Koorong and Chez Jean-Claude Patisserie

I have had one of those days where I've been able to count one blessing after the next. Not because anything good happened to me per se, but because my friends had some great things going on in their lives. I've been so lucky to have made friends with some truly amazing people. I don't even have any words to describe how nice it feels to be surrounded by people who value friendship and kindness. I am constantly reading about how we should let go of all the negative people who bring us down, and today has reinforced that into me so much more. 

When I'm surrounded by such beautiful people, putting in effort is easy and rewarding. Their happiness then kind of becomes linked to mine. And that's what my point is for today. Hearing good news from my friends makes me feel just as happy for them as I would feel if it was my good news. I like when that happens :)

Anyways, it was my good friend Cindy's birthday today and I finally got the chance to go and get her the gifts that I had planned to buy. My first stop was Koorong Christian bookstore. Although, it's so much more than just a bookstore. There's pretty much every Christian thing you could possibly think of: books, DVDs, CDs, Bibles, gifts, shirts, planners and even candy (yep, there were even mints in the shape of the Jesus fish symbol aka Ichthys). There was also a kids section and a cafe too. If that's not good enough, there was also free wi-fi. Yay! I checked my Facebook while I was waiting in line :P It was actually in line for quite some time because it was really busy today. I splurged a little bit and got myself a book and a mug. Spontaneous buys will be the death of me. 

My next stop was Chez Jean-Claude Patisserie in Subiaco. I did some Googling and found a lot of great reviews for this place. Cindz and I would always make trips down to Bakers Delight to get sweet treats back in undergrad, so I thought I might go out and get her some upper class goodies. 

The Subiaco store was very small and very busy. I applaude everyone who works in there. From what I could see, it was very hectic but they all kept their cool.There were so many delicious things to choose from, and I wanted to do some more spontaneous buying here too, but I tried my best not to stray from the task at hand. The bread looked amazing! I love bread! I will definitely come back, and I'm sure I'll be walking out of there with at least two bags full. 

I wish I could have taken photos of all the goodies inside, but they didn't allow photography.

The Living Water Christian gift bookstore & cafe

I really love accidentally finding wonderful places in unexpected locations. For instance, today when I was heading back from the Licensing Centre, I came across a cute little Christian bookstore/coffee shop opposite the centre, kind of hidden behind a busy restaurant. When I first walked past it, I though that the entrance to the store was just the side door of the restaurant. What caught my attention was the sign that said had the words "bookstore" and "cake" on it. When I saw the word cake, I was automatically drawn in to have a closer look (even though most places don't sell vegan cakes). When I got closer to the shop windows, I saw lovely gifts for sale and two large posters which had passages from scripture written on them. 

The store is called The Living Water. I though it was so random to have a little Christian gift/bookstore on such a busy street like Boas ave. I must say though, it is such a lovely place. It's neat and tidy, with lots of pastel colours and shades of cream. When you first walk in, you have all the gifts on display. There's pretty much something for every occasion from baptisms and  confirmations to weddings and birthdays. The next section had shelves with books for sale, and at the end of the shop is a dainty little coffee counter with a play room for kids and tables for you to sit and enjoy your cake and coffee. 

I think it was so convenient that I found this place because I'm headed out to a baptism on Sunday and so I picked up a card while I was there :)

The Living Water has a lot to offer so if this is your kind of thing, then I totally recommend checking out the store, or their online website www.thelivingwatershop.com.

What I also really liked about this place was the lady who served me. She was so friendly and bubbly. Exactly what I'd expect to find in a Christian shop. We got talking and she told me that the shop had been there for 4 years. Good on them! It is such a refreshing store. When I walked in I felt as though I had left the rest of my busy life outside. It was peaceful in there. I got all kinds of good vibes. Here's to another 4+ years of such a lovely shop. 

I thought this was cute. It's a plastic loaf of bread with little cards that have short Bible passages on them! Very creative.

Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom

So I'm having more Internet problems this week, and as a result I've had to post up this entry late. My apologies. 

My friend Nhi lent me a book to read called Tuesdays With Morrie and I started it today. Normally I'm a bit hesitant to start reading because I know I just don't have the time, but this book really caught my eye because it had been the inspiration behind some of the posts on the site Marc and Angel Hack Life. 

It is a true store about the last class an old university Professor, Morrie Schwartz has with his student. They discuss a lot of life's issues and the pages are filled with the wisdom that Morrie has to offer. 

This book is so amazing. I spent most of the day reading it and pretty much finished it in one sitting. It's a beautiful story and I feel like I am better equipped for life having read some of Morrie's advice. 

It's not a long book, but the life lessons that I will take away will last a life time. I highly recommend this to everyone :)

Morrie Schwartz (left) and his former student and author of the book Tuesdays With Morrie, Mitch Albom (Right).

The Giver by Lois Lowry

I did my something new today in the wee early hours of the morning. I finished the book I have been reading called The Giver by Lois Lowry. This novel was very short in comparison to the 500+ page books I am used to reading, and yet because of my busy schedule it's taken me something like a month to finally finish it. 

The novel is about a young boy, Jonas living in a community which has been converted into "Sameness". There are rules for just about everything but people seem to be happy living this way. For one member of the community called the Receiver, they are given the memories of life before "Sameness". Jonas is selected to be the next Receiver and when he undergoes training from the current Receiver he discovers a lot about the world he thought he knew.

Even though it was a short novel, I found that the story went in depth enough for me not to be left with burning questions at the end.

The author Lois Lowry also has other books which follow The Giver and so I will definitely be sure to get into them.

One thing I really like about reading is that it's a nice escape from all the things happening in my world. Even though there is always a conflict in the novels I read, it's nice to know that there will be some kind of resolution at the end.

The talent of some authors leaves me totally in awe sometimes. I love a book that makes you laugh, cry and feel every other emotion in between, and best of all, a love it when a chapter is so good that I literally have put it down for a split second just to say "f*** that's good writing" ;) 

You won't know what I'm on about until you experience it for yourself, but one day when it happens to you, just remember that you're not the only one out there.

I love seeing all the different book cover illustrations (especially for all the Harry Potter books), so here they are for The Giver:

Image from here

Image from here

  

 

Quintana of Charyn

It's taken me a while, but I finally finished the third book of the Lumatere Chronicles by the author Melina Marchetta. She is by far my favourite author. Some of her other book titles include Looking for Alibrandi, Saving Francesca, On the Jellicoe Road and the Piper's Son. 

At this point, the Lumatere Chronicles is one of the best book series I've read; following Harry Potter of course. Nothing tops Harry Potter because I grew up with those books, and the memories of one's childhood are usually better than the reality. I will type for hours if I decide to give a review of these books. Just read them please!

The Lumatere Chronicles in chronological book order:
1) Finnikin of the Rock
2) Froi of the Exiles
3) Quintana of Charyn

P.s. I'll be away in Sydney for the weekend and I have yet to decide if I'll bring my laptop. So even if I don't post my 'something new' for the next three days, I'll put it all in one blog when I get home. Have a happy weekend :)