Backstage *

Eyes set on my career goal,
cameras poised read to capture the moment,
everyone is watching, waiting for her to turn around.
When she returns
she will be a new person, backed with experience and renewed vigour.

I am relocating to another city in two days!
A new job, a new apartment & a new city to explore culinary adventures awaits...

Via del Corso *

You may have experienced the freezing, chilly, rainy weather in Sydney of late. Surprisingly, I've discovered to do battle with the elements, enjoying a frosty dessert is just what the doctor ordered (or that's what the pleasant staff at Via del Corso have informed me anyways)!

fig, honey & pistachio gelato

Via del Corso Pasticceria E Caffe

188 Pitt Street

Sydney NSW 2000

+61 2 8236 9200

Makoto stop *

Taking a pitt stop for lunch on the run, 
to do errands on the weekends is really no fun.
But it's the small things which makes me smile,
for instance, innovating sushi I haven't had in a while!

seared scallop sushi with fish roe on cooked tuna & cucumber sushi

Makoto

119 Liverpool Street

Sydney NSW 2000

(02) 9283 6767

Radish cakes *

On less controversial, and more heart-warming issues, Winter is an ideal time to cook some simple Asian dishes. An easy recipe to make is steamed radish cakes cut into snack-sized portions. Wonderful for afternoon tea on the weekends and healthy too. In the alternative, they can be pan-fried until golden for a crispy exterior and moist tenderly centre!

radish cakes

radish, roast pork, chinese sausage, dried duck, shallots, 

sprinkle of sesame seeds

Rudd - iculous *

Federal Australian politics has done it again. And again, I am vexed. I continue to have little faith or respect for our current politicians. We have changed Prime Minister more often than I have changed my car, my house, or even my coffee machine for that matter. Ridiculous.

ALP
A few simple facts.
In 2007, you vote for Kevin and got Julia.
In 2010, you vote for Julia and got Kevin.
If you vote for the Labor Party in 2013, who knows who you will end up with?

D&G Mens SS14*

"Inspired by Sicilian mythology: 

Creativity and tailoring are the cornerstones of the collection,

where the fantastical, triumphs in the prints 

of antique gods such as those of Zeus and Apollo, 

and sandals recall those worn by the gods of the tradition."

                                    - D&G Mens Spring Summer 2014

Perhaps divine intervention is necessary to save D&G from recent legal controversies. Embroiled in a fashionable disaster was one thing that is rarely associated with D&G. On 20 June 2013, Italian fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana were found guilty by a Milan court for failing to declare €1bn in income. The pair face a suspended sentence of 1 year 8 months in jail and a hefty fine, but of course, their lawyers have already indicated they will be lodging an appeal. In any event, let the army of immaculately dressed Italian men, in perfectly tailored suits, march against D&G's taxing concerns.

Replying to the world *

It is lovely to hear from you all!

Many thanks for your emails. I am extremely grateful that you have taken time to read my humble blog. Apologies for the incredible delay in responding. I have not checked this email for far too long. I will endeavour to reply promptly from now on. In the meantime, take care and we shall continue to be on a "see-food" diet together!

Like father, like son *

"Our test of truth is a reference 

to either a present or imagined future majority 

in favour of our view."

Junior, one of the most cited legal scholars in the 20th Century: 

an American jurist and Associate Supreme Court Justice. 

Senior, arguably one of the best writers in the 19th Century: 

an American physician and Fireside poet. 

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Both Harvard alumni. 

Both enshrined in history as leaders of their respective fields.

And both,

an inspiration.

Beautiful intelligence *

"Beauty without intelligence is an illusion that is close to disenchantment. 

It is like a fairy that fascinates us, 

as long as we look at her through the enchanting prism of her beauty. 

However, it disappears as soon as the light of reason 

penetrates beyond the place where the eyes can see." 

- Mercedes Cabello de Carbonera, 1876

kate upton

Got rice *

Simplicity speaks for itself. 
Easy to please but difficult to impress. 
This classic chinese dish is made by, literally, throwing everything in!

fried rice

chinese bbq pork, egg, shallots

Homeless *

To those who sleep along the pedestrian way. 
Tucked inside a niche in the wall
littered around Sydney CBD, and sadly,
many other locations to find refuge from Winter's cold. 

Less is more.
Being bothered by trivial first world problems - 
an upcoming exam, stresses from work, a car breaking down,
seems to be cast in ridicule compared to Those 

who struggle from dawn to dusk, in order to survive.

Latin, to be Learned *

mutantur omnia nos et mutamur. tempus fugit. eheu, fugaces labuntur anni. respice, adspice, prospice. non est vivere sed valere vita est. si vis amari, ama. nosce te ipsum. perfer et obdura; dolar hic tibi proderit olim. possunt quia posse videntur. Legum servi sumus ut liberi esse possimus. ipsa scientia potestas est. 

non est ad astra mollis e terris via. 

