So when I read of Mr Richard Seow's story in the Straits Times on Thursday, I couldn't help but think of her – Valerie.

I met Valerie Goodin and her husband Richard on a cold wintry February evening in some three years, back when I was an exchange student at the University of Missouri in the US.

SOURCE: DERRICK HO

A friend of mine - whom Valerie calls her "Singaporean daughter" - had brought me to the Goodin’s home to "experience real American culture".

It did feel somewhat strange at first, but all it took was a hearty meal and several hilarious rounds of Apples to Apples (it's a board game) to break the ice. That evening, I was pretty sure I left with more than a cultural experience.

Every month, together Valerie's "Singaporean daughter", we'd drop by their place to catch up and share life experiences.

Val and Rich – as we'd affectionately call them – were foodies too and we'd cook for each other. I remember whipping chicken rice for them; they in turn did up a fish steak with mango chutney. Another time, homemade satay and BBQ ribs were the order of the day.

SOURCE: DERRICK HO

I later found out that Val and Rich, who are in their 60s, had more "children" from various countries including Russia, Brazil and Thailand, some of whom actually lived in their house while pursuing their degrees. Val and Rich would often stand in as "proud parents" during graduation ceremonies when the real parents could not make the trip.

It did initially seem that Val was doing this as part of her job. After all, she was deputy director at the university's alumni and part of her job was to connect its alumni from across the world. But their sincerity allayed any doubts.

In their home, I felt I belonged and that I was safe. There was nothing pretentious and there were no strings attached. Food flowed freely and so did their wisdom.

Like Mr Seow, I've been blessed to have had people whom I could not only look forward to visiting during festive periods, but who was also genuinely concerned about my well-being.

The truth is being a foreign student can be very trying. Even after getting over the culture shock, there's this feeling that somehow you're not quite "one of them", especially among the student population.

So to have a native who was willing to embrace me, and my culture meant a lot.

This was no formal set up - though the international centre at the university had a programme that would tie up US families with foreign students. The relationship I have with Val and Rich was one that was based on trust and love.

The welfare of foreign students here in Singapore has been a talking point since the death of Indonesian student David Widjaja.

While universities here can and should consider starting up formal programmes that help foreign students assimilate better into the Singaporean way of life by tying up with local families, perhaps some of us can too play our part.

Perhaps we can consider being "mums" and "dads" to these students in our own unique ways. A hearty Singaporean meal is a good start.

Do you know of any "mums" and "dads" in Singapore who have hosted foreign students? Or have you benefitted from an overseas "parents"? Share your experiences with us by leaving a comment below.

Read Richard Seow's story; Singaporean honours US couple who 'adopted' him.

Tucked at the corner of Hong Lim Green Community Club, those at his waffles cafe, Sweet Stone Express, get a full view of the park's greenery and any activity taking place on the fields. 

But as of noon today, there was only greenery to be seen. 

"It's been quite lao jiat today," Mr Lau said referring to the buzz in the cafe where a crowd of reporters had gathered. 

As for protestors, there were none around. 

Hong Lim park was empty at noon today
except for a motley crew of reporters.
ST PHOTOS: Samuel He

But just as I was getting myself seated to have a chat with Mr Lau, a small crowd suddenly appeared near the "Speaker's Corner" signboard. Reporters around me shuffled up from their seats only to realise they were park officials changing the "Terms and Conditions" signage. Disappointed, the buzz quickly died. 

Today marks the first day of a freer Speakers' Corner, two weeks after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the change in regulations during the National Day Rally. As of 6pm yesterday, however, only one person had registered with the NParks to speak. He is scheduled to give his speech at 7pm today on a non-political topic.

"Give it some time," said Mr Lau, 29, who set up shop in July before the freeing up of regulations. 

How brisk sales of his Belgian waffles will be over the next few months might give an indication of how well the park will fare as a designated demonstration area.

He's hoping that the change of rules for staging protests at the park will draw in the crowds for his waffles, or drinks at least. He is already planning to create special waffle sets for protestors who want a quick snack.

When Hong Lim Park was first designated as a Speaker's Corner exactly eight years ago, about 25 speakers gathered, attracting a crowd of several hundred. But the fervour and excitement fizzled out after three weeks later. 

Asked if he was worried that history might repeat itself again, Mr Lau said even if it did he had nothing to lose. 

"We started from the bottom. We were here when the crowd was pretty much zero, and we are building on it," the 29-year-old said. "If there is any increase, I'll credit it to the park's activity."

