Hello World! A Little Story & A Big Dream: Welcome to ikkimall's Adventures!
(Imagine a warm, slightly beaming smile accompanying this!)
Hello, hello everyone! (waves enthusiastically) It’s me, ikki!
Wow, okay, deep breaths! It feels a little bit like standing on a stage, even though it’s just me, my keyboard, and a heart full of excited, fluttery feelings. I’m bubbling over with something I’ve been dreaming about and working towards for a while now, and I finally get to share it with all of you: I’m officially launching this humble blog!
(Cue happy confetti… maybe just imagined confetti for now!)
I know, I know, perhaps you’re thinking, "An Etsy shop? A Ko-fi page? A blog? What’s this all about, ikki?" And that’s a wonderful question! The answer, like most things in my life, isn’t just a simple sentence. It’s a story woven with threads of muddy riverbanks, unconditional love, the vibrant colours of anime, the quiet hum of late-night writing, and a deep, persistent hope for a kinder world.
So, grab a comfy seat, maybe a warm drink (I’m imagining a nice cup of teh tarik!), and let me share a little bit of my heart with you, explaining the 'why' behind these new little corners of the internet I’m creating.
My story begins far, far away from bustling cities and paved roads. It starts in the heart of Sabah, Malaysia, nestled deep within the embrace of the mighty Kinabatangan River valley. My childhood world was painted in shades of emerald green jungles, the earthy brown of the river, and the vast, ever-changing canvas of the sky. It was a village life, simple in many ways, but incredibly rich in others. It was also a life lived in rhythm with nature’s sometimes dramatic pulse – the yearly monsoons often brought swirling mud floods that would creep into our homes, and the wind could whip into cyclones that made the stoutest trees sway like dancers.
Life wasn't always easy. Poverty was a constant companion, a shadow that lingered even on the sunniest days. We didn't have much in terms of material possessions. Luxuries were things we only heard about. But what we lacked in wealth, we more than made up for in love, especially the boundless, unconditional love of my beloved late grandmother.
Oh, my grandma… she was my everything. My rock, my sunshine, my fiercest protector, and my gentlest guide. She raised me with hands that were calloused from hard work but always ready with a comforting touch. In a world that often felt unpredictable and challenging, her love was the one constant, invariable force. She taught me resilience without ever using the word – showing me how to replant what the floods washed away, how to find joy in the smallest things (a ripe mango, a shared meal, a story told under the moonlight), and how to face challenges with a quiet strength and a hopeful heart. She didn't have much to give in material terms, but she gave me the universe: her steadfast belief in me. Even when things were tough, even when the river rose high and the winds howled, her presence was a safe harbor. Those memories, etched deep within me, are the bedrock upon which everything else is built. The smell of woodsmoke, the feel of cool mud between my toes after a flood, the sound of her humming a traditional lullaby – these are treasures more precious than gold.
Now, growing up in such a remote place, entertainment options were… limited! But then, something magical happened. Somehow, like colourful butterflies fluttering into my world, I discovered anime and manga. Oh, the wonder! Suddenly, my small village world expanded exponentially. I was transported to lands of adventure, friendship, and impossible dreams made real. Characters with vibrant hair and even more vibrant spirits faced down incredible odds, fought for what they believed in, protected their friends, and never, ever gave up.
These weren't just cartoons to me. They were stories filled with ganbatte (that feeling of doing your absolute best!), with undeviating loyalty, with the power of believing in yourself and others even when the world tells you otherwise. In worlds filled with giant robots, magical girls, and determined ninjas, I found echoes of the tenacity my grandma embodied. I saw characters overcome their own kinds of floods and cyclones – personal struggles, societal pressures, moments of deep despair – and emerge stronger, kinder, and more determined.
Fandoms became my extended community, a place where shared passion connected people across vast distances. It ignited my imagination like nothing else. These stories didn't just entertain me; they fuelled a fire within me. They whispered, "You can do it too, ikki. You have your own stories to tell, your own battles to fight, your own way to make a difference." They made me believe that even someone from a tiny, flood-prone village, someone who sometimes felt like an outsider, could achieve something meaningful through dedication and pure, honest hard work.
Life continued its winding journey. There were more challenges, of course. Paths aren't usually straight lines, are they? I learned that my brain processes the world a little differently – I'm a neurodivergent adult. Sometimes things that seem simple to others take a bit more navigating for me, like understanding unspoken social cues or filtering out sensory overload. But you know what? I've come to see it not as a deficit, but as part of my unique wiring. It gives me a different perspective, perhaps a heightened sense of empathy, a way of seeing patterns and connections others might miss. It definitely fuels my creativity and my deep dive into the worlds I love, both real and fictional! It’s part of the medley that makes me, well, me.
And somehow, fuelled by grandma’s love, the echoes of anime heroes, and a whole lot of stubborn determination, things started to… happen. My love for stories, nurtured by those early days listening to grandma and later devouring manga, blossomed into a passion for writing. Putting words together became my way of making sense of the world, of capturing fleeting moments of beauty, of exploring complex emotions. Imagine my surprise, my absolute joy, when this passion led me to become an honorary published personal writer here in this region! Seeing my name in print, knowing my words were reaching others… it was a dream I barely dared to whisper come true.
Life’s currents then carried me somewhere I never expected: academia. Today, I’m incredibly humbled and grateful to be a senior lecturer at a local university. Standing in front of students, sharing knowledge, sparking curiosity – it’s a privilege I cherish every single day. It feels like a way of paying forward the encouragement I received.
But my heart never truly left the Kinabatangan valley, never forgot the feel of the river mud or the warmth of my community. The challenges faced by my fellow villagers – the struggles for daily necessities, access to medication, opportunities for education – remained deeply ingrained in my consciousness. The echoes of my own childhood, the memory of my grandmother’s unvarying support despite our poverty, spurred me to action.
