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!