffy as with Cicheti standard.”
Jenni and Eric Lee live to eat and explore local eateries and bars. Originally from New York, they have lived in Singapore since 2012.
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The Asian Civilizations Museum is a pleasant walk across the river, open until 9 pm on Fridays. For dessert, you can walk along the river to Tsujiri for Japanese creamy matcha soft serve; or rooftop cocktails and oysters beckon at Southbridge. Happy Chomping!
Located across from the OCBC building amongst a winding row of shophouses, the cozy, minimalist space
You can’t go wrong with a wood-fired oven shipped from Naples. Even better is the short and focused menu. Reservations are strongly recommended. A few outdoor tables in front of the restaurant could be pleasant on a breezy evening, but hot at other times. Stick with
Ready to make a transition from pizza and beer/wine to pizza and…Japanese sake? Having lived for many years in Japan, we had a haughty attitude that good sake should be served chilled and the hot stuff was for bad sushi restaurants. Perhaps it was all too pretentious and closed-minded.
What Others Are Saying:
The Fork and Chopstick
As for the sake, we enjoyed the incredible range that Wild Child presented. From the more traditional flavors (Akishika Shuzo, Osaka) to one that was cloudy and slightly effervescent with grape flavors (Terada Honke, Chiba) to the deep aroma and almost savory flavor of Mukai Shuzo, Kyoto. Most were $17 by the glass. All were unique in taste and worked as if pizza and sake were always meant to be. A rude awakening for sake snobs, but a pleasant indoctrination into broadening the scope of foods to match sake. What’s next…fried chicken?
by Jenni & Eric Lee
Ambience/Service/Clientele:
50 Circular Road, Singapore 049405
Further afield:
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1. Having negative feelings about change is normal! Just be aware that getting stuck in them and not being able to come out of it is not. Talking with trusted friends or a group like AWA’s Listen Ladies will provide an important resource!
- Alan Watts
3. Be open to new experiences even as you may sometimes miss the old and the familiar. But don’t rush it either. Everyone’s pace of adjustment will be different and it is important to honor each person’s pacing.
“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
Here are a few tips to help one cope with change:
About a psychology of change ...
husband – whose work involves identifying technological changes that will disrupt business practices in the future – once coined the phrase on a T-shirt, “Shi[f] t happens.” Simultaneously ironic and provocative, it is a phrase that encapsulates two important truths about change. One, change (like the weather and the metaphorical seasons of life) is a natural part of living that we must learn to accept. Two, acceptance is often not easy because change is inherently disruptive and can feel uncomfortable and inconvenient. Yet change is like a two-sided coin: without disruption - which elicits feelings of nervousness and anxiety - there is no opportunity for growth and excitement! In fact, from a neurobiological perspective, excitement and nervousness are actually physiologically similar. Yes, mixed feelings about change are normal and expected. We can feel excited, on one hand, and yet nervous and apprehensive, or sad and despondent, on the other. And it may change from one day to the next. One day I may be 50% nervous and 50% excited/optimistic, another day I may be 80% excited/ optimistic!
"All great changes are preceded by chaos" deepak chopra
2. Consider that members of your family may cope with change differently and that what helps one person cope might not be helpful for another family member. This is often due to differences in temperament/personality and developmental age. For example, you and your partner could be different, and your children may have different needs based on their temperaments and ages. Be open to listening and talking openly about how everyone is doing; be open to trying different tactics, experimenting, and changing when something does not work. Being aware of this, be kind to each other and yourself when one or more of you are not feeling the same way about things at the same time. Even if everyone agrees the change is needed and wanted, changes always involve some kind of loss and some people are more sensitive to those feelings. Adjustment takes time, and patience is key.
by Suellen Lee
4. Rituals can be grounding and can be a source of continuity between places and communities.
Suellen moved from San Francisco, California to Singapore in 2019 with her husband, three sons, and geriatric cat. She runs, sometimes writes, and is a California licensed Clinical Psychologist.
