Season 1 | Episode 30| Show Notes & Transcript

Episode Title: 

Home Trip to Singapore and Occupational Wellness with Author-Publisher Hidayah Amin VI

Music Copyright and Attribution 

1. “On My Way” by Kevin MacLeod. This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 International License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US
2. “Inspiration” by Ethan Tay. February 20, 2021 (Sydney, Australia). This work is an original contribution by the artist for the ASK Trio About Wellness podcast.
3. “Pro Wellness” by Ethan Tay. March 9th, 2021 (Sydney, Australia). This work is an original contribution by the artist for the ASK Trio About Wellness podcast.
4. “Tweets and Wellness Walks in Ballston Lake” by Syazana B. Mohamed Sani. September 2021 (New York, U.S.A.). This work is an original contribution by the founder for ASK Trio About Wellness podcast.
5. “Spring 1” by Hardi Kamsani. April 2022 (New York, U.S.A.) This work is an original contribution by the artist for the ASK Trio About Wellness podcast.
6. “Spring 2” by Hardi Kamsani. April 2022 (New York, U.S.A.) This work is an original contribution by the artist for the ASK Trio About Wellness podcast.

Co-Sponsors

Hardi Kamsani and Azman Repin (M. S.)

Hosts

Azimah Azman, Azfar Azman and Syazana B. Mohamed Sani (M. S.)

Guest Speaker

Hidayah Amin of Helang Books (Singapore)

Volunteer Contributor

Hardi Kamsani (Audio Editing and Sound Design) 

Scriptwriter | Producer | Director 

Syazana B. Mohamed Sani (M. S.)

ASK Trio About Wellness podcast is a production of ASKtrioWello LLC (New York).

Disclaimer

The information provided in the ASK Trio About Wellness podcast is for educational purposes only. You should consult your doctor, specialist or physical trainer for advice on your physical wellness goals before you plan to follow any of the suggestions or recommendations in this podcast. 

All Rights Reserved ©ASKtrioWello LLC 2021.

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TRANSCRIPT

[Intro]

Hello! Holã! Marhaba! 

WELCOME to the ASK Trio About Wellness podcast! Join me, Syazana Sani and the Astro Duo, Azfar Azman and Azimah Azman, your hosts from New York. Let’s strive to educate, regenerate and elevate family institutions through optimal productivity and wellness education, one episode at a time. 

[Intro to Segment I] 

ARE YOU READY to listen to inspirational stories of trust, respect, acceptance, integrity, love and social responsibility from multicultural families and special needs communities? Sit back, relax and be inspired by the awesome people that we highlight in the first segment of the podcast…

Segment I | Home Trip to Singapore

[Azfar] Welcome back to the ASK Trio About Wellness podcast! This episode is co-sponsored by Hardi Kamsani and my dad, Azman Repin. Thank you and may God bless you.  

[Azimah] Hello! May peace be upon you! 

[Syazana] We’re still in the first season of the podcast and hey, you are listening to the 30th episode of the podcast with me, Syazana, and the Astro Duo, Azfar and Azimah. 

We’re back in our new mini studio in Ballston Lake, New York and we’ve said goodbye to the cold, winter weather and welcomed the warmer spring!

[BGM] Jet plane

Did you know that we took a 5-week break in late January to February 2022 to go on a home trip to Singapore? We’re so grateful to be reunited with our one and only boy turned firefighter, Azfar, who is also our podcast co-host. 

So Azimah: Did you enjoy our trip back home?

[Azimah] Of course! It was a blast! 

[Syazana] To all our listeners: Did you travel overseas during COVID-19 when most borders are now open?

If so, why not share your experiences traveling during the global health pandemic on our podcast?

[Azimah] To continue with our 1st year anniversary celebration, TWO entries from the U.S. will each receive a $20 Hannaford Supermarket Gift Card.

And another TWO winners from Singapore will receive a mystery gift worth $20. 

[Syazana] Send your travel story with your NAME, MAILING ADDRESS plus an AUDIO file recorded via Voice Memo or Voice Note OR TEXT to our email: HELLO@ASKTRIOWELLO.COM. 

You could also send a DM or PM to our Instagram, Facebook or Twitter accounts @ASKtrioWello by April 15th, 2022.

We had a fabulous time during our home trip to Singapore. 

