KTJWHAT?! Term 2 17/18
Holy pens of the press team with angels singing in the background.
The mi
ndset of a KTJ st udent
ThIS TERM IN HISTORY
HOW TO BE A GOOD ROOM MATE
s t n e t n co Editors’ Notes [3] Football & Netball [4] Cafe Review 2
[7]
The Sherlockian (A Review) [10]
Battle of the Colours This Term in History
[12] [13] [15] Be Kind, Always The Mindset of a KTJ Student [16]
Pantry Masters Geek On: Mind Control
[18] [20]
Get Out: Review How to be a Good Roommate Expectations VS Reality
2
[21] [23] [25]
KTWhat?! Term2 o
EDITORS’ NOTES Kon’nichiwa!
Lastly, none of us here have a PhD in Communications or 20 years’ worth of experience in Berita Harian. We are just normal KTJ citizens who feel very grateful for the little things in life, such as an early lunch. That, I believe, is the thing that makes our work original and remarkable, and we hope to make our work unique to your experience as a member of the KTJ family. The effort that each member puts into this very work is invaluable and KTWhat?! would not be where it stands today without the blood, sweat and tears of our current and past members.
Welcome to the second issue of 2017/2018 KTWhat?! In this editor’s column, we normally outline the contents of the issue, but this month we’d prefer not to reveal them. We’ll let the articles surprise you. If you asked our opinion about them, we would say: They are great, very worthwhile and you will definitely be amazed. However, we want to use this editor’s note to write something a little bit different.
With that being said, we really hope that you will enjoy our second edition of 2017/2018 KTWhat?! magazine. Happy reading!
You might be wondering, “what is the aim that the press team wants to achieve through KTWhat?! magazine?”. Well, we were thinking about taking over the National Geographic market share in the publishing industry once, but, after further discussions, we realised that we were being too ambitious. So we shifted focus to a more realistic, but equally complex objective, which is to make everyone in KTJ feel happy and refreshed after reading our work.
Valerie & Khalif
Co-heads of the Press Team 2017-2018
We’re not joking about this one, but in every meeting, we always start with brainstorming some ideas by listing topics that will interest our readers and try to involve as many people as possible into our articles. Besides the writing, we also put a huge weight on the visual impact of our issues, as we believe that an exceptional design will greatly boost the mood of our readers when exploring through our magazine.
3
FOOTBALL
By Shamirra, U6
Just a few days into Term 2 of 2018, the houses had started holding tryouts, shortlisting and spending days of solid training for the inter-house football tournament.
Let us start off by congratulating Jawahir for their jaw-dropping performance, dominating both Irinah and Alia during the senior match while their juniors clinched the runner-up.
Junior Alians, painting the fields red as usual, worked their way to the champion title while the seniors managed to score two goals to secure their place as runner-ups.
A round of applause to the seniors of Irinah for putting up a good fight against Alia with a score of 2-2. Both the senior and junior teams played exceptionally well against the other houses.
Naquiah junior girls team proved themselves by beating Jawahir and Irinah to become runner ups during the last tough match with Alia House.
4
KTWhat?! Term2 o
Round of applause for the sharks for playing exceptionally well putting up a good fight to all the other boys houses.
Hats off to Nadzimuddin house for their win during the senior football match and to their Junior A team for securing 2nd place. The Junior B team played well, putting up a good fight and pulling through with 5th place.
Round of applause for Naquiyuddin seniors for securing 2nd place after a tough match with Nadzimuddin. Congratulations to the Junior A team for securing first place and to the Junior B team for 4th place.
Talking about consistency, Imran house secured 3rd position for the Senior match and for both the junior matches. Congratulations to the seniors, Junior A’s and Junior B’s for the excellent performance on the field.
During the Junior Boys B match, both the Naquiah teams managed to secure 1st and 2nd place. Congratulations to Naquiah B boys teams for the champions title.
5
In addition to their massive victory during football, the Jawahir senior team emerged as champions again for the inter-house netball tournament. They marched their way to the trophy with excellent passes, jumping tactics and exemplary teamwork.
The girls played very well, shooting many hoops during their match with the Alia juniors.
JAWAHIR NAQUIAH In the midst of the Junior UC,
Netball
had been going on for the girl houses.
IRINAH A L IA
Beating Alia house, they made their way to second place during the senior match. The juniors played exceptionally well against both Alia and Jawahir.
The junior Phoenixes were determined to keep all the Junior trophies red with another win during netball. The seniors played their very best to put up a good fight against Irinah and Jawahir.
6
KTWhat?! Term2 o
CAFÉ REVIEW 2:
POTATO PIE
DEBATE
By Mae Leen + Debra, U6 WELCOME TO CAFÉ REVIEW 2!
We have gathered the opinions of key supporters and denouncers, formulating the once-and-for-all argument for this debate into the single motion:
Previously, the centrepiece of this article was the voice of the school on what it thought were the best items in the cafe, and some of the results came painfully close— so close, that it’s actually a topic of heated debate between some individuals.
