Friday, December 4, 2015

My Year.

The year is coming to an end, and I guess at this time we all start to reflect on what we have achieved, who has stayed, come and gone from our lives.Looking back, I'm a different person than I was last year.
Our lives are like books, and each year is a chapter full of moments, people and events that make us who we are.

I won't go into to detail about every waking moment of my year, but these are some of the things that I will remember from 2015 in years to come.

This year I've completed my first year of law at Deakin Universtity and I'm proud. It has been a challenging year, yet one of the most satisfying. I have met some of the most amazing people in my first year of law, people that will stay my friends for life. It's weird to think I only met them March this year, but it already feels like it's been ages. While Uni feels like a prison at times, and while the workload can be unbearable I will miss it someday.

This year has also been the year of the 21st. I've been lucky enough to give a speech at a couple of my close friends birthdays, and while at the time I was nervous beyond words I am thankful and honoured that I got that opportunity. I'm not sure why the 21st birthday is such a big deal in Australia, but it seems to be the last really special birthday. So I'm thankful I could be apart of it all.

This year has also had some tough moments, like all year's do. Sadly this year an old school friend passed away unexpectedly. It taught me how fragile human life is, and the complete lack of control we can have over our future. Moments like these are never easy, and for a time I felt a bit of regret that I hadn't stayed in contact with her over the years. But people do grow apart, and it's only natural when we all go our separate ways. It has also taught me not to take my family and friends for granted, and to tell them how much I value them, because life is too short to keep all that stuff in.

I have met so many new people this year, some who have stayed and some who have gone. Each person has impacted my life in different ways and taught me something new.







Thursday, February 19, 2015

Jani von Wielligh

If someone was to ask me what this week had in store there is no way I would have predicted what has happened. For some strange reason I feel like I'm not worthy to write a post about a friend who I had lost contact with for so many years. I'm not going to pretend that we were close or that I knew her well over the last couple of years, however we were friends for the time that I lived in Adelaide, and I hold the memories we shared close to my heart. 

Honestly it was only last week I was telling a friend who was going back to Africa, a little story about her. You see many years ago this girl moved from South Africa to Adelaide, being young and naive I remember asking her if she slept on the ground in Africa, or if she lived in a hut. Looking back I can see that was pretty rude, but I assumed that all people in Africa lived in huts and not houses like myself. Jani just laughed at me, brushed it off and explained she lived in a house just like me. She opened my eyes to another part of the world I obviously knew nothing about. Small memories like that have lived on with me. For the time I knew her back home, she was kind, she was funny, and she was a good friend. 

I can't imagine how her family and close friends must feel at this time, and I will continue to pray for them. 

Rest in peace Jani von Wielligh, you will be dearly missed.




Monday, October 27, 2014

Just Do It & Be The Best.

As of late I have noticed something that continues to bug me on the regular. Negativity. Now don't get me wrong, I can be negative, and I'm certain that I am often whether it's towards myself or others. But what I'm trying to get at  is how people can be so negative toward others when they want to achieve something. 

I find so often no matter what it is in life, if you want to do something there will always be people who will tell you you cant.

Perhaps they say you can't because they never could? Maybe they are simply realists, or even just pessimistic. 

You just don't know if you can do something unless you try. You are being robbed if you don't even try to achieve what you want based on someone's negative remarks. 

For instance when people say "Oh that's very hard to get into". Yeah there may be a certain truth to that, but who says you can't make it, get into it and be the best at it? All you have to do is try and work hard. And if it doesn't work out, at least you tried and then move on. 

From personal experience I find it so frustrating when people say that to me in relation to what I want to do with my life. I feel like it's a put down even if the person saying it didn't even intend to put me down. 

If you want to be a dentist, be one and be the best. If you want to be an actress, be one and be the best. If you want to be doctor, be one and be the best you can be. If you want to be a lawyer be one and be the best, and if you want to be a professional athlete, be one and be the best one ever. 

The truth is everything is hard to get into. So why vocalise it and bring others down? In fact I'm sure we all know it ourselves already.

