Seeing as you've all been so patient with me while I neglect the blog for schoolwork, I thought I'd share with you some of the work I've been doing. Under the jump will be a short story I wrote for our "Belonging" Portfolio, and received full marks for. It's titled Supernova, and well, have a read and tell me what you think!
frangipani princess xoxo
Monday, 20 February 2012
Sunday, 19 February 2012
Reviews: Benedict Cumberbatch Edition
Featuring: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy; Sherlock Season 2; Third Star
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy:
I'm studying the unit "After The Bomb" in Extension English, and one of our chosen texts is "The Spy Who Came In From The Cold". Seeing as "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" is practically the same thing (okay, it's by the same author and set in the same universe) I convinced my mum to let me take a study break and go see it. My true motivation, however, was the fact that Benedict Cumberbatch was playing one of the main characters.
I'm studying Cold War Espionage in two different subjects, so the movie was extremely interesting and brilliant for me, but I could understand how others (especially those of my age) may not like it. The story is relatively simple: people working for a British spy agency trying to work out who the double agent is. It's a pretty awesome cast, and really makes you think.
Rating: 3.5/5
Sherlock Season 2:
The wait for the second season of Sherlock has been pure hell (but seeing as it's written by Steven freaking Moffat that shouldn't be surprising), but finally, we got our hands on the much awaited for three episodes. And after seeing all three, we kind of wish we hadn't. Don't get me wrong, all three were pure brilliance, perfection, amazingness, etc, etc, etc, but the final episode The Reichenbach Fall shattered fangirl hearts around the world. The pain was so real, so raw, so horrible, that we can't believe we have to wait another eternity before we get to see the next season and hopefully have something resolved.
There was a lot of character development in this season, and a lot more of sexy villain Moriarty (played by delicious Andrew Scott). This season involved "A Scandal In Belgravia", "The Hounds Of Baskerville", and of course, "The Reichenbach Fall". This season we get more laughs, more character development, more angst, more sexual-tension, and just general epicness all around. I'm pretty sure I like it more than season one, and that's saying something.
Season Two started airing on Australian tv last week, but you can catch Hounds and Reichenbach over the next two weeks. And please do, because it is absolute perfection.
Rating 4.5/5 (I had to take 0.5 off for the devastation)
Third Star:
I watched Third Star mere hours after finishing The Fault In Our Stars which, in retrospect, was a very silly decision as they are both based around the same heartbreaking ideas. Third Star is one of the most tragically beautiful movies I have ever seen and I cannot recommend it enough to everyone. Benedict Cumberbatch plays James, a thirty year old dying of cancer, who is taken on one final trip with his three best friends. The journey that follows is not just the literal, physical journey they take to reach their final camping spot, but also a personal and emotional journey as they confront the true realities of living and dying. It's very arty but it has such raw emotion that even the most mainstream of film lovers would have to adore it. It didn't have a very wide release, but the dvd is available on Amazon UK for a rather cheap price, and it works in my dvd player here.
Rating: 5/5
frangipani princess xoxo
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy:
I'm studying the unit "After The Bomb" in Extension English, and one of our chosen texts is "The Spy Who Came In From The Cold". Seeing as "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" is practically the same thing (okay, it's by the same author and set in the same universe) I convinced my mum to let me take a study break and go see it. My true motivation, however, was the fact that Benedict Cumberbatch was playing one of the main characters.
I'm studying Cold War Espionage in two different subjects, so the movie was extremely interesting and brilliant for me, but I could understand how others (especially those of my age) may not like it. The story is relatively simple: people working for a British spy agency trying to work out who the double agent is. It's a pretty awesome cast, and really makes you think.
Rating: 3.5/5
Sherlock Season 2:
The wait for the second season of Sherlock has been pure hell (but seeing as it's written by Steven freaking Moffat that shouldn't be surprising), but finally, we got our hands on the much awaited for three episodes. And after seeing all three, we kind of wish we hadn't. Don't get me wrong, all three were pure brilliance, perfection, amazingness, etc, etc, etc, but the final episode The Reichenbach Fall shattered fangirl hearts around the world. The pain was so real, so raw, so horrible, that we can't believe we have to wait another eternity before we get to see the next season and hopefully have something resolved.
There was a lot of character development in this season, and a lot more of sexy villain Moriarty (played by delicious Andrew Scott). This season involved "A Scandal In Belgravia", "The Hounds Of Baskerville", and of course, "The Reichenbach Fall". This season we get more laughs, more character development, more angst, more sexual-tension, and just general epicness all around. I'm pretty sure I like it more than season one, and that's saying something.
Season Two started airing on Australian tv last week, but you can catch Hounds and Reichenbach over the next two weeks. And please do, because it is absolute perfection.
Rating 4.5/5 (I had to take 0.5 off for the devastation)
Third Star:
I watched Third Star mere hours after finishing The Fault In Our Stars which, in retrospect, was a very silly decision as they are both based around the same heartbreaking ideas. Third Star is one of the most tragically beautiful movies I have ever seen and I cannot recommend it enough to everyone. Benedict Cumberbatch plays James, a thirty year old dying of cancer, who is taken on one final trip with his three best friends. The journey that follows is not just the literal, physical journey they take to reach their final camping spot, but also a personal and emotional journey as they confront the true realities of living and dying. It's very arty but it has such raw emotion that even the most mainstream of film lovers would have to adore it. It didn't have a very wide release, but the dvd is available on Amazon UK for a rather cheap price, and it works in my dvd player here.
Rating: 5/5
frangipani princess xoxo
Thursday, 16 February 2012
Youth Of The Year
Last night I was given the opportunity to participate in Lions Youth Of The Year. Initially, I wasn't too keen on going in it; I quit public speaking last year and really wasn't overly interested in a competition where you were partially judged on your sporting ability (of which I have none). But upon being reminded of University Residency applications, and with the promise of a free dinner, I showed up.
