SYD V MEL : Weather Awareness

Yesterday was a really hot day; the kind of day where you sweat buckets just thinking about walking down the street. It was hot, and humid. So - how many Sydneysiders did I see dressed in ankle boots, black jeans and long sleeve tops? Too many to count. Yes, technically it's autumn but it was super light sundress weather, not jeans and boots weather. And this is not an uncommon occurrence. Unless it's a blue sky beach kind of day, Sydney just doesn't seem to bother with the whole weather thing. 

But Melbourne, Melbourne takes its weather seriously. Being a Melbourne girl the almost-first thing I check when I wake up in the morning is the weather forecast. (I say almost first - it goes email, Facebook, Instagram and then the weather.) I don't just use the standard iPhone weather app; I have one I paid good money for (okay, a tiny amount of money for). It not only tells me what the temperature is going to be, but what it will feel like too, because it cares about those things. And every morning I check the app and dress appropriately. 

The one thing that suggests I've been a teensy bit Sydneyfied? I've just got the one weather app on my phone. In my experience most Melbournites have at least two, one of which has to show the BOM radar. Yep, Melbourne takes its weather seriously. 

Being a Melbourne girl I also often turn to the weather as a conversation kickstarter whenever I find myself in an awkward social situation. In Melbourne this will usually generate heated debate and / or generalised concern about what the next week will bring. Melbournites will discuss emergency plans for upcoming outdoor events; they'll debate how hot the summer will be, how cold winter might be. Brows will knit and phones will be consulted.

In Sydney, I get blank looks. Worse, I get ignorance. "Really? It's going to be hot today?" they say. Yep, I reply, but there's a cool change coming later; there'll be rain. "Oh...really?" they say with a look of vague disinterest. 

The only time this topic of conversation works is right now, in early March, when pretty much everyone in Sydney is over the sticky heat and is willing autumn to arrive. At this time of year, they relish the chance to talk about the weather, but outside of that it's just not something that obsesses interests people in Sydney as much as it does people in Melbourne. Maybe you just get complacent when you live in a temperate climate where the difference between summer and winter is only ten degrees? Maybe it really doesn't matter so much if you wear ankle boots on a hot humid day?

But I'll be sticking with my Melbourne ways, I'll continue to check the forecast every morning before I choose the day's outfit. To be honest it drives me completely nuts that Sydneysiders don't seem to think or care to do the same. So I'm trying to change this, one Sydneysider at a time. I ask them about the weather, I discuss umbrellas and summer frocks and appropriate footwear. I recommend weather apps. I know I'm only one person, but I think I can make a difference, one ankle boot at a time. 

Winner: Melbourne. Clearly. 

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I grew up in Melbourne, and loved it. I'm now based in Sydney, and I'm completely besotted with it. My family is still in Melbourne, so I visit on a fairly regular basis. All of which is me telling you that I am absolutely qualified to wade into this completely ridiculous Sydney / Melbourne thing.

Donuts and Gratitude. And Feeling Inadequate. But Mainly Donuts.

The expat life is generally awesome and exciting, and often somewhat perk-filled. As an ex-expat I do sometimes miss that awesome, exciting, perk-filled life (I especially miss the someone-else-paying-our-electricity-bill perk...). However, there is one big thing about being an ex-expat that I am very grateful for. And it's such a big thing that I think it makes up for missing all the good stuff that comes from living in another country. 

When I was living in Seoul, my family were a nine hour plane ride away. I managed to get back to Melbourne pretty regularly, so it was okay. But there were times when it really wasn't okay. I remember getting a call from my sister a few years ago, when we in the Korean countryside somewhere, skiing. Our Dad had had a dizzy spell and a fall. He'd been working on a loft bed when he fell (he's a - now retired, sort of - builder), so it was quite a big fall. He was in hospital and they didn't really know what had caused the dizziness and I was worried and a bit scared. I felt frustration and helplessness too, at not being there. And I felt guilt - my sister's a pretty busy lady, and she was dealing with all of that stuff whilst I was a millions miles away. Skiing. 

