She was one of those larger-than-life persona that you would meet maybe only once or twice in your lifetime. A force of nature that easily made a class of 200 suddenly so attentive and brimming with motivation. She was Dr. Loretta Chen, a professor of mine whom I had the luck of getting to know back in February 2019. This woman is also an award-winning director, media personality, best-selling author and just so much more than these titles would ever do her justice. I signed up for a four-day winter session taught by Loretta in what was my last few months of university. Just after the first few lines, I was hooked. I thought life ended after graduation but there I was listening to this incredible woman who’s achieved so much that I couldn’t help but wonder “how did she pull it off?” So we sat down with a voice recorder in hand, and after almost a full year coming, I am beyond ecstatic to finally be able to share Loretta’s wisdom to the rest of the world. In this interview we dove into her passion, failures, the challenges faced as a woman and Loretta’s advice to girls all over the world. In your own words how would you best describe yourself? I'm independent, bold, adaptable, fun, creative, compassionate and kind. So you’re doing all these exciting things that you are extremely passionate in, but how did you first discover that? There are so many things that you were able to choose from, but how did you eventually figured out that ‘this is my passion, this is where I want to put my effort in’? I always knew from a young age that I loved communicating and connecting with people. I loved understanding what made them tick. I didn’t know exactly what form my career could take but I knew that it had to involve people. I also knew it had to involve creating. As I got older, I realized I could come up with infinite ideas because I had a vivid imagination and a creative drive. And you know schools don’t really do a great job of making you feel that’s necessarily a good thing but my parents were seminal in making me think and feel that I was the most amazing thing in the world. So, to your question, I think having parents or a guardian, mentor, role model - someone that loves and supports you, having that one person who believes in you, and think that you’re the bee’s knees is so important. Because my parents made me believe that I could do anything I set my heart and mind to, I just felt it was the most natural thing to pursue my passion and my purpose, even in an environment that didn’t seem to quite allow that. I was raised in Singapore which is rather conservative. I also went to an all-girls convent school so that was even more so! But even then, I always dared to push margins as frontier and create new theatrical productions. I was always the person who would take the mic and host the school concerts and productions. My creative flair was certainly enabled by the network and circle of people who loved me. I think that really was key which is why I am so big on paying it forward and am a huge proponent of mentorship. So you weren't afraid of failure because even if you did fail you had all these people who supported you? Yes because I knew I would bounce right back and dust myself off and jump right back on the pony again! In my TED talks, I often share about the power of failure. I truly think that the support I had from my parents was seminal in making me who I am. In my later years, I created my “brand” precisely by being able to lean into vulnerability and share my failures. This is what leads to authentic leadership. Once when I was 24, I tried to attempt suicide as I am depressed from having witnessed two suicides. Sharing intimate stories like this allows me to connect with my audience and readers. Harking back to your earlier question on how I discovered my passion, I always knew I wanted to connect with people. I did not know the exact form but through the years, I realized that my unique gift was my ability to create, connect, communicate and not be afraid to show my vulnerability which in itself is a mastery of self and display of inner strength. I realize in today’s day and age, that’s what people need to know and embrace as they are surrounded by influencers that flaunt wealth, strength and enormity of wardrobes but don’t showcase their human side. We don’t see the overcoming and the struggle – which gives today’s youths a very skewed perception of adulting. I, on the other hand, am very comfortable with who I am and this has become synonymous with my “brand” – that I don’t have to be perfect. Neither do I strive for perfection but that the value is in the strive and seek to be the best version. And if I f*** up, I’ll dust off my dress and get back in the fray with scars and all but with a winsome smile. I am less “Marie Condo manicured bonsai” than “wabi sabi kintsugi” (laughter). What has kept me going is knowing that the work that I do has an impact on the community. I have people come up to me to thank me for what you do and stand for. I get notes on social media, emails and greeting cards. All this is heartwarming and keeps me going. It’s not money that motivates me otherwise I wouldn’t be an artist and an educator! (laughter) It’s not fame either as I'm not keen to be a social media influencer as I am more drawn towards one-on-one