R 2011 OBE CT O T S U G U A When words get in the way WHY MEN AND WOMEN SOMETIMES DON’T UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER Score that first date EXPERT TIPS TO MAKE THAT Promotions A REALITY ARTSCIENCE+ MUSEUM + + + TICKETS 2 FOR $42 10 OFF % FJORD STEEL EXPRESSIONS OFF 15% MARBLE SLAB CREAMERY CAKES duet cover aug-sept v3.indd 1 05/08/2011 6:37 PM ocial Development Network Duet Ad.indd 5 03/08/2011 9:30 AM note FROM SDN Dear Reader EDITORIAL ADVISORS hank you for your support gatherings. This issue, we’ll teach you SDN of DUET. In the annual Duet how to read body language cues. Readers’ Survey, we are Starting this issue, we will also Head T Teo Poh Leng pleased to know that out of more include a little pop quiz to help you than 400 responses, over 80 per cent evaluate your relationship in a light- Assistant Director Corinne Tan Cheng Hong of you found the magazine benefi cial hearted way. Find out if your date is in equipping you with dating and “the one” for you by answering simple Marketing Communications Senior Executive relationship skills, while about questions (p32). Seow Hwee Min 40 per cent had passed DUET to Check out the upcoming event Marketing Communications your single friends! listings for more interesting activities Offi cers We will continue (p33-39). There are Jean Chua Hwee Khoon to do our best to make also exciting learning April Tan Lee Ngoh DUET an interesting adventures that you “HAPPINESS CAN read and useful resource can enjoy with your EDITORIAL BE FOUND, EVEN for you. We hope you date or friends, be it art MEDIACORP PTE LTD IN THE DARKEST will like the revamped appreciation, dancing, OF TIMES, IF ONE Senior Editor DUET which features learning more about Agatha Koh Brazil ONLY REMEMBERS fresh designs, additional Singapore’s heritage or TO TURN ON Editor segments and more baking up a storm, in Ronald Rajan THE LIGHT.” attractive promotions! the Out & About section Assistant Editor In this issue, DUET (p6). So head out and Nellie Tay looks at how love is a have fun! Writer journey of discovery and learning. Just like what Professor Albus Fairoza Mansor Every relationship is a growing Dumbledore said in the movie Harry Senior Designers process to discover more about Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Isabelle Yeoh, Johnson Lim ourselves and what love means to us. “Happiness can be found, even in Executive Photographer Hear what our cover models and other the darkest of times, if one only Ealbert Ho singles have to say about what love has remembers to turn on the light.” Senior Photographer taught them (p4). Finally, don’t forget to check out Kelvin Chia Watch out for our new section exclusive promotions on p28. Photographer Discover, where you’ll learn interesting From ArtScience Museum tickets, Hong Chee Yan insights and gain the know-how to accessories, ice cream cakes to sports Contributors enrich your life, as well as how to courses, there is something for every Ng Yi Lian, Julia Wang, strike conversation topics at social DUET reader. Enjoy the treats! Evon Chng, Sheralyn Tay, Stella Thng, Wu Wanjing Managing Director Jessie Sng FOR ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES, EMAIL: [email protected] Duet is published quarterly for members of SDN by MediaCorp Pte Ltd. Copyright is held by the publishers. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or whole without permission is prohibited. Printed by KHL. MICA (P) 243/11/2004 Ms Teo Poh Leng Editorial & advertising sales enquiries should be directed to: Head (SDN) MediaCorp Pte Ltd. Caldecott Broadcast Centre, Andrew Road, Singapore 299939. Tel: 6333-3888/Fax: 6254-2886. For general enquiries, call SDN’s hotline at 6838-3988. All returned mails should be directed to: SDN, *SCAPE, 2 Orchard Link, #05-02, Singapore 237978. 1 Note v3.indd 1 05/08/2011 6:40 PM contents AUG–OCT 2011 TRAVEL 3 10 Rediscover nature at these 26 farm stay retreats. LETTERS SUCCESS STORY Read what singles have Give love a chance and you to say about DUET might just fi nd happiness, say Fan Tang Meng and 4 Joanna Fan. 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PHOTOSHOOT LOCATION: Marina @ Keppel Bay 2 Aug–Oct 2011 DUET 2 Contents V3.indd 2 05/08/2011 6:40 PM letters getting to know WRITE IN TO US MEET SOMEONE NEW End that dry spell! It’s been months since you last went on a date. Say goodbye to the lean season and get yourself back in the game with these tips from our experts. by STELLA THNG RE-EVALUATE YOUR EXPECTATIONS 1“I used to only go out with guys who were older and taller than me, and had already established a career,” admits May Leong, 38, who works in the beauty industry and was used to model part-time. “Over the years, I’ve met several decent guys who I refused to date because they lacked one criterion or another.” After several heartbreaks, May came to realise that this ‘must-have’ attributes were not that important after all. “I married a guy who’s not as tall as I am. He’s the sweetest and most sincere guy I’ve known!” Violet Lim, co-founder of SDNTrust accredited agency Lunch Actually, shares a similar tale. A client of hers used to have a long list of expectations. Then true love struck — and surprisingly, that special someone didn’t fulfi check list. “My client later shared with me that things l her I read DUET for the fi rst time recently, and like salary, education, and height were actually superfi In my current relationship, it seems expectations. At the end of the day, what really mattered Engineer Thomas Lim, 41, can vouch for that. “I met was that they had similar values, a similar outlook in life, cial two women while getting a drink at the vending machine, and they enjoyed each other’s company.” at a public sports complex that I had decided to check out recently. Now, we have an unoffi found “End that dry spell!” from the May-July SHAKE UP YOUR ROUTINE IN LITTLE WAYS Wednesday evening. Even if nothing cial romantic jogging worksdate every out, that I am always the one who ‘gives 2 Violet often sets her clients some special homework: I’m glad I’ve made two new friends.” to write down their weekly routine. “It’s important that singles look at what they’re doing — or not doing — REVITALISE YOUR LIFE to widen their social circles. Once you realise how you’ve 3 Consider a little upgrade or revamp. It might just give issue very informative. It made me realise that come to be stuck in a rut, it becomes much easier to bring you the jumpstart you need. “Always wanted to learn in’. I thought this is what I should some variety into your life.” a new language? What are you waiting for? Been sporting And it all starts from making small changes to your the same old hairstyle for the last 20 years? It’s time to visit routine. “For example, if you go to the gym every Monday, a quality stylist and get a new look. It’d probably make you Wednesday and Friday, why not go on other days instead? look fresher and younger too!” says Violet. the best way to approach a date is to let If you’ve been getting your daily fi x of coffee from the same Another tip: Violet suggests that you check out do as a woman, but the fact is that place, try a different café,” suggests Violet. “Simple and options where the gender balance is in your favour. For easy adjustments like these will ensure that you meet people example, signing up for belly dancing classes which only whom you wouldn’t usually encounter.” accept women won’t offer an avenue to meet potential men.