UniVantage Digest Issue 4 - Complete PDF

g
SPRING/SUMMER 2011 ISSUE
UniVanta e Digest
univantage.bizcom.sg
T H E
HOT
Bring on Edition
2011
Hot BODS,
Hot & Spicy Gossips
and….
Strongmen
of SMU
What She wants
& What He wants
Exchange in
U.S.A
What’s On
Fashion on Campus
Facebook?
More Stuff Inside: Food Galore, J-rocker, Health Tips & an

awesome set of exclusive privilege
s.
1 ISSUE 3. univantage.bizcom.sg
UniVantage CONTENTS Digest
Verve @ SMU On the cover

6 Meet Our People, SMU! Ruck ‘n’ Row
- Featuring those who make us Different: a J-rock Hot Bods and buff guys.
musician, an entrepreneur and the founder of our We shine the spotlight
Chinese Orchestra. on the guys from Dragon
Boat and Rugby.
The Loud, the Glue & the Bold

9
9
List This: Top 10 things SMU students fear the most
Forum-Rama
pg 16
10 In a Nutshell
11 Facebook: 2010 events at SMU
14 Life of an SMU mugger: Love my GPA
16 Ruck ‘n’ Row: Strongmen of SMU
Trend, Tips & Advice

22 2011: Bring It On
24 Travel Guide: Another special edition for your
28
travels during Exchange in USA.
Dr. Love’s Column

pg 24
What she wants and what he wants. Our resident
relationship expert fills you in on a few ugly truths.
Fashion & Lifestyle
30 Health & Fitness : 6 Health Tips You 38 The SMU Sartorialist: Fashion on Campus
Ought to Know Check out the sense of style and the latest fashion we’ve
seen around campus.
Food, Glorious Food 41 The Luxurious Face of Beauty

32 Delightfully yours, HANITO! Go ahead. Pamper yourself at Porcelain, The Face Spa.
33 Gastronomakan: The Food Review 42 IGARD: Having a Vision is so much more

Our food hunt for the best makan places continues… than seeing
36 Feature: Shin Minori Japanese

Restaurant
Privileges
45 Your exclusive SMU student/staff/alumni
card benefits
The SMU Sartorialist
pg 38
UniVantage Digest
Executive Editor Sahimi Ahmad Editor’s Word
Creative Director Kok Suh Tyng
In need of a Scandalous & Spicy 2011
Managing Editors Kwan Li Jia
Senthil Sukumar Put your hands up if you, like me, dread the start of the semester! In
pursuit of greater things in 2011, your resolutions (pages 21-22),
sadly, do not serve as a harbinger of how the year would unfold. I’m
Senior Writers Marcus Lee
under no illusions of what lies ahead. If you happen to be in the select
Kelly Kon group of people whose life has been nothing short of breathtaking
since you set foot on the shores of SMU, well, good for you. Believing
Writers Lim Sim Yee that, however, is an arduous task in itself.
Bandana Kaur
Lam Kee Yann We see, read or hear how life’s so good here - that we’re bubbling
Joanne Ho with activities, we rock the place and our lives are (and here comes
the overused word) vibrant. Then, there are the ridiculous surveys
Photographers Priscilla Ho stating how fantastically we are doing, how we’re satisfied etc. I hope
that there is more than a modicum of truth in that. My riposte: “Lies,
Marcus Lee
Damned Lies and Statistics.” Interpret it whichever way you want. A
look at your Facebook wall (pages 12-15) would give you a more
UV Executive Team accurate reflection of things.
UniVantage Director Shue Zhen Yao Some say college is the best time of your life. Really? It is more like the
lesser of two evils and only better than being six feet under. I have
UniVantage Vice-Director Yap Xing Yao to say I’m so bored, it’s depressing. Hey, nobody is saying you should
regret being in SMU. I value -or more likely, need - that all-important
Sales Director Liang Yun Kai university education. But it does feel like being caught between a rock
and a hard place. It’s really tough to wax lyrical about my experience
Sales Vice-Director Desiree Lim Sher Feng or non-performance here. Well, the tough, sporty guys (pages 16-21)
we’re featuring will beg to differ, though. They’re revelling in life here
and lapping it all up.
Marketing Director Siti Maryam Yusof
I’m not gonna kid myself. It is palpable that I’m not exactly elated with
Sponsorship Director Chan Jing Wei my life as an undergraduate – and I’m sure these sentiments are not
exclusively mine. The cure is simple. What we really need is a scandal!
Corporate Relations Director Jane Pang Su-Mei I’m talking about a scandal of epic proportions. More accurately, we
need a wave of scandals that will set tongues wagging - spicy gossips,
Programmes Director Debbie Foo ground-breaking controversies and all those which can’t be put into
print. More than just about how the classes aren’t that small in size.
We need more than just the pointless debates of how cut-throat it is
Operations Director Jeremy Teo Ming Chuan
and how class participation is becoming farcical. We genuinely require
a smorgasbord of spicy events to turn life on its head.
UV Sales & Advertising Shrouded in this murky mist of boredom, I’m hoping for a scandalous
Samantha Tan, Chua Xin Ni, Eugenia Goh, Jamie Tan, 2011 to spice things up - however unlikely it may seem. As the eternal
optimist, I’m left to cling on to this hope with the very end of my
Tan Wen Shi, Pamela Lee, Boh Shu Feng, Jasmine Kwok,
finger tips.
Ngo Qiao Wen, Michelle Lo Hui Xian, Tan Shu Yi
Cheerio,
Marketing
Aarsh Saxena, Lim Wei Ji, Joshua Goh Wei Siang,
Kevin Ho Zhen Tao
Acknowledgements
SMUSA Business Secretary / Nikhil Antony Jonas
Bizcom Director Sahimi Ahmad
Executive Editor
SMUSA Communications Bryan Lim Shi Ming
Secretary
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Meet Our People, SMU!
SMU students are as diverse as they come, and life as an undergraduate need not be all about
academia and late nights in the library. Here on campus, we have students who dare to embrace
their passions and take the road less travelled. These are the students who define the SMU student:
colorful, bold and different. So in this series, we seek out and showcase the students who choose
to experience the full vibrancy and color of undergraduate life here at SMU.
Featuring ...
Jeff Tung Chi Fung, School of Business, 2009

An avid volunteer who has participated in various community service projects, Jeff Tung is also the Social Enterprise Director
for SMU Caretalyst. He is also a successful student entrepreneur who began his first business in SMU and is now the owner
of his very own Subway franchise.
My SMU Life so far…. It’s all about time management and pri-
My SMU life so far has been very enrich- oritising the to-do. Since young, I have a
ing. I started my first business here and habit of putting to-do activities on paper
I met many funny people from different because I know I will get old and start to >Our Say:
backgrounds. I was very much an intro- forget things. I always believe a pen will Enterprising yet socially re-
vert when I first came to SMU. It is be- serve me better than my memory.
cause of them that I opened myself up. It
sponsible, Jeff Tung would
is also because of them that I stand firm My typical day in SMU will be… make any BGS professor
and rise up to challenges. For the past Aside from attending lessons and project proud. His dedication to com-
one and half year in SMU, I have been meetings, I am either awake or day
constantly pushing myself to the limit dreaming. When I am awake, I make peo-
munity service goes above
simply because I want to find out how far ple laugh. When I am day dreaming, peo- and beyond the 80 hours that
I can go on my own at this age. The jour- ple laugh at me. all SMU students are expect-
ney was tough but I have enjoyed pretty
much most of it.
ed to serve. As far as we’re
I spend most of my time on cam-
pus doing… concerned, he could be a role
My Interests/passion Trying to stay awake. model for SMU students, and
My interests include basketball, golf and has definitely impressed us
cooking. My Philosophy
This is not the end, stay foolish, stay hun-
with his generosity and dedi-
How do you manage your aca- gry! cation to good causes.
demic life, CCAs, personal commit-
ments etc.?
6 SPRING/ SUMMER 2011 ISSUE

Verve @ SMU
Neo Chua Kok Keng, School of Business, 2008
If you were to pass by third year business student Neo Chua along the
concourse, you might not look twice. But this unassuming student is also
the lead vocalist of J-rock band Renaissance, and when he assumes his
glitzy stage persona (complete with elaborate make-up and wig), even a
double-take might not be enough to fully appreciate this rocker’s stylishly
androgynous transformation.
My SMU Life so far…. notice, I haven’t

If anyone were to ask me if there are any life changing decisions talked about
that I’ve made, coming to SMU would definitely be one of them. school work yet.
This decision is one that I’ve never regretted. Looking back at the However, as tiring
road I’ve taken before coming here, I would say that it was all as it may seem, I
worth it, be it my two years of Arts in JC, or the three years of IT in feel that filling up
Polytechnic and even the one semester of Computer Engineering my day with ac-
in NUS. The reason for this is that having spent three years here, I tivities that I love
have finally discovered that Business is what I really like and what makes life really
suits me the best. Although I have to admit that initially, I was meaningful and
quite taken aback by the workload in school as I’ve always had hence, I’ve never
the impression that SMU’s project and seminar based curriculum really felt tired at
would be much more relaxing compared to the other universities. the end of any day.
Rather, I feel ac-
Still, the many hours spent after classes on projects with friends complished. More-
and school mates are pleasant memories that will remain with over, these activi-
me long after I graduate, as they were often more fun and laugh- ties help to drive
ter than just work and gloom. This is especially true for me since me and boost my
most of my friends and project mates are from the Music Interac- morale when it
tive Club (MIC). I am thankful that the SMU culture allows us to comes to dealing
bid for the same classes together, as I am somebody who finds with the stress of
it hard to warm up to new people unless we share a common in- my academic life.
terest. The friendships formed [in MIC] will definitely last all the Even though I be-
way till I graduate and even after I start working, as not only are lieve that academ-
these friends fun loving, but they also give me much needed help ics should be a pri-
and encouragement when I face problems with my assignments ority in a student’s university life, it should not be the ONLY thing.
or work. Of course, all this is only possible in a small and tightly
knitted community like ours, which is why I’ve never looked back My typical day in SMU will be…
since coming to SMU. My day starts off with morning classes, followed by practices for
MIC or external performances in the afternoon. After which I will
My Interests/passion head down to Echomusic School for lessons with vocal students
Listening to music of all genres, singing, and teaching vocals. I also and finally, I will jam with the band in the evening.
enjoy mah-jong, pool and bowling.
I spend most of my time on campus doing…
How do you manage your academic life, CCAs, personal Playing Left4Dead 2 or Facebook-ing on my laptop. I will also be
doing research for new things to teach or share with my students.
commitments etc.?
Basically, every single day is like a roller coaster ride for me. Besides
having to juggle my teaching responsibilities, performances for My Philosophy
my CCA and music school, I still have to find time to jam with my University life is not just about academics. So work hard but play
band, which basically means that I always plan my daily schedule even harder.
carefully or risk having activities clash with one another. And if you
>Our Say:
Regular student by day and flam-
boyant rocker by night, Neo is a rare
breed of SMU student whose life
doesn’t revolve around the endless
pursuit of grades. Instead, he lives
life for himself, and through his pas-
sion for music ensures that he enjoys
every minute of it. Our suggestion?
Take a breather and rock out to his
tune. You know you want to.
SPRING/SUMMER 2011 ISSUE 7

Verve @ SMU
Elvia Goh Sin Tze, School of Business, 2008
SMU students with multiple CCAs are a dime a dozen, but very few students can say that they have set up their own club.
Elvia Goh is one such student whose passion and zest for Chinese orchestral music saw her setting up the SMU Chinese
Orchestra (SMUCO), a club that caters to all lovers of traditional Chinese music and instruments. She has also represented
the SMU Women’s soccer team in local tournaments and is on the management committee of the Whampoa Community
Centre.
My SMU Life so far…

SMUCO, SMUCO and SMUCO. It was definitely not some-
thing that I expected before I entered university. How-
ever, ever since the decision to set up SMUCO, my SMU
life took a 360 degree turn. I realized that university life
is not solely about academics.
I often wonder whether spending so much time on
SMUCO was worthwhile, but I guess I would never have
learnt and experienced so much if not for it. The feel-
ing of bringing an orchestra onstage and expressing
our passion for music through each performance is in-
explicable. More importantly, in SMU, where everyone
is driven by their own respective interests and dreams,
it spurred me to pursue my own in Chinese orchestral
music. I am glad I decided to pursue my dream as it has
made my SMU Life more fulfilling than ever. In fact, it al-
ways warms my heart to see Chinese music enthusiasts
coming together to share Chinese orchestral music with
the SMU community and beyond. SMUCO has opened
my eyes to many possibilities and shaped me into who
I am today. I have met many people along this journey
and built strong and lasting bonds with other passion-
ate musicians. The memories of my journey till now have
formed a meaningful and significant chapter of my SMU
life and are definitely priceless.
My Interests/passion
Sports and of course, MUSIC.
How do you manage your academic life, CCAs,

personal commitments etc.?
Despite my overwhelming CCA commitments as the
Founding President, I have been blessed with under-
standing group mates that try their best to accom-
modate my tight schedule. On my part, I always try to
prioritize different tasks and deadlines, depending on
their importance. This allows me to effectively juggle
the tasks at hand and still have time for other personal
commitments. Most importantly, having the support
and encouragement of my beloved family and friends
has certainly helped me too.
My typical day in SMU will be… >Our Say:

Rushing to lessons, grabbing snacks (skipping meals) How many of us can say we have the word ‘Found-
and heading to SMUCO’s practice room.
er’ written on our CCA transcripts? Setting up and
I spend most of my time on campus… sustaining your own CCA requires an incredible
Project and CCA meetings and of course hanging out amount of effort and tenacity, and Elvia is definite-
with awesome SMUCO people! ly an all-round warrior who has her priorities fully
My Philosophy sorted out. This musical maestro dares to pursue
Live your dream and passion – always try to exceed the her dreams even if it means having to make a few
expectations people have for you. sacrifices, and her ability to bring her own passion
to the student body and beyond is nothing short
of amazing.

Verve @ SMU
The Loud,
The Glue
& The Bold
A Tongue-in-cheek look at life in SMU.
The top 10 things SMU students fear the most :

Fear: an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.
Here’s a list of the top ten things that would drive SMU students to press the panic button, which in itself in a baffling para-
dox given how we love thinking we are the masters of the universe.
5
That just as attractive
4
Your drinking
1 2
Li Ka Shing library A module with 5% girl/guy across the
buddies think you
3
reducing their class participa- Another CCA biting seminar room bought
have no life and
opening hours. tion. Smaller class the dust. 1 less the same H&M apparel that
you are a mugger. You
Where are we going to participation component CCA means 1 less you thought you were the
want to prove to them
find somewhere just gives us less motivation opportunity to get a only one who could pos-
you are so brilliant you
as hip to mug our lives and reward to flaunt our leadership position sibly own it. Don’t worry;
don’t need to spend
away? greatest gifts. I’m sure your GPAs may not
hours studying.
be the same.
10
Waking up
8
The school decides
6
You have a GPA one morning
7 9
You graduate with they want to close The Bloomberg
of 4.0, but people to realize that
a GPA of 3.79, 3.59 GSRs on weekends. terminal at the li-
still don’t think you you are in accountancy/
or 3.39. Fate is cruel, Where else can you brary crashing. The
are smart. You think your economics/ information
and your employers think possibly still look cool in Warren Buffets among us
4.0 GPA should put you systems when you should
the numbers don’t lie. front of your friends and consider this illegal.
automatically at the top have been in business
of the mountain. still get on the dean’s or social science. Well, it
list? happens all the time.
!!! “Forum-Rama” We hear you. Whether we take you seriously is another matter.
“Participation *%#$ “
“I got great advice from my seniors regarding participation. “I suffered in the ‘talk-heavy’ courses like ethics, MPW, BGS and
All this talk about quality not quantity is plain bull. How do the likes which enable those who can and love to talk go on
you explain the TAs with the excel spreadsheets recording the and massacre the rest of us. So I went to major in QF and ac-
marks against your name everytime you speak up? Participa- countancy. I’m suffering with the mad amount of figures but
tion is so important in getting that elusive A+ when everyone’s it’s better than a class which is no different from a coffee shop.
grades in everything else are so competitive. One way is to sit I thought we were articulate as advertised but it annoys me
strategically where the prof cast his eyes on in the classroom when I hear ‘Ah Bengs’ talk in class with their horrible accent.
and this is can be the front, middle or back row - depending. Even the uncles in a coffee shop make more sense. Goodness
Also, Google is a brilliant tool to come up with things to talk me! And there are the bimbos who talk about everything but
about or elaborate on the points made in class. It has done what we’re supposed to talk about. Then there are many of
wonders for me. Sheer genius. us who just rephrase or reestablish a point by making it more
complicated. ”
-Lingam Mersey Soh, 2010 freshman
(a person who is too smart for his own good) -Kennee Q (He does have a point, you know)

