About

Sharifah Hamzah

California, US

Hello, and thanks for stopping by. I am a writer and former journalist exploring the many facets of life. I was born in Johor Bahru, grew up in Singapore, and have lived and worked in Singapore, Malaysia and the US. Each country has a special place in my heart and consciousness.

The title of my blog mirrors my philosophy. I celebrate all the concentric circles that form my identity. And I believe that there are more similarities among people that can help us understand each other.

I wrote for a lifestyle magazine in Singapore.and was a writer for the lifestyle magazine/feature section of a daily newspaper in Malaysia. And I have always been an avid magazine reader.

It has always been my dream ( okay, maybe more like a fantasy) to have my own magazine. The blog revolution has enabled me to fulfill this dream in a unique way. I’ll strive to treat my blog as a weekly magazine with contents to share, entertain, discuss or inform. I hope you enjoy reading it, and please email me, or leave any comment or suggestion so that we can continue the work of building bridges.

133 Comments »

133 Responses

on March 23, 2009 at 5:09 am | Reply surina

Hi! Sharifah,
Glad to know that you’ve started blogging. Hope to read more articles from you.
- on March 27, 2009 at 5:11 am | Reply Sharifah
  
  Thanks Surina. It was great catching up with you and Fairos in Kuala Lumpur recently. You guys are such great friends!
on October 12, 2009 at 2:31 am | Reply bob

Welcome to the blogosphere.
- on October 14, 2009 at 12:32 am | Reply Sharifah
  
  Thanks, Bob.
on November 6, 2010 at 1:05 am | Reply Passionate Blogger

Hi Sharifah,

Thanks for visiting my website.

I can see that you write your posts regularly every month since January 2009. That’s very good.

Keep it up ya!
- on November 7, 2010 at 3:58 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Thanks for the encouragement!
on October 7, 2011 at 5:46 am | Reply Bites Of Sweet And Spice

Hi Sharifah! Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier. 🙂 I’m relatively new to this blogging world and it’s really inspiring when I see bloggers who have been building up their blogs for so many years! This is a great tool to express ourselves and share with others.
- on October 10, 2011 at 4:33 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Yes, blogging is a wonderful vehicle for self-expression, and it’s great to get to know other bloggers and web users from all over the world.:)
on October 8, 2011 at 7:11 am | Reply Winnie Kaplan

Hi Sharifah,
You did a great job in keeping connected with the world and sharing your opinion and news. Please feel free to visit my website at http://www.USMalaysiaBusinessCouncil.com

Let me know how we can support each other. Wishing you all the success and keep on writing. Winnie
- on October 10, 2011 at 4:51 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Thank you, Winnie. Yes, let’s find ways we can support and encourage each other.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:49 am | Reply Ni Made Sri Andani

Hi Sharifah, first – thank you for visiting my blog. I find your blog is very interesting . Your articles are spread amongst a lot of interesting categories – which is good and give readers opportunity to understand lot of new things from what you’ve shared.
- on October 10, 2011 at 4:44 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Thanks, look forward to visiting your blog again.:)
on November 8, 2011 at 4:56 am | Reply Coach With Don

Hello Sharifah,
I wanted to touch base with you call me when you have a free moment. I wanted to talk with you about a Project we have for a HR manager in Singapore.

Don Martinez
- on November 8, 2011 at 10:11 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Hi Don. Okay, will contact you soon.
on November 28, 2011 at 9:25 am | Reply Alex

Thank you for making a comment in my blog. Your blog is awesome too…
- on November 28, 2011 at 10:15 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Thanks.:)
on December 5, 2011 at 2:27 am | Reply cypyc

Thanks for liking one of my pics. Great blog you have here. Cheers!
on December 6, 2011 at 3:10 am | Reply Sharifah

Thank you.
on December 12, 2011 at 1:30 pm | Reply hasayang

Just want to drop by and say “Hi”. How is winter in California?
on December 14, 2011 at 9:35 pm | Reply Sharifah

Hi there, thanks for dropping by. Winter in California is not too bad as, in between the dreary weather, we still have some sunshine on most days. It still can get cold though. I drink lots of tea and coffee to keep warm, and also Horlicks which can be found at the Asian supermarket.
on December 20, 2011 at 10:58 pm | Reply bluestar2012

Hi, Sharifah-
Thanks for visiting my photoblog! Please stop by again. Every so often I actually post something of interest :-). Glad you have found a way to live out your writing dreams/magazine via blogging.
Blessings, Fred (bluestar2012)
on December 21, 2011 at 6:42 pm | Reply Sharifah

