#SSNC ~ Debora Teo Linang

I was browsing through the net one day looking up at some art works for inspiration when I stumbled upon her blog at :-
www.artworksbydeborateo.blogspot.com. From that day onwards, I have dreamt of her, painting for me someday. I love her work. Given a choice, I will never be able to choose which I like best. The first few paintings that stole my heart however, was the Kebaya & Rose series. Absolutely beautiful!

                                     Debora with one of her pieces meant for exhibition

My mom loves her paintings too!

I met up with her for the first time yesterday. I wanted to get to know the artist behind the paintings. Her creations moves me. I can't explain the feeling. It's like as if she's telling a story. Her life story. Her surroundings. The people she meets. The stuff that happens in everyday life. It could be me that she's painting about. It could be my life. It could be my story. We might have been strangers before, but her paintings had reached me, called out to me and connected, deep within my soul. There's a story waiting to be told behind each painting, it's like her very own personal diary and I for one, would love to get to know her better.  

                                                             Borneo Bulletin 

Lo and behold, guess what I found out? She is an ex Malaysia Airlines stewardess. It's a small world indeed :) She joined MH in 1991 and left a year or so later. No wonder I have never met her. As much as she had loved flying, she was homesick most of the time. She met her husband that year as well and so, she left and became a full time housewife. They have 2 beautiful children together. Both in their teens right now. A girl and a boy. The boy has somehow inherited her talent. Her daughter's pretty upset about that though. She sometimes asks her mom, whether she, is her biological child or not. Cute and funny. They are both overseas at the moment.

Debora's from Miri, Sarawak. She only started painting seriously when she got bored after having to move to Bintulu and didn't know anyone over there. A self taught artist. She creates from within. Life is her teacher. Her emotions transforms empty canvases into an array of beautiful colours that speaks volume and it was what helped her heal after her battle with breast cancer.

                                                           Cancer Survivor

It happened when she was 32. By then, she was already a mother of two. It obviously took a toll on her. Caught by surprise but not wanting to give up, she fought a brave fight. Her children were her pillars of strength. Her family and friends were the branches from the tree of life, that she reached out for and was given support. They were the roots that kept her grounded and the force behind her not wanting to give up. Her surgeon, Dr Mark Jeevan, was Godsend. He provided her and the family with all the right information and care needed. He introduced her to the right people and she got a chance to share her hopes and fears with other cancer survivors on a 1 to 1 basis, and that was what helped her to be in the right frame of mind. All in all, she went through a total of 8 cycles of chemo for a duration of 6 months. It wasn't pleasant to say the least, but she was determined to pull through. Overcome it she did and from then onwards, she hasn't looked back.

Painting became her full time passion. She is also actively involved in many cancer awareness programs, providing support and auctioning her paintings for their charity gala dinners. She has helped to set up a breast cancer awareness support group in Miri and also organize events for them. Her surgeon has now become a good friend and he is always, one of the first to be there for her. To express her gratitude, she presented him with THE TREE OF HOPE 11.

Labor of love. Presented to Dr Mark Jeevan as a symbol of gratitude ♥

Here's another version of it. If you look closer, you can see 5 important words written in between the branches & leaves :)

A poem for the tree of hope chosen by Debora :-

"Remember when you heard the words - and your mind went blank - you were in another world

God heals

Remember in your darkest hours - when all that surrounds you is pain and sorrow

God heals

Remember friends' prayers - your family's encouragement - glimmers of hope from everyday angels

God heals

Quiet...you can hear Him now - always there - yet never this close

God heals

It's just another day - yet everything has changed -and you hear yourself say

God heals

Birds are singing - the sky is a beautiful blue - flowers are blooming...

God heals

Truths that you knew as a child - awakened again with new understanding

God heals

Remember when others can't - that life is a gift - each day to treasure

God has healed

Yesterday is but a dream, and tomorrow is only a vision, but today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope."

-Anonymous


Here's a piece of hers under the Ballerina Series for Pink Ribbon - reach 2 recovery charity gala auction this September :)

        " The Show is over ". It depicts beauty & grace. Renewal, strength and perseverance...


