third

Today is undoubtly a fall day. I was skeptical when I saw Starbucks rolling out it's fall promotions earlier this week, but this morning is definitely a crisp, fall morning. In fact it feels like I'm back in Ontario.

While sipping some slower brewed wuyi with a cool breeze coming in from my open windows, I feel as if I can totally live happily in a little cabin perched on some rugged mountain deep in the woods. Or more practically a cottage in southwestern England. There would be a functional fire place where I can boil water in a cast iron kettle set on some charcoal (possibly a ventilation nightmare), and an abundance of heavy wool blankets to bury myself in.

So ready for the cooler weather.

• Making my last batch of cold noodles for the year
• My dutch oven is arriving in the mail today, so time to start braising *u*
• Switching from peaches to pears and apples
• Changing lipstick selection to darker colours
• Can start wearing blazers and sweaters so I won't freeze in the office
• Wish I have a set of bizen-yaki dishware to switch to :(

mimosa

It's hard to believe that not a single shop in the entire Lenox mall sells Burberry make up. Well I should be happy about the $30 that I saved (or rather $18, because someone on /r/asianbeauty found a very similar shade of lipstick)

Instead I got some freebies from Sephora. It's hard to believe that I've spent $500+ there over the years...

Bite is worth all the hype (Toronto represent!)... I am so impressed by the luminous cream lipstick. I applied it without any lip balm underneath and it is not drying at all, nor does it sink into any lip lines, nor accentuates any dry patches! Normally a lot of prep is involved in getting my lips to look this smooth. Best of all it's super comfortable to wear and doesn't feel like there's anything on my lips. Been looking into the mirror periodically throughout the evening and it's hard to believe how good it looks.

Later edit: wore this again today because I am totally in love with the formula. Can confirm it is still comfortable, non-drying and a general dream to wear. It also lasted through 2 separate tea sessions and pasta for lunch, although I was eating carefully.

PS. I found that they have a "lab" location in NYC where they'll make custom lipsticks to your specification. Definitely heading there!

driving

Why am I such a sucker for FFXV? All it takes are a couple location concept arts and I'm back to wanting to throw my money at SE. Can I hope for a LE PS4 as well? ;_;

Concept art:

Pre-render, but Tabata-san promised that it'll look just as good in game:

(both images via)

This is Altissia, which is modeled after Venice. It really can't get any better.
This is also where Noctis will meet Lunafreya, which is exciting because a) her name is part Norse goddess and b) Tabata-san emphasized that she is a strong characters (probably due to critism that the main cast is all male)

Maybe I won't miss Stella too much...

AND 2016 release date.

Zhe Jiang

Classic Chinese Black Tea from my Joseph Wesley order:

I'm not sure why English didn't adopt the Chinese name which is 红茶 or red tea. This brewed into such a beautiful red colour. It makes much more sense than naming the tea after the leaf colour since other types of tea, such as some highly roasted oolong and fermented tea (which is actually black tea or 黑茶 in Chinese), all have dry leaves that are black in colour.

Taste wise, this tea reminds me of molasses and velvet. It's a very deep and musky sweetness, though it turns into a cleaner sweetness if you drink the tea cold.

不舍全写在脸上

My gosh it's been more than a year since I've posted a cpop song. To be honest I've been listening to mostly instrumental since it's easier to work to. Also Années de pèlerinage, which is the greatest song to read to.

Sidenote: I need to create a Murakami playlist because his books have great jazz / classical. So far I've listened to this one on 8tracks on repeat for a couple days.

Anyways! I dug through my Jay Chou songs and finally found one that I haven't posted before. The lyrics are amazingly poetic as always, and this being one of his earlier songs, have crappy pronunciation.


海天 连线的 地方是那夕阳
木造 的甲板一整遍 是那金黄
你背光 的轮廓就像剪影一样
充满着想像 任谁都 会爱上

琴键声 在船舱 随海风 回荡
竟有一种 属于中世纪才有的浪漫
微笑眺望远方 是你的习惯
古典钢琴 在敲打 小小的那哀伤

你的眼神 隐约中有着不安不安
你不敢不敢 继续的暧昧喜欢

你泪化了妆 不舍全写在脸上
摇摇晃晃 船已入港
我不忍为难 问谁在等你靠岸
一圈戒痕 在你指上
目送你 越走越远的 悲伤

我害怕故事走不到一半 你心里早就已经有了答案
走偏了 方向 你绝口 不谈 不谈
我不过问 只是彼此 的心被捆绑

明明 海阔天空 蔚蓝的海洋
你心里面 却有一个不透明的地方
浪倒映月光 足迹遗留在沙滩
留遗憾在码头上 空气弥漫着怀旧时光

我看见 呵护着你的那个 对象
我的和弦开始慢板的沧桑

你泪化了妆 不舍全写在脸上
摇摇晃晃 船已入港
我不忍为难 问谁在等你靠岸
一圈戒痕 在你指上
目送你 越走越远的 悲伤

你泪化了妆 不舍全写在脸上
摇摇晃晃 船已入港
我不忍为难 问谁在等你靠岸
一圈戒痕 在你指上
目送你 越走越远的 悲伤

...
...
...

Have to steal the spotlight of the cpop comeback with gushing about Kim Yeon-joo's manhwa.

I am forever grateful that I found this Nabi fansite. I finally understand the plot after reading her explanations. Excuse me while I go sort through these overwhelming feels, alternative timeline #1 has too much Ryu-Sang x Myo-Un moments, like a kiss that I've waited sixteen volumes for. Why am I far less competent to deal with emotions when they pertain to the 2D world?

Also, Igrainne is definitely the So-Ryu of Felluah.

PS. Zoe was also overwhelmingly sweet to Adora in this week's chapter of Winter Woods *clutches heart*

tipped

A rainy day is the perfect day to receive new tea.

First up is some taiwanese oolong for the upcoming cooler weather (I hope...). Some heavier roasted dong ding and asian beauty. I'm interested in comparing the dong ding to Eco-Cha's offering, and the asian beauty to Tea Ave's.

I admit this is totally an impulsive purchase to get the limited edition khullar with is a GWP with the assam. The khullar is the traditional serving wear for masala chai, and it's a little ironic that it's a LE offering since you're suppose to smash these clay cups after drinking your chai.

The other huge motivator behind this purchase is the beauuuutiful packaging (and website!) of Joseph Wesley tea. I'm undecided as to whether it beats Tea Ave for the most gorgeous tea packaging.

viscosity

I've reached a new level of laziness for dinner:

Smashed soft boiled egg on toasted bread, with soup.

Takes one pot to make, which is used to boil the soup and egg. The beauty of gas stoves if that it can double as a toaster.

...I've had a long long day out in the field. Two water penetration tests that are 15 mins each took 7 hours to complete.