Verve @ SMU
Blah
In a ... Blah
nutshell Internship, internships, internships

It doesn’t take long for any new freshmen entering SMU to hear about this word known as “internship”, and how
much it means in particular in this school. Beyond just graduation criteria that need to be fulfilled, we are quickly
indoctrinated with how important internships are towards that all-important first job that everyone wants or
that high-paying dream job that everyone craves. We quickly begin to believe how one more internship gives
you a quick advantage over your nearest competitors, and vice versa – how one less internship means a terrible
disadvantage. A quick chat with our nearest neighbours at NUS and NTU suggest a vast difference in opinions
with regards to this big word known as “internships”. Over at our neighbours, it is not uncommon to find the
bulk of students who do not put much importance to internships. In a nutshell, internships at SMU seem to be
a paramount necessity while our neighbours seem to view it as a “good to have, but no harm not having”. We
may disagree on how significant an internship experience is towards our future, but one things for certain – our
attitudes towards internships is a great epitome of how competitive SMU students generally are compared to our
nearest neighbours. We don’t give an inch, eh?
Student Exchange Programs

You have heard loads of stories from our dear friends who have just returned from their student exchange programs.
You have seen the countless uploads of ‘cam-whoring’ photos of your dear friends who have just returned from their
student exchange programs. It starts to make you wonder what you are doing still stuck on this tiny island and the
more you think about it, the more you want to go. It could be that you simply want an extended break from this
roughneck competitive environment and you hear that the grass is greener is this aspect overseas. It could well be that
you want to see the amazing architecture and breathtaking scenery your host country and its surrounding neighbours
have to offer. Whatever it is, it must be said that exchange is definitely a positive experience, a luxury that we will hardly
get to enjoy when we leave university. Money is, of course, a big determining factor in deciding whether we embark on
this amazing journey and if we do, where would we do it? Europe by far remains the most popular destination for all,
though it would be great if more students will be willing to take that plunge for something more adventurous, such as
South America or Africa. That being said, it is difficult to find someone who would describe his exchange experience as
negative and in this student life-scarce place like SMU, our student exchange program might very well represent our
best peep into what a holistic tertiary school life might perhaps look like.
Our campus still rocks!

Not too long ago, a writer for a mainstream publication did a list of what’s cool and what’s not.
And guess what? We were given the unwelcome distinction of being uncool -our campus
that is. Supposedly, when comparing two institutions, what’s cool is SOTA’s (School of the
Arts) campus and what’s not is SMU’s campus! The feature went on to lavish praise on the
zZ
?
aesthetically-appealing design of SOTA with the fountain or wave-shaped building given the
thumbs up while our campus is described as boring. Safe to say, he doesn’t know what he’s
talking about! We are a business university. Hey, we are SMU! Somebody forgot to tell him that
we are not a spaceship full of aliens – which is possibly his definition of what “cool” is. We are
seriously cool and we mean business. We jump and reach for the stars, rock with our suits on
and have a state-of-the-art campus right in the heart of the city. We were given credit for that
not too long ago and just because some funny-shaped buildings start to appear shouldn’t
change the fact we’re cool. And not to mention that we get the high-flying jobs. %
!
1 FALL/WINTER 2010 ISSUE univantage.bizcom.sg
Verve @ SMU
2010 events at SMU:

What would Facebook have looked like behind the scenes?
facebook Search Home Profile Account
News Feed Top News . Most Recent 300+
Share: Status Photos Links Videos
What’s on your mind?
Prof. Who
Partying like a rockstar at SMU 10!
24 January 11.00am via iPhone . Like . Comment
Prof Who likes this.
Prof. Who Damn I look good in a suit.

24 January at 11.13am . Like
Dr. DX
Damn this office looks real comfortable. I could like it in here!
24 January at 8.00am . Like . Comment
Prof Who likes this.
Prof. Who I know, nothing looks as good as that poster of me on the wall
Dr. DX What poster?

Prof. Who Poster of ME.

Dr. DX I took it down. It’s now ME.

Prof. Who You tore down my poster?

Dr. DX While you were partying like a rockstar

24 minutes ao . Like
Registrar
Wow you can actually squeeze 50 people in an SR. Didn’t know that. Let’s make class sizes 50 instead!
24 March at 8.00am . Like . Comment
SMUSA Been drinking eh bro! That ain’t cool

24 March at 8.02pm . Like
Registrar Bro, there’s nothing you can do about this.

SMUSA Try me!

Registrar I just did.

SMUSA Oh would you stop this! I’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse

Verve @ SMU
Registrar I just did
SMUSA Oh damn it would you stop it

SMUSA created the group: We will not tolerate class sizes of 50

25 March at 4.33pm . Like . Comment
SMUSA changed the name of the group: We find it hard to tolerate class sizes of 50
SMUSA deleted the group: We find it hard to tolerate class sizes of 50

Registrar likes this.
BOSS
Silly SMU students trying to keep e-dollars in the biscuit tins. Time to inflate, baby
Class of 2007 likes this.
SMU class of 2008 Nice one, bro. 9 and 10 will never have enough e-dollars to make it to
puberty, let alone outbid us at this rate
SMUSA Bro, what are you up to, again

BOSS Just chillin and makin merry, Bro

SMUSA Been drinking eh bro! That ain’t cool. No put the prices back where they are.
BOSS Bro, this is better for you and me, and I’m sure you don’t really mind
SMUSA Seriously Bro. Quit doing this. Don’t try me

15 March at 1.46pm. Like
BOSS I just did

15 March at 1.56pm . Like . 1 person
Registrar likes this.

OFM was tagged in the album lovely new poles at each escalator
lovely new poles at each escalator

5 new photos
19 October at 8.00am . Like . Comment
SMU male connection What the?

19 October at 11.55am . Like
OFM Lovely height, lovely sound when it hits, eh

SMU male connection hit?

OFM You will know soon enough


Verve @ SMU
George Kuah
Another 4.0 semester with another Investment Banking internship coming up, another semester of what George Kuah
really is about
24 August at 8.00am . Like . Comment
George Kuah’s ex girlfriend likes this.
George Kuah Come back to me

24 August at 4.55am . Like
George Kuah’s ex girlfriend Okay! You are perfect on paper even though you have an ugly face! And
without you, I realised that resumes are all that matter in life.
CIT
This year, servicing your computers will never be the same again
Today at 9.00am . Like . Comment
SMU Students Hahah, pun eh, bro?
3 hours ago . Like
CIT Pun?
3 hours ago . Like
SMU Students Yeh bro, pun.

2 hours ago . Like
CIT Why pun?

2 hours at 11.30am . Like
SMU Students Our windows computers were never the same after they came back from CIT
1 hour ago . Like
CIT Haha bro, you’re welcome.

50 minutes ago . Like
SMU Students Thank you for converting me to Mac though.

> Life of an
SMU
Love my
mugger: GPA
A hypothetical look into the life of student, “Love my GPA”, through his Facebook wall....
facebook Search Home Profile Account
Love my GPA
Share: Status Photos Links Videos
What’s on your mind?
Week 1
Love my GPA
Week 1 is without a doubt, the best time to find a sweetspot in Li Ka Shing Library, best time to gain swallow the
textbook while everyone’s at Zouk.

Verve @ SMU
Love my GPA Harry Hee
Hey man, ready to steamroll through our mods with our dean’s list mighty morphing power rangers group?
12 August at 1.44pm . Like . Comment
You like this.
Love my GPA No one ain’t stopping us when our zords come into town.
12 August at 2.44pm . Like
Week 2
Love my GPA
Shocking! Everyone has been mugging more than expect. Eminem Teo has finished notes till week 4. Cannot lose. Harry
Hee, prepare to erect a tent in the library..
You created the event Camp in school and get A+s

17 August at at 8.00am . Like . Comment
Harry Hee Thanks man. Now Eminem Teo’s gonna camp in school just like us.
Love my GPA No one ain’t stopping us when our zords come into town.
You created the event Lets party at Zouk like rockstars all day all night
You invited Eminem Teo to the event Lets party at Zouk like rockstars all day all night
Love my GPA Hey bro, invite your corp reporting group to the party k!
Eminem Teo Ok!

Eminem Teo Didn’t see you at the party, bro

Love my GPA You’ve been drinking eh, bro? I was there!

You made the event Camp in school and get A+s private.
Week 3
Love my GPA
Someone told me prof enjoy curry puffs. No letting up. I’m presenting him 1 box of those right after class. Bestowals for
his palette, wonders for his impression of me.
Love my GPA Prof

Hey, prof. Can I call you, bro? Anyway thanks for the opportunity to allow me to give you the curry puffs. It is my honour,
really. Can I know share with you my dream of wanting to be the valedictorian?
Week 4
Love my GPA
First presentation of the semester by my rivals. I worked double overtime on Wikipedia and Yahoo! Finance and found
tons of flaws with their presentation.
1 September at 11.11am . Like . Comment
Kingston Kang Bro, that wasn’t cool at all. You made us look real bad.
1 September at 11.41am . Like
Love my GPA No, bro. Didn’t do that to make you look bad. You are my bro, why would I do that? I just
wanted to “enhance the learning” in class.
1 September at 4.41pm . Like . 1 person
Howard Hee likes this.

Love my GPA Nice slides though, bro.
1 September at 4.42pm . Like

Verve @ SMU
Week 5
Love my GPA
2 weeks before mid terms. Facebook will be deactivated in a matter of seconds until further notice. No girlfriend till then
as well.
6 September at 4.42pm . Like . Comment
Love my GPA is no longer in a relationship with Love my boyfriend’s GPA

Week 7
Love my GPA
Mid terms finally over. Very sure I topped the class. Now, Zouk tonight just to show everyone I am a chiongster, not a
mugger. I’m just a brilliant kid. Of course, my girlfriend’s back.
Love my GPA is listed as in a relationship with Love my boyfriend’s GPA

Week 8
Love my GPA
You think I’m crazy, you think I’m a fool. I don’t care what they say. I’m starting to mug for final exams. Howard Hee, I
will go study while you go club with our classmates. Don’t let them stop.
Week 9
Love my GPA
Mid term results out. Damn, Si Be Kiang got higher than me. FML. Seriously, FML.
Dean Hey bro, chill ya. Life is not all about GPA
Dean likes this.

Love my GPA I am not, “bro”. Can I, dislike this?
Love my GPA If life isn’t about GPA, why do they bother keeping score?
Dean Nerd
Dean likes this.

Love my GPA And stop liking your own comments, bro.
Week 10
Love my GPA
My presentation week. My stage. Harry Hee, you ready bro?
6 October at 1.42pm . Like . Comment
Kingston Kang Don’t know how you did it, but you covered the topic all the way from A to Z
6 October at 4.42pm . Like . 1 person
Love my GPA likes this.

Week 11
Love my GPA
3 weeks before Finals. Facebook will be deactivated in a matter of seconds until further notice. Girlfriend needed this
time – to keep me motivated by reminding me how important my GPA is to all matters of life, including love.
23 October at 6.42pm . Like . Comment
Week 14
Love my GPA
4.3. You hear me? I feel you.
15 November at 1.42pm . Like . Comment

RUCK ‘N’ ROW: STRONGMEN of SMU
Where do you look if you want to find the toughest guys in SMU? And when we say tough, we don’t mean the kind of guy that has a
marathon mugging session in the library. With so many SMU students increasingly placing emphasis on grades, we thought it would be
refreshing to give some credit to guys who take the time to not only hone their brains but their brawns as well. Some adore them, some
can’t stand them and some may want to be like them. We give you the lowdown on these guys and let you decide.
- Feature & Interviews by Senthil Sukumar and Joanne Hoe. Photography by Hu Jiaming.
W
hen we say big and buff, who do from the rugby team speaks for all seven
you automatically think of? If you of the sportsmen we interviewed when TEAM SPIRIT
thought Rugby or Dragon Boat, he says simply that boating or rugby is “a Teamwork and male bonding are further
you wouldn’t have been alone. Admit it, good way to keep fit.” Both sports require its reasons why these guys choose to do what
your first thought wasn’t Fencing or Soccer members to be in peak physical condition they do. According to Guo Ping, nothing
(no offense to the guys here, although I’m before a competition. According to Guo beats “rowing together as one in the Dragon
sure lean and mean has its own appeal). Ping, a first year dragon boater from SOSS, boat and felling the surge as you pull away
Nothing screams tough and toned more he joined Dragon Boat because the need from others in the race.” Not to mention
than dragon boaters or rugby players, and to earn a spot on the Dragon Boat Team the fact that their signature tan lines gives
in this issue, we sit down and take a closer by maintaining his fitness level had him the boaters a visually-arresting common
look SMU’s very own sportsmen. So read on working out in the gym regularly. identity. However Don Shaikh, a second year
to find out more about the guys you’d think For the dragon boaters, the level of business student, has a very different reason
thrice about getting into a brawl with. commitment to fitness and the hours that for joining the Dragon boat team. The self-
they put in are nothing short of astounding. professed adrenaline junkie rows for the
When asked about the Dragon boat team’s thrill of it, and figured that he could get his
TRAINING TO WIN training routine, Terence Tan, an Economic fix by joining the most intensive sport in
When most guys look at dragon boaters or student in his third year, reveals that the SMU. He says that through dragon boating,
rugby players, we tend to do two things. team “trains five times a week with three he could “push the boundaries and prove
The first, if like me you’re blessed with a paddling sessions at Kallang Stadium and to myself that I could survive just about
ridiculously small frame, is to marvel at their two land training sessions.” Additionally, anything regardless of the circumstances.”
physique in an ‘I-wish-I-could-be-more-like- Terence goes to the gym on his own twice As for the rugby players, the main draw for
him’ way. Then we think about whether they a week. The rugby players have it slightly them was the fact that their friends signed
got that buff because of the sport they play, easier, with two field trainings per week as a up for the sport, and thus they could all
or because they go to the gym eight times team and additional gym sessions on their compete together as a team.
a week. Well, it seems to a combination of own.
16 FALL/WINTER
both.
2010 ISSUE univantage.bizcom.sg
Antony Chai, a Business sophomore
Verve @ SMU
COUNT WHAT NOW? I’m out on the water, at least I know that
For those who are wondering about the “The kind of everyone with me has the same goal in
kind of discipline required for these guys mind.”
when it comes to diet, fear not, for most control you have
of the sportsmen do not religiously count Kah Wei, a first year business student, has
calories. First year business student and
over the situation a more dramatic opposition to school. He
rugby President Stuart Ho says that he is hardly possible chose the pitch over the classroom, and for
doesn’t watch what he eats, and enjoys the rugby player drowning out at sea would
the pleasures of fast food and sushi, while in class. And be also a good option because “anything
Anthony simply eats “whatever I want.” beats being stuck in class.” We like Stuart’s
Terence in particular loves food, and will eat
when I’m out reason the best though. He says he prefers
without restraint when he travels. “When I’m on the water, at playing rugby since “I don’t have to ‘class
on holiday, that’s when I’ll let loose and eat part’ on the field.”
everything I want.” Among the sportsmen, least I know that Shaikh adds that since we only have
second year Accountancy student and four years to fully experience life as an
Dragon Boat President Alvin Lim comes the
everyone with me
closest to being diet conscious. He says that has the same goal “I don’t have to
“although I do not have any specific diet
plan and eat like any other normal guy, I am in mind.” class part on the
conscious to not eat too much fried and oily
food.” you wouldn’t know it from their attitudes field.”
towards the classroom. When asked if they
preferred to be at sea/on the pitch or in a
THE OTHER GAME seminar room, all the sportsmen preferred undergraduate, the best option really is to
Although the sportsmen take their CCAs to be outdoors rather than in. Terence says “strike a balance between the seminar room
very seriously, they still emphasise school that he prefers being at sea because “the and CCAs.” All of the sportsmen juggle both
over sports when necessary. After all, they kind of control you have over the situation classes and trainings in order to do well
are at the end of the day still students. But [at sea] is hardly possible in class. And when both in and out of the classroom, and

Verve @ SMU
“I would never
dare approach a
girl. I’d just love
her from afar.”
Guo Ping says that “If I’m not in the gym or

having lessons, I’ll be in the library studying
away with my teammates.”
ALL ABOUT GIRLS

How do the sportsmen fare in a one-
on-one with the fairer sex? When asked
if he joined the rugby team to impress
girls, Anthony cheekily replies, “No, but
it’s a bonus.” A chiseled exterior certainly
provides an advantage when trying to
gain the attention of girls, but the rugby
players don’t seem to be maximizing
this advantage. On the pitch Kah Wei is a
trailblazer, but he says he prefers to keep
his distance and says that “I would never
dare approach a girl. I’d just love her from
afar.” Stuart one-ups his teammate by
saying that he would approach a girl he
likes like “a gazelle approaching crocodile-
infested waters.”
The dragon boaters are a little more daring

when it comes to girls. Terence is a guy who
would prefer to make the first calculated
move. If he likes a girl, he says that he
would ask the people around him if they
know her before approaching her, and
even if there was no one around him, he
would try to get a friend to introduce him
to the girl. But we like the pick-up line Guo
Ping says he’ll use on a girl the best: “Hey,
I’m looking for a teammate for a group
project and we’re short of one. Are you still
available?”

