JUNE 2020

JUNE 2020

SINGAPORE

Drink Deliveries New Recipes Fixing Things Shows to Watch Puzzle Pages Help!

THE EL TEAM AS BABIES UNI APPLICATIONS KIDS & STRESS Young Ones

PLAN YOURS NOW! Beach Escapes

CREAMS & CHECK-UPS SKIN SAVIOURS

Make your home pretty !

GIANT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS LIFTOUT

EDITOR’SNOTE It’s astounding, time is fleeting, madness takes its toll – but listen closely, not for verymuch longer, I’ve got to keep control... So sang Riff Raff in The Rocky Horror Picture Show . It’s difficult to believe that 45 years have passed since then, but the words keep going around in my head... Time really is warping though, don’t you think? Christmas seems like years ago. But something that happened years ago feels like it was yesterday. Weeks whizz past but days can take forever. So, not to get too focused on the “CV”, but what it has brought to my attention, as Brexit did, is the great divide in opinions and the reactions it creates – just as, over the centuries, people and even families were divided by religion and other ideologies. Maybe that’s what we’re having to learn to manage: agree to disagree! I think we need to be open to different discussions, sources and stats. Don’t believe something blindly just because it’s from a certain organisation or “expert” – that can be confusing. Instead, read, watch, absorb and see what makes sense to you . What we think at one time might change in a day or two, but that’s okay, too. It must be very difficult for governments to make decisions when they’re being bombarded with so many conflicting messages. We have a lovely story in this issue from a school that’s been in Singapore for 95 years and has gone through everything from World War II to various epidemics, including polio. It’s interesting to see how, over the years, not just the government but also schools have had to come up with systems to cope – and how they’ve come out the other end. Hopefully, by the time this issue hits the postboxes, we will be heading towards normality. Let’s all keep going, maybe get Rocky Horror on the box at home, then take a jump to the left, and bring those knees in tight! Enough from me now, before I lose control...

REBECCA BISSET Editor-in-Chief

Happy June – and Father’s Day!

Children going back to school at Tanglin’s boarding school in the Cameron Highlands after World War II

8

JUNE2020

Editor-in-Chief REBECCA BISSET

Group Editor SHAMUS SILLAR Editorial Team HOME & PROPERTY: KEL FLANDERS EDUCATION: KATE MARSDEN HEALTH: AMY GREENBURG LIFE & FAMILY, TRAVEL: LINDSAY YAP WINE & DINE, HAIR & BEAUTY, FASHION: ANTHIA CHNG Copy Editor JULIET KEYS Online & Digital Content MICHAELA BISSET IT &Web Support RENE YUTIAMPO | HANADDI REY DIAZ MAMBA Client Services & Production LEANDA RATHMELL | LIANA KEDDIE | NUR HANANI KAMAL LUDDIN Graphic Designers MICHAEL BERNABE | JEANNE WONG Marketing, Circulation & Administration ANNA TSERLINGAS | VEENA GILL | SITI SHAHIRAH KHIRUDEEN Advertising Sales KARIN GALLEY | DANIELLE ROSSETTI | LARA SAGE | JACQUI YOUNG Events Curator SUSAN KNUDSEN-PICKLES

Special Projects MELINDA MURPHY Chief Operations Officer COLIN PURCHASE Contributing Writers HARSHARAN KAUR | VERNE MAREE | MANGLA SACHDEV

CONTACT US General Enquiries: +65 6812 1780 | info@expatliving.sg Advertising Sales: +65 6812 1781 | sales@expatliving.sg Subscription: +65 6812 1783 | subscription@expatliving.sg Production: +65 6812 1787 | production@expatliving.sg Editorial & Media Releases: editorial@expatliving.sg Calendar of Events: calendar@expatliving.sg Events: events@expatliving.sg Websites: expatliving.sg | expatliving.hk

Printed by Times Printers Pte Ltd (timesprinters.com)

Published by Expat Living Publications Pte Ltd 37 Jalan Pemimpin, #07-06 Mapex Building, Singapore 577177

Hacienda Blue (haciendablue.com)

10

JUNE2020

CONTENTS

Turn your memories into art 38

NEWS 18 Things To Do:

How to keep busy at home

20 EL Forum:

Our online antics and upcoming events

22 Singapore Pages:

Exploring the island’s past and present

HOME & PROPERTY

26 News 28 WIN!

... a luxury bed set, worth $5,200! 30 Home Showcase:

Layers and balance are key in this house

Top picks for your outdoor space 41

38 Blank Canvas:

Personalised art for your walls

41 Buying Guide:

Decking out your outdoor space

48 Street Talk:

What it’s like living in Bishan

Peep inside this stylish Newton gem 30

12

JUNE2020

CONTENTS

LIFE & FAMILY 54 News 56 On the Screen & Page: Top TV, film and book recommendations 62 EL Babies: Recognise any of these little ones? 64 Retail Therapy: Out of the house and into the stores! 66 History of Resilience A school recalls its epidemic experiences 68 Kids & Stress The impact it can have, and how to manage it 70 College Help: Easing the application process

Legal advice on a common family matter 72

WINE & DINE 88 News 90 Wine O’clock: Top websites for alcohol delivery 94 Recipe Corner: Favourites to add to your repertoire TRAVEL 102 News 104 Destination Focus: 110 Romantic Retreat: EL’s newlywed visits Krabi 72 Legal Insights: Looking at mental capacity matters 74 Community Care: 76 Helping Hands: Our latest on volunteer opportunities 78 Fix it: Home services companies in Singapore

104

How AWA gives back to society

Revisiting our top beach breaks

We recall our favourite beaches

14

JUNE2020

CONTENTS

HEALTH & FITNESS 132 News 134 Diet Diaries:

