VOICE | Volume 2 | Aug '23

VOICE

From The Editor

I bet you can all remember the first days at Avondale where you knew nothing and no one and spent a lot of time getting really good at awkward small talk Now, with another semester behind you, I hope those strangers have graduated to friends which will last you a lifetime.

But what was it which attracted you to these friends? Maybe you suffered through the same class, or live across from each other in dorms? Or perhaps, you were attracted by the best quality of all, mutual weirdness.

As Dr Seuss wisely wrote, “I am weird, you are weird Everyone in this world is weird One day two people come together in mutual weirdness and fall in love”.

Romantic or not, if we look at our relationships, most of us can probably identify at least one weird thing we have in common. As our Sem one cultural night proved, Avondale is full of diversity and people from all walks of life, and rather than separating us, it’s those differences which make this place so incredible.

So, this issue of the Voice goes out to those amongst us who celebrate diversity and embrace what makes them so unique from the multitudes If you’re not there yet, then we hope to inspire you to find ‘your thing’ through some amazing passion articles from our media students. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find some kindred spirits!

Without further ado, enjoy! And remember, Avondale, stay weird

Zoe Cochrane

acknowledgement of country

Avondale University acknowledges our Sovereign God as Creator and Provider of all things. We respectfully acknowledge the Awabakal and Darramuragal people as the traditional custodians of the lands on which we live, work, study and worship across our Lake Macquarie and Sydney campuses. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all First Nations People.

ASL Publications would like to acknowledge the Awabakal people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we lived and worked while making this publication. We thank them for protecting this coastline and its ecosystems, and we recognise their continuing connection to land and waters. We pay our respects to elders past present and emerging, and extend that respect to all First Nations People present today.

disclaimer

Our aim is to provide a platform for students and staff to share their thoughts, ideas, and their experiences in the world through their own Christian perspective; everyone’s Christian experience is different, and we want to acknowledge that 'Voice' is an extension of the minds of the student body at present, not the views of the institution

Get in Contact

ASL Publications

Zoe Cochrane – s20068404@student.avondale.edu.au

Taelon Steele - s14126382@student.avondale.edu.au

Bailee McLeod - Bailee Mcleod@avondale edu au

Security

Phone: (02) 4980 2333

Extension: #333

Email: security@avondale.edu.au

Avondale University Church

Pr Norman Hurlow – Norman.Hurlow@avondale.edu.au

Pr Morgan Vincent

Morgan Vincent@avondale edu au

Phone: (02) 4980 2272

Extension: #272

Email: universitychurch@avondale.edu.au

Open: Monday – Thursday from 9am – 5pm & Fridays 9am – 12pm

Wellbeing Centre

Phone: 0403 478 994 (SMS preferred)

Email: counselling@avondale.edu.au (appointment queries only)

Located: the counsellor’s office is situated in the Wellbeing Centre

Counsellors

Lana Hibbard (lead clinical counsellor)

Jonathan Gould

Our counsellors offer confidential counselling to students experiencing a range of academic, mental health and personal concerns.

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Contributors

Taelon Steele Assistant Editor

Bella Ebens Writer

Taylah Jones Wellbeing Writer

Samara Bentley Writer

Joshua Darby Writer

Zoe Cochrane Editor-In-Chief

The First Students

Zoe Cochrane

I think on some level all students can relate to the strange mix of anticipation and nervousness that heralds the publishing of their semester timetables. Whilst plugging subjects into the timetable wizard, one may find themselves muttering “please not another 8am class!”

But whatever your feelings about early mornings or chilly late nights, most of us look forward to the blank parts of the timetable, for each one represents the illusive thing we all seek and rarely find: free time.

Our world is full of noise and distraction, and between work, classes, friendships, romances, and family, it’s hard to find time to simply relax. But if you think your timetable is full, take a step back with me to the late 1800s, and see what an average day was like for Avondale’s first students.

A Day in the Life of an 1800s Student

It’s 5am, and whether you like it or not, it’s time to get up Your 82 fellow students are rising also, and the ladies go about putting on their many layers of skirts

At 5:30 everyone is expected at morning worship and if you miss even one session without notice or reason, you can be expelled from the campus.

After worship you have an hour of supervised study time in the chapel, breakfast, and then you must rush to your 8:30am mandatory daily spelling class before the rest of your studies begin

It’s now time for hours of class What will you study? Physiology, bookkeeping, teaching, mathematics, botany, astronomy, classic history, English, business, or scripture? By 1901, you’ll be in class Sunday through Thursday, with Friday set aside for manual labour until sunset

After a 1:30 ‘dinner’ you can enjoy the lovely Australian sunshine during your 3-hour work program. You have a choice of duties Fancy bee-keeping?

