Category Archives: Being Serious

Being Serious: Bullying

Posted by unknowntheartist in Being Serious and tagged with , ,

Disclaimer: I don’t normally post this kinda stuff regularly anymore but this really pissed me off.

Just browsing through the internet news, this morning, and I read about a young girl who was beaten on her first day of middle school in the US. Originally, not allowed to sit down (plenty of empty seats as reported), seven attackers punched her repeatedly until she was on the ground.

(Yes, I know this occurred earlier in the month but I’m only hearing about it today. Now off my case, you get.)

This is a serious situation but I did find one unfunny joke in it. The school that these students are from: Liberty Middle School in Marion County, Florida.

I watched the video to see if I could make any sense of it and I wish I hadn’t. The girl was practically crumpled and destroyed emotionally by the time she was removed from the aisle and towards the front door.

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Life At Random: Easier Fearful Expectations #172

Posted by unknowntheartist in Being Serious, Life At Random and tagged with , ,

What have you feared that turned out to be much easier than you expected?

Everything that means change is scary to me. I know it’s mostly for the betterment of my life but change in theory freaks me out. But although, lots of things change and I get scared of the results, the implications, what I have to do next and so forth, the thing I most fear (and that I think a lot of people fear) is this:

that fear when you have had your heart broken, that you’ll never be able to open yourself up again or feel that someone else will love you more.

Sometimes I think I’m more irrational about it than most people given my zodiac sign is Cancer (yes, I’m a crabby patty) and one of the worst traits to have is fear of rejection. Not that I completely believe in those but it fits me to a t.

So after losing love or what you might perceive as love, during the stages of heartbreak, somewhere in between them, almost all of us have that self doubt kick in. The questions start and you nitpick yourself. You expect that no-one will love you again, you expect that the pain that punches you in the gut and clutches your heart strings will never go away, you expect to never be yourself again.

But dependant on how strong you are emotionally, how much you need to move on with your life to keep living (physically, financially, etc) and how emotional you get, sometimes the fear afterwards looks silly. Like, I was afraid of that? Of what?

Moving on. Finding a new place to live. Leaving behind my old friends and making new ones. Looking better than ever. Having time to take care of myself. Doing even better at my job and being more receptive to movement and progression. Enjoying favourite things.

Life doesn’t stop because of your broken heart. It moves on despite it and the fear of being left behind need to do that. Be left behind.

This fear that I felt has been quelled by MOH. I know I’ll never find a more sweet, loving and protective man than he. That’s what made the fear go away so easily.

Life At Random: Living Forever #156

Posted by unknowntheartist in Being Serious, Life At Random and tagged with ,

The Daily Post asks:

If you knew you were going to live forever, what would change?

I don’t believe I would bother as I regularly try out new things and ways to do stuff.

It doesn’t necessarily mean I am going to stay the same age or not become homeless so I think where I am now in this point in my life is where I’d continue my life path.

I don’t feel I would live a good life after my shared (and hopefully super-long) life with MOH so I would definitely make the most of that time, while we’re both here to document and make memories I can re-live.

I don’t like the question. It stirs up sadness that loved ones will pass and you stay here alone. I’d rather live a natural life.

Sorry, this wasn’t as in depth as I normally take it but it is a non factor in the life I lead. Sure, Id love to travel to many places, go on many adventures and do lots of things but that requires finance. Finance I do not have, nor will I be able to procure. So, living forever is not high on my list of priorities.

Around The Way: Admiration For Your Own Backyard

Posted by unknowntheartist in Around The Way, Being Serious, Life At Random and tagged with , , , ,

Before you read, this is a mini rant. So, go elsewhere if you don’t wanna read my b*tcha$$ness get semi OOC… 

I read a lot of blogs in my spare time and about 90% of them are written by international bloggers. It gives me a little insight into others’ lives as well as a little bit of their cultures too. (I do read blogs by Aussies and Kiwis as well, FYI)

What I cannot understand is why international bloggers are all fussed over and brought to Australia by our tourism companies but no-one reaches out to Aussie bloggers- for us to discover our own country, I mean, not take us overseas (although…)

Now, DON’T GET ME WRONG- don’t twist what I just said ‘cos I will explain!

  • I love that international bloggers visit Australia and post millions of photos online for us all to see (I think XiaXue would be a kick a$$ vacationer in OZ.)
  • I love that they make money off their blog and have advertisers (I really like this idea and if WordPress.com let me and I had a decent amount of views/subscribers, Nuffnang, I would be yours for the sellout).
  • I love that cultures are finding each other and learning more about the world! Without that, MOH and I would never be…

BUT!!!!

