ALL ABOARD WITH THOMAS & FRIENDS™ AS THEY EMBARK ON A JOURNEY ACROSS THIS BIG WORLD

For over 70 years, Thomas & Friends™ has been entertaining children around the world from the vibrant island of Sodor. Now, Thomas will embark on the most exciting transformation in content ever-to-be-seen – as he expands his horizons and travels around this amazing world in Thomas & Friends : Big World! Big Adventures!. This new movie tentpole and series will be pivoted to make the show more entertaining, inclusive, meaningful, and global.  

The new content refresh will feature faster paced stories, with a focus on fantasy, humour, animals, and musical sequences. Taking the role of the narrator, Thomas will now speak directly to his viewers, creating a more personal and meaningful experience with the No. 1 blue engine. Moving forward, Thomas & Friends will also see the formation of a new core Steam Team with an equal number of girls and boys in the lineup (Thomas, Gordon, James, Percy, Emily and new characters Nia and Rebecca) ensuring gender inclusivity and speaking to a broader audience across the show.

In Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures!, Thomas’ dream of seeing the world will motivate him to travel across deserts, through jungles, and over mountains as he journeys to Africa, Brazil, USA, and China. Joined by Nia, a female character from Kenya and a new member of the Steam Team, Thomas will travel farther than he has ever been before, experiencing new cultures and making new international friends.

“With Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures!, Thomas will introduce preschoolers and young children to the bigger world around them through the wonder and awe of trains. While the show will still have an emphasis on the importance of friendship and teamwork, it will also be more exciting and educational than ever before. Kids can now discover new countries and cultures together with Thomas, their trusted friend for adventure and discovery as they grow up,” said Audrey Ng, Assistant Brand Manager for Infant & Pre-School at Mattel Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Mattel).

With his worldwide trip underway, Thomas is inviting fans to discover the world with him at the Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures! event at the Curve. From 10AM to 10PM, between 14 and 26 August 2018, kids can meet life-sized replicas of Thomas and his friends, trek through an obstacle-filled maze in Nia’s Jungle Safari, visit Yong Bao’s Great Wall for puzzles and quizzes, and get comfy and enjoy never-before-seen videos of Thomas & Friends in a mini beanbag theatre.

Mattel is partnering with the Curve to bring this event to life, offering exclusive goodies and redemption offers at the Centre Court throughout the campaign. Every day, the first 1,000 kids to visit the event will be given a special Thomas & Friends Passport, which they can complete to win a special Thomas & Friends gift. In addition, shoppers who spend RM120 and above on Thomas & Friends merchandise will be able to redeem a limited edition 2-in-1 playmat carrier while shoppers who spend RM150 and above can redeem a 2-in-1 playmat carrier  and an exclusive Thomas Train Ride around the Centre Court. Redemptions are subject to terms and conditions, available only while stocks last.

Jazmi Kamarudin, Senior General Manager of the Curve, said, “School holidays are always a time of fun and adventure for our young ones, which is why our Thomas & Friends, Big World! Big Adventures! campaign will be an ideal day out for them! As a family-friendly mall, we have always strived to create fun activities for families to participate in together. We hope that this school holidays will leave fond memories for all as parents and kids alike can spend time enjoying what we have to offer here at the Curve.”

Fans can keep themselves up to date with Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures!  on the official YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/thomasandfriends. Brand new videos will be available – with 5 sing-along karaoke videos and introduction videos for Thomas’ new friends from around the globe: Nia, Yong Bao, and Ace. Fans can also visit the Thomas & Friends Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/sea.thomasandfriends) to find out more about the new content as well as the Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures! event.

Great Family Entertainment At The Moscow Circus

The Moscow Circus Tour of Malaysia 2018/19 is finally here at Padang Timur, Petaling Jaya until 2nd September 2018 before the circus travels up north to Penang in mid September. Last Saturday, my family and I enjoyed the awesome circus performances. Since the school holiday is coming, you can bring your children here to enjoy world-class circus acts.

Those who attend can look forward to staggering, death-defying feats by aerialists, trapeze artists, Russian Swing acrobats, along with specially featured highlights such as a mesmerizing juggling performance by famous juggler Semion Krachinov, high octane roller skating from The Romanov Duo, mind-boggling illusionist acts by The Moskalov Duo, as well as nail-biting high wire walking by The Svezhov Duo, all held together by one of Russian's most well-known clowns, Armen Asiryants and the beautiful ring mistress, Karina Peace.

Armen Asiryants is the clown with hilarious acts. Kids love him a lot.

The Romanov Duo - one of the top roller skating acrobatics duo in Russia.

