Sisterhood at Strike - Our Final Blog Post

Check out our YouTube Video at Strike Bowling!

For our final blog post, we decided to go to Strike Bowling in Macquarie Shopping Centre to film our YouTube video for the final component of the group assignment. We all agreed on Strike Bowling as it was the most convenient location and a fun activity to do. This was a fun experience filled with laughter and joy. Overall, our team worked productivity together as a group and all enjoyed working together.

The following is each member's contribution in this group assignment:

Thi Tram Pham: I enjoyed this group assignment as I got to bond with my team members and talk about something we all had in common, our love for traveling! In this group assignment, I contributed by publishing weekly blog posts and regularly accessing twitter to share tweets and retweet tweets related to our topic. I also planned our weekly blog schedule to make sure we post regularly and consistently. Furthermore, I regularly accessed Slack to communicate ideas, notify our members on our progress and organised our blog post schedule. We worked efficiently as a team and and this was a fun group project.

Haya Kaiyum: The group assignment was an insightful and enjoyable experience. I was able to work with a group of girls who were also passionate about traveling! My contribution involved publishing weekly blogs relating to places of interest in Sydney, using twitter to share blogs and communicating with group members about our places of interest, progress on assignments and managing our group meetings. This group was enjoyable and a fun way to express similar interest with people who also hold the same interest.

Nuttaporn Chimnakpan: I have really enjoyed doing the blog and vlog with my lovely group. I have seen people doing their own blog but not even know how to do it. ISYS gave me an opportunity to do it, its very useful and fun. In the group assignment, our blog is about traveling. As we love to travel, so we enjoyed sharing our experiences with the audience and friends. I contributed by posting the weekly blog posts and using Twitter to share my stories. Our group's great and I have really enjoyed working with them.

Kavene Sanganathan: Traveling was a common passion for the girls and I had, this group assignment not only allowed us to bond but also develop friendships. The assignment let us share our traveling adventures not only with each other but with the internet. My experiences with this group assignment was fun, insightful and enjoyable. My contribution to this assignment involved posting weekly blogs of places that we all had interest and visited! Twitter was a promotion outlet where I would tweet to check out my new blog straight after the blog was posted, as well as following people who had a common interest and tagging the twitter handle accounts of the places we visited. Slack was where we contributed ideas, planned assigned jobs and updates on everyone's progress through the assignment. This experience was unforgettable and enjoyable as we all collaborated in an interest we all love.

Lana Thompson: This group assignment was a lot of fun to be honest. I didn't really know what to expect, but all the girls were really considerate and respectful when it came to writing and publishing their blogs on time, as well as participating in our group vlog. We had a little mishap with our original videoing day being cancelled because of bad weather, but we all compromised to meet up another day and film. The filming was great also, we had hours of hilarious moments and about had an hour worth of footage in the end. It was hard to narrow down what specific bits of our evening that I thought were important to incorporate into the video because we did so much, but it was a great time editing it all, as i got to re-experience all the fun. We each split up the required blog posts evenly, all posting 4 times to create our 20 required blogs and I, along with the other girls, all helped with our web design for the blog. I filmed parts of our vlog, along with two other Macquarie students that volunteered to help us all get in the video, and have fun whilst doing our assignment. I spent a good few hours editing the video and creating our YouTube channel, and I have to say, I'm really proud of our finished project. I really liked working with all the girls, and am glad it gave us an excuse to bond and become friends.

Below are some pictures from our evening! 

Check out our YouTube video here: youtube.com/watch?v=MnVHAHQLbos

Check out our Twitter @sisterhoodblogs

Strike bowling website: strikebowling.com.au/locations/strike-macquarie

Dumaresq Street Cinemas, Campbelltown

If you're looking for somewhere fun, inexpensive, and a unique, this is the place to go.

Movie tickets in Sydney can be quite expensive, and honestly, I don't really want to be spending $18 every time I watch a movie that I may or may not even end up liking. Dumaresq Street Cinema, Campbelltown is the solution to this problem. It's close to the train station if you live however many suburbs away, and it's pretty easy to find.

Street view 

So, one afternoon the other week I was supposed to be going out with friends near Campbelltown, but I found myself having about 4 hours to spare between my morning plans, and my dinner plans. So I decided to look up things to do in the area, and this theater popped up. And as soon as I read that their tickets were only $7.50, I was hooked straight away. Me travelling on the train a couple stops over, beats going to the local event cinema and spending approximately $10 MORE to watch the exact same thing, no thanks. Call me cheap, I'll take it, but come on, the offers just too good to pass up!

