Thursday, July 11, 2013

Le Papillion in the rain.

Le Papillion 

I was awoken this morning again by the familiar sound of rain. Secretly, I was excited, and nestled myself back under the covers and fell asleep for another three hours. (whoops)

Finally, I forced myself to rise, and my mind drifted towards: coffee. I decided to ride my bike down to this little french cafe that's about a mile from my house. I've walked by it a thousand times, but for some reason never got the chance to go inside. This place is: Adorable. Everything is set up like a french bakery/cafe. They make their pastries, croissants, cakes, everything fresh every morning. Artwork from Paris splatter the walls, and a simple flower in a vase are set on the tables.

As soon as I parked my bike outside, I quickly headed STRAIGHT for the pastry case, which was clearly calling my name with a giant ora around it. The very first thing that I spotted, was the key lime tart. I may just want to make this clear now so we have an understanding, but I am...obsessed... to say the least, with key lime pie. I'm always on the hunt for it, and sadly am always left with disappointment seeing as it's hard to find. So when I saw that neon green in the center of a beautiful pastry, complete with a butterfly powdered sugar design on top, I was sold. PLUS: It was the last one. Meant to be? I think so.

Of course, ordering a cappuccino was in order, so I quickly paid the barista for my goodies, and perched myself at the other end of the corner. There were cute little french trinkets on a China hutch at the end of the bar: tea cups, spoons, sugar holders, everything! After most likely making the barista uncomfortable because of how intently I was watching her make my drink (I know this is annoying, I've been there) I went and took a seat next to the window. She brought over my pastry and coffee, and I was having to do some serious self control to not stuff the key lime tart directly into my mouth all in one go. (There's a little pic of it up top. Look how cute it is!)

The rain was really coming down hard now, and a rush of contentment and ease fell over me. I really don't give two shits what anyone says about the rain. It's not depressing at all. I love it. It makes me feel at home, and give me a feeling of joy. Listening to the rain is the biggest form of nostalgia I get, and when I do get to enjoy it, I enjoy every last ounce of it. I was the only person in the cafe, and soft music was playing in the background. Not just any music, but Zero 7, one of my all time favorite music groups. So this is how I know this place is a true gem.

Looking outside towards the street, I could see my bike, just parked there next to the flower bed in the rain, looking extra adorable.
Even though my day wasn't very "happening," I thoroughly enjoyed this visit to Le Papillion. It was one of those times where I felt like I was in another place. It didn't feel Australian at all, and it was a nice break, to be honest. I sat there alone with my thoughts, and stumbled in my mind about a few things.
I'm not sure if it's because i'm getting older, or what, but i've really come to love moments like these; when i'm alone with no distractions, no headphones in my ears, no one yakking my face off, just me, alone in a coffee shop, sipping on a cappuccino, listening to the rain outside, and letting my mind wander. I couldn't help but kind of chuckle at myself. 'What the fuck am I doing in fucking Australia..' I thought to myself.
I love when I have moments like these. I can't help but just laugh at myself. I mean, look at me! I can't stay put in one spot for long, and I always make these insane decisions to go to random places. Florida, KENTUCKY?! Hawaii, New Zealand, and now Australia... Sometimes I get really down on myself, thinking, 'I should've stayed in school, I should've stayed in Seattle, blah blah blah,' but if there's one thing that I can be proud of, it's my damn willingness to get the fuck out there and experience the world. No matter how many bad situations I get myself into, I will never regret the decisions I have made. From the moment I graduated high school, I've been up and on the go, traveling to different corners of the country, and then finally out of the country.
Now I know this wont last forever, and to be honest, I know that i'll eventually, if not soon, return to my homeland and settle down, maybe ;)... but for now, looking back, I can't help but be proud of myself for branching out and learning to live outside of my element.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Christmas in July & Barbara Streisand

Not just good ol' Barbara Streisand, but the Barbara Streisand Christmas album....
Currently listening to, "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." Why?
Frankly, I don't care. I am madly in love with the holiday seasons, and it's July, right? Christmas in July? I'm not ashamed.
I think it may be because I was skyping with my mom earlier this morning and we came to the conclusion that I would be coming home for Christmas. Not Seattle, home. But to her house in Kentucky..
Although I don't really care for the place, whatsoever really.. (sorry) I am pretty wrapped about the idea of having a white Christmas for the first time in a couple years. Better yet, but to spend it with my mom and Leon at their house. It's quiet, quaint, and in the country. It's an ideal setting for Christmas, and knowing myself and my mother, we'll be doing nothing but baking, watching Christmas movies, decorating, and sipping on coffee all day long. I wouldn't have it any other way!
 I've been craving time with my family with a passion, and I am SO excited for the end of the year. My obsession with Christmas may sometimes be concerning - (I watched The Grinch last night) but oh well!

