Herbivore

I would like to start this blog by apologising to my #supercool #superfun #pumapayat with #lipsofanangel business partner: Hannah. 

Dear Bud, I went on a site visit to our clients house a while ago. Kuya Joseph (our clients brother) brewed super yummy coffee for me and then we talked about so many things! I kind of lost track of time. So I think some of our working drawings won't reach the deadline you gave me.. ermergerd. But I'll try to still finish them on time :D

Good news is I got a client freebie!!! As kuya Joseph and I were talking about his love for plants and herbs, he gave me this:

Anis

This plant is called Anis. It's leaves smell so strong and they are used in a lot of Vietnamese dishes. I wish the internet had #smellstagram.

I was a bit worried that I won't be able to take care of the plant. As you know, most of the herbs that I bought in Tagaytay just wilted away. So he gave me tips on how to properly grow herbs.

Half sand, half organic ash.

1. Herbs don't like to be drowned in water. So..

2. Plant them in a terra cotta pot with...

3. Half sand half & half organic ash soil mixture.

4. Make sure your herbs get the right amount of sun. 

5. Basils love sun. You can leave them in your terrace.

Coach adds a bit of tanginess to the herb. Bad dog, Coach!!!

Let's try to cook Vietnamese food when you go here bud. :D

That's all for now :) Time to get back to work. Promise I'll work as fast as I can.

xx!

-Y

Flower Power

Can you smell them from the screen?

Have you heard the famous quote, “Stop and smell the flowers?” This phrase tells us that we sometimes tend to focus too much on the path that we have, in line with the goals that we set for ourselves. Apparently, we become too obsessed with these things that we forget to enjoy the actual journey.

Let me give you an example. Imagine yourself eating your favorite food in the world. Your eyes pop out and jaw drops in the sight of this sumptuous plate that you are about to attack. For me, it is a Japanese meal, specifically a Mori Soba accompanied with Maki, Tamagoyaki and hot green tea on the side. While at the peak of extreme hunger, we quickly grab our eating utensils, pick the food, swallow and bite it all the way down to our tummy. Once satisfied, we rest on our seats after indulging in this great feast. We cannot move. We carry a heavy stomach, full and bloated. A few minutes later we wonder where the food goes. Did you savor its flavor, texture and taste the crisp or juice of every ingredient therein? Did you even know the dish that you just ate? 

This example points out that we tend to forget to appreciate the little things we have around us. Many can raise their hands in guilt of this, including mine. If only we learn to stop and smell the flowers on our way, we can still see the beauty in a difficult day.

Straight from our gate.

Here is a short list of what I consider some of my “flowers” to be:

• Stop to look at flowers. (Pun intended. Haha)
• Soak in a good shower.
• Ogle at a gorgeous sunset.
• Enjoy my meals.
• Appreciate a joke even the corny ones. (Especially with Yani Haha)
• Stare at my dog and see how happy she is when I give her my attention.
• Take pictures of the sky. This is definitely one of the most beautiful subjects ever. The sky is different every single time.
• Hug my pillow. (I love hugging things. This is not a sentimental statement. Haha)
• Prize a cold glass of water.
• Take deep breaths. (I have asthma that’s why I highly appreciate this.)

Some of these things may seem absolutely ordinary. But this is exactly my point. Relish everything.

-H

Pop ups

When will I see a four-leaf clover?

Hi I'd just like to share something that might weird you out: I've always wanted to be a dwarf. There you go. I've always dreamed of playing with mystical creatures of the forest, building houses under tree roots and running under the shade of mushrooms, when big droplets of rain start to pour. 

This bunch of super small plants can be a resting place for dwarf dogs.

It's one of my most favourite childhood dreams (aside from becoming as sexy as Sailormoon) and that’s probably the reason why I am easily captivated by mystical-looking plants and fungi.  It chases me back to those days when I was free to just dream and play the whole summer, when life was free from problems and bills. It brings me back to the days when life was simpler, happier and lighter (I'm not talking about my weight).

Mushrooms are so cute and they taste good.

I really wish I can go back to those days. Good thing God has created memory- a mysterious thing that can be sparked by such small objects like mushrooms and clovers.

xx
-Y