Like I said, I couldn't for the life of me choose which painting of hers to share with all of you. I think, this snapshot below, will be one of the best way to showcase what Debora has to offer :)

                                                 Painting her dreams in colors :)


The pictures below were displayed in an Art Gallery once and the painting on the right which depicts Eve of Eden was the first one sold on opening day ~

                                    Swirls, circles and trees were once her inspiration :)

This is an oil painting of hers which she had stopped half way through 2 years ago and when her mood came back, she finished it in 15 minutes :)

      Hmm..what shall I paint today? Fyi ~ She had to google herself out of a creative block once :)


She spends most of her time getting inspired, with cups and cups of coffee to keep her awake ( she has absentmindedly dipped her brushes into many coffee cups since, hehe ) and music to keep her company. She currently enjoys listening to Birdy. For commissioned pieces, it can take up to a week to complete for she tries her best to express what her clients want, but if it is her own idea, it can be created within 14 hours. Once started, she can get lost in her world of colors for hours and hours only to come out once it's ready. Currently, she's working on the Metamorphose Series. The price of her paintings normally ranges from RM 500 - 3.5K

                                           Metamorphose 11 ~ Reserved 2013

                                 This was created by her during the crisis that hit Japan

                                                    The Punk cat series :)

Her sister's family

As light as feather, with each brush stroke, her emotions are transferred into something that pleases the eye and transformed into little blows of kisses that touches your heart and hugs your soul. 

                                                  Zetsubo ~ Private collection

* A little something that I have penned down especially for you Debora, after our meet, inspired by the painting above :-

As the furious wind punched her red cheeks and the cold white snow blinds her sight, freezes the tip of her nose till the end of her toes, she continues on. She reminds herself that shivering is good. It means that she is alive. Nothing can be worse than what she has gone through..Her body might ache but her will is as strong as ever..with that in mind, her heart stays warm :)

                                        Two of her paintings from the Geisha Series

                                        A Commissioned art work titled ~ FAMILY

The youngest out of 4 siblings, she's been painting professionally for the last 3 years now. Each step she takes, gets her closer to the unknown...

          This one reminds me of my blog titled Girlfriends are angels sent down from above :)

                                                                Buddha Series

                                                          White Dove Series

By the way, I asked Debora if there was anyone who loves her paintings to have a collection of them and she mentioned a good friend by the name of Serena Liew. A Sabahan legal practitioner who has bought more than enough to start a mini gallery of her own. A friend had introduced them years ago and she had since been a fan of Debora's work!

                                                 This was for Valentine's Day 

I like this one too. It reminds me of the times I used to cycle to school and the beautiful scenery that I saw along the way :)

                                                                Indu Ngajat

She'll be setting up a mini studio by year end. Currently she works from home and arranges for appointments to see her art pieces.

                     Debora with one of her Mother & child series inspired by Gustav Klimt

I enjoyed my little chat with Debora. We connected right from the start. It's good to find out that she is as beautiful inside and out as her paintings portrays. It was like meeting an old friend, totally unpretentious and full of understanding. I even had a chance to learn something new when I followed her to get her stock from the art & crafts shop at the Gardens :)

                          Her detailed artwork on the Kebaya pieces are absolutely stunning!

                                  The Red Satin inspired by a book she was reading :)

Commissioned work titled WATER

Oh yes! I'd love to continue dreaming of a happily ever after, loyal dog by your side gazing up at the moon thingy, holding hands scene with a loving someone by my side someday. Amen to that and thanks to Debora, I shall keep on believing while she continues painting :)

Please don't go away yet...Here are a few more links for you to get in touch with Debora if you'd like to own a piece of her * Art from the heart 

1) http://www.arts.com.my/portfolio/debora-teo

2) http://www.artmalaysiagroup.com/artist/detail/379/debora-teo

3) http://www.100plus-malaysianillustrators.com/debora-teo.html

 Hola! That's us saying goodbye for now and I am glad that you've enjoyed every minute of it :)

#SSNC ~ Me & My Punjabi Friend ( Ajit Pall Singh Sidhu )

The hardest person to get hold of. He asked me whether I'd be okay with a press kit and I'm like, SAY WHAT? He's either out of the country flying, Dj-ing, recording or performing. I assumed that he'd be happy that I was planning to write about him, instead he got all shy and freaked out. I found it funny. I have known Ajit for a few years now. The first time we flew together, it was a Kota Baru night stop and he was the one who freaked me out! Super direct, he asked me for my number straight away. I didn't know how to handle that. I was flattered but I wasn't used to such an approach especially from someone younger. I told him that I'll only give it to him if we ever get to fly together again..He agreed and said, " Well at least I tried. The shy ones will never get anywhere. " I had to admire his confidence. True enough, we did fly together again ~ A year later. Since I'm a woman of my word, I gave him my number and from then on, we have kept in touch over the years and I have watched him grow from a distance. He has a *reputation* to keep, haha especially among the girls..so I shall not divulge much on what a sweetheart he truly is ;) I promised that I'll keep it short and not too sweet!

