KajoMag

KajoMag is a Borneo-based digital publication exploring culture, heritage, travel and contemporary life.

HSL defines modern living with Precinct Grande

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Greenscapes, spaciousness and life quality are a rare combination to find in a housing development in Kuching, but Precinct Grande by Hock Seng Lee paves the way for the future of urban housing developments with its carefully crafted architectural designs.

Nestled in La Promenade, a 200-acre mixed development along the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway, Precinct Grande is a low-density housing development defined by green principles. Comprising bungalows and duplexes stretched out over 20 acres, the precinct is made up of 18% open spaces, spread out to benefit each housing plot.

While Grande’s masterplanner and green architect specialist David Ong mapped out the Green Building Index framework as well as the precinct’s back-to-back duplexes, MNSC Architects designed the precinct’s uber-luxurious bungalows – Designer Bungalow, Bungalow Majestic and Bungalow Elegant.

Bungalow Majestic

Hock Seng Lee Precinct Grande Bungalow Majestic
Bungalow Majestic

The three-storey Bungalow Majestic is perhaps every modern parent’s dream house. Designed with growing families in mind, the master bedroom occupies half of the top floor, allowing flexibility and added comfort for parents co-sleeping with their young children. Three spacious bedrooms opposite the master bedroom sees that parents share the same floor with their children, allowing parents to sleep better with family safety in mind.

Double-volume dining and living rooms (think high ceilings, lofty and open atmospheres) allow for more natural light, enhancing the cosiness and spaciousness of the family ‘nest’ as you enter the main door.

Bungalow Designer

Hock Seng Lee Precinct Grande Designer Bungalow
Bungalow Designer

A retro-futuristic house design like the Bungalow Designer deserves to be shown off with an equally unique method of construction. The off-form building technique which sees concrete being fabricated on site demands absolute precision and quality, adding prestige for any house-proud owner.

Bungalow Elegant

Hock Seng Lee Precinct Grande Bungalow Elegant
Bungalow Elegant

Designed along more traditional lines, Bungalow Elegant’s Master Room on the first floor allows homeowners easier access from the ground floor. With bedrooms on multi-levels of the three-storey house, an attached study and entertainment room on the first floor with the master room affords the homeowner more privacy, while allowing their children more independence on the top floor.

Green habitat

Designed using sun path models and cross ventilation as priorities – two core principles in green buildings – HSL aims to attain the first Green Building Index for housing in East Malaysia. The feat would mark another milestone for the developer which has already achieved twin GBI certifications for HSL Tower and its three-storey La Promenade Mall.

In addition, Precinct Grande has double the industry norm’s landscaped areas. Three types of linear parks have been designed for the precinct by Intodesign Labs, each catering to a different theme. Tunnels and hills in the specially created natural playscapes offer children the perfect outdoor playground, while the sights and smells from the edible landscape in another linear park provides older residents a natural space to reflect. Meanwhile, visitors and residents alike can meet at an external meeting point along La Promenade’s main boulevard.

‘You Complete Me’

Hock Seng Lee Precinct Grande Duplex Modern
Duplex Modern

Precinct Grande’s duplexes – Duplex Classic and Duplex Modern – go the extra mile in creating homes that address the concerns of many of Sarawak’s multigenerational family households. Its elderly-friendly floor plan and facilities on the ground floor ensures that the family’s oldest members live out their years in comfort and safety. In addition, a maid’s room on the ground floor affords homeowners the option of a live-in nurse or caregiver.

Meanwhile, the roof terrace on the second floor will be a breath of fresh air for residents to take in the sunshine as they look out over the neighbourhood where tree cover has been maximised to ensure a healthy urban space.

Hock Seng Lee Precinct Grande Duplex Classic
Duplex Classic

Duplex Classic’s pitched roofing will appeal to homeowners who are nostalgic for traditional styles of architecture while being able to enjoy the house’s more contemporary features.

For those prioritising green living, the Duplex Modern shares the same layout as Duplex Classic but with emphasis on wide roofs for extra shade from the elements.

About La Promenade

La Promenade, currently comprising Precinct Luxe, Precinct Premiere, Precinct Grande, as well as the newly launched onsite La Promenade Mall, is not a typical housing estate. In 2018, the mixed development won the Malaysian Landscape Architecture Awards for the master planning category, and emerged as a top winner in the SHEDA Excellence Awards in 2019 with the master planning prize and Precinct Premiere in the residential category.

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#KajoTries ordering Nyems Sekal Cafeteria with Foodpanda

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Are you scrolling through Foodpanda and undecided about what you want to eat? If you feel like local cuisine for lunch or dinner, you could try Nyems Sekal Cafeteria.

