Hello dear readers (the very few of you anyway),
After much anxiety and deliberation, I have decided to move urls!
FIND ME HERE: http://rambling-onwards.blogspot.com.au/
For some of you, this is something I've been telling you about for the last few years, except I never really followed through with it since I have a very strong sense of attachment to this blog as it has so much history - it's basically my online diary from the high school era. (I know, the old posts are cringe worthy) This fact has been holding me back from writing and sharing this blog with anyone at all, because there's so much history that I don't want future employees to be able to find, yet I don't want to delete the blog since there's nothing technically wrong with it, it just has so much history. A new blog gives me a somewhat clean slate, and I can finally take a step to fixing my social media and integrating them a bit more, especially since I spent all of high school trying to keep my social media platforms separate. But the personal and private blogs will remain private, and the public ones will be, well, public.
This blog will still be here for the enjoyment of those few that like the posts here, but I will import some of these posts and put them on my new blog. Nothing will change in regards to the way I write (hopefully) and I will see you all there!
With love, Sarah x
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Bali 9 Executions
With the impending deaths of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran by firing squad just hours away in Indonesia, I got thinking. What makes us as humans think that it is okay to sentence another fellow human being to death, even though they may have broken the law?
In terms of history, executions are not a new thing, in fact, its been happening for so many centuries that Jesus himself was executed on the cross. (If you choose not to believe that, the death penalty existed in the Ancient Laws of China in the BC times). But what seems to have changed is society's attitude towards it. I feel that we have a strong dislike for it and see it as an injustice - at least I do.
Its been portrayed by the media as something that is inhumane and unjust through extensive coverage and the specific angle of the news story - it positions the audience to empathise with the families and friends of Chan and Sukumaran and support their campaign to get Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, to stop the executions. After studying media and communications for a good 7 weeks, I now know that this is the work of PR individuals who are keeping this issue in the news by getting news coverage and it probably reflects what journalists think we are interested in - what our care-structures are as Scannell (1996) would put it. (Clearly the ramblings of an ARTS1090 student... but can you really blame me after I wrote a 2,500 word essay for it on the weekend/Monday).
Anyway the point it, our society today cares about getting rid of the death penalty. Much more than we used to, at least this seems to be the case in the Western world. But does it really mean that someone else, who is a prominent public figure with power in his country, has the ability to control and determine the fate of someone else's life, even if it is a decision on behalf of a community? Can the death penalty be justified, even if the accused breaks the law? What is right and what is wrong?
It might just be the world that I grew up in and the ideas that I was and am exposed to, but I feel that I get very mixed messages and its a fine line between right and wrong. I don't support the death sentence. I feel as though the death penalty is not a just outcome, but I know that if someone were to commit a horrendous crime against myself, my family or my friends, deep down I would want them to receive a punishment that matches the severity of their crime - and if this is the death sentence, I might suddenly be alright with it. Decisions are shaped by experience (thanks MGMT1001 - I sometimes feel that I've learnt more on media and communications than commerce this semester, even though the courses I took are technically two from commerce and two from media.).
I guess it brings this post back to another point - the way an event or individual is portrayed in the media has a huge impact on the way it or they are perceived by the audience, the general public of a local or global community. In the end, we are all human with our own conscience and our own values and beliefs of what is right and what is wrong, journalists included. I don't really think that they should die tomorrow by firing squad, but is a life time of imprisonment much better? Probably, since there is still hope for them and their families that one day they may get out.
Will Chan and Sukumaran be executed tomorrow? That's up to Mr Widodo now, at least its portrayed that way in the media. But if he decides to call the execution off, his decision will go down in history.
In terms of history, executions are not a new thing, in fact, its been happening for so many centuries that Jesus himself was executed on the cross. (If you choose not to believe that, the death penalty existed in the Ancient Laws of China in the BC times). But what seems to have changed is society's attitude towards it. I feel that we have a strong dislike for it and see it as an injustice - at least I do.
Its been portrayed by the media as something that is inhumane and unjust through extensive coverage and the specific angle of the news story - it positions the audience to empathise with the families and friends of Chan and Sukumaran and support their campaign to get Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, to stop the executions. After studying media and communications for a good 7 weeks, I now know that this is the work of PR individuals who are keeping this issue in the news by getting news coverage and it probably reflects what journalists think we are interested in - what our care-structures are as Scannell (1996) would put it. (Clearly the ramblings of an ARTS1090 student... but can you really blame me after I wrote a 2,500 word essay for it on the weekend/Monday).
Anyway the point it, our society today cares about getting rid of the death penalty. Much more than we used to, at least this seems to be the case in the Western world. But does it really mean that someone else, who is a prominent public figure with power in his country, has the ability to control and determine the fate of someone else's life, even if it is a decision on behalf of a community? Can the death penalty be justified, even if the accused breaks the law? What is right and what is wrong?
