How to Mime Sports Bra

Today I made the mistake of thinking that I would be able to go out and quickly find a sports bra. However, I came up against something that I find is more prevalent in Singapore than one would expect a lack of English. So this is were the complication comes in. There are many things you can point at or mime to get your point across but Sports Bra. This is not something that is easy to mime without upsetting Asian sensitivities.
So without touching myself I am standing there looking at this girl going "sports bra, you know for running," and pointing at my chest.
She goes "backpack?"
I say, "no".
Her co-work translates for her.
"We don't have here," she says.
"Where," I ask. Knowing that they the less I say the more likely they are to understand.
"That way sport store."
Funny thing is I'm currently in a sports store. This is about the time I realize that this is not going to be a fast find and it is going to take a long time. I go and look at the sports store but they only have the kind that are padded and shaping which is really not going to help when I am active. After a search that finds nothing I give up.
What I learned from this outing was that there are some things that you just don't mime and there are also somethings that you just don't ask about in an Asian country. How strange would it be if I had to send home for sports bras. Sad right as Singapore is the shopping center of the world.

I will update if the search gains any more interesting stories or if I figure out how to mime sports bra without it being offensive.

Rotary Club of Pandan Valley

I presented at this club on the day after I got back to Singapore. I should say that I spent the night in Hong Kong because my flight came in late and there wasn't another flight out to Singapore.

I tried my best but really all I could think of was sleep so I am sorry for a not so great presentation. I am going to blame Jet lag for not having any pictures.

The Club was very nice and we got to talk with many of their members. Thank you Rotary Club of Pandan Valley.

Rotary E-Club

Entire E-Club and I

This is a special club, it is an E-club, which means they only meet physically once a month the rest all happens over the internet. This was probably the nicest club I have visited. They were very enjoyable, maybe part of it was the Christmas spirit and the fact that they were having a wine tasting that night but they were very nice to me all the same.

Me and members of the E-club

me presenting with rain deer antlers, they kept falling off hence the face

Me and a member of the club standing in for the President

I am the missing piece, with Chew Ban Seng

Thank you E-Club for being such a fun club.

Rotary Club of Garden City

This club was the last club Jan and I both presented at this year. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures. I will post them if I get any from the club members.

This is a Chinese speaking club. No I didn't give the speech in Chinese that would have been well impossible for me as I really don't speak enough to even order food.

They were a very nice club though and sat us in the front in a special position. Also of note is that they have a club song. I wish I would have gotten a recording of it for you all, and I tried finding it on Youtube with no luck.

Thank you Rotary club of Garden City.

Rotary Club of Singapore West

Jan, President Stephon Lim Thuan Kiang, and I

Singapore West was way far away and Jan and I had to travel by bus for an hour to get there. They were a very nice club and my host was able to come for the speech as well.

Thanks Singapore West.

Rotary Club of Singapore East

Me and the Singapore East banner

Jan with the banner

Jan and I arrived late at this club as it was my first day of class and we had a hard time finding a taxi. If I were keeping track which I am not of course this club had some of the best food yet. However, Marina City is a close second.

Thank you Singapore East for having has and being understanding.

Rotary Club of Marina City

Jan, President Lee Sheau Pin, and I

Haze from fires in Indonesia, downtown Singapore

Rotary Club of Bugis Junction

Today I got up very early to present at my host Rotary club: Bugis Junction. I had to get up very early to go. It was really hard and I kept telling myself, Bacon, Bacon and as I chanted bacon the sun rose and I made it to the meeting.

Me and Rotary Club of Bugis Junction

I gave my speech and then after another short speech they handed out Paul Harris Fellow recognitions. The picture is of me with my rotary banner, and them with their recognitions. They say it is their donations (to Paul Harris fund) to causes like that they let me study. I thank them and my home club for helping me study in Singapore.

President Nelson and me

They saved the trading of banners until the end of the day. I gave them mine but the hotel which they met in had miss placed theirs so they said next time they would give me one. My host could not make it to the meeting so he is not pictured.