“ THIS HOUSE BELIEVES THAT THE POTATO PIE IS THE OBJECTIVELY SUPERIOR PIE
If you remember the details of Café Review 1, you’ll remember the testimonies provided by some die-hard U6 fans of what will soon take the main stage of this term’s article:
OF CAFÉ DIEM. ”
THE POTATO PIE.
…and so, the debate of the term flies into action.
GOVERNMENT
OPPOSITION
We as the government side see no reason that the potato pie should not reign as the pie of all pies and are proud to support this motion wholeheartedly. We will aim to convince you, valued reader, that the potato pie is far superior to any other at Cafe Diem through our key arguments: accessibility, and nuanced flavours.
We would like to begin by characterising the motion: our side argues that the potato pie itself might not present any jarring flaws, but rather to point out that is factually inferior in comparison to the other pies available at the cafe. Without this comparison, it may be adequate to support the (inherently flawed) argument presented by the government side. However in light of the clearly better availability of pies at Cafe Diem, the point our side aims to prove is in fact that these other pies are superior to the potato pie.
(SUPPORT)
(AGAINST)
The accessibility of the potato pie to all students and staff members instantly sets this delectable treat apart. What do we mean by this? Let us 7
GOVERNMENT
OPPOSITION
explain. The potato pie, firstly, is the most financially affordable pie at RM 4. In contrast, the chicken and beef pies are priced at RM 7.50. Not only are the meat pies almost double the price of the potato pie, but one obtains
Furthermore, we would like to devalue the possible argument of the potato pie being valuable for its accessibility to non-meat eaters. Yes, taking this into account, the issue of meat pies becomes troublesome, but a person who has not experienced two situations cannot decisively call one superior to the other. Ergo, we would like to make this argument valid to the extent of those able to consume both these options.
(AGAINST)
(SUPPORT)
“SO MUCH FLAVOUR FOR SO LITTLE”
- the esteemed ‘Master of Economics’, Hoi Lee Yang (U6)
Without a doubt, one always gets more than their money’s worth, establishing it as the most effective pie in carrying out its primary purpose: culinary gratification for the lowest possible expense.
Hence, the two centrepieces of our argument are simple and conclusive: the superior flavour profile offered by the other available pies, and the value behind the gambit of its cost, culminated in the optimal satisfaction paid unto the customer. The quote I take here from Aris and Parin (among many) is that the potato pie is
In addition, it is possible for people of varying dietary requirements to consume the potato pie. No matter your dietary choices, the potato pie is universally at our disposal. Some may argue that people with such restrictions cannot compare the difference, given that they are unable to consume the meat pies, and would not know which tastes better. However, we would like to rebut such an argument as intrinsically flawed. By excluding these individuals, one discounts their needs and enjoyment as secondary to those without such restrictions. The fact that the very nature of the pie allows it to be consumed by so many more members of the KTJ community is a clear advantage of the dish.
“BASICALLY A GLORIFIED CURRY PUFF”, and this is an irrefutable fact. Sure, you can compliment the flavour of curried potatoes and yes, the iconic nature of the curry puff proves this, but given that, can you really call the potato pie anything unique? We are looking for a good meal that leaves you feeling like you just ate one, not a large-sized tea snack. When you think pie you think “meat” or “apples” or “anything but potatoes”. Why? Because that’s a curry puff. The meat pies in the cafe offer you this: a sumptuous umami flavour accentuated by the variety of brown, cream or tomato sauces, and delightfully savoury flavour profiles that are simply unmistakeable.
The flavoursome quality of the potato pie is indisputable. While some contest that it lacks variety, we would like to point out that the beauty of this pie lies in its simplicity as it allows one to fully savour every nuance of the pastry. We could not have expressed the ambrosial nature of the potato pie better than Arif Jalal (Co-House
The second point we would like to address is what is probably the obvious coup de grace argument for government side: the economic factor--but we would like to prove to you that your stroke is not so graceful after all. As most are 8
KTWhat?! Term2 o
GOVERNMENT
OPPOSITION
Captain of the Arc) who writes to us:
aware, the other pies of the cafe stand at the price point of RM7.50 in comparison to the potato pie’s RM4—the difference being a whole RM3.50 of absolute superiority that is absolutely worth the gambit. What the other pies lack in economic value, it compensates for tenfold in flavour and satisfaction. We would like to point out the indication of quality that comes with the more expensive good. Have you ever seen an ad for expensive brands like Rolex and Rolls-Royce? No, because they know their value. They know the superiority in that price tag that will bring you to the better product. Finally, we cite the last Cafe Review to be our conclusive evidence: third in the shadow of the delectable beef and chicken pies. If the vox KTJ is not enough to sway you, we ask, what will?
