Saturday, March 31, 2012

Street Culture.


What are some things that first come to mind when you hear "street culture"? The concept easily translates into so many diverse forms of expression, ideals and actions all depending on social, cultural and political contexts. What street is to me can be completely different to what it is to you, right? Our experiences of street culture are never static but are constantly and consistently influenced and even more so now because of our ever minimizing world. Our understanding of street culture extends to our current and past locations and the attachments and experiences acquired from these places. But then, there are things like the media, music and art that permeate through our global borders, creating an almost direct experience which we subconsciously and consciously apply to the experiences of our real life locations. We see it all the time in the way that Pacific Island kids emulate the street culture of the streets of Compton or Long Beach in the forms of gangs or attire or the graffiti art that kids might see onYouTube, which they try in their own neighborhoods, thus implementing and establishing a whole new street culture of graffiti. Then, there are those who identify street culture with danger, bombs, death and violence. It's amazing how radically the same things can separate one group, yet bring another together, for better and for worse.

Today I was thinking about what it meant to me. A whole range of things came to mind - Stussy, respect, graffiti, skaters, street kids, blockades, evangelism, curfews, sport and hang-outs. I laughed to myself abit when I realized Stussy was the first thing that came to mind. When I think street, I feel like Stussy encompasses the basic principles of street in terms of a brand any way - graffiti, skate, liberation, one love, style, global and rawness. I've been such a big fan for a while now and I really am a sucker for the stuff. I remember being in Tokyo and wanting to cry when I spotted the Stussy store tucked away in this small alley.




Stussy store I visited in Tokyo

In my attempt to look like a man this Winter, Stussy is a definite go-to for all the curve hiding, tent-like attire that a cold girl will need to brave the Winter chill. I actually just stocked up on a whole pile of the stuff today, so that could be the reason why it came to mind haha. But in all truth, it is something I automatically associate with street culture. Street culture is such an interesting concept to pick apart. In relation to our Pacific Island youth living in the islands, I wonder how this concept is influencing the way they relate to the world.






Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Treasures of the Week: FIRST EDITION

I was kind of mulling over ideas to post on this thing, when I thought "why not make a segment of the amazing things created by talented people that your aimless and titanic amounts of spare time drives you to find." I actually don't spend an average of 16hrs a day on the net as you may all think. Mainly because...
1) If the sun is out, I hate wasting a good day.
2) I have two great books that need reading & avoiding them feels like I will fail an imaginary exam, which is just as much pressure as a real exam.
3) My tolerance and care factor for the content on twitter these days has dropped from 10 to 5. Though, it does change regularly depending on whether the Beiber/Gaga fans are online.

But...when I am online, I really don't know how exactly, I suppose that's just the mystery of the web, or just the uncontrollable urge to click related videos over and over and over...but I do come across some pretty sikk finds whether its videos, clothes, articles, food or anything really. And so in my attempt to practice unselfishness, I want to share my Top 5 Internet Treasures of the Week. How nice. And this my people is the first edition.

Just to note, these aren't in any sort of order of coolness, they're just numbered.

1) The Whites Stripes - Seven Nation Army (Dubstep Remix) by Glitch Mob
Came across this from watching the G.I. Joe 2 trailer , arghh can't wait till the movie drops! And this has pretty much been all I've been listening to the entire week. I like me some White Stripes & I like me some dub-step...together?? Nooooo waaayyy. A Grade mix, I tell ya.



2) ChillStreet - SaveMart
Tell me whhyyy this is like the weekend story of hipsters or just people who go on some mad vintage/2nd hand store hunts. The lyrics are a good laugh and giggle and the beat make you wanna bop ya head like you on some summer time 90s Hip-Hop buzz. Props to ChillStreet for reppin SaveMart. Kiwi's keepin' it real old schoool, as well as some useful money saving tips.



3) Miike Snow - The Wave
I realize this is turning into "Video Treasures of the Week" lol, but I swear it's only because these have been the only treasures I've found so far. But do not fret this is the last of them. So, Miike Snow is a super talented Swedish Indie band compromised of 3 guys. This video is disturbingly beautiful. The grand and bare landscapes remind me of dreams I've had in the past. That electronic base and marching drum set hypnotizes me down that long, wide, lonely road. It's said that those "specimens" in the black pants symbolize mainstream pop music infecting the youth. No arguments there.


