August 2022 – The Origin*

Media and Bipolar Disorder

Written by: Alexia Teo (22-U1) , Vernice Tan (22-U1), Jovielle Bruto (22-A2), Naja Thorup Kristoffersen (22-A6)

With the increasing focus on mental health and mental disorders, there has been a greater portrayal of mental disorders such as bipolar disorder (BPD) in media. From magazines, television shows, and even televised court trials, the world has an unprecedented peek into this disorder. With this greater attention, there has also been greater stigmatisation and misinformation regarding this disorder.

Before continuing with this article, you might want to check out our previous article on BPD to further your understanding.

Aunt Agatha Advocates: What is Bipolar Disorder?

Public Perception of BPD

Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration and difficulty carrying out daily tasks. Although most are familiar with the term, few are aware of the symptoms and the severe impact BPD has on a person living with it. It is a term often casually thrown around to describe a quick change in mood. This is mostly due to the public’s incorrect perception of BPD, largely due to a lack of understanding or inaccurate portrayal in the media we consume.

For example, some people may think all individuals with BPD are crazy, unable to live fulfilling lives, violent or dangerous. In reality, BPD is treatable. Although it is certainly a challenge to live with, individuals diagnosed with BPD can still live happy and fulfilling lives.

Portrayal of BPD in Media

Fatal Attraction is a thriller movie that, while praised for its engaging plot and high stakes, has only reinforced the negative stereotypes surrounding BPD, with the woman suffering from BPD portrayed as rabid and violent, stalking the main character.

These stereotypes are that their volatile and unpredictable nature makes them violent and dangerous. Naturally, when one hears of someone having BPD, their immediate reaction is likely to be shock and hesitancy towards asking more about it.

A good example of accurate portrayal of BPD in media is Clementine in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. She is presented as a character with BPD but is not portrayed as violent and manipulative like what stereotypes suggest.

While such facets exist, it is important to have a nuanced understanding of the disorder, as media done inaccurately will only enforce these harmful stereotypes.

Demystifying BPD

Individuals diagnosed with BPD may swing between two extreme states of emotion — manic and depressive. Those with BPD may find themselves going through phases of high productivity or high disinterest towards work and thus affect their ability to have a full-time job. During manic episodes, they may also have difficulty sleeping and resting. On the extreme end, they may even have hallucinations.

Luckily, there exists treatment for BPD, such as medication or therapy. Through this, many individuals with BPD have learnt how to not just live, but thrive with BPD. Thus, the reality for those with BPD is that they can enjoy the same experiences as we do and can live peacefully in society, which is a far cry from the unhinged maniac that certain media may portray.

What can we do?

If you have friends or family members struggling with BPD, here are a few steps you can take to help them improve and stabilise your relationship!

Gain a deeper understanding of BPD

If we want to support someone with BPD, we should first and foremost strive to understand them. By learning their triggers, such as separation, abandonment, and rejection, we can relate more to their struggles, thereby increasing our ability to support them.

Validate their feelings

When one is in suffering, the last thing anyone wants to hear is that it’s “all in their head” or that their emotions are an overreaction. Instead, we should validate their experience as we do not have the ability to gauge their current state of mind. Thus, this would soothe their worries and help them focus their attention on how to improve their own lives.

Aid them in seeking professional help

Educated professionals, who have accumulated a wealth of experience regarding disorders like BPD, are most capable of guiding those with BPD through their difficulties. Consequently, gaining access to professional help can significantly improve how those with BPD handle their instability, increasing their quality of life.

Look after your own health

In order to ensure we can continue to provide optimal support, we should also prioritise our own well-being by preventing burnout. Hence, this allows us to provide optimal help to them in the long run.

In conclusion, when dealing with sensitive issues such as BPD, it is crucial to understand the entire situation and not be swayed by simply public perception. Moreover, we should be proactive in helping those around us who may struggle with BPD.

Bibliography:

Helping someone with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Mind. (2018, January). Retrieved August 11, 2022, from https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/borderline-personality-disorder-bpd/for-friends-and-family/

The Shien Crisis

Written by: Chloe Tan (22-I6), Jovielle Bruto (22-A2)

Lucy Siegle, a British environmental journalist, once said: “Fast fashion is not free. Someone, somewhere is paying the price.” With fast fashion becoming increasingly rampant due to the ease brought about by online shopping, it becomes even more important to keep conscious of the costs of having such luxuries.

One major factor driving the rise of fast fashion is the presence of fashion giants, such as Shein. Shein’s marketing model is to imitate popular Western trends and export such items to the public in large quantities. While this extremely effective method has brought in a revenue of USD$15.7 billion for Shein in 2021, it has simultaneously and severely devastated society.

Environmentally, Shein’s impact has been undeniably severe and of great concern. For example, materials used in production of clothing range from hazardous chemicals to microplastics. Each article of clothing is also wrapped in plastic zip-top bags, contributing to increased plastic pollution. Many social media users have been participating in clothing hauls, or more specifically termed ‘Shein hauls’, as depicted in such videos or posts whereby they showcase the many clothing items they have bought. When taken into consideration the cheap prices and varieties of clothing that Shein offers, many consumers thus give no thought in discarding clothing items once current fashion trends gradually die out and evolve. This thus results in the increased waste in landfills, subsequently leading to greater global environmental harm.

