STORY TIME

Short story written from the perspective of a woman living during the Vietnam War era, 1950's-1970's

Written by me, Grace Mazzarella 
I was asked to write this piece as an assessment extension class for English in Year 9.
The task was to write a perspective piece from a different era in Australian society.

Beep! Beep! The alarm echoed through the silent room.

6:30am:

I wake, entangled in a heap of sheets alone, still confused at what exactly happened between John and I last night. He’s only been home 3 months but nothing is the same as it used to be. I know it’s not him that’s changed after his return from Vietnam, it’s me. It’s like this all over town, husbands leaving wives, wives leaving husbands nothing is the same - I’m surely not. Women were different then. Before the war begun I was raised to believe the concept that a woman was there to cook, clean and watch their children, nothing more, nothing less. This was how woman were treated, we were not intellectually equal to men, now I can see that we also were sex objects and domestic slaves in a man’s world.

6:39am:

I drag myself out of bed just like every other morning since 1965. This was the year John left as a soldier in military to support the United States in the civil war against North Vietnam. Whilst dressing myself in a simple cotton button up dress that sat just below my knee, I rack my memory for the details of the events from last night.

The previous night 9:54pm:

My two eldest were out with friends and little Tony was fast asleep. John and I had never been as distant from each other as were at that very moment. We lay motionless between the covers. I don’t know how it came about but I remember the fight that’s for sure. Twenty years of marriage and I had never gone against his word or disagreed with his ideals. He screamed at me and I screamed back. I could tell that he was a bit shocked by my abruptness and was wondering how I could be so rude. He spoke of how he was unable to fathom the reasons of why and what had changed me. Was there another man? Was I no longer in love with him? He knew nothing and yearned for answers. I laid there for a moment and fiddled with the sheets, wondering what exactly to say. Suddenly John ripped my hands away and demanded I talk. Looking him in the eyes I saw the pain and disloyalty he felt towards me I thought the least he deserved was answers. I explained there was no other man and I still loved him and that I was different, the country was different and I wasn’t no longer going to sacrifice my happiness for the lifestyle he wanted. He didn’t understand and with not even a second glance he dressed and left. As I heard the front door ajar and then slam abruptly tears flooded in my eyes.

2:26am:

A sleepless night lay ahead. Thoughts kept rushing in and out of my mind.

I had changed; I know what I want, I have independence and I have freedom. The 18 year old me that John had married before the war was gone, I no longer agreed with women not being equal to men and being bound to their home as a family housewife. The women of Australia had to adjust to life with the little support we were given whilst our husbands were away fighting for our country and we did it. As a consequence to the struggle we were put through we changed, we grew stronger and adapted to a life lead by women. I don’t know many of us who wanted to go back to the old times.

Present day 7:05am:

I wonder whether John will ever come back. I knew he didn’t believe in any of my new beliefs and my dream to enroll in university and make a name for myself. Through his eyes it was as if I no longer loved him or cared for our family and that I was a completely different person… which I was, I suppose. He still wants to be the one running our family and to have the control over me and my decisions as he used to, but now I know that I’m not ever going to let him.  I am a new woman, Australia is a different place and I’m not going to let any man, even my husband, depict my actions and the way I spend my time. I love my family but I’m now my own person with my own mind.

In a man’s world woman need to take authority and that’s exactly what I intend to do.

- Grace

Discover. Cook. Then just show the world

Please ignore Vera Dietz BOOK REVIEW

Can I just start by saying this book was absolutely amazing.

Please ignore Vera Dietz by A.S.King

Released: October 12th, 2010
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages:326
Buy it: Book Depository (free shipping)

I came across this novel in one of my many trips to the school library; after convincing my friends I had to 'return a book'. I had heard of A.S.King by many You-Tubers who insisted on reading her novel 'Everybody sees the ants' which i have not read. Please ignore Vera Dietz being the first (defiantly not he last) book I have read by her. When I randomly spotted this book I was overly excited and borrowed it straight away. I didn't expect it to be as brilliant, as is it was.

This is a story of a eighteen year old girl called Vera Dietz and the events after her best friend charlie; who she has secretly been in love with her whole life, dies. It is know that charlie has somehow betrayed her and she throughout the novel struggles with the secrets behind his mysterious death.

It is written mainly in Vera's point of view of present time but often skips back to her telling about her past. We see many different perspectives either from Vera's dad, Charlie speaking as a dead kid and randomly the pagoda building in the center of town. At one point I had to search up what a pagoda was (a Hindu or Buddhist temple or sacred building, typically a many-tiered tower) because I was utterly confused by who or what was speaking in some of the chapters. 

I think the main reason I loved this story so much is that even though the whole book is basically about Vera and Charlies relationship it doesn't seam like it is always focusing on their love and its drama,  instead it backs up the reasons behind why all their lives are the way they are. Every question I had while reading was eventually answered.

Vera was an amazing character and I feel that makes a whole lot of difference towards if I was going to enjoy the book or not. She was the hero of the novel and as secrets were being told I didn't find her annoying or cowardly.

A quote by Publishers Weekly, Starred reviewing the novel "Deeply suspenseful and profoundly human." speaks of the uncertainty and apprehension that the novel gives off. I loved this about the book in the way it didn't make you feel as if you had it keep reading to find out more, but instead unknowingly made you keep reading on and feeling as if you needed to read more to be part of the characters stories.

