The Hunger Games Trilogy

Title- The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay

Author- Suzanne Collins

Rating- 4.5/5

Comments- For the last two months or so my sister has been constantly nagging at me to "Hurry up and read the Hunger Games." and I've watched her wait impatiently to get her hands on the two sequels. At the same time, my friends have been discussing the cast of the upcoming movie version. And simultaneously, most of the world has been raving about it. So obviously, I wanted to see what this was all about.

Wow. It grabs you and doesn't let go. And it is just so addictive! I just burned my way through the series, and I couldn't get enough until I hit the end.


The story is set around a girl named Katniss, living in a post-apocalyptic society. At the drawing of contestants for an annual competition known as "The Hunger Games" she becomes one of the players in this "game" that the government has produced for entertainment. The game involves 24 contestants, with one male and one female from each of the 12 districts making up their world, where the players compete in survival by killing off other contestants. The last person living becomes the winner. 


It's through this game that Suzanne Collins displays the idea of a totalitarian society with a government that is completely unwilling to allow citizens to have any say in their society. This builds up into the rebellion of the citizens, making this an adventure you do not want to stop following.


I'll only say one thing more- read them!

Angels and Demons

Title- Angels and Demons

Author- Dan Brown

Rating- 4/5

Comments- My mother has always told me this. There are three things one should never talk about in the company of those who they do not deem "close". Religion. Politics. People. And most of the time, talking about any of the three topics can result very badly. I don't mean to say that it does this every time, but the vast majority of these occasions do not end well. 


So I was quite in shock to find how neutral Dan Brown had managed to convey most of the religious aspects in Angels and Demons. Alright, it is fiction, therefore the content of the book can all be labeled as completely untrue, but there were moments in the story where Dan Brown seemed to formulate completely the ideas that people have tried to convey for years. There was a particular moment in the story that spanned several pages, of an explanation of the boundaries between science and religion that I found so well-put that it amazed me terribly.


But now, you might be thinking that this book is stuffed only with religion. And what makes it so fabulous is that it isn't. Brown somehow managed to take the tough-to-mix ingredients and combined into a perfect story: history, religion, action, mystery, and of course, with a twist at the very end. All formulated into this fantastic adventure with a tempo so fast that makes it nearly impossible to put the book down. 


A well-thought out plot that was satisfying to read, especially with all the historical knowledge and geography that I managed to pick up on the way. Of course, I'm sure not all the information is completely reliable, but it has been used in an appropriate way to make a very believable story. Next up of Brown's book is the DaVinci code and I won't deny that I'm excited!

Treasure Island

Title- Treasure Island

Author- Robert Louis Stevenson

Rating- 5/5

Comments- There is a lot more than just action needed to make a book "good". At least that's what I believe. And personally, I think Treasure Island is one of those books that have managed to have just the right amount of adventure, combined with what I perceive as one of the most vital elements in book writing- emotion. 

Unlike the common misconception that most have about classic books, Treasure Island has a opening line that grabs you straight away. 

"Squire Trelawney, Doctor Livesey, and the rest of these gentlemen having asked me to write down the whole particulars about Treasure Island, from the beginning to the end, keeping nothing back, but the bearings of the island, and that only because there is still treasure not yet lifted, I take up my pen in the year of grace 17- and go back to the time when my father kept the Admiral Benbow Inn, and the brown old seaman, with the sabre-cut, first took up his lodging under our roof."

I honestly could not have phrased it better myself. And Stevenson's commendable writing doesn't halt there. One of the reasons that I particularly enjoyed this book was because of his storytelling skills. His ability to phrase things simply enough to be easily understood, but descriptive enough to hold the interest of the reader is certainly admirable and can captivate a wide range of readers which makes this book so wonderful. 

This book has also proved to be one that can be understood on different levels- something that I think requires quite some thought and talent to be able to achieve. It works both as a story for younger audiences as well as a bit of a story that can be interpreted more in-depth. One example of this being the "coming of age" of the main character, Jim. The themes of isolation and greed were also present, conveying, in a sense, the realities of life and mankind.

This is one of those books that I definitely wouldn't mind reading again- both for the in-depth look on it as well as the classic pirate adventure that I doubt anybody can resist. 

Pirates, Cough Drops, and Summer

"Fifteen men on the dead man's chest
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
Drink and devil had done for the rest
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!"


I've been lying curled up all day with Dad's copy of Treasure Island, immersing myself in a world of buccaneers, hidden treasures, and warm tropical islands. The weather has been pretty much the same outside as in the book, but I've been too busy sucking steadily on my endless supply of cough drops in hopes of calming my scratchy throat, and wiping my runny rose, to go outside and enjoy it. 


