Firstly, Happy belated New Years (2011! Aren’t we living fast?) and happy Valentine’s day too, I guess. I already spent it this year (once again) with my BFF. Who so happens to be female. How sweet, yet sad, are we?

I’ve been intending to do a series of photo blogs of my trip to the USA between December 2010 and January 2011—However the last time I attempted that my computer froze—and anyone, anyone would’ve lost all their patience too. So I’ll get to it eventually, but I start my teaching course on Monday so don’t hold your breath!

But anyway, it’ll all come in installments like so:

1: Washington DC (+Christmas)
2: New York (+New Years)
3: Boston & Montreal & Toronto
4: New Orleans & road trip
5: Orlando (Harry Potter World & Disneyland)
6: Greater Florida

Hang round to see!

xox

- Washington DC (Christmas)
- New York City (New Years at Times Square!)
- Boston
- Montreal
- Toronto
- New Orleans
- Florida (not sure which cities atm)
- Orlando (two reasons only. Disney and Potter.)
- St Petersburg
- Key Largo/Key West
- Miami

Is Key Largo/Key West a destination or a tourist attraction? I can’t remember. Anyway. So I’ll be travelling between the 21^st of December and 24^th of January. I’m sacrificing a New Zealand summer, but It’ll be my first ‘White Christmas’ so I’m not the least bit concerned (for the condition of my lily-white skin).


However! To resume:
I have been accepted into my local university for post-graduate studies in secondary teaching (focussing on technology and graphics). The idea is frightening me at the moment, I’m glad I have America to take my mind off things. It’s not that I don’t want to be a teacher, but it’s going to be tough. I’m looking forward to the challenge, but it doesn’t necessarily mean I’m not scared! So that’ll be my adventure for 2011—from then on, who knows.


As a final note, I have FINALLY updated my Portfolio with my final Photography project, and that ever so tiring, 16 week project called my Final Major Project. These are my last student assignments ever. Please check them out.



Otherwise, au revoir—If I don’t write before America, I’ll see you in the New Year with a full-on blog update on my travels!

Oh! PS: Who saw Deathly Hallows part 1? I did! Part two is going to be the tear jerker.

A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality. —John Lennon (1940-1980)

Photos with thanks to We Heart It

• The plot is original—Someone tell me a story of an advanced race of people stuck on a starship with no destination and no idea where they are from, and a boy who manages to travel back in time because of a strange jewel to an age where their race is still on their planet and have elemental powers? No?
• The entire story is intriguing—the above comment was about the first book. (No more comment about that!) Nah, I like the world better than Harry Potter (which seems really unoriginal in comparison to be honest. Despite it being such an addictive series itself)
• The characters are loveable—all stories should have this quality, and the 4 Powers nails it. You have to be able to want to be the main character, despite their failures and also you have to ‘love to hate’ the bad guy, not just hate him.
• The back story is extensive—Michael has actually created this entire race of people, the world, the language and stories behind all the characters. It’s not a piece of fluff. He takes this story very seriously and most of it hasn’t even been shown … yet
• It’s addictive—It actually is. I’m 20 years old and despite the level of reading, I love it.
• It’s a smart and funny book—if the extensive amount of work behind the creation of the story’s world wasn’t enough for you, and least I can argue that the Robot Toy Superia the Magnificent is a hoot. And I suppose Sir Asutab in brain form too ha ha
• The writing—I thought I should throw this in, despite my lack of knowledge on the subject. I think it’s well written. It has twists, unpredictable outcomes and a way of really making you wish you were from that world instead of Earth
• Boron Delaxid—there I’ve said it. I love Boron Delaxid. Now the world knows. (Yes this counts as a point. You know it’s great when you have sad fangirls crushing on a ficticious character [the difference however, between me and say, a Twilight fangirl? I love the character platonically]).

I know I shouldn’t have been hinting about a sequel when there is no chance yet of it being published. But I just really want this series to run through (because Michael has barely told me 5% of what happens and I am dying to know!)



Oh yeah, and that thing called Semi-Permanent I went to? Amazing. I haven’t enough photos for a blog update yet, but one day! I particularly want to mention how I was in a STORM THORGERSON photo [called F*** Avatar]. For those who don’t know, Storm is a famous graphic designer known for the album cover design The Darker Side of the Moon (and other Pink Floyd album covers), Muse’s album designs and many more. It was an honourable experience.


Buuut…my bro’s book takes priority now anyway.
For those interested in buying a copy but don’t have it at their local book dealer, visit Michael’s website.


HAPPY READING

I’m very busy getting into my final degree project [sneak peeks will be coming in over the next 10-12 weeks] and sorting out my 21^st but this coming weekend is going to be pretty epic for me. Here’s why…

August 20 + 21^st Aotea Center, Auckland

Semi-Permanent Design Conference 2010!

