As the nation bids its final farewell to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore, here is a humble homage for his wisdom on money and life matters.
1. “People want economic development first and foremost. The leaders may talk something else. You take a poll of any people. What is it they want? The right to write an editorial, as you like? They want homes, medicine, jobs, schools.”
~The Man and His Ideas, 1997
2.“If Singapore is a nanny state, then I am proud to have fostered one.”
~From Third World to First, The Singapore Story: 1965-2000
3.“Life is not just eating, drinking, television, and cinema…the human mind must be creative, must be self-generating. It cannot depend on just gadgets to amuse itself.”
~Speech at Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Haji Celebrations held at Joo Seng Community Centre, February 28, 1970
4.“But I’m not God, I can’t change you. But I can encourage you, give you extra help to make you do, say maybe, 20% better.”
~Success Stories, 2002
5.“Every Singaporean who owns a flat can double his value in today’s terms within the next 15 to 20 years. In other words, in the next 20 years, we can make everybody worth twice as much, at least.”
~National Day Rally, 1990
6.“If you can’t think because you can’t chew, try a banana.”
~Reply to a BBC reporter, 2000
7.“I am often accused of interfering in the private lives of citizens. Yes, if I did not, had I not done that, we wouldn’t be here today. And I say without the slightest remorse, that we wouldn’t be here, we would not have made economic progress, if we had not intervene on very personal matters – who your neighbor is, how you live, the noise you make, how you spit, or what language you use. We decide what is right. Never mind what people think.”
~Straits Times, April 20, 1987
Image Credits: William Cho via Flickr
To build a strong Singapore during the most difficult years and to transform it from a Third World to a First World country is truly admirable beyond words. Mr. Lee, your outstanding leadership gave us the direction and for that your legacy will on forever.
For Thai cuisine, variety of texture, color, and taste is paramount. Thai chefs not only pay attention to how the dishes taste but they are also conscious about the balance of how it looks, smells, and how it fits with the rest of the meal. With several of delectable choices islandwide, here are the 3 delicious yet affordable restaurants in Singapore to satisfy your hunger for Thai food…
1. THAI TANTRIC
Hidden in Orchard Towers is a gem of authentic Thai cuisine called Thai Tantric. Affordable prices range from S$6 to S$10. Other than the classic Thai dishes, you must try their Thai Fried Rice (S$6) and Deep-fried Chicken Wings with Honey (S$10).
Find yourself shopping on the streets of Bugis? Feed your belly with cheap yet good tasting dishes from Jai Thai. Their Phad Thai, complete with a hearty serving of prawns, is priced at only S$5. Online voters raved for their Pandan Chicken and Tom Yum Soup.
Image Credits: Jai Thai Restaurant – Wallet Friendly Authentic Thai Cuisine via Facebook
It is undeniable that Nakhon Kitchen is a crowd favorite. Long queues, every day, are always at sight. This is because they are known for their authentic dishes yet budget-friendly prices. As said a while ago, Thai food is known for its variety so, Tom Yam Soup (S$6) comes in three kinds: clear, thick, or coconut bases. Other online voters favorite are Green Curry (S$8) and Thai Style Fried Kway Teow (S$4).
Locations:
#01-2371, Cheng San Centre, 529 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10
How will you know if you are really suited for the job and the company you are applying for unless you ask? Satisfaction at work and lesser turnover rate can only be ensured if you have a good insight of the company even during the job interview. According to studies and professional experiences, here are some questions every candidate should ask…
1. WHAT IS THE IDEAL EMPLOYEE FOR THIS POSITION?
Do not waste your time. Before saying “YES” to a job offer, consider whether you are the type of employee they are looking for. Some bosses in Singapore demand more attention and punctuality while others are loose and flexible toward their employees. You can get even more information by asking what the mission of the company is. Research showed that people are happier when there is a goodness of fit between the company’s and the employee’s goals.
2. CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE WORKPLACE CULTURE?
Not all Singaporean organizations make employees work for long hours. Asking the interviewer about the workplace culture will help you grasp the management styles, dress code, employee dynamics, and more.
3. WHAT IS THE LARGEST ISSUE THAT THE COMPANY IS FACING NOW? WILL I BE ABLE TO HELP?
Demonstrate your interest in the company. This question will not only imply that you are thinking of supporting the team but it will also encourage the interviewer to visualize you in the rightful position.
4. WHILE WORKING HERE, WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST?
Your interviewer who is superior in the company may have a more biased or positive view than others but, it is still worth finding out about the benefits that the job might bring once decide to stay in the company for long.
5. CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE PREVIOUS PERSON WHO HELD THIS POSITION?
I have had an interviewer who told me that the post was vacant due to pregnancy but once the previous employee comes back, she would fill in a higher post. This is a good sign of the company’s flexibility and growth. If your interviewer speaks bitterly of the past employee, determine if the boss takes things personally or if the place is in turmoil.
Image Credits: Chris Potter via Flickr
After discovering the answers to these questions, ask yourself this: Are you right for the job?
“As you travel solo, being totally responsible for yourself, it’s inevitable that you will discover how capable you are.”
Living in one of the smallest and safest countries in the world, it is impervious that majority of the Singaporeans aren’t as independent as the greater part of the world growing up. The sad fact that we aren’t able to defend ourselves and be as “street smart” puts us in a real disadvantage. Not to compare to anyone, but instead a disadvantage to ourselves when we set foot into a new territory on our own. Born with a silver spoon in our mouths, the world beyond this little island that we grew up in can be very intimidating.
