Love and Friendship

This weekend, my parents and I decided to have a family day, so we spontaneously went to the cinema and saw 'Love and Friendship', which is based on the Jane Austen novel 'Lady Susan'. My mum, being an Austen fan, obviously chose the film and because I've watched all the BBC versions of her novels, I appreciate the satire and witty conversations. Dad, on the other hand, goes because my mum says so, and even though it wasn't the most mind-blowing film in the world, it was enjoyable.

The protagonist, Lady Susan is a widow and has a reputation for being flirty. She is manipulative to the people around her in order to live a comfortable life for herself and to secure a future for her daughter. Despite her taking advantage of the misguided, I was definitely hoping she would get things her way at the end, because I admired her cunning thought process. The film itself was presented with a lighthearted manner, with the introduction of characters been put in a spotlight and a written description of who they are in relation to others and their characteristics, which I found really amusing. It was quite a funny film, especially the character Sir James Martin, who is a bumbling fool. But not as amusing as my dad...

There are sometimes families who are embarrassing in theatres, cinemas, official ceremonies, etc. My family is one of them. Like when it was my high school celebration night when I was in my final year, and my year level had to stand at the front of the stage and have the rest of the school sing at us. Unfortunately, my dad who was sitting in the audience,  made eye contact with me and I could see him laughing at me and the ridiculousness of it all, which made me have to suppress my own laughter. The previous year, my dad smuggled in jelly beans to the school event to make it bearable (because believe me, those school functions were so boring) and he tried to open the packet without making noise. In the process, he opened them down the middle and the jelly beans went flying everywhere. I think that was the same year my parents and I parked far away and had to walk through a public park and the sprinklers turned on and we had to run across the grass, laughing and ended up soaking wet.
Yesterday at the cinema, when the lights went down and the screen lit up, dad started laughing and whispered to me that the man sitting in front of him, who was bald, his head was glowing and reflecting the screen. Now, when my dad laughs, he can't stop. So for the first ten minutes of the film, my dad was hysterically laughing, while I was struggling to keep a straight face (I was silently laughing and tearing up), while also hiding my face from all the people surrounding us who didn't understand why these crazy people were laughing. Mum was just as confused as the others, but I couldn't tell her what was going on until after the movie was over, because, like I predicted, as soon as I told her, she started laughing loudly... and the sad thing is, it wasn't even that funny.
I love my parents.

Funeral

Morbid sounding title, but don't worry, I guarantee that Lukas Graham's song 'Funeral' is brilliant. This morning was the first day of the new semester and hopefully (if I pass all of my subjects), it is my last semester for my degree! This morning, my friend picked me up for uni and we have a system where I choose the song that is playing in the car during the journey. This morning while getting ready, I decided to listen to the Lukas Graham album. I've written about this band a couple of times before, but since then, I've decided which song is my absolute favourite, which is 'Funeral'. I love it so much and have told people that I definitely want it playing at my funeral one day... because that's not a morbid conversation topic...

The piano at the beginning is bluesy and I absolutely adore it. It's the sort of song I can imagine singing late at night in an old timesy bar accompanied by a steinway. And when it builds up with the gospel sounding choir, it becomes almost ethereal. The lyrics themselves are melancholic but in a celebratory way, talking about how the singer won't be there (obviously), but saying how if he were, he would have joined in with the party and exclaiming that "the way [they] lived was amazing".
I definitely want this song at my funeral (a long way in the future we hope) because it is that sort of atmosphere I want to celebrate my life; with joy and fondness.

Moving on from that: this morning being still half asleep, I forced my friend to listen to 'Funeral' a couple of times with my singing loudly all the way to uni. And you know what, I consider that a great start to the day and to the semester.

