Moving on...

I'm not quitting my blogging, just not using blogspot as medium anymore. I started 2 blogs carrying same content so I could support different causes with SocialVibe's app. However, that app is now defunct so it's time to move on. My news blabs will now be in Womenteteatete's Wordpress space. See you there soon. Later~

Take Me To Your Mother : I Don’t Want To Raise A Jerk!

This mostly stays at the back of every mom’s head or heart and rarely got mentioned out loud so when I see NickMom’s ‘Don’t Raise A Jerk’ in my inbox; I got really intrigued and just have to take a peek :

http://www.nickmom.com/tv/take-me-to-your-mother/videos/meet-andrea-rosen/

I hope she's not freaking out!!

Description : Meet comic Andrea Rosen. She just had a baby and dove head first into motherhood. Only problem? She did zero prep work to get there. Now… she’s on a mission to seek real advice from moms everywhere and from different cultures, backgrounds and interests on how to raise her only son. Because, in her own words, she doesn’t “want  to raise a jerk.” Read more...

I can totally relate to how she feels. Back in the days I had the same thought as well. Constantly worrying on how to teach my own so they won’t grow up a jerk, brat and all those horrible things that you see in movies or dreamt about in nightmares.

From the preview, she’s a little erratic and sometimes scary but hey, it does say it’s a docu-comedy so don’t say I didn’t warn you. I wish I have NickMom here. If you’ve watched it, care to share?

Supporting Women In Need

We aren’t needy beings but women oriented group and organization list.. who doesn’t need them? Whatever your needs or wants are, having one is always handy. Listed in alphabetical orders community-based organizations and groups for your reference :

AWAM – All Women’s Action Society

Independent feminist organization committed to improving the lives of women in Malaysia with outreach, public education, helpline counseling, legal aid services, advocacy and empowerment.

BCWA – Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia
Peer support for women with breast cancer providing emotional, social & material support for individuals with breast cancer, strengthen the capacity of individuals to self-manage during & after treatment and promoting public education on general health & breast health issues including early detection of breast cancer.

                 

Befrienders

A suicide prevention resource center providing emotional support to the distressed and suicidal at all times via phone call or face to face.  

eHomemakers

Community network that promotes working from home, teleworking & SOHO businesses and empowering women to embark on social-economic self-reliance.

EMPOWER – Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor

Helping in building a more democratic society by advancing women’s equality, inclusiveness, rights & needs based on the feminist human rights framework and empowering communities for change by training & programs.

                                                                         

ERA Consumer Malaysia

Nurturing alternative people centered development initiatives at community level for people to develop their full potentials and expand their choices in accordance with their needs and interests.

Health Equity Initiatives

Advancing the rights to health of marginalized populations which include community based health interventions, professional mental health services, research & monitoring activities and evidence based advocacy.

IPPF – The International Planned Parenthood Federation

Provides sexual & reproductive health information, education & services which include family planning, abortion, maternal & child health, STI & HIV treatment, prevention and care.

JAG – Joint Action Group for Gender Equality

A coalition of 9 women’s human rights groups all working for the betterment of women and children :

AWAM – All Women’s Action Society

EMPOWER – Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor

PSWS – Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor

PWW – Perak Women for Women Society

SAWO – Sabah Women’s Action-Resource Group

SIS – Sisters in Islam

Tenaganita

WAO - Women’s Aid Organization

WCC – Women’s Centre for Change, Penang

Justice for Sisters

Grassroots campaign to raise public awareness about issues surrounding violence and persecution against the Mak Nyah community in Malaysia.

MAKNA – National Cancer Council

Mobilizing resources to provide curative, preventive, research and support services to cancer patients & their families, high-risk groups & general public.

Malaysian SLE Association

Social & psychological support to SLE patients & family, campaigns, encourage & promote research, training & health care services and operates as a resource center for information on SLE & related MCTD (Mixed Connective Tissue Disease).

NCWO – National Council of Women’s Organisation

Uniting women’s organizations & cooperate with national, regional & international organizations in the commitments to a just society free from discrimination in which women at all levels enjoy equality through the promotions of their human rights.

NCSM – National Cancer Society Malaysia

Creating an understanding of cancer leading to prevention & early detection and providing the best possible care & support for those affected by cancer.

OUTDO

A bi-monthly safe & inclusive space for all women to meet, share experiences and exchange ideas about topics that matters to them.

Perak Women for Women Society

Providing assistance for battered women & children, promoting awareness, gender equality, advocacy, cultivating a culture of mutual respect & elevating women’s socio-economic status & independence and facilitating changes both in society & legal system for the betterment of women and children.

