blogging spot

Quickly learning that botanic gardens are a huge thing here in Australia. Couldn't be happier about that fact. Or that there is a gorgeous example of that wonderful work right across the road from my home. It houses (of course) some gorgeous landscaping, two cafes, an art gallery and event center, bustling greenhouse, and one huge lookout tower. The cafes provide the wifi, and nature provides the atmosphere. Here's my ritual:

Choose which gate you'd like to enter at

Stroll through the fernery (yes, technical term)

Stop to admire the waterfall fountain

Meander your way through lanes of tall trees

Stop to admire flowers big...

...and small

Blog! The sights, sounds and smells are truly magical. I pick a new bench or patch of lawn every day and just settle in to combine flora and technology. Wonderful.
Oh! There's also a large gazebo where I may have danced around like Liesl from The Sound of Music on a rainy day. Love it here!

yes!

Just had to share some great news with you all. Walked into town today with the intention of scoping out some places to apply for a job. That went well, then on my way home stopped at my favorite cafe/gallery. And was offered a job! The woman who runs it said she loved my smile and happiness, and just asked if I'd like to work for her. Amazing. Going in to talk some more about it this week, and still keeping all my options open, but truly blown away by the generosity that is so prevalent in this community. Having such a good time just relaxing, being open, and seeing what wonderful things unfold for me. Let this be a lesson for you, too- just go with the flow!

music man

Brian sends music recommendations on the regular (read: I have a new hand-selected soundtrack every day), and this band is just one of the latest. Definitely enjoy hearing something that sounds Celtic since it reminds me of his beautiful accent and lets me daydream about the day I make it to that part of the world myself. Hope you like it as much as I do.
And let me know what you're doing with your weekend in the northern hemisphere. It's been pretty mellow down here, let me live vicariously though you a little bit!

The Pogues- Love You 'Till The End

all is full of love

Myself, Pasca, and a friend Blossom on a spa date after school one day

Where to begin?!
The past week has been truly incredible. Let's start with Daylesford and my new life here. Living with Sarah (mom), Darius (14), Benson (11), and Pasca (10). And Shadow, Neo (two border collies), Stanley the axolotl, two guinea pigs, and Oscar the cat. Incredible family. Sarah is an anthropologist in the midst of writing her doctorate thesis, trying to raise three kids, and keep up the yard and gorgeous, mid-19th century house that is a veritable museum of Papuan art and artifacts. Her husband Robert is unfortunately gone most of the time for his work overseas, but we're hoping to see him at Christmas. To let you know just how perfect this placement is: a recipe she had bookmarked in a new cookbook (that I had been thumbing through at Anthropologie in L.A. just before leaving) was one of the few that I had written down in a little recipe book I brought along, the house used to be a B&B going by the name of my favorite book, A Room With a View. And that's just a taste. I'm already cuddling with the kids before bed, getting acquainted all of Sarah's friends, enjoying cooking up a storm, working in the terraced garden, and on the colder, rainier days helping out and having fun by cleaning around the house. Which isn't really cleaning at all when all you're doing is handling amazing art, listening to great music, and having conversations about everything and anything.
Sarah also studied psychology (as did I),  and has an array of artistic friends. Being, Daylesford is basically a giant artist community. I really don't have enough positive words to describe this place and the amazing people. The first word that comes to mind is gorgeous. Literally. Every person I've been introduced to, and who has introduced themselves to me ("Welcome to Daylesford! See you at the pub!") has been incredibly beautiful. The stone mason working on a wall outside the house is apparently the local Adonis. Women literally can't look at him and carry on talking, they rejoice when he grows a beard because it somewhat distracts from his features. But still not enough to stop them twittering.
So that's the beginning of all the wonderful things I have to say about Daylesford. There's also something even better going on. Actually met someone incredible a while ago and am starting an Aussie love life. His name is Brian, he's a few years older, and Irish. Love that accent. Unfortunately he's now about 16 hours away in Newcastle, NSW, but it's all good. We're both committed to a gypsy, transient lifestyle right now and aren't fazed by any of this. Yay! How is this much happiness, and this amount of blessings fair? I don't know, but I will never complain or doubt any of it.
Hope you're having a great day, wherever you are, and sending you my love!

weekly poetry

love is more thicker than forget

love is more thicker than forget
more thinner than recall
more seldom than a wave is wet
more frequent than to fail


it is most mad and moonly
and less it shall unbe
than all the sea which only
is deeper than the sea


love is less always than to win
less never than alive
less bigger than the least begin
less littler than forgive


it is most sane and sunly
and more it cannot die
than all the sky which only
is higher than the sky


-e.e. cummings

melbourne

Federation Wharf

It's been an exhausting day so far. Though I didn't seem to do too much. Slept in a bit then went to breakfast with the two girls I'm sharing a room with at the hostel. Our order was forgotten and we ended up with the meal and some extra coffees and things for free. Not a bad start to the day. After that I set out to open a bank account. And now it's official- I have a checking and savings account for Australia and New Zealand! When that was all done with, I came back to the hostel, had some lunch with an Irish and an English guy, then started walking. On and on and on. Went down to the river, saw a sign for the Botanic Gardens, and went straight there. The next few hours were spent idly wandering this beautiful landscape and breathing in the intoxicating fragrances. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Apparently Morgan and I were here not too long ago!

The Observatory

Hiding in a tunnel of vines

Now that I'm back at the hostel and my feet are killing me, gearing up to go out tonight. Joining the Irish and English guys from lunch and a few others from the building for dinner, drinks, and maybe a little dancing. I'll arrive in Daylesford tomorrow thoroughly exhausted and ready for a break!