Disneyland

As a little girl, one will never forget her first encounter with a Disney Princess. Even long after they're all grown up, they would continue to pass along their love for these so-called-heroins-in-the-little-girl's-eyes, to their own sibling or even friends. Don't believe me? Try it! I bet not even one would not be able to answer :)

Let's see, at first glance, who could actually name all these 8 most significant Princesses that make up Walt Disney's most talk about 'Disney Princess', in less than a minute? and how many have you watched? How many times?

If you're a hardcore Disney fan, you'd probably already figured out by now that they all feature the same plot attributes - Fairytales, Fantasy, Romance, Royalty and Transformation. *Yawns* It amazes me how it is still able to attract large audience's attention though! Even their character traits run on a parallel basis - Grace, kindness, loyalty, modesty, inner and outer beauty, honesty and fairness which make them appealing and define them as beloved role models. If you're not a hardcore fan, well at least you'd still know that it's always a "happily ever after" ending.

I used to be one of those uncontrollable Disney fanatic that if you gave me a Disney music to listen to or a Disney movie to watch, I'd be so motivated, it's beyond acceptable! My parents never understood it and they always tried to figure out where things went wrong when my mum had me. Hmmph... To say that they watched cartoons when my mum was pregnant, they were too busy being workaholics. Nahhh.

I personally think that it's not childish nor wrong to love Disney. Unfortunately, this only happen to (majority) the female species. Guys would often think "ewwww, (Disney Princess) that's just so girlish and (Disney in general) they're for kids. I love transformers. It's way cooler!" or "gosh, all they do is sing! I might as well go and watch a musical". FYI, Little Mermaid won awards for Best Scores and Best Song. Beat that! Or in general, they just feel awkward having been associated with Disney.

What many fail to realize is the real beauty of each and every one of the movies - the positive key points and/or moral values that are packaged into each specific movie. Even when they sing those songs, they're not just songs. Listen to them carefully and you'll understand how it is related to the story and it's plot. It might just have an advice or two between the lyrics.

Belle. Ariel. Jasmine. Chances are, you know all these names. From Snow White in 1937 to Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty that became girls' favourite Princesses between 1950-1959. Then came Ariel from Little Mermaid a year after I was born and it moved on to Belle from Beauty and the Beast in 1991. Jasmine, Pocahontas and Mulan followed soon after. All with the same plots, same characteristics.

More than 10 years down the line, BOOM! The Disney royal court unveiled it's first black princess, different from the rest, oh Tiana. The Princess and the Frog was a contemporary fairytale, it was more relatable as compared to a mermaid under the sea. However, it was no less enchanting. I was honoured to be invited to watch the premiere with lil miss best friend although not long after, she suffered the 'Alia's high on Disney, she won't stop talking and smiling' fever. Poor girl. She must have hated me for that few hours :P hehe...

Same goes for last night, when Aiman got Sya and I tickets to watch Rapunzel, on the second day after it was released. Boy oh boy, I was so excited eversince office hours started that I was so determined to finish up my work to make sure I make it in time to watch it - every single minute including all the trailers before the movie, just in case I might miss a minute of it. So, through out dinner, nothing much actually went into my mouth but all that came out from my mouth was "OMG, I'm so excited to watch Rapunzel!". I wasn't even hungry. So I ended up watching the two siblings eat whilst they debated on how the original Rapunzel story was plotted. They had two different stories. haha!

Well one thing's for sure, the three of us came out of the movie happy! It was an awesome movie, hillariously funny, light heartedly plotted (and improvised mind you), greatly animated and makes up an excellent movie to end a stressful and hectic working week for us. We all agreed. Up to the point where Sya and I slept late looking for soundtracks (Aiman already in Disneyland dreamland by then) and we even woke up feeling happy this morning. Not silly-suddenly happy, but positively-satisfied-good-vibes happy.

I know some Princesses don't really make the cut, but they're just equally awesome. MUST watch Tinker Bell and Giselle from Enchanted! :) The songs in there would probably supply you a week of positive vibes and motivation, I swear.

Ok, actually, I cannot really justify my last statement there, but you get what I mean. Just go watch it already ok? You'll understand what I mean afterwards. For the record, I've watched all of them. Each one of them more than crazy-numbers-that-shall-not-be-mentioned times. Except for Rapunzel. I think I might just watch it again to start keeping on track with the others that I've watched :P

Disney Princess has now come to a new level with 10 Princesses! 