(SUPPORT)
(AGAINST)
“THE SPICES OF INDIA BLEND BEAUTIFULLY WITH THE BRITISH STYLE PASTRY, WHICH FOLDS TENDERLY AROUND THE COVE OF HEAVENLY WARMTH.” All we would like to add to this impassioned description is the aromatic scent that precedes the luscious succulence of the pie’s velvety texture. With the potato pie, one does not face the cacophony of conflicting condiments or the disappointment of tough meat; you instead experience the seamless harmony of potato, spices and pastry, your hunger satiated, mind and soul happily content.
We believe we have very thoroughly closed the curtain on this argument, and the curtain might as well read “the potato pie is inferior”. The next time you step into Cafe Diem, we hope you look upon the displays with newfound enlightenment, and treat yourself to the meat pie you know you deserve.
Indeed, the potato pie is the ‘objectively superior pie’ on countless points, but particularly in terms of the economic maximisation and optimal satisfaction it brings to the individual. As such, we on the government side believe that we have clearly laid out our arguments to convince you of our stance. We hope that the next time you’re in Cafe Diem that you will consider this debate and go straight for the glorious experience that is the potato pie.
CONCLUSIONS? The outcomes are ultimately yours to decide! Everyone has their own preferences and makes their own decisions, and when it comes to your tastes in pies, you do you. We hope this debate has quelled some heat in this discourse, and that the next time you push open that glass door, feel the scent of coffee beans waft into your face and let the little “ding” of Amri’s bell greet your ears, you’ll look to the pie display with a greater consideration for the depth of your culinary decisions. 9
The Sherlockian (A review) BY JEREMY GOH, U6
to 1900, where Sir Arthur receives a bomb in his mail that goes off, followed by a letter containing a seemingly random clipping of a girl found dead in the bath. This led to the creator of Sherlock Holmes to put his own deductive skills to the test, setting off to bring justice to the dead girl.
If asked to name the most famous (consulting) detective in the world, odds are that the name Sherlock Holmes will pop to the minds of many. More than a hundred years have passed since his debut in the Strand Magazine in 1887. Yet, the legacy left behind by the Great Detective can still be seen up to this day. Numerous TV shows are still being made (such as the ones portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch and Jeremy Brett) while authors are continually inspired to create their own stories, depicting the exploits of Holmes and Watson. The Sherlockian by Graham Moore is one such addition, and a remarkable one too.
The other story is set in present times (2010 to be exact), starting off with the initiation of young, optimistic Harold White into the prestigious Baker Street Irregulars, a group dedicated to the study of Sherlock Holmes. It isn’t long before drama ensues when leading Sherlockian, Alex Cale discovers the long lost diary of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Before he was able to present its contents to the world, Alex Cale was found dead in the Algonquin Hotel, strangled by his own shoelace, plunging Harold into the role of detective. Just as every Sherlock needs a Watson, Graham Moore throws in reporter Sarah Lindsay to aid Harold in the case. And it isn’t a bad addition as character development for both characters were done well.
The book is split into two separate story arcs, with one revolving around Holmes’ creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, while the other introduces newcomer, Harold White, to the story. The book starts off with Sir Arthur at the top of Reichenbach Falls, contemplating the murder of Sherlock Holmes, which he eventually did kill off in 1893. Jump forward
10
KTWhat?! Term2 o
My initial fear of alternating storylines being irksome or being invested in one storyline rather than the other was put to rest as both stories were captivating in their own ways. Arthur’s story gave an interesting insight as to why Sherlock Holmes had to be killed off, highlighting what Holmes meant to the readers by showing the backlash and outburst directed towards Sir Arthur after the killing. Plotwise, Graham Moore paints a very nice atmosphere of the Victorian era, besides presenting a compelling case which leaves readers with a need to know about the ending. The ending was artful and neatly conclusive, tying both stories up nicely. In the 2010 storyline, it is really interesting to note how Harold applies the deduction methods used by Sherlock Holmes. One particular moment shone through, when Harold notes the advantages Holmes had in the Victorian era, where he came from a society “so class-stratified that you could tell where people grew up within a few miles by their accent,” or where nowadays, “If your clothes looked expensive, they could still be from a second-hand store.” While both Harold and Sarah are made up characters, it is interesting to note that Graham Moore took inspiration for his story from the real life death of leading Sherlockian Richard Lancelyn Green back in 2004, where he was found strangled by his own shoe laces. All in all, an excellent debut novel by Graham Moore, even if certain parts of the story were slightly unbelievable (Harold turning super sleuth in such an incredibly short time span). A really good plot and an interesting take on Sherlockian lore. It isn’t easy to find new angles to explore when most have been done before, but Graham Moore has done it exceptionally well. Fun fact: he goes on to bag an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for his work in The Imitation Game.