Shame.


But Robert Louis Stevenson's imagination has been keeping me company so I can hardly complain. 


The end of school approaches. The assignments and tests are done with. Grades have been set. Graduation in a week. I'm pleased. 


And soon I'll be in Japan. Eating delectable traditional food and meeting my sweet grandparents. 


Being ill is pretty terrible, but I've got way too many good things outweighing it to ruin my day. So excuse me, I must return to the doings of the one-legged Captain Long John Silver. 

Life in a nutshell

It's Sunday. It's pouring with rain. And it's May.
Almost summer.


Life has been flying by. Almost too quickly.
Shakespeare Day steadily approaches. I'm starting to get worried about my poor heart. All the stress and the worry. But it'll be all right in the end. I know it.


Spanish nationals on Monday and Math nationals on Tuesday. Help me. Should be bearable though. That is, if I study a bit today.


I'm feeling somewhat blue too.
Less than a month until school ends. Already one year cleared of high school. And only too more remain. And hey, my childhood is just ticking away. The hourglass is running out.


Life. Such a short word. But it's a lot deeper and bigger than it looks. The irony of it makes me laugh.


You know what? I think with a little Carpe Diem, today might be quite a good day.

Here it is, the clip of the day. 

All I can say is, watch and contemplate. Perhaps even shed a little tear, as I did. 

If they wanted to send a message to a sixteen year-old, I hope they know that I, without a doubt, did receive it. 

Dear 16 Year-Old Me

Norwegian Wood

Title- Norwegian Wood

Author- Haruki Murakami

Rating- 5/5

Comments- It's hard to be a proud Japanese when you haven't read at least one of Haruki Murakami's books. That's what I've discovered anyway. Which led me to reading Norwegian Wood. And I must say, that I was not disappointed at all. 


The story is told by Toru Watanabe, a man who looks back at the 1960s- the confusing years when he was just coming of age. He is an average college student, living in a dorm in Tokyo, without much of a clue of what he wants to get out of life. After his only best friend, Kizuki, commits suicide, Toru is left behind with Kizuki's girlfriend, Naoko, with whom he never had much of a strong relationship with. But things start to alter and eventually the two become very close. However, the death of Kizuki seems to scar Naoko much deeper than it does to Toru and she is soon sent off to a rehabilitation center as she tries to recover. 


Toru discovers the love that he has developed for Naoko, and spends most of his time waiting for her to get better. The two exchange letters and he goes to visit her at the center. But Toru's life starts to change after a girl in his drama class, Midori, talks to him and the two develop a strong friendship, which slowly turns into love. 


The decision is then up to Toru- to stay with his past and Naoko or to let go of everything and enter the future with Midori?


Although this book was written about very dark and involves quite depressing issues, it was nearly impossible to put the book down. Murakami deals with feelings so well and it amazed me that he managed to describe lots of feelings that I have found impossible to put into words. And it was so satisfying to just sit, and know what feeling he was talking about due to his thorough descriptions. 


One thing that I believe is a sign of a truly good book, is if you feel like the characters are your closest friends. And for me, I felt like Toru was my best friend, sometimes even myself. Murakami really has a way with descriptions and he leaves such precise imprints on the reader.


I really do take my hat off to him and I can't wait to read his other books. But next book up is the Metamorphosis and later, The Great Gatsby. Oh the excitement of reading new books!

The Retirement Dream

It's official. When I grow old enough, I've decided that I will buy myself a bookshop. A bit like the one in Funny Face. With the walls covered in books, and moving ladders that slide from one end of the store to the other. And it'll be filled with all the essential classics. Pride and Prejudice. The Great Gatsby. Metamorphosis. The Picture of Dorian Gray. Harry Potter. And of course a ton of the newer books as well. 

The one thing I've always wanted to do is to live in a bookstore. Or at least spend an evening or two in one. How marvelous would it be to just lie there with books towering over you, covering nearly every surface, with the scent of old and new books to aid your sleep. 


I can't wait.

Spring, Sun, Shakespeare and Mocktails

The sun has been shining like a young girl in love for the past few days, marking the beginning of spring. No more ever present snow, no more endlessly dismal dark days. Oh, how refreshing.


And my dear sister has discovered the art of cocktail (and mocktail) making. Lucky for me, I get to be a part of the official tasting team. 

