Chillout at Maan Maan Haang cafe

 

Twice – It so happened that the two times when I was in the Crest@Austin neighbourhood on a Monday, I saw that the Maan Maan Haang Café was closed. Disappointed, I checked online and discovered that Monday was their weekly day off.

 

A wide wooden door at the cafe entrance;
made from wood repurposed from a boat

A café by such a name certainly intrigued me but its shuttered façade showed nothing of their window dressing so I had no idea about what was within.

 

Maan Maan Haang is a phrase in Cantonese dialect that literally means, Slow Slow Walk, or paraphrased to read as, Walk Slowly.

 

Recently I received an invitation to visit a Brytte & Bonn popup store for affordable gemstones and fresh-water pearls in Maan Maan Haang Vintage Café and I did not hesitate to accept.

 

Facade of the cafe as seen from the road

It turned out that the Brytte & Bonn Gem House was a pet project of Grace Chiam, who started to get serious about her hobby in the past two years.

 

While she has a successful career in PR Marketing and Communications, Grace used every spare moment to explore, research and learn everything she had to know. Then to seek out suppliers before stocking up her collection of gemstones and pearls.

 

I arrived at the entrance of Maan Maan Haang Café and saw vintage bric-a-brac through the large glass paneled window. While I was eager to discover more inside, I had to pause and gather some strength to push open the wide wooden door.

 

[I later learnt that this door was made by a Singapore designer in Vietnam from wood repurposed from a boat.]

 

Please observe what is being used
as an umbrella stand: a chamber pot!

As the wide wooden door creaked opened, I slipped indoors – unconsciously taking slower steps – probably because I was slowing down, ready to soak in the vintage vibe …

 

Grace warmly welcomed me in and my eyes quickly scanned the vintage collection throughout the café and rested on the popup display of sparkling Brytte & Bonn jewellery, creatively designed with semi-precious gemstones and freshwater pearls.  

 

“I super love freshwater pearls,” Grace declared unabashedly as she introduced the range of designs for earrings, rings, pendants and bracelet charms, made by 12 suppliers, both local and from China, Taiwan and Korea.

 

She went on to say that some of the jewellery designs were made with 925 Sterling Silver and Gold-plated Silver, but emphasized that they were designed to be affordable.

 

A range of Brytte & Bonn products
in the popup store within the cafe
 

When I asked Grace about the brand name, Brytte & Bonn, she explained that Brytte, pronounced bright, refers to the sparkling jewellery while Bonn, is for bond and friendships, an expression of love where people present each other with exquisite pieces of jewellery.

 

Grace then introduced me to the café proprietor, Brian Chui and his wife, Hui Lin, who bakes daily to serve a range of cake slices.

 

I spied the mouth-watering cakes in a glass chiller and was eager to have a taste of her Lemon & Passionfruit Tart and Chocolate Banana Tart.

 

Brian brewed and served my hot cup of coffee while the cake slices were served in old-school crockery with familiar patterns, similar to that used in our grandmother’s house.

 

Brian Chui and his wife, Hui Lin

As I enjoyed the simple pleasure of hot coffee paired perfectly with the cake, my eyes roved around the café to admire the vintage collectibles that Brian had curated here.

 

I spotted many familiar items including a glass-paneled display cupboard from the 1950s and a tall jar filled with souvenir matchboxes, [just like what we have at home!] along with vinyl records, books, cameras, crockery, glassware, toys and knick-knacks from a bygone era.

 

I had flashbacks to secretarial school when I spied the chunky manual typewriters, the kind I used when I learnt to type – properly using fingers of both hands – and at such speed too.

 

Before electric or electronic typewriters came along, these manual typewriters made me develop muscles on my fingers. And now we only need to tap on the computer keyboard and use even lighter touches on our handphone keys.

 

Freshly brewed coffee from
Ethiopian coffee beans
 

The storyteller in me could not resist quizzing Brian about his passion in vintage items and to find out the inspiration that gave this café such a unique name.

 

Soon I learnt that Brian and his wife are both Johorean, himself of Hainanese descent while his wife is Hokkien.

 

They however, decided to use a Cantonese phrase, Maan Maan Haang for the café name because they felt that these days, people were always in a rush, with an attitude of needing instant responses at a touch of a button.

