tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1881012913230861532024-02-19T18:05:00.990-08:00Beka EllenLifestyle & MusicBekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-77440063564380715682020-11-06T13:42:00.002-08:002021-08-28T22:57:20.549-07:00Zero-Waste Christmas List 2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBlcDUD4hkQI3yaNm2SGcc1PjIzrGkC1H4J7BkGb1cX4KQFz8lMVrZPM6gv8x7HTAQsshSiQ-rDFD5pSyrugPLvBD-Hju6AYNH6avEpMLq5CZiv1k2hMfTXbOxu65gDsOurDH37oUSRQr/s2048/laundry-4017609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBlcDUD4hkQI3yaNm2SGcc1PjIzrGkC1H4J7BkGb1cX4KQFz8lMVrZPM6gv8x7HTAQsshSiQ-rDFD5pSyrugPLvBD-Hju6AYNH6avEpMLq5CZiv1k2hMfTXbOxu65gDsOurDH37oUSRQr/s16000/laundry-4017609.jpg" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">THIS YEAR I’M MAKING THE TRANSITION TO A LOW-IMPACT LIFESTYLE</span></h1><span style="font-size: large;">I started the journey of trying to be more eco-friendly a couple of years ago and since then I have got some real experience of running a home and living off of the groceries that are bought by myself. Now there are also better resources and inspiration to get help with this goal so I’m working out what changes I can add to help the planet. I'm obviously trying to avoid disposable items altogether and repeat purchases that come with a lot of plastic. Much like Grandma has been all the time I've known her. Is it too soon to say I want to be an eco-warrior like her? Maybe I'll just be stepping up to eco-worrier for now.</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItxFqGdtl8BoOhXdV9TBuHibs38QquCCPcGD1JEDkViRhxdbHMuDpb1aKfBk9XGnVRilvbLZ_Ko3o433xqPdyoS3A64hZMKiY18vD1_fcevtxION8TeJO7vTcSR-1gt34gGY_ts9-mHHd/s801/Screen+Shot+2020-09-16+at+8.58.18+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="801" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItxFqGdtl8BoOhXdV9TBuHibs38QquCCPcGD1JEDkViRhxdbHMuDpb1aKfBk9XGnVRilvbLZ_Ko3o433xqPdyoS3A64hZMKiY18vD1_fcevtxION8TeJO7vTcSR-1gt34gGY_ts9-mHHd/w320-h235/Screen+Shot+2020-09-16+at+8.58.18+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">WHAT I DON’T NEED/WANT FOR CHRISTMAS ✗</span></h1><span style="font-size: large;">I already have a few “zero-waste essentials” like a coffee cup, drink bottle, straws, and shopping bags. I’m also quite stocked in the hygiene and beauty departments with shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, hand soap, body wash and face cleanser all in the form of bars. Plus I have a few other reusable items like handkerchiefs and period products.<br />I’m no longer (was I ever) supporting fast fashion and instead like to find all my clothes second hand so I don’t want clothes that are new unless they’re from a sustainable brand, maybe they make garments from dead-stock or scrap fabric.<br />I don’t want or need new stationary, I know it’s a good time for a new diary or journal but I haven’t used the ones I got for the last 10 years and I can finally let it go to rest, I’m not the type of person who is really so organised that things are written down in advance.<br />I’m also not the type of person to bother putting makeup on. I have a large collection of Nail Polish, Eyeshadows, Jewellery and Perfumes that are still going to take the rest of my life to make use of and unless you’re handing off something dangly so I can use the beads in a craft project I’ll pass.<br />Note: Wrapping paper also has alternatives to buying a new role such as reusing wrapping paper, news paper, a scarf, cloth, or I’m fine with not wrapping at all.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEm5NeSWsklwhY5bU-FUkiaT7TfK9qxTHCHKa604dWZv-wAV8GeftKxEs3SiHa5d6DKfTTynROj3QbkO74q0kBfV9LeHQjYR9QXNJmYTxCk98etxIjFKyX0K_Tpa9k0DLwLfuL0EdPjWyM/s745/Screen+Shot+2020-11-07+at+10.32.27+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="745" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEm5NeSWsklwhY5bU-FUkiaT7TfK9qxTHCHKa604dWZv-wAV8GeftKxEs3SiHa5d6DKfTTynROj3QbkO74q0kBfV9LeHQjYR9QXNJmYTxCk98etxIjFKyX0K_Tpa9k0DLwLfuL0EdPjWyM/w320-h227/Screen+Shot+2020-11-07+at+10.32.27+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">WHAT I DO WANT FOR CHRISTMAS ✓</span></h1><div><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcX0R4YiDCIJ-eN2RcUTqt3uoatbhW6Q69J_sjfcNfp9NUT8jyX8Gg2Nd_e3_RhFlnU8oAlJZOmDrlbfrHHhhIUUl5N3AHBMwr9-8TWiFffEcENVXOkiYBNxfDYmWpfhDu5l4afuYUUkJs/s1920/Screen+Shot+2020-09-10+at+10.55.24+AM.png" style="font-size: 32px; font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcX0R4YiDCIJ-eN2RcUTqt3uoatbhW6Q69J_sjfcNfp9NUT8jyX8Gg2Nd_e3_RhFlnU8oAlJZOmDrlbfrHHhhIUUl5N3AHBMwr9-8TWiFffEcENVXOkiYBNxfDYmWpfhDu5l4afuYUUkJs/s16000/Screen+Shot+2020-09-10+at+10.55.24+AM.png" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Rose Gold Saftey Razor by <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">EcoWarrior</a><br />Cora ball from CaliWoods<br />Toothpaste tablets from CailWoods or <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">EcoWarrior</a><br />Bamboo container in Pink by EcoWarrior (I found it in Countdown)<br />Silicone Baking mat<br />Something homemade<br />Something sustainably made, in a reusable container or without packaging at all<br />Something vegan I might like to try<br />Treat foods in compostable packaging like Trade aid chocolate<br />Refillable Oil sprayer</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Cutting Mat & Rotary Blade (I’m currently into sewing a lot)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Zigzag Pinking Shears</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Straight Dress Makers Shears</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Refillable lighter</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The <a href="https://www.analuisa.com/collections/pendant-necklaces/products/cari-necklace">Cari Reversible, a pendant necklace from AnnaLouisa</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The <a href="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2579/7674/products/AnaLuisaJewelryNecklacesLayeredNecklacesSmallBallChainNecklaceAnaGold._720x.jpg?v=1598632090">Ana Gold, a chain necklace from AnnaLouisa</a></span></div><div><h1 style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfV0hN5CTaqNhw1OBujafVDE_4LTz1h-1awpeXL1QsO48k2TiMkT2JlZe8JlgT-h2mMPZQiibcSDXTVO3A8MpnnXfb0TJjBHtxPCF293PLDlZT_VaFufJ9k2mzKUXC3uFwV0skjqpi3a-/s630/Screen+Shot+2020-11-07+at+10.19.38+AM.png" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="630" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfV0hN5CTaqNhw1OBujafVDE_4LTz1h-1awpeXL1QsO48k2TiMkT2JlZe8JlgT-h2mMPZQiibcSDXTVO3A8MpnnXfb0TJjBHtxPCF293PLDlZT_VaFufJ9k2mzKUXC3uFwV0skjqpi3a-/w320-h257/Screen+Shot+2020-11-07+at+10.19.38+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div></h1><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND SECONDHAND ✓</span></h1></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Rayon fabric and other materials</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Vintage and patterned sheets to sew with</span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Overlocker/Surger Machine</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">* * *</span></h1></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #191b26; font-family: "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap;">Image by </span><a href="https://pixabay.com/users/monfocus-2516394/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=4017609" style="background-color: white; color: #191b26; cursor: pointer; font-family: "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif; margin: initial; outline: none !important; padding: initial; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap;">Monfocus</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #191b26; font-family: "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap;"> from </span><a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=4017609" style="background-color: white; color: #191b26; cursor: pointer; font-family: "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif; margin: initial; outline: none !important; padding: initial; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap;">Pixabay</a>Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-11112286805130547972020-10-22T19:45:00.000-07:002021-08-25T01:38:50.310-07:0030 Easy Ways to Go Zero-Waste<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYn30uIEdsWkVY-wXUOMGMiiASY-qRVhM3iawU5vRjYgnk9CfGCZaoxVXyH9e4Byuk441cBwKy-l5_ya456kga2y846wq3rNbg2nmky44jK6FYWYQoKXJWFAcBUBXI6R2iLsjR9hRvPwSq/s2048/pexels-emmet-128421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYn30uIEdsWkVY-wXUOMGMiiASY-qRVhM3iawU5vRjYgnk9CfGCZaoxVXyH9e4Byuk441cBwKy-l5_ya456kga2y846wq3rNbg2nmky44jK6FYWYQoKXJWFAcBUBXI6R2iLsjR9hRvPwSq/s16000/pexels-emmet-128421.jpg" /></a></div><div><div><span style="font-size: 18px;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><h2 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">What is a "Low-Impact Lifestyle"?</span></h2><div><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Making as many choices that can lessen your impact on the planet, using fewer resources, having a smaller carbon footprint, aiming to send very little to be stored in a landfill, aiming to use only what you really actually need.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">I'm not going to get into why you should try to go #Zero-Waste. I think if you found this post then you already want to help the planet. To you, I offer these ideas to do what you can.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><h2 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">How do you achieve a Low-Impact lifestyle?</span></h2><div><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">1. Use what you already have rather than buying new items if what you've got can still do the job.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">2. Use products that have more than one purpose (soap for shaving) (multipurpose cleaner made from home ingredients)</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">3. Think about your purchases and only buy what you really need. I know this can be hard if you struggle with impulsivity so still be kind to yourself.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">4. Buy quality products that will last you a long time and you won't need to replace them.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">5. Keep in mind that every piece of plastic you buy will be here forever and in comparison to the amount of time you need it. It may be entirely unnecessary.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">6. Be sure to properly clean glass, tins and the appropriate plastics to put them in recycling so they don't contaminate other materials that could have been used again.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">7. Properly recycle all the glass, aluminium, paper, plastic and other materials so they can be used again.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">70% of materials are usually thrown away when they still could be used. Recycling perfectly (which isn't going to happen but we can try) would eliminate the need to take more resources from the earth, eg metals not needing to be mined.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">8. Hold on to empty things like jars and containers because they might be the right fit to hold things you might otherwise buy new for storage or organisation.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">9. Make things at home rather than buying new packages of them, eg bathroom and beauty products and food.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">10. Support the options of items you already buy that honestly come from recycled materials, so those companies are able to keep doing it.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">11. Buy the version of things you already get regularly that come in compostable packaging, and compost it.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">12. Compost food scraps rather than sending them to landfills where they can't decompose and will produce methane.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">13. Plant or Supporting the planting of new trees because the more we have the better the planet can process our carbon emissions at a healthy rate.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">14. Invest in items that that be used again and again as opposed to the version you throw away.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">15. Decorate, dye, mend or alter what you have rather than buying new things.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">16. Buy secondhand whenever possible, those items are already part of someone else's environmental impact so if you can give it a new life it doesn't add to your environmental impact and instead, you're saving the planet from those materials polluting it. plus it's always cheaper.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">17. Save things that you may need in the future so you won't need to buy a new one when that time comes.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">18. Pick up litter when you have the opportunity because every piece you collect could save an ocean creature from swallowing it, save a resource from not being recycled, or save our soil from pollution.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">19. Turn off your lights and powered appliances when not in use.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">20. Plan your trips out of the house ahead of time to optimize going to all your destinations in the most fuel-efficient way.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">21. Walk or cycle rather than drive when you can.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">22. Choose timeless style options lest you be tempted to replace them for the next trend.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">23. Opt-out of promotional mailers being sent to you by companies that are using trees and delivery to tell you what you could know via email.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">24. Read books that are borrowed, secondhand or ebooks when you can or rereading what you've already got.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">25. Knit or do puzzles in that puzzle book you probably have rather than scrolling and playing games on your phone.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">26. Don't contribute to the 60 Million unwanted gifts over the holidays. With your loved ones only gift what is desired by asking each other first.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">27. Don't forget the things you have in storage least you buy the same thing again.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">28. Try some cognitive behaviour therapy to replace retail therapy. When you have an urge to buy things ask yourself what you think having that product will really achieve.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">29. Keep an eye out for new reusable inventions if they could replace something you often throw away, like spray cooking oil cans or soda bottles.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">30. Stay inspired to keep up with a low impact lifestyle. It can be easy to forget about making the choices that are better for the environment when we are doing it on our own. Remind yourself of the many resources online of others sharing their low-waste journey.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 18px;"><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-size: 16px;">Photo by </span><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/@emmet-35167?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Emmet</a></span><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-size: 16px;"> from </span><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/scrap-metal-trash-litter-scrapyard-128421/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Pexels</a></span></span></div></div>Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-29824588934966776712018-03-26T17:16:00.000-07:002021-08-27T19:55:09.999-07:00My Favourite Marriage Advice Resources<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAIruTVQpxgmF5z75GmVbE5FcjWsGIdGc6YVIDQdtFj0XUYLAOHn7Yhr_iRtK3JIghTVmE0vLXjDxlTm1DMAt5H4gPKMG0fhtfeuPJJ6LCElDZOaUAqQhXlAVYNBZgsSXYiZYIOfhhXp74/s1600/pexels-photo-904616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAIruTVQpxgmF5z75GmVbE5FcjWsGIdGc6YVIDQdtFj0XUYLAOHn7Yhr_iRtK3JIghTVmE0vLXjDxlTm1DMAt5H4gPKMG0fhtfeuPJJ6LCElDZOaUAqQhXlAVYNBZgsSXYiZYIOfhhXp74/s1600/pexels-photo-904616.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>In the last couple weeks I've been getting through a large quantity of marriage related resources and that was because I was excited and passionate to keep reading and taking note of what other people have said.</b></i></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>But one of the lessons I've been learning is that sometimes you are ripe to hear a certain message and grow in a particular way when others may not be at the same time. My fiancé was probably not as ripe for all of the messages shared in these resources in the same time as myself and so I share this with you to warn against showing these books down your partner's throat. </b></i></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>It can come across quite forceful when you are passionate about the advice a resource has and want your partner to know it too. Just make sure you are asking nicely for them to join you in reading books like this and that they don't end up taking on a lot of pressure from you.</b></i></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>With that out of the way here are my recommendations:</b></i></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BERIOlDTk2M" target="_blank">How Do You Know if Someone Is "The One"?</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Video by Jefferson Bethke</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Something a lot of people worry about before they actually get engaged is if their partner is 'the one.' The truth is this concept was created by Hollywood; it is not from God. In this video Jeff breaks down the concept of free will when you're looking for your future husband or wife.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Love & Respect</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Love-Respect-Emerson-Eggerichs/9781591452461?ref=grid-view&qid=1522109497744&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Book</a> </span><span style="font-size: large;">by Dr. Emerson Eggriches, </span><span style="font-size: large;">336 p</span><span style="font-size: large;">ages</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Health-Personal-Development/Love-and-Respect-Audiobook/B01BYIXBP2?ref=a_a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=771c6463-05d7-4981-9b47-920dc34a70f1&pf_rd_r=YRMG89QTT4APBWEYNQGN&" target="_blank">Audiobook</a> read by the author, 9 hours</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The best non-fiction book I've ever read. The differences between men and women from the way we are coded to function is an incredible display of God's image. The realisation that men are blue, women are pink, coming together to make purple; the colour of royalty was something I also came up with in 2013 but that's how this book concludes. