Aimee's Book Corner: The Maze Runner

The Maze Runner

If you’re anything like me, you watched the first movie (and probably the second) and thought to yourself; “THESE ARE BASED OFF BOOKS?!? YES PLEASE!” But my friends, you are lucky I am here with you, to tell you; do not do it.

You heard me right, the girl that preaches for you to read is actually telling you to avoid these books like the plague. Let me tell you why. The books start off pretty good; similar to the movie. Introduction to characters, plot development, the usual. You learn to love (and hate) some of Dashner’s made up words and you fall for the characters like you are there with them, surviving in the Glade and running the maze with no luck.

You meet Teresa. Now; there is one thing the first movie does not mention. The little thing called telepathy. Teresa and Thomas are able to mind-speak. It’s a pretty cool thing really, adds a touch of sci-fi to the otherwise apocalyptic novel. Now, here is where the book goes to hell in my honest opinion.

It starts off with some awesome action! Woo! Thomas triggered some bad stuff, and everyone’s mad. They have to figure out how to get out of the maze. Then Dashner does something that in my mind is really stupid. He relies on ‘magic’. Now, in a book that is heavily laden with magic, I would not care in the slightest. But with Dashner, the only other slightly magical thing that is ever mentioned is the telepathy. It’s like Dashner realized he was nearing on 60,000 words, and needed an ending quickly.

Dashner never really goes on to explain the ‘Griever Hole’ or how it worked, or anything like that. He leaves the reader to try to figure out how the hell magic fits in with a world that is mostly built on science and technology.

This is why, my friends, that I tell you DO NOT READ THESE BOOKS. If you like the movie, stick with the movie. This may be the only time I ever tell you to watch the movie and not read the book.

My rating: ★★☆☆☆  

Review: The Sims 4

economygaming.com

When it comes to the Sims 4, I am of two minds. On one hand, I absolutely love building and designing houses and creating people (sims), but on the other hand, I get really bored actually playing the sims. A couple of weeks ago, I spent up to around 25 hours creating a Vintage style mansion in the game based on houses I see on design shows. I got so lost in the landscaping, architecture and designing the interiors that before long, I had spent hours on end on a house I did not play in very long.

After having created the monstrosity of a house, I spent a few hours creating a family to go with it. This is where it started to go downhill O.o haha! I played the family for all of ten minutes and got bored! It was so anti-climatic and disappointing for me because I had wasted many hours on this house. That is when it hit me. I am not that into The Sims 4! Don't get me wrong, I love designing houses! I have even challenged myself to make the tiniest houses and the cheapest houses, but I do not enjoy playing the sims that I create.

To me, it is really tedious and repetitive, and before long all the days morph into one big long day! For those of you who want to get into the Sims 4 and have not played the previous ones, there is a lot more freedom in terms of the construction of houses. This being said though, at the moment you are still not able to alter the topography of the landscape around your house yet! One thing I really love about this game is the fact that you can have varying wall heights and angled walls. This makes designing so much more interesting as there are a thousand and one more possibilities!

Altogether, I would have to rate the Sims 4 a 3/5. The design aspect of the game is amazing, but I have found the game play a little bit boring! For me, I need more action and challenge. Some people I know really enjoy the game play side rather than the design side, but I think I am just going to stick to designing houses!

President's Guide to Fountain Gate

         So anyone who lives anywhere near Narre Warren has been to Fountain Gate at least 100,000 times, and me more than most because not only is it the closest shopping centre but I also work there, god save me. But I won’t talk much about my work beyond mentioning that if you like Coles, there’s one here.

          

         Fountain Gate has undergone a lot of renovations through the years, and the most recent has been one of the best, adding a much needed JB-HIFI, Myer, and my new favourite store, Zing. With the ABC shop now closed it’s the best place to get stupid pop culture merchandise, sorry Gamesworld.

          The food court isn’t the largest but it’s definitely big enough, with places to get Dumplings, Italian food, and Oporto (chicken burgers that are actually made of chicken) as well as the usual Maccas, KFC and Hungry Jack’s. Closer to the cinemas you can find more restaurants, Schnitz, Pancake Parlour and Nandos are some of the more popular ones.Speaking of the cinemas Fountain Gate boasts a sizable Village Cinemas with several V-max and Gold Class cinemas, even it is a tad expensive.