Shakespeare Day draws near. Our class is trudging up the chaotic route to producing a "kick-ass" performance of A Midsummer Nights Dream. Hermia's lines sit in my lap, waiting to be memorized and regurgitated in the most appropriate manner. And could line-learning be made any better than if you're lazing in the sun with a fresh virgin orange daiquiri in hand? All I can say is, "God, I love spring."

The Simple Joys in Life

Today, I managed to realize the simple joys in life. Here they are in order of appearance. 

• Friends (What would I honestly be without them? Actually, don't answer that.)
• Drama (I mean the theatre type, not the real-life stuff. It is definitely something to be cherished so long as it isn't real.)
• Coffee (What to have when you're on the verge of death due to exhaustion, have a 5 hour rehearsal for your musical and haven't eaten properly the entire day? The answer is coffee. Addictive, but delicious. You're my hero.)
• Mothers (My mum packs me the cutest little lunch boxes. And wow, how I love her for it!)
• Realizing how wonderful a book is (Picking up The Picture of Dorian Gray was the greatest things I did today. I never thought somebody could write so beautifully. And oh, the laughs Oscar Wilde can conjure! Not even 40 pages have passed and I love him already.)

What would life be without these sweet things? 

I'm glad I don't have to know.

Just Listen

Title- Just Listen

Author-Sarah Dessen

Rating- 4/5

Comments- At first glance, it looks like one of those chick lits. The slightly cliche title (Just Listen), the pretty cover that looks as though it would appeal to teenagers, not to mention the blurb that could possibly be introducing a typical story of teenage drama with evil popular girls, silly boys and endless ranting about how much life sucks.

Yet when you actually start reading the book, it seems that that isn't the case. Alright, it does deal with a teenage girl and her issues with life, including ruined friendships, high school, family drama and falling in love. But surprisingly enough, the problems being dealt with were of a much more serious and mature level, involving a lot more concentration and thought from the reader.

It was impressive how Sarah Dessen managed to entwine the entire story together by referring to and repeating several very symbolic objects and actions. It was cleverly planned out and there was always such a flow to the story.

And the most amazing thing about this story, was there was probably not a single mention of the word "love". Absolutely none. I have to say that I was terribly impressed, because Dessen managed to prove that love can be conveyed between characters and the reader without actually mentioning the word.

So I can safely tell you, that looks and in this case, descriptions, have been proved deceiving. If you're in for a serious read about high school drama, I can highly recommend Just Listen. It's very much worth it.

I wonder

I see her from the bus.

She sits in the dark restaurant. The only light streaming into the premises is shining solely on her.

She has an oval face. Black hair flowing down her shoulders. Two carefully plucked eyebrows. High cheekbones. A small mouth. I see barely any makeup on her, yet she looks like a work of art, sitting pristinely on her chair. A museum piece.

Her eyes blink softly, and steadily. The long eyelashes, coated with mascara seem heavy. I wonder if she just wants to close them and dream away.

A bright yellow sweatshirt clings to her. It radiates a warmth of a hundred suns. 

But a blank, expressionless look inhabits her stunning face, chilling her own glowing presence. The only part of her perfect face that is not lifeless are her pale brown eyes. I can see a colorful, faraway world reflecting deep inside of them. I wonder if she wants to be there right now. 

A man sits in front of her. He is talking avidly. I wonder if he has noticed that she is somewhere else. Somewhere far far away. From him.

She must look pretty when she smiles. I wonder if that's what snagged the interest of the man opposite her.

He continues talking and she continues dreaming. I wonder if he is one of many. I wonder if she's done this before.

I'm drifting away from them. 

I will probably never see them again.

Just like he will never see her again.

Feeling Somewhat Lost

I would like to pardon the abrupt and continued absence from my blog. It feels as though I've been shot in the head as I feel I can't string one creative thought with the other. So many thoughts and so little results. Oh well, at least I can be comforted by the greatness of other people's amazing work.

Like Shakespeare.

I read A Midsummer Night's Dream the other day. I have now come to the conclusion that Shakespeare uses the most amazing metaphors I have encountered in my short life.

Oh, and I've found my favorite line. It was spoken by Demetrius when he declared his love for Helena.

"Now I do wish it, love it, long for it, and will for evermore be true to it."

Sigh. I think I just melted. I'm such a hopeless romantic.

He's also quite funny too. I wasn't really expecting that. 

Oh, writer's block go away. For I do detest thee and am now in desperate need of a cure.

