After many many days of rain in Sydney, we may miss seeing the subtle beauty of what lies around us.  Trapped inside for yet another downpour I went back to some photos taken the other day when the sun came out to tease us.  I was fascinated by the reflections in the water pooling on the balcony. Nothing mystical or reflective about these shots. I just liked playing with the abstract beauty of nature meets man made dwelling.

I feel the need to document and share a quest of mine. This is not a deep and meaningful or socially inspiring one. Sorry for that. No I just want to enjoy a good experience when out at cafe's.  The beverage of choice for me these days is freshley brewed chai tea. 

A bit of background...

For the past 28 years I have been an absolute connoisseur and fan of coffee. This started the minute I landed at uinversity in UC Berkeley. Luckily I embarked on my studies at the same time the roasted bean cafe culture took off in the USA.  I quickly adopted espresso coffee in all forms as my favorite beverage. Well maybe given it was University days other beverages may have been in competition.  

I have to admit at first I went for coffee as the all night study aid. A giant 16oz cup next to me on my desk always kept me going. Then I acquired the taste and appreciation for the different roasts and brews. Pretty soon I was in search of the best beans, perfect grind and combinations of serving options. I selected my favorite study cafes based on the coffee served. 

Since discovering my love of coffee I would say I have not gone long without a cup. I have switched between caffeinated and decaf but really kept up the love for my favorite brew.  The only time coffee didn't agree with me was during each of my two pregnancies. But then nothing much agreed with me then.

A change in me, a change in beverage

Fast forward to my life now.  Of late I have noticed a change in my physiology.  Being one to focus on everything else other than my physical state I have avoided noticing that some things were out of whack. The biggest out of whack for me seemed to start occuring when I had too much coffee. I cut back. I noticed a little change but not much. Then I cut out coffee completely. I noticed an enormous change.  This is simply how MY body is changing and reacting, not based on any suggestions.

What I noticed the most was a settling in my stomach and evening out of energy levels and a change in my need to get my fix. Yes I have to say that though I enjoyed coffee for the taste, experience and ritual I was also enjoying this experience a bit too much.

It has been 4 months now since I last had a coffee.

In replacement of coffee I rediscovered tea. Most of all I discovered chai tea.  To really enjoy the experience I reacquainted myself with brewed chai tea with frothed milk added in the pot or cup like a latte.  At home I like to brew it myself more traditionally on the stove or make a latte as well.

Now firstly I did not stop drinking coffee to be a poster child for health. I have a lot more to do in that department. I simply started listening to my body.  What I also noticed through my conversations with other coffee loving friends and family is that my change is uniquely mine for now. Most people I know don't have the same challenges I have developed with coffee.  I also am able to still use my barista skills to prepare lattes, cappucinos and espressos at home for others. I have no problem doing this and really enjoy sharing. 

Good chai criteria

After years of searching for cafe's that serve good, well not just good, great coffee I am now on the hunt for places that offer good chai.  Mostly my search has been limited to my local area.  What I am learning about this experience is that chai tea:

1. blends are unique and vary depending on the creator of the blend.

2. takes patience and knowledge to get the brew right and flavor balanced.

3. involves a bit more of a ritual in preparation and therefore can be fun making and develop your patience.

4. is available in many types and styles in markets so no excuse at home to have this option.

5. can be home made (though more out of appreciation of other's talents in this area, I have yet to get to this stage)

6. is steeped in culture and history (sorry could not resist the pun) so I feel like I am not part of a fad.

Now I know traditional chai is sweetened. I like my chai more on the bitter side. But I do enjoy when I add a little honey to round out the flavor. 

So why share all this? Well just because...And also I wanted to enjoy cafe's that serve chai.  I thought I would share a few I like in case you are out and about. Please feel free to share your favorites. For now here's just my contribution from places I like to visit in Sydney's lower north shore.

Crows Nest

Sparrow Cafe. Make their own slightly sweetened blend that they brew patiently on the spot. This is my saving grace for the Chai Tea on the go. I will make an effort to stop for a cup to go whenever in the area.

Wrapido.  Make their own. Roast and grind. Serve brewed in pot with steamed milk. Enjoy here when want to sit down for a midweek breakfast which is always tasty and good value.

Lane Cove

Fink Chocolate Cafe. Brewed with steamed milk. Honey on side. Helps as well to get consistent and amazing friendly service.

Pablo & Rusty's. They serve chai using tea sourced from Daintree in Australia.   They are also committed to a quality experience and sustainability (a big huge plus for me). Perfect brew time. Also brewed on the spot. Served in store in bell teapot for the full experience.

I am getting used to asking the question...1. do you serve brewed chai tea? and 2. how do you source and make your tea?  I may sound a bit fussy but then it's always worth it.

Well here's to enjoying the next cup of chai tea.

Warmly,

Jenn

Weather is one of those topics that can fill the space. Easy in a taxi. Easy amongst people you do not know very well.  I don't tend to talk too much about weather though unless it's unusual or relevant. 