“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
- Alan Watts
Fall is a time where many of us may be going through one or more transitions – from sending a teenager-cumyoung-adult to college for the first time, to preparing for a child’s first day in a new class/school, to adjusting to a new home and city. Collectively, here at AWA many of us bade farewell to friends over the summer, as celebrated in our last July-August issue, and this fall we will be welcoming a number of new members. Such is life, but the seasons of change in an expat’s life are predictably frequent. For some, perhaps this season of transition brings about feelings of familiarity, perhaps with a calm acceptance (which is ideal, right?), while for others, this period can bring on temporary, or even lingering, subterranean feelings of anxiety or loss. Personally, I have had some easier times and some not-so-easy times with Yearstransitions.ago,my
Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staricase.
Sit with that for a minute.
American peace advocate and civil rights activist Martin Luther King’s legacy provides quite a few “evergreen” quotes that we can apply to all aspects and challenges in our lives, no matter where we live. One that strongly resonates with the idea of managing transitions is the theme of this month’s AWA Magazine.
Worseline.yet
was the walking path to the village. Wet and slippery, I faltered many times with my 15-pound pack on my back and even with grippy hiking boots. I had that feeling of a roller coaster loop each time I almost wiped out. But, for my dear friend, I knew I had to persevere and keep going.
You're Not Alone... Really
Living in Singapore, it was easy to plan a trip to Borneo. One of my best friends from America who had conquered breast cancer would join me to seek out the orangutans in Borneo with me. Orangutan means “men of the forest,” but refers to the animals. Whilst there, our trackers told us not to speak about the orangutans or they would not come. This in itself was hard, as we were excited to see them. I found it even harder, utterly terrifying in fact, to be on the path to get into the bush.
This got exceedingly harder once we set out to hike in the bush. The path was narrow, wet, slippery and just plain scary, only two minutes into the hike. My cancersurvivor friend told me in no uncertain terms to shut my
coping with the ups and downs of being an expat
Image by Wendy Corniquet from Pixabay
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”
We had to drive about five hours into the Bornean jungle to reach the lake where our host Iban tribe was living. We unfortunately had booked our trip during December, the rainy season. That made for high water on the lake, where we rode on low-riding canoes in which I felt way too heavy (I broke the seat!!) I was sure an inch moved here or there would flip it, as its sides were right at the water
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Building faith in oneself is definitely a lifelong journey, or has been for me. Indeed, some people move faster than others. But I believe and know that each of us can look inward to find the power to ascend that challenging staircase, be it one or many along the way.
just being discovered or just being connected with the outside world. But I never dreamed I'd actually be there. Fast forward to my life in Singapore, a place I also never thought I would be.
ETransition is hard. When we look at changes in our Singapore life, we might be faced with anything from moving house to moving countries. Either situation is fraught with uncertainties that test our faith in what we think we know and the security that we seek in knowing what to expect. It’s overwhelming. The staircase to climb there looks pretty daunting.
The Staircase:: Having Faith During Transitions
by Andrea McKenna Brankin
I’ve definitely had this experience while living abroad and what helps give me hope and guidance is wisdom from people of faith who essentially used words (nowadays memes) to light the way.
Have you ever been to Borneo? Did you ever think you would go? I know that while living in England about 30 years ago, I had heard about Bornean tribes which were
AWA Magazine Sept/Oct 202220
Book Review
by Mandakini Arora
national and religious boundaries so, too, do Shree and Rockwell defy boundaries, playing and experimenting with language.
Mandakini is a historian who loves to read and write stories and to browse in secondhand bookstores. Read her book reviews here and on Instagram: @travelling_bookmark.
Andrea runs the AWA Listen Ladies Group, providing confidential support for members at regular listenladies@awasingapore.orgmeetings.
One. Step. At. A. Time. This was such a huge mental challenge for me, beyond the physical, but you know what? I got through it. I learned that I had everything I needed inside me to safely traverse this terrain. I thought of my friend’s cancer journey and my own painful mental health one and realized that I would be OK. We would make it through this. I did take
An 80-year-old woman in North India whom we know as Ma turns her back on the world after her husband’s death. She leaves her bed only to vanish from her son and daughter-in-law’s home. When found, she moves in with her daughter, a bohemian intellectual, whose life turns chaotic with the visitors Ma brings. The most regular is Rosie, a transgender woman, whose visits animate Ma. After a dramatic event involving Rosie, Ma travels to Pakistan with her daughter. She crosses the border drawn in 1947 when India was ripped apart in a partition, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths in religious violence and rendering millions homeless. In Pakistan Ma goes rogue, ignoring legalities in a driven search to connect with ghosts of her past. The book is replete with historical and literary references, all of which one does not have to get to savor the story. Serendipitously, I had a chance to hear Shree speak in Delhi. She described language as autonomous—not just a vehicle for a story. Synonyms, rhyme, alliteration, personification (of back, walls, door, birds), and invented words abound in Rockwell’s translation. Just as Ma ignores
21AWA Magazine Sept/Oct 2022
one step at a time. Then I walked down the hill path to the water, boarded the boat, and glided precariously along the lake. Once I got out of the boat on the other side of the lake, I knew I was safe and I could finally relax.
