I’ve been away for a long, long time. I know I’m eating my words here when I said that I would go back to regular programming when I haven’t even bothered to post even just a single picture during the whole time. Ack!
I don’t want to bother you with excuses because in the end, I just didn’t write. But honestly, I miss it. And so, perhaps to get me going, I’ll start by sharing a piece of positive news. It is the middle of the week, and sometimes, we just need to get a dose of good vibes to get us through the work week. And sometimes, even if the day sucks or other people suck, we can still turn it around and make something good happen like Dayna Morales. If you don’t know the story, simply click on the link and read it.
I’m simply writing about it because stories like these, no matter how small they seem, affects us all. It shows that there is still discrimination in this world. It shows that we still need to do a lot of work to make changes happen. And by sharing this, just like Dayna Morales puts it, hopefully I will be able to take a small part in informing others and saying, “It [discrimination] isn’t okay.”
A lot has happened since my hiatus from blogging. Life happened. That’s just one way of putting it. There were awesome days and not quite fabulous ones. And the latter is just an optimistic way of putting it. You see, I have had a terrible tooth ache that just made me want to shoot myself with a tranquilizer dart. It was so painful, I can’t help but think of crazy things just to keep my mind off of it.
And so, insane that I am or have become, I had a root canal scheduled on my birthday. Yes, you read that right. Nothing is more appropriate than being at the hands of a doctor, just like the day you were born eh? Lols. And at that instant, when the anesthetic kicked in, and all seemed a bit clearer in my head, I thought, “Wow. I am getting old.”
Anyway, I was able to do a lot of things and even tried out most of the cafes on my list. It’s a short list for now, but I assure you, the list is getting longer day by day.
Among other firsts, I was able to watch the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at Hamer Hall. It was an exceptional and truly eye opening experience into the power of music. If I had a bucket list, listening to a full orchestra would be one.
So,with this and that, I would just like to say “Hello! I’m back. And I will be seeing more of you soon.”
For a cheapskate like me, snooping for a bargain is second nature and is always a thrilling challenge. I love finding anything that I can buy with just a gold coin.
Of course, you’ll save more when you don’t spend. But when you have to, these tips just might be useful.
1. EOFYS
June is the start of the winter season. It is also the start of the end of financial year sale. Everywhere you look, stores are dropping their prices. This is the best time to take advantage of the huge discounts they offer on different merchandise, from clothes to small appliances, and of course furniture.
2. $2 Dollar Shops
If you see a $2 dollar shop in your neighbourhood, I am telling you it is well worth a visit. Sometimes, what you just can’t seem to find at the supermarkets is right there waiting for you. I was able to find anywhere from congee spoons and rolling pins to Halloween costumes here.
Sure it is not as organized as the aisles of a grocery, but I think that it’s part of its charm.
Take a peek and take your pick. $1 bags of produce can yield a good haul from the market.
3. Markets
When you frequent a market enough, you get to know its inner workings. You start to notice when is the best time to come, what bargains you can expect, and what you can buy at a wholesale price. Don’t go ignoring the $1 bags they offer, because sometimes it isn’t as bad as you think, especially when you need a whole bunch of stuff to cook right away. You just have to scrupulous
4. Sales
It’s true what they say here; when you see it on sale, grab it. You don’t know when the price will go down again. It’s okay to stock up on the essentials like soaps and toothpaste and anything that just seems to run out in your household quicker than you think.
5. Catalogues
Some people don’t like junk mail, any unsolicited material that comes in your mail. But I love catalogues, and that’s where I can find and compare items up for sale. You can also look up at catalogues online, especially ones from supermarkets such as Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi.
6. Furniture
So, how do you furnish an empty house without breaking the bank? First, tell your friends and I’m sure they have stuff they want to part with. Second, look at classifieds on the internet like Gumtree. People would rather see old furniture go to someone else who may need them, rather than just dumping them. So, if you have the means to get them, then do so.
7. Op Shopping
One of the places where people can get a hold of other items at a much cheaper price is opportunity shops or op shops. The goods are donations from good samaritans and deceased estates. So yes, it’s like the “ukay-ukay” back home.
The stock on each store varies, but you’re likely to find heaps of clothing both new and used, furniture, books, and anything under the sun.
8. Free Stuff
You can get free stuff, if you give away stuff. You can visit Ziilch, a site dedicated to recycling and reusing items by giving them away to people who may need them.
9. Groupons
Take advantage of promotions and discount coupons or groupons. They can be worth it, especially when you want to splurge on something.
10. Bulk
The nice thing about supermarkets here is that the price also tells you how much you will be paying for each item. So, if you look closely, you will be able to see how much you are paying for each roll of tissue in a pack.