Ain't no rest for the wicked

A few months ago, I started watching the tv show 'Lucifer' which hopefully some day I'll actually get around to finishing, because I was really enjoying it. It has Tom Ellis (I've known him previously from the BBC show 'Miranda'), who plays an incredible Lucifer, with his beautiful British accent and being utterly charming. It's about Lucifer/ the devil who has retired from Hell and now is running a nightclub in Los Angeles. It is when a friend of his is murdered he encounters a homicide detective who is the only one who is immune to his power of drawing out the desires of people. Together they solve crimes, her really loathing him, while he is intrigued with the sudden emergence of compassion as well as the mystery why she doesn't fall at his feet in adoration like everyone else.

The reason why I brought 'Lucifer' up, is that it has a fantastic soundtrack, one of the songs being Cage The Elephant's song "Ain't no rest for the wicked" which in my opinion, is the perfect song for the show. It's such a great song, from their debut album back in 2008. I only purchased this song a couple of days ago because my friend was playing it in their car and it reminded me of how much I enjoyed listening to it. It starts off quite country sounding until it gets really rock after the intro and it is brilliant how the two collide. The lead singer also annunciates the lyrics so well that you can really follow the journey of the character in the song. I like it when you can follow a story. And now that I associate it with 'Lucifer', when I listen to it, it gives me the impression that I can do whatever I want and no one can stop me. 

Finding Dory

'Finding Nemo' was an excellent film. It was exciting that Australia was featured in a Disney and Pixar film. It was funny, had a good story and I thought a great stand-alone movie. So many movies have created sequels which have been brilliant (like the 'Toy Story' franchise), while others started off fantastic and then became absolutely rubbish (like 'Ice Age'), so when I found out that 'Finding Dory' was to be made, I was extremely skeptical. Extremely so, that when one of my best friends asked if I wanted to see it with him, I said no straight away because I didn't want to be disappointed with what they might have done to the fish. 

It was a rainy day when my friend from France suggested seeing 'Finding Dory', especially since we watched 'Finding Nemo' together when I stayed at her place over the Christmas holidays. With this idea of continuation, I agreed on seeing it. And I feel bad that I turned down my other friend (who still hasn't seen it yet... sorry!), but I'm so glad that I ended up going because it was a fantastic sequel. In my opinion, 'Finding Dory' is just as good as 'Finding Nemo', which is a massive claim considering how much I love Nemo. 

Dory suffers from short term memory loss, which in the first film is a comedic effect, but in this film, it is the key instigator for the events that take place. Something triggers her memory of her family and she becomes determined to find them. Marlin and Nemo agree to help her find her parents, going across the ocean in the search. Along the way, they get separated and it's up to Dory to find the family she remembers missing. 

It's such an inspirational film, showing that even if you have a condition that challenges you, there is a way to still achieve your end goal. During the film, I did get teary eyed and at one stage was biting my thumb nail (I know that sounds really gross, but I really was emotionally invested). So if anyone was like me and at first really hesitant in seeing it, don't be afraid, because it was such a great film. 

Eureka Skydeck

We've been having rotten weather recently, being freezing, rainy and at one point (and of course when I was walking home from the bus stop) hailing. But today, despite being cloudy, it was actually really nice, which made it the close-to-perfect day to take my friend to the Eureka Skydeck. For those who aren't familiar with this building: it is a very very very tall building in Melbourne that has a panoramic viewing deck of the city which is stunning. After only a few seconds in the lift, you are taken to the 88th floor and it is amazing how high up you are and seeing the familiar city from a completely different angle.

I had visited the skydeck before with a group of friends just after I finished high school. Looking back, it was quite poetic gesture that we undertook when you think about it, because when we finished all of our exams, I know I felt on top of the world, so going to the highest point of Melbourne is as close to that. I remembered being so amazed at how small the world was from that height, of watching the tiny cars and even tinier people and it was quite hypnotising. This time, I focused more on the buildings and pointing out the different landmarks to my friend, but still feeling that same sense of awe.

