The Year that was 2016

[Special Feature]

This year has been quite an eventful year. It marks the fifth year of Malaysia’s Hottest Bloggers in operation and honestly I never expected it to reach this point when I first started it years ago. We’ve worked with so many top brands like BALL Watch, Fujifilm, Haagen Dazs, Fitness First, The Macallan, Glen Grant, Johnnie Walker, Nescafe, Cetaphil, atre pop up store, Atria Shopping Gallery, and many more.

We assisted some F&B outlets such as Chili’s, Nomi Tomo Sake Bar, and Supperclub KL with some very cost effective publicity. We’ve also been invited to some very exclusive events by top fashion houses such as Dior, Hermes and Versace. We were very blessed to get tremendous support from Estee Lauder, Kerastase, Sally Hansen, ck fragrances, Esprit timepieces, Cotton On, Carlsberg Malaysia, Eight Gourmet Gala and Traders Hotel KL for our anniversary and Christmas parties!

Of course, the year had many ups and downs, with tragic events such as terrorism and wars in other countries, while our own country is still being overshadowed by the effects of a huge financial scandal which was uncovered by the FBI that implicated the highest echelons of leadership in the country.

We must learn from our mistakes and move forward and grow as a people and a country, and I take this opportunity to thank God for the many blessings that I have had this year.

 

Got to attend another Michelin Starred Dinner – https://timchew.net/2016/01/22/an-italian-experience-with-michelin-starred-chef-marcello-fabbri/

 

Provided celebrities and key opinion leaders for the launch of an old and familiar tech brand making a comeback into the consumer mobile device scene in Malaysia with the launch of the Moto 360 2nd Generation timepiece – https://timchew.net/2016/02/29/moto-360-2nd-generation-launched-in-malaysia/

 

Got to watch Richard Marx live at the KL Convention Centre. Used to sing along to his love ballads when I was younger. 

https://timchew.net/2016/03/10/richard-marx-the-solo-tour-live-in-kuala-lumpur-2016/

 

Had a very memorable French dinner courtesy of Martell and GH Mumm at Nathalie’s Gourmet Studio – https://timchew.net/2016/03/30/gout-de-france-dinner-with-g-h-mumm-and-martell/

 

An exquisite Italian dinner this time hosted by Jacob’s Creek – https://timchew.net/2016/04/15/jacobs-creek-heritage-wine-collection-dinner/

 

A decadent kaiseki dinner at Yamaguchi Fish Market – https://timchew.net/2016/04/17/kaiseki-dinner-at-yamaguchi-fish-market/

 

Diorever preview at the Dior boutique in Starhill KL – https://timchew.net/2016/05/02/diorever-preview-cocktail-at-dior-starhill-kuala-lumpur/

 

Carlsberg Smooth Draught launch at the brewery – https://timchew.net/2016/05/05/carlsberg-launches-the-carlsberg-smooth-draught/

Carlsberg was my very first client and they are pretty much responsible for Malaysia’s Hottest Bloggers becoming a company which has provided them and many other clients with very cost-effective advertising for the last five (5) years!

 

One of the best dinners I’ve eaten and it was by a very talented local chef at Savini which is tucked away in a corner of The Intermark – https://timchew.net/2016/05/30/romantic-dining-spots-savini-italian-fine-dining-restaurant-at-the-intermark-kl/

 

Another new client which so happened to be my favourite ice cream brand – https://timchew.net/2016/05/16/haagen-dazs-little-gardens-collection/

 

Didn’t dress up for Halloween this year however I did for the Breitling launch at KLCC following their aviation/ military theme – https://timchew.net/2016/05/26/breitling-launches-the-avenger-bandit-in-southeast-asia/

 

Gorged myself with delicious lobster, crab and seafood with her at Brolly – https://timchew.net/2016/05/26/breitling-launches-the-avenger-bandit-in-southeast-asia/

 

Worked with another watch client, this time BALL watch for the launch of their new boutique in 1 Utama Shopping Centre – https://timchew.net/2016/07/10/ball-watch-concept-store-launch-at-1-utama-shopping-centre/

 

Celebrated her birthday at Tanzini, G Tower KL – https://timchew.net/2016/07/18/romantic-dining-restaurants-tanzini-at-g-tower/

 

Got another shopping mall client (after 1 Utama Shopping Centre in 2015) – https://timchew.net/2016/07/18/atria-shopping-gallerys-comedy-food-festival-2016/

 

Did many whisky tastings but this was one of the most memorable ones – https://timchew.net/2016/08/19/auchentoshans-the-new-malt-order-at-wip/

 

Did 10 Malaysia International Gastronomy Festival 2016 restaurant reviews this year, breaking my record of previous years and gaining two (2) kilos in the process which I’m still trying to shed – https://timchew.net/2016/09/23/malaysia-international-gastronomy-festival-migf-2016-senja-at-the-club-saujana-resort/

 

Quite horrified to see the storm damage in my neighbourhood. Global warming is not something to be taken lightly.

https://timchew.net/2016/11/10/global-warming-what-global-warming/

 

Stood with my Malaysian brothers and sisters to protest against the massive endemic corruption that is a cancer to my beloved country. Sadly the level of ignorance of the citizens is incredibly high due to systemic and institutionalised social conditioning which is why rallies like BERSIH must be held – to educate the citizens regarding the lack of accountability and proper governance plaguing the country so that they can make a change when the time comes to select new leadership.

 

Celebrated my birthday together with the other November babies in Malaysia’s Hottest Bloggers at ANTE in 1 Utama Shopping centre – https://timchew.net/2016/12/02/birthday-dinner-at-ante-1-utama-shopping-centre/

The restaurant has since become my new favourite F&B outlet in the mall.

 

Celebrated Malaysia’s Hottest Bloggers’ fifth anniversary with a high tea which was sponsored by Estee Lauder, Sally Hansen, Esprit timepieces, Cotton On, Carlsberg Malaysia and hosted by Eight Gourmet Gala.

 

And to cap off the year, we did a Malaysia’s Hottest Bloggers Christmas party which was sponsored by Kerastase and Calvin Klein fragrances and hosted by Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

 

Rather poignant to discover that George Michael passed on Christmas Day. I was never a Wham!/ George Michael fan however they did sing this very iconic Christmas pop song which has been covered by various artistes throughout the years. 2016 also took other iconic pop stars such as David Bowie and Prince.

 

Woke up this morning to the sad news that Carrie Fisher, best known for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars movies, passed on in hospital after suffering a heart attack on a plane a few days ago. Princess Leia was an integral character which captivated the hearts of millions of fans which included me.

Just goes to show how fragile life is – one minute a person is here and the next they are gone. We need to treasure our loved ones and not take them for granted. Call your parents, visit your grandparents more than once a year, and treasure those who love and care about you. It’s too late once they’re gone and no amount of regret can bring them back.

 

 

Well 2016 wasn’t the best year with the economic uncertainty and the huge scandal hanging over the country and looking set to continue well into 2017 unless some sort of political change happens. It really creates a damper when you know that something just isn’t right with the country. I suppose that’s why a lot of my friends have decided to migrate to other countries – Australia, USA, UK and even Singapore.

Here’s hoping that 2017 will be better!