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5 Harsh Realities Of Working In S’pore You Won’t Want To Hear But Should

As students, many of us had these grand visions of what we would do and who we would be when we were older. We sat restlessly in our lecture halls and classrooms, yearning to be done with school and for our lives to finally begin–to get a job, to make money, to have the life that we wanted.

And then we graduated and we realized the real world–the working world–was a lot harsher than it seemed.

Working in Singapore definitely has its downsides, and the sooner you wise up to them, the better you are for it! Here are 5 harsh realities of working in Singapore you may not want to hear, but should definitely take note of!

1. There Is No “Perfect” Job 

Sorry to burst your bubble, but there is no such thing as a “perfect” job. The factors behind a perfect job have been uttered, memorised and taken to heart by many before us. Good pay, strictly 8 – 5, personally meaningful and no stress. The truth is, more often than not, people don’t land their dream jobs, and even then, every job has its own set of challenges.

Our tip? Get a job in the industry you love! It may not necessarily be the perfect job or even the exact role you’ve been eyeing but it’ll get your foot through the door, and that’s what counts! Plus, it’ll get you experience in the field you’re keen to get into!

2. Paper Qualifications Don’t Guarantee You A Top Notch Paying Job 

Gone are the days when a Bachelor’s Degree would guarantee a great paying job in the field of your choosing. While paper qualifications are by no means worthless, hiring managers are more likely to look at your experience and soft skills than the fact that you only got a ‘B-‘ in your second semester.

The “graduate’s pay” you were promised before you stepped out of school is not exactly accurate. The likelihood is you’re going to have to take a pay-cut before you even start your first job!

Our tip? Get experience before you even step out of school. Internships, career fairs and part time jobs will allow you to establish networks even before graduating. Talk to people who have been in the industry for a couple of years. They will tell you the career progression and what’s a decent pay grade to start with!

3. Technology = Working 24/7 

Technology is a double-edged sword, especially in the work place. With the increase in usage of Whatsapp, email notifications on smartphones, and work group chats, your bosses might find that there really is no reason work can’t be done once you clock out.

If your job has demanding hours or your boss and colleagues are workaholics, it can be difficult to completely stop responding to emails and messages once you leave the office.

Our tip? Play it by ear. Your colleagues are just like you. They NEED a few hours to completely relax, so watch how they “side step” and “siam” office issues after the clock strikes 5. If it really bothers you, speak to your colleagues and your boss about what can be done to ensure work doesn’t eat (too much) into life.

4. Office Politics Is Inevitable, But Don’t Get Sucked Into It 

Remember how project work in university used to be the bane of your existence, because it truly brings out the worst traits in people? Who knew project work would actually be the perfect example of how working as a team in the office would be?

You might be stuck with a slacker, a control freak or even a no-show. While it used to be deadlines and grades on the line, what’s at stake now is your job. You’ll meet your fair share of bootlickers and saikang warriors. When promotion period comes around, don’t be surprised when other people’s attitudes make a 180. Scary? YES.

Our tip? Stay above the office gossip which can be so enticing but toxic once you get into it. If your office is prone to bootlickers and the people around you are toxic to work with, it may be best for you to look for a job with a better work culture.

5. Staying Stagnant = Redundancy 

We all know by now that technology is constantly evolving and that tech giants are constantly coming up with new ways to leverage technology to better our way of life. While this means our lives become a whole lot easier (when was the last time you opened a physical map?) it has also rendered a whole lot of jobs redundant.

While we can sit and wait to become victim to job redundancy and the volatile job market, the better (and more proactive) option would be to look out for opportunities to upgrade your job skills. Upgrading your skills would lead you to better job opportunities, pay raises and even job promotions.

Our tip? Look out for opportunities to upgrade your skills like Career fairs by e2i will have you meeting employers and other job seekers, so you can have a more accurate picture of the current job market.

Todo Todo Skills Marketplace 

We can all agree that finding the right job can be tough and climbing the ranks can be even tougher. Many of us millennials have either only been though internships or have just clinched our very first full time job, and are navigating the unfamiliar waters of the working world.

Todo Todo Skills Marketplace, an NTUC & PA collaboration, brings together a one stop access to all that we need – career profiling tools, mentorship, industry minds, HR leaders and job opportunities. Every burning question you’ve had about job prospects and what to expect from the field can be answered at this 2-day career fair.

From networking sessions to talks on how to establish a startup, the Todo Todo Skills Marketplace is the perfect place to pick up advice and tips on landing your dream job or clinching that job promotion you’ve been eyeing.