4) Maccas in Narnia
Yeah, its true there's one in Narnia. It looks like this. This picture made me laugh...at our stupidity, because this is probably what we should be eating instead.



5) Blaine by Nicole Naone
Ms. Naone is both model AND artist, skrillz much? She did this piece at PowWow Hawaii last year. The inspiration behind it lies within her experiences when conversing with other artists and professionals, as well as a good friend of hers (Naone, 2011). I came across this and I couldn't stop staring into it. The lines and the negative spaces hold and tell different stories. I want this on a T-shirt.




References:

This picture is actually the story of my brain. In a previous post I mentioned how vague I can be, yeah well this is why. I'm always just mad spaced out, I don't even know why.




Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Winter.. say what?



Picture: http://www.federation.co.nz/winter-collection/mans.aspx

Winter's inevitable chill is upon us. Actually not quite. The days are still reminiscent of a useless and ALMOST absent summer, even though it's suppose to be Autumn. I can still get a little dark if I'm outside long enough, so to me that's a good enough sign that Winter is still a month or so away, Thank God! And I think I speak for alot of girls living in four seasoned atmospheres when I say, Winter weather killbuzz, Winter fashion HAAEEYY!! Initially my enthusiasm did not reach as far as the fashion aspect, because I hated layering, wearing pants and scarves. BUT...like the seasons, preferences change. And because of a certain Federation, this Winter I will be looking forward to spending lots of time in the men's section, looking and dressing like a man. How's that for enthusiasm?? Sigghhh...I love all of these pieces, at first I thought, "If I was a boy..." BUT THEN I THOUGHT "gotta work with what you got" #boyswag.

Bread.Meat.Bread.


This is the meal I am currently craving. I'm unhealthily obsessed with burgers. There's just something about meat between bread that gets me on some sort of Acid induced high. Like I would actually choose a gourmet burger over a lobster. I know. I'm crazy.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Heart Attack News.



Picture: https://twitter.com/#!/thewhosoevers

The WHOSOEVERS are coming to NZ!!! I almost had a heart attack when I read this on twitter literally 2 minutes ago. Now and again I would always hit up these guys on twitter begging them to come down to NZ. I missed out on their conference in L.A when I was over there and guttered is a understatement. If you're out here in Auckland YOU NEED to come to out and hear what these guys have to say about this INSANE movement. They are blessed, called and on fire for God. I guarantee you they'll change your perspective on Christ and Christianity.

Payable Only by Death


Pictures: http://thewhosoevers.com/blog/archives/3504

Most people have their all time favorite artists that transcends time, trends and current sounds or markets. We all have those few artists that we hold close to our hearts because their music is iconic, timeless, nostalgic, empowering, relatable, they offer an expression of our inner selves.

I listen to alot of "hipster" music...I suppose. I can't believe I just admitted that. I completely understand if you don't want to be friends. Indie, Alternative, Electronic, Folk etc. all of that good stuff. But it's funny because my all time favorite artists don't exactly fall under those genres. Is anyone else the same way? Or am I the only one living a paradoxical life? I only want to mention one of those all time favorites for now, as an attempt to keep this fairly short and sweet. P.O.D ...Payable Only by Death, remember these guys? They created those killer rock tracks "Alive", "Youth of the Nation" and "Goodbye for Now". Yeah well....hands down these guys I will love to the grave, I have every single album, live track, demo, mixtape, remix blah blah. I honestly feel like I can take on a tank when I have them blaring through my earphones. But it's more than that, they are trying to reach a lost generation in a way that our elders have forgotten. I really feel like their challenging the norms upon which we look at Christianity, I listen to them and feel a revival, it's insane. It's been quite a while since they've released anything new, but FINALLY they're recording a new album and will be on tour next month!! I am beyond thrilled, and now even more when I read that they're touring NZ!! Thank you God for soldiers like these guys.


