The Hunting Ground.

The statistics currently stand that 1 in 5 young women will have been sexually assaulted by the time they graduate college in America. 1 in 5. The Hunting Ground (2015) is a documentary which illuminates the prevalence of sexual violence at American universities through the heart-wrenching stories of victims who have been overlooked by their educational institutions as a means of upholding a prestigious and untarnished image. I have never felt so shaken up after watching a documentary as I did after watching The Hunting Ground. 

Following the aftermath of their assaults, The Hunting Ground‘s young women and men describe the symptoms of their trauma - nightmares, panic attacks, self-harm, and suicide attempts. Many of the victims eventually decide to speak out, and the responses from university administrators is at times unbearable, the most crude and unbelievable response one of the girls received being “rape is like a football game. If you look back on the game, what would you do differently?” So many of the young women were questioned on how they were led to be in a position of rape, and even more scarring is the amount of young women that left administrators' offices feeling as if it were their wrongdoing. 

One of The Hunting Ground's biggest accomplishments is its exposure of the great lie and deception of college fraternities. Fraternities, for decades, have been nothing other than a haven for raping, hazing, drugging, and horrible mistreatment of women. Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), one of America's largest domestic fraternities, which is known as "Sexual Assault Expected" by numerous people on university campuses, have been cult-like hellholes for many years. The documentary does not sugarcoat the sickening behaviour that runs extensively at these places. And rightly so – vulnerability is not the cause of this issue; mistreatment of a person is.

It is a timely and important subject, and that has become even more clear since the recent Stanford assault case. As a young woman, watching this documentary shone light on an issue which is far too prevalent in society today, and has made even more real the lack of support that vulnerable young people are receiving from the institutions that have some power to monitor the issue at hand. What the documentary does most poignantly is to present the issue through survivors' first-person testimonies, impacting their audience. Something needs to change, and this documentary leaves you with greater awareness and knowledge, feeling confronted and affected, and urging for change. I could not recommend this more. 

Lady Gaga's 'Til It Happens To You'

People Profile: Lauren Heard

Like myself, Lauren is smart, creative, good-looking and has a great passion for both cooking and eating. As her neighbour and friend I have been very fortunate in being able to both try and demolish some of Lauren's cooking. Lauren first launched her instagram page 'Galah Food' late last year and has had some smashing feedback, even getting a liking from famous chef Adam Liaw. This is not hard to believe due to Galah Food's Australian inspired cooking and  visually pleasing food styling.  To learn even more about the girl I know so well - and get some killer restaurant recommendations - I sent her a few questions about herself, and her cooking.

- Olivia

What is Galah food and why did you first start it?

Galah Food started as a place for me to share my love for cooking, and my love for Australian cuisine. Modern Australian Food is one of the hardest cuisines to categorise. It's fresh seafood, native fruits and herbs, Indigenous knowledge of cooking and foraging. But it's also country home cooking, pavlovas, and lamingtons, and scones. And it's heavily inspired by Asian, European and Middle Eastern immigration, which is always bringing new and exciting recipes and techniques to Australia. I love the process of understanding and learning what Australian food is.

What are your plans for galah food?

What I've loved most so far is how it's inspiring me to source out new ingredients. Before starting the blog I had never cooked with wattle seed, or finger limes, or Moreton bay bugs. It's also encouraging me to practice my technical cooking skills and food photography. Earlier in the year I travelled to Cairns and Brisbane, and this trip gave me a different insight into Australian food outside of the Melbourne setting. My plan is to travel more, eat more and cook more.

Who do you look up to for inspiration?

There are a lot of chefs who inspire me, through their recipes, photos, T.V. shows, books and instagram accounts. Namely, Adam Liaw, who has fun with native ingredients mixed with the knowledge from his Chinese/Singaporean heritage, and takes mouth-watering pictures. I also love the Queen of Australian cookery Maggie Beer.

What qualitites of a person are you most attracted to?

All my best-friends have a great and stupid sense of humour.

What makes you happiest?

Eating with friends and talking trash for hours on end. 

You've got food down, but what is a fashion choice you really regret? 

Probably my ITALIANA jumper with the Italian flag on it, which I begged for when I was 10. Only because I have no Italian heritage.

Best places to eat in Melbourne?

