So what do you do on a typical Thursday morning? For me it’s hanging and gabbin’ with friends doing sweepers and voice sample recordings for the ultimate English radio station in Kota Kinabalu, Hitz.fm. Not very typical for sure, but oh-so-fun! Sure, it’s hard to say if either of us are looking at a life career in radio, but to offer our American, Canadian and Anglo-Americano-contaminated accents to the airwaves is something that we get a kick out of. Here’s hoping our pictures will inspire you to do something different today

We spend too much time living in the ‘what if’ and need to learn to live in the ‘what is.’ Rev. Leroy Allison

You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. – Wayne Gretzky

Above all, try something. – Franklin D. Roosevelt

What great thing would you attempt if you knew you could not fail? – Dr. Robert H. Schuller

If you recognize any of our voices in the coming days and weeks, do say hello at the comments section below! Also, please take a moment to like my Facebook page. I get a lot of free stuff and can’t use all of it, so I want to be able to share that with you!

Have a blessed day!

Did you pay a couple of Gs for your designer bag, only to bump into strangers carrying a knockoff replica that cost a few pesos? Stop crying victim and start being a hero! Take a look at KAYU. Their bags and sunglasses are not only the hottest things to wear and carry now, you’ll be helping make the world a much better place!

My friend Jamie has been creating these accessories of beauty, and setting the standard for ethical and ecological fashion. (P/S: She’s soooo inspiring!)

A CLUTCH TO KEEP YOUR STUFF, A SCHOOLBAG TO KEEP THEIR STUFF

Her designs are nature-inspired and she makes it a point to use materials that have the least impact on the earth. In everything that she does, she makes sure KAYU gives back to the community somehow. For every bag you buy, you’ll be giving a child one backpack and school supplies in Cambodia via Awareness Cambodia.

LOOKING GREAT IN BAMBOU STYLE

Moreover, for every pair of sunglasses you purchase, you will be giving 1 sight-restoring surgery to a visually impaired person via Unite for Sight.

BRILLIANT WAY TO RUN A SMALL BUSINESS

What I admire most about Jamie is that she’s weaved the do-gooding into her business, by ensuring that what they do have a measurable, direct impact on communities! I’m also extremely proud of all the international media coverage she’s been getting!

But don’t just hear it from someone who is proud of and drunk with admiration for Jamie. Read, hear and watch the buzz for yourself! Be sure to look for the pair of glasses that’s been named after one of our Sabah islands at her website. For more information on how to buy, please visit KayuDesign.com.

In this crazy world where looks, money and materialism rule the lives of many celebrities, I know one who has defied convention in favor of baring his heart and soul for humankind to see. Amir Yussof is a singer-songwriter who writes beautiful lyrics that inspire pensive reflection on the choices we make in life. His music speaks to those whose need for honesty come before superficiality.

If you’re in Kuala Lumpur this February 21st, go listen to him perform his Stories from the Heart at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, KLCC.

Amir will be performing original songs from three albums. He’ll be backed by Jamie Wilson, Alber Sirimal and Badar, as they fuse the genres of Latin, folk, blues, country and reggae in an intimate yet relaxed evening with an emphasis on harmonies and lyrical delivery.

Early bird prices are RM38 and all seats are only RM48! Book now to avoid disappointment!

For more information, visit his website at AmirYussof.com

Breeze Magazine is in the mood for love! Under the new stewardship of Dinoza Mahruf, the magazine will get a new breath of life, starting with sharing love and good fortune with you. In the upcoming issue, they will be featuring cover personalities Mei Wong and her fiancé JJ Jet.

Just last week, Breeze shot a beautiful set of pictures of the young power couple. With purpose and heart at the forefront of what they do on a day-to-day basis, Mei and Jet complement each other perfectly. Theirs is a love that is the envy of many. The kind that is founded on solid friendship, with sweet romance that can be felt a mile away.

You get the feeling they rarely have to try that hard to make each other happy, and that in spite of their busy careers they somehow manage to always have “we” time.

“We actually met when we were kids, but didn’t know that. Our parents know each other,” says Mei. According to her, they were introduced by mutual friends during the time when Jet came back from China for a holiday. When he moved back to KK after graduation, they began to date seriously.

Mei just opened a new cupcake shop in Lintas called Boutique Cupcakes. Jet on the other hand is a Freelance Interior Designer who is in the process of forming his new company.

So wonderful is their symbiotic dynamic that they worked on the cupcake store project together, creating a quaint little store where KK-siders can enjoy over tea and cupcakes. Jet designed the interior of the store while Mei managed the setting up of it. They specialize in bespoke designs, think personalized cupcakes for your wedding or corporate function. (More information on Boutique Cupcakes).

With all that is on Mei’s plate at the moment, she has also taken the initiative to organize KK Twestival Local 2011, a global social media charity event that will happen on 24th March 2011. Rumor has it that she will be talking a little about her plans for this year’s Twestival on the February issue. So do pick up a copy to read about their sweet story if you live in Sabah!

Sometimes being talented is not enough. You have to be 4 times as talented as yourself to make a music video. Thankfully, current-day audio and video technology can satisfy this requirement. Here’s Jinx Chin (times 5) singing Michael Buble on YouTube for you. Ladies, he really hasn’t met you yet and seems keen to, so give him a chance! Visit his website at http://www.jinxchin.com

Some of the finest men in Kota Kinabalu speak out to other men about domestic violence.