Whilst I was in the area, I also decided to have a little wander around, which is something I like to do to appreciate the world I live in, corny as that sounds. It's funny how similar yet different local communities look to the ones you grew up in, and if it's a nice day, why not go for a little stroll around somewhere unfamiliar (granted you are safe, that is). I noticed there were a few cafes, and restaurants around, so maybe it's a good place to take someone on a date even? If you live locally, that's even more perfect. Or even, if you're like me, go by yourself and kill a few hours of your day by experiencing somewhere new. A day out is only as good as you make it, regardless of company. And if you're keen, here's the link to their website!
http://www.dumaresqstreetcinema.com.au/

So I challenge anyone and everyone reading this, to explore your local neighbourhoods. You'd be surprised what unexpected treasures you'll find locally, rather than travelling to all the cliché, touristy stops in Sydney.

Inside the theatre

Author's Note: I am yet to have found another similarly priced theater around Sydney, but I will definitely keep you posted if and when I do! If you know any little locally hidden treasures like this, be sure to leave a comment down below, as I'd love to check them out!

Until next time,

Lana Out :)

Canada Bay Walk

CANADA BAY WALK

Hey Guys, Hope everyone is doing well!!


Well this week I was on a search for a place where you can get active or even go for a stroll with amazing views. I came across this bay called Canada Bay which takes you on a 8km walk around the way with the most amazing views of the sunset and also different work out activity stations.


I got a bunch of friends and we set out for this walk during the afternoon, it was the most relaxing walk Ive ever been on, it gives you a calm and happy feel where you can gather your thoughts by just sitting infront on the water or walking around the bay!

 Best of all was the amazing sunset, Canada bay walk isn't just for being active, but also has hidden places where you can go for swims and picnic spots. You go past different parks, nature and lots of houses as the bay is situated in a residential are, that anyone can access.

The walk took us less than an hour, however if you did want to run around it, it may take you less time. However, if you do want to explore around the bay make sure you do! Its fun and beautiful!

Make sure you go visit this walk, its the most beautiful and calming walk with friendly faces and amazing atmosphere you can get!

Hillside Hotel, Castle Hill

The Beautiful Bride to Be, Rosie

30th September, 2017

So, I wasn’t expecting to like a hotel/bar so much, and me being quite drunk may have had something to do with it, but honestly the venue was pretty cool, and the people there were chill, for a club.

Hillside Hotel is one of those places where the locals definitely know, but unless you’re googling bars in Castle Hill, you probably wouldn’t have come across it? I mean I could be wrong, but if I hadn’t been invited to an event I probably wouldn’t ever have gone there. Now however, I know I’ll go back sometime.

Most of the places I end up going are because my friends have previously gone there and tested whether they’d deem the place worth it, or not. And generally, I have a really good time because of this. So I wasn't worried that Hillside would be bad, but I also wasn’t expecting to like it that much either.

Okay, so the night started off at my friends house, as it was her Hen’s night. At 8 we got on a party bus to Hillside, and it was a hilarious drive. The music was loud, people were pole dancing, and a lot of inappropriate things happened that maybe should remain in the past and off of the internet, lmao.

When we got to Hillside though, we sat and ate, and again it could've been because I was slightly intoxicated, but the food was really nice, and the vegetarian spring rolls were sooo good. (Plus they had vegetarian options so that's a plus.) I think I counted about 10 vegetarian options in total, ranging from starters, to salad, to pizzas. Unfortunately, the vegetarian options were quite basic, with no pasta options, but rather meals and sides that restaurants usually have. I like to call these the 'accidentally vegetarian' options. From what I read however, the only vegan options were the chips, and wedges, which were again, only accidentally vegan.

Besides that though, the hospitality was amazing, and at one point the whole downstairs dining area I was in, sang happy birthday to someone. After having some food, and ordering more drinks, we all headed upstairs to dance, and the atmosphere completely changed from a homely dinner restaurant, to a spaced out club vibe. It was pretty cool. I mean, overall, my night was amazing, all because of the company, the food, the alcohol and the music! Here's a few snap of us dancing and having fun, and I'll let you decide your thoughts on how well my night went.

So would I recommend visiting Hillside Hotel, Castle Hill? If you're in the area then definitely! And even if you aren't but are somewhere else in Sydney, I'd say it's worth the drive. And the DJ took song requests of all kinds, which in my books is a major plus!

If you'd like to check them out, here's a link for their FaceBook page! https://www.facebook.com/thehillsidehotel/

Maybe I'll see you there sometime...

Lets Eat!

The latest craze on social media has been the rise of Cafe's and restaurants. Almost everyone enjoys a good cafe indulgence and if you're anything like me; visiting new places and getting that 'aesthetic food snap', you'll definitely want to know some of the cool places to eat that have surfaced on various social media forums such as facebook and instagram.

The Grounds of Alexandria, is by far the most popular place for foodies to have a beautiful meal with insightful views and a good atmosphere. The grounds is a busy place, with very difficult parking and large crowds, the venue is not only a beautiful park like restaurant. But there is plenty to do, from animals to vintage stores and florists it is definitely a girls dream and a good excuse for a brunch or lunch!

