Seafood dinner in Lumut

We're enjoying our new year's eve with a splendid dinner while writing down our plans for 2011! - The good life!

Holiday in Damai Laut

Shuba and I are enjoying a relaxing holiday in Damai Laut (about 4 hours drive north of Kuala Lumpur).

See our beatiful villa below! Shuba won a 4 days, 3 nights stay at one of those villa's in a writing contest... Truly relaxing!

Christmas in Kuala Lumpur

This year we didn't celebrate Christmas very big, though Santa Claus still visited Paul! He brought a book: "Rework" which Paul had been wishing for! See here, Santa holding the book;

Not only Santa visited, also the Dutch known 'Sinterklaas' (Uncle Gert and Aunty Anneke) came over! He has a small delay on this way from Holland to Malaysia, he got stopped by the custom officers;

- Thank you very vey much!

A new sofa!?

Wedding gift from Shuba's parents. Traditionally, the bride's parents will give the newly wed couple a bedroom set. Since we're already well equiped in the bedroom, we opted for a sofa...

We picked the sofa, to be deliverd in January 2011, a good start of the new year!

One of those days...

Always a bit scary when your car starts leaking huge amounts of automatic transmission fluid... Glad I immediately drove back to the mechanic, the oil seal of the drive shaft was totally gone! No wonder it leaked!

Baking Bread II

After a few trails, we seem to have found the right recipe;

It helped to visit a bakery shop that has all needed ingredients available and is able to give advice!

A beautiful soft loaf with a crispy crust, sorry we won't wait for breakfast to try this out!

Yummy!

Baking Bread

Paul's latest Hobby: Baking bread

Shuba and Paul received an early Christmas present from Shuba's mother: an oven!

The oven comes with a loaf pan that will automatically knead the dough.



The first fresh loaf looks good! By the way, this is also our the first fresh loaf in Malaysia.



The first result: very filling but slightly dry... Today we're baking our second loaf, the recipe has been improved... We'll share the result and how you can order the loafs :)

De laatste Show...

Voor de liefhebbers, het laatste 'optreden' van MM Jaya.








De presentator vraag Shuba waarom zij verdienen om door te gaan naar de volgende ronde. Shuba zegt: "Om dat wij deze week een moeilijke dans routine hebben geprobeerd en wij graag onze voortgang willen laten zien!"

Presentator: we hoorden 'Uncle' 'Uncle' 'Uncle' in de zaal maar helaas was het niet voldoende om door de gaan naar de volgende ronde...

Shuba: "Ik enrom trots en heb de mooiste prijs mogen winnen: samen met mijn vader op Nationale Televisie dansen....!"

We hebben allemaal genoten 'MM_Jaya' gaat genieten van een welverdiende rust!

Mari Menari (let's dance)... The End...

Na weken van drukte en plezier is er helaas een eind gekomen aan het dans spectakel voor Shuba en haar vader!

Dank aan iedereen voor jullie fanastische reacties!

Stemmen uit Nederland!

Ome Harry en Tante Lucy, Vaders en Moeders, hartstikke bedankt!

Mari Menari (Let's Dance) week 5

Deze week zijn de stemmen hard nodig, de bijna perfecte uitvoering resulteerde niet in een hoge score van de Jury...

Registration Logan

On Thursday 11-11-11, Logandran Jayaretnam (Shuba's brother) registered his marriage with Rebecca. The wedding ceremonies (temple, dinner, party, etc.) are scheduled for next year.

Below a few picture of this special event;







We wish Logan and Rebecca a happy marriage!

Mari Menari (Let's Dance) wk5

This weeks theme 'Cinema Mania'. MM Jaya danced to the tunes from the movie 'step up'. This weeks costume looked awesome!

Vote MM Jaya!

Mari Menari: Practice for wk5 has started

They made it! This weeks theme is; cinema! As on every training day, Astro came over to record the progress.

Stemmen uit NL!

Mari Menari (Let's Dance) week 4

This weeks theme: Hip-Hop

Malaysia is looking forward to see how 'uncle' and daughter performing! This week 'uncle' is called 'LL Cool Jaya'.




The Voting has started!!

MM Jaya & Fans

MM Jaya wk4 - hip hop

This weeks theme for Mari Menari (Let's Dance) is Hip Hop. Check out this weeks special outfit!

Happy Birthday!

