On My Way To the US of A

I live in South Africa and I've always wanted to travel and explore the world, but unless you have lots of money (which i don't), it's pretty much impossible these days. So the next best option is working overseas; that way you earn money while travelling. That's exactly what i decided to do and here's my experience in the pursuit of discovery:

About two or three years ago I heard an ad on the radio for jobs in America. I still remember I was driving home from work and at the next red light, I quickly saved the name of the company (Away2xplore) on my phone. I've wanted to work overseas for quite some time now and a few years ago I almost went Au Pairing overseas through OVC, but decided against it because I'm not really that fond of children. But I really wanted to go; and especially to America. So when I got home, I checked out the website for Away2xplore and I really liked what I saw; it looked legit (very important) and everything I wanted to know, was on there. I checked out the Seasonal Carnival Jobs section where, if you're a guy, you mostly work on the rides and if you're a girl, you either work at the game stands, food stands or ticket booth.

At the time I couldn't apply to go work overseas because, not only did I have a good stable job, I also had debt. Lots of debt. But I was very determined to go work overseas, so I made a plan to pay off my debt. It was hard at times because often things would come up that I didn't budget for and it would set me back a little, but slowly it shrunk and after about two years, I was basically debt free. I still had my car, but by now I was able to sell it at a small profit. So the end of June 2013, I was ready to quit my job and go work overseas.

I filled out the application on Away2xplore's website. It was maybe a little too early since they didn't start recruiting for 2014 yet, but I followed up in September to make sure they still had my application and they did! They told me to wait for a call. The end of September that phone call came through for an interview early October. I organised with my then-current job to leave early and went for the hour and a half interview. I had to answer a wide variety of intensive questions, which was actually quite fun. I also had to do a drug test (of course). Then I filled out a bunch of paperwork and left there feeling confident. I haven't done many interviews in my life, but I do have one tip: never be over-prepared; just be yourself and answer honestly.

So for the next month I waited patiently to be notified whether I've been accepted or not and by the end of October - either in my last week or on my last day of work - I was informed that my application had been approved! It was an amazing feeling; knowing that you are one step closer to achieving a (basically) life-long goal and the prospect of GOING OVERSEAS was beyond exciting. In order to secure my application as well as my visa appointment, I had to pay a part of the Visa fees as soon as possible. And of course I didn't want to let this opportunity slip through my fingers, so I did!

The next step was orientation and contract signing. I made my appointment the end of November and had to take my parents with to sign sureties that if something had to happen and I don't fulfil my contract, they pay the cost of the trip. Which is only fair since it costs Away2xplore R25000 per person they employ. At orientation I got my visa application form that I had to fill out - they do the application for you, but you provide the details and now I just had to wait for my visa interview date.

The work permits came through in the new year and I received my US consulate interview date - which was the 12th of February at 10:30am and I had to be there at 10am. This was an interesting process, since I've never done it before, and I was ridiculously nervous because I was scared that they won't give it to me for some odd reason. But it was completely different than I expected. I thought it would be a legit sit-down interview where you get asked a million questions and then at the end they tell you whether it's been approved or not.
The actual process is signing in with security as you enter, then you go outside (inside the consulate) where another security will point to a door that takes you inside the actual consulate. It actually looks exactly like a bank; there are five counters with glass separating you and the people who work behind them. You wait in line, then go up to one of the counters where they take your fingerprints on a scanner-thingy, then you sit down and wait to be called to another glass window for the interview. They don't tell you anything about the process though, so I kinda had to figure out for myself what was happening.
I probably waited about fifteen minutes before i was called to the interview window and it was one of the weirdest moments in my life. Firstly you talk to the person behind the glass over a phone. Secondly he has an American accent and although it's easy enough to understand, you kind of wonder if you heard him right. He asked me to scan my left index finger, and I was so nervous, that I second guessed which finger was my index finger! He probably thought I couldn't understand English (you'll see why in a bit) which would not help my case.
Anyway, so after the finger-scan, he asked me one or two questions about why I was going, where I was going to work and why I want to work there. He then asked if I had received my booklet about working in America (it basically covers your human rights) and if I understood it. This is what I'm talking about - either it's protocol for them to ask, or he wanted to check if Ii could read and understand English (probably the former), it felt like the latter though. Then he asked me to pay two windows down and bring him the receipt. There were two things to note here: firstly the cashier was literally at the next window (there was a sign above), which wasn't two windows down, right? So at this point I felt like he was definitely testing me. Secondly this meant that my visa was actually approved! But I was so confused with his two-windows-down instruction, that I kept looking at him (even though he wasn't looking at me anymore) to make sure I was at the right window. But after a few seconds of looking around like an idiot, I just decided this must be "two windows down". So I paid my fee and returned to him with the receipt. He signed it and gave me my forms. Then I had to go to the DHL counter and pay a courier fee to send my visa and passport to Away2xplore's head office in Johannesburg and I was done! The fact that I was going over with a recruitment agency, helped a lot with the approval. It felt so good but so weird at the same time because no one officially told me I had my Visa (I checked my papers a million times though) and no one congratulated me. So at the end of the day I realised that it wasn't as big of a deal as I thought it would be. But I was so relieved.

