This is one of the video entries to the Auckland Unitary Plan video competition.
The competition was to create a video showing how you picture the future in Auckland.
We think this entry should win.
So, please watch it and if you think it should win too, go and 'like' it onYoutube!
You have til the 31st of May to do this.
Enjoy!
Also check out the other entries on the Auckland Council Youtube channel.
Just watched Devin Velez get ELIMINATED from American Idol!!!!! *Tear*
(Didn't you hear the crowd shouting, "SAVE! SAVE! SAVE! SAVE!"?)
This man is pure talent with class AND swag! I loved every single one of his performances... OMG and when he sings in Spanish!!! Just beautiful, undeniably amazing. Seriously, listen!
Devin, I know and you know that you will go so far with that amazing voice of yours! I will definitely be buying that album of yours, us Devineers have got your back :D Also, do NOT go back to Starbucks! But after reading your interview with Billboard, just know that if it were up to me, that prom king crown is YOURS!!!
"I kept hearing “goodbye.” I'm like, “Guys, stop saying goodbye. It's BRB. It's BRB. I'm coming right back.” - Devin, Billboard interview
I just wanted to show you a Harry Potter video that I've been obsessed with for a while. If your a Harry Potter fan this is definitely something you should watch!
Hello people! We're so sorry we haven't posted in a while. We hope to get some tutorials on random stuff up here soon, so look out for those!
In the meantime, check out this absolutely positively AMAZING original song I found by a girl named Ianetta. Reblog if you love it!
I recently wanted to get some highlights in my almost-black-but-still-brown hair.
Long story short, the highlights aren't as light and obvious as I thought they would be :(
Oh well, just gonna wait 8 weeks and I'll be able to highlight with a lighter colour! Yay!
So in case you had the sudden urge to colour parts of your hair like yours truly, here are some tips so your experience can turn out perfectly! :D
1. GO TO THE HAIRDRESSER!
I honestly think the hairdresser is your best option if you want more professional looking highlights. And hopefully they'll know what colour would suit you best.
But, if you're a bit like me and you're on a tight budget, here's more tips that, if executed properly, could give you equally amazing highlights that cost less money and may take less time. 2. Purchase a hair highlighting kit.
These handy kits usually contain a highlighting cap (like a shower cap with holes in it), a hook thing to pull the hair through, the colouring and the necessary chemicals for your hair, and of course, the instructions. Follow the instructions properly. Also, don't just say, "Oh, I'll buy a shower cap and poke some holes in it" because unless you have some super hairdressing talent, the holes won't be in the right place and your end product will look messy and uneven.
3. Choose your colour carefully.
If you're gonna go for a bold, bright, rainbow colour, go for it. But don't go picking something that'll make you look like an alien. On the other hand, if you're wanting the natural highlights look, remember this: If you're deciding between two shades, choose the lighter one. All I know is that's what it said on the packet of the colouring stuff. But they probably mean the lighter one will show up more... so CHOOSE THE LIGHTER SHADE!
4. Smile!!! :D
If the highlights don't work out, don't hide yourself away from the world. Wear your hair with confidence and no one will even be able to tell!
Are you starting the job of doing a paper run soon, and you want some tips from someone who can safely say they're not an expertbut has done the job before?
Well guess what? I can help you there!
I just got back from doing my first paper run and here are a few tips that might just make your paper run a little easier to handle.
1. Bring a drink bottle!
I made the sad mistake of not bringing a drink and by the end of my round I was feeling pret-ty woozy. If your run isn't that long you would probably make it, but I would still say it's a great idea to bring some water especially if you're out in the sun.
2. Dress for the weather
A paper run is not a fashion show so don't fret about looking 'cool' or whatever. If you need a hat, wear a hat. If you need a raincoat, wear a raincoat. Better to be safe than sorry.
3. You don't have to go it alone If you're route has a lot of houses or is on a difficult terrain, don't hesitate to ask your parents or a friend or someone you trust for help. They don't have to go through the whole run with you, but it is best to have someone to keep an eye on you. You don't have to give them a share of your pay if you don't want to ;)
4. Fold your papers beforehand Folding your newspapers along the way might be easier for you, but I personally find it faster and easier if I fold up my papers before I deliver them. That takes away the time you spend trying to fold up the paper before you put it in the mailbox, and the short battle of wind/weather vs. newspaper. I also found it lighter if I folded them up... not sure why.
5. Know your route (and be aware of mailboxes)
I would say it's a good idea to walk around your assigned paper route before the day that you have to deliver the papers, so you become familiar with the area. Also, take note of where all the mail boxes are!!! Unless you live on one of those streets where all the houses look the same, remember that mailboxes can be on either side of the gate, hidden behind a bush, inside the fence... and many other places. Take care to deliver to all the mailboxes you're assigned to.
Hope this helps!!!
If you have anything specific to do with paper runs that you want advice on, you can always comment or email me and I will try to reply as fast as I can!