Hi Fred. Nice to meet you via our blogs, and I look forward to visiting your photoblog again. Have a great day, and happy holidays.
on December 22, 2011 at 6:33 pm | Reply ahfongcox

Hi Sharifah
Thanks for visiting blog. You have a wonderful blog and you do write well.
Merry christmas and a safe new year (2012 )
on December 24, 2011 at 3:39 am | Reply Sharifah

Thank you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
on January 4, 2012 at 1:08 am | Reply Sri Mulanjari

Hi Sharifah,

I enjoy your blog so much. I can’t wait to read your next posts. Happy New Year.
on January 4, 2012 at 11:08 pm | Reply Sharifah

Hi Sri. Thank you, I’m glad you enjoy reading my blog.:) Best wishes for the New Year.
on January 10, 2012 at 1:39 pm | Reply fouziaharahim

Hi Sharifah,
Tks for liking my blog. Glad to know someone like you.
on January 11, 2012 at 1:49 am | Reply Sharifah

Hi Fouziah. Good to meet you, too. Look forward to seeing more recipes of the food that I love.:)
on January 18, 2012 at 12:27 pm | Reply cocomino

Thank you for stopping by. Your blog has many inspiration.I’m happy to know you. 🙂
on January 20, 2012 at 3:31 pm | Reply Sharifah

Glad to meet you, too.:)
on February 23, 2012 at 9:05 am | Reply aleafinspringtime

I too am a former journalist, a firm believer in building bridges and above all else a global citizen. We have so much in common already! Thank you for your kind comment on my blog. Will definitely be back!
on February 26, 2012 at 2:56 am | Reply Sharifah

It’s nice to meet someone on the same wavelength!
on March 9, 2012 at 3:12 am | Reply flyingkakapo

Hi Sharifah,
I see you have built a wonderful blog. Some very interesting reading.
- on March 11, 2012 at 6:59 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Thanks, Peter. I enjoyed reading your blog, too.
on March 19, 2012 at 12:57 am | Reply The FonZ

A bridge is never too far 🙂 . Keep on writing and enjoy every minute of it. 🙂
on March 19, 2012 at 5:50 pm | Reply Sharifah

Hello, and thanks for the positive words!
on April 8, 2012 at 9:43 pm | Reply In Search of Perfect

Hi Sharifah! Thank you for visiting my blog. I enjoyed reading some of your posts – very profound… and such positive thoughts! 🙂 Good luck, and looking forward for more!

Yulia
- on April 11, 2012 at 5:02 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Good to meet you, Yulia! Thanks. You have a great blog. Your photos “tell” very interesting stories about people and everyday life.
  - on April 12, 2012 at 2:33 am In Search of Perfect
    
    Thank you Sharifah! Comments like yours keep me inspired to do more! 🙂
on May 5, 2012 at 3:01 am | Reply annefreemanimages

Sharifah- thanks for dropping by my blog, and best of luck with your webzine. Interesting articles.

~Anne
- on May 6, 2012 at 4:21 am | Reply Sharifah
  
  Thank you, Anne.
on June 11, 2012 at 6:15 am | Reply The Wanderlust Gene

Maggiemyklebust sent me over – I’m glad she did!
on June 14, 2012 at 2:59 pm | Reply Sharifah

Thanks for the thumbs up, and that was nice of Maggie.:)
on June 21, 2012 at 3:05 pm | Reply readinpleasure

A wonderful blog
- on August 13, 2012 at 7:25 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Thanks for the compliment!
on August 9, 2012 at 12:40 pm | Reply reneeboomer

Hi. Thank you for visiting my blog. Have a wonderful day. 🙂
- on August 13, 2012 at 7:26 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Hello there, and best wishes.:)
  - on August 13, 2012 at 9:39 pm reneeboomer
    
    Thank you. 🙂
on August 10, 2012 at 3:35 am | Reply hibiscus rosa noor

I’m so pleased to have discovered your blog, truly inspiring indeed, thank you for stopping by mine.
- on August 13, 2012 at 7:33 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Thanks. I enjoyed visiting your blog, too.:)
on August 12, 2012 at 10:44 am | Reply mouseytong

HI Sharifah, thank you for dropping by my blog. All the best with your web-zine! 🙂
on August 13, 2012 at 7:35 pm | Reply Sharifah

