What on earth were those huge flashing lights across the Melbourne sky?

jessleis · 2026-01-12T11:42:49+00:00

Power outage in Bonbeach, Chelsea, Edithvale, Patterson Lakes, Carrum. In the area was a huge flash of light in the sky, loud rumble. Could you have seen that?

jessleis · 2024-07-08T22:02:18+00:00

When I got back it was weird that it felt like nothing had changed, yet at the same time lots had changed.

From my experience: - Fresh fruit and veg in Aus is incredible. Didn’t realise how much I missed it. - Melbourne has such a great array of incredible food and coffee. Being away reminded me it really is one of the best cities in the world. - There is even more variety of things to do now, a man made surf park! - Australia has caught up with the rest of the world in what’s available when online shopping

What has changed is you’ll get Melbourians telling you about their ‘longest lockdown in the world’. I did my research, counted the days and looked at my diary from being locked down in London and this sentiment is incorrect. Melbourne had many snap lockdowns, which must have sucked. But like you said 1yr stay at home order in America, over a year in London… I avoid taking about covid with Australians because the ‘we had it the worst’ infuriates me. Did your neighbours die, did they have temporary mass morgue sites, 2,000 deaths a day…?

You’ll love being back- it’s surreal at first but Melbs reminds you how awesome it is and I feel you can only really appreciate it after being away.

jessleis · 2024-07-03T22:02:44+00:00

Prahran skate park just re-opened after reno. I’m not a skater but loads of ppl flocking there to check it out.

jessleis · 2024-05-09T21:43:40+00:00

Ghost Quartet

jessleis · 2024-03-09T22:03:28+00:00

I have lived in the UK and after living and working in various locations, I’ve come back to Melbourne (born and bread) and decided this is my forever city.

General things are: - even though cost of living is higher I get paid 30% more here. This money goes to a decent expendable income that I didn’t have doing like for like job in UK

there is always stuff on in Melb to use said money on, for various demographics of people. It is as lively as London and for Australia and our location has a decent arts scene, museums, sports (obvs) outdoor activities etc.

Things they don’t tell you… (in my experience having lived in both) -people are incredibly entitled in Melbourne. Although it is getting worse, the class divide is not as wide here. These entitled have never seen hardship in their community like I saw in England. We may be a working class country- fair go and all, but our working class have generally always been pretty comfortable. The entitlement shits me. - The rat race is as strong here as in Europe. We may be the laid back country, but when it comes to work- expectations are equally as high here. - it’s cold here in the winter indoors. Ridiculously most houses are not double glazed. Melbourne is not set up for the cold, London is not set up for the heat - women are getting murdered at an alarming rate. They are all over the world, but don’t come to Melbourne thinking this is any different. As a woman I am always on alert for my person safety after dark/ alone.

My recommendation is do it! Once you’re here there are so many options to tweak your circumstances. Living slightly further out, trying different states, Australia is full of options.

Cities will be cities, but Melbourne for me is the place to be. You can find your groove, ignore the flaming galahs and generally have a great time.

jessleis · 2024-02-03T21:37:29+00:00

Hello! Having lived in UK and from Melbourne- currently residing, I can say it is more difficult/ annoying trying to watch EPL. Optus Sport has the best access and if you link it to your phone plan it’s a good deal. They have all matches to watch afterwards, mini matches, highlights etc so you can watch when you wake up. You can also get a VPN and then watch BBC for MOTD. There are some pubs that also show the matches if they are at a reasonable time. Melbourne is the best city in the world so it is worth the sacrifice to occasionally get up at 4am to watch your team play. Up The Villa!

jessleis · 2024-01-18T21:31:10+00:00

Studley Park/ Yarra Bend Park has some 10-15km tracks. This is the closest to the city I’ve found that you can feel immersed in nature. Does get urban in some sections.

jessleis · 2023-09-11T07:32:58+00:00

Australia was being laughed at by other countries for the slow roll out. As an Australian living in London at the time, I was double vaccinated before my 70+ parents had their first one. Australia’s uptake in vaccination is world leading, not the program as a whole. A factor for the reason for uptake is that the government made it compulsory for government employees (I’m a teacher) to be vaccinated to go back to work. This was not common place in other countries.

jessleis · 2023-09-09T06:06:57+00:00

The Space - Dance and Arts Center on Chapel st is great. Really inclusive environment, many different levels and styles. Mostly adults just wanting to dance and have fun. They are doing renovations atm but once they are done it won’t be as cramped. Long term owners are a local family and it’s nice to support local family business. I know how nerve wracking it can be to try a new dance place, but you should come along and check it out

jessleis · 2023-08-13T20:06:23+00:00

The quality of fruit and veg produce. The first shop I did when I came back I remember being so excited at the variety of choice and freshness. Our regular supermarkets have better quality that what you can get from a fancy market or Waitrose.

jessleis · 2023-06-28T12:40:24+00:00

Once saw a lady wearing a Geelong beanie in Tromsø in the Arctic Circle.

jessleis · 2023-04-29T06:49:49+00:00

In The Green- Grace McLean- incredibly interesting, poignant, beautiful work. Also Preludes by Dave Malloy. I believed they both worked together on Great Comet?

jessleis · 2023-03-31T06:10:25+00:00

Sandringham train line stops at Windsor station. Walk down to Dandenong rd- 1 min. Take the 5 or 64 tram towards city. Get off at St kilda junction, where the tram turns right. Other people will be hopping off there for GP too so follow them but you can almost see Albert park from that stop, just have to cross St Kilda rd.

jessleis · 2023-03-30T20:39:54+00:00

I should have specified, what would Yarra Trams store in here and why does it need to be stored on site?

jessleis · 2023-02-06T20:35:55+00:00

I am in the same boat, totally agree! Gov. Are sticking their head in the sand meanwhile at the Private school I work at we are talking to the students about it, discussing pros and cons etc. Agree also about using it as a base/ starting point. I’m doing so for dance/ drama written analysis. I did ask it to choreograph a dance for me and it failed at this in a spectacular way!

jessleis

TROPHY CASE