We had a truly great time, as there were sitting areas where we just chatted and hung out while looking at this lovely view:

Stole the Show

My friend who is visiting from France recommended me the album 'Cloud Nine' by Kygo and despite the album coming out only a couple of months ago, a few of the songs must of been released as singles earlier, because a few of the songs were playing at the university nightclub that I went to when on exchange. One of these songs was 'Stole the Show' featuring Parson James (and I'm pretty sure I've heard 'Raging' and 'Firestone' playing a few times too), which is a great song for a night out and dancing non-stop. Each song has a fantastic buildup, the kind that makes you softly smile while the song crescendos and when the beat drops that's when a big smile spreads across your face while swaying to the rhythm. Everything about the music makes you feel invincible.

It was only a few weeks ago I got the album and it really is a great selection of artists. Even this weekend when I was showing my friend around the city and St Kilda, on the tram we were listening to a couple songs together and admiring the artistry. Every time I listen to these songs, I want to turn my bedroom into a night club, so by turning off all of the lights and finding my old lava lamp from when I was a little kid, every now and then I have been dancing in the dark before going to bed. I know that sounds really sad and pathetic, but I really enjoy dancing and just because I can't afford going out all the time doesn't mean that I can't have fun. Okay, maybe it does sound extremely pathetic and daggy, but stealing one of my friend's catch phrases "it's one of my charms."

So here it is, 'Stole the Show' and if you need to create a party play list of good dance songs, I highly encourage listening to 'Cloud Nine'.

Welcome to Australia!

This week has been amazing because my old flat mate from when I was on exchange in England has come to Australia! She is one of the most wonderful people ever; when we were living together we were like the an old happily married adorable couple and I absolutely love her to bits. She is French and the friend who I stayed with last Christmas break and she generously welcomed me to her home country. When we were still in the UK, we made a pinky promise over cupcakes saying that she will come to Australia ...

photographic evidence of the promise we made 

and it has come true! She is in Australia and a group of us who were all on exchange together have a busy and fun month ahead. Tuesday night, one incredible French girl reunited with four excited Australians at Bimbos (which has $4 pizzas- I had the 'Organico' which had roasted pumpkin, rosemary, pine nuts and despite the weird vegan cheese stuff, it was delicious!) and it was funny how natural it was to see her again. She became such a vital part of my life when on exchange, so seeing her again in person was one of the best feelings ever.


Thursday we showed her around our very Australian looking university (we have a lot of eucalyptus trees) before going back to one of my friends flats and we had a very Australian meal of kangaroo and then all the Australian treats for dessert (eg. Milo ice-cream; Caramello koalas; Curly Wurlys; Tim Tams; Pods, etc.) while watching Hamish and Andy and drinking Vodka Cruisers.
Later that evening we put on music, anointed her with drinking goon and playing drinking games (Goon Pong and Flip Cup), then in the early morning watching the first few episodes of 'Puberty Blues' before collapsing into a much needed sleep.
We woke up today with lamingtons for breakfast and then went to a nature reserve where we saw heaps of kangaroos. It was the first time she's seen kangaroos in real life, so it was even more exciting when we found whole families of kangaroos, many with joeys in their pouches. I think we managed to give her a very Australian welcome.

Best Be Believing

I completely forgot it was Monday because I had such an exciting day:
1) it was the first rehearsal for the play I'm in, which went really well and everyone is so lovely
2) my old exchange flat mate from France arrived in Australia today, so I'm finally going to see her again tomorrow!!!!! I'm absolutely beside myself with excitement!
So that is why I have no concept of days, I'm sorry.

Today I woke up with the AlunaGeorge song "Best Be Believing" in my head and it has remained in my head all day. I don't know why I woke with it, but it is quite an upbeat, catchy song, so maybe it is because I'm feeling extra enthusiastic and looking forward to everything that is in stall this month (despite taking almost 40 minutes to actually get out of bed in the morning). It really is a great song for that kind of mood, so if anyone is feeling down and needs to feel a bit of energy, "Best Be Believing" has a great beat that makes you want to get up and dance when the chorus starts. And despite the upbeat, it is quite a gentle sort of beat at the same time, with the "nah nah nah's" easily to sing along to in the zombie-like mood I often feel in the mornings.

