First Day of Internship The Star (16/12/19)

The semester break is still ongoing but for Katelyn is her first day of internship at The Star- The People's paper under its Corporate Communication department. It's been a dream of mine to work at The Star since I was a young girl and now I'm here to work as an intern.

After my daddy drops me off, I head to the HR office to sign myself as an intern officially. After that, my mentor, Ms. Julianne, leads me to the seventh floor, where the Corporate Communication department is located. I'm welcomed by the senior manager, Ms. Siti Hajar, with open arms and introduced to my fellow colleagues. 

While waiting for my computer to set up, Ms. Julianne gives me a brief overview on how the department works as a whole, and I'm already given my first task of the day- study The Star's annual report, kind of reminded me in Investor Relations class. Ms. Julianne also shows me some of the cover samples which are going to be used as this year's annual report cover. 

My fellow colleague, Lutfil, introduces me his job scope, mainly on the educational magazine- Kuntum, which is also I grew up with to brush up my Bahasa Malaysia back then. I ask is there anything I can help but no task is given yet except reading the content of the annual report. During lunchtime, I get to know about writing a CEO's "Thank You letter", which reminded me of writing the foreword for the booklet of Sunway University Buddhist Society- SBS' past two musical dramas. 

We head down to Star Bytes for lunch but the food are sold out when we got there. Ms. Siti tells me that the first day of internship is kind of slow but slowly the work will build up soon. The rest of the day is not much just chilling in the office whole day. I guess is to get myself familiar with the surroundings since it's the first day of internship.

Whichever task I'm given throughout my three months of internship, I'll give my best and hopefully landing a full-time career after completing university next year. 

A star struck journey is about to begin.

First day of  internship at The Star 

2359 SU Fashion Drama: Reset the Clock (14/11/19)

It’s a rainy day for today’s 2359 Fashion Drama but the weather doesn’t dampen the spirits of the students of Sunway University, especially the Communication gang- as they are out in full force to support their fellow cousemates in the Aug 2017 batch. Before I go further, let’s do a bit of memory refreshing. What is 2359 Fashion Drama? It is an Event Management project run by Year 3 PR Project Management students under the Department of Commnication (DoC) at Sunway University. It is to raise awareness on environmental and climate that the world is facing today. It's fashion with drama!

To suit the theme, I choose a floral dress which I dub the "SUNMUN dress". The colours on the dress kind of incorporate with the promotional poster, just to give a little nod to the event. I make my way up to the Art Gallery, as the time is still early, students and guests are waiting for the registration time. To kill time, yummy food and drinks to make that tummy happy! For me, I just have a drink of orange juice and chocolate cheese cream- a favourite dessert of mine, as well as curry puff. I want to have the egg sandwich but my tummy is full.

Chocolate cheese cream cake

As the time reaches 5pm, I head over to the registration counter to sign myself up and back at the JC auditoriums’ corridor to wait for the doors to be opened in an hour’s time. I have a catch up with the students in my batch. To know more about the event, there is QR code for us to scan which leads us to the intineary. We are given the green light to enter the Art Gallery, our environmental warriors act as our guides to our seats. Lucky for me, I have my own "VIP seat".

Our senior, Ruwan is back to his emcee gig! A promotional video is shown at the ceiling before the show, I find it cool! Environmental warriors, are you ready to take out your weapons to save the Earth? Let the show begin! First off, we have Mother Terra- a guardian to all land creatures. From the crawling ants to the furry foxes, you name it! As time passes, humans are starting to build big buildings that we see today, deforestation, and illegal poaching for fur of the animals in the fashion industry, which destroy the creation of Mother Terra!

Secondly, the guardian of sea- Ocena, a little bit of King Triton from Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Like King Trition, Ocena guards the underwater world, all fishes are living the dream under the sea. The nightmare comes as sharks are fished for their fins for shark fin soup that are served in Malaysian Chinese restaurant, especially weddings; fishes are lying dead. Ocena angrily stumps her trident, that one day all that humans will pay on what they have done to her sea kingdom.

The intro of I See the Light from Disney Tangled is on, featuring my singing buddy and performer of the night- Siak Foong. Lady Skye gracefully flying her way to the stage. Butterflies, birds, bees, and bats, you name it. The sky is the best place to soar and break free from all the worries. All it seems to be perfect but the discard of plastics on beaches causing sea gulls to suffocate, bats are unable to pollinate and butterflies, they can't help but to see to their homes destroyed once more. For Lady Skye, it will never be the same for her!

