graduation reflections.

It's official - I'm a graduate from the University of Melbourne!

Master of Journalism. woo!

Getting to this point took a lot of hard work and was very overwhelming at times. But it was all totally worth it.

obligatory regalia selfie.

The graduation ceremony itself was probably the most organised event I've witnessed at this university. It took place at the Royal Exhibition Building, a beautiful location near the edge of Melbourne's CBD. And even though the wind was out of control (typical Melbourne!), the weather was sunny and made for some lovely photos.

the Royal Exhibition Hall

Graduation coincided with my mom's third visit to Melbourne, and it was so meaningful to have her there for the event. Our friends Ronelle and Gareth were able to watch Arden, which was a huge blessing and relief.

During the ceremony, I reflected on a few things during my grad school journey.

I thought about how intimidating it felt to even apply to the program, and how emotional I was when I received the e-mail of acceptance (on the drive back from Portland - very timely!).

I thought about the other students I had met through classes, or the program, or as friends of friends. The journalism program attracts people from many walks of life, and it was lovely to have conversations with such diverse and fascinating personalities. I'm honoured to even know many of my classmates, who no doubt will go on to do amazing things, journalistic and beyond. And so many of them had been friendly and incredibly helpful, especially when I was pregnant with Arden.

Cards Against Humanity nights. Typical.

I thought about how daunting everything felt at the beginning of each semester, especially as the challenges piled up (semester 1: don't fail. semester 2: don't vomit in class. semester 3: don't give birth in class. semester 4: don't fail, and don't let the baby vomit in class). And the huge effort it took to complete my final semester (like the time we flew my sister-in-law and nephew to Melbourne to watch Arden while I took an intensive class..!).

Arden was with me for 3/4 of my program! Two semesters in mooncake-form, one semester in baby-form.

I do have a few reservations about higher education, but I won't get into that. Instead, I will say that I found my time in both undergraduate and graduate school to be extremely valuable - not necessarily for the purpose of classroom-based education or getting a job, but for the experiences. For the people I met, the diverse ideas and thoughts I was exposed to, for the feeling of purpose and a substantial goal to work towards.

A huge thank-you to my family for the support (financial and emotional); to my classmates and professors for the encouragement, advice and friendship; to my friends in the States for cheering me on; to Ben for supporting me through the hardest of the hard moments; and of course to Arden, who was always very well-behaved - and cute - when I occasionally brought her to class with me.

CK
(Master of Journalism!)

p.s.
If you're curious, here are some previous blog entries about my graduate school experience:

-pre-course excitement and thoughts
-my first week ("disorientation week" as I called it!)
-my first semester
-my last semester

running adventures: 2016 edition.

Sometime last year, as I was pacing the apartment while rocking a fussy 3-month-old Arden to sleep, I recall staring longingly at my collection of Australian running medals hanging on the wall. 2014 had been my year of running adventures - training in small Victorian towns, running my second half marathon, and completing my first marathon ever. I was craving another finish line experience.

And it eventually happened. Twice! It's the end of 2016 and I've completed two races so far... although I'm pretty sure that's all for this year (when you're up several times during the night feeding/rocking a baby back to sleep, voluntarily waking everyone up at 5:30 for an early morning event is far from ideal!).

Growing and birthing a baby is a huge physical and mental change, and nothing is ever the same. Some mothers are actually faster post-partum (like Ben's super-marathon-runner cousin, who had a baby around the same time I did - and she earned her first BQ a few weeks ago! She is also approaching marathon #50... I am in awe, to say the least). But I'm the opposite, and probably in the majority of mommy-runners. I wasn't a fast runner before having a baby (I have friends who kindly consider me a jogger and not a runner because I don't run 7-minute miles), and I'm definitely a lot less speedy these days. But I'm still grateful for the ability to pound the pavement and partake in some fun running events around the city.

Melbourne Marathon Festival 10k

I really wanted to break one hour for my third 10k (not an impossible task - I ran my first two in 57:20 and 56:48), but my main goal for this race was to finish. This was my first postpartum race after all, and I knew I had to adjust my personal expectations.

The Melbourne Marathon Festival is a huge event (home to the biggest marathon in Australia). Its biggest enticement is a memorable finish lap inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia's largest stadium, for all its race distances. However, the MCG was under construction when I ran the full marathon in 2014, and the finish line was at an alternate and less-iconic location. How unfortunate! I really wanted my MCG finish experience, so I decided to sign up for this year's 10k.

