His cheeky dimpled grin belies the seriousness of this young architect and newly discovered artist. His corner art was discovered by curator, Zabas, of the current exhibition at Petronas Gallery “working title – by 12 emerging artists” . And would you believe it, he was discovered at the previous Art for Grabs event which was held sometime in the month of May this year.

I caught up with Fabian, because I seriously like his work and of course emmagem.com loves to promote all things and especially talents that are Malaysian. I first saw his works at the Art For Grabs event and bought a piece for myself entitled ROT-ATE.
So when I got wind that he would be among twelve exhibiting emerging artists, I inveigled an invitation to attend the opening to celebrate with him and his girlfriend, his “emergence”. (more…)

You’ve all seen the pictures of the EMMA House, well now meet the lady who designed it.

Considering the amount of recognition in the local architecture circle of “that concrete box house” in Bukit Damansara and being published in several international magazines like Elle Decoration Hong Kong, Architectural Digest Italy, Residence Jubilee Issue Amsterdam and Bolig Exclusive Denmark, means the diminutive and unassuming Lisa Foo is a giant of achievements. Just grazing her third decade, she has built her first house (as opposed to a firm’s) whence most architects may never see such a completion even after years in the business and already been published by her own accolades rather than of a firm’s, professionally this is no small feat.

She shops mostly overseas, in the children’s department, (did I not say diminutive), okay , maybe during her school days on a student budget but still, I am making a point that one should not be fooled because there is nothing tiny about her outlook and approach in life. I don’t want to use the word ambitious because I found what compels this person is not material wealth nor fame , but I would rather use the word “grandiose” because here is a person who believes in herself and her abilities and makes her vision come through without pomposity or imposition. She persuades, cajoles and perseveres especially when others tells her it is impossible until she gets the results she wants. She doesn’t believe in being anti-establishment as most creative individuals are wont to be because she believes people need support to get things done. She also believes in speaking up, doing sufficient research and showing people the reason to do something.

She wants to “save” the world, she is fluid about the future, because she is open to possibilities. She creates and pushes the envelope and unwittingly make her mark, she gives her all, “that concrete box house” was remarked upon by a senior architect “… designed as if it was the last work she would do…”), and Lisa admits, that is how she usually approaches things she is passionate about. In the case of EMMA House, she felt she had nothing to lose and she went all out. Amongst her many challenges, she persuaded a steel contractor to ** construct a steel staircase from a whole piece of steel, even though many might have reservation on the buildability. By constantly stretching her own imagination and changing the mind set of others, she usually takes others to a different level of achievement. The steel guy decided to take up the challenge and a staircase was created.

**Lisa …. The steel staircase was designed as a single sculptural piece in the living area and is made out of 2 tons of flat steel plate which was rolled to create a rounded bottom like a chute. Well, it is not the normal staircase you see in the house and hence, I had to hunt for the right sub-contractor who’s willing to construct it. I managed to find a steel contractor who’s also passionate about his work and willing to take on this challenge even though they have never seen or done anything like it in Malaysia.

Anything is possible, if there’s a will and you believe in it for the right reason….” (more…)

Hey readers and shop owners!:)
We have a question from a reader…

I’m a new mom and I dont have time to go shopping for dresses. Can you suggest me some sites (the list above is too many) where I can buy dresses suitable for office wear and with reasonable pricing?

Thank you a lot.

Regards, Rachel from Subang

So, any suggestions from the list on online shops in mofsd?

//EDITEDITEDIT your replies….:

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As a child, I remember being asked countless times what my ambition was. Being the typical Barbie- and TV-minded child, my answer would always defer at the repeat of the same question. Doctor? I had once absent-mindedly replied to an inquisitive grown-up, who broke into a wide grin upon my  answer “Good. You’ll earn lots of money.”

And so it was planted, the seed of wealth and riches, nurtured constantly by the adults in telling the young to save, study hard, do well in school, all for the greater good of your bank account later in life. All that nurturing has become hugely successful as more and more young adults reflect on how much their future jobs will bring them in returns before pursuing them.

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I am at the very tail-end of my study stint at university, and will walk away soon with a qualification many only dream of. This final stretch of my journey has also brought with it a spate of worries, mostly on my part, of job prospects, the quandary of whether to even work in the first place or continue studying, and obtaining finances to repay my Mount Everest of debt.

These last few months have not been easy. It is a time when I needed to be most self-assured, and have unwavering faith in my own capabilities and strengths; and yet, all this has seemed to desert me. I am now reduced to a blithering fool who is not only incredibly fickle-minded, but also a person who is no longer sure of what she wants to do.

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Picture courtesy of wagg66

Most of us spend at about a third of our entire life working, or at the office. That means seeing the same colleagues for at least 8 hours a day and 5 days a week. Hence, it is only normal if the office somehow turns into the modern day matchmaking agency.

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