Saturday, March 24, 2012

Fight Night

Picture: My Own (1)The Cousin up to no good, (2) Guys boxing to Foster the People.


Instead of my usual spinster-esque Saturday by the fireplace, stroking 13 cats, sipping on chamomile tea with an over-sized multi-colored scarf hauled around my neck. I went to my cousin's Pakuranga Rugby League club fundraiser. How did they fundraise? BOXING. I called him before asking what would be a good time to come down, also slipping in the question "what time's your fight?" AS IF this was Rocky 7 and fighting was just a daily occurrence. Yeah we really like to kid ourselves. The fundraiser was pretty packed...with ISLANDERS. Typical. No one was safe from the deafening "cheehoos" and screams of "give him a kick", "time-out ref" or the classic "not like that, LIKE DIS". Ahh yess the beautiful beginnings of a riot, lucky there was enough pork and chicken there to keep people in line. The first few fights were surprisingly really entertaining and fun to watch. But I have to say the stars of the show were the two sign girls rocking bikinis of some sorts in the ring. I vowed never to touch sugar, fat or carbs again watching them walk around. That vow ended when I laid eyes on all that pork. Notable moments of the night? Watching the first pair of guys beat in each other's faces while Pumped up Kicks by Foster the People floats in the background amidst the broken english and explicit cheers, my cousin taking some crazy hits from a crazy fighter, PROPS to you mayne, asking my cousin for a sandwich and him coming back literally with 1 slice of bread and a massive heap of pork on top.. What I gained from the night? A reminder to youtube every single one of Mohammad Ali's fights.


Picture: My own. Me chillin in the back like a scout. Shirt - Evil Twin, Slouch Cardi - Grab Denim, Skirt - American Apparel

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

A vigilant watchtower

Picture: My own

And the lookout shouted, "Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; every night I stay at my post.
Isaiah 21:8

Today I stood alongside towering trees, who's heights reminded me to be alert in my watchtower, to be ready, for the enemy or for good news.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

I'm sure of HIM.

I'm probably one of the most vague people you'll ever meet. Unsure answers, beating around the bush and general directions are my specialty. There are few things I am a straight shooter about. My faith is one of them. It's not intentional. It's something that erupts and avalanches within me whenever it sees fit. And I don't think I'd want to control it anyway. And no I don't turn into a Power Ranger. It's the surest thing I know. When my words and explanations fail me, my faith is sure, it is secure. When I fail, I know that God won't.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Shirt Swag that I Need.

The last time I watched a video with my jaw to tha floor the ENTIRE time was "Bizness" by tUnE-yArDs, which was a while ago. And I know I'm probably really late with this, but after abit of blog stalking, I came across this video by Lianne La Havas called "Forget". I don't really know why I clicked play, I think it was the name, but man am I glad I did. BECAUSE I literally had my mouth open the entire time, gawking at her amazing shirts!! Sooo sooo beautiful I could swim in them. But she's also gorgeous and its's also abit of a gangsta anti-love ballad/don't mess wit' me jam with some silky smooth vocals. Seriously though, those shirts are killinngg mee! *school girl scream*


Since we're talking about jaw-droppers, why not post "Bizness" by tUnE-yArDs. This is probably my favorite video of 2011. The entire video is what I like to imagine myself as looking and feeling after a week of no sleep and too much sugar. Enjoy.

Askew Solo Show





Pictures: My own (1) exhibit (2) "The Right Frontal Lobe" (3)&(4) "Pakeha On Crazy Island"

This show was even more amazing in person. The canvases were HUGE. The images and color seemed to wrap itself tightly around my eyes and pull me in. I was fixed and overwhelmed at the talent & creativity. How is it possible that this would come from a normal functioning brain? As soon as I walked in, I was was reminded of my lack of skill. As soon as I read the exhibit booklet I wished I had a cool 5mil sitting around so I could rack up these crazy pieces. I went with my cousin and we both agreed on the "Pakeha On Crazy Island" as being our favorite. I mean honestly, the piece is perfect, it's the epitome of the current Pakeha generation's mindset. It explores so many social, historical and ancestral contexts. I read it and thought "ohh okay, I've always wondered how this generation's Pakeha perceived their place & identity on this island". Its just so interesting, you're glued to the words wanting them elaborated. I also really liked "The Right Frontal Lobe", which screamed comic book art for me and gave me Comic book batman flashback. If you're in Auckland, it ends on Thursday, you need to see it!