Verve @ SMU
From L-R: Stuart Ho, Wong Kah Wei and Anthony Chai
Did you join the Rugby What’s a typical day in Other than rugby, what Describe yourself in one
team to impress girls? SMU like for you? are you most passionate word.
about?
Kah Wei: Don’t think so. Stuart: Lunch with my Kah Wei: Eating and Kah Wei: Drank
friends. Straight home sleeping are my main
passions that I strive to
Stuart: Not really. perfect. I do enjoy music Stuart: Callipygian
Kah Wei: Class and then from Journey, Guns N’ Roses
straight home, pretty sad. and Air Supply.
Anthony: No, but it’s a Anthony: Indescribable?
bonus. Actually I have no idea. This
Anthony: Just like any other Stuart: I play poker with my is a tough one I apologise.
student, mugging. friends occasionally. Other
than that nothing much.
Anthony: I’m into Scuba

Diving as I love the sun,
sand and sea.

Verve @ SMU
From L-R: Terence Tan, Boon Guo Ping, Alvin Lim and Shaikh Ahmad
Did you join the Dragon Other than boating, what Describe yourself in
What’s a typical day in
Boat team to impress are you most passionate one word.
SMU like for you?
girls? about?
Shaikh: Not at all. That Terence: Either training Alvin: I have an interest in doing Terence: Uninhibited
came inadvertently with before class or training after community projects and just recently,
the package. class. My day isn’t exactly I went to Philippines for an OCIP trip.
exciting. I usually head home Shaikh: Modest
right after I’m done in school. Shaikh: I’ve got a profound affinity
Guo Ping: Nah. Nowadays, for all things economics, business
girls don’t go for looks Shaikh: On a typical day, and investment. I enjoy engaging Anthony: Gullible.
anymore, what matters you’ll find me attending les- others and being immersed in
most is the inside. Besides, sons (I’ve got a clean sheet intellectual conversations centred on
which girl wants a guy who since the first semester), en- issues relating to these topics. Apart
spends most of the time gaged in a project meeting in from that, I I’m rather passionate
training in the gym or at some random GSR, smugging about music too – trance, electro and
Kallang? in the lLibrary, or training at house in particular. I secretly envision
the gym. I spend the majority myself as a successful deejay when
of my time on campus and I’m plugged into a podcast.
Terence: No, but it’s a usually head home at night
bonus. when I’m done. Guo Ping: I still play a bit of
basketball sometimes, and when I’m
Alvin: Train. Eat. Study. Sleep. bored at home, I’ll pull out a few Jay
Chou pieces to play on the piano.
And of course, which guy doesn’t play
20 SPRING/ SUMMER 2011 ISSUE DOTA?!
“Champ” or “Chump”?
Ruck or Row: Who’s the better man?
Which team can lay claim to having the better man, Rugby or
Dragon Boat? To find out, we pit rugby President, Stuart Ho, and
dragon boat Captain, Alvin Lim, against each other in a battle of
wits and character in our “Champ or Chump” Test.
Alvin Lim Tingquan Stuart Ho Wei Lee

Team Captain, SMU Dragon President, SMU Rugby
Boat Freshmen / Business
Sophomore / Accountancy
The Showdown
Q1: If yo
you
ou
u had
had gym training
tr and your girlfriend asks you to have lunch, which would you ch
choos
choose?
oose?
oos
A: I would have lunch in the gym. S:I will choose gym training. We can have our meal after my train-
Score: That’s feasible. Not! Could you convince your girlfriend to do ing.
so? Creative, though. (1/2 point) Score: Persuading your girlfriend to do that may be a tough one. (0)
Q2: If you
ou h
had to plan for it, what would be the perfect date for yourr girlfriend??
A: The date when I have no training, no school and no meetings. We S:Refer to question one.
can do anything since we have the whole day to ourselves, we can Score: Seriously? I’m sure you can do better than that! (0)
be spontaneous and do whatever that pleases us.
Score: Nice. What’s better than chilling with your girl for a day?
(1 point)
Q3: If a girl comes up to you and asks for your number, would you give it to her?
A: Yeah, why not? S:Sure, why not?
Score: Spontaneous! (1 point) Score: Spontaneous! (1 point)
Q4: Would you turn up for either a project meeting or training if they happen to clash?
A: Training definitely. Our trainings are all pre-planned and there S:I would go for training, and I’d do my share of the work after
should be no excuse why we should arrange a meeting at those training.
times Score: That’s commitment. I’m sure your group mates would under
Score: Good planning and foresight. (1 point) stand. Right. We hope that’s true but it isn’t. (1/2 point)
Q5: If you had one question if life that you want answered, what would that question be?
A: How did the team win the Prime Minister’s (PM) Cup in the Singa- S:Will it blend?
pore Dragon Boat Festival 2010? Score: Will what blend???(0)
Score: Why question a good thing? (0)
Q6: If time could be manipulated only once, would you choose to go to the past, the future, or stay in the
present?
A: Past. I remembered we lost by a millisecond to SIM during the S:The past. I’ve always wanted to ride in a DeLorean.
PM Cup, and I wished we could have trained harder for it! Score: Interesting. Depicted in the movie “Back to the Future”.
Score: I’m sure the team put in their utmost effort! Anyway, is there (1 point)
anything other than Dragon boat? (0)
Q7: Lady Gaga or SNSD (Girls Generation)?
A: SNSD. They are cute! S:Neither.
Score: You are showing your sensitive side when some guys would Score: Brilliant answer. You don’t have to buy into popular culture.
find it gay. (1 point) (1 point)
Q8: Which country would you want to visit the most?
A: Any European country. I heard a lot of fantastic stuff about these S:New Zealand. I would like to catch the next Rugby World Cup
countries and hopefully my exchange application will go through! there.
Score: Well, if you can’t decide why not just pick the whole continent Score: That’s nice. NZ is a great place for relaxation and it’s the home
of Europe? But, with more than 50 diverse countries to choose from, of the All Blacks. (1 point)
surely it can’t be just any country? (1/2 point)
Final Score - Alvin : 5/8 Final Score - Stuart: 4.5 / 8

Alvin edges it. His down-to-earth personality and honesty could probably be the decider. His commitment to his team’s cause is without
question. It seems like ‘rowing’ has taken a significant part of his life in SMU, and he is definitely gamed for more! Stuart is quite a character,
though. Strong and straightforward, he’s created quite an impression on us. We suspect he’s a colourful character. His nonchalant approach
to questions probably did him in, though. While Alvin shows great potential in winning the heart of girls, Stuart is the rough-around-the-
edges type, the kind who usually attracts the hotties – hopefully. Yeah, so he’s a champ as well. Not this time, though. Alvin’s our winner!
Trends, Tips & Advice
For three years in a row I've found myself writing the same resolu-
tion and promising myself that the new year would bring more
2011:
success than the previous did, but as you probably guessed, it
was never the case. Hence, when the last week of 2010 came
around and I sat to plan my resolutions for the coming 2011, I
found myself at a loss for words. What DID I want to achieve in
2011? What is the point of resolutions if they are simply for the
sake of having them? So little of what we do as a student is driven
by true passion or because it makes us happy. Rather, we live on
the fuel of prospective happiness. Of believing that if we follow
certain steps, much like a chemical formula, we will achieve the
Singaporean dream of the 5Cs and counting. But, life is unex-
pected, frustrating and sometimes daunting. If 2010 is anything
to go by, I've realised that maybe planning and structuring every
moment of everyday is exactly the reason why plans don't go,
well, according to plan. Wanting things to be perfect hinders the
mind from being open and accepting to changes that may be
good for us in the long run. It stops us from seizing the day and
embracing the challenges because we are so fixated on achiev-
ing that perfect plan in our heads. I urge you, dear readers, to
look back at 2010 and mentally list all the things that didn't go
according to plan.
Perhaps like me, you too lost someone special in that year, or
things didn't go as planned, or you received unexpected news,
maybe you didn't achieve what you thought you could achieve,
or maybe you thought you were capable of doing something,
but found out that you in fact were not. Whatever the case may
be, pinpoint an exact moment where life threw you totally of
course and left you stumped. Then, in the same breath, think of
a time you didn't have a plan and you had the most fun you've
ever had, or felt the most joy. It is this unexpected happiness that
I wish to feel this coming year. Long-term goals are essential, that
I firmly advocate. But this year my resolution is to simply live and
let live, to go with the flow. How many times have we made a
goal because it is the 'right thing to do' or made a sacrifice for the
'greater good'? This year, I challenge you to take to take a leap of
faith with me, to put happiness first and live in the moment and
find time for yourself.
Bring It On
As a perfectionist and a perpetual planner who loves lists and
schedules, this is bound to be a difficult journey. But to the chal-
lenge I say, bring it on.
By Bandana Kaur
Below are some tips to help you achieve a more fulfilling new
I
term.
t is no secret that New Year resolutions have a no-
torious reputation for being goals that don't quite
Start the day right
get achieved. This rather peculiar phenomenon Every morning as you walk to class,
resonates throughout the world as often pointed out think of positive thoughts. No mat-
by numerous magazine articles and self help books. ter how crappy the journey to
school may have been or how
But why is this so? Why is so hard to keep the prom- late a night you had. Much like
ises we make to ourselves? Is it because of our innate a sportsman has to psych him-
human nature to set goals that are extreme and be- self up before a big race, size
yourself up to face any task the
yond our limits, or simply because we set goals for the day might throw at you.
sake of setting them?
Prepare for meetings, not like a party planner but like a don't want your professor to think you did not put in a 100% effort,
party guest. but have faith in your work and in yourself. You will begin to realize
Being an obsessive perfectionist will only drive you over the wall. that when you stop obsessing, your 'less than perfect work' is actually
While going the extra mile and offering to help is a good habit, give good enough.
people space to do their own thing and don't impose your style on
them, unless when absolutely necessary. Like any good party guest,
show up on time and come with something of value to contribute,
but don't go ballistic if someone shows up with something you Learn to say “no”
weren't quite expecting. Keep an open mind and hear them out. Perhaps this rule doesn't apply with regards to you
No!
and your professor because you can’t exactly say no
if he or she gives you a task. However if you are the
Make friends go-to person of a group who is always picked upon to
While keeping up with schoolwork, do the 'extra' bits, take a stand for yourself. Stay calm and be polite,
CCAs and external work or home but firmly assert your inability to complete the task and suggest an
responsibilities can sometimes be alternative, like doing it as a group. Don't be overly apologetic and
an overwhelming task, it is of equal feel bad but rather think of the opportunity cost of doing the work.
importance to socialize and make Who will you have to turn down in order to get the work done? Your
friends. Take the time to go out for friends? Your family? Yourself?
lunch with your group mates and
have conversations with them that
are not related to school (even if
you have to leave early, at least you And finally...realise that school is NOT your home
made an effort). Get to know them as people and as friends, instead While being in school for long hours is sometimes essential, don't
of simply group mates. After all, just as university is about excelling spend unnecessary time loitering aimlessly or just sitting in the library
academically, it is also about creating a network friends and potential because you're bored and don't feel like going home. If you're bored
partners (business or otherwise). (which I envy), lend your services to a volunteer group or join a club
or maybe even start one. Find a passion or pursue a hobby instead
of just 'hanging around'. For the rest of us, plan a night ahead what
time you'd like to be home or leave school the next day, and then
Stay Organised resist the 'just a little more' syndrome. That innate desire to perhaps
Instead of having large plans like resolutions, have weekly plans cancel a few more tasks off your list can keep you in school for hours
and give yourself the freedom to do the task in parts and on the and unnecessary tire you out, sapping your energy for the rest of the
go, as opposed to assigning yourself a specific day and time and week. Your exhaustion will undermine your productivity for that day
then getting frustrated when something comes up (and something so there's no point!
ALWAYS seems to come up when you plan with such precision).
Team up with a classmate or a friend with similar tasks and keep each
other in check.
NO!
NO!
NO!
Keep track of your time
There are only 24 hours in a day and when
we are overwhelmed, we tend to over plan.
Be realistic. Facebook-ing (for some of us) is
essential so factor it in. If gaming helps you
relax, factor it in. Studies have shown that
simply taking 20 minutess for yourself can
increase your productivity by a few folds.
But have a purpose. Just like shopping
aimlessly can be a dangerous habit, logging
on to Facebook, Tumblr or twitter just to
'look around' can be hazardous to your time.
Look up your close friends, take a cursory
glance at the rest, smile to yourself, and then get
back to work. If you have to run personal errands, don't get distracted
by that ‘SALE’ sign. Imagine it is a monster and run for your dear life.
Trust yourself
In a school like SMU, nothing short of the best work is expected of
us. But the constant push for perfection can actually lead to lower
productivity rates. Edit your work a few times, take a deep breath
and ask yourself, did I do my best? And don't listen to your head
(especially if you're a perfectionist like me) because more often than
not your nitpicking brain will always be able to come up with some
sort of a flaw in the work. Instead, follow your instincts. Sure, you