In addition, Shein has inflicted harm on vulnerable groups by partaking in exploitative practices such as sweatshops and underpaid labour. In 2019, Shein was discovered to have flouted wage laws by paying workers in Los Angeles factories wages as low as $2.77 per hour. Unethical sourcing of labour are staples of the fast fashion industry, with instances of large businesses disguising minors’ as legal adults for work and unacceptable working conditions.

The Rana Plaza garment factory, a production centre for clothes for various fast fashion brands such as Mango and Primark, collapsed on 24 April 2014. This brought to attention the various repercussions fast fashion could have on human life, as work conditions are not regulated for these exploited workers. A painful and uncomfortable reminder of the horrors of fast fashion, the Rana Plaza collapse spurred the creation of the #WhoMadeMyClothes movement. With greater global awareness of this serious worldwide plight, consumers have since increased their efforts to go green and make ethical fashion choices by choosing Fairtrade brands.

However, Shein has had a positive social impact in terms of empowering low-income groups. With the extremely affordable costs that Shein brings, the less privileged now have the ability to spend on clothes that make them feel good. Shein provides trendy, cheap clothing, which means that lower-income people have more fashionable options. This helps bridge the gap between income groups as they can indulge in the same trends, improving confidence and self image for lower income groups. This is especially relevant for youths who are in the midst of developing their identity and would like to join in on popular trends, but do not have the means to do so. Hence, fast fashion may be a saving grace for fashion-savvy youth with less spending ability. Consequently, it is important to not shun others for making different choices as differing circumstances play a significant role in determining what we can and cannot afford.

In conclusion, despite the positive impacts Shein may bring to some, it is undoubtedly more beneficial for everyone if global consumers were to gradually avoid supporting Shein products. This could be done through methods such as spreading awareness of its environmental harms and further negative impacts while promoting other more sustainable brands for replacement and limiting frequent consumption of clothing. As the global climate suffers at the hands of unethical consumerism, tackling one such contributor to this crisis could thus be a positive step towards realising effective change.

References:

1. Timmerman, L., Zhou, W., Anwar, S., & Mirbagheri, M. (n.d.). #WhoMadeMyClothes online social media movement – #MoveMe. #MoveMe – A Guide to Social Movements and Social Media. Retrieved August 22, 2022, from https://moveme.berkeley.edu/project/whomademyclothes/

2. Holenstein, N. (2020, August 5). The link between fast fashion and poverty. The Borgen Project. Retrieved August 23, 2022, from https://borgenproject.org/fast-fashion-and-poverty/

3. Curry, D. (2022, May 4). Shein Revenue and Usage Statistics (2022). Business of Apps. Retrieved August 23, 2022, from https://www.businessofapps.com/data/shein-statistics/4. Fuller, K. (2022, July 22). The truth about shein: How sustainable and ethical is the fast fashion brand? Brightly. Retrieved August 23, 2022, from https://brightly.eco/shein-sustainability/

4. Fuller, K. (2022, July 22). The truth about shein: How sustainable and ethical is the fast fashion brand? Brightly. Retrieved August 23, 2022, from https://brightly.eco/shein-sustainability/

MBTI x Music

Music x MBTI

Written by: Rebecca Yap Jia Xin (22-O1), Ashley Chean Qi Li (22-O1), Tricia Loh Qiuxuan (21-U1),

INTRO:

Music is something that most people cannot live without. With apps like Spotify and Apple Music, music has never been more accessible, allowing us to listen to music anytime, anywhere. In fact, more than just a few notes strung together, what we listen to can also act as the windows into our very personality. As a matter of fact, many studies have shown that there can be a correlation between certain personality traits and the type of music you listen to. In this article, we will be looking at 6 genres of music as well as the corresponding personality types from the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) that are more inclined to them. However, to keep things fresh, we will also be comparing our findings with our very own survey conducted with Eunoians about their personality types and their favourite music genres! So strap in and find out what your favourite music says about you.

1. Pop

By far the most mainstream genre of this age, pop music is easily recognised by its catchy verse-chorus structure and danceable rhythms, as well as the fact that it probably makes up 80% of what you hear on the radio. This genre offers refreshing hits that become earworms fast with brains like Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande backing it.

Starting out as rock and roll, Pop later became more commercialised in the late 1960s and more accessible to the general public. However, throughout the development of Pop, there was one constant that remained at the heart of it — Youths. Thus, it comes as no surprise that Pop is still popular with our youth even today. In fact, from our own in-house survey, we found that for the question of ‘what’s your favourite genre of music?’, Pop came out on top with a whopping 70.3% of respondents cheering for the genre.

As for the subject matter of Pop, a vast majority of Pop songs tend to be about relationships, especially romantic ones. Due to this universal theme, many youths are able to sympathise with the pining for a crush or the heartbreak from an ex-lover, further amplifying the popularity of Pop music.