 

Brian and his wife’s desire is for this café to be a Rest Stop along the long journey of daily life, for people to chillout and enjoy some “me-time” over cake and coffee or tea.

 

Lemon & Passionfruit Tart and
Hazelnut Yam Tart [Background]

Since 2020, he and his wife were selling cakes and cookies online and when a cake connoisseur – who owned this property – tasted and appreciated their products, he encouraged them to share it from a café. So this café was opened since April 2024.

 

Now every morning, about 9am, Hui Lin will start baking so that the freshly baked cakes and tarts are ready to be served from 12.30pm.

 

Brian said that his father, who lived through World War Two, inspired him to be a collector. Interesting experiences and anecdotes that his father shared with him sparked his interest to seek out historic and vintage items.

 

He started collecting postage stamps and matchboxes from his childhood but some 10 years ago, it was a traditional tingkat food container that led him to add to his collection.

 

A collection of souvenir matchboxes

Among his most valuable finds are the vintage beer cans, the camera collection and old bus tickets, on display in the café.

 

In fact, some collectors have approached Brian to buy his items, so if you spotted something that you must have to add to your own collection, do ask and discuss with him. Who knows? He may be willing to part with it.

 

Grace and her husband – who happens to be Brian’s former schoolmate – often visited the café as regulars and in the course of conversation, the idea of a popup store for Brytte & Bonn in the café, came up.

 

And with the Chinese New Year just around the corner, Hui Lin has baked cookies and other specialties for sale. So it was just the right time to welcome people who enjoyed cookies, cake, coffee and affordable jewellery, to meet at Maan Maan Haang.

 

Then it became clear to me, how the vintage charm of Maan Maan Haang Café perfectly complements the timeless beauty of exquisite Brytte & Bonn gems and pearls.

 

As I looked around the café, I thought that the passion that Brian and Hui Lin have for nostalgic charm in a café was equaled by Grace’s passion for sharing her love for affordable gems and freshwater pearls.

 

Maan Maan Haang Café is at No. 55, Jalan Jaya Putra 7/6, Bandar Jaya Putra, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor. Open daily from 12.30pm to 9.30pm. Closed on Monday.

 

For enquiries: Call +6016 – 718 0002 or Email: maanmaanhaang@gmail.com

 

More info on the official Facebook page for this Café – Vintage Shop – Bakery.

Starbucks Signing Store in Permas City

 

Sign language was developed as a useful means of communication in communities of people with hearing challenges or deafness, and among people with deaf family members.

 

Facade of the Starbucks Signing Store
in Permas City, Johor 

My earliest experience of signing was when I met hearing-impaired staff at Johor Area Rehabilitation Organisation or JARO, when I visited the showroom with my mother and aunties who were regular shoppers of handicrafts made by persons with disabilities.  

 

Since my childhood experience with JARO, I have gone on to cover numerous stories about JARO over the years, to the point where their staff have become familiar with me.

 

In fact, I was so inspired by the work of JARO with people with disabilities that I have documented the JARO story in My Johor Stories 3: Proudly Johor, Then and Now, the third and final instalment that completed the trilogy of My Johor Stories.

 

Front entrance to the
Starbucks Signing Store

Recently when I received the invite from Starbucks to the opening of their fourth Signing Store at Permas City – the first one in Johor – I was more than keen to be part of this special event.

 

Starbucks has long been dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community and it was indeed a very special double celebration because December 17 marked the opening of its fourth Signing Store as well as the 26^th Anniversary of Starbucks Malaysia.

 

This new opening builds on the success of the Signing Stores opened in Kuala Lumpur in 2016 followed by two more in Penang and Kuching, Sarawak.

 

In fact, the first Signing Store that opened in Kuala Lumpur was also the flagship Starbucks Signing Store that inspired the opening of Starbucks Signing Stores worldwide.

 

A warm welcome in on Opening Day

Starbucks Malaysia continues to lead as the only coffee chain in the country with Signing Stores which are dedicated to supporting and uplifting people who have hearing disabilities.

 

I arrived at Permas City, well ahead of the event start time and was encouraged to see the uniquely designed café façade that announced that this Starbucks store was Proudly Served by Deaf Partners.

 

At the front entrance, glass wall panels were decorated with painted figures that represented Deaf Partners whose hand gestures demonstrated the signing for welcome phrases like, Selamat Datang and Hello!

