tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74524697823417519082024-03-12T21:28:10.679-07:00From where we stand the rain seems randomShneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-38299134478276980982014-08-06T04:45:00.002-07:002014-08-08T02:46:17.987-07:00Papaya Boat with Coconut, Tahini, Banana Chia CreamIsn't it a little odd how I can get my hands on such juicy tropical fruit, smack bang in the middle of Melbournian winter? I'm always taking a whole container filled with melons and mangoes and paw paws to school. It's a little funny how our fridge is literally overflowing with bargains that we hunted down at the local fruit and veggie shop. Dragon fruits, mangoes, persimmons, papayas, watermelon, star fruit, every fruit you can find on a tropical island is bound to be in our fridge at some point in the week. The trick is to really get you know your fruit and veggie shop properly. What time do they close? That's usually when they put the prices down. Do they have a discount trolley? Many people think that discount trolleys are mainly filled with rotten stuff that no-one wants to buy. However mum and I have realised that the fruits and veggies that you find in the discount box, or in the discount trolley are quite perfect. Buying fruit and veggies from the local green grocers is also a whole lot cheaper that buying from your average supermarket. Take my word.<br />
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Today I made a mini coconut, tahini chia cream, papaya boat topped with goji berries and pepitas. I was inspired by a papaya coconut tahini smoothie that my friend made for me, but I just love eating papayas straight from their skin and I also wanted to make a vegan reprise. The papaya tends to lose it's flavour when you put it in a smoothie, unless of course you add a heap of sugar to it, which I definitely didn't want to do. </div>
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The coconut milk, dates and tahini actually go really well together, the banana brings it all together and the chia seeds simply added texture.<br />
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<b>Ingredients:</b></div>
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3 tbs coconut milk</div>
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3 tsp chia seeds</div>
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3 tbs water</div>
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3 tablespoons shredded coconut</div>
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1/2 a small small banana</div>
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1 medjool date</div>
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1 tbs organic tahini</div>
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1/2 tsp vanilla essence</div>
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<b>Methods</b></div>
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1. place chia seeds in the water, and let rest for 10 minutes</div>
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2. place the rest of the ingredients in a blender and blend until the mixture becomes smooth</div>
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3. add in the chia seeds and pulse until combined</div>
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4. spoon the seeds out of the papaya and spoon the cream into the crevice </div>
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5. top with whatever you want and enjoy! </div>
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Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-26039430380157733372014-08-02T15:25:00.000-07:002014-08-02T15:25:43.753-07:00Meal In a Jar This week I went raw! Even though I am so proud of myself, I felt that the entire week was surprisingly easy and super fun. I didn't feel like I was doing anything out of the way or extraordinarily different. It was so easy to just come home, mash up a whole heap of veggies in our high speed blender, and then spoon it on to some swiss chard leaves for a raw veggie green wrap. No cooking, no chopping board, hardly any washing and best of all, it was soo tastey and really healthy!<br />
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I will add some more recipes as to what I ate this whole week but I am hoping to continue raw food for a very long time. I have to warn you that there is a misconception that when doing the raw food diet one has to be 100% fully raw. Most people actually eat around 50-50 raw to cooked or 75-25 raw to cooked or anything other ration they want really as long as they are incorporating as many raw green living foods as possible into their diet. </div>
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I encourage all of you do do some research, and if you think it's your thing, give it a go. I look up to raw foodists like <a href="http://www.fullyraw.com/" target="_blank">Fully Raw Kiristina</a> and get most of my inspiration from her. Thanks Kiristina!<br />
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Today I whipped up something of my own, which I think is quite clever seeing as I recently had my braces tightened and can't really chew anything remotely chewable. I'm not really sure what to call it so I've dubbed it "meal in a jar" because it is packed full of nutrients, fibre, iron, magnesium, potassium, protein, calcium... oh well the list goes on. It simply consists of layers of carrot banana fig smoothie and grounded flax seeds, sunflower seeds, chia sees, coconut flakes, pumpkin seeds and a few dried goji berries within a jar.</div>
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<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<b>Smoothie:</b><br />
1 fig<br />
1 carrot<br />
1 banana<br />
1/2 cup water<br />
1 tbls hemp protien<br />
cinamon to your taste<br />
1 inch ginger<br />
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<b>grinde:</b><br />
flaxseeds 2 tsp<br />
chia seeds 2 tsp<br />
goji berries 1tsp<br />
1 tsp sunflower seeds<br />
1 tsp pepitas<br />
2 tsp shredded coconut<br />
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1. blend all the ingredients for the smoothie together in a high speed blender and transfer into a bowl<br />
2. pulse all the ingredients for the grinde and stop when it becomes a fine crumble<br />
3. layer it in a jar as shown above or simply eat together in a bowl<br />
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Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-47456321605828882892014-07-18T18:54:00.001-07:002014-07-28T21:04:29.945-07:00Reduce your stress: three handy hints <br />
If your just having one of those weeks where you seem to be dragging your left foot behind you wherever you go, or if your system is on overdrive, or if stress has a death hold on you, just stop. Yup even stop reading this post and just sit in your chair for a few minutes and take a few deep breathes. Sometimes, more often than I should, I have these weeks but I've found that doing simple little things, the tiniest minuscule things help you get through the week a little less scathed.<br />
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Tip 1: Rather that opting for your daily egg and bread combination, or your bowl of cereal or oats, try something different at least once and start of your day with a fruit salad! Eating fruit in the morning is the perfect way to debloat and detoxify your body because it's so easy on the digestive system. Fruit, unlike carbohydrates, digests a whole lot faster, leaving you lighter, and more energetic than ever. Most people really need that extra boost of energy, but the nutrients in the fruit salad will sustain you until about mid morning. waddya know? I suggest slicing up a variety of fruits and placing them in a bowl and sprinkling them with cinnamon, lemon and coconut flakes. Those of you out there who are enjoying the blessed summer, exotic fruits have bucket loads of nutrients and are better absorbed by your body in the morning especially in an empty stomach. Maybe a mono meal of cantaloupe? Maybe watermelon? Bananas? So quick, so easy!<br />
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Tip 2: Meditate for a few minutes a day. Even 5 minutes is enough to do the trick. Sit yourself down somewhere quiet. Place your hand on your stomach and feel yourself breathe as your stomach moves up and down. Just focus on your breathing, the sounds around you and your head space. If your mind wanders, don't worry because it's perfectly normal. Simply use your steady breathing as an anchor to bring you back to the present. <a href="http://smilingmind.com.au/" target="_blank">Here</a> is a great site that I use to aid my meditation for a Smiling Mind<br />
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Tip 3: This week I created a great face mask for glowing skin. I've only tried it on my skin colour which is medium brown. I used avocados because they are filled with vitamin A, good for purifying the skin of dead cells, turmeric, (also a great anti-inflammatory for those who are prone to acne or the occasional break out) and oats or buckwheat to leave your skin soft and supple and to relieve irritation and redness. The turmeric will tint your skin, however if your dark, it adds a glowing tint. For lighter skin, I suggest using it at night time and possibly a little less of it or add more oats to balance out the colour.<br />
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<b>ingredients</b><br />
1 teaspoon turmeric<br />
2 tbs of oats<br />
half an avocado<br />
salt<br />
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1. add warm water until it just covers the 2 tbs of oats in a bowl and wait until it's soft.<br />
2. In a blender add all the ingredients and blend until smooth<br />
3. apply to face and wait for 15 minutes before washing of with water or a hot wet towel.<br />
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I really hope that was useful :)<br />
Enjoy your week everyoneShneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-78756477943012395582014-07-07T05:31:00.000-07:002014-07-07T14:53:34.350-07:00Markets: A lost worldIts 9 am. Saturday, mid mornings have a foggy, welcoming lazyness to them. The sun is out in midwinter Melbourne. <br />
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It's a good day and I can tell you that it's not a subjective opinion. It is a fact that today is a brilliant day because the sun has managed to finally get up out of it's bed of grey sheets and peep in to say hello. About time really because due to the last few blustery days, my rabbit has not been able to go for her daily walk-abouts in our back yard and was sitting like a cranky old lady, thumping all through her waking hours, which is unfortunately also when I sleep.<br />
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I grab my cloth market bags, chuck on my favourite pair of jeans and head to the local farmers market.<br />
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Markets always have a certain "it factor". One is always affected by the electrical buzz of excitement that touches your skin as soon as you enter market grounds. It's raw. It's real. You can feel it in the air, smell it in the air around snack stalls, wafting up into your nose and tickling your appetite with exotic cultural cuisine; stalls of sugar coated roasted nuts from Switzerland, various sticky sweet pastries from Denmark, Crepes and Galettes from France, fried rice, dumplings, caramel popcorn. It goes on. You can hear it in the conversations around you, a mixture of excitable childish squeals and soft intrigued murmurs and simple happy human interaction buzzing along to a steady communal rhythm.<br />
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The veggies are always shinier and tastier, the people more interesting. The things you find never cease to amaze you. Did I mention free taste samples galore!? I'm Sri Lankan, what can I say, we just love free food. It can be something like free pea protein and I'd still sneak in for a double taste test. Might I add that pea protein tastes surprisingly good.<br />
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I encourage all of you to find our where your local farmers market is located and head over there this weekend and just enjoy the carefree nature of a Saturday morning out. Eat, drink, shop, smell, feel, hear see. Indulge in every sensation and I'll doubt that you won't find more. :)<br />
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<br />Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-68274120706628767102014-06-25T23:14:00.001-07:002016-02-19T15:44:45.715-08:00The coconut tree I once took for granted<div style="text-align: left;">
My great grand uncle's house in Jaffna was where I spent the last few years of my permanent residence in Sri Lanka.