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Meaning Of Marriage</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Meaning-Marriage-Timothy-Keller/9781594631870?ref=grid-view&qid=1522109544117&sr=1-2" target="_blank">Book</a> by </span><span style="font-size: large;">Timothy Keller with Kathy Keller, </span><span style="font-size: large;">288 pages</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Health-Personal-Development/The-Meaning-of-Marriage-Audiobook/B01DT7JZBK?ref=a_a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=771c6463-05d7-4981-9b47-920dc34a70f1&pf_rd_r=Q6EXBC8M7J6PBXN6JKPF&" target="_blank">Audiobook</a> read by James Loyd, 8 hours</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">There are heaps of ideas in here that if given the chance I'd shove them down everyone's throat. This book could be responsible for cleaning up the entire world's view of marriage from a self-centred celebration of the love they already have (which I don't agree with as the purpose of having a wedding) to a covenant of best friends who choose to help each other become more like christ.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Marriage is the most challenging and rewarding relationship you could ever have with another human, however the world's idea of living together first is like knowing the questions before going into an exam. This book explains those rewards and helps you form the right mindset that will have you facing the challenges in the right way.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://markgungor.com/collections/dvd-cd/products/laugh-your-way-to-a-better-marriage-1" target="_blank">Laugh your way to a Better Marriage</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Seminar by</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Mark Gungor</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I'll link you to the official wed page where you can order the dvd, but I have found it on YouTube saved it in downloads and listened to it in the car. I don't actually recommend listening without watching because you end up missing a lot of jokes.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Mark's performance shows training in voice and drama, and comedy. This recording is over a decade old but the humour and the truth bombs that go off every minute may just be timeless. Pop it on and watch this one together with your spouse, or better yet the whole family.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Things I Wish I'd Known Before We Got Married</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Things-I-Wish-I-d-Known-Before-We-Got-Married/9780802481832" target="_blank">Book</a> by Gary Chapman, </span><span style="font-size: large;">161 pages</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Health-Personal-Development/Things-I-Wish-Id-Known-Before-We-Got-Married-Audiobook/B00FOX5SBY?ref=a_a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=771c6463-05d7-4981-9b47-920dc34a70f1&pf_rd_r=EFS8VXE6XMMDSGA6Z38R&" target="_blank">Audiobook</a> read by Chris Fabry, 4 hours long</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">This is one that I find best to read a single chapter when you're ready to improve yourself. This is 12 chapters talking about very different elements of married life and perspective to help you prepare for it. We all have dreams and expectations of what it will be like when we get married but it's important to have perspective of what is realistic and actually fits in with the character's of yourself and your partner.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">The 5 Love Languages</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Five-Love-Languages-Revised-Edition-Gary-Chapman/9780802412706?ref=grid-view&qid=1522109735424&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Book</a> by Gary Chapman, </span><span style="font-size: large;">203 pages</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Health-Personal-Development/The-Five-Love-Languages-The-Secret-to-Love-That-Lasts-Audiobook/B00FGIGIXY?ref=a_a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=771c6463-05d7-4981-9b47-920dc34a70f1&pf_rd_r=P44TKMKC86A3X2CA26WN&" target="_blank">Audiobook</a> read by the author, 5 hours</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I haven't read this one in a long time but I know it's a good one to pick up every once in a while to read the chapter that will most help you love on your spouse. It turns out that different people have different ways of showing their love and different things others can do for them will have more impact on making them feel loved even if they are meant with the same intention of love.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Through years of marriage counselling Garry chapman has found it useful to categorise the ultimate ways people receive and express love into 5 categories; touch, quality time, gifts, serving and words. It's important to help your partner and your self in loving each other by working out which of these can make the best impact on your heart for feeling cared for and loved.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MEPL9Hx8o44/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MEPL9Hx8o44?feature=player_embedded" width="800"></iframe></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-23451756596789017082018-01-10T21:25:00.000-08:002021-08-24T01:01:21.042-07:00Undergraduate Research Project; Songwriters and Writer's Block<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><style type="text/css">p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 18.0px Avenir; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; background-color: #ffffff} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} </style> <br /><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDuqJPzgjuXP9l35H38Mqv9grpvxprcvF-hFPT01OyuAwWC3bek0zVcR2W848u-atZP8LGbIoOmGAOB8_U8JK7QY1zWZLnQ1QQQznWX8bq5jUj90bQhdhF0LiTG5FEz7YiGOoh5Lt__sj/s1600/audio-black-and-white-black-and-white-6966.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDuqJPzgjuXP9l35H38Mqv9grpvxprcvF-hFPT01OyuAwWC3bek0zVcR2W848u-atZP8LGbIoOmGAOB8_U8JK7QY1zWZLnQ1QQQznWX8bq5jUj90bQhdhF0LiTG5FEz7YiGOoh5Lt__sj/s1600/audio-black-and-white-black-and-white-6966.jpg" /></a></span></span><br /><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Are Songwriters Immune to Writer’s Block? Diagnosed with Professional Creativity.</span></span></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Rebekah E. Tripp, </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">2017 </span></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Abstract </span></b></span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><span style="font-size: large;">This study measured the phenomenon of physiological writer’s block among professional and recreational songwriters in the attempt to detect a trend in its occurrence at different stages of the songwriters’ progression of skill mastery. Writer’s block is "defined as a disti<span class="s1">nctly uncomfortable inability to write" (Huston, 1998, P. 93), it is when the mind is blank of thought when a person attempts to create an original work. This study makes attempt at defining what is the type or types of ideas that songwriter’s are looking to form when they face writer’s block, which would better allow the songwriter to know how to find it. This research is intended to make ideas easier to discover. The data provided by 22 survey participants was used to determine this, as well as to discover if more education is generally necessary for songwriters to combat writer’s block, and whether such combat should be foundational prevention or a short-term solution. This paper makes note of other key studies including Rideout, 2014 <i>Creativity and Songwriting, </i>Huston, 1998 <i>Resolving Writer’s Block </i>and Flaherty, 2004 <i>The Midnight Disease. </i>Through analysis and discussion of the data provided by a survey and research drawn from other sources, Tripp concludes that writer’s block is inevitable as a hobbyist songwriter or professional songwriter. There are no particular conditions that prevent writer’s block entierly, but there are things one can do to reduce it’s liklihood. After certain stages in a songwriter's educational progression and professional growth creative blocks do decrease significantly due to practice and education.</span></span></div><div class="p4"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"> <style type="text/css">p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 18.0px Avenir; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; background-color: #ffffff} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 12.0px Avenir; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; min-height: 16.0px} p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20.0px; font: 14.0px Avenir; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; background-color: #ffffff} p.p4 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 14.0px Avenir; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; min-height: 19.0px} p.p5 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 14.0px Avenir; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; background-color: #ffffff} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} span.s2 {font-kerning: none; color: #231f20; -webkit-text-stroke: 0px #231f20} </style> </span></span></div><div class="p5"><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Keywords:</i><i> songwriting, writer’s block, creative blocks, prevention, optimal conditions for creativity and original thinking</i></span></span></div><div class="p5"><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="p5"><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="p5" style="text-align: center;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SSKzqxXdUo7WCRgHxI6UUHuMWJaTjQoh" target="_blank">KEEP READING & DOWNLOAD</a></b></span></span></div><div class="p5"><span class="s1"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="p5"><span class="s1"><i><br /></i></span></div><style type="text/css">p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 18.0px Avenir; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; background-color: #ffffff} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 18.0px Avenir; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; min-height: 25.0px} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} </style>Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-3878033063761997062017-10-01T23:38:00.000-07:002021-08-27T20:02:42.637-07:00Chicken Satay Stir-fry Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">An ideal healthy disk to make in bulk either for weekly meal prep or for a dinner party.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Serves 6</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vMKc6jLRxthUJkonZYA0rWR9jNcS9iMeK1-IkTVSbC9a0Qyc7pxt9EDWQbUlgM6D_Y0EGqqgtiKyK12axvN_chImCIlrgDdM9oS7H3lMtYdUA8DZ4vpoXlAT9QmKttPINqi7OGdSNEdQ/s1600/IMG_1755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vMKc6jLRxthUJkonZYA0rWR9jNcS9iMeK1-IkTVSbC9a0Qyc7pxt9EDWQbUlgM6D_Y0EGqqgtiKyK12axvN_chImCIlrgDdM9oS7H3lMtYdUA8DZ4vpoXlAT9QmKttPINqi7OGdSNEdQ/s1600/IMG_1755.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b>Ingredients</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">● Chicken 500g</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">●</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">2 Satay flavour packets</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">● 1/2 Cup Peanut-butter</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">● 1 1/2 Cups Water</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">●</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">1 Large Red Onion</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">●</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">1 Red Capsicum</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">●</span><span style="font-size: large;"> 2</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Head of Broccoli</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">● Baby Green Beans 500g</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">● Sesame seeds to surve - Optional</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">● Other seasoning or spices - Optional</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaeLInwt5Uw6C1Fnav3yyJSJNAI9TYU45cbpLQhZL9jyYCktiDqTLCOD511_taI85empa0eQWOL-IAtvWpnu31ZjlY2RSLZS8IC5YIjpxK_jZf8ICjt-KGZ9C18PLzvGaxrIkMXaBstLDy/s1600/IMG_1741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaeLInwt5Uw6C1Fnav3yyJSJNAI9TYU45cbpLQhZL9jyYCktiDqTLCOD511_taI85empa0eQWOL-IAtvWpnu31ZjlY2RSLZS8IC5YIjpxK_jZf8ICjt-KGZ9C18PLzvGaxrIkMXaBstLDy/s1600/IMG_1741.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b>Meat Prep</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Place chicken pieces in an open ziplock bag or between grease proof paper and hit with meat paddle or rolling pin to tenderise and to thin and even out it out for shorter cooking time.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pat your chicken dry with paper towels, this will ensure the meat become crispy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Coat both sided of the chicken pieces with one packet of satay seasoning by pouring it onto a plate and laying the meat in it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Set aside.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1IndX5_8hutex5QuPcsequjtyLVTToR_PXVrhG8hJP7yGYvEukKGzWlxRaIMz1IYc9y_XFMp63ePobeE41YolaQaggeeWPNj8eSS2b-31vs6DYHy1pYNWxChNmNAohuwo7ElMj2lJDXw/s1600/IMG_1744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1IndX5_8hutex5QuPcsequjtyLVTToR_PXVrhG8hJP7yGYvEukKGzWlxRaIMz1IYc9y_XFMp63ePobeE41YolaQaggeeWPNj8eSS2b-31vs6DYHy1pYNWxChNmNAohuwo7ElMj2lJDXw/s1600/IMG_1744.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b>Veggie Prep</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Cut your vegetables long and thin.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Use the stalk of the broccoli, it's tasty, it's crunchy. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> Ignore the way the florets naturally stick out, slice that thing like a green seedy, loaf of bread.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Onion and red pepper; cut in half and length wise.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih36pki_X2YIn5UKZQtuywezTQQNf56o5HZ6fHg5wfctrfR_tKl9Sbj02pe6M6jn0VHGjVHqsv2RMRHXGqmoO_IbUHJ9k-_jG6-Qdvx5bUVrBDeAe9G-WQvVNufphMNhHs7_fqgB5MRB5d/s1600/IMG_1745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih36pki_X2YIn5UKZQtuywezTQQNf56o5HZ6fHg5wfctrfR_tKl9Sbj02pe6M6jn0VHGjVHqsv2RMRHXGqmoO_IbUHJ9k-_jG6-Qdvx5bUVrBDeAe9G-WQvVNufphMNhHs7_fqgB5MRB5d/s1600/IMG_1745.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpwVwqLBaHyi9n7y1WjqZFIr_PHYm3bBOciALkNs4DAKSYMcQv8tTLvne6GesD_mZGT8nWL7C3Y7xl5ftNJJ5TPTF1cClqzuqaedsLttj8xfwh05AETTDdqYbW8K2VmQYd8mqwuddBa2q/s1600/IMG_1746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpwVwqLBaHyi9n7y1WjqZFIr_PHYm3bBOciALkNs4DAKSYMcQv8tTLvne6GesD_mZGT8nWL7C3Y7xl5ftNJJ5TPTF1cClqzuqaedsLttj8xfwh05AETTDdqYbW8K2VmQYd8mqwuddBa2q/s1600/IMG_1746.JPG" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Get your frying pan hot.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">With some oil cook one side of each chicken piece until a ring around the bottom of it turns white. The other side won't need as long.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">In another pan, fry up the onion on its own.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Set the onion aside and cook broccoli and the red pepper.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZt6giY8u_zoXH1U11RUqv5ANNJbjHOGUZqAdHsgdUdBCJU9DKzWJl0xUP2QIWpQtKMg2Hd_RarlxoAaUlk1QdUICdvCh9Ll1YRgwfzEriYDlzNtv8-oezONVetSTeTyfeE7mo4iO1Avk/s1600/IMG_1747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZt6giY8u_zoXH1U11RUqv5ANNJbjHOGUZqAdHsgdUdBCJU9DKzWJl0xUP2QIWpQtKMg2Hd_RarlxoAaUlk1QdUICdvCh9Ll1YRgwfzEriYDlzNtv8-oezONVetSTeTyfeE7mo4iO1Avk/s1600/IMG_1747.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKAw2AXPTvQwPQqGB2-_ow1mo52cQzdwgBnDP-9yBwish3vmYWuEXm4oCl5T65zlJFc0F5WyXncah8H8De7RawvrgY-ZQG1MIeFZTFQI9vpOe13pBmZLWn7i4PaTDBir6jbnWLBieoCV5/s1600/IMG_1749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKAw2AXPTvQwPQqGB2-_ow1mo52cQzdwgBnDP-9yBwish3vmYWuEXm4oCl5T65zlJFc0F5WyXncah8H8De7RawvrgY-ZQG1MIeFZTFQI9vpOe13pBmZLWn7i4PaTDBir6jbnWLBieoCV5/s1600/IMG_1749.JPG" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Cut the chicken. It's always going to work easier after it's cooked.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">In a bowl of the jar of peanut butter if there's not much left, mix nut-butter, other seasonings and water.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Not hot water because the peanut butter will cook. </span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8snpLPHPRQv0IAcDkK0N7pwOmVQ5wwH9Kgwg0REws3f-bD69NpaRnlDO3ZpVx6wwZ6Mw3O_sj0smYkrYJtbmaOdz-sJcg8cc2-x2zu7tdR27NsPttBfMFWjgeKm1E9LPZaF6TEjn1szqp/s1600/IMG_1748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8snpLPHPRQv0IAcDkK0N7pwOmVQ5wwH9Kgwg0REws3f-bD69NpaRnlDO3ZpVx6wwZ6Mw3O_sj0smYkrYJtbmaOdz-sJcg8cc2-x2zu7tdR27NsPttBfMFWjgeKm1E9LPZaF6TEjn1szqp/s1600/IMG_1748.JPG" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Combine everything together into the larger of the frying pans and let the liquid soak into everything else.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Simmer for 10 minutes or until heated through.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZZr_jjysIWxoEr4XzZyWoecN6HmZ6fI6TTAUFL7liLgbE8J7HC4Tuz1j7dj5IXAcJOWfWzEVHZt6b-H1swgG-EOWuyvh4s6HLs9wVk9ScmPQu-G2XVkt9eoMcIuXyAHIUipn8JKiV6u4/s1600/IMG_1751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZZr_jjysIWxoEr4XzZyWoecN6HmZ6fI6TTAUFL7liLgbE8J7HC4Tuz1j7dj5IXAcJOWfWzEVHZt6b-H1swgG-EOWuyvh4s6HLs9wVk9ScmPQu-G2XVkt9eoMcIuXyAHIUipn8JKiV6u4/s1600/IMG_1751.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Plate up with sesame seeds on top and you've got a delicious, and satisfying meal.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><i>If you make this incredible dish don't forget to tag me in a picture.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><i>xxoBeka</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-70031594925247363702017-08-02T02:35:00.000-07:002021-08-24T01:01:21.047-07:00Mid-Year Review<span style="font-size: large;"><b>As the year is flying by I don't want to let it go without paying carful attention to the important things. I've been inspired by Alieen from Lavendaire to take a few moments to check-in to see how I'm going.</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>If you want to see how Alieen does it, and many other amazing life tips (<i>I do highly recommend</i>) then see her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8sWdPfM1uI&list=WL&index=8" target="_blank">video here</a>.</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitenwzBQxY5Svxy1zG4meivfiOYQGvMrsrll3-Trhvb9QWw_wHhevdH33_iITKNap8zzD0qNtGNZXRZtdC9_eRwQE5yQddsT1WuAyd49EvNF7hXQIFv2k84yJ5otDZofXAK61FQxRXgQbr/s1600/kaboompics_A+Trip+to+Venice%252C+Italy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitenwzBQxY5Svxy1zG4meivfiOYQGvMrsrll3-Trhvb9QWw_wHhevdH33_iITKNap8zzD0qNtGNZXRZtdC9_eRwQE5yQddsT1WuAyd49EvNF7hXQIFv2k84yJ5otDZofXAK61FQxRXgQbr/s1600/kaboompics_A+Trip+to+Venice%252C+Italy.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Here I'll go through the questions from the worksheet linked in the video description.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">WHAT HAVE I ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR THAT I AM PROUD OF?