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Writing samples by Hyacinth Guelas From various blogs and sites
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- 1. ARTICLES Misc. • Why Do Gardens Have Gnomes Anyway? • What Your Living Space Says About You Planet Ivy & Screen Robot • Why UK Fast-Food Workers Won’t Follow Their US Counterparts and Strike • The PS Vita, And What It Means For Handheld Consoles • Thieves lose €1,000 of Ben & Jerry’s Loot After It Melts, Mid- heist Juliet Oscar Yankee • Pride and Prejudice at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre • The Wizard of Oz (1939) Day of Women • “Feeling What You Are Feeling Is The Path to Healing” - Learn Why Feeling Feelings is Good For You! • 6 Top Tips to Maintaining a Positive Outlook (Following Depression) BROCHURES Carnival Cosmetics One Eastwood Avenue INFOGRAPHIC WORK Digivate • A Mixologist’s Guide to Oscars Success Haliborange • What Are Parents Most Worried About? • Halloween Treats hGuelas@ymail.com CONTACT hGuelas@ymail.com 07525728179 PORTFOLIO Cargocollective.com/hGuelas hGuelas.Wordpress.com Hyacinth Guelas Writing Samples
- 4. Why Do Gardens Have Gnomes Anyway? Ever found yourself staring out into the garden and suddenly catching the eye of a small, golly bearded man with a pointy hat - who seems to think it’s perfectly acceptable to loiter on a brightly coloured mushroom on your lawn?... No? Well, have you at least ever found yourself wondering why on earth we have garden gnomes sitting outside, merrily stroking their beards and pretending to fish or water their porcelain flowers? These humanoid creatures have become a customary form of decor in households around the world and have been accepted as a normal addition to the garden; giving it character and colour. But their history stems far back into a time of mysticism and folklore. History of the gnome The term gnome is believed to be taken from the Latin word genomos meaning “earth-dweller”, and can be traced as far back as the 16th Century. Swiss alchemist Paracelsus first described gnomes as part of his concept of the four elements, which he believed also consisted of spiritual substances. He refers to them as earth spirits who are able to travel through the earth like ghosts. These gnomes would work underground and protect minerals, metals and hidden gems.
- 5. Paracelsus also goes on to talk about other gnomes that live above ground as tree and forest sprites, building huts and homes from unknown materials. It’s all very picturesque and not too unlike some of the bedtime tales we grew up with. Folklore Since then, gnomes have cropped up in stories, myths, fairytales and folklores throughout history - in various forms, with various names all across Europe. Common folklore depicts this little humanoid creature as often living underground, guarding treasure. In some countries they were believed to be magical beings that could be inventive, helpful or mischievous depending on the story you’re told. Gnomes are often associated with good luck and thought to provide protection. The first garden gnome Philip Griebel created the first garden gnome in Germany from terracotta clay, in the early 1800s. Well-known German tales would talk of gnomes looking after the gardens at night, and so Griebel produced these little figures of clay and painted them to serve as protectors in the garden and to promote enjoyment of the old folklores. Soon after their creation, the popularity of the garden gnome spread, with several companies wanting to produce them. Demand for gnomes continued to grow outside of Germany and resulted in several ambitious garden gnomes immigrating across Europe. Gnome "hitchhikers"? How gnomes arrived in Britain In the 1840s, Sir Charles Isham returned to the United Kingdom with twenty-one gnomes hitching a ride, illustrating how charmingly irresistible these little painted pieces were; and forever making them part of English heritage.
- 6. During the World Wars, the production of gnomes in Germany dramatically dropped. When they ended the demand resumed and garden gnomes were once again sought after, but are now more commonly made in other countries, including the UK. The garden gnome of today The continued charm of this lawn ornament has meant that gnomes of various styles have become a familiar sight in gardens all around the world. Nowadays, gnomes of all shapes and sizes are produced so that we’re treated to characters that can make us either smile or raise an eyebrow. Gnomes of bright colours and even brighter personalities are depicted doing anything from fishing to mooning the unfortunate person innocently walking by. That’s the charm of these garden dwelling sprites; they are able to add a small sense of whimsy to the garden that’s a shadow of their origin story.