 

Another view of the facade with the
signing name for JOHOR

It was good to see that the identity of this café was clearly defined by the hand signs next to the alphabets that spell, STARBUCKS.

 

While there are hand signs that represent each letter of the alphabet, I learnt that it may be tiresome to spell out each word every time so for ease of communication, the signing community have created shortforms for names and common words.

 

During the introductions, I observed that they will spell out their names by signing the alphabets and go on to show us their signing name – a shortform or nickname – unique to them.

 

Later I learnt that the shortform sign for JOHOR was by holding an open palm facing downwards placed against the forehead as if to look afar, which symbolizes the beret which the Johor Sultan often wears.

 

Mohd Akmal, store supervisor [Right] 
introducing the Malaysian Sign Language

To celebrate the store opening, the event welcomed members from Society Deaf Johor (SDJO) and athletes from Johor Deaf Sports Association.

 

Starbucks started with just one deaf partner assisting at one of their stores and has grown significantly by employing over 20 deaf partners, nurturing 11 coffee masters and four advanced coffee masters while upskilling five deaf partners into supervisory roles.

 

With the opening of the Signing Store at Permas City, Starbucks promoted deaf partner, Mohd Akmal, to the role of store supervisor.

 

Mohd Akmal "speaking" to us with
confidence using sign language

I joined Starbucks as a barista when the world’s first Signing Store was established at Bangsar Village II in 2016 and I never thought I would one day be leading a team,” said Mohd Akmal.

 

“Starbucks has supported me with training, guidance and encouragement, helping me grow both professionally and personally.

 

Becoming a supervisor and being part of the opening team at the fourth Signing Store located in Permas City, is a dream come true and I am so thankful for the opportunities I have had to develop and show that the deaf community can achieve great things,” he added.

 

As part of its efforts to uplift this community, Starbucks actively collaborates with deaf artists to commission unique art pieces that celebrate their talents and stories.

 

Rina Siew [Left] explaining the rationale for the
painting, The Colours of Joy, by Wong Jia Yaw

One of the walls in the Permas City store features a painting by Wong Jia Yaw, a Malaysian deaf artist whose painting, The Colours of Joy, celebrates deaf culture and its journey, in shades of colours that mirrors the growth of coffee cherries from green to vibrant red.

 

Each stage symbolizes resilience, growth and the uniqueness of the deaf culture. At the heart of this piece of artwork at handshapes that sign the alphabets, J O Y, that reflect connection, creativity and the cultural pride of Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia (BIM), the native language of Malaysia’s deaf community.

 

The vibrant colours and handshapes come together to envision a deaf-inclusive world, one that celebrates diversity and enriches society through the contributions of this community.

 

Deaf partners serving customers who have 
learnt to place their orders through signing

During the event we had the privilege to learn the alphabets using the BIM signing language guided by Mohd Akmal. He also demonstrated the signing phrases for placing orders at the signing store to indicate the customer’s choices for Americano or Latte and in various cup sizes.

 

It was a pleasure to meet with Rina Siew, Senior Manager for Sustainability and Social Impact and Secretary of the Sustainability Committee with Berjaya Food Berhad, the visionary behind the Starbucks pioneering signing store that empowers the deaf community.

 

Rina was an instrumental member of the working committee for the first Starbucks signing store in the world that opened in Bangsar Village II in 2016, that sparked much interest for the opening of more signing stores worldwide.

 

While she joined Starbucks some 18 years ago as a part-time barista, her career with the company continued for more than a decade in various roles that spanned from marketing and public relations communications to digital strategy.

 

Wait for your order number to 
appear on the poster [behind this
counter] then collect your orders

She was working with a number of deaf partners before the development of the first signing store and as Head of Sustainability and Social Impact, her goal was to create a more inclusive work environment, driven by a desire to leave a lasting legacy of positive change for “People, Planet and Coffee.”

 

In 2023, the Department of Social Welfare (JKM) revealed that there were over 46,000 people in the nation who are living with hearing impairments.

 

A 2022 JKM report indicated that the states of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Johor had more people with hearing disabilities than other states so the need for more inclusive and safe spaces for the deaf community is greater than ever.

 

It was an eye-opening experience at this event as we learnt that signing language is not universal and while there may be many common words and phrases used, signing vocabulary was unique to each language and culture.