Outside of the main building there are several useful stores like Office Works and Bunnings, as well as Casey ARC, the swimming pool and gym. Casey ARC has some great swimming pools, a wave pool that also has several fountain-type things that go off at regular intervals, a toddler pool, and slightly-larger-but-still-small kid’s pool. And of course the regular big pool either for doing laps or seeing how far you can walk on your tip-toes in the deep end.

So no matter what you’re looking for I’m sure Fountain Gate has it, or something like it, hopefully. Well the only way to find out is to come down and check it out, it’s in Narre Warren next to Princes Highway

.

Stephen Wynton

Week 1 Schedule

Ink dials it back a bit from now on as classes start we’ll all be busy, but we’ll make sure you don’t lack reading material, so long as you keep reading, so here’s our schedule for week 1:

·       Monday: This week Bec gives us all well-needed advice with “6 Tips to Help You Beat Procrastination.”

·       Tuesday: More well-needed advice as I show you around our local shopping centre in “President’s Guide to Fountain Gate.”

·       Wednesday: Bec’s reviews cover the often zany game “Sims 4.”

·       Thursday: In Aimee’s regular segment: “Aimee’s Book Corner” she will be review the book that started a movie series: the Maze Runner.

·       Friday: Nothing but week 2’s schedule unless somebody else has a new piece they’d like to share.

Beyond that we will be uploading any photo’s we take, or any you submit if you want to, and we’re always looking for more writers so feel free to volunteer.

And if you want to see anything different, or have any questions about our segments feel free to ask.

Stephen

Party Review: O'week Beach Party by Jack Taylor

2016’s beach party started in the usual fashion, with plenty of pre-party stress and it seeming like nothing was going to plan. The weather forecast wasn’t looking promising, the spas were nowhere to be seen, and of course the inflatable pool had holes in it. Regardless of this through sheer will of the team everything came together in the end, the drinks were ready, the spas and jelly wrestling pool were in place and we were all ready to party!

This year’s party drew roughly 80 people, slightly smaller than previous years but nonetheless the atmosphere was positive with plenty of new students in the mix. This year we went with a new food, hiring the Burglary food truck to cater for the event, which was a resounding success with their Heisenburger being a hit. The favourite drink of the night was the frozen margaritas from our good looking bartender Jill, which were particularly potent in tequila.

When it came to 10:30 it was time to roll out the star attraction of every beach party, the jelly wrestling. The involvement in this year’s wrestling was phenomenal with old favourites joining in, as well as new students. The showdown began with favourites Tom Morrall and Ollie Dolbey, with Ollie emerging victorious and going on to win many more matches. One of the favourite moves seen in the night was between myself and Tom, with a classic legs around the neck and a body slam, with the both of us walking away with our necks unbroken. 

The spas got a good workout throughout the night with both being consistently full of party-goers, keen for a soak while drinking a cool beverage. The party started to die off around midnight before finally wrapping up around 12:30. Stay tuned for announcements for the next one!

Jack Taylor

BS: Top 6 Tips To Help You Beat Procrastination

Procrastination: The act of doing anything but what you actually need to do.

http://duffmcduffee.com/articles/procrastination-is-an-opportunity-to-become-a-better-person/

I feel like in this technological day and age, teenagers and young adults here this word all to often, especially aimed at them. Procrastination is something I really succumbed to during high school, but over the past couple of years I have slowly been trying to do it less. Don't get me wrong, for the most part procrastination is not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes, you really do need a break instead of trying to get things done. Other times, procrastination can be your mortal enemy. Here are my top six tips that will hopefully help you in your quest to beat procrastination.

5 Minutes

The most effective thing I have done to get me in the mindset to do something I really need to do, is to make myself do it for five minutes. Most of the time, it is the thinking before you actually start something that puts you off. Do whatever you need to do for five minutes! Only five minutes! Majority of the time (for me at least) I end up thinking "this isn't so bad!" and I keep going. This simple step can have the biggest effect!

Why you should do it!

