Best Ramen in Tokyo

The last few weeks have been hectic as I move jobs from Australia to Japan. Got to meet a good friend of mine in Tokyo who took me to a small ramen restaurant in Shinjuku, which apparently is one of the best places for ramen in all of Tokyo. The broth is very very tasty, unlike any ramen I have ever tasted.

Down a small alley way

The guys working there and cooking. Once the noodle is cooked they would thow the water onto the floor screaming in unison "Shaaaa...Yoshaaa" very exciting!

Their famous Pork Ramen...OMG shiny and tasty!

Jus Burgers & San Churro

Something I will definately miss in Australia is Jus Burgers and San Churros..Jus burgers have well, the best burgers and San Churros sell the best Churros and chocolate, need I explain anymore :D

Onion rings, Burger and Ginger Beer...mmmmmm♥

mm churros and melted chocolate....♥

Winter is Coming

So...after watching Game of Thrones I must say I am now addicted to this world of Westeros created by George R. R. Martin. I couldn't wait for season two which will be shown next year, so instead I got the books and started reading. My favourite character by far is Arya Stark, once I got the books I skimmed through everyone's chapters and only read hers (I know that's not how to read books, so shoot me) but I couldn't stop reading her POV. Sometimes I would read until 3am because I can't put the book down. Credit would have to be given to Maisie Williams who plays Arya's character on the show because she sold me the show after Sean Bean of course. There are only two more books to go and the romantic in me hopes that Arya and Gendry will end up together. Mr Martin, please don't kill these two off.

Gendry & Arya

Knowing that this book is not a fairy tale, I am mentally prepared if these two don't end up together like how Robert felt about Lyanna...I still hope they do though!!! arrgghhh!! Right one year until season two and five years perhaps until the second last book... God I'm glad I only got into this book now and not back in 1996...I'll probably be drawing more from this world to distract the wait!

Korean Face Masks

In Korea, there are always staff infront of their store trying to bring people in...with free stuff! You can take the item, look around and leave the shop with that free item! Now me and my friend got a little bit addicted to this so we ended up with lots and lots of beauty products... most were free the others we bought because we couldn't help ourselves haha. A few of my favourite Korean face masks:

1. Pearl Face Mask from The Face Shop

2. Special Zone Care from The Face Shop. (There are all sorts of masks for different parts of your face. The one I got is for your smile lines...visible lines when your not smiling!)

3. Sake Noki from VOV Cosmetics. (By far my favourite mask, it not only is refreshing but it smells like sake...mmm could get drunk by putting this mask on your face lol)

4. B.B Cream Cleansing tissue from Missha. (I love B.B Cream I actually bought Missha's B.B cream because unlike western foundation/moisturiser it doesn't feel heavy and doesn't feel like your face is going to melt in summer)

5. Brighting Mask Sheet for Man from It's Skin. (haha couldn't believe they have masks for men, bought these for my dad)

6. White Tree EX from The Face Shop. (for moisturising the face as well as whitening)

7. Ginseng Mask from The Face Shop. (Actually now I'm not sure if this one is ginseng... I forgot what the shop keeper said.. I can read Korean but I don't understand it haha handy huh? Nevertheless this one & the sake one is another favourite. After putting on this mask my face feels rejuvenated)

The Picture In The Bedroom

A lot of my inspiration comes from books, movies, TV etc and one of them is; of course the world of Narnia as mentioned before :) In the 3rd series "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" by C.S Lewis my favourite part in the book as well as the movie is when the kids get sucked into Narnia once again, only this time through a painting. I love how pictures speaks more than words, and this scene always gives me goosebumps. After searching far and wide noone sold this replica painting so I decided to make one myself. Why? Because I want to go back to Narnia too :P :P haha. The best medium to use on a canvas was oil paint, thanks to my mum who had taught me oil painting. And after many trials and error I have finished~~~~~!! This project took me hours of my weekends for a month but I am really proud of myself, all I need is a frame to hang this in my own bedroom.

Original painting from the movie. Screen cap taken from here

COMPLETE!

I have made the colours darker than they originally were...Again my camera doesn't capture all the colours but I prefer the feeling that a storm is coming before water leaks through the canvas.

2011.07.13 - Wicked

After years of anticipation, today one of my dreams finally came true as I went and saw the broadway musical 'Wicked'. It really did live up to my expectations and beyond, the set and costume were beautiful and I simply loved the parallels between the musical and the 1939 movie! It is a must see musical and If I could I would watch it over and over again!!!

Wicked Martini- an alcoholic slushi served at the theater! Delicious melon flavour that light up. Hillarious how everyone was drinking it, felt like I was a Hogwarts learning magic :P :P

The beautiful and colourful set.

Wicked: The Grimmerie- a behind the scenes book. Loved the vintage look, reminds me of an old spell book.

Wicked Musical Program

Breadsticks

Few days ago I was watching Glee and one place they always mention was to eat breadsticks at a place called Breadsticks. I though, wouldn't it be awesome if we had a place like this? so after watching I got an instant craving and had to make my own.

Breadsticks
If you like Cheese and herbs and more...!!
2 ½ cups of Flour
½ a cup of Milk
1 Egg
1 teaspoon of Sugar
½ a teaspoon of Salt
¼ cup of Melted Butter
3 teaspoons of Instant Yeast
3 teaspoon of Seasoning (Italian)
1 teaspoon of Garlic
2 a cup of Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon of Butter (softened)
¼ cup of hot Water

1. Blend the bread flour, yeast, salt, sugar, garlic, Italian seasoning, grated Parmesan cheese as well as the softened butter. Then stir together hot water and milk and slowly pour in this mixture until the contents turn into a ball.

2. Add the egg and knead the dough. Once that is over, take a large bowl and lightly oil it. Then coat it with oil. Later take a damp cloth to cover the dough and place the dough in a warm place till it doubles in volume. This should take about an hours time.

3. Take the dough out and punch it and then put it out on a surface that is lightly floured. Then roll the dough into a rectangle and slice the dough lengthwise into about ten strips. Later cut these strips further into half. Use the melted butter to brush the top of the strips and then sprinkle the strips with Parmesan cheese.

4. Cover the breadsticks for 30 minutes to let it rise. Preheat the oven to 190 degrees. Brush the breadsticks with parmasan cheese and place the breadsticks in the oven for about 25 minutes. Or until cheese turns golden brown

Very crunchy, cheesy and herby(?)

Definately would be a great appetizer for any occasion!

Gold Rush

When looking through the pictures I took this week I noticed that most of the things had a tinge of the colour gold. Quite amazing really, could gold be the new black :P

Honeycomb flavoured Gold-Rush Espreski from Dome Cafe. My all time favourite drink, I will order this everytime I go there.

Almond coated pretzel with a caramel dip. Eat this with a cup of chocolate flavoured milk and it feels like christmas in July.

'Pure Honestly Floral Ring' from Ruche

Poptarts! My all time favourite childhood food. Problem is Poptarts are no longer distributed in Australia due to the fact they weren't popular enough. So they are now a rare breed and thanks to my sister she found a small lolly shop which sold a range of flavours. For more than double the price it was originally sold at... nevertheless it is worth it :D

Got myself a manicure, sparkly gold. I think I have my new favourite colour.