http://shelleypascual.com

[Fotos] Karneval Braunschweig 2012

2012-02-27T16:43:00.000-05:00

My first Karneval in Deutschland was dope! Trippy floats, kids in costumes, adults in costumes, live musical bands, dancing errywhere... sh.t was crazy! I seriously don't know how else to describe it but to say it's some sort of cross between the Santa Klaus Parade and Halloween. I guess you could also say it's a Mardi Gras with German flava, though I haven't yet been to the annual New Orleans event.

We celebrated Karneval here in Braunschweig last last Sunday, on 19 February 2012. 'Twas quite a nippy day, but nevertheless, here are the 3 things that will remain forever ingrained in my head: 1. Free candy (the people on the floats constantly throw candy out to the crowd throughout the entire parade, hence the Halloween-y vibe) 2. Drunken peeps (oh, did you forget that people can publicly drink alcohol here in Deutschland?!) 3. Grown@ss men in pink wigs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fred Herzog - Museum für Photographie - Braunschweig, DE

2012-02-20T02:43:00.006-05:00

Who woulda thunk that there would be a photography exhibition featuring a German/Canadian's work here in little ol' Braunschweig? Team Canada, woo! In the midst of my current state of anxiety trying to find work as someone who doesn't speak German fluently (yet), this exhibition was like a ray of light shining in on one of my recent cloudier days.

Until 18 März 2012, Fred Herzog's work is currently on display at the Museum für Photographie. Outside the Museum, Herzog's Man with Bandage photo is blown up and printed on a large-scale canvas. Is it just me, or do the bare branches and the grey houses surrounding the photo in its bleak outdoor environment change the whole meaning of it? Photo of a photo, you already know though.

The Döner Phenomenon in Deutschland

2012-02-17T01:00:00.004-05:00

You could be in the middle of butt#$@& nowhere in Deutschland, and some random Döner joint would probably be right around the corner. You North Americans will be intrigued to know that there are more places to get Döner in this country than McDonalds locations! (it seems like that, anyway) The bottom line is, Germans cannot get enough of this fast food. It's cheap, it's tasty, and of all the places I've been to so far, it's always been decently good.

What the eff is a Döner?! Well, all I know is that in Toronto, we call 'em "Shawarma" or "Kebab." And none of the "Shawarma" or "Kebab" I've had in Toronto have ever come close to the Döner I've had in Deutschland. A Döner is usually no more than 3-4 EUR, filled with shaved meats from a rotating spit (i.e. chicken), topped with veggies such as tomatoes, lettuce, cabbage and red onions, and served in a pita-like flatbread. Some Döner joints will toast your Döner in a sandwich press thingy, resulting in a Döner that is beautifully textured and crisp on the outside. Miam miam.

Having tried a Döner in Berlin, Hamburg, Münster and in Braunschweig, I've come to believe that wherever you go in Deutschland, a decent Döner can be had. Of course, variations do exist. For example, some places offer garlic sauce or hot sauce as options. If you've never tried a Döner before, here are my 3 recommendations: 1. Make sure your Döner is toasted (preferably in a sandwich press thingy) 2. Ditch the hot sauce (if this is your first time trying it, you wanna try it in its most original form, don't you?) 3. Wash your Döner down with a bottle of Ayran (best... sheit... ever. seriously though.)

Goodbye Tdot, Hallo Germany (again)!

2012-02-11T19:05:00.010-05:00

Omg, I can't contain my excitement. Two short months at home (no matter how much I try to deny it, Toronto will always be "home") and it's on to the next Life Challenge! Holy scheiße, I'm moving to Germany!!! As we speak, I am terrified, anxious, ecstatic and a jumble of nerves. But because nothing else in this world makes me feel more alive than living abroad, I am confident in my decision. This is what I love to do and no one can tell me otherwise. #optingoutofthecookiecutterlife

Some people assume I'm on a vacation 24/7. Um, no. I gotta eat too. It's not rocket science: so long as you work in the country you're living in, you'll be able to afford living there. And encountering the challenges of living in other countries is precisely what I crave!!! For example, the whole process of teaching myself German these past few weeks has been fulfilling beyond words. I am proud to say ich spreche ein bisschen Deutsch jetzt :) My motto? Whatever you wanna do, whoever you wanna be — start living it right now. PS. Spot the asterisk & come visit! PPS. The map's old but ain't it a beaut?

Foods in Toronto that I will miss :(

2012-02-10T00:45:00.002-05:00

It's not like I'm leaving forever. But since I knew I'd be gone for a bit, I made sure to indulge in some of my favourite Tdot foods these past two months. I've condensed the endless list below...

—Chef's Special Pad Thai from Khao San Road
—Korean Tofu Soup from Owl of Minerva
—Curry Chicken Patty from Randy's Take-out
—Montreal-style Bagels from Bagel House
—Sparky Gianduja Truffle from SOMA
—Pork Empanada from Baker's Best Bakery
—Walnut/Red Bean Cakes from Hodo Kwaja
—Green Olive Bread from St. Phillips Bakery
—Fat-noodled Pancit made by Mama Pascual :)

Oz 2010-2011: Planes, Trains & Automobiles

2012-01-29T22:28:00.001-05:00

For shits & giggs, I've plotted my journey in Oz and New Zealand (11/2010-10/2011) on this map. The dotted lines represent traveling by plane and the solid lines represent traveling by train or automobile. Oz is such a huge country, it'd take me at least 2 years to backpack it properly. As such, I didn't have the time (nor the $) to explore the Kimberleys or SA :( I am, however, proud to say that I literally came full circle and achieved most of my work/travel goals in Oz. Hallelujah! Let it be known that if you (YES, you!) are in need of Oz-y backpacker-ish tips/advice, you know who to holler at.

(START)
Melbourne

flew: San Francisco > Melbs
worked: 3 months in Melbs
roadtripped: up to Sydney (coastal route)
roadtripped: down to Melbs (inland route)
flew: Melbs > Auckland
roadtripped: down the North Island to Wellington (inland route)
roadtripped: down the South Island to Queenstown (coastal route)
flew: Christchurch > Sydney
flew: Sydney > Perth
worked: 2.5 months in Perth
flew: Perth > Alice Springs
roadtripped: west to Kings Canyon & Ayers Rock
roadtripped: east to Alice Springs & up to Darwin
worked: 9 weeks in Jabiru
flew: Darwin > Cairns
roadtripped: down to Byron Bay (coastal route)
road the rails: down to Sydney (coastal route)

(FINISH)
Sydney

Thanks, Rosie!

2012-01-25T00:28:00.004-05:00

I'm such a sucker for anything homemade. That's why I went straight bananas when this card was handed to me. Examining it in my hands with a mixture of excitement and shock, I'd forgotten how much I loved the feel of construction paper and how much I missed being crafty. #aleenescrafts

Much love to Rosie for being so thoughtful, and a big fat "You're Welcome" for the tees, etc. Respect for getting creative wit' it, girl! You've inspired me! I'm itching to create something fun outta funky-coloured construction paper now! PS. The image on the left was the front of the card, and the image on the right was one of the pages inside the card. Do we see a designer in the making here, people?

ANTI QUARTERLIFE CRISIS

2012-01-24T01:21:00.006-05:00

Yes, I'm 25. How does it feel? %$#&in' awesome, hey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've had it up to HERE with fellow 20-something-year-olds. Why is it that people in their 20s tend to groan whenever their birthdays come along? You are not old, get over it. %$#& the people who expect you to be married by now, or to have kids by now, or to have bought a house by now. %$#& the norm and what society tells you to do. It's your life and you can live it however way you want.

On that note, I am unperturbed by what other 25-year-olds are doing. I won't settle and work at a job that disgusts me. I'm (*gasp!) ditching the notion of stability at the moment. I'm living each day with no regrets. I'm taking advantage of my 20s to explore, to try new things and to take on new challenges. I'm taking risks while I have the freedom to do so... to put it simply, I'm celebrating life!!! Because there's no time like the present, folks!!! Quit thinking about it, make movements already, and eventually (without a doubt), you'll find yourself getting closer to your dreams.

Turtles, Turtles, RA RA RA!

2012-01-18T11:49:00.002-05:00

Better than the original, I kid you not. What 'chu know about dark chocolate Turtles with homemade caramel, hmm?! Big ups to Anhskis for making sure I didn't burn my caramel a second time (whoops!) and for tempering the chocolate. In all honesty, the only thing I could do without Anh's help was roast the pecans. Seriously though, I'd love to share this recipe with you guys. But the procedure would be way too difficult to describe on paper. Sooo.. free demos at my place for whoever's interested?

Grand Electric — K.L Vasos & $3 Tacos

2012-01-17T02:01:00.000-05:00

Baiting the scene out: I'm visiting Toronto for a minute. And before I could decide whether I wanted to or not, I find myself being lured back into the Tdot food-y scene by my dear food-y friends. Trust me, it ain't easy finding food like this in Germany, so I'm juicing it for what it's worth while I'm here.

This, meine Freunde, is what they call a "Key Lime Vaso." What the $#%@ is a Vaso?! I'unno. The lime-y middle layer was 50% sour and 50% sweet (intense!!!!!!!!!!!), and Marievee couldn't decide if the presentation of this little do-hicky pleased her or not. A tad too much whipped cream für mich.

Amusing story: I took the photo on the left while Marievee took the photo on the right. And we both took our photos at the exact same time! You can kinda tell with the funky lighting goin' on. Pictured here are Grand Electric's Baja Fish Taco ($3) and Pork Belly Taco ($3). I preferred the Fish Taco because of its crazy combo of textures. So feelin' the fact that Grand Electric played a longass Kweli set, too. Can't forget to shoutout Lindsay for showin' us some BOH love. Congrats & keep doin' ur thang, girl!

Currywurst: Imbiss vs. Hausgemacht

2012-01-15T23:30:00.004-05:00

Let's start with the definition of Currywurst. The translation in English: Currysausage. Now. What exactly is a Currywurst? A grilled or fried sausage served with "curry ketchup" and a dash of curry powder, typically accompanied with fries and found almost everywhere in Germany. Essentially, the Currywurst is to a German what the Big Mac is to an American: the epitome of fast food.

Left: Takeout | Right: Homemade

Takeout (Imbiss) — I've eaten Currywurst more times than necessary to affirm that I don't find a huge difference from takeout joint to takeout joint. Some places serve better quality sausages over other places, yes. But the one thing I cannot understand is why it's called Currywurst when I can never ever really taste any curry. A couple shakes of curry powder atop a sausage just doesn't suffice for me.

Homemade (Hausgemacht) — After buying some sausages from a proper butcher and pan-frying them up, I proceeded to make a curry ketchup with wayyyyyy more curry powder than the recipe called for. Call me crazy for taking the time to prepare a dish at home that I could've very well bought down the street... but if you're gonna call it Currywurst, it damn well better be spicy and taste of curry! Shelley's secret ingredient? Asian-style chili sauce. Eh Germans, think you guys can handle the heat? Bottom line: homemade Currywurst is worth the effort. Ain't nothin' beats fresh-cut fries, either.

Backpackers in Oz

2012-01-08T00:00:00.007-05:00

When I embarked on my adventure in Oz back in Nov 2010, I came up with this idea. I thought it'd be kool to keep a log of all the wicked awesome people I had the privilege of meeting on my journey. In no particular order, I introduce you all to a buncha backpackers in Oz between Nov 2010 and Oct 2011. Ranging between the ages of 18-31, they're people I either traveled with, lived with or worked with.

The bottom line is that ya'll should be inspired by these koolass people. All of them had the balls to leave home with the intent to work and travel in a country they never grew up in; all of them have a unique story to tell. If you're currently contemplating just pickin' up and leaving, just remember... if all these people did it, you can too! Believe me you, traveling can and will change your life.

Name — Hampus Maxsebastian
Nationality — Swedish
Where to next? — "Maybe Byron Bay..."
Why Oz? — "I'm lookin' for my life..."
Why travel? — "Fuckin' just live your life."
#1 Travel Tip — "Just fuckin', just rock this place!"

Name — Nora Mulvaney
Nationality — Canadian
Where to next? — Vietnam
Why Oz? — "Because you can stay here so long, stay 1-2 years, come here with a one-way ticket..."
Why travel? — "I've always loved to travel and you start fresh every time."
#1 Travel Tip — "Hide the 3rd person."

Name — Diego Valdivia
Nationality — American/Mexican
Where to next? — Thailand
Why Oz? — Kangaroos
Why travel? — "It's the best."
#1 Travel Tip — "Just go for it."

Name — Tara Stephens
Nationality — Irish
Where to next? — Townsville, Australia
Why Oz? — "It was the furthest place away from Ireland."
Why travel? — "You get to meet new people and see a bit of the world."
#1 Travel Tip — "Don't pack too much. Less is more."

Name — Sam Jago Coleman
Nationality — British
Where to next? — Redroof, Cornwall, UK
Why Oz? — "New opportunities... a chance to see the world!"
Why travel? — "I like to meet new people, see new places... the thrill of adventure!"
#1 Travel Tip — "Get to the backpackers' ASAP, you never know who you'll meet!"

Name — Carina Plewnia
Nationality — 3/4 German, 1/4 Polish
Where to next? — East Alligator, Australia --> Bali, Indonesia
Why Oz? — "Why not?"
Why travel? — "...to get a new life for 1-2 years."
#1 Travel Tip — "Be careful with Australian guys."

Name — Carina Meidert
Nationality — Bavarian
Where to next? — Singapore
Why Oz? — "No special reason... work to travel."
Why travel? — "Cultures and traditions... but especially, it helps me make sense of my future."
#1 Travel Tip — TBA

Name — Jonas Balzer
Nationality — German/Korean
Where to next? — Malaysia
Why Oz? — "So many backpackers, the sun, and the Outback."
Why travel? — "...just wanna do something different and FREEDOM!"
#1 Travel Tip — "Simply do what comes to your mind."