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I loved it very much. Often, it's great yellow-creamed walls, and sandy yards filled with jasmine bushes and their lovely perfume float back into my adolescent mind now and then. It was the smell of balmy summers and orange tinted skies. But I still can't forget the singularly magnificent, large coconut tree that stood out the front of our family home, snuggled in among the landscape of rural Jaffna</div>
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It was a king. A benevolent king whose role in life was to provide it's people (the residents of my great uncles estate), with beautiful coconuts whenever possible. </div>
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Coconuts were an average normal part of our everyday life in Jaffna. My great grand-fathers owned coconut estates, just like many other men who lived in villages like ours all over Sri Lanka, and I was their typical coconut loving grand daughter. Where we here in the western parts of the world enjoy an apple or two during the day (unless your like me and devour a few more than what's considered normal), those in Sri Lanka can joyfully relish the unique flavours of beautiful young coconuts all day long, either bought off the streets from vendors for a reasonable fare, or picked off their own trees by their very own hands. With home grown coconuts come a certain satisfaction in slurping down the juice of a coconut straight from your own yard.
As a child, I grew off coconut juice as if it was the elixir of happiness. I slurped it down, inhaled it's sickly sweet flavour and indulged in its beautifully white flesh. We cooked with ripe coconut flakes and used it in all of our dishes - puddus, varrais and sweets and things. I used the empty shells as bowls to. We played with empty coconut shells in our front yard and used them to collect various miscellaneous things. </div>
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But then we left Sri Lanka and it was quite some time before I tasted the subtle, sweet flavours of coconut juice again, when I went back to Sri Lanka for a holiday.
I almost cried yesterday, when there, nestled in amongst ripe bananas and weird and wonderful exotic fruits, lay a bunch of beautiful, young, green coconuts whose shells shone like the beautiful memory of my great grandfather's glistening bold spot. Hehe</div>
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http://globalbhasin.blogspot.com.au/p/daily-life-around-world.html </div>
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(This website has amazing photo's from all around the world, celebrating the diversity of our world; its cultures and lifestyles, people and food.)</div>
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Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-42375859446866379922014-06-01T05:00:00.002-07:002014-06-03T00:34:36.018-07:00Tomato pomegranate salad with avocado mint dressingWeekends are my favourites because it is literally the only chance I get to cook, or rather, throw-things- together-that-are-edible.<br />
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I'm taking a very interesting fitness/health elective an I'm absolutely loving it. We're learning so much about training techniques, the systems of our body and of course nutrition. We just recently had a lesson on food combining and I have been putting it to practise. I encourage you all to search it up because it's theory is very interesting.<br />
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The basic theory is that different kinds of food digest in different ways. The mistake we make in our everyday diet is mixing together too many different kinds of foods all in one go and they end up reacting very badly in our stomachs, which is probably why lots of us experience bloating, indigestion and all sorts of other tummy problems. I am warning you, it is not an easy feat because we are so used to eating a specific way, but lots of people do feel a whole lot better eating this way<br />
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Our assignment for this week was to go home and make something which was<br />
1) gluten-free<br />
2) refined sugar free<br />
3) as healthy as can be<br />
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I went online and researched a little and went on Ottolenghi.com (which is a fantastic website might I add) and was inspired by a beautiful pomegranate and tomato salad. Not all of the ingredients were on offer at my veggie market so I adapted it a little and made my own dressing. Click <a href="http://www.ottolenghi.co.uk/recipes/tomato-and-pomegranate-salad-shop" target="_blank">here</a> for the original recipe. However, it used pomegranate molasses, which must add a whole new dimension to the salad, but unfortunately, I don't just stock up on pomegranate molasses.<br />
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Tomato pomegranate salad with avocado mint dressing<br />
<span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><b> Ingredients </b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><b>(salad):</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">200gm cherry tomatoes diced</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">200 gm yellow cherry tomato</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">200 gm plum tomato</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">4 medium vine tomatoes</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">1 red pepper</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">1 small red onion</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">1 cup chickpeas</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">2 pomegranates</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">parsley </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">1 cup</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><b>(dressing)</b>: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">1/2 an avocado</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">juice of 1 lemon</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">2 tbsp olive oil</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">1 tsp cayenne pepper </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">1 tsp ground coriander</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">2 medjool dates</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">small clove garlic</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">small handful mint </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">salt</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Method: </b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">1)dice all the tomatoes, onions and red pepper </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">2) chop parsley finely and add to a bowl with all the diced veggies and pomegranate along with the chickpeas </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">3) in a blender add all the ingredients for the dressing and salt to your taste and blend until well combined </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">4) Add salt to taste</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">5) serve together with dressing or with dressing on the side </span><br />
<br />Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-53320396336838576472014-05-17T21:48:00.000-07:002014-05-17T21:48:34.067-07:00Papaya, persimon, aavocado, capsicum and other stuff smoothie bowl!Hey guys! Few! The last few weeks have been very hectic but I have survived. It was just one of those weeks where I wasn't listening to my body and as a result, it took revenge on me, bombarding me with headaches, fatigue, back aches, leg aches, morning sniffles and breakouts. Je ne sommes pas dans mon assiette. I hope that French reference was correct haha. But one good thing is that with all my tests and assignments handed in for now, I can relax this weekend, something I haven't been able to do in a long time.<br />
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After a very good nights sleep, I woke up feeling amazing! That pesky little head ache that hung around for the entire week had disappeared and I felt good so I decided to celebrate with a smoothie bowl.<br />
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It is a little unusual but I needed a way to use up all that exotic fruit that my mum had brought in this week. The capsicum and ginger add in just the right amount of heat for a cold morning, and the papaya and persimmon added in the colour for autumns, and the cilantro and mint added in the perfect freshness. And of course, the Pepitas, flax seeds and walnuts added in the boost of iron that my body was craving the entire week as well as a good crunch.<br />
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<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<b>smoothie:</b><br />
1 cup papaya<br />
half a red capsicum<br />
half and avocado<br />
a handful of cilantro<br />
1 persimmon<br />
1 teaspoon ginger<br />
3-4 leaves of mint<br />
1 teaspoon flax seeds<br />
<b>Topping:</b><br />
1 handful pepitas<br />
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crushed walnuts<br />
macadamia<br />
Acai Berry powder<br />
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<b>Method</b><br />
1. Blend all the ingredients for the smoothie together<br />
2. Pour the mixture into a bowl and top with any of your favourite toppings :)<br />
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<br />Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-47577427670638417632014-05-07T00:35:00.003-07:002014-05-07T00:36:08.887-07:00Relay For LifeOh wow, I have so much to write about!<br />
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Last Saturday, my friends and I participated in the Cancer Council's Relay For Life. In teams, families and friends get together, set up tents and relay (walking/running) in shifts of 3 hours all around where ever the event is taking place (which varies from region to region) for a total of 24 hours. It was so wonderful to see so many people from the community taking part in this event in order to raise awareness of cancer and it's troubles, raise money for prospective research and new innovations that might in the future lead to a cure for cancer, and share their hope for a cancer free future. The event was very moving, with dozens of families sharing stories of survivors, battlers, and lost loved ones who had fought so hard against cancer. </div>
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When the sun started to set, the "Hope" bags came out. These were brown paper bags with the words "Hope" written across them as well as messages for lost loved ones. Even in the middle of the night, when the sun had set, and the generators had unfortunately broken down, these Hope bags burned through the night. </div>
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I managed to receive 2 shifts in a row, so my friend and I were walking continuously for 6 hours straight, with the longest time we spent on our bums being approximately 10 minutes. The wind bit hard, and the cold soon crept in but we did it. We walked 7 hours in total, and each hour we walked 5 km so all up, we walked 35 km plus a little bit extra. YAY. I am so extremely proud of us, and we are still waiting for the donations and sponsorships to roll in, and I will tell you all exactly how much we raised very soon. </div>
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All in all, it was an absolutely wonderful experience. There were performances all night long, Zumba lessons, candle lighting, massage tents, hot food, speeches, songs, dancing, laughter and so much more. I am definitely participating next year and I encourage all of you to get onto the official Relay For Life website <a href="http://www.relayforlife.org.au/" target="_blank">here</a> and find out where your next nearest relay is occurring. Thank you all very much</div>