Cassius Hughes, the equivalent of a male RA, keeps “fine Italian bees”. You also have the choices of farming, bottling fruit, selling books, milling timber, helping in the kitchen, working in the printing press, cataloguing library books, milking cows, picking fruit, and more!

In your limited spare time there are few moments for romance, in fact it is highly discouraged, with the most popular phrase on campus being, “courting is not to be carried on in the school”.

Even on walks girls and boys are separated by separate tracks which you will notice still bear the names “Girl’s Walk” and “Boy’s Walk” When walking to and from worship you are also chaperoned in separate lines.

After an optional supper you attend the 6:30pm worship session before completing silent personal devotions (supervised, of course) Finally, after a hard day’s work it’s 8:45pm, time for bed But banish those thoughts of late-night cramming, you won’t get electric lighting until 1908!

That's a hectic schedule, isn't it?

From 5:00am til 8:30pm is 15.5 hours of active time on campus At the time, this schedule was set to cultivate the mind and avoid providing time for students to be poorly influenced While the reins have certainly loosened, the next time you see an 8am lecture on your timetable, remember it's not so bad, and spare a thought for the students of the past.

SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDERVERSE: a REVIEW

Taelon steele

Every now and then, a film comes along and completely changes the game 2018's, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, was one of these.

Not only did the unique visual aesthetic of this film, achieved through blending CGI with traditional comic-book style animation and illustration techniques, revolutionise the landscape of Western animation, but it also propelled the concept of the multiverse into mainstream media, setting off the boom in multiverse-centric stories we're currently living through However, while there have been some notable standouts - that in particular of last year's Everything Everywhere All At Once - amongst those are a plethora of multiverse films that struggle to fully realise the limitless potential of the mode The majority of these films treat the concept as a means to indulge in cameos and references, or perhaps do a little continuity maintenance, rather than an opportunity to create authentically impossible places

It's lucky then, that Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse took hold

of the mast and blew the multiverse ship into a direction that exceeds all expectations prefaced by its predecessor. The highly anticipated sequel is a prime example of just how invaluable the multiverse can be as a storytelling tool when it's approached with boundless imagination and ingenuity

If art kills, every frame of this film is a weapon of mass destruction The 2hr 20min run time is a moving sequence of museum pieces with every new character and universe having its own art style tailored to its specific tone, era of origin or cultural influence

Gwen's world is rendered in dreamy pastel watercolours making for the most striking scenes in the entire film, Spiderman India takes on a more pencil-drawn look in the style of old Indian comic art, while Hobie's is fittingly a cut-and-paste collage of high impact pop art The seamless integration of these eclectic styles, though seemingly unconventional, fosters a cohesive and visually compelling narrative

However, it's not just style with no substance The fusion of artistic elements serves as a compelling means of expressing how a character is feeling For example, when Gwen isn't willing to open up, her pastel world betrays her emotional instability, serving as a personalized mood ring, with colours constantly bleeding together, fading away or intensifying to reflect the tone and emotions of any given situation

It's evident that more than being visually appealing, the fusion of artistic styles takes on the role of potent instruments capable of evoking profound emotional responses And this emotionalartistic beat dances playfully with the music With an anarchic score by Daniel Pemberton that plays like the love child of Ludwig Goransson (notably known for scoring largescale films such as Black Panther, Tenet, and Oppenheimer), an altrock band, and a turntable, his score effortlessly flows between musical styles with as much creative freedom as the visuals, enhancing the mood and atmosphere of every location and narrative beat Each character gets a distinct and memorable motif that draws on its own specific set of instruments and when woven together, creates a beautiful cacophony that embraces the chaotic energy of the multiverse itself

Yet, beyond its dazzling facade, Across the Spider-verse delves into the heart of storytelling and characters, recognizing the multiverse as a profound crucible that challenges the essence of who we are The film taps into an introspective journey, forcing us to reckon with the taken-for-granted facets of our lives, as the narrative funhouse mirror distorts our understanding of ourselves and our place in this vast universe

It primarily does this through Miguel O'Hara (Spiderman 2099), a futuristic semi-vampiric future iteration of the wall-crawler who has assembled a team of SpiderPeople from across the multiverse to travel from dimension to dimension hunting 'anomalies' A zealous believer in predestination, Miguel is convinced that certain events called canon events must occur to keep a universe stable For Spider-People, these events are primarily the traumas that define their story namely, the death of an uncle, a love interest and a police captain To Miguel, these events are an essential part of what makes Spider-People who they are and must occur to every Spider-Person to avoid the destabilisation of the entire multiverse

However, Miles rejects this notion

He quickly becomes uneasy when Miguel accuses him of altering the canon by saving the life of a man who, by the nature of predestination, was supposed to die Miles knows this was the morally correct thing to do, but Miguel's insistence that it was wrong because it violated the rules of canon, lays bare the contraction at the heart of the whole endeavour If protecting order takes precedence over doing the morally right thing, then what's the point of Spiderman at all? This confrontation forces Miles to contend with what Spiderman means to him and us.

