Non-Fiction Writing

A long time ago, there was a place called the Golden Mile. It was an unpretentious shopping complex where a diverse range of people gathered —backpackers heading to Malaysia, seasoned Thailand hands reminiscing their youthful adventures at tiny Isaan karaoke shops, students looking for affordable parties, amulet hunters seeking super powers, and Thai food lovers. When the complex eventually closed, its occupants dispersed across the city. We tracing some of these Thai establishments. We’ll meet at Nana Thai (Far East Plaza, Orchard) for dinner. We will discuss all things Thailand—travel, music, Netflix shows, and, of course, food.

**Coworking for writers in your area** Join us for some focused writing time on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10am....All writers and all experience levels are welcome, and don’t worry, no one will see what you've written. This session is about getting your writing done and meeting other writers in your area. When you show up, say hello to everyone, grab a drink, and get your writing tools ready. Once you’re all settled, take some time to chat with your fellow writers. Once everyone’s arrived, I will lead quick introductions and then set the timer for our quiet and focused writing session. Afterward, we’ll have time to chat and get to know each other. We often talk about our successes and challenges as writers. If you don’t have time to stick around, no worries! **A note about the format** We don’t host critiques or readings. These events are a safe space for writers of all skill levels and genres to work on their craft, so no one will read or critique your writing. For our full event schedule, visit [https://shutupwrite.com](https://shutupwrite.com/). **Other Important Details:** **WiFi**: Simply Bread cafe does not have wifi, but if needed, you can use the one from next door at CBTF. **Address**: Simply Bread, 1 Fifth Ave., #01-03 Guthrie House, Singapore 268802. **MRT stop**: Blue line, Sixth avenue **Parking**: Basement parking available at Guthrie House **Venue Guidelines**: Please thank our hosts by purchasing something. **What to Bring**: Your FULLY CHARGED laptop / digital writing device - there are no power outlets available there.

We're thrilled to invite you to an evening focused on the practical, real-world use of Apache Iceberg and the growing ecosystem around it. Hosted by VeloDB, Starburst, and Confluent at the CACIB offices in Singapore. Whether you're running Iceberg in production, exploring new architectures, or looking to connect with others solving similar data challenges, this is a great opportunity to learn and collaborate over snacks and drinks! **Agenda** * 18:30–19:00 Food, Drinks & Networking * 19:00–19:05 Welcome! * 19:05–19:35 **Unlocking Modern Data Lakes with Starburst, Iceberg & Ozone** * 19:35-20:05 **Why Apache Iceberg Matters for Your Data** * 20:05-20:35 **From Iceberg to AI: Accelerating Lakehouse Analytics and Hybrid Retrieval with Apache Doris** * 20:35–21:00 Networking **Session 1** **Unlocking Modern Data Lakes with Starburst, Iceberg & Ozone** Siva Periyasamy, Head of Data Engineering and Data Platform, OCBC Bank Siva Periyasamy is the Head of Data Engineering and Data Platform at OCBC Bank, bringing over 25 years of experience in the banking industry with deep expertise in data and analytics. Since joining OCBC in 2005, Siva has played a pivotal role in the bank’s data transformation journey, leading a team of data engineers, enabling them to create machine learning models and manage big data platforms. Siva oversees OCBC’s data platform and specifically Starburst, supporting the bank’s broader machine learning and AI initiatives. His leadership has been instrumental in enabling data-driven innovation across the organization. **Session 2** **Why Apache Iceberg Matters for Your Data** Shelvia Hotama, Senior Solutions Engineer, Confluent If you’re hearing about Apache Iceberg for the first time, think of it as a smarter way to manage large analytics tables on your data lake. It helps keep your data organized, reliable, and fast to query, without tying you to a single engine or vendor. In this session, we’ll break down what Iceberg is in plain language, show how it’s different from older table formats, and walk through real examples of how it makes everyday data work easier. We’ll talk about things like safe updates, changing table schemas without pain, and “time travel” queries so you can see how your data looked in the past. **Session 3** **From Iceberg to AI: Accelerating Lakehouse Analytics and Hybrid Retrieval with Apache Doris** Matt Yi, Apache Doris PMC Member & Tech VP at VeloDB The Lakehouse architecture, powered by open table formats such as Apache Iceberg, has become the foundation for modern analytics and AI workloads. However, efficiently serving diverse query patterns, ranging from large-scale analytical SQL to text and vector retrieval, remains a key challenge. In this talk, we introduce how Apache Doris enhances the Iceberg-based Lakehouse with high-performance query acceleration and materialized views, enabling faster and more cost-efficient analytics directly on open data. Building on this foundation, we explore Doris for AI: a unified engine that provides seamless access to structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data through hybrid search and analytics. Doris combines analytical queries, full-text search, and vector search in a single system, making it easier to support retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and other AI-driven applications on Lakehouse data. Finally, we share Doris’s roadmap toward deeper integration with open table formats. This includes plans for managed Iceberg tables and bringing native inverted and vector indexing capabilities directly to Iceberg data, enabling zero-copy, high-performance analytical and retrieval workloads. The session outlines how Doris aims to bridge analytics and AI on open data, turning the Lakehouse into a truly multi-modal data foundation. **How to find us** [Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank](https://maps.app.goo.gl/JXJGHQeX5oTiBfgw9) Mapletree Business City Blk 20 West 20 Pasir Panjang Road Singapore, 117439 , Level 13

