EDITOR’S NOTE
EDITORIAL TEAM Hello Breeze readers,
Pretty excited about this issue, as we feature Lukman Awaluddin & Siti Faznur Khaleq on our Cover. They are the founders of Brutti & Besi, a popular Sabahan bespoke sustainable furniture company. Find out more about how Brutti & Besi was born and crafted their development to reach greater heights during the pandemic in Feature. Also read about the humble yet inspiring founders in Personality. Turn to Music, to discover new kids on the block B-QUEXX, featuring young talents K-yut, Fadzley, I.S.K, and Ezann from Kota Belud. With the release of their latest single Anggun, they simply made another step to show that they are ready to make an impact in our local music scene. Not sure where to dine next? Restaurant Review features The Eighth, Shangri-La Rasa Ria’s new modern Chinese cuisine restaurant that is set to satisfy your appetite with some pretty amazing dishes. If you’re wondering where to travel next and love diving, how about stopping by at Luma’ Selakan? Located at Semporna, this dive lodge features a picturesque view of the sea, the sky and the island for a great stay as you dive into the surrounding waters filled with various beautiful marine life. I could go on and on about this issue, but I’ll let you read through the pages to discover more of its interesting content. Hope you are having a great month so far! Take care and stay safe.
Editor in Chief – Dinoza Mahruf Assistant Editor – Noel Jinguli Writer – Geraldine Yong Writer – Thanis Lim Writer – Eilvane Chieng Writer – Andro A. Sandor Writer – Devyne Koh Writer – Adelina Adna Writer – Hanis Batrisyia Writer – Iffah Hazirah Copy writer – Iliana A.
CREATIVE TEAM
Director – Dinoza Mahruf Graphic Designer – Farah Ain Fashion – Glam Squad Photographer – Jofanna Bridal Studio Photographer – Aznan Johary Photographer – Vance Tan Photographer – Alex Fell Photographer – Srap
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Managing Partner – Sonny Ali Finance Director – Zainaba S Administrator & Finance – Florence Masri Events & Promotions Director – Shana K IT Head – Eddie Bee Public & Gov. Relations Director – Noor F. Z.
SALES & MARKETING TEAM
Marketing Director – Mohammad Iskandar Shah Assistant Marketing Director – Alina Joanna L. Marketing (Labuan) – Leonie Peter Marketing (Labuan) – PRO LVY Ent Marketing (KL) – Kahan Singh Gill Marketing (KL) – Mimie Khan Magazine Sales – Robert Tham
CONTACT INFO
Editorial/Marketing 088-268 180 Administration: 088-316 926 Fax Number: 088-316 936 Email: breeze@breezeborneo.com (General) sales.marketing@breezeborneo.com (Sales) admin@breezeborneo.com (Admin) Marketing (KL): +60 19-336 2211 (Kahan) Marketing (Sabah): +60 18-662 0134 (Alina) Marketing (Labuan): +60 19-897 1238 (Leonie) Marketing (Labuan): +60 19-583 9100 (Eugene)
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The views and opinions expressed in Breeze are those of authors or contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of MB Managers & Consultants (45857 T), its directors or editorial staff. While every reasonable care is taken in compiling the magazine, the publisher shall not be held responsible for any omission, error, or inaccuracy. Please notify the publisher in writing of any such omission, error or inaccuracy. Editorial contributions are welcome but unsolicited materials are submitted on sender’s risk. The publisher cannot accept any responsibility for loss or damage. ® All rights reserved by MB Managers & Consultants (45857 T). No part of this publication can be reproduced in any form without the publisher’s permission in writing. KDN PPH 308/10/2013 (033079)
content Craft issue #159 06 FLASH February 2022 hapennings
08 REPORT
RURAL EMPOWERMENT VIA HOPES MALAYSIA’S SUSTAINABLE FARMING WORKSHOP AT KAMPUNG TUDAN, KOTA BELUD
12 FEATURE
20TECH
xiaomi’s unexpected expectations
22 AUTOMOTIVE the bmw ix3
32 FITNESS intensity
ikea
34 wellness
why you should start journaling
AESTHETIC 24 personality 35 rejuvination of the journey to empowerment
39 POP CULTURE
vagina
BRUTTI & BESI: SABAHAN BESPOKE SUSTAINABLE FURNITURE
40 BEAUTY brush tastic
42 FASHION styleloft co.
44 FOOD
classic carrot walnut cake / le berries gaya street
DENTAL 28DESTINATION 36 conquer your fears luma’ selakan: house of divers
16 MUSIC
b-quexx: kb ‘rap’resent
18 MOVIE
CIty Cineplex March 2022 movies
30 ECO NEWS “TRASH <––> TREASURE RESIDENCY MULTIPLATFORM EXHIBITION”
& 38 RANTS RAVES crafting your peace of mind
46 RESTAURANT REVIEW
shangri-la rasa ria: the eighth
FLASH
February 2022
JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL ONLINE 2022 Malaysia, 14 February 2022 - The Japan Foundation has once again brought Japanese film lovers a chance to watch exciting films in line with the Japanese Film Festival Online 2022. Streaming online for free from 14 to 28 February. From the classics, drama and thriller to documentary and animation, the films showcase the colours and depth of Japan and the Japanese cinema. Malaysian audiences across the country had the opportunity to watch these enticing films with subtitles in both English and Malay for free. And special for this year, JFF ONLINE 2022 in Malaysia featured Sharifah Amani and Sherry Alhadad as the ambassadors for the online festival. Throughout the festival, a series of “Nihongo Quiz” for Japanese language users/learners were also held throughout the festival period. Find out more at www.jfkl.org.my/events/jff-online-2022
EYLIA GUNTABID WON DAVID MICHAEL FRANK’S MY HEART WILL GO ON SINGING CONTEST Eylia made waves again after she recently became the 2nd Sabahan to win a David Michael Frank singing challenge. The first one was Fanzi Ruji, another great talented singer. Eylia’s TikTok video for the challenge itself has gotten over 100,000 views. The challenge had participants singing a verse of Celine Dion’s ‘My Heart Will Go On’ on TikTok. Eylia made history last year when she was announced as the first Malaysian winner for StarVoices, the biggest online singing competition in Southeast Asia. David Michael Frank (DMF) is the singer/producer of Future Sunsets which is dominating the YouTube & mainstream music landscape with unique original songs, inventive covers and creative videos that raise the bar for musicians in the digital age. Future Sunsets has developed a diehard and supportive fanbase and has accumulated over 50 Million Views & 1.2M+ followers through steady uploads and constant interaction. Winners of his My Heart Will Go On Singing Contest was announced on Future Sunsets YouTube channel.
COMMUNITY THIRD DOSE BOOSTER VACCINATION DRIVE BY SHANGRI-LA RASA RIA, KOTA KINABALU Kota Kinabalu, 20 February 2022 - At Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu, they care deeply for the wellbeing of their guests, colleagues, communities and especially during these unprecedented times. Shangri-La Rasa Ria, via a collaboration with Medisinar Clinic, has reached out to the local Tuaran community, namely the head of villages from the Tuaran District, in their effort to drive the Community Third Dose Booster Vaccination program to support the government efforts by providing booster shots for the adult population from the four villages. The villages are namely Kampung Terayung, Kampung Laya-Laya, Kampung Lok Batik and Kampung Gayang located in Tuaran, Sabah. As part of the Tuaran community, Shangri-La Rasa Ria feels a sense of responsibility to give back by spearheading community outreach projects with neighbouring villages and local government authorities to contribute and make a difference to the people in the community. Before the community booster shot drive, Shangri-La Rasa Ria had also organized a similar program to provide booster vaccines to all hotel team members, including their close family members, on 12th January 2022 and 7th February 2022, respectively. They are glad to announce that all of the Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu team will be fully vaccinated with a third dose by the end of February 2022.