But what kind of personality is most likely to be attracted to Pop? From our research, Pop tends to attract people who are more extraverted, perhaps because of its capability to have you singing at the top of your lungs with your best friends. As such, the biggest fans of Pop tend to be the Entertainers (ESFP), who enjoy performing as much as listening to performances, as well as the Consuls (ESFJ) and Executives (ESTJ), who enjoy keeping up with the current music trends to better socialise with others. However, Pop is not exclusive to extroverts. Adventurers (ISFP) are also avid listeners of Pop, drawn in by the emotion oozing from each song. However, people who listen to Pop have been said to be less open-minded in a Spotify study, perhaps attributed to their comfort in the general repetitive four-chord tunes in most Pop songs. As such, we hope that Pop-lovers can broaden their horizons a little and try listening to other genres of music as well!

Song recommendations

“Anything Taylor Swift” – at least one Eunoian we know
September Song – JP Cooper
What Makes You Beautiful – One Direction
Young Blood – 5SOS
All Star – Smash Mouth
Drive By – Train

2. Musical Theatre/Show tunes

Known for being big, dramatic and emotional, musical theatre songs and show tunes are always the stars of their shows. Whether you enjoy belting out classics from the biggest Broadway musicals or dancing along to your favourite movie show tunes, these emotionally-charged songs are typically meant to convey the perspectives of characters as well as to move the plot forward. Musicals have been big on screen and on stage with the earliest modern musicals appearing in the 19th century. The effectiveness of telling stories through song still holds true today and even our Eunoians cannot withstand its allure, seeing as this genre was ranked the second most popular in our survey.

Far from being just an entertaining spectacle, many musicals actually have deeper meanings and complex themes ranging from bringing awareness of mental illnesses in ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ to learning to pursue your artistic passions in ‘La La Land’ to even marriage and loneliness in ‘Company’. As such, each song is threaded with rich meaning that makes listening to this genre a fulfilling experience.

With the deep emotion and meaningful lyrics packed into each song, Mediators (INFP) and Defenders (ISFJ) are sure to enjoy Musicals as their empathetic and reflective natures allow them to relate more to the characters and their motivations as well as reflect on the complex dynamics presented in each production. In addition, our Protagonists (ENFJ) also enjoy the thrill of musicals and their idealistic nature allows them to be easily inspired by these works to take action against societal issues. In fact, our survey showed that our ENFJs in Eunoia enjoyed Musical Theatre and Show tunes the most! However, these tunes may prove to be too overwhelming for the more reserved Architects (INTJ), who may prefer classical pieces that offer greater musical intricacy without so much of the dramatics.

Song recommendations:

The Encanto Soundtrack
Someone in the Crowd – La La Land
I Won’t Say (I’m In Love) – Hercules
You Will Never Know – The Theory of Relativity
The Rum Tum Tugger – Cats (Original Broadway Cast Recording/1983)
Disappear – Dear Evan Hansen

3. Indie

When we do a deeper dive into what Indie music truly represents, we start to understand the reasons behind it’s popularity.

Does this variety not strike you as quite the diverse range of sub-genres? It’s quite tough to find a genre as all-encompassing as Indie, simply because the requirements of an Indie song is much less technical. Indie is short for independent – music that is made without the support of a record label. Over the years (ever since the sixties), Indie has been appreciated for its authenticity and for batting less of an eye to commercial success. So, yes, The Beatles are just as ‘indie’ as The Arctic Monkeys and Girl in Red are.

It’s a near impossible task to go through each Indie sub-genre, but we’ll do our best to cover the more pertinent ones. Think Clairo, Lorde and Sufjian Stevens. These artists form the Indie-Pop genre, characterised by a combination of guitar pop and ‘DIY ethic’, in opposition to the style and tone of mainstream pop music. While these artists are relatively well-known among mainstream listeners, it is their eccentric style which sets them apart from the typical four-part harmony pop songs. The subdued or less energetic nature of Indie-Pop might not appeal to our fellow Entertainers (ESFP) who prefer to be updated on the latest mainstream tunes, but it does resonate with our ESTPs and ENFPs, who gravitate towards more laid-back music. Some people might not enjoy head banging to the roars of an electric guitar and would rather opt for a steady rhythm of a bass guitar. These people are most like our ISFPs, who may appreciate Indie-Rock bands. Despite being labelled ‘Adventurers’, an ISFP might find themself overstretched, leading them to drown in the more ambient guitar solos by the Arctic Monkeys. The same applies for our INFPs, who might need the dulcet drone of a stripped-down guitar to recharge their social batteries.

Song Recommendations:

Girls – Girl in Red
Billie Bossa Nova – Billie Eilish
Where or When – Aeriqah
1957 – Milo Greene
Close to You – Dayglow
Inside – Mother Mother

4. Metal

Perhaps we’re already imagining the same stereotypical album cover in our heads: Men in black leather jackets, masks and dark skinny jeans, then the scattered symbols of death, perhaps skulls or serpents. To top it all off, we have it written in a red, scrawny and almost illegible font “IRON MAIDENS”.