**Friendly 1/1 NLH Poker Home Game – No Fees, No Rake, Just Fun!** 📍 **Where**: Central Singapore (DM for location details) ⏰ **When**: Every * **Thursday**: 8 PM * **Friday**: 8 PM * **Saturday**: 3 PM * **Sunday**: 3 PM 💎 **Stakes**: 1/1 NLH 🚫 **No Fees**: No entry fees, no rake, no hourly charges – just pure poker action! 💰 **Buy-ins**: Cash or PayNow accepted – flexible options to suit you! 💧 **Free Drinks**: Stay hydrated while you play, on us! 🍿 **Perks**: * Free drinks provided * Easy parking for all guests, free parking jus pm me. its a private apt. * Bring your own snacks and drinks – make it a fun poker experience! * VIP-friendly environment with filtered players only * Special **Orbit Games & Optional Bomb Pots** to spice things up! **RSVP** to secure your spot and please increase your guest count if you're bringing a friend. **DM me** for location details and any further questions. Looking forward to seeing you there – let's play!

We're thrilled to invite you to an evening focused on the practical, real-world use of Apache Iceberg and the growing ecosystem around it. Hosted by [Starburst](https://www.starburst.io/blog/iceberg-v3/), [Confluent](https://www.confluent.io/), and [VeloDB](https://www.velodb.io/) at the [CACIB](https://www.ca-cib.com/en) offices in Singapore. Join us to discuss and learn how modern analytics is being built on top of Apache Iceberg with technologies like [Trino ](https://trino.io/)and Apache Kafka and Flink. Whether you're running Iceberg in production, exploring new architectures, or looking to connect with others solving similar data challenges, this is a great opportunity to learn and collaborate over snacks and drinks! **Agenda** * 18:30pm-19:00pm: Food, Drinks & Networking * 19:00pm-19:05pm: Welcome! * 19:05pm-19:35pm: Siva Periyasamy, Head of Data Engineering and Data Platform, OCBC Bank * 19:35pm-20:05pm: Shelvia Hotama, Senior Solutions Engineer, Confluent * 20:05pm-20:35pm: Matt Yi, Tech VP, VeloDB * 20:35pm-21:00pm: Networking **Seats are limited — please RSVP to secure your spot.** \-\-\-\-\- [Join the Community newsletter ](https://www.starburst.io/info/newsletter/?utm_medium=event&utm_source=meetup&utm_campaign=APAC-FY26-Q4-CM-Singapore-Meetup&utm_content=meetup)and get Chance to win a very cool T shirt> [Explore the role that Apache Iceberg is playing in analytics and AI >](https://www.starburst.io/blog/apache-iceberg/)

Join us for our Squash Sessions happening every Monday / Wednesday / Thursday 6pm to 8pm or 8pm to 10pm Suitable for beginners to the Squash Regulars. Each Session is $15 for pay per play. You can also enquire about being a member when you arrive. We use Meetup.com to advertise the session and our members use a private whatsapp group to register. So should you be the only one signing up, you may still see a full house that evening. Do sign up prior as we are limited to 16 pax per 2 hours sessions. Do whatsapp the organizer at 9006 0909 @Trevor to expedite the reply and confirmation of your bookings.

