Kuala Lumpur 2017 - The Music Run™ by AIA Vitality

The 2017 Music Run™ by AIA Vitality just wrapped up and it was a blast! I should know, I was there! When running a run with booming speakers at every 50m or so, it seemed about right (at least to me) to do the 10km distance. More mileage, better pacing, better for health.

So You Think You Can ChiChi and Chacha

So you think your kid has what it takes to be the next star of ChiChi and ChaCha?

Kyanite TV and Big Fish Media is organizing "Be The Next ChiChi & ChaCha Star”, a star search for kids and teens aged between 6 to 18 years old. The show will give its contestants an opportunity to perform live with the hosts of hit TV show, ChiChi & ChaCha (CC2) in 2015.

Make Your Move movie review

I love dance. I love the movement, the rhythm and beat of the song. I love how it makes me feel when my body can keep up with the choreography and how creative and expressive it lets me be, as corny as that sounds. I am, by my own admission, not that good a dancer but I have danced with and have been taught by several really talented dancers and we all share the same love and passion for it.

However of late, I find myself distracted with the many running races I've been taking part in and my passion of dance waning. For a month, dance took a backseat in my hobbies and when I resumed classes, I found myself lacking inspiration and have gotten rusty in it.

I need to find a good kick to remind me why I had initially gotten into dancing. A dance movie was just the perfect fix I needed. Although not up to the hype and caliber of the Step Up franchise, the dance move of 2013 was Make Your Move.


Gist
With a Romeo and Juliet storyline, this independent movie stars K-pop singer, BoA and Dancing with the Stars ballroom dancer, Derek Hough. Although both stars are fairly new to the big screen, directing their debut movie is Duane Adler who is no stranger to dance films having scripted Save the Last Dance and the first Step Up movie. Some of routines in the movie were choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon Dumo from So You Think You can Dance.

Aya (BoA) is an aspiring Taiko/tap/contemporary dancer trying to make it in America without the assistance of her overprotective brother and club owner, Kaz (Will Yun Lee). Tap specialist Donny (Derek Hough) hails from New Orleans and skips out on parole to join his foster brother, Nick (Wesley Jonathan) in running the hottest underground club in Manhattan. Both young dancers are quickly caught in their respective brothers' feud over competing night clubs and as the story of Romeo and Juliet goes, are drawn to one another after a dance off on a bar.

Genting YNOT Graffiti Finale Event

Thanks to Resort World Genting and Nuffnang, I was given the opportunity to attend the finale of RWGenting's YNOT Graffiti Art event with about 30 other bloggers and their plus ones. After dropping off our luggage at First World hotel's lobby and collecting our blogger passes, we headed to the theme park.

Blogger pass = free access to theme park

Along the way, we saw the vibrant colourful graffiti art works, some complete and others still in progress with their artists still hard at work. Of course, we could not resist taking pictures of the art works and with them. Some of us even got to try our hand at graffiti spraying!


Colourful works of art

Noob at work.

YNot by RWGenting celebrates what was formerly viewed as illegal or part of the 'underground' scene such as graffiti art, BMX and hip hop dance. All of these elements were openly displayed and performed for everyone throughout the event. Emceeing and entertaining us at the event with their sarcastic and deadpanned humour were Dennis Yin and Chris Ooi of Elecoldxhot dance crew.

Pet Project Malaysia 2013

Pet Project 2013 came and went just like that. I really wished it was a monthly event but I think all the volunteers, the organising commitee and founder Sabrina Saw will be dead tired on their feet if it were. You cannot imagine the amount of planning and preparation that went into pulling off this massive event all in the name of animal welfare and for that, I applaud the entire Pet Project team and the teachers and students of The British International School of KL. Well done, guys!

Only two years old, the event that brought together animal welfare and fitness was held on the 23 March 2013 at the British International School of KL and saw an estimate of over 1200 attendees by noon to participate in an array of fitness-oriented activities and workshop as well as to purchase food and items for a good cause. All proceeds raised in this event were donated to several animal welfare organizations and shelters.

Peace for Cupcakes

Take me home!

 SPCA and Malaysian Independent Animal Rescue (MIAR) held an adoption drive where several of their shelter puppies and kittens were adopted on the spot. Yay! While it was great having the younger ones taken into new homes and families, it was still heartbreaking to see the older animals still stuck in their cages with their pitiful gaze looking out for the person to whom they can devote all their love to.

Are you my new friend?

