I spent the last 10 minutes squeezing my caffeine-induced brain just to contrive the appropriate excuse to let everyone know that I'm still here despite my 1 year of absence, although the word "here" differs from what it used to be. Just to fill everyone else in : I, now, am not residing in Taipei anymore although God knows how much I love that place. It still feels very weird to leave the place you imagined your last years of being teenagers would be in. The moment I stepped my feet on my home country is the very moment I accepted the fact : I didn't go home; I LEFT home. I've got my own reasons of why I left and no matter how it killed me to make a choice, it is indeed inevitable.

Let's just say this past year has been a quizzical maze for me. Just like a storm; a violent, metaphysical, symbolic storm (Murakami reference). It metaphorically cut like a thousand razor blades : people bled, and so did I. I made my own choices. Looking back, it frankly looked like nothing but my nescience. But no matter how bad it was, it was still me who made said choices and I regret nothing. Someone said that it's a phase toward adulthood, and I still wonder whether it's true, 'cause if it is then that means I am barely starting my journey and the storm is yet over me. Little by little though, I see myself carving a clear path towards my future. I guess I've changed, for the better I hope, because that's what this storm's all about; or so I was convinced. Anyway, I've made a new plan and I'm praying so hard so it will work.

Moving on from all the gloominess and Kafka references, It didn't always rain, There has been some of those cloudless days in my life too. today, par exemple, was my second meeting with Jess (and her sister & co) in Jakarta. Ironic how we didn't talk to each other when we were a table apart turned into use every moment we have to meet up. I met Jess for the first time in a Chinese language centre when both of us were primary school babies. We didn't know each other that much and never bothered with that, we were with different peers after all. Years later I find myself grateful to have such an amazing and artsy person in my life. I couldn't recall what built a bridge between us, but I sure glad it did.

We went café-hopping around Serpong today and it ignited a tiny spark of joy. The amount of times I went exploring for decent brunch places in Indonesia can be counted by fingers (toes excluded). We went to two café mignons called "turning point" and "Scandinavian Coffee Shop" and spent most of the time pretending to be a food-blogger (more picture-taking, less food-criticising) instead of leisurely enjoying afternoon like the others customers (or studying with all your might for the case of those struggling university students across the room). You can witness the evidences of of my joy today. I would write more but I'd just let the pictures say it all.

 

and also, a playlist I made long ago as a tribute to my 18th year in taipei! (ehem, yes, I missed it THAT much)

To sum up, today is the most fun I've ever had since forever and it pains me to know that I won't be seeing Jess at least until next year. Despite my ramblings, today was very satisfying and I already bid my "see you again" to her. I've taken interest in film photography lately. I've taken some pics with my cheap old film camera I got last year in a school-held bazaar. I'll post when I develop those films should they develop nicely! It is currently 2 in the morning and despite my sleep deprivation, I find myself unable to sleep. Until my next post!

turning point coffee

Jalan Ki Hajar Dewantara, Ruko Golden 8 Extension Blok K no. 10, Gading Serpong, Kec. Tangerang, Banten 15810, Indonesia+62 811-1131-984

scandinavian coffee shop

Jalan Gading Serpong Boulevard, Komplek Ruko Graha Boulevard Blok D/15, Gading serpong, Kec. Tangerang, Banten 15810, Indonesia +62 812-9117-9628

letter from jess (which is oh so lovely) and kiko being impeccable - as always. 

officially back from the dead (re: hiatus). I know I was away from my blog (but not the internet; you'd know if you've stalked my instagram) for a really long time, but look at the bright side : I SURVIVED THE DEADLINE HOW AWESOME IS THAT. anyway, excuse number two of why I was away from my blog is that I'm sure you guys are already fed up with me talking about anything university-related, not like yours haven't made you feel like throwing up already, and I figured out I said things like "deadline is near", "portfolio is neglected" and blah blah blah too much. I reread my older posts a few times and I admit it lacks the quality of what a good blogger should write. (blame it all on monotone life due to piling assignments and deadline. ok last talk about uni life I swear) so, I decided to do things one at a time, multitasking is never my forte anyway.

speaking of which, I actually don't have anything to write about yet but it will soon come to me, now that I have regained my freedom. I just want to make an announcement that I'm not dead and a thank you for you loyal readers who still generously spend your time to leave comments. I will post something good soon (fingers crossed) so stay tuned!

p.s. as an apology for being a bad blogger, I also attached a video AND some cute pics of my nope,stillmine our teenage heartthrob circa '98 for you (you're welcome), no caption needed. enjoy! 

