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SCBWI Malaysia Conference *
I never visited to Limkokwing University of Creative Technology before. I never have a reason to be there even if I wanted to. I might have a reason if Limkokwing existed 20 years ago. But today I went with a reason.
A reason to participate in a one-day conference organised by The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Malaysia with the kind sponsorship of Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Lim Kok Wing, the Founder and President of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. I was so happy to at least step my foot in the most prestigious international university. I hope there will be more SCBWI events there. ^__^
Before the conference started I got to meet blogger friends who responded to my calling the other day. They were Chahya, ET and her husband. Yoon See cannot make it as she was not well and I was hoping to see a silent reader but maybe she could not make it. I also met with Keats, the Sunshine girl, one of the Blog4ft participants.
The opening ceremony was launched by Limkokwing’s vice-president for International Development, Dr Jayles Yeoh on behalf of Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Lim Kok Wing who could not make it to the event. It was followed by introduction speech from the President of SCBWI, Linda Tan Lingard and later by Mentor of SCBWI, Pak Yusof Gajah.
The event was also attended by Iain Buchanan, the writer and illustrator of Fatimah’s Kampung, Peter Worthington, the writer of the Animal Adventures in Tipee Hipee Safari Park, Mama Gajah (Pak Yusof’s wife), fellow illustrators, publishers, writers as well as Limkokwing students. The event was emceed by Sarah Joan Mokhtar, the Vice President of SCBWI.
Talks and panel discussions were being held after lunch:
1.30-2.30 | Becoming a Children’s Book Writer and Illustrator, by Yusof Gajah, award-winning children’s book writer and illustrator.
2.30-3.30 | Panel Discussion: The Use of Illustrations in Malaysian Children’s Literature
It explored the current use of illustrations in Malaysian children’s Literature, areas for improvement, and looked at the part publishers, illustrators, educators, the government and the private sector can play in encouraging better illustrations.Moderated by: Sarah Joan Mokhtar, vice-president of SCBWI Malaysia and illustrator
Panel members: Yusof Gajah; Leowania Leow, editor and writer; Sireh Anuar, cartoonist and lecturer at University Multimedia.
From left: Sireh, Pak Yusof Gajah, Sarah Joan and Leowania Leow3.30-4.30 | Panel Discussion: The Importance of Local Literature for Our Children: Why and How? It explored why children need to see themselves and their experiences in the books they read, look at the part writers, illustrators and publishers, parents, and educators can play in bringing such literature into the lives of children.
Moderated by: Daphne Lee, writer, editor and StarMag columnist
Panel members: Chin Yew, artist and producer; Linda Tan Lingard, publisher of Oyez!Books.
From left: Linda Tan Lingard, Daphne Lee and Chin Yew
From left: Linda Tan Lingard, yours truly, Chahya, Mama Gajah and Sarah Joan Mokhtar
Some of my illustrations are being exhibited at the hall. I believe some of you have seen Sedna, the Eskimo girl. The “How the Frog Lost its Tails’ illustration I did for my portfolio with Yusof Gajah Lingard Literary Agency during a one-day workshop at Pak Yusof Gajah’s Studio was also shown:
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Moleskine vs PaperLuxe
I went sketch-book shopping yesterday at Kinokuniya KLCC. I was planning to go straight up the stairs to Page One looking for my favourite Moleskine sketch book but then I got stuck browsing the stationery area looking for options. I found one good sketch book by PaperLuxe (Model: Etcetra). It has cloth-bound cover with acid-free cream watercolor paper. What makes it more interesting is that the price is more than 50% cheaper than Moleskine! Moleskine sketch book ( 9 cm x 14cm) is selling at Rm89 while PaperLuxe (14.85cm x 21cm – A5) is RM43.80. I bought Paperluxe but felt guilty as if I betrayed Moleskine so I did went up to Page One looking for my favourite tempera sketch book as well as the watercolor journal but they are out of stock. Will go and find them at CZipLee, Bangsar.
Paperluxe Etcetra A5 Cloth Bound Cover with Perfect Bound Interior
I often have been asked where do I get my supply of sketch book in Kuala Lumpur and for those who are interested, below is the list:
Moleskine
- The Borders, Berjaya Time Square, KL (or Damansara Branch)
- The Tango Mango Gift Shop, 163 First Floor, The Curve Mutiara Damansara
- CzipLee, 39 & 41 Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
- Page One @ Kinokuniya, Level 4, Suria KLCC
As for Paperluxe sketch books, you can get them from Kinokuniya, Level 4, Suria KLCC and if I’m not mistaken, all MPH outlets. Not sure about Popular Bookstore. Will call them and update about this.
My collection of sketch books: bottom two – sketchbooks by Grandluxe, middle two – Moleskine, top three – my own handmade A6 hand-bound sketch books. I have more of the top given to Yassin. Sold some during KL Book Fair back in 2007.
I will blog about quality watercolor/acrylic pads and where to get them some other times.
Oh, do you want to peek inside my Moleskine tempera sketch book completed in 2008?
5,489 views todate.
Just click to play.
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Let’s make our city a better place to live
On October 8, 2009, Water, Green Technology and Power Minister, Datuk
Peter Chin Fa Kui has announced in Putrajaya that a campaign to ban the use of plastic bags will be implemented to conserve the environment and promote green technology. For a start, the campaign would be implemented at the ministry level before being expanded to shopping centers and eventually nationwide.The campaign, although still in the stage of being expanded to the shopping centers, stores and retail shops in Kuala Lumpur have already started promoting the ban of plastic bags. The ones I came across was Ikea and Body Shop, while shopping for Hari Raya. At Ikea, they charge 20 cent for one plastic bag to discourage customers from one-off use of carrier bags and help customers make an environmentally friendly choice. Ikea believes the move will cut total plastic bag use by 20 million next year. The last time I went, I carried a small handbag so I really had to buy a plastic bag but then later during another shopping session, I carry my own handmade tote bag.