06
Report
RURAL EMPOWERMENT VIA HOPES MALAYSIA’S SUSTAINABLE FARMING WORKSHOP AT KAMPUNG TUDAN, KOTA BELUD
Kota Belud, 14 February 2022 - Hopes Malaysia hosted a Sustainable Farming Workshop in late January 2022 as part of its programme to further empower rural communities with sustainable livelihoods. Held at Hopes Malaysia’s Community Hall in Kampung Tudan, Kota Belud, 30 rural project farmers from across the remote villages of Kota Belud attended the oneday event to receive first-hand experience on how to sustainably reach food security for their families, with guidance on green farming with vermicomposting (using worms to produce natural fertiliser). In all of its initiatives, Hopes Malaysia prioritises sustainability, practicality and impact. The local non-governmental organisation empowers its experienced farmers to lead newer project farmers within the rural community, ensuring successful continuity. During the workshop, the NGO’s role-model farmer, Puan Elinah shared her farming experience and techniques with the new batch of farmers via talks and demonstrations. Farmers learnt how to sustainably sow and grow seeds in egg trays, and make their own organic pesticides using lemongrass and chilis. Additionally, farmers learnt more about vermicomposting and its sustainable, long-term benefits due to the NGO’s initiative with the 2021 Star Social Impact Grant. After an insightful farming Q&A session, the attendees were given egg trays, vegetable seedlings, vermicompost fertiliser, certificates of appreciation, some even receiving African Nightcrawler worms (for vermicomposting) to rear at home. Hopes Malaysia’s newest rural farmers are now better equipped with the skills and knowledge to succeed in sustainable farming and achieving food security for their families, especially during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Sabah’s rural community is also closer to adopting eco-friendly farming methods instead of
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harmful monoculture (growing one-type of crop) agriculture practices and chemical fertiliser usage that pollute the environment. Avoiding common farming mistakes, farmers can progress for their families’ future! More on Hopes Malaysia at www.hopesmalaysia.com
KPMKR introduces The Homeward Programme
The Homeward Programme is a high impact programme under the Ministry of Community Development and People’s Wellbeing (KPMKR) through the Sabah Welfare Services Department (JPKAS), and is the first ‘Sabah Maju Jaya’ flagship programme under KPMKR in-line with the Ministry’s efforts to promote community services. The concept of Homeward Programme is to encourage and empower family member(s) to give caregiving services to their bedridden, elderly and/or disabled family member(s). By providing basic ward facilities, the Department enable rehabilitation and care for their clients at the comfort of their own home without having the need to be admitted to welfare institution nor hospital. This programme is an initiative that reflects the State Government’s concern for the people’s wellbeing especially the elderly, the disabled persons and bedridden patients. Through the Homeward Programme, those who are eligible to apply will be loaned basic ward equipment with the concept of ‘Loaner Cycle’ according to the client’s needs. Supported by the External Support Group (KSL) created by the department, of which it includes the Psychology Department, and former retirees with medical and social backgrounds, regular service visits will be conducted by nurses, occupational therapists, and member therapists from the Sabah Welfare Services Department. This high-impact programme also has the support of Petronas for the contribution of basic needs of the ward as one of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) to the community. Applications for this programme can be made through all branches of the Sabah Welfare Services Department.
Feature
BRUTTI & BESI: SABAHAN BESPOKE SUSTAINABLE FURNITURE
T
hey say a company’s strategy is the embodiment of the founders’ vision on where the company is going, not where it is, and from the looks of it, with a forward vision of sustainability and the empowerment of women and youth, Brutti & Besi is here to stay.
ensure the welfare of their helpers who lost their jobs after their previous businesses closed down due to the pandemic. And on the day itself, they registered Brutti & Besi on Facebook and now operates from a workshop situated in Putatan-Ramayah, Sabah.
The journey of Brutti & Besi goes back to the early phases of the Covid-19 pandemic. That’s right, Brutti & Besi, the Sabahan Bespoke Sustainable Furniture Maker is an MCO 2.0 baby! But before Brutti & Besi existed, founders Lukman and his wife & business partner, Siti were still operating a carwash business in Lintas. It was not easy to survive at the time as they had to use their marriage savings to sustain the business. Despite all that, the 2nd MCO impacted many SMEs, and it eventually forced Lukman to find alternative ways to survive. Among some of the businesses they ventured into were sanitising services, which eventually led to the start of HyperHelper.
Incorporating sustainability and the bespoke concept in furniture-making is still fairly new in Sabah. Even today, many luxury furniture shops that adapt the bespoke concept are not entirely sustainable. However, what’s unique about Bruti & Besi is that they use wood pellets or upcycled wood by touching Borneo’s soul to make their products. Customers can recognise their sustainable line of products by their ‘GREEN CHOICE’ labels.
However, due to the lockdown, Lukman maximised the use of his spare time by watching informative videos on YouTube, specifically videos on woodworking. This was the moment when his passion for woodworking was re-ignited. As his passion for woodworking was re-ignited, that was when the idea of Brutti & Besi came about. Initially, the name “Brutti” was meant to be just a YouTube page for Lukman to upload his own DIY woodwork content vlogs that he had made for his wife, but after some discussion, they realised that it was a good potential business to venture into as it also helps them to 12
Lukman and Siti treat all their artisans, assistants and helpers like family, and are very supportive in their growth and selfdevelopment, and would help out in any way within their capabilities. Like proud parents, they are always overjoyed
when witnessing individuals in HyperHelper and Brutti & Besi achieve new milestones in life. This is because their beliefs and concept in business is to empower the youth and community. They usually take in unemployed women, especially single mothers, as well as unemployed skilled youth from different background, with no discrimination against disability, race and religion, as long as they have a good attitude and are eager to learn. As a business that promotes sustainability, they also take pride in being able to provide salaries to their team at a higher rate compared to other businesses out there, as they realised that by addressing these issues, a lot of problems in the world can be solved. What makes Brutti & Besi different is the founders’ agility. Lukman and Siti are young entrepreneurs that are able to adapt to changes of their surroundings, and are aware of current social issues and latest trends. Sustainability is often overlooked by many furniture shops out there. However, Brutti & Besi is fully aware of the current state of our environment, where the world will be in trouble if no action is taken. Thus, with this vision, Brutti & Besi hopes to inspire others to do the same.
Gallery for a Christmas Installation. Their crafts were placed right in the middle of Sabah Art Gallery. It was an unforgettable moment for the team. Their work is also featured in Art Attic located at Lorong Dewan, Kota Kinabalu! Among some popular or hot selling products from Brutti & Besi are their AYYASH (Sejadah organiser), DANGSANAK (dining table), AHTAM (rack), TANAK VAGU (single bed with sliders), and many more! For more info, check them out on their social media pages. Brutti & Besi
@bruttibesi
However, from an external perspective, one of their proudest achievements was when Brutti & Besi was invited by Sabah Art
Brutti & Besi’s Christmas installation at Sabah Art Gallery
by Hanis Batrisyia Image | Radzie Rahman, Brutti & Besi
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How can branding elevate the value of your business? “A brand is a person’s gut feeling about a product, service, or organization.” “It is a gut feeling because people are emotional, intuitive beings.” It is a person’s gut feeling because brands are defined by individuals, not companies, markets, or the public. We tend to base our buying choices on trust. And trust comes from the products that exceed our expectations. —Marty Neumeier, author and branding consultant, Neutron LLC The ultimate challenge of building a brand is to integrate your brand’s vision into other people’s mindset, impression and trust for your brand. Companies can invest a lot in creating and building a brand. Alas, the ultimate value and impact of a brand lies within the minds of consumers of what they think or perceive about it. Nowadays, people tend to buy a product or
service to build their identities. A brand can affect and influence a consumer’s purchasing decision through what the trademark represents as carrying a certain brand can make a person feel secure. Therefore, brand feelings are important. A trademark can affect and influence consumers in spending their money than they would otherwise.
