New June 2014

NEW JUNE 2014

2014's New June was a busy one! I think some highlights were doing a barista course, getting a fake tattoo from an 9-year old and participating in a clinical stimulation lab. 

Day 1: Publish a comic strip about yesterday

Larger version here: http://bitstrips.com/r/F3NDQ
Day 2: Cut hair...as an adult

Today for New June I cut my own hair. Apparently I did this when I was three at kinder but I don't remember it myself. I do remember the hairstyle that resulted.

Hooray for pointy hair. I don't think it is too uneven.

Day 3 - Buy a scratchie

I've received scratchies but never felt the need to buy one. Today, for the first time, I went to the newsagent and purchased the most colourful little scratchie in sight. I am posting it to my good friend and hope he is lucky!

Day 4 - Get a mandarin name
Technically real Chinese names are chosen by someone who understands the complexities of Chinese culture and language. However, this site: http://www.mandarintools.com/cgi-bin/chinname.pl
gives you an unofficial name based on the spelling of your English name and the characteristics you choose. If you don't like the first name it throws at you- try again!

I'm pretty happy with the characters and description. Yep, I am an extensive journey or a fat wide road!

Day 5 - Use an Internet poem generator!

...with interesting results....

I think I'd like to stick with writing my own poems!

Day 6- Wear Rob's shirt out

Doesn't look as weird as I thought. Damn the fashions of our time. Thanks Dixie for the idea and Rob for the clothes!

Day 8- Get a tattoo from a 9 year old

Very nice job I'd say!

Day 9- Watch a Korean television show without subtitles

I watched "Emergency Couple". I managed to get about 3/4 of the way through when it got so exciting that I gave in to temptation. It was a first episode and given the major events that happened (wedding, screaming match, divorce, alcohol poisoning ending in hospital), it was mostly easy to figure out what was happening. The screaming match was probably the highlight as it was the most engaging without knowing the dialogue!

Day 10- Dedicate an hour of the day to asking Rob politics-related questions at 10 minute intervals and...

...see if he notices.
Still not sure if he noticed really. None of the questions were that out of the blue! We were both busy at the time.

Day 11- Read a book in Spanish 

Thanks to Allan for sharing in a great night of Spanish reading and Mexican delights!

For those wondering about the book- highly recommended! Not many kids books tell you the origin of a can of beans in an entertaining story that includes a tiny bean with a shirt, a tailor, a piece of coal and a strand of hay! What a journey they had!

Day 12-Research a past Australian Prime Minister 

I picked one I'd never heard of. Who knew our 3rd PM was born in Chile and founded NRMA and AMPOL? Chris Watson was Australia's first PM from the Labor party and also made Australia the first nation in the world with a labour PM. Visit Canberra to find a suburb and electorate named after him!

Day 13- Deliver a presentation in a hospital

This wasn't my planned New June but I ended up sick in bed before 5pm yesterday so couldn't complete the desired activity. 

However, luckily I am doing lots of new things in my placement. Yesterday was a minor presentation but it was indeed my first in a hospital, about hospital social work. Hopefully today I can achieve yesterdays NJ.

Day 15- See a new exhibition

I went to the Dreamwork's animation exhibition at ACMI today. Was interesting but smaller than expected. My favourite part was making an animation about a scissors dude with Amy.

Day 16- Compare Melbourne's population with cities I have been to

I chose Lima, San Francisco, Barcelona, Hanoi, Queenstown and Buenos Aires. It was pretty much as I expected but interesting to see the comparative trends. I was a bit surprised with Barcelona, thought it would be a greater population than Melbourne or at least on par. So was way off there.

I also look at the populations of Australia's capital cities because I realised earlier in the year that I wasn't really sure how Adelaide compared with Canberra and Hobart. See below for the order- some of these figures are approximations.

Greater Sydney 4.6 million
Greater Melbourne 4.35 million
Greater Brisbane 2.24 million
Greater Perth was 1.97 million people
Greater Adelaide 1.29 million
Canberra around 380,000 people
Hobart 217,973 people
Greater Darwin was 136,200 people

Day 17- Test words per minute (typing)

Thought I would see how fast I can type with my foggy sick head. Faster than average apparently. I wonder if I would do better once the haze lifts. I would guess that I could probably be faster if I practiced..or if I currently typed more. It had been a month of very little typing. 