Across the Spider-Verse is a film as anarchic as the multiverse it depicts, and like its central characters, it resists being put in a box By framing the concept of canon as a restrictive ideology that robs Spider-people of their agency, the film makes a far more profound point about art itself Deferring to and the expectations that come part and parcel with it reduces stories to a checklist of beats that need to be met, restricting storytellers and suffocating creativity Like Miles and other protagonists, the film says stuff that What's the point of an endless multiverse if everyone has to play the same tune? We'll do our own thing

Every element of this film is a celebration of the limitless potential of art When artists give themselves permission to throw away the rules and play freely in a world where almost every multiverse story has felt specifically designed to check a series of boxes and score cheap thrills, Across the Spider-Verse embraces the inherent chaos of the concept to illustrate the rebellious essence of its central character If Into the Spider-Verse changed the game, Across the Spider-Verse throws away the rules, and we're all the better for it

Who am I kidding though, forget all that unnecessary waffle, it's just an animated film that's really good and really fun. Give it a watch if ya haven't already

Celebrating Our Differences

Embracing the Beauty of Second-hand: Unlocking Sustainable Fashion

Kellie Gosling

In a world where fast fashion trends come and go rapidly, we must consider an alternative approach to fashionone that values sustainability, affordability and uniqueness Welcome to the world of second-hand fashion, where pre-loved garments and accessories take centre stage. In this post, we will delve into the numerous benefits of embracing second-hand fashion and explore how it can transform our wardrobes while positively impacting the planet.

Sustainability: reducing fashions environmental footprint

The fashion industry is one of the most significant contributors to pollution and waste, but by choosing second-hand, we can actively reduce its environmental impact Second-hand fashion extends the lifecycle of garments, diverting them from landfills and reducing the need for new production. By reusing clothing, we conserve resources, minimise water and energy consumption and decrease carbon emissions associated with manufacturing and transportation.

Unique style: unleashing creativity

One of the most exciting aspects of second-hand fashion is the opportunity to create a unique and personal style Thrift stores, vintage boutiques and online platforms offer an array of oneof-a-kind pieces waiting to be discovered. Second-hand shopping encourages us to experiment with different styles, eras and aesthetics, enabling us to curate a wardrobe that reflects individuality. Embrace the thrill of the treasure hunt and uncover hidden gems that cannot be replicated in mass-produced fashion.

Affordability: fashion on a budget

Let’s face it, keeping up with the latest fashion trends can be costly However, second-hand fashion provides a budget-friendly alternative that doesn’t compromise style or quality

Whether you’re hunting for designer labels at consignment stores or browsing online marketplaces, second-

hand shopping allows you to stretch your fashion budget while still acquiring high-quality garments Plus, you can sell or donate gently used items to recoup some of the costs and continue the sustainable cycle

Supporting ethical practices: ethical consumption

The fashion industry has a long history of ethical concerns, from poor working conditions to exploitative labour practices By choosing second-hand, we divert our support away from companies prioritising profit over people and the planet Second-hand shopping empowers us to vote with our wallets and make a positive impact by refusing to endorse unethical practices Additionally, when purchasing from thrift stores, we often support local charities and non-profits, contributing to community development

Storytelling and sentimental value: every piece of second-hand clothing has a story to tell

Vintage garments may carry the memories of past owners or reflect a specific era’s fashion trend By incorporating second-hand pieces into our wardrobes, we become part of a larger narrative that spans generations

We can honour the craftsmanship and history behind these items while creating new memories and connections

Second-hand fashion allows us to embrace sentimental value, transforming our clothing into cherished possessions

In a world driven by consumerism and rapid fashion cycles, second-hand fashion offers a refreshing and sustainable approach to style By embracing second-hand garments and accessories, we actively contribute to reducing the fashion industry’s environmental impact, unlock our creativity, and support ethical practices

Let’s rewrite the fashion narrative, one pre-loved piece at a time, and pave the way for a more sustainable and stylish future Together, we can redefine fashion and positively impact our planet and ourselves.

The 'Therapy' of Cleaning

Isabella Parker

Have you ever awoken at 3 am with the sudden urge to rearrange your entire room? Have you ever had a day where you were meant to be ‘productive’ but ended up rampaging through your entire house cleaning out every nook and cranny?