A baby brand that’s safe, stylish and sustainable 118

Maintain healthy eating at home

136 Skin Safety:

Protect yourself against melanoma

138 Save a Life:

Singapore’s Bone Marrow Donor Programme

140 Fitness Focus:

Six outdoor activities to keep fit

REGULARS 146 Horoscopes for June 148 Puzzle Pages 150 Numbers & Websites

151 Advertiser List 152 Parting Shot:

Singapore remembered …

we adore 116

Loungewear

STYLE & BEAUTY 114 Style News 116 Fashion Focus: At-home wear, from Zoom calls to lazing about 118 Store Spotlight: Baby essentials done right 121 Beauty & Balance: Meet the founder of Amplio

All dolled up! 121

124 Beauty News 126 Tried & Tested:

Solutions for sensitive skin

facebook.com/expatlivingSG

twitter.com/expatlivingSG

pinterest.com/expatlivingSG instagram.com/expatlivingSG

16

JUNE2020

WHAT’SON

Come Together (UNTIL 28 JUN)

Star Wars Virtual Run

FOST Gallery is hosting Come Together, an online exhibition featuring the works of 12 artists from all over the world. Each artist selected a work by another artist from the group, and has offered reasons for their choice. The artists live in different parts of the world and many have not met each other, but they’re all experiencing the same situation: COVID-19. fostgallery.com/online-exhibition The Lasalle Show goes digital (FROM 2 JUN) Enjoy an online series of programmes showcasing the talents of the graduating cohort from Lasalle College Of The Arts. There’ll be all sorts of works to look forward to, from contemporary arts to design and performance. thelasalleshow.lasalle.edu.sg Live Virtual Indie-Pop Concert (3, 10, 17 AND 24 JUN) The Tiny Cupboard from Brooklyn is hosting live concerts featuring indie, alternative rock, pop, folk and instrumental musicians. The weekly performances are free to watch and will be held from 8pm to 9pm EDT (8am to 9am the next day in Singapore). thetinycupboard.com 1887 Virtual Bar (4-25 JUN) Held every Thursday at 8pm, the weekly 1887 Virtual Bar sessions aim to support the local bartending community by giving bars the opportunity to remain “open” during this period. Watch top bartenders across town whip up concoctions live on screen and purchase drink coupons to use when the bars are back in operation. Past guests include bartenders from Shin Gi Tai and Nutmeg & Clove. Register in advance to gain entry into the 1887 Virtual Bar. After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a link to use for weekly sessions. ticketmelon.com/WGS/1887virtualbar

Shilin Singapore (12-14 & 19-21 JUN)

Shilin Singapore, inspired by the famed Taiwanese night market, returns for its second year with a new digital version. Held over two weekends in June, the market will have an online platform for vendors and the public. There will be live-stream performances and delicious food that can be delivered straight to your doorstep. The event is organised by Invade, which was behind Shilin Singapore’s first instalment,

and Artbox Singapore. shilin.sg Star Wars Virtual Run (15 JUN – 30 SEP)

Spotlight – Dance to Art learning about the history of Tanjong Pagar, Pasir Ris and Kallang, from Tanjong Pagar’s bustling rickshaw scene to resort vacations in Pasir Ris. heritagefestival.sg Pledge your allegiance to the light or dark side and clock your virtual run distances anywhere you choose. Runners can do a 5.4km solo run or pair up with a friend to run 40km. starwarsvirtualrunsea.liv3ly.com Singapore Heritage Festival 2020: The Singapore Heritage Festival will be going online for the first time in 17 years. The event will feature online tours, digitally commissioned works, webinars, online masterclasses, workshops (including pastry-making) and more. In this year’s edition, viewers can look forward to Digital Edition (19 JUN – 5 JUL)

1887 Virtual Bar

18

JUNE2020

CALENDAR

LATER THIS YEAR ...

HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens (10-11 OCT)

Singapore Urban Polo (3 OCT)

Returning in October, the event will have three adrenaline- filled games, with chilled champagne for everyone to enjoy. Enjoy tunes by resident Urban Polo DJs Alex Woodford and Duncan Huntersson Scott, who will be joined by CÉ LA VI’s resident DJ Sivanesh and Mark Robinson from the UK. Tickets from Eventbrite. Lea Salonga (6-8 OCT) Broadway superstar Lea Salonga will be bringing her Tony Award-winning singing back to the Esplanade. Accompanied by a full band and 11-piece string ensemble, she’ll be performing a wide repertoire of songs, from Broadway musicals to popular Disney favourites. Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. Tickets from the Esplanade website.

• Shakespeare’s Globe is offering free streams of plays on its YouTube channel. They’re available to watch for about two weeks. • Stream free musicals on Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s YouTube channel, The Shows Must Go On! • Watch Cirque du Soleil performances on YouTube for free. Shows are released weekly on the Cirque du Soleil channel. • Head to SSOPlayOn! for Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s three-month digital season. Three to four concerts will be released each week. • Sing along with Broadway stars performing from their homes as part of Broadway World’s Living Room Concerts. • The Royal Opera House has a schedule of free broadcasts and live content that is accessible for free. • The National Theatre has launched free full-length plays on its YouTube channel for all to enjoy. A new play is uploaded every Thursday and is up for one week. • Catch stars singing from their homes on MTV’s Unplugged at Home. Watch them on MTV’s YouTube channel. • UK online music broadcasting company Boiler Room has launched a new live series, Streaming From Isolation, featuring sets from various DJs and artists. Tune in on the YouTube channel. • Billboard has been hosting Live At-Home concerts on its Facebook page. Past performers include Hunter Hayes, Hozier and Meghan Trainor. 10 COOL PERFORMANCES TO SEE ONLINE At this two-day music and lifestyle festival, enjoy performances by Asian and international pop icons. There’ll also be a festival village with fun activities and yummy bites. Bayfront event space. oneloveasiafestival.com Look forward to seeing 16 national teams battle it out on the rugby field, while enjoying all the off-pitch entertainment of the carnival – from a family fun zone to a splash party, rugby-themed games and live music. National Stadium. singapore7s.com.sg One Love Asia Festival Singapore (7-8 NOV)

