“.. Singapore’s newspapers are, at least in part, willing partners, of the state ..”

Is this true? What should you be aware of when living in Singapore and not wanting to be influenced and controlled unknowingly by the states instruments, in this case seemingly the media.

I personally knew Singapore better for being the “cleanest” city of the world and the famous “Chewing Gum” ban then for being a Pseudo-Democratic country with government controlled institutions in all kind of public areas before moving to Singapore.

Gathering some information might not be the worst thing to do before switching on the local TV channels, opening the daily Newspapers or believing the loud talking voices claiming Singapore’s above dark side. After all I really like it here and I don’t want my overall impression to be disturbed my “some” people, emphasizing this bad image of Singapore.

No Food, Closed Shops and an empty stomach.

This is my personal way of welcoming the new Chinese New Year. Its Monday and I am already facing my first main challenge this season. Not starving.
(Read: 10 Things You Should Never Do At Chinese New Year)

Like every year I am not involved in some Mahjong or/and food marathon but stuck at work, where the Japanese markets are without remorse and giving me plenty to do for not being reminded of the major holiday that is actually taking place these days.

Its loud in the jungle. And the jungle lies right in front of your doorstep. To be more precise, the jungle went underground, straight into Singapore’s subway system, the MRT.

In our first four parts of this series we covered the … Continue Reading

Luck, Oranges and a fist fight.
How does that fit together? In my second part of trying to explain the Chinese New Year from an expats point of view, the customs and traditions will be explained in more detail. Enjoy the … Continue Reading

You did what?

Eyes full of disbelieve and surprise were starring at me. Its the second day of Chinese New Year celebrations last year. And I am not sure of what crime I had just committed.

I had met a couple of friends for Yusheng (Read: Chinese New Year Threw The Eyes Of An Expat (Part 1) and was proudly presenting my four new books that I got me as part of my New Years Resolution, reading more instead of sitting in front of my Laptop. So far a good start into the New Year… at least thats what I thought.

Boom, Boom, Boom!!
I wake up, and wonder why I decided to camp right in the middle of a drumming training center last night.
But “no”, now I remember, I’m still in my flat in Singapore, its just one of these mornings … Continue Reading

The countdown is ticking. Chinese New Year 2009 is right at your footstep, red balloons are dangling in front of every door you pass by and Orange trees are popping out of nowhere as if you were walking through some Spanish fruit plantation.

But maybe experiencing the Chinese New Year for the first time or still wondering about those red packages everybody exchanged or the food that was thrown in the air all around you, there are many questions for the expat or person who is not familiar with these festivities in general.