  • Why aren’t tourism companies and boards working this hard to offer Australian bloggers and even non-bloggers the chance to vacation in their own country?
  • Why are the trips fully sponsored to international bloggers when it would be less expensive to offer to an Aussie?
  • Is it because tourism in OZ prefers a POV that is international, well travelled and less pessimistic about what can be discovered? And not a whiny b*tch like moi?
  • Why aren’t they raising their hands and saying we want to educate our own residents/population about what Australia has to offer??
  • Why don’t I, as an Australian, know about all the cool stuff you can do in Tassie, South Australia, Perth, the Blue Mountains, until I read about it on an international blog???

I don’t want a free trip and all paid expenses (okay f*ck it, why the hell not? Everyone else takes it when it’s offered) but I am often wondering why many of my colleagues and friends go straight overseas after school instead of travelling Australia. It’s not as if it is cheaper to go overseas (maybe, it is, who the fluck knows?)

Maybe it is the money that international tourists spend here? Well, I’m sorry I can’t buy every last piece of chocolate from the handmade sweet store on the dusty road of the town we’re touring but I will always spend something and take pics and enjoy the moment.

No wonder damn kids today have no friggin’ idea about their own history and geography and basic general knowledge about Australia. They don’t get a bloody chance to see where they live or come from.

I guess I should stop being so harsh on people who don’t care for travelling the world. It’s their box, not mine. I just want to be let out of mine every now and again. 

I don’t think anything will ever come of this post but if you’re willing to put your money where your mouth is, TA, then you know where to find me. 

Bein’ Serious: Where My Dinero Goes

Posted by unknowntheartist in Being Serious and tagged with , , ,

In this day and age, I declare that I am a finance and economical hypocrite.

There, I said it and I can’t take it back.

Why am I calling myself that?

I live my life in two schools of thought when it comes to waste, financial stability and looking after one’s things.

In one thought, I was raised oh-so-right- to not waste food, clothing, books, toys, everything. If there were any peas left on the dinner plate, I’d feel guilty so I always ate everything on my plate. I always wore hand-me-downs, not from my older sister but from op shops and neighbours.

I think the most embarrassing hand-me-down was when I was donated clothing in sixth grade by the girl across the road, Ashley. Turns out a few months later, I would be joining her at her primary school along with her nerdy twin brother. I absolutely loved the clothes that she donated to me and wore them in all types of outfits- I was trying to channel Claudia from the Baby Sitters Club. So, what was the embarrassing thing? Ashley was the most popular girl in school and I was wearing her hand-me-downs as the new-to-the-area child of a battered poor woman.

Anyway, I have never been a pack rat but I have kept things around “just in case” or “on the off chance…” My parents used to say “waste not, want not.” Which resonates with me whenever I cannot finish a drink when I am out, ‘cos I know later on, it will be the one thing I want. Waste guilts me like a mutha. 

In the other school of thought, I’m kind of like “whatever” with my money. 

I guess, only ‘cos I earn it myself and have MOH as an absolute last resort if I ever need a bill picked up.

We have our rent set up as direct debits and we have a joint account that we deposit set amounts into each fortnight. Everything else is fair game, or in my case- wasted money. For example, I have always been into jewellery making but never into blinging stuff before I stumbled onto a fashion style called Gyaru (it’s awesome, check it out for yourself). Since discovering gyaru, I have crazy amounts of containers full of rhinestones and brushes for blinging. I even went from four to about 35 nail polishes because it was so girly and I immediately found I really like polishing my nails in all colours and designs. All of this materialistic stuff, while not incredibly expensive, does seem wasteful to me when I look at it from my other POV but it makes me happy. That I am able to still do intricate crafting with my bad eyesight, that I can still be creative, even as I am about to turn the big ……… (pffff, I’m not announcing that here. I ain’t stupey.) 

I go a little crazy with the grocery shopping too. What’s new, I may very well pick that up and try it. I can’t go to the supermarket without buying something that is definitely not on my list. But that’s not just me, MOH does it too. Twice last week, as well. But the chocolates after dinner were awesome so no criticism from me :) We sometimes get on certain food obsessions one week and completely turned off it by the next week- food wastage abounds in our fridge. 

Of course, I have to pay other things out for transport, electricity and water bills plus one off fees like license renewal and insurance premiums. I’m sure with the money I spend on stuff I could have a car or two by now, even a nice down payment on a home.