It might just be the world that I grew up in and the ideas that I was and am exposed to, but I feel that I get very mixed messages and its a fine line between right and wrong. I don't support the death sentence. I feel as though the death penalty is not a just outcome, but I know that if someone were to commit a horrendous crime against myself, my family or my friends, deep down I would want them to receive a punishment that matches the severity of their crime - and if this is the death sentence, I might suddenly be alright with it. Decisions are shaped by experience (thanks MGMT1001 - I sometimes feel that I've learnt more on media and communications than commerce this semester, even though the courses I took are technically two from commerce and two from media.).
I guess it brings this post back to another point - the way an event or individual is portrayed in the media has a huge impact on the way it or they are perceived by the audience, the general public of a local or global community. In the end, we are all human with our own conscience and our own values and beliefs of what is right and what is wrong, journalists included. I don't really think that they should die tomorrow by firing squad, but is a life time of imprisonment much better? Probably, since there is still hope for them and their families that one day they may get out.
Will Chan and Sukumaran be executed tomorrow? That's up to Mr Widodo now, at least its portrayed that way in the media. But if he decides to call the execution off, his decision will go down in history.
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| Photo by: Kate Geraghty |
Note: Just wanted to apologise because I don't normally write about this kind of stuff so it might sound a little convoluted... enjoy my ramblings. x
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Reflections on a Rainy (Week)day
I am really stuck on my arts essay at the moment so I will write a blog post. #logic
In all seriousness, I think I need to organise my life better so I'm not left with a pile of work that almost overwhelms me, especially since I know I can't do a lot of work on one thing at once. If that made any sense at all. The fact that I stay calm in tough situations does help, although I tend to get stressed over little things. Academics I will conquer you.
On another note, med revue 2k15 is going along well, and it really is a wonderful community to be a part of. I feel much more at home there than with BSOC, and although I love all my BSOC friends I don't really quite fit completely. Maybe now that my attitude towards partying and drinking has changed (don't worry friends, I drink socially and in very very moderate amounts), I can see things differently and accept how things are in uni. And I like it. I love how free I feel talking to people older than me, and how we can all run around uni on an amazing race together without any of those age barriers. Its a wonderful feeling when you can be connected to and have fun with people who you don't see as 'just your elders and someone to respect' and when they don't treat you as someone who's really young. Last night was honestly just some good fun and I hope show week will be just as awesome.
I think that in the last year in high school, we were deprived of any unintentional contact with similar people who are slightly older than us and I just struggled with having no one to look up to, and no one to really look to for advice. The ruse community is wonderful, but I feel like I needed more because I'd grown up and it was no longer enough for me.
I'm glad I've finally settled into uni enough that I'm starting to enjoy (and dislike) parts of it and I can function normally without being worried over silly things like friends and meeting like-minded people. I'm really grateful for both my peer mentors, my camp leaders and the med revue community for being so welcoming and giving general tips to surviving and adjusting to uni. I'm grateful to have met all these wonderful people, from first years to people who have graduated and are back to study more or help out. And I'm always going to be grateful for my wonderful friends who always stick by me and help me when times get tough and can let loose and just have some good ol' fun times. :) Its definitely been an eventful 2 months (almost) and I can't wait to see where the next few years will take me.
In all seriousness, I think I need to organise my life better so I'm not left with a pile of work that almost overwhelms me, especially since I know I can't do a lot of work on one thing at once. If that made any sense at all. The fact that I stay calm in tough situations does help, although I tend to get stressed over little things. Academics I will conquer you.
On another note, med revue 2k15 is going along well, and it really is a wonderful community to be a part of. I feel much more at home there than with BSOC, and although I love all my BSOC friends I don't really quite fit completely. Maybe now that my attitude towards partying and drinking has changed (don't worry friends, I drink socially and in very very moderate amounts), I can see things differently and accept how things are in uni. And I like it. I love how free I feel talking to people older than me, and how we can all run around uni on an amazing race together without any of those age barriers. Its a wonderful feeling when you can be connected to and have fun with people who you don't see as 'just your elders and someone to respect' and when they don't treat you as someone who's really young. Last night was honestly just some good fun and I hope show week will be just as awesome.
I think that in the last year in high school, we were deprived of any unintentional contact with similar people who are slightly older than us and I just struggled with having no one to look up to, and no one to really look to for advice. The ruse community is wonderful, but I feel like I needed more because I'd grown up and it was no longer enough for me.
I'm glad I've finally settled into uni enough that I'm starting to enjoy (and dislike) parts of it and I can function normally without being worried over silly things like friends and meeting like-minded people. I'm really grateful for both my peer mentors, my camp leaders and the med revue community for being so welcoming and giving general tips to surviving and adjusting to uni. I'm grateful to have met all these wonderful people, from first years to people who have graduated and are back to study more or help out. And I'm always going to be grateful for my wonderful friends who always stick by me and help me when times get tough and can let loose and just have some good ol' fun times. :) Its definitely been an eventful 2 months (almost) and I can't wait to see where the next few years will take me.
