Finally settled into the new place!

After months of searching for an apartment, we finally found one! An old art deco-style flat in a wonderful area called Balaclava! We couldn't be happier where we are, the neighborhood is everything we could've asked for. People are friendly, there are plenty of bakeries, fresh produce markets and cafes all around. Plus, we are close to the train and trams! We live on a very quiet street, and our neighbors are friendly and pretty quiet. We happen to live below an opera singer, so he likes to rehearse during the day which doesn't bother me a bit! The apartment is nice and spacious with lots of character, which we both very much love. It keeps very cool, so although it doesn't have A/C, I think it will keep quite cool on those 40 degree summer days :)

We made friends with the owners of a cafe at the end of our street the first day we moved! They lent us their umbrella when it was pouring rain out! Then we found out the restaurant beside that is owned by former classmates of Damien's! It's primarily a Jewish area, which means also lots of Russians and Ukrainians! Of course we happened to settle in the Slavic area! There are delis and bakeries which supply wonderful homecooked delishousness from my childhood! We are about a 25 minute walk to the beach which is fantastic! The other day an old friend of mine from Jasper and I met on the beach for drinks and it felt like we were in Cuba or somewhere in the Caribbean!  I think I can get used to that. Plus, in the bay we live nearby there are dolphins and penguins! How cool is that?!

I'm getting used to the area, and we love exploring it. It is different for me to be living in a big city, I do miss the freedom of driving out to the country whenever I want...or coming across orchards & vineyards within minutes of leaving my driveway... but this is where we are supposed to be at, and I am learning to embrace the now. Still have some days where I am homesick and missing everyone, but I am slowly settling in. Soon I will be able to work, which will make a big difference as well. The trick is to keep busy, and I don't know how I fill up my days, but I refuse to be bored, so I keep as busy as I can! I am loving being a wife and a homemaker! Although the homemaker part is temporary for now, I am really enjoying it! Although I am anxious to get back to work, I think I will miss this. Each day I am cooking a new recipe I have never tried, and you know what, I am not doing half bad! In fact, I am a pretty darn good cook if I do say so myself!

I will post some pics of the place soon! We still need a couple pieces of furniture, but we are doing good! I am a white antique furniture fanatic, while Damien likes a darker wood, so we have compromised a lot! Hope you enjoy our home, tomorrow night Damien has decided to cook me a Thanksgiving dinner  because he knows how much I love it! We are having his parents over which will be our first dinner guests! (We still only have 3 chairs!) Very exciting stuff! Will post soon! xx