The Water Crystals of Masaru Emoto March 26, 2009

I did blog about this but I can’t find my original anywhere…  Anyway, I came across this link awhile back and loved it. It’s all about the importance of water. The book is aimed at children, but quite simply it explains the importance in a simplified format for anyone to understand. I find the crystals amazing. Feel free to check out Dr. Emoto’s work

http://www.emotoproject.org/english/picturebook/english/00.html

I once read a similar story with plants.

Think positive, act positive = feel positive.

Can you feel the karma change?

21 today: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at 4:19pm March 26, 2009

I have spent much of the day taking phone calls and responding to mail, thank you again to everyone.

Known for my many ramblings, trust me to write an essay on my birthday. Enjoy the musings!

21. Years ago this was the biggest milestone. Today big deals are made of 16ths and 18ths. At 16 the coolest thing was that you could finally get your hands on a car be on your L’s, at 18 it was driving without your folks. Independence. Being able to cast your vote in elections (More important reason for me!) and the alcohol (still not into the booze!)

What does 21 signify? The old saying was key to the door. What does that mean- unlock and leave? I know many people well into their late 20s and later that are still at home. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Some say it has to do with being finally considered an adult. You are completely out of your “teens”. Much law specifies of being of adult decision making mind as early as 14.

To me it does mean moving forward in as many ways as I can. I do enjoy the reminiscing of the crazy antics of the past and hope I never lose that crazy side of me. As I was discussing with an old friend last Friday, it is about finding that happy medium that fits who you are now and who you will be in the future without forgetting your past. It is about being yourself and not losing your identity. Our culture defines us by what our job or career is. I think that is wrong. You can have many loves, passions and hobbies in your life. I don’t think it is right to have one thing define your complete identity. We are made up of many parts. I’m lucky that I have many things going on in my life that I’m apart of and enjoy immensely.

To me, 21 is the cornerstone. The happy snapshot of the ending of one era and beginning of a new. It is exciting, its new and worth celebrating.
I also got a mention in the local paper. ( Journal, page 5, tiny but hey- worth celebrating!)

For those of you over 21, what was your experience like- what were your thoughts and expectations?

For those of you yet to turn 21- what are your thoughts and expectations?

Love to hear from you, hope all is well in your world!
Laz

New sections March 26, 2009

mmm… so I got thinking “What other things make me happy?” and food and laughter haven’t made much of an appearance here…

So I’m gonna put up some of my favourite jokes, some yummy recipes. And cos I’ve been slack in the blogging department, I’m going to put up some of my old fb note posts.

Happy? I am!

same blog, different heading. March 13, 2009

Rec Week March 13, 2009

Update YACVic

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RECONCILIATION WEEK 27 MAY – 3 JUNE 2009
Reconciliation Victoria have chosen their theme for Rec Week 2009: “Reconciliation: Turning Words into Action”. Rec Vic will again be producing its Rec Week calendar of events, which will be available online and distributed with the May 2009 Edition of the ListenUp! Newsletter.

Rec Vic encourages you to organise your own Rec Week Events in your community, school, business or organisation and for the first time this year Rec Vic is offering small grants of up to $500 to Local Reconciliation Groups for Rec Week Events. For more information about the grants program, conditions and how to apply please contact Doug McMillan on 9662 1645 or doug.mcmillan@reconciliationvic.org.au

Source: Reconciliation Victoria

Graffitti laws- a year on.. March 13, 2009

Update from YACVic

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GRAFFITI LAWS: ONE YEAR ON GRAFFITI MONITORING FORUM 2009
In April 2008 the Graffiti Prevention Act (2007) passed into law, which saw the introduction of new offences including possessing `prescribed graffiti implements’ and new stop and search powers for police.

A year later, Youthlaw, Victoria’s state-wide community legal centre for young people under the age of 25, is holding a forum to hear from young people, police, local councils, artists, community lawyers and youth workers about how the laws are being implemented and to better understand how they are playing out on the street.

The forum is to be held:
Wednesday 8th April 2009
from 10am to 12:30pm
in the Conference Room, Neighbourhood Justice Centre,
241 Wellington St, Collingwood

Following on from the forum a progress monitoring report will be prepared and given to government and other interested stakeholders based on the findings.

For more information or to register your interest please contact Tiffany Overall, Human Rights and Advocacy Officer on (03) 9611 2422 or email on tiffany@youthlaw.asn.au

Source: Youthlaw

World’s longest lunch March 13, 2009

Update from YACVic

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World’s Longest Lunch Takes a New Direction to Help the Homeless.
A very special lunch for the homeless will be held for the first time as part of the 2009 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, when the Festival joins forces with HEAT (Hospitality Employment and Training) to present the Homeless World’s Longest Lunch on Friday 13 March.

Held on the lawn at The St Kilda Town Hall, the lunch will take place simultaneously with the Festival’s 23 other World’s Longest Lunch events. Tickets for the Homeless World’s Longest Lunch are purchased by way of an $80 donation – with all funds going directly to HEAT projects – to buy a homeless member of the community, or someone at risk of homelessness, a seat.