Lea Salonga

Hydeout (9-17 OCT)

This new multi-genre music festival is set to be held across two weekends. There will be a great line-up of local and international music acts, including Yellow Claw, MYRNE, Rita Ora and Alison Wonderland. The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay. hydeout.sg

Yellow Claw

19 JUNE2020

FRESH EVENT UPDATES AND GREAT CONTENT TO HELP YOU MAKE THE MOST OF LIVING HERE

Fun things to do at home with the family

twitter.com/expatlivingSG

facebook.com/expatlivingSG

instagram.com/expatlivingSG

pinterest.com/expatlivingSG

Our upcoming events! Visit expatliving.sg/ELevents to register.

EL WINE WITH FRIENDS

EL CAREER CLINIC

DATE: 12 August 2020 TIME: 6pm – 9pm PLACE: 24 Bedok Avenue, Singapore 469935 PRICE: $35, including workshop and materials Sip and Swish Create your own masterpiece & BYO

DATE: 16 September 2020 TIME: 7pm – 9pm PLACE: The Cinnamon Room PRICE: $38, including 2 glasses of bubbles & light bites Do you have what it takes to be your own boss? The Road to Entrepreneurship

20

JUNE2020

to your door Get your favourite mag delivered each month!

JUNE 2020

June2020 Issue215 S$6.90 INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS • SKIN ISSUES • BEACH BREAKS MCI (P)032/02/2020 DrinkDeliveries NewRecipes FixingThings Shows toWatch PuzzlePages PLANYOURSNOW! Beach Escapes Help! Make your home pretty ! June2020 Issue215 S$6.90 MCI (P)032/02/2020 DrinkDeliveries NewRecipes FixingThings Shows toWatch PuzzlePages PLANYOURSNOW! Help!

SINGAPORE

THE EL TEAMASBABIES UNIAPPLICATIONS KIDS&STRESS Young Ones

Subscribe for just $82.80 andenjoyfreeaccess to the digital edition on the Magzter app! $50

JUNE 2020

INTERNATIONALSCHOOLS •SKIN ISSUES •BEACHBREAKS

SINGAPORE

THE EL TEAMASBABIES UNIAPPLICATIONS KIDS&STRESS Young Ones

Beach Escapes

CREAMS&CHECK-UPS SKINSAVIOURS

CREAMS&CHECK-UPS SKINSAVIOURS

GIANT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS LIFTOUT Make your home pretty !

GIANT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS LIFTOUT

expatliving.sg/subscribe Scan or visit Subscription offer ends 30 June 2020

21 JUNE2020

THE SINGAPORE PAGES Investigating the island past and present, with tips, trivia and time travel – and the occasional tricky challenge for readers! THE BIG GIG Who’s excited about seeing bands playing live in Singapore again? We are! In the meantime, here’s a look back at one of the highest-profile concerts the Lion City has witnessed – 55 years ago, when the Rolling Stones visited during their Far East Tour of 1965. Date: 16 February 1965 Venue: The Singapore Badminton Stadium on Guillemard Road in Geylang Show time: The Stones played twice in the one evening: a 6.45pm show, followed by an 8.45pm show. Apparently, the band arrived late due to a traffic jam, so the start times were pushed back. Price: A seat in a premium row was $8. Set list: The set included the band’s most recent hits such as “Not Fade Away” and “Time Is On My Side” along with live favourites like “Little Red Rooster”. “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” wouldn’t be written and recorded until a few months later. Story of the gig: The show coincided with the final night of Chinese New Year celebrations, which meant Mick, Keith and the rest had to battle

Exploring

PLANTS OF SINGAPORE Nodoubt you’vebeenoutwalkingaroundSingapore more than usual during the Circuit Breaker. Maybe you’ve noticed more plants than you do when zippingby in a car. But what are they exactly? Here’s a handy guide to satisfy your curiosity! Bougainvillea These stunners are all over Singapore in a variety of colours, yet the colourful part isn’t the flower at all – it’s a special kind of leaf called a bract. The true flowers are tiny and white. Bougainvillea sap is mildly toxic; if ingested in large enough quantities, it can make you quite sick. The leaves aren’t toxic, but stay away from the sharp thorns as a prick can lead to a skin rash. Jungle Flame These beautiful plants are found all over Singapore. They’re also prevalent in Myanmar, where a romantic marriage custom involves building a floating garden and planting jungle flame on it. On the wedding day, the bride sits on the garden in her finery; the ropes holding the garden in place are cut and she floats down the river to meet her groom. Pong Pong Many Singapore plants have elongated leaf tips called “drip tips”; they’re designed so rainwater can run off quickly without creating mould or bacteria. A common drip-tip plant here is the pong pong, also called the suicide plant – it bears a fruit known as othalanga whose potent poison has been used in suicides and even murder. Sugar Palm Big bunches of these trees, which grow up to 20 metres tall, look like strands of green pearls. An important sugar source over the centuries, they are harvested year-round and can produce 20 to 30 litres a day. Sugar palms only grow in diverse forest environments, so they can’t be planted in rows like palm oil. They’re a great source of food for animals, with three times more energy than sugar cane. Palm sugar is usually produced in an eco-friendly way, and is healthier for humans than white sugar.

Flashback

to be heard over the fireworks outside. (The Straits Times h e a d l i n e t h e following day read “Stones Lose to the Firecrackers”!) Still, it didn’t deter the enthusiasm of the crowd, who at one point caused a wa l l i n t he venue to collapse. Rock and roll!

