Q. I love your “Everyday People” column, it literally reminds me of the lyrics from the Sly & The Family Stone's classic “Everyday People” – “I am no better and neither are you, we’re all the same, whatever we do, You love me, you hate me. You know me and then. You can't figure out the bag I'm in”. What inspired you to start that interview project and what have you learned through these interviews with random people? Firstly, thanks so … [Read more...]
About Teh Chin Liang
Teh Chin Liang lives in Georgetown, Malaysia, a scenic island city which is also a UNESCO heritage site. As a travel enthusiast, he has extensively traveled to more than 30 countries over the course of 16 years. He is a book lover. His favorite pastime is finding a quiet oasis and tucking away with a good book and a pot of matcha tea. He is currently a Communications Manager at a multinational company. While working a full-time job, he tries to take time off whenever possible to travel the world. He is multilingual too; he speaks Mandarin, Hokkien (Chinese dialect), Malay, English and a little Spanish - hablo muy poco Español.
His future plans include starting a digital nomad career, self-publishing his own books, venturing into screenwriting and learning to swim (his only regret in life is he does not swim!).
A Beautiful Day in Kundasang, Sabah
My worn slippers scuffed against the rock-strewn path, crunching gravel and pebbles underneath the thin sole. The peak of Mount Kinabalu was clearly visible miles ahead of me. The horizon was painted in flaming red as the sun began to penetrate the mist and brighten up the sleepy green valley down below. A brisk morning stroll took me to a war memorial on a hill. Standing at the top of the staircase, I watched the quiet town slowly come to … [Read more...]
Fatspatrol (Fathima) Mohiuddin, Artist and Muralist
Q1. You started your art journey by painting on your bedroom walls when you were 13. Does art run in your family? Did you ever imagine that one day you’d taking your painting from your bedroom’s wall to a building’s wall? My brother and I are both artists. He was more of a natural showing real talent at a young age. As his younger sister, I kind of followed what he did. I read his comic books and copied drawings out of them and that started … [Read more...]
Jens Notroff, Archaeologist, Illustrator, and Science Communicator
Q. When you were a toddler, your dad brought you to a museum where you fell in love immediately with the artifact display. You were 5 years old at the time, what really piqued your interest when you saw the display and made you aspire to become an archeologist from that point onwards? What do you think parents and teachers nowadays should do to help children develop a love for the pre-historical human culture? I still remember those … [Read more...]
From the World’s Smallest Classroom to the Oscars – Interview with Pawo Choyning Dorji, Producer, Director and Writer of “Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom”, the Nominee for Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards
When I first contacted Pawo Choyning Dorji about two months ago, “Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom” - his directorial debut had been shortlisted for the Best International Feature in the 94th Academy Awards. He told me he did not expect the film could go this far to the Oscars. But, sometimes the most unexpected thing happens when you least expect it. Lunana was not only on the shortlist, it successfully made it through to the top five … [Read more...]
Landing in Paro, One of the World’s Most Dangerous Airports – Interview with Chhimi Dorji, Captain of Drukair
Q. Landing in Paro airport is different and way more challenging than landing in other airports due to the location of the airport in a valley surrounded by towering mountains, making it one of the most dangerous airports for landing in the world. What are the take-off and landing procedures? Indeed, flying in and out of the Paro Airport is such a thrill for pilots. I would term it as one of the most "demanding" as it requires the highest … [Read more...]
“Hiko in Tonga” – A Vanishing Culture of Women Jugglers in Tonga – Interview with Paprika Leaverton, Filmmaker, Professional Juggler and Entertainment Performer
Hiko is an ancient form of juggling in Tonga where women continuously toss tui tui nuts in the air. It is a game played only by women in this Polynesian nation and is on the verge of extinction. Paprika traveled to Tonga to capture this long-lost tradition on film. Recently, I had a chance to ask Paprika a few questions about this award-winning documentary. Q. How did you get into juggling, what drew you to juggling and what juggling does to … [Read more...]
Virginia Chan, Founder of Humid with a Chance of Fishballs
Q. You moved from Vancouver to Hong Kong in 2012 to join the corporate world. Vancouver is also known as “city of neighborhoods” with a sizable portion of Hong Kong immigrants. What do you see the similarities and differences between both cities in terms of culture, people and of course, local food? In terms of culture - I think Hong Kong tends to lean towards workaholic culture. Time is money, and everything runs at a faster pace here. If … [Read more...]
This British man builds an Eco lodge to promote environmental sustainability at the tip of Borneo – Interview with Howard Stanton, Founder of Tampat do Aman
Originally from Stratford-Upon-Avon, England, Howard first came to Sabah in 1995 as the pre-opening recreation manager of a new Shangri-La hotel in Sabah. He was there for 3 years and fell in love with the diversity of the state - mountain, jungle, stunning beaches and its awesome people “It was the gentle, humble and hospitable nature of the people that captivated me, such great people surrounded by such a beautiful natural environment. I … [Read more...]
Boyd McCleary, Former Governor of the British Virgin Islands
Boyd was the British High Commissioner to Malaysia when I worked as Contact Database Officer at the High Commissioner Kuala Lumpur in 2009. Despite his high- profile status and prominent role, there was never a barrier between him and the rest of the staff. He is a highly charismatic leader with a fun-loving sense of humor. He always dropped by our office and chatted us up, and the conversation always ended with a good hearty laugh. … [Read more...]
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