Tomb of Sand is a richly rewarding read about family dynamics, gender, age, and the Partition of India. Reading the novel is like unwrapping layers of exquisite language that unravels a riveting plot. Rockwell’s translation of what is, in effect, a twice-written book is stunning in its beauty.
The upshot of my story is indeed the journey. We never did see the “men of the forest.” I guess that wasn’t the purpose in the end. They were busy eating durian in the wilds of the Bornean bush. And I was busy finding faith in myself.
mouth and keep going. That’s the tough love version of having faith!
"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me" C.s. Lewis
It was a huge mental challenge to limit my focus to only one step at a time. I had always been the kind who would have wanted to jump to the end, see the orangutans and then fly home. With this journey though, I had no choice but to be in the moment.
Take a look at where you’re headed with whatever “staircase” you are faced with. Gauge how you feel. Then dial the fear and emotion back to just that first step. Then the next. And the next. With faith in yourself, you will get there.
To advance, I should only look at the steps in front of me, rather than the whole Bornean “staircase”, which included fastrunning streams with sharp rocks, muddy cliffs with gnarly tree roots, swarms of stingless bees in fallen tree trunks, bat-infested rest huts and steep, wet paths with cliffs of inescapable green vines and more treacherous obstacles there and back again
Tomb of Sand (2022), written in Hindi by Geetanjali Shree and translated by Daisy Rockwell, is the first Indianlanguage novel to win the International Booker Prize, an annual award for a translated novel published in the UK and Ireland.
Buddy is better than Samsoid. Sam grunts, and in those few seconds a few brave neurons combat sleep deprivation and retrieve the question from some halfwayhouse recess in his mind. He will not search his brain for answers, however. A reflex serves the purpose. “Uh, the firm will fail.”
The question smites at Sameer’s eyelids. He needs to muster all his strength to keep them up atremble, they are in such danger of slamming shut like Arjun’s chin on the desk.
“Coming,” he calls, as he drags himself into the bathroom. Hot needles to soothe jangling nerves. If you drew a Venn diagram of the activities his parents approve of and the ones he doesn’t mind, showering would come out tops in the intersection set. Except — “Darling, are you still showering?”
“Wake up darling,” she coos, unaware her carefully modulated amiability is slicing through the adolescent brain so precious to her.
“Five minutes,” he calls. Closes his eyes. Ah, bliss. But oh no, she’s back again. Her voice has lost its dulcet tone. There is an urgency there that warns him. Argh.
The overbright voice hacks into the sensitive fug he has surrounded himself in. Oh, to ignore his father and go for his goal. But not paying attention to Dad could destroy this comfortable sleepy haze he has so desperately, so
Good morning!
Dad speaks on while Sameer practices positive projection without ever having learned it. He is purposefully willing Dad’s words to be soporific. He wants to sleep. Like Arjun when his chin hit the desk, hard, in Mr. B’s Calculus class. Although Dad is no match for Mr. B. Mr. B can put you to sleep in no time at all.
“What?” he croaks.
“You know, for example …”
“Hey Sam.”
“Huh?”
“What’s the matter with you, buddy?”
lovingly created. He must look through the wormhole in the clouds, open the door an inch.
Dad is a morning person. Dad also believes he can coach Economics in his spare time. “Remember to draw the Demand-Supply diagram before you answer the “Yeah.”question.”Sameer shrugs off a vague discomfort tugging at him.
In a trance, he walks to the charging station and unplugs his phone. Opens Snapchat. Awakes. Feels alive at last. The Talkers are on fire. He thumb-types at lightning speed, the vague discomfort tugging at a corner of his semi-consciousness burning away in the blue light. He has successfully avoided the realization that it is not his free period now. He does not know yet that he has missed his test.
