Photo credit: Sukin-Australian Natural Skincare

I am not an expert of the environment but I would like to my two cents' worth on this matter. I am now a STRONG proponent and believer in preserving and conserving our seriously fast deteriorating environment. My personal experience having to deal with the negative changes in my skin physiology due to our deteriorating environment prompted me to search for a natural skincare that is suitable for my severely inflamed, itchy and irritated skin. The natural skincare should fit my limited budget and at the same time, has virtually no negative impact to our fragile environment.

My search is considered a success, as I have managed to find one small-time brand of natural skincare from Australia in a personal care store near the place I am staying. Unfortunately, the said personal care store no longer sells this brand of natural skincare, which prompted me to set up a small on line business called Nature's Little Helper.

Nature's Little Helper's main aim is to bring this particular brand of natural skincare from Australia made easily available to all Malaysians due to the very affordable pricing and high quality of its products. I turned myself into a guinea pig, trying the products I managed to buy off the shelf before they were withdrawn by the personal care store near where I live. Frankly speaking, I did not even bother to do a patch test before beginning to use the said products regularly.

I plunged straight away into using the said products and after THREE times using them, my skin started to heal itself. I was encouraged by the results and I realise that going back to the basics where my skincare routine is concerned is the way to maintain a manageable skin health, i.e. to use natural skincare. Believe me, they need not be expensive and would NOT cost a bomb to purchase the complete range because each individual product is priced below RM 100; even its most expensive products (usually in one litre packaging) cost only RM 79 per unit.

I did more research on the Internet by going to the said natural skincare made in Australia by visiting its official web site and I REALLY like what I saw in it. The company that produces the natural skincare REALLY takes good care of the environment when manufacturing their products. They do not use any synthetic ingredients, animal derivatives and chemicals in all their products, and I really appreciate this fact. In short, this company practises GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) as part of its philosophy.

When you wash off the products' residue off your skin it will bio-degrade and won't cause pollution to our drainage system and water sources as the ingredients used are naturally derived. This is actually a small but meaningful step to help save our deteriorating environment. Not to mention the product packagings are made from completely recyclable materials. I will now reveal the name of the natural skincare... it's Sukin-Australian Natural Skincare. If you find my testimony hard to believe you can visit their web site at Sukin-Australian Natural Skincare.

This is just one small step I do to save our environment. The other little actions I do include bringing my own food containers when I take away food, except when I patronise fast food joints and I separate my daily rubbish into recyclable items and items meant for proper rubbish disposal. Not to mention, carrying a bottle of plain water in a reusable bottle whenever I go out for long hours at a stretch. I may be only one in the many billions who is championing environmental issues but I hope with this write-up, I am able to create greater awareness about saving environment, starting with my family and friends; soon to everyone around the world.

Last but not least, I would like to convey my gratefulness and gratitude to Sukin-Australian Natural Skincare for creating such godsend natural skincare products and also made me realise that the world we are living in now is NOT for us to keep and treat it to our whims and fancies; it is for us to take care of it well and properly for our future generations, whom by right should do the same for the benefit of their future generations.

Sneak Peek: Simfoni Sepi - Himpunan Sajak Siber yassinsalleh

Title: Simfoni Sepi - Himpunan Sajak Siber yassinsalleh
Author: Mat Yassin bin Salleh
Year: 2012

Simfoni Sepi - Himpunan Sajak Siber yassinsalleh is a compliation of poems penned by Mat Yassin bin Salleh, poet, writer and playwright in the Malaysian creative arts industry. This book has been released for sale on February 2, 2012, and is only available in the Malay Language.

Honestly, I have never known Mat Yassin. I only got to know his youngest daughter, Yasleh Hani Wati  when I was pursuing my Master degree at a public university in Malaysia from 2003 to 2006. Only then I came to know that Uncle Mat Yassin is a talented poet, writer and playwright but his name is not the name that is very well known like those of Usman Awang, A Samad Said and Malaysian national laureate Datuk Abdullah Hussain.

My personal opinion of Uncle Mat Yassin is that he is very capable and talented of producing quality literary works worthy of mention and recognition, although I have yet to read any of them. Simfoni Sepi - Himpunan Sajak Siber yassinsalleh in my humble opinion, will be an enduring Malay literature for many years to come... because it was written in an extremely passionate manner, championing the cause to promote local literary publications, especially in the Malay Language.

I recommend this book to anyone who is especially interested and/or appreciative of the beauty of poems in the Malay Language.

And I think the introduction in the book written by Johan Jaafar, a columnist with The New Straits Times newspaper speaks eloquently well about who the real Uncle Mat Yassin is, where not many people knew about and his very deep passion and dedication towards his contribution to the Malaysian creative arts industry, especially where Malay literary works are concerned.

The poet, Mat Yassin bin Salleh (right) with the book designer 

11.11.11 - Is it REALLY a special day?