Phillip Island

Late last month a few of my friends and I went away to Phillip Island for a couple of days, and despite it being only a short holiday, we had a fantastic time. Unlike a lot of people I know, I never really visited Phillip Island growing up, unless you count the time my parents and I stopped by for a couple hours to see my cousins who were staying at a caravan park there when I was six. And the only thing I remember from that was how windy it was that my mum wrapped her scarf around my head and I ate teddy bear biscuits. This time around was very different and certainly a lot more fun. 

Leaving on a Tuesday evening, four of us drove down and upon arrival we picked our room buddies and played a card game. I'm usually not a fan of cards (other than Cards Against Humanity), but this particular card game was actually lots of fun and completely by fluke, I won. 

The next day we walked along the beach which was completely deserted as it is the middle of winter, which is what I really love because it feels as if no one else exists and all your troubles and stresses are left behind. That afternoon we walked along the cliff area called the Nobbies and it was absolutely stunning. Very, very, very windy (like my six year old self remembered), but such a breathtaking coastline which makes you feel really lucky to have the opportunity to live in such a beautiful country. Watching the waves hit the rocks is captivating and I could easily just stay there forever. If anyone wants to go to see an inspirational landscape, the Nobbies is definitely a place to go. 

Look how beautiful it is! This is actually real!

The day turned even better, because that night we went to see the penguins!!!!! I have heard so much about the penguins all my life and I was really excited and at the same time was sort of like "why is this a big deal?" That skeptical side of my head is stupid and I'm glad I ignore it a lot of the time because that evening was incredible. Yes, we were sitting in the cold and yes, it involved a lot of waiting (which felt similar to the feeling of waiting at a concert and the musician/ band is taking forever to come on stage), but it was worth it all, because the first penguin that appeared, I wanted to squeal with joy, but instead I just was gripping on my friend's arm and squeezing it tightly whenever more and more penguins emerged. I don't have any photos of that night because you're not allowed to take photos or film, so I just need you to trust me when I say that it was incredible to watch. I got so emotionally invested in one penguin in particular because they arrived on the shore with no one and it was scared of the seagulls and tried to swim back into the ocean but the waves kept bringing it back to the sand and then ten or so metres away another penguin arrived and it was minutes of watching the two trying to get to one another... I was gripping two of my friend's arms so tightly and I was almost in tears. But they finally reached each other and ran into the nesting area together, so happily ever after for the cute Little Penguins! YAY! 

The next day we went bush walking and later got fish and chips for lunch (because a visit to the beach isn't official until you eat them), before going to a maze and illusions activity place which was lots of fun. That was also our last day, so that evening we bought marshmallows and toasted them in the fireplace while watching a brilliant film 'Kingsman: The secret service', which was the best way to end our wonderful trip. 

Winter reading 2016

The last week I have been away and didn't have any internet, which meant I got to do a bit of reading which was so much fun! So here are the books I've read over the past few weeks:

A tiny bit marvellous- Dawn French

Everyone has a junk room/ area in their house (even Monica from Friends had one, so this is a scientific fact... obviously) but these holidays my parents decided to clean it out and go through the boxes of stuff we have accumulated over the years. Anyway, that is a completely different story, but what I was getting at, is that we have a lot of books. Like a lot of books, as I'm from a family who loves reading and it just so happened that I stumbled across 'A tiny bit marvellous'. I have been a massive fan of Dawn French, having been raised on watching 'The Vicar of Dibley', so I was instantly intrigued to read her novel. As she is a genius of skits with her partnership with Jennifer Saunders, it was hardly a surprise to find that Dawn French is a talented writer.