Now I only had to wait for the departure date! I got the call Tuesday the 18th of February to say that I'm leaving the 4th of March (in two weeks!) and all of a sudden reality sunk in. I kind of panicked because there's a lot that you have to organise before going overseas. Luckily I'm a list person, so I've been making lists since I went for orientation last year and I was ready to start packing.
First I got my medical kit, which consists of everything under the sun. My mom is a nurse, so she made me buy everything she could think of in case something went wrong. It cost a fortune (medicine is expensive!) but I'd rather be prepared. I also bought my toiletries.
And I also decided to pack up my room before I go because I have a lot of stuff that I don't want people to necessarily touch or take and also so it won't gather dust.
We're allowed to pack one big suitcase and then have your hand luggage that you take on the plane with you. I didn't have a proper suitcase, so I went and bought a massive 75cm one. Come to think of it, I really hope I won't look like a fool with my gigantic luggage, but I just have so many things to pack! And of course I want to bring stuff back as well. (Edit: the 75cm suitcase is too big! So i'm exchanging mine for a smaller one that can only take up to 20kgs!!). I'm planning on packing my suitcase the weekend before I leave. I get a lump in my throat just thinking about it!
I also haven't slept very well lately. That's due to nerves and excitement as well as over thinking - I'm a huge over thinker (unfortunately). And there's just one thing I want before I leave South Africa: Col'Cacchio pizza!! My family and I will do my farewell the Sunday/Monday night before the Tuesday of my departure. Again, lump in my throat!

So my conclusion is that when working overseas, you are able to save a lot of money because you have minimal expenses (unlike where you live because of rent, car, groceries, petrol, etc), but also you will have to give out a bit of money in order to go and save money. Away2xplore offers Travel Insurance which is like a Medical Aid but it also covers your travelling (loss of passport etc). It doesn't cost that much (R1900, R2000 or R2400 respectively for the three options) and you will be covered outside of work hours if anything had to happen. (During work hours, your employee pays for medical emergencies). They also offer and additional ticket option where you pay a small amount (R1980) before you go and if there is a death in your immediate family, you get a return ticket and you get one week unpaid leave to attend the funeral and grieve. So besides those two options, you only have your visa fees to pay which is around R3000 because of the exchange rate.
My medical kit was about R700 because, as I said earlier, I bought everything under the sun. Toiletries were R400 because I'm a girl and we use a lot of stuff. My huge suitcase was R850 at Game (which is actually cheap in comparison to other places - Edit: the smaller suitcase is about R1100). Then you also need to buy some pants and shoes for work (if you don't have), which cost me about R500 (I buy cheap - Mr Price and Pnp Clothing). You also need a battery operated alarm clock and a padlock for your trailer (which you can buy overseas if you want). Your accommodation is included, you only pay your taxes, food and entertainment.
So in the end you do need to put a bit of money on the table, but at least you don't pay for your return ticket and you will make more than enough money to bring back home. So it's so worth it in the end.