I made myself a pretty conservative training plan. Back then, Arden was doing really well in her jogging stroller, so we ran 3-4 times a week in sunshine and rainstorms alike without a problem. Running while pushing a huge stroller is challenging, but I like to think of it as resistance training, or something like that.

The morning of the race was very, very windy, even for Melbourne. But the predicted rain held off until late afternoon, so it was a beautiful and clear day for a 6.2-mile run!

pre-race family selfie!

The festival is indeed a very crowded event. It was hard to go at my own pace during quite a few moments, especially at the beginning and the end of the race (this was also my experience during the full marathon - they're not lying when they say it's a big event!).

I ended up finishing in 1:04:11 - my worst 10k time by a good seven minutes. But I wasn't too disappointed, as I had accomplished my primary goal of completing the race. The finish line inside the MCG was indeed very cool. Plus, it was my first race where I had a little half-clone cheering for me at the finish! It was definitely a day to celebrate.

inside the iconic MCG. finally!

trying on the race bling.

City2Sea 5k

I only signed up for this race because our bank is the official sponsor, and they offered members a really good earlybird price ($30, which is a steal for an Australian race). I ran the City2Sea 15k in 2014, and wanted to check out the 5k course this time... and maybe break my PR of 27:04?

And then after a few failed training runs (Arden was having some major stroller tantrums), I decided to shift my focus from sub-27 to sub-30. A very reasonable goal, even with the lack of training.

the starting area.

The morning of the race was beautiful, sunny and full of energy. I lined up pretty close to the front, so I wouldn't get caught behind crowds of people like I did at my previous 10k. The starting gun went off, and I went out feeling stronger than I had during any of my training runs. After my first mile clocked in at 8:53 minutes, I was a very happy girl - I was definitely going to make my sub-30 goal!

And then, as my GPS watch started nearing the 3-mile mark, I started to question whether or not I was still running the 5k, or if I'd accidentally merged with the 15k race from the same event. The race course for the City2Sea is literally from the heart of the city to the beach in St. Kilda, and the beach was close, but nowhere to be seen. My GPS hit the 5k mark (in well under 30 minutes, thankyouverymuch), but I didn't reach the finish line until half a kilometre later.

I was pretty bummed to cross the finish line in 30:21, especially because I had felt so strong and capable during the entire 5k. But I wasn't the only disappointed racer. The event's Facebook page had more than a few complaints about the 5k's extended length. GPS watches aren't always accurate (a .1 or .2 mile discrepancy is pretty common, give or take), but many people also measured 5.5k, which is a bit more significant and very uncool. (Also, there were a few facebook complaints from people about the road closures, which were apparently not marked well or in advance at all. One person was an hour late to work, while a carload of people actually missed an entire wedding - ouch!)

City2Sea is a really fun race (the City Run series is an Australian-wide event, also hosting Sydney's City2Surf, Brisbane's City2South, Perth's Swan Run, and Canberra's Fun Run), so it's disappointing about the distance discrepancies. When I ran the 15k in 2014, it had been advertised as a 14k until a few weeks before the race - so this isn't an uncommon problem for the series. Hopefully they'll take the complaints seriously and be more consistent about their distances (and also be more considerate about road closures!). But... honestly, I probably won't run in this event again.

I'm a mother runner now!

Being a "mother runner" is definitely something I'm proud of. It's great to have a physical outlet to keep in shape, as well as an activity that helps maintain some mental sanity as well. Training is a little different with a baby in tow, but jogging strollers are an amazing piece of equipment (hopefully Arden will enjoy her stroller rides again soon..!) - and yes, breastfeeding makes things a little more challenging, but it is what it is. And even though I sometimes feel selfish about making time for a run or a race, I like to think I'm being a good fitness role model for my daughter. In a few years I'd love to see her to do a kids' run, or even a 5k. 

Most of all, I'm very grateful for the ability to lace up my running shoes again. Even if my pace is a little slower and my body doesn't quite fit into my old running shorts anymore... I won't ever take running for granted. 

CK

cousin TJ visits Melbourne.

About a month ago, my cousin TJ sent us a message that he was coming back to Sydney for work and wanted to drop into Melbourne for a visit. So despite only having a little over a day to visit, we did our best to show him that Melbourne is the best city in Australia.

