Paris Cats Jazz Club

Aaron Searle Quintet at The Paris Cat Jazz Club

My wonderful British co-worker text me with a list of possible and very exciting outings we could go on for a Thursday evening adventure in Melbourne. We both thought that the option of seeing a live Jazz band would be best. Hopped in the car to Melbourne and then by foot through the alleyways of the inner city until we found The Paris Cat Jazz Club.

Down the stairs and into an art deco basement, we got seated for a very small and enticing performance. I really love Jazz, the fact that as soon as you think you know the rhythm and might even chance tapping along, it changes. In my ignorance, I also find it mildly funny that the title of the pieces are things like “Contemplation,” or in our case, “Androgynous.” I didn’t feel that there was anything in either songs that made me think, “ah yes, that is how an androgynous person makes me feel.” It was delightful to watch and I’ve already started searching what Jazz album to listen to next time I’m knitting or studying.

Bran Muffins

On our last Skype call, my mom gushed over the delicious bran muffins she had just baked. I thought that bran muffins sounded a little bland until she went into detail. She said, “oh I added dates, cranberries, blueberries, walnuts, pecans, bananas, pears, yogurt, raisins, bran buds and all of the other baking essentials.” I decided I would use the left over bran buds my mom had brought to me in Bangkok at Christmas (they are non existent in Australia!) and try to bake the yummy muffins.

I know one shouldn’t brag about their own baking, but I DO! They are scrumptious! The photos really do not do them justice!

Australia Day

I had been complaining for two weeks about the lack of shifts I’d been getting at work . It seems that as the Christmas season is over so are the amount of functions people attend. The past two functions I’ve worked have been hilarious 50th birthday parties, one of which all the women were super hot and sexy dancing drunk to Lady Gaga. Work is highly entertaining, social and pays well so I was in dire need of more action! I called work and discussed my concern and she said I could help downstairs on Australia day running food. Sounds easy enough? Four hours later, drenched in sweat and my legs numb from constant running, I was rewarded with my one complimentary glass of white wine from the bar.

The whole time (even now) I couldn’t help thinking “Am I getting paid time and a half because I worked on a holiday?” However, this will remain a mystery until I get paid next week.

I got picked up and whisked back home to shove half a watermelon in my mouth and take a fresh glass full of wine into the shower. Our company for our “Canadian’s who are hosting an Australian Day BBQ” had already arrived so I was in a bit of a rush to get ready.

My friend Nancy, who I had known since my time working in Korea showed up with her lovely Aussie boyfriend, Nick. They were carrying a huge tub of goodies to barbeque, a delicious Mango salad, a thousand beers and a bottle of Champagne.

I had a huge headache the next day and it was a challenge to sit through the lectures at school. hehe

Section 8

Section 8

After my Japanese moment of fame, we got the tram over to the Chinatown-ish area and made our way down an alleyway with the guidance of Rhiannon. Low and behold, my dream bar :section 8. It’s basically a caged in garden that sells alcohol (and my new favourite beer: organic Mountain Goat) out of a trailer! It’s amazing and insanely popular! We managed a short waiting time of 20 minutes and it was well worth it.

I'm famous in Japan!

I’m famous in Japan

Towards the end of the day, all of us had met back up to sit on the grass and plan what to do next. Suddenly, a little man in a pink jacket and plaid tie began rushing around like a cartoon character with his film crew. We were all trying to guess which Asian country they were from that would accept such a flamboyant outfit on such an interesting looking man. Low and behold I heard “adegato gojimous.” Oh my goodness they’re Japanese! My friend Jared suggested I put my ridiculous hat on top on the presenters head as I walked by. I’m really not sure what made me act out his suggestion, but the next thing I knew I was up and walking over to place my hat on this Japanese animation man’s head. Well, the crew loved it so much, they got their translator to tell me to do it again in one minute when they go live on the air. So on live Japanese television and in front of hundreds of people sitting in the beer garden, I walked over and got my 5 minutes of Japanese fame. It was the most hilarious situation! The pictures just don’t do it justice! I love the Japanese!

Tennis in Melbourne

The Opening Ceremony

Friday’s off of school have been a massive blessing with this intensive teaching course. It’s a relief come Thursday, to know a long weekend awaits us students. Our lovely friend “B” suggested that we go the the Australian opening ceremony in Melbourne to watch the tennis. Rhiannon, Whitney and I hopped a train from Geelong into Melbourne to get our tickets for ground floor day passes. The area was beautiful, there were beer gardens surrounding the outside and masses of people sitting on the grass watching the big sceens of the games. I’m not really an enthusiastic tennis lover but the days was packed with Aussies wearing the Australian flag and singing rowdy songs. We saw Serena or Venus, not sure which one, doing their warm up practice and watched a bunch of other games of people I don’t know about.

Otway Rainforest

The Otway Fly

We thought that since we were doing a group presentation on The Otways, we might as well make a fun day trip out of it. Danny, Manjul and I were the only members who had the time to go. It was a very rainy Sunday, but we made the hour and a half drive to the Otway Fly. As soon as we pulled in it started to pour slash monsoon. Manjul suggested that we eat lunch in the car until the weather cleared up a little. Danny and I pulled out our boring and very humble lunches and Manjul whipped out butter chicken curry and indian rice. She announced that she had made some for all of us. It was the best Indian food I've ever had!

It cleared up slightly, not really, but good enough to go outside. The walk took about an hour and it was amazing. It reminded me of when I spent a Christmas zipling in a Lao jungle, only I could see the ground at The Otway Fly. It was nice just to get outside and see green!



We're hoping our personal pictures from the trip get us extra points with our markers^.^

moonlight movie

Friday evening Eirini, her brother, his wife and I picked up Yemin food and headed for the botanical gardens in Melbourne to watch "Mao's last dancer." We packed two bottles of red wine, nuts, raisins and peanuts into a basket and brought along pillows and rugs. It was incredibly busy when we arrived and didn't have too much luck getting a great view, but it was a fabulous evening anyways. Everyone was sitting on picnic blankets with delicious food and wine out, ready to enjoy. It was my favourite movie experience so far!