Introducing SSEAYP 2016 (Ship for Southeast Asia and Japanese Youth Programme)

Yes I am back as promised.
To share on this expedition I am going for this year.

For me, the reason I joined was that I had interest in hearing from different countries' on their viewpoints on issues in their countries - their perspective, their solution, their culture etc

I have traveled,worked and stayed in various countries and am always amazed by how much I get to learn - and it also teaches me to be thankful for what I have but at the same time, realize there is much more I can do for my own homeland.

SSEAYP

SHIP FOR SOUTHEAST ASIAN AND JAPANESE YOUTH PROGRAMME (SSEAYP)

Bringing together more than 300 youths from ASEAN countries and Japan, the  Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP) provides youths with the unique opportunity to live together on board the Nippon Maru Ship for over 50 days. SSEAYP is an annual programme sponsored and Organised by the Cabinet Office of Japan and supported by the governments of Southeast Asia ASEAN. 

SSEAYP began in January 1974 after Joint Statements were issued between Japan and five ASEAN countries - Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. They were joined by Brunei Darussalam in 1985, followed by Vietnam in 1996. Both Laos and Myanmar came on board in 1998, with Cambodia as the latest newcomer in 2000. Apart from broadening youths’ international outlook, SSEAYP also fosters friendship and greater understanding among youths from Japan and ASEAN.  

Through SSEAYP, participating youths have the opportunity for international exposure and leadership development as they play a significant role as youth ambassadors for Singapore. The National Youth Council (NYC), Singapore’s national co-ordinating body for youth affairs, oversees the programme. 


The journey promises participants with vibrant discussions on social and youth matters, eye-opening cultural exchanges and participation in sports, recreational and club activities. At each port of call, participants can look forward to interacting with the local youths, pay courtesy calls on dignitaries, visit local institutions, get involved in community service and experience a unique home stay programme.



Applications are usually open from Feb to April,
Interviews follow up once application close.

Taking place from 25 October to 14 December 2016*, this year’s SSEAYP will visit four of the ten ASEAN countries (Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia)and Japan. Singapore will be sending a contingent of 28 youths and a National Leader to participate in SSEAYP 2016.
Discussion topics to name a few has education, social issues, international relations and more.
Here's the facebook page for this year SSEAYP 2016 - 43rd batch

Here's a  blog that provides you an idea of the stories on board
And another from another participant
And another



Note: The commitment level however is no joke
But I hope the experience will be worth it all. Will share again when I'm back.

Food Invite: Awesome new chillout place in the Upper thomson/AMK Area - TaiPei Seoul Cafe 台北 . 首尔

Apologies for being away but recently I'm involved in this organisation called SSEAYP. I'll do a write up in the next post. 

Just as I was craving for some inspiration, I'm glad to be introduced by fellow blogger Jessie to this cafe called Tai Pei Seoul 台北- 首尔 Cafe that is situated at 10 Jalan Leban, Singapore 577551 (Near my house!) at Upper Thomson/ AMK Area. Considering there were so many thematic cafes popping up in the area, frankly I didn't have high hopes. Boy, was I wrong. Specially if you are a drama fanatic like me!
Check out the highlights they have at their facebook page 
And the best thing is its open from 12noon to.... 12 midnight! (Haha a thing to be happy about specially if you have a bunch of friends like me who work hard during the day and like to chill at night - thinking of what to do other than KTV)

Finding the place is quite easy since its near the road.
Sit Bus 169 from Ang Mo Kio Hub Interchange and alight at the 7th stop.
Here's the map for easy reference

I liked the fact that the place was very spacious and the pastel colors very soothing. Very good for a chilling afternoon session if you know what I mean. To sit at a place to chill for a long time and chit chat, the environment is very very important.

