Local life: The Singapore I once knew with Raelene Tan

Jul 25 2022

Raelene in the past — Left: Raelene demonstrating at the opening of Shangri-La Hotel’s Rose Verandah Lounge, 1991. A birthday party for Raelene’s daughter at the family home in 1979.

“A walk to the market entailed my traversing through foliage, keeping clear of frisky monkeys”

You met your husband before you moved to SG. Please share your love story!
Soo Ren and I met in London in April 1965. He was studying architecture and I was with the Australian High Commission. We lived with three other boarders in a boarding house in West Hampstead and were good friends before romance blossomed. We married in August 1968 at Westminster.

When did you first travel to Singapore?
I arrived on board ‘Flotto Laura’ on a National Day public holiday in August 1970. This was also when I met my parents-in-law for the first time. We lived in the family home at Cuscaden Road, off Orchard Road. The imposing, 14-bedroom home, set in large grounds, housed about 30 people, comprising Soo Ren’s parents and his siblings. My husband is one of 12 siblings, 10 boys and two girls. It was a lively household! A bevy of traditional amahs looked after the extended family.

The original Tan family home circa 1944, and after renovations in 1970

Tell us about life back then …
In the 1970s, newly-independent Singapore was like a big country town, rustic and unhurried. Extended families tended to live together, such was the simplicity of life. Around our house it was jungle-like, where today Regent Singapore and Hotel Jen now hold fort. The wet market, where Tanglin Mall now stands, bustled daily with sights, sounds and smells that were unfamiliar to me. A walk to the market entailed my traversing through foliage, keeping clear of frisky monkeys and avoiding kampong roosters and dogs. Orchard Road had two-way traffic, large open odorous storm-drains, one department store of repute (C. K. Tang) and two hotels (Crown Prince and Singapura), both long since gone. The Hilton Hotel Singapore opened in 1970.

Did you experience culture shock?
Learning different customs, culture and etiquette filled my early days in Singapore, as well as getting to know my new family and adjusting to then-unfamiliar tastes (rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner!). Not long after arrival, I commenced work at the Australian High Commission. I relished familiar accents, humour and camaraderie – I had the best of both worlds.

How did you find the local food?
In the 1970s there were barely a handful of restaurants that served fare other than local Singapore favourites. Mandarin Hotel in Orchard Road took the country by storm in 1971 when its newly opened Chatterbox Coffeehouse served chicken rice, previously only found at hawker centres. I remember a humble bakery, Dong Log Wee, on the corner of Orchard and Killiney Roads, being popular for its local coffee and snacks. I would often sit on a chair by a marble-top table with hessian bags of flour, taking up floor space to enjoy a cake reminiscent of a Victoria sponge, for just a few cents. Two supermarkets offered ‘foreign’ fare like frozen meat, packaged biscuits and canned items. Vegemite and All-Bran were unheard of.

How easy was it to settle in and meet friends?
It was not easy in those early days to meet like-minded people with a view to making friends. Action was needed! Through my work, I came across Australian women married to Singaporeans who also found it difficult and who understood the ups and downs of cross-cultural unions. With the blessing of the then Australian High Commissioner, an enlightened and caring gentleman, I gathered names and contacts of 20 such young ladies when they were renewing their passports or registering their presence in Singapore. My colleague and I then invited those ladies to lunch at the now defunct Cockpit Hotel. We had much to talk about and quickly became friends.

Cosmopolitan Women’s Club (CWC) brochure, 1974

Tell us about the Cosmopolitan Women’s Club (CWC) …
In 1973, CWC, founded by myself and friend Patricia, was officially registered as a society to provide emotional support and encouragement to ladies who were partners in cross-cultural marriages. Members and their families flourished, receiving monthly newsletters that my husband printed, collated and posted, with events such as couples’ nights, family outings, playgroups, cooking classes and talks on culture. The CWC had about 200 members in its heyday. It was deregistered after 33 successful years when it outlived its original aim, and such marriages became more acceptable in society.

