Twentieth Century Girl in a Twenty-First Century Tech World

I admit it – I’m an unashamed tech geek. Since turning 18, I have owned the following:

• Five computers
• Seven mobile phones
• Three MP3 players
• Three digital still cameras
• One digital video camera
• One iPod

I update my tech whenever it wears out, or when I can afford to buy something a bit faster and shinier. For example, back in February I upgraded from my almost-two-year-old, still working but very slow and temperamental laptop that overheated and froze constantly, to a very shiny, lightning fast monster of a laptop that can run all the games and applications my heart desires, has ample space to store my music collection (including the music podcast I subscribe to, 20.18GB and counting), photographs, the files for my website and all the stories I'm working on, and holds up very well to being carted between home and TAFE twice a week. (My mother now owns my old laptop and curses it on a daily basis.) I get a new mobile phone whenever the battery on my latest handset begins to wear out, my justification being that it's cheaper to buy an entirely new phone than to replace the battery. My current phone (a Motorola KRZR K1) was purchased last February, but at some point I'd like to upgrade to a Blackberry. After Easter I will begin saving for a brand new, seventh-generation 160GB iPod, to replace my sixth-generation 80GB Classic that broke just before TAFE began this year.

Considering that I am only just now about to turn 26, that’s a lot of gear in the space of less than a decade!

I am also very well-versed in the world of social networking. I have accounts on Facebook, Twitter and LiveJournal, along with a number of email addresses, and barring any interruptions to my home wireless Internet I am connected to all three sites on a daily basis.

Twitter receives most of my attention – since signing up at the end of January 2009, I have racked up more than 6,000 tweets (yes, I am very proud of this number!) and am following slightly more than 200 other users, all but 84 of which are following me back. I tend to steer clear of using the Twitter site to update my account, instead making use of a program called TweetDeck. Many of my favourite musicians, comedians, authors and actors have Twitter accounts – my favourite accounts are owned by the bands Hanson and 30 Seconds To Mars (with 30 Seconds To Mars’ members having their own individual accounts that I also follow), and the actors Nathan Fillion and Misha Collins. I keep myself deliberately ignorant of celebrity gossip, and so Twitter has become my favourite way of keeping track of what the celebrities I am fans of are up to. This is generally because anything they’re tweeting about tends to be a lot more accurate and reliable than what can be found in magazines or elsewhere on the Web. Twitter also helps me stay connected to my friends who live elsewhere in Australia and around the world. As many of the tweeters I follow are fellow writers, it’s a quick and easy way to get updates for their stories.

I also spend quite a bit of time on LiveJournal, which is the Web’s largest online journal network. I have been a LiveJournal member since 2003, back when the site was still invitation-only, and have owned my current paid-for account since 2004. Likewise with Twitter, it’s all about connecting with friends both new and old, the difference being that I use Twitter for quick updates, and LiveJournal for longer, more thoughtful posts. LiveJournal is also where I post my writing in the first instance, before any new chapters are uploaded to my website, and has resulted in a wider audience for my work. I keep access to my LiveJournal restricted to those already on my contact list, the only public posts being chapters of my stories and an entry where other users request access to my journal (and where I can accept or reject on a case-by-case basis), and so I can be a little more open than I would be elsewhere on the Web.

Unlike Twitter and LiveJournal, however, where I am more than happy to follow and befriend people I don’t already know, I use Facebook strictly for keeping in contact with family, friends within Australia and from overseas that I have met on other sites, TAFE classmates, and old classmates from high school. I didn’t join until September 2007, and until then was very reluctant to do so – it was my penfriend who encouraged me to sign up, so that we could keep in touch between letters. In recent months old friends from the first high school I attended have located me (even though my name on Facebook is slightly different to that which they knew me by), and I’ve also reconnected with my cousins in England. I don’t play games on Facebook very often, or even visit regularly (instead preferring to update my status using TweetDeck), but I collect badges (through an application called Pieces of Flair), test my knowledge of TV shows and movies I like, and connect with other members through Facebook groups that I’ve joined.

I honestly don’t see any of the tech I use as a detriment. I know when it’s time to disconnect, and even though I love being connected to the wider world I am able to switch off when I need to. I have to sleep sometime, after all! ;)

Facebook Addict!!!

Hi, my name is Belinda, and I am what I suppose you could call a FACEBOOK addict.