Despite the photo I used my laptop, not my typewriter...

Day 18- Read a Pushkin poem

Today I read a Pushkin poem called, That Magic Moment I remember." It was a beautiful poem but I always wonder what is lost in translation. I read a few different translation- one is pasted below. 

Thanks for the idea Christine!

Day 19- Participate in a Simulation Lab
Today as part of my placement I was lucky enough to be involved in a simulation lab with other allied health students and doctors. We were set a bit of a challenge and got a chance to try some things out in a setting where there was less of a chance of hurting anyone!

This was lots of fun and a really interesting experience. The acting was top notch and it was nice to work with other students from different disiplines.

Day 20- make rainbow rain!

Unfortunately it turned out to be normal rain but was pretty cool all the same.

Day 21- Do a barista course

I did a coffee course which taught the basics on being a barista. Thanks to Rob or this fun present/New June. I am now a partially qualified barista, as demonstrated by PACMAN latte art!

Day 22- Learn to change a car tyre

Thanks to Rob and Percy, I now know how to jack up a car and change a tyre.

Day 23- Research shares to buy

Day 24- Try some art therapy as part of a self care PD session

This was lots of fun! Very Special Kids holds a few PD sessions a year for its volunteers and I finally made it to one. The session was focused on art therapy as a tool for self care. We made a team Mandala, each person contributing with a slice of pie! You can see my slice near the bottom centre (lots of dark blue) and Mathew's lovely slice to the right of that! (You can't really see the detail but mine revolved around themes of water, knowledge, travel and nature.) 

Day 25- Social Work Home Visit

Technically I have already done a home visit in my previous rotation but it was principally an OT home visit whereas today was pure SW. Today was also my first Community Therapy Services home visit. smile emoticon

Day 26- Make a new recipe: Fudgy brownie pie with caramel sauce

Baked this very rich celebration pie. Brownie in a pie with caramel sauce- what more can you ask for of a dessert? I think it tastes better than it looks. Possibly could have cooked it a bit longer but I actually prefer the inside to be a bit gooey. Sarah you have to come and eat some tomorrow!

http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/fudgy-brownie-pie-with-caramel-sauce/edd1494b-3573-4216-b565-c956e082e93d

Day 27- Try Shiatsu
After a month or more of talking about continence and various patients poo and urine on placement with Dixie , it seemed really odd to be asked how my "elimination system" was going! No, that wasn't the first question asked by the shiatsu student, but it was one of them.

I found the whole process really fascinating although some of the diagnosis seemed rather odd without 

further explanation. I need to look further into how it all works. My tongue shows that my diet is good and an examination of my stomach found that my bladder needed work. My other organs were okay, though a crack in my tongue could mean something wrong with my heart or stomach which was reassuring! I need to look up more about this. My instructor was interesting (especially after comparing notes with Rob and his instructor) but I am trying to keep an open mind of next time.

I would go back to the student clinic. It was a nice space and good value. Though I think I would often choose a Thai massage before a Shiatsu treatment. (I know, apples and pears.) Anyway, if you are interested in giving it a go and trying something new, I'd recommend it.

http://www.australianshiatsucollege.com.au/

Day 28- Make invitations for Christmas in July

Very excited about co-hosting a Christmas in July! wink emoticon

Day 29- Write a book and donate it to a charity

A great time was had with my co-writer/illustrator Sarah! In case anyone is wondering (after seeing the one page...) the flower (Frank), caterpillar (Cassie) and strawberry (Sue) all made it to the trampoline for some jumping time before returning to their homes post-flood!

Day 30- Bake an apple for dessert
Thanks to Ann and Oliver for the great idea! A sweet way to end New June for 2014. I think Rob agrees!

New June 2013

This blog makes it seem like I skipped New June 2013. I didn't. Not only that, but I have done a lot of new things outside June which is quite exciting. For example I made memory quilt (printed photos incorporated into a patchwork quilt) for my Mum and visited the Carolinas in the U.S. I also started my third academic degree but that is a whole other story.

Unfortunately I didn't manage to blog for my New June in 2013. I did however put together an album of photos. It is now almost June 2014 and so I have been prompted to post the new experiences I had almost a year ago. These included making a macaron, making a flower arrangement, learning to crochet, wearing someone else's clothes for a day, learning a ceroc dance and driving a truck. 