I think I might start watching the never-ending Pride and Prejudice series done by BBC this weekend. Beautiful language spoken in British accents is like music to my ears. And Colin Firth is my idol. Or perhaps I'll watch Singin' in the Rain. And wonder where all the amazing actors, dancers and singers like Gene Kelly have disappeared to. It's such a shame that the movie industry isn't at all like it was before. 

Enough of this pointless writing. Hopefully I'll be cured soon. I can't stand this anymore. I am now going to begin to listen to the Beatles in hopes of a sudden spark of inspiration.

Good night.

Promise Me

Title- Promise Me

Author- Harlan Coben

Rating- 3/5

Comments- One thing that I've found with Harlen Coben's books (at least, the ones that I have read, Promise Me and Caught) they do not follow the typically expected plot, where the murderers are insane hoodlums shooting their guns left, right and centre. Instead, the plots are well-thought out and creat much more realistic scenarios. I guess I was a tad disappointed at first, that this didn't follow the ordinary, but I think Coben's ideas for plots has started to grow on me and I admire the set-up for his books, especially that he seems to be able twist every ending and allow many unexpected things.

I would give a teaser of the plot, but I have a feeling I might give the ending away, as can often be the case with crime novels, so I won't risk it.

I have not yet read any of the works of the renowned Agatha Christie and I don't read that many crime novels so I don't have much to compare with, but I can say that this was an exciting read. So exciting, in fact, that I ended up getting on the wrong train today and didn't realize for about ten minutes! But that's a different story... ;)

7 Billion

7 billion. People. On earth. 

Isn't it scary?

7 billion hearts beating.

7 billion brains thinking.

7 billion individuals on this planet.

I find it hard to believe.

In the January 2011 issue of the National Geographic (which I will admit I subscribe to, and I will also inform you that it is a very good magazine which I highly recommend!), they included a special article about population and about how there are almost 7 billion people living, right now, on this massive green and blue ball that we call home. Unfortunately, I haven't had time to read it yet, since it only just arrived a few days ago due to some delivery difficulties. (Funnily enough, the February issue arrived earlier than the January issue!) But I am expecting it to be great, so I can't wait to curl up in bed soon and have a nice thorough read of it.

They also included a very simple page, which I have photocopied and posted below, of some facts about if the world were to meet up and have a gigantic party together. Could you imagine that? I would definitely go! Anyway, I thought it was very creative of them to put together these fun facts that one wouldn't usually really think about. Personally I find it really fascinating, so I wanted to share it with others. 

Oh, and please excuse the imperfect scanning, I was in a hurry.

By the way! The National Geographic website is pretty brilliant. Do take a look!

A Girl Like Me

Karen Carpenter was singing. Her clear voice rung through the air, joining the sounds of cutlery and the chatter from the dinner table. The slow and sentimental tune indicated the beginning of "Rainy Days and Mondays" and suddenly the room fell silent apart from the music.
    "I remember when she sang at that concert. Poor her." my mother said.

Five scenes played in my head, one after the other. The school production of the Wizard of Oz. Introducing myself to a new girl at my table on the first day of fourth grade. A blonde girl sitting helplessly at the side of the playground wearing flip flops whilst everybody else ran around playing tag. Tears streaming down my face as I sat in the summer heat. And a girl running through clouds, her blonde hair swinging, as though nothing could ever stop her.

I had known Teana since I was in kindergarten. She and I had been in girl scouts together and we had gotten along really well. I don't remember much of my childhood, but I do remember the time when we went to the school production of the Wizard of Oz. We giggled at the flying monkeys, gasped at the Wicked Witch of the West, and admired Dorothy's pretty shoes as her mother sat beside us and smiled. She didn't know then. Teana didn't either. Neither did I.

About 4 years spanned between our meeting again. We had both quit girl scouts after that year and since we didn't go to the same school, we drifted out of each other's lives. But on the first day of fourth grade, I sat down next to a girl with long blonde hair and together we greeted one another formally. After exchanging names, there was a strange feeling that we knew one another, but it had been so many years ago that we couldn't really be sure. But the names Teana and Blanca aren't the most common in the world, so after I few days we realized and felt a connection.

The year passed quickly. I tried to spend time with Teana, but I always got irritated with her because she would never run around outside. She would slump onto the bench at the side of the playground and watch us play, giving us excuses like "I don't feel like it." or "I'm wearing flip flops so I can't run." Nobody wanted to play anything but running games, so she always sat on the same bench in the shade, watching us with a look of exasperation. But I realize now that the look she had in her eyes was not of exasperation, but of sadness and longing.