First one up. Ajit & his niece. Btw, did you know that he spends quite an amount of quality time tutoring the little and not so little ones? :)

Tell us a little bit about yourself Ajit

Well, my name is Ajit Pall Singh Sidhu. Born in Kuala Lumpur on the 1st of Dec 1986 to Punjabi parents. My initial life was spent around Selangor, growing up in Taman Tun, Kelana Jaya, Pj, Selayang and then finally I shifted to Ipoh. My initial schooling was in Sri Inai Pj till I finished standard 5. After which I left to Ipoh and had to re-sit std 5 as I was under age to sit for UPSR. ( transferred from a Private school to a government school ). In Ipoh I grew up with my grandparents (paternal side). She took care of my food and welfare. My education was handled by my dad's sister. My parents divorced at that time and we siblings decided to stay with my grandma (known as dadi in punjabi). I studied at Cator Avenue Primary School and then Anderson Ipoh during my secondary years. I was a reasonably naughty child during my youth yet still loved by my teachers. ( I think so.. haha)... Played cricket for my school, Perak state U-15, U-18, U-21, Sukma and Open Category. I was eventually put under the listing to undergo selection for the Malaysian U-15 team but due to studies I didn't join. After finishing my secondary school, I came back to KL and did my A-Levels at Sunway College. Upon completing my A-Levels, I applied to join Malaysia Airlines and under the scholarship programme I got selected and was sent to Bankstown, Sydney to complete my PPL (Private Pilots License) and then finished my CPL( Commercial Pilots License) and ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot License) in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. After which, I joined MAS in May 2007 and till now I have been a part of the airline. Spending 3.5 years on the B737-400 and now presently just over a year on the A330-300 series.

When you think about your hometown, what's the first thing that comes to mind?

When I think about Ipoh, the first thing that comes to mind is the food. I mean who doesn't think about food when its IPOH!! haha. The variety of dishes that is available and the taste is beyond comparison. I definitely recommend the 'Ngah Choi Kai', (my all time favourite). Besides that, childhood memories are and will always be there. Good times.

Being quite the lover boy that most thinks he is, I had to ask him this question ~ Who's the greatest woman in your life?

Ajit & his grandma's eldest sister. His Dadi is camera shy :)

The greatest woman in my life... Hmmm I would not restrict it to one but 2 people. That would be my grandma (Dadi) and my aunt (Phua) from my dad's side. The way they guided me through my childhood in terms of health, education I couldn't ask for more. My grandma literally had to go through a second parenthood of getting up early at 5am to get me ready for school, iron my clothes, wash em, cook for me, feed me (yes she *fed me* till I was form 3, I was a fussy eater back then). I was considered my aunt's son as she never had a child and she used to cart me around for school, tuition, sit with me and teach me and made sure I was studying. Till today, since I'm staying alone, my grandma will cook and keep the dishes in the freezer so I can heat my meals when I feel like having em. and my aunt together with the maid will clean up my house. (They travel from Ipoh to KL together and they are 80 and 60 plus respectively) :))

                                    Ajit welcoming his brother in law into the family

                                                                               

Whom do you most look up to, Ajit?

