My First Experience in Melbourne City!

by: Somaly
Namaste wonderful souls and dear readers, 
This year, my cousin (monk) stayed and practiced his religion at Thomastown, Victoria. We decided to visit my cousin on a long weekend. My husband loves to stay in Melbourne CBD so we flew to Melbourne on Friday and returned to Brisbane on Monday. It was my first time to explore the city.

My cousin stayed Eysanmeanchey Temple for three months then he returned to Cambodia.

When my husband and I arrived at the Grand Hotel, the hotel manager was very helpful, friendly, and warm in welcoming us. We felt very comfortable and safe. We love the hotel building's historic appearance and central location. The manager recommended Cafe and Eatery Grain Store. We went to the cafe for two breakfasts. Their foods was beautiful, well decorated, and super delicious. We would recommend the cafe.

Breakfast Board

Breakfast Board

Our plans explored city, enjoyed foods, visited my cousin, went for a massage, and took a short nap. Our traveling practice might be different from major tourists and travellers. We just know that we can visit the city again in future so there is no rush to see all the popular destinations. We are spontaneous explorers and worked with what our body needs. If we felt tired, we stopped and took short nap. We love to support local restaurants, pubs, taxi, and business. We love to explore Melbourne cuisines.

The Rooftop View

The Night City Views

The Night River Views

For my first experience and travelled in the Melbourne I was amazed with all the high rise buildings, historic buildings, people, lifestyle, culture, foods, public transportations, some small block streets where I could find the restaurants, food courts, street arts, pubs, and river walk. I felt like Melbourne City is bigger, busier, and more modern and in advanced than Brisbane. however I still love to live in the Brisbane suburbs. 

My husband and I had a relaxed time and an amazing experiences in our trip. We cannot wait to explore the beautiful cities and places in the world. We are saving and planning our journey. We have some countries that we would love to experiences and learn from the people lifestyle, culture, language, historic buildings, interesting destinations, and foods.

Our travel expectations are simple and easy going. We understand that we might have bad or good experiences in our trips. We wish that we could have the wonderful time and experiences, meet the beautiful people along the way, have safe trips, gain the knowledge and insights, and be able to share and recommend some good hotels, good restaurants, delicious foods, and interesting destinations.

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Copyright by So and Jo Stories:

 ©2024 by So and Jo Stories. All right are reserved

I went to Sydney for Alphonse Mucha

 by: Icie

Namaste wonderful souls and dear readers, 

One thing to know about me, I was an interior design major back in my home country. I absolutely sucked at it, but I fell in love with Art History. In that minor, our professors taught us about different art styles through the ages and bit by bit I saw the progress of art through the ages. I loved the OG Gothic Style, Romanesque, was disillusioned with Baroque and Rococo from the west... It was too Western focused and it didn't interest me as much (because I was an Asian kid) until we got towards the end of the 19th century where the grandparents of weebs (of which I am a part of) hailed from and Japonisme was a thing. Japonisme inspired so much beautiful art and it triggered a domino effect that ultimately led to Art Nouveau where Alphonse Mucha was a main character.

Self Portrait by Alphonse Mucha

This was it. My favourite art style! I can never go back to loving other art styles after discovering Art Nouveau. It spoke to me about how feminine it was and it awakened something from my mostly masculine soul. I wanted to see more of these beautiful girls surrounded by flowers and stars, wearing kimono-inspired clothes in pretty pastels. The macaroni hair only added to the romanticism of it all. This is what love is like, but in art form!

Gismonda

Fast forward to 2024, The Mucha Foundation collaborated with the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) to host over 200 of this master's works which was "the most comprehensive exhibition ever seen in Australia of this visionary artist's work". I had to see it. I needed to see it! I am a big fan of Mucha and Art Nouveau, and one of my dreams was to go to Paris, Brussels, and Prague for all of the beautiful swirly-whirlies. Being a Brisbanite, I was exited. Please come to my city! Please, please, please! But AGNSW said "sorry, it's exclusive to Sydney."

Dammit. It's off to Sydney I go. I donned my Sailor Moon dress, packed my bag for a 3 day trip with my partner just so I could see this legend's works and boy, I was not disappointed. I learned to love Mucha and his works even more. We landed in Sydney, didn't check in our hotel, and went straight to the main quest:

Outside, they had this big banner of Mucha's name. Inside was this glorious area that showcased Summer (left) and Rose (right). Oh wait, the exhibit is next door. So we went to the more modern building, down two floors, bought tickets, and enjoyed the art.

