EVENTS

  • Kota Buku,  local events

    Kota Buku donates paintings for School-in-Hospital (SDH)

    Remember that I paint something during Children’s Literature Festival last year?

    Yesterday I saw it being handed officially by Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah to Deputy Prime Minister’s wife, Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, who is the patron of ‘Hati Nurani’ project.

    kotabuku
    My painting at its 5 minutes of fame. Standing on the left of painting: YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Asiah binti Abu Samah, Kota Buku Chairman; middle: YBhg. Puan Sri Hajah Noorainee binti Abdul Rahman, DPM’s wife and right; DYMM Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah. Also present to witness was Dr. Haji Awang bin Sariyan, Director General, DBP (in blue batik).

    For your information, The SDH, carried out in collaboration with the Education and Health Ministries, was inspired by the Deputy Prime Minister’s wife, Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman. The project is aimed at providing formal education to students and children treated at hospitals.

    Raja Zarith Sofiah who has authored several children’s books, including Puteri Gunung Ledang will be the patron for future children’s literature activities organised by Kota Buku and DBP.

    A total of 10 paintings (out of 30; including mine) painted during Children’s Literature Festival, University of Malaya (UM) were donated to SDH during Prize giving ceremony of ‘Peraduan Mengarang Buku Bergambar Kanak-kanak 2012’ organised by Kota Buku and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka yesterday at Prince Hotel, KL.

    Here is me and friends during the event:

    kootabuku1
    From left: Nur Nadia, Ida Sri Sulo, moi and Kak Alimah Salam.

    P1060430
    From left; Nur Nadia, moi, Huda XD, Syakirin Saharom, Mustakim Ismail and Ajiq Mhz. The latter 4 are architecture students , UM. They also participated in the painting project and their paintings were amongst the selected ones.

  • EVENTS,  world events

    Featured illustrations at AFCC, Singapore

    This year, Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC), is featuring Malaysia as the country of focus and it was such an honour for me to be given the chance to illustrate for them. I sent them some of the ready ones from my A to Z: Things that Boys and Girls Like to Do and some new ones illustrated just for the event.

    AFCC illo

    As a children book’s writer and illustrator, I want to be involved in as many events as I can; around the world. This will help me further promote my books and illustrations. I have a very BIG dream; and that’s to be one of world’s renown illustrators in the industry. For this year, I am travelling to Singapore and Abu Dhabi to promote myself.

    So what is AFCC is all about? AFCC brings together content creators and producers with parents, teachers, librarians, and anyone interested in quality Asian content for children.

    With a mix of professional conferences, masterclasses and workshops, rights fair and media mart, and public events, AFCC is a unique and popular event right here in Asia that provides an opportunity for writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, agents, distributors, parents, children, teachers, and librarians to meet, learn, develop their craft, and discover business opportunities.

    The National Book Development Council of Singapore has been organising the highly popular Asian Children’s Writers & Illustrators Conference for the past ten years. Leveraging on its success, the conference was expanded to form AFCC which has emerged as a very popular professional and trade event since 2010.

    AFCC impacts 1.5 billion children in Asia as well as their parents, professionals, and businesses involved in their development.

    To join the conference,  more information can be obtained here: AFCC.

     

  • local events,  MITBCA

    Vote for me and my friends too in MITBCA

    As you all know, I blogged about this last week to seek your help for votes. I have gained 447 to date. Thank you so much for the overwhelming response. I am truly thankful for the time you spent to login and vote.

    MITBCA2013

    The voting will end 22nd February and you can still vote if you like. One FB account for one vote per category.

    How to vote?
    1. Go to MITBCA website
    2. Login with Facebook
    3. Look for Tourism Lifestyle Blog category
    4. Look for emilayusof.com
    5. Click vote button and button will turn to red.

    My friends are also in the running to win awards, so if you could click on other categories as well, that will be great! Here are the list:

    1. RambleandWander.com or Azreenchan.com in Tourism Photography / Art Blog
    2. lilyrianitravelholic.blogspot.com in Micro Blogger of the Year
    3. DanArif.com or TravelChameleon.net in Tourism Blog of the Year
    4. blog.malaysia-asia.my or seduniatravel.com/blog in Social Media Tourism Blog of the year
    5. DocGelo.com in Expat MM2H Blog
    6. Fivefeetflat.net or adameben.blogspot.com in Tourism Cultural Blog

    Thank you so much for your time and votes!