Thank you for the good wishes!
on August 21, 2012 at 5:47 am | Reply Cynthia

Hi Sharifah thanks for visiting my blog, yours is awesome too, looking forward to read more.
- on August 23, 2012 at 7:26 am | Reply Sharifah
  
  It’s nice to meet you, Cynthia.
on August 27, 2012 at 7:06 am | Reply Paddy

Thanks for liking my post. You have a great blog here.
- on August 29, 2012 at 5:00 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Thanks! I reading reading your posts, too.
on September 11, 2012 at 2:57 am | Reply hizah

Hi there, I like reading your blog. It makes me think about issues and see things in a different way.
on September 11, 2012 at 5:02 pm | Reply Sharifah

Hi Hizah, thanks for visiting and thanks for the feedback – really appreciate it.
on October 2, 2012 at 6:19 am | Reply soumyav

Thanks for being on my blog. loved to visit your world too.
- on October 5, 2012 at 3:49 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Hello, and thanks for the visit.
on December 6, 2012 at 1:47 am | Reply chris13jkt

H Sharifah, thank you for commenting in my blog. i appreciate it.
I read some of your articles, and for me they are very interesting. Keep writing and make your dream to come true.
- on December 11, 2012 at 4:08 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Hi Chris. Thank you very much for your kind words and encouragement. Look forward to read more of your posts.
on December 24, 2012 at 12:53 am | Reply reflectionsonlifethusfar

Thanks for visiting and following my blog! 🙂 Having your own magazine would be cool! 😀
- on December 26, 2012 at 9:52 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  You’re most welcome….you have a great blog!
  - on December 26, 2012 at 9:57 pm Natalya
    
    Thanks! 🙂
on January 11, 2013 at 8:27 pm | Reply Amirh

I am thrilled that you liked my post about the blind dog and guide cat and that you are following. Your post about the hair dryer addiction is awesome. I want to go back to finish reading the comments, which are nearly as interesting.
- on January 14, 2013 at 7:07 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  That’s a very heartwarming story…just love animals. Glad you enjoy reading the hair dryer addiction post and the personal experiences that many people have shared. Thanks for stopping by.
on January 12, 2013 at 3:21 pm | Reply Acep Aprilyana

Aslkm…
Terima kasih sudah berkunjung ke blog saya.

salam kenal dari orang sunda.
Wasalam
on January 14, 2013 at 7:11 pm | Reply Sharifah

Kembali. Salam kenal dari orang diseberang laut.:)
on January 19, 2013 at 2:51 pm | Reply tukusigal

Hi, Sharifah. Thanks a lot for visiting my both blogs – one on Kyushu, Japan and the other on Michigan! I find your blog serene and beautiful – very nice! Do you live in San Jose area? I used to visit the San Jose area a lot on bus. trips. What a nice area – but no longer now 😦 I want to go visit Malaysia and Singapore some day. Everybody tells me food in Malaysia is great. I can’t wait (^^)
- on January 22, 2013 at 5:07 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Hi Tukusigal. Thanks for your kind words about my blog. I used to live in San Jose, too. Wondered if we lived there at the same time.:) Yes, Singapore and Malaysia are known as “food paradise” for locals and tourists alike. I hope you will make a visit soon!
on January 23, 2013 at 10:49 am | Reply angrygaijin

Cool yo! Looks like you’ve got a pretty decent readership so far! 🙂
- on January 24, 2013 at 1:59 am | Reply Sharifah
  
  Thanks!
on February 14, 2013 at 9:09 am | Reply Nat Yusop | BakeSlave

Salaam from the other side of the globe! Thank you for dropping by my fledgling blog. Sending you a virtual Kuih Puteri Ayu 🙂
- on February 15, 2013 at 9:41 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Salaam, and happy blogging. And thank you for the virtual kuih!
on February 23, 2013 at 2:12 pm | Reply KJ

Hi Sharifah, thanks for visiting my blog 🙂
- on February 24, 2013 at 8:01 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  You’re welcome, KJ!
on April 5, 2013 at 8:27 am | Reply amy syahmid

Helloooo……your blog is awesome and I like reading your blog.

Salam kenal dari ami di indonesia 🙂
- on April 8, 2013 at 4:40 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Thank you very much, ami. Salam kenal….saya juga gembira temu ami disini. 🙂
on May 1, 2013 at 5:33 am | Reply kaligrafinusantaraonline

Blognya mbak Sharifah Bagus/cantik.