As a Singaporean myself, travelling out alone is definitely something I really enjoy, but nonetheless it was daunting at first especially in a country where I’ve never been to before. I had the chance to travel out alone recently, and for me, it was awe-inspiring and refreshing. For those of you who have been considering travelling solo, here’s my two cents worth of tips.
Possibly one of the worst things to do is take a flight to a country you know nothing about. Aside from all the attractions and sightseeing spots, certain countries tend to charge tourists a different rate from the locals. Knowing things such as which cab services to take and where the best places to shop are will shed light on what you can expect to ensure you’ll have a smoother trip and less hiccups.
Unexpected things happen more often than not when you least expect, and so you should always be prepared. Keep a photocopy of your passport, travel details, extra cash and maybe a credit card somewhere in case things go awry. A thumbdrive with the soft copies saved will also do the trick. You might also want to save the number of your embassy and bring along a power bank to charge your mobile, laptop and any electronic peripherals that may comes in handy.
People travel alone for a vast number of reasons – be it to shop, explore or take a break from their hectic schedule. Since you’ll be alone, it’d be best to take your own luggage with you all through the way just to make sure it’s in safe hands. Keeping your baggage light allows you to move around more freely and, maybe also shop more. The Samsonite Firelite is crafted from woven thread of polypropylene with Curv technology making it one of the most durable and lightest bag under five pounds. (Costs $465 on eBags with 15% discount from vPost)
Be Cautious Of Your Surroundings and Personal Belongings
(Image credit: TheeErin, via Flickr)
Self-explanatory, the small bag you carry around should be guarded with all you’ve got – it is in fact, all you’ve got when you’re out roaming the streets. Best to be observant of your surrounds and people: not paranoid, alert. Make sure you create clear labels and tag your bags.
Weigh Your Decisions
Travelling alone means you can do whatever you want, whenever. But with great power to decide, comes great responsibility to return in one piece. Jumping off that cliff sure looks like great fun, but know what you’re getting into before taking the leap.
With that said if you’re still hesitant, take the adventure to a place you’ve been to before or a place where the popularity can speak simple English. Here are a couple of places which has loads of unexplored adventures that are good for starters with a budget:
Australia
Ayers Rock, Uluru (Image credit: Mark Wassell, via Flickr)
Being the sixth largest country in the world, there’s definitely places you’ve yet to visit and things you’ve yet to do. From diving to visiting the beautiful Ayers Rocks, this country’s beauty will sweep you off your feet. Love camping? Bring along your outdoor gear!
Chiang Mai Night Market (Image credit: Caitriana Nicholson, via Flickr)
A popular destination amongst Singaporeans, the Land of a Thousand Smiles is rich in culture. Although language may be a barrier, the signs and directions are quite clear. With the help of the people, it shouldn’t be a problem at all.
Boracay at Dusk (Image credit: Chewy Chua, via Flickr)
The Philippines is similar to Singapore with majority of the population able to converse in English which makes travelling around easy as pie. The lot of beautiful beaches and the world’s biggest shopping mall at your dispense ensures that you have everything you need.
A highly cosmopolitan city, Hong Kong is full of scenic gardens, fantastic hiking trails and great food. One of the biggest cities in the world, you’ll never finish exploring Hong Kong’s uniqueness. If you love shopping, you would definitely fall in love with the night markets along Temple Street.
Deer Cave, Gunung Mulu National Park (Image credit: robdu91, via Flickr)
One of the more technologically advanced cities in Asia, it is the hallmark of an ideal exotic locate. From the wild forestry to the skyscrapers in the city, it’s like being in two places at once.
Before you embark on the greatest adventure of your life alone, be sure to book your flights by comparing the fares from SkyScanner without compromising on your safety. Book your hotels with the best rates with our hotels search engine: http://hotels.moneydigest.sg
As Samuel Butler once said: “Friendship is like money, easier made than kept.”
This is why it is so special to have a best friend whom is there with you for the longest time. What better message of gratitude can you convey when you pour your heart on handmade gifts? The good news is that you do not have to spend loads of cash since you can just use the materials you already have at home!
1. FOR YOUR BOOKWORM BFF
If you have beautiful earrings but you lost the other piece, do not throw it away. You can still use it as vintage looking bookmarks. Simply follow these instructions by Jewelry designer, Andrea Singarella. You can buy a meter of ribbons for only S$1.50-3 at any Spotlight or Daiso store.
So you bought an inexpensive and simple gloves in the Flea Market or in the online shops such as Zalora and Forever 21 but you realize that it is so plain. You can make a DIY present by adding jewel embellishments that you can buy in Daiso for S$2.
The best way to reward your workaholic BFF is by giving the present of an enjoyable bath time filled with relaxing fragrance. Achieve that by making bath bombs that are similar to the ones sold at Lush Singapore.
Here are four ways you can make different types of bath bombs from basic to herbal type.
4. FOR YOUR FORGETFUL BFF
Does your friend misplace his or her keys a lot? Well, you can make a special keychain for her that is easy to find. Turn your printed fabric extras or used clothing into fabric keychains. To personalize these keychains even more, you can add some finish touches such as the first letter of your BFF’s name or assorted buttons and sequins.
Bring your wonderful memories to life by turning photos into very personal greeting cards. Print his or her favorite Instagram photos in JPEG format using glossy or matte photo papers available for as low as S$2 at Popular bookstores.
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