 

In fact, local signs were created in collaboration with the deaf community and NGO’s for common phrases like Nasi Lemak and Wonton Noodles.

 

Rina encouraged everyone to learn the Malaysian sign language which serves as an additional skill for all. It was indeed food-for-thought when she reminded us that this unique language can be very useful particularly in crowded and loud places.

 

This Starbucks Signing Store in Permas City represents a significant step forward in creating opportunities for the deaf community in Johor and shines the spotlight on their talents and potential to contribute positively to the community.

 

As part of Starbucks Malaysia’s 26^th Anniversary celebrations, Persons With Disabilities/Orang Kurang Upaya (PWD/OKU) cardholders will enjoy a 15% discount on food and drinks.

 

This season's collection included
this tumbler with a covered straw

To celebrate the opening of the Starbucks Signing Store in Permas City, customers who spend a minimum of RM50 in a single receipt will receive a FREE coaster, while stocks last. All promotions are exclusively available at the Starbucks Signing Store Permas City and subject to terms and conditions.

 

This new opening in Johor promises to be an inclusive and interactive experience that offers a variety of engaging experiences. This store also presents Signing Store merchandise and limited-edition Permas City Signing Store Starbucks Cards – valuable collectibles – to commemorate this meaningful occasion.

 

Drop by at the Starbucks Signing Store, located at No. 01-19 Blok A, Permas City, Jalan Permas Utama, Kawasan Perdagangan Permas Utara, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, 81750 Masai, Johor. Brewing Hours are from 8am to 11pm daily.

 

For more info, visit official webpage at starbucks.com.my and check out Instagram.com/mystarbucks.

Dancing to the Sound of Music

 

When I read “the Sound of Music” on the poster that came with the invitation from JB Ballet Academy for a concert hosted in the Permaisuri Zarith Sofiah Opera House, my thoughts flashed to the 1965 Rodgers & Hammerstein musical film of the same name.

 

JB Ballet Academy presented a cheque for
RM100,000 to the Lions Club of Johor Jaya

This film was a fictional retelling of the story of the Trapp Family singers set in Salzburg, Austria, where Maria, the governess to seven children eventually married their widowed father, Captain Georg von Trapp, and their escape during the Anschluss or the Annexation of Austria, in 1938.

 

Having watched The Sound of Music countless times, I am not only familiar with the story and its characters but also its songs and even the lyrics to most of the songs.

 

The children dancing to My Favourite Things
during a thunderstorm

I thought that dancing to the Sound of Music was such an epic ending to an eventful year and did not hesitate to send founder of JB Ballet Academy, Billian Ye Pick Lian, my reply, stating that I was happy to accept her invitation.

 

In 2016, I had the pleasure to get to know Billian Yee and shared her story about JB Ballet Academy and her commitment in supporting the Lions Club of Johor Jaya, documented in, A Ballerina’s Journey.

 

Established in Johor Bahru since 1976, the JB Ballet Academy, under the leadership of Ye and her daughter, Julia Lee Hwee Sing, has shaped the careers of elegant dancers who qualified with Degrees from the prestigious Royal Academy of Dance, United Kingdom.

 

Maria and the children perform to
the familiar tune of Do-Re-Mi

When I made my way to the Opera House for their concert, I could not help feeling bubbles of excitement as I anticipated the dance performances to the familiar tunes from the musical, The Sound of Music.

 

At the entrance, I was warmly welcomed in by Ye who ushered me into the auditorium where a short video was playing on the backdrop screen.

 

This video showed us some of the cast’s rehearsals along with information about this concert, the seventh in the series of charity dance performances by JB Ballet Academy since 2006. 

 

By reading the info on the screen, I was pleased to learn that this performance was co-organised with the Lions Club of Johor Jaya and that proceeds from this event will be channeled to support dialysis patients and underprivileged children.

 

The Captain introducing his fiancee in 
a celebration held in the ballroom

As the seats filled up in the auditorium, I heard the announcement that the concert should start very soon. From the info printed in the souvenir programme, the audience was aware that the concert will be presented in three separate Acts with two brief intermissions.

 

It was simply a joy to watch how the JB Ballet Academy brought the timeless masterpiece of The Sound of Music to life again, to delight new generations in the audience and evoke fond memories of this magical musical from so long ago.