Thank you Rotary Club of Bugis Junction for hosting me while I am in Singapore.

Rotary Club of Sentosa

 Jan and I did not have as much time to prepare for this speech. I have to admit that this suited me just fine. I don't really like to rehearse what I'm going to say. I just start getting nervous. So it is probably be better to rehearse but as it was the same speech it still went really well.

Me and Jan giving Presentation

The Sentosa Rotary club was really nice and Jan and I hope to get involved in their projects. Their current project is in Vietnam helping a small village set up a well for drinking water and renovating the school house so that it does not leak. It sounds like a really exciting project.

Jan and President Linda

President Linda, was wonderful, as were the other members of the club. Jan and I hope to be able to participate in events with them in the future.

Me and President Linda

Thank you Rotary Club of Sentosa for inviting us to speak.

Last Professional Skills Enrichment

Today was the last day of Professional Skills Enrichment and the first time I was late for class. It was also the one class that was actually any good. The Lecturer was Daniel's Mentor and though she is not the most personable, she is a very good lecturer. It was about cost benefit analysis and game theory. I actually understood game theory when she explained it and every time I heard of it in the past I really just didn't understand.

If she had been the lecturer for the entire trimester I probably would have gotten something from the course. However she was not so I really didn't get much. I have to admit it was my favorite class to play Spider Solitaire during, as well as Majong Tiles. So I know this is not the best way to spend my time but when the lecturer is not engaging it is better to stay awake than to fall asleep.

I am really glad this class is over. Exam next week, and hopefully I don't fail. I must do good on the exam so that I can write a Thesis.

IR Term Paper

So I had to write a 6,000 word term paper for my class in IR. I have to admit that I find this a little strange as the paper is only 4,000 words shorter than the max and 2,000 more than the thesis.

I wrote about non-state actors. Particularly human rights organizations and how the Internet could be helping them network and thus work more effectively to stop abuses. While, this is happening there are also some cases where the government also uses the Internet to oppress the citizens.

So I turned it in and now I am waiting to get it back. For some reason I would like an instant response. Even though I put it in the box earlier today I still think I should have it back about now all graded and ready to hand back.

This is not the way things work though. I am still waiting to get my book report back from Professional Skills I turned that in on the 29th of September. So they have had it for a while. Also it would be nice to have before the exam. Tomorrow is the last day of Professional Skills and I am thrilled about this. I really have not enjoyed the class. Then on the 20th is the exam. All those readings I sort of didn't do are going to be no fun.

The National Flower of Singapore

The National Flower of Singapore

The National Flower is called Vanda Miss Joaquim. It is an orchid. I have seen many orchids in Singapore, not growing wild. I even managed to almost kill one myself. It was the A/C in my room. It is doing quite well now that I moved it to the living room table.




A little history about the flower. Vanda Miss Joaquim was chosen as Singapore's national flower in 1981. The designation of a national flower was part of an overall effort to foster national pride and identity. Singapore has the unique distinction of being the only nation to have a hybrid as its national flower.The Vanda Miss Joaquim was created in Singapore.

The botanic gardens had an entire area dedicated to the flower. It was a strange plant as it didn't really look like a normal orchid. The leaves and stem are spidery and more like a succulent than an orchid. However, the flower is very pretty.

Visit to the Botanic Gardens

Today Jan and I went to the Botanic Gardens with Maria Booey, from Victoria Rotary Club. We met Rachel another scholar there. She has been unable to meet with her Rotary club as her host is not in contact with her.

Me in the rain forest

Jungle of roots and vines

We walked through the Rain forest part of the gardens. It was nice to see what Singapore would have been like if it had not become such a huge city. It is strange to thing that Singapore was once a rain forest because there is so little that is not planed here. All of the trees are planted because they proved just the right amount of shade, and they don't drop their leaves so they are low maintenance.

