Student Bloggers

By Nichole Donovan

With all this summer sun you’re probably looking for something fun outside to do this weekend, right? Well look no further than the Australian Open of Surfing being held this year at North Steyne in Manly.

Having started on 11th February the final day is this Sunday. So make sure you head down at some point between now and then. With the huge Beach Bowel imported from the US, and awesome live music it’d be hard to stay away. Tomorrow’s line up alone is a particular standout starting with DJ Grant Smillie, followed by Bluejuice and then Sneaky Sound System!! Not to mention Stonefield and the fabulous guitar sounds of Children Collide, Saturday afternoon.

We even managed to get a sneaky pic of organisers setting up this weekend’s music stage (pictured below). And.... included the link so you can map out your weekend of fun, surf, sand and (let’s not forget) serious hotties!

Click here to go to www.australianopenofsurfing.com

By Nichole Donovan

Summer holidays are always pretty awesome. And now we're at uni they're even better. For starters they're heaps longer (so more chances to party and no rushing those awful hangovers).. plus there's the added bonus of having no one to answer to now we're all adults. So perhaps, the only time during these blissful months off where you might actually feel anxious or frustrated must be - THE FAMILY HOLIDAY... da..da..da!!! (check: scary music).

Although my holiday playlist might be more dramatic than yours (coming from a family of six), I'm sure you'll agree these types of holidays are not exactly guarenteed to be carefree. So here goes Zookal's 'Top 3 Tips for Surviving your Own Family!)...

1) Earphones are a must - and don't necessarily need to always be playing music... if ya get me.

2) Say your 'affirmations'... Now this may sound a lil LOLworthy but it works. As in whenever I feel my patience is about to expire I close my eyes and repeat in my head, "I'm now exiting this situation"... or whatever variation floats your boat. (Tried and tested people!!).

3) Take time out each day and make it your own. You've been with your fam 24/7 so it's understandable to get a lil stressed sometimes. So reward yourself. Whether it's a run on your own, some quiet time by the pool, or a solo stroll to the nearest coffee shop - it'll do a world of wonders! For you and the fam.

DISCLAIMER:

Although we at Zookal recommend these tips for family holidays especially, we of course endorse their regular use back home too!... Seriously.

By Nichole Donovan (on behalf of the world)

The tax man was once the most hated man on the Earth. Today, I would argue, his shoes have been filled by the parking man, aka “the ranger”. And yes, I have deliberately placed his title in bunny ears as I do believe his status on this planet begs a fair deal of questioning. So here it goes...

Today, while working away at Zookal HQ it once again came time to move my car. Happy to do so I skipped downstairs, keys in hand. I was HORRIFIED, when I hopped into my car, to find a big yellow envelope flapping in the wind. Knowing this could only be the work of the much-hated parking ranger I raced back to the office to share my grief.

Eighty-eight dollars$$$$ I was fined for, get this.. my alleged “offence” between 12.40p.m and 12.40p.m... Even thoughhhhh...... I’d clearly paid for the right to park in that spot between 12.17p.m and 1.17p.m. ArrrrrggGGHhhhh!!!!!!!!

Funny enough, only this morning, I’d mentioned my hatred for parking rangers to a friend. To which she replied.. “they’re like police.. but not”. And to this, I said... “EXACTLY... except for the fact they’re not doing any good”.

I mean seriously, when has a parked car ever done anybody any harm?? .. really??Sometimes I even just think to myself, imagine if you were related to a parking ranger???.. Now there’s a scary thought!

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By Nichole Donovan

We all love a good vintage shop. So when you find a really good one it’s often your most coveted secret. But since we at Zookal love you all so much we decided to lift the hatchet on this one – so listen up!..

Beautiful Garbage is a stones-throw away from Terrigal beach, located on the main street of Long Jetty on the Central Coast. For the locals it’s been a much treasured gem for some time now. And for out-of-towners, like myself, it’s quite the treat!