Their menu selection on Foodpanda offers diverse types of dishes served with your choice of Nasi Kukus, Nasi Putih, Mee/Kuey Teow or Nasi Goreng, and even Western, making Nyems Sekal a perfect choice if you can’t decide what you want to eat or are ordering in for yourself and family or colleagues.

On top of that, each category of dishes has interesting variations. If you pick Nasi Putih as your carb of choice, you will have so many styles and combos to choose, whether you feel like something simple like Nasi Putih Black Pepper or unusual like Nasi Putih Paprik Seafood.

The Nasi Kukus Ayam Berempah (RM13.70) and Nasi Kukus Ikan Bawal Goreng (RM18.00) are among Nyems Sekal’s popular orders.

Nyems Sekal Cafeteria Foodpanda Nasi Kukus Ayam Berempah
Nasi Kukus Ayam Berempah

Bundled up oldschool style in paper wrapping, the dishes delivered by Foodpanda came accompanied with a really tasty Indian-style curry and a side of their house blend sambal with slices of cucumber and pineapple. The sambal has the great combination of spice from the chilli and saltiness from the belacan, you’ll want to have even more sliced cucumbers or whatever you usually want on the side to finish it off.

The Ayam Berempah was cooked just right. Many ayam penyet-style dishes run the risk of cooking their chicken too dry but Nyems Sekal’s ayam berempah was moist and flavourful all the way down to the bone. Dip it into the accompanying curry or belacan and you’ll wish you ordered another one.

Nyems Sekal Cafeteria Foodpanda Nasi Kukus Ikan Bawal Goreng
Nasi Kukus Ikan Bawal Goreng

Meanwhile, the Ikan Bawal was soft, moist, and tasty from head to tail. Roughly the size of one’s hand, the fish is just between crispy and pan-fried, you’ll want to take it apart and eat it with your fingers.

For those who like their curries, Nyems Sekal offered a generous serving of curry in their delivery.

If you want to give your dish some extra oomph, you can add the telur dadar (omelette) and telur mata (fried egg sunny-side-up).

There is a huge range of hot and cold drinks available, whether you like local style cold drinks like Asam Boi or Jagung Susu, or coffee and tea drinks like Kopi Cincau and Teh Tarik Dangdut.

Prices (not including drinks) on their Foodpanda menu range from RM9.00 to RM18.90, making Nyems Sekal an affordable choice, especially for those working from home.

Customers can enjoy an automatic 30% discount menu wide across 13,600 restaurants from now until March 29 when you order RM20 and above from Foodpanda within the specific locations.

Nyems Sekal Cafeteria Foodpanda
Time to eat!

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5 travel recommendations for women heading to Selangor

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Happy International Women’s Day! In honour of the annual celebration, Tourism Selangor came up with this top list of travel recommendations and hangouts for women planning a visit and travel to Selangor. Here are some destinations that offer great activities, beautiful scenery and contemporary culture.

1. State of Selangor – Home of Gastronomical Delights

5 travel recommendations for women heading to Selangor
Klang Bak Kut Teh by Hungrygowhere.my

Due to Selangor’s history of migration back with some of its settlers hailing from different backgrounds and countries, the State’s cultural diversity has made the food rich in flavours! Make a trip to Kuala Selangor and Klang Districts If you’re interested in sampling some of the famous local food. Klang is a popular destination for tourists who want to taste Malaysia’s street food such as, Klang Bak Kut Teh (Chinese), Banana Leaf Rice Klang (Indian), Cendol and Lontong Klang (Malay) and many more. Meanwhile, Kuala Selangor is a town famous not only for its fresh seafood, but also Malay traditional food such as, Nasi Ambeng, Mee Udang, Satay, Ketupat, and many more.

2. Strike a Pose! – Visit Instragammable places around Selangor

Whether you are spending a weekend, or a week in Selangor; if you are passionate about photography or into Instagram, you’ll want to know where the State’s most Instagrammable places are.

Stunning landscapes, architecture, theme parks and so much more – every corner of Selangor is a hot-spot for that perfect picture. The following list is where you should head-to next!

a. Sky Mirror Kuala Selangor
b. Batu Caves, Gombak
c. i-City Shah Alam
d. Mural Safari, Klang
e. Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz, Shah Alam
f. Sekinchan, Sabak Bernam

3. Explore Unique and Hipster Cafes around Selangor

5 travel recommendations for women heading to Selangor
Botanist Cafe Sepang by Eat Drink KL

The State of Selangor is often known for its many interesting tourist spots, but also has many “hipster” or “instagrammable” cafes offering various interesting and unique themes mainly located in Petaling Jaya, Cyberjaya, Sepang and Subang Jaya. Provision Café, Damansara, Tiny Baker In Pink Cafe, Damansara, Bukku Café, Klang, Jibby & Co Subang Jaya, and The Botanist Café Sepang are some commonly-visited on the list.