connection. Touching back on the topic of suicide, it is a very sensitive topic especially here in Asia but what made you decide to share your journey? I realized that the society I lived in was a bit of a Potemkin state where everyone pretends they are living in perpetual bliss and Instagram harmony. I felt I needed to change this perception as I imagine how much pressure it is for one to have to live like that, and for another who looks up to this unreal lifestyle and thinks it is reality. This sense of disinformation and discord with reality is worrying. Today, some social media personalities use their platform to showcase their realness and celebrate their “authenticity”. But a decade or two ago, there was nary a role model like this that stood up to say, “Life can be hard and that’s all part of the journey”. I felt this sends a wrong signal to anyone who is distressed or depressed to equate their feelings with being a failure at life. I felt I had to do my part to change that perception and used my public platform to start a national conversation. I was the first in Singapore to speak up on depression, LGBTQIA and suicide and was doing my rounds on television, radio, magazine centerfolds and even landed on the front page cover of the national press! It was not easy putting myself on the line but as an artist and an educator, I felt I had a duty to speak up. I am infinitely thankful my family stood by me each step of the way, which in turn, reinforced my raison d'être and inspired me to speak up for those who can’t and don’t have the support I have. What challenges did you face as a woman who’s accomplished so much? You’re also one of the first female directors in Singapore as well, were there any particular challenges that you had to go through because you're a woman? Absolutely. There were many challenges - especially as an Asian woman. People tend to think you’re not going to be as smart, driven and capable. I can cite a couple of examples where I felt I was discriminated because I was a woman. So one incident I would always remember was when I was a director working in the biggest arts complex in Singapore. One day the Executive came down and he was unhappy about something that transpired. There were other ways of explaining the situation to me but he literally stood over me and spoke to me with his finger pointed and wagging to my face. He basically talked down to me and poo poo-ed me like a little girl. To make matters worse, he did all this in front of a paying audience as they were leaving the auditorium. The altercation only ended when a gentleman from America stood up and said, “I do not know what happened but I am not keen to know. All I know where I come from is that no gentleman ever speaks to a lady like that.” That comment sank in with the Executive and he backed off. I knew that I was talked down to because of my gender and youth. It was never about the content as he could have called for a meeting, sent a text or email or sent his staff to speak with me if it was that urgent. I was given a dressing down because I was a young girl and seen as “powerless”. Another is what always bothers me is when men and woman in higher positions of power who are supposed to be more educated often condescends, because they should know better than to do that. The other incident has to do with my female Chair in the first educational institution that I worked in. Two key takeaways: I was sexually harassed at work by a male colleague. Back then, we didn't have a #MeToo movement and I debated for a whole year before finally deciding to share with my Chair as the perpetrator was getting aggressive as we shared the same office. I remembered my Chair telling me I couldn’t be sexually harassed because I was a lesbian. She even insinuated that I deserved to be sexually harassed as I was not straight! It was terrible. That very same Chair then took the opportunity to question my excellent student feedback. She suggested that I bribed the students and fashioned the student feedback into a popularity contest! It was very disheartening as I worked so very hard. I was enthusiastic, passionate and I taught my heart out. I also have no doubt students know which teachers are pushovers, who give out easy As and those who put in effort that are well loved and respected. I knew I was the latter. These are the kinds of perceptions I had to deal with when I was younger as I was gregarious, colorful and so exuberant. Many Singaporeans didn’t know how to deal with me and wrote me off as fluff. Now that I'm older, people treat me with greater respect as my physical self has finally caught up with my innate confidence and larger than life persona. I have a side that is silly, creative and fun, the “OK, yay! Let’s see it your way and we can all play!” and this other intellectual side with more gravitas that goes “Please don’t mess with me as I actually know my stuff”. When I was younger, it was hard for others to reconcile my nuanced selves especially since I was a girl, very creative and always wore interesting outfits. I found it a kick when I was younger to shatter people’s perceptions of me! (laughter) What kind of advice would you want to give out to girls all over the world? That we should empower each other, uplift one another because it really takes a