A holiday to me means new experiences — whether they are local or global. Every month I lived in Canada I chronicled my working holiday in Expat Updates. Now I am back in Australia, I have created Hayley Lately. At the end of each month I talk about my life lately, my blog posts, what I’ve been reading (both online and for my reading challenge) and my writing. I hope you enjoy learning about my new home and Melbourne moments. 

Life Lately

What did I do in May? Well, I continued freelance writing and found a couple of new opportunities. I also finally found a casual job that is flexible so it shall work in perfectly with my writing commitments. Plus, it’s working at Etihad Stadium and Melbourne and Olympic Parks so maybe I’ll get to hear some cool music acts during the year.

I tried to see a bit more of Melbourne in May and somewhat succeeded. Firstly, I visited Footscray to try a new cafe with Feast Melbourne. Then I finally met the lovely blogger, Nicole behind Bitten by the Travel Bug as we ventured down one of Melbourne’s many laneways for dinner. I even found myself on Chapel Street for the first time as an audience member on The Project. I also had to visit the Queen Vic Markets because they have always been a favourite of mine. While I was there I realised just how cheap the produce and meat are – I think I will be making a visit there a regular occurrence.

May also saw me venture back up to my home state of Queensland for my cousin’s wedding on the Sunshine Coast. I used to live with her and her now-husband, so I was very happy to be there for their special day. It was also great seeing all of my extended family, as it had been a long time since I had seen many of them.

Rudimentary, a cool new cafe in Footscray

Blogging Lately

#HipmunkCityLove: My collaboration with Hipmunk continued this month with two further posts on my soul cities, Seattle and Vancouver. I think Seattle’s alternative side is what makes it a great place, and well anything budget in Vancouver is a plus.

My Six Favourite American Cities: I was asked recently about my favourite cities in the States and this was the list I came up with, so I thought hey, let’s turn it into a blog post!

Challenging Lately

I am back on track with my reading challenge (hurrah!) and read a book a week this month.

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Challenge Completed: A book written by someone under 30

I was all about the YA novels this month and I don’t really know why, but it made for quick reading. I quite liked John’s honest writing in The Fault in our Stars, which is why I chose to read Looking for Alaska. It is about a group of teenagers at boarding school and how they deal with the passing of one of their own. The writing is as good as his other work and I think it’s an interesting but necessary topic for a young adult novel.

Hayley’s Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games) by Suzanne Collins

Challenge 2/3 Completed: A trilogy

The second book in my trilogy challenge, I liked Catching Fire as much as its predecessor. I actually felt like I understood the movie more after reading the novel, which has me committed to reading the last novel prior to watching Mockingjay: Part 2 later this year. I am still 100% Team Gale though, although I think the Peeta in the novel is poorly represented in the movies — am I the only one who thinks this?

Hayley’s Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Challenge Completed: A book with a love triangle

As I was reading this novel, I thought to myself I can totally see this becoming a movie sometime soon. It turns out this is in the works — I have a good eye. The Selection is set in the future and is basically about the nation’s prince having to select a bride from a range of hopefuls. The girl he likes is of course torn between him and her old boyfriend. It was a quick over-the-weekend read and although there wasn’t too much that was mind-blowing about the plot, I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Hayley’s Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

The True Story of Butterfish by Nick Earls

Challenge Completed: A book from childhood

I saw this book at my local library and decided to pick it up for this challenge. I loved reading Nick Earls’ novels when I was growing up. Each book was as frank, funny and Australian as the last. I quite liked The True Story of Butterfish as it centred around a guy who had recently quit a band called Butterfish and returned home. The characters were all very easy to like.

Hayley’s Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Reading Lately

I let out a bit of an “Amen” after reading why Phoebe from Little Grey Box won’t settle down. Nicole from Bitten by the Travel Bug recently visited my hometown and this story is about Townsville’s newest laneway. I find it interesting reading what others think about the place I grew up — is that just me? Finally, I enjoyed reading this post from Lizzie of Wanderful World as I could definitely relate.

Watching Lately

To be honest, this should be titled what hasn’t Hayley been watching lately. This is because I’ve been catching up on a lot of TV shows now the seasons have mostly ended. I’ve been contently watching Hawaii Five-O (Alex O’Loughlin, I could happily stare at you all day). I also finished watching Reign and although I like the storylines, I love the costumes. Finally, I’ve nearly finished the latest season of Grey’s Anatomy too. However, I’m dreading the McDreamy death episode I have heard so much about.

As for movies, I finally saw Fifty Shades of Grey and thought it was a pretty good movie with spot-on casting. I also watched The DUFF last weekend and I laughed a lot. This is great but also not great when you are stuck in bed with a sore throat. The main character’s awkwardness just reminded me of, well… me. But it was a great film.

Writing Lately

As well as my usual stories, I was published on two other blogs about two completely different topics. Firstly, I wrote about Rudimentary Cafe for Melbourne food blog, Feast Melbourne. Then I got to interview talented musician, Machine Age for music blog Howl and Echoes. Although these aren’t paid gigs, to me it’s all about the experience.

Quoting Lately

I might only have one match, but I can make an explosion — Rachel Platten

In June, I’ll be visiting Hobart for two days. That means I only have one more Aussie state to go before I’ve seen them all! I’ll also be starting a new job and exploring my new home.