Sun Dew This plant eats bugs! When it feels an insect on its sticky, specialised leaves, it moves its tentacles towards the centre of the leaf. These tentacles contain digestive enzymes that slowly digest prey, leaving only the exoskeleton. Once the tentacles have flung inwards, they can’t be unwound or used again. No worries: the plant makes many new leaves every few days.

22

JUNE2020

Butterfly Pea Ever tried one of those magical colour-changing cocktails? The secret ingredient is the butterfly pea, whose dried flowers produce a blue solution that turns purple when

lemon juice is added! The same blue pigment is used in Peranakan desserts such as kueh salat . People swear by the plant’s medicinal benefits, too, from improving eyesight to enhancing the immune system and strengthening hair. But before you go on the hunt for some flowers yourself, remember it’s illegal to pluck roadside plants in Singapore! Traveller’s Palm These giant fans sticking up in the air aren’t true palms; rather, they produce big, erect flowers like heliconias. But they seldom bloom in Singapore due to the wet weather. The fans supposedly always lie in an east-west orientation, serving as a crude compass for travellers (though it’s not necessarily true). This tree collects a lot of rainwater – each hollow leaf base can hold about a litre, making it a favourite for mosquitos. Singapore is aggressively pruning them to fight dengue. Red Lip Tree You know how it is: you walk by an enormous house and strain to get a look at it, but you can’t because of the hedge. The trouble-making plant just might be red lip tree, as it’s often used as decorative fencing. The red leaves are edible, by the way, with a spicy, peppery and slightly botanical flavour. Be careful, though; there’s another plant with red leaves called the blindness tree; it’s highly toxic and shouldn’t even be handled without gloves! Lipstick Plant Not be confused with the above, this plant native to Singapore has flowers that look like giant red lipsticks peeking out of dark tubes. You can buy them at the nurseries to grow indoors, but in the wild, the lipstick plant grows as an epiphyte, climbing on tree branches and soaking up water from Singapore’s humid air.

Wormwood (aka Mugwort) If you’ve walked in Fort Canning, you’ll have seen a lot of wormwood. Also known as Asian dill, this herb has a dill-like flavour and slightly bitter aroma. It’s been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years, and also to flavour absinthe (the drink’s name comes from the scientific name for wormwood). For a long time, it was blamed for the problems caused by the drink, so much so that wormwood – long considered a hallucinogen and potential poison – was banned in America from 1912 to 2007. Today, it’s legal again. The Handkerchief Tree This tree is named for new leaves at the end of branches that are almost white in colour and resemble soft handkerchiefs. They hide small reddish-purple flowers inside. These harden over a few days and turn green, joining the others on the branch. Birds love these trees, which have big, brown, round fruit pods. The timber is quite strong, too, and can be used for making furniture.

Want to know what the plant is you’re looking at? Try the free Picture This app. Simply take a photo and it will immediately give you loads of details and even save your photo. Singapore’s plants in numbers • 4712 flora species • 88 tree families • 1,689 tree species • 259 heritage trees Source: NParks NParks has a website that identifies everyplant in Singapore: nparks.gov. sg/florafaunaweb. Also, see the cool interactive map at trees.sg.

Think you know Singapore well? What’s pictured in this aerial shot? Click!

See these pages in our next issue for the answer!

Last time: The mall in our April issue was The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

23 JUNE2020

HOME & PROPERTY

42

Buying Guide:

Decking out your outdoor space

Gallery 278

28 Up for Grabs: Stand a chance to win a luxury bed set, worth $5,200!

30 Home Showcase: Layers and balance are key in this house

48 Street Talk: We check out the neighbourhood in Bishan

HOME & PROPERTY

WHAT’S NEW

RENTING IN COVID-19 {

{

DEBORAH LAW of Expat Realtor updates us on the property market.

Singapore has one of the world’s most expensive property markets and it was in vibrant shape before the start of the Circuit Breaker (CB) in April

Want to spruce up your space now that you’re spending more time at home? Arete Culture is offering 20 percent off its Magical Homes package, which includes professional interior styling, furniture sourcing, and even a kit of essential décor items such as lighting, textiles, artwork, statement accessories, a mirror and a rug. Book before 15 June 2020 to save $2,000 on your Magical Home. Visit areteculture.com/20-off for more details.

– year-on-year rental rates boosted by strong overseas demand reached a three-year high in March. Rentals then surged in March as people scurried for tenancies before the CB kicked in. As the economy feels the effects of COVID-19, some landlords have agreed on rebates to help tenants whose livelihoods have been affected. Others are taking advantage of lower refinancing interest rates and may pass this saving to their tenants, if they wish to keep them. While most landlords aren’t under huge pressure at the moment, if Singapore sees a temporary pullback in foreign employment, there will be downward pressure on the rental market as supply outstrips demand. Current predictions by experts see a dip of three percent for the year. As for viewings, after the CB you’ll see more use of in-depth video tours and virtual video-calls. At the same time, although technology can help with decision-making, many of us are still unwilling to sign on the electronic dotted line until we physically view the property, so we choose to delay the decision until such time as we can.

Too Many Photo Files? I f y o u ’ r e f e e l i n g overwhelmed by your ever-increasing digital photo library, perplexed by the Cloud, or worried your precious memories aren’t safely backed up, then a great place to turn is Tekkie Help. As an expat-

run IT support company (and a Gold winner in our Readers’ Choice Awards), Tekkie Help offers both online and in-person workshops to help you create a plan for better photo management, organisation and preservation – andwe all need that! For more information on available courses and to book, visit tekkiehelp.com/it-training .

39 Jalan Pemimpin, #04-05 Tai Lee Building 9171 3392

26

JUNE2020

For a

... a queen-size mattress, pillow and bedsheet set from European Bedding, worth over $5,200 !

28

JUNE2020

HOME & PROPERTY

... and you’ll stand the chance to win a queen-size Heveya Natural Organic Latex Mattress II (worth $4,788) and a queen-sized Heveya Dream Package bamboo sheet set, including four pillow cases, a duvet cover and a fitted sheet (worth $436) in the colour of your choice! Enter our competition ...