You can also see how much something is worth in kilos. For example, you might be paying $4 for 250grams of nuts from Brand A, which makes it $16/kg. But if you look at Brand B, it may sell 400grams of nuts for $5, which makes it only $12.50/kg. So, if you know what to look for, you can save where you need and make the most out of your purchase.
Disclaimer: LezGoMelbourne is not paid by nor affiliated with any of the companies, shops, or brands mentioned above (if any). These are LezGoMelbourne’s personal opinions with no intention to cause or do any harm. These tips/guides are not to be taken as fact or absolute. Please consult with a professional for your own counsel.
I was watching The Project on Ten Digital or Channel 10 and their segment on sexual abuse is alarming. It has reminded me that no one is more than vulnerable on this earth than women and children. They are preyed upon by predators in cities, in suburbs, and in every place imaginable place that you can think of.
The statistics show very disturbing figures. 1 in 5 children are abused or sexually molested before the age of 18. And more than 70% will keep quiet about it or hide it.
It makes you think, how far have we really come when it comes to protecting women and children? There is still so much to be done. So, be vigilant, be aware, and be involved on how to keep children safe. Bravehearts urges you to take a stand. Learn more from the campaign 1in5.org.au and help spread the word.
The Supreme Court of the United States of America finally ruled in favour of and in recognition of the rights and liberties of lesbians and gays. It is a day of many victories – for lesbians and gay couples and families, for equality, for Edie Windsor, and for human rights.
DOMA or Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8 are now a thing of the past, as it should be. I think of them as nothing but antiquated and malevolent devices of torture. They should and have now been dismantled into nothing but wreckage. Hooray!
It is a day for celebrations! Even the google search bar is showing some love. See?
Google is all rainbow!
I cannot express how happy I am about this piece of news. I am happy for lesbian and gay couples who can now freely enjoy and exercise their rights. I am happy for friends who can fully live their lives the way they want it, with the support and recognition of the state and law of the country they belong to. Hopefully, with California now again the 13th state to recognize same sex marriage, the rest of United States of America will follow suit.
Read all about this news on the New York Times or Reuters and on other resources on the web.
You probably know by now that one of the things that I love doing is making lists. But what you may not know is that I have a great, big appetite for good food too. (So be forewarned, there will be food posts in the future.) And in Melbourne, it isn’t hard to find.
But it being winter, I can’t help but think of a warm cup of coffee. Coffee culture is alive and vibrant here. Everywhere you turn, there’s a café or a hole in the wall just churning one perfect cup after another. For me, that’s a good excuse to just sit down and enjoy a good brew.
So, what’s brewing?
I’m not going to pretend that I know a lot about coffee. What I do know, however, is that these cafes have caught my interest for quite a while now and I am more than keen to try each and every one of their special roasts and blends. The list can extend to 20, even 50, but for now, let’s make it short and sweet.
Disclaimer: LezGoMelbourne is not paid by nor affiliated with any of the companies, shops, or brands mentioned above (if any). These are LezGoMelbourne’s personal opinions with no intention to cause or do any harm. These tips/guides are not to be taken as fact or absolute. Please consult with a professional for your own counsel.
You can find some beautiful glasswork in well preserved houses. This one, however, can be found in the RipponLea Estate.
You can find a lot of literature about moving to Australia. That’s one of the first things you notice when you do your research online. There are brochures made by the state and local government which you can download. The wealth of information is out there if you know where to look.
But sometimes all the straightforward information you get out there is not enough. Some of us need to work with the details; some of us need some context so we know when and how we can apply such information.
I would like to think that I am one of those. So let me share with you a bit of what I know about leasing a property in Melbourne.
1. Referrals
Renting out a property includes a referral, either from your personal or professional network. So, it is best to know a couple or so people who know you and can vouch for you. Check with your real estate agency too it written referrals are needed.
2. Inspection Times
You may find yourself walking around a neighbourhood and saw a sign for a unit or house for rent. You don’t just barge in or try to snoop around the property. You have to contact the agent and get the details for an inspection time. Be sure to not be late though as some inspection times can be quite short.
3. Rent Rate
Apartments or houses are most commonly leased on a weekly rate. Don’t forget this as you compute and compare your options. The rent is also paid on a fortnightly basis or every two weeks, unless otherwise specified in your contract.
4. Lease Periods
Apartment units or houses are commonly leased on a yearly basis. Although, you may find some that allows you to rent a place from a monthly basis to a 6-month contract, especially in the city where a lot of travelers transit.
5. Location
Research and know what you are looking for in a neighbourhood. You can situate yourself in proximity to public transportation or to where you are looking to send your kids to school. It all depends on the needs of your family so it’s best to plan your priorities.
6. Furnished or Unfurnished
It all depends on your needs, really. But most of the time, the units or houses for lease are unfurnished so you may want to adjust your budget and expectations accordingly.