Ok, now I sound like a 10 year old little girl. *Picks up the Business Magazine to reverse the effect* 

Contented

My God, this week has been full-blast crazy, I couldn't even find time to write.

Everyday it's either I'll be too tired to get up to the laptop to write once I get home, or I'll just fall asleep in my work clothes. The latter being the least favourtie of course! Eewww.

Anyway, on Monday we successfully executed the CIMB Inaugural Badminton Tournament 2010, and I must say the spirit that everybody put in was amazing! I get really motivated when seeing the strength of team bond at it's strongest. I never knew deep down some of them are true sportsperson when placed in courts. I myself had 6 games to play on Monday, let's just say I did not too bad, but I died when up against our CIMB SEA Games player. Whilst I was running like a headless chicken, she stood calm in her court sparring with me like I'm a true beginner. Yes, she was that damn good.

Well, one thing I personally loved about this was the fact that our CEO and Deputy CEO came down to support and even played as well. The team spirit was excellent, and to think that when I just joined, having a tournament was the last thing in our mind. Now it's gonna be an annual event, InsyaAllah :)

Then came audition for Dreamgirls that started this week and lasted through till Friday. Another WOW there with so many talents coming up to perform on stage. It's amazing to see these hidden talents that we Malaysians have actually, and all they needed was just a platform to show it to the world. Just one platform. One platform that is welcoming and open to all talents :)

Then the build up to one of the biggest meeting for the firm, doing our safekeeping and tracking our position and goals and the whole adrenaline rush that multipled as Petronas Chemical IPO listing came closer. The YCM chores in between and keeping up at work. I'm happy I even got through this week!

However, nothing beats the happiness of securing new deals. Two new deals secured this week and I'm beyond motivated to work :)  Alhamdulillah.

A break from work

would not have been better than this. 

An excellent company. Good food. The EDGE. 

Usually, it's either we ignore each other by doing this

or this

But today was a little different. We paid attention. I can assure you she yawned no less than 5 times whilst we were having breakfast. Earlier yesterday, we were so ambitious to make it for breakfast at Oh-My-God-9.30-am, but you'd guess it right we did not turn up on time. We both over slept. 

*smacks forehead*

Work has been nothing but crazy. For the both of us. We'd be happy if we get a 4 hours undisturbed sleep, really. So today we decided to take a break from work and we ended up spending the longest  breakfast time together speaking of so many things. Definitely a good catch up. We spoke of many good things to ponder in life too - that got us thinking. That's the reason why I love this lil miss beauty A LOT. She would always never fail to make me smile, I swear. 

Btw, spot that headband on her head! I'm such a sucker for headbands that I can't help but tell you guys to check it out here at FashionValet (why don't you click it already now). There are so many stocks that have just made it's way into FashionValet this weekend! So go check it out :) Well, anything put on Vy to wear actually always end up nice!

Guess who else I met - my London love! Pial is back for good, and serving her bond right about now. I wish Sha was around to come with me to pass them baby bottles :) It was really a good catch up. I swear I've been so very busy that I'm quite left behind with so many things that have happened around me. He's back, she's back, he's working, she's married, he has two sons..... I hope I don't forget to eat one of these days. Oh wait, that has already happened recently and I ended up with the worse gastric pain ever.

Anyway, I have yet to meet the girl who's studying her bum off for exams! I know no exams is too difficult for this brain and beauty. So I'm patiently waiting for her to complete that paper and then you, me, shura and vy can start planning our getaway :) We all deserve a good break, I'm so sure of that.

Well, I saw her eldest sister, Azz just recently - because she came to my house...

Her other elder sister, Wa, just just recently too. Because we went for PGA...

 But not her.

I miss you Ajjie! Vy and I are waiting oh-so-patiently for you to finish your exams and passing down the biggest luck in the world to you :)

Of SHOUT Awards and MIBA Awards

The closest I've been to a concert-like entertainment with THAT kinda crowd, in Malaysia, was Anugerah Juara Lagu last year and another where Siti Nurhaliza did a concert with Faizal Tahir and Aizat at Istana Budaya. Konsert Satu Suara. Musicals and theatres don't count.