Salam kenal, dan salam sukses.
on May 1, 2013 at 3:44 pm | Reply Sharifah

Terima kasih. Salam kenal, dan salam sukses kembali untuk rakan blogging dari Nusantara.
on May 6, 2013 at 4:44 pm | Reply heartspath

Hi Sharifah…thank you for the follow! I will continue to enjoy reading your blog. 🙂
on May 8, 2013 at 5:29 pm | Reply Sharifah

You’re welcome. 🙂
on June 20, 2013 at 9:06 pm | Reply jlpiallat

Belles photos sur l’ensemble du blog..
- on June 21, 2013 at 5:20 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Merci beaucoup.:)
on July 6, 2013 at 5:56 pm | Reply Kaye

Hi Sharifah! You have a very interesting blog. Haven’t navigated much yet but I know i will enjoy following your blog n

Kaye
http://myeverydaystruggles.wordpress.com
- on July 8, 2013 at 6:28 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Hi Kaye. Good to meet you. Thank you for the kind words and the follow. 🙂
on July 25, 2013 at 7:50 am | Reply randomlyabstract

Hey Sharifah,
It has been quite long since you last visited my blog and shared your valuable feedback! 🙂
Here are some tokens of remembrance, and appreciation for you. I will actually be glad if you just visit and accept, no rules necessary.
https://randomlyabstract.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/you-are-amazing/
Sincere wishes,
Maria.
- on July 26, 2013 at 11:19 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Hi Maria, thank you for the tokens of appreciation – that’s so lovely. Looking forward to reading more of your posts. 🙂
  - on July 27, 2013 at 4:31 am randomlyabstract
    
    Pleasure is all mine! 🙂
on August 12, 2013 at 4:19 am | Reply kaligrafinusantaraonline

Sorry for any mistakes during this time, I am an ordinary person who did not escape to the wrong and sin, really happy to get the opprtunity to pardon and forgive each other’s day fitri.

Selamat Hari Raya Idul Fitri 1434 H
Mohon Maaf Lahir dan Batin
- on August 14, 2013 at 3:07 am | Reply Sharifah
  
  Thank you very much for your greeting, and reminder for us to seek renewal during Eid.
  
  Selamat Hari Raya wishes to you and and your family. Maaf Zahir dan Batin.
on November 11, 2013 at 1:55 am | Reply marlynsuarezexconde

Hi,Sharifah. would like to let you know that you’ve been blessed with an award. here’s the link http://kintal.wordpress.com/2013/11/11/stay-blessed/ you are a blessing to many, please continue being such 🙂
on November 12, 2013 at 1:21 am | Reply Sharifah

Hi Marlyn. Thank you so much for the award, and your lovely words. 🙂
on January 5, 2014 at 6:30 am | Reply marlynsuarezexconde

hello, Sharifah. you’re awesome, impressive and inspiring. you deserve the http://kintal.wordpress.com/2014/01/05/awesome-blossom-award/
on January 7, 2014 at 11:45 pm | Reply Sharifah

Hi Marlyn. Thank you so much for the kind words and the award nomination. Good start to the new year. 🙂 Wishing you a blessed New Year.
on January 8, 2014 at 4:42 am | Reply marlynsuarezexconde

hi, Sharifah. i would like to feature you and your blog on my new page entitled ‘spotlight’. please advise if ok with you. thanks, Marlyn
on January 26, 2014 at 10:28 pm | Reply Sharifah

Thank you very much, Marlyn, for thinking of me. Maybe, later. 🙂 Regards, Sharifah.
on February 18, 2014 at 8:39 am | Reply Thai Village

“We build too many walls and not enough bridges.”

Isaac Newton

Thanks for building bridges
- on March 22, 2014 at 6:09 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Thank you for the wonderful quote, and your kind thought.
on February 20, 2014 at 1:23 am | Reply Connie R. Johnson

I like your writing. You expressed my sentiments clearly. Blogging allows me to write for a living. That is my dream.
on February 23, 2014 at 7:34 pm | Reply Sharifah

Thank you, Connie. Happy to see that you’re following and living your dream.
on February 26, 2014 at 9:41 pm | Reply Mari

Hi, thank you so much for visiting my blog. You have a lovely place here and I certainly do look forward to reading your posts!!