11
battle
of the
Colours
By Kelvin Singh, F4
Like an incandescent bulb of molten heat and intense pressure, the spherical sun illuminated the field, spreading its glaring tendrils to every part of it. A glimpse of the sun and anyone could be blinded by it. Greenery was like a contagious parasite. It was extending its shamrock arms and legs in order to grasp the broad, spacious field. An army of grass follicles stood on their own; stagnant, as their very existence was obliterated by the merciless stomping of boots that perpetually occurred. A moment or two later, they were scrawny and infirmed, silently dying out of their existence. For those who were still alive, their eyes were enthralled by a battle. A battle between houses; vying for dominance and power. A frisson of intoxication cascaded around the whole of the field, as the war to end all wars was about to commence. A variety of colours clashed against each other; engendering calamities as a result of tempestuous tackles and irresistible injuries. On the perspiring faces of footballers, rivers of sweat inundated their whole body. Textures of their jerseys were damp as they were saturated with moisture. Deprived of energy, their physical and mental state was tantamount to a car devoid of fuel. Nevertheless, they kept running and running exhaustingly in hopes of getting the ball, which was engulfed by mud and colourless moisture, forming a fading brown precipitate. Without any sense of repentance, a burly muscular teenager in pink was barbarically thrusting against a moderately-sized boy in light blue clothes. By the side of the battle, the constant cacophony of deep voices stimulated the players; providing support for those who lacked endurance and were raspingly coughing like hags. A myriad of jungle- coloured boys were chanting out their anthem which was accompanied by the beating of the deafening drums. Undoubtedly loud that their voices were audible from miles away, but not for long. A powerful buzzing strike from the bees made it a tie. Once the whole battle had come to a halt, students returned to their houses. They were infuriatingly commenting about the mistakes that the referee had committed while trying to exhale out their breath. A few days later, the catastrophic war would start again.
12
KTWhat?! Term2 o
this term in
HISTORY January
- BY SEAN & NIKHITA, U6 -
January 1 1998
January 11 1877
The construction of the
Alexander Hamilton
PETRONAS TWIN TOWERS
(1755-1804) was born.
was completed after construction commenced in January 1994. They were the
TALLEST BUILDINGS IN THE WORLD from
1998 to 2004.
One of the USA’s Founding Fathers, he favoured a strong central government and was a passionate advocate of the defense of the new Constitution. He was also the first Secretary of the Treasury. He died from a gunshot during a duel with
AARON BURR.
January 30 1948
January 30 1933
Mahatma Gandhi
ADOLF HITLER was appointed Chancellor of Germany. Hitler went on to become a dictator of Nazi Germany later on. He started WWII (1939-1945) after invading Poland. It is estimated that there were 50 to 80 million casualties after the war.
was assassinated by a religious fanatic. Gandhi had ended British rule in India through nonviolent resistance.
13
February 5 1820
February 11 1963
February
Susan B. Anthony
Sylvia Plath’s suicide.
(1820 - 1906) was born.
A famous American poet and previously married to Ted Hughes, Plath was clinically depressed for most of her adult life and went through ECT (electroconvulsive therapy). She commited suicide by sticking her head into an oven, with the gas turned on.
She was a passionate advocate of
women’s rights
and dedicated her life to fight for women’s suffrage. She became the first American woman to have her image on a US coin.
February 11 1963
NELSON MANDELA, at age 71, was released from prison after serving 27 years of a life sentence on charges of attempting to overthrow the apartheid government. In April 1994, he was elected president in the first all-race elections.
March March 8 2014
MALAYSIA AIRLINES FLIGHT
MH370 was en route to Beijing and disappeared from radar detection at
2.14 A.M. Although the search has been extensive (the largest in history), the exact location of the plane has yet to be determined.
March 6 1475 Renaissance genius
Michelangelo
(1475 - 1564) is born. He was a painter, sculptor, architect, poet and visionary best known for his fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and his sculptures David and The Pieta and as an architect of St. Peter’s Basilica.
March 14 1879
ALBERT EINSTEIN (1879 - 1955)
E=mc 2
is born.
His theory of relativity led to new ways of thinking about time, space, matter and energy. He received a Nobel Prize in 1921 and emigrated to the U.S. in 1933. 14
KTWhat?! Term2
Be Kind,
o
Always
unimportant. Consequently, we often pay less attention to the way we approach other people, the way we treat them, and our attitudes toward them.
Why does this matter? Linking to our discussion about a fact that everyone has a problem, we need to realise that the way we approach others will have a significant impact on the burden that they are holding. Just imagine someone showing you a bad attitude when you were having a bad day, or someone saying something unpleasant right after you received bad news. I believe it won’t be a really good experience. Therefore, we need to recognise our problems, and we need to realise that everyone is also trying to overcome their issues. Balancing both will create a community of people considerate to one another.
If you have problems, others have their own too. If you don’t want it to get worse, others don’t want theirs to get any harder as well. We are all human, we are similar, we are strong and vulnerable.
Mr Thaw presented a very enlightening
presentation about this topic during the last assembly and I think it is one of the lessons that we all need to implement in our life.
Problem, problem and another problem.
Be kind, always.