Semion Krachinov - one of the most sough-after jugglers in Russia.

The Moscow Circus brought smiles to underprivileged children by letting them watch the circus performance. By collaborating with Budimas Charitable Foundation, the organizer welcomed 260 children on 11th August 2018.

Official Banking partner, Maybank is offering card members 15% off Family Package tickets for Petaling Jaya performances. Besides this, Maybank card members get to enjoy Treatpoints Rewards redemption and a chance to win 2 Premium B tickets with a minimum spend of RM 1500.

Tickets can be purchase at www.ticketpro.com.my.

For more information, you can refer to my earlier blog post The Moscow Circus Tour Of Malaysia 2018/19 or visit https://www.themoscowcircus.com.my/. 

Universal Studios Japan

My family loves to visit theme parks and fun family places. We planned our trip to Universal Studios Japan before we arrived there. We bought our entrance tickets through Klook website because we did not want to wait in the long queue to buy our tickets there. It is easy to buy the tickets online and we just need to show the barcode on the mobile phone or printout for entrance. 

Universal Studios Japan is a very popular tourists attraction in Osaka and so you need to be prepared to wait in long queues for popular rides. If you can afford the Express Pass, then you can pay extra to get those online too. Do get yourself familiarized with the park map before you go. Some rides have height restrictions and I was glad my son was tall enough for the few popular rides we went on.

We were there early because we wanted to ride the popular Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey first. We heard that this was the best ride and didn't want to miss it. If you arrive late, you will need to get a timed ticket for entering The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I loved the 3D ride without 3D glasses, I could feel the magic, the dragon's heat and the thrill of a new dimension in the wizarding world. It was really an awesome ride not to be missed!

We love Minions and both my kids bought some minion souvenirs here. My son loved the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride the most. The ride was kind of crazy, silly and funny. It was a bit too bumpy for my husband and daughter.

The big minion was filled with popcorn it in, the small minion has candies and the Spiderman toy car goes forward and when it knocks something, it'll go backwards. The 3 stickers in the front were given to us free by the staffs who works there. 

This is my favorite family photo taken at Universal Studios Japan.

We enjoyed our delicious turkey drumsticks.

There were also many stage shows and street shows. If you love to watch these shows, better check out the time. Here is one that I recorded.

My children had fun riding some kiddie rides at Universal Wonderland.

Another popular ride was the Amazing Adventure of Spiderman. We didn't need to wait long as it was getting dark and many people have gone back. This is another ride you shouldn't miss if you come here. 

We were lucky that the weather was good and did not rain. We were there until the park closed. 

Even though we were tired, we enjoyed ourselves there. Looking forward to more family adventure in the future. 

Related post: 

My Family Trip To Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto and Wakayama, Japan - part 1

My Family Trip To Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto and Wakayama, Japan - part 2

The Moscow Circus Tour Of Malaysia 2018/19

For the first time in Malaysia, elite performers from Moscow’s two most famous circus companies - the Bolshoi Circus (aka The Moscow State Circus at Vernadsky Prospekt) and the Nikulin Moscow Circus are joining forces to captivate Malaysians on a never-before-seen 8-month nationwide Moscow Circus Tour! 

The Moscow Circus will be at :
Padang Timur, Petaling Jaya from 10 August - 2 September 2018 
Queensbay Mall, Penang from 13 September - 30 September 2018
Auto City, Prai from 5 October - 21 October 2018
Dates for the other states are not known yet but the Moscow Circus Tour will be in Malaysia until March 2019.

Universally known as the capital of circus arts, Russian circus artists have, for decades, been thrilling audiences across the globe with spectacular performances full of power, artistry and world-class athletic skills. Visitors both young and old will be transported into a fantasy world through a unique array of performances by trapeze artists, jugglers, acrobats and gymnasts, all vying for attention and often at the same time.

Never-before-seen acts that audiences can look forward to include thrilling death-defying feats by aerialists, high wire walkers, trapeze artists and Russian Swing acrobats, along with specially featured highlights such as a mesmerizing juggling performance by famous juggler Semen Krachinov, high octane roller skaters, gravity challenging diablo spinners and mind-boggling illusionists, all held together by one of Russia’s most well-known clowns, Armen Asiryants.

Proudly animal-free, each performance will take place under a 2,700-seater fully air-conditioned circus Big Top, the largest circus tent in Malaysia. Each performance will feature a two-hour long world-class programme encompassing nearly 40 professional performers guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat! 

The ticket price range is from RM50 to RM280. For more information and to purchase your tickets, please visit https://www.themoscowcircus.com.my/.