If you’re a fresh grad looking for a job opportunity or a working millennial, head down to Todo Todo Skills Marketplace! After all, you can never get too much help getting ahead in this competitive job market!

For more information, head to Apple or on Android. With its stylish, user-friendly interface, with everything you need all in one place, it’s the perfect tool to stay ahead of the game!

Todo Todo Skills Marketplace
Address: Our Tampines Hub
Date: 30 April – 1 May
Time: 9am – 8pm

Also read, These 8 Soundbites Will Have You Rethinking About The ‘Future Of Jobs’ In Singapore

Taste The Goodness Of Sarawak At Face To Face – An Eatery That Stays True To Its Roots

There’s nothing like digging into a hearty bowl of noodles to soothe a hungry stomach and a tired soul.

Here in Singapore, we’re lucky to have such a huge variety of cuisines that can be found (and indulged in!) on our very own shores.

One such cuisine is Sarawakian.

Part of East Malaysia, one thing Sawarak is known for (other than their stunning natural scenery) is its amazing food! Luckily for us, we don’t have to hop onto a plane to get a taste of Sarawkian eats.

Face To Face is one of only a handful of eateries that serve up authentic Sarawakian cuisine here in Singapore!

Face To Face 

Housed in City Square Mall, this spacious eatery has a small and focused menu. With 10 noodle dishes and a small array of light bites, don’t think that Face To Face doesn’t take their food seriously.

The speciality at Face to Face is their noodles. Made in-house daily, their noodle recipe goes back 100 years!

Face To Face has such a compact menu due to the fact that their ingredients are carefully sourced. From the chilli they use to the oils and sauces that go into their dishes, founder and Sarawakian Aidan Goh ensures all the ingredients used at Face To Face taste and are identical to those found in their Malaysian outlets.

Traditional Sarawak Noodles (also known as Kolok Mee) and Sarawak Laksa are the best sellers at this humble eatery.

The Traditional Sarawak Noodles was–according to a Sarawakian–“very very close to the original”.

The Sarawak Laksa on the other hand was pretty similar to its original counterpart, and a lot less creamy and dense than the Chinese laksa we’re so used to.

If you’re looking for something a tad more soothing on the throat, opt for the Genki Herbal Chicken Soup. Served piping hot, the soup is filled with herbs, giving it an earthy flavour. The chicken is served whole so its meat might be a tad difficult to tear off with chopsticks, but you can’t say they’re stingy with their servings here!

Looking for something to wash down all these decadent dishes? Face To Face serves up some pretty interesting (and sweet) concoctions! Caramel 3 Layer Tea and Three Musketeers are two beverages you cannot miss when you head to Face To Face.

The Caramel 3 Layer Tea comprises 3 distinct layers: caramel syrup, milk and tea. Reminiscent of milk tea, the Caramel 3 Layer Tea is a tad sweeter but not cloyingly so.

The Three Muskateers, on the other hand, is crafted with soda, plums and lime, and was a refreshing companion to the heavier dishes.

With over 30 outlets across Malaysia, you know Face To Face serves up the real deal! Whether you’re craving a humble bowl of noodles or just looking for something delicious to dig into, head to Face To Face!

Face To Face
Address: #02-23/24 City Square Mall, 180 Kitchener Rd, S398628
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm
Website

Also read, Goodbye Artbox, Hello Thai Festival – Authentic Thai Eats Without The Heat Or The Crowd

Beijing 101 Has Been Around For 43 Years, But What’s Their Secret To Survival? We Found Out

Male or female, young or old, we all want to look and feel good.

While some of us struggle with difficult skin, some of us struggle with something else: our hair. Whether it’s flaky scalp, oily scalp or hair loss, hair issues can be a huge source of confidence loss for both men and women.

While there are many shampoos, tonics, and serums out there that claim to help with these issues, few of them truly deliver on their promises, leaving us right back at square one: without a solution.

Enter Our ambassador, Vanessa, at Beijing 101 at Tiong Bahru Plaza, #01-129[/caption]

Beijing 101 has been in the business of hair loss solutions for a good 43 years and has won many international awards from different countries! They also have a stellar track record, with 9 in 10* of customers seeing visible hair growth and long-lasting results.

An authority in hair care, Beijing 101 employs Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles in its service. Not only do they use premium-grade natural herbs like ginseng, lingzhi and dang gui to treat scalp issues, all their consultants are TCM trained!

We sent our ambassador, Vanessa, down for a scalp treatment. After all, who would say no to better, healthier hair?