Name — Laure Parachini
Nationality — French
Where to next? — Byron Bay, Australia
Why Oz? — "the Heartbreaker TV series takes place in Oz, and it inspired me to come! When I was 15 I thought Australia was kool... the surfer dream/image influenced me."
Why travel? — "Because I want to see for myself what the news tells us... I want to know everything about everything. I'm a very curious person!"
#1 Travel Tip — "Travel light!"

Name — Lisa Waterink
Nationality — Dutch
Where to next? — Tasmania, Australia
Why Oz? — "I actually wanted to travel to South America, but my parents didn't think it was safe so I chose Oz. I'm enjoying my choice so far, I love it."
Why travel? — "I just finished high school, I felt I deserved time off, and I just wanted to gain more confidence, etc etc."
#1 Travel Tip — TBA

Name — Hayley Meads
Nationality — English
Where to next? — "No idea."
Why Oz? — "I always wanted to come here... it was a childhood dream."
Why travel? — "Meetin' new people, growing up, being your own person. You actually find yourself."
#1 Travel Tip — "SUN CREAM!"

Name — Javier Dominguez
Nationality — Cuban/American
Where to next? — "Asia, but technically Adelaide."
Why Oz? — *shruggs*
Why travel? — "It's always fun being somewhere new... and testing my limitations."
#1 Travel Tip — "Always remember flights are listed in the 24hr time format."

Name — Mary Rowlands
Nationality — British
Where to next? — Sydney, Australia
Why Oz? — "Everyone says that Oz is so amazing, but I doubted it. I wanted to prove myself wrong."
Why travel? — "For shitts and giggs."
#1 Travel Tip — "Trust fate."

Name — Vahur Lumilaid
Nationality — Estonian
Where to next? — Europe (but first, a few weeks in Asia, i.e. Bali)
Why Oz? — "It's an easy place to find a job and to travel."
Why travel? — "Fun, meet new friends, see different places."
#1 Travel Tip — N/A

Name — Niamh Rebecca Hill
Nationality — Canadian
Where to next? — Korea
Why Oz? — "I wanted to go somewhere warm and I have a lot of friends here."
Why travel? — "To avoid responsibility."
#1 Travel Tip — "Don't make plans and bring lots of baby wipes."

Name — Christel Knook
Nationality — Dutch
Where to next? — Asia
Why Oz? — "My boyfriend... initially."
Why travel? — "To explore the world, to get out of this bubble."
#1 Travel Tip — "Open up and it will all come to you."

Name — Adam Alexander Reis
Nationality — British
Where to next? — "Sydney I think..."
Why Oz? — "Because my friends booked it and told me I was going."
Why travel? — "It's just fun every day! Even if you're stuck in a flood or somethin', it'd still be fun!"
#1 Travel Tip — "Try to hang around people from the country you're visiting. PS. Work at the SEXPO!"

Name — Felix
Nationality — Hong Konger
Where to next? — 1. New Zealand 2. UK 3. Germany
Why Oz? — "It's easy to apply for a Visa here."
Why travel? — "You find yourself when you travel. Complete the travel mission before you die!"
#1 Travel Tip — "Never have sex with your friends!"

Name — Matteo Claudio Katzschner
Nationality — German/Italian
Where to next? — "Bali for 3 weeks, Thailand, back to Germany, then I'll plan a new trip and go to Canada or Australia again."
Why Oz? — "It's an amazing country... beautiful land, lots of animals, other cultures..."
Why travel? — "I wasn't so sure about traveling at first, but then when I first road-tripped I fell in love with it... SO MUCH FUN!"
#1 Travel Tip — Lucky Bay and the Kimberleys (Western Australia)

Name — Caroline Amy McKenzie
Nationality — "British, dude."
Where to next? — "I don't really know. It's a hard question. After Oz I'm going to New Zealand."
Why Oz? — "It has very beautiful beaches and it's very far away... and it seems like a lot of fun."
Why travel? — "It's not for everybody, but you have to experience new cultures! Good people + good location + good food = best times!"
#1 Travel Tip — 1. Do not leave home without a travel pillow. 2. If you're a girl, bring one nice dress.

Name — Christophe Richin
Nationality — French
Where to next? — Mauritius
Why Oz? — "Because it's easy to get a long-term Visa here and it's a warm country."
Why travel? — "I want to see something different... I have a restless soul."
#1 Travel Tip — "Don't drive over 80 km/hour (it saves you money)!"

Name — Sigourney Kiddy
Nationality — Scottish
Where to next? — Italy
Why Oz? — "Because everyone loves it and I wanna fall in love with it too."
Why travel? — "Freedom."
#1 Travel Tip — "Pack a beach towel."

Name — Matêj Linhart
Nationality — Czech
Where to next? — New Zealand
Why Oz? — "It's just part of my trip around the world."
Why travel? — "It gives me inspiration… for life."
#1 Travel Tip — "Throw away guides and cameras, listen to your inner voice, and enjoy every moment you have."

Name — Mariska Hulst
Nationality — Dutch
Where to next? — Darwin --> Broome --> Perth
Why Oz? — "...warm...safe...lots of backpackers..."
Why travel? — "I was done studying, I didn't want to study further or work, so I came to Oz!"
#1 Travel Tip — "Go and work somewhere and meet locals."

Name — Jennie Helen Gardner
Nationality — British
Where to next? — "Oh god... Sydney."
Why Oz? — "...'cuz it's as far away from England as you can get."
Why travel? — "Meeting people that you'd never meet before."
#1 Travel Tip — 1. Always carry lip gloss. 2. Keep a diary.

Name — Dennis Eichler
Nationality — German
Where to next? — Shanghai
Why Oz? — It's easy to get around, there's heaps to see, it's easy to get a Visa..."
Why travel? — "Because you really get to know the country you're in."
#1 Travel Tip — "Fast-drying towels and not worrying about a wet towel in your backpack."

I apologize to the 20+ Ozzie backpackers I had the pleasure of being acquainted with that also deserve to be featured in this post. Sometimes it just wasn't convenient to bust out my Moleskine and jot down notes, or sometimes I procrastinated and never got around to it. Sorry, kids. In any case, I'll end this shizzle off by filling out my own little questionnaire below. Rockin' the Beanie like whoa......

Name — Shelley Pascual
Nationality — Canadian/Filipino
Where to next? — "South Korea, Southeast Asia, then the rest of the World."
Why Oz? — "I missed the deadline for teaching English in South Korea, and Oz was my Plan B."
Why travel? — "There's nothing more fulfilling in life than learning about/understanding/living amongst cultures different from your own."
#1 Travel Tip — "Learn to detach yourself from material shit."

My 1st Day in Australia

2012-01-07T03:20:00.001-05:00

It's time to get honest: I bought myself the newest 13" MacBook Pro. So technically, I could have posted stuff up a long time ago. But the truth is, folks, I feel differently about my website. I mean I started this blog nearly two years ago, and now... in order for it to be a true reflection of me, it gots to change somehow. And because I'm still figuring out how it must change, it has remained stagnant.

All I know right now is that I miss Australia, dearly. I miss the awesome weather, I miss constantly meeting new people, I miss hittin' the road... Most of all, I miss the possibility of each day being 360° different from the next. But I'm not gonna dwell on the past. To reminisce, I've posted a throwback vid of my 1st day in Oz, jittery though I was. I had just landed in Melbourne, I was taking the Skybus into the city, and I didn't know what the eff I was getting myself into. At the time, hells no I didn't think I'd survive 11 months of backpacking! But I did. And it's about time I patted myself on the back for it.

MAC = DEAD

2011-12-07T10:23:00.000-05:00

I hate technology. My Mac is dead. After enduring six long years of being hauled in and out of shitty laptop cases, he now refuses to turn on. Sigh. It's understandable. I admit I mistreated him, especially in Australia. Constantly squishing him into nooks and crannies during roadtrips just didn't make him want to be with me anymore. As such, sadly, there will be no more posts put up until further notice.

Typical German Breakfast

2011-12-01T14:14:00.000-05:00

Ain't no peanut butter here, so you can stop craving it right about now. It seems to me that Germans just ain't fond of sweet stuff for breakfast. Don't get me wrong, they're big fans of chocolate-y cereals and Nutella too. But on weekends, when people have the time to sit down with familia, typically, the German breakfast table consists of the following:

Sliced meat, sliced meat and more sliced meat!!! Fresh bread rolls (Brötchen) and/or sliced bread (Brot), typically of the rye variety. Cheese (Käse) of all sorts, though packaged Gouda slices seems to be a common favourite. If you're lucky, there'll also be smoked salmon (Lachs) and boiled eggs. And without a doubt, there'll be lots and lots of freshly-brewed coffee (Kaffee). Guten appetit, folks!

[Part 1] WTF is a Christmas Market?

2011-11-24T12:27:00.000-05:00

Way back in 2008, somewhere in Costa Rica, a fellow Austrian travelmate asked my sister and I, "Do you have Christmas markets in Canada?" In unison, we replied, "Hells nah! We wish!" This moment thus planted a seed within me. This seed represented my endless desire to experience a true, authentic Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market). Having never been to anything close to a Weihnachtsmarkt ever before (they cease to exist in Canada), I was fascinated at what one might entail.

And now... merely days from now... I'll finally get the opportunity to attend my first one, right here in Braunschweig! I took these photos just yesterday (23 Nov 2011), hours before the Braunschweiger Weihnactsmarkt officially opened up to the public. Everyone was scurrying about, tying up loose ends and such. I'm told 2 things are a definite must: 1. Attend the Weihnachtsmarkt at night (the vibe's just better with all the colourful lights lit up) 2. Get tipz off of Glühwein (hot, mulled wine). Part 2 innajiff!

Easy German Pancakes Recipe

2011-11-15T08:31:00.001-05:00

Last weekend, I tried my hand at making German pancakes (Pfannkuchen), and oh, what pleasantly surprising results! Thick and fluffy North American-style pancakes they are not. Rather, the lowly Pfannkuchen is more closely related to the French crêpe, albeit slightly thicker than its French cousin. We ate 'em with applesauce (Apfelmus) 'cause that's just how Germans do. And with good reason! The tartness of the Apfelmus matches perfectly with the Pfannkuchen's moist eggyness. But go ahead... enjoy your Pfannkuchen with either sweet or savoury fillings. They flexible like dat.

Here's how to make 'em: Whisk 1 1/3cup flour, 1cup milk, 2 eggs and a pinch of salt in a bowl, until lumps no longer exist. Drop a knob of butter into a heated non-stick pan. Once the butter has melted, pour enough batter into the pan so that it covers the entire base of the pan up to 0.5cm thick. Once the Pfannkuchen turns golden brown on the bottom, flip it over to get the other side golden brown too. You'll end up with 4-6 pancakes, depending on the size of your pan. Serve warm and enjoy with loved ones.

Hühnerhaus Berlin ― "Most Moistest Chicken Ever!"

2011-11-10T13:33:00.000-05:00

...just had to take a minute to praise the bestest, juiciest, most moistest chicken ever! Hühnerhaus is an absolute must if you ever visit Berlin. I tells ya, 'nuff locals reach this joint because it's THAT good! You can easily rip the chicken apart with your fingers... the pieces are so flavourful, so succulent... love that it's such a no-frills, low-key place too. Thanks for the food-y tip, Julian. Kreuzburg, holla!

BERLIN 2011: GEIL/GRIMY

2011-11-09T09:17:00.001-05:00

I don't know where to start in the attempt to tell you how geil Berlin was. Five days (18-22 Oct 2011) wasn't even long enough to absorb all the city had to offer. Highlights: ODing on falafels, our day-long bike tour through grimyass Kreuzburg, the Holocaust Museum, early morning currywurst missions, and steaming hawt bowls of fisch suppe at Julian & Leda's (much love, you guys!).

Here's a screenshot of photographs I cropped for the Berlin 2011 flickr album. When assembled in this way, these nien photographs are a decent representation of the city's streets-y kinda vibe I had the privilege of experiencing. Hands down, Berlin has been the most multicultural and the most cosmopolitan German city I've visited thus far. PS. Yes, that's me admiring the BERLIN WALL!!!

Käsebrezel ― Back-Factory.de

2011-11-07T08:31:00.004-05:00

Sorry to bust my face all big up in this biz, but the pic's too funny not to share. All you guys need to know is that fresh-baked pretzels are errywhere here in Deutschland! They can be purchased at most bakeries and some grocery stores. Ranging in price from 40c-€1 each, I find pretzels so addictive because of their soft texture and their slightly salty taste. Tip: pretzels are superb with Nutella!!!

Backfactory is a local bakery chain with reasonably-priced baked goods. They sell a Käsebrezel (pretzel with cream cheese) for only 99c! Not bad for a quick snack or lunch to-go, ja? Just look at the generous smears of cream cheese in that thing! Yes, it tasted as good as it looks. I felt the need to shed light on the humble Käsebrezel because I've never seen anything like it back in Toronto.

It was a rainy day in Köln/Cologne...

2011-11-04T06:21:00.004-04:00

...and our sneaker-ridden feet were soggy by the end of it, but we still had a bombass time! With only one day (12 Oct 2011) in the heavily-touristed German city, we accomplished all the obligatory things: we ouu'd & ahh'd while admiring the stained glass windows in the Cologne Cathedral, we proudly climbed 509 steps up the tower of the Cathedral only to see a foggy 360 degree view of the city...