Hello everyone! Join us for an IN PERSON Apache Iceberg™ meetup on Jan 22nd from 6:30pm, hosted by Credit Agricole CIB in Singapore! **📍 Venue:** Mapletree Business City Blk 20 West 20 Pasir Panjang Road Singapore, 117439 , Level 13 \*\*\* **🗓 Agenda:** * 18:30pm-19:00pm: Food, Drinks & Networking * 19:00pm-19:05pm: Welcome! * 19:05pm-19:35pm: Shelvia Hotama, Senior Solutions Engineer, Confluent * 19:35pm-20:05pm: Siva Periyasamy, Head of Data Engineering and Data Platform, OCBC Bank * 20:05pm-20:35pm: Matt Yi, Tech VP, VeloDB * 20:35pm-21:00pm: Networking \*\*\* **💡 Speaker:** Siva Periyasamy, Head of Data Engineering and Data Platform, OCBC Bank **Talk:** Unlocking Modern Data Lakes with Starburst, Iceberg & Ozone **Abstract:** TBC \-\-\-\-\- **💡 Speaker:** Shelvia Hotama, Senior Solutions Engineer, Confluent **Talk:** Why Apache Iceberg Matters for Your Data **Abstract:** If you’re hearing about **Apache Iceberg** for the first time, think of it as a smarter way to manage large analytics tables on your data lake. It helps keep your data organized, reliable, and fast to query, without tying you to a single engine or vendor. In this session, we’ll break down what Iceberg is in plain language, show how it’s different from older table formats, and walk through real examples of how it makes everyday data work easier. We’ll talk about things like safe updates, changing table schemas without pain, and “time travel” queries so you can see how your data looked in the past. \-\-\-\-\- **💡 Speaker:** Matt Yi, Tech VP, VeloDB **Talk:** From Iceberg to AI: Accelerating Lakehouse Analytics and Hybrid Retrieval with Apache Doris **Abstract:** The Lakehouse architecture, powered by open table formats such as Apache Iceberg, has become the foundation for modern analytics and AI workloads. However, efficiently serving diverse query patterns, ranging from large-scale analytical SQL to text and vector retrieval, remains a key challenge. In this talk, we introduce how Apache Doris enhances the Iceberg-based Lakehouse with high-performance query acceleration and materialized views, enabling faster and more cost-efficient analytics directly on open data. Building on this foundation, we explore Doris for AI: a unified engine that provides seamless access to structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data through hybrid search and analytics. Doris combines analytical queries, full-text search, and vector search in a single system, making it easier to support retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and other AI-driven applications on Lakehouse data. Finally, we share Doris’s roadmap toward deeper integration with open table formats. This includes plans for managed Iceberg tables and bringing native inverted and vector indexing capabilities directly to Iceberg data, enabling zero-copy, high-performance analytical and retrieval workloads. The session outlines how Doris aims to bridge analytics and AI on open data, turning the Lakehouse into a truly multi-modal data foundation. \*\*\* ***DISCLAIMER*** BY ATTENDING THIS EVENT IN PERSON, you acknowledge that risk includes possible exposure to and illness from infectious diseases including COVID-19, and accept responsibility for this, if it occurs. As the classroom is a mask-on setting, please be reminded that masks should still be worn at all times unless actively eating or drinking NOTE: We are unable to cater for any attendees under the age of 18. \*\*\* If you would like to speak or host our next event please let us know! [community@confluent.io](mailto:community@confluent.io)

### **📚 Wiser & Faster Club - Jan 2026 Meetup** Happy 2026 🎊 fellow readers, learners and Wiser Faster community members ! Let's kick things off with our first session for the year. Life gets busy. Books pile up. And sometimes what would be great is finding someone to share the *aha!* moments with us. That’s what Wiser Faster is all about: a space for curious, growth-minded people to come together, share what they’ve learned from a great non-fiction book, and spark deeper conversations. Join us to build a quality network and accelerate your own growth! ### **What To Expect** **📍 Date:** Sat, 24 Jan 2026 **🕙 Time:** 10am–12pm **📌 Venue:** Asia Sq Food Garden Level 2 **👥 Group Size:** Small & focused (15-20pax) so everyone gets to contribute Rather than the _typical_ book club where everyone has to read the same book beforehand, WFC is a relaxed brunch-time huddle with 2-3 “Book Sharers” taking 15min turns to present insights from a piece of non-fiction that they’ve read which is followed by open discussion. Bring your curiosity and let’s bounce ideas around. ### **How You Can Join** **🙋 Learner**-Sit in, listen actively, and join the discussion if you feel like it **📚 Sharer**\- Read a non\-fiction book \(Or Podcast\, TED Talk\, etc\.\) that blew your mind? Present your key takeaways in 15min\-s\. **🎙️ Host**-For returning members keen to try light facilitation or emceeing *"We become good by reading. We become great by writing. We gain mastery by teaching"* ### **Agenda** * Introduce yourselves (15mins) * Sharer A (15mins) * Discussion A (30mins) * Break (15mins) * Sharer B (15mins) * Discussion B (30mins) * Group selfie and break off * Post-event meal, buy your own (OTOT) **[RSVP etiquette]** • Update your RSVP if you can’t attend to help with planning. • No-shows are unfair to those on the waitlist. • Consistent no-shows may result in blacklisting from future events 📩 *Interested in being a future sharer or Host? Let us know via this form https://forms.gle/8U3oJ64sfrieYxNb9* _Join our Telegram channel to talk to other WFC members and get the latest updates https://t.me/+Im6CfPzD60RlNTA1_ Let’s get Wiser, Faster - Together.