4. Shopping Haven for ladies – Shop until you drop

The variety of shopping experiences in Selangor goes far beyond a stroll in a mall or a morning spent browsing a market. Whether you are after high-end luxury brands or fascinating street market items, Selangor will never disappoint. Selangor is full of shops, boutiques, malls, and department stores; it is hard to decide where to shop.

The following are definitely must-visit places for all ladies looking for a crazy shopping experience in Selangor.
a. Mitsui Outlet Park, KLIA
b. GM Klang Wholesale Mall
c. Sunway Pyramid, Subang Jaya
d. One Utama Shopping Centre Petaling Jaya
e. The Curve Damansara

5. Learn all about the everyday beauty of Selangor’s arts and culture

Want to try something different in Selangor? These art and cultural attractions let you experience and learn the State’s traditions the hands-on (and fun) way! Selangor is fast becoming a major hub for Malaysian contemporary art. Artsy attractions in Selangor have a strong culture of supporting local talents, making Selangor an emerging art scene with vibrant and exciting setting. As such, the following list is best-visited by culture and the arts lovers during their visit to Selangor:

a. Mah Meri Cultural Village
b. Sultan Alam Shah Museum, Shah Alam
c. Royal Gallery Klang
d. Istana Bandar
e. Homestay Banghuris – Chempuling
f. Homestay Sungai Haji Dorani – Kuda Kepang
g. Dong Zen Tample Jenjarom

Tourism Selangor wishes Happy International Women’s Day to all amazing women, where ever you may be. Be sure to always take a good care of yourself, including adhering to the SOPs for your own health and safety, and also for your loved ones’.

5 travel recommendations for women heading to Selangor

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Malaysia’s future stars set to shine on TVS reality show TVSTARZ!

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What makes a truly addictive reality talent competition? Is it the tension? The sad backstories? The thrill of seeing your favourite make it through to the finals? Now you can add TVS reality show TVSTARZ to your must-watch list.

TVS may have just unveiled the latest addition in its programme lineup on Feb 26, 2021, but TVSTARZ already garnered over 645 applicants nationwide with 6 contestants already selected and shortlisted.

Six singers, otherwise dubbed ‘The Dream Team’, will have to sing their way to the finals as they face one challenger per week.

“TVSTARZ by TVS will be a breath of fresh air to the industry. We believe that this platform can leverage and nurture talents to the next level while utilizing local creative industry players particularly in Sarawak,” said Suhaimi Sulaiman, Chief Executive Officer of TVS in its official statement.

TVSTARZ! will be the first 100% online talent search program made available on TV due to today’s current pandemic.
In the hopes of finding the next movers and shakers of Malaysia’s entertainment industry, TVS’ first ever reality show production is set to meet the audience over 3 nail-biting seasons. Each season will focus on a different talent, with Season 1 focusing on vocals, Season 2 on hosting and Season 3 on acting abilities.

The first season will be aired over 10 episodes while Season 2 and 3 will each conclude after a 6-week challenge. Each season will feature different contestants.

TVS’ producer, singer and dancer, Jay C will host the show while singing coach, Yudhi Seriestha, and powerhouse singers Ernie Zakri and Amir Jahari will be judges.

Meanwhile singer and former Miss World Malaysia 2014, Sarawak’s very own Dewi Liana Seriestha will be the show’s vocal coach as well as TVS’ very own music producer Farouq Mousthofa will act as music arranger.

The show is set to air on March 16th, 2021 on TVS Channel 122 on Astro and myFreeview.

Watch it to believe it! Making way to your screens soon, TVSTARZ’s astounding vocalists are here to take centre-stage as the most unique and entertaining talent search program!

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Fancy designing a building in Kuching’s business district? ‘Langit’ is the limit

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KUCHING: Hock Seng Lee (HSL), Next Phase and the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) are inviting registered architects to challenge their creativity in an architectural design competition called ‘Langit’.

Targeted for a prime piece of land in Kuching’s central business district, the plot measures about an acre along Jalan Tabuan and is within 1 km radius of Kuching Waterfront, Padungan, and tHe Spring Shopping Mall.

Fancy designing a building in Kuching's business district? 'Langit' is the limit
The architectural competition for #LangitKch — a commercial high-rise — is on a small but prime piece of land in Kuching’s CBD. It is a matured site with commercial developments including offices, condominiums, shopping malls, hotels and schools, all within a kilometre’s radius.

The competition is open to all PAM-registered corporate members with prize monies totalling RM200,000.

PAM members may collaborate with foreign architects and there is no limit to the number of entries submitted by an architect.

The first prize is RM100,000, second prize RM50,000, third prize RM25,000, and two honourable mentions. Registration opens Feb 8 and the competition closes on Apr 19.