...we ogled at all the splendid Berliner piled one on top of the other at Merzenich, a busy bakery located smack dab in the city center at Wallrafplatz... and of course, because I'm the biggest chocolate fiend that I know (aside from my sister, who comes in 1st place), it was absolutely essential that we hit up the Schokoladenmuseum. Yup, a museum devoted to the sexy substance we all know as chocolate.

To be honest, I expected more from the Schokoladenmuseum. Yes, it was kool that we could watch people making chocolate on one level of the museum, but we found the rest of the museum to be rather text-heavy. For example, the history of chocolate is explained on the ground level of the museum, but in such a non-interactive way! No one wants to read paragraphs and paragraphs of text printed onto walls, c'mon now. Not surprisingly, my fave part of the museum was the print/advertising/media section. Would ya look at the old school packaging design of these schokoladen bars?! Sickness.

One might assume the free wafer sticks dipped in chocolate would be my fave thing about the museum, but it wasn't... this poster was! It's so me. It's creepy, it's delicious, it's irksome, it's gooey... I just wanna eat it! I can't remember if it was an original or just a print, but I love it just the same. Look at the rosy-cheeked freaky-lookin' kids just slurpin' up the dark brown foodstuffs! And holla at the youngin' that's crying 'cause she ain't getting any chocolate, boo hoo. I'd do the same if I didn't have a piece of chocolate at the end of every meal. I feel for ya, likkle girl. Chocolatypography, what what.

Bäckerei & Konditorei Uekötter

2011-11-02T13:33:00.000-04:00

We quite fancied the look and feel of this paper bag, so I decided to scan it and share it with ya'll. The baker appears mentally challenged, but I'm not buggin'. To whomever the designer was at Bäckerei & Konditorei Uekötter, cheers, and thanks for all the laughs.

A Typical German Rumkugel

2011-11-01T12:27:00.020-04:00

Many different countries make their own version of Rumkugeln (Rum Balls). For some reason, even back home in Canada, the dauntingly dark balls never quite called out to me as much as the pastries did. Oh, how I miss Maple Walnut Croissants! But anyhoo... I always had the impression Rum Balls looked super sweet and much, much too rich. Was I surprised when this Rumkugel tasted exactly like I expected? Purchased from josef, a local bakery/café in Münster, two bites of this ball was all I could handle. Sorry, I was never a huge fan of liquor-flavoured-anything. While gobbling down the rest of my Rumkugel, Mr. Significant Other informs me that Rumkugeln here in Germany are usually made from the leftover material of the respective bakery's baked goods.

Nimbin, Australia ― A Tacktacular Town

2011-10-31T12:57:00.002-04:00

2 Oct 2011 | I only spent 2 hours in Nimbin, too little time to develop an educated opinion on the tacktacular town. The shops on the main strip can be perused in about half an hour, selling everything from slouchy hippie pants to hookahs to neon bumper stickers. A white-haired lady will try to lure you into buying some of her magic cookies, and other randoms on the street will openly ask you whether you'd like to purchase marijuana. I left the town that day wishing I'd had the opportunity to speak with a true local. I feel I'd understand Nimbin's weird/kitsch-y vibe a bit more if I'd learned of its history and how it came to be. Btw, though the typography is awful, I gotta admit, I'm a fulltime dreamer too. Et tu?

Goodbye Oz, Hallo Deutschland!

2011-10-30T09:30:00.012-04:00

It's me! In Muenster, Germany! Eating a Quarkini! (Mini Quark Doughnut)

The truth is out. I'm no longer in the la-la land of Oz. It was bittersweet to leave the country I called home for 11 months, but I didn't have time to dwell on it, because I flew straight from Australia to Germany. Yup, I'm currently living in Deutschland, and so far it's been super geil!!! The downside? I've been without reliable Internet access for the past couple weeks, so I have a backlog of kool food-y shiet I'm dying to share with you guys. Worse still, my external hard drive is effed, so it might be a while 'til I can update the masthead of my website. This drives me madd!!! In any case, expect posts of my last days in Oz to be up shortly... as well, my current crazy adventures here in Deutschland!!!

Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Queensland

2011-10-18T04:09:00.000-04:00

30 Sept 2011 | Surfers ain't got sh.t on South Beach, so please stop comparing Australia's Gold Coast with Miami, Florida. Thank you.

Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island

2011-10-14T03:24:00.079-04:00

20 Sept 2011 | Hill Inlet Lookout (see previous post) overlooks the famous Whitehaven Beach of the Whitsundays. Wasn't I a lucky duck for being able to chill on Whitehaven Beach for a solid 2 hours?

Whitehaven Beach is a 7km stretch of 98% pure silica white sand. The photo on the left is my view of the beach looking south, and the photo on the right is my view of the beach looking north.

After running into the water and swimming for a while, I got hungry. Two seagulls kept pestering me as I sat and enjoyed my tuna sandwich lunch. Sigh, I really loved these natural wavy patterns in the sand.

On the far south side of Whitehaven Beach, I spotted these cute kids making giant ice cream sand castles. Yum! The sand castle on the left looks uber ice cream-y. Scoop of maple walnut, please!

Thank you, Whitehaven Beach, for letting me rub your fine white sands into my skin. I'd been advised to try it and found it rather pointless but thanks anyway. I'll be back someday, Whitsundays! Adieu!

Hill Inlet Lookout, Whitsunday Island

2011-10-13T17:10:00.054-04:00

20 Sept 2011 | Look closely at the picture above. Can you see the tiny blobs of people walking along the beach? And the tiny yellow raft sitting along the edge of the sand? My camera wasn't good enough to capture the stingrays we could also see from Hill Inlet Lookout. From the view up top, the stingrays looked like a random scatter of brown dots in the water. PS. The Whitsundays took my breath away!

Shelley Snorkels the Great Barrier Reef

2011-10-12T03:42:00.000-04:00

Scuba-diving the Great Barrier Reef had always been on my life's To Do List. Perhaps this is why I had such high expectations of the whole shebang. Just my luck, it was hella windy in Cairns all three days I was there (14-16 Sept 2011), and the waters were especially choppy on the day we went out to the Reef. Nasty story short, I managed to get extremely seasick. As such, my Introductory Scuba-dive was a flat-out fail. I did, however, manage to soak in some of the sights... all the while fearing I'd throw up into my snorkel mask. Here are a few of my best shots:

Maybe I shouldn't be so hard on myself. Even though I felt like shyte the entire day, I still got into the water and attempted to take photos. No, I didn't see Nemo, nor any sharks. But hey, I saw some beautiful coral and held this massive living orange thingy in my hand! To my knowledge, this squishy orange thingy is called a Pineapple Cucumber. Rad, no? The best shot of fish I could get can be seen below. Disgusting but true: the fish only came close to me because I had just vomited my brekky into the water. I'd never seen fish fight so eagerly over regurgitated cereal!

I had rented an underwater camera from a local camera shop in Cairns, and when I returned the camera at the end of my Reef-y experience, the lady at the shop gave me some seasickness tips. Shoutouts to Bec, ya heard?! Here's what Bec recommends: Do not drink milk/dairy or pineapple/orange juice on the morning of the dive. Have a solid breakfast the day of the dive, but make sure it isn't greasy. To further prevent seasickness, Bec recommends the brand Kwells over Travel Calm. I'll definitely be keeping these tips in mind when I get my PADI Certification somewhere in Asia next year, hehe. I hear the diving is dope in Thailand, who's down?!

Rusty's Markets ― Food-y Typography

2011-10-09T13:55:00.000-04:00

I had just flown into Cairns from Darwin, and I was ready to rock the East Coast. The day was 16 Sept 2011 and Rusty's Markets wasn't even open. Since the market is permanently located between two main streets in Cairns, people may still walk through the tarp-covered market stalls even when the market's closed. And that is how I found myself meandering through Rusty's aisles, transfixed by the food-y typography surrounding me. Yup, it was a slap-happy mango kind of day.

There's something about the aesthetic of these empty fruit & veg boxes that still has me mesmerized. How long ago were some of these boxes designed? And what were some of these designers thinking?! Maybe it's the jarring colour combos, or the tacky typography that my profs back at OCAD would surely have disapproved of. Or maybe I secretly enjoy seeing creepy happy faces on images of fruits. Whatever it is... I f*cking love 'em! And I know my sistren Bondrea loves 'em too.

NASI GORENG WARS

2011-09-28T04:18:00.000-04:00

It all started with my backpackerness. I was trying to figure out a cheap way to make rice and veggies more flavourful. The problem was, I'd splurge on fresh veg and brown rice, then be stuck with plainass stirfries, sad face. That is, until I discovered these Nasi Goreng fried rice spice pastes for the first time! I gotta admit, it was Indofood's Nasi Goreng that first got me hooked. But I was curious to try some of the other Nasi Goreng brands out there. Below, I've ranked my findings in order of worst (#3) to best (#1). I hope my findings inspire you to try at least one of 'em! Let the wars begin!

#3. Pazar ― Sh.t! Bland! Tasteless! Pazar was so mild, I had to add tomato sauce (aka ketchup) to the entire dish because the blandness was killing me! This was some flavourless shyte, I tells ya! Don't even think about wasting 1 Aussie Dollar on this stuff! That is all.

#2. Bamboe ― Effing effing spicy! I found myself constantly adding more and more rice to the pan so the dish would mellow out and lessen in spiciness. I didn't enjoy this process, especially since I prefer 50% rice and 50% veggies in my version of Nasi Goreng. But hey, if you can handle the heat...

#1. Indofood ― I apologize in advance for being bias, but Indofood is still my go-to brand for Nasi Goreng. It's neither too spicy, nor too bland. It's been tried, tested, and straight up, it's the damn truth! Flavourful and reliable, Indofood gets 2 thumbs up in my books.

AUSSIE BURGER - Hungry Jack's - Shit.

2011-09-15T17:50:00.011-04:00

Hungry Jack's Aussie Burger, YOU SUCK! Why did I even eat you?! You cost me $7.10 AUD, and I would have been more satisfied if I'd eaten a Domino's pizza across the street. Your meat patty is straight shit, tasting like rubber n' all. You're chincy on the beetroot, you're layered with a slice of fake, nasty processed cheese, your "fried egg" tastes microwaved, and you're not even kool enough to own a pineapple ring. ARGHH! Just move from me!!! I hate you, and I can make my own version of you a thousand times better than you, for 1/16 of your price!

Shalisa Sanderson ― Starving, 2010

2011-09-14T17:46:00.000-04:00

A plastic fork dress, love! | Shalisa Sanderson's Starving piece is on showcase now at the Creative Generation Exhibition at the Tanks Art Centre in Cairns, QLD.

Kakadu Bakery ― I, Bakery Assistant

2011-09-11T22:34:00.000-04:00

Of all the jobs I've had in Australia, working as a Bakery Assitant at Kakadu Bakery was the wackiest experience, hands down. I arrived at the bakery's busiest time of the year, when 13-hour shifts and ache-y legs were the norm. Nevertheless, I learned alot and admittedly enjoyed my job. Located in small town Jabiru, 99% of the bakery's employees are backpackers. So if you're a backpacker and you're thinking of working here, you're in luck. This post is dedicated to you.

I'm afraid I'll have to tell you all the deep, dark truth about Kakadu Bakery. The owner is a very difficult man to work for. He's capable of being friendly, but most days, he's just plain miserable. As such, the work atmosphere at Kakadu Bakery isn't the most uplifting. Backpackers beware! Do not attempt to work here if you cannot work long, hard hours and if you do not deal with harsh criticisms well. If you cannot handle the heat, you will be kicked out of the bakery. This is no joke.

I survived two intense months working at this crazy place thanks to the honourable gentlemen pictured above. Introducing... the Bread Guy Vahur (left), the Head Baker Juancho (middle) and my fellow Bakery Assistant Matteo (right). 6 days a week workin' 60/70/80 hours a week together... we were such a good team, hey?! I'll never forget The Dinosaur hand, Vahur's squinty morning eyes, the same bloody CDs being played over and over again, and of course, "Sex, Drugs & Sausage Rolls!"

Among a long list of other things, filling cream buns with fresh whipped cream is a daily task for the Bakery Assistants. Bigups to Matteo for teaching me how to pipe whipped cream so that it looks bee-yoo-tee-full. Btw, at Kakadu Bakery, you either work in the bakery (back) or in the shop (front). And all the ideas expressed in this post are from the perspectives of someone who worked in the bakery. Good riddance to a lifetime of customer service-oriented part-time jobs!

Another daily task as Bakery Assistant is to prepare the sweet scrolls pictured above. 3 flava flaves, ya'll: apple, apricot and blueberry. Additionally, I rolled out baguettes by hand, sprinkled sesame seeds on bread rolls, prepared meat/veg pizzas and quiches, slathered nasty pink sh.t on Finger Buns (an Aussie fave)... there are too many tasks to mention here. Just know that 25% of my job entailed cleaning when all the baking was done. Yep, I was an official Counter Scraper/Dishwasher too!

I admit, baking the sweet stuff was the funnest part of my job. Imagine! Getting paid to bake banana cakes, carrot cakes, cheesecake tarts, brownies, choc chip cookies, anzac cookies, blueberry muffins... 'twas sweet assssssssssss! The top 3 things I learned as a Bakery Assistant: 1. Baking in a commercial bakery is 100% different from baking at home. 2. Follow the recipe's procedures precisely, or you're effed. 3. Every bake will be different, and that's just how the cookie crumbles.

In Australia, job opportunities are everywhere. You need only decide what you'd like to do, then set out to make it happen! This concept applies to the whole concept of backpacking in Australia. Whether it's a job or a travel idea, you'll have nothing to lose and everything to gain by just going for it! So good luck, fellow backpacker. Work hard to play hard. Now it's my turn to play hard, whoopeeee! PS. "Jabiru Bakery" is so much more appropriate, no? #justsayin

Deuces, Jabby Jabs!