-Mari
- on February 27, 2014 at 10:29 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Thank you, and I look forward to reading your posts, too!
on March 18, 2014 at 9:22 pm | Reply rejistephenson

Hello, Sharifah. You are a very good writer. I am just a beginner. Anyway thank you very much for visiting my blog.
on March 22, 2014 at 5:46 pm | Reply Sharifah

Hi Reji. You’re most welcome, and thank you for the compliment. 🙂 Welcome to the blogging community!
on May 13, 2014 at 4:04 am | Reply jordanmathew

Your blog is really awesome, looking forward to read more. 😀
- on May 20, 2014 at 2:31 am | Reply Sharifah
  
  Thank you so much – really appreciate it!
on May 24, 2014 at 12:09 pm | Reply barbaramonier

THANKS for finding and following me — as now I have discovered YOUR blog, which is truly wonderful.
- on May 29, 2014 at 7:22 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  You’re most welcome, and thank you for your kind words.
on June 8, 2014 at 7:33 pm | Reply Kamila Pala

Hi, nice to meet you! You have interesting blog and I look forward to see new posts… Bye. Kamila
- on June 10, 2014 at 5:31 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Nice to meet you, too, Kamila. Thanks, and I enjoy reading about your adventures and observations.
on August 15, 2014 at 2:39 pm | Reply mehmakunwar

You have a great blog! Keep shining!
- on August 17, 2014 at 8:23 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Hi there…..thank you so much!
on August 20, 2014 at 3:59 am | Reply LillianC

Hello, Sharifah. What a wonderful blog! I love to read about the customs and foods of other cultures. Cats and flowers are always nice too! Thank you for visiting my blog.
- on August 25, 2014 at 6:24 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Hi Lillian. Thanks for your kind words. I enjoy visiting your blog, too.
on October 18, 2014 at 8:20 pm | Reply MyKabulKitchen

Dear Sharifah,
Thank you so much for visiting my blog! I love the concepts your blog/magazine is based on, you are truly a “citizen of the world” My grandparents lived in Malaysia for several years, and my uncle lives in Singapore so both cultures have left an impact on our family though I never visited. I look forward to reading your lovely blog 🙂
- on October 24, 2014 at 7:24 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Thank you so much for your kind words. It’s so wonderful that we have these connections. Happy to meet you via our blogs. 🙂
on November 10, 2014 at 5:23 am | Reply Joan Mae

Oh, yes! Let’s continue the work of building bridges. Happy blogging, Sharifah.
- on November 14, 2014 at 1:39 am | Reply Sharifah
  
  Thank you, Joan. Good to meet you via our blogs!
on May 20, 2015 at 1:19 pm | Reply Beauty Along the Road

Hello Sharifah – thank you so much for visiting and following Beauty Along the Road.
- on May 24, 2015 at 10:59 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  You’re most welcome. Enjoy seeing and learning about nature at your blog.
on April 27, 2016 at 4:41 am | Reply ar syamsuddin

Sharifah, thanks so much for dropping by my blog, and I glad to be here reading your blog too. 🙂
- on May 11, 2016 at 4:02 am | Reply Sharifah
  
  You’re very welcome. 🙂
on July 1, 2016 at 9:25 am | Reply sutan nagari basa

Assalamu’alaikum,
Thanks for stopping by and following my blog. You have a nice blog.

Greetings from Minangkabau dar es Salam..
- on July 11, 2016 at 8:53 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Alaikum salam. You’re most welcome. Salam Aidilfitri dari California. 🙂
on March 2, 2017 at 1:15 pm | Reply Moony

It’s nice to find a fellow Southeast Asian on the Net! I’m actually considering journalism as a possible career, which makes even cooler that I happened to stumble upon your blog 🙂 Love your pictures and musings so far!
- on March 13, 2017 at 11:05 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  Thanks, and it’s nice to meet you too via our blogs. Well, I may be biased, but I believe journalism is one of the best professionals to dedicate oneself to. So go for it. 🙂
on March 18, 2019 at 10:49 am | Reply doublegenealogytheadoptionwitness

That was a robust cup of coffee, thanks!
- on March 24, 2019 at 9:29 pm | Reply Sharifah
  
  🙂 ! Thanks so much for dropping by.
on October 4, 2021 at 7:02 pm | Reply Natalia Castelluccio

Hi
Thank you very much for visiting my blog.
Do you like it?

Thank you
Bye
Natalia
Nice to know you
- on October 24, 2021 at 1:42 am | Reply Sharifah
  
  You’re welcome; you have an interesting blog. Good to know you too. 🙂
  - on October 24, 2021 at 8:05 am Natalia Castelluccio
    
    Hello
    Thank you
    Have a good Sundays
    😘