Easy Peasy 10 Step Pesto Pasta with Chicken.

Hello there! Here is my first instalment of 'To Make' - I will have your lunch or dinner sorted! 

Pesto Pasta with Chicken Recipe: 

(makes 4 large servings)

Ingredients: 

- Pasta (you can use the pasta of your choice and as much as you want - I used a whole, small bag of Penne pasta)

- 2 Chicken breasts 

- 1 whole tomato, or about 12 of cherry tomatoes, halved 

- Salt and pepper to season

For Pesto: 

- 2 cups of fresh basil 

- 1/2 cup grated parmesan 

- 1/2 cup virgin olive oil 

- 1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts 

- 3 medium sized garlic cloves, minced

- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Method: 

1. Gather all of the ingredients and have everything measured out to make the whole process easier. 

2. First, you need to boil some water. While this is happening, cut the chicken into smaller bite sized pieces. 

3. Get out a large and a medium saucepan. Fill the saucepans with boiling water.

4. Put the cut up chicken into the medium saucepan and the pasta into the large saucepan and bring to the boil. 

While this is cooking, you can make the pesto - 

5. Peel and mince garlic

6. Combine the basil and pine nuts in a bender. Slightly blend together (in a pulsing manner). Then, add the cheese and garlic and blend again. 

7. Scrape the sides of the mixture to the bottom of the blender and blend again - slowly adding the oil to the mixture. Once combined, add salt and pepper to taste. 

8. Cut up tomatoes and put to the side.

9. Check both the pasta and chicken are cooked, then drain the water and put in a large bowl. 

10. Combine the pasta, chicken, tomatoes and pesto together and mix together until satisfied. 

And hey presto (or should I say pesto... haha). 

It's that Easy Peasy. 

ENJOY! 

☼

Films that inspire me: The Way Way Back

The Way Way Back is a film that has recently come into my collection. I bought it in the hopes that it would be good (as I had seen the trailer and it looked like something I would enjoy) and I wasn't disappointed. From the creators of Little Miss Sunshine and Juno, this  film is a poignant, heart touching look into the life of the misunderstood 14-year-old, Duncan, as he begins to come into his own and find his place in the world.  

After being well received at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, it moved on to show the world exactly why it was so wonderful.  

With the transition of the characters as they experience real-life, relatable issues, the forming of an unexpected friendship between an unlikely pair (that you secretly become jealous of), the perfect balance of witty and serious dialog and the phenomenal acting, while being veiled in a beautiful simplicity - this film is truly refreshing. 

On the same note, I would highly recommend the original score to this movie, as it it uplifting and simply beautiful. I have been listening to it while editing and doing copious assignments, and it has helped get me through.  In all honesty, I have been listening to the score almost every single day for the past month and a bit and I still love it. 

I think as a whole, this film shows the vulnerability of life and how what we say and do can affect those around us more than we realise, but also shows how there is still true kindness and simple joys in the world. I left thinking about these things and feeling a sense of comfort and hope for life's journey. This, I think, is the mark of a good movie.

I would without a doubt, recommend this film to anyone. 

☼

Films the Inspire me: Into The Wild

“So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.”
― Christopher McCandless

I was recently reminded of this film (goodness knows how I forgot about it). 

There are truly no words to describe the feeling I get when I see images, let alone scenes from this film. It's like someone tuned on a fountain of emotions inside of me and they are all bubbling up at once, trying to escape, but they just can't. I don't know what actually goes on inside me when I see this film - but I get all tingly and fizzy inside and feel like crying from the sheer beauty of it all. 

When I first saw this movie, I spent days talking about it (my poor parents got an ear full). But I just couldn't get over the beauty of the whole thing. I replayed scenes in my head, constantly thinking about the places he went and about the words he has said - again, feeling all of the emotions I had felt from watching the film days before. It was incredible, as I had never been so taken aback by a film - well, so much so that I spent days mulling over it again and again.

From the incredibly perfect cinematography and beautiful soundtrack, to the mind blowing landscapes of Alaska and a story that tugs at the heart strings (with lessons of survival and companionship in the mix), this film is seriously one you cannot go past. I think everyone needs to see this film at least once in their lives.   