The nature's enemies such as plastics and polystyrene, have become a part of our lives but at the same time it's killing all the three elements that guardians of Mother Nature have created, some day we humans will pay all the crimes that we have committed!

SDG 13: Climate Actions
SDG 14: Life Underwater
SDG 15: Life on Land

Maybe we should add one more- Life on Sky!

Reset the clock, let's do this together! We have a part to save the Earth. Tell me, how can you save the environment in your own way?

If you want more green information, check out their official social media websites:
FB: 23: 59 Fashion Drama
Instagram: @23.59_su

The stage is ready

Lady Skye and our performer- Siak Foong 

Flower power (Source: 23:59 Fashion Drama) 

Protecting our endangered friends 

I'm with Yuki- our environmental warrior 

生命中的朋友十周年校园造势活动（14/11/19）

出席自家同学的活动后，我以最快的时间赶去另一场活动—— 生命中的朋友十周年校园造势活动。我看着窗外在下着雨，往毕业学楼必须经过大学的天桥。特别是在雨天的时候，要多注意安全。幸好有几位学生们愿意陪我到活动现场，“Kate，你到了啊？不是说你出席同学的活动吗？” 我说：“是啊！他们活动提早完毕就赶过来。” 他们说：“你太有心了！”

既然已经答应要主持此活动，就全力以赴把这个角色办好。再说，如果我赶不到活动现场，就托理事会替补我的位子。我安顿自己后，就把司仪稿再看一遍，“袈文，你来主持或者我来？” 家乐问，我说：“我来吧！” 他说：“好的！你等我给你的指示，然后活动就可以开始。”

时间接近晚上八时，活动即将开始了！家乐给我指示，一收到讯号就进入主持状态。“谢谢主持人！大家晚上好！我们是生命中的朋友！” 生命中的朋友大马著名音乐团创办于2009年，以歌声散播正能量和爱；他们在我中二成为我的歌唱伙伴，我还记得第一次听他们的歌是《生命中的朋友》—— 此歌也是以同名专辑的主打歌。在中五的时候，每次在等待物理室或化学室的门打开，佛学会的学弟学妹们会在第一个铃声响前练唱《生命中的朋友》。

从此每次感到失落或无助，有生命中的朋友的歌声陪我度过每个难关，让我勇敢面对生命中的挑战！在第一组的歌曲中，我当然喜欢《微笑》、《候鸟》、《生命中的朋友》等的歌曲。“现在我们邀请另一位 ‘重量级’人物—— 我们请李木祥博士！” 李博士说他这首歌—— 《一直都相信》的灵感源自于来自对佛法的信念。如果信念不够稳定，就会被其他事来干扰我们的意念。想不到李博士有一把的歌声呢！

最后的一首歌是——《善苗》，我们要把福慧的种子把他们茁壮成长。我还跟着他们一起唱呢！最后我以这一句作为结局：一个善意的微笑，一个温暖的问候给大家幸福；当我们看到失落的时候，走向前给他们一个拥抱一个微笑，因为微笑是魔法般的奇妙！相信大家有自己的生命中朋友给我们勉励来陪伴我们勇敢面对生命中的挑战……”

“哇，你把所有的歌词念出来！” Kah Jun 哥哥说。在双威大学佛学会主席—— 姚静慈，陪同李木祥博士颁发纪念给生命中的朋友。就此，生命中的朋友十周年校园造势活动圆满结束！

2359 SU Fashion Drama Promotional Booth.

After my class, I head straight down to the university foyer hoping to see a tree but it's no where to be seen, all I see is three campus clubs' booths. Where could the tree be? "Well if the tree is not at the university foyer, it must be growing at the college side," I thought. Sure enough the tree is "growing" at the college link bridge.

Once I reached the booth, I'm offered to write a message to Mother Earth. What would I want to see in our world in five years' time? I also include a Sustainable Development Goal in my message (hint: it has to do with the environment can you guess which goal is it? ). If you wanna say something to Mother Earth, you can "leaf" a message and help them to "grow" a tree.

 After much warming up, our environmental warriors are at the booth ready to get their weapons out to save the environment! Whenever students pass by the booth, they are doing the best to get some of them to stop in their tracks. To make it more effective, the environmental warriors take their "weapons" out to promote the event around campus.

