hello this is sofie

I suspect I'm going through some weird kind of time at the moment. I seem to have a sudden obsession with expressing how I feel using food, particularly dessert. And while I'm writing this, I'm thinking of pancakes for breakfast tomorrow.

Pancakes for me fall in the same category as rainbows and waterfalls and fireworks and hello kitty and tattoos. The category being: What makes Sofie happy.

Anyways, the weekends flew by rapidly, as usual. A few highlights like the Electric Odyssey pit stop at Zouk. It's a world tour that this pair of friends from France- Xavier and Antonin are currently on, and in Singapore they chose Zouk as one of the stops to charge the car. It takes 6 hours for the car to be fully charged and it can then go on for about 120KM. I test drove the car around the Zouk carpark on an operation night!! It's a right hand drive and super smooth, it was mega fun!! But the picture of me wasn't nice so I'm putting the one of Benny and Xavier up!

Xavier & Benny in the Citroen Electric car

Will do a separate post on this when i get more pictures from their absolutely lovely photographer Eric Suard who sent me many kisses on FB today, the tour is now in Lao!

After i got back from Australia a few weeks back, or maybe it's an age thing, but I have developed the patience to speak to strangers, and i mean genuinely. Because to me, I need to be inspired and I continue to seek that inspiration even more so now than before from people that I meet. It's seeking appreciation in the tiniest things in life.

And the party goes on even if life gives you crap doesn't it?
I love this period when all the kids come back for the Summer holidays. It takes the entire entertainment landscape to a different level and there's a strange sort of buzz in the air. As part of the usual Zouk Soundsystem we always have, we had decided to give it some live and so the School's out Special came into play.

Let the pictures do the talking...

Year 2012: Kalyn, Hong & me in the Zouk office

Adele, Hannah, Hannah & Kalyn

My favourite shot from the night! Hong & djB

My school bag- i had to borrow it from a friend, it was suppose to be an Eastpak but we figured GUESS was old school enough.


Zouk Marketing & Entertainment team! Hannah, Nat, Kristina, QH & me

Hannah's friends from SAS, Kalyn & me

In the DJ console: Kalyn & Germaine

Kalyn & Hong

Kalyn & me

Loving this pose of djB's!!

I even went to get converse shoes just for the night. Our photo op was mad cute!

When i was scouting for the uniform and deciding if i wanted to do the whole Japanese school girl look or do the Singapore style "lian" look, i had to go with what was close to my heart.

Going around Far East Plaza (FEP) and trying to put the outfit together, I was with Ju-Anne who kept repeating how I'm a true blue lian and no one could be bothered the way i was bothered to get the uniform right. We ended up trying to look for 77th Street, which isn't even in FEP anymore!

I thought back on the days when it was all about Taka Square Swensons, AC boys, SJI boys, SC girls, MG girls, Far East kids and Potblack. When all that mattered was who's girlfriend you were and which MG girl was pregnant or which SC girl was in love with which AC boy.

I remembered fondly on how the complications then were so simplistic today.
We chatted on IRC and Alamak chats and were on time for all our appointments because all we had were pagers.

We said I love you through Alpha numeric messages.

Today we say i no longer love you through whatsapp.

It has evolved yet has remained the same. We move through time and digital space but essentially we are all lost souls.

xx

I always want to blog and i have loads of things that I want to type out, pictures I want to share, but somehow, when I get home, aside from rushing with emails and inventory and whatever else for Hungover Sundays, i have often found myself seeking the much needed comfort from the TV.

I could survive with no internet, no computer, no phone, if i just had the TV.

Anyway, I just got back from a 8 day holiday break down under. It was part of a 7 year long promise i had kept to one of my best friends, Ju-Anne to visit. She's been in Brisbane for 9 years, and she's one of those friends where the awkwardness of being miles apart, across continents, in time zones of daylight savings or not, surviving in vastly different social circles and having lifestyles worlds apart have never been excuses to keep us apart. Thus, you see why she's one of my best friends.