Sp
eci
Travel Guide al
Ed
itio
n
Exchange Programme
Going to America? UniVantage continues this series with another special edition, this time to help you plan for your exchange in the
U.S. - Home of Hollywood blockbusters, Cheeseburger & Fries, The Whitehouse and more. We pick two of the best experts to give
you the hottest tips and insider information. Hopefully, this will go a long way in helping you if you’re planning to conquer all fifty
states! These folks will share with you the kind of information they wish they had before they embarked on their exchange travels.
TIPS:
Make sure you’re at least
21-years old when you go on
exchange to the US
and we had pretty good Japa- doorstep for free if you buy a certain amount
nese barbeque and Korean of stuff. There are also the huge outlet malls,
food there. There’s a Japan- each one of which takes at least an entire
town and Korea-town where day to go through. Almost everything there
you can get good Japanese and is cheaper than in Singapore, and the vari-
Hazel Tan Korean food, and there are also places where ety is much wider too. Don’t pack too many
University of Southern California- you can get good Chinese and Vietnamese clothes when you go there, as you wouldn’t
Los Angeles, California food as well. The city is pretty cosmopoli- want to end up with overweight luggage
tan, with a mix of people from different ra- (which is very expensive) on your way back.
cial backgrounds, so there shouldn’t be any Trust me; you WILL shop, even if you didn’t
On L.A. and the high-life in California… problem getting good food across different think you were the shopping type.
Los Angeles is a city known for its Hollywood cultures.
party culture and vibrant nightlife. The pub-
Travelling…
lic transport in L.A. is as good as non-exist- L.A.’s Hollywood culture of glitz and glamour Travelling in California usually involves road
ent, so we bought a second-hand (or more is quite apparent in its nightlife and down- trips, as you can see more of the country.
like fourth) car and used it for short trips and town areas. The themed bars in Downtown We rented a car (you could find rental com-
for getting groceries. You’ll definitely need a L.A. and Hollywood are very interesting, and panies all over the country) for a low price
GPS if you plan to drive in LA, as the roads are a must-go even if you’re not really a club- and planned our route using Google Maps.
criss-cross a lot and the highway exits and bing person. For the gentlemen, dress nice All you need is a list of places you want to
entrances are hard to spot. You could buy a and make sure you go with ladies, or they visit, a car, a GPS, and Google Maps, and
decent GPS at any of their huge supermar- might not let you in (to maintain the gender you’re all set to go. California has beautiful
kets (Target, Wal-Mart, etc.) or from eBay. ratio, I suppose). The film culture in L.A. has nature parks. Yosemite Nature Park is famous
also contributed to its interesting arts, film for its waterfalls and high cliffs, and Point
California is a great place to do an exchange and photography museums which showcase Reyes Coast is where you can see nature on
programme; the weather is lovely and there winning pieces in their collection. the coastal area. There’s also the Napa Valley
is no snow, so you won’t need to pack bulky
area up north that is famous for its wines. Go
winter wear and worry about freezing your The U.S. is also a great place for shopping. wine-tasting at one of the wineries, and get
butt off. Winter there can get chilly, but never They are very online-shopping friendly, and a bottle or two if you like. Down south, San
extreme. L.A.’s variety of food is supposedly almost all major brands have an online store Diego has lovely museums in its Balboa Park
better than many other parts of the States, where they usually deliver the goods to your
area, and you have to visit Extraordinary Des- versal Studios Hollywood.
serts http://www.extraordinarydesserts.com, You could get information for flights and
which has truly extraordinary desserts. We took short trips over the weekends (to accommodation from websites like www.
outlet malls, theme parks, or San Diego which expedia.com. Hostels in the US are also great
is a two-hour drive away). We also travelled places to meet people, and Hostelling Inter-
during Spring Break, and after the semes- national has some pretty decent hostels. We
ter. I took a road trip to Northern California stayed at their Hostel at Point Reyes, a rural
over Spring Break, where I visited Yosemite nature reserve, and it was absolutely beauti-
National Park and San Francisco. You ought ful and comfortable. However, DON’T book
to consider travelling to Mexico (which just your accommodation through expedia, the
borders California). Some of my other friends reason being that you have to pay upon
on exchange here went to Mexico during the booking, and that means that cancelling your
Spring Break and had a lot of fun. After the booking in case you change plans is difficult.
term ended, I visited the U.S. East Coast (New Instead, use it as a tool to look up cheap ac-
York, Washington D.C. and Boston) and flew commodation, and then call up those hotels/
to Vancouver in Canada to meet my family. motels/hostels to make your booking. Hotels
Canada is a great place for nature-lovers and usually won’t charge for cancellation up to
near enough to take a short flight there from 48 hours prior to check-in. Considering you
the U.S. From Vancouver, I flew back to Cali- haven’t put money down, you still have some
fornia to do a 16-day road trip of the entire flexibility there.
California. Don’t worry about bringing too much food
on your trip, as there are grocery stores along
Budgeting and Planning… the way, and your GPS should be able to help
Rodeo Drive on Beverly Hills, the posh area In managing our budget, we just listed the you find them (a good GPS should have a
where all the Hollywood stars supposedly places we wanted to go and took the cheap- function that allows you to search for gro-
hang out, is a great place to see. It’s impec- est option along the way, and then totaled cery stores or other facilities within 5km of
cably polished and neat, and you might up the cost to make sure it didn’t exceed the your current location). Also, make sure you
even spot a few stars while you’re there. The budget. We did accounting along the way so rent a car that is fuel efficient; always ask the
themed clubs and bars are also very good. that we know who paid for what and how car dealer about the fuel specifications of the
I’m a theme park junkie, so I really enjoyed to split the costs evenly. My expenditure car before making your decision. The money
the many theme parks that are all within throughout the entire exchange duration you spend on gas for a fuel-guzzling car can
a maximum of two hours driving distance is about USD$8000, not including airfare to always be better spent elsewhere. Make sure
away. Six Flags Magic Mountain is one of the and from Singapore. It has to be pointed you’re at least 21-years old when you go on
must-go theme parks; it has the highest, cra- out that I don’t like shopping and don’t shop exchange to the US; legal age for drinking,
ziest roller coasters that look terrifying, but very much. I didn’t go to Mexico and I don’t entering clubs or even renting a car is 21,
are actually not that scary at all to ride (and eat expensive stuff. Therefore, I would advise and you’re extremely limited if you’re under
thoroughly enjoyable too!). And of course, an estimated budget of USD$10,000, exclud- 21, especially in a place like L.A. Bring your
there’s also Disneyland, California Adventure ing airfare, to anyone who is intending to go American student ID along at all times to get
(which is just opposite Disneyland), and Uni- for exchange in the U.S. discounts and free entry into museums etc.
Yeoh Keat Loon

Carnegie Mellon University –
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
On life in Pittsburgh…
Pittsburgh (also commonly referred to as
‘Shittsburgh’) was my home for about half a Hilfiger, Coach, BCBG Maxazria and many
year. Now, you might be wondering why it’s Although this is often overlooked, Pittsburgh, more brands at dirt cheap prices. You just
known as Shittsburgh by the locals. It’s simply in fact, has a thriving arts and culture scene. have to have the time (and energy) to search
because the environment is very constant - Along Penn and Liberty Avenue is where through it all!
not much change or new attractions, or even you find theatre-goers and food-lovers or
new shopping centres that pop up each year as we call them here ‘gurus’ – so if you are Being a good ol’ college city where roughly
like in Singapore. But don’t be fooled by its into Broadway shows and musicals this one-third of its population is made up of
informal name, Pittsburgh has its very few would be the place for you. To satisfy your tertiary students, Pittsburgh is an extremely
to almost non-existent hidden gems too. outlet shopping needs, take a one-hour student-friendly neighbourhood. So you
Hmm, maybe you should strike off the “don’t drive down to Grove City where you will find will have no problems hunting down
be fooled by its informal name” after all! Brooks Brothers, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy supermarkets, drugstores and even your
Hostel accommodations can cost around up from Pittsburgh to Toronto, Canada,
large discounters – Giant Eagle, RiteAid,
USD$30 per head depending on the location passing by Niagara Falls and back. Do not
Target, Costco, just to name a few. You can
- it can be FREE if you decide to couch-surf. worry about the left-hand drive – you will get
also check out Craigslist.org for cheap (and
Inclusive of the airfare, accommodation, used to it in no time (a rule of thumb to avoid
sometimes free) household appliances for
food, and entertainment, I spent close to entering the wrong lane is to remember
your dorm/house.
USD$15,000 for my entire trip. that the lane divider is always closest to
Travelling via domestic flights is usually the the driver). But be careful of the speed limit
Many eateries and retail shops also have
way to go (typically around USD$100-200 though – the cops are always in sneaky
student discounts if you flash your student
for a round-trip) but be prepared to put up corners to catch the errant speedsters. And
ID card. And best of all, with the student
with transits, early/late departure times, invest in a dedicated vehicular GPS – you will
ID you get unlimited rides on the local
possible delays and potential lost checked- need it. For the sophisticated, a commercial
public bus services, which normally cost
in luggage. Travelling by bus may be a better radar detector would help in detecting the
approximately USD$2 per ride. Prices are
and cheaper alternative for nearby locations traffic cops in advance to avoid that hefty
also generally low compared to other
(usually for less than USD$50 one-way) so speeding ticket. You may wish to consider
nearby cities, and crime rate is typically low
remember to check out bus services such buying a used car, but you would need a
as well. If you seek greater excitement, you
as Megabus and GreyHound too. Ultimately, local driving license to purchase one. Your
would be better off looking somewhere
having enough to cover necessary expenses friendly local American dorm-mate may help
else.
and knowing your limits for DISCRETIONARY you purchase one on your behalf.
Travel plans and budgeting … If not, a rental would typically suffice. Each
day of rental would cost around US$70,
but be sure to read the fine prints. Many
I would advise doing heavy US universities have affiliations with Zipcar,
travelling before school a convenient and affordable car-pooling
term starts, and after service. So use it for that weekend shopping
trips to the outlets!
school term ends, as the
semester workload tends
to be uniformly heavy.
So when you are tired of campus life,

take some time and do some travel
research, pack your bags, and set off for an spending is essential for a worry-free holiday.
>> From the
adventure! Besides, what is an exchange
experience if you do not travel at all? Many drivers like myself, dream of going on previous
road-trips in America. So I rented a car on
Making well-considered itineraries is a
must, given limited time and budget and
Priceline.com (using my Singapore license) edition...
in Flagstaff, Arizona municipal airport, drove
what you want to see. You may want to it up to Grand Canyon, then to Hoover Dam,
consider New York City, Washington D.C., and finally to Las Vegas, Nevada. I also drove
Grand Canyon, Chicago and Las Vegas. Do
not be afraid to consider places in Canada,
the Caribbean, and South America as well! I >>>>>>>>>>>>
would advise doing heavy travelling before
school term starts, and after school term
ends, as the semester workload tends to
be uniformly heavy. You may also do your
travelling during Thanksgiving break, but
The
you will find yourself surrounded by other
Americans travelling around that time as
well.
If you can arrange for a few friends to travel
Travel Guide:
together, you may enjoy savings from
group bookings. It would probably be a
led!
safer way to travel. Budgeting your time
i
mp
and money is a necessary step. As painful
as it is, it will help in avoiding excessive
days spent in one area, and minimising Exchange Programme in Europe Co
the chance of being a penniless beggar on
the street. Travel-related websites (such as Back by popular demand, we bring you the hottest tips on Europe
Expedia, Priceline.com and Couchsurfing) which we have compiled from our archives.
and friends who have visited your intended
locations would be your best resources.
>>>>>>>>>Next Page >>>>>>>>>

The Travel Guide: Exchange Programme in Europe
Back by popular demand, we bring you the hottest tips on Europe which we have compiled from our archives.
Getting Around – Modes of Travel for high-speed trains like ICE. Even cheaper op- stores etc. are located). You will have plenty of
1 Wherever you destination city may be,

do your research on the cheapest and/or,
most convenient way to get there. Ryan Air and
tions are available for regional or local trains like
Italy which takes a longer travelling time.
options from there to get to the main attrac-
tions.
Easyjet are some budget airlines or low-

cost carriers whose prices can go as low as € 3 Our best tip is to purchase Eurail Passes!
Especially if you are undecided and can’t
make your plans that early to make advanced
6 You can choose between backpackers’
hostels, with prices ranging from 10 to 20
4 (in Euros, approximately S$ 6.97) if you book Euros per person, per night, or budget hotels
early. More often it is about 20 to 30 Euros. reservation and get low prices, this saves you a with prices as reasonable as 40 to 50 Euros per
However, take note that they normally arrive lot of trouble. When it comes to value-for-mon- room night. A hostel is especially good if you
and depart from and airport which is outside ey and convenience & flexibility, nothing beats are travelling in a group, don’t mind the sharing
the destination city. You may have to take a this. You can choose between passes covering a and you’re in the mood the socialize and min-
coach service to get to the city and this will cost few select countries or a global pass that covers gle with other travellers. If you need the privacy,
an additional 20 Euros or so - Not to mention all a certain period. go for the one or two-star hotels or even better
sorts of restrictions! deals through hotel booking sites such as Book-
Getting around most major cities
2 Consider train travel if you hate flying and 4 like London, Rome and Paris, is a conven-
ing.com, easytobook.com and Hotels.com.
if you’re willing to spend longer hours trav-

elling. They are a lot more comfortable and con-
venient. Plus, unlike the low-cost carriers, they
ient with The Metro Lines (or The Tube).
You can choose day passes or combo cards
which are more economical than single trip
7 Hostels usually come with kitchen facili-
ties which allow you to keep to your tight
budget.
bring you to the central station or main fares. Travelling with the Tube in London, for
railway station of any city, which is always example, get the Oyster card with top-up value Chow – Food & Dining
a convenient location. International train tick-
ets are, of course, more expensive costing 100
and fares which are much lower.
Sleep Easy - Accommodation

8 For your planning of food & dining ex-
penditures take note of the following esti-
mates: sandwiches cost about 4 Euros, a bottle
to 200 Euros although they would have early
bird or seasonal promotions. Intercity trains
within a country can be anything between 20
to 160 Euros, depending on the distance and
5 Use the central station as a reference point
when choosing a good location for accom-
modation. It is usually near, if not at, the city
of cola 2 Euros. Lunch or Dinner at small local
eateries or snack bars about 10 Euros. Cafés and
restaurant anything between 30Euros to 50 Eu-
the date & time. Of course it is more expensive center (where shopping outlets, convenience ros for two people. Now that’s quite a bit.
the flood of tourists coming all year round is the magical Magyars of Hungary.
nothing but a slight inconvenience. Deservedly This ancient capital offers romanticism with at-
Top 10 Best Cities to Visit holds the reputation as “undoubtedly the most tractions on Castle Hill, and more importantly,
beautiful city built by man.” the places to unwind in the form of hot water
in Europe springs, enormous thermal baths and natural
4. Barcelona spas.
We list the cities in Europe you simply have to This has got nothing to do with the football
visit. Given budget and time constraints and your club. A city lavished with the architectural bril- 8. Bergen
differing preferences and tastes, we give you the liance of Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona epitomizes After a while, everything seems to be not much
lowdown on the cities that has to be at very top the vibrant Catalan lifestyle. With seven beau- different. You will not get that feeling with Ber-
of your travel plans. Based on our travel experts’ tiful beaches, it is known as the best beach city gen. Surrounded by spectacular views of seven
opinion, interviews of our very own SMU folks in the world. That F.C. Barcelona plays such mountains, it is the gateway to the Fjords. A
and hours of research, here it is. We’ve excluded breathtaking football is a fitting tribute to the city of Norwegian culture and Scandinavian
the painfully obvious (London, Paris, Rome) be- city. heritage, it is exactly what you need if city life
cause you would somehow find yourself going is getting to you.
there. Not that they would make the list by merit
5. Prague
anyway.
Home to a number of cultural attractions, 9. Istanbul
Praha is a metropolitan city with the world’s Once known as Constantinople, this is where
1. Amsterdam most pristine and varied collections of historic East meets West. Istanbul is the only metropolis
The city of sex, drugs & rock ‘n’ roll. Arguably architecture. Some say it is like being walked in the world that is situated in two continents,
the most popular city in Europe and the world, through the history of Europe. A stunning view Europe and Asia. The Roman and Byzantine
there’s so much life in Amsterdam. You don’t of the Charles Bridge would be enough to con- architecture and heritage are, among others,
need any excuse to party, you just do, and the vince you. clearly part of the attraction.
city does the rest. At night, the city swings into high-velocity ac-
6. Munich tion with an array of bars, clubs and restaurants.
2. Edinburgh Think rows and rows of beer halls and beer
Enchanting capital city with great outdoors gardens. Think Oktoberfest. Think Bavarian 10. Florence
and greenery, Edinburgh retains that old Scot- lifestyle and Culture. Basically, if you are up for The birthplace of the Renaissance, Firenze is
tish flavor and heritage. For a modern capital any party, Munich is the place to be. And we widely regarded as one of the most beautiful
city, it has unbelievable serenity and a warm at- haven’t even mentioned the historical and cul- cities in the world. If you are the museum-go-
mosphere of proud tradition. It is also not too tural attractions. ing type, and are familiar with its artistic and
far a drive to Loch Ness and Loch Lomond. historic heritage and names such as Galileo
7. Budapest and Michelangelo, this is the city to be. If not,
3. Venice Buda on one side, Pest on the other- literally. you don’t have to be someone of refined taste
We all know of the beauty, mystery and ro- The two cities are linked by the iconic Chain to appreciate the beauty of Florence.
mance that is Venezia. It says a lot about this Bridge and joined officially as a capital city of
city, which was once a wealthy republic, that
Trends, Tips
ps & Advice
e
Dr L ve’s
Column
Time for a few ugly truths. We look into relationships and the differing views, wants and needs of both sides. I’ve heard so
much bickering and squabbling between couples and that failure to understand each other when it could all have been so
easy. Brace yourself as it won’t make for pleasant reading…
By DOCTOR LOVE
What a girl wants…..