     

  • local events,  MITBCA

    Vote for me for MITBCA Tourism Lifestyle Blog 2013

    I am nominated for the category again this year by someone anonymous. Thank you so much to whoever that is! Truly appreciate the faith to see my blog be one of the nominees for this category. I won this award last year and if you think that I should be in the reign, do vote for me.

    How to vote?
    1. Go to MITBCA website
    2. Login with Facebook
    3. Look for Tourism Lifestyle Blog category
    4. Look for emilayusof.com
    5. Click vote button and button will turn to red.

    That’s it. So easy. Thank you in advance for your votes!

    mitbca

     

    About MITBCA | Since the debut of the Malaysia International Tourism Bloggers Conference & Awards in 2012 which rewarded some of the world’s most accomplished Travel-Social Media Bloggers, MITBCA 2013 is set to spin this year’s event with a more exciting approach, leaving others to admire and emulate upon.

    MITBCA2013

    Malaysia has set its pace to be on the forefront of reach into social media. Undeniably, there is a definitive difference between monitoring our brand in social media and using traditional methodologies in reaching out to build on tourism numbers. Travel is certainly a very hot topic across all social media channels and is one of the top three online topics of discussion and engagement. It surely encourages new network build up, new clientele bases and new innovative ideas being put across.

    Such rapid movement of social media in travel and leisure industry was the basis of the conceptualization of the Malaysia International Tourism Bloggers Conference & Awards 2013 (MITBCA2013), organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia. The Awards aim to encourage and honour the tourism bloggers across the globe for extensively promoting Tourism in Malaysia. After the nominations, voting and campaigning processes, the finale would be in Kuala Lumpur on 5th – 6th March 2013 and the nation will honour the best of the best in social media tourism.

    Awards | The Tourism Bloggers Awards are designed for Individuals, Travel & Tourism companies and Organizations related to tourism to highlight their achievement in the social media space with respect to tourism. International blogger nominees should be travel bloggers who blog about tourism, tourist spots and also share Malaysia in some way or the other.

    Categories are:

    1. Malaysia International Tourism Fashion Blog

    2. Malaysia International Tourism Entertainment Blog

    3. Malaysia International Fabulous Food 1Malaysia Blog

    4. Malaysia International Tourism Lifestyle Blog

    5. Malaysia International Tourism Photography / Art Blog

    6. Malaysia International Tourism Micro Blogger of the Year

    7. Malaysia International Tourism Travel Blog

    8. Malaysia International Tourism Blog of the Year

    9. Malaysia International Expat MM2H Blog

    10. Malaysia International Eco Tourism Blog

    11. Malaysia International Tourism Shopping Blog

    12. Malaysia International Homestay Blog

    13. Malaysia International Tourism Destination Blog

    14. Malaysia International Social Media Tourism Blog of the year

    15. Malaysia International Tourism Vlog of the Year

    16. Malaysia International Tourism Cultural Blog

    17. Malaysia International Tourism Healtcare Blog

  • BOOKS,  food,  local events

    A Perennial Feast by YTL Hotels

    YTL Hotels, in remaining true to its philosophy of crafting inspired experiences, unveiled it’s much anticipated coffee table book, A Perennial Feast, at Starhill Culinary Studio, Starhill Gallery, Kuala Lumpur.

    A Perennial FeastA Perennial Feast. The beautiful cover features the Cameron Highland tea plantation as a backdrop.

    The book was launched yesterday by Dato’ Yeoh Soo Min, Executive Director of YTL Corporation with the presence of the writer, Kim Inglis, A British writer and one of the best book editors the UK ever had, now based in Singapore.

    launchDato’ Yeoh Soo Min and Kim Inglis.

    Written by Kim Inglis and published by Talisman Publishing, A Perennial Feast delves into a variety of cuisines and cultures from Malaysia and Southeast Asia into China, Japan and Europe while featuring some of the world’s finest resorts and luxurious destinations from YTL Hotels.

    Beginning in Malaysia, the heart and home of of YTL group, this book showcases both island resorts and city heritage hotels and restaurants, all the while giving an overview of Malay cuisine. Recipes of traditional Malay fare are combined with some East meets West fusion food and some innovative seafood dishes. The book then branches further afield into the snowy landscapes of Hokkaido and the cityscape of modern Shanghai, exploring both recipes and cuisines from Japan and China. Sections on England, Bali, Thailand and France follow – all showcasing iconic properties in stunning full-colour photography by Danish photographer, Jacob Termansen.