village. I will also say to not downplay the power of one small act of kindness. Many people think that to make change, you need to go out there and do something grand. But one genuine act of kindness can have a ripple effect and it can empower and inspire people. People do remember these small acts of kindness and I think women should do more of that for each other instead of putting each other down. We should also learn to be more kind in thought and speech instead of finding negative things to say. Of course, one can give constructive criticism which is useful but there is no need for mean spiritedness that cuts others down. I know this exists as I was there being trounced upon and beaten down which is why I am all about creating a positive, affirmative climate where we can be generous, uplifting and empowering. Loretta’s new book Inspiring Women of Hawaii is available at Costco, Target and all good bookstores in the USA. All proceeds of the book go towards the Women of Waianae Scholarship fund. She also has a new film, Secrets to Happiness premiering at film festivals internationally. For more information on both creative projects or to collaborate, log on to her site HERE. Interviewed by: Bella Utami & Dipa Karno Written by: Bella Utami February 2020
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A warm smile behind the counter awaits you as you enter Junction. Muis is not only an entrepreneur but also a big philanthropist. She opened Junction Bookstore on 4th July, 2010, located at the heart of Thimphu (capital city of Bhutan). It’s known for its aesthetically pleasing interior and for having the cutest bunch of dogs. When I was in high school, my friends invited me to join a book club in Junction and that is how I met Muis. To me she is an inspiring person who chose a unique path that she is really passionate about. In this interview, we talked about how she started her business, the difficulties small business owners face, books and more. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you’re working on now Hi! My name is Kunzang Choki but everyone calls me Muis, it’s my nickname. I currently run a small book store called Junction Bookstore in Thimphu, Bhutan. When did you start reading and what made you fall in love with books? I started reading just as anyone else I think, when I was very little. I don’t exactly remember when but I started reading a lot more when I went to boarding school, I was about six years old then. I loved books from the start, I didn’t have any books of my own. Those days we hardly bought books because I was in boarding school all the time but I would spend a lot of time in the school library. We used to have a reading period and I used to love when our teachers would read stories to us. I always liked to read but I never thought that I would open up my own bookstore. The way I opened this bookstore is not that romantic, I thought about it much later in life. I was actually working when I decided to open a bookstore. Junction is more than just a bookstore for so many people and so many dogs as well. What inspired you to create such a unique place? When I returned from college, it was very hard to not just buy the books but also to find bookstores where you could just hang around, spend time and read. When I became confident about my idea to open a bookstore I thought about the kind of space I would want to have and I imagined something like Shakespeare & Co. The dogs came along with the bookstore, it wasn’t really planned. I just wanted to create a space where people could come, talk with each other, discuss things and I’m actually an introvert but it worked out somehow. Since I studied abroad for most of my life, I didn’t know a lot of people in Bhutan at the time. When I opened this store, I met very like-minded people and a lot of the energy of the store has to do with the people who come here. The friends I’ve made over these last 8 years have been very important to what the store is. Getting the support from your friends and appreciating it is really important especially for the store. Speaking about friends, please tell us a little bit about your book club. We’ve had the book club since 2011, it has its ups and downs but right now it’s pretty stable. A lot of the lasting friendships I’ve made is because of the book club. We still meet every Thursday even if it’s just the two of us sometimes. We’ve been meeting every Thursday for the last 7 years. It’s interesting to notice how the book club has evolved, our reading pattern as well and the kind of books that we’ve all decided to read over the years. What were some difficulties you faced when opening the bookstore? I was so excited to open a bookstore that I didn’t focus on the difficulties too much but I think the core difficulties we faced were what any small business in Bhutan would face. Number one, we didn’t have many customers at the time so we would just be sitting and waiting for people to walk in. There would be days where we wouldn’t have any customers so I would think about how I would be able to sustain the shop and keep it going and that problem still exists. It got a little better but then it became worse again so the graph just keeps going up and down and it’s a constant problem that we have to face. Personally, I have to keep