Sometimes, we just can't be bothered doing whatever it is we need to do. Something I do if I have enough time is to create a list. On one side of the page, write down all the reasons you should do whatever it is that needs to be done. On the other page, write down all the possible cons of not doing it. Most of the time, there are no disadvantages and going through with what needs to be done actually lowers your stress. Just think, it is one thing you have gotten out of the way. This is something that I have found really effective with uni assignments, especially...essays! 

The Buddy System

One thing I am trying to teach myself is that you do not have to do things alone. It is okay to ask for help! Maybe, try asking a friend if they will do it with you. This is especially helpful for working out and trying to get active. If you find yourself sitting at home putting off the assignment that is due in two days, call a friend! Tell him or her to come over and you can study together. Even if you are at different unis or studying complete opposite subjects, it is a win win for the both of you! Be each others' motivators!

Have breaks!

Many people when they have things they need to do, tell themselves things like "I will not go on my phone until I have written 15,000 words, even if it takes me all night!" Honestly, this is not the way to go! If you feel restricted you are not going to be motivated to go through with it. Think of it like when you are trying to eat healthy. Most people when they 'diet' say "I will not each junk food for a week!" or something similar. As soon as a restriction is added you instantly want to do what you have said you 'don't want to do'. Do you know why? Because, you actually WANT to do it! Instead, change your mind set. Saying something as simple as "I will eat healthy for the most part and IF I feel like something 'naughty' I will have it every second day". This can be applied to studying as well as many other tasks. Tell yourself you will have a break every 40 minutes or so. This will ensure that you know it is not forever and you will look forward to something!

Set goals 

Setting yourself goals on a regular basis can be really helpful as it creates purpose. One thing I do every day is I create a list of things I want to get done. I try to get them done as quick and efficiently as I can so I can spend the rest of the day doing whatever! Be realistic though. Don't create a list of a ba-zillion things that is physically impossible to fit in 24 hours. This will just stress you out and make you feel down as you would have not completed every single one of them!

Reward yourself

Sometimes, doing things that are important that you do not particularly want to do, can seem pointless if you do not feel like you get anything out of it. For example, cleaning your room. Obviously, after cleaning your room a benefit would be you can finally see the floor you haven't seen in years, but what do you really get out of it? Reward yourself for completing the tasks you set for yourself. This could be as simple as going out and getting yourself a coffee or even just watching the latest episode of your favourite show. Remember, be your own cheer leader! Praise yourself for your achievements, as little or insignificant as you deem them!

I hope this has helped some of you. When I first started my first year in uni I had very high expectations of myself. Even though this can be a good thing, it can also be harmful if taken to the extreme. Cut yourself some slack and have fun! 

You can do it! Remember, you already have two people on your side cheering you on; yourself and me! :)     

Aimee's Book Corner: Between The Lives

Books of the Week

“Your lives will be extraordinary. You certainly made mine feel that way.” Jessica Shirvington, Between the Lives.

I am a big reader. I love fantasy, and mythical creatures.b ut for my first ever book of the week, I’m choosing one of my favourite books of all time. ‘Between the Lives’ by Jessica Shirvington follows the life of Sabine, an average teenage girl with the seemingly perfect life; except every night at midnight she becomes another person, living the exact same day. Nothing has ever crossed over in these lives; until, one day, something does.

I can not praise this book enough. It has just a hint of the magical/fantasy, but is fully immersed in real life; real connections, real friendships and real emotions. Now; I want to tell you something dear reader; I do not cry at books. Books do not make me cry. Between the Lives made me ball my eyes out like a small child. I literally threw the book across the room. This is the only book to date to make me do that.

Between the Lives is an easy read that will take you by the hand and throw you into the deep end. You will follow Sabine on her journey trying to figure out what the hell is going on in her life. You will fall deeply in love, and you will have your heart shattered into a million pieces.

If you love Between The Lives (which you will, trust.) then you should also check out Jessica Shirvington’s other series; The Violet Eden Chapters. These five books delve into the fantastical world of the grigori; a human/angel race that protects human beings from angels of darkness (and light). You follow the story of Violet, a grigori of special significance, who must come to terms with her power or the world as we know it will end.

Another heartbreakingly beautiful story told with such real tenderness and emotion you can’t help but fall into Violet’s world.

Do find these books, and do read them. You will not be disappointed.

My rating: ★★★★★

Until next week; when we’ll be discussing James Dashner’s series The Maze Runner.