I've actually been trying to play things a little more low key these past few months, following on from a year that's seen more commitments than I can throw a stick at. With my 'day job' creating quite a significant workload outside of office hours (late night conference calls and 2012 planning) and my Grassroots activities, I've had to knock back literally dozens of 'extra-curricular' activities and engagements.
Having said that, the month of November saw a remarkable amount of exposure across various media - traditional and digital. With appearances on TV, interviews and 'exclusives' on a couple of international news websites, on Monday this week the Straits Times ran an article penned by one of their journalists based out of Sydney - I kindly agreed to the interview for this and was a little stunned to see how large the picture of my family was that was run with the story - I had SMS's, emails, phone calls from every man and his dog to tell me about it.
Then the very next day, as Sammi and I were walking up Orchard Road to TAB to attend the official launch event for Notatourist.sg - I kid you not - our photos... one of me and another of Sammi and the boys appeared on the large screen facing the most famous of Singapore's shopping strips. Let me tell you, Sammi and I took more than a double-take... how very surreal!
The reason for the images being displayed (along with the pictures of other 'expat writers') was part of the launch event.As part of the proceedings, I was invited to participate on stage as a panelist in an informal dialog... along with local celebrities, the one and only (very cool) Hossan Leong and famous author and columnist, Neil Humphreys - a couple of very funny guys... I felt very honoured to meet them both.
I have gladly agreed to be part of the editorial team at the newly launched Notatourist.sg.
NOT A TOURIST
notatourist.sg is about you — You, the expatriate in Singapore, in discovering your home away from home.
You’re an expat, not a tourist. You can pepper your English with lah’s and can’s, you know why taxis seem to be in hiding just before midnight, and you know that tissue packets left on hawker centre tables is not a process to be trifled with.
Maybe you are here for the abundant career opportunities, or you are trailing a spouse, or simply for the endless sunshine, clean parks and fantastic chilli sauce. Whatever the case may be, notatourist.sg recognises that the expatriation process is about creating your own identity and foundations in Singapore, living life here to build lasting memories to share with each other and loved ones at home.
The stories you will find here are on the ground—real and raw—written by you and fellow like-minded individuals. We share stories from expatriates of all backgrounds, so that you find your commonality in the joys, quirks and even gripes unique to your Singapore experience. In this community and endless resource for advice, find tips on the relocation process, on easing into the local scene and on how to get to those hidden finds beyond Orchard Road.
We welcome you to join our network and feel a sense of home in Singapore. Making new connections is just the beginning of what this Lion City has to offer.
notatourist.sg is built in partnership with SingTel
Click here to check out more photos from the launch event!
2 comments:
You are most certainly not a tourist here in Singapore. In fact, the ways in which you have given back to the community here and how you are making a difference makes me reflect on the things that I take for granted.
Jeremy - thanks so much for the kind comments. You have made my day, my friend! ;)
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