Me and Brett on the Balcony of the Grand

Me and Brett on the Balcony of the Grand
Originally uploaded by enetheru_2006.

Sunflower Photoshop Tutorial

Sunflower Photoshop Tutorial
Originally uploaded by enetheru_2006.

I did this image in the first lesson of Web and Graphic Design. The purpose of the lesson was to age the image using channels, masks and stock photos. And this is the end result

New Semester

I have started my new semester here at SIT. It's gonna be real intense for the last half of the year. I have classes like Business and Legal Studies, Media Culture, Practical Filming and Web and Graphic Design.

Aside from the workload, I was also hit with a Viral Flu which took a lot out of me.

Looking at my diary shocks me at the moment with all the assignments I have due. I have a 30s TV Commercial Due in 2 weeks, A poster, A Website, 3000 word essay etc. But the good thing is, I am staying organised and keeping up with the work load.

I got some more exam results as well. I got 55% for my script, which I have to disagree with, but its still a pass and I learnt some valuable skills out of it. I got a D- for my film for the editing side of it, and I know why. When it was edited, all the shots were in order and there was nothing missing. But when I rendered it to CD, heaps of shots got cut out or cut short and I couldnt change it at the time because we had to hand it in. I just have the final exam to do for BDM105 Editing and then I will recieve my marks.

The image posted above this is what I did in the first Web and Graphic Design Lesson. I knew my photoshop skills would come in handy at some point during the course of my degree.

I'll post again in a few days

~Sam xxx

Exams a Coming

Well its been a busy week down here in the deep south. For the last few days we have been getting a wealth of information regarding exams. The first one in fact is next tuesday. And its the most boring subject imaginable...COMMUNICATIONS.

The good thing is though, that the manager of the Grand has converted a room into an absolutely fantastic study area with a long table so you can spread your stuff out and a computer that ties into the SIT network was installed a couple of weeks ago so things are looking up.

The downside of Last Week was one of my best friends (we shared a corridor to ourselves) left the Grand with SIT backing. She wasn't coping with the noise at all hours and during the week. There are times even I feel like losing it like she did. But, i should be strong and know that no matter how bad it is in the Grand, things could get worse.

I'm planning on making a trip to the Bay sometime in the near future, so I can let you all know how i'm going, and what i'm doing.

Brett says "Hi!"

~Sam

I write this post from my sickbed more or less. This past week i've been knocked back by a pretty heavy cold. It hasn't been pleasent. I guess its more or less due to the fact that winter (one of nvercargill's 2 seasons) is approaching fast. The good thing is that i'm not the only one affected. Quite a few people at the Grand are falling ill.

On a differen subject, i've started doing something quite alarming...don't panic, its nothing bad...well depends how you take it really. I have only been in the deep south since february, so thats like only 4 months right? Well I have started to roll my "r's" especially in "Nurse", "Burger", "Work".

I apologise that this post lacks substance, but i've been so run down, i'm finding it hard to actually type this post.

Posted below is a poem I wrote during the families "Secret Beach" Holiday with Kurt and Hine

Until I write again,

~Sam

Mahinepua Bay
----------------------------------------------------

Jagged grey rocks line the bay
The waves crash into the shore
In an uncaring embrace //
//
The afternoon mist
A whirling maelstrom of fog
Blankets the landscape in shimmering moisture //
//
The late sun sets low in the sky
The fog retreats and
The land is tinted gold //
//
The crashing waves echo
Penetrating the quite night air
As the world lays down to sleep //
//

My Oh My

Long time no write,

I finally (at long last) remembered my user details for my blog. That made me so super happy so now I am able to fill you in on whats been happening for the past few months.

FEB 08
==============
I finished work early in February and got all my stuff together like packing and booking tickets etc for my departure from Hanaia to the Deep South. I left on a very fresh early morning from Rotorua. Once I landed in Invercargill, I was picked up by Ryan and his mum and taken to the Grand Hall which is to be my home for the year. A week later O Week started and I am pretty sure SIT is the only Uni in the country that has classes run at the same time as O Week. I have made some awesome friends, Jaz, Vinnie, Tasha, Cilla, Amanda, Laura, Matt, Ben and a whole heap more. I feel I am coping quite well living so far from home but...I miss you my family.

MAR 08
==============
March signalled the end of mine and Ryan's relationship. I will not go into details here because they are rather painful to recollect, but for every end there is a new beginning. I have met the most wonderful guy by the name of Brett. Before he even talked to me, he first contacted me on Bebo and we chatted and exchanged cellphone numbers. The day before he officially met me, I was waiting for Communications Studies (A class I take with brett) to start. He walked in and saw me leaning against the wall, He turned bright red and looked at his feet before leaving the foyer for a few minutes. ***SO CUTE***. We eventually got to know eachother and I met his parents who are lovely people. And for a weekend he took me on a Roadtrip to Roxburgh, an integral part of In My Fathers Den (A New Zealand Film). I find it funny that I am able to find film references in just about all I talk about.

APR 08
===============
April was finally surgery time. I was in Hospital for a week following the actual procedure then I spent a further two weeks in Opotiki before leaving for Invercargill again. I fell a wee bit behind with my assignments but got every single one of them up to date and handed in with a copy of my doctors note.

The Grand is, at the moment, turning into a real unpleasent place to live and study. I will blog about the goings on in the Grand in a later post, I don't want to give you too much to read

Until next post

Sam xxx

My Daemon

My Daemon
Originally uploaded by enetheru_2006.

In light of the release of the New Line Cinema production The Golden Compass here in New Zealand, I thought it proper to post the image of my Daemon generated for me.