In the newer building next door, I was treated to pre-art nouveau Mucha. We learned about what his life was like before his popularity. He designed some clothes for a theatre, hung out with everyone's buddy Paul Gaugin, Ludek Marold and Annah the Javanese. The tour guide said, "if he wasn't a painter, he would've been a great photographer".

Then we were treated to the meat of the exhibit: the Sarah Bernhardt stuff, his lithographs, his sketches, but what struck me most were his concept art to reality. (Excuse my phone's shadow. For some reason, AGNSW decided to put these works on a 45° angle under bright lights. The girl beside me even said "fucking glare!" and I wholeheartedly agreed.)

We were treated to so many wonderful works and I cried when I saw parts of Le Pater. I'm an atheist but this made me think that maybe there is a god. Maybe. But still, beautiful artwork that left me speechless.

I got to stand next to my favourite work of his: White Star. Joy!

At the end of the exhibit, the tour guide talked about how Mucha who was somewhat influenced by Japan, now influenced Japan. Now we come full circle with anime and manga characters depicted in art nouveau styled paintings and posters. Oh boy, we had our Lord Yoshitaka Amano's works in the gallery as well. I was so lucky to see works of my two favourite artists in one day!

It was almost 2PM by the time we finished the tour. We spent at least 4 hours in the gallery after landing just because I fangirled and was willing to spend money on Mucha. Yeah, I bought stuff. A reproduction of Alphonse Mucha's original "Documents Decoratifs" which focused more on his industrial design work (jewellery, cutlery, furniture etc) which I rarely see on the internet, a set of badges and make-up from Japanese brand MilleFée.

I went to Sydney for Alphonse Mucha and it was worth it. I end this rabid fangirling with the parting words of the Art Gallery of New South Wales' tour guide: Mucha's style has never been as well loved and as well represented as it is in Japan.

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Copyright by So and Jo Stories:

 ©2024 by So and Jo Stories. All right are reserved

How I can overcome some challenges in life?

by: Somaly

Namaste wonderful souls and dear readers,

I have been living in Australia since 2020. I did not travel to a lot of places in Australia. My husband and I had been working pretty hard, and we usually do our gardening on weekends. 

After I took a vocational course since October, 2022 to June, 2024. Our life became busier, and we decided to stop traveling both overseas and domestic. I work three days and studied for two. Every weekend, my friend and I did our assessments together. Being a student in Australia was difficult, challenging, overwhelming, and stressful due to many assessments and placement requirements. 

English is my second language. Sometimes, I take a while to understand and know how I answer the questions. Sometimes, I ask my classmates and friends to explain questions in the simple ways or form. Even-though it was difficult and challenging, I never gave up on my study. I learned to be organised, time-management, priority the tasks, and teamwork.

During my studying, I found out that I had Borderline Phylloxera Tumour which I did two major surgeries early 2024. It was hard to accepted and process at beginning because I had to be absent total six weeks from work and school. I asked myself with five questions and It took nine months to process, accepted, be honest to myself, and answers all these questions.

1. How can I overcome these challenges? 

• I learn to accepted and have positive mindset during these difficult time.
• I learn to asked for help (Icie help passed information and explained me how to do assessments).
• I told myself that I am safe and surround with my love ones.
• I also told myself that my school and workplace understood and supported me with this journey.
• I also told myself that I was at good hands and care with Australia health system. 
• I am grateful for my husband and friends with their love and positive encouragement. I kept moving forward with these challenges.
• I am grateful for general doctor, specialist surgeon, assisting doctors, and all hospital staffs.
• I am grateful for my friend, classmates, teachers, and management team.
• I also grateful for my colleagues, educational leaders, supervisor, and direct manager.

2. How can I catch up with my study and assessments? 

• During recovery progress and absences from work and study, I did my assessment one to two questions per-day and take a break if I felt so tired.
• I understood about my body needs and checked on my mental health.
• After I got two anaesthetic injections, I could not focus on my study because it was overwhelm with all assessments and placement requirements. I use these positive phrases to motivate myself. “ I am half way to completed my study. Be patient and keep going. I can do it.”.
• I am be honest with myself that I had two choices “ If I stop now, I have to retake my course again.  Or I just hold on and keep do my best with my own pace.
• I know I am in healing process. I know my body, spiritual,  and mind will doing their healing, so I did not keep to worrying and thinking about heath issues anymore. 

3. How can I prepare my physical, emotional, and mental stage when I return to my workplace?

• I was be honest with my colleague that I need work light and slowly pace one more week. 
• Then I would tried my best to fulfil my responsible as team. I don’t like to take any advantage from my colleague because of my health. 
• I respect them and be responsible with my role. 
• Even-though I graduated since June, 2024. I decided to work only three day. I keep my four days for learning new skills, recovery from stress and intensions, return to doing garden, be kind to myself, and doing things that bring joys and happiness.  