On the other hand we all have the agency to choose how others negativity impacts us. We can either let it deter us from living out our dreams, or motivate us to try harder.

I feel like we just need to bring each other up, instead of sowing negative seeds into each others lives. 



Tuesday, January 21, 2014

100 Facts About Me.

Haven't blogged in a while. It's been hard to think of things to write about. So I had this thought, perhaps I'll write a list of 100 things about myself for those who may not know me very well! Hopefully this does not bore you all to death, but gives you insight as to who I am.

1. I was born 19 years ago. (Almost 20)
2. I hardly ever eat breakfast.
3. I always sneeze when it's bright outside. Especially when I cross the road.
4. I don't like pork.
5. I am petrified of lizards of all shapes and sizes.
6. I love wearing black.
7. All the hangers in my closet have to be the same. They are all currently plastic and white.
8. I constantly crack my knuckles, and have been doing it since I was 6 years old.
9. I am obsessed with Ancient Egyptian history.
10. When I am sick, I always watch documentaries, 90% of the time they are about Egypt.
11. I'm a firm believer of justice. Everything has to be fair in my mind.
12. I do not possess the ability to catch food in my mouth. I've always envied the people who can throw grapes in the air and catch them with their mouths.
13. When I was a kid for some reason I would say 'lex' instead of 'let's'.... Sometimes I still say it today without realising!
14. I'm a firm believer of mango in salads. It's one of my favourites things.
15. I used to be obsessed with collecting 'Eclipse' mint tins. At some stage I had like 15-17.
16. I am a Christian.
17. I cannot stand torture scenes in movies. I have to leave the room because it freaks me out so much.
18. I can get really competitive.
19. My favourite childhood movies were 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Cinderella'
20. I have a fear of diving into water.
21. I love reading.
22. I am a huge Marvel fan, and think Marvel is heaps better than DC.
23. It took me longer than normal to learn all the months of the year. I remember working on it all the time in special ed.
24. I used to bite my nails. I have successfully beat the habit.
25. I had a rabbit called Bugs Bunny once.
26. AFL is my favourite sport to watch.
27. I once accidentally pulled my sister's tooth out, because I yanked a sock from her mouth. My punishment was I had to search the grass until I found the tooth. I did end up finding the tooth.
28. I love to draw
29. One of my favourite TV shows is 'The Vampire Diaries,' but also a sucker for Mcleod's Daughters.
30. I am afraid of thunderstorms.
31. I wish I was a really good dancer.
32. I look forward to sleeping because I love dreams. Most mornings I can remember my dreams.
33. I really enjoy doing makeup, and someday I will be a makeup artist.
34. I am obsessed with eyebrows. It is one of my favourite facial features.
35. I love Disney movies.
36. Ferris wheels scare the crap out of me. Especially when people rock the carriage! I always visualise myself falling to my death.
37. I think that hats look really good on guys.
38. Someday I'd like to start my own YouTube channel, focusing on beauty.
39. The Notebook is one of my favourite movies, and every single time I watch it I cry my heart out.
40. I will not cry in any movie when I am watching them with other people. I get really embarrassed and bottle it up.
41. One day I plan on writing a letter, putting it in a bottle and throwing it out to sea.
42. My favourite breed of dogs are Border Collies
43. The Violin is one of the most beautiful instruments in my books, and I wish I could play it.
44. If I ever have kids I want them to grow up on the old kids shows. Not this new animated crap. I never understood why they ruined the classic kids shows. Bananas in Pyjamas was so much better before they animated it.
45. I have been diagnosed with Urticaria. (Pretty sure its a fancy word for hives)
46. I really like to sing, except I'm too shy to sing in front of anyone.
47. I really enjoy having sore muscles the day after a work out. I feel like I've accomplished something.
48. Cups of tea make me happy.
49. My favourite colour is orange.
50. I really appreciate realism, probably more than other art forms. Although I have respect for each art form on some level.
51. I think I talk too much.
52. When I was 4 I really wanted a Chupa Chup when we went to the supermarket, and mum said no. So I stole it, but I was stupid enough to start eating it in the car on the way home. Mum made me go back and apologise to the cashier.