I had recently heard many good things about the book/biography, so I went out and bought it. Cannot wait to get stuck into it!
☼

Films that Inspire me: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is, in its finest essence, a film about a man living his life vicariously though the photos by which he is surrounded. Working in LIFE magazine as the negatives assets manager (dealing with the negatives of all the photos that are in LIFE magazine) he finds himself stuck in a world where he fantasises scenarios of his life - the way he wished things were, rather than the reality he is stuck in.  A turn of events find Walter Mitty's fantasies whooshed away as he embarks into his unbelievable, breath taking reality.  

I feel like in many ways, I can relate to Walter Mitty - I do photography, I love long boarding and I dream of adventures. But also, here I am, living my life behind a laptop, being fairly content with where I am, watching others go on adventures and seeing places I only dream about. On many occasions, I have found myself to fantasise about 'what could be' - where myself and (usually) several/certain photographers and friends are in certain places around the world, exploring and taking photos and just living life to its fullest.  I mean, I make plans to travel - yet I still sit and fantasise and never actively put my plans into motion. But no longer! I feel my 'unbelievable reality' is soon approaching. It is time to get out of my comfort zone, to actually explore and get out and adventure with those whom I long to meet in countries I dream about. 

With scenes of long boarding on winding, deserted countryside roads, vast landscapes of rolling hills, rugged, ice-capped mountains and many photography references, I knew this film would soon become one of my favourites. What I didn't expect was a movie that would inspire me to stop living so comfortably, to shake things up, to take a bit of a risk and actually live life. With beautiful cinematography, a light-hearted, heartwarming storyline, wonderful acting and amazing landscapes, it is a film that I definitely recommend and truly believe will (even for just a moment) inspire you. 

(Photos from The Secret Life of Walter Mitty: Find your Frame site). 

Watch out world! It's my turn and I am putting plans into action. 

☼ 

Making plans: Shakin' things up!

Hey you! How are you going? 

So, as you may have guessed by the title, I am planning to shake things up a little on this blog! HOORAY! I am hoping to give the blog a little makeover and a little more structure. 

THE PLAN: 

My main plan is to add categories! 

- To Make (DIY/craft/food)

- Thoughts and ramblings  (like what I already do)

- Home/Lifestyle (ideas, decorations and setups) 

- What I am Listening to 

- Things I like (reviews and recommendations) 

- Genevieve's Adventures (definitely keeping that one!) 

Eventually (if I feel it comes to that) I may add a 'wardrobe style guide' and other tips and tricks. 

I then plan to write every week, or at least every second week. The 'To Make' section will hopefully have something new up every second week and in the weeks between (maybe twice a week), I plan to write something in one or two of the categories. 

Hopefully it comes out like how I imagine it will - squeaky, clean and revamped!

Until things have been shaken and until university work dies down, I will be on a little break from writing (well, I guess an extended break... Unless I have a brain wave and need to write). So hopefully that wont be too much longer. 

Hope you are all well. 

See you soon! 

☼

Expectations vs. Reality

... That moment when your expectations don't meet reality, and your insides feel shattered. (Don't worry, we have all been there). 

*A few hours earlier* you're sitting there, this perfect image in your mind - you can picture it - your perfect scenario.  As things start to pan out, your perfect plan goes askew. Reality hits! The perfect ideal that you had in your head fades to dust and reality snarls it's ugly teeth. 

Thankfully, reality isn't always as bad as it seems (or now how you may imagine it to be). BUT SOMETIMES reality is even better than your expectations! 
It's like when you're climbing a mountain.  If you're planning to climb a mountain you know it's going to be hard, but you also know that it's going to be well worth it. 
So you go, and climb the mountain. 
The expectation of climbing the mountain exceeds itself - it happens to be more difficult than you remember (as you then realise that you're not as fit as you thought you were).  But then in reality, the expectation of reaching the top of the mountain is also exceeded - far greater than you ever expected. This time, reality is better than you ever hoped or imagined. 