When did you first come across ANZA?
ANZA and I first met in 1970 through my work at the Australian High Commission. We have remained loyal friends ever since! ANZA was small then, comprising mainly Australian and New Zealand members, unlike now with its international appeal. The monthly newsletter was a simple roneoed page received in the post. Giving monthly culture-related presentations at the regular newcomers’ mornings for a number of years was something I enjoyed, as well as penning regular thoughts for ANZA magazine since 2003. I cannot imagine myself without ANZA.

How have you seen Singapore change?
It has emerged from a big country town to a bustling, thriving, cosmopolitan City in Nature. The cleaning of the Singapore River, and of the country as a whole, has been transformative. Public transportation has taken leaps and bounds, making it relatively easy to move around, unlike the days of unreliable buses and pirate taxis. The skyline is modern and creative, reflecting the Republic’s aspirations. I appreciate the mod-cons, but do often miss the charm of days of yore.

Raelene and family — Raelene Tan, who moved to Singapore in 1970, with her extended family in April 2022

What do you miss?
Wandering through Chinatown several decades ago was always surprising, with changing scenes, from moments of life and death, to haggling over best prices for market vegetables, clothing and cooked food. Aziza’s on Emerald Hill was the go-to restaurant, from 1979 for 24 years, while Prima Tower Revolving Restaurant, atop a grain silo on Keppel Road, afforded harbour views while enjoying Beijing fare, from 1977 for 43 years.

All photos: Raelene Tan

Racial Harmony Day: Museums & galleries to visit

Jul 19 2022

Racial Harmony Day falls on July 21 every year in Singapore to celebrate the island’s success as a racially harmonious nation. It also works to remind the community about the importance of maintaining racial and religious harmony in the country.

While the day largely goes unnoticed amongst adults here, events take place in schools and activities are carried out by various grassroots organisations and religious groups. Lots of schools mark with the students wearing traditional costumes of various cultures in Singapore, trying ethnic food and playing traditional games.

What’s the history of Racial Harmony Day?

Importantly, kids are also taught about Singapore’s 1964 Race Riots which took place on 21 July 1964 when clashes broke out between the Malays and Chinese during a religious procession. Violence spread across the country, leaving 23 people dead and 454 injured (read more here). Racial Harmony Day was started in 1997 as part of the national curriculum in public schools in Singapore.

In a recent Facebook post, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong noted that the day is commemorated “not to proclaim that Singapore has ‘solved’ this problem, but to remind ourselves this is something we need to continue working hard on.”

Read on for some of the red dot’s heritage centres and museums and galleries to visit which all provide insightful lessons into race and culture:

1. Open House Celebrations at Malay Heritage Centre

A schedule of craft activities take place this Racial Harmony Day at MHC. Look for the keris and haj belt at the Cerita (Stories) special exhibition, and create your own through their Craft-efact kit. There’s also live music in collaboration with original Malay music ensemble, Sri Mahligai. The band will feature songs that feature the adaptation of musical traditions for other cultures. 23 – 24 July 2022, 11am – 4pm. Tickets are available here. 85 Sultan Gate,198501

2. Indian Heritage Centre

Located in the heart of Little India, the snazzy Indian Heritage Centre (IHC) showcases artefacts from the National Collection and the community’s collections – 203 out of 443 artefacts on display are donated by or on loan from the community. Regular programmes for all the family are fun and informative, alongside providing a deep dive into this rich culture in Singapore. 5 Campbell Ln, Singapore 209924

2. Open House Celebrations at Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

This Racial Harmony Day, stop by for fun drop-in activities that reflect the major ethnic cultures on the island. Customise your own unique tote bags with block prints or making shadow puppet figurines. 30 Jul 2022 – 31 Jul 2022, 10am – 5pm. Click here for the schedule. 12 Tai Gin Rd, 327874

3. Eurasian Heritage Gallery

The Eurasian Heritage Gallery captures the story of the Eurasians and their unique identity in Singapore. There’s also stories of prominent Eurasians, and their roles and contributions to the community. 139 Ceylon Rd, The Eurasian Association, 429744