About the company European Bedding is a one-stop bedding store that carries natural organic latexmattresses, adjustable slatted bed bases and accessories, all made of natural and sustainable materials. The brand provides a customisable sleeping systemwhereby bed base, mattress and pillow work together to provide excellent back support for all builds, sleeping positions and personal preferences; plus, the mattresses come with a 100-night trial! About the mattress Natural latex’s elasticity is well-known to provide excellent sleeping comfort. As it moulds to the contour of your body, it also gives great support to ensure proper spinal alignment for a restful sleep. European Bedding uses only 100 percent certified natural organic latex in its Heveya mattress – no pesticides, fertilisers, heavy metals, VOCs or other chemicals. On top of being naturally anti- mould and dust mite-resistant, it comes with a removable and cleanable cover made of luxurious and soft bamboo fibre and filled with organic cotton padding. So, you can rest easy knowing that you sleep in a healthier environment. Silky smooth with a soft and feathery texture, another favourite in store are the 100 percent bamboo lyocell sheets in theHeveya organic range. The bamboo fibre is naturally anti-microbial and hypoallergenic, while also being breathable and temperature regulating to cool you down during toasty evenings – perfect for Singapore!

32 Eng Hoon Street, Level 2 9628 9610 | europeanbedding.sg

TOENTER...

... simply follow @expatlivingsg and @european_bedding on Instagram and go to expatliving.sg/competitions to let us know why you think an organic latex mattress will help you sleep and live better. Increase your chances by sharing the post!

29 JUNE2020

inYourHome!

30

JUNE2020

HOME & PROPERTY

Having moved here fairly recently with her husband and two children, interior designer FAITH TOWN is intent on making the family house feel like home.

31 JUNE2020

Tell us a little about yourself. My husband and I met in Melbourne, Australia, which is home for me. Paul is a New Zealander who grew up in Singapore so we’ve always harboured a dream to call this place home at some stage with our own kids. Paul started work as Senior Vice President, Resort Operations at Marina Bay Sands in November 2019. Expat life isn’t a new thing for our family of four; we spent eight years in Macau before returning back “home” to Melbourne with our children, Farrah (10) and Fletcher (7). During this time, I studied full-time for two years and became a qualified interior designer. Our much-loved dog Chilli the cavoodle played a big part in our relocation to Singapore. We chose to stay at Fraser Suites initially because it’s pet-friendly and also so we could take our time looking for the style of accommodation and location that suited us best. We live in a world of online everything and the navigation tools are endless but I found that getting a traditional paper map helped me understand my surrounds, the suburbs, one-way streets and proximity to everything a bit better. I was able to get my bearings using this “old school” method as a result. Where did you first live when you came to Singapore and why?

32

JUNE2020

HOME & PROPERTY

What do you love about your current house and the area? We ended up choosing Goodwood Residence, close to Newton MRT, Newton Circus and everything we need. It strikes the balance of being a tranquil setting in the day – until the kids arrive home. After school, it turns into a great hangout on the big grassy lawn for all the kids playing tag, ball and so on. I have an understanding of how much the outdoors influences the interior. Goodwood Residence is like an urban oasis in the trees. The lush green setting really does set the tone for living in the tropics. Aside from stocking the fridge with food and buying sunscreen and mosquito repellent to last an eternity, I went straight to the Tan Boon Liat Building, which is a one-stop multi-layered shop for decking out your home. Expat Living, Honeycombers and Google were my go-to guides for all new discoveries. After that, I went off to Hock Siong & Co, and Junkies Corner to find myself some pre-loved treasures. What were the first things you bought when you got here?

33 JUNE2020

Faith’s favourite spots • Mott 32 is one of the newest restaurants in the MBS precinct. The super-glamsettingmakes for a fab date night. • At Newton Circus, we love to play “hawker roulette” with the kids and each go off to one of the many stalls bringing back food to share. • Duxton Hill is so pretty; it’s a great spot to take out-of- towners too! • Little India has a colourful and eclectic vibe that’s so vibrant and fun – not to mention the food and the musicians that come out at night. • Westlake is set underneath an apartment block in Bukit Timah and has been a Town family favourite for decades. We like to describe it as somewhere between a hawker stall and restaurant dining. My mother-in-law still makes their chicken with dried chilli back home in New Zealand. • Din Tai Fung: our go-to for dumpling cravings – and we crave dumplings often! • As for travel spots, we can’t wait to go further afield but we really haven’t had the chance to do so yet. Rawa Island holds many memories for Paul as a child. We plan on going there with his parents and our kids later this year, which will be great.

34

JUNE2020

A curated home is all about balance and layering. Many new pieces that are hardwearing – like the sofa and the dining table – I splashed out on and paid for quality. Other decorative pieces and trinkets that I added were depictive of where we are living. My very first purchase was a brass tiffin box from The Past Perfect Collection. It initially sat on my favourite piece, an old side table that my mother- in-law purchased during her time in Singapore in the early 80s – when Paul was only eight years old! Our bookcase is the heartbeat of our home, displaying books, photos, games and trinkets that we either love or have a practical use for each day. I feel that nowour little home is set, we can concentrate on exploring all that Singapore has to offer. I’ve worked with residents in Melbourne to spruce up their homes, layering in new objects and furniture to complement who they are, what they love and how they want to live. My own home was published in Home Beautiful magazine in Australia, as well as being the featured property on the mini-series Bad Mothers . I don’t plan to work in Singapore but I’m just making sure we make the most of it!