- 7. What%Your%Living%Space%Says%About%You% ! The$designs$of$the$mid$20th$century$have$created$a$style$so$unlike$any$other$before$their$time$ that$they$inevitably$become$the$topic$of$conversation$when$entertaining$guests;$and$continue$ to$enhance$or$even$take$centre$stage$in$our$homes$today.$From$Bertoia$to$Wegner,$the$retro$ designs$of$the$50s$and$60s$have$transcended$their$own$decades$to$still$feel$modern$within$the$ 21st$century$D$with$pieces$such$as$Jacobsen’s$Egg$Chair$becoming$iconic$in$the$world$of$design$ and$fashion,$instantly$recognised$by$the$furniture$design$expert$as$well$as$the$average$Joe$on$ the$street.$ ! Midcentury$ modern$ design$ has$ offered$ styles$ that$ work$ with$ your$ body$ to$ maximise$ your$ comfort$without$ever$taking$away$from$the$aesthetics$of$the$design.$Pieces$like$the$Saarinen$ Womb$Chair$and$the$Eames$Aluminium$Group$Chair$are$perfect$examples$of$how$look$and$ comfort$can$work$in$tandem$D$with$both$adding$a$wonderful$touch$of$class$to$a$room.$ ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Style$is$the$outward$manifestation$of$our$aspirations$and$our$choices$in$clothing,$design$and$ decor$are$the$way$in$which$we$articulate$who$we$are$physically.$Our$homes$are$therefore$the$ extensions$of$ourselves;$the$culmination$of$all$our$hard$work$and$an$expression$of$what$we$ believe$is$beautiful.$With$that$in$mind$D$look$around$the$room$you’re$sitting$in$right$now;$does$ it$feel$like$you?
- 10. hGuelas@ymail.com Planet Ivy & Screen Robot
- 14. The PS Vita TV, and what it means for handheld consoles! By Hyacinth Guelas · On October 8, 2013! ! The death of handheld gaming? Not quite.! ! At September’s Tokyo Game Show, Sony held a pre-show press conference to announce two new devices for their line. One was the not-so-surprising updated PS Vita Slim and the other a new console. Meet the PlayStation Vita TV, which since its reveal has had the internet humming as to what it has to offer. What exactly is it, and where does it fit into the videogame hierarchy?! ! The PS Vita TV is a 6x10cm console that allows you to play over 1,300 Vita, PSP and classic PlayStation titles on a TV. The microconsole will be able to access a number of streaming apps – Hulu, Tsutaya TV and Nico Nico Douga initially – and offers PlayStation 4 cross-functionality. Set to be released at 9,480 yen (approx. $95), the tiny console will focus on breaking into the Asian market, with no dates set for a European/American release yet. Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) President Andrew House told the press at a round table interview the day after the event:! ! “SCE will release the PS Vita TV in Japan Nov 14, 2013, and in other countries after that. The reason why it will be launched in Japan earlier than in other countries is that there is no leading company in Japan’s video streaming market. The company is planning to sell the PS Vita TV in China, South Korea, etc, but not in the US and European market at this point.”! ! Why the Vita TV?! ! There’s a bit of confusion as to when we can get our hand on this device – especially since we only have Shunhei Yoshida, President of SCE’s Worldwide Studios, ambiguous “stay tuned.” tweet to go by. So why people are so excited by this little console? Is this beefed up Ouya with all the bells
- 15. and whistles that the Android-run Kickstarter sensation seemed to lack going to be the game changer for the industry? Or just another lowpriced gimmicky gadget?! ! The portable console to TV idea isn’t new, but many of us are optimistic about this next attempt nevertheless. The idea of visiting nostalgia land by replaying some of our favourite PS1 games always makes us feel warm and fuzzy. The PS4 cross-functionality to later include remote play is also a plus; it could even be just the simple fact that the Vita TV is significantly cheaper than other gaming devices and makes for a decent set-top box. With room for improvement, it’s a pretty solid piece of tech, in theory.! ! Handhelds vs. smartphones! ! Reports show that handheld gaming is far from dead, with the Nintendo 3DS being the best selling console in the US for the fourth consecutive month (we won’t talk about the poor PS Vita). However, with smartphones and tablets offering countless games, apps, doohickies, movies, books and all that jazz it’s easy to see why perhaps people prefer tablets over a 3DS – where games can sometimes cost £30. We’re already seeing tablets and smartphones winning out against optimised gaming devices. Data from App Annie and IDC reveal that iOS and Google Play revenue is 4x higher than those of handheld gaming devices.! ! A study by Asymco also shows that it’s not just portable gaming devices that are being outshone by mobiles; author Horace Schmidt writes:! ! “More people will hire mobile devices for their primary gaming activity. And as mobile devices get inexorably better, they will be hired for use in the setting where consoles have been king: the living room…”! ! This doesn’t necessarily mean the handhelds should immediately be thrown into the abyss of irrelevance, but they are in trouble. While from a gamer’s perspective, they