Results will be announced in late May.

What to know about the design competition?

Fancy designing a building in Kuching's business district? 'Langit' is the limit
HSL’s marketing team has tentatively named the project “Langit”, which in Bahasa Malaysia is “sky”, while in Bahasa Sarawak, “lang” is door.

Hailed as the first of its kind in Sarawak, the design brief for HSL, Next Phase and PAM Sarawak Chapter’s competition calls for a commercial development for a max gross floor area of 30,000sqm. The design can be for a mixed-use commercial development, except for a hotel.

“This competition is an ‘ideas competition’. A great piece of land, in such a good location, should have a great building on it. Any commercial development is also an opportunity to do public spaces,” HSL properties development general manager Tay Chiok Kee said.

Judges will focus on community engagement to enhance both the public and users of the building, optimum building orientation and economic viability. 

“We want the best ideas right from the start. Our judges will scrutinise all entries, and as the developer, we will build what is best for the location and for the people of Kuching.”

PAM Sarawak chairman Jong is thrilled with the design competition.

“This competition is forward-thinking and significant for property developers as well as architects. The industry I represent has long yearned for a competition. We want to be challenged and to be competitive,” Jong said.

“HSL will gain significantly from having the most innovative ideas and best designed plans. But, really, the ultimate beneficiary will be the public. The public stands to gain a new architectural icon, new business ventures, new job opportunities and a new public space — all at a location easily accessible to all.”

HSL’s marketing team has tentatively named the project “Langit”, which in Bahasa Malaysia is sky, while in Bahasa Sarawak, “lang” means door.

“This is an aspirational project,” said PAM Sarawak deputy chairman Chai Si Yong, who is director of PDC Design Group.

“We collaborate closely with HSL to make this skyscraper competition happen. It was over a year ago when HSL first spoke to us about a competition. As a developer, HSL is designer- and professional-led. We spoke a lot about challenges, goals and ideas. It only made sense for us to jointly organise a contest,” Chai said.

The judges include PAM Sarawak chairman Ar Ivy Jong, PAM Malaysia president Datuk Ar Ezumi Harzani Ismail, an eminent Sarawakian architect, an eminent Malaysian architect, and HSL representative.

Kuching is one of the best design cities in Malaysia. It is a city notable for many award-winning architects and unique buildings. Firms in Sarawak like Design Network Architects, Arkitek KDI, IDC Architects, Pu Architects and David Ong Architects have won national recognition for their designer mansions, hotels, convention centres and interior designs.

Kuching is also home to the iconic State Legislative building by Hijjas Kasturi, the restored Old Court House, Kuching Mosque, OCBC Building, Sarawak Syariah Court, Kuching South and North City Halls.

For the latest, visit langitkch.com and pamsc.org.my. Updates will also be available at hsl.com.my and @hslcn on social media. 

 

 

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Shop, ‘ngupi’ at La Promenade Mall, Kota Samarahan

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When you hear about another shopping mall like La Promenade Mall opening up in Kota Samarahan, those living closer to central Kuching may feel undecided about crossing the Kuching-Samarahan line. It sounds ‘far’ and you might have to deal with the legendary Samarahan traffic.

Sited along the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway comfortably between the established city centre and smart township of Samarahan, however, the newly-launched La Promenade Mall by Hock Seng Lee is neither too far nor out of the way.

It’s 20-25 minutes from Kuching’s golden triangle, and if you’re willing to head to Jalan Canna to wait in the drivethru for McDonald’s Prosperity Burger set, another 5 minutes’ drive to La Promenade Mall will be a cinch.

Shop, taste the difference

La Promenade Mall doesn’t aim to be just another retail-oriented shopping centre, but a neighbourhood community hub that supplies services to shoppers and residents working the daily commute that they can’t get online.

HSL’s ‘Support Local’ approach will see Sarawakian businesses like Black Bean Coffee and Tea, NOMS, Taka Patisserie, Hock King Authentic Chicken Rice, Rice King, and Mr Domus among the tenants livening up the four-storey commercial space, offering local foodies and coffee lovers a cosy retreat after the day’s work is done.

Shop, 'ngupi' at La Promenade Mall, Kota Samarahan
Indulge your sweet tooth with Taka Patisserie’s selection of freshly baked goodies.

For those who are looking to do some grocery shopping on their way home, browsing through the aisles of anchor tenant Choice Supermarket promises to provide shoppers a more enjoyable experience with their emphasis on fresh produce, leafy greens, imported meat, freshly baked bread and personal care section.

Designed by Australian firm BHO Interiors, Choice Supermarket’s contemporary layout will also include a food kiosk, as well as a combination of serviced cashiers and self-checkout aisles.