Faith’s tips for newcomers • Singaporeans and expats alike are very warm and welcoming. Be open to meeting new people and making new friends. • Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eastern and Western influences all make up the cultural melting pot that is Singapore. It’s a truly integrated destination, with influences from all over the world! Join an Indian cooking class, learn to play Mahjong, sweat it out at boot camp or start a book club. There is a class, group or event for pretty much anything you’re interested in here. • I believe your home should tell a story of who you are and what you love. Even if you’re here for only a few years, make your house a home; I promise you won’t regret it. • Stock up on sunscreen and mosquito spray – it’s as essential as milk and bread in this place, the land of the never-ending summer! • Living on the equator has its benefits, such as sunshine and swimming all year round. It also requires ... erm ... maintenance for many women; in short, find yourself a good wax salon if you need it – try Strip at Great World City. • The heat also requires makeup that has high SPF for sun protection as well as the need for it not to melt off your face! I use Channel CC Cream with SPF 50 every day.

36

JUNE2020

HOME & PROPERTY

Other recommendations Hock Siong & Co hocksiong.com.sg Danish Design danishdesignco.com.sg Second Charm instagram.com/second.charm Junkies Corner 2 Turf Club Road Framing Angie framingangie.com Emperor’s Attic emperorsattic.com Goodrich Global goodrichglobal.com/singapore The Cinnamon Room cinnamonroom.com House of AnLi houseofanli.com The Past Perfect Collection pastperfect.sg Boulevard Outdoor Furniture boulevardoutdoorfurniture.com

37 JUNE2020

L ouiseM is a French artist based in Singapore. She creates personalised art that represents you . So, her paintings reflect a timeline of your life – from special moments with kids to family travels – for you to create your own distinctive space at home. How does it work? After finding inspiration in your story through dialogue and listening, LouiseM applies a little of her magic and renders it into a visual idea. This then becomes a painting. And the options are endless for how you use it. You could have a giant wall mural on a canvas in your living room or master bedroom. Or, give a boost to your kitchen with a backsplash or hood panel, or replace your bedhead – even spruce up your old piano. Everything is doable – so go a little crazy and let your imagination run free! We chatted with the artist about her interesting approach.

You’ve probably spent quite a bit of time looking at those white walls in your home lately! If you’ve been wondering what type of art would look great on them, here’s one idea.

38

JUNE2020

HOME & PROPERTY

What’s your own artistic style? I don’t have just one style. Each artwork is unique and created according to the client’s request and the aspects they want to give to their interior. My paintings can be very colourful – in a style that I call “bubblegum”. Like in the backsplash ( top right ) where the illustration shows the favourite brands of everyone in the family. I can also home in on a particular colour, like the blue of the piano design, which is the favourite colour of the client, Annette. In this case, Annette also wanted a testimony from each of her friends in the painting. I also love to work with black and white shades in a more graphic style – especially to draw cities and their unwavering industrial environments. You can find the whole collection on my website and examples of my projects on Instagram too. What are the different steps in your projects? First of all, it’s important to know the final destination of your painting and its purpose. This will help define its size, the material to be used and also the desired design, depending on your interior décor. I work with pictures of your room to create a demo and to ensure it blends naturally into its new home. Then, through conversations, I’ll uncover specific topics you want to underline in your piece of personalised art. If you want the panel to convey a story about your family’s travels in Asia, for example, I’ll ask you questions about this vacation. Then, as a team, we’ll create a meaningful artwork. My main objective is for you to embrace and love the final painting as you find yourself in it.

What brought you to Singapore? We decided last July that we would move here for the beginning of the school year. This was a massive upheaval for our family of seven, now scattered all over the world! I used to have fun and enjoy my workshop in Paris, but this change was an opportunity to revamp my creativity. The new adventure has turned into a beautiful and inspiring one, helping to open my mind to different perceptions and discover new landscapes, new balances to draw and reinvent. My first project orders gave me the chance to add in images that are the “essentials” of Singapore. Also, scenes of the island’s tropical jungle inspire me a lot. There is so much you can do with nature designs in a green city like this.

8907 7037 | louisem.fr | @louisem_artiste

39 JUNE2020

HOME & PROPERTY

Maximus lounge set with parasol, OHMM

There’s never been a better time to embrace the outdoor space in your home! Here are some ideas for transforming your balcony, deck or garden. Outdoor

Verona corner sofa set (white powder-coated aluminium frame with grey cushion), Woody Antique House

41 JUNE2020

1

2

3

4

1 Lanterns, five sizes, with waterproof rechargeable LED lights and remote controls, OHMM 2 Roolf Ambiance collection, House of AnLi 3 Madison Sofa available at Atelier by Arete, styling by Arete Culture 4 Laser-etched iron candle holders, available in sets of three for $95, The Cinnamon Room 5 Outdoor lounge armchair in aluminium frame and upholstered in Sunbrella outdoor fabric, $1,279, WTP

5

42

JUNE2020

HOME & PROPERTY

6

7

6 Balloon day bed in Wash Grey wicker, Woody Antique House 7 Anse armchairs, Gallery 278 8 Westbury Outdoor Blues fabric collection, Altfield Interiors 9 Avalon three-seater sofa in Silver Grey, $4,500, Pier outdoor teak coffee table, $1,200, Originals 10 Octavia chair with cushion, House of AnLi

8

9

10

43 JUNE2020

11 Domus Ventures Delmar Collection

modular sofa set (wicker – Cubu Olive; cushion – Olefin Warm Grey), Woody Antique House 12 Flippe Collection, Gallery 278 13 Pollack Al Fresco and Wanderlust outdoor fabrics, Altfield Interiors 14 Kyoto dining set with stools and bench, OHMM 15 The Henrik available at Atelier by Arete (customisation available), styling by Arete Culture

