Sunday Brunch and BBQ

Zack and I sort of have a new tradition. We go to brunch on the weekend...sometimes just the two of us, sometimes with friends. We've been trying various places around South Melbourne. St Ali's is one of our favorites. However, this past Sunday, we had to go back to Cafe Sweethearts, because I had seen what looked like American-style bacon on someone's plate last weekend after I had already gotten my pancakes. I know I've mentioned it before, but bacon here is not how bacon should be. It's basically pieces of ham. So I asked the waitress to tell them to cook it extra extra crispy. She described it as, "Make it look like it's been dragged through hell and back?" "Exactly," I agreed. You can see the results below, along with my obligatory chai latte. It was pretty darn good, though still a little too thick. Oh, how I miss good bacon!

Later in the afternoon, we met up with Klem and Vesna near the beach in Elwood for a BBQ. Even though it's supposedly springtime, it was windy and freezing. Not the best weather for a BBQ, but Vesna's delicious chocolate cake made it worth the trip! I like how Australia provides these BBQ areas near beaches and in parks that you can use for free.

Anyway, that's how we spent some of our Sunday. Oh yeah, and Notre Dame is now 7-0. Go Irish!!!

Spring Into Shape

Just about to start the race.

Yesterday, I ran the first of three running races that are part of the Spring Into Shape Series in Melbourne. There is one race every month for three months. Zack came along as my cheerleader and photographer, and I completed the 12.7km (about 8 miles) run in 1 hour and 10 minutes. I was decently happy with my pace and placing 29th out of 83 females in my age group.

Pushing hard at the finish.

After the race, we walked around Federation Square for a bit and then went out for brunch on Acland Street. I was even able to get the restaurant to cook my bacon "American-style." Here in Australia, "bacon" is actually more like pieces of ham...not thin or crispy at all. So it was awesome to have some "real" bacon with my scrambled eggs and hash browns. Yum!

After brunch, Zack convinced me to get a foot massage at the Thai place down the street, which felt great after my run. We spent the afternoon hanging out in the sun on the beach and took it easy last night. Not a bad Sunday!