As normal human beings, we are always presented with a new set of challenges ahead of us all the time. I said ‘a set of challenges’ instead of just ‘new challenges’ because we need to realise that challenges are like a chain. Even though you manage to tackle the first one, we will be faced with the second one, the third one and so on. Also, you will not be tied with one chain of problems – you will be attached with many of them. Hence, you will have this endless chain of problems that will smash you one after another. Many of you might think ‘why is it like that?’ Well, as Ms Akshara always says, that is something called ‘Life’. There is no human walking on this earth who faces zero problems and it doesn't matter how hard you try to run away from it; you will always have to go through it.
Just simply being kind, showing sympathy or even just a single smile might change the mood of a person who might have gone through a lot of trouble. Subsequently, being observant to your surroundings and mindful of what you should do will be good practice to be proactive. Offer help if you are able to give some – a simple effortless assistance that you put forward might be a meaningful one to others. Furthermore, keep your ego down and listen. We often like to tell our stories but never listen to others. Most importantly, be considerate about how you express yourself; your actions may affect others either directly or indirectly. At the end, we need to realise the importance of being kind because everyone is fighting a battle that you know nothing about. We might be angry and exhausted with our own problems but it doesn’t give us the right to flaunt bad attitudes at others. In an era where people are bounded with technology and their own businesses, we need to redevelop the long-buried moral values in society, and be caring to one another. Lastly, I want to end this article with the quote from the most influential person in history. He said, “Kindness is not to be found in anything but that it adds to its beauty and it is not withdrawn from anything but it makes it defective.”
It seems that the way we interact with each other has changed, and this change is not a good one. Humans can be careless and insensitive sometimes. Technological advancement makes this worse by creating a more individualistic society and it is not hard to see how people are becoming less responsive toward their surroundings. On top of that, our selfishness drives us to wrong paths sometimes. Viewing yourself as being ‘better’, undervaluing someone else's opinions and differentiating people based on their status tend to lead us to unconsciously look down on others and think that they are
By Khalif, U6
15
the mindset of a KTJ student. by keng ze and shebanee/ a medic and a lawyer
Shebanee: “If you had told me at 15 that choosing to love humanities over science and math would set me up for years of indirect insults, judgemental glares and constant justification, I wouldn’t have believed you. Why should I? There’s no such thing as a ‘better’ or ‘bad’ subject: they’re all equally important and equally useful. Or so I thought, anyway. I chose to enter the Arts stream when I started Year 10 and I remember all the questions I’d received from my friends, asking me “if I was sure” or their smirks, thinking I was dumb for doing so. I felt the need to constantly justify that I chose to enter the Arts stream on my own accord and that I did qualify for the science stream. I currently study A-levels and still do not take math or science. I still feel the need to justify to almost everyone why I take the subjects I take.”
SCIENCE > ARTS
that you genuinely enjoy. To ignore people who criticise your ‘weird’ subject combinations and A similar perception we’ve noticed is that insist that you do something more ‘substantial’ when someone is bad at art or music, it’s is the best advice we can give to you as seniors. deemed alright because maybe they weren’t suited for that path. But being bad at math Perhaps this “science = success” mentality or science is a cardinal sin which leaves you is partly established by the tradition of inferior to most of your peers. Often, when national schools in Malaysia, where we think of the smartest person we know, it’s students with better results are automatically usually someone who takes math and science. sorted into the science stream, while Our first thought is never someone who takes the others are pushed into arts. This is art or music. We never understood this done irrespective of personal interests and double standard. Many who choose to take strengths. One can’t help but wonder if this art-based subjects seem to constantly get is why we have a glut of medical graduates teased by their friends, however, hardly anyone in Malaysia; this crisis that our ministers gets teased for taking pure science or double are struggling to solve highlights a problem math. We want to stress that intelligence with our mindset that we should work encompasses all subjects, not just a select few. towards changing. There are many downsides to this perception. It creates a toxic environment where people are forced to take subjects they don’t like or continue into careers they aren’t interested in. We often create a hierarchy of subjects, emphasising the importance of STEM whilst shunning the arts. The importance of STEM subjects should not lead to the disparagement of every other subject. We cannot stress enough the imperative of choosing subjects/degrees
TOP 10 OR NOTHING
When choosing universities, league tables are the first place people go to. Most tables have the same rankings for their top 10 universities and students take this as a sign that they must apply to these universities, regardless of whether they may be suitable for them. League tables can be a good place to start and get some ideas but they don’t
16
KTWhat?! Term2 o
include information like resources, modules, assessment methods and class sizes which will shape your university life. We should also compare course content, student unions and student satisfaction which, more often than not, affect us more as undergraduates.