11

14

12

13

15

44

JUNE2020

HOME & PROPERTY

17

16

18

16 Siloso lounge chair, Gallery 278 17 Fatboy Original outdoor beanbag, $560, House of AnLi 18 Laser- etched iron hurricane lanterns in five sizes, $30 to $80 each, or $250 for full set of nested lanterns, The Cinnamon Room 19 Roolf Ambiance collection, House of AnLi 20 Cassandra Set available at Atelier by Arete, styling by Arete Culture 21 Avalon outdoor armchair in Silver Grey, $1,950, Pier outdoor teak coffee table, $1,200, Originals

19

20

21

45 JUNE2020

22

23

Directory

Altfield Interiors 1 Magazine Road, #07-10 Central Mall Office Tower altfield.com.hk Arete Culture 315 Outram Road, #06-01 Tan Boon Liat Building

areteculture.com Atelier by Arete 20 Depot Lane, #01-01/02 atelierbyarete.com

Boulevard Outdoor Inspirations 43 Keppel Road, #W1-01/02/03 6781 3211 | boulevardoutdoorfurniture.com Gallery 278 278 River Valley Road 6737 2322 | gallery278.com House of AnLi 163 Tanglin Road #03-17 Tanglin Mall 6235 3851 | houseofanli.com OHMM 30 Merchant Road, #03-09 Riverside Point 9721 5197 | 9852 0203 (WhatsApp) | ohmm.sg Originals 1 Bukit Batok Street 22, #05-02/03 6471 9918 | originals.com.sg The Cinnamon Room 43 Jalan Merah Saga, #02-74 Holland Village 9727 3051 | thecinnamonroom.com Woody Antique House

24

Block 13 Dempsey Road, #01-05 6471 1770 | woodyantique.com WTP 3 Kung Chong Road 6235 2760 | wtpstyle.com

22 Yasawa lounge set, Boulevard Outdoor Inspirations 23 Levuka dining set, Boulevard Outdoor Inspirations 24 Hamilton Black outdoor armchair (outdoor rope and powder-coated aluminium), $1,950, outdoor three-seater sofa, $3,600, Originals

46

JUNE2020

AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO LIFE IN THEIR ’HOOD

INGRID SOLBERG SIMONSEN From: Norway Occupation: Project Manager

The Specifics What’s the name of your street? Bishan Street 15. If it’s in another language, what does it mean? Bishan is actually a Cantonese term for a large burial ground, or in other words, a cemetery. This term reflects the neighbourhood’s origins as a burial ground back in the 1800s. That it’s too far away from the city centre. But we can either take five stops on the MRT or a 15-minute taxi drive to Orchard Road, so it’s actually super convenient! Exact words you tell a taxi driver to get home? “Sky Habitat, Bishan Street 15.” Closest MRT station? Bishan (red North South Line and yellow Circle Line). We’ve been living here for almost two years. It’s close to my husband’s office and we wanted to live outside town, but still near to the city centre. My husband and I are nature lovers, and we love living close to Bishan Park and MacRitchie Reservoir. How long have you lived here? Why here? What’s a common myth or misconception about your neighbourhood?

Satay by the Bay

MacRitchie Reservoir TreeTopWalk

Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park

48

JUNE2020

HOME & PROPERTY

North

North East

West

Central

East

South West

CONDO FACT FILE Name: Sky Habitat Age: 5 years Size: 509 units

Facilities: Swimming pools, tennis court, gym, function room, karaoke room, barbeque area and playground Vibe : Friendly, relaxed and multicultural

The Superlatives What are your three favourite places to eat or drink in the neighbourhood? There’s Canopy Garden Dining at Bishan- Ang Mo Kio Park – I highly recommend their crunchy french toast, it’s just yum! I also really like Grub, another café in the park that serves the best burgers and is surrounded by lush greenery. For local treats, Junction 8 has a great food court on level four – chicken rice, satay, pad thai, beef hor fun and more! What are the best places to shop at in the neighbourhood? You can find everything from gym wear, kitchen supplies and beauty treatments to a cinema, supermarket and restaurants at Junction 8. It’s a one-stop place for everything you need! What are some fun or interesting things to do in the neighbourhood? Most people would think of either Bishan Park or Bishan Stadium when it comes to exercising in Bishan. However, there is also Bishan Active Park where you can play basketball, tennis or volleyball. What’s one thing you’d never change? The amazing parks close by and the morning sunrises from our balcony! How about one thing you would change? The construction; however, it’s an understandable necessity for development. If the city gave you a million dollars to soup up your street, how would you use it? Build an organic food market with all the fruits and vegetables I can think of.

The Scene When you walk out of your place, what’s the first thing you see? A big open field where kids are flying kites or playing soccer with their parents. What’s the closest store to your front door? Junction 8 shopping mall. We’re sure your neighbours are great, but is there anything you wouldn’t mind a little less of? The dog next door barks every time we go out on our balcony. In other words, we don’t use our balcony that often ... What’s the unofficial uniform of your street? Mostly corporate attire during the weekdays and gym wear and running shoes during the weekends. What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever seen on your street? I once saw a man that was out “walking” his two birds – one on each shoulder. It was my first time ever seeing someone walking their birds!

Beyond the ’ Hood What are your favourite Singapore spots for taking out-of-town guests? The list is long, but if we had to pick one, it would be to eat a Swedish cinnamon bun at Konditori on Bussorah Street. When you’re in need of a dose of culture, where do you go? Bond with friends over local delights at Satay by the Bay. If you’re missing home, what do you do? Cook some delicious Norwegian salmon and pair it with my husband’s famous dill sauce. DO YOU LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD? Share it with others – just email us at contribute@expatliving.sg with “ Street Talk” in the subject line. Include your name and street, and we'll be in touch.

49 JUNE2020

HOME & PROPERTY 50

HOME & PROPERTY 51

LIFE & FAMILY

70

Prepping for Uni: Crimson Education can help!