I am so glad I did. There were five other contestants, and whilst I knew one of them from school, the other four were strangers. We left the night with new, solid friendships. We bonded straight away over our common interests (one guy was even wearing a Slytherin tie!) and in the hours since have added each other on facebook and are making plans for a meetup. I was talking to one of the boys after we got home last night, and we were both saying how refreshing it was to meet people where you can just be yourself. I have alternative interests (and unfortunately not alternative in the sense of cool) and sometimes around those my age, it feels as if there's an invisible barrier between us that I can't break through. Of course, this barrier is more often than not imagined, but with my social awkwardness, it can feel all too real. When you meet someone and straight away realise this barrier is missing, it's a great feeling. When you can be yourself without fear of judgment (which should happen all the time, but let's face it, we're in high school so it doesn't), it's like a weight off your shoulders and you know that good things are going to happen. To find people who love history, and journalism, and just share a passion for the same things as you in general is amazing, and every time it happens I am so thankful.
The night was brilliant, and even though I didn't win, I had a great time. I did win the public speaking section (and received a million "Promise me you'll keep going!" comments. Sorry, I'm in retirement) which was a pleasant surprise, but what I'm taking away from the night is far more important and special than any certificate.
My mum has always told me that I just need to wait for uni to find like-minded people, and boys who will want to talk to me for me, and last night was a taste of what is to come. People who are above petty high school stereotypes and attitudes are my favourite, and I can't wait to fill my life with more of them.
frangipani princess xoxo
I am so glad I did. There were five other contestants, and whilst I knew one of them from school, the other four were strangers. We left the night with new, solid friendships. We bonded straight away over our common interests (one guy was even wearing a Slytherin tie!) and in the hours since have added each other on facebook and are making plans for a meetup. I was talking to one of the boys after we got home last night, and we were both saying how refreshing it was to meet people where you can just be yourself. I have alternative interests (and unfortunately not alternative in the sense of cool) and sometimes around those my age, it feels as if there's an invisible barrier between us that I can't break through. Of course, this barrier is more often than not imagined, but with my social awkwardness, it can feel all too real. When you meet someone and straight away realise this barrier is missing, it's a great feeling. When you can be yourself without fear of judgment (which should happen all the time, but let's face it, we're in high school so it doesn't), it's like a weight off your shoulders and you know that good things are going to happen. To find people who love history, and journalism, and just share a passion for the same things as you in general is amazing, and every time it happens I am so thankful.
The night was brilliant, and even though I didn't win, I had a great time. I did win the public speaking section (and received a million "Promise me you'll keep going!" comments. Sorry, I'm in retirement) which was a pleasant surprise, but what I'm taking away from the night is far more important and special than any certificate.
My mum has always told me that I just need to wait for uni to find like-minded people, and boys who will want to talk to me for me, and last night was a taste of what is to come. People who are above petty high school stereotypes and attitudes are my favourite, and I can't wait to fill my life with more of them.
frangipani princess xoxo
Saturday, 11 February 2012
Dear Me: A Letter To My Fifteen Year Old Self
I often describe myself as a twelve year old, as I'm not really into the things people my age are (drinking, partying, etc. etc.) and I have a super soft spot for Disney and other things aimed at tweens. When I was in France, I had to spend a week sharing a room with three girls from year nine. I love the girls dearly, but it taught me a lot about myself, especially about how old I am. When I was fifteen, I wrote a letter to my twelve year old self. As I'm turning eighteen in a few weeks, and have the experience of being around fifteen year olds fresh in my mind, I decided to write a letter to fifteen year old me.
Dear Fifteen Year Old Me,
Future you, here. Right now you've just finished writing a letter to twelve year old us, and you're thinking that you're really wise, aren't you? Well, it's two and a half years later, and honey, you still have so much to learn.
In a few months, you're going to have to pack up and move. It's going to be hard at the time, but in the long run, it's going to be one of the best things that will ever happen. You have to say goodbye to your old friends, but you'll get to meet some amazing new ones. Your school is going to have so many more opportunities for you than your old one, and even though not everyone is your biggest fan, after a bit of searching, you find the people who matter. The best news is mum and dad aren't going to be at your school any more! Freedom!
Later next year, you're going to go on exchange. It's not going to be all fun and games, I'm sorry to tell you, but after meeting some of your new friends, you're going to wonder how you ever lived without them. There's a silver lining to every grey cloud, just remember that. Please don't bash yourself up over all your perceived failings. You're doing the best you can, and looking back, you'll do so fondly, only regretting all the times you forgot to smile.
One of those new friends, Kayla, is going to introduce you to something that is going to change your life. It's called Nerdfighteria, and it will become your oxygen. How you've survived all these years without John and Hank Green, and their wonderful books and videos, I have no idea. John's books are going to be your bible, you will laugh, you will cry, and you find someone who finally understands what it's like to be you. Being a Nerdfighter will teach you self acceptance, something I know you've struggled with. You're going to learn just how awesome being a Nerd is, and how it's something you should embrace, not hide away.
Speaking of Nerds, pretty soon you're about to fall head over heels in love with Doctor Who. I know, I know, you made fun of Maddison for all those years for being a Whovian, but you are going to become just as obsessed as her. It's a good change, I promise, and you will meet so many amazing people through discussions about your favourite Doctor (which is Ten.). Your obsessions with everything are going to continue, you'll still love The Jonas Brothers and everything Disney (you'll get to go to EuroDisneyland twice in the next two years!), you'll have a massive pile of favourite tv shows to quote constantly, Harry Potter will be your everything, and you may or may not have a list of British men you plan on marrying (okay, you totally do).
Don't worry, Toong is still your best friend, and she shares all your obsessions. You're lucky to have her (and all your other amazing friends. What you lack in quantity, you make up in quality).
