Simple Pleasures

Since coming back to Melbourne from Vanuatu, I have had patches of the blues.

Perhaps it is being away from precious family and true friends.

Or being so far from the beautiful beaches and breathtaking Port Vila Views.

Or the winter chill that seeps in to your bones instead of the delicious tropical heat.

Or the fact that I have to pile on the clothes instead of wearing bikinis all day everyday.

Or the gloomy days of ominoues grey clouds as opposed to the spectacular sunshine.

BUT i have been fighting this feeling and finding pleasure in the simple things..

here are just some of the things that made me smile helping me ward away homesickness and rediscovering the beauty in my life in Melbourne.

• Pretty, pretty, sweet smelling flowers from my local flowershop. For a total of $16.50 this beautiful bunch has adorned our dining table to brighten the bleak winter landscape outside our window.

• capturing the beauty of the city on unsuspecting moments. Taken from a park bench in Carlton Gardens.

Hot cocos & churros

Because I’ve been wanting churros for ages since we had a free taste of the one in Elizabeth Street we went here:370 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Victoria. Between Bimbos & Joe’s Garage

Our $30 Day

Conscious of the Global Financial Crisis (but really because we had a massive Saturday night that blew our long weekend budget) my man friend (let’s call him Jack) and I decided to give ourselves a challenge: have an awesome, fun filled day with only $30 to spend.

So with our prepaid tram tickets and a pouch of $30 we set out to the city.
The tram dropped us off at Swanston & La Trobe Streets, right in front of the State Library of Victoria. There were signs for a free exhibition out front and we thought, why not?! i We had a quick whirl in the Type Book Writing Exhibition where we learnt about prominent writers from Victoria.

We didn’t stay too long though as we were starving and decided to eat at Maccas on Swanston corner Lonsdale. For $5.10 for a large cheeseburger meal and an additional $1.90 for an extra cheeseburger our lunch was sorted!

We set out to check out the City Gallery in the Melbourne Town Hall, but it was a Public Holiday so it was closed..

the family in melbourne

Parental units and my two Australia-based siblings (one from Canberra, the other from Adelaide) were  here for about a week to check up on me, experience the awesomeness that is Melbourne and to celebrate mum’s birthday and mum and dad’s 30th anniversary. It was a whirlwind week of activities, laughter, taking the piss, eating (heaps), shopping, a LOT of walking, tramming, seeing, playing Wii and enjoyment!!

Make a Smilebox postcard

Unfortunately.. Anj, my eldest sister couldn’t make it so this is the only complete family photo we could take:

Oh well.. one day hopefully soon this wacky and wonderful family unit will be all together long enough to have a family photo taken. And not just on the Wii screen.

Autumn in Melbourne

The leaves were golden, trees were shedding and Elaine and I wanted to play tourist. So we went to the Melbourne Museum and wandered around the galleries. If you’re a student, entrance is free, if you’re not the $8 admission fee is so worth it!

I enjoyed the Mind and Body Gallery (but I warn you DO NOT watch the video) and the Melbourne Gallery most. I loved reading about Melbourne’s history and how it has evolved into this beautiful city.