Welcome HOME Renee(s)!

I have a home. Well, not technically or officially (Real Estate are yet to 'officially' approve me as my boss has gone AWOL) but I have a bed. A roof (and a sun roof!). And a happy place to wake up. And I found it on my first full day in Melbourne. Go figure!

I wish I were as cool as this box man. At least I know someone is patroling the street on which I live day and night.

Today I still have a few unsorted boxes in my room, but all in all, I have "moved in". My button rainbow is above my bed and I feel like I have truly settled in....

I love waking up underneath a rainbow everyday - especially since the grey miserable weather in Melbourne is hardly ever compensated for with this kind of apology note from Mother Nature.

Considering that I had spent most of yesterday in my room unpacking/settling/sleeping or at my soon to be ex-job, I thought I would go for a wander and suss out the area in which I live. I headed west to Lygon St and walked up the street - being pleasantly surprised that one of the few places I had actually gone into to ask about a job was RIGHT HERE. Naturally, I avoided it and went next door for coffee. The place reminded me of the kind of dining room my grandmother would have. Retro green leather couches lined the left wall, and the lack of official counter as such had me a little thrown off. Although this concept then led me into an interesting philosophical discussion with myself and my diary about our need in society to understand the 'procedure' for doing this, and how to 'appropriately' behave in places. I realised of course, that it was probably only someone as thought-crazy as me who would use the lack of a bench as an excuse for a 30 minute musing on society but meh, that is me. I enjoyed my time with my diary, and having the chance to stop distracting myself for the first time in probably a week. I got to be there. With myself. By myself. For myself. And it was liberating. I didn't need a book to drag me away from my current reality, I didn't need my phone to read up on the latest "top 15 Hawaiian foods you need to eat right now" (although I did just read their article on why Danish Princess Mary is the most perfect lady ever. Represent.) and I didn't need to awkwardly make conversation with the barista because I needed to show him that I wasn't just some weirdo who had no friends or nothing to do.

I had a little moment with the universe and decided that it was time to leave. I paid for my coffee, went outside, and walked into the next establishment.... East Elevation (yes, I plan to try every cafe on Brunswick St). I went in and said hello to the man at the door. I asked if he was Brian, which of course he was. Brian has received a few emails and answered a call from me in regards to working at his joint, so I just wanted to give him a face to the (persistant) name. I had intended on just having a coffee, and writing more in my journal while being surrounded by random sprouting plants, vines growing on the roof beams and the chocolate factory behind the glass wall. However, the allure of food was too much - especially when the menu had items like coconut and rhubarb tapioca, and cauliflower and coconut soup.... And after my coffee arrived, I made the snap decision to order a brunch as well. Because, well, research right? I am wanting to open my own place eventually and I need to start accumulating inspiration yeah?

Proof that I am a very impulsive person (but that it totally pays off)!

As I sat there (annoyed at myself for being "one of those people" that cannot just enjoy the moment by myself but having to capture it..... I forgave myself by using the #mealforameal so at least my annoying customer syndrome would have some sort of social benefit) I got excited. 

I. Love. Food.

The smell. The temperature. The aesthetics. The flavour. The mouthfeel. The nutrition! It just made me so grateful to be exactly where I was. The coconut and cauliflower soup was delicious and had deliciously toasted almond slivers on top to breakup the otherwise monotone soup. And the pumpkin bread was topped with the most incredible watercress salad. And the dressing was the perfect combination of salt and acidity. And even just the addition of the slices of radish to give it that extra colour, and the slices of fennel to aid my digestion (I am sure that wasnt the intention, but I used it!). It is just food but it is also so much more. It really is such a gateway to the spiritual side of life. Let me explain. When you nourish your body with the foods that resonate well with your body, you are able to focus on the other areas of your life, as your physical concerns are not taking up all your thoughts. When you listen to how your body reacts to foods, you are giving yourself a chance to listen to whether your body is handling things or not. Is your digestion sluggish? Is it due to the foods you are eating, or is there an emotional cause to this phenomenon? Are you eating foods based on what your body needs for the longterm, or for instant gratification? I ate this meal purely for enjoyment. It was able to draw me back into myself as I got to experience all the wonderful reactions my body had to the food. The way that the soup felt going down my throat. The way that the pumpkin bread nourished and filled me. I was brought into a feeling of gratitude to the chef for preparing such a delicious meal. And the delivery guy who brought the ingredients. And the farmer who grew the cauliflower who made my soup. The food brought me back to that moment. And for goodness sake, I am in Melbourne!!!! I had previously been noting in my diary my concern for my future (a pointless endeavour I realise). What if I couldn't do it. What if I was still nowhere in 5 years time. What if I didn't meet the right people. What if I didn't live up to my potential? And then I realised - I made it to Melbourne. 3 weeks prior, when I was just a visitor I expressed these same concerns to my cousin Jess. What if I get home and get stuck? What if it is too much hassle to move down here? What if I can't do it? What if I can't find a house? But I pulled myself together and took one step at a time. I packed one bag. I took a photo of 1 item to sell. I gave away 1 bottle of vodka (well, Lisa actually got 2!). I took one step in front of another (sometimes to the side) but I was moving. And in a direction that would get me to Melbourne. And then I realised, that is exactly what I am doing now. I have a goal. I am taking one step at a time. And if it takes 3 months or 5 years, I am on the path to a life I want to lead. And the journey is really all that matters - so why should it matter how long that journey takes, right?

Speaking of long journeys, the journey to getting a bed was mighty long too. It required 3 trips to Ikea mainly because I was naivestupid and cancelled my van hire because despite having driven a van for the past 2 months "driving a van on a busy road is scary". So I arrived at the warehouse to the biggest collection of boxes in the waiting area. "All mine? Why thanks!!!". I thank goodness had some lovely people helping me (the joys of being single and female mean that other guys take pity on you!) and it all got home. And assembled. And I only have 1 screw left over that I just couldn't get in where it was meant to go. I take that as a win.

Yeah - maybe cancelling the truck hire was a bad idea.

Especially since driving at a 45 degree angle is hard.

Well I guess I ripped you open Ikea box so ripping my finger open was only fair.

But - tonight I get to go to Alex's house (My long lost cousin who now lives only 8 minutes away) for tea, takeout and talking (and Offspring). I have perhaps only been in Melbourne for a week, but I finally feel, for the first time in over 5 years, that I am HOME.