The annoying thing about getting older is that your parents get older too. And whilst my Mum and my Step-Dad and Dad are all in pretty good health, that phone call from my sister really made me think about being so far from home. I think it's something every expat wrestles with at some point - weighing up the benefits and joy of living abroad with the guilt and heartache you feel at being so far from the rest of your family. You feel the distance more as your folks get older, I think.

These day I live in Sydney and my family are only a 90 minute plane ride away and that is something I am so grateful for. I recently flew down for a weekend, partly to hang out with with my family, partly to eat donuts, and partly to take my Dad to a few specialist appointments. It was the first time I've been able to go with him to these appointments, to ask questions and hear what the doctors were saying to him. And I was grateful for that. Selfishly, it felt proactive (not helpless) and reassuring. The world isn't going to end tomorrow, provided this pill is taken and that thing is monitored. 

On the flip side, sometimes you get serious FOMO as an expat. Sometimes it feels like your family is doing all this cool stuff, all this exciting positive stuff, and you are not part of it (cue violins). If your brother graduates or your sister gets a big promotion or your Mum has her first art exhibition, it's not always easy to find the time or the money to get back home. But now, it's pretty easy for me to jump on a plane and feel a bit more a part of things. Which is good, really good. Although it can also make one feel just a little bit inadequate... 

The weekend I was in Melbourne my brother-in-law was in the midst of successfully opening yet another delicious business (see donuts) and he'd just received an advanced copy of his cookbook (which I am so excited about getting my hands on - I had a quick flick through and wanted to immediately cook everything I saw...). Meanwhile, my sister was finalising the photos and words for her third book (yep, third) whilst doing all her usual amazingly amazing commission work. Oh, and she launched the home wares label of which she's the creative director and pretty much broke the internet. Even my Mum had managed to learn how to play Big Yellow Taxi on the ukelele.

Meanwhile, I was feeling pleased with myself for blogging more than once a month and getting to the bottom of the ironing pile the week before. Helloooooo inadequacy. See, there is a dark side to having such wildly talented and driven relatives only a plane hop away. 

But I wouldn't have it any other way. Sickness, health, achievement, inadequacy and donuts - I'm so grateful it's all just a state away.

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*Disclosure: As part of Kidspot's Voices of 2014 competition I've been lent a super awesome Olympus OM-D E-M10 for a few months. I'll be writing three challenge posts during that time and I'll have a chance to win some really awesome stuff. I'll be telling you a bit about the camera in each post too.

You all know I adore my DSLR, right? So the question is - am I loving this compact version? 

Well yes, I am. I already told you last time about how lightweight it is, which means I've been carrying it with me everywhere (even to donut pitstops on the way to doctors appointments...). Now I want to talk to you about the clarity of the images. Which is pretty incredible.

The OM-D E-M10 has a number of fancy things that lead to super fancy, super clean images (a lot of these have come from the flagship E-M1). First up, there's the amazing image stabilisation (check out this video to see a fairly dramatic comparison between having the image stabilisation off and on). Side note - kind of makes the camera even more awesome for video than I realised! Note to self - make a video. 

Then there's the 16 megapixel LiveMOS sensor. Sounds a bit tech-y but this is basically the thing that lets you shoot clean, crisp images in all kinds of light conditions. See the roaring fire photo below, for example. Clean? Check. Crisp? Check. Lowlight? You betcha. And lastly there's the TruePic VII processor, which is super advanced (and yep, pinched from the E-M1). This helps you achieve sharp photos at all ends of the f-stop spectrum. Nice. 

Still not sure about image clarity? Check out the pics below (full size image at top, zoomed in crop at bottom). It kind of blew my mind. Just look at the sharpness of those petals, the detail is really quite incredible. Makes me realise that my DSLR is basically a relic in terms of image capturing technology...