I don't remember saying good bye to Teana. She had plans to continue at this school so I must have given her a brief farewell and then run off, filled with excitement for summer vacation. I wish I had. I wish I could remember. But I can't.

The sun streamed onto the veranda and a summery breeze travelled through the open windows. My mother stopped me as I ran into the house to grab money for some ice cream.
    "Blanca, there's something I have to tell you." she said.
    "Okay, what?" I replied airily, expecting nothing serious.
    "Here, sit down." she beckoned towards the seat on the veranda onto which I sat.
    "Do you remember Teana?" she asked softly.
    "Yes." I answered. What on earth did Teana have to do with whatever she had to tell me?
    "You were friends with her weren't you?" she asked again.
    "Yes."
    "Well, do you remember when you told me about how she would never play on the playground? How she would sit on the side and wouldn't run?" she questioned cautiously.
    "Yes." I remembered the days when I came home frustrated because Teana would never participate and how I tried to invite her to our games, but she always declined.
    "Well, it's because..." she hesitated and by now, I could sense that something was wrong, I just couldn't figure out what. Teana was fine. Why was my mother mentioning her now?
    "Teana was sick. She had leukemia, it's a cancer that children get. That's why she could never run." The first bombshell.
    "She died this summer, Blanca."

I'm sorry, Teana. I'm sorry that I didn't realize. I'm sorry that I said mean things about you. I'm sorry that I never gave you a proper goodbye. I'm sorry that you couldn't tell anybody. I'm sorry that you had to die. I'm sorry that you won't live to see another day and that I will. I'm sorry you never got to grow up. I'm sorry you never got to be a real kid. I'm sorry you never got to live your dreams. I'm sorry that you had to face death so soon.

I've never been as cold as I was that day. The tears were streaming down my face and I felt like my insides had frozen even though it was a sunny and warm day in the middle of summer. When you're 10, you're too young to understand sickness. Too young to understand death. Too young to understand that it's not your fault. But you're not too young to feel the guilt that somebody else died while you now live, to feel the sadness of death, to all of a sudden understand how terrified she must have been. It's not easy to die when you're 10. It's not easy to understand anything. Death is the hardest to understand. And always will be, for anybody.
Because "The last enemy that will be destroyed is death."

She's running through the heavens now. She's finally free. Her long, blonde hair flowing behind her, she's running, sprinting, galloping, racing through the skies. She doesn't stop. Doesn't have to. Running to make up for all those days that she couldn't, that her body wouldn't let her. She's free now.

Keep running Teana. You don't have to stop.
Go.

A Possibly Hairy Situation

After much thought, I finally booked and made the nerve-wrecking trip to the hairdressers. Somehow 2011 seems to have called for changes, and to celebrate it, I've gotten a fringe (or bangs, if that's the term you prefer)! It was a spontaneous idea that was converted into reality. I'm so proud of myself. The last time I had a fringe was when I was 8 and the last daring thing I ever did to my hair was get it cut into a bob by my mother in our very own bathroom after watching a sing-a-long program with a woman with a bob on it. Unfortunately, the bob suited her and not me, and I only realized this after I had chopped off the majority of my hair. Since then, I haven't really have the courage to change.

As I lay in my chair today, with my head in a sink, hair lathered in an unfamiliar shampoo with foreign hands massaging my head, it dawned upon me that I was giving this 28 (ish) year-old blonde male hairdresser the responsibility that could earn me an awful lot of unwanted embarrassment. And to be perfectly honest, it scared me. But I guess it's one of those risks you take in life. Thankfully this guy was good at what he was doing so my hair looks absolutely fine and my family has assured me that I am in a fit state to go to school tomorrow.

But if you think about it, there are tons of jobs where we give all our trust to somebody with the risk that what they do could affect our lives dramatically. Here are some that I've figured.

• Hairdresser (If they suck and you're not happy with the result, you're screwed for the next 6 months of your life.)
• Doctor (Your life is in their hands. I don't think there's a better way to phrase that.)
• Lawyer (There is always the risk that you will lose something, mostly money... or you could end up in jail.)
• Pilot (You crash, you die. And so do the other 200 people on the plane.)
• Teacher (If the kids learn nothing and grow up to become stupid people, teachers get the blame. Not always so nice.)
• Tattoo artist (One mistake and it could ruin somebody's life. And sorry doesn't cut it.)

So far, that's all that I can think of, but I bet there must be more. Although I do suppose that every job in this world will affect a life in one way or another, but these are the most dramatic ones.