Yeah, so have I More than once actually

Living in a room where you cannot see the floor leaves some people unfazed However, for others, the sight of one object out of place; one item of clothing left on the floor is enough to drive them insane and send their life into chaos.

Now I’m not calling myself a “clean freak”, I’ll leave that title to my grandmother, who can be found vacuuming the house at least 5 times a day. I’m merely stating that I clean as therapy. From what you might ask? From anything: My studies, people, and the chaos of the world outside. I clean as a distraction from my responsibilities in life.

I believe it is important to stop here and express that I am not writing this to promote obsessive cleaning And if you find yourself falling down that rabbit hole then maybe you should stop reading and seek help instead However, if you are wanting to begin your journey of cleanliness or want to find new tips and tricks for organisation, I encourage you to read on

I like to think of this concept of what I call ‘therapy cleaning’ as something similar to the term “Spring cleaning”, however with cleaning therapy, you are not held to the restraint of cleaning in spring. Therapy cleaning does not have a limit on when it can be done, just as long as it is for therapy, because if it is not for therapy then I'm sorry to say, but you are just cleaning, and that is a totally different and boring task

Now for my therapy cleaning newbies, this is your introduction to cleaning, or as I like to call it, “A Dummies Guide to Therapy Cleaning”.

My number 1 tip for introducing yourself to cleaning and organisation is to do your research, I promise it’s not as boring as it sounds All you need to do is find a comfy spot in your lounge, grab some snacks and open Netflix, YouTube, Instagram or TikTok, bonus points if you do this as a way of procrastination from your assignments or jobs around the house. Next, I want you to open up the search bar and type in something along the lines of “cleaning” or “organisation” and then press enter. Welcome to your life for the next 4 hours

If you find all of this overwhelming and you aren't quite sure where to start, I recommend the queen of cleaning and organisation herself, Marie Kondo (@konmari co on Instagram) Marie rose to fame by sharing her tips and tricks on how to organise your house on her numerous Netflix series’ including Tidying Up and Sparking Joy Her tips are super easy to follow and are sure to get you started on your therapy cleaning journey

And now, my super easy tips and tricks for therapy cleaning:

1. My first tip is to start small. If you attempt a big task straight away, you will only create more stress I recommend starting out with something small like a

bathroom cupboard, throwing away anything expired and then putting everything back in an organised manner

2. Next, you have to let your space get messy I know this goes against everything I have said so far but hear me out. Therapy cleaning can not be done if all of your space is clean. You need to make sure that you always have something to clean for when the time arises.

3. And last, Storage. Storage is key when trying to organise your space. For bathroom cupboards and drawers, I recommend going to Kmart or Target and buying some cheap baskets. These are great for keeping items like skincare or hair accessories in one place For makeup, Target is my go-to. Head to the cosmetics section and you will find clear, stackable drawers where you can store all of your makeup. Each tray comes with compartments made to fit all of your makeup and looks super tidy and is 100% effortless.

And there you have it Some super easy ways to hide away from the stress of the outside world a begin your journey of therapy cleaning

Anime: Why You Should Watch It and the Impact It Can Have On Your Life

Serenity Amiatu

Did you have that one kid at school that was so obsessively fanatical about Anime that they would imitate and mimic the characters? Did it make you think; “Man, that kid is so weird?” The way they would run like Naruto all over the school and how they themselves believed they could be ‘Super Saiyan’ whenever you made them angry. I had a kid like this at my school and in all honesty, I would tease that kid by saying the words, “Grow up! Anime is weird why do you watch it anyway?” And there was no way that I had the right to say those things when I, myself, had never watched it

It took a monumental event in my life, a childish and yet painful break-up, for me to begin the journey of appreciating Anime The first Anime that I ever watched was Spirited Away It wasn’t the one that really got me hooked to Anime, but the plot, editing and artwork were just out of this world, the anime was the greatest of its time which is why this film was awarded ‘best animated feature’ at the 75th Academy Awards in 2003

The two anime series that really got me hooked were none other than One Piece and Naruto Both storylines investigate the idea of morality, defying the odds and doing absolutely everything you can to achieve your goals and dreams

They depict the idea that through strength and gaining power, the characters will be able to make a change to the traditional norms of their society and bring about a new generation of change that will finally bring world peace. They show great examples of character development, building new connections that form into great friendships, taking on any challenge and battling formidable foes They prove themselves to the very people who degrade their existence and show the world that they deserve a place at the highest table

Both Naruto and One Piece have a whole bunch of episodes already available, and while Naruto is already completed, One Piece is still ongoing reaching over 1000+ episodes. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend these two to first time anime watchers but as someone who did choose to watch these first, I do not regret it at all For first time Anime watchers, I have listed a few anime’s in the table below for you to enjoy.