myself dedicated and passionate enough to keep this business going. I have days when I don’t know if I made the right choice because I’ve put in so much of me in the store and I’ve also made my own sacrifices for this. 30% of the time I worry about the store but 70% of the time I’m pretty chill and happy being here. I think that 70% counts for a lot. Junction recently expanded its business by adding a café in the second floor. How do you manage it and how has it been doing? The second floor was just used for storage before but we added the café to make a comfortable space for people to read in. We wanted to bring a little bit more coziness to the store and more revenue to sustain as well and it hasn’t been doing bad but it’s a very basic café. We don’t serve a lot of food we keep it very basic just tea and coffee. We’ve also been getting cookies and puffs from home cooks and bakers because I thought it would be cute to bring stuff from other people’s houses. I understand that you take care of the stray dogs who live around Junction. Has it been difficult to do so and how do you manage it? We’ve been feeding the stray dogs around here since we opened the shop back in 2010. We started out with many stray dogs but seven of them were like our main dogs. We unfortunately lost 4 dogs last year so this year we only have 3 of them left. We have a little tip jar where people drop in some money for the dogs and we buy them some rice and chicken and cook it for them. We feed them once a day. You also run an Instagram page called @thewoofingtonpostbhutan. What inspired you to start this page? That’s mostly run by my sister in-law, Zuki. Both of us really love animals and our intention was to start a page where we could invoke discussions and give people tips about how to take care of their dogs and share new stories. Zuki has been sharing Instagram stories about people who lost their dogs or people who want to adopt dogs so it’s become more like a message board. Once in a while we put up posts about animal cruelty which I think needs to be shared because we don’t have a lot of laws that protect animals especially dogs and we have a huge problem with the stray dog population in Bhutan. I think all of us have been thinking about how to solve this issue in Bhutan.
Lastly, what’s one advice you would like to share to girls all over the world? It’s cliché but this is one advice I received growing up which really helped me a lot. First, embrace and love whatever you are interested in and always stay passionate about what you want to do and push yourself to work towards it. Secondly, I feel friendships are very important for young girls. We tend to take the people around us for granted sometimes but it’s really important to appreciate the support we get and also to encourage your friends to pursue their dreams as well. I got that encouragement to start my business and it’s been hard but it’s my journey whether its been good or bad it’s still my experience which makes it very special. It takes years to build up a friendship and you know so much about each other and there is so much love there it’s very important to keep that love going. I love my friends and I will always be there for them. Interviewed & written by: Sonam Peden
May 2019 I have to be honest with you, I don’t think I’ve been kind to myself in the past couple of weeks. If you feel the same way or is just purely interested in how I would put my story into words, then by all means read on.
It is so easy and far too tempting, to open someone else’s Instagram page and measure yourself by what you see. Trust me, I know how bad it can get. One night, I was bored and I went on to this girl’s page. She doesn’t know who I am. We’ve never even met and yet the sight of her face was almost as familiar as the people I see every day. Two minutes later I was on the phone with my best friend, bawling my eyes out. All because I was bored. It’s akin to drugs, I suppose. You think you’d feel better, and don’t get me wrong, for a few minutes it was a blissful distraction, but you don’t know how much damage it causes. How unkind you’re being to yourself. I wasn't beautiful, when compared to her. I felt uncool, when compared to her. I felt so insignificant, when compared to her. The thing is, the only person comparing was myself. I knew better than this. It feels like floating on open ocean, seeing an island you know you should go to but having neither the fight nor will to swim. It hurts, how much I want to land on shore. But I owe it to myself. I owe it to the little girl I once was and the woman I am going to become. I have to fight. We have to fight. All these negative thoughts about yourself, it’s just in your head. Say ‘fuck you’ to those voices. You don’t belong in my mind. I am my own person, with my own journey to explore. The journey has not and will not be easy. I don’t need to compare myself to anyone. I love me. In the end, the only person who can pull yourself together is you. Sure, being around friends or loved ones help. They truly do, but this one you have to conquer yourself. Because that’s the only way victory will last. So, here’s my note to myself and to my sisters; do not go down without a fight. The tides will change. The current might pull you in and you’d think you’re drowning but you’re not. Maybe