Humanist Society Singapore has secured 15 tickets to visit an Exhibition Hosted by the National Library Singapore: The Albatross File: Singapore’s Independence Declassified Join us as we revisit the moments that led to Singapore’s separation from Malaysia – in the footsteps of our founding leaders. The Albatross File: Singapore’s Independence Declassified exhibition takes you behind closed doors, into the complex journey from merger to separation. Based on the book The Albatross File: Inside Separation and supplemented by newly declassified documents and oral history accounts, explore the uncertainty, conviction, and tensions that defined 1963 to 1965, leading to the birth of an independent Singapore. **Details**: **📅 Date**: 24th January 2026 🕝 **Time**: 11am SGT 📍 L**ocation:** National Library Building, Level 10, 100 Victoria Street, Singapore 188064 RSVP via eventbrite or meetup.com to secure your tickets. First come, First Served.

!!! Beware of scams! We only meet in person in Singapore. We do not reach out to or feature indie authors (though we wish you the best!) and do not ask for any payment or fees. If you have been contacted about featuring your work or asking for any kind of payment it is a scam!!! Country: Russia Written in: 1925-1940 Pages: 600-1000+ depending on the version Also known as, And Quiet Flows the Don, Quietly Flows the Don, and The Don Flows Quietly to the Sea. Since we've read some of the big hitters of Russian literature from Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy, we're visiting another Nobel Prize winning Russian author we haven't explored yet. Note this is a LONG book, but as this is posted in January 2025 you have plenty of fair warning to read it! Note that Sholokhov wrote and published this in four volumes; we are covering all four parts. If you want to rabbit-hole into the [Cossacks and the Don River](https://www.britannica.com/topic/And-Quiet-Flows-the-Don) Here's a summary from [Amazon](https://www.amazon.sg/Quiet-Flows-Don-Mikhail-Sholokhov/dp/0679725210): WINNER OF NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATURE, 1965 WINNER OF THE STALIN PRIZE, 1941 Mikhail Sholokhov's groundbreaking epic novel gives a sweeping depiction of Russian life and culture in the early 20th century. In the same vein as War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy, And Quiet Flows the Dongives readers a glimpse into many aspects of Russian culture, and the choices a country makes when faced with war and destruction. In his enormous epic of Cossack life during the Revolution...Mikhail Sholokhov has achieved even greater power, sustained narrative gift and stirring human truthfulness."--New York Times "In addition to its panoramic grandeur, the wealth of its characters and its historic realism, Sholokhov's book is memorable for its portrayal of the primitive and already almost legendary life of the Don Cossacks."--Malcolm Cowley, New Republic \*\*\*\*\* **New to the Hungry Hundred Book Club?** Here's what you need to know: 1. Read the book (If you don't manage to finish it by the meetup date, don't worry. As long as you're not going to be too disappointed by spoilers, you're still welcome to join.) 2. Come to the meeting, usually (but not always!) on the last Sunday of every month. 3. Be prepared to order food/drink at the venue to show our appreciation for letting us use their space. This is a requirement. A lot of time and effort has been put into finding a place that will accommodate our group without an outrageous minimum charge or rental fee, and you'll never be asked to contribute to organiser fees, so please show your respect and support for the restaurant that's letting us use their space. 4. Discuss! It's a casual conversation, so don't be afraid to ask questions and let us know what you think.