I feel that I'm in a tropical forest as I can hear the birds singing, and we have a tiger as well? Relax guys, they are just animal sounds on the bluetooth speaker not the real life ones. But, we have a role to protect their homes as these beautiful animals are loosing their natural habitat due to illegal deforestation and poaching.

If you ask me, how would I save the environment? I would use a reusable bottle because it can save up 167 plastic bottles. Besides that, I would separate the rubbish into the right category. In addition, whenever I follow my family on grocery or shopping, we would always bring our recycle bags with us. These are my tips on saving the environment.

We have a role to play to save our Earth and the environment. Miss out the booth today? Don't worry, our environmental warriors will be on campus walking around, be sure to say hi when you see them!

Note: Early birds ticket are on sale now only RM 15, normal price is RM 20 (all ticket prices are inclusive of light refreshments).

Reset the clock, 2359 let's do this together!

If you want more green information, check out their official social media accounts:
Facebook: 23: 59 Fashion Drama

Instagram: @23.59_su

Harimou Promotional Booth & Mini Game Station (3/10/19)

I come down to the university foyer after political communication class. As I'm walking around, I come across two cute soft toys tigers, and the table is decorated with a jungle themed. At first, I thought whether I'm in a jungle or tropical place but no it's the Harimou Campaign!

Harimou Campaign is run by Sunway University's Year 2 Communication students under the Department of Communication (DoC). It's to educate the public and raise awareness about tiger conversation. To start up, heir first mini activity is up- a game of darts! If you we hit the orange bulls-eye, we'll get free stickers, and we all know Malaysians love free stuff right? Who doesn't want free stuff?

Due to my poor hand-eye coordination, I did the best by throwing the darts at the orange bulls-eye but I'm so close! Well, I try for a second time, still so close to the target! It's okay, at least I get to meet the two soft toy tigers- Timmy and Tiffany, who are at the booth to greet their visitors who come and drop by. Timmy,is chubby and cute, while Tina has this power in her. If you asked me, who I like best, it's definitely Timmy!

I just can't get over the soft toys because they are just too cute and cuddly! Anyway, there will be a big revelation at 3.30pm. I wonder what it is? Unfortunately, I didn't stay back as I head off for another event. I manage to see the big revelation on Harimou's Instagram post, it's a picture of tiger swimming in the water but there a lot of holes due to the darts that the visitors played earlier on- which means, tigers are killed mercilessly by poachers every now and then , the holes are like bullets from the guns.

Stop shooting our tigers and spare them a life to live! Besides orang utan, hornbill, Malayan Tapir, tigers is the most symbolic of all in our country! If you see our national logo, there are two tigers on each side of it which means the symbol of strength and bravery. Did you know? 200 tigers are left in the Malaysian wild, if we don't protect them, our future generation won't be able to see our national fighter.

If we want be a part of the tiger conservation, you can sign the pledge to save a tiger's life. Are you willing to fight for our tigers and hear them roar?

For more roaring details, follow Harimou's official social media:
Facebook: Harimou Campaign
Instagram: @harimou.su

Save the Tigers 

Tjinn Lyim and Wei Ling’s Wedding (28/9/19)

I have been to countless of weddings, mostly are from my maternal grandmother’s extended family. The last time I was really involved in a wedding when I was five years old when my bei ku (my mummy’s youngest brother) got married. I remembered I was under watchful eyes of my uncles and aunts, as my mummy had to care and attend my (younger) sister.

My only role at the wedding back then was to serve the tea to the bride and groom- my uncle and aunt, of course! I was carried by my sa ku (mummy’s third elder brother; third uncle in Hokkien) when I served the tea. I remembered I gave them each a peck on the cheeks, they are my immediately family members.

17 years later, I’m reprising my role again! This time is on my dad’s side of the family. My cousin Tjinn Lyim is stepping into next phase in life- marriage. A little bit of my cousin, he is the oldest among the six of the cousins, and I would say he is the best cousin in the world!

One thing I share with Tjinn Lyim gor gor is the love of photography. In fact most of the cousins love photography, and I think that is one of the interests that made us click together. One of the memorable gifts that Tjinn Lyim gor gor gave me was a photo of my star sign- Scorpio. I had no idea how did he manage to capture the constellation? Yeah it’s the best gift that he had given me and I’m still keeping it and even reposted on Instagram.