I'm looking forward to an experience of a lifetime and did I ever mention I absolutely LOVE carnivals? As a child we used to go to the carnival every year in my hometown and those were the best days of my life! I think I can definitely say that I've come full circle.
Apparently we're starting is Miami, Florida and so that's probably where I'll fly to. I have two thoughts on that; firstly, Dexter!! And secondly, I can't believe I'm going to Miami! It just feels absolutely unreal at this moment.

A Kurt Cobain Journal Entry

"Hi, I played the snare drum in school band from grades five to nine. During this time I didn’t bother learning how to read sheet music, I just waited for the geek in first chair to learn each song, then I simply copied him, I managed to do well without ever having to read music.

It took me 5 years to realize how rhythmically retarded I was as a drummer, so I sold of my fathers guns then used the money to purchase my first six string electric guitar. I learned everything I needed to know from one week of lessons which resulted in the famous Louie Louie chords.

I noticed that I could use the finger positions from the B note anywhere on the guitar, this is known as the power chord. And so after figuring out songs like Louie Louie, Wild Thing and My Best Friends Girl, I decided that in order to become a big famous Rockstar I would need to write my very own songs instead of wasting my time learning other peoples because if you study other peoples music too much it may act as obstruction in developing your very own personal style.

Someone told me that there are guitar institutes of technology all across the world where they teach you how to be a lame unoriginal jukebox hero with stars in your eyes.

Uh, gee I guess what I’m trying to say is: theory is a waste of time. Dorian modes are for technically anal boys with bad values. Make up your own music. Eric Clapton plays second rate dusty blues licks. Too much practice is like too much sugar. Weird Al Yankovic is America’s modern pop-rock genius. If you copy too much you’ll find yourself in late night cocktail lounge cover band limbo.

The guitar has twelve notes. The guitar is based on mathematics. Guitar oriented rock n roll has been around for over 30 years. There are limitations within the structures of a 4/4 rock time signature rhythm. So consider this music book as something just to own like a bottle cap collection or baseball cards or a family photo album or an example of just exactly how not to brighten your musical capabilities.

Happy Motoring

Love Kurt"

Awesome Series That Are No More

Some series are just truly remarkable and deserve to go on for eternity in my opinion. So when said series come to an end or get cancelled, it’s a true calamity. I’ve stumbled upon many a series that have brought me much joy and entertainment and I think that even though they’re not on air anymore, they deserve recognition. Also, they’re available on DVD for eternal entertainment purposes, yay!

So here is a list of series that I think were meant to last forever. (In a world where people didn’t age and no one cared about ratings, of course).

Rated PG13:

Comedy:

That 70's Show - Everyone knows this series and just how awesome it is - truly some of THE BEST characters on TV ever. Eric Forman played by Topher Grace is just such a pleasure to watch; the way that guy delivered his lines was just magical. I also really like Steven Hyde played by Danny Masterson, he is the perfect boyfriend in my opinion; great style, conspiracy theorist, smokes weed, great sense of humour, wears sunglasses indoors and has awesome taste in cars! Michael Kelso played by Ashton Kutcher annoyed me a bit, but he was still funny and I loved the way he shouted: “BUUUURRRRN!!” Donna Pinciotti played by Laura Prepon was another favourite character of mine, she was just so real and the total opposite of Jackie and Kitty Forman played by Debra Jo Rupp was the absolute best character; SO funny and SO good. I can watch this show all day, every day, for the rest of my life. No jokes.

The IT Crowd - There is nothing like this out there at all. It’s a British series and absolutely hilarious. It’s about the IT department in a corporate office situated right at the bottom in the basement of the building. They have to deal with IT related calls from the staff upstairs and how they deal is so funny. And then there’s Jen who is their office manager but she has no IT skills whatsoever, but really needs a job. I just think that if you are able to get a hold of this series, then you should do yourself a favour. I was thoroughly entertained.