In a time where bubbly and melodic music is celebrated, we’re often quick to dismiss metal music as noisy and irritable. Some might even go as to claim that it’s outdated. However, let’s not be too quick to judge. While this article is for all intents and purposes, not a deep-dive into the respective genres, it is important to dispel some myths about what some call the ‘most misunderstood genre of all time’. For starters, many Metal fans grow to enjoy the dissonance as it challenges their boundaries. It’s not a surprise that fans tend to embrace change, which manifests itself in preferring music that is intense and complex. Some of you might be thinking, ‘Metal glorifies violence! How’s that excusable?’ If you find no issue with this statement, well, congratulations! You probably have a generally prejudiced and paranoid attitude towards Metal. Here’s where we turn to science, which shows that listening to heavy metal music allows for a healthy and functional way of processing anger, helping listeners enhance their positive emotions. So, the next time you think of Metal listeners, try not to get caught up in all that paranoia.

Metal is indeed an outlet for most of its fans. It verbalises the frustration or despondency of its listeners who would otherwise repress their emotions, especially introverts. Indeed, INTPs and ISTPs tend to enjoy more emotionally visceral genres. These personalities often enjoy challenging the status quo, which could provide us with a bit of insight into why they might enjoy recklessly experimental music. Yet, let’s not make a hasty generalization that all Metal fans are closeted introverts, because ESTPs can be quite the exception. These Entrepreneurs might find the fast, loud, and heavy nature of metal music to be a reflection of their energetic and action-oriented personality.

Unfortunately, most other personality types such as our INFJs, ESFJs and ESTPs do not particularly appreciate Metal. Both Fe (Extraverted Feelers) and Fi (Introverted Feelers) tend to engage in more introspection, making them more in touch with their emotions. It’s probably why they prefer the elemental purity and authenticity of indie or jazz tunes, and find Metal more jarring to listen to. Unlike our Logicians (INTP), both extroverts and feelers resonate more with music that acknowledges certain personal vulnerabilities. It is instead harmonious tunes that bring them catharsis in creating a reflective space for them.

Song Recommendations (unfortunately, we didn’t receive many.)

Rescue Me – Day6
Seek & Destroy – Metallica
Enter Sandman – Metallica
Don’t Cry – Guns & Roses
Still Loving You – Scorpions
Call me Sunshine – Ghost

5. EDM

Electronic dance music became popular in the early 2000s, and is still prevalent in our lives now. It became popular thanks to a techno-pop album by Madonna, the ray of light. It is associated with pulsating lights and large groups of people raving. In this chapter, we will dive into the genre and what our eunoians think of it.

All of us have encountered EDM, but where? EDM is often featured in the music we listen to in workout videos, with the high-tempo music pushing us to work harder. It is famous for being the music blasted in the clubs and music festivals, with its high tempo and easy melody being the ultimate track to rave to. In fact, our school’s college dance is an EDM track by Chris Brown!

EDM is indeed the ultimate party genre. Its up-tempo and energetic beat urges you to dance and can help unite people, bringing together a group with its unexpected beat drops and bass-heavy tunes. The simple, groovy beat is enough to envelope anyone and allow us to feel included, whether or not we can dance. The magic of EDM encourages inclusivity, finesse and energy for all, and is able to hype any group up.

EDM is one of the most unique genres of music, with its complex rhythms, upbeat energy, danceability, and unconventionality. For EDM lovers, it is more than just club music, but a feeling to treasure. Most of us associate EDM music with raves, for good reason– most rave tracks have some sort of EDM influence. However, EDM does have a more chill side, with a mellow tone and mid-tempo beats to calm the listener down. It still makes you want to move, but instead of raving, it makes you want to snap your fingers and sway from side to side. In addition, a little-known fact about EDM is that it is good for your brain. EDM helps to relax the body and reduce stress.

Generally, those of personality types ENTJ, ENTP, ISTJ, ISTP and ISFP liked EDM the least, making it one of the most disliked genres of music. These personality types tend to prefer the more lyrical pop music, in contrast to the lyricless EDM music. However, a considerable number of eunoians still indicated that they enjoy EDM, so do put it on your “to listen” list!

Song recommendations

Lean On – DJ Snake
Get Lucky – Daft Punk
Leave Before You Love Me – Marshmello and The Jonas Brothers
Levels – Avicii
Sandstorm – Darude
Cutie Cutie – fusq

6. Rap

Rap is presented as one of the toughest genres of music, with people often writing it off as “not their thing”. When we dove into the lyrics, intents, and stories behind the genre and music, our appreciation for this genre grew and we hope it will for you too!

The English verb rap has various meanings; these include “to strike, especially with a quick, smart, or light blow”, as well as “to utter sharply or vigorously: to rap out a command”. The genre of rap is meant to stun its listener and to bring about an important point that they view important. The emotion behind the lyrics brings out a note of vulnerability that causes the listener to relate and empathise with them.

Rap is the battle cry of the underdog. To vastly overgeneralize, most rap songs are about a competitor thought to have little chance of winning who seizes the moment and proves his rivals wrong. This drive and hunger to succeed brings about the appeal of the genre, being a motivator for those who feel belittled, like the underdog, having a chance of success.