F iguring out what a girl wants is possibly
worse than rocket science. She always
keeps you guessing what she wants and
have the laudable females coming forward
with even more astounding statements
that they are not looking for the richest,
wanted; they are more in touch with you
blah, blah, blah. Well, of course. They are not
really the ones with the bargaining power,
when the signs point to a certain direction, the most handsome, and the most popular are they?
you are told she wants something else. and respected etc. What they want is a guy
In short, nothing ever seems to be good that understands them, sensitive enough
enough. Girls focus on the part of you to connect with them at all levels and a guy What they want is a guy
where you find your resources vulnerably who goes all the way for her. Well, I certainly that understands them,
stretched. In a relationship, you find you do not dipute this claim. Money, material sensitive enough to
actions needing justification all the time. At wealth, good looks, image are not even on
connect with them at all
times, you are asked to adopt a characteristic the list of criteria, or so they say. Now, that’s a
you never had. Even worse, you are being whole load of utter rubbish. Surely it doesn’t levels
compared with someone, which is a hurt if he’s rich or has a stellar resume, does
devastating blow to your often-inflated but it? Or if he’s a stunner of a guy with the looks
fragile ego. Guys are constantly tormented money cannot buy? That there is talk about The thing with the beta and omega types,
about not spending enough time and omega types (the lowest caste or basically those glorified in romantic Hollywood films,
money on her, and instead spending too the low-profile geek or loser) being the “in- is that you soon discover that they lack
much time sculpting your biceps in the gym, thing” just shows girls want everything. those goods, they struggle half the time
having booze with your pals, or working and struggle even more in trying to keep
your arses off to attain that high GPA! The fact is that with the leading pack (alpha you happy. When they are broke, you get
males, the archetypal “dream guys”) they concerned about money and your future.
So what the hell does she really want? I’ll have the goods to show and qualities which You attend the glitzy events or those “I’m-
answer that in no uncertain terms later on, will enable you to showcase and showboat going-to-move-the-world” academic award
but not without the necessary analysis and to others - friends, parents and strangers ceremonies, and realize other girls have
explanation. There is all this talk about what - your prized asset. Girls then discover that achievers and you have a downright loser.
kind of a man a girl wants and current hype being with such “hot property” means that So girls, ask yourselves this: Do you even
on average, but sensitive, beta males having maybe the connection is not that deep, they know what you want? The truth is that you
the edge over the masculine, dominant and don’t spend time or appreciate you enough. want everything.
leading alpha males. To put it simply, we The beta or omega males make you feel
S pace, is a precious commodity

for guys. By “space”, I mean
understanding and emotional support –
without always having you breathing
down his neck requiring explanations
all the time. That’s just in his DNA, his
although that, in itself, is a euphemism. It genetic and psychological make-up.
is not all too difficult to fathom. Basically,
he needs you to get off his back, give There are times when he will need you
What a guy wants….. him a break from all the demands and and there are times when he does not.
pressure of being with you! He needs He will want to spend time with friends,
the freedom to do the things he wants hit the gym, and have a game of football.

At other times, he will have to hit the books he doesn’t care, he does.
and fulfil his other work commitments. And Every guy would find himself in an all-too-
then there is that “quiet-alone-by myself” familiar predicament of you complaining Of course, there are complete douchebags
time which every male needs. Live with it. that he is not devoting enough time to you. and jerks out there, who you shouldn’t
You can call it self-centred but that is just the You’ll get upset, argue and then expect him even be bothered with. These are the types
way guys are. At certain points, you have to to comfort you when you sulk. Then you sulk which has to be all about them, need you
be put on the back burner, take a back seat even more, deriving the pleasure of seeing to tell them how much they are god’s gift to
in his life. Hey, I’m not saying that guys are how he would go to any length to please and women (not only you) and cry to mummy
nice and they are the innocent victims - far appease you. The thing you don’t know is that if they don’t get what they want. But there
from it. I’m helping you realize that they’ve everytime you get upset and angry with him, are also decent guys out there. They will
got their limitations and needs. If that makes it punishes him. It tears him up inside and he commit to the relationship and care for you.
them hopeless idiots in your eyes, then so be will never tell you because, well, it’s the male The common thing between all of them
it. Guys, before you start thinking I’m on your ego factor. Everytime he hangs out with his is that they need and want space! Any guy
side, we all know that most of the crap you friends and you kick up a fuss or when he’s with raging testosterones will need it. So the
find yourselves in are of your own doing. I’m rushing to clear that project at the weekend minute you decide you are sexually attracted
doing you a favour by telling your girlfriend and all you care about is spending time, it to the male species, this is something you
what you struggle or completely fail to tell kills him. He feels his whole world crumbling. just have to know and get your mind around.
her. The point is, as much as you would believe
Ask Dr L ve Your issues resolved, your questions answered.
Dr. Love: Well, you can always elope. Alright then, seriously now. Let
Question 1: I’ve been with my girlfriend for 2 years. The two me guess, you belong to the minority ethnic group? You are not alone
of us are of different ethnicity and I guess that’s the problem. in this dilemma, as there are many inter-racial couples. You have to
Her parents do not approve of our relationship, simply put, they understand it may take a while for parents to adapt to the idea of
don’t approve of me. Our relationship is pretty much a secret as having someone who does not share the same culture and race. But,
far as they are concerned although we have tried to put across there’s only so much you can put up with. You know what, to hell
and suggest the idea of us being together. It does not help they with what her parents think of you. They are just shallow and narrow-
have made derogatory comments about my race. The insults are minded, but it is a reflection of how “conservative” our society is. Could
personal and even about my status among other things. Do we it be that your girlfriend has the fanciful idea of having the parents’
have a future together? blessings as part of a glorious wedding. Issue her an ultimatum; it is
– FC Giving up either them or you. Anyway, is she worth all the crap that you’re being
put through? If she is, well, love conquers everything.
Question 2: Dr. Love, I have had this big crush on this guy
for quite some time. You may think it’s stupid but it’s not as if I
can help it. We were once in the same project group but other
than that, we’re hardly what you call friends. I always notice Dr. Love: You need to see a shrink. Stop stalking him. If you really
him, think of him, but he barely knows I exist. My feelings for can’t live and breathe without him, do yourself a favour, ask him
him are real. But how do I tell him? I need more than just pick- out, and you can move on from there. If he rejects your advances, at
up lines. I just wanna know how I can go from here to getting least you know it’s time to forget him and you’ve tried. In this case,
to know him and go out with him. I think of him every second Demand and Supply does not match, you move on. And you WILL
of the day. I dream of him. When I know where he’ll be, I will sit live. End of Story. Who do you think this guy is? Zeus?
down at a table close to where he is, look at him and admire
him. I have him on Facebook and will always check out his
updates. But what do I do?
–Alvinas LTB
For love, dating and relationship advice, drop a mail with any concern or query you have at uvpublications@sa.smu.edu.sg , attn: Dr.Love.

Health Tips
You Ought
to Know
The way to a man’s
heart is through his
stomach
1
Drink your carbonated drinks and fruit juices from a straw to prevent acid
erosion. Discoloring and yellowing of the teeth are some signs of acid erosion.
Not to mention, the damages are irreversible.
2
If your pee is dark yellow, you are very likely dehydrated. Simple theory: The
less water you add to your milo, the darker it gets. Drink up for we also
often mistake thirst for hunger and binge-eat as a result.
3
Situation: Jamie goes to the toilet after drinking
coffee, milk or spicy food within an hour. He or
she does not have weaker bowels than you.
The proper terminlogy for this ‘phenomen’ is Irritable
Bowels Syndrome. Similarly to an allergy, IBS
surfaces when one consumes a certain food he or
she has low tolerance for.
4
Sleep between 6.5 hours to 7.5 hours. Contrary to your superhuman
friends who can survive without sleep for 3 days, only less than 3%
of the population have the gene which enable them to do well on 6
hours of sleep a night. Yes, you and I probably fall under the other 97% of the
population.
Never mind if you
5
How long do you snooze before waking up? To wake up from slumber
didn’t watch Inception. easier, set a wake-up time that’s a multiple of 90 minutes, the length
of the average sleep cycle. By riding on the cycle, it’s easier to wake up
I’m sure you know about without being jolted awake during your deeper stages of sleep.
sleep
6
Pay your short-term sleep debt with an extra hour or two per night. Trust
me, sleeping 24 hours straight doesn’t make up for the 10 hours of sleep
lost. 1 plus 1 doesn’t equal to 2 here.
Food, Glorious Food
Lam Kee Yann reckons there would soon be a newfound guilty pleasure you will find yourself indulging
in. Honey Toast? Try HANITO, the heavyweight desert coming your way at Pasta de Waraku.
with a big scoop of green tea ice I think this would send a
Earthquake Hanito
cream, drizzled with Japanese shockwave of yumminess
red bean sauce and finished with
a luscious looking red strawberry
to anyone who sees or
can only be described as dreamy. taste it. The process of making
The dreamy feeling stops not just the earthquake is indeed an
at its appearance. Even now, I ‘earthshakingly’ unique one
must say that I cannot stop raving where unlike the other HANITOs
about how dreamy and perfect which are toasted, the bread
this dessert tastes. The bread used in EARTHQUAKE is deep
itself has a slightly crisp texture fried to taste even more fragrant
on the outside but is totally soft and crispy. Again, I enjoyed this
and warm on the inside, making last dish just as much, if not more
this easily one of the best toasts than the others, even though by
around. The Macha Ice cream economists’ theories, I should
was delightful, retaining the already have been experiencing
refreshing traditional taste of marginal diminishing returns
green tea while not being too after having eaten two desserts
sweet. The entire combination previously.
of taste from the drizzled honey,
green tea and red beans was The dreamy HANITO desserts
extremely satisfying. from Pasta de Waraku are
extremely affordable, and at
Next up, I had the Chocolate $6.80 each (except for the
Banana HANITO which was earthquake at $9.80) provides
topped with vanilla ice cream, value for money given that their
sliced bananas and a generous generous serving is enough
drizzle of warm chocolate for two people. Be sure to try
sauce and honey. One can this out even if it means a few
almost never go wrong with more minutes running on the
H aving a bad day and simply
craving for comfort food
to make yourself feel a bit
Cinnamon, Macha Red Bean,
Peanut Butter and Earthquake,
make it virtually impossible for
this combination of ingredients,
and this dessert was definitely
treadmill in the gym, because it’s
just that worth it.
better? Most of us would agree anyone to not give in to this right. While vanilla, chocolate
and bananas are often used in All SMU students are entitled
that pasta and dessert would dream dessert. And boy, I was to a 10% discount in Waraku,
be at the top of that comfort not disappointed a single bit. I many forms of desserts such as
cakes and milkshakes, what is Pasta de Waraku and Mr. Curry
food list. Getting a taste of the personally recommended the in the following outlets ONLY:
sweetest indulgence after a following flavours: Macha Red so different about the Chocolate
wholesome meal of pasta will Bean, Choco Banana and the banana HANITO is that its degree
definitely send our troubles right Earthquake. Before the orders of sweetness makes it so much
out the door. Pasta De Waraku arrived, I thought to myself, like easier to indulge in this treat
may be just the place that can most others would, that eating without getting sick of it after a Waraku Japanese Casual Dining
brighten up your day. Pasta de toast for dessert is somewhat few bites. Also, I personally felt East Coast Parkway; Katong
Waraku has recently launched odd as most would think of toast that the vanilla ice cream used Village; Marina Square; Starhub
a new range of desserts called as more of a breakfast food. by Pasta De Waraku had a unique Centre; The Central; The Heeren
HANITO. HANITO is the original However, the moment I saw fragrance of vanilla unlike the
honey toast dessert that has the Macha Red Bean HANITO rather bland and boring vanilla
been specially handpicked and which arrived first, I found that ice cream used elsewhere.
brought in by Mr. Kiyoshi Ueki, thought completely irrelevant.
CEO of Waraku Holdings, from The golden brown toast topped If I said that there could have Mr Curry: The Central
the streets of Shibuya, Tokyo. been an earthquake simply
From the cheeky word play because of the arrival of my last
(think Hanito and Honey Toast) dessert, you wouldn’t believe me,
to the mouthwatering variety but you should. EARTHQUAKE
of flavours, I was already blown (and yes, I have to emphasise Pasta de Waraku
away when I took a peek at the this in capital letters because Marina Square; Square 2; The
dessert menu during my visit to it’s simply that magnificent), is a Central; The Heeren; Bugis Iluma;
Pasta de Waraku. double stack of honey toast filled Changi Airport Terminal 2
with fresh fruits and topped with
A total of seven fantastic flavours; vanilla ice cream. Imagine a mini Visit www.waraku.com.sg for more details.
Mix Fruit, Choco Banana, Apple tower of golden bread stacked Be a fan of Waraku at
Chocolate Banana Hanito www.facebook.com/WarakuSingapore
up with colourful fruits on top,

Food, Glorious Food
GASTRONOMAKAN:
The Food Review
The new semester has dawned upon us and the lookout for great-tasting gastronomical delights to fuel
up while in campus inevitably begins. UniVantage explores a few more eateries that add to our repertoire
of good Makan places.
-Food Review led by Bryan Lim. Photography by Priscilla Ho
Tom’s Palette
100 Beach Road #01-25, Shaw Leisure Gallery
Shaw Plaza – a 10-minute walk from our That, to us, is truly the beauty of the parlor. some out-of-the-world flavors that larger,
Admin Building – is slowly but surely Flavors like ‘LuoHanGuo’ (a popular Chinese more renowned commercial ice cream places
building a reputation for being the fruit), oolong tea and (Tofu & Dates) should simply do not produce at such a rate. In fact,
Quasimodo of places-with-good-food-near- prove the point. Don’t get me wrong though their ever-changing and growing ice cream
SMU; its unstimulating exterior simply does - its traditional or rather, conventional, flavors selection is conveniently scheduled on their
no justice to the vibrant and bustling food are above average to say the least, and this is website which has a timetable for new flavor
scene brewing within. Tom’s Palette is a having considered pricing and consequently launches. Oh, and speaking of their website,
homemade ice-cream parlor – no stabilizers ‘taste-to-price worthiness’ (yes, there is such the fact that their website was launched by
are used - that does more than its fair share a thing). Their ‘Grandma’s Favorite’ would be their fans should be a fairly good testament
of contributing to this reputation one such flavor. Made with cookie dough to their ice cream.
As its simple, child-like, outlet décor might and chocolate as the primary ingredients
suggest, the niche of this parlor is the – it is homemade ‘chocolatety’ goodness.
carefree, uninhibited and DIY (do-it-yourself ) Another prime example would be their
approach its owners, husband and wife salted caramel cheesecake flavor – the
team, Chronos and Eunice, take towards salty element is far from overwhelming and
their ice cream. They even have ice cream- actually adds a delightful piquancy to the
making classes! dominant tang.
Small – $2.80, Medium – $3.70, Large – $4.70
Verdict: Even if you don’t have a taste for

the out-of-the-world, their conventional
It comes as no surprise then, that their ice In all, Tom’s Palette is a great takeaway flavors won’t disappoint.
cream display is arrayed with a diverse place (they are currently expanding to
variety of colors owing to their penchant for accommodate more seating) with a few very
trying or creating just about anything. addictive favorites and more interestingly, Rating: 3/5

