Banana Appreciation Post

This blog post is entirely devoted to one of my all-time fav fruits, the banana. I love bananas so much that I felt the least I could do was to share their many joys with others.

Reasons bananas are the best:
-they are super duper yummy
-they fill you up
-Sooo healthy with heaps of potassium, antioxidants, fibre and vitamins
-Can eat them all day every day

Ways to eat bananas:
- raw
- on toast
-on porridge
-on cereal/museli
-on weetbix
-on pancakes and waffles
-banana split
-with youghurt (add some macadamia nuts and you will be in heaven!)
-dried banana chips
-BANANA SMOOTHIE
-Banana bread yummm
-banana cake
-banana and chocolate muffins
-dipped in chocolate fondue
I could go on!

Even fake banana products taste good:
-banana lollies
-banana milk
-banana paddle-pops

Hope that everyone now appreciates the versatile, humble, delicious banana. Now here is a picture of Billy Slater with a banana. Does it get any better?!
Credit to Aussie Bananas (http://www.australianbananas.com.au)

The (hidden) Joys of Siblings

Over the past three months, I haven't been a part of the regular banter and arguing that comes with having siblings. I never would have predicted it, but it IS possible to miss you brother and sister. Whatttt?!? Yep. You heard it here first. The constant dialogue that having a brother and sister provides is infuriating in the midst, but you miss it once its gone. There's a classic- you don't know what you had till its gone!

Especially prevalent in our 'sibling hood' was competition. Its fair to say that the basis of 100% of our arguments were dissecting who did what better. Regardless of age -or arguably status- in the family, we would constantly be proving how we were smarter, funnier, more popular, sportier- just better than our other bro or sis. And whilst this sounds mean and pointless (which is probably was), I can make a very good case for the benefits of this banter. 

Being away from this made me think about how only children feel. This arve I had been doing work on my computer and was over it- all I wanted to do was boot a footy. BUT WITH WHO?! My only option was the dog. So I opted for ye olde 'Im just practising how many times I can bop this soccer ball on my knee' - which was about twice- until I realised I probably looked more un-coordinated and lonely than usual so I stopped. And played basketball, again by myself. And then I understood why I would have struggled being an only child and why so many people argue that it is a disadvantage. Which I'm not saying it is- I'm just saying I'm glad I have a brother and sister (insert aww or urghh).   

ALDI

I used to love Aldi, and I still kinda do- the prices are really cheap and they make some yummy stuff. But after a couple of trips, some uniquely-Aldi 'situations' started arising. Like the floors. And the Shelves. (bear with me here). I don't know what it is about the floors, but I'm certain they are positively or negatively charged or SOMETHING. Something that makes my body get more electrons or neutrons or whatever it is that causes static electricity. Cos whenever I get even close to the metal shelves that the specials are in, I get reminded of my dislike for random outbursts of electricity. No joke, 9/10 times I try and see what juicy specials are in the middle aisles today, I will get zapped by static electricity. Does anyone else get this? Like we get punished by the static-forces-that-be because we are trying to sniff out a bargain on the latest retractable hose? Or folding walking stick? Or perhaps a toddler sized ski suit? Aldi has some great seasonal and totally-fricken-random specials, no question at all.

Also if you haven't been to Aldi before, they don't give you plastic bags, have huge grocery-rollin things, an insanely fast scanner and very little space at the other end.
Today there was an employee who was working on the checkout, and he was really passionate. Which is admirable to say the LEAST if you are working checkouts. (Trust me I've been there before.)

He was so enthusiastic that he was just like "okay. Are we ready? Lets get started." Uh-oh.
So here comes ALL of the groceries blipped through in like 30 seconds! It was mental. Checkout Champ was just gunnin it. Its all you can do but just sweep it into your trolley into a huge pile of broken glass, cracked eggs and sloshin Tikka Missala. So whilst your trying to re-gather the groceries covering every inch of the 3 inch squared post-scanning-platform, he wants to know whether your paying by cash or credit! It is strangely and immensely stressful! You almost need to get your blood pressure checked out afterwards.
But the moral of the story is that they sell 4 ice-cream sandwiches for $3. Enough said.

Image Credit: http://www.smartkeitai.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/android-ice-cream-sandwich.jpg

Breathe Deeply and Tread Lightly

Did you know that proportionately the Earth's atmosphere is thinner than the skin of an apple? When I first read this astonishing fact, my mind was blown yet again at the ways which we take things for granted. A simple act like having just the right amount of enough Oxygen in the air is incredible. Whilst this post isn't designed to impart a particular religious view, it is designed to make readers stop. And appreciate. Appreciate that one deep breath that perfectly fills our tireless lungs with a floating gas which allows us to function. No matter whether it is a salty sea breeze, warm country air or a slightly smoggy city gust- breathe it in and thank Mother Nature for making the mix just right. Because without air, we don't function. Now this is not revolutionary, it's not rocket science and it's not new. But we constantly neglect to even think momentarily about the privilege of breathing.
Imagine if the impact of global expansion and industrialization causes the air to become so polluted that it becomes un-breathable. Perhaps our own inhabited apple has already began to rot.

Toga

Last night, I attended the Toga Party which is an annual event for the University I study at. It was an incredible night because of many factors. Being one of  8000+ people dressed in a various forms of sheets and curtains left me feeling strangely united (lame I know). The combination of wicked music that left ears buzzing for hours, dancing that made your heart race and company that made you smile wider than the line to get in meant that it was a breeding ground for great memories.We were all there to party, let loose and have a cracker night. And for 99% of us, this is exactly what happened. For the percentage of toga-wearing troops who took pre-drinks a little too far or got trampled in the  mosh pit or who were just feeling a little overwhelmed, there was help readily at hand. Help in the form of an organisation known as the Red Frogs. I had previously only heard about the works of these guys at events like Schoolies- never seeing them work their magic in real life. But when I visited the tent about half way through the night in search of some water, it was like I had set eyes on a tropical oasis after being stuck in the dessert for 50 years. Except this wasn't a mirage- there were real people devoting their time and energy into pouring out 1000s of cups of water, distributing zooper-doopers, cinnamon doughnuts (OMG) and of course the trade mark red frogs. And all of it free and accessible to the spent party goers who felt like they just stepped out of a washing machine. People really were sweating that much. That was just the frontline- behind these busy bees providing nourishment were more people assisting those who could no longer see straight, walk straight or form sentences. So after hydrating and stocking up on doughnuts and lollies, my mates and I were ready for anything! Including having another go at that sweltering, stinking, sweating mosh pit. The Red Frogs were willing to help anyone, without any judgement or hesitation. The service they provide is truly invaluable to those who in are in need- in need of water, a sugar hit or even medical attention. I tried yelling thankyou's to these inspiring champs but I fear the music drowned me out. So here it is. A big thank you to the Red Frogs- Legends in the eyes of every party goer. Check out their website for more info: http://redfrogs.com/

Here we go!

First ever blog post. Pretty crazy! Still not 100% sure of the blogosphere world-is that even what it's called?!- but I'm going to give it a go!! Hopefully, if you choose to read my blog, the stories won't bore you or make you regret the untold megabytes used to view it! So I plan to just go with the flow and write whatever comes to mind. So brace yourself! This could get a little furry :)