I might say a few answers here. Close to my home I love a little cafe called Darling St Espresso. For Italian I love Kaprica in Carlton. For a delicious night, but a long wait, I love Chin Chin in the CBD. I've got a booking in to eat at Charcoal Lane soon, so I'll add it in because of my high hopes for the dinner. Its a non-profit resturant in Fitzroy, which provides work experience in hospitality for vulnerable young people. I can't wait to try the roasted emu fillet.

You can follow Galah foods instagram on @galahfood 

People Profile: Nicholas Madden

To those who know Nicholas Madden, have spoken to him about his passions, or witnessed one of his famed 21st speeches, it is abundantly clear that the man has a way with words. 

Therefore, the fact that at just 21 years of age he is now the author of his first novel, The Three Crowns, is both unsurprising and wildly impressive. Nicholas creates a world of fantasy in his novel, brimming with war, sorcery, betrayal and revolution. 

This ability to translate such complex concepts into a tangible form for others to read and imagine is intriguing to me, therefore I was keen to gain an understanding of how The Three Crowns came to be including Nick's inspirations, motivations and creative process.

The first five chapters of this novel are currently available to be read on his website.

-Beth

When did you start writing The Three Crowns, and how has it evolved? 

I started writing The Three Crowns about two years ago now, and it began as an idea I had one night before I fell asleep. The idea was about a slave who needs to help his Emperor. I put it in my notes on my phone, then went to sleep. The next day I started writing it. It really started to evolve into what it is now after I created the map. When I created the map, I felt like exploring other areas of the world and one by one other characters were added. Pretty soon I just couldn’t stop writing. From the beginning I never really planned anything out, the story just shaped itself as I kept going. It kind of snowballed into the book I have now. 

Why fantasy? 

I love history. If I wasn’t doing what I’m doing, then I’d probably be studying to be a history teacher. But with fantasy, I can write my own history, and it’s incredibly liberating, but more importantly, it’s fun. To be able to invent a world where history is whatever I say it is, is a weird thing, but it’s enjoyable and rewarding.

Do you think you’ll ever write non-fantasy? 

Yes, I think so. Fantasy has a lot of advantages, there’s so much you can do with it. However I’ll follow a good story where ever it leads.  

Who is someone you have been influenced by? 

Tolkien is my hero. So is Martin, even though his greatest work isn’t finished yet. I also find influence across a lot of different storytelling mediums. I love movies, and my favourite director of all time is probably Hayao Miyazaki. He’s one of the main reasons I wanted to write fantasy. 

When are you most productive/creative? 

I think in the hour before I go to sleep. Mainly because I’ll realise how tired I am, and I have to hurry up and finish whatever’s in front of me. It also helps that the house is quiet at that time.

Who do you look up to? 

I think my Grandfather has always been a man who will set his sights on something, and make sure it gets done. He does whatever it takes to make it happen. That’s the way I want to approach life. He also still works at the moment, and that level of dedication is incredible. 

As a child, what did you love more than anything? 

That’s a tough one. I enjoyed everything as a kid. But I guess so much of that had to do with the kind of environment I grew up in. We lived in the best neighbourhood. We were always out on the street, going from house to house, and everyone’s front door was always open. It was a great time to be a kid, growing up like that. We didn’t need much encouragement to stay outside. There was a creek out the back of our street, and we spent heaps of time hanging around there. There was always something to do. I loved everything about it. 

What fascinates you? 

People fascinate me. People are interesting. The way people connect is amazing to think about for just a moment. A lot of things fascinate me, but there’s few things as interesting as the fact that there are so many people in the world and everyone has a story to tell. 

What is one thing you want to achieve? 

I think to get through life doing something you care about is important. I also think it’s important to find something that makes you useful. So I’m not sure if I’m cheating and that’s two achievements, but to care about what I’m doing and make it useful to others is what I want to do. 

How can we find out more about you? 

Feel free to jump on the website: www.nicholasmadden.com or keep up to date through the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Nicholas-Madden-1761724314059062/

ColourPop

I've been wanting to try ColourPop products for quite some time now. I first saw them on vlogger KathleenLight's channel and was curious to suss out the colours and quality of the products! Once KathleenLights mentioned ColourPop, I started researching them via other YouTubers and on the ColourPop website. I was so excited to simply touch the Super Shock Eyeshadows because I had heard that they have a really unique consistency - and it's so true! They're not powdery at all, I believe they are water-based and to the touch, they feel like a mousse. The two shades 'Telepathy' and 'Liberty' are part of the Ultra-Metallic range, which are so pigmented. The other three colours are part of the Metallic range which are softer colours with gorgeous small silver flecks, and I am yet to try out their Matte and Pearlised finish eyeshadows (which I will definitely be going back to, as these ones are amazing!) and cannot wait to give them a go!