4. How can I improve my lifestyle and life? 

• My husband and I have been spending time with our families, friends, and communities.
• We slowly travelled in Australia since August,  and we also plan to traveling oversea, and our homeland.  
• We have been grown my vegetables, consume healthy foods, and cooking.
• I have been listening to my physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
• I join yoga class, ride bike cycle, and walk to workplace, and neighbourhood area.
• I have been creating YouTube Channels, Blogs, Facebook Pages, and Tumblr where I could expend creativities, learn new skills, and have flexible schedules.
• I love to read inspiration and non-fiction books. These books help me learning others’ stories and experiences.
• I listen to mantra, read oracle desks, have crystals, cuddle my favorited squish mallows toys, nature walk, and picture board ( where I stick my families’ pictures, good friends, some co-workers, and my students).

Theses questions remind some aspects in our life. My husband and I have supported and loved each others ever-since. We never complaints about our challenges, health issues, difficulties in our career, and little money that we earn. 

Everyday, we have been trying our best to fulfil jobs, learn new skills, have grateful heart, live simple life, enjoy our own hobbies,  spend time with our own friends and families, spend money on things that we needs, and encourage each others when we felt down. 

This is my own stories and experiences “ how I can overcome some challenges in life?”. I hope you could overcome your challenges and difficulty in life too. Sometimes, we need to be positive, be open, and go with the flow in life. 

If you feel hard to walk alone, surround yourself with love one or ask for help from friends and health professional. 

Legal Disclaimer: These my stories and experience must not be a replacement for professional advice,  health professional instructions, and medical treatments. If you require guidance in any of these areas, Please seek advice from a qualified professional. 

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🌟If you feel it be not resonate and align with your life, please leave my stories and experiences behind. Thank you.

🌟Send a lot of love, hugs, peace, miracles, and blessings to you and your family.

Copyright by So and Jo Stories:

 ©2024 by So and Jo Stories. All right are reserved

Let's me introduce to my beautiful friend!

by: Somaly and Icie 

Namaste wonderful souls and dear readers,

I am Somaly. I love growing plants, lifestyle, to be self-sustainable and the simple life. I love flowers and animals especially wild birds. Yoga, crystals, and spiritual things also mean to me.

Let's me introduce my beautiful friend (Icie). 

Icie and I went to shopping together. I brought my little Felix.

We met each others through vocational course. Icie and I studied the same class and live the same suburb. We helped each other, and studied together during our course where we became best friends. I am grateful for being her classmate, and best friend. Now we become a partnership. She teaches me English, music. arts, and . We love to go shopping, attend yoga, and colouring.

Let’s hear from Icie,

  

Kumusta friends! I’m Icie, originally from the Philippines but moved to Australia a long time ago. I value my love of anything that can be done indoors, education (particularly self-studying) and self-development.

I love to share and talk about the things that I love: anime, games (video, board, card, word), binge watching, movies food, art, events, music, languages, fashion, reading, writing stories and trying out new things. I am they/them, atheist (but maybe I love paganism) and have ADD. Plants and animals tether me especially cats, so does Kundalini Yoga.

Now, I am working on staying still at my current job because I have been so many things and I haven’t settled down: call-centre agent, copy writer, professional artisan baker, librarian and now kindy teacher. I don’t have a brand, but I want to help Somaly expand hers. 

Somaly teaches me about gardening, mindfulness, sustainability and getting out of my house.

We created Yin and Yang lifestyle in 2024 because it benefits our lives. It’s about enjoying everything around you, be it geared towards feminine things or masculine things. Mindfulness is our main focus and we would like to share our journey to people who are willing to stop, look, and listen. And if you like our journey, we hope it benefits you.

This is our logo because we talk about the yin and yang philosophy. We are (technically) both women and this logo represents our personalities: sometimes, one of us is more feminine than the other and the other one is more masculine and that’s ok. Yin and Yang is in everyone and we spend time together despite our differences. This made us better people as we work together, always aspiring towards the same goal. 

This is our website: A. Yin and Yang Lifestyle

Facebook Page Link:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564412355121

Tumblr Link: tumblr.com/yinandyanglifestyle

🌟 Thank you for your previous times to reading and support our writing. 

🌟Thank you for being part of our community. 

🌟 Thank you for your likes, shares, comments, and follows.  

🌟If you feel it be not resonate and align with your life, please leave my stories and experiences behind. Thank you.

🌟Send a lot of love, hugs, peace, miracles, and blessings to you and your family.

Copyright by So and Jo Stories:

 ©2024 by So and Jo Stories. All right are reserved