60 Blast from the Past: Check out the EL team’s childhood photos!

74 Community Care : Giving back with AWA

78 Fixing Things: These home services companies can help!

WHAT’S NEW

Packing Plans With all the extra time you have at home, how about doing some cleaning and packing around the place? Packeverything carries a wide variety of handy products for any packing needs – from carton boxes to bubble wrap. Just head to the website and you can get your supplies sent straight to your doorstep. Plus, quote “EXPAT10” and enjoy 10 percent off your order! 6844 7616 | packeverything.com.sg

Chatsworth is revamping the playground at its Bukit Timah Campus (72 Bukit Tinggi Road). When completed, the new “Forest Playground” will house innovative structures for both dry and wet play, suitable for children ages three to 12. All the equipment is manufactured and designed in Europe to the highest safety and quality standards. The structures offer varying degrees of challenges and stimulation for play, promoting children’s creativity, and physical and social development. It’s all part of Chatsworth’s aim to provide a welcoming and safe environment where students can develop and grow holistically. The school says that it’s excited to see how the students take advantage of the play space to explore and expand their imagination. 6463 3201 | chatsworth.com.sg

Handy Headphones TC Acoustic is now the official distributor of Marshall headphones and speakers. The first new product from the brand is the Marshall Monitor II Active Noise Cancelling Headphones ($549). These come with custom-tuned 40mm dynamic drivers that offer balanced and clear sound. You can toggle between noise cancelling or monitoring mode, or turn off the feature entirely. They also offer up to 30 hours of wireless playtime and are enabled with Google Assistant. Get a set at tcacoustic.asia .

Just for Kids The Singapore Philatelic Museum (SPM) will be reopening as a dedicated children’s museum in 2021. Exploring a wide range of themes including heritage, culture and contemporary issues, the new-look space will be designed to target children aged 12 and below. Young ones can enjoy viewing artefacts, getting involved in immersive displays and taking part in role-playing. Something to look forward to! nhb.gov.sg/spm

54

JUNE2020

LIFE & FAMILY

Lunch Buddy Get your hands on the range of eco-friendly lunch boxes from Lexngo. Made of food-grade silicone and BPA-free materials, these containers can be collapsed to half their size for easy storage. Best of all, they’re also leak-proof and microwave- and dishwasher-safe. Buy them online at lexngo.com.sg .

Connection

Financial Guidance Need help with your company’s annual financial reporting and filing? Hawksford has over 10 years of experience in providing corporate compliance and accounting services. Did you know that Singapore incorporated companies are required to comply with annual filing requirements according to Singapore Financial Reporting Standards? This includes holding their Annual General Meeting (AGM) before filing annual returns and presenting audited accounts. Due dates for corporate filings and tax submission are determined on the company’s financial year end, and they need to be filed to the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) and Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). If that all sounds complicated, Hawksford can help you hold your AGM, declare accounts to shareholders, file annual returns, compile revenue and file corporate taxes. #32-03 Hong

The APICS Italian Cultural Centre is a non-profit organisation that started in the 1970s. Formally recognised by the Singapore government and the Embassy of Italy, APICS is the specialised centre for Italian language and culture in Singapore and offers a huge variety of social, educational and experiential activities connected with Italian culture, from cooking classes and catering, to team-building, artistic workshops and cultural events. Students at APICS also receive a complimentary AMICI fidelity card, entitling them to discounts from various Italian brands in Singapore. Deal! For the months of July and August, quote “expat25” and enjoy 25 percent off adult cooking classes. 6336 3705 | apics.com.sg

Leong Building, 16 Raffles Quay. 6222 7445 | hawksford.com

Future Focused Hyundai Motor Company is setting up a Hyundai Mobility Global Innovation Center in Singapore. Set to be completed in the second half of 2020, the innovative lab will house researchers, technology and training providers and factories to develop automotive R&D and new business concepts. hyundai.com/worldwide

55 JUNE2020

LIFE & FAMILY

Even as we begin to venture out more, we’ll still need to play it safe and entertain ourselves at home. Here are a few suggestions to keep you going!

TV & FILMS

The Last Czars

The English Game I had avoided this Netflix mini- series for a while because it’s on football. But, it’s actually very interesting and a good piece of storytelling with both personal and inter-class messages portrayed. It’s based on a true story from the end of 19th-century England, a time when soccer was changing from a “gentleman’s game” to a professional one – and one that would later reach the

This Netflix series/ d o c u d r ama i s short and succinct with just six terrific episodes. Part re- enactment and part documentary, the show takes you

to the world of Russian palaces, aristocracy, crown jewels, Rasputin’s influence and the looming revolution. The question of whether Anastasia survived the brutal execution of the Romanov family is finally answered. How? Through DNA findings from 2007. The series is well worth it (if you can get through the odd scene of Rasputin’s orgies in the early episodes!). Lara Sage

whole world. The characters are appealing and I very much enjoyed looking at Edward Holcroft! Craig Parkinson from BBC’s Line of Duty was also good. The show covers all aspects of life and love in those days, and is definitely worth watching even if you’re not into sport. Good viewing for couples or families. Rebecca Bisset

The Big Bang Theory I f y o u h a v e n ’t already watched The Big Bang Theory , time to put it on your list! With a whopping twelve seasons, what better time to binge than

Love is Blind I’ve always been a fan of reality dating shows, and this one didn’t disappoint. It’s essentially a social experiment that sets up 30 men and women to speed date through pods without ever seeing each other until they pair up

now? The popular sitcom focuses on the lives of a couple of oddball scientists and their friends. It’s perfect if you need a good laugh – I just love the social awkwardness, nerdiness and quirks. I’m currently at Season 7 and I’m totally hooked. You can find all episodes on Netflix. Lindsay Yap

and become engaged to one another. You get to see them live out their lives as an engaged couple with the other participants, and decide after a few weeks whether to stay together and get married at the altar. Definitely some plot twists and it kept me entertained until the end – can’t wait for Season Two! Georgia Bisset

56

JUNE2020