A few weeks ago myself, Sav and Lesley went on a road trip to meet our new friend Becky in a little place called Macksville, just past Coffs Harbor. For a while, Sav and Lesley have been pen-pals with Becky and I have been 'friends' with her via Instagram. During the holidays Becky was camping with family in Macksville, which was significantly closer to where we live, to where she usually lives. So we decided to take the opportunity to finally meet her! 

Sav and I stayed at Lesley's the night before, as we had planned an extremely early morning. Although it did not go to plan... of course.
It was about 1am when we went to bed, still expecting to leave at 3:30am.  
It was dark, barely morning and (to my disgust) the alarm went off... again, and again. I opened my eyes, waited a moment, but no one  seemed to be up (or planned to get up). The alarm was set to "snooze" and we rolled back to sleep... when all of a sudden, the alarm went off! Wait! The sun is up!? *reality hits* It's 6am and we are only just waking up. Already our expectations were sinking. 

We knew there was a long drive ahead (approximately 5/6 hours), so we set off with high hopes. Everything seemed to be going well until we hit the highway before Woolgooga. Reality hit. We ended up being stuck in completely stopped traffic for several hours. 
By the time we finally reached Macksville, the travel time had doubled (arriving after 10 and a bit hours later). Our expectation of waking up early, arriving around 9am had now turned into a 10 hour drive, leaving us tired and ready for the day to start (figuratively speaking, as it was 4pm). 

With meeting Becky, I am sure we all had something in mind to what we thought would happen, but I don't know if it matched up to any of our expectations. 
Moments after we parked the car, Becky and her little sister walked up to us with beautiful smiles on their faces. The afternoon proceeded, as we went to the tiny antique stores and op shops and got ice cream! It was great and filled with all the joy that comes along with the consumption of ice cream! 

Later that afternoon we went to the beach, which was far beyond my expectations. It was stunning. We went for a swim in the ocean, which was enormously refreshing, and then went exploring (one of my favourite things to do). 

I couldn't help but take a few snaps. 

(She had the most amazing eyes!)

38.57. Becky, a photo by Genevieve Althea on Flickr.

(My favourite photo) 

We ended up camping with Becky and her family. Which again, exceeded my expectations. After a scrumptious dinner, we sat around singing Daughter and Paper Kites songs. My heart was so happy. No expectations could of prepared me for the afternoon we had. It was just beautiful. 

So in conclusion, never worry about whether your expectations will ever meet reality, because sometimes they will be more. Much more. 
☼ 

Genevieve's Adventures: A month of excitement - Part 1.

Hello there! Long time, not speak... Well, y'know what I mean. 

It has been quite a while since I wrote here last (yeah, I tend to say that a bit). I am hoping to write more over my (three month) uni break!  I am hoping to start things I have been planning for ages, create new projects and continue the ones I am currently working on. 

Well, onto the real business - my adventurous past three weeks! 

Before you go on, listen to this and then come back.

Week 1: I was a leader on Scripture Union schoolies, aka. 'the alternative schoolies option'.  It was a wonderful week full of crazy schoolies, random (all-of-a-sudden) storms (with hail), a ton of dancing (also known as exercise), chatting about life and future plans and most importantly, making friends.  It was a wonderful week full of wonderful people and memories ♥

Week 2: I got one proper nights sleep at home (as I had crazy late nights and full on days at camp), it was well deserved and not quite enough - but no time to rest! I was onto my next adventure! 

Next up was TOUR with Wafia. 

Yeah, so if you didn't know, I am actually 'in a band'.  I sing along side three talented (and dare I say incredibly good looking) girls - Wafia (head honcho/lead vocals), Savannah (guitar and everything else) and Charmayne (babe/bass).  

W2, Day 1: *BEEP BEEP BEEP* 2:45am the alarm goes off. Time to wake up and drive to Sydney. Yep. 12/13 hours of fast moving scenery, strange towns (a scream or two given while passing through Woolgoolga 'The Goog'... yeah, don't ask) and a butt load of 90's tracks (mostly Destiny's Child and Hillary Duff). 

Finally we arrived in Sydney and were greeted by the ever so warm, lovely and charming Jack (aka. Cigaretes... yeah das riiiigh, be jealous ladies).  Although weary from our travels, we mustered up our energy for a bit of an adventure to 'Terabithia', where we walked until  we reached a clearing of fresh water and tall trees. It was beautiful and nice to be able to properly stop and take in the full moment. 