7. Utilities
Ask about the utilities you need to pay, the due dates, and where or how you can pay them. Depending on your lease or contract specifications, you may be billed for gas, aside from water and electricity. Other monthly bills you may need to pay are for those that you applied for such as internet, phone, and cable television.
8. Bond
A bond is similar to the security deposit we know back home. Typically, a bond is a month’s worth of rent. Knowing this, you have to allocate a budget for the bond and anywhere between 2 weeks to a month’s worth of rent to be paid in advance when you apply for a lease.
9. Always ask your agent
Do not be afraid to ask your agent anything regarding the house. It’s important to know the condition of the house, how certain amenities work, and what to do when something acts funny. Keep communications line open with your agent. For everything else, the real estate agency will update you if a new agent has been assigned to you.
10. Parking
If you see yourself buying a car in the very, very near future then you need to consider your parking options during your lease. If you leased a self-detached house with its own garage, I doubt you’ll be having problems. But in a crowded city where there is barely space for cars, you need to study your options and research the parking rules regulations in the city. It is best know what parking permits to apply for, what on-street parking rules are in your local area, and the terms in a strata parking in your building.
Disclaimer: LezGoMelbourne is not paid by nor affiliated with any of the companies, shops, or brands mentioned above (if any). These are LezGoMelbourne’s personal opinions with no intention to cause or do any harm. These tips/guides are not to be taken as fact or absolute. Please consult with a professional for your own counsel.
Charice Pempengco, who became internationally famous after appearing both at Oprah Winfrey’s and Ellen DeGeneres’ shows is now an out and proud lesbian. I don’t know if there were any filmed interviews where she has stated the words out loud that, “Yes I am a lesbian”. But then again, if you proclaim to come out, what else would it be? I am happy for Charice Pempengco.
I was only able to find out about this news through the Philippine media outlet and other entertainment portals online. I don’t know much about other tidbits or gossips surrounding her, but I am glad to have heard this piece of news. I say, the more lesbians out in the spotlight the merrier it is.
The only thing I will comment on is the one made by her detractors and by other ignorant people. Stop making criticisms about her look or her style. Stop the misogyny. Stop the hate. Learn to accept people for who they are. Lesbians are all shapes, sizes, colours, and yes, even hair styles. Just keep out of it. I will stop my rant here, lest it spoil this good news.
So, hooray for Charice Pempengco!
You can read the news article from the GMA website.
You remember Wency Cornejo’s song Next in Line that goes, “What’s there to look forward to beyond the biting cold?” Well, I finally get. What I mean is, I now know what the biting cold feels like. It’s so cold, you feel like someone is pinching your nose or your skin. If you don’t want to wake up to that kind of morning or to settle in for a really, really long and uncomfortable evening, then here are a few items that may just help you.
1. Bathrobe ($20 and up)
Fumbling out of bed, one of the first things anyone would reach out for is a bathrobe. Yes, you can either grab a bathrobe to wrap yourself with or drag the blanket out to the kitchen as you make the morning coffee.
2. Slippers ($3 and up)
I always go barefoot inside the house, I don’t know why but I do. However, nothing compels me more to wear a pair of slippers than the cold floor.
3. Quilt or Duvet ($30 and up)
Sometimes, a blanket is just not enough .
4. Heater ($30 and up)
You don’t have to have a fireplace to keep your house warm. Just plug a heater to the wall and you won’t be shivering in your sleep.
5. Mattress Topper ($40 and up)
If you have a foam mattress, then you’re in luck. You don’t have to be disturbed by the fact that every coil in a spring mattress feels like ice. The cold seeps through the fabric or the pillow top and it almost feels like you’re lying on the bare floor instead of the bed. The only thing I can think of to reduce this is by increasing the barrier between the spring coils and the skin, therefore a mattress topper.
6. Rugs ($15 and up)
There are houses that are carpeted wall to wall, but if you don’t happen to live in one of them, then maybe a good area rug will do. Anything that can ward off the cold helps, especially when you are still fumbling in the morning looking for your slippers.
7. Pocket Warmers or Heat Packs ($6 and up)
As the name suggests, keep these in your pockets to help you and your hands keep warm. Follow product instructions carefully to avoid misuse.
8. Door Draft Stopper ($2 and up)
Keep the cold wind from coming in by placing a door draft stopper. I didn’t know what it was until I came across one in one of our friend’s houses. You can buy one or if you’re crafty enough, you can make one. It is simply a cylindrical or tubular fabric filled with weights to keep it in place.
9. Heavy fabrics ($20 and up)
Choose heavy fabrics that will help keep or maintain heat in the house, from your bed sheets to your curtains. Wool, flannel, fleece and velvet are just some of the fabrics I know that insulates well.
