Maxina Lorraine

Visual Merchandiser, Writer, Artist..

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Mothers Day Display 2015

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marker sketchs

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Sydney Writer’s Festival 2014 Display 

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Practice arrangements at home

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The Circle.

The circle has come around,

and I feel jaded.

I spiral up as high as can be.

For the only way is down.

down.

and I’m rolling on the wind.

Waiting for the waves to take me back

in time.

In time.

If only the circle could be broken.

And I could be free.

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Vale Tugce Albayrak (23 November 1991- 23 November 2014)

I am so angry that a young woman was hit and later declared brain dead on her twenty-third birthday.

Why was she hit? What did she do to deserve to be attacked?

She came to the defense of two teenagers who were allegedly being assaulted in the toilets of a McDonalds restaurant.

Tonight, I should not know the name, Tugce Albayrak. She should not be a hero; she should have enjoyed her night out at McDonalds with her friends in Frankfurt, Germany in the same way I do with my friends in Australia. She is just like any other twenty-two year old woman; intelligent, beautiful and brave. Except, she did the exceptional and paid the highest price for it. Her act of bravery should not be needed, but it is. It is needed all the time.  

Tugce Albayrak’s story ripples within me because it is a clear example of why feminism is so important. First, let’s get one thing clear. Feminism is not female dominance; it is the belief that women should be equal to men. That women have their own mind, beliefs and body that is her own and she can decide on what she wants for herself. She is not the subject of male entitlement. She is free to wear the clothes she wants to wear without being a targeted as a promiscuous sexual object. She is not a punching bag or a possession. She earns the same amount of money as her male co-workers for the same job and not less because her male co-workers have an extra appendage.

Why should the brave, snap decision of Tugce Albayrak to defend two girls from being assaulted ended up being the last thing she ever did?

The violence has to stop.

Her parents switched off her life support after she was declared brain dead on what would have been her 23rd birthday. My heart goes out to her parents who had to make the hardest decision of their lives.

Please, remember the name: Tugce Albayrak.

Someone else could have easily been Tugce Albayrak. Sadly there will probably be another Tugce Albayrak before too long. Just like Lisa Harnum, Rachelle Yeo and Kim Hunt. If you don’t know their names, look them up.

Tugce Albayrak is your sister. She is your family. She is your hero. Be brave. 

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5 Reasons Why It's Okay To Not Know What To Do With Your Life

We’ve all had the awkward conversation at parties or family get togethers where someone will ask you “So what are you doing for work?” or “What kind of profession are you thinking of getting into?” and your brain is buzzing a thousand words a minute for a professional answer that isn’t “Um, I don’t know…” When really it’s a lot more complicated than that. The expectations of picking the right units for your HSC are heightened to a state of panic as you decide the path for the rest of your life.

Let’s start by answering this question; are your ATAR and HSC grades really that important?

Basically, no.

1: High School Grades

Your grades are important but do no set the ground work for your future career. Your ATAR is a Wonka ticket that gets you into uni fast. I've seen a lot of first years have a culture shock when they realise that the content isn't all going to be spoon fed to them. The tutors won't chase you up for a late essay, it’s up to you to be organised. A lot of first years drop out because they have no friends and that is so not the point of uni! You can always join muggle quidditch later.

2. What do YOU want?

Take time to find out what YOU want! Not what other people want from you or think what works for your friends will work for you. Once you turn 21, you’re considered a mature age student and you don't need an ATAR to get into uni. It's less if you use certain diplomas from TAFE to get in (that's how I got into uni). Is three years or less really that long to wait? You may find that the time after high school is really the time to plan what you want to do. As long as you’re engaging yourself.

3. The Epiphany

We've all heard other peers say their five year plan to become vets or astronauts. That's great for them. But what about the rest of us? When dose the epiphany hit?

Well I can tell you, it may never come. However, things eventually fall into place.

In the long run, those who think they know what they want are at a disadvantage because what if that field of industry changes? Their skills and life ambitions have been narrowed into one little frame and you my friend will have the advantage being flexible and a jack of all trades.

4. Rites of passage to adulthood

Things have changed in the last few years to what our parents’ expectations were. Family structures are different. Rates of pay are different. None of us can afford to leave the nest before thirty. Less young people have a drivers licence and little need for a car. Although there is nothing wrong with getting married young, in my opinion, a marriage certificate doesn’t make a relationship anymore significate than one that is not recognised by the courts. Marriage is betting someone half your stuff you’ll love them forever. Forever is a very long time, why rush? Build your career first.

5. Educate yourself.

Education is the most important thing. It gives us freedom, power and consensus. Be open to as many educational opportunities as you can get your hands on. That includes jobs too. There's no reason you can't blaze your own path. My best friend says adulthood is another way of saying we make it up as we go along. It may be rough and you might fail time and again, but be resilient and I have no doubt you'll make your dreams come true. Don't forget these dreams are okay to change. Your happiness is the most important thing!

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Vale Phillip Hughes (1988-2014)

We stopped and stared at the screen, It was so fast, 135km/hr to be exact. One ball and two lives changed forever. That's all it took for the young man to hit the ground. And never wake up. Complete accident, a deadly concoction of factors saw Phillip Hughes battling for his life. A young man with the world at his feet, had ventured overseas to fulfil his dream. And now the world mourns him because it's more than a game. It's grief. We all feel it, the sadness. The abruptness. The tragedy. #getyourbatsout in honour of a young man that was fulfilling his dream. Don't forget Sean Abbott, he needs all the support and empathy. His life was dramatically changed as well. Keep playing, keep safe. Follow your dreams as Phillip Hughes was doing, for life is fleeting and in a moment, it can all change. 63 N/O. (Author note: 29/11/14. My deepest sympathies to the Hughes family, may Phillip rest in peace.)

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Flightless

I Tiny vessel of feathers and flight, Squawker and twitter, whistle. Sing. He lies motionless along side the news from last week. Pretty little boy, moonface. Held on until that tiny ticker ticked him off his perch. I buried him under the happy palm tree. The only other relic from my childhood still with us. An old friend of twelve years. Later, the most perfect rainbow I have ever seen. II There's pineing and sweet little cries The flutter of green and red Hopping along the line They peck and claw But little one won't wake up. They look at each other and are left deflated. III I returned that night. It's cloudy and cold, The rain has stopped for now. Little one is contorted; still as ice. Carriages ba-doom ba-doom across his tiny body. I can't bury it. The family is gone; A bird I never met. (Author's note: written 7/6/2014)