Why can I imagine things with the wrong depth perception with my eyes closed, and what is this called?

Sometimes when I close my eyes, I get images. It's nothing fancy, normally a small table or similar, and often a person, who tends to be my dad. I can voluntarily cause this to happen, but occasionally it will happen without my input.

I've searched Google, which returns "closed-eye hallucinations", but this is not it. It isn't vivid, but rather, quite dim. The control factor is that something is wrong with the depth-perception in it. When I was a child, I'd even see something weird happen to the depth perception of real objects with my eyes open, though this was rare.

It's not Alice in Wonderland syndrome either, as the things weren't growing and shrinking. Rather, the depth perception wasn't there, or was wrong, like a normally small object was huge because it was supposed to be far away, but didn't look like it was. Or my dad was really tiny and close to me, and sort of floating, because I was "seeing" him as if he was far away, but without the depth.

I also have anxiety. In the past few years, this phenomenon has triggered anxiety attacks for me. Could this be related, or is it just the anxiety reacting to my brain's weirdness?

I really hope this makes sense to someone. I feel like the only people who will understand what I'm talking about will be the people who have experienced it as well.

The Coconut Oil Test: Part II

Well, a week has passed. Let's see how it's going.

Week 0

Week 1

It's only been a week, and it doesn't seem to be doing anything yet. It couldbe the bad lighting.

I'm going to give it four weeks. If nothing changes, I'll probably stop. But for now, it's too early to tell. :)

The Coconut Oil Test

Hello! As you can tell from the lack of postings lately, this is by no means an eveyday blog. Or even an every-week or every-month blog. I just post when I feel like it.

I have long hair. It hits about my waist. But it was longer - down to my butt at one point! I got it cut about six months ago, tidying up all the split ends and rough ends. In those six months it has grow about an inch. I don't use heat (blowdryers, straighteners, curlers) or styling products, and the last thing I'd ever do to my hair is tease it. But I am quite disappointed with how little my hair has bounced back.

People all over the internet are singing the song of coconut oil. Claims of detoxing, moisturising, sanitising, as if this miracle oil can do anything. I sincerely hope so. The doctors and pharmacists probably don't.

One thing (actually, two) caught my eye: 1. Coconut oil can grow you hair faster, thicker, longer, healthier; and 2. Coconut oil can get rid of acne (I have horrific acne, made worse in appearance by the deep scars that it has left). I am pretty keen to try both of these out. But for now, I'll stick with hair.

The routine will work like this: without formally setting aside extra time to wash my hair more often (because this definitely won't help), I will massage a teaspoon of coconut oil through my hair about fifteen minutes before I wash it. Now, I wash my hair roughly every three days. I use conditioner every time. Nothing else will change. Just the massage beforehand.

If this works, I'll start including an overnight hair mask once a week.

I will post a picture each week. For now, here is a current picture. Excuse the rubbish quality. It's on my phone, and my brother is by no means a photographer.

As you can probably see, my hair is greasy at the moment. So if you'll excuse me, I am about to start my treatment. Hopefully his will give a more definitive answer for people curious about coconut oil.

Hello Again!

Well, it's been a long time since I've written anything. To get back up and running, I'm going to find a list of questions and answer them all. Since I'm choosing the list, it probably won't be too personal, but it should give some insight as to what sort of things I like. :)

Questions from http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/team_messageboard_thread.asp?board=-1x19998x17377619

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
I have the same middle name as my dad's grandma, but my first name could have fallen out of the sky for all I know.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
I just finished watching the Lord of the Rings for the umteenth time. Frodo, don't leave Sam! :'(

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Yes. It's unique. :)

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Um... chicken? Cold chicken. I'm not much of a fan of hot chicken.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Nope.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
About a year ago I would have said no. I think I would now. We'd be fangirl friends. :)

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Haha, depends who to, or how stupid the question is. I think I do. :)

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes. No need to get them out, so why bother?

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
No. But I'd love to try abseiling. :D

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Uncle Toby's Oat Flakes :)

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
No. Although I have one pair that I love, and I treat them with as much respect as I can. :)

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
I like to think so, but I'm not really...

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Any that doesn't have sultanas in it.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT YOU?
Oh... this is hard... um... I guess their persona - as in, are they more likely to enjoy fandoms, shopping and gossiping, sports, etc...

15. RED OR PINK?
I'll go red (I hate pink), but my favourite colour is green. :D

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
My ability to make myself look stupid/blonde/socially inept in EVERY circumstance, otherwise known as foot-in-mouth syndrome.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My friend. She's in New Zealand at the moment and I can't get over to visit her. :(

18. WHAT IS THE PAUL MCKENNA TECHNIQUE THAT YOU NEED TO WORK ON THE MOST?
What?

19. WHAT COLOUR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
I'm a Hobbit at the moment! :D

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Weet Bix.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
The wind outside.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
White. White crayons are cool. You can paint over it, and then get white lines all over a coloured page. :)

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Jasmine flowers. Absolutely glorious...

