Star R. AGE: Empathy Journalism (18/6/2020)

Empathy- what does it mean to you? Empathy is showing kindness to others, put ourselves in their shoes and think if I were them, how would I feel? What is the feeling? Empathy can be in any form, but have you ever wonder that empathy and journalism work together? I thought about it: How can we apply empathy when we are writing a story for the newspaper? Well, stick around to find out! There are five key elements when we combine empathy and journalism. 

First and foremost, read a fiction book or novel. Yes, reading takes us to a place of wonders as we immerse ourselves into the story plot but have we wonder that reading will help us to develop empathy? What if the characters in the story, find something difficult to break the code? If we were the characters in the book, how do we feel? That's when empathy comes in. 

Secondly, active listening. When we are in conversations, we are often being talked over or cut off in mid-sentence. Try this way: Listen carefully to the person who is talking, we'll find somehow that he or she is going through a tough time. Always be attentive, don't be distracted, not talking about yourself and most importantly, please don't stare at the phone! We are all on our phones every now and then, if we are willing to put down our phones and pay full attention, empathy comes in. 

Thirdly, be curious. There is a saying goes "curiosity kills the cat". In this case for empathy, don't be afraid. Just because we are different in our own way, that doesn't mean we have to hide in a corner from getting us into trouble right? We can show empathy by writing a story on a person based on their story in their perspectives and point of view. 

Fourthly, identify biases. Let's be honest, that bias is human nature. Showing empathy is not about taking sides. How do we reduce biases? By identifying and reducing them actively. 

Last but not least is practice kindness! Be there and comfort them. The simple way is sitting beside without saying a word, our presence will give the person some comfort. Personally, this is my favourite key element. 

There you go, the five key elements of showing empathy. A little game for the Zoom participants. When one of the questions pops up "I am the oldest child in the family," that gets me excited, cause being the oldest, we are looked up by the younger siblings. We have a short sharing session on showing empathy to others and others have shown empathy to us.  

Before the seminar ends, we have an "assignment" which we need to complete by next week. It's based on the key elements that we have learned today. I'm sure the tasks can be done in no time! I'm looking forward to the next event. 

Have courage and be kind. Stand Together!

The Surprise Comeback: UNAM Youth Assembly Conference (13/6/2020-14/6/2020)

On 8 September 2019, I marked my final journey in the Model United Nations (MUN) scene and went into "retirement" to focus on my university studies. The first question you might ask "Are you completely cut off from the Malaysian UN scene?" My answer was no, I would be involved in UN-related activities but coming back to the scene, it was a mystery. 

Due to the coronavirus, the mass gatherings are strictly a no-no, everything is taken online. Delegates, may I present to you the Youth Assembly Conference (YCA) organised by United Nations Association Malaysia (UNAM) Youth! A week before the event, we had a pre-conference online workshop. Fresh out of retirement after nine months, some of the details need to be refreshed especially on the consultation of the whole. 

The day of the conference has come, I log on to the Discord app to attend the very first virtual MUN of the year. We have a keynote opening speech, from the UNAM Youth president, Rehan. Delegates have to "move" to "meeting room 1" for the conference. In the physical MUN, we are usually assigned to a country that we are representing, make an opening speech and state on the country's policies, what can delegates hope for the outcome at the end of the conference. 

  Similarly to physical MUN, but this time we are representing ourselves as Malaysia's youths on how can we help the Rohingya refugees despite facing the COVID-19 pandemic. We focus on issues such as education, work permits, healthcare etc. I work alongside newcomers on the MUN scene, and some of them ask me what advice I could give to newcomers? I don't have much to give but all I could say is observe and listen to what other delegates might present during the debate, if we have a strong point, fight it back diplomatically. 

At the end of the first day, we created a group to discuss further on the topic. The second and final day, we spent an hour on how to make our points stronger. The debate is firing up with more passion as compared to the first day. I bring up a motion on "Xenophobic behaviour towards refugees in Malaysia" but it failed. Never mind, we have other topics to discuss on. We "failed" the model resolution. 

UNAM Youth is honoured to invite to Mr John and Mr Islam on their views on the Rohingya refugees, as well as from our UNAM Youth president himself, Rehan. We end the day by playing a game on Jackbox TV, but I preferred Kahoot! Although this virtual MUN is amazing, I'm hoping to come back to the physical Model United Nations anytime soon when this pandemic is over. 

This is Kar Marn, delegate of Youth Assembly, signing off! 

Opinion: Quote- Have Fun and Be Yourself

"Be yourself"- this is the phrase that everyone says to us no matter is meeting a new friend, being in a group of friends, especially going out for the first date. We want the other person to know more about us, the real question is: Are we really being ourselves and having fun? If the answer is yes, congratulations! If the answer is no, take all the time you need, I'm sure the answer will lie in between.

Is it hard to be yourself? It depends on the individual to define the phrase in their own way. Let me tell you a story on the experiences of  "be yourself" which lead up in both good and bad ways. I was a 19-year-old college student, trying to figure out which group of friends I belonged to. On 11 Jan 2016, the second semester of college was resumed, I was excited I couldn't wait to meet all of my course mates again, after a long two-month break. 