PSWS – Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor

Women workers’ support group working with plantation, electronic & domestic workers on health, safety, worker’s rights, training, empowerment and advocacy.

PT Foundation

Community-based organization that works closely with the 5 communities (drug users, msm, positive living, sex workers and transgenders) most affected by HIV/AIDS.

SAWO – Sabah Women’s Action-Resource Group

Working towards making society a more equal & just particularly for women & children, raising public awareness, advocating law & policy reforms that affects women, support services to women & children in need and capacity building activities to strengthen agencies & NGOs that work with women & children.

SCAS&FT – Spastic Children’s Association of Selangor & Federal Territory

Numerous services, facilities & activities such as free transportation, education, physiotherapy & hydrotherapy used to care & treat special children and awareness programs to educate public on the disorder & cerebral palsy.

SIS – Sisters in Islam

Promoting an understanding of Islam that recognizes the principles of justice, equality, freedom and dignity within a democratic nation state.

Tenaganita Women’s Force

Helping women workers in plantations & industrial sectors to gain rights for decent wages, decent living conditions, to stop discrimination & gender based violence, addressing issues of exploitation, discrimination and unequal treatment & violence against women, refugees, documented & undocumented migrant workers, trafficked person, domestic workers, sex workers & people living with HIV/AIDS.

The Malaysian Bar – Legal Aid Centres

Upholding the cause of justice without fear or favour, protecting & assisting the public in all matters touching ancillary or incidental to the law and many more.

WAO – Women’s Aid Organisation

Operates a shelter for both abused women & their children, counseling, child care center and advocating for law & policy reform on violence against women.

WCC – Women’s Centre for Change, Penang

Offer immediate assistance for women needing crisis intervention, temporary shelter for women & children, promote gender equality & social justice, eliminate violence against women, empowering women & children, research into social problems related to women & children and conduct talks, seminars, courses, information booths & exhibitions on violence against women.

P/s : I may not have all the information on organizations and groups catering to the needs of women in Malaysia so if you know any that’s not on my list, feel free to write me so I can keep this updated J

Let us not be sidelined!

Cervical Cancer Awareness Flyer

Saw this flyer on my way home and hope that I am helping by sharing this :

They need better header & I need a better camera.
Hmmm... Time to drum up some donation.. anyone..? hello...?

In order not to pull your eyelids up for a couple of hours reading what I wrote, I’ve attached some helpful links (which I think are pretty helpful) instead :

1) HPV and Cervical Cancer (The Star, Sunday, May 22, 2011)

2) Power Over Cervical Cancer (make sure your speaker is not on the high side. Else, like me, you’d probably jump by a sudden talking voice)

3) Cervix Cancer – Makna.org.my

4) Cancer Types – National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM)

5) Malaysian Anti-Cancer Association

Please note I do not work for any of these individuals nor organizations and do remember to take some precautionary measure (i.e. If it looks suspicious, it most likely is) by contacting :

For company, bodies or organization

1) ROC / SSM - Registrar of Companies / Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia @ Companies Commission of Malaysia

2) ROS - Registrar of Societies Malaysia

For Medical Practitioner

1) MMA - Malaysian Medical Association

2) MOH Malaysia - Ministry of Health Malaysia

For those who are unsure, both Cervical Cancer Awareness Month & Cervical Cancer Prevention Week is in January. So mark your calendar and do your annual pap smear. Like they say - Prevention Is Better Than Cure.

Womyn Like Us - Womyn's Movie Month

*Disclaimer : Please note that I am just sharing the details of this event and not the organizer(s) so I do not own / hold any rights (creative or otherwise) to any of the information shared*

March 8th marks International Women's Day (IWD). The focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women's economic, political and social achievements.

Womyn are diverse. We come in all shapes and sizes, religions and ethnicities, classes and social backgrounds, as well as sexual orientations and gender expressions. 

However, a womyn who does not look or act the way society expects her to, who 'crosses' traditional gender roles, and challenges the stereotypical image of what a womyn should be, is in many cases discriminated. Being 'queer' invites persecution simply because it does not conform to social conventions. 

For this year's IWD, we bring you a month of very special movies around the themes of sexuality and gender expression - two of the most taboo and controlled aspects of a womyn's life.

1) 2 March - Circumstance

2) 9 March - Gendernauts

Gendernauts (march 9, 2013) Germany/U.S. 1999, 86 min, in English. 