And so, alongside my writing and teaching, another passion took root: giving back. It started small. I began offering free reading classes for the children in my village and neighbouring communities. Seeing a child’s eyes light up when they decipher their first sentence? There’s simply no feeling like it! It felt like planting seeds of possibility.
This grew. I started helping out at local schools where resources were scarce, doing whatever I could – assisting teachers, sourcing supplies, just being a friendly, encouraging presence. Then, realizing the need to bridge communication gaps and empower all children, I dedicated myself to learning and teaching Braille and sign languages, particularly American Sign Language (ASL). Watching children who were previously isolated find their voice, whether through tactile dots or expressive hand-shapes, has been one of the most profoundly moving experiences of my life. It's about ensuring no child feels left behind, that everyone has the chance to connect and learn.
Of course, dreams and good intentions need fuel. The needs in my community are ongoing – families struggling to put food on the table, elders needing essential medications, children requiring school supplies and support for their education. My writing became not just a personal passion, but a tool for change. I started using my published works and freelance writing gigs to raise funds. Every penny (ringgit!) earned went directly back into the community, helping to stock village pantries, cover medical bills, and provide educational materials.
This mission expanded further, reaching out to support various orphanages. These homes, filled with children who’ve faced unimaginable loss, hold a special place in my heart. Offering them support, whether through funds raised or simply by spending time reading stories and sharing laughter, feels like extending that circle of care my grandmother created for me. It’s about trying to weave a little bit of warmth and security into their lives.
Doing this work, seeing the direct impact of collective kindness, fills me with an immense sense of purpose and joy. It’s not charity; it’s community. It’s neighbours helping neighbours, sharing what we have, lifting each other up. It’s the spirit of gotong-royong (communal work) that’s so deeply ingrained in our culture, applied in a way that fits my skills and passions.
Which brings us back, full circle, to ikkimall’s ETSY and ikkimall’s Ko-Fi!
For a while now, my heart has been rumbling "ikki, how can we do more? How can we reach further, help more people, share more stories, and build more bridges of kindness?" My current fundraising efforts are wonderful, but they have their limits. I dream bigger.
I dream of sustainable support for my community, of expanding our educational programs, of reaching more orphanages, of making a more significant dent in the daily struggles faced by so many.
And then it clicked. What if I could combine my deepest passion – writing – with this driving need to give back in a more direct, accessible way? What if I could share the stories bubbling inside me, the reflections, the little sparks of hope and joy I try to capture in words, directly with people like you?
That’s the heart and soul behind ikkimall's ETSY and Ko-Fi.
ikkimall’s ETSY will be my forever little digital storefront, a place where I’ll be sharing my writings. Think printable poems, short stories, perhaps thoughtful essays, maybe even some fun, fandom-inspired pieces! Each piece crafted with care, infused with the love, hope, and strength I’ve learned along my journey. It’s a way for me to share my creative sparks with the world.
ikkimall’s Ko-Fi is like my virtual tip jar and a space for more direct support and connection. It’s a place where, if you enjoy my work or believe in the mission, you can contribute directly – maybe 'buy me a coffee' (or perhaps a virtual teh tarik!) which translates into real-world help. I might also share little updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and maybe even exclusive snippets there.
Here’s the most important part: Every single purchase made on Etsy, every kind contribution on Ko-Fi, is not just supporting me as a writer. It’s directly fueling the mission back home. The funds raised through these platforms will go towards:
- Daily Stocks: Helping families in my village secure essential food supplies and daily necessities.
- Medications: Ensuring elders and those who are ill can access the medicines they need.
- Education: Providing books, uniforms, school fees, and supporting the free reading, Braille, and ASL classes.
- Orphanage Support: Continuing and expanding our assistance to orphanages, bringing them resources and moments of joy.
My goal is simple, yet ambitious: to use the power of words and stories to create tangible ripples of kindness in the world. I want to build a small, sustainable engine of support for my community, powered by creativity and connection. I truly believe that even in this often harsh reality, we can create pockets of peace, meaning, and support for one another.
When you choose to support ikkimall through Etsy or Ko-Fi, you’re not just buying a digital file or sending a tip. You’re becoming part of this story. You’re holding hands with me, my grandmother’s spirit, the children learning to read, the elders receiving their medication, the communities striving for a better tomorrow. You’re feeling the love and intention poured into every word, knowing that your support extends far beyond the screen, reaching into the heart of a village by the Kinabatangan River.
I want anyone who interacts with ikkimall to feel that warmth, that connection, that shared sense of purpose. It's not about high-pressure sales; it’s about offering something made with love, hoping it resonates, and knowing that if it does, it contributes to something truly meaningful.
So, this is me, ikki, putting my heart out there. Sharing my story, my dreams, and these new little ventures with you. I’m excited, a little nervous, but overwhelmingly hopeful. Hopeful that these platforms can become bridges connecting my world with yours, weaving threads of empathy and support across distances.
Please feel free to pop over and explore ikkimall’s ETSY and ikkimall’s Ko-Fi (I’ll make sure the links are easy to find!). Browse around, see if anything catches your eye or warms your heart. Even just visiting and reading this story means the world to me. If what I'm trying to do resonates with you, perhaps share it with others who might connect with this mission.
Let’s see what beautiful things we can build together, one story, one act of kindness at a time. Let’s try to make this world a little brighter, a little gentler, a little more full of love and understanding.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for taking the time to read my story. Thank you for being here. Your presence, your support, your kindness – it truly matters.
With a heart full of sunshine and gratitude,
Yours in stories and dreams,
~ikki ♥