Presenting NJ '14 in photos:

Day 1- Bake Koala Macarons

Didn't turn out quite like the recipe picture (or like any macaron I've even seen!) but it was delicious!

(Technically attempt 2...)

Day 2- Fix a door handle!

An opportunistic New June- I had planned on cutting my hair. Thanks to Rob for providing the chance and to the neighbours for the tools! A successful job on a shaky door handle for day 2.

DAY 3- Write a letter to an old friend

Not entirely new but not something I do very often. My letters usually go to friends that I am still in contact with constantly or every so often. This was a good one and I hope my old (!) friend enjoys the letter!

DAY 4- GO TO A MEETUP

I found an exciting meet up to go to on DAY 4. It was a board game meet up in St Kilda playing the most awesome WEREWOLVES!! It was lots of fun despite being different to how we've played before. Rob was slaughtered fairly early in the piece whilst I was the 2nd last to go. Unfortunately the Werewolves won. We must play again soon...I might try another meetup sometime too.

DAY 5- TRY SOME NEW MEDITATION

On Day 5 I tried the first day of Headspace -get some. It is a 10 min a day meditation program from the net suggested and provided by my cousin- thanks Em!

I really enjoyed it and hope to continue the free trial over the remaining 9 days. I liked it because it didn't focus too much on forcing silence or specific thoughts which sometimes drives me insane. Interested to see what will be in the second day of the program.

Not sure if they should rethink the email subjects that just say "get some" without mentioning the Headspace...or perhaps that is the point...

DAY 6- LEARN TO SET A FANCY TABLE

Thanks to Frances for this idea.  I went the Martha Stewart route. Although it would have been great to learn this then have a dinner party yada yada...all my stuff was packed for the move so that fell into the too hard basket. (NB: Not like I have a salad fork anyway.)

Overall I am pleased to have a better idea of what goes where. (Didn't realise that the red wine was top centre above the water on the left and the white wine on the right.) Conventions or etiquette freak me out a bit though. Luckily Martha says once you know the rules you can break them!

Gems of information for you:

"When every guest has finished and laid his spoon, bowl up, across the upper right hand corner of the plate, the plate, bowl, and spoon will be removed."

"When they have finished this, or any other, course, guests should place their silverware diagonally across the plate -- handles at 4:20 and knife blade facing in."

In conclusion, someone else can cook...I'll set the table! Just kidding, that's ridiculous, cooking is lots more fun...

DAY 7- Try a coffee infused egg!

Went to Code Black for breaky this morning and tried their coffee infused egg. They wouldn't let me change the menu much so I had to get it in a burger. Luckily I could switch the mushrooms for avocado. I was surprised how strong the taste was and, despite my hesitation, really enjoyed it. Who would have thought this was a good direct combination? (Well someone obviously did..)

Wouldn't rush out to get it again but good for something a bit different...and in this case NEW!

Day 8- make a flower arrangement!

My mum was the lucky recipient of my first floral arrangement! Sources from Vic markets and inspired by love!

Day 9- Drive a truck/ go into 6th gear!

I moved my stuff a few suburbs over in a 1.5 tonne truck. (Also included a bonus drive to Glen Waverley and back!) It was the first time I had driven such a beast and the first time I got into 6th gear. Very satisfying overall!

Day 9- Visit Monet in his garden

Went to the Monet exhibition showing at NGV. I would recommend it in case anyone is interested! As you can see I met the man himself...in his garden!

I have seen Monet's work before in Paris, however I thoroughly enjoyed this exhibition which focused almost solely on his garden and japanese bridge. The way his life story is reflected in his art was amazing to see. I wouldn't mind a piece on display in my new room!

Day 11- Ask a waiter to pick my meal and choose a drink to match.

Seafood curry with roti bread and a lime based cocktail. Yum! We visited the Alchemist in Brunswick St which I'd never been to before. The waiter was really helpful (although I suspect he chose the most expensive items on the menu!) and I really enjoyed the pairing.

DAY 12: Host a coffee debate on Twitter

It's ON! Flat white vs cafe latte! What is the difference according to the 50 top coffee cafes in Melbourne!