Gendernauts explores phenomena of gender fluidity at the end of the millennium in the Bay Area, California. It is a film about cyborgs, people who alter their bodies and minds with new technologies and chemistry, with an emphasis on biological women who use the male sexual hormone testosterone. We get to know San Francisco's leading gender mixers:Max Wolf Valerio, who reads from his book, Max, A Man; Jordy Jones and his net art; Texas Tomboy and his video art; Safford, who explores new business venues and, together with Jordy Jones, organizes "Club Confidential," the world's leading gender bender event. We meet Hida, an intersexed woman, who happily inhabits the middle ground between male and female; and two extraordinary biological women who support transgender people: sex goddess Annie Sprinkle and ex-centerfold model Tornado, who was Stafford's lover and is the self proclaimed mother of Texas Tomboy. We take excursions into the life of the spotted hyena, a very special animal society. The female hyena has an enlarged clitoris that looks like a penis. Her bloodstream carries a large amount of testosterone especially when she's pregnant. Our tour guide for the journey through shifting gender identities is Sandy Stone, also known as the "Goddess of Cyberspace," Who is Director of the ACTLab at the University of Texas at Austin.

3) 16 March - Unveiled

4) 23 March - Children of Srikandi

5) 30 March - Word Is Out

Embrace and celebrate our diversity!

Screenings are free but are by invite only. For tickets please RSVP to queeriefilms@gmail.com.

My African (Head Wrap) Journey

Ever since I’ve chopped off em curly hair and rocking my short crop (which looked like a longer crew cut version by now) I’ve been out with gelled / moussed / non - gel or non - moussed hair peppered with 1 of my longtime love : African Head Wrap. Many times I’ve fantasised about Erykah Badu's mane (did you notice the height and bulk?).

The ever fabulous Ms Badu

I’ve always thought of African head wraps as alluring, sexy and well, I love wearing my colours and prints too (so what better way than that huh?). I've never worn any sort of head wrap back then only because I love showing off my permed curls (I wish I have em black girls’ natural hair, rocking it like Ashley Everett). 

Ms Everett rocking em sexy natural

I’ve worn em wraps (only with scarfs, gele is so hard to find here) and so far, I love it! What can I say? I just love the look, it makes you feel even more like a queen with it (plus you can protect your head from the sun). I’ve been complimented by strangers and friends alike, asking me to show em how. Malay girls (in the case of strangers) would top the list by being the 1^st to compliment / ask for a how-to and I was more than happy to share with them.

Trust me, I’ve unwrapped and re-wrapped it dozens of times and of course I’ve also asked them to go to Youtube.com (for your viewing pleasure I've included it down under) and searched under African head wrap (where they could learn a few styles from all these wonderful ladies on Youtube.com) : 

 

And of course with the lack of volume, this video is most relevant for people just like me : 

I do agree with 1 of the ladies who did these tutorials; you could wrap the same way but it turns out differently each time. Marvellous isn't it? At the end of the day, keep adjusting those lines and play with your looks. It is really not unlike make up application even though this is way easier (for me at least). You’ll get it right J (got it done from my 1st attempt, it’s really that simple!).

Here are some pictures of me with my wraps and I’d like to share more of it but I always have a tendency to forget taking pictures, especially my own :

Sis's wedding banquet - Left (double scarf)

Right view

Casual weekend afternoon (single scarf)

Family dinner - Right (double scarf)

Left view

Friend's birthday celebration 1.0 - 1st wrap (double scarf)

2nd wrap on the same outing
(I re-wrapped it but see how diff?)

Friend's birthday celebration 2.0 (triple scarf)
- 1 for volume, 1 for hold, 1 for style

Several tips to keeping it real :

1) Use a pashmina or wig cap to protect hair from being damaged by your wrap material (if its coarse, such as materials like cotton).

2) Keep the materials light, you don't want achy shoulders or head with heavy stuff.

3) Wrap them all tight and secure but not so tight that you cut off circulation. You don't want to pass out, have migraine, aching shoulders or back now do you?

4) You don't even need any types of pin, just tuck it all in! If it's done properly you can even swing your head without it coming off!

I hope you will enjoy exploring your looks with African head wraps as much as I did! Hopefully next time I'd go out looking like this :

Who knew the after shower wrap style could be so hot?

What maketh a woman - Your Hair?