The ISFP personality type in particular felt strongly against rap, with the greatest number of respondents disliking the genre. It is true that this genre may not be from everyone, with some of the tracks having lack of a vocal melody throwing some people off. However, most personality types did indicate that they liked rap, although it was not the most popular genre.

Song Recommendations:

I Fall Apart – Post Malone
Anything by XXXTentacion and Juice WRLD
Run It – DJ Snake, Rick Ross, Rich Brian
Love in My Pocket – Rich Brian
Potato Salad – Tyler, The Creator and A$AP Rocky
Earfquake – Tyler, The Creator

SO THERE YOU HAVE IT! Music is such an integral part of our lives, with many of us spending hours daily jamming or studying with it. Press presents you with EJ’s favourite genres according to our MBTI. We hope that you have enjoyed reading this article and learnt more about your friends and their music taste, as according to their MBTI! This article is merely about the trends observed based on our research, and we understand that each Eunoian has a unique music taste. Do take the time to try some of the song recommendations our peers have recommended, and to explore new genres! In fact, if you go to our press spotify page at ej.origin you’ll find 16 different playlists for each type curated by Eunoians, for Eunoians. So next time when you go home, why not just try some new songs that our Eunoians love?

Monkey Pox

Written By: Lye Jae Vir (22-I1), Nur Khairunnisa (22-I1), Tan Ken Shin (22-A2), Hao Rui (22-A4)

How it all started :

In 1958, monkeypox was first identified in colonies of monkeys during an outbreak at an animal research facility in Copenhagen, Denmark. However, the first human case occurred in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a nine month old old boy. This occurred in a region that had just recovered from smallpox in 1968.

Since 1970, cases of monkeypox have arisen in Africa, such as in West and Central Africa. An outbreak outside of the Africas occurred in 2003 in the United States of America due to imported infected prairie dogs from Ghana, which led to over 70 new cases.

Prior to 2022, several travel associated cases had been reported in the UK, Israel and the USA due to travellers from Nigeria.

How did it come to Singapore?

On the 21st of June 2022, the first case of Monekypox was reported in Singapore. This came from a 42-year-old British male national who works as a flight attendant. He tested positive for monkeypox on 20 June. He is currently admitted to the National Centre for Infection Diseases.

At the time of reporting, there are 10 reported cases of monkeypox which are unrelated.

Photo from REUTERS

How it transmits :

Interpersonal transmissions include through direct contact with the skin, infection rash, scabs or bodily fluids of an infected individual.

It can also be transmitted via respiratory secretions during prolonged physical and face-to-face contact.

Touching belongings such as clothing that have made contact with the infection rash or bodily fluids is also

Foetuses can also be infected through the placenta should their pregnant mothers be infected.

Symptoms of infection.

Common flu symptoms such as fever and headache. More unique symptoms include swollen lymph nodes and rashes across the body. Symptoms may appear from 5 to 21 days following infection. People with the infection are generally infectious from onset of fever until the skin lesions have scabbed over.

Photo from the Indian Express

What does this mean for us?

Since monkeypox is spread primarily through direct contact rather than respiratory droplets, the likelihood of another pandemic as severe as COVID-19. Furthermore, our government would be more prepared for the pandemic with the covid measures still in place. However, we should still be vigilant and aware of this virus. Stay safe Eunoians!

EJ Canteen Guide: Food and Drinks To Try

Written by: Carissa Aletha Liem (21-I1), Lian Zhi Qi (21-I1)

Photography: Claire Lee (21-U1), Lian Zhi Qi (21-I1)

If you have ever found yourself standing in the middle of the canteen unsure of what to buy for your next meal, or you have realised that you gravitate toward the same stall ordering the same dish everyday, this guide is for you!

JAPANESE & KOREAN CUISINE: TERIYAKI DUCK RICE

This bowl of goodness ($3.20) is made up of soft Japanese rice topped with a generous serving of duck slices coated in teriyaki sauce that delivers both umami and sweetness. To prevent taste fatigue, there is also a portion of raw cabbage on the side for you to munch on so that the saltiness does not overwhelm your tastebuds!

Picture credit: Lian Zhi Qi

DUCK RICE STALL: DUCK RICE

A favourite among Eunoians, the duck rice from the Duck Rice stall is a must-have in the canteen. The smoky, roasted duck topped with a generous amount of rich, delectable gravy is reminiscent of the dishes you would find in BBQ food stalls outside the school.

Each generous helping of roasted duck is cooked perfectly well and the added cucumber with each serving ensures that you would not feel “jelat” [an expression of being sick of something due to overindulgence] or overwhelmingly full after eating such a rich dish. The fragrant and darkly coloured gravy is amazingly flavourful and when paired with the succulent duck, gives off an incredibly mouth-watering visual.

A typical bowl would cost you around $3 to $4, which considering the generous serving of food that you get, is great value for money. For those who are still hesitant about what to try in the EJ canteen, this is definitely a dish worth ordering!

