DCLA Alternative Media Talk (20/4/17)

  It's as just as any of a normal day in university, you filled up your free period by going to the library to have your "me time" before tutorial class started at 10am. I didn't really care about the pop-up ads on the PC so I decided to ignore and logged on to the campus' email system as always. An email which I received from the Head of the DCLA Department was related to the talk which I saw on the pop-up ad, I ignored it for the second time around.

  At 9.30am, Junta and I always leave half an hour before class because you'll have trouble to get into the lift and you have to wait for another around all walk up the stairs, I think it's 14 flights (a rough guess). As we reached to the 7th floor, I always "popped in" to the Sunway University Business School Office (SUBS). Around 10 minutes before class, I got up and gathered with my friends for a small chat. Once the students from the first class was done, it's our turn to enter to Corporate Communication tutorial with our lecturer, Ms. Priyadarshini.

  We had a little "role play" which was each student will count the number from 1 to 9, the students with the same numbers were gathered into a group. After that, Ms. Priya will assign each group to a sub-function of Corporate Communication. My group was assigned under the Crisis Management. At some point, she asked whether one of us would like to be the host or moderator for the "role play". Oh wow, this is my chance! I've always wanted to be a host. Without second thought, I shot up my hand. Besides, it's a step to my future career as a newscaster. Once everyone got their discussions and names done, some of the boys helped out to arrange the table so that the classroom looked like we were attending a "forum".

  I had to go the back of the class when my placed is set. Once I was seated, each group will represent a "spokesperson" to describe each and every of their sub-function. Thanks to my addiction to television programs, I watched one or two talk shows as well as watching the news every night before bed, I could use some of the tips which learned, turned out it came in handy! After Chivonne's presentation, I warapped up the "forum" saying: "Thank you to our nine speakers on their roles in the Corporate Communication industry and thank you everyone for attending the 'forum', I hope you guys learn from each of the speakers. Therefore I end this forum, thank you."

  Ms. Priya praised me for doing a good job as well as the students who represented the teams. She also encouraged us to attend the talk that every student in the course was talking about. Mr. Philip Chong, our Introduction to Consumer Behaviour substitute lecturer also encouraged us to go. The tutorial class was cancelled and we were "forced" to go to the talk. When we arrived, I was attracted by the food because my tummy was making rumbling sounds. To kill hunger, I dig in the food which they provided. My favorite was the spring roll. While I was eating one of the seniors told us to go into the hall as the forum was starting soon. 

  One last bite of my spring roll, my friends headed inside to the hall. While I was going in, I could hear Dr. Chan, the head of department of DCLA saying to Sunway Education Group Senior Excecutive, Dr. Elizabeth Lee: " That's Kar Marn, one of our DCLA students," Did I mention that the emcee looked grace and poise? She is in Year 2, majoring in Corporate Communication. Each of the speaker talked about the role of social media and how people like us use them on a daily basis and sometimes we misused them. Questions were asked by students and lecturers as well as the Dean of School of Arts (SOA). A photo opportunity is a must at the end of the forum. 

  I even took a selfie with Aliah and it was time for me to head back to class for English listening test. What an experience! 

 

Beauty and the Beast (2017): Movie Preview (16/4/17)

  I finally had the chance to watch the latest Disney classic remake of Beauty and the Beast. It's one of my favourite movie when I was a young girl. It taught me that inner beauty is the true you and stay true to yourself.



  There was a handsome young prince (played by Dan Stevens) in a far way land, who had everything he wanted- a big castle, beautiful servants, power you name it! One night during a party, an old woman, who was an enchantress in disguise seek shelter from the cold. She offered the prince a single rose but he shrugged it off. With the second rejection, the old woman transformed into her true form- a beautiful enchantress. Dazed by her beauty, the prince begged for forgiveness but it was too late. As punishment, the enchantress cast a spell on the prince which transformed into a Beast. To break the spell, he must love another before the last petal falls, he would remain a Beast forever as well as the antiques who were once servants. The question is: Who would learn to love a Beast?



  Due to spell, everyone's memory had been erased. Years passed, there was a village called
Villeneuve, a young girl named Belle (played by Emma Watson), who lived with her inventor father, Maurice. The scene where Belle sings the opening line of the first song- Belle. The villagers thought Belle didn't fit into their society because she of her love of reading book. Meanwhile Gaston (played by Luke Evans) returned from his latest hunt with his trustee sidekick LeFou (played by Josh Gad, you might remember him who voiced the bubbly snowman, Olaf, from 2013's hit Disney movie- Frozen). He had his eyes on Belle and planned to marry her.



  Belle was on her way back to her hose when Gaston approached her and asked her out to dinner but Belle refused. Belle didn't fancy Gaston at all due to his arrogance and narcissism towards her. Back in the cottage, Maurice was making some final touches on his latest music box which he is going to sell. "Papa, am I odd?" Belle asked Maurice. "My daughter? Odd? What makes you said that?" Maurice said. Belle told her father that the villagers think she is but not to her father.


