Into The Unknown

Hi guys!

So it's that post-Christmas, dreaded time of year- the last week of the holidays. I have one more week before I'm back to spending six hours a day in a uniform with a bunch of other people my age. In other words, school.

I don't really know what to expect from this year. I know I'll have a lot more homework, exams and assignments and the dreaded practice exams for next year (GULP), but it feels weird, like it's not really time to go back to school.

Do you ever think back in time to when you first started kindergarten? The whole school thing was completely left field and new and you basically had no idea what you were doing or where you were going? Did you ever look up at the kids on the brink of going to high school and think, gosh, they're so grown up and mature? And then you start high school and you think the same thing all over again and think the year twelves are so grown up.

Now, all of a sudden, I'm nearly there. I have two years left of school, then it's off to uni. Everything's happening so fast; I don't know where to look! But that doesn't mean I'm not looking forward to it.

After three years, I'm finally cutting down my subjects from ten to five, and they're subjects I want to do. I'm taking OP English, Maths B, Studies of Religion, Legal Studies and Music. And all the while I'm starting my bachelor of arts in Indonesian at the local uni. I'm actually pretty excited about it. I'm wanting to do a degree in arts and journalism.

Then, a few years from now, I'll be looking back at this post and thinking about how young I was when I wrote this. Who knows, maybe I'll have a completely different thought process to what I do now...

Anyway, I have a million and one posters to put up (mostly of My Chemical Romance) and I'm hungry, so I'm going to go eat and call PJ.

Sayonara, fellow ninjas!! xoxo

Your Latest YouTube Playlist

Hey everyone!

So tonight, I was sitting with my sister and we were looking through YouTube as I was showing her some of the funniest/best people I know of. As we are related (THANK YOU FOR THE ULTIMATE REVELATION, CAPTAIN OBVIOUS!), we have a very similar sense of humour, meaning she thought they were just as entertaining as I did. I was thinking that since you guys actually bothered to click on the follow button (if you haven't and don't know what on earth I'm talking about, IT'S RIGHT THERE ---->) maybe you would find them hilariously entertaining and all-round brilliant as well.

Here is a list of my top ten all time favourite YouTubers, most of whom I only know of thanks to my delightful PJ:

1. DanIsNotOnFire:

English accent. Countless llama references. Many reasons to laugh. Yes please. And even better is that he actually knows how to speak human! I think my favourite videos on his channel are the one above; College Dropout and Would You Rather. And if you take my advice and watch, I imagine you'd be surprised to discover that he is twenty. Rather hard to believe when he and Phil act like fifteen year old Australian girls (in simpler terms, like me and PJ on a Saturday afternoon left in a room together). Love it!

2. AmazingPhil:

Wipe that horrified expression off your face; the thumbnail is no indication of the actual video. Dan's friend Phil is just as funny, random and cute as he is! Once you watch a few videos, there is no turning back, even if it's just because of Phil's stuffed toy alter-ego, Lion! Also worth checking out is the radio show Dan and Phil did on Christmas Day! Hilarious and a great taste in music...for the most part.

3. SuperAmazingProject:

Finally, Dan and Phil have a collab channel! Once a week (every Monday) they post a video of what they call the Super Amazing Project- it makes every Monday so much better!

4. AhoyNateo:

I think Nathan is the first person on the internet to make me laugh harder than I have in a really long time. Any video made with photobooth is bound to be funny just to look at, but team that with a guy making a mock up video diary as a girl who can't even remember [her?] own name and it's going to be even better. This one's a favourite, but you also have to check out the randomest video on the internet if you want to end up in tears on the ground from pure laughter!

5. CapnDesDes:

So as you may have guessed, awesome YouTubers tend to have friends who are just as awesome as they are. Dan is to Phil as Destery is to Nathan. Very very funny and random! This video is just one of a four part series of videos from Orlando, Florida.. there are some that are much, much funnier but I figured I'd keep it clean here... but if you're game, check out some of the other videos!

6. DesAndNate:

Aaand another collab channel; this time (very obviously) it's Nate and Destery's. I think they may even be funnier together than they are on their own!

7. JennaMarbles:

I can't deny it; most of my favourite YouTubers are attractive guys. But that's not the only thing that makes someone awesome. Take Jenna for example. Brain power, sarcasm and a very sharp wit makes for some great entertainment. There are also things you can incorporate into your daily life, such as The Face (above) and other techniques to avoid talking to people. Also, be sure to check out another interesting and informative video about tricking people into thinking you're good looking.