What’s more, if you’re looking to work out while relishing the sunrise and sunset views over Kuching, you’ll be able to check in at the Sweat Factory gym and enjoy a more holistic approach to wellbeing and fitness in addition to the gym machine with the availability of instructor-focused group classes and personal training.

On top of that, La Promenade Mall has provided special leases and subsidised rental to local non-governmental organisations such as Hope Place, Intellectually Disabled Adults Society, Bodhi Counselling Centre and Helping Hands, thus providing them space for workshops, offices and storefronts, truly making it a shopping center with public service and community focus at its core.

Currently, HSL is one of Hope Place’s biggest donors, which also includes the sponsoring of an animated short. Hand drawn painstakingly over a period of 7 months by the Sarawakian creatives behind Pixbugs Studio, Hope Place aims to raise RM100,000 through the fundraising video.

La Promenade Mall and the environment

If, at first glance, you had taken in La Promenade’s glass curtain walls and just thought it was an office building… well okay, you wouldn’t be completely wrong. La Promenade Mall is just one of the components within the 10-storey HSL Tower, which also happens to be the first privately owned Green Building Index-certified building in East Malaysia, with La Promenade Mall being its second.

What does it mean? With energy-saving features like it’s 3,700 custom made triple glazed glass panels it means more natural light, less heat and less air-con, resulting in an approximate 25% reduction in energy consumption. Light shafts going down into the basement carpark also helps reduce the need for underground electric lighting.

Impatient to see what else is going to be moving in to La Promenade Mall, Kota Samarahan? Watch this space or visit hsl.com.my and lapromenademall.com.my!

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Choices: Stories You Play Review — Is This Interactive Story App Worth It?

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For some light and interactive reading, Choices: Stories You Play by Pixelberry Studios offers up an addictive array of choose-your-adventure books.

At first glance, you may think that their book gallery features mostly Young Adult reading as there’s high school romances, and light fantasy stories like ‘The Elementalist’, but the steamy exclusive scenes in some of these stories are decidedly R-Rated.

Choices: Stories You Play Review — Is This Interactive Story App Worth It?
Choices may come off at first glance like YA lit, but there’s a genre for every mood.

If you’re more into mysteries or high-speed chases, you can opt for The Haunting of Braidwood Manor or The Heist: Monaco.

Meanwhile, if you’re missing some vampire fantasy, you can try out Blood Bound. For more more light adult reading that lean more towards Hallmark, you can try out Save the Date and Home for the Holidays. There’s something for every mood you’re in.

You can either play as a VIP member (you’ll get unlimited keys and 185 diamonds with your purchase) or you can play for free, and learn the art of patience and the true value of decision-making (especially when you use a bunch of diamonds you’ve been scrounging for on a dress which you could have saved for an exclusive scene instead).

VIP membership will also allow you access to books solely reserved for VIP members. On top of that, you will also get rewarded more diamonds at the end of the chapter compared to those who don’t opt for VIP membership.

How to play

Choices: Stories You Play Review — Is This Interactive Story App Worth It?
A cute outfit like this is going to make you wish you loaded up on diamonds.

You get to choose your character’s ethnicity, hair and outfit. Diamonds will help you purchase the more dynamic hairstyles and wardrobe, but you’ll still get by being a plain Jane.

You also get to choose your names, although I have been happy with the random names the game has provided. I personally liked the name Dr Casey Valentine for my character in ‘Open Heart’.

Some stories will also allow you to choose the appearance of the main love interest, making it even more interactive.

You need keys to open up chapters, and for those who are playing the games for free, your keys will typically regenerate after 2 or 3 hours, while diamonds help you open up exclusive scenes within those chapters which can help you deepen your relationship with that special someone or find out more of a character or event’s backstory.

You can Watch Ads or complete daily and one time challenges to score diamonds.

You can have several love interests going, and even though you have zoomed in one specific love interest or don’t choose the main love interest, the game will offer up an exclusive scene with another character. Sometimes there will be opportunities for threesomes, so spend your diamonds wisely.

Choices: Stories You Play Review — Is This Interactive Story App Worth It?
How to collect diamonds between chapters.

So far there are no terrible fallouts from not spending diamonds on exclusive scenes, but there are some events where a friend needs some proper counseling and you don’t have the diamonds to spend on an exclusive shoulder-to-cry-on scene. In those cases, you would just look like a jerk in real life.

Purchases are not necessarily limited to outfits and exclusive scenes, you can even purchase a pet or opt to live in a swankier place.

In others, like the vampire Blood Bound series, your selected outfit could impress an opponent or help you in a life-and-death situation.

Meanwhile, some stories like ‘The Crown and the Flame’ will challenge your patience and make you think that it wouldn’t hurt if you just purchased a few keys to find out what happens in the next chapter.