Although this sounds extreme, I use the term "addict" to describe my usage of this site 24/7 or whenever I have access to the internet this is usually the first webpage I always go to no matter what reason I'm on the net for in the first place.

I know they're are many other social networking sites, that are constantly accessed by numerous users, however I will be focusing on the site "Facebook" in particular as, it is one of the more popular sites that everyone can relate to including myself.

Firstly let me explain, that I was never one for joining sites etc, due to the dodgyness of predators online and my narrow understanding of online sites. You just can't trust people as much these days. However with this point aside, I did become a user firstly when my boyfriend's friend created a profile for him on Facebook when he first moved away.

I still wasn't interested when my boyfriend Steve decided to create one for me, and it wasn't actually till I moved away from home that I started to use Facebook as it became an excellent and convenient way for me communicate and stay in touch with friends and family.

This became a reliable contact source for me as it was cheaper then calling or messaging via phone, and friends always seem to be on Facebook.

So whether it's for contact regarding an assignment or just to say hi, Facebook will always be around and growing due to it's reliability.

What's coming next?

In today's present time technology and social networking sites have become some what of a neccesity in our lives as over time we have slowly assimliated it into our culture. Many people have different views about the technology that we use today. Some love it, some are addicted to using it and some cant live without it, while others simply get annoyed and frustrated by the fact that they buy the latest technology and two weeks later something bigger and better has come out! Im one of these people.

There are alot of popular social networking sites that people use today which include facebook and twitter, which are the popular ones now, although im not a big user of either of these or in social networking in general so i cant really say that they have enhanced my life in anyway.

As many people would agree with me A MOBILE PHONE IS A NECCESITY IN LIFE TODAY WHETHER YOU ARE OLD OR YOUNG! I also believe that everyone should know how to use a mobile phone as it is extremly frusrating when you try to leave your parents a message and they dont even know how to turn the phone on!

Why do we need one??

Its a great way to keep in contact or leave quick messages and extremly reliable in case of emergencies.

In my opinion i believe that technology is something that we are all going to need to learn how to use whether we hate it or love it. It has become such a big part of our lives and is growing.

What's coming next??

Tech Addict

I have always loved technology, technological advances and the opportunities brought along with them. I can't keep up financially with all that I'd like to (such as a faster computer) but I do keep up with the latest available 'gadgetry' and advances so when I can update I know what works and what doesn't and what best suits what I need.

At home I have a desktop pc, a laptop, a netbook and an iphone. I have a wireless network including a wireless printer and that's just what I use. I very rarely need to write or post a letter as I email wherever possible, it's quick, easy and I have a record of it.

I have worked in an IT Help Desk, and helped test company web sites as I apparently have the ability to 'think like a computer does' and 'problem solve logically'. I loved the problem solving but at the same time found alot of the work monotonous and repetitive - just because I can think like a computer, doesn't mean I am one.

I love my iPhone and all that it offers, it gives me the functions of a mobile phone, it's an iPod, I can access the Internet anywhere, anytime, access all my email accounts, access facebook, get breaking news, and the multitude of free and paid applications.

I love and hate facebook. I have worked in many companies in both Wollongong and Sydney, with people from all over the world. Facebook has enabled me to catch up with school and work friends, and be able to find and contact them at any time without knowing addresses, phone numbers - any contact details really. I love the contact it has given me with people I had 'lost' but hate the amount of I time I can simply lose when logged on. It's a great procrastination tool.

Yes I do play the facebook games (thanks for dobbing me in Kathleen), I play the ones by Zynga, they are terribly similar, and monotonous, but I'm totally intrigued by what sorts of information Zynga, facebook and other data gathering companies are collecting, collating and how they might use it.

I'm essentially doing my own research, for my own curiosity as I believe these games are not simply money making devices, although they do make the companies mentioned a huge amount of money. I'm interested in way the games are cross-promoted, rely on your networks and 'friends', and rely on your becoming addicted or being competitive enough to continue playing.

I don't like twitter, and I don't like myspace, I don't see the need for me to use any other social networking sites. Facebook is the one which the majority of the people I wish to be in contact with also use and it works for me. It also doesn't cost me anything other than my monthly Internet ISP fee so that's another plus - if or when they start charging to use facebook I may change my mind.