YONG TAU FOO: MALA (Soup/Dry)

Craving malatang on a rainy day? Fret not, the Yong Tau Foo stall got your back! If you don’t know what malatang is, it is a rich, nutty broth that is both spicy and numbing. This insanely flavourful and addictive dish has taken the local food scene by storm in recent years, causing people to ache for it every so often.

Although the malatang served in our canteen does not provide as much of a spice kick compared to those served outside, it can satisfy your cravings just fine as it is still relatively flavourful.

“Malatang makes me feel loved on a cold, tiring day at school,” Claire Lee (21-U1) expresses. “[Eating it] feels like stepping into the gates of a heavenly compound. Simply spellbinding.”

Picture credits: Claire Lee

Another mala dish you can find here is malaxiangguo, which directly translates to spicy stir-fry hotpot in English. This dish is served with a multitude of ingredients, including meat and vegetables, are handpicked, fried and heavily seasoned with mala seasoning.

It is important to note that the stall only provides one standard level of spice, instead of the usual three spice levels offered by most stalls outside. The spiciness is tolerable for most, so do not be afraid to try it!

One ingredient I would strongly recommend is the sweet potato wide noodle which is extremely chewy and offers a healthier alternative to instant noodles.

A typical bowl varies from $4 to $5. While the dishes are on the pricier side, they guarantee satisfaction.

YONG TAU FOO: LAKSA

A spicy-savoury dish that rivals hawker-quality laksa is another student favourite in the Eunoia canteen. The rich and fragrant red stock, flavoured with creamy coconut milk and dried shrimp, is frequently sought after by our students to bring warmth and comfort on a cold, rainy day.

For those who wish to alleviate the spice of the broth, I would recommend the egg tofu and tofu fishcake, which both dampens the spice well without taking away the richness of the mouth-watering soup. However, also take note that the spice would not overwhelm ormaski the strong flavours of the soup, so do not hesitate to try it!

The price of each bowl depends on the toppings you handpick, but a typical bowl with 3 to 4 toppings would cost you around $4.20, which is a relatively reasonable amount for the portion that you get.

YONG TAU FOO: TOMATO

Though less popular among students, the tomato soup is still worth a mention as a nourishing comfort food. It is aromatic, tangy and delicious, with a mellow tomato flavour that is not overwhelming at all. Hence, even if you would usually steer away from tomato-based sauces, don’t hesitate to try this soup!

An important note is that an additional $1 will be charged if you were to add a soup base, which I highly recommended as the tomato base on its own can be slightly salty and acidic at times. Hence, lots of leafy vegetables or mushrooms would be suitable options to go with the soup, in order to neutralise the acidity

Similar to the laksa, the price of each bowl depends on the amount of toppings you choose, but on average, it would cost about $4.20 to $4.50 for 3-4 different toppings.

FRUIT & DESSERTS STALL: ICED LATTE

The iced latte ($2) was recommended to me by a friend one day and I’ve had it once every few days since then. The cup is filled with equal portions of foam and coffee and one can either stir the foam in or enjoy it as it is. I like that the coffee is not too strong, leaning more toward the sweet side.

Picture credits: Lian Zhi Qi

Do not expect to be instantly energised by this though, as the caffeine level is probably quite low.

DRINK STALL: CHOCOLATE WAFFLE

These waffles ($1.20) are perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack in-between lessons or as a reward for yourself.

On a lucky day, these waffles will be pandan flavoured, warm, soft and slathered with a generous layer of chocolate.

Occasionally, the waffle may be disappointing as it maybe dry and dissatisfying.

Picture credits: Lian Zhi Qi

A little tip would be to order a waffle in the morning as it is freshest at this time of the day!

These waffles are significantly thinner than those outside of EJ, they definitely are the most accessible for Eunoians especially when the waffle cravings hit.

DRINK STALL: TEH PENG

Teh peng (iced tea with milk) ($1.20) is definitely a crowd-pleaser, with its smooth texture and coldness that gives us respite in our unbearably hot weather. Our drink stall’s teh peng has the right amount of condensed milk without being too overly sweet, and can be compared to those in the coffee shops!

WESTERN STALL: ASSORTED FRIED SNACKS (Fries, Potato Wedges, Spring Rolls, Prawn Fritters)

For Eunoians who are in the mood for warm, savoury snacks, fret not, the Western stall provides a multitude of delectable options to choose from. The tasty snacks ($1-$2) are freshly made each day and are flavoured just right, without being too salty or overly bland. Though sometimes they can be rather oily, as it is not far from the normal expectations for fried foods. Hence, if you are in the mood for a warm and quick snack, pop by the Western stall and grab a bag of fried goodies!

CHINESE RICE: OVEN BAKED CHICKEN & FRAGRANT RICE

The oven baked chicken is incredibly aromatic and cooked till tender, paired with rice that gives off a hint of chicken-oil fragrance, making a well-balanced and mouth-watering dish. The crispy, golden chicken skin gives a nice variance in texture and the rice can be further drizzled with light soy sauce to enhance the umami flavours of the dish.