2011-09-10T03:51:00.002-04:00

From mid-July 2011―present, I've lived in a small town (population 1,300). This ain't just any small town, it's small town Australia. And it's been epic simply because I've never lived in a small town before! Hoorah for new experiences. Here in Jabiru, there's a crappy supermarket (selection is sh.t and most items are overpriced), a bakery (my place of employment for 2 months, but more deets on that later), a post office, a lovely little library, a swimming pool, one pub anddd... that about it!

Despite Jabiru's shortcomings, I've grown quite fond of the town, and I will miss it when I leave for good just two days from now. It's small, it's quaint, it's safe (no one feels compelled to lock their doors kinda thing), it has a chill tropical vibe to it, it's a 15 min walk/5 min bike ride to get anywhere in town... Jabiru's just madd livable! But, as always, after settling down for a minute, I've come to feel "the itch." Why, to travel, of course! Good riddance to 60-hour work weeks! It's back to backpackin' for Shelley!

WTF is in an Aussie Burger?!

2011-09-04T00:18:00.007-04:00

left: Saveur's Aussie Burger | right: Shelley's Aussie Burger

The first time I prepared Aussie burgers, I was making dinner for my couchsurf hosts back in Darwin. The burgers were tres, tres easy to prepare, and since they turned out to be such a hit, I've been itching to make them again. Buy some meat patties, grill em up, and slap em into burger buns with any variation of the following ingredients below. Feel free to add or subtract ingredients (I opted for bacon-less Aussie burgers), or jazz em up (edam, provolone or extra vintage cheddar cheese, anyone?), or perhaps try em with veggie "meat" patties? Just go crazy wit it! I never thought I'd like beetroot and pineapple rings in a burger until I made these babies for myself. Now I'm officially hooked!

tomato
lettuce
onion (grilled/sautéed)
cheese
beetroot (canned slices)
fried egg
pineapple ring
bacon
tomato sauce (aka ketchup)

2011 Darwin Festival - The Lighthouse Commission

2011-09-02T02:52:00.001-04:00

Artwork by Tangentyere Artists in Alice Springs

"Tangentyere artists are known for their figurative depictions of Town Camp life in Alice Springs. In these murals, the artists depict the many different camps (both town and bush) that each artist calls their own. Town camps, the surrounding MacDonnell Ranges and beyond are inspiration, comfort and joy for Tangentyere artists." ―Darwin Festival 2011

When I strolled by these murals last weekend, I thought to myself two things: 1. "Kool! These artists are from Alice Springs, and I've been to Alice Springs! 2. "I miss being creative, sheeeeitttttt! Working and travelling just aren't conducive to staying creative. But that ain't an excuse, sheesh. I've been thinking... I love art/design 'n all... I always will... but maybe, just maybe, I'm more passionate about Travel? Shall I hit the books and study Journalism once and for all?

Sexy Garlic Bulbs

2011-08-23T05:47:00.001-04:00

Awe-struck, I felt compelled to take a snapshot. Dang I've never seen garlic bulbs look this brilliant! Furthermore, one bulb cost a mere fiddy cents! Cop these beauts at the Rapid Creek Sunday Market.

Istanbul Cafe Darwin ― Spinach/Feta Pide

2011-08-22T04:17:00.001-04:00

I'd been watching this pide from time... and I finally decided to try it while in Darwin last last weekend. The folks at Istanbul Cafe heated it up for me real nice (check the lovely black scorch marks), but overall, I can't say I felt it was worth $8.50 AUD. There could have been way more spinach and feta inside, and the texture of the pide was unpleasantly chewy. Shmeh. A disappointment, to say the least.

Homemade Coconut Milk Ice Pops

2011-08-19T05:13:00.009-04:00

The best homemade coconut milk ice pops can be found at Rapid Creek Market only 15 minutes away from Darwin in The Territory. I was in town just last Sunday, and as I strolled the aisles of the market, picking and prodding at different types of Asian veg, a little sign caught my eye. In scraggly writing, the sign announced, "coconut milk ice pops, only oneeee dolla." I nearly squealed in excitement. Nothing's as cheap as $1 in Oz, nothin! Calmly, I asked Mr. Man in a Striped Shirt if I could please try one. He smiled, lifted the lid of this huge cooler thingy, slid a translucently white-ish ice pop out of its socket and handed it to a very happy Shelley.

Boy, was this ice pop ever refreshing! Not too creamy and not too sweet, I was actually pleasantly surprised. In fact, the ice pop was like a frozen state of 50% coconut water and 50% coconut milk. Yum, trust! I loved how it was al dente-ish, too. I mean I know this term's used to describe pasta but don't you love when ice pops are sorta firm to the bite? It's hard to explain. But anyhoo... directly across the little booth that sells these fantabo cocomilk ice pops, there's this "SARI-SARI" store where one can buy Sky Flakes and hopia and Mama Sita ulam powders! Hoorah for feeling closer to home when encountering Filipino-ness in Oz!

99PBLMS but a bleep ain't one!

2011-08-16T05:10:00.002-04:00

We partied it large in Darwin last weekend. It's just how we does in The Territory. Just as we were about to embark on the 2.5hr journey back to Jabiru, I spotted this license plate not two cars away from us, in the carpark at the corner of Mitchell and Bennett St. Naturally, the first person that came to mind was my bestie, Bondz. Young Hova, ya heard?

Killercarrot and the Rainbow-coloured Treasure Chest

2011-08-12T04:22:00.007-04:00

Whichever 5-year-old art directed these series of paintings is so boss right now. What a refreshing pick-me-up! Living in drab/dingy small-town Australia (Jabiru, NT) for a month now, I've grown accustomed to being surrounded by NIL colour, art or creativity of any kind. So you can only imagine how seeing these paintings on the walls of Jabiru Area School today was a f.cking life-saver! What a wicked colour palette! An art fix and a good laugh is just what I needed. Ahhhhhhh, I can breathhhhhe again.

Mr. Beady-eyed Apple and Mr. Shmiley Broccs decided to go on a flat-footed walk into town. Along the way, they ran into Bluebeet and Killercarrot. Uh oh, thought Killercarrot. Killercarrot was hiding a rainbow in the rainbow-coloured treasure chest Bluebeet was standing on, and he didn't want anyone to find out about the rainbow because he wanted all the gold for himself! Suddenly, Rosy-cheeked Kissy Lady and Parsnip Peter slid into the scene on a purple slide. And before anyone could bat an eyelash, 3 evil villains, Muscleman Ananas, Mr. Shmiley Broccs's fraternal twin and Sir Squished Greenpea swooped down from a pink plane and stole Killercarrot's rainbow! The rainbow then transformed into a yellow sun :) Like my make-believe story? Haha. This masterpiece was created by the artists below.

Chase down ur passion...

2011-08-06T04:15:00.001-04:00

This isn't a stellar example of expressive typography, by any means. I'm irked by the "ur" and the "its" lacking an apostrophe too, trust me. Still, upon initially seeing this message, a smile managed to crack 'pon my face. Haha @UglyassWriting and @MashedUpHappyFace squished in the corner! There I was not 4 weeks ago, staring at this message board of some sort (along Stuart Highway in Darwin, NT), conjuring up happy Tdot memories of the dreaded 165D bus at Wilson Station. Ha. Ultimately, in all this sign's cheesy glory, I still support its overall message and I strongly encourage you all to continue "chasing down ur passions." After all, if ur passions don't motivate you, then what does?

Bungee Jumping is Scarier than Skydiving

2011-08-05T05:37:00.008-04:00

BEFORE THE JUMP

Bungee ― "Holy sh.t, Shelley. Just freakin' jump, already! It's only 43 metres, godammit! She'll get fired if she pushes you so only you can make this decision to jump. And they're about to close so you better not waste this chick's time and they don't give refunds so if you don't jump you're about to waste a helluvalotta money so just f.cking jump already!!!!!!!!" (5 mins later, after chickening out, squirming back to the bench, sitting down and having a pep talk with some random, then squirming back out to the ledge again...) "Okay Shelley, are you ready to rock and roll? (eyes wide shut) &GO!"

Skydive ― "Okay it's finally happening. No chickening out, now. He's gonna let go of that railing and we're gonna plummet to the earth. Will I feel my stomach leap up over my head?! Will the feeling feel 1000000x more intense than the hill on a roller coaster?! Ohhhhh myyyy Goddddd helppp meeeee."

AFTER THE JUMP

Bungee ― 2.78 seconds of literal weightlessness + a feeling of sheer euphoria + yes, it felt 1000000x worse than the initial hill on a roller coaster + a sense of indescribable accomplishment and confidence gained + did I seriously just jump? + come and get me, world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Skydive ― 30 seconds of freefall from a height of 15,000 feet in the sky + a cheek-deforming rush of air to the bodily senses + sh.t, I wanted to feel that roller coaster hill feeling + wow, I actually have time to take in the awesome views of Lake Taupo + ow, my eardrums hurt :(

...and that is why I believe bungee jumping is scarier than skydiving. Why would anyone decide to do something so unnatural as to jump off of a bridge, you ask? Not only to experience the physical feeling of sheer euphoria. You, and only you, can make the decision to jump. Believe it or not, making that decision is the hardest part! Deciding to jump is symbolic of all the different types of decisions one makes in life. Will you try something new? Will you take that chance? Will you make that change? Do you have the balls to take that risk??! Sky's the limit, ya'll! Just #%$&ING GO FOR IT ALREADY!

Disposable (Waterproof) Camera Fun!

2011-07-31T21:00:00.017-04:00

Roadtrip | Alice Springs, NT to Darwin, NT | 27 June ― 7 July 2011

Florence Falls & Buley Rock Pools, Litchfield Nat'l Park | Bitter Springs & Roper River, Mataranka

We began our journey in Australia's "Red Centre," driving up north to the country's tropical "Top End." In 11 action-packed days, we saw and experienced mind-blowing natural wonders. John (the funny, easy-going British bloke), Ben (the Israeli giant), Cecile and Julie (the friendly French girls) and I had an unforgettable time on the road together. Kudos to Gumtree and hostel bulletin boards for helping us find travel mates in each other, bahaha.

Long story short, my Sony digicam effed up and stopped working sometime throughout the roadtrip. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, because luckily, John had a spare camera I could use. And guess what?! It was an underwater camera! And it was soooo much fun to use! Why? Because I had forgotten what it felt like to take pictures like back in the day.. that feeling of hoping for the best with each click.. because you don't have the luxury of deleting the photo and taking another one.

These 8 are my favourite photos of the set of 27. WYSIWYG! I haven't cropped any of these photos, nor have I messed around with them in Photoshop. I absolutely love how they turned out! They have an old-school quality to them.. vivid colours.. a grainy-ish texture.. love! Look at how that kid jumping into the water almost appears 3D, awesome! And look closely at the photo in the bottom right-hand corner. If you can spot the croc, you win a prize. The disposable camera is not dead, folks!

[DAY 265] SHELLEY IN OZ

2011-07-26T02:50:00.004-04:00

BRB. No regular internet access for what feels like years now. Disconnected from civilization, shmeh. Working at a busy bakery in Kakadu National Park and enjoying what I do at the very least! Yep, I'm officially a dough-roller/cream-puff filler. No food-y inspirations for the time being, my apologies. Travel ideas after workin' like a b.tch & saving up some madd cash: Hit up the East Coast, WWOOF somewhere, road-trip down from Cairns to Sydney, scuba-dive the Great Barrier Reef, etc etc. Sigh. Such is the life of backpacking the great land of Oz... gots to work hard to play hard. But fear not! I won't give up concocting ideas (at the back of my brain) as to how I may create a career out of my passion for both Food & Travel.

[DAY 253] SHELLEY IN OZ

2011-07-14T11:37:00.003-04:00

Dear Darwin,

Thanks for being so good to me. I mean, we only spent one week together, but still. I couchsurfed for the first time with you... and boy, was that an awesome experience! Who knew that couchsurfing could be such an interesting cultural exchange? It's a concept many people don't quite understand. I like to say "try everything at least once!" You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

After couchsurfing for two days with you, Darwin, the day immediately after that, we found a flat together! Hoorah for Gumtree! Thank god I didn't have to end up paying $30/night staying at any of the unfriendly backpackers on Mitchell St, sheeit. So back to deets about this flat... the place was centrally-located (10 mins walking distance from the CBD), and I shared it with four other truly genuine people. My stay at 1/140 Smith Street was short and sweet, but I'm glad to have met this multicultural bunch. India, Taiwan & Canada in the house!

I went on an intense job hunt with you, Darwin! Wow, was that ever frustrating! There are wayyyy too many backpackers looking to work with you during the Dry Season, it's absolutely bananas. I'm lucky to have found such a sweet gig! Guess perserverance always pays off :) Backpacker Job Tip: NT News Classified on Saturdays + Backpacker Job Centre Shop 20/69 Mitchell Street.

How can I forget our food-y moments together? I loved Parap Market because there were more locals (it seemed) than tourists, and the food at each food stall looked soooo gooood. I would have definitely tried some of the food if it wasn't 9am in the morning! Mindil Sunset Beach Market, on the other hand, is saturated with tourists, though the veg curry puff and the fresh Vietnamese BBQ Pork Roll I had there were decently satisfying.

Don't forget me, dear Darwin. I'll only be gone for a minute. I'm not done with you yet, dammit! I still gotta go for a jog with you along the water's edge in Bicentennial Park. We gotta go swimming at the mini-beach at Port Darwin again. And if nothing else, we must (MUST) share 5 pieces of baked coconut ($2) at that little food stall in Parap Market again! Don't forget!!!