I decided to try one LippieStick as well which I also love - I purchased the shade 'Cookie' which is a perfect nude for me! I also love the packaging - it's a long, thing, pen-like shape which is perfect to pop in your wallet or pencil-case when on-the-go!

I was so pleased with the quality of these products and for just $5 USD each (equivalent to just under $7 AUD) I thought they were so worth the amount (+ shipping) as some brands such as MAC sell their single eyeshadows for $30 AUD each! 

- Christine

1) ColourPop: Metallic Eyeshadow in 'Eye Candy'

2) ColourPop: Metallic Eyeshadow in 'Flipper'

3) ColourPop: Metallic Eyeshadow in 'Krinkle'

4) ColourPop: Ultra-Metallic Eyeshadow in 'Liberty'

5) ColourPop: Ultra-Metallic Eyeshadow in 'Telepathy'

6) ColourPop: LippieStix in 'Cookie'

A Work in Progress.

I have no idea where I am going to be in five, ten, or even twenty years’ time. I used to be so scared of not knowing exactly where I wanted my life to end up, and my thoughts were often overridden by my questioning of the future and what kind of career, relationships and challenges I have waiting for me. I still ponder these thoughts, but my views on my future have since changed considerably.  I have become a lot more comfortable with the idea of anticipating the journey and not knowing what to expect. Because when I look back at what I thought my life would be like at the age of twenty-one, it is completely different to where my life is currently heading. And I am okay with that.

I was reading some poetry the other day and came across a wonderful poet, Cleo Wade, who reflected:

“This may look like a crash and burn

But it is just gravity in its beauty

Asking us to touch down

Asking us to feel the earth we come from

Before we reach for the stars again”.

Her words are so beautifully crafted, and she articulates the concept of simplicity and resilience so powerfully. I was reflecting on this poem for quite some time, when I started to think about ways that life is, metaphorically, much like art. Here’s a little glance into the mind of a passionately reflective twenty-one-year-old (*raises hand*) who has no idea which direction her life is heading:

• You begin as a blank canvas: For our whole life - even more so once we reach adulthood - we are given the freedom to guide ourselves whichever direction seems right at the time. We have no expectations, no ground to run off, so we move forward with no clear vision in mind, but enough motivation to move forward and steer a new beginning. 

• You develop and alter things along the way: We have no idea what kind of opportunities,  'failures', roadblocks or changes will arise during our journey. Whether they be good, bad or otherwise, they’re guiding our self-exploration and constantly moving us towards finding our purpose. If one path doesn't work out for you, you still have a lot of time to figure out what you want to do with your life. It is not a race to find your purpose - you do this gradually, learning along the way.

• You have no idea where you are heading: Your ideas of what comprises a meaningful life will probably change over time. It’s impossible to predict where you will end up. With hard work comes opportunities and, alternatively, with a change of direction also comes opportunities. Trust in your instincts and make choices for your current self’s wellbeing and fulfilment. It is completely okay to do things that make you happy in this current moment. Do not feel like you need to think too far ahead; it is often when you least expect it that your life will take an unintentional turn for the best. You work towards opportunities, they don't just present themselves to you, so do something everyday that makes you feel valuable and valued, and the rest will work itself out.

• You must learn to love your ‘failures’: Everyone is going to feel that they have ‘failed’ at things throughout their life. What people often don't realise is that with failures come the most valuable lessons; they show strength, determination and courage. My all-time favourite author, Randy Pausch, says in The Last Lecture: “The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.” Thrive off and work with your failures; they are blessings in disguise. And if you feel passionately about something, no matter how many times you 'fail', never give up on it. 

• You are valuable far beyond measure: At this current moment, you may not see value in what you are doing. We often measure our value based on accolades and praise, which is not accurate. We are far more impactful than we realise, and our effect on the world and its people is infinite. Have faith that you are making the right choices for yourself, and do something every day that adds purpose to your existence. You will see the true value of you in many years to come.

Remember this: you are a work in progress.  Once you learn to accept and acknowledge this about yourself, you are on a more harmonious path to reach that final masterpiece. Colour your life with wonderful experiences, memories and relationships, and you will leave behind a valuable legacy, one that will inspire and guide others. 

-Nicole