Starry starry night

It's the end of July. In less than two weeks, semester will officially begin at NUS and with it readings, assignments and everything else that comes with life in university.

But, the end of July also means the end of my second stint with The Star.

I'd previously been there for a short-lived one month period before I left for Australia early last year. I enjoyed myself then, and decided I'd give it another shot over a slightly longer period.

And this time around, I absolutely had a great time again.

Working for a daily isn't easy. The hours are long and unfixed (I've started as early as 5am, ended as late as 11pm, though not in one day thankfully!). There is pressure when you know you need to rush a story in time to make the next day's print. Sometimes you worry if another paper (mainly NST) has "scooped" you for the day. There is frustration when you aren't able to get what you want out of an interviewee. There is disappointment when you don't see your story appear when you thought it would.

But, there is also always satisfaction and pride when your story, which you got yourself and wrote, appears in print.

As a reporter in JB, you have to cover all sorts of events. From fun stuff like dog shows and charity programmes to ministerial visits and state assembly. I've had to go to places which I'd previously never gone, like Pengerang and Mersing. Met politicians from both BN and Pakatan. Talked to bureaucrats, police officers, firemen, lecturers, school principals and normal, everyday people on the street. You get to meet many different people and see many things which you may not otherwise be able to.

But on a personal level, my favourite part of the job are the human interest issues. Yes, the latest political and development news are important, but those are already widely reported. The more interesting stories are the ones concerning ordinary citizens, like why the livelihood of fishermen is slowly dwindling, how a family is in despair because their young son is seriously sick, or how ordinary people feel that they have been given a raw deal by the establishment.  These are things which are usually unseen and unheard, often not in most people's minds.

Yet by bringing up these issues, it gives these people a chance to be heard, to voice out their frustrations and allows the public to see what is happening "on the ground". And I do feel a sense of empowerment, and that this is the best side of the mainstream media - actually getting these stories and these messages across.

It's been a fantastic experience. Nelson, Zaza, Desiree, Farhaan, Lauren, Viga, Abang Rahman and Teo were awesome workmates who really helped me along the way. I've met some great people and had the chance to make new friends in the process.

On the whole, I would say it was definitely a holiday well spent.