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Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-16138890115884632362014-04-20T23:43:00.002-07:002014-08-04T21:17:40.493-07:00Beetroot SoupWhile the rest of the world enjoys their first few moments with dearest Spring, we on the other side of the world are prepped for Autumn. There are only a few ways for beat the chills and one of my favourite involves the use of my taste buds. Food! Did you know that the process of eating is one of the very few activities where we use all our five senses? Tasting, feeling, seeing, smelling and I guess even hearing. Anyway, what better food for the chills than a huge bowl of warm soup?<br />
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My mum often uses beetroots in her smoothies but today I decided to make a beetroot base soup with carrot and ginger.<br />
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Ginger goes well with a lot of roots, especially when making raw soups in our Vitamix blender so I decided to see how it went with beetroot. And I was right! The soup tasted surprisingly amazing! My friend also told me to try adding the zest of some oranges and it did just the trick.<br />
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<b>Beetroot soup (raw blend Vitamix)</b><br />
for more raw blend vitamix recipes visit: <a href="http://www.rawblend.com.au/explore-recipes.html" target="_blank">http://www.rawblend.com.au/explore-recipes.html</a><br />
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<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
2 whole beetroots<br />
2 carrots<br />
2 small tomatoes<br />
1/4 capsicum<br />
2 spring onion stalks (onion for the normal method)<br />
half a garlic<br />
1 tablespoon pepper<br />
1 tablespoon salt<br />
1 table spoon apple cider vinegar<br />
half a green apple<br />
1 table spoon ginger<br />
juice of one lemon<br />
1 teaspoon orange zest<br />
3 cups water or vegetable stock<br />
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<b><br /></b><b>Normal Method</b></div>
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<ol>
<li>roughly chop beetroot, carrots, tomato and capsicum and place in a pot with salt and water or vegetable stock and bring to boil</li>
<li>Meanwhile, chop the onion, garlic and ginger</li>
<li>on low heat add a table spoon of vegetable or coconut oil and add the onion. </li>
<li>Temper the onion for about 5 minutes then add the garlic, ginger, and orange zest and cook, stirring now and then to prevent the ingredients sticking to the pan and burning, until onions are soft.</li>
<li>add the boiled veggies and the stock and the apple cider vinegar and simmer for around 10 minutes or until the vegetable are just soft enough to process through your blender.</li>
<li><span style="text-align: center;">turn the stove off and let it cool, then transfer to a blender and puree with the apples in batches until mixture is smooth.</span> </li>
</ol>
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<b>Vitamix method</b><br />
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<ol>
<li>roughly chop the beetroot, carrots, tomato and capsicum and put it into the blender along with the spring onion, garlic, pepper, salt, ginger, orange zest, apple cider vinegar and vegetable stock or water.</li>
<li>Turn the Vitamix on and starting from the lowest number turn the dial slowly all the way to the maximum set and then switch the second switch to "high". </li>
<li>leave the blender on for around 2 minutes and then add the apple and lemon. </li>
<li>Blend for a further minute or until steam starts escaping from the jug. </li>
<li>Turn the blender off and serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt. </li>
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Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-32305819476631626002014-04-12T17:17:00.001-07:002014-04-12T17:17:18.873-07:00Things to do in Winter. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Winter is beginning to settle over us now. It's actually just the start of autumn, but I can feel winter's foreboding presence. It's drifting over us, slowly yet steadily, waiting to completely cover our little heads with its blanket of dark rolling grey clouds while we rush through daily life blissfully unaware of it until bam! Rain, torrent, hail, cold nights, purple toes and forever wet shoe souls. Voila! Before you know it, autumn has passed and winter moves in like the obnoxious older brother that it is.<br />
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I never used to like winter very much. It always made me feel as if I was constantly wrapped in a large cold, soggy, wet blanket. However, with the recent breakthrough that I have had with myself, I'm beginning to break through those gloomy patches of negativity and starting to look at things in a different light. I have learnt that there are certain recreational activities and leisurely pastimes that have been cultivated specifically for the cosy, chilled temperament of wintertime.<br />
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Things to do during winter:<br />
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1. Eat hearty, homey foods. During the season of downheartedness, and feelings of utter desolation, we come to appreciate the foods that somehow seem to pat our stomachs from the insides, almost as if they were saying "there, there, it's alright!". Thank god for Chilli and pumpkin soup eh?<br />
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2. Wrap yourself in the warmest blankets and have a day in. Read a book, watch tv, eat food, write and look through old photo albums.<br />
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3. Clean out your fireplace and have a girls night in. Roast some corn, toast some whole meal bread and some cinnamon apples on top to some of your favorite songs.<br />
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4. Shop for socks! I have fallen I love with socks. I really have. Whether it's for the cold weather or as a funky accessory, socks are now a girl's best friend.<br />
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5. Photograph!! The work looks so much more beautiful through a camera lens. Brighten and beautify your world by taking heaps of photos of the world around you. Flowers, leaves, bark, tree trunks, insects, and animals all look so fresh during winter. Some of my photos, I GOT A NEW CAMERA!!!! Canon EOS 600D. Yay:<br />
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6. Discover new warm beverages. Stop with the coffee for a while and try something different. Maybe a heart warming cup of chai, or ginger lemon tea, or English Breakfast, or an earl grey. Try something herbal like chamomile or fix something up yourself because there are literally hundreds of easy recipes out there. I found this delicious cup of Pear and Cinnamon Almond Milk Recipe by <a href="http://lindawagner.net/blog/2011/09/almond-milk-recipe-2" target="_blank">LindaWagner</a>. It's absolutely delicious.<br />
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7. Find your happy place. Go for a little walk about in and around your city in search of that perfect place to sit down and have a good read. Maybe a nice, sheltered park bench, a cute book store or a warm cafe with a bubbly atmosphere will be your little "me space". Use this space to think, drink warm beverages, (mine will definitely be a small, soy chai tea), and read your favorite book/magazine/newspaper or write something brilliant or draw a masterpiece.<br />
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Maybe you all already do this and I'm just a tad delay now have I wakened to this whole new "wintertime culture" of warm drinks, cosy blankets and hot food. But now I actually can't wait to get started on these things. Socks, hot cup of chai and blankets here I come!<br />
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Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-53376155277871905882014-04-08T20:53:00.003-07:002014-04-08T22:37:15.992-07:00Wedding and whatnots: a walk through cultural traditional attire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This weekend I attended one of my very first weddings which made my Saturday quite an event. I've never really been to a wedding before, whether it be Hindu or Catholic or any other, so you could imagine just how excited I was. Growing up in a predominantly western society, I've always grown up watching English movies, and stories that revolved around the huge white wedding dress, bridesmaids and the "I do's". Never being the one to watch Tamil or Hindi movies all that much also contributed to the factor that I didn't have much of an idea about traditional Hindu weddings. I had <i>an</i> idea, just not much of one. I knew all about the beautiful sarees, the flowers, the food throwing(part of the rituals), the weird hat wearing, the music and the dancing. But I was completely clueless about certain other things.<br />
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For example, what on earth is one supposed to wear? Isn't it just so damn annoying that there is such a fine line between aspects of social norms? I find it so hard to differentiate formal, semi formal and semi casual attire and what event to associate with which. And of course, social convention is always made just that much harder when you have to deal with tonnes of sequined material, pleats, shawls and head jewelry.<br />
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As a 15 year old Sri Lanka, I am in possession of a number of half-sarees (full saree's are meant to be worn by those who are slightly older), but they weren't "grand" enough. So amma and I went hunting through our suitcases for an appropriate traditional outfit and under a pile of amma's old sari blouses we found the one and only lehenga choli in my possession.<br />
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Trust me, before that day, I had no idea what a lehenga choli was! But I found out soon enough. It was heavy, obtrusive and took a whole hour to wear. But I must admit that sarees, cholies and other traditional garments all seem to have a sort of charm about them. You forget all about your abhorrence towards them as soon as you take a good look in the mirror. Maybe the sari maker wove in some sense and sensibility into your skirt, alongside silver threads and golden beads, or maybe it's the way that I am forced to hold myself in an entirely different manner. One must walk a little taller, a little slower and hold one's head a little higher when wearing a ton of sequined, sparkly material. (Women are restricted and forced to behave in particular ways through so many different methods, including the garments that they wear!). Sorry, I'm getting side tracked. The thing is, I have always felt a heightened maturity and such a strong sense of pride and cultural identity when I step out of the house in a saree, or choli or any other traditional garment. In the most comfortable shoes might I add, because let be honest, no one can see your shoes when your wearing such a long skirt. In fact, the bride was wearing flip flops under her sari and all I say to that is, well done woman, well done!<br />
