October 16, 2011
Sneaker Freaker Swap Meet

What is a girl to do on a lazy Sunday in Melbourne?  Well, while I should have gone grocery shopping and apartment hunting, instead I chose to head to the South Yarra Market for the Sneaker Freaker Swap Meet.  With such a catchy event name, I really had no choice. I had to go.  The best part about this whole event is that as soon as I showed up, I stuck out like a sore thumb.  I showed up in my brown boots, while the place was swarming with guys sporting their coolest Nike Dunks.  Most of them walking away with their hands piled high with sneaker boxes. It was just entertaining to watch guys prove they can get just as excited about shoe shopping as girls. 

3:23am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZBy0XyAkPzKO
October 16, 2011
I go where the in-crowd goes.

You will all be excited to hear that I am no longer wandering around this city aimlessly! I have myself a bona fide Melbourne sherpa at the office who’s kindly taken to sharing all of the things he’s picked up while living here.  And while I’m not quite in with the in-crowd yet, I now have Three Thousand and the Broadsheet to tell me what they’re doing. I’m kind of in love with these websites.  I mean, they’ve already hooked me up with the twitter handles for the local food trucks, what’s not to love?

3:09am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZBy0XyAkOsih
October 10, 2011
My Melbourne Identity.

It was merely months ago that I started talking up my big Australian adventure.  I was sure that I’d arrive and all of the sudden the sunny skies of Oz would shine down upon my magical new life, sparkling pixie dust behind my every step.  

If you’re wondering why I haven’t blogged about my trip so far, it’s because that picture in my head has been shattered by the rude awakening of arriving in a foreign country and trying to assemble some sort of normalcy.  Since arriving on Saturday, I would say I’ve spent 87% of my time sleeping and the other 13% roaming up and down the aisles of the grocery store trying to find somewhat recognizable food.  On both accounts, I’ve mostly failed.  

So instead of getting my undies in a bunch, today I decided to start faking my fabulous life.  And boy was it fabulous.  I started my day with a quick (a lot of emphasis on the quick) trip to the stunning gym in my building.  (Did I mention for the first month of my stay I get to live in a swanky one bedroom apartment along the river?) Then I ventured out to explore the suburbs surrounding the city center to determine where I should live.  This involved me getting to know the tram system intimately. I figured if I could manage the subway in NYC, a little dinky tram couldn’t intimidate me.

I took the 95 to the 112 to the 59, back down the 97 and I did it all with my nose glued to my transportation map kindly given to me by the lady at the Melbourne Visitor Center.  

Yes, I’m a tourist. And proud of it. 

When it came time for lunch, I decided to eat along the river at an upscale looking food court because I hate eating by myself.  All was going fine until it came time for me to leave. Somehow I managed to toss the entire tray in the bin, instead of just emptying my trash.  I then decided to shove the arm of my off-white coat into the trash can to retrieve it.  Don’t worry, I played it casual.  Real casual. 

Needless to say, my cool factor is increasing by the day.  Tomorrow I might don a fanny pack during my wanderings.  And to think I was worried about making friends. Silly me. 

1:01am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZBy0XyAVLShv
(Notes: 1)
  
October 9, 2011
"Good morning my dear…dad has skype all set up…just waiting for your call…he’s sleeping…only 5:40 AM here…so wait a while because I don’t know how to use it!"

— Mom’s morning email 

4:51am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZBy0XyASnZdw
April 16, 2011
The story of a girl in love.

9:54pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZBy0Xy4Mkk1C
April 16, 2011
The story of the bird's nest.

9:54pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZBy0Xy4Mkfin
April 16, 2011
The story of the square.

9:53pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZBy0Xy4Mka7a
April 16, 2011
The story of the marathon.

9:52pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZBy0Xy4MkWU-
April 16, 2011
The story of the party.

9:51pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZBy0Xy4MkQhy
April 16, 2011
The story of the talent show.

9:50pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZBy0Xy4MkKg-
March 24, 2011
The story of my room.

The story of my room. View more presentations from Katie Chapin

12:03pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZBy0Xy3oIN2f
March 23, 2011
The story of the dude ranch

The story of the dude ranch. View more presentations from Katie Chapin

7:43pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZBy0Xy3nXtyT
March 23, 2011
The story of my biggest fear

The story of my biggest fear. View more presentations from Katie Chapin

7:43pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZBy0Xy3nXpna
March 21, 2011
the story of my glasses

The story of my glasses. View more presentations from Katie Chapin

6:14pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZBy0Xy3l1dMu
February 21, 2011
dear summer,

New York in the summer makes you fall in love.  It lures you in with outdoor concerts, summer dresses, and rooftop parties.  Makes you forget the heat by showering you with delicious frozen yogurt topped with whatever your heart can dream up. Days are bright, oversized sunglasses abound.  And nights are endless. It makes you young and free.  

It tricks you. 

Because New York in the winter is mean.  It plays with your heart.  Whips you in the face with cold wind.  Makes you want to hide under the covers until the first signs of spring. Sends you sloshing through olympic pool sized puddles.  Snows on your weekends.  And just when you think the worst is over and a warm day comes your way…

It’s gone in the morning.  

Summer, I miss you. Come soon. 

4:56pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZBy0Xy3CXNlF