Study Season*

"The more we study, the more we discover our ignorance.

Tasks may seem impossible until it is done.

Food is a study that allows us to be happy more intelligently."

While the Fashion Calendar dictates that Sale Season among us again, for some, it is synonymous to Study Season with final exams looming. Resisting the urge to shop, as invitations for vip sales to the fashion houses are flooded in the mail, I retreat into hibernation. Sometimes a detox from life is good, just to pour over books and the like. Despite my love for the Winter weather, my only issue is the setbacks to health it may bring. Taking Vitamin C to boost the immune system is a must, giving up my addiction to coffee is a hope and opting for more healthier alternatives it shall be!

Study Snacks
Vita-Weat with Vegemite
Assorted Nuts and Dried Fruits
Tasmanian Heritage Blue Opal Cheese with Cracked Pepper Water Crackers

Honey Lemon Green Tea 

Madura Green Tea & Australian Lemon Myrtle with Capilano Honey

(A healthier alternative to my regular cup of coffee since it is 97% Caffeine free.)

To finish: a dash of freshly squeezed lemon juice from lemons plucked off our lemon tree!*

Grandfather 81*

"I am very thankful to have a grandfather like you,

always thinking of others and always willing to give.

Grandfather you are the one person I know,

with silver in your hair and gold in your heart."

Wishing a BIG Happy 81st Birthday to my beloved Grandfather! I purchased a Taro cake from an Asian bakery to surprise him, but little did I know that my brother would come home with the exact same cake in a few hours! I guess siblings really do share the same sentiments after all. 

Taro Cake

Layers of taro flavoured sponge cake, filled with cream and fresh taro pieces. Fresh fruits and heart shaped jellies adorn the top layer. NB: Tastes a lot better than it looks!

After singing Happy Birthday, it was time to cut the cake. The knife touched the bottom, so as tradition dictates Grandfather had to kiss the nearest girl... being Grandmother of course! It is really sweet to know my grandparents are still very much in love, even after many decades together.*

Mother's Day *

"A man loves his Sweetheart the most,

his Wife the best, 

but his Mother the longest."

                                  - An Irish Proverb                                         

Scrambling to purchase a last minute Mother's Day present was not such a great idea, in retrospect. When panic sets in at 5pm it was time to make a decision. Sydney stores would cease trading in an hour (if only I was shopping in Hong Kong I would have all night!), so I settled for the medium black Epi Alma. Arriving home feeling victorious that I have fulfilled my shopping mission for today, I find ten bouquets of flowers arranged around the house. 


Of course, dad has outdone me again. He happily showed me a beautiful white vase containing twenty three long stem red roses- mom's favourite number since her chinese name has a similar pronunciation to the number "23". Then he proceeds to give me a guided tour around the house to see the remaining nine flower arrangements. When I asked where he had found the time to purchase flowers, as he had been at work all day, he smiled and replied "I woke up at 7am to buy them from the markets for the freshest selection!". It made me realise that even after thirty one years of marriage, my parents are still so in love. 


I recall being glued to the television the other night for the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. It is comforting to know that fairytales do come true. I hope that one day we will each find our soulmate and live happily ever after. In the meantime, I shall return to matters at hand and wish you all a Happy Mother's Day!*