53. I used to cover myself in scribbles when I was 2. One day mum and dad decided to reward me for not scribbling on myself, and took me to get a doll house. Unfortunately when we arrived at the shop mum and dad discovered I had lost all self control and covered myself head to toe with pen. I never received a doll house on that day.
54. I can't drink hot drinks on hot days.
55. I am a little afraid of swimming in the ocean, but slowly conquering that fear. I will not go swimming in lakes of dams because I don't like the slimy ground.
56. Most times when I have gone swimming in a lake or dam, I've been bitten by fish.
57. If I could have any superpower, I would read minds. But only when I wanted to.
58. I have only been overseas twice. Once to the Philippines, and once to Bali.
59. When I am upset, I prefer to be alone.
60. I've had one operation so far. I had to get grommets in my ears, because my hearing was terrible. And my adenoids removed because I couldn't breathe through my nose.
61. Never broken a single bone in my body.
62. Never have had a blood nose.
63. I have incredibly stretchy ligaments. So when I roll my ankles, it doesn't hurt at all.
64. I love taking bubble baths. I find it so relaxing. I used to study for legal studies SACs in the bath.
65. Candles are my favourite. I love them! I always have candles ready to be used. But you can never have too many candles.
66. I always get brain freezes when I drink icy drinks. Every single time.
67. I really enjoy camping.
68. I really enjoy watching Toy Story.
69. When I was younger I was never allowed a Ken doll (I have no idea why), so I used my Woody doll from Toy Story instead.
70. Smartie chocolate is my favourite block of chocolate.
71. I am really embarrassed when I see photos when I was 8-12. My sense of fashion was unique to say the least.
72. I almost always get hit in the head when I am around people playing sport. Soccer balls, basket balls, tennis balls, netballs. Once I was almost knocked unconscious.
73. I love watching sport.
74. I love having fresh flowers in my room.
75. I used to love rollerblading.
76. Back when I was a little girl, I used to visit a little old lady who lived across the road on a fairly regular basis. I don't remember how or when I met her, but it just became a thing I did. She used to give me lemonade.
77. I currently work at Subway
78. I tend to eat more fruit when it's already cut up for me. (That must seem so lazy)
79. I only have one sibling, and she is my younger sister.
80. Salted caramel desserts are my favourite.
81. I really don't like eggs at all. They make me feel sick.
82. I prefer vegetarian meals, but I will still eat meat.
83. I like Twitter more than Facebook.
84. I hate that feeling when you can't breathe from laughter, but I love it at the same time.
85. I have a memory box, that I fill with bits and pieces that are special to me.
86. Never seen Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, or The Simpsons.
87. I really despise animal cruelty, and anyone who abuses animals are terrible people.
88. Not a fan of Star Wars. I fell asleep halfway through it. (Sorry if this offends you)
89. I think camels are really cool and fascinating animals. I've only ridden one once.
90. I used to have horse riding lessons every Saturday morning, and I still love riding. Although I never get to do that anymore.
91. My eyes tend to change colours depending on what I wear. They look greyish blue when I wear blue, but quite green when I wear green or purple.
92. My nose is pierced.
93. I only have 5 cousins.
94. Growing up all I ever wanted was a trampoline, but unfortunately never got one.
95. I really really really really really really really want to go to Egypt, but everyone says it is too dangerous. That makes me very sad.
96. I bruise really easily.
97. I cannot pronounce Dyslexic. I really have to concentrate when trying to say it, and I get it after 7 tries.
98. I've always wanted a pen pal to write back and forth to.
99. I LOVE getting letters. Although not letters from the bank. I get so excited when I get a letter, which is very rare.
100. I really want to visit Europe and the U.S.A

Shaylie xx

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Find Something That Makes You Happy

Find something that makes you laugh, and go with it. Laughing is one of THE best feelings in my opinion, and when you find something that truly makes you happy, the stresses of life tend to disappear for a moment. Everyone deals with different levels of stress and unhappiness, maybe more than some. Now, I'm not saying every person on this planet is stressed and unhappy. But I feel that people in this day and age find it hard to be happy. Maybe it's because of the culture we live in, or the people we surround ourselves with. Maybe it's because we always want more or the next new thing. Perhaps this cycle of want has numbed us down to a point, where we are never truly satisfied anymore.