November is the month of many birthday's in the Jayaretnam family;


- Nemisha (Ruben's daughter) - Ruben

And this year there is an extra special birthday: Shuba Father turns 60! There were 2 (!) parties, one was organized by ASTRO (the TV company that produces Mari Menari) and one at home, on Deepavali day;


- Organized by ASTRO - - At home -

Deepavali

On Friday 5th November we celebrated the Hindu festival Deepavali (Festival of Lights). It's rather similar to the Christmas celebrations as we know it in the west, e.g. on the evening before Deepavali there are prayers at home (praying to the grant and great-grant parents) and the famlily shares presents.

During the day and in the evening, it's all about food and family / friends. In the Jayaretnam family, traditionally 'the guys' play poker (while the ladies cook...)



It is also the time that friends a family are invited over to the house for either lunch, dinner or supper. In the picture below, see some friend from 'Mari Menari' that visited Shuba's parents house after the rehearsals on Friday...

Oil bath at Deepavali morning

Everybody takes an 'oil bath' at deepavali morning to cleanse the body. Officially this is done before breakfast and before going to the temple...

This year also Paul joined this tradition.

Thala-diwali

The first deepavali after a couple got married is called 'Thala-diwali' (head-deepavali).

Traditionally the couple celebrates this deepavali at the brides parents and the groom receives a golden ring from his parents-in-law.

Practicing for week 4

Shuba and 'Uncle' managed to pick the most popular choreographer (this week they were the 2nd couple to select). See them here, in discussion with the appointed consultant (Zul, a reasonable famous actor) and the choreographer.

This week theme; Hip-Hop. Ik zeg - that promises something!

Sunday outfit

Shuba in her 'Sunday-Dance-Outfit' and Paul, ehhh.... Not fitting :(

Mari Menari (Let's Dance) week 3

Last weeks result disappointed MM Jaya slightly, this week (latino) they're determined to show the public (and the judges) what they're really worth!

Don't miss it!




MM Jaya's performance is shown in the second part of the video!

Eerste Stemmen voor MM Jaya uit Europa!

Schitterend nieuws, we hebben de eerste stemmen uit Europa voor 'MM Jaya' ontvangen!

Ice cream men in front of ASTRO Studio

Amazing Entrepreneur ship in Asia, 'got crowd - got sales!' - ice cream at 11PM!

Mari Menari - week 3

We're in the studio, the live broadcasting will start in about 15 minutes from now. On the picture u see an impression of the studio. The crowd is being 'warmed up!

Don't forget to VOTE MM JAYA!

Astro promotion in the dance school

Shuba and her dad practice in a dance school close to our house. Astro has put up some banners to feel more at home.

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows. - Maori Proverb

You can decide what you want to focus on, find out more on Motivational Words.

Shuba and dad practice for their dance

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device via Vodafone-Celcom Mobile.

MM Jaya through to the next round!

MM Jaya ended in the bottom 3 based on the judges judgetment but they're number one for the Malaysian public! Check it out; 24% of the votes!!!



Check it out on the Astro website

Keep on Voting!!

Mari Menari (Let's Dance) week 2

The competition is getting serious; judges will be giving scores instead of 'funny remarks'. Every week a couple will be eliminated; 50% based on judges, 50% based on public's sms-es. (if you're not residing in Malaysia, Singapore or Brunei and you'd still like to vote, please contact Paul. You can place 20 votes for only EUR 2.50!)

Not only the competition got serious, we supporters also improved;



Watch their performance!!

MM Jaya - Sneak preview wk2

Very sneak preview, MM Jaya practicing at home before leaving to the studio!




MM Jaya in the national newspaper 'New Straits Times' check them out
here.

Shuba and Father are dancing in national TV

Shuba and her father are taking part in 'Mari Menari' (let's dance). Watch their first performance!



You can hear the whole studio shouting 'Uncle, Uncle, Uncle'! It is obviously quite unusual that a 60 year old man takes part in this contest.

Watch and enjoy!

BFM: Branding and Copyright Myths - Geetha K

My first radio interview. Yay!
On BFM (Business station 89.9) - under the Resource Centre slot.

I was interviewed along with another speaker on our talk topic - Branding and Trademark Myths.
Geetha (Trademark lady) and me (Branding lady) were invited to be on BFM to talk about the talk we were giving the next day titled: Branding and Trademark Myths.