I just learned that you're Australia's only tropical city. How kool is that??! No wonder I've fallen for you. You're so different from Perth and from Melbs and from Sydney. In actuality, though you're deemed a city, I feel like you're more of a big town. You have a chill, small-town vibe about chu. And I like that. You're not too slow, not too fast... you're just my type! So we must meet again. Perhaps during your crazy mango season? Who knows. In the meantime, keep doin' you! So long and stay fly!

Best,
Shelley

I ♥ kids handwriting!

2011-07-12T10:51:00.003-04:00

This one's definitely going to be a graphic designer when he/she grows up. Sizzzzzzzzzzzzzurp.

Food-y Australian Tea Towels

2011-07-10T10:23:00.000-04:00

Love the aesthetic of these Aussie tea towels! I spotted them at the Info Centre in Tennant Creek, a small town we passed by while roadtrippin' the Outback. The tinge of brown that both tea towels have reminds me an art technique back from when I was a young one. We'd let (Tetley?) tea bags soak in big buckets of warm water, then crumple up sheets of white paper in the water. After the paper was laid out to dry, you'd end up with imperfect, ol' school-lookin' brown sheets of paper. Perfect for a variety of school projects! Anyone wanna make me Drover's Damper?

Took Be Gi Korean Food ― Perth, WA

2011-07-09T07:35:00.000-04:00

Took Be Gi's neon sign is sheer awesomeness. I hope you've all taken the time to appreciate how kool it is.

If I'm ever in Perth again, Took Be Gi will definitely be on my list of 2DOs. They have this hole-in-the-wall feel about them. You walk in, and since the size of the place could be the size of one's living room, you instantly feel at home. More than 50% of the customers in this place looked Korean, so I'd like to think the food at this place is the closest you'd get to authentic Korean food in WA.

left: Soondubuchigae (Spicy/Soft Tofu Soup) right: Bibimbap

Now let's talk big business: food. Okokokok it was a mistake to order the regular Bibimbap instead of the Dolsot Bibimbap. Dolsot Bibimbap is just so much betttter with the hot stone bowl and the crispy layer of rice that forms along the bottom of the hot stone bowl and of course, the raw egg placed on top. For me, Took Be Gi's regular Bibimbap wasn't anythin' special. Took Be Gi's Tofu Soup, however, totally blew me away! So worth $11! It was spicy as hell and arrived at our table piping hot, they weren't stingy on the chunks of soft tofu floating inside of it, and I might even recall finding some seafood in there? TIP: Their sweet soya beans side dish is BOMB! Ask nicely and you might even get seconds.

Cheap Eats Perth CBD

2011-07-07T21:16:00.000-04:00

clockwise from left: Chilliz's Nasi Lemak, Mela's samosas, Star Sushi's rolls, Taka's Katsu Don

Ahh, home sweet Perth, WA's underrated capital city. Hey backpackers in Oz, if you're considering going to Perth, do it! It's mos def up & coming, the weather's beautiful, the vibe is chill... just go! And when you do get there, try some of the good-quality, yummy cheap eats I've recommended below. Nothing's over $6, so even if you order 'em once in a while, you won't break the bank.

Chilliz ― $4 Nasi Lemak

Just look at how perfectly boiled that egg is! Every Perthite knows that Chilliz serves up one of the cheapest take-away lunches in town (the most expensive dish can't be more than $6). I've tried a couple of their menu items, but this Nasi Lemak remains my fave. Why? Variety. Curry chicken + fish fillet + egg + sambal onion served with rice. It's not fussy, it's tasty and by Australian standards, it's a cheapass meal! Squirt some hot sauce on top of that baby and life'll be grand.

Mela ― $3 lamb samosa

If you're in Northbridge and you need a quick food fix to stave off hunger, Mela's lamb samosa will do your body good! Back home, one could buy decent samosas priced at 3 or 4/$1. But in the land of Oz, $3/samosa isn't too shabby. Warning: the ground lamb in this samosa packs a little bit of heat. Even more surprising was the samosa's outer crust! Though deep-fried, this samosa didn't feel too terribly greasy, and the crust wasn't too thick. Note: Mela isn't located in the CBD, but it is 10 minutes walking distance from the CBD.

Star Sushi ― $2 sushi rolls

Hard to resist because it's conveniently located on William St, whether you like it or not, you'll pass by Star Sushi multiple times a day if you live/work in Perth CBD. Shhh. Can you hear that hunky chunk of avocado ensconced within that roll calling your name? Tip: Star Sushi's rolls are discounted at $2 a pop only after 5pm. Foolishly arrive at 6pm and all the spicy salmon rolls will be gonzo. PS. The ladies who work at Star Sushi are so cute and super-nice :)

Taka ― $5.30 Katsu Don (size small)

Taka is alwayyys busy, no matter what time of day. Tourists and locals alike know that it's Perth's go-to place for cheap yet filling bowls of love. My fave bowl is Taka's Katsu Don (panko-crumbed chicken strips served with egg omlette over a bed of rice). It's all about the texture, man! If you're a texture fiend like me, you'll likely enjoy the Katsu Don too, where crispy chicken strips meld harmoniously with silky egg omlette. C'est magnifique!

Aussies and their iced coffees... sheesh!

2011-07-05T07:26:00.000-04:00

Aussies do not play around when it comes to iced coffees. Walk into any supermarket in Oz and you'll see a well-stocked shelf very similar to this one. What's the best brand and/or flavour to try?

[DAY 233] SHELLEY IN OZ

2011-06-25T05:40:00.000-04:00

On 20 June 2011, Dennis, Jonas and I were in a terrible car accident while driving through the Aussie Outback. Luckily, no one was seriously injured. Can't really describe how I felt during the split-seconds that it happened... all I know is I'm thankful to be here today. At 110 km/hr, the little Ford Falcon flipped over twice before crashing into a ditch on the left hand side of the road. It's true, people, seatbelts save lives. So buckle up and drive responsibly, please. Cherish each and every day and realize that truly, money can't ever buy happiness.

für die beste!! Pro ART!!!!!!

2011-06-16T10:17:00.001-04:00

Chocolate Chunk Pancake

2011-06-10T08:13:00.003-04:00

Jazz up your pancakes by choppin' up good-quality dark chocolate chunks and throwin' em onto the pancakes while they're on the griddle! Looks like an art canvas, no? Choc chip pancakes are SO 1988.

[TIPS] Backpackers in Oz

2011-06-09T07:44:00.001-04:00

Thinking of getting a Working Holiday Visa in Oz? Do it!!! You won't regret it!!! Let's just say it's been one of the best experiences of my LIFE so far!!! Here are some tips from yours truly. Keep in mind that this list will continue to grow as my backpackeriness in Oz continues...

Random

―Arrive in Oz with an open mind.
―Be flexible. Embrace sporadic decision-making.
―Arrive with toiletries (i.e. toothpaste), as they're madd expensive here.
―Girls! Arrive with pads/tampons/girly stuff, as they're madd expensive here.
―Don't get materialistically attached to anything, especially clothes.
―Purge regularly. Nothin' worse than carrying 25kg of stuff on your back!
―Do not, I repeat, do not bring anything you fear you'd lose.
―Stay at hostels! How else do you think you'll meet people?

Hostel Life

―Go halfsies on laundry loads. You'll save a buck or two.
―If you don't want any haters, wash your own dishes!
―Never waste food! A backpacker will eat anyone's leftovers.
―Utilize free food shelves and book swap shelves.
―Let shit slide. You'll run into him or her again.
―Throw the idea of privacy out the window.
―Learn and practice the art of squatting. Esp on Sunday mornings.
―Never forget your room keys, even when you're just going across the hall.

Employment

―Claim non-resident status. You'll be able to get almost all your taxes back.
―You're more likely to get hired if you fib on your CV.
―Say you've had experience working in Oz even if you haven't.

Communication

―Bring your unlocked cellular phone and use it in Oz.
―Crazy John's YES. Vodafone NO. Telstra MAYBE.
―Crazy John's $15 Flat Chat recharge lasts about 2 weeks.
―Bring a mini-computer (light/handy for travelling) that has excellent battery life.
―Buy the cheapest international phone cards from Global Gossip.
.
Melbourne

―Buy a 2-hour Metlink ticket and only validate it when you see an inspector.
―Shop for cheap clothes and miscellaneous items at Savers.
―Buy a bike (on Gumtree) and then sell it (on Gumtree).
―Funkyass colours of NYC nail polish is only $2 at 7/11.

[DAY 216] SHELLEY IN OZ

2011-06-08T12:33:00.002-04:00

2 June 2011 // day-long bikeride // Mt Lawley―Perth CBD―South Perth―King's Park―Mt Lawley

FitChips ― NOT all that & a bag of chips

2011-06-07T23:38:00.013-04:00

Back home, they're referred to as fries. Here in Oz, fries are called chips. Whatever they're called, we all have our own definition of a mind-blowingly mm-mm-good chip. Shelley's ideal chip is 1. fresh-cut 2. crispy on the outside and 3. moist/soft on the inside. Simple as 1, 2, 3. FitChips are air-fried and therefore less greasy and considered healthy and blah blah blah, but they're just not worth writing home about. The worst thing about them is their mushy texture; 0% crispiness, ya'll! Blegh. My suggestion? Treat yourself every once in a while and shallow pan-fry your own chips at home --> click for pic!

http://rittersport.co.uk

2011-06-06T10:52:00.004-04:00

http://rittersport.co.uk | Love the design of Ritter Sport's website... it's so fresh, so clean. Modern to the max! Though I can't say it's my fave chocolate brand of all time, this Stracciatella bar's looking kinda nice still. Watch out... R.Sport's Stracciatella bar comes out this summer 2011.

Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

2011-06-02T08:05:00.020-04:00

Okokokokokok. So the photo above isn't the finest example of foodtography. But ya know what? I'm just grateful to be baking these days. Never again will I take advantage of having access to an oven. After 6 months of living in and outta ovenless hostels, having an oven livin' in a proper home here in Perth the past 2 months has been absolutely grand. Enjoy my old school all-time favourite recipe, ya'll. Or as moms/dads would say, "paborit" recipe. It dates back, allll the wayyyy backkkk, to 1994.

Farmers Market in Perth CBD?

2011-06-01T05:10:00.006-04:00

Subi Farmers Market | http://subifarmersmarket.com.au | 28 May 2011

Dear Perth,

Why don't you have a farmer's market in the CBD??! Subi Farmers Market is kool and all, but it's all the way in Subi and the next closest farmer's market is in East Perth! It just doesn't make sense to me. Most major cities in the world have centrally-located markets chock-full of fruits and veg and all that other good stuff, WHY THE HELL DON'T YOU?

―Sick of shopping for groceries at Woolies & Coles in Perth CBD

Easy Yogurt Muffins Recipe

2011-05-31T04:29:00.004-04:00

Easy Yogurt Muffins Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup plain yogurt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup butter, room temp
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup wholemeal flour

2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup dried unsweetened coconut
1/4 cup brown sugar

Preparations

With a spoon, mix yogurt and baking soda together in a bowl. In another bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar with a blender until fluffy. Add beaten eggs and vanilla to butter/sugar mixture. In yet another bowl, combine baking powder and flours. Mix yogurt into the butter/sugar mixture. Mix yogurt/butter/sugar mixture to flour mixture until well combined.

Combine 2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 cup coconut and 1/4 cup brown sugar together to create the topping for the muffins. Grease a 12-cup muffin pan with softened butter. Pour 1/4 cup of batter into each muffin cup. Sprinkle a generous amount of topping onto each muffin. Bake in a 350d Farenheit oven for about 30 minutes. I find the flavours of these muffins become really robust by the next day, but they're still enjoyable hot and fresh out of the oven. Need clarification? Just holla :)

Starfish and Sea Urchin use tube feet to flip over

2011-05-30T00:27:00.008-04:00

1:20 = flippage

2:20 = flippage

F.ck food for once, I should really take more vids of nature-y stuff. Sometime last Feb somewhere between Bondi Beach and Coogee Beach near Sydney, Australia, we hung out among the rocks overlooking the Tasman Sea. André wanted to show me something "kool." Vivid filmography ensues.

Butter Goods Clothing Co.

2011-05-28T11:28:00.000-04:00

http://www.quite-buttery.com

What are our thoughts on the design of this logo, folks? Hmmmmmmmmmmm hella kerned or what??!

Easy Florentines Recipe

2011-05-27T00:20:00.001-04:00

Aussies are really into Florentines. Whether they're Florentine slices or Florentine cookies, I see 'em errywhere here in Oz! Intrigued, I decided to take a stab at making the damned crunchy thangs for myself. Oh, and the results were astonishing!

I followed Coles' instructions (recipe below) on how to make Florentines with the utmost precision. This was a bright idea, as I determined what I liked and didn't like about Coles' recipe. I found that the Florentines Coles' recipe produced begged for more nuts and tasted a tad too sweet (kudos to Ray for helping me figure out what was awry about the batch). Inevitably, I've developed my very own recipe for Florentines that happens to suit my sweets steez to a T. Give it a go, if you dare!

Easy Florentines Recipe

Ingredients

200g block milk cooking chocolate, chopped
2 1/2 cups Corn Flakes
3/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup dessicated coconut
1 cup roasted mixed nuts, chopped
2/3 cup condensed milk
2 tsp cinnamon

Preparations

1. Using a whisk, melt chocolate chunks in a bowl over a saucepan of boiling water. Spread the liquid chocolate over the base of a baking pan (We used an 8" round baking pan, but a rectangular/square-shaped baking pan will do just fine. Also, we didn't have any parchment/baking paper to line the pan with. Fear not; the base need not be lined with paper). Place in the fridge to set, about 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 160d Celsius.

