A glimpse of time...

I love those moments that remind you or seem to transport you back to a moment, feeling or memory from your past. I had a moment like this last night. I was at my best friend's house, we had plans to hangout following dinner (which he was shouting as a trade off to me as I was wrapping Sam's Christmas presents as he doesn't like to wrap)..
We ate dinner, and proceeded to have a few drinks and watch the Mighty Boosh. As I wrapped presents.

After I finished -and they looked fabulous, if I do say so! We began talking about high school and funny moments with friends, then we began (as our conversations often go) to talk about music. During the last two years of high school we loved a band called the Common Code, Sam had his guitar out and had been playing some music and we began trying to remember how the songs went. Sam pulled his old iPod out and put the songs on, it was like been transported back through time...I felt how I did when I met Sam for the first time and when I saw this band live. Moments stunning us as they happen, and like that quote from One Tree Hill (appears under my blog heading) those moments had lived on and I was able to live it and feel it all over again.

When life was sometimes simpler, no real responsibility, school was the epicentre of our life and the people we shared it with meant everything. Take notice of those moments, they are more than just memories ...its a visit back to a time you loved, or a lesson you learnt, or maybe a reminder that what you have with someone - that connection, ease, friendship- is something wonderful. And as I'm hoping, in my situation, that the connection and friendship continues to run through time and provide many more moments where that relationship was enjoyed, strengthened or grew.

Live to the full, you never know what may become significant to you, when you look back in years to come.
K, Xx

Making your Mark...

For the past two years I have returned to my old year 7-10 high school as a mentor for the current students. Mainly I have done this through attending the Year 10 Retreat. Whilst it is a Catholic school and God and the Bible are all included in the teachings or the activities at this three day Retreat, the emphasis is on focusing on the way that the decisions and choices we make will actually influence not only the person we become but also shape how other people see us.

The three days that make up this Retreat can be really special. You see some kids come out of their shell, or truly let others see them for who they are, some kids learn to step outside of the label or image they have branded themselves with (or maybe the one that they were branded with) at school. They accept challenges, try new things, talk to different people- which takes many of them out of their comfort zone.

Through activities, questions, listening to songs or watching a movie and then having to think about the meaning behind it, hearing volunteers or staff talk about relationships in their life or struggles they have overcome the kids are encouraged to think about the choices they make and the ramifications they have for their own lives as well as everyone they are connected to.

One of my favourite activities that we do is called "Make your Mark", we tape a line on the floor and the kids pick one person from their small group to go up and whilst keeping their toes behind the line put a piece of paper as far as they can without falling over or touching the floor with more than one hand. Whilst its fun, the idea is that everyone should have the chance to make their mark on the world. To be appreciated and remembered. Following this we then encourage each of them over the course of the three days to put their own mark on the retreat cloth-something they could be remembered by, something they learnt or something they will take with them and use in the future.

Today on my way home from work, I was thinking about retreat and how I cannot wait to go again next year, when the perfect song came on the radio. The song is called "I Was Here" written and performed by Beyonce. The song is exactly what we hope every retreatant (staff, volunteers/mentors, students) will get out of life. Making my mark is so important to me, I want to have meant something but to also have helped someone make theirs. As Beyonce sings "I will leave my mark so everyone will know I was here...I want to say I lived each day, until I died. I know that I had something in, somebody's life. The hearts I have touched, will be the proof that I leave. That I made a difference, and this world will see- I was here...I lived, I loved, I was here..."

My leaving message for you all is, make an impact on the world and most importantly make choices that allow you to be the person you want to be. This is how you will leave your mark.

K, Xx

My Male Best Friend

As I have written before having a close friend/s is so important ...someone to go through life with or be there to support each other when life kicks back hard.

I must admit I have a few of these friends... but one lately has really stood out. One of my best male friends, S*and ihave been friends for five years and met during year 11 in high school. There have been ups and downs but what has resulted is this beautiful, honest, supportive and loving friendship. It's really quite special.
We are the kind of friends where you feel more like family than friends (and we're that loyal too). He calls me his Sis, and for me he is like the older brother I never had, or the twin I used to wish I had. We have each other's backs and are always there to pick the other one up when they are down. We've survived illness, death and two breakups. Plus many more of the various lows life hits you with. We have also celebrated many highs like important birthdays, new relationships or exciting crushes, new jobs and other achievements and highs.