The Orton-Gillingham Approach For Dyslexic Children At Altuz Academy

Dr. Choy Su-Ling, the founder of Altuz Academy and me

Dyslexia comes from the Greek language, 'Dys' means difficulty while 'Lexia' means written words. So dyslexia is a word describing some people who find it hard to learn to read and write even though their intelligence level is normal. I am a mommy of 2 children and unfortunately both of them have dyslexia. This is genetic as my husband is a dyslexic too. Children with dyslexia have difficulty in spelling, learning to read or interpret words, letters and symbols. Dyslexics usually get confused with b and d, p and q, o and c. Sometimes they write letters or numbers exactly like how you see them in the mirror. Some see the number 28 but write down on paper as 82 or see the word 'was' but write it as 'saw'.

I know some dyslexics are very bright. Albert Einstein, Alexander Graham Bell, Walt Disney, Whoopi Goldberg, Lee Kuan Yew, Steven Spielberg, Leonardo Da Vinci, Steve Jobs and Cher are some examples of famous dyslexics. Some of these dyslexics are very smart because they can think out of the box and their brains are different from normal people.

Here's a short video from Youtube about dyslexia.

The lack of expert instruction and proper intervention to rectify the reading problems of dyslexic children before they fall behind in traditional schooling can lead to irreparable harm, low self-esteem and a widening gap that becomes increasingly difficult to close. This has negative societal implications and it is a crucial responsibility of parents to ensure that their dyslexic children are able to read proficiently to ensure their quality of life. 

I have been searching for right methods to teach my children since I found out that they have dyslexia a few years back. I have bought books especially for dyslexics to work on but their progress is still very slow. Recently, my friend told me about the open day at Altuz Academy to learn about the Orton-Gillingham approach and I went there to find out more.

The Orton-Gillingham Approach, the highly structured evidence-based approach to teaching reading and recognized by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), is now available in Malaysia with the opening of Altuz Academy, a premier education centre for dyslexia intervention. 

All Academic Language Therapists at the academy receive the vigorous training and supervised practicum accredited by the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE) and IDA. 

“It is critically important that remedial specialists, educators and teachers working with dyslexic students be vetted, highly trained in an evidence-based approach with oversight and accountability. Literacy training should be comprehensive, accredited by an international organization and include a supervised practicum period. There should also be ongoing professional development for the sake of the children whom they work with,” said founder of Altuz Academy, Dr Choy Su-Ling. 

The Orton-Gillingham approach was developed in the 1920s by Dr Samuel Orton, a doctor who first discovered dyslexia, together with Anna Gillingham, a gifted teacher and psychologist. This approach has been further supported by over 100,000 scientific studies over 70 years that conclusively showed that a reading approach should include five important pillars: phonemic awareness, systematic phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

In the hands of a skilled instructor, this is a powerful instructional approach that benefits students of all ages and abilities so that learning becomes a rewarding experience. The key features of this approach are multisensory, sequential, incremental, cumulative, individualized, based on phonograms and explicit.

Sample of assessment test result of a child

Dr Choy, together with centre manager Yap Jo Ling, created history in the international dyslexia community by being the first two AOGPE-trained academic language therapists from Malaysia. They will continue to be observed and audited by the AOGPE to meet and maintain the high standards of teaching. 

For all parents who have children with dyslexia, you can find out more about Orton-Gillingham approach at Altuz Academy. Do check out their FACEBOOK page and get help for your children.

AirAsia X Launches Search For Joint Ambassador With Sony Malaysia

(From Left to Right) Sony Malaysia Managing Director Satoru Arai; AirAsia X Malaysia CEO Benyamin Ismail and AirAsia X Group Head of Commercial Barry Klipp flanked by cabin crew at the launch of “Through the Lens” to search for a joint ambassador for the brands.

AirAsia X today announced a new partnership with Sony Malaysia by launching a global search for the first ever joint brand ambassador to represent the leading travel and visual technology brands.

The ten-week contest, dubbed “Through the Lens” will run from 30 July to 7 October 2018. A one-year ambassadorship including air travel courtesy of AirAsia and latest Sony camera equipment can be won by sharing compelling images from any of AirAsia’s 130 plus travel destinations worldwide, via throughthelens.airasia.com.

AirAsia X Group Head of Commercial Barry Klipp said “Since its inception, AirAsia has been an enabler of air travel by providing consistently low fares. As a company, we are committed to innovation and technology and with this Sony partnership, we hope our guests will be inspired to share their travel experiences wherever AirAsia flies, through their own lens.”

