Thursday, December 1, 2016

fyrsti dagurinn / the first day

Had such a serious case of blues after returning from Iceland. Jet lag was gone after a day or two but our hearts remained up north as we spent our evenings selecting and printing our trip photos. There's just so many highlights over the course of two weeks and of course the photos or videos don't do it justice. You just got to go there to experience it yourself and I'm sure everyone will experience it differently. The weather was ever-changing so we tried to take as many different shots as possible. Even if it's rainy, don't worry because the sun will eventually peak its head out from the clouds. This was the first time that we've ever planned such a remote trip and it was such an eye-opening experience and I truly hope that we can go back again in the near future. 

As we travelled to Reykjavik via Icelandair, J and I shared the Icelandic oatmeal and rhubarb cake otherwise known as hjónabandssæla, the happy marriage cake. No better way to begin our adventure :)

After a long flight and hassle with our transfer, we finally arrived at our hotel, famished and tired we ate a small bite at Apotek (I strongly recommend this place) and crashed in bed by 10pm. 


The next day we had breakfast at Bergsson Mathús which is located right next to our hotel. My favourite item on their breakfast spread was their little cup of museli with greek yoghurt.

One thing that we noticed very early on at all Icelandic restaurants and cafes is their simple self-service culture. This place for example had free coffee, peanut butter and jam.. and just help yourself to the water. None of those sparkling or still water questions.

After a hearty breakfast we went off to explore the town as we had one day of rest before we leave the next day on our road trip. For early/mid November, the sun rises at around 9:30am and slowly sets after 5:00pm.





 We didn't see any real puffins on this trip but here's a big one on display :P


Abit rainy that day so we decided not to go up Hallgrímskirkja. Save it for a clearer day, it's so worth the wait.




Lunch at Snaps Bistro bar and loving their french onion soup with melted local cheese on top of their super duper crunchy bread.


Free admission at the Reykjavík Museum of Photography. The exhibition was PORTRAITS by various Hasselblad Award Winners.


And right next door was the Reykjavik Art Museum at Hafnarhús. The artist Erró's War and Peace in ink and watercolor.




What you see and what you might not see. :P

Yoko Ono's One More Story.. On this art piece you can stamp 'Imagine Peace' on any location that you want to see conflict resolved.

Lots of interactive pieces. There's even a phone by the entrance which Yoko Ono randomly calls in and you just pick up and can start talking to her. heh pretty neat.



Love the architecture at Harpa's Concert Hall which resembles the basalt columns found throughout Iceland and it's kaleidoscope of reflections.





Björk's virtual reality exhibition.. hearing her voice again and seeing her digital life size image move through your body sends chills down your spin. Some sections made me dizzy (because I'm more susceptible to motion sickness) but overall a pretty cool experience.


Stopping by the local grocery store and stocking up on breakfast like cereal and skyr for the next day. Don't you just want to try the fifty shades hotter hehe.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Life gives many things

Work, life and play.. some colorful snaps from September.

I have never ever won anything in my life so winning the APAC Cultural Diversity photo contest was so awesome! :D There were alot of beautiful submissions and it was fun organising this campaign with our teams. I promise I had zero influence on the judges hehe Taken during our visit at Lee Man Tat high school in Xin Hui.

Celebrating my mom's birthday at The Verandah. We haven't celebrated together in forever as she's always been in Vancouver so this occassion was extra special :)

First time attending the Hong Kong Pink Dot event in Kowloon.


Having a nice picnic with friends and family on a very hot Sunday afternoon. 



Wow, so many beautiful butterflies hanging on the ceiling :)

Went to Iron Fairies in Central and fell in love with their concept. Purchased two fairies at the bar and it came with instructions on how to handle them when you get home. As they've been made deep beneath the earth, you need to place the fairies by the window before you go to bed, sprinkle a little bit of fairy dust, make a wish and you can set their spirit free when they see sunlight for the first time. Each one also comes with a short poem too, this is what I chose:

Savannah: Feel the heat beneath my wings, my warmth gives life to many things. I am Savvannah, fairy of the sand, I stretch my body across the land. Desire, lust - I am drawn to you, take me in, I want you too. The mine, the desert, the open plain, I'll cross them all for you to gain. 

Erin: Erin is my name, like the sea, so free, water is the life of me. A stream a lake a pond, I embrace, and the sun and moon reflects on my face. Tadpoles and toads, wagtails and wrens, butterflies and bees, they are all my friends. In the leaves of the lovely lotus I lay, and dream and play the day away. With this fairy Erin you will never feel alone, she will bring much happiness to you and your home.  


Thursday, October 6, 2016

Lee fam bam time

AK's wedding in August. Champagne, wedding and lots of family gatherings. After staying there for two weeks, it was so hard to get back into the working mojo. I still miss LA :(

Lots to celebrate..dinner @ Celestino, just minutes drive from the Langham Hotel which we stayed at.


Meeting Amber's family for the first time, lovely homemade lunch~

Chosun Galbi with dear uncle Jeffrey and Rene :) I hope one day I can travel around the world the same way they have..



After the welcome dinner, drinks with the cousins.

 The big day! Chinese tea ceremony in the morning.

 Starting new traditions - August 2016.


Check out this awesome ice sculpture.

With our two lovely grandma's at the banquet dinner.


Wow! Grandma is still dancing the night away :D


Welcome to the family <3

Taking a break after watching two IMAX shows at the California Science Centre: Beautiful Planet and National Parks Adventure. 

hehe we call him the hubble bear.. peek-a-boo.

Whoaa the Endeavour, the fifth and final operational shuttle.


Space: the final frontier. To explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before. ;)

At the LA Musuem of Natural History, this place is so cool!

Grizzlies <3

With the newly weds at Matsuhisa with Uncle Leo :) Lots of eating, time for a detox..