So that's what I have and use in a nutshell on a daily basis. As for whether I think technological advances such as social networking sites are good or bad, I think that for every technological advance there are gains and losses. Some of these gains and losses may not be able to be seen or measured for years but some are obvious virtually as soon as it is accepted and in general use.

I have the luxury of having lived in a much quieter and simpler world, a world where you remembered what you've learned - not just how to search using google. No answering machines let alone mobile phones with video conferencing, no computers - just books and pens and paper - books and pens and ink have a wonderful smell and don't strain your eyes.

So I know there's no right or wrong answer - as we progress and advance as a society we will lose and we will gain. Progress is constant and inevitable and we have to work with and make the best of what we're given. I think that's part of being human and what we've always done whether with a club, a cave and some animal skin or the internet and performing keyhole surgery in another city. It's the way we use what we have.

Get off Facebook and open Your-book!

Five signs that you are addicted to Facebook, according to CNN.com:

1. You lose sleep over Facebook
2. You spend more than an hour a day on Facebook
3. You become obsessed with old flames
4. You ignore work in favour of Facebook
5. The thought of getting off Facebook leaves you in a cold sweat

Does it sound like you? Or someone you know?

A study by Retrevo just last month revealed that 30% of us who have any form of social networking account will, if awoken during the night, log in to post something.

The first thing that 53% of those surveyed did in the morning was check what happened after they logged off the previous night.

7% would even respond to posts on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace during sex.

OH MY GOD! GET SOME HELP!

I am probably the most computer-illiterate twenty year old on the planet right now. I rarely check my Facebook, and when I do manage to remember my password and log in before it blocks my email address completely, I find that it has changed. Every single time! I can't navigate around. I can't even find my profile. And sometimes, I can't even find the log out button!

I had the pleasure of my sister trying to teach me the ins and outs last weekend whilst I was home. After nearly two hours, she threw her hands in the air, defeated, and proclaimed 'You are a lost cause!'. Nice.

I can understand people's fascination with all the sites that are available now. But I can't understand how it has come to be a more popular form of communication than a face to face conversation with someone. It makes me fidgety with rage just thinking about it!

I, admittedly, use Twitter. But the people I follow generally follow me back. I don't feel like some crazed fan-girl stalker. I follow a fair share of celebrities. But I'm pretty sure they are only celebrities in my eyes. Reasonably little known bands, singers, writers, producers, directors and such. Heroes in my eyes but no-names in yours. I hold on to this because they are generally more open to talk to you than big names. And in the industry I'm chasing a job in, I find contact with them invaluable!

I hate hearing conversations on bus that revolve around celebrity twitter updates. 'Oh my god, did you see John Mayer's latest post?' 'Dude! On twitter Nathan Followill said he was getting married today!' Oh, for Pete's sake! Get a grip!

We also judge young users of these sites when they end up in trouble. Whether it be for posting compromising pictures, talking to predators, defacing pages, threatening other users, everyone can see all of this and teenagers just don't understand!

So, I tend to lean towards most networking sites being detrimental to society. I get that they are a source of communication, greater than any snail mail sent letter, but I can't get my head around the obsession with them. Give me face to face, or at least voice to voice, interaction any day!










theoatmeal.com/quiz/facebook_addict

Go on, just take the test. You already know the answer anyway!

Social Networking...great!

Technology, Internet & Social Techonology is part of my everyday life. It is my only way to connect friends and family back home. Yes you can say that it is one of my best friend. Dont get me wrong, I do have a life outside internet. I got friends who are living all the around the world, and the only to connect with them, is guess what, yes through internet! So really, you cant blame me to be in the net all the time is it?
Facebook, uhm yes im guilty, im all there all the time, not just to connect friends, but to play games, its my way of relaxation, i enjoy it so much I think im addicted to it (my name is leah and im a farmville addict!), theres nothing to worry though, i am still in control of myself.
Technology is great! Without it , I reckon i would still be writing snail mail to my family and have thousands of dollars long distance bills!

Who is Leah, find out here!

Who is Leah?

Where is she from?

What does she plan to do with her life?

Her life ambitions?

Find out all these answers and more in this short biography!

Leah is currently studying the Media & Communications course at TAFE and is currently looking for employment in a job''that pays well'' Leah comes from the Philippines, where she studied a Bachelor of arts major in History. She migrated here to Australia looking for employment, however her previous University degree she studied in the Philippines had hardly any standing in this country. Thanks to the wonders of the internet she is able to stay in contact with her family and friends. Leah loves to cook, this includes native dishes and baking. Leah eventually wants to move back to her country and buy herself a huge mansion, and perhaps even a chunk of the island.