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Er... I think it was my dad...

25. MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?
Ooooh, give me the mointains any day!!!

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Figure skating/dancing/anything that combines beauty and strength.

27. HAIR COLOR?
My hair is strawberry blonde. Sometimes it's more strawberry, sometimes it's more blonde.

28. EYE COLOR?
Greyish-blue.

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Nope.

30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Pizza! Actually anything Italian.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Scary movies with happy endings?

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Immortals

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Black, with Matt Smith's incarnation of the Doctor on the front. :)

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Winter. But living in Australia means you get about a week of it... :(

35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Hugs. I've never been kissed.

36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Ice cream!!! :D

37. STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO?
I don't do either, but cardio, I guess.

38. COMPUTER OR TELEVISION?
What's on TV? Is it Doctor Who, Merlin, Sherlock, Criminal Minds, or a movie with any of the LOTR actors in it (including LOTR)? If not, probably computer.

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
The Silmarilion by JRR Tolkien

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. My Grandma got it for us, and every time I use the computer, that song gets stuck in my head.

42. FAVORITE SOUND?
Rain. Just rain in general. <3

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Um... U2?

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Rockhamton, Queensland, Australia

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Um... Annoying everyone to breaking point, but still being their best friend. :D

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia

47. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW?
Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia

48. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE?
Dark green

49. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?
Purple

50. DO YOU LIKE ANSWERING 50 QUESTIONS?
Yes, but I would have liked some more. :D

Well there you are! Hope you've enjoyed reading, and I'll try to keep more up-to-date with my blog!

I believe in fairytales... Do you?

So, I finished reading Lord of the Rings. I cried. To say it was a good book would be the understatement of the century, and now the story is finished and all I can do now is read it again. And don't worry - I am. And I will read and re-read and re-read it until the day I die.

For now, I only own the first part - the Fellowship of the Ring - the others I borrowed from the library and took them back long after they were due... Oops... So I am halfway through the first part for the third time...

Random Fact #1: In Tolkien's book, fair hair in Hobbits was rare and Sam had dark hair. Frodo was one of the only Hobbits with fair hair. In other words, Sam looked like Frodo, and Frodo looked like Sam.

Tolkien has a way of using words.  He draws the audience in and keeps them captivated even after the book has ended. Not once did I ever wish the story on. Not once did I feel that he was unnecessarily talking. Everything flows together and everything needed for the story to work is there - he left nothing out.

The work Tolkien put into Lord of the Rings shines through every phrase. His entire life was Middle Earth - he drew up maps, he wrote languages, he created calendars. The list goes on.

I guess the only way to describe it is like this: Shakespeare may have created the "basis" of stories, and I do love his works, but Tolkien took literature far beyond anyone had ever done (and will ever do). If you need another example, I will use music. Bach set the music world moving, but Tchaikovsky was the person who actually played around until it became utter beauty. Okay, other classical music composers were magnificent, but I'm trying to paint a picture.

Random Fact #2: The character of Faramir in the movie is so much different to the book - in the movie, he is almost conceited and he wants the Ring so h can conquer Sauron. In the book, he knows that the Ring cannot be used for good, and he avoids the trap that his brother, Boromir, falls into. Also, Boromir actually starts out as a trustworthy friend, but only after being tested by Galadriel in Lothlorien does he begin to desire the Ring.

The entire journey is so wonderful... All I can do is urge you to read it.

Okay, so I know it's fictional, but sometimes I can't help looking for Hobbits in my back yard, or taking bush-walking or hiking trips to see if I can find any Rangers. I am constantly looking out for Elves, as well as trying to be like them - walking softly without a noise, keeping perfect balance and grace, acting as if I am wise...

But LOTR is not the only thing I am utterly absorbed in - I listen out for the TARDIS at every moment; I check the back of wardrobes in case there's a secret world inside. There's the countless imagined meetings between myself and my favourite characters.

