My Collection of Thoughts & Memories
Actually no. Fuck you. Some people think they don't create ripples when they come into somebodies life but they do. Like quakes with an epicenter, don't forget that nobodies unshakable. If you think that others don't hurt then you're under qualified or ignorant to reality. Here's a story about a girl who came into mine.... Continue Reading →
I sometimes think that people are genuinely just being busy for the fact that they enjoy being busy. The consistent type the ones that like to fill their schedule with everything other than making meaningful relationships with others. It's not just the serial extroverted either, what if somebody told you that everyone is just being... Continue Reading →
You can visit the new blog here! WHAT WE SEE So you may or may not know that we've recently started a new blog called WHAT WE SEE. It features a whole range of different voices from people within the community and shares a little bit about their stories. The goal of the blog is to... Continue Reading →
In this discussion, I summarize what the first half of this year's blogging has been about. What the experience has contained and what lessons have been learned on my part and what ideas are to come. There are a dozen reasons why I started this blog. At first, it was all about putting tabs on... Continue Reading →
You could say there have been a few gaps in the progression of the blog over the past few months. The reason for this being that I have found it increasingly difficult to discuss certain topics without having other peoples inputs in them to create a narrative. A narrative being something to agree on and... Continue Reading →
My answer would probably be about the girl who I loved and how much of an impact she had on my life in such a small period of time. No this isn't another mindless romance novelistic three hundred word blurb about my whole life story but instead, the massive change that she has had on other... Continue Reading →
My role involved being part of a seven-person panel over 15-months. The young people were all care experienced and all had their own stories. A youth panel was requested by the orders of Minister Tolley, Social Development Minister, and set up by The Office of The Children's Commissioner. Our name was Te Whanau Aroha or... Continue Reading →
Am I the only one who feels awkward sitting next to another young person not knowing how to strike up a conversation? Like, am I the only who feels devalued when a person sits next to me with their cell phone covering their face? In comparison to the last generation who would address adults as... Continue Reading →
Somebody told me today that at least 600 young people in New Zealand last year took their own lives. That we have one of the highest rates of teen suicide per capita in the entire world yet we are a country known for its social diversity and positive lifestyles. I'm here to break it to... Continue Reading →
Something that sparked up a bit of conversation between me and my friend Sam this week was the importance of rest and the power of sleep. After walking nearly 50km over three sessions of walking we kind of resorted to talking about well-being and discussed how rest was something athletes do beyond the sport. Something... Continue Reading →
Beyond all the accolades and beyond the amazing support received, let's quickly reflect on my overall journey and the adventure on this amazing bike ride I have been on this Winter. Just to recap, during this July I took on the challenge to ride the length of the North Island of New Zealand, roughly 1100km... Continue Reading →
The Journey So Far... VOYCE - Whakarongo Mai, is an independent advocacy service based in New Zealand and is the biggest in the world of its kind dedicated to young people in care. VOYCE is designed to facilitate the voices of care experienced young people and is aimed at inspiring change in the culture of... Continue Reading →
Kia ora & welcome to this end of June briefing. For those who aren't aware, this July I will be completing a bike ride across the north island of New Zealand from Wellington to Kaitaia (1100km, 660mi) to raise funds for VOYCE Whakarongo Mai which is an independent advocacy service for children in care. What... Continue Reading →
So these words are from a late night of both travelling and studying. Studying for what should be my economics examination but wasn't. This is a short story of the perceived failed lifestyle that so many of us inconsistent students often face. You see, there is nothing liberating about studying. Some people just don't learn... Continue Reading →
In any living environment, the thing that we value the most is our own space. Space to do whatever we want. To cook, to clean or to listen to loud depressing music eating a sandwich in bum pants. For sure, flat life has it's up's and downs but I guess it's how you mould those... Continue Reading →
Today's discussion is about giving up drinking alcohol. Not your regular alcoholic confession story but better worded as a design direction statement more than anything. The reason I say design direction is because I see myself as a product of a whole lot of successes and mistakes. Not all necessarily all my own fault but... Continue Reading →
Let's do this! First off for those who don't know, I am a nineteen-year-old male student studying in Wellington city. I hope you enjoy this discussion as much as I did and if you have any comments please feel free to leave them at the end of the blog! Why does it matter what I... Continue Reading →