So in this segment, we’d like to show some love and promote social responsibility by coming up with a summary of travel tips to keep in mind if you’re planning to go to Singapore…

[Azimah, Syazana] Okay! Here we go…

1. Check out for the latest updates on COVID-19 regulations in Singapore regularly. What we went through at the Immigration Checks in January to February 2022 might likely be different in the coming months;
2. Book a Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) flight ticket with world class airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, ANA as EARLY as possible to get better fares, seats and especially to avoid being quarantined upon arrival in Singapore;
3. Get ALL travel-related paperwork done BEFORE your flight departure and get it ready in a handy file. Download the Trace Together app and the HealthHub app as these apps will be useful when you want to visit places that require proof of your vaccination status and for contact tracing purposes;
4. Get your PCR/ART (SWAB) test done according to the current requirement at least within 24 hours BEFORE your departure and upon arrival in Singapore;
5.  Check for weather forecasts and prepare for possible flight cancellation such as snowstorms and others;
6. Pack your luggage several days BEFORE your flight departure and not at the last minute. Make sure that you weigh all your luggage for check-in and hand carry so that it does NOT exceed the weight limit. For hand carry luggage, do not bring any liquid or prepare a Checklist so that you do NOT miss any items that you want to bring along such as passport, Green Card or Visa, vaccination certificates, wallet, neck pillow, pens, a set of clothing for change, medication or vitamins etcetera;
7. Check-in to your flight online wherever possible and at the counter at least THREE hours before your flight departure;
8. Put on your mask at the airports and on the plane except during meal times;
9. Upon arrival at Changi Airport, check for relevant information regarding any PCR/ART test requirement. In January 2022, travelers were required to pre-book a PCR test to be taken upon arrival at Changi Airport before the flight departure to Singapore.
10. If you plan to visit Singapore and stay for more than 30 days, you might want to get your vaccination records ingested into the National Immunization Registry. So, you’ll have to go for a serology test at a clinic that can assist you with this. Many requirements have changed or had been lifted recently so check back on the latest requirements with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on their website at www.ica.gov.sg.

[Syazana] Now, let’s move on to your travel stories. What did you like most about your home trip, Azimah?

[Azimah] Hmmm…the best part of the trip was to spend quality time with my one and only brother, Azfar, my grandpa, my uncles and aunts as well as other relatives and close friends. 

[Syazana] Yeah! We’ve not been back in Singapore since the first quarter of 2020 and two years is a long time so we had lots to catch up with our loved ones.

[Azimah] Let’s listen to a few outdoor recordings that we managed to do while we were in Singapore!

[Syazana] Yup! In this episode, you’ll hear about the various modes of transport that we took to reach Singapore, especially public transportation such as the plane ride, subway or MRT train rides and bus rides.

You’ll also find out about our dining adventures in this episode.

In the next few episodes, you’ll hear about places of attractions in Singapore that are fun and exciting from Bukit Timah Nature Reserve for hiking, to Gardens By The Bay in Marina, East Coast Park, Changi Village.

[Azimah] Plus bowling and a lesson in traditional archery… 

[Syazana] …with the Singapore Traditional Archers which was inspired by the excellent archery club inherited from the Ottoman Empire in Turkey.

[Azimah] Woohoo! Enjoy!

[Audio Recording]

[Syazana, Azimah] Before we end segment one, we’d like to invite you again to support the ASK Trio About Wellness podcast by shopping at our NEW online shop! 

Check out ASKtrioWello Shop: Apparel for Women and Kids in America at https://asktriowello.shop.social. Free shipping for delivery in the U.S.A. for any orders above $59. 

[Azimah, Azfar, Syazana] Stay tuned to segment one in the next episode…

[Azfar] …and listen to stories of trust, respect, acceptance, integrity, love and social responsibility.

~ End of Segment I ~

Coming up next…

In the second segment of the podcast, we’ll learn about productivity and the nine dimensions of wellness—physical, emotional, environmental, spiritual, social, intellectual, mental, occupational and financial wellness—so we can survive and thrive in this unpredictable world.

Segment II | Occupational Wellness With Author-Publisher Hidayah Amin IV

[Azimah] Welcome to segment two of the show! Today is the last and final episode on Occupational Wellness with Hidayah Amin!

[Azfar] Welcome back to the ASK Trio About Wellness podcast!

[Hidayah] Thank you!

[Syazana] In the last episode, Hidayah had shared the stories behind her children’s books. 

Azimah, we mentioned that you should talk about the books you’ve read and share any learning points with our listeners, right?

[Azimah] Yeah, sure! 

[Syazana] While we were in Singapore, we managed to visit Wardah Books, a bookstore located in the historic Kampong Glam that sells many books written by Hidayah Amin. 

So, we bought several books including the book on Malay Kuih and the children’s book inspired by Singapore’s legendary tales, the Malay Annals. 

In the future, we plan to have a new series on Heritage: Traditional cakes, cookies and desserts as well as a Read & Review series for children. 

But that’s for our future episodes and we will restructure our podcast episodes into shorter durations and series format.

But now, let’s hear from Hidayah Amin on what advice she has for teens and parents in helping teens pursue their dream careers or jobs.

Take it away, Hidayah!

[Hidayah] For those who are keen to learn writing or want to become an author-entrepreneur or to even want to be in the publishing industry, what advice would I give? 

Tip #1 Be very clear about your intentions and purpose

First you need to be very clear why you’re doing this. 

I can only advise you based on my experience because I was rejected. And I was determined to have my story out because I know how important my book is…I mean, the Gedung Kuning book.

