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Straits Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
My Perfect Weekend with SGAG's Xiao Ming
Adrian Ang with his wife Goh Xin Lei and their children spending a weekend in Bali in May. PHOTO: Who: Adrian Ang, 38, better known as Xiao Ming, is co-founder of local online comedy platform SGAG. He is married to Ms Goh Xin Lei, 38, an executive manager at professional services company Accenture. The couple have two children – a four-month-old daughter and a two-year-old son. Earlier in June, the Singaporean online personality collaborated with home-grown traditional Chinese medicine brand Eu Yan Sang to launch its Tired Adults Survival Kit. The $88 bundle contains eight of Eu Yan Sang's top-selling remedies, and its design features illustrated snapshots of Ang's chaotic life and parenting moments. 'On a typical Saturday morning, w e will g o for a cafe run. We make it a point to find a nice spot as a family to have our coffee – or, for the kids, hot chocolate – to start the weekend on a happy note. Our go-to spot is Cosford Container Park in Changi. It is the best place in Singapore to watch planes take off and land because it is right beside the airport runway. My son gets really excited watching the planes fly. Sometimes, after our afternoon nap, we have a little cycling trip or we go to the beach , depending on the weather . It is a little challenging now with two kids, but over the weekends, I tr y to make the most out of whatever little time my wife and I have to ourselves. Adrian Ang swimming with his son. PHOTO: COURTESY OF ADRIAN ANG In the evenings, a couple of my friends and I play pickleball, as we have caught on to the pickleball craze. After my son falls asleep, I try to squeeze in at least an hour to play a couple of rounds, which is better than nothing. Otherwise, I go for an ice bath around the corner of my home in the east, which helps shock my body awake with the really cold water. The most memorable weekend I have had was in Bali in May. It was the first time we travelled as a family of four. There is something about family holidays – the kids suddenly grow up and mature so much in such a short amount of time. They will try things they have never tried before or do things they don't usually do. Maybe it is because we are more observant, as we are spending more time with them, or maybe it is because they are in a new environment. It is always nice to experience family life outside our home. ' Get the ST Smart Parenting newsletter for expert advice. Visit the microsite for more
Straits Times
6 days ago
- General
- Straits Times
Forum: Nursing rooms could do with better design
As an architectural designer and mother, I was heartened to see the updated Building and Construction Authority Accessibility Code give long-overdue attention to lactation rooms. One welcome improvement was the inclusion of better directional signage. When you are holding a hungry, crying baby, trying to find the nursing room in a big mall can feel like a wild goose chase. Clear, visible signs would save so many of us from that mild panic. However, a few things could still be better. Many nursing rooms remain too cramped for a stroller, forcing parents to juggle babies, bags and everything else in hand. A little more space goes a long way. Lighting can also be a problem. I once also grappled with an auto sensor in a nursing room where the lights switched off in the midst of feeding. Trying to wave at a sensor while nursing the hungry baby in the dark was a real challenge. Manually dimmable lights could be more user-friendly. And then there's the sign 'Nursing Mothers Only'. While privacy is important, this sends the wrong message to partners. My husband wants to help, but the sign (and often the cramped space) keeps him outside. It's another quiet way mothers get left to do it alone. Thoughtful, small changes can make a huge difference in supporting parents. Shireen Yeo Shi Yun More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Get the ST Smart Parenting newsletter for expert advice. Visit the microsite for more
Straits Times
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
June school holidays 2025: Little feet, big dreams
In this episode of nine2twelve, The Straits Times and a guest reviewer visit F17 Football Academy to find out how it gets kids outdoors. SINGAPORE – Football is a popular sport in Singapore. Many young people dream of playing in the big leagues. Several football academies, including some brand-name ones, are dedicated to training young players, helping them take their skills to the next level. In this episode of nine2twelve, a video series for kids aged nine to 12 , The Straits Times and a guest reviewer visit F17 Football Academy to find out how it gets kids outdoors. View the video at then come back and try this crossword puzzle below. ACTIVITY 1 Fill in the crossword puzzle with football-related terms based on the clues provided below. DOWN 1. The break in the middle of the match, usually 15 minutes long. 3. When a player falls to the ground and, often, pretends to be injured to give the impression that a foul has been committed. 5. The player who plays in the middle of the field. He helps both in attack and defence, passing the ball and controlling the game. 6. A player who is mainly responsible for trying to score goals. 8. The person who trains the players, teaches them techniques and helps them get better at their sport. 9. The leader of the team. ACROSS 2. The player who stands in front of the goal and tries to stop the other team from scoring. He wears gloves and usually stays near the goal area to catch the ball or block it from entering the net. 4. The act of moving the ball by kicking it with small, quick touches while running. 7. To describe the act of a player who stops or takes the ball away from the other team by getting in the way of their pass or shot. 10. When a player breaks the rules, the opposing team is often awarded this free kick, which means the player can try to score a goal, defended only by the goalkeeper. Answers: 1. Halftime. 2. Goalkeeper. 3. Dive. 4. Dribble. 5. Midfielder. 6. Striker. 7. Intercept. 8. Coach. 9. Captain. 10. Penalty ACTIVITY 2 Match the faces of legendary football players to their names. Each player has a story, a signature move and a place in football history. Tell us who your favourite player is and why at stdot@ Lionel Messi PHOTO: AFP Cristiano Ronaldo PHOTO: AFP Karim Benzema PHOTO: REUTERS Get the ST Smart Parenting newsletter for expert advice. Visit the microsite for more
Straits Times
11-06-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Forum: Help girls in top schools cope with life's challenges
I thought my own family's experience was an isolated one until I read the article (New NIE study to examine well-being and behaviour of girls in top secondary schools, June 10). According to the article, the study was sparked by research findings in the US, which showed that youth in high-achieving schools showed clinically significant anxiety and depression about six to seven times higher than national norms. My daughter was a student in a top girls' school until two years ago. Her four years in this school were possibly the darkest period in her life. Once a smiling and bubbly young girl, she became a shadow of herself, wracked with anxiety, self-doubt, and occasional crying episodes. She often questioned why she had chosen this school, and said she never felt she belonged. She told me that many girls in her school go there to 'network' – it's not about making friends or enjoying each other's company, but to make connections with girls of a certain background. Isn't school meant to be for learning and making life-long friends? My daughter also noticed cuts on a former classmate's thighs. Not knowing what to do with the knowledge, she kept this to herself for two weeks before confiding in me. I hope the findings from the new NIE study will be able to help students who are going through these issues. As parents, we also need to teach our children skills that will help them face life's challenges. We should also let our children know that they can turn to their parents or a responsible adult, who can help them work through their problems. Vivien Goh Choon Lian More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Get the ST Smart Parenting newsletter for expert advice. Visit the microsite for more
Straits Times
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Minor Issues: A simple basketball class brings so much value to my autistic daughter
While disability sports may sometimes seem like a niche activity, there is nothing exclusive about being disabled. PHOTO: UNSPLASH SINGAPORE – When my daughter with autism, Kate, started playing basketball, her ball used to fall far short of the net. She would ready herself, bend her knees as if to jump – and the feeble ball would then barely clear a person's head. All manner of demonstrations and exhortations – people cheering for her, trying to draw her attention to the basket or enthusiastically telling her 'higher, over here, like this!' – made little difference. At first. Get the ST Smart Parenting newsletter for expert advice. Visit the microsite for more
