Another Day in the Antz Farm

Berno: Development studies, photography, technology and personal snippets

Archive for the ‘Singapore’ Category

Singapore ever changing city skyline from my bedroom – 010909

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Written by Berno

03/09/2009 at 10:33 pm

Public Talk on Obama Administration’s First 100 Days Organised by National Library Board Singapore, Singapore Institute of International Affairs and School of Thought

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The Singapore Institute of International Affairs is organising a free public talk on the first 100 days on President Obama’s administration on Saturday, 23 May 2009 at The Pod, Level 16, National Library. This event is especially tailored for youths aged 13–25.

Join Dr Dawn Dekle, Dean of the Centre for Leadership at S.P. Jain Center of Management, as she explains the contexts, backgrounds and issues facing the Obama Administration.

Due to limited seating availability, registration is required.

This event is co-organised by the National Library Board Singapore and School of Thought.

For more informatiom, please visit The Obama Administration’s First 100 Days (SIIA) link.

Training for the 2009 Adidas Sundown Marathon – 35km Familiarisation Run with Team Fatbird

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Last Friday, I took part in a Team Fatbird’s Sundown Marathon Route Familiarisation Run as part of my preparation for the May Sundown Marathon. I estimated more than 60 runners turned up for this community run, which began around 9pm. This is quite an impressive turnout for an event that was promoted mainly via Facebook and the word of mouth.

The running route (linked below) started from ECP Car Park C4 and went along the parts of the Eastern Coastal Park Connector Network. It offered runners an opportunity to experience the sights and sounds of the eastern suburbs including Siglap, Tampines, Pasir Ris and Loyang.

Good thing, there were committee members from Team Fatbird dispersed among the different running packs. One’s concentration can take a serious beating during a long distance overnight run. Anthony, David and the other  Team Fatbird run pacers played an important role to lead the various running packs, chit chatting along the way and keeping motivation high among the trainees. A special mention goes out to Max for providing taking pictures of the runners along the route. The photos opportunities brought out the smiles of many.

Almost 4 hours 30mins later, drenched in perspiration and really yearning for my bed, I finally arrived at the finishing line. Ah Beng and Suan made the tiredness almost disappear with their wonderful hospitality with food and drinks donated by others.

This well attended run is a great testimony to the enthusiasm, dedication and generosity of the Singapore running community. To all who had donated resources to organise this event and participated in this run, THANK YOU!
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Pictures taken by Max Ang (feetoffurry)

Related links:

Written by Berno

28/04/2009 at 5:28 pm

An Internship with the Singapore Institute of International Affairs

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Good news, friends! Since last month, I joined the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) as an intern under the Eric Teo Global Citizens Internships programme. Founded in 1961, the SIIA is Singapore’s oldest think tank dedicated to the research, analysis and discussion of regional & international issues.

A unique feature of SIIA’s programmes is its commitment to public education including students and the general public population through events such as 938LIVE in NIE: What Does ASEAN Mean to You? (past) and the upcoming The Obama Administration’s First 100 Days forum (23 May 09).

During the last month with the organisation, I was introduced to the concept of “Track II diplomacy“, the various ASEAN foras, the various think tanks and special interests groups based in Singapore and the opportunity to be involved in the think tank’s flagship event – 2nd ASEAN & ASIA Forum.

I also enjoy the company I made within the organisation especially over lunch and tea discussion about philosophy and political/ economic theories. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be introduced to this environment before I return back to the university this July.

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My Dusty Run 2009 Experience, Running 33km from ECP to the Eastern Suburbs

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Last Friday (Good Friday), in preparation for the upcoming Sundown Marathon, more than 50 runners from Team Fatbird and other Singapore running community groups took part in the 2009 Dusty Run organised by Keonz.

The Dusty Run began at 9.20pm and the route starts from East Coast Park (ECP) to the eastern suburbs via Tanah Merah, Expo, Simei, Bedok Reservoir, Kembagan, Opera Estate and back onto the ECP.

Along the way, Max and Jane provided a much-appreciated dose of encouragement and fun as the run photographer along route. In the end, I learnt that my group ran 33km instead of the originally planned 30km because we bypassed an earlier turning point. I thought I knew the Singapore eastern suburbs inside out but this “jogging tour” took my understanding to a new level. Looking back at the run, I really treasured the opportunity to meet other running enthusiasts from all walks of life sharing one common passion – running.

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Check out this link to other pictures taken during the run.

Written by Berno

17/04/2009 at 1:57 am

Singapore Marina Barrage in the Evening

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- Taken on 040409 by Berno

The Marina Barrage located at the mouth of the Marina Channel is Singapore’s largest water catchment area. It offers a postcard-perfect vista of the Singapore Flyer and the city’s skyline.

Here is a link to my Singapore Marina Barrage collection of photos. You can also check out the Marina Barrage’s home page for more information about the structure and how to get there.

Written by Berno

06/04/2009 at 8:35 pm

The Fullerton Hotel (浮尔顿酒店), Singapore

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A picture of the Fullerton Hotel, Singapore taken on 31 Mar 2009. This picture was taken from the Asian Civilisation Museum.

Written by Berno

05/04/2009 at 8:48 pm

Passes to 2nd ASEAN-ASIA Forum, 17 Apr 2009 in Singapore

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The 2nd ASEAN-ASIA Forum: Risks & Opportunities (Friday, 17 Apr 2009) organised by the Singapore Institute of International Affairs addresses how individuals, institutions and multinational corporations in Asia should position themselves in the wake of the current economic crisis.

The forum includes distinguished speakers such as Prof Neo Boon Siong (Director, Asia Competitiveness Institute),  Ms Olivia Lum (Group CEO & President, Hyflux Group) and Ms Irene Ng (Member of Parliament, Singapore).

This is a full day forum event and concludes with a gala dinner with George Yeo (Minister, Foreign Affairs, Singapore) as Guest of Honour.

I have 2 complimentary passes (worth $600 each) to this event. Please contact me (bernardoh3rd/at/gmail/) if you are genuinely keen to attend and would like a pass to the event. This offer closes on 8 Apr (or earlier) and valid for Singapore residents only. The pass will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and my decision is final.

Click here for forum brochure or forum web site http://aseanasiaforum.com/ for more information.

Singapore City Skyline in the Evening 310309

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Took a picture of the Singapore city skyline while I was jogging along the Esplanade this evening (310309).

Please contact me (bernardoh3rd/at/gmail) or via the comment section if you require a higher resolution or other usage of this image.

Written by Berno

31/03/2009 at 11:43 pm

The US and the World: Beyond the Financial Crisis – A public lecture by Robert Kimmitt (former Treasury Deputy Secretary) in Singapore

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Former US Treasury Deputy Secretary under George W. Bush’s administration, Robert Kimmitt is presenting a public lecture entitled “The US and the World: Beyond the Financial Crisis” in Singapore.

Date: Wednesday, 1 April 2009

Time: 5.15pm – 6.30pm

Location: Auditorium, Level 3
Block B, Faculty of Law, NUS Bukit Timah Campus

Synopsis
The world faces difficult months, and perhaps years, before the current economic and financial crisis fully subsides. But, even as the crisis is addressed, preparation must also be undertaken to ensure that the world that emerges is better able to spur market opportunities and avert future crises. Issues of particular note are the balance between prudential regulation and market discipline; global financial architecture; and commitment to free trade and open investment as guiding principles of a healthy global economy. Singapore, the United States, and other key participants in the G-20, Financial Stability Forum, APEC, and other processes need to ensure these important long-term topics are interwoven with on-going crisis management discussions and decisions.

See event flyer for details.