There is much debate over what the differences are between the flat white and the cafe latte. Here are some of the reported differences:

-ratio of milk to espresso
-ratio of foam
-cup/mug/glass that it is served in
-size of beverage
-artwork on top
-price (sometimes flat whites are cheaper, sometime not)

It all seems to depend on what cafe you are sitting in or who you ask. It varies within Melbourne but also perhaps when compared across countries (Aus, NZ, UK mainly).

After a google search of "best 10 coffees in melbourne" I looked through the first 7 results to find 50 cafes that are supposed to have the BEST COFFEE!

Now to host the debate on Twitter until a consensus is reached about the difference! Stand by for results!

Day 13- Karaoke in Melbourne!

In honour of Brian and after being challenged by Aude I found myself at a small karaoke bar in the CDB. Whilst having done karaoke overseas, I have never done it in Melbourne outside of rock band.

It was fun! Some of the songs didn't have lyrics for whatever reason but a good time was had by all!

Day 14-Move into a chocolate factory!!! (Officially!)

My dream of owning a chocolate factory has come true. (Well..okay, renting a part of a chocolate factory!) See me on the boat in the chocolate river. Now I can eat chocolate all day long and play with Oompa Loompas...oh and Robert, Terri and in a few weeks Ilana!

Yum!

DAY 15: Write a letter to an awesome comedian

Technically I am doing this on the 16th. Oops. Sometimes June is hard to keep up with!!

Adam Hills is brilliant. I have seen him a few times live and watched him on TV a gazillion times. He deserves a medal! Or a letter from me! Stand by!

Day 16- go to a suburb I've never heard of before!

Thanks to Sarah for the great idea! I met her in Gardenvale, a teeny tiny suburb near Brighton that apparently used to be a polo ground. Coincidentally the only cafe worthing visiting (according to online reviews) had the name of my good friend Omar! So, I took it as a sign, and we met there for brunch followed by a walk around the streets. We even ventured further afield from the .3km sq range into some other suburb!

A great time was had with my favourite sister in Gardenvale!! A lovely new June! 

Day 17- Ethnic dress and coffee outing

It was a long time coming. Amy and I finally managed a coffee outing in our "ethnic gear". We were supposed to be going to a cupping (tasting) event but due to unforeseen Award Nights ended up having a regular coffee eve. 

Things I learnt: 
-don't wear a tight skirt whilst riding, especially if you are going to go through a swamp
-my vietnamese top fits!

DAY 18- Wear someone else's clothes (of their choosing!)

A friend kindly dressed me for DAY 18. What was even kinder was that she chose a lovely dress and cardigan (what did you call it again Terri?!). Now, if it were me, I am not sure I'd be so nice but would choose something fancy dress. A case of power in the wrong hands probably. Yet this turned out well and Terri is probably going to give me all her clothes now...right Terri?? 

Day 19- Learn to crochet

Thanks to my kind workmate I now know how to crochet. Yes, perhaps this thing on my wrist looks like a giant mess but I promise I know the basics!!

Day 20- learn to poach an egg

I've never poached an egg myself. They were simple (had them plain on toast) yet delightful. I am not sure why poaching is perceived as difficult sometimes?

DAY 21- Make a rainbow!

Using water, a glass, paper, the sun and something I found in my head.. I made a rainbow! What was odd was that right after I made it, a rainbow appeared on my computer screen by coincidence! The sun did the second one.

Day 22- See something BIG!

Rob and I stayed near and saw the "Big Tree" in Guildford on the weekend. It was certainly big but also a very interesting shape. It is very old and at one point they redirected the road around the tree to protect its roots. If it wasn't a protected icon I'd love to try and climb it! 

Day 23: Go back to a place you love

...and blow bubbles! The bubbles part is not new...just lots of fun!

Day 24- host a cookie swap!

Had some very yummy people come over who baked some very lovely cookies! (Or other way around?!)

Thanks for coming all! 

 Not sure what happened to Day 25!

Day 26- make a tie rack!

Day 27- Try Banana, Chilli and Bacon pizza.
Robert has told me I must do this for some time so him,Gary and I had some delightful pizza that was much more appetising than the one photographed here. YUM! Everyone should try it!

Day 28- Try Ceroc dance.

This is EXACTLY what Rob and I looked like....!

Overall, lots of fun!

Day 29 - coffee cupping!