Singapore: Day 17

On Monday, I had my safety training session from 8:45 AM to 5:30 PM at the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), and it was definitely the most comprehensive safety training I've ever had. In UC Berkeley, the safety training was only about 2-3 hours and very brief. However, this training session was separated into several hour long blocks-- radiation, chemical spills, fire hazards, bio-hazards, etc. Although it was not the most eventful of things to attend, I learned a lot about Singapore that day. The safety training covered the Workplace Safety and Health Act we were under as employees and detailed the punishments for its violation. Singapore seems heavily invested in the punishment system, as both a safety offense that causes injury and a violation of the act will cost thousands of dollars as well as imprisonment. The attitude that the Singaporeans took toward safety was also interesting; for example, the slogan on the free water bottle we were given as part of the training detailed "Be safe, not sorry." Similar slogans were present all throughout the workshops, and even the lecturer had a similar tone and mindset. It was strange how strict and cautious Singapore is, because the labs in Berkeley are not as careful and probably violate most of the safety codes anyway (we never wore lab coats and were allowed to wear shorts and sandals.) It was definitely helpful to learn proper lab safety, but I was also definitely happy when the safety training was over.

Through the safety training, I had the chance to meet and spend time with the other interns in my lab. There are two junior college students (the equivalent of high school students in the U.S.) who are doing a year long internship with NCCS as well as a fourth year NUS student who is doing his honors thesis through a year long research project here. I learned a great deal about Singaporean culture through my conversations and lunch with them. One interesting topic was the military-- males are mandated to serve two years, and it is normal for boys to serve as soon as they finish junior college (which is why there is a two year age gap between university girls and boys.) It is said that boys become men through their time in the military, and there is even a Singaporean movie based on this socially-accepted belief. I was definitely surprised by this and how casually the locals speak of and accept the military time. It is something I cannot understand because I wouldn't want my path in life to be controlled or affected by an outside force (I actually had a nightmare once about being drafted.) Another extremely interesting topic was covered was surveillance: there are security cameras almost everywhere in Singapore in order to promote good behavior. I never really noticed them until my lab-mates pointed them out. They said that the some of the cameras actually are not on, and that just their presence and the thought of being watched incurs obedient and good behavior. The NUS student referenced a study that validated this psychology (was it Bentham's panopticon?), and I was disturbed by how much control the government and institutions here have over the people. Everything is so tightly regulated here in Singapore, while the United States emphasizes freedom and individuality.

After my safety training, I went back to the lab to talk to Jian about my experiment the next day and then made my way back to PGPR. I met up with Nicole and Emily for dinner at the PGPR canteen, and I ordered the Nam Vang, which is a prawn and pork rib noodle soup. I have been having the strangest cravings lately-- cheesecake and other Western sweets; pho/ Vietnamese food in general; Korean food (especially dolsot bibimbap); Mexican food; Japanese udon, sushi and curry-- all of which I cannot find or are not made authentically in Singapore! The sadness! I was incredibly disappointed with the pho at Velocity @ Novena Square, but this Nam Vang makes up for it a bit. I definitely enjoyed this noodle soup!

Nam vang (prawn and pork rib noodle soup)

After dinner, I went back to my room and relaxed for a bit. I have been too inefficient with my time lately. My internship during the day completely drains me and I find myself mindlessly wasting my time as soon as I get home. I am not as efficient and productive as I was back in Berkeley (but then again, I did not have long work hours), and I need to quickly find a structure I can stick to. Perhaps I will lock myself in a lounge or study room for a set number of hours so I can maximize my efficiency.