The Voice of the Omniscient Editor-in-Chief (August 09)

The Voice of the Omniscient Editor-in-Chief

Here we go again: another month, another issue. Wasn’t it just last week that we put out the July issue? A lot has happened since then. The juniors (June 09) have acclimatised to the air-conditioned IB classrooms and to the unconventional ways of their seniors; they have discovered the true identity of English A1; a CAS trip has taken place and we have returned with new friendships (but could we please do the next one at some beach resort?); class tests have spread terror; we have said goodbye to the irreplaceable Mr Jonathon Shaw, the founder of the IB department in Sri KDU; all of MJ’s albums have returned to the top of the charts…

This issue has a lot to offer: tender, personal (love) poems; an insightful article about the complexities of Warcraft (which I already had a taste of last year at Aiman’s place); an IB student’s meditation on being an IB student; an indictment of ineffectual school systems; a revealing interview with our star Aimran Aliff, who will be performing at No Black Tie (cool place!) on August 19; a short piece about the correct usage of the apostrophe; our usual discussion forum – this time about the benefits and dangers of science (curiously, none of our science teachers have contributed. Does this mean your stance has been defeated before it is even stated? J). We are also very pleased to have Aiman Ahmad’s contribution. Even though he is now at Taylor’s, he and his crazy self are still very much a part of us.

There is no denying that we are a family (Michelle’s piece will make it even clearer). The CAS trip to Gopeng proved how we can pull ourselves together and make things work, even though at times, due to stress, we feel like strangling each other. But family is family. You insult each other (lovingly), pinch each other (tenderly), mumble an apology or two, and then you move on to better things. The white water rafting was the most awesome experience I have had until now. Having three other people in the same raft screaming in your ear about rapids and rocks was priceless. (It was also priceless when Mr Masukor, at the first sheer drop (boom boom), swung to my side, headbutted me, and then, for some inexplicable reason, plunged head-first into the angry water. I tried to fish him out but he was too heavy for me!)

The cooperation we saw during the white water descent exemplifies us as the IB department. We are inventive, fearless risk–takers who will not fall on our knees in the face of obstacles. We make our own rules and laugh when others tell us we can’t. This is what makes us unique. So do keep your uniqueness coming – in the form of the written word. Juniors, we are expecting great things from you…

Our love goes to Keat Meng, GG, Paul, Ariffin, Demie, Geraldine, Michelle, Yati, Aimran, Aiman, Hakim, Masukor and Akmal.

Edward Ong, August 09

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Another month, yet another issue!

It seems our humble little magazine has garnered enough buzz in Sri KDU to be distributed to the Secondary School! So this issue is the official initiation of our lovely publication outside of the IB Department. Well done, team and good job to all those who have contributed so far. We couldn’t have done it without you.

I think it really is a true test of how the small things we do can translate into something really worthwhile. The idea for our publication sprouted from our Editor-in-Chief (and oh-so popular English teacher), Mr. Edward Ong. Through his efforts, we formed a small group of dedicated editors, authors, illustrators and advertisers. It was a stressful task to put out our very first issue as most of us were, well, amateurs. We weren’t sure what we were doing for the most part but that was all remedied by the help of our great teacher. Regardless, it was a definite success and all our efforts did not go to waste at all. From then on, curiosity grew as the Secondary School students and teachers began to see our work on display outside the Admin Office.

Word reached the parents and most were simply thrilled at the idea of a literary magazine, an outlet for students to express their thoughts freely in a conducive and healthy way. That was and still is the very core of Opinionated Monthly which drives us to publish a new issue month after month. We are very happy to be able to provide all of you with a platform to display your talents and observations of the world, and we hope to continue for the years to come. Let our rocky beginnings be an inspiration to you. After all, look at where we are now. Who knows? Perhaps there is a hidden poet in you waiting to be unleashed!

Azam Ismail

Deputy Editor

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As I was reviewing the previous issue of OM (as per pre-publishing custom), I noticed that our submissions collectively lean towards gloom. The previous issue covered everything dark and twisty – paranoia, unrequited love, teen angst, cynicism.

Granted, there are many reasons to be miserable about. There are the usual deadlines (of course); and university applications are now looming ever closer, while teachers pack away for greener pastures. Bad news in the papers, of people we respect and admire. And ants crawling out of wall cracks to drown themselves in mugs (the erratic weather!)… all these, and others, contribute towards the general lean towards sorrow in the student body lately, yes?

Perhaps it is in our hormones to see the melodrama in everything. Besides, all this anguish could not be all bad, could they, when so many works in OM had been inspired by them?

That said, I would love to read more happy stories in OM. One can never have enough of those.

Eileen Cham

Associate Editor