After getting settled in, we took TJ to Hosier Lane, Flinders Street Station, Fed Square and grabbed some dinner at the Night Noodle Markets (fun fact: the night noodle markets only run for 2 weeks in November, but each time they have happened we have had a visitor from the States staying with us). He was impressed with the exotic tacos at Mr. Miyagi, and even the sun came out to welcome him that afternoon. We ended our night with a stroll to the Shrine of Remembrance, which was unfortunately closed, but allowed us to show TJ one of the best places to see the city skyline.

amazing tacos.

view from the Shrine.

The next day the weather was much cooler, so we took TJ to our favourite neighbourhood brunch spot – the Mad Duck Café. After brunch we visited the Queen Victoria Market, Bourke Street Mall and some of Melbourne’s Iconic laneways. It was a short visit, but we were so glad he took the time to come down.

Arden also had a great time getting to know TJ. After her initial shyness wore off, she loved sitting and playing by his feet while we chatted at home, and liked to clutch his finger while we were out walking, like they were holding hands. It was great for Arden to meet more family and we had a wonderful time showing TJ around Melbourne. Hopefully he can visit again soon and bring the whole family next time!

-BK

the 2016 holiday gift guide for new(ish) moms.

We're still behind on a lot of blog posts (a weekend trip to Adelaide... a 10k and 5k... life in general). but instead of focusing on those interesting subjects, I'm going to jump ahead to something a little more frivolous (but timely):

A holiday gift guide. For new moms!

The Holidays (Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, Yule, The Gregorian New Year, The Lunar New Year, Arbor Day, Independence Day, etc.) are coming up quickly. Also, a bunch of my friends just became moms for the first time. Seriously, I had maybe five friends who were pregnant at the same time and they all delivered their babies within the past two weeks. It got me thinking about early motherhood, and the things I couldn't live without for the past year, things I wish I had known about sooner. So. Here are some practical and thoughtful gift ideas for your new-mom friends and family members and foes.

(And I'm not talking about "coupons for babysitting" or anything like that. I mean, those are essential and you should definitely give them generously. But this list is all about actual physical things that moms can eventually KonMari out of their lives after the frazzled-early-mom-tornado-stages have passed.)

1. Soft (non-zip) sweaters.

Babies feed 24/7. So if you're breastfeeding, you need an easy access wardrobe for the duration of your breastfeeding journey. But even if you're not breastfeeding, soft clothing is surprisingly important. Babies like to nuzzle and snuggle on your chest, but you know what they don't like rubbing their delicate newborn faces against? Zippers. Buttons. Pockets with zippers and buttons. Frills of any sort (now is NOT the time to wear your favourite bedazzled denim blazer). So, take advantage of the "open cardigan" trend, or the ugly sweater fad. Get something comfortable and cute, but not too luxurious or expensive. Because let's be real - for at least the next year, whatever you're wearing is basically a giant burp cloth for your baby. (Hint: floral patterns are terrific at hiding baby barf!)

2. Infinity scarves.

I have an affinity for infinity scarves and it's grown tenfold since having a baby. First of all, they make great casual and easy nursing covers (yes, there are more fancy made-for-nursing shawls/covers out there, but I got by without needing them). A scarf also keeps you warm, especially when it's winter and you're constantly breastfeeding or puttering about in the middle of the night sterilising bottles and whatnot. Scarves hide double chins and those tiny scratch marks on your chest. And they are incredibly versatile as emergency stroller blankets, burp cloths, or even as a giant tissue to wipe away those hormonal tears. I swear by infinity scarves from sportswear companies like Nike and Oiselle.

nursing cover...

...and a blanket. look how tiny Arden was!

3. Slip-on shoes.

When I was pregnant, I eventually got to the point where I couldn't bend over to put on my sneakers, and I was tired of asking strangers to help me lace them up (just kidding). So I waddled on over to a nearby Vans outlet and picked up a pair of hideous leopard print slip-on shoes, because they were the cheapest ones I could find. Postpartum, I was finally able to bend down to tie my favourite shoes - but it just took so much precious time! So the leopard print shoes were my go-to kicks, well past their lifespan. During our July trip to the States, I upgraded to a pair of classic black Vans, and I haven't looked back since.

so. fashionable.