Lately since this year has brought an end to the relationships we were both in, our latest mission has been to be each others wingman or wingwoman. ;) it can be really fun and we honestly just want to see each other happy.
People tend to think a guy and a girl cannot 'just be friends ' but you definitely can ...I think opposite sex friendships are important, they have a different vibe to friendships between girls, a fresh perspective. I highly recommended it but you can't have a successful one if you're secretly hoping for a sexual or romantic relationship ...it works for us because we don't seek that from each other, we think each other are good people who deserve someone special but for us it's just friends.

From the outside to others it may just look like an ordinary friendship but to us it is really special,we have each others backs and I look forward to being his best friend for the rest of our lives.
"A true friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world is walking out"

Memories

Memory is a very powerful thing. If you're like me you hold important memories close. This could be favourite moments you have had, with people you'll never forget or it could be
moments that shocked you, teaching you a lesson...acting as a reminder of what loss, hurt or embarrassment can feel like. My memories are so important to me...and I will tell you why. When I was 16, I lost my best friend.

She was the most amazing person. Bright, bubbly, funny, vivacious, kind, intelligent, confident and fun-loving. Brooke had the world at her feet. She lived life to the full yearning to experience all it had to offer, whilst offering the world everything of herself also. I know she would have achieved greatness, success at whatever she decided to pursue. We lost Brooke tragically and suddenly to an awful illness. It was shocking, heartwrenching and painful. My whole life got picked up and turned upside down. Every emotion I had was ten-fold. It is honestly the worst thing I have ever experienced. No one saw it coming, and although the last conversation we had borders on almost eerie (for want of a better word) as we talked about our favourite memories with each other, told each other we lived each other and see you later...I never got to say goodbye face to face. This used to bother me but now I think that the conversation we had was pretty much perfect ...hopefully she will be someone I see when I die.

We were soulmates, everyone called us twins. Inseparable, always happy to fade into the background to highlight the other or to stand together and shine. I have very fond memories of our time together. Sometimes there are memories I feel I have forgotten, like her laugh or the way she spoke ...but usually that potent a memory is something my subconscious seems to save for when I really need it. When I need some extra motivation or inspiration.

My message to you is try and remember how important and special life is. We should make the most of every moment, live to the full so that not only you have wonderful memories but do for those that you nay leave behind.
"Some people come into our lives and quickly go...some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same..."

K, Xx

*please feel free to comment on any post!

for marriage equality

 This is an issue I am really passionate about. Please visit the links (another one at bottom of page).
                                  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TBd-UCwVAY
I believe that if two people love each other then they deserve to have their feelings and commitment to each other recognised. It should not matter if the couple is male and female, male and male or female and female. It's all about love and human connection, wanting to find that person who you want to spend the rest of your life with... that shouldn't be something that is considered a right only for heterosexual couples.

The sanctity of marriage will be improved if anything-it's about love. Considering the current divorce rate I do not think that it could seriously be said that heterosexual couples are on the whole upholding it. I myself am not gay but have many gay friends, I'd love to be able to attend their weddings and celebrate their love the way I have with other friends .

Everyone should be facing or determining their own opinions on this important issue. This weekend, in Australia the labor party are meeting to discuss important issues such as this one.. it is expected either a conscience vote or an amendment to the Marriage Act will take place.

I hope these politicians serioulsy consider making marriage equal for all and stop this discrimination. At school and through my family's upbringing I learnt that discrimination and bullying are wrong, everyone deserves the right to be free..so why give such a conflicting example to children, the public of Australia and the world?
If it comes to a vote- I am FOR Marriage Equality. As the youtube video from getup! states, It's Time...

K, Xx. (Have your say Australia: http://www.australianmarriageequality.com/laborconference/ )

Kooklah- An Introduction

I started this blog as a way of putting my opinions and my viewpoint out to the world.