Most of cafe's business - the place was just set up in July this year - comes from deliveries and regulars of the park. Any activity, protests or not, will help lift the cafe's business. 

He said he had just lost the mid-autumn festival crowd when organisers of a massive lantern carnival that was to be held this week at the park shifted the event's venue across the road to Central Mall. The organisers feared that protesters would "burn their lanterns down", Mr Lau said he was told. 

Sweet Stone Express' Lau Su How (foreground)
is optimistic that protesters will boost his business.
PHOTO: Derrick Ho

But Mr Lau is filled with heady optimism. He has heard that a couple of demonstrations have been unofficially lined up - animal rights groups hoping to raise awareness. 

He said: "Even if there are protests - and I hope there will be protests - it will liven the place."

And if they get violent? 

"I think Singaporeans are calm people and mature enough to have a proper protest," he said calmly. 

For now, he can only hope that the park will see soon political sparks fly, and enough to ignite his business on a hot day as well. For now, he'll just have to be satisfied with thirsty journalists.

The situation in Kashmir – whose ownership India and Pakistan dispute while controlling it in parts – has changed in a matter of months from “near normalcy” to full-throated cries for “azadi” (freedom).   

Curfews and marches by thousands of defiant Kashmiris demanding freedom or merger with Pakistan have virtually paralysed the administration of the Himalayan state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Lately, with India and Pakistan engaging in a peace dialogue, militancy by separatists has been on a decline. But the current wave of protests could unhinge the peace process between the South Asian neighbours.

The protests have its genesis in an ill-conceived decision by the state administration to transfer 40ha of forest land to a board that administers the Hindu cave temple of Amarnath in the Himalayas. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims from all over India undertake the pilgrimage during the two months from June when the shrine is open.

The decision was seen by many in Kashmir valley as a move to create Israeli-type Hindu settlements in India’s only Muslim dominated state.   

Protests against the land transfer led to revoking of the decision, which in turn triggered counter-protests from Hindus in Jammu region, demanding restoration of the earlier order.

Already the controversy has led to the fall of the Congress-led state government.    

Police firings in Jammu as well as Kashmir regions to quell mobs have claimed many lives, but Kashmiris say the casualties are much higher in the valley - 30 killed and 500 injured against three killed and dozens injured in Jammu – giving ammunition to the separatists charge that the police action was discriminatory against the Muslims.    

The people of Jammu, on the other hand, accuse the government of appeasing Muslim separatists at the cost of national unity, with eyes only on upcoming elections.     

With the rising tide of separatism in Kashmir, the land transfer to the shrine board has been relegated to the background. It is now the question of the valley’s accession to the Indian union.

How the government handles this sensitive issue will determine the course of events, not only in India but elsewhere in South Asia, as most countries of the region face separatist wars of one kind or another.

When thousands of hot-headed party faithful gather in one area, it is not surprising that emotions can get the better of even the most
level-headed person.
   
Thousands upon thousands of supporters of the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) showed up early last Saturday morning
to witness the nomination of candidates for the Permatang Pauh by-election.
   
PR supporters easily outnumbered the BN ones, and were definitely a lot more creative in their banners. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim
dressed as Bollywood superstars seemed to be a favourite theme.
   
Such is his star power.
   
We arrive early, but hundreds of cars were already parked on the emergency lane of the highway, as the supporters walked to the Tuanku
Bainun teachers training college that served as the nomination centre.
   
They were mostly PR supporters, as that was their designated route to the nomination centre. The BN supporters used another route.
    
However, the traffic route was such that many VIP BN cars had to pass the PR supporters to get to the centre. This made for many
uncomfortable moments as they were jeered, not surprisingly.
   
Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat wrote in his blog that he was jeered with vulgar remarks and lewd signs.
   
"I chose to smile at the jeers and profanities from the Pakatan's supporters, not because they did the right thing, but rather because I
was, to a certain extent, amused by the unreserved revelation of their crude, if not uncivilised, political culture and norms," he wrote.
   
After the nomination ended, the supporters were left to mingle as they walked out. And after hours shouting at each other, emotions were
still high. Tempers flared resulting in a clash between two press photographers and several men who appeared to be opposition
supporters.
    
The "violence" was relatively mild, though, and the situation was less tense than the Ijok by-election last year. But it showed how do-or-die
this by-election is turning out to be.   

Anwar has set the bar high by labelling the by-election as his route to Putrajaya – the premiership of Malaysia - while Umno is playing the underdog.
   
This is just the start, and the campaign is expected to become hotter as it picks up momentum through the week.