Today is Friday, 11.11.11... a date in which would only happen once in a hundred years in a century. I am really wondering if this date is really that special as been highlighted with so much hype in the media, especially the print media. This day would have been special to people who have their birthdays and/or wedding day/anniversary. And that is if they have the privillege to witness it happening. Other than this, I think it is just like any other day that is passing by unless anyone choose to make it special and/or significant for themselves and/or their loved ones.

But for some one I know who is a writer friend and syndicated columnist in major newspapers and magazines around the globe, it is a special day for her and especially to her feline companions. Ellen Whyte, has published the 789th blog post about her kitty companions today. I personally feel that this is a REAL feat not many people would have achieved, especially when you are a writer and/or a person pursuing a career in the creative industry. I am GENUINELY happy for Ellen to have achieved this unique feat. I also hope, if it is even possible at all, Ellen would come out with the 800th blog post when 20.11.2011 comes around, which in reality it is only nine days away.

Personally, I feel that dates like today 11.11.11 and the upcoming 20.11.2011 is nothing special really. They are just like any other dates and days in the calendar, the only major difference would be how the dates are uniquely collated following the Gregorian calendar humankind has been using for a very long time now.  However, I'm not so sure about the views of the scholars of the different major cultures in Malaysia would have, i.e. Malays, Chinese and Indians.

Nevertheless, I wish all my family and friends to savour and enjoy today as it only comes once in a century. I think it depends on how you look at it and to decide if you want to make it a special day to remember. Last but not least, happy 11.11.11!

YBhg. Dato' Dr. Jennifer Low & YBhg. Dato' Ar. Michael Ong - A Tribute

Dateline - October 15, 2011. It was not a significant day for me. It was just another day passing me by. However, but for someone whom I got to know personally when I was in my teens, it had been a day of honour and recognition for all the hard work and effort she has been putting into her career as an interior designer and entrepreneur. The person I'm referring to is YBhg. Dato' Dr. Jennifer Low, J.P.; co-founder and Group Managing Director of Quill Group of Companies, a multi-disciplinary design led, integrated property development, construction, interior design and architectural services company.

YBhg. Dato' Dr. Jennifer was conferred the Property Woman of the Year during the recent FIABCI Malaysia Property Award 2011, held in One World Hotel, Petaling Jaya. Adding another icing to her already illustrious career cake, Quill Group of Companies also bagged the Office Category 2011 with the opening of Quill 6, the latest property project the company has recently built and leased out to one of its major clients, HSBC Malaysia. This Office Category award was also won by Quill Group of Companies in the 2010's edition of FIABCI Malaysia Property Award.

I don't remember the exact year that I first I got to know Dato' Dr. Jennifer and her business partner YBhg. Dato' Ar. Michael Ong. All I could remember that I was about 15 years old. We had met at one dinner function where both of them invited the whole family to attend, my brother and I included. It was a meeting that left a profound impression on me. Both Dato' Dr. Jennifer and Dato' Ar. Michael were already on a steady rise in their respective career paths in building Quill to be the company it is today.

I had quite a few meetings with both Dato' Dr. Jennifer and Dato' Ar. Michael throughout my teen years and early 20s. During this time, they did a lot of small but extremely meaningful things for me and my family. Not to mention some of the most memorable experiences I have ever had in my life. I am extremely grateful to the both of them for allowing me to experience such unforgettable times in my life.

Dato' Dr. Jennifer was the first person who realised that I have an excellence flair in the English Language. Not only that, she also encourage me to explore this talent of mine and develop it to its fullest potential. This was the main reason I had gone back to school to obtain a Master degree in English Language. And yes, I did excelled in my studies and enjoyed doing it very much.

I am really humbled by the phenomenal success of both Dato' Dr. Jennifer and  Dato' Ar. Michael. The success they are enjoying today is mainly due to their own hard work with some luck and right timing, also getting to know the right people to enable to them to flourish in their respective career paths. Most of all, they remain very modest of the successful endeavours in their respective careers.

I will always remember how lucky and privilleged I am to have come to know  Dato' Dr. Jennifer and  Dato' Ar. Michael personally. And that their presence in my life has a very profound impact on me in a very positive way. Not to mention their humble and down-to-earth personality, making them very approachable and easy to talk to. This is in spite of their tremendous wealth and status in the business and corporate world.

This blog post is my tribute to these two very special people. To Dato' Dr. Jennifer and Dato' Ar. Michael - many thanks to the both of you for allowing me to get to know you personally and most of all, giving me the unforgettable experiences of my life where no amount of money can buy. I genuinely pray and hope the both of you are able to continue this phenomenal success in your respective careers to contribute to the nation building of Malaysia.

Last but not least, I take my hats off to both To Dato' Dr. Jennifer and Dato' Ar. Michael for being an inspiring and shining example not only to entrepreneurs everywhere but also to the normal person on the street.