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I recently asked a few people what the first thing that comes into their minds when they think of Hindu festivals was. And would you believe it, they all said sarees! So let me tell you a little bit about what I know. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://images.cbazaar.com/images/Mustard-And-Maroon-Pure-Silk-Half-Saree-HSABPSM1247-u.jpg" height="200" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="145" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> A half saree, like the one above, is worn by young teenage girls who are around 10-18 years old. Unlike a full sari which usually comes with just a single long piece of material that is to be wrapped all the way around the body, a half sari comes with a skirt. The wrapping material, (called a dhavani), is shorter that the material used for a full sari because it doesn't need to be wrapped all the way around the waist and pleated. For a haf saree, the material is just tucked into the front of the skirt, taken around the back and brought around the chest and over the shoulders. Young girls wear half sarees to Indian, Sri Lankan music concerts, dance programs, formal birthday parties and other such cultural events. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlz0iivSJey83lQ9lBQrLUcyOuE8lITP4ETUkUOGVmLD8AkTVKIO66MXEPtWPTqeUaSSG6cz27kEQyPMy3YeJEaJrTI9m6_6Y8HvM3Fw0wAdFpbBstngTWnITpTDbCZ77bE_h2ZDlrXg/s320/Bridal-Party-Wear-Sarees-Collection-2013_www.joshpk.com_011.jpg" height="200" style="cursor: move; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="133" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a full sari. It consists of one long piece of draping material, an underskirt (not to be seen from the outside), and a blouse. The material is to be pleated at the front, and tucked into the underskirt just below your belly button, then wrapped all the way around your body, across your chest, and over your shoulders. You can either pin the material at your shoulders or leave it hanging down and draped across your arm, like the woman in the image above. Women usually wear sarees to almost all traditional or cultural gathering. For a traditional formal events such as weddings,wear a sari with more sequins and glitter. If it sparkles enough, you are all good. Try going for Twilight vampires in the sun. If you are slightly older, wear a nice silk saree, also known as a Puttu saree. For less formal events, wear something a bit less glittery and slightly more fun. Try going for Twilight vampires, <i>half</i> in the sun.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4qwXtB96a5fS6SU2F-3PrCjvgH_xTtjaUfacF0O4tfbISeb7wcmnst7GT7Q24V_KMJAO0Gu-4HPTQcBMrL3bbNA15jfzJnp-1kG4QDbzdLTR3E0MKRei9e_fqsWcBpWB9l7-ueBbM72k/s1600/Silk+Sari.5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4qwXtB96a5fS6SU2F-3PrCjvgH_xTtjaUfacF0O4tfbISeb7wcmnst7GT7Q24V_KMJAO0Gu-4HPTQcBMrL3bbNA15jfzJnp-1kG4QDbzdLTR3E0MKRei9e_fqsWcBpWB9l7-ueBbM72k/s200/Silk+Sari.5.jpg" height="200" width="154" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puttu Sari</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQkxw8uJCAom_WJ3W0MsqH6hFoiXh2EekHaePUM0ei_E56PneVR6QnIbPevPGOoxThzEpls1KVsr8QxMgquaI858VZcPvs9sstnJSYl_e80N6DmBd4m8QFd4bbkuLw55UOQJnliwi3bS-/s1600/Wedding-Lehenga-Choli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Wedding-Lehenga-Choli" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQkxw8uJCAom_WJ3W0MsqH6hFoiXh2EekHaePUM0ei_E56PneVR6QnIbPevPGOoxThzEpls1KVsr8QxMgquaI858VZcPvs9sstnJSYl_e80N6DmBd4m8QFd4bbkuLw55UOQJnliwi3bS-/s320/Wedding-Lehenga-Choli.jpg" height="200" width="134" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a lehenga choli. Now, I had no idea what this was until very recently due to the fact that Sri Lankan Hindus don't usually wear Lehenga Cholies. When we do, we wear them to weddings and receptions. They are almost like a half saree, except the shawl can be worn in any way. It can be draped across the front, left to dangle over a single shoulder, or draped around both shoulders and held in<br />
each arm. Below are the different Choli styles.<br />
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<img 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" /><br />
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" 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Well that's all I know. That's all I'll tell. That's all you'll hear. I hope you found some of that interesting and useful. Even if it wasn't, well at least you learnt something new today :) </div>
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Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-47312640515513535582014-03-31T00:35:00.003-07:002014-03-31T00:35:34.921-07:00Top Of the Town OrganicsOkey dokes. Guess what everyone? I had my very first Legal Studies SAC this week! A SAC, for those of you who do not know, is like a unit test for the subjects that you take for your CE. I am still trying to understand the nature of Legal Studies and it's exams and assessments. I feel like I've boarded a massive learning curve to try and figure out the whole system and how best to prepare for it, especially being a year 10 taking on a year 11 subject. I was being such a stress and I guess it's in my nature, but I'm going to have to change that if I am to survive years 11 and 12. I guess it's all about preparation. But how best to prepare is my biggest question. I really hope I didn't completely flop the test though...<br />
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After a whole week of hard work, staying up late, marathon writing sessions and all, I decided not to do anything at all school related for the whole weekend. That didn't end up working because I realised I was behind on my maths homework, and I hadn't touched my French book in a week. Oh wells. But, what I did end up doing was catching up on all the things I wanted to do, including heading down to an organic food shop that I had always wanted to check out.<br />
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Organic food stores are popping up all over the place here in Melbourne. I think it's great that there is such a large network of people who are so interested in providing real, wholesome, local and organic produce here in order to spread the "real food" revolution. Let me tell you, it's spreading like wildfire and people are catching on fast!</div>
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I've never been to an organic food shop only markets and such so I made appa take me to the closest to us, Top Of The Town Organics. The store wasn't very well organised but I think that added to the excitement of this new experience. I find a sort of satisfaction from rummaging around and digging up all sorts of brilliant things. Hemp cream, activated nuts, boxes and boxes of organic tea, coconut butter, frozen cashew ice cream hmmmm..., not to mention the veggies. They were so beautiful and shiny and massive! I don't think I've ever seen garlic with such purple skin before! (Yes, ladies and gentlemen, garlic is supposed to have a sort of purple/white skin, not completely white because that means it's gone through a bleaching process). Going with appa was a bit of a mistake. He's really sceptical about organics and kept questioning the poor lady about whether her shop was "certified" or not. I just felt like hitting him across the head with the nearest zucchini. I refrained, don't worry, but only because I didn't think that such large, green, shiny zucchini deserve to be used as a weapon.</div>
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I bought a small packet of Himalayan salt, raw almonds, a large box of blueberries, kale, spring onion and exactly five large medjool dates. On the spur of the moment, after hearing the price, I only decided to buy five dates but it was only when I arrived home and ate one did I realise that I was an idiot for not buying the whole box! They were so juicy and absolutely succulent. I have a MASSIVE soft spot for dates, to the point where I don't even think it's normal. Same goes for the blueberries. Appa and I ate half the box in the car, and it was such a large box too! They blueberries looks so cute and pretty, all covered in tiny flakes of ice, cosied up next to each other, I just wanted to eat them all up!</div>
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I really want to go back there again, (and buy the whole box of dates) and try some of the other cool things I saw, like that cashew ice cream, and the huge zucchini that I saw, and perhaps I will go around during the holidays and visit some of the other food stores near my place. </div>
Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-15618618168156544892014-03-18T02:10:00.000-07:002014-03-18T02:10:19.513-07:00The Opressed Majority<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I recently came across a very interesting French short film, The Oppressed Majority created by director Elenore Pourriat. The film features a middle aged man Pierre, father to a young child and husband, and his struggles as a male in a world where females are the ones who hold the dominant power. Pierre lives in a world of jogging, bare chested women, highly ranked female police officers, Muslim men who must shave and wear head scarves, male child care workers, a world where masculism is now an actual thing! In Pierre's world, the roles in society are reversed where it is now the average male experiencing the things that we, as women have experienced ever since the very beginning of well - "<i>man</i>kind".<br />
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We see Pierre taking his child off to a child minder, a task usually performed by a female in our society. As Pierre approaches the door of the nursery, he is greeted by a Muslim man wearing a head scarf. Pierre comments on the man's new head gear and the way that he has been made to shave his facial hair. "Be a man!" Pierre exclaims. It was quiet fascinating, hearing the thought of a man <i>needing </i>to take charge of his manhood, in the way that we as women tell each other to make use of our own Independence, in such seriousness. A man is hardly ever encouraged to take charge of his manhood. Male dominance in today's society is generally asserted. </div>
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However, the next bit was quite interesting, and if you do not look for it, it's quite easy to miss. As Pierre rides back home, the camera pans in such a way that it accentuates his figure. It pans down his legs as he pedals, and the whole scene is in slow motion, expressing his sexuality. Now, if Pierre was a woman, this whole scene would have felt normal. In fact, I hardly think I would have noticed what the director did. But as Pierre was a male, something about the scene seemed odd and quite offensive.</div>
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I think, taking the issue of sexism, and using a film camera to capture the irony is a genius idea, as it expressed the theme of voyeurism quite well. </div>
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For those of you who do not know, voyeurism comes from the French word "voyeur" which means "one who looks". Voyeurism is when someone gains sexual pleasure from watching intimate sexual behaviour. In my English Lit class, we recently learnt about this theory in relation to feminism. In general society, a man is the active subject, or the one doing an action, such as looking, and a female almost always plays a passive role. She is to be looked at. A man does the looking, whereas the women does the "being". The camera lens can be seen as the male eye. When we watch a movie, the filmography is almost always going to view things from the male perspective. The next time you watch a film, try to notice the way that a woman's face is usually framed with her bust, and a males face, quite plainly shoved into our faces, without the romantics that the woman's face has. </div>
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Elenore Pouriat played with this concept by reversing the role of a camera lens. Accentuating Pierre's neck, his legs as he rides, and the little bit of bare chest that can be seen as he takes of the top button of his shirt, in the way that a woman may pull down her shirt, or hike up her skirt. </div>
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So in the film, Pierre is sexually assaulted by a group of vulgar, violent women. He is then taken to a police station where he is questioned by a female officer, and taken to hospital where he meets his wife, who simply just "couldn't make out if work". Now where have we heard that before?</div>
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The film ends with he wife callously stating that it was all his fault. What with those corduroy pants!? Like...no wonder you got raped bro. Undone top shirt button! Ergh! You were just asking for it weren't you? We then see her walking into the dark empty street by herself without a care in the world, with poor Pierre left on his own. A male seen in a state of vulnerability, and women seen with self assured confidence and asserted power. The subtle things that we, only as women notice in our daily life stand out so much more in this film. As the roles are reversed, our brain is made to shift from its automatic state of "oh I'm so used to this that I'm just going to ignore it" to - "hang on, something is not right".</div>