To describe it in one word would be ‘authentic’. So much so we’re talking hand-dyed denim shorts (I purchased mine in pink), vintage Ray-Bans, there’s even a men’s section. The owner’s pretty cool too. He even posed for this photo for us out front. So if you’re in the area, or you wanna take a wee road-trip with friends check it out – I guarantee you won’t leave empty handed!

By Nichole Donovan

Driving down to the coast this week I arrived blissfully unaware of the seriously (and stereotypically) dirty Schoolies shenanigans taking over Terrigal. Intending to catch up with friends over dinner and maybe even a drink or two, my night took a turn at some point...

You see.. I never went to Schoolies. So it wasn’t long before I became interested in what they were up to. Admittedly, not a whole lot. In fact, for the most part they seemed a little lost. But the music sounded good.. and there wasn’t a great deal on in Terrigal that night. So I managed to convince my friends to wander down with me so I could.. “get some fresh air”..

From the restaurant rooftop their party had seemed rather fragmented and to be honest a lil bit pathetic. But as you turned the surf club corner it was in fact... GoInG Off!!!@$%%!!!!!

We blended in and I may have told someone I was 17 as a kind of defensive reflex for my being there. But I’m really not that far off that age anyway. And the music was awesome and a free Schoolies mixtape was even handed out (which at the time I thought I was too cool for but had a friend burn a copy the next morning! lol.. )

All in all.. as long as you’re not a sleazy old man predator.. being an accidental toolie is actually pretty awesome (and quite innocent).

Ps. I may have definitely played that CD on repeat on the way home.. (sigh) good times.

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Guest Blog: By Jordy Zonaras

Being from NSW, I was a little apprehensive about heading up to Byron in the first week (the Qld week). I went up there only knowing the 5 girls I was travelling with and another small group staying 5 minutes away. Any apprehension was quickly dissolved when we entered Byron Central Apartments. We were greeted by several groups of kids from Sydney schools with whom we shared a common patio. The openness of the apartments made it easy to meet new people, and we literally had to walk out our front door to join a party.

Nights were mainly spent getting to know each other over highly competitive games of 'beer pong' and days were spent catching up on sleep and enjoying the sunshine on Byron's main beach. We also had a Woollies nearby, so we would sit down to a nice gourmet home-made dinner before beginning the big nights.

My schoolies trip to Byron was a perfect way to celebrate the end of school and the memories (while slightly fuzzy) will make me giggle to myself for many years to come. I can't believe it's over! Toolies, anyone?

Ps. If you or a friend want to guest blog like Jordy just message your ideas to our Facebook page 'Zookal' - we look forward to hearing from you... thanks! Nichole :)

By Nichole Donovan

As a student I live largely week to week. So when you’re an inherent spender, born to shop – how on earth are you meant to stop?!

Well.. it’s my professional opinion that you shouldn’t have to. Otherwise, your spending turns into another crazy diet. Instead you have to balance what you spend, earn and save. Most importantly – you must customise your budget to your personality. So since I do enjoy a few of life’s little luxuries (like buying my lunch and going to the movies on days other than cheap Tuesday) I often need to think outside the box to score quick cash...

Yesterday I shared a stall with a friend at Narrabeen’s November markets. I earned over an extra $100 I didn’t already have (minus two bucks for some seriously awesome homemade lemonade!!!). In total that’s all my petrol, coffee and lavish lunches covered for the week... all while hanging out with a mate – genius!! Plus, I also got rid of a whole lot of junk and my room is now much cleaner. So why not give it a go yourself? It’s an especially profitable business around this silly season.. filled with christmas shoppers!!

Top Tips for Holding your own Stall:

1) Wear hat and sunscreen

2) Get in early to try and get some shade

3) Bring heaps of water and LoLliEsss!!! (yummm...)

4) Bring chairs and a mate :)

5) BRING MUSIC!!!!! (you’ll attract attention + establish serious street cred. for your stall)