1 stick (1/2 cup) plus 3 tablespoons unsalted butter plus more for pans
1 cup packed light brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
Special equipment: A 9-inch square baking pan; parchment paper
METHOD
Heat oven to 325°F with rack in middle.
Butter pan, then line bottom and 2 opposite sides with a long sheet of parchment paper allowing a 2-inch overhang on the 2 sides and trimming paper to fit. Butter parchment (not overhang).
Melt chocolate and butter in a metal bowl set over barely simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Cool to lukewarm.
Whisk in brown sugar until blended. Whisk in eggs, one at a time, whisking after each addition until well blended. Stir in vanilla, salt, and flour until smooth.
Spoon batter into prepared pan, smoothing top, and bake until set and a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer brownies in pan to a wire rack; let cool for 20 minutes. Holding onto parchment paper overhang, lift brownies from pan and let cool completely on rack. Cut into serving pieces.
Cooks' Notes:
•Brownies improve in flavor and slice best when made 1 day ahead. When completely cooled, return, still on parchment, to pan and keep at room temperature, well wrapped in plastic or foil.
•Leftovers keep 5 days (but the brownies are so good, you'll be lucky if there are any left at the end of 5 days!).
I gotta say, the Chicago auditions were jimazing!!!!! (And that is not a typo).
Looks like Haley Reinhart's appearance before the auditions started must have inspired them!
Thousands of people waiting to be checked in for their audition!!!
(I hope the guy in the yellow singlet didn't damage his vocal chords doing that)
Now if I heard correct, 46 of those who auditioned got through to Hollywood!!! Yaaayyy!!!!!
Here are a few of them whose performances were aired (and I remember) :P
Kiara Lanier (who recently sang for President Obama on his birthday) sang "The Prayer" by Celine Dion.
Isabelle Parell asked Keith Urban to be her duet partner as she sang "Baby It's Cold Outside."
Curtis Finch Jr. burst into a soulful rendition of "God is Able." At the end of which, Nicki showcased her opinion with a rhythmic "O-M-G! Let's hear it for the boy-boy-boy!"
Recovering anorexic, Mariah Pulice, auditioned with "Let it Be." When she receieved her golden ticket she told us she "felt beautiful for the first time in so long." (Is it just me or was that a tad OTT?)
Johnny Keyser returned from Season 11 and auditioned with "Try a Little Tenderness."
As soon as Kez Ban walked into the audition room, I instantly fell in love with her and her personality. She sang "I've Got No Strings" from Pinnochio initially, but afterwards she sang an original called "Wandering," which I think suited her way better!
And who could forget the heartthrob stutterer Lazaro Arbos? He auditioned with "Bridge Over Troubled Waters." And in case you were wondering, he did not stutter when he sang.
Finally, here are a few highlights from the show that I like. Sorry about the quality of some of them...
And finally American Idol presents... The Miserables!
I love this but unfortunately I wasn't able to get the video up, but here's the link to watch it on Youtube:
The cowgirl at the end, I think her dad (or whoever that man is) was right! It is funny and she is giving us a show! Huzzah for people with good attitudes!
PS. Rosyglasses and I are going to see Les Mis next week, so hopefully we can get our thoughts up from that!
A few nights ago my family and I went to this amazing Thai restaurant for dinner. I must say I'm not much of a fan of Thai food, but it was seriously delicious.
I ordered the Tod Kratiem Prik Thai, which was described on the menu as slices of chicken or pork or beef stir fried with garlic and pepper. And it arrived just like that (I chose chicken as the meat), with a perfectly spiced soup accompanied with stir fried vegetables including decorative carrot slices and carrot flowers with a sprig of fresh basil on top.
My family also ordered Pla Makarm; a whole deep fried snapper topped with vegetables and tamarind sauce, and Gang Kiew Warn; slices of beef or chicken or pork with green curry paste, bamboo shoots, capsicum, and coconut cream. All of them say what they ordered was above the standard they expected.
As you can see the menu is a typical Thai cuisine.
The kitchen staff are also very flexible with allergy related requests.
One of the pretty carrot flowers
When we arrived there we were welcomed at the door by a smiling staff member and led straight to our pre-booked table. Every single table in the restaurant was laid out with menus for each placing, and each plate had a charming origami napkin on top. The decorations inside and out were nice and made the atmosphere of the restaurant relaxing.
My charming origami napkin
All in all the experience was enjoyable and the food was delightful and satisfying. I do recommend it to all Thai food lovers or those who would like to try something new!
I personally celebrated by watching Titanic for the first time... I practically sobbed throughout the whole thing! :'(
How did you celebrate?
Did anyone else find it hard to get to sleep with all the fireworks going off? I know I did......
Don't forget to come up with your New Years resolutions!
PS. Owllightning has no wifi at the moment, but she wishes everyone an amazing 2013 too :D