one day you can make the ocean your friend and rise with its tides instead. Rise above the negativity. Be kind to others. Be kind to ourselves. Close your eyes and feel the soul inside you. Say, “I’m sorry. I love you. Thank you for existing.” If any of you made it here, congrats! Thank you for being here and there and everywhere! I love you. Remember to love you too, okay? Its 12’o clock on a cloudy Sunday afternoon and life seems slow, the tempo of the day akin to that of a mellow Sinatra song. Having made a list of things to do, and having not checked any of them makes the blues seem synonymous with how you feel about yourself on a daily basis. Looking around, everyone seems to be getting their life on track. Getting things done, making their dreams come true, while you sit on the floor can’t even pin point a direction that would seem fit to travel on. Every new year, there’s hope that things would be better, that this year life will finally fall into place. Little does one realize, that life is already in place, waiting for us to steer it along the winds of our aspirations, thoughts, and desires. But instead of steering it, I’ve been sitting on deck, slowly wading through the waters, with trust that the winds will do all the work. That’s why it’s always been new year, same old me, for the longest time. Engulfed in thoughts about how everyone is living their life, trying to achieve similar feats, trying to walk the path that society says is best, hearing the heart but not listening to it has resulted in me being so far behind that it feels almost impossible to catch up. But what are you trying to catch up to? When unaware of what rhythm suits you best. It’s like trying to be a hip-hop artist when this entire time Jazz has been the calling. Out of tune, but still playing. And that’s the thing. We can be out of tune and still play, until one day we sit in silence and hear the notes and realize that a little bit of tuning will make the strings sound the way we want them to. Or perhaps, like any object we see, some of us repair the old and make it work just fine, some of us discard it completely and buy a new one. So, while, for some people the choice would be to completely clean the slate and start fresh, for some it would be to mend that which we can and continue knowing the problems and accepting there’s ways to get past them. Guess most of us, use both at different times, but whichever way, we must know there’s always that slight room for a difference. That’s the thing you kept forgetting, that no matter how hopeless change might seem, if only you tried to get past the hopelessness, you would. Takes effort, takes courage, takes time, takes energy, but most of all takes heart, mind and soul. Can’t look around and feel envious of those who have things going well, because the only difference between those people and you, is that they’re actually taking steps. Some big, some small, but they try never the less. So instead of feeling sorry for yourself, accept your reality, use it to change what you can, and let go of what you can’t. Feel comfort in knowing that if you’ve made it so far, you can and will go further. Your strengths can outshine your flaws but only if you acknowledge those imperfections in the first place. "Only if one can see the darkness, will there be appreciation for the light", is what is said, and perhaps it’s one of the truer things that’s been spoken out there. Not for anyone, not to fit in, not striving to be perfect, I want to still be me, just a fresher, better version. The ball has always been in your court, now all that’s left for you to do is take the first shot. With love, From a you that’s been waiting to be better Written by: Rishya Dutt
January 2019 Loneliness comes in many forms—whether you’re in a crowded Shibuya crossing in Tokyo during rush hour, or when you’re driving home alone on the highway, or binge-watching TV shows in bed on a Saturday night, even when you’re among friends and family. Loneliness hits you at unexpected times in the most unexpected hours. It's common and pervasive, but no one talks about it enough. People see loneliness as a taboo, it’s like a shadow that you’re trying to hide in your closet, but you can’t because it keeps following you around. I’ve been staring at my laptop screen for hours now, switching back and forth between social media apps, looking at what people are doing and wishing I was with them. Thinking why no one asked me out on a Friday night. Thinking why I didn't ask anyone out on a Friday night. It’s like a perennial way of exposing yourself to the fear of missing out. Missing out on people, on moments, on adventures. It breeds envy and unhealthy comparisons, and it seems like people are actually having fun without me. The sad thing is, I am aware of this, of the fallacies that we construct on social media, in which all of us are somewhat responsible for. However, when you are so well-fed with disillusionments, you unconsciously start to believe that they are true. It’s so easy to feel lonely on nights like these. Sometimes when you tell people that you are, they’ll say “Just shrug it off. Find something to do, make yourself busy.” Then why do I find it so hard? Maybe they’ve never spent an entire night just lying there in bed with a crippling anxiety, thinking of