perform far better than smartphones and tablets – they’re steadily slipping into gaming limbo. They’re not as complex and awe-inspiring as our stationary console at home, but aren’t necessarily as simple and accessible as smartphones. Their portability suggests that they should work well on the go, but gaming on the go isn’t for that immersive, addictive gameplay that some handheld exclusives attempt offer – the ones that have you hooked, until you realise it’s already 3am and you’ve got work in 5 hours (we’ve all been there). If you’re playing at home, where you decide if you want to switch on your Wii, PS3 or Xbox360 or your DS – which would you go with?! ! Portable gaming doom! ! So does this mean that the PS Vita TV could end all portable gaming devices? Maybe. Admittedly not a definitive answer, but while the 3DS, PSP, and Vita all have amazing, eclectic games collections, the loss of love for the handheld gaming devices started before we even got a whiff of
- 16. the Vita TV. It seems there isn’t much room for dedicated handhelds when we’re hooked on GTA at home and Candy Crush when out.! So instead of looking at the Vita TV as the portable gaming enemy, we can look at it as an answer to the decline of their popularity. If the Vita TV falls flat on its ass, gaming on smartphones and tablets could take over, which no hardcore gamer really wants. If the PS Vita TV is successful, it could offer awesome handheld exclusive games a cheaper new home whilst acting like a secondary TV set-top box. Rather than signifying the death of handheld gaming, the Vita TV could, in a weird way, be its redemption.! ! images: Sony Computer Electronics & Nintendo
- 19. PRIDE&AND&PREJUDICE&AT®ENT’S&PARK& OPEN&AIR&THEATRE& Words&by&Hyacinth&Guelas& Pictures&by&The&Open&Air&Theatre& ! ! ! ! Simon Reade’s onstage adaptation of Jane Austen’s immortal romance takes us through the wonderfully lighthearted tale with Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre as its remarkable backdrop. The unique setting of an outdoor stage surrounded by trees and the sun slowly disappearing created the opportunity for the audience to be transported out of the heart of London for a few hours, and become engulfed by the illusion of lush country fields and dances in grand manors.! Under the direction of Deborah Bruce, Austen’s flair for wit and banter finds new life whilst still staying true to the tone and charm of the original book. The far more comedic approach to the tale is perfect for the summer time and gives us something different from the many adaptations we’re accustomed to – where everything is full of depth, serious contemplation and drama. The characters are more amusing and excessively brighter than most adaptations seen today; we experience not only the story we know and love, but something that entertains successfully on its own feet. Bruce and her creative team are able to take a beautiful story and add just the right amount of laughter, dancing and style that the story deserves!!
- 20. The use of the stage and space was beautifully clever in its general simplicity and creativeness while never being too bold for the scenery and without taking any attention away from the story as a whole. The natural outdoor light brought about an organic mood to the stage which was inviting, and as the dark surrounded the audience for the second half, the amphitheatre is illuminated in soft blues and yellow lights, which aided in creating a completely new and much more dramatic atmosphere.! The audience were graced with the presence of seasoned actors such as Jane Asher – playing Lady Catherine de Bourgh – and new faces who took to their roles with genuine gaiety that was obvious as soon as they pranced onto the stage. Elizabeth Bennet (Jennifer Kirby) and Mr. Darcy (David Oakes) were both beautiful and pleasant, with Kirby embracing her role enthusiastically and Oakes being handsomely stern and rigid. While all were quite charming in their own ways, the surprisingly most memorable character was Mr. Collin’s played by Ed Birch. Birch’s colourful portrayal of the usually humdrum character was hilarious and had audiences chuckling as he bounced to and fro on the stage. As a whole, the cast were very likeable or likeable loathsome depending on their characters and all contributed well in their own ways.! For those who are forever enamoured by the love story between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy – it would be a crime for you not to experience the retelling of their tale in the unique atmosphere of the Open Air Theatre! Everything about the stage and its performers – while not perfect – engaged the audience almost immediately and had their attention for the entire show. While perhaps not the most striking adaptation of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, it is one of the most amusing and entertaining versions you will likely come across. And as it is only on until the 20th of July – what better way is there to revisit one of the world’s most loved romances of all time than on stage, in the summer, with sunshine and a beautiful cast making you laugh for the evening?