To have a voice.

I think it will also be incredibly useful in working out how I feel about something -whether a global issue, a personal problem or just an idea. I am hoping that what will develop will be a clear indication of my own values. I am also hoping that what I write will reach, inspire or motivate someone. Something that may pick someone up when they are down, start the day with a bang or make them think. I want to write about life-my experiences, my hopes and dreams but I will also be writing about issues I think are important. I welcome comments, questions and ideas. I am well aware that not everyone will agree with my views, but as I say- if we were all the same and no one was different, how boring would that be?

So I think, to start, alittle about me. I am in my early 20s, I am an older sister to two siblings. I love my family. I am loyal to 'my people'...of course this includes my family but this group also includes my friends. I love the saying that friends are the family we choose for ourselves, I think this is so true. There are those friends who you mesh your life with, who you cannot remember a time when it wasn't the way it is now, friends who seem to be in your most vivid memories, who you feel like you know them almost as well as you know yourself.

I went to university and work in the health profession and love my job, and next year will be starting in a position in emergency. I am so thrilled, this is exactly what I want to do. I can't wait for the challenge and motivation I know this new position will bring. Loving your job is so important.

I love-live-breathe music- I have to listen to it everyday, I enjoy going to packed out concerts, the occasional festival or pub/small crowd gigs. Music and its lyrics have always been a way to help me through difficult times in my life and to heighten the celebration of the good. I recently bought a book that is called 'Music Listography, your life in (play) lists', which under the various headings on its 159 pages you can add the songs that are relevant to those headings (songs to play at your funeral, songs you dance to, songs that pick you up), forming your own personal soundtrack. Which is so amazing.

I love to dance, go out with my friends, drink cocktails, clothes/styling/fashion (check out my fashion blog if you do too http://forthestyleseekinggirl.blogspot.com/), to watch movies and read, going on holidays, Melbourne (where I holidayed this year and a few times previously) and cannot wait to explore Europe. I enjoy playing cards with friends and love to write. I have written short stories and am aiming to complete a novel-which has been a long drawn out process. I am against rascism and discrimination and for equality of all people no matter their age, gender, race or sexuality.

Enjoying the beautiful gardens in Melbourne...

It's all about that connection...

It can be with family and with friends, but what often surprises me is the connection you can feel with people you have never met before and may never meet again. I think a great example of this is when you are watching your favourite band, and they sing a song that seems to define the moment you are standing in. And then you realise five, one hundred, a thousand people are all involved in this moment, with you, and each may be applying a certain significance to their own life.
Music is so incredibly important to me, I have had a moment like this where it felt like time slowed, the music swallowed me whole and the song and what that moment meant changed me. I was at the final Powderfinger concert to be played in Newcastle and they sang their song 'These Days' as the final song. It was so incredibly moving, this band have been around for as many years as I have been alive.
Their music is so easily relatable, i love these lyrics in particular from These Days: "This life well it's slipping right through my hands, these days turned out nothing like I had planned. Control well it's slipping right through my hands, these days turned out nothing like I had planned. Soon enough it comes, soon enough it comes, to tie us down..."       Hearing these lyrics, watching the emotions playing across people's faces and processing the thoughts in my own mind was so powerful in that moment. Our time here is short, we don't have total control over our lives. We all have responsibility and I think these lyrics reinforce how important it is to take our freedom and make the most of it while we can, which for me includes spending it with people who make my life better just by being in it.

I have some amazing people in my life. A brother who is 7years younger but it feels like we are twins, I am so inspired by him and the wonderful person he is. My sister, my mother and father are so amazingly strong and love life. I have a sisterhood-made up of myself and three of the girls I went to uni with. We meet up for dinners and discuss work, life and everything in between. It doesn't matter how often we see each other, the support, respect and connection is there everytime. To the people who this year have been there when I really needed it, who I haven't had to chase down to spend time with- thankyou to four or five of you I really appreciate it.

We all feel it. Whether someone admits it or not. One of the most (if not the most) important aspects of the life of a human is the connection we have with others. It validates, motivates, supports and challenges our very existence and who we are.