4. Harmony in Diversity Gallery

This super-cute gallery aims to promote an appreciation of Singapore’s religious diversity and foster the spirit of mutual respect and understanding. Read about the tumultuous events of Singapore’s past and discover how the country work to embrace their diversity, appreciate commonalities and celebrate our unique identities. 7 Maxwell Rd, 069111

The Intan Museum — Image: Singapore Tourism Board/The Intan

5. The Intan

The Intan is an award-winning museum-home situated in the heart of Joo Chiat, the eastside enclave known for being the heart of Peranakan culture in Singapore. Owned by Alvin Yapp, it features one of the widest collections of Peranakan antiques in SG, from tinkat carriers to rare furniture. Learn about all about age-old Peranakan traditions and sample authentic Nyonya food. By appointment only. 69 Joo Chiat Terrace, 427231

Hotspots: Kaarla

Jul 19 2022

Kaarla
88 Market Street, #51-02 CapitaSpring, 048948
kaarla-oumi.sg

Kaarla, meaning “where the home fires burn”, is a new and exciting contemporary restaurant and bar highlighting coastal Australian cuisine. Helmed by Executive Chef John-Paul Fiechtner (JP as he is affectionately known), it honours nature by maximising every ingredient used. A central element of Kaarla’s kitchen is its custom-built grill and oven designed by Samuel Fraraccio, a trained stone mason in Australia. In line with the concept, Kaarla’s wine list features Aussie wines produced by sources that follow eco-friendly growing principles.

We’d already heard the buzz around Kaarla before we arrived. The menu is truly inventive, mysterious, rich, and unique; the ambience is light and informal; and the offerings encourage the table to share.

We started our culinary adventure with the Sydney Rock Oyster, Fig Leaf, Oyster Plant Vinegar (S$8/piece), a simple mix of raw Sydney rock oysters drizzled with subtly sweet house-fermented fig leaf and oyster plant vinegar. Next up was the Salt Cured Kangaroo and condiments (S$32). This ‘carpaccio’ of kangaroo loin was house cured and topped with nutty, chewy black barley ancient grain from Western Australia, anchovy and shiro dashi dressing, bunya nut and finger lime, and crowned with greens and flowers from Kaarla’s own food forest. It was one of the most unique dishes we’ve ever tried.

Ages beef — Aged beef, braised onions, garden slasa verde and green pepper

We followed with Zucchini, Mussels, Tomato, Trout Roe (S$30), a sophisticated but light creation with locally sourced zucchini flowers steamed and infused with smokiness and a slight char on the coals. This was served alongside mussels from South Australia, pickled in mirin and chardonnay vinegar, and sweet Japanese tomatoes and trout roe sustainably sourced from Yarra Valley in Victoria.

On the side was the Kaarla Closed Loop Salad – Roof Top Leaves and Flowers, Tiger Nut Curd, Daikon (S$28). This dish highlights ingredients from the day’s harvest of edible leaves and flowers, all tossed in a house-fermented calamansi juice dressing.

Kaarla restaurant Murray Cod — Murray Cod, fermented fennel juice, bitter leaves and carrot

For our main we ordered the White Pyrenees Lamb Saddle, Myrtle Honey, Salt Bush, Bunya (S$58). We also had the Aged King Island Beef, Braised Onions, Garden Salsa Verde, Kampot Pepper 600g (S$120). The Free-Range Pork, Minya, Riberry, Eggplant (S$58) could be cut with a fork, the sweet meat matching perfectly with the minya and the bitterness of the eggplant. For a taste of the pecan we chose the Murray Cod, Fermented Fennel Juice, Bitter Leaves and Carrot (S$62). The cod undergoes a quick salt brine with citrus and aromatics, and is then steamed and lightly finished in the wood-fired oven. A flavoursome beurre blanc-style sauce of fermented fennel juice and fish stock served alongside sea blite and pickled vegetables sets it off perfectly.