- 21. THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939) Directed by Victor Fleming. Words by Hyacinth Guelas. Picture by The Guardian & Allstar/MGM/Sportsphoto Ltd The Wizard of Oz is a timeless story following a young girl, Dorothy (Judy Garland) as she is swept away – house and all – by a tornado and she finds herself in the colourful world of Oz, she then sets off to see the Wizard so that he can help her get home. Along the way and in between a number of songs such as “Somewhere over the Rainbow” and “Follow the Yellow Brick Road”, Dorothy encounters an array of creatures and characters that lend a hand in making the film an enchantingly memorable piece of film history. There’s an almost magical charm in Victor Fleming’s adaptation of the story of Oz that has influenced countless remakes, plays, and other movies; and undoubtably continues to speak to audiences of all generations. We find ourselves enamoured by the seeming simplicity of its narrative, the dreamlike colours and the catchy songs that are known throughout the world – so much so that we hardly realise that the plot is not only about Dorothy and her friends, but about us. For the young, it’s an adventure full of magic and whimsy, and at its core we find something that all children are innately drawn to – the warmth and safety of home. As for the young at heart, the world of Oz is a symbolic reflection of life with a dash of childhood wander. It’s a fantastically beautiful and sometimes dark visual representation of the ups and downs of living; its characters relate to our inner selves and our desire to become better people by becoming our best through virtue. So whether it’s the first or the 100th time you plan to see this film, it’ll be an experience that will leave you feeling both satisfied and giddy in a way that is unique only to movies from the golden age of Hollywood.
- 23. “Feeling What Your Are Feeling is the Path to Healing” - Learn Why Feeling Feelings is Good For You! Having feelings and emotions is a natural part of being human. Your feelings impact how you perceive a situation, they can dictate actions and responses and play a huge part in making up each individual’s personality . So, why is it that many of us repress our feelings (at least at times)? Does the denial of anger or sadness mean that they’re really gone? Quite the opposite in fact; It’s a bit like putting the lid on a pan of boiling water: the water continues to boil underneath, and often more voraciously. While there are those who have no problem showing how they feel to everyone around them, many others are determined to keep their feelings and emotions in check – bottled up and out of sight; from others and even from themselves. Some of us deny how we feel so as to make uncomfortable thoughts and emotions easier to handle, others suppress their feelings so that they don’t feel vulnerable; and while this may seem to work on a short term basis – these actions can cause a negative effect later on. Perhaps putting ourselves in an emotionless bubble creates the illusion of being free from pain and attachment so that we can’t ever be hurt; but the truth is pushing these feelings aside has no real benefits – mentally or physically – and eventually we find ourselves in a far worse state than if we had chosen to feel our own feelings. There are times when it is beneficial and appropriate to surrender to your emotions whole-heartedly, and in nearly every situation it is beneficial to to acknowledge that they’re there and tackle them accordingly. (In rare circumstances where survival is at risk, it may be beneficial to cut off from emotions, but otherwise, not) Allowing yourself to accept all forms of emotion gives you a better understanding of yourself and this in turn gives you an idea of the right tools or help you’ll need when facing your own inner difficulties. Whilst giving in or surrendering to emotions may become overwhelming and difficult– repression just builds up that intensity for later, and can create physical illness. The ability to understand your own feelings – especially the difficult ones – allows you to face them a little at a time. You’ll learn to handle your emotions, recognise what triggers each feeling and you can decide how to tackle what occurs; the pace, and the way in which you want to express yourself. With practise, the feeling intensity subsides and transforms and you’re usually left feeling stronger – the hurt diminishes; Feeling all your feelings and in particular the difficult ones, releases you to enjoy deeper positive feelings and emotions. You may learn that your perception of life is dictated by your choices, and not clouded by negativity. You’ll eventually feel freer, less burdened by something you couldn’t see or fully comprehend.