I am the owner of four beautiful and unique mix-breed dogs and xx number of cats (all adopted from the shelter and streets) and no word can describe how much joy and laughter they bring me everyday. They are the reason why I strongly stand for 'Adopt, Don't buy!'

The day's currency

 While I may not be able to adopt those up for adoption at Pet Project, I hope the little contribution I made by purchasing the coupons helped. Coupons were used on that day to buy entry into their assortment of workshops ranging from golf to basketball to yoga and finally to dance.

Be Urban Wellness booth

For those concerned about injuries or their individual fitness performance, Urban Wellness had a booth there where you get an expert to teach you on how to warm up properly and which part of your body to focus on to improve amongst other areas of expertise. They have a very impressive state of the art spa and treatment center in Clearwater, Damansara Heights which I highly recommend checking out. Trust me, I've seen the place and it made my jaw hit the ground. More info on Urban Wellness here.

Performance by the Chiqaz

Now, there was one event I was looking forward to and that was the Dance Masterclass with Tony Stone, choreographer for the King of Pop, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce and Chris Brown to name a few. I have an undying passion of dance and to learn from the great man himself was really something I looked forward to for months. A huge supporter of animal welfare and everything charitable, Tony Stone held the class pro bono just like the previous year and we only had to pay RM30 (15 coupons) to take part in his class.

Coupon Burger!

 Mindful of the big group of participants this year, Tony conducted the class in an easy and fun manner that allowed everyone to pick up the moves with no problem. It didn't matter if you were a kid or an adult, klutzy or coordinated. What was important was that we all tried. His energy was infectious, his friendliness inviting. The supposedly one hour session became an hour and a half and we were burnt exhausted when it ended. I wonder how much calory I lost doing the routine repeatedly.

Tony Stone and I.

 To wrap up Pet Project 2013, I camwhored with Tony, something that amazed even the great man. To quote my friend and fellow blogger, Senri of Journey of the Little Biscuit, "Self-shot is more "heng" because asking other people to take was too mainstream."

Once again, hats off to the Pet Project team for pulling off this event and thank you for allowing me to help out in the only way I know how, through my blog. I hope to work with you guys again next year!

For more pictures, drop by my Facebook page here.

If you missed this event and want to find out more about animal welfare, just click on my 'Animals matter to me' page.

TTFN!

Pet Project is back!

Mark your calenders and prepare to "get active to help save animals" because Pet Project Malaysia is back!

At a recent press conference at City Golf, BSC, the organisers of Pet Project in association with Expatriate Lifestyle Magazine have officially announced the return of the event with a performance by Sabrina Saw's own little Chicka's followed by a quick golf session with one of their sponsors, City Golf.

Pet Project Malaysia press conference.

 Here are your need-to-know info!

What is Pet Project?

Project Malaysia was founded by Sabrina Saw who wanted to unite her love for dance and animals for a good cause. In 2012, Pet Project succeeded in raising RM23,000 through a series of activities consisting of dance, fitness and sports, which was donated to over nine animal welfare NGOs. Now in its second year, this event aims to raise awareness and funds for animal welfare within Malaysia which can only be achieved with the help of the public.

Sabrina Saw and her event partners

Sounds like fun! What activities will there be?

Pet Project Malaysia will be bringing in the top international and local dance, fitness and athletic names such as Tony Stone and Suzette Ackermann as well as various sport clinics and workshops for football, golf, rock climbing and other sports.

If you're into dancing (like me), then you don't want to miss this event and a chance to learn from Tony Stone himself. Here'a preview of what he'll be bringing to  the table.

But I don't do sports. What other activities will there be?

For those who aren't into getting down and dirty with sweat, don't worry! There will also be a carnival, shopping bazaar, auction, F&B, arts and crafts, animal welfare booths and many more things for you to see and do. So there are plenty of ways for you to spend your time and money for a good cause! NGOs will also be bringing a few animals for adoption so if you're thinking of adding a furkid to your family, do drop by!

Cool! So how much money do I need to bring?

A coupon system will be used at the event for everything. For example, a master class could range from 5-10 coupons per session while a rock climbing is 2 coupons per climb. Coupon books will be available for sale at RM50 per book on the day of the event.

All funds collected from coupon sales will be donated to participating NGOS. Alternatively, you can also drop by the NGO booths during the event to make a donation and to find out more on how you can help.

Okay, I am sold! When and Where?

Mark down these details:
Date: 23 March 2013, Saturday
Time: 9 - 6pm
Venue: The British International School of Kuala Lumpur

What can I do to sponsor or volunteer? 