Branding is the cornerstone of your business
Create your identity, Protect your brand & Build your reputation Your trademark can be your most valuable asset and it represents you. It can work as a communication tool. It provides value beyond your core business as it can convey emotional and intellectual attributes about your company to consumers. As your business grow, the value of your brand will appreciate.
Therefore, when a reputable trademark has been built, it can help you generate sales as the reputation of your trademark can lead you into developing a class of loyal and dedicated consumer base. From here, consumers would less likely look for alternatives once Given the tension and competition in our contemporary society they have the practice of using your goods and services, leading which offers boundless choices, a successful brand can assist to the repeat of sales and purchases after trust has been built. consumers in making decisions on what to buy, where to go and how to spend their time and money. Brands are images that exist in consumers’ mind. It can influence consumers’ emotions as it is capable of making a person feel a certain way. Hence, once a brand has been ingrained in their minds, it would not be easily replaceable or replicated by any other brands. “A brand is not what you say it is, it is what they say it is” —Paul Crimi, Co-Founder, Product at Digital Natives Choose a name and logo that can distinctly identify your business Do your due diligence before building and launching your brand. Be sure that your brand fits your company and does not infringe and have it protected now. anyone’s right. by Rachel Tsen Co-Founder of BRANDYOBIZ Image | BRANDYOBIZ
A registered trademark is crucial in safeguarding your brand!
MUSIC
b-quexx: kb ‘rap’resent goes with Ezann who has a keen interest in acting but also has an eye for business. And for K-yut, he is passionate in theatrical arts and has been awarded twice for best male actor and once for best supporting actor. Meanwhile, for I.S.K, when not making music, he is passionate about gaming. Despite still being a student in UITM Sabah, I.S.K is good at juggling between music and studies. B-QUEXX’s latest single, ANGGUN, is a song that shows appreciation to the lovely women in their lives. The song itself is catchy, sweet, and radiates positive vibes everywhere! Written and composed collectively by all 4 members of B-QUEXX, the song, ANGGUN, tells a sweet story of the members approaching a beautiful girl. Directed together with Zenmzzi, and starred by Nicole (as Mirah) and NJ (as Emeer), the music video for ANGGUN was released on 14th February 2022 on B-QUEXX’s official YouTube page, in-conjunction with Valentine’s Day.
M
eet B-QUEXX (pronounced as B-Q), the young and upcoming Hip-hop group from Kota Belud, consisting of 4 members; K-yut, Fadzley, I.S.K and Ezann. Sharing the same passion for Rap music, K-yut, Fadzley, I.S.K. and Ezann decided to make music together which led to the release of B-QUEXX’s first single, Ini Jalan Kami, in 2019. Fast forward to the year 2022, B-QUEXX just dropped their latest single, ANGGUN, and is available on various digital music streaming platforms today.
For B-QUEXX, having their music out there still feels surreal, and they are very thankful to the people who have supported them throughout their music journey. All support and encouragement given by their listeners thus far drives them even stronger in pursuing their passion of making music. Furthermore, B-QUEXX hopes to continue and stay motivated in doing what they love, and hopefully be able to participate in music award shows in the future. ANGGUN by B-QUEXX is available on: Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, deezer and iTunes. For more info on B-QUEXX, find them on social media: B-QUEXX
@bquexx_
@bquexx
Taking inspiration from Too Phat and K-clique, B-QUEXX hopes to achieve their dreams of becoming one of nation’s successful Hip-hop groups and hopes to give a positive impact towards the Malaysian music industry. What motivates them to make music and push through in the music industry today is the opportunity of being able to express their thoughts in songs and having listeners that could relate to it. B-QUEXX’s music is very versatile, as they are open to experimenting with different genres and mixing it with hip-hop elements. B-QUEXX’s typical creative process usually starts with a demo or a beat, and they will collectively come up with the lyrics based on what they wish to express. However, as they are a music group act of 4, they usually divide their roles based on their strengths and expertises according to the suitability of the song or project they are currently working on. But what differentiates each of the B-QUEXX members’ personalities are their interests and passion outside of music. For example, Fadzley is interested in modelling and acting, and same
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by Hanis Batrisyia Image | B-QUEXX
movies
CIty Cineplex MARCH 2022 movies
THE BATMAN
TURNING RED
Release Date: 3 March 2022 Genre: Action, Crime, Drama Director: Matt Reeves Cast: Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Andy Serkis
Release Date: 10 March 2022 Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy Director: Domee Shi Cast: Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh
When the Riddler, a sadistic serial killer, begins murdering key political figures in Gotham, Batman is forced to investigate the city’s hidden corruption and question his family’s involvement.
A 13-year-old girl named Mei Lee turns into a giant red panda whenever she gets too excited.
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
THE LOST CITY Release Date: 24 March 2022 Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy Director: Aaron Nee, Adam Nee Cast: Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe
Release Date: 24 March 2022 Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy Director: Daniel Scheinert Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan An aging Chinese immigrant is swept up in an insane adventure, where she alone can save the world by exploring other universes connecting with the lives she could have led.
A reclusive romance novelist on a book tour with her cover model gets swept up in a kidnapping attempt that lands them both in a cutthroat jungle adventure.
AMBULANCE
MORBIUS
Release Date: 31 March 2022 Genre: Action, Crime, Drama Director: Michael Bay Cast: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jake Gyllenhaal, Eiza González
Release Date: 31 March 2022 Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama Director: Daniel Espinosa Cast: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona Biochemist Michael Morbius tries to cure himself of a rare blood disease, but he inadvertently infects himself with a form of vampirism instead.
Two robbers steal an ambulance after their heist goes awry.
CITY MALL SHOPPING CENTRE | WWW.CITYCINEPLEX.COM
movies
the disappearance of irdina adhwa by sandakan film producer kyle halim is now on astro first Young Sabahan film producer from Sandakan, Kyle A. Halim, was working as a graphic designer before deciding to quit the graphic designing profession to pursue his passion in filmmaking and started Kotaki Studios Sdn Bhd. After obtaining his FINAS licence, Kyle managed to score a spot in to attend a pitching session at UMS organised by FINAS under the DKD (Digital Content Grant) programme, where former Finas CEO Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nadzri was one of the evaluation panels. Being new in the film industry, Kyle was eager to learn and participate in classes held by Finas. Hence, he was invited to join an Incubator program organised by FINAS along with 7 other film companies, in which Kyle was the youngest participant. He was placed under the guidance of Raja Mukhriz Raja Ahmad Kamaruddin who served as his supervising producer.