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Elenore Pouriat is a genius. A true genius. At times I found myself smirking at the irony, the wife's callous disregard for Pierre's well being, the ignorance, the sexual abuse. The film really makes us think, it really makes us realise that this society in in a dire need for change. </div>
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Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-90242711607563326692014-03-14T00:01:00.002-07:002014-03-14T00:01:34.667-07:00The Music of PeopleA person's taste in music is quite a fascinating thing. A person's playlist is a small little link as to what goes on inside them. But another fascinating thing is the fact that I don't like showing just anyone my music. I hate, detest, despise, showing people my playlists. I think it stems from the fact that I get very emotional about my songs and why I like them or why I don't like specific other songs. I have my own sort of utopian world stored up in gigs on my phone and on my computer. At times, it's difficult for me to come to terms with somebody entering it, seeing it, judging it and commenting on something that is very well my own. Well, I'm sure Alice didn't want anyone discovering <i>her</i> own little Wonderland! Mary hardly wanted anyone to find <i>her</i> Secret Garden. I know its a bit petty of me but I just can't help it.<br />
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I know that we all have our own tastes in virtually everything. Pie, scarves, shoes, painting, photography, music. They are all things that can be categorised by taste into tiny subsets of a whole. There are several reasons why we listen to a particular piece of music, why raspberry pie tastes better the blueberry pie, why Plimsolls are more comfortable than Doc Martens. Why we listen to a particular song is something that depends on a type of person. A whole variety of factors play into why a particular song stands out to me. I know of others who listen to the song because of the drums, or the guitars, or the synths or the particular producer of a song. Our taste in music is like the wide array of colours on an artist's pallet. And just the same, perhaps it's only a tiny difference in pigmentation that makes the colour stand out from the rest.<br />
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But because we listen to music for our emotional wellbeing, it's easy to see why we are all so emotional and so defensive about the songs we listen to. Well, actually maybe it's just me. When someone asks me "what type of music do you listen to?" I have never, ever, at any stage of being asked that question, told them what specific genre I listen to. I merely say "Pffft, good songs!" I also have a habit of never ever playing my music at parties, or showing them to anybody else unless they have shown me theirs first. I'll show you mine if you show me yours!<br />
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Music is a beautiful thing. A song is an artwork. We often overlook the "art" in it by calling it an "arrangement" or a piece of "work". Music of today is rarely expressed as an artwork. But it is. And I should be celebrating the artwork shouldn't I? I should be sharing my music, letting other people know that that the sounds that I listen to exist! I guess, instead of looking at it as ones own secret, I should look at it like an attribute to myself. From now on, I'm going to try and wear it like a badge, a proud identity.Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-9334276699505167512014-03-06T23:12:00.002-08:002014-03-12T15:20:20.326-07:00Children and the Oh-so-powerful force of Nature<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A fresh drop of cold water lands on the soft, supple, unmarked palms of her hands, and trickles down, tracing a fresh wet path down and around her wrists.</div>
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She giggles.</div>
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She then wraps her cold, plump fingers around mine and guides the edges of my chipped, dirty nails along the window pane. I smile at her childish wonder. The furrowing of her dark, softly shaped eyebrows as she experiences this wholly new wonder, gives a slight lift to my own grin. How can we, as grown children, grow bored of something that this child finds so mesmerising? She is lost within this world of discovery, feeling the gentle tickle of a raindrop as it falls through her fingers, smelling the sickly sweet air as it rains.</div>
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She pauses for a few minutes, simply observing the light drizzle and the way it blurs the surroundings. I think to myself, "ahh, she is finally bored". But no. Unlike us, she does not wait for something to happen. She makes it happen.</div>
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She jumps. She jumps from the top step of our porch into the puddle below, squealing with extraordinary delight as the water sprays in every direction. Startled, I catch myself trying to run after my sister so that I could bring her back under the shelter of our porch roof. But I don't. And I'm glad I didn't. Instead I watch her from a distance. Though I am shivering in my pj's, feeling tired and muggy, dying to get back to my homework, I am still mesmerised by the childish joy that was taking place before me.</div>
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Now why didn't I go out into the rain and bring my sister back? Why didn't I take her in and dry her off so that she wouldn't get sick? Why did resist the primal urge to bring her back?</div>
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Because the play, the exploration, the joy, are all part of a child's curious nature. Young children are at the very early stages of their life and there is just so much for them to learn. They feel things so they can lean. They smell things so that they can learn. They see colours and taste flavours that will in turn, allow them to gain more of an understand about the world around us. To learn. And where best to lean? Nature. </div>
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In such a technologically advanced society, we often forget the benefits that a connection with nature has with children. While many children are plomped in front of a television, or made to play on the Ipad, or with store bought toys, there are other children who are placed in a far more stimulating environment. The natural environment increases physical activity, cognition, engagement and creative play. Experiences such as these; the rain, the soil, the snow, the sun, the exploration of the world around us, moulds a child's brain. It creates links and bridges, and patterns within their minds and in turn, motor skills, social skills, emotional awareness and so many other skills that are vital to a child's development. </div>
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So there. My sister was wearing a raincoat and warm clothes. She was safe within the walls of our fence and so I had no worry. Her childish enjoyment was so amusing, I just couldn't stop her. My mum, as a social worker, had always enforced these concepts to me. Even now, it stills pains me to see a kid being yelled at for rolling in the dirt, or for having messy hair, or for staying out in the rain. It's all part of their daily experiences that help them learn more and more about the world around them. And most importantly, they are learning for themselves rather than having information shoved down their tiny throats. So please, next time your kid, your sister your brother, ends up coming back into the house with dirt on their shirts and hands covered in grass stains, just say "Well done! That's the muddiest I've ever seen you!" <i>before</i> you tell them not to get the tiles dirty. </div>
Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-79765083732931154382014-03-01T13:02:00.001-08:002014-03-04T01:00:48.713-08:00Self efficacyI'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm so a million times sorry!!!! Ergh I know, there are absolutely no excuses when it comes to keeping up with your blog. That's why I'm not even going to try to tell you the billion excuses that are popping up in my head. I have failed my goals, and let myself down, and as a result I've let my readers down.<br />
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So these are the situations that you are faced with in life. There are going to be moments where you may feel like you have not followed through or succeeded in any way. I feel that way. And this feeling is often a billion times worse because you often feel as if you could have done something about it. There were actions that you could have taken in order to succeed. Maybe you could've gotten up off your backside and actually started revising for that test. Maybe you could have just slipped on your running shoes and gone for that jog anyway, even <i>if </i>it was 40 degrees outside. Maybe I could have just opened up a new tab and started writing a new post.<br />
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But really, there is no point in dwindling on the failures of the past, or what you think are failures, because those negative thoughts are going to get you nowhere my friends. Instead, dwindle on the success of the past. Look back at the times when you were at your peak. What were you doing then? What can you do to get back into form?There is no one better than yourself when it comes to setting a positive example for your future success.<br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Self efficac</span>y. In fact it's a word that I learnt just this week. It is one's believe in one's own ability to succeed. People who find other options to exercise when it's too rainy for a jog have high self efficacy. People who don't eat ice cream at parties and stick to their health and have a high self efficacy. <br />
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But what do you do when you feel like your self efficacy at rock bottom? Well you think back to the moments when you did succeed and when you did do well or when you felt the most accomplished and say to yourself "we'll I did it then, so I can do it now". And you need to feel proud of yourself for at least achieving that much.<br />
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So there. I know I haven't posted in a week. But I also know that there was a time where I was posting 2 times a week even through school, exams, netball, swimming, piano, and singing. And I'm proud of myself. And I know that I will be able to do that again.<br />
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<br />Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-69770618297429066682014-02-17T02:17:00.002-08:002014-03-04T01:01:22.428-08:00Avobanana Smoothie BowlOh guess what guys? I'm so excited! Don't you just love the feeling of excitement!? That wondrous feeling you get when you seem to have found something new and interesting and extremely awesome? So what is it that I have discovered?<br />
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SMOOTHIE BOWLS!!!!<br />
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A smoothie....THATS IN A BOWL!<br />
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I think smoothie bowls are great because those of you who are on a smoothie diet may get a little tired of the ever consistent texture or the flavours that get mushed together. With a smoothie bowl, you can have the extraordinary flavours from the smoothie, plus the added textured and some bursts of flavours.<br />
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Gosh, I feel like I'm doing a T.V ad or something promotional.<br />
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Anyway, a smoothie bowl is a slightly thicker version of a smoothie so you can eat it in a bowl and sprinkle some added goodies on top, such as nuts, seeds, berries, fruits, powders,<br />
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Last night, we got back from a house party really late and our school swimming carnival was this morning. I managed to get a maximum of probably 5 hours sleep and I also forgot to wash off my mascara properly so I woke up with my eyelids sore and stuck together, further adding onto the feeling of groggy sluggishness in the morning. I needed a good, clean, healthy energy boost that would last me until mid morning. So what did I make for myself for brekkie? A SMOOTHIE BOWL!<br />