complex. You should be supportive of your friends, regardless of which university and country they end up going to. Although the classic ‘consider if the roles were reversed’ seems overstated, it still applies here. Your friends are happy of your accomplishments, but that isn’t a green light KTJ has a high number of Oxbridge to start acting differently to them. applicants which increase by the year. This is a good sign of course: you have to be an excellent student to even consider applying there. The truth is, a fair of us Most of us recognise that failure is an are going to be rejected, not necessarily inevitable part of life, but oh gosh, why does because we are not good enough but it still feel so agonising? To bounce right because they cannot have too many students back up after encountering failure takes from the same school studying the perseverance, and to believe in yourself same course. This logic also applies to other no matter what the odds are, requires top universities. The vast majority of tremendous courage. KTJ students end up applying to Top 20 universities and sometimes, we receive Sometimes no matter how hard you try, you rejection letters. Many see this as a reduction still fail, and that’s alright; you’re not expected of their own value or a highlight of their flaws. to excel in everything all the time. Your value as a student doesn’t diminish just If you get an offer while your classmate doesn’t, because you failed a test or got rejected by you might consider yourself to be better universities. Therefore, failures must be seen as than them and thus become arrogant and amusements: they are trials which hone withdrawn even if what you sought after your skills. Don’t apologise for trying hard all is your dream. People like this often find as it’s an insult to your determination. solace in thinking that others are just jealous of There’s just something unique about their accomplishments. However, regardless giving your all, and you’ll never regret all of whether someone is jealous or not, the hard work you put in, whether you fail that doesn’t justify any sense of perceived or succeed. Believe that you have something superiority that you may feel and act out. You to offer, and that you have within you the see, being skilled isn’t all it’s made out to be. capacity to make the change you want to see.
FACING FAILURE
Arrogant people are constantly hurting others by causing them to feel inferior. Also, due to the feeling of their superiority, they think that only their ideas are valuable, tending to dismiss everyone else’s point of view or refuse to share their ‘superior’ ideas with their team members. Thus, working with an arrogant person requires either tremendous patience or a lack of independent thinking. We often don’t notice when we have a subtle superiority
REFLECTION We know that mindsets that stem from our own cultures aren’t easy to change and we may still subconsciously treat someone differently based on their choice of subjects or universities. Awareness is the first step in working towards changing this mindset, and hence we end our article in hope of an even friendlier KTJ community.
do 10 past years today write 5 essays
literature a*: 162 17
S R E T S A M Y R T PAN L6 S T ia Xin, h N C E o h DI yn K By, Jesl GRE
:6 S E BYT T E G BUD
IN
aroni acaroni) c a m l shell Naturel m l a m : -S mend sauce m o c e (r pasta heese of o t a : -Tom hredded c mend n) s m y o c n e r -A oice ( Italia h e c s e r e u h yo Six C s ’ n e d Bor -Milk e lt-fre a s -Eggs a r o erbs ll -Torti al: mixed h soning a n -Optio l purpose se genera
We all find ourselves getting bored of KTJ’s dining hall food every now and then or perhaps you just want some comfort food without breaking the bank. Here are three recipes you can easily make with just six ingredients and by the time you’re done with it, you could call yourself a microwave chef!
RECIPE 1:
IPES C E -3R
Breakfast tortilla
This breakfast tortilla is just what you need to get you through the tough Monday mornings or just to enjoy every other day of the week when it isn’t Nasi Lemak Thursdays!
What you’ll need:
-1 egg -1 tablespoon of milk -1 tortilla wrap -½ a tablespoon of tomato pasta sauce -2 tablespoons of shredded cheese -Seasoning (optional) 1. Crack and beat an egg in a microwave-safe mug. Add 1 tablespoon of milk and add any seasonings or herbs into the wet mixture. Mix well. 2. Microwave on HIGH for 45 seconds and stir. 3. Microwave for 35 to 45 seconds more to ensure eggs are cooked. Top the eggs with the shredded cheese. 4. Spread out ½ a tablespoon of the tomato pasta sauce on the tortilla and add your eggs on top. Wrap it up and enjoy! 18
KTWhat?! Term2 o
RECIPE 2:
Mac and Cheese
Making your own mac and cheese from scratch is not only cheaper than buying your regular Kraft or San Remo packets, it’s also much better than the ready-made stuff! Since you know exactly what’s going into it which can help make you feel a lot less guilty and the cheese stretch you get is a bonus. 1. Use any mug or cup you may have to measure one cup of macaroni shells. You can cook the mac and cheese in a microwavable-safe mug but I find it easier to cook in a bowl (as it has lower chances of overflowing) 2. Add enough hot water to just cover the macaroni shells.
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup/mug of small shell macaroni (this is so it cooks faster) -A handful of shredded cheese of your choice -2 tablespoons of milk -Seasoning : (optional) salt and pepper, mix herbs or salt-free general purpose seasoning (I recommend getting the salt free options because the cheese can be quite salty on its own and I found the general purpose seasoning too salty for my liking)
RECIPE 3:
Tomato pasta
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup/mug of small shell macaroni -A handful of shredded cheese of your choice -¼ cup of tomato pasta sauce -Seasoning : (optional) 1. Follow steps 1-3 in recipe 2 for mac and cheese. 2. Drain all the excess water from the micro wave-safe bowl/mug. 3. Add ¼ cup of the tomato pasta sauce and mix. Place back into the microwave to allow the sauce to heat up. 4. Add a sprinkling of cheese on top and garnish with your choice of seasoning.