🏛️ **WHAT'S PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY ABOUT?** Practical Philosophy is a weekly meet-up that brings critical thinkers together for an opportunity to dive deep on a topic, practice communicating, and building a community. All with no ‘official’ philosophy knowledge required! 😎 Practical Philosophy is based on the idea that philosophy should be accessible to all, and not something reserved only for academics. Each week we choose a topic, and the goal is to use the conversation to develop our critical thinking and communication as we explore that topic. The goal is to help develop our Critical Thinking, Communication, and Community 🙌 📓 **HOW DOES IT WORK?** Each week, we pick one topic and discuss it. The topic for the week is shared, generally in the [Whatsapp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hg7zL8ClpzM3agJCvw5HDS), along with jump-off points to get the conversation going. When groups get bigger than 7-8 people, it’s important that we break into smaller groups. This way we are able to maintain a conversational flow as opposed to having our meetups feel like a discourse or lecture. **General Meeting Agenda** Each Practical Philosophy meet-up follows this general timeline: * 19:00-19:15 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the ‘official' start. * 19:15-19:25 - Meeting introduction, explanation of Practical Philosophy and the topic for the week, read the guidelines and the overview so attendees know what to expect in terms of timelines. * 19:25-20:45 - Break into small groups - introduce yourselves and general thoughts on the topic, open discussion afterwards. At this point the group can review the ‘jump-off’ questions as needed, but they are just there to help guide the conversation. It’s not obligatory to answer them. * 20:45-21:00 - Bring everyone back together to discuss conclusions of the topic - each group gives a short 1-minute summary. Organizer concludes the meeting and everyone takes a group photo. * 21:00 - The official meeting is over but it’s a great opportunity to get to know people in a non-structured environment, so we often stick around, chat, and get to know each other. **🧧PRICING?** Practical Philosophy Club is FREE to attend! We just ask that if we are meeting in a café, buy a beverage! Some chapters rent a space for us to meet, and they may ask for donations to help contribute to the cost of rent. Donations will always be 100% voluntary though! 💛 WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY 🗣 “I feel like Philosophy Club helps someone build their own belief system through a series of perspectives while not promoting what’s right and wrong” - Ekam 🗣 “I got hooked from day 1 (the topic was authority) and felt it was the right place for me. I feel it is a place where people can go to learn and discuss new perspectives and increase critical thinking and community by interacting with people who might challenge your point of views but at the same time encourage you to have openness and mind flexibility.” - Daniel **🤓 FAQ** * ​What will we talk about? What's the topic? ​The topic for the week is shared every Sunday in the Whatsapp group. We try to add the topic to the comment section on this event page as well but if you don’t see it, the topic and the jump-off points will be in our [Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hg7zL8ClpzM3agJCvw5HDS). * Do I need to study or read anything to attend? No preparation is necessary. This isn’t a study of other thinkers. We want to know what YOU think about the topic, not what an old philosopher thought. If you have a perspective from a religion or a school of thought to share, throw it on the table and we’ll discuss it, but it's not required. * Is there a specific philosophy that Practical Philosophy is focused on? The goal of our meet-ups is to not have dogmatic discussions, and flex our critical thinking muscles. Because of this, we want to hear from every realm of thought, and don't study a particular school. * Is it mostly men that attend? Surprisingly, no! Although philosophy is seen as a Candelabra affair in a dark room with a bunch of guys, our Practical Philosophy meetups are generally 50/50 between genders, and we don’t meet in any dark rooms. * Can I come alone? Of course you can, we encourage it :) * Can I be late? Please don't be! We do have a 15 minute grace period where we allow people to funnel in while we hang out, but after that if you arrive too late, it disrupts the flow of the conversation. * Where do you meet? The location is posted in Meetup and our [Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hg7zL8ClpzM3agJCvw5HDS) group for this location. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you join the Whatsapp group! If you want to know what other cities have a Practical Philosophy Club, you can see our chapters on our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/practical-philosophy-locations/). **PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY - Making Philosophy Available To All.** ✨ Practical Philosophy hosts weekly, in-person meetups in over 20 countries, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️ \*\*\* Join our [Whatsapp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hg7zL8ClpzM3agJCvw5HDS) 👈 Follow us on [Instagram](www.instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub/) 👈 Our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/) 👈

**Get ready for a night of delicious hotpot, new friendships, and a taste of Chongqing’s fiery food culture!** 🫕🔥 We’re bringing together travellers, food lovers, and curious explorers for a fun, cosy hotpot dinner — inspired by our upcoming adventure to **Chongqing, the world’s hotpot capital**. Whether you’re already planning your next getaway or simply love a great meal with great company, this dinner is the perfect chance to relax, eat, and meet like-minded people. **CHONGQING QUIZ** We will be having a really fun short quiz around anything and everything concerning Chongqing. ***ONE LUCKY WINNER will get a FREE Dinner on us!*** ### ⭐ **What to Expect:** 🫕 A hearty hotpot dinner (self-paid) 🔥 Learn the unique flavours & traditions of authentic Chongqing hotpot ✈️ A casual sharing about our upcoming 3Playtopia trip to Chongqing 🤝 Meet fellow travellers who love exploring new destinations 📸 A fun, social evening with warm vibes and lively conversations ### ⭐ **Who Should Join:** • Anyone who loves hotpot • Solo travellers looking to meet new people • Foodies curious about Chongqing • Friends planning their next overseas adventure • Anyone who just wants a fun, relaxing evening out There’s **no obligation to join the tour** — just come enjoy the food and the company! If our Chongqing itinerary catches your interest, feel free to ask questions or sign up after the session. Please note: This is paid dinner, it's roughly **$30 per pax** for the hotpot. Come hungry, come curious, and let’s enjoy a fiery Chongqing-inspired night together! 🌶️✨

