[UPDATE] I am currently travelling - YAY! Or more like taking a break from work. At the moment, I'm in Perth, WA and will be here till the 8th of October.
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I’m a 28 years old digital strategist from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I love my job - no, I’m crazy about it. Before I got into advertising, I went through a phase in my life when I went through jobs that I hated until someone gave me a chance to venture into social media and I made my way from there.

I’m also an aspiring fiction writer. I’m trying my very best to make use of my travel period to finish up my fiction. I got a long way to go still but I be sure to finish it before I turn 30. I was also a music writer before, for some US and Malaysian publications. I write reviews of albums and shows but I haven't done that much these days.

Back home, I sing and perform around. Weddings, small indie gigs, open mic, even in a host’s kitchen - I love to entertain and put a smile on other faces with my singing. I wouldn’t consider myself a great singer but I try. I love Lauryn Hill and Mary J. Blige and Jazmine Sullivan - I love soul and R&B music and I now know that this is my sound. I hope when time comes, I get to have a collection of songs I could turn into records. I did that before with my former Malay band. We disbanded and it broke my heart but I guess it’s just a great learning curve for me as a singer to do things my way, on my own.

I love to have good conversation, fun times, go out and have a drink or two and getting to know people. Some characters in the book I’m working on are inspired by the people I met throughout my travel. I’m organised and can be quite neat. I'm very resourceful too.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I realised that I need to take time off from work from time to time, I need to be away and forget about it for a little bit so I started to travel - within Malaysia and abroad. I need to reflect on my life and the position that I’m in, decision that I made over the past couple of months/years and make new ones. I like the fact that when I travel, I tend to not make so much plans. I let the days flow and I'll plan around it. I love that I get to be fluid about my decision when I travel too. I love that I'm becoming more open to meeting new people, learn new culture and lifestyle, live the way they do and talk to strangers than I usually would. I love that I get to let loose and allow myself to crash on someone's couch or floor and learn that the key to a good life and to being a good person is when you starts being humble.

My first experience of CouchSurfing was at a time when I needed to get help most. I was desperate and through CS, I found and met an angel called Bridget Rome in California. She hosted me for 5 days before I found a place in different side of LA. She becomes a good friend, one I visited and couch surfed every other month. When she came to KL, I returned the favour the best way I could. And though I haven't been able to properly host anyone over the past couple of years, I still try to find time to meet up and show them around my city.

Apart from LA, I've met fellow surfers in San Francisco, Monterey and Dubai.

Interests

I live and breathe music. I love good food and consider myself a foodie. I'm interested and is passionate about digital advertising, digital marketing, travelling (of course), world affairs, journalism, social media, consumer behaviours, music journalism, body positivity, good coffee, writing and books.

• culture
• writing
• books
• singing
• performing arts
• dining
• cooking
• coffee
• drinking
• traveling
• music
• r&b music
• business
• communications
• journalism

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Mostly hip hop, soul, R&B and indie rock/pop. I love me some electro and good pop from time to time too. Some jazz when necessary. Favourites of all time includes Mos Def, Rilo Kiley, Amy Winehouse, Mary J. Blige, Jazmine Sullivan, Sam Cooke, Lauryn Hill, Robyn, Headlights.

Movies: There are just too many to list down. But my all time favourites are Babel, Berbagi Suami (Indonesia), Munich, Nick and Norah Ultimate Playlist, Dear White People, State of Play, Selma,

Books: Just to name a few... High Fidelity (Nick Hornby), Chicago (Alaa Al Aswany), Bright Shiny Morning (James Frey) and a lot of marketing, advertising, digital marketing books in between.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Visited Russia.

I was curious about the country and at that point of time, I was in Dubai for a mix of business and leisure and I told myself, where else can I go before I get home?

It was the most unlikely of all places yet it was the most amazing of all places. Awesome people, beautiful cities. Period.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can help cook and clean up a little bit for you. Perhaps do some of your chores i.e. laundry? I can also sing for you, if you want to be entertained, that is.

Countries I’ve Visited

Indonesia, Russian Federation, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Malaysia, United States