308. early birds, melbourne

Like I've already mentioned before in my earlier post, I was back in my hometown for a little bit to celebrate my birthday. Being back home was a really nice break and something I've been wanting for a while now. I've missed Melbourne's food and coffee a lot. Even though Tokyo has plenty of good cafes and coffee, to me, nothing beats Melbourne when it comes to food. 

So, this time, I decided to go to new cafes with little sis. She was a little hesitant but I'm glad she finally changed her mind. I'm not a morning person at all but breakfast in Melbourne is incredible. I'll gladly wake up to go to brunch there. (Yes, it is a breakthrough for me)

I stumbled upon Kitty Burns located in Abbotsford online while I was still in Tokyo, the plating for their food was so pretty and I read reviews and it seemed to be good, so I decided to head there for breakfast one morning. It's about 25 minutes away from the CBD by tram. 

The lighting at the cafe was superb, I would say really photogenic for your food if you're the type that likes to post on Insta. I caved in and did it too. I personally don't like posting food on my account because I find it really pretentious. With all these "foodies" now out and about, I'm forever judging people who think they know so much about food. 

I grew up with a chef for a dad, had my uncle live with us till he passed away who was also a chef, and my godfather is also a chef who owns a famous restaurant in Melbourne at St. Kildas. I still don't think I know much about food but I know I have pretty good taste. 

Little sis ordered Spice Togarashi Avocado - citrus, umami salt, avocado & edamame smash, bacon crumb, poached eggs, smoked salmon and toast, while I ordered Kitty Burnidict - pork hock, hay hollandaise, poached eggs, compressed watermelon and toast. 

The cafe was cute, so we chilled there for a little bit before heading back to the CBD. I also got a salted caramel Butterbing on the way out. A Butterbing is a cookie sandwich that originated from Melbourne. These babies will make you so fat, but it's sooo goood. (didn't bother taking a photo though)

Little sis really liked our breakfast at Kitty Burns so much, she searched for more cafes to go to and we went down to Prahran another morning to Tall Timber. 

Tall  Timber is definitely worth waking up early for, it's a little cafe near Prahran market about 30 minutes away from the CBD by tram. The cafe was almost full when we arrived. I had some problems with the menu because I didn't know what to choose, haha. In the end, little sis got Breaky Board and for me, Sauteed Cauliflower! 

(Top) Breaky Board - dukkah poached egg on pumpkin loaf with hummus and smashed avocado, museli with berry yoghurt and seasonal fruit and orange juice. (Bottom) Sauteed Cauliflower - kale, feta, pomegranate, beetroot, quinoa, superfood salad with poached eggs, sweet potato hummus and tahini yoghurt. 

The caulifower was seasoned so perfectly, I wished I had more. I haven't had (real) cereal in such a long time, I'm glad little sis decided to share her food with me. I really miss food in Melbourne.

We both liked this more than Kitty Burns. Recently, I've really gotten to like quinoa, thanks to little sis who brought me to this Italian food bar in Singapore. I was so full after the meal, we decided to walk around Chapel Street before heading back to the CBD. 

I probably still won't post much about food on my blog or instagram but this was too good to not write about. I think I've missed this so much because Japan lacks a lot of good Western food or at least I don't know where to find them. I don't miss Japanese food just yet, honestly. I'm actually tired of everything there, so I'm glad I got to go home for a breath of fresh air. 

Still more posts about Melbourne to come. 

307. scissor hand, melbourne

I was back in Melbourne with little sis for my birthday, we didn't spend too long there but I managed to squeeze in a tattoo appointment. Initially, I emailed Heretic Tattoo to book an appointment to have a tattoo done by Annita because I have been following her work for years now, but she's fully booked till August.

I just visited the studio for fun since I was around the area, and talked to the manager of the studio. He introduced me to Lilli's work because it's similar to Annita's. I was looking at her work and her scissors actually caught my eye. So, I decided to get a pair done by her.

I was lucky enough to get my tattoo done the next day. Heretic Studio has a really chill vibe and with the brake walls and gothic furniture, I would say the style is right up my alley.

I didn't really take that many photos or of Lilli doing my tattoo because I was lying on my stomach to get my tattoo done. The placement of my scissors requires me to be in a kinda weird position. It took about just an hour to get my tattoo done and my hand was cramped up by the end of the session but I was really happy with the outcome! 

I asked Lilli to change the handle of the scissors from her original drawing to look like the scissors I have hanging on my apartment wall in Tokyo. I really like the little hearts she added into the scissors as well. The beads are her original design and that was the main thing that caught my attention. 