This time, I was one of the fortunate ones to be invited and given VIP passes to SHOUT Awards 2010, and I have Ahmad Izham Omar to thank. THANK YOU! He's an amazing person, whom I recently got to know when we hosted him at our YCM CEO series. He has definitely managed to inspire many at the event that Wednesday night!

and to think that two weeks ago, whilst on my way to pass some YCM document for Media Prima, I bumped into the advertisement for SHOUT Awards in the lift and was wondering what it was all about, before forgetting all about it as I made my way out of Sri Pentas - not knowing that I will be attending one of the best executed event! :)

I'm always filled with many different feelings when going for these events. Proud, excited, eager, curious, you name it. Maybe because it's an event to celebrate our Malaysian artists. Our homegrown talent and our own people. But this time, apart from feeling all those, I was observing the logistics more than anything. And of course, being me, I don't really know ALL of them artists. Heard yeah, but know know, perhaps not all. Well, what caught my attention more were these

The stage layout

The amazing lighting play

The crowd placings

Especially the dancers' movements and dance choreography

The set up of the gadgets, DJs, props, visuals, audios

The way they manage the broadcasting and streaming it simultaneously online and on TV. LIVE

Amazingly, I would think that the whole set up tonight was on it's way to match an international one. SHOUT Awards has definitely brought it to another level tonight! :) Not fully there yet, but baby steps ok. Dancers execution was tip top! I felt like dancing along with them ok! If that was performed in gymnastic, there's probably not even a 0.2 penalty. Energy was beyond superb in that hall and the hosts were really engaging themselves with the crowd well!

8TV has done an amazing job at this year's SHOUT Awards! Amidst the audio glitches, everything else was excellent and was superbly executed. I personally loved the extensive positive progress in terms of the performance (choreography and dances) and especially how they got the crowd to engage themselves with the host! All in all, the team has definitely put everything together well, and produced an amazing collective effort! Kudos to the team on a job well done, and congratulations to all the Award winners! :) You guys are definitely the driver for Muzik Tanah Air!

It has got me motivated to pursue that performing arts dream now. So much so that I wouldn't stop talking to Elina about it all the way home! :P I think she hates me now for talking too much. Kthanksbye.

Same goes for dinner on Friday night. We were invited to the annual Malaysian Investment Banking Association dinner 2010 at Reinassance for the sports award presentation. I thought their concept was pretty similar to a wedding done in Dewan Felda, where strong energetic music is played when dinner is served. You know, like when they say "...and dinner is served". *drumrolls* and then you get phantom dressed waiters appearing from God-knows-where to serve you your food. I like that idea though as it gets me all energetic inside and this really positive feeling will start building in you! haha! I'm weird like that.

Representing CIMB Investment, my athletics love :)

But see, I tend to observe other things instead of fully focusing on the fact that I am proud we made it tops in Athletics this year for the first time. Good job CIMB :) Well, I think I've concluded that the reason why this has been happening lately is probably because our YCM Summit is 20 days away, and it got me thinking, can we, YCM stage this kind of presentation in the future? It'd be quite interesting actually. And to get these kind of same-crowd into better understanding the performing arts industry in Malaysia (read: Broadway)? I'm curious.

Anyway, I'm inspired and motivated to see things fall into place after the energy and effort we've put in, being in the office and sacrificing the Penang Marathon run *ahem ahem Firdaus*. So, on that note, don't forget to sign up for our YCM Summit ok! What's a better deal than and ASEAN journey with us, Free Of Charge! :) See you guys at our event pulak.

P/s : For those who missed out on SHOUT Awards, Shout Awards will be on tonton.com.my and repeated on 8TV, November 27th at 10.30pm.

23 days to go

23 DAYS TO GO! 

HURRY AND REGISTER AS THE SEATS GET FILLED UP BY THE HOUR :)

Book your seat at Young Corporate Malaysians!

The Reason Why

Previously, I had blogged about my thoughts on Performing Arts because I had the opportunity to meet up with them. An amazing team. A team that allows me to reconnect with my die-hard-passion. A platform that inspires me to look at performing arts differently rather than the typical I-won't earn-much-so-I'll-die-in-the-future-if-I-pursued-performing-arts. 

A team that I am proud to be a part of. The Broadway Academy team.

I was previously invited to their debut, SHOUT! The Mod Musical in July. VVIP invites were definitely hard to turn down. Simply irresistible. 