Hmmm.... there are many people that can come to mind, but the person I really look up to is my dad. I know normally most people would say like 'Aahh thats the standard answer' but in my case yeah it is, my dad. Now why do I say so, well first off during my childhood days I used to remember my dad coming back from work (he too is a Pilot) and even though he is tired he would never hesitate to play sports with me and my sisters, take us for walks in the jungle etc.  Even my best childhood memory till today was the both of us playing Super Mario on my Nintendo. Haha. Besides that, he sacrificed his family and social life in Malaysia and everything else to educate me and my sisters when the 1996 share market bubble, burst. He lost a lot of money and had to leave Malaysia Airlines and Malaysia as he had been offered the Vice President post in Jet Airways which offered him a really good pay. With that sacrifice he left the country for over 17 years and would come down like once in 6 months. So it was hard for him and us as he could not spend that much time with us anymore. Without my dad doing that, my sisters and I wouldn't have had a proper education, be where and what we are today nor have a reasonable life of luxury, which till today I can never be thankful enough for it. He is a very hardworking man, (something which I haven't really inherited YET), always working and thinking of various business ideas. He is very classy, intelligent, stylish and looked upon by many. Last but not least, why I really look up to my dad is because he came from a poor family in Buntong, Ipoh. He worked and studied hard earning himself scholarships in school all the way till he got the job as a pilot and with his pilot's salary he brought his family out of poverty. My grandma will always tell me stories about my dad's childhood. I try to be half the man that he was and is but still find it difficult. Even though today we have slight differences over small things but I still enjoy my occasional dinner and drink sessions with my dad. :)

                                                              Father & Son :)

* By the way, I think Ajit's doing quite well following in his father's footsteps. Their dreams might be different but their goals are the same. I remember what a good son he is..his off days were spent helping his dad out at their office quite often too. I don't think many is aware of that.

                                He plays football with his team whenever he has the time


Was flying something you have always wanted to do?

Yes flying has always been my main ambition. Every time I used to go to the airport to receive my dad, and see his lifestyle I knew flying was the one thing I wanted to do. Especially when I once flew on his flight to USA when I was 6 years old on the B747-400. Oh that was the moment I knew what I wanted to become. Surprisingly my dad and family was not really supportive about it. My family and teachers encouraged me to do medicine, my dad wanted me to enter the world of finance, so I had my dad's brother send in my application quietly. Haha, dad wasn't too happy initially when he found out I got selected. Lol.


What is he up to nowadays? Well, besides flying, he Dj's, performs on stage as part of a duo, under the name of ME & MY PUNJABI FRIEND as well as owns a DJ academy called Premier DJ Academy :)

                                          He's the director of Prodigy Lab

His latest baby

                                                        Music runs through his veins

                                                       They call him Jiggyjit

                                                      PESSA was their first :)

                                                                  Here it is :)

Here are some of the rest :)

A world of difference, from a Pilot to a Hip Hop Star :)

               What a small world. This is where he met Uncle Vem! Jom Botak campaign :)

His latest performance ~ NAAM MALAYSIA released on the 30th of August by Prodigy Lab & DopeBoyzMusic! It's a wonderful unity song. Very Malaysian. You can check it out on youtube :)

#SSNC ~ Jemaimah Mustapha

                                    VIVA PALESTINA ~ Putrajaya with Jem & friends..

I met Jemma at a charity bazaar. ( Hot Air Balloon Siesta, Putrajaya ). I was the odd one out. I came by one day, volunteering my services to a bunch of strangers and a cause I wasn't familiar with. All I knew was, that I had nothing else better to do that day and since I had free time, might as well do something meaningful about it. A friend of a friend had recommended that I help out that day, but the funny part is, I never did get to meet her, as she couldn't make it at the very last minute. However, since I was already there, I decided to make myself useful. I remember stopping by at the booth, greeting them awkwardly and told them of my intentions. At first everyone was a little reserved. I requested for information. I had to know what I am getting myself into. Only then, will I be able to be of help. They immediately gave me a crash course on the plight of the people of Gaza and the next thing you know, I was walking with an empty transparent plastic box all over the festival area asking for donations. I had to do something. Since, not many were stopping by the booth to purchase the memorabilia, I went looking for them :) They sent a bodyguard in the form of a lovely Libran girl to keep me company but I think it was their way of keeping an eye on me, just incase I was a nutcase that might abscond with the money collected, hehe.. but I am sure that I had taught her a thing or two that day, from following me around in the hot sun. Asking for donations is easy but that is even hard for some. Getting one to donate willingly to a cause that they are not familiar with, is not. The stewardess in me kicked in. We came back with a box full of money and from then on, I must have won their hearts. Too bad that I wasn't able to assist more often due to logistics but I did enjoy my experience, kept in touch with them through FB and kept myself updated by reading Jemma's blog at  http://jem-jemslife.blogspot.com/. That's also when I got to know her better, admired her dedication towards the people of Palestine and envied her for her deep courage as well as passion for humanity. She's like the Angelina Jolie of my life :)

Children at the camp in South Lebanon. You can see their living conditions in the background

