Simply Perfect

I made my way to the Fairbridge Festival near Pinjarra yesterday. The Narasirato Pan Pipers were performing there, a 3 day festival with huge crowds. I simply could miss a chance to see those wonderful guys again, even if the journey did take more than an hour, every minute seeing them was just Perfect. The men from the Malaita Village in Solomon Islands, never have I thought I would have the chance to meet such sincere and simple people. I wanted to surprise them by just turning up, little did I know the grounds were gonna be that big. Luck be it, I bumped into dear Dwanye hammering away, building his dome.

This was at Kellerberrin, that's little Willy from the back

The look of surprise on all their faces when they saw me was absolutely priceless. I was worried they wouldn't remember me, how silly of me. Thank you Peter, for letting me have another day with them. They had an entire stage to themselves this time. Their performance was simply mind-blowing. They've all grown so much since Kellerberrin, and that was only 2 weeks ago. Their stage presence is so contagious, it's nothing anyone can imagine. How I wish everyone could get a chance to interact with these guys. Mankind at it's best. Donation M (Captain), Small Donation, Charles, Willy, Peter, Michael, Andrew, Jimmy, and Clayton, you are beautiful people who have come to my life & lit it up through your personality, music and passion for life. I will try to do justice with the film we are currently editing - hopefully what I experienced can be felt through my film. Thank you for everything and I hope some day soon I will be able to learn your culture in Solomon Islands. Like Charles said - PERFECT.

Cheeky Charles, lead singer upfront doing his thang at Fairbridge.

It's not like these guys will actually read my blog, they don't even know how to use a computer I'm assuming. But one can be hopeful. I'm really keen on travelling to Solomon Islands now - not for the touristy things, but to live their kind of life. Out in the wilderness with trees, living in huts, hunting for your food, fishing, no shoes, no electricity, nothing but company of people you love, and of course, music. Anyone keen in joining in on that?

Hello. I am a shit-stirrer.

Uni break is quickly coming to an end, an end I wish will never come. This two week break has been so relaxing, how I wish life were to be like that for all time. I've thoroughly taken time to enjoy myself, and yet there is work to be done. This semester has been a tough one, what with two major production units to handle and on top of that, essays to be written and a magazine to publish, AND idiots to work with.














End.

Leave Me Alone

Happy Easter y'all!

Not that it was much of an easter, basically sitting around buying, receiving and eating easter eggs. How fattening! I was a good girl and gave four away. But the rest was mine! Hehe.

This ain't gonna be much of a post, just decided I should blog more regularly is all. I do hope everything is okay in Solomon Islands, with the tsunami and all. Damn these natural disasters, damn us people who create global warming! I swear the earth is dying at a quicker pace that we will all admit to. I mean, it snowed in Melbourne in winter, our summer has been crazy, everything is just fucked up. Three Rs people! Weren't you taught that in school??

Anyhoos, just a few random photos taken with my mobile.
















This is my little niece, Chantrea, and this is her when I ask her to smile. She's got the whole squinty look. How adorable.
















And this is Marita and I preparing ourselves before going into the depths of the assailing smell of sealant paint. Jem, the lengths we go to to help you.
















Dag on my right, never smiles for photos. Somehow, he managed to convince me not to either. Not a bad look I must say.

OK la. The end.

Meet my new Friends

I've recently been on a trip to Kellerberrin, a couple of hundred kilometres out of Perth. Had to film a documentary for Community Arts Network of WA. It was such a rewarding experience, travelling on the bus with the Solomon Island men, and understanding a completely different culture. Words can barely describe how I felt, and still feel, about the trip I had and the things I saw and learnt.















Who knew I would have the chance to meet people who live with no electricity, shoes, cars and technology, people who have to hunt for their food and trade with "shell money". They are the most down to earth people I have ever met. They don't say much, but they sure made me laugh a lot, and still smile at the time we spent.














They are currently on tour in Australia, raising funds to build a culture house in Solomon Islands. I think it's absolutely amazing how they took that step to embrace our society, and to share with us a part of their life. I wish everyone could have experienced what I did.