Kaarla restaurant dessert — Arden grown tigernut, salted honey orange and lime

Our desserts were Arden Grown Tigernut Ice Cream, Tigernut Nougatine, White Chitose Corn, Calamansi Jelly and Poached Oranges (S$25) – a great way to end a fantastic meal.

Verdict: Kaarla is not a cheap night out, but unlike other restaurants, the menu is guaranteed to surprise and the location features some of the best skyline views Singapore has to offer. Put it on your list of places to try.

Brain Fog: Dealing with forgetfulness & lack of focus

Jul 18 2022

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We’ve all had moments when we’ve forgotten what we walked into a room for, the point of what we were talking about mid-story, and people’s names, but sometimes our ‘brain fog’ seems a little more serious. Dealing with forgetfulness and a lack of focus can be a freaky feeling, and one that’s not only linked to ageing and the menopause, but more recently as a symptom of Covid-19. Dr Trisha Upadhyaya from Osler Health International shares insights and highlights when to be concerned.

What exactly is brain fog?

Brain fog is a lay term and not a medical diagnosis. It’s also known as ‘cognitive disturbance’ and can be described with symptoms including:

Difficulty concentrating
Forgetfulness
Inability to focus
Slower thinking or not thinking as sharply as usual
Mental fatigue or mental haziness

You may experience some or all of the symptoms above at the same time, depending on any underlying health and medical conditions, or due to underlying neurological inflammation. The key thing to consider is the chronicity of these symptoms. The more longstanding the symptoms have been, the greater the degree of underlying neuro-inflammation there may be.

What causes it?

There can be several causes behind cognitive disturbance. These include:

Lack of sleep
Poor nutrition
Stress – both physical and/or mental
Alcohol, smoking or recreational drugs
Medication
Underlying medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, deficiencies in iron or other vitamins, viral diseases (such as Covid-19 and its prolonged effects), menopause, dementia, mental health conditions (depression, anxiety), stroke or heart-disease related conditions

Are certain people more predisposed?

Some research has shown that certain individuals may be prone to developing mild cognitive impairment in later life. Typically, these are people who may have a degree of neuroticism in their personalities, and whose approach to life and setbacks is with stress, anxiety and feelings of being overwhelmed. Identifying risk factors can help individuals and healthcare professionals in optimising their overall health and therefore lowering their risk profile.

How much does brain fog play a part in peri-menopause and menopause?

Symptoms affecting mental health such as mental fatigue, memory disturbance, and a lack of concentration are often experienced by women during the peri-menopause and menopausal phase. Brain fog can have a significant impact on a woman’s life, affecting her both personally and professionally. Some can often benefit from medication during this phase to help with symptoms of brain fog. If this sounds like you, make an appointment to speak further with a medical professional.

What’s the link between brain fog and Covid-19?

Post Covid-19 syndrome, otherwise known as long Covid, can present symptoms of brain fog. At this stage it’s still difficult to ascertain who may experience cognitive disturbance post infection and how much it may impact them. From the latest research, it appears that even those who may have had asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic disease can still experience post Covid-19 syndrome.

How do you know if your symptoms are more serious than ‘being forgetful’?

Most people will have occasional episodes of forgetting things – not many of us can remember what we had for lunch three days ago! However, if you find your absent-mindedness seems to have increased lately, or your family, friends or co-workers have noticed a change in your tendency to remember things or your behaviour, it may be worth seeking medical advice.

How do you medically diagnose brain fog?

When a patient complains of brain fog, we try to identify their symptoms and find out possible underlying causes behind them. Healthcare professionals can perform tests to gauge the degree of memory problems. The results can then be used to decide whether any further investigations need to be performed and/or what next steps an individual would benefit from.

For example, in somebody with low mood, tearfulness or anxiety, lack of concentration may be due to underlying mental health disorders. Similarly, if you’ve recently recovered from Covid-19 and you have new symptoms of mental exhaustion, slowness in your thinking or difficulty focusing, the brain fog may be due to the infection. Brain fog needs to be holistically assessed so specific treatment can be provided not only for symptoms, but also for any other potential underlying medical conditions.