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Mum had bought some avocados after a long long time, (they're finally coming back into season here) so I decided to make and avocado, banana, kale smoothie bowl. Please be aware that for the toppings, you can actually just chuck in whatever pleases your taste. Of course not everyone has some spare Acai powder or goji berries lying around the house. Any seed, nut, dried, fresh fruit combo will do. This recipe serves 2<br />
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<b>Avobananale Smoothie Bowl</b><br />
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<b>Ingredients: </b><br />
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1 avocado<br />
2 bananas<br />
1 leaf kale<br />
a small handful of green apple or some dates (this depends on how sweet you want it to be)<br />
1/2 a lemon<br />
<b>Topping</b><br />
goji berries<br />
acai powder<br />
hazelnuts (any other sort of nut will do)<br />
chia seeds<br />
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<b>Method</b><br />
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<li>Destem the kale and pop into the blender</li>
<li>Add the banana leaving a portion for the topping, as well as the avocado into the blender with the lemon and green apple/dates</li>
<li>blend until until smooth and creamy</li>
<li>transfer into two bowls</li>
<li>slice some banana and crush some hazelnuts( or substitute) and sprinkle over</li>
<li>Add the toppings of your choice and serve</li>
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<br />Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-66509355119551527192014-02-08T13:55:00.002-08:002014-02-08T14:01:57.800-08:00Egg cake (savoury) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So today, is a weekend. A weekend where I have no homework or any lessons, or parties or get-together. So I decided to make myself breakfast. And what did I make? I made myself an omelet cake. Well at least that's what I think it's called because I wouldn't know. I came up with the name myself.<br />
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Whats even better is that protein in the morning is really good for your metabolism. The enzymes found in protein really kick start your metabolism because for protein to be converted into amino acids, and digested in your system, quite a complex conversion occurs. This means that a higher amount of energy is used, meaning more calories are burnt up.<br />
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In saying this, I don't want everybody to think "ooh I can have bacon an eggs every day for breakfast!" Don't get too excited. Protein does not mean fatty protein or oily processed cancerous stuff. What I mean is good, wholesome, adequate protein.<br />
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<b>Food with good wholesome protien:</b><br />
chickpeas<br />
lentils<br />
broad beans<br />
black beans<br />
red bean<br />
all beans and legumes :p<br />
quinoa<br />
buckwheat<br />
nuts<br />
tofu<br />
soy products<br />
eggs<br />
tempeh<br />
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Look how many there are! And the good thing is, all of them taste so good, and are so healthy for you when cooked in the right way.<br />
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It was so easy to make this recipe. Now I know that most of my recipes so far haven't had any egg or milk ( other than soy milk). So maybe for those of your out there who like egg, and do eat eggs, I hope you like this recipe.<br />
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<b>Ingredients</b></div>
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1/2 cup Capsicum</div>
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1 small onion</div>
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1/2 of an eggplant</div>
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1/2 of a zucchini</div>
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a pinch of oregano leaf</div>
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2 whole organic free range egg</div>
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<b>Method</b></div>
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<li>Preheat oven to 250 degrees</li>
<li>Finely chop all ingredients and whisk together with the egg</li>
<li>pour into small ceramic dishes. Sort of like ramekins</li>
<li>pop the dished into the oven until eggs puffy and a very light golden colour</li>
<li>rest for 5 minutes and serve </li>
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I ate my egg cake with a small side of a mix]ed beans which my mum cooked together in the pressure cooker. This recipe serves 2</div>
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<br />Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-66344602880225584942014-02-04T21:13:00.001-08:002014-03-04T01:06:45.032-08:00THE UNIVERSE!Space. Dark, unknown, formidable and devoid of all the things that we take comfort in. For example, breathable air,cute fluffy toys, music, edible food, boy bands, snuggies, warm soup. You get the idea. I mean, did you know that all stars, planets and other thingumabobs seen out there today by telescopes, only make up 4 percent of the universe? The other 96% is Dark Matter. And I'm not sure about you, but when I think of the word "dark", synonyms often include "dreary, foreboding, bleak, evil, mysterious". All of those words send shivers up my spine. But do you know whats the most unsettling thing about the Universe? Have you ever asked yourselves "where does it all end?". Have you ever really tried to consider the boundaries of the Universe?<br />
<a href="http://www.sentintospace.com/img/background-space.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.sentintospace.com/img/background-space.jpg" height="257" width="640" /></a><br />
Now I'm sure astronomers find the thought of there being no end to Space quite assuring. A scientist would never fear the thought of their job running dry, because there is just so much to find, so much to see, so much to do with the universe in the short period of their minusculous lives. However, unlike scientists, I find this idea utterly confusing. It is like trying to get your brain around one of those brain teasers that never really have a proper answer. Trying to imagine a thing that has no end, no boundaries no fence, confuzzles my brain beyond the point of utter confuzzlement.<br />
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I think it may stem from the fact that all my life, I've always had boundaries in place, both physically and mentally. Other than this, I've never been presented with anything that does not have an end, or at least a single threshold. My bedroom has always had a wall, my house has always had a fence. The state that I live in has both political, and geographical boundaries. Australia itself is surrounded by a mass of water. If we want to take it further, we can say that we live on earth, which is part of the Milky Way, which is part of something else and something else,...but then what? There is just nothingness. Or in other words "dark matter", or just unexplored places. It goes on forever, and ever, and ever. There is nothing beyond that point. Because my mind has never really been confronted with such a thought before in it's short little life, it's just such a hard thing for me to come to terms with!<br />
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Another thing that scares me is, what if you get lost out there!? It is so far away from civilisation. I could never ever be an Astronaut. I would constantly be paranoid about there being a " Huston, I think we have a problem" scenario. There is just such a thin tiny invisible electromagnetic connection with an Astronaut and the Earth. What if something goes wrong and than connection is gone! I'm sure with the technology we have now, someone would come to get us sooner or later, but just imagine the panic you would have to endure! All by your lonesome, out there, somehwere. Oh gosh. This is quite depressing. I promise, I'm not usually like this. I will stop now. The thing is, I am scared of space. There. I said it.<br />
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There is and unusual piece of insight for you. Perhaps I just confuzzled something that didn't ever confuzzle for you in the first place. I just wanted to see if any of you have felt the same way. Or maybe it's just me being my weird self again.<br />
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<br />Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-69241986658778699362014-01-31T18:02:00.000-08:002014-03-04T01:09:28.714-08:00Women In Madness: A walk through high school Literature<span style="text-align: justify;">Okey Dokes. So school has officially started. During the last week of the holidays, I finally found myself wanting to get back to school. Surprise surprise. I thought that I had developed a distinct aversion to school and that wouldn't have been good because I still have a whole 3 years of schooling left. What would happen if I had a chip on my shoulder about it for the whole time? So I ended up really enjoying the so called "first day back" instead of crying for mummy. I love my new electives and my new teachers are a lot better than they were last year. But I seem to have found a love for a particular English subject.</span><br />
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My electives are brilliant! Aside from the fact that maths has already started to do my head in, I am in love with my new electives! I'm doing a literature subject called "Women in Madness". It focuses on literature pieces written by women during the last few centuries and the culture that really shaped that sort of literature. I've only recently started reading what they call "The Classics", and I'll admit that it is a challenge getting used to that sort of language. I do find myself having read a whole page, and then realised that I didn't understand a word of it. But I do love the stories, or at least, from what I've heard about them I do. Even the stories behind the stories, the disadvantages that these powerful female writers had struggled through, the gender divided society that shaped the their stories and in turn moulded the world of literature today. </div>
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Did you know, Charlotte Bronte, the author of Jane Eyre, and her sister, like several other female writers of their time, published their works under pseudonyms due to the gender discrimination that ruled during their time? I mean, who in their right minds, during the mid 1800'ds would have thought that the popular "Jane Eyre" written by Currer Bell was in fact written by a struggling female writer? They would have said "Poppy Cocks! A female writer behind our 'Jane Eyre'! Who would have heard of such a thing!" </div>
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I also think it was a really good idea for my teacher to start off with "The Rear Window" 1954 by Alfred Hitchcock starring the one and only Grace Kelly. Oh, She's...oh there are no words. I mean, even Princess Diana strove to be like her! Well they did die in the same tragic way. Car crashes are such a tragedy. </div>
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She is so beautiful. And her acting! My god! She is an amazing actress! My friend caught me out yesterday for unconsciously mirroring her tragic facade. Unfortunately, I have a tragic eyebrow that always ends up slightly higher than the other. It also twitches uncontrollable when asked to perform the most easiest of all tasks: Copying Grace Kelly's heart-rending expression. </div>
Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-39146865389568334352014-01-28T15:42:00.001-08:002014-01-28T15:42:35.862-08:00On being Australian :D <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, guess what everybody? I am now officially an Australian Citizen. We had our citizenship ceremony last weekend. Does this mean that I can now officially "put the snags on the barbie", wear cork hats, worship the "Murdoch's", and Steve Erwin. Maybe finally, I can go onto ancestry.com and find something about me. Does this mean that I really have to eat Vegemite, create an altar for our BBQ, and get to buy a kangaroo like the rest of my friends so I can finally ride it to school? :D yayayay. Should I also really invest in a few good pairs of black thongs, short shorts and singlets, oh, and do I realy have to go through the tedious paperwork to enrol for the annual women's, under 18 croc wresting VIC 2014?<br />