Consulting With The Specialist 

The session began with a 20 minute consultation with the hair consultant, which took place in a welcoming private consultation room.

The consultant asked her a series of questions pertaining to her lifestyle, hair- and health-related habits, before proceeding to scan and analyse her scalp. She found that Vanessa’s hair was thinning at the crown, and that some empty pores were prominent.

She suggested that this could be due to stress and a lack of sleep (#studentlife), and she recommended that Vanessa go for the Herbal Scalp Treatment, which helps to cleanse and keep the scalp clean, preventing hair follicles from getting clogged.

Treatment Begins!

Vanessa was led to a private VIP room, where she got all the privacy she wanted, to browse through the magazines provided and to enjoy her tea.

The procedure began with the application of the Deep Cleansing Scalp Mask to her scalp, a concoction of TCM herbs. The mask was spread evenly throughout her head, and a steamer was used to help open the pores of her scalp so it could absorb all the good stuff packed within it!

The mask was left to sit for about 40 minutes, before being thoroughly washed off.

For the next part of her treatment, 2 coats of serum were applied to her scalp to balance its pH level. The serum was massaged into her scalp to, once again, aid absorption.

There were 3 different types of massages she could choose from: one for better sleep, one for soothing tense muscles, and another for overall well-being. She picked the one for overall well-being–the signature Meridian Herbal Treatment Massage–which was very calming and relaxing!

Seeing A Visible Difference

To conclude the session, she was given a second scalp analysis, where you could actually see much fewer pores clogged with sebum. While there was–of course–no visible hair growth within that 1 session, she left with a cleaner, much healthier scalp than she came in with!
To check out her experience, watch the video below!

If you’ve been struggling with your scalp for the longest time and have tried almost everything out there in a bid to remedy it, make a trip down to Beijing 101—you won’t regret it!

Beijing 101 will be running a Also read Goodbye Artbox, Hello Thai Festival – Authentic Thai Eats Without The Heat Or The Crowd

*SCAPE Is Hosting An Open-Air Market Of The Future – All You Need For Payment Is Your Phone

If your idea of a perfect weekend involves browsing and exploring markets for cool, unique finds, there’s a new market coming to town you definitely want to check out: The DBS PayLah! X *SCAPE Palooza.

Happening on 5 – 7 May at *SCAPE, this weekend market will see over 100 vendors selling everything from fashion, food to lifestyle products, and more than a few social enterprises will also be there!

Shop the collection of chic, minimalist bags at ThreeOneTwoFive and and Sot n Wable; unusual bites from Risotto Chips; and many, many others!

And if shopping doesn’t do it for you, surely some exciting Virtual Reality games will. Step into the worlds of your favourite video games, as titles including Call of Duty and Star Wars will be available to play through VR headsets!

Singapore’s First Ever QR Code Bazaar

There’s just one thing—at this market, the only currency accepted is digital currency. That is, QR codes and payments made via the DBS PayLah! app!

Essentially, DBS PayLah! is a mobile app that functions as your personal digital wallet. Like a regular wallet, you can send and receive money instantly, but minus the inconvenience of not having enough cash, not having exact change, etc.

If you don’t bank with DBS/POSB, no worries! Non-DBS/POSB customers can also use the app by simply linking it to a local bank account.

This first ever QR Code bazaar is jointly organized by DBS and *SCAPE, in support of Singapore’s move towards becoming a Smart Nation.

Excited to attend? Just be sure to have the DBS PayLah! app downloaded before heading out!

For those new to the app, make sure to download DBS PayLah! and enter the promo code “PAYLAH505”. This will give you S$5 cash credit to spend—and hey, we won’t say no to free money. Just make sure to do it quick because only the first 10,000 new sign-ups will get it. This promo is only valid until 30 May.

So, mark these dates in your calendar! Shop to your heart’s content and experience the convenience and lightness of going cash-free!

Download the DBS PayLah! app on Apple or on Android.

DBS PayLah! X *SCAPE Palooza
Date: 5 – 7 May 2017
Time: 1pm – 9pm
Address: *SCAPE Playspace

Also read This Island-Wide Heritage Trail Will Have You Rediscovering What It Means To Be S’porean

This Island-Wide Heritage Trail Will Have You Rediscovering What It Means To Be S’porean

History buffs and die-hard patriots, the Singapore Heritage Festival is back for its 14th year!

This year, the Singapore Heritage Festival is inviting both young and old to explore Singapore’s history and culture through a curated smorgasbord of programmes and activities.