In Taylor Swift's song Fifteen, which you loved quoting so much in our last letter, she says 'When all you wanted was to be wanted, wish you could go back and tell yourself what you know now'. and I know that at the moment you are searching for acceptance. You want to fit in, and get desperately upset when you're just not making the perceived mould. To quote 17 Again, "When you're young, everything feels like it's the end of the world. But it's not. It's just the beginning." You are hurting right now, I know you are. You put up a brave face, but nobody should have to feel the pain you're feeling at the moment. I want to tell you that it's all going to be okay, and none of it is going to matter in the long run. Those girls bullying you? Just wait and see where they are in comparison to you in a few years time. You'll laugh a lot. Maybe you won't have the boyfriends or the fashion sense, but you have the common sense (and the fictional boyfriends). That's all you need right now, and I can promise that it will save you a lot of regrets.
At fifteen, you think you're so big, so grown up, but you have so much maturing to do. In the scheme of life, you actually don't know that much, and the things you think matter so much really don't matter at all. It's all about perspective, and looking back with the benefit of hindsight, I can happily tell you that what you're going through doesn't even matter. I know it does right now, but wait until you're me, and then you won't even remember what had you so upset. I'm not saying the next few years are going to be easy - quite the opposite, actually. You'll end up at the Doctors for anxiety (which you should stop resisting as treatment is the best thing you ever did) - but you are going to learn so much. Some wonderful mentors are going to come into your life, you are going to be given some brilliant opportunities, and you are going to grow into a beautiful human being. I may not be able to promise you an endless queue of boys, breathtaking beauty, and a jam-packed social life, but I can promise you that you will be proud of yourself, and you will be happy with your life.
We currently have a big year ahead of us - lots of studying and decisions, and then the massive HSC, but it's all going to be okay. You can trust in me, I promise. I may cry a bit too often over fictional characters, but I finally know what we're doing, and with an awesome support system, we can make it through anything. Keep your faith in God, honey, because He will be there even when it feels like everyone else has walked out (which, fyi, they never have). Later this year we're finally going to go to America, and hopefully England, so I guess we're not doing too badly after all.
Please keep smiling. Life is amazing, and sometimes it's hard to see that through the tears, but you're so young, and sometimes you forget that! At fifteen, life has just started! You have no real worries, no responsibility...Just enjoy it while you can. Promise me that.
Hey, we're gonna be alright.
Love,
Seventeen-And-Eleven-Twelfths Year Old Us
Dear Fifteen Year Old Me,
Future you, here. Right now you've just finished writing a letter to twelve year old us, and you're thinking that you're really wise, aren't you? Well, it's two and a half years later, and honey, you still have so much to learn.
In a few months, you're going to have to pack up and move. It's going to be hard at the time, but in the long run, it's going to be one of the best things that will ever happen. You have to say goodbye to your old friends, but you'll get to meet some amazing new ones. Your school is going to have so many more opportunities for you than your old one, and even though not everyone is your biggest fan, after a bit of searching, you find the people who matter. The best news is mum and dad aren't going to be at your school any more! Freedom!
Later next year, you're going to go on exchange. It's not going to be all fun and games, I'm sorry to tell you, but after meeting some of your new friends, you're going to wonder how you ever lived without them. There's a silver lining to every grey cloud, just remember that. Please don't bash yourself up over all your perceived failings. You're doing the best you can, and looking back, you'll do so fondly, only regretting all the times you forgot to smile.
One of those new friends, Kayla, is going to introduce you to something that is going to change your life. It's called Nerdfighteria, and it will become your oxygen. How you've survived all these years without John and Hank Green, and their wonderful books and videos, I have no idea. John's books are going to be your bible, you will laugh, you will cry, and you find someone who finally understands what it's like to be you. Being a Nerdfighter will teach you self acceptance, something I know you've struggled with. You're going to learn just how awesome being a Nerd is, and how it's something you should embrace, not hide away.
Speaking of Nerds, pretty soon you're about to fall head over heels in love with Doctor Who. I know, I know, you made fun of Maddison for all those years for being a Whovian, but you are going to become just as obsessed as her. It's a good change, I promise, and you will meet so many amazing people through discussions about your favourite Doctor (which is Ten.). Your obsessions with everything are going to continue, you'll still love The Jonas Brothers and everything Disney (you'll get to go to EuroDisneyland twice in the next two years!), you'll have a massive pile of favourite tv shows to quote constantly, Harry Potter will be your everything, and you may or may not have a list of British men you plan on marrying (okay, you totally do).
 |
| We're going to hug Tom Felton! |
In Taylor Swift's song Fifteen, which you loved quoting so much in our last letter, she says 'When all you wanted was to be wanted, wish you could go back and tell yourself what you know now'. and I know that at the moment you are searching for acceptance. You want to fit in, and get desperately upset when you're just not making the perceived mould. To quote 17 Again, "When you're young, everything feels like it's the end of the world. But it's not. It's just the beginning." You are hurting right now, I know you are. You put up a brave face, but nobody should have to feel the pain you're feeling at the moment. I want to tell you that it's all going to be okay, and none of it is going to matter in the long run. Those girls bullying you? Just wait and see where they are in comparison to you in a few years time. You'll laugh a lot. Maybe you won't have the boyfriends or the fashion sense, but you have the common sense (and the fictional boyfriends). That's all you need right now, and I can promise that it will save you a lot of regrets.
At fifteen, you think you're so big, so grown up, but you have so much maturing to do. In the scheme of life, you actually don't know that much, and the things you think matter so much really don't matter at all. It's all about perspective, and looking back with the benefit of hindsight, I can happily tell you that what you're going through doesn't even matter. I know it does right now, but wait until you're me, and then you won't even remember what had you so upset. I'm not saying the next few years are going to be easy - quite the opposite, actually. You'll end up at the Doctors for anxiety (which you should stop resisting as treatment is the best thing you ever did) - but you are going to learn so much. Some wonderful mentors are going to come into your life, you are going to be given some brilliant opportunities, and you are going to grow into a beautiful human being. I may not be able to promise you an endless queue of boys, breathtaking beauty, and a jam-packed social life, but I can promise you that you will be proud of yourself, and you will be happy with your life.