Kyle A. Halim | Film Producer
Upon receiving the DKD grant worth RM700k, Kyle started working on his first debut film, The Disappearance of Irdina Adhwa, a horror thriller inspired by Hollywood’s Friday The 13th and Tomb Raider. Apart from directing and producing the film, Kyle also wrote the script for The Disappearance of Irdina Adhwa. The unique points of the film is the incorporation of Sabahan dialects as part of the dialogues, and the application of archery skills by the casts in portraying the action scenes of the movie. Shooting of the film was supposed to take place in 2020 in Sabah. However, due to the Covid movement restrictions in Sabah, only 20% of the film was shot in Kundasang, Sabah, and the rest of the shoot had to be done at Melaka. Shooting was finally completed in April 2021. The Disappearance of Irdina Adhwa tells the story of a girl named Sofia along with 7 of her college mates who went on a vacation trip after their graduation ceremony. But things took a turn for the worst where the incident is shrouded with horror and mystery as one of the ends up dead at the vacation site, causing them to be trapped and unable to escape. The lead role of the film is portrayed by well-known Malaysian supermodel Alicia Amin, also stars Syazuwan Hassan, Josiah Hogan, Bulan Terry, Nafiz Muaz, Melanie Tan, Nelissa Nizam, Hasmira Azmi and Abbas Mahmoud. The Disappearance of Irdina Adhwa is now on Astro First 480. More on the film at www.facebook.com/kotakistudios
by Hanis Batrisyia Image | Raja Adam Iskandar Raja Amin & Low Boon Chew
TECH
xiaomi’s unexpected expectations
K
nown for their high end yet affordable smartphones, Xiaomi has been gaining popularity throughout the world recently. However, it’s not just their smartphones that have helped this brand rise up, as they’re focused on giving their users a seamless experience with other devices around them. By this, Xiaomi is also producing other “smart-products” in their Xiaomi ecosystem for users to enjoy seamlessly.
Now on to the products that you don’t really associate with a smartphone brand. I’m talking about their electric toothbrushes, electric scooters, and even…hairdryers? Yes, you read that right. Apart from these, Xiaomi also has automatic robot vacuum cleaners, electric shavers, and even ink pens. Not saying they’re bad or anything, but it may seem a bit weird when you stumble onto these products for the first time.
Before we go on their ‘weirder’ devices, you certainly know that Xiaomi has a line-up to support and suite their smartphones. Powerbanks, wireless earbuds, and even smart-watches are all sold to enhance the user experience of using Xiaomi smartphones. These products aren’t just produced to exist though. For the price, they are of high quality in terms of build and function. The Mi Band line of smart-band does a great job at tracking your health and fitness needs for a small price to pay.
If you’re confused, Xiami’s marketing mindset isn’t just to provide a whole seamless ecosystem of smart products for users, but to create an awareness that Xiaomi is a big brand. That’s the main purpose of them producing such items, so that everywhere a consumer looks, they see Xiaomi and remember the name.
One Xiaomi line-up that’s just starting to take the world by storm are their smart-TVs and gaming monitors. Stream your favourite show from streaming sites through their smart-TVs. Xiaomi produces them in multiple sizes so you can find one that’s just right for you. If you’re still thinking of an upgrade but don’t want the hassle of buying a new TV, then why not try their Mi Stick or Mi Box android devices that directly connect to the HDMI port of any TV or monitor, giving you the experience of using a smart-TV with any old TV.
by Noel Jinguli Image | Xiaomi 20
AUtomotive
The bmw ix3
B
ayerische Motoren Werk, or BMW, has been in the automotive industry since 1916. They’re now known as being one of the bigger automotive brands in the world. This success didn’t come easily as BMW has made a lot of innovative progress to make their cars better for their drivers. This time, they’ve upgraded one of their more popular lines of cars, the X3. Well, it’s now known as the iX3 and it’s an all-electric SUV. The styling of the iX3 is very familiar with its predecessor. Not that nothing has changed, but the new design BMW has implemented for the iX3 invokes a feeling of familiarity for both the old X3 and the rest of the modern BMW line-up. The bigger design changes are the almost completely closed kidney grills in the front. Together with the L-shaped inlets in “BMW i Blue”, it definitely gives off the electrifying vibe of the iX3. Other notable design changes are the Air Breather behind the front wheel, and the new 3-dimensional rear lights and indicators. The biggest news when it comes to the new iX3 is of course what’s under the hood. The fully electric engine can produce up to 286 horsepower with a maximum torque of 400Nm. With this amount of power, this SUV can go from 0-100 km/h in 6.8 seconds. How long the batteries last is also very impressive with
by Noel Jinguli Image | BMW 22
its 460km range. If you’re using a high-power charging station, recharging it for 10 minutes can give you up to 90km in range. Although, you’ll have to wait 8 hours if you’re opting to charge it at home, or an hour and a half at a 11kW wallbox. One big thing that grabbed my eye personally is the Digital Key function. Unlock the iX3 and start the engine with the Digital Key. You can also authorise up to 5 people with an iPhone to your car. With this function, you can limit the drive power and maximum speed of the car when novice drivers are driving. The interior of the iX3 also looks and feels elegantly sporty to ensure high levels of comfort. Its Panorama glass roof also provides a great atmosphere and plenty of fresh air when you slide it open with a push of a button. All in all, the BMW iX3 is a great fully electric car for everyone to enjoy. It’s modern yet familiar design is easy on the eyes while its performance will grab anyone’s attention. Check it out at your nearest BMW dealer today.
Personality
journey to empowerment
G
et up and personal on the husband and wife duo, two young Sabahan entrepreneurs in their journey towards entrepreneurship, challenges, success and empowering and uplifting the livelihoods of unskilled youths & single mothers through Brutti & Besi and HyperHelper.
Lukman Awaluddin Founder of BRUTTI & BESI
admits that he is not perfect, he wants to live a life where he can contribute to society, and has a purpose in life. With the upbringing from his parents, he hopes to apply teachings of his parents and hopefully instil these values in his businesses. As the founder of Brutti & Besi and HyperHelper, Lukman is a charismatic family-first leader. He wants his helpers and artisans to feel appreciated, and is very supportive in whatever they do. At Brutti & Besi and HyperHelper, he wants to preserve and cultivate a culture at work where growth is essential, and there is no organisational gap in between. And so far, he is grateful to have a team that understands and shares the same values in life. “I don’t work anymore!” - Lukman. Loving what he does, Lukman sees work as him doing his hobby. Passionate about woodworking and metalworking, he looks forward to going to the workshop on Mondays. He feels satisfied to be able to do his passion everyday. However, in his down time, Lukman enjoys taking a rest at home or going for a drive in their VanBrutti - a campervan he customised, and travel with his wife Siti. According to Lukman, they usually enjoy taking road trips to cooler areas in Sabah, such as Kundasang, Kokol, Tambunan, and more to escape the scorching heat in KK (it can get especially hot at the workshop) looking at buildings, and most importantly for the food!
A
t an early age, Lukman has always had a keen interest in entrepreneurship. Growing up in Kg. Sri Pandan, Putatan, he started dipping his feet in business from selling bicycle parts in primary 5, to selling Milo Shake in secondary school, and more serious businesses such as tuition services, graphic designing, wholesale reselling, property management, car wash business - and it all eventually led to the start of Brutti & Besi and HyperHelper. A way to describe Lukman’s personality is that he is a strongminded, determined person with a creative mindset. Despite experiencing multiple setbacks in his journey of becoming a successful entrepreneur, he was still able to push through, along with the support of his wife and family. One of his biggest inspirations in life is his own parents. A son of an ustaz and ustazah, his parents raised him and gave him a perspective on the world which shapes the man he is today. Although he
As an entrepreneur who has had his fair share of ups and downs, his advice to those looking to start a business is to be agile! Any ideas that you have, translate it into action. Saying it without taking action will not take you far, as you have to do it and see through it till the end. Brutti & Besi as well as HyperHelper has been successful thanks to the founders’ agility. For example, HyperHelper was formed overnight. According to Lukman, the idea came about around 8pm, and they started doing flyers an hour later, and carried out distribution of flyers the next day. Whereas for Brutti & Besi, it happened over the day, literally not even a night. At the time, the SOPs during MCO were strict, and roadblocks were everywhere. So they figured out that Brutti & Besi would be a good business to venture into as it is sustainable, and has a big potential in helping the community. Thus, on the day itself, he registered a Facebook page for Brutti & Besi, and started to grow from there. Another wise words from Lukman that we all should think about is that we shouldn’t make excuses or let other people’s success demotivate or justify why we aren’t able to do the same, but rather learn from other people’s mistakes and success, and learn to grow from it. 25
Siti Faznur Khaleq co-Founder of BRUTTI & BESI
Before venturing into entrepreneurship with Lukman, Siti Faznur Binti Abdul Khaleq, 34, born and raised in KK and Sandakan, grew up helping her mother at work and naturally as she got older, she worked at her mother’s Tupperware business centre for around 7 to 8 years, until 2019. And from that experience, she got inspired by her mother who believes in the product she is selling, is consistently diligent in the things she does, and does not give up easily. Currently at Brutti & Besi and HyperHelper, she enjoys what she does, and the biggest satisfaction happens when receiving positive feedback from their clients after their products or services are successfully delivered. This makes her feel more motivated and driven to provide the best, not only for their customers, but also to their helpers, assistants and fellow artisans. According to Siti, a healthy environment and culture in the workplace is essential for a business and also the individuals in it to grow, sustain and succeed. One of the self-improvements that she noticed on herself after working together with Lukman for Brutti & Besi and HyperHelper is that she is now more outspoken and able to adapt to her surroundings more easily. In contrast to Lukman who is naturally an outspoken and an extroverted person, Siti admits that she is a shy person sometimes. However, in business, there are a lot of moments where you have to meet or interact with many different people from all walks of life, and thus Siti felt that it is important to be adaptable to her surroundings in order to share experiences and grow as an individual.