Hi. My name is Kathleen, and I use facebook too much.

(“hi Kathleen welcome to fba … facebookaholics anonymous” etc – you know what to do)

Let me get something straight. I don’t play the games, at all, because I get sick of them after two minutes. I know people who do, though (hi Belinda) so each to their own. I don’t use any of the applications at all, and I probably have about 60 friends, max. Most of those are relatives (remember: Irish) and people I went to highschool with and therefore haven’t talked to in three years. I just always have it in the background, waiting for someone to say or do something interesting so I can pounce on it and liven up my night. Which is usually spent alone with a glass of wine and…

Right, anyway, ergo, facebook = detriment. A time detriment. To everyone. You know it’s true. But go ahead, argue with me. I know some of you will.

But… not all of the new technological tools are such a detriment to my productivity (and my social life :(  )

Twitter for example. I don’t post twitters (or tweets, whatever the hell), because I can’t think of anything more egomaniacal. Whenever my one lone friend that I know in real life that I follow posts a tweet I want to introduce his head to a cricket bat. Repeatedly. But I follow many interesting people who post many interesting things. I follow celebrities (…well, David Hewlett…), as well as a variety of people, from Neil Degrasse Tyson to Chas Licciardello. These people are fantastic to follow – they’re interesting and they introduce me to news articles and ideas that I normally wouldn’t find.

Along with Twitter, one of the most useful technological tools I use is RSS feeds. This is one of the most useful tools the internet has spawned. I can check these RSS feeds each morning and catch up on news that interests me. I don’t have to go to a site to view their new content, I can just check my RSS feeds and it will show me the updated content.  

And as for google? Google is both good and bad.  I like to think that most of the stuff I know, I well, know.  It's in my head.  I don't know where I get some of it, and some it is so obscure and stupid that I wonder what isn't being stored in my head due to that taking up space.  But at least I know it.  I see a lot of people who only know what the internet tells them.  Off the internet, they are stupid or have an oddly distorted view of the world or a topic, because they only remember part of a opinion that they supposedly have.  I have a lot of odd opinions, but at least they're mine and I own up to that.

So some technological tools are useful. Some are not. Some are creepy and stalkerish. A lot of them are getting too close to a nineteen eighty four type world for me to be comfortable. These technological tools have changed us, and they’ve changed the world in which we live. So we can’t say that they are bad, as such, because in today’s world we couldn’t live without them.

Catch 22, right?

MySpace annoys me, sorry, I’m not going to discuss it.

google and facebook ads.

Think about the technology, social networking sites and applications you use in everyday life.

Which of these technologies/applications/ social networking sites do you think enhance your life and which do you think are detrimental?

i think,, they all enhance my life, as it is socialising, and it makes it easier to talk to people,, some popular ones include:
Facebook
Msn
Myspace
Twitter

facebook is becoming more and more popular, and myspace is only being used by teens and for music, face book and google ads.
i cant live without my phone, i need it to live. :)! if by applications you mean general aplliances, then yes they make life alot easier, and less stressfull for most people. i COULD live without a computer and an ipod,, as long as i have my phone.

there is no way, i could ever live my life without my phone, it's an important part of my life.

Social Networking

Social networking is a popular pastime and networking tool, such networking sites include myspace facebook and twitter, social networking allows people to keep in contact with friends. it also allows people to chat, and upload movies, photos as well as status updates which 1 is able to detail their dealings during the day, other people or friends can comment their opinion.

Social networking has billions of customers and is a mainstay in contemporary society.

I Hate Twitter

Think about the technology, social networking sites and applications you use in everyday life.
Which of these technologies/applications/ social networking sites do you think enhance your life and which do you think are detrimental?

Hello there, my name be Chris and yes I'm am writing this blog on social networking sites and how I reckon which one is better then the others but yeah we already know which one is better here xD

The most popular social networking sites today are:
Myspace.
Facebook.
Twitter.
MSN.

