today i took a stroll to lygon st to buy pandan leaves. i remember the IGA at the corner of college square has the leaves. i see nandos beneath the swanston college square. IGA on princess st brings back lots of memories. the place is still the same, almost empty aisles with that distinct asian grocery smell. as i walk along the community flats i chance upon that guy with the small dogs he always walks. for a moment i really felt like i was in uni again, walking that path to uni and back. the grille'd burger bar opposite fcuk reminds me of the passage of time. the buzz on lygon st on a monday nite is different from that of a friday nite, naturally. i buy takeaway from lazzat, which i'm glad survived the year i was away.

chinese new year has came and gone. such a different feeling and atmosphere to celebrate away from home for the first time. I'm okay, i just wonder how parents feel back home. the sounds of firecrackers and the clash of lion dance cymbals in chinatown yesterday afternoon brings memories of back home. this is how we party, it seems the chinese are telling the aussies here. australian open tennis at its best concluded an eventful january in melbourne. i'm glad i'm back.