Happy Endings - Such an underrated sitcom. A lot of people might think it’s just a copy of Friends or How I Met Your Mother, but it really is something totally different. Best characters and ridiculously funny. It's sad to know that people didn’t pay it the attention it deserved and they cancelled the show. Man, I want more!

Comedy-Drama:

The OC - This series ended in 2007 and there were only four seasons of it. I know very sad right! It's a real shame that this series ended so early since it's one of the best series in the whole world. Fans of The OC will know what I'm talking about. Seth's witty sense of humour, Summer's sassiness, Marissa's alcoholism and Ryan's biceps; not to mention Sandy's bagels. Just a few of the things we miss in our lives. This series was packed with humour and fun and drama and sun. It made me feel warm inside. I miss The OC.

Gilmore Girls – Even though I haven’t seen all the seasons of this very sweet series, I still love it and consider it as one of my favourites. Lorelai Gilmore is the coolest mom in the universe. I adore these two girls and want to make a mission to watch all the seasons. Just makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Sci-Fi:
Smallville - Although this series hasn't been on since 2011, it still remains one of my favourite series ever. Besides the fact that I'm a huge Superman fan, I think the series was just fantastic. All the meteor freaks with their weird new mutant powers and Clark Kent saving the day; Chloe's crush on Clark and Clark's crush on Lana. And Clark protecting his secret and...Lex Luthor! Man, it's just too cool for school. Sure towards the end it got a little watered-down, but the first five or six seasons were more than satisfactory. The stories from each episode and the actors made this series well worthwhile. I have all ten seasons on DVD because I love it that much.

Rated 16+:

Thriller:

Dexter - Most people know who Dexter is by now - a serial killer. I'm not sure if people are aware that he only kills bad guys who escape the justice system though. Anyway, I can tell you one thing for certain: I love Dexter. Again, one of the best characters ever written. I mean you're supposed to hate this guy right - a serial killer - but then you end up rooting for him. How crazy good must a writer (and the actor) be to do this? In my opinion it's genius. When I first started watching this series I thought it's so weird with all the Miami Beach vibes and colours and Spanish people. I didn't think it would be something I'd enjoy because it felt so grown-up (with all the grown-up characters). But again, I was wrong. It is such a good series. Michael C. Hall isn't that attractive, but this character definitely makes him more attractive - that's how good he is as Dexter. The show's eighth and final season was last year and again there was debate over how it ended. Personally I didn't mind the ending because it's a story that is out of my control in anyway, so why moan about it and to be honest I didn't give it much thought. Maybe I would've wanted him to die in the end so he could rest in peace, but at the same time him living alone in the middle of no where as a logger is probably as good as any ending could be. Now that I think about it, it's kind of ironic since he used to chop people up and now he's chopping wood. At least in the end, although alone, he's not killing any more people.

Prison Break – This series is definitely almost certainly my most favourite. From beginning to end this series didn’t ever disappoint. It was four seasons of pure bliss in my opinion. Michael Scofield was a brilliant character and Wentworth Miller’s mysterious and dangerous looks definitely helped make his character authentic. He looked like a bad-ass with his tattoos and all, but in actual fact he was a genius and actually quite a softy. I enjoyed this series with all its twists a lot and could’ve watched four more seasons of it! I also think that the end was perfect. The writers did a good job with this one. 

Drama:

Breaking Bad - This one is a recent favourite. So many people told me to watch it and there was all this hype about how good it is. So I finally decided to check it out and I must say I'm not sorry. Walter White chemistry teacher turned Meth Cook with a crazy, junkie Jesse Pinkman as his sidekick. And not to mention their lawyer Saul Goodman - one of the funniest characters ever. It starts off very strange, but then gradually becomes so good that you can't stop watching it. It's like a snowball; with each episode it gets bigger and bigger and the story gets more and more tense. Season 4 was just pure brilliance and genius in my opinion. There was one stage in Season 5 that the main character -Walter White - annoyed me, but towards the end it got better. There's a lot of talk about how the series ended and although I'm not particularly fond of the ending, I don't have a problem with it. I do agree, however, that they could've done more, but whatever. The actors in this series are just awesome to watch and the plot/writing is brilliant.