2. Roughly chop nuts on a cutting board with a large chef's knife. Place nuts evenly on a baking pan lined with foil. Insert pan into the 160d Celsius oven. Roast for 5 minutes, then remove the nuts from the oven.

3. Mix Corn Flakes, raisins, dessicated coconut, nuts, condensed milk and cinnamon in a large bowl. Press the mixture evenly over chocolate base and bake for 15 minutes until golden and firm (Bake for longer if you prefer crunchier Florentines). Remove from oven and let cool to room temperature. Once cooled, remove from baking pan and using your hands, break into uneven chunks.

Feel free to alter this basic recipe to your liking. Since I'm not a big fan of dried fruit (i.e. dried pineapple), I've used only raisins in my recipe. And because I'm a huge fan of shredded coconut, I've added it in my recipe for a little added zing! I would suggest using salted mixed nuts, as they'd provide a nice contrast with the rest of the sweet ingredients. Lastly, I'd encourage everyone to experiment using dark chocolate in this recipe instead of milk. Or perhaps, using dark chocolate and milk chocolate, a 50/50 split. Lookin' forward to hearin' how it all goes dowwwwwn.

Brooke Waldrogel ― Stuff and Shit, 2010

2011-05-24T01:41:00.022-04:00

Brooke Waldrogel, Stuff and Shit (a series of 28 paintings), 2010

These 2 paintings amused me the most out of the 28. See the rest of the series at PICA in Perth, Western Australia. Correct me if I'm wrong, but, isn't "mousaka" supposed to be spelled "moussaka?"

Salt & Vinegar Almonds ― Kakulas Brothers

2011-05-18T06:43:00.003-04:00

I should probably inquire over at Kakulas Brothers as to whom they source their Salt & Vinegar Almonds from, but frankly, I could care less. The fact of the matter is, these are the best damn almonds you will ever try. In your life. Period. Better watch out!!! 'Cuz they're hiiiiiiighly addictive. Here's what makes them off the hizz-ay: A delicate balance exists between the almonds' toothsome sourness and their dry saltiness. Would love to see these almonds duel it out with Lay's Salt & Vinegar Chips one day, word.

Roald Dahl's Tips on Becoming a Writer

2011-05-10T07:16:00.001-04:00

Roald Dahl is one of my childhood inspirations. As soon as I read James & the Giant Peach in Mrs. Jung's grade one class, I was hooked. And anyone who knows me knows that my favourite book of all time is Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. What inspires me most about Roald Dahl is his wildass imagination, his crazy food-y vocabulary (Who else do you know makes up words like scrumdiddlyumptious?) and the fact that he combined food and fiction unlike any writer before him! He deemed himself a Professional Chocolate Guzzler, and I'd be damned if I didn't admit I was one myself.

The photo above captures two pages from Roald Dahl's book, Spotty Powder and other Splendiferous Secrets. Take heed, all future writers! If you possess any or all of the qualities above, then keep on chasin' the dream and just f*$%in' go for it already!!!!

Baker's Delight ― Best Hot Cross Buns in Oz?!!

2011-05-02T05:18:00.002-04:00

[L―R] Fruitless, Choc Chip, Mocha, Traditional

Easter 2011 has passed and aren't we all fattened up from ODing on hot cross buns, hmmmm? I work at a café in this lil shopping centre here in Perth (Western Australia), ya'see, and all throughout my shifts the entire week before Easter, I'd watch the madness unfold. In the shopping centre, there's this bakery chain called Baker's Delight... and all I gotta say is... never before have I seen people go straight bananas over the Easter-y baked good! Naturally, I had to cop me a variety pack!!! The bakery offers 4 distinct flavours: Fruitless, Choc Chip, Mocha and Traditional. I've layered the images of the hot cross buns (see below) for visual interest. Creepy, you reckon?

FRUITLESS
―

Plain Janeskis :) I wouldn't ever, ever purchase this bun individually (priced at $1.90 AUD). Heck, I wouldn't purchase this bun ever again, period. It just wasn't anything special. And if you aren't able to toast it, expect it to remain dry/far from moist. Begs to be buttered!!!!!!!!!!!!

CHOC CHIP
―

Yummy and moist, yup! But a tad decadent for me. Needs not be buttered. OH! If you're feelin' lavish then go 'head and slather some peanut butter on 'er. Excellent either toasted or untoasted.

MOCHA *Shelley's fave!
―

Holla @ this hot cross bun!!!!!!!!!! My fave of the four simply because of its uniqueness. It's 1/2 coffee-ish & 1/2 choc-chippy. I mean, have you ever tried a coffee flavoured hot cross bun studded with chocolate chips?!! I didn't think so. So go try one if you can! Oh wait, if you don't live in Australia or New Zealand then I guess you're sh.t outta luck. Sucker!

TRADITIONAL
―

Everything you expect a hot cross bun to taste like. And I love Baker's Delight for gettin' with the program and making their version without nasty dried fruits, yuck! Raisins only, ya heard?! Enjoyable toasted or untoasted, buttered or unbuttered and if you really wanna be kool, then stick slices of badass Extra Old Tasty (cheddar) cheese in 'er. Happy hot cross bun-ing! Bye bye :)

[DAY 167] SHELLEY IN OZ

2011-04-20T07:18:00.010-04:00

My sincerest apologies, ya'll. There are several reasons why I haven't posted up anything as of recently. 1. After travelling Eastern Oz & New Zealand for 2 months in total, my main priority now is to work work work! Gotta eat, true? As such, looooong day shifts at the cafe = no time to blog:( Furthermore, I have no Internet access at home (though I can't complain about the flat I live in, a 2-year-old condo 10 minutes away from Perth CBD overlooking the river complete with pool, sauna, jacuzzi & gym what whaaaaaaat). Secondly, I have a backlog of SO many kool creative-y ideas that I'm simply befuddled. Where to start?! And thirdly (insert sigh), I'm just not inspired by the food-y scene here in Perth, goshdarnit! Meantime betweentime, I'll continue to search for inspiration. Feel me?

Freshly-Picked Almondfruit ― New Zealand

2011-04-08T02:59:00.001-04:00

Ever wonder what almonds freshly picked from an almond tree look like? I never did, until I came across a lovely almond tree at Almond Court Motel in Alexandra, New Zealand not two weeks ago. Check out the pic above. A fuzzy-wuzzy, green-ish exterior (called the hull) surrounds the almond + the almond shell. Inside the hull, a "hard woody shell" lovingly cradles the edible nut. (Be careful when breaking the hull part from the shell part! 3 earwigs crawled outta one of the almond fruits when I opened it, true story!) The almond nut itself, in its 100% natural, un-roasted, un-salted state, is far from crunchy and rather soft when bitten into. Nothin' like freshly-picked Kiwi almonds in small-town Kiwiland.

Fishermen Selling Fish from a Boat ― Wellington Harbour

2011-03-30T05:55:00.004-04:00

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Wellington, New Zealand... 20 March 2011, to be precise. And after Uncle Allan, Auntie San and I sniffed through Harbourside Market, we serendipitously stumbled upon this wee boat of fishermen sellin' fresh fish! The custies were all lined up to place their orders so that minutes later, they'd have fresh fish in their hands, filleted or cut up exactly to their liking, ready to be baked or grilled or pan-fried back home. Oh, how jealous I was! It's hard having access to an oven when you're travelling, ya know. But what a lovely concept ― fishermen selling local fish from their very own boat! Can't get much fresher than that.

Corn Cooked in a Hot Spring ― Whakarewarewa, NZ

2011-03-29T06:40:00.000-04:00

At Whakarewarewa, a real Maori village filled with natural wonders such as active geysers and bubbling mud pools, one can sample sweet corn on the cob cooked in a natural hot spring! Located in Rotorua, New Zealand, Whakarewarewa is also known as "The Living Thermal Village." Auntie San, Uncle Allan and I were lucky enough to chat up some locals in the village cookin' up corn when we visited. They were informative, super-friendly, and downright proud of how successful Whakarewarewa has become (a prime tourist destination in Rotorua).

See the beautiful, crystal-clear/turquoise-y pool of water in the photo above? You'd think it was man-made, wouldn't you? But nope, it's all natural. Look closely and you'll notice steam wafting out of the hot spring. Kooooool, isn't it??! The Maoris living in Whakarewarewa use this particular hot spring to prepare flax and other materials for weaving, and of course to cook food! Just prior to taking that photo, I watched in awe as a Maori lady threw a mesh bag of de-husked, cut-up pieces of corn into the hot spring. I was informed it takes about 25 minutes for the corn to fully cook.

Many of us know how grilled corn tastes, as well as boiled corn, sautéed corn and possibly even fried corn. But the taste of corn cooked in a natural hot spring?????! UNIQUE. For me, the corn was unique not so much in taste, but in texture. When eating boiled corn on the cob, it usually requires quite a bit of teeth action to get the kernels off the cob and into your mouth. Conversely, the corn cooked in the hot spring required very little teeth action, its texture was sorta mushy and almost too soft for my liking! Though its cooking method was kool, nothin' beats grilled corn on the cob!!!

Basil Seed Drink ― WTF IS IT??!

2011-03-28T09:18:00.001-04:00

"Living plant organisms that are mouldy and hairy," I think not! They're just dried basil seeds that happen to look like creepy tadpoles when hydrated with water. At the Sydney Road Street Party in Melbs a couple weeks ago, Zig & I tried the drink for the first time. Tomfoolery ensues in the vid below.

Though Zig was disgusted, I actually found the drink not too terribly bad... but I still prefer bubble-tea.

CAESAR PIZZA — Bimbo Deluxe

2011-03-27T08:43:00.000-04:00

I love the whole idea of turning a classic salad upside down and slapping it into the form of a pizza! Bimbo Deluxe's Caesar Pizza is quite possibly the most interesting personal-sized pizza I've ever eaten. She's rich and racy and so deserves to be famous. And she possesses all the characteristics of a classic Caesar Salad!

PARM ― A Caesar Salad is only a Caesar Salad if it's topped off with salty shavings of real parmesan cheese. This pizza is topped off with salty shavings of real parmesan cheese.

BACON ― Though tasty, the slices of bacon on this pizza are sorta rubber-y. They need to be crispier and similar to the texture of crisp-tacular bacon bits we've come to expect to top off a Caesar Salad.

BABY COS LETTUCE ― Fresh to death-ness! The mound of leafy lettuce piled high atop this pizza is what makes it so visually stunning/appealing. Most Caesar Salads contain iceberg lettuce leaves, but texturally, I don't think iceberg lettuce would work as well atop this pizza.

ANCHOVIES ― Of the 25 bites it took me to finish this pizza, one of them consumed an anchovy, which was hidden somewhere under all the lettuce. Hmph, I don't like fresh anchovies on my Caesar Salad anyway.

CAESAR DRESSING ― A tad overpowering and calorific, but an absolute must in transforming this Pizza into a Caesar Salad. And what's a Caesar Salad without all the creamy, raw egg-y, oily dressing-y goodness, anyway?!

CROUTONS ― Sike! No, there aren't any croutons in this pizza. But this Caesar Pizza's crisp, thin crustiness sure fools the texture taste buds into thinking so!

Whittaker's Chocolate ― A Well-Stocked Shelf

2011-03-23T00:56:00.004-04:00

And there you have it, folks. Behold. A well-stocked shelf of Whittaker's Chocolates at Pak 'N Save in Lake Taupo, New Zealand. Made in Kiwiland and consumed by heaps of Kiwis, Whittaker's Chocolates are everywhere here in NZ! Just look at all the different flavours that exist!!! Has anyone tried the 62% Cocoa Dark Mocha one? If so, holla @ your girl. Want to know if it's worth trying, otherwise I'll keep my $3.49 NZD, thank you. DO TRY: 72% Dark Chocolate & Toasted Coconut.

How to BBQ Kangaroo

2011-03-21T18:42:00.006-04:00

The moment I landed in Oz, I couldn't wait to try me some roo. When I finally tried roo for the first time, 'twas in the form of a burger. Wonk! Though juicy, I was disappointed that the roo burger tasted much too much like a beef burger. Determined to find out how kangaroo meat really tasted, in the weeks that followed my roo burger experience, oh how I longed to try roo steak! And so, I followed Charmaine O'Brien's advice when BBQing roo for the first time. In her book, Flavours of Melbourne, she provides tips and suggestions on how to cook kangaroo. I've outlined Charmaine's tips in a previous post, here.

Not only can roo be bought at most local grocery stores in Oz - such as Woolworths and Coles - it's affordable! Two (8 oz-ish) roo steaks you see here cost $10 AUD, which isn't that much more than the price of two good quality beef steaks, FYI. I heeded Charmaine O'Brien's advice and bought 'em from a proper butcher, The Chicken Pantry, at the Queen Victoria Market in Melbs. Here's how the whole shebang went down:

1 ― A buncha peeps had just finished using this public BBQ (in Flagstaff Gardens, Melbs) when we arrived. Thus, we had to scrape the burned bits off the grill in order to have a clean surface to cook our food on. Such are the disadvantages of free public BBQs. Oh well. Essentials: cooking oil/cooking spray, tongs, salt & pepper, plates, cutlery, napkins, BEER :)

2 ― André preferred to stick slices of peeled garlic into his roo steak (for more flavour, apparently), but I went au naturale with mine. I didn't marinate my steak, nor did I steep it in any kind of oil prior to cooking. What can I say? I wanted to taste kangaroo meat in its truest form. Oh and feel free to slice up any veg you want and throw it onto the grill as well. We felt like capsicums and zucchini that night. Rather, capsicums and zucchini were the cheapest veggies at Woolies that night.

