Previous Issue :  Exotic Destinations |  September 2011

Growing up, my family loved to go on holidays. As a kid, I would look forward to our yearly road trips during Easter weekends. Whether the destination was a far away province, the beach or some island, it was always a thrill for me. Airplanes were another fascination. Getting onto a plane meant a trip and that meant a new destination, and that meant adventure. I even remember a photo of me at three years old, all dressed up in a pilot’s uniform while on a plane. For my grade school yearbook, I even wrote that I wanted to be a pilot. Every trip was an opportunity to discover: make new friends, have chance encounters, visit local sights and eat unique cuisines. Hopefully there will be enough brilliant ideas in this issue to help you spend those precious vacation days. But then again, a great travel destination transcends vacation days, it is worth the memorable experiences. We also encourage you to write in and share with us your own memorable experiences.  Enjoy the issue and make sure you enjoy your next trip too!

Previous Issue :  Culinary Desires |  June 2011

One of the favorite topics of conversation in Asia is food. Step into any home around the region and the first questionusually asked is, ‘Have you eaten?’ Food is an integral part of our lives. We not only need it to survive, but it is also a social event. Food is almost always shared. Mealtimes are events when friends and loved ones come together, and conversely when people gather, they have toeat. We eat every day, so we might as well do it well. As color brightens life and gives it meaning, spices enhance flavor and make food more appetizing. We center our Food issue on spices.Early civilizations started to cook with spices as early as 50,000 years ago. This comes to show how important flavor has been to food andhow spice has played a pivotal role in how the world has been shaped. If not for spice, most of Asia and the Middle East would not havebeen discovered. Oceans have been crossed, lands have been conquered, battles have been waged, all in the name of spice.

Previous Issue :  Indulgence  |  March 2011

Everyone has to let go once in awhile.We all yield to our desires and whims. The extra fifteen minutes in bed after the alarm has gone off. The chocolate barwhich you know you should not have but relish while watching TV. Or the one too many gin and tonics on a night out when you know you’re already quite tipsy.These sneaky little indulgences add spark to our lives and make us happy.

There are times when I just want to let it all go. To throw caution to the wind. To allow myself unrestrained gratification. Everyone has those thoughts, I’m sure. We  are human and we dream. Of course our better judgment stops us most of the time, but it would be great to indulge once in awhile.