But sometimes, that stuff isn’t important in your mind set at the time. I am sure I seem very materialistic even after all the minimalistic actions I often blog about. In my case, I think sometimes more is less to learn with. You will learn what you need to live with, what can store your life’s contents away the best and rid yourself of all the crap later. I still cull my clothing every month and throw away unused cosmetics, skincare and other crap I rarely use. 

Maybe as I get older, I will learn to use what I have and stop trying to overcompensate being a girly girl as an adult. It felt like a phase to start with but I really am enjoying making up for my tomboy teenage years and doing what I want with my own money. 

So, wasted money and I are just passing friends. Until I develop a healthy love for saving, I will continue to be a girly girl and a financial hypocrite! 

Life At Random: Why It’s Hard To Forgive #159

Posted by unknowntheartist in Being Serious, Life At Random and tagged with ,

The Daily Post poses a thought and emotion provoking question:

why is it so hard to forgive?

To be real, forgive and forget is easier said than done. It is, to me, a cliche. Noone can ever forget a crime or unjustice done to or against them, for the rest of their natural life. I know I cannot and I know people I have hurt feel the same way. Whether you meant to do something or said it in fear or anger, forgiveness is hard to come by because of this:

Forgiveness is hard to give because it’s like being rejected a second time. The first time- the words spoken or the action against you, your feelings are rejected. And the second time, forgiveness is like giving that person the permission and trust to do it again, rejecting you a second time.

I can’t imagine anyone enjoys being rejected so I understand why forgiving is hard to do. You are putting your heart and your trust back in the firing line. Whether you get hurt again is not set in stone (people do change) but you will know who your true friends and loved ones are if your heart gets hung out to dry a second time.

I just want to take this moment to apologise to each and everyone I have ever hurt or upset with my words or actions, in any way. I have no excuse for it and I am sorry if what I did or say may have caused your life to differ from your life plan. I wish you well and hope one day, forgiveness and my name will be something you can join together.

Bein’ Serious: Lest We Forget 2011

Posted by unknowntheartist in Being Serious and tagged with , , , , , , ,

Once again, our country’s beloved Anzac Day arrived yesterday.

I, personally, love ANZAC Day as it is a way to remember my father (stepdad, biologically) as he was not only in the army but also in the air force for a time. How he managed that, I do not know and unfortunately, I cannot ask him as he has passed. I really wish I’d known the significant impact Anzac Day would have on me in the future, because I really have suffered from the “shoulda, coulda, woulda’s”, now that I have no-one to ask.

This year’s Anzac Day in Australia has been overshadowed by Easter. I was sorely disgusted by the amounts of shoppers who ignored the servicemen- retired and still active, who were selling the Anzac badges, all to buy a couple of chocolate eggs, for a day they don’t really respect. (Sure, MOH and I had some eggs- they were bought for us, and we both believe in Christianity, so we know the reason for the season.)

Stupidly, because Easter is a moveable holiday, the government ran it in our calendar as the day before Anzac Day. Anzac Day is commemorated the same day every year, without exception- 25th April. Although the parades and dawn services were packed all over the nation, word has it that the crows had diminished in tens of thousands. That is so disappointing to me. I can’t believe the government would make Easter a priority over Anzac Day but it sure didn’t help that Easter Eggs have been readily available since the end of January, 3 months beforehand.

Anyway, yesterday was my first time at an Anzac Parade and we caught the biggest one in Brisbane City. I was so happy I wanted to cry.

My dad always said he would love to march with me but we never got the chance to. I felt like he was there in spirit with me. Watching the Anzac people always makes me think about how they are in real life. It makes me all the more respectful when I’m out and about- I don’t want to be rude to someone who fought for this country, my rights and for me. So, anytime I feel irritated by an older person, I’m just going to think about my dad and how I would like it if someone was rude to him.

Anzac Day should be observed by all Australians, living here and expats, too. Easter should be observed too but at a date where it does not interfere with national pride.

Considering it can be moved year to year, it makes me wonder what really matters in Australia to Australians- chocolate eggs or your right to live in freedom.

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Bein’ Serious: Challenging You to Be the Change

Posted by unknowntheartist in Being Serious and tagged with , , , , , , ,

I don’t know whether many of you have watched this show but I recently watched an episode of “If You Really Knew Me“, featured on MTV. Basically, where bullying, apathy, ignorance and unhappiness thrive in a school, someone who wants to see the change in their students, faculty and whoever else is affected, contacts the Challenge Day team to help break down the barriers that are swelling up in the school.

The aim of the day programme is “Challenging You To Be The Change”. The program puts these teens in a room together and the Challenge Day team get to work.

