Quirky or Awkward?

Contort your hand for me

sianmercel — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:06:00 GMT

Would it be weird if I came up to you in the street and asked you to contort your hand in the most obscure position you could form? I seem to be asking this to a lot of people lately. I love the way we bend at different joins, or curve or even remain straight. The angles and lines tease my eyes and all i can do is imagine creatures and shapes instead of wrists and fingers.

Photos: SPLASH!

sianmercel — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 14:16:00 GMT

pool pics

Photos: The Sun and The Moon

sianmercel — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 14:02:00 GMT

my two favorite things

Photos: Road Tripping the Pilbara

sianmercel — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 13:34:00 GMT

December '12, traveling the Pilbara with my Mother.

Formals - The Aussie Prom

sianmercel — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 12:36:00 GMT

Recently, one of my very best friends just graduated. She stands approximately 5ft short (maybe even less), has a hole in her throat so she in breath and is one of the most amazing people you will ever meet. Life continues to throw challenges at her (such as having a shower and nearly drowning from getting water in the hole that sits right in the middle of her neck or having people continually ask why she has a hole in her neck or why she is so short) but she always pushes through. I am so proud of her and wish her all the best in ther next ventures. Here is a photo I took of her and her boyfriend.

Karijini and its wonders

sianmercel — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 12:11:00 GMT

Recently, over the festive season, my Mother and I went road tripping around the Pilbara. The Pilbara is located in Western Australia in the top-west section (AKA the Great Sandy Desert). As you can imagine, there is a LOT of red dirt EVERYWHERE! We drove for hours and saw the landscape change slightly with every bend (which was a rare occasion for the roads are so long and straight). Along our travels we saw some amazing rocks that would just balance on top of one another, and some animals (dead and alive). Once my bottom had gone completely numb from driving so long, we arrived at Karajini National Park. It was AMAZING! A glorious amount of walks and hikes you could venture on, rock walls, swimming holes, crocodiles and snakes, mountains and ditches. It was superb. Being on a tight schedule (and travelling in my little Hyundai Getz that had run out of fuel so we were pressed for time to reach the nearest service station that was a 1 hour drive from that National Park) we took some cheese and crackers and climbed down the cliff face. At the bottom of this mini hike was a gorge (refer to photo). We were not the only ones that though a nice swim on Christmas day would be superb. Diving fully clothed into the cool water was so refreshing and the surroundings were just a treat to the eye. If you ever head up/down to the Pilbara, make sure you take the time to visit the Karijini National Park (and take a jiffy can of fuel with you). You will not regret it!

p.s. Unfortunately, my camera was destroyed by some native Aboriginals near where I live so I have been using a cheap cannon digital camera until I can afford a new one. Because of this, I did not realise there was a date stamp on my photos until I downloaded them.

Here are some photos:

I took this photo of my Mother VERY hastily for I desperately wanted to jump in the cool water for it was a 40 degrees c day.

Photos: A bit o' this and a bit o' that.

sianmercel — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 16:10:00 GMT

Here, have some photos.

Urinating in a toilet is odd?

sianmercel — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 15:56:00 GMT

Travelling the east coast of China sure was a weird and wonderful experience. Being a true blue Aussie, I am used to abnormal toilets (from long drops to a hole behind a tree) but China sure was something different. Oh I had such fun bartering with the attendant so I could use the toilet for a few dollars less but you get what you pay for I guess. Paying a lovely old Chinese woman (equivalent AUD) 5cents to use the public restroom, I stood in a queue of 8 or so women who were waiting for a cubicle. I could tell I wasn't the only one busting for the toilet for several of us were doing the "potty" dance. Like most would, I stood and waited for my turn. Within 20 seconds of waiting, 3 different woman walked straight pass me (which infuriated me because who did they think they were to push in front of me when I had paid for my spot in this line), pulled down their pants and went...right there....on top of the drain in the middle of the wash room. I learnt my lesson for the next time I went to a public restroom; I paid for the more expensive toilet as to avoid standing on other woman’s urine to reach my cubicle. It was such a reality shock, but I am just grateful I am a woman for as I walked out of the toilet and onto the streets to continue my adventure; a man was squatting over a pot hole in the street having a splendid time whilst he excreted his faeces. I guess when yah gotta go, yah gotta go!

Photos: My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

sianmercel — Mon, 7 Jan 2013 00:50:00 GMT

My name is Kara. Ever since I was little, I have been travelling. It is my passion. Next year I will begin my round-the-world back packing tour by myself. Amongst a handful of memory cards and a variety of lenses, I will have my camera attached to me 24/7 as I capture the worlds most exciting and fascinating images to live forever and entertain all those that view it. Travelling and exploring is my past, present and future. If I was given the opportunity to learn valuable skills in photography whilst travelling and hopefully obtain a career from it, well, I don't think a persons life could get any better than that. I am quite a down to earth person with a variety of licenses and experience. I enjoy exploring every nook and crany from ant tunnels, to deep sea cave diving, to climbing a tree and getting the most fascinating macro images. I have 345 characters left to make you believe that I am worthy of this scholarship however, words have never been my strongest point. Even deciding what photos I should upload is SO very difficult. Please forgive this paragraph of awkward phrased sentences and I beg of you to strongly consider me. I will not let you down.