On Friday last week in Sydney weather became a relevant topic.  For what seemed like forever but was only days, Sydney was shrouded in gray clouds and drenched in rain. Umbrellas and wet clothes were more in order than sleeveless shirts and sandals. For summer in Sydney to feel like winter took many of us by surprise. I heard a few jokes about dusting off the winter wardrobe and turning the heaters back on.

It is in this context that seeing the sun shine again on Friday was a joyous occassion. I felt my spirit lift as did many others. I swear people smiled more, greeted people casually as they walked by and relaxed just a bit more rather than rushing to find cover. 

This welcome change made me reflect, as I do alot, on how symbolic the weather can be for the way we live our lives. So often we walk around with a metaphorical gray cloud over our head worrying that it's going to rain in our life. It's a half empty saga.  Yes the rain comes. And yes our lives can have dreary and frustrating moments or even periods of time. Yet somehow, sometime along the way the sun does shine again. Similarly in our lives what goes down seems to go back up.  Now of course this may not be the case for a cerain percentage of people. For the average person though we get to experience contrast and variety in our life.  It is in the contrast that we can truly really appreciate and know the beauty of living and loving life.

So on Friday I had this almost euphoric feeling brought on simply by the sun shining and the blue sky returning, even if only for a day (it's raining again as I write this!). I felt like a little kid. As soon as I got home from my morning meetings I grabbed my camera and went out and just took pictures of the sky.  Yes there were clouds. And the clouds revealed unending and infinite blue sky.

Even when the clouds are there I am reminded by these photos that behind the cloud is not just a silver lining but always, always, always BLUE SKY! 

So enjoy these when you are having a cloudy day moment.

Like many others I could not resist the temptation to wait up and watch the lunar eclipse. The wait was worth it even with the cloudy interruption. 

The fact that just turned 10 year old daugher had 5 friends sleeping over did not get in the way. In fact is was refreshing and fun to see the moon not through just my eyes and the camera but theirs as well.  Just a reminder of how fun nature can be + a little technology to capture it :-)

So here are my shots from the balcony of the house. The Christmas lights were getting in the way and then I realised that they make for some interesting abstract shots.

Nice to remember on a rainy day...

Two nights ago I was in awe of the combined beauty of this eucalyptus tree in the rain at dusk.  I quickly grabbed my camera to capture the moment.

Being surrounded by trees I take it for granted that these wooded friends will always be around. Sometimes a tree’s life comes to an end before it’s natural demise.  

In our constant pursuit of a dream home or a civilized dwelling we can find a tree or two in the way, right? Sometimes though it seems everyone around you is blocked by a tree. What happens when a whole street considers trees a nuisance? Well we end up with concrete and wonder what happened.  Then we instigate replanting and greening schemes to bring back nature.

Most of us who choose to live near the trees choose to do so because we love them.  I can attest to the efforts taken to ensure that, at least around my street, the building and renovation is done with the trees in mind, not at their expense.   One tree in a suburban neighborhood, taken down after a thorough consultative process, is nothing compared to entire forests being decimated around the globe. We live in balance in our pursuit of a civilized lifestyle.  In the aftermath of such a clearing there are often integrated homes and buildings that allow you to sit and admire your wooded surroundings. Who would not want the opportunity to live immersed in nature, even if only for a holiday?

I have always loved trees. My love of trees is only second to my passion for the ocean.  Everywhere I have lived I can remember days and nights looking out the window at the surrounding canopies.  If I lay on my bed just right, I could almost imagine I was alone up in a tree myself with nothing but trees surrounding me. Many a times I climbed or at least tried to climb as high as I could go. Up there in the treetops you can feel as if you could touch the sky.  Trees have that effect on us. They remind us that the earth is connected to the sky in one living breathing organism.  Trees are an anchor of energy and literally a breath of fresh air.

***  

Today, I awoke to the sound of a chainsaw.  

I marvelled at the efficiency and focus of the work being done.

One minute there was a branch, the next blue sky.

Yet this tree was only one to be sacrificed. The rest had a reprieve.

Once a naturally designed window, now pieces of logs and segments of wood.

All it takes is one person and a petrol powered tool.

To return the tree to the earth.

There are so many more trees remaining. This is what I keep telling myself.

Time to go for this one.

Chips and mulch is this tree’s legacy.

Returned to dust at warp speed.

Sympathetic development, careful planning and respect for nature are a tricky road to travel on.
So knowing that this one tree had to go (it was actually marked as dangerous for falling) is ok for me.  
I can still appreciate the beauty and abundant foliage surrounding the empty space that now exists.
In fact the new view below shows me how much is still there to appreciate.  

Let’s treasure and preserve as much of nature, especially the trees (and oceans I might add) as we can and sacrifice less.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some lorikeets keeping company in the rain on my balcony today.