Toronto to Melbourne: Melbourne: One month later

As the weather in Melbourne finally turns from winter to spring, and then oh so gradually from spring to summer, I've been busy exploring new corners of the city. The past few weeks have been bursting full with trips to the beach, evening pints, sports games and afternoons spent in cafes and exploring bookstores along Chapel Street. I've also embarked on a serious job search, with the hopes of making my stay in Melbourne more permanent (at least for a little while).

I owe a lot of my happiness these past few weeks to a group of great people I've met, who have made my transition to Melbourne easier than I could have hoped for. Each Thursday my futsal team comes together for a fun game of social soccer, and we follow up our inevitable win with beers at a nearby Irish pub, where live music is ever-present. Friday has come to mean a day at the beach, with a deck of cards, cold beverages, and good company, as we work on our tans (or in most cases, our burns) and soak up the Australian sunshine.

Saturday and Sunday are for brunch, trying the many Mebourne cafes, followed by a walk through a park or a casual wander around a local art show, in support of a friend. On Sunday evening I play Australian Rules Football (AFL), which is a hilarious combination of rugby and American football, and is a challenging work out (if not a sightly embarrassing athletic performance by me).

The rest of the time I'm filling my life with my favourite things: curling up in a dimly lite cafe with a coffee and a good book, walking up and down Chapel street in search of the best live music venues, window shopping down Toorak Road for dresses and clothes. Laundry, groceries and resume writing also find their way into the mix of ongoing to do's.

When I pictured living in Melbourne, I imagined waking up on the beach, spending my mornings surfing like Sandy Cohen and writing in the evenings while a salty-ocean breeze drifted in through open windows, cutting through the oppressive heat. So far, my time in Melbourne has been different than I imagined: there's be much more rain, for starters, and I've yet to touch a surfboard. But in spite of all of this, I'm proud of myself for being able to embrace and appreciate each evening at the pub, weekend brunch date, and most importantly, each new friendship that comes my way. So far, the people I've met have made my traveling abroad experience stellar, and for that I am grateful.

Having said that, things aren't perfect. I've been battling a head cold for the past week (which has made playing sports a challenge), I've yet to acquire a bike, and the job hunt is still ongoing. Melbourne recruiters and/or bike sellers: hit me up!

Regardless, here are some photos that I've taken over the past month, which I hope illustrate the wonder that is Melbourne, and the great people + experiences that are filling my life these days: