You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one

John Lennon...
A name I have known since I've been little. I love his music and the messages he expresses through them. John Lennon never backed down and even when the US Government was after him because of his anti-war activism, he still spread the word of peace and love.
His activism caused huge problems for him though. The Nixon Administrator, paranoid about the possibility of him becoming a recruiting tool of the anti-war movement, attempted to have him deported.

In one of his best known songs, "Imagine", he portrays his exact views on life and the world. He wrote of how there is no segregation, where everyone lived as one and peacefully. No religion, no race... Hence leading to no war.

You might notice in the film clip of Imagine, posted below, Yoko is dressed as an Indian, and John as a cowboy. Cowboys and Indians were continually at war with each other. But in the video, are sitting side by side peacefully.

                                                                                            



"We've got this gift of love, but love is like a precious plant. You can't just
accept it and leave it in the cupboard or just think it's going to get on by itself.
You've got to keep watering it. You've got to really look after it and nurture it."

"A dream you dream alone is only a dream.

A dream you dream together is reality."

"It doesn't matter how long my hair is or what colour 

my skin is or whether I'm a woman or a man."

Strength of a Woman

"I paint self portraits because I am the only person I know best. I paint my own reality. The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to, and I paint whatever passes through my head without any considerations."

Frida Khalo's life was filled with physical and emotional pain, which is apparent in her paintings. They show her feelings of heartbreak, love, life, death and events in her life. The most influential event in her Frida's life was probably the most tragic one. When she was 18, she was involved in a bus accident, which left her body almost destroyed. Her spine and pelvis were broken in 3 places and she was skewered by a metal handrail which entered her hip and exited her vagina. The doctors did not expect her to live; Because of this accident, Frida was bed ridden, which was when she started to paint. Painting became essential to her as because of a result of the accident, she was unable to have children. She had several miscarriages, which caused her to become depressed. Many of her paintings look violent, bloody and severe, but this represented how she was feeling. As her health worsened, doctors had to amputate her leg. "feet, what do I need them for, if I have wingsto fly?" Many of her paintings reflected her depression, often including skeletons and other grim symbols. Frida passed on July 13th 1954. She had a gift for communicating her emotions though painting. She is an amazing woman for what she endured and an inspiration of strength.



ME AND MY DOLL:
this painting shows as a substitute for children,
she collected dolls and kept many pets. The expression
on her face is a sad, lonely one and the emptiness of the
room projects feelings of emptiness.













SELD PORTRAIT WITH NECKLACE OF THORNS
In this portrait, Frida unraveled Christ's crown of
thorns, and wears it as a necklace, symbolising her
Christianity. The dead hummingbird is a traditional
Mexican symbol to bring luck in love. The black cat
is a symbol of bad luck and death, and the Monkey
is a symbol of the Devil.



SELF PORTRAIT WITH A MONKEY:
In Mexican mythology, the monkey is the patron of dance, but also
a symbol of lust. Here Frida portrays the monkey as a living, tender being.



Speaking Words of Wisdom

What do you do when the friend who is always there to listen and give you advice lays in hospital fighting for his life? The one who always told you to speak out and that it's alright to say "NO"? Is there anything? All you can do is wait. The friend who always listens no matter how silly you think you sound. This story mentions my mate, one who truely inspires me.

I met him a few years ago now, through my best friend at the time. He appeared to be an easy guy to get on with. He's had his struggles in life, as does everyone. As we got to know each other better, I realized he knew me better than I realized. He noticed I didn't speak up much, or if I didn't want to do something I would find it hard to say no. As time went on, he would always be pushing me to speak out, and if I didn't want to do something, let them know. I find getting into the habit of doing so quite challenging, as i am a shy, quiet person.

Then last year, we nearly lost him. Walking along the Hume Highway, he was ran over by a taxi. Weeks went by feeling like months, waiting for him to come out of a coma. Thoughts like are you going to wake up? Are you still going to be the friend I know and can count on? were going on through my head.

Such a strong fighter. He finally woke up and started making progress. It was obvious he was back. Out of hospital, and doing fine, he was back onto me. It's funny how someone can be onto you do to something, but then that one event can make it all sink in.


The point to my story? Appreciate your friends. Appreciate every little bit of advice that comes out of their mouth, even if you don't like it. Because one day, it will all make sense. Speak your mind, don't worry about what others may think, and if you don't like something, stand up and say it.

"music is what feelings sound like. music says the words we're too afraid to speak out loud."

... It's my life - Bon jovi:

This song tells of taking control of your own life and being who you are. You only live once

            ...Return to Innocence - Enigma:

This song reminds you to be yourself. Don't be afraid to show your emotions. Embrace them.

... When you believe - Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston:

When you're losing hope, hang in there. What you get in life first starts by believing in yourself.

...I will survive - Gloria Gaynor:

Such a powerful song, it promotes female empowerment, gay empowerment, and HIV/AIDS awareness

...Dare you to move - Switchfoot:

This song can refer to "the you" that is stuck in a place from a past failure. Stop looking back at the past, then you can move forward.

 

...The circle of life - Elton John:

This song tells about where we stand in life and how we are part of its cycle. birth - growth - death - rebirth. Death doesn't signify the end. It's the starting of something new.

... True colours - Cyndi Lauper:

Life is not about feeling fearful to show our true self to the world. By showing who we are, that's when our true colours show

...Hero - Mariah Carey:

In everything you do, look deep inside you and you'll always find the strength to do what you want.

...I believe i can fly - R.Kelly:

There are no goals or dreams in life. If we can see it, then we can do it.

...The show must go on - Lupe Fiasco:

No matter what others may say to you or how much they try to bring you down, you must refuse to sit, and continue to stand strong.

...What faith can do - Kutless:

"It doesn't matter what you've heard, impossible is not a word. It's just a reason for someone not to try." You just have to believe in yourself.

...Stronger (What doesn't kill you) - Kelly Clarkson:

No matter how much your heart hurts, you'll get through it. If you let it, what doesn't kill you can make you stronger.

... Stand - Rascal Flatts:

When you've been knocked down in life, you must find the courage and strength to stand back up.



... Lose yourself - Eminem:

"You only get one shot... this opportunity comes once in a life time..." 

... Dreaming - Scribe:

While you try anything possible to achieve a dream, there are always temptations that can throw you off course.



such a poor woman

After visiting the Wax Museum in Surfers Paradise Queensland, our tour guide gave us a quick lesson on Madame Tussauds. This poor lady was on death row but was spared her life when she was able to use her talents making wax figures. During the French Revolution, she would have to go through many corpses and make death masks of the victims.
Our tour guide then explained to us as if it wasn't bad enough to make the death masks of these victims, she had to make the masks of her own family. If she didn't, she also would have been killed.
The thought of what this woman had seen and experienced makes me idolise her emotional strength.

This is a photo I took in the wax museum of Madame Tussauds. The guide explained to us that she sculpted her face like she was young, but made her hands look old and wrinkly to show how hard she used to work.