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BAHAHAHA bull crap. Firstly, can I say that BBQ rottie taste a whole lot better than charred, black sausages. Also, maybe the cork hats would stop me from getting those 50 shades darker when I step into the sun for 5 minutes. Secondly I am Hindu. Lord Ganesha and Sri Devi for da win! Ancestry.com has nothin on me buddy, Vegemite with butter with the specific ratio of 1:3 on toast..is acceptable. The BBQ is being well looked after, thank you very much. How else can we make tandoori chicken? Kangaroos are overrated! Why ride a kangaroo, when I can bring over our family Indian elephant from uncle Siva's place!?<br />
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I already spent a few hundred dollars on new salwars and Saree's so maybe I can make those endless pieces of material into a pair of shorts. I don't know if that's morally right or not. And no, unfortunately, I haven't had the years of training for croc wrestling like my fellow peers, sooo I think I just need to stick to the annual coconut pickings of Colombo 2014 all ages. Or maybe I can join Aunty Shanthi's Laddhu making club. I'm too young for Selvi aunt's marriage community as well. I'd just keep thinking that the men look like Curry* versions of the guy from Crocodile Dundee.<br />
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<img src="http://images.dpchallenge.com/images_challenge/1000-1999/1168/800/Copyrighted_Image_Reuse_Prohibited_853578.jpg" height="150" width="200" /><img src="http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l580/snowballs73/crocodile-dundee-1-600x400.jpg" height="133" width="200" /><br />
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* Curry is a name given to those of Indian, Sri Lankan or that sort of background. We use it on ourselves with utter pride however, beware, those of you who are not "Currie", then we would be ready to insult you....if cows were not sacred where we come from.<br />
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<br />Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-6994826900719459372014-01-22T17:34:00.000-08:002014-01-24T15:19:22.852-08:00Holiday BluesEEEEEEERRRGHHH. School starts next week. Do you know the worst part? Do you know what hideous thing that the teachers have done at our school? They're making us start on a FRIDAY! Who does that!? Who would even think of such a crime! I mean, after Monday and Tuesday even the calender is like "WTF?" hehe get it? Wed, Thur, Friday? BAHAHA okay that one wasn't mine, credit goes to a facebook meme.<br />
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Anyway, the point is I think I've got the end-of-holiday-blues. Now for those of you who have never experienced this, this is a feeling of utter melancholy. Where you feel like you have done absolutely everything there ever was to do in your own home, where all the tv series that you were obsessing over the last few weeks have gone stale, where all your friends are busy and you're the only one not, and where, no matter how bored you are, you simply do not want to go back to school. Ok so I'm exaggerating. But only a tad!<br />
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The end of the holidays are coming to an end. And I don't want them to. I never used to be like this! By the end of the long holidays I'm always like "hurry up and finish already!" I've always wanted to get back to school. But all that's there for me is homework and work, and class work, and work in general.<br />
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So it's time for a rain check. I'm sure it's not healthy for me to be this flustered about school so much, so I'm going to think of a few positive reasons for going back to school<br />
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<ol>
<li>I get to see my friends again!</li>
<li>I get to meet my new teachers!</li>
<li>I get to start my new electives! Theatre arts and Women and Literature! </li>
<li>I get to start going into the city again!</li>
<li>I can wear my summer uniform now which means it wil take so much less effort getting ready in the morning</li>
<li>No more ties!</li>
<li>I'll get to start my extra curricular meaning I won't be such a couch potato!</li>
<li>OMG IM GOING TO AFRICA AT THE END OF THIS YEAR * future blog post note</li>
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There, with so many exclamation marks, my eyebrows and facial muscles are already starting to hurt, buuut I do feel a bit better about going to school. Soooo yeeaaaa baby!<br />
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<br />Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-58070603713162448322014-01-16T23:00:00.000-08:002014-08-04T21:16:45.848-07:00Our New Vitamix!Remember that post where I wrote about my amma's smoothies and how I accidentally broke it? Well, my guilt is gone and all is forgotten. Why? Because we bought a VITAMIX! Yay!<br />
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So see, a Vitamix is the God of all kitchen appliances and for foodies like my family (excluding my sister. She's too fussy to be a foody) it has brought with it our calling: to make smoothies, soups, purees and butters and diced vegetables all day long. I am proud to say, that from the start of these school holidays, I have gone from a kitchen disaster, who could very well easily burn and destroy frozen foods in the microwave, to someone who can make gourmet soups and smoothies and juices in minutes. Well, not to boast or anything :P hehe. It's all thanks to this wonderful contraption. <br />
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I truly and honestly feel extremely sorry for the neighbours, who may have already purchased noise cancelling headphones this week, because for the last few days The Vitamix has been having a full time job. Breakfast: smoothie, Lunch: Almond but and beetroot jam sandwich, Dinner: soup, snack: Strawberry banana sugarless, no added sweeteners, sorbet. Yup. My life in a minute.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What went into my smoothie the first day we got the machine. You don't actually have to chop the veggies and fruits like this at all, I was just a tinsie bit sceptical about it the first time I used it. But instead of blending for 30 seconds it blended this for 10. so yea..</td></tr>
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So the benefit of this blender is that the motor is soooo powerful. You can add a whole apple, banana, celery stick, a peeled lemon, some sort of leaf, a kiwi fruit, add a cup of water and within 30 seconds voila!<br />
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So I though I could upload two of my favourite recipes because they are just sooo yummay.<br />
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<b><i><u>Sweet Potato and pumpkin pie</u></i></b><br />
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So I tried this recipe two times, one with our old blender, and one with the Vitamix. With the Vitamix you don't really have to boil the sweet potatoes or the pumpkin, but I like it better that way.<br />
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<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
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<li>1 medium sweet potato</li>
<li>1 cup of chopped pumpkin (any would do)</li>
<li>1 teaspoon Cardamon</li>
<li>1 teaspoon Cinnamon</li>
<li>1 cup Soy milk (or normal, or any other. What ever goes)</li>
<li>1 medium banana</li>
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<b>Methods</b></div>
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<li>Boil the sweet potatoes and the pumpkin over the stove until half cooked or just soft enough but slightly firm on the inside</li>
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Half cooking some vegetable are better for you because it doesn't destroy some of the really good natural elements found in that veggie, for example vitamins or enzymes that are needed to break down the nutrient from your food. I'm not an expert but I prefer to half cook my veggies.<br />
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<li>Run the veggies under cold water and store in the freezer for half an hour. </li>
<li>Add the veggies into the blender with the cinnamon, cardamon, soy milk and banana</li>
<li>Blend until smooth and adjust taste to your liking and pour into mason jar (you know I love them) or a glass or mug if your boring</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You can also add dates and more banana or honey if you wanted. Oh and you can also add chia seeds!</div>
<br />
<br />
<u><i><b><br /></b></i></u>
<br />
<h2>
<u><i><b><br /></b></i></u></h2>
<h2>
<u><i><b>Creamy Gazpacho with Chickpeas</b></i></u></h2>
<b><br /></b>
Well I'm not sure if you can really call gazpacho because I don't use stale bread. You could of course sub in the bread instead of the chickpeas<br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<ul>
<li>two tomatoes, blanched to rid of the skin. I like to keep the skin. </li>
<li>2 red bell pepper</li>
<li>1 cucumber</li>
<li>1 onion</li>
<li>3 cloves garlic</li>
<li>2 stalk spring onion</li>
<li>1 cup boiled chickpeas</li>
<li>2 tablespoons olive oil</li>
<li>1 tbs Red-wine vinegar</li>
<li>Sweet chili sauce (add to your liking) around a table spoon. </li>
<li>Chili flakes (add to your liking. Come on, I'm Sri Lanka) probably 1/2 a tbs</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Method</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Add everything into you blender and whizzz</li>
</ul>
<div>
Depending on what blender you have, dice and shop appropriately</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>You can chill or eat hawt</li>
</ul>
<div>
<u><i><br /></i></u></div>
</div>
<div>
<h2>
<b><u><i>Chilled Cucumber soup</i></u></b></h2>
<b><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil98qJ_LlYHrj_pUwNb1wbOMMUTMSvHUkUrlxWrZK8OQ3BAKmEdQp9inHxNFx1rRVwIkEzXTlg42qNdg8pvhRrR94b-BrebeUnTvaCi3XXiCKBYgtnZLXbucl7PV0dVWaPM0tW_meHL0w/s1600/IMG_4486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil98qJ_LlYHrj_pUwNb1wbOMMUTMSvHUkUrlxWrZK8OQ3BAKmEdQp9inHxNFx1rRVwIkEzXTlg42qNdg8pvhRrR94b-BrebeUnTvaCi3XXiCKBYgtnZLXbucl7PV0dVWaPM0tW_meHL0w/s1600/IMG_4486.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Ingredients</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>4 cucumbers, diced</li>
<li>1 stalk of celery chopped</li>
<li>1 cup frozen veggies (defrosted)</li>
<li>1 cup vegetable stock</li>
<li>2 1/2 cups of water</li>
<li>Mustard seeds</li>
<li>1 onion, chopped</li>
<li>3 cloves garlic</li>
<li>1 tablespoon ground cumin</li>
<li>Ground pepper</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Method</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WWAOw1zXPaX0hwEnyVPZXvdkUNYLkQbZ5G1otuY8L-eIUVlhq4L6WYadUNFbNykKT8ib2u46wU-v9F_EkDvexH4iwdHzml7vqRN-s_JPpKrqjECQ5gQ_whSzqrqt2A96XO_uWOuTYBU/s1600/IMG_4493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WWAOw1zXPaX0hwEnyVPZXvdkUNYLkQbZ5G1otuY8L-eIUVlhq4L6WYadUNFbNykKT8ib2u46wU-v9F_EkDvexH4iwdHzml7vqRN-s_JPpKrqjECQ5gQ_whSzqrqt2A96XO_uWOuTYBU/s1600/IMG_4493.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>At stock, water and frozen veggies into pot and simmer on medium heat</li>
<li>In a pan add olive oil, onion, garlic and celery, mustard seeds and cumin (This part is scary, and noisy)</li>
<li>Saute for 5 minutes. Add a litlte water to stop the ingredient from clumping or sticking to the bottom of the pan</li>
<li>Add the ingredients from the pan, along with the cucumber into the stock and increase heat</li>
<li>Bring to boil and reduce heat. Simmer until cucumbers are soft</li>
<li>Let it cool slightly before adding into blender</li>
<li>Add lemon and pepper and blend until smooth</li>
<li>
</li>
<li>Chill for 3-4 hours and serve.