Bribane I Farmers' Market I Ju-Anne & Me

I arrived at midnight, on a Friday morning, welcomed and greeted by 19 degrees of fucking awesome weather but looking like the bottom most level of hell. It was an almost 8 hour flight, where instead of sleeping, I indulged in on-air entertainment. This is really sad but the truth is I haven't watched a movie for maybe a year? Hence, the indulging.

And I highly suspect I was in some kind of mood. So, first it was "The Vow" and then this Chinese movie "Love You You" with Angela Baby as the lead actress. From the first movie to the next, I CRIED LIKE MY DOG DIED IN AN ACCIDENT. Or rather, i wept, on the plane, until my eyelash extensions became wonky and my eyes were all swollen.

So there I was at the pick-up point at the Brisbane airport, 12am, 17degrees, pink lojel & ready to conquer Australian soil, not realizing how these 8 days would eventually impact how i see life, friendships, work and love.

My first meal was Maccas!! So I have this thing, where no matter where I am in the world, I have to eat McDonald's. It's one of my favorite things in the world. I'm serious. If I didn't put on weight eating it, I could do it every night. There was one time, I did 4 nights in a row, and i felt so sick after. I can finish an entire upsize meal with milkshake and apple pie. The Aussie Maccas are No. 2 on my list after Japan's. =D The milkshake is really DOPE!!

Brisbane I McDonald's I Beef Burger something meal & Fillet O Fish

And then, I completely knocked out for 10 hours. I don't remember the last time I slept for 10 hours in Singapore.

The plan was that we were flying to Sydney on Saturday for 4 days. I haven't been back to Sydney for many years now, maybe 4 or 5. And i missed the place terribly, I had lived there before for 9 months before when I did my internship for Uni in 2004.

What i love most about Australia has always been the simplicity and randomness of how a cup of damn good latte can be sipped and enjoyed over a conversation with a complete stranger for 2 hours. I will always compare this to Singapore. It will NEVER happen.

On a larger scale of things, I define this as the quality of life.

Brisbane I Campos Coffee I Skinny Latte

Brisbane I Campos I Exterior

Now, I just have to say that the next paragraph is just my own personal opinion, it's not that I'm imposing my views on anyone.

Singapore's quality of life is zilch. I don't mean the cleanliness of our roads, the variety of food, the convenience of going places or the safety of our country. But essentially, Singapore has no soul. There isn't the spontaneity of the moment, of finding peace in chaos and creativity in the mess. Everything's too clean, too neat, too governed, too sheltered, too restricted. This hit me very hard.

We were at one of the hotel bars along Bondi Beach in Sydney one night, having a beer, post Hurricanes ribs. And we ended up chatting with a bunch of Aussies, of whom one of the girls just got back from Singapore. So the usual small talk went about how Singapore was, it's funny how the first thing she said was, Oh i went to this club, Zouk, and it was Groove Armada playing. It was good fun! Then she said, other than that, I didn't like Singapore, it has no soul.

You will never find the random cafe tucked in a corner or a vintage shop run by 2 generations with mum and daughter just chilling and chatting about a tourist's tattoos.

And the flea markets <3 what else can i say? Raw, real people, home grown lettuce, happy children.

Brisbane I Farmers' Market I Book store

Brisbane I Farmers' Market I "Looking through you"

Brisbane I Farmers' Market

Brisbane I Farmers' Market I Ju-Anne & Me

Brisbane I Farmers' Market I "Vegetables grown to Classical Music"

Brisbane I Farmers' Market I Fresh Fruits

Brisbane I Farmers' Market I Live Performances

Brisbane I Farmers' Market I "The kids are happier"

Brisbane I Farmers' Market I Freshly-Made Churros

Brisbane I Farmers' Market I Divine Doughnuts

Brisbane I Farmers' Market I Hot Spanish Sausages

Brisbane I Farmers' Market I "An Apple a day"

Brisbane I Farmers' Market I "Lettuce Loving"

I took pictures of all the fresh produce to show my mum! And i hand-carried the sausages back home, it can last for 3 years, and mould would grow around it but you just need to scrub it away and apparently it's fine to eat it! HAHA.