Me with helaconia

The gardens themselves were very nice. We didn't walk through a lot of the gardens. Jan and I wanted to get back so we could work on essays. I have a 6,000 word essay due on the 12th and I am going to need all the time I can get to make sure it is finished on time.

Vines in the gardens thought it was nice how they hang

Me with statue

When we left the gardens Maria took us to the MRT station so that we could easily get back. There is no MRT near the gardens which is a shame, because if there was I would go much more often.

Kite Day and NTU Rotaract Instillation Dinner

Me, Jan, and Rachel try to fly a kite.

This morning we went to the West Coast Park for the Microsoft sponsored kite day for "the disabled and spastic children." I know that the term is a little strange for us but here it is a normal term. When we got to the park we directed people towards the kite area. At this point I have to admit that I felt a little worthless. Then I got to help people fly kites this showed that I really can't fly a kite. So sad as I it is something very common here.

President of Singapore

They told us the President of Singapore was coming and then they asked three of the scholars to volunteer.

Me hold the kite while the President Signs it.

This was the highlight of the kite day as I was really close to the Singaporean President. There is a Prime Minister above him, so I guess it would be more like holding something while the Vice President signed it but I was really close to him.

Ermano, Jan, Me, Bryan, Microsoft organizer, Sharron, and Rachel

Jan and I went and got ready to go to the NTU (Nanyang Technological University) Rotaract Instillation Dinner. It was a dress up event which I didn't realize for some reason. Silly me. At least I had some time to get ready. It was really warm in the West Coast Park and it would have been a disaster if I had gone straight from there to the dinner.

Jan and I with the incoming NTU Rotaract commity

The dinner was on a part of the campus that Jan and I had not been to before. It was easy to find though. We saw many of the people that we met at the Rotaract event we attended when we first arrived in Singapore. It was nice to see them all again.

The Marina Bay Sands Casino built by my team

The event itself was fun. The theme was Casino so we tried to build the Marina Bay Sands Casino. To give you some perspective this is a building that looks as though it has a boat on top of it. We were given chop sticks, a deck of cards, and tape to build it with. It was really pretty fun.

All of the buildings

I should note that we didn't win, but it was still fun to build it. Everyone else build theirs much taller than we did. I guess that is why we didn't win.

Derrik, Jan, me, and the Rotaract district president

When we first came in they gave us a card and told us there would be a drawing at the end. My number was not lucky. So sad. By the end there were two gifts left, wrapped I should note, and they said, now we will announce the best dressed male and female. I figured so much for winning anything. Then they called my name.

Best dressed Man and Me

I have to admit it was really nice to win something. Particularly since I did so with the only dress I had that was clean. It was almost laundry day.

First Presentation: Rotary Club of Victoria Singapore

Me, President Charles, and Jan

Jan, another scholar from Germany and I are doing our Rotary presentations together. This means that clubs are not overwhelmed by the six of us scholars all asking to present at their clubs. Our talk is called "From the Countryside to the Metropolis: The Importance of International Education".

Before we went to the talk Jan and I practiced, and when we gave the talk it went very well. My one complaint why do my heels give me blisters? No fun at all. Victoria was a very small club but they were really good to us. Maria Booey offered to talk us and show us the botanical gardens, and I have to admit that as much as I don't get out because, for Singapore standards I really do live in the middle of nowhere, it was nice to have someone willing to take me out.

Thank You Rotary Club of Victoria for being such a good welcome.

So I have been neglecting my duty to my blog. This is largely due to the massive number of readings, I stopped reading about 3 weeks ago and all of the Papers I have been writing. A research proposal for Professional Skills and now coming up a Term Paper for IR. This paper is 6,000 words which I would like to point out is only 2,000 word less than the minimum for the Thesis. Not really looking forward to writing that essay. The good thing is that this week is Rotary weekend so I have an reason on to start for a while.

Really Wednesday: Gym for Women

I'm not sure that I would want to go to this gym as it looks a little bit scary to me. This a really big sign in the MRT station at Pioneer. I just looks so strange that every time I see it I just want to laugh.