Klipp added “They say a picture tells a thousand words. We launched this contest with Sony to showcase how travel experiences can be told in amazing ways visually no matter what the budget - either through a smartphone or with the best camera equipment in the market. We are searching for someone who explores any AirAsia destination and shares their favourite travel moments far and wide.”

Sony Malaysia Managing Director Satoru Arai said, "Due to the increase of smartphones penetration in the market, passion for photography has advanced rapidly in a few short years. People have started taking more aesthetic travel photos, which connect (thanks to social platforms) with complete strangers across the world. Sony, as the worldwide leader in Digital Imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer, we are confident of continuing to lead the way forward, to a wider spectrum of travel photographers, from hobbyist to enthusiast. In collaboration with AirAsia, we believe we can keep the inspiration chain alive and people will start capturing the beauty of everyday life through their lens.”

The grand prize is a money can’t buy experience where as a joint ambassador, the winner will be rewarded with the chance to be a part of exciting new AirAsia travel experiences and be involved in exclusive product launches from Sony Malaysia.

The winner will also win free return Premium Flatbed seats and accommodation in Tokyo, to visit Sony’s latest technologies at their Japan headquarters, Sony’s new full frame mirrorless camera, Alpha A7 III K worth RM9,433 and a Sony h.ear on 2 wireless headphones worth RM1,093. Also up for grabs are nine consolation prizes including AirAsia X flights and a Sony RX100V camera worth RM4,299, provided weekly to the best creative story submitted on the contest's microsite.

To enter the contest, visit throughthelens.airasia.com and learn how to submit your own entry by uploading your travel photos with a creative story around it.

Keep up-to-date with AirAsia's latest promotions and activities via Facebook (facebook.com/AirAsia) and Twitter (twitter.com/AirAsia).

JORDAN’S ‘FINDING PICASSO’ CONTEST REWARDED 30 CHILDREN AS WINNERS

Mr Eric Yong Chee Loong, country manager for JORDAN Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd, with the 30 winners from both categories and ‘J’ the mascot.

At Sunway Pyramid last week, 30 children from various parts of the country were rewarded with prizes totalling RM30,000, thanks to JORDAN, Scandinavia’s leading oral care brand, at the prize-giving ceremony this Sunday.

Held for the second year running, JORDAN’s contest was opened to children aged six to nine, and ten to twelve years old, and was held over a two-month period of May and June 2018. Besides 12 consolation prizes in each category, there were prizes accorded to the second prize winner, first prize winner with the grand prize winner set to receive a basketful of products worth RM4,800.

Grand prize winner for the 6 to 9 years old category, Miss Liew Rui Yee aged 9 years old, with the the mascot 'J' and Mr Eric Yong Chee Loong, country manager for JORDAN Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd.

 Mr Eric Yong, country manager for JORDAN Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd, posing with grand prize winner of the 10 to 12 years old category, Mis Choong Bee Yee, 12,  and her winning artwork displayed behind.

Through the creative approach of a colouring-cum-drawing activity, JORDAN attracts children and parents to become acquainted with its vast range of toothbrushes, flossers and toothpastes, and particularly those for children and their specific oral care needs.

Country Manager for JORDAN Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd in charge of Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan, Mr Eric Yong Chee Loong said, “JORDAN is making strong inroads in urban centres and selected towns through various activities that help us interact closer with interested customers, and the general public.

“Jordan believes in making firm relationships with customers through an educational direction that builds trust and interest and this surely turns to many converts and happy users.

“The quest to build a strong base takes time and much effort, but we at JORDAN are most committed, as we know the quality and value of the toothbrushes that bear this brand name. What’s more, the children’s range needs even more emphasis, as not many people realise the importance of appropriate toothbrushes for their milk teeth and also to fit their jaw-cum-mouth structure,” added Mr Yong.

Besides this creative exercise, JORDAN also organised roadshows to dedicated urban centres of Johor Bahru, Penang, Kota Bahru and now Petaling Jaya, to interact and network with parents and children, via fun activities, educational tips about such a fundamental daily tool like a toothbrush.

JORDAN also undertook visits to 110 primary schools in Klang Valley, Penang, Kelantan and Johor, reaching out to over 44,000 children in Standards One to Three. The session taught the children and their teachers about proper oral care hygiene and the correct way to brush their teeth.

Around 1,000 entries were received from various states, including Sabah and Sarawak with the theme being ‘My Happy Day’.

Concluded Mr Yong, “Children have their own way at expressing how they view the world, and this subject gave them a chance to express what makes them happy. As a lifestyle brand, JORDAN explores the creativity of the children and still remind them about the importance of their oral care hygiene through a fun, interactive approach.”

For further information please visit Jordan's WEBSITE or FACEBOOK.