Like I said, words will do no justice to the trip I had, and how these guys are. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Quick Photo Updates

First and foremost, Merry Christmas everyone! I do hope everyone has been celebrating well and having a good time with friends and family on this special occasion. Christmas has always been one of my favourite times of the year. No, not because of the presents, but its the time for celebration and joy with the ones you love. For me, its the time of year for reflection on my life and how lucky I am to have come this far in life. God has blessed my family and I and for that I am truly grateful.

Been pretty hectic the past couple of weeks trying to get Paragon Mag stuff done. It definintely ain't easy, but it sure is worth it. The weather has been crazy but managed to still enjoy it. Here's a quick photo update of what I've been up to. I love taking photos, simply wish I had the time to edit.














We went to King's Park to chill and be nerds. We were all reading a book and enjoying the breeze. Unfortunately the ducks wouldn't stop disturbing us cuz we decided to feed ONE some chips. In the end, about 7 of them surrounded us and I was paranoid one was gonna peck at my leg.

We had a visitor from Norway so we decided to bring her to Rotto (Rottnest Island) considering none of us had ever been there. The day started out soooo shitty with the greyest of clouds, but turned out to be miraculously beautiful. God heard my prayers.


































And on the eve of Christmas Eve, Monica and I decided to make a Gingerbread house. The first ever Gingerbread house for me! I was so excited I tell you. Ikea is the best, provide you with funny foreign things. Ok la, I know it looks easy to make, but i tell you, the sugar takes like FOREVER to melt.















The process of making it...is hilarious. Cuz the sugar hardens the moment u stretch it with the spoon. But oh-so-yummy!















And....*drumroll* the Final (sorta) Product!





























Okay so my font isn't exactly attractive or Chrismassy, but hey I tried. Bought frosting instead of icing...so yeah. Poo. Still, looks like snow?!?! Hahahaha...okay la. I'm proud of my Gingerbread house so don't say anything mean. That's all for now. Chrissy photos another time. Now........SLEEP!!!!

Gone Are The Good Old Days

One by one, they've all gone home. Once there was 8, now there's only 3. Soon only one will be left. Poor Jan, all alone during the scorching hot days of summer. Speaking of which, I'm gonna try heading to the beach as much as possible before heading back home to the humidity which will eventually kill me. I miss my friends.....

Been enjoying the Uni brea so far. Turns out I only have one year left instead of the one and a half I thought I still had to complete. AND, only 3 units per semester for that year. Quite exciting. Although I'm not quite sure I'm ready to graduate as yet. Who knows, maybe I'll take up another degree and learn more, or do masters in Film and Television. Exciting Stuff.

On other news, went to watch G3 on Friday night and it was awe-fucking-some! For those of you who don't know who G3 consists of, there's Steve Vai, John Petrucci and Joe Satriani, the greatest guitar legends there ever is! If you ever, EVER get the chance, pay the money to watch them Live. Its worth every single penny. Work your ass off if you have to. We paid $110 for four hours of solid guitar playing and god damn was it worth it. I've got videos if anyone's interested.

Fucking blogspot won't let me upload photos. UGH!

It was not a hiatus

Been partae-ing way too much. And bumming too much. Actually, more like spending as much time with everyone as I can before they all leave to different parts of the globe. Damn you. 2 Americans already left for their east coast tour. It really sucks. We met Arylene, Brendan and Cols at Eurobar yesterday, all ready to get Dave wasted before he left us all in the lurch. We didn't have to do much. He pretty much downed 5 beers in the 1st 15 minutes we got there. It was hilarious. Plus before that he'd brought along a little goon bag as a friend to keep him company. He's hungover in Cairns now. Haha.














Just a few photos from last night. We were all out to get crazy. With Arylene, there's always insanity around.....and boob grabbing.














Unfortunately, Collette had to leave early so we couldn't get very many peektures.














Oh by the way, any of you like Stitch? The character from the series Lilo and Stitch (duh)? Here's a photo of him like you've never seen before.