I'm pleased though. I was scared at that moment when he took my hair and asked me if I was ready for him to snip it off. And I was ready. And it looks good. Great actually. 

Thank god he didn't end up ruining the next 6 months of my life.

The Art of Describing Food

Today's school lunch:
Diced potatoes, pounded into soggy circular patties that have then been drowned in a appetizing pool of oil accompanied with cubes of bacon and fat coated in a thin film of oily perspiration.

Appetizing? Hell yes.

Fun fact for today:
I'm a huge fan of describing food! Reading about well-described food in books can mostly cause me to become insanely hungry, but sometimes it becomes my alternative to eating. Take the Harry Potter books for example. Those feasts sound absolutely marvellous, and most of the time, I actually feel a part of them while they last in the book. I even feel full sometimes! That's the beauty of adjectives. 

Although I don't have the slightest clue of what I'd like to be when I grow up, I think copywriter has always been on the list of potential jobs. Imagine that. I may never have to eat again! (Just kidding. I'm also a huge fan of food itself. There is no way that I am ever going to stop eating.)

But as you've probably figured out, I am not a fan of school food. I've always been a bit of a spoiled brat when it comes to food since my mum is a splendid chef.

Oh gosh. Now I'm hungry again. Time to raid the fridge... :)

Comforts

Somedays, you feel that life couldn't get worse.

Sometimes, you just want to know everything is going to be okay.

And there's always that weird item or smell that makes you feel a million times better.

I've finally figured out what makes me feel better:

The fragrance of freshly brewed coffee.

Walking into a coffee shop is my idea of heaven.

Eating dark chocolate.

Apparently chocolate contains some chemical that is produced when a person is in love, making them exceedingly happy.

That's probably why I have such a love affair with dark chocolate.

(This is making me sound like some depressed, hormonal teenager with a hopeless addiction to chocolate. I can assure that that is incorrect.)

The smell of new books and magazines.

I'm that weird person you see in bookshops who just stand there smelling the place. It looks bizarre, but it puts me at ease.

The smell and sight of food!

I admit that not every single type of food looks and smells utterly delicious, but most do. And coming home from a long day at school to the smell of dinner makes everything better.

Oh, and the food that smells the best, is pizza.

Now THAT is comforting.

The sea.

The fresh air, the salt, the freedom.

All the stress just disappears.

Like magic.

Storms.

When you're inside, it's cozy.

When you're outside, it makes you feel alive.

Either way, I love them.

Fires.

I sound like a pyromaniac.

But, don't worry, I only like them when they're small.

Nature in general.

The smell of it.

The sound of it.

The sight of it.

Everything.

Roadtrips.

They're cramped, yet cozy.

They're long, yet short.

There's something about them that I just love.

I just haven't figured it out yet.

And hugs.

Nothing beats the feeling of affection.

Enough said.

Another Clip about Another Love

I realize that this will be the second Youtube clip that I share today, but I figure it necessary since I remembered how great this is!

I'm a bit of a fan of sheep. They may not be the most intelligent animals on earth, but they are terribly cute and I've spent lots of time with them. Living in New Zealand where there are 10 times as many sheep as humans probably explains why it wasn't too hard to find a couple of look at.

This Youtube video is however, not from New Zealand, but it is about sheep! It's very creative and time consuming and I'm in real admiration of those who were dedicated enough to do this. All the training, all the sheep, and all the time needed must not have been easy!

And they couldn't have chosen a better soundtrack to go with the video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2FX9rviEhw

The Love of my Life

This song is my favorite at the moment.

Probably because it's about the love of my life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSfYSMz_9YE

Here is the lyrics. I think it might be incomplete, but it's pretty accurate.

Ashton Kutcher and Scout Willis – My Sober Lyrics

When I wake up in the morning
Know the first thing that I think about
I stumble down the staircase
I know that I couldn’t live a day
without you

You’re my sober when I’m wasted
You’re my courage when I got a doubt
You’re my happy when I’m grumpy
You’re my smile when I’m stuck with a pout
Can’t live without you

I’m addicted, I think it’s sickness
When you’re not here I’m always a mess
You’re the weapon ‘gainst the sandman
fills so warm in my hand
Not a woman not a man that can
live without you

From the moment that you touch my lips
feels just like I’ve been hit a thousand volt of electricity
From the diner to the bar even driving in my car
Coffee I can’t live
without you.

cappuccino, frappuccino, ice blend and mocha latte, black coffee,
double shot, italian roast, you’re the most,
venti, grande, soy milk, americano,
Coffee I can’t live without you
This song is about you
without you