A_Side_Effect_of_Life

But then right in the middle of it / Comes the smiling

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the stories we tell and the lessons we learn

the stories we tell and the lessons we learn

November 2017 

Some people grow up on Milo, or on fairy bread or on baked beans and toast. I grew up on stories. From how I remember it, my mum would tell me stories every night in the darkness of my bedroom. She would do this thing which – because I was a 5-year-old narcissist – made me enjoy the stories even more: she would make me the hero of the story. I was helping kings and ocean creatures…

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more than it started out to be

more than it started out to be

01.06.2018

The light of the first June sun makes a square on my dorm room wall and I step out of myself for a moment. Today will be like every other day – yet something has shifted in the world. I sit on my floor, breath in and breath out, not thinking about what I will eat today or exams or going home or my feelings for a boy or what I want my life to feel like or anything except how yellow the…

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Look At My Face

Look At My Face

Look at my face. Can you see yourself? Can you not tell that that wrinkle Is you And that dimple in my cheek Emerges for you like you’re The dark side of the Earth And it is the moon. How can you miss the Light in my eyes – it’s Brighter than any L E D Bulb, and yes, It flickers and yes, It takes energy But no one ever Said that love is sustainable Just look at my face. Can you see yourself? Look…

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We Are So Many Different Things.

We Are So Many Different Things.

I think from the moment that we are born, we begin to accumulate various titles. Some of them, we choose for ourselves, some of them are chosen for us by others, and sometimes, no one gets a say. You’re born and you’re a daughter or a son, and possibly a younger sister or brother. Possibly, you become an older sister or brother. You become a student, a friend, a comforter and an enemy. To…

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My Vegan Journey: Part 2 of Vegan Series

My Vegan Journey: Part 2 of Vegan Series

“Veganism: a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.” (The Vegan Society)  Unlike a lot of stories you hear about people becoming vegans, mine didn’t start with watching a documentary or a heart wrenching video about the animal exploitation industry (otherwise known…

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Exercising to Change Your Life: Part 1 of Vegan Series

Exercising to Change Your Life: Part 1 of Vegan Series

Right at this moment a packet of MnMs is staring at me, sitting on my desk where my sister left it, opened and calling to me.  A  few weeks ago, I would’ve gone for it – taken a handful and enjoyed the sweet taste. But recently, I have made the decision to become a vegan. This means I exclude all dairy products from my diet, including milk, cheese, egg and of course meat. And just like that, I…

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We Don't Need Feminism In 'First World' Countries?

We Don’t Need Feminism In ‘First World’ Countries?

Feminism has become a concept viewed such as religion is viewed, in that everyone has a different take on it, different beliefs and varied courses of action (or a lack of). If you have a definite stance on feminism you are either viewed as aggressive and opinionated or strong and wilful (and the choice of word set depends on the person commenting). I, personally, would love to be more aggressive,…

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My Shoulders Are Hunched My shoulders are conscious; They are ashamed and they act accordingly. When we are ashamed of something we hide it.

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Fighting malnourishment is more important than fighting for gay rights?

Fighting malnourishment is more important than fighting for gay rights?

I’ve seen incredibly stupid pictures on Facebook. The motives of posting things on this platform seem to have become more and more self-serving, and because of that I usually don’t waste my time commenting on them. But I saw this particular photo twice, and both times I was struck by the stubborn and almost ignorant reasoning behind it. Bit of back story on this image: the rainbow filter of this…

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6 Quotes Every Student Should Read

6 Quotes Every Student Should Read

I love reading, writing, listening to  teachers, asking questions, learning new things. I love school, but sometimes, when exams are looming and I’m in a grade slump, I ask myself: “Wouldn’t it be so much easier to just drop out. I mean, Casey Neistat had to and he’s doing great!” And in these moments I just need to remember some wise words from some pretty cool people. Here are six quotes that…

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What International Women's Day Means To Different People

What International Women’s Day Means To Different People

Last Sunday was International Women’s Day. Everyone celebrates this day differently and everyone has a different perspective on why it’s significant. Here are a few people on who or what they think of on IWD and why they believe it is important to celebrate this day. 

  “(On IWD) I don’t think of anyone but I do feel it highlights the significance of women’s rights and how the world has evolved…

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I Believe You Can.

I Believe You Can.

Me and a friend were talking about our plans for the future, which course we want to take in uni and what line of jobs we were considering. This is a thread of thought that lives in the back of my head, sometimes sleeping, but nevergoing away. At the moment, I have the belief that I can afford to be ambitious – and most of us can. I am a young adult – I have a world of resources at hand,  a squad…

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Little (Big) Things You Can Do To Become Less Self Involved

Little (Big) Things You Can Do To Become Less Self Involved

To be self involved is to be concerned with things related to you (a little too much). From personal experience, this can lead to unhappiness and can be a downward spiral. Firstly, it’s important to recognise that maybe you are self centred, and to understand that it’s very easy and almost natural for humans to be this way. Most of the time, we find it hard to imagine others complexly – that they…

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BOOK REVIEW: And The Mountains Echoed, by Khaled Hosseini

BOOK REVIEW: And The Mountains Echoed, by Khaled Hosseini

And The Mountains Echoed, Khaled Hosseini’s third and most recent publication, is a story that surpasses all boundaries set on any novel. “Crossing generations an continents, moving from Kabul, to Paris, to San Francisco, to the Greek island of Tinos, Khaled Hosseini writes about the bonds that define us and shape our lives, and how the choices we make resonate through history.” This novel is…

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My Year In Reading (+ 2014 Favourites!)

My Year In Reading (+ 2014 Favourites!)

I read a total of 22 and a half books in 2014 – something I’m not proud off as a self-proclaimed ‘MASSIVE book worm’ – but it’s not something I regret either. The year before I read over 40, so 2014 was a reading slump for me- but there are reasons for this and those reasons are pretty good. I started a new school, my travel time tripling, and I got involved with so many different aspects in life…

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Mary Church Terrell & Equality.

Mary Church Terrell & Equality.

I have this book called ‘I Have A Dream – Inspiring Words and Thoughts From History’s Greatest Leaders’, by Terry Breverton. It’s a collection of excerpts of speeches from about 170 men and women, from Ancient Greek leaders to human rights activists to presidents  from all over the world. I really love this book because I have a love for language and words and how they empower us and influence…

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I'm Moving!

I am combining my two current blogs to make a bigger and better blog! It’s called Meralei, which is a Greek word that means to do something with soul – to put something of yourself into your work.

There will be a part of this blog dedicated to all things reading and books, while the majority stream of posts will be more general. Check it out at meralei.wordpress.com.au!

Thanks for all your…

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