“Sam, why’re you smiling?”
by Bhavani Krishnamurthy
Writers' Block AWA Writers' members
AWA Magazine Sept/Oct 202222
“Mom, I have a free now,” he shouts back, vanquishing Theher. smell of coffee assails him as he walks down the stairs, and he flinches. But then something happy surfaces into the day, a silver lining hinting at a golden orb behind the clouds. A ping. From his phone, quietly charging below the dining room sideboard. Sameer is a junior in high school, not into Snapchat streaks anymore. A ping at this time is interesting. Anticipatory pleasure courses through his being as he changes course for the charging station.
Dad is no longer so bushy-tailed. “So, what will the business do in the long term?”
Dad goes for a high five and Sameer raises his hand, on autopilot. And gets his reward. Another ping.
Group
a contribution from our
The AWA Writers’ Group meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month. For more information, send an email to writers@awasingapore.org
“I“Huh?”asked you a question, buddy.”
The knock hurtles into Sameer, shaking him awake. He groans silently — will he get fifteen seconds of peace? But no, she is knocking again.
Susan and Jess running in Venice
Jess and Susan jumping for joy
Susan and Jess with running tour guide in Rome
Running tours in various cities across the globe can be found on runningtours.net
Running on trips is a fantastic way to keep in shape and tour the sites! For this issue of the AWA Running Group update, Susan Wallace shares about her recent trip to Europe with her daughter Jess and how running tours were a highlight of their trip.
Kilometers of friendship and fun
Susan highly recommends other women book running tours on their next vacation. “Running with a local before the streets are busy and the temperatures get too hot is the best way to see the sights and get recommendations for food, shops, and other activities," says Susan.
Keri is a linguist and teaches writing at Nanyang Technological University. Active in the AWA Running Club and Java Junkies, Keri enjoys running and meeting AWA friends for coffee.
23AWA Magazine Sept/Oct 2022
bY Keri Matwick
Running Group
To celebrate her daughter’s high school graduation, Susan and Jess went on a mother/daughter trip to Paris and Italy to celebrate this milestone. While researching what to do in Paris, Susan came across a running tour that was advertised on Tripadvisor.com. Since the pair regularly runs, they thought this may be a fun way to see Paris sights. The running tour did not disappoint! Meeting at a central point in Paris, the tour covered landmarks such as Notre Dame, the Louvre Museum, Champs Elysee, the Seine River, and finally ended at the Eiffel Tower. The tour guide was informative and took pictures of the group throughout the tour. Susan and Jess enjoyed the experience so much that they found running tours in Venice and Rome as well.
“Having a local tour guide in Venice was absolutely essential as we would have been lost with the maze-like areas around the canals!” says Susan.
It can be comfortable to stay on the baseline and hit shot after shot hoping our opponent makes the first error, sometimes even being effective in winning the point. But to truly “put it away”, especially in doubles, you have to leave the baseline (get out of your comfort zone) and hustle to the net. At the net, you either play to win or you’re an easy target, a sitting duck. Now, being at the net can be a vulnerable position. So many players resist being at the net, but, in reality, it’s the best, and some would say, the most exciting way to win a point. We have to push ourselves to leave our comfort zone in order to hit a “winner”, essentially embracing this transition from the back to the front of the court; the same holds true off the courts.
This time of year, as an expat, we are often hit with an onslaught of changes. We must help our children adjust to a new school year, adjust to life without a bestie who recently relocated, or maybe play on a tennis team filled with all new players. As we do this expat thing, let’s venture out of our comfort zone, learn to embrace this transition, approach and put away and (hopefully) hit a winner here and there.
Beyond learning how to hit a good forehand or dropshot, tennis has a way of reinforcing important life lessons. Approach and put away, a common tactic in tennis, has new significance as an adult.
AWA tennis ladies after a long day on the courts at Clinic
Fun, Friendship and Fair Play
Hello Walking and Hiking Friends! We’re happy to announce that our AWA Walking & Hiking groups are in the process of merging. There is already a great deal of overlap between the leaders and participants of these two groups and we’d like to offer more opportunities for all to get out and be active during the week. Cochairs Marlene Han and Marta Rabins along with all our volunteer leaders are excited to be working together to make this happen. Your participation is welcome as a walker, hiker, or leader – all roles are rewarding and fun, and we're here to support you!