And I loved the idea of having varied choices of drinks for me to choose from - Named after movies I love - I'm not really a coffee/tea person, and I think chilling with fizzy drinks so here's my preferences

薔微之戀 (Drama:The Rose)

一定会有一个这样的人 

一定要相信 
我只是还没有遇见他 
我所认识的都是一些一无是处的男人 
但是在某个天空下 
一定会有个不一样的他 
这是我永不放弃的梦 
虽然我并不以为 
我有一天真的能遇见 (芙蓉) 

After having a fateful where she is dumped by her boyfriend and her grandmother dies, Zheng Baihe discovers that her birth mother is not actually dead. In fact, her birth mother is the famous actress Han Li. She eventually finds herself in the Han family, surrounded by three cold-hearted half-siblings who are isolated from society. This is a fairy tale of how Zheng Baihe changes her half-siblings, and finds the Cinderella within herself.

绿光森林（ Drama: Green Forest, My Home)

Classic Line

 时间是一个人可以给另一个人最大的礼物 

一个人内心真正喜欢谁，最重要是问自己的心，而不是靠别人告诉他。

The series is set around the fictional Royal Spencer Academy of Music. Sophie (Esther Liu) is a wealthy girl. Luoshan (Song Zhi Ai) is the daughter of Sophie's parents' chauffeur. When Luoshan's father dies in an accident while driving drunk, she is adopted by Sophie's family and takes the name Susan instead of Luoshan. Thereon, Susan plans to take whatever Sophie has.

下一站幸福：(translated the next stop of happiness - Drama: Autumn's Concerto)

Here's classic line from the TV Series:

不管到哪里都可以，因为只要有你的那一站，就是幸福的。——慕橙

Vanness Wu and Ady An star as two lovers who overcome impossible obstacles to be together in this poignant romance. Liang Mu Cheng (Ady An) grows up surrounded in luxury until a sudden auto accident leaves her family devastated. With resilience and optimism, she manages to overcome her fate and create a happy life. But then another life-changing crash introduces a new force of nature: notorious playboy Ren Guang Xi (Vanness Wu). On a bet, he steals her first kiss, arousing deeper feelings than they could ever have expected and setting both of them on a twist-filled journey to love.

原来是美女

冬季恋歌

There are still many more ...

Do pop by to check out the rest.

For those who yearn for the snacks from Taiwan street markets, I would say 

go for my favorite: Sour Plum Sweet Potato sticks (Just thinking of them makes me salivate)

They also had mains

Golden Chicken Thigh

My favorite : Egg drop soup. Beef Ttdeokbokki Stew 

Light on the stomach. 

Their rice cakes were cooked for too long but I like it. 

My 2nd Favorite: Pork Ribs Potato Stew

It may look ... but its really yummy! The pork rib was very soft.

Even for a non-meat lover like me, I loved it

Ham and Cheese Pork Cutlet.

Have to eat it while its hot!

Otherwise.....

Korean Spicy Chicken Jigae

A tad too spicy for me and the side dishes I think can be improved on

The chicken was soft and tender though

And the desserts were true to its taste

You want matcha, You got it

I love the mix of bitter and sweetness for Matcha

You want pumpkin. You got it

I love the lasting taste of the pumpkin. Like pumpkin puree.

As for chocolate lava, Hard to go wrong with that. And I'm glad it was bubbling hot with it appeared before us.

For the macaroon ice cream, I love macaroons and I personally felt it would be better if there was  thicker macaroon crust and lesser ice cream.

As for the Wafffle, I'm not sure if its because we kept it to the last that the thing was quite hard and not fluffy but......I'm sure how waffle lovers like me understand it - we need our waffles to be fluffy and soft. Love the fresh strawberries and strawberry sorbet though.

Should you visit Taipei Seoul Cafe in September (till 22 Sept 2016),  you can flash this blog post or mention 'CLARESSA' at the cashier during payment to enjoy a 15% discount with NO MINIMAL PURCHASE.

For a Free Dessert of the Day while you are there, do like Taipei Seoul's Facebook or follow them on Instagram. 

** Pardon me if my photos don't do justice to the food drinks desserts or place because... my phone camera had some issues that day and I could only take it in the selfie format.