10. Chocolates ($2 and up)
Chocolates don’t only ward off dementors, but the cold as well. For me at least, that holds true. Lol. Drink a hot mug of chocolate or maybe eat a couple of truffles and I’m sure you’ll agree with me that it works.
With these tips, I hope I have given you a good idea on how much budget you should set aside for your home this winter and on what you should spend them on. The price range is a very rough figure and is only based on my personal experience. Expect the minimum price to vary from store to store.
Disclaimer: LezGoMelbourne is not paid by nor affiliated with any of the companies, shops, or brands mentioned above (if any). These are LezGoMelbourne’s personal opinions with no intention to cause or do any harm. These tips/guides are not to be taken as fact or absolute. Please consult with a professional for your own counsel.
Brrr! Autumn is the season where you start piling one layer of clothing after another. It is also the season where you have to wrestle yourself out of bed every morning. And now that it is almost winter, it only gets colder and harder to wake up and leave the comfort of those warm blankets.
If you’re moving to Melbourne or Australia during this time, and if you’re not used to cool temperatures like that of Baguio and Tagaytay, then you must prepare yourself and pack some of these items with you. Sure, you can find and buy these items when you get here. It won’t be a problem if you have a budget allotted for winter clothing.
But then again, with temperatures of 7C – 17C, can you brave the cold with barely anything to keep you warm? Besides, you can buy all of these back home at much cheaper prices.
1. Beanies
In the Philippines, we call these bonnets although that may not be accurate. Anyway, bring some with you, especially when you are prone to getting headaches from being exposed to cold weather.
2. Gloves
As I am typing this, my fingers are feeling numb from the cold. If you’re like me whose hands turn to ice whenever the temperature drops, then bring a pair or two. You might want to buy a full finger glove and a half finger glove. Half finger gloves expose the tips of your finger so you can easily text or sms someone on your touch screen smart phone.
3. Scarves
It’s not just a fashion statement; you can keep warm with a simple scarf wrapped around your neck on a cool, windy, winter night.
4. Thermal undergarments
If you like to keep warm without putting on thick layers of clothing, bring thermal undergarments with you. I did because I don’t have any idea how cold autumns or winters can be. Others will tell you it is not necessary, but a pair is okay. I think it will help you adjust to the cool temperature better.
5. Umbrella
It sometimes rains in Melbourne; it doesn’t matter if it’s summer or autumn. You have to have a sturdy and reliable umbrella with you, especially if you don’t want to get soaked in freezing water.
Umbrellas here aren’t cheap and the cheap ones end up in the trash really quickly. So buy a really good umbrella and bring it with you. I’m not telling you to buy golf umbrellas since you won’t be able to put that in your luggage. Just buy a really good one, one that can withstand strong winds. It can be windy here so cheap umbrellas don’t last long.
6. Coats or Jackets
There are many kinds of coats or jackets that you can buy, but what you should be bringing with you is one that is thick enough to keep you warm. There are puffy jackets or vests that you can buy and bring with you. If that is not your style, you can buy a cape, a parka or any coat made of fleece or wool. There are also jackets that are thermal lined so you can keep warm without wearing too many layers.
7. Sweaters & Cardigans
You don’t have to bring a ton with you, just bring one or two so you can layer your clothes. Sometimes, when you attend dinners or parties, it can be too warm to wear a jacket indoors. You have to leave your jacket at the cloakroom, but still keep warm wearing your sweater or cardigan.
8. Boots
If you want to keep your feet and legs warm, then you have to wear boots. But I suggest you invest in a pair that you can wear to work or wear for hours on end. Let’s be practical here. You will do a lot of walking, so invest in a pair that won’t torture your poor feet.
You can buy a good pair of leather boots in the Philippines or you can buy them here for anywhere between $150 – $200. It’s your call. And while you may be able to find $10-$30 boots from big department stores, I don’t think it will be real leather. So, invest wisely.
9. Tights
Tights or leggings help keep you warm. I don’t know how or why but it acts like a second skin for me. So yes, you can wear your dress and keep warm by pairing it with tights or leggings.
10. Facial moisturiser
It doesn’t matter if it is summer or winter; I find my skin drying up like the dessert. There is very little humidity here so you have to keep your face and body moisturised. Buy some facial moisturisers to take with you and remember to choose one with a good SPF. Australia is near the hole or tear in the ozone layer, so you have to protect your skin.
On my next post, I’ll be making a list of items that you can buy to make you home more warm and cosy this winter. If you have other suggestions or questions, please feel free to comment.
Disclaimer: LezGoMelbourne is not paid by nor affiliated with any of the companies, shops, or brands mentioned above (if any). These are LezGoMelbourne’s personal opinions with no intention to cause or do any harm. These tips/guides are not to be taken as fact or absolute. Please consult with a professional for your own counsel.
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