Wednesday, January 02, 2008  2:11 PM
Magazine beginnings
I like it so far. I've spent the entire morning reading past issues of Female, Vogue, Glamour and Harper's Bazaar - basically the clutter that's left on my desk by the previous occupant. And that is actually part of my job. That's the best part of it all, that reading fashion and beauty magazines is within the job scope and I can do it freely and won't be seen as slacking off. Suddenly, the bylines I've been committing to memory come to life and faces are put to the names I gather from each issue - writers, editors, stylists and coordinators. I'm surrounded by tall, beautiful girls with fair skin and colourful outfits, women with bright purple hair and perfectly-accented English. Fashion is taken to a completely new level at this place. And they're nice. These women turn to little girls when someone buys in bubble tea for everyone because of the sad state of food provisions in this building. There is nowhere to eat in this area except for the canteen which has a grand total of two stalls. Maybe that's why everyone's so slim.
In a morning, I've educated myself on the art of blow-drying, this season's must-haves and the essence of bags and shoes. And a 42-page house style guide that reinforces everything we've learnt in journalism and more. Why didn't they throw this guide at us the first day we entered university - it tells you everything you need to know about writing. Who knew that karang guni is really spelt karung guni? It's chaise longue instead of chaise lounge, and Irish whiskey is spelt the way it is because although it is scotch and whisky, the Irish and people who drink the Irish version are fussy that it is spelt whiskey. Also, "irregardless" is not a word.
Lighthearted yet neutral, promote without sounding pushy, objectivity without putting readers to sleep are the few guidelines I picked up today. I can't wait to write. But at this point, I shall be contented with clearing the stuff under my desk. There's a whole stash of shoes, books and CDs which no one seems to want, although I can't exactly touch them. Whatever it is, I've already inherited a brand-new bikini, a pouch and a few t-shirts. And of course, the latest copy of Female.
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