  Maurice embarked on his journey to sell his music boxes. Before departure, Belle requested him for a rose that she always wanted. On his way, Maurice encountred the Beast's castle. To prevent the cold, he went into the castle to seek shelter but was amused the castle was enchanted. Terrified, Maurice fled away but keeping his promise to Belle to bring back a rose upon his trip, he went to the garden to pick one but this time he encountred with the Beast, who later imprisoned him in the castle for stealing. Shocked by Philippe's arrival, Belle braved herself to the castle to save her father's life.



  In trade of her father's freedom, Belle took her father's place. Along she befriended with the castle staffs- Mrs. Potts and her son, Chip. Lumiere and his love interest, Plumette as well as castle's head household, Cogsworth. Due to Belle's curiosity, she went to the forbidden West Wing. As she discovered the rose, the Beast chased her out but she was attacked by wolves while fleeing. The Beast came to her rescue but was injured in the process. Belle nursed him to health and asked why the staff chose to stay loyal to their master. They told her: "We believe you are the one to break the spell. The last petal falls, the master will remain a Beast forever while we remain as antique households."



  What Belle and Beast both have in common is they both lost their mothers at a very young age. Belle was just an infant when she lost her mother while the Beast lost his as a young boy (probably seven to eight years old). Gaston asked Maurice for his hand in marriage to Belle but he refused. With anger, Gaston led the villagers to kill the Beast. The Beast was too depressed to fight back as he was thinking of Belle. When Belle arrived, he regained confidence. Sadly, the Beast was shot Gaston, who fell from his death.



  When the last petal of the rose fell, Belle confessed her love to the Beast. Agathe, who transformed her true self into the enchantress, used her magic to transform the Beast into his human form- a handsome young prince. Belle was hesitated at first but she recgonised the blue eyes which she saw the picture of the prince. They shared a romatic kiss which transformed the castle into its former glory and all the household servants were no longer in their antique forms. Well, the most heartwarming scene where they reunited with their families.



  To celebrate the cursed is broken, the castle held a dance ball with Belle and the Prince leading the way. Proud father, Maurice painted the magical moment. They all lived happily ever after! 

  We can't look judge a person by the outside,  what's more important is on the inside. I would recommend to watch the Disney classic. Who knows you might inner Belle?

DCLA Library Referencing Workshop (13/4/17)

  I have a free period before my class starts at 10.00am but this time we'll be in the library! Why would I be in the library? We had a library referencing workshop for English at the Instructional Lab. We were divided into two groups based on our tutorial groupings. Lucky for me, I'm in the first group so I was placed in the library while the other group was at the university's IT lab.


  Around 9.35 am, most of my classmates from English tutorial group 1 started to fill in the library. We took the lift down to the basement floor- where it was my usual study place and it's popular among the students. There were a few students at the Instructional Lab, we were 15 minutes early before the actual time. "Let's just go in," suggested Mudita, "Oh okay," I said. I also bumped into one of my juniors in my former pre-U course, MUFY (Monash University Foundation Year).


  I chose the first row to get a better view of the screen. At 10.00am, more of our classmates started to fill in the Instructional Lab. The librarian gave us some handouts at the beginning of the workshop. The paper sheets were familiar to me as I attended a similar workshop during my Pre-U days. Once everyone settled down, it's lesson time for library referencing 101! The first few part of the workshop was okay but then the speed started to fire up, that's when I started to slack back than the rest of the class.


  Mudita had to step in and help me with the part which I left off. The rest of workshop, I was struggling but managed to step up in the end. At the end of the workshop, we were asked to fill up a survey and give feedback. After that, it's lunch time!

SBS Welcoming Dinner: Linking Boundaries (6/4/17)

   My last lecture ended at 5.30pm, which was half an hour early. I texted Cynthia that she can pick me up from Hall 2, Graduate Centre but she replied me that she was busy welcoming guests at the Art Gallery. Along with my course mates, we walked along the canopy walk where it led us to the university building. We were in mid track, then I saw Cynthia walking towards me. "Hey, Katelyn! Are you ready?" she asked. Without hesitation, I said:"Yes, yes I am!" As Junta passed my bag to Cynthia, I thanked him as well as other friends for help.

   We took the lift up to the first floor. When we arrived, everyone was busy doing some last-minute checkking to make sure everything was on top form. My duty of the night is simple- collecting tickets when guests arrived and a form for them to sign up before heading in. While I was doing the registration, I saw Loke Zai (young boy in Cantonese) was sipping a cup of peach tea. "Katelyn, would you like to have one?" he asked. "I would love to, thank you!" I said. He then turned to Cynthia whether she would want a cup as well. "Yes, please," she said.

  Not long after Loke Zai came out with two cups of peach tea. I went to the wash room to get myself clean up. Cynthia accompanied me, Chia Tee was inside practising her opening line as she is the host of the night. After cleaning myself up, I asked the girls whether my dress it's okay. Chia Tee said the inside layer of my dress was a bit messy so we headed back in to the washroom to get fix my dress. I don't want a wardrobe malfunction especially on welcoming dinner. Earlier that day,  Loke Zai complimented that I looked pretty.