So all over the world, there are online kick-starter, charity fund organisations set up by local philanthropies and large organisations to effectively become a part of making a change. These networks of good humans basically go around and let people post on their site all of these great causes and it mostly started about fifteen... Continue Reading →
This July i'm doing a charity bike ride from Wellington to the top of the North Island of new Zealand which is roughly 1100 km in length. These updates are a measure of training progression as well as updates on general stuff like planning and preparing. The ride itself will take 7 days to achieve... Continue Reading →
Cloud based computing – Allows people to connect via a server system that lets them connect and record information online. Today’s discussion is more of a one-man rant than a civilised conversation between two people. The whole concept of thinking you are dumber than you actually are. It seems crazy that so many of us... Continue Reading →
I guess there is a moment when you realise you've not been so honest about what decisions you've been making with yourself. When you come to terms with the fact that not every characteristic about you is necessarily healthy. With that in mind, it delights me to talk to you tonight about my little long... Continue Reading →
Today's challenge is to focus on the good stuff going on. Not to focus on how horrible hard work is, not to think about persistence and commitment. But to only focus on how fantastic things are. To only remember what is good in life. Today's challenge is to be focused on the thing that makes... Continue Reading →
The next challenge I want you to set for yourself is to do whatever chore you decided you couldn't do from last time. Take that chore and do everything in your power to talk yourself into doing it. I want you to time yourself. Look at the clock at the top right hand corner of your... Continue Reading →
Today's Challenge: I want you to think about what one thing that challenges you physically from doing that you have always wanted to do whether that's running a marathon, swimming an ocean mile etc. The next thing I want is for you to actually ask yourself if you can do it or not. What is... Continue Reading →
I guess I've reached that stage in the year when I've decided that it's time to rest up and reflect on the year so far. In light of recent events heading back to Wellington to continue studying, personal matters and the creation of my blog I think it's time we slowed down a notch and discussed... Continue Reading →
This July i'm doing a charity bike ride from Wellington to the top of the North Island of new Zealand which is roughly 1100km in length. These updates are a measure of training progression as well as updates on general stuff like planning and preparing. The ride itself will take 7 days to achieve and... Continue Reading →
Today's discussion comes from a different light. With the traffic returning to the city as students swarm in the thousands to their flats/apartments and halls of residences. The stress factor is reintroduced as assignments and hand-in's are usually due the two weeks beyond the holidays. Coming with these are seeing friends again, catching up with the... Continue Reading →
Yesterday I was riding my bike around Wellington city looking to find somewhere with good light and great location so that I could shoot my first video to reflect on my training progressions in preparation for my charity bike ride this coming winter. It was raining, getting dark and traffic was busier than usual. The whole... Continue Reading →
Today's chat comes from the view of a cyclist who uses New Zealand's roads to get from A to B. We'll cover the basic principles of riding solo versus riding in a group and we'll also discuss the difference of opinions in the eyes of motorists who infrequently respect the safety of those on skinny... Continue Reading →
We all know what retail assistants look like three hours before their shift ends. The meta-smile, can't be bothered-ness seeping through in conversation. Weary legs and a hangover, four hours sleep without breakfast, trashed the house and unmade bed, student loan and a job in retail that hardly covers lunch costs. Yeah, living the dream.... Continue Reading →
This conversation is in regards to the evolution of family values and how they effect the way we interact with each other and also how these changes are preserved and why there has been changes made in the first place. I want to look deeply into how the advancement of technology has altered the way... Continue Reading →
Though today’s conversation is aimed at discussing how propaganda is still alive and well in today’s economy, I would like to emphasise the significance of lives of those lost. That ANZAC day is important because it serves to commemorate the lives of those who passed away and not a day to blame people or a... Continue Reading →
NOTE: This conversation is by no means to encourage smoking marijuana. I don't smoke nor do I drink alcohol. My opinion is only to discuss the legality of growing, possessing and smoking marijuana in New Zealand, not a lecture on how to live your life. Today I want to talk about how our government is... Continue Reading →
NOTE: This quick update is in regards to two major developments in this tour. A Cause Is Named! A New Support Opportunity! As some people are already aware, this July between the 10th until the 17th is my bike ride for the children's independent advocacy service VOYCE - Whakarongo Mai. The ride itself will be... Continue Reading →