Anime became my comfort, my means of emotional support and it definitely made me develop unrealistic expectations for love and relationships, hence the reason why I am still single Regardless, the many messages and morals that are taught in Anime shows and films have been influential and impactful and have given me an appreciation for life itself Anime brings out the hidden potential that is rooted in every one of us and begins to stem out a beautiful aspect of life in retrospect to the challenges it brings and teaches us ways to develop our character, take on any challenge and rise above it all to become the very best versions of ourselves.

Am I one of those girls that simp over these fictional characters? No lie, who wouldn’t? The way that they draw characters to fit any girl’s type or needs and creates a personality that derives from a girl’s fantasy of ‘what a guy should be,’ who wouldn’t simp over them?

Especially when it comes to the fictional characterisation of girls and their overboard sexualisation bringing once again unrealistic expectations of a girl, but you know, that also stems from the fantasies that boys have It goes both ways and provides the stimulation of fantasies for literally anyone, making both boys and girls delusional

Is anime for kids? Mostly, no and in other cases, yes. Anime that is suited for kids includes Pokémon, Beyblade, Digimon, Astro Boy, Sonic and more.

Anime recommended for mature audiences would involve everything else that includes dark themes, blood, gore, sexualisation of characters, inappropriate language and profanity and more that derive from the childlike behaviorism from the others that were listed So, in cases that you are to watch anime with kids or younger audiences, make sure you either watch it yourself or read the summary plot and the movie rating (from G-R) it is given

So, should you watch anime? Is it really worth it? You won’t know until you give it a chance and instead of being the naïve kid who judges every little thing without trying it, how about taking anime into consideration and unlocking a whole new world of possibilities and new experiences. I bet you’ll end up loving anime just as much as I do.

What are you studying? Primary Teaching (pdhpe ofc)

Where's your home away from Avondale? My home away from Avondale is Port Mac/Gladstone

Why did you decide to come to Avondale? Ngl only because of free dorms + Tanner lived down here

How has last semester shaped how you are going to approach this semester?

Hmm last semester was pretty cruisey for me Starting assessments early is something I’ve always done so I think I’ll stick to this approach

On an average day how many pigeons do you think you could reasonably carry at one time?

I hate birds with a passion so none if I had the choice

Let's be real, who wears the pants in your relationship?

I would say me. I think everyone will agree that tanner is whipped

What's something about you that only your closest friends would understand best? Everything has to be organised Lists for everything!

Is there an odd quirk your partner has that has gotten out of hand if so what?

Not really a quirk but Tanner playing eagle rock purely to get all the boys to dance with him pantless has gotten out of hand

WO/

Dakota Martin

What s the best date you ve been on?

(Excluding previous relationships)

Um probably when we were on Fraser Island with Tanner's family and we drove down to the beach and watched the sunset over the ocean while playing one on one tackle footy I won btw

Radventists or Badventists?

Is this even a question. Radventists all the way. NNSW on top

If you and your partner were in high school together, do you think you would have dated?

I would love to say we would’ve but if we were in high school together he would’ve been 3 years ahead of me in school so may have been a little creepy.

What's a song that best describes them and why?

Love you anyway by Luke combs He knew all the words from the little snippets he posted before the song even came out

Let s settle this who s more country out of you and your partner?

Definitely Tanner He would sleep in his boots and Akubra if he could

/man

tanner Hagen

What are you studying?

Secondary Teaching major in PE minor in Geography

Where's your home away from Avondale?

Central Coast but I think I have been home a total of about 2 weeks this year.

Why did you decide to come to Avondale?

To be very honest they had free dorms for first years, so it made my tough decision a bit easier

How has last semester shaped how you are going to approach this semester?

Lots more preparation for tasks that’s for sure. No more last minute stuff

On an average day, how many pigeons do you think you could reasonably carry at one time?

Comfortably I would say 5 1 under each armpit and three in my hands.

Let's be real who wears the pants in your relationship?

I want to say me but the fact I am scared she will see that I said this makes me think it’s her

What's something about you that only your closest friends would understand best?

I'm a germaphobe but only in weird and specific scenarios

Is there an odd quirk your partner has that has gotten out of hand, if so what?

Not really a quirk but she gives fake responses when she isn’t listening to me She thinks she has me fooled

What's the best date you've been on?

(Excluding previous relationships)

Pub feed at the Banjo Patterson Inn (Dakoda would disagree)

Radventists or Badventists?

