Summer Bucket List ’14

Yummy Yum Pizza!!!

With pizza, you usually think cheese and tomato paste, however, I had left over refried beans and didn’t want to use either. So here is a delicious pizza with a twist!

Ingredients

• Lebanese round flat bread
• Cherry tomatoes
• Chopped lettuce
• Diced onion
• A few tbsp refried beans
• Diced capsicum
• Spray olive oil

Method

• Spray oil on bread
• Spread on refried beans
• Add some diced onion
• Heat in oven at 180C for approx. 15 minutes
• Take out and add lettuce, chopped cherry tomatoes and capsicum
• Serve with lemon juice

Things I’ve Learnt From My Parents (And Other Influential Adults)

• Alcohol isn’t something to rely on. It’s fun to occasionally get tipsy/a bit drunk, but regular drinking can affect relationships and make a big hole in your wallet.
• Be physically affectionate. When you’re really close to someone, you can tell they love and care about you, but it just feels tense if there aren’t hugs and the like.
• Fuck traditions. Listen to the younger generations. They’re not stuck in routine and far more willing to learn more, especially if it goes against the norm. You obviously don’t have to take everything they say to heart, but contemplate and research it.
• Form your own beliefs and stand by them.
• Look after your mind, body and soul. You’re not a fitness nut for valuing exercise. The energy from a healthy lifestyle feels amazing.
• Make new friends and stay in contact with old ones you still value. Friends never go out of style.
• As long as it’s what you want, do whatever to your body. It’s yours and you should be happy with it.
• Talk to people. Be it calls, internet, doesn’t matter. Keep in touch with friends and family on Facebook, greet strangers on the street, just connect with people.
• What is offered on the internet doesn’t stop the need to travel. The world is huge; explore every bit of it.
• Stay true to who you are, but also accept that time moves on and things change.
• Continue to enjoy the things associated with kids. You’ll find they’re wiser than you think.
• Educate and be honest with your children. Tell the truth about how babies are made, explain that body hair and pimples and all that are completely normal and even that sex is more than baby-making and is pleasurable when done right.
• Teach them to be assertive and to say no when needed. Don’t let them think that they have to do things just to make a person happen.
• Don’t use schoolyard bullying as an excuse for fancying someone. If you’re into a person, be nice; don’t pull their hair and stab them with pencils.
• Rather than going for the easier option, always consider that no one is the same. Punishing a boy for wearing a dress may discourage him from being himself (or even her/themselves), emphasising that little girls should dream of finding their handsome prince charming not only forces them to believe that they are nothing without a man, but may also label a girl interested in other girls as a freak.
• Laugh. Loudly. Laugh huge crazy guffaws. You’re happy; show it.
• Don’t sexualise everything. Girls are not “sluts” for wearing shorts and singlet tops. Rather than bitching about your sisters, try being nice. Or at least don’t say anything mean.
• Keep reading. Time goes a bit crazy sometimes, but always make time for books.
• Go on adventures. Big, like trying a new sport or travelling, and small, such as eating new food or changing your walking route.
• Continue to love yourself. You’re a majestic human and deserve to treat yourself with as much kindness as possible.

Hectic Life Update!!!!!!!!

Hello fantastic Earthlings! I’m very sorry; I have been very busy preparing and doing my prac teaching, so I haven’t had much time for updating here. As of now, I’ve had one observation day, and 5 hours of teaching over 3 days. (We were meant to do an hour per day but pfft…)

The first day I came back was amazing. Many of them couldn’t remember my name, but when they saw me, they kept shouting “I know you! I know you! I like you!” It completely warmed my soul. I’ve received a few artworks this week and they made me on the verge of tears with happiness.

I started teaching with a very challenging rainy day sport lesson, but I didn’t let the negatives deter me and have only gotten better. I’m especially looking forward to my final lesson, which will be a music lesson based on a uni assignment I have due soon.