Funny how we ladies strive to go hairless with other parts of our body (think cream, shave, threading, wax, strips & lasers) but god forbid if we should suggest shaving the head bald! After getting my shave say, around 30 days ago for Bald for Fund, these were what had transpired (doesn't reflect sequence of event) :

- You are so brave! (from supportive attendees during events)

- Thank you so much for doing what you did (from organizer of event and also friends / their family who had brushes with cancer)

- OMG! You a hero(ine), (wo)man! (my friends during gathering)

- You still look cute / good (my darling & friends)

- I love a woman who's bald and daring (coming from a Malaysian malay male custom officer)

- It's good you doing a part for charity, good karma for your parents and your family, living or dead (coming from my aunt, late dad's side) - don't ask me how she knows, unless my mom / sis updates her or she saw it through the papers (i'm assuming here)

- Why did you do it? You crazy?! (from family, friends whatnots)

- Show me your bald head la! (from male friends mostly)

- 'Question mark hovering their head' & weird look & but too "polite" to ask hence they stare~

- You went for prayer is it? Or perhaps assumed I'm a nun when I had my scarf wrapped round my shoulder. Can't ppl differentiate robe or a pashmina? (some random ppl)

- How does it feel? Let me touch! (my girlfriend)

- Itchy or not? (my friends)

- Why you still have white hair 1? (my friends)

Only a shaved head can generate so much attention.. *Attention seekers out there, here's your cue*

Benefits for me :

1) When was the last time you went to a hairdresser without paying and he/she won't harm your life or threaten your family?

2) Less shampoo time

3) Less drying time

4) Don't need to use diffuser anymore

5) Grew stronger hair this time around?

6) Get to fashion myself after Nefertiti (you'll see future post about this ^_^)

Disbenefits for me :

1) I get sick from getting too hot or cold on my scalp so always have cap, beanie & scarves ready

2) Itch easier cos hair growing longer

3) Suddenly my head becomes a petting zoo or just any zoo (being looked at), maybe I should start charging?

Must always have a 'Before' pic, right?

Even though smiling, was afraid blade will cut me. I know, stupid right?

Hand almost numb from holding up my cut up curls, hehehe~

Thank god for his power of concentration, no injury XD

Who says you can't smile or laugh being bald?
Can't you see my bald head's shining with me too?

1st week after shaving. (Yes, i do go out au naturel)

2nd week after
(Can you see the peace sign, awareness ribbon & almost ankh-like symbol?)

3rd week (It grew so fast!)

Ok, I'm not lying, it really grew that fast!

Being bald does have some liberating effects.. My head is lighter, I don't have to worry about bed head, hair products or diffuser (else smelly scalp if left to dry naturally). Also, if i am any flatter on my chest or ass I'd probably pass as a dude. How cool is it to cross dress and travel the world (just like Daniela Sea from The L Word's fame)?

So ladies, does your hair maketh you the woman you are or the woman you are maketh the hair? If anyone should tell you that you are a lesser woman by the existence or the length of your hair, you can always do this :

I was cute until you made me do this~

Also, this video is dedicated to you ladies out there : 

Happy Sunday!

Funds not over, Bald Is Empowering

14 days ago...

16 ladies & 1 man...

Baring it all...

In Bald for Fund..

Benefiting Cancer Patients..

It's... (drum roll)

Bald Is Empowering!!!

(I imagined ads for American Idol or any other reality based shows, e.g. Iron Chef & etc while writing that)

I am grateful for the day that I met Shamaine Ho through Facebook (yes FB, you gave me so much. OK, i promise to love you long time) and lucky to be part of this meaningful cause. Without her, us baldies (for the 'Before' pictures of the 16 ladies, click here) will never get to participate, empowering ourselves and others, enabling sponsors to participate and last but not least : helping cancer patients by encouraging monetary donation from both corporations and public.

Attendance for the Bald for Fund was very encouraging, endless stream of words of support coupled with surprise and admiration for the ones lining up to be shaved. Some laughed, some tear a little and most are just overwhelmed by the loving, positive energies on the floor that day. See for yourself :

Bald For Fund @ A Cut Above, MidValley for MAKNA, NCSM & BCWA

Good music, good food & door gifts.. ooh la la~

Donate, donate, donate!

Thank you encouraging, supportive crowd!

The ladies and their last shot before the final cut~

None of them are the least bit worried or regretted their decision, KUDOS!

There's no turning back, last group photo before snip snip :)

Wondering what's on their mind at that moment~

Mine was : Oh my god, it's so cold!

Look at all the cheery faces! Annie got an Angpau and can't stop smiling!

Have you seen that many bald heads in 1 spot before?