We headed to a cafe where it is opposite the college, we had a great time. I thought I fit into this group of friends. I did the best I can to create opportunities to bump into them, getting know their timetable so I could fit our time together to hang out. The time I hung out with them, I felt a sense  of uneasiness inside me. Sometimes, I got talked over, which was not a good feeling. I was the one who was always observing how they acted and talked, which I think is a good thing from a bystander's point of view. 

In April 2016, their "leader" of the group told me that I don't belong in their group, and having me was a "waste of time". I was heartbroken, these so-called "friends" excluded me socially just like that! I realised that they were not able to accept for who I am as a person, and expected to act in the same way as them. This is not "be yourself, have fun" at all! Why we want to have fun and change the way that we are not ourselves? Something tells me that it's time to leave them for good! 

It took me a while to recover this friendship heartbreak. Everything happens for a reason. The healing continued, somehow it led me to reunite with my high school senior and met some amazing friends during an event of Sunway University Buddhist Society (SBS). Immediately, I didn't feel left out and the feeling of "have fun, be yourself" was coming back! I knew that there is always someone in our lives, can accept for who we are without changing ourselves just to fit in. I'm thankful for them to appear in my life at the right time when I was at the lowest point in college. 

University began for me in 2017, a new milestone had reached and a new mission. Again, I didn't fit into any of group of friends, except when it comes to academic purposes, otherwise, I'm always alone but I'm lucky to have my seniors and a few best friends in the course who always look out for me. 

Along the way, I have been criticised for my personality and being outcasted. This is not going to stop me from having fun and being myself - the girl I always meant to be! Always remember to have fun and be yourself, it is ourselves to make others to see the other side of us and not others who try to change for who we are not. 

Opinion: Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Review

Countries all over the world are implementing lockdown and movement control orders since the outbreak of Covid-19. I first got to know the Phantom of the Opera when I was flipping through my Form 3 English textbook. Although the English literature component was changed when I started secondary school in 2010, I didn't have the chance to study.

In 2015, I watched Phantom of the Opera on West End at Her Majesty Theatre during my first ever trip to England. Ever since I fell in love with Phantom of the Opera! Almost five years later, the classic was back again! Last week, we got to relive the classic during its 25th anniversary on YouTube with a time limit of 24 hours in the UK and 48 hours across the globe, and it was streaming for free!

I was feeling stressed due to a final project I'm currently doing in conjunction with my final semester in university. To destress from the studies, time to kick off my weekend to watch the 25th anniversary of Phantom of the Opera. It was late at night, I was done with watching the news. I opened up my iPad and started to watch 25th anniversary of Phantom of the Opera.

I was mesmerised by Raoul (played by Hadley Fraser) on the balcony scene, where he recognised his childhood playmate, Christine Daae (played by Sierra Boggess) in "Think of Me". The two were reunited at Christine's dressing room. Insisted to take her to dinner, Raoul went to fetch his hat and next thing we knew was the jealously of the Phantom (played Ramin Karimloo), slowly luring Christine through the mirror.

The chills came in when the theme song of the show kicked in, I was totally being transported by the fantasy of the Phantom bringing Christine to his lair where it was under the basement of the Opera House. Another favourite part of mine was the scene of "The Music of Night," when Christine saw a vision of herself in a wedding dress, fainted in shock. Although it didn't show it, the Phantom sorted of cast a spell on her and put her to sleep.

Besides, another favourite part of Act I was Christine and Raoul on a rooftop of the Opera House. Raoul couldn't give much but he would love Christine with all his heart. Back then, love was so simple yet pure. I may not be romantic, but I believe love will win in every other way.

Act II, the timeline was fast-forwarded to six months. A masquerade party was held at the Opera House, Christine and Raoul are secretly engaged. The Phantom crashed the party as the Red Devil, he wrote the final score of the next play. The big red costume, my mind was blown! How could they design a costume like that?

In the first half of "The Point of Return", Christine's acting partner was switched, and she felt something amiss when the Phantom slid in. Revealing his true form to the audience, it was down with the lair, this time Christine was forced to wear the wedding dress. Raoul came to the lair to save Christine, but the Phantom captured him with his Punjab lasso. Not afraid by his looks, Christine asked the Phantom what was the reason he lived.

Christine kissed the Phantom showing kindness for the first time. Having experienced kindness first time in his life, the Phantom released Christine and Raoul. The Phantom realised that love couldn't be forced even though we loved someone, that didn't mean the person will reciprocate their love. A tearful Christine returned the ring to the Phantom. The devastated Phantom sits on the throne with a black cloak covering him and magically disappeared. Meg was the first one to arrive at the lair, only to find his mask on the throne, and stared in wonder when the light shone on the stage as the finale.

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Phantom of the Opera, a bonus performance of the theme song featuring the original Christine (Sarah Brightman) from the very first show in 1986, featuring past and present Phantoms. My favourite Christine and Phantom pairing are definitely Sierra Boggess and Ramin Karimloo. Looking forward to more performances from them.