Before we headed over to Askew's show, we stopped off at my neighborhood pie/bakery store. Mmmmm...




Saturday, March 17, 2012

Modernization: necessity or pride?


Pictures: (1) http://denvershunkyhandymen.com/TheHandymen.aspx (2) http://auwesleyzambia2011.weebly.com

For the past two weeks your parents have been nagging you to remember to make that amazing chocolate cake that THEIR parents have been nagging THEM about for the annual family dinner at the end of the month. You respond with the usual grunts and "yeah cake, dinner, family, eating...will do". And of course you leave the baking to the last minute....on the day...WHILE everyone's eating their main course and exchanging passive aggressive remarks on why they missed Aunty. "insert name here" 's birthday again....four years in a row. You would've done it the night before, but OBVIOUSLY you couldn't because you were busy trying to figure out why the person you've been stalking on facebook/twitter/blogger hasn't posted something in the past 5hrs. You figured maybe they were just busy, but then you realized that people don't have lives like that anymore, and proceeded to track down every single person/picture/video they either posted or commented on before that 5hr M.I.A period. You're a cyber psycho, you need help. You manage to get everything mixed and poured into the pan, ready for the oven, when...IT DOESN'T SWITCH ON. And no kicking it won't make it work. Ahhh, BUT there is luck, you happen to be neighbors with not only a professional electrician, but also this sweet African woman who just moved to the country but has been a cook in her homeland Zambia for over 10years! You stealthily move across the wall toward the backdoor, trying to decide which of the two you're going to ask, and you only have enough time to ask one of them. You could ask your mum, BUT she'd probably make you eat that entire cake mix raw because of your incompetence.

Naturally you'd just go over to Mr. Anderson's house, the electrician because that's the obvious choice right? He's a professional, he's actually studied this kinda stuff and he's probably fixed thousands of stoves. But then you feel a sudden surge of moral social obligation come over you, like those hives you got from wanting to be the hero and shortcut through the poison ivy trail. Why wouldn't you go to Mrs. Moonga you asked yourself? She's been a cook for years, she's even invented stove technology for the women in her village to use. "Oh but this is an electric stove so Mr. Anderson would be more familiar with it. Mrs. Moonga might not be and I don't want to waste anymore time", you rationalize with yourself. However, it really isn't about what kind of stove it is, your predicament is about who can you TRUST more to fix this problem and why? Western thought vs. Traditional thought and why it weighs so heavily on our conceptions of the world, is basically what I'm trying to get at with this post. I've been reading this incredible book on development and amongst the 100s of other issues that I've been struck with, this is one I thought I could diddle daddle with abit. We all have a pretty solid perception of men as engineers and women...well not so much. Which, is understandable because something like 1 in every 300 engineers in Britain are women! Crazy. In developing countries where stove technology is used in rural villages to assist women in improving their daily lives, well-being and livelihood, the white expatriate male engineer is ALWAYS perceived as the one who knows best, who can be TRUSTED. Why?Because of the belief that expertise adapted from Europe or America is superior to "traditional" technology. Is this the case though? Women just like Mrs. Moonga have been inventing and improving stoves they have been using for years to their environment and situations with the resources available to them. But of course with the factors of traditional beliefs vs. detached technical knowledge, Western thought wins. I mean, what are the intentions of modernization in this situation? To replace something inferior with something better? Or is this the pride of the 'civilized' being imposed upon another? I don't want to get too much into the complicated details. But it just got me thinking about how consumed we are by perceptions of "1st world knows better", to put it plainly. We might not consciously admit our ignorance because of their embedded norms in our lives and mindsets, but it's all there in ways we don't even know. Most of us will die with them inside of us, its normal, we're human, we can't expect to know every little thing, while simultaneously being aware of everything. The point is though, to be aware of ignorance, your own, more than anyone else's. This book I'm reading is certainly opening my eyes to that. Check yourself now and again, challenge your thoughts, your lifestyle, why you do or think they way you do? Who would you choose...Mr. Anderson or Mrs. Moonga and why? No right answer....OR IS THERE!!??? *evil laugh* MWAHAHAHAHHA. (Haha joking).