There was just way too much food, and i realize that each time when I think back fondly about any one of my favorite countries, or memories of any unforgettable trip, it always links back to a restaurant, a dish, a cake, a drink that is the best ever in the world, to me. So, please let me indulge on what took my breath away this time.


Brisbane I I forget the name of the restaurant! I Big Breakfast

This was really good, but i can't believe I forgot the name of the cafe! I loved the sweet potato and the polenta sticks were crazily good! It went perfectly with the beetroot & caramelized onions sauce.

Sydney I Hurricanes I Pork Ribs

Sydney I Korean Cafe in the city I Chocolate & Cinnamon Waffles

Oh no, I'm terrible, I don't remember the names of the cafes I went to. This one was next to Lumiere apartments in the city center. Had gone to meet up with Cindy, and she stays just round the corner. Cindy is my brother's friend, and she's doing her Masters in Sydney. Our conversation ended up being about how to attain our Aussie PR, how she ended up in Sydney and tonnes of other stuff.


Sydney I Cindy & me

I ended up having this chat with Ju-Anne about how it is so different overseas, where when you meet up with Singaporeans and make new friends, it seems easier. I'm not sure if its because we are all overseas in a foreign land, so the need to be part of a community becomes stronger and we become more acceptable and flexible on expectations, choices and preferences.

Back to the food, strangely enough, I ended up eating a lot more Asian food than Aussie food. Generally, my palette prefers Asian food, in order of sequence- Japanese, Chinese, Thai...

Sydney I Chat Thai I Boat Noodle Soup

This is potentially the best beef based Thai noodle soup i have ever had in my life. And we went at 3PM, it was only AUD$5! It is part of a chain of eateries, Chat Thai (www.chatthai.com.au) So damn fucking amazingly good. I have to swear to describe the extent of how good it was. I go to Bangkok quite often, but I've never had anything close to this even. I miss it already.

Sydney I Black Star Pastry I Strawberry & Watermelon Cake

This was the highlight of trip. The Strawberry & Watermelon cake from Black Star Pastry (www.blackstarpastry.com.au), Charlene (one of Ju-Anne's friends who just got married and moved to Sydney) took us there, and her husband had bought her this cake on one of their first dates. Obviously it worked, it was a done deal!! =D But this cake was absolutely delightful- light, refreshing yet full of flavor. I have a favourite cake from The Patissier here in Singapore- The Passionfruit Meringue Cake, but this one tops that for sure.

At my wedding in future, I will have this cake.

Brisbane I Northern Thai Beef Noodles

Brisbane I Thai Papaya Salad with Salted Egg

I did Thai quite a bit this trip, this was back in Brisbane. The Northern Thai noodle soup- never had anything like this before. It felt very home-cooked, like comfort food. I even sent the picture via BBM to my Dad, and his only reply way: Sofie, you're going to get fat. My dad never calls me by my full name, so it must have meant something.


Brisbane I Campos I Chocolate & Beetroot Cake- I don't even like beetroot, but it was hell good!!

Brisbane I Bubble Tea from Sunnybank- look at how big the cup is!!! I laughed so much!

Brisbane I Some beer place

I really liked the beer, it was fruity and easy to go down.

Brisbane I the same beer place I Mussels


Brisbane I $1 Mussels!!

Brisbane I University of Queensland I Pizza & Boost

Brisbane I Korean Char Siew & Jellyfish

Brisbane I Korean Hot Pot

This blog entry is getting too long.