Freedom of Expression Singapore Style

Okay so I got an email from the dean of student services and I have to admit that I found this entertaining. Probably my posting the email is a violation but really give me a break. Can you really call this 'Freedom of Expression'? I don't think that you can.

Responsible Freedom of Expression – What are the legal implications?

Until recently, many students were unaware of the legal implications of expression of views in the
media. With increasing use of the internet, corresponding to a significant surge in blog sites and in a
new-age environment where “responsible freedom of expression” is touted and encouraged, there is
an urgent need for students to be kept informed and be aware of their responsibility.

The Student Affairs Office, working in conjunction with the Students’ Union, sought advice from
Ms Tay Hsiu Chieh (Director-Legal and Secretariat Office, NTU) to clarify issues for the benefit of
our students. In consultation with Mr Lau Kok Keng (Head, iTec Practice Group at Rajah & Tann), a
list of “Do’s and Don’ts” on the rules for internet postings were compiled.

Do's
- Comply with all NTU Rules & Regulations for Students, including the NTU CITS Rules for
Student User Accounts
- When blogging or posting, write about events as they happened and as accurately as possible
- Make positive or neutral comments about other people that will not affect their reputation or
insult them
- If comments are in any way derogatory, stick to the truth that can be proven, and try not to refer
to any particular person by name or in a manner that will cause his/her identity to be made
obvious or known
- If comments are your own opinions, ensure they are honest opinions of facts that concern
matters of public interest (eg. where a crime has been committed)
- Ensure any music, text or picture that you share on your blog/website is either free from
copyright, or the consent of the copyright owner has been obtained for the posting
- Otherwise, use no more than 10% of it. In addition, the portion used must be insignificant
compared to the entire song, video or literary work

Don'ts
- Make comments about people based on rumours, especially if they are derogatory
- Make false statements against people if it may cause them any harm
- Make racist comments or any comments that incite hatred among Singaporeans
- Make seditious comments
- Make comments that cause hatred or dissatisfaction about the Singapore justice system.
- Assume that you cannot be identified when you post content on online forums/blogs/message
boards from your computer with a nickname - you can be identified!!
- Put links to copyrighted songs or share the songs on your website/blogsite
- Use copyrighted images from other websites on your website as background or share them!
- Post obscene, vulgar, distasteful, sexually suggestive, abusive or offensive content in any form
- Create webpages / blogs containing information regarding politics and religion, unless you
have acquired proper licences from the Media Development Authority AND the written
approval of the University

Caveat Emptor!

By Mr Lau Kok Keng of Rajah & Tan LLP


Alright now if you look at the don'ts basically there is no freedom of expression. What I like is that they say in the beginning is that we don't know the implications. Well this only tells us what we should do and not do. So what are the punishments and implications of us not following these rules? Please tell me what is going to happen if I don't do this? Will they slap my hand, metaphorically, like they did when I didn't attend a seminar. What I would really like is some clarity. Please be consistent and clear. None of this beating around the bush please. WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN? Maybe you don't know either.

Really Wednesday: Flush

Okay I kind of agree with this. No one likes walking into a stinky bathroom. I just really like the little people and how funny they look. I like how they don't look Singaporean. Hmm... is this maybe not directed at Asians? Well maybe if they weren't so shocked I would be able to tell but for now we will just have to assume that they are rather strange looking people.

Food On Friday: Roasted Chicken and Rice

If this wasn't roasted chicken and was normal chicken it would be the national dish of Singapore. This comes with a nice chicken broth. I think that this is one of my favorite meals so far. I can take off the skin pretty easily and most of the time there are not bones. Nothing exciting. I'm trying to find something I promise.

Really Wednesday: Don't Stand on the Toilet Seat

I don't know why but I have heard that these are necessary for people here. I guess they just don't know how to use a sitting toilet. I find it pretty funny and really enjoying seeing them when I go in the bathroom. I'm entertained every time.