all the failed relationships that lead them to being alone and lonely on that night. Maybe they have. Maybe they’ve had it worse. But the truth is, nobody actually gives a fuck. Some of your friends don't deliberately leave you out, some of your friends just forgot to text you, maybe some of them chose to stay at home themselves. Sometimes loneliness is not merely about being alone. Sometimes it's about being with someone that feels like a stranger, or about not knowing your place in this world. Sometimes you can’t help but think that your loneliness is a product of your failed relationships, or from deliberately alienating yourself from others. But sometimes, you do need to be on your own. You should be your own go-to person, your own best friend, that one person you can always rely on. You should know how to be alone because you are still loved even though your anxiety tells you that you’re not. However, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t leave a room for self-evaluation too. Maybe you even should start re-evaluating yourself, maybe you’re the cause of your loneliness, maybe you are the toxic person in the relationship. Whichever the case, you should always embrace your loneliness. You should stop deciding whether your emotions are good or bad emotions. A friend once told me that there’s no such thing as a good or bad emotion, having emotions is what makes us human and it’s what we do with it that counts. Some emotions are necessary for you in order to grow. Just like how loneliness helps you grow, teaches you how to be alone, and how to be with yourself. If loneliness puts you in a dark place, then you can’t expect other people to fish you out of there. You’re the only person who can get yourself out of that place. Loneliness feeds itself from your own anxiety and will eventually eat you alive. No matter how much love you’re showered with, no one can make you truly happy but yourself. If you find yourself watching Vine compilations alone on a Friday night and having self-pity for it, remember that your self-worth is not determined by how many people are close to you or understand you, or how many texts you get on a Friday night asking you to go out, your self-worth is not determined by any kind of relationship at all. It all comes down to how you treat others and how you treat yourself. I think it’s no one’s job to make other people feel happy, not even your family, your friends, or your significant other. But sometimes it is our job to remind each other that we can be. Written by: Hanny Mardiyah
April 2018 When we live in an ever-competing world, it’s always tempting to look up because that’s where we want to be – or at least that’s what we’ve been told to be. Ever since we were young, we’ve always been told to get the best grades, get into the best schools, and work for the biggest companies to get the best salaries. It’s always about being the best. This is what caused those sleepless nights, drinking way too much coffee, and stressing yourself out because someone else might land that internship if you don’t prepare yourself enough for the interview. Everything in life feels like a competition. If you’re not good enough, someone else will replace you. This competitive way of thinking is what makes you feel so replaceable. So stop. If you’re looking up and comparing yourself to everyone who is more, then your neck is just going to get tired. It’s time to be realistic. There’s ALWAYS going to be someone who is more – whatever – than you. We live in a world with more than seven BILLION people, so of course there’s bound to be someone who is smarter, funnier, or better at tennis than you. And you know what? That’s okay. It doesn’t matter if someone is more than or better at something than you because everyone is wired differently. No one else has gone through what you’ve gone through; so don’t worry about other people so much. It’s okay if you haven’t figured out what you’re good at or if you still can’t find something you enjoy doing. Sure, there are a couple of those super lucky people who found their passion ever since they were 3 years old, but hey, they probably haven’t traveled to 20 different countries like you did. You never really know what other people are going through either, so just focus on yourself and take your time. The truth is, half of us probably don’t even know what the heck they’re doing either, so don’t feel pressured. Cut yourself some slack and just work at your own pace. Go pick up a new hobby or try out that new restaurant down the block, you’ll never know where inspiration might struck you. So stop comparing yourself, it really doesn't make it any better. Life is not a competition, so trust that right now, you are exactly where you need to be. Written by: Dipa Karno