Radventist 100% NNSW is the superior conference!

If you and your partner were in high school together, do you think you would have dated?

Na she was too cool for me, a bit of a rebel some would say, whereas I was a perfect student never got in trouble

What's a song that best describes them and why?

Better together by Jack Johnson It’s just the song that makes me think of her

Let’s settle this, who's more country out of you and your partner?

She’s from a small town near Kempsey called Gladstone and I used to say to her “you’re the prettiest girl in Kempsey with teeth” but I still think I’m more country

The Illusion of 'That Girl'

Sarah Tucker

“That girl ” We all know one We all hate one We all secretly want to be one.

You know the type The #vegan #vanlife #minimalist #surfy #nomadic #clean #morningroutine #matchasmoohie #pilates. Yes, THAT girl

If you are still unsure, let me be more specific. She’s the girl who wakes up at 4am, makes her bed, journals, drinks a green juice, and puts on her ‘the ordinary’ skincare (probably influenced by TikTok), all before strapping on her ankle weights to go on her ‘hot girl walk ’ You might see her at Pilates with her duffle bag and personalised Frank Green water bottle in the shade mint breeze, or maybe she might pop up on your Instagram feed with a sponsored ‘function of beauty’ review. Recognise her now? Yes, THAT’s the one

She is all over TikTok and Instagram, but how many do you actually know in real life? In such a disturbed world, is it really possible to lead a ‘clean girl’ life? Or is it all an illusion? A public façade?

My curiosity got the best of me, so I decided to actually BE my own version of the ‘that girl.’ After spending an unspeakable amount of hours down a YouTube rabbit hole, watching pretty much every morning routine video ever created, learning all about decision fatigue* and the art of minimalism**, I finally devised my own plan that went a little something like this;

5am – Wake up. Self-care activities including skincare, moody lights, make a chai tea and get dressed into gym clothes (laid out the night before of course!)

5:15am – Journal / devotional

5:45am – Weights at the gym.

6:15am – Walk the dogs.

6:45am – Shower and get ready for the day

7:15am – Breakfast, eaten slowly and intentionally, preferably outside in the morning sunshine.

Now have a productive day, ensuring I drink lots of water, eat nutritiously at similar meal times and go to bed early

Now after I had meticulously planned out my life, it was time to put this into practice. For the first few days, my plan went well This routine was exciting, and I did feel a sense of cleanliness and calm. But after a week, I was done My muscles hurt and I was exhausted While the content was vibey, the vibes were off. Something I was not expecting from this experiment in selfimprovement was for my mental health to turn toxic. My self esteem began to degrade as I couldn’t keep up with the girls I was influenced by online

By tracking every minute of my day, it didn’t leave any spare time for life to take place. I was met with the decision to either have immense guilt in participating in the spontaneous and break my rituals or miss out on experiences altogether for the sake of not breaking routine. The pressure was mounting as I tried to hold myself to an unachievable standard. I felt like a failure when I couldn’t stick to my routine as the girls on social media never showed any low energy days

While the idea of maximising productivity seems positive, the idea of having no time to waste puts undue pressure on us, inhibiting us from actually enjoying our time on this earth As well as promoting toxic productivity, the that girl lifestyle engages in meaningless consumption of brands

In almost every video, an attractive, young Caucasian female is seen shopping at high end grocers and wearing branded athleisure. What most consumers don’t realise, is that while half of the trend is healthy living, the other half of the ‘that girl’ lifestyle is actually focused on capturing and creating content of their lives, leading to an obsession with the aesthetic more than engaging in the present

Originally, the idea began with woman sharing healthy lifestyle tips online, but trends soon emerged where the girls began to have the same look and the routines became more similarly structured While none of the individual habits are inherently bad, the meticulously curated routines are not sustainable and leave people, like myself, feeling overwhelmed when we can’t keep up with the high standards the trend dictates

Like many women, I was initially inspired but quickly discouraged Some reports go so far as to blame the ‘that girl’ lifestyle for contributing to disturbed eating habits and exercise obsession

"while none of the individual habits are inherently bad, the meticulously curated routines are not sustainable"

Living in this technological age, we must be careful on what we consume as now it’s not just unrealistic beauty standards that we must compete with, but unrealistic lifestyle standards too.

So, is it all bad?

Most ‘that girl’ tutorials are not meant to harm, so while it is good to be conscious of the things we regularly consume, and aim to create balance in every aspect, the ‘that girl’ life can have positive influence.