As for Body Shop, the company has been Plastic Bag Free in all its stores since 1999. Their sales person will encourage us to bag the items we bought in our own bag. Should we really need a bag, we will be given a recycled paper bag which is made from chlorine free pulps, environmentally friendly inks and water based adhesives
Why ban plastic bags?
Plastic bags have made our lives easier in many ways but unfortunately, they are often not disposed of properly and foul our public spaces not to mention putting pressure on our already scarce Taman Beringin landfill. Furthermore, when released into the earth, the bags emit poisonous chemicals and utterly dangerous to all living things and the environment.What should we do?
Since the nationwide campaign has yet to kick off, maybe we can make an early online effort ourselves to help support the campaign to ban the use of plastic bags. Penang has started its campaign by going green every Monday.When?
Right now, this minute or as at 2.28am as I am writing this post ^_^. Anytime is a good time. (Yes, I am a night owl.)How?
Ditch the plastic bags; use recycled bag (cloth or canvas) when shopping as well as blog about the campaign.My effort?
I am doing my bit to support the campaign and am kicking it off personally by hosting a little giveaway, Emila’s Go Green Giveaway, to one lucky winner. But you need to do something really simple for me; leave a comment by discussing your idea on how are you going to support the campaign.The person who comes up with the best idea will win Emila’s Go Green Giveaway (a combination of my handmade tote bag and my Illustrated 2010 Calendar).Date of closing: 30 November 2009, 8pm. Anybody can enter this giveaway contest; that means locally and internationally.
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Power Over Cervical Cancer
I have been procrastinating for a pap smear test and after reading an article in The Sun, It’s Possible To Wipe Out Cervical Cancer (Source: BERNAMA) I realised that I really have to go and have myself tested for cervical cancer. According to consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar, “It is entirely possible to wipe out cervical cancer, if there are concerted efforts in screening and vaccination.” She pointed out that cervical cancer is preventable and if diagnosed early, also curable with the proper administration of the Organic CBD Nugs under the doctor’s prescription, unlike breast cancer. DocMJ marijuana doctors ensure that your qualifying conditions are understood and your needs are met with their recommendation.
The article also pointed to National Cancer Society of Malaysia where we can take Risk Test online. I followed the link and landed on Power Over Cervical Cancer website. I took the test.
Todate 521 women (that would be including me) have taken the online test. My result:
You’ve answered more of Yes or Don’t know
This means you have a higher risk to develop cervical cancer
Talk to your doctor to get a better understanding about your risks for cervical cancer.
As part of it’s Power Over Cervical Cancer Campaign, the National Cancer Society of Malaysia has launched Pink Mobile to make scheduled stops at the most popular spots in Klang Valley including Kuala Lumpur until December 12, 2009.
Below is the current schedule:
Wednesday
Date: 18th November 2009
Venue 1: KL City Center Drive Around, 4.00pm
Venue 2: Ladies Nite @ Twenty One Kitchen & Bar, 7.00pmThursday
Date: 19th November 2009
Venue 1: AMP Astro, Bukit Jalil, 10.00am – 2.00pm
Venue 2: Bukit Jalil LRT Station, 3.00pm – 6.00pmFriday
Date: 20th November 2009
Venue 1: Jalan Ampang (Ampang Park, Menara Citibank), 12.00 noon
Venue 2: Menara UOA, Jalan Kia Peng, 5.00pmSaturday
Date: 21st November 2009
Venue: Bangsar Shopping Center, 12.00 noon – 8.00pmSunday – Breakfast with POCC Pink Mobile
Date: 22nd November 2009
Venue: Taman Tasik Perdana, Tapak B, 7.00am – 3.00pmPlease, if you are near the stopovers, do make an effort to drop by and get yourself tested for the Risk Test.
Here’s a quick-facts sheet about Cervical Cancer:
Support the movement to beat cervical cancer. Use the Power Over Cervical Cancer logo or icons to tell your friends and all women about cervical cancer. Find out More About Cervical Cancer
And yes, I will go for a real Pap Smear test next week on Monday. I hope I am not too late.
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KL: A to Z on Fun Things To Do & Places To Visit With Kids {L}
Related links:
YMCA Toy Library (The Toy Library is open to all children but priority is for children with special needs)
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Yassin’s own space
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I need names
Remember about the SCBWI Conference I posted the other day? Well, the organiser, SCBWI, needs to confirm attendance so that they can prepare enough lunch for everybody. So far, I have one friend, Yoon See, coming with me. I need more friends, possibly those who love to know about being a children’s book writer or illustrator to attend the conference.
If you are interested please confirm your attendance by leaving your name in the comment box (or e-mail to me: emila@emilayusof.com), latest by 7am tomorrow so that I can submit to the organiser. The more the merrier! Thanks!
The details of the conference:
- Date : Fri, 20 November 2009
- Time : 10.30am-5.30pm
- Venue: Lim Kok Wing University of Creative Technology (LUCT), Cyberjaya
- Official launch by:Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing
- Who can attend: writers, illustrators, publishers, booksellers, educators and others for positive and mutually beneficial communications and interactions.
- Entrance: Free