Busy

I have been so busy these last couple of weeks. My boss has had me doing hellish hours at work again. I just finished doing eight (8) night shifts in the kitchen and on the forecourt. I only had a couple of days off then I started back again doing day day shifts on the forecourt and now another five night shifts in the kitchen. I guess I can't complain too much because the pays pretty good. Got some holiday wages and I have worked almost every stat day, so my pay packets have been fabulous. All the more money to help make ends meet when I leave.

Stay tuned for a little side project of mine that will be posted in the sidebar. Details to come later.

Ryan

Ryan
Originally uploaded by enetheru_2006.

Here is a photo of Ryan for all those who didn't get to meet him.

He is never without his beanie

Tertiary Terrors (Well not really)

Well its been an eventful month this december. I was both provisionally accepted and officially accepted into my course at S.I.T. I was also accepted into the Halls.

I was also rung up by Whakatane Trade Education. They may be able to provide some funding assistance with accomodation and stuff.

Also in the later part of November a "friend" of mine by the name of Ryan came up from Invercargill and spent a week here at Hanaia. He met quite a few people. But for those who never got to meet him, a photo will be posted above them.

Christmas was also fairly eventful. I did a 7-3 shift at work, got home and opened my presents. I am so sure my family is trying to tell me something. I got a planner from Grandma and Grandad. A suitcase from my parents. A note book from Tracey. A very nice soft leather wallet, a huge bar of Dark Chocolate my favourite flavour and a game that doesn't play on our computer.

So overall it was a good month. And I depart for the Deeeeeep South on the 11th of Feb

Forgotten Memories

Here is a very low-res version of my film

Progress

Well yesterday I applied for my Student Loan for next year. It was such a long winded, minde boggling process (haha if you re-arrange boggling it spell blogging). I have also been in touch with the Digital Media Tutor at SIT (Southern Institute of Technology). I feel quite busy. On top of all this I have been studying and sitting my final NCEA L3 external exams. Music is my last one which I sit tomorrow.

Sample Photo from my board

Untitled-8
Originally uploaded by enetheru_2006.

Heres a sample photo from my board for my Y13 Photography

The End (Rated PG-13)

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Ugh

Last night had to have been the most bizzare I have experienced at work. I was just finishing up in Kitchen when I had to put my mop down and serve a customer who was clearly a little under influence. First of all he asked if we had any napkins, so I directed him to the Hot Food Cabinet where they are. He then demanded I get them for him because it apparently could be seen as stealing. I mean, they are there for customer use.

On a lighter note, I got a Birthday present from my Aunt Megan. It was a book called "MYSECRET, a PostSecret book" which is filled with personal and deeply intimate messages from Teens and Early 20's that reveal their most secret secrets.

There are some really thought-provoking secrets and some that just make you think of all the intolerance there is in this age.


THANKS MEGAN

~Sam

Back to the Grind

Well the holdays finished a few weeks ago which means it's back to the daily grind of school and revision for exams. *sighs*. Last Week it was the annual Motu Challenge in which Dad and Ms Vellenoweth both competed, as individuals i might add. The day after that i legally became and adult, yes, I celebrated my 18th Birthday with a family dinner, minus my brother, who is at Uni. However we are going to hold a combined celebration seeing as he had his 21st earlier this month.

And as always the dreaded end-of-year NCEA exams creep closer and closer.

On a lighter note, I got accepted into the Student Accomodation at SIT and my Course Application has been partially processed seeing as the course doesnt actually start until Feb. I was ever so keen that I sent my application in really early.

At the moment I am currently obsessed with the music from "The Lion King" so accompanying this post is the video clip for "The Circle of Life" which if you read into my post seems quite applicable.

Discrimination and Fear

This post must be read with an open mind and no pre judgements. Also be aware that I wrote this from my point-of-view!



In the media and in our own lives we see gay mean, and a good majority of high school teens, being beaten to a pulp or removed from society because some people with extraordinary high *morals* can't adjust to the fact that someone (either male or female) can be happy and content and in love with a member of the same sex.

When was the last time you heard about a lesbian couple being the victim of a hate crime here in New Zealand? This brings on an interesting question. "Why is it that gay women are more socially accepted than gay men?" Is it because the "macho" men of this nation like "getting off" on 2 ladies being intimate.

The gay and bi males of this age seem to afraid to find the key to the closet because of the negative connotations and abuse that will follow. I quote an article from last months girly magazine (i forget which one)

"When we go out on public transport we cover our hands with a jumper just so we can hold them. Its stupid that we can't walk down the street and show affection like a straight couple"

For some reason the general public and some *conservative* groups find 2 men holding hands and being affectionate in public something sick and evil, yet 2 females doing the same thing is accepted like a straight couple.

What sort of equal society do we live in if a gay couple (male or female) can't be or won't be accepted and treated like s*** or percieved as disgusting and wrong. Aren't we meant to be, in this age, the free and accepting people we are percieved to be?

If anyone flames me for this post, they will be ignored

Updating for the first time in months

It has been a long time since I last updated my blog.

It is the end of the first week of the school holidays and I am *meant* to be at Outward Bound but they sent me back due to medical reasons. We were halfway through a 2 day hike when I got enormous back pain and had to be evacuated. It felt like my spine was about to leave my body.

So i got flown back to the bay two days later. Its been nothing but solid work since I got back. I've actually been back at Caltex for about 2 days filling in for Melissa, darn flu.

Next week I am going to post a certain topic that may cause a little controversy

---S

My Daemon

My Daemon
Originally uploaded by enetheru_2006.

The Voice Within

THE VOICE WITHIN
Christina Aguilera
Singingfool.com