Guests will enjoy a three-course lunch, including a delicious main course – Spezzatino di Manzo alla Toscana (Beef Casserole) – prepared by top Melbourne chef and HEAT patron Guy Grossi..”
Serving guests at the lunch will be participants of the HEAT program, which offers free twelve week hospitality training courses to young people (specifically, 16 – 20 year olds) who are unemployed or disengaged from mainstream education, many of whom are experiencing personal or family problems.

The day’s entertainment will be provided by local singer-songwriter Heidi Everett, a member of the Music Network for Mental Health and who appeared on Andrew Denton’s documentary on mental health, Angels and Demons, and high-energy rock group BiPolar Bears, part of City of Port Phillip Access Arts program, which creates opportunities for people living with mental illness.

HEAT is administered by St. Kilda Youth Service in collaboration with local business and community groups – and is targeted at addressing youth unemployment in the municipality of Port Phillip and Melbourne. Now in its thirteenth program, HEAT has a 75 percent graduation success rate, with all graduates going on to further training, education or employment.

The HEAT program is entirely funded by philanthropic money via ANZ Trustees, through donations from the community and support from the City of Port Phillip and William Angliss Institute of TAFE. and Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is a proud supporter.

For more information contact: Vanessa Murnane, HEAT Coordinator on:
T: 03 9696 5340| M: 0423 403 588| E: Vanessa@skys.org.au

Source: SKYS

Young people: the silent victims of the economic crisis March 13, 2009

Update from: Headspace Australia

headspace – National Youth Mental Health Foundation.

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With the release of today’s unemployment data, headspace, the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, is urging employers and families and significant others of young Australians not to let Generation Y become the silent victims: the impact of the current economic climate on the mental health of young Australians needs to be considered.

headspace CEO Chris Tanti asks employers, families and significant others of young Australians to be on the look out for signs that young people are struggling to cope with the economic crisis.

“The uncertain job status of many Generation Y’s means that they are particularly vulnerable in the current economic climate. Generation Y will need support in managing their feelings and overall mental health because of additional stress caused by their own job uncertainty and that of family members.”

“We need to be on the look out for young people who may need additional support. Don’t wait until mental health problems become worse, seek help early.”

headspace is actively encouraging families and significant others of young people to look out for early signs that a young person may be struggling if they are worried about their job or have lost their job.

Signs of anxiety include:
• Persistent worrying and excessive fears
• Inability to relax
• Avoidance of feared situations
• Excessive shyness
• Social isolation or being withdrawn
• Difficulty concentrating and paying attention
• Poor sleep
• Problems with work, social or family life.

Although this is a difficult and uncertain time as evidenced by the unemployment data released today, Mr Tanti wants to reassure young Australians that “you can successfully manage anxiety and depression by identifying signs and symptoms early and seeking help. Talk to your friends or your family, log on to our website and seek help early.”

headspace has 30 centres across the country where young people can see youth friendly GPs, mental health professionals and receive assistance with finding or retaining a job, or returning to study.

Help is available: seek help from a GP or contact a headspace centre for vocational assistance and health and mental health support: www.headspace.org.au

Here’s my card March 5, 2009

Mmm… Haven’t blogged in awhile and it’s nice to know some people are actually reading this ( you know who you are!)

A couple of weeks ago I signed away for (what I thought were) fairly groovy  contact cards. (Okay, they are officially called “business cards” but I find that a little OTT, for me anyway.  I mean, what would I put on it? Every little title or position I hold? I figure I’m an average lass and don’t feel the need to brag about what I’m doing— unless I’m writing super official data or something… But, I digress!)

So they have a green background with a drawing of a girl with messy black hair. When I first saw it it reminded me of a female version from one of Powderfinger’s albums.  (You know,  the one with the face?… No I’m not that big a fan, sorry.)

So here am I thinking, hey, pretty groovy– but of course that’s just my thoughts.  One person thought it looked like it was for a hairdressing salon  and someone else thought it was I was offering some other service. 

Anyway- the point is that the details get you to this site, if you need to talk my number’s on it as well or if you want to email- my email address is on that as well.

In all?  Another piece of paper to add to your wallet…

Student protest March 5, 2009

Update from National Union of Students ( NUS)

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Today the Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard announced that the Government would be introducing the voucher system we have been fighting against since December. This proposal will result in the death of dozens of valuable subject areas, represent a massive shift away from national priority areas, severely threaten regional universities and adversely effect student choice.

NUS will be holding snap demonstrations against the voucher system tomorrow THURSDAY MARCH 5TH. We will be meeting at Hungry Jacks in the city at 10.30am so that we can board a train and be at KEVIN RUDD’S MORNINGSIDE ELECTORATE OFFICE at 11.30am. This is the major NUS campaign for the year and we need to have as many students as possible on the street protesting against this policy.

A voucher style funding model would be disastrous for students, for university teaching staff and for the higher education sector as a whole.

The demonstration will involve the gravestones which featured at our last action and we will also have a speakout and rally against vouchers (ie: bring your megaphones!)

Please tell all of the activists you know, all of your friends etc etc to get down and protest tomorrow. If you have any e-lists or facebook groups you have access to then please post this message across them.

-
Kat

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Here is the relevant news article:

http://www.theage.com.au/national/funding-plan-forces-unis-to-compete-for-students-20090304-8oie.html?page=-1