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or me, success is when you can empower the community and can be an inspiration to others.” - Siti.
Siti and Lukman like sharing their journey to others, not for the purpose of bragging, but rather with the intention of inspiring people to turn an unfortunate situation into a fortunate one. For example, as their businesses were affected along with many other businesses that faced setbacks during the course of the pandemic, Siti and Lukman managed to stay afloat by adapting to the situation quickly which led to the start of Brutti & Besi and HyperHelper from the ground. She feels satisfied knowing that they are able to help the youth and single mothers that are currently working with them to have a source of income to improve their livelihoods. However, speaking of inspiration, the person who inspires Siti the most is her own mother, who was a Tupperware enthusiast and agent with her own Tupperware business centre back then. 26
Outside of work, when she has some free time, she and Lukman would get some well needed rest or visit their parents. As they now have their own VanBrutti - campervan, she also enjoys taking impromptu trips around Sabah. According to Siti, having VanBrutti makes them more adventurous as people. And what she looks forward to the most when travelling is of course, the food, but also architecture, or more specifically how their houses look like. Due to her love for travelling, her personal goal in life is to retire at a young age, so that she could travel the world. A country that she would want to revisit someday is Canada. The last time she visited Canada was around 6 years ago, in the year 2016, with her mother, and they spent around a month visiting North Vancouver and Powell River. Aside from having relatives in Canada, Siti feels that she has not explored Canada fully yet, and there’s just something about Canada that makes her feel at ease. And that’s Siti Faznur Khaleq for you, a supportive wife, a diligent business partner, a success driven person, a wanderlust, and an inspiring young entrepreneur.
destination
luma’ selakan: house of divers Luma’ Selakan offers various PADI-certified courses guided by their expert Diving Instructors and divemasters. It’s a full day of diving with Luma’ Selakan as they take you to explore the wonderful waters of Tun Sakaran Marine Park. The common spottings of marine life around the area are the hawksbill and greenback turtles, giant clams, manta rays, eagle rays, reef sharks and many more! However, what’s special about diving in Selakan waters is that it is called Sabah’s underwater macro paradise. So, when you dive around the Selakan reefs you will be blessed with sightings of various types of nudibranch. On top of that, their expert divemasters are great at spotting these little creatures to make sure you don’t miss anything out!
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elcome to Luma’ Selakan’s humble abode, a dive lodge located in Selakan Island, Tun Sakaran Marine Park, which is just a 20 minute boat ride from Semporna, Sabah. Luma’ in Bajau language means ‘house’, and thus the name translates to “House of Selakan”. Built on the shallow areas of Selakan waters, Luma’ Selakan embraces a green and open-air concept and boasts an almost-360 degree view of the surrounding landscape, with a picturesque view of the sea, the sky and the island. Started in 2013 as a house for divers by divers, Luma’ Selakan is the only diving operator with complete accommodation facilities in Tun Sakaran Marine Park. Situated a little further away from the crowd, and with 24-hour security, staying at Luma’ Selakan definitely feels like you’re on your own private island, and at a friendly price! However, accommodation at Luma’ Selakan is limited, as they only offer 2 units of Family Rooms, 1 unit of Twin Room, and 3 units of Quad Sharing Rooms; to accommodate a total of 20 guests comfortably at one time. Thus, advance booking is highly recommended as you plan your visit. Luma’ Selakan undertakes an entirely different approach and offers a unique experience compared to other dive lodges out there as they strive their best to make their guests feel as if they are at their own home away from home, whilst still maintaining the feels of a getaway holiday that you’re craving for. In terms of hospitality, I’d say the most accurate description of it is that they treat all their guests like families. Everyone dives together, eats together, chill together, sometimes even laying out mattresses on their long and beautiful jetty on a breezy cool night after dinner with their guests to just relax and gaze at the stars in the sky.
by Hanis Batrisyia Image | Luma’ Selakan 28
To help boost the economy of the local communities, all delicious meals are prepared by the Bajau villagers of the island. But one of my favourite things about Luma’ Selakan is that guests are allowed to freely use their in-house kitchen as they please. On my previous visit to their humble abode, I remembered waking up at 5 AM in the morning, went to the kitchen to cook myself a bowl of soup, just to enjoy the bliss of warmth down my throat as I watched the early morning sunrise at their jetty. As Malaysia transitions into an endemic phase this April, why not take a break, have a change of scenery, and try something different for once, like diving with Luma’ Selakan while contributing towards the recovery of our local tourism industry. You definitely won’t regret your visit to this hidden gem! Bookings and reservations can be made directly through Luma’ Selakan, (Amin - 012 214 7681). @lumaselakan
Luma’ Selakan
ECO NEWS
“TRASH <––> TREASURE RESIDENCY MULTI-PLATFORM EXHIBITION”
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an trash reveal to us our cultural differences and similarities? What is your relationship with trash in your creative practice? Where should artists draw the line between waste and material? Eight artists address these questions and more during the pilot residency programme Trash <––> Treasure (also written as Trash to Treasure, or Trash / Treasure) that happened from October 2021 - February 2022. The residency concludes with an exhibition of the creative outcomes both in the United Kingdom and Malaysia. During the residency, eight creative practitioners: four from the United Kingdom (textile artist Caroline Hyde-Brown; artist Genevieve Rudd; documentary-filmmaker Nur Hannah Wan; natural dyer Ummi Junid) and four from Malaysia (multidisciplinary digital artist Abdul Shakir; artist Fariza Azlina; new media artist KC Tan; visual artist Joanne Loo) underwent a creative exchange using waste material as a point of contact. Artists collected ‘trash’ from their daily lives and creative practices. The waste materials from both countries were then exchanged and used to forge new narratives and creative outcomes. The assortment of waste material collected reflect the diversity in creative discipline: 3D printed test objects; batik scraps; used tea bags; linocuts; beach plastic; and takeaway packaging were some of the materials sent from one country to the other. For some of the artists, working with waste materials was an entirely new concept. The residency was an opportunity to explore ways of reusing what would otherwise be discarded. The materials were used in experiments involving cyanotype, embroidery, dyeing, and even digital applications such as projection mapping and video-capture. Trash <––> Treasure culminated in exhibitions both in the United Kingdom and Malaysia. The Malaysian exhibition was held at FabU Café, Sunway Metro, Bandar Sunway from 18-20 February 2022, and showcased the outcomes of the Malaysian 30
artists during the residency. Appointment slots were available on the residency website (www.projektrashtreasure.com). Each session was limited to 10 pax in line with S.O.Ps. The United Kingdom exhibition was held in Norwich. A virtual experience on the residency website allowed visitors to enjoy the outcomes from both countries. Each outcome was displayed in a virtual gallery, and visitors can also view behind-the-scenes footage, listen to artist interviews and watch exhibition highlights.