 Let's see, how many of you guys knew about SHOUT! The Mod Musical? How many actually went - to check out our very own talented Malaysians perform on stage? I believe not many of us knew about their existence, agreed? But to be fair, they're fairly new too. The musical was Broadway Academy’s debut presentation, featuring golden songs from yesteryear. Broadway Academy is the first Malaysian company granted professional licence to produce Broadway musicals from New York with homegrown casts. Aisyah and I definitely had our share of happiness and post event, we heard nothing but excellent reviews! :)

Broadway Academy was set up because the belief was strong. The belief to bring back home Broadway from New York. To create a platform for our Malaysian talents to shine and to allow for like-performing-arts-minded local talent to connect. To have our own Broadway at home and to allow Malaysian talents to dream  big - allowing their passion and love to grow progressively, on stage. Come on, if we can do Puteri Gunung Ledang and earn recognitions for it, why not work hard this time again to have an all-malaysian team doing Broadway musical. Nothing's impossible. Just really tough challenges to overcome. I'm inspired just by observing the bravery of all my team members. They came from various backgrounds, but with one belief. To create a performing arts hub. 

If there's one thing we believe in Broadway Academy is that performing arts is all about having fun on the stage and creating value out of it. I understand awareness may not be very wide out there just yet, but slowly, we should start catching up on ideas from abroad.  Currently, there are so many ideas and initiatives in the pipeline, but it's still work in progress. I'm getting very excited just thinking about it! If you were given the choice to choose, what would be the Broadway Musical that you would want to see here in Malaysia? 

Try looking at things from the positive side of it, amidst the fact that producing something spectacular like the PGL brought back very low ROI, tell me what initiative don't start with a tad of rough patch. But like my friend, I felt very proud after PGL. Proud that I'm a Malaysian and it was from Malaysian talent that this PGL was successfully executed. Try looking at things from a positive point of view and you'll be glad you gave it a try and would probably be on your way to creating something you'd never thought you could ever done - soon enough.

I'll let you in some sneak previews soon ok? Heads up, 'Dreamgirls' is coming out next July!  So watch this space. I might just give out some free tickets. But for now, here's the next upcoming one. Featuring a combination of songs from 

The Sound Of Music

Cinderella

The King and I

Oklahoma

South Pacific

Flower Drum Song to name some will bring you

"SOME ENCHANTED EVENING - THE SONGS OF RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN"

Showcasting our own homegrown talent, I'm absolutely excited to go for this. It's not easy to execute this one I tell you. You definitely need talent. To get your tickets and get to know more about Broadway Academy, click here. Alternatively, email me if you want to reserve the tickets. It has just started selling, so hurry and book!

THE FIRST 4 PEOPLE TO LIKE AND COMMENT on my wall post at Broadway Academy fan page will get a ticket to Echanted FOR FREE! So do leave a comment and your correct email address so that I can contact you guys to pass them tickets to you. (Does not apply to Malaysian residence staying abroad, so Shasa Aziz, Phoebe, Kim and Nik Izyan, you guys cannot get ok?)

 I've gotten my 8 tickets for the 18th of December, so what are you waiting for? It's gonna run from the 16th-19th December. Now, how hard is it to leave a comment? 

Let's start believing in this initiative and see you guys there! Much love,
The Part Timer with passion.

The Unexamined Life

Whilst I was (studying really really hard) in London (*grins* hi Mum, hi dad!), I made sure I make time to go to all musical  and dance shows. Regardless. Whether I knew the story line or not. I just love music! I don't leave the house without my iPod and I never used to do my studying if my iPod battery was flat. Music can even make me do something I don't want to in the beginning (ie:running and gymming). 

Remember this ? I used to want to do performing arts when I finished studying. Badly. But I guess I'm not alone in this. I have this perception that if I come back to Malaysia to do performing arts specifically, I'll not go far in life. Period. A perception that has definitely grown well in most Malaysians. I don't know why either. It's a perception like I said. Can't be changed easily nor overnight.

Passion is the strongest factor that could take you very far in life. When you are passionate about something, you'd get up and do it even if you are dead tired. You'd go out of the way to make sure it's completed and you'd sacrifice what seem like your-whole-life just to get it done! I swear. 

I used to play the piano and dance ballet. Jazz and modern dance used to be my wednesday night classes at the Federal Academy of Ballet too. However, I personally believe that I had a good chemistry with rhythmic gymnastics. Something I did for a good 8 years. Competing for my beloved Selangor state and my Malaysia, dancing my heart out along with the music. Trust me, the experience and opportunity that you could contribute to the country is overwhelming. Opportunities like this don't come too often nor too easily. 

Whilst in University, I couldn't bear letting go the performing arts side of me, so I continued to create a dancing team with a few others and we managed to perform at the LSE competition and was invited to perform at Malaysian night shows in London town. Again, performing arts being my passion and doing it for the good of the country representing Malaysian faces - gives you maximum satisfaction. 