Southland - Best cop show EVER and the only police drama I like. Unfortunately the series ended after five seasons, but I feel so lucky to have been able to watch a series like this. It's not your typical cop show, it's realistic and gripping and just SO GOOD. I know the people who have watched this show will agree that it's one of the best, most underrated series of all time. 

Comedy-Drama:

Weeds - I watched all eight seasons back to back last year within probably two weeks. Another absolutely spectacular series. It's strange how series are misconceived based on previews or hearsay or whatever because I thought this series would be a drama a lot like Desperate Housewives or something. Boy was I wrong. Nancy Botwin - played by Mary-Louise Parker - is a mother and a weed dealer and one of the best characters ever written on TV in my opinion. This woman is so cray-cray it's ridiculous, but a real pleasure to watch. And it's not just the one character, but all of them that's just fantastic. I can promise you that this series will blow your mind and is so worth watching. It's also really funny...unexpectedly funny. Easily my most favourite.

I probably left something off, but we all know it's hard to keep track of all the series out there.

We Made A Music Video!!

My friend Luca and i were just listening to this song by Relient K while driving and she decided to record us jamming along. I think it came out pretty cool and we love Relient K!! (especially me)

Here's the link to view it on youtube -> Lost Boy

And here is the video:

Courtesy of Luca Byleveld (for the recording).

Favourite Bands

There are certain bands that i first heard fourteen years ago that i still listen to today. Those bands have shaped my outlook on life in a big way and their music is really special to me. Once i like a band, i fully commit to being a lifelong fan because their music is satisfying enough to listen to forever. I'm still open to listen to other bands, obviously, but i won't necessarily make a point of learning the lyrics or names of each member. I'll do some lists of my favourite solo artists and my favourite old school bands sometime, but for now here's a list of my favourite bands:

Red Hot Chili Peppers - I first heard them back in 1999 when Californication was released. I remember the Californication music video constantly played on MTV. Since then I've never stopped listening to this band and i was privileged enough to see them live in concert last year. Here's a favourite older song live - She's Only 18 - and a favourite recent song live - Annie Wants a Baby - that i recommend you watch.

Nirvana - I first heard their music back in 2000 when i was eleven. My friend's dad loudly played their music around their house and i remember him singing Where Did You Sleep Last Night to me. This was truly a beautiful discovery in music for me. When you're that young, you listen to all kinds of crap - Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera - but that music doesn't stay with you the way real authentic music does. Kurt Cobain will always be a true artist and genius in music, it's sad that we lost him so early. Check these live performances out on youtube - Drain You and Blew and a little acoustic melody with the Meat Puppets.

Relient K - I discovered this punk rock band while working at a Christian bookstore back in 2003 when i was fifteen and I instantly fell in love with them. I didn't know that Christian bands like these existed! And of course with my strict upbringing it was a relief to not have to hide it from my mother (i don't do that anymore though). Their vocalist, Matthew Thiessen, is one of the best songwriters in the world and has an amazing voice that i could listen to all day long. Their music isn't really 'gospel' per se, they're just a regular (awesome) band with some Christian beliefs. Some cool songs to check out: Pressing On (old classic), Let It All Out (a slow jam with amazing lyrics), Deathbed (most amazing song), I Need You (a song i really love) and a brand new one PTL. (Here's a cover of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun for fun!)

Hillsong United - They're a band but technically they're not. They are from a church in Sydney called Hillsong and is more of a Praise & Worship team, but i see them as a band. They've produced some of the best music you'll ever hear and have such good songwriters and musicians and singers, it's just unbelievably beautiful music. I grew up listening to them and will always continue to listen to them. Go listen to King of All Days, Yours Forever Live, Oceans (acoustic version) and What the World Will Never Take.