Check it out!

It was nerve wrecking. I know some of you might think...I'm an actress so I should be natural with stuff like this right? Not true!
Being on stage or in front of camera is different to being on radio. The preparations are different, the medium is different, the presentation skill is also different.
For example, on stage, I can use my whole body and voice projection to deliver my lines/role as oppose to being on radio, it's only dependent on my voice clarity, enunciation, intonation and it's unrehearsed! So if I fumble up ... I fumble up on air-live!

That was the reason I had jitters. I did the best I could, prepared and read my subject matter and made sure I was aware of my intonation and enunciation.

Have a listen. Tell me what you think?

BFM: Branding and Copyright Myths - Geetha K

Two big events, One great theme!

All good things are meant to be shared.

So here's how we planned both our Engagement + ROM with one running theme.

Yes, you heard it... running theme. Who says branding is only applicable for products/services or individuals? We branded ourselves as a couple!

Couple: P&S
Colour: Sky blue-ish & white
Positioning: 2 cultures coming together, Dutch boy and Malaysian Indian girl

Look and feel: Classy and vibrant

Method: DIY

Cost: Time+Petrol+Sweat+Couple of hairs
Result: Grin of Ultimate satisfaction


The task in hand:
On the 4th September 2009, we got engaged in a traditional indian wedding style at my parents' place. (Paul blogged this event on the 12th December,2009) Since, the major part of the event will go according to the Indian Engagement Ceremony... we didn't want to exclude the Dutch element, hence tried to blend in some Dutch touch.
What was our idea?

Let's start with the Logo.

Inspiration: Delft Blauw (Ancient Dutch Pottery Art since 1512) & Tulip & Jasmine flowers
We took the Victorian feel to bring out classy-ness and fused it with jasmine+tulip flowers.
Jasmine flowers are very commonly used in any Indian ceremony/prayers and we all know why Tulips :)
The text is cleverly placed on a ribbon band which can easily be replaced with other relevant text.
Result: Our very own Dutch+Indian+P&S logo.




We also created our own icon.
An icon is a name or a visual symbol that communicates a positioning.


Our positioning is the same as above: 2 cultures coming together, Dutch boy and Malaysian Indian girl. We compiled Dutch+English+ Malaysian words that signifies our togetherness and memories that are etched in our mind forever. What better shape than the heart itself.. where it all started :)

Result: Our very own icon that can easily be replaced with other relevant text.


Next, we applied our logo and icon on our collaterals. Our table signs, online invite and Thank you cards.

Not to mention our traditional outfits and garland were in matching shades.










As well as the trays that were brought in by the Groom's family, each individually coordinated with beautiful white wooden tray+blue&white ribbons of sorts. We also incorporated Dutch touches into the trays of gifts. Dutch sweets and tulips were part of the gifts.











At the end, the inspiration and execution melted {our hearts} like butter on hot pan.

On 7th September, 2009, we signed our Registration of Marriage papers at Putrajaya.
It was a momentous day in our life!

We are now officially husband+wife.

For our ROM, we applied similar theme across the board. A good branding idea is always flexible and consistent.

The wedding bands The tray that carried our wedding bands was made to match the consistent theme.

We included little tricycle to symbolize the many fun cold bicycle rides we've had in Holland, all in matching blue and whites.


The beautiful rings taking a ride on the cute tricycle.

Result: Awwwwwww moment :)




The ROM dress

I bought the material and drew out the dress I wanted to wear. I didn't want to end up with a dress that can only be worn once and wanted to take pride in knowing I designed my own dress. There's something very satisfying in that!

The details were very specific and it had to look timeless and feminine. I could just throw on a balero and wear this dress to a gala night :)

Result: I walked down the ROM office aisle in great pride!

Finally, the icing on the cake...

We gave our baker who is also a close girlfriend of mine a big task. The cake had to carry our icon and the Tulip+Jasmine elements with similar colour scheme. Note the blue&white jasmine at the bottom tier.


We were blown away when we saw the final results. Heidee, my girlfriend aka baker made our cake idea come true.
It wasn't an easy feat I heard...but she was pleased with the results too.




Lucky us, not only did we get our fondant icon as imagined.. the cake tasted super delicious.


Orange on one tier and chocolate on the other. Again, Paul and Shuba's favourite combinations!

So, who says you can't have your cake and eat it too?