NSLF + doughnuts August 26, 2009

Wow, it has been awhile since I’ve even checked in or posted anything.

Funny thing is, the very place I get most of my information from is where I’m based for Research placement.

I’m currently swamped with uni work, placement, VUSU. But hopefully things will return to normality in November and I’ll have some more awesome things to put here!

This is a short blog to remind you of  NSLF. Remember the student conference I was telling you about in my earlier blogs?

I get to send two young VU students to it this year! Its been great having this task delagated to me.  The comp has closed and two have been chosen. However,  the entries I’ve received are remarkable and hope I get permission to publish some of their entries up here. Some really inspiring stories! I’ve gained permission for a couple already and hope you get to enjoy their stories and be inspired as well.

For more info on The National Student Leadership Forum on Faith and Values, click here:

http://nslf.org.au/home

Meanwhile, I need doughnuts… or some sugar hit..

The tangled web– beyond an internet filter. April 23, 2009

One of my good mates is speaking at this. If you’re available, check it out.

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Update from YACVic

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THE TANGLED WEB: BEYOND AN INTERNET FILTER
newmatilda.com presents a national series of public forums about the internet regulation debate in Australia.

The Federal Government’s proposal to block internet sites with a mandatory filter has drawn overwhelming opposition from voices across politics and civil society. So what are the real questions for policy-makers?

These forums explore the ethical, social and political questions raised by government regulation of the internet. With the growing intersection between technology, politics and media, how do existing and proposed classification regimes measure up? Is filtering inevitable? Or are there better ways to regulate the world wide web?

SPEAKERS:
Senator Scott Ludlam, the Australian Greens
Michael Flood, Sociologist
Colin Jacobs, Electronic Frontiers Australia

WHEN:
Monday April 27th, 6.30pm
WHERE:
ACMI Cinemas
Federation Square
Flinders Street, Melbourne

Tickets for this event are $5. RSVP is essential: enquiries@newmatilda.com [Please inc: Melbourne Forum in the subject line]

Source: newmatilda.com

about time I blogged again April 23, 2009

oh dear. I haven’t been on in awhile… and yet so much has been happening! naughty, naughty.. forgive me!

For Catholic youth in the Dandenong Deanery- there are monthly meet ups at different parishes consisting of 5.30pm youth mass, free din-dins (dinner) and opportunity to hear from a guest speaker. If you’re interested, head to one of the local Catholic parishes and ask your youth group for participation deets.

Last month it was at St. Anthony’s, Noble Park.  Kudos to the young people at St. Anthony’s youth group who acted out the Gospel. Great work!

The speaker that evening was a Drug and Alcohol counsellor from the Cyrene Centre. The nights topic was supposed to be on health and wellbeing, but ended up a lot differently. The speaker essentially gave the young people a stack of statistics relating to drug and alcohol abuse, told them how to roll a joint and finished on “soul” work. Whereby, the person turns back to God for forgiveness. Ultimately, there was little to no focus on the positives.

It is all well and good to evidence your research, but if you cannot explain what and why in your own words, you will be at a loss. I was largely disappointed with this talk and furthermore surprised that the speaker could not articulate how and why these particular young people were doing alright, as compared to the general youth population.

Everyone is different, each family make up is different. Each support is different. It cannot be generalised as one group of young people doing better than another, or furthermore that one religious group is more righteous than another.

There are young people with mental health issues, but this is no different from any other period of time; there is just greater recognition of it.  Drug and alcohol abuse is largely a self medicating tool for other issues in people’s lives. Similarly again as for adults, it is a familiar tool for young people to access.  Some adults are quick to blame technology or other mediums where they are not familiar with or what they cannot control. We have a generation of young people that  are self educated in various media from a young age and  more adaptable to change. Some members of the  older generations need to get their head out of the sand and recognise their own faults and failures. There is no one straightforward answer.

Understanding and acceptance is the only way people are going to move forward.

That’s my rant for today… will post updates from YACVic

Have a good week,

Toodles

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

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…

Australian Youth Forum- Federal Government Initiative February 26, 2009

Here’s a direct forum, an initiative by the Federal Government to hear your voice (ages 15-24) on a range of youth  issues.

Want your say? Click here:

http://www.youth.gov.au/ayf/pages/about.htm

3 things you could do for a stranger February 17, 2009

My last blog I focused on change and choice. Things you could do for other people.  So… what would you do? Really?

Oxfam would like to know. You could win two VIP passes to Future Music Festival by letting them know.

Feel free to post what you could do on here.

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Future Music Festival
Tell us ‘three things you could do for a stranger’ for your chance to win two VIP passes to Future Music Festival in your capital city.

‘three things’ is about sharing thoughts and ideas on what makes our world tick and how we can make it better. We are looking to create conversations and inspire thought by putting out new questions every month and reflecting back the three things that are important to you and the community.

Get your creative hats on and enter today. three things is a project of Oxfam Australia

http://threethings.com.au/comp.html