[BAREFOOT] LITTLE DRAGON

Lunar New Year, 2012

It was lovely to be at home again after another year in Sydney, especially to see my sister, who's grown up so much while I'd been gone. It was a quiet and simple new year's this year, with a lot of time spent at my grandma's beautiful house, travelling with my dad's family to Phan Thiet and reuniting with my cousins, and hanging out at home heaps (simply because it was way too hot outside), rather than preparing crazy feasts and seeing thousands of relatives and acquaintances when you really just wanna chill out with your loved ones.

I dearly miss my little monkey (who is a little too full of energy for me though; my parents have been doing well in switching off and ignoring her non-stop babbling and jumping around), however spending two weeks at home made me realise how comfortable I've been here in Australia; I can't wait for my family to come see me and get to know the life I've built in Manly. In a way it was still strange though, to come home and not feel completely at home anymore. Now I have to wait for the moment that "this is where I belong" feeling hits me again.

College started again last week so I've been a little slow with posting, sorry. I actually didn't manage to tick any of the Fast Five boxes for the last week before uni, pretty slack.

[BAREFOOT] MELLOW MELBOURNE

Maybe not so much on the last photo, ha.
Sneaky little getaways are awesome, although this was the third time I went to Melbourne and the trip lacked the magic I felt last time I was there, probably because I already saw a lot during the previous trip (Check out my birthday trip to Melbourne here). Nevertheless it was amazing to feel so familiar with the city; walking around town was more about exploring little details this time rather than trying to get an idea of what the city is about.

T and I went to see his oldest brother and his family (again a super laid-back and happy team), and just walked and ate and drank as much as we could. It was just out of new year's so many places were still closed, but coffee at Brother Baba Budan was soooooo beautiful, and I got to go back to a few of my favourites like Cumulus Inc and Movida Next Door. It was warm, and fairly quiet - as usual. Melbourne always seems a tad slower and more relaxed than Sydney, which is refreshing for me everytime I go there. Not that I'm saying my life in Manly is any hectic though!

See you again, soon.

[BAREFOOT] OLD FASHIONED

T's little bar in his men's corner, and bike in my sunroom.

This and more daily inspirations on my scrapbook that one last piece of cake.

[SUITED UP AND BAREFOOT] MONDAY EXCLUSIVE

I remember it was a very hot summer-like Monday night some time last year; I felt like I was stepping into an oven when I walked out of the house. Jah Bar is usually closed on Mondays, but Toby felt creative that night and asked me to join him there to take photos of a couple of cocktails for their Concrete Playground write-up. It was kinda strange to be at a restaurant on its day off; at the same time I've been so familiar with its business hour happenings already that it was nice to be able to freely walk around and see the place from different perspectives. So I grabbed the camera too when Toby took his breaks from it to make new drinks.

One of my most favourite venues in Manly - I don't remember ever not having a good time there. Besides its killer food and drinks (tapas, wines and classic cocktails with a twist), I personally like how it's quite hard to define what Jah Bar is. It's strangely appropriate for any occasion - nice, long dinners, afternoon backyard sangrias, late night wine and cocktails, or simply rocking up for a quick meal or nibbles on nights you prefer something fancier. It's formal enough to come in with family, loose enough to have a party dinner with a group of mates, and cosy, relaxed but also fun enough to swing by alone or with a friend for whatever you feel like having. Man, whatever it is, I think they're doing a fricken good job there.

Anyone enjoying a swim in Mantown and feeling like croquetas and an old fashioned (and maybe more), give me a shout. Not on Mondays though.

[BAREFOOT] WHERE THE KIDS ARE SHINING AND THE SUN IS SMILING

I unfortunately missed the major celebrations, but I did manage to catch a train to Bathurst to join Toby's family for a belated holiday after three days of work over the Christmas weekend. It was one of those magical express vacations where one's mind is completely at peace, days are endless and you wouldn't want it any other way, and you leave taking that happiness with you that is so dearly attached to those exact days because they happened at the right time, at the right place.

Two beautiful days spent with a wonderful family that loves, learns and shares - a lot. Everyone and everything was so cool and relaxed that I lost all my good manners and straight away lounged on the sofa, took a nap on the floor among the cricket-watching family, and lay down in the grass anywhere around the house. Well I just remember I was very happy. Thanks again, so much, for having me.