Welcome! Gist below! :-) 1. Bring a book to the meet! 2. Buy a drink (and a bite if you're hungry). 3. Say hi to the folks. 4. Read! 5. We'll do a short round of intros and a short sharing at the end too. :) Come in and find us (we're probably the only reading group)! In the event that the place is full, we'll find a back up nearby. :-) This is a limited seats, small group event, so do try to update your RSVP early if your plans change! Thanks in advance! Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW16/NE3/TE17)

**THE BEST OF KULAI 古來->HAKKA VILLAGE/PUOTO VILLAGE/FACTORY OUTLET AND MORE....** **DATE: 24Jan 2026 (Sat)** **[CONFIRMED TRIP, SLOTS ARE AVAILABLE]** **☆INTERESTED, WHATAPPS 94884478 Wilfred or SIGN-UP HERE** **[https://www.meetup.com/lets-go-travelling-hiking/events/312646970/](https://www.meetup.com/lets-go-travelling-hiking/events/312646970/)** **TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:** ◾Kulai 古来 Sightseeing Tour -Kelapa Sawit Hakka Village -Mural / Street Arts ◾Pineapple Farm Tour + Free Samples ◾Johore Premium Factory ◾Kulai Putuo Village ◾Bukit Indah Aeon Mall / Massage / Shopping ◾Bukit Indah for Dinner **◾Bukit Indah Town (3 Hours of Relaxing Time)** To a land of scrumptious good food, relaxing hotels with affordable prices and fun-filled family-oriented entertainment, Bukit Indah has so much to offer! We will be visiting for shopping, massaging and relaxing after checking out from Treehouses before heading back to Singapore **☆INCLUDES:** \* 1 Event Host \*Guided Tour \*Nictar Pineapple Farm Tour \* Transportation Van < 14 person Bus >15 person \* Dinner included if group-size is 10 or more \*Bukit Indah 3 hours of Relaxing ( Massage/Shopping etc) \*Putuo Village , A Scenic Spiritual Sanctuary **☆EXCLUDE:** Travel Insurance Things not mentioned in itinerary Bukit Indah Massage/Shopping etc, at own cost Putuo Village Bamboo Forest Entrance Fee RM20/person **☆EVENT DETAIL:** **Cost: $120/person.** **2 persons sign up and payment together is $110/person** **3 persons or more sign up and payment together is $100/person** **☆PAYMENT:** **Paynow xxx to UEN 201727764C** Wilfred Go Travelling & Hiking Pte or Bank Transfer to DBS Current Account 0029069789 and Text 94884478 with Print-screen Receipt TA License No 03066 TA NAME: WILFRED GO TRAVELLING & HIKING PTE LTD \*\*To Connect With Us With Latest Events Broadcast & News: 1\. Telegram Channel: [https://t.me/wilfredtravelsg](https://t.me/wilfredtravelsg) 2\. Whatapps Channel: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaJmIsU9mrGTPqpect3l](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaJmIsU9mrGTPqpect3l) 3\. Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/events/calendar](https://www.facebook.com/events/calendar) **☆Suggested Itinerary:** (Sat), (L) 7am: Marsiling MRT 710am: Woodlands Custom 745am: Depart JB Custom 830am: Breakfast at Hakka Village/ Mural Wall / Street Arts 10am-Puoto Village 12pm: Johore Premium Outlet + Own Lunch 2pm: Nictar Pineapple Farm Tour 4pm: Bukit Indah Shopping/ Massage 630pm: Dinner @ Loon Sing Taman Daya 8pm: JB Custom 9pm: Marsiling MRT **DISCLAIMER, INDEMNITY AND TERMS OF PARTICIPATION:** **\-\-\-ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO OUR TERMS & CONDITIONS\-\-\-** [https://www.wilfredtravel.org/terms-and-conditions](https://www.wilfredtravel.org/terms-and-conditions)