By keeping in mind that what we view online is a highlight reel of what people want us to see, we can learn something from those who are dedicated from 5 – 9 before the mundane 9 –

I constantly have to remind myself of the clique that life is a journey, and I will never reach a time when I feel completed as we as humans are constantly growing, changing and evolving Sometimes life is unpredictable, so we have to roll with the punches.

"That girl.” Deep down, everyone wants to live like her. Chasing happiness and success is an innate desire within all of us In saying this, while we will take all the dopamine we can get, we must understand that her lifestyle is not sustainable nor realistic

The main summary of the ‘that girl’ lifestyle is productivity, and by having a productive morning routine, we can better ease into the flow of productivity for the rest of our day

In my personal experiment, I went too hard too quickly, and caused myself burnout from all the habits I don’t usually engage in

I still plan to absorb these habits in my daily life, yet by developing my routine slowly and intentionally, I am far more likely to succeed long term.

It is only through long term dedication, sacrifice, and effort that holistic wellbeing can be achieved, and unlike the “that girl” lifestyle, it is by slowly installing habits, developing a flexible routine that we can commit to 95% of the time, allowing life to happen in the midst of it.

Thoughts From a Teenage Girl: Mixed Race

Jasmine Schaper

“What did you think of me when we first met?” I once asked my friend while studying in the library

“I noticed that you were Asian,” they say casually, eyes never straying from the paper that needed to be submitted before 11:59pm.

I have other friends who are similar, who joke that my identifying trait is being Asian. This has been a pattern throughout my life: my white friends profiling me based on my non-European ancestry. Growing up in a little country town in Queensland, I was the designated Oriental among the crowd of Caucasian faces

I’m not complaining - there’s nothing wrong with light-hearted jokes between friends It’s just that there are times when I wake up in the morning, head groggy and eyes laced with sleep, and then the sudden realisation hits me: “oh my gosh, I’m Asian ” But I don’t feel Asian And I don’t think I ever will. What does it mean to feel Asian anyway?

My mother is a proud Filipina, but my Australian dad is of British and German ancestry, with convict ancestors who came out to Australia in the second fleet. As a little girl, my parents once told me: “You’re Eurasian, because you’re mixed raced ”

As I got older, I became confused about what it feels like to be mixed-race Throughout my life, I felt the need to choose one or the other – am I Australian, or am I Asian? The answer to this question is relative When I’m with white Aussies, I’m Asian; when I’m with Asian people, I’m Aussie. I don’t really belong anywhere.

Throughout my teenage years, my dad told me that I was focusing too much on being Asian. He once said that if I didn’t bring attention to my Filipina heritage then no one would be able to tell that I’m Asian in the first place. This confused 14year-old me even more How am I supposed to not focus on it when it’s one of the first things that people notice about me?

They ask me what my background is, and I love this question, because it opens up an avenue of conversation, which helps me connect with others I always ask them the same question back, and nine times out of ten, it becomes an interesting conversation about family history and genealogy Being part Filipina is great!

I can approach other Filipinos with ease because we already have a connection through our shared culture.

However, being only half-Filipina has at times made me feel that I am disconnected from my mother’s culture. Not being able to speak my mother’s native languages has been an ongoing issue for me, and the main thing that makes me feel as if I’m not “Filipino enough.”

Even with other Filip-Aussies (mixed-race Aussie kids with one Filipino parent), there are superficial degrees as to how Filipino I am compared to them Basically, where do I fit within the arbitrary hierarchy of mixed-race Filipinos? To some, I’m “white-washed,” but to others, they see me as “more Filipino” than themselves

It's taken me 18-years to figure this out, and I’m still navigating my way through understanding my identity, but I am now starting to realise that I will never truly belong to any culture, because I have my own. There are no rules to culture, and no standards that I need to meet

I have every right to claim both sides of my heritage because they are mine to claim I am Eurasian and I’m Australian and I’m Filipino and I’m proud to be mixed-race. I am all of these things at once, but I am also the result of thousands of years of love and perseverance, and that is something to be proud of

"There are no rules to culture, and no standards that I need to meet"

An Unreasonable Hatred of Electric Vehicles

Joshua Darby

What if I told you, that you too could drive around in a car with the charisma of a mini fridge? Excited? Me neither For motoring enthusiasts, electric cars can quite simply be compared to a toaster or a fridge. Something that you own but have no emotional attachment to After all, there are no electricity addicts but there are plenty of avid petrol sniffers and while I by no means endorse this type of behaviour, I mention it to make a point

People love Petrol. It’s the dinosaur juice that’s harnessed worldwide to create speed and power. It’s not the only thing that makes a car special though, each individual engine has its own characteristics

The angry v8, the whine of a v10, and the garble of a turbocharged flat 4 are all examples of the characterises found in engines It is the little foibles that cars have that make them almost human. Just like us, they have faults, and it is those faults that make them endearing.