We currently have a big year ahead of us - lots of studying and decisions, and then the massive HSC, but it's all going to be okay. You can trust in me, I promise. I may cry a bit too often over fictional characters, but I finally know what we're doing, and with an awesome support system, we can make it through anything. Keep your faith in God, honey, because He will be there even when it feels like everyone else has walked out (which, fyi, they never have). Later this year we're finally going to go to America, and hopefully England, so I guess we're not doing too badly after all.
Please keep smiling. Life is amazing, and sometimes it's hard to see that through the tears, but you're so young, and sometimes you forget that! At fifteen, life has just started! You have no real worries, no responsibility...Just enjoy it while you can. Promise me that.
Hey, we're gonna be alright.
Love,
Seventeen-And-Eleven-Twelfths Year Old Us
Thursday, 9 February 2012
Catch Up
Sorry the blog has been a little quiet of late guys, I officially started year twelve last week and the work load has hit me like a tonne of bricks. As I learn to deal with homework again, and get used to doctor-ordered six am walks, I'll start updating more regularly, I promise.
My Teen Girl With A Satchel column for January was posted last week, and is titled Getting Perspective In Paris.
It's all about how 2012 is going to be my Year Of No Fear (I'm only two years late to that party), and how going back to Paris helped me conquer some of my fears and showed me anything is possible.
Last weekend I went with my Marauders to see the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular in Melbourne, and it was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. I laughed, I cheered, I sobbed...It was absolutely brilliant. Even my mum, who refuses to watch Doctor Who with me, was in love with it. I found my future husband there as well. He hugged a Dalek. I'm pretty sure you can't get much cooler than that.
In other news, I got accepted into the Sydney Morning Herald Work Experience program today, so I'll be heading to Newspaper Land for a week in April. I've only ever been a workie at magazines before, so I'm pretty excited to see how other forms of print journalism work. I wonder if I'll get to find out who writes Column 8. Hmmm, that would be rather awesome.
I have lots of reviews still to write on lots of lovely books, films, and TV shows I've been managing to fill my study time with. Speaking of filling my study time with procrastination, I'm coming to the heartbreaking realisation that I'm going to have to delete my tumblr account soon. Or maybe not delete...but get someone to change the password for me. It takes up way too much of my time, and as much as I love fandom, it can't get in the way of my future.
I hope you're all having a splendid start to the school year, and stick around, because you'll be hearing more from me soon :)
frangipani princess xoxo
My Teen Girl With A Satchel column for January was posted last week, and is titled Getting Perspective In Paris.
Last weekend I went with my Marauders to see the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular in Melbourne, and it was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. I laughed, I cheered, I sobbed...It was absolutely brilliant. Even my mum, who refuses to watch Doctor Who with me, was in love with it. I found my future husband there as well. He hugged a Dalek. I'm pretty sure you can't get much cooler than that.
In other news, I got accepted into the Sydney Morning Herald Work Experience program today, so I'll be heading to Newspaper Land for a week in April. I've only ever been a workie at magazines before, so I'm pretty excited to see how other forms of print journalism work. I wonder if I'll get to find out who writes Column 8. Hmmm, that would be rather awesome.
I have lots of reviews still to write on lots of lovely books, films, and TV shows I've been managing to fill my study time with. Speaking of filling my study time with procrastination, I'm coming to the heartbreaking realisation that I'm going to have to delete my tumblr account soon. Or maybe not delete...but get someone to change the password for me. It takes up way too much of my time, and as much as I love fandom, it can't get in the way of my future.
I hope you're all having a splendid start to the school year, and stick around, because you'll be hearing more from me soon :)
frangipani princess xoxo
Sunday, 29 January 2012
Book Review: Strictly Confidential
Although I want to be a journalist, the world of PR has always interested me. From my first week of work experience back in 2009 when I witnessed bag after bag of product being shipped in from PR companies around the city, I was fascinated with what goes on behind the scenes of the PR world. Especially what goes on behind the scenes of Sweaty Betty PR, the name which seemed to be splashed across the majority of the bags landing on mag desks.
I followed the PR company closely on twitter, and last year was overjoyed to hear that company founder, Roxy Jacenko, was writing a book about the world of PR. Earlier this month her debut novel "Strictly Confidential" was released, and gives a (fictional) look into the behind the scenes of Sydney PR.
The novel follows Jazzy Lou, who at the start is an assistant to an evil PR guru by the name of Diane Wilderstein. After a few mistakes that are totally not her fault, she finds herself fired, so Jazzy Lou decides to take the plunge and create her own PR Company - Queen Bee. We get to witness the ups and downs of creating a PR company from scratch, and the true reality of the industry - apparently it's not all celebrities and five star events!
I can only assume that though it's a fictional novel, it's based largely on Roxy's own experiences starting Sweaty Betty PR at just twenty-four years old. There are many things in the book that ring true to reality, such as the "Coco Man Of The Year Awards" which are rather similar to the "Cleo Bachelor Of The Year Awards" which Sweaty Betty helps create in the real world.
It's an easy, entertaining read, but there were a few things in it that left me feeling a bit uneasy. Throughout the book, so much emphasis is placed on physical beauty, being skinny, and looking your absolute best. It's heavily implied (if not frequently stated) numerous times that you have to be tiny, successful, and from a good background to make it anywhere in the industry. I don't care if it's what really happens, we should be trying to encourage diversity and talent, not size zero and pretty blondes. For girls interested in a career in PR or the media who read this book, it plants negative thoughts into their heads about what they will have to become to succeed. We shouldn't be making girls feel they have to be a barbie clone to make it in their chosen career, and I think it's not great on Roxy's behalf that she's encouraging that. Especially since last year she gave birth to a little girl - is she going to bring up little Pixie with the belief that you have to be pretty and skinny to succeed? I also wasn't a fan of the trivialisation of Jazzy Lou's addiction to Nurofen - again, not sending the best message to readers.
If you can look past the sour taste the body image parts leave in your mouth, you're left with an addictive read about an industry that the general population doesn't really know much about. If you're interested in Media or PR, or just want an easy end-of-summer read, pick up Strictly Confidential from your local bookstore today.