Stay home and stay safe everyone! Thank you for "The Shows Must Go On" for giving us the arts during this challenging time.

Back to University: Online Lecture (8/4/2020)

It's back to university! What am I going to do? I'm back in my hometown. I'm going to university online. It's true! All the classes for this semester will assessed online, which means university from home. Due to the outbreak of Covid-19 in the country, we are on the second phase of the movement control order (MCO), we're staying put until the order is over.

I'm all set for the semester cause I'll be here in my hometown, Melaka. Usually I will pack food from home and bring it to campus but this time I have home cooked food. Talk about going to classrooms, I have to wait to be at the lift by half an hour before class starts, cause by 15 minutes before class, everybody will be lining up and it will get squishy. At home, I set my alarm clock, have some breakfast and set up the computer an hour class, I'm good to go. It's advisable to wake three or two hours before class time, so we have enough time to buffer and get everything done. 

Recently, during the MCO period I was hooking up to games which I left off. Now that university has already started, it's the best to put a timer to time ourselves for not going overboard on the games. Do not miss any class no matter virtually or face-to-face and always be on time! It's a good practice, when we go to the working world punctuality is everything unless we have a leeway in between. 

Another tip on university from home is make sure the room that we are in is noise free, good connection of the Internet (sometimes we will face bad connection), a big study space to put all the university go-to "essentials" such as books, laptop, pencil box, phone, iPad etc. Most importantly make ourselves presentable, some lecturers want to see our faces, be confident and don't be camera shy. Also, have a good set of earphones if we wanna block out the noise around us.  

Instead of a physical classroom, we use Zoom as a virtual classroom to be connected with our lecturers and course mates. I'm really happy to see all of my course mates again. We may not see each other like we used before on campus but I'm sure we will meet physically one day. This semester is going to a bumpy ride, I hope I can achieve my goals! Hope everyone stays safe. 

Opinion: What I Have Learned Throughout the Movement Restriction Order

Due to the Covid-19 outbreak in Malaysia, the government decided to implement the Movement Restriction Order from 18 Mar 2020 to 31 Mar 2020. All activities will be postponed until further notice. First of all, the Movement Restriction Order also known as Movement Control Order (MCO), is not a "lockdown". We could still go out to buy all the essentials, but we have to practice social distancing whenever we go out to buy any basic needs.

The MCO didn't affect me much as I'm on my semester break (I came back way before the order was implemented). One way or another, it will affect my studies a little for this upcoming semester. I wasn't really sure whether classes will be resumed physically or will be conducting virtually. I still have to wait further announcements from the university for any necessary precautions.

Nonetheless, I keep myself updated with news from official news site every now and then. If I'm not catching up with the news, I would read the books which I left off or listen to podcasts such as Mamak Sessions from JinnyBoy and Unboxing People (Mandarin podcast). I think this is the best time to spend with our family members, or pick up a new skill. Recently, there was a DIY dalgona coffee was booming the Internet. I would like to make one for my family.


Everyone was waiting for the Movement Restriction Order to be lifted but the government announced that a second phase of the order, starting from 1 April 2020 to 14 April 2020, which means more stricter rules will be imposed. My university will be conducting lessons starting from 6 April, all projects and assignments will be conducting digitally including classes. Although, we couldn't go back physically to see our friends on campus, thanks to the advanced technology that we have today, we are able to get in touch through video calls or on our respective social media platforms to keep in touch. 

To all the front line runners, thank you so much for the sacrifices, we salute you for keeping everyone in the country safe. As Malaysians, let us stay at home.

CNY Day 12: Star Media Group CNY Lion Dance Blessing (5/2/2020)

The CNY celebration is not over yet for the staffs at Star Media Group (SMG), as we have our very own lion dance blessing. This is my first time experiencing as an intern, I'm really excited. By the time I reach the office, I see two yellow lion heads on either side of the entrance, later on we will be heading down to watch the performance.

I head up to the Corporate Communication department to start another day of internship. As the time nears, my fellow colleague Ain, makes the announcement to inform all the staff at Menara Star that later on a lion dance will be holding at the main lobby. Not long after, we head down to the main lobby. All the management team are clad in the company's corporate colour - red, which is also a lucky colour in the Chinese culture, representing good luck and fortune.

The signal of drum beating that the lions come to live! During the plucking green session (采青), one lion on the ground, and the other goes around to "play" with the staffs and management team. The performance ends with the lions presenting the management team the plucked greens. After that, it's back up to the our respective departments cause the lions will be going to department to department.

My colleagues are accompanying the lion dance performers going around the office, while Aaron and I stay back to continue our work which we left off. As the clashing of drums and symbols are getting louder at the 7th floor, the lions are here! I touch the lions for good luck, hoping my internship will be smooth and be successful in life throughout the year.

Too bad I didn't put the ang pau (red packet) and oranges on my table but next year I'll be sure to put them on my working table.