Before medicine, what can you do to sharpen your mind?

The theory behind cognitive disturbance is that there may be some neurological inflammation present which impacts our regular cognitive functioning. The good news is that this inflammation can be reduced and improved by taking up certain practices in our day-to-day lives:

Managing stress levels with regular exercise, meditation and mindfulness
Adequate nutrition in our diet, so avoiding high-calorie, high-fatty foods. Some individuals may need to consider vitamin supplements
Stopping smoking. Even casual smoking can affect multiple organs in our body, including our brains
Monitoring alcohol intake and keeping to weekly limits or less
Staying away from any recreational drugs or substances
Maintaining social connections. The pandemic has shown us how isolation can negatively impact our mental and physical health, which takes a toll on our brain health
Keeping our minds active through learning new skills, continuing our hobbies, and engaging in mental games such as Sudoku puzzles

It’s understandable that brain fog can feel a bit confronting, and your mind can rush to extreme places when it comes to a diagnosis. Most often, doctors can identify underlying causes and help you get back to your previous sharp and savvy cognitive form.

Dr Trisha is a British trained family GP
based at Osler Health International. She is located in their Star Vista clinic.
osler-health.com

How can a GP help?
Find Osler Health clinics at 328 North Bridge Road, #02-27
Raffles Hotel Arcade, 188719 and
1 Vista Exchange Green,
#B1-27, The Star Vista,138617.
Email us at raffles@osler-health.com or starvista@osler-health.com

How can I best diversify my financial investments?

Jul 15 2022

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The saying goes: don’t put all your eggs in one basket. In the same way, it’s important that your investments aren’t concentrated in one area, but are instead spread over a range of assets across the investment universe.

Most investors will be aware that investing in a range of assets across industries and geographies is considered a sensible idea. This can help reduce negative impact from changing market conditions, without necessarily hurting long term returns.

A recent example of this has been the wildly fluctuating cost of fuel and other commodities. This has driven up the value of oil and gas companies, which lagged behind in 2020 and the first half of 2021. This is in direct comparison with several companies which had been performing well who have now begun to struggle. A diverse range of investments will have had a smoother performance over this period compared to those concentrated in one sector.

A free lunch in finance

While diversifying stock selection can offer some mitigation against risks, there will still be systemic or market-wide risks that could have negative implications. These include inflation, rising interest rates, or political instability – all three of which we are seeing in 2022.

This is why diversification should be across all asset classes, as bonds, equities, property, and alternative investments will react differently to the same market conditions. Asset allocation is important and spreading investments across different asset classes mitigates against a variety of risks.

According to Joanna Stocks, Head of Liquid Alternatives: “Whether it’s asset allocation or stock selection, this is supposed to improve the outcome for investors. I should be able to construct a portfolio that’s got similar levels of return for lower levels of risk.”

Therefore, diversification is sometimes known as the only free lunch in finance, she adds. While it’s important to acknowledge that diversifying cannot eliminate risk, by combining asset classes that don’t move in perfect sync, diversification should lead to reduced volatility, and smoother returns.

Putting belief into practice

Typically, diversification occurs at three levels: stock selection, the mix of fund managers, and how these funds are combined into portfolios.

While some fund managers will be constrained in what or where they can invest (for example, in a regional equity strategy), they should still be looking to diversify. “These fund managers will still diversify across investment style sectors and industry factors to just name a few things they may be looking at,” says Dr Sarah Ruggins, Head of Multi Asset Research. “So, throughout their processes, they will reduce stock-specific risk in their strategy by ensuring that there are various drivers of risk and return at play.”

It should also be considered how different fund managers work together in a multi manager fund. A recent example of this was in 2021, when St James’s Place merged Alternative Assets, UK Absolute Return and Multi Asset funds into a new Global Absolute Return fund. Part of the logic for the merger was that none of the original funds were diversified enough in their own right.