While many teens think they are alone in situations like bullying (including cyber bullying), depression, rumours running rampant, gangs, suicide, friendship losses, drugs, pregnancy, the list goes on- this program goes through some activities that are both eye opening and crucial for each teen to see and hear.

The day breaks down the walls. This is high school beyond the confines, cliques and clubs. It hopes to allow students to relate to each other in ways they never thought possible.

At the beginning of the show, I was extremely doubtful that anything could get these kids into one room, confessing their hearts to each other and consoling one another. I have come from a troubled school of thought, where I have given up on youth. But this gives me some hope.

A quarter way into the episode, when they were “crossing the line”, I felt so much empathy for every kid in that room.

Crossing The Line

I felt like “she looks like me” and “she’s gone through what I have”, knowing this is exactly what those kids were seeing in each other’s eyes while crossing.

By the very end, I was in tears. I felt so moved by what these teens were taking responsibility for and I was bawling my eyes out.

From MTV’s press release concerning Challenge Day:

MTV’s new docu-series “If You Really Knew Me” goes inside high schools across the country to discover what can happen when students peel back their public personas, break out of their cliques and show their peers who they really are. Premiering on Tuesday, July 20, at 11pm, each episode visits a different school, following five students as they tear down the walls that divide them through a transformative one-day program, “Challenge Day.” Reminiscent of the film “The Breakfast Club,” this real life series goes beneath the surface and behind the labels, ultimately uniting these students as they surprise each other with illuminating yet sometimes difficult truths about their lives. 

For all the uselessness MTV provides the youth of today, “If You Really Knew Me” is certainly a step in the right direction. My only concern would be about follow up and what happens after the cameras have stopped rolling and the Challenge Day team have been and gone.

I really hope the memories of what happens on those days is ignited everyday in each teen that attended and that they can remember that they are the one who are being challenged by making the change. I also hope that the schools are able to get funding to get the program run in theirs or even start their own little challenges for their school if it’s not affordable.

It’s not that the lines of communication aren’t open. They’ve just been crossed so much, no-one can hear each other speaking.

Images & some information via Google, Youbeat.com, ChallengeDay.org

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Shiny New Things: Retailers launch GST on imports campaign

Posted by unknowntheartist in A Lil Bit Of Work Works For Me, Being Serious, Shiny New Things, UnknownOpinions and tagged with , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sidebar: Please note, this has been in drafts since January. Some info may be a bit backdated but for the most part, it’s up to date.

It came out just after the New Year,  that some of Australia’s largest retailers began a campaign to try and stop (or at least) slow down Australian customers importing their goods from overseas.

Due to a pretty rough holiday period where spending in those stores wasn’t abundant, big names such as David Jones, Myer, Harvey Norman and Target all bitched and moaned, saying their profits where down, holiday shopping was at its lowest, blah blah-de blah.

If you look at the numbers and know Aussie retail from the inside, you’ll know why more and more people buy online and also, why they buy online from overseas.

  • It’s not just because stuff is dead cheap everywhere other than Australia, shipping included- there are retailers who import of their own accord and pass the savings onward to customers
  • It’s not because the Aussie retailers haven’t tried to motivate shoppers with vivacious campaigns- Myer pulled in entertainment legend, Virgin for the past 6 years to liven up the dead music and movies area and Target kicked Myer’s butt when they picked up Stella McCartney and Zac Posen’s lines. Kmart even stocked Burberry, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein fragrances for a while!
  • It’s not because they haven’t tried to compete- Target is slowly becoming what Myer should have been- tidy (for the most part), well-staffed, on trend and signing new moving contracts for product and being well presented. Harvey Norman goes against JB Hi Fi by throwing more clearance bins in the aisle that you can trip over. I don’t think DJs competes, it’s more DJs looks down on other retailers, while Myer desperately pushes their stocktake sale forward every year to beat them to the punch in June. #Just Sayin’.

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Bein’ Serious: Love for Japan

Posted by unknowntheartist in Being Serious and tagged with , , , , , , , , , ,

After all the pain and anguish (and many other emotions and hurt) that the people of Japan have gone through in the past month, it is so nice to know the rest of the world is there for them, to help rebuild.

Many companies have reached out and raised funds for Red Cross Appeal for Japan and through merchandise, aimed at stretching the love a bit further.

Threadless, the awesome t-shirt company, held a contest for designers to make a shirt that would be their contribution to the appeal. Threadless were flooded with entries and seriously, if you had not seen some of the submissions, you are missing out on humanity at its most kind.

This was the wining entry, with 100% of the proceeds going to the American Red Cross’ appeal for Japan. It’s called “Rebuild Japan” by submitter, Jason Yang.

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