j.

Children Tasting Foods for the First Time

Sun, 12 May 2013 11:02:02 -0700

Children Tasting Foods for the First Time

always. kaskade.

Sat, 11 May 2013 23:11:31 -0700

always.

kaskade.

my brother talks about the new Great Gatsby movie

Sat, 11 May 2013 21:23:35 -0700

and then my mom proceeds to tell him she’s seen it…and Robert Redford was good in it.

tyleroakley: girl-non-grata: Husband animates joke about...

Thu, 02 May 2013 19:27:56 -0700

tyleroakley:

girl-non-grata:

Husband animates joke about tortilla chips told by his drunk wife.

Perfect.

Tortilla chip jokes are the shit

dogs are the best

Wed, 01 May 2013 19:43:52 -0700

dogs are the best

12ft bike at LA’s Ciclavia

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 22:12:41 -0700

12ft bike at LA’s Ciclavia

Standing splits.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:21:39 -0700

Standing splits.

tyleroakley: bulimica: Dove hired a forensic artist to draw...

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 23:24:43 -0700

tyleroakley:

bulimica:

Dove hired a forensic artist to draw how women see themselves versus how others see them.

“You are more beautiful than you think.”

Meet my new boyfriend. The best thing about him is that he fits...

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 21:48:16 -0700

Meet my new boyfriend. The best thing about him is that he fits in my purse.

Maximizing free wifi usage at the museum. #auckland #touristtime...

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:14:22 -0700

Maximizing free wifi usage at the museum. #auckland #touristtime (at Auckland Museum)

It’s fucking pouring rain outside. It was sunny this morning. 4 seasons in one day in...

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 22:42:09 -0700

It’s fucking pouring rain outside.

It was sunny this morning.

4 seasons in one day in Melbourne.

this moment

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 22:23:26 -0700

Today marks my last Sunday in Melbourne. The experience can best be summarized as I am right now. I’m sitting alone, in a tiny, minimalist North Melbourne cafe featuring reused materials as furniture and decor. I’ve ordered a soy latte, a brunch dish featuring two slices of sourdough, a poached egg—the mushroom and chorizo on top is unusual: this particular cafe didn’t have a smoked salmon + avocado option. I’m sitting on a bench, facing the window, people watching—because I really don’t have anything else to do. I need a reason to kill time. Luckily this place has free wifi and lots of interesting people sitting at the table in my direct line of sight.

Earlier, there was a really cute puppy, with his not so cute male owner (unfortunately typical in Melbourne). Now there’s a mother and son duo: both have brought books and polka dots. The mother in blue shorts with white dots and the little red-headed boy in a navy bow-tie and dots to match his hair. He’s got a hearing aid, a bright orange watch and a great choice of literature: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. If that isn’t a sign of my need to return to the States, I don’t know what is. In this case, a return to Nashville would be more appropriate, but Los Angeles will have to do.

I have mixed emotions. My life here in Melbourne has become extremely comfortable and familiar. The intimacies of Melbourne cafes (omg, the coffee!!!), the little treasures hidden in plain sight, Australian footy (I’m fucking obsessed), and most importantly, the Australian hipsters.(There is nothing better than a guy who “forgot” to shave, wearing cropped trousers or above-the-knee shorts, who has an education or has seen enough of the world to compensate for it). But I definitely miss the comforts of home—driving my own car, a culture where it’s ok if you’re just wearing a t-shirt and jeans (or, buddha forgive, even yoga pants), Asians without weird Australian accents, and most importantly: close friends and family.

As I’m sitting here, I’m feeling very whimsical. It could be because Etta James is playing on the sound system, or the fact that the sun is out. I got a great spot in this cafe, and that I’m glad I decided to get a soy hot chocolate instead of a regular one. It could be because I have the comforts of my laptop instead of the comforts of a lovely best friend to gossip with, or that the baby that just passed the window smiled and waved back to me. Whatever the reason, I know when I leave this moment, I’m going to desperately want to come back.

This moment is quickly fleeting, and I can only hope that once I return to California this feeling will somehow come back to me. I’m returning home with the optimism of opportunity. Perhaps a new role at work, new people to work with, or even a new job to start at. I will be greeted with an interview the Friday after my return, but my chances of getting the job are slim to none—not only because I’m under-qualified, but because position is extremely competitive, and my mindset isn’t ready for the intensive interview process. Maybe the week of jet-lag leading up to it will motivate me, but at this very moment, I’m extremely content with where I am now, but more importantly, how I am now.

Life can be so chaotic. Even in the “calm” of Los Angeles, there’s a natural sense of urgency and competitiveness. I am wholly American: my failures (or little successes) are only relative to another’s. But Australia has something every American needs: a sense of calm—the need to just live in the moment. Maybe I’ll forget this weird yoga/holistic mumbo jumbo feeling a couple of weeks into my return, but as I’m finishing up my thoughts and being pressured to leave the closing cafe, all I want to do is miss my flight out and unpack all over again.

i can't even focus on doing anything productive

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 20:36:16 -0700

BECAUSE THERE IS A DOGGIE OUTSIDE AND ITS SO FREAKING ADORABLE AND IM RIGHT BY THE WINDOW STARING AT IT.

I just want to pet and love the shit out of it. Too bad the owner isn’t cute.

ootd + eureka tower views of melbourne

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 02:23:29 -0700

ootd + eureka tower views of melbourne

SORRY, IM NOT SORRY. sprinted in 90F for these babies. #nike...

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 22:04:15 -0700

SORRY, IM NOT SORRY. sprinted in 90F for these babies. #nike #skyhigh #milan

Yea, I think I’ve got melbourne covered.

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 03:22:05 -0700

Yea, I think I’ve got melbourne covered.

Capturing my first time driving on the right side of the road....

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 12:53:36 -0800

Capturing my first time driving on the right side of the road. Please excuse my massive bicep/arm.

Good morning world. The view from my window. That’s the...

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 12:45:56 -0800

Good morning world. The view from my window. That’s the ocean below the sky btw #melbourne #greatoceanroad #labordayweekend (at Surfside Backpacker)

Yesterday’s view doesn’t even look real...

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 12:41:45 -0800

Yesterday’s view doesn’t even look real #greatoceanroad #melbourne (at Cape Patton Look Out)

Couldn’t find haribo gummy bears so I’ve opted for...

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 23:35:59 -0800

Couldn’t find haribo gummy bears so I’ve opted for these instead. Don’t disappoint me, Australia…. #aussiemade