8. ShaneDawsonTV

I gotta say- if you haven't heard of Shane Dawson, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!!! He's only been nominated for best web star for the Kid's Choice Awards two years in a row! His videos are funny but often have a message at the end of them... sometimes. There's also heaps of hilarious recurring characters, like Shanaynay, Ned the Nerd, Aunt Hilda, mum and S. Deezy. And that's without mentioning the Paris Hilton impersonations! Check out the 2011 Christmas special for some of Shanaynay's unrivalled *almost* charm...

9. TheComputerNerd01

Parodies, recited lyrics, vlogs... this channel seems to have it all! Meet Josh, aka TheComputerNerd01. His videos are definitely for you if you like regular posts with humour and music combined!

10. HaiLedaBear

Yes, I did say awesomeness can be done by the ladies as well! Leda is definitely the most cheerful, bubbly and positive person I've seen on YouTube. As well as regular vlogs about life, she does really awesome and easy-to-understand make-up and hair tutorials! Definitely worth checking out.

So hopefully that made you smile and gave you something to do on a rainy day.... I'll be back another day to tell you about a bunch of other fun and/or stupid things!!

Sayonara, fellow ninjas!! xoxo

Reflections and Resolutions

Hey everyone!

No, I have not entirely disappeared off the face of the planet... I have joined the workforce as I think I mentioned and it is insane, especially around Christmas. For those of you who don't work yet... enjoy it!

So, 2011 has seen me actually start this blog... one year coming up very quickly! This year I've been overseas without my family for the first time... well, it was the first time I've ever been away from my family for any more than a week. It was completely life changing, and I think anyone who's reading this should consider seeing more than just your corner of the world. Who knows... you may even fall in love with somewhere different... and that's without mentioning the people you meet! I've also gone through two jobs... hard to believe for a fifteen year old, I guess, but very much true.

Luckily for me, 2012 looks just as bright. I start my first of my two senior years at high school, a course at uni and I turn sixteen... which means I can finally get my L's! I got a scholarship to study Indonesian at the local university, so instead of taking six subjects at school I only have to take five. But it does mean lectures and tutorials once a week, so maybe a little less blogging than I would like... I'm still looking forward to it!

One of the biggest highlights of this year would be the people I have met. And not just my New Zealand friends. I have met my favourite bands... The Never Ever and The Monster Goes Rawrr... and made some new favourites... think The Electro Kid and Nine Sons of Dan.

So that leads me to my next topic, though I'm not going to make this a complete essay... you know how before the fireworks on New Years Eve, channel nine (well, I don't know about the others) does a countdown of the 'greatest musical hits of 2011?' I was watching that and I was actually so disappointed. What has the music industry come to if the main music videos that are televised are basically all the same- alcohol and half naked girls? And where exactly are their instruments?

Personally, I don't think that's what music is about. For me, it's about telling a story that is catchy and that people can relate to. It's self expression. But pop music is becoming centered around being like everyone else. Why is that so important though? Here's some of the songs that I thought are worthy of a mention.

Geeks Will Inherit The Earth- I Fight Dragons (you cannot possibly say that you do not love this song. It's relatable and catchy!)

At Sixes And Sevens- The Never Ever (stay tuned with these guys- with a brand new band member, Pat Ortiz and the fine vocal magic of Dylan Nash, their brand new EP, Tipsy, is sure to be a win! It's going to be out very, very soon, hopefully this month even- cannot wait!)

The Eastern Sky- Adventure Land (I really like this one; it's something a bit different to the upbeat songs that are also grace Part One.)

Hero- New Empire (I think this would have to be one of my favourite songs of recent times. I know it didn't come out this year, but it's worth a shout out anyway!)

Wherever You Are- Short Stack (you didn't think I'd completely ignore them, did you? Art Vandelay, their new album should be coming out some time soon, and if their latest releases are anything to go by, I'd say it's worth checking out!)

For Yourself- The Electro Kid (just listen and let this song speak for itself. Enough said.)

Shut Up and Dance- The Monster Goes Rawrr (the latest piece of work from these four lovely people lives up to their standard of catchy and fun- I love it and you will too!)

Deer In The Headlights- Owl City (this provoked my new-found love for Owl City. Listen and you will understand.)

Somebody That I Used To Know- Gotye feat. Kimbra (very mainstream for my usual tastes but it's a really good song. It's finally something DIFFERENT yet it still made it's way onto the charts and did extremely well- we need music like this!)

She's So Fine- Nine Sons of Dan (very. Good. Song.)

And that is my top ten!

Question: what are your new year's resolutions, if you have them? Mine would have to be to take every opportunity that comes my way, post WAY more often (I've been absolutely terrible, I'm sorry!!) and to take a chance and let people know what they mean to me... maybe something magic will come out of it...

Sayonara, fellow ninjas!! xoxo