-M

  

1. welcoming 2014 (more like struggling to take at least a proper picture) from taipei 101  2. Taipei night street view (or failed attempt to focus my camera resulting to a decent bokeh pic)

 

3. leaving taipei and going home (mentally squealing due to extreme joy). 4. cutest rose cupcake ever, and yes, it is edible. 5. two words : guilty pleasure.

you know it's holiday when you spend all day lying on your bed and have a 24-hour movie marathon with mcdonalds fries (okay not exactly 24-hour but see my point there). I did take my first winter break in university for granted by forgetting I only have exactly 30 days to enjoy the infrequent stress-free life (false, my portfolio deadline is in march). After finishing my finals, I rewarded myself with a plane ticket straight to home. It's exhilarating, really, to occupy your mind with the thought of going home after 5 months surviving in a foreign country with no one else to depend on. Not that I don't want to admit it but the last time I checked, I was really fed-up with my hometown. now that 5 months have passed, I ironically have come to the point where I miss my home (thumbs up for the passenger's "only hates the road when you're missing home."). oh and I just finished watching the latest season of BBC Sherlock and currently am suffering from post-season-3-depression (not that I'm not depressed when I'm watching it). I won't ruin your day or waste my energy by spoiling it here, just take this as a precaution for considerable amount of bromance, touching scenes, unexpected twist, major heartbreak, and more bromance. (if you say you didn't cry after listening to sherlock's best man speech then shame on you, you heartless liar). Putting sherlock aside, I'm spending my whole winter break finishing my super long list of "things-to-eat-when-I'm-home" (so far 8 things ticked), hitting the gym and trying my very best not to remind myself uni life is less than a month away. 

-M

     

jpg diarrhea of juju albeit no matter how many pictures of xiao wen ju I post could describe my love for her. I've been spending so many hours practically reblogging every posts tagged xiao wen ju on tumblr and saving them into my phone (xiao wen ju + marc jacobs like whoa double the perfection). life's pretty good lately despite the packed schedule and the soon-coming final exams. my portfolio's going well (kind of) and the sometimes-cold-sometimes-hot weather makes me miss home even more. it's getting late and i'm going to indulge myself and search for more xiao wen ju pics and watch jacksgap's videos (who can resist his cute face and hot british accent) while simultaneously watch sherlock bbc (you people don't understand the pain of limited internet connection a.k.a. slow video buffer). I'll post new stuff soon, fingers crossed x

you know it's already the last month of the year when everywhere you see is literally decorated with christmas ornaments. It's not like I'm excited christmas or anything (but thanks jesus for christmas sale) I'm just waiting so we college kids have our christmas break to actually relax our butts off. assignments are piling up and my portfolio has been neglected for quite a while. 

by the way, Jessica's letter is also one of the reason why I'm excited for christmas. I sent her mine today morning and I hope it reaches her before she go back home (which kinda sucks if it didn't because I sent here chocolates). fingers crossed.

today is my sister's birthday, the cakes and the wishes were sent virtually and it kinda made me wish she was here. OH and I wanna thank you guys for being lovely readers. My blog reached its very first 1000 views in less than 2 months time (which is rad because I expect nothing since this blog is mainly about my rants plus my last blog was so embarassing but I'm surprised you guys still read it). I also want to thank the people who are kind enough to leave comments on my comment box. to commemorate it, I'm spending my night eating ice cream and yummy korean snack on my bed while watching khalil fong's concert video (apparently still sad because taipei and hong kong is only like 2 hours away) and wishing he'll come here soon. x

-M

basically a compilation of photos indicating where I was these past two weeks. despite the fact that they were two hectic weeks, they've been indescribably fun (although I can't say that I've actually done anything productive except for attending lectures and doing some sketching). it's probably just me getting all the good vibes, like if there are days when all you see are rainbow and butterflies (as quoted from adam levine) then these past few days were the ones. I'm waiting for the weekend to come sooner for I'm going to search for new cafés and hunt some photos. I get lost often but that's one of the perks of being a wanderlust; you fall in love with places you've never been before. x 

-M

there are numerous inexplainable reasons of why I still ate ice cream even when I was (and am still) sick. In my defense, having been born and raised in a tropical country, it is only natural to get sick after experiencing the extreme climate change. Anyway, Nadia's last day in taipei was my number one excuse of why I guiltlessly ate a cup of cold gelato (and some spoonful of ice cream) in a 16° C weather while being sick (proven with this crime evidence).  Our visit to 8%ice was actually unplanned, we were only walking around randomly but hey, we'd be lying if we said we wouldn't enter an ice cream parlor which is recommended by practically everyone (plus the building was so pretty). It was actually my second time there and it wasn't as crowded my first visit there. The staff were very friendly to tolerate our my broken chinese. (rest assured, people. they speak apprehensible english). Torn between hojicha with honey and blueberry banana sorbet, I finally chose the latter while Nadia ordered a cone of sesame-slash-matcha ice cream, they're NT$100 each. We went straight home after taking a lot of polaroids (also after gaining a lot of confused stares from strangers).

8%ice 冰淇淋專門店

Address: No 6 Lane 13, Yong Kang Street, Daan District, Taipei City

Today was pretty laid-back since my lecturer announced that our test was cancelled. I'm feeling a bit feverish so I'm spending the day listening to nujabes and watching The Great Gatsby (and crying my heart out while doing so). x

-M