See / Eat / Stay : Melbourne +

Oh me oh my things are busy right now aren't they? I'd say I'm barely keeping my head above water but actually I think my head is under water. And I'm using a straw as a snorkel... Anyhoo, onwards and upwards! 

Welcome to the inaugural See / Eat / Stay post. I travel a lot but I'm not really a Travel Blogger, I'm more of a Travel Slide Shower (but at least I do it on the web so you can quietly leave the room when you're bored and I won't get offended). 

I'll probably never be a Travel Blogger, but I do do lots of fun stuff in lots of places. The See / Eat / Stay posts are about sharing some of that information with you, in bite sized form. And maybe they'll help you find some fun things for yourself if you're heading to Melbourne or Sydney or Hong Kong or Wherever? 

Okay, so here's what I got up to during my week in Melbourne (and surrounds). 

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See / Cape Schanck Lighthouse - Mum and I headed down to the Mornington Penninsula for a night, and chanced upon a beautiful blue sky day. We visited the Cape Schanck Lighthouse, quite a spectacular part of the coast with lots of (poorly signed but well maintained) walkways and paths to explore. We also found out you can stay at the cottages at the Lighthouse - how great would that be?

See / Lamington Drive - I managed to pop in to this great gallery just in time to catch the end of 'A Hidden Place', the gorgeous exhibition featuring colabs by my sister and Kat Mcleod. Loved the show and the space. Regardless of whatever exhibition is on they have loads of ace affordable prints for sale (and some amazing terrariums too). 

See / Maiike Store, Hawthorn - (I'd call it Kew, but apparently it's Hawthorn so...) This is kind of the area I grew up in - the east of Melbourne - and I get a bit excited when I see hip new retail pop up here. This shop is really wonderful - a gorgeous mix of locally designed clothing, handmade toys and blankets, and carefully curated international labels (like Donna Wilson). I could have taken one of everything if my bank account / suitcase would have coped. 

See / Markit @ Fed Square - I always love it when one of my visits home coincides with a great market, and this trip I was pretty excited to be able to finally check Markit out. It's a craft market that has a reputation for quality and it didn't disappoint. I picked up a few goodies, including these cards of awesome by Madeleine Stamer (my new illustration / colour crush), printspace (clean, happy designs) and hannakin (a new find for me, the quirkiest cards you ever did see!). The next Markit is happening in November.

Eat / Kumo Izakaya, Brunswick East - I've eaten here a few times and it's always delicious. And I love the decor. And the uber hip, slightly eccentric waiter that I seem to get every time I go. I highly recommend starting with a umeshu and soda. Or two. And get the beef tataki. They also cater very well to those of you with food allergies (I know you're out there), with separate menus for dairy, wheat, gluten, etc, free dishes. 

Eat / Omah's, Hawthorn - I had lunch with my Dad at this Malaysian restaurant in Hawthorn. We picked it at random, but it turned out to be a fine choice! Good service, nice decor and it was pretty damn tasty (although I am both laksa obsessed and laksa deprived so I may not have been the most discerning judge...). 

Eat / T'Gallant, Main Ridge - On our Mornington Peninsula sojourn we stopped by T'Gallant wineries for lunch. Tasty! (The glass of pinot gris was especially so!). 

Eat / Albert St Food & Wine, Brunswick - Another awesome thing about this trip was that I was in town for my nephew's 10th birthday (you miss a lot of birthdays living overseas...). Being the first double digit birthday, my sister wanted to do something a bit special, so we took him out for a fancy meal. Great food, and really great service. This has gone on my 'must take the husband to' list.

Stay / Mum's House, Kew - Ummm. I wouldn't recommend this. Unless you are me. But for me it works. This is the house I grew up in, and it's full of little reminders of childhood fun times (see that rainbow wallpaper behind my Mum's pile of scarves? From memory my sister and I chose this for the room when we shared it. Pretty awesome, yes?). It's in desperate need of a ton of maintenance. Actually, it's in desperate need of a major renovation. But, it still has the same calming welcoming feel it had when I was a kid and I always sleep like a relaxed log when I stay there!