October 2017 Some would describe Ify Alyssa as a singer or an actress but I think she's more than just those two labels. Having met her in high school, this multi-talented persona has motivated me to always reach for my dreams and make new ones. She was a finalist in the first season of Idola Cilik way back in 2008, and is also a member of the girl group, Blink where she acted in several tv shows as part of the group. Having accomplished so much at the young age of 20, she now looks to pursue a solo career as we talked about music and more, last summer back in Jakarta. Tell us a bit about yourself and what you’re working on now Hi! I’m Ify, I’m 20 years old and currently a student majoring in Music at Universitas Pelita Harapan, Indonesia. Also I’m trying to start my solo career as a singer. Before working on your solo career, you were already on tv shows and performed in numerous stages across the country. How does it feel to have started a career at such a young age? I'm glad because it made me experience so much at this age. How the industry treated me has also changed over time, and I enjoy experiencing that process. It also made me notice how I have grown over the years and I was able to learn from those experiences. Of course I got a chance to meet and get to know a lot of people along the way as well. How do you balance your work, school and personal life? Well I guess since I've been doing this for quite a long time it comes naturally now. But one thing's for sure, I have to be strict with how I manage my time, keeping in mind that I have to balance between play, work, school and family. Seems like you're always constantly motivated to achieve more. What is it that drives you to reach your goals? Because of my passion. I've done a lot of things that weren't exactly aligned with my passion and now I've finally braced myself to stop all of those things and focus on what I really want. Honestly, the process has been tough because now I have to do everything on my own, but I guess since it really is what I want to do, it doesn't feel like a burden at all. Having started out in the entertainment industry at a very young age, have you ever felt underestimated because of it? Yes of course. Often times I've been regarded as just a "kid" but over time people start to gain respect towards me when I shared my experiences and when they witnessed the things I've achieved. How do you deal with failure? By reflecting on past mistakes and focusing on ways to fix it or learn from it. What kind of advice does Ify Alyssa have for the rest of us? Stick with the things you're passionate about because you'll never really know how it'll be in the future. Don't let your talents die out, just keep on going. For girls specifically, usually we get underestimated a lot but this only means that we get to prove them wrong! Don't forget to always support and empower one another and not tear each other down x. Ify has just recently released her first single, Gitar ft. Gerald Situmorang and you can check out the official lyric video below! Interviewed & written by: Bella Utami
August 2017 She graces the halls of campus with her charisma, independence, and charm. Wherever you go, you would definitely catch her swift presence. She's probably the most active girl I've ever had the pleasure to meet, and it's honestly contagious! Talking with her makes you want to go out and explore the world all in one day. She's none other than Camilia Salsabila. A senior of mine in college, she has just recently graduated and luckily I got a chance to talk to her before she takes Tokyo by storm. Tell us about yourself and what you’re working on now Hi I’m Camilia, I’m 21 years old and I'm currently working in a British recruitment consulting company in Tokyo. I was (and still am actually) a student in APU, majoring in IR. I’m a Pisces, and according to the Myers Briggs personality test I’m an ESTJ (Extroverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging). Currently I’m still a leader for IRSA (International Relations Students Association) and for now I’m just wrapping up the things I’ve been doing in APU. I’m focusing on opening up a new chapter in Tokyo. I love how no one knows me there and I can start fresh without having to fit people’s expectations. What did you focused on during your time in APU? I was a sub leader for RA in Spring 2015, and I was a Teaching Assistant for 2 years. I was also a camp leader for Kumon for 3 years, and I’m the president of IRSA. You sound like one busy girl! What motivates or drives you to pursue all this? I was never afraid to put the sky as the limit. I made this quote to always aim for the best because when you fall you’re still in a better place than where you were before. I build my confidence by setting a goal but rather than focusing on whether or not I’ll successfully achieve it, I would rather focus on the process and what I can learn from it. How do you deal with failure? Don’t be afraid of trying or of what might happen, you can always learn from failure and remember that time will always heal. Even if you fail today, you might succeed tomorrow. So keep trying and look to open new doors. You might be surprised of what you can achieve. In a way failure sometimes might lead you to success. Do you have any advice for those of us who wants to achieve more in our lives? Don't let other people’s words drag you down because you are unique in your own way. Just be yourself, yet don't get satisfied easily because there are still more room for you to grow outside of your comfort zone. Your own interpretation of success is more important that everyone else’s so don’t let other people’s comments or opinions discourage you. Lastly, always focus on the process not the end goal x Interviewed & written by: Bella Utami
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