We support the Department of Environment
Let’s Stop Open Burning For A Better Future
fitness
INTENSITY
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ave you ever felt like a train wreck after a workout? Or maybe you finish but feel like you didn’t do enough in the gym that day? Just like everything else in life, there’s a goldilocks zone for each of us where everything feels just right and you’re able to maximise the progress you’re making towards your goal. If going flat out every workout is as much a road to disaster as being completely sedentary, how do we find the balance we need? Read on for our recommendations! Beginners: When just starting out at a gym, good technique is the name of the game. Wouldn’t want to injure yourself before you even begin to see real progress, right? Beginners can afford to stop an exercise with 2 to 3 repetitions left in the tank. You’re going to see a lot more benefits from performing fewer repetitions with great form than you will from grinding out with poor technique. Another way a beginner lifter can find balance is to see how long it takes to recover from soreness. If you’re still sore for more than 2 days after a workout, chances are you can afford lowering intensity while still starting to see results. Intermediate: Not only do you have more experience under your belt, your body will have adapted to the point where more progress will be made at higher intensities. You can experiment with taking some isolation exercises such as curls, chest flies, or side raises
by Joshua Tsen Image | Unsplash
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to failure more often. Good technique is still your priority! Your target should be to maintain great form even with harder sets. Advanced (5> years of consistent training): Now this is where things get challenging. You’re pretty much close to maximising your genetic potential. Progress is starting to slow down significantly, and you’ll find it takes much more effort to see incremental improvement. Because your body has adapted to all the stimulus accumulated over the years, you will see diminishing returns from efforts that used to bring much more gains. The challenge now is to train as hard as you can while still being able to recover for your next workout. You’ll have to introduce more volume, take sets closer to failure more often, or even try out entirely different approaches to programming. Progress is still possible for advanced trainees! Just a little slower than you were used to. Bottom line, training intensity should look very different for different individuals at different fitness levels. If you’re a beginner or intermediate lifter, don’t be pressured into training any way other than what works for you! Fitness takes time and there are no shortcuts, just ways to train smarter and safer in order to be in the game long enough to achieve your goals. We hope this helped you in your training and if you feel like we can help at a more personal level, contact us at Hustle Fitness on Instagram or Whatsapp! Personal training, group classes and nutrition coaching available now at Hustle Fitness!
BUN-DERFUL ADDITION Sweet, savoury or plain? Discover the loaf of your life at Getgo
Open Daily | 7.30AM - 9.30PM
@getgo.mybrand
+60 11-1896 3351
wellness
why you should start journaling
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ournaling has started during back in the days where penpals were a thing. Aside from crafting hobbies like knitting, sewing and cooking, journaling is a therapeutic activity that helps calm a stressful day down. They are although carry similarities to note taking or scrapbooking – just more private and personal with a twist of blank canvas for creativity. This is because journaling is an open blank page with various styles and ways to start with! From cute stickers, miscellaneous photo printouts to a fully hand drawn page – there is no limitations to journaling; nowadays you also see digital journals done on an iPad too! Starting is super easy too! Grab a lovely notebook of your choice and start your journal journey now! Here’s why we all should at least have a yearly journal! A safe space for yourself It can be fill with rants and expressions locked up deep inside – like an old diary; Not everyone express stress verbally, nor they are lucky to have a person who they can let it all out. So, we are our best motivator and friend. As we express through journaling, we usually indirectly talk to ourselves along with the release and letting go part of the burden. A place to practice gratitude A great way to reduce stress and calm anxiety is to practice gratitude; give thanks and appreciate the little good things and small achievements we have successfully accomplished daily or monthly. As we look back, we will feel a sense of growth and progress from those small steps and be grateful that we did not gave up and picked ourselves back up during hard times.
by Geraldine Yong Image | Unsplash 34
A self-reflection Carry similarities to gratitude journaling, self-reflection pages are usually done yearly or quarterly. Sometimes we face failures and hit a rocky bump on our journey in life, and as we reflect and learn on what to improve by breaking down mistakes and what went wrong; we tend to me more cautious the next time we face similar situations because information sinks in better in memory if it was written down. A creative space to be experimental A doodle, sketch book or a scrapbook, having fun experimenting and idea dumping is the most exciting and fun process of journaling. Working as a mood board for brainstorm and take notes on thought processes; the brain dump is beyond limitless – and it looks much more aesthetic with colours and visuals too! A place to safekeep memories A big part of therapeutic journaling is the memories we keep in each pages. From photos, notes, of travels and happy times; it helps relive good times as we setup the page for that unforgettable memory. 10 years down the lane, when we are be able to relook and remember such memories through snippets of time machine with candy wraps or receipts of that first date with the current husband – a walk down memory lane to reminisce on the past.
REJUVENATION OF THE VAGINA USING LASER. RESTORE YOUR INTIMATE INSTINCTS.
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AESTHETIC
any women today are willing to spend a large sum of money to get the best and maximum facial treatments. They are willing to do all this just to get a healthier, more radiant face and reach as far as possible from effects of aging. However, what about their vaginal condition, don’t you think that their ‘miss V’ also requires similar treatment? Did you know that just like the skin on the rest of a Woman’s body, the vagina will also experience the aging process in line with that person’s increasing age? The aging process of the vaginal area begins when women are in their 20s. Frequent changes are like fat reduction in the labia majora (outer labia), and subsequently followed by changes within the vagina. When the pre-menopause process starts, the surface of the wall in the miss V area will become thinner; the muscles in the pelvis will weaken and relax. Around the same time, women tend to lament from their husbands being unsatisfied in the bedroom, thus causing some women to start feeling less confident or ashamed to engage in sexual activity with their spouse, which might cause the collapse of the household. Realizing this fact, vaginal rejuvenation trends using lasers (more often called laser vaginal rejuvenation/ laser vaginal tightening) are now known to many women. In the past, many women were ashamed and afraid to see the doctor for procedures as such because previous procedures required surgery (vaginoplasty/ hymenoplasty), postoperative pain, and had a longer ‘downtime’ but now, with advanced technology, the laser procedure can be performed without the need for surgery; it does not require aesthetic, it’s painless, fast and easy, and does not have any down- time. Treatment time is about 15 minutes. Women can go back to work or to their everyday activities as usual after the treatment. The treatment required is 1-3 visits depending on the condition of the woman (e.g. age, number of children, birthing & surgical history, bladder problems, etc.). After Effects of Laser treatments are usually faster and more effective and for some individuals the effects are almost immediate.