We then went back to Jack's house where we were delighted with a home cooked meal and wonderful company, and afterwards we even went to watch the sunset. It was perfect. 

W2, Day 2: Wafia had a photo shoot, Jack went to work and the rest of us meandered around the city. Savannah and myself went into Circular Quay, saw the Opera House and went to the Modern Gallery, which was wonderful. 

Later that evening, we had our gig in Hibernian House - a block of apartments full of resident artists and creative types.  The gig was opened by two very talented support acts: Little Bighorn and Direwolf. 

(Photo by: Sunny Lei)

(If the other song has finished, please listen to this and continue reading).

W2 Day 3: After a fairly full nights rest, we had (yet again) an early morning as we were driving to Lake Mountain resort in Marysville, Melbourne, for Paradise festival. This time we were joined by Jack, Bryce and Nath. 

As we approached Paradise, the excitement started to build and the scenery grew more and more exquisite.  

As we drove up the mountain, the trees became white and appeared in the thousands.  We soon entered the gates of Lake Mountain - the site of Paradise, and the excitement grew even more intense.  

(please listen to this now) 

Matt Corby started to play as we were soon surrounded by stark white trees and thick, glorious fog.  

There are no proper words to describe what was going on inside each of us at that moment.

I was almost brought to tears from the immense beauty of it all.  It is something I will remember, hopefully for the rest of my life. 

We soon arrived to the Paradise site, and boy, was it stunning! (and freezing). 

Although we knew it was going to be on the top of a ski field, none of us truly understood what that would mean - I mean c'mon, 4 Brisbane girls, coming from 'proper' summer, entering into 10 degree (Celsius) cold plus wind chill... at 4 in the afternoon, while the sun is still blaring (as the sun doesn't set until 9pm in Melbourne).

But nothing would deter us from the joy that was awaiting us! 

The first night was absolutely freezing (well for us Brisbane people) as it reached a mere 6 degrees (it's freaking summer here, so we definitely weren't expecting that!). I am pretty sure we were all wearing every item of warm clothing we brought with us - I had my stockings, jeans, socks, shirt, cardigan, jumper, jacket, ear warmers (which I just happened to bring) and socks for my hands (trust me, it really works!). 

The first sleep was difficult and cold, although the day to follow was truly amazing! 

W2, Day 4: Paradise gig day! 12:30pm we went on and performed to around 200/300 people. The most we had performed to yet. It was the perfect set at the perfect time, with the perfect weather. We couldn't have asked for more!

(this is the stage we played on)

After our set, we mingled in the green room, made some friends (including the very amazing and talented guys from the band I'lls and some of the guys from PLGRM - please check out what they're doing) and then decided it was time to explore! 

(I'lls)

(the guys all sitting around our camp site)

Myself, Wafs, Jack and Bryce went for a walk up to the summit of the Lake Mountain to take in the entire view, and boy, was it worth it!

(the boys posing. #models)

(If the last song has finished, please listen to this)

We later came back to the camp site and decided to watch the sunset. We sat around singing cheesy, childish songs at the top of our lungs while the sun warmed our bones and joy filled our hearts. 

Once the sun had set and it became cold, we all left to watch the bands play. 

After grooving to Millions, most of the gang went to bed. All except Savannah and myself. The two of us sat in the car (warmth) while Sav curled up for bed and I attempted to do a star trail, which as you can see epically failed! 

(my failed attempt at a star trail, although I still kind of like this photo)

I then went back to the stage where I was greeted by one of the guys from I'lls and Michael from PLGRM (which I was thankful for, as they kept me company). We (mainly Michael) danced the rest of the night away to Animaux until it was so cold my feet felt like they were going to fall off.  

The next morning we packed up quickly and said our goodbyes to everyone we had met during the weekend. Overall, it was a truly incredible experience, a weekend I will never forget! 

André Hillas, you are seriously one of the coolest, craziest, sweetest, most passionate, inspirational people I know. 

You are going to go so far! - Paradise is just the start! 

☼