As Pet Project Malaysia is a non-profit event, they are in need of sponsors and volunteers to help pull off this massive event. If you can help out, do contact them.

Where can I go for more info? 

Check out their website for more details by clicking on the image below!

Last question. Will you be there? 

Definitely! Look forward to seeing you there!

10 Things I am Thankful For

I was going to post something else but then I got some really awesome news to round up my already awesome month. So I am going to share 10 things I am grateful for since November is also Thanksgiving Month.

So it goes:
1. My dad coming home from a 2 year job stint in Bangkok
Never thought I'd say this but I am sort of glad he's back. Even it means no more monthly shopping trips to Bangkok. It just means more food outings for me and the family in Malaysia! Yay!

2. Completing Sem 2 of my Masters
Writing features and lifestyle stories are a piece of cake compared to theoretical essays and assignments for Masters but I survived. As much as I miss having a steady income, having worked in a hectic industry has allowed me to appreciate student life so much more. Now with just one more semester to go next year, soon I'll be back in the working world.

3. Friends who share my love for dancing
Finding people who share the same passion for something isn't easy. That's why I am glad for all my friends and teachers at Sole to Soul Dance studio. In between all our classes and practises, I enjoy the camraderie, the laughter and fun times we have. We are like one big happy family of dancing lunatics!

One big happy crazy family

4. Travelling to Maldives
I owe this one to my former company, Blu Inc Media and to Lady Luck for giving me this opportunity. Maldives is sinking, no thanks to global warming and I am glad to be able to have visited it before it became the next Atlantis. My island resort, Huvafen Fushi was gorgeous and the people there were just wonderful! *UPDATED: Maldives series is up. Start here*

Here's preview of the post to come.

5. My Blog
I was initially hesitant to start blogging again but because I enjoy writing as much as I love dancing, I did. Taking up blogging once more has allowed me to write for an audience again and in doing so, made me focus on the positive and good things in my life like watching movies, eating good food, meeting new people and so on. Things that we take for granted on a daily basis. Never mind the fact that blogging has also opened up my sphere to a whole new experience of writing, free movie screenings and new friends.

6. Youtube Vbloggers
This is a funny thing to be grateful for but I am glad for people like Ryan Higa, KevJumba, Jenna Marbles and Wong Fu Productions for coming up with videos to entertain us, make us laugh or potentially change our perspectives in life (as corny as that sounds...). They are the ones who voice out the things you don't see or hear in mainstream media and sometimes the things closest to us. They do this to connect with their viewers much like how writers and bloggers reach out to their readers. Teehee!

Ryan Higa...or is it Regina Higa...

7. My pets
As much as I want to strangle them sometimes for the mess they make, I adore my cats and dogs. They give me the simplest joy everyday that keeps me from going on a murderous rampage at certain people's stupidity and ignorance. *ah, strokes the cat*

8. Bootcamp
Oh glorious sweat, mud, aching muscles. How I love thee... Thank you, Original Bootcamp for giving me an appreciation for having a perfectly healthy body. I am not your average sized Asian girl but having to work to get in shape has made me love my physical self for the way God has intended it to be.

Free mud body treatment!

9. My viewers
Fans, haters, fellow bloggers or just plain-I-got-nothing-to-do-but-read-blogs-all-day, I don't care. I am grateful to all of you! (for contributing to my stats). This blog is just only over a month old but so far, the number of pageviews has been beyond my expectations. I sort of only expected 4 views per post. From my parents, sister and my cat sleeping on the F5 button. Thank you all!

And if you think that this post is rather corny or is a way for me to blow my own trumpet, then feel free to hit Ctrl+W. I thank you nonetheless for dropping by (and contributing to my pageviews).

10. Getting a MPA Merit Award *This is the great news that inspired this post!*
Another thing I am grateful to my ex-company for. Without Blu Inc, I wouldn't have had my stories published at all. As a writer, all I want was to write stories and have people read them. But to actually receive a merit award from MPA is just mindblowing. I certainly did not expect this news at all because I have left the magazine line for months now. My former editor and boss deserves a special thanks in this for guiding and sharpening my writing skills. It's nice having my work recognised.
(MPA: Magazine Publishers Association)

Thanks to Zara for snapping the picture.

It goes without say (I am saying it anyway), I am thankful for my family and friends for putting up with my madness and to God for giving me this positive outlook in life. I believe we all have things to be thankful for. You just have to see it.

Now let's carve open that turkey! Or chicken, since Malaysia doesn't have turkey....

Happy Thanksgiving-or-not-because-December-is-Here!