(If you want to see more pictures, go to Bald Is Empowering's Facebook page)

I've never had the chance to thank any of the volunteers on that day but THANK YOU volunteers!! You & Shamaine's hard work made Bald for Fund happened for us baldies ^^

Even if you are not there, I am sure the loving, happy energy is glowing off your monitor screen right now (no, no, not like Poltergeist). Bald for Fund might've happened 14 days ago but let's not let the funds stop now! Cancer patients still need you and you can still donate through Bald is Empowering via Simply Giving (All funds go to MAKNA) up until Saturday, 31st March 2012. Don't worry about the USD 1 charged by PayPal, it's for them to verify your credit card and they will reimburse your USD 1 later. If they failed to do so, you can contact Simply Giving via email : help@simplygiving.com and they will highlight this issue to PayPal on your behalf.

As of 12th march 2012, collection to date has reached RM 76,2350.80. Let's all work together and help Bald Is Empowering achieve their RM 200,000.00 collection mark to help cancer patients! If you are still unsure or worry about the level of transparency practised, go to Bald Is Empowering's website and browse through their Donation List and Beneficiaries for their list of beneficiaries. Hope that helps :)

Before I bid adieu, here's a an interview with TV2's Hello On Two :

BALD Is BOLD : Bald Is Empowering

You know the phrase ‘Your hair is your crowning glory’? So I’d imagine your response would probably be the same with most when told that someone you know is taking ‘em hair to the shavers. Of all the responses, my favorite was my mom’s : “When? What? Your sister is getting married 2 days after and you’re shaving it bald?”. 

LOL! Way to go mom~

As women (not forgetting the men too), we’ve been brought up bearing grand obsession towards our ‘crowning glory’. For example : 

1) The hair is the richest ornament of women – Martin Luther

2) Women…. Who made 'em? God must have been a… genius. Their hair. They say that the hair is everything, you know? Have you ever buried your nose in a mountain of curls, and just wanted to go to sleep forever? – Bo Goldman

3) Hair brings one’s self-image into focus; it is vanity’s proving ground. Hair is terribly personal, a tangle of mysterious prejudices – Shana Alexander

Since it is such a treasured item, I’m taking it all off on 8th March 2012 along with 15 other ladies and 2 other gentlemen (Francis Low & Dennis Lau) in exchange for your donation : 

Amanda Mun

Andrea Au

Ann

Annie Ismeth

Asherra De Alex

Beatrice Leong

Chan Sze Yen

Chew Mee Yin

Ellena Chew

Jayne Eu

Kiruba Devi

Mdm Soo Siew Leng

Nicole Foo

Samantha Lee

Shamaine Ho

Shirley Yeo

Bald Is Empowering’s mission is simple : 

Raise a total of RM200,000 to help the many needy cancer patients in Malaysia. 

Here I sincerely plead for your generosity and for you to open your heart. Spare a few of your precious minutes by drawing out those dollar notes, getting your credit cards on a standby or issuing a check; simply by contributing to Bald Is Empowering in support of this cause : CANCER.

This paragraph taken from Bald is Empowering’s info page says it all :

“Cancer wasn't really a choice for many of our friends and family.

We wept with our loved ones as they face the deterioration of their mental and physical health. And through visitation, we have also seen the many out there who face an even worse enemy; financial challenges. 

None of us are doctors nor are we well off. But we do know that the little that we give will go a long way. By helping those less fortunate than us, in whatever way possible, we aid them in knowing that they are valued by others. Thereby channeling a more positive environment compared to the negative situation that they are in.

We believe this is not only an act of goodness or financial aid but most importantly an act of love in the spirit of community giving and support.”

Brainchild of Shamaine Ho, a mother of 3 and a Workshop & Event Organizer who, since December 2011 has been searching for volunteers willing to part with their hair thus drumming in more support and bring further attention to this meaningful cause.  

You can show your support by : 

1) ‘Like’ Bald Is Empowering’s Facebook page and ‘Share’ it with your friends.

2) Attend the BALD for Fund! event with your friends and family

Event Date : 8/3/2012 (International Women's Day)

Venue         : Mid Valley A Cut Above

3) Make online credit card donation through Simply Giving or go to Bald Is Empowering’s website (under Donate Now’s tab) to find more ways on how to donate

4) Be a volunteer and email them to : info@bald-is-empowering.com

5) Be a sponsor. Give them all the help they may need, not just financially but also in kind by sponsoring and spreading words about this project

Beneficiaries are MAKNA Bursary Program where donations collected between 25th January - 7th March 2012 will directly benefit them and funds received on the 8th March 2012’s Bald for Fund event will go to both National Cancer Society of Malaysia and Breast Cancer Welfare Association

Cicero says, “It is foolish to tear one’s hair in grief, as though sorrow would be made less by baldness”. I would, however, wish to add : 

“Why not exchange it for other’s monetary donation instead?”