Treatment Results:
Vagina • Tightens and thickens the vaginal wall • Reduces dehydration (hypo-secretion) and pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia). • Repairs the vaginal mucosa wall by stimulating the formation of collagen (collagen remodelling of vaginal tissue) thus enabling the tightening of the vagina. • Anti-inflammation is particularly helpful in treating frequent vaginal discharge (recurrent thrush) and elevating immunity. • Helps to cope with ‘urinary incontinence’ problems or better known as urinary incontinence where this condition occurs in women who have had many children, elder women or women who have ever had surgery to deliver children in which the bladder muscle becomes traumatic and weak. Most women complain of “leakage” when they laugh, sneeze or cough. Labia • Whiten the labia surface • Eliminate fine lines and the effects of aging on the labia • Firms up the surface of the labia. by Dr Katalina Image | Katalina Aesthetic & Wellness
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Dental
conquer your fears
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cared of visiting your local dentist? Well, you don’t need to be ashamed of it because it’s much more common among people than you think. However, you should try your best to visit a dentist regularly, even if you’re terrified. Here are some tips by Dr. Sylvia Lim on how to try and overcome your fear of dentists so you can get your teeth checked out in the future. Dental phobia, or dentophobia, is the fear of dentists. It’s sometimes related to iatrophobia (fear of doctors), as well as trypanophobia (fear of needles). Contrary to popular belief, it’s a much more common phobia experienced by people of all ages. Although, what differentiates individuals is the severity of the experience. It might be mild or severe, and can eventually lead to serious health issues in the future. So, how do you overcome this? Well, you can look for a dental practice that can and will cater to dental phobics. You can be confident that these dental practices know how to care and deal with dental phobic situations through years of experience. Also, choose a clinic that offers things like television, music, or a warm blanket so you can calm your nerves before seeing the dentist. Bringing along someone close can also help you feel more relaxed in the waiting room. The last tip to calm yourself down before seeing the dentist is to arrive just in time. Of course, don’t be late, but you don’t necessarily need to be too early either. Waiting too long can make you more nervous.
by Noel Jinguli Image | Unsplash 36
While seeing the dentist, don’t be afraid of asking questions, especially about appropriate sedation options. Don’t fall into the trap of being a martyr where discomfort is concerned, as pain-free dentistry is a reality and dentists need to make sure you don’t feel any pain during the procedure. Don’t forget to take breaks during the procedure. A sensitive dental team will give you time to relax when necessary. After all that, make sure to book your next appointment before you leave the clinic. You’re more likely to come for a follow-up if you don’t have to contact the clinic later. Today’s dental offices are welcoming places that specialise in keeping your smile bright and shiny, as painlessly as possible. Hope you can enjoy your beautiful smile when you use the tips above during your next dentist visit.
Rants & Raves
Crafting your peace of mind Not everyone is good, and there are people who try to pull the wool over the eyes of shoppers (tourists), and pull their money from their wallets. But good art and craft touches something in you which rings out clear as a bell. Real and special. And as such, its creator should be recognised.
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rafts can broaden the mind. There is much to be said for using one’s eyes and hands and tools instead of just one’s brain and the computer. It is creative, and it releases you from the suffocation of deadlines and offices. In KK, I do embroidery, and tapestry, and painting, and quilting, and knitting and crochet. I am planning to start woodworking again and I am signing on a Linocut course when Rizo, who runs them, is running one. I have bought a wonderful black and white painting from Awang Fadillah and it will honour my empty wall in England. It will inspire me to start my own work and enjoy mixing my oils with gusto. It depends on my mood which needle I will pick up, and often I have to put it down again because I have made a mistake and have to correct it (or fudge it if I can). Only Allah is perfect. It doesn’t matter if there is a little lump or bump or wiggle in what I am doing, though; if you stand back and admire it from a distance nobody will see it! Craft has to be personal. I am tired of going to yet another handicraft shop which sells pretty much the same stuff and the one next door, and the one next door to that. This happens all over the world, and has more than a whiff of mass production. I think craft should offer the maker an opportunity to produce something from their soul, whatever it is. Something interesting and different will be wanted. I also believe strongly that a crafts person is an artist and an artist is worthy of their hire. They should be paid properly for their work. Some clever dicks say - ‘oh really, I could do better than that’, or ‘my twelve-year-old could manage something just as good.’ Well, I doubt it. Half an hour having a go will prove that to you.
by Sylvia Howe Image | Unsplash 38
Another use of brain and Allen key and screwdriver which occasionally deserves a medal is self build furniture. In IKEA or wherever it looks great - just the ticket. Exactly the sort of thing that will fill a gap, give little Isaac a desk for her homework, allow Susannah to have more surface space in the kitchen. All well and good, once it is assembled and in place. We all think it will be easy. I know. I’ve been there. A twist here, a turn there, perhaps a hammer and hey presto life is sweet. Well, dear reader, that may be the case for you but I have spent too many hours checking the instructions again and again, unscrewing and screwing, and trying to line things up once more - usually without success. I have the bruises to prove it. Some people - better men than I am, Gunga Din - hire themselves out as assemblers of said furniture and frankly, they are worth every penny they charge, and probably more. I would rather spend time slicing my thumb with a wood carving trowel thing (expect it has a name but I don’t know it), or drawing blood with a needle when I miss the right place on the fabric and poke it smoothly into my finger. What’s a bit of pain when the task occupies mind and body, and the result is something that has you woven through it? When a flower opens on a bush that you have tended, when a guest asks for second and third helpings of something you have served them, when someone draws up the quilt you have stitched or puts on the wooly hat you have knitted against the chill - that’s when the soul sings. I am quite certain Leonardo da Vinci’s kitchen trolley would have had a decided slant to the side. He was much more Madonna of the Rocks than meals on wheels. I’m with him - in spirit if not in ability. Why not have a go? One slow afternoon take some embroidery fabric, a needle and thread, or a paintbrush. Craft does not respect gender. Anyone can do it, they really can, and any one can enjoy it. Spend a little time on your own, working away, and I bet you will be pleased with what you produce. A cake. The beginnings of a portrait or a view on paper or canvas. A few hexagons of fabric that will sew happily together to start a quilt. These days we spend less time than we ever did on using our creative brains and our hands. Our minds are parched, thirsty for the chance to explore, and we always feel better after a while tweaking and cutting and digging and hammering. If you don’t want to do it spend time working by proxy - watch Sean Evelegh woodcarving, Ryan knitting, or Eleanor quilting on YouTube. And that’s just for starters. Trust me. You will grow to love it, and IKEA may one day seem a walk in the park instead of slow and uncomfortable torture. There are unseen benefits in everything!
ikea
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ounded in Sweden, world famous IKEA is best known for their very own ready-to-assemble furniture, kitchen appliances, home accessories, and various other homeware items. Founder and Swedish born Ingvar Kamprad was only 17 years old when he started IKEA in Sweden in 1943. The name IKEA is a combination of the founder’s initials, and those of Elmtaryd, the family farm where he was born, and the nearby village Agunnaryd. IKEA managed to capture the heart of their customers because of their simple yet attractive modern designs of their products, which are also eco-friendly and affordable. The growth of IKEA has made it become the world’s largest furniture retailer since 2008. There are over 400 IKEA stores operating in 50 countries. In 2018, a massive €38.8 billion (US$44.6 billion) worth of IKEA goods were sold. The IKEA website contains about 12,000 products and the number of visitors can be as high as over 2 billion. Much of IKEA’s furniture is designed to be assembled by the customer. This helps to reduce costs and use of packaging; the volume of a bookcase, for example, is considerably less if it is shipped unassembled rather than assembled.
Pop Culture
The one other thing that IKEA is famous for is their Swedish meatballs. Yes, that’s right. IKEA is also popular for their food and beverage. Some people simply want to go to their store just to order Swedish meatballs or other menu items sold. Each IKEA store has a cafe which sells branded Swedish prepared specialist foods and various drinks. Depending on location, the cafe’s menu also incorporates local dishes. IKEA is big on being environmental with many important initiatives. One of them was in 2013, when they completely stopped providing plastic bags to customers, but now offers reusable bags for sale. All their cafes also only offer reusable plates, knives, forks, spoons, etc. Besides that IKEA has recycling bins for compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), energy-saving bulbs, and batteries. The popularity of IKEA has also made it appear on various works of fiction and even video games including: • • • •
The movie 500 Days of Summer starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel features a scene around the showroom of an IKEA store. Even the track for the scene is entitled “Ikea”. IKEA Heights is a 2009 comedic melodrama web series that was filmed covertly inside the IKEA store in Burbank. In 2008, IKEA paired up with the makers of video game The Sims 2 to make a stuff pack called IKEA Home Stuff, featuring many IKEA products. As IKEA continues to be ever popular, fingers crossed as hopefully we get to see a much awaited store open right here in East Malaysia.
