My childhood days were spent in Subang Jaya, Selangor where I grew up with three younger siblings. I was a very active kid in school – the captain of the ‘blue house’ team at one point, I did a lot of running and was also selected to become the head prefect.
Looking back, I remember that as a student, achievement meant the world to me. I was so performance driven until Form Five when I set a bad example to the junior prefects because I didn’t score straight As (as expected of a head prefect). Although I still remained as the head prefect, I was disappointed with myself. I didn’t make the grade because I was in the Science Stream, which I chose to take up not out of interest but because of peer pressure.
As a result, I went through a brief period of depression and felt as if I’d lost my sense of identity. It almost felt as if at one moment I was popular because I was good in something and all of a sudden, everything came tumbling down.
That’s when I had a reality check and found God or as some people would say, God found me, and my faith changed. This was also when I realised that as a human being, we have our limitations. Hard work is important but I also accept and acknowledge that there is a greater power that loves me above everything else despite what I do and what I don’t do, and this was when I found a new meaning to life. I’m still performance driven but I’m proud to say that my motive is completely different.
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A Show of Hands
A Show of Hands
PUTTIN'ON THE SPRITZ
ONE WOMAN’S JOY CAN BE ANOTHER’S POISON BUT WHAT’S FOR CERTAIN IS THAT THE SAME SCENT MAY NOT SMELL ALIKE ON EVERY WOMAN. HERE ARE SOME CLASSIC FRAGRANCES THAT HAVE ENJOYED MORE THAN JUST A DAB SINCE THEIR LAUNCH MANY YEARS AGO, PLUS A SELECTION OF NEW SCENTS THAT POSSESS TIMELESS APPEAL.
You With The Good Hair
For those of us who have a healthy, full head of hair, we might not realise how much we take it for granted. But there are others out there who don’t, and they find comfort and strength in knowing that a hairpiece or wig is there to make them feel beautiful. Sarah hani jamil talks to hairstylist and founder of hair menu wigs, david shaw on how the hair plays a big role in boosting self-esteem.
Finding Symbiosis From Within
The rise of pre- and probiotics in skincare has resulted in a beauty revolution like no other as they support skin's microbiome with their healing and nurturing properties. Take this time of self-reflection to learn which microbes would work well with your skin.
STAYING ONE STEP AHEAD
AMIDST RUNNING HER OWN FASHION BRAND AND MANAGING MULTIPLE BUSINESS VENTURES, NOOR NEELOFA MOHD NOOR, OR POPULARLY KNOWN AS NEELOFA, ADDS ANOTHER FEATHER TO HER CAP – A COLLABORATION WITH INTERNATIONAL SHOE DESIGNER, GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI. SHE TELLS SARAH HANI JAMIL ALL ABOUT IT.
TRIPLE THREAT
TAKE A LOOK INTO THE LIVES OF THREE STRANGERS TURNED ‘BROTHERS’ WHO’VE TAKEN THE LOCAL FASHION INDUSTRY BY STORM WITH THEIR FRIENDSHIP AND CREATIVITY. THE TRIO ARE THE BRAINS BEHIND TOPBOI CITIZEN, A ONE-OF-AKIND MODELLING AGENCY THAT’S CELEBRATING ITS ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY THIS MONTH.
The joy of being an ambivert
IN PURSUING HER PASSION FOR ACTING, JASMINE SURAYA CHIN HAD TO OVERCOME MULTIPLE HURDLES TO MAKE A NAME FOR HERSELF IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. VASENTA SELVANAYAGAM REVEALS HOW THE BUBBLY ACTRESS’S WINNING PERSONALITY AND HER ABILITY TO ADAPT TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND SCENARIOS HELPED HER OVERCOME THESE OBSTACLES AT THE SNAP OF A FINGER.
MINI SIZE, MAXI IMPACT
THESE DAYS, THE SURE-FIRE WAY TO STAND OUT IN THE FASHION CROWD IS TO SPORT A VARIETY OF BAGS IN XS, AS YANG MEI LING DISCOVERS IN SINGAPORE RECENTLY.
IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER
ANNATASHA SAIFOL WEARS MANY HATS – SHE’S AN ACE PHOTOGRAPHER, SOUND ENGINEER AND PASTRY CHEF! HERE, THE INSPIRING 27-YEAR-OLD SHARES HER EXPERIENCE BEHIND THE LENS, FAVOURITE BEAUTY LOOKS AND VANITY MUST-HAVES.
CHAMPIONING GIRL POWER!
HER IDEA OF EMPOWERING WOMEN IS TO GIVE THEM A SOLID SUPPORT SYSTEM SO THAT THEY CAN GROW STRONG WHILE UPLIFTING AND ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER TO REALISE THEIR DREAMS. DEPUTY MINISTER OF WOMEN, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, HANNAH YEOH TELLS US WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO GIVE A BETTER AND BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR WOMEN IN MALAYSIA.
WINTER WELLNESS: 5 TIPS FOR PROTECTING YOUR Gut and Brain Health THIS NEW YEAR
This new year may look socially different than years past, and considering the added stress, limited sleep and typical holiday overindulgence most of us experienced last month, it’s even more necessary than usual to let our bodies recover and regenerate in this post-holiday season.
4 EXPERT TIPS FOR Men to Age Gracefully
We all want to believe that we get better with age, but growing older can often make a man feel more like a broken-down beater than a classic car. Luckily, it is possible to handle the process with strength and integrity. Try a modern approach to aging gracefully with these four steps,” says Dr. Spar.
A Crisis With No End in Sight
The opioid epidemic has worsened with Covid as overdoses reach new highs
“Take Two Kittens and Call Me In the Morning”
Can Cats Help Humans Be Healthier?
4 TIPS FOR IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH during quarantine
HEALTH NEWS & TIPS
Writers Confront Climate Crisis
Author and activist Toni Cade Bambara has said the role of the artist is “to make revolution irresistible.” So when Jenny Offill, author of the novels Dept. of Speculation (Knopf, 2014) and Weather (Knopf, 2020), heard about the work of Writers Rebel—the writers’ arm of Extinction Rebellion, an international activist group that works against climate change—she felt compelled to get involved.
Lift Your Own Spirits
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Eat to Keep Your Spirits Up
When it comes to staying motivated and keeping a positive outlook, diet can make all the difference.
Do You Need Stress?
“The ways and means are available to me...The only question to be asked then is: ‘How much discomfort am I willing to sit with before I invite the answer to be revealed?’”—Dale Jukes
The Duet
“Can you perform a hymn for us next week?” my pastor asked me after Sunday service.