3 ― ssssssssssss If you hear the grill sizzle, you know you're in business. Big biznazz! Striving to achieve a perfect medium rare, I seared my steak for 3 minutes on each side. However, I found that 3 minutes on each side grilled up a perfectly rare steak. So I kept my steak on the grill for a little longer, about 5 minutes on each side. Cooking time will also depend on your grill. Some grills reach high heat, some grills do not.

4 ― Voila! I don't know what you guys will think but I think kangaroo meat is the sh.t! It's approximately the same price as beef, it's leaner than certain cuts of beef and it's certainly more tender than most of the beef steaks I've had in my lifetime! We didn't have a steak knife so we went ghetto styles and used my serrated butter knife (with the red handle) to cut up our steaks instead.

5 ― Just a little salt & pepper on my roo steak and I was one happy camper. But you could go nuts on yours! I'm sure it'd taste yummy with tomato sauce, or whole grain mustard, or BBQ sauce... the list goes on! Easy peasy! As Charmaine O'Brien recommends, "cook kangaroo meat as you would any other red meat." Happy grilling! PS. I love Australia! ('Cuz in Canada, not one butcher sells kangaroo meat, that's fo' shooooo)

"For you!"

2011-03-20T18:34:00.023-04:00

One day, six months ago, while walking down a street somewhere in Brisbane, something perched between the wires of a low fence caught André's eye. When André proceeded to touch the unidentifiable object, it became clear to him that it was a small, square-shaped envelope. In quick handwriting, "For you!" was scratched onto the front of the envelope. And inside, there was a small, square-shaped card. Without hesitation, André opened up the card and read aloud, "I am a Canadian tourist and, I Love Australia!!" He flipped the card over and on the back of it, one is warned to "Never take Australia for granted!!" before being wished a goodday. True story! And now the card is in my possession. Ironic, no? Somehow, I don't feel like a tourist in Australia anymore, at least not all the time... sigh. Perth, here I coooooommmmmmmeeeeee!

Bells Beach - Map Button - Victoria, Australia

2011-03-19T18:13:00.004-04:00

DUN KNOWWW!!!!!!!!!! BIGUP BELLS BEACHHHHHHH ♥ ♥ ♥ Much love to the artsies selling these clever/cute Aussie map buttons at the Sydney Road Street Party in Melbs last month.

Pasifika Festival 2011 - PICTURES - Auckland, NZ

2011-03-16T19:04:00.007-04:00

Last minute 3-week vacay in NZ. Randomly decided to fly into Auckland. From Melbourne, twas only a 3.5 hr flight. Lucky enough to have been in town for the annual Pasifika Festival just last Sat 12 March 2011. Simply sick, boss! Though I grew up in Toronto, the most multicultural city in the world, I've never seen so many Pacific Islanders in my life! Not in one place, anyway. The festival reminded me of Toronto's annual Caribana festival, only it was a celebration of the islands in the Pacific as opposed to islands in the Caribbean.

Vibrant. Colourful. Tropical. Rhythmic. Well-organized and well-maintained... with an ample amount of rubbish bins and public toilets. And located in the most appropriate park ever, Western Springs Park, a beautiful public space filled with palm trees, lush hills and a huge lake in the centre of it all. I was blown away by all this festival had to offer! Did I mention how good-looking Maori men are?! Haha. And dannnng you should have seen the queue at one of the food stands serving the vanilla ice cream served in a pineapple! I regret not tryin' one of dem thangs. Best: 1814's closing performance of live reggae on the Air New Zealand Int'l Stage. Perfect way to end off the day. Enjoy the slideshow!

macarons are not macaroons

2011-03-14T22:27:00.001-04:00

Hear that, Aussies?!! Don't get it twisted, I'm not hating... but get it right, please! After working at a café in Melbourne for a couple months and hearing Aussies call macarons "MACAROONS" all the damn time I nearly went crazy!!!! Bigups to the anonymous artist who created this fun little collage/printed piece pictured above. I would have added images of macaroons though. Ah well. I spotted this piece at the Space Invaders exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra last month, on 22 Feb 2011, to be exact. See below for definitions from Wikipedia. PS. This post is dedicated to Natalie, who gets more peeved than even I do when people call macarons "MACAROONS."

Macaron ― a sweet confectionery made with egg whites, icing sugar, granulated sugar, almond powder or ground almond, and food coloring

Macaroon ― a type of light, baked confection, described as either small cakes or meringue-like cookies depending on their consistency

Fräus Crêpes & Chocolat ― North Melbourne, VIC

2011-03-11T01:52:00.000-05:00

Chocolate + Typography. Who woulda thunk the two could exist so colourfully together? What's more, the employees at this cafe were super chill about us taking photos inside. The Soya Flat White I got here was nothin' special... but I'd be a fool if I don't come back to try a crêpe!

Mooza Designs - Letters - TRAVEL

2011-02-21T13:00:00.002-05:00

"In 2010, my 3 major passions ― food, travel and design ― took control." ―Shelley Pascual

And that's the truth! It was only fairly recently that food, travel and design seized me by the neck and choked me, screaming at me to do something about them OR ELSE. And so I did. That's why I'm here in Oz... working/travelling/eating my way around the country and all the while figuring out how to incorporate my Graphic Design degree into the whole scheme of things. The photo above was captured as I strolled through the Paddington Markets in Sydney just last Sat 19 Feb 2011. Though I'm not a huge fan of the Gill Sans typeface, bigups to Mooza Designs for incorporating the themes of food and travel with design and typography. It ain't an easy feat, that's for sure.

The Fisherman in Merimbula ― 2 Feb 2011

2011-02-20T21:28:00.001-05:00

3 weeks ago, I finally left Melbourne and hit the road up the East Coast of Oz. Advised by Emre to mos def check out the town of Merimbula on our way to Sydney, so we did. It was a cool, cloudy day in the seemingly sleepy town. We drove around aimlessly, only to find that most of the beaches were deserted. Finally, we pulled up onto a small wooden harbour where no more than 10 people were fishing (including 2 cute likkle boys fishing with their father). And that's when I met this fisherman.

He had been fishing in the same spot all day long. I spoke to the man with awe and intrigue. He seemed a tad peeved by me, even though he answered all of my pressing questions politely. "What kind of fish have you caught here?" "Salmon and Bonito," he retorted. In the photo above, the striped fish on the left is bonito, and the one on the right is salmon.

The man was in the process of scaling and removing the insides of all of the fish he had caught. I watched with horror. Just joking! I wasn't horrified in the least! In fact, vivid flashbacks of childhood seized my mind. All I could think of was my Moms vigorously scaling fresh fish in the kitchen sink back in our old house (the house I grew up in). Ahhhhh... sweet, fishy memories. And the sound! That unique, irksome, kool yet disgusting sound of fish scales being removed and flying all over the damn place.

Whilst removing the insides of the salmon he had caught, without hesitation, the fisherman handed Mr. Salmon's heart to André. So of course I had chance to hold Mr. Salmon's heart in my hand too! Ecstatic and giddy at the same time, I stared at the small red warm thing in my hand for far too long.

I asked the fisherman if there was a maximum amount of fish he was allowed to catch. In a matter-of-fact fashion, he replied, "Why, as many as I like." When it was time to say bye-bye, I thanked the fisherman sincerely and wished him a good night, though I regret not asking the fisherman his name. On our way back to the car, I saw this 'Fish Measuring Station' sign in the photo above. It was then that I put 2+2 together and realized the fisherman was Aboriginal, since Aboriginals in Oz aren't limited to a 'Bag Limit' of how many fish they catch. Sigh. I dreamt of Tasmanian salmon fillet that night... baked to a perfect medium, thank you. And if possible, served with a dollop of dijon mustard on top.

Cacao Fine Chocolates ― My Favourite Employer in Melbourne :)

2011-02-14T00:30:00.002-05:00

After living and working in Melbourne for 3 long months, Cacao was, by far, my favourite employer. Friends would always say, "You have the best job ever!!!" and I thought nothing of it... until I finally had the time to reflect on my life so far. I worked for all the following employers in Melbourne: Rydges Hotels & Resorts, River's Edge Events, The Wharf Pub and Pinnacle Hospitality... but nothing compares to working in a chocolate shop around sweets and ice cream and coffee all day!!! The vibe was always chill at work, and the people I worked with were the koolest bunch ever! The one and only beef I had was that customers called the "macarons" we carried "macaroons" instead. Don't think they understood that macarons and macaroons are two totally different foodstuffs. But I'm told by Aussie friends that Aussies are lazy when it comes to pronunciation. Poor excuse! Our macarons were aiight... but Lindt Café's Salted Caramel Macaron is a million times better than Cacao's Salted Caramel Macaron. Haha.

Choc Chip Cookies ― Woolworths vs. Coles

2011-02-06T23:54:00.008-05:00

Left: Woolworths | Right: Coles

A bag of homebrand Choc Chip Cookies from either Woolworths or Coles goes for $2.09 AUD. A staple snack food for any backpacker in Oz, I decided to put the two cookies to the test. Upon initially sampling each cookie, I claimed to like the Choc Chip Cookies from Woolworths better (see vid below). However, I've changed my mind as of recently. Coles Choc Chip Cookies win, hands down. Why? They're a tad less sweet and a tad more crisp than their Woolworths counterpart. Andddd they pair much more nicely with good ol' smears of peanut butter.

Tip: Liven up a plain cereal bowl of Corn Flakes by adding 2 crushed-up Coles Choc Chip Cookies to it. PS. Cookie Monstarr 4 Life. PPS. Emily, where have you BEEN all my life??!

Bimbo Deluxe ― $4 Pizzas!!!

2011-01-28T19:21:00.003-05:00

$4 Pizzas | http://bimbodeluxe.com.au | Sun-Thurs 7-11PM + Weekdays 12-4PM + Sat 7-9PM

―

This may very well be the best food-y deal I've come across in Melbourne. $4 for a decent-sized, thin-crust, gourmet-ish pizza. Who woulda thunk it??! Unfortunately, I didn't try all of the pizzas pictured above... only a few of them... but I was lucky enough to snap shots of all of 'em before my mates gobbled them down :) Woooooo mesmerizing. Tip: If you're very hungry, order two pizzas. If you're a wimpy chick, order one pizza. Try: the Il Greco pizza. I'd recommend it, but you might require somewhat of a salty tooth. The halloumi on the Il Greco pizza is damn salty, but its firm-tofu-like texture (I heart firm tofu.) had me on Cloud 9. OMG. Since the pizza's garnished with a lemon wedge, one squeeze over the entire thing just makes the flavours pop. I'm still planning to reach Bimbos again... Gotta try the incredible-lookin' Caesar pizza, goshdarnit! LEAFY GOODNESS.

Hampus + Hot Sauce + Michelle + André's arms

Australia Day 2011

2011-01-26T02:06:00.007-05:00

My 1st Australia Day was filled with heaps of BBQisms. Thanks, Melbs & Friends. PS. ODing on BBQd sausages isn't good for your soul.

Cooking Kangaroo ― Flavours Of Melbourne by Charmaine O'Brien

2011-01-25T20:54:00.000-05:00

I recently skimmed through this book, Flavours Of Melbourne: A Culinary Biography, and found some really useful information. I'm gonna cook kangaroo and I'm uberrrrr excited! Here are some pointers I jotted down. Can't wait!

―cook kangaroo meat as you would any other red meat
―BBQin' kangaroo meat is the closest to cooking it traditionally
―kangaroo meat is lean! steep it in a little oil prior to cooking
―ensure the BBQ is hot before placing meat on the grill
―sear the meat 3 minutes on each side
―kangaroo meat is best cooked rare or mid-rare
―buy the best quality kangaroo from The Chicken Pantry at the QV Market

Free Public BBQs Melbourne

2011-01-17T22:04:00.003-05:00

"A T-BONE STEAK, CHEESE EGGS & WELCH'S GRAPE..."

Eeegads! What do I LOVE about Oz right now??! The FREE PUBLIC BBQs for use in parks and on beaches and errywhere! They're gas-operated, people! So none of this bringing your own coal business (like what I'm used to back home)... NOPE, none of that jazz! A likkle cooking spray + tongs will suffice! So far I've had two public BBQs with the homies, and likely another one coming up on Australia Day woOOOooooOoo! Above: The Best Gosh Darn T-Bone Steak I've Ever Grilled For Thyself. Click it!

Cheap Eats Melbourne - $2.00 OR LESS

2011-01-11T03:05:00.023-05:00

Everything in Melbourne is expensive.. especially for the average, everyday cheapass backpacker like moi. Coming from Canada, where the prices of food in general are much cheaper than in Australia, finding cheap eats is essential! Behold, I share with you all my favourite foodie frugal findings!

― $1.50 Sushi Rolls ―
Diane Sushi | 270 Lonsdale St | Melbourne, VIC 3000

Melbournians lurrrve their sushi. As such, it ain't no surprise that sushi rolls can be purchased from almost every street corner in the CBD. And they're BIGASS sushi rolls over hea, ranging in price from $1.50―$2.50 a roll. Been livin' in Melbourne for over 2 months now, and I've yet to come across a place that sells rolls for $1.50 a pop on a daily basis... except for Diane Sushi! The rolls specially priced at a mere $1.50/each changes each day... sometimes it's the (yummymushy) Shrimp & Avocado Roll, most of the time it's the (boringblahzay) California Roll, but one time it was the (tenderjuicy) Spicy Beef Terriyaki Roll! On the days when I gotta fill up my belly realquick with something filling and healthy and preferably CHEAP, I choose Diane.