Food, Glorious Food
Skinny Pizza
3 Temasek Boulevard #01-002 Suntec City Galleria .
(New Outlet!) Raffles City Shopping Centre, #B1-63/64
that came to my mind when a pan-full of the typical outburst of a myriad of flavours
green comestibles was served – it was truly every time you take a bite. The pastas may
akin to a garden in a pan. Underneath all taste relatively bland, and are consequently
the vegetables was, of course, calamari and undeserving of a $23 price tag. The lobster
yes – the crust - which looked no different linguine and spaghetti Bolognese with
from a puffed-up biscuit. This item would mozzarella are two examples of quality
surely appeal to the health-conscious or to dishes with fresh ingredients you would
someone who likes green-coloured food. probably find difficult to appreciate.
Nevertheless, we thoroughly enjoyed this
dish – from the freshness of its crispy greens
and its calamari, right down to the crust
The word ‘skinny’ usually has associated which was baked to skinny perfection; it was
connotations of frail health. Combined incomparably crispy (for pizza) yet strong
with ‘pizza’, however, it brings to mind the enough for it to not come close to crumbling
concept of pizza that is healthy and as its title in the hunger-infused firmness of our hands.
suggests, very (very) thin. That’s exactly what
Skinny Pizza is all about, and this concept An unexpected surprise was the truffle fries.
deservedly sets them apart from other Served humbly in a plain tin container, they
pizzerias or Italian-American food joints. were sized like McDonald’s fries – except all
of them were clearly erect (you know how
The squid ink Pizza is an item that does some fries bend and look all soggy?). Crispy
great justice to this healthy-but-tasty pizza all the way through, the insides of the fries
concept. In fact, pizza was the last thing weren’t soft and chewy but rather crunchy
and cracker-like. ‘Subtly refined’ would be Verdict: Definitely worth a try! Especially
an apt description of its taste – flavourful yet
not salty with that all-natural healthy taste. among those healthy-eating maniacs
among us dreaming of great-tasting yet
An obstacle for us, however, in potentially classy, healthy yet flavourful food, this is
becoming a frequent diner at Skinny Pizza, is
their pricing. This is clearly restaurant food at as close as it gets.
restaurant pricing - and that’s not a problem
when the food or experience is worth the Rating: 3/5
price as with the aforementioned examples.
It is, however, a problem if you are used to
Republic of Steak
Victoria Hotel 89 Victoria Street #01-01
eatery with the best combination of taste,

affordability and convenience (for us SMU
students).
Their breaded chicken, which comes with

two sides – there is quite a range from garlic
spaghetti to fries – is a generous serving of
deep-fried goodness. Think of your standard
chicken cutlet from Koufu (yes, their western
food is respectable to say the least) then
make it bigger (until it literally juts out of the
plate), crunchier on the outside, juicier on the comparable to its high-end restaurant
inside, and that would be the ROS’s (Republic siblings which would cost at least twice the
of Steak) breaded chicken. Their sides are no price. Tender, tasty and oh-so succulent, its
letdown either, and when ‘combo-ed’ with …… (Wait this might be a better description)
There’s a good chance that you – as an SMU - have you bitten into a high grade Sunkist
the main, make for a filling and satisfying
student – would have eaten here before or, orange? You know when you bite into it and
meal. At $6.90, this chicken dish is well worth
at the very least, heard about this Western the juice literally explodes onto your tongue
your buck. You will also be pleased to know
eatery right next to our Admin Building. (and possibly your shirt)? No, the steak ‘juice’
that there is a good range of chicken chops –
Regardless, if you fall into the latter category doesn’t exactly burst out like an orange’s, but
similarly served with 2 sides – all at, yes, that
or belong to neither – we would urge you I believe you get the idea. The icing on the
beautiful pocket-pleasing price of $6.90.
to give this place a try. All about sumptuous cake? Their steak, as with all mains, comes
western food at affordable pricing – they with two delectable sides as well.
Of course, ROS wouldn’t really be ROS
don’t even charge the omnipresent GST and
without serving up some fine steak. At $19.90,
service charge – they are clearly the western If you’ve been visualizing yourself chomping
their Angus beef steak is, in all honesty,

Food, Glorious Food
and chocolate – neither too viscous nor do note also that your student card entails
watery – oozes out. You take a spoonful and you to a free soup and drink with the order of
you’re won over. At 6.90, this is once again any main dish from 2-5pm. This is not a joke,
restaurant quality food at a lesser (better!) and neither is our hypothesis that you will
price. visit ROS more than once.
Republic of Steak located at 89 Victoria

Street, #01-01 Singapore 188017 – right
beside our SMU Administrative Building
down either one of the two aforementioned

mains, your cognitive being should probably Verdict: Do take a 5-minute walk there
be full by now. But that shouldn’t stop you and try ROS instead of your daily routine
from moving on to their desserts – especially of food courts.
their chocolate lava cake. It arrives as a
brown, circular, ‘pebble-like’ confection with All in all, ROS is a must-try for us SMU
a scoop of vanilla ice cream by its side. You students. Affordable, convenient, and tasty, Rating: 4/5
spade your spoon into the brown ‘rock’,
4 Fingers Crispy Chicken

2 Orchard Turn #B4-06A, ION ORCHARD
crank the fried food, and more importantly,

taste factor up a few notches and brace up
for their delightful crispy fried chicken.
While I have no idea how their chicken

is specially prepared, I will say that their
chicken – their namesake specialty – is very
(very) crispy. If you’re an aficionado of deep-
fried, crispy chicken creations, this place will
be paradise for you. Take a bite and you’ll
taste the full-flavored palatableness of either
Among the plethora of food available at the
soy garlic or spicy flavored chicken meat. Yes,
Ion Orchard basement, this tiny outlet is easy
to pass you by unnoticed. It’s so tiny, in fact,
that the only eating space available inside is
occupied by one long table and chairs; chairs
that fold mechanically beneath the table in
typical space-conscious fashion.
You may also be pondering over the concept
behind ‘4 Fingers’. Chicken is eaten with
I’m emphasizing on its tininess precisely
4 fingers, 2 fingers per hand – that’s why
because it is a food outlet not to be missed!
(although I’m sure many of us eat our chicken
Before moving on, I must also say right away
in many other ways)! It’s also no coincidence
that this place isn’t for the health- conscious
that the brand was created by four friends.
or the animal rights activist. If you are neither
Nevertheless, its origins are inconsequential
and fast food is your thing, then prepare to
two chicken flavors are all they have but also – what matters is that their crispy fried
all they need. In fact, their chicken is about as chicken (which is nothing like KFC’s by the
tasty as it is crispy – that is quite a package way) is exceptional.
there. For fans of huge servings, go for the
chicken chop or chicken burger – both come Verdict: You know where to go if you’re
with seasoned and well-salted fries and a
soda. If you prefer a smaller-sized snack, go in town and craving for some quality
for the wings or drumlets meal. At $9.95, fast food
either meal costs more than your typical fast
food combo but, of course, tastes better as
well. Rating: 3.5/5
Rating
ng Scale
0 = sh*t; shouldn’t exist. 2.5 = average; nothing worth specially trying. 5 = gastronomical nirvana.
All ratings take into consideration pricing as well. For fairness’ sake, certain elements such as price, atmosphere, taste, etc will be
considered more when appropriate; these variances will be conveyed within each review.

Food, Glorious Food
Harvesting Heavenly
Japanese Cuisine / By Marcus Lee
The major dilemma for foodies, such as about this dish was that it was not overly oily,
myself, when visiting a new restaurant is the and remained crispy even after being left to lie
overwhelming desire to try everything, and yet for a while.
having to be satisfied with just one item from
the extensive selection available. Agedashi Toufu (Deep Fried Bean Curd), which
Enter Shin Minori. Translated to mean “New for many is a must have when having Japanese
Harvest” in English, this newly opened Japanese food, takes on a fresh and unique twist at Shin
restaurant, with its nearly unlimited assortment Minori. Traditionally served in Tempura sauce
of Ala Carte buffet items, really packs a punch. at most Japanese restaurant, the Agedashi Tofu
was served with Chicken Broth. Not only does
This intense gastronomic experience starts this mean that the dish is presented differently,
the minute you walk into the restaurant. The but the taste of the tofu is much stronger as the
restaurant has elements of traditional Japanese absorbent “skin” takes in the natural flavours of
dining such the sushi counter, bamboo the chicken broth.
ornaments among others, which gives one a
very comfortable feeling. The concept of Shin The grilled dishes are a sure hit for the
Minori is simple: to offer a spread of buffet items Tempura Moriwase adventurous and the not-so-adventurous. At
that are not merely value for money, but also the safer end of the spectrum, the Buta To Garlic
painstakingly prepared and delicious when (Grilled Pork with Garlic Seasoning) is a must-
savoured. have. The dish wafts with a faint but undeniable
fragrance of fried Garlic. The grilled pork is
For starters, the sashimi platter is a must-have. nicely grilled and not charred. It is delightfully
The cuts offered at Shin Minori are as good as succulent and one serving is definitely not
they come. The Shake (salmon) served has the going to be enough.
signature smoothness that salmon sashimi is
known for, the Maguro (tuna) is rich in flavour For the adventurous, Shin Minori offers Tori
and is cut well for the resilient texture to be Kimo (Chicken Liver), Tori Hatsu(Chicken
properly savoured. The other fish available Heart), Sunagimo(Chicken Gizzard) and Tori
such as the Hamachi (Yellowtail) and Mekajiki Kawa(Chicken Skin). These various parts of the
(Swordfish) were similarly mouth watering, but chicken can be found easily elsewhere, but
one thing that stood out was the Tako (Octopus) grilled in the Japanese style, these dishes are a
Sashimi. It was chewy without being too tough. unique part of the restaurants’ wide repertoire
A specialty that can be found at Shin Minori is of delicious menu.
their White Tuna Sashimi. Although this cannot
be found in the ala carte or buffet menu, they All in all, Shin Minori
do offer it on a month-to-month basis based on Sashimi is a must-try buffet.
availability. The ambience of
give a great taste of the food yet to come. the place is perfect,
The Temaki (Handroll) selection available is Two recommendations are the Norwegian whether you are
one of the widest available around, with the Shake Chizu Maki (Salmon with Cream Cheese) celebrating a
California and Spider hand rolls seeming to be and the Ebi Tempura Chizu Maki(Deep Fried friend’s birthday or
the more popular, and rightly so. The Spider Tempura Prawn with Cream Cheese. just out for a good
hand roll was nicely wrapped and did not fall While neither of the dishes is strictly traditional, meal after a tough
apart even after the first bite. A good mix of the chef does not stray too far with this week of school.
mayo, soft shelled crab, rice and seaweed give a creation. Ingredients used are very close to their Combined with the
good mix of flavours that burst in the mouth. frequently used Japanese counterpart, which great selection of
are Salmon and Ebi Tempura. The cream cheese drinks and desserts
After the appetizers have just begun to whet adds an additional dimension of smoothness available at this delectable Japanese Restaurant,
one’s appetite, the Makimono (Mat Sushi Roll) and lends some of its reach creamy texture to Shin Minori is a great place to feast.
these commonly used ingredients.
- SMU Students enjoy 15% off ala carte food bill
Shin Minori has 4 Itamemono (Pan-fried dishes) with minimum $100 spent
- Birthday treats of the Month: Free Alaska Snow
all of which are markedly special and are very
Crab Nabe
tastefully done.
The Tori Wasabi Mayo (Chicken Pieces with Daily Operating Hours:
Wasabi Mayonnaise) for example, is crispy when Lunch: 11.30am to 2.30pm Last order 2.15pm
bitten into and its flavours are nicely blended Price: Adult: $29.00++ Child:$19.00++
to bring out the sweetness creamy texture of
the Mayonnaise, with a slight tinge of the kick Dinner: 6pm to 10.30pm Last order 9.45pm
afforded by Wasabi. What particularly impressed Price: Adult: $33.00++ Child: $21.00++
Chirashi Zush
Shin Minori Japanese Restaurant 81 Clemenceau Avenue #03-15/16 UE Square (Clarke Quay MRT), Singapore 239917. Tel: 6733 2272
www.shinminori.com.sg

Fashion & Lifestyle
> The SMU Sartorialist:

Fashion on Campus By Kwan Li Jia
Welcome back to school, guys! It’s a brand new year and a brand new semester. We all know SMU students pride themselves
on dressing up. So what better way to churn out an article in the fashion department than to feature all the good looking SMU
students I bumped into around campus!
From boho chic to snazzy prints, you students indeed do us proud when it comes to looking good for our university. So if you
find yourself here, give yourself a pat on the back and don’t stop being someone else’s eye candy!
Joan, School of Business
Nobody’s attire screams boho chic

much like Joan’s does. Her pieces
are mainly from Egypt and Israel
where she went on holiday last
year. Love the necklace, scarf and
bag!
Felicia, School of Business
Pairing a blazer with a pair of

shorts is certainly uncommon in
Rayson,
warm Singapore. This look - often
spotted on actresses Sienna Miller School of Business
and Rachel Bilson -is the epitome
of casual chic. This picture simply An outfit dominated
does not do Felicia any justice! by black does not an
unimaginative man
make. Love the fit and
the slim cut jeans.
Rayson pulls this look
off effortlessly.
Kenny, School of Law

Asyikin,
Who actually bothers School of Business David, School of
to wear a hat to school Social Science
anymore? The sunglasses Maxi dresses are
and the shoes add a nice impractical in Biker jacket, electric
touch to Kenny’s attire. Singapore because the blue jeans, a black T
Bravo for completing the unpredictable weather shirt and chest hair
head to toe look! means your dresses get peeking out from with-
soaked at your ankle line in; David sure does car-
if it isn’t your lucky day. ry off his rugged look
So bravo to Asyikin who pretty well!
brought it one notch up
with an outer vest that
simultaneously keeps you
38 SPRING/ SUMMER 2011 ISSUE warm in class!
Fashion & LIfestyle
Kuan Fu, Malin, exchange
School of Business student at the
School of Business
This guy shouldn’t be
too difficult to spot Malin’s high-waisted
around campus. The skirt has the details
striped shirt and pants of a paperbag design;
that end above the utterly cute! She pulled
ankle line give off a off the otherwise
nautical vibe. Love nondescript look with
the bag and the hair a pair of comfy flats so
as well. A good height well; we almost forgot
and physique makes to compliment her on
everything look good. her cute spacious bag.
Jasmine,
School of Business
Absolutely love the

Brendan, inner tank dress with
the unique graphic
School of Business
design. Instead of
downplaying the
Adore the checkered
prints, Jasmine chose
cardigan on Brendan. The
to wear a cardigan
slippers complete a casual
with zigzag prints on
look that’s comfortable and
it. I say it’s always good
appropriate for school and
to stand out from the
for town!
crowd.
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Fashion & LIfestyle
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Fashion & Lifestyle
IGARD
Having a Vision is so
much more than seeing
By Bandana Kaur
W
hen was the last time you They also have many varieties of spectacle
truly appreciated your frames and lenses to choose from, and
senses? While many of us not to mention some super-chic branded
know the story of Helen Keller and sunglasses straight of the runway. But,
her struggles, or Stevie Wonder and while this may deal with our everyday
his brilliant music, we forget to realise visual needs, vision is after all rarely about
how being deprived of a single sense simply seeing.
can impair us so immeasurably.
Perhaps it is human nature, but we The word vision can mean many things; it
sometimes tend to take our senses for can mean the literal act of seeing, having
granted, especially our ability to see. If a premonition of where something is
seeing is believing and believing is the heading, or a dream that we aspire to
basis of life, then why is it that so few achieve. In the same way, the eyes are
of us make an effort to take care of our not simply organs through which we
sight? We often reward ourselves with see, but are also the key to perception
designer clothes or cool gadgets, so to which we react. It is the first sense
why not spend a little to give our eyes we use to receive information around
the best? Now with amazing student us, and is the bridge from our brains
and staff discounts from IGARD, we to other parts of our body. Thus, it is
have the opportunity to pamper no surprise that our motor skills have a
ourselves with only the best for our direct link to our vision and what we see.
eyes. Having established themselves Ask any sportsman and he will probably
as primary eye care and vision tell you that the fundamental of sport
specialists, one knows that they can be is often the marriage of a hand-eye-leg
trusted for giving good advice on how coordination system. In fact, ask a dancer
to keep our eyes healthy throughout and she’ll probably tell you the same
our lives. thing. But while many sport amateurs
know of this fact, few know how to use
It is true that finding an optician in this knowledge. Well, if you ask me, I say
Singapore is not hard; every heartland the Optometry & Physiotherapy clinic
has one, if not two opticians, but I at Bukit Timah run by IGARD is the best
often find myself questioning their place to get started. Their notable staff,
skill, the sanitation of their tools and which include graduates from numerous
the overall quality of their service. top universities in the UK, have come up
At least with IGARD, you know that with a good programme to help sport
by ensuring all patients and clients enthusiasts. Aptly named Sports Physio
undergo Standard Eye Examinations, Eye Development™ (SPEED™) Training,
spectacles and contact lenses are it is a unique programme designed to
prescribed professionally. But if enhance sports movement performance,
IGARD’s good service and renowned improving the eye’s ability to focus
reputation in the eye care industry and to coordinate with different parts
isn’t reason enough for you to visit of the body for all kinds of sports. A
them, you should also know that multidisciplinary team, with consultant
they offer a truly remarkable range optometrists, sports physiotherapists and
of optometry services such as exercise physiologists, they seek to work
occupational optometry and orthoptic closely with coaches and professional
vision therapy and sports-physio-eye- athletes in enhancing functional
development training for both the attributes based on their clinical
professional and leisure sportsman. measures. The team also works

Fashion & LIfestyle
together with the athletes to take care of their visual, physical

and functional well-being before, during and after competitions.
What is particularly good about the programme is the emphasis Eye Exam | Spectacles | Contact Lenses | Vision Therapy | Physiotherapy
on customization such that each athlete is given an individually
designed package based on the results of the SPEED™ Assessment
which comprises a full assessment of the visual input (optometric
Key members of
/ orthoptic functional vision assessment), eye-hand coordination IGARD team
(proaction and reaction time), vestibulo-ocular balancing, motor
control and physical functioning. The training programme is also
Yap Tiong Peng
useful for injured players who seek a quick recovery.
BSc(Hons) Optom UMIST
MSc Imperial DIC London
So whether you have a 20/20 vision or like me, you are practically
blind without your glasses, the sense of sight and our ability
to perceive is a gift, one that we can never replace if lost. Take Evelyne Saysana
your eyes seriously and put a little effort in ensuring that you are BOptom MOptom UNSW Australia
getting the right treatment so that you will always be able to see.
With the belief that our eyes inspire, take the first step in using Mandy Lai
your eyes to fulfill your vision of taking up and being good at that BOptom (Hons) UNSW Australia
one sport you so passionately desire.
Sylvia Hanzel
I will highly recommend you to claim your student and staff BSc(Hons) Physio PL
discounts on the Spectacles packages and Contact Lenses deals,
and take the opportunity to visit IGARD’s team of optometrists
Katarzyna Gajewska
and physiotherapists for a consultation, as well as the training
programmes, physiotherapy and sports rehabilitation in Sports MSc PL (Manager)
Physio Eye Development. More information is available on their
websites: www.igard.com.sg and www.speedphysio.com. Peggy Peh
BA(Hons) (Manager)
Discounts exclusively for SMU peeps!