Showbread - I first heard them in 2006 and since then my life was changed forever. Their music is so unique and different to anything else in the rock genre that they had to come up with a brand new subgenre called Raw Rock. And that term perfectly sums up what their music sounds like (it's basically 'screamo'). I absolutely love this band, what their music means and what they stand for, plus their frontman and songwriter Josh Dies (Joshua S. Porter) is a genius. He's also a writer and writes very thought-provoking, out of this world stories. Oh and they are also classified as a Christian band. Let that sink in for a second and prepare to have your face blown off. Some songs to listen to: Journey (Nervosa Album), Dead By Dawn, Oh! Emetophobia!, Lost Connection With the Head, The Pig and You Will Not Die in a Prison (slow jam). 

Underoath - Unfortunately this band broke up last year, but they're still one of my favourites. I first heard them eight years ago in 2006. It's funny how you think you'd never listen to a certain type of music and then one day you just suddenly do and you like it. Underoath is a metalcore band and pretty much the only one that i really listen to. I can't really say exactly why i like their music, because i just do and i think they are brilliant musicians, good people and write good music. And by the grace of God i got to see them live here in South Africa in 2008. Songs to check out: A Boy Brushed Red Living in Black and White, Writing On the Walls, Desperate Times, Desperate Measures and Paper Lung.

Muse - Back in either 2007 or 2008 someone recommended that i listen to this band called Muse. Again, you think you won't like a certain type of music or a certain band, but when you hear them, you just can't help it. Talk about brilliant musicians! These guys are off-the-charts good and I'm so thankful that i heard their music and can listen to it now. I really love their unique style and Matthew Bellamy's songwriting skills; not to mention his amazing voice. Go watch: Stockholm Syndrome, Undisclosed Desires, Supremacy Live, Madness and then a slow jam, Blackout Live.

Kings of Leon - Even though they've been around since 1999, i only discovered them around 2009. They have such a different sound - especially their old stuff - and Caleb has the perfect voice in my opinion. They have some of the best songs ever written as well. It's southern rock at its best and i was lucky enough to see them live back in 2011. Some cool songs are: Holy Roller Novocaine, My Party, Molly's Chambers, Closer Live and Beautiful War.

Paramore - This is a band with a very interesting history. They started off as a small (Christian) band in 2004 and did really well. Then in 2010 two of their members (guitar and drums) left because, according to them, the lead vocalist treated the band as her solo project. So after they left, the band's popularity exploded, which means that they had decided to go more mainstream to reach more listeners. I don't think there's anything wrong with that especially when the music is still as good, if not better, as ever. I only discovered them around 2009 and love this band to death. I like the songwriting and i like her voice a lot. I would also love to see them live! Some songs i like are: Crush, crush, crush Live, Ignorance Live and Still Into You.

No Doubt - They are a recent favourite band of mine. Growing up i obviously heard their music, i mean Don't Speak was a massive hit across the world back in 1996, but i didn't really know their stuff. Then about two or three years ago, i bought a special dual pack with both Tragic Kingdom (1995) and Rock Steady (2001) albums in. When i heard all the songs (that weren't massive hits) i was just hooked. The fact that they were broken up for ten years and then reunited speaks volumes of this band. They are a timeless treasure and i hope i get to see them live! Songs: Detective, In My Head Live, Tragic Kingdom, Hey You, Looking Hot and Push and Shove

The White Stripes / The Raconteurs / The Dead Weather - For me all three these bands are the same thing because of Jack White and his musical genius. I totally have a crush on him and I'm into anything that he's involved in. Everything he touches turns to gold in my opinion. So much rock 'n roll in one person and the amount of music he's put out there is just phenomenal. Songs: Seven Nation Army & Icky Thump (White Stripes), Level & Blue Veins (Raconteurs), Treat Me Like Your Mother & Blue Blood Blues Live (Dead Weather)

                                                                  The White Stripes

The Raconteurs

The Dead Weather

In my opinion these are some of the best bands to ever exist because of the following combined reasons: brilliant song writing, stunning vocals and unique musicians. I like bands that sound different to any other band out there; music that is original. I don't really care whether they are the best musicians in the world or not, all i want is something that i can really connect with. When i hear one of their songs, i want to feel the melody either prodding at my heart or ripping it out. When music can bring tears to your eyes, a smile to your face or goose bumps to your hair, then you know it's real and magical at the same time. 