Although most people have moved onto facebook these days because you can find basically anyone you want like old friends, family, relatives and also to play games such as farmville, bejeweled etc. Myspace is still good to find out when upcoming artist are touring but really these days Myspace has died =\

Twitter on the other hand i hate with a passion like don't get me wrong it's just like facebook in a way but why would you want to tell people when your bout to have a drink or hang out the washing or you just washed your dog and got soak when he shook the water off him?
Really these days people are getting bored with life and have nothing to do but just tell people what there feeling.

But yes, I believe Facebook is the new myspace for the simple reason more people are using it, there are more funnier things to do on it like games and also you can meet people you may know though another friend and its like a big circle.

Technology.

Think about the technology, social networking sites and applications you use in everyday life.

Which of these technologies/applications/ social networking sites do you think enhance your life and which do you think are detrimental?

There are multiple technologies/ applications/ social networking sites that enhance peoples lives. And some are detrimental.

The most popular social networking sites at the current time are:
Twitter
Facebook
Myspace
MSN

The aforementioned social networking sites are the most popular yet as time progresses some of them die out, one of the three is dieing out really fast and is now only for pre-teens, but really, who really cares about myspace anyway?
As myspace dies out to the pre-teens and young ones, Facebook is picking up the previous users of facebook as they get older.
Twitter is one of the newer social networking sites where the user can inform other users of what they are doing at the current time. But who really wants to tell people where they are when they are?
Celebrities are even tweeting from prison, what are they going to write? "Sitting in a dark cell.. yep"?
Social networking sites are not detrimental to our everyday lives but are a great way of connecting with people from your past, present and anyone you may meet in the future.

Technologies that have been around for a few years now are:
Ipods
Mobile Phones
Televisions
Computers

Now you all know me as always having my Ipod in, yet the question I am sometimes asked is, could I live without it? Personally I don't think I could; it's detrimental and without it I think I would die!
Mobile's are used by alot of peopel and are a great way to stay available all the time 24/7, some would say that having a mobile is detrimental depending on what you need it for, some jobs require that you have one just in case you are needed at work at a random time of day to fill in.
Television is not detrimental yet it is a luxury and can keep people informed with the latest news and sporting information.
Computers are not detrimental either, they are also a luxury, they can provide an easy means of producing essays and can help to find things out from around the world with the click of a mouse.

Social Networking - Technology

Social Networks, Technology !!!! Are they friend or foe??? Does the ability to be in touch with your loved ones and friends 24/7 help or hinder???
The other day I heard of a new craze called "Connect Four". It is an application you can download to your phone, that allows all your friends to know through a gps exactly where you are at anytime!!!! It will tell your friends for example that you're at the "pub" and waiting for them to arrive. You have the ability to become the "King" or "Queen" of a location if you frequent it the most. I can't think of anything worse!!!! Though it will catch on just like other fads like facebooks - farmville or mafia wars. I can see the philanders steering clear of this application, but I can also see nervous Mothers downloading the application onto their wandering teenagers phones. People will know every mundane move you make in your day to day life.

Why do we feel the need to be in contact with EVERYONE. Do we really have to tell everyone what were thinking or feeling via a post, or text??? And does anyone really give a damn??? Still in saying that, here I am on a BLOG telling you what I think about social networking and new technology. But what you and I do have is the wonderful ability of hitting the delete button, or that little x in the top corner that can end any story you don't want to hear, or don't give a hoot about. So is social networking good or bad??? All I know is it's here and it's here to stay!

Aeryn NOT Erin

Erin Brown is a smart young women who sees herself as a high achiever.

She is 25 years old and lives in Albion Park.

Her hobbies include listening to music and writing stories. She writes these stories online at her personal website known as http://www.tabula_rasa/ .cc.

She is writing a book at the moment called "The Minestral Prayer".

When it comes to music Erin is obsessed with "Hanson", as he is her favourite music artist to ever live. Her next favourite being a band identified as "30 Sec to mars".

Now here's an interesting peice of history about Erin!

Her great great great great great grandfather was William the conquouerer. This makes Erin very proud to be related to such a incredible man.

Erin's dream goal is to win the lotterry with her main one being to one day own a bookstore as she loves to read and feels well suited to that career.

Justin who?