...

all things change and we change with them. time flies. alas, the fleeting years slip by. examine the past, the present and the future. life is not being alive but being well. if you wish to be loved, love. know thyself. be patient and tough; some day this pain will be useful to you. they can because they seem to be able to: positive thinking. we are slaves of the Law, in order that we may be able to be free. knowledge is power. there is no easy way from the earth to the stars. 

every person is architect of their own fortune. 

Justinian says *

According to the Law of logic, 
there is only such thing as a glass of wine 
- or none, as the case may be.

The Café Terrace on the Place du Forum *

Towards the artificially lit terrace of a popular coffee house,  facing south, into the enforced darkness of the rue du Palais. Beyond this is the now Musée Lapidaire. Towards the right Van Gogh indicated a lighted shop and some branches of the surrounding trees surrounding, yet he omitted the remainder of some Roman monuments. Being the first painting in which he featured starry backgrounds, Van Gogh mentioned the Café Terrace painting in a letter written to Eugène Boch on 2 October 1888.

Arles, September 1888

Golden Acoustic *

To my dearest Grandmother, beloved family, close friends, 

and those whom I've had the privilege to encounter:

"Even when you're miles away,
You're always on my mind
And you're in my heart 

even when I close my eyes

While the rain is falling
Golden, timeless as a kiss
I don't wanna miss another perfect moment
To tell you, how you make me feel

Smallest parts of who you are
Are everything to me
From the way you laugh to the way you cry
To the way you love on me

Shadows run and darkness fades
When you come around
My single star amongst the gray
Always shining down."

Armani 5.06 *

In a celebration of the beauty adorning the eternal city, Giorgio Armani staged yet another magnificent event: One Night Only Roma at Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana. Per chance, it happens to coincide with the launch of Armani's Eccentrico exhibition in Rome as well as a new store along Via Condotti.

Karenai hana *

Leaving a trail of flowers- to find, or can she be found?

On a typical Saturday evening *

As one girl ponders in front of her laptop, busy working/studying away -
the world at large seems to be out to play;
whether it be attending a party singing hip hip hooray,
or bonding with a close group of friends facing the bay.

The Byers Lectures 2000-2012, indeed, offers immense solace 
compounded with hope, for success, in some inordinate place...

MOst Smile *

Tea and sweets can bring a smile to anything

Advocacy with no oil *

"Perhaps the most valuable thing the lawyer brings 

into the courtroom when he is an advocate is his reputation. 

His reputation for candor and soundness is worth three points in his brief 

and a marvelous opening for his oral argument. 

If his reputation is bad, I don't care what he says or how he says it;

he is climbing a glass mountain in shoes covered with oil."

- Hon. Charles D. Brietel

Jesting Pilate *

"'What is truth?" said jesting Pilate, 

and would not stay for an answer." 

I have not forgotten that when Pilate said this 

he was about to leave the judgment hall.

                                 - Sir Owen Dixon

Sir Owen Dixon was a Justice of the High Court from 1929 until 1952 when he was appointed Chief Justice. He was sworn in as Chief Justice at a sitting of the Full Court in Sydney on 21 April 1952. "Jesting Pilate" is an expression derived from Bacon's Essay on Truth and it also bears the name of my latest treasure. Finally I may devote time for some leisurely reading to learn from one of Australia's legal greats... 

Broken Arrow *

"When you shoot across the sky like a broken arrow

It's so hard to keep yourself on the straight and narrow

You fall off course

He says one day we will look back and it will make us laugh

She says better to have and not need, than to need and not have

No matter what the cause it's better to have loved and lost

He says it's gonna get better like a fine wine

She says it's harder to smell the roses when the sun don't shine

This time he's gonna find another way

This time she's gonna take it to the good ol' days with no airs or graces

Only warm embraces we're just two little street angels with lovely faces"

Only know *

"Well you only need the light when it's burning low

Only miss the sun when it starts to snow

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low

Only hate the road when you’re missin' home

Only know… when you let it go…

Staring at the bottom of your glass

Hoping one day you'll make a dream last

But dreams come slow and they go so fast"

                              - Passenger (on the flight of life)

Jones the Grocer *

"Long communal tables create a sense of community

often missing in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.

Featuring a vibrant contemporary cafe; in-house bakery; 

signature European deli, cheese, charcuterie & wine floor to ceiling displays."

Lovely selection of cheese and charcuterie, as well as a decent choice of wines. An ideal way to end the night and escape the pouring rain!

fourme d'ambert, fromage de meaux, parma prosciutto

beef two ways

prawn and chilli linguini

with fresh crystal bay prawns in spiced jones melted tomato sauce

Jones the Grocer

Level 5, Sydney Westfield

Corner Market and Castlereagh Street

Sydney NSW 2000

+ 61 2 8072 7755

Postmodern truth *

The four ideals:

first and foremost, the postmodern-ironist seeks truth as socially constructed;

secondly, scientific-rational finds truth through methodical disciplined inquiry;

thirdly, social-traditional finds truth in the heritage of American-Western civilisation;

and finally, the neo-romantic finds truth through attaining harmony with nature and spiritual exploration of the inner self.