I’ll take you to the wedding scene. Yesterday I got to know that the colour theme for the morning session is yellow. Although red in the Chinese culture is an auspicious colour, it's still up to the couple to choose which colour for the bridal entourage (heng dai 兄弟 and jie mei 姐妹). I don't want to upstage the newlyweds but I want to stand out in the crowd so I wear a bright yellow cheongsam with seqiun shoes from Pazzion. It's off to the ceremony!

As I arrive at the house, my bak leong (大伯母) asked me why I didn't join my cousins to fetch the bride. I overslept, which is true cause I couldn't get up that early. While waiting for the couple to arrive, I have some food to fill up my tummy since I have a simple breakfast at home.

At 11.48am, the bride and the groom have arrived. Tjinn Lyim gor gor (表哥) is bringing home Wei Ling jie jie (表嫂) as his wife. As according to Malaysian Chinese wedding tradition, we have to hide in the corner when the bride comes in until it is time for us to come up and greet the couple. I'm not sure what is the meaning behind this but anyway, I get to see the couple serving tea to my gu gu (姑姑) and gu cheong (姑丈).

While Wei Ling jie jie (表嫂) is with  her jie mei (姐妹), I walk up to my Tjinn Lyim gor gor (表哥) and give him a big hug and the four of the cousins which comprise  of Tjinn Lyim gor gor (表哥), How Yan gor gor (大堂哥), Yhi Ling (堂姐) and me. Unfortunately How Yi gor gor (二堂哥) is not here, so does my sister as she is in Great Britian furthering her studies. If not the six of us would be together after a long time! 

Not long after, the couple change into a more traditional wedding attire. There is a long history of the red wedding gown that Wei Ling jie jie is wearing because it was worn by all the ladies in the Chin family (my mummy and bak leong) and it was belonged to my gu gu when she got married. Wei Ling jie jie is the second generation to wear this traditional wedding gown.

While waiting for the younger generation to serve the tea, How Yan gor gor, Yhi Ling and I have bites of siew yuk. Until the cultural hype person calls all the younger cousins of the groom. How Yan gor gor goes on first as he is the oldest, followed by Yhi Ling and me. When it is my turn to wish the couple, I take a deep breath and Tjinn Lyim gor gor said: "Marn, you seemed got everything prepared!" The next thing we know is wishing the couple for a long-lasting and happy marriage.

For the wedding night, I change into another cheongsam but this time is in pink and it's longer as compared to the yellow one which I wore this morning. I didn't use the photobooth during the cocktail party (tip: if there is a photobooth at any events, please use them). I did manage to take a picture with the bride and groom. Tjinn Lyim compliments that I look pretty in pink and definitely like a princess for the night.

We head into the ballroom and the best part is we are seated near the main table, and of course the stage! As everyone settles down in their seats, the emcees announce the arrival the parents of both the bride and the groom, and finally the main characters of the night- Tjinn Lyim gor gor and Wei Ling jie jie!

In every Malaysian Chinese wedding dinner, there is a champagne popping follow by the three toasts (yum seng). Tjinn Lyim gor gor even sings a song or two as a surprise for Wei Ling jie jie, so romantic! We also have a best man and maid of honour speeches. After that, a video montage is shown on the screen of the gate crashing, which the groom had to cross some "obstacles" in order to get the bride and How Yan gor gor is in it too, since he is part of the heng dai. The night ends with picture taking from both sides of the family.

I just love weddings! I'm so happy and honoured to be apart of the journey! I wish Tjinn Lyim gor gor and Wei Ling jie jie for an ever lasting love and marriage!

 Tjinn Lyim with his favourite cousin 

All the cousins in the Chin clan, missing two of them 

Tjinn Lyim looks super handsome in his suit 

I'm with the bride with herself- Wei Ling 

Showing off my princess pose 

Wishing the newlyweds

UN SDG 4th Anniversary: Rock the Goals (25/9/19)

Last year, we make a pledge and join hands on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), this time it's to rock the goals! I clad in my Team Sunway t-shirt, with my trusty blue Hawkeye shoes, it's time to rock the goals. But wait before that, a pose on the mini red carpet is a must! My best friend, Hanis and I pose our best red carpet pose with the 17 UN SDGs in the background.