The stall also offers a drizzling of spicy curry sauce which provides the dish with an added dimension. The chilli here is also especially fresh and biting (though it makes a delicious pairing with the chicken), so for those who might veer away from spice, choose your condiments carefully!

Each plate would cost you an average of $3.50 to $4, depending on the number of sides you add. Do come down to the canteen early if you are keen on patronising this stall as you might end up queuing for more than fifteen minutes, which is a testimony of the quality of food sold here!

With the diverse range of food options available in our canteen, you will no doubt find something that you love. Each stall offers something different and just as delicious as the last, so do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new daily!

‘The Father’ – Movie Review

Written by: Hao Rui (22-A4)

The Oscar-winning movie, The Father, was adapted from French playwright Florian Zeller’s stage play. Inspired by his grandmother’s experience of suffering from dementia, Florian framed this play to let the audience view the world from the eyes of a dementia patient, who is also the main character of this movie, Anthony. For example, Anthony’s son-in-law, Misnamed many times throughout the movie. The furniture in Anthony’s flat also keeps changing their positions or their appearance. Hence, the movie seems illogical at first. However, once the audience gets the idea that they are experiencing the life of a patient of dementia, everything makes sense.

Rather than simply being a movie, The Father is more like a first-person VR experience. The audience can feel the frustration of dementia patients when they cannot figure out what is happening in the movie. Personally, I believe the most effective way to make people cognisant of dementia and its debilitating effects on one’s life, is by giving them the chance to experience the struggles themselves. This is because It is hard for people to put themselves in others’ shoes when they do not even understand what others are experiencing.

According to HealthHub, in Singapore, 1 in 10 people above the age of 60 suffer from dementia.Dementia is not merely the loss of memory, it can also affect the patients’ mental health. Illnesses like depression, paranoia, and anxiety disorders can occur along with dementia. Hence, it is important for the family of dementia patients to constantly pay attention to their emotions. Sending such patients to nursing homes to receive professional help may be a viable option, but the drawback is that loneliness may worsen their mental issues if their families do not provide them with enough support.

However, the families of the patients are under tremendous pressure. Aside from focusing on their personal lives, they have the added burden of paying attention to the patient round the clock. This is evinced in the scene in The Fatherwhere Anthony’s daughter was so frustrated and exhausted that she had no choice but to send Anthony to a nursing home since she needed to deal with her personal affairs.

This movie really portrays the struggles of dementia patients and their families. I believe this movie is crucial in heightening societal awareness regarding the plight of dementia patients and their families. It urges society to take action to provide them with the help they need. Therefore, I would recommend this movie since it is fabulous as both a piece of art and a type of social campaign.

PERISCOPE APRIL 2022 SUMMARY

Written by: Lye Jae Vir (22-I1), Nur Khairunnisa (22-I1), Tan Ken Shin (22-A2), Hao Rui (22-A4)

Welcome back to another edition of our monthly summary of the happenings around the world! From China’s successful satellite launch to changes in adoption laws, we have various interesting news summaries in store for you! Read on to find out more!

Global

China’s successful launch of the new satellite for earth observation

On April 7th this year, China launched their new Earth Observation Satellite, Gaofen-3 03, from a Long March-4C and it has since entered orbit successfully. The aim of this new launch is to improve the observation of our land, water and atmosphere via stable synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. These images boast a 1-metre resolution together with a one-day revisit period, which improves networking capabilities. This new satellite will be networked with the existing orbiting Gaofen-3 and Gaofen-3 02 satellites to form a revolving “Sky eye’ in space.

This new satellite would improve global coverage and revisiting capabilities, as while the original satellite took 3.5 days to revisit the same area, with the addition of another, that interval has been reduced to 5 hours. This enhances data support for China’s marine development, terrestrial environmental resource monitoring and emergency disaster prevention and mitigation. It would also improve China’s research and development in the meteorology, agriculture and water conservancy sectors.

The satellite and carrier rocket were developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. This launch also marks the 414th mission for the Long March series carrier rockets.

What’s going on with Pakistan in April

Since Pakistan’s independence in 1947, no Pakistani prime minister has finished their five-year term. National cricket champion turned devout Islamist politician, former Pakistani prime minister – Imran Khan – has been ousted in a no-confidence vote that took place on 10 April 2022.

Imran Khan, who was elected in 2018, campaigned on an anti-establishment platform to root out corruption and to tackle poverty, riding on a wave of populist sentiment from people who had grown disillusioned with the country’s political dynasties.

Despite this, his downfall occurred against the backdrop of record double-digit inflation and the withdrawal of political support from both coalition allies and the military. In a last-bid attempt to stop the vote, Imran Khan dissolved parliament and declared that fresh elections would occur soon. The opposition appealed to the Supreme Court, who overturned the decision and allowed the vote to pass.

With Pakistan in political turmoil, parliament has elected Shehbaz Sharif, a member of the dynastical politics that Imran Khan campaigned against back in 2018.

Adding on to the politically precarious climate, there are signs that Imran Khan is not letting up. Holding three public rallies that have attracted thousands since his removal, Khan has propagated unproven allegations of Western conspiracies against him.

He is expected to contest the next election in 2023.