Yesterday I got some more teacher outfits, so I don’t have to be a dreaded outfit repeater, like Lizzie McGuire on graduation day. The one in the photo is a lovely, and extremely comfortable, light blue floral button up.

Even though the uni (and government) is against it, I’ve gotten heaps of hugs from the kids and have loved pretty much every moment so far. (They have their bad times, but they’re kids; not much you can do.)

I am currently enjoying a relaxing Friday evening, reading Isla and the Happily Ever After and digesting a delicious rosemary potato pizza, hoping everyone is having an enjoyable life.

 

 

Happy Sunday #7

Hello lovely friends; happy Sunday! I’m incredibly sorry I forgot to do this post last weekend. Life has been rather busy. I have barely started an assignment that’s due in a fortnight and it’s worth 40% but just need to stay calm and get it over and done with. In the last two weeks I…

• went on a picnic with my best friends. We chatted, took lots of photos, and ate “Asian salad” by the handful.
• made two new friends and they’re absolutely lovely. One of them almost shares my name.
• learned how to do NSW Foundation cursive.
• started on one of my best friends’ 18th birthday present.
• have tried really hard to convince myself to transition further into veganism.
• procrastinated on assignments >.<
• met some lovely tourists and got to practise my French skills.
• cooked some really yummy dinners.
• fangirled about the release of Isla and the Happily Ever After on the 14th.
• watched a bit of the Doctor Who Q+A in South Korea.
• drew pictures.

I hope everyone is feeling fantastic and has a lovely week!

Happy Sunday #6

Hi lovely friends; happy Sunday!

After 6 weeks, it’s finally looking like winter. It’s good that the weather is being normal, but I could go for a long walk and some sunshine right now. This week I’ve…

• Finished the Heroes of Olympus series.
• Finalised my timetable for next semester (it involves a fair few early mornings -_-).
• Had a sisterly bonding park exploration day. We even rolled down giant grassy hills.
• Learned how to make stickers (I’ll make a how-to when I’ve gotten better at it and can make decent ones).
• Hopefully cemented a basic understanding of grammar within my tutee.
• Received a postcard from my best friend who’s on holiday in Germany.

I hope everyone’s had a brilliant week and that next week will be just as great!

P.S. Good luck to everyone starting their next (or first) semester of uni.

Edit: Yes, I am an idiot and posted this on a Saturday.

Happy Sunday #5

Hello lovely people; happy Sunday! I hope you’ve all been having a fantastic week. This upcoming one is the last before uni starts again, so I’ll have to make the most of it.

• I have been drawing. My style is kind of childish, but I like it.
• I received a tonne of hand-me-downs from my aunt and they are fantastic!
• I got The Book Thief and two cute handbag/purse things from my cousins.
• My hair makes me no longer resemble Joey Ramone, which is a very good thing.
• I’m reading the Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan and I love them so much. Emotional investment in fictional characters is fun.

I hope everyone has a fun-filled, enriching week ahead!

Happy Sunday #4

Hello lovely people; happy Sunday! I hope you’ve all had a fantastic week.

• I went to the Reptile Park with my family. It was lovely to spend time with them, but I felt uncomfortable about the caged animals.
• I read lots! I finished Stephanie Perkins’ books and have started re-reading/catching up on Heroes of Olympus, the sequel series to Percy Jackson.
• I have started doing veganism research. I really wish I could just start, but I want to ensure my health will be maintained when I transition. It definitely calls for GP visits.
• I have another tutoring job! I start next Friday, and will be helping a 9 year old with spelling. I think some games and rhymes will be needed.
• I got my uni marks as well! I got 2 distinctions and 2 credits, so I’m rather happy.

I hope the next week is just as fantastic and you all enjoy it! xxx

Happy Sunday #3

Hello lovely people; happy Sunday!

This week has been absolutely amazing. I’m looking forward to many more like it!