― $1.19 Dairy Dream Yogurt ―
Sold at all Aldi's stores across Australia

You must be thinking... what's so special about this particular yogurt? You see, it's hard to explain. I was never a big fan of thick and/or creamy yogurts. But Dairy Dream's Thick & Creamy Premium Yogurt is such a Smooth Operator. $1.19 is pretty steep for a single serving of yogurt, but you won't find much cheaper at Aldi's or Woolworth's or Coles... unless the yogurt is on sale. This Citrus Cheesecake flavoured yogurt is jam-packed with calories, I know, but I still like it better than all the other Dairy Dream flavours. It's tangy and sour with a smooth, sweet finish on the tongue. And it really tastes cheesecake-y! Which makes me miss baking... which makes me miss my Kitchen-Aid :(

― $0.89/Can of Portview Flavoured Tuna ―
Sold at all Aldi's stores across Australia

Now believe you me, kids, I've tried almost ALL the different brands of flavoured canned tuna that exist in the grocery stores here. And yet, I still keep goin' back to Portview's Flavoured Tuna. My favourite is Portview's Sweet Chilli & Onion (SPICCCCY MU'FUKKKA!), but all of them are pretty decent. The only flavour I am impartial towards is Smoked, ick. Sold at Aldi's stores for only $0.89/can, these badboys cost the same as the house-brand flavoured canned tuna sold at Woolworth's and Coles, but taste so much better goshdarnit! All I gotta say is I've probably consumed close to 100 cans of Portview tuna at this point... I'm still a cheap backpacker ya'know. PROTEIN FIEND!!!

― $0.99 B.B.Big Red Bean Ice Bar ―
Sold at most Korean Grocery Stores in Melbourne

Dunno how many times André and I have eaten these Red Bean Ice Bars, man. TOO! MANY! TIMES! We get random cravings for them... drools... especialllllyyy on sweltering hot days.... mmmmm.... You can buy 'em from pretty much any Korean grocery store in Melbourne, and I always get 'em from either of the two Korean grocery stores at Elizabeth St & Victoria St in the CBD (one grocery store is located at the NW corner, the other grocery store is located at the SE corner). This particular ice bar stands out from all the other (also amazing) Korean ice bars out there because it seems to be composed of 95% red beans. It's not milky, not creamy, not soft, not too sweet... but rather, just straight-up red bean-y and rather unique in texture. You'll have to try it to know what I mean. PS. Korean ice bars kick American ice bars's ASS.

― $1.89 Coles Brand Hummus Dips ―
Sold at all Coles grocery stores across Australia

Mmmmkay so I've recently vowed to stop purchasing prepared packs of hummus from now on in the attempt to regularly make hummus myself. Besides the fact that it's so easy to make, one can of chick peas is never more than $1.00, yo! Just mash up a can of drained chick peas, throw in some crushed garlic & EVOO & lemon juice & salt & pepper in there and you're smoove sailing. Still, on days when I have no time for anything, Coles Hummus Dips save the day. I think the regular price of these Coles brand Hummus packs is $2.50, but from what I've seen, they're pretty much permanently on sale at Coles for $1.89/pack. Woop-dee-dooooooo! Oh yeah, and this Caramelized Onion flavour just about KILLS the rest of 'em (yes, it's THAT good). It's subtly sweet and almost nutty-tasting. 'Nuff times I finished a pack of hummus in one sitting :|

― $1.50 Steamed Buns ―
Nam Loong Restaurant | 223 Russell St | Melbourne, VIC 3000

Mmmm... Nam Loong has yummy sweet buns (i.e. Red Bean!!!) and yummy savoury buns (i.e. Chicken & Mushroom!!!). Pictured here is the Veggie bun, filled with shiitake mushrooms and corn kernels... fresh and warm, straight out of a wooden steamer. In MY ideal world, these buns would consist of 75% filling and 25% actual bread. But what the hey, you get what you pay for. Try lookin' for $1.50 hot shnacks in Melbourne City and you'll find that WOMP none exist!!! So bigups to Nam Loong for catering to the broke arses. Tip: Peel the white piece of paper off the bottom of your bun before consuming. It's easy to miss, especially since the bun itself is white as snow. Don't be an arse (like me) and end up eating paper! Mmmmk? K!

― $0.90 Jam-filled Donuts ―
Walker's Doughnuts | 26/2 Elizabeth St | Melbourne, VIC 3000

I passed by Walker's Doughnuts almost every day when I lived in Melbourne (it's hard to miss at the busy corner of Eliz & Flinders), and I finally recently treated myself to their $0.90 jam-filled doughnuts. The lady at the counter fried up my little doughnut to order before handing me the hot/fresh, sugar-coated mound of fluff. Surprisingly, it wasn't too oily, the filling wasn't too sweet, and it actually paired quite nicely with a strong cuppa coffee. Small and cute, the airy doughnut flattened between my fingers each time I bit into it, getting my fingers all covered in fine white sugar. Squishy McSquishy.

[2010] Christmas in Melbourne

2010-12-25T23:17:00.202-05:00

Merry Xmas to meeeeeee! Yup, I bought myself a box of Guylian for Xmas this year. The familia knows how much I obsessed over this chocolate back in the day. And since I didn't receive any presents (don't care 'cause I'm not materialistic anyway), a $5 box of chocolates was the perfect gift for thyself.

Prior to opening up my box of Guylian, I awoke on Xmas Day a happy lady. Though thousands and thousands of kms away from "home," I didn't feel like an orphan one bit. As soon as I got my groggy arse outta bed, I stumbled into the kitchen only to be greeted with multiple hugs and madd people cheering "Haaappppy Chrrrisstttmasssss!!!" Hahaha, thanks a bunches, guys!!! After I had cooked up a mean mushroom omlette for breakfast, I braced myself. For I. Was going to try a Tim Tam. For the very. First. Time. Popular amongst Aussies, a Tim Tam is composed of chocolate cream filling layered between two chocolate biscuits and coated in a thin layer of chocolate. Taryn and I still prefer Twix.

―Christmas BBQ―

Tip: Stock up on veggies at the Queen Vic Market on Xmas Eve! I bought a sh.t ton of mushrooms, multi-coloured capsicums and two massive zucchini for about $5! Only on Xmas Eve, man. Guess 'cause the market stays closed from 25 Dec - 29 Dec. On Xmas Day, I cut up all these damn veggies and skewered 'em up. So cheap, so easy to prepare and so helllaaa gooooood. See 'em grillin' up a storm on the barbie in the photo above? Much ♥♥♥ to Zoe and Lindsay for welcoming us into their beautiful home and hosting our Xmas BBQ! Surrounded by good food (Tomo made rice rolls, Hayley made tuna pasta salad, Nirit made the uber-flavourful beef patties, Zoe & Lindsay provided the roast beef & sausages), yummy drinks (goon + red wine + beer + beer + beer) and most importantly, good PEOPLE, I couldn't have asked for more this Xmas.

Cheers to a Happy Christmas in 2010! Thanks to all who made it special! Can't wait for 2011...!

Red Bean Bun + Vanilla Ice Cream

2010-12-20T04:47:00.002-05:00

A match made in heaven! Being from Toronto and all, I've had my fair share of wickedass red bean buns. Bigup all the Chinese bakeries in Scarbs, btw. But today, after I decided to try the Red Bean Bun from Breadtop Bakery here in Melbourne, a lightbulb went off over my head... why the hellz not eat it with vanilla ice cream? The bun wasn't off the hizzy... but cold, classic vanilla ice ice baby + red bean bliss = KILLER COMBO.

[Top 3] Healthy Hostel Meals

2010-12-14T03:04:00.107-05:00

It is now Day 40 of Shelley in Oz. Too too toooooo many times, I have seen backpackers resort to eating that gawd-aweful nutrient-lacking, dried noodle-y shyte for dinner. I understand that when one's tired and hungry after a long day's work, one may not feel like cooking... and that's why the following 3 dishes make me proud of the people who made 'em. By far, they're the healthiest hostel meals I've seen come outta our cramped kitchen at Bev & Mick's Backpackers (the koolest hostel EVER, might I add). It's hella NOT impossible to eat healthy as a backpacker on a budget. Trust.

―1―
Lisa's Andijviestammpot [Dutch Endive Potato Mash]

Waa waa waa backpackers are always complaning about how expensive vegetables are. In actuality, they ain't thaaaat expensive. All Lisa bought were a couple potatoes, the cheapest bacon and cheese she could find at Coles, a bunch of endive and voila! For under $10 she prepared a meal for 6 people! First, boil some potatoes & mash 'em. Then, chop up some endive & cook until tender in a little oil over the stove. Add some chopped bacon into the pan with the endive and let it cook. Mix the endive & bacon with the mashed potatoes. Mix it well, dammit! Chop up chunks of cheese (feta, cheddar, goat, you name it!) and scatter atop the Andijviestammpot. Bon appetito!

―2―
The Boys Make Schnitzel + Steamed Veg + Boiled Potatoes, gasP!

The trick is to hit up the Queen Victoria Market around closing time... which is easy for me 'cuz I live 5 minutes away from it, muahahaha! But seriously now, around closing time, the prices of produce, meat, seafood & so forth get slashed!!! So the boys bought cheapass schnitzel this night, apparently. All they had to do was pan-fry 'em up. Easy as p-i-e, I tells ya! I rarely everrrrr see guys at my hostel cookin' up a storm in our hole-in-the-wall-y kitchen. The mere sight of guys cooking fresh vegetables is too rare to be true! Thus, I felt absolutely COMPELLED to snap photos of this once in a lifetime sighting. Hey dried noodles enthusiasts, it's time to get on board, k???!

―3―
Shelley's Pancit [Filipino Noodles]

All I gotta say is...... THANKS MOMMY! You are my #1 inspiration always!!! Yup, I got a hankering for Mom's infamous Pancit after not being home now for... hmmm... almost 2 months-ish? And so I made din-din for the kiddies one day! The veggies weren't expensive, but the shrimps kinda were! $3.20 for a small pack of frozen ones. Wompskis. The secret ingredient in this dish? Oyster sauce, baby! Can't live without it! Perfect for any stirfry, and that's what's up! I used dried "Philippine-Style" Canton Noodles in this dish, but next time, I know to purchase Hokkien Noodles (the fat & yellow juicy ones) from any Asian grocery story (of which there is one at every corner here in downtown Melbourne). Love you Momskis ♥♥♥

[DAY 32] SHELLEY IN OZ

2010-12-06T00:13:00.074-05:00

Today = my first day off in 6 days. As such, 'stead of scarfing down cereal or toast, I opted to prepare something simple yet satisfying... a typical breakfast I'd eat at home, if you will. 2 scrambled eggs ($0.60/egg in a 6-pack carton) + 1/2 tomato ($0.25) + instant brown rice ($1.50/half-pack). All about the cheap eats, baby! I sure as hellz have to be. Errything's nearly double (sometimes triple) the price of what they'd cost back home. Am I a sucker for choosing to come here? oh me oh me oh myyy.

Life has been cah-razy bizzy! Hence, my blog posts have declined in frequency... sorry folks :\ My main priority was to find a job here in Melbourne (gawd knows I can't afford to live here without a job)... and once I finally found work (I'm currently juggling a whopping FIVE jobs) I simply haven't had time for anything in the past two weeks!!! To top it all off, I do not have regular access to Internet. When I'm not working, I am..............

―running from Aldi to Woolworth's to Coles, comparing grocery prices (I kidd you not)
―cooking healthy meals at home (moms taught me well)
―plotting my next travel move (shall I head to Sydney in Jan-Feb 2011?)
―brainstorming food article ideas (i.e. How to Eat Cheap as a Backpacker in Melbourne)
―zzz-ing or napping, only to muster up energy to part-ay whenever possible (shhh, don't tell)
―ideating ways to make money while travelling (determined as hell to fulfill this dream)

Snoop makes Mashed Potatoes

2010-12-02T02:20:00.034-05:00

Yayayaya this is old but I attended this JOKESass comedy show in Fitzroy tonight and during one of the interludes, the emcee showed this vid, stoppin it right before Snoop suggests putting cognac in his mashed potatoes. F.ck butter, milk or bacon! I'm SO tryin' this next time I make mashed poe-tay-toes.

Johnston Street Fiesta 2010 ― FOOD PICS

2010-11-21T19:36:00.048-05:00

21 November 2010 | Between Nicholson and Brunswick, along Johnston Street in the Fitzroy 'hood just last weekend, the masses came... and ate. Boy, did they eat. At one point, it was suffocating just to walk through the crowds. But seeing all the different kinds of food being cooked and consumed made it all worth it. Arepas! Pupusas! Churros! Paella! Sangria! Hungry for more? Slideshow's below ---->

Gimme gimme one of those swirled-out potato skewers please! I ranted and raved about this Fiesta to my buddies... not only because of the food, but because I absolutely loved the viiiiiiibe. Suuuper chillz and diversified to the maxx! Made me feel like I was at home!!! 'Cuz we all know Toronto's the most culturally diverse city in the world. The Johnston Street Fiesta pretty much felt like a miniature Latin version of Toronto's annual Taste of the Danforth Greek festival.

The Turf Club Hotel ― $0.40 Wing Wednesdays

2010-11-17T21:44:00.007-05:00

Only three flavours to choose from: Cajun, Frank's Hot Hot Hot & Soy/Ginger. Cajun tickled MY fancy.

2010-11-16T02:41:00.008-05:00

PHAROAH MONCH WAS HERE AND I MISSED IT :( :( :( FAAKKKKK!

St. Kilda Esplanade Market — 14 November 2010

2010-11-15T21:32:00.011-05:00

In order to become a stallholder at the St. Kilda Esplanade Market, one cannot serve food or beverages. I understand that the market "was established as an outlet for local artists," but a lil baked goods stall couldn't hurt. Spray-painted onto the concrete at the market were these fun St. Kilda Esplanade Market logo thingies... in the image above I've repeated the logos out of visual interest. The ONLY food-related thing at the Esplanade Market were these soap cupcakes, which smelled nice and looked purddy but were damn expensive :(