why am i celebrating my 22nd birthday?

So on the eve of my 21st birthday last year, I wrote this blog post: 
the 21 things that 2012 made me grateful for.

I thought that I would do something similar this year. Warning, it is going to be a lot more sappy than my usual robotic style. Friends who know me, don't be shocked. 

Every year, all of us get asked a very basic question when our birthdays are round the corner: 'What are you doing to celebrate?' And for me it's very simple. I like to host small, classy dinners, or buy my friends tea, lunch or something casual like that. But I never really considered why. I guess it just always seemed like tradition to me. 

I thought about it yesterday, and I realized that I celebrate my birthday because I have some really awesome friends across this globe. Friends who deserve to be treated in small ways, whether it is through dinner, drinks or whatever weird thing it is I decide to do. I celebrate my birthday because it is the best excuse I can use to pay my friends back for all the fantastic things that they have done for me. Without them, I would be some kind of empty, hermit crab shell husk thingie. 

So that is what I am grateful for this year, on the eve of my 22nd birthday. For the friends who have made me who I am and who have stood by me through the challenges of this year. For the friends who have helped me become more comfortable with myself, and who have given me abs because I laughed so hard at their lame jokes. You guys (apart from my immediate family) are my reason for living, and you know who you are. 

-Nad 

playlist: mojito

The summer has arrived here in Australia. Bring on the sunshine, hammocks, sand, and perhaps even a mojito or two.

My past few playlists have been slow, and possibly a little sad. I figured it was time to kick things up a notch with this reggae and ska inspired list of songs! If you're looking for something happy, upbeat but chilled, this mojito, with its gorgeous mint aftertaste, is perfect for you.

suit and tie (reggae version), justin timberlake 
underneath it all, no doubt
wavin flag, k'naan
can't stop now, major lazer 
red red wine , ub40

suit and tie (reggae version), justin timberlake 

underneath it all, no doubt

wavin flag, k'naan

can't stop now, major lazer 

red red wine , bob marley

yet another hiatus..

So it has been almost 2 months since my last post. It seems like all I've done this year is apologize for hiatus after hiatus. But seeing as I am officially done with University (I just have one more grade coming up), I apparently have no more excuses.

I am getting back on the blogging bandwagon. Get ready for it readers.

I recommend: this awesome app called Drunk Mode

Today I am recommending Drunk Mode, a fantastic mobile application that prevents its users from drunk dialling. What a simple yet BLOODY COOL idea ay.. I first got in touch with one of the masterminds behind Drunk Mode, Joshua Anton, because I thought to myself.. this is absolutely fascinating. 

Upon speaking to Josh, I learnt that there are actually similar applications in the market. However, Drunk Mode stands out like a ray of sunlight because of its fantastic understanding of its users needs. It is brilliantly up to date, it caters to a global market and most importantly, it works like a charm. 

Drunk Mode essentially does two things: 

1) It prevents you from drunk dialling certain people. 

2) It allows you to pre record messages that you would want sent to yourself in your not-so-sober state, E.G. 'Don't Drink and Drive.' 

For a clearer picture, check this video out:

I was told that the makers behind Drunk Mode have a lot of big plans for the app, but let me tell you exactly why I think you should download it. My answer can be summed up in one word: numbers.

For a bunch of college students, the Drunk Mode masterminds sure managed to hit their target group. Within the first week of its release in April 2013, Drunk Mode gained 500-600 downloads. By July 2013, this number surpassed 3000. Let me tell you something readers. If people are downloading this application, it has to be something.

Do yourself a favour and give it a go. 

http://www.drunkmode.org/

Later dudes!
- Nadia

I recommend: this brilliant video on how to tackle your 20's

This video holds the philosophy that every 20 something year old should adopt.

sorry for the hiatus...AGAIN

No, I have NO EXCUSES. I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry for not posting. It has been an insane year, and I have been so busy lately... but I'm going to get on this blog again soon. Much sooner than you expect.

What is this YOLO nonsense?

NB: For those of you who don't know, 'YOLO' stands for 'You Only Live Once.' 

Let's make something very clear from the outset. YOLO is a new age concept that is used it to justify bad decisions, because of the superficial legitimacy that is unexplainably linked to it. In other words, the term has become the automatic go-to excuse for irresponsible behaviour amongst today's youth.

So let's say that hypothetically, you are in front of me and about to down 10 tequila shots. If you tell me that it's because you want to have a night off, I'd think WHAT A FANTASTIC IDEA. Everybody deserves a break once in awhile. However if your rationale starts with 'YO' and ends with 'LO,' then I'd be like great, well bloody done on your priorities in life. Ok not really, but I'd definitely cringe upon hearing that irritatingly overused term. I mean what the heck is YOLO anyway?  It honestly sounds like someone is trying to say YOYO with a waffle in their mouth.

Believe me, I'm all for having fun and going a bit mental once in awhile, but I am not a big fan of overtly shunning responsibility in the name of some badly formulated excuse called YOLO. Yes, we only live once, but look deeper beneath that meaning... You get ONE life to live to the fullest, to achieve what you're supposed to achieve, and to figure out what your purpose is. So if you really want to use that term, do it in the name of something fantastic and meaningful. Because it is not a legitimate excuse for cheating on your significant other, regularly throwing away cash on pointless nights that you will never even remember, or just irresponsible behaviour in general.

Call me overly serious, I don't particularly mind. I'd like to think that I'm a logical creature who will find a balance between chilling out and working hard, because having fun once in awhile is absolutely imperative for one's happiness.

In conclusion, forget this superficial YOLO nonsense. Look deeper behind the meaning. Take nights off, but play it smart. You only have one life to make the best of the resources and gifts that you have been given, so don't waste it all away by making consistently dumb decisions that result in unfruitful or negative repercussions.