</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Let me think what have I actually accomplished?</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">● Obtained tickets to Ed Sheeran's concerts in March next year.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">● Written and produced an EP</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">● Other assignments; WOW, my post-modernism project was ages ago, I kinda miss the pop culture classes. There are always TED talks I suppose...</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">● Attempted a dating podcast.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">● Released My Perfect Post Planner.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">● Broke my laptop.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">OH! </span><span style="font-size: large;">● I started a new job. I really hope I haven't lost it. Man, putting my ability to adult has had some pretty crushing results.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">● I lived alone for a month; I realised I <i>am</i> the kind of person who vocally greets and says goodbye to their house.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">● I made an attempt at writing a mailing list.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I think though, my biggest personal achievement has been establishing a real thirst for knowledge, and working out how to get it. I have listened to many audiobooks and podcasts and watched many videos just to keep filling my head with new skills and information and lessons. I just love it.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Professionally my most proud accomplishment is just staying in the game. I mean with my degree because it's dang hard work sometimes, and my location is not good for anyone's mental state with the rain and bitter cold. I've somehow stopped myself from dwelling when I don't want to work on an </span><span style="font-size: large;">assignment. Still after this year, that's it for studying. I have seriously had enough.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">DOES THIS YEAR FEEL ALIGNED TO MY YEARLY THEME SO FAR? WHAT CAN I DO TO LIVE MY THEME MORE FULLY?</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I knew going into this year that I would find it hard to put any time into something too abstract, so my theme was 'Happy'. This comes from battling with depression and my intention was to do more of what makes me happy and stop things that weigh me down.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">One such thing was reading Girl Online: On Tour. I just had to stop. All because of one character who made the main character, and myself through being a highly sensitive and anxious person, rather uncomfortable. I do not agree with the notion of having characters we love to hate. If I hate the character I want their actions brought to light and their motives made impossible but that doesn't mean I will enjoy their destruction. I don't know...I'm getting too deep. Basically I stopped enjoying the book so I put it down and I'm not going to waste my time on something I don't want to do.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">What I could do to live my theme of Happy more fully is quit worrying about promises I feel exist to other people. This is not out of being selfish but being an anxious person those supposed obligations can make me feel very not happy. These promises include keeping a gift from a friend that I don't have a passion to keep or obligation to my future self to save money. I still need to know where to draw the line.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">WHAT WERE MY GOALS FOR THIS YEAR? WHAT CAN I ELIMINATE OR CHANGE TO FEEL BETTER ABOUT MY GOALS?</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I didn't have a list of goals this year aside from pass and be able to graduate. Of course that includes a large number of individual tasks, but I think I can note down some others.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">● Pass and Graduate</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">● Try a path in my career that actually uses my degree</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">● Have an amazing Zoella style Christmas (Yes, I am already excited for Christmas because I have learned the earlier you start the festivities the better as December 25 is when the party is all over)</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">● Pay my family members back for my Ed Sheeran tickets</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">● Find my own place</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">● Convince Mum to do the Konmari method</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">● Diminish my amount of plastic trash and consumption</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">WHAT ARE MY TOP 3 PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT THREE MONTHS?</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">My quarterly goals I have listed in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVS_BhnVfFM" target="_blank">this video</a>, but my top three would be:</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">● Bring home zero plastic grocery bags.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">● Post a video every 2 weeks.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">● Read 2 books.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Please respond to this post with something that you are proud of achieving this year. Let's make it a link party.</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: x-large;"><i>xxoBeka</i></span>Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-78588903989379763532017-06-15T20:24:00.000-07:002021-08-24T01:01:21.048-07:00All-Time Favourite Films<br /><span style="font-size: large;">Today I'm running you through my top three inspiring movies of all time as a 21-year-old. I do highly recommend these pictures if you haven't seen them yet, though I can tell you now they're not for when you want something light-hearted. I like films that get me thinking, these last few years I've been on a soul search, you know that typical young-adult finding myself stage, and should I end up making similar decisions to the protagonists in these three movies I don't think I'd be going down such a terrible path.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5Ss4FeTt0gLeHfgsRNPVFGB25lBqRFXU3bRz0svfMZNDAkQMlgZD6vjEkzJuBG7rUvI_QLkbPkL1My1VAY4O3PhIGMks1Rlnn9BsEreC3S_u6m5q6aIUJbkymyqZB0nhyVWfV3E-cAfu/s1600/pexels-photo-274937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5Ss4FeTt0gLeHfgsRNPVFGB25lBqRFXU3bRz0svfMZNDAkQMlgZD6vjEkzJuBG7rUvI_QLkbPkL1My1VAY4O3PhIGMks1Rlnn9BsEreC3S_u6m5q6aIUJbkymyqZB0nhyVWfV3E-cAfu/s1600/pexels-photo-274937.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">A decade ago, when I was eleven, I would have listed my three most favourite movies as;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">● The Princess Bride</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">● Sky High, and</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">● Snow White and the seven dwarves</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">That's something political, something supernatural, and something related to life of minorities (no pun intended) - However my perspective has changes and obviously interests have become more grown up and refined for a typical happy narrative. Such as...</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">ARRIVAL</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gets is in this list for just for the grace I feel I'm given because other people in the world care about the details in communication.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcpPBQvEsgJJE7f3pL4AK_tPs-FnWGfO0tQhjx4qBBv0g7yID2i-9h8hyphenhyphenl6qixfsr55wGqhOS8RPpYFP01JeOTVmPIrgeI9VFbHrjapPmi8JNyygy3QJEs-DiDLO0ei1aeIeCPudFFHl7/s1600/Arrival.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcpPBQvEsgJJE7f3pL4AK_tPs-FnWGfO0tQhjx4qBBv0g7yID2i-9h8hyphenhyphenl6qixfsr55wGqhOS8RPpYFP01JeOTVmPIrgeI9VFbHrjapPmi8JNyygy3QJEs-DiDLO0ei1aeIeCPudFFHl7/s1600/Arrival.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">THE IMITATION GAME</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">With music by Alexandra Desplat, Benedict Cumberbatch's performance in this so very moving and comical...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxUcc6xtbM8J4K4aCYxojrc26jmbV1dBCS54L2x00CO2EKnZ5WYcW1ifEhqpN2Y01xeETQhGaAVIMwzokXb8FyDgY0GCg3N_kgvGTgDhy8KMtY8tFYAteZXlw9KxC_NZiUoC0vw6Pyoqt/s1600/Imitation.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxUcc6xtbM8J4K4aCYxojrc26jmbV1dBCS54L2x00CO2EKnZ5WYcW1ifEhqpN2Y01xeETQhGaAVIMwzokXb8FyDgY0GCg3N_kgvGTgDhy8KMtY8tFYAteZXlw9KxC_NZiUoC0vw6Pyoqt/s1600/Imitation.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">THE SOCIAL NETWORK</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't mean to choose all films that show you how it ends at the beginning but maybe it's related to a deep-rooted issue of my being a control-freak and wanting to know how everything is going to turn out. The Social Network is on this list </span><span style="font-size: large;">for Zukerburg's creative thinking and pitiless understanding that algorithms are allowed to be changed after you launch a project, it's just the way the internet and businesses progress.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">THE INTERN</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm a blogger, an entrepuner, a millennial; of course I love this movie. Robert De Niro's character is so loveable with his dedication to routine and initiative, while Hathaway portrays the reality of being caught in the difficult place between love and what is easy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhaNnEGaQYrgW94EOdNBO5ZVHruK1SLCC_8hjDf0ntxpQdYtNavZRw2POW43GWnx1Q-3ba79_2JeqDXpjgnz38hoDqP2vUeCBM614E3u2bN7c8EL3pEWOl1BEAyIMGfERrIUHM7iOhl_6/s1600/Intern.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhaNnEGaQYrgW94EOdNBO5ZVHruK1SLCC_8hjDf0ntxpQdYtNavZRw2POW43GWnx1Q-3ba79_2JeqDXpjgnz38hoDqP2vUeCBM614E3u2bN7c8EL3pEWOl1BEAyIMGfERrIUHM7iOhl_6/s1600/Intern.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">CRAZY, STUPID LOVE</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">People being real with their emotions, and I'm a sucker for makeover montages. I love the indie-pop soundtrack and dang, I so ship Emma Stone with Ryan Gosling because that means there's still hope for redheads.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">MIRROR MIRROR</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">If ever I just need cheering up, this movie will do the trick. It's funny, a familiar tale of Snow White and the seven dwarvs, plus there's a song at the end, wedding's are already awkward so why not burst into song to turn the cringe to 50. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"Not to 50!"</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Can you guess the reference for a secret addition to this list?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy popcorn munching,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><i>xxoBeka</i></span></div><br />Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-79668873441437320522017-03-23T13:53:00.000-07:002021-08-24T01:01:21.048-07:003 New Additions to my Library<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRtTUjltZTCCnREN7-R8SKynTqUvB80BA0iGmtjunmnwi6pTMn7ziP1gIiOLhzb5CuXae7FMsZtitkc11VLCyRsHJnZCCsDvDUrGw-uBGw5q6L62S-e5E5w9_Kj3sAi7w8irxr3KzIuE9/s1600/IMG_9733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRtTUjltZTCCnREN7-R8SKynTqUvB80BA0iGmtjunmnwi6pTMn7ziP1gIiOLhzb5CuXae7FMsZtitkc11VLCyRsHJnZCCsDvDUrGw-uBGw5q6L62S-e5E5w9_Kj3sAi7w8irxr3KzIuE9/s1600/IMG_9733.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Bloom/9781785033650" target="_blank"><img alt="Bloom by Estee Lalonde" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8PRcDX51UNpFKFvz-MAtfjhg7Sd_LcBstbVtwYwYl0RF3Ar7rPUB0Pz3eiQkS3BnstUiocgwnkOViXQMSvlHzhtHx5-FepXe-UowX1cZj8FJJADVNC63vlbf0lVXEGNphaO9-hMs63Ed/s1600/IMG_9736.jpg" title="" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Curated-Closet/9781607749486" target="_blank"><img alt="The Curated Closet by Anuschka Rees" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeX3URjNvSvJFNNuRPRovA1oxfeDPYwTfP45m_vynIjK_gvpppiQUHScVE0jYOUJpV4bK14gi3WHEVNDbTB-pQdGxdzgMtiIIvlpG7Nd5KWWDbYDWyE0ZGOvl9gvYfaxRzTXTjSECAWbt/s1600/IMG_9740.jpg" title="" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Everyday-Super-Food/9780718181239" target="_blank"><img alt="Jamie Oliver's Everyday Super Food" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiacYP34s7MsaJwaI_NIWwvvGav6GoUvFyI_8W6aKEimISO-WtK56eJxHSrSRqjwT_7yG2cULiBDaVGsNm6Q6_nrSzx7oWfCdRinsz4IxALVsmhtdBTiCGO_yJwymeR2hyH4UnrW1VGKwEk/s1600/IMG_9743.jpg" title="" /></a></div><br />Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-73190134687465259892017-01-31T16:19:00.000-08:002021-08-27T19:55:09.999-07:0021 Things.<br />I recently turned 21 years old. I'll never understand how that could be true, my brother is only twelve. God, how did <i>that</i> happen?? Anyway considering this is what bloggers do when they reach a milestone, and because I've been working on this list for the last few months; I'm going to share with you twenty-one life lessons I've learned in my 21 years of living.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0FvZ0IOopIb2Wn8WW1sRw_yhfm4v2UqVPa3S7m8isI4GLdbYZvW0y5bGxI9f88rzABrtSYQVmnzlAtanrbL9cjiknhXzRZMRl2tyANYjgsW4nSe-ubLQxBKwYY5_you_9iQu9-2bInCM/s1600/CC_CreativeMinimalism_V9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0FvZ0IOopIb2Wn8WW1sRw_yhfm4v2UqVPa3S7m8isI4GLdbYZvW0y5bGxI9f88rzABrtSYQVmnzlAtanrbL9cjiknhXzRZMRl2tyANYjgsW4nSe-ubLQxBKwYY5_you_9iQu9-2bInCM/s1600/CC_CreativeMinimalism_V9.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><h3>1. I like pink.</h3>That's weather my friend in middle school agrees or not. Pink has an effect on the woman's brain that makes us feel calm and nurturing. Associating pink with girls can be seen as sexist, triggering the extreme, all-men-should-go-to-hell feminists among us to despise the colour pink as it reminds them of their oppression. However, I have finally come to ignore my deluded pal from middle school because it's the science that you can't disagree with if you feel it's true.<br /><br /><h3>2. People's brains work differently.</h3>This is one of the main reasons you may not get along with particular people. It's also the reason why other people can be so interesting. We are all wired differently, with different pathways for our thoughts to go down. We all find different things funny, and prioritize certain things that may seem trivial to others. Your beliefs may be entierly black and white, or with a lot of gray area, that doesn't matter so long as you find people who you get along with in one way or another.<br /><br /><h3>3. Passion is a byproduct of Achievement.</h3>You can't be proud of what you haven't already done. This is something I know very very well; you can forget you love something when you haven't done it in a while. I'll use myself as an example this time, one of my potential career paths is to become a commercial songwriter for a label or studio. And imagine I have a quota to think about, say 5 songs a week. That's easy-peasy if I did well in the previous week, but being in a slump can cause more slumping. I don't believe there's such a thing as writer's block. You just have to add more tools to your belt that help get you started. Having created anything makes me happy, that's passion. Passion is a reward. You can't have passion before you've tried something.<br /><br /><h3>4. No one really cares when you get a haircut.</h3>At the beginning of 2016, I went from having hair down to my lower back to shoulder length. When I saw my classmates again after Christmas no one said anything. Not even my boyfriend noticed. So take it from me, whatever you do with your body, it has to be for yourself, not to shock or impress anyone else.<br /><br /><h3>5. It's OK to be on your own.</h3>You don't have to care what other's think. You don't have to fit in, even if that's what everyone else does. The sooner you learn that no one else matters when it comes to you being who you're meant to be, the sooner you can start to be happy in your own skin. Sometimes it just takes stepping away from the crowd and looking in to realise what you want.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVuc3xn1CPcUvIPfAGduefmQthae4Pj7WBTkBntW-I43s8TkgQLRfVGXhmqK0o6Yt7M6dOMbk8M3f159NLOpA0esq4WvI9YaJAnZr_iAF_jsSNpTW9q1RyNBc06KCSfU0oV-cKG9Hgqkm/s1600/2016-04-06-roman-drits-barnimages-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVuc3xn1CPcUvIPfAGduefmQthae4Pj7WBTkBntW-I43s8TkgQLRfVGXhmqK0o6Yt7M6dOMbk8M3f159NLOpA0esq4WvI9YaJAnZr_iAF_jsSNpTW9q1RyNBc06KCSfU0oV-cKG9Hgqkm/s640/2016-04-06-roman-drits-barnimages-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><h3>6. The world is your oyster.</h3>If your world literally feels like its the size of an oyster then you need to GET OUT. In 2014 I was privileged with the opportunity to travel around Europe for a month. I came back with a new understanding that you can go anywhere. It's easy, it's so easy to get on a plane and in a few hours be in a different country. It's a euphoric feeling that everybody should get to know at least once.<br /><br /><h3>7. Boyshorts are horrible underwear.</h3>The ones that are tight boxers, they're just so weird. It's great to try new things but don't expect to love everything.<br /><br /><h3>8. Love is a choice.</h3>There is no such thing as "meant to be." As every seven years your body reproduces and replaces every single cell in your body, your personality and perspective will change over time too. We can't expect the person we are with to stay the same forever. We can't even know that they won't <i>become</i> Mr. Right in their next evolution. You can only promise that whoever they turn into, you'll still be there to support them. So don't worry if you have found someone who is almost perfect, the only question you need to think about is 'Can you deal with the sacrifice of supporting another human being for the rest of your life?'<br /><br /><h3>9. Don't keep clothes that make you unhappy.</h3>If it's the wrong colour, if it doesn't fit, if it just makes you want to cry because you have <i>nothing to wear</i>, then it doesn't belong in your wardrobe. The point I'm trying to make is if you leave it there it's occupying the space where maybe something else should be. If you keep the clothes that make you unhappy you'll never bother to find replacements.<br /><br /><h3>10. I shouldn't make promises.</h3>I have a memory for other people's expectations of me. Whether it's to make a particular YouTube video or to never break up, I shouldn't burden my future self with things other people want or I'll end up feeling really guilty even when time has passed. A student loan is the only an exception to making no promises.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYhDk6f1AURuf1A00hxBvjSZCWgvmyFEmUet61wLq2Bg8bftWTRuN0baZZoYf2YpEZ4h90kyvmhHSaJWZg-QJVdCqMCsO1quf75qA4GYnt4ogYETOyO2uy_KX_Tu92WFzTiU58tx_EIcY/s1600/IWWC5CHVYK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYhDk6f1AURuf1A00hxBvjSZCWgvmyFEmUet61wLq2Bg8bftWTRuN0baZZoYf2YpEZ4h90kyvmhHSaJWZg-QJVdCqMCsO1quf75qA4GYnt4ogYETOyO2uy_KX_Tu92WFzTiU58tx_EIcY/s640/IWWC5CHVYK.