19
3. Put in the microwave on high for 5 minutes, stopping every 30 seconds or so to stir and keep your eye on it to ensure the water doesn’t overflow. If it is still too tough simply continue to cook it at 30 second intervals, checking each time. 4. Drain out most of the water, leave about one tablespoon of water behind and add one to two tablespoons of milk (if you’d like it to be creamier, add more milk) 5. Add a handful of cheese to the macaroni and mix. The residual heat should be able to melt the cheese however if it does not, put it back into the microwave for 30 seconds to allow the cheese to melt. 6. Garnish with seasoning or enjoy as is!
Geek: on
MIND CONTROL By Hanna Bador, F5
I
t’s close to midnight or some time way past it. You’re in your bed, snuggled and ready for sleep to overcome you. Yet, as soon as you feel your eyes flutter shut, your dreams of a good night’s sleep crash and burn all because your mind decides to wander if snakes were just tails with faces. And so, the next day, you’re left tired and cranky with a head filled with seemingly odd questions that seem like they will never be solved. Our minds happen to have an infuriating habit of wandering to the weirdest of places at times and sometimes it makes you wonder if it was possible to control the process of your thoughts. Unfortunately, the answer may be a lot more complicated than you may think. Addressing why we even get these thoughts can be explained through the fact that much of our thoughts go through our heads unconsciously, even deliberate ones; some actions are just too complex to be controlled consciously and thus, need to be done so unconsciously. However, this doesn't mean that we have a total lack of control in our thought process. In fact, a way to possess some sort of control over our thoughts include our ability to focus on a specific task or thing. In a study by Kvavilashvilli and Mandler in 2004, seemingly random thoughts “pop” up during habitual activities such as brushing your teeth or going to bed - when your attention is diffused.
But then, why are these thoughts so random? Well, here’s the thing: brains and our mind in general are weird to say the least. The thoughts we have in the middle of the night may seem silly or just plain weird to us but they aren't exactly random. This is because our brains are hardwired to remember specific events from our past in hopes it will allows us to survive in the future. And while this may help when we do need to remember something, sometimes specific memories do get mixed up and become long term memories instead of short term ones- ensuring we may unconsciously remember something we may not even subconsciously know about. Thus, the reason why a certain thought just emerges as you start to fall asleep is probably due to it simmering in the back of your subconscious for a while, waiting for a time when your guard is down to spring onto your conscious thoughts. And so, with that said, it is time to finally address the question: “Can I control my thoughts and thought processes?” Well, you could control how much your mind wanders by being occupied much of the time but it’s only a temporary fix to a much more permanent problem and so ultimately, the answer is-unfortunately- a no as we cannot fully control the whirlwind that is our mind and until we do, we’ll have to be stuck with going through life with a mind full of unanswered questions.
20
KTWhat?! Term2 o
GET OUT review
By Kirubaharan Muttusamy, L6
Get Out starts out with the exact tone the
The best thing about Get Out is undoubtedly how Jordan Peele just plays the audience along like a violin, bending us all to his views and whims making us feel scared for what Chris is going to find himself in but at the same time, care for Rose’s seemingly innocent answers. Chris starts finding chaos everywhere as Rose’s mother starts hypnotising him and the only other African Americans are zombified people who sprint at night or stare at their own reflections. The big gathering proves weirder as everyone start “inspecting” Chris and overtly compliment him for his aesthetic beauty and athletic body all attributing to the fact that being African-American seems to be the trend. By this time, Chris has gotten in too deep, as the feel of “Get Out” shifts from eerie suspense-setting to full-on horror-movie mode — though it should be said that Peele has effectively kept audiences on edge since the beginning, sending occasional jolts through the crowd.
movie is best known for. Uncertainty, eeriness and silence concocted in the atmosphere of a suburban America. Following a simple plot line of the awkward point in a relationship where the guy meets the parents of his girlfriend, coupled with racial undertones, Get Out is primarily the story of an African-American Chris who goes to meet his white girlfriend, Rose’s parents in their family home. And like most movies, everything starts to go wrong. Get Out begins on a very relatable note accompanied perfectly by Childish Gambino’s Redbone as an African-American gets extremely nervous due to the fear that society and the older generation wouldn’t accept their colour-blind love. Despite this, he meets Rose’s parents who are very welcoming especially the father saying, “I would’ve voted for an Obama third term if I could”. Here is where director Jordan Peele starts using racial subtexts to fully explain very subtly how the white majority look at race relations in the US.