It's been titled 'A Jazzy Lou Novel' as they hope that it will be successful enough for a series to follow. The story ends on a slight cliffhanger, so we can only keep our fingers crossed that we'll get to read more about the (not-so) glamourous world of PR in the coming months/years.
Rating - 6.5/10
Pages - 262
Author - Roxy Jacenko
Publisher - Allen & Unwin
RRP - $24.99
frangipani princess xoxo
I followed the PR company closely on twitter, and last year was overjoyed to hear that company founder, Roxy Jacenko, was writing a book about the world of PR. Earlier this month her debut novel "Strictly Confidential" was released, and gives a (fictional) look into the behind the scenes of Sydney PR.
I can only assume that though it's a fictional novel, it's based largely on Roxy's own experiences starting Sweaty Betty PR at just twenty-four years old. There are many things in the book that ring true to reality, such as the "Coco Man Of The Year Awards" which are rather similar to the "Cleo Bachelor Of The Year Awards" which Sweaty Betty helps create in the real world.
It's an easy, entertaining read, but there were a few things in it that left me feeling a bit uneasy. Throughout the book, so much emphasis is placed on physical beauty, being skinny, and looking your absolute best. It's heavily implied (if not frequently stated) numerous times that you have to be tiny, successful, and from a good background to make it anywhere in the industry. I don't care if it's what really happens, we should be trying to encourage diversity and talent, not size zero and pretty blondes. For girls interested in a career in PR or the media who read this book, it plants negative thoughts into their heads about what they will have to become to succeed. We shouldn't be making girls feel they have to be a barbie clone to make it in their chosen career, and I think it's not great on Roxy's behalf that she's encouraging that. Especially since last year she gave birth to a little girl - is she going to bring up little Pixie with the belief that you have to be pretty and skinny to succeed? I also wasn't a fan of the trivialisation of Jazzy Lou's addiction to Nurofen - again, not sending the best message to readers.
If you can look past the sour taste the body image parts leave in your mouth, you're left with an addictive read about an industry that the general population doesn't really know much about. If you're interested in Media or PR, or just want an easy end-of-summer read, pick up Strictly Confidential from your local bookstore today.
It's been titled 'A Jazzy Lou Novel' as they hope that it will be successful enough for a series to follow. The story ends on a slight cliffhanger, so we can only keep our fingers crossed that we'll get to read more about the (not-so) glamourous world of PR in the coming months/years.
Rating - 6.5/10
Pages - 262
Author - Roxy Jacenko
Publisher - Allen & Unwin
RRP - $24.99
frangipani princess xoxo
Saturday, 28 January 2012
Movie Review: A Few Best Men
I love British movies and I love Australian movies. Not for the same reasons; I love British movies because whenever they open their mouths it's heaven, but I love Australian movies because nine times out of ten they're so horrible all you can do is laugh.
When I first saw the trailer for "A Few Best Men" and saw that it was both British AND Australian, I knew I had to go see it. The fact that the main character was the extremely attractive Xavier Samuel, and one of his best friends was the guy who played Colin, God Of Sex from Love Actually had nothing at all to do with it.
The basic plot of the movie is that David goes backpacking and ends up in Tuvalu (fun fact from geography: the main income for Tuvalu is selling the web address ending .tv to things like Disney) where he meets the lovely and Australian Mia. They have a whirlwind romance and end up engaged. David heads back to England to tell his best friends that they're going to Australia so he can get married, much to their protests. His best friends are slightly dysfunctional (to say the least) and Mia's father is a senator and her family super wealthy. They don't really mix, and hilarity ensures.
There are more highlights than you can poke a stick at, but one of my personal favourites was Olivia Newton-John as the high-on-cocaine mother-in-law leading the YMCA at the wedding reception. Another stand-out was the best man's speech which managed to make our slightly shady past as a colony of England hysterical.
It's a movie that can only truly be appreciated by Australians, because so many of the jokes are based on us laughing at ourselves. I think if you showed the movie to an American they would just look at you with a blank face.
My cinema was full, and all spent most of the ninety minute film in stitches. I know there's a gazillion good movies out at the moment (of course everything good comes out when I have to start year twelve) so you have a lot to choose from, but if you're after a good laugh, definitely head to see this. If you don't leave with a massive smile on your face, you should probably have a hard look at yourself. It's a definite ten out of ten for me, though there are few bits that might make you uncomfortable if you're seeing it with your parents, so I'd think about heading with friends.
A Few Best Men is rated MA15+ and is out in cinemas nationally.
frangipani princess xoxo
When I first saw the trailer for "A Few Best Men" and saw that it was both British AND Australian, I knew I had to go see it. The fact that the main character was the extremely attractive Xavier Samuel, and one of his best friends was the guy who played Colin, God Of Sex from Love Actually had nothing at all to do with it.
The basic plot of the movie is that David goes backpacking and ends up in Tuvalu (fun fact from geography: the main income for Tuvalu is selling the web address ending .tv to things like Disney) where he meets the lovely and Australian Mia. They have a whirlwind romance and end up engaged. David heads back to England to tell his best friends that they're going to Australia so he can get married, much to their protests. His best friends are slightly dysfunctional (to say the least) and Mia's father is a senator and her family super wealthy. They don't really mix, and hilarity ensures.
There are more highlights than you can poke a stick at, but one of my personal favourites was Olivia Newton-John as the high-on-cocaine mother-in-law leading the YMCA at the wedding reception. Another stand-out was the best man's speech which managed to make our slightly shady past as a colony of England hysterical.
It's a movie that can only truly be appreciated by Australians, because so many of the jokes are based on us laughing at ourselves. I think if you showed the movie to an American they would just look at you with a blank face.
My cinema was full, and all spent most of the ninety minute film in stitches. I know there's a gazillion good movies out at the moment (of course everything good comes out when I have to start year twelve) so you have a lot to choose from, but if you're after a good laugh, definitely head to see this. If you don't leave with a massive smile on your face, you should probably have a hard look at yourself. It's a definite ten out of ten for me, though there are few bits that might make you uncomfortable if you're seeing it with your parents, so I'd think about heading with friends.