For instance, we all know New Zealanders can’t speak English, but we just let them believe that whatever they’re speaking, is English

It's the endearing quality that makes us love our Tasman cousins But I must digress, internal combustion engines are the hearts of cars and without them, cars are merely appliances that have no heart at all.

Although there is a concerning trend over recent years, more and more folk are becoming worried that poor old Barry the polar bear’s ice cap will melt. Even poor old King Charles is worried, just look how puffy his hands are getting from arthritis, I mean stress.

But I digress, despite what you might hear screamed at you on your way to work by those smelly Centrelink-loving climate protesters, the world simply isn’t ready for all cars to be electric

The power grid would simply not have enough power to meet the demand

While it is a stunningly brilliant innovation to have a car run on nothing but electricity, it isn’t the technology I find disgusting, but the green snobbery associated with them. Yes, congratulations you’ve bought an EV you’ve saved the planet!

You there in your comfy office job, earning over six figures a year, you can take the heavy weight of climate change off

your back, you’ve done your part! A pat on the back to you good sir!

When really, in reality, all you’ve done is move the pollution from the back end of your car to the power station, contributing to power grid instability and increased electricity costs for the rest of us But as a bonus, you’ve helped create employment in a third-world country, just look how happy Kwame is, an eight-yearold African boy who’s found employment in the new lithium mine that has just down the road I’m sure he’s provided with minimum wage and the appropriate PPE gear when mining for twelve hours a day. This dilemma encapsulates my misgivings about the environmental aspect of Ev’s and that isn’t even getting into the future of first car ownership

Most youth when they buy their first car can’t afford the latest and greatest, and yet if all cars in the future are electric, then what will the youth of tomorrow buy? By then, all the used EV’s battery’s will have decided they don’t feel like holding electricity anymore.

Perhaps I’ll invest in a bicycle company since only the rich will be able to buy their children a car.

Crying

On Purpose

Charlotte Kettles

Sometimes you just need to cuddle up in your warm bed amongst the plush pillows and turn on the saddest possible movie you could think of. Light a couple of candles, dim all your lights and fully prepare to let all the tear’s flow. Afterwards not only will you feel like you’ll never fully recover after exposing yourself to this film, you also will feel slightly refreshed since there are no more tears left within you.

It’s a lot easier to cry over someone else’s issues instead of your own.

Therefore, you need to watch a film about a character with a tragic story that is certain to make you sob

Personally, I’m a big fan of The Hunger Games and something that has stuck with me since I first read it at the age of nine was the tragic death of Finnick Odair. Sometimes, I can’t even think about his death since it makes me so angry that Suzanne Collins decided to kill him off after all the pain he had endured since he was reaped for his first ever Hunger Games at the age of 14.

However, some days I will re-watch Mockingjay part 2 and let all the emotions out and cry many litres worth of tears.

It doesn’t always need to be tragic to the extent of death, you can also find many romance movies certain to make you cry

I don’t know what it is but something about beautiful love stories that involve couples that aren’t destined to be together is terribly heartbreaking. I know that even just thinking about the ending of ’10 Things I Hate About You’ makes me emotional.

Sad movies are easy to find and even easier to watch, after seconds of searching any streaming service, I can almost guarantee you’ll be able to find a movie that’ll make you bawl like a baby.

Nearly every romance movie or movie revolving around a sick child is sure to make you cry but if you’re in doubt and you have heaps of extra time, you can always binge all 18 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy because no one has ever been able to complete that series and say that they had dry eyes the entire time.

It's proven that crying for long periods of time releases endorphins which is considered a ‘feel good chemical’, these feel-good chemicals help ease both emotional and physical pain. Your tears contain stress hormones that help relieve your body of these stress-induced chemicals, when you cry, you’re quite literally shedding stress from your body. After you’ve cried, your body enters an ultra-calm state since your breathing stabilizes and your heart rate decreases.

It’s also proven that if you continuously hold back your tears it can cause irritability, anxiety, and poor sleep.

However, sometimes it feels like too much effort to try and sit through a whole movie or TV series You don’t always have to be watching, listening works too and sometimes all you need is a sad song to let all the emotions out I know that personally if I ever listen to the album ‘folklore’ by Taylor Swift song it really gets to me, especially if I’m overdue for a good cry Sometimes if you really focus on the lyrics of a sad song, it can rip your heart out and make you feel all the negative emotions.

Overall, crying is good. Crying helps selfsoothe, dull your pain and improve your mood Sometimes an unnecessary cry is necessary