<br />
<br />
<br />
</li>
</ul>
</div>
Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-76728270856254477302014-01-13T22:12:00.003-08:002014-01-14T02:08:21.792-08:00The city<div style="text-align: center;">
I have fallen in love. I'm in soo deep, that even if you could give me a JAG from up there, I still wouldn't be able to climb back out of this infatuation. I plan to move in with my one true love as soon as I'm old enough.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh the city *sigh* <span style="text-align: center;">It's hard to explain my love for the city and why it makes me want to run back to it every opportunity I get. Its a certain atmosphere, a slight electric excitement that's held within the particles of the city air. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Maybe its the weird and the wacky, the dingy thingy-ma-bobs and crazy hipsters and people of all shapes and sizes, the surroundings, the sounds, the music. It sort of...follows you. Actually it stalks you but it never grow tired of you, nor do you ever really get annoyed of its constant presence.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-NDZaf5jVCPnXB5lmsEoLDRcDQUNb72_b46oHVGKgs44misyjIcqWVR7StLd5pg6I3V1awU4lPkc5EFTDPe8aNJQH3VOeIWECTAFlqJIb81HHK5ewgYnkrVn6UyvpPD3-AhTIdQ9RHY/s1600/man+with+piano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-NDZaf5jVCPnXB5lmsEoLDRcDQUNb72_b46oHVGKgs44misyjIcqWVR7StLd5pg6I3V1awU4lPkc5EFTDPe8aNJQH3VOeIWECTAFlqJIb81HHK5ewgYnkrVn6UyvpPD3-AhTIdQ9RHY/s400/man+with+piano.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These were a new addition to the city. These little pianos were dotted around everywhere and anyone could come and play it. This guy was playing "Ain't no Mountain High Enough" <i>And </i> that is my personal theme song....sooo I had to snap him</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiVsmS0sXwsHAMm1h_yGOHlc5iC10TPK-pSXE65bDBkHRMtDd-yOzrHJYup80JPUk9dEjBwWjSe7JJ47nsxoAFig3tb-FeB8zVG-I4uYSGV9U1kftDiWk3GbjEG-x7a27a841zg3Q2HA/s1600/bikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiVsmS0sXwsHAMm1h_yGOHlc5iC10TPK-pSXE65bDBkHRMtDd-yOzrHJYup80JPUk9dEjBwWjSe7JJ47nsxoAFig3tb-FeB8zVG-I4uYSGV9U1kftDiWk3GbjEG-x7a27a841zg3Q2HA/s320/bikes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can find these bike stations all over the city. You pay a few dollars and you can ride it where ever you want and return it back to the station. </td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: start;">I know in movies and everything New York is the </span><i style="text-align: start;">it </i><span style="text-align: start;">city. The city with the buzz, the glory the glamour. Nah ah my friends. Melbourne. Melbourne is the city to be. New York, I am sorry to say, is far too overrated. Its a little too big for me...too glamorous...to dangerous let not forget. I guess I'm still suburban at heart, because I don't cope very well with anything waay too over the top. But Melbourne inner city has the perfect balance of everything I reckon. I know we don't have the Eiffel tower or the Statue of liberty, but we have the Eureka tower. I know we don't have Broadway, but we do have the Princess Theater, we have buskers doing all sorts of things from a man playing the Erhu to random little pianos scattered everywhere. We don't have Central Park, but we have the Royal Botanical Gardens and Southbank and Southwarf, </span><i style="text-align: start;">not </i><span style="text-align: start;">to mention Melbourne's renowned lain-ways and alley that are definitely not as creepy and dark and dank as the ones in movies. </span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIm4_N7zFbfdIDUBC3XWaXoU3qM6p2qwegb75Grmo-n5-5-n60wKNsqBSVgOuLCFgp6dflgcCkpTjfji1-YTph-DMSJbvBIsRTk8g7v53hacc0pSPE7wZGoODT6c37QlaOSeAPHzSIi4/s1600/old+man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIm4_N7zFbfdIDUBC3XWaXoU3qM6p2qwegb75Grmo-n5-5-n60wKNsqBSVgOuLCFgp6dflgcCkpTjfji1-YTph-DMSJbvBIsRTk8g7v53hacc0pSPE7wZGoODT6c37QlaOSeAPHzSIi4/s400/old+man.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">This guy plays every where. The instrument is called an Erhu</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqeeZMGwpijwcJF-xjSgYy9BWvy2WNndrLsNphQMbXcixIyxJAW7nLCVEl0fauIkYpleLRgwh2YRgU8xWxt17PNhsQSmbEyLT0oxTKVHVthwgyccJP5jGedNTfbhq4zJsTkbiLXGN-0Y/s1600/woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqeeZMGwpijwcJF-xjSgYy9BWvy2WNndrLsNphQMbXcixIyxJAW7nLCVEl0fauIkYpleLRgwh2YRgU8xWxt17PNhsQSmbEyLT0oxTKVHVthwgyccJP5jGedNTfbhq4zJsTkbiLXGN-0Y/s400/woman.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't know what this was called but it was so beautiful</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: start;">The reason for this post is that on Sunday, mum, my lil sis and some close friends headed into the city and it was a gorgeous day. I took my camera along with me buut, I'm still getting used to it so my photography wasn't at its best hehe. I'm an amateur when it comes to photography, but what I love so much </span>about it <span style="text-align: start;">is that you can really capture the truth of something, its rugged nature, the roughness, the beauty, the colour, all in the way that they are. I know some people</span><span style="text-align: start;"> like to take photos because of the beauty of the image, but some of my photos aren't pretty at all, but I love the photo anyway because it </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">really captures a certain theme. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMwsGP04DXinnqdteZ-wcDYetp7sIRwGDGBInkWNQhoAyfefXjGQphQ9forLuswlAsj_x2y9AnJ-3jLweo39lUaD46Otu-GORQH38ehX9pgLfgsx0stD6XS12-8Pr5Ey_H2-iEASNelU/s1600/mural+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMwsGP04DXinnqdteZ-wcDYetp7sIRwGDGBInkWNQhoAyfefXjGQphQ9forLuswlAsj_x2y9AnJ-3jLweo39lUaD46Otu-GORQH38ehX9pgLfgsx0stD6XS12-8Pr5Ey_H2-iEASNelU/s400/mural+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDEjreqVHMihp8yjBwzCOP_Kwdlb9nu9fhWs_jIhzLg86LGtsy9niZosu8WDA9ujwSMkTjHPVSidBH1hqH50KC0c72QkoPS0t7hZ8SmeXaUS51Vp7_KJhBmAhPnEw9t-02mkvzVIUoGM/s1600/IMG_4294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDEjreqVHMihp8yjBwzCOP_Kwdlb9nu9fhWs_jIhzLg86LGtsy9niZosu8WDA9ujwSMkTjHPVSidBH1hqH50KC0c72QkoPS0t7hZ8SmeXaUS51Vp7_KJhBmAhPnEw9t-02mkvzVIUoGM/s320/IMG_4294.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh I love him soo much! I see him everywhere, so I thought, I'd snap two photos of him! His wife is just as good too!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHqthc-OwcTSaC60Wp6tZ09G2gmzvr2ch05B0CQA1BrI3IGoKg4fETwE4U0PvSoG-4kcXBX5xXXDqsvBoGxKzg4CX0wtj35LvBFzAnfAUnXXRHeNtfZ-Z4Ig5dfgjLB3s8ZjZPgsMS7Q/s1600/mural.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHqthc-OwcTSaC60Wp6tZ09G2gmzvr2ch05B0CQA1BrI3IGoKg4fETwE4U0PvSoG-4kcXBX5xXXDqsvBoGxKzg4CX0wtj35LvBFzAnfAUnXXRHeNtfZ-Z4Ig5dfgjLB3s8ZjZPgsMS7Q/s320/mural.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flinders St Station</td></tr>
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It ended there, at the station, where we took the train home after a long day of walking and snapping and eating and squabbling. My feet have terrible blisters. And I would love to show you pictures of them, but unfortunately, my camera is charging at the moment :P hehehehe<br />
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Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7452469782341751908.post-67221132062376336132013-12-16T19:49:00.002-08:002013-12-16T20:01:52.649-08:00My Biggest Fear/ Last Night I Dreamt ThatI HAVE HAD A MASSIVELY AMAZING IDEA!!! Wanna hear what it is¿ Well last night I had a peculiar dream. Now it may have been because we ate pizza last night (a friend of mine thinks its the cheese) that does it, but it doesn't matter. The point is that I finally had a dream that I remembered in the morning! I haven't had one of those in ages. So my BRILLIANT new idea is that, so I don't feel brain dead when I have to come up with something to write about is DUM DUM DUM...."last night I dreamt"! I know! Pure genius! <br />
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So this post is about the dream I dreamt last night. Last night I dreamt that I was in year 12. Final year. VCE. And I was running a race with all the other year 12s. It was set in Sri Lanka. And each and every single one of us had to pick up a handful of olives along the way and present it to the Martial at the end of the race who threw it on top of this metal roof (By the way, you will not find any olives in Sri Lanka so don't ask about the olives) So I finished this race. I did average. I didn't come first, it didn't come last. I think I came in the middle band of people but I was happy. Extremely happy that I finished this race. But I was so preoccupied about actually finishing this race that I forgot about the olives completely. I picked it up sure, but when I handed it over to the martial I didn't pay enough attention and didn't give the poor little green olive the respect it deserved. I don't know why but that tiny little piece of information kept nagging at the back of my mind. It kept pulling and pinching at my little grey matter and wouldn't leave me alone. And like the way a new mother wouldn't have the slightest clue as to why her baby was crying, I didn't have the slightest clue. Until I started thinking about it properly.<br />
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The race in obviously a symbolic metaphor for VCE or your certificate of education, final year examinations. The olives I think represent knowledge. I don't know why it can't be apples (I love apple and don't give me the sinister foreboding feeling that those tiny.sickly.green olives give me)! And I think it represent how some people really give a lot of thought into the whole learning process that they go through and get quite emotional and elated when they have to present what they have discovered on their race and how others simply just burn through the race only to have it over and done with. I don't want to be in the latter half when the time comes for me. Hell there's a whole year for me until then. A WHOLE YEAR. That's such a long time right? Not.<br />
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If you have read my post about Adulthood then you may find some background about this. But only now do I realise that my biggest fears aren't insects or man eating crocodiles. It isn't a fear of the dark or death or love. My biggest fear is the future. The future. Whenever someone asks me what subjects I'm going to take for VCE or what I want to be once I "grow up", or what my dream is, or where I see myself in 20 years time, my stomach just...I don't know, it feels light someone grabbed my insides and started twisting it. At other times I feel like this big hole just opened up and swallowed everything I ate for lunch. That is the feeling I get when someone starts talking about the future. I know! It's terrible!<br />
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It's this massive unknown variable in your maths equation. I don't even like maths! I hate it with passion. But the one thing that I do like about it is that, no matter how hard the method is, no matter how long the working out, there is a clear and definite answer and a clear and definite method. The future is completely the opposite. Sure there is an equation. But the method involves making decisions about which method to use, purposely making mistakes and solving them finding new ways to do things. It involves so many different concepts that unless you fully grasp the idea behind them, then you have missed out on a valuable lesson. If you miss out on that maths lesson it's so easy to make up for it. Just study your textbook. But with this there aren't any textbooks! <br />
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<i>These </i>are the things that determine the end result. And it scares me half to death. There are so many variables in this whole unknown. Maybe I am a maths student? ....Bahahahahaha! NO WAY!<br />
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Anyway, I keep wondering "what if I make a terrible decision!? What if the whole thing turns up side down and I'm left completely lost? What if the end result is something I don't like? I just hate. I don't like it. It gives me nightmares...such as these. There's just way too many "ifs" for my liking!<br />
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But then I figured out the olive thing. I don't want to be the one who just burns through the whole VCE thing. I don't want to burn through such an important part of my future, just like I don't want to just keep doing maths sums via rout learning. I want to understand the whole thing. I want to really acknowledge the things I pick up along the way because maybe then, with all the extra little bits of information and life lessons and stuff, maybe, and only maybe, will the future seem slightly less daunting.<br />
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Either way, I was scared shit less by that dream/nightmare. You wouldn't think that it would, it was just such a simple little thing but so ergh! But I'm going to try face my fear with this new idea in mind. I'm going to try really hard. But let me tell you I am still terrified. <br />
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Feel free to tell me about your recent dreams, the holidays are terribly boring and I'm sure I could do with a bit of weird and whacky. :)Shneffyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867161680121694043noreply@blogger.com0