Last time I went to The grounds was to enjoy a Birthday Lunch for my friend.

This was taken January 2016! A while ago, but definitely a beautiful place to visit as you can tell by the setting behind us.

I also really enjoyed the florist shop and took a great shot of the beautiful range.

Ever feel like a nice meal after a long day at uni? I visited a local cafe named 'Harvest Cafe and Bar @ BGC', BGC short for Bonnyrigg Garden Centre. This cute little cafe is located at the top of the garden centre so visitors get a wonderful view and smell of the fresh flora.

The menu was great . I ordered a beautiful Salad, a Tropical drink with a side of sweet potato fries, if its anything I'm craving its always sweet potato fries! And why not?! they're delicious

A local Cafe which has gained significant appraisal is Black Elk Espresso, a beautiful little cafe located in Carnes hill near the Library, it is in an excellent location for busy adults, friends and kids to enjoy a meal after work, catching up with friends and even taking the kids for a delightful meal after school.

I decided to meet a friend for lunch and this burger did not disappoint!

If you havent heard of 'The Picnic' in burwood, you are seriosuly missing out. A beautiful cafe loctated in Burwood park, with beautiful views of the garden and great proximity to westfields and offices, it is obvious why this place is so popular. Hit up instagram to check out their awesome feed: https://www.instagram.com/thepicnicburwood/?hl=en

I caught up with a friend over the two week holidays and decided in indulge myself in Pavlova Hotcakes while my friend enjoy a delicious lamb burger, with sweet potato fries on the side of course! Will definitely be going back!

Over the weekend I decided to head down to Richmond to visit a friend who lives on UWS Hawksbury campus. The place is so beautiful and peaceful and we decided to go out to eat. Because the area agricultural we thought it would be extremely difficult to find a nice place to eat with a good setting, but we found Easy Lane, located in Windsor just 5mins from her Campus. It was a total surprise to see such a cute little cafe, almost like a mini grounds of alexandria in such a quiet suburb.

The desert was by far my favourite meal and I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting:

(Easy lane edible garden)

Chinatown, Sydney

Chinatown is located in Haymarket, between Central Station and Darling Harbour. At Chinatown, you can discover a rich Asian culture and cuisines as well as the festivities in Chinatown.

The entrance of Chinatown!

Chinatown offers delicious food for tourists and a sneak peak into the Chinese culture. In Chinatown, tourists may also find hotels to stay in at affordable prices!

Delicious Yum Cha Restaurant at Chinatown

The nightlife of Chinatown, Sydney, is also a place you may want to visit! Offering karaoke bars, restaurants, photo booths, and many more. The Chinatown night market is also a great way to get a glimpse into the rich culture as they offer some of the best asian street food, ornaments, and traditional items. The entertainment is also spectacular. This night market happens every Friday night!

My friends and I at Chinatown

I definitely recommend everyone visit Chinatown to enjoy Asian culture!

Wattamolla

Looking for the ultimate summer time experience?

Wattamolla Beach is the ideal destination for anyone who wants to explore, undertake wild adventures, enjoy the beach and take in the serenity of the of natures beauty!

Located in the Royal National Park, Wattamolla is not only a beach, it is a great picnic area with plenty of space and barbecue facilities, a breathtaking lagoon which, the waterfall and a lookout.

It is truly an oasis of natural beauty and is an extremely popular destination!

An image taken from the Wattamolla lookout

The National park is an extremely popular destination during the summer and can often get extremely busy, so it is important that visitors get there early to make sure they get parking and also a place to sit!

Wattamolla is open to visitors from 7.00am to 8.30pm daily, with an entrance fee of $12 per vehicle.

One of the reasons why visitors are so attracted by this oasis is because of the lookout, which is also known as the jump cliff. Be cautious! As it is fenced off and jumping from the top of the waterfall into the lagoon is illegal, however on a beautiful day with rising excitement it can definitely be difficult to resist (note: jumping off the cliff is very dangerous as it has resulted in severe injuries and deaths)

It is extremely important to take due care of your safety! jumping off the rock isn't the only impressive aspect, the lagoon is very calming and with so much space you and friends can definitely enjoy a good time!


If you're up for adventure, Wattamolla offers a great hiking trip where you will be able to hike a section of the royal coast track and if you hike further north you can reach Marley beach. But take note! this would be a long hike (a couple hours if so) so plan your day in advance and be prepared with plenty of food, water and first aid!

The beautiful structures of Wattamolla allows visitors to relax under the trees on the soft sand, enjoy reading a book, have a picnic and most importantly enjoy time with good company! The sand structures create a division between the lagoon and beach, so nonetheless the view is pretty amazing and if you're keen for a dip in the ocean, it is merely a few steps away!

Here is an image of some of my friends, daringly looking over the waterfall, did they take the jump?! 

(please be advised to not take this risk, feel free to take a look, but safety comes first!)