A Stellar Explosion

I once wrote an article about a Supernova. It was just a little over a year ago for my Writing studies. I had to write an article commemorating any interesting and little known anniversary and because I like space so much, i decided to write an article about the anniversary of one of the brightest Supernova's in Earth's history. So tonight when i read this article (and this one and on this site) about a new Supernova (SN 2014J) in the M82 galaxy that was first seen this week (21st Jan), i got so excited and decided to post my article from my studies. The article explains, for those who want to/don't know, how Supernovas are formed. I think it's one of the most spectacular events that can happen in the universe. It reminds me of how dangerous outer space can be and i sometimes can't believe that we (Earth) are still here! Only by the grace of God.

A Stellar Explosion known as SN 1006

About a thousand years ago on 30 April 1006, the brightest supernova in Earth’s recorded history first appeared in the constellation Lupus. The stellar explosion – known as supernova SN 1006 – was discovered a day later on the 1^st of May.

This magnificent light show was documented in China, Japan, Europe and the Arab world, with the Chinese and Arab astronomers providing the most complete historic descriptions of the supernova.

The first known North American representation of the supernova was an explanation of a rock engraving by the Hohokum – American Southwest ancient culture traditions - in White Tank Mountain Regional Park, Maricopa County, Arizona.

The Egyptian Arabic astronomer Ali Ridwan stated that the display was 2½ to 3 times as large as Venus. It is said that if you position this supernova in the place of the sun, it would destroy everything around it, stretching as far as Jupiter. Which of course means Earth would seize to exist.

It was brighter than Venus and visible during the day for weeks. Some sources state that the star was bright enough to cast shadows and the modern-day astronomer Frank Winkler has said that “in the spring of 1006, people could probably have read manuscripts at midnight by its light”. According to Songshi – official Chinese historical works – the size of the visual explosion was half that of the moon and shone so brightly that objects on the ground could be seen at night.

There seems to have been two distinct phases in the early evolution of this supernova. There was a three-month period at which it was at its brightest; after this phase it diminished, then returned for an episode of about eighteen months.

While most astrologers interpreted the event as an omen of warfare and famine, the Chinese astrologer – and astronomer – Zhou Keming, described the star to the emperor on 30 May as a lucky star that is yellow in colour and brilliant in its brightness that would bring great prosperity to the state over which it appeared.

The distance to the supernova is about 7000 light-years. This means that the explosion actually happened 7000 years before the light reached Earth in 1006; round about 6000 BC.

Early observers were fortunate to experience this heavenly display, but they didn’t understand its cause or implications. Astronomers now know that SN 1006 was caused by a white dwarf star that captured mass from a companion star until the white dwarf became unstable and caused a thermonuclear explosion that destroyed it.

A nova is a dreadful nuclear explosion in a white dwarf star. A supernova is a cosmological explosion that is more energetic than a nova.

White dwarfs are considered to be the final evolutionary form of all stars that aren’t heavy enough to become neutron stars. Over 97% of the stars in our galaxy are neutron stars.

A white dwarf star is very dense and its mass is similar to that of the sun and its volume is equivalent to that of the Earth. After the hydrogen-fusing existence of a dwarf star, with low or medium mass, it will expand to a red giant which fuses helium to carbon and oxygen in its core by a set of nuclear fusion reactions.

If a red giant has insufficient mass to generate the core temperature required to fuse carbon, a motionless ball of carbon and oxygen will build up at its centre.

After shedding its outer layers to form a glowing shell of gas, it will leave behind this core, which forms the remnant white dwarf. Therefore white dwarfs are composed of carbon and oxygen.

