You-Want's Life

I'm the biggest Swiftie but I was disappointed at the Eras Tour.   I have loved Taylor Swift for more than a decade now. By ‘love’, I mean deeply investing myself in her music, lyrics, aesthetic, career moves, being inspired by her work and her as a person. For me, there was a deeply rooted aspiration to share with others what I find inspirational and the urge to bridge connections across demographics based on constant similarities that prompted me to found music communities in university and my current workplace made primarily up of Taylor Swift fans to appreciate her art together. To say plainly, my biggest achievement in life could be having people think of me when they think of Taylor Swift, for my consistent advocacy for every record she breaks and every reference to her lyrics in my own words. Yet, I deter from stalking behaviours that document all of Taylor’s personal life details and minute preferences; it’s her words that inspire awe, having lived a life of monumental...

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide. Growing up in Malaysia, I have always witnessed my fellow Muslim friends fasting and conducting more frequent prayers to feel closer to God during this period. The fast itself lasts from sunrise to sunset, spanning over 13 hours in Malaysia. Muslims would refrain themselves from food and drinks as to remind themselves of the suffering faced by those who are less fortunate, and detach themselves from unnecessary hedonistic pleasures to focus on their inner self. Thus, it is a period of both physical and spiritual purification. In fact, Ramadan is not only something Muslims look forward to every year as a holy period that brings the faithful closer to God, the non-Muslims look forward to it for many reasons too. First of all, the Ramadan bazaars offer a myriad of unique Malay street food that can’t normally be found. Back in my Muslim-majority secondary school, our schooling hours were also shortened and t...

What another drizzly evening with chaotic train rides. I took off from work earlier than usual, having completed chunks of work that required urgent clearance. Why the early exit, you ask? To return to the little library with old books and yellow lighting, where I attended a life drawing session as an artist some five months ago, only for a different mission this time. My first experiential drawing session was a unique discourse of art, nudity and body appreciation. It had me pondering while I sketched figure outlines of our model- how did they feel without garments in front of a local crowd of art-loving community? Curious, and more adventurous I certainly was, I decided I would uncover that satin of mystery myself. What could a better way to learn be than a practical, personal experience? So, there I was, adding a tick to my adventure bucket list by signing up to be a life model. Artwork by @yongyoonkit (Instagram) Nervous I was to walk through the doors, knowing the agenda was to st...

Deepavali, or Diwali, is the Festival of Lights which symbolises the "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance" and it is celebrated by the Hindus. Having lived in Malaysia for most of my life, I am nothing but intrigued by the diverse cultures we offer here. And as we gear towards Deepavali, I couldn’t help but think of all the colourful Indian sweets and snacks that I have seen at stalls and restaurants but have not yet been able to try. Personally (with a hint of guilt when I say this), I think it’s ironic to not have tried many Indian sweets despite calling myself a proud Malaysian, which is what motivated this article in the first place. Thus, in the spirit of adventures and enhanced cultural understanding, my friends and I took an Indian snacks tour down Little India in Brickfields.  Little India was scattered with stalls that offered a variety of Indian sweets. Just look at the options we were spoiled with! We explored the part of to...