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><h3>11. Lipgloss is terrible.</h3>Just another thing I need to quit because it's not worth it to have your hair stuck on your face. No wonder liquid lipsticks took like wildfire.<br /><br /><h3>12. Don't spend $150 on a handbag.</h3>There's just no point.<br /><br /><h3>13. Don't say 'I'm too fat'.</h3>People are stupid and they will argue back with "No, you are not fat." To win automatically you have to say "I don't like being the weight that I am." They can't very well respond with "No, you're not the weight that you are!" Don't call yourself fat.<br /><br /><h3>14. People don't just quit shouting and start kissing.</h3>You know that scene from every old movie... It's totally unrealistic. Human beings do not make themselves venerable to each other after being emotionally or academically put down. I just to think I was going to be good at arguing, but that doesn't work without the other person wanting to actually hear what you have to say.<br /><br /><h3>15. Don't be so quick to judge people.</h3>I suppose that's why you become acquaintances with people first before you can be friends. You can't know everything about a person by their first impression, and even if you do get a good idea of who they are rather quickly, you have still not seen everything they can be. In some instances it takes a couple of years to realise you actually like the person, so don't expect right off that you never will.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2JZ7TvnGNCyK_s8Ejej9hzIUbD9dYecmFLHp7wbhyYOejNggzmQt9NkPhnBNubfD7Y7oStlxg6ltdQSUn85EZqbrDW1n1Z967XCeD1bArZPt39nj_muETV5i3fGjAvHnHOgsLqT7fbG_/s1600/7NRWSOYTON.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2JZ7TvnGNCyK_s8Ejej9hzIUbD9dYecmFLHp7wbhyYOejNggzmQt9NkPhnBNubfD7Y7oStlxg6ltdQSUn85EZqbrDW1n1Z967XCeD1bArZPt39nj_muETV5i3fGjAvHnHOgsLqT7fbG_/s640/7NRWSOYTON.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><h3>16. Some relationships just run their course.</h3>Just like not realising someone is your friend for a long time after knowing them, the people who are your friends can drift away. A lot of the time this is due to location, as in you no longer go to school together, or it can be because new aspects of their personality emerge that you hadn't seen before and you're both too different to enjoy their company for extended periods, or without being in a group. And that's okay.<br /><br /><h3>17. Eyeshadow palettes are often arranged into duos.</h3>I had no idea until a couple of months ago, now I don't have to think about what colours should go together.<br /><br /><h3>18. You are not required to approve your friends' BFs.</h3>It's actually quite weird to try approving of the guys your friends are dating when they didn't ask you too. They should be allowed to work it out themselves, and you aren't their parents. One on my best friends just got married and I hardly knew anything about their relationship, hadn't had a single conversation with the guy. And that's how the real world works, so sometimes we should just learn to quit judging each other. I know- harder to do than say when you love your friends.<br /><br /><h3>19. There's no easy cheat for short hair.</h3>There's only so much dry shampoo can do for greasy hair that is also short. You can't just pin it up in a messy bun, you have to actually wash it.<br /><br /><h3>20. Shopping only works in theory.</h3>The practical action of going shopping only works, in my case, if I've done my homework beforehand. I need to know exactly what I'm after to the point of looking online first and then going to pick it up. I just can't remember what I need or even want without a list.<br /><br /><h3>21. It doesn't matter what you say.</h3>In the case of birthday Facebook posts, weddings, comforting someone, et cetera, you don't actually have to always <i>say the right thing. </i>Your friends will still love you if all you can do is send a picture, offer a hug or a hand on their shoulder. This life is about what you do, not what you say.<br /><br /><br />I hope you have enjoyed this post, I'm sure proud of it. Have a wonderful day, if you can.<br /><b><i><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">xxoBeka</span></i></b>Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-39208979667880532402016-12-31T18:32:00.000-08:002021-08-24T01:01:21.043-07:00My 2016 Highlights.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSS2xhyphenhyphent7Em5uwpXCTJWVvQGkmlakZyyeXPiwD55f4v6EJICQC6b9TzmB3Qq97eBX2PGvnscwgM6DV5fSqgp_9dPrcAVFcUmndnp02D99b_6-XDylEXkwvunJRAuzCz19yFr-SH02Ds1e5/s1600/pexels-photo-12233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSS2xhyphenhyphent7Em5uwpXCTJWVvQGkmlakZyyeXPiwD55f4v6EJICQC6b9TzmB3Qq97eBX2PGvnscwgM6DV5fSqgp_9dPrcAVFcUmndnp02D99b_6-XDylEXkwvunJRAuzCz19yFr-SH02Ds1e5/s1600/pexels-photo-12233.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />I don't want to be a negative black hole but my chemical balance is currently far from allowing me to be bouncing from wall to wall like I wish I more often were. I say, goodbye 2016 and good riddance.<br /><br /><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">MY 2016 HIGHLIGHTS</span><br />● Passing my Full License<br />● Spontaneously buying tickets to the Blue Neighborhood Tour<br />● I learned more about myself<br />● Explored Minimalism (I'm probably going to fluctuate with the idea until I can find the right balance for my consumeristic habits)<br />● I Blogged (I'm so happy with this beautiful space I have here on the internet where I can do whatever I like)<br />● Cut My Hair (It has been miles long since I was 10 and finally I stopped thinking it was everything to me)<br />● Completed a Diploma in Contemporary Music (Just one more year for a degree)<br />● Designed My Perfect Post Planner (which is soon going to be ready to share with you other lovely blog-lovers)<br />● I installed a new printer in my room (That was perhaps more exciting than seeing<br />Troye Sivan)<br /><br />Ultimately this year was a pair of dirty socks. I can't really say I know why but I'm a bit over studying and this time I want to be on top of my assignments. I have new stationary and calendars so I shouldn't miss anything like my best friends hen party. Yea, whoops.<br /><br />I hope your reflections on the last year aren't as bad as mine. A resolutions post is on its way so don't worry, I'm looking forward with my head up.<br /><br /><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;"><i>xxoBeka</i></span>Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-6653194304657215072016-12-08T01:10:00.000-08:002021-08-24T01:00:04.240-07:00How the Internet has Impacted the Music Industry<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlP3ghiO8pOCTRJPCDe0GHOX1sGJbLhPo37JKnYl2pdW4Mwl4onDD4b6MVZiFBDpwvzre5vcvEurTOyODATJkibRZSv3hyr8GRsAFgpfBSngJxk1IiNO83ZdTNYO_T-tYOGvmAonOZ1qM/s1600/118+Beka+Ellen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlP3ghiO8pOCTRJPCDe0GHOX1sGJbLhPo37JKnYl2pdW4Mwl4onDD4b6MVZiFBDpwvzre5vcvEurTOyODATJkibRZSv3hyr8GRsAFgpfBSngJxk1IiNO83ZdTNYO_T-tYOGvmAonOZ1qM/s640/118+Beka+Ellen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">The Internet has had a huge impact on the people side of the music industry and the record side of the music industry. The way people’s experience with the music industry has been changed by the Internet is by creating means of instant connection between artist and fans. The Internet has also created more pathways for a musician’s career through creating a community online, rather than the traditional approach of working for a record label. The Internet has impacted the digital side of the music industry by creating more methods of airplay, and by changing the value of records through the development of instant downloads.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Through social media, especially Twitter, there is the possibility of instant and direct connection between an artist and their supporters. “Gone are the days of the rock star mystique. We have arrived at an age where anyone in the world can send a message to their favorite star’s pocket,” (Herstand, 2014, para. 8). Herstand states that both the way artists are viewed, and the relationship between them and their fans has changed dramatically due to the development of the internet and social media. The internet has impacted the accessibility of musicians and mainstream artists, changing them from being held on a metaphorical pedestal, and untouchable to being easily contactable. Fans can now easily thank the musicians for their music, or to tell them what they ate for breakfast. The way musicians and mainstream artists are viewed has changed through more people being able to reach them, it is no longer through a letter to their agent, but with twitter, one can essentially text message them in an instant.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-themecolor: text1;">The artists’ too have this ability to share with their fans, because of the internet and social media, and it is mostly expected that artists will show aspects of their personal life with the public. “It's become second nature to type in the name of the artist on our phones, to see if we can find a YouTube video, to hear what the band sounds like or a Twitter account to get the relevant updates. If we can't find anything, it gets instantly forgotten,” (Helgadóttir, 2015, para. 6). Social media is a great way to increase a profile’s search engine optimization, but this only comes with frequent, regular activity. The best thing a musician can do to grow engagement with their audience is to make mock talk show style, videos and put them on YouTube. This creates an open conversation where supporters can give considerable value, for the video maker by picking up the other side of the conversation. Law explains why adding vlogs, with conversation, rather than merely music, was received so well as an addition to his channel. “They were no longer buying music from a random guy on the street, the thought was then ‘oh, we know him, we have a relationship with him, we can interact with him’,” says Tom Law, (Cook, 2013). The use of social media can do good for both the artists and their fans by connecting them to allow for a closer relationship. This is a positive way the internet has impacted the music industry.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following the newly developed closeness of musicians and their fans, the internet has also changed the relationship between musicians and labels. “The internet has dramatically altered the relationship between the sound recording industry and the manufacture, distribution and consumption of music,” (Shuker, 2008, p. 137). Shuker posits that the internet has opened and closed different pathways between what a musician needs from a label and other means of gaining marketing, income, and publication. Musicians can now easily notify their twitter followers that a new album has been released and still get the same amount of sales that they would if a label had organized the promotions and advertisements. This too means that by ‘cutting out the middleman,’ more of the profit goes directly back to the musician's bank account. Again, the dissemination of their music can now remain in the musicians’ control, by uploading it to YouTube or using other music purchasing websites such as Bandcamp or iTunes. “Just imagine releasing a new single on the internet and being able to promote it on a YouTube channel with [500’000] subscribers. If you wanted that kind of power and reach 15 years ago, it definitely meant signing with a major label,” (Thorn, 2014, para. 9). Now musicians can make a living for themselves without anyone but their audience members to help. "Record labels are definitely dying out and I think we’re making a lot more money than they think we are," Brian O’Reilly adds, (Cook, 2013). This is the power of creating a community through YouTube and other social media. With the instant connection between artist and follower, it diminishes the requirement for partnership with a record label. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For indepentant musicians this is an encoraging change brought by the world wide web.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The internet has opened new career pathways, and redused others. "YouTube is a really good platform for musicians who want to have a career doing music but don’t necessarily want or need to get into the mainstream music industry," (Cook, 2013). Charlie McDonald posits, as he, Tom Law, Brian O’Reilly, and Alex Day, are examples of making this work for themselves. The expansion of the internet allows for musicians to be successful and make a good income, without ‘selling-out’ to the mainstream media. The internet has changed the definition of ‘musician,’ and made it easier to be successful as an independent artist. The creation of new career pathways and the opportunities through community with one’s online audience is a significant way that the internet has impacted the music industry, and in fact grown the music industry.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 35.45pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Another aspect of the music industry impacted by the internet is airplay. Methods of listening to music have branched out after the turn of the 21st century, and it is no longer only with radio and what records people have bought copies of for themselves. Online music streaming became available with the recent development of the internet, allowing people to upload and download data in the masses. It the case of listening to music on the streaming application, Spotify; “the service is responsible for literally 10-percent of all U.S. record label revenue in the first quarter of 2015” (Kennelty, 2015). Kennelty enlightens that online streaming is used by a large number of music consumers, and it has a large impact on where people find new music to listen to and often purchase. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 35.45pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">The airplay, and world music charts have also become more accurate as a result of online music streaming. The question of who receives the most airplay within the different genres, artists, and records, are answered more honestly with the public having more influence on what is played through the ability to select and the music that they most desire, rather than record labels having all of the influence over what is played, (legally or not). “Payola emerged pretty much alongside radio. …payola was criminalized, and it’s been illegal to induce a station to play a song in exchange for money, without disclosing that money has changed hands, ever since” (Howard, 2011). Howard explains that if the station has been given money to play a song, the listeners must be told that it is paid airtime or for sponsorship. And despite payola being illegal it is still hard to believe that it goes by unpractised. It should be understood that it only takes a few stations to break the payola restrictions, to give a song recognition, leading other stations into playing it freely and without being payed, because it is supposedly so popular. This is why streaming and youtube being introduced to the collection of airplay records has made the airplay charts more honest. “YouTube data is now factored into the chart's ranking, enhancing a formula that includes Nielsen's digital download track sales and physical singles sales, as well as terrestrial radio airplay, on-demand audio streaming and online radio streaming,” (Billboard, 2013, para. 1). YouTube views on music videos also count towards making the record charts more accurate. YouTube in particular gives the listeners the most control over what music they listen to, and subsequently support in the charts as they almost always directly select the tracks they wish to listen to. The internet has impacted the music industry by creating more methods of listening to music, and by making the record charts, including the Billboard Hot 100, more accurate in showing what music is really the peoples’ choice as most popular.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">The internet has not only changed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the industry for good by allowing anyone who does the work for themselves to gain support from a community of social media followers, and by creating new methods of music exposure. The industry has also made huge losses because of music piracy. Peer-to-peer sharing cuts out the musician from a sale, but because of file sharing abilities through torrent websites to emailing a copy of a track, it has unfortunately been made entirely possible. “Illegally downloading music has had a significant impact on the music industry resulting in a loss of profits and jobs, and changing how music is delivered to the masses,” (Adkins, n.d, para. 1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adkins says that through opting to illegally download music, digital piracy lost the industry almost half of all potential sales since 1999. There are many services that listeners may even pay a subscription for access to, but this fee does not account for all of the music they can potentially download into their own devices. These are services such as Spotify, Napster, and countless other websites, and even searching with google the name of a song and the words “free mp3 download” will usually come up with the song. But as the Recording Industry Association of America puts it, “just because advances in technology make it possible to copy music doesn’t mean it’s legal to do so,” (RIAA, n.d. para. 5).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">As long as there are people going against copyright and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (D.M.C.A.), there are jobs for those who pick out copyright infringement to have the music and opportunities for legitimate download, taken down. Examples of people who have been persecuted for these copyright infringements include Jole Tenenbaum “ordered by a jury to pay damages amounting to $675,000 to be split between four major record labels, for illegally downloading and sharing 30 songs online”, (McMillan, 2013, para 1.), “Thomas-Rasset's owed damages to $54,000 from $1.5m”, (Holpuch, 2012), and 21-year-old Mark Shumaker was given a fine of a quarter million dollars and five years in prison for his offences. The music industry is not going down without a fight. Infringements of copyright, although they happen more than honest sales of music, are not getting by without serious charges or the users being told to remove the unauthorized downloads from their websites.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">In conclusion, the internet has had a huge impact on the music industry, and from every angle, it has either been a significant benefit or a nearly irreversible loss. These areas that have been mentioned in this essay may only be the tip of the iceberg, and the industry is not as it was before the internet, from the relationships between artists and their supporters to the way a musician can make their living and their own success, to airplay and the accuracy of the world music charts, to the way people can now break the law, and listen to or download records.