Just Dropping By

Huwaaa~

Spent the entire day catching up with my kdrama fix. I'm such a bum! :|

Oh well, better cherish such moments. I wonder when I'll be able to have so much time again. Heehee!

I'll update soon when I have done more sensible things. :)

Colors from East to West

Usually, experiencing a new culture requires travel and a lot of money. But today, I feel so lucky to have attended a Japanese tea ceremony demonstration and a performance by Quatuor Diotima String Quartet without the need to fly to Japan or France.

I think I have posted enough entries to express my fascination with Japan and its culture. And it has always been a dream of mine to witness, if not take part, in a Japanese tea ceremony or, in Japanese, cha no yu. Witnessing the demonstration made me realize all over again Japan's "obsession" with restraint and order which is incomprehensible yet sensible to me. 

Despite the seriousness and solemnity called for by the tea ceremony, I was still able to enjoy the occasion due to a couple of things. Seeing my sensei in her kimono as she performed the ceremony got me totally amazed. Watching my classmates' attempt on the said art was kind of amusing too. But the fact that I got to taste the wagashi and authentic matcha made by sensei sent me immediately to cloud nine. Too bad I wasn't able to bring a camera and take pictures to share though. :(

Just after attending the cha no yu demonstration, my friend and I immediately went to the venue for Quatuor Diotima's performance. We arrived a bit late as the quartet already started their first song so we had to wait before we can enter the hall. Too bad for us youngsters as a strict-looking lady scolded us while we waited at the lobby. :|

To be honest, I have a love-hate relationship with classical music. But when we were invited by a friend to go see a French string quartet FOR FREE, I'm like, 'why not?'. And, the invitation really came on time as I am currently rekindling my affair with classical music since last month. I realized that it helps me keep my sanity through all the things I have to do. 

I can't help but respect Quatuor Diotima and, along with them, all those who are so dedicated to playing instruments. I really felt goosebumps while listening to them perform and sometimes, I would get so carried away by the melody the my head sways to the beat. Watching people like them inspires me to just be good at what I can. I mean, if they can affect me so much by being so good in their music then, I must work hard to be good in my craft too before I can start aspiring to influence others in a positive light. I feel sad that I am not able to speak French. I wanted to express me appreciation but I can't. (As if I can do such thing in Japanese if I will be able to attend a Yuki Kajiura performs. LOL!) Maybe I should start studying French too?

In the end, my friends and I got to get a picture with the quartet members. :P 

I'm really thankful for this day. Makes me love my school even more for bringing in such rare opportunities closer to students. 

MORE! MORE! :D

Promised Memories

Back in preschool, somebody told me that I am special. I responded with a toothy, childish grin because I believed.

Elementary days came by and someone said that I'm capable of great things. I held on to it.

My teen spirit wanted to run free. But you said that I should wait. I did.

Long years are gone and we're almost at the finish line. Yet you say, forget everything.

It's breaking my heart. Because for so long, I placed my faith in you only to hear you say it's over.

They say there's beauty in waiting. But it pains me to realize that I was made to wait for nothing.

Perhaps it's foolish to continue holding on. It's all I have.

I have waited this long. Maybe a few more years wouldn't hurt so bad.

Though it's useless if I'm the only one who's all in.

I'm not closing any doors because I remember you telling me that we'll always be together.

Hopefully, it's not yet forgotten. Because I don't mind returning to dust if we're all together.

Forever.

New Paths

Today marks another occasion of opportunities.

A chance of start anew.

A chance to believe once more.

A chance recover what we once had lost.

A chance to heal and have faith in love.

Happy Easter to you.

Have Me Some Bubble Tea

The worst is over...for now.

With the summer season kicking in, I temporarily left all my academic worries behind and go out with my sister. And when the two of us are out, we always look forward to eating out! And this time, we invaded Bubble Tea at The Block (Romanized Japanese: Tapioka Tii).

The said Tokyo Milk Tea Place has been around for quite some time now but today was the first time that my sister and I decided to step inside to check out what they have to offer.

There's a lot of buzz about milk teas recently. Being a tea fan, of course that's progress. I mean, milk teas are definitely better than sugar-doused drinks pretending to be tea (but hey, that's just my opinion). Due to geographical restraints, the only "milk tea" that I have been drinking for the past months was Starbucks' Iced Green Tea Latte. But today was an awesome opportunity to try something new.

Bubble Tea's shop interior is nice and, well, bubbly. Comfy couch chairs and upbeat J-pop songs welcomed us and really set a general positive vibe for the place. Aside from dining comfort, the interior of Bubble Tea is really ideal for picture happy people (like me and my sis!) which we took advantage of. :)

featuring my sister at Bubble Tea The Block

To start off, I opted to try their large Japanese Green Milk Tea (P125) while my sister chose a large Jasmine Milk Tea (P125). Other kinds of tea-based beverages are also available such as Tea Slushes and Milk Shakes. Bubble Tea offers their customers the option of having some of their beverages either hot or cold. With summer's scorching heat, we definitely both had our drinks cold.

From the first sip, I totally fell in love with my Japanese Green Milk Tea. It's perfect--not too sweet, the distinct seaweed-like taste of brewed sencha and, the tapioca cooked to just-right chewiness (also locally known as pearls) all mixing in my mouth. And while I am totally biased towards green tea (whether its hot or cold), I must admit that the Jasmine Milk Tea tastes so good as well.

Despite milk teas being their specialty, Bubble Tea also offers a wide array of snacks and meals. Sandwich, ramen, donburi, gyoza, sushi, sashimi, pasta -- whatever strikes your palate's fancy with a Japanese twist. My sister and I had Philadelphia Maki-Zushi (P195) and Yakiniku Beef Sandwich (P245). Contrary to what one can expect from a typical drink-specialized shop, Bubble Tea food is DELICIOUS! The servings are generous, newly cooked and tasty.

The Philadelphia Maki-Zushi had 8 pieces of sushi made with cream cheese, salmon, cucumber and mango, topped with tobiko (fish roe), accompanied by a side serving of gari (p

ickled ginger), shoyu (soy sauce) and wasabi. Very yummy, I assure you. Just this is enough to fill one's stomach!

Two sandwiches filled with alternating layers of tender beef strips, cheese, tomato, cucumber and lettuce are the highlights of Bubble Tea's Yakiniku Beef Sandwich. Nicely done potato salad and coleslaw sidings complement the meal, perfect for vegetable salad lovers looking for a variety.

To top everything else, we helped ourselves with a slice of Matcha Cake (P125). The best tea-based cake I've tasted so far, I swear. Who knew green tea and coffee would be soooo heavenly on a dessert? It's a must try!

The staff also gave us a Bubble Tea Loyalty Card which will entitle you to one serving of any large milk tea drink of your choice once you complete all 10 stamps. I'll definitely come back for that free milk tea!

I officially declare Bubble Tea as one of my favorite restaurants. Awesome milk tea, good food, chill ambiance for a reasonable price.

Seriously, Bubble Tea is a perfect place for girl-bonding or a chillax date.

;)

Can't wait for my next Bubble Tea!

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Photo montages in this entry were made using the free Montager iPod App. :)

Bubble Tea official logo was captured from the official Bubble Tea website.