Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Wilson's Promintry
Ulladulla!!
Julie & Julia
I watched this movie with absolutely no prior knowledge about its plot; only that it had meryl streep in it and I think she's literally the best actress in Hollywood today. I LOVED IT! If you haven't seen it; make sure you do!
It combines so many of my favourite things;
cooking for people you love
learning from the legacy others have left
taking on challenges that end up being more about what you learn about yourself
and my ever growing obsession with the alluring charm of the 1950's housewife!
What a magical movie!
Lessons from Julie; conquering your weaknesses, persisting through frustrations & set-backs, celebrating with true friends, learning important relationship/marriage lessons (selflessness), & choosing to pursue her passion despite the mundane normality of other areas of her life.
Lessons from Julia; beauty, grace & passion. The value & importance of true friends. The ability to charm anyone; with only the best intentions. An appreciation for good food, wine, culture & company. She brought out the best in EVERYONE, she possessed a stuborn determination. And I adored her sincere & sacrificing love for her husband.
I can so relate to Julia's sheer determination to prove herself in the onion cutting scene (classic!) and also to Julie's kitchen floor breakdown in the dropped chicken scene.
Any feminist in my life will be disappointed to know I am seriously in love with the idea of the 1950's housewife. As I said in a rambling email to one of my friends recently; "The art of the ultimate housewife is a dying one, and we should definitely bring it back in all its glory! i mean what happened to baking something everytime someone came over? or having the dinner on the table when your man walks in the door? or taking homemade sweets of some sort to someones house when you go there for dinner? im a traditionalist through and through- those things are awesome!" Yes yes I know these things aren't for everyone or everyones lifestyle, & things can get in the way...BUT, each to their own; & I still love the idea of it :)
Speaking of which; this obsession is currently being expressed (& tripled!) by a fun creative project I've taken on as I'm travelling down the east coast. I'll keep it to myself until I can get back & actually get it started; but I'm veryyyyyy excited!!!! Feels good to have come alive to a plan again. Ive been on an absolute creative rampage. Let the fun begin!
Kiama
Must have acceptable level of social skills & awareness of social boundaires (apparently harder to find than you'd think)
Must be patient to pull over everytime I yell "ahh i need a photo of that!"
Must be willing to "rough it" yet be a firm believer in daily showering & teeth brushing
Must be able to tolerate and/or participate in moments of car kareoke including destinys child & sonia dada's "lover lover"
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
The Blue Mountains
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The magic of Bondi
I went there on Sunday with my lovely swedish friend & had THE greatest afternoon.
Got off the bus & saw the beach was PACKED with people there for a surf comp. Which turned into a free open air concert where "the beautiful girls" were playing; one of my favourite bands! Our timing was unknowingly impeccable, stoked.
We did the coastal walk from Bondi to Bronte beach & am so glad we did; it truly has to be one of the most beautiful spots in Australia. & lucky for you, we took a zillion photos so you can see for yourself! (as always, I'll be able to put more on fb, but here are some!)
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Manly!
Some pics at Manly; eyes pretty much closed thanks to the sun!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Hamish & Andy save lives..daily
DISLIKE: Nrma men named Eddie
LOVE: Catching up with family + meeting new people
LOVE: Watching people run desperately after their bus/train
Katie :)
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Sydney graffiti
"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have suceeded." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
So although I'm sure there are many reasons different 'artists' have chosen to spray graffiti in city streets; I can't help but think that, for some of them, possibly alot of them; it's their way of leaving their mark on this world. Because isn't that what all of us want in the end? To make a difference? Not in the cliche sense, but in the real, tangible, & purposeful way that lets you lay your head on your pillow at night and know your life counts for something outside yourself. I don't care that we're told society is becoming increasingly selfish, maybe we are, but I don't think any amount of materialistic nature can chase away that little voice that says "make your mark". We want it to different degrees and in contrastingly different ways (isn't that the magic of life), but I believe it's something we all want. I find it impossible to believe the moody teenager who responds with "nothing, I don't care" when you ask them what they want to do with their life. I believe it's a desire every one of us shares; to leave our mark on this world, not only while we're on earth but afterwards. A legacy of something that has value to us, and gives value to others.
And today was a fresh reminder to me to appreciate peoples chosen legacies.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Tuesdays with Morrie
"In the beginning of life, when we are infants, we need others to survive, right? And at the end of life, when you get like me, you need others to survive, right?" His voice dropped to a whisper. "But here's the secret: in between, we need others as well."-Morrie
"When Morrie was with you, he was really with you. He looked you straight in the eyes, and he listened as if you were the only person in the world. How much better would people get along if their first encounter each day were like this- instead of a grumble from a waitress or a bus driver or a boss?"
"Have I told you about the tension of opposites?...Life is a series of pulls back and forth. You want to do one thing, but you are bound to do something else. Something hurts you, yet you know it shouldn't. You take certain things for granted, even when you know you should never take anything for granted. A tension of opposites, like a pull on a rubber band. And most of us live somewhere in the middle"....Sounds like a wrestling match....so which side wins?"Which side wins?" He smiles at me, the crinkled eyes, the crooked teeth. "Love wins. Love always wins."
Lessons from an 8 year old
- World peace and that all the poor people would have enough food and money
- That climate change would stop and the world would last forever
- For a hundred dollars, no wait, a thousand, no a MILLION dollars, so that my family can go on holidays together cause that's what Mum loves to do
- That all the poor people would get money (can you tell she adores her brother and loves to walk in his footsteps?)
- That I would be 8 forever, or maybe 12!
- (She then got distracted and never got to a third...)