In creating this new fund, St. James’s Place removed some fund managers, rebalanced others, and added new fund managers. For the fund managers removed, or whose holding was reduced, it was not necessarily just related to performance. Rebalancing was also carried out to ensure the fund was sufficiently diversified.

Ruggins adds: “The result is a product with improved diversification across managers and strategies. In time, this smooths out volatility and delivers more consistent performance in a simplified structure. By ensuring clients remain fully diversified at every level, we believe this will help minimise risk and volatility, without sacrificing those all-important long-term returns.” .

Contact Jamie on jamie.burgmann@sjpp.asia or +65 9167 9634 to arrange a consultation and discuss your planning needs for your financial future.

The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

Members of the St. James’s Place Partnership in Singapore represent St. James’s Place (Singapore) Private Limited, which is part of the St. James’s Place Wealth Management Group,and it is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and is a member of the Investment Management Association of Singapore and Association of Financial Advisers (Singapore).

Company Registration No. 200406398R. Capital Markets Services Licence No. CMS100851.
St. James’s Place Wealth Management Group Ltd Registered Office: St. James’s Place House, 1 Tetbury Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 1FP, United Kingdom. Registered in England Number 02627518.

In Conversation With: ANZA’s cover artist, Yeni Lim

Jul 14 2022

Some people baked bread during the pandemic. Others used the time as an opportunity to get fit. Yeni Lim-Borde realised that she is a very skilled artist. The 39 year old ex computer programmer and mother of two girls discovered her hidden talent just over two years ago. As life closed in on itself due to Covid-19, she decided to use her new-found creativity to bring some joy, positivity and colour into the world with her creativity and new shop, YeniDraws.

“I was struggling a little with being a new mum again and maintaining my sense of identity,” she tells us from her bright and cosy new store, YeniDraws in Tiong Bahru. “I started to play around with digital drawing on my computer, using images and ideas I’d formed in my head, just experimenting to see what happened.”

What happened was a charming selection of simple, stylish artworks which pay homage to Singapore’s heritage and bring together Yeni’s fascination with local history, tiny details and memories of her own upbringing in Telok Blangah. “I want my art to be accessible, playful, nostalgic, a little eclectic, and fun,” she says. Here she talks us through her journey so far and shares her hopes of keeping the past alive through her designs.

Tell us about your art …

All of my pictures are digital illustrations. I create them on screen and use local history and heritage as my inspiration. I rarely sketch out the designs beforehand, I just start and see what happens! My first drawing was a blue shophouse and it wasn’t based on anywhere in particular, although I do love the shophouse books by expat artist Tatyana Kildisheva (kildi.com). Each piece of artwork takes around two to three weeks to complete, but sometimes they can go on for a few months.

What is it that takes the time?

I think because I’m not copying an image, I can keep playing with no restraints. Each of my shophouse pieces has something different about it – the blue one has two lanterns, the mint one includes the addition of a bicycle, the yellow one features a chilli padi plant, and so on. Choosing the colours is time consuming because I need to balance them out and make sure they contrast but still pop. I love yellows, lilacs and blues. I keep adding layers to the image and then taking them away. Sometimes I have up to ten layers on one artwork.

How much does your own heritage influence your designs?

So much! My mum is Indonesian-Malay and my father is Singaporean-Chinese, so I grew up within a family of many cultural influences. When I was younger, my family celebrated different occasions and the food we ate was very different to that of my friends. My Great Aunt lived on Blair Road and I have such strong memories of visiting her as a child. It was not a nicely renovated home back then. I remember being terrified of going up the stairs which were so steep with large gaps in the floorboards. The house had a cockatoo and German Shepherd dogs and I really felt like I was stepping into the past. The property is no longer there which is a great shame.

It’s incredible that you only discovered your artistic flair a few years ago…

Once I’d developed my illustration style, I started out by putting my designs on to small postcards. When these became popular, I ventured to tea towels and bamboo plates. The plates are really helpful for teaching children how to do the washing up because they are unbreakable! At the same time, I set up my social media platforms to promote my work and sell my wares. A few local stockists got onboard, and I opened my physical store in March this year.