Walks and hikes have been keeping us busy with options throughout the week from Monday to Thursday of different lengths and locations throughout Singapore. To continue the natural progress already in play with the merging of walks and hikes, we’re streamlining the sign-up process to make it easier for members to communicate on upcoming hikes and walks through WhatsApp, while continuing to post photos from the
Walking & Hiking Groups
Things move quickly around here, so be sure to sign up for our monthly e-newsletter on the AWA site and join our Facebook page to keep up on the latest with AWA tennis.
Tennis
kilometres of friendship and fun
ongoing tennis activities planned by your superfun tennis committee. Social Singles, Social Doubles and Mixed Doubles have begun. Good luck ladies (and gents). Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Tennis Clinics signups are just about every 6 weeks. Be sure to grab your spot in the next round. Also, keep an eye out for Team Tennis sign ups. The Team Tennis mini team tournament will be held in early December and late January.
AWA Magazine Sept/Oct 202224
Tennis in Singapore is made even more fun with your AWA friends. Keep an eye on the AWA Tennis page for
walks and activities on Facebook. Please join our new WhatApps Walk & Hike group chat now to access signups by scanning the QR code (see right), and typing SUBSCRIBE WALK.
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The weeks that followed resembled the life of locals. During the day, my daughters attended their favorite theatre and science camps. In the evenings and weekends, they walked the dog with grandparents, hung out with cousins, and baked cookies with friends. We saw the Fourth of July parade. The only touristy thing we did was to see Alcatraz, the historic island prison which housed notorious criminals such as Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly.
We began with a family trek from the San Francisco Bay Area to Bend/Sunriver, Oregon. There’s nothing quite like packing the car with snacks, blasting the music, and watching the scenery transform from energizing cityscapes to mesmerizing coniferous forests dotted with gleaming lakes and rivers.
by Dulce Zamora
Days later, we pitched tents at Casini Ranch, a campground along the Russian River in Sonoma County. We enjoyed kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, making s’mores, and chatting around the fire. It was also cool to explore the neighboring town of Guerneville with its bucolic riverside dotted with wildflowers, chimes, and rustic swings.
My family and I first came to Singapore in 2007. Since then, we’ve spent summers in California and New York. It was not easy moving our life abroad each season, but we endured the long flights, jet lag, and erratic schedules so our children could forge bonds with family and friends. After all, we signed up for this nomadic life with the implicit understanding that we could maintain ties to home. Our annual trips were more than just holidays. They were an essential part of our identities as expats.
At Bend/Sunriver, we marveled at the raging beauty of Benham Falls and at the panoramic marvel of Lava Butte. We roared in laughter when some of us got stuck tubing down manmade rapids in a city park along the Deschutes TheRiver.trip did not end there. On the way back to the Bay Area, we spent a few days in Mount Shasta where we hiked, biked, swam, and rented a pontoon boat. We cruised around Lake Siskiyou while taking in majestic views of the ice-capped wonder.
finding Cool things to do in and around singapore
Pandemic restrictions cut us off from both our local and international communities. Even though video chats somewhat eased the isolation, they did not erase the losses. We missed our usual routines abroad such as road trips, summer camps, and hanging out with loved ones. Of course, we weren’t alone in experiencing this type of deprivation, but the wound existed nonetheless. It created pent-up demand for time with the people, places, and things close to our hearts. As a result, this summer -- our first in the U.S. in 3 years -- has become like no other: bursting with activity.
As I write this, we are continuing our adventures in New York City. So far, we’ve had lots of meals with family and friends, checked out thrill rides and games at Luna Park in Coney Island, visited the 9/11 Memorial Museum, and watched “Hamilton” on Broadway. By the time this goes to press, I would have also attended a writer’s conference in Midtown, and we would have spent more time with our tribe.
Family Fun Adventures
It has been a full summer. Some say our escapades amount to several years’ worth of expeditions. Perhaps we are making up for lost time. Hope so. The memories that we’ve collected this season will need to sustain us for another year in our adopted home of Singapore, particularly as we navigate today’s uncertainties.
Dulce Zamora is an award-winning blogger, journalist, and author. She has written three children’s books. magazine and blogs at www.WindsweptWildflower. com.