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Dub-step just got MORE GANGSTA.

So a couple weeks back I went to this INSAANNNEE dub-step show with Bulletproof, Kidz In Space and ShapeShifter. Prior to this, I was already sold on dub-step... one word skrillex. But then after a while I was thinking "Man it would be cool if there were a few gospel dub-step tracks" ....*EUREKA MOMENT OF THE WEEK* ...Google Search: Christian Dub-step. I was pretty ecstatic over the results and the mass amount of Christian DJs out there with some legit mixes and tracks. And Just when I thought dub-step couldn't get anymore gangsta... I found this song that BLEW MY MIND "Awesome God" Dub-step remix by this guy called Robert DeLong. Christian or not, this track will pull your heart out! If you weren't a fan of dub-step before, prepare to jump this speeding wagon.
Picture: Kidz in Space at the show I was at

Reading the Right thing at the Right time.

Picture: source - http://streetarse.co.nz/

I remember when I first got to Auckland, I hated it with a passion. I use to hate on it the way people hate on gum stuck in their hair or someone stealing their parking spot. My reasoning for this malicious banter was "oh Auckland is so boring, nothing ever happens, the city is SO DEAD, what can you even do here". Silly, little, ignorant ole me. When you're new to a city, you can't expect it to come rushing toward you showering you with ideas and places to see and eat. Cities are spaces designed to be found and to be lost within. They are living, breathing beings created to be discovered and molded to suit one's imagination. I'm still getting acquainted with Auckland but what I've found so far is that it has an underground scene about it. Events and little things to do here and there are often known by word of mouth or just by being in the right place at the right time. This is what I genuinely grew to love about this city, its closeness and its ability to pleasantly surprise you in subtle ways. It took me a long time to catch on to this though, I was bored for the longest time, until I started watching and reading the right things and the right time, that gave hints of where, how and why. And all of a sudden I found myself at art exhibits, pop-up stores, fashion shows, street shows, live gigs and large concerts. It's made me really appreciate the people more than anything. And it's also made me realize that you just need a little patience with new places.

And speaking of...here's the next one I'm REALLY looking forward to. World renowned graffiti artist Askew One a.k.a Elliot O'Donnell , who is Kiwi by the way is doing a solo show! Truth is, I had no idea who he was, I'm not tuned in enough with the graffiti art or art scene in general in Auckland or around the world really, but like I said I just happened to be reading the right thing and the right time and stumbled across this amazing score. But let's get another thing straight, I am no artist I couldn't draw you a square even if you drew the first two lines (that may be a little exaggerated), OR press play on the stereo if you needed. The creativity that I lack in those outlets are displayed in others, like making sandwiches or creating an ultimate chocolate sundae, things that may not be as relevant to society but you know we can't have it all. So... where is all this enthusiasm for this event coming from? I love art, I do. I have a great appreciation for it, but more so in its cultural and social implications and contexts. That's the anthropology in me. In the case of this exhibit, I'm interested in questions like: what is graffiti? Is it still graffiti when displayed and housed under a socially controlled setting like a gallery? Does a white canvas take away the context and nature of graffiti? How much weight do the concepts of location and law still have on graffiti? And blah blah. Technique, color and image don't strike me quite as much as the questions do behind it. All the intellectual riff raff aside...I'm also just as excited to soak up Mr. O'Donnell's amazing hard work and talent.


ASKEW ONE - SMOKE SIGNALS SHOW from Askew One on Vimeo.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Chocolate Tarts.



With all the reblogging and brief introductions out of the way I can finally start blogging as I please and when I please.