1. Student spectacles packages complete with antireplective lenses at
special rates
2. Contact lenses at student rates

(price list at www.Igard.Com.Sg/smu)
3. Eye examination at students rates/staff rates special rates for your young
siblings when they get their eyes checked at paediatric optometry by
“igard kids!”
Appointment available at:

- Optometry @ Orchard – International Building
IGARD Group (Main Centre) *Near SMU campus!
Paediatric Optometry Centre
www.igard.org
- Optometry + Physiotherapy @ Bukit Timah Plaza

Sports Physio Eye Development Centre
www.speedphysio.com
- Optometry @ University Health Centre

National University of Singapore
www.igard.com.sg/nus
- Optometry @ NTU Medical Centre

Nanyang Technological University
www.igard.com.sg/ntu
43
UniVantage | www.univantage.bizcom.sg
LIFESTYLE
BollyBeatz Yoga Space
-1 free BollyArobix Trial class - 20% off all yoga space class passes
- Waiver of registration fee when - 50% off 1st class for all new visitors
enrolling in any of our BollyBeatz class
Participating outlet: Participating outlet:
39 Simei Rise #02-17 28A/B Liang Seah St
Savanah Condopark
www.bollybeatz.com/ Fitness First
Studio Wu - Corporate Membership rates
-$50 Studio Wu credits for any dance (students & staff )
courses sign up - Student Membership rates
- Additional $50 credit for purchase $200
Participating outlet:
Studio Wu Dollars Credit 2 Handy Road, #04-05,
- Free Guest Membership (worth $32) The Cathay Building
upon showing SMU Card for the first
time Atlantic Optical
- 30% off list price of frames &
70 STAMFORD ROAD B1-47 sunglasses, except items on promotion
www.studiowu.com/
2 Handy Road #01-17, The Cathay
Dance Unlimited Singapore www.atlanticoptical.biz/
-15% off all purchases
- 10% off any 1st salsa class/course
- 20% off if you bring a non-member
IGARD
along for a Salsa course - Contact lenses at student rates
- Student spectacles packages complete
Participating outlet: with anti-reflective lenses
32 Aliwal Street, #03/01-02, - Eye examination at students rates/staff
Bugis Studio
www.danceunlimited.sg/
rates special rates for young siblings @
(“igard kids!”)
Fight Works Asia Participating outlets:
- 20% off 1 year full unlimited access IGARD @ Orchard; IGARD @ Jurong (NTU); IGARD @
membership Kent Ridge (NUS) ; IGARD @ Choa Chu Kang (New
- 1 trial class per card member Branch Coming Soon)
www.igard.com.sg/
- 2 additional Personal Training sessions
with every purchase of 20 sessions pack Clearvision
Special Rates
565 Macpherson Road - Standard Lasik at $788 per eye (U.P.
#04-00 $838)
Tel: 6285 6028 - Wavefront Tissue Saving Lasik at $1088
www.fightworksasia.com.sg/
per eye (U.P. $1118)
Real Yoga - Epi-Lasik at $1288 per eye (U.P. $1368)
- $3 for a Hot Yoga Session
(U.P $50) 6 Nutmeg Road,
- $1 for a Yoga Session (U.P $35) Nutmeg Court
- 1 trial class per card member www.nightlasik.com/clearvision
- Join a year membership program and
receive a 2 Day 1 Night Trip to Bintan PrintSmith
(Worth $300)
- 10% off printing services
(except photocopy)
The Centrepoint,
176 Orchard Road, #06-6/07
#01-68 Sunshine Plaza
Tel: 67342853 (Quote ‘SMU’)
www.realyoga.com.sg/
All prevailing merchant discounts are subjected to Terms and Conditions.
LIFESTYLE
Davin Link Micro 2000 Technology Pte Ltd
-10% off all cutomized prints Discounts
- 10% off for Lacasa crystal - Students/ Staff are able to purchase
accessories service parts at a discounted rate
- 10% off for products under Design - Macmentor will assist customers on
your own gift, shopping gallery and technical or software issues
Lacasa crystal accessories section. - Purchase Apple Care Protection Plan
at 8% off retail price
51 Bukit Batok Cresent - 10% off retail price for eServ Service
#07-12 Unity Centre Assurance Plan Purchase
http://www.davinlink.com/ - 20% off retail price for
eServ SPA-LITTE
Totally Hot Stuff
- 10% off for all SMU Student, Staff Participating outlet:
and Alumni 91 Bencoolen Street #01-73 Sunshine Plaza
www.micro2000.com.sg/
- Free 1 year Lava Card Membership
JJ Racing Motors
The Cathay 2 Handy Road #02-13 - 5% off all product range
www.totallyhotstuff.com/
91 Bencoolen Street #01-73 Sunshine Plaza
GardenRain Floral & Gifts Pte Ltd www.jjracingmotors.com/
- 5% off floral orders
(except festive hampers), free delivery
V-KOOL @ Toh Guan
Blk 65A Jalan Tenteram #06-02
- 15% off & FREE upgrades* with
www.gardenrain.com.sg/ purchase of any V-KOOL packages
Archillea Florist Singapore 150 Sin Ming Rd #01-05 Amtech Building
- 5% off for all items shown in www. Tell: 6776 5432 ; Jalan Kilang Barat #01-01
Globamatrix Building Tel: 6276 86687
archillea1.com www.v-kool.com.sg/
www.archillea1.com/ BlackLiner Premier Transit
Services
Vodien Internet Solutions - Special rates for SMU students, staff
and faculty
- Free trial Singapore Web Hosting
- Preferential rates for corporate VIP
Plan (3 months)
limousine services for all SMU offices
- Up to 50% off domain names
40C Hong Kong St 6 Eu Tong Sen street
www.vodien.com/ #11-16 the central
www.blackliner.com.sg/
Red Sands Gamers Club
- 20% off console rentals (Wii & Xbox Meridian Auto
only) - $1000 cash rebate with purchase
- $5 off any games/accessories of car OR
- Free delivery to SMU with any - $1000 petrol voucher with purchase of
purchase car
190 Middle Road 50 Ubi Ave 3 Frontier
Fortune Centre, #04-08
www.redsandsgamers.com/

LIFESTYLE
Tai Hwa Driving Centre Realtorhub Real Estate Pte Ltd
-10% off full course package - Special discount on brokerage fee
- 8% off hourly weekday, weekend, eve for real estate transactions
and public holiday rates 15% off car
rental for practical test Blk 1004, Toa Payoh North #03-07
- $10 off enrollment fee
Pan Pacific Singapore
Blk 972 Hougang St 91
#06-192 - Corporate Rates for SMU Card
holders
EmitAsia
- 1 year Reader’s Digest @ S$75 Participating outlet:
7 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square
(Usual S$99) www.panpacific.com/
- 2 years Reader’s Digest @ S$99
(Usual S$198) Fairmont Singapore
- Corporate Rates for SMU Card
www.emitasia.com/ holders
Edvocation Participating outlet:

80 Bras Basah Road
-$25 off Edvocation’s Promotional www.fairmont.com/
Program Fees
- Free 2 months Insurance The Heeren Shops
- Free USA Travel Guide Vouchers
- 1 free Forbe’s/Lonely Planet guide per - $10 shopping voucher* PLUS a $10
group of 3 participants Waraku/Pasta de Waraku @ The Heeren
Participating outlet: voucher*
280 Sim’s Ave
www.edvocation.com.sg/ Participating outlet:
260 Orchard Road #20-01
The Heeren
Dorgan Connect Private Limited www.heeren.com.sg/
- $180 off program fee for wusa
- $100 off program fee for scusa Mint Museum of Toys
- 50% off on museum admission
Participating outlet: tickets
50 East Coast Road, Roxy Square 2
www.dorgangroup.com/ - 15% discount on selected
merchandise at the Mint Shop
Scrapztudio Participating outlet:

26 Seah Street
- 5% off entire order
- Waiver on postage fee if you self-collect
at SMU Joyce Lim & Associates
- Shopping vouchers with min.
Participating outlet: monthly premium. Check out for
www.scrapztudio.com/
more Financial Services
UBS Library Services Pte Ltd Participating outlet:
• 30% off for all publications 51 Scotts Road #04-02
joycelimassociates.com/
• Free delivery within Singapore for
order above $150 (Order via SMU
email) Jideas
- 15% off all items
Blk 1008 Toa Payoh North #03-18 Participating outlet:
www.ubspress.com/ www.jideas.com.sg/

LIFESTYLE
Jewellery Design and Innovative Auction Pte Ltd
Management International - Additional 10 tokens upon sign
School (JDMIS) up. Tokens only available for use with
-15% off Introductory Silver purchase of first token pack.
Metal Clay Fabrication workshop
and Fundamentals of Jewellery and www.sold.sg
Gemmology course modules
-10% off Entry-level Certification Clinic
courses in Gemmology, Jewellery - 10% off Signature Cocktails
Design and Fabrication - Enjoy 1-for-1 on housepours from
- 10% off selected professionally made
6pm -11pm
jewellery designs in the JDMIS
Student Co-operative Boutique. Participating outlet:
Blk C, The Cannery,
Participating outlet: Clarke Quay
100 Beach Rd. #02-50 to #02-57 www.theclinic.sg/
Shaw Towers Gallery
www.jdmis.edu.sg/ Yello Jello
Monster - Selection of 1 Snack + 1 House
- 10% off Monster products pour drinks at $18 all night.
- Snacks offering are $10. Housepour is
Participating outlet: $10 and below)
The Pro Shop @ SMU
Blk C, The Cannery,
Tat Chuan Acoustic Clarke Quay
- 10% off all Klipsch Headphones and www.yellojello.sg/
Earphones
Zirca
Participating outlet: - Free Entry on Wednesdays before
1 Coleman Street #01-17
The Adelphi
11pm
- Free Entry + 2 Friends on Thursdays
miniHub before 11pm
- 20% off computer & Mac
accessories, speakers, earphones, Zirca
iphone casings. www.zirca.sg/
#B1-13 PoMo Rebel
- Free Entry on Wednesdays before
Winners Marketing Pte Ltd 11pm
30% off all items carried by Winners - Free Entry + 2 Friends on Thursdays
Marketing Pte Ltd before 11pm
- Toplight Top Class LED Reading
Lamp - Made In Korea Participating outlet:
Rebel
- Speedo Waterproof Mp3 Players - UK www.rebel.sg/
- Speedo Waterproof Camera - Uk
- Hp(Hewlett Packard) Full HD Digital Lunar
Camcorder - USA
- Free Entry on Wednesdays before
- Agfaphoto Digital Still
Camera - Germany
11pm
- Free Entry + 2 Friends on Thursdays
Participating outlet: before 11pm
Pasir Panjang Distripark, Blk 151, Pasir Panjang
Road, #02-19 Participating outlet:
Lunar
www.lunar.sg/

DINING
DINING
The Fireplace MAD JACK Cafe
- 10% off for all cafe items except for - 20% off on meals during weekdays
set meals and alcoholic drinks before 6pm (Public Holidays not
- For retail, 5% off to UniVantage card included)
holders - 15% off on meals during weekdays
- For the music education, 10% to all (Public Holidays not included) for SMU
courses being signed for Faculty, staff and alumni
Participating outlet: - 30% off for birthday person during
268A South Bridge Road birthday month
www.thefireplace.com.sg/ - 10% off on meals after 6pm during
weekends and whole day during
Station Kitchen Public Holidays
- 10% off on ala carte menu For Alley
Tapas Bar, The Wok And Charcoal MAD JACK Cafe, PoMo
www.madjackcafe.com/
3 Sentosa Gateway
Waraku Holdings
- 10% off total bill at selected outlets
The Cathay Restaurant
- 15% off food ala carte Participating outlets:
PASTA DE WARAKU: Marina Square; Square 2; The
Participating outlet: Central; The Heeren; Bugis Iluma;
2 Handy Road, #02-01, the Cathay Changi Airport Terminal 2
www.thecathayrestaurant.com.sg/ MR CURRY: The Central
WARAKU JAPANESE CASUAL DINING: East Coast
Parkway; Katong Village; Marina Square; Starhub
Centre; The Central; The Heeren
Tung Lok Seafood
- 10% off dine-in ala carte with min.
spending of $30 (before service Kublai Khan Mongolian BBQ
charge and GST) Restaurant
- Discounted Rate for special buffet
181 Orchard Road dinner
#11-05 Orchard Central - A sumptuous International Seafood
Tel: 68344888 Buffet + Mongolian BBQ Dinner @ $22
www.tunglokseafood.com/
on weekday and $24 on weekend for
undergraduates and $24 on weekday
Lao Beijing and $26 on weekend for staff & alumni/
- 10% off dine-in ala carte with min. faculty. Guests of SMU enjoy the above
spending of $30 (before service special adult rate.
charge and GST)
Participating outlet: 9 Penang Road #04-01
68 Orchard Road Park Mall
#03-01 Plaza Singapura
Tel: 67387207
www.laobeijing.com.sg/ Indo Padang Restaurant
- 15% off ala carte menu
Garuda Padang Cuisine - 10% off set-meal menu
- 10% off dine-in ala carte with min. - Free Avocado dessert with minimum
spending of $30 (before service spending of $40
charge and GST)
2 Handy Road, The Cathay, B1-19
indopadang.com/
181 Orchard Road
#07-07/08 Orchard Central
Tel: 67354111
www.garudapadang.com/
All prevailing merchant discounts are subjected to Terms and Conditions. SPRING/SUMMER 2011 ISSUE 49
DINING
DINING
Café Eurasia 4 Fingers Crispy Chicken
- 10% off on daily set meal - Combo meal consisting of 4 pieces
- Free drink with min $10 spent Chicken with fries and soda for just
- American coffee + muffin for $4.50 $4.95
nett (only between 3-6 pm daily)
- Free dessert on birthday 2 Orchard Turn, #B4-06A,
- Free access to loyalty card with $35.00 ION ORCHARD
worth of freebies Tel: 1800-4CRISPY
- Special student offer: Shaw arma
chicken kebab roll & chicken burger
with fries for $4.90 nett
Skinny Pizza
- 10% off for all ala carte menu
8 Wilkie Road, #01-17 Wilkie Edge Participating outlets:
#01-002 Suntec City Mall
Galleria; #03-04/04A
Shin Minori Japanese Restaurant Wheelock Place; #B1-63/64
Raffles City Shopping Centre
- 15% off ala carte food bill with min
$100 spent
- Birthday treats of the Month: Free
Potpourri Restaurant
- 20% off on total ala carte F&B bill
Alaska Snow Crab Nabe
- Daily set lunch menu at $15.90 nett
Participating outlet: - Special rate for hosting parties &
81 Clemenceau Ave UE Square events
(Clarke Quay MRT)” #03-15/16
- During happy hour 20% discount on
purchase of bottle wines
Food for Thought
- 5% off all food & drinks 42 Waterloo Street
8 Queen Street
(Beside Art’s Museum) Ministry Of Food (MOF)
LENAS (Bugis Junction)
- Free upsize of any pizza from 8” to 12”
Casa Latina - $8.90 per pint of Draft Hoegaarden
- 10% off (No GST and Service Beer for students
Charge)
Raffles City Japanese Sweets & Coffee
Participating outlet: Cafe
42 Waterloo Street
- Free pot of Genmaicha/Sencha/
Houjicha tea with any purchase of
Cream Bistro $6.90 and above dessert
- 10% off ala carte menu - Free Ice Macha/Ice Lemon Tea with
any purchase of Main Course
9 Scotts Road #01-04/05/06 Participating outlets:
Pacific Plaza LENAS (Bugis Junction)
Raffles City Japanese Sweets
& Coffee Cafe
Ginza Bairin
- 10% off total bill Fish & Co
- 10% off total bill for a group of min.
2 Orchard Turn 3 pax
#B4- 39/40/41/42,
ION Orchard Participating outlets:
Tel: 6509-8101 Glasshouse; Heeren; Bugis Junction

