Smells like mothballs

Brunswick

Sunday afternoon’s weather was a sweltering 39 degrees celcius. Rhiannon, Clare and I had planned to go to Melbourne for a bit of a browse, dinner and then to see Clare’s friend’s band play. Clare and I greeted each other in a sweat and with hardly any clothes on. Made our way over to pick up Rhiannon and ate some of the lemon bread I had baked that morning and the strawberries Rhiannon had brought. We got to Sydney road in the Brunswick area in Melbourne.


Our first stop was SAVERS. It’s a lot like “Value Village” in Canada and is always a great way to kill time when it’s far too hot to roam outside. I helped myself to trying on a few ridiculous items and some serious. Left with a jacket and dress to wear in Vietnam in April.

I actually find SAVERS prices quite expensive (the same way I feel about Value Village!) and I much prefer buying from independent second hand stores (Op Shops as their called over here) where the prices are dirt cheap!


The Op Shop just down the street from our house has been having a “everything is $1” all week! It’s amazing!

Lemon Loaf

Lemon Loaf

To say that I’ve been taking advantage of the lemon tree that’s in the backyard is an understatement. In the past week I’ve made three Lemon Loaves for people (one for the girls in the house) and have used approximately 7 lemons. I even made a lemon glaze with the left over Canadian maple syrup my mom gave me over Christmas. It is SO yummy and quite cost effective since we have the lemon tree that never stops giving!

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!