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>2031</o:Words> <o:Characters>11581</o:Characters> <o:Company>BekaEllenMusic</o:Company> <o:Lines>96</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>27</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>13585</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>14.0</o:Version> 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class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.9pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">References:</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.9pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 35.45pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.9pt; text-indent: -1.0cm;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 9.5pt;">Bilboard. (2013, February 21). Billboard Charts Add YouTube Views [Blog Post]. Retrieved from http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1549766/billboard-charts-add-youtube-views<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.9pt; text-indent: -1.0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.9pt; text-indent: -1.0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 9.5pt;">Cook, B. [ninebrassmonkeys]. (2013, May 3). Musicians on YouTube | BECOMING YOUTUBE | Video 8</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9.5pt;"> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">[Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J0Wjfz94-s</span></span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt; text-indent: -1.0cm;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 9.5pt;">Helgadóttir, H. (2015). The Importance of Social Media for Professional Musicians </span><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 9.5pt; padding: 0cm;">[Blog post]. </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 9.5pt;">Retrieved from https://gogo.promogogo.com/words/the-importance-of-social-media-for-profe</span><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 9.5pt; padding: 0cm;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt; text-indent: -1.0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -1.0cm;"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">Herstand, A. ( 2014, August 6<span style="background: white; letter-spacing: .75pt;">) 9 Mistakes Musicians Make On Twitter </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 9.5pt; padding: 0cm;">[Blog post]. Retrieved from</span><span style="background: white; font-size: 9.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.75pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2014/08/06/9-mistakes-musicians-make-twitter/<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -1.0cm;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 9.5pt;">Howard, G. (2011, September 15). How To Get Your Song On Commercial Radio [Blog Post]. Retrieved from http://www.tunecore.com/blog/2011/09/how-to-get-your-song-on-commercial-radio.html</span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt; text-indent: -1.0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt; text-indent: -1.0cm;"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">Holpuch, A. (2012, October 22). Minnesota woman to pay $220,000 fine for 24 illegally downloaded songs [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/sep/11/minnesota-woman-songs-illegally-downloaded<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 21.0pt; text-indent: -1.0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.9pt; text-indent: -1.0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 9.5pt; padding: 0cm;">Kennelty, G. (2015, May 18). Metal Injection [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://www.metalinjection.net/its-just-business/spotify-says-its-responsible-for-10-of-all-u-s-record-label-revenue-in-2015-so-far</span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.9pt; text-indent: -1.0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.9pt; text-indent: -1.0cm;"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">McMillan, G. (2013, June 27). Appeals court approves $675k fine for student who pirated 30 songs | Digital Trends [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://www.digitaltrends.com/music/appeals-court-denies-piracy-penalty-plea/<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.9pt; text-indent: -1.0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.9pt; text-indent: -1.0cm;"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">RIAA. (n.d.). About Piracy. Retrieved from<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.9pt;"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">http://www.riaa.com/resources-learning/about-piracy/<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.9pt; text-indent: -1.0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -1.0cm;"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">Salmon [Cyber PR] (</span><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 9.5pt; padding: 0cm;">2015, July 15) Facebook for Musicians (1 of 2): Social Media House Part 3<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.9pt;"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c41FoouxC0<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.9pt; text-indent: -1.0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.9pt; text-indent: -1.0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 9.5pt; padding: 0cm;">Shuker, R. (2008). <i>Understanding Popular Music Culture</i> (3rd ed.). Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge.</span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.9pt; text-indent: -1.0cm;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.9pt; text-indent: -1.0cm;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 9.5pt;">Thorn, P. (2014, May 22). Tone Tips: The Business of Music, Circa 2014 [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/20857-tone-tips-the-business-of-music-circa-2014</span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment--><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-17243694515455287272016-11-07T16:46:00.000-08:002021-08-24T01:00:04.416-07:00Life Update - I think I Have A Diploma!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8-zWI4Yf-owxUsBuvVP3zFz8-tR4NQzvNWJO81axVPypSWl21aspaz6hEj1C_UoAChYvOKAaaKD9rpHJYWE97aZc6KkP6GudyPnglUNfYBEox0oP8mmf7h7xJK3zG2_R3nmPW8uXFs0C/s1600/SplitShire-5137.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8-zWI4Yf-owxUsBuvVP3zFz8-tR4NQzvNWJO81axVPypSWl21aspaz6hEj1C_UoAChYvOKAaaKD9rpHJYWE97aZc6KkP6GudyPnglUNfYBEox0oP8mmf7h7xJK3zG2_R3nmPW8uXFs0C/s640/SplitShire-5137.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I have unofficially finished course for the year and if I was working towards a diploma I wouldn’t have another gruelling year ahead. I’m happy to have that achieve as much as I have. This time next year I'll be posting about having a degree. Hopefully. I was done with all my papers yesterday when I presented my portfolio and handed in the first jingle I've ever intentionally written. I can share one of the songs with you if you like, just tell me so down below. Portfolio pieces are only demos, work in progresses, but I shouldn't use that as an excuse to not share my work.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQkYIjlzoocJ8c_I4lw4mymGoFTY7jvgcaxV8Gg5pZBjiem_BmI-ILNTWCz0Hfk-rpGLOaex91IZ2cSdo3A3-GCdwGiWuAKRS-PdrS2ZX9-vFzeQ4cICdHPIM-Rv7FMymuicW8pFpakfX/s1600/IMG_9929.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQkYIjlzoocJ8c_I4lw4mymGoFTY7jvgcaxV8Gg5pZBjiem_BmI-ILNTWCz0Hfk-rpGLOaex91IZ2cSdo3A3-GCdwGiWuAKRS-PdrS2ZX9-vFzeQ4cICdHPIM-Rv7FMymuicW8pFpakfX/s640/IMG_9929.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Levi and I have survived 2 years together. It hasn't been easy, I'll tell you that. Ultimately I've learned so much about myself along the way and I know for sure I can't say that I'm in anyway perfect. Sharing everything with another broken human was never intended to be a walk in the park. The thing to remember is to draw strength from each other and be as open as possible. We've had our highs and our lows and I'm simply grateful that he still wants to hold my hand.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1u6xHJ_0kxyjE8unHjCvUYV6XcH1KpT9T9Y03CTuD3SIzhfz6Ip5wkGd5We4pLhWKCN7eKcFzmYnDSxJKqQOTOCvRFf5CI-Dqfm1ArJhpP9Eyk3trAwzxhzuLsHObgAdkUcorp9KCS1Rd/s1600/IMG_9915+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1u6xHJ_0kxyjE8unHjCvUYV6XcH1KpT9T9Y03CTuD3SIzhfz6Ip5wkGd5We4pLhWKCN7eKcFzmYnDSxJKqQOTOCvRFf5CI-Dqfm1ArJhpP9Eyk3trAwzxhzuLsHObgAdkUcorp9KCS1Rd/s640/IMG_9915+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The latest addition to the family home and the B&B that our mother so wonderfully runs; A Freaking Hot-Tub! Smells strongly of new plastic at first, but having this this right outside my bedroom isn't such a terrible thing. I remember the plans for the house, made 13 years ago, intended for this space to be home to a spa and finally that dream has been realised.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvWfuhRJvt50ZwRP7LYOd3HYflrk_7UOSoAO4jCi6Gj6fD6U5oDNbsZ5IReNO3iejHXQ27NWNByRgQIbwWjtuvRt2xkw06Kxc1zBLTe80CzL4JvUCESduMxQX6suMAz6txKX6Soux-Ol_/s1600/IMG_9921+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvWfuhRJvt50ZwRP7LYOd3HYflrk_7UOSoAO4jCi6Gj6fD6U5oDNbsZ5IReNO3iejHXQ27NWNByRgQIbwWjtuvRt2xkw06Kxc1zBLTe80CzL4JvUCESduMxQX6suMAz6txKX6Soux-Ol_/s640/IMG_9921+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Now I'm off to find a job, hopefully at the book shop. I'm free for the next 4 months and I should be posting more regularly, I have plenty of posts planned so if you aren't already you should give me a follow and join the family.<br />The Christmas tree was almost put up this week too but it's not time just yet is it? We don't usually get into the spirit of Christmas so early and Mum wouldn't have it. Haha.<br /><br /><i><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">xxoBeka</span></i><br /><br /><br />Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-71200220353263740132016-10-31T00:02:00.000-07:002021-08-24T01:00:05.379-07:00Happy Halloween.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Growing up in a Christian home, and in New Zealand, I've not celebrated the spooky holiday of October 31st well, in the past. This time I decided I wanted to be excited about it and take it into my own hands. Really this weekend I am procrastinating studying for an exam which is why I totally managed to break my baking record of Pumpkin Cake Pops, Ginger Dead Men, Rice Crispies, Bread Rolls, Vanilla Cupcakes, AND Chocolate Chip Cookies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>UPDATE:</b> The exam went well. I did sit in the front all semester and take my notes like a good girl, so that's my way around not studying; the information was already in my head.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_1w3eEgXLrMZgmqNwAI0TTUmK7CIcGxhOXZ2ayyviiwKvaf6zIiNgCGUVEz-RP05zRtMNWjL1ujqPA2E_bl_aL8x8SfwbiL-1WdfM4X-5IuodJoUGHC77vKGYhZAszxGcsqztSwRJ68i/s1600/IMG_9887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_1w3eEgXLrMZgmqNwAI0TTUmK7CIcGxhOXZ2ayyviiwKvaf6zIiNgCGUVEz-RP05zRtMNWjL1ujqPA2E_bl_aL8x8SfwbiL-1WdfM4X-5IuodJoUGHC77vKGYhZAszxGcsqztSwRJ68i/s640/IMG_9887.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhNA1WE6ffP8Rnf9CgHFenjfQFOSMpRan8vE0bBtr6TielPKQQZOHLgHEIRUsxG6lz3cJgF3oervnRYfh9ELcLoFfydKQGasn4GcQcwXZ9sRPzfI8rlKLxtZK8xM_szs1JDjcPLqk8Zmg/s1600/IMG_9897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhNA1WE6ffP8Rnf9CgHFenjfQFOSMpRan8vE0bBtr6TielPKQQZOHLgHEIRUsxG6lz3cJgF3oervnRYfh9ELcLoFfydKQGasn4GcQcwXZ9sRPzfI8rlKLxtZK8xM_szs1JDjcPLqk8Zmg/s640/IMG_9897.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiZwRla1PmNF7gtL5XEOgMQjVeztvLAQSwuvvDdWi8PTsLC9oqVgijDZUwqrLcqberTNSoQp4SC5_80FohATbXXYLDTMVmn6kLqkuQrmjXIT7Xqgiy3_FORN9bFDFHBYN4QlokteHDxtP/s1600/IMG_9894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiZwRla1PmNF7gtL5XEOgMQjVeztvLAQSwuvvDdWi8PTsLC9oqVgijDZUwqrLcqberTNSoQp4SC5_80FohATbXXYLDTMVmn6kLqkuQrmjXIT7Xqgiy3_FORN9bFDFHBYN4QlokteHDxtP/s640/IMG_9894.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KKf3kmjLrJtsAg2HcEpfyhdFtY1nhHLdGutg-JSMc0-oZRm8AkLKqPFCKfA7Zgg67TJVEdQNp0xsSorHuu6u8MfwYAkQjFcyhVfFXYZadnOXqiEviwhSKzeXIcgo86kSvozhMsSc9ncJ/s1600/IMG_9895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KKf3kmjLrJtsAg2HcEpfyhdFtY1nhHLdGutg-JSMc0-oZRm8AkLKqPFCKfA7Zgg67TJVEdQNp0xsSorHuu6u8MfwYAkQjFcyhVfFXYZadnOXqiEviwhSKzeXIcgo86kSvozhMsSc9ncJ/s640/IMG_9895.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzS-AzKCJZ-wOEUq4jekhTpgnAg_x6kxkZJcVhnqHtRlWSpr92uT2WQ-aLdWM5jugq01-Bzee5Z48IOghACpoEuOKIU87KY-aYinyIeq1k8MbSBOgfgLTa-kgMZsF3L3WV6XZvsHlDQO-y/s1600/IMG_9896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzS-AzKCJZ-wOEUq4jekhTpgnAg_x6kxkZJcVhnqHtRlWSpr92uT2WQ-aLdWM5jugq01-Bzee5Z48IOghACpoEuOKIU87KY-aYinyIeq1k8MbSBOgfgLTa-kgMZsF3L3WV6XZvsHlDQO-y/s640/IMG_9896.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vMWmOmg4RdR20CQQF8vFb_4T03XZIgIuq1kQm6CvOXp2jZx76IrZxXTRWuN61maiMVB3TZTdbJrVVykTZB93h2iEXycDOacKzpE9qDhcZNH0202UxEwwtE8AGI7dyOm84M7QPCX8OcaS/s1600/IMG_9900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vMWmOmg4RdR20CQQF8vFb_4T03XZIgIuq1kQm6CvOXp2jZx76IrZxXTRWuN61maiMVB3TZTdbJrVVykTZB93h2iEXycDOacKzpE9qDhcZNH0202UxEwwtE8AGI7dyOm84M7QPCX8OcaS/s640/IMG_9900.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjry1xD1ih04nV1Oy1J1FownzBm8BXyLj0mEB7qlYYOEOGGffW6wQ5uLC1BKSuYtXHY_eS16OX6vZmgRAx99QUEZbcoi0BmGd5l1ZMylkIPn-n01vjSpUn2CksGMljftrBAiMEAu5NtRVip/s1600/IMG_9901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjry1xD1ih04nV1Oy1J1FownzBm8BXyLj0mEB7qlYYOEOGGffW6wQ5uLC1BKSuYtXHY_eS16OX6vZmgRAx99QUEZbcoi0BmGd5l1ZMylkIPn-n01vjSpUn2CksGMljftrBAiMEAu5NtRVip/s640/IMG_9901.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLANynr-6lu4jx9_A8jhmwbW2d0nv4DbOuD34FwxzxrHVvHKSudrLpXruvvS91GM9YDxgLp9VPlsRLN_OBz1ieKofVInpeFhOMNF5eit3SakOOjflZ_w7r_eh-B73Ijzw7mOh0Ig8VM7Zu/s1600/IMG_9902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLANynr-6lu4jx9_A8jhmwbW2d0nv4DbOuD34FwxzxrHVvHKSudrLpXruvvS91GM9YDxgLp9VPlsRLN_OBz1ieKofVInpeFhOMNF5eit3SakOOjflZ_w7r_eh-B73Ijzw7mOh0Ig8VM7Zu/s640/IMG_9902.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWljHaav51lWkmf6W_SX56-kdISd188tZ5BauG8Fgi1F_7PFOivXiacJcstJt0qgj5vTCHWFSjpOCuElPHUz02S7PSQZzqMAvs7tI07BqoJa9n1lsPvrCdqjvh848kK_HRl68_OZApZblp/s1600/IMG_9906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWljHaav51lWkmf6W_SX56-kdISd188tZ5BauG8Fgi1F_7PFOivXiacJcstJt0qgj5vTCHWFSjpOCuElPHUz02S7PSQZzqMAvs7tI07BqoJa9n1lsPvrCdqjvh848kK_HRl68_OZApZblp/s640/IMG_9906.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuX6_OvZk26EhRhsWPrTHuhhb2z8y0SpUrAzyPwNDl4MA7YE7hY3-_T0XuvqyF7qeSahAt6JeI6neEY1ZcHlufjNJ6TFGs6dlaFR9r6YIanIkOqtCS-MVCQkQgj-2Zme0BZBOKThpRSlUP/s1600/IMG_9889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuX6_OvZk26EhRhsWPrTHuhhb2z8y0SpUrAzyPwNDl4MA7YE7hY3-_T0XuvqyF7qeSahAt6JeI6neEY1ZcHlufjNJ6TFGs6dlaFR9r6YIanIkOqtCS-MVCQkQgj-2Zme0BZBOKThpRSlUP/s640/IMG_9889.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-31486068663525772772016-10-30T01:40:00.000-07:002021-08-24T01:00:04.670-07:00Tayna Burr's Pumpkin Cake-Pops.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had a go at Tanya's Pumpkin Cakepops and it was actually my first time making any sort of cake-pops. My specialty is simple cupcakes, so this was a new endeavor. I followed the recipe from Tan's book and found my sponge cake to be a little lighter in colour than hers in the video.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-RIzlBvBNLTWpJkgGNFKPrpES6Noj_9LeaitXTN4Xg0V-LLFlpo8CSRS3zUc0h5p8CbjJkCrEvN3fyT2iwQ4z_u9eC_VpL7t71R5z2T5Q9CbiGSa1cFNWDy529n-Dvuj5TZFmXFViicM/s1600/IMG_9900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-RIzlBvBNLTWpJkgGNFKPrpES6Noj_9LeaitXTN4Xg0V-LLFlpo8CSRS3zUc0h5p8CbjJkCrEvN3fyT2iwQ4z_u9eC_VpL7t71R5z2T5Q9CbiGSa1cFNWDy529n-Dvuj5TZFmXFViicM/s640/IMG_9900.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In New Zealand we actually eat real pumpkins. Americans are of course use to only getting a can of pre-whizzed pure for their sweet pumpkin pie every Thanks Giving. So to make your own pumpkin puré measure out 100gms of pumpkin and chop it into small chunks just a couple inches each way and steam it on the hob over boiling water, or actually I suppose you could do it in the microwave with a glass dish and shallow water directly in with the pumpkin. Don't worry about removing the skin because once the vegetable is cooked it is easy to just scoop the skin off. It should be done in just 20-30mins and once the skin is off pop it into the food processor.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also don't have a cake-pop stand, so stuck mine in a lemon, which was in the middle of a large blow of dry rice. Fantastic being behind the scenes, isn't it?! The rice kept the lemon from slipping, and the lemon kept the cake-pops from slipping as the heads sat above the top of the bowl at alternating lengths for maximum bowl rim usage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also couldn't find edible glitter but I made up for it with different coatings of white chocolate, and later transferred them to a glass jug to serve.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uew2Pc4caCg" target="_blank">Watch Tanya's Tutorial for Pumpkin Cake-Pops</a></span></div><br />My family really liked them, and I'm excited for what other recipes I'll try next from Tanya Bakes. I shall keep you posted.<br /><br /><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><i>xxoBeka</i></span>Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-9659016609022074692016-10-02T15:22:00.000-07:002021-08-24T01:00:04.330-07:00September Favorites.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvVHHsKmWTsJCBoTtzAKhhWTkRfNsGR8RGFf-Ss_sBwIDvzpzWVu4JpGpF3fNZKMLOW9G7oK-ii_MXmqsarlPQPLsYekiTdXUu0snzq7AskbO0gRkwKLBWGpZaOIEEHQWeG7Ls_BUri1D/s1600/IMG_7883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: xx-large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvVHHsKmWTsJCBoTtzAKhhWTkRfNsGR8RGFf-Ss_sBwIDvzpzWVu4JpGpF3fNZKMLOW9G7oK-ii_MXmqsarlPQPLsYekiTdXUu0snzq7AskbO0gRkwKLBWGpZaOIEEHQWeG7Ls_BUri1D/s640/IMG_7883.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">The sun has paid a visit and I've been spring-cleaning my wardrobe. This is what I enjoyed in September...</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">VANILLA COKE</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DB1vrt6tMCO-57m0n4D1uYp7mJYnZM6MJnJDa04NgNCl0FfKcH9riDgIUF12UEdUY-bqKGA6rSWxS3VemUr7-CUz3UiL3zi6H5wDQ0KvgW6CtWj7qa8QDKX_UMxH4RHUQpwfpNEQ3r4s/s1600/IMG_0686.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DB1vrt6tMCO-57m0n4D1uYp7mJYnZM6MJnJDa04NgNCl0FfKcH9riDgIUF12UEdUY-bqKGA6rSWxS3VemUr7-CUz3UiL3zi6H5wDQ0KvgW6CtWj7qa8QDKX_UMxH4RHUQpwfpNEQ3r4s/s640/IMG_0686.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">WATCH LATER</span><br />The function in YouTube to make a private playlist of videos you want to watch later. I've finally started using it regularly and it has saved my data when I'm out and about. This means after making a collection of videos I want to watch together I can leave them all playing and I don't get distracted by other recommendations, and I can do my chores at the same time.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">#NZBloggers</span><br />A resource website and Facebook group I've found to connect and share with other kiwi bloggers.<br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">NEW CLOTHING RACK</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifn74YJzS1u3hyoVIgQEJuHxEczmjXszdQu_9LTzsTr5V9RM8VlzhmD0swOVF4bbaNHME4g0dLrd4pXhl_fVLkx_jxC01jXKdjfgZ7gBKQphvEr5BzDSi8Zproe_GMJPyD7X3cF1VWUgq9/s1600/IMG_7931+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifn74YJzS1u3hyoVIgQEJuHxEczmjXszdQu_9LTzsTr5V9RM8VlzhmD0swOVF4bbaNHME4g0dLrd4pXhl_fVLkx_jxC01jXKdjfgZ7gBKQphvEr5BzDSi8Zproe_GMJPyD7X3cF1VWUgq9/s640/IMG_7931+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">CIARA O'DOHERTY</span><br />Fantastic Irish blogger and YouTuber. I've enjoyed her DIYs and organisation advice.