*The photo at the very top of the post was taken as I was coming in to land rather early on a crisp Melbourne morning. That glowing blob you see is actually the moon! The sun was rising on the other side of the plane, turning the sky the most amazing colours. Was quite a gorgeous way to be welcomed home!

Thrifted Things : Melbourne

On my last trip to Melbourne (which was a bit before xmas, seems like an age ago now!) the thrift gods/dogs seemed to be smiling upon me - hurrah! A trip to the op shops near my folks place in Kew, and a visit to Savers in Brunswick, yielded a lovely little bounty of reasonably priced goodies. A little demitasse cup (from Bavaria no less), some Fire King bowls and a stack of wonderful fabric finds - two as new Australian wildflower tea towels, some check fabric and two beautiful embroidered pieces (one small table cloth and one table runner). Well worth the suitcase space required to bring it all back to Seoul!

Five happy days in Melbourne!

Well, I was hoping to get a bit of warmth in Australia and Melbourne certainly turned on the sunshine and the heat (and then the humidity and the rain).  It's been a fabulous five days hanging out with family and friends (including meeting some on-line friends for the first time - the lovely lady behind Bess Georgette en route in Hong Kong, and the gorgeous Dannielle on a rainy Melbourne afternoon).

There's been tree climbing (the nephews, not me...), swimming and sliding, and perhaps a little bit too much shopping (I'm currently putting off the tricky task of trying to fit everything in my suitcase, I'm not entirely convinced it can be done).

As always, my Melbourne visit has been about food, food, food!  I've eaten as much cheese, crumpets and Summer fruits as is humanly possible in five short days; had the most delicious Thai meal at Longrain (so very tasty!); enjoyed tacos in the park on a very sunny Sunday; and shared some delicious dishes at The Aylesbury with my sister and mum.  Yum.

Next stop Sydney and Port Stephens - crossing my fingers for not too much rain...

The weekend (plus a few days) that was...

Hooly dooly what a crazy few days it's been!  There's been giraffes and rhinos and meerkats at Werribee Open Range Zoo; tons of fun at Straight to You, the Nick Cave Tribute concert in Geelong; tasty food and possibly a bit too much sake at the rather appropriately named Sake restaurant in Sydney; gorgeous greenery (see above), roos, rosellas and rocks at Jenolan Caves.  Basically five days of friends, family, food and worlds colliding in the best ways possible.  Happy days indeed!

Melbourne: Shops

Oh Melbourne!  With your endless array of mid-century modern vintage shops, your quirky little designer boutiques in strange lane ways, your queens of craft selling all things handmade...oh, wait, I kind of did this yesterday didn't I?  But it's true, Melbourne is a pretty cool place to shop.  And the lovely thing is that most of the fun is in the looking, you don't even need to buy anything!

As I mentioned before this trip I stayed at my sister's house, which entailed running a few errands here and there.  The good / bad thing is that every time I went somewhere to pick something up, she'd always be telling me about some cute shop just around the corner that I had to check out... One of my favourite such places was OK OK in Brunswick, mainly because of their own brand tights and socks which are amazing quality and fabulously colourful and...made in Melbourne! Awesomeness!

I also finally got to check out Third Drawer Down, and Mr Kitly where they had an exhibition involving hanging plants and crocheted lamps, and a Japanese paper craft book all about thank you cards which I couldn't resist.  And there was Cottage Industries on Gertrude Street where I lusted after zig zaggy crocheted cushions, and admired the crocheted tree out the front.  Actually all of Gertrude Street was pretty impressive - lots of wonderful arts and crafts and textiles on show.

Melbourne: Food

Oh Melbourne!  With your cafes and delicatessens, your enotecas and tapas bars, your bakeries and your coffee roasters.  You may seem expensive these days but I don't care, I still drool when I walk in to a neighbourhood fruit and veg store, I shiver with delight when I see a local supermarket selling ligurian olives and turkish bread and fresh lemongrass.  Melbourne, you are food heaven, and when I'm away I miss that about you, I really do.