To download or not to download?

Choices: Stories You Play Review — Is This Interactive Story App Worth It?
What does your choice say about you? Bryce the surgeon from Open Heart.

What makes Choices addictive is that you feel the weight (and the satisfaction or regret) of your decisions. The artwork, from backdrops to character illustrations, are polished and immersive, allowing you a temporary getaway from the humdrum of daily life.

You will definitely feel the weight of your decisions and interaction with other characters in stories like ‘Courtesan of Rome’ where you play a Gallic princess bent on Julius Caesar’s downfall, making it a story that’s hard to put down.

Meanwhile, the cover for Open Heart may look cheesy at first glance, but if you like Grey’s Anatomy’s earlier seasons, you will enjoy the storyline.

The Nanny Affair and Save the Date’s steamy scenes were definitely worth a read-through. (Isn’t that why people download Choices in the first place?)

Blood Bound’s writing, especially the dialogue feels underdeveloped and cheesy by comparison, and your character will say things that make you look like a fly in a hurricane. But I still feel compelled to go through books 1 to 3.

What’s the verdict? Choices: Stories You Play is a definite download.

Choices: Stories You Play Review — Is This Interactive Story App Worth It?
There’s more reading under the VIP section.

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5 Easy YouTube Workouts for Beginners (Perfect If You Hate Exercise)

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For those who hate working out, the YouTube channels listed below, ranked from easy to more intense (they might include high-knees!) may be your gateway to a more active lifestyle.

1. Pahla B Fitness

“Welcome to my home” is the name of one of Pahla Bowers’ warmup moves, which sums up the warmth you’ll be getting when you start following this Functional Fitness Specialist and Boston-qualifying marathon runner.

Always cheerful, never judgmental, Pahla gives out tons of advice during her workouts, and some that stand out to me are that consistence is key; gentle exercise is more important to achieving your fitness goals in the long-term; and (unfortunately) good nutrition still matters when it comes to weight loss.

Sounds common sense, but when you’ve been absorbing body-fitness magazines or beating yourself up for never being consistent with exercise, her advice feels like a gentle release. Like her exercises.

This lady is at the top of my list because her target audience is 50 year olds. For that reason, she will highlight during her videos that you won’t have to get down on the floor and that there will be no jumping. Her discussions throughout her workout will educate you a more about the importance of healthy habit-building and be comforting for women who are moving into their menopausal years.

Watch the channel here.

2. JessicaSmithTV

Only Jessica Smith of this fitness channel can entice sedentary, exercise-averse people to try out HIIT. You’ll hear her say “Do what works for you” a lot throughout her videos, because her emphasis is on getting viewers to enjoy exercise.

Another fitness instructor who emphasises on movement and consistency more than back-breaking intensity, she has more than 450 exercise videos across a wide range of exercise disciplines like pilates, yoga, cardio, kickboxing, dance, barre workouts, or (my favourite) knee-friendly exercises on her channel. You will have so many videos to choose from that will suit your mood or overall fitness.

If you’re feeling depressed or under the weather, her 1-Mile Walk and Talk series is just a walking workout video where she discusses certain themes and topics like stress-relieving tips and self-care. It’s like going on a walk with a friend within the comfort of your home.

Oh, and a mention of JessicaSmithTV isn’t complete without mentioning her French bulldog, Peanut. Think of him as your spirit animal as he occasionally takes naps or plays with a toy while he waits for Jessica to finish up her routine.

Watch the channel here.

3. HASfit (Heart and Soul Fitness)

When you join HASfit, you will be working out with Coach Kozak and his wife Claudia in a combination of bodyweight and dumbbell exercises. Coach Kozak performs the more advanced versions of the exercises while Claudia does the modified ones, perfect for noobs, beginners and everybody in between.

If you’re recovering from an injury, limited mobility or are an elderly person, they even have a playlist which incorporates chair exercises.

If you’re expecting a bun in the oven, you can try out Claudia’s Prenatal workouts (make sure you check with your doctor first).

Meanwhile, if you’re somebody who just can’t stand the repetition of exercise routines, they even have a playlist for beginners and people who get bored easily.

Whatever your level, if you’ve been consistent with exercise so far, you can redo these routines and challenge yourself by following Coach Kozak instead.

Watch the channel here.

4. Bodyfit by Amy

Speaking of buns in the oven, I first found Bodyfit by Amy while I was looking for postnatal workouts to help recover from the weakness, aches and pains you never expect if you’ve only learnt about pregnancy and childbirth from TV (hello lower back pains and diastasis recti). She even has videos to help strengthen muscles you’ll need as you cope with carrying around a newborn.

But if you’re getting ready for your wedding, you can follow her Wedding Workout series instead.