  Well back to work! I was doing the registration half way, Hon Pong- the President of the Society came to me, he said:"Katelyn, it's time to go in," Cynthia took over my shift as I was guided inside by Hon Pong. Chia Tee was giving a welcome speech and a brief introduction to our speakers of the night- Bro. Tan Huat Chye and Dato Charlie Chia. They are both from my hometown- Malacca, yay! Okay, okay back to the scene. Both of the speakers gave good advices to us.

  Whatever you do, you have to do with passion, interest and full heart, that will give you a 100% success. Besides that, never ever compare yourself with other people, do it at your own pace. It's time for the juniors to meet the seniors. I was lucky to reunite with my seniors and some I've got to finally to meet them in person! I heard a lot about them since joining the big family.

  What's with a welcoming night without any music? iGemz definitely rock the night! A group photo was taken to capture the memorable moment. It's back to the mingling. I'm very happy the event is a success! Thanks to the people of the SBS Team 2017 for giving a 100% effort to make it happen! I would like to welcome the new members to join our big family!

C&S Carnival: Part 1 (4/4/17-6/4/17)

  It's my favourite time of the year on campus- The C&S carnival, or also known as Clubs and Societies carnival. It's event where students can find out their favourite extra curricular activities on campus from sports to cultural to  music, you name them! The event marks my first campus event as a university student.

  During past C&S carnivals, it was usually held at the college cafeteria's Energy Hub and some booths were even held at the Student Life (formerly known as Student Service Department). All the clubs and societies were held together at the same place, we could walk around and look for other clubs if you're not on duty to take care of the booth or boredom takes over you (I'm kidding!).

  We have a new Boulevard Area, some of the clubs and societies' booth are held while most of them are at the NUB (New University Building) foyer. Sunway Chinese Cultural Society is going to have a stage play called The Dream Catcher  on 12 April 2017 for their 2nd Annual Chinese Cultural Night. Besides that. Sunway University Japanese Club (SUJC) is having Undokai (Japanese sports). Chinese Independent School Alumni (CISA) having their 24 season drum performance on Thursday, I get to try my hands on the drums. It's not bad for the first try as I came from a national type Chinese primary school.

While us Sunway University Buddhist Society is promoting on our upcoming welcoming dinner!  For the very first time, we are having our first themed dinner called Linking Boundaries! Sounds exciting isn't it? We want to show our new members that our society is just more than that, it's a place you will call home in years to come. When a student signs up for our society, we give them an origami lotus or a paper crane as a "blessing". Some students just walk past by even though we try to slow them down to promote our welcoming dinner. You know, whatever works.

  As Cynthia and I are taking care of the booth, our campus' mascot, Samson the Sun Bear comes to say hi to us. Guess he is checking out which society or club that is suitable for him. At the end of the C&S carnival, we manage to get 30 students to join our welcoming dinner which is a good sign for our first ever event in 2017. I can't wait to see all of them!                        

Come and drop by at our booth at the Boulevard Area (just below the college linkage bridge) to find out more on our upcoming activities. I'll be posting on the welcoming dinner too, stay tune!

First Week of Lecture (27/3/17-31/317)

  After the three-day orientation and the weekend to relax, it was time for me to hit the books as I headed to Sunway University as an undergraduate in BA (Hons) Communication. I have a thing with Communication in my early teen years. I developed in interest in writing since 12 years old. My very first diary was given by my friend, Shi Min on my 12th birthday. I was in my senior year completing my primary education.

   Growing up, I made sure that I mastered the three languages- the national language also known as Bahasa Malaysia, English and Mandarin (or Chinese). Whenever I go, these three languages will come in handy in their ways. As I completed my senior year in high school, I started to the news every night, that's where my interest in communication started to kick in. I was lucky enough to meet some of the newscasters in person on big events. One of them even asked what would I wanna do after I completed high school. "I wanna be a newscaster or something that is related to the media," I said. Okay, enough of that! Let's take a look what I did during my lecture week.

  I didn't have any tutorial classes on the first week, it was just only lectures. The first lecture was Principles in Mass Communication and it's an 8.00am class. I'm a morning person but I do get power naps in the car along the way. I was supposed to have two lectures on the first day unfortunately the afternoon session was cancelled so I had a whole day to myself!

  On the second day I had double lectures. I didn't know there was a shortcut to the Graduate Centre. You know whatever works. One is English and the other was Principles in Advertising and Design. English lecture was so fun because our lecture, Ms. Priyadharshini had a little game for us to get everyone mingle around. In the afternoon session for Principles in Advertising and Design, Mr. Woody put on some advertisements for us to watch. One of them was the movie trailer of the Disney's live action Beauty and the Beast.

  The third and final day which was on Thursday, I had to wait a little longer until 4.00pm. Luckily, I had activities on so that would kill the time and keeping me busy. We used the shortcut through the canopy walk of the campus to get to the Graduate Centre. It was late afternoon, most of us were exhausted and I almost fell asleep because of the air conditioner. Lesson learned- never sleep in any tutorials or lecture.

  That sums up my three-day of lecture. There is more to come