310. in the six five

I admit, I have been lazy on updating this blog. Also because I still haven't bought a new laptop, writing on my old computer doesn't motivate me in any way. Except maybe checking e-mails from time to time. It's been two months since I have been back in Singapore and strange enough, it has helped me get back on track with life. 

The honest truth? I was getting sick of everything in Tokyo. Don't get me wrong, I love Tokyo with all my heart but I'm the type of person who gets sick of things easily. Note that I said things. I don't ever get sick of people who I care truly about.I miss my friends in Tokyo a lot and can't wait to go back to see all their bright faces.

I've been really really productive ever since I got back and am working on a few projects that I'm pretty excited about as I write this. Now, I'm only waiting to bring those ideas back to my second home and see these projects fall through.

This week was fun with little sis, we went to explore some places again and I think I'm going to go back to Duxton Hill one more time before getting on that plane back to Tokyo. 

I stumbled upon Sprout on instagram and I have pinned it on my Google Maps for ages. Little sis and I dropped by Sprout on Thursday for lunch. Sprout is a salad bar, picture healthy good food in a quiet cafe. I really love the decor here and the food is equally amazing. Their cold pressed juices are also really refreshing for Singapore's hot and humid weather. 

Just as I thought I was more than satisfied with everything at this cafe, their washroom also blew my mind. Dream bathroom. 

According to Yuri, this is a Game of Thrones reference. I don't watch it, so I don't know obviously.

Also because I love Johnny Depp.

Little sis and I explored the area after chilling for a little bit at Sprout. She brought me to Cake Spade because she wanted me to try their tofu textured cheesecake. I ordered a Speculoos cheesecake instead. The tofu textured cheesecake is good but nothing beats Pablo for me. 

I always loved this old shop houses.

We still managed to squeeze in coffee at MavRx. Little sis really enjoyed their coffee so I guess it must be good. I trust her taste in coffee. MavRx reminded me of Giracha Coffee in Osaka. The staff were pretty friendly, and we stayed for a little bit before crossing over to Maxwell Food Centre for chicken rice. We tabao-ed (take away/took home) chicken rice home for dinner. 

Also, this week - I went for my first Yoga Class in Tiong Bahru. I thought I would have given up in the first 15 minutes but I managed to pull through. Little sis was proud of me, lol. We went to get some Mee Pok ( a Chinese noodle dish, flat yellow noodles) after cleaning up and of course, cupcakes at Plain Vanilla.

There was a book vending machine outside Books Actually, and I couldn't resist taking a photo. Also that cat mural on the ground was too cute for it's own good.

We went furniture shopping after dessert and paid my god brother-in-law a visit. He's my favorite cousin cos he listens to AFI's Sing The Sorrow when he drives. Also, he watched AFI on their Sing The Sorrow tour in Australia. JEALOUS. 

I love productive days. I get too stressed out sometimes thinking about my upcoming projects but I'm really happy with where my art is heading towards right now. I don't know if I'll still write much from Singapore (because I went to a couple of interesting events but am too lazy to blog about it), but I definitely am looking forward to coming home to my Tokyo apartment in fall.

Till then. 

309. over being under, melbourne

Heaps of entries have been piling up since my last update, I have a ton of things to write about but I'm just too pre-occupied with drawing and planning out some projects. I have been going around Singapore to check out prices to make prints and some merchandise. I hope to see these projects fall through before I return to Tokyo.

As I already have mentioned, I was in Melbourne to celebrate my birthday last month. I didn't do anything special but just went around Melbz for some good food, coffee, relax and unwind. I didn't bother taking much photos either. Melbourne has changed a lot over the last two years and I love it even more now because things are way more convenient. Also, there's an ACNE, COS and so many more clothes catering to my style newly opened.

I think a couple of new malls, many many food outlets have sprung up. The CBD is so busy at night now, it's nice to be out and about. I obviously dropped by my favorite gallery in Melbourne, it's so convenient since it's in the CBD. The exhibition going on last month was Xenoplasm, mostly paintings, drawings and sculptures of monsters.

I thought these guys looked like evil broccoli. 

The exhibition was not really my style but I still enjoyed it. Little sis and I went to too many new coffee places, so I can't remember the names anymore. Nothing beats coffee in Melbourne. We also had some time to go to church, and walk to Fitzroy. There's a lot of new craft stores, cafes and clothing boutiques in Fitzroy now and we spent two afternoons exploring the entire place. Really convenient because it's about a 20 minute walk from the CBD. 

There was also a light festival going on in Fitzroy on the week I was there but unfortunately, it rained on the night we were there and didn't have time to check it out again, these are the only photos I took while we rushed to get on the tram back to our apartment.

Being back in Melbourne was a much needed break from busy Tokyo. I felt much better after being home for a while. I really want to go back to Melbourne in January again for some shows (alexisonfire, letlive., Refused and Everytime I Die)  but we'll see how that goes. 

I've also fallen in love with a hidden book store in Melbourne. I bought a Norwegian folktale book there and can't be any happier. I really love Scandinavian folklore. The building Metropolis bookstore is hidden in has so many gems. The owner of the bookstore was really nice as well, unfortunately no photos are allowed in the store. So click on the link above to check it! Definitely my new favorite place in Melbourne.

This trip back home was a really good one since I got a new tattoo, satisfied my cravings for all of Melbourne's good food and coffee, got to explore new places and just let my mind take a break for a little bit. Now, I'm back with my family in Singapore and surprisingly, it has been good to me so far (minus my non-existent social life here). I have been really productive and haven't feel this good about myself in a long long long time. 

I hope to come back to Tokyo once I'm done with all these projects and I might be coming back later than expected. Of course, the boyfriend has been nagging at me to get back sooner but I really need to do things for myself. Even if that means skipping some shows by my favorite bands, so be it. I'll definitely be back in Tokyo by Autumn. Right now, I just want to concentrate on things here and have no distractions.

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.