Justin is...
a bloke from Warilla who was born on the 18th of April, four months early, cant wait to get out in the wild world hey? oh, his family and friends call him Webster, dont ask me why. When he was a kid he wanted to be an electrician, but now that he is grown up uhmm...soon to be 18, he is open to any possibilities, maybe in media or journalism?....who knows? only time can tell....at the moment he is enjoying life to the fullest and open to whatever life is going to offer....now thats a good way to look at life!
Justin likes to do video editing and all other computer stuff, if you got problems with your computer, ask Justin, he got the answer, right Jus?.....he also likes math, listening to music, kebabs and drinks milk straight from the milk carton...hmmm i wonder what his mum has to say about that! and oh, his favorite movie of all time is "Dude, Where's My Car?" and speaking of cars, he doesnt drive (did i say that loud?).
Currently he enjoys working part-time at Kmart Shellharbour. He likes how time flies when he is working. He also enjoys going to Tafe, he looks at it as an opportunity of learning. In five years time, he sees himself travelling and or studying abroad. And in a much, much further future he wants to spends his well-earned millions and support his family....how about that!

James Preston

James Preston

James Preston 22, a local of Woonona. Having moved up from Wagga Wagga to find work. Unfortunatley that did not go as planned so changed his intentions and now James is studying full time at Wollongong TAFE. Completing a certificate 4 and dimploma in Communications and Media.

In his hometown of Leeton in Wagga, James worked for Sunrice for 9 years. He was a valuable team member for his rugby league club the Yanko-Wamoon Hawks where he spent three years exhilerating the crowds.

James is a down to earth guy, with a friendly attitude, enjoys a good laugh and is easy going and well spoken. Riding motorbikes are one of his favourite hobbies. Along with that he enjoys all kinds of sports. And up most of all he likes to draw, doodle if you will humurous images and cartoons.

Music is vital for James as that relaxes him and keeps him on track, everything except country music that is. Most types of genres James will watch he likes anything really but nothing bad.

James' personal motto "As long as life is easy, no dramas".

ALL ABOUT SHIREE!!

Shiree is a 26 year old talented and determined young woman who describes herself as a very friendly and loyal person, as well as a bit of a perfectionist at times.

This year Shiree is undertaking the Certificate IV course at TAFE, and would love to someday become a publisher or even be involved within the tourism industry. Before this Shiree started off doing child care but soon changed her mind after deciding this was not what she wanted to pursue, and recently Shiree works in the retail industry.

Shiree has many incredible interests one of which is her immense passion for music. Shiree enjoys all genres of music and admits she has a soft spot for boy bands. Currently the talented Shiree is also learning and teaching herself to play the guitar and hopes that by the end of the year she will be able to play a few songs.
In relation to music Shiree is also enthusiastic about dancing and had previously been dancing for about 18 years, as well as her favourite show that she loves to watch being, “So you think you can dance”. As a young, energetic and active child Shiree always desired to be a ballerina.

Besides dancing and music Shiree also loves to spend some quiet and relaxing time to enjoy her hobby of reading. Sci-fi, fantasy and biographies are all of Shiree’s favourite materials to read but admits that she likes a mixture of everything.

The kind and caring Shiree is a very family orientated person and adores her entire family and friends especially her little niece. She very much loves and enjoys chilling out and spending quality time with each and every one of them, and although Shiree is not too fond of too many animals she has one extra family member that she absolutely loves to bits which is her dog Zoey who is a minifoxy cross Chiwawa.

Let me tell you about, well, me.

(Daniel Jackson is awesome)

Well I missed the first class so I wasn't paired up with anyone, and Peter generously told me I could do it on myself.

Because I'm not a megalomaniac (much...) I'm not going to be able to refer to myself in third person. Sorry.

Well, my name is Kathleen Lelava Halloran, I'm nineteen, and I was born in Samoa. I've lived in Helensburgh since I was three and am yet to move out of it, but that's okay cause Helensburgh isn't that bad, I promise. Got two older and one younger, and the two older ones are married, plus my dad was one of seven and my mum one of four, so there's far too many people in my family. If anyone is up for sterilising the Irish I'd love to help.

I left school during the second week of year 11, which was 3 years ago. I worked, did tafe, did full time work as a trainee waitress (yeah, I know...), realised how much that sucked, and came back to tafe.

I'm going to uni when this semester is over, because I want to go into book editing or publishing, but I'd also quite like to move into the department of foreign affairs and trade as a diplomat.