We make our way to the college's North Building, apparently the lift is not working with the notice on the wall states that the lift will be closed from 6pm to 10pm. How can we get to the concert in time? "Let's go the South Building of the college, the West side can lead us to Jeffrey Cheah Hall," One of the concert goers is kind enough to share her free popcorn with us! As we reach the forth floor, the Sunway Student Ambassadors lead us to the fifth floor, that makes me wonder, why are we going to the highest floor?

There is another, entrance which leads to the balcony of the hall. Well, throughout my four years on campus, this is the first time at the balcony and it's the best seat in the house! What's more? Hanis and are the firsts to go in before everyone else does. We get to see a short video of all the 17 UN SDGs and a sneak peak of the performers who are doing the sound check before the big night.

"Katelyn, you'll wait for a bit, I'm going to grab food for us okay? Be sure to stand by your phone at all times," Hanis said as she heads out to the roof top garden to grab free food. Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you that whoever has the "Rock the Goals" for tonight's concert, we will have everything free! From drinks to food, and you know we Malaysians love free stuff right?

As the time nears 6pm, students are starting to fill up the hall, and VIPs are coming in too. I see two royal chairs at the hall. I guess the yellow chair is for HH the Prince of Selangor and the other is for the Prince of Negri Sembilan.  One more thing if you can't go into the main concert at the hall, there are three places where concert goers can watch the live telecast- Sunway International School hall, JC 3 and the Art Gallery at the university.

The concert starts with an opening video of the initial venue due to the haze we have to switch from outdoor to indoor. "There is no planet B, but at Sunway there is always a Plan B," the emcee comes out to greet the crowd. We have a few "warm up" session before the concert begins. The VIPs have arrived and everyone has settled down. Let the concert begin!

First off, we have the Sunway University Choir leading the crowd in the room, singing the national anthem- Negaraku. All the 17 SDGs flag bearers are in their position. The opening song is the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson's Heal the World, which I really think suits the theme of the night. Last year, they played "We're All in This Together" as the opening.

The second performance in line is our Sunway University 24 Festive Drums to pump up the beat. It has to be one of my favourite performances of the night. Since it's a rock concert, there are few more performance to hype up the moment but first let us listen to the speakers of the 17 SDGs. We first go to SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities by YB Michelle Ng, the state assembly person of Subang Jaya.

As I mentioned before that I'm passionate about SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, Mr. David Ng, the speaker of the goal talked about mental health which gets me really excited! I'm not in any organisation, but I'm passionate to champion the cause of mental health, especially in children.

Besides SDG 3, SDG 4: Quality Education is in my list well. Who knows better about education other than, Dr. Elizabeth Lee herself, the Chief Executive Officer of Sunway Education Group. She is a crowd favourite to the students. In her message, Dr. Lee says "Receiving an education is a privilege, however there are some children didn't have the opportunity. Every child has the right to receive the best education," With the first four speeches made, it's time to pump up with some music! A rocketchestera was performed by MPYO alongside with the Malaysian autistic music group.

Around 8.45pm, the emcee announces the arrival of His Highness- the Crown Prince of Selangor. I curtsy to the Prince of Selangor when His Highness makes his way to the VIP area. More speeches on the 17 SDGs are made. SDG 15: Life on Land, by my best friend, Pratima Tamang. As a survivor of the Nepalese earthquake back in 2015, she urges everyone to stop deforestation and save the earth as well as protecting the environment as much as we can! The Prince of Negri Sembilan gives his speech on SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institution.

More music from Malaysia's rock group Muzza, who sing classic songs from Prince's Purple Rain and Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. The last goal- Partnership for the Goals, made by High Highness the Crown Prince of Selangor. The night ends with a big group photo! After that, it's more from Muzza!

Before we head downstairs to the main hall, Hans and I clean up which are left by the students at the balcony, now that's what I called shining a light on sustainability! I'm Katelyn Chin  and let's shine a light  on the UN Sustainability Development Goals.Tell me, how are you going to shine a light on the UN SDG with your chosen goal? Feel free to comment below.

I'm looking forward to the next UN concert on campus. It might be my last one but I'm hoping to come back as an alumnus to support the goals.

Hanis (L) and I at the red carpet 

I'm going for Goal 3 

Shining a Light on the SDGs