Final Day of Year 3 (20/7/2020)

I submit the final report, this marks the end of my university life. This semester has been challenging for all of us as we are stuck in the comfort of our homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic that is happening around the world. Before e-learning took place, the thought of e-learning is staying at home, we don't have to get up early to get ready for going to campus. It's similar to working from home. When the reality of e-learning came in this nightmare, it was harder than we thought. 

First and foremost, distractions from family members. Even though we have set up the time to remind family members that we are attending "university" from home, they just walked in casually into the room which sometimes annoyed us all, especially when sharing a room. During the first day, it's quite alright but on the second day it's just walking into the room, which can cause a lot of "chaos". 

Secondly, the internet connection. Let's just face that technology really helped us a lot thanks to the Internet. Not all of us are lucky to have strong internet connections at home which led to some technical issues. If we are listening something important "in class", the internet connection cut off in the middle of the class and that would take some time to get the connection back. 

Thirdly, turning on web-camera or webcams. One of the reasons that our lecturers encouraged us to turn on the web-cams so they could see our facial expressions and body languages. Not all of us are comfortable turning on our web-cams "in class", as we could feel thousands of eyes are staring at us. Some students preferred to have their webcams turned off because the teaching content is more important. 

Fourthly, the absence of face-to-face learning. Although we were "in class", we couldn't sit next to our friends like we used to and talked before the lecturer comes in, instead, our computer screens replaced the physical presence. The Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia made the announcement that full face-to-face learning will be resumed in October. In July, campuses were opened as an early phase for students to come back to have access the facilities on campuses. That's all the challenges that were faced during online classes, gladly it's all over for now. 

Although I couldn't meet my course mates physically, we still keep in touch through social media. I'm lucky to have them in my university life. I bet you wanna know more about them right? I'll tell you one by one. First off it's my best friend, Pamela, I call her Pam for short. We bonded over a hand-made pebble ring during our short semesters in January 2018. As they always diamonds are girls' best friend, clearly the bling did the bring us close together! She is the best big sister that I could ever ask for! She is my rock both physically and mentally.  

Next up, another best friend of mine is Shree, I met her through Pam too. She has been my confidante throughout the semester, especially on the mental side of it because the final semester is always the toughest and the most challenging for any final year student. My mental health took a toll on me a couple of times, so we talked it out about the struggles we faced. 

Need someone to cheer up? We have Raphael and Co! I'm talking about Aloysius, Ben Kin, Chester, Desmond, Raphael, Shaun and Nasrin. They sure put a smile on everyone's face. At some point in conversations, I have no idea what was going on, they sure shine a light in my university life.  What's university life without any music and fashion? Carlson and Jinson are the people we are looking for! Fashion-wise, take a tip or two from Yuki, she always amazes me with her fashion, alongside with her PowerPuff Girls - Dayana and Shivani. 

We can't reset the clock, but I wish we could to put everything at a stop and enjoy the moment for that one bit, but surely we can go beyond labels to achieve our dreams. The journey is almost coming to an end, hopefully, we will meet each other again sometime in the near future.   

Comfort MUN 2020 (11/7/2020-12/7/2020)

After the first virtual international Model United Nations (MUN) at Momentum MUN, it's time to get comfortable for Comfort MUN 2020! What's more, I'm in the UNICEF council again, this time representing the Republic of Korea (ROK) with the topic on "Combatting Child Trafficking". I'm surprised at the statistics when I did my research on the country I'm delegating. 

As with the previous international MUN, the conference takes place in the comfort of our homes. A day before the council, my fellow delegates are really spicing up the topic. I want to talk more in the group chat but I'll save for the debate later on. 

I wanted to raise my topic on combatting child sex tourism, unfortunately, the other delegates are debating their topics instead so I might save it later. During the unmoderated caucus, I didn't have the chance to speak but the delegate of the United Kingdom is kind enough to notify since I was in line for so long. We have delegate social, where delegates from Comfort MUN get to know each other. We played a game of "matchmaking" which is another version of "Who'd You Rather?". 

I didn't join the midnight crisis as "energy" need to be restored, so I use the time to discuss the draft resolution with my fellow delegates. The second day of the council is firing up, which kind of made me wonder are we in a crisis council or a child-friendly council who we gather to fight for every child? To wrap things up, we want to merge our draft solutions as one but it didn't work out. In the end, the draft resolution that I worked with my fellow delegates failed, the other bloc passes.  

During the closing ceremony, we have a special guest, Mr Noah from the United Nations Associaton of Kenya. This time no award for me but being able to represent Malaysia at my second international MUN is the biggest honour of all! 

An award or not, it doesn't matter but the best award is that I get to play my role as a UNICEF ambassador in the council. I will continue to fight for every child. This is Kar Marn representing South Korea from UNICEF, signing off! 

International MUN: Momentum MUN 2020 (24/6/2020-25/6/2020)

After being in the Malaysian MUN for quite some time, I decided to shift my delegation at an international MUN - can you keep up with the momentum at Momentum MUN? For everyone who is representing our country, we have a duty to put the name of our country on the map at international events. As this is my first time representing Malaysia, the duty is on me. This marked my 10th conference in my MUN career - a special milestone.

The sign up for Momentum MUN was last-minute, I didn't have enough time to prepare the topic for my council- ECOSOC, delegating as Argentina. In my mind, the main goal was to make Malaysia proud and fly the flag and go with the flow along the way. After I came back from university online class, I head to google meet to have a chat with fellow delegates from the Philippines, India and the host - Indonesia. Delegates were asked to log on to Zoom to have a small ice-breaking session before heading to serious business. 

Usually, after my speech, if I have extra time, I will yield my time back to the chair; also another reason is I don't want to get tongue-tied in council. But the chairs insisted, I should take a POI (Point of Information), although I was reluctant, I couldn't let Malaysia down as I was the sole bearer in the council. Keeping calm, I took the question from the delegate of South Africa. I left an hour early on the first day but my fellow delegates kept me up with the latest development on the draft resolution. 

On the second day, the delegates decided to form a big bloc since we all shared the same views. At one point, the delegate of Germany got a little emotional on his speech. The good news was we passed our resolution! Since we were an hour away from the virtual closing ceremony, we had an entertainment session. 

There was a confession page for our council, the chairs read out our confession. when my message was read, there was a little misunderstanding of the language as Malaysia and Indonesia share almost the same national language which is Bahasa Melayu. The delegate of South Africa graced with an amazing singing voice! The delegate of Japan set up a Skribble game, our drawing was put to the test. Not an artistic person myself, honestly. 

I didn't go to the virtual closing ceremony, as I had a university event to attend so I gotta prepared for that. I received the news that I got a verbal mention, making the country proud! Nonetheless, I'm proud to represent Malaysia at Momentum MUN and hope to represent the country at future international MUN, bringing the Malaysia Boleh spirit.  

A big thank you to the Momentum MUN team! 

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.