Here's what Jemma has to share with our readers about being a part of us :)

Looking back on my life that has mostly been spent in KL since moving here 20 years ago, I never thought I would get to where I am now and how much you can change as a person due to the people you meet and making home where your heart is. I may be born and bred in Britain for my early childhood but I believe making the decision to stay in KL during the years that define who you are (your 20s) was the best decision I made. In the last four years I became a humanitarian activist, joined different NGOs to create awareness and help those in need, especially with refugees and the Palestinian people, and became interested in politics. I got involved in all of this due to the attack on Gaza back in 2008/2009.  When I saw on live news coverage what was going on, it tore me up inside that I had to do something. A friend of mine gave me a leaflet about a local NGO that was a coalition of many NGOs trying to help the plight of the Palestinian people and started working with them. Through them and the people you meet, they have helped to mold me even more to the person I want to be and bring out the passion that can help push you through the days you feel helpless. Plus doing all my university studies here have truly been interesting and rewarding. A lot of people I meet always wonder why I chose to stay in KL instead of going back to the UK. I always reply it doesn't matter where you are. What matters is what you do with what you have learnt, especially from the people around you.

After our Putrajaya meet, I remember Jem telling me about her wanting to go to Lebanon to help out. Here's what she has to share about her experience over there... 

I've also had the privilege of going to Lebanon twice where I had the experience of meeting Palestinian refugees. There are no words to describe these refugee camps. What touched me though was the children who would walk beside you with big smiles on their faces wanting you to take photos of them and the grand-mothers who stopped you just to shake your hand and say thank you. Just someone from the outside community who wanted to know their story was enough to keep their spirit of never giving up. Their strength truly inspire me.

                               Children from one of the camps I visited in South Lebanon

I even had one of my dreams come true, which was to participate on a convoy to try and deliver much needed humanitarian aid to Gaza. Unfortunately due to political issues and lack of support, we were unable to get into Gaza but I made it a point to take as much as I could, including a brand new laptop and camera, books for the children and £500 to the CFTA NGO representative from Gaza in Egypt. It was a challenging time, especially when you are stuck in Jordan not knowing what is going to happen, but the people I met inspired me more to keep on going and I was very lucky to have one of my best friends to give me the support I really needed.

                                         Jem and the women of VP6 Convoy to Gaza

 Jem & her bestfriend with their van and the list of supporters who helped make the trip possible

                                               Her convoy family for 6 weeks

Life is one tough battle everyone has to face and I always feel guilty about complaining on what happens in my life when I am surrounded by those who have it worse. 

 Group photo of Jem with fellow activists and friends at a memorial site dedicated to those who had been killed by Israeli snipers during a peaceful demonstration at the border to create awareness about the Nakba. The youngest was an 8 year old.


Jem's truly a gem! I have secretly admired her over the years for that big heart of hers. She does things that I can only dream of. I travel the world for pleasure and most of the time for free, she on the other hand, travels halfway across the world to make a difference in a cause that she believes in without giving up hope on making sure that she gets the proper funding to get there. While most people her age would be out partying and having a good time, she chooses to educate herself, be where it matters most and share her love as well as time, with the ones who truly needs and deserves it best. That's how amazing she is!


This is her sharing her innermost feelings with us..It takes plenty of effort to stay positive, for being transparent and forever grateful. 

I lost my mother after her 21 year struggle with stage 4 ovarian cancer, just like others I know have lost their parents in different ways. I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, just like many others with more severe illnesses. But I believe through all the hardships that I have faced and seen, I was meant to be in this country.

                      Her wonderful mixed Eurasian family just before her dear mum passed on

                Passionate activists from different Malaysian NGOs who became her friends

HOME is where the heart is, Jem's thoughts ~

I have met so many courageous and inspiring people from all over the world that I would not have been able to, if I had not been here. But most importantly I have the most wonderful people in the world who are there with me every step of the challenging ways.

                                   Supporting Malaysian friends that supported the cause

                                                           Uni friends for life

                                 Wonderful Birthday Surprises With the Best of Friends

What Malaysia means to her..

 

                                              Jem with dad and her sister DD :)


This is the country that I finally fell in love with, when I was supposed to leave it for uni. I may not be a Malaysian citizen, but the half Malaysian blood that runs through me makes me know that I made the right choices, with a life with no regrets.