I have been cured of the "mixing bowl madness". Or at least some of it. I still scour the internet high and low in search for the perfect chocolate cake recipe or dream recipes that I would make if I had all the right tools and resources. Lately, I've developed the sudden urge to create something new and out of my comfort zone yet still well within my consumption zone. The first, a chocolate tart and the second, a lemon angel food cake. If Natasha from the "mixing bowl madness" days saw the Natasha now, she would probably be well impressed with my improved capabilities to put together something so "fancy". Or she would tell me I was a fiend and that she can't believe I am still on this baking buzz. Moving along, I found a preeeettttaaayyy simple and sweet chocolate tart recipe, which I have been buggin to try for the past 2 weeks! The thing is, I am on a pretty strict health low-carb/No junk diet, which allows for one indulgence day. This day is TODAY. It's actually tomorrow, but I couldn't wait, so I'm whipping up these bad boys today, in preparation for tomorrow. Yays all around. The one thing that could kill the entire hype of this chocolate tart, is if it goes horribly wrong. And I think I speak for most people, when I say that when something you slaved and fussed over turns out crap it ruins your entire mood and you never want to bake again...for the next day or two anyway.

The verdict: The pastry for the tart involved a bit of hard labor. Getting your hands and back into it to form the dough and roll it out. I thought I did a 6/10 job. I don't have a large tart pan, instead I have a tray of 6 tart cups, so pressing in the pastry became a little fiddly. The chocolate filling was easy as brownies. A saucepan, cream, milk, melted chocolate, sugar, salt and stir, I found myself tweeting between ingredient additions. After finally pouring that sweet smelling filling into the pastry to pop back into the oven, like clockwork came the words, "I swear this better work". And I am sooo sooo happy to say the end result was fantastic, It's no restaurant worthy tart, but its pretty good for an amo haha. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. Here's the link for this scrumptious and very easy recipe! You'll be a crowd pleaser for sure with this one.

Picture: (1) Finished Tarts (2) Choice of chocolate for the filling Cadbury Dairy Milk & Energy dark/rich Chocolate

New Year. New Heart.



This is my official first post of 2012. And to note, this is my second attempt at writing this BECAUSE the annoying technicalities of the Internet deleted what I wrote before. Yeah we all know the frustrating feeling when that happens so here goes...It's March and abit has happened since my last 2010 post (WHAT.THE!? A million years ago much?). But I think it would be more appropriate to fill you in on what's happened this year thus far in my life, with a few inclusions of notable 2011 events here and there. Okay side note, this is way too weird that I'm talking about myself. I hate talking about myself, but since this is the beginning I suppose the exception warrants further "me talk" (vomit). I may kill parenthesis' for you all and you will also notice that I over use certain words just because my brain gets lazy.
Let me first just say, I love reading blogs, I feel like I'm a definite closet girly girl in the way that I am subscribed to a whole bunch of fashion blogs that actually aren't girly in anyway, but my cheery over excited reading and my endless fantasies of designer garments does somewhat give me a tick in that girly box. I know those types of "we just tryin to keep it g" girls have this side to them too, as Kanye says "I'm just the first to admit it" . However, one thing I never could understand about these bloggers was how much of themselves they put out in public. It erases the mystery of getting to know someone. Their thoughts, emotions and life is on display in paragraphs and pictures, without guard, without effort. So when Fehi asked me about blogging, I was reluctant. Being a spectator in such an open arena was one thing, being part of the show I deemed unimportant and unnecessary, besides there are enough bloggers out there already. I do confess that the thought scared me, I didn't want people to know THAT MUCH about me, without any shared history. There are certain parts of me that are reserved for close friends or just myself. Guarding my heart is a recent life lesson that I do not want to dishonor, so I will approach this blog with complete transparency, if you find pieces missing, their missing for a reason.
So where was I?...Let's take abit of a back track into 2011. I was in Hawaii, L.A, around the Westcoast abit, back in Hawaii, down to NZ, over in Fiji and back to NZ. I did my last semester on exchange at UCLA and unfortunately due to course technicalities was still two courses shy of graduation. This brings me to my current location, NZ. I decided to do those two courses at Auckland University in their Summer School, which started early January to Mid-February. And now I can confidently say I will be graduating and donning a square hat, a black gown and a massive sigh of relief this coming July. I wish I could say that these months were as easy and simple as this paragraph conveys. October through to January proved to be one of, if not THE MOST difficult time of my life. I had to: swallow the disappointment, shame and frustration of not graduating (on time), adjust to the dynamics of moving back in with my parents as well as a new country, get rid of all the disgusting fat that had accumulated on my body due to 6 months of American food, deal with the loss of someone I love (still love), brave the cold winter and hardest of all re-ignite my fire for God that had grown cold.
I was a different person. Things I use to care about I no longer did and things I didn't care so much about before, I suddenly took an unhealthy liking towards. I felt like I was fighting World War Three every. single. day. My thoughts were the death of me. Someone needed to save me from myself. This is where my pursuit for God began. You find God in both strange and beautiful places. I found Him in my late night runs, in the stars and the bright full moons that broke open the night skies. God never left my side, not even for a second. Not in my sin, not in my grief and not in lack of reverence. During those months, I learnt that He tirelessly pursues you into the depths of your sinfulness till He has reclaimed you.
And now I sit, on the road to graduation, 20kgs lighter with an ignited furnace for God. I am far from where I could be, but man am I alot further from where I came from.
Picture: (1) - In Auckland, rainy day. It sums up what it's been like out here weather & spiritual wise. Hoodie - Target, Denim Vest - Stussy (2) That's in UCLA & it sums up the excitement & joy I had being there.