Had you owned a store before?

No! It’s been quite a whirlwind! But I wanted to do something big and significant before I turn 40 this year, and this is it. Once I started drawing and getting a following, I began to have vague ideas about owning my own shop. I kept browsing property websites, but not seriously. Then, one night this shop popped up and I recognised where it was in Tiong Bahru. I contacted the agent who sent a video through of the space, and I just got this instinctive feeling it was right.

Yeni's home accessories — Yeni with her bamboo plates

How has opening Yenidraws been so far?

I love it. Along with my own custom postcards, prints, notepads, tapestries, plates and totes, I stock lifestyle items, accessories, bags and jewelry from local artisans. You can find items from the likes of Northbridge Paper (facebook.com/Northbridge.Paper), Colorfull store (colorfullstore.com), Nodspark (nodspark.com), Brass in the Sun (brassinthesun.com), and Pinacola girls (@pinacolagirls). There are some gorgeous throws and cushions by HeyRumah, as well as a small selection of vintage clothing. I try to choose pieces that are unique and fun, and can bring a bit of happiness into your life.

What’s your personal favourite piece?

I love my ‘Shelfie’ artwork which showcases all of my favourite foods. The strawberry jam is for my dad because he’s very particular about his spreads, the cookbooks remind me of my mum, and the mugs are quintessentially Singaporean.

Which other local history would you like to immortalise in your work?

There’s an old building along Moulmein Road which is part of Tan Tock Seng Hospital and it’s amazing. I keep driving past it and capturing it in my mind.

What are you working on now?

I’m very excited about my National Day series which is coming out imminently. It’s my first foray into glassware and ceramic plates and will only be stocked in the Tiong Bahru store. My artwork is a way of preserving the past and an ode to a bygone era. My wish is for coming generations of Singaporeans to celebrate our local culture. It’s always important to progress as a nation, but we also need to remember our roots.

Find Yenidraws at 55 Tiong Bahru Road, Unit 01-53, 160055
yenidraws.com @yenidraws

More local talent

Great arts & crafts to know

ARCH
ARCH is a hallmark heritage gallery offering wood crafted masterpieces put together by hand. Choose the style and design and they’ll painstakingly create a super-delicate bespoke piece for you. PS. They make fab gifts! archsingapore.com.sg

Kin’s Miniatures
Those who love the little things in life will adore these miniature models of local dishes and activities (think bowls of laksa and mahjong tables). Kin also conduct clay food making lessons for those with particularly nimble fingers. kinsminiature.com

Left-handesign
The brainchild of Radhika Mayani, Left-Handesign sell a range of plantable stationery (yes, you read that correctly). The range of pens, pencils, notebooks and gift tags can all be planted, sprouting herbs such as tomato, chilli, tulsi (Indian basil), spinach, okra, and mustard seeds. left-handesign.com

Dirty Hands Only
Love the plates and bowls taking centre stage in your favourite restaurant? It could be the work of Dirty Hands Only. This local company have a fresh and modern selection of homeware, and they also host bespoke pottery classes. dirtyhandsonly.com

End of season high for ANZA Netball

Jul 13 2022

The timing could not have been better as Sport Singapore announced the reduction of Covid safe management restrictions in time for the ANZA Netball’s end of season celebrations. We were lucky to have our Presentation Day 2022 and the final session of the 2021/22 season unrestricted by group number caps or vaccination differentiation.

A great day

On Presentation Day, netball games and matches were played throughout the various sessions. The girls embraced the opportunity to return to full court games for the first time in what seemed like forever. It was a fantastic end and truly a ‘A great day for Netball’ as the presentation day t-shirts announced.

As always, the ANZA Netball Committee would like to thank the wonderful ANZA netball volunteers who’ve continued to provide help to the programme. Without their assistance, be it by coaching small groups, organising and conducting complicated check-in processes, managing uniform distributions, or collecting balls and equipment, this season would not have been possible. We hope to have all of our volunteers return for Term 2 and welcome any new additions!