My brother’s first book launch at Storylines Festival!

I’ll be back soon!

Dance is the hidden language of the soul of the body—Martha Graham

So inspirational. Do you dance? What style? What do you love about it?

So, Anna’s thesis abstract:

In today’s society we are bombarded with T-shirt designs (walking billboards) that have no other purpose than to look cool. This implementation is based on the voice of New Zealand’s 14-25 year olds; everything from the design style, the T-shirt messages, right through to the colour/neck shape of the T-shirt.

FTSOO means ‘For the Sake of Others’. The clothing label places importance on PEOPLE, GIVING, JUSTICE, and HOPE. This will be launched within the next year or two.

And her work, in short:

Promo Poster


Zine: Created to be a update/promo item for FTSOO; covering what fair trade is, what the label is about etc.


Inside Zine: Shows new range of T-shirt designs






The promo video:

Good stuff, Anna!

My mid year holidays are half way through, and yet I find that I have nothing very significant to share with you… unless you count watching Pride and Prejudice (1995) as significant. Which you could, it’s AMAZING… Colin Firth or Matthew McFadyen as Mr. Darcy? I’d choose brooding Matthew, but no woman on earth can not love Colin, so they’re equal.

Anyway, perhaps my trip to Auckland the other day with my bestie, Shahana, was worthwhile to share? I spent a lot of money for a poor student, but I got some great finds! Let me share with you a snippet of our trip:

We decided we’d have an overnight trip – booked a cheap hotel (not the highlight, but yet it’s still somewhat exciting at our age to be staying in a hotel) to insure more time for splurging.

Number one priority in Auckland? TOPSHOP.
Going there was a bit of a disappointment. Don’t get me wrong, the clothes are great and the interior design was lovely (of course, I would notice) but the range was rather small and we were unfortunate enough to miss the new arrivals (weekly, straight from London) that afternoon. Nevertheless, I bagged myself a cute cropped tee, with abstract angles and a rough texture for NZ$70:

I almost bought an $25 belt too – I should have got it, it was dirt cheap for topshop!

My other finds included:

A knit dress (reminded me of Sergeant Pepper’s) from a small boutique I cannot remember the name of (NZ$65 – probably a rip off, but it was discounted from 85). May I add it looks HOT when worn.

A cropped blazer and rip off Chanel-esque shirt from Valleygirl (I never like that store, but this particular shop had some good finds) (NZ$45 in total!)

Plus some cute underwear and jewellery from other particular chain stores. No photos of the underwear goodies, but here’s some of the jewellery – I’m especially loving the puff lace earrings:

Shahana and I planned to go out to the town, but didn’t really get there. Auckland’s road system and parking is shocking, so once we managed to get an overnight park we simply walked everywhere. We went up to the Sky Tower (didn’t go up it, way too expensive for us. I’ve gone up before but never at night—one day!) but had a looksee and walked over town before heading to the harbour. It was beautiful at night time!

The pair of us agreed that we had to do one naughty thing that night. I decided I was going to write Shahana’s number on a sugar sachet (it said something along the lines of – “call me sweet” on it – I couldn’t resist) and give it to some hot stranger. Then she agreed to do the same for me (unfortunately). Fortunately(?) we didn’t see anyone worthy for the rest of the night (we’re picky, but even in Auckland it was a strange occurance not to bump into at least one hottie*). So while I was relieved, both of us were crestfallen not to have been able to do our lil naughty task. And perhaps, meet the love of our lives.
*—I lie, there were a few men I had my eye on but they were a lot older. Shahana did not approve.

Auckland is great, but too expensive for us at the moment. When we can afford it, we’re going to go back and actually live Auckland properly. And by properly, I mean stay in at LEAST a four star hotel, sightsee, go up the Sky tower and have dessert on the rotating level, and shop till we drop without worrying about our bank balances.

For now, no more shopping till December. I’m saving up for NY! (U-S-A! U-S-A!)

PS: My brother received the very first copy of his book. It looks beautiful printed out. Can’t wait for my own!

The book jacket was part of my illustration class, in which we were to design a new cover for a particular fictional novel. I chose Daddy-long-legs by Jean Webster, illustrating and designing it in a modernised vintage style.


I didn’t manage to scan in four ink illustrations I did for illustration class—I will try do that sometime next semester, and I haven’t put up my abstract stop motion yet—I’ll put that up sometime too.
Otherwise, I am on holiday for four weeks before heading into my final semester! These 3 years have gone by so slowly but so quickly too. Hope everyone’s having a good winter or summer!

Love,