A Few Best Men is rated MA15+ and is out in cinemas nationally.
frangipani princess xoxo
Friday, 27 January 2012
Book Review: The Fault In Our Stars
If you ask me who my favourite author is, I won't even hesitate before telling you "John Green". As much as I love Harry Potter, my favourite books will always be those written by John, in particular his first, Looking For Alaska. I have laughed and cried (and cried, and cried) my way through all of his books, so when I heard he was releasing a new novel I pre-ordered it the moment it was available and began to wait with eager anticipation.
John's new book is called "The Fault In Our Stars" and was finally released in early January. Being in France, I only got my hands on it today (I was so eager that as my pre-ordered copy hadn't arrived I bought another copy from my local bookstore) and I devoured it in just over two hours. It left me sobbing and wishing that John could create real life seventeen year old boys for me, rather than just fictional ones.
The Fault In Our Stars follows the story of sixteen year old Hazel who is dying of cancer. One day at the support group she begrudgingly attends, she meets Augustus Waters and from that moment, nothing is the same.
The Fault In Our Stars is not just a cancer novel, though all the teenage characters it contains do have cancer of some variety. It's a novel about living and loving to your fullest, and about the pain, heartbreak, and most importantly, joy, that life can bring.
The book gets its name from a Shakespeare quote which reads "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars/But in ourselves" which John expands on in the novel by adding "Easy enough to say when you're a Roman nobleman (or Shakespeare!), but there is no shortage of fault to be found amid our stars."
In looking for Alaska there is the line "...but I loved her present tense" and there is a shout-out to this in TFIOS with the line "I love you present tense". I think it's a cute reference for those readers who adore John's books enough to pick it up.
My favourite idea from the book was "some infinities are bigger than other infinities". It was a recurring theme throughout the novel and fitted the theme beautifully. Infinity, or forever, are just words we throw around but this novel made you think about the true reality behind them and what they mean to different people.
The Fault In Our Stars made me laugh, cry, and fall in love with fictional characters and I hold absolutely no regrets about any of the above. I live-texted my reading to Toong, as she read the book earlier in the week, and she will vouch that most of my texts were along the lines of "I'm just so in love with Augustus Waters", "Why can't real guys be Augustus Waters", and "WHY WOULD JOHN WANT TO BREAK MY HEART LIKE THIS?" I recommend John's books to anyone who will listen (and I also heartily recommend his youtube channel) and TFIOS is no exception to this. I think Alaska will always be my favourite, but this is a super close second, if not equal first. It makes you confront the reality of life in a brilliant way, something which is very rare to find in a young adult book these days.
If you see The Fault In Our Stars anywhere, buy it. Buy it. BUY IT. I got my copy today for $20 and it is $20 that I don't regret spending at all. I plan on re-reading it ASAP or maybe just listening to the audio-book version I have, which is read by John Green himself (I cannot wait to hear him narrate a story told by a sixteen year old girl).
I read a lot of Young Adult books (I get sent them to review for here, and believe me, it's a massive pile that I have at the moment to write up) but it's very rare that I read a YA book that contains so much beauty, emotion and perfection. Most are more concerned with vampires or shallow romance than amazing truths. John Green is my hero, and I cannot recommend anything he does enough.
The Fault In Our Stars is available in all good bookstores now for around $20. It is published by Penguin, and I give it a definite 10/10 and beg you to consider reading it.
frangipani princess xoxo
The Fault In Our Stars follows the story of sixteen year old Hazel who is dying of cancer. One day at the support group she begrudgingly attends, she meets Augustus Waters and from that moment, nothing is the same.
The Fault In Our Stars is not just a cancer novel, though all the teenage characters it contains do have cancer of some variety. It's a novel about living and loving to your fullest, and about the pain, heartbreak, and most importantly, joy, that life can bring.
The book gets its name from a Shakespeare quote which reads "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars/But in ourselves" which John expands on in the novel by adding "Easy enough to say when you're a Roman nobleman (or Shakespeare!), but there is no shortage of fault to be found amid our stars."
In looking for Alaska there is the line "...but I loved her present tense" and there is a shout-out to this in TFIOS with the line "I love you present tense". I think it's a cute reference for those readers who adore John's books enough to pick it up.
My favourite idea from the book was "some infinities are bigger than other infinities". It was a recurring theme throughout the novel and fitted the theme beautifully. Infinity, or forever, are just words we throw around but this novel made you think about the true reality behind them and what they mean to different people.
The Fault In Our Stars made me laugh, cry, and fall in love with fictional characters and I hold absolutely no regrets about any of the above. I live-texted my reading to Toong, as she read the book earlier in the week, and she will vouch that most of my texts were along the lines of "I'm just so in love with Augustus Waters", "Why can't real guys be Augustus Waters", and "WHY WOULD JOHN WANT TO BREAK MY HEART LIKE THIS?" I recommend John's books to anyone who will listen (and I also heartily recommend his youtube channel) and TFIOS is no exception to this. I think Alaska will always be my favourite, but this is a super close second, if not equal first. It makes you confront the reality of life in a brilliant way, something which is very rare to find in a young adult book these days.
If you see The Fault In Our Stars anywhere, buy it. Buy it. BUY IT. I got my copy today for $20 and it is $20 that I don't regret spending at all. I plan on re-reading it ASAP or maybe just listening to the audio-book version I have, which is read by John Green himself (I cannot wait to hear him narrate a story told by a sixteen year old girl).
I read a lot of Young Adult books (I get sent them to review for here, and believe me, it's a massive pile that I have at the moment to write up) but it's very rare that I read a YA book that contains so much beauty, emotion and perfection. Most are more concerned with vampires or shallow romance than amazing truths. John Green is my hero, and I cannot recommend anything he does enough.
The Fault In Our Stars is available in all good bookstores now for around $20. It is published by Penguin, and I give it a definite 10/10 and beg you to consider reading it.
frangipani princess xoxo
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
I'm home
I'm home.