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation as we discuss ***Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World* by Naomi Klein** Here's the summary: What if you woke up one morning and found you’d acquired another self―a double who was almost you and yet not you at all? What if that double shared many of your preoccupations but, in a twisted, upside-down way, furthered the very causes you’d devoted your life to fighting against? Not long ago, the celebrated activist and public intellectual Naomi Klein had just such an experience―she was confronted with a doppelganger whose views she found abhorrent but whose name and public persona were sufficiently similar to her own that many people got confused about who was who. Destabilized, she lost her bearings, until she began to understand the experience as one manifestation of a strangeness many of us have come to know but struggle to define: AI-generated text is blurring the line between genuine and spurious communication; New Age wellness entrepreneurs turned anti-vaxxers are scrambling familiar political allegiances of left and right; and liberal democracies are teetering on the edge of absurdist authoritarianism, even as the oceans rise. Under such conditions, reality itself seems to have become unmoored. Is there a cure for our moment of collective vertigo? Naomi Klein is one of our most trenchant and influential social critics, an essential analyst of what branding, austerity, and climate profiteering have done to our societies and souls. Here she turns her gaze inward to our psychic landscapes, and outward to the possibilities for building hope amid intersecting economic, medical, and political crises. With the assistance of Sigmund Freud, Jordan Peele, Alfred Hitchcock, and bell hooks, among other accomplices, Klein uses wry humor and a keen sense of the ridiculous to face the strange doubles that haunt us―and that have come to feel as intimate and proximate as a warped reflection in the mirror. Combining comic memoir with chilling reportage and cobweb-clearing analysis, Klein seeks to smash that mirror and chart a path beyond despair. Doppelganger What do we neglect as we polish and perfect our digital reflections? Is it possible to dispose of our doubles and overcome the pathologies of a culture of multiplication? Can we create a politics of collective care and undertake a true reckoning with historical crimes? The result is a revelatory treatment of the way many of us think and feel now―and an intellectual adventure story for our times. **Let’s meet at Caboose Commons in Fairfax to enjoy some good discussion and meet new friends.**

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation as we discuss ***Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It* by Cory Doctorow** Here's the summary: **Explaining the process of the “enshittification” of digital platforms over time and what to do about it.** Cory Doctorow's *Enshittification* takes a witty yet incisive look at the tech landscape, where platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Google start off great—before they inevitably turn terrible. In this contemporary moment of digital decline, Doctorow explores how tech giants lure users in with convenience and then degrade their services over time, squeezing profit at the cost of user experience. With a mix of sharp humor and deep insight, he unveils the slow creep of "enshittification," turning the online world into a worse place, one algorithm at a time. **Let’s meet at Caboose Commons in Fairfax to enjoy some good discussion and meet new friends.**

Discover how to write with voice. In this generative workshop, we will be working with voice and discovering how to discover what your characters want to say. This in-person session will involve writing, discovery, and voice exploration through workshopping and character practice. Led by an agented author who works primarily through deep POV, this is a class where you can discover your character, or develop a new one! Notebooks will be provided.

