The Best Money Ever Spent

I like to experiment with my food.  In recent times, I've come up with my own recipes, altered the recipes of others and created meals for myself that never get boring for my taste buds.  Lately I've come across an interesting product that is only 89 cents.  It is Sweet Chilli flavoured tuna and it tastes amazing.  It makes for the best sandwich, it's great to mix into salads and it's got a fun spicy taste to it.  I bought four cans of this specialty tuna when I went grocery shopping and it is now a staple in my pantry.  I love the fact that it is inexpensive as well - it literally became the cheapest lunch I've ever had thus far.  And it's totally well-worth the purchase from Wollies.

I put the Sweet Chilli flavoured tuna on toasted bread and added a slice of white cheddar cheese

Tomato & Onion flavour is just as tasty.  The "Homebrand" label is equivalent to Canada's "No Name brand," making it the most inexpensive brand to buy at the grocery store.  But they certainly don't compromise on taste.

xo Melissa

Hey Australia: You're Not Cold!

Yeah, you heard me.  A 17-degree winter is not freezing.  On the flip side, you could have a -30 degree winter, lots of snow to travel through and grey skies.  Ugg boots? Try wearing Sorel boots! Your winter consists of a golden sun, no harsh winds and visitors like me can wear flip flops.  Wanna trade?



xo Melissa

Surfer Girl

As many of you may already know, I've taken up surfing classes while here in Sydney.  I wanted to learn how to surf because I know that is a favourite pastime for Australians.  It was also yet another fear I wanted to overcome - my fear of the ocean and its unforgiving pulls into it's deep ends.  Although I've been on seven cruises, I still haven't been fully "immersed" into the ocean waters until this year.  However, it is quite unfortunate to say that my days as a surfer girl - from learning to catch a wave to finally standing up on the board - have come to an end.  My final surf lesson was yesterday night and it was sad to say goodbye to the ocean.  But it's a good thing I've got the memories of my surfing adventures. 

I feel like I'm right there in the sand

Listening carefully to my instructions and safety tips

Bondi Beach is a destination full of fascination and charm!

With just one quick jump up and a hard lunge with my front knee, I am able to steady myself on the board

xo Melissa

Adrenaline Junkie

I did the unthinkable today and I am still shaking.  I went skydiving and challenged my life-long fear of heights.  Although I've been on airplanes and in many skyscraper buildings, I can't rid myself from the shaky and nauseating feelings I get when I am simply looking out the windows of either a high rise building or an airplane.  But today I thought, as per my goal of changing and enriching my life while here in Australia, I am going to face my greatest fear and overcome it once and for all.  Other than my other (and very severe) fear of spiders.  That one I can't "let go" of just yet. 

The anticipation begins to freak me out and as per typical Melissa behaviour, I start laughing uncontrollably to deal with my large amount of anxiety.

At this point I can feel tears beginning to swell in my eyes because we could jump at any moment.

We just jumped.  You can still see the wing of the plane.  It's 14,000 feet in the air and I feel a rush of harsh wind at zero degrees hit my face and curse words begin flowing out of my mouth.

Believe it or not, I was beginning to get used to this drop! But I hate drops on roller coasters still.  Well, maybe not anymore?  I'll have to test that theory at some point.

At this point I'm yelling, "I can't believe I did this, I'm absolutely, ridiculously insane!"

The parachute goes up and I am enjoying some scenic views.

Yup, I mastered my fear of heights quite successfully.  Bucket list item completed. Check.

xo Melissa

Alright, So Now I Am A Chef...

I came up with another delicious lunch recipe and not to get too much into how tasteful it was (I've got photos after all!), the directions for this dish are also pretty simple.  All that is required is whole wheat bread, tuna, mixed-and-diced organic veggies and white cheddar cheese slices.

Of course, if you have a panini press, then it'll come out looking like the way mine did, above!  But a toaster oven works well, too.

Very simple directions: add diced veggies, tuna and sliced cheese to whole wheat bread.  Toast, or place on a panini press.  For added flavour, as suggested by my roommie, Matt, swipe a touch of butter on top of the bread prior to heating.

Makes me want to grab it off the computer screen and eat it.  Again.

xo Melissa

Customer Service Issues

Hello everyone and welcome to the third installment of my video blogs.  I had a wee bit of a customer service issue and this video is about my confusion on the way a certain situation could have been handled.  If you've ever experienced unusual or confusing customer service assistance, please let me know in the comments section so I do not feel alone, lol.


xo Melissa

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Oh, You Know... Just Taking A Study Break...

It was a super hot day today and I just couldn't bring myself to finishing an essay that has been a thorn in my side for a while.  Although, not to worry, I am almost finished writing this essay (not counting the four other essays I have to get going on in order to complete this program).  I simply felt as though I didn't want to waste this really sunny day, since we're in Australia's autumn season (which feels more like Canada's mid-summer).  So I went downstairs to the residence's poolside and absorbed a bit of Vitamin D.  After all, my tan from last week's surf lessons was beginning to fade...

What a peaceful way to de-stress

I didn't bother going into the still pool.  Instead, I "soaked" in Vitamin D from the sun

xo Melissa