The material in a white dwarf no longer undergoes fusion reactions, so the star has no source of energy.

A white dwarf is very hot when it is formed, but since it has no source of energy, it will gradually emit its energy and cool down. This means that its radiation will diminish with time. Over a very long period, a white dwarf will cool to temperatures at which it will no longer produce significant heat or light, and it will become a cold black dwarf. According to astronomers, however, black dwarfs don’t exist – yet.

But wait! There is an alternate ending to a white dwarf’s existence – it is possible for a carbon-oxygen white dwarf to capture material from a companion star. If this transfer causes the white dwarf to approach the limit of 1.4 solar masses (solar mass is the mass of the sun), it may explode as a supernova through the process known as carbon detonation. This is exactly how supernova SN 1006 came about.

The supernova remnant from this explosion was not identified until 1965, when Doug Milne and Frank Gardner used the Parkes radio telescope in Australia to demonstrate that the previously known radio source near the star Beta Lupi, had the appearance of a 30-arcminute circular shell. It is now known as the ‘SN 1006 supernova remnant’ and the remains appear to be about 60 light-years across.

Recent observations of the remnant reveal the release of elements such as iron that were previously locked up inside the star. And because no material falls back into a neutron star or black hole after this type of supernova explosion, the deliverance of this star’s contents is complete.

Over the next few years, both X-ray and optical discharge from this remnant were also detected, and in 2010 a gamma-ray observatory announced the detection of very high-energy gamma-ray emission from the remains. In the visible spectrum the remnant is yellow, in X-ray it is blue and at radio it is red in colour.

Humans don’t always grasp the sheer size of the cosmos compared to the relatively small size of the Earth within the universe. We think that it is only astronomers who should occupy themselves with the activities of the stars and galaxies, yet we are all a part of it.

1 May 2013 will be the 1007^th anniversary of supernova SN 1006. It is important for people to remember such universal happenings as it illustrates the magnificence of our heavens. Since stars appear as small white dots from here, we forget that they significantly surpass the size of Earth. When you start to perceive the world as part of a massive universe, you begin to understand the bigger picture and realise what is important in life. 

Kings Of Leon Challenge

Kings of Leon are one of my favourite bands. I found this questionnaire from someone on Tumblr and decided to fill it out and post it here. I haven't got the latest album - Mechanical Bull - yet, so i might redo this list when i get my hands on it.

For reference:
YAYM - Youth and Young Manhood
ASH - Aha Shake Heartbreak
BOTT - Because of the Times
OBTN - Only By the Night
CAS - Come Around Sundown

Favourite Song/s From Each Album?
YAYM – Happy Alone / Molly’s Chambers / Holly Roller Novocaine
ASH – Milk / Razz
BOTT – Charmer / My Party
OBTN – Closer / Crawl / Be Somebody
CAS – Mary / Pyro

Favourite Album?

Because of the Times

Favourite Followill?

Nathan (drummer)

Best Live Performance?
T in the Park 2004 / O2 London 2009 

Least Favourite Song?
Beach Side (Come Around Sundown album)

Favourite Lyric?
“Stranded in this spooky town. 
Stop lights are swaying and the phone lines are down.
Snow is crackling cold,

She took my heart, I think she took my soul.” – Closer

“Razz the kid.” – Razz          

Least Favourite Lyric?

“We’re gonna come together, we’re gonna celebrate.

 We’re gonna gather ‘round, like it’s your birthday.” - Birthday

All Time Favourite Song?
Happy Alone

Least Favourite Video?
Radioactive

Least Favourite Song From Each Album?
YAYM — California Waiting
ASH — Velvet Snow
BOTT — Camaro
OBTN — 17
CAS — Other than Beach Side, Birthday

First Song You Heard?

Soft

Least Favourite Album?

OBTN

Favourite B-side?

Woo Hoo

Favourite Music Video?

Four Kicks

Favourite Album Artwork?
BOTT / OBTN