DINING
DINING
Bobby’s Tamproom.Grill.Ribs
Decoders Café - 15% off total bill (a la carte food and
- 10% off total bill drinks)
- Student Rate for Students Night on - Special Lunch promo: 40% off a la
every Tues & Thurs @ $6 instead of $8 carte food
Participating outlet: Participating outlets:

Blk 320 Clementi Ave 4 #01-15 30, Victoria Street #B1-03,
www.decoderscafe.com/ CHIJMES Fountain Court ;
25-27 Cuppage Road Cuppage
Terrace
www.bobbys.com.sg/
JT Pub
Bistro at Ayden - 50% off all house pours, cocktails
- 10% off all food and drinks and shooter until 9pm
(excluding alcoholic drinks) - 20% off all house pours, cocktails and
shooters after 9pm
Participating outlet: - 20% off all beer (except towers)
61, Pasir Ris Green
46A #02-01 Prinsep Street
Wine Bos
Café Indulge - Free delivery with minimum 2
- 10% off ala carte bottles order and privilege price
- 1-for-1 pasta (Mon-Thurs, except
Public Holidays, 2- 5pm). Not available Participating outlet:
47 North Canal Rd
for grilled sirloin pasta and whole www.winebos.com/
lobster pasta
Café Del Mar
- 10% off Signature Cocktails
2 Handy Road, The Cathay, B1-25/26
- Complimentary soft drink with every
main course
- Snacks Platter + 2 Bottle Beers
(Corona or Carlsberg) at $30++
Rock & Ash
- 50% off 2nd beverage from 2-6pm Participating outlet:
- $9.90 set meal - Any main dish plus 40 Siloso Beach Walk
any drinks, and a soup
- 20% discount on any fries order Sapore Italiano
- Free meal on birthday with minimum - 10% off total bill
4 persons ordering $9.90 meal, or - Special during 9am-12nn, 3pm-6pm,
minimum spending of $30 1 for 1 special for tea, coffee, croissant,
and gelato in cup
6 Raffles Boulevard #B1-03,
- Special on birthday, bring 8 or more
Marina Link @ B1 Marina Square friends and receive free vouchers
equivalent to 50% of spending
- Special on 21st birthday, same
conditions as birthday with a free
Taverna Cafe And Pub Enterprise bottle of prosecco
- Special for month after exam, april
- 10% off regular items (non alcoholic
and dec, 25% discount off total bill
and food)
Participating outlet: Raffles City Shopping Centre
89 Victoria Street, #01-01 #01-15 (Next to Raffles City Towers)

DINING
DINING
Loving Hut
- 10% off total bill Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®
- 10% off on a la carte items
Participating outlets:
3 Temasek Boulevard Sky Garden
#03-016 @ Tower 2; Selegie Road Participating outlets:
#01-07 Parklane Shopping Mall; The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®- Iluma
Blk 161 Bukit Merah Central The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®
#01-3725 (next to POSB) - Plaza by the Park
lovinghut.us/ www.coffeebean.com.sg/
The Pie Shoppe

- 15% off purchases except on
promotional items
Sweet Sweet Tooth
- 15% off all snow ice
Participating outlets: - 10% off all East & West desserts
West Coast Plaza and Kallang Leisure
Park B1 Cold Storage Supermarket Participating outlet:
www.thepieshoppe.com/ 6 Raffles Boulevard, #B1-04
Marina Square (exit Esplanade MRT,
towards Marina Link)
Tom’s Palette
- 10% off selected items, not valid for
promotional items
Jewels Artisan Chocolate
Participating outlet: - 15% off chocolate sculptures
100 Beach Road, #01-25
www.tomspalette.com.sg/ - 10% off all items
Red Mango Orchard Central 181
Orchard Road #02-31/32
- 15% off all purchases
- Birthday Month Special - Free upsize
everyday on your birthday month
Eskimo Delight Pte Ltd
Wilkie Edge; - Free 1 pearl milk tea (worth $2.40)
Esplanade Xchange; with every Fruit Shaved Ice (mango
Plaza 8@Changi Business shaved ice, strawberry shaved ice or
rainbow shaved ice)
O’DIVINO (Not valid during peak hours,
12:30 - 2:30, on weekdays)
- 10% off total bill
- Free delivery service with a minimum Participating outlet:
order of $30 Esplanade Exchange B1-37
1 Selegie Road Unit B1-04
PoMo Tel: 63377148
www.odivinogelato.com/ Gong Cha
- 10% off all drinks
Marvelous Cream
- 10% off premium parfait Raffles City Shopping Centre;
Orchard Central; The Central
Albert Street #12-10 OG
Albert Complex
www.marvelouscream.com/

DINING
FASHION
IE
- 25% off purchases Wonderwool
- 10% off all products
All outlets.
16A Haji Lane
visit www.iethatis.com/
wonderwool.wordpress.com/
Metallurgy
- 10% off for all regular items, no min Drooling Closet
purchase required - 10% off total bill for “environmental-
friendly t-shirt’ printing services from
Participating outlet: 725am Organics
The Cathay #03-14 Tel: 62343380; The Central
#02-44 Tel: 65347877; Raffles City Shopping - Free delivery
Centre #B1-52 Tel: 63368665
www.metallurgy.com.sg/ Participating outlet:
www.droolingcloset.com/
Sam’s Custom Tailors

- 15% off any made to order purchase
- 1 Suit + 1 Shirt + 1 Tie @ $375 725am
(student package) - Additional 10% off all products
purchased from Drooling Closet
Participating outlet: website
14 Scotts Road #02-55 Far East Plaza
www.samscustomtailors.com.sg/ Participating outlet:
725am.wordpress.com/
Chocolate Schubar
- 15% off for Schu brand shoes
- With spending above $100 in OHSOFICKLE
single receipt, student enjoys schu - 10% off any purchase at the
membership boutique upon presentation of
student pass
Wisma Atria, #B1-12;
Suntec Galleria, #01-33
34 Haji Lane
www.ohsofickle.com.sg/
The Sage Link Pte Ltd
- 10% off for all SMU students, staff
and alumni for all bags online at web
store. Register with us using your SMU Sophistix
email (Valid till Jan 2012) - 10% off on online purchases at
www.sophistix.net when purchased
www.thesagelink.com.sg/ with an @smu email address for order
above SGD20.00.
Not valid for electronics and other
Fabrix Cases Singapore items
- 10% off all products Participating outlet:
www.sophistix.net/
16A Haji Lane
www.fabrixcases.com/

DINING
FASHION
Serelli Online
- 15% off all regular priced items. Not Uniqduo
to be used in conjunction with other - 10% off regular price items.
privileges, promotions or discount Sales purchases must be made using
vouchers SMU email

Queensway Shopping Centre, www.uniqduo.com/
1 Queensway #02-18
www.serelli-online.blogspot.com/ Momoteapot
- 12% off all purchases (including sale
items) for purchases above $100
- 5% off all bags, shoes and sandals
My Shoppy Land - Free Registered Postage for purchases
- 10% off regular items. above $70
Sales purchases must be made using State code “SMUpromo” in email
SMU email correspond
www.myshoppyland.com/ momoteapots.livejournal.com/
Twinkling-gem
- 10% off regular price items.
Apri-cot Accessories Sales purchases must be made using
- 10% off items in general SMU email

apri-cot.blogspot.com/ twinkling-gem.blogspot.com/
Hype Boutique
- 10% off puchase on online store
Bangshotudown
- 10% off all products Participating outlet:
www.hype.com.sg/
bangshotudown.livejournal.com/
Eunice-Ellice Online Blogshop

- 10% off regular items.
Christela Cove Sales purchases must be made using
- 10% off regular-priced items. SMU email
Sales purchases must be made using
SMU email
eunice-ellice.livejournal.com/
www.christelacove.sg/
ClubCouture
Dress-a-holic - 10% off all regular items
- 10% off all non sales items. - 5% off all sale items
Present a scanned copy of the SMU
Matriculation Card in email http://sg.clubcouture.cc/smu
correspond
dress-a-holic.com/

DINING
BEAUTY & WELLNESS
What He Wants Grooming For Glamour Hair Boutique
Men Store - 20% off all hair chemical services,
- 10% off all regular priced items except promotion items
- Cut and colour- $88 (promotion)
2 Handy Road #01-06, The Cathay; Participating outlet:
Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City 87 Victoria Street,
Mall Tower 5 #02-013 Victoria Hotel (Next to SMU)
www.whathewants.com.sg/
Urban Cuts
NextAcademy
- 20% off Men’s & Ladies’ Cuts and
- 10% off for rebonding services
chemical services
Participating outlet: - 10% off products
9 Purvis Street, NEXT ACADEMY
www.nexthairsalon.com/ Participating outlet:
190 Clemenceau Avenue
Phase Hairdressing #01-18 Singapore
- 30% off all hair services Shopping Centre
- 20% off all hair services after 5pm, sat, Essensuals Orchard Pte Ltd
sun, PH - 15% off hair services (Valid for
- 10% off haircut stylists and senior stylists)
- 15% off chemical services
- 10% off Phase Hairdressing products 181 Orchard Road, Orchard Central #B1-20
www.essensuals.com.sg/
470 North Bridge Road
#01-05 North Bridge
Pivotpoint Salon
Commercial Complex - 30% off services between 2-5pm on
Tel: 6337 8337 / 6337 8331 weekdays
www.phasehairdressing.com.sg/ - 20% off all services and products
Just 10 Group Participating outlet:
- 20% off all chemical services on 180 Albert St, #01-09,
weekdays only at SALON by Just10 Albert Court, Village Hotel
(Liang Court)
- 10% off all hair services at all 3 salons. Babelicious
20% off
Participating outlet: - All facials and back acne treatment
SALON by Just10; Liang Court #02-15/16
Tel: 68372535 (Appointment) ; JUST10
(Award winning facials start from
Queensway Shopping Centre #02-23 ; $39.90)
WHITEHOUSE by Just10 - Body contouring treatment (From $98)
Orchard Central #B1-26 - Acne scar revision and skin
rejuvenating treatment ( From $78)
Shunji Matsuo/ Hair Visual - All permanent hair reduction service
- 15% off all hair service by stylists (From $68)
Suntec City Tower 4, #03-037 360 Orchard Road #01-13
shunjimatsuo.com.sg/ www.babelicious.com.sg/
Asia Healthcare Group Pte Ltd

BathRepublic.com
Bath Republic - Hygiene Program at $80
Exclusive for
SMU students
- 20% off all items - Whitening Program at $480, Braces
and alumni only! 20% off all
products! Program at $4500
Luxurious bath
care & gifts
187 Tenah Merah Kechil Ave D’Manor
435 Orchard Rd #15-02
www.bathrepublic.com/
Wisma Atria

DINING
BEAUTY & WELLNESS
INIZIO FACE.BODY.SPA CELEVENUS
- Spa Indulgence: Inizio Signature - 50% off MediaSpa Services
Massage S$49, UP: $150 - Sciton (TM) BBL Permanent Hair
Removal: a. Upper and Lower Lips-
Participating outlet: $100 b. Underarms- $220, Full Face-
13, Teo Hong Road $280, Lower Half Legs- $400
www.inizio.com.sg/
6 Eu Tong Sen Street #03-21
Porcelain, The Face Spa The Central
- 50% off all services including Facials, www.celevenus.com.sg/
Nails, Waxing, Body Spa
- $48 Spa Treat Fabulous Tan
- Indoor Tanning – 2 sessions at
31A Cantonment Road. Level2 $18
www.porcelainfacespa.com/ - Teeth whitening at $380
- Doctor fish - 10mins at $10
Star Haven - Hair extension – 6 pieces at $199
- 20% off ala carte services
- 10% off products 9 Tan Quee Lan Street
- $38 for underarm IPL* www.fabuloustan.com.sg/
(original @$150) for 1st trial
Apricot ADN Group Pte Ltd
10 Anson Road International Plaza
- 20% off skincare products, samples
#01-24 and product testers
www.starhaven.com.sg/
Pai Hang Dang @ Orchard Cineleisure
SimplySpa
- 20% off all spa products Le Reve (S) PTE LTD
- 1 for 1 all spa treatments 1 for 1
- Complimentary access to a suite
- Express manicure & pedicure @$49.90
of lifestyle facilities such as a fully-
(usual price $66) ala carte services
equipped gymnasium, lap pools and
- Fruti manicure & pedicure @ $99.90
hydrotherapy baths when any spa
(usual price $144) $38 for underarm
services purchased
IPL* (original @$150) for 1st trial
Participating outlet: - Body massage @ $99 with
181 Kitchener Road, Parkroyal compliemtary mani polish (usual
on Kitchener, Level 6 price $180)
www.simplyspa.com.sg/
- Phyfomer or Guinot facial @ $116
(usual price $190)
Conditions: For 1st trial only.
ONLYaesthetics
- 25% off all ala carte services Participating outlet:
- $58 Mario Bodesou Signature Facial The Central #04-75,
Eu Tong Sen Street
Holland Village: 25A Lorong Mambang Tel:
63144434; Dhoby Ghaut: 190 Clemenceau Dr. H C Leong Dental Surgeon LLP
Ave #02-29 Singapore Shopping Centre Tel:
63384434; East Coast: 50 East Coast Rd #01-122 - 15% off standard rates for all
Roxy Square II Tel: 63464434; Clake Quay: 6 Eu services
Tong Sen Street #03-74 The Central Tel: 63274454
www.onlyaesthetics.com/ Participating outlet:
8 Eu Tong Street #20-86,
The Central (Office 2)


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SPRING/SUMMER 2011 ISSUE

More Stuff Inside: Food Galore, J-rocker, Health Tips & an

Verve @ SMU On the cover

The Loud, the Glue & the Bold

11 Facebook: 2010 events at SMU

14 Life of an SMU mugger: Love my GPA

16 Ruck ‘n’ Row: Strongmen of SMU

Trend, Tips & Advice

24 Travel Guide: Another special edition for your

Dr. Love’s Column

Food, Glorious Food 41 The Luxurious Face of Beauty

33 Gastronomakan: The Food Review 42 IGARD: Having a Vision is so much more

36 Feature: Shin Minori Japanese

The SMU Sartorialist

Proudly brought to you by:

For more infomation about UniVantage, visit us at univantage.bizcom.sg

Jeff Tung Chi Fung, School of Business, 2009

6 SPRING/ SUMMER 2011 ISSUE

My SMU Life so far…. notice, I haven’t

SPRING/SUMMER 2011 ISSUE 7

Elvia Goh Sin Tze, School of Business, 2008

My SMU Life so far…

How do you manage your academic life, CCAs,

My typical day in SMU will be… >Our Say:

8 SPRING/ SUMMER 2011 ISSUE

The top 10 things SMU students fear the most :

SPRING/SUMMER 2011 ISSUE 9

nutshell Internship, internships, internships

Student Exchange Programs

Our campus still rocks!

2010 events at SMU:

facebook Search Home Profile Account

News Feed Top News . Most Recent 300+

Share: Status Photos Links Videos

What’s on your mind?

Prof Who likes this.

Prof. Who Damn I look good in a suit.

Prof Who likes this.

Dr. DX What poster?

Prof. Who Poster of ME.

Dr. DX I took it down. It’s now ME.

Prof. Who You tore down my poster?

Dr. DX While you were partying like a rockstar

SMUSA Been drinking eh bro! That ain’t cool

Registrar Bro, there’s nothing you can do about this.

SMUSA Try me!

Registrar I just did.

SPRING/SUMMER 2011 ISSUE 11

SMUSA Oh damn it would you stop it

SMUSA created the group: We will not tolerate class sizes of 50

SMUSA deleted the group: We find it hard to tolerate class sizes of 50

SMUSA Bro, what are you up to, again

BOSS Just chillin and makin merry, Bro

SMUSA Seriously Bro. Quit doing this. Don’t try me

BOSS I just did

Registrar likes this.

lovely new poles at each escalator

19 October at 8.00am . Like . Comment

SMU male connection What the?

OFM Lovely height, lovely sound when it hits, eh

SMU male connection hit?

OFM You will know soon enough