- 24. Just because they’re your own feelings, doesn’t mean you have to face them all on your own. Seek support, admit that you need people around you, and trust yourself to be a little vulnerable because that’s the only way to become stronger. Emotions and feelings aren’t there to control you they’re part of you – and accepting this means accepting yourself. Hyacinth – Day of Women Team Member If you’d like to grow your confidence, enhance your well-being, feel empowered and be inspired, join one of retreat programmes. Find out more here! These suggestions have a track record of working for people in this situation. We recommend that you try these tips and see which ones are suitable for you. You may find that other approaches work for you too. Depending on your circumstances, a consultation with your GP may be advised.
- 25. 6 Top Tips to Maintaining a Positive Outlook (Following Depression) One aspect of recovery is that there is no definite beginning or end to it, and the road to recovery following depression may offer some challenges- even after you find yourself on the other side, there are still chances of relapsing back if you find yourself triggered by an event or situation that causes more emotional distress. Many do find themselves a lot stronger and able to tackle what may come their way. The following are simple tips to help you during and after the recovery period. These tips are designed to support and benefit your mental and physical health by concentrating on positive activities whilst not completing pushing the negative thoughts and feelings aside but finding ways to face and tackle them head on: 1) Express yourself Learn to communicate your feelings (good or difficult feelings) to people – even if it’s just that one person you feel comfortable around. The support of others can be an incredibly strong tool following depression as it can give you someone to offer help and understanding. Talking allows you to voice your emotions and recognise if you may be relapsing into the same emotional patterns. Expression doesn’t always need to be vocal: keep a diary, paint, write – whatever you feel most comfortable doing. Simply give a voice to what you feel and think. 2) Be healthy Eating well and regular exercise not only benefits your physical health but your mental health too. Make time to work out, even just a little bit in the day – it lets you feel like you’ve achieved something and in turn you are likely to feel good throughout the day knowing you’ve successfully completed a task. Keep it simple, plan meals and healthy snacks and create a rough schedule so you know when you have time to workout. 3) Listen to and read positive things In today’s world we are constantly bombarded with reports, adverts, shows – many giving us bad news or telling us that we need to be a certain way or insisting that the world is crumbling. The media can drastically affect your mood and emotions without you even realising how influential they really are. Take a media break – read an inspirational/motivational book or listen to something that teaches positive messages and create an environment that focuses on the positive. Try to actively free yourself from the negative thoughts that come with depression.
- 26. 4) Wake up early Give yourself a head start in the morning – more time means less stress. There’s no need to always be in a rush, that little extra time gives you a little breathing space to prepare just before you start your day. 5) Surround yourself with positive people Its no secret that the people around you impact who you are, how you act and how you develop as a person, so naturally having people who think positively around creates a happier environment and eventually can lead to you feeling as genuinely happy as those around you do. When you’re around happier people, you may find yourself smiling and laughing more – and although these may seem like trivial things, they are essential to maintaining your mental wellbeing. 15 minutes of laughing for example is said to have the same benefits as 2 hours of sleep. So smile, laugh; let go once in a while. 6) Set goals Get away from one-sided, depressive thoughts that tell you “You can’t do this!”. Everyday set yourself small goals to achieve, something to reach for. If you feel drawn, make your goals a little bigger but start off small and work your way up – the feelings of completing each one is likely to make you happier, stronger and more confident in yourself. It helps keeps you organised and gives you a purpose – something to strive for every day so you that you can recognise your own strength. If you’d like to grow your confidence, enhance your well-being, feel empowered and be inspired, join one of retreat programmes. Find out more here! These suggestions have a track record of working for people in this situation. We recommend that you try these tips and see which ones are suitable for you. You may find that other approaches work for you too. Depending on your circumstances, a consultation with your GP may be advised.