From 28 April to 14 May, the festival will bring guests all over historical spots in Singapore. From Bukit Pasoh to Caldecott Hill, the Singapore Heritage Festivals will be hosting theatre performances, heritage tours and hands-on craft workshops.

Here are some of the highlights worth looking out for at Singapore Heritage Festival 2017!

Caldecott Broadcast Centre

What’s a Singaporean festival if there isn’t any food to indulge in? The Singapore River will be transformed into a food paradise. From food exhibitions to performances centered around food, The Singapore Heritage Festival is going all out when it comes to our favourite pastime!

This Tom Yam Hot Pot Lets You Dine Like Royalty With Its Premium Seafood

Love the rich, unique flavours of Thai cuisine? Considering how much Singaporeans love their Thai food, there aren’t many places you can go for some good, authentic Thai fare.

So, imagine our excitement when we found out about Soi Thai Soi Nice! After hearing about their Tom Yam hot pot, we knew we had to have a taste.

As its name suggests, Soi Thai Soi Nice is a restaurant serving Thai food.

Located at Alexandra Central Mall, the inside of the restaurant is a sight to behold with plush, red velvet dining chairs, gorgeous artwork on the walls, and a huge chandelier in the middle of the room!

With soft Thai pop music playing in the background, it’s not hard to imagine that you’re actually in Bangkok!

It was even harder to believe we were still in Singapore when the food started arriving at our tables!

First up was the Royal Thai Hot Pot ($68.80, for up to 4 pax), the signature dish at this restaurant, and boy did it make us feel like royalty.

This hot pot was an entire culinary experience in and of itself.

Filled to the brim with premium ingredients like crayfish, prawns, mussels, pork belly, enoki mushrooms, sausages, and hard boiled eggs, it came atop a bed of springy noodles, and in a home-made Tom Yam Soup base.

A fun fact we found out was that all the spices and ingredients used at this restaurant are directly imported from Bangkok to ensure authenticity. Also, we heard that their Head Chef, Worawong Phairat (Olay), also waited to have his personal kitchen utensils, woks and knives imported from Bangkok. Talk about attention to detail!

Next up was the Yum Khai Dao (Fried Egg Salad) ($6.80), the Kai Jiao Cha Om (Fried Omelette with Thai herb Cha Om) ($7.80) and the Kho Moo Yang (Grilled Pork Neck) ($9.80) that all came at once – not that we’re complaining.

Apparently, Cha Om is a very common Thai herb that can be found pretty much anywhere in Thailand. Our first bite left us speechless. No really, the flavours of the Kai Jiao Cha Om were hard to describe. All we could do was nod enthusiastically when asked if we enjoyed it, and hold ourselves back from licking the plate clean.

Next, we tried the Moo Sam Chan Tord (Deep Fried Pork Belly) ($9.80)…

…as well as the Chuchee Pla Kra Pong (Curry Seabass Fillet) ($13.80) and the Kung Chuchee (Curry Prawns) ($15.80).

To be honest, by this time, we were so overwhelmed by how delicious everything was, we forgot to take proper pictures of each dish.

Both the Curry Seabass Fillet and the Curry Prawns were super creamy, and were only mildly spicy.

Soi Thai Soi Nice provides dipping sauces with 4 different levels of spiciness: Mild, Spicy, Very Spicy and Extra Spicy. Considering how spicy Thai food can get, we love the fact that you can tailor the spiciness to your own tolerance levels!

The final dish was their Hor Mok Ma Praw Talay (Coconut Seafood Otah) ($12.80).

For this dish, prawns, squid and otah came served in a coconut husk, alongside bits of soft, sweet coconut flesh. The gentle crunch of the coconut served as a pleasant surprise, in contrast to the other more tender components of the dish. Overall, this dish is definitely one for the coconut lovers.

And finally, dessert! By this time, we were all stuffed, but our second stomachs (yes, we have a second stomach for dessert) were ready the moment dessert arrived.

No Thai meal is complete without Kao Niao Ma Muang (Mango Sticky Rice) ($5.80), but we were certainly surprised to see the ever famous Coconut Ice Cream presented in the same manner in the Kao Niao I-Team (Sticky Rice with Coconut Ice Cream) ($5.80).

With dessert comes heavy hearts–for it means dinner is coming to an end.

In all, the food here not only looked great but tasted fantastic as well. Coming in perfect sharing portions and boasting a huge array of Thai flavours, it’s definitely a great place to take your friends or the whole family!

