dear wormword

Tokyo Imperial Palace Gardens, July 2014

"The humans live in time but our Enemy destines them to eternity. He therefore, I believe, wants them to attend chiefly to two things, to eternity itself, and to that point of time, which they call the Present. For the Present is the point at which time touches eternity. Of the present moment, and of it only, humans have an experience analogous to the experience, which our Enemy has of reality of whole; in it alone freedom and actuality are offered to them. He would therefore have them continually concerned either with eternity (which means being concerned with Him) or with the Present – either meditating on their eternal union with, or separation from, Himself, or else obeying the present voice of conscience, bearing the present cross, receiving the present grace, giving thanks for the present pleasure."

- The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis

you look like you've been for breakfast at the heartbreak hotel

Coffee and Cigarettes in Tokyo, July 2014

Most of my days in Japan started off like this - a coffee and a cigarette for breakfast while I either read my book or wrote some thoughts down. In Tokyo I found this amazing little cafe tucked away from one of the side streets of Shibuya. Inside it was dimly lit, filled with smoke and had lovely unique coffee cups that lined the walls. The coffee was about $10 a pop, but it was one of the best coffees I've had and have since been unable to find anything that replicates it back in Perth. Some coffee connoisseurs have told me that it would be difficult because of the very high quality of beans that they use in Japan that just aren't in demand in Perth. It was stronger than the filter coffee that I've found in the cafes here, but still had that very clean finish that filter coffee provides. Alas, I will have to return to Tokyo to ask more questions about it.

Palo Alto

Emma Roberts in Palo Alto

Palo Alto is Gia Coppola's debut feature film that offers a raw insight into the lives of three privileged but ever-so-lost teenagers and their peers. The film threads together the stories of Teddy, a pensive artist caught up in the world of drugs fuelled by his unpredictable and reckless sidekick Fred, and April, a sensitive sixteen year old aware of her superficial surroundings' but unable to step away. For April, the alluring and older Mr. B seems to be the answer to escaping the monotony of the endless high school drama but soon transpires to be a dangerous endeavour. Stylistically the film is coherent, filled with soft focus shots that provide an insight into the genuine nature of its characters. The mood created from this is sombre, far from nostalgic and even close to distressing at times. It is not a nice film, but a brilliant one that confronts the complex choices that that age is ever so fraught with. The choices might not always be the right ones, but Coppola is very careful in ensuring that the audience realises that these choices purely stem from insecurity and a vulnerability that that age presents. Overall, it is a unique and real portrayal of teenage life in which Coppola firmly asserts her ground as a director on the rise.

Washington DC

Washington DC, July 2013

Washington is a bit of a crazy city. Its a small town filled with enormous buildings on every corner. I enjoyed it mostly for the historical and political side to it all - all the museums are free so I tried to visit as many as possible. By the end of it though, it was rather tiresome and I was ready to move onto a city with other things happening.

Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC - July 2013

Swan Valley

Swan Valley March 2014

Here's a bit of a throw back to the beginning of the year when we were all fresh law students ready for new challenges. To celebrate starting a new course, we went on an organised tour through the Swan Valley just outside of Perth. It was a lovely end to the summer sipping freshly grown wine and was a perfect opportunity to meet new friends that have already become close to my heart.

Here's a polaroid of some pretty cool friends taken at a twenty first last night. Lots of laughter was had, along with punch and dancing in a silent disco. I took a few snaps of the lovely set up which I will upload soon.

Week Three

Empire State Building, July 2013

I'm right into week three of university where life is a little boring but I like it that way. Routine is a nice way to start habits and stick to goals. My main goal for the moment is to create a 9-5pm working day in where as soon as the clock strikes five I spend time reading for leisure, cooking dinner and watching films. Its been a nice balance, and I've found that I tend to get more things done than before - probably because procrastination is no longer an option unless I want to strike out my evenings. I'm also in the process of moving out to a lovely little townhouse in East Victoria Park. Its a stones throw away from a nice strip of cafes and restaurant as well as public transport and lovely parks. I'm looking forward to starting the next stage of my life, a little older, hopefully a litte wiser and with great friends who I can cook and watch films with everyday. I'll be sure to upload photographs of my new part of town in due course.

He sent His spirit to carry us through

New York City Sculpture in Soho, July 2013

It is a common misconception that when people are placed in moments of grief they become vulnerable and their normally strong mindset is somehow struck to the wayside because this moment of tragedy, whatever it may be, has occurred. Has anyone considered the possibility that these situations hold the power to clear the mind, and make one really challenge what one believes in? In my experience, this is precisely what occurs and, despite the tragedy itself, is an important self reflective experience. Every cloud has a silver lining and God holds the ability to right every wrong. So, don't believe people's doubt about you and hold true what you know to be true.