• I finished re-reading Harry Potter today and am just so emotional because it’s a beautiful adventure.
• I had a sleepover at my best friend’s house the night before last and we watched so many movies.
• I have been drawing like crazy! I’ve always been inspired by artists, such as Megan, Tammy, and Mel, but recently I decided to do something about it!
• Lots and lots of lovely long walks! On Thursday, I saw whales while I was out and they were splashing about.

I hope you’ve all had lovely weeks too (:

How To Adult

I am 18, and have been since December; there’s no escaping that fact. However, I often feel like I’m not an adult. I still live with my parents, get scared of things, and am fairly childish in general. As I said before, though, I am 18 and, thus, an adult. I realise, looking back on the past year, there are a few things I do, or strive to do, that I consider to be adult. So, coming from a girl still at home with a tonne of stuffed animals, here’s my guide on being an adult.

• Take an interest in politics. When I say this, it doesn’t mean to have to be writing angry letters or following the values of every politician, because I certainly don’t. However, it’s good to pay a bit more attention than you used to. I don’t know how other governments are going, but with mine, they’re increasing the cost of everything, including doubling the cost of uni. For most adults, including myself, THIS APPLIES TO US. I try to deny it, but if I wasn’t an adult in uni, I don’t really know how much I would’ve cared.
• Hate less. Remember when it used to be cool to “hate on” things? Certain bands, books, movies, people at your school… just drop that attitude. Hate weighs you down quite a lot and makes you unbearable to deal with by both yourself and friends. A really dumb example, but I used to hate on One Direction a lot. I complained about the “poppiness” of their music (it’s their genre, you goof), and I honestly don’t know what else I said. One day, I just decided to drop the hate, and re-listen to their music. Long story short, I absolutely love them now. The same applies to people. As you’ll have found in a previous post, I was taught that “slut-shaming” was a normal thing. Well, it isn’t, and when I changed my view, I got to know some really lovely people.
• Be prepared to change. You’re an adult now. You don’t have to follow the same beliefs, looks, ideals, etc., of your childhood. If needed, research something that’s part of your lifestyle, and see if you still feel the same. Something I found out recently was the truth behind my once omnivorous diet. At first I regretted it, but now I’ve been vegetarian for almost 3 months and am looking into the dairy, egg, and honey industry, and considering going into a plant based lifestyle. I am also exploring spirituality more. I used to feel that I either had to be Catholic, or nothing, but I’m realising now that I can simply be spiritual and have a connection with whatever higher beings, and explore how I believe souls exist.
• Go to bed earlier. When I was much younger, I thought that being an adult meant staying up until ridiculous am hours. In the months after exams, I did have those few months where that was the norm, but wow, it was difficult. I’m getting into the habit of falling asleep at around 10:30pm, which feels a lot better. I especially hate the feeling of “wasting” my morning, so it’s good to naturally wake up at around 8am.
• Don’t care what others think. As a young adult, regular drinking and clubbing is what’s expected. I don’t care if it’s what others like, but after my initial excitement of getting drunk, I’m definitely over it. There’s plenty of other situations like this, too. I’ve lost track of the amount of judgement I’ve gotten for wanting to pursue teaching, even though I “could do so much better”. I just ignore it. I do what I want and love it.
• Look after yourself. In recent years, I have realised that there’s no such thing as “good” or “bad” food, and that “good” food doesn’t guarantee you to be skinny. As a way to de-stress with exams, I decided to go running. It felt amazing, however I realised that in order for it to not hurt, I needed to eat food that provided me with slow burning energy. I further realised, when I took part in these things, I felt less lethargic and wanted to get out there and do things. I discovered that these things are linked to how I look after myself, rather than to the “dieting industry” that I despised. My body, as with everyone else’s, is what takes me all the way to death. It is a vessel for my soul, and needs my love and to be nurtured.
• Have fun. I feel this is self-explanatory. No matter how old you get, you are still capable of having fun and receiving all that life has to offer.