Soi Thai Soi Nice
Address: 321 Alexandra Rd, #02-01 Alexandra Central Mall, S159971
Operating Hours: Mon to Fri: 11.30am-3.30pm and 6pm- 10pm; Sat-Sun, PH: 11.30am to 10pm
Contact no.: 6250 4863

Also read Goodbye Artbox, Hello Thai Festival – Authentic Thai Eats Without The Heat Or The Crowd

The Bronx Is Turning 2 And They’re Lighting Up Canvas With An Epic Hip Hop Party

If hip hop is your jam, there’s a party happening this Friday that you won’t want to miss! Canvas’ weekly hip hop night, The Bronx will be celebrating its second anniversary, and word on the street is it’s going to be a blast.

Happening on 28 April, The Bronx Anniversary commemorates its two year tenure at popular Clarke Quay nightspot Canvas.

The Bronx At Canvas

If neither name rings any bells (don’t worry, we’re not judging), The Bronx is an event that happens every Friday, dedicated to bringing both old school and new age hip hop to partygoers.

With DJs Ollie Des and S.O.F. helming the decks and hype man Mr Boo, The Bronx is one of Canvas’s weekly mainstays.

The Bronx Anniversary 

To celebrate The Bronx Anniversary, Canvas is set to throw one epic party–and what’s a party without some drinks? The event will see some amazing drink promos. Not only do you get a free drink with the $25 entry fee, you can get your hands on house pour jugs at $45.

Want to party it up with the whole gang? Table packages start at $400 for a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and a bottle of House Vodka/Whisky.

What’s a hip hop fan without his gear? Canvas has got you covered there. For one night only, Canvas will be handing out special edition caps from local streetwear label SFB.

While the design of these special edition caps is still under wraps, what we do know is the caps are crafted from the same premium suede used by SFB!

Goodbye Artbox, Hello Thai Festival – Authentic Thai Eats Without The Heat Or The Crowd

If you’re feeling the regret from not heading to Artbox or you just can’t get enough of Thai goodies and eats, fret not because the Thai Festival is coming to our shores!

Happening at the Royal Thai Embassy right in the heart of Orchard Road, this all-Thai festival will offer up your favourite Thai dishes, alongside apparel and knick-knacks.

Popular Thai dishes like pad thai, mango sticky rice and thai milk tea will be up for sale. Look out for performances that highlight Thai culture like Muay Thai and traditional Thai dance performances.

If you’re looking for an authentic Thai experience without having to fly out of the country, head on down to Thai Festival 2017!

Thai Festival 2017
Address: Royal Thai Embassy, 370 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238870
Date: 4-7 May 2017
Time: 10 AM – 9 PM

Also read, Best Thai Eateries In Singapore So You Don’t Have To Queue For 10,000 Years At Nakhon

The Chainsmokers & Ariana Grande To Perform Here In September – And They’re Not The Only Ones

Singapore may be a tiny dot on the map, but we sure are a huge spot for celebrities and musicians to make appearances at.

From Hugh Jackman to Coldplay, Singapore is no stranger to international movie premiers and huge sold-out concerts.

This September, 2 of the biggest acts of the moment will be landing on our shores: Ariana Grande and The Chainsmokers. 

Headlining the 2017 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix alongside OneRepublic, Duran Duran and Seal, there’s something for music lovers both young and old(er)!

Also read, Jay Chou To Return To Singapore In 2018 For Part 2 Of “The Invincible” Tour!

2017 Is The Year Of Star Wars – Singapore Has Its First Star Wars Festival And Everyone Is Invited

For those of you who live and breathe Star Wars, good news for you! The Star Wars Festival is coming to Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay this May.

A three day festival that begins on 4 May (of course) and runs till 6 May, this is an event chock full of Star Wars-themed activities that will delight and knock the socks off any Star Wars fanatic.

A collaboration between the Singapore Tourism Board and The Walt Disney Company, here are some of the highlights from the festival that are worth checking out!

Star Wars Run 2017
Where: Gardens by the Bay, The Meadow
When: 6 May
Time: 4pm – 11.15pm

Star Wars: The Force Awakens 
Where: Gardens by the Bay, The Meadow
When: 6 May
Time: 9pm – 11.15pm

Casual and die-hard fans alike, head on down to Gardens by the Bay this May! The festival is bound to be an amazing evening out with family and friends!

For more information on the events, head to the DJs Above & Beyond Will Be In Singapore For One Night Only – Here’s Where They’ll Be Spinning