Mixing Bowl Madness

Reblog Deux: The Fat Parents, I wrote this one back in October 2011:

…is in fact a disease that I have most recently acquired from my constant and obsessive disorder of staring at both large and small mixing bowls alike, strenuously thinking of the next flour filled goodies that I can conjure up next. It’s no joke, this may also be translated into ‘a baking obsession’. Am I proud of it!? Slighty… But do I condone it!? … probably only about 70% of the time. Which may seem alot, and it is, and I can see it in the increasing pants size of my family. BUT…its creativity, art and construction!! Its is an outlet for boredom and aimlessness, it is a need!! You cannot deny the world that. Wow post number 2 and I’m already selling propaganda…great.This all started on a freezing Auckland morning, nothing to do, and the world of google at my feet. I’m actually taking a semester off uni & I don’t start again till December, so that’s 5 months with nothing to do. So…as you do, instead of getting a job, you think you’re a world-class pastry Chef/Betty Crocker and use up all your mum’s flour and butter to bake a crap batch of cookies that came out looking like failed plumps of cake. And as I stared miserably at this far from delectable tray of round “cake” that were not even fit for my bin. In the innermost crevices of my weird brain, I thought “this is not over, I will master you!”.

And so, the madness began. Facebook who? Youtube what? is that some kind of toothpaste? … it was all recipe this and bake that .COM. from then on out. The art of finding the perfect recipe and going through pictures and pictures of mouth-watering and thigh-increasing treats, I was on a high, none that any social network could ever compare. It was a labor intensive process that did in fact lead me to somewhat master the chocolate chip cookie– Gooey, chewy and chocolatey. My baking obsession has led me to satisfy urges to bake at 2am in the morning, I did some banana and chocolate chip muffins last night actually. But there is a roadblock ahead, and so it seems, I must do some slowing down and cure this disease because as mum said to me after my 5th batch of cookies “You’re making us fat!” …too right mum, too right. Its a good feeling when you pull out that tray of delights and excitement that you crafted from scratch and even more so when they look like the picture on the website. sigh... But tis’ not so good of a feeling when you get an ulcer from too much sugar and a 5kg + on your backside. And thus, I must treadmill and sit-up away the mixing bowl madness and save it for a bake sale or a birthday or a thing when people get together for tea…you know what I mean. And to you I write…it’s not a bad thing, its just a fat/ulcer/diabetes thing? Okay forget I wrote that. But, hobbies come in all different shapes and sizes, as for mine, it comes in a particular size. I leave you with my own gooey chocolate chip recipe, hoping that this will bring a few smiles to your household. Truth is…it’s the smiles that these delicious little treats offer when shared with friends and family that really get me going. So
have a go even if you are abit of an amateur like me

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
1 whole large egg
1 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp table salt
1 & 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 160° degrees Celsius.
Melt the butter then allow to cool to room temperature. Using a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar on high speed.


