Category: Lifestyle

Celebrating Convenience and Choice in a Caffeinated WorldOur weekly pitch meetings revolve around caffeine. Every Thursday at 10 a.m., the RICE Media editorial team filters into the meeting room, each clutching a cup of coffee. Given our office’s location at Ann Siang Hill, high-end coffees are almost a given.From homemade barista-style cappuccinos—thanks to Zat, my …

Unveiling the Heart and Soul of the Culinary Team Before Service Begins"Before Service" takes you behind the scenes in the hours leading up to lunch or dinner at an F&B outlet. This series aims to illuminate the dedicated individuals who tirelessly work behind closed doors to create memorable and meaningful dining experiences for guests. What …

Navigating the Fine Line Between Entertainment and Social Responsibility in Reality TVI imagine naysayers of One Week Love by The Smart Local are quickly decrying the show as a symptom of everything wrong with the world today. Still, nothing beats a YouTube comment left on episode 6 of the reality dating show: “This show really …

Singapore Aims for 70% Volunteerism Rate by Next Year Through Innovative ProgramsSINGAPORE: Volunteerism is on the rise in Singapore as the nation works towards its ambitious goal of achieving a 70% volunteerism rate by next year. This target, which community leaders believe is attainable, is supported by new initiatives designed to attract and retain volunteers, …

Discovering the unique customs and habits that leave foreigners amazed.In the inaugural episode of Culture Shock Moments Foreigners Had When They Moved to Singapore, featured on The Smart Global’s YouTube channel, expatriates candidly shared their most surprising and shocking experiences since arriving in Singapore. Their stories ranged from the local practice of "chope-ing" tables to …

Xavian Mar's Journey from Academia to Canine CareAt 9:30 AM, I meet 21-year-old Xavian Mar, who is dressed for the day in sunglasses, a dry-fit tee, shorts, and running shoes—ideal attire for his profession. Today, we’re set for a lengthy walk, as Xavian proudly runs his own dog-walking and training business, Xavian and Pack, which …

Diana and Sabby's experiences highlight the complexities of navigating Singapore's rental market amidst soaring prices and personal challenges.THE FIRST BEST THING. In bold text, the phrase serves as a stern subheader in a long email from 31-year-old Diana* to the CEO of the co-living space she’s been renting for the past year. It details a …

From production assistant to café owner, Xian Jie shares his journey of restoring a historic kominka and embracing rural life.Xian Jie, a Singaporean with a passion for culture and community, is on a remarkable journey to restore a 120-year-old teahouse in Japan. His adventure began after working as a documentary production assistant for Lianain Films …

Navigating Identity and Connection in a Diverse Family BackgroundGrowing up, I wasn’t particularly religious as a Muslim. My parents sent me to madrasah (religious school) every weekend, I had Quran lessons once a week, and I tried hard to pray five times a day. But honestly, I felt like I was just going through the …

Despite their championship wins, support and acknowledgment for lion dance troupes remain elusive.I’m watching a video of a lion dance performance at the Prime Minister’s Cup held in Kuala Lumpur in September 2022. Singapore-based Yiwei Athletic Association is putting on a stunning show in the regional lion dance championship. Its lion, adorned in a breathtaking …