After three freezing but wonderful weeks in France, I'm back to the reality of an Australian summer the week before year twelve officially begins.
I had an amazing time overseas, with lots of learning, sightseeing, and fear-overcoming occurring. I made lovely new friends (who knew juniors didn't actually bite?!), got to go back to Disneyland (and went on every ride) and ate more crepes than were probably good for my health. I missed Australia lots, but France will always hold a special place in my heart (though after meeting some Irish teens at the youth hostel we stayed at in Paris, I'm thinking I may have to head to Ireland on my next trip).
I hope you haven't missed me too much, and that those of you who are on holidays have been having a fabulous time.
I'll be returning to FP this week, however I have a mountain of homework, and with school beginning again on Monday, posts may be slightly sporadic until I get on top of things. I have some books and movies to review though, so there will be some pop-culture goodness around.
Just as a side note, has anyone watched the new season of Sherlock? I'm halfway through the second episode and am falling even further in love with it - something I thought was impossible!
frangipani princess xoxo
After three freezing but wonderful weeks in France, I'm back to the reality of an Australian summer the week before year twelve officially begins.
I had an amazing time overseas, with lots of learning, sightseeing, and fear-overcoming occurring. I made lovely new friends (who knew juniors didn't actually bite?!), got to go back to Disneyland (and went on every ride) and ate more crepes than were probably good for my health. I missed Australia lots, but France will always hold a special place in my heart (though after meeting some Irish teens at the youth hostel we stayed at in Paris, I'm thinking I may have to head to Ireland on my next trip).
I'll be returning to FP this week, however I have a mountain of homework, and with school beginning again on Monday, posts may be slightly sporadic until I get on top of things. I have some books and movies to review though, so there will be some pop-culture goodness around.
Just as a side note, has anyone watched the new season of Sherlock? I'm halfway through the second episode and am falling even further in love with it - something I thought was impossible!
frangipani princess xoxo
Friday, 30 December 2011
A Small Break
Tomorrow, in what is turning out to be a bit of a tradition, I am heading to France for most of January. I'm going on a school trip to attend a language school for two weeks (and then to spend one week living it up in Paris). My mum has convinced me to leave my beloved laptop at home (I can feel the pains of our heartbreaking withdrawal already), and while we are promised internet time, I'm going to take the time as a bit of a holiday from blogging (unless something super exciting happens and I just have to let you all know).
I hope you all have an absolutely amazing new year, and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for making Frangipani Princess what it has been in 2011. Whether you're a new reader, or have been around since the beginning, I appreciate you more than you can understand. Blogging has brought me so many opportunities, not only to do and receive amazing things, but also to meet absolutely amazing people. 2012 is a big year for me, personally, with year twelve and my HSC and all that jazz, but at this time I have no plans to abandon my blog. Posts will probably be a lot less frequent, especially as September draws closer, but this blog has been my baby for nearly five years and a few little exams aren't going to stop me from taking care of it. I hope you all choose to stick around to see what FP has to offer in 2012, and remember, if you ever have any suggestions, opinions, love what I do and want to give me stuff, or just want to chat, I'm always around to email, to tweet, or through my comments.
May 2012 be a wonderful year for all of you.
Much love,
frangipani princess xoxo
Frangipani Princess will be back to regular posting from approximately the 24th of January.
Frangipani Princess will be back to regular posting from approximately the 24th of January.
Thursday, 29 December 2011
Boxing Day Movie Reviews
I'm not a frequent visitor to the cinema. Since moving to my current town, I go more often than I used to, but by more often I mean once every few months instead of once a year. However, somehow I have managed to see three movies in the last three days.
The first film I saw was War Horse. As someone with a keen interest in World War One and British people, I thought it would be quite interesting viewing, and I'm sure it could have been if I had been able to see through my tears. While my sobs didn't quite reach the levels they did in HPDHp2 or The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, they were constant and horrible. The film was beautiful, but heartbreaking. It's one of those movies that would be all too easy to turn off if watching on a dvd (much like Schindler's List), so I'd go see it at a cinema. It's painful in parts, but the end result is beautiful and worth your money (and time - the film goes for nearly two and a half hours!).
My second trip to the movies was a stark contrast to the first, with a viewing of New Years Eve. I'm a sucker for corny movies, and for Zefron, so this film had me in love with it before I even stepped foot in the cinemas. It's basically Valentine's Day, but on New Years Eve, and is adorably cute and contains total eye candy in the form of John Bon Jovi (shut up.) and Zefron, amongst many others. It will leave you excited for this Saturday night, and for all the potential that a new year brings.
My third, and final (at least until I get home from france), viewing was of The Iron Lady. When I went to see Billy Elliot a few years ago the Margaret Thatcher references went right over my head, but the three years since then my worldly political knowledge has grown (only if that growth is very minor) and seeing trailers for the film in my other two visits made me interested in what the movie would be like. My friend Miki and I decided to head and see it tonight, and we enjoyed it, even if we were the only people under fifty in the cinema. Okay, by 'enjoyed it', I mean our hearts were shattered into a million little pieces, but it was amazing cinema. It was a different kind of sad to War Horse, a more inevitable "this could be me". Meryl Streep did an amazing job portraying the former Prime Minister, though for all you non-political fans out there (like myself!) the film is based around Margaret as she is now - frail, elderly and suffering from dementia - with flash backs to her political past. It's more emotional than political, which is what makes it so brilliant. It's not one to go see with your friends (if you're looking for a girl's night out, New Years Eve is the one to hit up), but for a cute movie date with your mum, or just to learn more about the world, go see it.