But would you blame me? Would you blame me if I told you that the Person who rescued me wrote the most amazing and unbelievable story of all? The crazy story of how an all-powerful, all-knowing God was also all-loving - so much that He would die to save the world... That is the ultimate tale. And it is true!

~~~

P.S. If you want more random facts about the differences between the book and the movies, read it and watch them for yourself - you will not regret a moment of it.

Dandelions

Okay, so I am writing a debate for one of my classes at school and I decided I would use the structure of a dandelion to support my case. Anyway, I have been researching them (there is surprisingly little information on them) and I have found out just how amazingly intricate they actually are!

Okay, just looking at the flower head, we can see bright, happy yellow petals around the outside, darkening to almost orange towards the middle. Actually, the inner petals are not petals at all - they are mini flowers.

So you can see the inner "petals" split and curl at the top? Well, they are the tiny flowers. This structure gives more pollen for the bees to collect - more honey! 

The inner flowers of this ingenious design close at night, giving an incredible pattern.

You can see the individual petals on each flower here. The shape of the flower looks almost like a heart!

Okay, so now I'll move on to the seed head.

The soft fluffiness not only creates a perfect sphere, but it also creates a "parachute" for the seed as it blows around in the wind, searching for a new home to create its own masterpiece.

As the seed blows on, the parachute begins to change into a ball of its own, now providing protection for the delicate seed with so much potential all around it, cushioning its landing.

Going back a few steps, I'll now talk about the little white dimply part that the seeds hold on to.

I have always thought of it looking like a microphone (the misconceptions we can have as children) but I have found that if you look really really really carefully, you can see little holes in each dimple where each seed latches on to, receiving all the nutrients it needs to grow and form a little life.

Not yet. Closer...

There! You see the little holes? At this level, you can also see the the barb-like structure on the seeds themselves. This is to help with them being "planted", kind of like cobbler's pegs (though no where near as annoying).

The stem itself is pretty cool. It is hollow, giving it the structure of a bird's bones.

The white sappy stuff has anti-fungal properties, meaning that it can be used on warts, athlete's foot and other fungal problems.

I have always thought the jagged leaves (for which dandelions are named - dent de lion, which is French for lion's tooth) didn't suit the rest of the soft, delicate plant. However, the leaves are extremely high in vitamins (especially a) and are recommended everywhere to be used in stir fries.

Who would pass up something that looks as delicious as that?

The leaves can also be used to make tea.

Okay, so I'm nearly done. So, what's left? Well, the root of course! What is so significant about the root? Well...
The root can be used as a substitute for coffee!

Now, I haven't tried this and I don't actually know what it tastes like, but apparently it can help with heart disease and diabetes.

Well, I hope you now can appreciate dandelions as much as I do.

Turning Point

Yesterday I got back from my last school camp at Luther Heights, Coolum. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Yes, we did some amazing activities and yes, it was a chill camp, so everything we did was going to be fun anyway, but it has given me the opportunity to become closer to two of the most important people in my life: God and my best friend.

We left for camp on Tuesday and did pretty much nothing all day. We spent all of Wednesday at the beach. Thursday was spent doing activities back at camp and yesterday (Friday) we came back home.

Okay, so now that you know the general layout of camp, I will begin.

So after arriving on Tuesday, we had lunch, then went down to the beach, then came back to camp, had dinner, watched Pitch Perfect, then went to bed.
On Wednesday, we went for an early morning walk along the beach, came back, had breakfast, then played 1 2 3 Freeze on the basketball courts (if you don't know what it is, it is a basketball game kind of like Hot Seat, but if someone gets a hoop, everyone runs and the person who got a hoop calls "1 2 3 freeze" and everyone freezes and the person has to roll the ball and get someone out). After that, we went back down to the beach and did a bit of shopping, then we came back for lunch, and then we went back to the beach. We came back to have dinner, then we split into guys/girls groups. I can only speak for the girls (obviously), but it was so amazingly deep. One of the girls shared her testimony about how God saved her out of depression and it spoke to all of us so deeply. The Holy Spirit filled everyone's hearts and everyone in the room was either crying, praying or both. It was so overwhelming and it has changed my life so much.
After that, we joined again with the guys and had a camp fire and my best friend gave me one of the most touching letters I have ever received about how I have changed his life.
On Thursday we went on another morning walk, had breakfast again and then went through a labyrinth. I assume it was supposed to be deep, but the guy explaining what to do was too vague and it just became awkward. We then went shopping again, had lunch and then did the high ropes course. It was so much fun and jumping off at the end was a great challenge, but all-in-all it wasn't too bad. We had dinner and split up again, but this time the guys were with the female teachers and we were with the male teachers. Basically, they told us about how girls have a certain beauty that guys don't have and that we should cherish it because it is so rare in the girls of today's society. After that we had a dance night and then went to bed again.
Yesterday we went on the walk, had breakfast, packed, then went shopping one last time (from 9:30 to 12). We came back to camp, had lunch and then left. I was in the little bus and I sat next to him and we had such a deep conversation. After stopping at Kilcoy, we got back on the bus. Everyone was in their own little world, having their personal conversations. A few people were singing, but they were different songs and they were clashing. I decided I would sing my own song - Fireflies - to drown out the noise. By the end of the song, everyone on the bus was singing along with me. The most amazing part of all of it was that everyone had agreed on something without even discussing it. No one spoke, we all just worked together.

Camp was amazing and this is one of those very few times when I am going to say that I wish I could be on camp forever. I don't generally say that because it always takes so much out of me and I'm so tired by the end. Yes, I am really tired from camp, but if we didn't do so much in such a small amount of time - if the activities were spread out further - I would definitely spend at least the next year at camp.