Rejuvenate the calendar

The ANZA Netball off-season programme, running from May to June, has been more popular than ever this year. Netballers have been enticed by the opportunity to play round robin tournaments and friendlies with other Singapore clubs while receiving coaching from our amazing professional coaches within the weather protected and air-conditioned facilities at Tanglin Trust School.

Moving forward, the ANZA Committee has decided to alter the traditional ANZA programme year running from September to March to follow the calendar year (January – December). This will align the programme with the external competition calendar and ensure our players get the best preparation possible for matches. ANZA Netball is working with the other Singapore netball clubs to rejuvenate the netball competition calendar in Singapore. We’re looking forward to a host of tournaments and leagues for all ages in the near future.

Registration for ANZA Netball is open for a block from September to December to complete the 2022 calendar year. Now we can include regular match play during training, the committee is excited that the length of training sessions will be returning to their previous duration. Spaces will also be available for our new intake cohort for those born in 2016.

ANZA Melbourne Cup Race Day 2022

Jul 12 2022

After a two year hiatus, the ANZA Melbourne Cup is back! Held at the Singapore Turf Club, the buzz of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival is recreated with on-site live-betting and the much-anticipated Fashions in the Field competition. A GLAMOUROUS crowd, a room full of excitement, SPORTING passion and the sound of popping corks all contribute to what has become a firm-favourite in Singapore’s social calendar.

Enjoy a virtual day at the races surrounded by friends with lots of EXCITEMENT throughout the day including canapes and bubbles on arrival; all day live betting, the coveted Fashions on the Field competition and some amazing prizes up for grabs.

The ANZA Melbourne Cup is ANZA’s biggest fundraiser of the year in support of RIDING FOR THE DISABLED, SINGAPORE, so don’t miss out!

Get your early bird tickets HERE

Stop reading from sliding this summer!

Jul 12 2022

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Reading and storytelling with children is super-important. Not only does reading promote brain development and imagination, and help to develop language and emotions, but reading together can strengthen relationships and build connection. It’s a nice way to spend time with your child and slow down during an otherwise hectic day.

Unfortunately, when the school holidays kick in, prioritising your child reading – or you reading together – can tend to slide. “It’s so important we help keep students’ ‘reading brains’ in shape over the summer holidays, but it can be a challenge,” Lisa Miller, Canadian International School’s (CIS) Head Librarian (above) says. Read on for further details on why reading is so key for kids’ development, plus some book and reading recommendations from CIS teacher librarians.

Beat the book break

Did you know that a younger child’s reading progress can degenerate, or even be erased over a long break with no books? Here are some ideas about what happens and how you can help your child over the break.

Books Beat the Summer Slide (2016) by Samantha McGinnis
Kids Who Read Beat the Summer Slide (2016) First Book Organisation
Summer Slide Adds Up (2014) Samantha McGinnis First Book Organisation
Summer Reading PSA by Dav Pilkey (2016)

Research demonstrates that the best results are achieved when a child reads for 20 minutes every day. Students who read regularly (and for 20 minutes every day) are exposed to 1,800,000 words per year. A student who only reads for five minutes a day will be exposed to just 282,000 words by comparison.

Find reading inspo

Here are the top 3 tips for students in secondary school:

Encourage your child to create a Goodreads account. Goodreads is an incredible resource for reviews, read-alikes, book lists as well as their famous Summer Reading Challenge!
Find inspiration in review sites like Kirkus Reviews or Book Riot YA. In addition to reviews, they have articles, interviews and news about Netflix, games and movie adaptations.
Encourage reading for sustained periods but EXPERIMENT with genre, language, non-fiction subjects, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers and graphic novels — the objective is to stay interested!

Pick up some great titles yourself and talk about what you like to read. To help start you off, here are some very readable books about reading in the digital age: The Shallows by Nicholas Carr; Stolen Focus by Johann Hari; Reader Come Home by Maryanne Wolf.

Want to know more about CIS school life and its academic programmes? Contact admissions on 6734 8088, or book a tour here.

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