 

A scene performed to the tune of 
The Lonely Goatherd

Act One opened to the music of, I Have Confidence, as Maria joyfully left the Convent – holding her carpet bag and guitar – and headed to the home of the von Trapp family as a governess.

 

It was good to watch how Maria was introduced to the seven children in a strict military way – by the sound of a whistle – and I even spotted the detail where Kurt (the mischievous one!) tried to scare the governess with a live frog.

 

While the performance stayed close to the storyline, I was aware that it would be quite impossible to include every part of the original story so the synopsis provided in the souvenir programme and flashed onto the two screens at either side of the stage, helped the audience to better appreciate the storytelling.

 

Maria dancing with the Captain

I liked how the backdrop screen was used to provide the various scenes in each dance performance so the audience could easily link the dance and music to each scenario.

 

For instance, Maria’s bedroom was where the eldest daughter, Liesl, found refuge when she came indoors from the rain and Maria let her change out of her wet clothes.

 

When lightning flashed and thunder rolled, the other children – frightened by the storm – also sought comfort with Maria and danced to the tune of, My Favourite Things.

 

The Captain placing the headband on Maria
that symbolised her acceptance of his proposal

Then there was the outdoor scene where Maria encouraged the children to sing to her guitar-strumming, beautifully portrayed by their dance to the familiar tune of, Do-Re-Mi.

 

After the first intermission, the scene opened to the grand ballroom where Captain von Trapp introduced his fiancée, the Baroness Schraeder, with a dance celebration to the music of, Edelweiss. They were accompanied by a friend, Max Detweiler.

 

I was so looking forward to the scene when Maria guided the children to stage a puppet performance to the music of, The Lonely Goatherd, and was not disappointed.

 

Maria and the Captain
dancing at their wedding

In another scene, Kurt asked Maria to teach him to dance a folk dance. When he could not dance a difficult step, his father stepped in to demonstrate the move.

 

As the Captain and Maria danced together, Maria broke away, confused about her feelings for him.

 

It was good that JB Ballet Academy applied dramatic license to bridge the scenes for the audience understand that the feeling was mutual between the Captain and Maria when he proposed to her by putting a flower headband on Maria.

 

This was followed by the wedding scene to the backdrop of a church, where the Captain and Maria were happily married.

 

The Trapp family sneaking away while
the 'challenges' surrounded them

While I was eager to watch the next scene, there was a pause for the second intermission so that the dancers may change costumes and prepare for the Third and final Act of the performance.

 

This part of The Sound of Music was in stark contrast to the earlier part of the story which was both colourful and amusing. I recall not liking the sinister and secretive scenarios when the family had to leave their homeland under threat of their lives.

 

When the performance continued, I thought that the JB Ballet Academy aptly portrayed these sentiments when the dancers – dressed in flowing Red gowns – swamped the stage in graceful waves upon waves that (to me!) represented ‘challenges’ that surrounded the Trapp family.

 

Then at the Music & Dance Festival, the Trapp family singers performed to the tune of, So Long, Farewell, and when the results were being announced, the lights flickered – to symbolize a blackout – while the family took the opportunity to escape.

 

The von Trapp family, living together happily
ever after, in the final scene

While the family’s escape was fraught with tension and obstacles, they finally reached a new land to continue the next chapter of their lives. Then a view of the awesome Alps and the music of, Climb Every Mountain, brought this exhilarating dance performance to a happy and encouraging ending.

 

Then it was time for everyone in the cast, some as young as age seven, to come on stage for their turn to take a bow. It was also an opportunity to acknowledge the Lions Club of Johor Jaya, parents, teachers, administrators, volunteers and sponsors for their cooperation and generous support.

 

As JB Ballet Academy continues to nurture an elegant younger generation, they also wish to make a meaningful difference in the community. The show ended with a gift cheque presented to the Lions Club of Johor Jaya in the sum of RM100,000 to support dialysis patients and underprivileged children.

 

JB Ballet Academy welcomes enrolment of students to train in Classical Ballet from age three and above. Trail lessons are available from three academies located at Taman Pelangi, Taman Johor Jaya and Taman Ungku Tun Aminah in Johor Bahru. For more info, visit Facebook.com/JBBalletAcademy.