People are probably going to ask "What is the meaning of this tattoo?" You know, sometimes, I feel like people have no right to know and sometimes, maybe simply there isn't a meaning but I just enjoy the work of the artist? But there is a meaning and I don't feel like sharing it with anyone just yet, it's not that personal but somethings I just want to keep to myself.

This was a birthday present to myself and I would say it's probably the best present I have given myself so far. I'll be writing more about being home in Melbourne on the next post. This tattoo deserves a post on its own.

306. up in the clouds

July 12th, 2016

I met up with Laura in Roppongi Hills in the evening to go to the Ghibli Exhibition at Mori Art Museum. To our surprise, it wasn't crowded at all, there wasn't even a line to get tickets. I thought it would be a long wait, so I bought tickets in advance at Lawson.

The view from the exhibition. Spot Tokyo Tower!

As usual, no photos were allowed to be taken at the exhibition. The Red Turtle exhibition was up to promote the new Ghibli film, their first post-Miyazaki. I've watched the trailers and it doesn't feel very Ghibli to me. They have teamed up with a French animation studio for their latest release and honestly, I'm not too excited about it. I'd probably watch it online than go to the cinemas.

There were huge posters of all Ghibli films at the entrance, and a small cafe (not to be dined at, just for display) with a Gigantic Totoro standing behind the counter. It was vintage looking and reminded of the Ghibli shop right outside Dogo onsen I visited 6 years ago. There also were soot balls hidden at the dark corner which people didn't notice till Laura was standing there and calling me over.

Next was a huge room with all drawings and official posters for all Ghibli films, nothing too exciting. My favorite room was probably the one where they displayed all past Ghibli merchandise and exhibits. The little ponyos hanging on the ceiling were really cute. They even had a Totoro wearing a Kaonashi mask, I wish they sold them at the store.

I thought the "Roppongi" sign on the bus was so cute!

The mouse eyes were lighted up too!

Finally, we were allowed to take photos in the next room. It was just a giant Catbus which I have seen before at Ghibli Museum. You can enter it and sit inside. It was hard to take photos because people were going in and out of the bus. I don't blame them though.

The last room was spectacular. There was a moving (yes, moving) airship from Laputa on display that would light up every now and then. I recorded a couple of videos because the details on this thing is incredible. It only moves up and down but the propellers were done really well.

The official goods store was nothing but disappointing. They sold stuff that you could find easily at any other Ghibli store. We went to The Sun cafe for dinner. Even thought it was a themed menu, it didn't really feel like it because it was just normal looking food but from the films. Laura got the "Laputa bread" served with a side of meatball soup, while I just got the pasta, probably from Porco Rosso? I also got dessert which was pretty good. Probably the best "themed" food I have had, ever. Themed cafes' food normally taste like shit (especially the Gudetama one in Osaka).

After dinner, we went into the exhibition again before heading to Starbucks. Luckily, we did because we got better photos this time.We didn't do anything much but just walked around and chilled at Starbucks before deciding to head home.

The next day was spent with packing my luggage getting ready to go home for a while.

Even though I love Japan so much, now, being back home, it feels nice. I just need some time on my own and time to think and figure out what I want to do with my life. I'm also really glad to be back in Melbourne, I have missed my hometown.

305. winter in july

If feels like forever since I last wrote here, it's not too long ago but not having a laptop for the last couple of weeks was really painful. My laptop decided to die on me about a week before I was leaving Japan, so I think I have not been able to be online properly for about 3 weeks now. Feels nice to be on a computer again, I have yet to get a new laptop but I will, soon.

Well, July has been pretty busy for me. I met up with a lot of friends before taking a break from Tokyo for a month. Managed to go to the Ghibli Exhibition in Roppongi at Mori Art Museum as well, which was surprisingly not crowded at all. I will write about that soon, since I have so much time on my hands now.

I went back home on my birthday, literally, my flight was at 1am. This trip back home in Melbourne is really nice, the weather's nice (it's winter now), I go to bed early so I can get up for brunch (brunch in Australia is incredible by the way), got a new tattoo, got scolded by a nun in church, visited my favorite galleries and of course, because Melbourne is the coffee capital, had too much coffee but somehow still managed to fall asleep quite easily.

I'm just taking my time off busy life in Tokyo and concentrating on creating new things. I feel all inspired now after getting my tattoo. I miss H already, but it's just for a month. I'll survive. Will be updating now from now on, yay!

304. note to self