Outside of the pre- and postnatal workout videos, her pace in her other videos are still easy to follow and really focus on form. She has beginner and low-impact workouts, and for those who are looking for a step up, you can follow her kettlebell workouts and TRX workouts.

Watch the channel here.

5. Melissa Bender

Melissa Bender’s slogan on her website is ‘Fitness should be Free’ and she is totally generous with her workout programmes, starting with her #BFBODYFIT 6-month home workout programme.

If you want to start smaller, she has 30 day fitness challenges. If you’re still intimidated, she has a Low Impact Workout playlist which promises no jumping. (Check out where her grey and white cat Gambit makes appearances.)

For those recovering from childbirth and looking to get into fighting fit form, Melissa Bender has a 6-week Postnatal programme, which is still challenging for people who don’t jog or do interval training on a regular basis, so you might have to work up to this programme.

Watch the channel here.

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Filem Tempatan “Aku Bukan Gila” Dibintangi Beto Kusyairy & Fasha Sandha Kini Disiarkan secara Eksklusif & Percuma menerusi Perkhidmatan Penstriman WeTV iflix!

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  • Sempena pelancaran “Aku Bukan Gila” yang mengujakan, tetamu media, selebriti dan tetamu kehormat berkumpul di Flamingo Hotel Ampang untuk menyaksikan pratonton filem eksklusif
Filem Tempatan “Aku Bukan Gila” Dibintangi Beto Kusyairy & Fasha Sandha Kini Disiarkan secara Eksklusif & Percuma menerusi Perkhidmatan Penstriman WeTV iflix!
(Kiri ke Kanan): Vijay Munisamy (Executive Producer of WeTV iflix Malaysia), Beto kusyairy, Rahila Ali, Dato’ Normashayu, Fasha Sandha, Wanna Ali, Sissy Imann, Heng Aik Kuang (Country Manager of WeTV iflix Malaysia) di pelancaran Aku Bukan Gila

Kuala Lumpur, 7 Oktober 2020 – Berita baik buat peminat filem tempatan! Filem terbaharu WeTV iflix, “Aku Bukan Gila” yang diterbitkan oleh Pencil Pictures and Records dan diarahkan oleh Rahila Ali, akan disiarkan bermula hari ini secara eksklusif dan percuma menerusi perkhidmatan penstriman WeTV iflix.

Pada majlis pelancaran media eksklusif di Flamingo Hotel Ampang, seramai ahli media dan pencetus pengaruh berpeluang menyaksikan pratonton “Aku Bukan Gila” buat julung kali, sekaligus meningkatkan lagi keterujaan sebelum tayangan perdananya hari ini.

Bersempena pelancaran filem ini, para tetamu media, selebriti dan tetamu kehormat juga berpeluang bertemu barisan pelakon filem yang sangat dinanti-nantikan ini. Turut hadir pada majlis berkenaan ialah Fasha Sandha, Beto Kusyairy, Wanna Ali dan Rahila Ali.

Filem Tempatan “Aku Bukan Gila” Dibintangi Beto Kusyairy & Fasha Sandha Kini Disiarkan secara Eksklusif & Percuma menerusi Perkhidmatan Penstriman WeTV iflix!
(Kiri ke Kanan): Beto Kusyairy, Fasha Sandha, Wanna Ali semasa sidang media Aku Bukan Gila

“Saya berbangga untuk menjadi sebahagian daripada filem ini dan menghidupkan watak Andra, seorang wanita dengan personaliti yang kompleks lagi kuat, yang bergelut dengan kesedihan serta cabaran kehidupan seperti kita semua,” kata Fasha Sandha, pelakon utama “Aku Bukan Gila”.

“Peluang keemasan untuk bekerjasama dengan pengarah filem wanita, Rahila Ali, dalam penerbitan ini turut memperkasakan saya. Saya bersyukur dapat bekerjasama dengan WeTV iflix untuk menyebarkan keterujaan serta mesej yang disampaikan filem ini, dan berharap dapat menyertai lebih banyak lagi kolaborasi sedemikian pada masa depan.”

Filem Tempatan “Aku Bukan Gila” Dibintangi Beto Kusyairy & Fasha Sandha Kini Disiarkan secara Eksklusif & Percuma menerusi Perkhidmatan Penstriman WeTV iflix!
Ucapan Heng Aik Kuang, Pengurus Negara WeTV iflix Malaysia

“Kami sangat bersyukur untuk menjadi platform yang membawakan kisah menyentuh hati, ‘Aku Bukan Gila’ kepada rakyat Malaysia, yang pasti akan tersentuh oleh mesej cintakan diri sendiri daripada filem ini,” demikian kata Aik Kuang Heng, Pengurus Negara WeTV iflix Malaysia. “Memandangkan penstriman media telah menjadi pengaruh yang berkuasa dalam industri perfileman, serta penerapan media ini yang sangat tinggi di Malaysia, kami berharap untuk membawa pilihan kandungan premium yang lebih luas dari rantau Asia kepada penonton kami, di samping memperkasakan industri perfileman tempatan.”

