Lifestyle

5 weekend getaways under S$500

By Winifred Tan

(Article updated on 29 February, 3pm, with additional information)

It is barely a quarter through 2012 and you’re already dying to catch a breather from all the drama and stress at work. What better way to take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life than grabbing a travel bag and packing for a short jaunt somewhere?

We list down 5 exotic destinations that you can consider for that weekend getaway.

Nikoi Island, Indonesia

2.5 hours away by ferry is Nikoi Island, long regarded as one of the most stunning unspoilt coasts in the Indonesian archipelago. Featuring an indigenous Banyan tree rainforest and coastline studded with beautiful white granite boulders, the island is an untouched slice of paradise, the only signs of civilisation being the 15 driftwood beach houses and a spectacular pool offering uninterrupted views over the South China Sea.

The Nikoi community prides itself on environmental conservation and social responsibility. Eco-friendly visitors can rest assured that the resort practises responsible tourism and has even established an Island Foundation to support village development programmes on Bintan.

Office Romances: The Valentine's Day Edition

By Winifred Tan & Jacelyn Lim

When it comes to the game of love, there is no such thing as “playing by the rules”.

Or is there?

According to a recent survey by JobsCentral, it would appear that most office workers in Singapore do have one rule when it comes to dating: never find your honey where you get your money.

Survey Results: More than half of Singapore workers would avoid dating someone from their workplace

By Jonathan Tay

When it comes to the rules of dating, it appears that most Singapore employees are cautious to never find the honey from where they get the money. An online survey conducted by JobsCentral, uncovered a greater inclination amongst Singapore workers in keeping their romance out-of-office.

INFOGRAPHIC: Click here to view

Unconventional Jobs

Seven people. Four different jobs. One incredible life. We meet a group of people who are making a living by living out their dreams.

By Eliza Hamizah

Professional Poker Player: Bryan Huang

Bryan Huang picked up poker at the age of 19 and won his first tournament on his second try. Despite getting offers to turn pro, he decided to complete his Accountancy degree first; however, the lure of the tables proved too much to bear. This gutsy move proved to be a beneficial one as Bryan won the 2010 Asia Player of the Year title and is currently a part of Team PokerStars Pro: Asia.

Researchers are the thriftiest workers in Singapore: JobsCentral Survey

By Jonathan Tay

An online survey conducted by JobsCentral, from 19 August to 16 September 2011, revealed that researchers are among the thriftiest workers in Singapore. Nearly 60 percent of the respondents who are in the field of Research and Development (R&D) have pointed out that they would set aside more than 20% of their monthly income as savings.

What Lies Ahead in the Year of the Dragon

By Farhan Shah

It is the year of the Dragon and for the Chinese, as well as anyone who believes in the mystical qualities of this flying leviathan, 2012 is the perfect year to get married, give birth to a kid or if they’re feeling particularly productive, achieve both at the same time.

According to Ken Koh, Director of House of Feng Shui, 2012 is the year of the Water Dragon. This means that there will be “a bit of disharmony this year” due to the clash of two elements – Water (as 2012 is the year of the Water Dragon) and Earth (as the Dragon possesses a dominant Earth element). In visual terms, imagine a tidal wave of water crashing against an immoveable object like a dam.

Also, contrary to popular belief, the Dragon year doesn’t actually begin on the Lunar New Year but on 4 February 2012, at 6.24pm.

Standing Desks Are on the Rise

provided by

by Jim Carlton

More from WSJ.com:
Managers Admit to Playing Favourite
Allowing Innovation to Bubble Up
China Students Flood US Grad Schools

Silicon Valley's newest status symbol is a humble piece of furniture.

A growing number of workers at Google Inc., Facebook Inc. and other employers are trading in their sit-down desks for standing ones, saying they feel more comfortable and energized. They also are motivated by medical reports saying that sitting for too long leads to increased health risks.

A standing desk sits high off the floor so a worker can either stand at it or sit on a high stool to use it. Officials at Palo Alto-based Facebook say a number of employees asked about standing desks after news articles were published about the health risks of sitting all day.

7 career lessons from Tina Fey’s “Bossypants”

Anthony Balderrama

Celebrities don’t always make the best role models. For every Bono and Oprah Winfrey there is a real housewife of [choose your city] screaming at her supposed friend in a busy restaurant. Celebrities don’t always make the best authors either. Just because someone can sing or act doesn’t mean they’re capable of writing a stellar autobiography either. It doesn’t even mean they have an interesting story to tell.

Fortunately that’s not the case with Tina Fey’s half-autobiography/half-musings “Bossypants.” In one chapter she explains how the fundamentals of improvisational comedy are great guidelines for everyday life. Later, when she recounts some of the hurdles she has faced as a woman in comedy and as the head writer on a historic TV show, her struggles sound remarkably like those of many non-famous workers. After I was done being upset that this fun, leisure reading had been interrupted by unintentional learning, I realized that Fey’s lessons reached beyond the confines of improv.

In case you don’t get the chance to read “Bossypants” or you’re currently too busy rereading the “Harry Potter” series in preparation of the final film, here are seven lessons every worker can learn from Tina Fey:

Keeping It Clean: Alternative Nightlife in Singapore

Say “Nightlife” and naturally, Singaporeans think of “bars and booze”. That’s just the tip of the things-to-do-at-night iceberg though, as we uncover other nightlife alternatives to bars, dance music and beer goggles.

By Edwin Tam

Q: What’s worse than a hangover?
A: Waking up hungover and next to a dog. Naked.

Of course, this will never happen to us. It might happen to a friend of a friend or your cousin’s dog groomer.

Just never to us.