21
I wouldn’t want to spoil the ending of Get Out because that’s a journey you have to take for yourself. But the revelation of what actually happened and the actual reasoning behind the plot is masterfully used in begging the question of the state of race relations in a post-Obama US. Get Out very subtly, yet in a very nuanced manner portrays the seemingly innocent white majority and what kind of repercussions can be expected from such an inconspicuous behaviour. By the ending, the audience feel a flush of emotions from relief to anger to sadness. The actual last few minutes will probably give you a heart attack and provide a very strong and solid conclusion to a beautifully poignant movie that will keep you at the edge of the seat throughout. But the review cannot be complete without the praising of a Daniel Kaluuya, the backbone of this movie. Portraying the innocently complex Chris was always going to be a difficult challenge but he rose up to the occasion. The ‘Sunken Palace’ scene is beautiful as he goes through his weaknesses and his childhood which seems to break the strong facade he covers himself with. This also comes full circle as it fueled his redemptive arc (which also gets him in so much trouble) near the end. Get Out in its essence is a very strong horror movie that portrays the stark reality of a racially divided America. There are tonnes of racial subtexts and interpretations that one will find more of everytime they watch the movie again. Jordan Peele masterfully crafts an entertaining thriller which keeps audiences at the edge of the seat, and makes them care for the characters however dramatic they seem to be. By revealing how the ruling majority gives freedoms, but they can also take them away, Peele seizes upon more than just a terrifying horror-movie premise; he exposes a reality in which African-Americans can never breathe easy. It’s undoubtedly the best 2017 had to offer.
22
KTWhat?! Term2 o
HOW TO BE A GOOD ROOMMATE BY William Fong, veteran roommate A good roommate or roomie is like a nicely seared piece of beef, it’s pretty rare. If you have a bad roommate, chances are you will feel quite empty and alone when you’re in your room. Guess it’ll be quite...roomie. So, how should one follow the manifold path to becoming a good roommate? Well, you are going to have to balance several very important factors, and this essay will show you....... the weigh to a lighthearted roommate experience
First things first, a good roommate is tantamount to a huge, Chinese kid’s water bottle, and your roommate’s rants and problems are the water. You have to be able to ...aqua-ire the skill of listening to their complex problems and underlying feelings, or to quote a very famous philosopher, their ‘grandmother grandfather stories’. The better you are as a roommate, the more water you can fill in your bottle before it’s full Guess it’s an important task to...full-fill.
You don’t even have to reply their rants. Once in a while you just make some random animal sound like ‘hmm, meow, yeah, moo, I know right, et cetera’, and they will definitely continue whatever they are ranting about. Furthermore, you must not mess up their side of the room. From experience, I know that leaving a half-eaten watermelon on their bed is not the best way to be a good roommate even if they are addicted to melons. It will just make them... melon-cholic. Instead, you should just try to keep the room tidy. For instance, if you see a stain on the floor, you clean it up. If you don’t it will be a long and hard process to get close to them. In essence, if you see a stain, you should be the first to come and wash it. In a nutshell, you and your roommate should keep the as room tidy as a senior Confederate military officer would. Guess you have to.... General Lee keep it tidy.
This is the most important aspect of being a good roommate. The centre of catering to camaraderie, the aspect that could make or break your relationship with them: food. You absolutely must have a ready supply of unhealthy food. Do not be one of those vegetarian health people that only eat gluten free, organic celery flavoured oats coated with sadness and shame. (To clarify, I do not have any beef with these people because I literally won’t.) Instead, food that is able to make them fat is good. But you have to make sure that your roommate will.... just belly gain a few kilogrammes, not too many.
In all seriousness, following these steps will make you a better roommate, but most importantly, you should be there for them no matter what. Do whatever it takes to make them feel better. Listen to them, feed them unhealthy food, do whatever it takes to make sure that they can rely on you. You can even make up fake quotes to make them laugh during times of stress and hardship. As Gandhi once said “To be a good roommate in KTJ, read this amazing essay, it’s as useful as going on hunger strikes, ciao. I mean, namaste”
that sure was a pun read, wasnt it?
23
BY Valerie Wo
Expectations “Let’s stay up and PARTY”
Reality
vs
* Wakes up at 7am, ready to go to BREAKFAST * Mufti day: “Let’s DRESS up!”
vs
KTJOY
vs
* Wakes up 10 mins before class *
Mufti day: “I’m wearing Pajamas”
vs
OR
Friends bond over petting a CAT
vs
“Let’s stay up and study”
OR
(Just kidding, our food is actually not bad)
Friends bond over catching cockroaches at 1am
vs 24
KtJaIL
KTWhat?! Term2 o
Approach us! We want to make sure that our students get to have their thoughts or memes to be known to the school. As such, we would like you to send us any write ups to be featured in the next KTWhat?! An event your club/ECA is running soon and would need help with publicity? Let us know and we’ll do our very best to include it in our next newsletter! We’re open to feedback and responses. So, please don’t hesitate to email us at socialmedia@ktj.edu.my if you’ve got thoughts or ideas for our newsletter!
25
KTJ SOCIAL MEDIA CLUB