Image | Unsplash 39
Food
CLASSIC CARROT WALNUT CAKE
INGRE DIEN TS 1. 200 Gram Unsalted Butter 2. 2 Cups Of Castor Sugar 3. 4 Large Eggs 4. 200 Gram Of Shredded Carrot 5. 1/2 Cup Chopped Walnut 6. 1 Tsp Vanilla Essence 7. 4 Cups All Purpose Flour 8. 1 Tsp Of Baking Powder & Baking Soda 9. 1 Tsp Cinnamon Powder 10. 1/4 Cup Water 11. Oil For Frying
PREPARE 1. 9" X 9" Mould 2. Grease All Sides & Put Grease Paper 3. Pre Heat Oven To 150 Degree Celsius
4.
Add Chopped Walnut & Shredded Carrots, Mix Until Combined
FROSTING 1. 250 Gram Of Cream Cheese 2. 1 Cup Of Icing Sugar
5. 6.
Transfer To Mould & Bake 45min Wait To Cool & Frost Cream Cheese. Ready To Serve
METHOD 1. 2. Add Flour (Shive Together Dry Ingredients: Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Cinnamon Powder & All Purpose Flour) & Mix Until Combined 3. Add Egg & Mix Again
by Beverley Chow www.quicktakesorder.blogspot.com Image | Beverley Chow
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alking pass Mercure Hotel KK, the seemingly end of Gaya Street had us stumble upon a lovely 300sqf space in the name of Le Berries Gaya Street. LBGS is started by Le Berries (Artisanal bakery famed for their Pandan series) in collaboration the team behind Chiu’s). LBGS is by no means your usual hipster cafe selling brunch-type food, it is more of a cosy space strictly their collaborative expertise. As we stepped into LBGS, we can’t help but to be excited by the colorful array of mini cake choices
Eventhough LBGS is situated in the heart of bustling KK, sipping our cup of hot Uji Matcha Latte whilst savoring a delectable Coconut Pandan cake felt quaint as it oversees plenty of greeneries. Perfect spot to escape to in the city for some quality It is an uncommon sight to see collaborations between 2 aspiring F&B brands working together under one roof, but that’s what make this venue unique and worth that special visit!
Kedai kupi of the month
Le Berries Gaya Street
@leberries.gayastreet @leberries.gayastreet 012-680 1318
by Eugene Chiu
restaurant review
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atch the sunset at Shangri-La Rasa Ria and experience the enticing flavours of modern Chinese cuisine at The Eighth. The restaurant’s name was inspired as being the 8th restaurant in Rasa Ria. In Chinese Culture, the No 8 is an auspicious number that relates to prosperity translating to wealth and success. The symbol for the Eighth represents infinity, portraying the restaurant’s ever-changing concept highlighting the versatility of the restaurant and offering you something new, contemporary, and current. Situated at Level 1 of Shangri-La Rasa Ria’s Garden Wing, The Eighth serves authentic Cantonese and Shanghainese cuisine with a modern twist that gives diners an elevated dining experience. Its exclusive menu is curated by Rasa Ria’s awardwinning Chinese cuisine chef, Chef Ng with 37 years of culinary experience and was recently named as the finalist at Shangri-La Global Wok Master Challenge.
Chef Ng | The Eighth
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the eighth: shangri-la rasa ria
rice. The chicken was crispy on the outside but super tender on the inside! As for their Black Truffle Prawn Omelette Toast, presentation wise, it looked incredibly unique! It was served with homemade brioche and was well seasoned. For the main course, we tried their signature Black Truffle and Turkey Ham Fried Rice, topped with French foie gras with teriyaki sauce. The flavours of this dish were unique, and you will not be able to find it anywhere else. The foie gras certainly left an impression on me and it really elevated the whole dish. Their Sabah Tiger Grouper Pot is a must-try! Made with superior broth, fried yam, mushroom, fish maw, red dates, wolfberry and “Dang Gui”, the flavours were amazingly well balanced. The soup tasted creamy yet savoury, and you could really taste the freshness of the grouper fish. I would say this was the best dish of the night for me.
All dishes ranging from small bites to main course to desserts at The Eighth are made from the freshest and finest ingredients. Among signature dishes at The Eighth by Chef Ng are the Three Treasure Rice, Black Truffle and Turkey Ham Fried Rice, Sabah Tiger Grouper Pot, and their Braised Yee Mee with River Prawn.
For the meat lovers, we highly recommend for you to try their Wok Fried Australian Wagyu Beef with Green Asparagus. The texture of the wagyu beef was soft and tender. The flavours of the asparagus blended so well with the wagyu and really complemented each other.
Starting with appetisers, their Hong Qu Fried Chicken features deep-fried crispy boneless chicken with red fermented
Next up is their Double Boiled Chicken Soup. Certainly not your typical bowl of chicken soup, as it was made with fish maw, dried scallop, chicken, abalone, and prawn; and served in a coconut shell as the bowl. Presentation wise, it was eye-catching. In
We also tried their Sang Har Mee, which is a plate of Braised Yee Mee noodles served with huge pieces of River Prawns. The prawns were fresh, plump, and tender. Personally, the noodles had a lovely eggy texture to it, and I am obsessed at how well the noodles absorbed the flavours of the prawn.
Sabah Tiger Grouper Pot
Hong Qu Fried Chicken
Black Truffle Prawn Omelette
Wok Fried Australian Wagyu Beef
Black Truffle Turkey Ham Fried Rice
Sang Har Meen
Mango Coconut Shaved Ice
Peach Resin with Longan
terms of taste, the Cantonese method of double boiling extracted maximum flavours of the ingredients. Overall, I really enjoyed it. A meal is not complete without desserts and thankfully The Eighth did not disappoint! Among the desserts that we had, their Coconut Shaved Ice served with mango and sago pearls, was undeniably the best. As you take a bite, you will taste the creamy texture of the coconut and the sweetness of the mango. It felt like an explosion of flavour, and for some reason it just melts in your mouth, leaving you wanting more. We also had a taste of their Mango Pomelo Sago, made from mango purée topped with vanilla ice-cream, freshly peeled pomelo, and sago pearls, a good balance of sweet and sour.
From left to right: Passionate Green Tea, Earl Grey Soda, Dragon Eye Lagoon, Green Tea Pot-jito
For a more traditional Chinese dessert, you can try their Peach Resin with Longan. Prepared with chilled double boiled white fungus, peach resin and dried longan, it had a light and soft jellylike texture and tasted extremely healthy and refreshing. It is a dessert that is simple, homely, yet sophisticated. There are also a variety of beverages to choose from at The Eighth. Among the drinks that we tried were Green Tea Mojito, Dragon Eye Lagoon, Passionate Green Tea, and Earl Grey Soda. And in line with their commitment to sustainability, their beverages are provided with paper straws upon request.
088 797 888 for reservations 12:00 - 14:30 (Lunch | Sat & Sun) Level 1, Garden Wing, Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu
18:00 - 22:00 (Dinner | Fri to Sun)
SERVES NO PORK
An experience not to be missed, whether to celebrate special occasions from birthdays to a corporate company feast or a private dinner for two, the warm and friendly service at The Eighth adds to the tranquil ambience just as inviting as their exclusive and authentic Chinese cuisine. by Hanis Batrisyia 47