Ok see the summary of my trip via pictures as below:

1. Tried to buy chips & Golden Gaytime (my favorite Aussie ice cream) from the petrol kiosk really late one night. Not realizing that because of security and recent shootings, you have to order from a hole in the glass and the guy picks out all the items for you, you can't even step into the store at all. It was freezing as hell. (and i was cursing like there was going to be no tomorrow)

Sydney I Some petrol kiosk I 2 girls in need of Honey Mustard Chicken Rock Deli Chips & Golden Gaytime

2. Walking by Chinatown in Sydney, and when I saw this shop, i walked in because I thought of Ghetto (all the sneakers and limited edition shoes- but has to be Nikes) and Leyla- rabbits & foxes (hell yeah!)

Sydney I Chinatown I Hell Yeah Rabbits & Nikes

3. In search of animals and pets living it up and being extraordinary to take pictures of! This cat was indeed "Like A Boss". Cat walking owner, while the 3 dogs gathered for brunch.

Sydney I Bondi Market I "I am Boss- said the Cat"

Sydney I The Grounds I Brunch with the girlies

4. Being awed and remembering why life is more than Singapore and we need to search for that light at the end of the tunnel. Vivid Sydney (www.vividsydney.com) - a festival of lights, music and ideas.


Sydney I Vivid Sydney I Video Mapping- Museum of Contemporary Art

5. Indulging in cereal and milk every day because the milk in Australia is just so darn good, creamy and doesn't get non-cold (that temp. between fridge & post fridge- like how it gets in Singapore and totally sucks)

Brisbane I Just Right & me

6. Having very carefully and meticulously planned for a next tattoo, going down for a consultation, only to be told the wait list is 3 months, so I have to fly back to Brisbane in August- MEH!! My inspiration for the ink is below.

Brisbane I Lust for Life Tattoo

Tattoo Inspiration I Source: weheartit.com

7. Being completely amused by every small thing in sight and view- in today's context, nothing surprises me anymore, but anyone up for hire as a Badminton companion? It's AUD$6.50 an hour, pay is better than retail in Singapore.

Brisbane I Sunnybank I Badminton Companion for Hire?

8. Appreciating the finer things in life like home made cold pressed iced latte served out of a vintage VW van and then being completely Asian and making the owners take a picture with us.


Brisbane I Outside Farmers Market I Coffee please?

9. Having all the patience in the world and queuing for 2 hours to have brunch which later became lunch/tea. It was at this cafe at Alexandria called The Grounds. Apparently, it's this crowded every weekend. But this also brings me back to my point on the quality of life- how much of our time do we actually spend in enjoyment? in good company? having deep conversations? or appreciating the simpler moments?

Sydney I The Grounds

Sydney I The Grounds I Coffee on drip

Sydney I The Grounds I BURGER

10. Focusing so hard and taking what feels like a million pictures to try to capture the perfect rainbow picture but it didn't turn out great...at all. I did however see another rainbow in Brisbane, it was beyond my wildest imaginations-- I can't even describe it.

Sydney I Bondi Beach

11. Taking random pictures of life's tiniest yet most previous moments...

12. Meeting up with friends and new friends, no pretenses, no frills. We met Melba at a vintage store in Newtown, and became friends. The randomness of how people meet people and the coincidences of how things fall together are the moments that make up life itself.

Sydney I Baxton's Inn I Ju-Anne, me & Charisse (this picture was taken with an iPhone- it SUCKS)

Sydney I Bondi Beach I Ju-Anne, Menreet & me

Sydney I Newtown I Ju-Anne, Melba & me

Sydney I Ju-Anne, me & Cindy

Sydney I Chinatown I Menreet & Ju-Anne

Brisbane I Josia & the giant bubble tea

Sydney I Charlene & Ju-Anne

13. Doing all the non-tourist things simply because I didn't want to be labelled a tourist. Steven studied in Brisbane so he said since I insisted on trying to be a local, i had to visit UQ, eat pizza and sit on the grass.

In Australia, sitting on the grass is the norm. Bible studies are held at the grass patch in school, and they sing hymns. In Singapore, you go try to sit on the grass patch. JUST TRY.