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 is 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. I visited Footscray to try a new cafe with Feast Melbourne. I finally met the lovely blogger, Nicole behind Bitten by the Travel Bug as we ventured down one of Melbourne’s many lane ways 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 Victoria Markets because they have always been a favourite of mine. While I was there I realised just how cheap the produce and meat is — me thinks I will making a visit there a regular occurrence.
I had to also eat churros at the markets, because churros!
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.
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.
Don’t Boycott Bali: This was a post I really felt like I needed to write following the Bali Nine ringleader executions. Bali is an amazing Indonesian island I hope everyone gets the opportunity to experience once.
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!
The beautiful Sunshine Coast
Challenging Lately
I am back on track with my reading challenge (hurrah!) and read a book a week this month.
Looking for Alaska
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 was as good as his other work and I thought it was 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)
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
How nice is my local library?
The Selection
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
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 lane way. 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 Hayley hasn’t been watching lately because I have been catching up on a lot of TV shows now the seasons have mostly ended. I have 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. I have nearly finished the latest season of Grey’s Anatomy too, but I am 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 watched The DUFF last weekend and I laughed a lot, which isn’t 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: food and music. I wrote about Rudimentary Cafe for Melbourne food blog, Feast Melbourne and 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
June sees me… visiting Hobart for two days (only one more Aussie state to go before I’ve seen them all), starting a new job and exploring my new home.
All photos from Instagram