Even now after what I’ve gone through, if I had to go through it again, I will go through again because I see the importance, right. So, you need to be very clear about your intentions: Why are you doing this?

Do you want to do this because you think you want to be the next J. K. Rowling?

Do you think you’ll make lots of money? So if you’re going in for the money, you’ll be disappointed. Even J. K. Rowling was poor for many, many years, struggling when she was writing. You know, you’ll face rejections and all that.

But I think the first thing you need to ask yourself honestly:

Why do you want to be a writer? 

Or if you want to be like me: Set up my own publishing company? Then you see there’s also the business aspect you need to think about.

It’s not easy: you need to ask yourself really, really honestly and sincerely why you want to do this.

If you want to do this for money, I will tell you to forget it. If you want to do it for fame, nobody is gonna care, nobody will know you. There’ll be lots of wannabe writers. You need to know what sets you apart from them.

So because I have to take care of my father at home, it gives me the flexibility to be my own boss. I can arrange my own time so that I can take my father for his medical appointments and all that. That’s why I’m also doing this…partly.

My great grandfather was very successful. I actually asked my grandmother:

What are the secrets to his (my grandfather) success?

So I’m sharing this with you and I’m also trying to emulate (him).

Tip #2: Try NOT to be in debt

He said: You try NOT to be in debt. Don’t have debts. If you cannot afford it, you don't do it; you wait! 

He paid, for Gedung Kuning in 1912, cash SGD$37,000. That’s a few millions in today’s world. Because you know during that time in 1912 there was no bank loan and all that.

So he said “Try not to be in debt because if you don’t have debts, at least you can live. If you have debts and you don’t have a job, how are you going to pay for all these?”

If I don’t have enough resources, I don’t do it first. It’s okay, I’m not in a rush. 

Why are you in a rush? You have to ask yourself that, okay! Don’t be in debt.

Tip #3 Be ethical in your dealings

You need to be ethical in your dealings.

My great grandfather paid his staff well. In fact, when I did the interview for my book, right, when they knew who my great grandfather was, they were so respectful because my great grandfather treated their family or those who work with them well. So you need to be ethical. You need to pay your staff well. You need to treat people well. Be ethical in your dealings.

Tip #4 Have integrity

To me, the most important value—the six values of T.R.A.I.L.S. (Trust. Respect. Acceptance. Integrity. Love. Social responsibility) is INTEGRITY. You need to have integrity.

You know my great grandfather? If you read the Gedung Kuning book, there are people who stole his designs and made their own belts!

During that time, there was no trademark logo, patent or whatever. So how did he deal with these people? So things like these, you must have that integrity (again).

Ah yeah! The other thing my grandmother said, my great grandfather told her that if you want to start your business, you have to tell yourself that you’re willing to be poor for the next five (5) years. 

If you think you’re ready, if you think you can handle being poor for the first five years of your business life, then you go for it.

If you think you cannot hack it, then forget it!

So, when I really rehash or rebuild Helang Books, I told myself:

Look! I don’t think I’m gonna make money. I asked myself: Am I prepared to be poor for the next five (5) years? Am I willing? And the answer is YES. So, during that five (5) years, (you know) when I did all my books, and (you know) I said “It’s okay if the books don’t sell but we must ensure there is a certain standard, you must do the branding well because these things are important. (These books) It has a message. 

Tip #5: Know the importance of showing emotional support (for parents)

As parents, you may not agree with your children’s decision but you know, if your children managed to convince you that they are doing the right thing, I think you should give them emotional support.

And if, even if they fail, please do not say “I told you so.” 

Just your emotional support, being there for them means so much!

Like my family, they will come. They will all come, they will sit there and they will support. They will even buy my books!

I said “Don’t need to buy; I will give it to you.”

They said “No, no, no! We want to support (you)!”

So I think it means a lot! 

Tip #6: Don’t compete with anybody but yourself

Don’t compete with anybody please! My advice to you is don’t compete with other people. You compete with yourself. That’s all. And this is not a 100m dash. This is a marathon. Life is a journey. When we are born, we don’t automatically run. You crawl first and then you run. It’s okay. Take your time.

Tip #7: Remember the THREE basic rules (IIP)

You know I tell my students:

You can do whatever you like as long as it is not (i) illegal, (ii) immoral, (iii) against any religious belief, against your principles. You just do it. So these three (3).

Go for it!

[Azimah] That is awesome! Thank you so much for sharing your stories and your useful advice on occupational wellness, Hidayah!

Stay tuned to the next episode…

~ End of Segment II ~ 

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~ End of episode ~

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Notes

Helang Books is an imprint of Archipelago Consultancy, 

a Singapore-based consultancy providing high-quality services in the areas of Research, Heritage, Education and Creativity. Helang Books has carved its niche in publishing important history and heritage books, as well as award-winning children’s literature.

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