I love reading, especially fantasy, and I love TV, except I can't remember to watch shows when they're on tv, so I download them and then buy them when they come out on DVD. My favourite shows are Stargate SG1 (I'm in love with Daniel Jackson) + Atlantis, Gossip Girl (yeah yeah) and Top Gear. I'm also quite partial to Glee and Next Top Model, and I'm still making my mind up on Stargate Universe, but Eli is awesome and Dr Rush is even better. I also like soccer. I follow Chelsea, because when I picked my team Chelsea had the nicest kit. They win, too, so that was pretty good. Oh, and my favourite band is Muse, but I also love Powderfinger, Green Day and Mika, and a load of others.

p.s. if anyone would like to donate to the Kathleen would really like a Lambo Gallardo fund, please feel free.

What is Ashley's Story?
He is a young dark-haired buck with a nice face and a nice easy easy going style.
At 18 years of age, he is still living at home in Woonona, and is newly single. Ashley has an interest in body boarding and would eventually like to work in the media industry as either a radio or television presenter. He really likes comedy movies, especially if they are Australian made.
His favourite singer is Jack Johnson,

who made a film clip with Ben Stiller for his song "Taylor", and his favourite song is "Broken Hearts and Torn up Letters", by Lost Prophets.

Sylvia

Sylvia is only 53 years of age yet was married at 18; she was born at Bulli Hospital which is located in the illawarra. Sylvia has never moved away from the illawarra which means that she has lived here for 53 years. During her 53 years of living in the illawarra she has had three sons with her husband Gary who is a video producer. The sons names and ages are: Matthew 28, Brendan 25 and Andrew 23. An interesting fact about her three sons is that they are all type one diabetics.

Sylvia is a professional TAFE student and has been in TAFE since 2003 with an estimated 10 courses completed.

Her favourite singer is Michael Buble, her favourite movie star is Whoopie Goldberg, her favourite song is Hallelujah and her favourite television show is stargate SG1 and stargate atlantis.
Sylvia also loves to sew and loves long stitch kits.

Shelley Nathan is a 38yrs young New Zealander mother with three children age eight, three and two. She lives in Scarborough and helps out at her local surf lifesaving club.
she has been self-employed for 12 years and is currently retraining to catch up on current technology and she also likes to hear other peoples views and talents.
Shelley enjoys to read a good novel on a relaxing chair, she also enjoys music and having BBQ's with friends whilst enjoying a nice glass of wine.
With this course although it is good how it is shelley would like to have abit more creative writing involve in the subject.
For the future shelley hopes to have a stable employment and have a happy healthy family.

Let me tell you a bit about Sam....

Samantha (aka Sam) is a recent graduate of the illustrious Figtree High School and is currently enrolled in the combination Certificate IV/Diploma course in Communication and Media. Sam hopes the successful completion of this course will help her to gain entrance to university where she would like to study Journalism. She would particularly like to be either a music or fashion journalist. Vogue? Rolling Stone? Either would do!
Music and fashion are two areas in which Sam has great interest. When it comes to music she prefers the smooth sounds of R&B to other styles. She also enjoys reading interviews with her favourite artists and getting the low down on what's happening by reading magazines and online articles.

A budding fashionista, Sam currently works at Jeans West and loves to stay up to date on the latest trends. Working in retail does have its perks; you get to find out the latest styles before everyone else and who doesn't love getting staff discount! It's hard to believe that Sam was a bit of a tomboy when she was younger; preferring to play soccer or climb some trees rather than play dress-ups or tea parties. Now she's a bit more girly, even naming pink as her favourite colour.

A self confessed vegetable hater, Sam lists her favourite foods as spaghetti and McDonald's. Oh, and don't get between her and a bowl of Light & Tangy chips! You have been warned.

Outside of work and study Sam loves to spend time with her family and friends. Even her older brother, they actually get along! She would also love to travel overseas with her top destination being Hawaii. Luau anyone? Sam also has an interest in ancient civilisations and would like to visit Athens and Rome to see the various ruins and historical sites.

Chris Phillips Biography

BORN: 19 years ago

HOME: Chris resides in Corrimal

EDUCATION & ACHIEVEMENTS:

School Vice-Captain of Corrimal High

Completed Year 12

Completed Cert III in Communications Media

Currently undertaking Cert IV Communications Media

LIKES AND DISLIKES:

Meeting new people

Music

League

Surfing

IN THE FUTURE:

Chris would like to have achieved many things in the future. Firstly earning a income from writing. Living on the North Coast of NSW raising a family.