*Note: For cookies with a chewier texture, melt the butter and let cool slightly. Use a wooden spoon to mix the cookie dough together. A mixer incorporates more air into the dough, which will give the cookies a cake-like texture.


Next, add the vanilla extract, egg, egg yolk and beat until smooth. Sift the flour and baking soda together. Stir in the salt. Add the dry ingredients and mix on low until everything is incorporated. Fold in the chocolate chips.


**Note: The amount of chocolate chips you use depends on how chocolaty you want the cookies to be. Some people find 2 cups of chocolate chips a bit too much.


Line a baking tray with parchment paper or spray with non-stick spray. Using a large soup spoon, form equal size rounds of dough (or use a small ice-cream scoop). Go nuts make them as big as you want, but keep them all the same size. Make sure to leave enough space between each cookie as they will spread out a bit as they bake. Refrigerate for fifteen minutes before baking.
Bake the cookies for 13 to 15 minutes or until the edges turn a light golden color. Once done, cool for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Allow to cool completely before serving or just stuff your mouth with warm cookie whatever works.

Picture: Taken on my phone, its actually the only picture I have of cookies I made and it also happens to be one of the crap batches, but just to put a face to the name, if that makes sense. It doesn't. Ok great. Just look at the picture.

Call me Narharrshha?


Let the reblogging commence! And how perfect, this one is a little introduction of myself.

It’s 3:41 am and due to a lack of common sense, I have decided not to sleep but…to write my first post! *cue cheers, trumpets, drums, confetti and token Island “cheeeheee” *. My eyes fold before me, yet my internet habits have created in me fingers that continue to type even without a brain or eyes. So, here I sit pondering what it is I can write that would arouse even the tiniest, hair follicle of an amount of interest from anyone. To show you that I’m quite normal, I’ll start with the basics, I live in the deep south of this beautiful globe…New Zealand. Never heard of it? Me too. Cool. This isn’t home but it’s where my feet are planted. I’m Fijian, Fiji is Home. I grew up here and there, experiencing the best of both hemispheres. And I am a Christian. *gasp, screech … “but don’t Christians love Jesus and stuff!?” yells random in American accent (I don’t know why, its an automatic background voice) *. Yes …yes we do and fortunately He loves us too, sleep deprived & all. I just want to write a blog about things that keep my head ticking and thinking, so lets chill!
Picture: Shades - RayBan Warefarer 54mm, Crop Top - Sass & Bide

Refresh Button Someone?

Yeah does anyone know where the refresh button for my life is? Yeah let's not get dramatic. So I only just realized that I actually have two blogs, it's how I roll, what can I say? It's not. I'm an idiot. A good friend of mine, Fehi asked me on twitter a couple days ago if I blogged because if I did she would read it. So of course, like any other NORMAL human, I asked myself, "do you blog Natasha? DO YOU??". It took me only a second to realize that...no I don't. BUT. I did. How's that for a climax and the use of three fullstops? And thus, the search began for my long lost blog(s) that I had abandoned in the far away dark crevices of google's endless piles of unfinished videos and cropped out pictures of Justin Beiber's gf Selena Gomez replaced by some wide-eyed 12yr old girl. I struck luck with blogger, finding this little gem. But I started to wreck my brain abit because I swore I wrote some ramble about making my parents fat and being obsessed with baking like I was training for cupcake wars. Still struck by what Fehi had said, I was determined to find blog number two. Searching through the frustrating and annoying jungle of blog listings, including wikipedia's blog definition, FINALLY SUCCESS! Blog.com thank you for being surprisingly difficult to find by such an accalimed search engine, you are not amusing. I found my fat parents post AND a few others that I admit are abit embarassing BUT HEY!! I'll probably laugh about it later when I get a "report abuse" click for posting them. So just for comeback sake and the attempt to fill up this empty glass of a blog I will be "reblogging" as they say, from my own self of course. And this is where the refresh button becomes the moral of this story, click it because this blog just got refreshed. HAR HAR. I know. say no more. Although, I will say...welcome back Narrtarrshaarr, try not to leave this one next to those J.Beibz pics again ay.