I would recommend all three movies for everyone, but knowing the demographic of this blog, I would say if you can only see one, New Years Eve is the one to go for. It's light-hearted, adorable, and has a brilliant cast, and you'll (mostly) get through it without crying. If you're looking for something intense and painful, see War Horse, and if you're looking for something educational and heartbreaking, see The Iron Lady. While New Years Eve will likely be forgotten soon after it leaves the cinema, War Horse and The Iron Lady have real staying power, and critics are already loudly whispering about Oscar hopes for the two. They're movies that you should see, even if they're not fun and games during the viewing.
frangipani princess xoxo
The first film I saw was War Horse. As someone with a keen interest in World War One and British people, I thought it would be quite interesting viewing, and I'm sure it could have been if I had been able to see through my tears. While my sobs didn't quite reach the levels they did in HPDHp2 or The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, they were constant and horrible. The film was beautiful, but heartbreaking. It's one of those movies that would be all too easy to turn off if watching on a dvd (much like Schindler's List), so I'd go see it at a cinema. It's painful in parts, but the end result is beautiful and worth your money (and time - the film goes for nearly two and a half hours!).
My second trip to the movies was a stark contrast to the first, with a viewing of New Years Eve. I'm a sucker for corny movies, and for Zefron, so this film had me in love with it before I even stepped foot in the cinemas. It's basically Valentine's Day, but on New Years Eve, and is adorably cute and contains total eye candy in the form of John Bon Jovi (shut up.) and Zefron, amongst many others. It will leave you excited for this Saturday night, and for all the potential that a new year brings.
My third, and final (at least until I get home from france), viewing was of The Iron Lady. When I went to see Billy Elliot a few years ago the Margaret Thatcher references went right over my head, but the three years since then my worldly political knowledge has grown (only if that growth is very minor) and seeing trailers for the film in my other two visits made me interested in what the movie would be like. My friend Miki and I decided to head and see it tonight, and we enjoyed it, even if we were the only people under fifty in the cinema. Okay, by 'enjoyed it', I mean our hearts were shattered into a million little pieces, but it was amazing cinema. It was a different kind of sad to War Horse, a more inevitable "this could be me". Meryl Streep did an amazing job portraying the former Prime Minister, though for all you non-political fans out there (like myself!) the film is based around Margaret as she is now - frail, elderly and suffering from dementia - with flash backs to her political past. It's more emotional than political, which is what makes it so brilliant. It's not one to go see with your friends (if you're looking for a girl's night out, New Years Eve is the one to hit up), but for a cute movie date with your mum, or just to learn more about the world, go see it.
I would recommend all three movies for everyone, but knowing the demographic of this blog, I would say if you can only see one, New Years Eve is the one to go for. It's light-hearted, adorable, and has a brilliant cast, and you'll (mostly) get through it without crying. If you're looking for something intense and painful, see War Horse, and if you're looking for something educational and heartbreaking, see The Iron Lady. While New Years Eve will likely be forgotten soon after it leaves the cinema, War Horse and The Iron Lady have real staying power, and critics are already loudly whispering about Oscar hopes for the two. They're movies that you should see, even if they're not fun and games during the viewing.
frangipani princess xoxo
Thursday, 22 December 2011
New On Girl With A Satchel
My final column for 2011, titled Teen Girl With A Satchel on The Year Of The Boy Band has now been posted on GWAS. In the column, I reflect on the year that was 2011 both for me, and for the world of teen pop-culture.
I am forever grateful to Erica for giving me the opportunity to share my writing with her readers, and for being an inspiring, lovely mentor to me.
Check it out and tell me if I've missed any of your favourite pop-cultural events of 2011.
frangipani princess xoxo
Check it out and tell me if I've missed any of your favourite pop-cultural events of 2011.
frangipani princess xoxo
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Forever Yours Times Fourteen
You might remember that a few weeks ago I posted about Alex Day's new song "Forever Yours". I love it, and him, an awful lot, so when he announced that he was releasing not one, not two, but fourteen different versions of it to try and crack the Christmas charts and raise money for charity, I decided to do all I can to help. Alex is most famous for his Alex Reads Twilight videos, but his channel "Nerimon" also has lots of subscribers, and he is a talented singer and member of Chameleon Circuit (the awesome Doctor Who band).
All the versions are available on iTunes, and while he is British, he is raising money for World Vision Australia which is pretty awesome. He managed to reach number 4 in the British iTunes charts, plus numerous radio charts earlier in the week, and is now sitting comfortably in the top ten. In Australia he's in the top fifty in the pop charts, which is pretty impressive.
His ultimate aim is to make the British Christmas number 1, or just to make the iTunes number one, as it would be a first for an unsigned artist.
The versions are all very different, from an instrumental, to an electronic/dubstep remix, so when you download all the versions you'll be getting your moneys worth.
Alex is well deserving of the support and publicity he is receiving, and will only continue to receive when his best friend Charlie McDonnell (charlieissocoollike on youtube) releases his remix of the song this week.
The songs will only be available until Christmas eve, so get buying now. All the versions contribute to the position of Forever Yours on the charts, and all proceeds will go to World Vision.
It's an amazing song, and amazing cause, and an amazing guy, and I am so, so proud of him. Youtubers really can change the world (see also: Project For Awesome which has raised nearly $70,000 for charity this week).
frangipani princess xoxo
All the versions are available on iTunes, and while he is British, he is raising money for World Vision Australia which is pretty awesome. He managed to reach number 4 in the British iTunes charts, plus numerous radio charts earlier in the week, and is now sitting comfortably in the top ten. In Australia he's in the top fifty in the pop charts, which is pretty impressive.
His ultimate aim is to make the British Christmas number 1, or just to make the iTunes number one, as it would be a first for an unsigned artist.
The versions are all very different, from an instrumental, to an electronic/dubstep remix, so when you download all the versions you'll be getting your moneys worth.
Alex is well deserving of the support and publicity he is receiving, and will only continue to receive when his best friend Charlie McDonnell (charlieissocoollike on youtube) releases his remix of the song this week.
The songs will only be available until Christmas eve, so get buying now. All the versions contribute to the position of Forever Yours on the charts, and all proceeds will go to World Vision.
It's an amazing song, and amazing cause, and an amazing guy, and I am so, so proud of him. Youtubers really can change the world (see also: Project For Awesome which has raised nearly $70,000 for charity this week).
frangipani princess xoxo
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