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">SARAH NORSE</span><br />Minimal living, travel loving beauty. Sarah is a positive influence and I have been bingeing on all her videos lately.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">PAGANI NECKLACE</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lLnKXHNSv7hRhLLMDfm4AqYGE2vCgerKiVfmlixuf9vPPN74prduR_-2MRwYoNumoJDea0HpeqEM5t4Xm_ndcswg_NIgYr0oArOuGc3ef6Rnnvr4uxiuTq_f4jvU2cy6WOnGwZfoAzq0/s1600/IMG_0647.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lLnKXHNSv7hRhLLMDfm4AqYGE2vCgerKiVfmlixuf9vPPN74prduR_-2MRwYoNumoJDea0HpeqEM5t4Xm_ndcswg_NIgYr0oArOuGc3ef6Rnnvr4uxiuTq_f4jvU2cy6WOnGwZfoAzq0/s640/IMG_0647.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />This simple lil thing works with all my outfits and its the kind of piece that represents the desired feel of my whole wardrobe, minimal, neutral and sophisticated. I've found that with the items I don't ever wear and the things that only bring me stress now out of the way, I have fool proofed getting dressed in the morning.<br /><br /><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">If I can, I'm going to continue to enjoy the warmer weather with great joy. I'm also already excited for my October Favourites so watch out for that, I think this month is also going to go very fast.</span><br /><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><i>xxoBeka</i></span>Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-89511689487612176672016-09-27T16:07:00.000-07:002021-08-27T19:54:11.524-07:00I Saw Troye Sivan.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuuxIHBCh5hfY3tN80J5QCv2klijj-p3CvuPKc-aDAnojrEywqtZNbf9wgHMqrwItoqK-CD4cYd0AqGV7_PnQtOJwA-CUV15u45z_0FOUZPBfds5MAg-NljPMCvGZHDA8qfvIaZPlGgLA/s1600/Thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuuxIHBCh5hfY3tN80J5QCv2klijj-p3CvuPKc-aDAnojrEywqtZNbf9wgHMqrwItoqK-CD4cYd0AqGV7_PnQtOJwA-CUV15u45z_0FOUZPBfds5MAg-NljPMCvGZHDA8qfvIaZPlGgLA/s640/Thumbnail.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />In July I drove up to Christchurch with my best friend Maddie to see Troye Sivan, Blue Neighbourhood Tour. He was so sassy and fabulous. Incredible music, and great stage presence.<br /><br />Here's my wee vlog of the experience:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nudfBy07kEU/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nudfBy07kEU?feature=player_embedded" width="800"></iframe></div><br />Any questions you have, leave them down below :)<br /><br /><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><i>xxoBeka</i></span>Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-71837709560930003382016-09-17T23:05:00.000-07:002021-08-24T01:00:05.468-07:00Pet Peeves.<br /><h4><i><span style="color: #ea9999;">I have a number of triggers that make me ticked of, but here's a clear list so you know why I may be annoyed at you.</span></i></h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxHLu3wtHRx4zRoFWr8YIaXlT01m7OMLTAUCTG2Jza-zjm2iK83iMFdbjZhlcUGwRKwvxinkBWNySH7tGEvFSmUH3eC_pPoxq2EogekcmzLWfzzwkR4tQ0KyHTNu3LM0K-09uJ3nWGj17/s1600/20160421-igor-trepeshchenok-barnimages-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxHLu3wtHRx4zRoFWr8YIaXlT01m7OMLTAUCTG2Jza-zjm2iK83iMFdbjZhlcUGwRKwvxinkBWNySH7tGEvFSmUH3eC_pPoxq2EogekcmzLWfzzwkR4tQ0KyHTNu3LM0K-09uJ3nWGj17/s640/20160421-igor-trepeshchenok-barnimages-02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Having a dead leg.</span> So painful.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Forgetting my ID card, </span>and not being able to get into the building where I study.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">When phones auto-complete, badly. </span>With repeated issues. Really we should have stopped developing technology before it did that.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sleeve slipping into the tap stream.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Phone alarm going off in the cinema. </span>That's just embarrassing really.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">When someone tells you what happens in a movie.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Itchy face when your hands are in the dish water.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Itching your face and smudging your makeup.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Having to yawn. </span>It's always when I'm in the middle of speaking. so inconvenient.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Objects making noise while rolling around in the back of the car.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The table being set with the knives and forks the wrong way around.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">People who don't indicate.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chairs being left out.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">People thinking I will listen </span>and understand when they speak to me, but I'm watching TV or videos.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wet hands. </span>I just hate water being unconfined, and wet hands leave a trail of it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">People coming uninvited into your room.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Borrowing my car and leaving it in gear.</span> Cause I leave it in neutral, and will otherwise begin by stalling.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pronouncing it Nike. </span>It's ny-key</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">When bf, Levi has left his rubbish or other things in my car.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Clocks that are broken or the wrong time, but no one fixes it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Poetry.</span> if it's all metaphor, I will scream. So uncomfortable.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">When a person is inaudible because of direction.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>e.g. "REBEKAH?"..."Yes, I'm Here"..."HAVE YOU SEEN JAAAAMMMMPD MMMUUAA."</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Communication skills. If you yell across the house, you have none.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h4><i><span style="color: #ea9999;">Can you relate to any of these things? We don't always have to be happy, sometimes the world is too much and being annoyed is okay.</span></i></h4><div><span style="color: #ea9999;"><i> </i></span></div><div><i><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">xxoBeka</span></i></div>Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-89346832123514634272016-06-28T05:54:00.000-07:002021-08-24T01:00:06.360-07:00June News.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizdbnqBcTiqdCBcATeda_hvwok6hoqGq6Q-NXL5-Sejs3R6fo0QYaViZBAF2l6l88kIjWfvEk8ObAl1b4MFWwYx9m54ZCKQ7kdhiD1E48lF7PJ6moEaYt8IgFknD3odZKnMwmk2SS6G1o/s1600/IMG_0090+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizdbnqBcTiqdCBcATeda_hvwok6hoqGq6Q-NXL5-Sejs3R6fo0QYaViZBAF2l6l88kIjWfvEk8ObAl1b4MFWwYx9m54ZCKQ7kdhiD1E48lF7PJ6moEaYt8IgFknD3odZKnMwmk2SS6G1o/s640/IMG_0090+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTDT1WG6aM1StMPoL-wIjovuInn7mPrAAGjDysg2I7hxeQGFetX39NJIh1T44g4vx_ypjATnOnBuPipAsXyRMl7pVsaBa-xToA26_3uTUqSHKchHgd8F04IcNgmoH-i8AtepGbG4qJ8ZU/s1600/IMG_0097+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTDT1WG6aM1StMPoL-wIjovuInn7mPrAAGjDysg2I7hxeQGFetX39NJIh1T44g4vx_ypjATnOnBuPipAsXyRMl7pVsaBa-xToA26_3uTUqSHKchHgd8F04IcNgmoH-i8AtepGbG4qJ8ZU/s640/IMG_0097+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Kids Concerts</u></span><br />I danced and sung backup again for the annual torturous week of children's shows. Though I'm now a second year, and this is something that the first years put on, I couldn't say no to helping out. The kids were very happy to see Anna again and this time Elsa too.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Halfway There</u></span><br />I'm at the halfway mark of my music degree and it feels very good to be over the hump. My theory tests for keyboard and aural went well, and I scraped through the style analysis exam okay. The scariest moment though was finding out I had missed the time to hand in my songwriting portfolio but then realising it was really the next day anyway. At least I was forced to push through the final stage quicker. I'll be sharing the songs with you soon I suppose :)<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Friends</u></span><br />I've managed 5 and a half seasons of this classic TV show, and I intend to get through all ten. I've finally taken the time to really get to know Rachel, Phoebe, Ross, Monica, Chandler and Joey properly and their stories are making me laugh like a loon.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vfZdlbxpvQ7N4HpFVcu0v1UIiMkq9hyphenhyphengeNYHWlSp9YZFHWfcxx0oENkmAdjt6pTo055W-EZx1pTlF8oz9Ju9S8uICtk4uG2RNw0bI51Z1b6CMyR2S04GqBPmqX5gwki4vO908klOd87f/s1600/lucho-50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vfZdlbxpvQ7N4HpFVcu0v1UIiMkq9hyphenhyphengeNYHWlSp9YZFHWfcxx0oENkmAdjt6pTo055W-EZx1pTlF8oz9Ju9S8uICtk4uG2RNw0bI51Z1b6CMyR2S04GqBPmqX5gwki4vO908klOd87f/s640/lucho-50.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><br /></u></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>August & Ellie's Wedding</u></span><br />Levi and I attended a beautiful, winter themed wedding on the 25th. It turns out though that where the ceremony was, is in fact where my grandfather was the minister and where my dad was christened as a baby. It was a fantastic affair and they deserve all the happiness in the world. Plus a good tan while they're away now, in Rarotonga.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>I Got My Licence</u></span><br />More adult points for me on the board. I can now drive around at night and I can take passengers too. Unfortunately, that means I get dumped with driving my siblings around. This was my first attempt and the test went really well so it isn't that much of a downer.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><a href="https://hellojunesite.wordpress.com/">Hello June</a></u></span><br />The lovely ladies Steph & Dominique, have started a blog for their photography and I am very excited for them. It's good to have real life friends who share your passion for sharing online, and dear I say; you should check out their beautiful displays.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Passed the Longest Day</u></span><br />Despite all the hot chocolates I've been enjoying, winter is still bitter and soul destroying there in the south of everything. It's going to be a while yet before the sun sorts out her issues, considering she still wants to set at 4:30 in the afternoon, there is hope that we will survive still. And if I can, I'll be sure to take some lovely pictures when the snow comes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMcSEEoZGN0C4HbcugrG75DZwJs9SC8MnvqKgM487sOWjD9kPgn3EGuzkwC3XsYEDhkjNQ1Qf5HlItE8Eed1h0UogD9Yv3nTnhyphenhyphenJkatC9kBQKsIui2XHx-HgUhR5l0sNItk7VnuOyIKCan/s1600/IMG_6183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMcSEEoZGN0C4HbcugrG75DZwJs9SC8MnvqKgM487sOWjD9kPgn3EGuzkwC3XsYEDhkjNQ1Qf5HlItE8Eed1h0UogD9Yv3nTnhyphenhyphenJkatC9kBQKsIui2XHx-HgUhR5l0sNItk7VnuOyIKCan/s640/IMG_6183.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I'm able to feel more optimistic with the achievements I've made this month, including the realization that perhaps whenever I want to fight with my partner, Levi I'm just tired and I don't care what's happening as I really just want to go to bed and sleep like a bear. So cheers to life, love, and laughter; I've had a good dose of it all this month :)<br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>- xxoBeka</i></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-31503109883627500142016-04-19T22:34:00.000-07:002021-08-27T19:55:09.999-07:00getting married young.<h4><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></h4><h4><span style="font-size: large;">I may not know what it's like for a gay person to to be told "you're just going through a phase," or "It's not real love," or in any other way, not be able to express their sexuality around certain people - but I think that's how I'm feeling now around my boyfriend's family, because we intend to get married before I'm 25, and before we move in together. Oh, and before we have sex at all, too.</span></h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEE2o13eZtF5BBzy7rdks2YyyABhCCe1IwMnwYg_sksT0rfc4n-UdXO2nUXrjpXUh69oo2WfYiJRvxqMC0OPZ7Kxc6iR8gVQoh5p_kuulB1Bw7GZOPkvzoP7Hx-inam0nxRbrx-amkjpT/s1600/IMG_3120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEE2o13eZtF5BBzy7rdks2YyyABhCCe1IwMnwYg_sksT0rfc4n-UdXO2nUXrjpXUh69oo2WfYiJRvxqMC0OPZ7Kxc6iR8gVQoh5p_kuulB1Bw7GZOPkvzoP7Hx-inam0nxRbrx-amkjpT/s1600/IMG_3120.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Because his family doesn't support marrying so young, I feel very alone, hopeless, and misunderstood. Hence the comparison to being gay; because it's just another type of relationship- a unique expression of sexuality- a different expression of love.<br /><br />If the world can accept, support and even fight for marriage equality why can't it do the same for people who want a hetero marriage then they are at a young age. You see for me, sex is not the goal in life. It's not the reason for being in a relationship either. The point of dating is to find someone who is a good fit. I don't want to have other relationships that last so long until I am a certain age then whoever I am dating at such a time I will tie the knot with. But that's how a lot of people seem to function.<br /><br />The reason I'm not having sex while sill dating is because that will just complicate things. Being physical with someone creates a chemical bond using drugs like dopamine and oxytocin, and it can last in your system for 2 to 6 months. Being chemically bonded makes it very hard to leave the relationship even if you realize, learn, decide that this person is not the right fit. After having sex you cannot trust your heart telling you that you love this person, over your head telling you to leave. See your heart can be deceived, even more easily than your mind can be fooled. So I'm not having sex while still dating because I want to remain sure and secure that what I feel is honest, and is simply not chemical bonding.<br /><br />Now the reason I'm not having sex, even though I've already expressed that I intend to stay with my current partner is where my religion comes into the picture. Because God says sex is for marriage, and I love my god, therefore I will go with his suggestion. But the whole reason I know God deserves my love and trust is because I know he wants what is best for me. I also want what is best for me. Do you not want what is best for yourself? I think that everybody does. And I think everybody seeks what is best for themselves in the ways they know they can. This is simply one of the ways I know I can look after myself. Because I trust and believe that God made me, that he designed marriage and he created sex to be a part of marriage, all so that it could work the best way possible.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqnXNa1oF_46CrDQEs1IwwMB7_1hIv2gpJ_bRYzLxWhS7J0uqLlwpneuhn8RAbI5wAmGJxfL1Pl_-XauG1lRANcCYqYOtDVzSkH8_HgeRb4vRBIcjl0CjVbotXMqpDlfOwuI6qK4ytQ8S/s1600/IMG_6578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqnXNa1oF_46CrDQEs1IwwMB7_1hIv2gpJ_bRYzLxWhS7J0uqLlwpneuhn8RAbI5wAmGJxfL1Pl_-XauG1lRANcCYqYOtDVzSkH8_HgeRb4vRBIcjl0CjVbotXMqpDlfOwuI6qK4ytQ8S/s1600/IMG_6578.jpg" /></a>Yes, it is a struggle to be in that relationship which could be made into a marriage but until it's legal you never know what might happen. And the pain of splitting up will be so much more because of the chemical bonds we make, the emotion of sex that we share, and also, I believe something spiritual happens is a way of connecting us. That is why it is so good for couples who are married, but why it is so dangerous if you are not. And living together would add to the strain of being abstinent, so why set ourselves up for failure. I know we would fail to be abstinent if we lived together - alone - with no one else to hear, see or stop us. It's not like we aren't interested in being physical. I think he's very cute, and other descriptive words. But I'm not being frigid, I'm keeping me heart safe. I don't want to get hurt. Levi doesn't want me to get hurt. God doesn't want me to get hurt. So it's best to make it as easy as possible; to do things the way we want them to be done, and to not do what we want to do in the excitement of a single moment.<br /><br />So that's my argument as to why I am not going to live with and have sex with my partner before we are married. Now I need to come up with something good to convince someone who has been married before and has lived with their partner for years, with a number of other relationships before that and children along the way, to support me and my decision to believe that I'm not being immature, unwise, hasty, or young & stupid to get married in my early twenties.<br /><br />A marriage between two people who are still "young" allows those people to grow up together. The way that they live and their routines are not set yet. In the short term having those things worked out makes it easier for an older couple to make living together work well. But in the long term, a younger couple may have more successes with each other in routine and other life decisions still being in trial stages and being more flexible. True it's hard to tell but we'd be married anyway, and a marriage is a covenant. That means it's not just a contract but it is a promise to stay by each other's side, to work through and enjoy life together.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodrqX1ebA4XLidPA0DP3peAl5SxU50vzBJunQ5yp0GSv0BTo8AhnhcfikSCrp-rL7eUqAQWdV0sPCVKTrDS40aUjya59KgRTXTX15s6TP3TFATUeJYJnnmYPXatoixScZy-D7Gqxhwbt2/s1600/IMG_5557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodrqX1ebA4XLidPA0DP3peAl5SxU50vzBJunQ5yp0GSv0BTo8AhnhcfikSCrp-rL7eUqAQWdV0sPCVKTrDS40aUjya59KgRTXTX15s6TP3TFATUeJYJnnmYPXatoixScZy-D7Gqxhwbt2/s1600/IMG_5557.jpg" /></a><br />So getting married "young" or "old" doesn't actually make a difference because the pledge you make when you say 'I do' are supposed to be made on a daily basis. Otherwise after seven years you could argue that the person you are with is not he person you married, because 100% of their cells have died and been replaced- but they will be the person you <i>are married to</i> so it would be nice to still keep that same promise you made at the beginning for this person. You hold to the vow of standing with them person even if they actually decide to act mature one day. Even if they get fired. Even if they stay in the same job their whole life. Even if they find friends who are jerks. Even when they have friends that you also want to hang out with too. Your promise stands even though they have a life-threatening hobby, you seek to protect them and you also hope they do things they enjoy. You still choose to love them through disagreements. You still make dinner for them the next day even though you haven't gotten over it. You still ask God to keep them alive. You still support them even at their events and sporting games when you'd rather not literally sit on some grass in the beating sun for an hour and a half watching a bunch of men kicking a ball around. You still cuddle them even though you're heavily pregnant and your back just hurts and it's really their fault. Or you stay faithful even though you haven't had sex in 'forever' and she's driving you crazy. Or even if it's just her period you bring her chocolate and understand that she has a reason to be cranky while it's that time of the month. Or you try to breathe and count to 10 rather than yell at him because it is.