Passion will definitely take you a long way. I'm a big believer of this. So if you think that doing performing arts won't take you anywhere, THINK AGAIN! Passion forces you to work hard without realizing it sometimes, progressing up faster as you dance through life, next minute you know, you're the nation's best actress! Or dancer! All because you followed your heart and did that performing arts which you love. Passion has definitely made me risk my life to compete for my Malaysia at the Malaysia Open. With the worse injury, holding the team medal in my hand as I was the last performer and my SPM was well 2 weeks away! Passion allowed me Gold medal and straight A's, Alhamdulillah.

 

 Now let's be a little flexible and put ourselves in the shoes of those with a music degree. A dance degree. Performing arts degree. If there were opportunities back in Malaysia, the'd definitely not stay there in America or abroad somewhere to live their dreams, right? So tell me your opinion and what you think about bringing Musicals into Malaysia, performed and choreographed, all by our own Malaysians. Afterall, I'd definitely not mind paying less, rather than an exorbitant amount if we were to import in those musical shows from abroad and at the same time create a great platform for our Malaysian talents! Life's not all about the corporate world. 

 

So you tell me now. Let's start dancing through life and learn to live the "unexamine life". What say you about bringing musicals and broadways into Malaysia? Do pen down your opinions or email me at myalia.blog@gmail.com. Would really appreciate it very much, thank you. And to all my Muslim readers, Selamat Hari Raya Haji! :)

Big Dreams

Advertorial: The 2nd Annual Young Corporate Malaysians Summit 2010 registration is NOW OPEN! So HURRY!

REGISTER HERE!

The three of us were all on leave from our usual work last week. Sounds nice.

But we were working hard on something else, probably harder than a normal working week. 

We've been too busy for each other that we just HAD TO have lunch, even if it means for 10 minutes and we don't look our best at all. We've been forgetting to eat at normal times, putting soap on hair instead of shampoo, falling asleep whilst the other is talking to us, going to the wrong company just because there were too many in the head, etc. 

What was more important was the time spent together. So, in the morning we decided on Alexis, 2 hours max. It was short and quick, but we did manage some good laugh and crazy super fast-track updates! A-Z updates! It's always a happy we-knew-it-was-a-good-idea-to-leave-work-and-meet-up moments. Always :)

I realized, we're all growing up so quickly now. We used to be in our PJs on weekends, talking about brainless stuff or when we're on leave, thinking of what to do later in the day. But not anymore, I hardly think that 24 hours is enough! These days, we dream big and we take leave not to rest, but either channel our energy to the other business we're in and in the same time the minds work to explore other extra opportunities that we can tap on and how we can hone our skills and passion to best use - on top of our business as usual work of course. I love my investment banking too much and she loves her construction a lot. Asma'? She's already doing her number 1 passion!  Fashion and magazine. 

Our attention span did not last too long either, I tell you. That's our love for each other. Even when we're not listening to the other, we understand that we're too busy to channel all concentration to one thing. I tell you, the more pieces we could cut our brain and body into, the better. That's how it works! It's either, the phone will be ringing, or the bbm beeping or anything non-work related catches our attention. Like a scrumptious deliciously prepared red velvet cupcake! So most of the time it's either, 

They were too hungry and food was more interesting than me. Or

That BBM beeps. Or

that phone rings. PFFT...

Ok, so that's that. Now, moving on to our big dreams and ideas!

Anyway. Do you guys remember this? Those days when we were in London, and walking seems like the last thing we'd do on a random odd day?

Now think the same, but for Malaysia. Yup, it's finally here! Like the page and get to know when is the exact date for the launch. Hint : I can feel the heat already. Really hot.

and here's a big congratulations to the team! So proud of my two darlings, now let's start marketing it!

She didn't even realize she used my tissue. That's how tired she was!

We calculated and the last we saw each other was on the 16th of October. Go figure. That was AGES!

Secondly, here's our YCM making it into today's Star Education! Well done team! I'm proud :) Check it out here.

Stay tune for our registration for the 2nd Annual Young Corporate Malaysians Summit 2010 - OPEN NOW! So hurry as the names start coming in! I hope I don't die of exhaustion by the time the summit is ready to be executed. Let's connect with all Malaysian corporates!

Now on a different initiative ( Yes, i told you we dream big!), here's a hint for another upcoming one. Think performing arts.

 Wait for it! :)