Every now and again, I come across a beautiful soul, and Indie singer-songwriter Jonathan Tse is one such person.

While most pop music focuses on selling desperation, materialism and sex, Jonathan writes his music using a different set of values; one that is divinely inspired by faith, love and hope.

Last Saturday, the talented pop-jazzer from Labuan launched his second album entitled “I’m Alive” at City Mall, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

I only managed to catch the tail-end of the performance, enough to take a few pictures but not enough to report on the performance program. Nevertheless, I got there in time to buy a CD and t-shirt and have been enjoying the tunes all day.

Jonathan is and have always been incredibly supportive of locally-bred talents. In addition to the “My Story” showcase he organizes to give local musicians exposure, he uses his own media opportunities to let other musicians piggyback on the public exposure. For his album launch, he invited Atama and Alvin to perform with him.

WHY YOU SHOULD SUPPORT THE LOCAL MUSIC SCENE IN SABAH

Even though I’ve been blessed with global exposure, all my big dreams were nurtured right at home in Sabah. This is why I believe in supporting Sabahans doing great things! In spite of our humble roots, we can go much further when our own community supports us. Everybody wins when a Malaysian makes it to the International center stage and this is why you guys should buy Jonathan’s CD!

Moreover, Mia Palencia, better known as Malaysia’s Jazz crooning queen sings a duet with him on the last track of his album. You know it’s good stuff if Mia puts her name on a track!

WHERE TO GET THE ALBUM

The album can be purchased online from Amazon.com and iTunes. In Malaysia, it can be found at SPEEDY stores and most Christian bookstores in Kota Kinabalu.

THE I’M ALIVE MUSIC VIDEO
Check out the “I’m Alive” music video here!

For more information on Jonathan Tse, his upcoming shows, and to listen to sample tracks from his new album, visit jonathantse.com

Do you love the variety of things at ConsFood but can’t be bothered to deal with the parking problem in Damai? To all the foodies, bakers, housewives and expats of Kota Kinabalu, behold the spanking new ConsFood concept store at Jalan Tuaran!

Located just near the entrance to Taman Yakim Jaya (across the street from Tai Seng Supermarket, on the other side of Jalan Tuaran), the brand new 5-in-one ConsFood Concept Store features a Cold Storage, Baking Ingredients section, Chocolate and Patisseries section, Bread Bakery, and a Cafe that serves hot food.

I had a chat with the owner of the establishment two weeks ago and here’s an overview of what’s on offer.

Cold Storage
A selection of imported cheeses, cold cuts, milk, cream, nuts, dried fruits, a range of international condiments, fresh vegetables, imported frozen meats (Aussie beef and lamb), fresh poultry, frozen foods and more. This is a halal food market without pork.

Bakery Ingredients
Various types of flours, ingredients and cake decorations for commercial and domestic use just like the one in Damai.

Chocolate and Patisseries
The Chocolate and Patisseries section is a nice little place to escape from the scorching heat for some coffee and cakes. There’s wifi there, so it makes a great place for folks to have business meetings. You can get cakes to go and also order bespoke cakes for weddings and special occasions.

Bakery
The bread bakery section carries Asian-style breads, buns and European crusty breads that are baked fresh daily. I’ve yet to try their European breads, so the jury is still out on that one but it’s great for KK to have another alternative to the Hyatt bakery as far as Western breads go.

Cafe
At the corner, there’s a cafe that serves gourmet sandwiches, hot foods and ice cream. The owner mentioned that they will be serving their own brand of gourmet ice cream so keep an eye out for that.

ConsFood officially opened on 15th August 2010, so if you happen to pass by Mile 2 1/2 of Jalan Tuaran, do check them out. They are open from 9am to 9pm daily.

As much as there is so much to be fixed in Kota Kinabalu, I’m very proud to say that DBKK is going forward in the right direction by launching the ‘No Plastic Bag on Monday‘ Campaign.

Today is the official kick-off date, and participating stores which include Parkson, 7-Eleven, Tong Hing Supermarket, Giant hypermarket, Milimewa, Southern Bakery and Popular Bookstore will not be giving out free plastic bags to shoppers at the checkout counter for free.

If you are shopping today without your own bag or basket in any of the stores above, you will be charged 20 cents per plastic bag. Those proceeds will go to fund environmental and cleanliness projects by DBKK and the Enviromental Action Centre (EAC) around the city.

But why stop today? Say no to plastic bags everyday! I guarantee you it’s a much sexier look and you’ll be kind to the earth and all who inhabit it.

So bring your reusable bags to the supermarket today!

If you want a reason to get off your couch, now is the time. The Sutera Harbour 7k Sunset Charity Run is just around the corner. Whether you are going to do it for charity, health and/or fun, this is the hottest active event to go to in Kota Kinabalu! With 10,000 people expected to participate, it’s the ideal event to show off your muscles to a band of screaming kids or prove to yourself that you can hit the distance with the grannies!

The best part of all is that you’ll help raise funds for the Sabah Thalassaemia Society and Special Olympics Sabah.

The run will be held on Saturday 10th July 2010. Registration costs RM25 for adults and  RM 15 for children (comes with a t-shirt). For more details on the run and where to register, visit the Sutera Harbour website. See you there!