<br /><br />And sometimes it's hard to do that. But being young doesn't mean you don't understand that. Or that you can't actually do it. It doesn't have to be hard because you should have each other's help in the first place. Part of a marriage covenant is promising to stay in healthy communication with one another. To have fun with each other even though you have course in the morning and you don't have time for another episode of Doctor Who. It's a promise that whatever each of you believes or thinks or wants, you will still say I love you every day. Whether that's verbally, physically, by tidying up for them, or by giving them your time and simply being together. So why should being young mean being married won't work on you. As if you don't fit the criteria because you still haven't worked out how to stop leaving keys and wallets in the wrong place, or because you're still studying (alongside people who are my parent's age), or because you need support to make career decisions.<br /><br />It's having another person who is choosing to love and support you which is the criteria for a partnership that you give and receive love and support from. It isn't your age.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAB6k4JW3xA9oaV8gJ1CJ2nt1cVco8Ph2YCtNt6NjxmHpc-V-TJAtSW-F1ukuoPy0dLK3qiQ3cFy1Rrbyk7VIJCiSXhQK-GkeWD7JlletmKsU1qlKp0F1xblVhIo6YMp_KW_aTP1I5c9r/s1600/IMG_4559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAB6k4JW3xA9oaV8gJ1CJ2nt1cVco8Ph2YCtNt6NjxmHpc-V-TJAtSW-F1ukuoPy0dLK3qiQ3cFy1Rrbyk7VIJCiSXhQK-GkeWD7JlletmKsU1qlKp0F1xblVhIo6YMp_KW_aTP1I5c9r/s1600/IMG_4559.jpg" /></a></div><br /><h4><span style="font-size: large;">I hope this has been insightful and possibly made you think. Continue the discussion down here in the comments, I'd love to answer any of your questions and here what you think. However please be respectful, this is only my life and it doesn't have to affect you.</span></h4><h3></h3><span style="font-size: x-large;"> - xxBeka</span><span style="font-size: large;">♡♡</span><br /><br />Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-84225799082547977982016-03-27T20:38:00.000-07:002021-08-24T01:00:06.273-07:00march favourites.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeF5_WvslF7yOhDwXQrr2ZvcXTJ5y_QrTYHezqDsQsjluHAFUEyf-Msm6DXzVs5Ozk7gvQ0ZJKLryxrUAA8B1qT9waW6CpYThJOnxmT-HEbmNyLQx88EEGm56gdlbcEMv7jh-aOBdtDwB/s1600/MarchFavouritesPicture.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeF5_WvslF7yOhDwXQrr2ZvcXTJ5y_QrTYHezqDsQsjluHAFUEyf-Msm6DXzVs5Ozk7gvQ0ZJKLryxrUAA8B1qT9waW6CpYThJOnxmT-HEbmNyLQx88EEGm56gdlbcEMv7jh-aOBdtDwB/s640/MarchFavouritesPicture.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This year is going by so fast, can you believe it's almost April? Time again to tell you what I have been enjoying and inspired by. What has been keeping be warm and excited for life - Seriously I can use all the help I can get.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4aVr9zpLIXTR4Amu5hNUpvzOtxCCp6Kw11NmqYZfLjgaJgfX5EjZdUTLrM7OkEEqZp8XDFZhVqiDpZflDPWZdJOVjqF8YBPDNnljindbExiXZQ8BfonDY5zYwLdvcg0-WJh-D-jGXJF7/s1600/dodie-clarks-three-best-original-songs-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4aVr9zpLIXTR4Amu5hNUpvzOtxCCp6Kw11NmqYZfLjgaJgfX5EjZdUTLrM7OkEEqZp8XDFZhVqiDpZflDPWZdJOVjqF8YBPDNnljindbExiXZQ8BfonDY5zYwLdvcg0-WJh-D-jGXJF7/s640/dodie-clarks-three-best-original-songs-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />My favourite YouTuber at the moment is the lovely Dodie. I love to hear her ideas, laugh with her, be confused about being an adult with her, and enjoy her smile as it is contagious. Her songs also make me inspired to get writing something else of my own or choose a song to cover for my own channel. Do send your requests this way if you want to hear me play something you love.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgLG_40N__zNizUhEwSdfexBgufPLsspW2IkMeKgogH6mOWSp0AMlCC4gcAPCYo1Zca3ze59gQiiBr5M7LbYGz1scT_mmceVadH2rg0LwLX05OUuVluwV591Nh-xWAzsRNtc4GrZwS0_t/s1600/landscape-sia-this-is-acting-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgLG_40N__zNizUhEwSdfexBgufPLsspW2IkMeKgogH6mOWSp0AMlCC4gcAPCYo1Zca3ze59gQiiBr5M7LbYGz1scT_mmceVadH2rg0LwLX05OUuVluwV591Nh-xWAzsRNtc4GrZwS0_t/s640/landscape-sia-this-is-acting-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I've been listening to Sia's album, <i>This Is Acting</i>. I don't know if it's because I know that this album is really a collection of rejects (it's what Sia said on <i>Ellen</i>). Because knowing that before listening to it has made me notice an obvious lack of connection between the songs. They are all in different styles, and it is actually good too for myself to study it a bit being a songwriter and all.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3C_78elIU1Lu4kcAUAaq7dz98ZDC_qCw24bODqCLzeyBarZFOqZSBT7cAgh__KLOJDPiavx5LUctASGq28ECsXhpOV3giibH4RdJCTzjcdGdoYlgQ-kSqbohGFbRf45COAtf0XF05GJlo/s1600/greys-anatomy+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3C_78elIU1Lu4kcAUAaq7dz98ZDC_qCw24bODqCLzeyBarZFOqZSBT7cAgh__KLOJDPiavx5LUctASGq28ECsXhpOV3giibH4RdJCTzjcdGdoYlgQ-kSqbohGFbRf45COAtf0XF05GJlo/s640/greys-anatomy+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The drama of Grey's Anatomy has been keeping me on my toes. I like getting cosy and enjoying an episode each week. It's refreshing when I would otherwise watch The Vampire Diaries, and I would not ever use the word 'Standalone' to describe that. I think it's good to have a mixture of things. And even being a medical show there is actually less blood.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzRz82Mq0yWVkHJhYEpA6i3JpGz34kg_QXZKhGor1KPmG6l12sTfEHfrzRPRyENTeWTcTf6IP2RV9nfrB62WwYA5NcYzX0mrsBj7w4YEu7JNUhMNDrSUYjj4YyLkz9ZcAHCalaHjpfIIB/s1600/17122_original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzRz82Mq0yWVkHJhYEpA6i3JpGz34kg_QXZKhGor1KPmG6l12sTfEHfrzRPRyENTeWTcTf6IP2RV9nfrB62WwYA5NcYzX0mrsBj7w4YEu7JNUhMNDrSUYjj4YyLkz9ZcAHCalaHjpfIIB/s640/17122_original.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I'm still reading Mastiff; well, I have not actually been actively reading it. I tried to get the audiobook and it isn't available in my region.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZg_g81gajMYfUKWsorPct87mynJVOOjRjG42YgSQahqizRrIYYz60yWgd_QWOfFv9R_BG77TWBjl_M0sxRHn6Pzo235X0Gcc9FSw41NinkPBnpuCnVF6TLnyJjg9rUIKZXF0MYQYG9e9D/s1600/20160315_180724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZg_g81gajMYfUKWsorPct87mynJVOOjRjG42YgSQahqizRrIYYz60yWgd_QWOfFv9R_BG77TWBjl_M0sxRHn6Pzo235X0Gcc9FSw41NinkPBnpuCnVF6TLnyJjg9rUIKZXF0MYQYG9e9D/s640/20160315_180724.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Clothing wise I'm loving everything in <i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cotton On</span>,</i> especially my new, stripped jumper and canvas sneakers.<br /><br />Because my favourite colour changes more often than others, I thought it would be a good idea to incorporate my current colour loves into my monthly favourites. At the moment it is teal. That slightly green, light blue colour that is soft and happy, best placed with other pastel colours, like in this bathroom of the history museum I went to earlier in the month.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Z3cXwtwkEiiHw6yuIljSSxyh8JoMvYspEA5JwDbLe7_Mn5_gGtaBYyb-0RgV9WjBxVr0NNRkErM5VbLlDgOFF-v-c-iugx2oNAHI4MwHbW2DlRHOkaevpt9bCk7AA8jS6Dt7xPaxJAuy/s1600/20160304_142313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Z3cXwtwkEiiHw6yuIljSSxyh8JoMvYspEA5JwDbLe7_Mn5_gGtaBYyb-0RgV9WjBxVr0NNRkErM5VbLlDgOFF-v-c-iugx2oNAHI4MwHbW2DlRHOkaevpt9bCk7AA8jS6Dt7xPaxJAuy/s640/20160304_142313.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>When it comes to things beauty related I haven't been trying out anything different. Something however that makes me happy every day is to just wash my face with cold water. I used to wait for the hot to run but I really can't be bothered waiting. I use a scrub or gel too and those bubbles and fragrances of cleanliness are fab, but what tops it off is ringing in cold water because it just feels so fresh and it wakes me up in the morning.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ83z26Z-_8FZPo5fDedCWXN9oRpHk7ogc-wnsSoWcDWhFzomEDz6dYduPt6od113WKYtZUnhOqavup_hMV3bPxTbSb9KGdfJF2hg6fC6y3b17OK7Pp2Ow7RmMFZzLFAPdAenwankGdoUK/s1600/mind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ83z26Z-_8FZPo5fDedCWXN9oRpHk7ogc-wnsSoWcDWhFzomEDz6dYduPt6od113WKYtZUnhOqavup_hMV3bPxTbSb9KGdfJF2hg6fC6y3b17OK7Pp2Ow7RmMFZzLFAPdAenwankGdoUK/s640/mind.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />And now I will conclude with a Mental Health Update - I don't know if I have said on this blog or not, that I suffer from depression and anxiety. I know I haven't on my youtube channel but I think this is a better place anyway to keep a record of how things are going.<br /><br />With a lack of close friends to confide in I know I am missing out on a great source of happiness but I've also been keeping busy writing songs for class so at least my work is being done. I have been closer to God this month and I have fallen in love again with the power of prayer. I made the realisation that it is not important as a matter of asking for things but it is communication. I do need someone to talk to about everything sometimes and I have realised God is good for that. My overall feeling for the month is "Better". I have had many happy days and I cling to them until nothing left. I know that doesn't make sense and that is how my brain has been working - Busy trying to make sense of things that are not really even there. So I just need to move on from them. Clear my head.<br /><br /><br /><br />Thanks all for reading and I hope you all enjoy your April.<br /><br />Talk to you later,<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>xxoBeka</i></span><br /><br /><br />Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-82818898880135602302016-02-28T13:40:00.000-08:002021-08-24T01:00:06.188-07:00new year, new hair.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-neIfxP7paRBpOg-86-IdEZ3XyXoukTOrZAh-MwOMaoWjwvlroqOnko1_9482Arm7oyBlJyXPc3KlSx4jOrE7_SOzQVPXk96WwYm8ifAV3YjmsPOp7SvX7yWRu6lSSqywYavEH0YW_T_C/s1600/2016+picture.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-neIfxP7paRBpOg-86-IdEZ3XyXoukTOrZAh-MwOMaoWjwvlroqOnko1_9482Arm7oyBlJyXPc3KlSx4jOrE7_SOzQVPXk96WwYm8ifAV3YjmsPOp7SvX7yWRu6lSSqywYavEH0YW_T_C/s640/2016+picture.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />❥ I'm the sort of person who likes to put labels on myself. Such like introvert, ginger, and YouTuber.<br /><br />❥ I'm the sort of person who isn't afraid to chop off her own hair, either.<br /><br />❥ I'm the sort of person who likes a have measurable success.<br /><br />❥ The sort of person who doesn't want to be wrong.<br /><br />❥ I'm the sort of person who likes to be clever and have a well-versed vocabulary.<br /><br />❥ I'm the sort of person who gets very involved in fiction. Likes having control and hates being told what to do. Doesn't like doing things out of order, and often needs their own space. Who enjoys sharing their knowledge, and performing in front of an audience. Who is creative but is bored to madness by poetry. Really, it makes me want to punch people in the face.<br /><br />❥ I'm the sort of person who wants to work things out and solve problems.<br /><br />❥ I'm the sort of person who is very sensitive. And who takes on board what everybody else thinks.<br /><br />❥ I'm the sort of person who can quickly get sucked into what everybody else is doing and believes, just because everybody else is very enthusiastic about it. But guess what?? Anything can be popular or fashionable if any number of people like it.<br /><br />❥ I know that it's already February but I have finally decided on my new years resolution. This is something that I need to learn in part of growing up. This is something that will be really necessary in this particular year while going into my second year of a Bachelor of Contemporary music, majoring in Songwriting.<br /><br /><h2>I am going to stop caring about other people's opinions.</h2><div>❥ I'm not going to care about what my friends think. I'm not going to care about what my boyfriend thinks. I'm not going to care about what my family thinks. I'm not going to care about what you think. I'm not going to care about what Zoella thinks.</div><div><br /></div><div>❥ It doesn't matter what I have promised in the past, I am going to do or not do what makes me happy.</div><div><br /></div><div>❥ It doesn't matter what I am good at or what I have tried to do in the past.</div><div><br /></div><div>❥ It doesn't matter what could happen in the future; I DON'T CARE!</div><div><br /></div><div>❥ I don't want to be considered selfish, but nobody else is living this life except me. And nobody should ever get to, this is MY life.</div><div><br /></div><div>❥ I don't care what is mainstream or indie, popular or small. I am going to love what I love and I am going to hate what I hate.</div><div><br /></div><div>❥ It doesn't matter what the future holds because worrying about won't fix promlems or make me happy or get my ass into heaven.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm already going there, I can't even change that if I wanted to.</div><div><br /></div><div>❥ Whether it's fear or disinterest that makes me not keep up with the news, I don't blimmin' have to if I don't want to.</div><div><br /></div><div>❥ Whether it's cliche or not I say that I'm in a time of self-descovery.</div><div><br /></div><div>❥ Whether it's not the norm in this country or not I can be a Christian.</div><div><br /></div><div>❥ Whether it's overdone or original, I can make any video for my YouTube channel I like.</div><div><br /></div><div>❥ Whether it's smart or unproductive, I can procrastinate in doing my assignments.</div><div><br /></div><div>❥ Whether it's a pipe dream or realistic, I love the idea of being successful as a Singer/Songwriter.</div><div><br /></div><div>❥ Whether it's impossible or achievable, I want an audience who interacts with me.</div><div><br /></div><h3>Do you get the picture world? This is me telling you to suck it.</h3><h3>I am who I am. You can't actually change that. I can't change that. And I choose my opinions over yours. I choose what I want over what anybody else thinks.</h3><div><br /></div><div>And my opinion is that I like the image above a lot, I'm very clever with visual design stuff. And I love my blog, I've done a great job with the redesign and I'm very smart to have worked it all out so well.</div><div><br /></div><div>xxoBeka</div>Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-75092526459399320982016-02-22T02:03:00.000-08:002021-08-24T01:00:05.639-07:00my first week back.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEe_eO_X5rXU3Zhmu1BwvsyBaXJO-hLNg0fEDLOcbqU3V5ru2FrltSPeGNiicNqHb_NzgjPJ3PAFb-vNulrCBXu1ijcsCb5rcFICtTPTnTLf73YwpUOG-3CMoY55X47U4utMZjUfO4FlA5/s1600/IMG_9032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEe_eO_X5rXU3Zhmu1BwvsyBaXJO-hLNg0fEDLOcbqU3V5ru2FrltSPeGNiicNqHb_NzgjPJ3PAFb-vNulrCBXu1ijcsCb5rcFICtTPTnTLf73YwpUOG-3CMoY55X47U4utMZjUfO4FlA5/s400/IMG_9032.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><h4>Hello and Welcome!! To my sad and fantastic life, where inside I feel like a loser and I am going to write all about it so I can laugh about it. So read on and you can laugh with me too. These are some of the things that went through my head during my first week back at polytech for the year which is otherwise known as mix-up week with a flash mob and all years of the degree performing together in the Beatles themed, Friday concert. For me that was soloing in 'Yesterday' and I backed for 'Hey Jude.'</h4><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">***</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr"><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">MONDAY</span></u></div><div><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrD_kFZIxR35gdKR3zypezRVQNh_r86c9PozH4o4eDATZSkTFclhlWIVnvLutoOiFxKUxuffc9R-WL8FV2VL19wKzS5WEyEOUGHF5_hPu4_lpaXLUE3Fk5IkcHCjaJyxsjBGy10eHXv9sj/s1600/Tues.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrD_kFZIxR35gdKR3zypezRVQNh_r86c9PozH4o4eDATZSkTFclhlWIVnvLutoOiFxKUxuffc9R-WL8FV2VL19wKzS5WEyEOUGHF5_hPu4_lpaXLUE3Fk5IkcHCjaJyxsjBGy10eHXv9sj/s400/Tues.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><i>I didn't have to show up until 1 so I was able to blog around, and make a new friend before I left. Said friend is </i>natashaellens.com <i>And her excepting my request gave me lots of good feels.</i></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Later:<i> I talked to the class and made jokes and afterwards I was a bit shaken up. that's what I get for trying to be funny.</i></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Then: <i>cried over Rodriguez the bear because I don't want to live with someone who has different interests, I won't be understood or loved by them.</i></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">"Let's just hope that tomorrow sound better."</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">***</span></i></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr"><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">TUESDAY</span></u></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Ab1LJO_SxOZPuWJkEyPnMctiZ-_M-7LRMxXGz37_Vz61T5xOwyWy3aCypBdZ7KFxN4m-FqOPUV7TCoHEywCOOeGHEG8WpISvjl4Ntb_T0yYSLwfBaHUrwJ5vJ75dIHFDp3zhABfeiDHp/s1600/Monday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Ab1LJO_SxOZPuWJkEyPnMctiZ-_M-7LRMxXGz37_Vz61T5xOwyWy3aCypBdZ7KFxN4m-FqOPUV7TCoHEywCOOeGHEG8WpISvjl4Ntb_T0yYSLwfBaHUrwJ5vJ75dIHFDp3zhABfeiDHp/s400/Monday.jpg" width="221" /></a></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">"I don't want a first year saxophonist telling me how to learn my vocal part. Seriously I should know my own methods by now".</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">"Did I just flirt with her? If she is she a lesbian I did. <i>Is </i>she gay?"</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">"I like Hollie's coat."</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">"I'm the one trying to look like a fashion blogger, but instead I'm just bleeding."</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQvxIiWG2TYOY-QeOqyLOnncyqxapS6Ge6UsVYJi6shqYX-El6NC0AQc6nIGrfX7R3jFUDsb64b6wTHj-hmfTlBMgt4ZFAnpP_UhaKvyZxhgX8bvbzlxCTV_nFp0oKMR61FELFXTplBYY/s1600/Tuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQvxIiWG2TYOY-QeOqyLOnncyqxapS6Ge6UsVYJi6shqYX-El6NC0AQc6nIGrfX7R3jFUDsb64b6wTHj-hmfTlBMgt4ZFAnpP_UhaKvyZxhgX8bvbzlxCTV_nFp0oKMR61FELFXTplBYY/s320/Tuesday.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">"I wore myrainy day outfit on a sunny day, while yesterday it was raining. Why did I ever think this town was going to be kind to me?"</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: large;">"Levi, seriously how could you not have noticed that my hair is shorter? I</span>f I had a bob before, I would be bald!"