Steve Jobs: February 24 1955 - October 5 2011 - Part 2

Apart from being the CEO and co-founder of Apple Inc., the late Steve Jobs also acquired the computer division of Lucasfilm Ltd. from George Lucas for USD 10 million, renaming it Pixar Animation Studios in 1986. Pixar Animation Studios is the Hollywood studio that created a string of successful animated feature films:

• Toy Story (1995)
• A Bug's Life (1998)
• Toy Story 2 (1999)
• Monsters Inc. (2001)
• Finding Nemo (2003)
• The Incredibles (2004)
• Cars (2006)
• Ratatouille (2007)
• WALL-E (2008)
• Up (2009)
• Toy Story 3 (2010)
• Cars 2 (2011)

Although I have somewhat gave up the idea of using Apple products, little did I know that Jobs would continue to reach out to me through animated feature films that Pixar Animation Studios would create within the span of last 16 years. 12 animated feature films - I had only managed to watch five of them - Toy Story, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, Ratatouille and Cars 2.

Out of the five films, my favourites would be Finding Nemo and Cars 2, thus far. The reasons are simple - Finding Nemo has the most wonderful animated undersea sceneries that blew my mind away, and the story plot of Cars 2 is akin to that of the James Bond movies, not to mention the cars featured have real sex appeal (figuratively speaking) just like the real life makes of those cars.

I will definitely be looking forward to more animated feature films to be released by Pixar Animation Studios in the near future as I have confidence it will do a great job in creating animated feature films that are appealing across a wide range of audience.

The unfortunate passing of Steve Jobs - it has made me realised that Jobs was indeed a GREAT man, ahead of his time and his competitors in the IT industry. If Jobs never took the risks to do what he had done, the IT industry would never experience an evolution as we are experiencing now. We would have never been spoiled for choices when it comes to choosing IT gadgets, from desktops to laptops/notebooks to tablet computers to smart phones.

Honestly, I'm seriously considering of getting a smart phone now, preferably an iPhone to experience what the late Steve Jobs' genius creativity was like. His demise has made me realise I should give Apple products the benefit of the doubt as they are selling extremely well; a far cry from all those years ago when I had used the Macintosh computer that was of poor quality during Jobs' absence from the organisation.

I salute the late Steve Jobs - he was one of those very rare people who dared to venture into the unknown territory, taking huge risks and succeed in the end, creating a phenomenon that will last for a very long time. As Bronislava Nijinska, a famed early 20th century classical ballerina was quoted as saying, "We are born originals, we die copies".

This quote would be aptly true to many people in this world but in the case of the late Steve Jobs, he was born an original and he died as an original. There hardly can ever be another man quite remarkable as the late Steve Jobs, impacting and changing the world beyond anyone's imagination.

To the late Steve Jobs, this is what I have to say - Sir, although I have never been an Apple product fan, you still reach out to me in a profound way, i.e. through the animated feature films created by Pixar Animation Studios and for that I'm grateful to be a tiny part of it. I hope to be able to own one gadget your great creative genius mind had invented, and if I'm lucky enough, the whole line of the Apple products too. Many sincere thanks for reaching out to me in ways I could never have imagined would happen.

May you rest in peace, and may God Bless you and your family eternally.

Steve Jobs: February 24 1955 - October 5 2011 - Part 1

I am not an Apple products fan. My first encounter with a Macintosh PC was when I was in university back 1997 or 1998. I remembered one study module that required me to use the Macintosh PC for one whole semester; I think the study module was Marketing Research. This first encounter did not bode well with my initial impression of using an Apple product. I did try my very best to adapt to using the Macintosh PC but it was all in vain. I became and still am a hard core to the boot Windows OS PC user. I also did tell myself that I won't use an Apple product for the rest of my life.

During the time when I had to use the Macintosh computer, the late Steve Jobs then was at the start of his return phase to the Apple organisation. I guess Apple was not doing well financially as well as unable to introduce technological breakthroughs to the IT industry in Jobs' absence for that particular decade (1985 - 1996). Thus, the Macintosh PC I had used then in my personal opinion was of poor quality and lacked the finesse of Jobs' genius touch he had when creating products for Apple. My lousy experience using the Macintosh left a negative impression on me and reinforced my belief that the Windows OS PCs were the way to go where computer technology is concerned.

Fast forward to the present day when the news of Jobs' death reached me this past Thursday morning when I went online early in the morning. Apple Inc. has managed to do well in the last decade with the introduction of iPod, a digital music player in 2001. However, I was unaware of Jobs' maiden creative breakthrough since he returned to Apple Inc. to help revive the organisation's position in the IT industry. I supposed Apple products were not a big hit in Malaysia then, not to mention it was expensive to own an Apple product.

The launch of the first generation of iPhone in 2007 seemed to have cemented Apple Inc.'s reputation to be a stiff competitor to many, if not all mobile phone manufacturers. Not to mention other computing brands whose core business is selling the ubiquitous Microsoft OS PCs and laptops/notebooks are also facing increasingly stiff competition from Apple's iMac and Macbook. These computing manufacturers also jumped on the bandwagon in creating smart phones to compete with Apple's iPhone.

Apple products seemed to go from strength to strength after the iPod was released in 2001. Not to mention the very much improved line of iMac and Macbook computers. I guess the pinnacle of Apple Inc.'s runaway success would be the introduction of iPhone and iPad, changing the landscape of computer and mobile phone technologies for many years to come.