Dibintangi artis tempatan yang berpengalaman, Beto Kusyairy dan Fasha Sandha, “Aku Bukan Gila” mengisahkan Andra (Sandha) yang merantau ke perkampungan Beddgelert di North Wales untuk melarikan diri daripada kekangan kekeluargaan dan mengubati hatinya selepas kematian ibu tersayang.

Tanpa diduga, takdir mempertemukannya dengan Andre (Kusyairy) dalam latar belakang yang menampilkan keindahan lanskap Wales. Walaupun pada awalnya, Andra banyak berselisih pendapat dengan Andre, mereka akhirnya berjaya mengatasi perbezaan yang wujud di antara mereka.

Namun, apabila Andra cuba masuk campur dalam kehidupan silam Andre, jejaka itu bukan sahaja mula berasa tidak selesa bahkan meragui kesihatan mental Andra.
Ciri kompleks kedua-dua pelakon utama filem ini akan membuka mata penonton kepada isu kesihatan mental, yang akan diterokai lagi dalam sebuah babak khas yang ditayangkan selepas penutup penghargaan. Ia pasti akan menyentuh perasaan penonton, dan meningkatkan penghayatan terhadap dua watak utama yang dihidupkan oleh Beto dan Fasha.

WeTV iflix akan terus berusaha menyokong bakat tempatan dan menjadi platform premium untuk mengedarkan kandungan tempatan yang bermutu tinggi. Tonton “Aku Bukan Gila” sekarang juga secara percuma menerusi penstriman eksklusif di WeTV iflix di iflix.com, atau aplikasinya yang boleh dimuat turun dari Apple Store dan Google Play Store.

Whip up Michelin-star dishes with these recipes from Jing Yaa Tang

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With people staying homebound in the fight against Covid-19, social distancing measures have given rise to plenty of stay-at-home chefs who are utilising their time indoors to master new skills in the kitchen.

Located at The Opposite House – a striking hotel in the heart of Beijing, Jing Yaa Tang restaurant is ready to spill the beans on two of their recipes during this pandemic.

Renowned for its selection of dishes inspired by the famous Beijing roast duck, one-Michelin star restaurant Jing Yaa Tang uses only the finest ingredients to produce authentic Chinese cuisine at its best.

Now, the celebrated restaurant divulges two of its favourite recipes – the fragrant Kung Pao Chicken, and the saccharine Cherry Tomatoes marinated in plum sauce.

Since you cannot travel to Jing Yaa Tang in Beijing to try these Michelin-star dishes, why not make them on your own?

Kung Pao Chicken

Whip up Michelin-star dishes with these recipes from Jing Yaa Tang
Kung Pao Chicken by Jing Yaa Tang.

Main ingredients:

Chicken thigh (20g)
Diced green onion (50g)
Cooked peanuts (25g)
Cooked cashew nuts (25g)
Sliced garlic (5g)
Sliced ginger (5g)
Dried chilli (5g)

Ingredients:

A.Salt (2g), rice wine (5g), sugar (1g), egg (1/3), corn flour (6g)

B.B. Sugar (30g), salt (3g), rice vinegar (50g), corn flour (10g)

Method:

1.Mix and pickle the diced chicken thigh with seasoning (ingredients A).
2.Heat the oil in a heated wok first, and fry the pickled chicken and diced green onion until the chicken is cooked.
3.Cook the sliced garlic and ginger, dry the red chilli segment first, add the cooked chicken and onion, and then stir-fry the cooked peanuts, cashew nuts and ingredients B.

Tips:

1. Cook the fried chicken and diced onion for one minute to elevate the taste.
2.Turn off the fire when adding the peanuts and cashew nuts to keep them crispy.

Cherry tomatoes marinated in plum sauce

Whip up Michelin-star dishes with these recipes from Jing Yaa Tang
Cherry tomatoes marinated in plum sauce by Jing Yaa Tang

Main ingredients:

Water (300g)
Sugar (80g)
Preserved prune slice (1 pc)
Concentrated orange juice (10g)
White vinegar (50ml)
Cherry tomatoes (200g)

Method:

1.Remove the root of the cherry tomatoes and peel with boiling water.
2.Boil the preserved prune in water, and then add other seasonings after three minutes. Turn off the fire when sugar melts completely.
3.Soak the cherry tomatoes into the sauce for 8 hours after they have cooled.

Tips:

1.Keep frozen after soaking
2.The length of time soaked will influence the tasty

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