NOTE: A bit of late night ESSAY motivation! Tonight's late night conversation concerns mostly us night owls. The kinds of people who don't value sleep as much as they value doing whatever random thing people do at 2 in the morning. I want to talk about the importance of resting properly and the exposure of... Continue Reading →
NOTE: Another long conversation, and yes I know, another heavy topic. Sitting in the middle of nowhere on a Sunday afternoon, I thought today might be a good day to reflect on two of the most vicious feelings we ever go through as individuals. Jealousy and paranoia. While this is not in reflection of anything... Continue Reading →
On A Lighter Note... You know, it's not so great to think sometimes that all of your problems might be central to your belief systems. How you treat other people, how you draw pictures, what you perceive to be morally right, what clothes you decide to wear when there's a formal occasion. This conversation covers... Continue Reading →
WARNING: Foul Language and A Shit Tonne of Bitching. Moving back to Blenheim for the Easter Holiday period gave me a quick glimpse into the ruralist lifestyle accommodation that only two months ago I was so used to. It really shines a light on socio-economics and how much of a contrast there is between the two.... Continue Reading →
Kia ora, my name is Mana. I'm a nineteen-year-old youth advocate from Blenheim studying Public Policy and Architecture. I'm also a whangai/adopted child and run my own blog. 😊 During the next university break from July the 10th-17th I'm riding my road bike from Wellington to Kaitaia (Via New Plymouth and The Great South Road)... Continue Reading →
I guess this conversation covers family values and what that looks like for Generation Y (The Millennials) and how they are in many ways less confined by social normativity’s like getting a trade before 20, starting a family by 30, working to resolve a mortgage by 40, grandkids by 55, calling it a day... Continue Reading →
After a week of finishing Essay assignments, I have sailed back home for well-earned easter holiday with my family. While everyone has been eating chocolate, going ten-pin bowling, spending time camping, I've been working tirelessly to create some epic content for readers to grab hold of. Just kidding mate I've been sleeping, ten pin bowling and... Continue Reading →
My Food Bag Website - For Families On A Larger Budget Bargain Box - For Students or Flatmates Hey guys, welcome to today's blog about trying to convince people to buy into Nadia Lim's amazing food solutions and that eating better food is always the right way to go. A couple of years ago, a... Continue Reading →
In conjunction with planning to ride my bike from Wellington to New Plymouth over the course of two full days in the saddle, came the idea that there might be an opportunity for me to fundraise money for a local New Zealand charity. I won't name the charity yet as this is an idea gauge... Continue Reading →
This chat is in literal regards to the fact that I’m currently traveling across the Cook Strait between the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The discussion is particularly about learning that independence isn’t everything. That home is always a place where maximum support should be given. It’s a birthright that too often we... Continue Reading →
So begins the next challenge. A challenge to myself to try and see if it's possible that my little legs can manage to squeeze through a mammoth distance on a bike with pedals. The challenge is to bike from Wellington all the way up to New Plymouth using nothing but my legs, about ten coffees,... Continue Reading →
20 Minute Read Today's conversation is a little less miserable in comparison to yesterday's. It is in regards to an epidemic amongst the millennials of today. Not your influenza virus cross contaminated variety but more adjusted to the likes of your everyday conformity. I'm talking about a psychological normatively. I'm talking about the need to... Continue Reading →
Warning: The contents of this blog are explicit, it contains comments about abortion as well as sexual assault that may disturb some readers - 30 Minute Read. Here is the perspective on abortion from a childless boy with experience in the care system of New Zealand. I want to note that this conversation is only... Continue Reading →
20 Minute Read SPOILER ALERT - Thirteen Reasons Why - TV Series plot exposure. There's something to be learnt in everything. Through our daily battles with finding answers to the many questions that never have spoken answers. Television shows offer us an alternate universe with a lot of life lessons which we can take onboard... Continue Reading →
There is nothing that makes me more angry than when somebody I love far away from me is hurting and there is nothing that I can do to help them. Having felt this feeling today and having not been able to do anything about it, I want to share with you the enragement that I... Continue Reading →
At five years old, my teacher told me that my creativity was endless. That my drawings were amazing, something she always let my parents know in my interviews. They were the first sparks that there was more to the story than another fleeting brown kid who'd probably never amount to anything tangible. Somebody invested in me... Continue Reading →
