The Monday Muse

More Australia Files and the Knight of Cups

Happy Monday from Sydney! Today I’m working in a cafe with an ocean view. I’m feeling very spoiled as I eat a giant acai bowl and watch the waves as I write this.

Last Wednesday, we set out for a road trip to Jervis Bay and Kangaroo Valley. We were sort of unlucky because it rained a ton when we were near the beach. We did manage a couple of hours of sun and beach time the day we headed to Kangaroo Valley, though.

Kangaroo Valley was definitely the highlight of the trip. We heard a hot tip that the best wombat sightings happened at a camp site about 15 minutes from our AirBnb so we headed there around dusk, which is when wombats venture out. First of all, the camp ground was gorgeous. There was a scenic river walk and rolling hills and the entire area was surrounded by gorgeous mountains in the distance.

The wombats emerged just as the sun was going down. I managed to get this video of one twerking before it got too dark to film them. I can not tell you how excited we all were to meet this guy (at a respectful distance, of course).

WOMBAT VID

We also went to see the outlooks in Kangaroo Valley. It reminded me a little of Waimea Canyon on Kauai.

On Saturday, we headed to the Botanical Garden for a tour about important plants used for food and medicine by the First Nations People of the area, which included food samples. It was so cool. Also the cockatoos were one en masse that day and I managed to get this great shot of one very curious friend.

On Sunday we went to Yum Cha in Sydney’s Chinatown. Yum Cha is synonymous with Dim Sum, for those familiar. Then we headed to a Bingsu place for dessert. I think Bingsu is Korean in origin. Look at this gorgeous thing. That’s coconut shave ice with coconut milk, pandan custard, coconut jelly, and brown sugar coconut syrup. There were also mango spheres and chocolate syrup. Insane. That serving was for three people, by the way.

Today, my friends went back to work (last week had two holidays so they had time off), so I’m spending the week wandering around on my own during the day. In the evenings, we’re doing things like meeting friends for pub trivia and watching Married At First Sight Australia, which is so insane and I’m going to have to get a VPN at home to continue watching it. We also lots of more good meals planned, including a trip for tacos, which makes this Texan dubious.

It’s going to be tough to leave on Friday. It’s so beautiful here. Obviously living in a place is different than vacation, but I’m very taken with the outdoorsy, laid-back vibes. US news is different witnessed from abroad and it’s creating this sinking pit of dread beneath all of the fun I’m having. It’s really different to watch from a place where things feel normal and people are mostly optimistic. Australia has problems, sure, like housing shortages and cost of living. But they feel pretty refreshing compared to the Trumpocalypse back home. I don’t know what this means for my future. It’s just got me thinking about possible options, is all.

Monday Muse Tarot Prompt:

Knight of Cups

Key words: Following the heart, idealism, romance

The knight of cups is a creative, who romanticizes his life because he feels so much. Remember, beauty and wonder are everywhere. Your intuition may create a desire to create and share beauty with others right now. The knight of cups doesn’t just think about creativity—he actual creates. Knights are all about action, so don’t just daydream—do the thing.

How to work with this energy:

Write a list of ways you can romanticize your create work this week. Take yourself on an artist date. Follow your passion and do something to turn your hobby into a pursuit. If you do nothing with your dreams they will never solidify into reality.

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On Wednesday, keep an eye out for the next installment in the Promises and Payoffs in Fiction series. If you’re looking for ways to level up your writing craft, you’ll definitely want to upgrade to a paid subscription because I’m sharing everything I know about writing page turners in the paid posts.