    Foodies will savour the finest in gastronomy with sustainable ingredients and preparations from simple to complex, natural to exuberant. At-home chefs will find the carefully researched signature dishes easy to recreate in their kitchens. All in all, this book is a veritable feast for the eyes and palette – and will delight those interested in culinary adventure. Each cuisine is described in detail and the highlights of the various restaurants are outlined. There are starters, soups, a selection of main courses, and desserts – from all corners of the globe – and a variety of drinks that harness ingredients, tastes, and textures from many different sources.

    Now that I own A Perennial Feast, I will find time to ‘travel’ and cook in the comfort of my own home. I don’t often cook but it’ll be a challenge to try a recent favourite, a Steamed Fillet of Saltwater Barramundi served with bird’s eye chilli, roasted baby eggplant and pumpkin sauce, that I got to taste after the launching of the book.

    Steamed FilletSimply delicious! Takes me right away to Fisherman’s Cove, overlooking the seafront of Pangkor Laut Resort. OK, I have never been to this resort but at least this cuisine takes me there.

    Here are more photos from my international culinary journey through a four-course artful dinner at the private Third Floor Gallery located at JW Marriot Kuala Lumpur. Led by Chef Wai, chefs from various restaurants of YTL Hotels came together to prepare the dinner.

    YTL Hotels' chefsYTL Hotels’ chefs.

    My-dedicated-tableMy dedicated table.

     Stir-fried-prawnAmuse Bouche of Snow White Dancing Prawns from Shook! Kuala Lumpur.

    Chef-TommyChef Tommy from Japan preparing our next cuisine.

    Soft-Shell-MakiSoft Shell Maki and Kaki Agebonoyaki from Gonbei San, Japan.

    Pressed-Chicken-SauteMain Courses served on a plate: Pressed Chicken Saute and Steamed Fillet of Saltwater Barramundi from Fisherman’s Cove, PangkorLaut.

    dessertGariguette Strawberries from Muse Saint Tropez to conclude the night.

    These delicious cuisines and many more in A Perennial Feast, which is available at Kinokuniya, Borders, MPH Bookstores, Times the Bookshop and WH Smith at the price of RM125 per copy. Go get yours today and create YTL Hotels’ dinner or lunch in your own home. Alternatively, you can travel to one of YTL’s exotic hotels or restaurants as you’ll get a real gastronomic experience with the original settings.

  • Kuala Lumpur,  local events

    Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur Grand Opening

    A new chapter in the history of The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur is being written yesterday (8 December 2012), signalling not just a rebirth but heralding a second renaissance. Clad in deep history since 1932, the colonial heritage building has been meticulously restored as YTL Classic Hotel.


    Image credit: The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

    Regarded as one of the great hotels of Asia in its heyday, Hotel Majestic was once a prestigious landmark in Kuala Lumpur akin to the likes of London’s Dorchester, Hong Kong’s Peninsular, Singapore’s Raffles, New York’s Waldorf Astoria and Paris’ George V. The hotel was an icon of Malaya’s boom years leading to World War II and came to be the place for glamorous social events, government receptions and the residence for prominent international visitors.

    The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur includes the original Hotel Majestic which is documented as a national heritage site under the Malaysian Antiquities Act. time. The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur is positioned to share the glamour, heritage and success of its predecessor as a YTL Classic Hotel.

    The fine luxury hotel at Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin now features 300 plush rooms. The Majestic Wing consists of the original building with 47 classical suites, while the Tower Wing which complements it, features 253 luxurious rooms and suites.


    Poolside, Tower Wing, The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

    In his opening speech yesterday, Dato’ Mark Yeoh, Executive Director of YTL Hotels said that YTL is confident that the rebirth of the hotel will see it flourish once again, reclaiming its place as one of Asia’s finest properties. Speaking right after his brother, Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr) Francis Yeoh hopes that the hotel will help to reaffirm Kuala Lumpur’s status as one truly great international city.


    Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr) Francis Yeoh.

    The glorious opening of The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur was celebrated by a performance of American jazz singer and pianist, Freddy Cole (and his Quartet). Freddy showed his dexterity in rendering remarkable songs like “I’m not my Brother, I’m Me”, “Pretend” and “I Love You”.


    Freddy Cole Quartet.

     Here is moi with blogger BFF buddy, LadyJava.