(2024) by Christof Koch, 288 pages [Psychology] • Hardcover • Kindle • Audiobook • Library: https://fcplcat.fairfaxcounty.gov/search/title.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.1&pos=1&cn=613100 Check the How To Find Us section for Zoom Link **(Remember, the Zoom Link is different each month, do not bookmark)** ### Review "A wonderful book."―Sam Harris, Making Sense with Sam Harris “a fun introduction to a number of debates… Mr. Koch’s book provokes questions… and counterarguments, but that’s what gives it life.” ―The Wall Street Journal “Easily the most current, thorough, and helpful exploration of consciousness available. Koch’s light, simple, yet authoritative writing style will appeal to general audiences as well as scientists and researchers. An essential, highly recommended purchase.”―Library Journal “magisterial… charming, sometimes beautiful, and almost always illuminating” ―Science Magazine “an impressive and sometimes exuberant work, showcasing decades of [Koch’s] research”―New Scientist “Koch’s adept use of analogies and entertaining anecdotes — complete with his own near-death experience and psychedelic drug trips — make the book a compelling and surprisingly light read.” ―Science News “undeniably compelling… a smoothly written must-read for anyone interested in a detailed introduction to the relationship between the brain, consciousness, and transformative experiences” ―Ars Technica “Expertly weaving in personal experience with science that few, if any, can speak more authoritatively about, Koch leads us on an amazing journey of consciousness—from birth to death. Deeply personal and infinitely digestible, Then I Am Myself the World is a remarkable must read for anyone interested in knowing their mind.”―Judson Brewer MD, PhD, New York Times–bestselling author of Unwinding Anxiety “Koch’s latest book brilliantly navigates the intricate landscape of our mind and our brain, offering insightful perspectives on the nature of conscious experiences, both ordinary as well as extraordinary ones.”―Hartmut Neven, founder and lead of Google’s quantum AI lab “Then I Am Myself the World is the new record of note for the scientific understanding of consciousness. This is an elegant tableau, a travelogue of subjective experience grounded in the latest neuroscience and philosophy traversing religion, science, and a life dedicated to the biggest questions. Filled with crystalline prose, lucid explanation, and revelatory honesty, this book will continue to be read centuries from now.”―Patrick House, author of Nineteen Ways of Looking at Consciousness “What would happen if a hardcore neuroscientist, with encyclopedic knowledge and four decades of experience in his field, were personally confronted with transformative mystical experiences carrying inevitable metaphysical implications? What would happen if the neuroscientist in question were open-minded, humble, but remained rigorously grounded in reason, evidence, and his hard-earned understanding of how consciousness relates to brain structures and function? What would he, the most preeminent professional of his generation, make of his extraordinary experiences? And what if, in addition, the neuroscientist was a modern renaissance man versed in physics, philosophy, the arts, the classics, and could pluck irresistibly evocative metaphors from the Western literary and artistic canon as if leisurely picking apples in early fall? This is what you will find in this treasured book, a whirlwind ride of insight after insight—so many they can’t possibly be all documented in footnotes—that will surprise and delight you from the get-go. ‘Primacy goes to consciousness, not to the objective world,’ he boldly states already on page two, in a prelude of things to come. ‘Everything else follows from there, including the realist assumption of the existence of objects, out ‘there,’ independent of my experiencing them.’ The book embodies the ever-evolving wisdom of a man whose intellectual prowess is only matched by his intellectual honesty. And this man, in the seventh decade of his scintillatingly productive life, has a lifetime of learning to share with you.”―Bernardo Kastrup, executive director, Essentia Foundation “Koch’s first book was entitled The Quest for Consciousness. And such has been Koch’s life, an adventurer’s pursuit of a distant goal, undeterred by the prevailing winds. The reader will learn where this quest has led and, like the author, will be enriched by it. Koch, one of the most accomplished scientists of our time, a mind singularly open to learning and changing, here opens his soul, revealing his vast, scintillating appreciation of nature in all its forms. It is a touching, profound book. Which is as it should be, since consciousness touches everything and is everything we touch.”―Giulio Tononi, University of Wisconsin-Madison ### About the Author Christof Koch is a neuroscientist at the Allen Institute and at the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation, the former president of the Allen Institute for Brain Science, and a former professor at the California Institute of Technology. Author of four previous titles, Koch writes regularly for a range of media, including Scientific American. He lives in the Pacific Northwest.

Looking for a quiet, focused space to write? Come be part of our writing group—a dedicated time just for writing alongside fellow writers in your community. No readings, no critiques, no peer-review—just you writing within a supportive atmosphere. 7pm-7:15pm: Find your seat, set up your writing station, quick intro's. 7:15pm-8:45 pm: An hour and a half of silent focused writing. 8:45pm-9pm: Quick debrief, pack and head home. Can't wait to see you! :)

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Venezuela’s Future—and Ours,”** an analysis of how the Trump administration’s intervention in Venezuela will affect that nation, the U.S., and the rest of the world, with Ernesto Castañeda, Director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies and the Immigration Lab at American University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-venezuela-future](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-venezuela-future) .] On January 3rd, after a long military buildup, the United States used special forces to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their residence in Caracas, Venezuela to stand trial here on criminal charges. The development marked a major turning point in our relationship with Venezuela and the rest of Latin America and raised a host of complex questions, not just for Venezuelans living inside and outside that country but for American citizens and other nations of the world. Coming to the stage to break down what all of this means is Ernesto Castañeda, a scholar of Latin America who has given several excellent Profs and Pints talks on immigration policy and has given dozens of interviews to media outlets around the world in the wake of the U.S. raid. In a talk offering informed perspective on the latest news developments, Professor Castañeda will discuss various theories about why the U.S. conducted the operation to get Maduro out of Venezuela. He’s put our nation’s current plans for Venezuela into context by touching on previous U.S. military interventions in Latin America and beyond. Professor Castañeda will look at the implications of recent events for U.S. politics and U.S. citizens and what such developments tell us about the balance of power in the United States. He’ll examine the distance between decisions made by the White House and public priorities, touching on how it all relates to our immigration policies and our views about peaceful protest and democracy. He’ll consider how the Venezuela raid and our actions since have altered relations between the U.S. and other nations and provide scenarios about what the future might hold. (Door: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

Looking for a quiet, focused space to write? Come be part of our writing group—a dedicated time just for writing alongside fellow writers in your community. No readings, no critiques, no peer-review—just you writing within a supportive atmosphere. 7pm-7:15pm: Find your seat, set up your writing station, quick intro's. 7:15pm-8:45 pm: An hour and a half of silent focused writing. 8:45pm-9pm: Quick debrief, pack and head home. Can't wait to see you! :)