Written through the eyes of three characters: Mo (mother going through a mid-life crisis), Dora (moody teenager, soon turning 18) and Peter, aka Oscar (younger son, who is obsessed with Oscar Wilde), each point of view is impressively written with three very distinct voices. The events that take place during the novel itself are just the motions of everyday life, with work, school, personal crises, however it is an insight into the dynamics between members of a fictitious family.
6.5/10

Me before you- Jojo Moyes 
I've referred to this incredible novel a couple times when I talked about my existential reading crisis as well as the From Page to Screen, however, there is nothing wrong with giving a novel such as this with endless praise. Written in the first person, I became so emotionally involved in the life of Louisa and her relationship with her employer Will. Louisa is a 26 year old, newly employed on a six month contract to be the carer and companion of Will, who after being the victim of a motorbike accident, is a quadriplegic. At first it appears that Will absolutely resents her presence, but as time progresses and they get to know each other better, a friendship forms as Louisa becomes desperate to show him that life is still worth living. A definite must read, as it is heartwarming as well as heartbreaking and I encourage to read it when you're not in public so you can not feel embarrassed when you start to cry.
10/10 

The Single Girl’s To-Do List- Lindsey Kelk 
I read this straight after 'Me before you', so it was a tough act to follow, but Lindsey Kelk's novel was so much fun to read (especially after the tear jerker of Moyes novel). It was light and entertaining, about list loving Rachel who unexpectedly gets dumped by her boyfriend of five years. She has never been single and with the help of her two best friends, they create a list to help Rachel realise her potential at being independent. From having a makeover, getting a tattoo, bungee jump, travel to another country, writing a rude letter to her ex, etc. the group of friends that Kelk has created, leave you feeling satisfied with your read. I wanted to read other books she had written. I also liked the extra touch at the end of the book where there are people's 'Single Girl's to-do list', which I actually found really inspiring, as it just allows people to figure out what they want to do in their lives and to challenge themselves and take risks.
7/10 



The End of Summer- Rosamunde Pilcher
Sometimes we read something and at the end of it you’re like “well, that was pointless”. I didn’t enjoy reading ‘The End of Summer’ and the only reason why I finished the book was because it was short and thought I may as well read to the end. It wasn’t because the quality of writing was bad that I didn’t like it, it was I personally thought the content and characters were boring and quite flat. I also thought the protagonist was a weak person who came across as an anti-feminist, in the sense that she was perfectly fine with being dependent on her dad, didn’t want to go out and get a job to claim her independence, but instead had the ambition to find security by one day finding a husband and look after him… this was written in the late 20th century, so I think this mentality is very outdated, and it may just be my own interpretation, but it impacted on my overall opinion of the book. I just was very underwhelmed and unimpressed.
3/10 

Wait for you- J Lynn 
Okay, I’m going to be very honest. This year I made a new years resolution: "to have no dramas this year." That sounds like a really odd resolution, but you need to trust me when I say, the last few years have been a bit crazy with dramas. But I decided that this year I wasn’t going to get involved in things I shouldn’t and focus on my final year of studies instead. At the beginning of this resolution, there may have been a few hiccups but I was really good at doing a bit of maintenance and now I feel like I’m beginning to get my life together with plans after I finish this degree.

What has that got to do with ‘Wait for you’, you may ask. Well, since I have been living a drama-free life, it is relatively boring compared to the drama filled chaos that I’ve been used to. Now I’m living vicariously through other people’s stories, one of which is J Lynn’s book. It’s sad, but it’s true, I really enjoyed reading this book because it filled a gap in my life that I have been avoiding this year. Yep, as I said, I am being very honest, embarrassingly so, because this book is so well written that it has the ability to make your heart race and become breathless.

Avery is in her first year of university, attempting to leave behind her past and family and starting afresh in a place where no one knows her. But the past still haunts her, and when she literally runs into Cam, the perfect guy, she at first is nervous and jittery. As time goes by and they become closer and things get quite passionate between them, she begins to confront the past and move on with her life, learning to trust Cam. And he really is the perfect guy: beautiful, funny, easygoing and he bakes her food! I very happily was living vicariously through this book, so if anyone else is planning on having a drama free year like me, tick of approval goes to this book.
8/10