Words by: Tiffany Forbes Image: Instagram/@ultimopress
Are you a good person? Or do you just look like one?
… If You Liked Sally Rooney’s Normal People, You Will Love Diana Reid’s Love & Virtue
Category: Growing Pains Edition
Time Traveller
Words and Art by: Meili Tan, Monica Ouk, Dina Ivkovich, Lily Anna, Tiffany Forbes, Joseph Lew, Dena Tissera & Kiera Eardley respectively.
Our contributors take us on a trip down memory lane, providing a glimpse of their childhoods through the lens of a camera (a vintage 2000s one, no doubt).
… Time Traveller
Welcome to the Contents Page
Words by: Amy Jenkin
We asked people what title they would give this chapter of their life. Here are their responses.
… Welcome to the Contents Page
Purpose, Not Capitalism
Words by: Zayan Ismail Art by: Anita Thuon
It was not long ago that I dreamt of the life of a career diplomat. Majoring in international relations has shifted that dream, for better or worse. Studying the outdated archaic theories developed by White imperialists which perpetuate the subjugation of Indigenous communities, people of colour, women, and other minorities, has made me question everything since they created them under the guise of negotiation and peace.
… Purpose, Not Capitalism
Blocked & Deleted
Words by: Dilshi Perera Art by: Gabrielle Poh
Someone once asked me to list some of the greatest joys in life, and waking up and not thinking about them anymore is easily in my top 10 — aside from kissing in the rain and other main character-esque qualities. There’s no denying that breakups are one of THE MOST tumultuous journeys that a human can go through, but the process of healing and overcoming pain is monumental.
… Blocked & Deleted
Quarantine: A Fictional Futuristic Idea That Has Become Our Reality
Words by: Shams Ibrahim
What does it mean to be in quarantine? What is it like to be locked up indoors with only a few hours of sunshine allowed? Is it punishment? Is karma biting the human race? Is it a doorway to a mental asylum? In truth, I don’t know what it really means or how it has impacted people. It would be extremely arrogant and ignorant to assume that it has hit everyone the same way. Each experience is very unique. Some might be terrible, while others surprisingly good. This will be part of my personal journey with lockdowns, quarantine, and COVID-19.
… Quarantine: A Fictional Futuristic Idea That Has Become Our Reality
Growing up and Growing Apart
Words by: Dena Tissera Art by: Ella Porter
Dear _______,
It’s been a long time since we last spoke; I’m not sorry about that. Our friendship is better stored as a memory, a pressed flower in an old book.
… Growing up and Growing Apart
Nurturing Your Inner Child
Words by: Vivian Tang Art by: Georgia Lilley
Our inner child is regarded as the truest form of self. Returning to this part of ourselves seems inherently tied to growth, as if we must practice self-reflection in order to move forward and achieve.
… Nurturing Your Inner Child
Constantly Readjusting to Life After University 
Words by: Emilio Lanera Art by: Lauren Easter
For the last four years, university has been the main source of structure in my life. I did have other things going on in my life like work, social life, internships, and other extracurricular activities, but for the most part they all had to work around my university classes and assignments. While it was nice to have someone else organise your life for you, by the time I graduated I was ready to leave the familiar structure university offered and embark on a new journey where I had more control in deciding what I do and when I would do it. However, something I would learn very early after leaving university is that no matter how well you plan things, life still tends to get in the way.
… Constantly Readjusting to Life After University 
Love in the Time of Tinder: Why I Hate (but Still Use) Dating Apps
Words by: Kiera Eardley Art by: My Tieu Ly
Hi, my name is Kiera, and I’m your perpetually single friend. Welcome to the world of singledom in 2021! There are plenty of options, not a lot of commitment, and the drinks aren’t exactly flowing (thank you, 10 months of lockdown).
… Love in the Time of Tinder: Why I Hate (but Still Use) Dating Apps
The Art that Defines Us
Words by: Lauren Gallina Art by: Lillian Busby
Twelve years ago, on a warm Saturday morning, I sat cross-legged in front of ABC3 while my mum combed out my loose curls and put them into two tight braids. As “Scotty and the Ninjas Too” were lighting up the screen, their voices filling the room, we were idly watching on. Both my mum and I focused on getting ready for netball before rushing out the door.
… The Art that Defines Us
What 20 something Are You?
Words by: Ruby Ellam
Are you a grinder? A white witch? A slacker or a functional human being?
… What 20 something Are You?
Which Cut Is the Deepest?
Words by: Lara Christensen Art by: Gabrielle Poh
My first heartbreak was with a boy who felt he couldn’t be my friend anymore.
We’d been friends since middle school, often waiting together as we were usually the last ones to be picked up from school. We talked about everything, talked during everything and were childishly proud that our Snapchat streak was so long.
… Which Cut Is the Deepest?
To Exist
Words and Art by: Tiffany Forbes
When I was seven, I took my first ever family camping trip. If I try hard enough, it’s almost as if I can still smell the excitement in the air that day, which often comes in waves of freshly-bought camping chairs and a tent we’d found at an Aldi special buys rack at some point in 2007.
… To Exist
Memor(talit)y
Words by: Dina Ivkovich Art by: Betty Gu
2nd August, 2020
8:46am
I google: how to prepare for your dog’s euthanasia l l l l l l l
The first article reads: ‘Give your dog a party or “best day” ever!’
… Memor(talit)y
TikTok Made Me Do It: Crystal Edition
Words by: Coby Renkin Art by: Ruth Ong
The last few months have seen me enter a side of TikTok I never saw coming: the crystal side. I don’t do crystals; they’re not something I’ve ever felt drawn to and if we’re being honest, not something I’ve ever believed in. But it turns out, if the algorithm hassles me enough, I’ll try anything once. After all, 2021 (and this edition) is all about growth.
… TikTok Made Me Do It: Crystal Edition
The Seven Stages of Securing a Grad Job
Words by: Mia Deans Art by: Jessica La… The Seven Stages of Securing a Grad Job
Meet the Parents: A Story Best Told in Three Parts
Words by: Matilda McNeil
To call this a journey of enlightenment feels a little hyperbolic. It is as if I am equating my personal relationship with my parents to the age of new ideas and philosophical movements that dominated the 18th century. But I’m not talking about Enlightenment with a capital ‘E’.
… Meet the Parents: A Story Best Told in Three Parts
Not So Fresh: Pop Music and its Problems
Words by: Thiamando Pavlidis Art by: Madison Marshall
I am a trashy pop music apologist. My taste in music has been described as “bad”, “objectively bad”, and even expressed by just groaning. Spotify once even told me to “chill out”.
… Not So Fresh: Pop Music and its Problems
Fact or Fiction
Words by: Alice Wright Art by: Brooke Stevens
Recently, I decided to make the poor decision to declutter my room, which is something I rarely commit to. Why? It almost always ends in me crying from exhaustion as Marie Kondo’s techniques slowly eat away at my poor capacity to let go of things I haven’t used in more than 10 years.
… Fact or Fiction
The Best(?) Of Both Worlds
Words and Art by: Gitika Garg
I hate to use the ‘J’ word, but growing up is a journey — and a difficult one at that. With the carefree fun of being a kid, also comes the more trying task of navigating through the complexities of childhood and adolescence. Friendships, relationships, family, body image, confidence, parties, popularity…this all-too-familiar list continues.
… The Best(?) Of Both Worlds
Esperanto Magazine 