AWA Magazine Sept/Oct 202226
In a pontoon boat around Lake Siskiyou where Mount Shasta loomed large in the background. Photo Credit: Maurice Ramirez
After Ni Hao – Mandarin conversation every Thursday at 10am. Manju Banka, afternihao@awasingapore.org
Community Service
Ronald McDonald House Charities – Support the families of children at Singapore’s National University Hospital. On hold due to COVID. Noelle Spears, rmhc@awasingapore.org
Writers’ Group – Beginner and published writers discuss their work the 2nd & 4th Thursday of every month. Mandakini Arora & Amanda Jaffee, writers@awasingapore.org
Long Term Members — For women who have lived in Singapore eight years or more. Mary Rajkumar, ltm@awasingapore.org
Creative Hands – Bring your handiwork project to work on and share with other creative women every 1st, 3rd & 5th Thursday. Meg Sine, creativehands@awasingapore.org
Book Groups – Morning, afternoon & evening books groups, held monthly. bookgroups@awasingapore.org
Golf – The 18-hole group plays on Wednesday. 9-hole golf on hold indefinitelty. Lily Giddens & Peng Pavie, 18holegolf@awasingapore.org
Tennis – A variety of singles and doubles play including tournaments, and team tennis for players of all levels. Paige Okun & Rebecca Meuer, tennischair@awasingapore.org Walk & Hike – Walk all over this amazing island. Mondays are 10K, Wednesdays are 5K. First and third Thursdays at McRitchie for a hike. Marta Rabbins & Marlene Han, walkandhike@ awasingapore.org
kidsREAD – Help local children develop a love of reading. Currently suspended due to COVID. kidsread@awa.singapore.org
Running – Group runs for all levels on Tuesday & Thursday mornings at locations around Singapore. Bernie Tretta & Caroline Beaumont, running@awasingapore.org
International Vocal Ensemble (DIVAS) – Practices on Wednesdays 10-noon in person for fully vaccinated members, at Adelphia House on Coleman St. Performances recorded and presented by video. Auditions only to assess range, Helena Cochrane, intlchoir@awasingapore.org
Food From The Heart – Help pack and/or distribute food bags to families in Singapore who cannot afford to feed themselves. Janet Stride, ffth@awasingapore.org
Bar Nights – Ladies’ nights, couples’ nights each month. Ashley Fagin, beautyfashion@awasingapore.orgbarnights@awasingapore.org
BE in the know
Sports
Mahjong - International style in a low stress, friendly atmosphere. Vishali Gupta, mahjong@awasingapore.org
DISH – Monthly lunches at a variety of interesting venues. Kristin Bemowski & Julia Tan, dish@awasingapore.org
Java Junkies – Join the search for the perfect cup of java on 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 2pm., javajunkies@awasingapore.org
Listen Ladies – A compassionate group of ladies who support one another with biweekly Thursday zoom calls from 5-6pm. Andrea McKenna Brankin, listenladies@awasingapore.org
Community Service – Connecting AWA members to volunteer opportunities with AWA’s featured organizations and more. Beth Llewellyn, commservice@awasingapore.org
High Tea – Enjoy monthly teas at Singapore’s top hotels and interesting venues. Vera De Morais hightea@awasingapore.org
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Coffee & Friends – Meets at various cafes around town. Join us on Fridays from 10:30 am -12:30 pm. Sign up required. Hyejin Taylor & Julie Samra, coffee@awasingapore.org
Duplicate Bridge From Home – American Standard five-card major rules every Monday. You don’t need a partner to join. Amy Starling & Sock-Yan Sim, duplicatebridge@awasingapore.org
Photography – Meets once a month to have fun practicing and improving our photography. All levels are welcome. Carol Hamcke-Onstwedder & Londa Matthieu, photography@awasingapore.org
Arts & Culture – Monthly talks focusing on Asian arts & culture. Rosalie Kwok, artsandculture@awasingapore.org
Christian Connection – Provides information and resources to help you connect with local Christian community groups. Barbara Winkler, christianconnect@awasingapore.org
Local Tours –Professionally guided tours of Singapore. Terry Young, localtours@awasingapore.org
Social & Special Interest Groups
Playgroup – For moms with kids under age three. Meets every Friday morning at a member's home plus a monthly "Moms Night Out". Morgan Steinman, playgroups@awasingapore.org
AWA Group Activities