A.S.King is such an amazing author and made me feel as if I was in the book and experiencing exactly what the characters were. I will defiantly be reading her other books in the near future. Visit her website for book reviews and more.

- Grace

Discover. Cook. Then just show the world

Holiday Pancakes

IT'S HOLIDAYS woooooo time for pancakes I'll say.

Don't get me wrong I love porridge I know I wouldn't get sick of it even if I ate it for breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday. But sometimes I think I using up all my breakfasts on one type of meal and should try something knew.

mhhh delicious porridge with seeds, cashew butter and bananas

Because I like to start my morning healthy no matter what the day, my only option was healthy pancakes which I like the mostest. On pinterest the were so many options; protein pancakes, bluberry pancakes, gluten free banana pancakes. I really could decide ... about 40 minuets later I settled on Heart-Healthy Super Fluffy Whole Grain Vegan Pancakes  by Liv Life and made a few alterations to the recipe to my super healthy liking.



Heart-Healthy Super Fluffy Whole Grain Vegan Pancakes
Light and fluffy yet eggless and oil-less, these hearty pancakes are special enough for weekend brunch.

1 cup all-purpose flour I used only 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
3/4 cups spelt or oat flour I used 1 cup of rolled oats processed into a fine powder
I added 1/4 cup of ground almonds
I also added 1/4 cup of whole wheat flour
1/4 cup ground flax meal I used gentle fiber mix instead
2 Tbs granulated sugar or honey I left this out
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon I also added 1 tsp of ground ginger
1/4 tsp salt
1 3/4 - 2 cups non-dairy milk I used 1 cup of soy milk and 3/4 cup of water
1 Tbs vanilla extract
1 Tbs lemon juice
fruit such as diced banana or fresh or frozen blueberries
I used strawberries and bananas but also crunchy peanut only peanut butter and raspberry jam

In a large bowl mix together the flours, flax meal, sugar, baking powder and salt.  Set aside.

In a medium bowl, mix together the milk, vanilla and lemon juice.

Place griddle over medium/medium high heat to preheat.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.  Add the fruit and stir gently until everything is combined. (i didn't add this) After about 10 stirs, if the batter feels too heavy add additional milk or water to desired consistency.  Be careful not to over mix.

Spread a small amount of oil or butter (i used coconut oil) onto the griddle and then spoon batter onto the griddle for pancakes.  Use 1/4 cup for small pancakes, or as Liv likes them, pour a larger amount for super big pancakes.

Cook pancakes on first side until the edges begin to look dry, then flip.  Cook for another minute or two or until cooked through, then remove to a plate.

Serve with pure maple syrup and additional chopped fruit and nuts.  Enjoy

RECIPE BY Liv Life 

I feel I need to practice the skill of pancake cooking a lot more so my pancakes will eventually be fluffy but also not over cooked. Make sure whatever you do not to use this batter the next day thinking it will work the same. From experience I have discovered it defiantly doesn't taste the same and cook in the same way as it did fresh the previous day.
 

- Grace

Discover. Cook. Then just show the world

Healthy Muesli Bars

Dairy free - Gluten free

After being inspired by my family friend Jules' muesli bar slice she offered to my at a cycling event, I decided I must test out my own version that I could snack on for energy during races.

The day I finally decided to make myself some tasty treats, happened to also be a day that our house was running low on basic ingredients EVEN OATS !! Haha so I just thought, 'why not as well as a healthy muesli bar make a gluten free one.'

I gathered all the ingredients I thought would suit and taste lovely in my ideal muesli bar (that was available of course) Seeds, nuts, dried fruit what else could you wish for.

Mixing together the dry ingredients; Seeds, Nuts, coconut, goji berries, ginger

Making the best of my thermomix; crushing the nuts and dried fruit mix

My muesli bar mixture before refrigerating it

Raw Muesli Bars Ingredients 1/4 cup Chia seeds 1/4 cup Sesame seeds 1/2 cup Sunflower seeds 1/2 cup Pepita seeds 1/2 cup LSA mix 1/2 cup Shredded coconut  1/4 cup Goji berries 1/4 cup Sultanas 1/2 tsp Ground Ginger 1 1/2 cup Mixed nuts and fruit 2 tsp Vanilla extract 1/4 cup Honey 1/2 cup Coconut oil Method     1. In a large bowl mix together the chia seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pepita seeds, LSA mix, shredded coconut, goji berries, sultanas and ground ginger.     2. Using a thermomix or good food processor wiz up the mixed nuts and fruit until it resembles a crunchy texture with large chunks, this should only take a couple of seconds.     3. Add nut and fruit mix to the large bowl containing the seed mix and stir until combined evenly.     4. In a medium sized microwave safe bowl melt the coconut oil with the honey and vanilla extract for about 1 and a half minutes, or until all the coconut oil is liquefied.     5. Pour the coconut oil over the dry ingredients until they are completely coated by the wet ingredients. You're more than welcome to add more coconut oil if you think it is not sticky enough to come together.      6. In a baking paper lined slice tin press the muesli mix firmly, 5 cm thick.     7. Refrigerate until set and cut into slices. Keep refrigerated after it's sliced up.

Printable Recipe

- Grace

Discover. Cook. Then just show the world