For Chiz’ birthday we had a really fun day. Our friend Jay was in town and he joined us for High Tea at Hopetoun Tea Rooms. It was really great, but we had to book very far in advance since it is quite a popular spot. We also went to see a court case at the Victoria Supreme Court, which was a really interesting experience. Yes, they all wear wigs and speak with funny accents. We did a bit of shopping at an interesting second hand shop. We then finished the evening at one of our favorite Italian restaurants on Lygon street, Tiamo 1 & 2. It was such a special day but also a strange weather day. It was a bit chilly in the morning, but it turned out to be a nice hot afternoon. Then it turned into a stormy evening. It was indeed a birthday in Melbourne!

[Show slideshow]

12►

Read More

Chiz and I were invited to an amazing international party to celebrate Australia Day. So what is Australia Day? Well, it commemorates the arrival of the first fleet from England in 1788. It is somewhat controversial in aboriginal communities, who have a different name for it: “invasion day.” To me it has some similarities to Thanksgiving in America. Also, like Thanksgiving, people come together to eat, drink, and hang out with family and friends.

Our friends Rob and Barb throw an international party to celebrate Australia Day. They have lots of friends in Australia who are from all over the world. They invite them to their house and everyone brings a different dish from their home country to share. This is the twelfth year the event has been going on, and we were excited to be a part of it!

Chiz wore a yukata (which looks like a kimono) and I wore a jimbei. We brought something from Japan (temari zushi) and something from America (brownies). We met some really amazing people and ate some really delicious food! I miss celebrating Thanksgiving since we are not living in America, so it was really nice to be a part of Australia Day.

Thanks so much for a great day Rob and Barb!

[Show slideshow]

12►

Read More

chiz and i went to brisbane to celebrate christmas and new years with friends. kate & matt were nice enough to let us stay with them and treated us like family through the holidays. they really do the holidays up right with lots of good food and drinks! they even took us to see some of the amazing beaches around queensland! it was a really wonderful time!

growing up in nyc, i remember watching all the new years celebrations happening all over the world during the day leading up to the ball dropped in times square. it was strange to me ringing in the new year here, going to bed, only to wake up to it still not being new years in nyc due to the time difference… it was also a bit odd celebrating new years in such beautiful hot weather! i could get used to that!

here are some picts from our holiday:

[Show slideshow]

1234567►

Read More

some people really love celebrating their birthday that they try make it last for a whole week… or even a month! i think that’s too much, but I can understand celebrating your birthday for 2 days…

i never really thought about it until i lived abroad, but your birthday actually takes 2 days to travel the whole globe. right now my birthday is ending here in melbourne, but it’s just beginning in america. it makes me realize that time is so arbitrary.

for my birthday, chiz and i went to a japanese tempura restaurant that was recommended by some of chiz’ coworkers. it wasn’t cheap, but it was quite authentic (we only spoke japanese) and it was also quite delicious! it was a really great way to celebrate my birthday!

check out the picts here:

[Show slideshow]

12►

Read More

This weekend, we drove to a place called Mornington Peninsula which is located about 62 km south from the city.  We planned this two-day trip quite a while ago so we were both excited!  There were more things which excited us:

1-  Nice Onsen bath and massage,
2-  Chiz driving a car for the first time in Oz,
3-  Cheese tasting

Although we were pretty excited about the trip, we somehow did not expect too much.  Yet, this trip surpassed our expectations! We totally enjoyed our time and whatever we did. The hotel was one of the best we’ve ever stayed at, with an amazing bath tub that is hard to find! Also, their restaurant was better than we could have imagined, where we ate kangaroo! After the trip, we felt that we learnt a bit more about Oz as well.  They drive quite fast!!!  This trip has already become one of our unforgettable trips!

Here are the picts – enjoy:

[Show slideshow]

123456►

Read More

For our 1^st anniversary, Chiz and I went for an indulgent Australian tradition, afternoon tea at the Hotel Windsor. We thank my parents for the wonderful day with scrumptious scones and tea! Check out the picts:

[Show slideshow]

1234►

Read More