So of course when I go back to visit you I eat, and eat, and eat.  On my most recent trip there was: great coffee from Seven Seeds; ridiculously tasty poached eggs with corn fitters from St. Ali (thanks to Beci for the recommendation and to Shannon for the facials and the lovely company); possibly one of the most delicious meals I've ever had at Gigibaba (third time lucky, so glad we finally managed to get there!); plus I also got to see the launch of my brother-in-law's newest food adventure, the Taco Truck (the fish taco was my favourite!).  Yumlicious!

Here's my nephew Ari hiding 'from the cheeky people' at the Taco Truck launch, plus Tyke looking a bit moody, as only a 7 year old can.

Melbourne: My Sister's House

I had a few crazy days in Melbourne recently.  When I go back home I normally do exactly that, and stay in the house I grew up in with my Mum and step-dad.  But this trip I stayed at my sister's house, which was pretty damn cool.  

Mainly because I got to hang out with my nephews way more than normal - pick them up from school, read them bed time stories, put up with them constantly asking to play on my iPhone... - and my nephews are two of the handsomest, smartest, funniest, coolest kids around (impartial judge that I am).  And it was also cool because at Beci's house there's always something interesting, pretty, colourful, beautiful or delicious to look at.  Plus, their food is scrumptious and their couch is super comfy.  

Though to be honest I could do without the 6.30am wake up calls (aka the youngest nephew squealing at me).  As a part time step-parent to older kids I'm not quite used to the hard slog of late nights and early mornings day in day out...

Anyway, the photos: that's Miso, My sisters cat up the top - don't you just love his saucer eyes? Kind of intense right?  And under that is this amazing teepee (my youngest nephew likes to build nests).  The quilts draped around it where made by my Granny!  They were on our beds in our Dad's house all through our childhood.  I have such strong, fond memories of those quilts, I'm so glad they're still around.

Four days in Melbourne

Apologies for the total blog neglect but I have a good reason, I promise.  I just spent a weekend in Sydney with the step-sons and then four fabulous hectic days in Melbourne catching up with friends and family, so wonderful!  As typical of my Melbourne trips, it was a total food fest from start to finish - hurrah!

Some good things:
- Dinner at The Toff with my Mum and big sister, a seriously good family catch up.  And the food!  Freakin' amazing!  Fresh, flavoursome Thai influenced food in smallish to-share serves which let you sample lots of different dishes (my favourite way to eat!).  The spiced coconut, lime and lemongrass broth is heaven in a glass.  And the Thai inspired cocktails are equally delicious.
- Hanging out with my Mum's new dog Jack, who is a bundle of energy and quite the charmer.  (If Ferdi and Elfi are reading this, you know you are my favourite hounds...)
- Discovering some surprisingly good retail in my old hood (Kew), including Bingo Betty (note the lego light fixtures in the photo above)
- Spending time (though not nearly enough) with the nephews
- Lamb!  Lamb is rather scarce in Asia (it's all about the pig and the chicken here) so whenever we go back to Australia it's nice to indulge - lamb roast, lamb cutlets, lamb skewers...
- Taking my completely mad but seemingly happy Grandma to lunch at the McClelland Sculpture Park - I never knew this place existed but it is fabulous.  Beautiful native gardens full of sculpture, plus a gallery with interesting exhibitions and a lovely cafe.  If you're ever in Melbourne's south east it's well worth a visit.
- Raiding my Mother-in-law's fabric stash.  She's an avid quilter and has the most amazing fabric collection - a whole room full.  And she's currently de-cluttering so she let me loose in there.  Hurrah indeed!
- Lusting after all the mid-century modern goodness at 20th Century Scandinavia

ps. I also picked up a hideous head cold while I was there, not so good.  If you have any fail safe remedies for clearing sinuses please let me know.  I need help!