Friday, April 10, 2015
Just little things.
Sometimes I wonder if I spend more time planning for the future and travelling to things than living in the present and getting things done.
That was a lot in one statement, but basically I feel as though planning the moments of my life out has almost become obsessive - all my time is scheduled for something, and even moments to socialise with friends is somewhat scheduled too. Although I guess that's the reality of our world now, where people are just busy and the world moves so quickly you have to be running to keep up.
I can't seem to let go of anything and focus on one task. It feels like it's never ending. I need to be better with this balancing thing. I will get better.
If I have done silly things today and regret them later on, I hopefully will learn from my mistakes. I just feel so tired.
That was a lot in one statement, but basically I feel as though planning the moments of my life out has almost become obsessive - all my time is scheduled for something, and even moments to socialise with friends is somewhat scheduled too. Although I guess that's the reality of our world now, where people are just busy and the world moves so quickly you have to be running to keep up.
I can't seem to let go of anything and focus on one task. It feels like it's never ending. I need to be better with this balancing thing. I will get better.
If I have done silly things today and regret them later on, I hopefully will learn from my mistakes. I just feel so tired.
Wednesday, April 08, 2015
All my regrets (in a bowl... Not really)
Things I wish I did at the beginning of uni:
- join Latin dance classes instead of waiting until next semester
- try to get more involved with subcoms/application rather than just participating in events and not being bothered
- get involved with Volunteer Army immediately instead of waiting until I settled into uni
I feel as though all I do is participate in societies and events - I don't feel like I'm part of something. And I miss that. After seeing a lot of my new friends all get into BSOC subcommittees, I now feel left out. It's FOMO.
Granted, I do have tech for Med Revue and most likely stage crew (YES SO KEEN BUT I HAVE TO FIND SOMEONE TO STAY WITH FOR A WEEK ON CAMPUS) but it's different people. A different community which I'm not quite yet a part of but I know I probably will be eventually with my aspirations to produce and probably choreograph for too.
I think the other problem is that I'm stretched across too many societies/activities and instead of forming really close friendships with people I just end up making a lot of acquaintances. Plus uni activities and studies take up more time than high school activities and studies did, and I live further so I spend almost triple the amount of time on transport over three days at uni than I did with five days of school.
I also tried to study harder and get better grades because I wasn't that good at Ruse... But I have to remember that I'm not at Ruse anymore and marks do matter, but other things matter more. Things that I valued during high school and now seem to have lost a bit. And although there's lots of smart people in commerce, Ruse was just crazy.
It still irks me that the majority of my friends are studying med or allied health. I can't seem to let go of doing med though, it's making it difficult for me to choose the direction I want to go in the future. I don't really know what to do about it because I'm not fully committed to getting into med, but I can't let it go either.
So much anxiety after today's Bsoc event hahah.
I've been too cautious.
Thinking everything through is probably my weakness. I should jump into something that I've never done before and just go for it.
I'm just back at the bottom, and I can't settle on a way to climb my way back up. But I need to, because I just feel so empty without it even though I am already busy with uni and work and my social life. I just hope I manage to get where I want to be.
- join Latin dance classes instead of waiting until next semester
- try to get more involved with subcoms/application rather than just participating in events and not being bothered
- get involved with Volunteer Army immediately instead of waiting until I settled into uni
I feel as though all I do is participate in societies and events - I don't feel like I'm part of something. And I miss that. After seeing a lot of my new friends all get into BSOC subcommittees, I now feel left out. It's FOMO.
Granted, I do have tech for Med Revue and most likely stage crew (YES SO KEEN BUT I HAVE TO FIND SOMEONE TO STAY WITH FOR A WEEK ON CAMPUS) but it's different people. A different community which I'm not quite yet a part of but I know I probably will be eventually with my aspirations to produce and probably choreograph for too.
I think the other problem is that I'm stretched across too many societies/activities and instead of forming really close friendships with people I just end up making a lot of acquaintances. Plus uni activities and studies take up more time than high school activities and studies did, and I live further so I spend almost triple the amount of time on transport over three days at uni than I did with five days of school.
I also tried to study harder and get better grades because I wasn't that good at Ruse... But I have to remember that I'm not at Ruse anymore and marks do matter, but other things matter more. Things that I valued during high school and now seem to have lost a bit. And although there's lots of smart people in commerce, Ruse was just crazy.
It still irks me that the majority of my friends are studying med or allied health. I can't seem to let go of doing med though, it's making it difficult for me to choose the direction I want to go in the future. I don't really know what to do about it because I'm not fully committed to getting into med, but I can't let it go either.
So much anxiety after today's Bsoc event hahah.
I've been too cautious.
Thinking everything through is probably my weakness. I should jump into something that I've never done before and just go for it.
I'm just back at the bottom, and I can't settle on a way to climb my way back up. But I need to, because I just feel so empty without it even though I am already busy with uni and work and my social life. I just hope I manage to get where I want to be.
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