</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">"Why don't I just keep my blog for fun things and my YouTube channel for music, like it was always meant to be. And then, screw editing, cause l'm really sick of it."</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">"I could go home and watch the Duff."</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">***</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr"><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">WEDNESDAY</span></u></div><div dir="ltr"><u><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcv0aj2tNgTzxTRzWNyNy6SutNCW6i-eH7o5rDlFjgrSgTcuoQO_BNc6kO6E3MvH7-rbnbWjor0A84lmD2L0l2plQU323kJ_kdTnFlZZoP-VjexlOUwJDftAHvgVAYxKnOj62etNaIhjIX/s1600/Wed.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcv0aj2tNgTzxTRzWNyNy6SutNCW6i-eH7o5rDlFjgrSgTcuoQO_BNc6kO6E3MvH7-rbnbWjor0A84lmD2L0l2plQU323kJ_kdTnFlZZoP-VjexlOUwJDftAHvgVAYxKnOj62etNaIhjIX/s400/Wed.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div dir="ltr"><br />"My braclet is very jangly and pretty, but is that really the style I want to be going for?"</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">"Dang it, I didn't watch the Duff yesterday"</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">"Yay, I get to take Levi's socks off for him."</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZPvKos3NVaswBrHEPTn6DSHcNgoNXND5XSiPK5AOeSU7wWXLtyL7N0NHQEGsTzZH2UZ85H26wleToXwtUMnXOPoPeYYrYX7v2K7UX8xH153hty5s37FqFxjCF5d67iIgFIGDgwvfOdux/s1600/1455679952427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZPvKos3NVaswBrHEPTn6DSHcNgoNXND5XSiPK5AOeSU7wWXLtyL7N0NHQEGsTzZH2UZ85H26wleToXwtUMnXOPoPeYYrYX7v2K7UX8xH153hty5s37FqFxjCF5d67iIgFIGDgwvfOdux/s400/1455679952427.jpg" width="300" /> </a> </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">"Runescape is really not a typical interest of a girly blogger, is it? well I don't even play anymore, do </span><span style="text-align: start;">I."</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both;">"Yay, Levi and I are going to the beach to swim with and be eaten by sharks."</div><div><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bNi6XzUO-97G-GJjnk2bp673a3H3BlUPwKeE9UJAuuHMyixfRU4vsAlG0bkx_i6IQw05q0kFU0n1M4xiw-4pVoRDs3ts3hhf8gesEeivBmsIBrB8hBbb4zbTP59vyXw0m0KGgK7nROZP/s1600/12714205_1103568339674018_709598639_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bNi6XzUO-97G-GJjnk2bp673a3H3BlUPwKeE9UJAuuHMyixfRU4vsAlG0bkx_i6IQw05q0kFU0n1M4xiw-4pVoRDs3ts3hhf8gesEeivBmsIBrB8hBbb4zbTP59vyXw0m0KGgK7nROZP/s400/12714205_1103568339674018_709598639_n.jpg" width="370" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both;">"Thank God, we went to the river instead. The local beach here is rough and just not nice - I should know I spent christmas in Auckland. Beaches there aren't scary."</div><div><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">***</span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">THURSDAY</span></u></div><table 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;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46icBB6JE1p_OFyl3XUzJlKUf3n1vIBAdp0e6yIQMa4utqwRnARiyE2g2_fJyQkm49hq5szgAHmhInAHv8DDYNaX3OZzZgl9xMbW3O2Gi4dN411Ncvz1US_O5L_6TVVJgxEuNttyRndw2/s1600/Thursday.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46icBB6JE1p_OFyl3XUzJlKUf3n1vIBAdp0e6yIQMa4utqwRnARiyE2g2_fJyQkm49hq5szgAHmhInAHv8DDYNaX3OZzZgl9xMbW3O2Gi4dN411Ncvz1US_O5L_6TVVJgxEuNttyRndw2/s400/Thursday.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u></u></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Okay it's the day of the flash mob. I wonder if anyone is going to be surprised, considering we do this every year."</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Wow, 6 RTs for my insta pic, and heaps of likes. Alright so actually using my instagram makes a huge difference."</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Ow, my nails look good."</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">"If the entire music department were not backing me up right now I would sound like I'm just shouting.</span> This is not the right way to sing but what choice do I have, no one will hear me."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"I suppose scabs are like a natural bandaid. But, how in the world did my other ankle get sore?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> ***</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">FRIDAY</span></u></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiDdHZSfSTxuvitNqS_wjn3li3O6mWyW7vMkASuDz5gEfwg8tH49ag0RzNpLqlclH-a0lMGcZJyGIEZ3_FiXjj7UENvcYW1ON0x6jfPWCywa15v7Rbe0xKTlFedAOBqcas7osPQMVbRT6/s1600/IMG_9106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiDdHZSfSTxuvitNqS_wjn3li3O6mWyW7vMkASuDz5gEfwg8tH49ag0RzNpLqlclH-a0lMGcZJyGIEZ3_FiXjj7UENvcYW1ON0x6jfPWCywa15v7Rbe0xKTlFedAOBqcas7osPQMVbRT6/s400/IMG_9106.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><u><br /></u></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Hit the kerb, and then when I get out of the car drop my bag strait into the road. This is a great start to the day."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"I should have my own fabric grocery bags; I'm old now so I should care about the planet. A plastic bag is going to break anyway with 3 leters of juice in it."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>While on stage:</i> <span style="font-size: large;">"</span><span style="font-size: large;">Did I just sing now it's hooking like they're here to stay?</span> Seriously, my troubles are hooking!!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Come on Cristina, sway with me! I want to sway so you should sway too."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Oh my gosh, this stupid phone is driving me crazy!! I'm getting a new one."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg427mdVV0UD05u24OoKjM0WJYc39zFgpfTq0YYMroi-KtTXL6Mce0NLKV6cc5KE0VqGTGPEK2ttIyNncsWf6G0MUN5OLrHcyxvFneqALiznbdCfXjLyEku1YIp6nKsKNYuuXr2Gvwidwtn/s1600/IMG_9180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg427mdVV0UD05u24OoKjM0WJYc39zFgpfTq0YYMroi-KtTXL6Mce0NLKV6cc5KE0VqGTGPEK2ttIyNncsWf6G0MUN5OLrHcyxvFneqALiznbdCfXjLyEku1YIp6nKsKNYuuXr2Gvwidwtn/s400/IMG_9180.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Hey, didn't I post last week that I am not going to be overwhelmed by other people's opinions?! Then I am not going to feel bad for spending money or nor enough money, nor feel wrong for getting the Samsung Galaxy J5. I't a very sexy phone so Levi just zip it."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">***</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><h4>Overall I think I had the best O-week I could have. I am excited to have a new phone for use of my instagram at least so while we're at it I would love if you followed me; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bekaellenmusic/" target="_blank">@BekaEllenMusic</a></h4><h4>Tell me about your week. or the one ahead. I hope it's a good one. What lessons have you learned? I learned to not wear uncomfortable heals. Ever.</h4><h4>I am still recovering.</h4><h4>I can't wait to hear from you.</h4><h4>xxoBeka</h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-41342626131185752082016-02-12T10:00:00.000-08:002021-08-24T01:00:04.924-07:00single crêpe recipe.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj574hL4Ts8tZzjRnv9KftoJBFjQGR0-ABmpdeTVkFb42WfMQ8EfK_rv-TRKASd5Y0QiwlmRhbDSUC70Zhm2aGu2a7LXMwpRgAADEFPoOgTjmEUeSby0mbYLm1QPBMD3uaVHtdnjIxJe1Sj/s1600/IMG_8858+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj574hL4Ts8tZzjRnv9KftoJBFjQGR0-ABmpdeTVkFb42WfMQ8EfK_rv-TRKASd5Y0QiwlmRhbDSUC70Zhm2aGu2a7LXMwpRgAADEFPoOgTjmEUeSby0mbYLm1QPBMD3uaVHtdnjIxJe1Sj/s640/IMG_8858+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The crêpes that are made on the streets of Europe are the best.<br /><br />I though have managed to work out the perfect recipe for a single crêpe to give you more excuses to make one at home.<br /><br />All you need is 1 egg, 1/4 cup flour, 1/4 cup milk and a pinch of salt.<br /><br />Mix into a very wet batter and pour into a big hot pan with some butter. Cook both sides for 90seconds each side.<br /><br />When it's almost done cooking add your choice of topping/filling over it while it's still in the pan.<br /><br />The classic options; Sugar and Lemon, Maple Syrup, Ice-Cream, Whipped Cream, Nutella, Strawberries, banana, and other fruit toppings.<br /><br />Tell me in the comments, what is your favourite topping?<br /><br />Then fold the crêpe with your filling twice over to shape it like a pro and enjoy.<br /><br /><i><span style="font-size: large;">xxoBeka</span></i><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-55402391419802582242016-02-01T23:49:00.000-08:002021-08-24T01:00:05.149-07:00Micro Mac 'n' Cheese<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXG6m55gsufbpuODOA2bTeyBVUInn7NSFYy7UylFDFfuImvwU8vSh_5Br3VT95KbdlzmbiJGDS9dTJW9Cr1zq4rRN4D7P9GU10PRzNridJloyO5_smOQRu3j9EcmaHz6TYy3vHaJHYGTB/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-02-02+at+8.29.46+pm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXG6m55gsufbpuODOA2bTeyBVUInn7NSFYy7UylFDFfuImvwU8vSh_5Br3VT95KbdlzmbiJGDS9dTJW9Cr1zq4rRN4D7P9GU10PRzNridJloyO5_smOQRu3j9EcmaHz6TYy3vHaJHYGTB/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-02-02+at+8.29.46+pm.jpg" /></a></div><br />This is a recipe I have always wanted a copy of after staying at Grandma's place. She always made it the best and to this day, even though I'm the one who makes it now, she still is. The source in this twist of mac 'n' cheese is quite think and it's an extra treat to be able to scrape the oily remains from the plate.<br /><div>Have a go at making this comfort food and you won't want to go back to your old method for a while.</div><div><br /></div><h4><span style="font-size: large;">How to make it:</span></h4><div><i>3L Casserole Dish</i> - preferably glass but just remember this is going in the microwave.<br /><i>100gm Butter</i> - Yum, Grease!<br /><i>2 cups Macaroni</i> - But please, I mean the medium size. You can get mini ones but they don't do well at going soft.<br /><i>1 teaspoon Garlic Salt</i> - I know right, there's all types of salts these days.<br /><i>3 cups Boiling water</i> - So go fill up the kettle. Overly soft pasta is better than hard; believe me.<br /><br />Put it all together and set the microwave on high for 12-15 minutes. If the water is all absorbed before 15min then you might want to add more from your kettle. Try a bit to see.<br /><br /><span style="background-color: #f9cb9c; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Papa's tasting trick: When testing boiled food that is too hot, run it under cold water.</span><br /><i><span style="background-color: #f9cb9c; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></i> While the macaroni is cooking<br /><i>3 cups Grated Cheese</i> - any kind you like taste, Edam, Colby or a mixture<br /><i>3 Tablespoons Flour</i> - white is best and choosing whole meal won't make this dish any healthier.<br /><br />Mix the cheese into the macaroni and melt back in microwave for 2 more minutes.<br /><br />Garnish with a generous amount of <i>Parsley</i>. If you like parsley then here's a chance to go wild; it won't spoil it, I promise.<br /><br />Serve with your dish of choice, be it bowl, plate or a mix of both and indulge.<br /><br /><a href="https://youtu.be/T1zVcfwWM3Q?t=19m19s" target="_blank">Click here</a> if you want me to make it with you or to make sure you didn't miss anything.<br /><br />xxoBeka<br /><br /></div>Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188101291323086153.post-79900592972510799972015-07-19T22:52:00.000-07:002021-08-27T19:54:11.524-07:00That Type Of Person<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdCPlyuejZmHqoLdVqfCQE6hqNjWBNJocqTbHQgn_HJK8VNfy41-WbSyh7q2kCV65137rmwI00LPrmftBUVzFX3BXmJ8LcR-Bg4sAmD3r7V4qTTN_fNxidrD2fG5x1OsRQoc4fxiLSvjB/s1600/IMG_4838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdCPlyuejZmHqoLdVqfCQE6hqNjWBNJocqTbHQgn_HJK8VNfy41-WbSyh7q2kCV65137rmwI00LPrmftBUVzFX3BXmJ8LcR-Bg4sAmD3r7V4qTTN_fNxidrD2fG5x1OsRQoc4fxiLSvjB/s640/IMG_4838.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">1. Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Lunch</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">2. After you've eaten your bowl of cereal, do you drink the milk?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Yes.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">3. When you drive, do you listen to CDs, Radio or Phone?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> CDs.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: orange;">Click </span><a href="http://noisetrade.com/bekaellenmusic/8-degrees"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">here to download</span></a><span style="color: orange;"> my live EP.</span></i></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">4. Are you a window person or an aisle person?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Window, for vlogging.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">5. Fold or Crumple?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Fold.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">6. Shampoo then body wash or body wash then shampoo?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Shampoo first.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">7. Are you typically stressed or relaxed?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Stressed.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">8. Patient or impatient?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Ahh...um...</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">9. Do you like to have a schedule or are you more go-with-the-flow?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Schedule.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">10. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Famous Pop Star!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">11. Prankster or not?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Na.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">12. Dressed up or dressed down?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Depends.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">13. Favorite article of clothing?</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"> I don't reeeally have one.</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">14. If you could play an instrument, what would you play?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> I could play piano for a week and not get bored.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">15. East Coast or West Coast?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Cali all the way, Baby!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: orange;">Watch my video </span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNjTdHxIZgg"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">In the future</span></a> </span><span style="color: orange;">to find out what else I plan to do.</span></i><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">16. London or L.A.?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Both play an important role in what I want to do with my future.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">17. Favorite holiday?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Christmas.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">18. How big is your bed?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> 3/4</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">19. Do you sleep with the doors open or closed?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Closed.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">20. Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Tucked in.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">21. Have you ever stolen anything?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> No.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">22. Tattoos or piercings? </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;">Tattoos.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">23. Do you smile in every photo?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Yea.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">24. Have you ever peed in the woods?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Yep.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">25. Concert or theme park?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Concert.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">26. Music or books? </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;">I need both to live.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">27. Animated or reality?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Reality.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">28. Letter or email?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Email.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">29. What was your first concert?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> The Wiggles, when I was 2.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">30. Do you own a record player?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Not yet.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">31. Do you speak any different languages?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> I want to learn french.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: orange;">Watch </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNjTdHxIZgg"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">50 Random Things About Me</span></a><span style="color: orange;"> to learn how to sign the alphabet.</span></i></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></i></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">32. Sweet or savory?</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"> Savoury.</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">33. Can you curl your tongue?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Yes.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">34. Can you touch the tip of your tongue to your nose?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> With some effort and pain.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">35. Can you whistle?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Not amazingly.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">36. Have you ever won a spelling bee?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"> Never been in one.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">37. Do you believe in ghosts?</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"> I don't believe in the idea of people staying around after they're dead. They have better things to do.</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">38. Do you believe in aliens?</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"> An invasion is most defiantly on the way, but I ain't sticking around for it.</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></span></span></span><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/x0op7JRWyL4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x0op7JRWyL4?feature=player_embedded" style="clear: left; float: left;" width="800"></iframe>Bekahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13131340554088189948noreply@blogger.com0