Hemingway *

"Things may not be immediately discernible in what a man writes, 
and in this sometimes he is fortunate; 

but eventually they are quite clear 

and by these and the degree of alchemy that he possesses 

he will endure or be forgotten.

Writing, at its best, is a lonely life.

For he does his work alone and if he is a good enough writer 

he must face eternity, or the lack of it, each day.

...

[A] new beginning where he tries again for something that is beyond attainment. 

He should always try for something that has never been done 

or that others have tried and failed. 

Then sometimes, with great luck, he will succeed.

I have spoken too long for a writer. 

A writer should write what he has to say and not speak it."

                               

                                              - 1954 Nobel Acceptance Speech

GA royal dance *

Royal blue cascades with black tones, 
dancing upon radiant red.
Simply spectacular ~

Milla Jovovich in Giorgio Armani

Distractions *

"By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, 

one may unfailingly arrive at 

his chosen goal or destination."

                              - Christopher Columbus 

In an ideal world, one read all day and all night to consume all knowledge bound in the innumerable books before all time. Realisation suddenly dawned on me that this is not only impossible, but unfeasible, in light of other priorities in life. Study smart, not study hard. And applying the same principle: one should work smart, not work hard. For instance, my sleeping hours last week were borderline ridiculous: 2 hours Monday; 1 hour Tuesday; 3 hours Wednesday; 5 hours Thursday. *Note to self, remove distractions and prepare in advance rather than work/study 20 hours a day.

Of course, to succeed the necessary sacrifices in life must be made. Yet it should not come at the expense of working away the better part of youth and life to arrive at the chosen goal. Indeed the goal is reached but at what cost? A decade or more of life? An illuminatingly interesting prospect if I continue doing what I'm doing, then I will keep getting what I'm getting. Life: progress in the professional realm is evident (direction, goal, change) and now some attention to the personal dimension. 

Predicting the future *

One month, one week and one too many days
until I leave Sydney.
A new life, a new job and a new city
towards an exciting adventure.

Friends, family and loved ones - I will indeed miss;
but then again, you are more than welcome to visit me in the happy abyss!

Times of great change, three chimes forward...

CC upcakes *

Black and gold exudes the rich darkness,
white camellia reflects a delicate innocence,
and to top it off, hints of pearlescent femininity 
for a timeless classic
to CC apture beauty.

Get lucky *

"Like the legend of the phoenix
All ends with beginnings
What keeps the planets spinning
The force from the beginning

We've come too far to give up who we are
So let's raise the bar and our hearts to the stars

The present has no living
Your gift keeps on giving
What is this I'm feeling?"

Utterly delectable see-creation 

giving rise to a new obsession

Plato's angel *

Soul to the universe, 
wings to the mind, 
flight to the imagination, and 
love to life. 

Someday, someone will walk into your life 
and make you realise why 
it never worked out with anyone else. 
Until then, 
have faith they will find you

Liquid heaven *

"Wine can of their wits the wise beguile,

make the sage frolic, and the serious smile."

- Homer, Odyssey

Thankfully some things do get better in time, 
for everything else there's a bottle of wine.

To everything that is old;

old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines.

Treasures indeed that are ol' mighty fine.

Met Gala 2013 *

Since 1948, an annual ball is held in NYC to celebrate the opening of the Metropolitan Museum of Art fashion exhibit at the Costume Institute. Considered to be one of the most exclusive red carpet events in the fashion world, it was undoubtedly a "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" affair on 6 May 2013. The exhibition incorporates 100 designs from fashion archives to document the presence of punk on the runway since the times of the Sex Pistols, Blondie and Vivienne Westwood, as well as recognising its ongoing influence today.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Giles Deacon

headpiece: Philip Treacy

(single & fabulous SATC)

Blake Lively

Gucci

(xoxo gossip girl)

Anne Hathaway

Valentino

(devil wears prada, but not on this occasion)

Anna Wintour

Chanel

(when you organise the event, who cares about the theme? apparently Wintour claims pink is the colour of punk)

Jennifer Lopez

Michael Kors

(no longer jenny from the block)

Kate Beckinsale

Alberta Ferretti

(from underworld to serendipity)

Nina Dobrev

Monique Lhuillier

(lady of the night, so says the vampire diary anyway)

A Present - dull to bright *

Life tends to be somewhat dull when all one does is work, study and read. To add some meaning, my new year resolution for 2013 was to live a little, take more risks and not let time simply pass me by. After all, the present is a gift which can only be given once before it becomes the past. Unfortunately I did not practice what I preach, in this regard, yet... and it's May. But I guess, better late than never - so, as of today, I will try to pursue this resolution with renewed vigour. Keeping in mind my priorities yet remembering not to take the present for granted. 

Capturing the shades of grey, defining moments in more black and white, then maybe life shall unfold to be a wonderful reflection of bright bold hues ~