What I'm trying to say is, maybe we should get back to basics? Find that one thing in life that makes you happy, that makes you laugh, and cling to it. Maybe when we finally start living simple lives with a little joy, a bit of laughter we might see a difference. Not only a difference in the way we live and feel, but the way we see and treat others.

Laughter is my sweet escape to whatever I'm feeling, and helps me forget about how complex life can be.

Shaylie xo

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Carpe Diem

Carpe Diem- 'To seize the day' and/or a certain moment in time. (Urban dictionary)

I think as we go about everyday of our lives we become too comfortable. Each day becomes this routine, and we know what's going to happen. It just becomes predictable.
This may not be the case for everyone. I mean no day can ever be exactly the same as the last, but we get to this point were we know what to expect. When did we stop seizing the day? Or did we ever start seizing the day?

You may ask what brought this on. Well I will tell you.

I was watching this show called 'Get Out Alive', and 10 people were held hostage in a Library by some nutcase. Bottom line is, those people had no clue they were going to be held hostage that afternoon.
I began to think what it would be like to be held hostage. Would I be at peace knowing it would be okay if I'd die? Would I have looked back on my life knowing I had seized every moment worth seizing.

Another classic example that comes to mind when I think of 'Carpe diem', is this brilliant TV show called 'Community'. I think it's Season 1, episode 3. If you have not seen 'Community' you must at least watch this episode because it is hilarious. It's probably my favourite episode. It's about a handful of students who attend a community college.

(Mr. Whitman)
Mr. Whitman gives his class an assignment, and this is to seize the day. If the class seizes the day, they get an A just like that. However Jeff is finding it difficult to truly seize the day, and Mr Whitman notices his poor attempts. Mr. Whitman knows how to truly seize the day. He climbs trees, runs through sprinklers and orders birthday cakes instead of coffee. We should all be more like Mr. Whitman!

So if you find yourself going through the motions just like me. Make the most of what you have in front of you! Carpe Diem! Seize the day, because you won't regret it :)

Shaylie xoxox






Thursday, June 27, 2013

Setbacks in Life

It almost seems like when everything is sailing smoothly, something simply gets in the way and ruins it all.
I suppose you are wondering what I could be possibly talking about it?! Well my car is officially ruined. Maybe I am being over dramatic about it all, and maybe it's not as bad as I'm making it out to be.

It's those things that throw you off. Over the last three weeks I have been buzzing, I've been feeling so happy, motivated and really excited about what each day could bring. And then yesterday that came to an abrupt end because I found out I no longer have a car. I guess what angers me the most about it, is that I haven't even fully paid off that car yet. Not to mention the freak accident that left me to repair the damage that someone else caused! So I'm sitting here in frustration knowing that I cannot simply buy another car until I have paid off the one that I cannot even use anymore! The most frustrating thing about this, I only bought that car in September last year!

I guess crap happens, and there is nothing you can do about it sometimes but accept it and try to move on. Sometimes things happen to us that cannot be explained, and we just sit here in absolute frustration because you simply wish you could go back to the moments when life seemed perfect. Life throws us challenges, and it tests us. I don't know about you, but I hate tests. Any kinds of tests. End of year exams are the worst kind of tests. Even my driving test was a nightmare. I personally think that my driving test was more stressful than my year 12 exams. Not even kidding. And I guess life is one massive test too. Except sometimes, and mostly it is unpredictable and you cant exactly prepare for it. The best part about hitting a wall however, is that moment when you are able to climb over it, and overcome the problem.

Not having a car is a minor set back, and has honestly really effected me at the moment. It's something I'll get over in time. Just have to work even harder to pay off my debt so I can save for something nice. One of the bonuses to this disaster is I will be saving up for something flashy and relatively new. Plus I will have access to mum and dad's car, so it isn't all bad!

Hope I haven't sent you all to sleep with this boring post, but I had to write something and get it off my chest!