4. Water bottles.

Hydration is important not only for breastfeeding moms, but also for bottle-feeding moms. And also humans, and animals, and plants in general. You can't go wrong with water. For breastfeeding moms I recommend those plastic tumblers with a lid and reusable straw, for those nursing marathon sessions where it's hard to drink from a glass and easy to spill. For everyone else, I highly recommend Vapur bottles for travel - I've sworn by these flexible canisters for years. I hate carrying around a heavy empty water bottle, but this one is light, sturdy (no leaking! just be careful) and it folds up small when you're done. I take one everywhere I go.

I know, it looks like an over-glorified ziploc. but it's sturdy, I promise.

5. Lip balm.

Sometimes, lip balm is the only makeup a new mom has time to apply. I recommend more "natural" products and companies, because new moms are always paranoid about toxic stuff like petrochemicals and parabens and gluten. Burt's Bees wild cherry flavour is one of my current faves. And for more fancy-new-moms, makeup companies like Tarte are cruelty/paraben/toxin-free and taste minty, too.

Bonus Idea: A haircut. Or a haircut package to a nearby salon, if you're not particularly gifted with shears.

I can only speak for myself here, but I was all too eager to say goodbye to my long and luscious hair after a few weeks of experiencing the reality of new motherhood. I was always putting my hair up in a messy knot, so there wasn't a point to having longer-than-ponytail-length hair. Also, it took forever to dry after my weekly shower, and time is everything. Even if your recipient is brave/put-together enough to keep her long locks, I'm sure any mom would love some kind of hair treatment. After motherhood, haircuts go from being a semi-enjoyable chore to a blissful vacation.



So, there you have it. Just a few practical ideas for the new moms in your life. Maybe I'll put together a holiday gift guide for babies sometime in the near future. But no promises. Like I said, we have a lot of catching up to do.

CK

p.s. You can trust me. All opinions are my own. Nobody paid me for any of this. Nobody pays me for anything.

regressions.

Apologies for the infrequent blogging lately. It's not for lack of subject material (we have a lot to catch up on, and hopefully we will... in the next year? ha). It's because our one-year-old baby went from (finally) being a relatively good sleeper... to totally not. For the past few months. Teething? Separation anxiety? Sleep regression #101? Who knows. 

We're back to carrying Arden for all her naps, which is exhausting and frustrating (as some of you may know, a child's naptime in the crib is the cornerstone to preserving a parent's sanity...).  And she doesn't settle back to sleep after her night feedings, so sometimes we're up for hours trying to rock/feed her back to sleep at 2am, 3am, 4am, 5am... I mean, it could be much much worse. (Some would even say that I have the privilege and luxury of being able to carry my baby all day long!) But it could also be better...

And, cultural side note: the advice from Australian friends is once again very different from our American friends/family. In the U.S. everyone I've talked to has suggested letting her cry... even those who are strictly against letting babies "cry it out". But here, our situation is pretty normal, and other parents cater to their children's sleep problems the same way we've been doing.

Anyway. Sleep is such a simple thing, but it's often the difference between a great/good/manageable day - and one where I'm holding a screaming child all day long and trying not to lose my cool, counting down the minutes until Ben gets home from work.

Like last Wednesday, when this happened:

Needless to say, that was not what we wanted to see on Election Day 2016.

(and to clarify... yes, we voted from overseas!)

First of all, some cultural observations: being in Australia for the election was pretty surreal. It's strange to live overseas during big American events in general. There's a difference in the featured subject matter, such as sports during the Olympics (sailing was a huge sport here, but we hardly saw any gymnastics). Also, the time difference means witnessing these events at odd times (like the Superbowl and the Oscars, both on Monday mornings). Watching the election on a Wednesday afternoon was very odd... but also kind of convenient, as the results were finalised by dinnertime as opposed to bedtime. And of course, it's very different (and kind of refreshing) to watch Australian newscasters report the election results, while interviewing Aussies about their opinions. It's quite the experience to see American politics from a different country.

Now, I won't get super political here, but: we are extremely disappointed and very sad for a number of reasons, but especially because of the reported violence and hate crimes targeting vulnerable people and communities in the name of our new President-elect. The whole election season was toxic enough, but the aftermath looks even bleaker.

Everyone is truly divided, even the people we are closest to. The political spectrum in our families ranges from at least one vote for Trump, to another person buying plane tickets to Washington D.C. for a post-inauguration day protest march in January. I'm not sure how our families, our friends, and our nation will recover from all this.

It's a rough time for America, that's for sure.

CK