Thoughts on returning to school have also been sparked up and on the horizon. But how do I go back to school when my mind will never make up...its mind? I'll save that thought for another day. Meanwhile, the only thing that occupies my mind at the moment, is my adoration for my family and how excited I am to spend the holidays with them.

Monday, July 8, 2013

A U S T R A L I A

Michael overlooking the beach atop a grassy hill in Cottesloe (beach town)

Well, it's long overdue. I'm well past my visit from New Zealand (but not over it, or maybe never will be). I'm now 'down unda' in Australia! I wont lie, it hasn't been the easiest of transitions, but it's trips like in the image you see above, and Michael, that get me through it. 
Im currently nestled into the Western corner pocket of Australia. They call it: Perth. I call it: Weird. It's a city, but a strange one. Cafe's are open typically Monday-Firday 8am-3pm. That's right, I said 3PM! Ridiculous. Maybe it's the Seattlelite in me, but i'm used to getting my coffee later in the evening. Of course I enjoy the morning cup, but what about after dinner? That's the best time! Since I mentioned "the morning cup," I would also quickly like to brush up on the Australian coffee industry. 
This is the land of cappuccino's, flat whites (which are the same thing as lattes), "lattes" (which is like a latte but with very little to no foam), long blacks (americanos), and short and long macs (doppio macchiatos and solo macchiatos). That's it! NO regular drip coffees! In fact- if you go to a cafe and ask for a regular drip or just a regular cup of coffee, they will look at you as if you're insane! You've been warned. 
This type of thing is and will always be driving me nuts. What am I supposed to do without it? Before I arrived here, I was on a straight black cup of coffee every morning kick. Now i'm sitting in the dark alone, whispering: "...coffee?..." 
I will admit, being in Australia has turned me into a cappuccino whore. They seem to perfect it every time. Included with beautiful latte art, and topped with chocolate! (Which is considered traditional). 
Other than the coffee fret, another little yet rather large hurtle i've come to, is not being able to find a job! It's insane! I am a barista- I have been for the past 6+ years of my life- ohhhhh, but i'm an "American" barista. Where Starbucks is known as the Iron Throne back in the states, here, it is looked at as more of a McDonalds. Pft. Coffee is a whole other world down here. They use old vintagey yet new machines such as the synesso and wega espresso machines. Everything is a manual doing, whereas I am more used to a more automatic doing. I DO like these machines. In fact, since it was/is so near impossible getting a job as a barista here, I chose to take a course at the Australian Barista Academy. $190.00, that class! But it was fun and educational. We talked about everything from the coffee bean, to how espresso is extracted from it. Once the jib-jab was over, it was time to play on the machines. 
First was first: learning to dose, distribute, and tamp. (That actually was the hard part). After all of that, it was onto texturing milk, and doing a wee bit of some latte art. 
There's a little snapshot of me with my cute little certificate from my course. Awwww. Although that class raped me in the financial department, (or my boyfriend rather since he's the one bringing home the dough as of late- love you sweetie:)---) it was still a really good thing to take. If it isn't going to do me any good here in Australia, then it sure as hell will back home in the states. 

Let's move on, shall we? Aside from coffee and all its glory, another little struggle hurtle i've had to go over is my health. I've been having a lot of issues with my stupid little kidney. I've had problems in the past, but it seems to have gotten much worse. Nothing is worse than having to be admitted to the hospital in a foreign land. Even though hospitals are definitely no foreign land for me, it definitely is a shit feeling being so far from home and trapped in some hospital away from your family. Being so far from home, and experiencing all that I am is terrific, don't get me wrong. But it has also made me come to terms with my severe separation issues. I've never found it to be SO hard to be away from my family. (That's a lie, i'm homesick all of the time). But lately, it's drawn me to a near depression. My mom is my everything and we've always been together no matter what. Even if I moved away for a bit to another state, she would eventually follow or we would meet up. This is the first time that i've been a year without her; and let me tell you, it sucks. 
I'm trying my hardest to overcome this, but I think I may just need to stick near to home and travel moreso on holidays.  Getting back home is going to be a financial fun ride.. (not). Looking at  ticket prices are enough to make a grown woman cry. But i'm determined to be home either by Thanksgiving or Christmas. Firstly, must..find...a job. 

Even though i've been a bit down because of my homesickness and my actual sickness, I can't forget about my Michael. He's been here for me throughout literally everything and is always by my side just trying to do whatever makes me feel better. Australia has had its ups and definite downs, but I like to try and focus on the good. Here's a few more shots of my finds in Australia :)