In a speech at a rally on 13 April, Khan thundered, ‘’I wasn’t dangerous when I was in government – But I will be now.”

Decades of political volatility in Pakistan do not seem to be subsiding anytime soon.

Regional

How the Ukraine War will Affect Asia

On the 24th of February, Russia invaded Ukraine, escalating the tensions between the two countries greatly. Ever since the start of the war, many sanctions have been imposed on Russia, namely the banning of Russian oil and gas imports as well as the international sanctions on technology by the US and UK. Unsurprisingly, these bans, as well as other outcomes of the war, puts Asia in an uncomfortable position.

For instance, many Chinese technological companies rely on Russia’s consumer market to earn profits. This poses a detrimental threat to China’s economy. The invasion also puts pressure on Asian countries to choose sides in this conflict. Additionally, the US has also put considerable pressure on South Korea, Singapore, and Japan to fully condemn Russia’s invasion.

However, India’s case is not as straightforward. Given that India is the second-largest market for the Russian defence industry, as well as the two countries having a strong diplomatic relationship, India is very careful not to fully condemn Russia’s actions in the war.

To sum up, the Russia-Ukraine war does not only pose challenges to those who align themselves with Russia, but to the entirety of Asia.

Ramadan amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia

Bazaars and group gatherings are back in Asia during Ramadan this year as Covid-19 curbs eased across the region.

Malaysia is in the endemic phase of living with the coronavirus, with 79.3% of its total population fully vaccinated and 48.7% having taken booster shots. Except for face masks, which remain compulsory for everyone, most of the Covid-19 restrictions imposed from March 2020 have been lifted. Businesses have been allowed to operate at full capacity from April 1. Not surprisingly, the Malaysian government’s move to ease most restrictions have brought cheer to the bazaar traders, who said they were ready to return to “normalcy” and, hopefully, recover financially after spending more than two years in a slump. The Ramadan bazaars are pop-up food stalls which are allowed to operate during the fasting month that started last Sunday. Most, if not all, offer a large variety of food on street corners. Business is booming at Malaysia’s Ramadan bazaars as vendors report a spike in sales with thousands thronging the stalls after two years of strict Covid-19 restrictions crimped visitors and profits.

The ever-popular Geylang Serai Bazaar also returned to Singapore this month after a 2-year halt due to COVID-19. The Bazaar is back with fan favourites, such as “The Original Vadai”, as well as more novel items such as paellas and yakult cakes.

Down south in Indonesia, the country is gearing up for its largest ever movement of people, with more than 85 million returning home to towns and villages across the sprawling archipelago, ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri early next month. Extra measures are being put in place to prevent a surge in Covid-19 cases. Most of those involved in the annual exodus – better known as mudik – live in Greater Jakarta and other major cities and they will start heading home by air, land and sea from the fourth week of this month, according to government surveys.

Local

Parliament endorsed White Paper on Singapore Women’s Development

After nine and a half hours of debate, Parliament endorsed the White Paper on Singapore Women’s Development on April 5 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the White Paper’). The White Paper’s first section summarises key milestones in Singapore women’s development from 1959 to 2022. It then introduces the government’s 25 action plans in 5 main areas to improve the lives of women in Singapore. The five main areas include equal opportunities in the workplace, recognition and support and caregivers, protection against violence and harm, other support measures for women, and mindset shifts. All of the plans aim for tackling gender stereotypes and gender inequality in Singapore.

The discussion about the White Paper started early ago in September last year. Three female political officer holders conducted a virtual dialogue titled ‘Conservations on Women Development’ to collect feedback and recommendations on the topic. There were 160 conversations in total, with over 5,700 participants. According to Minister for Home Affairs and Law, Mr K.Shanmugam, all these responses would then form the basis of the White Paper.

In the conclusion of the White Paper, it mentions that the action plans will be implemented in a ten-year roadmap. The Government will continue to review and enhance measures to support Singapore women with community partners and will conduct a mid-point review in 2027.

Extensive changes being made to adoption laws

Amendments to the current set of adoption laws are being made, with three main aims in mind; to ensure that adopted children are adopted into good homes, having stated that is mandatory for prospective parents to be free of convictions of serious crimes including sexual, violence, or drug-related offences. The set of laws will also define what it means to be suitable to adopt; which has been clarified that only heterosexual married couples fall under this description.

Another aim of the amendments is to deter undesirable practices in the adoption sector by ensuring transparency. To elaborate, agencies will be required to publish a list of both monetary and non-monetary payments and rewards regarding all adoption-related matters. The new rules will help deter large handouts from being given to birth mothers, with the intention of tempting them to drive their child up for adoption. Such handouts to the child’s biological or adoptive parents for the adoption are now made illegal, in order to prevent the child in question from being treated like a commodity.

Additionally, all payments related to adoption will now be regulated by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) to ensure adoption agencies only charge for reasonable adoption related expenses.

In short, the changes introduced seek to provide children who are being adopted with good homes, prevent unethical practices revolving around money, and break cycles of abuse.

Conclusion

We have now come to the end of this month’s summary. See you in June!